Camisea consortium targets LNG deliveries to US in 2007

Dec. 11, 2001
Peru could be the first country to deliver liquefied natural gas to the US West Coast, using natural gas from the Camisea fields and neighboring blocks, said Alberto Moons, the Argentine oil firm Pluspetrol's vice-president for international business.

By an OGJ Online Correspondent

LIMA, Dec. 11 -- Peru could be the first country to deliver liquefied natural gas to the US West Coast, using gas reserves from the Camisea fields and neighboring blocks, said Alberto Moons, the Argentine oil firm Pluspetrol's vice-president for international business.

Pluspetrol operates the field development project and Tecgas NV operates the pipeline and transportation project. The six companies involved in Camisea have begun a feasibility study for natural gas exports that should be complete by yearend (OGJ Online, Sept. 4, 2001).

Among the options studied is a $1.4-1.5 billion, 600 MMcf LNG plant on Peru's southern coast. Moons said if all schedules are met, the project to export LNG to the US could be ready in 2007. Moons, speaking at a press conference Dec. 10 at the energy and mines ministry, said that to meet the goal of being the first supplier, the consortiums would have to work hard, and work closely with the ministry.

Meanwhile the companies involved have begun shipping equipment to Iquitos for barging to the Camisea site 500 km east of Lima.

The consortiums have to start construction before the end of this year. The groups expect to begin production in the first quarter 2004, though the deadline is August 2004.