Argentina and Brazil signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the G20 Summit to facilitate natural gas exports from Argentina's Vaca Muerta formation to Brazil. The agreement outlines a target of 30 million cu m/d by 2030, matching the volume Brazil used to import from Bolivia.

The memorandum was signed during a bilateral meeting in Rio de Janeiro between Argentina’s Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, and Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira. The agreement aims to establish the infrastructure needed to transport Vaca Muerta gas to Brazil.

Argentina gas exports to begin in 2025

Argentina is set to begin sending 2 million cu m/d of gas to Brazil next year. Representatives from both countries will assess options to scale exports to 30 million cu m/d within 5 years. 

Initially, the existing Bolivia-Argentina pipeline, which was built for Bolivian gas imports, will be repurposed to flow gas in the opposite direction. The gas will then be transported to Brazil through Gasbol, a pipeline constructed in the 1990s that connects both nations. Additional connection points under consideration include:

• Argentina–Rio Grande do Sul via Uruguaiana.
• Argentina–Paraguay–Mato Grosso do Sul.
• Argentina–Uruguay–Rio Grande do Sul.

In a post on his social media account, Minister Silveira stated, “We want to increase the supply of gas in Brazil and, consequently, lower its price. Gas must be treated as a transitional energy source. By increasing supply and reducing costs, we aim to reindustrialize Brazil and create more opportunities for our people.”

This agreement comes at a critical juncture as global attention focuses on the relationship between Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Argentina’s newly elected President Javier Milei. The gas deal represents a step toward strengthening economic ties between the two countries.