Intelligent Investor

Oil Search fills the tank

By · 22 May 1998
By ·
22 May 1998
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Recommendation

Oil Search Limited - OSH
Current price
$4.04 at 16:36 (21 December 2021)

Price at review
$3.30 at (22 May 1998)
All Prices are in AUD ($)
After our brief comment on the BP PNG acquisition in the last issue, here's our explanation of what it means for Oil Search: The purchase dovetails into the company's existing assets with the net result being growth in exploration and production. The purchase price of US$400m is far from a bargain, but based on the oil reserves, it's pretty fair. The big sweetener will be the major upside should the PNG gas project go ahead. Either way, the deal will be positive for earnings, cash generation and value.

The tank is filled

The acquisition lifts the company's share of the Kutubu Oil Field from 8% to 27%, with oil reserves growing from 39 million barrels to 94 million barrels. Gas reserves also rise from 600bcf (billion cubic feet) to over 3800bcf. Real upside exists in commercialising the extra gas, further oil discoveries at Moran, Paua and other un-drilled structures and any future tolling charges paid by third party users of the oil plants and pipelines. The acquisition will advance the PNG-Queensland gas project by freeing up a large chunk of undeveloped gas at Hides. The departure of BP eliminates competing gas projects and any risk to reserves.

Largest PNG producer

OSH is now the largest owner and producer of oil and gas reserves in PNG, even surpassing the US giant Chevron, focused on what it knows best, PNG, rather than looking to SE Asia or investments in other companies. The mix of production and exploration leverage that has made OSH popular in the past few years has been enhanced. If you're looking for a reason as to why the share price has jumped 20% since the announcement of the deal, PNG is one of the most prospective oil and gas provinces in the world and Oil Search now has more of it!

IMPORTANT: Intelligent Investor is published by InvestSMART Financial Services Pty Limited AFSL 226435 (Licensee). Information is general financial product advice. You should consider your own personal objectives, financial situation and needs before making any investment decision and review the Product Disclosure Statement. InvestSMART Funds Management Limited (RE) is the responsible entity of various managed investment schemes and is a related party of the Licensee. The RE may own, buy or sell the shares suggested in this article simultaneous with, or following the release of this article. Any such transaction could affect the price of the share. All indications of performance returns are historical and cannot be relied upon as an indicator for future performance.
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