A positive ops update from Savannah Energy demonstrates continued impressive progress in Nigeria with record cash collections and production, additional cost reductions and declining net debt. It has also revised favourably one of its gas sales agreements, which is accretive to short and medium-term cash flow. Our risked-NAV and price target rise 6% as a result, to 52p/sh.
Companies: Savannah Energy Plc
Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC LN)C; Target: 6.7p: Exploration well spudded in the Bahamas - Drilling of the Perseverance #1 well has commenced. The well is anticipated to take 45 - 60 days to complete. Perseverance #1 is targeting P50 prospective oil resources of 0.77 bnbbl, with an upside of 1.44 bnbbl. Our unriksed NAV for the well is 15.3p per share (ReNAV of 3.8p per share) assuming 0.77 bnbbl. These numbers also assume that BPC retains only 25% of the value of the discovery – retention of a higher stake increases this value pro rata. ________________________________________ AMERICAS Parex Resources (PXT CN): Share buyback programme – Parex is launching a buy back programme for up to 10% of its share capital. Westmount Energy (WTE LN): Update in Guyana – Westmount has acquired 250,000 shares in JHI Associates for US$0.4 mm. Westmount now holds ~ 7.2% of JHI. JHI’s main asset is a 17.5% carried interest in the Canje Block with ExxonMobil as operator. It is anticipated that the first well in the Canje drilling campaign, Bulletwood-1, will be spudded around YE20, with additional wells to follow-on in 1H21. ASIA PACIFIC Cairn Energy (CNE LN): Award in India in Cairn’s favour –The tribunal ruled unanimously that India had breached its obligations to Cairn under the UK-India Bilateral Investment Treaty and has awarded to Cairn damages of US$1.2 bn plus interest and costs. EUROPE ADX Energy (ADX AU)C: Access and Tariff Agreement with RAG in Austria – ADX has agreed terms with RAG to access RAG’s processing and transportation infrastructure in Upper Austria. This reduces development capex requirements and reduce the minimum size required for a discovery to be commercial. ConocoPhillips (COP US): Discovery in Norway - ConocoPhillips has discovered 75-200 mmboe at the Slagulge prospect in the Norwegian Sea. Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA/B LN): 4Q20 update – 4Q20 oil and gas production is expected to be between 3,175 3,290 boe/d. Serinus Energy (SENX LN): Operational update - The Moftinu–1008 well is expected to be spudded in January 2021. The Sancrai–1 exploration well located approximately 7 km to the south west of Moftinu is expected to be drilled in 2Q21. SSE Selling UK North Sea assets – SSE is selling a package of North Sea assets with 15,000 boe/d (FY21e) production to Viaro for £120 mm. SSE’s package includes non-operated stakes in 15 producing fields in three areas of the UK continental shelf, including 20% of Total’s Greater Laggan Area (GLA), west of Shetland. It has interests ranging from 22-50% in fields in the Bacton catchment area and 29-50% in the Easington area. The transaction between Viaro and SSE is made up of £25 mm in cash, payable at completion, with the remainder forming a loan repayable over three years. An additional £40 mm is payable depending on forward gas prices. SSE will pay 60% of the decommissioning costs. Viaro is selling its stakes in the Greater Brae Area to a company owned by the emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates for US$1. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Vaalco Energy (EGY LN/US): No pre-emption on acquisition of additional interests in Etame Marin – The other joint owners in the Etame Marin block have not exercised their pre-emptive rights to acquire Sasol’s 27.8% WI in the Gabonese licence. However, in Block DE-8 offshore Gabon, Perenco, has exercised its preferential rights and, as a result, Perenco is acquiring Sasol's 40% non-operated participating interest. The maximum future contingent payments by Vaalco under the acquisition agreement have been reduced from US$6 mm to US$5 mm. Savannah Energy (SAVE LN): Update in Nigeria – Gross production in the year-to-date period ended 30 November 2020 was 19.2 mboe/d. At the end of November, Savannah held US$96.6 mm in cash and had net debt of US$419.7 mm. Savannah has revised its FY20 administrative and operating costs guidance from US$68-72 mm to US$43-47 mm and its capex guidance from US$45 mm to US$8-10 primarily due to rescheduling of the capital expenditure programme and the deferral of drilling a new gas production well on the Uquo field. The contracted volumes to be delivered to Lafarge are reduced from 38.7 to 24.2 mmcf/d. In return for this reduction , the revised GSA includes an advance payment of US$20 mm and a prepayment structure over the period to 2027, which effectively results in a gas price of US$7.50/mcf on take-or-pay volumes during this period. EVENTS TO WATCH NEXT WEEK
Companies: SAVE EGY COP BPC ADX CNE PXT RDSA SEN
A positive update from Savannah Energy which continues to deliver strong progress in Nigeria with record cash collections and production, additional cost reductions and declining net debt. It has also revised favourably one of its gas sales agreements, which is accretive to short and medium-term cash flow. We need to update our forecasts, but expect these announcements to benefit near-term cash flow and our risked-NAV.
Amur Minerals* (AMC LN) – Kun Manie TEO progress report | Beowulf Mining* (BEM LN) – In-depth geophysical survey at Viti identifies drill targets | Cardinal Resources (CDV AU) – Third bidder enters the fray for Namdini | Panthera Resources (PAT LN) – Resumption of exploration at Kalaka | Savannah Resources* (SAV LN) – Permitting update on Mina do Barroso | Vast Resources* (VAST LN) – First Baita Plai concentrate shipment | Zamare Minerals* (Private) - Zamare Assays 15.8% Copper Mineralisation on its Dongwe licence in Zambia
Companies: AMC BEM CDV PAT SAVE VAST
Savannah’s acquisition of a key strategic Nigerian gas asset with strong growth potential has been ignored by the market. Its significant exploration success in Niger has also gone unrewarded. Delivery of the strong free cash flow potential these assets offer will re-rate the shares, which are materially undervalued. Management’s tenacity in getting the Seven Energy acquisition across the line alongside the impressive early progress with the acquired assets should give investors confidence. We initiate with a Buy rating and risked-NAV based price target of 49p/sh.
