Petrofac Regulatory News (PFC)

PETROFAC LIMITED

FULL YEAR RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017

· Business performance net profit (1) up 7% to US$343 million

· Reported net loss of US$29 million post impairments and exceptional items of US$372 million

· New order intake (2) of US$5.2 billion; backlog (3) of US$10.2 billion

· Net debt of US$0.6 billion reflecting strong capital management

· Full year dividend of 38.0 cents per share in line with dividend policy

Ayman Asfari, Petrofac's Group Chief Executive, commented:

"We have delivered solid full year results, good operational performance and strong financial discipline, while maintaining our focus on best-in-class and safe project execution for our clients.

"We are also delivering our clear, focused strategy. The Group has secured awards in a broad range of markets during the year. Operational excellence is maintaining our strong competitive position and protecting our differentiated margins. Furthermore, we are continuing to reduce capital intensity and enhance returns, evidenced by the disposal of non-core assets and our decision to exit the deep-water market.

"Our competitive position has helped secure a strong recovery in new orders in 2017, particularly in the second half of the year. Tendering activity remains high, we are well positioned on several bids and we are maintaining our bidding discipline in a competitive market. With a healthy order backlog and good revenue visibility, I am confident that Petrofac is well positioned for 2018."

Chairman Rijnhard van Tets said: "Over the course of 2017 the leadership team has worked relentlessly to deliver for our clients, secure a strong recovery in new orders and continue to execute our stated strategy. The Board continues to have full confidence in Ayman, in Petrofac's people, its processes and its long-term prospects, and looks forward to continued good progress in 2018." 

DIVISIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Engineering & Construction (E&C)

Good operational performance, delivering strong margins in line with guidance

· High level of activity with 218 million manhours worked, up 3%

· US$4.1 billion of new order intake, including GC 32, Duqm, Sakhalin and Khazzan Phase 2

· Good progress across our portfolio of lump-sum projects

- Completed Khazzan central processing facility in Oman

- Sohar Refinery Improvement project in Oman in commercial operation

- Many projects in pre-commissioning or commissioning phase

· Revenue of US$4.8 billion, down 19%, reflecting project phasing

· Net profit up 10% to US$342 million

· Net margin increased to 7.1%, with an improvement in project mix partly offset by higher tax

Engineering & Production Services (EPS)

Solid operational performance in a challenging market environment

· Secured US$1.1 billion of new contracts and extensions predominantly in UK, Turkey, Iraq, and Kuwait; long-term framework agreement signed with Petroleum Development Oman

· Revenue of US$1.4 billion, down 19%, reflecting phasing of EPCm projects as well as lower new order intake, activity and utilisation in EPS West

· Net profit of US$90 million, down 19%

· Net margin stable at 6.5%, with improved project profitability largely offset by lower overhead recovery and deferred tax charges

Integrated Energy Services (IES)

Underlying performance improving as we reposition the portfolio

· Improving trend in operational performance across our upstream portfolio

· Revenue of US$228 million, down 16% (up 8% excluding asset sales)

- Production down 34% to 7.3 mmboe (net) reflecting asset sales

- Higher average realised oil price of US$57/bbl (2016: US$53/bbl)

- Lower cost recovery in Mexico, reflecting lower capital investment

· EBITDA of US$97 million, down 2% year on year (up 43% excluding asset sales)

· Net loss halved to US$21 million, benefitting from lower costs

· Continued to reposition IES through sale of Pánuco PEC and migration of Santuario PEC to PSC

Exceptionals and certain re-measurements

The reported net loss of US$29 million was impacted by exceptional items and certain re-measurements of US$372 million, of which approximately US$350 million were non-cash items.

The Board has today confirmed its intention to exit the deep-water market triggering an impairment charge of US$176 million (post-tax) in relation to the JSD6000 installation vessel, which has been reclassified as an asset held for sale. We continue to pursue options to maximise value for the JSD6000.

In our IES division, impairments and exceptional items totalled US$179 million after tax, predominantly in relation to the Greater Stella Area development, following re-assessment of production profiles, including a lower oil to gas ratio, Block PM304, due to a rephasing of future production, and Santuario, reflecting the terms secured on migration to a PSC. The resultant carrying amount of the IES portfolio was US$1.0 billion as at 31 December 2017 (2016: US$1.2 billion) excluding working capital balances.

NET DEBT AND LIQUIDITY

Net debt was US$0.6 billion as at 31 December 2017 (2016: US$0.6 billion), reflecting strong capital management. A 44% reduction in capital expenditure to US$170 million and better than expected working capital flows at the year-end delivered free cash flow of US$281 million in the year.

The Group retained good liquidity of US$1.6 billion as at 31 December 2017 (2016: US$1.8 billion). During 2017, Petrofac extended US$1.0 billion of its revolving credit facility by one year to 2021 and refinanced US$200 million of term loans, extending their maturity by up to two years.

DIVIDEND

In August 2017, the Board approved a sustainable dividend policy that targets a dividend cover of between 2.0x and 3.0x business performance net profit as the Group transitions back towards a low capital intensity business model. Going forward, it is proposed that the interim payment each year will be approximately 33% of the prior year total dividend.

In line with this policy, the Board is proposing a final dividend of 25.3 cents per share (2016: 43.8 cents). The final dividend will be paid on 25 May 2018 to eligible shareholders on the register at 27 April 2018 (the 'record date'). Shareholders who have not elected to receive dividends in US dollars will receive a sterling equivalent. Shareholders can elect by close of business on the record date to change their dividend currency election. Together with the interim dividend of 12.7 cents per share (2016: 22.0 cents), this gives a total dividend for the year of 38.0 cents per share (2016: 65.8 cents). The total dividend is covered by free cash flow.

