DNO Reports Payment for Tawke Deliveries

By John Lee.

DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, has reported receipt of USD 69.03 million as payment for May 2018 crude oil deliveries to the export market from the Tawke license in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

The funds will be shared by DNO and partner Genel Energy plc pro-rata to the companies’ interests in the license.

Separately, a payment of USD 5.99 million has been received net to DNO, representing three percent of gross Tawke license revenues during May, as provided for under the August 2017 receivables settlement agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government.

DNO operates and has a 75 percent interest in the Tawke license, which contains the Tawke and Peshkabir fields.

Following regularization of export payments for Tawke license production since February 2016, the Company will no longer make monthly receipts announcements. The Company will instead update the market on export volumes and values as part of its quarterly financial reporting.

(Source: DNO)

DNO Presses Foot on Accelerator in Kurdistan

DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced plans for its first dividend distribution to shareholders in 13 years following release of strong half-year 2018 results, including revenues of USD 289 million which were up 83 percent from the same period last year. The Company also reported a net profit of USD 61 million and free cash flow of USD 142 million during the first half of the year.

“With growing production and robust and reliable revenues, the dividend announcement underscores confidence in our strong growth prospects,” said DNO’s Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani (pictured). “Kurdistan is back and so is DNO,” he added.

The Company continues to ramp up activity in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, where fast track development of the Peshkabir field is expected to boost output by another 15,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) to 50,000 bopd by yearend.

The Company, the most active driller in Kurdistan, has three rigs operating across its licenses with a fourth to be added next month.

Two rigs will be active at the flagship Tawke field to reverse natural field decline through workovers and the drilling of two wells in the main Cretaceous reservoir and two wells in the shallow Jeribe reservoir.

Operations will commence at the Baeshiqa license with another rig to be mobilized to spud the first well in September as part of a back-to-back, three-well exploration program. DNO acquired a 32 percent interest in and operatorship of the Baeshiqa license last year, joining ExxonMobil (32 percent), the Turkish Energy Company (16 percent) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (20 percent).

At Peshkabir, the fourth rig will spud Peshkabir-8 in 10 days followed by Peshkabir-9 in October. Early production and successful appraisal have raised previous field proven (1P) and proven and probable (2P) reserves. Two newly completed wells, Peshkabir-6 and Peshkabir-7, will commence testing by the end of this month before being placed on production. Peshkabir-6 is key to unlocking further Cretaceous and Triassic reserves.

“Peshkabir is proving prolific in production and has generated over USD 300 million in gross revenue since startup last year or three times the investment,” said Mr. Mossavar-Rahmani.

Elsewhere, DNO recently completed the sale of its Tunisia assets and relinquished Block SL18 in Somaliland as part of the Company’s ongoing rationalization of its portfolio through divestment of non-core assets and focus on expanding operations in Kurdistan and Norway.

Offshore Norway, the Company recently added six new exploration licenses for a total of 21 licenses and plans to participate in one exploration well in the fall, followed by at least five wells next year.

DNO retains indirect interests in North Sea assets through its 28.23 percent strategic stake in Faroe Petroleum plc and, given the size of its shareholding, will request seats on the board and has asked for an extraordinary general meeting to be called for this purpose.

DNO exited the second quarter with a cash balance of USD 584 million in addition to USD 288 million in marketable securities and treasury shares. The Company’s outstanding bond debt stands at USD 600 million.

The planned annual dividend distribution of NOK 434 million (USD 50 million equivalent), payable in two tranches, is subject to shareholder approval. To facilitate the distribution of the planned dividend, the DNO Board of Directors will convene an extraordinary general meeting on 13 September 2018 (i) to seek approval for payment of a dividend of NOK 0.2 per share in H2 2018 to be distributed to shareholders of record on 13 September 2018 (as registered in the VPS on 17 September 2018), and (ii) to seek authorization to approve an additional dividend payment of NOK 0.2 per share in H1 2019.

(Source: DNO)

Genel Energy Shares Rise on Increased Profits

Shares in Genel Energy jumped 12 percent on Tuesday morning after the firm announced increased profits in its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2018.

