1st Quarter Results

Total S.A. 04 May 2006 Total reports first quarter 2006 results New steps toward long-term growth Main results • Adjusted net income(1)-(2) 3.38 billion euros +16% 4.06 billion dollars(3) +6% 5.78 euros per share +18% 6.95 dollars per share +8% • Increased investments 3.31 billion dollars +41% Recent highlights • Ongoing exploration success • Positive results in Angola, Yemen, Libya, Congo, Algeria and US Gulf of Mexico • New acreage in Norway, Australia, Cameroon, Bangladesh and Canada • Agreement to enter into the Sulige field in China and the Tahiti field in the US Gulf of Mexico • Launching development of Tyrihans in Norway • Production start-ups at Glenelg (United Kingdom) and Belize (Angola) • Preparation of the Arkema spin-off on May 18 • Satisfactory outcome to Cepsa arbitration • Proposed 2005 dividend of 6.48 euros per share and four-for-one stock split submitted for approval at the May 12 Annual Meeting Paris, May 4, 2006 --- The Board of Directors of Total, chaired by CEO Thierry Desmarest, met on May 3, 2006 to review the first quarter 2006 results. Commenting on the results, Thierry Desmarest said: In the first quarter 2006, demand for oil continued to be strong while supplies were subject to serious disruptions, notably in Nigeria. In this context, oil prices continued to rise, while refining margins retreated from their 2005 average. The environment for Chemicals was more mixed, with higher raw material costs putting pressure on petrochemicals. Adjusted net income increased by 16% to 3,376 million euros from 2,919 million euros in the first quarter 2005. Adjusted fully-diluted earnings per share rose to 5.78 euros, an increase of 18%. The Group's profitability over the past four quarters rose to 28%, at the level of the best in the industry, thanks notably to strict control of technical costs, which are the lowest among the major oils. Total is continuing to implement its strategy of long-term growth, mainly through an active investment program, which in dollar terms increased by 41% compared to the first quarter 2005. Since the beginning of the year, we made significant progress, notably through ongoing exploration success and the agreement to enter into the Sulige field in China. • Key figures from the consolidated accounts of Total(4) in millions of euros, 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 except earnings per share and number of shares vs 1Q05 Sales 39,605 39,942 31,739 +25% Adjusted operating income from business 6,767 6,330 5,456 +24% segments Adjusted net operating income from business 3,269 3,095 2,877 +14% segments • Upstream 2,400 2,132 1,808 +33% • Downstream 650 799 678 -4% • Chemicals 219 164 391 -44% Adjusted net income 3,376 3,052 2,919 +16% Adjusted fully-diluted earnings per share 5.78 5.20 4.90 +18% (euros) Fully-diluted weighted-average shares 584.0 586.5 596.1 -2% (millions) Net income (Group share) 3,683 2,341 3,208 +15% Investments 2,750 3,799 1,784 +54% Divestments (at selling price) 397 250 213 +86% Cash flow from operations 4,839 3,171 4,037 +20% Adjusted cash flow from operations 4,287 4,459 4,247 +1% • First quarter 2006 results > Operating income In the first quarter 2006, the average Brent oil price rose to 61.8 $/b, an increase of 30% compared to the first quarter 2005 and 9% compared to the fourth quarter 2005. The TRCV European refining margin indicator was 25.8 $/t on average over the quarter, a 19% decrease compared to the first quarter 2005 and a 43% decrease compared to the fourth quarter 2005, a period marked by high refining margins in the aftermath of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Petrochemical margins in the Atlantic Basin were at a level comparable to the fourth quarter 2005 but were substantially lower compared to the first quarter 2005. The euro/dollar exchange rate was 1.20 $/€ compared to 1.31 $/€ in the first quarter 2005 and 1.19 $/€ in the fourth quarter 2005. In this context, the adjusted operating income from the business segments increased by 24% to 6,767 million euros (M€) in the first quarter 2006 from 5,456 M€ in the first quarter 2005(5). Adjusted net operating income from the business segments was 3,269 M€ compared to 2,877 M€ in the first quarter 2005, an increase of 14%. The lower percentage