UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of May, 2018

 

Commission File Number 1-15106

 

 

PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Brazilian Petroleum Corporation - PETROBRAS

(Translation of Registrant's name into English)

Avenida República do Chile, 65 
20031-912 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Federative Republic of Brazil

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes _______ No___X____

 

 

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Quarterly

Information – ITR

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At March 31, 2018 and report

on review of Quarterly

Information

 

 

(A free translation of the original

in Portuguese)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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KPMG Auditores Independentes

Rua do Passeio, 38 - Setor 2 - 17º andar - Centro

20021-290 - Rio de Janeiro/RJ - Brasil

Caixa Postal 2888 - CEP 20001-970 - Rio de Janeiro/RJ - Brasil

Telefone +55 (21) 2207-9400, Fax +55 (21) 2207-9000

www.kpmg.com.br

 

 

Report on the review of quarterly information – ITR

(A free translation of the original report in Portuguese, as filed with the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), prepared in accordance with the accounting practices adopted in Brazil, rules of the CVM and of the International Financial Reporting Standards - IFRS)

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras

Rio de Janeiro - RJ

 

Introduction

We have reviewed the interim accounting information, individual and consolidated, of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (“the Company”), identified as Parent Company and Consolidated, respectively, included in the quarterly information form - ITR for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, which comprises the balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 and the respective statements of income and comprehensive income, statements of changes in shareholders' equity and of cash flows for the three-month period then ended, including the explanatory notes.

 

The Company`s Management is responsible for the preparation of these interim accounting information in accordance with the CPC 21(R1) and the IAS 34 - Interim Financial Reporting, issued by the International Accounting Standards Board - IASB, as well as the presentation of these information in accordance with the standards issued by the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission, applicable to the preparation of quarterly information - ITR. Our responsibility is to express our conclusion on this interim accounting information based on our review.

 

 

 

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Scope of the review

We conducted our review in accordance with Brazilian and International Interim Information Review Standards (NBC TR 2410 - Revisão de Informações Intermediárias Executada pelo Auditor da Entidade and ISRE 2410 - Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity, respectively). A review of interim information consists of making inquiries primarily of the management responsible for financial and accounting matters and applying analytical procedures and other review procedures. The scope of a review is significantly less than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards and, accordingly, it did not enable us to obtain assurance that we were aware of all the material matters that would have been identified in an audit. Therefore, we do not express an audit opinion.

 

 

Conclusion on the individual and consolidated interim accounting information

Based on our review, we are not aware of any fact that might lead us to believe that the individual and consolidated interim accounting information included in the aforementioned quarterly information was not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with CPC 21(R1) and IAS 34, issued by the IASB, applicable to the preparation of the quarterly review - ITR, and presented in accordance with the standards issued by the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

Emphasis - Impact of the Lava Jato Operation on the Company’s results

We draw attention to Note 3 of the interim financial information, which describes that: i) no additional information has been identified through the date of this accounting information which could materially impact the estimation methodology adopted for the write off recorded on September 30, 2014 ; and ii) the internal investigations being conducted by outside legal counsel under the supervision of a Special Committee created by the Company and the investigation conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission - SEC are still on going, nevertheless to date no additional impact to those already disclosed in the interim financial statements has been identified.

 

 

Our report is not modified as a result of these matters.

 

Other matters - Statements of added value

The individual and consolidated statements of value added for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, prepared under the responsibility of the Company's management, and presented as supplementary information for the purposes of IAS 34, were submitted to the same review procedures followed together with the review of the Company's interim financial information. In order to form our conclusion, we evaluated whether these statements were reconciliated to the interim financial information and to the accounting records, as applicable, and whether their form and content are in accordance with the criteria set on Technical Pronouncement CPC 09 - Statement of Value Added. Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying statements of value added were not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the individual and consolidated interim financial information taken as a whole.

 

 

Rio de Janeiro, May 7, 2018

 

 

KPMG Auditores Independentes

CRC SP-014428/O-6 F-RJ

 

 

 

Marcelo Gavioli

Accountant CRC 1SP201409/O-1

 

 

 

 

 

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Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), hereinafter referred to as “Petrobras” or “Company,” is a partially state-owned enterprise, controlled by the Brazilian Federal Government, of indefinite duration, governed by the terms and conditions under the Brazilian Corporate Law (Law 6,404 of December 15, 1976), Law 13,303 of June 30, 2016 and its Bylaws.

The Company aims to enter a market tier called Level 2 at the Brazilian stock exchange (B3), a market tier that requires a high level of corporate governance standards. If it becomes part of the Level 2 market tier, the Company, its managers and fiscal council members will also be subject to provisions set out in the Level 2 Regulation (Regulamento de Listagem do Nível 2 de Governança Corporativa da Brasil Bolsa Balcão – B3).

The provisions of the Level 2 Regulation shall prevail over statutory provisions, in the event of damage to the rights of investors of public offers provided for in the Company's Bylaws, except for the provisions of articles 30 (paragraphs 4 and 5) , 40 (paragraphs 3 and 4) and 58.

The Company is dedicated to prospecting, drilling, refining, processing, trading and transporting crude oil from producing onshore and offshore oil fields and from shale or other rocks, as well as oil products, natural gas and other liquid hydrocarbons. In addition, Petrobras carries out energy related activities, such as research, development, production, transport, distribution and trading of all forms of energy, as well as other related or similar activities.

Petrobras may perform any of the activities related to its corporate purpose, directly, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, controlled companies, alone or through joint venture with third parties, in Brazil or abroad.

Petrobras may have its activities, provided they are in compliance with its corporate purpose, guided by the Brazilian Federal Government to contribute to the public interest that justified its creation, aiming to meet the objectives of the national energy policy.

The Brazilian Federal Government may only guide the Company to assume obligations or responsibilities, including the implementation of investment projects and the assumption of specific operating costs/results, such as those relating to the sale of fuels, as well as any other related activities, under conditions different from those of any other private sector company operating in the same market, when:

I – established by law or regulation, as well as under provisions of agreements with a public entity that is competent to establish such obligation, abiding by the broad publicity of such instruments; and

II – the cost and revenues thereof have been broken down and disseminated in a transparent manner, including in the accounting plan.

Moreover, in the event of the Brazilian Federal Government guide the Company to meet the public interest under conditions different from market conditions, the Company’s Finance Committee and Minority Shareholders Committee, exercising their advisory role to the Board of Directors, shall assess and measure the difference between such market conditions and the operating result or economic return of the transaction, based on technical and economic criteria for investment valuation and specific operating costs and results under the Company's operations, In this case, for every financial year, the Federal Government shall compensate the Company.

 

The consolidated and individual (Parent Company) financial statements have been prepared and are presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and with the pronouncements issued by the Brazilian Accounting Pronouncements Committee (Comitê de Pronunciamentos Contábeis - CPC) and released by the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários – CVM).

This interim financial information presents the significant changes in the period, avoiding repetition of certain notes to the financial statements previously reported, and presents the consolidated information, considering Management’s understanding that it provides a comprehensive view of the Company’s financial position and operational performance, complemented by certain information of the Parent Company. Certain information about the parent company is also included. Hence, this interim financial information should be read together with the Company’s audited annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, which include the full set of notes.

The Company’s Board of Directors, in a meeting held on May 7, 2018, authorized the issuance of these consolidated interim financial information.

 

 

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In the third quarter of 2014, the Company wrote off R$ 6,194 (R$ 4,788 in the Parent Company) of capitalized costs representing amounts that Petrobras overpaid for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment in prior years. For additional information about this write off and its approach to estimate amounts overpaid by the Company, see note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements ended December 31, 2017.

On the preparation of these unaudited interim financial statements ended March 31, 2018, the Company has not identified any additional information that would affect the adopted calculation methodology to write off the amounts overpaid. The Company has monitored the progress of investigations by Brazilian authorities under the Lava Jato Operation, as well as an internal investigation carried out by independent law firms. The Company will continue to monitor these investigations for additional information and will review their potential impact on the adjustment made.

We have been formally recognized as a victim of the crimes identified under the Lava Jato investigation by the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the lower court hearing the case and by the Brazilian Supreme Court. As a result, we have entered into 45 criminal proceedings as an assistant to the prosecutor. In addition, we have entered into four criminal proceedings as an interested party. We have also renewed our commitment to continue cooperating with authorities to clarify the issues and report them regularly to our investors and to the public in general.

In addition, the Company has been taking the necessary procedural steps to seek compensation for damages suffered from the improper payments scheme, including those related to its reputation.

Accordingly, the Company joined 15 public civil suits addressing acts of administrative misconduct filed by the Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Government, including demands for compensation for reputation damages.

To the extent that any of the proceedings resulting from the Lava Jato investigation involve leniency agreements or plea agreements for return of funds, the Company may be entitled to receive a portion of such funds. Nevertheless, the Company is unable to reliably estimate further recoverable amounts at this moment. Any future recoverable amount will be recognized as income when received or when their economic benefits become virtually certain.

The total funds collected through March 31, 2018 under the Lava Jato investigation amounted to R$ 1,477 (R$ 1,476 through December 31, 2017).

Petrobras is not a target of the Lava Jato investigation and is formally recognized as a victim of the improper payments scheme by the Brazilian Authorities.

On November 21, 2014, Petrobras received a subpoena from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requesting certain documents and information about the Company with respect to, among other things, the Lava Jato investigation and any allegations regarding a violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) is conducting a similar inquiry, and the Company is cooperating with both investigations and intends to continue to do so, working with the independent Brazilian and U.S. law firms that were hired to conduct an independent internal investigation. The investigations carried out by the SEC and DoJ may require the Company to pay penalties or provide other financial relief, or consent to injunctions or orders on future conduct or suffer other penalties.

The inquiries carried out by these authorities remain ongoing, and to date it is not possible to estimate their duration, scope or results. Accordingly, the Company is unable to make a reliable estimate about amounts and probability of penalties that may be required or if other financial relief may be provided in connection with any SEC or DoJ investigation.

On December 15, 2015, the State of São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office issued the Order of Civil Inquiry 01/2015, establishing a civil proceeding to investigate the existence of potential damages caused by Petrobras to investors in the stock market. The Company has provided all relevant information required by the authorities.

 

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The same accounting policies and methods of computation were followed in these consolidated interim financial statements as those followed in the preparation of the annual financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017, except for the changes arising from the adoption of IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments, IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers and IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration. The provisions under these standards and interpretation became effective on January 1, 2018.

