GNL Escobar

  • GNL Escobar serves the Buenos Aires region of Argentina.
  • GNL Escobar is located on the Paraná River, 30 miles outside Buenos Aires.
  • FSRU discharging gas at GNL Escobar.
  • GNL Escobar took only nine months to develop from construction start to in-service.

Location: Escobar, Argentina
Date: Commissioned June 2011
Owner: YPF, S.A.; ENARSA

Background

GNL Escobar (GNLE), located on the Paraná River, about 30 miles outside Buenos Aires City, is Argentina’s second liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving facility using Excelerate Energy’s GasPort design. Along with providing increased peak capacity for the high-demand winter months, the facility delivers additional natural gas supply and transport capacity to the Buenos Aires region. YPF S.A., ENARSA and Excelerate Energy jointly developed GNLE.

Solution

GNLE is similar in design and function to the Bahia Blanca GasPort, also located in Argentina. GNLE incorporates our jetty-mounted, articulated gas-offloading arm (HP gas arm) and uses Excelerate’s Energy Bridge® brand floating storage and regasification vessel (FSRU) technology. The LNG supply is delivered into one of Excelerate Energy’s FSRUs through periodic transfers from a traditional LNG carrier via our company’s ship-to-ship LNG transfer protocol. The LNG supply transfer takes place while LNG is being regasified and delivered into Argentina’s gas distribution system by the Energy Bridge FSRU, which ensures a continuous supply to the local market.

Results

GNLE is another example of Excelerate Energy’s proven fast-track GasPort approach, having taken only nine months from construction start to in-service – just in time for the peak winter months. With relatively low capital investment – permitting and construction at a fraction of the cost of a traditional onshore LNG terminal – the inherent flexibility of the Energy Bridge design allowed GNLE to adapt to the high seasonality of Argentina’s natural gas market, allowing a fast response to the peak consumption periods. Ongoing operations and supply logistics of the facility are currently coordinated among the three companies.

Key Facts

  • Second LNG receiving facility in Argentina
  • Direct access to Buenos Aires region and Argentina’s natural gas grid
  • Nine months from agreements/term to in-service
  • Baseload throughput capacity 500 MMcf/d
  • Peak throughput capacity 600 MMcf/d
  • GasPort dockside configuration with ship-to-ship transfer
  • Operates in closed-loop vaporization mode
    • High-pressure gas arm incorporated in design
    • Accommodates ship motions and incorporates “quick release” capabilities
  • Allows direct discharge from Energy Bridge FSRU high-pressure gas manifold