OUTLOOK

The Group had a healthy order backlog of US$10.2 billion (2016 restated (4): US$11.7 billion) at the end of 2017 and has US$5.2 billion of secured revenue for 2018. Reported backlog excludes the framework agreement signed with Petroleum Development Oman in June 2017, which will add to backlog as projects are sanctioned.

Tendering activity remains high, and we are well positioned on several bids. We are maintaining our bidding discipline in a competitive market.

We are taking measures to deliver a sustainable reduction in net debt and strengthen our balance sheet. Group capital expenditure is expected to decrease to around US$150 million in 2018 (2017: US$170 million), and we remain committed to delivering operational excellence and divesting non-core assets.

BOARD AND MANAGEMENT CHANGES

The Board has concluded that restrictions imposed on Group Chief Executive Ayman Asfari in May 2017 are no longer appropriate. He will resume full executive duties with immediate effect and re-join the Nominations Committee. Mr Asfari will continue to fully respect and support the process and independence of both the SFO investigation and the sub-committee of the Board with delegated responsibility for this matter.

Marwan Chedid has elected to leave the business to pursue other interests and consequently has today stepped down as Group Chief Operating Officer. He will act in an advisory capacity for a transitional period to assist on his succession. He will remain ring-fenced from the SFO investigation in his temporary advisory role.

Separately, at the Annual General Meeting in May, Non-executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee Matthias Bichsel will be appointed Senior Independent Director. David Davies will also join the Board as a Non-executive Director and will be appointed Chairman of the Audit Committee.

David has more than 35 years' experience as a financial professional, most recently as Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board at international, integrated oil and gas producer and petrochemical solution provider OMV Aktiengesellschaft. He also served as Group Finance Director for Morgan Crucible Company plc and London International Group plc. David is a Chartered Accountant with a BA(Hons) in Economics from the University of Liverpool and an MBA from the Cass Business School. He is a Non-Executive Director of Ophir Energy Plc where he is Chairman of the Audit and a member of the Remuneration committee, a member of the Supervisory Board at Uniper SE where he also chairs the Audit and Risk Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Wienerberger AG and Chairman of their Audit Committee. David is also a member of the Senior Advisory Board at First Alpha Energy LLP.

NOTES

(1) Business performance profit attributable to Petrofac Limited shareholders before exceptional items and certain re-measurements. Business performance net profit is after US$38 million of deferred tax asset derecognition resulting from a combination of the previously announced changes in UK tax loss relief rules, which were enacted in October 2017, and a reduction in UK profit forecasts.

(2) New order intake comprises new contract awards and extensions, net variation orders and the rolling increment attributable to EPS contracts which extend beyond five years. Order intake is not an audited measure. In addition, backlog was reduced by US$0.6 billion following a revision of the expected work from EPS call-off contracts.

(3) The Group no longer recognises backlog in respect of the IES division. Backlog at 31 December 2017 includes US$1.0 billion for Petrofac's share of the Duqm refinery project in Oman. The full notice to proceed is expected shortly following formal contract signature on 15 February 2018.

(4) Restated to exclude backlog from the IES division.

PRESENTATION

Our full year results presentation will be held at 9.00am today, which will be webcast live via:

http://cache.merchantcantos.com/webcast/webcaster/4000/7464/16532/99371/Lobby/default.htm

SEGMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view our Segmental performance and Financial review for the year ended 31 December 2017 - http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3526G_2-2018-3-1.pdf

GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the Group financial statements of Petrofac Limited for the year ended 31 December 2017 - http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3526G_1-2018-3-1.pdf

The attached documents are extracts from the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017. Page number references refer to the full Annual Report when available.

Ends

Disclaimer:

This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to the business, financial performance and results of Petrofac and the industry in which Petrofac operates. These statements may be identified by words such as "expect", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "target", or "forecast" and similar expressions, or by their context. These statements are based on current knowledge and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Various factors could cause actual future results, performance or events to differ materially from those described in these statements and neither Petrofac nor any other person accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the opinions expressed in this presentation or the underlying assumptions. No obligation is assumed to update any forward-looking statements.

For further information contact:

Petrofac Limited

+44 (0) 207 811 4900

Jonathan Low, Head of Investor Relations

jonathan.low@petrofac.com

Alison Flynn, Group Head of Communications

alison.flynn@petrofac.com 

+44 (0) 207 811 4913

Tulchan Communications Group

+44 (0) 207 353 4200

petrofac@tulchangroup.com

Martin Robinson

LEI 2138004624W8CKCSJ177

NOTES TO EDITORS

Petrofac is a leading international service provider to the oil and gas production and processing industry, with a diverse client portfolio including many of the world's leading integrated, independent and national oil and gas companies. Petrofac is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: PFC).

Petrofac designs and builds oil and gas facilities; operates, maintains and manages facilities and trains personnel; enhances production; and, where it can leverage its service capability, develops and co-invests in upstream and infrastructure projects. Petrofac's range of services meets its clients' needs across the full life cycle of oil and gas assets.

With around 12,500 employees, Petrofac operates out of seven strategically located operational centres, in Aberdeen, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Woking, Chennai, Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur and has a further 24 offices worldwide.

For additional information, please refer to the Petrofac website at www.petrofac.com.