SAO PAULO, April 22 (Reuters) - A decision on the release of withheld extra dividends from Brazil's state-run oil firm Petrobras should be made this week, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira told journalists on Monday.

On Friday the firm said that if a proposal to disburse up to 50% of the 43.9 billion reais ($8.43 billion) in extra dividends is made during the next shareholders meeting on Thursday, its approval would not compromise the firm financially. (Reporting by Leticia Fucuchima and Marta Nogueira)