July 1, 2022. The Brazilian state of Sergipe is on the way to the new natural gas market. As a result, the installation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) unit to supply vehicles at the J. Macário III station, located on the outskirts of the city of Lagarto, is planned. The project is the result of a partnership between Petrobahia and New Fortress Energy (NFE), and seeks to bring gas to the interior of some states in the Northeast.
The idea was immediately accepted by the owners of the filling station since, in addition to being economical, LNG is an ecologically correct product, with lower emissions of carbon particles (CO²) into the atmosphere. “We showed them how the whole process worked and they were very interested. They understood that it allows them to serve the market for vans, taxis and vehicles that provide intercity transportation”, explains the Commercial Manager of Petrobahia, Clécio Santana.
During the process of presenting the project, the owners of J. Macário III visited a facility that has been operating in Vitória da Conquista/Bahia almost a year ago. At that station, the forecast was for consumption to reach 60,000 cubic meters per month, however, in eight months it was already selling 200,000 cubic meters monthly, a fact that further motivated the owners of the unit in Lagarto.
According to the Commercial Manager of Petrobahia, one of the advantages of the initiative is the quality of the product. LNG contains a higher purity content than the gas that is normally traded through the pipeline. That is why it burns better, both for the vehicular and industrial segments, reinforces Santana.
“The expectation is that by the end of 2022 the station will be operating and supplying vehicles in the central-southern region of Sergipe. We believe that from this pioneering experience, from this facility in Lagarto, very soon we will be able to have other facilities that also offer LNG in Itabaiana, Nossa Senhora da Glória and Umbaúba,” affirms the Executive Superintendent of the Secretary of State for Economic Development, Marcelo Menezes.
