Thriving and growing, becoming more iconic with each passing day. A new era for the Argentina Oil & Gas has arrived. Discover more about this celebration of production, the role played by the value chain, and the importance of education.

The 2024 Argentina Oil & Gas Patagonia took over Neuquén from October 23 to 25, drawing record-breaking crowds for three busy days of exploration, networking, and displays of technological prowess. Attendees streamed through the corridors, engaging with panels, discovering innovations, and listening to unique stories told by diverse companies from the sector. Standing out amid all this energetic bustle as much for its size as for its design, Tecpetrol's state-of-the-art stand attracted hundreds of curious visitors.

The event's first day kicked off with the traditional CEO Meeting. Our CEO, Ricardo Markous, joined industry leaders Catherine Remy from TotalEnergies and Horacio Turri from Pampa Energía on stage, to deliver his take on the record-breaking output achieved in terms of both quality and quantity. “This year, we hit a production peak of 24.4 million cubic meters of gas per day and have already reached a cumulative production of 1 TCF (trillion cubic feet). Fortín de Piedra now supplies 20 percent of the country’s residential demand,” shared Markous.

“To increase our capacity we need more rigs. We have already imported equipment that started operating last week and we’ve also acquired a sand plant. Today, we’re producing 15,000 barrels of oil per day. We have several projects, such as Los Toldos II Este, Puesto Parada and Los Toldos I Norte. Our plan is to reach 100,000 barrels in the next five years.”

Production is what the AOG is all about. And, as Martín Bengochea, Vice President of Cuenca Neuquina and Vaca Muerta, pointed out, it’s also about suppliers and education. “These events are vital for bringing the industry together and connecting the entire value chain,” he pointed out. “Being here today is important due because it underscores the value we place on having close ties to our operations and daily activities. In Neuquén, there are some 200 companies on the ProPymes program. Our goal is to train them to meet the oil and gas volumes we’re producing in our pipeline. The idea is to boost technical training in order to help them become more efficient,” added Ricardo.

As summarized by Luis Lanziani, Supplier Development Sr. Manager, “This year’s AOG showcases what’s on the horizon for the basin, bringing together operators, service companies, and the SME network that has such a crucial role to play in advancing Vaca Muerta,” he said. “The fair this year is much bigger and more dynamic, and it’s serving as the launchpad for new initiatives and commitments, such as the signing of the Value Network Development Roundtable. My team and I connected with over 200 companies at our stand!”

Production isn’t just about output; it’s about the entire value chain, with education as its cornerstone. That’s why the company was active at the JOG (Young Oil & Gas) Space, an interactive area filled with games and info sessions about the industry. “It’s designed to connect with students, to explain what the industry does, the programs we offer, summer internships, and regular educational opportunities,” says Nerina Armellini, Talent Attraction lead. “We’re also engaging with young professionals seeking their first jobs in the field. The goal is to show them the opportunities, the projects, and how they can apply for posts in the company,” Armellini explained. Ricardo added, “At the Techint Group, education is always a priority. Alongside our Technical Gene program, we’ve launched the GenEra Neuquén project in partnership with Vista, aimed at training students and teachers from technical schools. We’re also involved in the Gregorio Álvarez Scholarships and offer our own Roberto Rocca Scholarships.”

An example of this was on the third day of the exhibition, on Friday, when nearly 500 students from technical schools in Neuquén toured the Tecpetrol stand, where they learned about the unconventional drilling processes and participated in a quiz at the end, with special prizes for the winners.

The latest AOG wrapped up with record-breaking attendance, featuring more visitors, exhibitors, and companies than ever before. It was a true celebration of production, education, and the Vaca Muerta value chain. As always, the next gathering is set for La Rural in October next year.