Chilean state oil company Enap's Aconcagua refinery should be back in operation within 10 days, but there is still no set timetable for the resumption of service at the Bío Bío refinery, an Enap spokesperson told BNamericas on Thursday.
 
"We're still extensively assessing the condition of each plant," the spokesperson said.
 
Local reports surfaced Thursday that the Bío Bío refinery would be closed for at least a month.
 
Both refineries were shut immediately following Saturday morning's 8.8-magnitude earthquake, according to Enap.
 
Enap attributed the problems to structural damage and operational disruptions related to power cuts.
 
Energy minister Marcelo Tokman and Enap officials continue to stress that fuel supply is secure and there were no distribution or infrastructure impediments to increasing imports.
 
Argentina is sending 5.5Mm3/d of natural gas to Chile, more than double the usual amount, according to reports.
 
The Aconcagua refinery refines 100,000b/d. The Bío Bío refinery, near the quake's epicenter in Concepción, sends out approximately 116,000b/d.
 
 
 
By Christopher Lenton / Business News Americas