That may be problematic for a longterm multibillion shale exploration deal the US company is currently negotiating with YPF, the recently renationalised oil company expropriated from Repsol control last year.

“Any ramp up in activity in Argentina, as you would expect, will be conditioned on us having full and free access to our cash and other resources,” Chevron chief executive John Watson said at the company’s investor day Wednesday, according to a transcript from Seeking Alpha.

“We