Vaca Muerta region sees new irrigation projects and sand production recovery

Neuquén province is advancing two strategic irrigation projects, Vaca Muerta and Corredor del Viento, to expand its productive landscape. The Vaca Muerta project aims to irrigate an initial 5,000 hectares using pivot irrigation systems. This initiative seeks to utilize water from the “blue networks” used by hydrocarbon companies, capturing it before it reaches energy operations to support crops such as olives, grapes, cherries, and forage.

Governor Rolando Figueroa emphasized the importance of diversifying the economy by using revenues from Vaca Muerta’s hydrocarbon production to invest in other sectors like agriculture and tourism.

In the neighboring Río Negro province, the production of silica sand used for fracking in the Vaca Muerta formation is showing signs of recovery. After a decline in 2024 and an irregular first half of 2025, sand production in Río Negro has increased for three consecutive months. Projections suggest Río Negro could provide approximately 800,000 tons this year, representing about 12.5% of the total sand required for Vaca Muerta operations.