Brazil LNG imports soar 136 pct in first half of December

LNG imports into Brazil for the first half of December rose to 715,425 cbm, an increase of almost 136% compared to the 303,500 cbm for the same period in 2013, reveals Platts unit Bentek Energy.

Compared to the first half of November 2014, liquefied natural gas imports rose 24%.

December increase in LNG imports came about as the drought conditions continued to deteriorate in November. Hydro-electric reservoir levels in the South-East region plunged to 16% capacity in November reaching a new record low. Latest information from the National Electric System Operator show that the reservoir levels have made a slight recovery to 17%.

Natural gas has been Brazil’s source of energy security during the draught season, substituting hydropower that usually provides up to 80% of country’s energy supply.

Brazil did, however, send most of the imported LNG to the northeast region of the country with Salvador de Bahia and Pecem Regas receiving 427,425 cbm, or 60% of the total imports.

LNG World News Staff