Soboce invests $30 million to modernize the Warnes cement plant.

Sociedad Boliviana de Cemento S.A. (Soboce) decided to invest around $30 million to modernize the Warnes cement plant (Santa Cruz). The new milling system, previously horizontal, is characterized by lower energy use, higher production capacity, and a better relationship with the environment. With the new mill, the plant will have a monthly production capacity of 59,400 tons of cement.

Natural gas consumption in the domestic market rose to 14 MMm3/d

According to data from YPFB Transporte, in the last 15 years, the demand for natural gas for the domestic market has increased from 4 million cubic meters per day (MMm3/d) to 14 MMm3/d. Furthermore, the need for this energy source has grown 250% since 2006, an aspect that positively impacts the economy. As a result, the state-owned company seeks to reduce operating costs.

Petrobras Bolivia has had its bank accounts frozen for 55 days

Petrobras Bolivia's bank accounts have frozen by order of the agro-environmental court of Entre Ríos (Tarija) since April 14. Petrobras informed that it could not make any pending payments due to the freezing of its accounts due to the precautionary measure. Judge Hesse set the payment of $61.1 million as payment for using the Baldivieso Vacaflor family's land in the first instance of the trial.

Siderúrgica Las Lomas will produce 60% of the steel demanded by the country

The Bolivian company Las Lomas has been thinking about building a steel plant in the country for eight years. Work began four years ago. Last February, operations started in the rolling sector and, at the end of July, the production of corrugated steel will start. With an investment of 177 million dollars, Las Lomas will produce 200 thousand tons of corrugated steel per year, equivalent to approximately 60 per cent of the national demand.

Bermejo sugar mill expects to produce 600,000 quintals of sugar

Industrias Agrícolas de Bermejo Sociedad Anónima (IABSA) has the mill ready to start the sugarcane harvest on the 15th of this month. It plans to mill 350,000 metric tons of sugarcane and estimates to obtain 600,000 quintals of sugar and 2 million litres of alcohol.

Unagro to produce 3.1 million quintals of sugar this year

The Unagro Sugar Mill began the 2021 harvest to reach 3.1 million quintals of sugar and 27.9 million litres of alcohol this year to reduce gasoline imports by producing ethanol as a substitute.

YPFB to sell gas for five years to Brazil’s MTGás

Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) and the company Mato-grossense de Gas (MTGás, Brazil) signed a "firm contract" for the commercialization of natural gas for five years for nine dollars per million BTU (British thermal unit). The contract will run from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2026. Natural gas supply volumes will range between 133 and 215 MMCD (thousands of cubic meters per day).

YPFB forecasts oil revenue of $3.5 bn from Charagua well

Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) reported yesterday that the state-owned oil company plans to obtain $3.5 billion in oil revenues from the Charagua X-1 well, drilling of which will begin in 2022.

Business people estimate a $2.87 million loss due to rigid quarantine in Cochabamba

The Federation of Private Businessmen of Cochabamba (FEPC) informed that the rigid quarantine carried out last week has generated a loss of approximately 20 million bolivianos in the departmental productive apparatus.

Petrobras rejects $61.1 million lawsuits and announces defence

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) informs that its integral subsidiary Petrobras Bolivia S.A. (PEB) was ordered in the first instance to pay compensation for using the property where the San Alberto field facilities located in the amount of $61.1 million, plus interest and costs. The judgment also imposes precautionary measures against the oil company. PEB informs that it appealed to a higher instance, such as the Agro-environmental Court of Sucre, where the case evaluates currently.