French energy group Total has agreed to acquire the fuel distribution company Zema Petróleo, its reseller and retailer arm Zema Diesel as well as its importation company Zema Importação from the Brazilian firm Grupo Zema. The transaction includes in particular an extensive branded network of 280 dealer-operated service stations and several oil products and ethanol storage facilities in three Brazilian states, namely Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais and Goiás. The rebranding of the stations is scheduled to take place in 2019 after the approval of the Brazilian competition authority.
With this acquisition, Total is increasing its presence in the largest South American fuel retail market and the second largest low-carbon biofuels market worldwide. The company plans to double the number of branded stations within 5 years and targets the Southeast and Central-West regions of Brazil.
The group has been present in Brazil for over 30 years, operating through five affiliates in the exploration & production (19 assets in the Campos, Santos, Barreirinhas, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Foz do Amazonas and Pelotas basins), gas, lubricants, chemicals and renewable energy segments.