YPF Evaluates Data Center Development Using Vaca Muerta Gas Surplus as Argentina Eyes Regional Tech Infrastructure Hub

YPF CEO Horacio Marín disclosed during an S&P Global event that the company held a two-hour meeting specifically focused on data center feasibility, examining economic viability and project structure for facility development in Argentina. The initiative would leverage surplus gas production from Vaca Muerta alongside existing power generation infrastructure from YPF Luz, which currently supplies energy to small telecommunications data centers. The company targets scaling operations significantly beyond current capacity levels.

The data center evaluation coincides with separate discussions between Tesla and YPF Luz regarding potential joint facility development in Argentina. Marín confirmed ongoing collaboration with Tesla across multiple fronts, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure deployment at YPF service stations, battery-based energy storage systems, and solar panel integration for station power consumption. The Tesla partnership represents diversification beyond YPF’s traditional hydrocarbon business model.

OpenAI’s USD 25 billion data center announcement alongside Sur Energy and entrepreneur Emiliano Kargieman occurred eight months prior with limited public progress since. Sources connected to the project confirmed it remains active despite delays, with site evaluation focusing on Neuquén province’s Confluencia department near Senillosa and Arroyito localities along the Limay River bordering Río Negro. The location provides proximity to the Perito Moreno gas pipeline terminus at Tratayén and Vaca Muerta’s production center at Añelo, ensuring natural gas access.

Kargieman previously specified the facility would employ direct-to-chip cooling technology with closed-loop water systems, projecting water consumption equivalent only to staff bathroom facilities. He estimated 20 percent of construction expenditure would flow through local contractors, with service export revenues exceeding initial capital investment across the facility’s 20-year operational lifespan.

The projected developments align with Vaca Muerta production expansion, which recently achieved monthly fracturing records. Provincial authorities in Neuquén await private sector activation of the OpenAI project after initial site assessments and meetings with Governor Rolando Figueroa’s administration. Industry executives characterize these initiatives as long-term processes with multiple variables requiring resolution before construction commencement.