WTI (May) $83.71 +54c, Brent (June)* 87.42 +13c, Diff -$3.71 -41c
USNG (May) $1.84 +8c, UKNG (May) 68.0p, TTF (May) €26.7 -€0.65.Oil price

Oil rose in the week, month and quarter by roughly three, five and ten dollars against the background of generally positive factors including mainly tightening supply and demand and Opec holding its revised quotas. Even the IEA had to revise upwards its demand guesses…

This has led to stocks falling and which may do through the year if conditions persist, some sundry outages have hit production. These include South Sudan who are struggling for distribution through Sudan, Venezuela who have worked out the US election trick, Libya due to civil unrest and Russia for their own reasons and lack of product capacity.

With Israel upping the ante against Iran last night attacking the Revolutionary Guards in Syria there may be more response due. Economic data from the USA (PCE) and China (Manufacturing best since September) also helped.

Tomorrow sees the Opec Committee meeting which I dont expect to alter the quotas ahead of the full Ministerial meeting in June. Also tomorrow Fed Chairman Jerome Powell speaks although whether he will give any hints I rather suspect not.

Beacon Energy

Beacon has announced that Larry Bottomley, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, has informed the board of his intention to retire as CEO effective 1 June 2024.

Larry will be replaced as CEO by Stewart MacDonald, the Company’s current Chief Financial Officer following a suitable handover that encompasses the upcoming SCHB-2 sidetrack operation. Beacon confirms that the rig mobilisation is on track with the rig due to arrive on location in mid-April with the sidetrack operation scheduled to commence the following week.

Stewart joined Beacon in August 2022 with strong investment banking and listed company CFO experience gained over the last 20 years. Stewart’s contribution over the last 18 months since the Company’s re-establishment has been pivotal and makes him the natural successor to Larry as CEO.

After a distinguished international career of over 40 years, Larry has been CEO of the Company since January 2022 and was instrumental in re-establishing the Company from AIM listed cash shell, through the reverse takeover of Rhein Petroleum, and on to the drilling of the SCHB-2 well which resulted in a material oil discovery. Following the handover, Larry will transition into the role of Non-executive Director and provide continuing support.

The search for a Chief Operating Officer, to support the technical and operational workstreams within the executive team, will commence shortly.

Mark Rollins, Chairman of the Company, said:
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Larry for his substantial contribution over the past two years. He has played a key role in repositioning the Company. We look forward to continuing to benefit from Larry’s deep industry and technical experience in his capacity as a Non-executive Director. I am delighted to confirm Stewart’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer. Stewart brings a wealth of financial, capital markets and commercial experience in the energy sector and we look forward to leveraging his experience as we look to deliver our growth strategy.”

Commenting on his decision to retire, Larry Bottomley said:
“It has been an eventful couple of years through my tenure as CEO and I’m proud of what we have achieved in terms of establishing Beacon as a company underpinned by an existing production facility, a material proven reserve base, a highly capable operating team and a bright future as the company seeks to realise the significant upside potential of our portfolio.  The completion of the impending side-track feels like the appropriate time for me to handover the role of CEO to Stewart who has proved himself as a very capable replacement with a deep understanding of the business and a strong alignment with shareholders.  I look forward to continuing to support the Company through my new role as a Non-Executive Director.”

The appointment side of this comes as no surprise, if I remember rightly Larry was not originally slated for the CEO job and came out of retirement and has done a tricky job really well here. Stewart MacDonald will take over at an interesting time, highly dependent on the well result.

The rig is due to arrive at the location in mid-April and the sidetrack well SCHB-2 will commence the following week with completion likely to be mid May. When Stewart starts on 1st June the future will be determined one way or another. 

Ithaca Energy 

Ithaca Energy, a leading UK independent exploration and production company, today announces its audited full year results for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Financial key performance indicators (KPIs)

Other KPIs

1 Non-GAAP measure 

2023 Strategic and Operational Highlights

·    Full year production of 70.2 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboe/d), in line with previously stated guidance of 68-74 kboe/d
–      Underpinned by high levels of production efficiency across our operated asset base of 84%
–      Production split 66% liquids and 34% gas
·    Increase in Year-end 2P reserves and 2C resources to 544 mmboe (2022: 512 mmboe)
·    Significant progress across our strategic goals in 2023, delivering against our BUY, BUILD and BOOST

BUY

·    Completed acquisitions of the remaining 40% stake in Fotla and 30% stake in Cambo, at minimal near-term cost, providing full control over pre-Final Investment Decision (FID) work programme and timing

BUILD

·    FID taken to progress Phase I of the Rosebank development, the UK’s largest undeveloped discovery with all major contracts awarded and work underway to upgrade the Petrojarl Knarr FPSO
·    Pre-FID work continues across the Group’s high-value greenfield and brownfield development portfolio including:
–        Actively engaging with potential farm-in partners to enable the future progression of Cambo and Fotla towards FID, subject to fiscal and market conditions
–        Awarded license milestone extensions from 31 March 2024 to 31 March 2026 for Cambo field, on 19 March 2024
–        Captain Electrification FEED study matured to support FID in 2024, subject to market and fiscal conditions
–        Marigold Unitisation and Unit Operating Agreement executed with work progressing on preparation of a Field Development Plan
–        Fotla development concept selection in 2024
·    Successful exploration drilling at the K2 prospect (Ithaca Energy working interest 50%) and appraisal drilling at non-operated Leverett field, with good flow rates achieved (Ithaca Energy working interest 12%)

BOOST

·    Captain Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Phase II project now substantially complete (>90%), supporting first Phase II polymer injection into the subsea wells in summer 2024 with the remaining project scopes to completion including commissioning and subsea tie-in activities

