LatAmOil - Latin America Oil & Gas

YPF deepens shale shift in fourth quarter as conventional output declines

Argentina’s state energy company YPF accelerated its transition towards shale production in the fourth quarter of 2025, boosting unconventional oil and gas output while scaling back conventional operations.

Argentina’s VMOS pipeline 54% complete, targets 550,000 bpd exports by 2027

Argentina’s Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) pipeline project is 54% complete and is expected to export up to 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2027. The project is projected to generate more than $15bn in annual exports.

Russian tanker carrying 200,000 barrels to Cuba turns back mid-Atlantic, deepening island's fuel crisis

A vessel believed to be transporting 200,000 barrels of Russian gas oil to Cuba abruptly halted its journey and began drifting in the North Atlantic on February 26, likely deterred by the Trump administration's Caribbean blockade

US eases Cuba oil embargo under Caribbean pressure, authorising Venezuelan crude resale to private sector

The US Treasury announced that it would implement a "favourable licensing policy" allowing companies to resell Venezuelan oil to Cuba's private sector for "commercial and humanitarian use" — but not to government, military or intelligence entities

Canada fast-tracks $5.8mn in food aid to Cuba, bypassing government to deliver via UN agencies

Spain's Meliá, Iberostar shut five Cuba hotels as fuel crisis drains tourism, erasing €130mn in market value

Argentina’s YPF widens Q4 net loss to $649mn despite stronger shale output

Argentina’s state-controlled energy company YPF reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $649mn, more than double the $284mn loss recorded a year earlier, as shifting prices in oil and refined products and weaker gas sales weighed on results.

Brazil's ANP moves to expand production-sharing offer with 15 new offshore blocks

Brazil's oil and gas regulator ANP will hold a public hearing on March 13 to add 15 exploratory blocks to its Production-Sharing Permanent Offer, expanding the available portfolio from eight to 23 areas

Brazil’s Rio trade surges despite tariff shock

The state of Rio de Janeiro recorded $80.2bn in trade last year, up 9% from the previous period, industry group Firjan said, citing export growth that offset the impact of tariffs announced by Donald Trump.

US ethanol industry offers Mexico technical help to expand fuel blending and cut air pollution

Trade dispute continues between Ecuador and Colombia over 900% hike in oil transport fee

Mexico’s fracking debate resurfaces

US eases curbs on Venezuelan Oil shipments to Cuba to address regional risks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the policy would be rolled back if the crude ultimately benefits Cuba’s government or armed forces, stressing that any relief must reach ordinary citizens

Parex resources offers $500mn cash to outbid GeoPark for Frontera Colombia assets

Parex Resources submitted a $500mn all-cash acquisition proposal to Frontera Energy Corp's board on February 23 to acquire the company's 17 Colombian upstream petroleum and gas assets, offering a $125mn premium over GeoPark's existing agreement

Vista to acquire Equinor’s Vaca Muerta stakes after Shell waives pre-emption rights

Vista Energy said it would proceed with the acquisition of stakes held by Norway’s Equinor in two blocks in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale formation after Shell Argentina waived its right of first refusal.

Suriname and Guyana consider cross-border gas pipeline

Suriname and Guyana are exploring a cross-border gas pipeline to link their rapidly expanding offshore developments.

Argentina oil output hits record as Vaca Muerta drives 68% of supply

Argentina’s oil production reached a record 882,200 barrels per day (b/d) in January, with nearly 600,000 b/d coming from the Vaca Muerta shale formation, which now accounts for 68% of national output.

Argentina’s shale oil potential likened to US Permian by Continental CEO

Argentina’s shale oil resource in the Vaca Muerta basin could rival the size and productivity of Texas’s Permian Basin, US oil producer Continental Resources said on February 24.

Fracking in Argentina linked to hundreds of tremors in Neuquén, experts say

Hydraulic fracturing in Argentina’s Patagonia region has been linked by researchers to a sharp rise in seismic activity in Neuquén province, home to the country’s largest shale reserves.

Argentina's Neuquén to hold hearing on Pluspetrol’s 150-well Vaca Muerta project

Argentina’s Neuquén province will hold a public consultation on March 31 in Rincón de los Sauces over a 150-well development project proposed by Pluspetrol in the northern block Bajo del Choique of the Vaca Muerta formation.

US intercepts third tanker linked to Venezuela and Cuba sanctions-busting in Indian Ocean

Africa–Venezuela energy cooperation strengthened through high-level AEC visit

A delegation from the African Energy Chamber (AEC) has visited Venezuela to advance a structured cooperation programme in the hydrocarbon sector and establish technical training partnerships.

Ghana's Cybele Energy targets oil output boom at Guyana's S7 Block

Ghana’s female-led Cybele Energy is targeting 160,000 barrels per day production at Guyana's S7 Block after the company identified more than 400mn barrels of recoverable resource potential in its shallow water acreage.

Argentina's Neuquén province achieves oil output record

Neuquén province set a new oil production record in January 2026, reaching 610,715 barrels per day, the provincial government announced.

Rubio heads to Caribbean talks as US sharpens focus on Cuba and Venezuela

The State Department said Rubio will underline Washington’s commitment to working with members of the Caribbean Community to bolster stability and prosperity across the hemisphere