Neuquén Could Become Argentina's Leading Exporting Province Between 2031 and 2032

Neuquén could reach the top position among Argentina's exporting provinces between 2031 and 2032, driven by Vaca Muerta's growth, the expansion of oil infrastructure, and liquefied natural gas export projects.

Projections from Ieral at the Fundación Mediterránea indicate that the province would surpass Córdoba in 2027 and Santa Fe in 2028. In that latter year, its foreign sales would reach approximately USD 18.4 billion. The potential displacement of Buenos Aires will depend on production trends, international prices, and the launch of new projects.

In 2025, Buenos Aires led the ranking with exports of USD 31.684 billion, followed by Santa Fe with USD 16.190 billion, and Córdoba with USD 10.913 billion. Neuquén recorded especially accelerated growth: between 2021 and 2025 it nearly sevenfold its exports and moved from the 14th place to the fourth position.

The development of unconventional hydrocarbons also reshaped Patagonia's export map. Neuquén displaced Chubut from the regional top position and increased its share in Patagonian exports from 13% in 2021 to 50% in 2025. In the same period, the region's foreign sales grew from approximately USD 7.4 billion to over USD 13 billion.

The scenario considers expansions in crude transport systems by Oldelval and Otasa, the Vaca Muerta Sur pipeline, and LNG projects by Southern Energy and Argentina LNG. It also accounts for rising Neuquén oil production, stabilizing near 1.5 million barrels per day by 2035, along with liquefied gas shipments.

The estimate is based on the provincial origin of exports. Therefore, oil produced in Neuquén is counted for that province even though it may be shipped from Punta Colorada, in Río Negro. The final outcome, however, will be conditioned by the price of Medanito crude, the international value of LNG, and geopolitical factors that could alter energy markets.