Each one in plain English, with the numbers worked through for a shareholder.
4 Apr 2012regulatory community update● Neutral
Recording began on a 254 sq km Maari 3D seismic survey over PMP 38160 (Cue 5%) and PEP 51313 (Cue 20%), covering Maari, Manaia and the Pike and Paua prospects. It will help pick wells for the 2012/13 summer appraisal campaign; about 20 days.
Naga Utara-1 tests were inconclusive or poor. The open-hole test failed to flow stably, and the cased-hole test gave only small gas and probable water, judged tight and unlikely commercial. The well will be plugged and suspended, and the rig moves to Naga Selatan. Disappointing for the 80 Bcf prospect.
March presentation repeats known figures: 2.7 mmbbl oil and 118 Bcf gas, A$50.7m cash and US$2.6m debt. Market cap is A$201m at 29c. 2012 forecast is 350,000 bbl oil and 4.0 Bcf gas. No new announcements.
Naga Utara-1 reached 5,066 ft; a gas sample was recovered on wireline and an open-hole drill-stem test is under way. Results are being evaluated, so there is no flow rate or commercial conclusion yet.
Naga Utara-1 sidetrack was called at total depth of 5,066 ft because high-pressure gas influx was nearing the rig's pressure rating. Gas sands were found at 4,825-4,880 ft and 4,975-5,040 ft. An appraisal well with high-pressure equipment is planned.
Wortel started gas on 31 January and is stable at about 50 BBTU/d. Combined with Oyong, it meets the 90 BBTU/d contract. Oyong-11 lifted field oil output above 3,000 bopd. Cue's net share is about 2,500 boepd before government production sharing.
WA-360-P was renewed for five years from 6 March 2012. Cue's stake rises from 15% to 37.5% with MEO (operator) on 62.5%, after Petrobras and Rankin Trend left. This resolves the renewal and stake thread. Year 1 commits to buying existing 3D seismic.
Half-year to December 2011: profit A$3.9m versus A$1.3m, mostly from a A$2.68m foreign exchange gain. Production income fell to A$20.0m and gross margin to A$12.2m. Cash was A$50.7m, project debt US$2.6m, and Wortel adds 14 Bcf net to Cue. No dividends.
The Naga Utara-1 sidetrack reached 4,653 ft; preliminary log interpretation shows three hydrocarbon-bearing sandstones with about 80 net feet. Detailed evaluation is pending, and drilling will continue to 5,500 ft. A first positive indication, not yet a confirmed discovery.
Plugging the high-pressure gas zone in Naga Utara-1 was difficult, with the well flowing gas and producing 5-8 metre flares over seven days. Sidetrack equipment is on site, so drilling will resume immediately with no suspension, an improvement on the prior plan.
Naga Utara-1 hit a high-pressure gas zone (4,780-4,887 ft); gas was flared for three days and drill pipe is stuck. The well will be plugged and sidetracked to re-drill the gas zone after about three weeks' suspension, with no rig costs during the suspension.
Naga Utara-1 is at 4,843 ft with multiple hydrocarbon shows below 3,040 ft. A high-pressure gas flow occurred at current depth, so mud weight is being raised before logging. Encouraging, but no result yet.
Santos announced first gas from Wortel in the Sampang PSC (Cue 15%), the milestone expected since late 2011, a month later than first hoped. Combined Oyong and Wortel output is expected to be 90 TJ/day, sold for domestic power generation. Delivered on budget per Santos.
Octanex, a third-party shareholder, plans to distribute its 43.7m Cue shares to its own members as a special dividend (1 Cue share per 5 Octanex shares; record date 28 March 2012). Cue itself is not paying anything and no new money is involved. Cue shares were valued at 24c.
Naga Utara-1 (Cue 40%) is at 988 ft, with a pilot hole drilled to manage shallow gas hazards. About 25 more days remain to the 5,500 ft target, including testing. No result yet.
Wortel-3 and 4 are drilled and completed as gas producers, and the rig has moved to the Oyong-11 infill oil well. First gas is expected by end of January 2012. Budget stays US$105.1m (Cue US$15.8m); Cue's net share is about 2,700 boepd after infill drilling.
Naga Utara-1 spudded on 5 January 2012 in the Mahakam Hilir PSC, Cue's first well under its Indonesian farm-in (40%). Target depth is 5,500 ft, about 30 days with testing. At 10 January it was at 223 ft.
Naga Utara-1, a gas prospect next to the Sambutan field in Mahakam Hilir PSC (Cue 40%), is expected to spud on 4 January 2012. Planned depth is 5,500 ft, taking about 30 days. Weekly progress reports will follow.
Wortel-4 is drilled and being completed; Wortel-3 follows. First gas export is now expected by end of January 2012, later than the late-December/early-January target. Budget still US$105.1m, Cue share US$15.8m.
December presentation repeats the growth vision. Market cap A$152m at 22c, cash A$55.8m at 30 November. The board now lists the four Todd-nominated directors (Moore, Dibb, Young, King), implying they were elected at the AGM (inference). 2011 oil forecast cut to 390,000 barrels from 420,000.
AGM presentation repeats known figures: market cap A$160m at 23.5c, cash A$68m, 120 Bcf gas and about 3 mmbbl oil. It notes Maari disappointed while Oyong and SE Gobe performed well. Mahakam Hilir drilling is slated for December. No new announcements.
9 Nov 2011asset acquisition disposition● NeutralMajor
Cue decided to raise its WA-360-P interest from 30% to 37.5% after the permit's renewal, leaving MEO as operator with 62.5%. It cited the permit's prospectivity and the small spending needed over three years; Rankin Trend also gave notice of withdrawal.
MEO says Moby's Rankin Trend will also leave WA-360-P, so after renewal MEO holds 62.5% and Cue 37.5%. The renewal application was lodged on 31 October. This follows Petrobras's September exit.
Sampang PSC update: Wortel gas development is on schedule and budget at US$105.1m (Cue share US$15.8m). First gas is expected late December 2011 or early January 2012. Cue's net share should reach about 2,700 boepd from January 2012, funded from cash.
Zeus 3D survey acquisition was completed on 31 October. The WA-361-P group (Cue 15%) buys 323 sq km, which meets the year-2 work commitment. Processed data is now expected in early May 2012, versus Q2 2012 earlier.
Indonesian regulator approved Cue's 40% of the Mahakam Hilir PSC, clearing the June farm-in. Cue pays about US$4m of past costs by end October from cash. Naga Selatan (20 mmbbl oil) and Naga Utara (80 Bcf gas) prospects are to be drilled, targeting a first spud before end-2011.
Cue's 2010/11 annual report repeats results already released: revenue A$59.67m, net profit A$19.1m, cash A$52.8m and debt A$5.1m. It restates the aim of a market value above A$1bn. The excerpt shows no new events.