Argentina’s Río Negro LNG Export Project Advances as Hilli Episeyo Vessel Departs for Refitting

The floating LNG liquefaction unit Hilli Episeyo, the first vessel of Southern Energy’s Río Negro export project, left Cameroon for Singapore where it will undergo maintenance, modernization and life‑extension works. The vessel has a production capacity of 2.45 million tonnes of LNG per year (about 11.5 million cubic metres of gas daily). After refurbishment it is scheduled to arrive at the San Matías Gulf in mid‑2027, with commercial operations expected to begin later that year.

Southern Energy’s consortium, comprising Pan American Energy, YPF, Pampa Energía, Harbour Energy and Golar LNG, plans to add a second unit (MKII) later, raising total capacity to roughly 6 million tonnes annually. The project aims to turn the Río Negro coast into a strategic hub for exporting gas from the Vaca Muerta formation, supporting broader development of Argentina’s Atlantic region.

The departure of Hilli Episeyo marks a concrete step toward realizing the LNG export ambition, linking Argentine gas production to global markets.