Rio, 27/11/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Mines and Energy, Dilma Rousseff, was in Rio yesterday for the signing of contracts for exploration and production of petroleum as a result of the 5th round of bidding which took place in August and brought in R$27 million in contract bonuses for the government.

Rousseff announced that the 6th round of bidding is scheduled for July of next year when some R$363 million in petroleum business will go on the auction block.

At the moment there are 38 companies exploring and producing petroleum in Brazil. (AB)