Bechtel Plans Expansion in Latin America

Bechtel Group Inc. said a $2-billion contract to build a natural gas pipeline in Peru could lead to additional construction contracts in Latin America. Having won the Peru contract, the company’s biggest in Latin America to date, Bechtel said it’s considering construction work in Brazil, Argentina and Chile to expand its presence in the region. Peru could be the steppingstone to further work, the company said. “This is our biggest so far, but we’re very active in other areas” of Latin America as well, said Pat Wade, project services manager for the Camisea gas project in Peru. “But this is a very, very big project for us.” Bechtel beat out a competing bid from Fluor Daniel to build a 300-mile pipeline and related infrastructure from the Camisea natural gas field in eastern Peru to Lima on the Pacific coast. The contract was signed at a ceremony with President Alberto Fujimori at the presidential palace.