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Continental Resources plans bigger Vaca Muerta bid as Argentina auctions blocks

Argentina’s Neuquén province is offering 15 shale blocks in the latest Vaca Muerta licensing round, with bids due to be opened on August 19.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Energy

Continental Resources, founded by shale producer Harold Hamm, is preparing to bid for acreage in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation as international energy firms compete to develop the prolific shale play, according to OilPrice citing sources familiar with the plan.

The company is set to participate in this year’s bid round for Vaca Muerta, described as the basin’s largest auction in a decade, with bids scheduled to be opened on August 19.

OilPrice notes that Neuquén, the Argentine province hosting most of Vaca Muerta, has launched the biggest licensing round in the shale play in a decade, offering 15 blocks, more than double the number of blocks in the prior auction.

Interest in Vaca Muerta has risen in recent years as Argentina under President Javier Milei introduced tax cuts and other incentives for investors, while oil and gas production in the region has been growing steadily for two years. OilPrice also says Continental has already expanded its footprint in Argentina, including doubling down earlier in 2026 with an acquisition of stakes in four Vaca Muerta blocks.

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