Repsol, Zeta Gas to import 135,000 barrels of LPG to avert Peru shortages
Spanish energy company Repsol and Mexico’s Zeta Gas will import approximately 135,000 barrels of liquefied petroleum gas to avert supply shortages in Lima and Callao, the Mines and Energy Ministry said in statement.
A 150,000-barrel LPG shortfall has been registered in May after the rupture of a gas pipeline and climatic factors in recent weeks affected supplies to the Peruvian capital, the ministry said.
The flow of natural gas liquids in Transportadora de Gas del Peru’s multi-purpose pipeline was paralyzed from April 30 to May 6 while the rupture in the southeastern region of Ayacucho was repaired.
In ensuing days, intense waves on the Peruvian coast interrupted the regular supply of LPG for the domestic market, while the rising level of the Camisea River triggered the corrosion of a pipeline operated by Argentine company Pluspetrol in the southern region of Cuzco and forced it to be closed for maintenance from May 12 to May 20.
These problems and the need to meet domestic demand forced Pluspetrol and supply plants located in Callao and operated by state oil company Petroperu, Zeta Gas and Repsol to make use of available LPG inventories.
This situation does not allow the recovery of inventories, and the possibility that more large waves may affect supplies at the plants in Callao could reduce deliveries of LPG to customers in Lima and Callao, Peru’s main seaport, the ministry said.
