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Daniel González: 'Argentina Is Entering an Unprecedented Energy Phase'
🇦🇷 Argentina /Energy & Infrastructure

Daniel González: 'Argentina Is Entering an Unprecedented Energy Phase'

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • Daniel González, Argentina's Secretary of Coordination for Energy and Mining, describes the nation's energy sector as entering an unprecedented phase.
  • He distinguishes between the booming oil and gas sector, particularly Vaca Muerta, and the slower normalization process of the electricity system.
  • González highlights a new study estimating technically recoverable oil reserves at 30 billion barrels, nearly double previous figures, signaling a significant shift in the energy landscape.

Argentina's energy sector is entering a transformative period unlike anything seen before, according to Daniel González, the nation's Secretary of Coordination for Energy and Mining. González, who previously served as CEO of YPF, believes the country is on the cusp of a paradigm shift, driven by burgeoning oil and gas production.

Argentina is entering a phase that we have never seen.

— Daniel GonzálezSecretary of Coordination for Energy and Mining of the Nation, describing the current state of Argentina's energy sector.

Speaking at an energy summit, González differentiated between the two main components of the energy industry. He described the oil and gas sector, with Vaca Muerta as a key driver, as experiencing rapid growth and a strong focus on exports. This segment, he noted, is already yielding tangible results and represents a "change of paradigm" that is actively unfolding, not merely a future promise.

If we talk about energy, oil and gas, it's all upwards. Argentina is entering a phase that we have never seen and that implies a change of paradigm. And it is something that is happening. It is not a promise.

— Daniel GonzálezElaborating on the rapid growth in the oil and gas sector.

In contrast, the electricity system is undergoing a more gradual process of normalization concerning tariffs, subsidies, and infrastructure investments. While progress is being made and González expressed satisfaction with the advancements, he acknowledged this aspect of the energy sector operates at a different pace compared to oil and gas.

Then there is the part of electrical energy, which has to do with public services. We are in a normalization process that takes time. We are doing very well and I am very satisfied with how we are advancing, but it is a very different reality from the other.

— Daniel GonzálezDescribing the slower but steady progress in normalizing the electricity system.

A significant development highlighted by González is a recent study by the Argentine Institute of Petroleum and Gas (IAPG). The comprehensive analysis of the Vaca Muerta basin estimated technically recoverable oil reserves at 30 billion barrels. This figure nearly doubles the previous estimate, underscoring the vast potential of Argentina's hydrocarbon resources and signaling a potentially dramatic expansion of the nation's energy output and export capabilities.

It gave us 30,000 million barrels. That number, by itself, doesn't tell you anything. The important thing is to know that it is almost double the last estimate, which was not made by us.

— Daniel GonzálezCommenting on the significant increase in estimated oil reserves from a new study.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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