Frontera sets 2024 CAPEX at US$272-335 million
Frontera Energy Corporation revealed its financial plan for 2024 on Feb. 15 and the results of its performance during Q4 2023.
Key projections for 2024 include consolidated operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of US$400-450 million at an average Brent price of US$80 per barrel. Frontera’s total consolidated capital expenditures are expected to land in the range of US$272-335 million, a 32% reduction compared to 2023.
Orlando Cabrales, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said Frontera delivered an estimated average daily production of approximately 40,919 barrels of oil equivalent in Q4 2023, while “deploying significant capital to successfully advance our exciting offshore Guyana exploration program.” Frontera currently holds a 72.7% participating interest in Guyana’s Corentyne block as per an amended joint operating agreement with CGX Energy.
Frontera sunk approximately US$440 million into Guyana as of Q2 2023. The US$400 million pertains to two wells in the Corentyne Block while the remainder is for external investments for the port facility being established by CGX Energy Inc.
Cabrales said Frontera generated approximately US$1.5 billion in operating EBITDA over the last three years. “Strong cash flow [is] expected in 2024,” he commented.
Since 2018, Frontera said it returned more than US$305 million to shareholders via dividends and share buybacks.
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The company plans to invest US$230-280 million in its core Colombia and Ecuador Upstream business to achieve a full-year production target of 40,000 – 42,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Frontera outlined that the investment includes US$35 – US$45 million earmarked for exploration activities, notably the high-impact Hydra-1 well in the VIM-1 block in Colombia and two wells in the Espejo Block in Ecuador.
In addition, Frontera will allocate US$40-50 million to its standalone Colombia Infrastructure business, primarily for the construction of a pipeline connection between the Reficar Refinery and the Puerto Bahia’s Liquids Terminal, along with commissioning the SAARA Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility at Quifa.
The company anticipates total production costs for 2024 to average US$14.25-15.75 per barrel of oil equivalent, driven mainly by higher energy costs attributed to El Nio.
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“Additionally, the Company’s strategic review process for our exciting Guyana exploration business is advancing, where a data room has been opened and management presentations are underway,” the CEO continued.
Frontera has hedged approximately 40% of its estimated production after royalties at an average Brent price of US$73.34 through June 2024 to mitigate price volatility.