Can Shale Gas Really Transform the Region's Energy Sector?

Argentina has the world's third largest technically recoverable shale-gas resources, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, with several large shale gas discoveries recently announced in the country's Neuquén Basin. Mexico is ranked fourth globally, while Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and several other Latin American countries also boast of the potential for their shale resources. Will shale gas lead to another energy boom for Latin America? How do investors view the potential for shale gas deposits, which involve new technologies and uncertain regulatory structures, compared to the region's rich conventional resources? How will shale gas affect existing natural gas businesses, as well as the development of plans for liquid natural gas and other sources of energy such as wind and solar? What are the environmental challenges associated with shale gas? How should the exploitation of shale gas be regulated in Latin America