MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Breaking News from Pta. Arenas.

Headlines: Chile moves into summer time; UK Ambassador to visit Punta Arenas; DAP incorporates Dash 7; ENAP denies existence of oil in Beagle Channel; Overseas bargains for strong peso.

Summer time in Chile

As of Sunday October 12th Chile moves into summer time meaning clocks must be advanced sixty minutes. October 12 therefore begins at 01:00. Summer time will extend until March 13/2004 when clocks will have to be put back one hour. Chile's insular territories (e.g. Easter Island) retain the two hours difference with the mainland. Summer and winter times are effective in Chile since 1970. For Punta Arenas residents' summer time also means a slight relief in electricity bills because between May and September clients who consume above average have to pay a "winter additional" that expires precisely when clocks are advanced sixty minutes.

UK Ambassador to visit Punta Arenas

British Ambassador in Chile Richard Wilkinson will be visiting Magallanes Region this coming week and in Punta Arenas he's scheduled to participate in a ceremony honouring Irish doctor Thomas Fenton. Doctor Fenton born in Ireland in 1850 arrived in Punta Arenas in 1875 and was the first doctor of the region when the area was still a penitentiary colony. Dr. Fenton is also considered the medical pioneer of Magallanes and is remembered for his dedication and altruism. A Punta Arenas primary attention clinic is also named after Dr. Fenton. Next Friday with the participation of Ambassador Wilkinson a wreath brief ceremony will be held next to Dr. Fenton's grave in the local cemetery and a wreath will be laid in a monument to his memory. At midday a further commemoration will be held in front of the Dr. Fenton Clinic with participation of school children and Chilean Public Health authorities. A plaque will be unveiled and a local writer will recall Dr. Fenton's dedication to the local community.

DAP incorporates Dash 7

The latest incorporation to DAP airline a DeHavilland DHC-7 or more commonly identified as Dash-7 is currently in Punta Arenas airport waiting to complete documentation and ready to begin the summer season. The Canadian built equipped with 50 seats, the first of its kind in Chile was leased for 18 months and is scheduled to transport tourists from Punta Arenas to Antarctica, Puerto Williams and Ushuaia, and possibly Falkland Islands. The Dash-7, similar to those belonging to the British Antarctic Survey, is expected to work mainly with Antarctica XXI, a regional tourist operator that specializes in Antarctic tours. DAP also expects to charter its latest incorporation to other countries Antarctic Departments operating from Punta Arenas.

ENAP denies existence of oil in Beagle Channel

Reports of the existence of oil in Isla Nueva (New island) in the Beagle Channel which were published in Punta Arenas press were denied by the Chilean government oil company ENAP. In an official release ENAP explained that experience with exploratory wells and geological data collected during decades of operations in Magallanes indicate that Isla Nueva is located in an area without oil generating rocks and no hydrocarbon prospects. Reports apparently originated in oily spots found in water wells of the area. ENAP said the probable cause of the phenomena is micro-organisms found in iron rich soils with much organic matter that interact with oxidation ions. Chemical activity produces a ferrous residue with oily presence that many times is taken for a hydrocarbon spill. ENAP also announced that is had signed and agreement with Exxon-Mobil for the annual supply of 450,000 cubic metres of high quality fuel to Central America. "This contract is another step forward in the company's strategy to internationalize downstream operations and an opportunity associate with one of the oil premier league players, giving us greater market access and cooperation chances", said ENAP CEO Daniel Fernández. The 450,000 cubic meters of top grade fuel represent 12% of the Chilean company production and 40% of overseas sales. The contract is renewable every 12 months.

Overseas bargains for strong peso

The strong appreciation of the Chilean currency particularly against the United States dollar has not had a great impact, so far, in the demand to travel overseas. According to Punta Arenas tourist operators this is so in spite of very tempting tour packages to other Mercosur and Latinamerican countries. The Uruguayan seaside resort offers five days tours and 280 US dollars per head; Buzios in Brazil, 7 days and 6 nights for 450 US dollars per person; with similar alternatives for Buenos Aires, the great attraction for Chilean residents, 3 days and 4 nights for 179 US dollars per person. Macchu Picchu ruins in Peru offers 5 days for 300 US dollars per head and Cancun, Mexico, 900 US dollars for a week. Silvana Gallardo from Simatour said that a cheaper US dollar has not meant more overseas travelling but come December, with school holidays, and January and February, things are going to be totally different. However the low season bargains are only expected to extend until mid December. "At the end of the year with the high season rates will increase, but I'm confident local residents will be travelling overseas", said Carlos Rodríguez from Safari Travel in Punta Arenas.