Several liquefaction facilities are poised to ramp up in the second half, as the US seeks to fill a major supply hole created by the Middle East conflict.

Right-wing victories in Colombia and Peru last month are the latest iteration of the political shift sweeping Latin America. The next key vote is in October in Brazil, although a scandal involving the conservative candidate dims the prospects of the right-wing winning streak continuing. These wins have often heralded major energy strategy changes with a greater emphasis placed on attracting private investment, deregulation and opening new – often environmentally sensitive – areas to exploration and development as well as changes in economic and foreign policy. However, these new governments have frequently faced structural obstacles, and mass public backlash which often limit the depths of reforms, including in the energy sector.