The National Government reported that “necessary measures were put in place to ensure the supply of gas to priority users, within the framework of the anticipated presence of low temperatures, which have been lower than those predicted (and more typical of winter)” .
In this sense, the National Government ordered “the temporary application of the interruption of supply to some CNG stations, provided for in the contracts signed under that modality.”
In this regard, ENARGAS instructed licensees and transporters “to follow the protocol that requires cutting or restricting interruptible supplies to maintain the necessary pressures in the system,” indicated in a statement from the Ministry of Energy.
Likewise, the portfolio led by Eduardo Rodriguez Chirillo, pointed out that “the Administrative Company of the Wholesale Electricity Market (CAMMESA), a large gas buyer, will be required to use gas transportation in the interruptible mode only up to the technical minimum necessary to sustain the electrical system, using alternative fuels to sustain electrical demand.” In addition, a greater volume of LNG will be purchased, he indicated.
The government of Javier Milei justified these decisions by pointing out that “the measures implemented are carried out within the framework of the vulnerability of the gas system derived from its insufficient infrastructure for decades due to lack of investment.”
In May 2023, Section 1 of the Presidente Néstor Kirchner trunk gas pipeline was inaugurated, with initial capacity to transport 11 million cubic meters per day of gas produced in Vaca Muerta. The construction of the second projected section is pending, which the government intends to be financed by the private sector.
It also maintains as a reason “the reduction in supply from Bolivia, based on agreements of the previous administration.” Strictly speaking, it was already known that Bolivia would reduce supply due to the decrease in its reserves, and therefore it was key to complete the reversal of the Northern Gasduct on time, a work delayed by the Milei Administration.
The argument of the shortage is complemented by “exceptionally high consumption of the priority demand (residential users) of natural gas (from 45 MM3/day to 70 MM3/day).”
The National Government thanked “the understanding and collaboration of all sectors involved while continuing to work to overcome this current situation, to minimize the impact on CNG industries and stations.” For now, it decided on additional purchases of LNG to inject into the gas pipeline network, and of liquid fuels to power the electricity generating plants.
