Argentina's YPF ups 2026 investment estimate to $6.2 billion (updated)

YPF SA

11/08/2026 15:07

Added comments from YPF CEO in paragraph 4-5
BUENOS AIRES, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Argentine oil company YPF YPFDm.BA projects investments of up to $6.2 billion in 2026, above the previous estimate of up to $5.8 billion, CEO Horacio Marin said on Tuesday in a presentation to investors.
The executive also said that YPF now projects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $8 billion this year, a jump from a previous estimate of $6 billion. The rise in EBITDA is driven by an increase in the price of oil, he said.
YPF leads activity in the Vaca Muerta formation, the world's second-largest unconventional shale gas reserve and fourth-largest shale oil reserve.
Marin said Vaca Muerta’s shale production, the replacement of conventional assets, cost control and operational efficiency led to a successful second quarter of 2026.
“These results reflect a quarter of exceptional execution,” he said.
YPF on Monday reported a second-quarter net profit of $1.21 billion, compared with $58 million a year earlier, citing higher shale production, record processing levels and a hike in international prices.
Argentina relies on the formation's development to boost the country's chest of foreign currency, which it needs to steady its economy, reduce inflation and pay back heavy debts to the International Monetary Fund.

 (Reporting by Eliana Rasewski. Writing by Leila Miller. Editing by Kylie Madry and Mark Potter)
 ((Leila.Miller@thomsonreuters.com))