KazMunaiGas Exploration Production: 9M & 2015 Results – Profits Nearly Halved

JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (“KMG EP” or “the Company”) announces condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the nine months ended 30 September 2015.

– Net profit for the first nine months of 2015 was 138bn Tenge (US$703m[1]) compared with 242bn Tenge (US$1,357m) for the same period in 2014. A decline in net profit was largely due to lower revenue after the oil price decline which was partially offset by a gain related to the increase in the Tenge/USD rate.

– Revenue in the first nine months of 2015 was 349bn Tenge (US$1,783m), 49% lower compared with the same period in 2014. The lower revenue was the result of a 48% decline in the Brent price and a 50% decline in the average domestic realized price from 48 th. Tenge per tonne in the first nine months of 2014 to 23.8 th. Tenge per tonne in the same period of 2015.

– The Company recognised foreign exchange gain of 262bn Tenge.

– Production expenses in the first nine months of 2015 were 160bn Tenge (US$817m), an 11% increase compared with the same period in 2014, mainly due to increased employee benefit expenses relating to production personnel.
Production Highlights

KMG EP, including its stakes in Kazgermunai (KGM), CCEL (CCEL) and PetroKazakhstan Inc. (PKI), produced 9,245 thousand tonnes of crude oil (251 kbopd) in the first nine months of 2015, a 0.3% increase over the same period of 2014.

Ozenmunaigas JSC (OMG) production increased by 3% to 4,115 thousand tonnes (111 kbopd) in comparison with the same period of 2014. Embamunaigas JSC (EMG) produced 2,104 thousand tonnes (57 kbopd), which is 6 thousand tonnes (0.2 kbopd) less than in the same period of 2014. The total volume of oil OMG and EMG produced was 6,219 thousand tonnes (168 kbopd), a 2% increase compared with the same period of 2014.

The Company’s share in production from CCEL, KGM and PKI for the nine months of 2015 amounted to 3,026 thousand tonnes of crude oil (83 kbopd), which is 3% less than in the same period of 2014 which primarily relates to the planned reduction of production in PKI.

Crude oil and oil products sales

In the first nine months of 2015, OMG and EMG sold 6,117 thousand tonnes (162 kbopd) of crude oil, including 3,303 thousand tonnes (87 kbopd) to export, 1,898 thousand tonnes (50kbopd) of crude oil and oil products to the domestic market and 916 thousand tonnes of crude oil to Russia[2].

Out of 1,898 thousand tonnes (50 kbopd) of crude oil and oil products supplied to domestic market, 1,715 thousand tonnes (45 kbopd) of crude oil were supplied to Atyrau Refinery from OMG and EMG; 140 thousand tonnes (4 kbopd) of crude oil were supplied to Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant from EMG. Additionally, 43 thousand tonnes (1.2 kbopd) of oil products were sold in the domestic market.

Based on the oil transportation schedule received from the Ministry of Energy, it is expected that the volume of KMG EP’s domestic supplies in January-November of 2015 will be 2,346 thousand tonnes (47 kbopd). The Ministry of Energy may set certain volumes of oil supplies to the domestic market for OMG and EMG in December 2015, therefore there is a possibility of exceeding the planned volume of 2015 shipments to the domestic market. As announced earlier the planned volume of domestic supply in 2015 is 2,340 thousand tonnes (47 kbopd).

The Company’s share in the sales from CCEL, KGM, and PKI was 2,974 thousand tonnes of crude oil (81 kbopd), including 1,285 thousand tonnes (34 kbopd) supplied to export, or 43% of total sales volume. The domestic sales volume was 1,620 thousand tonnes (45 kbopd) of crude oil of which 1,097 thousand tonnes (31 kbopd) were supplied to Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant; 363 thousand tonnes (10 kbopd) were supplied to Shymkent Refinery; 44 thousand tonnes (1 kbopd) were supplied to Atyrau Refinery; and 116 thousand tonnes (3 kbopd) were supplied to Aktau Bitumen Plant. 70 thousand tonnes of crude oil (2 kbopd) were shipped to Russia.

Net Profit for the Period

Net profit in the first nine months of 2015 was 138bn Tenge (US$703m), compared with 242bn Tenge (US$1,357m) in the same period of 2014. A decline in net profit was largely due to lower revenue following the decline in oil price, partially offset by a gain related to the increase in the Tenge/USD rate.

Revenue

The Company’s revenue in the first nine months of 2015 was 349bn Tenge (US$1,783m), which is 49% lower compared with the same period of 2014. This is due to a 48% decline in Brent price and a 50% decline in average domestic realized price from 48 th. Tenge per tonne in the first nine months of 2014 to 23.8 th. Tenge per tonne in the same period of 2015.

