Argentina, Qatar study construction of LNG terminal

* Argentina building second LNG terminal, studies a third

* Qatar is top LNG supplier, demand grows in South America

BUENOS AIRES Jan 18 (Reuters) - Argentina and Qatar signed an accord on Tuesday to study construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, which would allow the South American country to further boost its imports of the fuel.

Argentina's Planning Ministry said the terminal would be developed in the southern province of Rio Negro. The country has one LNG port in the city of Bahia Blanca and another facility is being built in Escobar, close to the capital.

The third terminal would let Argentina import up to 20 million cubic meters per day of Qatari LNG, the ministry said in a statement.

South America has become a key LNG importing region since imports began into Argentina and Brazil in 2008. The region operates five import terminals, two each in Chile and Brazil and one in Argentina's Bahia Blanca. [ID:nN01162057]

(Graphic on LNG imports: r.reuters.com/byd53q)

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez is on an official visit to Qatar, the world's top LNG exporter. (Reporting by Magdalena Morales and Helen Popper; Editing by David Gregorio) (helen.popper@thomsonreuters.com; +54 11 4318 0655; Reuters Messaging: helen.popper.reuters.com@reuters.net))