Chile Offers Port Access to Argentina for Vaca Muerta Energy Exports to Asia

Chile is extending an offer to leverage its port infrastructure for Argentina's energy exports, specifically targeting Asian markets with gas and oil from the Vaca Muerta field. The proposal, announced by the Chilean government, aims to deepen energy cooperation between the two South American nations.

Chilean Minister of Energy Ximena Rincón stated that Argentina could utilize Chilean ports on the Pacific coast to connect with Asian markets. "Argentina can go out through our ports to the Pacific and connect with Asia. We can take advantage of our infrastructure and interconnect energetically with this country," Rincón explained. She visited the Vaca Muerta field in Argentina's Neuquén province alongside Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna, meeting with local officials and YPF executives.

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Argentina can go out through our ports to the Pacific and connect with Asia. We can take advantage of our infrastructure and interconnect energetically with this country.

Chile, which relies heavily on imported hydrocarbons, seeks to diversify its energy supply amidst global price fluctuations. Argentina, meanwhile, aims to increase its exports to improve its foreign exchange earnings. The Chilean Foreign Ministry noted that Chile could serve as a "close, stable, and complementary regional market" for Vaca Muerta's production, offering port facilities, LNG terminals, regulatory expertise, and logistical capabilities.

In 2025, Chile's energy imports totaled $14.416 billion, with 20% ($2.876 billion) coming from Argentina. This positions Argentina as Chile's second-largest energy supplier after the United States. The proposed collaboration could further strengthen this energy relationship and open new avenues for both countries.

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Chile can constitute itself as a close, stable, and complementary regional market for the energy production of Vaca Muerta and offers port infrastructure, LNG terminals, regulatory experience, logistical capabilities and a relevant geographical position to explore, in the long term, potential routes towards Pacific markets.