YPF YPF S.A.
$50.05
YPF S.A. Q2 F2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
AI Conference Call Analysis
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Conference Call Operator
Hello everyone. Thank you for joining us and welcome to the YPF second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star 1 again. I will now hand the conference over to Margarita Chun, IR Manager. Margarita, please go ahead.
Margarita Chun
Investor Relations Manager
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is Margarita Chun, YPF's IR Manager. Thank you for joining us today in our second quarter 2026 earnings call. Before we begin, please consider our cautionary statement on slide two. Our remarks today and answers to your questions may include forward-looking statements, which are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the expectations contemplated by these remarks. Our financial figures are stated in accordance with IFRS, but during the presentation we might discuss some non-IFRS measures, such as adjusted EBTA. Today's presentation will be conducted by our Chairman and CEO, Mr. Horacio Marin, our Finance Vice President, Mr. Pedro Kearney, and our Strategy, New Businesses and Controlling Vice President, Mr. Maximiliano Weston. During the presentation we will go through the main aspects and events that shape Q2 results and finally we will open the floor for Q&A session together with our management team. I will now turn the call over to Horacio. Please go ahead.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Thank you, Margarita, and good morning. Q2 was a landmark quarter in YPF's history with 10 major milestones achieved across all our operations. These results reflect the magnitude of the transformation that YPF has achieved since the launch of the 4x4 plan supported by strong market dynamics. The main drivers of this transformation are shell growth, The replacement of conventional assets, cost control, capital discipline, and operational efficiency. As a result, we are reshaping the company into a very profitable integrated shale player. We are building a more profitable, more resilient, and more export-oriented integrated shale company. Adjusted EBITDA reached $2.8 billion, positioning the quarter as the best in the company's history. A 70% increase versus the second highest record that was in Q3 2014 and the third one was last quarter. To put this in perspective, in the first half of 2026, we generated nearly $4.4 billion of AJAZ EBITDA, already above the full-year EBITDA reported in 2023. This exceptional performance dropped AJAZ EBITDA margin to 43%. Thank you very much. Operating results reached $1.8 billion, a new record high in the company's history. While net result was $1.2 billion represented, the second-best quarterly performance ever achieved by YPF. The first net result was Q3 last year. In terms of cash generation, free cash flow reached $824 million, Top 3 in our history, while liquidity closed at the highest level ever achieved of $2.5 billion. As a result, net leverage decreased to 1.1 times its lowest level in more than a decade, and is continuing to improve in YPF's financial position. From an operational standpoint, the quarter reinforced the continued transformation of YPS production mix. Shale oil production reached 213,000 barrels per day, with shale oil now representing 80% of total oil production. This confirms... The increased relevance of unconventional assets with the company's portfolio and the continued progress in scaling up Vaca Muerta as YPF's key growth driver. In parallel, we continue increasing the number of rigs operated by YPF in the Vaca Muerta oil window. As of today, we are operating 16 rigs, significantly higher than the 12 rigs by December last year and expecting to reach 21 rigs by early 2027. On the other hand, let me share with you an important step to accelerate Vaca Muerta. In May, we submitted the RIGI application of Loma La Lata Oil, a project 100% owned by YPF, with a production plateau of roughly 240,000 barrels per day. It represents the largest oil export program in Argentina's history and the largest project submitted under RIGI so far. The project requires cumulative investment of $25 billion over 15 years and is expected to generate more than $100 billion in oil export revenue over its lifetime. Loma La Lata Oil positions YPF and Argentina to build a world-class energy export platform. The approval process may be structured across separate SPVs. We will provide more details later when we have news. Finally, our downstream operations continue to deliver exceptional performance. Refinery processing reaches 351,000 bars per day, reflecting the highest level of refinery utilization ever achieved. It enabled us to generate surplus production and gasoline amid the distillate reaching 43,000 cubic meters per day and setting a new record high. Overall, these results reflect a quarter of exceptional execution with record profitability, strong cash generation, a reinforced balance sheet, and continued operational improvement across the company's main business segments. Before moving to the next slide, let me take a moment to highlight several recent developments that are highly important to the execution of our 4x4 plan strategy. First, regarding the second pillar of our 4x4 plan, active portfolio management, last week we signed an agreement for the sale of two clusters of the UNDER projects in the province of Mendoza. The operating Chachagüen field and the non-operating El Corcovo and CNQ7A blocks. Together, these transactions were closed at a safe price of $405 million and remained subject to the final approval before closing. Importantly, once this conventional field closed, Thank you for watching. More recently, we have just obtained the approval of our board and signed the sale of the 70% equity stake in Metrogas, subject to closing. Moving to Mystery in Oil, Bemos remained on track to reach COD by the end of Q4 this year. We have signed an agreement with the province of Neuquén to establish the project's regulatory and fiscal framework. In addition, we successfully brought ENI and XRG into the upstream development. Thank you very much. We will provide further details later in the presentation. In terms of our local fuel pricing strategy, in mid-May we extended the buffer mechanism for another 45 days alongside a 1% adjustment. The Thank you for watching. With the goal of improving accessibility and affordability for local retail investors in comparison with our peers. In parallel, we adjust the ratio of ADR to shares from 1 to 1 to 1 to 10 with no economic impact on ADR holders. and, most importantly, this split doesn't affect shareholders' economic interest, ownership percentage or voting rights. In addition, users of YPF applications with cash accounts will be able to buy and sell YPF shares directly through the app starting this Friday, August 14. This represents Another meaningful step in expanding access to YPF's heat equity story to a wider investor base. Now, let me share more details on our Loma La Lata Oil project, a key driver to accelerate the development of the South Hub in Bacamorta's oil window. In late May, YPF applied to join the RIGI, the largest Investment Incentive Regime for the SPV Loma La Latoi. This is a large RIGI project and Argentina's major upstream oil export initiative. The SPV is fully owned by YPF, developing five blocks with well inventory of over 1,150 wells and unconventional concession until 2059. These blocks are Langostura Sur 1 and 2. Already delivering exceptional productivity with solid economics. Currently with seven rigs in operation. Besides expansion to Barrial Grande, Langostura Southwest and Langostura North. In terms of investment, we estimate total capex of around 25 billion dollars over the next 15 years. It will be mainly allocated to drilling and completion activities. Liberation shares infrastructure to maximize efficiency. A plateau beyond 2032, production is expected to reach around 240,000 barrels per day, 100% dedicated to export markets through vemos. While also contributing around 10 million cubic meters per day of gas to the local market. This will translate into estimated annual revenue of approximately $7 billion, considering both oil and gas, with an average brand price of $70 per barrel. It is worth mentioning that given its scale, long-term horizon and strong export focus supported by RIGI, this project is a transformational initiative of Argentina's long-term oil development and important value creation for our shareholders. In this sense, based on the scale of the project, the approval process may be structured across different SPVs. Now, I turn the call to Pedro to analyze in detail our financial results.
Pedro Kearney
Finance Vice President
Thank you, Horacio, and good morning, everyone. As Horacio mentioned, this was a record-breaking quarter for YPF. We delivered record earnings, margins, and cash generations, reduced leverage to its lowest level in more than a decade, and achieved strong operational performance across all our businesses. Revenues reached approximately $6.6 billion in the second quarter, up 33% sequentially and 42% year over year. The increase was supported by stronger international prices, as well as higher refinery processing levels, generating surplus of fuel exports and seasonal demand for diesel and natural gas. adjusted EBITDA total $2.8 billion, increasing 76% sequentially and 2.5 times year over year. This performance reflects the shift to shale, high refinery utilization, disciplined cost management, efficiency gains across the company, and a better pricing scenario. On the production side, our shale oil output continues expanding, Reaching 213,000 barrels per day, increasing 4% sequentially and 47% interannually. As Horacio mentioned, excluding the conventional assets under the investment process, around 95% of our oil production would have come from shale formation. In terms of investment, during the second quarter, we deployed over $1.3 billion, allocating 77% to our unconventional operations. CAPEX increased by 37% sequentially and 16% interannually, primarily due to the signing bonus for the unconventional concessions of the five blocks dedicated for Argentina LNG project. Also, it was driven by the higher investment in facilities at Langostura Azul and Norte fields. For the rest of the year, we expect further acceleration, in line with the production ramp-up. On the financial front, despite the acceleration in capital expenditures, we generate a very strong frequent flow of $824 million. which I will discuss in greater detail later. As a result, our net leverage ratio declined to 1.1 times, marking the third consecutive quarterly reduction since the Q3 of last year and reaching its lowest level in 11 years. Now, let me walk through the evolution of our Frica flow during the second quarter. The positive frequent flow represents the third highest frequent flow in YPF history and was primarily driven by the all-time high EBITDA of $2.8 billion. This outstanding result comfortably funded our accelerated CapEx program of over $1.3 billion, aligned with the expansion of our shale operations and key infrastructure projects. It also covered the $188 million payment related to the acquisition of Equinor assets in Vaca Muerta, as well as the $150 million interest payments. In addition, the negative working