Brazilian President Lula confirmed on Saturday in Dubai that his country will join OPEC+, with the aim of “convincing the main oil-producing countries” to prepare the energy transition “without fossil fuels.” Brazil’s invitation was announced on Thursday during a meeting of OPEC+, an alliance formed by the 13 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and ten partner countries, including Russia. Membership is due in January.
“It’s like when they invite me to participate in the G7. I go there and listen. I only speak after they have made a decision. I don’t decide anything,” added the Brazilian head of state. Last May, Lula was invited to participate in the G7 summit in Japan.
On Friday, the president of the Brazilian company Petrobras, Jean Paul Prates, stated that Brazil should join OPEC+ as an “observer”, ruling out the possibility of his country adhering to the production quotas decided by the organization.
3.7 million barrels per day
But Lula still intends to play a role in debates over the energy transition. “It is important to participate in OPEC+, because we must convince the main oil-producing countries that they must prepare for the end of fossil fuels,” he said. Brazil, the largest oil producer in Latin America and with vast reserves in the pre-salt sea, recorded crude oil production of 3.7 million barrels per day in September, according to data from the Argus group, that is, an increase of almost 17%. in a year. “a record level.”
Lula presents himself at COP28 as a champion of the fight against global warming, showing a significant reduction in deforestation in the Amazon since his return to power in January. But he is also criticized for an oil exploration project by the public company Petrobras, near the mouth of the Amazon.
Source: BFM TV
