The Southern Energy consortium and the Berlin-based group Securing Energy for Europe have formalized an eight-year agreement concerning the export of liquefied natural gas from the Vaca Muerta basin. The agreement stipulates the delivery of two million tonnes annually over the course of eight years, as outlined in a statement. Operations are set to commence at the conclusion of 2027 in Golfo San Matías, located in Río Negro Province, utilizing the liquefaction vessel Hilli Episeyo. The anticipated volume signifies “more than 80 percent of the production capacity” of that unit and 30 percent of the total capacity of the two vessels to be deployed in the region.
Southern Energy, a consortium that includes PAE, YPF, Pampa Energía, Harbour Energy, and Golar LNG, announced that negotiations were finalized yesterday in Berlin with the signing of the final contract. The transaction signifies “the largest LNG sale from Argentina to the world in terms of volume and duration.” The agreement marks the culmination of a process that officially commenced last December, when the two companies revealed a framework accord, or “Heads of Agreement,” to negotiate the terms of sale. The signing ceremony occurred at the AXICA Convention Centre in Berlin, with attendance from senior executives of the participating companies and diplomatic representatives. Attendees comprised Rodolfo Freyre, president of SESA; Frédéric Barnaud; and Marcos Bulgheroni. In attendance were Martin Rueda from Harbour Energy, Patricio Da Ré from YPF, and Golar LNG executives Karl Staubo and Federico Petersen.
The Argentine delegation was joined by Betina Pasquali de Fonseca, the ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany. SEFE was represented by its CEO, Dr. Egbert Laege; supervisory board member Doris Honold; Jean-Manuel Conil-Lacoste, executive vice-president for LNG; and Sharif Islam, vice-president for LNG Origination–Atlantic. The involvement of these authorities highlights the global dimension of the energy initiative. From a technical standpoint, production will initially be concentrated on the “Hilli Episeyo,” which has a capacity of “2.45 million tonnes of LNG per year.”
Southern Energy’s comprehensive initiative encompasses a second vessel, targeting a total production capacity of “six million tonnes of LNG per year.” The official document articulates that the principal aim is to “monetise the vast gas resources of Vaca Muerta.” The consortium emphasized that the revenues generated from the export will “create a genuine source of foreign currency for the country’s external accounts,” thereby reinforcing the integration of domestic energy production into global markets.