capital variation was mainly explained by higher seasonal natural gas sales. It is important to note that the higher planned gas price is fully reflected in the EBITDA during the quarter, However, given the related collection terms, most of these incremental sales are collected during the following quarter. This temporary working capital effect was partially offset by $85 million in dividends collected from affiliates. It is worth highlighting that excluding the money activity, the company will have delivered an even stronger performance, generating a frequent flow of approximately $1 billion. As a result, our cash liquidity position increased to nearly $2.5 billion at the end of June, compared to approximately $1.7 billion at the end of March. This further strengthened the company's liquidity position and marked the highest cash balance in our history. This improvement provides us with significant flexibility to execute our ambitious investment plan for the second half of the year while comfortably covering our debt maturities. Turning to our financial position, we have continued improving our net leverage ratio since the third quarter of last year. This quarter, it declined to 1.1 times, nearly half the peak level reported in the third quarter of last year. Thank you very much. In this context, in April, we issued a new local bond for $122 million with a four-year tenor and at 5.5% yield, taking advantage of a market opportunity to secure low-cost long-tenor financing. The proceeds were used to prepay a higher-cost loan maturing in 2028, generating interest savings while further optimizing our debt maturity profile. Additionally, we amended our $450 million syndicated export refunding facility executed in the fourth quarter of last year, extending the drawdown period by two months and pushing the final maturity by one year. As a result, most principal maturities are now concentrated in 2029. During the second quarter, we also prepaid approximately $220 million of local bonds and trade facilities maturing primarily in 2027 and 2028. Separately, in June, we signed a mandate letter with IDB Invest to establish the framework conditions to structuring a potential AB loan facility of up to $500 million. Thank you for watching. The proceeds will be used to repurchase our $140 million bond maturing in February 2027, further improving our debt maturity profile while reinforcing our commitment to proactive liability management and funding optimization. Looking at our debt profile, remaining maturities for the second half of this year amount to approximately $700 million. www.facebook.com S&P upgraded YPF's rating to B in June and Moody's also upgraded the company from B2 to B1 in July. This last year rating is the highest YPF has achieved in recent years, broadly in line with the level the company held between 2017 and 2018. Overall, these upgrades, together with our broad access to capital markets and financing opportunities, reinforce both the momentum and sustainability of our credit story, reflecting the strength of YPF's financial position and the market's confidence in our strategy and credit profile. I will now turn it to Max to walk through the operational performance.
Maximiliano Weston
Strategy, New Businesses and Controlling Vice President
Thank you Pedro and good morning to everyone. Let me dive into the evolution of our upstream performance in the quarter. Our upstream strategy continues to deliver outstanding results with shale oil driving growth, improving efficiencies and consolidating YPF's position as a best-in-class Vaca Muerta player. Importantly, shale oil output continues to more than offset the conventional divestments, supporting a more resilient and higher margin production base. In that sense, shale oil production continues the growth path, hitting a new record high, reaching 213,000 barrels per day in the second quarter, representing a sequential increase of 4% and a 47% year over year. This performance was primarily driven by the strong contribution from Langostura Sur, followed by higher production recorded in the north hub of Vaca Muerta. In addition, since May, we have incorporated the production associated with our 4.9% stake in Mandurria Sur block and our 15% stake in Bajo del Toro block, both recently acquired from Equinor. Looking ahead, we expect shale oil production growth to accelerate during the second half of the year as key infrastructure projects and other facilities like the oil treatment plant in Langostura Sur continue to move closer to startup. including Bemos, which reached around 77% completion as of June 2026. Shale oil expansion fully compensated the continuous divestment from conventional assets, which dropped 49% year over year. Excluding the conventional assets that are under the divestment process, conventional production would have been roughly 18,000 barrels per day in the second quarter. Total lifting costs, excluding specific well service costs, continued the downward trend, decreasing 31% year over year at $8.4 per BOE in the second quarter, reflecting the structural improvement in our cost base. Excluding the divestment assets mentioned before, lifting costs would have been below $7 per BOE Focusing on our shale oil hub, we continue to operate at best-in-class levels at around $4 per BOE, essentially flat on a sequential basis. Turning to natural gas, the production averaged 37.3 million cubic meters per day, down 6% year over year, primarily reflecting the exit from conventional fields, partially offset by the expansion of shale gas production, mainly led by La Calera block. Additionally, let me point out that during the second quarter, a well located in Rincón del Manguruso block reached