BEIJING, Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ("Sinopec" or "the Company") (HKEX: 386; CH: 600028;NYSE: SNP) today announced its interim results for the six months ended30 June 2014.
Financial Highlights:
* In accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), in the first half of 2014, the Company's turnover, other operating revenues and other income wasRMB1,356.17 billion, down 4.2% year-on-year. However, the Company still maintained double digit growth in operating profit ofRMB52.27 billion, up 11.8% year-on-year. Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company wasRMB32.54 billion, up 7.5% year-on-year. Basic earnings per share wereRMB0.279. * In accordance with the PRC Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises (ASBE), in the first half of 2014, the Company's operating profit wasRMB44.83 billion, up 2.6% year-on-year. Net profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company wasRMB31.43 billion, up 6.8% year-on-year. Basic earnings per share wereRMB0.269. * Net cash flows from operating activities was RMB582.14 billion, up 76.9% year-on-year.
* The Board of Directors proposed an interim dividend of RMB0.09 per share.
Business Highlights:
In the first half of 2014, global economic growth slowed down while China's economy maintained moderate growth. Despite slowing growth in demand for refined oil products and tumbling prices for chemical products, the Company achieved a double digit increase in operating profit, thanks to increased production and sales volume of high quality oil products which led to a year-on-year operating profit growth in its refining and marketing businesses.
* The Company achieved further progress in domestic oil and gas exploration and development. Sinopec maintained its fast-track momentum in the construction of shale gas capacity in Fuling in theSichuan Basin. By the end of June, daily shale gas production hit 3.2 million cubic meters. As of the end of 2013, the Company had completed its acquisition of overseas upstream assets from China Petrochemical Corporation, which significantly increased Sinopec's crude production on a year-on-year basis. * Benefitting from further optimized production structure and increased production of high value-added oil products production such as GB IV & GB V gasoline and diesel production, the refining margin rose 43.4% in the first half of 2014 on a year-on-year basis. * In the first half of 2014, Sinopec carried out the restructuring and reform of its marketing business as planned. The Company established Sinopec Marketing Company Ltd. and completed the auditing and evaluation of its assets, laying the foundation for marketing business reform. Sinopec established Sinopec Easy Joy Sales Co., Ltd. to take another big step in the development of its non-fuel business. Sinopec significantly increased sales of premium products and recorded 10% growth in non-fuel operating revenues through optimising marketing strategies, expanding retail scale and enhancing integrated service levels for its clients. * Sinopec proactively responded to the severe market conditions for the chemical industry. The Company adjusted the raw material and product structure, optimised the utilisation rate of its facilities, and shut down non-profitable units. Fu Chengyu, Chairman of Sinopec said: "Focusing on improving the quality and efficiency of development in the first half of 2014, Sinopec has accelerated business restructuring, emphasizing market-oriented reform and the specialized development of various business lines. Sinopec is committed to building a people-oriented, world-class energy and chemical company as well as enhancing shareholders' long term returns through business transformation and more effective management."
Business Review
Exploration and Production
In the first half of 2014, Sinopec achieved further progress in oil and gas exploration and development by focusing on five key domestic areas. In exploration, the Company made further discoveries in westSichuan, with a number of discoveries in the west rim of the Zhungar Basin, the Qintong sag ofJiangsu Province and North Erdos. In development, Sinopec strengthened its efforts in progressive exploration and reservoir characterisation, implemented a number of projects to build oil and gas production capacity and actively carried out gas production capacity building projects in Yuanba, middle-shallow layer of westSichuan and Daniudi. We sustained our rapid growth in conventional gas production.
In unconventional resource development, we maintained our fast track momentum in the construction of shale gas capacity in Fuling in theSichuan Basin. By the end of June, average daily shale gas production hit 3.2 million cubic meters. As of the end of 2013, the Company had completed its acquisition of overseas upstream assets from China Petrochemical Corporation, which significantly increased its crude oil production. In the first half of 2014, our oil and gas production was 237.01 million barrels of oil equivalent, up 8.00% from the same period in 2013, of which crude oil was 177.88 million barrels, representing an increase of 7.52% from the same period last year, and natural gas output was 354.8 billion cubic meters, an increase of 9.46%.
