Snapshot: Bolivia hydrocarbons investment

Latest figures from Bolivia reveal that the bulk of hydrocarbons investment this year has gone to upstream operations, as the government prioritizes exploration and production.

Information from the hydrocarbons ministry shows that of the US$289mn and US$483mn programmed for exploration and production by state hydrocarbons company YPFB, US$150mn and US$153mn was executed in the first half.

At end-June, five exploration wells had been completed by Petrobras, Repsol, YPFB Chaco and Vintage, one of which was spud in 2017, and two each last year and in 2019. Three of the wells are producers, one was temporarily abandoned and another with temporary stoppage.

Three development wells - two spud in 2018 and one this year - were completed by Total and YPFB Chaco as producers, and GTLI completed a 3D seismic study for the El Palmar area.

In comparison, of the US$235mn and US$137mn that YPFB penciled in for transport and distribution, execution reached 11% and 17% at end-June.

SECOND HALF PLANS

By year-end, YPFB aims to finalize nine exploration wells and spud five wells, and begin civil works for four wells, as well as conclude six seismic projects and begin one seismic shoot.

In terms of production and development, the goal is to execute 11 wells and build and install production facilities at the San Antonio, Margarita-Huacaya, Paloma, Yapacaní, Río Grande, Enconada, Palacios, Puerto Palos, Caigua, Percheles and Incahuasi fields, among others.

Transport infrastructure spend is due to increase with advancement of the following projects:

Incahuasi-Tapirani gas pipeline - secure the environmental license and conclude basic and detailed engineering for the 202km, 12-inch duct to cover demand in Chuquisaca and Potosí;

Carrasco-Yapacaní gas pipeline - complete a 30km, 16-inch loop along the Ichilo-Carrasco stretch;

Carrasco-Cochabamba gas pipeline - draft and approval of basic and detailed engineering to increase capacity with a fifth compression unit;

Colpa-Ichilo gas pipeline - complete basic and detailed engineering studies;

Tarabuco-Sucre gas pipeline - piping delivery, construction and supervision procurement to increase capacity;

Camiri-Sucre multipurpose pipeline - piping delivery, construction and supervision procurement to increase capacity;

Villamontes-Tarija multipurpose pipeline - complete consultation and participation process for planned capacity increase.

On the gas distribution front, efforts will focus on the acquisition of materials for primary and secondary networks, along with installations.