AEX Gold Inc (AEXG LN) – Development progress | Amur Minerals* (AMC LN) – Loading of first iron ore for shipment at the Roper Bar Project | Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ LN) - BUY, 200p – Updated resources and reserves extend life of mine at Gedabek | Arkle Resources* (ARK LN) – Identification of additional gold targets in Donegal | Beowulf Mining* (BEM LN) – Drone survey completed at Mitrovica | Castillo Copper (CCZ LN) – Copper soil anomalies extended at Mkushi | KEFI Gold and Copper (KEFI LN) – Q4 drilling launched at Hawiah with first hole extending Camp Lode mineralisation from 300m to 440m down dip | Savannah Resources* (SAV LN) – Completion of Oman divestment | Yamana Gold (AUY LN) – C$152m acquisition of Wasamac project in Quebec
Companies: AEX AMC AAZ ARK BEM CCZ KEFI SAVE YRI
Altus Strategies* (ALS LN) – BUY – 132p (from 115p) – Good Diba metallurgical testwork points to better project economics | Atalaya Mining (ATYM LN) – Feasibility study on new cathode production technology | Chaarat Gold* (CGH LN) – BUY – Robust Q3 results with FY20 guidance reiterated | Empire Metals* (EEE LN) – Gold grades from drilling at Eclipse indicate potential for further discovery | Gem Diamonds (GEMD LN) – Improving diamond prices from Letšeng | KAZ Minerals (KAZ LN) – Nova Resources to buy Kaz Minerals in £3bn deal | Rainbow Rare Earths* (RBW LN) – Results | Savannah Resources* (SAV LN) – Advances on the Mina do Barroso lithium project | Trans-Siberian Gold (TSG LN) – High grade drilling results from V25 to potentially upgrade Asacha resource
Companies: ALS ATYM CGH EEE GEMD KAZ RBW SAVE TSG
PetroTal (PTAL LN/TAL CN)C; Target price £0.45 per share: Resumption of production - PetroTal has recommenced production at Bretana with current production of 11 mbbl/d. This followed multiple agreements between the Peruvian government and local communities. Although the export pipeline is not open yet, Petroperu has been carrying out maintenance activities. The government is expecting the pipeline to be re-opened in time to receive Bretana’s oil production. Meanwhile PetroTal is also selling ~1.3 mbbl/d to Iquitos. We view the resumption of production as an important step, demonstrating the support of the local communities. This is encouraging for the forthcoming re-opening of the export pipeline. We have factored in our forecasts the delays associated with the prolonged shut-in with only one development well to be drilled in 4Q20 boosting production from December. With an inventory of eight new oil wells to develop the 2P reserves, we anticipate the company to ramp-up development activities in 2021. We are currently assuming FY21 cash capex of US$40 mm (including the repayment of payables) to grow production to ~14 mbbl/d by YE21 (12.5 mbbl/d in average over 2021). Assuming production of just ~10 mbbl/d during 4Q20, this would lead to FY20 operating cash flow (before working capital movement) of ~US$30 mm (including ~US$15 mm in 4Q20), resulting in EV/DACF multiples of ~4x in 2020. On only ~12.5 mbbl/d production in 2021, we estimate EV/DACF of ~1x at US$48/bbl. Our Core NAV for the company at a Brent price of US$45/bbl (flat, no escalation) and 12.5 mbbl/d production in 2021 (declining thereafter) is £0.25 per share, representing >120% upside to the current level. At US$50/bbl for Brent, our Core NAV would be £0.35 per share (x3.5 current level). IN OTHER NEWS ________________________________________ AMERICAS Bahamas Petroleum (BPC LN): Update in Trinidad and the Bahamas and US$12 mm placing– Drilling at the Perseverance #1 well in the Bahamas is expected to start in late 2020. The well is targeting recoverable P50 prospective oil resources of 0.77 bn bbl with an upside of 1.44 bn bbl. In Trinidad, the work programmes look to increase production from 400-450 bbl/dd to 500 bbl/d by YE20 and to 2,500 bbl/dd by YE21. In a separate statement, BPC indicated that the unrisked NPV10 of the Perseverance prospect is estimated at >US$2.5 bn at US$40/bbl. Bahamas Petroleum has also raised US$12 mm of new equity priced at 2p per share representing 30% discount to the previous close. The transaction to divest 100% WI in the Inniss-Trinity asset will not complete and BPC will retain the asset. Echo Energy (ECHO LN): 1H20 results – 1H20 production in Argentina was ~2,150 boe/d. The company held US$1.2 mm in cash at the end of the period with a loan of US$24.2 mm. Occidental Petroleum (OXY US): Selling Colombia onshore to Carlyle - Occidental Petroleum is selling its onshore assets in Colombia to Carlyle for US$825 mm. The Colombia assets sale includes the company’s operations and working interests in the Llanos Norte, Middle Magdalena and Putumayo Basins. Total (FP FP): Exiting Foz do Amazonas in Brazil – Total is transferring to Petrobras its equity interest in five exploration blocks in the Foz do Amazonas Basin, located 120 kilometers offshore Brazil. EUROPE Cairn Energy (CNE LN): 1H20 results – 1H20 net oil production was 22.4 mbbl/d. The company held US$84 mm in cash at the end