Real Man

Chapter 681

Yoo-hyun did not drag Jeong Da-hye into this recklessly.

He explained the strategy he had discussed with Willy Thompson, and asked for her help again.

He wanted to help her have a proper closure, rather than doing it for himself.

He hoped that she would be the one to put an end to this matter.

Jeong Da-hye prepared the presentation with some doubt and hesitation.

The place was the studio inside Yoo-hyun’s hotel room.

It was perfect for working, as it had a conference table.

Her clear and bright voice filled the studio.

“If we increase the production volume with the technology we proposed, the US will surpass Saudi Arabia and Russia in 10 years…”

“Wait a minute, Ms. Da-hye.”

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

Normally, he would have just praised her and moved on, but this was not the time.

He wanted to make sure that she had no regrets, so he gave her sincere advice.

“There’s nothing wrong with the presentation, but the situation is not right. They only have a very short time to listen. You have to catch their interest in that time.”

“Phew. Fine. Show me.”

Jeong Da-hye sighed, but followed him diligently.

It felt like when they used to work together.

‘She still wants to finish everything.’

A smile lingered on Yoo-hyun’s lips.

He was not only looking at Jeong Da-hye.

He called Willy Thompson and talked in depth about the situation on the ground.

He envisioned the future scenarios based on the information he had gathered about Peter Clark.

Willy Thompson helped him in this process.

“Peter is the person who has the decision-making power over the financial aspects. He’s meeting us because he has a connection with Chairman Paul, but otherwise he wouldn’t have bothered with us. To deal with him, we need to…”

“What if Peter stops the presentation…”

Yoo-hyun delved into the details and sorted out the scenarios for each exception.

He also discussed the progress of the work after the persuasion.

Willy Thompson had prepared for this part in advance.

“It would take too much time to set up a separate corporation and collaborate with Exxon Mobil. It would be better to invest in one of Exxon Mobil’s subsidiaries.”

“Then how is that different from EnerTex?”

“We just need to pull more shares to our side. Then we can achieve what we want. This way, we can also negotiate with Exxon Mobil more easily in the future.”

Willy Thompson’s experience was unmatched in this area.

Thanks to him, Yoo-hyun was able to organize his work more comfortably.

As the preparation became deeper, the presentation became shorter, and the response plan became more meticulous.

In this process, Jeong Da-hye complemented Willy Thompson’s weaknesses and vice versa.

There was definitely a synergy when experts gathered.

When Yoo-hyun was satisfied, the appointment time came.

Vroom.

Yoo-hyun headed to the EnerTex building with Jeong Da-hye and Willy Thompson.

They got out of the car, but Jack Cruzi did not come to greet them like before.

He was in no condition to do that.

Yoo-hyun bowed his head slightly in the air as a short tribute, and entered the executive meeting room on the second floor.

Creak.

As he opened the door, he saw three people sitting inside.

One of them, who was sitting in the main seat, stood up and welcomed Yoo-hyun and his party.

He was Peter Clark, who had a sharp impression with his short hair and piercing eyes.

“Nice to meet you, Steve. You’re younger than I thought.”

“Peter, so are you.”

Yoo-hyun also greeted the other people lightly.

They were Peter Clark’s subordinates, and they all had impressive backgrounds.

Jeong Da-hye had some acquaintance with them, as she had been in charge of the project.

Peter Clark also knew Willy Thompson’s name.

It was because they had met during a BCG project in the past.

The atmosphere was quite friendly, but Willy Thompson could not easily relax his expression.

Jeong Da-hye also looked very nervous, unlike her confident self before.

That’s how much pressure the giant corporation Exxon Mobil exerted.

But Yoo-hyun was different from them.

He led the mood with appropriate jokes, and winked at Jeong Da-hye.

Nod.

She understood the meaning and went up to the podium to set up her laptop.

Peter Clark tilted his head at the sight.

“Steve, do you have a presentation planned?”

“I thought it would be better to explain first.”

“I don’t know what you’re going to explain.”

Peter Clark was planning to get rid of EnerTex, which had caused a stir.

He needed to get the consent of the investor who had been proceeding with the investment process before that.

He called them for that purpose, but the other side suddenly said they had something to explain.

It was understandable that Peter Clark was puzzled.

“Just listen to it. It will be something that Exxon Mobil will find appealing.”

“Are you proposing something to the investor? And from someone who was a consultant for EnerTex until recently?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Well, that’s strange. Well, let’s hear it.”

According to the investigation, Peter Clark was a unilateral and arrogant style.

But the background of Paul Graham made him softer.

He had to make the most of this favorable situation.

Swoosh.

With Yoo-hyun’s gesture, Jeong Da-hye’s presentation began.

Her clear and bright voice sounded.

“Exxon Mobil’s daily oil production is 2 million barrels, of which shale oil accounts for 40,000 barrels, or 2 percent. But if we can increase the productivity of shale oil, this ratio will…”

The screen showed specific numbers to arouse Exxon Mobil’s interest.

Jeong Da-hye explained the correlation between technological advancement and productivity reduction in detail.

She also linked the potential reserves and Exxon Mobil’s vision.

This was the big picture.

The next part was the details.

“The biggest part of shale oil productivity is the mineral rights rent. This can amount to 30 percent of the cost…”

She listed the components of productivity and the specific plans of EnerTex’s partners to achieve the target productivity.