IFRS 9 establishes, among others, new requirements for classification and measurement of financial assets, measurement and recognition of impairment of financial assets, changes in the terms of financial assets and liabilities, hedge accounting and disclosure.

As permitted by IFRS 9, the company did not restate prior periods with respect to classification and measurement (including impairment and modification of financial assets and liabilities) changes. Differences in the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities resulting from the adoption of IFRS 9 were recognized at January 1, 2018 in retained earnings within equity. Information on the consolidated impacts is presented below:

 

 

The new hedge accounting requirements were applied prospectively. The cash flow hedge relationships of highly probable future exports for the purposes of IAS 39 were considered as hedges for IFRS 9 purposes, since they also qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with the new standard.

The main accounting policies following the adoption of IFRS 9 at January 1, 2018 are shown below:

Financial assets are generally classified and subsequently measured based on the business model in which assets are managed and their contractual cash flow characteristics, as follows:

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The table below presents comparative information of marketable securities between the former classification and measurement in accordance with IAS 39 and the current requirements following the effectiveness of IFRS 9:

 

 

When the contractual cash flows of a financial liability measured at amortized cost are renegotiated or modified and this change is not substantial, its gross carrying amount should reflect the discounted present value of its cash flows under the new terms using the original effective interest rate. The difference between the book value immediately prior to such modification and the new gross carrying amount is recognized as gain or loss in profit or loss.

An allowance for expected credit losses is recognized on a financial asset that is measured at amortized cost, including lease receivables, and on financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

The Company measures expected credit losses for short-term trade receivables using a provision matrix based on unadjusted historical observed default rates when such information represents the best estimate, or such information adjusted by current and forward-looking information available without undue cost or effort.

The Company measures the allowance for expected credit losses of other financial assets based on their 12-month expected credit losses. However, whenever their credit risks have increased significantly since their initial recognition, the allowance for expected credit losses is based on their lifetime expected credit losses.

Significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition

When determining whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk, the Company compares the risk of default on initial recognition and at the reporting date by using certain indicators, such as the actual or expected significant change in the financial instrument’s external credit rating and information on payment delays.

Regardless of the assessment of significant increase in credit risk, a delinquency period of 30 days past due triggers the definition of significant increase in credit risk on a financial asset, unless otherwise demonstrated by reasonable and sustainable information.

The Company assumes that the credit risk on a financial instrument has not increased significantly since initial recognition if the financial instrument is considered to have low credit risk at the reporting date. The financial instrument has a low credit risk in case of low risk of default, the counterparty has a strong capacity to meet its contractual cash flow obligations in the near term and adverse changes in economic and business conditions in the longer term may, but will not necessarily, reduce the ability of the borrower to fulfil its contractual cash flow obligations. The Company determines if a financial instrument has low credit risk based on external credit ratings or internal methodologies.

Definition of default

The Company assumes that a default occurs whenever financial assets are at least 90 days past due and or the counterparty does not comply with the legal obligation to pay its debts when due.

Measurement of expected credit losses

The measurement of credit loss comprises the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due to the Company and all the cash flows that the Company expects to receive, discounted at the original effective interest rate weighted by the probability of default.

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The probability of default, losses (the magnitude of the loss if a default occurs) and exposure to default are factored into the measurement of the expected credit loss.

The evaluation of default probability takes into account data of the main credit rating agencies, as well as internal valuation methodologies. The loss due to a default also takes into account the probability of expected cash flows from collateral (collateral assets) and other credit enhancements that are part of the contractual terms, less the costs of obtaining and selling that collateral. Exposure to default comprises the gross carrying amount of the financial asset at the reporting date.

Disclosure

The Company recognizes in profit or loss the impairment on financial assets measured at amortized cost.

At inception of the hedge relationship, the Company documents its objective and strategy, including identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the hedged risk and evaluation of hedge effectiveness requirements. The hedge relationship meets all of the hedge effectiveness requirements when:

The Company applies cash flow hedge accounting for certain transactions. Hedging relationships qualify for cash flow hedges when they involve the hedging of exposure to variability in cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecasted transaction that may impact the statement of income.

Gains or losses relating to the effective portion of such hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income within equity and recycled to the statement of income in finance income (expense) in the periods when the hedged item affects the statement of income. The gains or losses relating to the ineffective portion are immediately recognized in finance income (expense).

When the hedging instrument expires or settled in advance or no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument that has been recognized in other comprehensive income from the period when the hedge was effective is recorded separately in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. When the forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument that has been recognized in other comprehensive income is immediately reclassified from equity to the statement of income.

In addition, when a financial instrument designated as a hedging instrument expires or settled, the Company may replace it with another financial instrument in a manner such that the hedge relationship continues to occur. Likewise, whenever a hedged transaction effectively occurs, its financial instrument previously designated as a hedging instrument may be designate for a new hedge relationship.

The company has determined when and by what amounts revenue from contracts with customer should be recognized according to the following five step approach: 1) identify the contract with a customer; 2) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract; 3) determine the transaction price; 4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations in the contract, 5) recognize revenue when the entity satisfies a performance obligation. A performance obligation is satisfied when the customer obtains control of that good or service.

For the purposes of the transition requirements, the Company applied this standard retrospectively with the cumulative effect of its application recognized at its effective date within retained earnings. However, the changes arising from the adoption of IFRS 15 only affected the way certain revenues from contracts with customers are disclosed within the statement of income and did not affect net income. Accordingly, there were no impacts within retained earnings (equity).

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The following table presents the impacts of adoption of this standard for the first quarter of 2018:

 

 

The Company acting as an agent

In accordance with accounting policies at December 31, 2017, the Company was regarded as the principal in certain transactions. Therefore, the revenues from these sales, cost of the product sold and sales expenses were presented separately in the statement of income. However, under the new standard’s requirements, the Company acts as an agent because it does not obtain control of goods or services provided by another party before it is transferred to the customer. From January 1, 2018, revenues from these sales have been presented in the statement of income net of their cost of sales and sales expenses.

Non-exercised right Income (breakage)

In accordance with accounting policies at December 31, 2017, the Company regarded the income from rights not exercised by customers in certain take or pay and ship or pay contracts as penalties revenue and presented it as other income and expenses in the statement of income. However, according to the new standard’s requirements, the Company has accounted for and presented its income from rights not exercised by customers as sales revenues in the statement of income, as from January 1, 2018.

Based on the transition provisions of IFRIC 22, the Company has applied the new requirements prospectively from January 1, 2018. IFRIC 22 clarifies that the date of the transaction for the purpose of determining the exchange rate to use on initial recognition of the related asset, expense or income (or part of it) is the date on which an entity initially recognizes the non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability arising from the payment or receipt of advance consideration.

The preparation of interim financial statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions for certain assets, liabilities and other transactions. These estimates and assumptions include oil and gas reserves and their impacts to other parts of the financial statements, the main assumptions and cash-generating units identified for impairment testing of assets, pension and medical benefits liabilities, provisions for legal proceedings, dismantling of areas and environmental remediation, deferred income taxes, cash flow hedge accounting and impairment of trade receivables. Although our management uses assumptions and judgments that are periodically reviewed, the actual results could differ from these estimates.

Except for the impairment of trade receivables estimate, which has been based on the expected credit losses model since the effectiveness of IFRS 9 at January 1, 2018 (see note 4.1.3), information on those accounting estimates is presented in note 5 to the Company’s annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The Company uses judgment for inputs and assumptions, such as risk of default, the determination of whether or not there has been a significant increase in credit risk and expectation of recovery, that are factored into the estimate of expected credit losses.

 

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Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

The principal uses of funds in the first quarter of 2018 were for debt service obligations (R$ 49,865), including pre-payment of debts, and acquisition of PP&E and intangibles assets (R$ 9,919). The uses of funds were principally provided by operating activities (R$ 22,218), proceeds from financing (R$ 19,258) and disposal of assets (R$ 7,502).

Short-term financial investments in Brazil primarily consist of investments in funds holding Brazilian Federal Government Bonds and related repo investments that mature within three months as of the date of their acquisition. Short-term financial investments abroad comprise time deposits that mature in three months or less from the date of their acquisition, highly-liquid automatic investment accounts, interest checking accounts and other short-term fixed income instruments.

Expected credit losses on cash and cash equivalents were not material at March 31, 2018.

Marketable securities

 

 

Marketable securities classified as fair value through profit or loss refer mainly to investments in Brazilian Federal Government Bonds. These financial investments have maturities of more than three months and are mostly classified as current assets due to their maturity or the expectation of their realization in the short term.

At March 31, 2018, expected credit losses on marketable securities measured at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income were immaterial. In addition, the amounts of marketable securities at December 31, 2017 classified by categories in accordance with the former accounting practice (IAS 39) are presented in note 4.1.

 

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Trade and other receivables were previously classified as loans and receivables in accordance with former IAS 39. As set out in note 4.1.3, following the adoption of IFRS 9, such assets are currently classified as measured at amortised cost, except for certain receivables with final prices linked to changes in commodity price after their transfer of control, which are classified as measured at fair value through profit and loss and amounts to R$ 153.

 

 

 

 

For the first quarter of 2017, the Company had a net impairment reversal of trade receivables in the amount of R$ 6.

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The Company supplies fuel oil, natural gas, and other products for thermoelectric power generated and distributed by entities controlled by Eletrobras and independent electricity producers (Produtores Independentes de Energia – PIE) that operate in the city of Manaus and in the isolated electricity system in the northern region of Brazil, as the Brazilian National Interconnected Power Grid (Sistema Interligado Nacional) has not yet met the demand for electricity in this area.

The total cost of power generation to Manaus and the isolated electricity system includes the costs of products supplied by the Company. Local consumers partially cover these costs based on a threshold comprising the average cost of the energy and potency traded in the Regulated Procurement Environment (Ambiente de Contratação Regulada – ACR). Most of the funds for the payment for these costs comes from the Fuel Consumption Account (Conta de Consumo de Combustível – CCC), a component of the Brazilian Energy Development Account (Conta de Desenvolvimento Energético ‐ CDE).

The regulation of CCC and CDE underwent some changes in the last few years, notably the ones arising from Provisional Measure 579/2012, signed into Law No. 12,783/2013, and to Provisional Measure 735/2016, signed into Law No. 13,360/2016.

