Energy
Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 2:24 pm EDT
Key Points
- Operational Performance in Q1 2024:
- Oil production averaged 21.9 mbbls/d during Q1 2024, representing a 14% increase from Q4 2023.
- Scheduled maintenance was conducted safely and within planned time and budget on Manora and Jasmine production facilities.
- Price realizations averaged US$84.6/bbl, with a US$1.5/bbl premium over Brent.
- Revenue amounted to US$149.4 million, and cash at bank reached US$193.6 million with no debt.
- Financial and Production Outlook:
- Valeura reiterates its full year 2024 production guidance outlook of 21.5 – 24.5 mbbls/d.
- Oil sales totaled 1.8 million bbls, and crude oil inventory increased by 31% to 0.9 million bbls by the end of Q1 2024.
- The company’s cash balance increased despite cash outflows, including operating costs and capital spending, remaining within guidance expectations.
- Price realizations continue to meet or slightly exceed management’s guidance outlook.
- Upcoming Operations and Results:
- An exploration drilling campaign is ongoing, and an update will be provided shortly.
- Later in April 2024, Valeura plans to mobilize its drilling rig to the Nong Yao field to commence a development drilling campaign.
- Full unaudited financial and operating results for Q1 2024 will be released on May 9, 2024, followed by a management webcast during the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders.
Valeura Energy Inc. has provided an update on Q1 2024 operations.
Highlights for Q1 2024
- Oil production averaged 21.9 mbbls/d, quarter exit rate of approximately 23.0 mbbls/d(1);
- Scheduled maintenance conducted safely and under planned time and budget on Manora and Jasmine production facilities;
- Price realisations of US$84.6/bbl, a US$1.5/bbl premium over Brent;
- Revenue of US$149.4 million while oil inventory increased 31% to 0.9 million bbls; and
- Cash at bank of US$193.6 million, no debt;
(1) Working interest share oil production, before royalties.
Sean Guest, President and CEO commented:
“I am pleased to share highlights of our Q1 2024 operational performance with production performance up 14% from Q4 2023 and very much in line with our plan. The increased production reflects strong performance of the new wells at the Wassana field, but was slightly offset by shutdowns for scheduled maintenance at two of our fields to ensure ongoing world class standards for integrity. We exited the quarter with aggregate production rates of approximately 23.0 mbbls/d.
Our financial performance has been strong too. With price realisations at or slightly above our guidance outlook, we generated Q1 2024 revenue of US$149.4 million. After accounting for cash outflows, including spending which is tracking our guidance assumptions, the result was a further build in our cash position to US$193.6 million. Our balance sheet is going from strength to strength, and we feel it is appropriate to stay the course and to build even more resilience as we seek out value-accretive opportunities both within our portfolio and through potential mergers and acquisitions.
We are in a strong position at the close of Q1 and look forward to translating that strength into value through our exploration drilling campaign, followed by our development of the Nong Yao C accumulation thereafter, and further organic projects later in the year.”
Q1 2024 Update
Production averaged 21.9 mbbls/d during Q1 2024 (Valeura’s working interest share, before royalties), an increase of 14% over Q4 2023. Q1 2024 average production rates were affected by planned downtime at the Jasmine and Manora fields for scheduled maintenance, which was conducted safely and under the planned time and budget. By the end of the quarter, maintenance work had been completed and all fields were in operation, with aggregate rates of approximately 23.0 mbbls/d. Overall production performance has been in line with management’s plan, and accordingly, Valeura is pleased to re-iterate its full year 2024 production guidance outlook of 21.5 – 24.5 mbbls/d.
Oil sales totalled 1.8 million bbls, during Q1 2024, slightly below the 2.0 million bbls sold during Q4 2023, due to the timing of liftings. At the end of the quarter, the Company held crude oil inventory of 0.9 million bbls, a 31% increase over the end Q4 2023 inventory. It is expected that this increased inventory will be sold in Q2 2024.
Price realisations averaged US$84.6/bbl during Q1 2024, reflecting a US$1.5/bbl premium over the Brent crude oil benchmark, which averaged US$83.1/bbl. Consistent with 2023, price realisations have continued to meet or slightly exceed management’s guidance outlook of approximate parity with the Brent benchmark.
Oil revenue during Q1 2024 was US$149.4 million. After accounting for outflows of cash during the quarter, including operating costs and capital spending in line with the Company’s guidance expectations, the Company’s cash at bank balance had increased to US$193.6 million at March 31, 2024, which includes US$17.3 million held as restricted cash. Valeura has no debt.
All of the Company’s guidance outlook expectations for 2024 are again confirmed.
Category 2024 Guidance Production 21.5 - 24.5 mbbls/d Price realisations Approximately equivalent to the Brent crude oil benchmark Opex(1) US$205 - 235 million Capex(2) US$135 - 155 million Exploration Expense Approximately US$8 million
(1) Represents Adjusted Opex, a Non-IFRS financial measure. For details refer to the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Ratios” section with the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, dated March 26, 2024.
(2) Represents Adjusted Capex, a Non-IFRS financial measure. For details refer to the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Ratios” section with the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, dated March 26, 2024.
Operations Update
Valeura provided an operations update on March 26, 2024, along with its announcement of results for Q4 and the full year 2023. Since that time, the Company has been conducting an exploration drilling campaign, and will provide an update shortly. Thereafter, later in April 2024, Valeura intends to mobilise its sole contracted drilling rig to the Nong Yao field to commence a development drilling campaign on the Nong Yao C accumulation targeting production rates from the greater Nong Yao area to 11.0 mbbls/d (working interest share, before royalties).
Results Timing and AGM
Valeura intends to release its full unaudited financial and operating results for Q1 2024 on May 9, 2024, and will discuss the results in more detail through a management webcast hosted in conjunction with its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “meeting”) later that day. The notice of meeting and related Management’s Information Circular have been mailed to shareholders and are available on the Company’s website and on www.sedarplus.ca.
About the Company
Valeura Energy Inc. is a Canadian public company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Thailand and in Turkiye. The Company is pursuing a growth-oriented strategy and intends to re-invest into its producing asset portfolio and to deploy resources toward further organic and inorganic growth in Southeast Asia. Valeura aspires toward value accretive growth for stakeholders while adhering to high standards of environmental, social and governance responsibility.
We seek Safe Harbor.
