U.S. Billionaires Are Piling Into Argentina’s Vaca Muerta Shale

U.S. billionaire Harold Hamm is investing billions in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale formation. Continetal Resources has agreed to partner with Phoenix Global Resources, a commodities giant, to acquire a 50% stake. The joint venture aims to increase production from 28,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day to over 100,000 boed over five years.

The partnership will encompass approximately 163,000 net acres across six Vaca Muerta blocks. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Hamm credits President Javier Milei's economic reforms for enabling Continental's latest investment. Palantir chairman Peter Thiel recently acquired a 1% stake in Vista Energy, another leading Vaca Muerta producer.

Argentina has revised its oil resource estimate for Vaca Muerta to 30.17 billion barrels, up 89% from 2013. The influx of American investment reflects growing confidence in President Milei's deregulation efforts to attract large-scale investment. Chevron and other international producers are also expanding their exposure in the rapidly growing shale basin.