Interim Results for the Period Ended 30 September 2016 (with correct attachment)
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Highlights
* EBITDA* and Operating Loss in the quarter reported a loss of $11.3 million
and $28.3 million compared to a 2Q loss of $17.5 million and $37.2 million,
respectively.
* Golar LNG Limited ("Golar" or "the Company") and Schlumberger formed OneLNG,
a joint venture that will offer an integrated upstream and midstream
solution for the development of low cost gas reserves to LNG.
* Closed Golar Power transaction with Stonepeak to capitalise on downstream
opportunities.
* Shipping market shows positive signs with improving utilisation, rates and
the re-appearance of round-trip economics.
Subsequent Events
* Ophir and OneLNG agreed to form a Joint Operating Company to develop the
2.6Tcf Fortuna reserves in Equatorial Guinea using FLNG technology.
* Golar Power reached a Final Investment Decision ("FID") on Sergipe power
project, signed a 25-year FSRU agreement and entered into a long-term sale
and purchase agreement for the supply of LNG.
* The Incentive Distribution Rights ("IDRs") in Golar LNG Partners ("Golar
Partners" or "the Partnership") were reset. Golar LNG received 3.8 million
new units as consideration.
* Raised $176 million in new equity through issue of 7.5 million new shares.
Financial Review
Business Performance
+----------------------------------------------------------+---------+---------+
| | 2016| 2016|
| | | |
|(in thousands of $) | Jul-Sep| Apr-Jun|
+----------------------------------------------------------+-------- +---------+
|Total operating revenues | 22,267 | 18,370 |
| | | |
|Vessel operating expenses |(12,102 )|(14,064 )|
| | | |
|Voyage, charterhire & commission expenses | (8,031 )| (9,826 )|
| | | |
|Voyage, charterhire & commission expenses - collaborative | | |
|arrangements | (3,621 )| (2,331 )|
| | | |
|Administrative expenses | (9,808 )| (9,689 )|
| | | |
|EBITDA* |(11,295 )|(17,540 )|
| | | |
|Depreciation and amortization |(16,997 )|(19,705 )|
| +---------+---------+
|Operating loss |(28,292 )|(37,245 )|
+----------------------------------------------------------+---------+---------+
* EBITDA is defined as operating loss before interest, tax, depreciation and
amortization. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A non-GAAP financial
measure is generally defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission as one
that purports to measure historical or future financial performance, financial
position or cash flows, but excludes or includes amounts that would not be so
adjusted in the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure. We have presented EBITDA as
we believe it provides useful information to investors because it is a basis
upon which we measure our operations and efficiency. EBITDA is not a measure of
our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be construed as an
alternative to net income (loss) or other financial measures presented in
accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The Golar Power transaction closed on July 6. Effective from this date, the
results of the LNG carriers, Golar Penguin and Golar Celsius, together with the
Company's interest in the 2017 delivering FSRU new-build Nanook and the
Company's investment in the Sergipe power project have been deconsolidated. The
Company will use equity accounting for Golar Power from July 6 and results of
this business unit are included within Equity in net earnings of affiliates in
the Statement of Income discussed below.
Golar reported today a 3Q operating loss of $28.3 million as compared to a loss
of $37.2 million in 2Q 2016. Both shipping rates and utilisation improved during
the quarter with utilisation increasing from 31% in 2Q to 37% in 3Q and rates
for TFDE tonnage approaching and in cases exceeding $40k/day. Total operating
revenues increased from $18.4 million in 2Q to $22.3 million in 3Q. Voyage,
charter-hire and commission expenses including those from the Cool Pool
collaboration recorded a slight decrease from $12.2 million in 2Q to $11.7
million this quarter reflecting the small increase in utilisation. As in prior
quarters, included in voyage, net charter-hire and commission expenses is $5.8
million in respect of the cost of chartering the Golar Grand.