increase relative to the increase in operating income is a function of the Upstream segment having a higher effective tax rate and a larger proportion of the results in the first quarter 2006 compared to the first quarter 2005. Sequentially, the change in adjusted net operating income is in line with the change in adjusted operating income. > Net income Adjusted net income increased by 16% to 3,376 M€ in the first quarter 2006 from 2,919 M€ in the first quarter 2005. This excludes the after-tax inventory effect, special items, and the Group's equity share of amortization of intangibles related to the Sanofi-Aventis merger. The after-tax inventory effect (FIFO vs. replacement cost) had a positive impact of 280 M€ in the first quarter 2006 and 496 M€ in the first quarter 2005. Special items had a positive impact on net income of 110 M€ in the first quarter 2006 and were composed mainly of the gain on the sale of Upstream assets in the US. In the first quarter 2005, special items had a negative impact on net income of 125 M€ and were composed mainly of restructuring charges in the Chemicals. The Group's equity share of amortization of intangibles related to the Sanofi-Aventis merger had a negative impact on net income of 83 M€ in the first quarter 2006 and 82 M€ in the first quarter 2005. Reported net income was 3,683 M€ compared to 3,208 M€ in the first quarter 2005. The effective tax rate(6) for the Group was 55% in the first quarter 2006 compared to 55% in the fourth quarter 2005 and 51% in the first quarter 2005. In the first quarter 2006, the Group bought back 5.5 million of its shares for 1,190 M€. As of March 31, 2006 there were 583.4 million fully-diluted shares compared to 586.0 million at December 31, 2005 and 594.9 million at March 31, 2005. In April 2006, the Group bought back 0.5 million shares for 110 M€, bringing the cumulative buyback since the start of the year to nearly 1% of the capital. Adjusted fully-diluted earnings per share, based on 584.0 million fully-diluted weighted-average shares, rose to 5.78 euros in the first quarter 2006 from 4.90 euros in the first quarter 2005, an increase of 18%, which is a higher percentage increase than shown for the adjusted net income thanks to the accretive effect of share buybacks. > Investments - divestments Investments in the first quarter 2006 were 2,750 M€ compared to 1,784 M€ in the first quarter 2005. Expressed in dollars, investments increased by 41% to 3.31 billion. Divestments in the first quarter 2006 were 397 M€ and included the sale of Upstream assets in the US. > Cash flow Cash flow from operations increased by 20% in the first quarter 2006 to 4,839 M€ from 4,037 M€ in the first quarter 2005. Adjusted cash flow (cash flow from operations before changes in working capital at replacement cost) was 4,287 M€ in the first quarter 2006, an increase of 1% compared to the first quarter 2005. Net cash flow(7) was 2,486 M€ compared to 2,466 M€ in the first quarter 2005. The net-debt-to-equity ratio was 26% at March 31, 2006 compared to 32% at December 31, 2005 and 24% at March 31, 2005(8). • Upstream > Environment - liquids and gas price realizations* 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 Brent ($/b) 61.8 56.9 47.6 +30% Average liquids price ($/b) 58.8 54.5 44.1 +33% Average gas price ($/Mbtu) 6.16 5.68 4.40 +40% * consolidated subsidiaries, excluding fixed margin and buy-back contracts Total's average liquids price increased by more than the benchmark Brent price, reflecting mainly the lower price differential between light and heavy crude oil. Total's average gas price benefited from the lag effect and higher spot market prices, notably in Europe. > Production Hydrocarbon production 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 Combined production (kboe/d) 2,440 2,463 2,562 -5% • Liquids (kb/d) 1,560 1,592 1,657 -6% • Gas (Mcfd) 4,795 4,896 4,945 -3% Hydrocarbon production declined by 4.8% to 2,440 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboe/d) in the first quarter 2006 from 2,562 kboe/d in the first quarter 2005, mainly due to the price effect(9), which accounts for more than half of the decline, and the effects of divestments in the US and disruptions in Nigeria. Compared to the fourth quarter 2005, production declined by about 