Tecpetrol plans to increase its Vaca Muerta oil production to 100,000–130,000 b/d by 2030–32, with Los Toldos II Este serving as its main growth driver. The company expects the block to reach 70,000 b/d during 2027, bringing its total production from the formation close to 100,000 b/d.

Subsequent growth will come from expansion at Puesto Parada, increased liquids production at Fortín de Piedra, and development of Los Toldos I Norte and Sur, Tecpetrol chief executive officer Ricardo Markous said during Argentina Oil & Gas Patagonia 2026.

At Puesto Parada, the operator aims to double production to 12,000 b/d. At Fortín de Piedra, the company is evaluating an increase in liquids output to 20,000 b/d from about 10,000 b/d. Los Toldos I Norte and Sur provide additional opportunities to expand oil development.

Los Toldos II Este ramp-up

Los Toldos II Este has 20 producing wells and is expected to reach about 6,000 b/d in November or December 2026, said Martín Bengochea, vice-president, Neuquén basin and Vaca Muerta. The operator has three drilling rigs working in the block and is completing wells alongside construction of surface infrastructure.

Production growth is expected to accelerate from March 2027, when the first 35,000-b/d oil treatment module enters service. A second, equal capacity module will be added midyear. Bengochea said the company expects to reach 70,000 b/d in the following months and sustain that level.

The block covers 78 sq km, and its long-term development program comprises 380 wells. Tecpetrol is developing four Vaca Muerta landing zones simultaneously, sequencing drilling to minimize the need to add child wells between existing wells at a later stage.

The design draws on experience at Fortín de Piedra in well spacing, development sequencing, and hydraulic stimulation, with adjustments for the geology and production performance of Los Toldos II Este.

The completion campaign includes a Tenaris hydraulic fracturing fleet with 28 pumps equipped with dynamic gas blending technology, which replaces part of the diesel fuel with natural gas.

Infrastructure, investment

Takeaway infrastructure includes an oil pipeline from the central processing plant to Auca Mahuida and a gas pipeline connecting to Vaca Muerta Norte. Techint Engineering & Construction is building the infrastructure, along with the processing plant and a water pipeline from the Colorado River.

The $6.4-billion development was admitted to Argentina’s Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). Tecpetrol expects to spend more than $2 billion through yearend 2027.

Markous said the company is prioritizing low-cost modules to maintain project viability under lower oil-price scenarios. As a reference for its evaluations, he cited a futures curve indicating an oil price of about $71/bbl by yearend 2030.

The oil expansion also will increase associated gas supply. Tecpetrol estimates its gas production could rise to 30–35 MMcmd from about 25 million cu m/day. The company continues to invest $300–350 million/year at Fortín de Piedra to sustain winter peaks of about 24 million cu m/day.