The oil and gas transportation industry in Latin America plays a crucial role in the region's energy supply chain. It involves the movement of crude oil, natural gas, and refined products through pipelines, maritime routes, and railways. Companies in this sector range from exploration and production firms to specialized logistics and transport operators. As global energy dynamics shift, with an increasing focus on sustainability, infrastructure development and technological innovations are becoming essential. New trends such as ADNOC's collaboration with local operations indicate a forward momentum, underscoring the vital contribution of transportation services in meeting regional and global energy demands.


This article highlights seven key investors in Latin America's oil and gas transportation space. These investors include corporate giants like Ecopetrol from Colombia and Grupo México, as well as venture capitalists such as Monashees from Brazil. Founded between 1936 and 2009, these firms range significantly in size, from a few hundred to over 10,000 employees. In 2024, these investors made notable deals, including acquisitions and large funding rounds, emphasizing their strategic involvement in the energy sector.


Top 7 Oil and Gas Transportation Investors in Latin America


1. Monashees

  • Website: monashees.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 18
  • LinkedIn: monashees-capital

Monashees is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in investing in technology-based companies across Latin America, providing not only funding but also support in areas such as talent acquisition and fundraising. Among their notable transactions, Monashees led the Series B and Series C funding rounds for Vortexa, a company that offers a real-time global analytics platform for energy and freight markets, raising significant capital to enhance its international expansion and service quality. Additionally, Monashees has invested in Nowports, a digital freight forwarder that has raised substantial funding to expand its operations in Latin America. These investments highlight Monashees' engagement in sectors that intersect with oil and gas transportation, particularly through logistics and analytics services.


2. Ecopetrol

  • Website: ecopetrol.com.co
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Bogota, Bogota, Colombia
  • Founded year: 1951
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: ecopetrol

Ecopetrol is a leading oil and gas company based in Bogota, Colombia, founded in 1951. It specializes in the exploration, production, refining, and transportation of petroleum products, serving a diverse customer base that includes both businesses and consumers. The company is committed to sustainability and ethical practices in its operations. Notably, Ecopetrol has been involved in significant transactions that enhance its position in the oil and gas sector. In 2009, Ecopetrol, in partnership with Korea National Oil Corp., acquired Offshore International Group, which includes Petro-Tech Peruana SA, for $900 million. This acquisition aimed to boost production from Petro-Tech, which operates in a region with substantial oil reserves. Furthermore, in 2021, Ecopetrol signed a $3.6 billion deal to acquire Interconexion Electrica SA, an electricity transmission company, showcasing its capacity for large investments and infrastructure development. These transactions underline Ecopetrol's strategic focus on enhancing its operational capabilities in the oil and gas industry, including transportation.


3. SAAM Towage

  • Website: saamtowage.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
  • Founded year: 1961
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: saamtowage

SAAM Towage is a corporate investor based in Las Condes, Santiago, Chile, specializing in maritime services with a strong focus on tugboat operations. Founded in 1961, the company has established itself as a leader in the towage industry across the Americas. SAAM Towage offers a range of services, including harbour towage, oil and gas terminal towage, and offshore support, catering specifically to the shipping and oil and gas industries. In 2023, they acquired 21 tugboats from the Brazilian company Starnav for $198 million, significantly enhancing their fleet and positioning them as a market leader in Brazil's towage industry. Additionally, in 2022, they expanded their operations in Canada by acquiring Standard Towing Ltd. and Davies Tugboat Ltd., which provide harbor and towage services on the West Coast of Canada. These strategic acquisitions demonstrate SAAM Towage's commitment to supporting oil and gas transportation and logistics, making them a key player in the industry.


4. GeoPark

  • Website: geo-park.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Argentina
  • Founded year: 2002
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: geopark

GeoPark is an oil and gas exploration company founded in 2002, headquartered in Argentina. The company operates in Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil, focusing on the extraction and production of crude oil and natural gas while emphasizing sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, GeoPark has made significant acquisitions that enhance its position in the oil and gas sector. In 2014, they acquired Rio das Contas Produtora de Petroleo Ltda, which included a 10% interest in the BCAM-40 block encompassing the Manati Field in Brazil. More importantly, in 2019, GeoPark announced the acquisition of Amerisur Resources PLC for £315 million, which included 12 production, development, and exploration blocks in Colombia, as well as a 100% interest in the Oleoducto Binacional Amerisur (OBA) pipeline, a critical asset for oil and gas transportation. This strategic acquisition highlights GeoPark's commitment to expanding its operational capabilities in both production and transportation within the oil and gas industry.


5. Vinci Compass Brasil

  • Website: vincipartners.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: vincipartners

Vinci Compass Brasil is a private equity firm based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in a range of financial services, including Private Equity, Infrastructure, Real Estate, and Corporate Advisory. Vinci Partners serves institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals, helping them navigate investment opportunities and optimize their portfolios for growth. One of their notable transactions includes an investment in Grupo CBO, which raised an undisclosed amount in a Private Equity round on October 22, 2013. Grupo CBO is involved in the oil and gas sector, specifically in transportation services, which highlights Vinci Compass Brasil's engagement in the oil and gas transportation industry.


6. Grupo México

  • Website: gmexico.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad De México, Mexico
  • Founded year: 1936
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: grupo-mexico

Grupo México is a corporate conglomerate based in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad De México, Mexico, founded in 1936. It operates primarily in the mining, transportation, and infrastructure sectors, and is a leading producer of copper. The company provides extensive rail transportation services, which are vital for various industries, including oil and gas. Notably, Grupo México's transportation unit, GMéxico Transportes (GMXT), acquired Florida East Coast Railway for $2.1 billion in 2017, enhancing its operations in the U.S. by adding a key rail line in Florida. Furthermore, in December 2023, GMXT announced the acquisition of Ferrobuque, a maritime transport service for railway cars between the U.S. and Mexico, which is expected to bolster its logistics capabilities. These transactions highlight Grupo México's commitment to expanding its transportation services, making it a relevant player in the oil and gas transportation sector.


7. Frontera Energy Corp.


Frontera Energy Corp. is a corporate investor based in Bogota, Colombia, specializing in petroleum exploration and production, particularly in heavy crude oil and natural gas. Founded in 2009, the company operates primarily in Colombia and Peru, providing essential energy resources to the energy sector. A significant transaction that underscores its involvement in oil and gas transportation is the acquisition of Pacific Midstream Limited, where Frontera signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 36.36% ownership from the International Finance Corporation for $225 million. This acquisition, announced on October 24, 2017, allows Frontera to gain full ownership of Pacific Midstream, thereby enabling the company to reduce transportation costs and obligations, which is a critical aspect of its operations in the oil and gas industry.



Oil and Gas Transportation Insights: Key Investors in Latin America


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
MonasheesSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil11-50200518
EcopetrolBogota, Bogota, Colombia10001+19510
SAAM TowageLas Condes, Santiago, Chile1001-500019610
GeoParkArgentina201-50020023
Vinci Compass BrasilRio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil501-100020093
Grupo MéxicoCuauhtemoc, Ciudad De México, Mexico10001+19361
Frontera Energy Corp.Bogota, Bogota, Colombia1001-500020090


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