Importance of Argentina’s shale gas market

Argentina’s shale gas market is of great importance to the country’s energy sector, as it provides a significant source of natural gas to meet the country’s domestic demand. Argentina has long been a net importer of natural gas, which has put a strain on the country’s economy. However, the development of the Vaca Muerta formation has allowed Argentina to significantly reduce its dependence on imported gas and even become a net exporter of gas in recent years.

The development of the shale gas market has also had a positive impact on the country’s economy, creating thousands of jobs and attracting significant foreign investment. YPF, Argentina’s state-owned oil and gas company, has been a major driver of the country’s shale gas development, investing heavily in the Vaca Muerta formation and partnering with foreign companies to help finance the development.

Production capacity, current production and players

As of 2021, the total proven reserves of shale gas in Argentina are estimated at around 10,000 billion cubic feet. The largest shale gas reserve is located in the Neuquén Basin, where Vaca Muerta is situated. This massive reserve alone contains an estimated 308 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable shale gas resources, making it one of the largest shale gas plays in the world. The potential of the 30,000 square kilometres Vaca Muerta formation is evident, and many oil and gas companies have already invested billions of dollars in its development.

Current production from the Vaca Muerta formation is around 1.3 billion cubic feet per day, according to YPF. This represents a significant increase from just a few years ago when production was less than 100 million cubic feet per day.

One of the most significant players in the shale gas market in Argentina is YPF. The state-owned oil and gas company is the largest producer of shale gas in the country, and it has been actively involved in the development of Vaca Muerta since the early 2010s. YPF’s current shale gas production capacity is around 40 million cubic meters per day, and the company plans to increase its production to 75 million cubic meters per day by 2023.

YPF has been developing the Vaca Muerta shale formation since 2010, and in recent years has significantly increased production. In 2020, YPF produced a total of 41.6 billion cubic feet of shale gas from the Vaca Muerta formation. This represented an increase of 47% compared to the previous year. YPF has also been investing heavily in the development of the Vaca Muerta formation, with plans to invest USD $1.8 billion in the formation in 2021.

Another major player in the Argentine shale gas market is Chevron. The United States oil and gas company has a joint venture with YPF, which was signed in 2013, and it has been investing heavily in Vaca Muerta ever since. In 2020, Chevron announced that it would invest USD $300 million in Vaca Muerta to increase its shale gas production. The company’s current production capacity in Argentina is around 20 million cubic meters per day.

ExxonMobil is also a significant player in the Argentine shale gas market. The company has been exploring Vaca Muerta since 2010, and in 2018, it signed a joint venture agreement with YPF to develop the Bajo del Choique-La Invernada Block, which is located in the Neuquén Basin. ExxonMobil’s current production capacity in Argentina is around 10 million cubic meters per day.  Aside from YPF, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, other major players in the Argentine shale gas market include Shell, Total, BP, and Pan American Energy.

Main projects

One of the largest projects currently underway in the Vaca Muerta formation is the Loma Campana project, a joint venture between YPF and Chevron. The project covers an area of approximately 200 square kilometres and has a production capacity of 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The project has been in operation since 2013 and has been a major contributor to the growth of Argentina’s shale gas market.

Another major project is the La Amarga Chica project, a joint venture between YPF and Petronas. The project covers an area of approximately 235 square kilometres and has a production capacity of 16,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The project is still in the early stages of development but is expected to play a significant role in the future of Argentina’s shale gas market.

Future projects

Despite the significant progress made in the development of the Vaca Muerta formation, there is still a significant amount of untapped potential in the region. The Ministry of Mines and Energy has identified several areas of the formation that are still in the early stages of exploration and development, including the Aguada del Chañar and Los Toldos I Sur blocks.

YPF has also announced plans to significantly increase its production from the Vaca Muerta formation over the next few years, with a goal of reaching 2.7 billion cubic feet per day by 2023. The company is investing heavily in new drilling technology and infrastructure to support this growth.

Main challenges and solutions

One of the most significant challenges facing the Argentine shale gas market is the high production costs associated with shale gas extraction. Shale gas is extracted through a process called hydraulic fracturing or fracking, which involves pumping large volumes of water, sand, and chemicals into shale rock formations at high pressure to fracture the rock and release the gas. This process is costly and requires significant investment in drilling equipment and infrastructure.

To address this challenge, the Argentine government has implemented various measures to incentivize shale gas development. For instance, in 2017, the government announced a plan to reduce natural gas production costs by up to 40% to encourage investment in Vaca Muerta. The plan included a series of measures to lower drilling and transportation costs and increase energy efficiency.

Another critical factor in the development of the Argentine shale gas market is the country’s infrastructure. The current pipeline network in Argentina is not sufficient to transport the increasing volumes of shale gas being produced in Vaca Muerta. As a result, the government has been investing heavily in expanding the country’s pipeline infrastructure. For instance, in 2019, the government launched a USD $2.2 billion plan to build a new gas pipeline from Vaca Muerta to Buenos Aires, which is expected to increase the country’s gas transport capacity by 40%.

The Argentine government has been working to address this issue, with plans to invest USD $3.6 billion in infrastructure development in the Vaca Muerta formation over the next 5 years.

Moving forward

The Argentine shale gas market has enormous potential, and the development of Vaca Muerta is critical for the country’s energy security and economic growth. However, the market also faces significant challenges, such as high production costs and insufficient infrastructure. To fully realize the potential of Vaca Muerta and the Argentine shale gas market, the government and oil and gas companies must work together to address these challenges and ensure sustainable and responsible development.

Despite these challenges, the shale gas industry in Argentina continues to be a major contributor to the country’s economy. It is estimated that the industry could create up to 500,000 jobs and generate up to USD $30 billion in annual revenue by 2030.  Looking ahead, the future of Argentina’s shale gas industry looks bright. With significant reserves and increasing production, the industry is poised for continued growth in the coming years. The government’s focus on infrastructure development is also expected to play a key role in the industry’s success.  

Argentina’s shale gas market is a vital component of the country’s economy, and has significant potential for growth in the coming years. With major players such as YPF and international oil companies investing heavily in the development of the Vaca Muerta formation, the industry is poised for continued growth and success. However, challenges such as infrastructure development will need to be addressed in order for the industry to reach its full potential.

3rd Argentina Energy Summit 2023

The country’s shale gas industry, among many other topics, will be discussed during IN-VR’s 3rd Argentina Energy Summit 2023, which will take place in Buenos Aires on 28-29 June 2023. During the Summit, national and international participants will be able to network and further learn from existing opportunities that are shaping the South American country’s energy landscape, especially in regards to oil and gas exploration and production.

YPF, among other national and international energy companies, will also be present during the event. If you are interested in participating and/or booking a 1-on-1 meeting with their representatives,

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