The projects driving Colombia’s gas infrastructure expansion

Colombia will seek investors for pipeline projects totaling more than 1.5Bf³ (billion cubic feet) of capacity over the next 14 years, according to the energy ministry's updated gas supply expansion plan. 

A new complementary technical study published by the ministry's planning unit UPME outlines plans for 13 infrastructure projects, including new pipelines, the expansion of existing pipelines, bi-directionality works and LNG import terminals. The document can be seen here, in Spanish. 

The largest pipeline projects, in capacity terms, are the VIM-Interior and Buenaventura-Yumbo initiatives, each of which have proposed capacity of 400Mf³/d (million cubic feet per day). 

The list of projects also includes two regasification plants: one in the Pacific port of Buenaventura and the other in the Caribbean coastal department of La Guajira.

The following is a list of the projects: 

1. Gas pipeline: VIM – Interior via Jobo-Vasconia

Involves: New pipeline connecting Magdalena Medio to the national system.

Capacity: 400Mf³/d.

Startup date: 100Mf³/d by 4Q27, full capacity by 1Q30.

2. Gas pipeline: Bogotá to the national transport system (SNT) via Mariquita/Vasconia

Involves: Connecting Bogotá to the main pipeline system.

Capacity: 215Mf³/d

Startup date: 1Q30.

3. Gas pipeline: Cúcuta to SNT via Aguachica/San Alberto

Involves: Expanding the network to the eastern region.

Capacity: 8Mf³/d

Startup date: 1Q30.

4. Pacific gas import infrastructure (IIGP)

Involves: Regasification plant and storage in Buenaventura, plus a pipeline to Yumbo.

Capacity: 400Mf³/d regasification, 170,000m³ LNG storage.

Startup date: 58 months post-investor selection (estimated 1Q30).

5. Gas import Infrastructure in La Guajira

Involves: New regasification facility and connection to the SNT.

Capacity: 250Mf³/d regasification, 120,000m³ LNG storage.

Startup date: 1Q26.

6. Bidirectionality: Vasconia - Mariquita

Involves: Expanding pipeline flow capacity towards Vasconia.

Capacity: 192Mf³/d.

Startup date: 58 months after investor selection.

7. Bidirectionality: Vasconia - La Belleza

Involves: Increasing transport capacity towards La Belleza.

Capacity: 200Mf³/d

Startup date: 1Q30.

8. Pipeline expansion: La Belleza - El Porvenir - Cusiana

Involves: Boosting gas transport from Cusiana.

Capacity: 120Mf³/d

Startup date: 1Q30

9. Aguazul - Yopal pipeline

Involves: New connections in Casanare region.

Capacity: 13.9Mf³/d

Startup date: 4Q26.

10. Centauros - Granada pipeline expansion

Involves: Enhancing capacity in Meta region.

Capacity: 1.1Mf³/d 

Startup date: 58 months post-investor selection.

11. Gualanday - Neiva pipeline expansion

Involves: Expanding gas transport in Tolima-Huila.

Capacity: 17Mf³/d 

Startup date: 4Q26.

12. Guando - Fusagasugá pipeline expansion

Involves: Strengthening supply to central Colombia.

Capacity: 1.6Mf³/d

Startup date: 58 months post-investor selection.

13. Connecting isolated networks (Santander, Bolívar, Antioquia)

Involves: Integrating remote areas to the national system.

Capacity: 3.5Mf³/d.

Startup date: 58 months post-investor selection.

More information can be seen here and in the Documents box in the top-right corner of the screen.