production of 1.3 million cubic meters per day, becoming the highest producing well within the basin's dry gas window. Our capital allocation is currently focused on the oil window of Vaca Muerta, reflecting the greater flexibility of oil demand supported by higher evacuation capacity, while natural gas still remains largely constrained by domestic consumption. Looking ahead, the development of integrated LNG projects is expected to unlock significant incremental demand, leveraging YPF's substantial acreage position, world-class resource base in Vallecamorta gas window. Overall, these results highlight the consistency of our upstream strategy where shale development not only drives production growth, but also enhances efficiency, lower cost, and supports structurally stronger and more profitable results. Moving to our midstream and downstream segment, our processing levels set a new record in the second quarter, averaging 351,000 barrels per day, reconfirming the reliability and flexibility of our refining system. It grew by 2% sequentially and 16% interannually, where during the second quarter last year La Plata Refinery was under maintenance. This exceptional operational performance, together with a new record production of gasoline and mill distillates, enable us not only to fully meet domestic demand without imports, but also to supply local refiners and expand exports. Looking ahead, we expect processing to gradually normalize towards ordinary levels A scheduled maintenance activities will take place during the second half of the year, thereby ensuring sustained operational reliability and long-term efficiency. Regarding domestic sales of gasoline and diesel, dispatch volumes increased by 7% quarter over quarter, driven by an expansion in diesel seasonal demand. On a year-over-year basis, gasoline and diesel volumes grew by 10%, supported by stronger demand, particularly in diesel, across all commercial segments. As a result, we increased our market share to 59% from 57% in the first quarter and up to 61% when we consider gasoline and diesel produced by YPF and dispatched through third-party gas stations. It is worth mentioning that beyond local demand, in the second quarter, YPF exported nearly 100,000 cubic meters of gasoline and diesel. In terms of pricing strategy, as Horacio explained before, in April we decided to temporarily postpone further price adjustments alongside a 1% increase. This temporary measure, which concluded in late June, acted as an effective buffer, allowing us to preserve fuel demand during a period of elevated volatility, while progressively reducing the gap with import parity as market conditions evolved, maintaining a competitive position in the local market. Lastly, let me highlight that our midstream and downstream adjusted ABDA margin expanded to nearly $30 per barrel in the second quarter, benefiting from strong processing volumes and the successful execution of our commercial and pricing strategy. Now let me briefly walk you through the progress of our upstream efficiencies during the quarter. We continued to deliver consistent improvements in productivity across our shale operations, driven by execution and ongoing efficiency gains. Starting with drilling activity, we continued setting new efficiency gains in our core shale hubs, During the first half of 2026, we reached 354 meters per day, 9% above 2025's average, and recording roughly 30% increase compared to 274 meters per day recorded in 2023. In our unconventional fracking activities, we also delivered strong efficiency gains across our key operating metrics. During the first half of the year, we recorded 11.4 stages per day, 18% higher against 2025 levels and representing a remarkable expansion of 50% compared to 2023, While pumping hours per day rose to 19.2 hours, 14% and 32% above the average of 2025 and 2023 respectively. It is worth highlighting that in June we achieved record levels of fracking, completing nearly 1,400 stages and representing around half of the country's activity. Moreover, during July, we achieved another major hydraulic fracturing milestone by pumping continuously for 203 hours and completing 86 stages at Bandurria Sur block. It represents over 8 days and 11 hours of uninterrupted operations. This achievement was monitored through our real-time intelligence center and reflected a fully remote and autonomous fracturing operation completed with zero incidents. All these records performances in Vaca Muerta brings us even closer to Permian level operating standards. In the downstream business, in the second quarter, we continued to strengthen YPF's position as a key player in Argentina's energy transformation. As part of our innovation program, we visited Tesla's Jaeger factory in Texas, one of the most advanced industrial facilities in the world and signed a letter of intent to explore collaboration opportunities in fast charging networks and energy storage combining Tesla's technology leadership with YPF's nationwide infrastructure platform. This initiative reflects our commitment to modernizing our energy system, advancing innovation and supporting the adoption of next-generation energy and mobility solutions that will enhance the country's competitiveness and long-term sustainability. Moreover, as I mentioned before, our outstanding processing levels resulted in a surplus of gasoline and meat distillates production, enabling YPF to avoid imports, supply local peers and expand our exports. Additionally, during the quarter, we completed the works related to the new fuel specification project at our Lujan de Cuyo refinery marked by the successful startup of the new diesel hydrotreating unit in July. In parallel, we made progress on engineering works for new hydrotreating units at De La Plata and Plaza Winkel refineries to ensure full compliance with these specifications. Importantly, all these improvements are the result of continuous optimization efforts across all of our operations, supported by better world planning, disciplined execution, and a more efficient integration with our service providers. I am now turning to Horacio to continue with updates regarding LNG projects.