Central & South America

Brazil’s LNG-to-Power Complex Funded; Phase 2 Underway

The Gas Natural Açu (GNA) joint venture between Prumo Logistica, BP and Siemens – developer of Brazil’s largest infrastructure project – has gained regulatory approval for LNG imports and satisfied lender conditions for $750 million in project financing to complete the 1.3 GW first phase of its LNG-to-Power complex at the Port of Açu.

Protests, Red Tape Block Millions in Colombia Oil Industry Investment

Some $700 million in investment spending by oil companies operating in Colombia is frozen because of contract delays caused by community protests and consultations, slow environmental licensing and court orders, the Colombia Petroleum Association said.

Brazil's Mystery Oil Spills May Have Criminal Source: President

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday the oil spills that have been contaminating the northeastern coast since the beginning of September appeared to involve crimes.

Brazil's Petrobras Confronts New Foe: Fuel Thieves

Brazilian state-run oil firm Petrobras has in the last five years battled an epic corruption probe, a crippling recession and unsteady crude prices. Now, Brazil's most important company is facing yet another challenge: Thieves are robbing millions of dollars worth of its fuel to sell on a thriving black market.

U.S. Agency Commits $688 Million to Projects in Argentina

The U.S. government's development finance institution has approved four projects worth $688 million in Argentina, including oil and gas transportation and processing infrastructure for the Vaca Muerta field.

Two Overnight Bombings Damage Colombia's Cano Limon Pipeline

Two overnight bombings have damaged Colombia's Cano Limon pipeline, state-run oil company Ecopetrol said on Thursday, one spilling "highly volatile" oil into a river in the eastern province of Norte de Santander.

Mexican President Touts $4.5 Billion Savings in New Pipeline Deal

Mexico said on Tuesday it had struck a deal with a group of companies to renegotiate the terms of natural gas pipeline contracts signed under the previous administration that will eventually save the government $4.5 billion.

Peru Natural Gas Production Hit by Leak at Pluspetrol Plant

Argentine energy company Pluspetrol will reduce production from its Las Malvinas natural gas plant in Peru while it repairs a leak detected in one of its pipes, Peru’s government said.

Brazil's LNG-to-Power Complex Funded; Phase 2 Underway

The Natural Gas Acu joint venture between Prumo Logistica, BP and Siemens has gained regulatory approval for LNG imports and satisfied lender conditions for $750 million in project financing to complete the 1.3 GW Phase 1 of its LNG-to-Power complex at the Port of Acu.

Mexican President Hopes for Pipeline Deal Next Week

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday a deal could be reached next week with companies to end a contractual dispute over several natural gas pipelines, dialing back hopes for a quicker resolution.

China's CNPC Suspends Venezuelan Oil Loading Due to U.S. Sanctions: Sources

China National Petroleum Corp, a leading buyer of Venezuelan oil, has halted August loadings following the latest U.S. sanctions on the South American exporter, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Monday.

Bomb Damages Colombia's Cano Limon Crude Pipeline

A bomb has damaged a section of Colombia's Cano Limon pipeline, state-run oil company Ecopetrol said, the twenty-sixth attack on the pipeline this year.

Mexico’s CFE Looking to Renegotiate Several Pipeline Contracts

Mexican state power utility CFE said it try to negotiate a “fairer” resolution to contractual disputes with companies behind several pipelines yet to go into operation, and whose costs have been questioned by Mexico’s president.

Oil Storage Pools Set Ablaze in Colombia During Pipeline Repairs

Colombia's state-run oil company Ecopetrol said intruders deliberately set fire to crude oil retention pools it was using for storage during repairs to its bomb-damaged Caño Limón-Coveñas pipeline.

Mexico Finance Minister Departs over Pipeline Dispute

A Mexican state-owned power utility's move to seek arbitration over pipeline contracts was one of the final straws that pushed the country's former finance minister, Carlos Urzua, to resign from his post, Urzua said in an interview published Sunday.

