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YPF Plans to Secure $2B in Funding for Vaca Muerta Pipeline Project

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YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF - Free Report) , Argentina’s state-owned oil company, is looking to secure external funding for the Vaca Muerta Sur project. The project is being developed by Vaca Muerta Oil Sur under the control of YPF. The company is seeking $2 billion to complete the project by the June quarter of 2025.

Key Objective of the Project

The project is intended to increase Argentina’s export capacity and position the country as a major oil exporter in the region. It is anticipated to transport another 390,000 barrels per day to a coastal export terminal in Rio Negro from the Vaca Muerta formation.

YPF’s Financing Strategy

The total cost associated with this project is estimated to be $3 billion. The company is planning to secure a major portion of the investment, around $1.5 million from international investors and $500 million locally. YPF has also mentioned that it hopes to form partnerships with major energy firms like Pampa Energy, Vista, Chevron, Shell and others for the pipeline project. YPF plans to seek external funding to cover approximately 70% of the costs. It expects to cover the remaining costs through equity contributions from the companies that would secure capacity on the pipeline.

Long-Term Implications

The pipeline project is expected to significantly benefit YPF in the long run. As global oil demand is forecasted to remain steady in the near future, investing in this pipeline project should allow YPF to meet the growing demand for the commodity. Furthermore, the pipeline connects to a coastal export terminal, which strategically allows the company and the country to tap into international markets and benefit from increased oil export revenues.

YPF’s Zacks Rank and Key Picks

Currently, YPF carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the energy sector are Smart Sand, Inc. (SND - Free Report) , FuelCell Energy (FCEL - Free Report) and Nine Energy Service (NINE - Free Report) , each presently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Smart Sand is a low-cost producer of high-quality Northern White frac sand, an ideal proppant for hydraulic fracturing and various industrial applications. The company provides proppant and other logistics services for several companies in the oil and gas industry. With sustained oil and gas market demand, SND is expected to see growing demand for its services, reflecting a positive outlook.

FuelCell Energy is a clean energy company offering low-carbon energy solutions. It produces power using flexible fuel sources such as biogas, natural gas and hydrogen. The company designs fuel cells that generate electricity through an electrochemical process that combines fuel with air, reducing carbon emissions and minimizing the environmental impact of power generation. As such, FCEL is anticipated to play a crucial role in the energy transition by enabling industries and communities to shift from traditional fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives.

Nine Energy Service provides onshore completion and production services for unconventional oil and gas resource development. The company operates across key prolific basins in the United States, including the Permian, Eagle Ford, MidCon, Barnett, Bakken, Rockies, Marcellus and Utica, as well as throughout Canada. With a sustained demand for oil and gas in the future, the need for NINE’s services is anticipated to increase, which should position the company for growth in the long run.

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