Costa Rica planning fuel infrastructure expansion

Studies are expected to begin shortly in Costa Rica for the overhaul of infrastructure as part of the country’s biofuel rollout plans.

The socio-economic work will target state fuel company Recope’s El Alto, La Garita and Barranca terminals as part of a second phase to mix up to 10% of ethanol with gasoline.

The project envisions the construction of three ethanol tanks at each terminal, ethanol discharge points for cistern trucks, ethanol blending systems and other auxiliary systems.

In an abbreviated procurement process, Recope is scheduled to receive bids in the coming days for the studies which will take six months.

Source: Recope 

 A first phase will use existing infrastructure and requires small modifications which will be carried out as maintenance.

In September, Recope held the first technical meeting for the proposed admixture.

In the first nine months of 2023, gasoline sales in Costa Rica totaled 6.44Mb (million barrels), followed by diesel 6Mb, LPG 2.02Mb and jet fuel 1.56Mb, Recope information shows.

Annual gasoline sales in the country have regained ground after dipping in 2020 due to the pandemic.