In Talks With Horacio Marín: YPF’s Vision for Argentina’s Globa Energy Leadership

During the 2026 Bilateral Energy Summit in Houston, held within the framework of OTC 2026, Horacio Marín, Chairman and CEO of YPF, sat down with Mariano Hasperué, Director of the Argentina-Texas Chamber of Commerce (ATCC), for a strategic conversation on Argentina’s growing role in the global hydrocarbons market, the future of Vaca Muerta, and YPF’s roadmap for long-term transformation.

As one of the summit’s most anticipated executive interviews, the discussion provided valuable insight into how Argentina is positioning itself as a reliable global energy supplier amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, while reinforcing YPF’s leadership in driving this evolution.

Marín emphasized that Argentina is entering a uniquely favorable moment, supported by what he described as a “virtuous cycle” between national economic reform, provincial alignment, private-sector investment, and regulatory frameworks such as RIGI. According to Marín, this combination has created the right conditions for accelerating large-scale energy development and attracting international capital.

He noted that YPF’s transformation is already delivering extraordinary results through its strategic 4x4 plan, focused on profitability, operational efficiency, and scalable production growth. By concentrating investment in high-return assets and optimizing productivity, YPF is positioning itself not only as Argentina’s leading energy company but also as a globally competitive operator capable of sustaining long-term value creation.

Reflecting on the development of unconventional resources, Marín highlighted the importance of learning from the United States—particularly the Permian Basin—while adapting those lessons to Argentina’s unique context. He described Vaca Muerta’s trajectory as increasingly promising, with production growth, investment velocity, and operational performance accelerating significantly.

“Vaca Muerta is already on the global map,” Marín explained, underscoring that Argentina is now consistently referenced alongside major energy-producing regions such as Brazil and Guyana in international technical and strategic discussions.

A key theme of the interview centered on opportunities for U.S. companies in Argentina. Marín differentiated between upstream operators and service providers, noting that while many operational opportunities are already competitive, there remains substantial room for expansion in the oilfield services sector.

Increased participation from international service companies, particularly U.S.-based firms, could significantly reduce operational costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen Argentina’s competitiveness by increasing market competition and technological sophistication.

This, he argued, is essential to completing Argentina’s broader energy development ecosystem and further enhancing the country’s investment attractiveness.

On the geopolitical front, Marín stressed that Argentina’s geographic stability provides a critical strategic advantage. In a world increasingly shaped by conflict and supply disruptions, Argentina stands out as a politically stable, conflict-free, and dependable energy provider.

“Argentina offers security of supply,” he suggested, positioning the country as an increasingly important alternative for global markets seeking diversification away from more volatile regions.

Marín also expressed strong confidence that global geopolitical uncertainty will accelerate international investment into Argentina’s energy infrastructure, particularly LNG and export capacity, reinforcing YPF’s long-term expansion plans and strengthening the nation’s role as a major future energy hub.

Throughout the conversation, Marín’s outlook remained firmly grounded in realism rather than optimism. Drawing on his technical background and deep understanding of Vaca Muerta’s geological potential, he reiterated that Argentina’s resources have always been world-class; the missing components were commercial frameworks, market openness, and strategic execution.

Today, he believes those pieces are finally aligning.

This exclusive “In Talks With” session underscored YPF’s pivotal role in shaping Argentina’s next chapter as a global energy powerhouse while highlighting the importance of bilateral collaboration between Argentina and Texas in fostering innovation, investment, and sustainable sector growth.

ATCC extends its sincere gratitude to Horacio Marín for sharing his strategic vision and leadership, and to Mariano Hasperué for facilitating a conversation that provided attendees with a compelling roadmap for Argentina’s energy future.