Stockbroker Cenkos has described United Oil & Gas PLC’s (LON:UOG) Egyptian acquisition as “the gift that keeps on giving”.
Cenkos analyst James McCormack, in a note, highlighted that it has transformed the company into a full-cycle E&P, by adding low-cost production.
Moreover, the transaction was further boosted by expectation beating results of new drilling since the acquisition was first agreed in 2019.
READ: United Oil & Gas results show growth and transformation
He notes that with the latest well driving net production to 1,760 barrels oil equivalent, the asset now yields some 60% more than it did at the time of the deal.
Cenkos is house broker to the company and it has repeated a ‘buy’ recommendation for the oil and gas share.
McCormack said: “we believe United is one of the leanest companies in the sector, making the Company much more resilient to the current low oil price environment.”
He added: “With low operating costs (cUS$6.5/bbl) and drilling costs, Abu Sennan remains cash flow positive with oil prices below US$20 per barrel,”
“Additional downside protection comes from the Company’s pre-payment facility with BP, effectively hedging 6,600bbls per month at US$60/bbl until September 2022 and its longterm fixed gas contracts, insulating 20% of United’s production from the current price volatility.”
Central to the strong performance in Egypt is the ASH-2 well in the Abu Sennan permit.
It was tested at a rate of 7,027 bopd in December and after subsequently coming online has been producing at around 3,000 bopd gross.
McCormack notes that ASH-2 has significantly outperformed pre-drill expectations and demonstrates the presence of a sizeable accumulation.