Dana Gas Production Increases by 12 Pct

Dana Gas, the Middle East’s largest regional private sector natural gas company,  announced its financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2014.

The company reported a 67% rise in operating profits in 1Q 2014 to US$ 45 million (AED 164 million) as compared to US$ 27 million (AED 98 million) in Q1 2013. This excludes the one-off gains of US$ 39 million (AED 143 million) profits arising out of the partial sale of MOL shares in 1Q 2013. Gross revenues achieved in 1Q 2014 were US$ 180 million (AED 660 million), 18% higher than Q1 2013’s revenue of US$ 152 million (AED 557 million). Increase in production (and sales) and tighter control of operational expenditure were the major contributors towards this rise in revenue and operating profit.

The company’s share of overall production for 1Q 2014 increased by 12% to register an average of 68,800 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) as compared to 61,400 boepd in the same period last year. Dana Gas Egypt experienced a large upturn in average production to 39,100 boepd, a 17% increase vis-à-vis the 33,400 boepd achieved in Q1 2013. In the KRI, the Company’s share of production was also higher by 6% to 29,300 boepd vis-à-vis 27,700 boepd in Q1 2013.

In 1Q 2014, the company received US$ 3 million (AED 11 million) in Egypt and did not receive any payment from the Kurdistan Regional Government (‘KRG’). This resulted in trade receivables being higher by US$ 68 million (AED 249 million) to US$ 583 million (AED 2.14 billion) (FY2013: US$ 515 million (AED 1.89 billion)). As a result, the Company’s cash balance was US$ 155 million (AED 568 million) as at the end of the quarter. Egypt’s trade receivables stood at US$ 278 million (AED 1.02 billion) following the offset of US$ 37 million (AED 135 million) against the North Al Arish Offshore  Block-6 signature bonus and amounts payable to government-owned contractors in Egypt. Total assets were unchanged at US$ 3.53 billion (AED 12.9 billion).

As of 30 April 2014, the company has received voluntary conversion notices amounting to US$ 65.4 million (AED 239.7 million), reflecting positive investor sentiment and helping the company lower its outstanding debt and cash outflow.

Commenting on the results, Patrick Allman-Ward, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have made a solid operational start to the year and have delivered on our strategy of increasing output through organic growth, resulting in a 12% increase in production output to 68,800 boepd. This reflects the quality of our assets in Egypt and the KRI and provides confidence for additional growth potential going forward.

“For the time being our capital expenditure will remain in-line with our collections. We are committed to further increasing production in Egypt and continue our discussions with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter of overdue receivables. In Kurdistan, we have increased production by 6% through increased supply of LPG. The arbitration initiated by us and our consortium partners commenced in January 2014 with the successful formation of the Tribunal and proceedings are now ongoing. Regardless, we continue to operate our gas production facilities in Khor Mor at full capacity to provide the much needed power supply to the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.”

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Press Release, May 15, 2014; Image: Dana Gas