On December 7, 2017, Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (“ANP”), published the tender protocols draft for the 15th Bid Round for exploratory onshore and offshore blocks under the concession regime, as well as the concession contract draft, the preliminary schedule and information regarding the offered areas.
The 15th Bid Round will be composed of two phases, the first one regarding offshore exploratory blocks and the second one regarding onshore exploratory blocks, which will occuur in separate public sessions.
The 15th Bid Round – Offshore includes 49 offshore blocks, located in five basins of high potential, as well as new exploratory frontiers: (i) Campos; (ii) Santos; (iii) Ceará; (iv) Potiguar; and (v) Sergipe-Alagoas.
On its turn, the 15th Bid Round – Onshore includes 21 blocks, located in two basins with new frontier areas: (i) Parnaíba; and (ii) Paraná.
According to the schedule of the draft tender protocols, the technical data package is already available. Those interested in accessing it must: (i) fill out an electronic registration form; (ii) present proof of payment of the participation fee, in accordance with the specific sector; and (iii) submit the term of confidentiality, according to the template provided in the draft tender protocol. Below you will find the schedule:
| Event |
Date |
|
Publication of the draft tender protocols and draft concession contract |
December 07, 2017 |
|
Commencement of the period for fulfillment of application forms, delivery of application documentation and payment of the participation fee |
December 07, 2017 |
|
Technical data package availability |
December 07, 2017 |
|
Deadline for comments to the draft tender protocols draft and to the draft concession contract, and public consultation |
December 18, 2017 |
|
Public hearing (city of Rio de Janeiro) |
Until December 21, 2017 |
|
Publication of tender protocol and concession agreement |
January 25, 2018 |
|
Technical seminar |
Until January 31, 2018 |
|
Environmental and fiscal-legal seminars |
Until February 05, 2018 |
|
Deadline for the fulfillment of application forms, submission of application documentation and payment of participation fee |
February 07, 2018 |
|
Deadline to present the offer bid bonds |
March 08, 2018 |
|
Public session for the presentation of offers |
March 29, 2018 |
|
Deadline for the submission of the qualification documentation (awarded bidder) |
April 13, 2018 |
|
Award and ratification of the bidding |
Until July 13, 2018 |
|
Deadline to present the following documents related to: (i) the signing of the concession agreement; and (ii) qualification of the affiliate appointed for the signing of the contract, if it is the case |
October 11, 2018 |
|
Deadline for payment of the signing bonus and proof of payment |
October 11, 2018 |
|
Concession contract Execution |
November 30, 2018 |
The tender protocol drafts are available on the ANP website (Portuguese only). All documents will be under public consultation until December 18, 2017, so that contributions may be made from both the industry and society in general.
We will continue to monitor the development of the 15th Bid Round, and will keep you posted through our legal updates.
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Observations in this update about Brazilian law are by Tauil & Chequer Advogados. They are not intended to provide legal advice to any entity; any entity considering the possibility of a transaction must seek advice tailored to its particular circumstances.