Bolivia is running out of fuel: the country is quickly turning from a leading exporter to a fuel importer Bolivia's massive gas industry has declined so sharply that the country is preparing to start importing the fuel after decades in which it was one of the largest producers and exporters in the region. This week the government of President Rodrigo Paz issued a decree allowing individuals and companies to import natural gas and LNG for self-consumption and electricity generation, in a move aimed at preventing shortages. 20 years ago, President Abu Morales nationalized gas fields and refineries owned by Repsol SA, TotalEnergies SE and Petroleo Brasileiro SA. However, investment in exploration has not kept pace with the growth of reserves, causing them to deplete and exports to drop by more than half since their peak in 2014.

Bolivia is running out of fuel: the country is quickly turning from a leading exporter to a fuel importer Bolivia's massive gas industry has declined so sharply that the country is preparing to start importing the fuel after decades in which it was one of the largest producers and exporters in the region. This week the government of President Rodrigo Paz issued a decree allowing individuals and companies to import natural gas and LNG for self-consumption and electricity generation, in a move aimed at preventing shortages. 20 years ago, President Abu Morales nationalized gas fields and refineries owned by Repsol SA, TotalEnergies SE and Petroleo Brasileiro SA. However, investment in exploration has not kept pace with the growth of reserves, causing them to deplete and exports to drop by more than half since their peak in 2014.