While the government has begun to work with international energy companies in the hopes of eventually becoming a gas exporter, all gas currently produced is consumed domestically.

Algeria has the 10th-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the sixth-largest gas exporter.

"I work in the energy sector and Qatar is one of the biggest gas exporters in the world, so for a professional like me it's an attractive place," she says.

Norway is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and third largest gas exporter.

In early 1999, a giant Shah Deniz gas field was discovered making Azerbaijan potentially a major gas exporter.

"We also work together to defend the interests of gas exporters and coordinate our relations toward the consumers."

Still, it has more gas than its 20 million people can use and is the world's fifth-largest gas exporter.

However, Kazakhstan became a net gas exporter only in 2003.

Yet while Brazil might feel tremors from Bolivia's decision, it is Bolivia that may be risking its potential as a major natural gas exporter.

Thus the window of opportunity for Bolivia to become a leading gas exporter may be closing, even as it grows more courageous in its dealings with foreigners.