Oil and Gas

María Tettamanti: "Transitioning from chronic emergency to regulatory normalcy"

Argentina’s Energy Secretary, María Tettamanti, gave an extensive interview to the International Gas Union’s magazine in its December 2025 edition. She outlined her assessment of the country’s gas sector, ongoing tariff corrections, the deregulation of the wholesale market, and the need to adapt transport infrastructure to the productive reality of Vaca Muerta, which now accounts for 15% of the nation’s gas output.

Vista Energy accelerates in Vaca Muerta with $712 million Equinor asset purchase, solidifying independent producer leadership

The net contribution of these assets to Vista is significant, adding approximately 21,869 boe/d (based on Q3 2025 production at post-deal stakes) and 54 million boe of additional proven reserves.

Julián Guarino

Analysis: Shell weighs Vaca Muerta divestment; what its Argentina shale stake is worth

The Anglo-Dutch oil company is weighing a sale of its assets in the Neuquén shale formation, valued in the billions of dollars, amid a global reshuffling of its energy portfolio.

Marina Cappiello

Tax relief for conventional oil production: government cuts export duties on mature fields

The main change is the modification of the export duty framework established under Decree 488/2020. When Brent trades at or below $65, the retention is 0% (no export duty). When it reaches or exceeds $80, the maximum rate of 8% applies. In the intermediate range (between $65 and $80), the rate increases gradually.

Julián Guarino

YPF expects additional 20% jump in Vaca Muerta gas output after Pluspetrol swap

YPF and Pluspetrol sealed a cashless asset swap that will allow the state-controlled oil company to consolidate full control of three key areas in Vaca Muerta, while the private firm repositions itself in high-potential blocks through Vaca Muerta Inversiones.

Martin Oliver

Argentina lets private sector import and sell LNG: New framework explained

The government implemented a new framework to guarantee gas supply during peak-demand months, shifting the import and commercialization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the private sector and eliminating state intermediation.

Marina Cappiello

Energy surplus: Drivers, debates, signals and projections behind the expected leap in 2026

In 2025, Argentina recorded the largest energy trade surplus in its history. In the coming years, that record could be surpassed as projects approved and under review through the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) move forward. Some analysts forecast an energy trade balance generating a combined $48 billion by 2030 and $67 billion by 2035.

Matías Astore

AI and energy at Davos: Argentina’s surplus and the new paradigm from Musk, Schmidt, Hassabis and Amodei on Vaca Muerta

Argentina’s economy is entering a strategic moment, driven by the rise of its energy and mining sectors, within a global context where major powers are seeking critical resources from allies to strengthen “friendly” supply chains.

Julián Guarino

GeoPark accelerates its expansion in Vaca Muerta, with new wells, a long-term plan and backing from JP Morgan with a price target of $11 per share

After successfully integrating the Loma Jarillosa Este block, which it operates 100%, and Puesto Silva Oeste, the company is preparing an aggressive drilling program and reinforcing its strategy for sustained growth.

Martin Oliver

Trafigura moves 71,000 m³ of Vaca Muerta crude via new Derivación pipeline to Bahía Blanca.

The loading and export of crude from Neuquén Basin operators to the United States was carried out more efficiently and quickly thanks to newly inaugurated infrastructure built in partnership with Oldelval.

Matías Astore

Vaca Muerta is achieving the scale, technology, and execution that are redefining the energy map

With unconventional oil growing at an annual rate of 31% and gas keeping pace in the flagship basin, Argentina is sending a clear signal to international markets: the country has a world-class shale play.

Matías Astore

How YPF’s swap with Pluspetrol clears the path for the LNG project

Both companies signed an asset swap agreement. YPF acquires Pluspetrol’s stake in the Meseta Buena Esperanza, Aguada Villanueva and Las Tacanas blocks, three areas considered strategic for the development of the Argentina LNG project. Pluspetrol, in turn, acquires an interest in the La Escalonada and Rincón de Ceniza blocks.

Lucía Martínez

Río Negro, YPF: Key points of the strategic agreement to advance the Argentina LNG Project

The memorandum acts as a kind of “local RIGI,” setting out clear conditions and long-term commitments for executing the project within provincial territory.

Thanks to Vaca Muerta, in 2025 seven out of every ten dollars of Argentina’s overall trade surplus came from the energy trade balance

In 2025, Argentina’s energy sector posted a trade surplus of $7.815 billion, representing 70% of the country’s total annual trade surplus. In December, oil production reached a record 868,712 barrels per day.

VMOS: What the Río Negro crossing involves, the technique used by Techint-SACDE, and what comes next for the project

Preparatory work is underway for the directional drilling on the north bank, while on the south bank a welded and hydrostatically tested pipe section is ready for insertion, with additional works still pending at the site.

Martin Oliver