– Revenue grows by 58.6% to N100.6bn
– Gross profit hits N48.8bn, rising by 122.3%
OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — Seplat Energy Plc has said its sales and Purchase Agreement to acquire Exxon’s shallow water operations in Nigeria, Mobil Producing Unlimited, Nigeria, MPNU remains on track and will be completed in the second half of this year.
In an operational statement on Thursday, the energy firm said the deal signed on 25th of February is awaiting “necessary” approval.
While announcing its unaudited results for the three months ended 31 March 2022, Seplat said it recorded a rise in profit before tax by 197.8 per cent to N34.7bn from N10.6bn year-on-year, adding that the company also generated cash from its operations to the tune of N74.4bn from N1.7bn year-on-year, rising by 197.8 percent.
It also grew its revenue by 58.6 percent to N100.6bn from N57.9bn year-on-year; as its gross profit soared to N48.8bn from N20.1bn year-on-year, rising by 122.3 percent.
Operational highlights
1- Strong safety record extended to 26.1 million hours without LTI from Seplat Energy operated assets
(2.0m hours in Q1 2022)
2- Working interest production averaged 47,603 boepd (liquids 29,079 bopd, gas 18,524 boepd)
3- Full-year guidance remains unchanged at 50-60 kboepd
4- Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline mechanically completed, all commercial terms have been agreed and are moving through counterparty approval processes for signature. Expected to be fully operational by end of Q2 2022.
5- Sibiri exploration well drilled and successful, data analysis underway, working with partner to secure regulatory approval for Extended Well Test
6- Decision to exit Ubima to focus on more profitable assets; agreement reached to sell Seplat Energy’s share to its JV partner for $55 million. 2P reserves reduce by 2 MMboe from 457mmboe to 455 MMboe.
Financial highlights
1- Revenues up 58.6% to $241.8 million
2- EBITDA up 81.6% to $147.4 million (adjusted for non-cash items)
3- Strong cash generation of $178.7 million, capex of $25.7 million
4- Strong balance sheet with $312.2 million cash at bank, net debt of $442.6 million
5- Q1 interim dividend of US2.5 cents per share.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, said; “Seplat Energy delivered a good quarter that benefited from higher oil pricing, which offset lower production owing to continuing problems with the Trans Forcados Pipeline. However, the alternative Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline is mechanically complete and once we have signed the commercial agreements, we expect Chevron to be lifting our oil through the Escravos Terminal in the third quarter.
“Our proposed acquisition of MPNU remains on course. We are awaiting the necessary approvals from government and regulators and expect the transaction to complete in the second half of this year. The effective date of 1 January 2021 means we will benefit from higher recent oil prices and as we have previously reported, the addition of MPNU will nearly treble our production and double our reserves on a pro forma 2020 basis. The acquisition will reinforce our leadership of Nigeria’s indigenous energy sector and enabling us to generate strong future cash flows that will underpin our investment in Nigeria’s energy transition and improve our overall stakeholder returns. It will also bring a significant undeveloped gas resource base which, alongside our ANOH gas project development, will underpin Nigeria’s energy transition and drive domestic and export revenues when developed.
“We announce the decision to divest the Group’s interest in the Ubima marginal field for a consideration of $55million, which marginally reduces the company’s 2P reserves by 2 MMboe to 455 MMboe.
“We have proven we have the financial strength and credibility to attract international finance into Nigeria’s energy sector and this will help us in our aim to deliver energy transition and provide cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy for Nigeria’s young and growing population.”
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