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Argentina Vaca Muerta energy boom

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2026-07-26 07:51 UTC → 2026-07-27 01:07 UTC · added removed

In the first half of 2026 Argentina recorded posted a record energy trade surplus of nearly $7 billion, driven largely by a surge in production from the Vaca Muerta shale basin. The basin basin, which supplied over two‑thirds of the country’s national oil and gas output, pushing crude output to output. Crude production reached a historic 903,700 bbl/day bbl/day, and lifting energy exports by rose more than half 50 % year‑on‑year. New infrastructure projects, most notably the The upcoming VMOS pipeline, were slated for early‑2025 commissioning, is expected to further expand double oil output and could raise year‑end exports to $12‑$18.5 billion. Later in July 2026 a trigger construction of processing facilities for wetter gas streams, setting the stage for potential LNG projects. A July‑2026 YPF study projected that the composition of Vaca Muerta’s output will shift dramatically by 2031. Associated gas – liquids‑rich natural gas produced alongside crude – is forecast to rise from 7 % of total 2031 associated gas in 2023 to will constitute about 41 % by 2031, of total gas, while dry gas will fall falls to roughly 16 %. The upcoming VMOS pipeline, slated for early‑2025 commissioning, On 25 July 2026 Governor Rolando Figueroa announced that Tecpetrol is expected to double oil production, creating a need testing locally sourced sand from Neuquén Province for new processing facilities to handle hydraulic fracturing in Vaca Muerta, joining YPF and Vista in using the wetter gas streams material. The move aims to lower transport costs by avoiding imports from Entre Ríos and enabling potential LNG export projects. Río Negro. In May 2026 Vaca Muerta delivered a record 887,227 bbl/day of oil—a 19 % increase from the previous year—and natural‑gas output rose to 5.4 billion cf/d. The province is evaluating new sand‑transport routes while rejecting river shipments for environmental reasons. Stakeholders such as including Mega, TGS, YPF, Eni and XRG are already continue planning infrastructure to support this transition. the basin’s expanding output.

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  1. 2026-07-27 01:07 UTC Argentina Vaca Muerta energy boom
  2. 2026-07-26 07:51 UTC Argentina Vaca Muerta energy boom

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