Carlos Bulgheroni
Carlos Alberto Bulgheroni | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 March 1945 Rufino, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Died | 3 September 2016 (aged 71) Washington DC, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, energy industry executive |
| Known for | Leadership of Bridas Corporation and PanAmerican Energy; major figure in Argentine energy sector |
Carlos Alberto Bulgheroni (born March 9, 1945 – passed away September 3, 2016) was a leading figure in Argentina's energy industry and recognized as the wealthiest individual in the country at the time of his passing.
Early life
Hailing from Rufino, Santa Fe, Argentina, Bulgheroni was the son of an Italian father and a Spanish mother. He completed his juris doctor degree at the University of Buenos Aires in 1970. At 24 years old, he successfully battled lymphoma.
Career
Carlos Bulgheroni became involved with Bridas Corporation, the energy company established by his father Alejandro in 1948 which had grown into one of Argentina’s top private energy enterprises by the 1970s. Following Alejandro’s death in 1985, Carlos and his brother Alejandro assumed control of the majority shares. Carlos took on the role of chief political liaison, cultivating connections with Argentine governments from 1983 onward. He was appointed president and chairman of Bridas in 1993; later, in 1997, he became president of PanAmerican Energy, largely owned by BP. From 2006, he led Allis-Chalmers’ energy division and also directed EDIC, an exploration company active across North Africa, Russia, Central Asia, and regions of the Middle and Far East.
In 1992, Bulgheroni obtained some of the earliest foreign concessions for gas exploration in Turkmenistan. By 1997, he engaged in negotiations with the Taliban to construct the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline stretching from Turkmenistan to Pakistan, positioning Bridas against competitor Unocal. Although Bridas initially received preference in 1998, political instability postponed progress; after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the contract was awarded to Unocal. Despite these setbacks and ongoing regional difficulties, Bulgheroni maintained an active interest in advancing the pipeline project.
Outside his energy ventures, Bulgheroni co-established the Colón Theatre Foundation in 1978 and the Federal District Police Foundation in 1989 to support institutions based in Buenos Aires. His affiliations included participation with the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, Foundation for Latin American Economic Research (FIEL), Peres Center for Peace, Argentine Russian Business Council, and he served as trustee and advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
He co-led the International Committee at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and founded the U.S. & Argentine Caucus. Among his distinctions was being named Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Bulgheroni held prominent positions within the Argentine Business Council, World Trade Organization Business Advisory Board, Mercosur European Business Forum (1990–2002), and served on the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce.
In a significant transaction in 2010, Carlos and his brother divested half of their ownership in Bridas to Chinese oil corporation CNOOC for US$3.1 billion while preserving a 20% interest in PanAmerican Energy—Argentina’s second-largest energy producer—via Bridas.
Death
Carlos Bulgheroni passed away on September 3, 2016, in Washington DC.