Inspenet, July 23, 2023.
Although no faults were found, the Oleoducto Trasandino (OTASA) halted oil exports temporarily due to heavy rains that exposed a section of the line. After verifying the integrity of the structure, operations were resumed and the volume sent to the neighboring country was increased to make up for lost time.
Resuming operations
The rainstorm that occurred at the end of last month not only caused flooding in several locations, but also exposed a section of the Trasandino Pipeline (OTASA). This line, which resumed operation in May after 17 years, is used to export oil directly from Vaca Muerta to Chile. After carrying out all the necessary inspections, exports resumed and a greater flow is currently being sent to compensate for the days in which the system was inactive.
It is important to mention that the pipeline was not operating for 16 days, not due to malfunctions, but as a precaution after the effects of the rainstorm that affected one of the rivers that the pipeline crosses.
Specifically, the Curí Leuvú River experienced a significant increase in its flow, causing a flood that exposed approximately 70 meters of the length of the pipeline that is normally found under the riverbed. In the same area, the Gasoducto del Pacífico pipeline was also affected and had to stop its shipments.
As a preventive measure against this situation, oil shipments were temporarily suspended and a complete inspection of the pipeline route was carried out to detect possible damage, but fortunately there was none.
Then OTASA, a company formed by ENAP of Chile, YPF and Chevron, had to follow the administrative procedures to resume operations, including presenting the inspection results to entities such as the Neuquén Undersecretary of Water Resources and the National Directorate of Transportation.
The authorization to resume activity was granted on July 12, and that same night the pipeline began to transport crude oil to the other side of the Andes mountain range.
Oil export at full speed
The pipeline currently operates according to the contract agreed between YPF and ENAP to export a daily average of 41,500 barrels (equivalent to 6,600 m3) during an initial period of 45 days.
To compensate for the days of suspension of the service and comply with the total shipment within the agreed period, both companies have agreed to increase the daily volume. In communication with “Energía On”, they expressed their expectation that by the end of the month the days in which the service was stopped would have been recovered.
This task, together with the rapid resumption of shipments, is essential to build confidence in the Chilean market, which has begun to receive these shipments after 17 years of pipeline inactivity due to falling oil production in Argentina.
In the coming weeks, the signing of a new export agreement is expected. In addition, YPF is advancing in the construction of the Vaca Muerta Norte pipeline, which will connect the heart of the developments in the Añelo area with the north of Neuquén and will increase the volume of exports.
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