Bolivia, Brazil on natural gas

Bolivia: Bolivian Hydrocarbon Minister Oscar Coca informed that authorities from his country and Brazil will meet to analyze natural gas supply, Cambio Daily reported on Sunday.

Representatives from Bolivia's state company YPFB and Brazil's Petrobras are expected to meet before September 24, the source added. Coca noted the meeting's main objective is to agree on whether or not to maintain or increase export markets.

YPFB President Carlos Villegas referred to the possibility of changing the contract on gas sale to Brazil to adjust and establish fixed quotas, allowing Bolivia consolidate additional volumes for its local and international market.

In 1999, Brazil and Bolivia signed a 20-year-term gas contract that stipulated a supply starting at 5 million cubic meters, and likely to reach 31 millions in 2005.

Brazil recently asked for lesser volume, so YPFB is coping with several choices after the drop in exports to than country and Argentina.

La Paz, Monday, Prensa Latina