VMOS Project Ignores Oil Spill Warnings, Threatens Patagonian Coast
An environmental impact study, warning of oil spill dangers for the Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) project, was overlooked. Despite these concerns, the project advanced, driven by national economic and energy development goals.
The VMOS pipeline and terminal project was approved and pushed forward by the Argentine government and major local energy companies like Transportadora Gas del Sur (TGS) and Transportadora Gas del Norte (TGN), with international financial backing. Winter spill scenarios show the 'Caleta de los Loros' Reserve being the first affected, while summer scenarios see oil reaching the National Park and Natural Reserve Islote Lobos within 12 hours. In all scenarios, oil reaches the coast within 6-8 days, impacting environments of extreme ecological sensitivity.
Ocean activist Hernán Pérez Orsi warns that containment measures may not prevent a socio-ecological disaster. GNOME modeling tools confirm that oil spills could reach protected areas like Peninsula Valdés Natural Area. The Gulf of San Matías, home to the most important colonies of Magellanic penguins, faces significant environmental threats. Oil spills could impact tourism and infiltrate the food chain. The Patagonian Sea Forum has also raised alarms about oil spills in the Gulf of San Matías.
The Vaca Muerta Oil Sur project, despite environmental warnings, has proceeded due to national economic and energy development goals. Oil spills in the Gulf of San Matías could have severe environmental consequences, affecting protected areas and ecosystems, and potentially harming local tourism and the food chain.
Read also:
- Planned construction of enclosures within Görlitzer Park faces delays
- Controversy resurfaces following the elimination of diesel filter systems at Neckartor: A renewed conflict over the diesel restriction policy
- Christoph Nußbaumeder's 'Das Herz von allem' Explores Freedom in a Philosophical Adventure
- Renewable energy sources take over nuclear power and decrease overall emissions concurrently
