La Paz- The Bolivian government is today prioritizing several investment and prospecting projects to increase the production of natural gas to about 80 million cubic meters a day by 2020.

According to the Hydrocarbons and Energy Minister, Luis Alberto Sanchez, current gas production in the country has reached 60 million cubic meters (mmcmd) a day.

The increase of 20 mmcmd is due to the implementation of projects that counteract the natural decline of the fields, the minister said yesterday.

This will ensure supply to the domestic market and honor export commitments, he said.

The minister stated that in August the production of the Aquio-Incahuasi plant, in the department of Santa Cruz, is expected to begin operations. The plan is to add 6.7 mmcmd to the availability of the resource.

Bolivia expects to increase oil and gas exploration in the coming years, to become the energy heart of the region.