As expected by Ámbito, Argentina has authorized the export of natural gas to Chile in unbroken volumes until December 31, 2024, which means an energy integration program in addition to confirming the role of the country as a strong supplier of energy from the production of Vaca Muerta.
The decision is given within the framework of the works of 50th anniversary of the coup d’état against the government of Salvador Allende where the Undersecretary of Latin American Affairs will participate, Gabriel Fuchs, and the Argentine Ambassador to Chile, Rafael Bielsa.
This work on energy integration is carried out through the Undersecretary of Latin American Affairs of the Argentine Foreign Ministry, which oversees the Gabriel Fuchs and the Ministry of Energy, which leads Flavia Royon and their counterparts in Chile, as well as the private sector.
Fuks explained that “in addition to guaranteeing Chile’s natural gas exports for the 2023-2024 summer season, the Government of Argentina authorized exports on natural gas hardy for the next winter season, until 5 million cubic meters per day, and until the end of 2024 up to 9 million cubic meters per day through the central zone from October to December 2024.
Similarly, he emphasized that “the export of natural gas from Argentina to Chile represents the more sustainable way in environmental and economic terms to move towards decarbonization of the energy matrix, by exploiting Argentina’s competitive advantages in natural gas production and the energy complementarity that characterizes bilateral relations.”
In this way, our country annualizes its exportable gas supply, with enough notice so that buyers in Chile can optimize decision making.
Chile’s gas exports: the official figures
According to data from INDEC During January – July it is exported to Chile natural gas for US$556,403,366 with a growth of 86.8% compared to the same period last year.
Las exports of stable natural gas produced starting in 2020 with the launch of Gas Plan.Ar strengthens the relationship and Argentina’s credibility as a supplier. Chile seeks to import cheaper and cleaner energy, so the supply of Argentine gas is viewed with interest. It should be noted that, during 2022, the natural gas is the first exported product in Argentina to Chile (US$688 million).
Exports to Chile: what are the current agreements
Regarding the export of stable natural gas during the summer season, between October 2022 and April 2023, exports strong in Gas.Ar Plan for 9 MMm3/d (millions of cubic meters per day) from the Neuquén basin (GasAndes). Instead, they agreed exports strong for Assistance Agreements (YPF exports 0.3 MMm3/d to the Pacific and 1.3 MMm3/d through Methanex) and for the summer period October 2023 – April 2024, firm exports of 9 MMm3/d from in the Neuquén basin (GasAndes).
Also, on May 16, 2023, the Secretary of Energy announced the start of the final stage of rehabilitation of the Trasandino Oil Pipeline from Vaca Muerta to Chile. To achieve this, the work and the commercial agreement were signed between YPF y ENAP in order to guarantee the infrastructure and minimum quantity of crude oil and thereby sustain the entire transportation and export operations.
