Golar LNG Limited preliminary fourth quarter and financial year 2021 results
Golar LNG reported Q4 revenue of $115 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $93.5 million, reflecting strong earnings from FLNG Hilli linked to Brent oil, with a 45% rise to $12.9 million. The formation of CoolCo will slash Golar's debt by $833 million and enhance cash by $342 million. A new $250 million corporate facility boosts financial flexibility. FLNG Hilli achieved 100% commercial uptime, while FLNG Gimi is 80% complete. Expected TTF-linked earnings could lead to $400 million Adjusted EBITDA by 2024.
- Q4 revenue increased by $8.1 million from Q3 to $115 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA rose by 20% YoY to $93.5 million.
- Formation of CoolCo reduces debt by $833 million and improves cash by $342 million.
- FLNG Hilli achieved 100% commercial uptime in Q4.
- Gimi conversion project is 80% complete, expected to generate $3 billion backlog.
- Net income decreased by 16% YoY to $6.8 million.
- Recognized a non-cash mark-to-market loss of $51.6 million on NFE shares.
- Expected loss on sale of TFDE1 vessels between $210-$230 million.
- Total Q4 operating revenues of
$115.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA1 of$93.5 million . - FLNG Hilli: Increased earnings from Brent Oil linked production, realized income increase of
45% on prior quarter to$12.9 million in Q4. Further 2022 earnings upside from Dutch Title Transfer Facility (“TTF”) linked production. - Formation of Cool Company Limited (“CoolCo”) will reduce Golar's Contractual Debt1 by approximately
$833 million and will improve Golar’s cash and marketable securities position by$342 million . - Entered into a new
$250.0 million undrawn corporate bilateral facility with Sequoia Investment Management to further increase financial flexibility and facilitate FLNG growth. - Simplification process concluded, focus shift to FLNG growth projects.
- Awarded 2021 winner of North America Best ESG Energy Business Strategy by Capital Finance International.
The formation and funding of LNG shipping pure-play CoolCo marks the last major step of Golar LNG Limited’s (“Golar" or “the Company”) corporate simplification process. Over the last 12 months that process has involved the sale of assets and subsidiaries for a total enterprise value of approximately
The FLNG Hilli achieved another quarter of
FLNG Gimi is
The formation of CoolCo enables an attractive business separation of Golar’s 8 TFDE1 vessels, creating a leading market player for LNG shipping. By separating shipping activities from the FLNG segment, we allow for pure play exposures that may facilitate faster and more attractive growth for both business segments. Golar shares the enthusiasm of
The Company will continue to explore conversion, sale, or charter alternatives for its remaining steam turbine vessel Golar Arctic, and TFDE1 FSRU Golar Tundra. Golar Tundra is one of the highest-spec large FSRUs available in the market for potential charterers looking to secure a rapid backup source of gas. Recent political developments have enhanced the attractiveness of this position.
Financial Summary
| (in thousands of $) | Q4 2021 | Q4 2020 | % Change | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 | % Change |
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Golar LNG Ltd | 6,843 | 8,126 | (16)% | 412,685 | (273,557) | (251)% |
| Total operating revenues | 115,048 | 118,684 | (3)% | 451,765 | 438,637 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 93,523 | 78,031 | 312,650 | 278,676 | ||
| Golar's share of contractual debt 1 | 2,239,496 | 2,151,089 | 2,239,496 | 2,151,089 |
Q4 highlights and recent events
Financial and corporate:
- Profitability: Net income attributable to Golar of
$6.8 million , and Adjusted EBITDA1 of$93.5 million for the quarter, including:- A
$51.6 million non-cash mark-to-market loss recognized on New Fortress Energy Inc. (“NFE”) shares based on a December 31, 2021 carrying value of$24.14 per share. - A
$32.9 million non-cash gain recognized on Hilli Brent oil and TTF natural gas linked derivative instruments. - A
$12.9 million realized gain on the Hilli Brent oil derivative. This is expected to further increase to around$16.5 million in Q1 2022.
- A
- Hedges: Entered into swap arrangements to hedge
100% of Golar's exposure to Q2 and Q3 incremental Hilli TTF linked 2022 production at an average TTF price of$25.37 5/MMBtu.
