Southern Energy, a consortium led by Pan American Energy, YPF, Pampa Energía, Harbour Energy and Golar LNG, has taken a final investment decision to add a second floating liquefied natural gas vessel in the province of Río Negro. The MK II unit will join the Hilli Episeyo, lifting total planned spending for the Argentine LNG project to more than US$15 billion over its 20-year life. The two vessels will be capable of producing around six million tonnes of LNG a year—equivalent to about 27 million cubic metres of natural gas per day—dedicated entirely to export markets. Southern Energy expects the first ship to begin operations in the last quarter of 2027 and the MK II to follow in late 2028 under a 20-year charter with Golar LNG. The expanded project could generate up to US$20 billion in export revenue between 2027 and 2035 and create roughly 1,900 direct and indirect jobs during construction, according to company estimates. Management says the investment will also spur additional upstream development in the Vaca Muerta shale play.