Argentina has a long and proven track record in natural gas.
The first gas pipeline –linking Comodoro Rivadavia to Buenos Aires- was built in 1949. Since then, the use of natural gas has grown dramatically, carrying this service to the most densely populated areas of our country.
Today, there are some areas of the country which interms of distance and demande do not merit investments in gas pipelines. THEREFORE: “many areas are excluded from the wide national distribution network, without being able to enjoy the advantages of natural gas.”
In the face of this, many alternative solutions have been STUDIED, BUT, until now, there was no viable economic alternative.

TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM GALILEO HAS developed THE VIRTUAL PIPELINE. This natural gas transport system has revolutionizes the Natural Gas distribution and sales business, PUTTING an end to the restrictions of traditional distribution networks. The system is based on a “fully modular” design concept which permits quick, easy, and inexpensive construction of facilities which, in turn, allow proportional growth to an increased demand.

CORDOBA PROVINCE - ARGENTINE

The ambitious project of the southern part of the province of Cordoba is a working example of what the virtual pipeline can achieve. At present, a long awaited need has been met nearly 6,000 households in JOVITA, MATALDI, PUEBLO ITALIANO, SERRANO, VILLA VALERIA, VIAMONTE, ITALO and LA CESIRA. The cooperative associations of these towns, were in charge of the civil works, building of decompression stations, layout of distribution networks in each city, and internal household installations.

The MOTHER STATION was set up in General Levalle. For that purpose, a 10,000 m2 area –conditioned to work as the Compression and Distribution Center - was required.
Among the major works carried out there, we can mention: leveling works, perimeter wire fences, entrances, and construction of MAT platforms and MICROBOX compression system bases. Furthermore, separation, measurement and ordorization plants were built in order to link the virtual gas pipeline to the main gas pipeline of the national natural gas distribution network.
Two MICROBOX compressors (one electric and the other gas-driven) were installed in the terminal station to ensure the fast and effective filling of the MATs.
The transport system has 2 trailers especially designed for MAT transport. Each of them is fitted with the necessary elements to replace the empty modules by full ones, thus ensuring a fast and safe operation.
The entire operation is controlled through a modem-networked SCADA system.
This allows the monitoring and managing of the module replacement system in different towns, thus ensuring a continuous supply.