Ana Paula Marra
Repórter da Agência Brasil

Brasília – In a speech to the nation yesterday on Independence Day, president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized work on infrastructure his administration is carrying out and announced some good news. "Allow me, on Independence Day, to celebrate an important victory with you. This year Brazil will become self-sufficient in petroleum production. That means we will be much less vulnerable to international crises," said the president.

At the moment, Petrobras has reached an average daily production level of over 1.6 million barrels. Brazil needs 1.9 million barrels daily to be self-sufficient and should reach that point by the end of the year.

Translator: Allen Bennett