Etablissements Maurel & Prom S.A. (MAU) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the webcast for annual results of Maurel & Prom for 2022. We have Olivier de Langavant, CEO; Patrick Deygas, CFO; and Matthieu Lefrancq, Head of Investor Relations as myself, I'd like to yield the floor to Olivier, who will present the results. Thank you.

Thank you, Matthieu. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'm happy to welcome you to this webcast for our annual results. So you may have read this morning's communicate. There are lots and lots of items. To save time, I'd like to very quickly go over the presentation because you've seen it already, and we'll leave out sometimes -- some time for the questions at the end. So first message now. strong operational performance and increased profitability. And it's improved in a very good oil price environment throughout 2022. Our working interest production in 2022 was stable. Sales totaled 676% (sic) [ $676 million ], up 35%, in line with the increase in the average sale price of oil, $97.8 bpl (sic) [ bbl ] compared with $72.5 bbl in 2021 and an EBITDA of $443 million and recurring net income of $211 million, up 58% and 55%, respectively. So strong cash flow generation through continued cost discipline. Operating and administrative expenses at the lowest since the adaptation plan in 2020, over $100 million in cumulative savings over 3 years. And free cash flow of about $198 million for the year, $275 million, excluding M&A. Continued deleveraging and very strong financial position, net debt of $200 million as at 31st of December 2022. Despite external growth, $78 million and the dividend $29 million. Now we have also debt refinanced in 2022, offering visibility in favorable terms until 2028. And Patrick will talk more about this. Closing of the acquisition of Wentworth Resources expected between Q2 and Q3 2023. As you know, Wentworth Resources shareholders obtained -- we had their agreement on 23rd of January 2023. And we have the completion of the acquisition subject to the approval of the Tanzanian authorities, immediate redistribution of the value created to shareholders. Last year, we paid out EUR 0.14 per share, that is $29 million. In this year, during the shareholders' meeting, we will put forth EUR 0.23 per share, that is $50 million for fiscal year 2022. So 25,584 boepd, $161 million of OpEx and G&A, minus $7 million compared to 2021 at the lowest operating cash flow of $366 million, plus $86 million versus 2021, free cash flow of $198 million, plus $75 million compared to 2021 and net debt, $200 million minus $143 million as compared to 2021. Now let us go to the next slide. operational performance. Now for security and environment have improved performance, 100 -- 1,213 days -- cumulated days without significant environmental incidents and 1,034 cumulated days without LTI. We maintained our certifications, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 and we obtained a B rank by the CDP in 2022. Next for the environment. We've reduced the venting and reduced flaring. We've reduced venting and flaring. So there's improvement on both fronts. Production activities 2022 by country. Ezanga. As you know, in Gabon, in April last year, we had an incident on the export terminal, major incident. Exports were interrupted for a few weeks, and this set us back for production, so minus 8% as compared to 2021. Throughout 2022, we've recouped backed gains and increased production between Q1 and Q4. At the end of the year, we launched a simulation campaign for wells. And this has yielded good results. And today, we have a potential of about above 21,000 barrels per day and the production at the beginning of the year is good of about this figure of 21,000 per day with operational production losses kept at the minimum. In Tanzania now, we toppled new record, 10 -- plus 10% as compared to 2021, which was a record in itself. Over the last few days, we've had over 110 -- above 110 million per day, and the potential of our wells has been improved through operations in the beginning of the year. For Tanzania as well, we've launched engineering studies for compression projects, and this should enter into service at the end of 2024 or beginning of '25. Angola now. Average production up 9%, 3,732 barrels per day -- 1,000 barrels per day, so plus 9% compared to 2021. We have discussions with NPG, the regulators to extend our license and it should be finalized in the coming weeks. We may have a complete comprehensive agreement with the regulators very soon. In Venezuela, I will come back to this. As you know, we don't count the production of this company due to American sanctions in our results, but the mean production in 2021 was up significantly as compared to '21. And net theoretical production should have been 5,210 barrels per day. If this should not -- this wasn't accounted for in our results. So in all, we are countries where we upped our production and lowered our production in 2022, our results are good and will go up in 2023. Now let's compare the actuals versus the guidance. Production is down 3% as compared to our guidance, but it will go up this year. If we look at what matters, the cash flow. We had a guidance of $370 million at $100 barrels, but in actual $366 million as $97.8 per barrel. CapEx guidance $95 million. We saved a little bit, $92 million, exploration guidance, $60 million. We spent $100 million for exploration and M&A, unexpected $78 million, putting on an escrow account for the sums for the coming M&A. For debt service, $200 million in guidance. We paid $224 million in dividends, $30 million in guidance and in actuals about $30 million, that is $29 million. So the group's performance in 2022 has been completely in line, if I may say, with expectations. Exploration campaign in Colombia, very quickly. I have more details in communicate. We drilled 2 wells. We found indices in 2 objectives. They were tested. Unfortunately, we didn't obtain commercial production. This first well was abandoned. We opened a second well and found similar profiles. And with comparable hydrocarbon production capacity. So it wasn't possible to make it viable commercially. We continued working on the permit, and we did all that for $15 million, of which $8 million was financed by M&P. So on net, it cost us $7 million. We are carrying out analysis of these results, but we are working primarily on the second permit, VSM-4, at the south of Bogota in the Magdalena Valley. We're hoping to drill a well there in 2024 in a very promising zone. We're impatient to go ahead and drill that region. Venezuela now. As you know, due to American sanctions and international sanctions, our operations there, activities are limited. We're limited to maintenance, protection of the environment. So we are unable to invest, to develop our assets there. Today, we don't account assets in our results. Last year, December, Chevron made a deal with the Venezuelan authorities to pay debt to Chevron and allowing Chevron to take over operations, which are under contract obtained by LSA. And therefore, Chevron continued resumed investments in production. PDVSA gave us an agreement draft similar to that of Chevron, and we started negotiations. We hope that they will be soon finalized. What we hope is that we'll receive a green light from American authorities for an agreement similar to that of Chevron, and we hope to resume or start operations there thanks to new agreements. We want to control operations, procurement and other aspects. These negotiations will allow us to claw back a first tranche of $100 million under the dividends for 2018, 2019, which were not paid out and will allow us also to claw back more in terms of production or parts of in production. So we are undergoing a dialogue with American authorities, and we hope to get a green light or no objection at least. Ongoing acquisition, Wentworth. As I said, there was a vote of shareholders, 32.5p per share. That allows to recoup the whole of shares from this company. This vote occurred on 23rd of February. The [ skin ] document was approved by the Board, published on 23rd of February. Now we're expecting, over the next few months, authorizations, the go-ahead from the Tanzanian authorities through this deal, which will cost us $73 million, $30 million, which we'll take back will increase our reserves by 13%, our production by 19% and our EBITDA of about 9%. This is a high-quality asset. We've operated it for more than 10%, and we now have control of it. I'd like to yield the floor to Patrick, who will go over the financial performance 2022. Patrick?

