Argentina has broken the mold again. In May, oil production reached 903,700 barrels per day, the highest number in history. The data, released by the Energy Secretariat, marks a 19.6% jump compared to the same month last year and confirms that Vaca Muerta is the engine changing the country’s productive matrix.
The previous record dated back to October 2025, with 859,500 barrels. But now the psychological barrier of 900,000 has been surpassed, something that seemed impossible just a few years ago. Neuquén shale oil already accounts for 69% of national extraction, and all signs indicate that percentage will continue to grow.
Economy Minister Luis Caputo did not miss the opportunity to boast: he highlighted that «energy continues to consolidate its strategic role» and that Vaca Muerta is the main driver of this boom. Over the past five years, national production has grown 76%, driven almost exclusively by unconventional resources.
Juan José Preciado, CEO of RICSA AlyC, noted that the strong performance is due to continued investments, productivity improvements, and infrastructure projects that are beginning to unblock bottlenecks. «Vaca Muerta has consolidated as the main engine of Argentine upstream,» the executive stated.
Exports are also on fire. According to consulting firm Econviews, in May the fuel and energy complex sold US$1.745 billion abroad, 167% more than last year. In the first five months of the year, the sector has already generated US$6.182 billion, a 44.7% year-on-year increase. The improvement is explained by both higher volumes and international prices, which remained high due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Brent crude briefly touched US$100 per barrel during tension peaks but has now stabilized around US$73. That level remains tempting for oil companies. Former Energy Secretary Daniel Montamat projected that Argentina could reach one million barrels per day by late 2026 or early 2027, when the Vaca Muerta Sur (VMOS) pipeline comes online. That project will add 180,000 barrels per day of additional transport capacity, easing one of the main bottlenecks.
The Chamber of Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons (CEPH) went even further: it estimated that, in a moderate scenario, the country could surpass 1.5 million barrels per day by the early next decade. Unconventional production would account for more than 80% of total output, driven by new investments and expanded transport capacity.
Natural gas also has a promising future. With the startup of liquefaction plants and growth in regional exports, production could increase between 54% and more than 100% by 2035. Vaca Muerta is not just oil: it is the key for Argentina to stop being an energy importer and become a global player.
para mi este record es puro verso, vaca muerta es vaca muerta pa los laburantes mientras los patrones se forran en guita los salarios son una miseria 900 mil barriles y a nosotros nos explotan igual viva la lucha obrera carajo
para mi 900 mil barriles es un monton pero los zurdos de mierda siempre boicotean Vaca Muerta es la salvacion de la patria y Kicillof no entiende nada el petroleo es nuestro no de los mapuches viva la energia nacional carajo 💪🛢️