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Vaca Muerta fuels Argentina's oil boom, block auction and fertilizer plant
Neuquén Province will auction 15 Vaca Muerta blocks in August, the first such round in nine years, and U.S. shale producer Continental Resources plans to bid on some of the parcels. Hydraulic fracturing activity in the formation remains high; July 2024 recorded 2,010 stages, 27.2% fewer than June’s record 2,760, while the average for the first seven months of 2024 exceeds 2,400 stages per month, a historic level. Argentina’s oil output is approaching one million barrels per day, with 2025 averaging 860,000 bpd and May 2024 reaching 903,700 bpd, driven largely by Vaca Muerta, which now supplies about 70% of national crude. The government approved Pampa Energía’s $2.7 billion urea plant in Bahía Blanca, designed to produce 2.1 million tonnes of urea annually using Vaca Muerta gas, and projected to generate significant export earnings and jobs. In Añelo, local authorities are promoting tourism and cultural events such as the Fiesta de los Productores to showcase the region beyond its hydrocarbon base.
Entities
Añelo · Compañía Mega S.A. · Continental Resources · Gas and Petroleum of Neuquén (GyP) · Luis Caputo · Neuquén Province · Pampa Energía · Tomás Córdoba · Vaca Muerta
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The industry aims to reach 1 million bpd of oil production by late 2026 or early 2027. eleconomista.com.ar
- [DISPUTED] In May 2026, Argentina’s oil production reached 903,700 bpd, a 19.6% YoY increase and the first time surpassing 900,000 bpd. eleconomista.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] By June 2026, national crude production was up 17.2% YoY and Neuquén province produced 648,114 bpd. eleconomista.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Argentina produced 46.4 million m³ of oil in 2025, averaging 860 000 bpd, a 13.1 % year‑on‑year increase. eleconomista.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In July 2024, 2,010 hydraulic fracturing stages were completed in Vaca Muerta. www.mejorinformado.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The average number of fracture stages per month for the first seven months of 2024 exceeded 2,400, a historic level. www.mejorinformado.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Unconventional shale oil now accounts for about 70% of Argentina’s total crude production. eleconomista.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] June 2024 saw a record 2,760 hydraulic fracturing stages in Vaca Muerta. www.mejorinformado.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Continental Resources plans to bid for some of the Neuquén auction blocks. www.adnsur.com.ar
- [DISPUTED] In May 2025 Argentina’s oil production reached 903 700 bpd, a 19.6 % year‑on‑year increase and the first time production exceeded 900 000 bpd. eleconomista.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Pampa Energía received approval to build a $2.7 bn urea plant in Bahía Blanca with a capacity of 2.1 million t per year, using Vaca Muerta gas as feedstock. www.eldiario24.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Industry aims for Argentina to reach 1 million barrels per day of oil by late 2026 or early 2027. eleconomista.com.ar