Brazilian state seeking more Bolivian gas

Brazil's Companhia Mato-Grossense de Gás (MTGás) has requested authorization from national oil and gas regulator ANP to import up to 215,000m3/d of natural gas from Bolivia as of this month, a source close to the matter told BNamericas. 

The potential markets for the volumes to be imported are the industrial, commercial, services, residential, energy co-generation, fertilizer and vehicular segments in Mato Grosso state.

The delivery point will be the Mário Covas thermoelectric plant, in state capital Cuiabá, where the measurement of the imported gas will be carried out. 

The transport will be done through the Lateral-Cuiabá gas pipeline, which starts at the border with Bolivia in Cáceres municipality and crosses the municipalities of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, Poconé, Várzea Grande and Cuiabá, up to the Mário Covas plant. 

GasOcidente (GasOcidente do Mato Grosso Ltda. or GOM) owns the Brazilian stretch of the pipeline that brings natural gas from Bolivia to the state. 

Brazil imported 12.6Mm3/d of gas from Bolivia in September 2022, according to the latest data from the mines and energy ministry (MME). That accounted for around 18% of national gas supply in that month (70Mm3/d).