YPF-Led VMOS Project in Argentina Gets Shell and Chevron as Partners
Vaca Muerta Oil Sur Project: YPF announced that Shell and Chevron will join the Vaca Muerta Oil Sur project, expected to significantly enhance Argentina's energy exports, potentially generating up to $20 billion annually through a new pipeline infrastructure.
Investment and Expansion Plans: The project involves a $3 billion investment with secured financing of $1.7 billion, aiming to increase oil production capacity and solidify Argentina's position as a key player in the global energy market.
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YPF's LNG Project: YPF, an Argentinian state-owned energy company, plans to finalize a $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project with partners Eni and ADNOC's XRG by 2026, targeting a capacity of 12 million metric tons per year.
Shell's Withdrawal: Shell has exited a phase of the Argentina LNG project due to significant changes in project scope, including a reduction in capacity from 12 mtpa to 6 mtpa, prompting YPF to seek a new partner.
Export Timeline: YPF anticipates starting exports from the LNG project around 2030 or 2031, contingent on reaching a final investment decision by mid-2026.
Energy Sector Insights: Oceaneering International and Canadian Natural Resources are highlighted as top-ranked stocks in the energy sector, with Oceaneering holding a Zacks Rank #1 and Canadian Natural Resources a Zacks Rank #2.
Shell Withdraws from Argentina LNG Project: Shell has announced its withdrawal from the Argentina LNG project due to changes in project dynamics and scope, just a year after signing a development agreement with YPF.
YPF's Response and Future Plans: YPF's CEO stated that the company will seek a new partner to replace Shell and anticipates making a final investment decision on the $20 billion project by mid-next year, with equity stakes expected to be shared among YPF, Eni, and Adnoc's XRG unit.
Eni and YPF Agreement: Eni S.p.A has signed an agreement with Argentina's YPF to acquire a 50% stake and operatorship in the OFF-5 Block offshore Uruguay, pending regulatory approval. The block is in a largely unexplored area with potential for hydrocarbon discoveries.
Exploration Potential: The OFF-5 Block covers 16,883 square kilometers and is located 200 kilometers offshore, with depths ranging from 800 to 4,100 meters. Eni views the block as a strategic addition to its exploration portfolio, leveraging proprietary technologies to enhance exploration efficiency.
Previous Collaborations: Eni and YPF have a history of collaboration, including a partnership on an integrated LNG project in Argentina, where Eni serves as a strategic partner.
Market Insights: The article also highlights top-ranked energy stocks, including Canadian Natural Resources and FuelCell Energy, emphasizing their strong market positions and contributions to the energy sector.
Eni's Acquisition: Eni has agreed to acquire a 50% share and operatorship in the OFF-5 exploration block offshore Uruguay from YPF, with financial details undisclosed.
Strategic Importance: The OFF-5 block is considered a highly prospective area that enhances Eni's exploration portfolio, combining near-field and infrastructure-led prospects with high-impact opportunities.
Collaboration with YPF: This agreement strengthens Eni's collaboration with YPF, following previous agreements related to the Argentina LNG project and Eni's role as a strategic partner in the ARLNG project.
Market Context: The news comes amid a positive market response to Milei's mid-term victory in Argentina, which has implications for YPF and the broader energy sector.
- Market Trends: There has been a consistent rotation into defensive sectors of the market, particularly healthcare and energy.
- Performance Metrics: These sectors have ranked as the top performers in the S&P 500 over the past week, month, and three months.

YPF Financial Performance: For Q3 2025, YPF reported a revenue of $4.64 billion, a 12.4% decline from the previous year, and an EPS of $0.84, down from $3.75 year-over-year.
Earnings Surprises: The revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.99%, while the EPS exceeded expectations by 2.44%, indicating mixed performance against analyst forecasts.
Investor Insights: Key metrics beyond headline numbers are crucial for understanding YPF's underlying performance, helping investors gauge potential stock price movements more accurately.
Stock Recommendations: Zacks Investment Research has highlighted top stock recommendations, suggesting one may significantly outperform previous picks, emphasizing the potential for substantial returns.









