Argentina’s oil and gas industry is celebrating a new milestone in Vaca Muerta. State-controlled YPF has achieved a record-breaking horizontal drilling feat, reaching 1,747 metres in less than 24 hours in the La Angostura Sur block. This accomplishment not only surpasses YPF’s previous record but also reinforces the company’s position as a leader in efficiency, operational excellence, and technological innovation.
YPF’s President and CEO, Horacio Marín, highlighted the pivotal role of advanced technology in this achievement:
“This would not have been possible without the implementation of the most advanced technology in our Real Time Intelligence Center, which optimises each of our processes in real time.”
The company utilised the RSS iCruiseX Motorised system, which enabled YPF to exceed one mile of lateral section drilled within 24 hours. This achievement beats the previous record of 1,543 metres drilled in a single day, set in July 2024 in the same area.
According to YPF engineers, three key factors contributed to this success:
The milestone at La Angostura Sur is not the only recent record for YPF. In November 2024, the company successfully completed the LLL-1861(h) well in Loma Campana, achieving a 4,948-metre lateral section with a total length of 8,264 metres—in just 27 days. This marks the longest lateral well ever drilled in Vaca Muerta.
These achievements reaffirm YPF’s strategy of enhancing the development of Argentina’s unconventional resources, increasing output with greater efficiency and lower operational costs.
One of the key differentiators behind YPF’s operational improvement is the Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC), inaugurated in December 2024. Located in Puerto Madero, this remote monitoring centre allows real-time supervision of drilling activities across Vaca Muerta.
The RTIC is staffed by teams of engineers and geologists, who work in specialised operational “cells” to oversee more than 100 variables in real time. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) enables faster decision-making and greater process optimisation.
This approach allows YPF to:
With these advancements, YPF is reinforcing its commitment to expanding Vaca Muerta, particularly in the southern sector of Loma Campana. The company is focused on maximising hydrocarbon production while maintaining high standards of efficiency and sustainability.
The latest drilling record at La Angostura Sur demonstrates how a combination of innovation, strategic planning, and cutting-edge technology is propelling YPF to new heights in the energy sector.
Through its focus on efficiency, advanced technology, and real-time intelligence, YPF is solidifying its leadership in Argentina’s unconventional oil and gas development. As Vaca Muerta continues to prove its vast potential, these milestones confirm that the country’s energy sector is prepared to tackle future challenges with innovation and resilience.
