As anticipated by Ámbito, Argentina authorized the export of natural gas to Chile in interruptible volumes until December 31, 2024, which means an energy integration program in addition to confirming the country’s role as a stable energy supplier from the production of Vaca Muerta.
The decision is given within the framework of the acts by the 50th anniversary of the coup d’état against the government of Salvador Allendein which the Undersecretary of Latin American Affairs will participate, Gabriel Fuks, and the Argentine Ambassador in Chile, Rafael Bielsa.
This energy integration work was carried out through the Undersecretary of Latin American Affairs of the Argentine Foreign Ministry, in charge of Gabriel Fuksand the Ministry of Energy, which heads Flavia Royónand their Chilean counterparts, as well as the private sector.
Fuks explained that “in addition to guaranteeing natural gas exports to Chile for the 2023-2024 summer season, the Argentine Government authorized exports of natural gas firm for the subsequent winter season, for up to 5 million cubic meters per day, and until the end of 2024 for up to 9 million cubic meters per day through the central zone from October to December 2024.”
Likewise, he emphasized that “the natural gas export from Argentina to Chile represents the more sustainable wayin environmental and economic terms to move towards decarbonization of the energy matrix, by taking advantage of Argentina’s competitive advantages in the production of natural gas and the energy complementarity that characterizes the bilateral relationship.”
In this way, our country annualizes its exportable gas supply, with enough notice so that Chilean buyers can optimize decision making.
Gas exports to Chile: the official numbers
According to data from INDEC In the period January – July it was exported to Chile natural gas for US$556,403,366 with a growth of 86.8% compared to the same period of the previous year.
The exports of firm natural gas carried out starting in 2020 with the launch of the Gas.Ar Plan strengthened the relationship and credibility of Argentina as a supplier. Chile seeks to import cheaper and cleaner energy, which is why the supply of Argentine gas is viewed with interest. It should be noted that, during 2022, the natural gas was the main exported product by Argentina to Chile (US$688 million).
Exports to Chile: what are the current agreements
Regarding exports of firm natural gas during the summer period, between October 2022 and April 2023, exports firm by the Gas.Ar Plan for 9 MMm3/d (millions of cubic meters per day) from the Neuquén basin (GasAndes). In turn, they authorized exports firmly for Assistance Agreements (YPF exports 0.3 MMm3/d through the Pacific and 1.3 MMm3/d through Methanex) and for the summer period October 2023 – April 2024, firm exports have also been authorized for 9 MMm3/d from the Neuquén basin (GasAndes) .
Likewise, on May 16, 2023, the Secretary of Energy announced the start-up of the final stage of the rehabilitation of the Trasandino Oil Pipeline from Vaca Muerta to Chile. To achieve this, the work and the commercial agreement signed between YPF and ENAP in order to guarantee the infrastructure and minimum volume of crude oil and thus sustain the entire transportation and export operation.
Source: Ambito