of June and no debt. FY20 net production guidance has been set at 21-23 mbbl/d in the upper range of the previous guidance of 19-23 mbbl/d with US$135 mm capex. The company plans to pay a US$250 mm special dividend following the divestment in Senegal. A ruling on the India tax dispute continues to be expected after the summer. Equinor (EQNR NO): Discovery in Norway - Equinor has encountered 13-38 mmboe recoverable resources at the Swisher prospect in PL 248 C. Lundin Energy (LUNE SS): Increasing reserves at Norway field – The gross 2P reserves at the Greater Edvard Grieg Area have been increased by ~50 mmboe) to 350 mmboe due to the continued outperformance of the field. The expected plateau production period from the Greater Edvard Grieg Area has been extended by a further year to late 2023. Royal Dutch Shell (RDS A/B LN): 2Q20 update – 2Q20 production is expected to be 2,970-3,110 mboe/d. Total (FP FP): Maintaining dividend distributions – Total announced that its dividend is supported at Brent price of US$40/bbl. This is in stark contrast to BP and Shell that have materially reduced distributions. FORMER SOVIET UNION Block Energy (BLOE LN): Update in Georgia - Block has shut-in the West Rustavi field's production at wells WR 16aZ and WR-38Z to conserve gas resources until the gas sales pipeline is complete late in 2020. The company held US$2.3 mm in cash at the end of June. Enwell Energy (ENW LN): Ruling overturned in Ukraine – A previous ruling that had found that the Svystunivsko-Chervonolutskyi exploration licence had not been awarded regularly has been overturned in favour of Enwell by the Appellate Administrative Court. Petroneft (PTR LN): FY19 results – FY19 gross production in Russia was 1,614 bbl/d. The company held ~64 mmbbl WI 2P reserves at YE19. At YE19, Petroneft held US$0.3 mm in cash with current debt of US$4.3 mm. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Gulf Keystone Petroleum (EKP LN): Receives payment from the KRG – Gulf Keystone has received net payment of US$9.8 mm for Sales at Shaikan in August. ShaMaran Petroleum (SNM CN): Receives payment from the KRG – ShaMaran has received net payment of US$6.8 mm for sales at Atrush in August. United & Gas (UOG LN): 1H20 results – WI production in Egypt from the end of February to the end of June averaged 1,975 boe/d, increasing from 1,709 boe/d on the 1st of March to 2,716 boe/d on the 30th of June. 2H20 WI production is forecasted at 2,300 boe/d. The company held US$1.3 mm at the end of June. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Savannah Energy (SAVE LN): Update in Nigeria – Average gross production in the year-to-date period ended 31 August 2020 was 20.4 mboe/d. At the end of August, the group held US$84.7 mm in cash (including US$34.9 mm set aside for debt service) with net debt of US$426.8 mm. The company forecasts FY20 production of 21 23 mboe/d with capex of US$45 mm. Vaalco Energy (EGY US/LN): Operating update in Gabon – 3Q20 net production is estimated at 4,370 bbl/d at the midpoint of the FY20 guidance. The company expects to have US$37 mm in cash at the end of 3Q20. A 3D seismic campaign will be run in 4Q20.
Companies: BPC CNE EQNR GKP LUNE OXY PTR TAL RDSA SAVE SNM EGY FP
Savannah Energy (SAVE LN): FY19 results underline transformational year | Lansdowne Oil & Gas* (LOGP LN): Barryroe consortium revealed
Companies: Savannah Energy Plc (SAVE:LON)Lansdowne Oil & Gas plc (LOGP:LON)
PetroTal (PTAL LN)C; Target price £0.45: Production at Bretana restarts – In anticipation of the re-opening of the ONP, Bretana oil production recommenced on July 15, 2020 and achieved over 12,000 bbl/d when all seven wells were online. Oil deliveries have also already commenced to the Iquitos refinery and approximately 40,000 bbl are expected be delivered during July 2020. Oil is being barged to the Saramuro Pump Station and will be delivered into the ONP immediately after it reopens , now expected in early August 2020. To manage the company’s inventory and barge storage capacity, Bretana production has been reduced to approximately 8,000 bbl/d pending the restart of the pipeline. While the share price has already increased 30% over the last three weeks, we continue to see PetroTal as a value and growth stock. The company’s value based on its 2P reserves only (2P NAV of £0.28 per share) represents 2x the current share price and our Core NAV is 3x current levels. Assuming production of ~12 mbbl/d in 2021 (i.e. the level achieved when the field was restarted) PetroTal’s share price implies EV/DACF multiples of 1.7x in 2021 and 0.2x in 2022. On a production/capex low case, we estimate that PetroTal generates aggregate Free Cash Flow over 2021-2022 equal to the company’s market cap. IN OTHER NEWS ________________________________________ AMERICAS ExxonMobil (XOM US): Further volumes discovered in Guayana | Karoon Energy: Softening terms for acquisition of Brazilian asset | President Energy (PPC LN): Operational update in Argentina | Total (FP FP): Significant discovery in Suriname ASIA PACIFIC Jadestone