Rolando Figueroa again placed legal certainty at the center of Neuquén's Vaca Muerta strategy. He criticized opposition leaders who propose revisiting the RIGI after a change of government and argued that investment policies must survive electoral cycles. His argument starts from urgency: the province has abundant resources but a limited window to turn them into production and exports.
Figueroa defended the regime for its impact on project returns. He cited lower income tax, accelerated depreciation and different VAT treatment as factors improving internal rates of return and competitiveness. The official thesis is that domestic savings alone cannot finance the drilling, transport and LNG infrastructure required.
The defense is also a political warning. Investors ask what will happen after 2027 and whether rules could change under another administration. Figueroa says responsible opposition should distinguish between criticizing a government and dismantling state policy. Legal certainty becomes a productive asset in itself.
Time is central to the argument. Global energy transition may narrow future demand for oil and gas, so Vaca Muerta must accelerate before the opportunity loses value. Figueroa highlighted the Argentina LNG final investment decision expected on November 26 as a key milestone.
Growth creates immediate local costs. The governor estimates Neuquén will add about 30,000 residents this year, around 5,000 of school age. That requires classrooms, housing, hospitals, roads and urban services. Energy revenue therefore has to be assessed alongside the cost of supporting extraordinary population growth.
Figueroa also returned to the distribution of revenue from an exported barrel. He argues that significant shares go to corporate costs and profits and national taxes, while Neuquén receives about 13% through royalties and other taxes. He uses the comparison to demand a federal view of the expenses borne by the producing province.
On elections, Figueroa supports eliminating PASO primaries as unnecessary spending. The position connects the economic agenda with a national institutional debate: fewer elections reduce costs but transfer candidate selection back to parties. He also praised local political projects that defeated national forces in Bariloche.
The next challenge is turning stability rhetoric into verifiable agreements. Neuquén needs contracts, infrastructure and rules that survive governments, but energy expansion must also finance housing, services and connectivity. The real test of the RIGI is not only capital attracted, but sustainable production, fiscal resources and state capacity.