Financing facilities:
- Unsecured Bond: Successfully placed USD
$300.0 million Norwegian Bonds in October 2021. - Convertible Bond:
$315.6 million net outstanding balance of2.75% $402.5 million Convertible Bonds as of December 31, 2021 redeemed on February 15, 2022. - Credit Facility:
$100.0 million December 2021 maturing Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF") repaid in November 2021.$131.0 million of new$200.0 million 3-year corporate RCF drawn on February 4, 2022. - New Corporate Facility: Executed a new
$250 million 7-year bilateral corporate facility with Sequoia Investment Management on February 11, 2022, secured by Golar's shareholding in FLNG Hilli and Gimi. - Golar Tundra Loan:
$158.0 million 5-year Golar Tundra facility that can be increased to$182.0 million executed in December 2021. - CoolCo financing: agreed a new sustainability linked
$570 million bank facility to finance the acquisition of 6 of the 8 carriers that CoolCo is acquiring from Golar.$240 million of existing lease financing on two vessels will be transferred to CoolCo.
FLNG:
- Utilization: Industry leading operations maintained with
100% commercial uptime by FLNG Hilli. - FLNG Hilli now producing additional 0.2mtpa of agreed TTF linked 2022 production. Customer drilling campaign in progress to prove up additional reserves.
- Construction: FLNG Gimi conversion project
80% technically complete. Over 16-million man-hours worked with very strong safety record. - Commercial: Continued progress on new FLNG projects with existing and new prospective clients. The Company expects a further contract award before year end 2022.
- Hilli earnings insulated from inflation by virtue of Brent oil and TTF commodity links. Gimi earnings protected by operating cost pass through provisions in contract.
Shipping:
- Shipping Rates: Q4 2021 TCE1 of
$57,300 for the fleet, up16% on Q3 2021 and17% on Q4 2020. - Utilization: Fleet utilization at
99% , in line with Q3 2021 and up on the77% realized in Q4 2020. - Time Charter: Fixed a carrier on a 12-month charter at around
$100,000 per day in October 2021. - Outlook: Attractive longer term rates hold up on the back of limited available tonnage despite near-term weakness in spot rates due to seasonality and fluctuations in regional LNG prices.
Financial Review
Business Performance:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
| Oct-Dec | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec | |
| (in thousands of $) | Total | Total | Total |
| Net profit/(loss) | 44,645 | (55,635) | 38,642 |
| Income taxes | 1,175 | 152 | 383 |
| Profit/(loss) before income taxes | 45,820 | (55,483) | 39,025 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 26,464 | 26,489 | 26,826 |
| Unrealized (gain)/loss on oil and gas derivative instruments | (32,944) | (64,092) | 5,700 |
| Other non-operating losses/(income), net | 50,012 | 153,791 | (5,682) |
| Interest income | (72) | (6) | (140) |
| Interest expense | 13,553 | 13,763 | 15,217 |
| Gains on derivative instruments | (8,950) | (581) | (2,120) |
| Other financial items, net | 1,283 | (227) | 3,538 |
| Equity in net (earnings)/losses of affiliates | (1,641) | 718 | 148 |
| Net (income)/loss from discontinued operations | (2) | 117 | (4,481) |
| Adjusted EBITDA (1) | 93,523 | 74,489 | 78,031 |
| 2021 | ||||||||
| Oct-Dec | Jul-Sep | |||||||
| (in thousands) | Shipping | FLNG | Corporate and other | Total | Shipping | FLNG | Corporate and other | Total |
| Total operating revenues | 52,440 | 56,406 | 6,202 | 115,048 | 45,829 | 54,480 | 6,294 | 106,603 |
| Vessel operating expenses | (9,892) | (11,907) | (4,461) | (26,260) | (16,216) | (13,243) | (2,477) | (31,936) |
| Voyage, charterhire & commission income/(expenses) | 260 | (150) | 232 | 342 | (1,211) | (150) | (25) | (1,386) |
| Administrative expenses/(income) | (187) | (212) | (7,551) | (7,950) | (204) | 143 | (8,542) | (8,603) |
| Project development expenses/(income) | — | (858) | 266 | (592) | — | (1,371) | 70 | (1,301) |
| Realized gain on oil derivative instrument(2) | — | 12,935 | — | 12,935 | — | 8,862 | — | 8,862 |
| Other operating income | — | — | — | — | 2,250 | — | — | 2,250 |
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | 42,621 | 56,214 | (5,312) | 93,523 | 30,448 | 48,721 | (4,680) | 74,489 |
