Argentine Government to Announce U.S. Investment Agreement to Finance Vaca Muerta Gas Exports - Clarín | 22/09/26

The Argentine government is finalizing an agreement with the United States to establish a financing package for gas export projects and infrastructure works, which is expected to be announced on Wednesday during a meeting focused on infrastructure, supply chains and critical minerals. One of its central components would be Argentina LNG, the project led by YPF together with Italy’s Eni and XRG, part of UAE state-owned oil company ADNOC, to liquefy and export natural gas produced in Vaca Muerta. The agreement would also include loans and guarantees for other strategic sectors and is part of ongoing work between Argentina’s Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department to develop a financing platform for energy and infrastructure projects. Argentina LNG involves an investment of US$51 billion over its lifetime, making it the largest project submitted under the RIGI framework so far and the largest private investment announced in Argentine history. The project envisions an integrated production chain extending from the development of gas-rich blocks in Neuquén to processing, transportation and exports, including dedicated pipelines, processing plants, gas liquids separation facilities and port infrastructure. Off the coast of Río Negro, in the Golfo San Matías, two floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) units will operate with a combined capacity of 12 million tonnes per year, with operations scheduled to begin in 2031. The financing structure had been under development by JP Morgan, while the new announcement is expected to involve an agreement backed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Exim Bank) and private investors. The companies estimate that Argentina LNG could generate approximately US$10 billion in annual exports for two decades. Link to Article