Hi Paul,
I think KAZ is good value because the quoted book value is 4$ / share.
their earnings:
mar 2007 - 0.05$
mar 2008 - 0.7$
mar 2009 - 0.37$
mar 2010 - 0.18$
Price today is 0.7$
Even if they have balooned their assets two times it is still 50% undervalued
Two years ago I came upon this analysis:
May 21, 2008
Rapid Growth Potential with a Kazakhstan E&P: BMB Munai, Inc. (amex: KAZ)
Rapid Growth potential with a Kazakhstan E&P
BMB MUNAI (AMEX-KAZ, $6.95)
Investors seeking an international junior oil producer with rapid growth potential should consider an investment in BMB Munai. This company has a 100% interest in a 460 square kilometres concession in western Kazakhstan, known as the ADE block. This block is located within 28 km of oil pipelines and is fully covered with modern seismic undertaken in 2003. Infrastructure, rail and roads allow the firm to quickly bring oil production to markets. In addition, BMB has the right to explore an adjacent area known as the "extended territory".
The ADE block consists of carbonate Triassic formations, typically found at 3100-3800 metres (10,161-12,500 feet) below surface. Exploration drilling at the ADE block to date has proved up two oil fields, known as Aksaz and Dolinnoe fields. To date, a total of 8 wells have been drilled at these fields. Production from 4 Aksaz wells to date average 216 bpd. The 4 Dolinnoe wells have produced an average of 99 bpd.
Investors have found some Kazakhstan oil plays to be a frustrating experience
Kazakhstan exploration and production companies have sought to develop both sandstone reservoirs and carbonate reservoirs. There has been a clear correlation between the success of a junior in Kazakhstan and the type of oil reservoir targeted for development. Historically, companies in Kazakhstan that developed sandstone reservoirs generally grew production steadily, were highly profitable and eventually were bought out.
Kazakhstan companies that develop oil production from carbonate reservoirs have, on the other hand, often experienced difficulties in trying to coax oil flows from the "tight" shale like deposits. Wells plug up frequently and are tricky or expensive to stimulate. Production can be highly erratic. Some juniors find carbonate reservoirs to be problematic, and financial results have been disastrous in certain cases. Accordingly, sophisticated investors prefer sandstone reservoir producers.
BMB's newish discovery has the potential to be, by junior standards, a "company maker"
Until 2006, BMB was considered one of the "carbonate" companies, and traded at a steep discount to global peers based upon reserves. The discovery of a sandstone reservoir in the Kariman prospect may have changed fortunes for the better. A total of 6 wells have been drilled over the past 2 years in a relatively uncomplicated sandstone formation. Average production has been surprisingly good, at 528 bpd per well. BMB intends to drill at least 4-6 more wells into this structure within the next 12 months. I am confident that equally high levels of productivity might extend to future wells in the Kariman field.
Proven reserves are likely to grow rapidly in 2008
BMB reported 14.95 million barrels of proven reserves in 2007, which included 2.7 million barrels attributed to one successful Kariman well.
Since that report, a total of 5 more Kariman wells have been drilled. All were successful.
Probable and possible reserves attributed to Kariman were 20.1 million barrels in 2007. A shift of some of these reserves to the proven category should have occurred in 2008, based on this success.
Production looks to be on a steep growth curve, albeit from a modest base
In 2006, production averaged 624 bpd. Average production for 2007 was 882 bpd. For the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2008, it appears that production averaged 2400 bpd.
This year, production might average 3700-3800 bpd. Next year, I forecast 5600-5800 bpd of average production. In 2010, production could surpass 10,000 bpd.
EBITDA looks to be increasing at an equally fast pace
I report a fully outstanding share count of 55.6 million shares. I include a variety of "in the money" options, warrants, share grants and a $60 million convertible debenture that verges on being "in the money". BMB has net liabilities of 10.4 million, after assuming conversion of the debentures. This results in a current enterprise value of $391.2 million.
For fiscal 2007, EBITDA was $2.5 million. In 2008, EBITDA was approximately $38.7 million. For 2009, EBITDA could surpass $61 million. At this level of EBITDA, capital expenditures and SG&A look to be about fully met. In 2010, EBITDA could surpass $90 million.