These changes, along with administrative issues and supervision procedures carried out run by the Brazilian National Electricity Agency (Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica - ANEEL) over these accounts and its beneficiaries (entities controlled by Eletrobras) caused instability and decrease in amount of funds transferred from CCC since 2013, which increased the default rate of those customers to the Company.

As a result, on December 31, 2014, the Company entered into debt acknowledgement agreements concerning the balance of its receivables as of November 30, 2014 with the following subsidiaries of Eletrobras: Eletroacre, Ceron and Boa Vista. Eletrobras acknowledged it owed R$ 8,601 to the Company, of which R$ 7,380 were collateralized by payables from the CDE to the CCC. This amount has been adjusted by the Selic interest rate (Brazilian short-term interest rate) on a monthly basis and the first of 120 monthly installments was paid in February 2015. Despite some periodic delays, these payments have continued.

The payables from the CDE to the CCC are supported by a debt acknowledgement agreement between both parties, which was duly authorized by the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy through the Interministerial Ordinance No. 652/2014. This agreement was recognized by this authority and valued at R$ 8,126 (R$ 6,560 pursuant to Resolution 504 and R$ 1,566 to Resolution 952).

The contractual amortization clauses in the debt acknowledgement agreements between the Company and subsidiaries of Eletrobras establish the payment of 15% of the amount of renegotiated debt within 36 months and the remaining 85% to be paid in 84 installments beginning in January 2018. Therefore, the Company expects the balance of trade receivables from the electricity sector will decrease from 2018 onwards, which did not happen until December 31, 2017 due to the characteristics of its initial amortizations along with its indexation.

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Accordingly, the Company has adopted measures to reduce the default rate, such as judicial collection of overdue receivables, suspension of fuels supply on credit, register of these entities as delinquent companies in the CADIN (Registry of Delinquent Credits of Federal Agencies and Entities) and in ANEEL records. ANEEL canceled this registration alleging fuel purchases are non-intra sector debt. The Company had appealed the ANEEL decision and the authority denied it.

Pursuant to judicial decisions rendered on March 30, 2017, April 19, 2017 and September 29, 2017, Petrobras has supplied natural gas to AME-D as the Judiciary had assumed that the electricity supply to the population is more relevant than the economic interest of the Company. Accordingly, in the first quarter of 2018 the Company accounted for allowances for expected credit loss totaling R$ 408 primarily due to such supply.

Considering the restructuring changes of the electricity sector in the last few years, the Company expected a decrease on defaults rates, which actually had not occurred. According to the provisions approved at Eletrobras’ Shareholder’s General Meeting, held on February 8, 2018, the process of privatization of power distributors controlled by Eletrobras is ongoing and the Company made negotiations with Eletrobras aiming at reaching an agreement that would resolve disputes and mitigate future defaults concerning receivables from the sale of natural gas.

During April 2018, the Company intensified the aforementioned negotiations and, on April 30, 2018, reached an agreement with the Eletrobras group, which made possible a new structure of collateralization related to the debt acknowledged agreements signed on December 31, 2014, the signing of new debt acknowledged agreements collateralized by Eletrobras and debt assumption instruments with respect to oil products supply.

See note 32 for detailed information on such agreements.

 

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The amount of inventories is presented net of reduction to net realizable value, primarily due to changes in international prices of crude oil and oil products. In the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, there is a R$ 60 reduction to net realizable value (R$ 71 reduction in the same period of 2017).

At March 31, 2018, the Company had pledged crude oil and oil products volumes as collateral for the Terms of Financial Commitment (TFC) signed by Petrobras and Petros in 2008, in the amount of R$ 14,187 (R$ 13,454 as of December 31, 2017), as set out in note 20.1.

 

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The Company has an active partnership and divestment program, which takes into account opportunities for divestments in several areas in which it operates. The divestment portfolio is dynamic, meaning that market conditions, legal matters and negotiations may affect the Company’s evaluation of ongoing and potential transactions. This program is an essential initiative in the Company’s 2018-2022 Business and Management Plan (2018-2022 BMP) and its decision-making methodology was reviewed and approved by the Brazilian Federal Auditor’s Office (Tribunal de Contas da União – TCU).  For the 2017-2018 period, the target of proceeds from divestments is US$ 21 billion which, along with other initiatives, will enable the Company to converge its net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio to 2.5 in December 2018.

Second installment of the exploratory block BM-S-8 sale

On July 28, 2016 the Board of Directors of Petrobras approved the disposal of the Company’s 66% interest in the exploratory block BM – S-8 to Statoil Brasil Óleo e Gás Ltda, which includes the Carcará area located in the pre-salt of Santos Basin, for the amount of US$ 2.5 billion.

The first installment of US $ 1.25 billion, corresponding to 50% of the transaction value, was received on November 22, 2016, and the remaining amount relates to two contingent payments.

The production sharing agreement with respect to the Norte de Carcará area, entered into by the Brazilian Federal Government, Statoil, Petrogal and Exxon, was made official on February 2, 2018 through the Brazilian Federal Register (official gazette). This fact completed the conditions precedent for the second payment of the exploratory block BMS-8. Accordingly, the Company received US$ 300 on March 21, 2018 and accounted it for within other income and expenses.

The third installment of this sale, in the amount of US$ 950 million, is still pending of certain future events related to the signing of a unitization agreement.

Disposal of Liquigás

On November 17, 2016 the Company’s Board of Directors approved the disposal of its wholly-owned subsidiary Liquigás Distribuidora S.A, a group entity from the RT&M business segment (Refining, Transportation and Marketing), to Companhia Ultragaz S.A., a subsidiary of Ultrapar Participações S.A. In January 2017, this sale was approved at Ultrapar’s and Petrobras’ Shareholders’ Meetings in the amount of R$ 2,666.

According to an official statement released by the General Superintendence of CADE (SG) on June 30, 2017, additional diligence was required in order to make a decision regarding on market concentration aspects of this sale. On August 28, 2017, the SG reported some concerns about market concentration that may result from this transaction and submitted its opinion to the CADE court.

Based on pending conditions precedent to the transaction at December 31, 2017, including CADE approval, the related assets and liabilities remained classified as held for sale at that date.

On February 28, 2018, the CADE court ruled on this matter and dismissed this sale. The sales and purchase agreement was subject to a termination clause providing for compensation to the Company in case of such decision. Accordingly, the Company received R$ 286 on March 13, 2018 and the related assets and liabilities are no longer classified as held for sale at March 31, 2018.

Disposal of Suape and Citepe petrochemical plants

On December 28, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the disposal of the interests in the wholly-owned subsidiaries Companhia Petroquímica de Pernambuco (PetroquímicaSuape) and Companhia Integrada Têxtil de Pernambuco (Citepe), both from the RT&M business segment, to Grupo Petrotemex S.A. de C.V. and to Dak Americas Exterior, S.L., both subsidiaries of Alpek, S.A.B. de C.V., which is a company from Grupo Alfa S.A.B. de C.V. (a Mexican public company), in the amount of US$ 385 million, to be disbursed at the transaction closing, subject to adjustments relating to working capital, net debt and recoverable taxes.

This transaction was approved at Petrobras’ Shareholders’ Meeting on March 27, 2017.

On February 7, 2018, the CADE approved this transaction provided the execution of an Agreement on Concentration of Control (Acordo de Controle de Concentração – ACC).

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Due to some customary conditions precedent, the assets and liabilities in the scope of this transaction remained classified as held for sale at March 31, 2018.

On April 30, 2018, this transaction was completed with the payment of R$ 1,523 after adjustments and the fulfillment of all conditions precedent established in the purchase and sale agreement.

Strategic alliance with Total

On December 21, 2016, the Company entered into a master agreement with Total, in connection with the Strategic Alliance established in the Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 24, 2016. Accordingly, certain E&P assets were classified as held for sale at December 31, 2016 due to the share of interests established in this agreement, as described below:

On February 28, 2017, the Company and Total signed purchase and sale agreements with respect to the aforementioned assets. Total will pay to the Company the amount of US$ 1,675 million in cash for assets and services, subject to price adjustments, as well as contingent payments in the amount of US$ 150 million, associated with the production volume in Lapa field. In addition, a long-term line of credit in the amount of US$ 400 million will be provided by Total, which may be used to fund the Company’s investments in the Iara fields.

The aforementioned agreements supplement the ones already executed on December 21, 2016, such as: (i) the Company’s preemptive right to purchase a 20% interest in block 2 of the Perdido Foldbelt area, in the Mexican sector of the Gulf of Mexico, (ii) the joint exploration studies in the exploratory areas of Equatorial Margin and in Santos Basin; and (iii) the Technological partnership agreement in the areas of digital petrophysics, geological processing and subsea production systems.

On January 15, 2018, Petrobras and Total closed the aforementioned transfers of interests of Iara and Lapa fields, after performing all conditions precedent to this transaction.

This transaction totaled US$ 1.95 billion, including price adjustments, but not including the long-term line of credit and the contingent payments. Accordingly, the Company recognized R$ 2,236 as other income and expenses in the first quarter of 2018.

The closing of the power plants deal is still subject to approval by the relevant authorities and other customary conditions precedent and the assets and liabilities thereof remained classified as held for sale at March 31, 2018.

Sale of Azulão field

On November 22, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with Parnaíba Gás Natural S.A., a subsidiary of Eneva S.A, concerning the assignment of its entire participation in the Azulão Field (Concession BA-3), located in the state of Amazonas, in the amount of US$ 54.6.

At March 31, 2018, the completion of this deal was subject to the fulfillment of usual conditions precedent, therefore, the related assets and liabilities remained classified as held for sale at that date.

This transaction was concluded on April 30, 2018 upon fulfillment of the conditions precedent, adjustments set forth in the agreement and payment of US$ 56.5 to the Company.

Strategic alliance with Statoil

On December 18, 2017, the Company entered into agreements with the Norwegian company Statoil relating to the assets of the strategic partnership, in continuity with the Heads of Agreement (“HoA”) signed and disclosed on September 29, 2017. The main signed contracts are:

(i) Strategic Alliance Agreement ("SAA") - agreement describing all documents related to the strategic partnership, covering all negotiated initiatives.

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(ii) Sale and Purchase Agreement ("SPA") - sale of 25% of Petrobras’ interest in the Roncador field to Statoil.

