One of the most complex operational milestones in the recovery of the San Lorenzo refinery was the preparation of its logistical interconnection infrastructure with the Paraná River. Federico Pucciariello detailed the meticulous technical work that made it possible to rehabilitate the underground poliducts and reopen the YPF port for international trade after more than a decade and a half of inactivity.

Major Surgery Under Eva Perón Boulevard
The connection between the industrial plant and the loading terminals depends on two historic poliducts that run beneath Eva Perón Boulevard. For years, these pipelines remained unused and contained residues of heavy crude.

“A large part of the initial work involved extracting all the crude from those poliducts and from the storage tanks. We had to refurbish tanks with new floors, replace bells and roofs that were perforated. In just six months, we transformed a petrochemical industry into an oleochemical one,” explained the CEO of Essential Energy.

Thanks to this conversion, the infrastructure no longer transports polluting fossil hydrocarbons, but rather biodegradable products with no harmful effluents for the urban environment.

Loading Ships Again After 15 Years
The logistical transformation yielded its first results last week with a milestone for Up River navigation: the loading and dispatch of the first export vessel from the refinery in more than 15 years.

It was the Danish-flagged vessel Dina Marquesa, which departed from the YPF San Lorenzo dock carrying 12,000 tons of bioenergy bound for international markets. “It was an emotional moment and a commercial milestone that shows that when there is goodwill and coordinated work with YPF, things can be done right in Argentina,” highlighted Pucciariello.

Bunkering and Educational Alliance with UTN
The port infrastructure plan also includes investment in Pier 1 (which will be exclusive for Santa Fe Bio operations) and the reactivation of Pier 3, where the bunkering service has already been enabled (100% bio fuel supply for ships and tugboats).

Additionally, the project includes a strong social and academic impact: the old polyclinic located inside the refinery will be transferred to the National Technological University (UTN) to install classrooms where degree programs and specializations in bioenergy and artificial intelligence applied to industry will be taught.