Mitsui & Co., Ltd. ("Mitsui", Head Office: Tokyo, President & CEO: Tatsuo Yasunaga) entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. ("Petrobras"), a Brazilian state-run oil company, on October 23rd, 2015, concerning partial acquisition of shares in Petrobras Gás S.A ("Gaspetro"), which has equity stakes in local gas distribution companies ("LDCs") in 19 Brazilian states. After meeting the necessary conditions precedent, including the approval by competent authorities, Mitsui will acquire 49% of Gaspetro shares through Mitsui Gas e Energia do Brasil Ltda ("Mitsui Gas") for a purchase price of approximately R$1.9billion (¥67 billion) (*1).

In 2006, Mitsui acquired Mitsui Gas, which has equity interests in LDCs in seven states. In the nine years since then, Mitsui and Mitsui Gas have worked to improve the gas distribution infrastructure in Brazil and ensure stable supplies of gas through LDCs' business. In December 2014, Mitsui acquired an equity interest in Companhia de Gas do Ceara S.A., an LCD based in the State of Ceará in northern Brazil thorough Mitsui Gas. Mitsui is currently engaged in gas distribution operations in eight Brazilian states. The acquisition of shares in Gaspetro will increase the number of states served by gas companies in which Mitsui Gas has an equity interest to 19 (*2), and the amount of gas supplied by those companies to 30 million cubic meters per day within Brazil.

The gas distribution business in Brazil consists of regional monopolies based on the concessions granted by state governments. Under concession agreements signed with state governments, distribution companies develop the gas distribution infrastructure in their service areas in each state, including gas pipeline networks, while distributing gas purchased from Petrobras to power stations and general industrial and commercial users, as well as residential consumers. They also distribute gas for use as fuel for natural gas vehicles. Gaspetro, in which Mitsui through Mitsui Gas will hold a stake, has built a well-balanced portfolio spanning several regions, including central, northeastern, and southern Brazil. Gas demand is expected to grow in step with economic development in all of these regions.

Mitsui and Mitsui Gas will use knowledge and expertise gained from the business operations to contribute to energy-related businesses through its gas distribution operations in Brazil in partnership with Petrobras and state governments.

(*1) This is the estimated purchase price, taking into account adjustments under the agreement terms, assuming that the agreement will take effect at the end of December 2015.
(*2) The 19 LDCs affiliated to Gaspetro include 8 LDCs in which Mitsui Gas has an equity interest.

Profile of Gaspetro

Investment Structure

List of 19 LDCs

Please scroll horizontally to look at table below.

LDC Map

Notice:
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Mitsui's current assumptions, expectations and beliefs in light of the information currently possessed by it and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause Mitsui's actual results, financial position or cash flows to be materially different from any future results, financial position or cash flows expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors referred to above include, but are not limited to, those contained in Mitsui's latest Annual Securities Report and Quarterly Securities Report, and Mitsui undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
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