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Vår Energi ASA

Quarterly Report Apr 23, 2024

3780_rns_2024-04-23_878e0b42-2e86-46c2-8289-e7f358042270.pdf

Quarterly Report

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Interim report First quarter 2024

Vår Energi - Internal

Vår Energi in brief

Vår Energi is a leading independent upstream oil and gas company on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). We are committed to deliver a better future through responsible value driven growth based on over 50 years of NCS operations, a robust and diversified asset portfolio with ongoing development projects, and a strong exploration track record. Our ambition is to be the safest operator on the NCS, the partner of choice, an ESG leader with a tangible plan to reduce emissions from our operations by more than 50% within 20301 .

Vår Energi has around 1,300 employees and equity stakes in 47 producing fields. We have our headquarters outside Stavanger, Norway, with offices in Oslo, Hammerfest and Florø. To learn more, please visit varenergi.no.

Vår Energi is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE) under the ticker "VAR".

1Base year 2005

About Vår Energi 2
Key figures 3
Highlights 4
Key metrics and targets 5
Operational review 7
Projects and developments 11
Exploration 12
Financial review 15
Key figures 15
Revenues and prices 16
Statement of financial position 17
Statement of cash flow 18
Outlook 19
Alternative Performance Measures 20
Financial statements 21
Notes 28

(0.5)

Key figures first quarter 2024

(661)

Fourth quarter 2023 in brackets

(857)

Production kboepd 299 (225) Petroleum revenues USD million 1949 (1 679) EBIT USD million 1054 (399) Profit before tax USD million 850 (460) CFFO USD million 1009 Capex USD million 694 FCF USD million 315 NIBD/EBITDAX x 0.7

(196)

First quarter 2024 highlights

Vår Energi reports record high production and strong first quarter results

Strong financial performance

  • Total income in the quarter was USD 1956 million, an increase of USD 257 million from last quarter
  • Achieved realised gas price of USD 67 per boe, USD 14 per boe above spot price
  • Unit production cost better than guidance with USD 12 per boe in the quarter
  • Solid cash flow from operations of USD 1009 million
  • Vår Energi included in the Oslo Stock Exchange ESG index: OBX ESG

Continued attractive and predictable dividends

  • Dividend of USD 270 million (NOK 1.192 per share) for the first quarter will be distributed 8 May
  • Dividend guidance of USD 270 million for the second quarter of 2024, with a dividend distribution of approximately 30% of CFFO after tax for the full year
  • Solid balance sheet following Neptune acquisition with leverage ratio of 0.7x

Good operational performance

  • Production of 299 kboepd, an increase of 33% from previous quarter
  • Breidablikk at plateau in first quarter
  • Neptune Energy Norge acquisition closed 31 January 2024, and consolidated from 1 January 2024

Progressing towards ~400 kboepd by end-2025 and unlocking future value

  • Johan Castberg and Balder X projects making progress towards completion, targeted start-up's maintained in fourth quarter 2024
  • 7 of 8 sanctioned projects with start-up by end-2025 are more than 50% complete
  • Discovery at Ringhorne North in the Balder Area
KPIs
(USD million unless otherwise stated)
Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Actual serious injury frequency (x, 12 months rolling) 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0
CO2
emissions intensity (equity share, kg/boe)
10.0 11.0 12.3 10.0 12.0
Production (kboepd) 299 225 214 299 214
Production cost (USD/boe) 12.0 13.9 13.1 12.0 13.1
Cash flow from operations before tax 1
477
1
425
1
935
1
477
1
935
Cash flow from operations (CFFO) 1
009
857 1
358
1
009
1
358
Free cash flow (FCF) 315 196 715 315 715
Dividends paid 270 270 300 270 300

We are pleased to deliver a record high production of 299 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboepd) for the quarter. As one of the world's fastest growing E&Ps, our commitment to increase production to around 400 kboepd by end 2025 remains firm. Strong financial performance continues to provide attractive and predictable shareholder returns. The quarter was further characterised by good operational performance and the completion of the Neptune Energi Norge acquisition in January. We expect the two organisations to be fully integrated within the second quarter, enabling the realisation of synergies of around USD 500 million post tax over time.

Our key development projects, Johan Castberg and Balder X, continue to progress, with targeted startup's maintained as previously communicated. Also our exploration efforts continue to generate positive results, with the discovery of Ringhorne North in the Balder Area, a potential tie-back to existing infrastructure.

The recent inclusion of Vår Energi in the Oslo Stock Exchange ESG Index is a motivating recognition and adds weight to our commitment to take a leading ESG position."

Key metrics and targets

Income statement Unit Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Total income USD million 1
956
1
699
2
094
1
956
2
094
EBIT USD million 1
054
399 1
432
1
054
1
432
Profit/(loss) before taxes USD million 850 460 1
276
850 1
276
Net profit/(loss) USD million 100 129 195 100 195
Earnings per share USD 0.04 0.05 0.08 0.04 0.08
Other financial key figures
Production cost USD/boe 12.0 13.9 13.1 12.0 13.1
Adjusted net interest-bearing debt (NIBD) USD million 3
901
2
529
2
372
3
901
2
372
Leverage ratio (NIBD/EBITDAX) 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.7 0.3
Dividend per share USD 0.11 0.11 0.12 0.11 0.12
Production
Total production kboepd 299 225 214 299 214
-
Oil
kboepd 169 138 119 169 119
-
Gas
kboepd 111 74 82 111 82
-
NGL
kboepd 19 13 13 19 13
Sales
Crude oil mmboe 14.5 12.7 10.5 14.5 10.5
Gas mmboe 9.2 6.1 6.6 9.2 6.6
NGL mmboe 2.2 1.2 0.9 2.2 0.9
Realised prices
Crude oil USD/boe 84.2 84.8 83.6 84.2 83.6
Gas USD/boe 66.6 89.5 175.5 66.6 175.5
NGL USD/boe 50.9 46.9 54.1 50.9 54.1
2024 guidance
(USD million unless otherwise stated)
Full Year Production kboepd 280-300
Production cost USD/boe 13.5-14.5
Development capex 2 700-2 900
Exploration capex ~300
Abandonment capex ~100
Dividends for Q1 2024 to be distributed in May 270
Dividend guidance for Q2 payable in Q3 2024 270
Q2 2024 tax payment estimate1 ~1000
Long-term financial and operational targets
End-2025 production target kboepd ~400
2025-2030 production target kboepd 350-400
USD/boe ~10
End-2025 production cost2

1 Assumed NOK/USD 10.5 2 Equivalent to previous guidance of USD 8 per boe, inflationadjusted on Rystad NCS Price Index

Acquisition of Neptune Energy's Norwegian oil and gas assets

On 31 of January Vår Energi ASA completed the acquisition of Neptune Energy Norge AS with 100% of the shares in Neptune Energy Norge transferred to Vår Energi. The combined company is the second largest independent E&P company on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and the second largest supplier of gas from Norway to Europe. The transaction adds scale, diversification, and further longevity to Vår Energi's portfolio, which is targeting production of around 400 kboepd by end-2025.

Vår Energi's growth strategy is centered around four hub areas with ownership in a total of around 200 NCS licenses, including 47 producing fields, of which 7 are operated, following the transaction. Total combined Proved plus Probable (2P) reserves and Contingent Resources (2C)1 are approximately 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The Company has an attractive early phase project portfolio and exploration opportunities supporting sustained value creation long term.

The transaction is expected to result in significant synergies of approximately USD 500 million (NPV) post tax over time, from a robust development and exploration portfolio, improved asset utilisation and commercial optimisation of gas sales. A highly competent and dedicated team of 1,300 employees will deliver on the growth strategy, supported by

strong safety performance and a clear path for decarbonisation of operations, to drive longterm competitiveness and profitability. The transaction was financed through available liquidity and credit facilities, and the net cash consideration paid upon completion net cash acquired was approximately USD 1.3 billion2 .

Following completion Neptune Energy Norge changed its name to Vår Energi Norge AS ("VENAS") and operates as a subsidiary of Vår Energi ASA. A joint plan for the merger of the two companies were announced in mid-March and the merger is expected to take effect around end of the second quarter of 2024.

A new organisation for the combined company has been established. The organisational go live date is 1May 2024. Vår Energi has decided to use 1 January 2024 for accounting purposes. A full quarter of production and financials from Vår Energi Norge is reflected in the interim first quarter report.

1 As per Annual Statement of reserves 2023, 2P Reserves of 1 241 mmboe and 2C resources of 745 mmboe

2 Based on completion 1 January 2024 for accounting purposes.

  • 12 producing assets, of which 3 operated, located in Vår Energi's strategic hub areas
  • 7 operated by Equinor, Vår Energi's largest NCS partner
  • 2P reserves of 256 mmboe (end-2023)
  • Daily production of 66 kboepd 2023, of which 58% gas
  • Attractive commodity mix and strategic ownership in Snøhvit LNG – amplifying the position in the Barents Sea
  • Strong hub strategy alignment
  • Attractive pipeline of early phase projects, including Dugong, Fram Sør, Ofelia and Calypso

Operational review

Vår Energi's net production of oil, liquids and natural gas averaged 299 kboepd in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 33% from previous quarter mainly due inclusion of production from Vår Energi Norge's assets and a full quarter of production from Breidablikk development. Compared to the first quarter of 2023, production increased by around 40%.

The Company's production guidance for 2024 is from 280 to 300 kboepd. A full quarter of production from Vår Energi Norge's assets are reflected in the quarterly reporting.

Total production cost was USD 12.0 per boe in the first quarter of 2024 compared to USD 13.9 per boe in the previous quarter. The decrease is mainly due to increased production.

For the full year of 2024 the Company maintains the production cost guidance of USD 13.5 to 14.5 per boe.

Production (kboepd) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Balder Area 54 43 28 54 28
Barents Sea 31 13 18 31 18
North Sea 109 74 83 109 83
Norwegian Sea 105 95 85 105 85
Total Production 299 225 214 299 214

Production split Q1 2024

As part of Vår Energi's hub strategy, the Company identifies strategic focus areas that provide a framework for evaluating exploration and development opportunities, maximising the use of existing infrastructure and optimising value creation throughout the asset portfolio.

Balder Area

Production (kboepd) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2023
Balder/Ringhorne 25 27 20 16 16
Grane/Svalin 9 8 11 12 13
Breidablikk 20 9 - - -
Total Balder Area 54 43 31 27 28

The Balder Area has a material increase in production with a full quarter production from the Breidablikk field.

A new Ringhorne well was brought on stream in February. The Balder field production efficiency was 96% in the first quarter, down from 98% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Following the successful start-up of Breidablikk in October last year, the field produced from all 8 initial wells through the first quarter 2024, providing a material increase from the prior quarter. The forward plan is to drill 14 additional wells over the next few years. Drilling on Breidablikk re-commenced with the ninth well in March, expected to be on stream in May, ahead of plan.

Barents Sea

Production (kboepd) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2023
Goliat 14 13 17 18 18
Snøhvit 17 - - - -
Total Barents Sea 31 13 17 18 18

Production from the Barents Sea Area increased by 18 kboepd in the quarter. The increase was driven by the inclusion of Vår Energi Norge asset Snøhvit, and recovery from an unplanned production outage on Goliat in December.

Production efficiency on Goliat was 94% in the first quarter of 2024, affected by adverse weather conditions and simultaneous operations relating to drilling activities. The production efficiency increased from 82% in the fourth quarter 2023.

Drilling operations for a new infill oil producer at Goliat commenced during the quarter and production is expected to commence in the second quarter 2024. Following completion of the infill well, the rig will drill the high impact exploration well "Venus", west of Johan Castberg.

