LPG: energy insecurity hits the country again

A new scourge of abnormal waves, which began on May 13 —and that could, in the best of cases, end tomorrow, Wednesday the 24th, according to the Port Authority -, has left the national fuel pantry without liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), to such an extent that the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) He had to authorize that the stock destined for the taps can also be used to fill kitchen balls.

A tour of La República verified how this derivative of natural gas liquids from Camisea (70% of national production, the rest is imported) climbed on the boards of all taps. For example, in Lima it went from an average of S/6.10 to more than S/8, and in districts like Villa El Salvador, sales per vehicle were limited. At the Repsol, Primax and Energigas taps, located in the Cercado de Lima, it is simply over.

We go to the provinces. To the south, in Cusco and Arequipa, the situation is similar and the kilogram of LPG is offered with premiums of between S/0.50 and S/2. In northern cities, such as Trujillo or Piura, they could, on the other hand, still show stable values.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) reported that the Zeta Gas plant (140,000 barrels of capacity) in Ventanilla received a shipment on Sunday to ensure inventories for 5 days, while today the Solgas plant (140,000 barrels) should face the same fate. capacity), whose ships are still waiting at sea. On the other hand, Pier 7 of Petroperú, in Callao, is lucky to always be able to receive gas, but its capacity is small, only 50,000 barrels.

LPG: a gas without a compass

How are abnormal waves related to the lack of LPG? 70% of the supply of this fuel in Peru is produced at the Pluspetrol Fractionation Plant in Pisco, where natural gas liquids from Camisea are received. From there, it travels by boat to Lima (50% of national consumption). And why not to the south? Well, because there are no storage spheres. So, the LPG travels south by road, under the risk of road blockades as in January.

In the north, they are supplied by truck from the Talara plant, from Petroperú, where a large part of that other 30% that is bought abroad is also received thanks to the fact that it does have spheres. For the jungle, LPG is also taken by road, and even by river. The question falls out of maturity: why is it not carried through a pipeline?

Gustavo Navarro, former director of the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons (DGH), explains that before there was a project in the Proinversión portfolio to take LPG (propane-butane) by pipeline to Lima, but it was deleted. The country’s energy security, then, was once again at the mercy of the sea.

“The regulation of commercialization of hydrocarbons establishes two conditions for the minimum and average inventory that producers or importers must maintain: the minimum is 5 days, while the average is 15 days of their average sale in the last 6 months. Today we are not even 3 “, he warns.

Erick García, an energy specialist, agrees that more infrastructure is needed, but aims to build more storage spheres in each region, strategically according to geographical needs and with a strong participation of the State through Works for Taxes, a co-financed work , concession, etc.

“In modern wars, logistics chains are attacked, and our country does not have decentralized storage. We should have a minimum stock for 30 days. For example, in Japan and Korea there are 120; in Europe, 60. We are at 15 and it is not even fulfilled “, indicates.

The most unfortunate thing is that, probably, it will not be the last shortage that we will experience this year, so the ferocity of the climate change it will continue to reveal our shortcomings as an organized society. To be prepared.

Imported LPG also arrives by ship

In Peru, LPG is sold as LPG-G (bulk, for taps) and LPG-E (bottled, for cooking).

The first ship to unload was Colca. Now, Mar Pacífico is waiting to do it in Zeta Gas and the Petroperú plant, while Enrico Fermi could do it today in Solgas. The sea will say

Petroperú saw a project to build 3 spheres in Lima frustrated. Today the land is empty.

reactions

Gustavo Navarro, former director of the DGH

“The New Talara Refinery will help to moderate imports somewhat, but we will continue to be net importers of LPG, whose demand is growing at 5% per year.”

Erick García, energy specialist

“Whether it is due to a strike, waves, earthquake, war or whatever, our country is very vulnerable. No one in Peru realizes the importance of energy.”

The inefficient LPG route in Peru