Petrobras has completed its first import of natural gas from Argentina's Vaca Muerta reserve, a significant step towards increasing the domestic supply of natural gas in Brazil.

This move aligns with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's directive to Petrobras to boost local gas availability and reduce consumer prices.

The natural gas, totalling 100,000m³, was transported via pipelines from Argentina to Bolivia, and subsequently to Brazil.

The companies POSA, a subsidiary of Petrobras in Argentina, and Pluspetrol produced the gas.

This import is part of an agreement that allows Brazil's state-controlled oil company to import up to two million cubic metres of natural gas on an interruptible basis.

The importation of non-conventional natural gas from Vaca Muerta follows extensive negotiations over the past year between the companies and the governments of the respective countries.

Petrobras' director of energy transition and sustainability, Angelica Laureano, was quoted by Reuters as saying: "This logistical and commercial solution opens a new possibility for importing natural gas into Brazil, reflecting Petrobras' commitment to increasing supply and to the sustainable development of the natural gas market."

Previously, another Brazilian company Matrix Energia imported gas from Vaca Muerta. This transportation of gas was facilitated by TotalEnergies in April 2025 as part of a deal signed with Matrix Energia and Bolivia’s state energy company, YPFB, to supply natural gas from the shale formation.

Recently, Petrobras awarded a contract to SLB for advanced electric completions technologies and digital solutions for up to 35 ultra-deep-water wells in Brazil’s Santos Basin.