YPF and Naturgy are preparing projects to inject biomethane into the natural gas network

The First SIBiogás International Symposium yielded several announcements in support of Argentina's bioenergy sector, with particular emphasis on the potential of biomethane as a solution for decarbonizing the energy matrix. YPF and Naturgy reported that they have received feasibility studies and are moving forward with various projects to inject biomethane into the natural gas network. This will open up a range of possibilities for diversifying its use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, even though there is still no minimum blending requirement. The majority state-owned company is preparing a pilot plant to be located at the Gorina Meatpacking Plant (Melchor Romero, Buenos Aires Province) to utilize the biogas already being produced in a biodigester. "We will take that biogas, upgrade it, and inject it into the Camuzzi Gas network," they stated.

“The project has already begun at the meatpacking plant, and the goal is to have it operational by mid-2025,” stated Florencia Cibau , New Energy Business Development Engineer at YPF. DREICON is the company carrying out the engineering and will undertake the construction work for the integration of the upgrading module and the remaining equipment. The project will be a pilot project, with a capacity of approximately 12,000 m³/day. “The interesting thing about the process is that we visited various biogas producers (landfills, agricultural and livestock waste, effluents), and we understood that for this first pilot project to drive the biomethane business, it had to be a plant with optimal biogas quality to maximize the efficiency of the facilities,” Cibau added.

Argentina's bioenergy sector proposes a minimum biomethane blend in gas pipelines

Naturgy, Argentina's second largest natural gas distributor by volume, is evaluating three cases for injecting biomethane into the network:

• Rioplatense Refrigeration
• Eitor Scania
• CEAMSE North III

The "Frigorífico Rioplatense" project is located in the town of General Pacheco (Buenos Aires province), where it is carrying out the work on an effluent treatment plant and a biodigester, which in the first instance will be to generate electricity, but once it scales up they do not rule out the possibility of injecting it into the Naturgy network. "The Eitor Scania project is located in the Zárate area and is a biogas plant in the analysis and feasibility stage.

"The advantage is that the distribution network is located close to the property, and we would like it to be expanded," he stated.

Gustavo González , head of Energy Solutions at Naturgy. While the CEAMSE Norte III project is the most "ambitious" undertaking in this area, as it is a waste disposal plant located in José León Suárez (Bs.

As.), although it is still in the feasibility analysis stage and is looking at how to address certain challenges the company faces.

"Injecting biomethane into Naturgy's distribution network is complicated by the need for a rather expensive external project, as it must cross the Reconquista River, so we are looking at alternatives to overcome this problem."

"Or if instead of using a gas pipeline, we could use biomethane across the river, making the project less expensive," González explained.