YPF files RIGI application for $8.7bn Vaca Muerta shale project and outlines $44bn investment plan
YPF, Argentina’s state‑owned oil company, submitted an application to place its $8.729 billion Bajo del Toro shale oil project in Vaca Muerta under the RIGI investment‑incentive regime. The project targets a plateau of about 80,000 barrels of oil and 3 million cubic metres of gas per day and is one of three northern‑basin projects that together represent roughly $44 billion of gross capex over 16‑26 years. In its third‑quarter 2026 results YPF reported profit of $1.2 billion, revenue of $6.56 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $2.503 billion, while shale oil output rose 32 % year‑on‑year to 224,000 b/d.
Why it matters
The RIGI filing signals YPF’s intent to secure tax and financing incentives that could lower the cost of its massive Vaca Muerta expansion, affecting the company’s cash‑flow outlook and debt profile. Investors should watch the regulator’s decision, as approval could improve YPF’s financing terms and support its projected production growth.
Key facts
- 1YPF applied to place an $8.729 billion shale oil project called Bajo del Toro under the RIGI incentive regime. riotimesonline.com
- 2The Bajo del Toro project targets a production plateau of about 80,000 barrels of oil per day and 3 million cubic metres of gas per day. riotimesonline.com
- 3YPF’s northern‑basin plan comprises three projects with a total gross investment of roughly $44 billion over 16 to 26 years. riotimesonline.com
- 4YPF reported third‑quarter 2026 profit of $1.2 billion. peakoil.com
- 5Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2026 was $2.503 billion. riotimesonline.com
- 6Revenue for Q3 2026 was $6.56 billion. peakoil.com
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 3 of 3 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.