Energy (JSE LN): 2Q20 update | Repsol (REP SM): Compensation in Vietnam | ENI (ENI IM): Large volume confirmed in Vietnam EUROPE ADX Energy (ADX AU): Operational update in Austria and Romania | ENI (ENI IM): 2Q20 results, lower capex | EnQuest (ENQ LN): UK Acquisition | Equinor (EQNR NO): Dry hole in Norway | Hurricane Energy (HUR LN): Operational update in the UK | Lundin Energy (LUNE SS): 2Q20 results | OMV (OMV AG): 2Q20 results/dividend reduction/Volumes discovered at Hades (Norway) reduced | Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA/B LN): 2Q20 results | Total (FP FP): 2Q20 results, Dividend distributions maintained | Zenith Energy (ZEN LN): Acquisition of Italian assets terminated FORMER SOVIET UNION Enwell Energy (ENW LN): Negative licence update | Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG LN): 1H20 trading update in Kazakhstan MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA BP (BP LN), ENI (ENI IM), Total (FP FP): Discovery in Egypt | DNO (DNO NO): 2Q20 results | ShaMaran Petroleum (SNM CN), Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP LN) and Genel Energy (GENL LN): Payment in Kurdistan | Sound Energy (SOU LN)C: Raising up to £4.5 mm of new equity SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Angola lowering tax | Cairn Energy (CNE LN): Divesting Senegal and returning cash to shareholders | Total (FP FP): Divesting mature assets in Gabon | Savannah Energy (SAVE LN): FY20 results and update in Nigeria | Seplat Petroleum (SEPL LN): 1H20 results | Tullow Oil (TLW LN): 1H20 update | Victoria Oil & Gas (VOG LN): 2Q20 update in Cameroon EVENTS TO WATCH NEXT WEEK ________________________________________ 04/08/2020: BP (BP LN) – 2Q20 results 04/08/2020: GeoPark (GPRK US) – 2Q20 results 04/08/2020: Gran Tierra Energy (GTE LN/CN) – 2Q20 results 05/08/2020: Parex Resources (PXT CN) – 2Q20 results 07/08/2020: Frontera Energy (FEC CN) – 2Q20 results
Companies: XOM KAR BP/ CNE DNO ENI ENQ EQNR GENL HUR JSE LUNE NOG OMV TAL REP RDSA SAVE SEPL SOU FP TLW VOG
PetroTal (PTAL LN/TAL CN)C; Target: £0.45: Initiating coverage – PetroTal is a production and reserve growth story in Peru with a market cap of ~£90 mm. Management’s experience of operating in the jungle and their deep in country relationships are key. Project execution has been excellent. The Bretaña field (48 mmbbl 2P reserves) was acquired from Gran Tierra in late 2017 with production of 1 mbbl/d achieved in 3Q18. By YE19 that figure had grown to >13 mbbl/d. While COVID-19 forced a shut down of the export infrastructure and Brent prices collapsed to ~US$20/bbl, PetroTal has managed to negotiate with Petroperu a reduction in transport fees and a rephasing of a contingent payment. With the recent US$18 mm equity raise strengthening the balance sheet and production expected to restart in July, PetroTal is returning to growth. Bretaña could produce 20 mbbl/d. PetroTal’s shares trade at ~ one quarter of our Core NAV of £0.46 per share and at one third of the company’s value based on its 2P reserves only (2P NAV of £0.28 per share). On flat production, the share price implies EV/DACF multiples of 1.0x in 2021 turning negative in 2022. Importantly PetroTal’s only material liabilities consist of (1) an oil linked contingent payment over three years to Petroperu on very flexible terms and (2) trade payables of US$49 mm with attractive payment terms. We forecast ~US$45 mm of capex (incl. servicing the payables) in 2H20. This is covered by (1) US$28 mm in cash from a recent equity raise plus collecting pending invoices from oil sales, (2) >US$10 mm of VAT receivables and (3) ~US$25 mm operating cash flow (US$11-12/bbl net backs) in 2H20 at US$38/bbl. At ~US$45/bbl and 12 mbbl/d in 2021, we forecast PetroTal generates ~US$90 mm cash flow with ~US$35 mm cash capex (incl. servicing the payables). Our target price of £0.45 per share (~our Core NAV) represents 4.5x the current share price. i3 Energy (I3E LN): Corporate update | Parex Resources (PXT CN): Trading update in Colombia | Phoenix Global Resources (PGR LN): FY19 results | Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA/B LN): Dry hole in Brazil | IGas Energy (IGAS LN): Trading update | Serinus Energy (SEN LN): Deferred EBRD debt repayment | Union Jack (UJO LN): Additional interest in UK asset | SDX Energy (SDX LN): Update in Egypt and Morocco| ShaMaran Petroleum (SNM CN): Payment from KRG and debt restructuring | United Oil & Gas (UOG LN): Reserves and production update in Egypt | FAR (FAR AU): Not paying cash call in Senegal | Lekoil (LEK LN): Update in Nigeria | San Leon Energy (SLE LN): FY19 results | Savannah Energy (SAVE LN): Trading update | Victoria Oil & Gas (VOG LN): Trading update in Cameroon
Companies: SEN SDX TAL PGR VOG PXT SAVE RDSA FAR
Savannah Energy is an AIM-listed E&P company with two sets of assets: (i) in-production gas and oil fields and a regional monopoly gas distributon network in South East Nigeria (well away from the risky Delta area); and (ii) licenses over 50% of a prolific oil basin in Niger.