ExxonMobil to Expand Infrastructure for Growing Argentina Production

ExxonMobil announced it will proceed with long-term development in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale, including the construction of pipeline and export infrastructure to support an expected 55,000 oil-equivalent bpd by 2024.

Petrobras Strikes Deal with Regulator to Sell Natural Gas Assets

Brazi's Petrobras has reached an agreement with anti-trust regulator Cade to sell off a series of natural gas transportation and distribution assets, the company said in an exchange filing on Monday.

Brazil's Petrobras Seeks to Exit Gas Distribution Business This Year: CEO

Brazil’s state-controlled oil company Petrobras will leave the gas distribution business in Brazil, disposing of all of its assets in the area, Chief Executive Roberto Castello Branco said.

ExxonMobil to Expand Infrastructure for Growing Argentina Production

ExxonMobil announced it will proceed with a long-term oil development in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale, including the construction of pipeline and export infrastructure to support an expected 55,000 oil-equivalent bpd by 2024.

New Gas Pipeline Planned in Dominican Republic

The main objective of the Dominican Republic’s Energetic Plan 2010-2025 is to reduce the import of oil by replacing it with natural gas by a considerable amount.

Petrobras, Government Dodge Bullet as Court Approves Asset Sales

Brazil's Supreme Court ruled that state-run firms do not need congressional approval to sell their subsidiaries, a major victory for the government of President Jair Bolsonaro and state-run oil firm Petrobras.

Brazil Supreme Court Approves Sale of Petrobas Pipeline Unit

Brazil's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that state-run firms do not need congressional approval to sell their subsidiaries, a major victory for the government of President Jair Bolsonaro and state-run oil firm Petrobras.

Petrobras To Sell Minority Stakes in Gas Pipelines

In line with the government’s proposal to reduce the state monopoly in the gas sector, Petrobras decided to put up for sale the remaining stake in the country’s two main gas pipelines, whose control was recently transferred to private partners.

Argentina Plans Vaca Muerta Production Boost, Pipeline Buildout

Argentina’s energy minister reiterated his country’s commitment to build infrastructure and boost output of natural gas, citing plans for a new 22 MMcm/d pipeline from the Vaca Muerta shale producing region to Buenos Aires. Minister Gustavo Lopetegui said at a Houston news conference that Argentina..

Hard Rock Completes Rio Grande Directional Drill

By Jeff Griffin, Freelance Energy Writer Every long horizontal directional drilling (HDD) installation has something that sets it apart from other projects, but not many involve crossing international boundaries. The site where a steel gas line was i..

Delayed Bahia Pipeline Underway in Brazil

By Mauro Nogarin, Contributing Editor After five years of waiting, the state of Bahia began building the first section of the Gas Southwest pipeline, which will be one of the largest pipelines in the interior of Brazil. Most of the natural gas distribution network of 5,840 miles (9,400 km), is loca..

Colombia's Ecopetrol Working to Contain Spills from Pipeline Attacks

Colombia's state-run oil company Ecopetrol said it is working to contain two oil spills from its Cano Limon pipeline, which was damaged by bomb attacks on the weekend.

Petrobras Sells Pipeline Unit to Engie for $8.6 billion

A consortium led by France's Engie SA submitted the highest offer for a major gas pipeline unit owned by Brazil's Petroleo Brasileiro SA, the state-run oil firm said on Friday, as the company's biggest divestment draws to a close.

Petrobras Looking at $10 Billion in Divestments, Including Pipeline Unit

Roberto Castello Branco, the chief executive of Brazil’s Petroleo Brasileiro SA, said he believes the company will divest $10 billion in assets in the first four months of 2019, aided by the sale of a major pipeline unit.

Global News

Finland, Estonia and Latvia Sign Deal for Single Gas Tariff Zone Gas transmission operators of Finland, Latvia and Estonia signed an agreement on to set up a single gas transmission tariff zone for the three countries from the start of 2020. The agreement fulfills a goal ..