Seplat Energy Plc has declared profit of $204.4 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. The amount represents an increase of 15.3 per cent compared with $177.3 million reported in the corresponding period of 2021.
Shareholders at the annual general meeting on Wednesday approved total dividend payment of US15 cent per share for the 2022 financial year
Addressing shareholders and other stakeholders at the AGM, the Chairman of Board, Seplat Energy, Mr. Basil Omiyi, said the 2022 full year, the Company’s total revenue rose by 29.8 per cent to $951.8 million while profit before tax rose by 15.3 per cent to $204.4 million.
He said “With the healthy financial performance and solid cash position, the Seplat Energy Board recommended a special dividend of US 5 cents per share to be paid to shareholders, in addition to the final quarterly dividend of US 2.5 cents per share. This brings total dividend for the year to US 15 cents per share. The shareholders at the meeting approved the dividend payout, which will be made on or around 16 May 2023 to shareholders whose names appear in the Company’s Register at the close of business on 18 April 2023.”
Omiyi said the Company’s oil business started the year on a strong footing, with working interest production of 29,078 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 30,338bopd in first quarter 2022 and Q2-2022 respectively, adding that: “However, in the third quarter, production was impacted negatively by evacuation problems at the Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT), not being available for a period.
Speaking further he said“Thankfully, the much-delayed launch of the Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline (AEP) provided some relief as we were able to flow c.10,100bopd (working interest production) during the period. The AEP is now a major export route for our largest assets at OMLs 4, 38 and 41. As a result, our reliance on the Trans Forcados Pipeline and FOT is significantly lower, reducing risks of downtime while providing a solid base for stronger export volumes and revenues.”
According to the Seplat Energy Chairman, the Company’s gas business remained strong through the year, as good progress was made with the construction of the ANOH Gas Processing Plant, which now awaits the completion of third-party infrastructure before it can commence operations, projected for the final quarter of 2023.
“The positive impact of renegotiated Gas Sales Agreements (GSAs) in H2-2022 provided healthy support for revenue growth and profitability and we continue to focus on increasing capacity utilisation at our Oben Gas Processing Plant,” he added.
Over the past 12 months, he said the Company had taken significant steps towards fulfilling its new purpose and vision with regards to energy transition, and was scaling up its Midstream Gas business to increase the amount of natural gas supplied towards powering Nigeria’s electricity grid thereby displacing diesel use in power generation, while the Company’s New Energy business has been tasked with developing power and renewable energy.
Reacting to the Seplat Energy Chairman’s comment, a shareholder, Mr. Patrick Ajudua, said: “I want to commend the company for the special dividend of 5 cents, in addition to the final dividend of 2.5 cents, bringing the total to 15 cents. We are, indeed, very grateful and we appreciate the Board for being consistent in dividend payment and ensuring a generous reward to the shareholders at a very difficult time, when most companies are even finding it difficult to maintain profitability.”
President, Noble Shareholders Solidarity Association, Mr. Matthew Akinlade, said: “I wish to commend the Board and management for a good performance, in spite of the challenges of year 2022, a you were able to raise revenue by about 38 per cent and cost of sales at just 18 per cent, which shows an effective management of the company’s cost.”
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Operating Officer, Seplat Energy, Mr. Samson Ezugworie, said: “As part of Seplat Energy’s drive to become a leading supplier of lower[1]carbon and renewable energy, we are exploring ways to expand into these new and exciting markets.
