Thu, 27 Nov 2025

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 Fracking has transformed an Argentine town but what about the nation?

Argentina hopes that an oil and gas boom can benefit the whole country.

* Añelo's population grew from 10,788 in 2010 to 17,893 in 2022 due to fracking activities.
* Over 24,956 vehicles enter the town daily, including 6,400 lorries.
* Vaca Muerta is a 30,000 sq km oil and gas-rich geological formation that was first discovered in 1931 but commercially accessed through fracking since 2014.
* Fracking has given Argentina energy self-sufficiency, overturning decades of shortages and the need for expensive imports.
* The country now exports more energy than it imports, earning $6bn last year.
* However, critics argue that oil and gas extraction from Vaca Muerta is being held back due to: + Strict limits on foreign currency exchange + Argentina's bad credit rating deterring international investors + Insufficient pipelines, poor roads, and lack of a railway connection
* The government has lifted foreign exchange controls for individuals and may soon lift restrictions on companies.
* All main parties support increased mining in Vaca Muerta.
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