Oil and gas auctions raise nearly $2.5 million in signature bonuses

The fourth licensing round for areas with mature oil and natural gas reserves, held today (May 11), rose $2.5 million in signature bonuses, with an average premium of 1.991.52%, the highest recorded in auctions of this type in the country.

A signature bonus corresponds to the total paid upfront by the winning bidder to be granted permission to perform its exploration activities in a given area (onshore or offshore). Its minimum value is set by the National Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP).

The amount to be collected with the concession of all nine fields was originally estimated at $143 thousand, the minimum set by ANP for the signature bonus.

The auction was held at the ANP headquarters, in Rio de Janeiro, and encompassed eight of the nine inactive areas offered, which had been returned by Petrobras.

In addition to the signature bonuses, ANP reported, investments are expected to total $2.9 billion in the recovery of the output the areas auctioned, which total 92.89km². Eight companies took part in the auction, and six bidders won.

The highest signature bonus totaled $1.8 million, and was offered by company Newo for the Recôncavo Baiano Basin, whose premium stood at slightly more than 8.000%.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira