2023-07-28 13:56:30
Although the government’s chips are set on accelerating the reversal of the Northern Gas Pipeline so that the gas from Dead cow can reach Salta and not depend on imports, the Secretary of Energy of the Nation, Flavia Royónexplained that in any case negotiates with Bolivia to continue with imports gas for the coming year.
Last week, the same Secretary of Energy of the Nation published Resolution 606/2023 through which it not only ordered the Wholesale Electricity Market Administration Company (Cammesa) to arrange the necessary financing to carry out the reversal work of the North Gas Pipeline, but in the same document it was stated that from Bolivia it was notified that by 2024 they will not be able to guarantee the delivery of gas in firm form.
Although this notification from YPFB, the Bolivian state firm that is in charge of all gas exports from the neighboring country, was used as a central argument to expedite the financing of the reversion work, Royón explained that despite this, the negotiations with YPFB continue with a view to guaranteeing firm delivery of gas for next year.
“Next year we are going to continue buying gas from Bolivia. We have a current contract andWhat we ask is not to go to an interruptible format in 2024, but to leave a firm format, “Royón assured Ambito.com.
And he added that “clearly around 2025 and 2026 there will begin to be difficulties. That’s why reversal is urgent of the pipeline to be able to arrive with the gas from Vaca Muerta to the north of Argentina».
The reversal of the current gas pipeline was raised by the government as an emergency, and in fact it was specified that it must be completed before the winter of next year. However, from Royón’s statements it can be deduced that the scheme being targeted would be a little more complex than just replacing Bolivian gas with that of Vaca Muerta in a few more months.
One of the possibilities is that the rollback is carried out in stages., thus allowing Bolivian gas to initially cover the area up to Tucumán, for example. After winter, extend the reversal of the direction of work of the compression plants to the border with Bolivia.
“We talked with Bolivia regarding the exportable balance following the reversal of the North Gas Pipeline, which in principle is intended for the domestic market. If there is a surplus, it can be exported to northern Chile or to Brazil. Today Bolivia’s gas production is declining, so they also see an opportunity in Vaca Muerta,” said the official at the event organized by Ámbito.
And he stressed that “The Ministry of Economy is preparing the tender for the reversal works of the North Gas Pipeline», which he specified should not be beyond Monday. The works are estimated to require regarding 750 million dollars, of which the former Andean Development Corporation (CAF) will finance 540 million with a loan and the difference must be contributed by Cammesa.
Exportable surpluses since October 2014
Sources familiar with the negotiations between the two countries told Power On that the expectations are placed in that en October of next year the Gasoducto Norte has a surplus of gas that allows exporting between 4 and 6 million cubic meters per day in northern Chile or new lithium developments in Argentina.
So that the duct can be used to export more quantity it will not only be necessary to expand it, but also to carry out stage 2 of the Néstor Kirchner gas pipeline that the government assures will be tendered in September.
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