---

Brazilian energy giant Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) and General Electric Co. are interested in investing in a project to extend the bunker-producing refinery in Cartagena, according to Colombia's trade and industry minister.

The news follows reports last week that Colomban oil company Ecopetrol and commodities supplier Glencore were in discussions regarding the possibility of the Swiss firm retiring from the expansion project and selling its 51 percent stake in the Cartagena refinery.

The project to expand the plant's production capacity from 80,000 to 140,000 barrels a day has run into delays amid claims that Glencore was having difficulties financing the project in the middle of the economic crisis.

"The important thing is there's interest. As soon as we knew Glencore wasn't going to continue, two large, global companies on the scale of General Electric and Petrobras said 'We're interested,'" Trade and Industry Minister Luis Guillermo Plata told reporters.

Petrobras previously made an offer for a stake in the Cartagena plant in 2006, but was beaten by a rival bid of $656 million by current owner Glencore.

Later that year, Petrobras' officials said the company was planning to team up with Glencore in the project.

The 80,000 barrels-per-day refinery in Cartagena, which is located near the country's main port, is an important source for the local bunker market. Most of the fuel oil and distillates for the local marine fuels market are sourced from the facility.

Last week, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe confirmed that it would be interested in discussing a possible partnership with Petrobras.

"If a company like Petrobras comes to Colombia, it will be welcomed," Uribe said in a press conference following a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.