Argentina’s oil new hub
Rosa Negra is the new logistical heart of Argentina’s oil exports, an Oiltanking America Latina (OTAMERICA) terminal that boosts the export of crude oil from Vaca Muerta to the world.
Rosa Negra is located in the southernmost part of the Province of Buenos Aires, within Coronel Rosales municipality, it has established itself as a key link in the Argentine oil logistics chain. With a 600 million dollars investment, the company has strengthened its infrastructure to support the exponential growth of Vaca Muerta and has positioned Puerto Rosales as one of the most important oil hubs in South America.
The expansion included the construction of six new storage tanks, with a capacity of 50,000 m3 each, increasing then the total capacity from 480,000 to 780,000 m3. Moreover, a new pumping station, a high-capacity electrical substation and a 2,000-metre offshore dock with two operating positions were built.
This allows the terminal to receive Aframax and Suezmax vessels so as to be able to dispatch between 20 and 25 vessels per month. It has replaced the single-buoy system and significantly improved logistical efficiency.
OTAMERiCA Vice President Guillermo Blanco emphasises that the project responds to a strategic need: “to evacuate increasing volumes of oil from Vaca Muerta to international markets with world-class standards”.
The peer allows for simultaneous loading of two ships, with state-of-the-art pumping systems and pipelines, while dredging to 18 metres ensures the unrestricted operation of large ships.
The infrastructure operates in close coordination with the Oleoductos del Valle (Oldeval) pipeline system, recently expanded to transport up to 530,000 barrels per day. This integration guarantees a constant flow from the Neuquén Basin to the Buenos Aires coast, optimising the export of unconventional crude oil.
Apart from the export role, the terminal supplies the domestic market, receiving Escalante crude (heavy oil from the San Jorge Gulf Basin in Chubut) from Comodoro Rivadavia for the country’s main refineries. In fact, between 60% and 70% of the oil produced in Argentina passes through the facilities of OTAMERICA, a consortium formed by Marquard & Bahls AG (70%) and YPF (30 %).
A leap in capacity, technology and sustainability
The project not only involves a leap in capacity but also in technology and sustainability, thanks to the new tanks built in compliance with API 650 standards, with cathodic protection, leak detection and vapour recovery systems.
The articulated loading arms, automatic mooring and safety devices comply with international standards, while energy efficiency and emissions reduction are part of the company’s environmental policy.
Significant economic impact
This new infrastructure could increase exports by 3000,000 barrels per day, with a potential income of more than $8 billion per year in foreign currency.
Its construction generated around 1,500 both direct and indirect jobs, reinforcing the dynamism of the region’s port and logistics chain.
With Rosa Negra, Puerto Rosales is no longer just an embarking point, it has become a strategic platform for Argentina’s oil industry, integrating cutting-edge technology, operational efficiency and long-term vision.
It is a hub that connects the wealth of Vaca Muerta with the global energy market, marking a turning point in the country’s hydrocarbon export infrastructure.