Due to lower crude oil realisation and lower overseas sales volumes due to maintenance to ourAngola project, operating revenue of the Exploration and Production segment wasRMB113.8 billion, representing a decrease of 2.9% over the first half of 2013. The segment operated fairly smoothly in the first half of 2014, realisingRMB28.3 billion of operating profit, down 8.7% on a year-on-year basis. This was mainly attributable to lower realized crude price caused by factors including exchange rate fluctuation.
Summary of Operations for the Exploration and Production Segment
Six-month period
ended 30 June
Change
2014
2013
%
Oil and gas production (mmboe)
237.01
219.46
8.00
Crude oil production (mmbbls)
177.88
165.44
7.52
China
154.15
153.66
0.32
Overseas
23.73
11.78
101.44
Natural gas production (bcf)
354.80
324.14
9.46
Refining
In the first half of 2014, we adjusted our refinery products mix in response to changes in domestic demand; optimised resource allocation and reduced procurement costs of crude oil; strengthened coordination of production and marketing to increase production and export of gasoline, jet fuel and other high-value-added products. We actively promoted quality upgrading in our oil products and significantly increased output of GB IV standard diesel. We took advantage of our centralised marketing for other oil products and increased sales of LPG, asphalt and petroleum wax. In the first half of 2014, we processed 116 million tonnes of crude oil, up 0.32% year-on-year, and increased oil product output by 2.68%, of which gasoline production was up by 9.63%, kerosene up by 19.74% and light yield up by 0.63 percentage points.
Operating revenue for the refining segment was RMB652 billion, up 1.2% year-on-year. Benefitting from further optimized production structure and increased production of high quality oil product, the segment achieved an operating profit ofRMB9.8 billion in the first half of 2014, representing an increase ofRMB9.5 billion over the same period of 2013, and the refining margin rose 43.4% on a year-on-year basis,
Summary of Operations for the Refining Segment
Unit: million tonnes
Six-month period
ended 30 June
Change
2014
2013
(%)
Refinery throughput
115.81
115.44
0.32
Gasoline, diesel and kerosene production
71.62
69.75
2.68
Gasoline
24.94
22.75
9.63
Diesel
36.67
38.64
(5.10)
Kerosene
10.01
8.36
19.74
Light chemical feedstock production
19.96
18.82
6.06
Light yield (%)
76.83
76.20
0.63
percentage points
Refining yield (%)
94.63
94.61
0.02
percentage points
Note: includes 100% production of joint ventures
Marketing and Distribution
In the first half of 2014, we carried out the restructuring and reform of our marketing business as planned. We established Sinopec Marketing Company Ltd. and completed the auditing and evaluation of its assets and laid the foundations for marketing business reform. We established Sinopec Easy Joy Sales Co., Ltd., as another big step towards the specialized development of our non-fuel business. In light of sufficient market supply and fierce competition, we focused on resource allocation and optimised our marketing strategies to concentrate on premium products. We focused on our customer base and the retail market, enhancing the comprehensive services at Sinopec retail stations and maximized the scale of our retail business. With the launch of our online store for refuelling cards and self-service apps and devices, we improved customer experience by providing a one-stop service. In the first half of 2014, the total sales volume of oil products grew by 0.2% to 88.26 million tonnes, of which domestic sales were 81.04 million tonnes, up 0.4% from the previous year. Retail volume increased by 1.9% to 56.55 million tonnes. Sales from our non-fuel business reachedRMB7.19 billion, an increase of 10% from the same period in 2013.
Operating income of the segment was RMB726.9 billion, down 0.8% year-on-year, mainly due to the revenue drop in diesel and fuels oil. Operating profit wasRMB18.8 billion, representing an increase of 11.5% over the same period of 2013.
Summary of Operations for Marketing and Distribution Segment
Unit: million tonnes
Six-month period
ended 30 June
Change
2014
2013
%
Total sales volume of oil products
88.26
88.05
0.2
Total domestic sales volume of oil products
81.04
80.75
0.4
Retail
56.55
55.52
1.9
Direct and wholesale
24.49
25.23
(2.9)
Annualised average throughput per station (tonne/station)
3,712
3,620
2.5
As of 30 June
2014
As of 31 December
2013
Change
from the end
of last year (%)
Total number of Sinopec-branded service stations
30,467
30,536
(0.23)
Company-operated
30,454
30,523
(0.23)
Chemicals Business
In the first half of 2014, facing oversupply in the market, high and volatile feedstock costs and a continued decline in chemical prices, we adjusted our feedstock and product mix as well as the configuration of facilities in order to process more low-cost, light feedstock into high-value-added products. In addition, we strengthened our efforts in the research, development, production and marketing of new products, integrated production with marketing and research and optimised the utilisation rate of facilities while shutting down non-profitable units. Furthermore, we strengthened our supply-chain management to ensure stable production and sales. In the first half of 2014, ethylene production reached 5.084 million tonnes, up 5.0% from the same period in the previous year and chemical sales volume was 29.2 million tonnes, up 4.1% year-on-year.
