The Neuquén legislature has approved by a comfortable majority the agreement struck between YPF and Chevron to exploit the Vaca Muerta shale gas reserves, after a day disrupted by fierce protests outside the provincial parliament.
Opponents of the proposed link between the state-owned petroleum company and US-based multinational Chevron clashed with police throughout the duration of Wednesday’s vote.
But the initiative was eventually approved with 25 lawmakers in favour, two abstentions and eight absentees.
Legislators representing the Neuqinos Union, the Workers’ Left Front and Free People of the South walked out on the session to show their opposition, but positive votes from the Victory Front, Popular Neuquino Movement and other government allies were sufficient for the bill to pass.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald