Vista Energy announced an ambitious investment plan of USD 1.8 billion to accelerate its growth in Vaca Muerta and increase its production to exceed 160,000 barrels per day of oil equivalent.
The expansion comes after the acquisition of Equinor's stake in the Bandurria Sur and Bajo del Toro blocks, a strategic operation that strengthens Vista's positioning as the leading independent oil producer in Argentina.
Vaca Muerta continues to attract million-dollar investments
The announcement represents another sign of the sustained growth that Vaca Muerta is experiencing and the energy potential that Argentina is beginning to consolidate internationally.
As Miguel Galuccio explained:
“The recent addition of assets has given Vista greater scale: it allows us to make a significant leap in production, exports, and development capacity in Vaca Muerta.”
The company will add 22,000 additional barrels per day thanks to the asset purchase, bringing its total production to over 160,000 boe/d.
An Argentine oil company consolidating globally
Galuccio also highlighted the accelerated growth of the company in just a few years:
“In just eight years, we went from being an oil startup to becoming the leading independent oil producer in Argentina and the largest crude exporter in the country.”
The executive stated that the new plan deepens Argentina's strategic role within the global energy map.
More production, more exports, and more dollars
The company projects:
Production of 208,000 barrels per day by 2028
Reaching 250,000 barrels per day by 2030
Growing exports of Argentine crude
Increased foreign exchange generation for the country
Vista expects to invest USD 5.6 billion between 2026 and 2028, 17% more than previously estimated.
The impact of the RIGI on Vaca Muerta
The oil company also confirmed that it will proceed with its entry into the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) promoted by the government of Javier Milei.
According to Galuccio, the tax incentives significantly improve the profitability of new developments and allow for the acceleration of investments that would otherwise have been postponed.
“The improvement in return rates due to tax incentives is a strong stimulus to accelerate capex,” he explained.
Record results for the company
The growth of Vista is already reflected in its financial statements.
During the first quarter of 2026, the company reported:
Total production: 134,741 boe/d
