Argentina's Reversion del Norte Pipeline Project Nears Completion After Successfully Crossing River

By Mary Holcomb, Digital Editor

(P&GJ) — Argentina’s Reversion del Norte pipeline project has reached a significant milestone, bringing it closer to completion and on track for a late-2024 or early 2025 finish.

After a period of delay, the project team has successfully completed the crossing of the Tercero River by installing a 650-meter-long column. Spanning 93 miles (100 km), this pipeline is crucial for supplying gas to northern Argentina and exporting to Bolivia and Brazil. It represents a major step toward reducing the country’s reliance on imports and supporting domestic energy needs.

Under President Javier Milei’s administration, Energía Argentina has prioritized addressing the gas supply issues in northern Argentina. In contrast, the previous administration under Alberto Fernández had stalled the project due to problems with the bidding process. With the supply contract with Bolivia set to expire on July 31, 2024, re-tendering became essential to moving the project forward.

“Given the tight deadlines, the work must be executed simultaneously on multiple fronts to complete the project on time,” said José Ibarra, project manager at Techint Engineering & Construction. “This pipeline, which includes over 30 special crossings, must be operational by mid-August 2024, meeting all safety, regulatory, and operational requirements for gas filling and transportation.”

Despite missing its initial operation target last month, the company has since worked diligently to meet deadlines since the project’s reactivation, closely monitoring progress and contractor performance to address typical project challenges, according to Energía Argentina.

With this recent development, the Northern Reversion Gas Pipeline has advanced rapidly. Financed by CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean - the project involves reversing the flow of four compressor plants and is expected to transport 19 million cubic meters per day of gas from southern to northern Argentina starting in March 2025.

Once finished, the pipeline will have an estimated capacity of 7.8 Bcf/d, enhancing Argentina’s gas transportation infrastructure, according to Global Energy Infrastructure Data. By reversing the Gasoducto Norte’s flow, the Reversion del Norte project will benefit industrial sectors and help lower energy costs for consumers. Despite the tight timelines and complex development, the project remains a priority for Argentina’s energy strategy.

“We’ll be developing the project entirely in the province of Córdoba,” Ibarra added. “This is an opportunity for us to participate once again in a strategic project for our country, working hard to meet the project objectives while prioritizing the safety and health of our employees, safeguarding the environment and local culture, and strengthening our relationship with neighboring communities.”

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