Equinor wins seven exploration blocks offshore Argentina

April 17, 2019 07:59 CEST
Map of new blocks in Argentina

Equinor adds seven offshore exploration blocks to its portfolio, after presenting winning bids in the 1st Offshore Licensing Round in Argentina.

The bid round was arranged in Buenos Aires on 16 April. Equinor submitted the winning bids for five blocks as operator. Equinor also participated in winning bids for one block to be operated by YPF and one block to be operated by Total.

“We are very pleased to succeed in this competitive licensing round and to have added significant prospective acreage to our exploration portfolio. These awards fit with our exploration strategy, providing us with access at scale in basins with high impact potential,” says Tim Dodson, Equinor’s executive vice president for exploration.

(The article continues below the photo)

Portrait of Tim Dodson
Tim Dodson, Equinor’s executive vice president for exploration. (Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland)

“We are looking forward to mature these new opportunities and work together with our partners YPF, Argentina’s leading energy company, and Total, who has long experience from offshore activities in these waters,” says Dodson.

A total of 38 blocks were on offer in the licensing round, the first open bid round for Argentinean offshore acreage in more than 20 years.

Equinor participated in the following winning bids:

Block name 

Size

Partnership

MLO 121

4291 km2

Equinor (operator,  100%)

MLO 123

3787 km2

Total (operator, 37.5%), YPF (37,5%) and Equinor (25%)

 

CAN 102

8965 km2

YPF (operator, 50%), Equinor (50%)

CAN 108

2882km2

Equinor (operator, 100%)

CAN 114

7079 km2

Equinor (operator, 50%), YPF (50%)

AUS 105

2157 km2

Equinor (operator, 100%)

AUS 106

2283 km2 

Equinor (operator, 100%)


Equinor entered Argentina in 2017 and holds a 50% interest in the Bajo del Toro licence (YPF operator, 50%) and is operator with 90 % equity in the Bajo del Toro Este licence (partner Gas y Petróleo del Neuquén, 10%). Equinor also holds a 50 % interest in the Guanizul 2A (G2A) solar asset in Argentina.

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