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#Shale gas

The industry can turn associated gas into a new energy business.
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.

Crude production by basin – monthly estimate and projection to 2027 (millions of barrels per day). The Permian Basin shows clear signs of decline star
New global context

Society of Petroleum Engineers predicts Permian Basin entering new shale phase

Although the basin remains highly productive, operators are placing less emphasis on drilling more wells and more on extracting value efficiently from existing developments. Technologies such as enhanced oil recovery (EOR), horseshoe wells, and artificial intelligence will be crucial to extending the life of this iconic U.S. shale basin.