Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:VIST) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Miguel Galuccio: Hi. Regis, thank you for your question. Regarding the first part of your question, regarding guidance, we are coming in line with guidance on a realized price of $60 per barrel. And when you look at currently, our realized price also was around $65 per barrel. Of course, the cargo that we basically couldn’t fit-in in Q2, it will be accounted in Q3 with higher Brent prices. So, I mean, for the whole year, that will have a positive impact in our P&L. Regarding development, again, I mean, just restating what I said before, Bajada del Palo Este, Aguada Federal and Bajada del Palo Oeste for us will be one development cluster and the main development cluster. As soon as we have — I mean, with the new result of Bajada del Palo Este-2, I will say, we should expect that Coiron Amargo Norte also will be coming part of that cluster as well.

Bajada del Palo Este, we are developing La Cocina and Organico. When in Bajada del Palo Este, we are just focused in La Cocina for the moment. So, this will be the main horizon that we will be developing in an acceleration plan. You have other question. The other question was related to exports and percentage. So, when you look at Q2, we have — our export percentage of our — production was around 49% and the realized price of export was around $68 per barrel. You should expect that this 49% going up to 55% or 60% since the fact that we are going to have — we are going to be moving one cargo from Q2 to Q3. As you know, the Brent is performing better and our discounts are lower. I mean, we moved from a discount of $6. We expect Q3 to be around $5.

We already saw $5 in this quarter. So, I mean, we are planning with prices for export around the similar level that we have last quarter. But yes, if the Brent perform better, it could be better. It could be slightly better. So, this is what we are seeing.

Regis Cardoso: Okay. Understood. Thanks so much, Miguel. Have a good luck.

Miguel Galuccio: Thanks Regis.

Operator: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes from the line of Oriana Covault from Balanz.

Oriana Covault: Hi, Miguel, Alejandro and the rest of the team for taking my question. I have two questions. Maybe the first one has to do with lifting costs. You have been guiding lifting costs even below the current $5 per barrel that for a time now, and it was great to see that happening this quarter. So, just to understand if this acceleration over the last couple of quarters beyond the transfer of the assets to Petrolera Aconcagua if there something else that is explained in the accelerated reduction in lifting costs? That’s the first question.

Miguel Galuccio: Oriana, thank you for the question. Regarding lifting costs, yes, we come in from a running rate of $7.5 per barrel and that was before this investment of our conventional assets. We saw $6.4 in Q1, and we are seeing $4.8 now. Of course, this $4.8 is taking full impact of the transfers of the conventional assets. As we continue increasing unconventional production, yes, we still see some potential and some upside that will be more related to the production growth that really reducing the OpEx side. But at the moment, we are keeping the guidance as it is. But yes, very encouraging result on the lifting cost side.

Oriana Covault: Thank you. That’s very clear. And one last one. I noticed in your presentation that you would be transferring some of the capacity that you’re currently using through Oldelval, the OTASA for the exports to Chile to the Vaca Muerta Norte instead of keeping the two alternative routes. So, just perhaps to understand the rationale, if there’s — do you see any upside potential for keeping the two-route open? Or if there’s any — what is driving the decision of moving volumes from one area to the other? Is it pricing wise in terms of contracts? Any additional color on that end would be very much appreciated. Thanks.