(Energy Analytics Institute, Aaron Simonsky and Pietro D. Pitts, 7.May.2019) — YPFB and YPF Argentina signed strategic deals during discussions in Santa Cruz related to upstream and downstream activities in Bolivia and Argentina, Bolivia’s Hydrocarbon Ministry announced 7 May 2019 in an official statement on its website.
In the upstream sector, the two companies plan to realize a technical evaluation of the Madre de Dios Basin with aim to confirm the hydrocarbon potential of the area and optimize exploration efforts in the basin. Also, over the next two months the companies will create a development plan for exploration activities to target the departments of La Paz, Beni and Pardo.
YPFB will also explore investment opportunities in hydrocarbon areas operated by YPF in Argentina, said Bolivia’s Hydrocarbon Minister Luis Alberto Sánchez.
In the downstream sector, the two companies expressed interest in partnerships to improve the supply of hydrocarbons in Bolivia.
YPF has offered to strengthen commercial relations with YPFB to generate economies of scale and competitive prices related to the import of finished products, as well as improving supply logistics in northern Argentina and Bolivia.
Both companies also plan to work together in the areas of bio fuels, the ministry said.
“YPF is willing to share technical and market information as well as studies related to the use of fuels and bio fuels in Argentina,” Sánchez said.
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