Jumbo installs CALM buoys, PLEMs for Vaca Muerta export terminal offshore Argentina

Jumbo Offshore has completed transport and installation of two CALM buoys and two PLEMs for the VMOS project offshore Argentina, a key export infrastructure development designed to support growing Vaca Muerta oil production and future VLCC exports.

Jeremy Beckman

Related To:

Jumbo

Nov. 5, 2026

2 min read

Add Us On Google

Why this news matters:

The VMOS project will create new export capacity for crude produced from Argentina's rapidly growing Vaca Muerta shale basin.
Installation of the CALM buoys and PLEMs marks a key offshore infrastructure milestone for the new export terminal.
The terminal is designed to handle up to 550,000 b/d initially, with potential expansion to 700,000 b/d, supporting larger-scale crude exports via VLCCs.

jumbo javelin operations — *Jumbo Javelin* supported transport and installation of CALM buoys and PLEMs for the VMOS crude export terminal offshore Argentina.

Jumbo Offshore has completed transportation and installation (T&I) for two CALM buoys for the Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) project in Argentina.

The VMOS project is being developed specifically to expand export routes for growing production from the Vaca Muerta Shale play.

The buoys are among the facilities at a new marine oil export terminal 5-8 km offshore Punta Colorada.This will receive produced oil from the onshore Vaca Muerta via a 437-km pipeline.

Under a contract from Altius, Jumbo’s DP2 heavy-lift vessel Jumbo Javelin transported the two buoys, each weighing about 340 t, and two pipeline end manifolds (PLEMs) weighing up to 232 t. The JSI Alliance provided local support.

Jumbo Javelin had collected the structures from the yard in Muscat, Oman, with the cargo lifted onboard under a double-banking, ship-to-ship heavy-lift operation.

Following loading and seafastening, the vessel sailed to Argentina via the Cape of Good Hope.

Upon arrival, Jumbo executed the offshore installation of both PLEMs in 40 m water depth with the vessel in DP mode, in tandem with the discharge of both CALM buoys.

The VMOS marine terminal will facilitate oil transfers to VLCC vessels. The project has an initial design capacity of up to 550,000 bbl/d, later rising potentially to 700,000 bbl/d.

Exclusive content:

Special Reports

Offshore Vessels Special Report 2026

This report examines fleet trends, vessel design evolution and operational case studies across OSVs, seismic and survey vessels, cable‑lay vessels, and drillships, alongside expert...

June 3, 2026

About the Author

Jeremy Beckman

Staff Writer / Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.