OREANDA-NEWS. March 5, 2011. JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (“KMG EP” or “the Company”) released its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010:

• Average Brent price increased 28% from USD 61.7 per barrel to USD 79.2 per barrel.

• Operating profit increased 21% to 186.7bn Tenge (USD 1,267m) compared with 2009, mainly due to higher oil prices.

• In 2010 KMG EP made a profit after tax of 234.5bn Tenge (USD 1,591m) and earned 3,232 Tenge per share (USD 3.7 per GDR), which are 12% and 13% higher compared with 209.7bn Tenge (USD 1,422m) and 2,871 Tenge per share (USD 3.2 per GDR) respectively in 2009. Excluding the significant foreign exchange gain recognized in 2009, profit after tax increased by 72%.

Commenting on the financial results for the year, Kenzhebek Ibrashev, CEO of KMG EP, said:

“2010 was an eventful year, rich with business, operational and financial activity. Strong financial results are the evidence of our ability to benefit from the favorable oil price environment and today’s announcement further endorses the success of the Company’s acquisition strategy. We remain confident that the business will successfully continue to grow and stregthen in 2011 as planned, consolidating our position as a leader in the Kazakhstan oil & gas sector, through the enhanced effectiveness of operations, cost reductions and exploration.”

Production Highlights

In 2010 KMG EP’s consolidated production was 13,285 thousand tonnes of crude oil (270kbopd) including the Company’s stakes in LLP Kazgermunai JV (KGM), JSC Karazhanbasmunai (CCEL) and PetroKazakhstan Inc. (PKI). The consolidated production for the year is 16% higher than for the same period of 2009 mainly due to the acquisition of a 33% stake in PKI in December 2009.

In 2010 the Company produced 8,766 thousand tonnes (177kbopd) of oil at Uzenmunaigas and Embamunaigas production facilities, which is 196 thousand tonnes (4kbopd) or 2% less than for the same period of last year. Embamunaigas outperformed the production plan by 1%, while Uzenmunaigas produced less than the target by 1%. The decline in production was mainly caused by the failure to perform well-service operations and timely oilfield equipment repairs amid a labour action by Uzenmunaigas workers over the period of 4-18 March, 2010. In addition, in the period from June to September 2010 there were a number of emergency power cuts in the fields, caused by severe weather conditions.

The Company’s export sales volumes, excluding its share in KGM, CCEL and PKI, were 6,860 thousand tonnes (138kbopd) and its domestic sales volumes were 1,783 thousand tonnes (36kbopd).

The Company’s share in the production volumes from KGM, CCEL and PKI in 2010 amounted to 4,519 thousand tonnes of crude oil (93kbopd).

The Company’s share in the sales volumes from KGM, CCEL and PKI was 5,0042 thousand tonnes of crude oil (103kbopd), including 3,8012 thousand tonnes (78kbopd) or 76% supplied to export markets.

Profit After Tax

Profit after tax (net income) for 2010 was 234.5bn Tenge (USD 1,591m). This represents a 12% growth compared with 2009, which is mainly explained by a 28% increase in oil price and higher share in income of associates and JVs. The growth was partially offset by a large foreign exchange gain of 89.5bn Tenge recognized in 2009 as a result of Tenge devaluation, not recurring in 2010. Excluding the foreign exchange gain/loss profit after tax increased by 72% compared with 2009.

Revenue

The Company’s revenue increased by 25% to 609.2bn Tenge (USD 4,135m) compared with 2009. This was due to a 30% increase in the average realized price per tonne, from 53,082 Tenge (USD 49.78 per bbl) to 69,101 Tenge (USD 64.86 per bbl), partially offset by a 3% decrease in sales volume.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in 2010 were 422.5bn Tenge (USD 2,867m), which is 28% higher compared with 2009. A significant part of the opex increase is due to the higher rent and mineral extraction taxes (MET) resulting from the increased oil price and customs export duty (CED) reintroduced from 16 August 2010. Excluding taxes and CED, operating expenses in 2010 increased by 15% compared with 2009. This was driven mainly by an increase in payroll, repairs and maintenance, transportation expenses, depreciation and amortization.

Increase of payroll expenses reflects salary indexation from the 1st of January 2010 and a salary increase at the production units from June 1, 2010. Growth in repairs and maintenance expenses was due to increased number of repaired wells and higher repair cost per well. Growth in transportation expenses was mainly due to increased volume of transportation through CPC pipeline and a 10% increase of transportation tariffs imposed by Transneft from 1 January 2010. Opex growth was partially offset by lower fines and penalties in 2010 (see details in Fines and penalties section).

