Rafael Vilagut

Consultant, Writer, and Director in San José, Curridabat, Costa Rica

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Energy Economics | Refining, Supply & Trading | Financial Advisory

San José, Costa Rica • WhatsApp: +506 6286 7655 • Email: [email protected]

Professional Summary

Energy professional with experience in refining economics, crude marketing, supply and trading analytics, and financial advisory.
Former contributor to PDVSA downstream competitiveness modeling and refinery netback valuation. Independent analyst and writer on energy, finance, institutions, and political economy.
More than 36 years of experience across oil & gas, banking, investments, insurance, real estate development, and capital markets in Latin America and Europe.

Core Competencies

  • Refining economics and crude valuation (netback analysis)
  • Crude supply & trading strategy
  • Energy market analysis and competitiveness modeling
  • Project economics and investment evaluation
  • Financial advisory, portfolio and risk management
  • Derivatives and financial instruments
  • Corporate governance and fiduciary structures
  • Real estate development and investment structuring
  • Economic and political analysis writing and research

Languages

  • Spanish – Native
  • English – Advanced (Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta)
  • Catalan – Intermediate
  • French – Basic
  • Portuguese – Basic

Education

  • M.Sc. Finance – Universidad Simón Bolívar / IESA, Caracas (1990)
  • Mechanical Engineer – Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela (Licensed CIV Caracas 39171)
  • Doctoral Studies in History – University of Costa Rica (2015–2016)

Certifications & Professional Training

  • Refining Economics Program – Arthur D. Little, Amuay-Cardón Refining Complex (1991)
  • Trading & Shipping Programs TR1, SP1, SP3 – Oxford Princeton Program / London (1994–1997)
  • SAP R/3 CRM FI/CO/MM – Andean & Caribbean SAP Programs (1999–2000)
  • European Social Fund – Business Creation & Management, Barcelona Activa (2004)
  • Investment Funds, Pensions & Insurance – Citibank Spain Compliance (2004–2009)
  • Financial Derivatives Certification – Bolcomer (2024)
  • Corporate Governance – INCAE Business School (2025)
  • Trust Accounting & Fiduciary Roles – University of Costa Rica (2025)
  • Authorized Financial Advisor Partner – Royal Sterling Group (2025–2026)

Professional Experience

Energy & Oil Industry Experience

  • PDVSA Refining, Supply & Trading – crude competitiveness analysis and refinery netback modeling
  • Shell Chemical Venezuela & Spray Química – downstream industrial operations
  • TotalEnergies (Paris) – industry collaboration
  • Bahamas Oil Terminal (Freeport) – commercial operations
  • PetroChina / CNPC-Soresco – regional energy collaboration
  • Vepica Integrated Projects – energy engineering projects
  • National Supply (Aramco supplier) – industrial supply support

Financial & Advisory Experience

  • Investment Advisor – Citibank Spain (registered with Banco de España)
  • Financial advisory in treasury, banking, insurance, pensions, securities markets and derivatives
  • Risk coverage, structured contracts, and asset tokenization advisory
  • Crypto mining financial advisory – MineBest (Poland/Kazakhstan/China)

Real Estate Development

  • Development and sale of 400+ residential units (1985–2007)
  • Luxury condominiums and commercial real estate projects in Venezuela and Costa Rica
  • Ultra‑luxury condominium fiduciary projects – Costa Rica (2025–Present)

European Commercial Experience

  • Commercial Director – Muepro Barcelona (2003–2004)
  • Commercial Director Spain – Koopwoning Vastgoed BV (Netherlands/Spain) (2004–2006)
  • Tourism Commercial Director – Barcelona City Council & Barcelona Activa (2008)

Publications & Media

Independent author and essayist on energy, finance and political economy. Gold Galatea Award (2022).
Author of books including “How Is a President Manufactured?” and “When Power Becomes Personal.”
Contributor to CentralAmericaData and Semanario Universidad.
Educational content creator and analyst on finance and institutional economics.

Professional Links

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vilagut/
  • Academia.edu: https://ucr.academia.edu/RafaelVilagut
  • X (Twitter): https://x.com/vilagutr