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Thank you Max. Let me share the progress we achieved on the LNG projects. Regarding the tolling phase, I would like to highlight the recent approval of San Mateo gas pipeline SPV under the RIGI framework. The project contemplates the contraction of a 470 km gas pipeline connected Tratagen in Vaca Muerta to the San Mateo half. is expected to have transportation capacity of approximately 27 million cubic meters per day by mid-2028. The project will require a total investment of around $1.3 billion and is expected to be funded by a project finance scheme with 70% debt and 30% equity. Importantly, the project finance is progressing very well and is already at the advanced stage with financial closing expected during Q3 this year. Turning to Argentina LNG project, the most relevant milestone of the quarter was the agreement signed in June between YPF and the government of Neuquén. This set the long-term regulatory and fiscal framework applicable to Argentina LNG. All of these steps provide a more predictable and competitive foundation to continue advancing the project. We also made significant progress in the APTRIN segment of the project through the agreement to incorporate ENI-IXRG into the APCO Argentina LNG-1, the APTRIN SPV that will hold 100% of the five wet gas blocks dedicated to the project. Under this structure, ENI-IXRG will each hold 32% interest While YPF remains the operator with a 36% stake. This reinforces alignment across the entire value chain, enhances execution capabilities, and represents another important step toward reaching the final investment decision. On the execution front, we have recently selected the front runners of the EPC of the gas NCL pipeline as well as the Integrated Gas Treatment Plan. In addition, on the financial side, we have completed all the documentation required to open the virtual data room with the ECAs which was successfully launched in July. This marks another important milestone in the project finance process and further demonstrates the continued progress of Argentina LNG. Overall, Argentina LNG continues to gain momentum. This project will not only accelerate the development of Vaca Muerta, but also has the potential to reshape Argentina's export profile over the coming decades. Finally, I would like to share our revision to our 2026 guidance. This reflects a strong international price environment and its direct impact on profitability, cash generation, and balance sheet strength. We are assuming a burn price of $75 per value for the second half of the year. This assumption remains subject to the high volatility seen in international markets over recent weeks. Under this scenario, the average Brent price for the year 2026 would be around $82 per barrel, 30% above our previous assumption of $63 per barrel. As a result, we now expected a share of EBITDA in the area of $8 billion, representing a significant increase from our previous guidance for around $6 billion. This improvement is supported by a higher rent environment, operational efficiency, and strong refined product crack spreads. And let me highlight that this new guidance compares very favorably with YPF 2023 EBITDA. In fact, under exactly the same comparable brain condition, in just three years, YPF is doubling the asset EBITDA from $4 billion to $8 billion. This clearly reflects the strength and discipline of the 4x4 plan and our ability to create tangible and sustainable value for our shareholders. On the operating side, we remain fully on track with our shared oil production targets. We continue to expect average oil production of around 215,000 barrels per day during 2026 and to reach an exit rate of approximately 250,000 barrels per day by the year end. With respect to investment, we expect to accelerate deployment during the second half of the year. This is mainly driven by progress in facility construction, maintenance activity rescheduled for the second half, and the faster development of the southern half of Vaca Muerta through Loma La Lata Oil. As a result, we are increasing our full-year campus guidance by approximately 5%. The new range is $5.8 to $6.2 billion, remaining around 70% allocated to shale operations. Despite the minor increase in our CapEx plan, we expect to end the year with a positive free cash flow position of around $2 billion. This figure includes M&A proceeds already collected and assuming the proceeds expected from transactions currently under execution. This strong cash flow outlook is also reflected in our balance sheet expectation. We now anticipate net leverage to decline significantly to nearly one time. This compared with our previous guidance ranged from 1.6 to 1.7 times. In summary, this revised guidance reinforced the strength and resilience of YPF's business model. A more favorable pricing environment is translated into higher profitable, strong cash generation, and lower debt. At the same time, our strategic priorities remain unchanged. Most importantly, this provides further evidence that the 4x4 plan is delivering concrete results positioning YPF for a stronger, more profitable, and more financially robust future. With this, we conclude our presentation and open the floor for questions.
