Argentina consolidated an unprecedented milestone in its energy history:this Tuesday the first export of natural gas to Brazil using Bolivia's pipeline network was completed, representing a decisive step toward the transformation of the country into a regional energy supplier. The operation, led by TotalEnergies and the Brazilian Matrix Energia, allowed gas from Vaca Muerta to reach directly São Paulo, the industrial core of Mercosur.
The operation is the result of a new regional strategy led by the successful Argentine management, which has prioritized the development of the energy sector under principles of free market, deregulation, and the prominence of private capital. In this context, the dispatch of gas to Brazil marks the success of an economic diplomacy that seeks to position Argentina as a central player in regional energy integration.
The shipment is not only a logistical and technical achievement but also a political and economic triumph. For almost two decades, Argentina was a net importer of Bolivian gas, with an accumulated expenditure of 18 billion dollars. Today, thanks to private investment and the reversal of the Northern Gas Pipeline, the country is beginning to radically change that paradigm.
YPFB fué el intermediario del traslado de gas desde Argentina hasta Brasil.
The gas extracted from the Neuquén Basin is transported to Campo Durán (Salta), from where it is injected into the Bolivian system through the Madrejones pipeline, to finally supply the Brazilian market via the Brazil-Bolivia Gas Pipeline (Gasbol), whose installed capacity—30 million cubic meters per day—until this Tuesday was underutilized by 66% due to the production decline of the neighboring country.
From Bolivia, the former Minister of Hydrocarbons, Álvaro Ríos, celebrated the event driven by the Argentines, calling it "the dream come true" after years of planning. On his X account, Ríos wrote: "And the 5-year dream of gas transit through Bolivia from Argentina to Brazil came true. Great effort by all involved, especially TotalEnergies. Keep pushing, everyone benefits", he expressed gratefully.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian importing company, MTX Comercializadora de Gas Natural (a subsidiary of Matrix Energy), explained that the objective of the operation was to technically validate the new supply route and advance in the diversification of energy sources. The contract between Total and Matrix allows exports of up to 1 million cubic meters per day, a figure that could grow exponentially.
Luis Caputo y Alexander Silveira en la firma del MOU.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Milei and the Brazilian president Lula da Silva foresees increasing the volume to 2 million cubic meters per day in 2025, and reaching 10 million in three years. The ultimate goal: to reach 30 million daily in five years, thus fully covering the capacity of the Gasbol and positioning Argentina as a key gas supplier for the Brazilian industry and agrochemical sector.
The current government's approach is clear, unlike previous wasteful models, no major energy project will have state financing. Instead, the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) has been promoted, offering tax exemptions and exchange benefits for private projects of more than 200 million dollars. This policy has not only revitalized the sector but also restored the confidence of international investors.
