Overhaul of Panama’s hydrocarbons framework to begin this year

Panama’s energy department (SNE) has launched bidding to modernize the regulatory and institutional framework of the hydrocarbons sector.

The consultancy work includes preparing a diagnostic of the country’s current hydrocarbons market to include the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, and presenting a roadmap proposal.

The overhaul aims to consolidate a competitive institutional model, strengthen information and digitization systems, and boost SNE’s technical capacity, among other actions.

The SNE highlights that “one of the greatest challenges for the economy of Panama in the process of energy transition and the development of the hydrocarbons sector, goes through the path of institutional strengthening and management capacity.”

Offers for the eight-month contract are due April 27, according to procurement information.

The call follows a request for information issued last year.

Authorities have been stepping up efforts to promote Panama’s geographic position and infrastructure in support of an expansion of the country as a regional logistics hub for fuels, biofuels and alternative fuels such as green hydrogen, ammonia and methanol.