The fact that the New Talara Refinery (NRT) is located in the heart of the basin of the same name has a purpose as simple as it is evident: that it be fed with the crude itself extracted from the surrounding batches. For something Petroperú is the only buyer in the area.
This is how the private companies that, during the last 30 years, sold oil to the Peruvian State that used to belong to Petroperú at international prices, understood it. However, the rate of investment aimed at social responsibility and well-being of the population in the area of influence did not receive the same treatment as investment in development wells; that is, to continue draining oil without the need to guarantee new reserves.
This is the case of Block X, the largest in Talara with its 11,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), operated by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), where the population of El Alto demands that their contract not be renewed beyond 2024 due to historical neglect of the environment, violation of labor rights and principles of responsibility with the community, which transcends even the educational level with a progressive “cutting of scholarships and school meals”.
“We have oil that in the last 4 years has been at a good price, but the company has always boasted of not having resources. That Lot X is not profitable for it. So, why do they want to stay?” says Augusto Correa, consultant to organized civil society in the El Alto district.
Upheaval across the coast
The same situation is replicated in the other lot of CNPC, the VII/VI, operated by its Sapet branch in the districts of Lobitos, Pariñas and La Brea. Here, the mayor of Negritos, Ronald Revolledo, assures that they are committed with the development of contracts that emphasize social responsibility of the new companies.
“It is unfortunate that, being an oil district that contributes to the treasury, we do not have water, gas and hospitals, when we did have them before. Instead of developing, we went hand in hand with these companies,” he said after a meeting with the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem).
Residents say they feel harmed by the exploitation model of a Chinese company. Photo: diffusion
Precisely, the Government carried out a round of dialogue in Piura at the end of April to ensure a reallocation of lots that guarantees the continuity of operations for the benefit of the population. According to what was announced jointly with Perupetro, the objective is a reversal in favor of Petroperú.
keys
Contract. The first batches to be reversed are I, VI/VII and Z-2B. Perupetro secured three of them, in addition to X, for the state-owned Petroperú.
Exploitation. Minem has guaranteed that, with the entry of Petroperú, the same royalty scheme that previously existed in each field will be maintained (27.4%, Block X; 18.64%, Block I; 28%, Block VII/VI; 16 %, Lot Z-2B).
reactions
Óscar Vera Gargurevich, Minister of Energy and Mines
“We are a country rich in minerals and oil, but that wealth has real value when it is used and generates development. Our mission is focused on making more and more investments”.
Augusto Correa, representative of civil society El Alto
“We do not want CNPC to continue and we are waiting for his contract to end. And don’t stay another minute. What affection are we going to have for a multinational that, instead of giving, takes away from us?
figures
- 26,215 barrels per day reached the Talara basin in 2022.
- US$75 is the international price of a barrel of oil, according to the WTI marker.
- 95,000 barrels will be the processing capacity of Petroperú’s New Talara Refinery.
Source: Larepublica
Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.
