Bankers Petroleum net income soars

14 November 2011 13:58pm

StockMarketWire.com - Bankers Petroleum's third quarter net income jumped by 363% to $13.7m in the three months to the end of September.

Oil revenues were up 22% at $93.6m with average production up 39% at 13,667 barrels per day while the average price rose by 60% to $74.48 per barrel.

Net income for the first nine months rose by 506% to $35.7m.

At 1:58pm: (LON:BNK) share price was +5p at 322.5p


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Bankers Petroleum Announces 2011 Third Quarter Results

Record Financial and Operational Quarter

CALGARY, Nov. 11, 2011 /CNW/ - Bankers Petroleum Ltd. ("Bankers" or the "Company") (TSX: BNK) (AIM: BNK) is pleased to provide its 2011 third quarter financial and operational results. The complete reporting package, consisting of Management's Discussion and Analysis along with Financial Statements and Notes, is posted on the Company's website www.bankerspetroleum.com and SEDAR: www.sedar.com.

Results at a Glance
(US$000, except as noted)(1) Three months ended
September 30 Nine months ended

September 30
2011 2010 Change 2011 2010 Change
Oil revenue 93,650 42,135 122% 251,570 119,431 111%
Net operating income 44,898 19,646 129% 131,976 55,638 137%
Net income 13,696 2,958 363% 35,715 5,895 506%
Per share - basic ($) 0.055 0.012 358% 0.145 0.025 480%
- diluted ($) 0.054 0.012 350% 0.140 0.024 483%
Funds generated from operations 42,601 16,308 161% 115,773 48,063 141%
Per share - basic ($) 0.172 0.067 157% 0.469 0.205 129%
Capital expenditures 65,147 27,456 137% 186,465 82,350 126%
Average production (bopd) 13,667 9,826 39% 12,578 9,318 35%
Average price ($/barrel) 74.48 46.61 60% 73.26 46.95 56%
Royalties 14.68 9.16 60% 13.18 9.37 41%
Operating expenses 13.78 10.40 33% 12.69 10.31 23%
Sales and transportation 10.31 5.31 94% 8.96 5.40 66%
Netback ($/barrel) 35.71 21.74 64% 38.43 21.87 76%

(1) Effective January 1, 2011, and retroactive to January 1, 2010, the Company adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Previously, the Company prepared its Financial Statements in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The transition has not resulted in any material variation from prior periods. Full details on the transition adjustments are contained in the Notes to the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

Highlights for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 are:

Production averaged 13,667 bopd, an increase of 39% compared to the same period in 2010. Current production is 14,750 bopd.

In the third quarter of 2011, revenue increased by 10% to $93.7 million ($74.48/bbl) from $85.2 million ($77.03/bbl) in the previous quarter and by 122% from $42.1 million ($46.61/bbl) in the third quarter of 2010.

Net operating income (netback) was $44.9 million ($35.71/bbl) in the third quarter of 2011, compared to $47.2 million ($42.72/bbl) during the second quarter of 2011 and $19.6 million ($21.74/bbl) in the third quarter of 2010.

Funds generated from operations were $42.6 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $42.9 million in the second quarter of 2011 and $16.3 million in the third quarter of 2010.

During the third quarter of 2011, capital expenditures were $65.1 million. The Company drilled sixteen (16) horizontal wells, a vertical cored delineation well, two (2) thermal horizontal wells, and two (2) water disposal wells, as well as reactivated 19 wells in addition to other related infrastructure/expansion projects. During the same period of 2010, capital expenditures were $27.5 million.

New export market agreements for 2012 have been agreed at higher average price levels than the current year crude oil contracts. ARMO, the Albanian refinery, also agreed to purchase Patos-Marinza crude in 2012 for a significant realized average price increase from the current year contract. The 2012 pricing agreements represent an average 7% increase over the 2011 Patos-Marinza oil price.

The Company continues to maintain a strong financial position with cash of $53.2 million and working capital of $73.5 million at September 30, 2011. Working capital for December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010 was $130.9 million and $138.8 million, respectively.
Operational Update

Current production at the Patos-Marinza oilfield is 14,750 bopd. This volume represents an 8% increase from third quarter production average. Four (4) of the ten (10) wells drilled and completed in the first five weeks of the fourth quarter targeted reserves and delineation drilling outside the main field. The Driza 1 formation outpost drilling to the west of the main field continues to demonstrate excellent cold flow production in this area of the concession with the last two wells producing at a current average rate of 160 bopd. In addition, the first Gorani 4 horizontal well has been drilled and is currently producing at a rate of 230 bopd. This well is located in the southern portion of Area 1 and extends into Area 2, a part of the field that to date had limited reactivation operations. A second Gorani 4 horizontal well is currently drilling further south in Area 2. Several more wells are scheduled to be drilled in this area.

Two of the existing drilling rigs recently encountered mechanical issues and have been since been repaired and put back into service after eighteen days of combined down-time, The fifth drilling rig has arrived at the Patos-Marinza field and is currently rigging up and will spud its first well in the next few days.

The first Block F exploration well is now scheduled to spud in January 2012 as soon as we can free one of the current rigs focused on incremental production and reserves assessment drilling and move it to the Block F exploration area.

Surface facilities construction has been completed for the thermal pilot program at the Patos-Marinza oilfield. Steam injection into the first horizontal well is projected to commence later this month in the Driza 1 sandstone. The reservoir simulation model is being updated with new core data information. The steam cycle is planned for a period of 60 days following which the well will undergo a soak period for several days before being placed on production and at that time steam injection in the second horizontal well will begin.

Outlook

Current year-end capital expenditures estimate remains at $215 million, net of capital inventory. The Company plans to drill an additional 18 wells before the end of this 2011, including 17 horizontal and one water disposal well. Exit production target is 16,000 bopd; while this rate represents the low case projection, it is a 33% increase from the 2010 exit rate. The Company expects to release its 2011 reserves updates in February 2012.

The 2012 work program and budget is being finalized and its details will be announced in December after receiving necessary board of directors and government approvals. Bankers' continues to hold a strong financial position of $53 million in cash and minimal long-term debt of $31 million with $80 million remaining available within current credit facilities. With Patos-Marinza crude sales agreements being based on Brent crude oil pricing, the Company anticipates a strong cash flow projection for next year and will be able to deliver its most active capital program in 2012.

http://www.bankerspetroleum.com/

For additional information, please see an updated version of the Company's corporate presentation on www.bankerspetroleum.com.