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Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

2011

Industry

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What Strategies Are Guiding Chinese Investments In Brazil?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Nov 2011

What Strategies Are Guiding Chinese Investments In Brazil?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

China's Sinopec announced last week that has agreed to buy a 30 percent stake in the Brazilian unit of Portugal's Galp for almost $5.2 billion, the latest in a series of Chinese companies' ventures into the Brazilian energy sector, Dow Jones reported. What role is the Asian country playing in the Brazilian energy sector, and how is it likely to develop? What strategies are guiding Chinese companies' investments? Is Brazil benefitting from these acquisitions? Will there likely to be pushback against such investments?


Will The Ethanol Sector In Brazil See Major Changes?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Nov 2011

Will The Ethanol Sector In Brazil See Major Changes?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

Brazil's Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) further decreased its forecast for the 2011- 2012 harvest in the south center region, which is responsible for 90 percent of the country's production. The organization now expects a drop of some 12 percent from the 2010-2011 harvest of 557 million tons. Among the reasons for the fall in output are lower agricultural productivity, unfavorable weather conditions and new diseases and infestations. Is the ethanol sector likely to see similar problems in the future? What role will biofuels play in Brazil's short to medium term energy future? Is the government likely to make any significant …


What Accounts For The Drop In Price Of Wind Power?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Sep 2011

What Accounts For The Drop In Price Of Wind Power?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

In a Brazilian energy auction last month, companies agreed to sell power at the world's cheapest rates for wind energy, leading some analysts to speculate that developers will have difficulty fulfilling those contracts, Bloomberg News reported Aug. 31. Recently completed auctions in Peru and Uruguay similarly saw prices for wind power fall significantly, and the Uruguayan government is now considering purchasing four times as much energy than expected from wind farms. What accounts for the dramatic drop in price for wind power? Is the trend likely to continue in these countries and elsewhere? Will companies have trouble fulfilling the contracts?


How Will Leadership Changes Affect Colombia's Oil Sector?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Sep 2011

How Will Leadership Changes Affect Colombia's Oil Sector?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

This month, Colombia gained a new energy minister, economist Mauricio Cardenas, but lost long time National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) head, Armando Zamora, amid allegations that oil royalties had been misused and scholarships had been unfairly given to relatives of top officials. Zamora has denied wrongdoing, and suggested social protests posed a bigger threat to the sector than corruption. Meanwhile, protests last week forced Canada's Pacific Rubiales, one of the largest oil producers in Colombia, to declare force majeure before coming to an agreement with demonstrators. What will the changes at the top of the energy ministry and ANH mean for …


Is The U.S. Likely To Engage With Cuba On Offshore Drilling?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Sep 2011

Is The U.S. Likely To Engage With Cuba On Offshore Drilling?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

A delegation from the United States organized by the Environmental Defense Fund and the International Association of Drilling Contractors traveled to Cuba earlier this month to evaluate the Caribbean nation's long-term drilling plans. Cuba is expected to begin exploring its offshore reserves in November, leading some U.S. lawmakers and industry experts, in the wake of the BP gulf oil spill, to raise safety and environmental concerns. Will Cuba be able to safely regulate its oil industry? Is the United States likely to engage with the Castro government to establish contingency plans and safety precautions? What special steps should be taken …


What Is The Future Of Trinidad And Tobago's Oil And Gas Sector?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Aug 2011

What Is The Future Of Trinidad And Tobago's Oil And Gas Sector?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

According to an audit by Ryder Scott released in August, Trinidad and Tobago's proven gas reserves have fallen for a fourth straight year. While officials have said that the country needs to boost exploration and open up new markets, lower prices and reduced demand from the United States pose additional challenges to attracting new investment, according to analysts. What is the medium- to long-term future of Trinidad and Tobago's oil and gas sector? How can it attract new investment and fund E&P activities in the current business environment? How might scarce supplies affect the country's manufacturing sector, which has been …


How Should Mexico's State-Run Pemex Be Reformed?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Aug 2011

How Should Mexico's State-Run Pemex Be Reformed?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

In an interview with Fortune, the CEO of Mexico's Pemex, Juan José Suárez Coppel, described the state oil company's problems as having ""too many cooks in the kitchen,"" adding that efficiency gets lost. Coppel suggested that sweeping changes would have advantages and though they are unlikely to occur this year, could happen in the future. Will energy policy and changes to Pemex play a significant role in the next election? If so, which proposals are likely to be debated? What steps should Pemex take to increase efficiency within its current limitations? How should the company be reformed in the medium …


