A dramatic ruling by a U.S. court ordering Argentina to hand over the 51% stake it holds in state energy firm YPF has cast a shadow over the country's plans for its huge Vaca Muerta shale formation and hopes to return to global markets.

US judge orders state to turn over its controlling stake in state-run oil company YPF SA as partial payment of a US$16-billion court judgment.

Argentina is ordered by a U.S. judge to give up its 51% stake in state-run oil and gas company YPF as partial payment of a $16.1B court judgment against the country.