Greetings, fellow Malaysian retail investors!
Today, we’re diving into the latest financial report from Barakah Offshore Petroleum Berhad for the quarter ended 31 March 2025. This report provides a crucial look into the company’s performance, especially as it navigates a challenging period marked by significant operational shifts and critical regulatory deadlines. While the individual quarter shows a sharp decline in revenue, the cumulative nine-month results reveal a substantial turnaround in profitability, primarily driven by a successful litigation outcome. However, the pressing issue of its PN17 status looms large, with a potential delisting date fast approaching.
Let’s unpack the key figures and what they mean for Barakah’s journey ahead.
Financial Performance: A Tale of Two Periods
Barakah’s latest quarter, ending 31 March 2025, presents a stark picture of reduced operational activity. However, looking at the cumulative nine-month period, a different story emerges, largely influenced by a one-off gain.
Individual Quarter (3 Months Ended 31 March 2025 vs 31 March 2024)
Current Quarter (31 Mar 2025)
Revenue: RM2,237k
(Loss) Before Taxation: RM(3,659)k
(Loss) After Taxation Attributable to Owners: RM(1,494)k
Basic (Loss) Per Share: (0.15) sen
Preceding Year Quarter (31 Mar 2024)
Revenue: RM40,253k
Profit Before Taxation: RM3,435k
Profit After Taxation Attributable to Owners: RM3,594k
Basic Earnings Per Share: 0.36 sen
The current quarter saw a dramatic 94% decrease in revenue compared to the same period last year. This significant drop was mainly due to a reduction in work carried out, stemming from contract closures towards the end of 2024 and the completion of Transportation & Installation (T&I) works in the preceding year.
Cumulative 9 Months (Ended 31 March 2025 vs 31 March 2024)
Current Financial Year-to-Date (31 Mar 2025)
Revenue: RM52,777k
Profit Before Taxation: RM44,779k
Profit After Taxation Attributable to Owners: RM32,560k
Basic Earnings Per Share: 3.25 sen
Preceding Financial Year-to-Date (31 Mar 2024)
Revenue: RM97,051k
Loss Before Taxation: RM(4,414)k
Loss After Taxation Attributable to Owners: RM(4,840)k
Basic Earnings Per Share: (0.48) sen
Despite the sharp quarterly decline, the cumulative nine-month period paints a much brighter picture for profitability. The Group reported a substantial profit before taxation of RM44.779 million, a remarkable turnaround from a loss of RM4.414 million in the preceding year. This significant improvement is primarily attributed to income from a successful adjudication claim, which saw the company receive RM78.817 million in August 2024.
Key Takeaway: While recent operational revenue has tapered off, the successful litigation claim has provided a critical financial boost, significantly improving the company’s overall profitability for the year-to-date.
Business Segment Performance (Cumulative 9 Months)
Let’s look at how each segment contributed to the revenue for the cumulative nine months:
Segment | Current Financial Year-to-Date (RM’000) | Preceding Financial Year-to-Date (RM’000) | Change (%) |
---|---|---|---|
Transportation & Installation (T&I) | 0 | 22,954 | -100% |
Hook-up & Commissioning, & Maintenance (HUCM) | 50,467 | 71,977 | -30% |
Others | 2,310 | 2,120 | +9% |
The T&I segment recorded no revenue in the current period, as work for the SPM2 Replacement Project, which contributed to revenue in the preceding year, has been completed. The HUCM segment, while still the largest contributor, saw a 30% reduction in revenue due to contract closures. The “Others” segment, mainly driven by rental income from yards and facilities, showed a modest increase.
Financial Health: A Stronger Balance Sheet
The successful adjudication claim has had a positive ripple effect on Barakah’s financial position:
As at 31 March 2025
Total Assets: RM143,138k
Total Equity: RM60,115k
Cash and Cash Equivalents: RM88,063k
Net Asset Per Share: 5.99 sen
As at 30 June 2024
Total Assets: RM141,159k
Total Equity: RM27,345k
Cash and Cash Equivalents: RM54,558k
Net Asset Per Share: 2.73 sen
The significant increase in Total Equity and Net Asset Per Share reflects the improved profitability for the cumulative period. Cash and cash equivalents also saw a healthy boost, primarily from the cash generated from operating activities, which turned positive at RM34.840 million for the nine-month period, compared to a negative RM24.589 million in the prior year.
