Argentina looks to recapture Vaca Muerta shale momentum
Investment in Vaca Muerta has slumped. A deal between Shell and YPF shows government efforts may be turning things around
Argentina's efforts to draw more investment into the Vaca Muerta shale play showed signs of paying off in late February when Shell, and state-owned YPF, struck a $300m deal to launch a new pilot gas project in the area. In a break with YPF's past shale joint ventures, it will cede operatorship over the project to Shell. Each company will take a 50% share in the Bajada de Añelo block, a lightly drilled area that sits adjacent to the Loma Campana block where YPF is working on a shale pilot development with Chevron and where most shale drilling has taken place. Shell will put up nearly 98% of the pilot programme's initial investment. Shell has quietly amassed a significant position in the hotte
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
