Overview
- Pan American Energy formally submitted a RIGI application on Thursday to fund a roughly US$1.2 billion tertiary-recovery program at the Cerro Dragón field in Chubut.
- The plan centers on polymer injection and associated work, including 22 polymer-injection plants, about 100 new producer/injector wells, interventions on roughly 600 existing wells, and new surface facilities.
- PAE estimates the program could add about 46 million barrels of incremental oil, 30 BCF of gas, reach a peak uplift above 16,600 barrels per day, and free up about 18 million barrels for export.
- The company announced a strategic alliance with French firm SNF to supply polymers and injection plants, while national and provincial officials say the project would boost local royalties, jobs, and supplier activity; formal RIGI approval and operational permits are still pending.
- The filing is notable because it is the first conventional oil project to seek RIGI support and signals a test of using policy incentives and tertiary-recovery technology to extend output in Argentina’s mature Golfo San Jorge basin.