(2) The line item “Realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on oil and gas derivative instruments” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations relating to income from the Hilli Liquefaction Tolling Agreement (“LTA”) and natural gas derivative is split into: “Realized gains on oil derivative instrument” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on oil and gas derivative instrument”. The unrealized component represents a mark-to-market gain of
| 2020 | ||||
| Oct-Dec | ||||
| (in thousands of $) | Shipping | FLNG | Corporate and other | Total |
| Total operating revenues | 50,727 | 62,489 | 5,468 | 118,684 |
| Vessel operating expenses | (14,629) | (11,677) | 89 | (26,217) |
| Voyage, charterhire & commission expenses | (5,792) | — | — | (5,792) |
| Administrative expenses | (795) | (871) | (6,921) | (8,587) |
| Project development expenses | (8) | (1,363) | (1,416) | (2,787) |
| Other operating income | 2,730 | — | — | 2,730 |
| Adjusted EBITDA (1) | 32,233 | 48,578 | (2,780) | 78,031 |
We report today Q4 net income of
Total operating revenues increased from
Revenue from shipping, net of voyage, charter hire and commission expenses was
Total operating revenues from FLNG Hilli including base tolling fees and amortization of pre-acceptance deferred gains recognized increased
An insurance receipt in Q4 accounts for most of the
The Brent oil linked component of Hilli's fees generates additional annual operating cash flows of approximately
A loss of hire claim in respect of a now repaired motor that failed on board one of the carriers accounts for the shipping related Other operating income of
Depreciation and amortization, at
The mark-to-market fair value of the Hilli Brent oil linked derivative asset increased by
After entering into agreement with the customer in July 2021 to increase Hilli production by 0.2 million tons in 2022, a derivative asset, representing the fair value of the estimated discounted cash flows of payments due as a result of the TTF natural gas price linked additional 2022 production, was recognized on July 22, 2021. Like the Brent oil derivative above, the TTF derivative asset is adjusted to fair value at each balance sheet date and, on December 31, 2021, the value of this asset increased to
A decline in the NFE share price between October 1 and December 31 resulted in the recognition of a Q4 unrealized mark-to-market loss of
Interest expense at
Equity in net earnings of affiliates of
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests relate to the Hilli, the Gimi and the finance lease lessor VIEs.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity:
Our cash position as at December 31, 2021 was
On February 11, 2022, Golar entered into a new
| Funding for FLNG | USD Million |
| December 31, 2021, Total Golar cash | 360 |
| Feb 04, 2022: Drawdown against | 131 |
| Feb 15, 2022: Redeem balance of | (317) |
| Q1 2022 Proceeds expected from CoolCo spin | 217 |
| Undrawn balance of | 69 |
| Undrawn balance of | 250 |
| Potential near-term funds available for FLNG investment without recourse to investments | 710 |
| Marketable securities: | |
| NFE, Avenir, and CoolCo shares(3) | 623 |
| Net of corporate RCF secured by NFE investment | (200) |
| Upsized potential funding available for FLNG investment | 1,133 |
(3) Based on values as of December 31, 2021 for NFE and Avenir and Golar
Inclusive of
Included within the
Of the
Of Golar's
Corporate and Other Matters:
As at December 31, 2021, there were 108.2 million shares outstanding. There were also 1.5 million outstanding stock options with an average price of
Non-GAAP measures
In addition to disclosing financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP), this earnings release and the associated investor presentation contains references to the non-GAAP financial measures which are included in the table below. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful supplemental information about the financial performance of our business, enable comparison of financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating our business and measuring our performance.
These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and the financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures are not uniformly defined by all companies, and may not be comparable with similarly titled measures and disclosures used by other companies. The reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated.
