Exploration and production

Although these energy resources are essential for transportation, lighting and heating, discovering and developing such resources has become increasingly complex.

Therefore, we work on a daily basis to overcome these challenges and we commit ourselves to provide cleaner, safer, more efficient and more accessible energy.

Total Austral, more than 45 years of presence and experience in Argentina

Some of the country’s most significant oil and gas reserves are located under the seabed. Developing such reserves entails facing several challenges, since offshore operations are technically complex and are conducted in remote areas, without infrastructure, and in particularly adverse weather conditions.

However, our exploration and production teams benefit from the experience acquired over more than four decades in the country, as well as the know-how that has made the TotalEnergies company one of the industry’s top offshore operators worldwide.

This allows us to be successful at the time of implementing and leading large projects. Thus, in Tierra del Fuego, we operate onshore field Ara-Cañadon Alfa and offshore fields Hidra, Kaus, Carina, Aries and Vega Pleyade. Offshore production accounts for approximately 51% of Total Austral’s oil and gas operated production.

In the Neuquen Basin, Total Austral holds equity interests in seven blocks, and operates five of such blocks, including Aguada Pichana, San Roque, Rincón La Ceniza y La Escalonada fields. In addition to conventional resources, these concessions include unconventional oil and gas exploration and production in Vaca Muerta shale formation.

Some milestones that mark our experience

• Major offshore projects. Vega Pleyade field in Tierra del Fuego was a project developed by cross-functional teams made up of specialists from different countries which was completed in two years and a half. It is the world’s southernmost development and involved building and installing a sea platform in 50-meter depth, tied back to onshore facilities via a 77-km offshore pipeline. This field is located in an area lacking any offshore infrastructure, which required mobilizing heavy logistic equipment and conducting operations in extreme weather conditions.
• Unconventional resources’ development (tight gas and shale gas). Total Austral considers that unconventional resources are key to our future growth strategy. Since 2008, we actively work in non-conventional oil and gas projects. The latter project began with a multi-fractured horizontal well drilling campaign with the goal of developing reserves of tight gas. These reserves are now in production. After that we began activity in the Vaca Muerta formation. At present, with approximately 100 drilled wells, the production of shale gas continues growing.
• Natural gas production. This resource currently accounts for over 90% of our production. Out of all the fossil fuels, natural gas is the cleanest one. Thus, we adhere locally to the environmental protection premise established by the TotalEnergies company globally.
• Responsible operator. In all the projects we put into operation, we affirm our commitment to ensure a safe work environment for the people, as well as the facilities and the environment. We believe that responsible energy supply entails adhering to the highest safety standards. For this reason, we exceed local demands and establish our own guidelines to conduct our projects safely.

Total Austral in figures Figures as of 12.31.22

• Yearly operated production: 211,5 Kboed.
• First private producer of natural gas in Argentina (operated production: 33 Mm³/d).
• Over 1100 employees.