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The problems encountered by Latin American efforts to privatize the energy industry, as exemplified by the situations in Argentina and Brazil, offer valuable lessons regarding privatization of state-controlled enterprises. The privatization of such businesses requires solid public support for market reforms, an ability to overcome legal stumbling blocks, and the creation of a strong independent regulatory framework. The frameworks, labor situations, and specific privatization programs in Brazil and Argentina are compared and contrasted.

Argentina's state company YPF was virtually a monopoly which produced hydrocarbons in 1989. Other companies in the refining and retail sectors were also operating under rigorous price and quantity regulations. The government began to implement deregulation laws and decrees which redefined the economy's role and put a stop to its business activities. Its markets were deregulated and monopolies were eliminated. The state-owned YPF was consequently privatized., Macroeconomic Overview In 1989, when the new government was starting to introduce its program, the state company YPF produced hydrocarbons in a virtual monopoly, whilst in the refining and retail [...]

Argentina's electric industry was transformed when a presidential decree was proclaimed in Apr. 1991 by the government to provide for the energy requirements of the community and the economy. The policy of an open economy meant participation of private companies. The National Entity of Electricity Regulation was created in 1992 and the Electricity Wholesale Market was organized in preparation for the privatization of companies., Macroeconomic Overview Transformation of the electric industry in Argentina began in April 1991 with the Presidential decree reconverting the sector, which defined the types of activity and separated the generation, [...]

Argentina's state nuclear generation company Nucleoelectrica Argentina (NA) on 24 August 2006 signed agreements to formally restart construction of the 745MWe Atucha 2 nuclear power plant. NA director general Mario [...]

AFTER FOUR years of crippling recession, Argentina's economy showed signs of life in 2003, growing by an estimated 8.7%. Helped by the devaluation of the peso, Argentine businesses have stepped [...]

The Argentian state oil company Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales (YPF) will be privatized after a long political debate. The company's privatization has already yielded $4.5 billion in cash and $6 billion in debt paper. The state will retain a 20% share, while 70% will be open to the public and 10% will be available to YPF employees. Meanwhile, YPF has successfully improved production and efficiency. Sales per employee have doubled to $173,000 and costs have dropped from 140% to 80%. Sales are forecast to rise from $300 million to $600 million in 1993., While the politicians haggled over its privatisation, the state oil company, YPF, moved to mend its inefficient ways. THE Argentinian Congress, at the third attempt, approved government plans to privatise [...]

Sorry, there's none here either The government's populist energy policies are beginning to cause chaos LAST year, as the southern hemisphere's winter stretched Argentina's vulnerable energy infrastructure to near breaking-point, [...]

Argentina Imposes $7.5 Million Fine on Shell for Supposed Diesel Shortages: According to a Reuters report, Argentina imposed a $7.5 million fine on Shell last month over alleged shortages of [...]

For an economy that has recently been growing at 9% a year, it is remarkable how little energy investment has been made in the country, writes Robert Cauclanis SINCE the [...]

Chile suffers from Argentina's energy bungling IN THE late 1970s, Chile and Argentina almost went to war over three small islands off Cape Horn. Since the return of democracy to [...]

ARGENTINA HAS CONFIRMED A plan to increase annual energy production at the Yacyreta binacional hydroelectric project. The increased energy production is to be achieved by raising the operating elevation of [...]

DUKE ENERGY, a U.S.-based energy company, was granted government approval to commence trading and marketing of electricity and natural gas in [...]

GASODUCTO DEL PACIFICO, a US$310 million gas pipeline, began operations in November 1999. The pipeline will transport 1.5 million cubic meters of natural gas from Repsol-YPF operated fields in Neuquen, [...]

AES PARANA received a $112 million loan to help build a power generation plant in San Nicolas, Argentina. The total cost of the plant is $448 million and includes a [...]

The privatization of Argentina's nuclear power plants could wipe out all bidders unless the government subsidizes the sale. IN 1994, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT OF CARLOS Menem began the process of [...]

Argentina decided to suspend all exports of liquid fuels in response to rising domestic prices and supply shortages. This move coincided with more than 50,000 power cuts hitting the country after a peak in electricity demand.

Deregulation of Argentina's energy sector by the new government could benefit five American depositary receipts (ADRs) on the New York Stock Exchange.

The assurance given by the Bolivian Vice-president Alvaro Garcia Linera to meet the natural gas requirements of Argentina is discussed.

The country is set for a repeat of its 2004 energy crisis, with supplies of gas and power expected to be rationed once the southern hemisphere winter begins. Meanwhile, the [...]

Argentina has yet to pass a proposed hydrocarbons law three years after it was submitted for approval in 1995. Local and foreign oil firms have strongly lobbied for the legislation but the country's lower house of congress has not shown signs of passing it. Industry observers believe that the bill is dead after the party of Pres. Carlos Menem lost in the 1997 congressional elections. Menem's administration has introduced new incentives to boost local oil exploration so that the projected 48 million cubic meters of annual oil production can be met., Three years after the government first submitted a draft hydrocarbons law, legislators in Argentina's lower house of congress show little inclination to approve it. Despite strong lobbying from the local [...]

Common ground between Argentina, UK stimulates Falkland exploration effort Unfettered exploration around the Falklands looks feasible following the signing of an accord between Argentina and the UK. The two countries [...]

A large-scale exploration round with attractive new terms could be adversely affected by political uncertainty over controversial oil and gas privatisation and deregulation, writes Maria Kielmas The menem government's ambitious [...]

State-run oilfields are part of the great Menem sell-off, but the programme has been plagued by last minute hitches and delays. By Will Ollard THE CHAOS of Argentina's privatisation programme [...]

Argentina has announced an ambitious programme to expand its nuclear generation capacity through both plant life extensions and new build. Planning minister Julio de Vido said the strategic plan will [...]

Arsentina's drive to increase the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) could ease pressure on natgas supplies for the chemical industry, says an official at the Argentine Chamber of the [...]