Tethys Oil revises 2020 capital expenditure citing COVID-19

Tethys Oil AB, through its wholly owned subsidiary Tethys Oil Oman Onshore Limited, has put in place plans to enable reduced expenditure in 2020 in response to the sharp drop in oil prices and increased uncertainty resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While maintaining an unchanged production guidance, the range for 2020 capital expenditure is expected to be lower and somewhat wider than previously communicated, the Swedish oil company said.

The upstream energy firm continues to plan for a first exploration well on Block 49, a pure exploration play acquired in late 2017, and works to secure a suitable drilling rig. Discussions with rig contractors are progressing. At the end of March 2020, the Company received final government approval for its acquisition of a 20 per cent interest of Block 56. Testing operations of wells on Block 56 have been ongoing throughout the first quarter.

Magnus Nordin, Tethys Oil Managing Director, said: “The situation we are currently experiencing is unprecedented. The COVID-19 pandemic and the extreme volatility in energy prices provides a tremendous challenge to the entire world. Tethys

Oil is working closely with all relevant authorities and partners to assure our personnel is safe and that operations can continue as close to normal as possible. Our strong financial position offers further security for all Tethys Oil’s stakeholders at this difficult time. The plans we have put in place aim to assure that Tethys Oil stays cash flow positive for the full year 2020 (before distributions to shareholders) at an oil price of $30 per barrel. We are hopeful things will normalise soon but until that happens, we will follow the situation very closely and are prepared and ready to take whatever action necessary to ensure our staff’s safety and the company’s financial stability.”

“Plans have been put in place to enable the reduction and deferral of certain capital expenditures while maintaining production levels and flexibility in response to further changes in the market environment. Tethys Oil now expects total investments in oil and gas properties for the full year 2020 to be in the range of $50m – $64m (previously $64m – $71m),” the Managing Director added.

The production guidance range of 12,600 – 13,400 barrels of oil per day of annual average production from Blocks 3&4 in Oman before government take remains unchanged. The guidance on operating expenses also remains unchanged and is expected at or around $11.5 per barrel for 2020. At current oil prices and revised expenditure guidance, Tethys Oil expects its net entitlement of oil production to be 52 per cent in 2020.

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, necessary precautions have been put in place to protect Tethys Oil’s employees, contractors and partners. The Company is following the recommendations and guidelines provided by relevant authorities and industry groups closely. Staffing both in Muscat and Stockholm offices has been reduced as employees have been equipped to work remotely and most physical office meetings have been replaced by video conferencing.

Tethys Oil’s management and board of directors continue to follow developments closely in order to ensure a high level of preparedness. On Blocks 3&4 the operator has put a number of precautionary procedures in place to allow for work in the field to continue safely. Already high standards of hygiene have been raised and shift procedures changed to allow for a minimum of physical contact between shifts. Contingency plans are in place, should supply lines or oil transportation infrastructure be impacted.

THE UPSTREAM ENERGY FIRM CONTINUES TO PLAN FOR A FIRST EXPLORATION WELL ON BLOCK 49, AND WORKS TO SECURE A SUITABLE DRILLING RIG.