IANS | 22 Oct, 2014
The world's first floating gas liquefaction plant is due to begin
operating next year off the coast of northern Colombia under a pact
between Canada-based Pacific Rubiales Energy and Belgian shipbuilder
Exmar.
Executives from the two firms signed the accord in Bogota
in a ceremony that included Belgium's Princess Astrid, leading a trade
and investment delegation on a visit to the Andean nation.
Colombian Vice President German Vargas Lleras was also on hand.
The
project will offer access to international markets for Latin American
and Caribbean natural gas "and will ultimately generate an important
impact on the development of the sector in Colombia", Pacific Rubiales
president Jose Francisco Arata said.
Besides providing an impetus
for gas exploration, the initiative will foster an upgrade of
Colombia's maritime and port capabilities, he said.
The partners expect to export 70 million cubic feet of gas per day, according to a press release.
Pacific
Rubiales and Exmar have already started work on a floating
regasification plant set to enter operation in mid-2016, Arata said.