BRASILIA: Brazilian imports of liquefied natural gas rebounded to 24.1 Bcf in March, an increase of nearly 48% compared with February imports, data from Platts unit Eclipse Energy showed.
The 7.8 Bcf build in imports compared with February comes as turnarounds at Brazil’s natural gas-fired power plants came to an end during March and as the nation begins preparing for the dry season, which runs from April through November.
In March 2014, imports totaled 27.6 Bcf as the country also geared up for an increase in power consumption associated with the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which Brazil hosted in June and July of that year.
“During the dry season Brazil only gets about one-third the amount of precipitation that the country receives during the humid season,” a Brazil-based market analyst said. “We’re entering unknown territory typically the reservoirs are closer to 60% this time of year.”
