ANP expands oversight and prepares for record oil auctions in Brazil

Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) is set to expand its regulatory oversight and manage a record number of oil exploration auctions.

A proposal approved by the Infrastructure Commission (CI) would grant the ANP access to electronic tax invoices (NF-e, NFC-e, and CT-e) from regulated agents. This measure aims to combat tax evasion and organized crime within the fuel sector by creating a verifiable commercial trail. The project stipulates that the granting of activities regulated by the ANP will be conditioned upon permanent authorization for the agency to access this fiscal information.

Separately, the ANP announced that upcoming oil auctions in October will feature a record number of areas under dispute. Two major bidding processes are scheduled for October 7: the 4th Production Sharing Cycle, covering 13 pre-salt blocks, and the 6th Concession Cycle, which includes 22 sectors. Several companies have already expressed interest in these blocks, marking a significant period for the country's petroleum exploration activities.