Chile Weighs Gas Alliance with Venezuela
Chile is weighing the possibility of importing oil and creating a gas alliance with Venezuela, after a recent visit to Caracas by a high-level delegation from Empresa Nacional de Petróleo (ENAP).

Sponsored by Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVESA), the visit included tours of the Ameriven oil plant, in San Tomé, where the Gran Mariscal Ayacucho Industrial Complex will be developed, and of the Costa Afuera natural gas project.

In statements to Prensa Latina, the Venezuelan Business Attaché in Santiago, Iraima Brito, said that the visit is part of a process of rapprochement between the two countries that began with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos´ visit to Caracas last year.

On that occasion, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez offered a wide range of investment options in the rich oil and gas fields, and expressed his willingness to collaborate with Chile in solving its energy problems.

Chile imports oil and gas from Nigeria and Indonesia, and due to soaring freight costs and a hike in prices in the international market, ENAP is seeking new alternatives.

From Venezuela´s viewpoint, an agreement with Chile would contribute to developing the integration projects being fostered by President Hugo Chávez, and strengthening bilateral relations, which have gone through difficult moments in recent times.