started · updated
Vaca Muerta infrastructure expansion accelerates Argentina oil exports
Argentina's Vaca Muerta formation is undergoing significant infrastructure expansion to support rising shale oil production. The Duplicar Norte pipeline, managed by Oldelval and Techint E&C, is approximately 50% complete. This 207-kilometer project aims to reach a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day by late 2026, eventually scaling to 500,000 barrels per day by March 2027.
Simultaneously, the Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) project has surpassed 77% completion. This initiative includes offshore components, such as the recently positioned Combifloat C7 platform, to facilitate oil transport to the coast for global export. YPF CEO Horacio Marín projects that Argentina could eventually export one million barrels of crude per day, potentially reaching 1.5 million barrels of total production.
In the services sector, Tenaris has deployed its third hydraulic fracturing set in the region, investing $110 million. This equipment utilizes Dynamic Gas Blending (DGB) Tier IV technology, which can reduce diesel consumption by over 80% by using produced natural gas. Meanwhile, TGS is advancing a $3 billion liquid recovery project, which has already contracted 93% of its capacity and is expected to be operational by 2030.
Despite these industrial milestones, the rapid growth has created logistical and social challenges. The increased demand for fracturing sand is expected to require 700 to 800 additional trucks per year, straining local road infrastructure. Additionally, some regional areas report that the oil boom has not translated into increased local retail consumption and has placed pressure on housing and public services.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The new fracturing equipment uses Dynamic Gas Blending (DGB) Tier IV technology to reduce diesel use by over 80%. patagoniashale.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The final projected capacity of the Duplicar Norte pipeline is 500,000 barrels per day by March 2027. econojournal.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Duplicar Norte pipeline will have a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day in its first stage by late 2026. econojournal.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Duplicar Norte pipeline project is approximately 50% complete. econojournal.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tenaris invested $110 million to launch its third hydraulic fracturing set in Vaca Muerta. patagoniashale.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The TGS liquid recovery project involves an investment of over $3 billion and is expected to operate by 2030. www.rionegro.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] TGS has contracted 93% of the capacity for its natural gas liquid recovery project in Vaca Muerta. www.rionegro.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] YPF projects Argentina could eventually export one million barrels of crude per day. titulares.ar