The Vaca Muerta has attracted $165 billion in investment commitments as companies like Chevron, ExxonMobil and Total bet on the production growth potential of Argentina’s biggest shale play, but bottlenecks are emerging that could limit a ramp-up in activity. Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience. Register Now Laurens Gaarenstroom, general manager of unconventional ventures in Latin America for Shell, said companies must work on reducing costs over the next two to three years to show that “real money” can be generated out of the play. That will help attract capital to Vaca Muerta that otherwise could go to US plays, where costs are lower and the economy more stable. The key is to cut costs for fracking, logistics, proppant and services to drive the breakeven price well below $40/b. “We still need to work on these cost elements to really take off,” […]