Argentine gas exports slide in October

Argentine gas exports fell 12% year-on-year in October to 6.79Mm3/d (million cubic meters per day), according to data from regulator Enargas. 

In line with an established trend, the bulk was piped to Chile, almost half through the GasAndes duct, linking the Neuquén basin to Santiago’s metropolitan region.

Chile accounted for 6.56Mm3/d, with Uruguay accounting for the balance.

Argentine piped gas exports tend to peak around January-April, when domestic demand falls and producers seek markets for output. 

Argentina is poised to start exporting gas to Brazil via Bolivian infrastructure, following completion of the Gasoducto Norte flow-reversal project, permitting the flow north of Vaca Muerta gas. Bolivia will initially offer to Argentine producers 4Mm3/d of capacity along a 1,000km stretch of interconnected ducts. 

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Pipeline capacity, available to Argentine producers for fixed terms, could eventually climb to 10Mm3/d, potentially in 2025.

Argentine gas production was 147Mm3/d in September, according to data from local research firm Economía & Energía. 

The country has several LNG projects on the drawing board. A public consultation for one of them, planned by Southern Energy and involving the use of floating infrastructure off the coast of Río Negro province, is due to be held next month.

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