Goliat will see a scheduled production outage of 10 days during second quarter of 2024, due to subsea maintenance activities.

Vår Energi continues to pursue the opportunities for further growth and value creation in the Barents Sea region and has contracted a drilling rig for a two-year drilling program in cooperation with Equinor, commencing in the second half of 2024.

North Sea

Production (kboepd) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2023
Ekofisk Area 19 19 18 19 20
Snorre 17 18 18 17 19
Gjøa Area 21 - - - -
Gudrun 10 - - - -
Statfjord Area 12 11 11 9 13
Fram 17 7 7 11 12
Sleipner Area 8 10 7 10 10
Other 6 10 10 8 9
Total North Sea 109 74 71 73 83

Production from the North Sea area increased by 36 kboepd in the quarter. The increase was mainly driven by the inclusion of Vår Energi Norge assets Gjøa, Duva, Vega, Gudrun and increased working interest in the Fram field. The Fram production increased versus the fourth quarter of 2023 is due to absence of Troll C turnaround and start-up of a new Fram infill well. The Statfjord East gas lift project started up with additional two wells in the first quarter of 2024.

Gjøa production efficiency was 91% in the first quarter of 2024, down from 94% in the previous quarter, mainly due to planned maintenance and well outages.

In the second quarter of 2024, production from the Eldfisk North subsea development is expected to start-up, and planned maintenance turnarounds, with duration of approximately one month, at Snorre A and Statfjord A will impact production.

Norwegian Sea

Production (kboepd)
Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2023
Åsgard area 35 37 34 37 36
Mikkel 11 11 12 13 14
Tyrihans 14 14 14 14 13
Ormen Lange 9 9 7 5 11
Fenja 18 13 10 5 -
Njord Area 8 3 4 3 -
Norne Area 3 3 3 2 5
Other 6 6 6 7 7
Total Norwegian Sea 105 95 90 84 85

Production from the Norwegian Sea increased by 10 kboepd from the previous quarter mainly related to inclusion of the Vår Energi Norge portfolio.

During the quarter there was an unplanned shutdown at Njord due to a compressor failure resulting in lower production, which is now resolved. The issue at Njord also affected production on Hyme, Bauge and Fenja.

In the second quarter of 2024 there are no planned turnarounds significantly impacting the Norwegian Sea production.

Projects and developments

Vår Energi participates in several significant development projects on the NCS which supports the Company's target of producing around 400 kboepd by end-2025. The Company's project portfolio is well advanced with larger developments of Balder X and Johan Castberg targeting first oil in the fourth quarter of 2024. Of the ten sanctioned projects in the portfolio seven projects are now more than 50% complete.

Balder X

The Balder X project is progressing with high activities on the upgrading of the FPSO1 at the Rosenberg yard in Norway, offshore installation campaigns and drilling operations with the West Phoenix rig.

Actions taken on the FPSO over recent months to increase both construction volume and commissioning work have yielded results. The Jotun FPSO is around 95% complete, slightly behind the revised schedule and completion of the project is in sight. The key is to complete the remaining construction work in the right sequence to allow commissioning to progress.

A majority of the subsea equipment is installed and 11 wells out of 14 producers are successfully completed. Both drilling and subsea activities are progressing according to schedule.

The Balder X targeted start-up is in fourth quarter 2024, based on completion of the work and inshore sail away in August 2024. However, risk remains if weather conditions will not allow offshore installation activities in the autumn of 2024, in this scenario the worst-case start-up is end second quarter 2025.

Johan Castberg

The development is progressing according to scheduled start-up in the fourth quarter 2024. The FPSO is currently at the Stord yard in Norway, where completion and commissioning activities of the FPSO are progressing with a high activity level. Preparations for the inshore test phase prior to sail away during summer 2024, offshore installation and hook-up phase is ongoing. All subsea installations are complete, and 12 of the 15 development wells planned for start-up have been drilled and completed.

.

1 Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel

Exploration

During the first quarter, Vår Energi made a discovery in the Ringhorne North well, located in the Balder Area in PL 956, and 8 km from the Ringhorne platform. The preliminary assessment of the discovery is in the range of 13-23 mmboe gross recoverable resources.

The Vår Energi operated Cerisa well, in PL 636, was spudded at the end of the quarter and the operations are still ongoing.

The operated activity in the Balder Area that started in late 2023, with the drilling of Hubert and Magellan wells, completed in early 2024 and both wells were dry.

The Company is increasing exploration activity in 2024 from 2023, with involvement in 16 planned wells, of which eight are operated by Vår Energi. The 2024 exploration programme is targeting over 150 mmboe of net risked prospective resources and with estimated annual spend of approximately USD 300 million.

Health, safety, security and the environment (HSSE)

Key HSSE indicators Unit Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2023
Serious incident frequency (SIF Actual)1
12M rolling avg
Per mill. exp. Hours 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Serious incident frequency (SIF)1
12M rolling avg
Per mill. exp. Hours 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.5
Total recordable injury frequency (TRIF)2
12M rolling avg
Per mill. exp. Hours 1.9 1.9 1.9 2.8 3.8
Significant spill Count 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Process safety events Tier 1 and 23 Count 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
CO2
emissions intensity (equity share)4,5
Kg CO2/boe 10.0 11.0 12.3 12.6 12.3

Vår Energi's commitment to safety, and to continue the positive development on safety performance, remains strong. The company continues to implement the safety tools and improvement initiatives proven to work in 2023, in close collaboration with our partners and contractors. In the first quarter, however, the Company experienced one actual and one potential serious incident. The actual serious incident was related to the icy conditions where one person unfortunately

fractured a shoulder. The Company extracts all possible learnings from such incidents to make sure to avoid similar events in the future.

The CO2 intensity KPI for 2024 has been changed from operational control to equity share to be more in line with the expectations in the upcoming European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS).

1 SIF: Serious incident and near-misses per million worked hours. Includes actual and potential consequence. SIF Actual: incidents that have an actual serious consequence. VENAS included from 1 January 2024.

2 TRIF: Personal injuries requiring medical treatment per million worked hours. Reporting boundaries SIF & TRIF: Health and safety incident data is reported for company sites as well as contracted. VENAS included from 1 January 2024.

drilling rigs, floatels, vessels, projects and modifications, and transportation of personnel, using a risk-based approach.

3 Classified according to IOGP RP 456.

4 Direct Scope 1 emissions of CO2 (kg equity based (net equity share) of company portfolio Kilograms (kg) of CO2 per produced barrel of oil equivalent. VENAS included from 1 January 2024. 5 Emission numbers are preliminary until the EU ETS verification is completed by end of the first quarter 2025.

ESG and decarbonisation

Vår Energi has a clear path to more than 50% emissions reduction equity share by 2030 for scope 11 . The three main levers to achieve this are: electrification, portfolio optimisation and energy management.

By 2030 around 70% of net production will be electrified with power from shore, up from the current level of around 35%, with Goliat, Gjøa, Ormen Lange, Gudrun and Sleipner already electrified, Njord and Snøhvit projects ongoing and Balder/Grane, Halten and Snorre full electrification being planned. The Sleipner field centre, along with the Gudrun platform, started receiving power from shore in March 2024.

Sustainability reporting throughout 2023 has given good results. Sustainalytics ranked Vår Energi 12th of 307 rated oil and gas producers. In January 2024, Vår Energi was recognised as one out of 19 companies within the industry on the Sustainalytics ESG Industry Top-Rated Companies. The CDP rating received in March for 2023 was scored B, in line with previous rating.

In March Vår Energi was included in the Oslo Stock exchange ESG index as the only Oil and Gas company. In the quarter Vår Energi signed the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), an outcome from the COP28 action agenda to accelerate the decarbonisation of the global oil and gas sector.

The first quarter scope 1 net equity CO2 emissions intensity was 10.0kg CO2 per boe, versus 11.0 kg CO2 per boe in the fourth quarter 2023.

For the first quarter of 2024 the methane emission intensity for Vår Energi is 0.02%, well below the Near Zero levels2 . Vår Energi became a member of Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) in April 2024. OGMP 2.0 is the only comprehensive, measurement-based reporting framework for the industry that improves the accuracy and transparency of methane emissions reporting.

1Baseline year 2005 2 Near zero below 0.20% as per OGCI definition

Financial review

Key figures

Key figures (USD million) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Total income 1
956
1
699
2
094
1
956
2
094
Production costs (382) (306) (252) (382) (252)
Other operating expenses 16 (50) (47) 16 (47)
EBITDAX 1
589
1
343
1
794
1
589
1
794
Exploration expenses (33) (11) (22) (33) (22)
EBITDA 1
556
1
332
1
773
1
556
1
773
Depreciation and amortisation (503) (406) (340) (503) (340)
Impairment loss and reversals - (526) - - -
Net financial income/(expenses) (19) (25) (30) (19) (30)
Net exchange rate gain/(loss) (185) 86 (127) (185) (127)
Profit/(loss) before taxes 850 460 1
276
850 1
276
Income tax (expense)/income (750) (331) (1
081)
(750) (1
081)
Profit/(loss) for the period 100 129 195 100 195

Total income in the first quarter amounted to USD 1 956 million, an increase of USD 257 million compared to previous quarter mainly due to inclusion of Vår Energi Norge and higher sales volumes, partly offset by lower gas prices. Sold volumes increased by 29% to 25.9 mmboe in the quarter. Realised crude price decreased by 1% in the quarter to USD 84.2 per boe while realised gas price decreased by 26% in the quarter to USD 66.6 per boe.

Production cost in the first quarter amounted to USD 382 million, an increase of USD 75 million compared to the previous quarter mainly driven by inclusion of Vår Energi Norge and changes in over/underlift, partly offset by reduced cost across the portfolio.

The average production cost per barrel produced decreased to USD 12.0 per boe in the quarter, compared to USD 13.9 per boe in previous quarter mainly driven by inclusion of Vår Energi Norge and higher production in the quarter.

Other operating expenses in the first quarter decreased by USD 65 million compared to the previous quarter mainly due to updated

estimate for a contingent consideration to ExxonMobil related to the Forseti structure.

Exploration expenses in the first quarter increased to USD 33 million compared to USD 11 million in prior quarter.

Depreciation and amortisation in the first quarter amounted to USD 503 million, an increase of USD 97 million compared to the previous quarter. The change is mainly related to inclusion of Vår Energi Norge.

Net exchange rate loss in the first quarter amounted to USD 185 million due to the weakening of NOK versus USD in the period.

Profit before taxes in the first quarter amounted to USD 850 million compared to USD 460 million in the prior quarter. Income tax expense in the first quarter amounted to USD 750 million, an increase of USD 419 million compared to the previous quarter. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 88%, mainly impacted by the exchange rate loss taxed at 22%.

Profit for the period amounted to USD 100 million, a decrease of USD 29 million compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to the exchange rate loss and related tax effect, partly offset by absence of impairment and inclusion of Vår Energi Norge.

Revenues and prices

Total income (USD million) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Revenue from crude oil sales 1
222
1
078
881 1
222
881
Revenue from gas sales 611 543 1
161
611 1
161
Revenue from NGL sales 110 58 47 110 47
Hedge 5 - - 5 -
Total Petroleum Revenues 1 949 1 679 2 089 1 949 2 089
Other Operating Income 7 20 4 7 4
Total Income 1 956 1 699 2 094 1 956 2 094
Sales volumes (mmboe)
Sales of crude 14.5 12.7 10.5 14.5 10.5
Sales of gas 9.2 6.1 6.6 9.2 6.6
Sales of NGL 2.2 1.2 0.9 2.2 0.9
Total Sales Volumes 25.9 20.0 18.0 25.9 18.0
Realised prices (USD/boe)
Crude oil 84.2 84.8 83.6 84.2 83.6
Gas 66.6 89.5 175.5 66.6 175.5
NGL 50.9 46.9 54.1 50.9 54.1
Average realised prices 75.4 83.9 115.9 75.4 115.9

Vår Energi obtained an average realised price of USD 75.4 per boe in the quarter. The realised gas price of USD 66.6 per boe was a result of fixed price contracts and flexible gas sales agreements, allowing for optimisation of indices. In the first quarter, fixed price sales represented 16% of total gas sales with an average price of USD 134 per boe. Vår Energi's realised gas price in first quarter is about USD 14 per boe above spot prices.

