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CERAWEEK-Brazil exploring methods to import gas from Argentina's Vaca Muerta play, energy minister says

Brazil is checking out methods to import gas from Argentina's massive Vaca Muerta formation, consisting of the possible reversal of a pipeline now used for carrying Bolivian gas, as it aims to ease its gas deficit, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira informed on Thursday.

Brazil has actually become Latin America's largest petroleum manufacturer, but its gas output is insufficient to satisfy growing domestic demand, causing increased imports of liquefied gas (LNG).

Brazil historically relied on Bolivian gas, however the Andean country's decreasing output required a supply agreement renegotiation late in 2015 to extend the timeframe for finishing shipments to state-controlled oil business Petrobras , the company stated.

Dwindling Bolivian supplies have Argentina planning to cease imports through a gas line connecting the two countries later this year as soon as a domestic pipeline is prepared to bring gas to the country's north from the Vaca Muerta shale play, a. formation that measures up to the U.S. Permian basin.

Brazil is motivating Bolivia and Argentina to reverse. the gas line circulation so Vaca Muerta's gas can reach the region's. North, a low-cost alternative that could much better utilize the existing. infrastructure.

That gas would be really important for them (Bolivia),. for its energy security, stated Silveira in an interview with. on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference, as it would. assist the Andean country offset decreasing reserves.

Brazil likewise is taking a look at gas transport. options including Uruguay and Paraguay, while motivating. more domestic onshore gas production, Silveira stated.

As output from its prolific presalt region is set to. plateau in the coming years, Brazil is looking at brand-new frontiers. for oil production, consisting of the environmentally sensitive. Equatorial Margin.

Brazil could be losing a chance if it does not. drill there, Silveira said. Petrobras' strategies have actually been slowed. due to the absence of ecological licenses.

Minister Silveira likewise is readying participation in the. next OPEC+ conference in June after the nation in 2015 revealed. it would sign up with the group in January as an observer.

Silveira prepares to discuss energy shift during the. conference, he said, as Brazil tries to lead initiatives on tighter. policy of the transition and a global alliance for biofuels.

(source: Reuters)