From Citywire today:
Shrewd favourite produces Sterling first half
Published: 11:23 Friday 23 September 2005
By Graeme Davies, Investment Correspondent
Long term Citywire tip Sterling Energy, a favourite of shrewd fund managers Derek Stuart and Giles Hargreave, has confirmed a strong first half although the second half could be impacted by the after effects of the devastating Gulf of Mexico hurricanes.
Sterling has gas production facilities in the Gulf and although it has not sustained any particular damage itself the disruption in the region has not helped.
However the gas production underpins an exciting exploration project principally focused on West Africa which, according to the company, should produce a step change in its development in the next six months. Sterling has 10 new wells planned over the next year in West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.
First half profits came in 83% ahead of last year at 2.4 million after a 20% increase in production. Average realised prices rose by 11% and this figure can be expected to rise more rapidly in the second half. Sterling has deliberately held back from forward selling much of its production so as to benefit from the soaring prices paid for gas at the moment.
Shares in Sterling have added 0.25p to 19p. Citywire tipped Sterling at 6.75p in April 2003 after Marlboroughs AAA-rated Hargreave took a stake.
He still holds 8.5 million shares in the Marlborough Special Situations and Hargreave Hale UK Growth funds . AA-rated Stuart has 45 million shares or 3.2% of Sterling in his Artemis Special Situations fund and A-rated Mark Slater holds 10 million shares in the Marlborough Slater Recovery fund .
With solid production in the Gulf of Mexico piped into the US market underpinning the company, it is attempting to add some spice through its West African exploration programme. The much-vaunted Chingeutti field off Mauritania is expected to begin pumping oil early next year and will rise to a peak production of 75,000 barrels a day, of which Sterling has an 8% interest and a further royalty agreement on each barrel.
Elsewhere offshore Mauritania Sterling has an interest in the Tiof field, which is considered to be bigger than Chinguetti. It also has plans for a drilling programme in AGC, the joint zone between Senegal and Guinea Bissau and Gabon although it recently a dry well there.
In Madagascar, Sterlings interests are considered to have significant potential, illustrated by the agreement in July that saw ExxonMobil farm in on both its blocks there. Sterling now has a 30% interest with much of the development work now down to its larger partner.
Citywire Verdict:
Bearing in mind the current commodity prices, Sterling is ramping up its production at just the right time. Its solid Gulf of Mexico business underpins the company and its West African interests give it significant potential upside. Should the step change its chief executive Harry Wilson is talking about happen in the second half and beyond, we should also see a similar step change in its share price. Hold on.
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