Thank you, Olivier. I'd like to make a few comments on the financial results of 2022. As Olivier said, we had a good oil price environment with a mean price of $88, up significantly as compared to last year, 60 -- $72. Of course, this has increased our sales $676 million, up 35% compared to last year. This increase in sales can be found also at -- under EBITDA, $443 million, up 58% year-on-year. Now for net results. Net income, $206 million. Yes, last year, we had excellent results, $121 million, so up 71%. This performance is due to the very good price environment for Brent oil, but also due to a very good maintenance and cost control. For cash flow now. Operating cash flow, $366 million against $280 million last year. After taking into account CapEx, the free cash flow stands at $198 million after Wentworth operations, which stand at $96 million. So free cash flow is positive after this account. We have $188 million. This cash flow generated through operations allowed the company to deleverage significantly, and to pay out a dividend of about $30 million. After taking these into account, the end of the year cash flow is solid, $138 million -- closing cash of $138 million, and debt was reduced of -- reduced by $200 million and net debt was reduced of 100 -- more than $180 million. Here, you have overall highlights. The maintenance of -- maintaining our OpEx. We've reduced our operational costs since 2019, thanks to our 2020 efforts. In a very difficult economic environment, we've maintained our cost controls. And in 2022, OpEx are lower than 2021 despite operations being more significant. For change in debt position, we see a tendency over 5 years for the reduction of gross and net debt sort of strengthening of the capital structure for Maurel & Prom. We have a very good overall balance sheet. The ratio -- equity to debt -- debt equity was reduced. This shows that our financial capacity has been enhanced. Capital structure and repayment profile. Let us mention the fact that we've refinanced our debt during the summer. We had a debt of $150 million, and we had debt coming to maturities -- maturity. We've refinanced the debt to spread out the debt repayment profile to make it acceptable. And we ensured good liquidity throughout the group. We now have a bank loan of about $255 million, made up of 2 sides, term loan over 5 years, which offers good terms, SOFR plus 2%; and an RCF tranche of $67 million which allows us great flexibility in our day-to-day operations. And I said we maintain our shareholder loan paying -- which is payable in over 6 years of about $82 million, and we still have a capacity of continued debt ability. So in total, $200 million. Net debt is $200 million. Over the -- right here, you have the repayment profile. And you see we need to reimburse about $60 million per year, which is manageable. I'd like to give back the floor to Olivier now.

