GeoPark underscores its vision for growth at an event with investors in Argentina

GeoPark Limited, an independent energy company with more than 20 years’ experience across Latin America, today underscored its vision of medium and long-term growth in the region, with a special focus on Argentina and the development of Vaca Muerta. GeoPark CEO Felipe Bayon addressed a webinar organized by Adcap Grupo Financiero that brought together more than 240 participants, including investors, analysts, and energy sector representatives. 

Felipe Bayon is recognized as one of the most effective leaders in the Latin American energy industry, with more than 30 years of international experience. He started his career at Shell, before a 21-year career at BP that included being CEO of Pan American Energy between 2005 and 2010. Bayon served as CEO of Ecopetrol between 2017 and 2023, where he led a strategic transformation that included international expansion, growth in unconventional hydrocarbons, renewable energies and power transmission, and achieving record results in safety, production, finance and sustainability.  

Bayon outlined GeoPark’s strategic focuses for a new stage of growth. With a solid financial position – close to US$300 million in cash at the end of the first quarter – and a plan focused on operational efficiency and disciplined execution in its Colombian assets, he detailed how Argentina is central to future growth at GeoPark. 

“Vaca Muerta is absolutely strategic and is a priority for GeoPark. We are making progress on several opportunities and will share further information when they are certain. We have every intention of securing areas in Vaca Muerta, and we are focusing energy, efforts and resources into making that happen,” Bayon said.  

Bayon visited Argentina in his first week at GeoPark, and had an open and positive conversation with Neuquén Governor Rolando Figueroa and Energy Minister Gustavo Medele on the possibility of GeoPark becoming an operator in the Neuquén basin.  

“We had a very good reception from provincial authorities. They are open to GeoPark becoming a new investor and operator in the region, working together with the province and with the companies already in the area,” he said.  

Bayon highlighted that expansion in Argentina is in parallel with GeoPark’s commitment to preserve its core business in Colombia, where it remains focused on maintaining production and continuing to implement cash protection measures through the disciplined reduction of costs and expenses while maintaining the superior safety standards that have characterized GeoPark throughout its history.  

In the webinar, which was moderated by Adcap Managing Director and partner Lucas Confalonieri, Bayon also mentioned the interest of several companies with operations in Argentina in discussing potential partnerships with GeoPark. He also commented on the recent purchase of GeoPark shares by Pampa Energia and the ‘Shareholder Rights Plan’ activated by GeoPark’s Board of Directors, highlighting “constructive, productive and respectful conversations with Pampa that open relevant collaboration opportunities.”  

The GeoPark CEO thanked Adcap for holding the webinar, which strengthens relationships with the financial community and contributes to the consolidation of open and continuous dialogue. He also reiterated the Company’s commitment to creating sustainable value for its shareholders.