<div id="readability-page-1"><div>By Shadia Nasralla and Stephanie Kelly The chief executive of Argentina's state-controlled energy company YPF expects a final investment decision on a $20 billion, 12 million metric tons per year liquefied natural gas project around the middle of next year, he told Reuters on Thursday.Horacio Marin added that he expects YPF and its partners in the project, Eni and Adnoc's [RIC:RIC:ADNOC.UL] XRG unit, to have in the region of a third each in equity. Exports from the 12 mtpa project phase will likely start in 2030 or 2031, or four years from the potential FID in mid-2026, Marin said. It cited a significant change in the project scope as its reason for exiting.Marin said the Shell-related phase had halved to 6 mtpa from 12 mtpa. He added the project phase involving Eni and XRG was the priority and YPF would seek another partner to replace Shell. Marin's overall ambition was to bring the YPF-led Argentina LNG project to 18 mtpa. </div></div>

YPF CEO Horacio Marin anticipates a final investment decision for a $20 billion LNG project in Argentina by mid-2026. The project, involving partners Eni and Adnoc's XRG unit, aims for exports starting in 2030 or 2031. Shell's involvement has reduced to 6 mtpa, with YPF seeking a new partner. Marin's goal is to expand the project to 18 mtpa.

YPF CEO sees green light for $20 billion Argentina LNG project in mid-2026