Brazil finding the balance

The country faces key downstream and infrastructure challenges

Efforts to reform Brazil's downstream fuels market illustrate the tension between trying to move away from over-arching state control, but also placate a populace angry after corruption scandals and economic austerity. Under existing law, Petrobras plays the role of the country's sole supplier, but this no longer reflects the on-the-ground reality. Nor is it the part the company, which is actively looking for partnerships at some of its refineries, is keen to play. The supreme federal court is, though, taking a keen interest in the legality of any potential partnership. It's estimated that, to meet Brazil's fuels demand in 2030, an investment of over $10bn in downstream infrastructure would