This is exactly the point why such resources, which belong to all of us, should be nationalised. Repsol was living up to its corporate purpose of seeking profit. Nothing wrong with that; it's the nature of the beast. Yet since it belongs to all of us it should be managed for our collective interests, not for those of a limited group of shareholders. (Whether the K's will manage it for Argentina's interest is quite debatable, but the principle remains the same, since they will soon be gone.)
I absolutely agree, resources, which belong to all of us, should be nationalised or we may not be able to enjoy these huge losses.
You have undoubtedly companies like Aerolíneas in mind. A great and successfull nationalised company running an average annual loss of half a billion dollars, at times slightly more, e.g. almost twice that.
"En este 2012 la aerolínea estatal alcanzó un nuevo récord negativo, debido a que lleva perdidos 976 millones de dólares, el déficit más grande registrado en los últimos 21 años. En promedio, la empresa aérea tiene perdidas cercanas a los 2,7 millones de dólares por día." [1]
- or perhaps the happily nationalised YPF?
November 20013. "Argentina's oil and gas production to August compared to last year's eight months continues to decline although at a slower rate: 2.76% and 6.57% respectively, according to the latest figures released by the Energy Secretary.
Crude production is down to 20.77 million cubic meters, but the volume also hides another problem: the so called Medanito oil is the type that has bottomed most and it is the best blend for the country's refineries. This means Argentina will have to import Nigeria's Bony oil, a blend that will improve local output of petrol and diesel, which are dearer to import.
However when it comes to gas the situation is worse according to official stats. Production volume is down 29.680 million cubic meters in the first eight months of 2013, equivalent to a loss of 6.57% compared to the same period a year ago." [2]
[1]
http://www.unoticias...cit_millonario/
[2]
http://en.mercopress...ter-performance