Economic crisis threatens to stall Vaca Muerta
Economic turmoil and infrastructural congestion are raising doubts over Argentina's shale growth
Argentina's hope of fast-tracking production from its vast Vaca Muerta shale play, the world's second largest by output, could be delayed as the country adapts to recession. Last year, Argentina was forced to seek a $57bn bailout package from the IMF — the largest-ever sum issued by the fund — after the peso lost over 60pc of its value and inflation surged. In response, the government decided to further scale-back its production subsidy programme, a move that calls its ambitious growth targets into question. Argentina's hydrocarbon sector has largely depended on subsidies. Between 2017-18, production subsidies increased by 30pc to $2.7bn. At the same time, Argentina set itself bold productio
Also in this section
11 August 2025
The administration is pushing for deregulation and streamline permitting for natural gas, while tightening requirements and stripping away subsidies from renewables
8 August 2025
The producers’ group missed its output increase target for the month and may soon face a critical test of its strategy
7 August 2025
The quick, unified and decisive strategy to return all the barrels from the hefty tranche of cuts from the eight producers involved in voluntary curbs signals a shift and sets the tone for the path ahead
7 August 2025
Without US backing, the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia—though not painless—is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s oil and gas revenues or its broader economy
