LATAMNRG PROSPECTOR VOL 21 2019
LatAmNRG Q&A With ANH Colombia: Exploratory Drilling To Start In 2H:20
Italy’s Eni Awarded High Potential Exploration Block Offshore Argentina
Guyana Investigates Oil Block Leases Controlled By Exxon
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Energy Analytics Institute’s weekly LatAmNRG prospector and select highlights from the week. Read the full stories online 24/7 at www.energy-analytics-institute.org
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TOP QUOTES Top quotes this week: ___________
Comment from Colombia’s Mining and Energy Minister Maria Fernanda Suárez via her Twitter account regarding natural gas usage: “Natural gas is a fundamental fuel for energy transformation. It is estimated that the use of vehicular natural gas reduces environmental pollution with about 40% less CO2 emissions, and its use represents a 75% reduction in particulate matter” –– Colombia’s Mining and Energy Minister Maria Fernanda Suárez ___________
Comment to Energy Analytics Institute from Naturgas Communications Manager Alejandro Riveros regarding natural gas supply in Colombia:
Energy Analytics Institute (EAI) is a Houston-based private organization focused on provided integrated services related to the Latin American and Caribbean upstream, downstream, midstream and renewable energy sectors. I. EAI’s primary focus related to the Latin American and Caribbean petroleum sectors is to assist businesses establish and nurture relationships with other businesses or consumers by facilitating integrated business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) solutions. II. EAI also organizes timely forums, seminars or executive speaking engagements related to the Latin American and Caribbean petroleum sector covering topics relevant to the upstream, midstream, downstream and renewable enegy sectors.
“Colombia today has enough natural gas to supply current demand (with local production or import)” – – Naturgas Communications Manager Alejandro Riveros told Energy Analytics Institute ___________ Comment from Ecopetrol President Felipe Bayón during a forum in Bogota on 21 May regarding replacing reserves: “The focus is to continue operating safely and efficiently. In 2018 we replaced more than 100% of our production (...) Henceforth, at least every year we have to replace 100% of our reserves” –– Ecopetrol Presdient Felipe Bayón
III. EAI also provides unbiased breaking news, among project updates, related to the Latin American and Caribbean petroleum sectors covering countries small and big from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean to Guyana, Bolivia and Peru in South America and bigger regional players including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina. CONTACT / FOLLOW US: E. news@energy-analytics-institute.org E. webmaster@energy-analytics-institute.org W. www.energy-analytics-institute.org
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Q&A SERIES LatAmNRG Q&A With ANH Colombia: Exploratory Drilling To Start In 2H:20 (Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 24.May.2019) — As part of Energy Analytics Institute’s ongoing coverage of the Latin America and Caribbean energy sectors from conventionals, unconventionals to renewables, Colombia’s Hydrocarbons National Agency (ANH) weighs in on some of our Colombia-related questions. What follows are excerpts from our series: LatAmNRG Q&A Energy Analytics Institute: With gas reserves now enough to last for 9.8 years, where would Colombia turn to import gas in the future between 2021-2023 as mentioned by Mining and Energy Minister Maria Fernanda Suarez: the USA or other countries? ANH: Due to product availability and competitive price, the natural market to supply gas insufficiency in Colombia would be the supply available in Trinidad and Tobago and the Gulf of Mexico, including the United States trading companies that operate there. It is also important to point out that Colombia has a regasification plant in Cartagena, which allows the entry of this fuel through the Caribbean. Related Story: Colombia Oil Reserves Up 9.9% In 2018; Gas Reserves Decline Energy Analytics Institute: What can be done to quicken efforts to boost conventional oil and gas exploration offshore and onshore Colombia in order to boost first reserves and then production? ANH: To accelerate the exploration and production of oil and gas in Colombia, and in order to increase reserves and production, the government launched the new Permanent Process of Area Allocation (PPAA) in February 2019. Initially, the ANH offered a package of 20 blocks for Exploration and Production (E&P), 18 Onshore and 2 Offshore; whose offer, award and signature is expected to be completed at the beginning of the second half of 2019.
