BUENOS AIRES : Oil Over the Andes
Presidents Carlos Saul Menem of Argentina and Patricio Aylwin of Chile officially open a new pipeline today that will carry Argentine petroleum over the Andes to the Chilean port of San Vicente, near Concepcion.
The 260-mile-long, $230-million line, built in 15 months, provides an important outlet for the oil fields of Argentina’s southern Neuquen province and low-cost transportation for Chilean oil imports. Argentina produced more than 200 million barrels of oil in 1993, exporting about 20% of it. Chile imports most of its petroleum; its national production has fallen by about 40% in the past 15 years.
After opening the spigots, Menem and Aylwin will fly to Concepcion for further ceremonies and meetings.
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