Goldman Sachs Note from November 2010 where they initiated coverage with a 189p target, with the initial one prospect(of six if I remember corretcly) offshore Italy offering 500% upside potential on that. Italy drilling decision has to be made by Shell by end of March. Goldman Sachs have put Q3 2011 as the drilling date, therefore NOP could be 189p+500% = 9.45 in 2011.
Source of opportunity
Northern Petroleum offers, in our view, an attractive combination of strong core value in the Netherlands, and the possibility for high-impact exploration in the longer term. We believe that the companys producing and discovered gas assets in the Netherlands and other core value gives 93% upside to the current share price,
before accounting for liquidity adjustments, and that the stock is therefore inexpensive. There are exploration catalysts in the Netherlands too, which we believe could add 10% to our valuation over the next 2-3 years. The real potential in our view, however, lies in the companys assets in Italy where it holds a number of offshore exploration licences with substantial potential. West of Sicily, the company has brought in Shell as a partner which gives a degree of credibility to the play, while in the South Adriatic Sea the company currently is 100% owner. We are cautious on the ability to monetize oil resources in Italy, noting the difficulties that companies have had in sanctioning assets such as Tempa Rossa and give the companys Italian oil assets a 75% political risking on top of the required geological risking. (We note that the company is confident the recent ban on drilling in Italian waters within five nautical miles of the coast should have limited or no effect on its prospects as they are further offshore than the areas the ban impacts.)
In the event that exploration is successful, and the resource can be monetized, the potential is vast: success for one of the companys assets in the West of Sicily would add almost 500% to our valuation. The companys 1.25% stake in Tullows exploration block in Guyana is also of potential interest, despite the stake being small, as it offers large volumes and the potential for follow-on drilling in the event of success. We initiate coverage of the company with a Buy rating and a price target of 189p.
Catalyst
Continued growth from the companys assets in the Netherlands is a relatively low risk catalyst. We expect the prospect in Guyana to be drilled in the coming months. We do not expect significant activity in Italy in the near term, but the approach of drilling in the country should also help share price performance.
Valuation
Our 12-month SOTP price target is calculated using a US$85/bl assumed oil price. We include risked value for two prospects in the West of Sicily licence in Italy but apply a 75% political risking on top of geological risk, and also apply a 50% discount to these catalysts as we expect them to be drilled later than 12 months from now.
Key risks
Key downside risks to our view and target price are a weakening of the European gas price, cost overruns and delays in the development of the companys assets in the Netherlands or delays in exploration and sanctioning activities in Europe.
Page 250
http://www.mediafire.com/?i5bdmxxpmo6tm16