Quintana Energy, an independent oil company with operations in Santa Cruz, Argentina, and southern Chile, has secured a $30 million financing deal with Trafigura. The funds will be used to acquire mature conventional fields sold by YPF as part of its strategic shift towards Vaca Muerta.
This agreement strengthens Quintana Energy’s position in Argentina’s conventional oil and gas sector, ensuring the continued development of key assets across Mendoza, Río Negro, and Neuquén.
YPF, Argentina’s state-controlled oil company, has been gradually divesting mature conventional assets to focus on the high-growth potential of Vaca Muerta’s shale resources. As part of this plan, Quintana Energy is acquiring a portfolio of conventional fields, with the financing structured as a prepayment agreement for future crude oil and natural gas deliveries to Trafigura.
Key assets included in the deal:
🔹 Estación Fernández Oro (EFO) – Río Negro
🔹 Mendoza Sur Cluster – Mendoza & Neuquén (Neuquén Basin)
The financing provided by Trafigura, a global commodities trader, is structured as advance payment for crude oil from the Medanito field at Estación Fernández Oro, based on an existing supply agreement between Trafigura and Grupo Quintana.
The acquisition of these assets provides Quintana Energy with a major opportunity to optimise production and extend the lifespan of these mature fields. El Portón, for example, was historically a key gas producer for YPF but now requires cost-efficient extraction methods to remain viable.
Quintana Energy’s CEO, Carlos Gilardone, highlighted that the funds will not only be used to finalise the acquisition but also to support working capital investments aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and increasing production output.From Grupo Quintana, they emphasised that this type of financing is a highly effective mechanism to accelerate the growth of independent producers and strengthen Argentina’s oil and gas sector.
This marks the second financing round granted by Trafigura to Grupo Quintana since 2021, showcasing the continued trust and collaboration between the two companies.
While Argentina’s shale revolution in Vaca Muerta continues to dominate headlines, mature conventional fields still play a vital role in the country’s energy security and production stability.Strategic deals like this one ensure that:
✔ Existing resources continue to be developed efficiently.
✔ Private players like Quintana Energy drive innovation and cost optimisation.
✔ Argentina maintains a balanced energy mix, leveraging both shale and conventional reserves.
As Quintana Energy expands its footprint, the Argentine conventional oil and gas sector will benefit from renewed investment, job creation, and sustained production levels.
