Statoil

2014 Second quarter results

Statoil's (OSE:STL, NYSE:STO) second quarter 2014 net operating income was NOK 32.0 billion, a decrease of NOK 2.3 billion compared to the second quarter of 2013. Adjusted earnings were NOK 32.3 billion.

"Statoil delivered solid operational performance in the quarter, with continued high production regularity on the Norwegian continental shelf and project execution according to plan. We have deferred gas production to enhance value, but remain on track for delivering on our production guiding for 2014. Our quarterly earnings were impacted by divestments, seasonal effects and lower gas prices. For the first half of the year, earnings were around the same level as in the same period last year," says Helge Lund, Statoil's president and CEO.

Statoil's net income for the second quarter was NOK 12.0 billion, an increase from NOK 4.3 billion in the same period of 2013. Earnings per share were NOK 3.75, an increase from NOK 1.38.

Adjusted earnings were NOK 32.3 billion, a 15% decrease compared to the second quarter last year. The net adjustments of NOK 0.3 billion are primarily related to gains and impairments. In the second quarter, the company recorded a gain of NOK 3.6 billion from the farm-down in Shah Deniz and the South Caucasus Pipeline. The gain was offset by impairments of NOK 4.3 billion in the US onshore business, mainly related to sustained local price differentials. Adjusted earnings after tax were NOK 9.9 billion, compared to NOK 11.3 billion in the same period last year.

"Our cash flow from operations before tax is NOK 118 billion so far this year, and we have a strong balance sheet. We will pay a dividend of NOK 1.80 per share for the quarter, in line with our commitment to capital distribution to our shareholders," says Lund.

Net debt to capital employed at the end of the quarter was 16%. Organic capital expenditure is USD 10 billion year-to-date, and the guidance of USD 20 billion for 2014-2016 remains unchanged.

Statoil's adjusted earnings from upstream activities in Norway decreased from NOK 31.5 billion to NOK 24.1 billion. Earnings from upstream activities outside Norway increased to NOK 6.3 billion from NOK 5.9 billion, while earnings from the midstream increased to NOK 2.4 billion from NOK 0.8 billion.

In the quarter, Statoil made the high-impact Piri discovery in Tanzania. The discovery brings the total of gas in-place in Block 2 up to approximately 20 tcf, adding volumes for a future large-scale gas infrastructure development. Exploration expenses were NOK 2.7 billion, down NOK 1.4 billion compared to same quarter last year. The decreased expenses were mainly due to increased capitalisation as a result of successful wells.