Aug. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Argentina cut shipments of natural gas to Chile, worsening an energy shortage, according to two Chilean utilities.

Argentina suspended exports by three suppliers of the fuel, Chilean utilities Electroandina SA and Empresa Electrica del Norte Grande SA said in statements posted last night on the Chilean securities regulator's Web site.

The utilities supply power to cities and copper mines in northern Chile. The nation is the world's largest supplier of copper.

To contact the reporter on this story: Heather Walsh in Santiago at hlwalsh@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 10, 2007 10:35 EDT