Fracking activity in Vaca Muerta, Argentina shot up in January to its highest level in 17 months, according to data released Feb. 3, as demand recovers from an eight-month lockdown for the coronavirus pandemic and pricing incentives spur drilling for natural gas. The number of frac stages in Vaca Muerta rose 39% to 662 in January from 477 in November, according to the data compiled by the Argentine unit of Houston-based services company NCS Multistage. Of the activity in January, YPF, the country’s stage-backed energy company and biggest oil and gas producer, was the most active with 382 stages, trailed by Mexico-based Vista Oil & Gas with 111, Argentina’s Tecpetrol with 39, Argentina’s Pluspetrol with 31 and BP-backed Pan American Energy with 24, the data […]