Extension and Amendments to the RIGI: New Incentives for the Oil & Gas Sector
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Executive Decree No. 105/2026 (the “Decree”), issued on February 19, 2026, extended the deadline for adherence to the Incentive Regime for Large Investments ("RIGI") by one year and incorporated modifications aimed at broadening its scope to encompass the oil and gas upstream sector.
The main highlights of the Decree are detailed below:
- Extension of the Application Term: The deadline to adhere to the RIGI has been extended for one (1) year, effective from July 8, 2026. Consequently, investors may submit their membership applications until July 7, 2027.
- Focus on Undeveloped Areas (Onshore): The Decree formally incorporates the exploration and exploitation of onshore oil and gas projects. This inclusion is strictly applicable to "new developments," which are defined as projects situated in areas that, at the time of the enactment of Law No. 27,742, lacked a substantial level of development and which, upon filing the application for the regime's benefits, possess no investments in exploitation or production activities.
- Differentiated Investment Thresholds: Minimum investment amounts in computable assets are established based on the nature and scope of the project:
- New Onshore Developments: USD 600,000,000.
- Offshore Projects (Exploration and Exploitation): USD 200,000,000.
- Offshore Exploitation: It is confirmed that exploration, exploitation, and production activities related to offshore oil and gas projects shall be encompassed by the regime's protective provisions.
- Segregation of Activities and Traceability: In instances where activities promoted under the RIGI framework and those not promoted under the RIGI framework are conducted within the same operational area, the Decree mandates the implementation of a segregated, separate measurement system to ensure the stringent traceability of the respective activities.
- Export of Commodities: A presumption is established that Unique Project Proposals (VPU) submitted by Single Project Vehicles, which focus on the production and export of commodities, do not result in distortions within the domestic market.
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National and International Call for Bids for the Battery Energy Storage System
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Resolution No. 50/2026 of the Secretariat of Energy (the “Resolution”) became effective on March 2, 2026, initiating a national and international tender for the Electricity Supply from Storage Power Plants (AlmaSADI) intended for the reserve and reliability of the Wholesale Electricity Market (MEM). The objective is to execute Storage Agreements with CAMMESA for the provision of operational and short-term capacity and reserve services for the MEM.
The most relevant aspects of the Resolution include the following:
- Bids must guarantee the provision of the Supplied Energy and the availability of the Committed Capacity for at least four (4) consecutive hours through new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) power plants.
- The Secretariat instructs CAMMESA to carry out the procedure for conducting the call for tenders.
- CAMMESA, through Clarification Circulars, will publish the deadline for the submission of bids.
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San Juan to Tender Nine Key Mining Areas
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The Province of San Juan is currently preparing a new national and international public tender encompassing twenty-three (23) mining rights, specifically for projects involving copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth elements.
This bidding process includes the areas of Iglesia and Calingasta, two (2) jurisdictions recognized for hosting some of the nation's most significant metalliferous deposits.
Official sources indicate that the public announcement and the requisite bidding documents have been finalized and are anticipated for release during mid-March.
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More Privatization of Argentina's Highways
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On February 10 and 23, 2025, the Argentine Government advanced the second and third stages of the Federal Concessions Network by initiating two (2) national and international tenders.
One tender comprises four (4) sections: (i) Mediterranean Section; (ii) “Puntano” section; (iii) South port section; and (iv) North port section. The second tender encompasses eight (8) sections: (i) Central Section, (ii) North central Section, (iii) Mesopotamian Section, (iv) Northwest Section, (v) Coast Section, (vi) Northeast Section, (vii) Chaco Santa Fe Section and (viii) Cuyo Section.
The submission deadline for offers for the first tender is Tuesday, May 7, 2026, and for the second tender is Wednesday, May 18, 2026.
Each concession will entail operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and potential commercial developments, such as rest stops, gas stations, or logistics facilities. Bids must be submitted through the government’s Contrat.AR system and will be evaluated based on technical and financial criteria.
These tenders form part of the "Federal Concessions Network," which seeks to enhance infrastructure and reduce government expenditure, as stipulated in National Decree No. 28/2025.
For further information, please refer to news@pagbam.com, call (54-11) 4114-3000 or get in touch with us via WhatsApp.
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