Petrobras starts third train at Sabalo natural gas processing plant in Bolivia
By JEFF FICK
Petrobras said Monday it has started a third train at the Sabalo natural gas processing plant in Bolivia, part of an expansion at the country's San Antonio exploration block.
The third processing train, which cost $115 million to build, is part of a second phase of development at the Sabalo field that will 
include three new natural gas wells, Petrobras said.
Total investments for the second development phase will be about $300 million, the company added.
Petrobras operates the field and has a 35% stake in it, while YPFB Andina holds 50% and France's Total has the remaining 15%.
Brazilian state-run Petrobras has ramped up investments in Bolivia recently. Petrobras lost some facilities when Bolivian President Evo Morales nationalized Bolivia's natural gas industry.
Bolivia is a key supplier of natural gas to Brazil, supplying about 30 million cubic meters per day via pipeline.
About 70% of the natural gas consumed in Sao Paulo, Brazil's industrial hub, comes from Bolivia.
With the third processing train operational, natural gas production at the San Antonio block will rise to 17 million cubic meters per day, Petrobras said.
That will climb to about 19 million cubic meters per day when another well comes on stream in June, the company added.
Dow Jones Newswires
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