…as quarterly profit goes up 16%
Portugal’s Galp Energia, opens new tab reported on Monday a 16% rise in second-quarter net profit, beating expectations as higher oil prices and lower production costs offset reduced output and the refining margin held steady.
The company also confirmed ongoing preparations for a second drilling phase of four wells in Namibia’s Mopane field, where it has an 80% stake, starting in the fourth quarter. It said it was in preliminary talks with possible partners.
Galp shares, up more than 40% so far this year, rose more than 1%.
It booked an adjusted net profit of 299 million euros ($325.34 million), above the 236 million euros expected by 18 analysts polled by the company.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell 7% to 849 million euros, compared with the 821-million consensus.
Galp has estimated Mopane could contain at least 10 billion barrels of oil, making it one of the largest discoveries in the nascent basin following successful exploration by TotalEnergies, opens new tab and Shell.
It was reported earlier that more than 12 oil companies, including Exxon, Shell and Brazil’s Petrobras, had expressed interest in buying a 40% stake in Mopane.
“We’re having preliminary discussions with potential partners, but you will understand there is nothing much we can say at this stage,” Chief Executive Filipe Silva told a conference call with analysts.
He said Galp would give priority to a partner keen to develop quickly and that would provide the capital expenditure.