National oil company YPF signed, together with Italian company Eni and XRG, the joint development agreement to move forward with Argentina LNG
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YPF, Eni, and XRG signed the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) this Thursday, which will allow formal progress in the development of the Argentina LNG project, focused on the production, liquefaction, and export of natural gas.
According to YPF, the initiative contemplates a capacity of 12 million tons per year (MTPA) of LNG through two floating liquefaction units (FLNG), each with a capacity of 6 MTPA. The scheme is designed to integrate the entire value chain:
Gas production
Processing
Transport
Liquefaction
Export
The signing of the JDA establishes the work plan toward the next stage, which will include Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), technical structuring tasks, and the design of the main commercial and financial fronts.
Marín: "One of the most relevant projects at a global level"
Horacio Marín, president and CEO of YPF, emphasized that the formal incorporation of XRG enhances the international reach of the initiative.
YPF, Eni y XRG sellan un acuerdo clave para posicionar al país como exportador global de gas
"Having two world-class players allows us to position Argentina LNG as one of the most relevant projects at a global level", he stated. He also indicated that the objective is to move forward intensively in order to reach the Final Investment Decision (FID) during the second half of 2026.
From Eni, Guido Brusco maintained that the project is emerging as "one of the most promising opportunities in the global gas scenario," highlighting the technological leadership and the long-term strategic vision.
In the same vein, Mohamed Al Aryani, president of International Gas at XRG, underlined the potential of the undertaking and its contribution to a reliable and flexible energy supply for international markets.
The international context and the role of RIGI
The entry of XRG —the international investment arm of Abu Dhabi's state oil company (Adnoc)—consolidates the project's global profile. The company holds assets in Africa, Asia, and North America, which strengthens competitiveness and access to strategic markets.
YPF and Eni had announced last November, during the ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference 2025 in Abu Dhabi, their intention to add XRG to the project. In that context, Marín stressed the appeal of the new Argentine context for attracting investment and the importance of the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) as a tool for predictability and clear rules.
YPF, Eni y XRG sellan un acuerdo clave para posicionar al país como exportador global de gas
The agreement is part of YPF's strategy to transform Vaca Muerta's potential into exports, foreign currency generation, and employment. The company seeks to consolidate itself as a world-class shale operator and major hydrocarbon exporter by 2031, combining local resources with state-of-the-art liquefaction technology.
With this step, Argentina LNG is positioning itself as one of the most ambitious energy projects in the region, with the capacity to place the country on the global liquefied natural gas map.