Vessel operating expenses decreased $2.0 million to $12.1
million. Deconsolidation of post July 6 costs in respect of the Celsius and
Penguin accounts for most of the reduction however lower insurance costs across
the fleet also contributed positively in 3Q. Administration costs at $9.8
million were in line with 2Q. Depreciation and amortisation decreased $2.7
million to $17.0 million in 3Q, again due to deconsolidation of Golar Penguin
and Celsius.
Relative to 2Q the above resulted in a $6.2 million decrease in EBITDA* losses
from a loss of $17.5 million in 2Q to a loss of $11.3 million in 3Q and an $8.9
million decrease in Operating losses from a loss of $37.2 million in 2Q to a
loss of $28.3 million in 3Q.
Net Income Summary
+----------------------------------------------------+---------+---------+
| | 2016| 2016|
| | | |
|(in thousands of $) | Jul-Sep| Apr-Jun|
+----------------------------------------------------+---------+---------+
|Operating loss |(28,292 )|(37,245 )|
| | | |
|Interest income | 436 | 196 |
| | | |
|Interest expense |(15,564 )|(13,331 )|
| | | |
|Other financial items | 22,772 |(27,471 )|
| | | |
|Loss on disposal |(12,184 )| - |
| | | |
|Taxes | (246 )| 609 |
| | | |
|Equity in net earnings of affiliates | 15,681 | 2,053 |
| | | |
|Net income attributable to non-controlling interests| (6,546 )| (9,412 )|
| +---------+---------+
|Net loss attributable to Golar LNG Ltd |(23,943 )|(84,601 )|
+----------------------------------------------------+---------+---------+
In 3Q the Company generated a net loss of $23.9 million. Notable contributors to
this are summarised as follows:
* After stripping out Golar Power assets, consolidated Variable Interest
Entities in respect of the six sale and leaseback financed vessels and non-
cash capitalised interest adjustments, underlying 3Q interest expense is
consistent with 2Q.
* Other Financial Items report a gain of $22.8 million compared to a $27.5
million charge in 2Q. A 2Q mark to market loss on the Company's Total
Return Swap became a $16.5 million gain in 3Q following an increase in
Golar's share price from $15.50 on June 30 to $21.20 on September 30.
Increases in long-term swap rates also converted a 2Q $5.9 million mark-to-
market loss on the valuation of interest rate swaps into a 3Q gain of $10.7
million.
* A $12.2 million non-cash loss was recognised on disposal of Golar Power, of
which approximately half is expected to be recovered upon finalisation of
the purchase price adjustment. This loss is based on estimates and is thus
subject to change.
* Following a change in accounting treatment of the Company's stake in Golar
Partners, Golar now accounts for its Common Units, General Partner Units and
IDRs in the same way it has previously accounted for its Subordinated Units
under the equity method of accounting. The Partnerships 3Q 2016 contribution
to Golar's results is included together with the Company's 50% share of
Golar Power in equity in net earnings of affiliates. The $15.7 million 3Q
equity in net earnings of affiliates is comprised of a $2.7 million loss in
respect of Golar's 50% share in Golar Power and net earnings of $18.3
million from the Company's stake in Golar Partners. However, the change in
accounting treatment of the various units does not impact the distributions
receivable by the Company so that its receipt of $13.2 million in cash
distributions in respect of its investment in Golar Partners is consistent
with recent quarters.
Commercial Review
LNG Shipping
The third quarter began in much the same way as the first half of the year with
excess tonnage weighing heavily on rates. This was followed by increased
activity in August that resulted in a step up in rates and utilisation,
particularly for owners with open tonnage in the Atlantic basin where spot rates
in excess of $40k/day were achieved. Both chartering activity and rates have
since eased but levels remain well above the lows reached in the first half of
2016. The Pacific market continued to be typified by higher liquidity with an
abundance of available shipping as well as spot demand from projects, utilities
and traders. Spot charters have typically been for short durations, maintaining
liquidity but limiting significant rate increases. Atlantic activity on the
other hand has been more sporadic with thin tonnage availability and limited
demand occasionally interrupted by sudden waves of requirements that clear out
this available tonnage and result in improved rates.