(iii) Strategic Technical Alliance Agreement ("STAA") - strategic agreement for technical cooperation aiming at maximizing the value of the asset and focusing on increasing the recoverable oil volume (recovery factor), including the extension of the useful life of the field;

(iv) Gas Term Sheet - Statoil may hire a certain processing capacity of natural gas at the Cabiúnas Terminal (TECAB) for the development of the BM-C-33 area, where the companies already are partners and Statoil is the operator.

The strategic alliance, among other goals, aims at applying the Statoil’s expertise in mature fields in the North Sea towards increasing the recovery factor of Roncador field. Accordingly, the parties signed the STAA for technical cooperation and the joint development of projects.

The SPA has a total amount of US$ 2.9 billion, made up of US$ 118 million paid at the signature date of the agreement, contingent payments relating to investments in projects to increase the recovery factor of the field, limited to US$ 550 million, and the remaining amount will be paid at the transaction closing. Accordingly, the related assets and liabilities remained classified as held for sale at December 31, 2017 and, as a result, an impairment charge of R$ 1,314 was recognized in December 2017.

On March 13, 2018, the CADE approved this transaction. However, its closing still depends on the fulfillment of other conditions precedent, such as the approval of ANP. Therefore, the related assets and liabilities remained classified as held for sale at March 31, 2018.

The major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are shown in the following table:

 

 

As of March 31, 2018, the amounts refer to assets and liabilities classified as held for sale following the approvals of the disposal of Petroquímica Suape and Citepe, as well as interests in the thermoelectric power generation plants Rômulo Almeida and Celso Furtado, 25% of Roncador field and entire interest in Azulão field. At December 31, 2017, the amounts also comprise assets and liabilities pertained to Liquigás and the concession areas named as Iara and Lapa.

Sale and merger of Nova Fronteira Bioenergia

On December 15, 2016, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary PBIO (biofuels business segment) entered into an agreement with the São Martinho group to merge PBIO’s interests in Nova Fronteira Bioenergia S.A. (49%) into São Martinho.

On February 23, 2017, São Martinho granted to PBIO additional 24 million of its common shares, corresponding to 6.593% of its total capital. These shares were accounted for as available-for-sale securities.

On December 27, 2017, the Extraordinary General Shareholder’s Meeting of PBIO approved the sale of these shares through a block trade.

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On February 16, 2018, PBIO disposed, through a public auction held in the Brazilian stock exchange (B3), these 24 million of shares, at the share price of R$ 18.51. The settlement of the transaction occurred on February 21, 2018, closing the complete disposal of PBIO’s interests in São Martinho’s capital.

 

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The initial application of IFRS 9 changed the investment in subsidiaries PNBV (R$ 146), PIB BV (R$ 580) and BR Distribuidora (R$ 126).

 

 

 

 

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The market value of these shares does not necessarily reflect the realizable value upon sale of a large block of shares.

Braskem’s shares are publicly traded on stock exchanges in Brazil and abroad. As of March 31, 2018, the quoted market value of the Company’s investment in Braskem was R$ 14,015 based on the quoted values of both Petrobras’ interest in Braskem’s common stock (47% of the outstanding shares), and preferred stock (22% of the outstanding shares). However, there is extremely limited trading of the common shares, since non-signatories of the shareholders’ agreement hold only approximately 3% of the common shares.

Since July 2017, the Company has been negotiating with Odebrecht S.A. to revise the terms and conditions of the Braskem S.A. Shareholder's Agreement, signed on February 8, 2010. This revision aims to improve Braskem’s corporate governance and the corporate relationship between the parties, with the purpose of creating value for all Braskem shareholders. Negotiations aiming at a corporate restructuring with a unification of Braskem’s shares classes are still ongoing.

Given the operational relationship between Petrobras and Braskem, the recoverable amount of the investment for impairment testing purposes was determined based on value in use, considering future cash flow projections and the manner in which the Company can derive value from this investment via dividends and other distributions to arrive at its value in use. As the recoverable amount was higher than the carrying amount, no impairment losses were recognized for this investment.

Information on the main estimates used in the cash flow projections to determine the value in use of Braskem is set out in Note 14 to the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

 

 

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In the first quarter of 2018, additions to property, plant and equipment primarily relate to the development of oil and gas production in the pre-salt of Santos Basin, notably in Lula, Búzios and Atapu fields, as well as in Libra area.

At March 31, 2018, consolidated and Parent Company property, plant and equipment include assets under finance leases of R$ 386 and R$ 5,891, respectively (R$ 390 and R$ 5,969 at December 31, 2017).

Petrobras and the Brazilian Federal Government entered into the Assignment Agreement in 2010, which grants the Company the right to carry out prospecting and drilling activities for oil, natural gas and other liquid hydrocarbons located in the pre-salt area, subject to a maximum production of five billion barrels of oil equivalent. The agreement has a term of forty years and is renewable for a further five years subject to certain conditions. As of March 31, 2018, the Company’s property, plant and equipment include the amount of R$ 74,808 related to the Assignment Agreement.

Petrobras has already declared commerciality in fields of all six blocks under this agreement: Franco (Búzios), Florim (Itapu), Nordeste de Tupi (Sépia), Entorno de Iara (Norte de Berbigão, Sul de Berbigão, Norte de Sururu, Sul de Sururu, Atapu), Sul de Guará (Sul de Sapinhoá) and Sul de Tupi (Sul de Lula).

The agreement establishes that its review procedures will commence immediately after the declaration of commerciality for each area and must be based on reports by independent experts engaged by Petrobras and the ANP.

If the review of the Assignment Agreement determines that the value of acquired rights is greater than the amount initially paid, the Company may be required to pay the difference to the Brazilian Federal Government, or may proportionally reduce the total volume of barrels acquired. If the review determines that the value of the acquired rights is lower than initially paid by the Company, the Brazilian Federal Government will reimburse the Company for the difference by delivering cash or bonds or equivalent means of payment, subject to budgetary regulations.

The information gathered after drilling over 50 exploratory wells and performing extended well tests in this area, as well as the extensive knowledge acquired on the pre-salt layer of Santos Basin, made possible the identification of volumes exceeding five million barrels of oil equivalent.

The formal review procedures for each block are based on costs incurred over the exploration phase, and estimated costs and production for the development period. The review of the Assignment Agreement may result in renegotiation of: (i) the amount of the agreement; (ii) the total volume (in barrels of oil) to be produced; (iii) the term of the agreement; and (iv) the minimum percentages of local content.

In November 2017, the Company set up an internal commission responsible for the negotiation with the Brazilian Federal Government, composed of representatives of the Chief Exploration and Production Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.

In January 2018, the Brazilian Federal Government established, through the Interministerial Ordinance No. 15/2018, the Interministerial Commission responsible to negotiate and conclude the terms of this review, within 60 days, which were extended for the same period.

The negotiations are ongoing and have taken into account appraisals by independent experts engaged by both parties and their respective reports. As at the date of issue of these financial statements, the final amount to be established for this agreement is not defined.

The identification of the volume exceeding five million barrels of oil equivalent provides an opportunity to both parties reach an agreement in case of compensation to the Company arising from the review. Therefore, aiming to support an eventual negotiation where this compensation would be paid through the right over exceeding volume, the Company is complementing its assessment based on reports issued by the independent experts it has engaged.

This review process of the Assignment Agreement has been monitored by the Minority Shareholders Committee, which is composed of two board members elected by the minority shareholders and by a third independent member with knowledge in technical-financial analysis of investment projects. This Committee provides support to the board’s decisions through opinions about related matters.

 

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On March 29, 2018, the Company acquired seven blocks in the fifteenth round of bids under the concession regime. The Company will be the operator in two blocks located in Campos basin, which were acquired in partnership with Exxon and Statoil. Another two blocks within Campos basin were acquired in partnership with Exxon and Qatar Petroleum and will be operated by Exxon. The other three blocks are located in Potiguar basin, of which two were acquired in partnership with Shell and will be operated by the Company, and one was totally acquired by Company.

The total amount of the signature bonus to be paid by the Company up to September 2018 is R$ 2.2 billion.

 

The exploration and evaluation activities include the search for oil and gas reserves from obtaining the legal rights to explore a specific area to the declaration of the technical and commercial viability of the reserves.

Changes in the balances of capitalized costs directly associated with exploratory wells pending determination of proved reserves and the balance of amounts paid for obtaining rights and concessions for exploration of oil and natural gas (capitalized acquisition costs) are set out in the following table:

 

 

Exploration costs recognized in the statement of income and cash used in oil and gas exploration and evaluation activities are set out in the following table:

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In the first quarter of 2018, the Company recognized a provision in the amount of R$ 116 arising from potential contractual penalties for non-compliance with minimum percentages of local content in 125 blocks for which the exploratory phases were concluded.

 

 

 

 

In line with the Company’s Business and Management Plan and following its liability management strategy, recent funds have been raised in order to settle older debts, as well as aiming at improving the debt repayment profile taking into account its alignment with investments returns over the long run. These factors have enabled the use of cash flows from operating activities and from divestments and partnerships as the main source of funds for the investments portfolio.

The Company has covenants that were not in default at March 31, 2018 in its loan agreements and notes issued in the capital markets requiring, among other obligations i) the presentation of interim financial statements within 90 days of the end of each quarter (not reviewed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm) and audited financial statements within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year, with a grace period ranging from 30 to 60 days, depending on the agreement; ii) Negative Pledge / Permitted Liens clause; iii) clauses of compliance with the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the conduct of its business including (but not limited to) environmental laws; (iv) clauses in financing agreements that require both the borrower and the guarantor to conduct their business in compliance with anti-corruption laws and anti-money laundering laws and to institute and maintain policies necessary for such compliance; (v) clauses in financing agreements that restrict relations with entities or even countries sanctioned primarily by the United States (including, but not limited to, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Department of State and Department of Commerce), the European Union and United Nations; and vi) covenants with respect to debt level in some of its loan agreements with the Brazilian Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social - BNDES).

In the first quarter of 2018, proceeds from financing amounted to R$ 19,258, principally reflecting: (i) global notes issued in the capital market in the amount of R$ 6,359 (US$ 1,962 million) and maturing in 2029; (ii) funds raised from the domestic and international banking market in the amount of R$ 12,726 with average term of 6.5 years.

