Brazil to cut ethanol blend to guarantee supply

Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Edison Lobao, said that reducing the ethanol blend will ensure a continuous supply of the biofuel in the country. The Brazilian government reached a decision on August 29 to reduce the ethanol percentage in gasoline from 25% to 20% starting October 1. Analysts say that Petrobras will need to continue petrol importation once the ethanol cut is enforced. Petrobras has imported 3.1 million barrels of fuel since the beginning of the year. (September 1, 2011)