The shipment represents the first tangible outcome from a memorandum of understanding between Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez to implement a cooperative ethanol fuel program, starting with the mandatory addition of 8% alcohol to petrol mixes in eastern Venezuela.
Brazil, the world’s largest user and exporter of alcohol fuels, shipped over 2.4 billion litres to the international market last year. Petrobras has announced it is pumping $US330 million ($A434.5 million) into upgrading its transport infrastructure to increase its export capacity to 8 billion litres by 2010.
Petrobras is still negotiating with Venezuela over the specifics of its supply contract but initial forecasts set the monthly shipment at around 25,000 cubic metres. The company has also begun negotiations with the Chinese Government about establishing a fuel alcohol trade agreement.
“With this first fuel export to Venezuela, Petrobras, as forecast in the company strategic plan, strengthens its position as an energy company, generates great gains to the environment, enters new markets and sectors, sponsors the growth of Brazil and collaborates in the integration of the countries of South America,” said Petrobras supply director Paulo Roberto Costa.
