Frontera Energy and Ecopetrol have confirmed that the regasification terminal at Puerto Bahía will start operations with 126 million cubic feet per day (Mpcd) of gas by the end of 2026. The project will use existing infrastructure and involves a US$80 million investment from Frontera. The companies urge speeding up environmental and infrastructure permits.
Frontera Energy and Ecopetrol are progressing on a key project to supply gas in Colombia using the Puerto Bahía terminal, which already handles imports of GLP, crude, and vehicles.
Frontera Energy CEO Orlando Cabrales specified that the initial regasification volume will be 126 Mpcd for the first two years, potentially expanding to 370 Mpcd from the third year. "The initial regasification volume will be 126 million cubic feet per day in the first two years and, from the third year, could expand to 370 Mpcd," Cabrales stated.
Ecopetrol interim president Juan Carlos Hurtado stressed the need to expedite a permit from Anla and licensing from ANI. "The idea is for ANI to complete the minor change we need by the end of this month," he said. The US$80 million investment comes from Frontera Energy.
The terminal will supply 60% of the interior country's gas demand initially and up to 40% of the national demand of 1,000 Mpcd at full capacity. The process drew interest from 44 companies, with volumes assigned to three. Cabrales noted lessons from the Middle East conflict on the importance of resilient energy infrastructure.