The Argentinean Government has declared the expansion of the Perito Moreno gas pipeline a project of National Public Interest. The gas pipeline is being developed by the Transportadora Gas del Sur (TGS) and its expansion aims to increase gas transportation from Vaca Muerta, especially to the Littoral area. The project "Increase in Natural Gas Transport Capacity on the Tratayén - Argentine Coast" Route requires an investment of US$500m to expand the pipeline between Tratayén (Neuquén) and Salliqueló (Buenos Aires) and the works on 4 compressor plants, expecting to increase the gas transportation capacity by 14 mcm/d to a total capacity to 35 mcm/d. Argentina’s Ministry of Economy should launch a public tender to award the construction works contract.
The Vaca Muerta formation has estimated gas reserves at around 8,700 bcm and oil reserves at 16.2 Gbl. It is estimated to be the second largest unconventional gas reserve and the fourth largest oil reserve of its kind in the world, with only 7% of its potential developed.