Marín characterized the LNG initiative as the most complex undertaking of his career, requiring 14 documents totaling 300 pages covering technical, commercial, financial and legal frameworks. The project involves constructing a 200-hectare processing plant equivalent to 70 percent of the La Plata refinery’s size, to be completed within four years. Strategic partners include Italy’s ENI and Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC, with financing structures expected to close before year-end 2026.
The territorial strategy divides processing between Bahía Blanca and Punta Colorada. Bahía Blanca will serve as a petrochemical and agroindustrial center oriented to domestic markets, incorporating TGS’s NGL project and potential expansion of Compañía Mega’s plant. Combined capacity would reach 85 million cubic meters of processing capability. Punta Colorada will function exclusively as an export hub, with YPF planning a $7 billion, 200-hectare facility for value-added gas processing and exports. Marín indicated the output could position YPF as the world’s fifth-largest liquefied petroleum gas exporter.
The CEO noted the company’s current scale exceeds Halliburton and equals half of Ford’s size. He emphasized the national alignment behind the $30 billion export target, describing it as breaking historical divisions within Argentina. Marín pointed to favorable conditions including geopolitical stability compared to Middle Eastern producers and strengthened investment frameworks under RIGI. Since assuming leadership in December 2024, he has driven cultural transformation within YPF, eliminating traditional success-failure metrics in favor of continuous improvement principles. He teased a potential announcement before year-end without providing specifics.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
Discover more from Nyland South Energy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
