New pipeline enters Bolivia gas infrastructure plans

Studies are expected to begin this year for a proposed pipeline to increase Bolivia’s natural gas dispatch capacity.

YPFB Transporte, the transport subsidiary of state hydrocarbons company YPFB, is developing the Alto Beni-Caranavi duct.

The 45km, 10-inch pipeline is planned for Caranavi province in La Paz department.

The early-stage work is due to take around seven months and entails securing the environmental license and hazardous substances activities license.

YPFB recently obtained environmental clearance to drill exploration wells in the Lliquimuni area in Alto Beni as part of the country’s upstream reactivation plan.

A prior exploration well on the acreage identified what YPFB said was a new hydrocarbons basin with estimated potential of 1.7Tf3 of gas.

Alto Beni-Caranavi project in blue (Source: YPFB Transporte)

In its latest Bolivia country report, the IMF reiterated previous guidance, highlighting that “natural gas production is expected to continue declining in coming years, with the country potentially becoming a net importer by 2030.”

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