Colombia advances plans to retrofit oil pipelines for gas

Colombian gas sector regulator Creg published draft guidelines that pave the way for repurposing oil pipelines to carry natural gas.

The proposed regulations seek to promote investments in the conversion of existing crude oil infrastructure that is either underutilized or being phased out, the watchdog said. 

In particular, the overhaul would facilitate the connection of offshore gas projects and regasification terminals to the national transport network, it added. 

“The conversion of hydrocarbon infrastructure to natural gas transportation responds to one of several actions that Creg is implementing to guarantee reliability and security in the supply of natural gas,” the entity's director, Antonio Jiménez, said in a statement.

A draft resolution, which has been released for public consultation, defines methodologies for investments and operational expenses while outlining formulas and criteria for remuneration. 

According to Creg, the new framework would allow converted pipelines to begin operating in less time and at a lower cost, "compared with cases where the pipeline must be built from scratch."

In addition, it will result in lower costs to end users, including households, industries and thermoelectric power generators, it underscored.  

"When the resolution is applied, strategic projects such as the Jobo-Vasconia connection, with a capacity of 400Mf³/d [million cubic feet per day], can be put into operation sooner," Creg said. 

The Bogotá-based body said the move would allow Colombia to prioritize domestically produced gas and complement it, if necessary, with imports during times of high demand. 

The draft resolution and related documents can be seen here, in Spanish. 

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