F EA T URES
LGC highlights potential for gas in the region The 2018 edition of the Latin America and Caribbean Gas Conference (LGC) was held in Mexico City, October 9-11. Promoted by IGU and EnergyNet in partnership with ARPEL, the event is one of a number of initiatives to further the development of the region’s natural gas industry. By Fred Mazo LGC 2018 brought together some 110
there was a meeting of the event’s
Policies
high-level professionals from through
Advisory Board, a meeting of hydro
Delegates agreed that there are major
out Latin America and the Caribbean.
carbon agencies, a workshop of the
opportunities in Mexico following the
Delegates included government
EnergyNet Student Engagement
country’s energy reform, in Brazil’s pre-
officials and representatives of energy
Initiative and a range of networking
salt resources, in Argentina’s unconven
companies, international organisations,
opportunities.
tional resources – particularly the Vaca
the financial sector and consulting
This article gives a brief overview of
Muerta shale play, in the potential of
companies. In addition to the main
the main recommendations and mess
the Caribbean market and for regional
conference and associated exhibition,
ages that emerged from the conference.
integration. However, there are chal lenges, foremost of which is the need
c IGU Secretary General Luis Bertrán Rafecas makes a point.
for governments to provide a policy framework in terms of legal certainty, clear and transparent rules, respect for contracts and long-term energy plann ing that encourages private investment. In this context, Juan Pablo Jimeno, Director of Business Development of AES Mexico, highlighted the project backed by AES and Inversiones Bahia to introduce LNG to Panama, where the industry, regulator and clients worked together. Commercial oper ations of an LNG regasification terminal and gas-fired power plant at Isla Telfers, Colón, began in September 2018. For his part, David Rosales Hernández, Director General of Natural Gas and Petrochemicals at Mexico’s
40 LGC highlights potential for gas in the region
