In brief
On 27 January 2026, the Argentine Executive Branch (the “Executive Branch”) published Decree No. 49/2026 in the Official Gazette (the “Decree”), extending the emergency status of natural gas transportation and distribution segments until 31 December 2027.
Additionally, the Decree establishes a maximum price for regasified liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the 2026 and 2027 winter periods, to be determined by the Secretariat of Energy in accordance with certain parameters.
The Secretariat of Energy will select a single private company to handle the commercialization of regasified LNG in the domestic market, in principle, for the year 2026.
The purpose of the Decree is to ensure the supply of natural gas during periods of peak demand, awaiting the completion of the infrastructure projects required to meet market needs, using the only LNG regasification terminal with operational capacity located in Escobar, Province of Buenos Aires.
In depth
Among its most relevant provisions, the Decree sets forth the following:
- The extension of the energy emergency status in the natural gas transportation and distribution segments until 31 December 2027, due to insufficient transportation capacity and the critical need to import LNG to ensure supply during winter peak periods.
- The establishment of a maximum price for regasified LNG during the next two winters, equivalent to the international benchmark determined by the Secretariat of Energy plus an amount in USD/MMBTU to cover maritime freight, regasification, storage, commercialization, and transportation to Los Cardales, which will result from the competitive process.
- The Secretariat of Energy will select a single private marketer for the importation of LNG and the commercialization of regasified LNG in the domestic market for the year 2026.
- Such additional value will be determined through a competitive procedure, the terms of which will be established by the Secretariat of Energy, using the regasification capacity operated by Energía Argentina S.A. (ENARSA).
- If the competitive process fails, ENARSA will directly assume the importation of LNG, its regasification, and the domestic sale of the resulting gas.
- The regime will be implemented using the terminal located in Escobar, Province of Buenos Aires — currently the only operational regasification facility — in order to centralize access to existing infrastructure and optimize operational logistics and safety.
Download the Spanish version of Argentina: Extension of Energy Emergency Status and LNG Importation and Commercialization.