CALGARY, ALBERTA — (Marketwired) — 10/23/14 — Husky Energy (TSX: HSE) delivered another steady performance in the third quarter, with its balanced growth and focused integration strategy contributing to predictable results.
“With all areas of our business, we are carefully staging our activities to not only provide dependable cash flows and returns, but to also fund future projects,” said CEO Asim Ghosh. “Husky–s expansive portfolio and strong balance sheet give us the flexibility to manage through economic cycles and adjust as necessary.”
Net earnings were $571 million, up 11.5 percent from $512 million in the third quarter of 2013. Cash flow from operations was $1.34 billion, comparable to a year ago.
Upstream production averaged 341,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/day), up approximately 10 percent from 309,000 boe/day in the third quarter of 2013.
Average throughputs at the Downstream refineries and Lloydminster Upgrader were 334,000 barrels per day (bbls/day), compared to 300,000 bbls/day in the third quarter of last year.
Highlights Include:
Third quarter production reflected increased volumes from the Liwan Gas Project, which came onstream earlier this year, and strong performance from heavy oil thermal projects. Production in the Atlantic Region was impacted by approximately 10,300 bbls/day due to the planned installation of production equipment for the South White Rose development, as well as planned turnarounds on the SeaRose and Terra Nova FPSOs, which have resumed production. Western Canada production also takes into account a number of third-party outages and turnarounds.
Downstream throughputs of 334,000 bbls/day take into account a 42-day turnaround at the Lloydminster Upgrader that began in early September and strong performance from the Company–s refineries.
West Texas Intermediate prices averaged $97.17 US per barrel in the third quarter compared to $105.83 US a year ago. Average realized pricing for the Company–s total upstream production was $68.35 per barrel, compared to $72.13 in the third quarter of 2013. U.S. refining Chicago market crack spreads averaged $17.41 US per barrel in the third quarter, compared to $15.86 US in the same period in 2013, while the realized U.S. refining margin averaged $11.42 US per barrel compared to $11.86 US a year ago.
At the Sunrise Energy Project, the development cost estimate for Phase 1 is $3.2 billion, of which 50 percent is net to Husky. Capital cost efficiency remains in the range of other projects completed or in construction in the industry since 2013.
The Company has incorporated several technologies to reduce sustaining capital, including a customized mobile drilling rig and multi-phase metering. The rig provides for closer spacing of wellheads, resulting in a smaller footprint and less piping and facilities on the pad.
KEY AREA SUMMARY
THE FOUNDATION BUSINESS
Thermal projects continued to perform very well during the quarter, averaging approximately 45,400 bbls/day compared to 38,800 bbls/day a year ago. The Sandall thermal project, which came on stream in the first quarter of 2014, continues to produce well above its 3,500 bbls/day nameplate capacity, averaging about 5,300 bbls/day in the quarter.
Longer-life thermals are helping to lengthen the stride of the heavy oil business and deliver improved earnings per barrel of production. Construction is advancing on a series of high-netback, modular projects.
The Company–s Saskatchewan pipeline gathering system is being expanded to accommodate production from the new thermal projects. Work progressed over the 2014 construction season and the project is expected to be completed in 2015.
Total horizontal heavy oil production averaged 12,700 boe/day during the third quarter, with operating costs of $14.42 per barrel.
Production from oil and liquids-rich gas resource plays averaged more than 34,000 boe/day in the quarter, compared to approximately 25,000 boe/day in the third quarter of 2013.
Gas Resource Plays
Drilling continued at the Ansell liquids-rich gas play. Nine wells were completed in the quarter, with 17 wells completed to date in 2014. Average production from Ansell during the quarter was approximately 17,500 boe/day, compared to about 13,700 boe/day in the same period the year before.
Performance from test wells at the Duvernay liquids-rich gas play at Kaybob continued to meet expectations.
Oil Resource Plays
Fifteen horizontal wells were drilled and 15 completed in the third quarter, with activity primarily focused on the Viking and Bakken oil resource plays.
Construction was completed on two 300,000-barrel storage tanks at Hardisty, Alberta to improve storage capacity. The tanks are expected to be in service in early 2015.
The Company has made commitments on the Cochin pipeline to provide diluent for the Sunrise Energy Project.
A 40,000 bbls/day heavy crude flexibility project is underway at the Lima Refinery to support Husky–s growing heavy oil thermal production. Front-end engineering and design (FEED) is complete and further equipment upgrades are planned.
The Lima Refinery has been running at reduced rates of about 110,000 bbls/day since October 16 as the result of unplanned interruptions on third-party feedstock pipelines.
GROWTH PILLARS
China
Gas sales from the Liwan Gas Project in the South China Sea were in the range of 200 to 220 mmcf/day (gross), up from a 180 to 200 mmcf/day (gross) range in the second quarter. With the longer ramp-up of production at Liwan, exploration cost recovery will be extended into 2015. About $210 million US of approximately $800 million US in exploration costs have been recovered to date.
Progress was made in laying a second 22-inch pipeline from the 3-1 field to the shallow water platform. Pending vessel availability, plans are being finalized for the completion of the pipeline, which will provide for increased operational flexibility and reliable performance late in the field life.
