Petrobras is surprised and officially notifies Braskem about potential asset sale, says CEO

Petrobras was surprised by news that Braskem was negotiating the sale of assets and officially notified the petrochemical company, the oil company's president, Magda Chambriard, said this Friday.

Braskem and Unipar Carbocloro confirmed earlier this Friday that they are negotiating assets, a day after media reports on the matter, which were denied by executives.

Novonor, formerly Odebrecht, controls Braskem with 50.1% of the petrochemical company's voting capital, while Petrobras holds a 47% stake.

Braskem said it has begun talks with Unipar about potential opportunities involving the sale of assets or equity interests in the company and its subsidiaries, while Unipar said a confidentiality agreement with its competitor was signed in July.

The executive said she learned of the potential sale through "market buzz" and immediately notified Braskem, since the state-owned company has the right of first refusal in any transaction.

"Yesterday we heard news that Braskem was negotiating the sale of assets in the US and Mexico. This was a nasty surprise because we are a relevant partner and have veto power. I found it very strange," said Chambriard, during an event to discuss gender equality in public and private institutions.

"We told them (in an official letter) the following: 'look here, the partners are here and they won't let it go'... No one starts a business by disregarding their own partner and to such an extent."

Braskem and Unipar did not name the assets being evaluated, although the previous day's news cited Braskem's operations in the United States.

The executive also answered questions about BP's discovery in a block called Bumerangue, in the Santos Basin pre-salt, announced last Monday. Asked whether she could seek a partnership with BP for the asset, Chambriard said the company is open to the idea, although she is satisfied with her own portfolio.

"We have some information about that area, let's see what they actually have in hand... In principle, we are satisfied with the assets we have, but if there is a real and attractive possibility, the doors are not closed at all," she said.