OREANDA-NEWS. In Q1 2016 NK "Rosneft" revenues amounted to RUB 1,048 bln (USD 14.5 bln), declining by 12.4% compared to Q4 2015 due to decreased crude oil prices by 13.2% in RUB terms. The Company efficiently used high margin trading channels for crude oil and oil products and managed to compensate negative effect from price decline and fully met the obligations under long-term oil supply agreements and the obligations for petroleum products sales on the domestic market.

In Q1 2016 gas sales increased by 13% compared to Q4 2015 thanks to efficient management of contracts portfolio which compensated for negative effect from deteriorating market conditions.

EBITDA

In Q1 2016 lifting costs amounted to 155 RUB/boe (2.1 USD/boe ) which was lower than in Q4 2015 and Q1 2015.

In Q1 2016 income before interests, income tax and depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to RUB 273 bln, declining by 1.8% vs Q4 2015. In conditions of crude oil price decline by 13.2% in RUB terms, negative effect of increased tax burden from January 1, 2016, and growth in tariffs of natural monopolies (av. 6-12%) the Company increased EBITDA margin up to 26% driven by an improvement in cost management and sales structure.

EBITDA decreased by 14.4% compared to Q1 2015 due to negative effects of external factors (crude oil price decline (RUB - 110 bln), higher tax burden effect (RUB - 22 bln)) which were not sufficiently offset by RUB depreciation.

Net income attributable to Rosneft shareholders

In Q1 2016 net income was at RUB 14 bln. Decline of net income compared to RUB 53 bln in Q4 2015 resulted from EBITDA decrease, mentioned above, and from recognition of one-offs from insurance compensation and sales of investments in the total amount of RUB 38 bln in other income at the end of 2015.

Capital investments

In Q1 2016 capital expenditures amounted to RUB 154 bln (USD 2.1 bln) which was 17% lower compared to Q4 2015 due to seasonal factor.

20% growth in capital expenditures in Q1 2016 compared to Q1 2015 was in line with Company’s business plan for 2016-17 approved by the Board of directors in December 2015, resulting from increased wellworks to launch Suzun and Yurubcheno –Tokhomskoe fields and from extensive wellworks at Rospan license areas.

Free cash flow

In Q1 2016 free cash flow was at RUB 80 bln (USD 1.5 bln) which was down by 38.5% compared to Q1 2015 due to lower EBITDA and increase in capital expenditures in comparison to last year. Meanwhile, despite of 40% drop in oil price the Company keeps leadership in free cash flow generation at 3.2 USD/boe.

Debt burden

Since the end of Q1 2015 net debt was down by 44.8% in USD terms and amounted to USD 23.9 bln. Net Debt/EBITDA ratio was at 1.23x in USD terms as of the end of Q1 2016. The Company reduced net debt twofold and boosted dividends by 43% while foreign peers were mainly raising debt burden to maintain the dividend payments.