Vår Energi continue to execute fixed price transactions. As of 31 March 2024, the Company has entered into the following transactions:

  • Approximately 16% of the gas production for the second quarter of 2024 has been sold on a fixed price basis at an average price around USD 131 per boe.
  • Approximately 18% of the gas production for the third quarter of 2024 has been sold on a fixed price basis at an average price around USD 133 per boe.
  • For the fourth quarter of 2024, Vår Energi has sold approximately 4% of its estimated gas production with pricing linked to the Gas Year Ahead product with a pricing period from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024. At the time of nomination (September 2023), it was assessed that the price for the gas year ahead product was undervalued by the market, and it was decided to limit the exposure to gas year ahead product to 4%.

At the end of the first quarter, Vår Energi has hedged approximately 100% of the post-tax crude oil production until the first quarter of 2025, with put options at a strike price of USD 50 per boe.

Consolidated statement of financial position

USD million 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Goodwill 3 1 1
282 958 900
Property, plant and equipment 16 15 14
320 237 111
Other non-current assets 620 435 468
Cash and cash equivalents 722 735 769
Other current assets 1
188
924 1
011
Total assets 22 19 18
132 289 258
Equity 1 1 1
473 768 289
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 4 3 2
524 147 956
Deferred tax liabilities 9 8 7
890 943 975
Asset retirement obligations 3 3 3
335 295 129
Taxes payable 1
606
964 1
846
Other liabilities 1 1 1
303 172 062
Total equity and liabilities 22 19 18
132 289 258
Cash and cash equivalents 722 735 769
Revolving credit facilities 1 3 3
600 000 000
Total available liquidity 2 3 3
322 735 769
Adjusted net interest-bearing debt (NIBD) 3 2 2
901 529 372
EBITDAX 4 quarters rolling 5 5 8
347 552 149
Leverage ratio (NIBD/EBITDAX) 0.7 0.5 0.3

Total assets at the end of the first quarter amounted to USD 22 132 million, an increase from USD 19 289 million at the end of the previous quarter. Non-current assets were USD 20 222 million and current assets were USD 1 910 million at the end of the first quarter.

Total equity amounted to USD 1 473 million at the end of the first quarter, corresponding to an equity ratio of about 7%. Total equity amounted to USD 1 768 million in the previous quarter.

Total available liquidity amounted to USD 2 322 million at the end of the first quarter, compared to USD 3 735 million at the end of the previous quarter. Undrawn credit facilities at the end of the first quarter were USD 1 600 million and total cash and cash equivalents were USD 722 million.

Adjusted interest-bearing debt (NIBD) at end of the first quarter was USD 3 901 million, an increase of USD 1 372 million from the previous quarter mainly related to the payment of the consideration of Vår Energi Norge at the end of January.

The Company maintains a strong financial position with a leverage ratio (NIBD/EBITDAX) of 0.7x at the end of the first quarter, an increase compared to the end of the previous quarter.

Consolidated statement of cash flow

USD million Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Cash flow from operating activities 1
009
857 1
358
1
009
1
358
Cash flow used in investing activities (2
038)
(670) (650) (2
038)
(650)
Cash flow from financing activities 1
034
(71) (348) 1
034
(348)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation (18) 23 (36) (18) (36)
Change in cash and cash equivalents (13) 140 324 (13) 324
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 722 735 769 722 769
Net cash flows from operating activities (CFFO) 1
009
857 1
358
1
009
1
358
CAPEX 694 661 642 694 642
Free cash flow 315 196 715 315 715
Capex coverage (CFFO)/Capex) 1.5 1.3 2.1 1.5 2.1

Cash flow from operating activities (CFFO) was USD 1 009 million in the first quarter, an increase of USD 152 million from the previous quarter. This was mainly due to increased revenue and one tax instalment paid in the first quarter.

Net cash used in investing activities was USD 2 038 million in the quarter, whereof USD 1 331 million (restated as at 1 January 2024) was related to the acquisition of Neptune Energy Norge AS and USD 644 million was related to PP&E expenditures. Investments in the Balder Area and at Johan Castberg represented around 62% of these expenditures.

Net cash inflow from financing activities amounted to USD 1 034 million in the quarter. Cash inflow in the first quarter consisted of drawdowns on the working capital revolving credit facility offset by interest and dividend paid.

Free cash flow (FCF) was USD 315 million in the quarter, compared to USD 196 million in the previous quarter. The increase is mainly driven by higher cash flow from operations in the first quarter.

The capex coverage was 1.5 in the first quarter, up from 1.3 in the previous quarter.

Outlook

Vår Energi has an ambition to deliver value-driven growth to support attractive and resilient long-term dividend distributions.

The Company's production guidance for 2024 is 280-300 kboepd.

For 2024, the Company expects development capex between USD 2 700 and 2 900 million, around USD 300 million in exploration capex and around USD 100 million in abandonment capex.

Production cost is expected to be between USD 13.5 and 14.5 per boe.

Vår Energi's material cash flow generation and investment grade balance sheet support attractive and resilient dividend distributions. For the second quarter of 2024, Vår Energi plans to pay a dividend of USD 270 million.

Vår Energi's policy is to distribute 20–30% of cash flow from operations after tax in shareholder returns. For 2024, the Company expects a total dividend of approximately 30% of CFFO after tax.

To ensure continuous access to capital at competitive cost, retaining investment grade credit ratings is a priority for Vår Energi. As such, the Company targets a NIBD/EBITDAX of below 1.3x through the cycle.

Transactions with related parties

For details on transactions with related parties, see note 24 in the Financial Statements.

Subsequent events

See note 26 in the Financial Statements.

Risks and uncertainties

Vår Energi is exposed to a variety of risks associated with its oil and gas operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). Factors such as exploration, reserve and resource estimates, as well as projections for capital and operating costs, are subject to inherent uncertainties. Additionally, the production performance of operated and partner operated oil and gas fields exhibit variability over time and is also affected by planned and unplanned maintenance and turnaround activities.

A high activity level on the NCS and ripple-effect after the Covid-19 pandemic compounds resource availability challenges. These external factors may influence the planned progress and costs of Vår Energi's ongoing development projects, which encompass advanced engineering work, extensive procurement activities, and complex construction endeavors.

To reduce inflation, central banks worldwide have implemented tight monetary policies, impacting economic growth. This, in turn, has implications for market and financial risks, encompassing fluctuations in commodity prices, exchange rates, interest rates, and capital requirements.

Increasing geopolitical tensions have introduced an elevated level of uncertainty into the energy landscape, affecting supply chains and contributing to global economic volatility. Sudden geopolitical developments can influence energy markets, potentially impacting regulatory environments, trade agreements, and geopolitical stability in regions critical to Vår Energi's operations. These uncertainties may impact the predictability of market conditions, affecting both short-term decision-making and long-term strategic planning.

Climate change mitigation is impacting our operations and business with the introduction of new regulations and taxes on CO2 emissions aiming to impact the demand for regular fossil fuels. Additionally, the cost of capital may increase as investors modify their behavior in response to these transformative trends. The company is managing the climate related transition risks by making its business strategies more resilient.

The Company's operational, financial, strategic, compliance risks and the mitigation of these risks are described in the annual report for 2023, available on www.varenergi.no.

Alternative performance measures (APMs)

In this interim report, in order to enhance the understanding of the Group's performance and liquidity, Vår Energi presents certain alternative performance measures ("APMs") as defined by the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") in the ESMA Guidelines on Alternative Performance Measures 2015/1057.

Vår Energi presents the APMs: Capex, Capex Coverage, EBITDAX, EBITDAX Margin, Free Cash Flow, NIBD, Adjusted NIBD, NIBD/EBITDAX Ratio, Adjusted NIBD/EBITDAX Ratio, TIBD/EBITDAX Ratio and Adjusted TIBD/EBITDAX Ratio.

The APMs are not measurements of performance under IFRS ("GAAP") and should not be considered to be an alternative to: (a) operating revenues or operating profit (as determined in accordance with GAAP), as a measure of Vår Energi's operating performance; or (b) any other measures of performance under GAAP. The APM presented herein may not be indicative of Vår Energi's historical operating results, nor is such measure meant to be predictive of the Group's future results.

Vår Energi believes that the APMs described herein are commonly reported by companies in the markets in which it competes and are widely used in comparing and analysing performance across companies within its industry.

The APMs used by Vår Energi are set out below (presented in alphabet-ical order):

  • "Capex" is defined by Vår Energi as expenditures on property, plant and equipment (PP&E) and expenditures on exploration and evaluation assets as presented in the cash flow statements within cash flow from investing activities.
  • "Capex Coverage" is defined by Vår Energi as cash flow from operating activities as presented in the cash flow statements ("CFFO"), as a ratio to Capex.
  • "EBITDAX" is defined by Vår Energi as profit/(loss) for the period before income tax (expense)/income, net financial items, net exchange rate gain/(loss), depreciation and amortisation, impairments and exploration expenses.
  • "EBITDAX margin" is defined by Vår Energi as EBITDAX and EBITDA as a percentage of total income, respectively.
  • "Free cash flow" ("FCF") is defined by Vår Energi as CFFO less CAPEX.
  • "Net interest-bearing debt" or "NIBD" is defined by Vår Energi as interest-bearing loans and borrowings and lease liabilities ("Total interest-bearing debt" or "TIBD") less cash and cash equivalents.
  • "Adjusted net interest-bearing debt" or "Adjusted NIBD" is defined by Vår Energi as TIBD excluding lease liabilities ("Adjusted total interest-bearing debt" or "Adjusted TIBD") less cash and cash equivalents.
  • "NIBD/EBITDAX" is defined by Vår Energi as NIBD as a ratio of EBITDAX.
  • "Adjusted NIBD/EBITDAX" is defined by Vår Energi as Adjusted NIBD as a ratio of EBITDAX.
  • "TIBD/EBITDAX" is defined by Vår Energi as interest-bearing loans and borrowings and lease liabilities as a ratio of EBITDAX.
  • "Adjusted TIBD/EBITDAX" is defined by Vår Energi as interestbearing loans and borrowings (but excluding lease liabilities) as a ratio of EBITDAX.