New production continues to deliver with T9 of Malaysia LNG, Petronas FLNG1 and
train 2 operations of Gorgon and Sabine Pass set to start during 4Q. Looking to
2017, significant additional production is expected from Gorgon and Sabine Pass
together with new production from Whetstone. The FLNG Hilli is also set to start
producing. All in, approximately 135 million tonnes of new production equivalent
to 52% of current LNG production is expected to deliver between now and
1Q 2021. During recent months a number of market participants have chosen to
take shipping coverage for 2017. Up to 16 vessels in the global spot fleet have
been fixed for periods of 6-18 months starting between September and February.
Golar believes that this tightens the outlook for structural availability into
2017. As new LNG arrives and prompt availability of shipping tonnage declines,
charterer interest in period contracts is expected to grow bringing the shipping
business ever closer to its inflection point.
Discipline among ship owners continues to be maintained with only 6 LNG carriers
(approximately 1% of the global fleet) ordered this year to date.
FSRUs
Golar's existing fleet of six operating FSRUs, all of which reside within Golar
Partners but are managed by the Company, have maintained operational excellence
achieving 99.3% availability during scheduled 3Q operations.
The FSRU Golar Tundra remains at anchor off the coast of Ghana. On October 19,
Charterer, West Africa Gas Limited ("WAGL") received parliamentary approval for
their 10-year gas sales agreement with the government of Ghana. Golar has
commenced legal proceedings in order to collect amounts due under the charter.
The Company does however maintain dialogue with WAGL to find a mutually
agreeable way forward that bridges the original and later start date required
and on November 29 the Company received its first payment from WAGL for amounts
outstanding under the charter. The Company has not recognised any revenue from
the WAGL charter in its 3Q Income Statement.
Downstream - Golar Power
On October 17, Golar Power reached a FID on its first integrated FSRU-to-power
project. Together with joint venture partners Ebrasil, Golar Power have formed
a project company, CELSE, which has entered into a lump-sum turn-key EPC
agreement with General Electric who will build, maintain and operate a 1.5GW
combined cycle power station in Sergipe, Brazil. The power station will provide
power to 26 committed off-takers for 25 years commencing January 2020. All-in
capital expenditure for the power station and supporting infrastructure is
estimated to be BRL4.3 billion. After deducting the cost of chartering in the
FSRU and assuming no dispatch of power, the Sergipe project is expected to
generate a projected annual EBITDA* of BRL1.1 billion. Additional returns can be
earned if the power station is called upon to dispatch and CELSE has entered
into a flexible long-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement with an affiliate of
Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil to support this.
In connection with FID, Golar Power has also elected to buy out project
developer Genpower. This will increase its ownership in the Sergipe Project from
25% to 50%. Golar Power had previously committed to finance Genpower's equity
contribution to the project so acquisition of this stake should not increase
Golar Power's equity contribution beyond the previously anticipated $165
million, a small portion of which has already been invested.
Golar Power has nominated its 2017 delivering FSRU newbuild, Nanook, to service
the Sergipe project and has entered into a 25-year agreement to charter the FSRU
to CELSE. This agreement affords the flexibility to switch to an FSRU conversion
candidate ahead of start-up to accommodate other Golar Power business
opportunities as required. Annual EBITDA* generated by the FSRU is projected to
be $39.0 million (100% for the account of Golar Power) starting January
1, 2020. When called upon to dispatch, the Sergipe power station will utilise
approximately 35% of the FSRUs regas capacity. Golar Power will therefore look
to augment this $39 million EBITDA* by seeking out other proximate users or
integrate a project into the Brazilian gas grid.
