Event Summary
On 4 August 2025, the Government of the province of Río Negro published Decree No. 629/25 declaring Pan American Energy’s (PAE) private initiative to explore unconventional hydrocarbons in the “Cinco Saltos Sur” block, which includes part of Lake Pellegrini, to be of public interest. The measure authorizes the National and International Public Tender No. 01/25 and grants PAE the right of preference in case of matching the best offer. According to the official communication, the plan foresees an initial investment of US$ 8.5 million in the first three years, with the drilling of a vertical well of 3,000 m and a horizontal branch of 2,000 m, and in a successful scenario the province projects up to 147 horizontal wells.
Social organizations and local communities denounce the absence of citizen participation and prior consultation, opacity in impact studies and a logic of fait accompli that marginalizes indigenous and peasant communities, in contravention of standards of consultation/free, prior and informed consent (ILO Convention 169 / FPIC) and the Escazú Agreement. In November 2024, the provincial government had already been questioned for unilaterally imposing a “consultation” protocol without indigenous participation. These participation deficits are part of a regional pattern of expansion of unconventional with weak participatory instances, already observed in Vaca Muerta, including the Campo Maripe case raised to the United Nations by local and international organizations due to the absence of FPIC and socio-environmental risks.
Although the provincial government indicates environmental and water requirements (risk studies, environmental sensitivity and contingency plans), territorial actors warn of cumulative impacts on water, health, biodiversity and rural/indigenous ways of life, in a context of criminalization and harassment reported against Mapuche communities in Patagonia. Local media report that the block covers ~252 km² and includes part of Lake Pellegrini, with scarce 2D seismic information and a history of hydrocarbon activity since 1979, elements that increase the socio-environmental sensitivity of the Project. On July 22, 2025, in a hearing before the IACHR, Mapuche representatives from Mendoza, Neuquén, and Río Negro denounced a systematic pattern of violations linked to the extractive advance, requesting measures to prevent evictions, restore protections, and guarantee FPIC.
Due to the lack of substantive participation and consultation and the weakening of institutional dialogue mechanisms, this case reflects a deterioration under Principle 4 (Open and Responsive State) of the enabling environment, reducing the capacity of communities and CSOs to influence and exercise social oversight in decisions of high territorial and environmental impact.