Uruguay and the gas opportunities from Vaca Muerta
The recent progress in agreements between Argentina and Brazil to export gas from Vaca Muerta opened a window that Montevideo interprets as a "historic opportunity" to diversify its energy matrix and reduce industrial emissions. The memorandum between Buenos Aires and Brazil laid the groundwork for sending increasing volumes of Argentine gas to that market, reshaping regional logistics options.
In practice, the first shipments have already been carried out through the reversal and use of infrastructure connecting with Bolivia, while additional routes are being studied, including alternatives through Uruguay that would allow for the integration of coastal terminals and gas pipelines.
Energy Infrastructure and the Uruguayan proposal
Uruguayan Ministry of Industry, Energy, and is analyzing various avenues to join this regional corridor, including extending the current network that reaches Paysandú and constructing a coastal gas pipeline connecting with southern Brazil. This initiative was confirmed by Minister Fernanda Cardona in recent public communications and interviews.
The idea is to leverage existing infrastructure and attract investment that will allow for the transportation of natural gas by land or sea (LNG), depending on the technical and economic suitability of each route.
Medanito and the hand in the costs
In addition to gas, Uruguay recorded progress in the purchase of Medanito crude oil, a raw material that reduces refining costs and facilitates short-term energy planning. The regular arrival of shipments provided predictability for Ancap and energy-intensive companies. This, according to official sources, improves industrial competitiveness from a logistical and pricing perspective.
The final balance will depend on how transportation and access charges are priced in the Brazilian market, a sector where companies recognize the need for competitive prices compared to LNG alternatives.
Industrial decarbonization and domestic demands
The Yamandú Orsi administration proposes that incorporating gas will advance the decarbonization of the industrial sector and the transition to electric mobility by replacing more emission-intensive fuels. The strategy seeks to prioritize sectors with greater energy intensity to reduce their footprint and improve operating costs.
For this to be feasible, Uruguay must coordinate supply contracts, guarantee storage, and define regulatory incentives that facilitate private and state investment.
Routes, regional competition and risks
While Brazil and Argentina are fine-tuning agreements and technical tests—including the temporary use of gas pipelines to Bolivia—countries like Uruguay are competing to become the alternative corridor or complementary space for Vaca Muerta transportation. Experts describe a race for infrastructure that includes land, sea, and LNG terminal options.
The challenges are not merely technical: competitive prices, investment amortization, and commercial agreements with international energy companies will be decisive for the Uruguayan proposal to move from being a project to implementation.
In short, the window opened by the export of gas from Vaca Muerta offers Uruguay a concrete opportunity to modernize its energy mix and reduce industrial emissions, provided that technical, financial, and regulatory agreements are reached that make transportation viable and maintain competitiveness compared to other energy alternatives.
