The main objective of this work is to evaluate the consequences of institutional development on energy integration in South America. So, after discussions of neofunctionalist theories, intergovernmentalists theories and theories of multi-level governance and their contributions to the development institutional energy integration, we propose an extension of the concept of cooperation and energy security, advancing the logic of demanded physical infrastructure for the creation of certain projects since the current literature focuses excessively on the issue of oil and its derivatives. We also present data about the current physical infrastructure of the South American subcontinent. Furthermore, we discuss the benefits and barriers to the promotion of regional energy integration, which has a greater or lesser degree relation with the institutional framework relating to the theme in South America.