Seplat Energy Plc, a leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, announces its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2021.
Highlights
Operational
Working-interest oil and gas production within guidance at 50,786 boepd
Liquids production of 30,028 bopd in H1 2021
Gas production up 21% to 120 MMscfd.
Oben-50 and 51 gas wells completed in the period and producing
Safety record extended to more than 20.5 million man hours without LTI on Seplat-operated western assets
First liftings from Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline expected Q4 2021
Financial
Revenue up 32% to $308.8 million
EBITDA of $178.9 million
Cash generated from operations $125.8 million
Cash at bank $298.8 million, net debt of $456.4 million
Successful issue of $650 million 7.75% senior notes to redeem existing $350 million 9.25% senior notes and repay $250 million drawn on $350 million RCF
Refinanced $100 million Westport RBL facility; raised a $50 million offtake linked to the RBL in July
Total capital expenditure of $57.5 million
Corporate Actions
Interim dividend of US2.5 cents per share in line with Seplat's quarterly dividend distribution timetable
Mr. Damian Dodo, SAN, and Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, both Independent Non-Executive Directors retired from the Board; replaced by Prof. Fabian Ajogwu and Mr. Bello Rabiu effective July 9, 2021.
Corporate updates
Name changed to Seplat Energy Plc to reflect evolving strategy
ANOH project now fully funded following successful $260 million debt issue
Outlook
Expected production unchanged at 48-55 kboepd for full year, subject to market conditions
Capex now expected to be $180 million for the full year
ANOH project remains on track for H1 2022 first gas
4.0 MMbbls hedged at $35-$50/bbl for H2 2021
Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, said:
"Seplat continues to deliver a robust performance despite the ongoing pandemic. Our second-quarter volumes were significantly higher that the first three months and we remain confident of a good outcome to the year as we drive improvements across our operations.
The strength of our balance sheet was demonstrated in March when we were able to refinance at considerably lower cost through the issue of $650 million senior notes. We have since committed to quarterly dividend payments providing more frequent returns to shareholders. For the second quarter, we have declared a dividend of US2.5 cents per share.
In May we announced a change of name to Seplat Energy, reflecting our belief that we must diversify our business so we can offer the optimal mix of energy for Nigeria's future needs. Having established ourselves as one of Nigeria's most successful indigenous independent oil and gas companies, we will now build on that strong base and accelerate our domestic gas business, expanding along the gas value chain into LPG and CNG. As part of Nigeria's energy transition, we will selectively target opportunities in gas to power and solar energy, critical to providing an alternate to expensive diesel generated electricity".
Outlook for 2021
For 2021 we expect to produce an average of 48,000 - 55,000 boepd, taking into account the impact of OPEC+ quotas. We continue to hedge against oil price volatility and expect a higher proportion of revenues to come from long-term gas contracts at stable prices.
We have significant cash resources and will continue to manage our finances prudently in 2021, expecting to invest more than $180 million of capital expenditure across the full year, with $57 million already invested. We remain confident that our ongoing cost-cutting initiatives and prudent management of cash will enable further reductions in debt, whilst supporting dividend payments and investment for growth.
Following its successful funding, the completion of the ANOH project remains a major priority and we expect this to be achieved in H1 2022, at lower cost than originally estimated at FID.
Name change to Seplat Energy PLC
The proposed change of name to Seplat Energy Plc was approved by the Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on 20 May 2021 and all the necessary legal requirements to effect the name change have been completed at the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission. The Company's ticker, Legal Entity Identifier and other identification codes remain unchanged.
The change of name reflects Seplat Energy's desire to lead Nigeria's transition to lower-carbon and renewable energy. It will be accompanied by a rebranding exercise expected to be completed in time for the Seplat Energy Summit scheduled for September 2021.
Q2 2021 interim dividend
Following a review of Seplat's dividend policy, the Board has approved a Q2 2021 interim dividend of US2.5 cents per share (subject to appropriate WHT) to be paid to shareholders whose names appear in the Register of Members as at the close of business on 12th August 2021.