Financial statements with note disclosures

Unaudited consolidated statement of comprehensive income 22 Note 12 Impairment 37
Unaudited consolidated balance sheet statement 23 Note 13 Trade receivables 39
Unaudited consolidated statement of changes in equity 25 Note 14 Other current receivables and financial assets 39
Unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows 26 Note 15 Financial instruments 39
Notes 28 Note 16 Cash and cash equivalents 41
Note 1 Summary of IFRS accounting principles and prior year restatements 28 Note 17 Share capital and shareholders 41
Note 2 Business combination 28 Note 18 Hybrid Capital 41
Note 3 Income 30 Note 19 Financial liabilities and borrowings 42
Note 4 Production costs 31 Note 20 Asset retirement obligations 43
Note 5 Other operating expenses 31 Note 21 Other current liabilities 43
Note 6 Exploration expenses 32 Note 22 Commitments, provisions and contingent consideration 44
Note 7 Financial items 32 Note 23 Lease agreements 44
Note 8 Income taxes 33 Note 24 Related party transactions 45
Note 9 Intangible assets 35 Note 25 License ownerships 46
Note 10 Tangible assets 36 Note 26 Subsequent events 47
Note 11 Right of use assets 37

Unaudited consolidated statement of comprehensive income

USD 1000, except earnings per share data Note Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Petroleum revenues 3 1
948
804
1
678
963
2
089
383
1
948
804
2
089
383
Other operating income 6
824
19
868
4
492
6
824
4
492
Total income 1
955
628
1
698
831
2
093
875
1
955
628
2
093
875
Production costs 4 (381
787)
(306
304)
(252
268)
(381
787)
(252
268)
Exploration expenses 6 , 9 (33
228)
(11
130)
(21
668)
(33
228)
(21
668)
Depreciation and amortisation 10 , 11 (502
575)
(405
954)
(340
323)
(502
575)
(340
323)
Impairment loss and reversals 9 , 10 , 12 - (526
427)
- - -
Other operating expenses 5 15
638
(49
810)
(47
180)
15
638
(47
180)
Total operating expenses (901
952)
(1
299
625)
(661
439)
(901
952)
(661
439)
Operating profit/(loss) 1
053
676
399
206
1
432
435
1
053
676
1
432
435
Net financial income/(expenses) 7 (18
702)
(25
330)
(29
598)
(18
702)
(29
598)
Net exchange rate gain/(loss) 7 (184
979)
85
769
(126
784)
(184
979)
(126
784)
Profit/(loss) before taxes 849
994
459
645
1
276
053
849
994
1
276
053
Income tax (expense)/income 8 (749
903)
(331
001)
(1
081
093)
(749
903)
(1
081
093)
Profit/(loss) for the period 100
091
128
644
194
961
100
091
194
961
Attributable to:
Holders of ordinary shares 84
491
128
644
194
961
84
491
194
961
Dividends on hybrid capital 18 15
600
- - 15
600
-
Profit / (loss) for the period 100
091
128
644
194
961
100
091
194
961
Other comprehensive income
(items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement)
Currency translation differences (98
055)
76
396
(86
418)
(98
055)
(86
418)
Net gain/(loss) on options used for hedging (4
638)
5
797
(104) (4
638)
(104)
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax (102
693)
82
193
(86
523)
(102
693)
(86
523)
Total comprehensive income (2
602)
210
837
108
438
(2
602)
108
438
Earnings per share
EPS Basic 17 0.04 0.05 0.08 0.04 0.08
EPS Diluted 17 0.04 0.05 0.08 0.04 0.08

Unaudited consolidated balance sheet statement

USD 1000 Note 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Goodwill 9 3
282
078
1
958
478
1
900
025
Capitalised exploration wells 9 291
352
276
504
243
811
Other intangible assets 9 259
185
83
060
80
644
Tangible fixed assets
Property, plant and equipment 10 16
320
353
15
237
078
14
110
732
Right of use assets 11 55
363
73
812
142
298
Financial assets
Investment in shares 1
446
739 718
Other non-current assets 2 12
715
745 302
Total non-current assets 20
222
493
17
630
416
16
478
529
Current assets
Inventories 248
097
251
503
262
734
Trade receivables 13 , 24 527
026
362
895
490
430
Other current receivables and financial assets 14 412
842
309
472
257
478
Cash and cash equivalents 16 721
622
734
914
768
843
Total current assets 1
909
588
1
658
783
1
779
485
TOTAL ASSETS 22
132
081
19
289
199
18
258
014

Unaudited consolidated balance sheet statement - continued

USD 1000 Note 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023 Sandnes, 22 April 2024
Signed Electronically
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital 17 45
972
45
972
45
972
Thorhild Widvey Liv Monica Bargem Stubholt
Share premium 488
181
758
181
1
568
181
Chair Deputy Chair
Hybrid capital 18 799
461
799
461
-
Other equity 139
673
164
414
(324
870)
Francesco Gattei Guido Brusco
Total equity 1
473
286
1
768
026
1
289
282
Director Director
Non-current liabilities Clara Andreoletti Marica Calabrese
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 19 4
524
485
3
146
582
2
456
366
Director Director
Deferred tax liabilities 8 9
890
470
8
943
019
7
975
099
Asset retirement obligations 20 3
255
193
3
207
667
3
070
552
Fabio Ignazio Romeo Ove Gusevik
Pension liabilities 2 22
836
- - Director Director
Lease liabilities, non-current 23 53
556
17
663
86
151
Other non-current liabilities 116
402
82
149
153
289
Martha Skjæveland Hege Susanne Blåsternes
Total non-current liabilities 17
862
942
15
397
080
13
741
457
Director, Director,
employee elected representative employee elected representative
Current liabilities
Asset retirement obligations, current 20 79
348
87
385
58
400
Bjørn Nysted Jan Inge Nesheim
Accounts payables 24 419
348
328
951
257
638
Director, Director,
Taxes payable 8 1
606
460
964
414
1
845
929
employee elected representative employee elected representative
Interest-bearing loans, current 19 - - 500
000
Lease liabilities, current 23 44
639
99
265
98
684
Nicholas John Robert Walker
Other current liabilities 21 646
058
644
079
466
625
Chief Executive Officer
Total current liabilities 2
795
853
2
124
093
3
227
275
Total liabilities 20
658
795
17
521
173
16
968
732
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 22
132
081
19
289
199
18
258
014

Unaudited consolidated statement of changes in equity

Other equity
USD 1000 Note Share capital Share premium Hybrid Capital Other equity Translation
differences
Hedge reserve Total equity
Balance at 1 January 2023 45
972
1
868
181
9
943
(425
881)
(16
644)
1
481
571
Profit/(loss) for the period - - - 194
961
- - 194
961
Other comprehensive income/(loss) - - - - (86
418)
(104) (86
523)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) - - - 194
961
(86
418)
(104) 108
438
Dividends paid - (300
000)
- - - (300
000)
Share-based payment - - - 1
023
- - 1
023
Other - - - (1
749)
- - (1
749)
Balance at 31 March 2023 45
972
1
568
181
204
177
(512
299)
(16
749)
1
289
283
- - - - - - -
Balance at 31 March 2023 45
972
1
568
181
204
177
(512
299)
(16
749)
1
289
283
Profit/(loss) for the period - - - 415
268
- - 415
268
Other comprehensive income/(loss) - - - - 68
815
2
062
70
876
Total comprehensive income/(loss) - - - 415
268
68
815
2
062
486
144
Dividends paid - (810
000)
- - - (810
000)
Share-based payments - - - 3
192
- - 3
192
Hybrid bond issue - - 799
461
- - - 799
461
Other - - - (52) - - (52)
Balance at 31 December 2023 45
972
758
181
799
461
622
585
(443
484)
(14
687)
1
768
027
Profit/(loss) for the period - - 15
600
84
491
- - 100
091
Other comprehensive income/(loss) - - - - (98
055)
(4
639)
(102
693)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) - - - 84
491
(98
055)
(4
639)
(2
602)
Dividends paid - (270
000)
(15
600)
- - - (285
600)
Share-based payments - - - (6
538)
- - (6
538)
Other - - - (11
381)
- 11
381
-
Balance at 31 March 2024 45
972
488
181
799
461
689
156
(541
539)
(7
944)
1
473
286

Unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows

USD 1000 Notes Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Profit/(loss) before income taxes 849
994
459
645
1
276
054
849
994
1
276
054
Adjustments to reconcile profit before tax to net cash flows:
-
Depreciation and amortisation
10 , 11 502
575
405
954
340
323
502
575
340
323
-
Impairment loss and reversals
9 , 10 - 526
427
- - -
-
(Gain) / loss on sale and retirement of assets
5 91 (24
531)
8
273
91 8
273
-
Expensed capitalised dry wells
6 , 9 18
414
4
177
17
073
18
414
17
073
-
Accretion expenses (asset retirement obligation)
7 , 20 28
389
26
266
24
377
28
389
24
377
-
Unrealised (gain)/loss on foreign currency transactions and balances
7 186
126
(94
933)
174
557
186
126
174
557
-
Realised foreign exchange (gain)/loss related to financing activities
1
536
(2
023)
- 1
536
-
-
Other non-cash items and reclassifications
(58
603)
50
536
(24
935)
(58
603)
(24
935)
Working capital adjustments:
-
Changes in inventories, accounts payable and receivable
48
166
84
276
186
543
48
166
186
543
-
Changes in other current balance sheet items
14 , 21 (99
472)
(10
509)
(67
410)
(99
472)
(67
410)
Income tax received/(paid) 8 (468
085)
(568
147)
(577
326)
(468
085)
(577
326)
Net cash flow from operating activities 1
009
131
857
138
1
357
529
1
009
131
1
357
529
Cash flow from investing activities
Expenditures on exploration and evaluation assets 9 (50
275)
(16
284)
(43
010)
(50
275)
(43
010)
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment 10 (643
695)
(644
770)
(599
420)
(643
695)
(599
420)
Payment for decommissioning of oil and gas fields 20 (13
831)
(22
584)
(7
129)
(13
831)
(7
129)
Proceeds from sale of assets (sales price) - 13
602
- - -
Net cash used on business combination 2 (1
330
662)
- - (1
330
662)
-
Net cash used in investing activities (2
038
463)
(670
036)
(649
559)
(2
038
463)
(649
559)

Unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows - continued

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid (270
000)
(270
000)
(300
000)
(270
000)
(300
000)
Dividends distributed to hybrid owners (15
600)
- - (15
600)
-
Net proceeds from hybrid bond issue - 808
170
- - -
Net proceeds/(payments) of revolving credit facilities 19 1
400
000
(500
000)
- 1
400
000
-
Payment of principal portion of lease ability 23 (24
509)
(23
690)
(23
488)
(24
509)
(23
488)
Interest paid (55
601)
(85
317)
(24
101)
(55
601)
(24
101)
Net cash from financing activities 1
034
290
(70
837)
(347
589)
1
034
290
(347
589)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 4
958
116
265
360
381
4
958
360
381
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 734
914
595
306
444
607
734
914
444
607
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash (18
250)
23
342
(36
145)
(18
250)
(36
145)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 721
622
734
913
768
843
721
622
768
843

Notes

(All figures in USD 1000 unless otherwise stated)

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2024 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. Thus the interim financial statements do not include all information required by IFRSs and should be read in conjunction with the 2023 annual financial statements. The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the dates and interim periods presented. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for an annual period. These interim financial statements have not been subject to review or audit by independent auditors.

The acquisition of Neptune Energy Norge AS ("Neptune Norway") was completed on 31 January 2024. Following completion Neptune Energy Norge changed its name to Vår Energi Norge AS ("VENAS") and operates as a subsidiary of Vår Energi ASA. Vår Energi has decided to use 1 January 2024 as the transaction date for accounting purposes, and the transaction is thus reflected in the statement of financial position and income statement for the first quarter of 2024 in this report. See note 2 for more information regarding the acquisition.

These interim financial statements were authorised for issue by the Company Board of Directors on 22 April 2024.

Note 1 Summary of IFRS accounting principles

The accounting principles adopted in the preparation of the interim condensed financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. Vår Energi has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

Vår Energi has through the Neptune business combination added commodity hedges for both Brent oil put- and call options, as well as Gas TTF and Gas NBP put- and call options. The accounting principles outlined in the Annual Report for 2023 in note 2 for Derivative financial instruments are valid for the current portfolio of commodity hedges.

Note 2 Business combination

On 31 January 2024, Vår Energi completed the acquisition of Neptune Energy Norway AS (renamed Vår Energi Norge AS at completion of the transaction). The transaction was announced on 23 June 2023.

