Energy Program

This internationally respected program focuses exclusively on energy issues affecting the Western Hemisphere: Supply, demand, project development, and energy security.
Jeremy Martin
Program Director

The Institute organizes energy conferences and seminars throughout the hemisphere that convene hundreds of energy specialists in the public and private sector to debate policy. Our ability to bring together business leaders and government officials for candid conversations is increasingly important as the world turns its attention to the issues surrounding energy resources in Latin America.

The program promotes dialogue aimed at developing sound public policies, enhanced regional integration and clear rules regarding private investment. To achieve this, the Institute’s expert team works closely with policy-makers, investors, project managers and multilateral financial institutions that are major sources of funding for energy projects.

17th Annual Latin American Energy Conference

Known as The La Jolla Conference , this is Latin America’s largest energy conference. The annual forum, hosted by the Institute for the past 17 years, convenes energy ministers
of major Latin American countries, company CEOs and regulatory officials to discuss new projects, regional agreements, changes in regulations and new
investment opportunities.

 Hemispheric Energy Policy and Security

This forum convenes U.S. government officials, company representatives from across the hemisphere, multilateral agencies and foreign diplomats to discuss current policies and actions, as well as ways to enhance energy cooperation in the hemisphere. Panels assess implications of regional agreements, congressional energy initiatives, the role of National Oil Companies (NOC's), regional supply and integration, and the impact of policies and strategies in Latin America on
energy security.

Energy Regulation and New Projects in Specific Countries

The Institute is renowned for its private, executive roundtables. These closed-door sessions encourage candid dialogue aimed at promoting sound public policies and decision-making. Our roundtables focus on Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Central America and the Andean region.

Training

Drawing on the Institute’s energy expertise, training seminars for Spanish-language journalists, academics and legislative aides offer participants an opportunity to exchange ideas with leading figures in Latin American and global energy fields. Lectures cover global energy, the Latin American energy scene, alternative and new energy sources and hemispheric energy security with the goal of explaining the intricacies of this economically vital sector and enhancing accurate and thorough coverage. 

US presidential election and its relevance for Latin America

IOA energy program director Jeremy Martin and energy fellow Roger Tissot look at the historic US presidential election and its relevance for Latin America and the region’s energy sector. To read their article in the San Diego Union Tribune
click here

China sneezes, Latin America catches a cold

IOA energy expert Jeremy Martin and energy analyst Roger Tissot explain the impact of an economic slowdown in China on Latin America's exports and energy sector. To read their article in Latin Business Chronicle,
click here

 Sen. Lugar
Gives Keynote Address at Energy
Security Forum

U.S. Senator Richard Lugar was the keynote speaker at the IOA's Sept. 9 Energy Forum in Washington, D.C.  The day-long forum focused on congressional energy initiatives, the role of national oil companies, sustainable energy and the evolving role of biofuels across the region. OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza participated in a panel discussion, along with the Colombian Ambassador to the US, Carolina Barco, and the Brazilian Ambassador to the US, Antonio Patriota. Closing the session was a discussion of proposed energy programs with representatives from the presidential campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama. To read Sen. Lugar's address click here

Click here to read a summary of the findings of forum participants.

IOA Energy Expert Jeremy Martin testifies on
Capitol Hill

Jeremy Martin Institute of the Americas energy expert Jeremy Martin testified during a July 31 hearing before the congressional subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere on the production profile and the investment climate of major oil-producing nations in Latin America. With Latin America home to three of the largest suppliers of petroleum to the United States, Martin said the region’s major oil- and gas-producing nations have the existing and potential reserves to aid the hemisphere’s energy balance. Yet in many cases, Martin said, poor policy planning, regulatory hurdles and changing rules of the game can be more important than the geology of the country. To read a transcript of Martin’s testimony,
click here.

Roger Tissot, an internationally renowned energy analyst, is joining the Institute of the Americas as a Visiting Energy Fellow. He will write policy papers and articles for the Institute, participate as a speaker in Institute programs, and work with the Energy Program on its conferences and roundtables.

For almost 15 years, Roger has focused his research on Latin American economic, political and energy issues, most recently as a director at Washington, DC-based PFC Energy. He also spent several years in Latin America with EnCana Corporation. Roger holds an M.A. in Economics from the University of Laval (Quebec) and an M.B.A. from the University of Calgary. He lives in Canada and can be reached at:
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