Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Argentina energy official resigns as shale investment applications grow
Daniel González has resigned from his role overseeing energy policy under President Javier Milei in Argentina.
González had led the government’s RIGI programme, which offers long-term tax, currency and customs benefits to attract major investments.
The programme is drawing applications worth tens of billions of dollars, including about US$70 billion for oil wells.
Many projects target Vaca Muerta, a shale deposit in Patagonia and a rare source of growth for Argentina’s sluggish economy.
Energy analysts warn that González’s departure could delay complex applications if the RIGI committee lacks leadership.
González said the rest of his team will continue, but the government has not said who will replace him.
The uncertainty matters because a less business-friendly government could take power next year and shelve applications that are still pending.
Daniel González has resigned as Argentina’s top energy official, potentially slowing President Javier Milei’s effort to attract investment in shale oil.
González oversaw the government’s RIGI investment programme, which is receiving applications worth tens of billions of dollars.
Analysts warned that applications could face delays if the programme’s committee loses its leadership.
González said he had stayed on in part because of the volume of applications and that the rest of his team would continue.
RIGI offers tax, currency and customs benefits for 30 years, as well as access to international arbitration in contract disputes.
- Who
- Daniel González, Argentina’s energy official, resigned.
- What
- His departure could slow reviews of applications to the RIGI investment programme.
- When
- He announced his resignation on Thursday night; the article was published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Argentina.
- Why
- González said he had wanted to leave sooner but stayed in part because of the flood of investment applications. The sources do not state his reason for resigning.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
RIGI was expanded to include oil wells in the Vaca Muerta deposit.
González announced his resignation on a Milei-friendly podcast.
- Resigning official
- Daniel González
- Investment programme
- RIGI
- Oil deposit
- Vaca Muerta
- Oil-well investment applications
- About US$70 billion
- Programme benefits
- Tax, currency and customs perks for 30 years
- Article publication
- October 23, 2026
What people are saying
These are complex applications to assess and if the RIGI committee is left without its leadership, all of that could face delays.
We were a bit behind with RIGI because a lot of projects were coming in
And we needed to speed up to avoid a snowball effect.
the rest of the team marches on. I’m the only one leaving.