Central & South America

Ecopetrol: With Reserves of Its Own, Colombia Does Not Need Venezuela's Gas

Colombia can go without Venezuelan natural gas because of promising offshore developments of its own, Felipe Bayon, chief executive of state-controlled oil company Ecopetrol, told Reuters.

YPF CEO: Green Light for Argentina's Gas Project with Petronas to Come in 2024

Argentina's state-controlled energy firm YPF and Malaysia's Petronas expect to make a final decision next year on whether to invest in the first phase of a massive $60 billion natural gas project in Argentina, the head of YPF said on Wednesday.

Ecopetrol: Colombia Oil Pipeline Attack Causes Environmental Damage

An attack on an oil pipeline near a refinery in the Colombian city of Barrancabermeja has led to environmental damage but caused no injuries, majority state-owned oil company Ecopetrol said.

Guyana Sees Natural Gas as The Next Frontier After Oil

Guyana, the South American country that is home to the world's largest oil discoveries in a decade, next wants to develop its mostly untapped natural gas reserves, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said on Sunday.

Global News - March 2023

Latest industry news and developments

Trinidad to Begin Negotiations for Gas Deal with Venezuela in March

A deal would help revive the nation's gas production, which contributes a large part of its export revenue and has been in decline. The joint venture could supply gas to Trinidad's liquefied natural gas and petrochemical industry.

Source: Argentine Congress to Take Up LNG Law in March After Delay

A law aimed at boosting Argentina's LNG industry, with an eye toward future exports, will be taken up in March after a delay blamed on disputes over legislative fine print, a energy ministry source told Reuters on Tuesday.

Indian Energy Company ONGC Videsh Eyes Oil, Gas 'Hot Spots' in Africa, Latin America

ONGC Videsh is looking for exploration and production investment opportunities in Africa and Latin America, such as in Ghana and Surinam. OVL currently has a stake in 32 oil and gas projects in 15 countries, spanning projects in various phases, including exploration, development, production and pipelines.

Trinidad Hopes to Soon Begin Negotiations with Venezuela on Gas Project

Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Keith Rowley on Friday told the Parliament his government had been in touch with Venezuela following a U.S. license to jointly develop a key gas field, and the first meetings to begin negotiations have been set up.

Trinidad Offers to Pay for Venezuelan Gas with Humanitarian Supplies

Trinidad and Tobago would pay Venezuela for natural gas produced at an offshore development with humanitarian supplies like food and medicine, Prime Minister Keith Rowley said, to comply with a U.S. license prohibiting cash payments to the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Argentina Inks $540 Million Deal with Development Bank for Gas Projects

Argentina's government reached a $540 million deal with development bank CAF for the extension of natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure linked to the country's Vaca Muerta basin, Economy Minister Sergio Massa announced on Wednesday.

Jobo-Medellin Gas Pipeline Tabbed as Colombia’s Priority Project

(P&GJ) – The Canadian company Canacol Energy signed an agreement with the Shanghai Engineering and Technology Corp. (SETCO) consortium to build a gas pipeline. The 189-mile (289-km), 22-inch pipeline, from the Jobo gas processing facility to the city of Medellin, was declared part of the National Strategic Interest policy by the Colombian government.

US Issues License to Trinidad and Tobago to Develop Venezuela Offshore Gas Field

The Biden administration has granted a license to Trinidad and Tobago to develop a major gas field located in Venezuelan territorial waters, U.S. and Trinidad officials said on Tuesday, marking a further easing of some sanctions on Venezuela.

Argentina Pumps Record Shale Oil as Vaca Muerta Takes Off

Argentina posted record production of shale oil in December, the energy ministry said on Tuesday, as development of the country's huge Vaca Muerta shale formation fuels output gains.

Guyana's Oil Exports Double, with Europe Taking Half of Cargoes

Guyana's oil exports jumped 164% last year, boosted by growing output and demand for the newest Latin American oil producer's light sweet crudes, particularly in Europe, where thirsty refiners ramped up imports to replace Russian supplies.

