Argentina’s Tecpetrol plans to produce 100,000 b/d of crude oil through Vaca Muerta projects Puesto Parada and Los Toldos II, said Ricardo Markous, chief executive officer.
The company—which revolutionized the gas market in Argentina with the Fortín de Piedra field in Vaca Muerta where it has invested about $3.5 billion and produces a peak of 24 million cu m/day of natural gas (20% of national consumption)—will focus on shale oil in Neuquén basin, considering the growth opportunities for Argentina's exports.
Presenting at the 22nd ProPymes Seminar, Markous said Puesto Parada and Los Toldos II will be divided into two stages.
"In Puesto Parada, we are taking advantage of the Los Bastos installation, making an investment to produce 6,000 b/d by the end of this year, de-risking the area, and moving to 20,000 [b/d]," he said.
At Puesto Parada, the company has already drilled five wells and completed the appraisal. In 2024, Techpetrol expects to drill two pads of four wells in the improved productive zone. At the same time, the company will expand the treatment plant to handle the growth in crude oil volumes.
At Los Toldos II, the aim is to reach 35,000 b/d of oil during the first stage and grow production to 70,000 b/d in the second stage, a goal the company expects to achieve in 4 years. The 12,000 b/d produced from Fortín de Piedra will also be added.
At Los Toldos II, Tecpetrol has created a pad of three wells and a pad of two wells. Well 1012 is producing 2,400 b/d.
