Five areas drove Neuquén's oil production record in July

Neuquén reached a new all-time high in oil production in July, averaging 658,639 barrels per day. The figure represented a 1.64% increase over June and a year-over-year rise of 24.37%, according to provincial data.

The monthly gain was mainly concentrated in five Vaca Muerta areas. Cruz de Lorena led the contribution, adding 5,705 barrels per day, followed by Bajo del Choique-La Invernada, which added 5,452 barrels per day.

Bajada del Palo Este also stood out, with an increase of 3,176 barrels per day; Lindero Atravesado, with 2,910; and Coirón Amargo Sureste, which added 2,408 barrels per day compared with June. Together, these blocks accounted for much of the improvement that allowed the province to surpass its previous record.

Shale accounted for 641,207 barrels per day in July, equivalent to 97.36% of the province's oil production. The share confirms the dominance of unconventional developments and the central role of Vaca Muerta in Neuquén's hydrocarbon expansion.

The trend also holds in the year-to-date figures. Between January and July 2026, Neuquén's oil production exceeded the same period of 2025 by 31.28%, placing the monthly record within a sustained upward trajectory.

In natural gas, the province averaged 118.07 million cubic meters per day, down 0.43% from June, though up 3.12% year-over-year. Over the first seven months of the year, cumulative volume grew 6.3% compared with 2025, with unconventional gas accounting for 91.41% of the total.

With information from Mejor Energía.