Sebastián D. Penelli 
Argentina’s energy incumbent YPF is to close a 20-year deal for gas from the Vaca Muerta field with Shell, the world’s largest LNG operator, sources with knowledge of the matter told the Herald’s sister title, Ambito Energy Report.
“Shell is always exploring opportunities to optimize our portfolio. But by company policy, we do not comment on potential activities or commercial agreements,” the company told ER.
On Wednesday morning, Chief of Staff Guillermo Francos said that YPF was close to reaching an agreement for Vaca Muerta gas during the Córdoba Industrial Union’s symposium.
Francos said that 30% of the gas from Vaca Muerta would be sold, with the aim of generating exceptional profits of up to US$140 billion in 20 years. Likewise, he said the deal would be with “one of the most important companies in the world.”
“This company can buy a third of Argentina’s gas exports, which are somewhere around US$7 billion for 20 years, thinking of the Vaca Muerta field,” Francos said. The deal was due to be signed Wednesday or Thursday.
During Shell’s 110-year anniversary in Argentina, the company’s new chief executive, Germán Burmeister, said the company intended to join in the LNG business that YPF is currently leading.
