Kistos, an independent energy company focused on generating value across the upstream and midstream markets, has provided a trading and operational update ahead of its half-year results for the period ended 30 June 2025.
Balder Ramp-Up
- Balder Future has reached peak production
- The Jotun FPSO was brought onstream on 22 June 2025
- All 14 subsea production wells are now online and producing in line with expectations
- Production from the Jotun FPSO is now over 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), adding to the approximately 30,000 boepd from the Balder FPU and Ringhorne facilities. This brings the total output for the Balder Area to more than 110,000 boepd (gross), with Kistos holding a 10% stake in the licence
- Balder Phase V is ongoing
- Six new multi-branch subsea production wells are underway, with expected production rates and reserves equivalent to the wells installed within the Balder Future project
- Two of the Phase V wells are expected to come on stream in Q4 of this year, with the remaining wells being completed during 2026
- Balder Phase VI is being progressed following the positive investment decision announced on 18 June 2025
- The project consists of a single multi-lateral well tied back to the Jotun FPSO via the installation of a new subsea template and flowline
- The project will target reserves of approximately 15 mmboe (gross), with start-up expected by the end of 2026 and payback in less than one year
Q10-A, GLA & GAS STORAGE
- Q10-A production was affected during the first half of 2025
- Aside from natural decline, a planned shutdown of the TAQA-operated P15-D platform overran for longer than expected, although this will be partially offset by flush production post start up, which was achieved on 16 July 2025
- GLA production during the period fell in line with management's expectations
- Imminent start-up at the Shell-operated Victory gas field is due to provide significant OPEX savings for the GLA partners, with increased gas throughput at the SGP
- TotalEnergies maintains its 40% stake in the GLA, following Prax going into administration
- Kistos remains confident that TotalEnergies will continue to operate the assets responsibly and efficiently
- A Final Investment Decision (FID) on Hole House re-instatement is anticipated late in Q3 2025. If positive, it is expected to increase working capacity by a further 63%. A further announcement will be made at the point the FID is made
Corporate guidance
- Full-year average daily production guidance of 8,000 - 9,000 boepd reaffirmed with daily production reaching 16,000 boepd on 8 September
- Cash at 30th June 2025 was $104 million (of which $20 million is currently restricted), compared to the $143 million cash at 31 December 2024, reflecting significant capital expenditure on the final stage of the Balder Future project
- Net debt* at the end of the period stood at $86 million.
*Cash and cash equivalent, restricted funds and current tax receivables less the face value of outstanding bond debt.
Andrew Austin, Executive Chairman of Kistos, commented:
'With our partner Var, we set out a very clear priority at the beginning of the year to deliver the Balder Future development project. Not only have we achieved first oil by the half-year-end, but we have also accelerated the production ramp-up to reach peak production well ahead of schedule.
'Total Group production hit 16,000 boepd on the 8th September. The additional 8,000 boepd (net) that Balder Future is now contributing adds substantial near-term production and, with the installation of the Jotun FPSO and associated infrastructure, further near-term development of the Balder Area is now ongoing, unlocking additional value at a low cost with greater certainty.
'Our desire for value-accretive acquisitions remains. Our M&A remit covers areas outside of the North Sea; however, we are committed to only pursuing opportunities that provide a good balance to our current portfolio, at the right price and on terms that are accretive to Kistos shareholders.'
Sourcer: Kistos
