The event brought together representatives of Brazil’s natural gas sector to discuss the progress achieved under the New Gas Law and the challenges that lie ahead in building a more integrated, competitive and efficient gas market. The participants included Senator Laércio Oliveira, the law’s rapporteur; Carlos Quintella, director of FGV Energy; Pietro Mendes, director of the National Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP); and executives from companies and organizations across the sector.

Enacted in 2021, the New Gas Law (Law 14,134 of 2021) established a new regulatory framework designed to increase competition, encourage infrastructure investment and improve the efficiency of Brazil’s natural gas market. Five years after its implementation, the legislation remains central to discussions about the country’s energy future.

Hijjar joined the panel on gas transportation and distribution, alongside Adriano Zerbini, vice president of Compass; Marcelo Mendonça, president of the Brazilian Association of Piped Gas Distribution Companies (ABEGÁS); and Marcelo Rodrigues, CEO of GNLink. The discussion was moderated by Márcio Couto, head of oil and gas research at FGV Energy.

“The Gas Law laid the foundation for a more open, competitive and dynamic market. Five years on, we are seeing concrete results and new opportunities to expand supply and develop the sector’s infrastructure. Now we need to create the conditions for new projects to be economically viable and meet the country’s needs,” Hijjar said during the panel.

He also highlighted the potential for closer energy integration with Argentina in light of the country’s growing natural gas production.

“Argentina’s increasing natural gas production represents an important opportunity for Brazil. The challenge is to develop solutions that enable this gas to reach the Brazilian market competitively,” he said.

TBG’s participation underscores the company’s strategic role in the development of Brazil’s natural gas market, contributing to the expansion of transportation infrastructure and the integration of the different segments of the country’s gas value chain.