Trading Update

RNS Number : 1977I

Hunting PLC

01 July 2013

 



For Immediate Release

1 July 2013

Hunting PLC

("Hunting" or "the Group")

Trading Update

Hunting PLC (LSE:HTG) the international energy services group today provides a pre-close trading statement ahead of its 2013 Half Year Results to be announced on Thursday 29 August 2013.

Dennis Proctor, Hunting's Chief Executive said,

"Trading in the first six months of the year has been supported by increasing activity in the Gulf of Mexico and continued investment in the oil-focused shale basins.  While global rig counts remain generally flat since the start of the year, Hunting's broad portfolio of products provides the opportunity to capture a significant proportion of revenue for every well drilled, whether onshore or offshore. As a consequence of this, the Board remains confident of trading in line with expectations.

"The Group continues to progress geographic expansion, with plans well advanced to establish manufacturing capability in South Africa to capture more opportunities across sub-Sahara Africa. Other facility expansion programs within North America are also planned, including a new premium connections threading facility and a new premium connection testing laboratory which will support more rapid product development across a number of key product lines."

Well Construction

Within Well Construction, Hunting's Premium Connection business has benefited from strong offshore activity in the Gulf of Mexico and globally, with sustained activity in the oil-focused shale basins including the Williston, Bakken and Eagle Ford shales.  The Drilling Tools platform has seen an improved performance as the year has progressed, with further investments made at our facilities within the oil shales.

Activity within the Electronics division, formerly known as Innova, has been subdued in the early part of the year as customers work off existing inventory. Hunting Dearborn continues to have a strong order book, with orders secured for the remainder of the year. Marketing initiatives within the Advanced Manufacturing Group continue to attract interest and include establishing a sales presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Well Completion

Hunting Titan continues to deliver results in line with management's expectations. In May 2013 the business acquired its Canadian distributor resulting in an additional seven distribution centres and a manufacturing/repair facility coming under the ownership of Hunting Titan in the Western Canada oil patch.  Hunting Titan is also benefiting from improved efficiencies as lean manufacturing practices are implemented across all of its facilities. 

Hunting's US Manufacturing facilities have reported good activity levels throughout the year driven by increased activity in the Gulf of Mexico. The Group has now fully commissioned phase one of its deepwater facility in Houma, Louisiana and is now planning a second phase of investment, which will see additional manufacturing capabilities being developed to meet demand in the North American market.

Well Intervention

Within Well Intervention, the Subsea platform at Stafford, Texas continues to deliver an improved performance, with a sales presence now established in Europe aimed at capturing opportunities identified in that region. Hunting's pressure control and other well intervention product lines have reported good growth in the period as the business increases its presence in North America.

Overall Outlook

Hunting is well positioned to capture growth opportunities as global investment in oil and gas exploration continues both onshore and offshore. The outlook therefore remains positive for the Group for the rest of the year.

The Group remains well capitalised with a strong balance sheet and net debt as at 30 June 2013 of approximately £160 million.

For further information please contact:

Hunting PLC Dennis Proctor, Chief Executive Peter Rose, Finance Director	Tel: [phone]
Buchanan Richard Darby Jeremy Garcia	Tel: [phone]

Notes to Editors:

About Hunting PLC

Hunting PLC is an international energy services provider to the world's leading upstream oil and gas companies. Established in 1874, it is a fully listed public company traded on the London Stock Exchange. The Company maintains a corporate office in Houston and is headquartered in London. As well as the United Kingdom, the Company has principal operations in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

 

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