EPISODE · Apr 16, 2026 · 22 MIN
The Venezuela Opening: Unlocking a Stranded Natural Gas Giant
from NGI’s Hub & Flow · host NGI: Natural Gas Intelligence
The political and energy landscape in Venezuela was upended in early January, sparking a sudden and rapid opening of the country’s massive oil and natural gas reserves. As the Iran war shifts the global spotlight, Venezuela’s potential to become a cornerstone of the Western Hemisphere’s energy system has returned to the forefront of the industry’s mind. In this episode of Hub & Flow, NGI sits down with Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin American Energy Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute, to discuss whether Venezuela is truly “investable” again. From the massive flaring of associated gas to the strategic push to link offshore fields to Trinidad and Tobago’s LNG infrastructure, this episode explores the legal hurdles and geopolitical risks that could determine whether this historic opening leads to a genuine energy renaissance.
What this episode covers
The political and energy landscape in Venezuela was upended in early January, sparking a sudden and rapid opening of the country’s massive oil and natural gas reserves. As the Iran war shifts the global spotlight, Venezuela’s potential to become a cornerstone of the Western Hemisphere’s energy system has returned to the forefront of the industry’s mind. In this episode of Hub & Flow, NGI sits down with Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin American Energy Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute, to discuss whether Venezuela is truly “investable” again. From the massive flaring of associated gas to the strategic push to link offshore fields to Trinidad and Tobago’s LNG infrastructure, this episode explores the legal hurdles and geopolitical risks that could determine whether this historic opening leads to a genuine energy renaissance.
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The Venezuela Opening: Unlocking a Stranded Natural Gas Giant
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