BUENOS AIRES, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Argentina's state-run
energy firm YPF said oil and natural gas output was
paralyzed in part of the key energy-producing Neuquen region for
a second day on Friday because of land-rights protests by an
indigenous group.
YPF said 400 oil wells and 300 gas wells had been shut down
in the Loma La Lata, Loma Campana and Rincon del Mangrullo
fields, resulting in a production loss of 16 million cubic
meters of gas and 32,000 barrels of crude so far.
Protesters from the indigenous Paynemil community have
barricaded roads, cutting off access to the Vaca Muerta shale
field as part of a demonstration over territorial claims.
"If they lift the road blocks, it will take another 24 to 48
hours to get the affected sites back up and running," YPF said
in a statement.
YPF said it had begun legal action against the Paynemil
community.
The Paynemil claim ancestral rights to land in Neuquen
province and their grievances could be a thorn in the side of
future joint ventures between YPF and foreign firms. Argentina
needs $200 million dollar in new investments to exploit the vast
Vaca Muerta shale fields.
(Reporting by Eliana Raszewski; Writing by Richard Lough;
Editing by Frances Kerry)
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