Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale basin sees record fracking and new YPF concessions

In May 2026 the Vaca Muerta formation recorded 2,484 hydraulic fracturing stages, a 6.4% increase over April and the third‑best monthly total in its history. The activity was dominated by oil work, with 96% of stages targeting petroleum, and YPF carried out 1,242 fractures, accounting for roughly half of all operations. Halliburton and SLB remained the leading service providers.

Separately, the provincial government granted YPF five new unconventional gas blocks – Aguada Villanueva Norte, Meseta Buena Esperanza I and II, and Las Tacanas I and II – to accelerate the development of gas for future LNG export projects. The plan includes more than US$525 million in initial investment, 38 horizontal wells and a US$158.2 million infrastructure bonus, aiming to position Argentina as a global LNG supplier.