From Houston (BN): Petrobras is to take on Banco BTG Pactual as a partner in its offshore East & West Africa assets. Petrobras says the deal to sell 50% of Petrobras Oil & Gas BV for $1.5bn boosts its plans to expand activity in waters off Angola, Benin, Gabon, Nigeria, Namibia and Tanzania. The Brazilian state company says the partnership will be the ‘preferential vehicle of the two parties for new investments’ in exploration in Africa.