In the first half of 2014, operating revenue of the chemicals segment was RMB213.4 billion, representing an increase of 0.9% from the same period in 2013. This was primarily due to a 6.4% year-on-year increase in the sales volume of chemical products thanks to proactive marketing activities. Fierce competition in the domestic market and decreased chemical product prices led to an operating loss ofRMB4 billion for the reporting period.
Summary of Operations, Chemicals Segment
Unit: thousand tonnes
Six-month period ended 30 June
Changes
2014
2013
(%)
Ethylene
5,084
4,841
5.0
Synthetic resin
6,965
6,730
3.5
Synthetic fiber monomer and polymer
4,105
4,539
(9.6)
Synthetic fiber
646
699
(7.6)
Synthetic rubber
483
457
5.7
Note: Includes 100% of production of joint ventures.
Capital Expenditures
The Company has focused on improving the investment quality and returns and has made progress in a number of key projects. Total capital expenditure in the first half of 2014 wasRMB39.186 billion. The Exploration and Production Segment accounted for a capital expenditure ofRMB20.743 billion. This was primarily for oil and gas production capacity building, including at the Shengli oil field, Tahe oil field, Yuanba and Daniudi gas fields, Fuling shale gas field, the South Yanchuan Coal-bed-methane project, theShandong and Guangxi LNG projects as well as at natural gas pipeline projects and overseas upstream projects. The Refining Segment accounted for a capital expenditure ofRMB6.592 billion, which primarily supported the completion of revamping projects at theShijiazhuang, Yangzi, Tahe and Jiujiang refineries and for quality improvements in our oil products. The Chemicals Segment accounted for a capital expenditure ofRMB4.67 billion. This was primarily used for the acquisition of equity interests in the Ningdong coal chemical project and an investment in ZhongAn coal-chemical project, as well as to support product mix adjustments and basic chemical projects including Qilu acrylonitrile and Maoming polypropylene projects. The Marketing and Distribution Segment accounted for a capital expenditure ofRMB5.83 billion, which primarily supported the building and revamping of service stations and the construction of oil product pipelines and depots. We added 261 new service stations in the first half of 2014. Corporate and Others accounted for a capital expenditure ofRMB1.351 billion, which primarily supported R&D facilities and IT projects.
Special Highlights
Fuling Shale Gas Project
Following the significant breakthrough in the Fuling shale gas exploration project and after trial development and appraisal, the Company has set an overall production capacity target of 10 billion cubic meters for the Fuling shale gas field, and a planned capacity of 5 billion cubic meters per year for the first phase. In accordance with the guidance of overall deployment and step-by-step development, the first project in the first phase, which is the North Block development, is scheduled for 2014. This project mainly consists of drilling 91 new wells and constructing shale gas gathering and transmission facilities. The new production capacity is expected to be 1.8 billion cubic meters for this year.
Restructuring of the Marketing Business
In the first half of 2014, the Company accelerated the restructuring of Sinopec Corp.'s marketing business. The establishment, property audit and assessment of Sinopec Marketing Company Ltd., have been completed as planned. The Capital Introduction will be subject to market conditions and will be administered with impartiality, fairness and openness. The process of Capital Introduction will be divided into two phases and will include multiple rounds of bidding and competitive negotiations. The main objectives of the Capital Introduction are to promote and optimize a modern enterprise system, improve its market-oriented operational system and management mechanism, facilitate business innovation and vitality, enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the enterprise, promote the transformation of Sinopec Marketing from a refined oil products supplier into an integrated services provider and develop Sinopec Marketing into a comprehensive lifestyle services provider which is trusted by consumers and which satisfies the needs of the general public.
