Brazil approves connection of LNG terminal to pipeline grid

Brazilian oil and gas watchdog ANP authorized the connection of Eneva’s LNG terminal in Sergipe state to the pipeline grid of Transportadora Associada de Gás (TAG). 

With the green light, the floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) will be able to not only to deliver fuel for thermoelectric plant Porto de Sergipe (1.6GW) but to other points in the country. 

TAG operates over 4,500km of pipelines through almost 200 municipalities in 10 states. 

“We already have demand to supply gas to Linhares, in Espírito Santo, to meet the demands of [national grid operator] ONS for thermoelectric dispatch now, in this critical period,” Eneva’s external relations and communications director Aurélio Amaral recently told BNamericas, referring to the severe drought that Brazil is currently battling.  

The FSRU has the capacity to regasify 21Mm3/d (million cubic meters per day). 

TAG was also authorized by ANP to operate the 25.4km Terminal Sergipe gas pipeline, which will interconnect the FSRU to the Catu-Pilar gas pipeline, passing through the municipalities of Barra dos Coqueiros, Santo Amaro das Brotas, Maruim, Rosário do Catete and General Maynard, all located in Sergipe. 

The maximum flow from the FSRU to Catu-Pilar will be 14Mm3/d. 

The authorizations came two years after Eneva concluded the acquisition of Centrais Elétricas de Sergipe Participações (Celsepar), which owned Porto de Sergipe and the LNG terminal. 

The deal was inked with former owners New Fortress Energy (NFE) and Ebrasil Energia, for US$1.3 billion.