Vaca Muerta Blocks Draw Bids From PCR, GeoPark and Central Puerto
Vaca Muerta blocks in Argentina drew over US$230 million in exploration pledges as Central Puerto sold its silver stake for US$163.1 million. The post Vaca Muerta Blocks Draw Bids From PCR, GeoPark and Central Puerto appeared first on The Rio Times .
Eight exploration areas in Vaca Muerta, an unconventional shale oil and gas formation in Argentina’s Neuquén Basin, attracted bids from ten or eleven companies in September 2026. The provincial oil company, GyP, opened the sealed envelopes in September 2026, followed by economic offers known as Sobres B. GyP is now verifying technical consistency and financial solvency before announcing the award.
The tender is divided into two rounds, with a focus on gas in the second round, Ronda 2, scheduled for November 2026. The best proposals for the eight Vaca Muerta blocks commit over US$230 million in exploration and nearly US$180 million in bonuses. PCR, Petroquímica Comodoro Rivadavia, a conventional producer without prior shale operations, is leading on three areas after raising a US$400 million bond in July 2026.
Central Puerto, an Argentine electricity generator, leads on another area, marking a shift from conventional to unconventional energy.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
