LNG

JPMorgan and Santander are among banks arranging a $14-15 billion debt financing facility of for the Argentina LNG venture, as project partners YPF, Eni and ADNOC’s XRG target a final investment decision (FID) in November.

Bladex has closed a US$125 million syndicated financing with a four-year tenor for Southern Energy S.A. (SESA), the consortium developing Argentina’s first LNG export project. The deal is mobilising capital in a bid to monetise Vaca Muerta gas.

Argentina’s state-controlled YPF, together with partners Eni and XRG, has submitted an application to enrol the Argentina LNG project in the country’s Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). The $51 billion project will export liquefied natural gas from the Vaca Muerta shale formation, with operations targeted to begin in 2031.

Golar LNG has awarded Axess Group new contracts to support two floating LNG units slated for deployment at Argentina's LNG export project on the Atlantic coast For the MK II FLNG, Axess will develop the unit's maintenance management system and provide integrity revalidation for the Hilli FLNG ahead of its redeployment. The contracts helps advance Golar's Argentina LNG project, with the MK II FLNG vessel scheduled for delivery in late 2027.

Italy’s energy major Eni has agreed to acquire a 32% interest in three upstream blocks in the Vaca Muerta basin, designated as feedstock for an Argentine LNG export project. Argentina’s state oil company YPF, together with Eni and the Abu Dhabi-based investment firm XRG are working intensively to reach FID on the 12 mtpa Argentina LNG project during the second half of 2026.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India's largest commercial ports operator, has secured a $70 million marine services contract for Argentina’s first floating LNG export project, which will supply LNG to India. Commercial operations for the FLNG facility in San Matías Gulf are expected to begin in September 2027, producing 2.45 million tonnes of LNG annually.

Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale is drawing investor interest to a 15-block licensing round for blocks suited for LNG feedgas development. The bidding round comes as LNG buyers reassess their portfolio exposure to supplies chains build around the Strait of Hormuz. Disruption or perceived risk to future LNG exports from Qatar and the UAE have increased interest in Atlantic Basin alternatives.

Energía Argentina has awarded a spot LNG cargo to Spain’s Naturgy at tender, with the shipment due to arrive at the Escobar floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in the second week of May.

Substantial upstream investment in Vaca Muerte shale is meant to help Argentina evolve from seasonal floating liquefaction to a multi-phase LNG exporter. To that end, state-controlled YPF plans to channel $3.3 billion into Vaca Muerta shale, with recent FIDs on two FLNG units in the Gulf of San Matías and associated infrastructure.

Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) and Argentina’s Southern Energy have signed an 8-years sales and purchase agreement (SPA) for 2 mtpa of LNG, with deliveries starting in late 2027. The deal, totalling 16 mtpa over the contract term, marks Argentina’s first long-term LNG export contract.