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Rig market faces challenging outlook

Weak demand for rigs. The low 77% global utilization rate for rigs and weak day rates (down 20-60% YoY from their peak) could worsen as newbuilds will raise capacity by 24% by 2012. Malaysia’s rig utilization is lower, at just 67%. However, local operators are less affected by the weakening rates as existing rigs are contracted on long term charters. UMW and Kencana’s four newbuilds should be chartered out with ease as PETRONAS continues to localize. We like SapCrest; Buy.

Falling number of rigs in operation. The current 77% rig global utilization rate is well below the above-90% average experienced in 2007-08. Only 503 of the 654 rigs in the market are drilling at the moment. 76 rigs are ready-stacked, 39 units are cold-stacked whilst 36 are at the shipyards. More and more oil companies are in negotiations to sub-let rigs as part of their efforts to cut costs. Prospects for jack-ups are most affected by this adverse situation.

Utilization rates set to fall further on new supply. Utilization rates are set to fall further as 157 newbuilds entering the market over 2009- 12 will raise supply by 24% to 811 units by end-2012. We are alarmed that the situation will be made worse as 29% or 45 new rigs are without contracts, which could lead to more rigs being stacked/laid-up.

Charter rates set to soften further. Low utilisation and new capacity will, in turn, pressure day rates further in the short to mid-term. Day rates for all categories of rigs are set to soften. So far, day rates have fallen by 20-60% from their peak levels seen during the last few years. Oil majors in Malaysia can now secure a jack-up at a daily charter rate (DCR) of USD100,000 versus USD150-200,000 a year ago.

Malaysia not spared but new local rigs will likely secure charters. The current 67% rig utilization rate is well below the above-85% of the last 2 years, reflective of the falling production trend. 33% of rigs in Malaysia are not in operation. Although mobilization is low, four new local rigs coming into the market are likely to secure charters. We think PETRONAS will give preference to domestic service providers to localize the rig market, in replacement of existing foreign-owned rigs.

Stock pick: SapCrest. Overall, we like the Malaysian drilling business, which offers recurring income and strong earnings visibility of at least 2 years at good margins. We favour SapCrest as drilling operations account for 80-85% of its earnings. We have Hold calls on UMW and Tanjung Offshore as their rigs businesses are less significant in term of earnings contribution. Kencana is Not Rated.

Sector Summary Table (Rig operator)

Company Rec Price
TP EPS (sen) EPS Grth (%) PE (x) DPS (sen) Yield (%) PBV (x)
    (RM) (RM) 09F 10F 09F 10F 09F 10F 09F 10F 09F 10F 09F
SapCrest Buy 1.67 1.75 9.8 10.3 31.1 4.7 16.4 15.7 5.0 5.0 3.1 3.1 2.0
Tj. Offshore Hold 1.40 1.40 15.6 19.2 5.0 22.6 9.0 7.3 6.0 6.0 4.3 4.3 1.0
UMW Hold 6.05 5.45 28.4 41.2 (45.4) 45.3 21.8 15.0 19.7 27.8 3.2 4.6 1.7
Kencana NR 1.84 NA 13.2 12.7 39.4 (4.3) 13.5 14.1 NA NA NA NA 4.1
Source: Maybank-IB


Rig market faces challenging outlook

Falling utilization, a totally different scenario from 1-2 years ago. Global drilling activities have decreased in the wake of the 21% YoY cut in E&P spending for 2009 and 2-3% YoY fall in global oil production in 2009. Consequently, the number of rigs working has also fallen. The global utilization rate for rigs is at just 76.9% now, well below the average of above-90% in 2007-08.

Global rig market

  Work Yard Idle Laid-up Total Utilization
rate
      Ready-stacked Cold-Stacked   (%)
Drillship 35 1 0 0 36 97.2
Semisub 130 4 4 3 141 92.2
Jackup 315 27 68 36 446 70.6
Tenders 23 4 4 0 31 74.2
Total 503 36 76 39 654 76.9
Sources: Various, Maybank-IB

Order cancellation and sub-letting are common today. Of the 654 rigs in the global market, only 503 rigs are drilling at the moment. 76 rigs are ready-stacked, 39 units are cold-stacked whilst 36 are at the shipyards. Meanwhile, two other rigs under construction have been cancelled due to lack of financing. In light of falling drilling activities, more and more oil companies are in negotiations to sub-let rigs as part of their efforts to cut costs.

Definition snapshot
Work Rig that is crewed and drilling
Yard Rig that is currently in the yard for repair and maintenance
work.
Ready-stacked Rig that is not active but is capable of being put to work in
less than 48 hours and does not require spending in excess
of USD50,000 to activate. Has minimal crew assigned.
Cold-stacked Rig that is not active. Does not have crew assigned. Requires
maintenance review before it can function as a drilling rig.
Sources: Various, Maybank-IB

Newbuilds will raise capacity by 24%. Exacerbating the situation, a significant number of rigs will enter the market from 2009. 38 new rigs are planned for delivery in 2009, 62 in 2010, 46 in 2011 and 11 in 2012, raising the total fleet size by 24% to 811 units by end-2012.

29% of newbuilds are uncontracted; a major concern.Of the 157 newbuilds entering the market in 2009-12, 45 rigs are without contracts, which is a major concern. Several prospects have seen contracts cancelled and the trend is likely to continue.

Newbuilds by types
  2009 2010 2011 2012 Total
Drillship 4 15 18 5 42
Semisub 12 16 11 6 45
Jackup 20 27 16 0 63
Tenders 2 4 1 0 7
Total 38 62 46 11 157
Sources: Various, Maybank-IB

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