Rio, May 19, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - On Sunday (18), Petrobras announced that the Coral Field, on the continental platform adjacent to the state of Paraná, has been producing 10,000 barrels of oil daily, since Thursday (15).

According to Petrobras, this volume exceeds the initial production forecasts of company experts. Tests reveal that the petroleum has a level of 41 degrees, which characterizes it is a light type of excellent quality.

The new producing well is part of the Project to Develop the Coral and Starfish Fields, located 180 kilometers off the coast of Paraná, at an ocean depth of 150 meters. According to Petrobras, when the other two Coral Field wells enter into operation, which should occur in the next few months, oil production in the locale will increase to 20 thousand barrels, daily. (DAS)