Argentina LNG Gas Pipeline

Part of the Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker, a Global Energy Monitor project.

Download full dataset

Report an error

The Argentina LNG Gas Pipeline is a proposed gas pipeline in Argentina.

Location

The project was originally proposed as a single pipeline running from the Vaca Muerta gas fields of Neuquén province to the Argentina GNL export terminal in Río Negro province. As of September 2025, it appears that the project may be split into two separate phases, with no precise route available for either phase. The map below is based on the assumption that either or both pipelines would run roughly parallel to the Vaca Muerta Sur Oil Pipeline currently in development.

Loading map...

{"type":"ROADMAP","minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"types":["ROADMAP","SATELLITE","HYBRID","TERRAIN"],"mappingservice":"googlemaps3","width":"400px","height":"300px","centre":{"text":"","title":"","link":"","lat":-40.02,"lon":-66.82,"icon":""},"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[{"text":"","title":"","link":"","strokeColor":"#FF0000","strokeOpacity":"1","strokeWeight":"2","pos":[{"lat":-38.358028,"lon":-68.713},{"lat":-38.3539,"lon":-68.6118},{"lat":-38.933055,"lon":-67.671419},{"lat":-39.035015,"lon":-66.933913},{"lat":-39.039097,"lon":-66.191408},{"lat":-39.030266,"lon":-65.406288},{"lat":-41.598651,"lon":-65.355634},{"lat":-41.696,"lon":-65.018265}]}],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"visitedicon":"","wmsoverlay":false,"zoom":5,"layers":[],"controls":["pan","zoom","type","scale","streetview","rotate"],"zoomstyle":"DEFAULT","typestyle":"DEFAULT","autoinfowindows":false,"resizable":false,"kmlrezoom":false,"poi":true,"cluster":false,"clustergridsize":60,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clusteraveragecenter":true,"clusterminsize":2,"imageoverlays":[],"kml":[],"gkml":[],"searchmarkers":"","fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":false,"locations":[]}

Project details

Phase 1 (Southern Energy Gas Pipeline)

• Operator: Southern Energy SA
• Owner: Southern Energy SA
• Parent company: Pan American Energy SA [30%], YPF SA [25%], Pampa Energía [20%], Harbour Energy [15%], Golar LNG [10%]
• Capacity: 28 million cubic feet per day (10.2 bcmy)
• Length: 470 km
• Diameter: 36 in
• Status: Proposed
• Start year: 2028
• Cost: TBD
• Financing: TBD
• Associated infrastructure: Argentina LNG Terminal

Phase 2 (YPF/Shell/Eni Gas Pipeline)

• Operator: YPF
• Owner: YPF, Shell plc, Eni SpA
• Parent company: YPF, Shell plc, Eni SpA
• Capacity: 50 million cubic feet per day (18.25 bcmy)
• Length: 640 km
• Diameter: 48 in
• Status: Proposed
• Start year: 2028
• Cost: TBD
• Financing: TBD
• Associated infrastructure: Argentina LNG Terminal

Background

Initial 2024 proposal for a single pipeline

The Argentina LNG pipeline was originally proposed in 2024 as a single project to transport gas from the shale gas fields of Vaca Muerta to the newly announced Argentina LNG terminal in Río Negro province. Gas transported through the pipeline was to be liquefied at the Argentina LNG terminal for export to other countries.

The pipeline was initially announced in 2024 as a three-phase project, with the first phase to be completed by 2027. Early reports indicated that the pipeline would be 640 km in length and 36 inches in diameter, but as of September 2024 the project's capacity, route, and the exact nature of the individual phases remained unclear.

Evolution of the project in 2025, with tentative plans for two distinct pipelines

Throughout 2025, plans for the Argentina LNG Terminal began to firm up. As of September 2025, it appeared that the terminal would rely on six separate FLNG units, operated by three different companies.

Phase 1 (Southern Energy Gas Pipeline)

The terminal's first phase, to be developed by Southern Energy SA, would comprise two FLNGs with start dates of 2027 and 2028 and a combined capacity of 6 mtpa. Southern Energy SA reportedly planned to operate its first FLNG vessel (Golar Hilli Episeyo) only seasonally at first, relying on gas supply from the existing San Martín gas pipeline. However, the company ultimately planned to supply both vessels via a dedicated new pipeline, 36 inches in diameter and 470 kilometers in length, with a capacity of 28 MMm³ per day. The proposed infrastructure would be designed to serve Southern Energy's LNG export vessels exclusively, and would be independent from Argentina's national pipeline system.

Phase 2 (YPF/Shell/Eni Gas Pipeline)

The terminal's second and third phases — to be developed by YPF in conjunction with Shell and Eni, respectively — would have capacities of of 10 and 12 mtpa. As of mid-2025, plans called for gas to be supplied to both Phases 2 and 3 via a new 48-inch pipeline with a capacity of 50 MMm³ per day, or alternatively via a pair of parallel pipelines with a similar combined capacity. Details on the project's exact route and financing scheme were yet to be determined; however, if constructed according to these initial specifications, the proposed pipeline would easily become the largest in Latin America and the Caribbean. As of August 2025, a government tender for the new project was expected by mid-2026 at the latest.

Environmental and Social Impacts

Punta Colorada, located on Golfo San Matías along Argentina's Atlantic coast, marks not only the eastern terminus of the Argentina GNL Gas Pipeline and the proposed site for YPF's Argentina LNG export terminal; it has also been chosen as the end point for the Vaca Muerta Sur Oil Pipeline and its associated oil export terminal. The judicial, legislative, and executive branches of Río Negro province have played a key role in making these projects viable by removing legislation that recognized Golfo San Matías as a protected natural area. In August 2022, Law 3308, which prohibited the construction of oil ports along the gulf, was swiftly repealed behind closed doors.

Argentine environmental groups have stressed that the convergence of so many major oil and gas projects at Punta Colorada implies the expansion of hydrocarbon infrastructure to new regions, affecting the livelihoods of local people and impacting a vast diversity of flora and fauna. There is concern that these projects could harm Península Valdés, a habitat for protected species such as southern right whales, orcas, South American sea lions, southern elephant seals, dusky dolphins, and Magellanic penguins, among others, impacting both wildlife and tourism in the region.

Opposition

Leading Argentine NGOs such as Observatorio Petrolero Sur, FARN (Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales) and Greenpeace Argentina have spoken out forcefully against the new oil and gas projects proposed along the Río Negro coast, organizing protests and promoting political and legal action to challenge new hydrocarbons development in the region.