Should Per's State-Run Energy Companies Play A Bigger Role?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Aug 2011

Should Per's State-Run Energy Companies Play A Bigger Role?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

Peru's state-owned energy companies may play a greater role under the administration of newly-inaugurated President Ollanta Humala, Peruvian Minister of Energy and Mines Carlos Herrera said last month, according to Reuters. Herrera added that the idea would be for state companies, such as Petroperú and Electroperú, to have a greater role in state management and the ""general idea is for the capital to be private."" Should Peru's state-run companies be expanded or reformed? If so, in what way and how should the private sector be involved? Would Brazil and Colombia be good models to follow?


What Is The Outlook For Colombia's Oil Sector?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Aug 2011

What Is The Outlook For Colombia's Oil Sector?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

In the wake of Colombia's ratings upgrade to investment status earlier this year and strong second-quarter profits, Colombian state-run oil company Ecopetrol announced last month that it would sell $1.4 billion of stock to pay for investments aimed at doubling production. The company added that it would increase the number of shares more than seven-fold if demand exceeds expectations. Will the investment-grade rating lead to as strong demand for the shares as the company expects? What is the outlook for Ecopetrol and the Colombian oil sector in the short to medium term? What challenges does the Colombian oil industry face?


Can Latin America Capitalize On Oil Wealth In The Long Term?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Jul 2011

Can Latin America Capitalize On Oil Wealth In The Long Term?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

Venezuela holds some 85 percent of Latin America's crude oil reserves, and the region overall has the world's second-largest oil reserves after the Middle East, according to figures presented by the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) at a two-day seminar earlier this month in Quito. Looking ahead 20 years, what are the geopolitical implications of Latin America's vast hydrocarbon resources? What energy trends will shape the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean in the long term, and how can the countries of Latin America best capitalize on energy wealth in the global environment moving ahead? Can Latin America avoid …


How Is China Changing Latin America's Energy Sector?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Jul 2011

How Is China Changing Latin America's Energy Sector?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

China recently announced several loans worth billions of dollars to Ecuador and Venezuela—to be paid back largely in the form of oil—for public works, energy and infrastructure projects. These investments and others have made China the biggest credit source for the two governments, often on terms that other financial institutions would spurn, analysts have pointed out. Are China's big loans going to be good deals for the Latin American countries? Will the money come through, and will it be used effectively for the intended purposes? Is China's increased investment in Ecuador, Venezuela and other countries in the region playing out …


Is Venezuela Facing Another Electricity Crisis?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Apr 2011

Is Venezuela Facing Another Electricity Crisis?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

On April 7, a fire damaged a power line in Venezuela and caused the country's worst blackout since 2009. Top government officials were adamant that Venezuela is now better equipped than in 2009-10 when electricity shortages crimped the economy during a severe drought. However, the recent outage came amid a series of power shortages since March that industry analysts and business owners claim are hampering production. Does the Venezuelan government have the situation under control or is the electricity crisis likely to repeat itself? What steps should be taken to fix the electricity grid? Will the country be able to …


Are Expectations For Colombia's Oil Sector Too Optimistic?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor Feb 2011

Are Expectations For Colombia's Oil Sector Too Optimistic?, Inter-American Dialogue's Latin American Energy Advisor

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

In February, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim said he was actively looking to boost investment in Colombia due to its burgeoning oil industry. Meanwhile, the United States Export-Import Bank approved nearly $1 billion in financing for Colombia's state-run energy company Ecopetrol, identifying the country as one of nine emerging economies that offer the United States a greater opportunity for export sales. Are expectations about Colombia's oil and gas industry justified or overly optimistic? What opportunities does the country offer that make it a desirable place to invest in the energy industry? How can the government boost investment to that sector? How …


Bolivia's Lithium Possibly To Be Purchased And Used In Battery Production And Industry In Spain, La Prensa Feb 2011

Bolivia's Lithium Possibly To Be Purchased And Used In Battery Production And Industry In Spain, La Prensa

Latin American Energy Dialogue, White Papers and Reports

This article discusses the Mitsubishi-GS Yuasa group's plans to implement a lithium battery plant in Spain utilizing lithium resources from Bolivia.