Us

1940s-1950s

The first1,605 km gas pipeline is built, which is the longest in the world at the time. On December 29th , 1949, it was inaugurated and later on, the pipeline was extended to Cañadón Seco, 100 km further.

In 1947, the Contreras brothers founded Contreras Hermanos SRL in Zapala, Province of Neuquén, combining limited capital, passion for work and the hope of the economic and social progress.

1950s - 1960s

The articulation of the country's regions is intensified based on the exploitation of its natural resources and the development of road infrastructure, communications, and basic services. Oil pipelines, gas pipelines and aqueducts were built in Neuquén, Buenos Aires and Santa Cruz.

CONTRERAS sights the possibility of work and progress in different regions of the country and, for the first time, was present in a tender for YPF in Comodoro Rivadavia.

It participates with Sargo in the construction of the Campo Durán gas pipeline, in Salta, to San Lorenzo, in Santa Fe. This construction was considered a milestone due to its size and complexity.

Contreras Hermanos SRL establishes its headquarters in the City of Buenos Aires.

1960s - 1970s

Replacement of oil imports with oil extraction contracts for YPF. The gas transportation and the distribution networks are growing.

The Comodoro Rivadavia subsidiary begins its activities. Contreras Hermanos S. A. is established.

1970s - 1980s

YPF discovers the most important gas field in the country, Loma La Lata, in Neuquén. The National State faces the implementation of large-scale projects through YPF, Vialidad, and the Argentine Air Force.

Contreras, associated with the Californian company Bechtel, a world leader in the market, is carrying out the extension of a polyduct between Córdoba and Mendoza.

It participates in the construction of the oil dispatch terminal by offshore monobuoys in Caleta Córdova, Chubut and Caleta Olivia, Santa Cruz, Argentina.

The road works construction activity begins.

It builds a mineral pipeline for the client HIPASAM, at the Sierra Grande Plant.

The Neuquén subsidiary is established.

Contreras promotes national progress with his expertise in infrastructure, consolidating alliances and expanding his presence in key sectors, such as energy and roads.

1990s - 2000s

The market was marked by privatizations.  

New geographical directions. Headquarters inaugurated in Uruguay.

It participates in the construction of the emblematic Trasandino Oil Pipeline project, Low Country Argentina / Chile area. The oil export to Chile begins through 328 km.

It carries out the construction of the Atacama Gas Pipeline, 352 km of 20” of diameter in the Cornejo / Purmamarca section, Provinces of Salta and Jujuy, Argentina.

It opens its offices in Brazil.

Its first major project in Brazil is carried out, Area XII of the Bolivia – Brazil Gas Pipeline, 187 km of 18″ of diameter of gas pipeline.

It builds the Gas Pacífico Gas Pipeline in Neuquén, Argentina.

Carry out works on National Route No. 40, province of Neuquén. Argentina.

Consorcio del Este S. A. was created for the construction and operation of the Montevideo / Punta del Este double track road system, consolidating the presence in the neighboring country.

Caminos del Valle S. A. (UTE), created for the construction, conservation and operation of the interurban road system between the cities of Cipolletti and Neuquén, Argentina.

Construction of the gas and oil pipeline system of the Aguada Pichana field, Argentina.

Construction and assembly of large tanks for oil and gas storage.  

In 1997, CONTRERAS turns 50 years old.
Our founders proudly celebrate the satisfaction of having exceeded the expectations they have dreamed of.

2000s - 2010s

The Argentine political situation was framed by a great crisis.

Gradual growth of the economy and the oil industry, along with the increase in fuel consumption.

Contreras was granted the international certifications:
– ISO 9001, Version 2000
– OHSAS 18001
– ISO 14001

It participates in the construction of the Cruz del Sur Gas Pipeline, Colonia-Montevideo, Uruguay.

It participates in the Bulo Bulo project, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.

It lays more than 400 km of optical fiber parallel to Gasbol, Brazil.

The vision of CONTRERAS is affirmed: To be an essential player in highly complex Engineering and Construction in Latin America.

It builds the Yacuiba-Río Grande gas pipeline, Section ll (Gasyrg), and the Transredes gas pipeline Yabog Expansion Project. Both are located in Bolivia.

It carries out the construction of the Tandy Gas Pipeline to Kamiri Aike in Punta Arenas, Chile.

It gains extensive experience in compression plants:
– It participates in the construction of the Saipurú and Taquiperenda compressor plants, in Tarija, Bolivia.
– Different compression plants at the Loma la Lata Field, Neuquén. Papagayos in Mendoza, San Sebastián in Tierra del Fuego, assembly of the 4 th MP compressor in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
– Rosario compressor station and expansion of the Volcán compressor station in Jujuy, Argentina.

It participates in the expansion of the National Gas Pipeline Transportation System.

It builds the Rehabilitation of Ducts up to 42″ Project. Río de Janeiro, Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais, Brazil.

