The first-phase development encompasses approximately 1,400 wells across four dedicated blocks: Aguada del Norte, Loma de la Tordilla Alta Central I and II, and Meseta Buena Esperanza I and II. Production will flow through gathering systems to the processing complex, where facilities will handle gas separation, dehydration, compression, and treatment alongside condensate and produced water management. The plant incorporates 70 megawatts of island-mode power generation capacity and will process 60 to 65 million cubic meters daily of export-specification gas.
Water supply infrastructure includes a four-hectare intake facility on the Neuquén River connected via a 15.8-kilometer, 20-inch diameter aqueduct. The industrial layout separates into two operational blocks covering 23.3 hectares for gas reception and condensate processing and 26.2 hectares for treatment units and support buildings. Access routes connect to Provincial Route 17 through a 2.3-kilometer entrance road serving the 2,100-meter by 2,500-meter site footprint.
YPF projects the complete Argentina LNG value chain at $51 billion over 20 years, with the processing phase valued at approximately $7 billion. Employment forecasts indicate an annual average of 20,000 positions during construction, peaking at 40,000 when multiple work fronts converge, and 8,000 permanent operations roles with over 80 percent local residency. Neuquén-specific estimates reach 18,700 jobs during construction peaks and 4,300 long-term positions. The company presented these figures during a September environmental impact hearing where local stakeholders demanded specific mechanisms ensuring regional workforce participation and supplier integration.
YPF CEO Horacio Marín confirmed at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok that the company is finalizing two to three offtake contracts ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 million tonnes annually each, targeting closure before the November investment decision. Export infrastructure connects the Plaza Huincul complex to Río Negro facilities via a 48-inch gas pipeline and 24-inch products pipeline, feeding liquefaction units in the San Matías Gulf. The project registered under Argentina’s RIGI investment incentive regime as the largest application to date.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
