Argentina shuts Shell refinery, citing pollution

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Argentina shuts Shell refinery, citing pollution
Wed Sep 5, 2007 9:14PM EDT

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's government on Wednesday ordered the closure of a refinery belonging to Royal Dutch Shell Plc, citing concerns over pollution.

The move comes amid increasing tensions between the company and the government of President Nestor Kirchner, which has clashed with the oil major over energy prices and supplies.

The facility, the Anglo-Dutch oil company's sole refinery in the country, was ordered shut after government officials detected leaks, contamination in soil samples and other infractions, the Environment Secretariat said in a statement.

The facility will remain closed until "the company ends the dangerous situation for the environment," the statement said.
(snip)

The decision marks the latest in a string of confrontations between the local unit of Shell and Kirchner that began in 2005 when the center-left leader called on Argentines to boycott the company's products after it raised prices.



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