Cash Flow

Operating cash flow for 2010 was 115.7bn Tenge (USD 785m), which is 22% lower than in 2009. The decrease is mainly due to significant foreign exchange gain incurred in 2009 (partially recognized as cash from operating activity) as a result of Tenge devaluation, not recurring in 2010.

Capex

Purchases of property, plant and equipment (as per Cash Flow Statement) in 2010 were 86.7bn Tenge (USD 588m) compared with 43.3bn Tenge (USD 294m) in 2009, representing 100% increase. Capex growth is associated with the increase in production drilling from 95 wells in 2009 to 215 wells in 2010 and the increase in exploration drilling from 4 wells in 2009 to 8 wells in 2010.

Exploration activity

In 3Q10 KMG EP discovered an oil accumulation in South-East Novobogat structure of the Liman block. The accumulation is located on the southern slope of the Novobogatinsk Salt Dome 70 km west of Atyrau and is in close proximity to the Novobogatinsk Southeast oil field operated by Embamunaigaz. The Company is currently testing the well and plans to evaluate commercial reserves in 2011.

At the R-9 block the Company completed construction of 2 exploration wells with a depth of 1,600m and 1,850m on Kulsary and Koikara structures, respectively. The wells turned out to be dry and were liquidated. In addition, at the same block KMG EP developed the technical project plan for the field work, processing and interpretation of 3D seismic data of 400 square kilometres and 2D seismic data for 40 kilometres. As a result of the processing and interpretation, post-salt structures with high potential were determined for exploration drilling in 2011-2012.

In the Nurzhanov field KMG EP commenced drilling 3 exploration wells with a total planned depth of 9,000 meters.

In 2010 exploration drilling costs amounted to 3.7bn Tenge (USD 25m) compared to 2.0 bn Tenge (USD 14m) in 2009.

Cash and debt

Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2010 amounted to 98.5bn Tenge (USD 668m) compared with 107.6bn Tenge (USD 725m) as at 31 December 2009.

Other financial assets (current and non-current) at 31 December 2010 were 599.6bn Tenge (USD 4,068m) compared with 535.1bn Tenge (USD 3,607m) as at 31 December 2009. Other financial assets include the debt instrument (“the Bond”, see below) issued by National Company “KazMunaiGas” (NC KMG), deposits and other financial instruments.

On 16 July 2010, the Company purchased the Bond issued by NC KMG in the amount of 220 billion Tenge (USD 1.5bn) which carry an annual coupon of 7% and will mature in June 2013 as per previously disclosed information. KMG EP recognized 7.1bn Tenge (USD 48m) interest income from NC KMG Bonds as of 31 December 2010.

As at 31 December 2010, 81% of cash and financial assets (including the Bond) were denominated in USD and 19% were denominated in Tenge. At the reporting date 22% of the financial assets and cash were held with two Kazakh banks, Kazkomertzbank and Halyk bank compared with 75% at the same date of 2009. According to KMG EP’s treasury policy amendments adopted in 2010, the amount of financial assets held with Kazkomertzbank and Halyk bank is being gradually decreased. As of the end of 2010 this amount was 151.6bn Tenge (USD 1bn). Interest accrued on deposits in banks in 2010 was 27.6bn Tenge (USD 187m).

Borrowings and obligations were 122.5bn Tenge (USD 831m) as at 31 December 2010 compared with 137.7bn Tenge (USD 928m) as at 31 December 2009. Borrowings include 114.3bn Tenge (USD 776m) of non-recourse debt of KMG PKI Finance B.V. related to the acquisition of the 33% stake in PKI.

Net cash position at 31 December 2010 amounted to 575.7bn Tenge (USD 3,905m) compared with 505.0bn Tenge (USD 3.4bn) as at 31 December 2009.

Fines and Penalties

Tax audit

As a result of the tax audit for the years 2004 and 2005, which was commenced in 2007 and completed in August of 2009, the tax authorities have provided a tax assessment to the Company of 32bn Tenge (USD 217m).

The Company is appealing the Decision in the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan. As at 31 December 2010 5.9bn Tenge (US40m) have been accrued for similar matters for the periods not covered by tax audit 2006 through to the December 31, 2010 (see details in the Company’s press-release on 9M10 financial results).

