INA Group results reflect the improved external environment
- After the loses caused by the pandemic, in 2021 external environment recovered, having a positive effect on INA Group results.
- Exploration and Production segment is again the main contributor to the results, driven by doubled hydrocarbon prices compared to 2020.
- Strategic investments such as the Rijeka Refinery Upgrade Project continue to move forward, while the capital investments in Refining and Marketing amount to almost half of total INA investments.
- Key achievements:
- Net sales revenues reached HRK 22.4 billion
- EBITDA amounted to HRK 3.3 billion
- CAPEX was at the level of HRK 1.6 billion
- Simplified Free Cash Flow amounted to HRK 1.4 billion
Zagreb, February 17, 2022 – After the loses caused by the pandemic in 2020, 2021 showed a significantly improved external environment. Loosening pandemic-related restrictions and rapid economic recovery pushed the energy prices to high levels quicker than expected, thus boosting INA Group results.
CCS EBITDA ex. special items of INA Group in 2021 amounted to HRK 3 billion, with net profit rebounding from negative base to HRK 1.3 billion. Driven by doubled hydrocarbon prices compared to 2020, Exploration and Production segment is again the main contributor to the results with EBITDA ex. special items of HRK 2.5 billion. However, natural decline of production on mature fields remains a challenge. Refining and Marketing including Consumer services and Retail CCS EBITDA reached HRK 0.9 billion on the back of a better retail sales, both in fuel and non-fuel segments.
Investment activities increased throughout the segments compared to 2020 with CAPEX level of HRK 1.6 billion, of which roughly half spent in Refining and Marketing. The main strategic investment, Rijeka Refinery Upgrade Project continues with focus on construction works and equipment delivery to the site.
INA successfully issued HRK 2 billion bond on domestic market in December 2021, creating a solid financial base for the intensive investment cycle ahead.
Statement of Mr. Sándor Fasimon, President of the Management Board of INA:
“In 2021 the macro environment for oil and gas industry has improved thanks to the easing of restrictive measures and rising hydrocarbon prices. In such environment Exploration and Production once again spearheaded the recovered result, although the production natural decline continues in line with the mature portfolio. The other segments further supported the results, primarily retail due to improved fuel and non-fuel sale, also partially due to tourist season, which was better than expected.
This mainly externally driven improvement is a welcome relief period, but INA will use it to further strengthen its position for the upcoming period. Strong investment program is underway across the segments and also expanding to new areas. Challenge of production natural decline is addressed with intensive offshore campaign, already taking place and aiming to increase domestic gas production in the northern Adriatic. Rijeka Refinery Upgrade Project is crucial in making INA Refining and Marketing sustainable on the long run, also helping the company to keep its strong position on core markets of Croatia, Bosnia & Hercegovina and Slovenia. To ensure strong financial position in such investment intensive period, INA issued a domestic bond of HRK 2 billion, one of the largest on domestic corporate market.
In time of changes in the energy sector, INA is committed to diversifying its portfolio and assisting the green transition, regardless of our core business. Two new solar power plants are going to be built at Virje and Sisak, which is an important step in the company’s green electricity production.”