Argentina's Vaca Muerta marks record gas well and advances major oil pipeline

YPF announced that its new super‑gas well RDM 553(h) in the Rincón del Mangrullo block of Vaca Muerta achieved a daily output of 1.3 million cubic metres of dry gas, the highest rate recorded in the basin. President and CEO Horacio Marín said the result shows a “notable productivity jump” and underscores the strategic push to boost gas exports, particularly for future LNG projects.

In parallel, the Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) project moved 721 steel pipes from Dock Sud to San Antonio Oeste, a key step in building a 437‑kilometre pipeline linking the shale field to a new offshore terminal at Punta Colorada. The consortium, which includes YPF, Chevron, Shell and others, expects the first stage to transport 180,000‑190,000 barrels per day, scaling up to 550,000‑700,000 barrels per day. The terminal will feature storage capacity of about 720,000 cubic metres and facilities for VLCCs, supporting Argentina’s aim to expand crude oil exports. Mónica Litza of the Dock Sud Consortium highlighted the operation’s strategic value for the country’s energy logistics.