Latest News

Low United States natgas rates to dampen prospects for Tellurian property sale

Low U.S. gas prices will injure Tellurian Inc's capability to sell Louisiana gas producing properties in order to settle adequate financial obligation to salvage its liquefied gas export (LNG) job, experts said.

Tellurian has actually spent nearly 7 years advancing its still incomplete Driftwood LNG export plant. This month it proposed to offer a gas producing service and utilize proceeds to pay down impressive 10% high-yield and convertible notes, according to its latest annual report.

Last fall, its accounting professionals cautioned it might not be able to cover debt and operating costs this year. Low natural gas prices drove the unit to a $55.5 million operating loss in 2015 from a $130.6 million operating revenue in 2022, results launched last week revealed.

Continued low prices may result in write-downs of our gas or oil residential or commercial properties, Tellurian independently alerted in its annual report.

Near-term capital from the production service is declining and any gas acreage on offer likely will have lowered value, said Benjamin Nolan, a handling director at monetary company Stifel.

There is no concern it is less (valued) now than what it was when gas costs were $4 and $5 (per mmBtu), Nolan stated.

U.S. gas futures on Thursday traded at $1.85 per million British thermal systems (mmBtu), on track for a 4th straight regular monthly decline. The cost struck a 30-year short on an inflation changed basis this month.

Low costs have actually contributed to depressing the variety of gas acquisitions and mergers, stated Andrew Dittmar, a senior vice president at information analytics firm Enverus.

Because sellers do not wish to leave at low rates that have depressed possession worths, stated Dittmar.

But there stays a lot of interest in the Haynesville assets and its LNG export job, a Tellurian executive said on Wednesday.

The export job is among the few U.S. tasks with any permitted LNG capability staying to sell, so we expect to take advantage of off of this favorable momentum for Driftwood, and the substantial interest in our upstream properties, CEO Octavio Simoes said.

The White House pause on brand-new LNG export approvals assists Tellurian however might hurt the sale of its gas possessions because the relocation might moisten need development from LNG, important to higher gas costs and more M&An offers, stated the analysts.

There is still purchaser appetite in the market to obtain assets at the right cost, said Dittmar, who puts the value of Tellurian's upstream business at between $350 million and $500. million. Stifel's Nolan estimated its worth at closer to $270. million.

Tellurian's former CEO Charif Souki in a November 2023. podcast suggested the residential or commercial properties might be worth over $500. million.

If the company can not get at least $270 million or higher. for the properties, it would remain in severe jeopardy, stated Nolan.

If they are able to get a good price for those. assets ... then I do not think they will be a Chapter 11 prospect. Since they could most likely offer shares and have, this year. enough cash to keep going, said Nolan.

(source: Reuters)