Vaca Muerta accelerates its entry into the world: the export monoboys of VMOS crossed Hormuz

The Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) project reached a new milestone in its construction after the two monoboys destined for the export terminal in Punta Colorada, Río Negro, successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz and continued their journey to Argentina.

This news was confirmed on Thursday by Horacio Marín, president and CEO of YPF, who reported that the equipment will arrive in Río Negro territory by the end of October to advance the completion of the maritime infrastructure.

“The two monoboys of the VMOS project have already crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are heading towards Punta Colorada, Río Negro, where they will arrive by the end of October to complete the marine work,” Marín stated.

The passage through Hormuz represented one of the most delicate points of the logistical operation, due to the geopolitical sensitivity of one of the world's main oil routes. As explained by the head of YPF, completing that segment confirms that construction is on schedule.

The monoboys will be a central piece of the future maritime terminal, as they will allow loading oil transported from Vaca Muerta directly onto large ships destined for international markets.

The project includes an oil pipeline of approximately 437 kilometers between Allen and Punta Colorada, a land-based storage terminal with six tanks, and two monoboys installed about six kilometers from the coast.

In June, the installation of chains and anchors in the San Matías Gulf, necessary to secure these structures offshore, had already been completed. Their arrival will allow progress on one of the last fundamental components of the offshore infrastructure.

VMOS is developed by a consortium made up of YPF, Vista, Pan American Energy, Pampa Energía, Chevron, Pluspetrol, Shell, and Tecpetrol, with estimated investments of around USD 3 billion.

The project is part of the major energy initiatives incorporated into the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) implemented during the government of Javier Milei, aimed at creating conditions for long-term investments and expanding productive infrastructure.

Once operational, the system was designed to transport up to 550,000 barrels per day, with the potential to expand to 700,000 barrels per day as production increases.

“,” Marín affirmed.

The Punta Colorada terminal will thus address one of the main limitations currently facing the development of Vaca Muerta: the capacity to transport the growing volume of oil to international markets.