RBC Reaction Ithaca Energy (IAE.TO/IAE.L): Q3/13 Operating Update - All on track
Quarterly net export production averaged 12,000b/d, in line with our forecast for the period. Q3/13 was impacted by previously disclosed maintenance downtime at Cook and Causeway. Production has been restarted at Cook, and Causeway is due back onstream later this month. Additional delays at Causeway – where the ESP is scheduled to start during Q4 – is flagged as the key remaining risk to the 2013 production outlook. Management expect pro forma FY13 to be at the low end of the 14-16,000b/d guidance range; our forecast is 13,700b/d.
The FPF-1 vessel has been successfully re-floated, with dry dock refurbishment work completed. Topside construction and installation work is now underway. The 60km gas export pipeline to the CATS pipeline has been fully installed ready for first production. Subsea installation work is ongoing for infield flowlines and static umbilicals. An oil export route for the field is being finalised. Drilling on the A2 development well has started; we expect a result from the well in November/December, including a flow test.