In 2007, Contreras turns 60 years old and employs more than 3,000 people.

It builds the Montevideo – Punta del Este double track. Uruguay.

It carries out the construction and assembly of the Japerí – REDUC gas pipeline. Brazil.

It executes the works of the GASDUC III gas pipeline, 74 km of 38” gas pipeline in Río de Janeiro. Brazil.

It builds the basic works and the pavement of National Route No. 40, section: Perito Moreno – Bajo Caracoles. Santa Cruz. Argentina.

It accompanies important mining companies such as Gold Corp, Vale, and Anglo-American Sud.

It carries out the assembly and provision of welding services in the Strait of Magellan for the construction of an oil pipeline. Argentina.

CONTRERAS obtains from Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S. A. the qualifications that allow it to execute electromechanical works in Level II atomic power plants and facilities (CNAII), Quality Class II, III, 4a and 4b.

2010s - 2020s

Argentina celebrates its Bicentenary.

Contreras continues with its participation in the expansion project of the National Gas Pipeline Transportation System.

It participates in the new pipeline crossing of the Strait of Magellan. 30 years after the first crossing, the Magellan Project is the work of laying and assembling of an underwater gas pipeline, parallel to the existing one, that crosses the strait by joining Espíritu Santo Cape (Tierra del Fuego) with Cape Vírgenes (Santa Cruz).

It executes Gasan II, Brazil.

CONTRERAS is incorporated to the Aconcagua Bioceanic Consortium for the development of the binational corridor between Argentina and Chile.

It carries out important road works:
– The construction of basic works and pavement of National Route No. 40, different sections. Argentina.
– The continuation of the Camino del Buen Ayre highway. Section III (RP 58 – RP 53) and II (RP 58 access to Barrio 20 de Junio). Buenos Aires. Argentina.
– New access road to the Río Pinturas National Park, where the Cueva de las Manos is located, Santa Cruz. Argentina.
– National Route No. 23, Los Menucos – Maquinchao Section. Río Negro. Argentina.
– Recovery and maintenance works on National Route No. 3. Sections: Provincial Route No. 39 junction to the Chubut/Santa Cruz border and National Route No. 26; National Route No. 3 to Provincial Route No. 20 junction; Chubut. Argentina.

Network of Jet A1 fuel hydrants at the Ministro Pistarini International Airport.

It participates in the construction of the Petrochemical Complex of Río de Janeiro.

Participates in the project to completely renew the railway infrastructure in the section that goes from Atucha to Alsina, Province of Buenos Aires. Argentina.

Together with Spiecapg (France), it faces the development project of the pipeline system in Campo Incahuasi in the Camiri area. Bolivia.

It executes several infrastructure development contracts at YPF fields in Neuquén, Chubut and Santa Cruz. Argentina.

In 2015, the Code of Conduct was spread in all offices and projects in order to achieve its successful implementation and validity as of January 2016. Since September of that same year, it has complied with the United Nations Global Agreement. 

In 2018, an Integrity Program was additionally implemented which details the policies, regulations and guidelines to guarantee the transparency and prevention of illicit activities in the businesses that it carries out.

Contreras, with the same passion, professionalism and vocation to grow as its founders, moves forward building the future.

2020s - 2030s

The year 2020 represented a milestone that forever changed the way we perceive actions considered as daily for all the humanity.

Argentina has an important mining tradition with more than a century of operation. The growing global demand for minerals, like lithium and silicon, places the country with a new prominence.

Thus, generating a positioning of efficiency and effectiveness, in two large business units, in the North and South regions of the country, being central characters in activities such as Construction of Lithium Plants and Non-Conventional extraction activities.

CONTRERAS carries out the construction and electromechanical assembly of the EXAR Plant for the production of lithium carbonates in Jujuy.

It executes the movement of soils, equipment foundations and reinforced concrete pavements, and complete electromechanical assembly of Lime Plants No. 3 and No. 4, including pneumatic truck unloading system, lime silo, transfer tanks and milk of lime conditioning tanks in Jujuy.

It also carries out the construction of the Halita and Muriato pools and surrounding roads, diversion of existing roads in the pool area, street intersections and installation of temporary PEX pipes in Catamarca.

It develops the road work of the National Route No. 260 (RN 260) – Section: Junction of Provincial Route No. 51, border with Chile with access to the city of Lago Blanco.

It participates in the construction of the Presidente Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline (Mercedes- Cardales), examines the transportation of natural gas extracted from the Vaca Muerta area in the Province of Neuquén and foresees the connection of power from the NEUBA II Gas Pipeline in the vicinity of the city of Tratayen.

In 2023, the construction of the Salliqueló Compressor Plant (PCS) of the Presidente Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline (GNK) begins, examining the installation of a 15,000 HP Turbocharger (ISO power) in the city of Salliqueló.

CONTRERAS has more than 75 years of building something more than a Company... a dream.

We continue with the energy on our most valuable capital, projects and people.