SNAPSHOT: Bolivia's LPG push

Bolivia's President Evo Morales is scheduled to travel to Argentina this month to close energy deals with head of state Cristina Fernández.

The meeting is part of efforts to turn Bolivia into the 'energy heart of South America,' according to the country's hydrocarbons and energy ministry.

The planned visit follows Morales' recent trips to Paraguay and Peru to position Bolivia as a pillar of regional energy integration. In both countries he secured pledges to advance hydrocarbon cooperation as part of Bolivia's export-oriented natural gas industrialization push.

On this front, the shipment of Bolivian LPG was high on the agenda, hastened by the expected start-up of the Gran Chaco 'Carlos Villegas' liquids separation plant this quarter. With planned LPG production of 1,542-2,247t/d, among other products, authorities do not want a white elephant on their hands.

Bolivia already has begun initial LPG deliveries to Paraguay and Peru, with a combined 3,617t exported to the two countries in the first quarter.

In 1Q15, an average 1,035t/d of LPG was produced in Bolivia, 45.9% of which came from plants operated by state hydrocarbons YPFB, Repsol and Petrobras Energia.

YPFB's Rio Grande liquids separation plant accounted for 27.2% and refineries 26.4%.

YPFB began the rollout of LPG at its service stations in Cochambamba last month and this week continued the expansion in Oruro (pictured, upper left).

Bolivia's LPG consumption is forecast to hit 1,193t/d in the mid-term, according to YPFB's 2015-19 plan.