Other FSRU projects are currently being actively pursued. These require a range
of solutions from large new-build FSRUs to small, modern and new-build carrier
conversions. Golar has recently agreed to participate in a Total led consortium
developing an integrated FSRU-to-power project in the Ivory Coast.
Although LNG prices have increased in recent months, they remain extremely
competitive on a burn parity basis and by historical standards. The Company
believes that this together with an expectation that LNG prices will remain low
is driving demand growth that is supporting FSRU opportunities. China and India
continue to report high double digit demand growth with an estimated 40-50 mtpa
of incremental demand being filled by these two markets alone. Other emerging
markets are currently expected to fill a further 30-40mtpa of incremental
demand, much of it via FSRUs.
FLNG
The FLNG Hilli conversion project continues apace and remains on schedule,
within budget and on track to deliver within its stipulated delivery window.
Virtually all heavy equipment is on-board and over 4,000 contractors are now
working on the vessel on a daily basis. The mooring system is on schedule and
limited testing of systems has started. The Company is encouraged by two recent
developments in the FLNG business, namely:
* Commencement of operations on the worlds first FLNG vessel, the PFLNG Satu
in Malaysia.
* Black & Veatch successfully commissioning, in a marine environment, an Exmar
designed FLNG barge with a small-scale version of the same liquefaction
technology used on FLNG Hilli.
There are significant other stranded gas reserves in the area neighbouring the
Kribi field in Cameroon as well as additional reserves within the field itself.
Golar is currently having discussions with the Government and Perenco and is
soliciting interest from independent third parties with the target of increasing
utilisation of the FLNG Hilli. The Company remains cautiously optimistic that
further utilisation will be achieved after start-up.
Upstream - OneLNG
On July 25 Golar and Schlumberger formalised their co-operation by announcing
the creation of OneLNG, a joint venture 51% owned by Golar and 49% by
Schlumberger that will combine the respective strengths of each shareholder to
offer gas resource holders a faster and lower cost LNG development solution.
OneLNG will have first right of refusal for all gas-to-LNG projects that draw
upon services provided by Schlumberger and FLNG expertise provided by Golar. The
joint venture also contemplates an equitable contribution mechanism that takes
account of Golar's FLNG intellectual property. Any credit that Golar receives
for this intellectual property will be agreed on a case-by-case basis. Jeff
Goodrich, formerly Chief Operating Officer at Perenco has been appointed CEO of
OneLNG and key resources from both Golar and Schlumberger have been seconded to
the venture which now operates out of a shared London office.
On November 10, OneLNG signed a binding Shareholders Agreement with Ophir
Holdings and Ventures Limited to establish a Joint Operating Company ("JOC") to
develop Ophir's 2.6Tcf Fortuna gas reserves, in Block R, offshore Equatorial
Guinea. The JOC, 66.2% and 33.8% owned by OneLNG and Ophir respectively, will
own Ophir's share of the Block R licence and the FLNG vessel Gandria which are
collectively expected to produce between 2.2-2.5mtpa of LNG over 15-20 years.
The shareholders agreement and a Final Investment Decision are contingent on 3
key milestones - namely, agreement of final terms and execution of documentation
for project debt financing, approval by the shareholders of Ophir Energy plc,
and, approval by the government of Equatorial Guinea. OneLNG is responsible for
concluding the project debt financing and Ophir is responsible for securing
requisite government and shareholder approvals.
As well as aligning interests, the JOC structure allows the project to offer
both its FLNG unit and its stake in the gas field as security to lenders. This
additional security together with shareholder support is expected to facilitate
the drawdown of up to $1.2 billion of debt from FID to commencement of
operations. Including both upstream and midstream development the project is
expected to cost $2.0 billion to develop and is currently expected to generate
an annual EBITDA* of $560 million assuming a $6.0mmbtu free on-board gas price.