Health, Safety, Environment and Low-carbon Growth
We improved and strictly implemented our Safe Production Accountability System, implemented the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard, and initiated safety inspections throughout the Company to identify potential risks and emergency response team building. As a result, we maintained safe production on the whole. The Company increased its efforts in environmental protection, energy conservation, emissions reduction, green and low-carbon growth, and initiated energy performance contracting as well as an energy management system. Our Clean Water and Blue Sky campaign is well underway and is working towards a plan of Double the Energy Efficiency. In the first half of 2014, our chemical oxygen demand (COD) in wastewater discharge fell by 3.84% year-on-year and SO2 emissions fell by 4.73% year-on-year.
Corporate Governance Improvement
During the reporting period, Sinopec Corp. has complied with the applicable securities laws and regulations in and outside mainlandChina and further improved its corporate governance. Throughout the restructuring of its Marketing and Distribution business, the Company has and continues to strictly following the principles of public, fair, impartial and transparent. The Company has also provided training to newly appointed members of senior management in order to support the performance of their duties. The independent non-executive directors strengthened their communication with management and the external auditors and actively participated in the on-site research and evaluation of the subsidiaries. Sinopec Corp. has actively strengthened its internal control system, which has been implemented effectively, it has organised several reverse roadshows and has achieved continued improvements in relation to the information disclosure and investor relations. The Company initiates and leads green and low carbon development, and launches Energy Conservation Campaign. Sinopec Corp. continuously acts as Chairman of UNGC China Network and proactively supports its 2014 Caring for Climate China Summit. As at the date of this report, the Company has established the Policy Concerning Diversity of Board Members aiming to help maintain rational board structure and revised the Insiders' Registration Rules for the Company aiming to strengthen the management of Insiders.
Business Prospects
In the second half of the year, we expect the global economic recovery to slow whileChina will maintain steady economic growth. We expect international oil prices to fluctuate at a high level during the second half of 2014. Domestic demand for oil products, especially for gasoline, is expected to grow rapidly and demand for chemicals to grow slightly.
We will focus on efficiency and profitability based on market dynamics and on safety and reliable operations. To achieve full-year production and operation targets, we will undertake initiatives in the following key areas:
In exploration and production, we will promote efficient and effective exploration in frontier areas, secure acreage for commercial development, continuously advance overseas crude oil development, and step up capacity building in Yuanba, Daniudi, middle-shallow layer of westSichuan and Fuling shale gas projects.
In refining, we will optimise procurement and allocation of crude oil to reduce costs. We will readjust our product mix and raise the output of high-value-added products. We will continue to upgrade the quality of oil products including our GB IV highway diesel and GB V gasoline, and will strengthen the marketing of LPG, asphalt and petroleum wax.
In marketing and distribution, we will push forward the reform and restructuring of our marketing business. We will optimise resources allocation, improve business efficiency, and take full advantage of our brand and existing network to expand retail volume. We will promote market-oriented development of non-fuel and other emerging businesses, and enhance the value-creation capability of our sales network.
In chemicals, we will take advantage of integration production, and further adjust our feedstock to reduce costs, modify our product mix and unit structure through better integration of production, marketing and research to produce more marketable products. We will also strengthen business operations and marketing optimisation to further enhance marketing ability.
Appendix
Principal financial data and indicators
FINANCIAL DATA AND INDICATORS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASBE
Principal accounting data
Changes
over the same
Six-month periods ended 30 June
period of the
2014
2013
preceding year
Items
RMB million
RMB million
(%)
Operating income
1,356,172
1,415,244
(4.2)
Net profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
31,430
29,417
6.8
Net profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company after deducting extraordinary gain/loss items
31,354
29,196
7.4
Net cash flows from operating activities
58,214
32,903
76.9
Changes
At 30 June
At 31 December
from the end
2014
2013
of last year
RMB million
RMB million
(%)
Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
587,604
570,346
3.0
Total assets
1,429,543
1,382,916
3.4
Principal financial indicators
Changes
over the same
Six-month periods ended 30 June
period of the
2014
2013
preceding year
Items
RMB
RMB
(%)
Basic earnings per share
0.269
0.254
5.9
Diluted earnings per share
0.268
0.239
12.1
Basic earnings per share after deducting extraordinary
gain/loss items
0.269
0.252
6.7
Weighted average return on net assets (%)
5.37
5.49
(0.12)
percentage points
Weighted average return on net assets after deducting
extraordinary gain/loss items (%)
5.36
5.45
(0.09)
percentage points
Net assets per share attributable to equity shareholders
of the Company (fully diluted)
5.031
4.687
7.3
FINANCIAL DATA AND INDICATORS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH IFRS
Principal accounting data
Changes
Six-month periods ended 30 June
over the same
2014
2013
period of the
Items
RMB million
RMB million
preceding year (%)
Operating profit
52,268
46,741
11.8
Net profit attributable to owners of the Company
32,543
30,281
7.5
Net cash generated from operating activities
58,214
32,903
76.9
Changes
As of 30 June
As of 31 December
from the end
2014
2013
of last year
RMB million
RMB million
(%)
Equity attributable to owners of the Company
586,110
568,803
3.0
Total assets
1,429,543
1,382,916
3.4
Principal financial indicators
Changes
over the same
Six-month periods ended 30 June
period of the
2014
2013
preceding year
Items
RMB
RMB
(%)
Basic earnings per share
0.279
0.262
6.5
Diluted earnings per share
0.277
0.246
12.6
Net assets per share
5.018
4.664
7.6
Return on capital employed (%) *
4.19
3.88
0.31
percentage points
Return on capital employed=operating profit × (1-income tax rate)/capital employed (not annualized data)
The following table sets forth the operating revenues, operating expenses and operating profit/(loss) by each segment before elimination of the inter-segment transactions for the periods indicated, and the changes between the first half of 2014 and the first half of 2013.