Panoro Energy (PEN NO)C: Initiating coverage | 88 Energy (88E LN/AU): Acquisition in Alaska | BP (BP LN): Transaction in Alaska with Hilcorp renegotiated | Columbus Energy Resources (CERP LN): Oil discovery in Trinidad | Premier Oil (PMO LN) and Rockhopper Exploration (RKH LN): Sea Lion farm out (Falklands) exclusivity period extended | BP (BP LN): 1Q20 results | Equinor (EQNR NO): Dry hole in Norway | Getech (GTC LN): Business update | Hurricane Energy (HUR LN): Business update in the UK North Sea |IGas Energy (IGAS LN): Shutting some production in the UK | Lundin Energy (LUP SS): 1Q20 results | OKEA (OKEA NO): 1Q20 update in Norway | OMV (OMV AG): 1Q results | Premier Oil (PMO LN): Court approves schemes of arrangement | Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA/B LN): 1Q20 results and dividend reduction | RockRose Energy (RRE LN): Operational update in the UK | UK Oil & Gas (UKOG LN): £1.275 mm equity raise | Caspian Sunrise (CASP LN): Operating update in Kazakhstan | Exillon Energy (EXI LN): February and March production in Russia | Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG LN): 1Q20 update in Kazakhstan | PetroNeft (PTR LN): Operations update | Genel Energy (GENL LN): Update in Kurdistan – While negotiations are ongoing the KRG will not exercise the notice of an intention to terminate the Bina Bawi PSC | ShaMaran Petroleum (SNM CN): Business update in Kurdistan | Tethys Oil (TETY SS): Production reduction in Oman | Total (FP FP): Dry hole in Lebanon | Aminex (AEX LN) and Solo Oil (SOLO LN): Licence extension in Tanzania | Far Limited (FAR AU): Update in Senegal | Lekoil (LEK LN): Final payment with Nigerian partner rescheduled | Orca Exploration (ORC.A/B CN): FY19 results | Savannah Energy (SAVE LN): Financial and operating update in Nigeria | San Leon Energy (SLE LN): Special dividend | Seplat Petroleum (SEPL LN): 1Q20 results
Companies: 88E AEX PEN BP/ CASP CERP EQNR FAR FP HUR GENL GTC IGAS LEK LUNE NOG OKEA OMV ORC/B PMO PTR RKH RDSA RRE SAVE SLE SEPL SNM TETY SCIR UKOG
Savannah Energy (SAVE LN): Trading update, production up 25%, impressive updated CPR | I3 Energy (I3E LN): i3 looks to have funding condition extended Rose | Petroleum (ROSE LN): Acquisition of the McCoy lease extended, well positioned for acquisitive growth | IGas Energy (IGAS LN): Uneconomic wells shut in to preserve capital | Independent Oil & Gas (IOG LN): Core Project Phase 1 FDP approved
Companies: SAVE I3E ZPHR IGAS IOG
Following the market moves yesterday we wanted to highlight a few key points that should protect Savannah Petroleum in a world of lower oil prices.
Research Tree provides access to ongoing research coverage, media content and regulatory news on Savannah Energy Plc. We currently have 79 research reports from 10 professional analysts.
Central Asia Metals (CAML LN) has reported Q4 2020 production with 3,365t of copper taking full year output to 13,855 in line with our forecast of 13.9kt and at the top end of guidance. Q4 lead output was 7,442t meaning 29,741t over the full year, up 2% YoY and in line with our forecast of 30kt while zinc output of 5,848t took full year output to 23,815t again in line with our forecast of 24kt and up 2% YoY despite the disruption at Sasa which CAML has overcome rapidly as we expected.
Companies: Central Asia Metals Plc
Jubilee put out an intraday press release yesterday updating on the performance in the first half (ending Dec 2020) of the FY 2021. Once again Jubilee delivers; significantly increased revenues and profits from its chrome and PGM division in South Africa and a small, but important, contribution from Zambia. Notably this improvement isn't just from commodity price performance; rather increased production, productivity, throughput, renegotiated contracts and all set alongside the strong performance of commodity prices –rhodium, palladium and platinum. We see this as still only the start for Jubilee as we look forward to the first copper oxide concentrates from the Roan project in Zambia to the Sable Refinery – where the Roan plant is currently under construction. Once again we are struck by the speed at which Jubilee moves to advance its projects and, with its South African cash engine showing no signs of slowing down. Jubilee can choose to move its wider ambitions in Zambia forward from internally generated cash flow. On the back of the strong performance we put our forecasts under review.
Companies: Jubilee Metals Group PLC
Pantheon announced that it is acquiring the 10.8% of the Talitha Unit it does not already own, bringing its interest to 100% in the unit. The vendor, Otto Energy Alaska, will be provided with 14,272,592 shares in Pantheon Resources as consideration. The company continues to drill ahead with the Talitha#A well. The transaction is value accretive for Pantheon and we increase our fair value estimate to 89p from 83p. As a reminder, our fair value estimate includes 25% of our successcase valuations in respect of two of the four targets that the Talitha#A well is intended to evaluate, namely, the Talitha Brookian Shelf Margin Deltaic and the Talitha Kuparuk
Companies: Pantheon Resources plc
Bluejay Mining* (JAY LN) – BUY, Valuation 29.4p – Bluejay agrees jv with Rio Tinto over the Enonkoski Project in Finland Bushveld Minerals* (BMN LN) – BUY - Valuation 37.7p – Ferro-Vanadium prices jump 11.6% in the US Edenville Energy* (EDL LN) – Funding agreement refinanced and £900k raised Kodal Minerals* (KOD LN) – Further progress at West African gold assets Lucara Diamonds (LUC CN) – Karowe mine yields 341 carat diamond Serabi Gold* (SRB LN) –Q4 production results continue modest recovery of Q3
Companies: LUC JAY BMN EDL KOD SRB
The revised threshold for the imposition of Supplemental Petroleum Tax (SPT) has now been implemented, with the threshold at which SPT is due increasing from US$50/bbl to US$75/bbl for the financial years 2021 and 2022. As a result, we expect Trinity to be exempt from SPT across all of its onshore licences below US$75/bbl. Using the forward WTI oil price curve as the basis for our model, we currently forecast Trinity paying no SPT during 2021 and 2022. We estimate that at the current forward price curve (2021: US$52/bbl) cUS$3.6m of SPT would have previously been payable by Trinity in 2021. As such, these SPT reforms represent a considerable boost to potential cash flow generation from Trinity's onshore licences should realisations average above US$50.01/bbl for any calendar quarter during 2021 and 2022. We update our model, increasing our price target to 32p (from 31p) a 160% premium to the current share price and reiterate our BUY recommendation.