Based upon my forecast, BMB is selling for roughly 6.4X my 2008 EV/EBITDA ratio and 4.3X next years' forecast EV/EBITDA ratio. This represents a discount to valuations for 11 other international junior E&P firms in my sample.
Management's interests seem to be fully aligned with common shareholders, a rarity in Kazakhstan
BMB is considered to be the first public oil and gas company listed in the US that is operated and controlled by Kazakhstan citizens. Management and insiders control roughly 34% of the outstanding common shares. BMB's CEO is Boris Cherdabayev, a well known member of the Kazakhstan oil community. The Cherdabayev family has ties with many of the leading public and private companies now operating in Kazakhstan.
As a largely Kazakhstan company, BMB may be better prepared to operate in the Kazakhstan oil business than foreign run firms. Unlike many junior oil and gas firms that I have followed in Kazakhstan, I am impressed with management's attention to detail during the exploration and development stages of the field concession. Often, juniors take shortcuts in their efforts to quickly get production flowing. In Kazakhstan, shortcuts generally cost a firm its concession. A rigid oil ministry often pulls licenses for failing to comply with exploration contracts to the letter. When this happens, local Kazakhstan firms readily swoop in and claim potentially valuable assets for themselves.
BMB, thus far, has taken great pains to exceed all terms and conditions of its concessions, at the expense of short term production growth. Many of the ADE and extended territory wells can produce from multiple horizons. Management carefully tests all productive zones and shuts in wells periodically to satisfy conditions spelled out by the government. Current rates are being reported from just one zone in each well. It seems clear to me that rates from all fields will jump during the production phase.
One caveat to this story is that tax rates for BMB will jump dramatically in the latter half of 2009
Investors should note that oil producers in Kazakhstan are required to sell 20% of all oil production to local markets, at local prices. This is priced at 25%-27% of quoted Brent. Remaining output may be exported at world prices.
All export production in Kazakhstan is now subject to a recently imposed export tariff of $14.95 per barrel. BMB export sales also have freight and shipping charges of $14.15 deducted from quoted Brent prices.
BMB presently pays a modest royalty (2%-6%) on production, as the firm is in the exploration phase on its oil fields. Production licenses are to be sought on July 9th, 2009. Upon conversion of the concessions to a production license, the fiscal terms change considerably. In addition to increased royalties, an export rent tax, based upon a sliding scale will apply during the license phase. At current prices, this tax is 33%.
To put this into simple terms; while in the exploration phase, BMB should receive roughly 63% of Brent benchmark prices for its output.
For all of 2009, taking into account that BMB will have lower taxes until July 9th and higher taxes thereafter, the firm should receive an average of 54% of Brent benchmark in that year.
In 2010, after the license agreement is fully in force, BMB should receive roughly 46% of world prices after all government taxes, levies and shipping charges apply.
In order for BMB to simply remain as profitable in the license phase as they are at present output will need to increase by 36%, or 1332 bpd. For many junior companies in Kazakhstan this would represent a real challenge. As I estimate that BMB's oil output may grow by a further 6300 bpd over the next 24 months, the new taxes should not be problematic.
It is possible that BMB will shortly become a self funded producer
In the next 24 months, accelerated development at Kariman might push total oil production from all fields to above 10,000 bpd. It is possible to envision 2010 EBITDA of $120 million. At that rate, BMB could dramatically step up development of all fields, without having to issue more shares or add debt.
BMB is my top Kazakhstan oil pick for US investors
Unlike a number of US junior firms which have "tried and failed" in Kazakhstan, local management at BMB is intimately familiar with the workings of the oil ministry. BMB has at least one uncomplicated field with some real upside (Kariman), which is all a junior generally needs to become self funding. Management also seems keen on the outlook for the Aksaz and Dolinnoe fields. I consider any potential success from these fields to be an added bonus. If production growth meets my forecast, BMB could be fairly valued at $15 per share, or 6.5X my 2010 estimated EV/EBITDA ratio.
I have recently purchased BMB for RMG#2 as an overweight position. To see my RMG#2 portfolio and performance, click here |
