Billionaire investor Peter Thiel has acquired a roughly 1% stake in Vista Energy, one of the major oil producers operating in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale formation. His investment fund, Thiel Macro LLC, bought about 1.2 million American Depositary Shares (ADS) worth approximately $76 million, sending U.S. listed Vista shares up 5.7% in premarket trading on Monday.
Peter Thiel has taken a roughly 1% position in Vista Energy, increasing his exposure to Argentina's energy sector as international attention continues to focus on the country's Vaca Muerta shale formation.
The investment was made through Thiel Macro LLC, the billionaire's hedge fund, which acquired approximately 1.2 million Vista American Depositary Shares. The position was disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was valued at about $76 million based on the fund's reported holdings at the end of the second quarter.
Vista's U.S. listed shares rose 5.7% in premarket trading on Monday, according to Reuters, after news of Thiel's investment became public. Vista trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker VIST, while its Class A shares are also listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker VISTA.
The investment gives Thiel exposure to Vaca Muerta, a major shale oil and gas formation located in Argentina's Neuquén province. Vista is a significant producer in the region and currently produces around 160,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, according to Reuters. The company has invested more than $6.5 billion in Argentina.
Vista has been expanding its operations in Vaca Muerta. In May, the company updated its 2026-2028 guidance and 2030 vision, following the consolidation of newly acquired assets in the formation. Vista's investor materials also show that it completed the acquisition of Equinor's assets in Vaca Muerta in May.
The investment comes several months after Thiel met Argentine President Javier Milei at the presidential palace. Reuters reported that the two discussed economic policy and Milei's opposition to wealth taxes. There is no indication in the available information that the meeting was directly connected to Thiel's investment in Vista.
The Vista position also represents a notable addition to Thiel Macro's disclosed portfolio. Reuters reported that the fund's holdings included positions in companies such as Amazon, Vistra and several U.S. energy companies, with a total disclosed portfolio of about $418.7 million.
For Vista, the disclosure puts renewed attention on its position in Vaca Muerta and its expansion plans in Argentina's oil and gas industry. For Thiel, the investment adds a significant energy position to a portfolio that includes technology and power related companies.
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