January 9, 2024 [LNG Prime]- Peru LNG, the operator of the 4.4 mtpa LNG plant at Pampa Melchorita, has increased its exports last year compared to the year before, and it also expects to boost the number of shipments in 2024.

US-based Hunt Oil holds a 50 percent operating stake in the Pampa Melchorita LNG plant, while SK and Marubeni have 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

LNG giant Shell also holds a 20 percent stake and takes all the volumes produced at the facility.

“In 2023, 55 vessels were loaded, totaling 3,692,637 metric tons,” Peru LNG told LNG Prime in emailed comments.

This compares to 51 vessels, totaling 3,474,259 metric tons, in 2022, it said.

Data by state-owned PeruPetro shows that the LNG plant shipped six cargoes in December to Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and UK.

Peru LNG shipped four LNG cargoes in November, four cargoes in October, and five cargoes in September.

The plant sent two cargoes in August after it completed scheduled maintenance, operator Hunt Oil previously told LNG Prime.

Peru LNG said that the main destinations in 2023 were United Kingdom and South Korea, and also Japan, China, Spain, France, Netherlands, and Canada.

“Regarding 2024, 60 vessels and 218 Tbtus are expected to be loaded,” Peru LNG said.

According to Peru LNG’s 2022 annual report, the plant loaded more than 60 vessels only in 2016 and in 2017.

In 2021, 38 vessels berthed to load LNG at the plant, 55 vessels in 2020, 58 vessels in 2019, 57 vessels in 2018, 64 vessels in 2017, 70 vessels in 2016, 56 vessels in 2015, 60 vessels in 2014, 57 vessels in 2013, 53 vessels in 2012, 55 vessels in 2011, and 23 vessels in 2011 when operations began.

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