Argentina’s state-run oil company YPF SA said it reached a preliminary deal with Royal Dutch Shell Plc (NYSE: RDS-A) on Feb. 23 to develop oil and gas assets in the Vaca Muerta shale field, involving a $300 million investment from Shell.
Both companies will take a 50% stake in the Bajada de Añelo Field to develop a pilot program, which will be operated by Shell, YPF said in a statement. The agreement is subject to approval by provincial authorities, and Shell’s investment will come in two phases, YPF said.
Shell spokeswoman Kimberly Windon confirmed the agreement, adding that the definite terms would be agreed within 60 days and that the project would continue as a full-field development if the pilot is successful.
The deal comes after President Mauricio Macri reached an agreement with oil companies and unions last month to stimulate investment in Vaca Muerta, which his government hopes can narrow Argentina’s energy deficit and reduce costly gas imports.
The unconventional formation in Patagonia, at roughly 30,000 sq km (11,583 sq miles), is roughly the size of Belgium and is one of the largest shale reserves in the world.
Under the January agreement, Argentina guaranteed a subsidized natural gas price for production from new wells of $7.50 per million British thermal units through 2020, while labor unions signed on to more flexible contracts.
YPF and Shell, along with oil majors Chevron Corp., Total SA and BP unit Pan American Energy LLC , agreed to invest a total of $5 billion to tap the formation in 2017 and double that in coming years, Macri said.
YPF said it would invest $2.3 billion in Vaca Muerta this year, while the other companies did not announce specific investments.
Last year, Shell said it planned to invest $300 million per year through 2020 in Argentina in exploration, refining, distribution and marketing. Bajada de Añelo totals some 204 sq km(78.76 sq miles) and has both shale oil and shale gas resources, YPF said.
Recommended Reading
Matador Stock Offering to Pay for New Permian A&D—Analyst
2024-03-26 - Matador Resources is offering more than 5 million shares of stock for proceeds of $347 million to pay for newly disclosed transactions in Texas and New Mexico.
NOV's AI, Edge Offerings Find Traction—Despite Crowded Field
2024-02-02 - NOV’s CEO Clay Williams is bullish on the company’s digital future, highlighting value-driven adoption of tech by customers.
Todd Holdco to Invest Further into Northcliff Resources
2024-01-24 - Todd Holdco will acquire 37,333,333 common shares in Northcliff at CA$0.01875 (US$ 0.014) per common share.
Hess Corp. Boosts Bakken Output, Drilling Ahead of Chevron Merger
2024-01-31 - Hess Corp. increased its drilling activity and output from the Bakken play of North Dakota during the fourth quarter, the E&P reported in its latest earnings.
The OGInterview: Petrie Partners a Big Deal Among Investment Banks
2024-02-01 - In this OGInterview, Hart Energy's Chris Mathews sat down with Petrie Partners—perhaps not the biggest or flashiest investment bank around, but after over two decades, the firm has been around the block more than most.