GSS ENERGY: Q&A with CEO on successful oil/gas find in Indonesia

Reproduced from Ernest Lim's blog with permission

Here are the key takeaways

Q1. Previously, there were plans to drill SGT 02. Now it has changed to P1, TRB 03 and TRB 06. Why so?

Sydney Yeung, CEO of GSS Energy. NextInsight file photoThere are two main reasons why GSS altered its strategy: 

a) Promising data from SGT 01 led GSS and Pertamina to re-evaluate an oil well called P1, approximately 800m away from SGT 01. Both SGT 01 and P1 share a similar oil profile. Previously, Pertamina had stopped drilling P1 because of data misinterpretation. GSS expects to produce about 100 barrels of oil a day by 1QFY18F;

b) Although SGT 01 yields eight reservoirs of hydrocarbon (2 gas; 6 oil), GSS has obtained Pertamina's approval to monetise the two gas zones first. However, the steps to monetisation of the gas zones will take approximately a year before commercial production commences. Thus, in the interim, GSS decided to re-enter P1 (which is in close proximity to SGT 01) and work over the old wells TRB 03 & 06 to maximise returns.

Q2. What are the differences between SGT 01, P1, TRB 03 and TRB 06?

On a simplistic basis, the key differences are

SGT 01 – A new well (i.e. never drilled before);

P1 – Pertamina drilled before in 2005. Now they are going to re-enter the well and drill deeper;

TRB 03 & 06 – Work over programs for the old wells, drilled by Dutch during colonisation days.

Both P1 and TRB 03 & 06 wells involve lower capex than SGT 01.

Q3. What is the significance of its findings?

Management is indeed very excited with their findings in SGT 01 on the following aspects:

a) According to their knowledge, Pertamina is very pleased with them as they are probably the fastest company from award to drilling, and very soon to production.

b) The eight reservoirs comprise good quality oil and gas reserves. The six oil reservoirs contain oil with good pressure. i.e. they only require natural lift to extract the oil. The two gas reservoirs comprise sweet gas with good caloric value, 91% methane level and no hydrogen sulphide.

c) Using data provided by the company, 1P reserves based on one well (i.e. SGT 01) alone comprise 2.83 million barrels of oil (MMBLS) and 8.49 billion cubic feet of natural gas. These translate to approximately US$193m of 1P reserves (GSS’ current market capitalisation is only SGD80m).

However, this US$193m has not taken into consideration the profit sharing between Pertamina and PT Sarana GSS Trembul (“PT SGT”, once costs are recovered). It is noteworthy that GSS holds 89% economic interest in PT SGT.

d) Although GSS believes that there is likely to be oil at depths greater than 1,255m, the presence of so much gas makes them wary, as there may be blowouts if they drill deeper. Furthermore, as they have already found eight reservoirs of hydrocarbons, they decided not to take excessive risk in their first oil well.

e) Starting from 1QFY18F, GSS is going to produce 100 barrels of oil per day, an additional 70 barrels of oil per day in 2Q and another 30 barrels of oil per day in 3Q. By end of 3Q, GSS plans to produce a combined 200 barrels of oil per day.

By 4Q, they target to produce and sell sweet gas.  GSS projects it can deliver at a plateau rate of 1.5 million standard cubic feet per day (“MMSCFD”), which is equivalent to approximately 267 barrels of crude per day. All in, if you work out the maths, it is very significant, especially from a nil base in FY17.

Q4. When GSS starts to produce oil in 1QFY18F,

a) What is the impact on GSS cash flow?

For the first time in the past two years, 2018 will mark the first year of the oil and gas division being self-sufficient, should the production of oil and gas go according to plan. In other words, the cash from the precision engineering business will no longer be needed to fund its oil business.

Just a back-of-the-envelope calculation: Assume GSS starts to produce 100 barrels from P1 well at end-Mar, the cash position should be: [100 barrels x US$50 x 270 days -  lifting cost paid to the operator but recoverable in the future (100 barrels x US$15 x 270 days)] * USDSGD1.34 = S$1.27m.

