Sedimentarv basins and hvdrocarbon potential of South America

Abstract

The geology and hydrocarbon potential of South America's main sedimentary basins is reviewed. A brief overview on petroleum exploration, oil and gas production, and reserves is presented. Additionally, consumption/production ratios are indicated for the region's main production countries. Brazil is surrounded by countries which possess forty times more gas and twenty-three times more oil than it does. These reserves (especially gas) will be necessary in Brazil's future development, principally dueto the nation's forecast role as a large energv consumer. Since Brazil does not wish to invest in nuclear power plants and since the nation's hydroelectric plants will be unable to meet future demand, gas-fueled thermoelectric plants are expected to become an important additional source of energy. This means that Brazil will need to rely on gas imports from neighboring countries or boost gas expforation activities in its own intracratonic basins, or both.