PetroRio - Delisting from TSX-V in Connection with Termination of GDS Program

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Petro Rio S.A. ("PetroRio" or the "Company") (BM&FBOVESPA: PRIO3, TSX-V: PRJ) announced today that all of the issued and outstanding global depositary shares ("GDS") will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") following the close of the trading session of January 27, 2017.

The delisting will occur in connection with the termination of the deposit agreement among the owners and holders of GDS ("GDS holders"), Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas ("Deutsche Bank") and the Company (the "Deposit Agreement") which is anticipated to occur on January 27, 2017 (the "Termination Date"). Commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the date that is four months after the Termination Date, Deutsche Bank will, upon request from GDS holders, deliver the underlying Common Shares to such holders of GDS in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and such GDS holders' written instructions. In the absence of written instructions from the GDS holders or their agents by the end of such four month period as to how the underlying Common Shares are to be delivered to a valid brokerage account, such Common Shares to which the former GDS holder was entitled will be sold in the market by Deutsche Bank and the net proceeds remitted to the former GDS holder.

The Common Shares will continue to be traded on the facilities of the BM&FBovespa in Brazil and GDS holders, if they provide instructions to receive Common Shares, will be able to sell the Common Shares received upon termination of the GDS program on such exchange without restriction, save for the general application of Brazilian securities and tax laws.

For further information, please contact the Company's Investor Relations Department.

Sedar Profile # 00031536

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About PetroRio

PetroRio is one of the largest independent companies in the oil and gas production in Brazil. It is the operator of the Polvo Field, located in the Campos Basin, which has Brazil's seventh largest daily production of barrels of oil equivalent (boe). PetroRio is the owner of "Polvo A" fixed platform and a 3.000HP drilling rig, currently in operation in this Field, being the platform connected to the "Polvo FPSO" vessel, with capacity to segregate hydrocarbons and water treatment, oil storage and offloading. Polvo Field license covers an area of approximately 134km2, with several prospects with potential for further explorations. The Company´s corporate culture seeks to increase production through the acquisition of new production assets, the re-exploration of assets, increased operational efficiency and reduction of production costs and corporate expenses. PetroRio's main objective is to create value for its shareholders with growing financial discipline and preserving its liquidity, with full respect for safety and the environment. For further information, please visit the Company's website: www.petroriosa.com.br.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian and Brazilian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: statements concerning the delisting of the GDS and the termination of the GDS program, including the anticipated delisting of the GDS following the close of business on January 27, 2017. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "occur", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "continue", or the negative thereof or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, the risks described in the Company's current annual information form posted under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although management of Petro Rio has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that could cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE PetroRio

INVESTOR RELATIONS: Praia de Botafogo 370, 1st floor, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 22250 040, Phone: [phone], website: www.petroriosa.com.br, email: [email protected]