In a bid to tackle a prolonged fuel crisis, Bolivia’s state oil company, Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB), has made significant strides by incorporating the Chilean port of Mejillones into its import operations. This strategic move aims to augment fuel imports and ensure the nation’s energy demands are met efficiently.
The decision to utilize the Mejillones port alongside the existing port of Arica is part of a comprehensive effort to diversify import sources and alleviate supply chain constraints. By tapping into multiple countries for fuel procurement, YPFB guarantees that 100% of Bolivia’s market requirements, totaling 70 million liters of fuel, can be fulfilled seamlessly.
As YPFB President Armin Dorgathen highlighted,
“100 percent of what the market requires is guaranteed”
with this enhanced import approach. By expanding imports to include not just three but four nations, Bolivia strengthens its energy security and minimizes the risk of future shortages.
The recent fuel crisis in Bolivia can be attributed in part to delays in securing external financing worth US$1.67 billion due to legislative hurdles. This setback underscored the importance of investing in refining infrastructure and exploring alternative energy sources such as renewables to mitigate similar crises in the future.
Alejandro Gallardo, Bolivia’s Hydrocarbons Minister, lamented the impact of delayed financing on the country’s energy sector, noting that legislative obstacles had hindered progress for over two years. He emphasized the need for diversification in energy supplies and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels as key strategies moving forward.
To address immediate challenges and enhance distribution efficiency, YPFB is working closely with regulatory bodies like the National Hydrocarbons Agency. By streamlining coordination efforts and optimizing transport routes through initiatives like reactivating pipelines and opening new ports, YPFB aims to ensure equitable fuel distribution across all nine departments in Bolivia.
Álvaro Tumiri, YPFB Marketing Manager, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to meeting President Luis Arce’s directive of guaranteeing full market demand while striving to minimize supply bottlenecks promptly. Tumiri acknowledged operational challenges caused by disruptions at import points but reassured that efforts were underway to normalize supply chains swiftly.
Ariel Montaño, Vice President of Operations at YPFB, announced plans to import diesel and gasoline from neighboring countries like Paraguay, Argentina, Peru
and Chile to bridge domestic demand gaps effectively. This multi-sourced approach not only enhances supply reliability but also underscores Bolivia’s resilience in managing complex energy dynamics.
As YPFB navigates these operational enhancements and bolsters its import capabilities through diverse partnerships across Latin America — particularly with effective utilization of Chilean ports — it sets a precedent for proactive energy management strategies amid evolving global landscapes.
