"There are two options: we either accept tariffs increase up to 5 percent as of October 1 and admit, at least partially, the [higher] import costs, or we postpone this until January 1 2009. The second option is more likely," sources said.
The current price for imports from
Company officials agree that imports are made at higher prices than those recognized. This will lead to higher losses for gas suppliers and distributors, "which, sooner or latter, will have to be admitted," according to Distrigaz Sud SA's Corporate Energy Transactions Manager, Cristian Dandu. Under these circumstances, "the increase in the final price will be higher and it would be better, for both final consumers and suppliers, that [price increase] is made gradually," he said. Thus Distrigaz Sud supports higher prices as of October 1.
The main gas distributors locally, Distrigaz Sud and E.ON, recently said they consider import prices up to $600-620 per 1,000 cubic meters.
