YPF announced that it projects reaching an average of 200,000 barrels per day of production in Vaca Muerta by the end of 2025. This goal is based on the expansion of transportation infrastructure and the strengthening of the export market, with Chile as one of the main destinations for the crude extracted in Neuquén.
The increase in production within the unconventional formation will be supported by the expansion of transportation systems.
The extension of the Oldelval system, through the Plan Duplicar Plus, will allow an increase in evacuation capacity by approximately 315,000 barrels per day, raising the volume from 225,000 to 540,000 barrels per day. This will facilitate a greater flow of crude to export ports.
YPF.
The Trans-Andean Pipeline (OTASA) will remain a key option for sending oil to the Chilean market. These infrastructure improvements are essential to avoid bottlenecks and ensure that the increase in production has an efficient outlet.
In 2024
During 2024, YPF's average production in Vaca Muerta was around 138,000 barrels per day, according to its latest financial report. This implies that the 2025 target would represent a growth of over 45%.
The strengthening of the export market is an essential pillar of this strategy. Since the Trans-Andean Pipeline resumed operations in 2023, the company has diversified its destinations and improved the competitiveness of its crude in the international arena.
However, YPF anticipates that it will cease to be the country's main crude exporter this year. This is due to its key role in supplying the domestic fuel market, where it maintains a share close to 60%, along with the accelerated growth of other companies within the unconventional segment.
Trabajador de YPF.
To meet these objectives, YPF plans to invest a total of 5 billion dollars in Argentina during 2025, allocating USD 3.3 billion specifically to Neuquén to boost the development of Vaca Muerta.
This level of financing demonstrates confidence in the formation's potential and the importance of continuing to optimize infrastructure to sustain growth in the upstream sector.
For Neuquén, this investment represents an essential pillar of its economy. According to provincial government estimates, total investments in the oil and gas sector could reach 10 billion dollars in 2025.
Beyond oil production focused on its unconventional blocks, YPF is exploring new opportunities with the goal of starting to export LNG in the medium term, in collaboration with other companies operating in Vaca Muerta and the south of the country.
