10/07/2026 22:20 - Economia
In an exciting development for Argentina's energy sector, a consortium including Pumpco (USA), Bonatti (Italy), and Contreras Hermanos (Argentina) won the bid to build two essential pipelines in Vaca Muerta. Pumpco is linked to Jorge Mas and the Mas Canosa family, widely known internationally as the owners of the Inter Miami soccer team, home of global superstar Lionel Messi.
For those unfamiliar with the region, Vaca Muerta (which translates to 'Dead Cow') is located in the Patagonian provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro. It is one of the world's largest shale gas and oil reserves, often compared to the Permian Basin in the United States, and is considered the engine of Argentina's future energy exports.
This infrastructure is a fundamental part of the Argentina LNG project, driven by YPF (Argentina's state-controlled energy company) and ENI (an Italian multinational energy company). The goal is to export up to 12 MTPA (million tons per annum) of liquefied natural gas. The final confirmation of the project is expected between late 2026 and early 2027.
According to reports from July 9 and 10, 2026, the winning consortium secured the contract by presenting a bid that was 15% more economical than those of its main competitors: Techint (a global engineering and construction giant led by Paolo Rocca) and the group led by Eduardo Mindlin. This milestone represents an extraordinary leap forward for the Argentine energy industry, consolidating Vaca Muerta as a crucial player in the global transition to reliable energy sources.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
