Argentine gas cut could last up to 10 days: industrial union of Biobío warns of increases in production costs.

The manufacturing industry in the Biobío Region could face an increase in production costs following the suspension of natural gas supply from Argentina, due to alterations in the gas produced in Neuquén that triggered safeguard measures established in Chilean regulations. Álvaro Ananías, president of the CPC Biobío, warned that, according to information from the association based on conversations with affected member companies, the situation could last up to 10 days. "The information they (the suppliers) provide from Argentina indicates that it will take them five to 10 days to resolve this technical problem," said the leader of the multi-industry group, who added that this scenario will force some companies to implement an operational conversion, primarily towards fossil fuels like diesel.

"The operational problem is converting machines and structures to be able to supply another type of fuel; that means changing injectors and a series of parameters that need to be adjusted," explained the leader, emphasizing the technical pressure currently affecting sectors such as fishing, food, and manufacturing. Supply Fragility Although authorities and Innergy, the company that markets Argentine gas, have stated that efforts are being made for a prompt restoration of service, the impact is widespread across the productive sector in Biobío. "We called some member industries to understand their situation; the company contacted them, and they are already adopting their own policies," he indicated, stressing that the priority is to restore the flow quickly to prevent fixed cost increases from compromising the sector's profitability.

In this regard, Ananías highlighted the fragility of the current supply scheme that keeps the local industry dependent on external factors beyond its control. For CPC Biobío, it is urgent to establish a new energy security framework that provides certainty for regional investment and operations. "We have to wait for the Argentine product to give us certain guarantees for the delivery of this type of fuel and not be subject to technical problems that mean a cut in the flow," Ananías concluded.

In this context, he emphasized the opportunity to establish discussions between the governments of Chile and Argentina to address the issue and provide stability both to the supply line and the fuel being transported.