Argentina's Vaca Muerta: Blessing or Curse?

Abstract Many politicians, oil and gas companies, and citizens of Argentina see the oil and gas extraction of Vaca Muerta, a shale oil and gas reserve, as a panacea to the economic crisis Argentina is experiencing. While that might be a plausible solution, it likely will only exacerbate the economic crisis and create new issues if not properly utilized. Currently, Argentine citizens are suffering on economic, environmental, social, and medical fronts. Either the project needs to be abandoned, or these issues need to be addressed and rectified if Argentina has any hope of escaping the current economic climate.