Equinor Sells Full Onshore Position in Argentina for $1.1B
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 02 2026
0mins
Should l Buy EQNR?
Source: seekingalpha
- Transaction Overview: Equinor has agreed to sell its entire onshore position in Argentina's Vaca Muerta basin to Vista Energy for $1.1 billion in cash and stock, with an upfront payment of $550 million and the remainder split between $325 million in Vista stock and $225 million in contingent payments linked to production and oil prices over five years.
- Asset Details: The deal includes Equinor's 30% stake in the Bandurria Sur production asset, which averaged 24.4K boe/day in Q3 2025, and its 50% holding in Bajo del Toro, still in early development, contributing 2.1K boe/day.
- Strategic Fit: Vista Energy CEO Miguel Galuccio stated that the acquired blocks fit perfectly into Vista's portfolio, adding both flowing barrels and a deep inventory of highly productive, ready-to-drill wells that will underpin their growth trajectory.
- Market Impact: This transaction allows Equinor to retain its offshore assets in Vaca Muerta, ensuring a long-term strategic presence in Argentina while providing Vista with significant production capacity and future growth potential.
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Analyst Views on EQNR
Wall Street analysts forecast EQNR stock price to fall
2 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 27.610
Low
22.00
Averages
23.89
High
25.79
Current: 27.610
Low
22.00
Averages
23.89
High
25.79
About EQNR
Equinor ASA, formerly Statoil ASA is a Norway-based international energy company. The Company’s purpose is to turn natural resources into energy. Equinor sells crude oil and delivers natural gas to the European market. It is also engaged in processing, refining, offshore wind and carbon capture and storage activities. Equinor ASA has five reporting segments: Exploration & Production Norway (E&P Norway), Exploration & Production International (E&P International), Exploration & Production USA (E&P USA), Marketing, Midstream & Processing (MMP) and Renewables (REN). The Company has several subsidiaries such as Equinor Nigeria Energy Company Ltd, Equinor Wind Power AS, Equinor International Netherlands BV and Equinor Brasil Energia Ltda.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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European Market Appeal: European companies are offering attractive dividend yields, which may be appealing compared to U.S. counterparts.
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- New Project Development: Equinor is weeks away from approval for the Bay du Nord project, one of Canada's largest planned oil projects, initially targeting over 400 million barrels of oil, showcasing the company's investment potential in emerging markets.
- Asset Optimization Strategy: Despite divesting mature assets, Equinor still anticipates growth, indicating an effective strategy in optimizing its asset portfolio and focusing on high-potential projects to ensure sustainable future development.
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- Cost Control Initiatives: The company plans to cut operating costs by 10% by 2026 and reduce its organic capital expenditure guidance by $4 billion through 2027, addressing challenges posed by insufficient industry investment.
- Adjusted Share Buyback Plan: Equinor announced a share buyback of up to $1.5 billion this year, significantly down from $5 billion in 2025, reflecting a cautious approach to capital allocation in line with J.P. Morgan analysts' expectations.
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