Assume by the end 2018, GSS produces 200 barrels of oil and 267 barrels of oil equivalent from its gas reservoirs.

The increase in cash position in FY19F (assume ceteris paribas) should be as such: [467 barrels x US$50 x 360 days -  lifting cost paid to the operator but recoverable in the future (467 barrels x US$15 x 360 days)] * USDSGD1.34 = S$7.9m.

Before we get excited about the above, I wish to emphasise the following points. Firstly, the above is a back-of-the-envelope calculation. Secondly, I am not an analyst hence the above are my guesstimates. Thirdly, I use 30 working days per month. Although oil production may occur almost every day, there is likely to be some downtime as the oil equipment will undergo wear and tear and may need to be replaced. Fourthly, as most readers are aware, business in Indonesia can be subject to unforeseen delays. To offset the above “aggressive estimates / unforseen circumstances”, I have put in the maximum lifting cost of US$15. GSS estimates lifting cost to be around US$10-15 / barrel.

b) What is the impact on its P&L?

GSS has been recognising O&G expenses since the start of 2017. As of 9MFY17, GSS incurred a net loss of S$1.57m in its oil and gas division which pulled down the overall profit of the Group. This should reverse into gains for FY18F, should plans for the oil and gas production pan out. P&L impact should be clearer once they start to sell and recognise the oil sold.

Q5. What is cost recovery and what does it entail?

Before GSS started drilling, it submitted a budget to Pertamina for its agreement on items whose cost can be recovered if they strike oil. The capital expenditure put in to drill SGT 01 has been capitalised. Operating expenditure and lifting cost can also be capitalised. Sydney joked that even Bambang Mulyadi, President Director, KSO Pertamina EP - Sarana GSS Trembul (i.e. the key man for their oil business) is also “cost recoverable!”

Q6. Will GSS require equity financing?

Equity financing is not likely as management feels that GSS’ current market capitalisation of S$80m does not do justice to its precision engineering business and accords zero value to its oil business. In addition, management wants the project to be self-funding as soon as practicable, so they start to target P1, TRB 03 and TRB 06 wells which can generate cash faster than their gas segment. Based on its 3QFY17 results, GSS continues to be in a net cash position with approximately S$7m net cash.

Q8. What are the future milestones or catalysts?

2018 will be another eventful year with likely news from both PE and oil segments. GSS will keep the market updated on the progress of P1, TRB 03, TRB 06 and the gas reservoirs. GSS is currently discussing with Pertamina to monetize the six oil zones from SGT 01 well and will also keep the market updated.

Chart

GSS has dropped for four consecutive days before closing higher yesterday at $0.161 with higher than average volume. The shorter term exponential moving averages (“EMA”) have either stopped, or slowed their declines, with 200D EMA creeping higher. ADX closed 24.5, amid positively placed directional indicators. Indicators such as OBV, MACD and RSI have also strengthened recently. The next couple of days is crucial as it is likely that contra players who jump in on 14 Dec 2017 may have to close their positions if they are not picking up.

A sustained break above $0.164 with volume expansion negates the slightly bearish feel in GSS’ chart. Conversely, a sustained break below $0.153 with volume expansion adds to the negative feel in GSS’ chart.

Near term supports: $0.156 / 0.152 – 0.153 / 0.149 – 0.150

Near term resistances: $0.162 / 0.164 – 0.165 / 0.168 / 0.174

Chart 1: GSS has almost given up all the gains since its oil announcement

 Source: Chartnexus 21 Dec 17

Note: Chart reading is subjective and may be less accurate for small mid cap stocks.

Conclusion

The above is a compilation of my key takeaways from my meeting with Sydney. Readers should exercise their independent judgement and do their own due diligence before committing to any investment decision. They should liaise with GSS investor relations who is likely to know GSS better (and not to me) if they have any questions.

P.S: I am vested

Disclaimer
Please refer to the disclaimer HERE