Vaca Muerta shale lifts Argentina crude output to 72% of total

Argentina's crude output now derives 72% from shale, driven by the Vaca Muerta formation, even as the broader economy contracts under Milei's austerity. The boom is a bright spot in an otherwise struggling economy, but its sustainability depends on investment and infrastructure. This marks a structural shift in Argentina's energy mix, with implications for export capacity and fiscal revenues.