Lack of gas: the problem is not the war, the problem is with Argentina

For some reason, this idea persists that outsiders are to blame. Sometimes incidentally, later as a result of rebounds in the international economy, which never favors Argentina. The horrific events we have observed in Ukraine also seem to trigger a range of unexpected events that fall without an umbrella or fountain to support them. about the permanent instability of our country.

For the problem represented by the imminent gas shortage and other emergencies such as inflationary chaos, we can read it every day in the newspapers, listen to it through speakers and speakers, with less hesitation, such as a thought out key phrase, from a laboratory to justify the speech of the officer on duty: “We are suffering because of the ups and downs of the international context.”

Here we must stop: we do not live on an island and in this way is true. We are part of a connected world, at least economically. But the questionablemost of all, this is completely removing our responsibility in the matter.

It doesn’t know how to predict, or worse, predicts but doesn’t act, for whatever reason. Without forgetting the repetition that implies repetition until we get bored of both ”half truth ”until it is put as true to the people.

For example, while we are suffering from gas shortages, there is still a political sector that is like that Legal action makes it impossible for hydrocarbon resources of what would become a Vaca Muerta 2, which is an offshore exploitation on the coast of Mar del Plata, where there are unparalleled possibilities for the country. It is insane that a gas basin of that size cannot be taken advantage of by judicial decisions supported, as in this case, by the official political sector of Mar del Plata. Unfortunately, this is what is happening now with energy shortages.

The reality is that the winter months are approaching and if the State does not buy gas -because at this time of year and the crisis has no choice but to buy it-, we will suffer the consequences of shortages.

In this situation, housing needs will certainly take precedence, as often happens, and it is inevitable that industry will bear the brunt, with or without scheduled cuts, but it is certain that workers will pay for the work. skepticism of those who should adopt these measures in time.

lack of gas

Nothing more and less the industry will be harmed, that activity that both apologists claim for international guilt to defend or want to motor to put our country on its feet. here, One piece of advice to boost the industry: don’t stop it.

We insist on the need to know how to anticipate and respond in a timely and appropriate manner. LDue to the lack of gas, now it takes on another dimension because of the issue of war, but these are problems now, but we have been pulling for a long time.

Ironically, Argentina can be said to have a lot of gaseven underground. As for this resource, the biggest difficulty we face as a nation is that we don’t have enough infrastructure to store it.

For this reason, it is impossible for us to produce all the gas we need for the winter. Of course, rates don’t help either, because they’re underfoot and that’s why companies lack the motivation to do so.

For our part, we have long called for investment. We believe that the completion of Néstor Kirchner’s gas pipeline to Vaca Muerta is essential to unleash the potential that Argentina has in terms of gas. This is the path on which it is appropriate to continue working in the future, in the medium and long term.

however, Vaca Muerta does not have to be the only hope, the policy should be considered the enormous natural resources offered by the land and sea of ​​Argentina, as is the aforementioned case of the coasts of Buenos Aires. We also need to immediately solve two problems related to gas extraction: its high price and how to get it. We maintain that in order to survive the winter it is necessary to purchase Liquefied Natural Gas (CNG) ships.

The State must react as soon as possible to have gas in July, because from the time it is given until the ships arrive at the port, it usually takes about 45 days. Then it will be necessary to pause internal politics and correct the decision to provide low funding for gas payments abroad. Its high value must be partially discussed or accommodated, at the risk of falling into more complex situations that could cause the industry to shut down.

*The author of this Opinion is the Secretary General of the Bahía Blanca Private Oil and Gas Union.

YN