The president of the board of directors of YPF-Tecnología (Y-TEC), Roberto Salvarezza, supported this Tuesday the offshore oil exploration project in the waters of the Argentine Sea, 300 kilometers from the coast of Mar del Plata, and asked the environmental movement to differentiate the that considers “environmental goals that, perhaps, in other countries are justified” of the local ones.
“The truth is that we are in a situation of debate on production and development that seems to confront environmentalism; and it seems to me that this is a false option,” Salvarezza told AM 750.
The former Minister of Science and Technology pointed out that, although the country has an “international commitment” and “carbon dioxide reduction goals” Through the ratification of the Paris Agreement, the way to reach them “is a decision that Argentines have to make.”
ROBERTO SALVAREZZA DEFENDED THE OFFSHORE EXPLORATION OF PETROEL
“You have to be smart and use natural resources,” he said. @RCSalvarezza in dialogue with @cyngarciaradio https://t.co/Tdb0wBnL0M— Radio AM750 (@AM750) February 15, 2022
“We are in a stage of energy transition where fossil fuels will continue to be used by all countries for decades,” Salvarezza justified.
In that sense He asked to differentiate “the environmentalism of countries like Germany from that of Argentina.”
“What they do (environmental organizations) is in pursuit of environmental goals that perhaps in other countries are perfectly justified and here they have to be set and weighed against the local needs that our country has,” said the Conicet researcher, who reiterated that it is an exploratory stage and not an exploitation stage of the project.
Oil exploration in the Argentine Sea
The seabed oil exploration project in the Argentine Sea was awarded in 2019 and implies an investment commitment of almost $800 million by the consortium of companies headed by Equinor in partnership with YPF and Shell.
On December 30, the Government granted the Environmental Impact Statement and authorized the companies to carry out seismic exploration studies.
However, last Friday the Federal Justice of Mar del Plata ordered the suspension of the project by making room for a precautionary measure promoted by the mayor of General PueyrredónGuillermo Montenegro, and environmental organizations.
“A project that can give the country an economic boost and, in turn, work” is being held back.Robert Salvarezza
“I believe that the Secretary of Energy and the Ministry of the Environment should be presenting all the material to show the judge that what is raised in the injunction is not correct,” Salvarezza said, referring to the appeal to be filed by the government.
For its part, described as “very eloquent” the photograph disclosed by social networks that shows the head of the court, Santiago Martín, together with the constitutionalist Daniel Sabsay and the environmental lawyer José Esainand considered that there was “political intent” on the part of Mayor Guillermo Montenegro.
“It seems to me that there are three people who are celebrating something that, for many Argentines, is surely not a reason for celebration since a project that can give the country an economic boost and, in turn, work, is being held back,” he said. President of Y-TEC.
