“Venezuela is still in the project as are all the other countries. The project is moving forward,” he continued, dismissing local media reports saying Brazil was looking for alternatives such as enhancing its Bolivian natural gas supplies.
Several factors have conspired over the last year to slow down the project, including presidential elections, Bolivia’s nationalization of hydrocarbons, and a cabinet reshuffle in Venezuela. Venezuela estimates the project would cover 8,000-15,000km, starting in Venezuela, crossing Brazil, and ending in Argentina. The pipeline could also continue onwards to supply Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Venezuela would be the main source of gas for the project, although Bolivia would join its existing pipeline infrastructure to the project as an export opportunity.