Geographic Spotlight: Guatemala

Thursday, July 23, 2026. GUATEMALA ENERGY MARKET OVERVIEW. Guatemala has minimal domestic crude oil and natural gas production and is net energy importer. CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION: Current production Mar 2026 5.10K bbl/d (down slightly from 5.20 in Feb 2026). 2024 baseline ~6,217 bbl/d (ranks ~#97 globally). Historical context long-term avg ~11.1K bbl/d (1984-2026); peak 27K bbl/d (2002); recent low 1.7K bbl/d (late 2023). PROVEN RESERVES: 88.3M barrels (2025; #73 globally); equivalent to ~1.9 years of domestic consumption at 2024 rates. NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION: Annual production 3,276,000 cubic meters (2026 data); ranks #93 globally (very low volume). Role in power generation increasing due to availability, flexibility, lower emissions vs. coal/oil. OIL CONSUMPTION: 2024 consumption ~124,149 bbl/d (#70 globally). Daily deficit ~118K bbl/d (consumption far exceeds production). OVERALL SECTOR PROFILE: Net energy importer produces small fraction of needs, relies heavily on imports. No major new production surges reported for 2025-2026. Regional context broader LAC natural gas production showed growth in early 2026; Guatemala-specific contributions remain negligible. THE READ: Crude oil 5.1K bbl/d, down from 6.2K in 2024, proven reserves 88.3M barrels, 1.9 years of consumption, long-term decline from 27K peak in 2002. Natural gas 3.3M cubic meters annually, minimal production, growing role in power generation. Consumption 124K bbl/d, 118K bbl/d daily deficit, net importer. GUATEMALA ENERGY THESIS: Crude oil production minimal and declining, proven reserves limited, natural gas production negligible, oil consumption far exceeds production, net energy importer, no major new production projects reported, long-term structural energy deficit. Trade the data, not the headlines.