Carbon capture and storage in Argentina
Carbon capture and storage 'in Argentina' refers to research and pilot-scale assessments on the potential to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and power-generation sources and permanently store them underground. As of 2025, there are no commercial CCS facilities operating in Argentina, but national plans, academic publications, and industrial proposals identify CCS as a potential tool to support the decarbonization of heavy industry and electricity generation, and to enable low-carbon hydrogen as a CO₂ utilization pathway.
National emissions profile
Although Argentina is not among the world’s highest total emitters, several recent studies identify it as one of the highest emitters per capita in the region. The main sectors contributing to greenhouse gas emissions are transport, electricity, and industry. According to the country’s first Biennial Transparency Report, Argentina emitted approximately 216–220 MtCO₂e in 2022. The National Adaptation and Mitigation Plan sets the goal of limiting emissions to 359 MtCO₂e by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.Electricity is the most emitting sector, driven by a high dependence on natural gas for generation. According to CAMMESA, natural gas has represented more than 55% of power generation in recent years. This dependence is reinforced by resource availability from the Vaca Muerta formation and long-standing government subsidies for gas consumption.
Another significant factor is transportation, where the country relies heavily on road-based freight. Following the privatization in Argentina and decline of the national railway system in the 1990s, more than 90% of long-distance cargo is transported by diesel trucks.
Major stationary emission hubs are concentrated in the Bahía Blanca petrochemical complex, the Rosario–San Lorenzo corridor along the Paraná River, the Campana–Zárate region, and Greater Buenos Aires. These areas host cement and steel production, petrochemical clusters, and thermal power plants.
Geological storage potential
Scientific assessments from CONICET and private sector initiatives, such as the AR-CO₂ Atlas developed by Y-TEC, evaluate subsurface formations based on depth, permeability, reservoir volume, and sealing capacity. These studies indicate that several sedimentary basins in Argentina offer large-scale potential for geological CO₂ storage.| Sedimentary basin | Assessment | Relevance |
| Neuquén Basin | Most suitable | Depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs; proximity to Neuquén industrial cluster and Vaca Muerta. |
| Golfo San Jorge Basin | High potential | Mature oil fields in Patagonia suitable for deep saline storage. |
| Magallanes Basin | Potential | Southern onshore and offshore structures. |
| Cuyo Basin | Under evaluation | Research on deep saline aquifers and unminable coal seams. |