Sycar announced that the first volume of imported natural gas would arrive in Ecuador in December, from Panama.
The delivery of natural gas import permits to two private companies, the United States Sycar and the local Gasvesubio, of the Eljuri group, announced a few days ago by the Ministry of Energy, generates expectation, but also doubts in the industrial sector.
Andrés Robalino, executive director of the Chamber of Industries, Production and Employment of Azuay, whose partners are ceramic companies (that use natural gas), indicates that they are aware of the decision of the Ministry to facilitate imports of this fuel.
For robalin, imports could, on the one hand, alleviate the demand for this fuel; however, on the other hand there is the concern about the price with which it would arrive in the country.
Is that, according to the executive, currently Petroecuador is supplying only 40% of what is required, due to the problems that exist at the Bajo Alto plant.
At the same time, he explains that his sector is currently experiencing a crisis related to prices. A month and a half ago, the Ministry of Energy informed them that the price was increasing from $ 6.20 per million BTU of gas to $ 7. For the industry this has already been a strong blow, he says. However the imported could fetch an even higher price of $ 9 a million BTU.
Meanwhile, Nelson Jaramillo Pita, representative of Sycar, that already has the import permit, explained that “the first volume of imported natural gas to Ecuador could arrive in December”. At the moment they are in the process of registering the isotanks in which the product is transported. Two of these are in Guayaquil and have already been approved; and another five, who are in Panama, are in the process. Jaramillo explained that, once the process is complete, the seven isotanks will be loaded in Panama to bring the gas to the country.
Explained that AES, a US company with operations in Panama, will be the supplier in this first import. Additionally, a second import is already being negotiated with a major US company, whose name has not yet been released due to confidentiality. In any case, he assured that it is not Gunvor and that this has already been discarded as a business option several months ago.
The other approved company, Gasvesubio, he did not comment on his business plans yet. Gasvesubio is a company of the Eljuri group that owns a liquefaction plant just in front of Petroecuador’s, in Bajo Alto. The construction of said plant is involved in controversy, as it would not have followed the legal process to have permits to build that infrastructure. This has a ministerial agreement and not an executive decree, as dictated by law.
About the authorization for Gasvesubio, Robalino said that he is struck by the fact that they are now opening up to the import issue, after they had made investments for the local operation. In any case, he assured that their business plans have not yet been shared with them.
On the gas board, also wants to enter the company Green Power. Instead, it seeks to generate greater production from the Amistad Field in order to be able to industrialize this gas. This model would generate a cheaper fuel than the imported one. It has also proposed to be able to use the gas from the Bajo Alto lighter, which is 99% pure methane, or even process the associated gas that is burned in the Amazon, but it is still waiting for the corresponding permits.
Recently, Green Power manager Jorge Luis Hidalgo sent a letter to President Guillermo Lasso ratifying his intention to make a private investment of $ 25 million for the construction of a liquefaction plant in Bajo Alto. He explained that his request is now in the Legal Secretariat of the Presidency.
It also asked that compliance with the law and regulations in force be rigorously analyzed, that they be granted an official response and, if necessary, accept what was done by Green Power in regard to the request for authorization, via executive decree, for the construction and operation of a natural gas liquefaction plant in El Oro; he also asks for an audience with President Lasso.
The business executive explained in his letter that the natural gas from the Gulf of Guayaquil requires a reengineering of consumption to take advantage of the inefficiencies of the Termogás and the burner that is burning gas already treated. He also commented that, with this project, the The Government could already comply with the commitment acquired in Glasgow of a Global Commitment to reduce methane of 30%, in addition to the entry of fresh economic resources, as well as improvements in our trade balance.
In this sense, Robalino said that a measure that the Government should take is to also support the local industrialization of gas, and reiterated that they are aware of the interest of companies that want to make investments for the local operation. The State must guarantee balanced competition so that they can compete on prices and thus benefit consumers, he said.. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