Domestic market supplies in first six months of 2015 were paid at 22.4 th. tenge per tonne to the Atyrau Refinery and 30.0 th. Tenge per tonne to the Pavlodar Refinery. Starting from 1 July 2015 domestic supplies were paid at 24.0 th. Tenge per tonne and 32.0 th. Tenge per tonne to the Atyrau and Pavlodar refineries, respectively. In September 2015 domestic supplies were paid at 26.8 th. Tenge per tonne and 34.2 th. Tenge per tonne to Atyrau and Pavlodar refeniries, respectively.

There is a risk that prices for the domestic market supplies for October to December 2015 will be significantly lower than the prices set in September 2015.

Domestic prices have yet to be approved by the independent directors.

Production Expenses

Production expenses in the first nine months of 2015 were 160bn Tenge (US$817m), 11% higher than in the same period of 2014. This is mainly due to an increase in production personnel benefits.

Expenses for employee benefits in the first nine months of 2015 increased by 22% compared with the same period of 2014. This was largely due to an indexation of salary for production personnel by 7% in January 2015, the introduction of a Unified System of Wages for production employees from April 2014 onwards, a 10% increase in wages related to the devaluation of the Tenge from April 2014 onwards, and an increase in production bonuses from 25% to 33% for supporting production personnel from September 2014 onwards.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first nine months of 2015 were 90bn Tenge (US$461m), which is 20% higher than in the same period of 2014. This was largely due to the accruals of fines and penalties, partly offset by lower transportation expenses due to lower export volumes. In the first nine months of 2015 the Company accrued fines and penalties amounting to 22bn Tenge (US$114m) of which 19bn Tenge (US$99m) is related to the tax audit for 2009-2012.

Taxes other than on Income

Taxes, other than on income, in the first nine months of 2015 were 132bn Tenge (US$672m), which is 51% lower than in the same period of 2014. The decline in rent tax and mineral extraction tax (MET) was due to a 48% lower Brent price and lower export volumes. Export customs duty (ECD) declined largely due to a decrease in export volumes and the reduction of ECD rate from US$80 to US$60 per tonne from 19 March 2015.

Additionally, in the third quarter of 2015 the Company accrued MET of 12.8bn Tenge (US$65m) related to the results of the tax audit for 2009-2012, including 6.1bn Tenge (US$31m) accrued as tax provision (see below).

Tax Provision

In the first nine months of 2015, the Company accrued tax provision of 53bn Tenge, mostly related to the results of complex tax audit for 2009-2012 years (see “Complex tax audit for 2009-2012” below).

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash outflow from operating activities in the first nine months of 2015 was 14.9bn Tenge (US$76m) compared with 250bn Tenge (US$1,404m) inflow in the same period of 2014, mainly due to the decrease in revenues.

Capital expenditure

Capital expenditure[3] in the first nine months of 2015 was 75bn Tenge (US$384m), which is 18% less compared with the same period of 2014 mainly due to lower investments in maintenance Capex and a decrease in drilling activity. In the first nine months of 2015, 238 wells were drilled at OMG and EMG compared with 248 wells in the same period of 2014.

Cash and Debt

Cash and cash equivalents as at 30 September 2015 amounted to 141bn Tenge (US$0.5bn) compared with 180bn Tenge (US$1.0bn) as at 31 December 2014. Other financial assets as at 30 September 2015 were 807bn Tenge (US$3.0bn), compared with 554bn Tenge (US$3.0bn) as at 31 December 2014.

As at 30 September 2015, 96% of cash and financial assets were denominated in foreign currencies (mainly US$) and 4% were denominated in Tenge. Finance income in the first nine months of 2015 was 18bn Tenge (US$93m) compared with 16bn Tenge (US$90m) in 9M2014.

Borrowings as at 30 September 2015 were 9.7bn Tenge (US$36m), compared with 7.2bn Tenge (USD$40m) as at 31 December 2014.

The net cash position[4] as at 30 September 2015 amounted to 938bn Tenge (US$3.5bn) compared with 727bn Tenge (US$4.0bn) as at 31 December 2014.

Foreign exchange gain

On 20 August 2015 the Government and the National Bank of Kazakhstan decided to switch to a free floating exchange rate regime of Tenge. Subsequently the rate of Tenge/US$ increased by about 50% during the month. As a result, in the first nine months of 2015 the Company recognised a foreign exchange gain of 262bn Tenge (US$1,336m), as at the time of the KZT devaluation more than 90% of cash and financial assets were denominated in foreign currencies.

Share of results of associate and joint ventures

In the first nine months of 2015, KMG EP’s share in loss of associate and joint ventures was 3.5bn Tenge (US$18m) compared with profit of a 49bn Tenge (US$273m) in the same period of 2014.

