Desarrollo energético, Estado y empresa. Algunas cuestiones en torno a la construcción del Gasoducto Patagónico durante el primer peronismo

Abstract

This paper examines a public work project during the Peronist regime: the Gasoducto Patagónico. The gas pipeline was built between 1947 and late 1949. Analyzing sources from a state agency, Gas del Estado, this paper describes the local and international circumstances in which operation was made. Be held here, first, that although the work was done in the context of the Primer Plan Quinquenal (First Five Year Plan), its implementation was due to the personal initiative of engineer Julio Canessa, founder of the gas state agency, rather than public policy. Besides, the pipeline meant the beginning of a new source of energy, natural gas, and a new technology that would be crucial in the subsequent development of Argentina. Finally, we analyze the consequences of the Patagonian Gas Pipeline construction in regard of contractor firms formation.