New reserves estimate expected Jan

Bolivian President Evo Morales will receive the results of an ongoing study of the country's gas reserves in early January 2007, a ministry spokesperson told BNamericas, confirming a report by government news agency ABI. US consulting firm DeGolyer & MacNaughton at the end of 2005 estimated Bolivia's gas reserves at 48.7Tf3 (1.38Tm3). State hydrocarbons company YPFB said in May the reserve estimate was too high and subsequently identified four US companies that could carry out a new evaluation. The ministry spokesperson declined to say which company was carrying out the current evaluation. Bolivia's reserves have remained a contentious issue as the country attempts to advance plans for ramped-up E&P and gas exports as well as new GTL plants and thermoelectric plants. Bolivia's reserves were estimated at 5.7Tf3 in 1997, 32.2Tf3 in 2000 and 54.9Tf3 in 2003.