Fri 5 Aug 2011 15:41

Petroplus posts US$80 million Q2 loss


European refiner records a loss for Q2 and H1. CEO says the second quarter was 'difficult'.



Petroplus Holdings AG has reported an estimated clean net loss of $(80) million, or $(0.84) per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to estimated clean net income of $35 million, or $0.40 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2010.

Petroplus reported a net loss from continuing operations of $(187.7) million, or $(1.97) per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to a net loss of $(93.6) million, or $(1.02) per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2010.

For the six months ended June 30, 2011, Petroplus reported a net loss from continuing operations of $(49.8) million, or $(0.52) per share, as compared to a net loss of $(111.3) million, or $(1.25) per share for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

Commenting on the results, Jean-Paul Vettier, Petroplus’ Chief Executive Officer, said, “The second quarter was difficult, especially for this time of year, due to the extremely weak refining environment in Europe. Margins declined to below $2 per barrel during the quarter as product prices failed to keep pace with the rapid increase in crude prices due to soft demand amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment. Light-sweet crude differentials to Dated Brent also worsened in the quarter as the full impact of the lost Libyan crude supply was felt by the market. Margins came under additional pressure in June due to the IEA’s decision to release product stocks in Europe rather than crude stocks.

"Operationally, throughput was lower in the quarter as we decided to expand the scope of the maintenance work at Petit Couronne to take advantage of the lower opportunity cost resulting from lost throughput in the low-margin environment. As a result, the entire fuels complex was shut down for most of the quarter. We also decided to perform some maintenance at Coryton given the weak market, and this work lowered overall throughput and limited clean product conversion. Regrettably, these adverse elements partially mask a continuing structural improvement of our operating performance as part of our 3-Year Improvement Plan.”

Joseph D. Watson, Petroplus’ Chief Financial Officer, said, "Liquidity held up well during a difficult quarter. We ended the quarter with approximately $384 million in cash, no cash borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, and with approximately $725 million in headroom under the RCF. Our headroom improved during the quarter due to lower crude supply requirements following the discontinuation of refining activities at Reichstett, as well as new trade credit from a number of our crude suppliers. As for the RCF, at June 30, 2011, our clean Group EBITDA to net interest expense coverage ratio was below the RCF covenant requirement of 2.5 to 1.0 due to the weak second quarter financial results. On July 27, 2011, we received unanimous consent from our RCF lenders granting us a waiver for the second quarter of 2011, which is a testament to the strength of our lender relationships. Our net debtto- net capitalization ratio at June 30, 2011, was approximately 43 percent, compared to 39 percent at March 31, 2011. The shutdown of the Reichstett refinery was a cash-positive event for Petroplus in the quarter, as working capital liquidations of approximately $65 million exceeded restructuring outlays of about $15 million."

Vettier added, "Margins have remained weak during the third quarter to date, but have to some extent recovered from the lows in June. Margins should improve in the coming months as industry seasonal maintenance increases. As Petroplus has no planned major maintenance in the second half of the year, we should be able to capture any improvements in the refining market."

Preemraff Göteborg, Preem's wholly owned refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden. VARO Energy expands renewable portfolio with Preem acquisition  

All-cash transaction expected to complete in the latter half of 2025.

Pictured: Biofuel is supplied to NYK Line's Noshiro Maru. The vessel tested biofuel for Tohoku Electric Power in a landmark first for Japan. NYK trials biofuel in milestone coal carrier test  

Vessel is used to test biofuel for domestic utility company.

Pictured (from left): H-Line Shipping CEO Seo Myungdeuk and HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol at the contract signing ceremony for the construction of an 18,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel. H-Line Shipping orders LNG bunkering vessel  

Vessel with 18,000-cbm capacity to run on both LNG and MDO.

Stanley George, VPS Group Technical and Science Manager, VPS. How to engineer and manage green shipping fuels | Stanley George, VPS  

Effective management strategies and insights for evolving fuel use.

Sweden flag with water in background. Swedish government bans scrubber wastewater discharges  

Discharges from open-loop scrubbers to be prohibited in Swedish waters from July 2025.

The ME-LGIA test engine at MAN's Research Centre Copenhagen. MAN Energy Solutions achieves 100% load milestone for ammonia engine  

Latest tests validate fuel injection system throughout the entire load curve.

Terminal Aquaviário de Rio Grande (TERIG), operated by Transpetro. Petrobras secures ISCC EU RED certification for B24 biofuel blend at Rio Grande  

Blend consisting of 24% FAME is said to have been rigorously tested to meet international standards.

Avenir LNG logo on sea background. Stolt-Nielsen to fully control Avenir LNG with acquisition  

Share purchase agreement to buy all shares from Golar LNG and Aequitas.

Seaspan Energy's 7,600 cbm LNG bunkering vessel, s1067, built by Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. Bureau Veritas supports launch of CIMC SOE's LNG bunkering vessel  

Handover of Seaspan Energy's cutting-edge 7,600-cbm vessel completed.

The world's first methanol-fuelled container ship, Laura Maersk. Methanol as a marine fuel | Steve Bee, VPS  

How environmental legislation has driven the development of low-sulphur fuels and methanol-ready ships.


↑  Back to Top