Bolivia opens national and international bidding for the distribution of natural gas

With the financial advisory service of CAF, the Bolivian government announced the opening of a national and international bidding process to grant concessions for the development of natural gas distribution networks in four areas of the country. The objective of the process is to connect approximately 200,000 new residential users in the next five years.

The Bolivian Ministry of Mining and Hydrocarbons (“the Ministry”), the Hydrocarbons Superintendency and the state oil company, Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos announced the opening of the bidding process.

To participate in the process, interested companies must have experience in operating a public distribution service system (natural gas, potable water, electricity or fixed telephony) serving at least 80,000 users; and must have a combined net worth of at least $75 million.

The Information Memorandum of the process is available on the website of the Ministry, www.hidrocarburos.gov.bo.

Interested parties can acquire the terms of reference in the offices of the Ministry in La Paz, Bolivia, or by electronic mail to minehidro@hidrocarburos.gov.bo.

The terms of reference will be on sale for the next two months.

Queries concerning the process can also be directed to CAF, Attention: Ignacio Fombona, Assistant Director at ifombona@caf.com.