1%, due to the price effect. The benefit of new production (mainly from fourth quarter 2005 start-ups, such as Bonga in Nigeria and Forvie in the UK) was offset by disruptions in Nigeria, unscheduled maintenance in Norway as well as by the impacts of divesting onshore US assets and natural declines on mature fields. > Results in millions of euros 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 Adjusted operating income* 5,601 5,000 4,010 +40% Adjusted net operating income* 2,400 2,132 1,808 +33% • Income from equity affiliates 143 107 117 +22% Investments 2,081 2,521 1,363 +53% Divestments 353 141 128 +176% at selling price Cash flow from operations 3,831 2,374 2,188 +75% * detail of adjustment items shown in business segment information Adjusted net operating income for the Upstream segment increased by 33% to 2,400 M€ in the first quarter 2006 from 1,808 M€ in the first quarter 2005. This increase reflects essentially the benefit of higher oil and gas prices, which was slightly offset by a decrease in volumes sold and an increase in production costs. Income from equity affiliates increased mainly due to the stronger oil market environment and in particular includes the growing contribution from trains 4 and 5 at Nigeria LNG. The average Upstream tax rate increased to 60% in the first quarter 2006 from 58% in the first quarter 2005. This change is essentially related to higher oil and gas prices. The tax rate remained stable from the fourth quarter 2005 to the first quarter 2006, as the effect of higher oil and gas prices was offset by a decrease in the proportion of income derived from heavily-taxed countries, such as Nigeria and Norway. The return on average capital employed (ROACE(10)) for the Upstream segment for the twelve months ended March 31, 2006 was 42% compared to 40% for the full year 2005. The Upstream investment program for 2006 is progressing as planned. • Downstream > Refinery throughput Refinery throughput (kb/d) 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 Total refinery throughput* 2,421 2,420 2,626 -8% • France 899 928 1,049 -14% • Rest of Europe* 1,217 1,204 1,252 -3% • Rest of world 305 288 325 -6% * includes share of Cepsa The refinery utilization rate was 86% compared to 89% in the fourth quarter 2005 and 95% in the first quarter 2005. The first quarter 2006 utilization rate reflected among other things the impact of a turnaround at the Provence refinery and nearly three weeks of repair and maintenance at the Flanders refinery after an electrical fire. Turnaround activity was particularly low in the first quarter 2005 (only the Grandpuits refinery was turned around at the end of the quarter). In the fourth quarter 2005, the Port Arthur refinery was shut down (due to hurricanes) as was the Normandy refinery (due to strikes). > Results 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 TRCV - European refining 25.8 45.5 31.7 -19% margin indicator ($/t) Adjusted operating income* (M€) 856 1,083 891 -4% Adjusted net operating income* (M€) 650 799 678 -4% • Income from equity affiliates 80 97 85 -6% Investments (M€) 321 710 217 +48% Divestments (M€) 13 80 45 -71% at selling price Cash flow from operations (M€) 1,201 211 1,689 -29% Adjusted cash flow from operations (M€) 831 1,168 748 +11% * detail of adjustment items shown in business segment information Adjusted net operating income for the Downstream segment was 650 M€ compared to 678 M€ in the first quarter 2005, a decrease of 4%. The first quarter 2006 refining environment in Europe was less favorable than in the first quarter 2005. This trend, combined with lower throughput, was only partially offset by an improved marketing environment, better refining margins in the US, the increase in the dollar and the impact of self-help programs. The ROACE for the Downstream for the twelve months ended March 31, 2006 was 29% compared to 28% for the full year 2005. • Chemicals > Results in millions of euros 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 Sales 6,191 5,671 5,518 +12% • Base chemicals 2,863 2,641 2,587 +11% • Specialties 1,826 1,653 1,568 +16% • Arkema 1,502 1,377 1,360 +10% • Corporate - Chemicals - - 3 ns Adjusted operating income* 310 247 555 -44% Adjusted net operating income* 219 164 391 -44% • Base chemicals 78 78 254 -69% • Specialties 103 84 70 +47% • Arkema 37 4 62 -40% • Corporate - Chemicals 1 (2) 5 ns Investments 324 437 158 +105% Divestments 28 29 22 +27% at selling price Cash flow from operations (37) 161 82 ns Adjusted cash flow from operations 305 164 544 -44% * detail of adjustment items shown in business segment information Sales for the Chemicals segment increased by 12% to 6,191 M€ in the first quarter 2006 from 5,518 M€ in the first quarter 2005. Adjusted net operating income for the Chemicals segment was 219 M€, a decrease of 44% compared to the first quarter 2005. In a context of higher raw material prices, petrochemical margins in the first quarter 2006, particularly in Europe, were substantially lower than in the first quarter 2005, which was a peak of the cycle. Compared to the fourth quarter 2005, margins were slightly lower but polymer sales were higher. In a generally favorable environment, notably in Europe, results for the Specialties sector increased sharply, particularly in the electroplating and resins sectors. The decrease in the results of Arkema relative to the first quarter 2005 was due essentially to a less favorable environment for vinyl products and acrylics. Preparations continued for the May 18, 2006 Arkema spin-off, which will be voted on at the May 12, 2006 Annual Meeting. One important step was obtaining the visa for the Arkema prospectus from the French market authorities on April 5. The ROACE for the Chemicals segment for the twelve months ended March 31, 2006 was 8.5% compared to 11% for the full year 2005. • Summary and outlook The ROACE for the Group was 28% for the 12 months ended March 31, 2006 compared to 27% for the full year 2005. The return on equity calculated for the twelve months ended March 31, 2006 was 34%. The investment program is proceeding as expected, with the priority being Upstream growth and increased investments for refining. The Group maintains its net-debt-to-equity ratio in its target range of about 25% to 30%. Subject to shareholder approval at the May 12, 2006 Annual Meeting, Total will proceed on May 18, 2006 to split the 10 € par value shares four-for-one, pay the balance of the 2005 dividend(11), and spin-off Arkema at the rate of one Arkema share for every ten Total shares held on May 17, 2006. The spin-off of Arkema will represent the completion of a project initiated more than two years ago, and it will have the effect of reducing the weight of Chemicals in the capital employed of the Group while creating an independent integrated player that will rank among the leaders of its markets. Since the beginning of the second quarter 2006, the perceived risks to the oil supply have pushed prices to new records, and refining margins have increased slightly from first quarter levels. * * * To listen to the conference call with CFO Robert Castaigne and financial analysts today at 16;30 (Paris time) please call +44 (0)20 7162 0125 in Europe or +1 334 323 6203 in the US (access code : Total) or log on to the company website www.total.com. For a replay, dial +44 (0)207 031 4064 in Europe or 1 954 334 0342 (code :696 767). The March 31, 2006 notes to the consolidated accounts are available on the Total web site (www.total.com). This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy and plans of Total. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions that could ultimately prove inaccurate, and are subject to a number of risk factors, including currency fluctuations, the price of petroleum products, the ability to realize cost reductions and operating efficiencies without unduly disrupting business operations, environmental regulatory considerations and general economic and business conditions. Total does not assume any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Further information on factors which could affect the company's financial results is provided in documents filed by the Group and its affiliates with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The business segment information is presented in accordance with the Group internal reporting system used by the Chief operating decision maker to measure performance and allocate resources internally. Due to their particular nature or significance, certain transactions qualified as 'special items' are monitored