Central & South America

Brazil's Petrobras Signs Agreements with Compagas for Natural Gas Supply

Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras has signed contracts for the supply of natural gas with gas company Compagas for around $1.28 billion, Compagas told Reuters on Tuesday.

Shell, Trinidad Weigh Venezuela's Natural Gas Investment Demands

Shell and Trinidad and Tobago's National Gas Company (NGC) are close to agreeing to credit Venezuela's state-run oil firm for its $1 billion investment in a gas field the three want to jointly develop, four people close to the discussions said.

Argentina's Vaca Muerta Injects Record Gas as New Pipeline Boosts Capacity

Argentina's southern Neuquen province, home to the Vaca Muerta shale formation, has posted a record daily amount of gas injected into the country's pipeline system, topping 100 million cubic meters daily.

Global News August 2023

Latest industry developments from around the world!

Brazil Mulls Tax Incentives for Green Hydrogen Projects

Brazil is mulling granting tax incentives for green hydrogen production, a key step for the energy sector to ignite renewable fuel projects and keep pace with international competitors investing in the sector, experts and sources told Reuters.

Argentina Launches Tender for Vaca Muerta Pipeline Work to Move Local Gas Supply

Argentina has launched a tender for new works to reverse the flow of natural gas on a major pipeline designed to transport Vaca Muerta shale production to the north of the country, a spokesperson for state-owned energy company ENARSA said on Friday.

COFCO Brings Brazil's First Biodiesel Pipeline Online

The Brazilian unit of China's COFCO International started operating the South American country's first biodiesel pipeline connecting its plant in Rondonopolis, at the heart of Brazil's farm country, to nearby distributors.

Venezuela’s PDVSA Fails to Curb Oil Leaks, Gas Flaring Despite Pledges

Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has failed to make any dent in its oil spill or gas flaring woes, despite nascent promises of environmental clean-up by President Nicolas Maduro's government, according to people within the company, industry sources and an internal company document seen by Reuters.

Brazil Studying Some $30 Billion in Low-Carbon Hydrogen Projects, Secretary Says

Brazil is studying some $30 billion in projects looking to produce low-carbon hydrogen, an official from the country's mines and energy ministry said on Wednesday, estimating the country has a potential output of 1.8 billion metric tons.

Argentina's Neuquen Hits Oil Export Record with Vaca Muerta Boost

In June, Neuquen, Argentina, exported a record 2.77 million barrels of oil, fueled by higher Vaca Muerta formation production. With a newly active pipeline linking Neuquen to Buenos Aires since early July, the region is poised for increased natural gas transport.

Venezuela Appoints New Gas Vice President at State Company PDVSA

Venezuela has appointed a new vice president at PDVSA who will lead the state company's gas operations, a key move as the South American country negotiates licenses with foreign companies to develop its mostly untapped natural gas reserves.

354-Mile Vaca Muerta Pipeline Needs Investment to Deliver Argentina's Gas Dreams, Experts Say

Argentina could export the same amount of gas it consumes — about 2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) — annually, but that would require investments of $40 billion, Javier Iguacel, Argentina's former energy minister, said.

Venezuela Expects to Sign Gas Licenses by Year-End, Oil Minister Says

Venezuelan expects to sign licenses by year-end for developing the nation's vast natural gas reserves, oil minister Pedro Tellechea said on Friday, even amid U.S. sanctions.

Argentina Turns Away Gunvor-Chartered LNG Tanker, Citing Sanctions

A tanker containing LNG that originated from a Russia supplier and was loaded onto a Gunvor Group-chartered vessel off the coast of France was turned away this week by Argentine energy firm Enarsa, according to officials.

Global News July 2023

Latest industry developments from around the world!

Global Construction Update: LNG Markets, Resurgent China Kindle Pipeline Projects

(PGJ) — Global midstream markets continue to face near-term headwinds and economic uncertainties, but Europe’s rapid transition from Russian energy and projected higher demand in Asia continue to drive midstream expansion in those regions and others that supply them.

EU Considers Gas Imports from Argentina, Document Shows

The European Union is considering possible gas imports from Argentina, a net gas importer that plans to expand domestic production, a draft document showed.

Brent Oil Hovers Above $81 After Supply Disruptions

Global benchmark Brent crude hovered above $81 a barrel on Friday, with bullish sentiment over U.S. demand bolstered by supply disruption in Libya and Nigeria.

Argentina Inaugurates Key Gas Pipeline to Reverse Energy Deficit

The completion of the first stage of the gas pipeline, which starts in Neuquen province and reaches Buenos Aires province, adds 11 million cubic meters of gas per day.

Trinidad and Tobago Signs Preliminary Energy Agreement with Suriname

Trinidad and Tobago has been searching for ways to expand its natural gas supplies. The Caribbean nation can process some 4.2 Bcf/d of gas into LNG and petrochemicals, but its current output is less than 2.7 Bcf/d of gas, according to government statistics.

Russian Firm Asks Venezuela to Match Chevron Oil-for-Debt Deal

A Russian oil firm is asking Venezuela's state-run company PDVSA for permission to take control of exports from their joint ventures to revive cash flow from the five companies, which have been hard-hit by U.S. sanctions, two people involved in the talks said.

Trinidad to Restart Idled LNG Unit by Early 2027 Amid Restructuring

Trinidad and Tobago aims to restart an idled LNG unit by the first quarter of 2027 after agreeing to restructure the facility's ownership and negotiate new gas supplies, according to three people with knowledge of the plans.

Russia's Novatek Offered Argentina Know-How to Liquefy Gas from Vaca Muerta

Last year, Russia's largest producer of LNG Novatek offered technology to build a plant to produce the gas from Argentina's Vaca Muerta field, a highly-placed source familiar with the proposal said. However, the talks have since broken off.

IDB Approves $400 Million Loan to Develop Chile's Green Hydrogen Industry

The green hydrogen industry is an opportunity for Chile, the development bank said, due to Chile's ability to produce renewable energy at low cost.

Colombia Cano Limon-Covenas Oil Pipeline Bombed

Colombia's Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline was bombed by unknown actors, operator Cenit said in a statement on Tuesday, prolonging the suspension of pumping crude between oil fields in the country's northeast and the Caribbean coast, where the oil is exported.

Venezuela, Trinidad to Meet Again in June to Discuss Dragon Gas Project

Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago will continue negotiations on jointly developing a dormant offshore natural gas field, with a meeting scheduled for mid-June in Caracas, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Spotlight on Argentina: Projects to Strengthen Gas Service in Northern Region

(P&GJ) — The government of Argentina decided to accelerate the reversal works of the Northern Gas Pipeline, which will guarantee supply to the entire north of Argentina, as well as allowing for exportation to Chile from the Vaca Muerta.

Argentina Seeking New Vaca Muerta Pipeline Work to Move Local Gas Supply

Argentina's government will next week call for bids to reverse the flow of natural gas on a major pipeline designed to transport Vaca Muerta production to the north and center of the country, Economy Minister Sergio Massa said on Friday.

Chile, Argentina’s YPF Ink Deal to Import Oil via Trasandino Pipeline

The contract, which is valid for 45 days, would enable the Chilean firm to buy 41,000 barrels of oil per day between May and June.

Equinor, Partners to Invest $9 Billion in New Gas Field Off Brazil

Gas from the offshore field will be directly injected into the national gas grid via a 200-km (124-mile) pipeline landing at the city of Macae in the state of Rio de Janeiro.