Additionally, the process allows investors to suggest and offer areas that are of their particular interest at any time of the year. Another initiative that is contemplated is a regulatory adjustment that will allow the arrival of medium and small investors to the industry; it is what we have colloquially called the “B League”, so they can efficiently operate discovered and undeveloped minor fields. In the future, because it is a permanent process, we expect that a regularized cycle of exploration, discovery and production will guarantee the country’s energy self-sufficiency and maintain an adequate level of reserves. Related Story: FSRU Höegh Grace Receiving Cargo In Colombia [Video] Energy Analytics Institute: With offshore exploration activities announced so far by Shell, Noble and others, how long more or less before we could expect to hear some news from them? ANH: In 2019, Colombia, through the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), has signed five offshore exploration and production (E&P) contracts with Ecopetrol, Shell and Repsol. In the contracts signed with Shell, Noble Energy came as a partner (40%) and operator. It is expected to sign four additional contracts with Anadarko, whose definition depends of Oxy the moment it takes control of the company. The first exploration wells are expected to start drilling in the second half of 2020 and the first results of the exploratory program are expected to be known towards the end of 2021. Energy Analytics Institute: Oil reserves are now enough to last for 6.2 years compared to 5.7 years, what needs to be done to continue this trend of finding more oil reserves? ANH: Apart from the periodic subscription of E&P contracts in Onshore and Offshore areas, which can deliver medium and long-term results, projects for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and Incremental Production (PPI) are being promoted for the short and medium term, as well as the assignment of discovered and undeveloped minor fields. In addition, the transfer of the Ecopetrol Agreement areas is being promoted so that new investors can come to repower them. Finally, the government studies the possibility of allowing the development of exploration pilots in Unconventional Reservoir in some very specific areas of the Colombian territory. All this,
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together with an effective coordination strategy with all the entities that grant the permits the oil operation requires (Anla, Ministry of the Interior, among others) and the start-up of the “B League” to allow the entry of many companies into the business and accelerate the drilling of A3 wells.
ARGENTINA Italy’s Eni Awarded High Potential Exploration Block Offshore Argentina (Eni, 20.May.2019) — The award of block MLO 124 is the outcome of the consortium’s successful bid in the International Bid Round “Ronda Costa Afuera n. 1” held on 16 April 2019. The Argentinian authorities officially awarded the exploration license of offshore block MLO 124 to an Eniled consortium. The award is the outcome of the consortium’s successful bid in the International Bid Round “Ronda Costa Afuera n. 1” held on 16 April 2019. Block MLO 124 is located offshore in the Cuenca Marina Malvinas (the Malvinas Basin), some 100 kilometers off the coast of Tierra del Fuego, and encompasses an area of 4,418 square kilometers in water depths ranging from less than 100 to 650 meters. Eni holds 80% working interest and is the Operator of a consortium, which also includes Tecpetrol S.A. and Mitsui & Co. Ltd., with 10% each. The activity to be completed during the four years of the First Phase of the Exploration Period mainly consists in a 3D geophysical survey covering the entire block and other geophysical potential field surveys. Eni has been present in Argentina since 1991 with its subsidiary Eni Argentina Exploración y Explotación S.A., which owns a 30% working interest in the offshore concession “Tauro-Sirius”, located in Tierra del Fuego’s shallow water.
Echo Energy Announces Portfolio Changes (Echo Energy, 20.May.2019) — Echo Energy plc provided an update on the Tapi Aike seismic acquisition programme and to announce a restructuring of the company’s onshore Argentinian portfolio, pursuant to which the Company will consolidate its focus on the Tapi Aike licence and its multi Tcf exploration potential. Highlights: — Strong progress on Tapi Aike seismic acquisition reinforcing the exciting Tapi Aike prospectivity. — Restructued Compañía General de Combustibles S.A. (“CGC”) relationship following a portfolio review which was focused on establishing the best way forward in terms of risk/reward balance and capital allocation for the company. — The new relationship terms with CGC, the company’s Argentinian partner, will result in additional funding for the company’s Tapi Aike drilling campaign, a material reduction of the Company’s near term capital expenditure requirements and represents a significant improvement on the original Tapi Aike acquisition economics. This consists of: 1. Restructured participation in the Tapi Aike licence, under which Echo will now hold an 19% interest and pay 19% of costs in Tapi Aike, ending the previous CGC carry arrangement and significantly lowering the company’s capital obligations. CGC will additionally release US$2.06m of Echo cash previously earmarked for Fracción C, Fracción D, Laguna Los Capones (“CDL”) which Echo will direct towards the Tapi Aike drilling campaign costs. 2. Decision not to proceed to the second phase of work at CDL leading to a relinquishment of the company’s interests in the concessions and the associated liabilities including avoiding a seismic commitment which was estimated to cost the company approximately US$11 million. As a result of the new arrangements the company and CGC are now in a position to accelerate the exploration program and confirm plans to drill the first well in Tapi Aike in Q4 2019.
