Argentina logs 7 gas export requests in August, up from zero a year earlier

Argentina published seven natural gas export authorization requests in August, up from two in July and bringing the tally for 2022 to 33. 

All are to Chile, according to a federal energy department register.

No export authorization requests were published in August last year.

Last month Chile drove triple-digit growth in exports of Argentine gas, with almost all flowing through the GasAndes duct, which carries the fuel to Chilean population hub Santiago Metropolitan region. 

Connected to Argentina's national gas transport network, the pipeline has a maximum capacity of 9Mm3/d (million cubic meters per day) and operator CGC is mulling a plan to boost nameplate capacity to 17Mm3/d.

Favorable prices and domestic transport restrictions – along with a push to build firm, year-round exports – are making Chile blink brightly on the radars of Argentine producers, chiefly those operating in the Vaca Muerta unconventionals formation. 

Other local factors can help explain the increase in August exports, such as stronger gas output and an improvement in hydrological conditions that has eased demand on gas-consuming thermoelectric plants.

The bulk of requests for exports to Chile are typically on an interruptible, seasonal basis. 

Chile is obtaining roughly 300,000m3/d of natural gas from Argentina – via the standalone Gasoducto del Pacífico on a firm basis as part of a wider energy integration drive. The deal is significant as firm export contracts had been limited to the warmer months after Argentina turned off the taps in 2006. Gasoducto del Pacífico runs between Neuquén basin field Loma La Lata and south-central Chilean region Biobío 

Supplier YPF – Argentina’s state oil company – was among those filing export authorization requests in August. The request involves exporting via Gasoducto del Pacífico and GasAndes.

Overall gas production in Argentina was almost 140Mm3/d in July, up 6.9% year-on-year, according to data from think tank the General Mosconi energy institute. Unconventional gas – shale and tight – accounted for 79.6Mm3/d, up 22.7%.

EXPORT AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS FILED IN AUGUST

Vendor: Pampa Energía
Buyer: Colbún
Maximum amount: 1.17Mm3/d from 1 October 2022 to 1 May 2023 (firm basis)
Source: Río Neuquén, Sierra Chata and El Mangrullo

Vendor: Pan American Energy
Buyer: Colbún
Maximum amount: 528,000m3/d from 1 October 2022 to 1 May 2023 (firm basis)
Source: Aguada Pichana Oeste, Aguada Pichana Este, Lindero Atravesado, Bandurria, and Aguada San Roque

Vendor: YPF
Buyer: YPF Chile
Maximum amount: 500,000m3/d, from 1 October 2022 to 1 May 2023 (firm basis)
Source: El Portón and Loma Lata-Sierra Barrosa

Vendor: Tecpetrol
Buyer: Enel Generación Chile
Maximum amount: 1.5Mm3/d, from 1 October 2022 to 1 May 2023 (firm basis)
Source: Fortín de Piedra

Vendor: Pan American Energy
Buyer: GM Holding
Maximum amount: 480,000m3/d, from 1 October 2022 to 1 May 2023 (firm basis)
Source: Aguada Pichana Oeste, Aguada Pichana Este, Lindero Atravesado, Bandurria, and Aguada San Roque

Vendor: Pampa Energía
Buyer: Enel Generación Chile
Maximum amount: 320,000m3/d, from 1 October 2022 to 1 May 2023 (firm basis)
Source: Río Neuquén, Sierra Chata and El Mangrullo

Vendor: CGC
Buyer: Enel Generación Chile
Maximum amount: 500,000m3/d, from 1 October 2022 to 1 May 2023 (firm basis)
Source: Austral basin