Faroe Petroleum: operational update

Faroe Petroleum, the independent oil and gas company focussing principally on exploration, appraisal and production opportunities in Norway and the UK, has provided an operational update.

Graham Stewart, Chief Executive of Faroe Petroleum commented:

“2015 was another year of growth and good progress for Faroe despite a backdrop of significantly lower commodity prices. We delivered our exploration drilling programme safely and under budget, adding further 2C resources, and we doubled our 2P reserves in high quality assets. Our diverse North Sea production portfolio also outperformed expectation, averaging 10 530 boe/d with low unit operating costs, and we ended the year with a significant cash position of over £90m and a largely undrawn debt facility.

“Looking ahead at 2016, we are well prepared to face the challenges of a continuing period of low commodity prices, while seeking to capitalise on our strong financial position to pursue consolidation opportunities in our core areas on the UK and Norwegian continental shelves.”

Production

Total average economic production1 for the full year 2015 was at the upper end of guidance at approximately 10 530 boe/d, of which approximately 58% was liquids and 42% gas. The main fields in Faroe’s portfolio performed above expectations in 2015, which led to the upward adjustment of production guidance announced in November 2015.

Two new infill wells in Brage (Faroe 14.26%) were successfully brought on stream adding new production capacity and contributing to a reduction in unit operating costs. The next drilling campaign at the Brage field is expected to commence in 2017

The acquisition of interests in the Blane and Enoch fields was completed in November 2015 and boosted oil production and improved tax efficiency by accelerating the utilisation of carried forward tax losses.

In January 2016, Faroe produced on average approximately 10 000 boe/d. Average full year 2016 production is forecast to be in the range of 7000 - 9000 boepd from all fields, which includes production from the Njord and Hyme fields until the end of May 2016, in accordance with plans for the Njord Future Project. Production in 2016 is expected to be split approximately 55% liquids and 45% gas.

Average opex per boe in 2015 was approximately US$23/boe. Opex per boe in 2016 expected to be US$27/boe reflecting lower average production levels2 Faroe continues to seek suitable value-enhancing production acquisitions, taking advantage of consolidation opportunities.

Development

Following excellent performance in 2015, production from the Njord and Hyme fields (Faroe 7.5%) will be suspended at the end of May 2016 after which the Njord A and B facilities are planned to be towed to shore. The Njord Future Project is progressing to plan with concept and yard selection in Q1-Q2 2016 and a final investment decision (FID) and field development (FDP) submission expected in Q4 2016. The Njord Future Project, which includes re-development of the Njord and Hyme fields, development of the Snilehorn field, and potentially further fields in the area, is planned to commence production in 2019. This important project will seek to take full advantage of the significant cost reductions in the market today to maximise economic value and return on investment.

The Butch oilfield (Faroe 15%) passed concept selection stage in 2015 and the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) project is progressing to plan. The field is planned to be developed as a subsea tie-back to the BP-operated Ula oilfield. The FID and FDP submission are currently planned for Q4 2016. Faroe also expects this development to benefit significantly from current low industry costs.

During 2016 work will continue to mature the significant Pil, Bue and Boomerang discoveries (Faroe 25%) towards development, focusing on either satellite development options or a stand-alone development solution, based on an FPSO.

Except for the Njord and Hyme fields, where costs associated with the well suspension and tow-in projects will be incurred, no major capital investments are expected in 2016 in Faroe’s principal producing fields, which are all expected to continue to produce at stable rates during the year.

Reserves and resources

On 6 January 2016 the Company published the 2P year-end reserve numbers from an independent technical report undertaken by Senergy (GB) Limited, where it was reported that Faroe’s reserves were materially higher than those reported for the previous period. Faroe has now completed its own internal assessment of reserves and resources at 1 January 2016, which are as follows:

2P Reserves increased by 88% with closing reserves at 57.4 million boe (1 Jan-15: 30.6 million boe). The significant increase is mainly a result of the transfer from 2C Resources to 2P Reserves on the significant Pil and Butch fields

2C Contingent Resources are reduced to 98.3 million boe (1 Jan-15: 109.1 million boe), again largely as a result of the transfer of Pil and Butch volumes from 2C Resources to 2P Reserves. The Boomerang exploration discovery (Faroe 25%) and the increased interest in the South East Tor field (Faroe 85% and operator) compensate substantially for the transfer of Pil and Butch from 2C Resources to 2P Reserves.

Exploration

Faroe has an active exploration drilling programme in 2016 with three wells planned – all to be drilled in Faroe’s core areas in Norway.

The Kvalross well (Faroe 40%) in the Barents Sea commenced drilling on 11 January 2016 and is progressing to plan. Results from this well, which is operated by Wintershall, are expected by the end of Q1 2016.

An exploration well on the Brasse prospect (Faroe 50% and operator) is planned for the summer of 2016, for which Faroe has secured, on attractive terms, the Transocean Arctic rig for the drilling operation. The prospect is defined by a structure located immediately to the south of the Brage field and if successful could be tied back to either the Brage or the Oseberg platform, located at similar distances from the prospect.

In H2 2016, the Njord partnership (Faroe 7.5%), led by operator Statoil, is planning to drill a new prospect on the North Flank of Njord, in close proximity to the main field. If successful, the exploration well will add further volumes to the Njord Future Project.

Faroe continues to build its portfolio of exploration licences organically. Active participation in licensing rounds across core areas led by our exploration team has proven to be a highly successful and cost-effective strategy for Faroe to grow its prospective resource base. On 20 January 2016, Faroe was awarded a further six new prospective exploration licences, including two operatorships, under the 2015 Norwegian APA (Awards in Pre-defined Areas) Licence Round.

Financial

Underpinned by high uptime across the production portfolio and a progressive hedging policy, Faroe has ended 2015 in a robust financial position with significant cash reserves and a largely undrawn credit facility:

2015 year-end unaudited cash position was approximately £91 million (net cash position of £68 million).

US$33 million (unchanged over the period) drawn against the Company’s US$2254 million Reserve Based Lending facility.

2015 exploration and appraisal capex was approximately £61 million pre-tax (£15 million post-tax) and development and production capex was approximately £13 million (unaudited).

2016 exploration and appraisal capex is estimated to be approximately £50 million pre-tax (£12 million post-tax) and development and production capex approximately £20 million.

2016 hedging programme in place with approximately 65% of gas production hedged on a post-tax basis at 45-50 pence per therm.

Broad range of targeted cost reduction measures taken and ongoing by Faroe and its joint venture partners across the business and portfolio, such as significant cost efficiencies through logistics sharing on the Faroe-operated Schooner and Ketch fields.

For further information visit : http://www.fp.fo/news/operational-update-8/

Adapted from a press release by Louise Mulhall

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/05022016/faroe-petroleum-operational-update/