| Non-GAAP measure | Closest equivalent US GAAP measure | Adjustments to reconcile to primary financial statements prepared under US GAAP | Rationale for adjustments |
| Performance measures | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | Net (loss)/income attributable to Golar LNG Limited | +/- Net financial expense + Other non-operating income/expenses +/- Income taxes +/- Equity in net (losses)/ earnings of affiliates +/- Net income attributable to non-controlling interests +/- Unrealized loss/(gain) on oil derivative instrument + Depreciation and amortization + Impairment of long-term assets + +/- Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations | Increases the comparability of total business performance from period to period and against the performance of other companies by excluding the results of our equity investments, removing the impact of unrealized movements on embedded derivatives and removing the impact of depreciation, financing and tax items. |
| Last Twelve Months (“LTM”) Adjusted EBITDA | Net (loss)/income attributable to Golar LNG Limited | The sum of the last four quarters Adjusted EBITDA (defined above) | Same as Adjusted EBITDA. The 12-month trailing metric removes the impact of seasonality on our results. |
| Average daily TCE | Total Operating revenues | -Liquefaction services revenue -Vessel and other management fees -Voyage and commission expenses The above total is then divided by calendar days less scheduled off-hire days. | Measure of the average daily net revenue performance of a vessel. Standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in the vessel’s net revenue performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e. spot charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessel may be employed between the periods. Assists management in making decisions regarding the deployment and utilization of its fleet and in evaluating financial performance. |
| Liquidity measures | |||
| Contractual debt | Total debt (current and non-current), net of deferred finance charges | + VIE Consolidation Adjustment + Deferred Finance Charges | We consolidate a number of lessor VIEs for our sale and leaseback facilities. This means that on consolidation, our contractual debt is eliminated and replaced with the lessor VIEs’ debt. Contractual debt represents our debt obligations under our various financing arrangements before consolidating the lessor VIEs. The measure enables investors and users of our financial statements to assess our liquidity and the split of our debt (current and non-current) based on our underlying contractual obligations. Furthermore, it aids comparability with competitors. |
| Total Golar Cash | Golar cash based on GAAP measures: + Cash and cash equivalents + Restricted cash and short-term deposits (current and non-current) | -VIE restricted cash and short-term deposits (current and non-current) | We consolidate a number of lessor VIEs for our sale and leaseback facilities. This means that on consolidation, we include restricted cash held by the lessor VIEs. Total Golar Cash represents our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and short-term deposits (current and non-current) before consolidating the lessor VIEs. Management believe that this measure enables investors and users of our financial statements to assess our liquidity and aids comparability with our competitors. |
Reconciliations - Performance Measures (Average Daily TCE Rate)
| 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| (in thousands of $) | Oct-Dec | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
| Total operating revenues | 115,048 | 106,603 | 118,684 |
| Less: Liquefaction services revenue | (56,406) | (54,480) | (62,489) |
| Less: Vessel and other management fees | (6,202) | (6,294) | (5,468) |
| Time and voyage charter revenues | 52,440 | 45,829 | 50,727 |
| Less: Voyage and commission expenses | 260 | (1,210) | (5,792) |
| 52,700 | 44,619 | 44,935 | |
| Calendar days less scheduled off-hire days | 920 | 901 | 920 |
| Average daily TCE rate (to the closest | 57,300 | 49,500 | 48,800 |
Reconciliations - Liquidity Measures (Contractual Debt)
| (in thousands of $) | December 31, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 |
| Total debt (current and non-current) net of deferred finance charges | 2,409,800 | 2,281,721 | 2,350,782 |
| VIE consolidation adjustments | 315,652 | 321,427 | 293,236 |
| Deferred finance charges | 32,125 | 24,816 | 28,749 |
| Total Contractual Debt | 2,757,577 | 2,627,964 | 2,672,767 |
| Less: Golar Partners', Keppel's and B&V's share of the Hilli contractual debt | (395,081) | (404,231) | (431,678) |
| Less: Keppel's share of the Gimi debt | (123,000) | (123,000) | (90,000) |
| Golar's share of Contractual Debt | 2,239,496 | 2,100,733 | 2,151,089 |
Please see Appendix A for the capital repayment profile of Golar’s contractual debt.
Reconciliations - Liquidity Measures (Total Golar Cash)
| (in thousands of $) | December 31, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 268,627 | 123,690 | 127,691 |
| Restricted cash and short-term deposits (current and non-current) | 150,165 | 144,480 | 163,181 |
| Less: VIE restricted cash | (59,230) | (65,105) | (36,875) |
| Total Golar Cash | 359,562 | 203,065 | 253,997 |
Non-US GAAP Measures Used in Forecasting
Revenue Backlog: Revenue backlog is defined as the minimum contracted daily charter rate for each vessel multiplied by the number of scheduled hire days for the remaining contract term. Revenue backlog is not intended to represent Adjusted EBITDA or future cashflows that will be generated from these contracts. This measure should be seen as a supplement and not a substitute for our US GAAP measures of performance.
Earnings Backlog: Earnings backlog represents the share of contracted fee income for executed contracts less forecasted operating expenses for these contracts. In calculating forecasted operating expenditure, management has assumed that where there is an Operating Services Agreement the amount receivable under the services agreement will cover the associated operating costs, therefore revenue from operating services agreements is excluded.