Companies: Trinity Exploration & Production Plc
Trading update
Companies: Hurricane Energy Plc
Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC LN)C; Target Price: 6.70p: Funding update – BPC has exercised a put option to raise £3.75 mm priced at 2p per share. PetroTal (PTAL LN/TAL CN)C: Target Price increased from £0.45 to £0.50: US$100 mm bond to accelerate activities and grow production - PetroTal is launching a bond issue to raise US$100 mm. This would allow the firm to accelerate drilling and development activities at Bretana (~US$40 mm), clean up its balance sheet, put in place a hedging programme and allow the firm to consider regional acquisitions. Assuming the extra funding is put in place, we are increasing our capex programme for 2021 from US$40 mm to US$90 mm. We are also increasing our production forecast for 2021 from ~11 mbbl/d to ~15 mbbl/d that we maintain broadly flat in 2023 as we assume PetroTal will drill additional wells before production starts to decline from 2024. We note that the 3P case only assumes five additional wells (~US$70 mm) compared to the 2P case. With more production, we are now forecasting operating cashflow of ~US$170 mm in 2022 and ~US$155 mm in 2023. We are also increasing our Core NAV from £0.43 per share to £0.52 per share. The additional funding would also allow the company to drill exploration wells such as the 70 mmbbl Constitucion prospect (£0.40 per share Unrisked). Pharos Energy (PHAR LN)C; Increasing our target price from £0.35 to £0.40 per share on reserves uplift – The highlight of Pharos’ operational update is the ~40% increase in 2P reserves in Egypt expected as at YE20 (YE19 28.5 mmbbl). This reflects improved waterflood performance based on recent field data, and a new drilling and workover plan for 2021 onwards. Drilling is expected to recommence in Vietnam in 3Q21, a quarter earlier than previously announced. We have increased our target price from £0.35 per share to £0.40 per share to factor in the expected increase in reserves in Egypt. We estimate the value of Pharos based on Vietnam only at £0.23-0.27 per share. This is 15-35% above the current share price. Securing a partner to fund a development programme with four rigs in Egypt would increase the value of the ~ 40 mmbbl 2P reserves in Eqypt and unlock the contingent and 108 mmbbl prospective resources. Our incremental unrisked value for the four rig programme is £0.17-0.19 per share (~85% upside to the current share price). Successfully negotiating new terms with EGPC could lead to an improvement of up to US$6/bbl in the breakeven price. We have previously estimated that securing similar terms to TransGlobe would boost our Core NAV by £0.10-0.12 per share and ReNAV by £0.13-0.15 per share. TransGlobe Energy’s share price has tripled since the new terms on its licences were announced. Tethys Oil (TETY SS)C; Target Price: SEK75.00: Production update in Oman – Production at Block 3&4 in December was 11,481 bbl/d. Vaalco Energy (EGY LN/US)C; Target Price: £4.00: Initiating Coverage - VAALCO is a US and UK listed ~£75 mm market cap, ~10 mbbl/d oil producer (pro-forma) with West African assets. VAALCO has an excellent track record as an operator having grown a 30 mmbbl discovery in Gabon to a field that has produced >118 mmbbl so far with an additional 37 mmbbl remaining 2P reserves plus ~80 mmbbl upside at YE19. The shares have suffered in the past from (1) a lack of materiality as VAALCO held only ~31% of its main asset, with G&A viewed as representing a disproportionate amount of cash flow and (2) lack of visibility on how the significant amount of cash on the balance sheet would be deployed. The US$44 mm acquisition of an additional ~28% WI in Etame announced in November, thereby almost doubling production, reserves and resources overnight, has addressed these issues. The story is now about continuing to grow reserves at the producing Gabonese field and to replicate this success elsewhere. With estimated net cash of >US$25 mm at the end of 1Q21, VAALCO’ s shares trade at less than half our 2P NAV of ~£2.70 per share. The current share price discounts an EV/DACF multiple of 1.2x in 2021. Low risk infill drilling of contingent resources could add ~£0.45 per share (30% of share price) with an overall unrisked value for the upside at the producing asset of £4.80 per share (~4x the current share price). Finalizing the farm out of its asset in Equatorial Guinea could start unlocking a further £4.20 of unrisked value. Our target price of £4.00 per share (~ our ReNAV) represents ~230% upside. Wentworth Resources (WEN LN)C; Target Price: £0.40: >100 mmcf/d reached in December - FY20 gross production was 65.36 mmcf/d (in the middle of the 60-70 mmcf/d guidance) with ~83 mmcf/d on average during the month of December. Repairs to the MB-2 flowline were completed on 9 December, increasing the capacity of the field to over 100 mmcf/d. Production reached 103 mmcf/d for five days during that month. Gross production guidance for FY21 is 65-75 mmcf/d, below the 80 mmcf/d we were carrying as production growth is pushed back by a year. Cash on hand of ~US$18 mm is in line with our expectations. With 70 mmcf/d gross production in 2021 and almost no capex, we forecast FY21 Free Cash Flow of ~US$10 mm. With FY20 dividends of only US$3.2 mm and ~US$18 mm in cash, we believe there is scope to increase the dividend. At the current share price, the FY20 dividend represents a yield of ~6%. Even after the recent share price appreciation, the shares continue to trade at EV/DACF multiples of 2.9x in 2021 and 2.2x in 2022. This compares with 3.8x for 2020, suggesting there is room for multiple expansion given the stable nature of the business. IN OTHER NEWS ________________________________________ AMERICAS 88 Energy (88E LN/AU): Acquisition in Alaska – 88 Energy is acquiring the Umiat Oil Field, located on the North Slope of Alaska. The proceeds consist of a 4% overriding royalty interest and the assumption of the abandonment liability of two historic wells (at an estimated cost of ~US$1 mm). Umiat is an historic oil discovery, made in 1945 in shallow Brookian (Nanushuk) sandstones, located immediately adjacent to