In addition, the Company used R$ 49,865 for repayment of principal and interest, mainly reflecting: (i) R$ 19,047 (US$ 5,833 million) relating to repurchase of global bonds (tender offer) previously issued by the Company in the capital market maturing from 2019 to 2021, with premium paid to bond holders amounting to R$ 1,361; (ii) pre-payment of banking loans in the domestic and international market totaling R$ 20,407; and (iii) pre-payment of R$ 793 with respect to financings with BNDES.

A roll-forward schedule of current and non-current debt is set out as follows:

 

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In order to reflect the changes in accounting practices arising from the application of IFRS 9, the Company remeasured its financing agreements in force at January 1, 2018 which previously had their contractual clauses renegotiated and the modifications thereof did not result in substantial changes, as set out in note 4.1. Accordingly, the balance of current and non-current debt increased by R$ 1,178 due to the initial application of IFRS 9, which were recognized within equity at January 1, 2018. During the first quarter of 2018, there were no renegotiations in financing agreements.

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The fair value of the Company's finance debts is mainly determined and categorized into a fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level 1- quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities, when applicable, amounting to R$ 163,884 at March 31, 2018 (R$ 179,451 at December 31, 2017); and

Level 2 – discounted cash flows based on discount rate determined by interpolating spot rates considering financing debts indexes proxies, taking into account their currencies and also the Petrobras’ credit risk, amounting to R$ 194,627 as of March 31, 2018 (R$ 206,329 as of December 31, 2017).

The sensitivity analysis for financial instruments subject to foreign exchange variation is set out in note 30.2.

 

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The capitalization rate used to determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalization was the weighted average of the borrowing costs applicable to the borrowings that were outstanding during the period, other than borrowings made specifically for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset. In the first quarter of 2018 the capitalization rate was 6.26% p.a. (6.21% p.a. in the first quarter of 2017).

 

 

On March 7, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility (RCF) with a syndicate of 17 banks, in the amount of US$ 4.350 million. The Company may use this line of credit up to the month prior to maturity and the maintenance of the limit with the banks will cost 0.51% p.a. In the case of use, funds raised will bear interest at 6M Libor + 1.3% p.a. rate if the Company is investment grade rated at the date of the withdrawal. Otherwise, it will bear interest at 6M Libor + 1.7% p.a. rate.

Most of the Company’s debt is unsecured, but certain specific funding instruments to promote economic development are collateralized. In addition, financing agreements with China Development Bank (CDB) are also collateralized, as set in note 17.5.

The loans obtained by structured entities are collateralized based on the projects’ assets, as well as liens on receivables of the structured entities.

The Company’s capital market financing relates primarily to unsecured global notes.

 

 

 

Operating leases mainly include oil and gas production units, drilling rigs and other exploration and production equipment, vessels and support vessels, helicopters, land and building leases.

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,

As of March 31, 2018, the balance of estimated future minimum lease payments under operating leases includes R$ 173,440 (R$ 174,336 as of December 31, 2017) with respect to assets under construction, for which the lease term has not commenced.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company recognized expenditures of R$ 7,286 (R$ 8,436 in the first quarter of 2017) for operating leases installments.

 

The Company has a related-party transactions policy, which is annually revised and approved by the Board of Directors, and is applicable to all the Petrobras Group, in accordance with the Company’s by-laws.

In order to ensure the goals of the Company are achieved and align them with transparency of processes and corporate governance best practices, this policy guides Petrobras and its workforce while entering into related-party transactions and dealing with potential conflicts of interest on these transactions, based on the following assumptions and provisions:

The Audit Committee must approve in advance transactions between the Company and its associates, the Brazilian Federal Government, including its agencies or similar bodies and controlled entities, taking into account the materiality established by this policy. The Audit Committee reports monthly to the Board of Directors.

Transactions with entities controlled by key management personnel or by their close family members are also approved in advance by the Audit Committee regardless of the amount involved.

Transactions with the Brazilian Federal Government, including its agencies or similar bodies and controlled entities, which are under the scope of Board of Directors approval, must be preceded by the Audit Committee and Minority Shareholders Committee assessment and must have prior approval of, at least, 2/3 of the board members.

The related-party transactions policy also aims to ensure an adequate and diligent decision-making process for the Company’s key management.

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The Parent Company invests in the receivables investment fund FIDC-NP, which comprises mainly receivables and non-performing receivables arising from operations performed by subsidiaries of the Petrobras Group. Investments in FIDC-NP are recognized as other receivables.

The assignment of performing and non-performing receivables is recognized as current finance debt.

 

 

Petrobras guarantees certain financial operations carried out by its subsidiaries in Brazil and abroad.

Petrobras, based on contractual clauses that support the financial operations between the subsidiaries and third parties, offers guarantees, mainly fidejussory, to the payment of debt service in the event that a subsidiary defaults on a debt.

The outstanding balance of financial operations carried out by these subsidiaries and guaranteed by Petrobras is set out below:

 

 

Petrobras entered into two finance agreements with China Development Bank (CDB), maturing in 2026 and 2027 are also collateralized based on future oil exports for specific buyers limited to 200 thousand barrels per day up to 2019, 300 thousand barrels per day from 2020 to 2026, and 100 thousand barrels per day in 2027. This collateral may not exceed the amount of the related debt, amounting to R$ 33,656 (US$ 10,125 million) at March 31, 2018, and to R$ 35,775 (US$ 10,815 million) at December 31, 2017.

On January 30, 2018, the Company prepaid the remaining balance of a financing agreement with CDB maturing in 2019, in the amount of US$ 2.8 billion.

In accordance with the Company’s Business and Management Plan (BMP 2018-2022), the extension of these terms is associated to a better indebtedness level, as set out in note 15.

At March 31, 2018, a subsidiary of PIB BV had R$ 4,745 (R$ 4,675 as of December 31, 2017) invested in an investment fund abroad that held debt securities of PGF, PDET and of consolidated structured entities, mainly with respect to  CDMPI and Charter projects.

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The Company has engaged, and expects to continue to engage, in the ordinary course of business in numerous transactions with joint ventures, associates, pension plans, as well as with the Company’s controlling shareholder, the Brazilian federal government, which includes transactions with banks and other entities under its control, such as financing and banking, asset management and others.

The balances of significant transactions are set out in the following table:

 

 

In addition to the aforementioned transactions, Petrobras and the Brazilian Federal Government entered into the Assignment Agreement in 2010, which grants the Company the right to carry out prospecting and drilling activities for hydrocarbons located in the pre-salt area limited to the production of five billion barrels of oil equivalent.

For detailed information on Assignment Agreement, see note 11.2.

The total compensation of Executive Officers and Board Members of Petrobras parent company is set out as follows:

 

 

In the first quarter of 2018 the board members and executive officers of the Petrobras group received R$ 20.2 as compensation (R$ 20.0 in the first quarter of 2017).

The compensation of the Advisory Committees to the Board of Directors is apart from the fixed compensation set for the Board Members and, therefore, has not been classified under compensation of Petrobras’ key management personnel.

In accordance with Brazilian regulation applicable to companies controlled by the Brazilian Government, Board members who are also members of the Audit Committee are only compensated with respect to their Audit Committee duties. The total compensation concerning these members totaled R$ 101 thousand in the first quarter of 2017 (R$ 121 thousand with social security and related charges).

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The monthly compensation of Audit Committee members is fixed to 10% of monthly average executive officers’ compensation, excluding certain social security benefits and paid vacation.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Board of Directors approved the variable compensation program (PRV) of the Board of Executive Officers for the year 2018. The amount of compensation to be paid varies according to the percentage of achievement of the financial and operational targets, limited to 8 compensations. The program foresees compensations being disbursed through 5 years and may also trigger other compensations to officers from 2019 provided the achievement of certain prerequisites.

The Company’s General Shareholder’s Meeting held on April 26, 2018 determined the amount of R$ 28.3 as the threshold of executive officers and board members compensation for the period from April 2018 to March 2019, as well as approved the increase in the number of board members to 11.

 

 

 

The estimates for abandonment and dismantling of oil and natural gas producing properties are revised annually at December 31 along with the annual process of oil and gas reserves certification and whenever an indication of significant change in the assumptions used in the estimates occurs.

For the first quarter of 2017, the unwinding of the discount on the provision for decommissioning costs (interest accrued) amounted to R$ 599.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In 2017, the Company joined certain settlement programs created by the Brazilian Federal Government, which enabled the settlement of significant disputes in which the Company was a defendant, with certain benefits, such as the use of tax loss carry forwards and reduction in interests, penalties and related charges. The settlement of disputes involving Brazilian Federal Tax Authorities, Brazilian Federal Agencies and similar bodies reduced tax debts amounting to R$ 38,136 that as shown below:

 

 

Detailed information on those settlement programs are presented in note 21.2 to the Company’s audited financial statements ended December 31, 2017.

The balances of respective liabilities carried on the statement of financial position as of March 31, 2018 are shown below:

 

 

The following table presents the settlement years of the outstanding amount of these programs:

 

 

The Company elected to settle in cash VAT (ICMS) tax disputes concerning the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Tocantins by joining states amnesty settlement programs and taking advance of their reliefs. Accordingly, in the first quarter of 2018, the Company charged R$ 80 as other taxes.

Following the creation of Repetro-Sped pursuant to the new requirements provided for Provisional Measure No. 795 into Law. 13,586/2017, the Brazilian Federal Government authorized its states to provide tax incentives relating to VAT (ICMS) tax with direct impacts on the oil and gas industry.

Pursuant to the ICMS Convention 03/2018 enacted on January 17, 2018, ratified on February 1, 2018, the Brazilian Federal Government authorized its states to reduce the basis of VAT (ICMS) tax computation on imports or sale in the domestic market of goods with definitive permanence, as well as VAT (ICMS) exemption on import of goods with temporary permanence in Brazil. In addition, VAT (ICMS) exemption for goods migrating from the old to the new tax regime was also provided for.

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At the date of issue of these interim financial statements, the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Bahia were the only states enacting new regulations governing the tax incentives authorized by the Brazilian Federal Government.

 

 

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The changes in the deferred income taxes are presented as follows:

 

 

The Company recognizes the deferred tax assets based on projections of future taxable profits in a ten-year perspective supported by the Business and Management Plan, which is revised annually.

 

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The following table provides the reconciliation of Brazilian statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective rate on income before income taxes:

 

 

 

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The Company sponsors defined benefit and variable contribution pension plans in Brazil and abroad, as well as defined-benefit medical plans for employees in Brazil (active and retirees) and their dependents. See note 22 to the audited consolidated financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2017 for detailed information about pension and medical benefits sponsored by the Company.

