Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes _______ No___X____

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PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. - PETROBRAS
Public Company

Press Release

Preliminary Injunction Suspends Dividend Payment

(Rio de Janeiro, April 22 2009). – PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S/A - PETROBRAS, [Bovespa: PETR3/PETR4, NYSE: PBR/PBRA, Latibex: XPBR/XPBRA, BCBA: APBR/APBRA], a Brazilian international energy company, announces to shareholders that the 16^th Rio de Janeiro Federal Court, in the procedural court records of Popular Suit # 00.0245122 -0, filed by Walter do Amaral, determined Petrobras abstain from making the payment of the first installment of the dividends that had been scheduled for April 24 2009.

In light of the above-mentioned decision, we announce that the payment of the dividends, deliberated on during the General Ordinary Meeting held on 04/08/2009 and scheduled for April 24 2009, for a total amount of R$3,334,149,161.20 (three billion, three-hundred thirty-four million, one-hundred forty-nine thousand, one-hundred sixty-one Reais and twenty cents), is hereby suspended.

The Company is taking all required measures to reverse the situation and, as soon as allowed by the Court, it will announce the new date for the payment of the mentioned dividends, as deliberated on.

Almir Guilherme Barbassa
CFO and Investor Relations Director

www.petrobras.com.br/ri/english

Contacts: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S. A. – PETROBRAS

Investor Relations Department I E-mail: petroinvest@petrobras.com.br / acionistas@petrobras.com.br Av. República do Chile, 65 – 22^nd floor - 20031-912 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ I Tel.: 55 (21) 3224-1510 / 9947

This document may contain forecasts that merely reflect the expectations of the Company’s management. Such terms as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, along with similar or analogous expressions, are used to identify such forecasts. These predictions evidently involve risks and uncertainties, whether foreseen or not by the Company. Therefore, the future results of operations may differ from current expectations, and readers must not base their expectations exclusively on the information presented herein.

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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates offuture economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

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