southern boundary of Project Peregrine. The Umiat-23H well was flow tested at a sustained rate of 200 bbl/d with no water in 2014. Gross 2P reserves were estimated at 123.7 mmbbl on 1 December 2015. Equinor (EQNR NO): Farming down Argentinian offshore exploration to Shell - Equinor and YPF farm-down 30% interests in the CAN 100 block, located in the North Argentinian Basin to Shell. Pantheon Resources (PANR LN): Dispute in East Texas and acquisition of new acreage - Kinder Morgan has filed a petition against Pantheon, seeking payment of ~US$3.35mm with respect to the early termination of a Gas Treating Agreement between Kinder Morgan and Vision Operating Company. In a separate statement, the company indicated it has acquired 100% interest in ~66,000 acres in the State of Alaska's North Slope Areawide Lease Sale. The new leases are positioned in two areas contiguous to the company’s current acreage. Parex Resources (PXT CN): Operation update in Colombia – 4Q20 production was 46,550 boe/d compared to Parex’ guidance of 45,500-47,500 boe/d. 1Q21 production is expected to average 46,500-47,500 boe/d. The Brent/Vasconia differential is currently ~US$2/bbl. Parex estimates a cash position of US$325 mm at YE20. Total (FP FP): Discovery in Suriname - The Keskesi East-1 well, in Block 58, encountered a total of 63 meters net pay of hydrocarbons, comprised of 58 meters net black oil, volatile oil, and gas pay in good quality Campano-Maastrichtian reservoirs, along with 5 meters of net volatile oil pay in Santonian reservoirs. EUROPE Independent Oil & Gas (IOG LN): Operating update in the UK – Phase 1 remains on schedule for First Gas in 3Q21. Drilling is expected to start in early 2Q21. Hurricane Energy (HUR LN): Operating update in the UK North Sea - Production for the final four months of 2020 averaged 12,500 bbl/d. Current water cut is 25%. YE20 net free cash was US$106 mm, compared to US$87 mm at 30 November 2020. Lundin Energy (LUNE SS): Resources increase in Norway – YE20 2P reserves are 670.9 mmboe (+ 39.3 mmboe versus YE19). The YE20 2C resources are 275.5 mmboe (+90.2 mmboe et YE19). OMV (OMV AG): Trading update – 4Q20 production was 472 mboe/d including 290 mboe/d of natural gas. FORMER SOVIET UNION Enwell Energy (ENW LN): Operating update in the Ukraine – 4Q20 production was 4,444 boe/d. At YE20, the company held US$61 mm in cash. Petroneft (PTR LN): Potential acquisition in Russia – Petroneft is looking to acquire an additional 40% interest in Licence 67 from Belgrave Naftogas for US$2.9 mm including US$1.2 mm in shares and the balance in cash. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP LN): Operating update in Kurdistan – FY20 gross production at Shaikan was 36,625 bbl/d with current production of 44,000 bbl/d. As at 12 January 2021, the Company had a cash balance of US$147 mm. FY21 gross production guidance has been set at 40,000 to 44,000 bbl/d with US$15 to $20 mm net capex and US$2.5 to US$2.9/bbl opex. ShaMaran Petroleum (SNM CN): Terms update for bonds – ShaMaran is looking to use free cash in excess of US$15 mm to buy back its Bonds in the market to satisfy the cash sweep redemption requirements. United Oil & Gas (UOG LN): Production update in Egypt – 2H20 WI production was 2,340 boe/d in line with guidance for the period of 2,300 boe/d. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA BW Energy (NEW NO): Farm-in transaction in Namibia – BW Energy is acquiring 39% WI in the Kudu offshore licence from the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR). BW will pay US$4 mm in cash and carry NAMCOR’s share of development costs until first gas. NAMCOR will also have the opportunity to acquire an additional 5% working interest post first gas. Orca Energy (ORC.A/B CN): Update in Tanzania – FY20 sales volumes were 57.7 mmcf/d. Cash and short-term investments totalled US$103.8 mm at YE20. As at YE20 there were no current receivables due from TANESCO. The TANESCO long-term trade receivable was US$27.6 mm. EVENTS TO WATCH NEXT WEEK ________________________________________ 18/01/2021: Repsol (REP SM) – Trading update 19/01/2021: Genel Energy (GENL LN) – 4Q20 trading update 20/01/2021: Cairn Energy (CNE LN): Trading update
Companies: 88E BPC EQNR HUR LUNE PXT PHAR SNM TETY TETY FP EGY WEN
European Metals has recently enjoyed a long overdue share price re-rating. The shares have increased ten-fold from Covid lows in April 2020 on the back of a marked improvement in lithium sector sentiment. EMH’s market cap is now £127m. Covid has in many ways accelerated the push towards EVs and the low carbon agenda. Europe is now the battleground for Electric Vehicles (“EVs”) where material sources, security of supply and the entire value chain is coming under ever increasing scrutiny. The DFS at EMH’s Cinovec project is due for completion by the end of 2021.The time has come for EMH and over the next 12 months we should see with more clarity how Cinovec fits into Europe’s growing EV and battery industry. We see no other project better placed to dovetail into the European battery market and supply battery-grade lithium at scale.
Companies: European Metals Holdings Limited
Foresight Group , the award-winning infrastructure and private equity investment manager to IPO on the Main Market (premium). The Offer will primarily comprise a sale of shares by existing shareholders (c.80% of the Offer) with a smaller offering of new shares (c.20% of the Offer) to be issued by the Company. Details TBA. Cornish Metals (TSX-V: CUSN) intends to list on AIM. The Company is proposing to raise £5 million by way of private placement of new Common Shares (the "Fundraising") to advance the United Downs copper-tin project. The Company expects that Admission will become effective in February 2021. The Company's Common Shares will continue to be listed and trade on the TSX-V in Canada. VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities plc, a closed-ended investment Company focused on making sustainable energy infrastructure investments, today announces intends to launch an initial public offering of shares on the Official List (Premium) of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Due by Early Feb.
