Congress supports the return of Petroperú to the Talara lots

Different tunes. A few hours after the start of the perpetuation of the private yoke in the lots of Talara, encouraged by the Government of Dina Boluartethe Energy and Mines Commission of the Congress bets on Petroperú to assume the operations whose concessions are about to expire (see infographic).

By means of a substitute text, They seek a law that declares it is in the national interest to empower Petroperú to negotiate directly with Perupetro the award of oil lots for exploration and exploitation.

The incongruity of Minem

The Minister of Energy and Mines, Óscar Vera, and the president of Perupetro, Isabel Tafur, participated in the commission, who technically validated and gave some annotations to the replacement text —which ended in the fourth intermission at the request of congresswoman Elizabeth Medina Hermosilla.

Vera Gargurevich, despite turning her back on the absolute return of Petroperú by now limiting it to 40% for future contracts, acknowledged that the approach of the forecast is appropriate so as not to collide with Law 30130 and that it occurs at a time when “Petroperú does not have cash flow”, but it is feasible to reach large lots with a partner.

“If we analyze what we have in Talara, in all the lots it could participate Petroperualways accompanied by an investment partner. Yes, it is feasible that it is in the available lots, (but) not in lots V and VII, that are marginal and that have been put out to tender. But in all the others, it is feasible,” the official said.

In addition, he considered it necessary for “reserves to recover and increase again.” “It is not the idea that it stays as we are producing, but to go up much more because these fields have much more oil to extract,” he said.

The tests speak

Medina Hermosilla questioned that the Government and some of his colleagues encourage private companies to keep the lots for almost 60 years despite the fact that, since they arrived, production dropped dramatically: from just over 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 40,000 (bpd) by the end of 2022. And its exploratory work has been insignificant: barely three wells were drilled in the Talareña basin.

While Francis Paredes (BM) asked not to see the debate from an ideological edge, but towards the real benefit for all, since Petroperú currently buys US$80 a barrel that is produced at just over US$30 due to the import nature of the market. .

“This scenario cannot withstand even the slightest financial analysis. The oil that will be produced in the batches has a secure market at the (New) Talara Refinery, but now everything that Talara produces has to be bought by Petroperú. What else is there to demonstrate that it is a business with very low risk?”, he emphasized.

Despite the financial crisis that is dragging the refinery, this does not prevent Petroperú from assuming the batches because there is no risk: the oil is still in the subsoil and it is the same that the state-owned company explored several years ago, according to the former president of Perupetro Aurelio Ochoa.

Agreed final provisions

Congressman Jorge Morante (Popular Force) added to Perupetro’s proposal that, in a scenario in which Petroperú chooses to assume alone a lot without supporting Minem and MEF, it would be without effect to sign an agreement with Perupetro regarding a batch.

Vertical integration in all its activities would take place in 2027.

The word

Elizabeth Medina, congresswoman of the Magisterial Bloc

“Production in Talara has fallen by 40% and the amount of labor falls critically. The companies took abusive advantage of the figure of outsourcing. The conditions are undignified.”