Natural gas in Brazil: a challenging market landscape

The Brazilian energy matrix is much diversified. Renewable energy accounts for more than 40 per cent of the primary energy offer, in the form of hydroelectricity and biomass – wood, charcoal, and sugarcane products. The bulk of electricity, 76 per cent, is produced by hydroelectric power plants. Brazil produces 2.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) of oil, most of which is consumed in the domestic market. Natural gas accounts for 12 per cent of the primary energy offer. In 2013 Brazil produced 28 billion cubic metres per year (bcm/year) of natural gas, of which 73 per cent is associated. Domestic production has been growing steadily; by the end of 2014 domestic production is expected to reach 31 bcm/year, a growth of 11 per cent when compared to 2013. However, half of the domestic production is consumed in Petrobras operations: reinjection, oil field and pipeline operations, refineries, and Petrobras’ own power generation. Local gas distribution companies (LDCs) market gas to all consumers in their exclusive geographic franchise areas