at the Group level and excluded from the business segment figures. In general, special items relate to transactions that are significant, infrequent or unusual. However, in certain instances, certain transactions such as restructuring costs or assets disposals, which are not considered to be representative of normal course of business, may be qualified as special items although they may have occurred within prior years or are likely to recur within following years. In accordance with IAS 2, the Group values inventories of crude oil and petroleum products in the financial statements in accordance with the FIFO (First in, First out) method and other inventories using the weighted-average cost method. However, in the note setting forth information by business segment, the Group continues to present the results for the Downstream segment according to the replacement cost method and those of the Chemicals segment according to the LIFO (Last in, First out) method in order to ensure the comparability of the Group's results with those of its main competitors, notably from North America. The inventory valuation effect is the difference between the results according to the FIFO method and the results according to the replacement cost or LIFO method. In this framework, performance measures such as adjusted operating income, adjusted net operating income and adjusted net income are defined as incomes using replacement cost, adjusted for special items and excluding Total's equity share of the amortization of intangibles related to the Sanofi-Aventis merger. They are meant to facilitate the analysis of the financial performance and the comparison of income between periods. Operating information by segment First quarter 2006 • Upstream Combined liquids and gas production by region 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs (kboe/d) 1Q05 Europe 778 759 830 -6% Africa 742 756 804 -8% North America 13 33 37 -65% Far East 253 247 256 -1% Middle East 411 410 394 +4% South America 236 249 232 +2% Rest of world 7 9 9 -22% Total production 2,440 2,463 2,562 -5% Liquids production by region (kb/d) 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 Europe 378 381 415 -9% Africa 656 678 720 -9% North America 2 3 6 -67% Far East 29 26 30 -3% Middle East 357 359 339 +5% South America 131 137 139 -6% Rest of world 7 8 8 -13% Total liquids production 1,560 1,592 1,657 -6% Gas production by region (Mcfd) 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 Europe 2,172 2,048 2,258 -4% Africa 457 412 450 +2% North America 63 156 165 -62% Far East 1,238 1,366 1,257 -2% Middle East 284 274 296 -4% South America 579 638 517 +12% Rest of world 2 2 2 - Total gas production 4,795 4,896 4,945 -3% • Downstream Refined product sales by region (kb/d)* 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 1Q06 vs 1Q05 Europe 2,689 2,755** 2,858 -6% Africa 319 337 318 - Americas 626 571 591 +6% Rest of world 230 208 223 +3% Total 3,864 3,871** 3,990 -3% *includes trading and equity share of Cepsa ** after correcting a reporting difference Adjustment items • Adjustments to operating income from business segments in millions of euros 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 Special items affecting operating income from business (5) (400) - segments • Restructuring charges - (26) - • Impairments - (238) - • Other (5) (136) - Pre-tax inventory effect : FIFO vs. replacement cost 373 (914) 722 Total adjustments affecting operating income from business 368 (1,314) 722 segments • Adjustments to net income (Group share) in millions of euros 1Q06 4Q05 1Q05 Special items affecting net income (Group share) 110 (193) (125) • Equity share of special items recorded by Sanofi-Aventis 2 (42) (42) • Gain on asset sales 130 - - • Restructuring charges (15) (40) (83) • Impairments - (207) - • Other (7) 96 - Adjustment related to the Sanofi-Aventis merger* (83) (88) (82) (share of amortization of intangible assets) After-tax inventory effect : FIFO vs. replacement cost 280 (430) 496 Total adjustments to net income 307 (711) 289 * based on 13% participation in Sanofi-Aventis at 31/03/2005, 31/12/2005 and 31/03/2006 Net-debt-to-equity ratio in millions of euros Mar 31, 2006 Dec 31, 2005 Mar 31, 2005 Current borrowings 12,618 3,920 9,915 Net current financial