Argentina to Get 3 LNG Cargoes

Argentina will receive three LNG cargoes this week as low temperatures drive up natural gas demand, a person close to the operations said Wednesday.

Morgan Stanley started unloading the first cargo of 87,000 cubic meters Tuesday at a floating regasification terminal in Escobar, up the Parana river from Buenos Aires, said the source, who works at the Argentine state energy company Enarsa.

The cargo was delivered by Morgan’s Excel vessel, the source said on the condition of anonymity.

Morgan will deliver a second cargo of 40,000 cu m aboard its Arctic Spirit vessel on Thursday, also to Escobar, said the source.

The third cargo was due to be delivered by Texas-based Excelerate Energy to Bahia Blanca, a port to the south of Buenos Aires province, for unloading Wednesday. The delivery is of 129,000 cu m aboard the Excelerate, the source said.

The source declined to disclose the price paid for the supplies.

Argentina is stepping up LNG imports this year to as many as 60 cargoes of 130,000 cu m each, up from 24 cargoes in 2010. The government wants to minimize gas shortages as the economy grows and gas production sags.

(platts)