Non-Conventional Hydrocarbons in Argentina: Explorations in the Profound, Transformations in the Territories

Abstract

The development of non-conventional hydrocarbons in the United States has generated a revolution in the oil industry worldwide. Then, other countries begin to explore their resources. The Neuquen and the Golfo San Jorge basins, and more recently the Austral Magallanes basin in Argentina have seen since the decade of 2010 the disembarkation of the activity in their territories. The latter are transformed economically, socially and environmentally due to the new dynamicsthat are installed. This paper seeks to analyze the main transformations in Argentine cities close to the non-conventional hydrocarbons activity. For this, we worked with primary sources, based on interviews with qualified informants and secondary sources, mainly bibliographic and press material. It is observed that the Neuquina basin, pioneer in the development of the activity, goes through the major transformations in its territory, mainly in the city of Añelo. In contrast, the incipient explorations in the territories of the Golfo San Jorge and the Austral Magallanes basins still do not generate important changes.