Market-friendly reforms and rising output from the offshore pre-salt region have laid the groundwork for Brazil’s natural gas market to grow, a panel of experts agreed at CERAweek in Houston.

President Jair Bolsonaro last year signed a highly anticipated natural gas law aimed at opening up access to the pipeline network and promoting competition in the sector. 

The reform package “​​is set to enhance the physical flexibility of the gas system, enable gas to be delivered more quickly, foster competition and facilitate the integration of a higher share of intermittent renewables into the Brazilian energy system,” according to analysis by the International Energy Agency.

Catavento consultancy co-founder Clarissa Lins told the CERAweek by S&P Global audience that...