We are initiating coverage on PT Pertamina (Persero), a vertically integrated oil & gas (O&G) company in Indonesia.
We view Pertamina as “Low Risk” on our LARA scale, primarily driven by the company’s strategic importance to Indonesia and its status as a state-owned enterprise (100% owned by the government). Pertamina is the state holdco for Indonesia’s O&G assets, and the government’s vehicle for managing retail fuel prices. We like the company’s vertically integrated operations and large scale. It owns most of Indonesia’s refineries, fuel stations and gas pipelines. Pertamina’s O&G production is expected to rise towards 1,000 mboepd in FY 2022 (FY 2020: 863 mboepd), following the takeover of the Rokan block in November 2021. Credit metrics are healthy, with Net Debt/EBITDA of slightly over 1x. Negatively, the government requires Pertamina to sell petroleum products at subsidised prices. As a result, the company will incur losses if Brent exceeds USD 60/bbl. While the government subsidises the revenue shortfall, these subsidies are paid in arrears, which impacts the timing of cash inflows.
Our Credit Bias is “Stable”. Rising O&G prices will likely support the upstream segment, and help offset the regulated low selling prices of the downstream segment.
We recommend to “Hold” the PERTIJ notes.