Vår Energi paid a cash consideration of USD 2.1 billion, and the transaction was financed through available liquidity and credit facilities. The acquired assets, all located on the NCS, are complementary to Vår Energi's current portfolio and highly cash generative with low production cost and limited near-term investments. The transaction also strengthens Vår Energi's position in all existing hub areas and combine two strong organisations with extensive NCS experience.

The acquisition date for accounting purposes is 1 January 2024. The acquisition is regarded as a business combination and has been accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3. A purchase price allocation (PPA) has been performed as of 1. January 2024 to allocate the consideration to fair value of the assets and liabilities in Neptune Energy Norway AS.

USD 1000 31 Jan 2024
Value of cash consideration 2
106
764

Each identifiable asset and liability are measured at fair value on the acquisition date based on guidance in IFRS13. The standard defines fair value as the price that would be received when selling an asset or paid transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This definition emphasises that fair value is a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific measurement. When measuring fair value Vår Energi has applied the assumptions that market participants would use under current market conditions (including assumptions regarding risk) when valuing the specific asset or liability.

Acquired property, plant and equipment has been valued using the income approach. Trade receivables have been recognised at full contractual amounts due as they relate to large and credit-worthy customers, and there have been no significant uncollectible amounts in Neptune Energy Norway AS historically.

Note 2 Business combination - continued

For accounting purposes, the recognised amounts of assets and liabilities assumed as at the date of the acquisition were
as follows:
USD 1000 01 Jan 2024
Goodwill
1
463
922
Other intangible assets 192
499
Property, plant and equipment 1
975
424
Right of use assets 10
545
Other non-current assets 8
184
Inventories 19
538
Trade receivables 174
205
Other current receivables and financial assets 189
637
Cash and cash equivalents 776
102
Total assets 4
810
056
Deferred tax liabilities 1
304
198
Asset retirement obligation 368
251
Pension liabilities 23
590
Lease liabilities, non-current 6
997
Other non-current liabilities 32
888
Accounts payable 81
675
Taxes payable 705
916
Lease liabilities, current 3
548
Other current liabilities 176
229
Total liabilities 2
703
292
Net assets and liabilities recognised 2
106
764
Fair value of consideration paid on acquisition 2
106
764

The goodwill of USD 1 460 million arises principally because of the following factors:

  1. The ability to capture synergies that can be realised from managing a larger portfolio of both acquired and existing fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, including workforce ("residual goodwill").

  2. The requirement to recognise deferred tax assets and liabilities for the difference between the assigned fair values and the tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Licenses under development and licenses in production can only be sold in a market after tax, based on a decision made by the Norwegian Ministry of Finance pursuant to the Petroleum Taxation Act Section 10. The assessment of fair value of such licenses is therefore based on cash flows after tax. Nevertheless, in accordance with IAS 12 para 15 and 19, a provision is made for deferred tax corresponding to the tax rate multiplied by the difference between the acquisition cost and the tax base. The offsetting entry to this deferred tax is goodwill. Hence, goodwill arises as a technical effect of deferred tax ("technical goodwill").

None of the goodwill recognised will be deductible for tax purposes.

USD 1000 01 Jan 2024
Goodwill related to synergies -
residual goodwill
160
519
Goodwill as a result of deferred tax -
technical goodwill
1
303
403
Net goodwill from the acquisition of Neptune Norway 1
463
922

Vår Energi Norge AS contributed with USD 198 million of operating profit during the first quarter 2024.

The purchase price allocation above is preliminary and based on currently available information about fair values as of the acquisition date. If new information becomes available within 12 months from the acquisition date, the group may change the fair value assessment in the PPA, in accordance with guidance in IFRS 3.

Note 3 Income

Petroleum revenues (USD 1000) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Revenue from crude oil sales 1
221
893
1
078
193
881
069
1
221
893
881
069
Revenue from gas sales 611
459
542
581
1
160
970
611
459
1
160
970
Revenue from NGL sales 110
392
58
189
47
344
110
392
47
344
Gains from hedging 5
061
- - 5
061
-
Total petroleum revenues 1
948
804
1
678
963
2
089
383
1
948
804
2
089
383
Sales of crude (boe 1000) 14
505
12
712
10
542
14
505
10
542
Sales of gas (boe 1000) 9
179
6
065
6
615
9
179
6
615
Sales of NGL (boe 1000) 2
167
1
241
875 2
167
875
Other operating income (USD 1000) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Gain/(loss) from sale of assets 1
731
15
325
- 1
731
-
Partner share of lease cost 3
145
2
715
2
757
3
145
2
757
Other operating income 1
948
1
828
1
735
1
948
1
735
Total other operating income 6
824
19
868
4
492
6
824
4
492

Note 4 Production Costs

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Cost of operations 205
977
205
696
157
348
205
977
157
348
Transportation and processing 66
518
40
728
48
276
66
518
48
276
Environmental taxes 37
549
31
895
30
278
37
549
30
278
Insurance premium 15
477
8
911
16
175
15
477
16
175
Production cost based on produced volumes 325
521
287
230
252
078
325
521
252
078
Back-up cost shuttle tankers 960 5
510
746 960 746
Changes in over/(underlift) 45
063
4
568
(9
902)
45
063
(9
902)
Premium expense for crude put options 15 10
244
8
996
9
347
10
244
9
347
Production cost based on sold volumes 381
787
306
304
252
268
381
787
252
268
Total produced volumes (boe 1000) 27
183
20
691
19
298
27
183
19
298
Production cost per boe produced (USD/boe) 12.0 13.9 13.1 12.0 13.1

Note 5 Other operating expenses

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
R&D expenses 7
276
4
611
16
046
7
276
16
046
Pre-production costs 11
874
9
679
10
821
11
874
10
821
Guarantee fee decommissioning obligation 5
294
3
583
5
068
5
294
5
068
Administration expenses 10
483
7
958
6
964
10
483
6
964
Integration cost 8
263
11
644
- 8
263
-
Value adjustment contingent considerations 22 (58
976)
- - (58
976)
-
Other expenses 149 12
336
8
280
149 8
280
Total other operating expenses (15
638)
49
810
47
180
(15
638)
47
180

Value adjustment of the contingent consideration to ExxonMobil related to the Forseti structure decreased by USD 59 million during first quarter due to change in estimate. For additional information, please refer to note 22

Note 6 Exploration expenses

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Seismic 6
586
5
115
(409) 6
586
(409)
Area fee 2
979
989 2
299
2
979
2
299
Dry well expenses 9 18
416
4
177
17
073
18
416
17
073
Other exploration expenses 5
246
849 2
705
5
246
2
705
Total exloration expenses 33
228
11
130
21
668
33
228
21
668

Dry well expenses in 2024 are mainly related to the exploration wells targeting the Hubert and Magellan prospects in PL 917.

Note 7 Financial items

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Interest income 10
664
3
890
2
362
10
664
2
362
Interests on debts and borrowings 19 (77
537)
(65
036)
(57
401)
(77
537)
(57
401)
Interest on lease debt (1
298)
(1
310)
(1
803)
(1
298)
(1
803)
Capitalised interest cost, development projects 79
852
66
194
57
476
79
852
57
476
Amortisation of fees and expenses (2
231)
(2
176)
(3
705)
(2
231)
(3
705)
Accretion expenses (asset retirement obligation) 20 (28
389)
(26
266)
(24
377)
(28
389)
(24
377)
Other financial expenses (581) (1
034)
(2
150)
(581) (2
150)
Change in fair value of hedges (ineffectiveness) 817 408 - 817 -
Net financial income/(expenses) (18
702)
(25
330)
(29
598)
(18
702)
(29
598)
Unrealised exchange rate gain/(loss) (186
126)
94
933
(174
557)
(186
126)
(174
557)
Realised exchange rate gain/(loss) 1
147
(9
163)
47
773
1
147
47
773
Net exchange rate gain/(loss) (184
979)
85
769
(126
784)
(184
979)
(126
784)
Net financial items (203
682)
60
439
(156
382)
(203
682)
(156
382)

Vår Energi's functional currency is NOK, whilst interest bearing loans and bonds are in USD and EUR. The weakening of NOK during the first quarter of 2024 caused unrealised exchange loss of USD 186 million.

Note 8 Income taxes

USD 1000 Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Current period tax payable/(receivable) 502
651
407
721
745
640
502
651
745
640
Prior period adjustment to current tax (3) (7
847)
1 (3) 1
Current tax expense/(income) 502
647
399
874
745
641
502
647
745
641
Deferred tax expense/(income) 247
256
(68
873)
335
452
247
256
335
452
Tax expense/(income) in profit and loss 749
903
331
001
1
081
093
749
903
1
081
093
Effective tax rate in % 88% 72% 85% 88% 85%
Tax expense/(income) in put option used for hedging (1
308)
1
880
(351) (1
395)
(351)
Tax expense/(income) in other comprehensive income 748
595
332
881
1
080
742
748
508
1
080
742
Reconciliation of tax expense Tax rate Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Marginal (78%) tax rate on profit/loss before tax 78% 663
029
358
542
995
372
663
029
995
372
Tax effect of uplift 71,8% (5
452)
(6
584)
(10
479)
(5
452)
(10
479)
Tax effects of items taxed at other than marginal (78%) tax rate1 56% 143
677
843 90
634
143
677
90
634
Tax effects of acquisition, sale and swap of licenses2 - (10
955)
- - -
Other permanent differences, prior period adjustments and change in estimates of uncertain tax positions 78% (51
351)
(10
844)
5
565
(51
351)
5
565
Tax expense/(income) 749
903
331
001
1
081
093
749
903
1
081
093

1The effects of items taxed at other than marginal (78%) tax rate are mainly impacted by interest and fluctuation in currency exchange rate on the company's external borrowings. 2Working interest in Brage field sold in the fourth quarter 2023.

Note 8 Income taxes - continued

Deferred tax asset/(liability) Note Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Deferred tax asset/(liability) at beginning of period (8
943
019)
(8
599
059)
(8
127
971)
(8
943
019)
(8
127
971)
Current period deferred tax income/(expense) (247
256)
68
873
(335
452)
(247
256)
(335
452)
Deferred taxes related to business combinations3 2 (1
304
198)
- - (1
304
198)
-
Deferred taxes related to acquisition, sale and swap of licenses2 - (23
449)
- - -
Deferred taxes recognised directly in OCI or equity 1
308
(1
880)
351 1
395
351
Currency translation effects 602
694
(387
503)
487
973
602
608
487
973
Net deferred tax asset/(liability) as of closing balance (9
890
470)
(8
943
019)
(7
975
099)
(9
890
470)
(7
975
099)
Tax payable Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Tax payable at beginning of period (964
414)
(1
092
568)
(1
778
222)
(964
414)
(1
778
222)
Current period payable taxes (502
651)
(407
721)
(745
640)
(502
651)
(745
640)
Payable taxes related to business combinations3
2
(705
916)
- - (705
916)
-
Net tax payments 468
085
568
147
577
326
468
085
577
326
Prior period adjustments and change in estimate of uncertain tax positions 3 7
847
(1) 3 (1)
Currency translation effects 98
433
(40
119)
100
607
98
433
100
607
Net tax payable as of closing balance (1
606
460)
(964
414)
(1
845
929)
(1
606
460)
(1
845
929)

2Working interest in Brage field sold in Q4 2023.

3Aquisition of Neptune Energy Norge.

