Chubut sand resources proposed for Vaca Muerta industry

National Deputy Juan Pablo Luque has proposed reclassifying sand resources in Chubut to integrate the province into the Vaca Muerta hydrocarbon industry. Currently categorized as third-class sand primarily used for construction, Luque is seeking technical assistance from SEGEMAR to evaluate the material's potential as fracturing sand for unconventional oil and gas exploitation.

Luque argues that Chubut's proximity offers a logistical advantage; the distance from the Chubut valley to Neuquén's fields is approximately 900 kilometers, compared to 1,200 kilometers from the current primary supplier in Entre Ríos. The proposal aims to develop a full production chain within Chubut—including extraction, processing, and transport—to generate local employment and add value to the resource.