On this map, Brazil appeared to be approximately as surveilled as Russia. Some U. However as the weeks and months went on, it became apparent that this was no freak coincidence — Brazil appeared, in the eyes of the NSA and perhaps the North Atlantic alliance as a whole, to hold a status closer to enemy than ally. Petrobras featured heavily.
It is the interest [of the US] to know about issues of the Pre-Salt [offshore oil finds] and other issues of economic and commercial weight. Many in Brazil find this narrative obvious, yet it is rarely reported outside, certainly not from a Brazil persepective. Yet even Whitehouse advisors are now saying that the U. What no one else should know, Villa says, is which are the richest lots. And I hope only they know. If this information was leaked and someone else has obtained it, he would be in a privileged position at the auction.
Instead though, to the surprise of observers, no major US companies bid in the auction, with some pundits even suggesting that they might have had inside knowledge of hidden risks or potentially poor returns.
The auction itself came under attack from a Black Bloc group. Petrobras has not only been of interest to the NSA and the EIA but also the US State Department, and Diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks show a focus on the operations of Petrobras and a clear enthusiasm to battle for the interests of US oil companies while conducting meetings with Brazilian officials. A major concern for the U. Additional pre-salt discoveries were also announced in the Campos and Espirito Santo Basins.
Estimates for the total pre-salt resources vary. Some analysts place total extent of pre-salt recoverable oil and natural gas reserves at more than 50 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Animosity in the industry toward Petrobras is clear.
