Nicolás Arceo for Shale24
Vaca Muerta’s associated gas doubled in 2025 and hit a new record in January 2026: Can this byproduct of the oil boom be monetized?
Associated gas — the gas that inevitably emerges as a byproduct of oil production in the black oil and liquids-rich window of the Neuquén formation — is rich in high-value components. In January, output climbed to 26.7 million cubic meters per day, setting a historic record. The industry is closely monitoring the trend, as it could open the door to a new business opportunity.