Murat Özgül, Chief Executive of Genel, said:

Genel continues to deliver on its focus. We are generating significant free cash flow, averaging over $10 million a month in the first half of 2018 and moving us rapidly towards a net cash position.

“The impressive performance we have seen at Peshkabir will further increase cash generation, and the ongoing appraisal success provides the potential for both production to exceed guidance and for proven and probable reserves to increase.

“Growing cash generation provides a solid bedrock from which we are able to pursue multiple growth opportunities, with Bina Bawi oil offering exciting potential within the Genel portfolio.

“With 11 wells currently drilling or to be drilled on our producing assets in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in H2 2018, of which eight are expected to be completed and adding to production by the end of the year, we are well positioned to both add value through the drill bit and further bolster our financial strength.”

Results summary ($ million unless stated)

H1

2018

H1

2017

FY

2017

Production (bopd, working interest) 32,100 37,100 35,200
Revenue 161.1 87.1 228.9
Net gain arising from the RSA 293.8
EBITDAX1 137.4 64.7 475.5
  Depreciation and amortisation (63.6) (45.7) (117.4)
  Exploration expense (0.5) (4.8) (1.9)
  Impairment of property, plant and equipment (58.2)
Operating profit 73.3 14.2 298.0
Cash flow from operating activities 125.1 114.2 221.0
Capital expenditure 34.1 41.0 94.1
Free cash flow2 70.1 54.6 99.1
Cash3 233.2 245.7 162.0
Total debt 300.0 422.8 300.0
Net debt4 63.8 158.3 134.8
Basic EPS (¢ per share) 21.3 8.4 97.1

 

  1. EBITDAX is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, exploration expense and impairment which is operating profit adjusted for the add back of depreciation and amortisation ($63.6 million), exploration expense ($0.5 million) and impairment of property, plant and equipment (nil)
  2. Free cash flow is net cash generated from operating activities less cash outflow due to purchase of intangible assets ($10.5 million) and purchase of property, plant and equipment ($29.5 million) and interest paid ($15.0 million)
  3. Cash reported at 30 June 2018 excludes $17.5 million of restricted cash
  4. Reported IFRS debt less cash

Highlights

  • Net working interest production averaged 32,100 bopd in H1 2018, in line with guidance
  • Peshkabir continues to exceed expectations, with the successful Peshkabir-4 and 5 wells boosting gross current field production to 35,000 bopd
    • Peshkabir-5 has successfully proved the westward extension of the field, with an increase in proven and probable reserves expectedto follow
  • Net working interest production currently c.35,500 bopd
  • $151 million of cash proceeds received in H1 2018 (H1 2017: $139 million), boosted by the impact of the Receivable Settlement Agreement and a higher oil price, with strong free cash flow generation of $70 million
  • Cash of $233 million at 30 June 2018 ($162 million at 31 December 2017)
  • Net debt of $64 million at 30 June 2018 ($135 million at 31 December 2017)

Outlook

  • 11 wells set to be under drilling operations across assets in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in H2 2018, with eight expected to be completed and contributing to production by the end of the year
  • Cash generation expected to remain strong in H2 2018, with monthly free cash flow of over $10 million
  • Genel expects to be in a net cash position around the end of 2018
  • Field development plan for Bina Bawi oil complete and set to be submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources, with Bina Bawi and Miran gas plans to also be submitted in H2 2018
  • 2018 guidance refined:
    • Production guidance of c.32,800 bopd reiterated, with the potential for this to be exceeded through an ongoing positive performance at Peshkabir and the resumption of drilling at Tawke and Taq Taq
    • Capital expenditure net to Genel is forecast to be $95-125 million (previously $95-140 million):

–          Tawke PSC and Taq Taq net to Genel of $70-80 million (previously $60-85 million), as work ramps up across both licences

–          Miran and Bina Bawi capex of $15-30 million (previously $25-40 million), as the work programme focuses on progression of the high-value oil opportunity at Bina Bawi

–          African exploration cost unchanged at$10-15 million, with the majority relating to seismic shooting offshore Morocco, which will be covered by restricted cash

–          Opex of c.$30 million and G&A of c.$15 million cash cost unchanged

More here.

