Plenary Session 2: Attracting Upstream Investment in a Competitive World: Global Trends and Perspectives from International Hydrocarbons Regulators and the Venezuelan Challenge

As governments compete for upstream investment in an increasingly competitive global environment, designing attractive fiscal and contractual frameworks has become more important than ever. While exploration activity is showing signs of recovery and companies are becoming more willing to invest in higher-risk opportunities, capital remains highly selective. Fiscal competitiveness, contractual stability, incentives, regulatory certainty and efficient institutions continue to be key determinants of investment decisions. This panel will bring together leading experts in upstream fiscal and contractual regimes, alongside current and former hydrocarbons regulators from Latin America and other producing regions, to discuss the policies and reforms that have successfully attracted investment while safeguarding national interests. Drawing on practical experiences and case studies from jurisdictions including Suriname, Angola, Nigeria, Argentina and Brazil, among others, panelists will share lessons learned from designing and implementing competitive upstream frameworks.

With: Cristina Tovar, Executive President, Asociación Venezolana de los Hidrocarburos (AVHI); Geraldine Geraldo, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, Corcel PLC; William A. Clavijo Vitto, Industrial Policy Specialist, IBP - Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo e Gás; Ernesto Forero Fernández de Castro, President, Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH); Francisco Romano, Partner, Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Artsen & Director of the Diploma in Hydrocarbons and Energy Law, Universidad Austral

Moderated by: Carlos Bellorin, EVP Energy Trends & Advisory, Welligence Energy Analytics