La Derecha Diario The oil sector projects investments of more than USD 11.5 billion for 2025.
Among all the companies, YPF is the one that strongly leads in terms of investment
According to information released by the National Secretariat of Energy, at least USD 11.2 billion will be invested in hydrocarbon exploration and production activities in the national territory in 2025.
Of that amount, 63% will be contributed by YPF,Vista Energy, and Pan American Energy. Another 35% corresponds to planned disbursements by ten companies, including Pluspetrol, Shell, and Total Austral. The remaining 2% will be covered by another 27 companies.
Among all of them, there is one company that clearly leads the investment level: YPF. According to official data, this year it will invest USD 4.589 billion in oil and gas exploration and production.
The three main areas of interest for the state-owned oil company are located in Neuquén, within the Vaca Muerta area. Most of the budget will be concentrated in La Amarga Chica, with USD 954 million allocated for the year, of which more than 75% will be directed to the drilling of production wells (USD 734 million).
Loma La Lata and Bandurria Sur will also play a prominent role, with planned investments of USD 954 million and USD 749 million respectively for 2025. In both cases, the focus will also be on drilling new wells.
The second company with the highest projected investment volume for 2025 is Pan American Energy, which has committed USD 1.417 billion. Unlike YPF, its main area of operation is located in the provinces of Santa Cruz and Chubut.
In particular, in the Anticlinal Grande - Cerro Dragón area, the company plans to disburse USD 521 million, which will be distributed among multiple smaller-scale investments. Among the main destinations for the capital are the drilling of wells and the installation of dehydration plants.
The other two strategic areas for Pan American Energy are located in Neuquén: these are Coirón Amargo Sur Este, with an estimated investment of USD 358 million, and Lindero Atravesado, where USD 196 million is expected to be allocated.
As for Vista Energy Argentina, almost all of its planned investments, totaling USD 1.178 billion during 2025, are focused on three blocks located in the Vaca Muerta formation: Bajada del Palo Oeste, Bajada del Palo Este, and Aguada Federal. As in the other cases, most of the funds will be directed to the drilling of crude oil production wells.
Other investments
Ten companies plan to invest more than USD 100 million but less than USD 1 billion throughout 2025. Among them, the one topping the list is Pluspetrol, with a total disbursement of USD 747 million. Most of that amount will be allocated to La Calera, within Vaca Muerta, with an investment of USD 678 million mainly focused on drilling gas wells and acquiring batteries, as well as dehydration and/or desalination plants.
Just below is Shell, which plans to invest USD 629 million, although distributed across a greater number of blocks. The three key areas for the Dutch company will be Cruz de Lorena, Sierras Blancas, and Bajada de Añelo. In these projects, the funds will be directed to drilling both oil and gas wells.
Meanwhile, Total Austral will allocate USD 588 million during the year, concentrating its greatest efforts in the Agua Pichana Este area, in the province of Neuquén, which will receive USD 333 million. According to data provided by the Secretariat of Energy, the company will focus mainly on drilling new gas wells.
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