# Argentina Vaca Muerta energy boom and economic divide > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-vaca-muerta-energy-boom > Updated: 2026-08-29T03:15:24.000Z. Sources: 109. Developments: 12. Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale basin continues to drive a historic energy surge. By mid-2026, crude output hit a record 903,700 bbl/day and natural gas production reached 5.4 billion cf/d, supporting a $6.99 billion trade surplus. The $3 billion VMOS pipeline has entered its maritime phase, with equipment moving to Río Negro for a 7 km submarine pipeline. First exports of 180,000 bbl/day are expected late 2026-early 2027, rising to 700,000 bbl/day in 2028. In July 2026, oil production reached a new historic record of 916,200 barrels per day, a 17.2% increase over July 2025. This growth was largely driven by the Vaca Muerta formation in Neuquén, which produced 643,100 barrels per day, accounting for over 70% of the nation's total crude output. Consequently, crude oil became Argentina's leading export product in the first half of 2026. Between January and July, crude oil exports totaled US$5,722 million, a 59.2% increase over the same period in 2025, representing 9.8% of total national exports. Energy and fuel exports in July saw a 97.8% year-on-year increase, totaling US$1,506 million, while energy imports fell by 7.3% to US$614 million, resulting in a monthly energy trade surplus of US$892 million. Natural gas production remained stable at 158.8 million cubic meters per day, with Vaca Muerta contributing 96.5 million cubic meters. To support expansion and export ambitions, the San Matias Pipeline consortium has secured a $900 million loan to construct a pipeline from Vaca Muerta to the Atlantic coast, aiming to facilitate large-scale LNG exports. YPF President Horacio Marín stated that the country is transitioning into a major oil player. He projected that by 2031, two out of every three barrels produced in Argentina could be destined for international markets, potentially driving annual energy exports toward US$58,000 million. ## Claims - Argentina's oil production reached a record 916,200 barrels per day in July 2026. (corroborated by 14 sources) - July oil production was 17.2% higher than in July 2025. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Vaca Muerta produced 643,100 barrels per day in July, a 26.4% year-on-year increase. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Crude oil became Argentina's top export product in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Crude oil exports totaled US$5,722 million between January and July 2026. (corroborated by 12 sources) - National natural gas production was 158.8 million cubic meters per day in July. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Energy sector exports reached US$1,506 million in July, a 97.8% year-on-year increase. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The energy trade balance recorded a monthly surplus of US$892 million in July. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Energy imports fell by 7.3% to US$614 million in July. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Ramiro Ramirez earned about ten times his previous salary as a cook while working as a gas compressor operator at Vaca Muerta. (corroborated by 3 sources) - YPF projects that Vaca Muerta will generate $50 billion in export dollars by 2031. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-29: South American trade and energy sectors report regional shifts South American trade and energy sectors report significant shifts: logistical hurdles affect Paraguayan exports via Montevideo, Brazil sees record cattle export revenues, and Argentina's Vaca Muerta hits oil/gа 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-american-trade-and-energy-sectors-report-regional-shifts ### 2026-08-27: Argentina oil production hits record 916,200 barrels per day Argentina's oil production hit a record 916,200 barrels per day in July 2026, driven by Vaca Muerta. Crude oil is now the nation's top export, significantly boosting the energy trade surplus. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/puerto-rosales-oil-exports-rise-564-in-first-half-of-2026 ### 2026-08-25: Argentina's petrochemical industry sees 38% export growth Argentina's petrochemical sector is seeing a 38% rise in exports, driven by hubs like Bahía Blanca and strategic resources from Vaca Muerta, amid calls for new industrial competitiveness frameworks. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-petrochemical-industry-sees-38-export-growth ### 2026-08-25: Latin American energy and trade sectors see key developments Latin American energy and trade sectors see key movements: Paraguay exports bovine genetics to Argentina, Ecuador secures USD 207M in crude sales, and Neuquén targets gas exports to Chile and Brazil. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chaco-exports-first-container-of-goat-leather-to-china ### 2026-08-23: Neuquén leads Argentina in private job growth and company creation At Neuquén Day 2026, officials reported that Neuquén is leading Argentina in private job creation and company growth, driven by Vaca Muerta and diversifying into construction and commerce. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-commemorates-214-years-of-the-xodo-jujeo ### 2026-08-08: Argentina economy shows divide between energy growth and consumer stagnation Argentina's economy shows a sharp divide: energy and mining exports are projected to reach $51 billion by 2030 via RIGI, while domestic consumption stagnates and household debt rises. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-projects-record-energy-and-mining-exports-by-2030 ### 2026-08-08: Chubut sand resources proposed for Vaca Muerta industry Deputy Juan Pablo Luque proposes reclassifying Chubut's sand to supply the Vaca Muerta industry, aiming to utilize local resources for hydraulic fracturing and create a regional production chain. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chubut-sand-resources-proposed-for-vaca-muerta-industry ### 2026-08-07: Alfredo Cornejo backs Quintana Energy's 3D seismic results confirming Vaca Muerta potential in Mendoza Governor Alfredo Cornejo and officials reviewed a 3‑D seismic study confirming Vaca Muerta’s unconventional potential in Cañadón Amarillo, prompting plans for two exploratory wells and a US$44 M investment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alfredo-cornejo-backs-quintana-energys-3d-seismic-results-confirming-vaca-muerta-potential-in-mendoz ### 2026-07-30: Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale boom lifts growth hopes amid broader job losses Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale boom is set to generate $50 bn in exports by 2031, boosting growth as other sectors lose jobs under President Milei’s austerity plan. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-vaca-muerta-shale-boom-lifts-growth-hopes-amid-broader-job-losses ### 2026-07-28: Argentina's Vaca Muerta Oil Sur pipeline 70% complete, exports slated for 2026 Argentina's VMOS pipeline is over 70% complete; first oil exports from Punta Colorada are slated for late‑2026/early‑2027, with capacity scaling to 700,000 bpd by 2028 and expected revenues of $15‑$20 bn per yr 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-vaca-muerta-oil-sur-pipeline-70-complete-exports-slated-for-2026 ### 2026-07-25: Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale output surges as Neuquén sand use expands Argentina's Vaca Muerta records a new oil output high while Tecpetrol tests Neuquén sand, aiming to lower costs and boost the shale sector. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-vaca-muerta-gas-associated-production-set-to-surge-by-2031 ### 2026-07-11: Argentina posts record energy trade surplus for first half of 2026 Argentina's energy trade surplus hit $6.987 bn in Jan‑Jun 2026, an 87 % jump driven mainly by Vaca Muerta output; exports rose 52% while fuel imports fell 29%. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombias-trade-deficit-widens-while-ecuadors-surplus-shrinks-in-2026 --- Cite as: Argentina Vaca Muerta energy boom and economic divide. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-vaca-muerta-energy-boom