(Source: Genel Energy)

DNO Picks Up Peshkabir Production in Kurdistan

DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced a two-thirds increase in production from the Peshkabir field in the Tawke license in the Kurdistan region of Iraq to 25,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) following completion of the Peshkabir-4 well testing program.

The well has been placed on production at a rate of 10,000 bopd through a 72/64″ choke with 790 psi wellhead pressure through temporary, capacity-constrained test facilities and the oil trucked to Fish Khabur for export.

The Peshkabir-4 well was designed as a high angle well to assess the central part of the structure four kilometers west of the Peshkabir-3 well and drilled to a measured depth of 3,525 meters, including a 1,150 meter extended reach reservoir section. A total of 11 zones were tested and flowed between 1,500 bopd and 7,000 bopd per zone.

The next well in the 2018 field development campaign, Peshkabir-5, has been drilled seven kilometers west of Peshkabir-3 and has successfully proved the westward extension of the field. Completed in June, it is currently undergoing final testing; a total of four zones have been tested so far and flowed between 4,000 bopd and 7,500 bopd per zone.

DNO will bring this well onstream in August and expects to reach and surpass its previously announced summer 2018 Peshkabir production target of 30,000 bopd.

“The pickup in Peshkabir production puts new meaning to the fast in fast track in development of this field by the DNO team,” said Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani, DNO’s Executive Chairman.  “And we expect Peshkabir to continue to surprise to the upside,” he added.

Two other wells, Peshkabir-6 and Peshkabir-7, are drilling ahead at 3,900 meters and 3,100 meters, respectively. Peshkabir-6, a near vertical well, will explore the field’s deeper Triassic formation and establish the Cretaceous oil/water contact level. Peshkabir-7 is a high angle producer well located between Peshkabir-4 and Peshkabir-5.

The Peshkabir field was brought on production in 2017 and two drilled wells last year, Peshkabir-2 and Peshkabir-3, have produced at a constant combined rate of around 15,000 bopd.

DNO operates and has a 75 percent interest in the Tawke license, which contains the Tawke and Peshkabir fields, with partner Genel Energy plc holding the remainder. Together, output from the two fields has averaged 106,000 bopd year-to-date.

(Source: DNO)

Genel, DNO, receive KRG Payment for March

By John Lee.

Genel Energy and DNO have said that the Tawke partners have received $62.19 million from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as payment for March 2018 crude oil deliveries to the export market from the Tawke licence.

Genel’s net share of the payment is $15.52 million.

The Taq Taq partners have received a gross payment of $6.20 million from the KRG for oil sales during March 2018; Genel’s net share of this payment is $3.41 million.

Genel has also received an override payment of $8.37 million from the KRG, representing 4.5% of Tawke gross licence revenues for the month of March 2018, as per the terms of the Receivable Settlement Agreement.

In total, Genel’s net share of payments relating to March 2018 exports totals $27.30 million.

(Source: Genel Energy)

Genel Energy Confirms KRG Payment

Genel Energy notes the announcement from DNO ASA, as operator of the Tawke PSC, that the Tawke partners have received $47.23 million from the Kurdistan Regional Government (‘KRG’) as payment for February 2018 crude oil deliveries to the export market from the Tawke licence. Genel’s net share of the payment is $11.81 million.

The Taq Taq partners have received a gross payment of $6.80 million from the KRG for oil sales during February 2018. Genel’s net share of the payment is $3.74 million.

The Company has also received an override payment of $6.85 million from the KRG, representing 4.5% of Tawke gross licence revenues for the month of February 2018, as per the terms of the Receivable Settlement Agreement.

Gross production from the Tawke licence stood at 111,618 bopd during February, of which only 102,999 bopd was exported due to a planned pipeline outage; the balance was placed into interim storage at Fishkhabur and exported the following month.

In total, Genel’s net share of payments relating to February 2018 exports totals $22.40 million.

(Source: Genel Energy)

Genel Energy receives Payment for January Sales

Genel Energy has announced that the Taq Taq partners have received a gross payment of $8.30 million from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for oil sales during January 2018. Genel’s net share of the payment is $4.57 million.

