In late-February 2019, state company Integracion Energetica Argentina (IEASA), formerly ENARSA, launched a call for tenders for its 100%-held Aguada del Chanar block in the Neuquen Province through a licensing round called ADCH 01/2019. The permit on the concession is reportedly valid for conventional exploitation through 2039 and unconventional exploitation through 2053. The company has reportedly assigned the firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates in to carry out an assessment of the existing conventional and unconventional resources in the block, which will be available once the Data Room is opened for interested companies on 15 March 2019. Bids will be accepted through the end of May 2019, with official award expected in June 2019.  Aguada del Chanar block covers 57 sq km of land in the Neuquen Embayment part of Neuquen Basin. It is situated adjacent to Wintershallâs Aguada Federal block on the western side where the operator has been targeting resources in the Vaca Muerta Formation shale, and also directly next to state company YPFâs La Amarga Chica block on the southwestern side where the operator and Malaysian state partner Petronas recently agreed to enter the development phase on their Vaca Muerta shale oil project in late-2018.  IEASA joined provincial company GyP Neuquen as a 50% stakeholder in the Aguada del Chanar block in February 2010 before receiving a 25-year exploitation permit in August 2012 with the option of a 10-year extension. IEASA became the 100% holding operator for the concession when a 35-year permit for unconventional exploitation was granted in October 2018. The unconventional permit was awarded with the expected commitment of a USD 10 million work program that includes an acquisition of 80 sq km of 3D seismic and an exploration well workover in the tight reservoirs of Punta Rosada-Lajas formations by October 2020.  Companies interested in submitting an offer on Aguada del Chanar block must contact IEASA via e-mail at consultasADCH@ieasa.com.ar by 24 May 2019.    Background Information    Fields in Auguada del Chanar block have produced over 78 Mbo and 3.3 Bscfg as of January 2019, with 29 Mbo and 33 MMscfg from the Vaca Muerta Formation.
Integracion Energetica Argentina (IEASA), formerly ENARSA, launched a call for tenders for its 100%-held Aguada del Chanar block in the Neuquen Province through a licensing round called ADCH 01/2019. The permit on the concession is reportedly valid for conventional exploitation through 2039 and unconventional exploitation through 2053. 