Repsol

Record exploratory campaign in 2009

Repsol posts net income of 1.257 billion euros

Press Release

12 November 2009 09:00 CET

Repsol posted net income of 1.257 billion euros during the first 9 months of 2009, in an environment severely affected by the fall of oil and natural gas prices. Net income fell 55.4% compared to the same period in 2008, in line with the rest of the industry.

Repsol’s operating income was 2.484 billion euros, 51% less than in the first nine months of 2008. Nevertheless, during the third quarter of 2009 operating income experienced a slight improvement compared to the previous quarter, a reflection of the signs of recovery in the economic environment.

SHARP FALL IN INTERNATIONAL OIL AND GAS PRICES  

During the first 9 months the year, oil industry earnings have been severely affected by the fall in demand and prices of oil and natural gas, as well as by production restrictions imposed by OPEC and the sharp fall in Spanish refining margins. 
Brent crude averaged $57.3/bbl, 48.4% less than the $111.1/bbl recorded in the first 9 months of 2008. West Texas averaged $57.3/bbl, compared with $113.5/ bbl in the same period of the previous year, a fall of 49.5%. The average Henry Hub price for gas in the first 9 months of 2009 was $3.9/MBtu compared to $9.7/MBtu in the previous year, a fall of 59.8%. Refining margins in Spain declined 74.3% in the period from $7/bbl to $1.8/bbl. 

FINANCIAL SITUATION AND DEBT 

The company’s 1.5 billion-euro extraordinary savings plan developed in response to the current economic environment is being implemented successfully. As well as reducing corporate expenditure and freezing the Chairman, Board and executives’ salaries, Repsol continues to negotiate with suppliers to adapt existing contracts to the existing macroeconomic conditions.

The company’s net debt at the end of September 2009 was 10.575 billion euros, meaning a rise of 170 million euros compared to the previous quarter, even though the company paid a final dividend for 2008 of 641 million euros. The net debt-to-capital employed ratio stood at 29.6% at the end of the quarter.
Without including the consolidation of Gas Natural, the company’s net debt was 4.062 billion euros at the end of the third quarter, with a net debt-to-capital employed ratio of 14.2%.

PRODUCTION POTENTIAL CONFIRMED IN BRAZIL, VENEZUELA AND THE USA 

During 2009, Repsol had an unprecedented success in its exploration campaign, reporting a record 15 oil and gas discoveries, including its biggest ever gas discovery in Venezuela. Because of these activities, Repsol has incorporated great volumes of resources that will help reserves and production growth over the next years. 

Since the announcement of the first half 2009 earnings, Repsol has made discoveries in West Abare in Brazil, Perla 1X in Venezuela, and Venus B-1 in Sierra Leone. 

In Brazil in block BM-S-9 of Brazil’s deep water Santos Basin, Repsol made a new oil and gas discovery (well Abare West), which adds to those of the Vampira well, and the Panoramix, Piracuca and Iguazu discoveries, announced in the first half of 2009.

Also in Brazil, initial production tests in the Guara well in Brazil’s Santos Basin have been completed, giving estimations of recoverable volumes of light crude and gas at between 1.1 billion and 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent.  Due to the field’s potential, the consortium will install a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) to produce 120,000 boe/d, which would make it the second producing field in the Santos Basin. 

In Venezuela, Repsol has confirmed its biggest ever gas discovery and the largest find of its kind made in that country. The field contains recoverable gas volumes of between 1 and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. 

In the Gulf of Mexico (USA), the company made a new find in the Buckskin well in the first half of the year. This adds to the new finds in the Shenzi fields in the G109 and Shenzi-8 fields that indicate important oil resources. Oil production in the Shenzi field has beaten initial expectations by 20%. 

Also in September, a discovery in Block SL 6/07 was made in the Venus B-1 well in Sierra Leone, indicating the potential of the previously unexplored area.
Upstream (Exploration and Production) operating income for the first 9 months of the year reached 618 million euros, representing a fall of 69.1% compared to the same period first half of 2008, mainly because of a sharp decline in oil and gas prices from the record highs registered in 2008. 