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Tapi Aike Seismic Acquisition Seismic acquisition and interpretation work continue on the company’s Tapi Aike licence to mature prospects to drill-ready status. Processing of data acquired in the Eastern Cube is well underway, and, although at an early stage, reinforces the exciting prospectivity previously identified on 2D data. The company is now continuing to acquire data on the Western Cube, which is progressing well and the data acquisition phase remains on track to be completed by the end of H1 2019. Echo continues to be excited by the multi Tcf exploration potential in Tapi Aike which represents significant potential upside for equity investors and looks forward to updating shareholders as it continues to progress towards anticipated drilling in Q4 2019. Portfolio Review – CDL and Tapi Aike The Board has reviewed Echo’s onshore Argentinian portfolio following recent operations in the country with a view to establishing the best way forward in terms of risk/reward balance and capital allocation. Early seismic indications serve to reinforce the company’s positive view of Tapi Aike as Echo’s key strategic priority, whilst identifying the route to best utilising the company’s funds in support of the Tapi Aike drilling campaign, has also been a key consideration. CDL Withdrawal In order to deliver this strategy, and seeing relatively limited remaining upside for shareholders in the CDL concessions, the company has negotiated and agreed an accelerated close of the initial phase of works on the the CDL concessions (the “Initial Phase”) with CGC. This will result in Echo withdrawing from its interests and liabilities under the CDL concessions prior to the commencement of the second stage of works on the CDL concessions (the “Second Phase”) in accordance with the terms of the CDL farm-out agreement (the “CDL Farm-Out”) thereby enabling Echo to focus its capital on Tapi Aike. As part of this restructuring, CGC will take on all outstanding liabilities on the CDL concessions and will waive any outstanding work commitments under the Initial Phase, including the previously agreed CDL seismic commitment, which was estimated to cost approximately US$11 million and was to be met 100% by the company. In addition, no deferred cash payment will be payable by Echo to CGC on the agreed early completion of the Initial
Phase, reducing Echo’s near-term capital requirements by a further US$2.5 million. Echo originally secured access to the CDL concessions in 2017 pursuant to the CDL Farm-Out entered into with CGC. The company and CGC subsequently completed a number of workovers and drilled four exploration wells across the CDL assets in accordance with the company’s strategy. The exploration wells were designed to test the Tobifera play, which runs through the CDL licences. The results of the drilling campaign were disappointing and while hydrocarbons were present in certain of the exploration wells drilled, they were not capable of being produced at commercial rates. As a result, the company considers that no substantial commercial upside remains in the CDL licences. The CDL licences currently deliver declining production to Echo Energy at an unacceptable financial return for shareholders. The CDL assets were written off in the company’s recent full year results for the year ended 31 December 2018. Tapi Aike In order to align Echo’s partnership with CGC more closely, and to seek to accelerate activities on higher margin exploration potential, Echo and CGC have also agreed to revised equity and cost-sharing arrangements on the Tapi Aike licence. The prior arrangements saw Echo hold a 50 per cent interest in the Tapi Aike licence with an agreement to pay 65 per cent of drilling costs across the four well drilling campaign. Echo and CGC have now agreed an amendment to the terms of Echo’s participation in the Tapi Aike licence such that Echo will now hold an 19 per cent interest and pay 19 per cent of well costs, ending the previous carry arrangement and significantly lowering the company’s capital needs with regard to the drilling programme. CGC will also release US$2.06 million of Echo cash reserves previously required for the CDL Initial Phase which will be applied by Echo to fund future drilling in Tapi Aike.
Argentina Readies To Join LNG Exporters Club With Maiden Cargo (Reuters, 20.May.2019) — Argentina is about to export its first LNG cargo from a new floating facility, marking a milestone for its energy sector boosted by rising gas production from its large Vaca Muerta shale region.
