Argentina Merges Energy Regulators in Sector Overhaul

New ENRGE authority to assume gas and power oversight within 180 days

4 Dec 2025

Argentina has begun reshaping its oversight of the energy sector by combining its gas and electricity regulators into a single body, the Ente Nacional Regulador del Gas y la Electricidad. A presidential decree gives the new authority, known as ENRGE, 180 days to take over the functions of ENARGAS and ENRE, marking a shift in how regulatory decisions will be coordinated.

The change comes as activity in the Vaca Muerta shale formation continues to attract international investors. YPF and Chevron remain among the most active operators, and officials say a unified regulator could provide clearer pathways through administrative procedures. Specific changes to permits or operational rules are expected only after ENRGE publishes its guidelines.

Recent additions to national infrastructure offer further context. The Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline and its Perito Moreno extension, both opened in 2023, now form core elements of Argentina’s transport network. Although developed before ENRGE’s creation, they are central to efforts to ease bottlenecks and bring Vaca Muerta output into the wider grid.

For now, most activity sits inside the new institution. ENRGE is expected to define updated criteria and internal structures during its transition period. Industry analysts say the merger represents a significant administrative reorganisation rather than an immediate shift in field operations.

As the transition proceeds, two developments are shaping the outlook: the consolidation of regulatory responsibilities and the continued expansion of long-planned pipelines. Together they signal a move toward more coordinated management of Argentina’s energy system as shale production rises.