Genel also notes the announcement from DNO ASA, as operator of the Tawke PSC, that the Tawke partners have received $56.44 million from the KRG as payment for January 2018 crude oil deliveries to the export market from the Tawke licence. Genel’s net share of the payment is $14.07 million.

The Company has received an override payment of $7.86 million from the KRG, representing 4.5% of Tawke gross licence revenues for the month of January 2018, as per the terms of the Receivable Settlement Agreement.

In total, Genel’s net share of payments relating to January 2018 exports totals $26.50 million.

(Source: Genel Energy)

Genel Energy Returns to Profit

Genel Energy has announced a return to profit.

In its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2017, Murat Özgül (pictured), Chief Executive of Genel, said:

Another year of consistent payments by the KRG and a disciplined capital allocation strategy helped to generate material free cash flow in 2017. This was enhanced in the latter part of the year by the Receivable Settlement Agreement, from which Genel expects to generate sustainable and significant free cash flow going forward.

“The strong financial performance of 2017, and the promise of more to come, facilitated the successful refinancing in December, which solidified a significant improvement in the balance sheet and provides a strong platform for growth.

“We will continue with our strategy of maximising free cash flow as we focus investment on our producing assets, specifically on the Tawke PSC, where the performance of Peshkabir remains highly encouraging. Prudent expenditure will also be made on the other assets within our portfolio that provide material value creation opportunities.

“We will continue to construct the building blocks for value creation from Bina Bawi and Miran, while cost-effectively progressing our exploration assets in Africa.”

Results summary ($ million unless stated)

2017

2016

Production (bopd, working interest)

35,200

53,300

Revenue

228.9

190.7

EBITDAX1

475.5

130.7

  Depreciation and amortisation

(117.4)

(128.9)

  Exploration expense

(1.9)

(815.1)

  Impairment of property, plant and equipment

(58.2)

(218.3)

  Impairment of receivables

(191.3)

Operating profit / (loss)

298.0

(1,222.9)

Cash flow from operating activities

221.0

131.0

Capital expenditure

94.1

61.2

Free cash flow before interest2

141.8

59.1

Cash3

162.0

407.0

Total debt

300.0

674.6

Net debt4

134.8

241.2

Basic EPS (¢ per share)

97.1

(448.6)

1.     EBITDAX is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, exploration expense and impairment which is operating profit / (loss) adjusted for the add back of depreciation and amortisation ($117.4 million), exploration expense ($1.9 million) and impairment of property, plant and equipment ($58.2 million)

2.     Free cash flow before interest is net cash generated from operating activities less cash outflow due to purchase of intangible assets and purchase of property, plant and equipment (oil and gas assets only)

3.     Cash reported at 31 December 2017 excludes $18.5 million of restricted cash

4.     Reported debt less cash

Highlights

  • $263 million of cash proceeds received in 2017 (2016: $207 million), with strong free cash flow generation of $142 million (2016: $59 million)
  • Year-end net debt of $135 million, a 44% reduction year-on-year (2016: $241 million)
  • Year-end gross debt of $300 million, a 56% reduction year-on-year (2016: $675 million), with debt extended until 2022 and interest cost reduced by 40%
  • Receivable Settlement Agreement resulted in cash benefit of $26 million in Q4 2017
  • Focused capital allocation – 66% of capital expenditure was spent on cash-generative producing assets, and has been cost recovered
  • Drilling success at Peshkabir, with gross production rising to c.15,000 bopd at year-end
  • Taq Taq field production stabilised in H2 2017, with Q4 average of 14,035 bopd in line with Q3 average of 14,080 bopd
  • In January 2018 Bina Bawi and Miran CPRs confirmed c.45% uplift to gross 2C raw gas resources to 14.8 Tcf

Outlook

  • Combined net production from the Tawke and Taq Taq PSCs during 2018 is expected to be close to Q4 2017 levels of 32,800 bopd, unchanged from previous guidance
  • Genel expects to continue the generation of material free cash flow in 2018
  • Tangible steps to be taken to further de-risk gas resources and unlock value from Bina Bawi and Miran, including the high-value oil resources
  • Capital allocation discipline to continue, with ongoing prioritisation of spend on cash-generative producing assets. Capital expenditure guidance unchanged at c.$95-140 million net to Genel
  • Opex and G&A cash cost guidance unchanged at c.$30 million and c.$15 million respectively

More here.

