France-based TotalEnergies, one of the world’s largest LNG players, is expecting higher cash flow from its LNG business in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the previous quarter.
“Cash flow from LNG business and gas trading activities is expected to be higher than previous quarter, despite lower gas prices, benefiting from our integrated portfolio,” TotalEnergies said on Tuesday.
TotalEnergies said the average LNG price had reached $14.83/MMBtu in the October-December period, logging a rise when compared to the same period in 2021 but down compared to the previous three-month period.
The price dropped about $6.68/MMBtu compared with the previous quarter while it rose 1.71/MMBtu compared to 2021.
LNG volumes for the fourth quarter are not available yet as the Paris-based firm will release its quarterly results on February 8.
The company expects its hydrocarbon production to exceed 2.8 Mboe/d in the fourt quarter, up 5 percent over the quarter, benefiting from project ramp-ups and the restart of Kashagan production.
“Downstream results are expected to remain strong, without replicating the performances reached over the two previous quarters, which benefited from a highly favorable environment,” it said.
TotalEnergies also said it would take a $2.1 billion hit from additional taxes imposed by the EU and the UK on energy companies.
“The EU solidarity contribution for 2022, including the electricity production infra-marginal income contribution for 2022, will be reported in the fourth quarter as part of special items for a total of $1.1 billion,” the firm said.
Novatek impairment
In December, TotalEnergies said it would take a $3.7 billion hit in its fourth-quarter results for the write-down of its stake in Russian LNG producer Novatek.
TotalEnergies holds a 19.4 percent interest in Novatek. It also holds a 10 percent stake in the Arctic LNG 2 development, as well as a 20 percent in Novatek’s Yamal LNG project.
“The impairment related to the decision to no longer equity account for the 19.4 percent stake in Novatek starting December 31, 2022 is estimated to be around $4 billion after taking into account the ruble evolution,” TotalEnergies said on Tuesday.