The Liuhua 34-2 field is due to be commissioned, subject to final approvals.
Market opportunities for the Liuhua 29-1 field continue to be assessed, with first production anticipated in the 2018 timeframe.
Indonesia
Offshore Indonesia, a letter of intent awarding the contract for an FPSO vessel has been issued. The vessel will be used to develop the BD field in the Madura Strait, which contains natural gas and liquids. Construction is progressing on a wellhead platform and pipeline infrastructure, with first gas expected in the 2017 timeframe.
A Plan of Development was approved by government regulators for the MDK natural gas field, which calls for a two-well platform with production tied back to the shallow water MDA/MBH floating production unit. First gas is planned for the 2017-2018 timeframe.
Husky owns a 40 percent interest in the Madura Strait developments, which includes the BD, MDA, MBH and MDK natural gas fields, plus various other discoveries and prospects.
The Sunrise Energy Project is undergoing final commissioning, with the first 30,000 bbls/day central processing plant scheduled to start steaming around the end of the year.
Work continues to advance on the second 30,000 bbls/day plant, which is on track for startup approximately six months after the first. Production is expected to ramp up over a two-year period.
Extensive 2-D and 3-D seismic surveys and appraisal drilling have confirmed the quality of the reservoir, facilitating optimal well placement. Other enhancements contributing to planned well performance include:
Several projects are advancing towards first production in the Jeanne d–Arc Basin offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.
Exploration
In the Flemish Pass, a 3-D seismic program in the area of the Bay du Nord discovery wrapped up in the third quarter. The West Hercules drilling rig arrived offshore Newfoundland in mid-October to begin an 18-month appraisal and exploration drilling program. Husky holds a 35 percent working interest in the Bay du Nord, Mizzen and Harpoon discoveries.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
A search for a Chief Financial Officer continued during the quarter.
Husky has established a new commercial paper program under which it may issue unsecured commercial paper notes of up to $1 billion. Reflecting the Company–s strong credit quality, the program is rated R-1 (Low) and provides access to a cost effective and flexible financing vehicle. Approximately $920 million has been issued to date.
The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 (Canadian) per share on its common shares for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014. The dividend will be payable on January 2, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 2014.
A regular quarterly dividend on the 4.45 percent Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series 1 (the “Series 1 Preferred Shares”) will be paid for the period October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. The dividend of $0.27813 per Series 1 Preferred Share will be payable on December 31, 2014 to holders of record at the close of business on November 27, 2014.
For those holders of common shares who have not already done so and would like to accept to receive dividends in the form of common shares, they should inform Husky–s transfer agent, Computershare, via written notice in prescribed form on or before November 19, 2014. A link to an electronic copy of the Stock Dividend Confirmation Notice is available at
CONFERENCE CALL
A conference call will take place on Thursday, October 23 at 10 a.m. Mountain Time (12 p.m. Eastern Time) to discuss Husky–s third quarter results. To listen live, please call one of the following numbers:
CEO Asim Ghosh, COO Rob Peabody, Acting CFO Darren Andruko and Downstream Senior VP Bob Baird will participate in the call. To listen to a recording of the call, available at 12. p.m. Mountain Time on October 23, please call one of the following numbers:
The archived webcast conference call will be available for approximately 90 days.
Husky Energy is one of Canada–s largest integrated energy companies. It is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols HSE and HSE.PR.A. More information is available at
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements and information (collectively “forward-looking statements”), within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are forward-looking and not historical facts.
Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result”, “are expected to”, “will continue”, “is anticipated”, “is targeting”, “estimated”, “intend”, “plan”, “projection”, “could”, “aim”, “vision”, “goals”, “objective”, “target”, “schedules” and “outlook”). In particular, forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, references to:
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected by the forward-looking statements presented in this news release are reasonable, the Company–s forward-looking statements have been based on assumptions and factors concerning future events that may prove to be inaccurate. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company about itself and the businesses in which it operates. Information used in developing forward-looking statements has been acquired from various sources including third party consultants, suppliers, regulators and other sources.
Because actual results or outcomes could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Some of these risks, uncertainties and other factors are similar to those faced by other oil and gas companies and some are unique to Husky.
The Company–s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2013 and other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities (accessible through the SEDAR website and the EDGAR website ) describe the risks, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and are incorporated herein by reference.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company–s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The impact of any one factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as such factors are dependent upon other factors, and the Company–s course of action would depend upon its assessment of the future considering all information then available.
Disclosure of Oil and Gas Information
Unless otherwise noted, historical production numbers given represent Husky–s share.
The Company uses the terms barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”), which is calculated on an energy equivalence basis whereby one barrel of crude oil is equivalent to six thousand cubic feet of natural gas. Readers are cautioned that the term boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. This measure is primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent value equivalence at the wellhead.
Contacts:
Investor Inquiries:
Dan Cuthbertson
Manager, Investor Relations
Husky Energy Inc.
403-523-2395
Media Inquiries:
Mel Duvall
Manager, Media & Issues
Husky Energy Inc.
403-513-7602