RE: Bright side 1111 May 2018 11:31
as posted by brightside 111:
I�m still curious about 2018 KPI#3 and in particular how RKH will �strengthen the Company�s balance sheet which could be by way of a new venture.�
First, I assume that even RKH�s directors would not be sick enough to claim achievement of this KPI by strengthening the balance sheet via an equity placement. Furthermore, they would be mad to do an equity placement at anything like the current share and prior to the outcome of the Feb 2019 Ombrina Mare arbitration being known (we might possibly be rolling in cash after that).
Second, I note that 2018 KPI#1 already refers to �Bringing an additional paying partner into the Sea Lion Development project�. It would be very disappointing (but, sadly, not impossible) for the directors to claim achievement of both KPI#1 and #3 through the same farm out of SL. However, the markedly different wording used for the two KPIs suggests to me that the directors have something else in mind for KPI#3. What could it be?
Realistically, the only way to strengthen the balance sheet in 2018 via a new venture is to monetise an existing asset. I�m assuming that they do not mean SL Phase 1 as this is already covered by KPI#1. SL Phase 2 is likely to be part of any SL Phase 1 deal for operational and unitisation reasons � e.g. during a recent interview Tony D of PMO mentioned how the reservoir performance risk for Phase 1 was mitigated by the fact that they could just drill additional wells in the Phase 2 area to plug into the Phase 1 FPSO to make up for any shortfall.
What does that leave? The Med? Obviously not as its capital value is too small and it is throwing off enough cash to pay for the directors� salaries / bonuses.
South Falkands basin? During the take-over (oops, sorry, merger) of FOGL, RKH directors stressed that they attributed zero value to this and Nobel just walked away from it.
That only leaves Isobel / Elaine and the other non-SL North Basin assets.
Thinking further about this, a deal relating to these assets prior to SL Phase 1 sanction makes a lot of sense. RKH�s latest presentation shows Isobel / Elaine production starting in 2031, assuming FOIL for SL Phase 1 in late 2022 (interestingly, PMO�s latest presentation and RKH�s annual report do not show the production profile for Isobel / Elaine). By 2031 we really will be getting into squeaky bum time regarding the medium term outlook for oil given the rise of renewables and EVs. Bringing Isobel / Elaine forward by 5 years would not only double its value from a pure DCF perspective (based on 5 yrs discounting at 15% p.a.) but would also materially reduce the stranding risk. However, bringing it forward by 5 years would align the timing with SL Phase 2 which could cause an over load / over commitment of capex for the existing JV partners (RKH and PMO). Hence, a new venture with a different operator might be the best way