Paraná-Uruguaiana pipeline (also: Transportadora de Gas del Mercosur) is a natural gas pipeline from Aldea Brasilera, Paraná in Argentina to Uruguaiana in Brazil.

History

The pipeline was constructed by Techint. Construction started in August 1999 and the pipeline became operational in July 2000. It was inaugurated by presidents of Brazil and Argentina, Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Fernando de la Rúa on 18 August 2000 at Paso de los Libres.

Technical description

The pipeline length is 451 km, of which 25 km is laid in Brazil. It has diameter of 24 in and it has a capacity of 5.5 billion cubic meter of natural gas per year. The pipeline cost US$250 million. The pipeline supplies natural gas to a 600-MW power plant in Uruguaiana. There is a plan to extend the pipeline from Uruguaiana to Porto Alegre.

Operator

The Argentine section is operated by Transportadora de Gas de Mercosur. This is a joint venture of Techint, Total S.A., Petronas, Compañia General de Combustibles, and CMS Energy. The Brazilian section is operated by Transportadora Sul Brasileira de Gas, a joint venture of Gaspetro (subsidiary of Petrobras), Petroleo Ipiranga, Repsol YPF, and Techint.