| Work Detail |
The province will launch the “continuous bidding” model for the first time. There are nine exploration areas and three exploitation areas.
Mendoza tenders 12 oil areas with an innovative model
The Ministry of Energy and Environment of Mendoza launched the national and international public call for 12 oil areas with the new “continuous bidding” model, which will guarantee that the calls are permanent and do not remain deserted.
“They are mostly exploratory tenders. Nine are exploration and three are exploitation. The objective is, in addition to there being investments, to know the potential that we consider exists in the province,” explained the director of Hydrocarbons of Mendoza, Estanislao Schilardi.
The call for bidding, approved by Decree 322/2024, covers the Cuyana Basin and the Neuquén Basin. The areas that are tendered are:
Zampal (exploration permit)
Malargüe (exploration permit)
Boleadero (exploration permit)
CN V (exploration permit)
Sierra Azul Sur (exploration permit)
Calmuco (exploration permit)
Ranquil Norte (exploration permit)
Bajada del Chachahuén ( exploration permit)
Chachahuén Norte (exploration permit)
Payún Oeste (exploitation concession)
Loma El Divisadero (exploitation concession)
Sitio Molina Norte (exploitation concession)
The Payún Oeste and Bajada del Chechahuén areas have private initiatives declared of public interest. This instrument, regulated by Decree 1478/2023, allows an interested party to make an investment proposal for a free area and request to tender it.
The specifications can be purchased at the Hydrocarbons Directorate from 02/26/2024 until the date of submission of offers. The purchase of the document will entitle each purchaser to receive the available technical documentation that the Hydrocarbons Directorate has for the areas included in the call.
Meanwhile, the opening date of envelope will be 05/23/2024 at 3:00 p.m. The opening date of envelope B will be 06/24/2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Those who want more details or clarifications can contact the Hydrocarbons Directorate email: licitacionhidrocarburos@mendoza.gov.ar up to 7 business days before the date of submission of offers.
A growth model
This new bidding process has as its central objective to attract companies and investments that generate an increase in hydrocarbon production, prioritizing the continuity of the rational and sustainable exploration and exploitation of conventional resources. It also seeks to encourage the sustainable exploration and exploitation of unconventional resources in formations with great potential, such as Vaca Muerta.
The last oil exploration tender that Mendoza launched was in 2017, and one of the unconventional wells that were drilled in 2023 corresponds to one of these areas. Therefore, although they are risky investments, exploration bears fruit.
The advantage of this bidding model is that extraordinary fees are eliminated, leaving the royalty at 12%, in order to attract bidders that focus their efforts on investment commitments.
“For exploration areas, no minimum investment is set. It is left open for the market to decide. This previously meant obstacles in bidding and deserted areas without offers,” explained Schilardi. “These modifications make investments more attractive,” he stated.
As in the fiscal stimuli, in which investors received refunds, this modality ends up having an impact on the coffers of the Province, since oil areas are reactivated and more royalties are generated for Mendoza.
EXPLORATION AREA: ZAMPAL
Type of Work: Services
Client: HYDROCARBONS DIRECTION
Tender No: 101/2024-113
Location: Province of Mendoza
Opening date: 05/23/2024 at 03:00 PM
Official budget: No data
More information at ObraPublica.com
Source: ObraPublica.com |
