KUALA LUMPUR: Philippines's Petron Corp. is expanding its oil refineries in Malaysia and the Philippines to increase efficiency levels and production, a news report said.
“Expansion of oil refinery in Malaysia is a big investment… The refinery will be expanded to produce petrochemicals and aromatics from 80,000 to 150,000 barrels a day,” Petron president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang was quoted saying by the Manila Standard.
Recall that Petron acquired Esso Malaysia’s Port Dickson refinery and fuel retail network in Malaysia in 2011.
“Here [in the Philippines], we will also expand from 180,000 [barrels per day] to 270,000 [barrels per day],” Ang said.
Petron owns an oil refinery in Bataan province with a capacity of 180,000 barrels a day.
The company started full commercial operations of the US$2-billion upgraded refinery in 2016, enabling the company to produce more high-margin fuels and petrochemicals.
Upgrade of capacity is always a good news, however one thing have to be considered carefully that is the funding of project. I personally think that this going to be a big investment. Few options Petronm have on funding :
1) Borrowing - this is likely as Petronm had trim down its borrowing for the last 2 yrs, currently total debts stand around $308 mils ($150 mils is short term credit facility) & with $174 mils cash on hand. Free Cash Flow for FY2016 is $306 mils, hence the company can easily obtain the loan they needed.
2) Right Issue - cannot rule out but unlikely, as Petron Corp currently holding 73.39% of PetronM hence if right issue is carry out, the holding company have to folk out quite a substantial amount.
3) Private Placement - Possible, but very likely the amount raise through P/P will not be sufficient for the upgrade, hence a combination of P/P + borrowing is possible. If the P/P is pick up by institution like EPF or prominent fund then it will be a plus point.
anyway a lot of thing still too early to tell until the full upgrade plan is disclose.
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skyea
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Posted by skyea > 2017-05-15 15:48 | Report Abuse
i think if ramon ang dare to expand, things are looking good for petronm. including the latest qtrly figures?