Peru has been hit with a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (GLP) and compressed natural gas (GNV) following a March 1 "deflagration" on the Camisea pipeline in Megantoni [10] district of Cuzco department. The explosion and fire caused major property damage in the rainforest settlement of Megantoni, according to Transportadora de Gas del Perú (TGP), the company responsible for the pipeline connecting the Camisea gasfields to a processing plant at Pisco on the coast. The incident resulted in an immediate rise of GNV and GLP prices, in turn leading to an internal energy crisis, with citizens nationwide standing in endless lines for a gas cylinder or a gallon of fuel. Taxi drivers and urban transport operators have raised fares and threatened a nationwide strike, demanding a government subsidy to continue working.
Despite this, Prime Minister Denisse Miralles, serving under Peru's recently seated [13] interim President José María Balcazar, stated to the press: "There is enough fuel of all kinds: GLP, diesel, everything. Therefore, there should not be a price hike. Prices rise when there is a shortage, but that is not the case; what we have is hoarding and speculation."
Nonetheless, repairs to the affected section of the disabled pipeline are being carried out. The cause of the incident is being investigated by Peru's Regulatory Agency for Investment in Energy & Mining (Osinergmin [14]). (Jurist [15], Andina [16], BNAmericas [17])
