Latin America lines up bid rounds

Attractive auctions will see the region compete for international investors

2018 will be a busy year in Latin America. As elections loom, threatening a major rupture in the political landscape, several of the region's most prolific oil producers will be hosting hotly-anticipated licensing rounds. Previous waves of nationalism have given way to market-friendly reforms that are enticing international investors back to the region. Now sitting governments are racing to capture majors' dollars before it's too late. But in an era of cautious spending, so many offers at the same time will generate heated competition among these countries for oil companies' investment. Each country has its pros and cons: Brazil holds the biggest opportunities, with its low-risk and high-pot