Liquefied natural gas road transport: a simulation study in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this article is to evaluate the viability of transporting Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) by truck in the Mato Grosso (MT) state, Brazil, comparing the costs of substituting other energy sources for the Bolivian Natural Gas (NG) and estimating the potential available market in the five mesoregions of the state. The simulation results show a potential NG market of 2.1 MMm3/day at a competitive cost compared to the assessed fuels in the economic sectors evaluated in the MT state. LNG transported by road has shown to be more advantageous than electric energy and diesel oil. On the other hand, fuel oil costs were slightly lower than NG costs. This simulation can serve as inspiration to extend the use of small-scale LNG by road in states or countries with similar characteristics, especially those with the possibility of the constant supply of NG and limited pipeline network.