LatAmOil: Production and elections

Production levels are on the rise in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale basin, largely because developers are focusing more intently on unconventional oil production. Emilio Apud, the country’s former energy secretary, has told Reuters that higher oil prices and a domestic gas price freeze led upstream operators to make the switch.

Elsewhere in Latin America, Ecuador is heading for a second round of presidential elections, as none of the three top candidates secured a majority. Left-leaning Andrés Arauz did win the top spot with 32.7% of the vote, while neither right-leaning Guillermo Lasso nor indigenous activist Yaku Pérez had yet secured second place as of press time. The outcome of the vote is sure to affect oil development.