Archer has won a new land drilling contract with Vista in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale play. The contract runs for two years with a one year option, and Archer puts the total value at an estimated $35 million to $40 million over the full term, including the option year.
Archer will deploy its AC drilling rig DLS-156 to support Vista’s development programme in the basin. The award adds Vista to Archer’s customer base in Argentina and was announced from Neuquén on 5 November 2026.
Gerardo Molinaro, Archer’s VP of Land Drilling, said the company was proud to add Vista to its portfolio and described the deployment of DLS-156 as a sign of the confidence leading operators place in Archer. He said the agreement strengthens Archer’s presence in Vaca Muerta and that Archer wants to build a long term partnership with Vista, supporting the operator to drill safely, efficiently and reliably.
The win comes as Archer builds out its position in the basin. In December 2025 the company signed a five year, seven rig contract with YPF, and Patterson-UTI agreed in January 2026 to lease two APEX 1500 rigs to Archer’s Argentine division in support of that work. In October, Archer added a further three year YPF contract with a two year option, covering rigs DLS-160 and DLS-163. In May it also secured extensions with a firm period through October 2028 and an optional two year extension through October 2030.
Vista is one of the operators driving the pace of development in Vaca Muerta, and the contract gives it additional drilling capacity as activity in the basin continues to accelerate.
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