Abreu e Lima refinery under suspicion of overpricing.

Raphael Coutinho_247 – A list of 26 works that present serious irregularities and should be immediately halted will be sent to the National Congress by the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) this Tuesday (08). The novelty in this year's list is the inclusion of the Abreu e Lima Refinery, owned by Petrobras, in Suape (PE). Previous contracts with the refinery had already been halted by the agency, but the Federal Government ordered the continuation of the works even with the problems found. In this case, the irregularities identified by the TCU could generate a loss of R$ 123,9 million to public coffers. Of the 15 irregular contracts, 11 showed signs of overpricing. In total, 230 works were inspected and the benefits, if the corrections are made, could reach R$ 2,6 billion.

This year, 15 new projects were added to the oversight body's list. Another 11 were already on the list from previous years. The number submitted is lower than in 2010, when 32 complaints were filed, and is the lowest in history. However, Congress will decide which projects will cease receiving funding in 2012.

The project foresees an investment of US$15,294 billion in a refinery with the capacity to process 230 barrels of oil per day starting in 2013. Petrobras will hold a 60% stake and the Venezuelan state-owned company PDVSA 40%.

Last Monday (07), the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, during a visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antônio Patriota, to the country, commented on the construction of the refinery, which is a partnership between Petrobras and PDVSA, the Venezuelan state-owned oil company. He informed that problems still pending in the fulfillment of contracts should be resolved before November 30th. "The refinery is ahead of schedule. I think it will be inaugurated soon. The work has not stopped, it is in full construction," Chávez stressed on the occasion.