Bolivia Welcomes the Third International Congress of Natural Gas

Bolivia Welcomes the Third International Congress of Natural Gas

Photo: Bolivia Welcomes the Third International Congress of Natural Gas

Representatives of major natural gas companies in the world today are in Bolivia to attend the Third Bolivia Gas & Energy Congress 2010, organized by Bolivian Camera of Hydrocarbons (CBH). According to its sponsors, the purpose of the meeting is to analyze the expansion of markets and to find more efficient mechanisms to boost the process of industrialization.

The CBH has confirmed the participation of 19 speakers including technicians, analysts, public officials and representatives of public and private companies.

Among the participating companies highlighted are the Bolivian state-owned oil company --Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB), the Russian-Vniigaz Gazprom, Petrobras of Brazil, Linde AG of Germany, Braskem of Brazil and Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (Ende).

Also delegates from academic institutions will be assisting such as the Argentine Petrochemical Institute and international consultants like Daniel Johnston & Co. Inc. of the United States.

At the forum, which will be inaugurated by the Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons of Bolivia, Luis Fernando Vincenti, will analyze ways to promote energy expansion in Bolivia and the region.

Gazprom signed a memorandum of understanding in early 2007 pledging to study a series of joint ventures with YPFB. Brazil's Petrobras (PETR4.SA) (PBR.N) and Spain's Repsol (REP.MC) are the biggest investors in Bolivia's energy sector.

Bolivia has the second-largest natural gas reserves in South America after Venezuela and is the region's top exporter of the fuel. The country produces about 40 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, exporting most of it to Brazil.

Translated from the Portuguese version by:

Lisa KARPOVA

PRAVDA.Ru