Abandoned Salta Well Lomas de Olmedo X‑10 Sparks Crisis

An abandoned oil well known as Lomas de Olmedo X‑10, drilled in 1983 by state‑run YPF in Salta Province, Argentina, has been leaking gases and hydrocarbons for about three years. The last operator, President Petroleum S.A., went bankrupt in 2025, leaving the site uncontrolled. Environmental groups report that the leak has contaminated at least 20 hectares of native forest in the Gran Chaco, drying vegetation, killing wildlife and forcing nearby families to relocate. Greenpeace has dubbed the site the “Chernóbil argentino” due to the severity of the damage.

Provincial authorities set an initial safety perimeter of 200–300 metres around the well mouth in June 2025 and continue monitoring air, soil and water quality. Officials warn of risks of intoxication, fires and further spread of contamination to watercourses and livestock.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges in managing abandoned hydrocarbon sites and protecting vulnerable ecosystems in northern Argentina.