Customs claim

On August 18, 2009 the customs committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan presented a claim to the Company of 17.6bn Tenge (USD 119m) for underpaid export customs duty (including the principal of 15.3bn Tenge and the late payment interest of 2.3bn Tenge).

The Company is planning to appeal this matter to the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan. Management of the Company believes that they will ultimately prevail in this matter and therefore no amounts have been accrued in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 (see details in the Company’s press-release on 9M10 financial results).

Contribution from strategic acquisitions

In 2010 KMG EP’s share in income of the associates and JVs was 56.6bn Tenge (USD 384m) compared with a loss of 2.5bn Tenge (USD 17m) in 2009.

Kazgermunai

In 2010 KMG EP recognised a 22.6bn Tenge (USD 153m) income from its share in KGM. This amount represents 50% of KGM’s net profit of 31.6bn Tenge (USD 214m) and 4.4bn Tenge (USD 30m) deferred income tax benefit net of 10.2bn Tenge (USD 69m) from the effect of purchase price premium amortization and 3.2bn Tenge (USD 22m) deferred income tax amortisation. The financial results of KGM in 2010 were primarily affected by the higher oil price compared with 2009 results. The decrease of KGM’s net income in 4Q10 compared with 3Q10 is due to additional accrual of the corrected excess profit tax amount for 2010.

In the period of 2010 the Company received 47.8 bn Tenge (USD 325m) in dividends from KGM. From the date of the acquisition, dividends received have amounted to USD 975m, which exceeds USD 971m paid for its 50% stake. PetroKazakhstan Inc.

In 2010 KMG EP recognised a 34.2bn Tenge (USD 232m) income from its share in PKI. This amount represents 33% of PKI’s net profit of 38.8bn Tenge (USD 263m) and a 33% gain on the repurchase of 50% share in JSC “TurgaiPetroleum” (TP) in the amount of 13.2bn Tenge (USD 90m) net of 13.5bn Tenge (USD 92m) from the effect of purchase price premium amortization and one-off adjustment on fair value of inventory of 4.3bn Tenge (USD 29m). In 4Q10 Chinese National Petroleum Corporation Exploration and Development Limited (CNPC E&D), which owns 67% in PKI, made a USD 441m contribution to the share capital of PKI related to the repayment of the loan originated with the purpose of compensation payment for the benefit of Lukoil Overseas Kumkol B.V. (Lukoil). The compensation payment to Lukoil was related to the dispute resolution regarding the use of Lukoil’s preemption right to purchase 50% stake in TP in 2005. The Company was held harmless in respect of any liability in relation to the payment of the compensation or any loss relating to such liability, and retained its 33% interest. Consequently, the Company recognised in 2010 the resulting gain of 21,5bn Tenge (USD 146m) within “Other income”.

The total amount of dividends received from PKI since acquisition in December 2009 reached 46.7bn Tenge (USD 317m), of which 80% were restricted for repayment of KMG PKI Finance BV debt as per the terms of the deal.

CCEL

As of 31 December 2010 the Company has recognised the amount of 20.4bn Tenge (USD 138m) as a receivable from CCEL, a jointly controlled entity with CITIC Group. The Company has accrued 3.1bn Tenge (USD 21m) of interest income for the period of 2010 related to the USD 26.87m annual priority return from CCEL.

NBK LLP (NBK)

The contribution of NBK to KMG EP’s consolidated production in 2010 was 258 tonnes. The exploration license of NBK was extended from September 2010 to September 2012.

SapaBarlauService LLP (SBS)

The exploration license of SBS was extended from November 2010 to November 2012.

Outlook for 2011

Production in 2011 at Uzenmunaigas and Embamunaigas is expected to be 9,100 thousand tonnes (183 kbopd), which is 4% higher compared with 2010. According to preliminary estimates consolidated production in 2011 is expected to increase 2% up to 13.5 million tonnes including KMG EP’s share in KGM, CCEL and PKI.

The annual plan on shipments to domestic market from Core fields in 2011 is expected at the level of 1.9 million tonnes (38kbopd).

The Company’s Budget for 2011 was based on the oil price of USD 65 per barrel which is in line with the Government’s macroeconomic forecast and the oil price assumption used by the Company’s parent, National Company KazMunayGas.

In 2011 the Company is planning to spend about 106.4bn Tenge (USD 709m) on capital expenditure, which is 23% more than in 2010, due to increased production and exploration drilling, including first subsalt well at “Zharkamys East-1” oilfield at LLP “SapaBarlauService” (“SBS”), as well as the implementation of the associated gas utilisation program.