ABSTRACT The Vaca Muerta Formation is the main source rock in the Neuquén Basin and covers an area of 30,000 km 2 (11,583 mi 2 ). The Aguada Federal block is located in the central Neuquén Basin where the Vaca Muerta Formation is within the oil window, with 1.00–1.15% vitrinite reflectance, 35° API, 7% total organic carbon that decreases upsection in a stratigraphic column 200–250 m thick (~650–800 ft). The former operator Gas y Petróleo del Neuquén S.A. drilled the ACOc.x-1 shale oil discovery well in 2013. During 2014 to 2017, Wintershall Dea entered an exploration phase collecting high-quality data (i.e., full log suites, cores, microseismic, and 3-D seismic), and drilling two wells and four horizontal pilot wells to characterize the potential of the Vaca Muerta unconventional play. Currently, the Aguada Federal block is being evaluated to move towards the development phase.