In Talks With Adolfo Storni: Why Argentina's Energy Future Is Just Getting Started

In the latest edition of In Talks With, Mariano Hasperué, Director at the Argentina-Texas Chamber of Commerce (ATCC), sat down with Adolfo Storni, CEO of CAPEX, for a conversation on leadership, innovation and the future of Argentina's energy industry.

Drawing on nearly four decades of experience across agribusiness, food production and energy, Storni shared the lessons that have shaped his career, reflected on CAPEX's growth strategy and explained why he believes Argentina is entering one of the most promising periods in its energy history.

Looking back on his professional journey, Storni explained that his career began in banking after graduating as an economist, although he quickly realized his passion lay elsewhere. "I liked production much more than financing," he recalled.

That decision led him to spend more than 30 years in the food and agribusiness sectors before joining CAPEX in 2022. Throughout that journey, he developed a leadership style rooted in operational excellence, creativity and disciplined execution. He credits much of that mindset to his years at Arcor, an experience he describes as his "real doctorate in business," where he learned to achieve results with limited resources, build strong teams and constantly seek efficiency.

Those principles continue to define CAPEX today. According to Storni, the company's long-term strategy is built around three complementary business pillars: conventional oil and gas, power generation—including renewable energy, and the development of unconventional resources.

This diversified portfolio allows the company to generate stable cash flows while continuing to invest in future growth. Throughout the conversation, he repeatedly emphasized that efficiency is not simply an operational objective but a defining characteristic of the company. Maintaining competitive costs, investing consistently and balancing different business lines have enabled CAPEX to remain resilient despite market volatility and Argentina's changing economic environment.

A significant part of the interview focused on Vaca Muerta and the opportunities it presents for Argentina. While Storni believes the quality of the country's unconventional resources is already recognized internationally, he argued that the industry's next challenge lies in improving competitiveness.

Infrastructure, logistics, drilling costs, transportation, taxation and labor productivity remain key areas where Argentina can continue closing the gap with more mature basins such as the Permian Basin in Texas. Nevertheless, his outlook is overwhelmingly optimistic.

Over the past decade, the sector has steadily overcome many of the bottlenecks that once constrained development, from evacuation capacity and financing to fracture equipment and sand supply.

"We've solved many of the obstacles we had. There is still work to do, but what has already been achieved is significant."

That progress, he believes, is also transforming how Argentina is perceived abroad. One of the strongest messages throughout the conversation was his conviction that the country has finally secured a place on the global energy map.

International investors, operators and service companies increasingly view Argentina as a strategic destination, not only because of the scale and quality of Vaca Muerta, but also because of its potential to become a reliable supplier in an environment where energy security has become a global priority.

As LNG projects advance and Argentine crude continues gaining recognition in international markets, Storni sees growing opportunities for investment, exports and long-term partnerships.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between Argentina and Texas. Reflecting on CAPEX's participation in the ATCC Energy Trade Mission to OTC and the Bilateral Energy Summit in Houston, Storni emphasized the value of engaging with one of the world's most developed energy ecosystems.

Beyond networking, he described these initiatives as opportunities to learn from industry leaders, exchange best practices and continue positioning Argentina as an increasingly attractive market for international companies. He also underscored the collaborative spirit that characterizes today's energy industry, where companies often advance together by sharing knowledge and addressing common challenges.

Closing the interview, Storni turned his attention to the next generation of professionals. He encouraged young people entering the industry to cultivate curiosity, humility and a willingness to learn continuously, while developing a broad understanding of how the entire energy value chain operates.

Technical expertise, he argued, must be complemented by teamwork, multidisciplinary thinking and strong professional networks. With Argentina's energy sector continuing to expand, he believes it will become one of the country's most attractive industries for emerging talent.

The conversation offers a compelling perspective on the opportunities ahead for Argentina's energy sector and the leadership required to unlock them. As CAPEX continues to balance operational excellence with long-term growth, Storni's message is clear: Argentina has already demonstrated the quality of its resources—now the challenge is to continue building the competitiveness that will allow the country to fully realize its global potential.