---

Energy giant and bunker supplier Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has today confirmed that its head office in Rio de Janeiro will close tomorrow (December 9) at 12:00 p.m. local time.

The company said that the reason for the closure was "due to an internal event", in an email announcement sent to customers,

In a telephone conversation today with Bunker Index, Christina Green - bunker trader at London-based Petrobras Europe Ltd - replied "I'm sorry, I cannot say" when asked for further details about the office closure.

Last week, Moody’s downgraded the baseline credit of Petrobras when it delayed its third-quarter earnings in November after its auditor declined to sign off due to allegations of corruption at the company.

The Brazilian energy firm is in the midst of a corruption scandal in which two former executives and several construction industry executives have been arrested.

Petrobras's offices in London, Singapore and Rotterdam are expected to be open during normal office hours tomorrow.

Contact details for bunker traders at these offices have been provided below.

London:

Mrs Cristina Green
Phone: + 44 203 073 0790
Mobile: + 44 7710 741 596
E-mail: cristina@petrobras.com

Singapore:

Mr Breno Cavalheiro
Phone: +65 6550 5672
Mobile: +65 8133 9911
Email: breno.cavalheiro@petrobras.com

Rotterdam:

Mrs. Stephanie Oduber
Phone: +31 (0) 102067067
Mobile: +31 (0) 653850003
Fax: +31 (0) 102067095
Email: stephanie.oduber@petrobras.com