Petrofac has issued a trading update ahead of the announcement of its full year results for the year ending 31 December 2022.
During the extended post-balance sheet period for the Group’s full year 2022 consolidated financial statements, management has conducted a thorough review of the portfolio of contracts, associated outstanding contractual and commercial issues and opportunities to improve liquidity by accelerating working capital inflows.
As a result of the portfolio review, the Group is recognising an additional EBIT reduction of US$140 million to US$160 million in the full year financial statements for 2022. This comprises both incremental project costs and a cautious view of the quantum and timing of recognition of certain revenue claims that would have partly offset those costs.
As a consequence, Petrofac now expects to report a full year Group EBIT loss of approximately US$150 million to US$170 million for 2022, including an EBIT loss of approximately US$240 million to US$260 million in Engineering & Construction (E&C) (1).
Approximately 50% of these additional costs are expected to be paid over the remainder of 2023, with the balance spread over 2024 and 2025. Any future recoveries from clients would mitigate this outflow.
Additional costs
Thai Oil Clean Fuels: following the December 2022 Trading Update, the execution strategy for this uniquely complex project has been subject to further review during Q1 2023, in consultation and cooperation with our client and joint venture partners. In order to de-risk delivery, operational changes have been made, including changes to subcontractors. A significant proportion of the resulting costs are expected to be recovered but discussions have not yet reached a sufficient level of maturity to recognise this incremental revenue.
Legacy contracts: additional costs relate to final completion activities on our legacy portfolio, primarily on projects that are now substantially completed (2). The figures announced today also include an allowance for adverse settlements as part of our efforts to accelerate the release of working capital balances.
Liquidity
Net debt at 31 December 2022 was US$349 million (3), with liquidity of US$506 million (4).
Petrofac remains focused on ensuring the Group has sufficient liquidity to support its strategy, including unlocking the significant working capital balances built up over the period of the pandemic, as well as collecting cash advances on new awards.
The Group has made significant progress in extending its borrowing facilities, having reached agreement in principle with its lenders to extend all three facilities by 12 months to October 2024. We will update the market following the signing of the extension agreements.
Tareq Kawash, Petrofac’s Group Chief Executive as of 1 April 2023, commented:
'Petrofac’s focus is on completing legacy contracts as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible. We are taking steps to ensure the financial strength of the business by unlocking working capital and, where appropriate, balancing long-term value against near-term liquidity.
'Although we are disappointed to announce additional costs on these legacy contracts, in particular the Thai Oil Clean Fuels project, ongoing collaboration with clients and partners will de-risk future delivery.
'I joined Petrofac because the business has a significant opportunity to deploy its leading capabilities to help clients deliver much needed energy infrastructure. This was demonstrated in the recent significant award of a long-term agreement to support critical European offshore wind infrastructure. Alongside converting a healthy pipeline of future opportunities – with a number of awards at preferred bidder stage – we are working to draw a line under the projects of the past, putting Petrofac in a strong position to deliver future growth.'
Source: Petrofac