Operator
Conference Call Operator
We will now begin the question and answer session. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star 1 again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question to allow for optimum sound quality. If you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Michael Furrow with Pickering Energy Partners. Michael, your line is open. Please go ahead.
Michael Furrow
Analyst, Pickering Energy Partners
Hello, good morning and nice quarter. Thanks for having us on the call and for taking our questions. I'd just like to start with CapEx. It came in deadly below expectations this quarter, particularly on the upstream side of just under $1.1 billion. So just given the strong start to the year and the acceleration of spending and activity in the second half of this year, could you help us get a better understanding of the shape of CapEx or activity levels for the remainder of 2026?
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay, good morning. Thank you very much for the question. You saw the guidance, no? We are going to accelerate because of our results. We secure the rigs and we secure also the sets, the fracture sets. At the end of the year we are going to have 19 rigs and now we have 16. The labor that we think that we are going to finish at the end of the year, it will be $6 billion. The production, the end of the production for in December, $250. For sure, we are going to accelerate next year. We secure the rigs also for next year. In February, we are going to have 21 rigs.
Michael Furrow
Analyst, Pickering Energy Partners
Great, I appreciate that Horacio. Maybe just following up on that point, the shale productivity continues to look strong across the asset base. And to us at least, it seems like the company's more than on track to hit its 26 guidance and 250,000 barrel per day shale exit rate. So Horacio, are you seeing the same thing? And what would need to happen in the back half of the year to put that target out of reach?
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
You're talking for next year?
Michael Furrow
Analyst, Pickering Energy Partners
No, for the D-150,000 shale exit rate.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Correct. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Okay, we have the rigs and we are finished the drilling, so we need to fracture all the walls. And the only thing that we have to have from the facility point of view is a PTC in Langostura Sur. We think that in September it will be the COD. And with that, we can reach the number without problems.
Michael Furrow
Analyst, Pickering Energy Partners
All right. Thanks for your time and nice quarter. I'll turn it back.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay. Thank you.
Operator
Conference Call Operator
Your next question comes from the line of George Gastout with Latin Securities. George, your line is open. Please go ahead.
George Gastout
Analyst, Latin Securities
Good morning to you all and congratulations on the record quota. I have two related questions this morning on Vaca Muerta's evacuation capacity. For the first one, we've seen a few reports of delays to the Vaca Muerta Sur Monoboy delivery out of the Middle East, and I was wondering if you had any comments on that. And as a follow-up, Olilvale is looking to temporarily increase capacity and duplicate using polymers and upgrades to pumping stations. and as its largest shareholder, I was wondering what your expectations of that initiative were and whether the additional capacity could allow YPF to sustain its production ramp if that were delayed. Thank you.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay, regarding demos for the mono boil, we are closing our figures. We have in the vessel And now is passing the Ormuz Strait. So maybe next week we will have very good nukes, okay? Regarding, as we say, Plan B from Invemos, we bought another one that is going for sure not to be filled in Dubai because of the Strait, okay? And so we think that we have everything on track and it will be success the pass of the vessel from the trade. That is what we have today. The valve, we are going to use all our capacity. Remember that we need capacity for the three refineries and also for export. Our plan is to export live vemos. And because of the production that we are going to have next year, that I was going to say in better light, I think it's in April next year in New York, we are going to use the majority of the capacity that we have.
Andres Cardona
Analyst, Citi
Thank you very much.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Thank you.
Operator
Conference Call Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Andres Cardona with Citi. Andres, your line is open. Please go ahead.
Andres Cardona
Analyst, Citi
Hi, good morning. Horacio, Pedro, congratulations on this very strong record quarter and also the execution of the capital allocation from Two quick questions on my side. Given the projects being approved under the RIGI regime, does the industry see a need to accelerate the development of the Vaca Muerta Sur phases that were originally planned for 2028 and beyond? And on the capital allocation front, you have completed many of the processes. previously announced. Which ones are still pending? And are you also reviewing the portfolio to assess potential additional divestments? Thank you.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay. To answer the first one, well, I know where we are going. What is our north for YPF? And also, as I said before, we are going to present to you next April. Our numbers is only industry need to improve the demos. If they go as quick as us, I think it could be 28, if not from 29, beyond. But we have the plans to do that. From the capital allocation, For the portfolio, with Metro Gas, we just finished all the selling that was no-core. From the core ones, I would say no-core, from EA Andes, which is the conventional, after the signature last week from Mendoza Fields, YPF is going to be a company with 95% of production from back and work. That means that we can say that we are almost just one, I say, unconventional integrated company. The other thing that is necessary to... to sell, we are in process to sell those fields also. So maybe at the end of the year it could be 198 or 95 or 99. But I think we finished that very difficult process that when we start that everybody could doubt at that moment because it was something difficult to do in Argentina and I think we were very successful. I think I answered your question. I don't know if it's okay or you need more explanation of...
