CAF – development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – and the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) held a technical meeting in Buenos Aires focused on the future of natural gas in the Mercosur countries and Chile. This event coincided with the closing of the second phase of the Regional Gas Integration Project, which focused on medium- and long-term natural gas supply and demand projections, and was preceded by working sessions aimed at advancing the process of dialogue and consensus among the six countries, at both the public and private levels.
The event brought together representatives from governments, energy sector companies and international organizations, with the aim of strengthening a space for technical dialogue on the importance of natural gas for regional energy security and its complementary role in the transition toward more sustainable energy sources.
The opening session was led by Jorge Srur, CAF’s Regional Manager for the Southern Cone; Andrés Rebolledo, Executive Secretary of OLACDE; Ernesto López Anadón, President of the Argentine Institute of Oil and Gas (IAPG); and Federico Veller, Undersecretary of Liquid Fuels at Argentina’s Secretariat of Energy.
In the context of the event, Andrés Rebolledo, Executive Secretary of OLACDE, provided a comprehensive analysis of the role of natural gas in the region’s energy agenda, highlighting its strategic relevance for the integration and economic development of the Southern Cone. Rebolledo noted that 75% of the gas consumed in South America comes from local production and that this resource is expected to continue representing around 20% of the energy matrix by 2050, even under carbon-neutrality scenarios. In this context, he called for promoting a gas industry with a smaller carbon footprint, based on traceability, technological innovation and cooperation between the public and private sectors.
For his part, Jorge Srur, CAF’s Regional Manager for the Southern Cone, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to a just and feasible energy transition, highlighting joint achievements such as the Methane Observatory and the financing of strategic projects, such as the Gasoducto Norte pipeline in Argentina.
Ernesto López Anadón, President of the IAPG, mentioned that regional gas integration originated in the private sector and that, thanks to resources such as Vaca Muerta, there are now tangible conditions to move toward structural integration.
In turn, Federico Veller, Undersecretary of Liquid Fuels at Argentina’s Secretariat of Energy, emphasized recent regulatory advances, record gas exports and the national energy outlook spanning more than 60 years, underscoring that the success of integration will depend on robust contracts, legal certainty and a shared regional vision.
During the meeting, participants discussed economic issues, energy demand projections, obstacles for the private sector and opportunities for interinstitutional cooperation in the context of the energy transition.
Among the findings of the study presented, an increase in total natural gas demand in the Southern Cone is estimated between 2025 and 2040. According to the different scenarios analyzed, growth rates in electric gas demand increase even under different renewable penetration scenarios. In the case of liquefaction and urea production, incremental projects were identified that add to those already announced for coming years, some of which depend on possible new pipeline routes. Regarding Uruguay, projections show low demand, mainly due to industrial processes that have little flexibility to adapt to new technologies.
Regarding gas supply, regional projections show consolidated growth of more than double the current total production by 2040, given the successful development of Argentine and Brazilian formations.
Additionally, the study highlights continued growth in renewable generation, which reinforces its competitiveness and underscores the need to expand electrical interconnections as crucial tools for optimizing the efficient use of energy resources.
Watch the full event at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJb4M-a5i3E