instruments (95) (301) (203) Non-current financial debt 13,491 13,793 12,223 Hedging instruments of non-current debt (453) (477) (1,428) Cash and cash equivalents (14,816) (4,318) (12,548) Net debt 10,745 12,617 7,959 Shareholders equity 43,170 40,645 35,052 Accrued dividend payable based on shares (2,941) (2,006) (2,557) at the close of the period* MMPS - - 117 Minority interests 913 838 729 Equity 41,142 39,477 33,341 Net-debt-to-equity ratio 26.1% 32.0% 23.9% * for March 31, 2006, this represents a distribution of a dividend equal to 6.48 €/share for each 10€ par value share after deducting the interim dividend of 1,746 M€ paid in November 2005 Return on average capital employed • For the 12 months ended March 31, 2006 in millions of euros Upstream Downstream Chemicals** Segments Group Adjusted net operating income 8,621 2,888 785 12,294 13,032 Capital employed 17,877 8,735 8,807 35,419 41,907 at March 31, 2005* Capital employed 23,282 11,296 9,593 44,171 52,021 at March 31, 2006* ROACE 41.9% 28.8% 8.5% 30.9% 27.7% * at replacement cost (excluding after-tax inventory effect) ** capital employed for Chemicals reduced for the Toulouse-AZF provision of 100 M€ pre-tax at March 31, 2005 and 122 M€ pre-tax at March 31, 2006 • For the 12 months ended March 31, 2005 in millions of euros Upstream Downstream Chemicals ** Segments Group Adjusted net operating income 6,268 2,584 1,016 9,868 10,530 Capital employed 17,307 8,052 9,174 34,533 38,475 at March 31, 2004* Capital employed 17,877 8,735 8,807 35,419 41,907 at March 31, 2005* ROACE 35.6% 30.8% 11.3% 28.2% 26.2% * at replacement cost (excluding after-tax inventory effect) ** capital employed for Chemicals reduced for the Toulouse-AZF provision of 146 M€ pre-tax at March 31, 2004 and 100 M€ pre-tax at March 31, 2005 • For the full year 2005 in millions of euros Upstream Downstream Chemicals** Segments Group Adjusted net operating income 8,029 2,916 957 11,902 12,576 Capital employed 16,280 9,654 8,263 34,197 40,372 at December 31, 2004* Capital employed 23,522 11,421 9,120 44,063 51,576 at December 31, 2005* ROACE 40.3% 27.7% 11.0% 30.4% 27.4% * at replacement cost (excluding after-tax inventory effect) ** capital employed for Chemicals reduced for the Toulouse-AZF provision of 110 M€ pre-tax at December 31, 2004 and 133 M€ pre-tax at December 31, 2005 -------------------------- (1) adjusted net income = net income using replacement cost (Group share) adjusted for special items and excluding Total's share of amortization of intangibles related to the Sanofi-Aventis merger (2) percent changes are relative to the first quarter 2005 (3) dollar amounts represent euro amounts converted at the average €/$ exchange rate for the period (1.2023 $/€ in the first quarter 2006, 1.3113 $/€ in the first quarter 2005 and 1.1884 $/€ in the fourth quarter 2005) (4) adjusted income (adjusted operating income, adjusted net operating income, adjusted net income) is defined as income using replacement cost, adjusted for special items and excluding Total's equity share of amortization of intangibles related to the Sanofi-Aventis merger. Adjusted cash flow from operations is defined as cash flow from operations before changes in working capital at replacement cost). Adjustment items are listed on page 12. (5) special items in the first quarter 2006 included a charge related to the spin-off of Arkema for 5 M€. There were no special items affecting first quarter 2005 operating income. (6) defined as : (tax on net adjusted operating income) / (net adjusted operating income - income from equity affiliates, dividends received from investments and impairments of acquisition goodwill + tax on adjusted net operating income) (7) net cash flow = cash flow from operations + divestments - investments (8) calculations detailed on page 13 (9) impact of hydrocarbon prices on entitlement volumes from production sharing and buy-back contracts (10) calculated based on adjusted net operating income and average capital employed, using replacement cost, as shown on page 14 (11) taking into account the November 2005 interim dividend of 3 €, the balance of the 2005 dividend will be 3.48 € for the 10 € par value shares This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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