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State energy firm YPF is believed to be offering a partial LNG cargo from FLNG Tango, the liquefaction vessel off Bahia Blanco, two LNG trading sources said on Monday. One source said the cargo was on a free-on-board (FOB) basis for prompt loading.
BRAZIL Petrobras Names Nivio Ziviani To Board Of Directors (Petrobras, 21.May.2019) — Petrobras announced its Board of Directors, at a meeting held yesterday, approved the nomination by the controlling shareholder of Mr. Nivio Ziviani to the position of member of the Company’s Board of Directors. This nomination will be submitted tothe deliberation of the next General Shareholders’ Meeting that occurs. Nivio Ziviani has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Federal University of Minas Gerais (1971), a master’s degree in Computing from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (1976) and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Waterloo University, Canada (1982). He is a specialist in information technology and an outstanding professor and entrepreneur. Professor Emeritus of the Computer Science Department of the Federal University of Minas Gerais since 2005 and member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences since 2007, Nivio Ziviani has been awarded, throughout his career, several prizes and honors, among them the National Order of Scientific Merit, in the Commander (2007) and Grand Cross (2018) classes.
Petrobras Updates On Change Of ADR Programs Custodian (Petrobras, 21.May.2019) — Petrobras says the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) approved the change of the custodian bank of its ADR programs for common and preferred shares, which will be the responsibility of Banco Bradesco S.A. The remaining characteristics of the ADR programs will remain unchanged:
•Depositary Bank: The Bank of New York Mellon •Classes of shares: Common and Preferred •Ratio: 2:1 (two common shares represent one ADR -PBR) 2:1 (two preferred shares represent one ADR –PBR/A) As of today, investors willing to issue ADRs should deposit their shares under the custody of Banco Bradesco S.A.; User: 2653-0; Depositary Bank: The Bank of New York Mellon; Issuer: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. –Petrobras, as follow: 1) Common Shares –Client 66/5 –RDE –Electronic Declaratory Registry-Nº RDE-R1900075; and 2) Preferred Shares–Client 67/3 –RDE –Electronic Declaratory Registry-Nº RDE-R1900076
Petrobras Approves Amendment To Transfer Of Rights Agreement (Petrobras, 21.May.2019) — Petrobras says its Board of Directors approved the execution of the Amendment to the Transfer of Rights Agreement pursuant to the National Council of Energy Policy, Resolution No. 5, of April 9, 2019. The amendment provides for the reimbursement of US$ 9.058 billion (nine billion and fifty eight million dollars) to Petrobras, the redistribution of volumes among blocks, maintaining the total contracted of 5 billion barrels of oil and gas equivalent, the adoption of a conflict resolution clause,and revision of local content requirements, for the same percentages of the 6th Round of Exploratory Blocks under the Production Sharing Regime. Such approval, however, is conditioned to the budgetary solution for the payment of the Federal Government to Petrobras and the publication of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) Ordinance on the Co-participation Agreement that does not breach the Company’s vested right over the Transfer of Rights Agreement and the conditions already negotiated in the scope of the Revision process, formalized in the draft of the amendment to the Agreement and the Ordinance MME 213/2019, which establishes the guidelines for calculating Petrobras compensation for the deferral of its cash flow in the Transfer of Rights areas.
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CHILE Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile Reports 1Q:19 Earnings (SQM, 23.May.2019) — Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. reported earnings today for the three months ended March 31, 2019 of US$80.5 million (US$0.31 per share), a decrease from US$113.8 million (US$0.43 per share) reported for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Gross profit reached US$145.5 million (29.9% of revenues) for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to US$192.7 million (37.1% of revenues) recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Revenues totaled US$504.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, representing a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to US$518.7 reported for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
COLOMBIA Canacol Energy: 42% FFO Jump, Poised To Grow Further (Seeking Alpha, Vasily Zyryanov, 24.May.2019) — Canacol Energy, Toronto-listed and Colombia-focused natural gas producer, has recently presented its Q1 results and impressed investors with robust revenue and a 42% funds from operations increase. Importantly, that surge in cash flow and sales is just the very beginning of a much more spectacular growth story. In June 2019, as it was promised in the corporate presentation, gas production of the company will surge 65% to ~215 mmcf/d (roughly 37,996 boepd) as a result of the Promigas pipeline expansion between Jobo and Cartagena. What is more, it has the potential to produce up to 330 mmcf/d in the medium term. The sell-side analysts in the cohort compiled by Seeking Alpha Essential predict share price to equal $4.62, which is nearly 1.5x higher than the current $2.95. But is the loss-making company with a heavy debt burden literally so brilliant that analysts express phenomenally bullish sentiment?
