Spain has taken a step back with import restrictions on Argentina’s bio-diesel applied in a reprisal move after Argentine president Cristina Fernandez decided to seize control of energy company YPF, subsidiary of Spanish Repsol, earlier this year.
Spain’s Repsol has sued Chevron Corp. in New York seeking to prevent the US oil giant from developing energy assets in Argentina. The federal lawsuit filed Tuesday follows other legal claims that the Spanish oil company has filed in Madrid and Washington, demanding more than 10 billion dollars in compensation for the majority stake in the YPF oil company that Argentina's government took over in April.
Spain's Repsol SA filed on Monday a complaint against Argentina before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) over its nationalization of energy company YPF SA, according to sources familiar with the dispute.
Repsol Chairman Antonio Brufau has expressed his determination to reach a solution on compensation for the nationalisation of its shares in YPF, and says that he is willing to take the matter to an international court level to ensure a fair amount is paid.
Argentina’s nationalized oil and gas company YPF and the head of Latin American and African operations for Chevron Corp. are discussing a potential agreement to develop the massive Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas formation in the Patagonian province of Neuquén.
Planning Minister Julio De Vido denied that the Government plans the “intervention” of the energy sector and clarified that “we demand investment and production plans. This is not an intervention, simple more planning.”
Spain’s Repsol SA said on Thursday its second-quarter net profit (excluding the recently-nationalized Argentine unit YPF) declined 45% on the year, as higher production in Libya and elsewhere couldn't offset the effect of declining oil and gas prices on the value of inventories.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez advised Repsol to seek a friendly agreement in its dispute with Argentina and noted that the Spanish energy company held important assets in his country.
Spain’s Repsol said on Thursday it has reached an agreement with a consortium of Chilean investors, led by LarrainVial, for the sale of 100% of its subsidiary Repsol Butano Chile for approximately 540 million dollars.
At least four leading US oil corporations are interested in investing in Argentina’s nationalized YPF but are demanding a law that guarantees investments, direct export of oil and remittance of benefits.