Changes in the net defined benefits are set out as follows:

 

 

Pension and medical benefit expenses, net recognized in the statement of income are set out as follows:

 

 

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had pledged crude oil and oil products volumes, totaling US$ 4,268, as collateral for the Terms of Financial Commitment (TFC) signed by Petrobras and Petros in 2008 (US$ 4,067 as of December 31, 2017).

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company's contribution to the defined contribution portion of the Petros Plan 2 was R$ 226 (R$ 236 in first quarter of 2017) recognized in the statement of income.

Deficit settlement plan – Petros Plan

The Petros Plan has in place a deficit settlement plan (PED) due to its accumulated deficit until 2015 in the amount of R$ 22.6 billion. This amount was updated based on interest and inflation and reached R$ 27.3 billion at December 31, 2017. The PED was approved by the Executive Council of Petros Foundation on September 12, 2017 and assessed by the Company and the Secretariat of Management and Governance for the State-owned Companies (Secretaria de Coordenação e Governança das Empresas Estatais – SEST).

Pursuant to relevant regulation, the sponsors and participants will cover this deficit based on their respective proportions of regular contributions. Accordingly, the Company will cover approximately R$ 13.7 billion of this deficit (Parent Company R$ 12.8 billion, BR Distribuidora 0.9 billion) and the contributions will occur for 18 years through decreasing values, of which the estimated amount for the first year is R$ 1.4 billion for the Parent Company and R$ 89 for BR Distribuidora.

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The part of the additional contributions from participants and sponsors commenced in March 2018 and the Company has complied with judicial decisions.

Split of Petros Plan

On February 15, 2018, the PREVIC authorized the split of Petros Plan into two separate plans: Petros Plan – Renegotiated and Petros Plan – Non-renegotiated. The Petros Plan split have been in place since April 1, 2018.

This split arose from the renegotiation procedures held in 2006-2007 period and in 2012, when 75% of the participants accepted the option to change to a model that sets forth solely inflation indexation on the annual adjustment of their benefits. The other participants’ benefits remained adjusted by the same rate as the Petrobras’ workforce had their salaries adjusted.

 

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The Company’s profit sharing benefits comply with Brazilian legal requirements and those of the Brazilian Secretariat of Coordination and Governance of State‐Owned Enterprises (SEST), of the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management, and of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and are computed based on the consolidated net income attributable to the shareholders of Petrobras.

The amount of profit sharing benefits is computed based on the results of six corporate indicators, for which annual goals are defined by the Executive Board and approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to the review of the Business and Management Plan (BMP). The annual goals are based on the results of the following corporate indicators:

The results of the six individual goals are factored into a consolidated result that will determine the percentage of the profit to be distributed as a profit sharing benefit to employees (6.25% at March 31, 2018). However, in the event the Company records a net loss for the period and all the annual goals are achieved, the profit sharing benefit will be half a month salary for each employee added to half of the lowest amount of profit sharing paid in the prior year, as established in the Company’s collective bargaining agreement.

The subsidiary Liquigás and the joint operations Fábrica Carioca de Catalizadores (FCC) and Ibiritermo have their specific methodology for profit sharing computation pursuant to their own collective bargaining agreement, apart from other entities of the group.

Based on the estimates in the first quarter of 2018, the Company recognized a provision of R$ 451 as other income and expenses (US$ 278 in the first quarter of 2017) regarding profit sharing benefits in accordance with clauses of the collective bargaining agreement, including R$ 9 as complement of the profit sharing for 2017.

 

The Company has implemented voluntary separation incentive plans (PDIV) which had the following cumulative adherence by employees since their announcement:

 

 

As a result, the Company recognized a total of 18,138 separations in these plans, whose changes in the provision as of March 31, 2018 are set out as follows:

 

 

 

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As of March 31, 2018, subscribed and fully paid share capital, net of issuance costs, was R$ 205,432, represented by 7,442,454,142 outstanding common shares and 5,602,042,788 outstanding preferred shares, all of which are registered, book-entry shares with no par value.

Preferred shares have priority on returns of capital, do not grant any voting rights and are non-convertible into common shares.

In first quarter of 2018, the Company primarily recognized as other comprehensive income the following effects:

 

 

 

 

 

In the first quarter of 2018 and 2017, there was no customer whose sales revenues totaled 10% or more of the Company’s sales revenues.

The impacts of the adoption of IFRS 15 in the first quarter of 2018 are presented in note 4.

 

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The operating segment information is reported in the manner in which the Company’s senior management assesses business performance and makes decisions regarding investments and resource allocation.

 

 

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The Company recognizes provisions based on the best estimate of the costs of proceedings for which it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required and that can be reliably estimated. These proceedings mainly include:

Provisions for legal proceedings are set out as follows:

 

 

 

 

In preparing its unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2018, the Company considered all available information concerning legal proceedings in which the Company is a defendant, in order to estimate the amounts of obligations and probability that outflows of resources will be required.

The main additions to the provision for legal proceedings in first quarter of 2018 were primarily attributable to unfavorable court rulings that changed the probabilities of outflows of resources relating to certain claims to probable, as well as changes in the assessment of civil claim for compensation. Indexation charges over the balance of provision also increased the balance of the provision at March 31, 2018, and the use of funds for amounts previously provisioned mainly relates to withholding income tax disbursed on the first installment of the class action settlement as shown in note 28.4.1.

Judicial deposits made in connection with legal proceedings are set out in the table below according to the nature of the corresponding lawsuits:

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In the first quarter of 2018, the Company made judicial deposits in the amount of R$ 1,511 mainly resulting from an unfavorable decision issued by the Regional Federal Court of Rio de Janeiro (Tribunal Regional Federal – TRT/RJ) in October 2017, with respect to withholding income tax on remittances for payments of vessel charters occurred from 1999 to 2002, as set out in note 28.3.

Contingent liabilities for which either the Company is unable to make a reliable estimate of the expected financial effect that might result from resolution of the proceeding, or a cash outflow is not probable, are not recognized as liabilities in the financial statements but are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements, unless the likelihood of any outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is considered remote.

The estimates of contingent liabilities for legal proceedings are indexed to inflation and updated by applicable interests. As of March 31, 2018, estimated contingent liabilities for which the possibility of loss is not considered remote are set out in the following table:

 

 

A brief description of the nature of the main contingent liabilities (tax, civil, environmental and labor) is set out in the following table:

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Between December 8, 2014 and January 7, 2015, five putative securities class action complaints were filed against the Company, Petrobras International Finance Company S.A. (“PifCo”), Petrobras Global Finance B.V. (“PGF,” and collectively with the Company and PifCo, the “Petrobras Defendants”), certain underwriters of debt securities (the “Underwriter Defendants”), among other defendants (the “Defendants”), in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY” or the “District Court”). These actions were consolidated on February 17, 2015 (the “Consolidated Securities Class Action” or “Class Action”). The Court appointed a lead plaintiff, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited (“USS”), on March 4, 2015. In sum and substance, the complaints in the Consolidated Securities Class Action asserted claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), alleging that in the Company’s press releases, filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other communications, the Company made materially false and misleading statements and omissions regarding the value of its assets, the amounts of the Company’s expenses and net income, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, and the Company’s anti-corruption policies, due to the alleged corruption purportedly committed in connection with certain contracts, which allegedly artificially inflated the market value of the Company’s securities.

In addition to the Consolidated Securities Class Action, 33 lawsuits were filed by individual investors before the same judge in the SDNY, and one was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (collectively, the “Individual Actions”), consisting of allegations similar to those in the Consolidated Securities Class Action.

Between August 2015 and December 2015, the Company and certain other defendants made motions to dismiss the complaints and amended complaints in the Consolidated Securities Class Action and certain of the Individual Actions. Certain, but not all, of the claims were definitively dismissed and others were dismissed but with leave to re-plead. Thus, the actions continued against the Company and other defendants with respect to certain claims. Following the motion to dismiss stage, the complaint that was then considered operative for the subsequent proceedings in the Class Action was the fourth consolidated amended complaint (“FAC”) filed on November 30, 2015 by plaintiff USS, Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii (“Hawaii”), North Carolina Department of State Treasurer (“North Carolina”) (collectively, “Class Plaintiffs”), and one other plaintiff whose claims were later dismissed.

The judge scheduled a consolidated trial for the Class Action and the Individual Actions to begin on September 19, 2016, except that the judge ordered that any Individual Actions filed in the SDNY after December 31, 2015 would be stayed in all respects until after the completion of the trial. Six of the Individual Actions have been stayed as a result of this order.

On February 2, 2016, the judge granted Class Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, certifying a class under the Securities Act represented by Hawaii and North Carolina (the “Securities Act Class”) and a class under the Exchange Act represented by USS (the “Exchange Act Class”). The Securities Act Class was defined, in relevant part, as all purchasers who purchased or otherwise acquired debt securities issued by Petrobras, PifCo, and/or PGF, in domestic transactions, directly in, pursuant and/or traceable to public offerings on May 15, 2013 and March 11, 2014, and were damaged thereby. The Exchange Act Class was defined, in relevant part, as all purchasers who, between January 22, 2010 and July 28, 2015, purchased or otherwise acquired Petrobras securities, including debt securities issued by PifCo and/or PGF on the New York Stock Exchange or pursuant to other domestic transactions, and were damaged thereby.

On June 15, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (“Second Circuit”) granted the Petrobras Defendants’ (and other defendants’) motion requesting interlocutory appellate review of the District Court’s class certification of the Class Action. The Petrobras Defendants (and other defendants) moved in District Court for a stay of all District Court proceedings, which the district judge denied on June 24, 2016 and, on June 27, 2016, the parties filed motions for summary judgment. The Petrobras Defendants (and other defendants)then moved in the Second Circuit for a stay of all District Court proceedings. On August 2, 2016, the Second Circuit granted the motion to stay all District Court proceedings during the pendency of the appeal.

Between on or about October 21, 2016 and September 13, 2017, Petrobras’ board of directors approved agreements to settle 21 of the Individual Actions (the “Settled Individual Actions”), leaving 13 remaining pending Individual Actions (six of which had been stayed since filed) (the “Pending Individual Actions”). The terms of the settlements for the Settled Individual Actions are confidential and Petrobras denies all allegations of wrongdoing. The settlements are aimed at eliminating the uncertainties, burdens and expense of ongoing litigation.

