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Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) is an Australian petroleum company. The five main petroleum assets that Santos has an interest in are located the Copper Basin, Queensland, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia and Western Australia. Santos has a market capitalisation of A$18.5 billion.
What are the key features of Santos fourth quarterly activities report?
- Total production for the December quarter is 18.7 mmboe, down 5% from the previous quarter.
- Production at Western Australia assets for the December quarter is 7.4 mmboe, down 14% from the previous quarter.
- Production at the Cooper Basin asset for the December quarter is 4.1 mmboe, up 2.5% from the previous quarter.
- Production at Queensland and NSW assets for the December quarter is 3.4 mmboe, up 3% from the previous quarter.
- Production at Papua New Guinea (PNG) assets for the December quarter is 3.3 mmboe, up 6.5% from the previous quarter.
- Production at Northern Australia and Timor-Leste assets for the December quarter is 0.7 mmboe, down 12.5%.
2019 production and sales volumes were towards the upper end of guidance, while upstream production costs were at the lower end of guidance. All guidance is shown in the table below:
2020 Guidance is shown in the table below:
Santos performed strongly last calendar year that is demonstrated through a 46% increase in the share price. Santos Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gallagher said:
Santos delivered record annual production and revenues in 2019, and lower unit production costs, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of our disciplined, cash generative operating model.
What is the outlook for Santos?
The outlook for Santos is positive, with a number of projects that could underpin future growth.
On the 8 October 2019, Carnarvon (ASX: CVN) and Santos announced the results of the Caley flow test for Dorado-3. The test was very successful. It was reported that the Caley reservoir flow test exceeded 11,000 barrels of oil per day plus associated gas. Carnarvon notes that the potential flow rate is even higher, but the flow rate was limited by the capacity of the test equipment on the rig. This is a significant oil discovery. The test indicates very high potential flow rates of around 30,000 barrels per day from each production well in the Caley reservoir. Santos has an 80% interest, while Carnarvon has a 20% interest. the Dorado discovery for Santos could provide additional earnings in the early 2020s once production begins. Production is estimated to begin in late 2024.
On the 14 October 2019, Santos announced the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ (COP) interests in Northern Australia for US$1.39 billion plus a contingent $75 million on Barossa FID. Santos management mentioned that this acquisition gives shareholders operatorship and control of long-life, low cost natural gas assets and strategic LNG infrastructure aligned to Santos brownfield growth strategy. Completion of the acquisition is expected in the first quarter of 2020, subject to third-party consents and regulatory approvals.
What is the market reaction?
The market reaction to Santos is broadly neutral. Santos share price is up around 0.1% and is currently trading at A$8.89. Santos has a forward P/E ratio in the mid-teens and an annual dividend yield of around 1.8%.