Risks and Prospects: Navigating Choppy Waters
The global oil and gas industry is undergoing a transformation, with a continued reliance on hydrocarbons despite the push for renewables. Malaysia’s sector, particularly, is expanding with ambitious targets from PETRONAS, offering opportunities for service providers like Barakah in offshore maintenance, engineering, and decommissioning.
Barakah aims to capitalize on these opportunities through securing new projects, enhancing operational efficiency, and stringent cost management. However, the company faces considerable challenges, including price volatility, intense competition, and regulatory compliance.
The Critical PN17 Status
The most pressing concern for Barakah is its PN17 status, which it triggered in May 2019. The company has submitted and revised regularisation plans multiple times. The latest update is critical:
- Bursa Securities rejected Barakah’s application for a further extension of time to submit its regularisation plan on 22 May 2025.
- Trading in Barakah’s securities will be **suspended with effect from 30 May 2025**.
- The company’s securities will be **de-listed on 4 June 2025**, unless an appeal against the de-listing is submitted to Bursa Securities on or before 29 May 2025.
Even if an appeal is submitted, the trading suspension will proceed on 30 May 2025, with the de-listing deferred pending the appeal decision. This situation presents an immediate and severe risk for shareholders.
Material Litigation Updates
Barakah is involved in several material litigations, with some significant developments:
- The arbitration with Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) for a claim of approximately RM179.8 million has reached an amicable settlement, with a Final Consent Award signed on 20 February 2025. This is a positive resolution.
- The adjudication claim against Enquest Petroleum Production Malaysia Ltd (ENQUEST) for RM73.57 million was successful, with Barakah receiving RM78.817 million (including interest) in August 2024. This is the primary driver of the cumulative profit turnaround. While arbitration with ENQUEST is ongoing, the significant cash receipt is a major positive.
- However, the arbitration with Petrofac (Malaysia-PM304) Limited, concerning an alleged anchor dropping incident, resulted in the Tribunal allowing Petrofac’s claim of USD1.19 million against PBJV (Barakah’s subsidiary). Barakah is seeking to set aside this award and has an appeal hearing scheduled for 10 June 2025.
Summary and Outlook
Summary and Outlook
Barakah Offshore Petroleum Berhad’s latest quarterly report presents a mixed bag of results. While the individual quarter saw a sharp decline in revenue due to reduced operational activity, the cumulative nine-month performance highlights a significant financial recovery, primarily driven by a successful adjudication claim and a positive settlement in another major arbitration case. This has substantially strengthened the company’s balance sheet and cash position.
However, the company remains in a precarious position due to its long-standing PN17 status. The rejection of its extension application by Bursa Securities means a trading suspension is imminent, followed by a potential de-listing. This regulatory challenge overshadows the operational improvements and financial gains.
The company operates in a Malaysian oil and gas sector that is poised for growth, offering potential opportunities in offshore maintenance and decommissioning. Barakah’s strategic focus on securing new projects and operational efficiency is crucial for its long-term viability, but the immediate hurdle of its PN17 status demands urgent attention.
Key risk points to monitor:
- The outcome of Barakah’s appeal against Bursa Securities’ decision regarding its regularisation plan and the potential delisting.
- The resolution of the ongoing arbitration with PRPC and the appeal against the Petrofac award.
- The company’s ability to secure new contracts and generate sustainable operational revenue to replace the one-off litigation gains.
As a Malaysian retail investor, what are your thoughts on Barakah’s current situation? Do you believe the company can successfully navigate its regulatory challenges and capitalize on the opportunities in the oil and gas sector? Share your insights in the comments below!