Justin Jacobs, LONDON: BRAZIL is set to hold its first shale-gas licensing round this year after president Dilma Rousseff called on the country to step up onshore gas development. The call came as droughts strained Brazil’s hydro-dependent electricity sector, threatening energy shortages.
A shale-focused licensing round will take place on 11-12 December, the Ministry of Mines and Energy said in a 23 January statement, though it did not provide any further details. Brazil is already holding two licensing rounds this year, the first since 2008. The long-delayed 11th round, which will include 289 blocks, both on- and offshore is scheduled for 14-15 May. The 12th round, which will feature pre-salt acreage, is due to be held on 28-29 November.
Brazil has been considering unconventional gas development since a number of initial studies pointed to potentially huge shale-gas...