Brazil’s Petroleum Sector

With the 17th World Petroleum Congress being held in Brazil in September 2002 the JCPT is pleased to include two articles on the Brazilian industry and economy with particular emphasis on its energy sector and rapidly growing oil and gas industry. In the first article, Annette Hester captures the current political and economic flavour of Brazil. In the second, Dr. Abbas Naini provides background information and reviews the development of each sector of the energy industry. Brazil - The Land of New Beginnings by Annette Hester September in Brazil! It is spring there and the days are just perfect, warm but not too hot. Spring is a time of new beginnings. It's a perfect lime to visit Rio de Janeiro, especially in 2002. As delegates start arriving in Rio to take part in the World Petroleum Congress 2002 (WPC), the one thing that is likely not to go unnoticed - aside from the signature landmarks of the Sugar Loaf, Christ the Redeemer, and the beautiful beaches - is the overwhelming abundance of electoral posters and electoral propaganda of all kinds, including people in the streets dressed with shirts coloured to identify their candidates blowing horns and handing out material. Brazil's Economy and Energy Industry by Abbas Naini The Federated Republic of Brazil with 8.511,965 km2 is the largest country in South America and the world's fifth largest, after Russia, Canada, China, and the USA. Brazil borders every country in South America except Chile and Ecuador. In the 1980s (after 20 years of military rule) the country slowly returned to democracy and in 1988 enacted a new constitution, which allows the president who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces to choose ministers of State, initiate legislation, and maintain foreign relations. Brazil is administratively divided into 26 states and one Federal District. The presidential powers are balanced by a bicameral legislature, which consists of a 72-seat senate and a 487-seat chamber of deputies. Presidential, state, and congressional elections are held every four years.