South America is at a crucial stage in its energy evolution. After years of concern over the availability of natural gas, the situation has changed dramatically. Today, the main challenge lies in building an integrated regional market that maximizes available resources, strengthens energy security, and turns energy into a driver of competitiveness and development for Latin America and the Caribbean.
This was the core message delivered by Guido Maiulini, Head of Strategic Advisory at the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), during the webinar Toward a Regional Natural Gas Market, organized by the Mercado Electrónico de Gas (MEGSA). In his presentation, he detailed the key findings of the gas integration study that OLACDE is conducting in collaboration with CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, research that redefines the possibilities for energy cooperation among MERCOSUR countries and Chile.
“The real challenge is no longer gas availability, but building a regional market,” Maiulini emphasized in summarizing the new energy reality facing South America.
The analysis conducted by OLACDE highlights that the region currently has unprecedented conditions for advancing toward deeper energy integration. Vaca Muerta’s resources could meet regional demand well beyond 2050, while Brazilian production is expected to triple by 2040 thanks to the development of the Pré-sal fields. At the same time, the gradual decline in Bolivian production is reshaping supply flows and creating an opportunity to reorganize the regional market on new cooperative foundations.
An economic opportunity for the entire region
The study’s projections indicate that greater integration could significantly increase energy trade among nations. According to OLACDE, a fully integrated regional market could move between 60 and 70 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, generate between USD 4 billion and USD 5 billion annually in trade, and displace approximately USD 2.4 billion a year in fuel imports, reducing external dependence and strengthening regional energy resilience.
For the organization, these findings show that energy integration is no longer just a technical goal; it has become a strategic policy aimed at promoting economic growth, improving industrial competitiveness, and increasing supply security.
Integration for more resilient development
OLACDE stresses that integrating countries’ energy systems is essential to reducing their vulnerability to international crises, supply disruptions, and instability in global energy markets.
As part of this strategy, OLACDE is working with MERCOSUR’s Working Subgroup No. 9 on a convergent regulatory agenda aimed at harmonizing technical standards, contracts, tariffs, crisis management mechanisms, and the exchange of energy information among member states.
Wrapping up his presentation, Maiulini stated that the true value of energy integration goes far beyond gas trade alone. “Today, energy has the potential to be one of the fundamental pillars for addressing Latin America’s long-standing development challenges,” he said, noting that a more cohesive regional market will help improve productivity, attract new investment, expand economic opportunities, and thereby raise the quality of life for millions across Latin America.
Through this proposal, OLACDE reaffirms its commitment to driving energy integration based on regional cooperation, supply security, and more efficient markets capable of turning South America’s energy resources into pillars of sustainable development and shared prosperity.
