Australia's Santos Reduces 2015 Capex by 25%

Santos on Thursday reduced its projected 2015 capital expenditure to $2.0 billion from the previous guidance of $2.7 billion.

Making the announcement, Santos Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer David Knox reaffirmed the strength of Santos’ financial position notwithstanding the substantial fall in the oil price and the company’s share price in recent weeks.

“We remain on track to realise the cash flow benefits in 2015 and 2016 from our growth investments in recent years,” Knox said. “The PNG LNG project is producing at full capacity. The GLNG project is 90% complete and remains on track for first LNG in the second half of 2015.  First commissioning gas is expected to be introduced to the LNG plant before the end of 2014.  Offtake agreements are in place with large, well-capitalised buyers.”

Santos has a robust funding position with approximately $2 billion in cash and undrawn debt facilities available as at 30 November 2014, the company said.

Growth and sustaining capital expenditure in 2015 are now forecast at $1.4 billion and $600 million respectively. Asset divestments remain under consideration as part of the company’s ongoing portfolio management provided fair long term value is realised, Santos said.

This is a prudent reflection of the revised environment and does not prejudice the company’s longer term growth options, Santos added.  Production guidance for 2015 is maintained at 57 to 64 million barrels of oil equivalent.

“The current volatile oil price means that Santos is focused on driving operational efficiency, reducing costs, prudently managing capital and making sure our balance sheet remains strong – without making short term reactive decisions that could damage the long term interests of the company or the interests of shareholders,” Knox said