Officials from Mendoza’s Ministry of Energy and Environment participated in Calgary 2026, a strategic mission that brought together Argentine provincial governments, energy operators, service providers, universities, investors, and specialized energy organizations to promote investment, exchange technical expertise, and strengthen institutional partnerships.
Officials from Mendoza’s Ministry of Energy and Environment participated in Calgary 2026, a strategic mission that brought together Argentine provincial governments, energy operators, service providers, investors, universities, and industry organizations to promote investment, exchange technical expertise, and strengthen international partnerships.
The mission took place in Alberta, Canada, one of the world’s leading energy-producing regions and a recognized benchmark in conventional oil production, heavy crude development, and advanced hydrocarbon technologies.
Mendoza was represented by Undersecretary of Energy and Mining Manuel Sánchez Bandini, Director of Hydrocarbons Lucas Erio, and Chief of Staff Manuel López. The Argentine delegation also included representatives from Neuquén, Río Negro, and Tierra del Fuego, as well as energy companies, service providers, academic institutions, and industry organizations.
Argentina Day: Highlighting Mendoza’s Energy Potential
As part of the Global Energy Show, Mendoza participated in Argentina Day, organized by the Argentine-Canadian Chamber of Commerce under the theme “From Vaca Muerta to Conventional Basins: Unlocking Argentina’s Full Energy Potential.”
“We presented Mendoza’s investment plans and the province’s strategy for expanding unconventional resources, along with projects related to heavy oil, energy infrastructure, and electricity transmission,” said Sánchez Bandini. “We also met with academic institutions, including the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), one of Canada’s leading applied and technical education centers.”
Vaca Muerta and Conventional Development
During the event, Mendoza showcased its most significant investment opportunities and recent progress in the hydrocarbon sector.
Manuel López presented the province’s energy strategy and highlighted developments in Mendoza’s portion of Vaca Muerta, where YPF, the Quintana-TSB joint venture, and Tango Energy are currently conducting advanced exploration activities.
He noted that results from YPF’s wells in the Paso de las Bardas Norte and CN VII A areas confirmed the productive potential of the formation for both oil and natural gas. According to preliminary assessments, the play could support more than 300 horizontal wells across multiple productive horizons.
López also emphasized that ongoing projects include new drilling commitments, completion of seismic interpretation programs, and development plans with the potential for hundreds of additional wells. Among them, the Quintana-TSB joint venture is advancing a large-scale initiative involving significant potential investment.
Strong Performance in Conventional Oil Production
The presentation also highlighted Mendoza’s performance in conventional oil production. Between 2021 and 2025, the province recorded a production decline of only 6%, compared to the national average decline of 15.8%, making Mendoza the best-performing oil-producing province in Argentina during the post-pandemic period.
Officials also outlined progress under the Andes Plan, a joint initiative with YPF aimed at revitalizing mature fields by attracting new operators and investment. The program has already generated commitments exceeding USD 700 million and has helped reactivate activity in several conventional blocks.
Mendoza further showcased advances in tertiary recovery and heavy oil production projects, both considered strategic tools for increasing productivity in mature fields and strengthening long-term energy supply.
The delegation also presented opportunities arising from recent hydrocarbon licensing rounds, including newly awarded areas, ongoing bidding processes, and future exploration and production opportunities.
Regulatory Modernization
Provincial officials discussed efforts to modernize Mendoza’s Hydrocarbons Law, focusing on simplifying procedures, updating regulatory frameworks, improving investment certainty, and strengthening state oversight capabilities.
Beyond technical presentations, the agenda included meetings with Alberta government officials, including Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Christopher McPherson, as well as discussions with economic development agencies, universities, technology centers, and organizations involved in energy innovation.
The visit builds on a growing relationship between Mendoza and Alberta. Canadian representatives visited Mendoza in 2025, and both sides are now exploring the possibility of a new Canadian mission to the province later this year.
The delegation also attended the Global Energy Show, Canada’s largest energy exhibition, where they met with industry leaders and visited companies and laboratories specializing in oil production technologies, artificial lift systems, laboratory analysis, water treatment, and technical training.
Among the most notable activities were meetings with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and a visit to the Core Research Centre (CRC), one of the world’s most important geological and petroleum information centers, which preserves samples and records from nearly every well drilled in Alberta since 1911.
Throughout the mission, Mendoza promoted cooperation in regulation, sustainability, technological innovation, enhanced recovery techniques, workforce development, and investment attraction.
Participation in Calgary 2026 strengthened Mendoza’s presence in one of the world’s leading energy hubs, showcased the province’s hydrocarbon development strategy, and reinforced its position as an attractive destination for long-term energy investment.