By an OGJ Online Correspondent
RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar. 9�Petrobras Bolivia SA Thursday said the San Alberto natural gas plant in Carapari, Bolivia, has gone on stream with its production exported to Brazilian markets through the Bolivia-Brazil gas pipeline.
Petrobras Bolivia is operator with a 35% interest. Partners are Petrol�ra Andina with 50% and TotalFinaElf SA affiliate Total Bolivia with 15%.
San Alberto field is producing 6.6 million cu m/day of gas and 1,300 b/d of condensate under a 20-year take-or-pay contract with Petrobras (OGJ Online, Jan. 29, 2001).
A control room monitors the San Alberto operation, increasing or diminishing the production of each well and the volume and quality of the gas carried to the Bolivia-Brazil line.
First-stage development of San Alberto field cost $200 million, of which $147 million was exploration and development while $53 million was for production and transportation, including the plant and 32 km of line connecting the field with the Bolivia-Brazil line.
A second development stage is under way with anticipated production of 13 million cu m/day by 2003, escalating to 22 million cu m/day in 2004-05. Reserves are 150 billion cu m of gas and 90 million bbl of condensate.
