AFP - Chevron's top official in Brazil on Wednesday apologized to lawmakers for the oil spill off Rio de Janeiro state which could result in fines worth more than $145 million (105 million euros).

"I sincerely apologize to the Brazilian people and government," George Buck, president of Chevron's subsidiary in Brazil, told the chamber of deputies.

"I would like to reiterate that we have deep respect for Brazil, for the Brazilian people, for the environment, for the laws and institutions of this country," he added.

On November 8, a helicopter from Brazil's state-owned oil company Petrobras spotted a crude oil slick on the ocean and the leakage was traced by an underwater robot to a well operated by Chevron 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) deep near the Frade field, 370 kilometers (231 miles) northeast of the Rio de Janeiro coast.

Brazilian authorities say the spill is now under control and that the oil slick has been reduced to two square kilometers.

But US energy giant now faces a slw of fines from federal and Rio state authorities that together could exceed $145 million.