Canacol Energy — Q3 gas sales dip but netbacks improve

Canacol Energy (TSX: CNE)

Last close As at 01/11/2024

CAD6.45

−0.40 (−5.84%)

Market capitalisation

220m

More on this equity

Research: Energy & Resources

Canacol Energy — Q3 gas sales dip but netbacks improve

On 10 October, Canacol Energy provided an update on gas sales and drilling results. Gas sales in Q3 were 178mmcf/day, which was down approximately 4% from the level seen in Q2 due to previously flagged problems at its Jobo gas processing plant. This is being resolved and management is confident about achieving its average 2023 production targets.

Written by

Peter Hitchens

Energy & Resources

Canacol Energy

Q3 gas sales dip but netbacks improve

Q3 update

Oil and gas

13 October 2023

Price

C$10.26

Market cap

C$350m

C$1.36/US$

Net debt (US$m) at 30 June 2023

620

Shares in issue

34.1m

Free float

67%

Code

CNE

Primary exchange

TSX

Secondary exchange

BVC

Share price performance

Business description

Canacol Energy is a Colombia-based exploration and production company that is focused on natural gas. The company is the largest independent onshore gas producer and supplies approximately 20% of Colombia’s gas needs.

Analyst

Peter Hitchens

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Canacol Energy is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

On 10 October, Canacol Energy provided an update on gas sales and drilling results. Gas sales in Q3 were 178mmcf/day, which was down approximately 4% from the level seen in Q2 due to previously flagged problems at its Jobo gas processing plant. This is being resolved and management is confident about achieving its average 2023 production targets.

Year end

Revenue (US$m)

EBITDAX*
(US$m)

Cash flow
(US$m)

Net debt
(US$m)

Capex
(US$m)

Yield
(%)

12/22

336

198

185

438

(180)

10.0

12/23e

351

218

190

481

(150)

10.0

12/24e

364

217

197

503

(160)

10.0

12/25e

530

365

301

486

(180)

10.0

Note: *Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and exploration write-off.

Canacol provided a gas sales update on 10 October. The group reported Q3 gas sales of 178mmcf/day, which compares to 185mmcf/day and 186mmcf/day in Q2 and Q1 respectively. This 4% decline is due to problems at the Jobo gas processing plant and some of its production wells. This had been flagged in its update on 5 September. Canacol is working on remediating these problems and expects to have production back to normal levels shortly. Management still expects to meet its average 2023 production target of 160–206mmcf/day, which would imply production in Q4 of approximately 183mmcf/day – slightly higher than current production of 180mmcf/day on 9 October.

The group also expected to see adjusted EBITDAX of US$61.0m in Q3, which compares to US$60.7m in Q2 and US$60.9m in Q1. Given the lower production, this would imply that the group is achieving a 4% higher netback as it maintains its higher-margin business. This should therefore not impact on our forecasts. The group is expected to report its Q3 results in early November.

Canacol is maintaining its active drilling programme, where the focus is on drilling wells that are close to its existing infrastructure and will help to build productive gas capacity to meet this anticipated increase in gas demand, which could come through on the back of the El Niño effect that is developing in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This may result in water shortages affecting hydroelectric power generation in Colombia, which could lead to increased demand for gas and allow the company to benefit from higher gas sales in Q423 and during 2024. In the quarter, the group drilled the Aguas Vivas-4 well, which was tied into permanent production towards the end of September. The Clarinete-9 development well was successfully drilled and is expected to start producing by 24 October. The group completed the Fresa-2 appraisal well, which encountered 10ft of net gas pay.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Canacol Energy and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Canacol Energy. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

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United Kingdom

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London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Canacol Energy and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Canacol Energy. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2023 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

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