Brazil’s hydrocarbons regulator ANP has signed 25 concession contracts with firms awarded blocks during the first phase of the country’s 13th oil licensing round in October.
The companies include GDF Suez Brasil – a subsidiary of French giant Engie – Geopark Brasil and Queiroz Galvão, ANP said in a statement on Wednesday.
The signing of 12 remaining contracts secured at the bid round was postponed until February.
The October 7 auction – Brazil’s first since 2013 – saw companies present offers for just 22 of 266 blocks available,
Tepid investor interest was blamed on falling crude prices, Brazil’s recession and a sprawling corruption scandal engulfing state-run oil firm Petrobras.
Other companies to have concessions approved on Wednesday were Ouro Preto Óleo e Gás, Vipetro, BPMB Parnaíba, Parnaíba Participações, Parnaíba Gás Natural,Oil M&S, Petrosynergy, Tek, Geopar-Geosol and Imetame.