Argentina to Import Three Times More Natural Gas Than in 2010

Argentina is on schedule to import 66 liquefied natural gas cargoes in 2011, three times the amount it purchased in 2010.

Argentina has two liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals and intends to build another two, one in partnership with Uruguay.

The LNG terminals are intended to boost the country’s import capacities as indigenous natural gas demand soars amid falling domestic production, Argentina’s state energy company Enarsa reported.

This year delivery of 45 LNG tanker cargoes has been confirmed: by mid-August, 39 cargoes of between 37,959 and 130,778 cubic meters each had been unloaded at the country’s two LNG terminals. Argentina’s two current LNG marine import terminals are both in Buenos Aires province, in the country’s southern Bahia Blanca area and Escobar. The Escobar LNG maritime terminal, 30 miles north of the capital Buenos Aires, was completed earlier this year and will double the country's LNG import capacity.

Enarsa has tentatively scheduled 21 more cargoes through the end of the year, but a company spokesman said they are subject to review, noting, “We still don't know if they will be imported, that will depend on demand. We must make sure they're available in case we need them, but we have yet to confirm them.”

By. Joao Peixe, Deputy Editor OilPrice.com