Shell seeks restart of Argentina refinery

11 September 2007 01:38  [Source: ICIS news]

BUENOS AIRES (ICIS news)--Royal Dutch Shell met on Monday with Argentine government officials to present an environmental plan in an effort to restart its refinery in Buenos Aires that was shut down last week.

The refinery, an important domestic fuel supplier, was shut down over environmental concerns.

According to a government spokesperson, Shell representatives met with the Argentine Environmental Secretary, and the government will now analyse the documentation.

However, the solution will require an “investment plan” for the long term to address concerns about pollution found in oil samples by government inspectors, the spokesperson said.

Private estimates are that the closure of the facility could mean a loss of $6m (€4.4m) per day to Shell, but confirmation of the estimate was not available from the company.

The shutdown was ordered after inspections found irregularities including a lack of authorization to extract water from local waterways and River Plate, alleged spillage and deficient management of wastes.

The company said that the stock of oil products is guaranteed for 10 days. For this reason, sales to the consumer do not present problems by the moment.

($1.00 = €0.73)

By: Cristina Kroll
+1 713 525 2653

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