The Los Molles Formation is a geologic formation of Early to Middle Jurassic age, located at northern and central part of Neuquén Basin at Mendoza Shelf in Argentina. It is overlain by the Niyeu–Lajas Formation.McIlroy et al., 2005
Description
It is the second largest oil and gas formation in the Neuquén Basin after the Vaca Muerta. Los Molles Formation is estimated to have of technically recoverable shale gas and of technically recoverable oil.EIA, 2013 In July 2015, the Buenos Aires Herald indicated that Pan American Energy and YPF planned to drill 46 shale gas wells in Los Molles over the next four years in their Lindero Atravesado drilling block, at an estimated cost of US$590 million.Shale fields to get US$14 billion boost
Fossil content In several outcrops, the Los Molles formation has been the site of paleontological discoveries: the ichthyosaurs Chacaicosaurus and Mollesaurus, and, in 2017, an ornithischian, Isaberrysaura, discovered with fossilized contents of the gut.Salgado et al., 2017
See also Vaca Muerta List of dinosaur bearing rock formations Toarcian turnover Toarcian formations Marne di Monte Serrone, Italy Calcare di Sogno, Italy El Pedregal Formation, Spain Sachrang Formation, Austria Posidonia Shale, Lagerstätte in Germany Ciechocinek Formation, Germany and Poland Krempachy Marl Formation, Poland and Slovakia Lava Formation, Lithuania Azilal Group, North Africa Whitby Mudstone, England Fernie Formation, Alberta and British Columbia Poker Chip Shale Whiteaves Formation, British Columbia Navajo Sandstone, Utah Mawson Formation, Antarctica Kandreho Formation, Madagascar Kota Formation, India Cattamarra Coal Measures, Australia
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