The governor of Neuquén, Rolando Figueroa, announced in Houston that the province will tender 15 new areas in Vaca Muerta and will advance with tax incentives to attract foreign investment. The governor of Neuquén participated in the event 'Vaca Muerta: CEOs & The Strategic Outlook', as part of CERAWeek, the energy conference organized by S&P Global that brings together executives, officials, and experts from the sector. From the United States, Figueroa anticipated that on August 19, the state-owned company Gas y Petróleo (GyP) will open a bidding process to expand the productive frontier of Vaca Muerta, with 15 blocks aimed at the development of non-conventional resources. According to what the Argentine News Agency was able to learn, the governor presented a package of tax incentives and legal guarantees to consolidate the Neuquén basin as an exporting hub for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). In this context, he confirmed that a differentiated rate for LNG royalties will be applied and highlighted that in the province they already represent less than half of what is paid in the United States. He also announced that they seek to establish an even lower rate for methane and that the tax on Gross Income will not be charged on gas prior to its liquefaction, while exports will be taxed at a zero rate. With these measures, Neuquén seeks to position itself as a key player in the global LNG market and accelerate the development of Vaca Muerta. Finally, Figueroa highlighted the entry of new international players and mentioned the case of the American oil company Continental, which will invest in the province for the first time outside its country of origin.
