By Eyo Nsima
Seplat Energy Plc, a leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, has reported a rise of 238 per cent in its half year 2022 profit before tax (PBT) to $209.9 million, from $62.1 million year-on-year.
In the company’s unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2022, revenue for the period under review also appreciated by 71 per cent to $527 million from $308.8 million year-on-year, with a dividend of US$2.5 cents per share declared.
The company, which maintained a strong balance sheet with $350 million cash at bank, also reported a 208.5 per cent rise in gross profit to $274.3 million from $88.9 million year-on-year, and has committed to stopping routine flaring by the end of 2024.
Commenting on the results, Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc stated: “Production increased strongly in the second quarter, achieving 52.4 kboepd across our operations, and we expect to maintain higher volumes for the rest of the year now that we plan to export liquids through the more secure Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline.
“Having divested our interest in Ubima because of its high production costs and export difficulties, we recently acquired a 95 per cent interest in the Abiala marginal field and plan to begin operations there next year using existing infrastructure in OML 40. This is consistent with the strategy for low-cost, low-risk upstream growth we announced last year.
“We remain confident that our transformational acquisition of MPNU will be approved, adding significant reserves and production capacity that will strongly reinforce Seplat Energy’s position as Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil and gas producer.
“We have recently launched a roadmap for decarbonisation, with a clear path to ending routine flaring by 2024. In addition, our ‘Tree for Life’ initiative will plant five million saplings to sequester carbon across five states. All of these initiatives demonstrate our strategic commitment to build a sustainable company that delivers energy transition for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“Full-year production guidance for 2022 reflects expected third party downtime and the derecognition of Ubima and has been narrowed to 50,000 to 54,000 boepd on a working interest basis, comprising 30,000 to 33,000 bopd liquids and 116 to 121 MMscfd (around 20,000 to 21,000 boepd) gas production.”