Note 9 Intangible assets

USD 1000 Goodwill Other intangible
assets
Capitalised
exploration
wells
Total USD 1000 Note Goodwill Other intangible
assets
Capitalised
exploration
wells
Total
Cost as at 1 January 2023 4
481
939
93
515
225
287
4
800
740
Cost as at 1 January 2024 4
344
628
83
060
276
504
4
704
193
Additions - - 113
107
113
107
Additions - 16 50
275
50
291
Additions through business combination - - - - Additions through business combination 2 1
463
922
192
499
(0) 1
656
421
Reclassification - (7
292)
(14
381)
(21
674)
Reclassification - - - -
Disposals/expensed exploration wells 1
463
(0) (40
928)
(39
465)
Disposals/expensed exploration wells 6 - (91) (18
416)
(18
507)
Currency translation effects (138
774)
(3
162)
(6
580)
(148
516)
Currency translation effects (279
213)
(16
038)
(17
013)
(312
264)
Cost as at 31 December 2023 4
344
628
83
060
276
504
4
704
193
Cost as at 31 March 2024 5
529
337
259
446
291
351
6
080
134
Depreciation and impairment as at 1 January 2023 (2
462
426)
- - (2
462
426)
Depreciation and impairment as at 1 January 2024 (2
386
150)
- - (2
386
150)
Depreciation - - - - Depreciation - (268) - (268)
Currency translation effects 76
276
- - 76
276
Currency translation effects 138
891
7 - 138
898
Depreciation and impairment as at 31 December 2023 (2
386
150)
- - (2
386
150)
Depreciation and impairment as at 31 March 2024 (2
247
259)
(261) - (2
247
520)
Net book value as at 31 December 2023 1
958
478
83
060
276
504
2
318
042
Net book value as at 31 March 2024 3
282
078
259
185
291
351
3
832
613

Other intangible assets include exploration potentials acquired through business combinations and measured according to the successful efforts method.

Note 10 Tangible assets

USD 1000 Note Wells and production
facilities
Facilities under
construction
Other property,
plant and
equipment
Total USD 1000 Note Wells and production
facilities
Facilities under
construction
Other property,
plant and
equipment
Total
Cost as at 1 January 2023 14
110
298
6
307
507
53
587
20
471
393
Cost as at 1 January 2024 16
490
192
6
310
238
86
934
22
887
364
Additions 1
024
517
1
719
764
33
480
2
777
761
Additions 169
669
543
453
9
996
723
118
Estimate change asset retirement cost 20 177
485
- - 177
485
Estimate change asset retirement cost 20 (132
235)
- - (132
235)
Additions through business combinations - - - - Additions through business combinations 2 1
973
397
2
027
1
975
424
Reclassification 1
549
298
(1
456
151)
- 93
147
Reclassification 84
574
(65
753)
- 18
821
Disposals (82
332)
(24
591)
- (106
923)
Disposals - - - -
Currency translation effects (289
075)
(236
291)
(134) (525
500)
Currency translation effects (1
078
094)
(380
604)
(5
337)
(1
464
034)
Cost as at 31 December 2023 16
490
192
6
310
238
86
934
22
887
364
Cost as at 31 March 2024 17
507
504
6
407
334
93
620
24
008
457
Depreciation and impairment as at 1 January 2023 (5
887
887)
- (21
268)
(5
909
156)
Depreciation and impairment as at 1 January 2024 (7
404
673)
(208
349)
(37
265)
(7
650
287)
Depreciation (1
385
470)
- (15
974)
(1
401
444)
Depreciation (491
718)
- (4
672)
(496
390)
Impairment reversal / (loss) 12 (326
127)
(200
300)
- (526
427)
Impairment reversal / (loss) 12 - - - -
Disposals 75
621
- - 75
621
Disposals - - - -
Currency translation effects 119
191
(8
049)
(23) 111
119
Currency translation effects 444
150
12
131
2
291
458
573
Depreciation and impairment as at 31 December 2023 (7
404
673)
(208
349)
(37
265)
(7
650
287)
Depreciation and impairment as at 31 March 2024 (7
452
241)
(196
217)
(39
646)
(7
688
104)
Net book value as at 31 December 2023 9
085
519
6
101
889
49
669
15
237
078
Net book value as at 31 March 2024 10
055
263
6
211
116
53
974
16
320
353

Capitalised interests for facilities under construction were USD 67 909 thousand in fourth quarter 2024 and USD 79 439 thousand in first quarter 2024.

Rate used for capitalisation of interests was 7.65% in fourth quarter 2024 and 7.1% in first quarter 2024.

Note 11 Right of use assets

Rigs, helicopters
USD 1000 Note Offices and supply vessels Warehouse Total
Cost as at 1 January 2023 66
732
205
300
15
155
287
188
Reclassification - (71
474)
- (71
474)
Currency translation effects (2
721)
(8
303)
(618) (11
642)
Cost as at 31 December 2023 64
011
125
523
14
537
204
072
Depreciation and impairment as at 1 January 2023 (17
683)
(86
186)
(7
896)
(111
765)
Depreciation (4
692)
(13
514)
(2
949)
(21
155)
Currency translation effects 728 1
412
520 2
660
Depreciation and impairment as at 31 December 2023 (21
648)
(98
288)
(10
325)
(130
260)
Net book value as at 31 December 2023 42
363
27
236
4
213
73
812
Cost as at 1 January 2024 64
011
125
523
14
537
204
072
Additions through business combinations 2 3
350
1
575
5
620
10
545
Reclassification - (18
821)
- (18
821)
Currency translation effects (3
921)
(6
903)
(1
173)
(11
997)
Cost as at 31 March 2024 63
440
101
374
18
984
183
799
Depreciation and impairment as at 1 January 2024 (21
647)
(98
288)
(10
325)
(130
260)
Depreciation (1
467)
(3
842)
(606) (5
915)
Currency translation effects 1
299
5
823
617 7
739
Depreciation and impairment as at 31 March 2024 (21
815)
(96
307)
(10
314)
(128
436)
Net book value as at 31 March 2024 41
625
5
067
8
670
55
363

Note 12 Impairment

Impairment testing

Impairment tests of individual cash-generating units (CGUs) are performed quarterly when impairment triggers are identified. Due to the significant goodwill on the balance sheet., a full impairment testing of fixed assets and related intangible assets were performed as of 31 March 2024.

No impairments nor reversals of historical impairments were identified per 31 March 2024.

Key assumptions applied for impairment testing purposes as of 31 March 2024 are based on Vår Energi's macroeconomic assumptions. Below is an overview of the key assumptions applied:

Prices

The oil and gas prices are based on the forward curve for the next three-year period and from the fourth year the oil and gas prices are based on the company's long-term price assumptions. Vår Energi's long term oil price assumption is 75 USD/bbl (real 2024) and long-term gas price assumption is 61 USD/boe (real 2024).

The nominal oil prices (USD/bbl) applied in the impairment tests are as follows:

Year 31 Mar 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2024
2024 73.7 76.3 83.2
2025 74.6 75.2 78.1
2026 77.2 77.4 77.8

The nominal gas prices (USD/boe) applied in the impairment tests are as follows:

Year 31 Mar 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2024
2024 84.8 63.0 52.1
2025 67.1 65.5 59.1
2026 62.8 62.9 61.2

Note 12 Impairment - continued

Oil and gas reserves

Future cash flows are calculated based on expected production profiles and estimated proven, probable and risked possible reserves. The increase in production profiles per 31 March 2024 is due to inclusion of Vår Energi AS.

Year mmboe 31 Mar 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2024
2024 -
2026
351 328 380
2027 -
2031
353 366 446
2032 -
2036
163 170 210
2037 -
2041
83 85 113
2042 -
2054
62 61 89

Future expenditure

Future capex, opex and abandonment cost are calculated based on the expected production profiles and the best estimate of the related cost.

Discount rate

The post tax nominal discount rate used is 8.0 percent, unchanged vs. 31 December 2023.

Currency rates 2024 2025 2026 2027 onwards
NOK/USD 10.6 10.0 9.4 9.0
NOK/Euro 11.5 11.0 10.3 9.7

Inflation

Inflation for 2024 is assumed to be 4%. The long-term inflation rate beyond 2024 is assumed to be 2.0%, in-line with assumptions per 31 December 2023.

Sensitivity analysis

The table below shows how the impairment or reversal of impairment of assets and technical goodwill would be affected by changes in the various assumptions, given that the remaining assumptions are constant.

Change in impairment after
Assumption USD 1000 Change Increase in
assumption
Decrease in
assumption
Oil and gas prices +/-25% (915
000)
3
131
000
Production profile +/-
5%
(438
000)
533
000
Discount rate +/-
1% point
179
000
(148
000)

The sensitivities are created for illustration purposes, based on a simplified method and assumes no changes in other input factors. Significant reductions are likely to result in changes in business plans, cut-offs as well as other factors used when estimating an asset's recoverable amount. Changes in such input factors would likely significantly reduce the actual impairment amount compared to the illustrative sensitivity above. The impact of the sensitivities is mainly related to the Balder Area.

Climate related risks

The climate related risk assessment is generally described in the company's sustainability reporting and in the annual report. Financial reporting and impairment testing includes a step up of CO2 tax/fees from current levels to approximately NOK 2 240 per ton in 2030 (real 2023)..

Note 13 Trade receivables

USD 1000 Note 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Trade receivables -
related parties
24 607
607
516
429
289
877
Trade receivables -
external parties
223
337
137
221
265
786
Sale of trade receivables (303
917)
(290
756)
(65
233)
Total trade receivables 527
026
362
895
490
430

Vår Energi has Credit Discount Agreements with several banks. Under the arrangements the ownership, including credit risk, of invoices for oil and gas sales are transferred to the respective banks, and the receivables to which the payments relate are derecognised from Vår Energi's balance sheet. Payments to the banks are made when Vår Energi receives payments from the customers.

Trade receivables are presented net of payments received from the banks for the sold invoices, as Vår Energi has retained the right to receive payments from the customers and obligation to pay these cash flows to the banks without material delay, but only to the extent Vår Energi collects the payments from the customers.

Note 14 Other current receivables and financial assets

USD 1000 Note 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Net underlift of hydrocarbons 158
169
125
747
106
756
Net receivables from joint operations 109
703
102
038
97
235
Prepaid expenses 96
512
53
437
43
003
Commodity derivatives -
financial assets
15 22
803
10
974
14
847
Other 25
655
17
276
(4
362)
Total other current receivables and financial assets 412
842
309
472
257
478

Note 15 Financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments

Vår Energi uses derivative financial instruments to manage exposures in fluctuations in interest rates and commodity prices.

In May 2023 interest rate swaps were entered into for the same amount as the EUR 600 000 thousand Senior Note. Under the swaps, the company receives a fixed amount equal to the coupon payment for the EUR senior notes and pay a floating rate to the swap providers. The interest rate swaps will be accounted for as a fair value hedge. Interest swaps are reflected at fair value with fair value changes to be accounted for as other financial income/expenses. Bond debt are booked at nominal value initially. The fair value is adjusted to reflect changes in interest level with fair value changes accounted for as other financial income/expenses. Inefficiencies in hedging are measured and booked against fair value of bond debt and accounted for as other financial income/expenses (note 6).

As of 31 March 2024, Vår Energi had the following volumes of commodity derivatives in place and with the following strike prices:

Hedging instruments Volume (no of options outstanding at balance
sheet date) in thousands (bbl)
Exercise price
(USD per bbl)
Brent crude long put options, exercisable in 2024 13
360
50
Brent crude short call options, exercisable in 2024 (180) 100
Brent crude long call options, exercisable in 2024 180 110
Brent crude long put options, exercisable in 2025 5
400
50
Volume (no of options outstanding at
balance sheet date) in thousands (MWH)
Excercise price
(EUR per MWH)
1
545
35
(1
545)
100
90 25
(90) 100
Hedging instruments Volume (no of options outstanding at
balance sheet date) in thousands (therms)
Excercise price
(p/therm)
Gas NBP long put options, exercisable in 2024 25
000
0.8
Gas NBP short call options, exercisable in 2024 (25
000)
2.9

Note 15 Financial instruments - continued

Brent crude put options – financial assets

USD 1000 Q1 2024 2023 Q1 2023
The beginning of the period 10 14 14
974 805 805
Additions through business combinations 25
229
- -
New derivatives 7 29 9
680 804 474
Change in fair value (20 (33 (9
380) 635) 432)
The end of the period 23 10 14
503 974 847

As of 31 March 2024, the fair value of outstanding commodity derivatives assets are USD 23,503 thousand, wherof USD 700 thousand is presented as Other non-current assets.