(Source: Genel Energy)

KRG pays Genel under Receivable Settlement Agreement

Genel Energy plc has announced that it has received an override payment of $7.05 million from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The payment represents 4.5% of Tawke gross field revenues for the month of November 2017, as per the terms of the Receivable Settlement Agreement. 

Taken together with the monthly entitlement payments for Taq Taq and Tawke announced yesterday, Genel’s net share of payments relating to November 2017 exports totals $26.81 million.

(Source: Genel Energy)

Genel Updates on Oil Reserves

By John Lee.

Genel Energy has announced the completion of competent person’s reports (‘CPRs’) relating to the oil reserves and resources at Taq Taq, Bina Bawi, and Miran.

McDaniel and Associates have updated the CPR relating to the Taq Taq field (Genel 44% working interest, joint operator).

RPS Energy Consultants Ltd. (‘RPS’), as part of its work on the updated CPRs for the Bina Bawi and Miran West fields (Genel 100% and operator), has finalised its evaluation of the oil resources at both fields.

Murat Özgül (pictured), Chief Executive of Genel, said:

“The 40% replacement of 1P reserves at Taq Taq follows the success of well TT-29w, and reflects the stability in cash-generative production that we have seen from the field in the second half of 2017. The significant increase in high-value Bina Bawi 2C oil resources offers a tangible opportunity for near-term value creation.”

Taq Taq oil reserves

Taq Taq gross 2P reserves as of 31 December 2017 are estimated by McDaniel at 54.7 MMbbls, compared to 59.1 MMbbls as of 28 February 2017, with the difference being production in the intervening period, partly offset by a small upward technical revision.

The CPR results in a 12% reserves replacement for 2P and 40% reserves replacement at the higher confidence 1P level as a result of stabilising production and the integration of well TT-29w. A reconciliation from the reserves reported in the CPR released in February 2017 to the updated estimates in the CPR published today, is shown in the following table:

Gross oil reserves (MMbbls – McDaniel)

1P

2P

3P

28 February 2017

25.8

59.1

95.0

Production

(5.0)

(5.0)

(5.0)

Technical revisions

2.0

0.6

0.1

31 December 2017

22.8

54.7

90.1

Bina Bawi and Miran oil resources

Bina Bawi gross 2C light (c.45◦ API) oil resources as of 31 December 2017 are estimated by RPS at 37.1 MMbbls, compared to 13 MMbbls as of July 2013. The increase reflects higher recovery factors than initially estimated due to integrating learnings from analogue carbonate fields of similar oil quality. As the high-quality Bina Bawi oil is in close proximity to export infrastructure, the field represents a potentially attractive near-term development candidate for the Company.

Miran West gross 2C heavy (c.15◦ API) oil resources as of 31 December 2017 are estimated by RPS at 23.7 MMbbls, compared to 52 MMbbls as of April 2013. Volumes have reduced as RPS has adjusted its view on the oil water contact uncertainty range and also adjusted its view on reservoir properties, including data from MW-5 drilled in July 2013.

Because of field experience at Taq Taq, Genel management has taken the view that it is unlikely that any matrix will contribute to primary depletion at Miran and, as such, has taken a more conservative view and will only record 18.5 MMbbls of viable 2C contingent resources at the field.

Gross 2C Contingent Resources oil (MMbbls – RPS)

2013

31 December 2017

Bina Bawi

12.9

37.1

Miran West

52.0

23.7

Appendix

Summary of Contingent Resources – Development unclarified (Gross 100% working interest basis) attributable to the Bina Bawi and Miran West fields as of 31 December 2017.

Gross (100% WI) Contingent Resources

Gross (100% WI) Contingent Resources

Bina Bawi

Oil (MMbbls – RPS)

Miran West

Oil (MMbbls – RPS)

1C

15.2

1C

6.1

2C

37.1

2C

23.7

3C

78.4

3C

67.6

(Source: Genel Energy)