Executive Branch will tender Talara lots after business pressure

On the verge of Talara lots I, VI and Z-69 reverting to Petroperú after 30 years of privatization, the Government of Dina Boluarte changed its mind and announced that an international public competition will be held to elect the new administrator of these fields .

Óscar Vera, head of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), announced that this “is not a setback” and on the contrary “marks the path to follow” to demonstrate transparency in the face of pressure exerted by “an important sector of companies and congressmen.” ”.

In fact, exactly a week ago, unions such as Confiep and the National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy (SNMPE) denounced that the direct delivery of the lots to the State —read, Petroperú— “would undermine business confidence and scare away private investment.” ”, added to the fact that it does not have the technical capacity or capital to take on risky investments.

At the same time, both Premier Alberto Otárola and the presidents of the board of directors of Perupetro and Petroperú —Isabel Tafur and Pedro Chira, respectively— put a cold shoulder to the business bombardment, remembering that it is the Government’s motto to give the lots to Petroperú because it sought to improve levels. production, which since privatization fell from 130,000 barrels per day to 40,000 barrels. All this within an absolutely legal framework.

Inconsistency

Vera reiterated that in three decades of privatization of lots “there has not been good management,” since not only was crude oil production contracted, but investments in exploration were not fulfilled and even the lot assets deteriorated, as in Lot Z-69.

In addition, he recognized the virtues of the New Talara Refinery, since, if integrated with the lots, the profits for Petroperú would be close to US$1,000 million. “Petroperú is the one who maintains the oil business in Talara because it pays for the crude oil at the international price. “There are 6 or 7 million dollars a day that are spent on raw materials,” he reflected.

Now, with the turn of the helm, Petroperú will be one more bidder in the fight. While Perupetro lays the foundations for the bidding, the fields will be temporarily entrusted to the state company. There is no estimated date for this contest or for the publication of the decree that provisionally assigns them.

It is worth noting that the contract for Lot VI, operated by Sapet, expires on October 21; that of Z-69 (Savia) expires on November 15; and that of I, on December 24 of the current year. The latter has been temporarily managed by the state firm for two years.

Fights in Congress

In a context where it emerged that three directors of Perupetro changed their vote, the Peru Libre bench found evidence to associate the censure of Minister Vera driven by Fujimorism with Confiep’s request to extend the current contracts for three years. It is worth mentioning that the decrees that reverted the lots to Petroperú 100% were going to come out next week.

Some parliamentarians from the pencil party withdrew their signature from the motion presented last Thursday the 14th and questioned the censorship – supported by five investigated for the Los Niño case -.

Finally, the National Hydrocarbons Federation of Peru (Fenahid) announced that on September 27 there will be a nationwide mobilization in rejection of Congress’s desire to reprivatize. The mayor of Talara, Sigifredo Zárate, agrees with the unrest and assures that in 30 years of privatization there was no progress in social matters.

Reactions

Óscar Vera Gargurevich, Minister of Energy and Mines

“Given the claim of unions, companies and a sector of congressmen, instructions were given to Perupetro to prepare a contest. While this happens, the lots will go to Petroperú on request.”

Margot Palacios, congresswoman from free Peru

“When the lots were concessioned, they had significant production capacity. It has decreased dramatically. Why do they want to hand themselves over to companies that have done nothing?