Which company owns the required technology to exploit the Vaca Muerta shale in Argentina?

by Paula Mercado

6 Answer(s)

• 1

  Al Costa CEO, Alkol

  As far as I know all is required is US$25 billion to spend: no need of any fancy technology such as deep water drilling or anythinkg like that (in which case Petrobras would be the answer). That was actually the whole thing about it, that Repsol did not have it, made the mistake of confessing it, and gave the argentinians a reason to do what they did.

   

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• 0

  Dennis Fagerstone Consultant, Independent consultant

  This is the same technology (horizontal drilling/hydraulic fracturing) that is used for development of shale oil and gas in North America, and is not actually owned by any single company. All of the Major Oil Companies, large E&P Companies, and Major Oilfield Service Companies (Halliburton,Schlumberger, etc.) are experts with the application/use of this technology.  

   

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• 0

  Paula Mercado Director, PMC Consulting

  Thank you both for your answers. I was not aware that Repsol did not have the technology and I thought it would be Sinopec, not Petobras who was behind the whole thing. Do you know if SInopec owns the required technology?

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  • 1

    Al Costa CEO, Alkol

    Repsol DID have the required technology. In fact, just about any oil company does. What it does not have is the money. Sinopec and China in general do have it, and I will not be suprised to read in the following months that YPF being sold to them. 

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    • 0

      Dennis Fagerstone Consultant, Independent consultant

      I concur with these comments. Sinopec and others are currently using the technology in China, but the development of shales/unconventional resources is at an earlier stage there than in North America. 

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      • 1

        Dennis Fagerstone Consultant, Independent consultant

        Info on recent Sinopec US Shale activity

        http://english.cri.cn/6826/2012/04/28/2941s696137.htm