Thank you, Patrick. Now I'd like to go over our goals for '23. So our goals, strive for excellency, as always. For health, environment, safety and security, this is our priority. For security, we want to maintain our LTIR at 0, and the TRIR below 1.5. We've made some progress compared to '21, where the performance was quite good. We want to continue to work on greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. We want to maintain Ezanga's production, thanks to drilling and well simulation interventions and launch a compression project on the Mnazi Bay field support production plateau. Pursue growth. We want to close the Wentworth Resources acquisition between Q2 and Q3 2023 and continue to monitor external growth opportunities available in the group's regions of expertise. Last aspect, return value to shareholders. The dividend of EUR 0.23 per share in total $50 million submitted to the shareholders' vote for fiscal year 2022. Next slide, operational financial guidance, production and cash flow. Production guidance up as compared to 2022. As we've had an incident, 19,500; in working interest, 15,600; in Tanzania, 90 mmcfd, that is 43.2 for M&P working interest disregarding the closing operation. Angola, 17,000 bop, 3,400 for us, so a total of 26,200, so up compared to 2021. Cash flow guidance. For the overall year, $260 million for $70 per barrel, $80 per barrel to $310 million, $90 per barrel $360 million. Development CapEx. $100 million which is split as follows: $85 million in Gabon, $5 million in Tanzania and $45 million in exploration of $10 million that are set. And there's the Colombia drilling campaign that we mentioned as well. Financing. $78 million in debt service, $20 million in net cost of debt and 5 -- $58 million in debt repayments. And last point, $50 million dividend. So if you look at the cash flow for all 3 aspects, you see that this makes for very good results. So our long-term objectives are the same. First priority, relentless focus on EHS-S, maximize value from existing assets. You saw our performance in 2022. And the beginning of 2023, we continue to maximize our value. We've had good results, capital discipline, a strengthened balance sheet and maintain liquidity. We've made significant progress and will continue to do so. We hope that by the end of the year, if we have sustained prices, we'll have a net debt of about 0. Grow the business through exploration and M&A. This is a constant as well, create value and return it to shareholders. We have an operational flexibility that is great. Operations were rationalized as part of the adaptation plan, asset resilience, breakeven free cash flow of $30 a barrel -- per barrel and which -- and a net income breakeven of $45 per barrel. Financial strength, $138 million cash balance as of December 2022, plus $100 million of undrawn shareholder loan, which will not be needed. Debt refinance for the 6 years to come, and we still have the support of Pertamina. I was quite quick. Thank you, Patrick, for presenting very efficiently our results. Now we have some time for questions. If I wasn't clear or on aspects that I didn't mention. Matthieu, do we have questions?

