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EnQuest's covenants relaxed

EnQuest's share price has plummeted as crude oil prices has fallen to below $50 a barrel. But news on its debt covenants provide a vote of confidence on its development projects in the North Sea.
January 28, 2015

The share price of EnQuest (ENQ) has more than halved over the past three months as sentiment towards North Sea drillers soured on the back of the plunge in crude oil prices.

IC TIP: Hold at 33.1p

There was some respite last week, however, after the company, which heads the development of one of the largest pending UK offshore projects, successfully negotiated an agreement with lenders to ease debt covenant conditions. The company's balance sheet has been stretched as it moved ahead with the $3.2bn (£2.1bn) development of the Kraken field in the North Sea. EnQuest has also had some hefty capital commitments in relation to the Alma/Galia oilfield. The company intends to bring the complex back into production midway through this year, which should help to drive 2015 production towards a midpoint guidance of 34,500 barrels of oil per day, on a working interest basis.

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