Total hydrocarbons production was 328,297 of barrels of oil equivalent per day compared to 333,540 in the same period of the previous year, a 1.6% decline, due to the fall in demand in Venezuela and Brazil and a programmed maintenance stop in a gas plant in Algeria. When corrected for regulatory and contractual changes, and for the production restrictions imposed by OPEC, output would have increased 4.8% thanks the start of production in Shenzi.

During the first 9 months of 2009, investment in exploration and production increased by 9.8% to 942 million euros. Development funds were assigned mainly to the USA, Trinidad & Tobago and Libya.

In the first 9 months of the year, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) business posted operating income of 39 million euros compared to 88 million euros of the same period of the previous year, representing a 55.7% decline. This fall is due to the lower international gas prices and the Spanish electricity pool prices, as well as lower marketing margins and volumes. Investments of this period reached 103 million euros and were assigned mainly to the Canaport LNG plant.

SHARP FALL IN REFINING MARGINS 

Downstream operating income in the first 9 months of the year was 766 million euros compared to 1.540 billion euros during the same period of previous year, representing a 50.3% fall due to a decline in refining margins and the accounting effect of the cost of inventories.

The savings plan implemented by the company has reduced fixed costs in refining and helped compensate for the effects of weak refining margins in 2009. Additionally, the good results from the LPG and Marketing business during the third quarter have contributed positively to this business results.

Investment in the Downstream unit was 1.209 billion euros, mainly assigned to projects in progress in Cartagena and Bilbao. 

IMPROVED REALISATION PRICES IN YPF 

In the first 9 months of 2009, the operating income at YPF fell 36.6% to 663 million euros. 

Profit declined despite a price increase for gas and service stations products, which did not fully compensate for lower demand nor for lower revenue from products sold in Argentina but referenced to international crude prices, export caps and an unfavourable exchange rate. 

During the period, YPF production was 587,980 boe/d a 5.6% decline compared to the same period of last year, in line with the natural decline of maturing fields typical of these areas, and a workers strike in the third quarter. Investments of 618 million euros were mainly assigned to developing, exploration and production projects.

POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE GAS NATURAL-UNION FENOSA MERGER 

Gas Natural SDG in the first nine months of 2009 posted an operating income of 560 million euros against 423 million euros in the same period of previous year, a rise of 32.4%.

The increase in profits included the positive impact of incorporating the results of Union Fenosa in Gas Natural.  

The 4,840 million euros invested by Gas Natural was mainly used to increase that company’s participation in Union Fenosa, as well as electricity generation and distribution activities.

More information

Period highlights

Repsol and the Basque Energy Board (Ente Vasco de la Energía) agree to create a network for electrical cars 

The October 29th agreement sets out the plans for the partners to carry out an initial study to asses the viability of different battery-recharging systems and quick-change battery services for electric vehicles. Following the initial study, technical specifications for the chosen solution will be determined and the ideal locations to develop the network will be selected. The agreement aims to contribute to security of supply with fuels that are efficient in terms of costs and which contribute to achieving global sustainability targets.

Shenzi beats production expectations by 20% 

On October 30th Repsol and its partners made two new finds in the Shenzi field in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The new pay found in two reservoirs in the existing G104 and Shenzi-8 wells confirms the potential of Shenzi, where the 120,000 boe/day output is already 20% above initial production expectations. Repsol and its partners began producing oil and gas from Shenzi at the end of March 2009.

The Gulf of Mexico is one of the world’s most attractive offshore areas for the oil industry and helps Repsol achieve its aim of increasing its exposure to OECD countries.

Third quarter 2009

Perla 1X in Venezuela is confirmed as Repsol’s largest ever gas find 

Repsol has confirmed in Venezuela its biggest ever gas discovery and the largest find of its kind made in that country. During production tests, the well flowed 570,000 cubic metres/day of gas with 620 barrels of condensate per day and. It is estimated that the field contains recoverable gas volumes of between 1 and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

According to the IHS information service, the Perla discovery is amongst the five largest hydrocarbons finds worldwide in 2009.  

