Petrobras Energia oil sales fall 4.54% in 3Q

Argentine energy company Petrobras Energia's oil sales fell 4.54% to 115,600 barrels a day (b/d) at an average price of 57.5 Argentine pesos (today US$20) in the third quarter 2003 compared to the same period last year, the company said in a statement. Argentine sales increased 12.1% in 3Q03 to 55,400b/d, Venezuelan sales fell 7.6% to 42,100b/d, Peruvian sales increased 5.26% to 12,000b/d, Ecuadorian sales increased 4700% to 4,800b/d, and Bolivian sales were flat at 1,300b/d. Total gas sales fell 17.3% to 273 million cubic feet a day (mcf/d) in 3Q03 compared to the same period last year. Argentina accounted for 205mcf/d, Venezuela 23.4mcf/d, Bolivia 36.3 mcf/d and Peru 8mcf/d. Total electricity sales rose 25.8% to 1,798GWh over the period, with combined cycle generation accounting for 1,392GWh and hydro generation the remaining 406GWh. Petrobras Energia is a subsidiary of Brazil's federal energy company Petrobras.