Pipeline
Purpose: The pipeline transports natural gas, a clean energy source, to Matto Grosso, Brazil.

Route: Chiquitos Station to San Matías, Santa Cruz, on the border with Brazil.

Position: The pipeline is buried 1 meter deep over 95% of the pipeline, and buried deeper in the river basins, main crossroads, and rail crossroads. Surface installations occur only in metering stations and main line block valves.

Length: 362 km.

Diameter: 18”

Material: Steel pipe API 5LX-65, coated with Fusion Bonded Epoxy, and Cathodic protection system.

Capacity: 2.8 million cubic meters per day, without intermediate compression plants. With compression, up to 7.5 million cubic meters per day.

Maximum Permitted Pressure: 1440 psi.

Valves
Purpose: Main valves allow the quick isolation of pipeline sections for the purpose of safe testing, maintenance, and repairs. Side off-take valves enable open access to future interconnections. Providing open access is required by Bolivian law.

Quantity: 16 main valves, 18”diameter.
3 side off-take valves, 4” diameter.

Automatic Actuators: There currently are 7 automatic actuators installed and operating in the main line valves. These actuators automatically shut down the system in the event that a sudden drop in pressure is detected, or when the supported pressure drop reaches defined limit values. Either case might indicate a possible gas leak.

Other Company Facilities
Supervising and Control Center in Santa Cruz de la Sierra: The high-tech Control Center makes possible the use of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, telemetry, and other systems. These systems, which control field operating variables 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, make real-time control possible. Work can be evaluated more quickly, and immediate decisions can be made, resulting in the greatest safety and security.

Two Metering Stations:
GasOriente’s two metering stations are located at the Chiquitos Station (where gas is taken into the pipeline) and the San Matías Station (where gas is delivered) at the Bolivia-Brazil border. Both stations have a modern metering system and satellite communications system in which ultrasonic meters and remote flow computers continually transmit operating information to the Supervising and Control Center in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Safe Operations
Recognizing the overriding importance of safety, GasOriente Boliviano strictly complies with the Bolivian regulation on design, construction, operation and withdrawal of pipelines and with the ASME B31.8 Standard, as required by the Hydrocarbon Superintendence. In all aspects, company operations are in accordance with international health, security and environment standards.