Premier Oil profits rise

Kenya: Oil and gas explorer Premier Oil may upgrade its 2014 production forecast after stronger-than-expected output in the first half of the year, pending the outcome of summer maintenance work, its Chief Executive said. The company reported a 7 per cent rise in first-half profit after tax on Thursday, helped by strong oil production from its British fields.

Premier Oil produced 64,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in the first half of the year, ahead of the firm’s expectations of around 60,000 boepd. “We would like to see the end of the summer maintenance programme before upgrading guidance,” newly-appointed Chief Executive Tony Durrant told Reuters.

Premier Oil’s current 2014 output target is 58,000-63,000 boepd. The company is in a strong financial position with nearly $500 million in operating cash flow that it will use to finance exploration in Kenya, Norway and the Falkland Islands, and to make dividend payments, it said.