Global Pipeline Construction Outlook 2023

(P&GJ) — Seldom has a new year arrived with the degree of supply and demand uncertainty facing global energy markets at the start of 2023. Pipeline & Gas Journal's annual survey of global construction activity reflects a renewed emphasis on energy security after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Analysis: Argentina’s Vaca Muerta Shale Boom Running Out of Road

Argentina’s booming shale production in Vaca Muerta, a formation that rivals the United States’ Permian Basin, is at risk of running out of road as infrastructure to handle the oil and gas nears capacity, threatening to put the brakes on rapid growth.

Argentina Bags $689 Million from Brazilian Bank for Vaca Muerta Pipeline Project

Argentina has secured financing of $689 million from Brazilian state development bank BNDES for the second stage of a crucial natural gas pipeline in the huge Vaca Muerta shale region, energy secretary Flavia Royon said on Monday.

Contract Awarded for Construction of 48-Mile Pipeline Near Buenos Aires

(P&GJ) — The Argentine operator Camuzzi Gas has awarded the Bahisa company a contract to build a 48-mile (72-km) gas pipeline from the city of Trenque Lauquen, west of Buenos Aires, to the city of America.

Excelerate Energy's LNG Plant in Argentina Could Be Completed by 2025

Excelerate Energy, a U.S. company that provides storage and regasification services for LNG globally, could complete its planned gas liquefaction plant in Argentina by 2025, according to an executive.

Pipeline Fire Ignited by Gas Leak Leaves Five Injured in Ecuador

Ecuadorean state oil company Petroecuador said on Thursday five people were injured in a fire caused by a leak in a pipeline that carries gas to a refinery in the South American country's Amazon region.

Trinidad Soon to Decide on Bids for Deepwater Gas Exploration Auction

Trinidad and Tobago's Cabinet will make a decision soon on bids submitted for four deepwater exploration blocks that are key to expanding its natural gas production, Energy Minister Stuart Young said.

Argentina’s YPF Nearly Triples Q3 Profit on Upped Production, Prices

Argentina's national oil company YPF reported on Wednesday it nearly tripled its third-quarter net profit compared to the same period last year as production and prices rose.

Gas Producer Pampa to Invest $550 Million in Vaca Muerta Shale Push Next Year

Pampa Energía, the third largest gas producer in Argentina's Neuquén basin, will invest $550 million in 2023 to increase its unconventional production from the huge Vaca Muerta shale formation, the firm's president Marcelo Mindlin said.

Trinidad Asks US to Allow Venezuelan Gas Imports for LNG Plant

The government of Trinidad and Tobago is asking the United States to authorize Venezuelan gas imports to restart an idled liquefaction train in the Caribbean nation, four sources close to the talks said.

Trinidad Plans LNG Hub to Help Caribbean Wean Off Oil

Trinidad and Tobago's state-owned gas company has started work on designing a small-scale LNG hub that could help the Caribbean move away from oil-based power generation

Argentina Readies Legislation to Advance Energy Sector, Including LNG Exports

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez on Wednesday said his government plans in coming days to submit legislation to the national congress that "would give certainty" to energy producers and help advance Argentina's LNG agenda.

TotalEnergies to Support New Gas Project in Argentina with 21-Mile Pipeline

The Fenix field will be developed through three horizontal wells, drilled from a new unmanned platform in 70 m (229 ft) water depth. The gas will be transported through a 35-km (21-mile) pipeline to the TotalEnergies-operated Véga Pleyade platform and treated onshore at the Rio Cullen and Cañadon Alfa plants, also operated by the company.

Pipeline Operator Oldelval to Invest $750 Million in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta Pipeline

Argentine oil pipeline operator Oleoductos del Valle (Oldelval) will invest $750 million to double its transport capacity from the Vaca Muerta shale formation, the country's energy ministry announced Friday, hoping to boost exports and dollar reserves.

Sources: YPF, Petronas Expected to Enter Deal to Build New Gas Pipeline in Argentina

Argentine oil company YPF and Malaysian state energy firm Petronas are in talks over plans to build a new gas pipeline in the South American nation and an LNG plant, a source close to YPF told Reuters on Thursday.