Companies: TYM W7L BEG CRPR EUZ IRR CMCL FARN KETL AUG
We put forward a fair value estimate to 82.8p for Pantheon Resources from “under review for an upward revision” as from 25 November 2020 and from 75p as per our initiation note dated 11 November 2020.
Arc Minerals* (ARCM LN) – Arc Minerals extends exclusivity agreement with Anglo for a further 180 days Cornish Metals* (CUSN CN) – Intention to float on AIM market Greatland Gold (GGP LN) – Newcrest approves A4146m for preparatory mining work at Havieron IronRidge Resources* (IRR LN) – Drilling defines multiple targets at Ewoyaa Lithium Project Kenmare Resources (KMR LN) – 2020 production and 2021 guidance Sunrise Resources (SRES LN) – Progress report on projects Zamare Minerals* (Private) - Zamare announce agreement with First Quantum Minerals over the Ntambu exploration license in Zambia
Companies: CUSN ARCM GGP KMR SRES IRR
Anglesey Mining (AYM LN) – Mineral resources and PEA for Parys Mountain Castillo Copper (CCZ LN) – Further assay results from drilling at the Big One project in Queensland Central Asia Metals (CAML LN) – Stable production reported in 2020 with final dividend to be announced in March IronRidge Resources* (IRR LN) – Sale of non-core gold project Keras Resources* (KRS LN) – Keras increase stake in the Daiamond Creek organic phosphate mine to 51% Power Metal Resources* (POW LN) – Molopo Farms drilling highlights nickel and PGM potential Tertiary Minerals* (TYM LN) – Progress of Nevada exploration
Companies: POW AYM CAML KRS TYM CCZ IRR
Further media reports that Dr Martens, the British Boot brand is planning an IPO on the LSE. It is currently owned by PE group, Permira who is expected to sell down its stake at the IPO. March 2020 YE the group had revenues of £672m and EBITDA of £184m. Deal size TBC. Upon Admission to AIM, Nightcap will acquire The London Cocktail Club Limited (the "London Cocktail Club"), which is an award winning independent operator of ten individually themed cocktail bars in nine London locations and one location in Bristol. Offer TBC Due mid Jan. HSS Hire Group, HSS.L transfer from Main to Aim. Mkt Cap c. £70m. Recently raised £52.6m. Leading supplier of tool and equipment for hire in the United Kingdom and Ireland and has provided equipment hire services in the United Kingdom for more than 60 years, primarily focusing on the B2B market. Due 14 Jan. VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities plc, a closed-ended investment Company focused on making sustainable energy infrastructure investments, today announces intends to launch an initial public offering of shares on the Official List (Premium) of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Due by Early Feb.
Companies: IUG CBP KAT APP RST DIS NICL BOKU CNIC HE1
• PetroTal is launching a bond issue to raise US$100 mm. This would allow the firm to accelerate drilling and development activities at Bretana (~US$40 mm), put in place a hedging programme and allow the firm to consider regional acquisitions. • Some of the proceeds of the bond issue will be used to repay the US$16.6 mm derivative liabilities to Petroperu that was formalized in November. However, with the recent upwards shift of the forward curve, the potential derivative liabilities is now an asset and Petroperu is expected to owe PetroTal ~US$8 mm. Under the current forward curve, PetroTal should therefore now receive a total of ~US$25 mm (=US$16.6 mm + US$8 mm) from Petroperu from the settled oil profits during 1Q21. • Assuming the extra funding is put in place, we are increasing our capex programme for 2021 from US$40 mm to US$90 mm. We are also increasing our production forecast for 2021 from ~11 mbbl/d to ~15 mbbl/d that we maintain broadly flat in 2023 as we assume PetroTal will drill additional wells before starting to decline from 2024. We note that the 3P case only assumes five additional wells (~US$70 mm) compared to the 2P case. • Current production has now increased from 9.5 mbbl/d last week to 10 mbbl/d. • PetroTal has now also signed an agreement for a second pilot shipment through Brazil in February 2021, of up to 220,000 barrels of oil. Positive impact on cash flow and NAV With more production, we are now forecasting operating cashflow of ~US$170 mm in 2022 and ~US$155 mm in 2023. We are also increasing our Core NAV from £0.43 per share to £0.52 per share. The additional funding would also allow the company to drill exploration wells such as the 70 mmbbl Constitucion prospect (£0.40 per share Unrisked). We are increasing our target price from £0.45 per share to £0.50 per share in line with our new Core NAV. Our target price represents over 3x the current share price.
Companies: PetroTal Corp.
Results from the 2020 soil-till sampling campaign have been reported today and are positive with widespread anomalous gold values, including the highest soil-till assay results to date, along strike to the east and west of BAM Gold for a total length of 8 kilometres. Numerous new drill targets have been identified which have the potential of being advanced into additional resources to continue the rapid growth of the BAM Gold Project. Drilling has commenced in the area to the west and has intersected similar geological lithology and mineralisation to BAM Gold. The drilling programme for 2020-21 at the BAM Gold Deposit is progressing as planned with a total of 6,518 metres of HQ diamond core, comprising 30 drill holes, completed to date. All drill holes have successfully intersected prospective mineralised zones associated with the BAM Gold Deposit. The drill core has been logged, processed, and sent to ALS Minerals of Thunder Bay for analysis to date. Assay results are pending, with increased exploration activity in Canada, the labs are full, with assays now taking 7-8 weeks. The current funded drilling programme is expected to complete in April 2021.
Companies: Landore Resources Limited