Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE: KOS) on Monday announced financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2018. For the third quarter of 2018, the Company generated a net loss of $126.1 million, or $0.31 per diluted share as compared to net loss of $63.4 million or $0.16 per diluted share in the same period last year. When adjusted for certain items that impact the comparability of results, the Company generated an adjusted net loss(1) of $91.5 million or $0.23 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2018.
Andrew G. Inglis, chairman and chief executive officer, said: “The third quarter has been one of transition for Kosmos, closing the Gulf of Mexico acquisition, integrating the assets and people into the Kosmos organization and ensuring we are positioned to take advantage of a high-quality portfolio across our growing businesses in Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Gulf of Mexico, Mauritania and Senegal, and our Atlantic Margin exploration portfolio. In 2018, we expect to generate substantial free cash flow and remain on track to meet our previously communicated year-end 2018 net leverage target. Our 2019 capital budget is prioritized on our high-return opportunities with around 85% of the spend on infill drilling and infrastructure led exploration. With this focus on high-return projects we expect to deliver short and medium-term production and cash flow growth and shareholder returns, beginning with our inaugural dividend payment in the first quarter of 2019.”
Third quarter 2018 revenues were $243 million versus $151 million in the same quarter of 2017, on sales of 3.3 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in 2018 as compared to 2.9 million barrels in 2017. Including the impact of the Company’s hedging program, revenue was $58.04 per boe in the third quarter of 2018. At quarter end, the Company was in a net underlift position of approximately 0.2 million barrels of oil.
Production expense for the third quarter was $55 million, or $16.57 per boe, versus $39 million, or $13.33 per barrel, in the third quarter of 2017. Production expense per boe increased in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same quarter a year ago primarily because the year ago quarter included insurance proceeds received related to the Jubilee FPSO turret bearing issue, and a credit accrual adjustment from the operator of the Jubilee and TEN fields.
Exploration expenses totaled $148 million for the third quarter. This total comprises amounts related to ongoing seismic and geologic and geophysical costs, approximately $50 million of seismic purchases in the Gulf of Mexico, unsuccessful well costs of approximately $13 million related to Suriname drilling, and $58 million of expense related to the non-cash write off of capitalized costs associated with the Akasa and Wawa fields.
Depletion and depreciation expense for the quarter was $80 million, or $24.09 per boe compared to $25.01 per barrel in the third quarter of 2017.
General and administrative expenses were $26 million during the third quarter. This amount includes approximately $17 million in cash expense and $9 million in non-cash equity based compensation expense.
Third quarter results included a mark-to-market loss of $57 million related to the Company’s oil derivative contracts. At September 30, 2018, the Company’s hedging position had a total commodity net liability value of approximately $267 million, which includes hedges assumed as part of the Gulf of Mexico acquisition. As of the quarter end and including recently executed hedges, Kosmos had approximately 19 million barrels of oil hedged covering 2018 through 2020.
Gain on our equity method investments net during the third quarter was approximately $25 million and represents Kosmos’ 50 percent ownership of our equity method investment in Kosmos Trident International Petroleum Inc. (KTIPI), which holds our production interests in Equatorial Guinea. Under the equity method of accounting, Kosmos only recognizes its share of the adjusted net income of KTIPI, including basis difference amortization, which is recorded in the Gain on equity method investments, net in the consolidated statement of operations. Year to date through the end of October, the assets have delivered approximately $240 million of cash dividend distributions to Kosmos, resulting in a payback of under one year for the Equatorial Guinea acquisition, which closed in November 2017.
Total capital expenditures in the third quarter were $109 million, bringing the total year to date capital expenditures to $264 million.
Kosmos exited the third quarter of 2018 with approximately $668 million of liquidity and $1,943 million of net debt. Liquidity includes $200 million of additional firm commitments under the Company’s reserves-based loan facility.
