Inside Vaca Muerta: a boomtown, millionaire wages and talent shortages
The oil boom has transformed the nearby town of Añelo, bringing big salaries but also inadequate infrastructure and record-high rent La entrada Inside Vaca Muerta: a boomtown, millionaire wages and talent shortages se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .
At six in the evening, the cold and wind in Añelo become intense, making it difficult to walk. Añelo, a small Patagonian town, was once known for its farms and seasonal grazing lands, but today it is transforming into a boomtown due to the presence of Vaca Muerta, a crucial unconventional oil and gas formation in the Neuquén Basin.
Vaca Muerta produces over 915,000 barrels of oil daily and is expected to reach a million barrels by the end of the year. Extraction has increased by 26.4% year-over-year, leading to crude oil export sales of US$5.722 billion between January and July, a 59.2% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
The town's development is evident in its infrastructure, with paved roads covering only 12 blocks in 2023, expanding to 12,280 meters in 2025, and an additional 5,000 meters expected by late 2026. However, parts of Añelo still lack sewage networks and natural gas. Mayor Fernando Banderet remains optimistic, stating that the municipality is changing and will be different in three years. He predicts that around 50,000 residents will live in the city by 2030.
Despite the promising growth, moving to Añelo in search of work is becoming increasingly challenging. The town now caters to those with trade skills or business ventures related to the hydrocarbon sector. However, for those without a plan, the allure of work opportunities may not outweigh the lack of essential services and high costs.
The town's population has grown by 68.4% from 2010 to 2022, with daily visitor numbers reaching 30,000. The demand for skilled labor in the Vaca Muerta extraction process is significant, requiring professionals with verified technical degrees, experienced technicians, and workers in various trades such as welding, machinery operation, heavy transport, construction, and urban services.
Despite these demands, the town still lacks basic services like glass shops, mechanics, and manicurists, leading to high turnover rates and limited options for residents.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Herald's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