Based on the settlements reached in the Settled Individual Actions and advanced stages of negotiations in certain other Pending Individual Actions, the Company charged R$ 1,476 to the statement of income as other income and expenses (R$ 261 in 2017 and R$ 1,215 in 2016).

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On July 7, 2017, the Second Circuit vacated, in part, the class certification decision in the Class Action and remanded the case to the District Court for further proceedings. The Second Circuit partially granted the appeal by the Petrobras Defendants (and other defendants), reversing some aspects of the District Court’s ruling and affirming others. Among other issues, the Second Circuit ruled that the district judge failed to consider whether the question of whether the transactions occurred in the United States could be determined through a common set of evidence, and whether, if not, common issues would predominate over individual ones. The effect of the Second Circuit’s decision was to vacate the classes certified by the District Court pending additional proceedings in the District Court on remand.

On July 21, 2017, the Petrobras Defendants (and other defendants) filed a request for rehearing or en banc rehearing with the Second Circuit regarding portions of the Second Circuit’s decision affirming the District Court’s order, which was denied on August 24, 2017.

On November 1, 2017, the Petrobras Defendants (and other defendants) filed a petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court appealing the Second Circuit’s decision. On November 3, 2017, the Second Circuit granted the Company’s unopposed motion to stay the mandate, which was filed by Petrobras on August 30, 2017.

At the end of December 2017, the Company signed an agreement in principle to settle the Consolidated Securities Class Action, which is still subject to court approval (the “Class Action Settlement”).

The Class Action Settlement is intended to resolve all pending and prospective claims by purchasers of Petrobras securities in the United States and by purchasers of Petrobras securities that are listed for trading or that clear or settle through the Depository Trust Company in the United States, including the Pending Individual Actions. Under the Class Action Agreement, the parties have agreed to the certification, for settlement purposes only, of a new class defined as all persons who (i) during the time Period between January 22, 2010 and July 28, 2015, inclusive (the “Class Period”), purchased or otherwise acquired Petrobras Securities, including debt securities issued by PifCo and/or PGF, on the New York Stock Exchange or pursuant to other Covered Transactions; and/or (ii) purchased or otherwise acquired debt securities issued by Petrobras, PifCo, and/or PGF, in Covered Transactions, directly in, pursuant and/or traceable to a May 13, 2013 public offering registered in the United States and/or a March 10, 2014 public offering registered in the United States before Petrobras made available to its security holders an earnings statement covering a period of at least twelve months beginning after the effective date of the offerings (i.e. before August 11, 2014 in the case of the May 13, 2013 public offering and before May 15, 2015 in the case of the March 10, 2014 public offering). Covered Transactions is defined to mean (i) any transaction in a Petrobras Security listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”); (ii) any transaction in a Petrobras Security that cleared or settled through the Depository Trust Company’s book-entry system; or (iii) any transaction in a Petrobras Security that otherwise qualifies as “domestic” under the Supreme Court’s decision in Morrison v. National Australia Bank, 561 U.S. 247 (2010). Excluded from the definition of Covered Transaction are purchases of any Petrobras Security on the Brazilian Stock Exchange (B3).

If approved, the Class Action Settlement eliminates the risk of an adverse judgment which, as Petrobras has previously reported, could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its financial situation, and puts an end to the uncertainties, burdens and costs of protracted litigation.

Under the Class Action Settlement, Petrobras (together with its subsidiary PGF) has agreed to pay US$ 2,950 million (R$ 9,759) to resolve claims in two installments of US$ 983 million (R$ 3,252) and a further installment of US$ 984 million (R$ 3,255). On March 1, 2018, Petrobras and PGF disbursed the first installment into an escrow account designated by the lead plaintiff and accounted it for as other current assets. The second installment will be paid within 10 days of final approval of the Class Action Settlement. The third installment will be paid by the later of (i) six months after final approval, or (ii) January 15, 2019. Accordingly, the Company charged R$ 11,198 to its statement of income for the last quarter of 2017 as other expenses and income, taking into account the gross up of tax related to the Petrobras’s portion of the settlement.

On January 16, 2018, United States Supreme Court granted a joint motion to defer consideration of Petrobras’ petition for a writ of certiorari, pending final approval of the Class Action Settlement.

A stipulation between the settling parties containing the terms of the Class Action Settlement was submitted to the District Court for preliminary approval. On February 23, 2018, the District Court held a hearing on preliminary approval of the settlement, and subsequently granted preliminary approval on February 28, 2018. Notice will be provided to potential class members who will have an opportunity to opt out of the settlement and make any objections to the District Court, which the District Court will then review.

After the notice and objection period, the District Court is scheduled to hold a hearing on June 4, 2018 to determine whether to grant final approval of the Class Action Settlement. If final approval is not granted by the District Court, or if the settlement does not become final for any other reason, the Company will return to its position prior to the Class Action Settlement and, depending on the outcome of the subsequent litigation, the Company might be required to pay substantial amounts, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, its consolidated results of operations or its consolidated cash flows for an individual reporting period.

Individuals are seeking measures against Petrobras in Brazil to annul and/or suspend the Class Action Settlement. No adverse action has been taken to date against the settlement.

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The plaintiffs in the Pending Individual Actions were eligible to participate in the settlement. Individual Actions brought up by plaintiffs that opted to opt out of the Class Action Settlement will continue.

The Pending Individual Actions involve highly complex issues that are subject to substantial uncertainties and depend on a number of factors such as the novelty of the legal theories, the information produced in discovery, the timing of court decisions, rulings by the court on key issues, and analysis by retained experts. Except as set forth above, the Company is unable to make a reliable estimate of eventual loss, if any, arising from Pending Individual Actions that did opt out of the Class Action Agreement.

The Company intends to defend these actions vigorously.

On January 23, 2017, the Stichting Petrobras Compensation Foundation (“Foundation”) filed a class action before the district court in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, against Petrobras and its subsidiaries Petrobras International Braspetro B.V. (PIBBV) and Petrobras Global Finance B.V. (PGF); joint venture Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (PO&G), and some former managers of Petrobras.

This Foundation allegedly represents an unidentified group of investors and demands judicial remedies for alleged damages caused to investors who purchased securities issued by Petrobras and PGF outside the United States, before July 28, 2015, due to alleged illegal acts. The Foundation also alleges financial losses are connected to the facts uncovered by the Lava-Jato investigation and to purported false and misleading financial information released by the Company.

Petrobras, PGF, PIBBV and PO&G filed their first response to the claim on May 3, 2017 (first docket date), presenting the law firms that will defend these companies and requesting a hearing to discuss some aspects of the case.

On August 23, 2017, a hearing was held at the District Court in Rotterdam to establish the timeframe for proceedings. Accordingly, initial arguments by defendants occurred in November 2017 and the Foundation replied to them in March 2018. The oral hearing is expected to be held on June 28, 2018 and the Court ruling is expected to be presented in September 2018.

This class action involves complex issues that are subject to substantial uncertainties and depend on a number of factors such as the legitimacy of the Foundation as the plaintiffs' attorney, the applicable rules to this complaint, the information produced in discovery, analysis by experts, the timing of court decisions and rulings by the court on key issues. Currently, it is not possible to determine if the Company will be responsible for the payment of compensation as a result of this action as this assessment depends on the outcome of these complex issues. Moreover, it is uncertain which investors are able to file complaints related to this matter against the Company.

In addition, the claims asserted are broad, span a multi-year period and involve a wide range of activities, and, at the current stage, the impacts of such claims are highly uncertain. The uncertainties inherent in all such matters affect the amount and timing of the ultimate resolution of these actions. As a result, the Company is unable to make a reliable estimate of eventual loss arising from this action. The Company is victim of the corruption scheme uncovered by the Lava-Jato investigation and aims to present and prove this condition before the Netherlands Authorities.

The uncertainties inherent in all such matters do not enable the Company to identify possible risks related to this action. Compensation for the alleged damages will only be determined by court rulings on complaints to be filed by individual investors, unless agreements to settle Opt-out Claims occur. The Foundation is not able to demand compensation for damages.

Petrobras and its subsidiaries deny the allegations presented by the Foundation and intend to defend themselves vigorously.

Petrobras is also currently a party to arbitration and judicial proceedings in Brazil, all of which are currently in their initial stages. In each case, the proceedings were brought by investors that purchased Petrobras’ shares traded in Brazilian Stock Exchange (B3), alleging damages caused by facts uncovered in the Lava Jato Operation.

 

The Company has granted collateral to the Brazilian Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis - ANP) in connection with the performance of the Minimum Exploration Programs established in the concession agreements for petroleum exploration areas in the total amount of R$ 7,268 of which R$ 2,878 were still in force as of March 31, 2018, net of commitments undertaken. The collateral comprises crude oil from previously identified producing fields, pledged as collateral, amounting to R$ 2,667 and bank guarantees of R$ 211.

 

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The Company is exposed to a variety of risks arising from its operations, including price risk (related to crude oil and oil products prices), foreign exchange rates risk, interest rates risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Corporate risk management is part of the Company’s commitment to act ethically and comply with the legal and regulatory requirements of the countries where it operates. To manage market and financial risks the Company prefers structuring measures through adequate capital and leverage management. The Company takes account of risks in its business decisions and manages any such risk in an integrated manner in order to enjoy the benefits of diversification.

A summary of the positions of the derivative financial instruments held by the Company and recognized in other current assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2018, as well as the amounts recognized in the statement of income and other comprehensive income and the guarantees given is set out as follows:

 

 

 

 

A sensitivity analysis of the derivative financial instruments for the different types of market risks as of March 31, 2018 is set out following:

 

 

Petrobras does not regularly use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to commodity price cycles related to products purchased and sold to fulfill operational needs. However, derivatives may be used in specific circumstances depending on business environment analysis and assessment of whether the Business and Management targets are being met.

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Accordingly, Petrobras executed a hedge strategy for part of its oil production foreseen for 2018. The transaction was carried out during February and March, in a volume equivalent to 128 million barrels of oil. Over-the-Counter Put Options (OTC Put Options) were purchased with an average cost of US$ 3.48 per barrel and an average strike price of US $ 65 / barrel . These options will expire at the end of 2018.

