2.0.0.10 false Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies 00914 - Disclosure - Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies true false false false 1 usd $ false false Dollars Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 2 Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] 0 pbra_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract pbra false na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 3 Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies 1 us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 <div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0%; PADDING-LEFT: 0%"> 15. Commitments and Contingencies Petrobras is subject to a number of commitments and contingencies arising in the normal course of its business. Additionally, the operations and earnings of the Company have been, and may be in the future, affected from time to time in varying degrees by political developments and laws and regulations, such as the Federal Government's continuing role as the controlling shareholder of the Company, the status of the Brazilian economy, forced divestiture of assets, tax increases and retroactive tax claims, and environmental regulations. The likelihood of such occurrences and their overall effect upon the Company are not readily predictable. a) Litigation The Company is a defendant in numerous legal actions involving civil, tax, labor, corporate and environment issues arising in the normal course of its business. Based on the advice of its internal legal counsel and managements best judgment, the Company has recorded accruals in amounts sufficient to provide for losses that are considered probable and reasonably estimable. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the respective amounts accrued by type of claims are as follows: <div align="left"> <table style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; WIDTH: 100%; FONT-FAMILY: ''''''''''''''''''''''Times New Roman''''''''''''''''''''''" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tr> <td width="58%"></td> <td width="23%"></td> <td width="18%"></td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="right">March 31, </td> <td align="right">December 31, </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">2010 </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">2009 </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> Labor claims </td> <td align="right">143 </td> <td align="right"> 71 </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> Tax claims </td> <td align="right">369 </td> <td align="right"> 94 </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> Civil claims </td> <td align="right">473 </td> <td align="right"> 272 </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> Commercials claims and other contingencies </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">71 </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;"> 63 </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> Total </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:3px double #000000;">1,056 </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:3px double #000000;"> 500 </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> Current contingencies </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">(44) </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;"> (31) </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td align="left"> Long-term contingencies </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">1,012 </td> <td align="right" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;"> 469 </td> </tr> </table> </div>   </div> <div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0%; PADDING-LEFT: 0%"> As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, in accordance with Brazilian law, the Company had US$1,185 and US$1,158, respectively, into federal deposit accounts to provide collateral for certain claims until they are settled. These amounts are reflected in the balance sheet as restricted deposits for legal proceedings and guarantees. The following proceedings, previously assessed as a possible loss, have been classified as probable, due to the recent development as described below: a.1) ICMS Sinking of Platform P-36 In 2001, Platform P-36 was imported by Petrobras through temporary admission in accordance with the special regime for imports and exports (REPETRO) which suspends taxation and, therefore, on this occasion state taxes were not due. With the sinking of the platform, the State of Rio de Janeiro initiated actions for collection of the suspended ICMS through tax foreclosure proceedings as it understands that there will no longer be return of the platform. In February 2010, with an unfavorable decision at the last level of appeals in the Superior Court of Rio de Janeiro, Petrobras began to evaluate the legal aspects of the suit and the economic aspects of the use of the benefits of tax amnesty established in State Law 5647, of January 18, 2010, which permits elimination of fines and an expressive decrease in other charges, as well as the possibility of payment with court order debts. The maximum estimated exposure is around US$249, which has been provided. a.2) Triunfo Agro Industrial S.A and others During the year 2000, Triunfo Agro Industrial and Others filed a suit against Petrobras, claiming losses and damages as a result of the annulling of a credit assignment transaction excise tax (IPI) premium. The hearing by the Superior Court of Rio de Janeiro, in the second instance, was unfavorable to Petrobras and approval was denied for the appeal lodged by the Company.Appeals will be filed against this decision in the higher courts in Brasilia. The maximum estimated exposure is around US$221, which has been provided. </div> <div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0%; PADDING-LEFT: 0%"> b) Environmental matters The Company is subject to various environmental laws and regulations. These laws regulate the discharge of oil, gas or other materials into the environment and may require the Company to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of such materials at various sites. The Companys management considers that any expenses incurred to correct or mitigate possible environmental impacts should not have a significant effect on operations or cash flows. </div> 15. Commitments and Contingencies Petrobras is subject to a number of commitments and contingencies arising in the normal course of its business. false false false Includes disclosure of commitments and contingencies. This element may be used as a single block of text to encapsulate the entire disclosure including data and tables. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 14 -Paragraph 3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12 false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true