The CEO of Vista Energy, Miguel Galuccio, was quoted by The Pipeline and Gas Journal saying that insufficient pipeline capacity was the biggest bottleneck for Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale oil field last year.
He added that there are plans to double the capacity of the Oldeval pipeline network. Oldeval currently counts on five stretches, in a total of 1,000 kilometers, three of which with 14 inches in diameter, one with 16 inches, and the other with 10.75 inches.
According to analysts, the duplication of such a pipeline network would require an estimated 160,000 mt of steel plates.
Vista energy is investing $1.1 billion to reduce production costs at Vaca Muerta this year.
Vaca Muerta is operating at a pace of 65,000 boepd (equivalent barrels of oil per day) and is expected to reach 85,000 boepd in the fourth quarter, 100,000 boepd in 2026, and 150,000 boepd until 2030.