Slow progress at Exillon

Ramping up production by 90 per cent in a period of high oil prices may have swelled revenue at Exillon Energy last year, but problems mobilising rigs meant the company drilled far fewer production wells than expected. That’s put hopes of producing 17,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) back another six months to the end of 2012 and left a big dent in the share price. Institutional investors who took part in last year’s £93.7m fundraising will be fuming given the shares now trade at less than half the 400p a share they paid.

As expected operating costs rose sharply, more than doubling to $80.4m on increased production – average daily oil output at Exillon’s fields in northern Russia and West Siberia hit 8,884 bopd, or 3.24m barrels in total. Reflecting the higher output, mineral extraction tax almost tripled to $64.5m and the average export duty rate grew 28 per cent. But it was mainly a $6.7m foreign exchange hit that led to a deepening operating loss of $7.1m.

Still, 23 wells are planned for this year, which should increase reserves again – 2P reserves rose 11 per cent to 265m barrels in 2011. And spending two-thirds of its $133m budget on infrastructure will also help drive operating costs down.

First Energy Capital expects 2012 EPS of 11¢.

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