Natural gas
Natural gas
Natural Gas has been playing a key role in the global scenario of low carbon economy. It can significantly contribute to reducing energy-related CO² emissions, cost-effectively, as an alternative to polluting and carbon intensive fuels, including coal and oil, and also complement renewables, acting as a reliable backup to their natural intermittency.
The outlook for Porto Central is positive for the development of a Gas Energy Cluster. Porto Central is strategic located in the Southeast Region of Brazil, close the main industrial and household consumption of the country, as well as just 10 km from the national gas grid and in front of promising proven offshore gas reserves.
Porto Central counts with a licensed LNG Import and Regasification Terminal, designed with a berth for docking a Floating Storage and Regasification Vessel - FRSU with a projected capacity of up to 20 Mm³/d and capable of receiving the largest gas tankers (Q-Max ships). In addition, the port has land available for opportunities such as onshore LNG storage and regasification facility, small-scale LNG and LNG truck-loading stations.
The LNG Terminal of Porto Central will be connected to a total of 5 GW of gas-fired power plants, under development at the western area of the port through a pipeline system corridor. It will be also easily connected to the energy infrastructure system of the country, as the main national north-south gas pipeline (GASENE/GASCAV) and transmission lines run very close to the port area, offering an integrated energy solution for Espírito Santo and hinterland States.
In addition, Porto Central benefits from its proximity with the offshore oil & gas fields that already produce a substantial amount of natural gas. Some fields in particular are expected to produce significant volume of gas that could become one of the main sources of gas supply in the country.
The port complex has been identified as one of the logistics solutions to receive a new offshore pipeline called “Route 6” to transport the associated gas from the production platforms to a gas processing unit in the industrial area of the port to be commercialized in the market.
Other investment planned is a new gas pipeline connecting the port to the GASMIG/GASBEL system in the State of Minas Gerais, accessing the 3rd largest GDP State in Brazil and an important industrial hub, by offering an alternative for further expansion of the gas supply for the state consumer market.
Porto Central’s Gas Energy Cluster will be very important to increase local energy production and secure power supply not only to meet the growing demand of Espírito Santo State, but also to deliver power into the national gas grid, accessing other hinterland markets.
