By Oko
Founder, Offshore Pipeline Insight
March 15, 2026
Unlocking Argentina’s Export Potential in 2026
The Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) project is the single most critical midstream development for Argentina’s energy sector this year. As of March 2026, the project has reached 51% completion and remains on a fast track to begin operations by Q4 2026.
1. Technical Specifications & Infrastructure
The project is a 565km strategic artery designed to bypass existing bottlenecks in the Neuquén Basin. Offshore Technology.
- Pipeline Dimensions: 30-inch diameter steel pipe spanning 437km in its primary phase.
- Current Progress: Construction is currently focused on the technically demanding Río Negro crossing, where crews are routing pipe 30 meters beneath the riverbed.
- Export Hub: The line terminates at the Punta Colorada export terminal, which features a massive tank farm and two offshore monobuoys for deepwater VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier)
2. Capacity & Economic Scaling
The VMOS pipeline is designed for aggressive scalability to meet global demand:
- Initial Capacity: 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) at startup in late 2026.
- Target Capacity: Expected to reach 550,000 bpd by 2027.
- Future Potential: With additional pumping stations, the system can peak at 700,000–720,000 bpd.
- Revenue Impact: Analysts project the infrastructure will help Argentina generate an annual energy trade surplus of $8.5B to $10B in 2026
3. Strategic Consortium & Investment
This $3 billion project is the first to qualify under Argentina’s new RIGI (Large Investment Incentive Regime). It is backed by a powerhouse consortium including:
- Lead Operator: YPF S.A. (Argentina’s state-owned energy giant).
- Partners: Pan American Energy, Vista Energy, Pampa Energía, Chevron, Shell, and Pluspetrol.
Related Projects:
Perito Moreno Gas Pipeline (also managed by TGS) to build topical authority across the entire Vaca Muerta basin.
4.The Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) Pipeline and Punta Colorada Export Terminal are a major midstream project led by YPF Midstream (with partners like Vista Energy, Pampa Energía, Pan American Energy, and options for Chevron/Shell) to boost crude oil exports from Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale play.Key details:
- Pipeline: ~437 km (271 miles), 30-inch diameter in Phase 1, capacity starting at 180,000–550,000 bpd (expandable to 700,000 bpd).
- Route: From Loma Campana/Añelo area (Neuquén province, Vaca Muerta heartland) → Allen pumping station → Chelforó → Punta Colorada terminal on the Atlantic coast in Río Negro province (Gulf of San Matías).
- Terminal: New deepwater export facility at Punta Colorada with storage tanks (up to ~720,000 m³ total planned), single-point mooring (SPM) buoys for VLCC loading.
- Status (2026): Construction advanced (welding completed on southern segment by late 2025), tanks under roof assembly, commercial operations targeted for late 2026/early 2027.
Here are relevant visuals/maps/photos:
- Route map of VMOS pipeline (from Vaca Muerta to Punta Colorada on the Atlantic coast, showing key segments like Loma Campana → Allen → Punta Colorada):This schematic shows the full 437 km route across Neuquén and Río Negro provinces, connecting shale fields to the export terminal.
2. Punta Colorada export terminal conceptual view (storage tanks, buoys, and coastal layout):Artist’s rendering/concept of the Punta Colorada terminal, including tank farm and offshore loading buoys in the Gulf of San Matías.
3.Construction progress photo at Punta Colorada (tank roofs and site works):Real-world photo from 2026 updates showing roof assembly on crude storage tanks at the terminal site.
4. Offshore loading concept (SPM buoys for VLCCs at Punta Colorada):Illustration of the single-point mooring system planned for tanker loading at the Punta Colorada terminal.
5. Aerial/regional overview (Vaca Muerta area to Atlantic coast):Satellite-style map highlighting Vaca Muerta shale play in Neuquén and the pipeline path southeast to Punta Colorada in Río Negro.
Author’s Contact : oko@offshorepipelineinsight.com