News

Talos Energy Inc. TALO has commenced oil and natural gas extraction at its Lime Rock and Venice discoveries located in the Gulf of Mexico.

Located near the Ram Powell platform, the wells are exclusively owned and operated by Talos. The company possesses a 60% working interest in both wells.

The Lime Rock and Venice wells were commissioned in late December 2023. The initial combined gross production rate of these wells has been noteworthy. It surpassed 18,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with production comprising about 45% oil and 55% liquids. The anticipated combined gross ultimate recoverable resources from the discoveries are estimated to be 20-30 million barrels of oil equivalent.

The Lime Rock prospect was acquired in Lease Sale 256 in November 2020, positioned approximately seven miles from the Ram Powell facility. In contrast, the Venice prospect was identified within the existing Ram Powell unit acreage, situated roughly three miles from the facility.

Initially, Talos maintained a 100% working interest in both prospects. However, the company subsequently reduced its stake to the current 60% through successful farm-downs. The company will also earn volume-based production handling fees from non-operated partners in both discoveries.

TALO achieved something extraordinary by safely starting Lime Rock and Venice in less than a year. It did this by installing equipment underwater and upgrading facilities. These achievements show how Talos uses its strategy of using existing infrastructure and advanced technology to find investment opportunities, helping to increase reserves and production to meet the growing need for energy.

With these new productions, the Ram Powell facility is expected to have its highest sustainable production rate in about 15 years. This success in using existing infrastructure gives Talos a plan for future improvements, developments and explorations around its current and potential new assets.

The company works in the United States and offshore Mexico with the goal of maximizing long-term value through safe and efficient operations. The latest accomplishment highlights Talos’ commitment to using technical and innovative methods in its Upstream Exploration & Production, and Low Carbon Solutions businesses.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Currently, Talo carries a Zack Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Cenovus Energy Inc. CVE is a leading integrated energy firm. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVE’s 2023 and 2024 earnings per share (EPS) is pegged at $1.69 and $2.37, respectively.

Cenovus stands out in terms of financial stability compared with its industry peers, maintaining a stronger balance sheet. This is evident from its consistently lower debt-to-capitalization ratio, which remains at 20%.

Sunoco LP SUN is among the biggest motor fuel distributors in the U.S. wholesale market in terms of volumes. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SUN’s 2023 and 2024 EPS is pegged at $5.19 and $3.83, respectively.

Sunoco has a core competency in terms of its history of disciplined expense management. Over the past few years, it has demonstrated a remarkable ability to control total operating expenses, with an annual growth rate of only around 2% since 2019.

The Williams Companies WMB is a premier energy infrastructure provider in North America. WMB has a thriving deepwater transportation business. The company’s deepwater portfolio includes a 3,500-mile natural gas and oil gathering and transmission pipeline, and is important for future cash flows.

WMB’s debt maturity profile is in good shape, with its $4.5-billion revolver maturing in 2023. It is also paying shareholders an attractive dividend yielding around 5%. Beside this, the company has a share repurchase program worth $1.5 billion, highlighting its commitment to shareholders.

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