She especially emphasized the response to environmental issues, and proposed the direction of shale oil development based on this.

Everything was contained in a presentation that lasted less than five minutes.

There was nothing lacking in the presentation content and delivery.

But Peter Clark’s expression gradually hardened.

He had always been opposed to getting involved in the shale oil industry.

“Stop it.”

Peter Clark, who couldn’t stand it anymore, interrupted the presentation.

It was only possible because he had some goodwill to listen to this much.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to say a word.

As if to prove that fact, a sharp gaze was directed at Yoo-hyun.

“So you’re saying you’re going to set up a new company now?”

“Yes. It’s too good an opportunity to give up on shale oil investment. Chairman Paul also agrees with me.”

“I’m sure he does. And you want us to help you with that?”

He didn’t even mention it, but Peter Clark pierced through the core of the matter.

It wasn’t for nothing that he was the vice president-level financial officer.

Yoo-hyun went straight to the point without hesitation.

“That’s right. I’d like you to continue the support you gave to Enertex. The most important thing is to extend the pipeline that goes through Mexico only to the Permian Basin.”

“Then the transportation cost will be reduced, so the total cost will be lower. But what’s in it for us?”

“As I said, the profitability can be improved. To do that…”

As Yoo-hyun tried to explain, Peter Clark cut him off.

“I think you’re mistaken about something.”

“What do you mean?”

“Shale oil is a money-losing business, and it has a big risk of environmental issues. Even if you look at the case of Enertex this time, it’s clear. Why should we stick our feet in there any more?”

There was no need to beat around the bush here.

Yoo-hyun said the essence.

“Because it makes money.”

“When? After you spend billions of dollars on unnecessary pipeline construction?”

“No. It’s possible right now.”

“Ha! Do you think I’m some ignorant kid who doesn’t know anything? I’ve been in the oil business for 20 years. I have all that calculation in my head.”

Peter Clark sneered, thinking that Yoo-hyun’s words were bluffing.

The friendly face he had before was now filled with arrogance.

Yoo-hyun didn’t back down and asked him back.

“Then let me ask you. What’s the real reason why shale oil doesn’t make money right now?”

“Because the profitability is not good.”

“That’s right. Do you know what the biggest reason is?”

“Elise said it earlier. It’s because of the mineral rights lease.”

Thanks to Jeong Da-hye’s excellent explanation, Peter Clark had some basic knowledge in his head, even though he wasn’t interested.

Yoo-hyun naturally continued the question.

“Yes. That’s right. Then why is it high?”

“Because the big companies like Shell, Total, Chevron, etc. are competing so fiercely. That’s why I don’t see any reason to join the unreasonable competition, and I don’t need any more.”

Peter Clark drew a line firmly, as if he understood Yoo-hyun’s intention.

The meeting room seemed to freeze with his cold eyes.

Willie Thompson swallowed his saliva.

Not because he was nervous.

Because the flow was going exactly as Yoo-hyun had expected.

He opened his mouth to throw the prepared line.

Meanwhile, Yoo-hyun provoked Peter Clark.

“What if Exxon Mobil drops out? The mineral rights lease will be reduced a bit. If it drops by 10 percent, the profitability will turn to black based on the current oil price.”

“That’s still peanuts.”

“Fine. Then what if Shell, Total, Chevron, and others all withdraw or partially withdraw?”

Yoo-hyun’s provocative question needed a backing explanation.

Before Peter Clark could react, Willie Thompson answered as if he had been waiting.

“When we ran the simulation, the profitability dropped below $70 per barrel when the lease was reduced by 30 percent at the current level. In this case, the benefit that Exxon Mobil gets is…”

“That’s a ridiculous assumption. Let’s stop here.”

Peter Clark snapped his tongue a beat late, as if his timing had been stolen.

Judging by his expression, his patience was reaching its limit.

Willie Thompson couldn’t finish his words, but it was enough.

Yoo-hyun, who took over his will, spoke strongly.

“What if there is such a way, and the profitability is enough, would you support us then?”

“No. I still won’t. The environmental risk is too high.”

“Then I’ll add one more assumption. What if you can get recognition from the Texas state government for doing an eco-friendly business instead?”

Peter Clark blinked his eyes, thinking it was nonsense.

“What are you trying to do? Are you kidding me?”

Betting is not something you do when the other party knows everything, but when they have a strong backlash like now.

That’s how you can make a big profit with a small amount of money.

Yoo-hyun didn’t back down and delivered the final blow.

“This is my last offer. If you refuse any more, I won’t be willing to show any goodwill either.”

“…”

“I’m serious. I have enough funds to run the company without Exxon Mobil’s support. If it doesn’t work, I’ll just go to Chevron. They’ll want to join hands with Chairman Paul too.”

The amount that Yoo-hyun offered was actually not a big deal for Exxon Mobil.

But Paul Graham’s existence was different.

If he joined hands with Chevron, the second in the industry, it could be a threat to Exxon Mobil.

Peter Clark, who finished his calculation, nodded his head, suppressing his patience.

“Huh. Fine. Let’s hear what that plan is.”

“It’s something that Exxon Mobil has to do for us.”

“Like what?”

Peter Clark raised his voice impatiently.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

In the tense atmosphere like a thin ice, the sound of Yoo-hyun tapping the desk echoed.