2023 Financial Highlights

Key financial highlights in-line with estimated results provided in FY 2023 Trading Update on 15 February 2024

Guidance and Outlook 2024

·    We expect full year 2024 production in range of 56-61 kboe/d reflecting:
–      A reduction in investment in near-term projects as a direct result of the Energy Profits Levy including deferred or cancelled projects at the Greater Stella Area, Montrose Arbroath Area, Elgin Franklin Area and Alba
–      Longer path to Captain EOR II polymer well driven peak production, which is now expected in 2026. Ultimate reserve recovery of EOR Phase I and II remains unchanged
–      Operational issues at non-operated Pierce and Schiehallion fields and compressor issues at Erskine’s host facility (Lomond) impacting production in Q1 2024
·    FY 2024 net operating cost guidance range of $540-590 million driven partly by tariff revenue reductions in the Greater Stella Area due to third party field production decline
·    FY 2024 net producing asset capital cost guidance range of $335-385 million (excluding pre-FID projects and Rosebank development)
·    FY 2024 net Rosebank project capital cost guidance range of $190-230 million
·    FY 2024 cash tax guidance of $345-355 million
·    Drawdown on unutilised capex carry arrangements of $150 million
·    Reaffirming dividend policy for 2024 targeting dividend at the top end of our capital allocation policy range of 15 – 30% post-tax CFFO

Medium-Term

·    Beyond 2024, the Group expects production growth through the medium-term with a return towards 80 kboe/d by 2027, as we see the full benefit of investment in our Captain EOR Phase II project and first production from the sanctioned Rosebank development
·    Strategic M&A focus on adding complementary cash-generative production portfolios that will support our investment in long-term organic growth opportunities to build a portfolio of significant scale and longevity
·    Continued focus on advancing high-value development projects and preserving optionality across our portfolio while prioritising capital allocation to maximise sustainable shareholder returns

Exclusivity Agreement for a potential transformational combination with Eni S.p.A.’s UK Business

·    Ithaca Energy today announces that it has entered into an exclusivity agreement (the “Exclusivity Agreement”) in relation to a potential transformational combination with substantially all of Eni S.p.A.’s (“Eni”) UK upstream assets including the recently acquired Neptune Energy assets, excluding certain assets including Eni’s CCUS and Irish sea assets (the “Potential Combination”)
·    Pursuant to the Exclusivity Agreement, Eni has granted Ithaca Energy exclusivity in respect of the assets the subject of the Potential Combination for a period of four weeks from the date of this announcement. Ithaca Energy and Eni have entered into the Exclusivity Agreement to allow time to separately progress the contractual documentation required in connection with the Potential Combination.

Key highlights of the Potential Combination

·    Eni will contribute its UK business in exchange for the issuance of new Ithaca Energy shares to Eni, with Eni anticipated to hold between 38% and 39% of the enlarged issued share capital of Ithaca Energy following completion
·    Eni has a well-diversified asset base across four key hubs: Elgin Franklin, J-Area, Cygnus and Seagull; Ithaca Energy is already a partner in the Elgin Franklin and Jade fields
·    Eni’s UK business had 2023 pro forma production of 40-45 kboe/d and 2P reserves of c.100 mmboe as at 31 December 20231
·    The Potential Combination would represent a value-accretive opportunity for Ithaca Energy’s shareholders, supporting delivery of the Company’s BUY, BUILD and BOOST strategy

The Potential Combination would:

o  Add significant scale and diversification to Ithaca Energy’s business: Significantly growing pro-forma production to above 100 kboe/d, creating the 2nd largest independent operator in the UKCS by production2

o  Create a leading UKCS portfolio: Enhancing Ithaca Energy’s status as the largest independent operator by resource, holding stakes in 6 of the 10 largest fields3

o  Enable material future growth for Ithaca Energy: Boost near-term cash flows to unlock growth from Ithaca Energy’s development projects whilst supporting shareholder returns

o  Create a long-term strategic partnership with Eni: Eni would become a major shareholder in the enlarged group supportive of delivery of Ithaca Energy’s BUY, BUILD and BOOST strategy. It is contemplated that Ithaca Energy would have access to Eni’s leading technical expertise to drive future growth.

·    Ithaca Energy anticipates that the Potential Combination will require shareholder approval as a Class 1 transaction. Additionally, as Eni UK will hold between 38% and 39% of the voting rights of Ithaca Energy at completion of the Potential Combination, a mandatory offer would normally be required under Rule 9 of the UK Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Takeover Code”). However, given that Delek Group will still hold shares carrying more than 50% of the voting rights following completion of the Potential Combination, the UK Panel on Takeover and Mergers (the “Panel”) have granted a dispensation from Rule 9 pursuant to note 5 (b) of Rule 9 under the Takeover Code. Accordingly, completion of the Potential Combination will not be conditional upon and will not require approval by Ithaca Energy’s independent shareholders in relation to a Rule 9 waiver.

·    Although the discussions are at an advanced stage, there can be no certainty that a Potential Combination will occur, nor as to the final terms or timing on which a Combination might be concluded.

Executive Chairman, Gilad Myerson, commented:
“I am delighted to share the news that we have entered into an Exclusivity Agreement with Eni S.p.A to explore a transformational combination with Eni UK’s upstream assets. We believe this potential combination would be a strong strategic fit with Eni UK’s cash generative portfolio complementing Ithaca Energy’s high-quality, long-life asset base with significant development opportunity.

I can’t comment much on this as I haven’t met the company recently and with a new CEO yet to be appointed much depends on that. However I think that this deal looks really exciting, goes slightly against the tide which I think is a great thing in this day and age and with the Eni assets will create a huge beast of the UKCS and of course that divvi….

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