Next week, Argentina will begin a process to tender for 5-6 LNG cargoes to meet the gas demand in the coming winter of southern hemisphere.

The bid process for five or six shipments will begin on March 17. Source: "The plan is to receive bids during the week of the 25th," said the source.

The first LNG tender in Argentina last year saw 10 cargoes imported out of 30 total that year.

An executive of Excelerate Energy - the company that has the sole import facility for the South American nation - told a crowd in Houston on Wednesday, during the CERAWeek Conference, that Argentina had not requested a floating regasification unit this winter.

Daniel Gonzalez, Secretary of Energy and Mining Coordination told reporters that the number of LNG shipments would be lower than last year, "assuming similar weather conditions."

Argentina is increasing production of its Vaca Muerta Formation, the second largest unconventional gas reserve in the world and the fourth largest oil reserve. The country is aiming to reduce energy imports.

After years of trade deficits, the country's finances were strained by a large energy trade surplus. In 2024, it reached $5.67billion. Reporting by Eliana Razewski and Marianna Pararaga, both in Buenos Aires; Writing by Alexander Villegas and Editing by Anthony Esposito & Marguerita Choy

(source: Reuters)