sleeping giant of South American natural gas resources has been awakened, presenting a unique opportunity for economic and social integration in a continent known for unrest and exploitation. However, the opportunity may be wasted without immediate application of modern technology from the well-head to consumer products. And most South American countries need to display greater political stability and economic enlightenment to further entice foreign investment. South America's problems and how development of the region's natural gas resources can affect them were summarized by Francisco J. Gutierrez, executive secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization, at a conference on Natural Gas in the Americas, held in Caracas, Venezuela, last month. conference was sponsored by a Venezuelan national energy company, Corpoven S.A., and the Chicago-based research firm, Institute of Gas Technology. The region's economic and social development are complex issues that cover numerous local problems and ...