ANP accuses Petrobras of pressuring to delay Brazil gas market opening

Brazil's oil regulator ANP publicly accuses state-controlled Petrobras of lobbying to delay or kill the 'Gas Release' program, which would force the company to divest gas volumes to cut its ~60% market share. Tensions escalated at a September 29 seminar in Rio, marking a rare open rift between the regulator and the state champion. The outcome determines whether Brazil's gas market liberalization proceeds, affecting investment and pricing.