http://www.iii.co.uk/articles/articledisplay.jsp?article_id=10118476§ion=ShareDealing
Stock to Watch: Xcite Energy
Edmond Jackson
20.09.10 12:41
This article is for information and discussion purposes only and does not form a recommendation to invest or otherwise. The value of an investment may fall. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.
Renewed surges in small to mid cap oil & gas shares may reflect some benefit from Dana Petroleum (DNX) shareholders selling amid the takeover or getting cash quite soon - there could be well over 1 billion looking for a new home in this sector. It may accentuate share price rises where companies (are expected to) announce good news.
Coincidentally, the AIM-listed shares in Xcite Energy (XEL) have spiked above 100p as investors consider its prospects for developing the 'heavy oil' Bentley field in Block 9/3b in the UK North Sea, off the Shetland Islands. Imminent drilling ought to bear news this autumn which, given the scale of the prospect, represents attractive risk/reward. While it is hard to assert a fair value at this stage in the project, hence the shares' volatility, Xcite's profile is gaining interest as a longer-term play.
Heavy oil should not be seen as a dirty word nowadays: the technology for recoverability and refining has much improved, with applications such as diesel. About 20% of North Sea production is heavy oil, furthermore tax incentives are involved.
I drew attention at 85p last May, pointing out that further trading opportunities would be likely. The shares have spent the summer in a 60p to 80p range, so the rise above 100p is a break-out (if in line with the longer-term chart) signalling traders latching onto the prospect here.
Progress news on the 9/3b-R well should be forthcoming, given the 27 August interim results anticipated spudding the well in weeks ahead, the intention being "to demonstrate the commercial potential of the Bentley field through a representative flow test rate and thereby confirm its value as a significant North Sea oil field".
Current estimates are for about 900 million barrels of oil in place and Xcite enjoys full ownership - so although the market capitalisation is about 150 million while the company has yet to make profits, there is considerable scope.
The flow test is the first of three main value drivers for the shares that management has entertained, hence it is rational for interest to perk up. The second is early production from around the middle of next year and the third, full field development from 2014 onwards. Management has indicated scope for early production of about 15,000 barrels a day, building up to 60,000 to 80,000 in years ahead.
The August share placing was specifically to enhance the 9/3b-R well work programme, a slant pilot well section enabling Xcite to collect additional data to expand its understanding of the field. The result ought to better define upside potential. Be aware the shares may remain volatile given those in the latest placing are already looking at a 70% profit in a month, however the rise is in line both with the chart and highly prospective fundamentals.
While Arbuthnot is the UK broker, Xcite shares also trade in Canada where Wellington West published a 'speculative buy' note in June with an 85p (sterling equivalent) near-term value, 150p medium-term target, and with long-term un-risked upside potentially over 1,300p a share.
The Canadian broker draws attention to an effective alliance of service organisations, to phase development initially up to 15,000 barrels a day next year, with over 70 horizontal locations identified to more fully capture the upside potential. Although the current, risked value is estimated around 85p a share, "significant upside exists to this risked net present value as the company moves to exploit net recoverable resource potential over 123 million barrels on primary recovery alone". This estimate is backed by RPS Energy, the industry consultants who did extensive analysis.
In future it will also be worth watching progress with the nearby Bressay field, which has a very similar reservoir and oil to Bentley.
Xcite's principal management is ex-Conoco who drilled three previous Bentley wells; clearly they have more confidence in the prospect than Conoco itself which relinquished the block back to regulators. Admittedly, this is a point of scepticism, that an oil major preferred to walk away from Bentley. Another is there being no published evidence of the directors buying in the latest 60p a share placing although the announcements cite significant share option grants last March, with an exercise price of 44p.
The end-June interims were what you might expect from of a company at this development stage: a loss of about 500,000, operating expenses slightly offset by income on 23.3 million cash. This was likely bolstered by about 5 million net, after the latest placing, so Xcite should be well capitalised for medium-term progress.
Overall, despite being mainly a 'one-asset company', Xcite appeals on grounds of already being a substantial proven resource; the industry risk is with development than exploration. I find the profile attractive and will personally look for an entry point with cash proceeds from Dana. In contrast with fleeting joy at the drill bit, for many an explorer, and assets in politically risky countries, this is a share which looks to offer substantial upside closer to home.
So it should be well worth watching for the flow test results, to confirm the Bentley prospect. Possibly there will be further chances to average your buying here, in months ahead, as the project develops.
For more information visit www.xcite-energy.com