Brazil’s Oi Seeks Creditor Protection Ahead of Debt Payments

  • Telecom operator just exited previous bankruptcy protection
  • Oi says it has 600 million reais of debt maturing in days
A pedestrian passes an Oi SA telephone booth in Brasilia, Brazil, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. Photographer: Gustavo Gomes/Bloomberg
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Oi SA, the distressed Brazilian telecom operator, asked a court to shield it from creditors ahead of a major debt payment, in what may lead to a second bankruptcy protection process in seven years.

The company, which underwent one of the largest corporate restructurings in Brazil’s history — that began in 2016 and ended just last year — said it needs urgent help to fend off creditors, according to a filing to a Rio de Janeiro court seen by Bloomberg News. The company confirmedBloomberg Terminal the request for a preliminary injunction on Thursday.