YPF S.A. is Argentina’s leading energy company, with more than a century of experience in the exploration, production, refining, and commercialization of hydrocarbons. The company operates across the entire energy value chain, including oil, natural gas, fuels, petrochemicals, and power generation.
With operations throughout the country and a strong presence in the development of Vaca Muerta, one of the world’s largest unconventional hydrocarbon reserves, YPF plays a central role in Argentina’s energy supply. The company also promotes initiatives related to technological innovation, energy transition, and more efficient energy solutions, with the goal of strengthening national energy security and supporting Argentina’s economic growth.
Source: YPF
Argentina is emerging as a regional shale powerhouse, but with weak Brent prices and higher costs, the market in 2026 will demand greater, almost surgical efficiency. The energy map is being rewritten, and the question is whether profitability will hold in the next chapter.
The province has identified areas of significant thickness and thermal maturity within the “Mendoza tongue” of the formation.
The CEO of Globant said he will analyze the possibility of joining the Instituto Vaca Muerta, an initiative promoted by YPF to strengthen technical training in unconventional upstream operations. In this way, artificial intelligence is beginning to play a central role in the training of future upstream specialists.
Argentina accelerated its geopolitical energy and mining agenda this week, signing a U.S. partnership on critical minerals and a complementary deal with Abu Dhabi and Italy’s state energy company. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno defended the Washington agreements at the Munich Security Conference.
The swap with Pluspetrol could act as a catalyst to unlock the project, where key players have already begun positioning themselves. By consolidating control over high-density gas areas, YPF is building the stable, large-scale supply base needed to make a megaproject like Argentina LNG financially viable.
Innovative solutions use energy-saving algorithms that evaluate the time of day, natural lighting and the total load on the power grid, ensuring stadiums operate at maximum efficiency regardless of the
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.
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.
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.
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.
The memorandum acts as a kind of “local RIGI,” setting out clear conditions and long-term commitments for executing the project within provincial territory.
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.
With a focus on shale development and the LNG project, the proceeds will be used to support the company’s aggressive investment plan in Argentina and to refinance existing liabilities. The bond, with an implied 11-year maturity and principal repayments in three annual installments starting in year nine, saw solid demand that allowed it to be priced in the middle of the initial book range of $300 million to $500 million.
By combining the European Union’s engineering expertise and innovation capacity with Mercosur’s unique geological endowment, the treaty will make many energy projects more economically attractive.
Looking toward 2030, projected growth at Vaca Muerta could generate up to 50,000 new jobs, and the Vaca Muerta Institute is positioned as an industry-driven training option to develop upstream specializations in controlled environments.
