U.S., Brazil talk renewables, natural gas

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BRASILIA, Brazil, March 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. government is committed to working with Brazilian officials in energy security and potential unconventional gas development, an official said.

U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman met in Brasilia with Brazil's Deputy Energy and Mines Minister Marcio Pereira Zimmermann. The meeting is the second under a strategic energy dialogue created in 2011.

"Through the strategic energy dialogue, we are working to deliver concrete results that will help grow our economies through sustainable energy development and enhance our energy security," Poneman said in a statement.

Brazil said it wants to set up a technical workshop to assess unconventional oil and natural gas with the aim of supporting two bidding rounds this year. Brazil has focused recently on offshore oil developments in the Campos basin.

"The forum has provided a great opportunity to update ... the bilateral energy agenda, including the initiatives related to unconventional gas," Zimmermann said.

In terms of renewables, both sides are working on research to support industrial efficiency, biofuels and hydropower reservoirs.