Vaca Muerta: the governor is different and said that “in Neuquén we do not impose, we agree with the businessmen”

In the days when Vaca Muerta was not in anyone’s plans, Neuquén was another Patagonian city. And since that exploitation lasted, it just hasn’t been the most populous man in the south. Hotels, shops and even buildings increased. It is not a paradise and it is far from being an emirate.

But this Wednesday morning, at the Casino Hotel, with architecture that mimics Arab palaces, perhaps to remind us that Neuquén is the oil capital, the Major oil traders have plotted an auspicious scenario within the framework of the IDEA Colloquium.

theThe price of crude oil is helping, which seems to be stabilizing at around US $ 100 per barrel and according to one of the sector leaders who spoke to off the record, It’s here to stay, at least in the medium term.

The oil sector has just signed a salary agreement with special bonus of 21% and they will be discussed again in July due to high inflation. Daniel González, former CEO of YPF and now of IDEA, acknowledged that they do not join unions.

But what was new this morning at the start of the day was Governor Omar Gutiérrez’s speech with clear political intent.

“We honor the past and build the future respecting the past,” the governor said clear rules, he referred to the fact that provincial taxes were lowered by 20% in the rhythm of larger investments. And he even dared to suggest that may change the name of the Néstor Kirchner gas pipeline to Felipe Sapag, the founder of the Neuquén Popular Movement and five -time governor of the province. Gutiérrez appreciated the role of the private sector and insisted on articulation.

“It can reach an agreement, we have not imposed the roadmap, we must agree for more investment, which generates higher collection “emphasized the governor apparently teach Casa Rosada and the Patria Institute.

In the first row he was applauded by the first line of major oil companies such as Marcos Bulgheroni, from PAE; Teófilo Lacroze from Raizen (formerly Shell), Daniel de Nigris from Exxon, Juan Garoby from Vista, Javier Rielo from Total, Martín Bengoechea from Tecpetrol, Juan Pablo Freijo from CGC and Germán Macchi from Pluspetrol.

“I’m talking about clear rules of the game that last, not temporarily,” said Gutiérrez, who has repeatedly praised the role of the private sector in the province. “Neuquén produces 50% of the country’s gas and 40% of the oil and 90% comes from Vaca Muerta. We did it learning, there are 17 companies. But We are third, we need to hurry to pass to the fourth ”.

The conference aims to discuss energy transfer. “Let’s not make a new crack,” insisted Gutiérrez, recalling the role that gas has as non-polluting energy.

Roberto Murchison recalled a few minutes before Argentina, which has little weight in the world because its GDP is 1% of global GDP, had little emissions. And he referred to the dramatic social situation in a country that does not create quality private employment.

Governor Gutiérrez seems to have taken up the challenge. And so he taught: “It prevents you from speeding. Prices are set by the national government. But the policy in Neuquén is to agree and not impose ”, he differs.

And he thanked that the gas pipeline that will finally bring gas from Vaca Muerta to the consumption centers is possible due to public and private integration. “This gas pipeline is the result of US $ 5,000 million to invest and US $ 65 billion needed by 2030 to produce 140 million cubic meters of gas per day ”. This will involve more than doubling current production.