Malaysian oil giant Petronas has signed a preliminary agreement with Argentinian firm YPF to invest in the giant gas and shale oil field at Vaca Muerta.
Petronas has expressed interest in a shale oil field in Neuquen province at the foot of the Andes in western Argentina, said a statement on Tuesday from YPF, which was nationalised in 2012 at the expense of Repsol.
Argentina has launched a global drive for foreign investment in Vaca Muerta, seen as one of the most potentially lucrative fields in the world.
German firm Wintershall, US giant Chevron and Chinese-Argentinian company Bridas have already announced more than $US5 billion ($A5.55 billion) worth of investment seeking to exploit unconventional hydrocarbons at Vaca Muerta.
French company Total is conducting exploration at the site while Russia's Gazprom and Mexico's Pemex have also been approached.
Argentina reported an energy deficit in 2013 of $US8 billion and is keen to boost domestic production to limit imports.
