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Petrobras confirms cut in shipments of Bolivian gas to Brazil
By Josh Schneyer
Platts
Rio de Janeiro
Petroleumworld.com 04 07 06
Brazil's Petrobras said it has reduced imports of Bolivian gas by 5
million cubic meters per day due to pipeline ruptures in the gas-rich Tarija
department of Bolivia, which have partially shut in liquids and natural gas
production there.
"We confirm the information that there is a reduction of 5 million cubic
meters per day. Meanwhile, all possible measures are being taken to prevent
the impact of the problems in (Bolivia) and Brazil," a Petrobras spokesman
told Platts in an e-mail statement.
Earlier Thursday, Bolivian gas industry sources said Petrobras had
reduced shipments to Brazil to about 21 million cu m/d, from about 26 million
cu m/d before rains displaced three pipelines in Southern Bolivia on Sunday,
rupturing them.
Bolivian government officials said Thursday that there are no plans to
order cuts in exports of natural gas to Brazil or Argentina due to the
pipeline ruptures, although Tarija is facing energy rationing, according to
local press reports. However, shipments are reduced after Petrobras cut its
gas nominations voluntarily, and due to limited storage for liquids at its
giant, 10-mil cu m/d San Antonio field.
Production at the Repsol YPF-operated Margarita field, which also depends
on the Petrobras Oleducto San Antonio a TR pipeline to ship its liquids
production, also is reduced, the sources said.
Repair crews have been unable to fix damaged pipelines because protesters
in the Gran Chaco region of Bolivia's Tarija province, where the pipeline
damage occurred, are blocking roads. Protesters are demanding that the Gran
Chaco region be given status as a 10th Bolivian Department, or province. They
are demanding more of the spoils from gas sales at the Margarita field.
The Bolivian sources warned that if repairs are not carried out over the
next few days, natural gas production will fall sharply, affecting exports to
Brazil and Argentina. Petrobras declined to give any estimate on when
pipeline repairs could be made.
--Josh Schneyer, newsdesk@platts.com
Platts 04 06 06
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