Valley Pipelines (Oldelval), operator of one of the most strategic infrastructures for the development of Vaca Muerta, informed the National Securities Commission (CNV) that it was the victim of a "cyberattack" or "information security incident" that impacted some of its administrative systems.
The company is analyzing what happened and will decide in the coming hours whether to file a complaint with the authorities.
According to the statement, the episode did not have consequences on the company's main operation. The transportation of oil continued without interruptions and the flow of crude continued normally.
The company indicated that the incident was “100% controlled” and explained that it is not ruled out that the attack may have been carried out by local or foreign hackers, although the latter hypothesis currently carries more weight.
Oldelval
A strategic infrastructure
Oldelval manages a network that exceeds 1,700 kilometers of pipelines, connecting the main deposits of the Neuquén Basin with storage and export terminals located in Puerto Rosales, in Bahía Blanca.
Through this infrastructure, nearly 90% of the oil produced in Vaca Muerta is transported, positioning the company as a central player for both the supply of local refineries and the maintenance of crude exports.
The incident, as detailed by the firm, was confined to specific administrative systems. Once the problem was detected, internal response protocols in cybersecurity were activated, allowing for the restoration of all affected platforms within a limited timeframe.
In parallel, the company continues to work to determine the definitive scope of the attack and to proceed with the necessary filings with the competent authorities. So far, no details have been provided about the type of threat or the precise origin of the cyberattack.
Oldelval employee
The episode brings to the forefront the vulnerability of Argentina's critical infrastructures, a growing risk for the energy sector. In a context where digitalization allows for optimizing operational efficiency, monitoring, and asset management, exposure to such threats also increases.
The situation takes on particular relevance due to the role Oldelval plays in the national energy framework. With the sustained growth of unconventional production in Vaca Muerta, the capacity to transport crude has become a key factor in sustaining the sector's expansion.
In this scenario, any incident related to the security of its systems raises concerns about the protection of strategic assets for the economic functioning of the country.
As the internal evaluation continues, the case highlights the need to strengthen cybersecurity schemes in an industry increasingly dependent on digital systems, where the protection of infrastructure is essential to ensure operational continuity.
