Meanwhile, Luis Alberto Sosa, Secretary General of the Petroleros Privados union, highlighted the need for conditions ensuring environmental remediation, legal certainty, and job security as prerequisites for a sustainable transition. He affirmed ongoing direct negotiations with YPF to address workforce concerns and noted that approximately 40 contract workers, primarily from third-party companies, have already left amid economic pressures and operational uncertainty; however, no mass layoffs have occurred. The province currently hosts around 400 to 450 workers linked to YPF and its contractors, while the union covers over 800 members, predominantly in operations led by Total.
The union also underscored the value of harnessing local expertise, expecting new operators, including Terra Ignis, to hire experienced workers familiar with the regional terrain. A flagship investment project, CA-12, is anticipated to require increased labor and be critical to preserving employment levels. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential adherence to the Régimen de Incentivo a las Grandes Inversiones (RIGI) to secure regulatory stability and encourage investor confidence, drawing on parallels with prior frameworks implemented in Santa Cruz.
Additionally, the union is actively engaging with municipal and legislative representatives to consider an additional royalty scheme that would enhance revenue distribution to northern provincial towns disproportionately affected by petroleum activities, without diminishing provincial funds. The coordinated approach among government, union, and industry actors suggests a strategic recalibration of Tierra del Fuego’s energy landscape, aiming to foster growth while balancing social and environmental commitments.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