After Ophir's injection of up to $150 million and assuming debt of $1.2 billion,
OneLNG will be expected to contribute approximately $650 million. Golar has a
range of funding options available to meet its share of this OneLNG equity in
the 2017-2020 period. Credit can be expected for both the intellectual property
and the LNG carrier Gandria contributed by Golar. The Company is also looking to
agree payment profiles with key contractors Keppel and Black & Veatch to help
accommodate the gap between release of up to $160 million of post operational
equity from the Hilli and milestone payments required for the Gandria
conversion. Other potential sources of funding during this three-year period
include cash generated from the operation of FLNG Hilli, potential proceeds from
a sale of a tranche of the FLNG Hilli to Golar Partners for which discussions
have commenced, leveraging of further Common units in Golar Partners and the
2018 release of approximately $110 million of cash tied up in the FLNG Hilli
cash-collateralised letter of credit. Delay of the Fortuna FID to 1H 2017 also
reduces the gap between equity requirements for the project and equity released
from the FLNG Hilli.
In addition to the Fortuna Project, OneLNG is reviewing a comprehensive list of
other projects that suit its offering. Whilst there remains a West African bias
to the current shortlist, OneLNG is also working on several projects in other
parts of the world. The Company believes that there is additional demand for
its FLNG solutions and is encouraged by the way OneLNG has been received by the
market.
Financing Review
Liquidity
Golar's total cash position as at September 30 was $137.9 million.
FLNG Hilli financing
As at September 30, 2016, $600 million has been spent on the FLNG Hilli
conversion ($695 million including the vessel and capitalised interest) and $200
million had been drawn against the $960 million CSSCL FLNG Hilli facility. As
the project remains well within its $1.2 billion budget, all remaining
conversion and site specific costs for the FLNG Hilli are expected to be
satisfied by this facility. After a bank syndication exercise and a reduction
in mark-to-market swaps a further $13.9 million of the $280 million cash backed
Letter of Credit ("LC") to Perenco was released to 3Q liquidity. As at September
30, restricted cash tied up in this LC stood at $266.1 million. A further $34.8
million of this LC restricted cash has been released to liquidity so far in 4Q.
In addition to the above the following have been concluded:
* Golar Power transaction closed - released $103 million of cash.
* IDR Reset - received 3.7 million new Common units and 0.1 million General
Partner units in Golar Partners (including 0.8 million earn-out units).
* Margin Loan - secured $150 million commitment from Citibank to be secured by
certain Golar Partners units.
* Equity Issue - raised $170 million net of fees following the issue of 7.5
million new shares.
Corporate and Other Matters
After the recent offering there are 101 million shares outstanding including
3.0 million Total Return Swap ("TRS") shares that have an average price of
$41.10 per share. There are also 3.9 million outstanding stock options in issue
with current strike prices ranging from $1.48 to $57.00 per share.
The dividend will remain unchanged at $0.05 per share for the quarter.
Outlook
A total of around 300 spot fixtures are expected to be concluded in 2016, a
significant step up from around 190 voyages in 2015. New LNG supply trains are
delivering on an almost quarterly basis, gradually eroding the overcapacity in
the shipping market. There are clear signs of tightening in the spot market and
this improvement is encouraging charterer interest in longer term contracts.
Based on fixture activity thus far, 4Q shipping results are expected to be
approximately in line with 3Q. The current market strengthening is already
pushing 1Q 2017 utilisation toward 3Q 2016 levels. Shareholders can therefore
expect a positive improvement in1Q revenues.
Both Golar Power and OneLNG, have, within 6-months of their formation,
identified and taken substantial steps to advance their first project
opportunities. FID has been taken on the Sergipe project. Key service companies
have been engaged for Golar Power's first 25-year integrated FSRU-to-power
project. The main ground-work permit was received on November 28 and ground
preparations are now underway. Similarly, OneLNG has signed a shareholder
agreement with Ophir that makes both the financing and development of this world
class gas resource manifestly more digestible. Both of these projects are long-
term (20-25 years), show good profitability and are expected to add material
EBITDA* backlog to the Golar group, assuming successful execution of the two
projects. Golar's share in the currently expected EBITDA* backlog will be in
excess of $6.0 billion over the life of the projects based on current forward
prices. This creates a solid long-term foundation for the Company.
