Energy Real Estate Solutions has opened its first international location in Neuquén, Argentina.

The expansion will enable ERES to meet the increasing demand of clients operating in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale play, which has attracted more than $165B in commitments from some of the largest players in the industry. The significant growth has provided increased demand for development and support services across all facets of real estate in and around the play.

“ERES has been providing real estate services in the Neuquén Province for well over a year, but as the needs of our clients continue to grow and diversify, it became clear we needed to establish a permanent presence in the market,” ERES CEO Mike Elliott said. “Our firm is unique in that we have full capabilities to answer real estate needs across the entire continuum, including workforce housing. By opening an office in Neuquén, we can expedite and strengthen our clients’ expansions in the Vaca Muerta, helping them to efficiently seize current opportunities in an area where infrastructure is still being established.”

ERES has brought on Jose Barreto as project and facilities manager to lead the new office. Barreto will be responsible for the oversight of all client projects, insuring on-time and on-budget deliveries. Barreto has six years of international project management experience, most recently serving as project manager for an $8M development project in Panama.

“For oil and gas companies without a solid presence in Vaca Muerta markets, managing real estate projects is nearly impossible,” Barreto said. “Being a part of ERES, who has the experience — and now local resources — to ensure investment success is exciting as it’s definitely a situation of the right company in the right market at the right time.”