Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Natural Gas Country Notes

In terms of natural gas reserves, Peru is placed in the middle rank of South American countries, alongside Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. The Peruvian WEC Member Committee reports proved recoverable reserves as 11 927 660 million cubic feet (337.7 bcm) at end-2005. Some published sources (Cedigaz, BP) concur, but OGJ and World Oil specify a lower figure (247 bcm) which probably reflects the end-2003 level.

The WEC Member Committee also reports that 97.4% of Peru's 'proved reserves' are non-associated and that reserves recoverable, in addition to the proved amount, are some 193 bcm - this reflects the level of 'probable reserves' published by the Ministerio de Energía y Minas, which also quotes 'possible reserves' of 11 612 bcf (329 bcm) in its Anuario Estadístico de Hidrocarburos 2005.

Gas output used to be mostly associated with oil production, but the coming on-stream of Pluspetrol's non-associated gas production in the Selva Sur has radically altered the situation, such that less than 17% of gross production in 2005 was associated with oil production. An appreciable proportion of production (68% in 2005) is re-injected. Flaring and shrinkage are reported to be on a small scale.

Marketed production of gas averaged about 0.4 bcm/yr from around 1990 until 2003 but rose sharply in 2004 and 2005, with Pluspetrol's new output. Electricity generation accounts for about 80% of Peru's gas consumption.