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This article is part of the World Refining Association Forecast Report 2026: Latin America Series, highlighting key insights from a closed-door Advisory Board discussion held ahead of LARTC 2026.

The discussion brought together senior leaders from organizations including YPF, Ecopetrol, Petrobras, Pemex, ANCAP, ENAP, Pan-American Energy, Raizen, Airbus, Axens, Topsoe, McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, Arthur D. Little, and Becht, who shared perspectives on the strategic priorities shaping the region’s refining industry.

Each article in this series explores one of the themes that emerged from that conversation.

Artificial intelligence can reshape Latin American refining, but its potential is realized only through disciplined, strategy-led adoption. Pilot projects often fail without clear business alignment, robust change management, and realistic expectations.

Key lessons for AI deployment include:

• Define clear use cases tied to measurable ROI
  • Human-in-the-loop approaches (“cointelligence”) to support operators, planners, and decision-makers
  • Prioritize high-impact applications: predictive maintenance, real-time operations, blending optimization, scenario modelling, yield and slate optimization
  • Data infrastructure and collaboration: regional data-sharing to enhance predictive capabilities
  • Workforce and capability development: build digital and technical skills, accounting for generational transitions

Successful adoption also requires the democratization of digital tools, ensuring that AI, analytics, and advanced decision-support systems are accessible not only to data scientists but also to operators, planners, and frontline refinery teams.

Successful AI adoption requires a masterplan that links digital initiatives to strategic objectives, operational performance, safety, and energy efficiency. Tools must fit business objectives, support operators rather than burden them, and allow frontline teams to see the value they create.

When executed effectively, AI enables refiners to act with speed, precision, and resilience, driving both operational and strategic improvements.

Looking Ahead to LARTC 2026

 These insights will also help shape the agenda for the Latin American Refining Technology Conference (LARTC) 2026, where industry leaders will gather in Buenos Aires to discuss the future of refining in the region.

Discussions will focus on operational resilience, decarbonization strategies, regulatory realities, investment priorities, and digital transformation — all critical topics for refiners navigating today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape.

We look forward to welcoming the industry to Buenos Aires and continuing these conversations with refinery leaders from across Latin America and beyond.