Brazilian security forces and protesters have clashed near Rio de Janeiro at a hotel where the Brazilian government is auctioning off exploration rights for one of the world’s biggest oil fields.
Members of the National Security Force fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse some 300 protesters.
Eleven international oil companies are said to be interested in the Libra oilfield, and nine of them have so far reportedly paid the required registration fee.
The Libra offshore oilfield is located at a depth of some 16,500ft, below a thick layer of salt sediments, which makes its exploration extremely challenging.
The Brazilian government hopes that by bringing foreign expertise on board it will be able to exploit Libra’s estimated 8-12 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves.
But unions have accused the government of “selling off” Brazil’s riches.
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