Cano Limon, Bicentenario Pipeline Pumping Halted After Bombings (Reuters, 22.May.2019) — Pumping on Colombia’s Bicentenario and Cano Limon oil pipelines has been halted following bomb attacks in recent days, sources from operators Bicentenario and state-run oil company Ecopetrol said. Military sources attributed the bombings, which both took place in eastern Arauca province near the border with Venezuela, to the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels.
Ecopetrol Says Exports To U.S. Up On Venezuela (Reuters, 22.May.2019) — Colombia’s state-run oil company Ecopetrol said its crude exports to the United States rose nearly 25% in the first quarter because of lower supply from neighboring Venezuela and higher production. The 4-week average for crude imports from Colombia have surged to near the highest levels in a year at about 431,000 barrels per day, according to U.S. government data. Colombia is among the top 10 suppliers of crude to the United States.
ECUADOR Petroamazonas EP Inks Deals For $78.1 Million With CNPC And Sinopec (Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 20.May.2019) — Ecuador’s Petroamazonas EP awarded two service contracts worth a total $78.1 million to China’s CNPCChyanqing Drilling Engineering Company and Sinopec International, the state oil entity announced 20 May 2019 in an official statement.
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In the first deal worth $47.94 million, CNPC will drill six directional and 4 horizontal wells in Sacha Block 60, while in the second deal worth $30.14 million, Sinopec will drill three re-entry and four directional wells.
PetroAmazonas EP Says It Incorporated 2.19 MMbls
“The contracts aim to increase production by 4,600 barrels per day at Sacha and 7,064 barrels per day at Coca-Payamino,” said Alex Galárraga, General Manager of Petroamazonas EP in the statement.
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 19.May.2019) — PetroAmazonas EP says it has incorporated 2.19 million barrels of petroleum during the first four months of 2019 due to activities at 22 secondary recovery projects aimed at maintaining reservoir pressures and migrating oil to wells, the state oil entity announced 19 May 2019 in an official statement.
In 2018, Sacha field produced 73,000 barrels per day, while Coca Payamino produced 12,305 barrels per day, PetroAmazonas said.
PetroAmazonas EP Says Optimizing Drilling At Sacha, Coca Payamino (Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 20.May.2019) — PetroAmazonas EP has optimized drilling at the Sacha Block 60 and Coca Payamino Block 7 over the last five years, the state oil entity announced 20 May 2019 in an official statement. At Sacha, the company says it has reduced costs by nearly $2 million for each horizontal well drilled and nearly $200,000 for each directional well. At Coca Payamino, the company said it has reduced costs by nearly $2 million for each directional well drilled.
PetroAmazonas EP Says Output Up In First Four Months Of 2019 (Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 19.May.2019) — PetroAmazonas EP said oil production during the first four months of 2019 peaked at 428,780 barrels per day of oil equivalents, the state oil entity announced 19 May 2019 in an official statement. At year-end 2018, its average production was 406,738 barrels per day, the company said.
EP Petroecuador And Petroamazonas EP To Merge In Late 2020 (Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 19.May.2019) — The merger of Ecuador state oil entities Petroamazonas EP and EP Petroecuador is expected to conclude in late 2020, Ecuador’s Oil Ministry announced in a statement 25 April 2019 on its website. “The merger of oil companies will be done with an emphasis on areas that duplicate functions and operational activities will not be affected. The optimization of state resources and more efficient work is sought in the merger,” the ministry said in the statement.
GUYANA Guyana Investigates Oil Block Leases Controlled By Exxon (Oilprice.com, Tsvetana Paraskova, 23.May.2019) — The world’s newest offshore hotspot, Guyana, is in the early stages of a probe into how oil exploration rights were awarded for oil blocks that are currently controlled by ExxonMobil and Tullow Oil, Clive Thomas, director of Guyana’s State Assets Recovery Agency, told Bloomberg in an interview published this week. Neither Exxon nor Tullow Oil are targets of the investigation. The two companies are not accused of any misconduct either. They are operators of the oil blocks which will be included in the scope of the investigation as
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the current administration in Guyana is looking to assess the procedures under which the oil blocks had been awarded.
