Argentina's shale boom
The country's play is set to witness a quick rise in gas output as drillers look to lock in higher subsidised prices
Gas will lead the pace of production growth from Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale play over the next several years, as state-owned YPF and international majors line up test projects in the gassier areas of the basin. The Vaca Muerta is the most vibrant shale region to take root outside North America, with output rising steadily over the past couple of years as activity has picked up and costs have fallen. To date, that production has been roughly half light oil and half natural gas, with total Vaca Muerta shale output growing 60% in the 20 months from the start of 2016 to 76,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day in August last year. That strong pace of growth should continue over the next few yea
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
