Argentina expects $8 bln surplus in energy trade balance this year

HOUSTON, May 6 (Reuters) - Argentina expects a $8 billion surplus in its energy trade balance this year, compared to a $5.7 billion surplus last year, amid new government policies encouraging investment, the country's deputy energy secretary for liquid fuels, Federico Valler, said at a conference in Houston.

Earlier on Tuesday an executive from Argentina's second-largest shale producer Vista Energy VISTAA.MX said the country could register an energy surplus of between $5 billion and $6 billion this year, bolstered by activity in the country's Vaca Muerta formation, one of the world's largest shale reserves.

Speaking at an event in Buenos Aires, Vista's executive Juan Baylac said that Argentina's export potential was likely to improve in 2025, "in a scenario where equipment continues to be imported to Argentina, investment continues in both equipment and wells, as well as in infrastructure projects," Baylac said.

State-owned oil company YPF YPFDm.BA is developing key infrastructure projects along with partners such as Vista, Shell and Chevron.

During the Houston conference YPF's vice president of Supply Chains, Walter Actis, said that the advantages of a tax-benefit regime imposed by the Argentine government to attract investment have already been felt.

Government tax incentives were spurring investment and interest from foreign suppliers was "significant", according to Actis, who also pointed to some companies forming alliances.