Definitions
TFDE: Tri-fuel Diesel Electric engine
FSRU: Floating Storage Regasification Unit
Unrestricted cash: Unrestricted cash refers to our cash and cash equivalents
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflects management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities and events that will, should, could or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “propose,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless legally required, Golar undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are:
- the possibility that the Cool Co spin-off will not close when expected or at all because conditions to the closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all, that Golar may be required to modify the terms and conditions of the spin-off or that the anticipated benefits of the spin-off are not realized as a result of among other things the weakness of the economy and competitive factors in the shipping sector;
- our inability and that of our counterparty to meet our respective obligations under the Lease and Operate Agreement entered into in connection with the BP Greater Tortue / Ahmeyim Project (“Gimi GTA Project”);
- a decline or continuing volatility in the global financial markets, specifically with respect to our equity holding in NFE;
- failure of shipyards to comply with delivery schedules or performance specifications on a timely basis or at all;
- our vessel values and any future impairment charges we may incur;
- continuing uncertainty resulting from potential future claims from our counterparties of purported force majeure under contractual arrangements, including but not limited to our construction projects (including the Gimi GTA Project) and other contracts to which we are a party;
- our ability to formalize a settlement agreement with authorities regarding tax benefits previously obtained under certain of our leasing agreements;
- claims made or losses incurred in connection with our continuing obligations with regard to Hygo Energy Transition Ltd (“Hygo”) and Golar LNG Partners LP (“Golar Partners”);
- the ability of Hygo, Golar Partners and NFE to meet their respective obligations to us, including indemnification obligations;
- changes to rules and regulations applicable to LNG carriers, FSRUs, FLNGs or other parts of the LNG supply chain;
- changes in our ability to retrofit vessels as floating storage and regasification units (“FSRUs”) or floating liquefaction natural gas vessels (“FLNGs”) and in our ability to obtain financing for such conversions on acceptable terms or at all;
- changes in our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all;
- the length and severity of outbreaks of pandemics, including the worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and its impact on demand for liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) and natural gas, the timing of completion of our conversion projects, the operations of our charterers, our global operations and our business in general;
- failure of our contract counterparties to comply with their agreements with us or other key project stakeholders;
- changes in LNG carrier, FSRU, or FLNG charter rates, vessel values or technological advancements;
- our ability to close potential future sales of additional equity interests in our vessels, including the Hilli and Gimi or to monetize our interest in NFE on a timely basis or at all;
- our ability to contract the full utilization of the Hilli or other vessels;
- changes in the supply of or demand for LNG carriers, FSRUs or FLNGs;
- a material decline or prolonged weakness in rates for LNG carriers, FSRUs or FLNGs;
- changes in the performance of the pool in which certain of our vessels operate;
- changes in trading patterns that affect the opportunities for the profitable operation of LNG carriers, FSRUs or FLNGs;
- changes in the supply of or demand for LNG or LNG carried by sea;
- continuing volatility of commodity prices;
- changes in the supply of or demand for natural gas generally or in particular regions;
- changes in our relationships with our counterparties, including our major chartering parties;
- changes in our relationship with our affiliates and the sustainability of any distributions they pay us;
- changes in general domestic and international political conditions, particularly where we operate;
- changes in the availability of vessels to purchase and in the time it takes to construct new vessels;
- our inability to achieve successful utilization of our fleet or inability to expand beyond the carriage of LNG and provision of FSRU and FLNGs, particularly through our innovative FLNG strategy;
- actions taken by regulatory authorities that may prohibit the access of LNG carriers, FSRUs and FLNGs to various ports;
- increases in costs, including, among other things, wages, insurance, provisions, repairs and maintenance; and
- other factors listed from time to time in registration statements, reports, or other materials that we have filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 20-F.
As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.
February 24, 2022
The Board of Directors
Golar LNG Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda
Investor Questions: +44 207 063 7900
Karl Fredrik Staubo - CEO
Eduardo Maranhão - CFO
Stuart Buchanan - Head of Investor Relations
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act
Attachment
FAQ
What were Golar LNG's Q4 2021 revenues and EBITDA?
How did Golar LNG's debt change with the formation of CoolCo?
What is the production outlook for FLNG Hilli and Gimi?
What are the expected earnings from TTF-linked production for Golar LNG?
What was the impact of NFE share price on Golar LNG's financial results?
