EnQuest PLC Operations update (7220O)

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RNS Number : 7220O

EnQuest PLC

23 August 2017

ENQUEST PLC Operations update and revised full year 2017 production guidance

23 August 2017

EnQuest's production outlook guidance

Production for the first half of 2017 was 37,015 Boepd. With prolonged commissioning leading to lower than expected operational efficiency from the Kraken FPSO vessel to date, production volumes have been lower than forecast and EnQuest's overall average daily production for the full year 2017 is now anticipated to be as per the first half 2017 production rate, plus or minus 10%. This reduction in EnQuest's short term 2017 production guidance, is consistent with EnQuest's objective of bringing Kraken onstream in a phased manner in line with good reservoir management practices aimed at maximising long term productivity and value. We do not expect the current operational issues in the Kraken ramp-up to continue beyond 2017.

Net debt at the end of June 2017, was $1,922 million, compared to $1,912 million as reported as at the end of April 2017. Available cash and bank facilities amounted to $213 million as at 30 June 2017.

EnQuest CEO, Amjad Bseisu said:

"EnQuest was pleased to bring the Kraken field onstream in Q2 2017 at a substantially reduced capex spend, having delivered excellent drilling and subsea programmes. The FPSO however is a complex vessel, designed and built to manage the heavy oil from the Kraken development, and it is taking longer than expected to commission during this initial period. Nonetheless, we have been very pleased with reservoir performance and the flow rates achieved on individual wells and, we expect the field to increase production in Q4 and to achieve plateau production of approximately 50,000 Bopd gross in H1 2018.

While we have seen natural declines in EnQuest's existing production base in H1 2017, Kraken is on course to drive a material increase in EnQuest's production in 2018 and beyond."

Production statistics. H1 2017 production and development performance and outlook by asset:

 
 Production           Net daily   Net daily 
  on a working          average     average 
  interest basis        H1 2017     H1 2016 
                        (Boepd)     (Boepd) 
-----------------    ----------  ---------- 
 Northern North 
  Sea 
 Thistle/Deveron          7,417       8,966 
 Dons/Ythan               5,122       6,600 
 Heather/Broom            4,560       6,114 
 Central North 
  Sea 
 Kittiwake                2,916       3,738 
 Scolty/Crathes           3,362           - 
 Alma/Galia               3,259       6,433 
 Kraken                   97(1)           - 
 Alba                     1,311       1,236 
-------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total UKCS              28,045      33,087 
-------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 PM8/Seligi               7,966       8,152 
 Tanjong Baram            1,003       1,281 
-------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total Malaysia           8,969       9,433 
-------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total EnQuest           37,015      42,520 
-------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

(1) Net production since first oil on 23 June, averaged over the six months to end June 2017

Kraken development update highlights

First oil from Kraken was delivered on 23 June 2017. To date, the four wells from drill centre 1 ('DC1') and two wells out of the three wells from drill centre two ('DC2'), have produced at initial gross rates above expectations and with stabilised flow rates which confirm the Field Development Plan. DC1 maximum individually tested well rates have been approximately 24,000 Bopd, with stabilised combined well rates at approximately 15,000 Bopd. One DC2 well has been tested at a rate above 10,000 Bopd, demonstrating excellent reservoir properties and completion efficiency. Injection wells have also surpassed expectations. The hydraulic submersible pumps, subsea production system and turret have all performed as expected.

Commissioning of the FPSO vessel topsides equipment continues and, despite good well deliverability, has been constraining production so far. Whilst in Q3 2017, volumes are behind forecast as equipment is commissioned, we expect operational uptime to improve accordingly and to deliver plateau production of approximately 50,000 Bopd gross in H1 2018.

DC3 wells are now due to complete in Q4 2017, ahead of schedule, further facilitating the achievement of plateau performance in H1 2018.

We expect to achieve a further c.$100 million of capex savings on the project as a result of the drilling of DC3 being completed 3 to 4 months earlier than planned and lower market rates for the subsea costs of DC4. Full cycle gross project capex is now estimated to be c.$2.4 billion, 25% down on the original sanctioned cost of $3.2 billion.