Thank you, Olivier. We do have a number of questions. I'll start with a question from Anish Kapadia, Hannam & Partners. And she asks if we could provide more information on operations in Venezuela, the recent production work program that was implemented in -- over the past months and the months to come? Also what the timeline is when it comes to dividends regarding Venezuela? And how would the cash be used? Would that be reinvested? Or would it be used differently?

Thank you for the question. It's quite a broad one, I should add. So the situation in Venezuela, the asset we have are major 400 million barrels reserve in that asset. So we can consolidate 40% and 32% net. So it's a major asset. So about 16,000 barrels per day in terms of production. And with a good operational control, we could reach 30,000 to 40,000 barrels per day. I think everyone is aware of what Chevron managed to obtain. And you have those sanctions that have an impact on the assets. Chevron is impacted, too. And there's a direct indirect impact because PDVSA is hindered. So having the right to invest there and with the lifting of sanctions and the agreement with Venezuelan authorities in order to take back control like Chevron did and have a strong position that will be a game-changer. Now regarding the timeline, we might sometimes be a little too optimistic, but being reasonable, in the 3 months to come, we should be able to close the negotiations and the agreement, and we should be able to send additional staff there in order to take post there. And so when it comes to dividend, there were discussions about upfront cargo to repay the debt. So we could be aiming for Q3, but that is not certain. We might rather have a system in which production is dedicated to [ PDSA ] and the remaining 50% would be dedicated to cost. So that would be money we would be getting back. So I hope the timeline will be short. We will be using that money wisely. But if you want a more precise answer, I would add that as of today, it's important to be flexible. If you put aside Venezuela, we should be reaching 0 net debt by the end of the year, as I just said, and that will be a great opportunity. We might invest in new activities, acquisitions, perhaps. There was another part of your question, investments there. Well, those will mostly be for well drilling and using other pieces of equipment, compressor, for example. But we will not need to gather more money for that. I hope I answered to the questions thoroughly.

There's a second question from Anish Kapadia. She is asking a question about guidance in Gabon. It is slightly below Q4 production of 2022, is there an upside expect in 2023? And how could we increase production there? I'll combine the question with that of [indiscernible], who is asking still about production in Angola. What is the impact of development investment there on production? And why is production below the level of 2020 and 2019.

Now several elements to note when it comes to Gabon. If you take a look at change in 2022, we started the year with 14,000 barrels per day. And there were a lot more at the end of the year. So guidance for 2023 is a prudent guidance. Through drilling throughout the whole year, we could increase the potential. So a prudent guidance. And if you look at the change between Q1 and Q4 in 2022, you do not see the impact of well stimulation operations. And that is a significant impact over 2,000 barrels per day and we're starting to reap the benefits. Since the start of the year, we've had 25,000 barrels per day production. We've exceeded the potential of 25,000 barrels per day, although our production capacity is not 100%. And on a daily basis, we have exceeded that 25,000 amount. So let's leave things as they are in our guidance. We do have a margin of several thousand barrels per day. I think it is a wise guidance, and we should exceed that guidance. Now about Angola, things are not easy. No major investments are expected to increase production. There will be operations on the wells. They are ongoing. So I do hope we'll reach the announced production. At the start of this year, production is slightly lower than expected.

Still on Angola. Perhaps a few words about discussions around the extension of the license permit.

The conditions, the terms are good, and they're better than what we have today. It will be an opportunity to invest again. We have a 50% cost stop and a 30% limit with 50% tax. So there will be an improvement and development areas will be merged, merger of oil fields. So we'll soon be seeing very positive signals.

Other questions about Angola, about the work program following the extension of that license and the improvement of conditions. So an investor is asking what we're expecting in terms of work program for that license extension?

