PAE to install liquefaction ship in Río Negro, with which Argentina could start exporting LNG in 2027
Pan American Energy (PAE) and Golar LNG This Monday they announced that it will be in the Gulf of San Matías, Río Negro, where they will install a liquefaction vessel “Hilli Episeyo” with which they hope to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) to export fuel from 2027 A dead cow. The ship has a production capacity equivalent to 11.5 million cubic meters per day.
Project directed by a major private oil company in Argentina Marcos Bulgheroniand its Norwegian partner anticipates an annual investment commitment of US$300 million from the time of commissioning in 2027.
According to both companies, the location decision was made after working together on a technical analysis of the best location for the ship, taking into account maritime conditions, logistics and infrastructure development costs.
“Based on the technical analysis, San Matías Bay in Río Negro Province was recognized as the best available location for the Hilli Episeyo vessel.”
“The location was defined based on the vessel’s own operating characteristics, bathymetric surveys (measurement of sea depths to determine the topography of the sea floor), and oceanographic conditions (tides, waves, winds and currents) of the site,” PAE and Golar stated.
The companies emphasized that the conditions in San Matías Bay are similar to those that exist in the surrounding area KribiCameroon where “Hilli Episeyo has already produced more than 8 million tons of LNG and loaded more than 120 LNG tankers.
In this sense, they explained that the operational availability in the bay of San Matías is very high and was decisive for the choice of the site: “Its anchorage depth of approximately 35 meters allows safe operation without draft restrictions.”
“Studies of waves and winds were also considered for the election. The vessel, equipment and systems installed on board are designed to guarantee its operability with waves up to 4 meters. In the Gulf of San Matías, 99% of wave events are expected to not exceed 2.5 meters, so safe operation is guaranteed,” PAE and Golar said.
Last July, PAE and Golar LNG signed a 20-year agreement to install the Golar LNG-owned “Hilli Episeyo” vessel in Argentina. The ship has a production capacity of 2.45 million tons of LNG per year, which is equivalent to 11.5 million cubic meters of natural gas per day.
Initially, the ship will be supplied with natural gas using the existing capacity of the transport system during months of the year with lower local demand. In this phase, infrastructure construction will be required: connection to main gas pipelines; compressor station to ensure optimal gas pressure in the container; offshore pipeline to coast; an underwater pipeline connecting the ship; and anchor system.
Subsequently, the goal is to have the liquefaction vessel operating throughout the year, for which the construction of transport facilities is planned, with San Matías Bay being the closest point from Vaca Muerta.
PAE and Golar LNG, through Southern Energy, are in discussions with companies in the industry to join the joint venture. It was recently revealed that YPF is very close to entering the project.
Argentina has a second unconventional natural gas reserve and a fourth oil reserve at Vaca Muerta, so the country has the ability to tap into its resources during the period afforded by the energy transition. Thanks to the PAE and Golar project, the country will be able to join the club of LNG exporting countries United States, Russia, Qatar and Australiaamong others.