BG Group, through its subsidiary BG Bolivia, has interests in six exploration and exploitation licences. BG Bolivia operates three gas areas which include six fields and holds a participating interest in another three areas, which include two of the largest discovered natural gas condensate fields in the country, Margarita and Itau.

Following congressional approval in May 2007, new Operations Contracts became effective replacing the Shared Risk Contracts.

Bolivian production represented around 2.5% of Group production in 2007. Gas and liquids are delivered to the National Oil Company, YPFB, from fields in the La Vertiente, Los Suris and Caipipendi blocks to supply Brazilian, Argentine and domestic markets.

Key dates

1998
Margarita discovered

1999
Itau field discovered
Purchased Bolivian assets from Tesoro

2004
First production from Margarita Early Production Facility

2005
New hydrocarbons law passed in May

2006
Supreme Decree
(No. 28701/6) on Nationalisation issued

New Operations Contracts signed

2007
New contracts approved by Congress in April and became effective in May
Successful drilling of Huacaya X-1 well in Caipipendi Block

2008
Declaration of Commerciality on Huacaya discovery

 

100% Operations	back to top

Following the acquisition in 1999 of Tesoro Bolivia Petroleum Company’s assets, BG Group continues to hold and operate (100%) three exploitation and retention licences containing six fields.

La Vertiente

The 375 square kilometre La Vertiente exploitation block contains the La Vertiente, Escondido and Taiguati gas condensate fields. Production from these fields is processed at the La Vertiente plant and the natural gas and stabilised condensate are delivered to YPFB for subsequent marketing. Production from La Vertiente began in 1978 and from Escondido in October 1989.

Los Suris

The 50 square kilometre Los Suris exploitation block contains the Los Suris gas condensate field which began production in 1999. Production from this field is processed at the La Vertiente plant.

XX Tarija East

Two discovered gas condensate and oil fields, Ibibobo and Palo Marcado, in
XX Tarija East are held as Retention Areas awaiting development.

Caipipendi

BG Group has a 37.5% share in this Block, which contains the large Margarita gas condensate field lying in the 874 square kilometre Margarita exploitation area. Following discovery in November 1998, first production from Margarita began in December 2004 under an interconnection agreement with Petrobras for the temporary use of its gas and liquids lines. The Caipipendi block also contains several large gas condensate exploration leads and prospects. On the northern part of this block a new discovery was made at the end of 2007 after successful drilling of the Huacaya X-1 well by BG Bolivia and partners. In 2008, this partnership issued a Declaration of Commerciality in respect of this discovery.

XX Tarija West

BG Group has a 25% interest in the XX Tarija West block, which contains the Itau gas condensate field currently in retention.

Charagua

BG Group has a 20% interest in the 992 square kilometre Charagua Block, which contains the Itatiqui Retention Area.