Argentina's Vaca Muerta boom drives diversification push in Neuquén

The Vaca Muerta shale formation now accounts for nearly 70% of Argentina's hydrocarbon output, having raised daily gas production from 10 to 92 million cubic metres and oil output from 15,000 to 619,000 barrels. While the surge has bolstered national energy supplies, analysts warn it deepens economic inequality and concentrates wealth.

In response, Neuquén Governor Rolando Figueroa announced a tender for an executive project to irrigate more than 50,000 hectares between Picún Leufú and Piedra del Águila. The plan aims to create a new productive valley to offset the recent loss of about 150 fruit establishments and nearly a hundred producers, and to complement the extractive sector with broader agricultural development.