TheCable

Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, a Nigerian independent oil and gas exploration and production company, says its proved and probable (2P) reserves rose by 71 percent in 2015.

Despite the challenging business environment in 2015, the company had what it called the “best-in-class” production growth.

Presenting its audited full-year 2015 results at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Austin Avuru, Seplat’s chief executive officer and Roger Brown, its chief financial officer said its contingent resources (2C) rose to 98 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe).

“Total reserves were reported as 578 MMboe. Average working interest production during 2015 averaged 43,372 boepd, ahead of guidance and up 41% year-on-year,” the company said.

“Within this, oil and condensate production accounted for 29,003 bopd (up 20% year-on-year) and natural gas production was 86 MMscfd (up 119% year-on-year).

“All of the natural gas production was supplied to the domestic market. In a significant step forward for its gas business, during mid-year 2015, Seplat successfully completed and commissioned the Oben gas plant phase I expansion.

“This expansion saw the Company’s overall gross processing capacity double to 300 MMscfd. The Oben gas plant phase II expansion is underway with additional processing modules ordered.

“Once installed, the additional processing modules will take gross processing capacity to an expected minimum level of 525 MMscfd. Alongside the significant increase in gas production, the positive financial impact of Seplat’s gas business was evident as revenues from gas sales increased 185% year-on-year to US$77 million.”

Although production was up year-on-year, the significantly lower oil price realisation and downtime of third party operated infrastructure adversely impacted Seplat’s revenue more than offsetting the increased contribution of the gas business.

Consequently, gross revenue for the full-year stood at US$570 million, down 26% year-on-year, the company said.

“Net profit for 2015 stood at US$67 million and cash flow from operations before movements in working capital stood at US$190 million against capital investments of US$152 million.

“Cash at bank and net debt at year end stood at US$326 million and US$573 million, respectively. At the end of 2015, the net NPDC receivables balance stood at US$435 million, down from US$463 million at the end of 2014.”

The board of directors of Seplat is recommending a final dividend of US$0.04 per share, bringing the total dividend payment for 2015 to US$0.08 per share.

Subject to the approval of the shareholders, the final dividend will be paid on or shortly after the AGM, which is scheduled to hold on 1 June 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria.

For 2016, the company said it has set full year production guidance at 41,000 to 48,000 boepd and expects its capital expenditures to be around US$130 million.

Avuru said Seplat acted quickly and decisively in response to the weak oil price environment, adjusting work programme and cost structures.

“Against a bleak industry backdrop, we remained profitable with a strong balance sheet underpinning us. Having started the year strongly, our 2016 full year production expectation has been impacted by the current shut-in of the Forcados terminal,” he said.