© Reuters. Brazil’s state-run oil firm Petrobras Chief Executive Jean-Paul Prates attends an interview with Reuters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo
By Sabrina Valle and Lisandra Paraguassu
HOUSTON/BRASILIA (Reuters) -Officials within the Brazilian authorities have been discussing a doable substitute of the CEO of state-run oil firm Petrobras, as they’re sad with the agency’s route, two sources with data of the matter informed Reuters.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has proven dissatisfaction with sure actions taken by CEO Jean Paul Prates. This month, Lula requested the CEO to tweak Petrobras’ funding plan to prioritize native job creation, Reuters reported.
“There should be changes” within the presidency of Petrobras, one of many sources mentioned.
A second supply near the discussions, who additionally spoke on situation of anonymity, mentioned Prates needs to be changed sooner or later, however there’s nonetheless no substitute able to take up the put up.
Brazil’s presidential palace denied the data.
Fuel costs have additionally induced some pressure with Prates’ relationship with the federal government. Last week, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira mentioned it was previous time for Petrobras to cut back diesel and gasoline costs at its refineries.
Lula has additionally pressured the oil firm to renew efforts to construct a fertilizer plant, a product Brazil should import to satisfy demand from its agribusiness sector.
Petrobras didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
On Monday, newspaper O Globo reported that Lula’s chief of workers, Rui Costa, would recommend a substitute for Prates to the president. Costa later denied the report on social media.