Now, I partly responded to that. On the working program for 2023, we might have workovers, a drilling program. Other activities will be launched in 2024. We do need operating performance to be good in Angola and so we want to drill the wells in the best conditions possible. So following the extension in the months to come, no major investment in 2023.

Thank you, Olivier. About exploration, what about the PEL-44 license in Namibia? What are the plans for the 12 months to come and beyond that?

Now on Namibia. We now have a farm-out process. We announced that already. We don't want to drill that well alone. And we've opened a data room with several meetings organized with international businesses, large companies, large companies that came and reviewed our data. There seems to be an interest. And the deadline for the tenders is still open. So we should be receiving offers that will have to be confirmed. I can't say more, but people are working on that. We'll have to see, and we'll then decide whether or not we launch a program.

Olivier, a question about Venezuela from Baptiste Lebacq, ODDO. Do you think there are enough oil services and -- in the country? And will a working program be possible in the country if conditions allow it?

So the situation with regards to contractors in Venezuela is relatively bad. But you have a number of Venezuelan businesses that continued working. International businesses also came in the country. So you have tensions soon. And we will manage to find people to support us. We've remained in touch with a number of local businesses who are ready to get back to work. Things will not be easy, but we should manage. There has been a deterioration of the situation, but the country has a long-standing oil drilling and oil production tradition, subcontractors, et cetera. So things should be able to get back to normal soon.

Olivier, still on Venezuela. Perhaps more information about the discussions alongside the U.S. government and what are the guarantees seeked?

Well, discussions started in 2019. We've been in touch with U.S. authorities for full transparency purposes. And as I explained earlier, we do very little because of the sanctions. And so over the past year, we've increased the number of exchanges, discussions we have for cargo to debt exports, we couldn't reach that, but we've changed the approach since the license granted to Chevron in December. So the Americans now said some operations are allowed. So even if we don't have the explicit guarantees, I don't think we'll obtain the same. There would be no justification behind it. So we are in touch with U.S. authorities, with OFAC, with State Department, our French ambassador in Venezuela is also involved. So numerous contacts and discussions ongoing. No clear response today. And the signing of the agreement with Venezuelan authorities should be a step towards an improvement of the situation. And we should be expecting that signing soon. So very intensive discussions ongoing.

Thank you, Olivier. A question about our participation in SEPLAT. Any date regarding Exxon offshore assets? And perhaps a comment on SEPLAT's general situation and the challenges in terms of governance? And finally, the goals that are associated with that participation?

The acquisition of Exxon asset as it usually is the case in Nigeria is a lengthy process. There were changes recently. Exxon still wants to divest its assets. So the deal is still on the table. There were elections 3 weeks ago in Nigeria, as you probably know. And this provides for more uncertainty in the process. So unfortunately, I cannot provide more information, but I remain optimistic, and we should manage one way or another. With regards to what some of you might have seen about governance at SEPLAT, the CEO and Chairman of SEPLAT. Well, I think there were press releases. They were quite explicit. I think everyone is confident that a solution will be found. So I met with other shareholders at SEPLAT. And there seems to be a strong support towards SEPLAT's CEO, targeted by absolutely unjustified acquisitions and support to the Chairman and Board of Directors at SEPLAT. There seems to have been a conspiracy against them. And I'm confident this will be resolved quite soon. But I cannot make any other comments, and you have SEPLAT's press releases. And as SEPLAT's shareholder, we wanted to express our support and that was confirmed via a letter sent to them. It is a very good management team, a very good Board of Directors in SEPLAT.

Thank you, Olivier. An additional question on Nigeria, Anish Kapadia. Is Nigeria a country in which you want to extend your footprint? And what would your participation be in SEPLAT moving forward?

The country is very interesting given the resources there. Of course, the situation in the country is not simple. You need to be well informed. Our position is that we have a participation in Nigeria via SEPLAT, we're very happy about that. And we would like growth to continue via SEPLAT and ExxonMobil assets, very good vehicle. So we wouldn't necessarily want a growth operation in Nigeria on our own. We want to -- we want SEPLAT to continue developing. And we're very happy about the way things are working now.