Antonio Brufau opens Canaport LNG, the first such terminal to be built in Canada 

On September 17th Chairman Antonio Brufau officially opened the Canaport LNG terminal in Canada, marking the completion of the first of ten key projects outlined in the company’s 2008-2012 Strategic Plan. The terminal is the first of its kind to be built on the east coast of North America in 30 years, and the first ever to be built in Canada. The 1 Bcf per day facility can supply enough gas to heat 5 million homes and marks the entry of Repsol in the United States’ gas market.

First hydrocarbons find offshore Sierra Leone 

On September 17th Repsol and partners Anadarko, Woodside and Tullow made the first discovery of hydrocarbons offshore Sierra Leone. The find was made in the Venus B-1 well in block SL 6/07, which reached a depth of 5.638 metres in water 1,798 meters deep. Venus is the first well drilled in the area.

Abare West, a new discovery in Brazil’s Santos Basin 

On September 15th Repsol announced a new oil and gas discovery in block BM-S-9 of Brazil’s deep water Santos Basin. The find was made in the well 4-SPS-66C, known as Abare West, of the Carioca area. The well is 290 kilometres from the coast of Sao Paulo, in water 2,163 metres deep. Tests are underway to determine the size and quality of the well.

Guara estimated to hold between 1.1 and 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent 

Repsol and partners Petrobras and BG Group announced on September 9th that they completed initial production tests in the Guara well, in Brazil’s Santos Basin, and estimate recoverable volumes of light crude and gas at between 1.1 billion and 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

Due to the field’s potential, the consortium will install a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) to produce 120,000 boe/d, which would make it the second producing field in the Santos Basin.

Repsol, leader in transparency according to the Dow Jones index

For the fourth consecutive year, Repsol is part of the selective world and European sustainability indexes DJSI World (Dow Jones Sustainability Index STOXX) for its performance in sustainability. These indices were published in September. 

The company is rated “best in class” in the Oil & Gas sector in the social dimension, receiving the maximum score in the index for transparency, human capital development and social impact in communities. For the first time, Repsol won top marks in climate change,  biodiversity and social awareness management.

Repsol named Energy Company of the Year 

Repsol won the Energy Company of the Year Award, awarded by the Petroleum Economist  on September 2nd in recognition of its achievements in 2008, centred on the implementation of the company’s strategic plan. Repsol Chairman Antonio Brufau, was among the finalists for the Executive of the Year award in recognition of his achievements since his appointment in October 2004.  

Repsol was the only Spanish company nominated for these awards.

Second quarter 2009

Vampira discovery in Brazil 

On July 28th Repsol confirmed the existence of traces of light crude oil and gas in the Vampira well, located in block  S-M-789, in the BM-S-48 area, at about 200 kilometres from the coast of Sao Paulo, at a depth of 140 metros in the Santos Basin.  Repsol is the operator of the block, with a 40% stake,  and is partnered by Petrobras (35%), Vale (12.5%) and Woodside (12.5%). Work is currently underway to establish  the quantity and quality of the hydrocarbons.

Two discoveries in Spanish Mediterranean waters 

On July 1st Repsol made two new offshore oil discoveries in the Spanish Mediterranean. The Montanazo D-5 and Lubina-1 wells are located 45 kilometres from the coast of Tarragona could increase Spain’s oil production fourfold. 

Repsol, with a 75% stake, is the operator of the first of these discoveries, in a consortium with Gas Natural (17.7%) and Cepsa (7.3%). In the second discovery, Repsol is the sole holder. 

Initial production tests produced flows of 3,800 bpd in Montanazo  D-5 and 3.700 bpd in Lubina-1. Preliminary estimates show that the Montanazo and Lubina wells could produce oil for between five and seven years, extending the productive lives of the area. Both wells will be tied back to the Casablanca platform.

Repsol named best Ibex-35 company for online financial information 

Repsol was awarded on June 24th the status of Best Spanish Company for Financial Information on the Internet at the eighth edition of the annual awards ceremony held by the Spanish Association of Accounting and Business Administration (AECA), in the category of Ibex-35 companies.  