Unrealised gains and losses are recognised in OCI. Note that the cost price (time value agreed at the inception of the contracts) for the options is paid at the time of realisation (time of exercise or expiration) and that this deferred payment is presented as current liabilities in the balance sheet, see below table.

Brent crude put options – deferred premiums

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 2023 Q1 2023
The beginning of the period (29
804)
(36
143)
(36
143)
Additions through business combinations (2
627)
- -
Settlement 4 10
244
36
229
9
347
New Brent crude put options (7
680)
(29
804)
(9
474)
FX-effect (105) (86) (49)
The end of the period (29
972)
(29
804)
(36
319)

The full intrinsic value ("in the money value") of the options at the time of expiry, if any, is presented in petroleum revenues. The premiums paid for the put options are accounted for as cost of hedging and recycled from OCI to the income statement in the period in which the hedged revenues are realised and presented as production costs.

Commodity Derivatives - financial liabilities

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 2023 Q1 2023
Additions through business combinations (8
010)
- -
Change in fair value 4
294
- -
The end of the period (3
716)
- -

As of 31 March 2024, the fair value of outstanding commodity derivatives liabilities are USD (3,716) thousand, whereof USD (532) thousand is presented as Other non-current liabilities. Unrealised gains and losses are recognised in OCI.

Change in Hedge Reserve

USD 1000 Q1 2024 2023 Q1 2023
The beginning of the period 18 21 21
830 338 338
Additions through business combinations (14
592)
- -
Realised cost of hedge (10 (36 (9
139) 143) 298)
Change in fair value 16 33 9
086 635 432
The end of the period 10 18 21
185 830 472

After tax balance as of 31 March 2024 is USD 7 944 thousand.

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

The table below shows a reconciliation between the opening and the closing balances in the statement of financial position for liabilities arising from financing activities.

Non-cash changes
USD 1000 31 Dec 2023 Cash flows Amortisation/
Accretion
Currency Fair Value Adj. 31 Mar 2024
Long-term interest-bearing debt - 1
400
000
- - - 1
400
000
Bond USD Senior Notes 2
500
000
- - - - 2
500
000
Bond EUR Senior Notes 682
939
- - (14
038)
(10
595)
658
306
Subord. EUR Fixed Rate Sec. (23/83) 808
382
- 171 (193) - 808
360
Prepaid loan expenses (45
278)
- 2
231
327 - (42
720)
Totals 3
946
043
1
400
000
2
402
(13
904)
(10
595)
5
323
946

Note 16 Cash and cash equivalents

USD 1000 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Bank deposits, unrestricted 699 724 763
703 726 811
Bank deposit, restricted, employee taxes 21 10 5
918 188 032
Total bank deposits 721 734 768
622 914 843

Note 17 Share capital and shareholders

As of 31 March 2024, the total share capital of the company is USD 45 972 thousand or NOK 399 425 thousand. The share capital is divided into 2 496 406 246 ordinary shares and 4 Class B shares. Each share has a nominal value of NOK 0.16. The ordinary shares represent NOK 399 424 999.36 of the total share capital, while the Class B shares represent NOK 0.64 of the total share capital.

All shares rank pari passu and have equal rights in all respect, including with respect to voting rights and dividends and other distributions, except from the class B shares. 4 members to the board, will be elected by the general meeting with a simple majority among the votes cast for Class B shares. Such number to be reduced if the holder of the Class B shares holds less shares of the company.

Earnings per share are calculated by dividing the net result attributable to shareholders of by the number of shares. Vår Energi ASA's share saving program gives employees the opportunity to buy shares in Vår Energi ASA through monthly salary deductions. If the shares are retained for two full calendar years with continuous employment after the end of the saving year, the employees will be awarded a bonus share for each share they have purchased. This will be settled by Vår Energi ASA buying shares in the market. The award is treated as equity settled. The dilutive effect of equity settled shares under the share saving program is immaterial to the EPS calculation.

USD 1000 Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023
Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders 100
091
128
644
194
961
EPS adjustement for dividends on hybrid capital (8
064)
(8
218)
-
Number of shares after the listing on Oslo Stock Exchange (in thousand) 2
496
406
2
496
406
2
496
406
Earnings per share in USD 0.04 0.05 0.08

Note 18 Hybrid capital

Vår Energi ASA issued EUR 750 million of subordinated fixed rate reset securities due on the 15th of November 2083. This is broadening the Company's funding sources and investor base and is reinforcing the balance sheet with a new layer of capital. Vår Energi has the right to defer coupon payments and ultimately decide not to pay at maturity. Deferred coupon payments become payable, however, if the Company decides to pay dividends to the shareholders.

Maturity 2083
Type Subordinated
Financial classification Equity (99 %)
Carrying Amount EUR 744 million
Notional Amount EUR 750 million
Issued 15 Nov 2023
Maturing 15 Nov 2083
Quoted in Luxembourg
First redemption at par 15 Nov 2028
Coupon until first reset date 7.862% fixed rate until 15 Feb 2029
Margin Step-ups +0.25% points from 15 Feb 2034 and
+0.75% points after 15 Feb 2049
Deferral of interest payment Optional
USD 1000 Equity Debt Total
Balance as of 31 Dec 2023 799
461
8
921
808
382
Profit/loss to Hybrid owners 15
600
- 15
600
Accretion - (22) (22)
Interest classidied as dividend (15
600)
- (15
600)
Balance as of 31 March 2024 799
461
8
899
808
360

Note 19 Financial liabilities and borrowings

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

USD 1000 Coupon/int. Rate Maturity 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Bond USD Senior Notes (22/27) 5.00% May 2027 500
000
500
000
500
000
Bond USD Senior Notes (22/28) 7.50% Jan 2028 1
000
000
1
000
000
1
000
000
Bond USD Senior Notes (22/32) 8.00% Nov 2032 1
000
000
1
000
000
1
000
000
Bond EUR Senior Notes (23/29) 5.50% May 2029 658
305
682
938
-
Subord. EUR Fixed Rate Sec. (23/83) 7.86% Nov 2083 8
899
8
921
-
Bridge credit facility 1.25%+SOFR+CAS Nov 2023 - - 500
000
RCF Working capital facility 1.08%+SOFR+CAS Nov 2026 1
400
000
- -
RCF Liquidity facility 1.13%+SOFR+CAS Nov 2026 - - -
Prepaid loan expenses (42
720)
(45
278)
(43
634)
Total interest-bearing loans and borrowings 4
524
485
3
146
582
2
956
366
Of which current and non-current:
Interest-bearing loans, current - - 500
000
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 4
524
485
3
146
582
2
456
366
Credit facilities -
Utilised and unused amount
USD 1000 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Drawn amount credit facility 1
400
000
- 500
000
Undrawn amount credit facilities 1
600
000
3
000
000
3
000
000

Vår Energi ASA has three senior USD notes outstanding in addition to one tranche of EUR denominated senior notes. The senior notes are registered on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange ("LuxSE") and coupon payments are made semi-annually for the USD notes and annually for the EUR notes. The senior notes have no financial covenants. The fair value of the bonds as of 31 March 2024 was USD 3 273.6 million.

In November 2023, Vår Energi ASA issued EUR 750 million Subordinated Fixed Rate Reset Securities due in 2083. The liability is reflected as interest bearing debt. For more details on the EUR Fixed Rate Reset Security, see note 18.

An interest rate swap was entered into in May 2023 for the same amount as the EUR Senior Note. Under the swap, the company receive a fixed amount equal to the coupon payment for the EUR senior notes and pay a floating rate to the swap providers.

Vår Energi's senior unsecured facilities per 31 March 2024 consist of the working capital credit facility of USD 1.5 billion and the liquidity facility of USD 1.5 billion. Both credit facilities expire on 1 November 2026 and all amounts outstanding fall due at maturity. The facilities have covenants covering leverage (net interest-bearing debt to 12 months rolling EBITDAX not to exceed 3.5) and interest coverage (EBITDA to 12 months rolling interest expenses shall exceed 5) which will be tested at the end of each calendar quarter.The interest rate payable for each of the facilities is determined by timing and the company's credit rating taking the aggregate of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) and the Credit Adjustment Spread (CAS) and adding the applicable margin for the present period as shown in the table.

Note 20 Asset retirement obligations

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 2023 Q1 2023
Beginning of period 3
295
052
3
216
138
3
216
138
Additions through business combinations 2 368
251
- -
Change in estimate 10 33
298
183
849
(10
230)
Change in discount rate 10 (165
533)
(6
364)
96
045
Accretion discount 7 28
389
98
765
24
376
Payment for decommissioning of oil and gas fields (13
831)
(40
688)
(7
129)
Disposals - (54
630)
-
Currency translation effects (211
085)
(102
018)
(190
248)
Total asset retirement obligations 3
334
541
3
295
052
3
128
952
Short-term 79
348
87
385
58
400
Long-term 3
255
193
3
207
667
3
070
552
Breakdown by decommissioning period 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
2022-2030 422
050
431
819
324
222
2031-2040 1
771
912
1
689
489
1
672
250
2041-2057 1
140
579
1
173
744
1
132
480

The estimate is based on executing a concept for abandonment in accordance with the Petroleum Activities Act and international regulations and guidelines. The calculations assume an inflation rate of 4% in 2024 and 2% in future years and discount rates between 3.4% - 3.8% per 31 March 2024. The assumptions for inflation rates were unchanged while the discount rates were increased from 3.2% - 3.5% per 31 December 2023. The discount rates are based on risk-free interest without addition of credit margin.

First quarter 2024 payment for decommissioning of oil and gas fields (abex) is mainly related to Statfjord area.

Vår Energi has a retirement obligation as a shipper in Gassled booked to other non-current liabilities in the balance sheet statement. Vår Energi has accrued USD 78 488 thousand for this purpose per 31 March 2024.

Note 21 Other current liabilities

USD 1000 Note 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Net overlift from hydrocarbons 103
001
67
561
41
446
Net payables to joint operations 348
455
375
871
298
945
Employees, accrued public charges and other payables 139
003
84
407
89
915
Contingent Consideration, current 5 , 22 22
200
79
137
-
Commodity derivaties 15 33
155
29
804
36
319
Change in market value/fair value of SWAP 15 243 7
299
0
Total other current liabilities 646
058
644
079
466
625

Contingent consideration to ExxonMobil decreased by USD 57 million during first quarter due to updated estimate.

The liability for oil put options relates to cost of oil put options that under the purchase agreement is due for payment at the time of settlement of the option (exercise/expiry) and is not a measure of fair value.

Note 22 Commitments, provisions and contingent consideration

The company has significant contractual commitments for capital and operating expenditures from its participation in operated and partner operated exploration, development and production projects. The current main development projects are Johan Castberg and Balder Future.

As part of the purchase agreement between Point Resources AS and ExxonMobil in 2017, Point Resources AS agreed to pay a contingent consideration related to possible development of the Forseti structure. A maximum payment in 2024 of USD 80 million has conservatively been carried as a liability since 2020. This liability has been reduced to USD 21 million reflecting the updated evaluation (ref note 5).