Andres Cardona
Analyst, Citi
I don't know if I answered everything.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay, thank you.
Operator
Conference Call Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Milín Carvalho with J.P. Morgan. Milín, your line is open. Please go ahead.
Milín Carvalho
Analyst, J.P. Morgan
Hello everyone, good morning. Congrats on the very solid results and thank you for taking my question. I would like to explore a little bit more on the downstream side. So you had very strong results, very strong margin despite prices being a little bit below international parity. So could you comment on what are your plans for the rest of the year in terms of new prices? If oil declines, should views follow or should we see YPF sustaining prices to compensate for what we are seeing in this period below parity? Additionally, on the utilization rate, you have been running above the 100%. Should we expect maintenance in the second half?
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay, thank you for the two questions. I'm going to the second and after to the first, it will be more, I would say, long. For the second, we think, because we have some topic at the, I would say, in the fourth quarter, in the fourth quarter, we think that we are going to have an average of 100% from the refinery or all old YPF. From the prices, As everybody, I don't know, people that follow YPF, we can remember that we make a buffer crisis because the demand was very difficult. It's going down, down, down, down, and it could be negative. We call at that moment for the buffer, we call YPF help you. Now we are in the face of You have YPF. That is a compensation. And it depends on the prices what will happen. Our policy is international prices. And also we see the offer and the demand. The supply and demand, sorry. And remember that we have a real-time intelligence center where we are a unique company that we can see all the pumps in real time. We see the demand minute by minute. So we have Plenty of information to take very good decisions, okay? And so we have different policies, micropolicy policies that we continue. And so we see the price of oil, I think nobody knows. 15 days ago it was in almost 70. Today it's 85, 86. So it's very... Come to mind... Volatile. And it depends on that what will happen in the second half of the year. Is it okay or I missed something?
Milín Carvalho
Analyst, J.P. Morgan
Thank you.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay. Thank you.
Operator
Conference Call Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Matías Cataruzzi with ACDCAP. Matías, your line is open. Please go ahead. Matías, your line is open. Please go ahead. Your next question comes from the line of Daniel Guardiola with BTG. Daniel, your line is open. Please go ahead.
Daniel Guardiola
Analyst, BTG
Good morning Horacio and congrats on the results. I have one question on my side. So following the incorporation of ENI and XRG into the upstream JV, what are the next key milestones towards FID and perhaps what remaining commercial or regulatory risks still need to be addressed before the project becomes fully sanctioned? Thank you.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Juan, because I understood SILCH I will ask the guys and we'll open so you will see that and after the answer. ¿Qué me pregunto? No, no. Háblamelo que lo escuchen. Tell me in English what was... Decime qué me pregunto.
Pedro Kearney
Finance Vice President
It was about the project of Argentina Energy and what are the things that are pending on that project.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay, sorry. I was confused. I'm sorry about my English. The Argentine LNG, we are working very hard. We finished all the documents, all the documents. We are in the BDR process with ECH and banks. And we have all the technical finishes. And we already built the plant in Neuquén. The EPC of the pipelines, what is the gas pipeline and the oil pipeline. We are going to build in two months, no more than that, the material of the pipelines. And also in a couple of months, no more than that, it will be also build the big, I would say refinery, but it's not refinery, the big plant of NGOs and conditioning the gas for the LNG that will be in Rio Negro, that is a big, big one area. So from the point of the project, we are very ready to have the FID at the end or in the fourth quarter. and they start as soon as possible after that all the work and all the contractions and everything on that. From the point of the contracts, as I say, we finish all of that with the promise of Neuquén and the promise of Rio Negro. We have everything done. We have all the laws of LNG. We have all the The procedure and also we have that our partners now are partners of us in the upstream and so we are very ready to have the FID this year and that it will be very important for YPF, for all the partners and I think also for our country.
Daniel Guardiola
Analyst, BTG
Thank you.
Operator
Conference Call Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Leonardo Marcon with Bank of America. Leonardo, your line is open. Please go ahead.
