MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

YPF and Shell reach deal to develop oil and gas assets in Vaca Muerta shale field

The deal comes after President Macri reached an agreement with oil companies and unions last month to stimulate investment in Vaca Muerta

Argentina's state-run oil company YPF said it reached a preliminary deal with Royal Dutch Shell Plc to develop oil and gas assets in the Vaca Muerta shale field, involving a US$300 million investment from Shell.

 Both companies will take a 50% stake in the Bajada de Añelo field to develop a pilot program, which will be operated by Shell, YPF said in a statement. The agreement is subject to approval by provincial authorities, and Shell's investment will come in two phases, YPF said.

Shell spokeswoman Kimberly Windon confirmed the agreement, adding that the definite terms would be agreed within 60 days and that the project would continue as a full-field development if the pilot is successful.

The deal comes after President Mauricio Macri reached an agreement with oil companies and unions last month to stimulate investment in Vaca Muerta, which his government hopes can narrow Argentina's energy deficit and reduce costly gas imports.

The unconventional formation in Patagonia, at roughly 30,000 square kilometers, is roughly the size of Belgium and is one of the largest shale reserves in the world.

Under the January agreement, Argentina guaranteed a subsidized natural gas price for production from new wells of US$7.50 per million British thermal units through 2020, while labor unions signed on to more flexible contracts.

YPF and Shell, along with oil majors Chevron Corp, Total SA and BP unit Pan American Energy LLC, agreed to invest a total of US$ 5 billion to tap the formation in 2017 and double that in coming years, Macri said. YPF said it would invest US$ 2.3 billion in Vaca Muerta this year, while the other companies did not announce specific investments.