We had an exclusive interview with Fausto Maranca, new president of the Compressed Natural Gas Argentine Chamber (CAGNC), who claimed that it is time for the Argentine industry to provide a major step in its internal and external development, given the high oil prices, concerns about environment and the search for greater economic competitiveness.

   The president of Galileo Group recalled the beginnings of the corporate entity some 25 years ago when the first local suppliers of CNG were pooled to promote the project for replacement of liquid fuels developed by the Argentine Department of Energy at a time where Argentina imported diesel at international prices while it had a large surplus of natural gas and even scented. Thus, the South American country began to implement the world's largest program in this area, bringing its technology to over 50 countries over the past two decades.

   Maranca, who has led the organization at the beginning of the activity and in 2003-2005, explained that his presentation as a candidate was due to the time that passes the world in the energy field, with a sustained increase in oil value due to new conditions of exploitation and refining, which represents an opportunity for natural gas. Natural gas most economical and ecological character indicates that the time of its widespread use came.

   The executive said the world has realized the virtues and potential of natural gas, mainly for its contribution to the competitiveness of the economy by cutting costs in public transport of passengers and goods moving. For example, Barack Obama has an ambitious project for the gaseous fuel that is to install gas pumps at all liquid fuels stations in the United States over the next ten years. In addition, countries where has taken its technology applied to gas vehicle, such as Brazil and Peru, also have plans to use the fluid in buses and trucks.

   Moreover, the new president of the CAGNC reported that one of the objectives of the new leadership is to organize a campaign to promote gaseous fuel throughout the country, contacting chambers and business associations nationally; in order to encourage conversion of vehicles which has declined in recent times. The promotion of CNG will emphasize the monetary savings, skills development achieved by the industry after 25 years of activity and contribution in the environmental field, with the advantage of having a very good level in safety, cost, and quality.

   In this regard, and to counter arguments that oppose the expansion of CNG in heavy transport because of Argentine gas shortages, Maranca recalled that according to the projected consumption of the gaseous fuel that was made when there were no injection vehicles, nowadays Argentina should be using between 12 and 13 million cubic meters a day under the automotive area, whereas, given the efficiency of modern engines and novel techniques for conversion, currently consumes just over 7 million. For this reason, the executive stated that the CNG is the only fuel that has been falling consistently in its consumption without reducing the fleet of vehicles that uses it, which is favorably positioned to enter the phase of heavy transport to replace diesel that is imported at international prices and distorting the national economy.

   Finally, Maranca added that the CAGNC will participate in the activity of neighboring countries like Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela, to expand export market for local industry and also give greater strength to arguments for natural gas vehicles development in Argentine market, showcasing successful implementation in nearby nations.