Creating a Virtual Pipeline: Opportunities & Obstacles for Small Scale LNG in Central America

Synopsis: An untapped LNG market exists in Central America. According to IHS Markit reports, the region is projected to quadruple its installed natural gas capacity from 1 gigawatt (GW) in 2020 to 5 GW by 2040. Consumption capacity is projected to increase from 1 million cubic meters per day (MMcm/day) to roughly 15 MMcm/day. On the other hand, the region’s power and transportation infrastructure lack connectivity, which presents opportunities for scalable, plug-and-play fuels such as LNG.

Currently, LNG supplies Central America’s first gas-fired power plant in Panama. Furthermore, local companies established a small market for LNG shipments by land in Panama and Costa Rica. This market could be expanded to other Central American countries, based either on LNG delivered to the existing AES facility in Panama, or other facilities such as the proposed LNG-to-power project at the Port of Acajutla, El Salvador.

Objective: The meeting will bring together leaders in government, finances, and the LNG sector to focus on the following key areas:

• Advantages of increasing distribution of and adaptation to small-scale LNG;
• Small-scale LNG infrastructure and virtual pipelines for import and export;
• LNG suppliers and sources; and
• Potential for industrial use of small-scale LNG.

Audience: Government officials, international financial institutions, and private sector.

Format: Virtual.  Proceedings will be conducted in English and Spanish, and simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

11:30 AM               Welcome Remarks

                                Kim Osborne, Executive Secretary for Integral Development, OAS

                                Assistant Secretary Steve Winberg, U.S. Department of Energy

11:40 AM               Keynote Speaker

                                Secretary Jorge Rivera Staff, National Secretary of Energy Panama

11:50 AM               Panel Session

     Panelists:         –   Wes Edens, CEO, New Fortress Energy

                                –  Mauricio Gabriel Kattan, Director, Kattan Group

                                –  Daniel Gutierez, Ambassador of Belize to the United States

                                –  Sean Lalani, CEO, Eagle LNG

                                –  Ariel Yépez, Energy Division Chief, Inter-American Development Bank*

     Moderator:        Nick Fulford, Global Head of Gas and LNG, Gaffney Cline

12: 45 PM               Q & A Session

01:00 PM​               Closure