PTTEP announced improved net profit of USD 376 million for the first quarter of 2021. The favorable growth was primarily attributed to higher selling price following the rise in global crude oil prices and the recognition of an extraordinary income from the investment in Oman Block 61 Project. The company has again revised up 2021 targeted sales volume after it could bring forward the completion of acquisition in Oman Block 61 and the first gas from Malaysia Block H Project to this quarter.

Mr. Phongsthorn Thavisin, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) said that the company reported total revenues of USD 1,779 million (equivalent to THB 54,034 million) in the first quarter of 2021, increasing by 32% compared to USD 1,348 million (equivalent to THB 40,494 million) in the fourth quarter of 2020. The growth was primarily from higher sales revenue of USD 1,391 million (equivalent to THB 42,136 million), as a result of the average selling price that increased by 10% to USD 40.38 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE). This was in line with the continual increase in global crude oil prices. The company also recorded gain from a non-recurring item of USD 350 million (equivalent to THB 10,772 million) from the bargain purchase on the acquisition of Oman Block 61 Project.

Besides, the average sales volume of this quarter was at 382,877 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOED), slightly increased from 381,285 BOED in the previous quarter.

Total expenses in the first quarter were at USD 1,213 million (equivalent to THB 36,764 million), remained unchanged from the previous quarter. Although PTTEP recorded lower operating expenditure and general & administrative expenses in this quarter, the company has realized losses from non-recurring items including the assets write-off for an exploration project in Brazil of USD 145 million and oil price hedging loss of USD 107 million.

With the aforementioned factors, PTTEP recorded net profit of USD 376 million (equivalent to THB 11,534 million) in the first quarter 2021, an increment of 364% in comparison with USD 81 million (equivalent to THB 2,433 million) in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) margin stood at 74% as planned, while unit cost was lowered to USD 27.96 per BOE.

'We'd seen gradual improvement in ourfirst quarter's performance due to continued recovery of global oil price and several significant achievements. The completion of acquisition in Oman Block 61 and the first gas from Malaysia Block H Project have been accomplished faster than expected. These immediately added to the company's sales volume in the first quarter as well as this year's average petroleum sales volume, upward revision to 405,000 BOED.Regarding the exploration activities, we confirmed the successful petroleum discoveries from Dokong-1exploration wellin Block SK417 and Sirung-1 exploration well in Block SK405B, off the coast of Sarawak, Malaysia. Meanwhile, PTTEPhas continued its plan to explore more prospectsto enhance contingent resources.

Following a major gas discovery fromLang Lebah field in the Sarawak SK 410B last year, we completed the appraisal well early this year and the result registered a new record as PTTEP's largest gas discovery. These achievements not only added reserves for our future growth but it also strengthened our investment base in the long term.' Mr. Phongsthorn stated.

KeyFacts Energy: PTTEP Thailand country profile