Exporting gas from Argentina to Brazil, a new horizon
The first gas shipments to Brazilian marketing companies are now complete, marking a successful operation for regional energy integration—the result of steady, coordinated effort.
Tecpetrol has just made its first exports of Argentine gas to Brazil, routing shipments through Bolivia. The deals, which are interruptible contracts, were signed with Brazilian firms, part of the Cosan group, and MGAS, part of the J&F group.
These initial deliveries, reaching volumes of 150,000 m3/d for EDGE and 100,000 m3/d for MGAS over barely a few days, show that Argentine gas, in particularly that of Tecpetrol gas, is earning a reputation for being both high quality and reliable. It’s also a big step forward in connecting the energy networks in southern Latin America.
"Our goal is to open up new markets in the region, and boost demand for the country's growing gas supply, especially given what Vaca Muerta can deliver," said Tecpetrol CEO, Ricardo Markous. "There’s a huge opportunity ahead with pipeline expansions underway and upcoming, meaning that we’re really well positioned to supply gas to all our neighboring countries in a competitive and secure way.”
Argentina's potential as a regional gas supplier is enormous.Brazil, in particular, is starting to look for flexible, secure, and cost-effective alternatives as conventional gas supplies decline and demand rises.
The contracts fall under a broader agreement between the governments of Brazil and Argentina, which allows up to 30 million cubic meters of Argentine natural gas to be sent to Brazil each day.
The numbers behind the operation
The push to find new markets for Argentine gas is tied to strong production forecasts for the coming years. According to Argentina’s Ministry of Energy, gas production in 2024 is expected to hit 50.7 billion cubic meters—up 5% from last year and the highest output since 2007. More than half of that is coming from Vaca Muerta, which is projected to reach 246 million m³/day by 2030.
The most recent numbers back this up: in December, Vaca Muerta accounted for 50% of the country’s 124.4 million m³/day output. By February 2025, production had jumped to 144 million m³/day—up 7.5% year-on-year—with 62% coming from.
Argentina's potential as a regional gas supplier is enormous. Brazil, in particular, is starting to look for flexible, secure, and cost-effective alternatives as conventional gas supplies decline and demand rises.
"These early shipments showed that exporting Argentine gas to Brazil is both technically and commercially viable,” said Leopoldo Macchia, Vice President of Commercial Affairs. “But to make this sustainable over time and at higher volumes, we need to expand Argentina’s transportation infrastructure.
Macchia also pointed out the importance of setting competitive gas prices at the wellhead and fair transportation rates across Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil to ensure Vaca Muerta gas stays affordable at its destination. “That’s exactly what we’re working on together with Javier Di Prisco, our Senior Gas Sales Manager in Chile, and Lucas Murphy, who’s heading up the Argentine gas sales team, as well as Tecpetrol’s planning unit,” explained the executive."