Santos defines natural gas as one of the cheapest, cleanest and safest fuels

    March 21, 2013. The Minister of Mines and Energy of Colombia, Federico

Renjifo, announced that some studies were developed to design a liquefied

natural gas (LNG) plant to be built in the Colombian Caribbean in the coming

years.

   This work will facilitate the supply of gas to the country through sea ports

to which vessels come laden with this energy resource. The LNG would be a

safer alternative to ensure the provision of service throughout the country

continuously.

   For his part, President of the Republic, Juan Manuel Santos, said in his

opening speech of the XVI Naturgas Congress that the industry brought

competitiveness and welfare to the country, and that was due to the national

goal of building a more just, modern, safe and less inequality country.

   According to the report of the President, between August and December

2012 the sector gained 17.400 new industrial and commercial users. Due to

this growth have reduced the costs of production and gas industry is

currently one of the activities that create more jobs.

   The goal for 2013 is to have 785.000 new families in 950 towns with access

to natural gas for households and the purpose for this term is to reach one

million users. Currently more than six million families in 672 towns enjoy this

resource.

   Santos stressed the advantages of natural gas as one of the cheapest,

cleanest and safest fuels, so do not rule out the possibility to import it to

meet the demand of the industry and households so as to avoid rationing

scheme, although five new projects have entered into operation that

expanded production capacity to 223 million cubic, which represents one fifth

of consumption across the country.

   According to the chairman of the Board of Directors of Promigas and

Director of Naturgas, Antonio Celia, this is the century of natural gas. Figures

from the Colombian Association of Natural Gas indicates that 60% of

households across the country have this service, ie 960.000 users.

   Likewise, Celia reminded the public and private sector that natural gas for

vehicles is currently the most economical and environmental concerns fuel

and could become the most profitable option to supply public transport.

   (Quoted from http://www.gnvmagazine.com/eng/noticia- santos_defines_natural_gas_as_one_of_the_cheapest__cleanest_and_safest_

fuels-3007)