Argentinian Group Sues Shale Explorers

A local waste treatment contractor used by international shale gas and oil explorers in southern Argentina’s Vaca Muerta is being accused by a group representing the local indigenous community of illegally dumping hazardous sludge.

The Mapuche Confederation of Neuquen, a group representing indigenous people, filed a criminal complaint in October calling on Argentina’s public prosecutor’s office to investigate Treater, the waste treatment company, as well as state YPF, Total, ExxonMobil, Pan American Energy (a joint venture of BP, local Bridas and China’s Cnooc) and Pampa Energia as companies that use Treater’s services. Last week, environmental organisations monitoring the situation said authorities from Argentina’s Office for Environmental Crimes and Special Laws had raided Treater’s offices. The matter was also reported by French news agency AFP on December 17.

Most cited have not commented to NGW:  state-owned YPF declined immediate comment while Total, Shell, Pan American, and Pampa Energia have not replied to emails. Nor did Neuquen province’s governor, or Argentina’s energy ministry.  ExxonMobil spokesman Jeremy Eikenberry though did reply by email: “We routinely conduct audits of our facilities to ensure the integrity of our operations. An August 2018 internal audit found no evidence of spills or environmental contamination during the life of the facility, which was confirmed by the third-party operator. We remain focused on safety in all of our operations.”

According to a follow-up AFP report December 18, Total also said it will ask a subcontractor in Argentina for "additional checks" following the complaint by the Mapuche.

The case points to a dump, close to a town, agricultural fields and the Neuquen River, covering nearly 13.6 hectares, equivalent to 15 soccer fields, where hazardous waste was allegedly deposited without first having been correctly treated.