Unit: RMB millions
Six-month periods ended 30 June
Change
2014
2013
(%)
Exploration and Production Segment
Operating revenues
113,827
117,242
(2.9)
Operating expenses
85,564
86,293
(0.8)
Operating profit
28,263
30,949
(8.7)
Refining Segment
Operating revenues
651,969
644,246
1.2
Operating expenses
642,214
644,033
(0.3)
Operating profit
9,755
213
4,479.8
Marketing and Distribution Segment
Operating revenues
726,927
732,752
(0.8)
Operating expenses
708,133
715,900
(1.1)
Operating profit
18,794
16,852
11.5
Chemicals Segment
Operating revenues
213,392
211,521
0.9
Operating expenses
217,360
211,930
2.6
Operating loss
(3,968)
(409)
—
Corporate and others
Operating revenues
645,690
681,911
(5.3)
Operating expenses
645,951
682,925
(5.4)
Operating loss
(261)
(1,014)
—
Elimination of inter-segment profits
(315)
150
—
About Sinopec:
Sinopec Corp. is one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies inChina. Its principal operations include the exploration and production, pipeline transportation and sale of petroleum and natural gas; the sale, storage and transportation of petroleum products, petrochemical products, coal chemical products, synthetic fibre, fertiliser and other chemical products; the import and export, including an import and export agency business, of petroleum, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemical and chemical products, and other commodities and technologies; and research, development and application of technologies and information.
Sinopec sets 'powering beautiful life' as its corporate mission, puts 'people, responsibility, integrity, precision, innovation and win-win' as its corporate core values, pursues a strategy of resources, markets, integration, international operation, differentiation, and low-carbon, and strives to achieve its corporate vision of building a world leading energy and chemical company.
Disclaimer:
This press release includes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that Sinopec Corp. expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including but not limited to projections, targets, reserve volume, other estimates and business plans) are forward-looking statements. Sinopec Corp.'s actual results or developments may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to the price fluctuation, possible changes in actual demand, foreign exchange rate, results of oil exploration, estimates of oil and gas reserves, market shares, competition, environmental risks, possible changes to laws, finance and regulations, conditions of the global economy and financial markets, political risks, possible delay of projects, government approval of projects, cost estimates and other factors beyond Sinopec Corp.'s control. In addition, Sinopec Corp. makes the forward-looking statements referred to herein as of today and undertakes no obligation to update these statements.
Investor Inquiries:
Beijing
Tel: (86 10) 5996 0028
Fax: (86 10) 5996 0386
Email: ir@sinopec.com <mailto:ir@sinopec.com>
Media Inquiries:
Tel: (86 10) 5996 0028
Fax: (86 10) 5996 0386
Email: ir@sinopec.com <mailto:ir@sinopec.com>
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2824 2638
Fax: (852) 2824 3669
Email: ir@sinopechk.com <mailto:ir@sinopechk.com>
Tel: (852) 3512 5000
Fax: (852) 2259 9008
Email: sinopec@brunswickgroup.com <mailto:sinopec@brunswickgroup.com>
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SOURCE China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation