The country has discussed the energy transition and the role of hydrocarbons in it. In the case of gas, Mónica Contreras, president of TGI, said that gas is still required for this. She noted that this will be necessary as other technologies, such as hydrogen, are advanced.
(Natural gas is key to better air quality.)
How was the bidirectionality of the gas pipeline achieved?
We have been committed to the reliability of the country. That was the fundamental principle that governed the initiative to connect the gas pipelines. We add a capacity of 100 million cubic feet per day (Mcfd) to the north coast and this area in turn adds 50 Mcfd to the central or southern zone. For us, seeing the system as one is very relevant so that they are not isolated.
What other works are missing to build a single gas transportation system?
In this end-of-year period, Promigas must finish placing a series of compressors in the infrastructure next to it.
What other projects have you advanced this year?
This year there has been a climatic condition that has affected the infrastructure. So, in addition to all the investments in operation and maintenance, we have had a strong impact on the emergencies that we have gone out to cover.
(Energy transition would be consolidated in two decades, according to an expert).
We continue to work on new projects around the topic of innovation and transformation, we are no longer only in the sector as a transporter but also offering operation and maintenance services. We are also in micro LNG projects.
The Pacific Regasifier came out again, are you interested?
The interest has always been. Ensuring reliability for the country is essential and the Pacific cannot be an exception. The first time we presented the project, it was not bankable, since the risk of the two stages was given to the investor.
We understand that the social condition of the area is a risk, not only in terms of the route but also in terms of time. We send comments and receive responses. We are in the bankability study stage.
Mónica Contreras, president of TGI, said that they are interested in participating again in the Regasificadora del Pacífico.
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What were the main comments they made?
They have been issues related to risk: social and the time frame in which the work can be advanced. What cannot happen in the sector is that any extension of time is at our expense, because that would mean a very high risk for the investor.
How do you analyze the tax reform and its impact on the sector?
Colombia does need a tax reform. Thinking that a tax allows us to cover deficits is very complex, we must seek a fair balance.
(Natural gas in the fight against poverty).
In our sector, we have been concerned about a series of mining and energy taxes, the dividend tax, which is recessive for investment, and the third thing is that the reform, instead of punishing, should teach. That is something that has not been considered. I think there are different mechanisms and it should be much less ambitious in terms of the volume to be collected for the impact on the country.
What role will they play in accelerating the energy transition?
To make the transition requires going through the use of the gas, as with hydrogen. Today gas mixtures have to be made with hydrogen to transport it and other unconventional technologies still have a very small share. For this reason, it is important to make a gradual transition and accelerate the demand for energy sources that generate fewer emissions.
Are they working on hydrogen pilots?
We have already started our process. We are in the understanding and working on generating in one of the sections to start transporting gas and hydrogen. That is one of the projects.
(A brake on oil exploration would increase gas and gasoline prices).
We have another dedicated to sustainable mobility, in which we seek to understand how a public transport vehicle can be powered by hydrogen and how to generate a business case.
How has the demand behaved?
The residential one remains very stable, the industry rises three points and these points that the industry gains are almost the same that thermoelectric generation loses.
What is your opinion regarding the idea of not exploring more hydrocarbons?
The most expensive gas is the gas that is not available. We definitely need to ramp up gas demand; today we have 8 years of reserves and good news about two offshore fields. But we depend on the acceleration of consumption.
Should the country continue to explore?
Of course. It is a necessary path, we cannot exhaust local production, it has to be the first option. When you look at the contribution of this sector to GDP, you see that it has been very important and we cannot forget that.
DANIELA MORALES SOLER