From a financing perspective, Golar is pleased to have delivered a solution to
the March maturing convertible bond and to have strengthened the Company's
liquidity position. Attention is now focused on concluding the financing of the
FLNG Gandria which is progressing well.
Based on Golar's experience with the first converted FSRU, successful execution
of the Hilli project is likely to increase interest in the Company's FLNG
solutions. FLNG Hilli continues to progress on budget and is scheduled to
commence operations in Cameroon in ten months. A key objective of the Company
will be to monetise the equity investment in, and the cashflow generated by,
FLNG Hilli, in the best possible way and use this to create profitable growth
going forward. Formation of OneLNG and Golar Power, recruitment of personnel and
the deals already concluded have strengthened the Company's ability to execute
large projects. When combined with the positive trend we now see in the
shipping market, the Company's strategic and financial position today is
considered to be considerably better relative to the same time last year.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect
management's current expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking
statements include any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply
future results, performance or achievements. Words such as "anticipate,"
"believe," "estimate," "expect, " "forecast," "intend," "may," "pending,"
"plan," "predict," "project," "potential," "should" and similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of
future performance and are based upon assumptions and estimates that are
inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult
to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from
what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
Among the important factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: changes in
LNG carriers, FSRU or FLNG market trends, including charter rates, vessel values
and technological advancements; changes in the Company's ability to retrofit
vessels as FSRUs or FLNGs and in the Company's ability to obtain financing for
such conversions or its joint ventures on acceptable terms or at all; changes in
the supply of or demand for LNG carriers, FSRUs or FLNGs; a material decline or
prolonged weakness in rates for LNG carriers, FSRUs or FLNGs; changes in the
performance of the pool in which certain of the Company's vessels operate and
the performance of the Company's joint ventures; changes in trading patterns
that affect the opportunities for the profitable operation of LNG carriers,
FSRUs or FLNGs; changes in the supply of or demand for LNG or LNG carried by
sea; changes in the supply of or demand for natural gas generally or in
particular regions; the failure of the Company's contract counterparties,
including its joint venture co-owners, to comply with their agreements with the
Company; changes in the Company's relationships with its counterparties,
including its major chartering parties; changes in the availability of vessels
to purchase and in the time it takes to construct new vessels; failure of
shipyards to comply with delivery schedules or performance specifications on a
timely basis or at all; the Company's ability to integrate and realize the
benefits of acquisitions; changes in the Company's ability to sell vessels to
Golar Partners or Golar Power Limited; changes in the Company's relationship
with Golar Partners, Golar Power Limited OneLNG S.A.; the Company's inability to
achieve successful utilization of its expanded fleet or inability to expand
beyond the carriage of LNG and provision of FSRUs, particularly through its
innovative FLNG strategy and its joint ventures; changes in the Company's
ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all; as well as
other factors discussed in the Company's most recent Form 20-F filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Unpredictable or unknown factors also could
have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.
As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements.
Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.
November 30, 2016
The Board of Directors
Golar LNG Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda
Questions should be directed to:
Golar Management Limited - +44 207 063 7900
Oscar Spieler - Chief Executive Officer
Brian Tienzo - Chief Financial Officer
Stuart Buchanan - Head of Investor Relations
Interim Results for the Period Ended 30 September 2016:
http://hugin.info/133076/R/2060669/772593.pdf
This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Golar LNG via GlobeNewswire
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 30.11.2016 - 15:11 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 510050
Anzahl Zeichen: 34019
contact information:
Town:
Hamilton
Kategorie:
Business News
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