PETRONAS’ financial year results that ended 31 December 2016 have shown improvements despite the challenging market environment. This was the result of the deliberate sequential measures undertaken by the Group in response to the low oil prices which included the Group’s transformation efforts and its continuous pursuit to optimise cost and improve efficiency.
PETRONAS’ profit grew by 12 per cent to record higher Profit After Tax (PAT) of RM23.5 billion, from RM20.9 billion recorded in 2015. This was mainly due to lower operating expenditures and tax expenses partially offset by lower average prices.
The Group’s revenue for the year dipped by 17 per cent to RM204.9 billion from RM247.7 billion in 2015. The decrease reflected the lower average prices in line with the downward trend of key benchmark prices (Dated Brent and Japan Customs Cleared Crude) coupled with the impact of lower sales volume.
Cumulative 2016 Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was RM70.4 billion compared to RM75.5 billion recorded in 2015.
Cash flows from the Group’s operating activities also decreased from RM69.6 billion in 2015 to RM53.8 billion due to lower average prices, partially offset by lower tax paid.
The Group’s continuous efforts to reduce cost had contributed in 8 per cent or RM4.1 billion decrease in controllable costs to RM49.1 billion compared to RM53.2 billion in 2015.
Total assets and shareholders’ equity increased to RM603.3 billion and RM380.3 billion respectively, contributed by the impact of weakening of Ringgit against US Dollar exchange rate and favourable movement on fair value of available-for-sale financial assets.
Gearing ratio increased to 17.4 per cent compared to 16.0 per cent recorded last year. This was due to higher borrowings following additional drawdown made during the year. Return on Average Capital Employed (ROACE) increased to 5.3 per cent compared to 5.1 per cent in 2015 in line with the Group’s higher profits.
Capital investments for the year was reduced by 22 per cent to RM50.4 billion following project deferment and rephasing as well as cost optimisation efforts.
Meanwhile, PETRONAS’ quarter four profits recorded a strong 85 per cent jump in PAT to RM11.3 billion from RM6.1 billion recorded in the previous quarter. The RM5.2 billion increase was primarily driven by higher average realised product prices and sales volume mainly from LNG and processed gas as well as impact of favourable exchange rate partially offset by higher taxation.
Revenue rose by 20 per cent to RM58.6 billion from RM48.7 billion in the preceding quarter.
EBITDA for the quarter also grew by 44 per cent to RM21.9 billion in line with the Group’s higher profits.
Upstream
Upstream continued to focus on delivering its commitments across the oil and gas value chain while putting in measures to increase cash generation and optimise cost.
Malaysia and PETRONAS Group’s international total upstream production was 2,363 thousand boe per day in 2016, a three per cent increase compared to 2,290 thousand boe per day in 2015. This was mainly driven by the resumption of operations of the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline, higher facilities uptime in Malaysia and Canada, and higher production from Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.
PETRONAS Group’s total Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) third party sales volume for the year was 29.01 million tonnes, marginally higher compared to 28.49 million tonnes in 2015 mainly contributed by higher volumes from Train 9 in Bintulu and GLNG in Australia, partially offset by lower trading volume.
Average sales gas volume for Malaysia in 2016 was higher as compared to 2015 in line with higher demand.
Among notable achievements in Upstream for 2016 include acquisition of four international blocks which include two recently acquired blocks in Mexico and two in Myanmar, the commissioning and delivery of first LNG cargo from Train 9, and successful commissioning of PFLNG Satu.
Downstream
Downstream Business managed the impact of depressed market growth, lower product prices and spreads to record only a slight decline in the Downstream’s PAT from RM8.4 billion in 2015 to RM8.3 billion in 2016.
The collaborative efforts undertaken across the value chain led to higher utilisation of the Group’s manufacturing units in 2016. PETRONAS’ refineries in Malaysia and South Africa recorded strong refinery utilisation at 90.5 per cent and 89.9 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, its petrochemical plants set a new record in utilisation since incorporation of 95.7 per cent, an improvement from the previous record of 85.3 per cent in 2015. This led to an increase in petrochemical products sales volume by 14 per cent from 6.4 million metric tonnes to 7.3 million metric tonnes.
Rationalisation of marketing and trading strategies to drive value focused activities, resulted in higher margins despite lower sales volume. Total petroleum products sales volume was 268.1 million barrels, 14.5 million barrels lower compared to 2015, while crude oil sales volume was 189.3 million barrels, 24.6 million barrels lower compared to the previous year.
Downstream projects continued to progress well. The Pengerang Integrated Complex as at February 2017 is close to 60 per cent completion and is on track to commence operations by 2019. Recently, PETRONAS signed a Share Purchase Agreement with Saudi Aramco for a 50 per cent equity in selected ventures and assets of the RAPID project. Meanwhile SAMUR is expected to begin commercial operations within the first half of 2017.
Outlook
The Group continues to maintain a conservative outlook for 2017 and expects prices to remain uncertain. PETRONAS will continue to focus on its group-wide efforts to reduce costs and further improve efficiency and sustain world-class operational efficiencies through collaborations within and outside the industry.
Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, President and Group CEO PETRONAS
"I am encouraged that PETRONAS has emerged from 2016 as a more resilient Corporation with strong underlying performance driven by our new structure, significant cost reductions and improved performance. We are in a stronger position heading into 2017."
Issued by
Media Relations Department
Group Strategic Communications
PETRONAS
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In the last week, global crude oil price benchmarks have leapt up by some US$5/b. Brent is now in the US$66/b range, while WTI maintains its preferred US$10/b discount at US$56/b. On the surface, it would seem that the new OPEC+ supply deal – scheduled to last until April – is working. But the drivers pushing on the current rally are a bit more complicated.
Pledges by OPEC members are the main force behind the rise. After displaying some reticence over the timeline of cuts, Russia has now promised to ‘speed up cuts’ to its oil production in line with other key members of OPEC. Saudi Arabia, along with main allies the UAE and Kuwait, have been at the forefront of this – having made deeper-than-promised cuts in January with plans to go a bit further in February. After looking a bit shaky – a joint Saudi Arabia-Russia meeting was called off at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos in January – the bromance of world’s two oil superpowers looks to have resumed. And with it, confidence in the OPEC+ club’s abilities.
Russia and Saudi Arabia both making new pledges on supply cuts comes despite supply issues elsewhere in OPEC, which could have provided some cushion for smaller cuts. Iranian production remains constrained by new American sanctions; targeted waivers have provided some relief – and indeed Iranian crude exports have grown slightly over January and February – but the waivers expire in May and there is uncertainty over their extension. Meanwhile, the implosion in Venezuela continues, with the USA slapping new sanctions on the Venezuelan crude complex in hopes of spurring regime change. The situation in Libya – with the Sharara field swinging between closure and operation due to ongoing militant action – is dicey. And in Saudi Arabia, a damaged power repair cable has curbed output at the giant 1.2 mmb/d Safaniuyah field.
So the supply situation is supportive of a rally, from both planned and unplanned actions. But crude prices are also reacting to developments in the wider geopolitical world. The USA and China are still locked in an impasse over trade, with a March 1 deadline looming, after which doubled US tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese imports would kick in. Continued escalation in the trade war could lead to a global recession, or at least a severe slowdown. But the market is taking relief that an agreement could be made. First, US President Donald Trump alluded to the possibility of pushing the deadline by 2 months to allow for more talks. And now, chatter suggests that despite reservations, American and Chinese negotiators are now ‘approaching a consensus’. The threat of the R-word – recession – could be avoided and this is pumping some confidence back in the market. But there are more risks on the horizon. The UK is set to exit the European Union at the end of March, and there is still no deal in sight. A measured Brexit would be messy, but a no-deal Brexit would be chaotic – and that chaos would have a knock-on effect on global economies and markets.
But for now, the market assumes that there must be progress in US-China trade talks and the UK must fall in line with an orderly Brexit. If that holds – and if OPEC’s supply commitments stand – the rally in crude prices will continue. And it must. Because the alternative is frightening for all.
Factors driving the current crude rally:
Already, lubricant players have established their footholds here in Bangladesh, with international brands.
However, the situation is being tough as too many brands entered in this market. So, it is clear, the lubricants brands are struggling to sustain their market shares.
For this reason, we recommend an impression of “Lubricants shelf” to evaluate your brand visibility, which can a key indicator of the market shares of the existing brands.
Every retailer shop has different display shelves and the sellers place different product cans for the end-users. By nature, the sellers have the sole control of those shelves for the preferred product cans.
The idea of “Lubricants shelf” may give the marketer an impression, how to penetrate in this competitive market.The well-known lubricants brands automatically seized the product shelves because of the user demand. But for the struggling brands, this idea can be a key identifier of the business strategy to take over other brands.
The key objective of this impression of “Lubricants shelf” is to create an overview of your brand positioning in this competitive market.
A discussion on Lubricants Shelves; from the evaluation perspective, a discussion ground has been created to solely represent this trade, as well as its other stakeholders.
Why “Lubricants shelf” is key to monitor engine oil market?The lubricants shelves of the overall market have already placed more than 100 brands altogether and the number of brands is increasing day by day.
And the situation is being worsened while so many by name products are taking the different shelves of different clusters. This market has become more overstated in terms of brand names and local products.
You may argue with us; lubricants shelves have no more space to place your new brands. You might get surprised by hearing such a statement. For your information, it’s not a surprising one.
Regularly, lubricants retailers have to welcome the representatives of newly entered brands.
And, business Insiders has depicted this lubricants market as a silent trade with a lot of floating traders.
On an assumption, the annual domestic demand for lubricants oils is around 100 million litres, whereas base oil demand around 140 million litres.
However, the lack of market monitoring and the least reporting makes the lubricants trade unnoticeable to the public.
Market Watch
Headline crude prices for the week beginning 11 February 2019 – Brent: US$61/b; WTI: US$52/b
Headlines of the week
Upstream
Midstream & Downstream
Natural Gas/LNG