Bolivia revises down gas reserves, fixes gas line
Bolivia's new interim government has revised down the figure for natural gas reserves, applying a more conservative interpretation of the certified data.
Proven reserves are 8.95 Tcf (254bn m³) as of the end of 2017, rather than 10.7 Tcf as the previous government had asserted, based on the same data from Canadian consultancy Sproule.
The difference lies in the economic viability of the resources, according to local hydrocarbons industry officials. Sproule could not be reached for comment.
Conservative senator Jeanine Anez assumed the presidency of Bolivia following the resignation of longtime president Evo Morales, who fled to Mexico. Anez is rolling back Morales-era nationalist economic policies and shifting the landlocked country onto a pro-investment track.
Violent resistance from Morales supporters in La Paz and Cochabamba has largely died down and new elections are planned for around the second quarter of 2020.
The 100mn cf/d Carrasco-Cochabamba domestic gas pipeline (GCC) that was sabotaged in late November returned to service today, state-owned YPFB Transporte told Argus. Repairs and testing were completed this morning, and the nomination process is underway.
The GCC supplies the western Bolivian departments of La Paz, Cochabamba and Oruro. Among the industrial offtakers is the 700,000 t/yr Bulo Bulo urea and ammonia plant in Cochabamba.
Bolivia's main source of income are pipeline gas exports to Brazil and Argentina. Neither was affected by the unrest that first broke out after tainted 20 October elections that Morales claimed to have won. YPFB's long-term supply contract with its Brazilian counterpart Petrobras expires in December, and will likely be renewed at a lower level.
By Patricia Garip
source: Argus Media
Top News
Five last month
Two last year
US Energy Dept finalizes $2.26bn loan for Lithium Americas’ Nevada mine
Abandoned copper mines embraced as fast track to boost output
Glencore posts lower metals output for first nine months, reiterates outlook
Mercuria eyes equity in African assets, new metals boss says
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Traders see gold as a surefire bet as coin-toss election looms
Gold price surge adds glitter to tarnished miners
Environmentalists sue over US approval of ioneer’s Nevada lithium mine
Gold price shows little reaction to jobs data
St Barbara raises $73m to fast-track Simberi sulphide production
Copper price sees biggest drop since May as Trump’s win boosts dollar
Sibanye agrees wage deal for its gold operations, union says
China’s industry ministry plans to step up lithium, cobalt, nickel exploration
Liberty Gold advances Black Pine project permitting
China zinc smelter group sets processing fees for Q1 2025
Brazil prepares to remove illegal Amazon gold miners from Munduruku land
Anglo American sells Australian coal JV stake for $1.1 billion
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Ecuador to reopen mining register for first time in over six years
St Barbara raises $73m to fast-track Simberi sulphide production
Copper price sees biggest drop since May as Trump’s win boosts dollar
Sibanye agrees wage deal for its gold operations, union says
China’s industry ministry plans to step up lithium, cobalt, nickel exploration
China zinc smelter group sets processing fees for Q1 2025
Brazil prepares to remove illegal Amazon gold miners from Munduruku land
Anglo American sells Australian coal JV stake for $1.1 billion
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Ecuador to reopen mining register for first time in over six years