Northern North Sea production

The ongoing Thistle/Deveron programme to improve the reliability of water injection continues to have a positive impact, plant uptime is also improving. At the Don fields, well performance was particularly good at Don Southwest, with high levels of production efficiency across the Don fields. Production improving chemical treatments are planned at both West Don and Don Southwest. 2017 water injection issues at Heather/Broom have impacted production year on year, offset by high levels of production efficiency.

Central North Sea Production

The work programme in the Greater Kittiwake Area ('GKA') & Scolty/Crathes for 2017 continues to be focused on optimising production across the assets. Good production has been delivered from the GKA fields, with high levels of plant uptime and production efficiency. Production rates on Scolty/Crathes have been constrained due to wax build up in the pipeline. Chemical treatments have been carried out which have allowed production to continue at reduced rates. Further work is ongoing to identify longer term solutions. Evaluation of the potential from the Eagle discovery is ongoing; Dana Petroleum has confirmed its intention to withdraw from this discovery.

At Alma/Galia, the final phase of the power and also the produced and sea water injection optimisation projects have been completed on the EnQuest Producer. As expected at the time of EnQuest's full year 2016 results announcement in March 2017, production from Alma/Galia has been lower than in 2016, given shut in wells, production outages in Q1 due to storm damage and natural declines. Discussions continue with the ESP supplier on rectification plans to address the ongoing pump reliability issues.

Malaysian production

PM8/Seligi

EnQuest continues to invest in low cost well work and facility projects to improve production efficiency, including gas compression train and power generation control system upgrades. In addition, robust inspection and refurbishment campaigns on platform topsides and structures support ongoing safe operations.

Longer term, EnQuest will extend field life through further investment in idle well restoration, facility improvements and upgrades, well workovers, new drilling and secondary recovery projects to increase ultimate recovery. Significant progress is being made in 2017 on technical studies to better define the next phase of these projects.

Tanjong Baram

The Tanjong Baram field has produced with excellent operational uptime in 2017 and the focus remains on steady, safe and low cost operations.

A futher update and additional analysis will be provided with EnQuest's 2017 half year results on 7 September 2017.

Ends

Conference call for analysts and investors

A conference call for analysts and investors will be held at 09:00 today - London time.

 
 Dial in number(s)        UK Toll: [phone] UK Toll-Free: 08082370030 
 URL for international    http://events.arkadin.com/ev/docs/NE_FEL_NTF_Events_International_Access_List.pdf 
  dial in numbers 
 Participant PIN code     98505309# 
 

For further information please contact:

EnQuest PLC Tel: [phone]

Amjad Bseisu (Chief Executive)

Jonathan Swinney (Chief Financial Officer)

Michael Waring (Head of Communications & Investor Relations)

Tulchan Communications

Tel: [phone]

Martin Robinson

Martin Pengelley

Notes to editors

This announcement has been determined to contain inside information.

ENQUEST

EnQuest is one of the largest UK independent producers in the UK North Sea. EnQuest PLC trades on both the London Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. Its operated assets include Thistle/Deveron, Heather/ Broom, the Dons area, the Greater Kittiwake Area, Scolty/Crathes and Alma/Galia, also the Kraken development; EnQuest also has an interest in the non-operated Alba producing oil field. At the end of December 2016, EnQuest had interests in 25 UK production licences, covering 35 blocks or part blocks and was the operator of 23 of these licences.

EnQuest believes that the UKCS represents a significant hydrocarbon basin, which continues to benefit from an extensive installed infrastructure base and skilled labour. EnQuest believes that its assets offer material organic growth opportunities, driven by exploitation of current infrastructure on the UKCS and the development of low risk near field opportunities.

EnQuest is replicating its model in the UKCS by targeting previously underdeveloped assets in a small number of other maturing regions; complementing its operations and utilising its deep skills in the UK North Sea. In which context, EnQuest has interests in Malaysia where its operated assets include the PM8/Seligi Production Sharing Contract and the Tanjong Baram Risk Services Contract.

Forward looking statements: This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to EnQuest's expectation and plans, strategy, management's objectives, future performance, production, reserves, costs, revenues and other trend information. These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that may occur in the future. There are a number of factors which could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements and forecasts. The statements have been made with reference to forecast price changes, economic conditions and the current regulatory environment. Nothing in this presentation should be construed as a profit forecast. Past share performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

Glossary

   DC       Drill centre 
   FDP     Field development plan 

FPSO Floating production, storage and offloading vessel

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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August 23, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)