MEXICO Canadian Solar Finalizes Sale Of Aguascalientes Solar Project To BlackRock Fund (Canadian Solar, 23.May.2019) — Canadian Solar Inc. completed the sale of its 68 MWp Aguascalientes solar project in Mexico to BlackRock Infrastructure Fund II. Canadian Solar developed, arranged construction and long-term project financing, built and energized the project in January 2019. Powered by 200,000 Canadian Solar high-efficiency poly modules CS6U-P, the solar power plant is expected to generate 145 GWh of electricity annually, enough to power 20,690 households and offset 72,700 tons of carbon dioxide emission each year. The electricity generated will be sold under a 15year power purchase agreement for energy and capacity, and 20-year for Clean Energy Certificates with Mexico’s state-owned utility. Canadian Solar will provide operations and maintenance services to the plant, starting in the third year of operations.
Under the PPA, Zodiac Aerospace, as off-taker, will be supplied 100% of its electricity, Clean Energy Certificates, and capacity from ESCO, as qualified supplier under Mexican market rules; approximately 70% of these products will come from the Project. In total, Zodiac Aerospace has committed to purchase more than 30,000 MWh of electricity annually from the Project. The Project will be constructed on 80 hectares of private ranchland located between Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua. Zodiac Aerospace will be consuming the electricity at factories in Chihuahua, Chihuahua. BVR and ESCO will announce the Project’s other off-takers in the coming weeks.
TRINIDAD Shell Trinidad And Tobago Commits To STOW Charter With The Energy Chamber
Buenavista Renewables, ESCO, And Zodiac Aerospace Ink Long-Term PPA (Buenavista, 20.May.2019) — Buenavista Renewables México, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“BVR”), a Buenavista Renewables company, and ESCO Comercializadora Energética S. de R.L. de C.V., a qualified supplier from Mexicali, Baja California, announce they have entered into a tripartite long-term Power Purchase Agreement with Zodiac Aerospace Equipo de México S. de R.L. de C.V., an affiliate of France’s Safran Group. The electricity to be delivered under the PPA will be generated by roughly 13 MW of the Los Santos Solar II solar facility (the “Project”), which BVR is developing in Ahumada, Chihuahua. The Project is located contiguous to BVR’s operational Los Santos Solar I project.
(Energy Chamber, 23.May.2019) — Mr. Derek Hudson, Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited, signed the Safe to Work (STOW) Charter, demonstrating the Company’s commitment to the objectives of STOW. Also present at the signing, which took place at the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago’s Executive Office were Dr. Thackwray Driver, President & CEO of the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Fitzroy Harewood, Chairman of the STOW Implementation Board and President of Pt. Lisas Nitrogen
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Limited and Mr. Eugene Okpere, Chief Operating Officer of Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited.
Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited Announces Extension Of Expiration Date (TPHL, 24.May.2019) — Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited announced the expiration date has been extended until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 14, 2019, unless extended or earlier terminated (such time and date with respect to the Exchange Offers, as the same may be extended, the “Extended Expiration Date”), with respect to its previously announced offers to exchange any and all of its outstanding notes, originally issued by Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (“Petrotrin”), for newly issued debt securities of TPHL (the “Exchange Offers”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Offering Memorandum, dated April 15, 2019 (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offering Memorandum”), and the related letter of transmittal (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal”), and to its solicitation of consents to certain proposed amendments to the existing indentures (the “Consent Solicitations”). All other terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers remain the same. TPHL is an integrated national oil and gas company in Trinidad and Tobago, established as part of the reorganization of Petrotrin, which was historically a major producer and supplier of oil and petroleum products in the Caribbean. In December 2018, Petrotrin underwent a reorganization that resulted in a new corporate structure and a substantially different business. The functional restructuring gave rise to the formation of TPHL, a more streamlined and profitable entity.
