Brazil needs more gas distribution pipelines

According to a report by the Brazilian public energy research company (EPE), the country needs at least eight gas pipeline projects totaling 2,300 kilometers, requiring investments estimated at $5.1 billion.

Such pipelines are needed to transport gas to central Brazil, since the current pipeline network is largely located in coastal areas.  With a diameter of 24 inches and a thickness of 16 millimeters, the construction of such a pipeline network would require approximately 560,000 tons of heavy API grade sheets.  Local oil company Petrobras recently completed its first import of natural gas from the Vaca shale reserves Muerta in Argentina, using for transportation a pipeline connecting Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina, which was previously used to export Bolivian gas.  An alternative to this route, allowing direct supplies from Argentina to Brazil, would require the construction of a pipeline connecting the cities of Uruguayan and Porto Alegre. With a length of 593 kilometers, approximately 145,000 tons of heavy slabs will be required.