After a bout of financial turmoil in Argentina last month, the government has restored calm in the markets and turned its attention once again to the development of Vaca Muerta, a shale play with global oil and natural gas export potential. Is it time to step up investment in the play in northern Patagonia? Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and other international companies have reported that Vaca Muerta is as good or even better than Permian Basin, the most productive shale play in the US. The challenge, of course, is not below the ground, but above it. Argentina has been in and out of economic crises for decades, defaulting three times on its debts over the past two. The political party now in power – and from 2003 to 2015 – is trying to shore up public finances, rebuild the economy from an expected 12% contraction this year, and rein in […]