Company Mega S.A. presented its investment project for USD 360 million to RIGI to expand its production capacity and strengthen the development of liquids associated with oil and natural gas in Vaca Muerta. Company Mega S.A. presented a new investment plan under the Regime for Large Investment Incentives (RIGI), which is part of the 2023–2028 phase of its comprehensive expansion and development plan and represents a total estimated investment of USD 650 million. The initiative was presented to the Ministry of Economy and is part of the company's strategic plan, as reported by the Argentine News Agency. Tomás Córdoba, CEO of Company Mega S.A., highlighted: "The new investment plan we have presented for its qualification under RIGI reaffirms the strength of our strategy and the permanent backing of our three shareholders. This initiative allows us to continue expanding key infrastructure to turn the enormous potential of Vaca Muerta into a reality and accompany the energy development of Argentina. With this investment, we consolidate the long-term commitment we set for ourselves: to drive projects and infrastructure that add value to natural gas and associated liquids, strengthen the national energy matrix, and contribute increasingly to the generation of foreign exchange for the country through a sustainable, safe, and reliable operation." The project projects an approximate 27% increase in the company's total production, in line with the growth of activity in Vaca Muerta and the greater availability of liquids associated with natural gas. Of the additional volume generated, around 80% will be destined for export—mainly as LPG (propane-butane) and natural gasoline—and the remaining 20% will be oriented to the domestic market, fundamentally as ethane for the local petrochemical industry. The plan of works will have an execution of three years (2026–2028) and will be developed in four provinces. The works include the construction of two new pumping stations in General Roca (Río Negro) and La Adela (La Pampa) to expand the transport capacity of natural gas liquids (NGLs) of the pipeline that joins the Neuquén Basin with Bahía Blanca. In addition, new infrastructure is planned for the conditioning of natural gas and gas associated with crude oil at the Loma La Lata Separation Plant (Neuquén) and complementary adjustments at the Bahía Blanca Fractionating Plant. The works seek to accompany the growth of hydrocarbon production in the Neuquén Basin, the conditioning of natural gas for its injection into transport systems, and the evacuation and monetization of the expanding NGLs. In terms of incremental production, the project will allow for the incorporation of more than 500,000 additional annual tons of NGLs (ethane, propane, butane, and natural gasoline), which will significantly increase the exportable offer. Once the construction cycle is completed, the company will be able to raise its total NGL production capacity to more than 2.5 million tons per year, consolidating itself as a relevant player in the country's energy development and export offer. During the construction stage, the project will generate a significant employment impact, with peak demand for up to 600 jobs (direct and indirect) associated with the value chain: services, engineering, logistics, construction, and equipment supply.
