Manati field could host Brazil’s largest underground gas storage project

Brazil’s Manati field, located in the Camamu basin offshore Bahia state, could host the country’s largest underground gas storage project so far.   

Partners Petrobras, Enauta, PetroRio and GeoPark, which operate the area, are studying the technical and economic feasibility of storing natural gas in the field as a way to face Brazil’s high gas supply scenario.   

Enauta’s press office told BNamericas that studies consider using the field’s existing infrastructure, with some adaptations to valves and tubes. The current compressing plant installed in the field is capable of storing 7Bm3 (billion cubic meters) of natural gas, but if the injection capacity is increased the unit’s storage capacity also rises.   

Manati is among Brazil’s largest non-associated gas producing fields and is responsible for supplying around 20% of the northeast region's demand. According to regulator ANP's latest data, in January output amounted to 3.5Mm3/d (million cubic meters a day) of natural gas. 

“There is no underground gas storage project of Manati’s dimension so far in Brazil. Worldwide there are several similar projects and this is a very common option,” Enauta said.   

The final size of the storage project will depend on clients’ needs. Currently, Manati’s output is sold to local distributor Bahiagás and to Petrobras itself, which uses it to supply refineries, thermopower plants and fertilizer plants in the region.  

“Our plant is completely suited to this project. We're doing studies to support our final decision, which could turn Manati into a gas storage field after 2021 or 2022,” Enauta’s production director Danilo Oliveira said during a conference call with analysts earlier this month.   

Brazil currently has only one underground gas storage project – in the onshore Santana field in the Recôncavo basin, also in Bahia state. The systems are considered important, particularly to help supply thermoelectric plants. Studies by energy planning firm EPE show the country would have a more flexible and reliable gas market if it had underground gas storage since it could provide operational flexibility, reduce risks related to price volatility and increase the efficiency of the gas pipeline network.   

Private sector firms such as France's Engie have indicated they are interested in investing in the segment in Brazil.