BW scales down Gabon spending, abandons options for additional wells

Due to the current low oil price environment and uncertainties in the market due to the coronavirus outbreak, BW  Energy has decided to reduce its capital expenditures in Gabon. In addition, the JV will not exercise options for additional exploration wells.

BW Energy on Wednesday announced adjustments to the development program on the operated Dussafu Marin license in Gabon in response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and restrictions on international travel.

The deferral of investments also reflects increased market volatility and oil price uncertainty, the company explained. Production activities in Gabon remain uninterrupted, the company added.

Deferring Dussafu investments

BW said that the impact of international travel restrictions is limiting the company’s ability to move essential personnel, subcontractors and equipment to and from Gabon. This may affect the timing of the drilling of the planned DTM-7H well and the subsequent exploration well. The major contracts provide for certain termination rights under the current circumstances.

The company has for the same reason decided to not exercise the options for the two additional exploration wells under the existing rig contract.

Further in response to recent commodity price volatility, BW Energy has decided to defer the Ruche Phase 1 development. The revised capital spending program for 2020 amounts to approximately $125 million, of which about $30 million was incurred as of the end of February. The revised program represents a 50% reduction to the company’s previously announced capital expenditure program of approximately $250 million for 2020.

“We are continuously evaluating our drilling program and the potential impact for the DTM-7H well and the planned exploration well”, said Carl K. Arnet, the CEO BW Energy.

“We are also taking decisive action to reduce investments in light of current market volatility and uncertainty, which combined with company-wide cost saving initiatives will conserve liquidity.

Total available liquidity as of end February 2020 amounted to $184.5 million in cash with no debt. In addition, BW Energy is continuing the process of finalising a reserve based lending (RBL) facility with a syndicate of leading banks. The RBL facility will have a six-year term, with an initial amount of $200 million plus an accordion of $100 million.

Production stable

Dussafu daily operations continue to perform in line with expectations with four wells (DTM-2H, DTM-3H, DTM-4H and DTM-5H) producing to the FPSO BW Adolo at a current rate of approximately 20,000 bbl/day oil production (gross). The DTM-6H well is nearing conclusion of its drilling and completion operations. This well is scheduled to be brought online by June.

Total Dussafu production for 2020 is projected to be 16,000 – 18,500 bbls/day (gross) based on five producing wells, compared to 11,800 bbls/day on average in 2019, while OPEX per barrel is expected to decrease to approximately $15 -17 per barrel, compared to $21 per barrel on average for 2019.

In Brazil, BW Energy will continue to progress with regulatory and environmental approvals and pursue cost reducing initiatives for the Maromba project as the company works toward project FID.

“Our response to the present turmoil in the oil market shows the strength and flexibility of our business model. By quickly adapting to the situation and delaying investments until we have a better line of sight of an improved market, we preserve our firepower,” said Carl K. Arnet.

“Our projected production, phased development approach with short cycle-time to first oil and full capex discretion enable us to sustain a prolonged period of low oil prices. When the markets improve, we can quickly bring our developments back in execution mode and onwards to production.”