Leonardo Marcon
Analyst, Bank of America
Hi, everyone. Thank you for picking my questions. I have two for my end here. Also, the first one is also on the Argentina LNG project. What LNG price are you assuming for the FID and what is the Are you underwriting for the project? My second question is regarding the capex for the upstream, right? I mean, with the improvement in drilling and track speed, right, could you share your current drilling and completion cost? And additionally, on that point, is there still room for further efficiency gains? Thank you very much.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Okay, let's go to the forest. This project is very robust. I don't know if you know that it's so good because we are in the window of wet gas that this project produce or the revenues is roughly half liquid, half gas. So it's very, very robust. What are the price that we use? It's futures. In general, in YPL, you use market prices, okay? But it's very robust. Really, this is a very good project because you have a natural catching between the fluids for the project and for the investment. Talking about, you say, you come, you go totally to a different one that is our price, our cost for the wealth. If you take 3,000 meters of horizontal length I have to explain to everybody of you that we are using 3,500 now, but it's more profitable because we have very good efficient because of the real-time intelligence center, because our professionals. But if I take 3,000 meters of lateral length, we are around $11.5 million for the cost of the wealth.
Leonardo Marcon
Analyst, Bank of America
Got it. Thank you very much.
Operator
Conference Call Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Matías Cataruzzi with AdCap Grupo. Matías, your line is open. Please go ahead.
Matías Cataruzzi
Analyst, ACDCAP
Hi, Horacio. How are you doing? Hi, team. This was an amazing quarter that you presented, so congratulations on it. I have a few questions regarding capital allocation and the divestment process. You'll be having 1.2 billion of extra cash this year, combined with an excellent EBITDA for this year with high oil prices. Are you expecting to accelerate CAPEX? The leverage this year or are you preparing for CAPEX contributions for the Argentina LNG project? Is inorganic growth on the pipeline or will you bring forward the dividend distribution expected for 2028? And then I got one more question about what should be The second half of the year, R&M margins going forward. And how do you see the buffer so far? It ended in July, but how do you see downstream prices going forward? And we'll be seeing trajectory back to the 12 to 14 dollars per barrel of rnm margins you previously guided or she's expected to keep at these levels okay first of all with the capital allocation and you have
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
You have to remember, now the year was totally different than all the analysts thought. We prepared for very low prices, and the life was different. It was high prices. So we have better results, but also we work always, it doesn't matter the price, in optimization and efficiency. Operation and efficiency in YPS are extremely good today. So we have that, as I explained, in February we had 21 weeks. But if you compare, in last December we had 12 for Vaca Muerta. So it's a big incremental, and you will see in April when we talk with you at the Investor Live. There is, what else you ask me, for capital allocation? No.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
I think it's okay.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
Also, Argentina LNG and also about the demos and the evacuation. Okay, we think that we have a good program. We have the capital and also we can have some, we are working in improve our debt If we need more money, it depends on the price. I think the market should know that we are doing very well and manage very well YPF. We don't see big difficulties for developing Argentina at all. That's why we're preparing for that. We're preparing for all those projects, but with low prices. So I think we are in very good shape. Regarding the prices in downstream, we don't see that it's going to go down, okay, to 12 for 14. We think that we can have good margin. Why? Because we improved so much The operational efficiency in all our refineries. And also, we are improving a lot in the logistics. In the logistics that we have excellent margin because we have an excellent system. YPS has, in my point of view, the best global system for downstream. As I explained before of the prices, I already explained what we think, okay?
Matías Cataruzzi
Analyst, ACDCAP
Okay, and one last question on YPF Agro. Is it still considered core? Do you have a sale process ongoing?
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
YPF Agro. In YPF Agro, we made a bidding process and it was not successful. And because we were not successful, we decided, because it was very difficult to take out, really, okay? So what we thought to make for a private investor was not good, we don't know. But what we decided to take out, we make like EPA for agro, out of downstream, and we put now in another vice president, what is in the new energies, because we are making more focus and today I was discussing before this call for two hours how to deliver more efficient that. And I think we are going to have very good results in the future and we are going to make a new company, YPF Agro, but it will be 100% of YPF.
Matías Cataruzzi
Analyst, ACDCAP
Okay, thank you so much and congratulations on the quarter.
Operator
Conference Call Operator
We have reached the end of our Q&A session. I will now turn the call back to Horacio for closing remarks.
Horacio Marin
Chairman and CEO
OK, thank you very much for everybody. Thank you very much for the congrats. We are all the team of YPF. We are very proud to work in our company and to This concludes today's call. Thank you for attending. You may now disconnect.