In this article, we comprehensively reviewed Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation, which encompasses a geological overview, advances in extraction technologies, the potential environmental impact, and economic analysis. Detailed geological analysis is discussed, emphasizing the stratigraphy, lithology, and depositional environments of the formation, which is crucial for understanding the distribution and quality of hydrocarbon resources. The latest advancements in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are explored, which have significantly improved efficiency and increased recoverable resources. The environmental implications of these extraction methods are critically examined. This includes a discussion of the necessity of sustainable practices in hydrocarbon extraction, highlighting the balance between resource development and environmental stewardship. The economic viability of the Vaca Muerta formation is analyzed, with a focus on cost-effectiveness, market trends, and investment patterns. This section assesses the formation’s potential as a profitable venture and its impact on the global energy market. Finally, the review anticipates future technological and policy developments. The strategic importance of the Vaca Muerta formation in the global energy sector is underscored, and its potential role in shaping future hydrocarbon exploration and production strategies is examined. In short, this essay not only presents data and findings, but also contextualizes them within the broader scope of energy production, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. This comprehensive approach provides a multi-faceted understanding of the Vaca Muerta formation’s significance in the global energy landscape.

Accurate fluid characterization is critical for reservoir development planning and typically relies on pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) experiments. However, in structurally complex reservoirs, fluid classification based solely on laboratory measurements can lead to misinterpretations. In the Gongshanmiao block of the Sichuan Basin, initial PVT analysis suggested that the reservoir was a condensate gas system. Subsequent field development revealed inconsistencies with this interpretation, including abnormal gas–oil ratios and atypical pressure build-up behavior that deviated from expected condensate gas reservoir performance. To resolve this discrepancy, this study proposes a diagnostic framework that integrates geoscience and engineering data, including fluid sampling, 3D structural modeling, production performance analysis, pressure build-up testing, and hydraulic fracturing data. The integrated analysis revised the initial PVT-based interpretation, and the results indicated that the reservoir is more accurately characterized as a saturated oil system with an overlying gas cap, rather than a condensate gas reservoir. Furthermore, the integrated interpretation clarifies the structural trapping mechanism and delineates the spatial extent of the gas cap. Overall, the proposed approach provides an integrated geoscience-engineering workflow for fluid reclassification in structurally complex reservoirs, which reconciles laboratory fluid analysis with field production behavior, offering a systematic framework for fluid interpretation in similar geological settings.