Analysis

Caribbean Energy Synergies panelists Video

Caribbean Energy Synergies

To better understand the role of Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago both globally and in the Caribbean, the Inter-American Dialogue convened a group of experts as part of the event Caribbean Energy Synergies.

Michael Kerns

Event Summaries ˙

Photo of Rebecca Bill Chavez and President Irfaan Ali Video

A Conversation with Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali

On September 13, 2023, President Irfaan Ali joined Inter-American Dialogue President & CEO Rebecca Bill Chavez for a conversation on sustainable management of oil & gas revenue and the future of US-Guyana ties.

Bernarda Jarrín

Event Summaries ˙

Argentina will boost shipments of oil and natural gas to Chile as part of a bilateral agreement made between the two neighboring countries on April 4. A natural gas pipeline in Argentina’s Neuquén basin is pictured. // File Photo: Argentine Government.

Will Chile Be Able to Import More Gas From Argentina?

A Latin America Energy Advisor Q&A featuring experts’ viewpoints on Chile and Argentina’s agreement for collaboration in energy.

Fermín Koop, Ezequiel Fernández, Roland Huxley, Schreiner Parker, Gerardo Rabinovich, James F. Channing

Latin America Advisor ˙

Sylvia Escovar

Member in the News: Sylvia Escovar

Sylvia Escovar, former president and CEO of Organización Terpel S.A., was appointed as chairman of the Board of Directors for GeoPark, a leading independent Latin American oil and gas explorer, operator and consolidator with operations and growth platforms in Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador.

Sylvia Escovar

Member in the News ˙

Tania Ortiz Mena, Enrique Ochoa Reza, David Goldwyn, Lisa Viscidi

Private Roundtable on US-Mexico Energy Cooperation

The energy markets of the United States and Mexico are deeply integrated, to the benefit of both countries and their economies. The new US administration has a clear interest in preserving and expanding this fruitful relationship while advancing its ambitious clean energy and climate goals, both at home and abroad. On March 11, the Inter-American Dialogue held a private roundtable on US-Mexico energy cooperation.

Event Summaries ˙

Cover of UCSD US-Mexico Forum 2025 Energy & Sustainability Report showing a wind farm

US-Mexico Forum 2025: Energy and Sustainability Report

The world is in a transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 that will change the way we use and produce energy and shape the sustainability of our planet. This paper, published by UC San Diego, addresses how Mexico and the United States can use their energy resources to deliver jobs, economic prosperity, and social justice at this transformational juncture in history, examining three areas fundamental to the US-Mexico energy relationship: sustainability; hydrocarbons; and gas, power, and renewables.

Lisa Viscidi, Carlos Pascual, Angélica Ruiz, David Crisostomo, Samantha Gross, Verónica Irastorza, Alejandra León, Jeremy Martin, John McNeece, Isabel Studer

Reports ˙ ˙ UC San Diego

Ricardo Zuniga, Thiago Barral, Nestor Forster Jr, Fernanda Delgado, Lisa Viscdi

Private Roundtable on US-Brazil Energy & Climate Cooperation

Energy and climate change are important aspects of the US-Brazil relationship and will only become more prominent under the Biden administration. Brazil and the US are important diplomatic and trade partners in the hemisphere, and both countries have the potential to make major contributions to combating climate change and developing more sustainable and reliable energy systems. In collaboration with FGV Energia, on February 26, the Inter-American Dialogue held a private virtual roundtable on US-Brazil energy and climate cooperation.

Event Summaries ˙

Pictures of the Amazon rainforest and solar panels with a blue wash

Combating Climate Change with Extractives Revenues

As economies seek to rebuild in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis, there is an opportunity to accelerate climate change mitigation and adaptation and shape more sustainable economic models. Revenues from the extractive industries can provide crucial resources in this effort, according to a new report by the Inter-American Dialogue.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham

Reports ˙

Report Cover for Latin American State Oil Companies and Climate Change

Latin American State Oil Companies and Climate Change: Decarbonization Strategies and Role in the Energy Transition

Latin American national oil companies (NOCs) have made important advances in slashing emissions from their operations through techniques such as reducing flaring, improving energy efficiency, and injecting CO2 for enhanced oil recovery, according to a new report by the Inter-American Dialogue and the Inter-American Development Bank. Yet, progress in producing lower carbon energy sources for consumers has been sluggish, no Latin American NOC has committed to net zero emissions, and for some companies emissions are on the rise, the report finds.

Lisa Viscidi, Sarah Phillips, Paola Carvajal, Carlos Sucre

Reports ˙ ˙ Download Report

A terminal operated by Brazilian state oil company is pictured. // File Photo: Petrobras.

How Are Plunging Oil Prices Changing Petrobras’ Strategies?

What consequences does the global context—with both lower prices and falling demand—have on Petrobras’ long-term strategies and on Brazil’s oil and gas sector in general?

Nathália Weber Neiva Masulino, Vera de Brito de Gyarfas, Cleveland Jones, John Forman

Energy Advisor ˙

Video

Impacts of Politics and Oil Price Collapse on South America’s Smaller and Emerging Producers

Political changes are shaping the outlook in many of South America’s smaller and emerging oil and gas producers, including Guyana, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. At a webinar co-hosted by the Inter-American Dialogue and the National Capital Area Chapter of the United States Association for Energy Economics (NCAC-USAEE), panelists discussed how political developments and the oil price decline are likely to impact producers in the region.

Sarah Phillips

Event Summaries ˙

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last month created a commission with the aim of revamping the country’s oil industry, which he said was in a state of emergency. // File Photo: Venezuelan Government.

What Does Maduro’s ‘Energy Emergency’ Mean for Venezuela?

How much will the latest sanctions hurt Venezuela’s oil production and exports, and will the move ultimately result in significantly more pressure on Maduro to step down?

Francisco J. Monaldi, Massimiliano Ballotta, Javier Coronado, Arturo H. Banegas Masiá, Richard N. Sawaya

Energy Advisor ˙

PDVSA gas station in Venezuela

Can Venezuela’s Oil Industry Ever Recover?

Once a major OPEC producer, Venezuela has witnessed a spectacular fall in oil production over the last 20 years under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. In 2019, U.S. sanctions hastened this decline. Will Venezuela ever reclaim its place as a top oil producer?

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham

Articles & Op-Eds ˙ ˙ Houston Chronicle

Venezuelan flag Video

Can Western companies save Venezuela’s oil sector? Do they want to?

Lisa Viscidi and Nate Graham spoke with S&P Global Platts about the findings of a new report which argues that Western oil companies will be needed to revive Venezuela’s oil sector. They discuss the obstacles that could affect whether these firms increase production in the country under a new government, including US sanctions uncertainty, high taxes, and a shortage of workers and working infrastructure.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham, Brian Scheid, Meghan Gordon

Interviews ˙ ˙ S&P Global Platts