SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

TotalEnergies sells two strategic Vaca Muerta blocks to YPF for USD 500 mn

TotalEnergies completed the sale of its 45% stake in two unconventional hydrocarbon concessions to YPF in Argentina for USD 500 mn, marking a key milestone in the management of its portfolio in South America.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

TotalEnergies has signed an agreement to sell to YPF SA its 45% stake in the unconventional blocks Rincon La Ceniza and La Escalonada, located in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation. The transaction is valued at USD 500 mn ($500 mn), pricing these assets at around USD 10,000 per acre for a net area of 51,000 acres currently in the pilot development phase. Other partners in these blocks are Gas y Petroleo de Neuquen (10%) and O&G Developments LTD S.A (45%), the latter owned by Shell.

Strategic portfolio restructuring

This divestment is part of TotalEnergies’ active portfolio management strategy, although the company retains a significant presence in the region. Following the transaction, the French company remains the operator of a vast 183,000 net acres in Vaca Muerta, one of the world’s main unconventional hydrocarbon formations. The divested blocks represented around 20% of the company’s net acreage in the formation.

Javier Rielo, Director Americas of Exploration-Production at TotalEnergies, stated that this transaction enables the company to focus its efforts on its key assets in the Neuquén Basin as well as on its offshore developments in Tierra del Fuego. TotalEnergies thus maintains its commitment in Argentina while adjusting its exposure to the different phases of exploration and production.

Production and outlook for gas and condensates

TotalEnergies remains engaged in the production of natural gas and condensates in Argentina, mainly through the operated blocks of Aguada Pichana Este and San Roque. For 2024, combined production from these two areas reaches around 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) on a TotalEnergies share basis. This performance illustrates the region’s importance in the group’s global portfolio.

The amount of the transaction and the associated valuation reflect the appeal of Vaca Muerta’s unconventional resources for international operators. Portfolio moves seen in the region highlight the evolution of strategies among large energy groups in response to the dynamics of the Argentine market and long-term sector prospects.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
BHP sells 49% of its Pilbara power network to GIP for $2 billion
United States adds 11.7 GW of renewable capacity in Q3 despite uncertainty
Framatome to upgrade critical systems at Columbia nuclear power plant
Plug Power signs with Hy2gen for 5MW electrolyser in France
France and China prepare climate task force to secure nuclear and cleantech
Explosion on a strategic gas pipeline in Nigeria halts gas supply
An explosion on December 10 on the Escravos–Lagos pipeline forced NNPC to suspend operations, disrupting a crucial network supplying gas to power stations in southwestern Nigeria.
Ashgabat brings together Russia, Turkey and Iran around new regional gas partnerships
At an international forum, Turkmenistan hosted several regional leaders to discuss commercial cooperation, with a strong focus on gas and alternative export corridors.
Australia opens five new offshore blocks to secure gas supply
The Australian government has launched the opening of five offshore gas exploration blocks in the Otway Basin, highlighting a clear priority for southeast supply security amid risks of shortages by 2028, despite an ambitious official climate policy.
BlackRock sells 7% stake in Naturgy for €1.7bn
BlackRock sold 7.1% of Spanish company Naturgy for €1.7bn ($1.99bn) through an accelerated bookbuild managed by JPMorgan, reducing its stake to 11.42%.
Sound Energy launches gas production at Tendrara after six-month delay
The British company begins the initial production phase of Morocco's Tendrara gas field, activating a ten-year contract with Afriquia Gaz amid phased technical investments.
United States: winter cold drives up natural gas price forecasts
The Energy Information Administration revises its gas price estimates upward for late 2025 and early 2026, in response to strong consumption linked to a December cold snap.
Venture Global rejects Shell’s fraud allegations in LNG arbitration dispute
Venture Global denies Shell’s claims of fraud in an LNG cargo arbitration and accuses the oil major of breaching arbitration confidentiality.
China receives first Russian LNG shipment via sanctioned Beihai terminal
The Valera LNG carrier delivered a shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Portovaya, establishing a new energy route between Russia and China outside Western regulatory reach.
Hungary hosts TurkStream headquarters after asset freeze in the Netherlands
South Stream Transport B.V., operator of the offshore section of the TurkStream pipeline, has moved its headquarters from Rotterdam to Budapest to protect itself from further legal seizures amid ongoing sanctions and disputes linked to Ukraine.
Panama Canal sidelined as US LNG flows shift decisively toward Europe
US LNG exports are increasingly bypassing the Panama Canal in favour of Europe, seen as a more attractive market than Asia in terms of pricing, liquidity and logistical reliability.
IOC seeks spot LNG cargo for Dahej as Russian sanctions tighten
Indian Oil Corporation has issued a tender for a spot LNG cargo to be delivered in January 2026 to Dahej, as Asian demand weakens and Western restrictions on Russian gas intensify.
McDermott secures EPCIC contract for gas project offshore Brunei
McDermott has secured a major engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning contract for a strategic subsea gas development offshore Brunei, strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Fluor and JGC deliver second LNG Canada unit in Kitimat
The partnership between Fluor and JGC has handed over LNG Canada's second liquefaction unit, completing the first phase of the major gas project on Canada’s west coast.
NOG acquires 49% stake in Utica gas assets for $588mn with Infinity
Northern Oil and Gas and Infinity Natural Resources invest $1.2bn to acquire Utica gas and infrastructure assets in Ohio, strengthening NOG’s gas profile through vertical integration and high growth potential.
Sanctioned Russian LNG vessel delivers to China’s Beihai port
China has received its first liquefied natural gas shipment from Russia’s Portovaya facility, despite growing international sanctions targeting Russian energy exports.
Brazil’s free gas market reaches 13.3 Mcmd with unprecedented industrial shift
Brazil’s natural gas market liberalisation has led to the migration of 13.3 million cubic metres per day, dominated by the ceramics and steel sectors, disrupting the national competitive balance.
Sasol inaugurates gas processing unit to supply Temane thermal power plant
Sasol has launched a new gas processing facility in Mozambique to secure fuel supply for the Temane thermal power plant and support the national power grid’s expansion.
Congo LNG reaches 3 mtpa and anchors the strategic gas axis between Eni and Europe
With the addition of Nguya FLNG to Tango, Eni secures 3 mtpa of capacity in Congo, locking in non-Russian volumes for Italy and positioning Brazzaville within the ranks of visible African LNG exporters.
JERA signs 10-year LNG supply deal with Torrent Power
Japan’s JERA has signed a liquefied natural gas supply contract with India’s Torrent Power for four cargoes annually from 2027, marking a shift in its LNG portfolio toward South Asia.
NEO NEXT+ becomes the UKCS’s largest gas producer with TotalEnergies and Repsol
The merger of TotalEnergies and Repsol’s UK assets into NEO NEXT+ creates a 250,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day operator, repositioning the majors in response to the UK’s fiscal regime and basin decline.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.