The Argentinean government has ordered negotiations between energy workers and the country’s leading oil companies to put an end to a work stoppage within 15 working days.
Picket lines blocking access to company facilities and keeping industry trucks off the roads have stopped oil production in northern Santa Cruz at YPF, Occidental Petroleum Corp and Pan American Energy.
The strike, now in its ninth day, has cut oil and natural gas output in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, which produces about 20% of Argentina's crude.
Most provincial energy workers at the country's leading oil companies rejected a deal reached by their union leadership for a roughly 25% pay increase, in line with privately estimated inflation, and have continued to press for better benefits.
Deputy secretary of the local oil and gas workers' union Ruben Retamoso told Reuters that members would vote today on whether or not to abide by the government-ordered conciliation.
"Production remains halted," Retamoso said. "It is totally cut."
A source in the energy industry, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters this week that YPF's halted oil output amounted to 11,000 cubic metres per day, while Oxy was losing 6000 cubic metres and Pan American had stopped producing 1400 cubic metres per day. The companies would not comment to Reuters.
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