The Brazilian ministry of energy unveiled its plans this week for the construction of gas pipelines through 2026. The plans estimate investments of $4 billion, covering five pipelines, the shortest of which is the 50 km, 12-inch diameter pipeline linking Barcarena and Belem, in the northern state of Para.
A 320 km long, 18-inch diameter pipeline will link Jacutinga and Uberaba, crossing the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.
A 318 km, 20-inch diameter pipeline will link Linhares, in the state of Espirito Santo and Governador Valadares in the state of Minas Gerais, both in the southeast region.
A 100 km, 22-inch diameter pipeline will link São João da Barra and Macaé, both in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
A 295 km, 28-inch diameter pipeline will link Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, to Taubaté, in the state of São Paulo.
The total demand for steel plates from the five units is estimated at 290,000 mt.
Although such plate demand could be met by domestic producers under normal market conditions, the idled plate rolling line at Usiminas’ Cubatão plant could be restarted in a short period to supply the additional demand.
Crude steel production of the Cubatão plant was idled in 2015, maintaining its rolling operations with outsourced slab.