Argentina LNG project seeks RIGI approval for US$51 billion gas export venture

Argentina LNG Vaca Muerta YPF Liquefied Natural Gas RIGI

YPF, in partnership with Italy’s Eni and the Emirati firm XRG, has formally applied to join Argentina’s Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) for the Argentina LNG project. This initiative, estimated at US$51 billion, represents the largest private investment in the country’s history.

The project aims to develop an integrated value chain to transform natural gas from the Vaca Muerta formation into liquefied natural gas (LNG) for global export. The infrastructure plan includes gas production in Neuquén, dedicated transport pipelines, processing plants, and two floating liquefaction units (FLNG) with a combined capacity of 12 million tonnes per annum, to be located offshore Río Negro in the San Matías Gulf.

Key economic projections include annual export revenues of approximately US$10 billion over two decades. The construction phase, scheduled between 2026 and 2030, is expected to generate an average of 20,000 annual jobs, with peaks of up to 40,000 workers. Full commercial operations are targeted for 2031.

Separately, energy officials announced that technically recoverable oil resources in the Vaca Muerta formation have doubled to an estimated 30 billion barrels, according to a new study by the Argentine Institute of Oil and Gas (IAPG).

Entities

Argentina · Argentina LNG · Bolivia · Eni · Horacio Marín · José Luis Galvez · Luis Caputo · RIGI · Rodrigo Paz · Vaca Muerta · XRG · YPF

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] The project will utilize two floating liquefaction units (FLNG) with a combined capacity of 12 million tonnes per annum. diariosanrafael.com.ar · hoydia.com.ar · economis.com.ar · en.mercopress.com · es.mercopress.com · +16 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Total projects presented under the RIGI regime have reached nearly US$150 billion. airevision.com.ar · www.valorlocal.com.ar
[DISPUTED] The total investment for the Argentina LNG project is estimated at US$51 billion. diariosanrafael.com.ar · hoydia.com.ar · economis.com.ar · en.mercopress.com · es.mercopress.com · +17 more
[● 28 SOURCES] The consortium has applied to join Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) for the Argentina LNG project. diariosanrafael.com.ar · hoydia.com.ar · economis.com.ar · en.mercopress.com · es.mercopress.com · +20 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The project aims to generate annual export revenues of approximately US$10 billion. diariosanrafael.com.ar · hoydia.com.ar · sapo.pt · diariopanorama.com · tn.com.ar · +5 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The project is expected to generate approximately 20,000 annual jobs during the construction phase (2026-2030). diariosanrafael.com.ar · hoydia.com.ar · economis.com.ar · tn.com.ar · www.lapampadiaxdia.com.ar · +6 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The project is expected to reach full operation by 2031. www.europesays.com · www.lapampadiaxdia.com.ar · diariosanrafael.com.ar · hoydia.com.ar · diariopanorama.com · +7 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The project includes a 527-kilometer pipeline between Neuquén and Río Negro. diariopanorama.com · www.europesays.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Vaca Muerta shale formation's technically recoverable oil resources have doubled to 30 billion barrels. agendarweb.com.ar