The AECA Awards aim to recognise the importance that new technologies have in developing a more efficient information market and the effect they have on the correct allocation of financial resources. Repsol has previously won this award in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Repsol wins award for its integration policies for the disabled 

Repsol on June 16th won the Fundación Empresa y Sociedad disability award for being the company that creates most jobs for the disabled. These award recognise the best corporate policies in integration for disabled people. 

Repsol has more than 348 disabled workers, more than 2% of its workforce, and has its own global accessibility framework which has been implemented in Spain’s only two service stations with global accessibility and the AENOR certification.

Panoramix; gas and condensate in shallow waters offshore Brazil  

On May 11th Repsol made a new gas and condensates find in the shallow waters of the Santos Basin offshore Brazil, confirming the potential of the area and its strategic importance for the company. The production tests showed a maximum gas flow of 378,600 cubic metres/day and 1,570 bpd of condensate. Repsol is the operator of the exploration consortium with a 40% stake. Partners include Petrobras (35%), Vale (12.5%) and Woodside (12.5%). 

First find offshore Libya 

On April 1st Repsol made its first offshore hydrocarbons discovery off the coast of Libya, a country where Repsol has a key presence as the largest foreign oil company. With this discovery, the company strengthens its position as the first private oil company in Libya.

The well, drilled to a depth of 4,820 metres in 50 metres of water, is the first drilled in block NC202, about 15 kilometres offshore Libya. The block is located in the Sirte Basin, and was awarded to Repsol and its partners in November 2003.

Piracuca and Iguazu; the Santos basin’s potential is confirmed 

Repsol and Petrobras confirmed on April 13th the commercial viability of a discovery made in January in the Piracuca well, in the BM-S-7 block of Brazil’s Santos Basin. Preliminary estimates indicate there could be 550 mboe of oil in place of light oil and natural gas.

On April 15th, Repsol announced a new discovery in the Santos's Basin. The well known as Iguazu, is located in block BM-S-9, 340 kilometres off the Sao Paulo coast and at 2,140 meters deep, in the same evaluation area as the Carioca and Guara fields. Repsol has a 25% stake in the discovering consortium.

First quarter 2009

Gas find in Moroccan waters 

On March 30th Repsol discovered gas in the Tanger-Larache area, 40 kilometres from the coast of Morocco. The find is comprised of two columns of gas totalling 90 metres were uncovered in the Anchois-1 well, drilled to a depth of 2,359 metres. Repsol operates the consortium with a 36% stake.

Buckskin, a new and significant find in the Gulf of Mexico 

Repsol on February 6th announced a significant new oil find in the Buckskin well, in US waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery was made 300 kilometres offshore Houston. Repsol is the operator of the well which shows indications of the existence of significant light and sweet oil resources. It is adjacent to and of a similar geological structure to the Chevron-operated Jack field.

Four new gas finds in Algeria 

On January 26, Repsol has made three new gas finds in Algeria’s Sahara desert: One in the Reggane basin, where the company has already had a number of successes, another in the Ahnet Basin, and a third in the Berkine Basin. Initial production tests showed output of 1 million cubic metres/day, indicating the new finds have high gas potential. On April 1st, Repsol made a new find in the Ahnet basin, to the east of the prolific Reggane basin, confirming the potential of the area and offering new development possibilities. Repsol, with a 33.75% stake, operates the consortium which drilled the TGFO-1 well.

New management structure

Repsol’s board of directors approved on February 26th changes to the company’s management structure aimed at simplifying and concentrating the management team. The new structure reduces by three the number of business units and is a rationalisation and simplification of Repsol’s management structure, reinforcing multidisciplinary business profiles with a global vision and ability to adapt to change.

Repsol’s AGM approved a 5% dividend rise

At the 2009 annual general meeting shareholders agreed the payment of a gross dividend from 2008 earnings of 1.05 euros per share, a rise of 5% from that paid from 2007 earnings. The total amount paid from 2008 earnings represents 47.3% of the year’s net income and is in line with the payout of other industry rivals.