Kazgermunai

In the first nine months of 2015, KMG EP recognised income of 7.9bn Tenge (US$40m) from its share in KGM. This amount represents 8.2bn Tenge (US$42m) corresponding to 50% of KGM’s net profit, with the effect of the 0.3bn Tenge (US$2m) impact from amortization of the fair value of licenses, the related deferred tax and revised effective income tax rate used to calculate deferred tax.

KGM’s net profit in US dollars in the first nine months of 2015 declined by 78% compared with the same period of 2014. This was largely due to decline in the Brent and domestic prices as well as 23% lower export sales volumes. KGM reassessed its income taxes for previous years and accrued additional US$30m in the first nine months of 2015. Also, KGM accrued US$11m of fines and penalties as a result of the tax audit.

In the first nine months of 2015 KMG EP received US$62.5m as dividends from KGM.

PetroKazakhstan Inc.

In the first nine months of 2015, KMG EP recognised loss of 11.4bn Tenge (US$58m) from its share in PKI. This amount represents 6.6bn Tenge (US$12m) corresponding to 33% of PKI’s net loss, net of the 4.8bn Tenge (US$25m) effect of amortization of the fair value of the licenses.

In the first nine months of 2015, PKI’s net loss was US$102m compared with net profit of US$430m in the same period of 2014. This was largely due to a 27% decline in export sales volumes as well as lower Brent and domestic prices.

CCEL

As of 30 September 2015, the Company had 27bn Tenge (US$99m) as a receivable from CCEL, a jointly controlled entity with CITIC Resources Holdings Limited. The Company accrued 2.3bn Tenge (US$12m) of interest income in the first nine months of 2015 related to the US$26.87m annual priority return from CCEL.

Tax and environmental audits

As at 30 September 2015 the Company had several outstanding claims related to tax and environmental matters. More detailed information is provided in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the nine months ended 30 September 2015.

Value-added-tax (VAT) recoverability. As at 30 September 2015 total recoverable VAT related to the Company’s sale of assets to OMG and EMG in 2012 is 46.6bn Tenge. The tax authorities have conducted various audits and have repeatedly denied the Company’s requests to have these VAT amounts recognized as recoverable. The Company disagree with the tax authorities’ position and initiated court proceedings.

The court of first instance, Courts of Appeal and Cassation of Mangistau region all ruled in favor of OMG. On July 28, 2015 the Tax authorities filed an appeal of the court of first instance’s judgment to the Supreme court. On October 7, 2015 the Supreme Court cancelled the previous decisions issued by the courts in favor of OMG. OMG is currently organizing its appeal.

As a result of the complaint by the EMG on January 29, 2015 the Specialized Interdistrict Economic Court of Atyrau region ruled to dismiss the VAT claim in its entirety. On July 31, 2015 EMG filed an appeal of this decision to the cassation court of Atyrau region. On September 16, 2015 the Cassation court ruled that the case should be returned back to the first instance court for further consideration.

The Company believes that it is more probable than not that it will ultimately be successful in each of the above cases and consequently has classified the amounts as long term in these financial statements. Based on expectations with respect to the ultimate timing of the receipt of the VAT amounts the receivable has been discounted at 7.93% over the period ending December 31, 2016.

Comprehensive Tax audit for 2009-2012. On September 2, 2015 the Company received the final tax assessment related to the 2009-2012 Comprehensive tax audit for 38.5bn Tenge, including additional taxes of 18.6bn Tenge, 9.7 bn Tenge penalty and 10.2bn Tenge of fine.

The Company’s management believes its interpretations of the tax legislation are appropriate and that the Company has justifiable arguments for its tax positions, but in light of the current environment and recent court outcomes management has modified its estimate on the ultimate amounts of additional tax charges and claims.

As at September 30, 2015 tax provision of 53bn Tenge includes 33bn Tenge related to the 2009-2012 Comprehensive Tax audit comprising of 16bn Tenge of principal and 17bn Tenge of fines and penalties. In addition, the Company with its tax advisors has undertaken a review of its tax accounts for 2012-2015 and has made an additional provision of 20bn Tenge for amounts that are believed to be more likely than not to be ultimately paid. This amount comprises of 17bn Tenge of principal and 3bn Tenge of penalties.

These amounts are reflected in the statement of comprehensive income as additional charges to the corporate income tax and excess profit tax of 27bn Tenge (US$138m), the MET of 6.1bn Tenge (US$31m), and fines and penalties in SG&A expenses of 19bn Tenge (US$99m).

The Company does not agree with the results of the tax audit and has sent an appeal of the additional charges to the Committee of the State Revenues on September 7, 2015. In September 28, 2015 the Committee of the State Revenues reduced fines from 10.2bn Tenge to 9.3bn Tenge. As a result, the amount of the tax claim was reduced from 38.5bn to 37.6bn Tenge. Pending the results of the appeal management will consider further actions including but not limited to appealing to the appropriate courts.