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Rio de Janeiro - Brazil's state-run oil company and Italian energy firm Eni SpA are talking about joining together to build biodiesel plants in Brazil and Africa that would export the fuel to Italy, a Petrobras executive said on Tuesday.
Eni executives met with officials from Petroleo Brasileiro SA last week and will meet again next week regarding possible cooperation in biofuels and ethanol, the alcohol fuel that powers eight of 10 new Brazilian cars, Petrobras Downstream Director Roberto Costa said.
Eni officials showed interest in an accord with Petrobras on biofuels that could include the construction of biodiesel plants in Brazil, Mozambique and Angola, Costa said.
He made the comments ahead of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi's visit next week to Brazil to meet with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Silva and US President George W. Bush signed a biofuels accord earlier this month during Bush's visit to Brazil.
Petrobras-Eni ethanol projects may also be considered, but the two companies are focusing for now on African projects to export biodiesel to Italy, Costa added.
Eni is seeking international alliances in biofuels, especially in countries where it has exploration and production activities, including Angola and Congo.
Petrobras and Eni are also interested in sharing their experiences in the refining of heavy oil, Costa said.
Italy's government has a stake of about 30% in Eni, while the Brazilian government owns 60% of Petrobras.
Brazil is the world's largest exporter of ethanol and its second-biggest producer, after the United States.
Brazil, Latin America's largest nation, is also ramping up production of biodiesel, and will require a 2% blend of biodiesel in regular diesel starting next year. The percentage will rise to 5% by 2013.