Panoro Energy today announced its financial and operating results for the six months ended 30 June, 2020.

John Hamilton, CEO of Panoro, commented:
"Further to the decisive actions taken earlier in the year, the second quarter has seen a gradual return to a more stabilised operating environment, and in fact oil production has performed very well, with record quarterly output achieved. We are very excited by the newly reprocessed Dussafu seismic, acquired by Panoro in 2013, indicating that the Hibiscus area volumes could potentially be three times as big as initially estimated. Our strong hedging position has yielded robust results, and our hedges extend until the end of 2021. Despite significant challenges remaining due to COVID-19, the, Company is well positioned to deliver organic growth through a focus on boosting production in Tunisia and on restarting delayed activity in Gabon."

Financial Highlights

• Record quarterly production levels since 2013
• Third straight quarter of production increases to approximately 2,347 bopd net for 2Q 2020
• Gross revenue excluding hedging income from continuing operations1of USD 8.5 million for the first six months of 2020 from three international oil liftings
• Operating cost of under USD 15 per barrel of oil produced for the six months to 30 June 2020
• Positive EBITDA and Operating Cash Flow (including hedges) in 2Q and 1H, despite very low oil price and higher operating costs linked to workovers in Tunisia
• Net income after tax for the six months to 30 June 2020 of USD 3.4 million, principally from realised and unrealised gains on crude oil hedges of USD 9.2 million
• Capital expenditure of USD 9.1 million year to date (USD 4.1 million for the second quarter), largely completing planned spending for 2020
• Cash balances of USD 19 million at 30 June 2020 (31 March 2020: USD 24.2 million) including cash held for bank guarantee
• Receivables from crude oil sales were USD 4.3 million at 30 June 2020 (31 March 2020: USD 3.1 million). USD 2.7 million of these was collected subsequent to quarter end
• Debt of USD 22.8 million (31 March 2020: USD 23.4 million), with USD 2.9 million having been repaid in the first half, followed by a further USD 0.7 million repayment in July

Map source: KeyFacts Energy

Operational Highlights

• Production and lifting operations maintained and largely unaffected through crisis
• Health and Safety systems and protocols proved resilient
• In Gabon, quarterly production at record high of 15,991 bopd gross on average, with current production in excess of 18,000 bopd
• At Dussafu, seismic reprocessing completed, potential for material increase in hydrocarbon volumes at Hibiscus
• Tunisian quarterly production of 3,903 bopd gross on average, with periods of production at 4,300
• In Tunisia, operational constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic gradually began to be released in the latter part of May though international travel restrictions still apply
• Workover activities recommenced in June with multiple wells currently being prepared for production
• Guebiba 10 side- track spud in August with rig CTF 06, targeting undrained oil in a location close to the crest of the field

Map source: KeyFacts Energy

Corporate Highlights

• Hedging strategy proving effective in period of extremely volatile and low oil prices, realising USD 2.7 million in finance income during 1H
• Three non-executive directors purchased shares during the quarter

Outlook and Guidance

• Two international liftings (one of each Tunisia and Gabon) for 3Q; three liftings expected in 4Q (two Gabon, one Tunisia)
• Hedging position remains strong at approximately 25% of production hedged until end 2021 at USD 55 per barrel
• 2020 net production guidance of 2,300-2,500 bopd
• In Gabon, production from DTM-6H (drilled but not tied in) and DTM-7H (to be drilled) to be brought into production likely during 1H 2021
• Production growth activity in Tunisia at unprecedented levels
• Dividend of PetroNor shares to Panoro shareholders upon completion of sale of Aje

KeyFacts Energy:   Panoro Energy Gabon country profile   l   Panoro Energy Tunisia country profile