Energy Chamber To Host Energy Efficiency and Renewables Tradeshow (Energy Chamber, 21.May.2019) — Two years ago, the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago hosted its first Clean Energy Conference, an off-shoot from its Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference which had for many years included a Green Energy Day. Given the direction in which
the world is moving toward a low carbon future, the Clean Energy Conference has been re-named the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Conference and Tradeshow. The event has grown since the first one in 2017 and will take place this year on June 10th and 11th at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. The intention of renaming the event is to place more emphasis on the current drive of the energy industry in Trinidad and Tobago – that is, a drive toward optimizing the natural gas supply through energy efficiency and increased levels of renewable energy on the national grid.
USA First Small-Scale Waterside LNG Production Facility In The U.S. Is Operational
(JAX LNG, 23.May.2019) — JAX LNG, a liquefied natural gas facility located at Dames Point in Jacksonville, Florida, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 16 to signify the official start-up of the newly constructed plant. JAX LNG is the first small-scale LNG facility in the United States with both marine and truck-loading capabilities. The state-of-the-art facility was constructed through a joint venture between Pivotal LNG and NorthStar Midstream. “Pivotal is committed to transforming the nation’s energy landscape by leading the way in how we supply liquefied natural gas to our customers,” said Tim Hermann, president of Pivotal LNG. “One way we are doing this is through the development of the JAX LNG facility. With our partners NorthStar, we’ve implemented innovative
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solutions to make clean, safe, reliable and affordable LNG available to marine and inland customers that can be served from the port of Jacksonville. “ Liquefied natural gas is a clean, domestically produced alternative fuel serving multiple industries to reduce emissions and energy costs. When using LNG as a marine fuel on a well-to-wake basis, greenhouse emissions are reduced up to 21 percent. In addition to marine and trucking companies, the JAX LNG plant is positioned to serve other industries, including rail, drilling, mining, power generation, commercial and industrial.
Shell Commences Production At Appomattox Field In U.S. Gulf Of Mexico (Shell, 23.May.2019) — Royal Dutch Shell plc, through its subsidiary Shell Offshore Inc (Shell) announces that production has started at the Shell-operated Appomattox floating production system months ahead of schedule, opening a new frontier in the deep-water US Gulf of Mexico. Appomattox, which currently has an expected production of 175,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), is the first commercial discovery now brought into production in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico Norphlet formation. “That Appomattox was safely brought online ahead of schedule and far under budget is a testament to our ongoing commitment to drive down costs through efficiency improvements during execution,” said Andy Brown, Upstream Director, Royal Dutch Shell. “Appomattox creates a core long-term hub for Shell in the Norphlet through which we can tie back several already discovered fields as well as future discoveries.” Related Story: CNOOC Limited Announces Appomattox Field Commence Production Appomattox is a story of efficiency through innovation. By way of optimised development planning, better designs and fabrication, and expert drilling execution, Appomattox has realised cost reductions of more than 40% since taking final investment decision in 2015. The start of production at Appomattox is only just the beginning of further maximising the flow of resources in the prolific Norphlet surrounding Appomattox.
Saudi Aramco And Sempra Energy Ink Largest LNG Deal For 6 Years (WoodMac, 22.May.2019) — Sempra Energy and Saudi Aramco announced their respective subsidiaries, Sempra LNG and Aramco Services Company, have signed a heads of agreement (HOA), which anticipates the negotiation and finalisation of a definitive 20-year sale-and-purchase agreement covering 5 million metric tons each year from the Port Arthur LNG export project under development.
Spanish Oil Giant Winds Down Operations In Venezuela (VOA, Martin Arostegui, 21.May.2019) — Spain’s Repsol, the last western oil giant with major operations in Venezuela, is leaving the embattled country, as pressure mounts from U.S. sanctions and continuing unrest. Repsol’s investments in Venezuela, valued at nearly $1.7 billion (1,480 billion euros) in 2017, have fallen 70% over the past year. The company’s annual report also says the firm will continue winding down its Venezuelan business in the next few months.
Venezuela Pumps Less Oil Than Three Of Its Neighbors (Bloomberg, Lucia Kassai, 20.May.2019) —Venezuela, which sits atop more oil than Saudi Arabia, has fallen behind three other Latin American countries as years of mismanagement and lack of investments take its toll. The OPEC founding member produced 740,000 barrels a day in March, while Colombia’s oil reserves are less than 1% of Venezuela’s, produced 884,815 barrels. Venezuela has oil reserves of 302.3 billion barrels, while the neighboring Latin American country holds volumes almost as large as Gabon’s, with 1.96 billion barrels.
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