Mar 6 (Lagos) - Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc. (
SEPLAT ) reported its full-year 2017 result last week. In contrast to prior year masked by losses, the company returned to profitability, with a robust cash flow position.
Much of this recovery reflected the lifting of force majeure on the Trans-Forcados pipeline, higher crude oil prices, lower operating cost, and more importantly a sizable tax credit which drove overall profit. For context, while the company reported PBT of $43.9 million, net deferred tax credit of $221.2 million supported PAT of $265.2 million.
Deferred tax credit amplifies earnings.
Seplat reported deferred tax credit of $221 million relating to previously unrecognized tax losses in FY 2016 and H1 2017. Specifically, given available taxable profits, management of Seplat decided to utilize the tax losses to offset possible taxable profit.
Consequently, the company’s deferred tax assets of $224 million was recognized for these losses – out of which $76 million relates to tax losses of $71 million and $47 million in FY 2016 and H1 2017 respectively. In our view, the balance of $148 million relates to allowances entitled during the pioneer tax period, as during this period, the company was unable to utilize tax allowances, so they were accrued and released when the incentive ended.
Oil volumes beats estimate.
Supported by return to normalcy, oil volumes expanded by 77% YoY to 17.9bpd while gas volumes expanded 20% YoY to 114 MMscfd, in line with management guidance. Uptime on the Trans Forcados post lifting of force majeure was 81%, higher than our estimate of 75.
Consequently, total working interest production printed at 36.9kbopd (2016: 25.9kbopd). Revenue was up 78% YoY to $453 million. Oil sales came in at $328 million (121% YoY) and gas at $123 million (17.6% YoY). Operating profit of $130 million and PBT of $44 million. Cash flow momentum provided further bright spot, with operating cash flow at $447 million (2016: $172 million) and net debt of $141 million (2016: $516 million). NPDC receivables profile declined to $34.4 million (2016: $69.8 million) – as the impairment loss on NPDC receivables were reversed (2016: $10.3 million impairment loss recognised).
Management Update. At the conference call last week, management gave the following update.
I. Successfully concluded the “over-subscribed” one-year extension of revolving credit facility. Concluded a one-year extension until 31 December 2018 and amended to amortise the principal balance of $150 million in five equal instalments commencing Q4 2017.
II. Escravos alternate export pipeline anticipated to be fully commissioned and operational in Q3 2018. Delay is due to HSE certification on the contract. Access to three separate export routes at its western assets and two at its eastern assets providing adequate redundant capacity will significantly de-risk distribution of oil production to market
III. ANOH project set to be a major driver of growth for the gas business – FID expected in H1 2018. Moving towards FID at large scale ANOH project in alignment with partners
IV. Hedging Strategy. 2017 hedging of 3.69mbbls at a combined weighted average strike price of $48.38/bbl. H1 2018 hedging of 3.6mbbls at $40.0/bbl., and H2 2018 hedging of 3.00mbbls at $50.0/bbl.
reporting for easykobo.com on Tuesday, March 6 2018 from Lagos, Nigeria
Source - analysts at ARM SECURITIES LIMITED. THIS ARTICLE PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHT OF ARM SECURITIES LIMITED AND NOT TO BE REPRODUCED OR REPRINTED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ARM SECURITIES LIMITED.
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