Balancing energy security and a healthy environment

The document examines the expansion of non-conventional hydrocarbon production in the Vaca Muerta region of Argentina, highlighting significant risks to water sources and public health. Using the OBSERVAR spatial data platform, the authors identify thousands of wells in high-risk proximity to communities and water bodies, while noting a critical lack of transparent data on wastewater management. The brief argues that current provincial regulations in Neuquén and Río Negro are insufficient or inconsistently enforced and recommends a watershed-based governance approach, the creation of buffer zones, and mandatory reviews of older conventional wells before new fracking permits are issued.

• Analysis using the OBSERVAR platform reveals that 3,017 fracking wells in the provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén are located within high-risk proximities (less than 1 km) to population centers, schools, rivers, and agricultural irrigation canals, while another 2,430 wells are at medium-risk proximities (1–2 km).
• Fracking operations pose a risk of contaminating groundwater by damaging older conventional oil wells; an area of 202 km², primarily in Neuquén, is identified as being at high risk of leaks and subsequent contamination due to this interaction.
• There is a significant gap in wastewater tracking, with approximately 80% of produced water remaining unaccounted for based on official data from Argentina’s Secretary of Energy.
• Regulatory frameworks differ by province, with Neuquén possessing a stronger structure than Río Negro, though enforcement in Neuquén is questioned due to national government budgetary restrictions.
• Environmental impacts of fracking often transcend political boundaries, as wells approved and monitored in Neuquén can cause contamination in the floodplains of Río Negro, necessitating a watershed-based governance approach.
• The document recommends establishing buffer zones to prohibit drilling within 1 to 3 km of waterways, population centers, and schools to mitigate environmental and health risks.

APA

Forni, L., Gómez, R. D., Mautner, M., Gonzalez, A., Roca, J. C., Davies, C., Orrego, L., & Frabotta, A. (2024). Balancing energy security and a healthy environment. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/183788/balancing-energy-security-and-a-healthy-environment.pdf

Chicago

Forni, Laura, Romina Díaz Gómez, Marina Mautner, Agustin Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Roca, Catherin Davies, Lucia Orrego, and Azul Frabotta. Balancing energy security and a healthy environment. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2024. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/183788/balancing-energy-security-and-a-healthy-environment.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Forni |first1=Laura |last2=Gómez |first2=Romina Díaz |last3=Mautner |first3=Marina |last4=Gonzalez |first4=Agustin |last5=Roca |first5=Juan Carlos |last6=Davies |first6=Catherin |last7=Orrego |first7=Lucia |last8=Frabotta |first8=Azul |title=Balancing energy security and a healthy environment |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=December 2024 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/183788/balancing-energy-security-and-a-healthy-environment.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{forni2024balancing, author = {Forni, Laura and Gómez, Romina Díaz and Mautner, Marina and Gonzalez, Agustin and Roca, Juan Carlos and Davies, Catherin and Orrego, Lucia and Frabotta, Azul}, title = {{Balancing energy security and a healthy environment}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/183788/balancing-energy-security-and-a-healthy-environment.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }