• Company elects not to renew farm-in agreement at BM-C-27
• Block CAL-M-312 relinquished to the ANP

QGEP Participações S.A. (BMF&Bovespa: QGEP3, "Company", "QGEP") announced today that it has allowed its farm-in agreement at the BM-C-27 Concession, in the Campos Basin to expire, and has relinquished Block CAL-M-312, in the Camamu-Almada Basin.

The BM-C-27 Concession, which includes blocks C-M-122, C-M-145 and C-M-146, was part of a farm-in agreement announced in November 2012. QGEP signed an agreement with Petrobras for the purchase of a 30% participating interest in the production and exploration rights. The eventual transfer of participating interest is still be subject to the approval of regulatory entities. The Concession is located in the shallow waters of the Campos Basin.

The decision not to renew this agreement came as a result of a technical and economical assessment of the asset in relation to the Company’s current portfolio. Higher costs, combined with increased risk determined though a reinterpretation of seismic data led the project to being less attractive when compared to other assets in the Company’s portfolio. The arrangement established with Petrobras did not require QGEP to disburse any up front funds for its participation in the blocks. Under the terms of the agreement, QGEP would carry part of the drilling costs at Guanabara Profundo prospect.

Regarding Block CAL-M-312, part of the BM-CAL-12 Concession, the first Exploratory Period expired on 12/31/2014. The Consortium decided not to proceed with the second Exploratory Period, which would have had a one year duration, and would have required a commitment to drilling a well. This decision was made due to the low attractiveness of the Block, as established in technical and economic studies. The Minimum Exploratory Program (MEP) of the first Exploratory Period of the Block, which included the covering of its entire area with 3D seismic data, was completed in full. Queiroz Galvão Exploração e Produção S.A. has a 20% participation interest at Block CAL-M-312, Petrobras is the operator with 80% and EP Energy has the remaining 20%.

The Consortium of the BM-CAL-12 Concession will continue with its exploratory activities at Block CAL-M-372. The time clock for the first Exploratory Period has been suspended, and the Consortium is awaiting the issuance of an environmental license to drill the well that is part of the MEP committed in the Concession Contract.

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