Seplat Energy’s 2023 9month gross profit rises to N245.6bn

Seplat Energy Plc, a Nigerian independent energy company listed both on the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the London Stock Exchange, has recorded a rise in revenue by 31 per cent to N478.1 billion from N258.7 billion year-on-year. The company also declared a third quarter 2023 dividend of US3 cents per share, in line with higher core annual dividend of US 12 cents.

The energy Company in its unaudited results for the nine months ended 30 September 2023 also grew its gross profit to N245.6 billion from N118.5 billion year-on-year while production during the period averaged 48,152 boepd, up 11 per cent on with liquids production up 17 per cent.

Operations benefited from improved uptime at Forcados Oil Terminal and availability of the Amukpe-Escravos pipeline, supporting strong revenue, modestly offset by higher costs. Robust cash generation further strengthened the balance sheet.

Seplat Energy achieved more than 6.4 million hours without Lost Time Injury (LTI) at Seplat-operated assets. The Company expressed increasing confidence that President Tinubu’s administration will approve its acquisition of ExxonMobil’s share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU).

 Revenue up 31.0 per cent to $810.4 million (including an overlift of $127.8m) from $618.6 million in the third quarter of 2022 (including an underlift of $60.3 million). Adjusted revenue was flat YoY as improved production mitigated lower oil price realisations.

Average realised oil price $82.76/bbl (9M 2022: $108.25/bbl); average gas price improved to $2.87/Mscf (9M 2022: $2.80/Mscf).

Unit production opex of $9.7/boe, (9M 2022: $9.3/boe).

Cash generation of $365.1 million, flat YoY, funding capex of $125.4 million.
Balance sheet strengthened in the quarter, $391.0 million cash at bank (9M 2022: $305 million), $128 million MPNU cash deposit not included.

Net debt at end September fell to $347.6 million (9M 2022: $452.2 million), a further $11 million of RBL borrowings were repaid in the third quarter of 2023 ($22 million YTD). Net Debt to TTM EBITDA improved to 0.9x.

Production increased to 48,152 boepd, up 11 per cent (9M 2022: 43,337 boepd), slightly down in the first half of 2023 given outages on export infrastructure in the third quarter. Group production deferment at 31 per cent down from 37 per cent in the same period last year.
Issues with the Antan-Ebocha line were resolved allowing production to resume at the Jisike field (OML53) in August.

ANOH first gas now expected in the third quarter of 2024. Further delays during construction of the project, particularly the two critical infrastructure projects managed by third parties: OB3 pipeline and Spur line.

Carbon emissions intensity: 26.0 kg CO2/boe. Three of four Sapele AG compressors have now been commissioned.

Achieved more than 6.4 million hours without Lost Time Injury (LTI) at Seplat-operated assets.
 Full year production guidance narrowed to 46-50 kboepd, inside the original guidance range of 45-55 kboepd, while full year capital expenditure guidance narrowed to $160-180 million, run rate capital expenditure in the fourth quarter of 2023 is expected to be modestly higher than the prior quarter due to project milestone payments.

Increasing confidence that President Tinubu’s administration will approve our acquisition of ExxonMobil’s share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU).

Commenting on the impressive results, Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy said: “Seplat Energy’s operational performance was strong in the third quarter, particularly September which mitigated some of the outages experienced on third party infrastructure and supported production growth of 11% on the same period in 2022.

“Our balance sheet remains strong and thanks to higher commodity pricing and our proactive approach to cash management, we have generated more than $170m in free cash flow year to date. Our focus for the rest of 2023 is on safe and reliable operations, revenue assurance and cost management, all of which will deliver further strengthening of our cash position. This keeps us on track for an excellent year that will support the increased quarterly dividends we announced in April and allow us to continue our commitment to reward shareholders.

“Following the serious incident on the Depthwize Majestic rig, which resulted in the tragic loss of life, we have provided significant support to Depthwize, its owner, in its recovery operation. Our own investigations are ongoing, but I can assure all stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety on all of our operations.

“Ongoing third-party delays to ANOH’s export infrastructure remain a source of frustration, but we are confident that the quality of the project will support dividend growth for Seplat in the coming years as we diversify the business and deliver on our strategy to provide more affordable energy for Nigeria.

“We remain confident that we can conclude our transformational acquisition of MPNU. We wholly align with and support President Tinubu’s efforts to make Nigeria a more attractive place to invest, and we will play our part by delivering affordable and reliable energy that will support our nation’s growth.”