This transaction aims to hedge a portion of the cash flow from operating activities for 2018, guaranteeing a minimum price level for the volume under this transaction without limiting the sales price if the average Brent price in the year exceeds the reference value, thereby protecting the Company in case of oil prices downturn while enabling to take advantage of higher prices. The goal is to reduce negative impacts on the Company's cash generation in the most adverse price scenarios, increasing the confidence on the strategy of reducing its leverage.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company accounted for a R$ 550 loss as other income and expenses within corporate business segments due to a decrease in the fair value of these put options driven by the increase in the commodity price in the international market.

The Company’s Risk Management Policy provides for, as an assumption, an integrated risk management extensive to the whole corporation, pursuing the benefit from the diversification of its businesses.

By managing its foreign exchange risk, the Company takes into account the group of cash flows derived from its operations. This concept is especially applicable to the risk relating to the exposure of the Brazilian Real against the U.S. dollar, in which future cash flows in U.S. dollar, as well as cash flows in Brazilian Real affected by the fluctuation between both currencies, such as cash flows derived from diesel and gasoline sales in the domestic market, are assessed in an integrated manner.

Accordingly, the financial risk management mainly involves structured actions encompassing the business of the Company.

Changes in the Real/U.S. dollar spot rate, as well as foreign exchange variation of the Real against other foreign currencies, may affect net income and the statement of financial position due to the exposures in foreign currencies, such as:

The Company seeks to mitigate the effect of potential variations in the Real/U.S. dollar spot rates mainly raising funds denominated in US dollars, aiming at reducing the net exposure between obligations and receipts in this currency, representing a form of structural protection that takes into account criteria of liquidity and cost competitiveness.

Foreign exchange variation on future exports denominated in U.S. Dollar in a given period are efficiently hedged by the US dollar debt portfolio taking into account changes in such portfolio over time.

The foreign exchange risk management strategy may involve the use of derivative financial instruments to hedge certain liabilities, mitigating foreign exchange rate risk exposure, especially when the Company is exposed to a foreign currency in which no cash inflows are expected, for example, Pound Sterling.

In the short-term, the foreign exchange risk is managed by applying resources in cash or cash equivalent denominated in Brazilian Real, U.S. Dollar or in another currency.

Considering the natural hedge and the risk management strategy, the Company designates hedging relationships to account for the effects of the existing hedge between a foreign exchange gain or loss from proportions of its long-term debt obligations (denominated in U.S. dollars) and foreign exchange gain or loss of its highly probable U.S. dollar denominated future export revenues, so that gains or losses associated with the hedged transaction (the highly probable future exports) and the hedging instrument (debt obligations) are recognized in the statement of income in the same periods.

Foreign exchange gains and losses on proportions of cash flows from debt obligations (non-derivative financial instruments), as well as foreign exchange rate forward contracts (derivative financial instruments) have been designated as hedging instruments. Derivative financial instruments expired during the year were replaced by debts in the hedging relationships for which they had been designated.

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Individual hedging relationships were designated in a one-to-one proportion, meaning that the highly probable future exports for each month and the proportions of cash flows from debt obligations, hedged in individual hedging relationship, an equal in US dollar in nominal amount. Only a portion of the Company’s forecast exports are considered highly probable.

The Company’s future exports are exposed to the risk of variation in the Brazilian Real/U.S. dollar spot rate, which is offset by the converse exposure to the same type of risk with respect to its debt denominated in US dollar.

The hedge relationships are assessed on a monthly basis and they may cease and may be re-designated in order reach the risk management strategy.

Whenever a portion of future exports for a certain period, for which their foreign exchange gains and losses hedging relationship has been designated is no longer highly probable, the Company revokes the designation and the cumulative foreign exchange gains or losses that have been recognized in other comprehensive income remain separately in equity until the forecast exports occur.

If future exports, for foreign exchange gains and losses hedging relationship has been designated is no longer expected to occur, any related cumulative foreign exchange gains or losses that have been recognized in other comprehensive income from the date the hedging relationship was designated to the date the Company revoked the designation is immediately recycled from equity to the statement of income.

In addition, when a financial instrument designated as a hedging instrument expires or settled, the Company may replace it with another financial instrument in a manner in which the hedge relationship continues to occur. Likewise, whenever a hedged transaction effectively occurs, its financial instrument previously designated as a hedging instrument may be designate for a new hedge relationship.

Ineffectiveness may occur as hedged items and hedge instruments have different maturity dates and due to discount rate used to determine their present value. Accordingly, the Company recognized a R$ 22 gain as foreign exchange gain due to ineffectiveness.

The carrying amounts, the fair value as of March 31, 2018, and a schedule of expected reclassifications to the statement of income of cumulative losses recognized in other comprehensive income (shareholders’ equity) based on a US$ 1.00 / R$ 3.3238 exchange rate are set out below:

 

 

 

 

The average ratio of future exports for which cash flow hedge accounting was designed to the highly probable future exports is 73.5%.

A roll-forward schedule of cumulative foreign exchange losses recognized in other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2018 is set out below:

 

 

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Additional hedging relationships may be revoked or additional reclassification adjustments from equity to the statement of income may occur as a result of changes in forecast export prices and export volumes following a review of the Company’s business plan. Based on a sensitivity analysis considering a US$ 10/barrel decrease in Brent prices stress scenario, when compared to the Brent price projections in our BMP-2018-2022, would not indicate a reclassification adjustment from equity to the statement of income.

A schedule of expected reclassification of cumulative foreign exchange losses recognized in other comprehensive income to the statement of income as of March 31, 2018 is set out below:

 

 

IFRS 9 is effective from January 1, 2018 and provides for new requirements for hedge accounting. See note 6 for additional information on impacts of this new accounting standard on the Company’s financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Petrobras Global Trading B.V. (PGT), entered into cross currency swaps maturing in 2026 and 2034, with notional amounts of £ 700 million and £ 600 million, respectively, in order to hedge its Pounds/U.S. Dollar exposure arising from bonds issued amounting to £ 1,300. The Company does not expect to settle these swaps before their expiration dates.

A sensitivity analysis is set out below, showing the probable scenario for foreign exchange risk on financial instruments, computed based on external data along with stressed scenarios (a 25% and a 50% change in the foreign exchange rates), except for assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, when transacted in a currency equivalent to their respective functional currencies.

 

 

The Company considers that interest rate risk does not create a significant exposure and therefore, preferably does not use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk, except for specific situations encountered by certain subsidiaries of Petrobras.

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Credit risk management in Petrobras aims at minimizing risk of not collecting receivables, financial deposits or collateral from third parties or financial institutions through efficient credit analysis, granting and management based on quantitative and qualitative parameters that are appropriate for each market segment in which the Company operates.

The commercial credit portfolio is broad and diversified and comprises clients from the domestic and foreign markets. Credit granted to financial institutions is related to collaterals received, cash surplus invested and derivative financial instruments. It is spread among “investment grade” international banks rated by international rating agencies and Brazilian banks with low credit risk.

Liquidity risk is represented by the possibility of a shortage of cash or other financial assets in order to settle the Company’s obligations on the agreed dates and is managed by the Company based on policies such as: centralization of cash management, optimization of the level of cash and cash equivalents held and reduction of working capital; maintenance of an adequate cash balance to ensure that cash needed for investments and short-term obligations is met even in adverse market conditions; increase in the average debt maturity, increase in funding sources from domestic and international markets, and developing a strong presence in the capital markets and also searching for new funding sources (such as new markets and financial products), as well as funds under the partnership and divestment program.

A maturity schedule of the Company’s finance debt (undiscounted), including face value and interest payments is set out as follows:

 

 

 

Fair values are determined based on market prices, when available, or, in the absence thereof, on the present value of expected future cash flows.

The hierarchy of the fair values of the financial assets and liabilities, recorded on a recurring basis, is set out below:

 

 

There are no material transfers between levels for the periods presented.

The estimated fair value for the Company’s long term debt, computed based on the prevailing market rates, is set out in note 15.1.

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The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term debt and other financial assets and liabilities are equivalent or do not differ significantly from their carrying amounts.

 

The General Shareholders Meeting held on April 26, 2018 amended provisions for distribution to shareholders (dividends and interest on capital) in the Company’s bylaws. Accordingly, the Company’s Board of Directors approved on May 7, 2018 the interest on capital distribution totaling R$ 652, representing R$ 0.05 per common and preferred share.

This interest on capital will be paid to shareholders within 60 days on the register on 21 May 2018 and they will be included in the Company’s minimum mandatory distribution for 2018. This amount will be bear interest at Selic rate from the date of the payment to the end of the fiscal year.

On April 30, 2018, the Company entered into contractual instruments relating to the agreement reached with Eletrobras and its controlled power distributors with respect to a portion of receivables arising from the supply of fuel oil and natural gas for the power generation in the northern region of Brazil.

The agreement governs the restructuring of the debt acknowledgement agreements signed on December 31, 2014, whose updated amounts reach R$ 10.7 billion that will rely on a new structure of collateralization and on an increase in the surety provided by Eletrobras until the effective privatization of its power distributors.

Simultaneously, additional debt acknowledgement agreements collateralized by Eletrobras were concluded in the amount of R$ 6.1 billion to be settled in 36 monthly instalments indexed to market rates. Of this amount, the collateralization of R$ 4.5 billion is conditioned to the privatization process.

Eletrobras agreed to accept approximately R$ 11 billion of the total amount negotiated, of which a portion is due by its controlled entities, through Debt Assumption Instruments with real guarantees and also conditioned to the success of privatization of the distributors.

Receivables from AME-D relating to the supply of natural gas in the state of Amazonas, in the approximate amount of R$ 3 billion, are still under judicial collection and are not part of the agreement.

The Company estimates a gain of approximately R$ 2.1 billion (before tax effects) to be recognized in the second quarter of 2018 following the effects of the agreement on its financial statements.

 

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The notes to the annual report 2017 that were suppressed in the 1Q-2018 because they do not have significant changes and / or may not be applicable to interim financial information are:

 

 

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Statement of directors on financial statements and auditors’ report on the review of quarterly information

In compliance with the regulation Instruction of Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Executive Officers of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras, publicly traded company, with its headquarters at Avenida República do Chile, 65, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, registered with CNPJ 33.000.167/0001-01, declare that the interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the law or the bylaws and that:

Rio de Janeiro, May 7, 2018.

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 9, 2018.

 

PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A—PETROBRAS

By: /s/ Ivan de Souza Monteiro

____________________________________

Ivan de Souza Monteiro

Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer