The costs of transportation and logistics are not at all lower in Vaca Muerta, where the elements that are used are also used in large quantities. This is the case of the asphaltite, a mineral that, due to its proximity to oil wells had an increase in its production of more than 27% last year.
According to the information provided by the Neuquén Mining Directorate, During last year, 7,259 tons of asphaltite were extracted in the province, a solid hydrocarbon derived from petroleum that is commonly used in the production of asphalt and the steel industry.
Although that is its main use, In Neuquén it is used to a greater extent for the cementing of oil and gas wells.
Local production comes from a mine that is located in the Pehuenches departmentand which is also the most important in the country. This development is located in the Pata Mora place, Pehuenches department, south of the Colorado River and near the border with Mendoza.
Specifically, last year its production skyrocketed by 27.45% year-on-year due to this greater demand. “Its use has been trending lately towards application in injection sludge,” explained the provincial director of Mining of Neuquén, Carlos Portilla, At the same time, he highlighted that asphaltite fulfills the functions of sealing wells and lubricating the drilling tool.
The reference explained that “In some way, asphaltite replaces other imported products and, of course, contributes to lowering operation costs. hydrocarbon”, due to the proximity to the locations where it is used.
Although the participation of this first-class mineral in the total volume produced in the province was lower in 2023 compared to other minerals -such as aggregates-, Asphaltite production is one of those that has grown the most.
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