Olivier question by Baptiste Lebacq from ODDO about the external growth policy at Maurel & Prom. Any information about an envelope for the year? Are -- what are you -- what assets are you targeting, oil, gas? And what transactions are you focusing on?

No envelope for the year because we usually tend to be wrong. So anything could be allowed throughout the year. We are looking at growth prospects. We might have said that as a priority more than in previous years, we want to strengthen our financial position. Our net debt will be reaching 0 soon. We will have more leeway. So we are looking at prospects. Now when it comes to oil or gas, perhaps both, we've launched Wentworth already and we are focusing on areas where we have activities already in order to avoid errors. So I have no specific elements to provide at this stage.

Thank you, Olivier. There are no other questions. I think you've responded to all questions. We still have 5 minutes. Perhaps we could wait and see if other questions come up.

In the meantime, I want to restate that I am very optimistic and confident with regards to the future. I'm not just patting myself on the back, I want to commend the work of the whole team. The whole team at Maurel & Prom. The figures prove that over the past years, we have managed to reduce our costs, be more efficient. We are delivering what is expected of us, and the situation is very sound. Now of course, it wasn't worrying 3 years ago, but it has improved, nevertheless. And our joint endeavor will continue. We will continue our transactions. We want to increase our portfolio, and we will deliver. There is a strong potential in Gabon, 20,000 to 30,000 barrels per day, that is the potential. In Nigeria, too, and in Venezuela, there were several questions about Venezuela, it really will be a game changer.

Thank you, Olivier. A final quite broad question. Could you simply talk about the exploration strategy again for the months to come?

In the different assets, Gabon, Tanzania, Colombia, is the group's guidance. So for Gabon, we have proximity exploration. We'll be exploring a well this year, and so low risk and quite efficient. Kari and Nyanga, we had drilled that well 3 years ago, and we're continuing our work. In Tanzania, an extension of Mnazi Bay, perhaps drilling next year. Once again, a very interesting low risk. In Namibia, I mentioned the farm-out process. Once closed, we will be able to continue. In Colombia, it is an exploration we quite like. The wells are not costly. So very affordable. Now the political changes are not a positive element. When it comes to exploration, we also have a permit. So I should add that as of today, proximity exploration is simpler to implement than wider exploration or long-term exploration because that is deep -- that implies deep offshore operations and becomes more difficult to proceed alone. And there are a number of M&A targets. Certain actors are pulling back. You have assets that aren't always mature, they are available, and they are very interesting. They could provide growth opportunities.

Thank you, Olivier. One more question from Anish Kapadia. What are the expectations with regards to Caroil, about the rigs C7?

Caroil, so we have 2 rigs, 1 under Maurel & Prom, on Ezanga and the second for Assala, C3 and C7. And in 8 days, we'll replace the C3 in Ezanga by the C18. This is a great fully electric rig, very performant -- high-performance rig. This will improve efficiency. This is a good thing for Caroil, and we'll have a more precise tool that will allow us to reach more precise regions. And there's a call for tender for Caroil. So it might be that we go up to 3 rigs. This would be a good thing because Caroil with 1 rig is quite difficult to run. If we have 2 rigs, there's a small margin, if we have 3, then the margin will be even bigger. So that's about it for Caroil. Good overall performance and the assets are quite young and performing.

Thank you, Olivier. I think we've finished all the questions. Thank you, everyone, I don't know if Olivier has a few words to say.

No, I've already said what I should.

We're waiting for the 2 last questions. So -- we're optimistic about the future, and we are very satisfied to have work done together by everyone and all our teams. Really our company is strong. Thank you, Olivier. Thank you to everyone for asking questions. If you have other questions, do not hesitate to contact us through phone or e-mail.

Thank you, Matthieu. Thank you, [ Clementine ], for organizing this. [Statements in English on this transcript were spoken by an interpreter present on the live call.]