Latin American Energy: An Oil and Gas Market Overview

The CSIS Energy and National Security Program and the CSIS Americas Program are pleased to host David Voght and John Padilla, Managing Directors at IPD Latin America, to discuss recent developments in Latin American oil and gas markets. Carl Meacham, Director of the Americas Program at CSIS, will discuss the political implications of these shifts in the energy landscape. Sarah O. Ladislaw, Director and Senior Fellow at the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, will moderate.

Latin America's hydrocarbon potential has been widely discussed: the region is estimated to hold a fifth of the world's oil reserves and considerable shale gas potential. With recent improvements in the investment climates of several countries--most notably Mexico--coupled with expanded exploration elsewhere, including Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina and Colombia, the region has the resource potential to garner a larger role in the international energy landscape. Nonetheless, obstacles to increased production persist. Ranging from security issues to technological challenges to political hurdles, questions remain as to what the future will hold.