Capital Drilling Ltd (LON:CAPD) has pointed to “encouraging signs” in the gold market, its main source of business, as it reported a revenue rise in its first half.
In a trading update, the drilling services firm posted revenues of US$54.7mln, up 0.4% year-on-year, while its fleet utilisation rate had risen 13% to 52 rigs.
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However, average monthly revenue per operating rig (ARPOR) had slipped 8.5% to US$183,000.
Capital said the result was in line with its guidance for the period, adding that it expected an “improved performance” in its second half after several new contracts began.
The company said that recent firmness in the gold price was a positive as mining activity in the sector accounted for 90% of the firm’s overall business.
The current price of the yellow metal was driving “renewed interest” from equity markets in exploration, the group said, which in turn would increase budgets for mining companies that use its services.
These “positive indicators” alongside several recent contract wins underpinned Capital's confidence in its growth plans for the remainder of the year.
The company is currently guiding for revenues of US$110-120mln for the current full year.
Jamie Boyton, executive chairman, said the firm had made a “strong push” into the West African market in the first half, adding that from the fourth quarter of the year it would also be expanding into Nigeria, a “mineral rich yet poorly explored country” which he said had significant potential.
He added that the company’s operations had continued to achieve significant safety milestones through the first half.
The group also delivered an update for its second quarter, which showed a 0.4% YOY decrease in revenue to US$27.7mln, although fleet utilisation had risen 8.3% to 52 rigs.
ARPOR for the quarter was 6.7% lower at US$182,000.
In early trading on Wednesday, the shares were steady at 53.5p.