The guarantee referenced in Note 5 of the Statutory Accounts 2023 for Vår Energi Norge AS has been removed, as the senior notes were repaid on 3 April 2024.

During the normal course of its business, the company will be involved in disputes, including tax disputes. The company has made accruals for probable liabilities related to litigation and claims based on management's best judgment and in line with IAS37 and IAS12. Please refer to the Vår Energi ASA Annual Report for information regarding Breidablikk Unit apportionment (note 28), and Climate Case II (note 34).

Note 23 Lease agreements

USD 1000 Note Q1 2024 Q1 2023 2023
Opening Balance lease debt 116
928
212
646
212
646
Additions through business combinations 2 10
545
- -
Payments of lease debt (25
399)
(24
852)
(98
809)
Interest expense on lease debt 1
315
1
802
6
195
Currency exchange differences (5
194)
(4
761)
(3
104)
Total lease debt 98
195
184
835
116
928
Breakdown of the lease debt to short-term and long-term liabilities 31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2023 31 Dec 2023
Short-term 44
639
98
684
99
265
Long-term 53
556
86
151
17
663
Total lease debt 98
195
184
835
116
928
Lease debt split by activities 31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2023 31 Dec 2023
Offices 49
036
51
674
50
194
Rigs, helicopters and supply vessels 41
574
126
777
62
479
Warehouse 7
585
6
384
4
255
Total 98
195
184
835
116
928

Vår Energi has entered into lease agreements for supply vessels, helicopter and warehouses supporting operation at Balder, Gjøa and Goliat, where the most significant are for the supply vessels operating at Goliat. The group also has leases for offices in Sandnes, Florø, Oslo and Hammerfest, with the most significant contract being the main office building in Vestre Svanholmen 1, Sandnes.

There were no new lease agreements during first quarter 2024. See note 11 for the Right of use assets.

Note 24 Related party transactions

Vår Energi has a number of transactions with other wholly owned or controlled companies by the shareholders. The related party transactions reported are with entities owned or controlled by the majority ultimate shareholder of Vår Energi, Eni SpA.. Revenues are mainly related to sale of oil, gas and NGL while the expenditures are mainly related to technical services, seconded personnel, insurance, guarantees and rental cost.

Current assets

USD 1000 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Trade receivables
Eni Trade & Biofuels SpA 476 422 192
599 807 102
Eni SpA 123 74 80
721 606 327
Eni Global Energy Markets 6 18 16
468 107 940
Other 819 909 507
Total trade receivables 607 516 289
607 429 877

Sales revenue USD 1000 Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 FY 2024 FY 2023 Eni Trade & Biofuels SpA 1 173 452 1 128 766 894 213 1 162 590 894 213 Eni SpA 194 406 209 750 270 572 194 406 270 572 Eni Global Energy Markets 22 210 45 295 69 464 22 210 69 464 Total sales revenue 1 390 068 1 383 811 1 234 249 1 379 206 1 234 249

All receivables are due within 1 year.

Current liabilities

USD 1000 31 Mar 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Mar 2023
Account payables
Eni International BV 4 17 4
268 740 753
Eni Global Energy Markets - - 16
254
Eni SpA 7 11 7
537 654 940
Other 8 7 1
548 950 472
Total account payables 20 37 30
353 344 419

Operating and capital expenditures

USD 1000 Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023 FY 2024 FY 2023
Eni Trade & Biofuels SpA 5
425
1
438
4
373
5
425
4
373
Eni International BV 5
292
3
611
5
058
5
292
5
058
Eni SpA 6
059
494 4
908
6
059
4
908
Other 456 303 352 456 352
Total operating and capital expenditures 17
232
5
846
14
691
17
232
14
691

Note 25 License ownerships

Vår Energi has the following new licenses since 31 December 2023.

Vår Energi has the following new licenses added through business

combination.

Licenses WI% Operator Licenses/Fields WI% Operator Licenses/Fields WI% Operator
PL932B 20% Aker BP Additions PL448 12% Equinor
PL1194 30% OMV PL025 25% Equinor PL586 30% Vår Energi Norge
PL1203 30% Vår Energi PL064 15% Equinor PL636 30% Vår Energi Norge
PL1211 50% Vår Energi Norge PL077 12% Equinor PL636B 30% Vår Energi Norge
PL1213S 40% Vår Energi Norge PL078 12% Equinor PL636C 30% Vår Energi Norge
PL1214 25% Equinor PL090 15% Equinor PL817 30% OMV
PL1215 30% Aker BP PL090B 15% Equinor
PL1217 20% INPEX PL090C 15% Wintershall DEA PL817B 30% OMV
PL1218 20% Aker BP PL090E 15% Equinor PL882 45% Vår Energi Norge
PL1219 50% Vår Energi Norge PL090G 15% Equinor PL882B 45% Vår Energi Norge
PL1224 50% Vår Energi PL090HS 15% Equinor PL925 10% Equinor
PL1227 23% Equinor PL090I 15% Equinor PL929 40% Vår Energi Norge
PL1231 30% OMV PL090JS 15% Equinor PL938 30% Vår Energi Norge
PL1236 30% Equinor PL097 12% Equinor PL958 30% OKEA
PL1237 40% Vår Energi PL099 12% Equinor PL1105S 50% Vår Energi Norge
PL1238 20% Equinor PL100 6% Equinor PL1107 40% Vår Energi Norge
PL1239 30% Equinor PL107 23% Equinor PL1110 30% Aker BP
PL1241 50% Vår Energi PL107B 23% Equinor PL1112 20% Norske Shell
PL1242 20% Aker BP PL107C 23% Equinor PL1179 15% Equinor
PL1243 20% Aker BP PL107D 23% Equinor PL1180 40% Vår Energi Norge
PL110 12% Equinor Bussiness Arrangements Area
PL110B 12% Equinor EXL007 30% Sval Energi
PL132 23% Equinor Njord Unit 23% Equinor
PL153 30% Vår Energi Norge Snøhvit Unit 12% Equinor
PL153B 30% Vår Energi Norge Fram H-Nord Unit 11% Equinor
PL153C 30% Vår Energi Norge Vega Unit 3% Wintershall Dea
PL187 25% Equinor
PL348 13% Equinor

PL348B 13% Equinor

Note 26 Subsequent events

Vår Energi has elected to sell part of its gas on a fixed price/forward basis. Per 31 March 2023, Vår Energi has sold approximately 16% of the gas production for the second quarter 2024 on a fixed price basis at an average price around 131 USD per boe. For the third quarter of 2024, Vår Energi has sold approximately 18% of its estimated gas production on a fixed price basis at an average price around 133 USD per boe.

On 17 April 2024, Vår Energi announced an oil discovery in production license PL 956 with estimated recoverable resources of between 13 and 23 million barrels of oil. Vår Energi, as the operator with 50% share in the license, considers the discovery a potential commercial candidate to be tied into nearby existing infrastructure in the Balder area.

Industry terms

Term Definition/description Term Definition/description
boepd Barrels of oil equivalent per day NGL Natural gas liquids
boe Barrels of oil equivalent NPD Norwegian Petroleum Directorate
bbl Barrels OSE Oslo Stock Exchange
CFFO Cash flow from operations PDO Plan for Development and Operation
E&P Exploration and Production PIO Plan for Installation and Operations
FID Final investment decision PRM Permanent reservoir monitoring
FPSO Floating, production, storage and offloading vessel PRMS Petroleum Resources Management System
HAP High activity period scf Standard cubic feet
HSEQ Health, Safety, Environment and Quality sm3 Standard cubic meters
HSSE Health, Safety, Security and Environment SPT Special petroleum tax
IG Investment grade SPS Subsea production system
kboepd Thousands of barrels of oil equivalent per day SURF Subsea umbilicals, riser and flowlines
mmbls Millions of barrels 1P reserves The quantities of petroleum which can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be
mmboe Millions of barrels of oil equivalents commercially
recoverable, also referred to as "proved reserves".
mmscf Millions of standard cubic feet 2C resources The quantities of petroleum estimated to be potentially recoverable from
known accumulations, alsoreferred to as "contingent resources".
MoF Ministry of Finance 2P reserves Proved plus probable reserves consisting of 1P reserves plus those
MPE Ministry of Energy additional reserves, which are less likely to be recovered than 1P reserves.
NCS Norwegian Continental Shelf

Disclaimer

"The Materials speak only as of their date, and the views expressed are subject to change based on a number of factors, including, without limitation, macroeconomic and market conditions, investor attitude and demand, the business prospects of the Group and other issues. The Materials and the conclusions contained herein are necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information available to the Company as of, their date. The Materials comprise a general summary of certain matters in connection with the Group. The Materials do not purport to contain all information required to evaluate the Company, the Group and/or their respective financial position. The Materials should among other be reviewed together with the Company's previously issued periodic financial reports and other public disclosures by the Company. The Materials contain certain financial information, including financial figures for and as of31 March 2024 that is preliminary and unaudited, and that has been rounded according to established commercial standards. Further, certain financial data included in the Materials consists of financial measures which may not be defined under IFRS or Norwegian GAAP. These financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, nor should they be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS or Norwegian GAAP.

The Company urges each reader and recipient of the Materials to seek its own independent advice in relation to any financial, legal, tax, accounting or other specialist advice. No such advice is given by the Materials and nothing herein shall be taken as constituting the giving of investment advice and the Materials are not intended to provide, and must not be taken as, the exclusive basis of any investment decision or other valuation and should not be considered as a recommendation by the Company (or any of its affiliates) that any reader enters into any transaction. Any investment or other transaction decision

should be taken solely by the relevant recipient, after having ensure that it fully understands such investment or transaction and has made an independent assessment of the appropriateness thereof in the light of its own objectives and circumstances, including applicable risks.

The Materials may constitute or include forward-looking statements. Forwardlooking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as "plans", "targets", "aims", "believes", "expects", "ambitions", "projects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "will", "may", "continues", "should" and similar expressions. Any statement, estimate or projections included in the Materials (or upon which any of the conclusion contained herein are based) with respect to anticipated future performance (including, without limitation, any statement, estimate or projection with respect to the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, business strategy, plans or objectives of the Group and/or any of its affiliates) reflect, at the time made, the Company's beliefs, intentions and current targets/aims and may prove not to be correct. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control. The Company does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

To the extent available, industry, market and competitive position data contained in the Materials come from official or third-party sources. Thirdparty industry publications, studies and surveys generally state that the data contained therein have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that there is no guarantee of the accuracy or completeness of such data. While the Company believes that each of these publications, studies and surveys has

been prepared by a reputable source, none of the Company, its affiliates or any of its or their respective representatives has independently verified the data contained therein. In addition, certain of the industry, market and competitive position data contained in the Materials may come from the Company's own internal research and estimates based on the knowledge and experience of the Company in the markets in which it has knowledge and experience. While the Company believes that such research and estimates are reasonable, they, and their underlying methodology and assumptions, have not been verified by any independent source for accuracy or completeness and are subject to change and correction without notice. Accordingly, reliance should not be placed on any of the industry, market or competitive position data contained in the Materials.

The Materials are not directed to, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity that is a citizen or resident or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation of such jurisdiction or which would require any registration or licensing within such jurisdiction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the laws of any such jurisdiction. The Company's securities have not been registered and the Company does not intend to register any securities referred to herein under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) or the laws of any state of the United States. This document is also not for publication, release or distribution in any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction nor should it be taken or transmitted into such jurisdiction and persons into whose possession this document comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions.'

Vår Energi – First quarter report 2024 ABOUT VÅR ENERGI HIGHLIGHTS KEY METRICS AND TARGETS OPERATIONAL REVIEW FINANCIAL REVIEW FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTES

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