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Argentina looks to stop light crude imports, boost domestic refining

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Argentina aims to stop importing light crude this year and improve domestic refining operations as it moves further down the road toward energy self-sufficiency, Energy Minister Juan Jose Aranguren said.

Operators working in Argentina will continue to export oil, mostly Escalante heavy crude, he told reporters on the sidelines of an industry conference in Houston.

But more refining of domestic light crudes and larger and more regular gas supplies from Bolivia would help the South American country cut imports of costly liquefied natural gas (LNG), gasoil and crude.

The Argentine government is in talks with local refineries, encouraging them to buy more domestic light crude and import less, after a 200-Mbbl cargo of a rare light crude was exported last month to drain inventories that were not bought by state-run oil firm YPF, he said.

"Locally produced crude should be given priority in order to avoid a reduction in jobs and tax revenue," Aranguren said. "The domestic price goes from $55/bbl to $67.50/bbl depending on the crude type, which means it would be convenient to sell production in the domestic market."

President Mauricio Macri promises to increase investment in the oil sector, particularly in renewable energy and the sprawling Vaca Muerta shale formation in Patagonia, as part of his campaign to reverse Argentina's status as a net oil importer.

Argentina has been running an energy deficit since 2011, draining foreign exchange reserves.

But in a low oil price environment, foreign companies are uncertain that Vaca Muerta will be profitable and have been focusing on reducing drilling costs, executives said.

Macri was elected in November on a platform of eliminating currency and trade controls in a bid to increase investment. His election followed eight years of interventionist policies under previous leader Cristina Fernandez, who nationalized YPF in 2012.

"The country disconnected itself from the international market and lost its competitiveness," the minister said.

In five or six years, Aranguren said, Argentina should be able to stop importing LNG, only preserving gas imports from Bolivia contracted to 2027, while limiting gasoil purchases for the winter season.

Argentina will hold a tender next week for 1,000 MW of renewable energy, part of the plan to install 10,000 MW of new cleaner power capacity by 2025, Aranguren said. He expects investment of some $2.1 B for the first phase.

(Writing by Marianna Parraga, Hugh Bronstein and Anthony Esposito; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Tom Brown)

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