Fitch Ratings (Thailand) Limited has affirmed IRPC Public Company Limited’s (IRPC) National Long-Term Rating at ‘A-(tha)’, National Short-Term Rating at ‘F2(tha)’, and the senior unsecured class national rating at ‘A-(tha)’. The Outlook remains Negative.
Fitch expects IRPC’s operating cash flows to improve in 2016-2017 following the completion of capex and efficiency enhancement projects. Its leverage, as measured by funds from operations (FFO)-adjusted net leverage, is likely to remain high in 2016 due to high capex, although this is likely to improve from 2017. However, the Negative Outlook reflects the little headroom IRPC will have over credit metrics appropriate for its current ratings to accommodate any weaker than expected gross integrated margins (GIM) or higher capex.
Key Rating Drivers
Improved EBITDA: Fitch expects IRPC’s EBITDA to increase to about THB14bn in 2015. The company has benefitted from increased GIM due to strong demand for refined oil and petrochemical products. We expect its ability to generate higher margins will increase following the completion of capex it is undertaking. This should allow it to generate EBITDA of above THB15bn annually in the medium term. However, IRPC’s cash generation and credit metrics are extremely sensitive to the GIM, as its total indebtedness has more than doubled since 2011.
High Capex: IRPC’s capex is likely to be reduced in 2016 from 2015 levels, but will remain high in 2016, before committed and maintenance capex sharply decreases starting 2017. These estimates reflect the revised spending plan of the company, which factors a maintenance turnaround in 4Q16 and the remaining capex for its Upstream Project for Hygiene & Value-Added-Product (UHV) which is expected to be completed in 1Q16.
Credit Term Extension: Fitch expects IRPC’s extended credit terms arrangement with PTT Public Company Limited (PTT, AAA(tha)/Stable) to continue in 2016, where it would receive 90 days of credit from PTT. The terms could be extended by mutual agreement if it is necessary for IRPC.
One-Notch Ratings Uplift: IRPC’s long-term ratings incorporate a one-notch uplift to take into account linkages with PTT. IRPC falls within PTT’s central treasury management framework, while key management personnel from PTT are rotated among its group of companies (including IRPC). In addition, PTT has extended commercial support, as the extended credit periods for feedstock supplies.
Integrated Producer: IRPC has a competitive advantage as a fully integrated oil refining and petrochemicals producer, and its expertise and long track record in downstream petrochemicals in Thailand. An increase in output of high-value-added products following investments to expand its facilities is likely to improve its margins and reduce margin volatility.
KEY ASSUMPTIONS
Fitch's key assumptions within our rating case for the issuer include:
- Crude oil prices (Brent) of USD 45 per barrel in 2016, USD55 per barrel in 2017, USD60 per barrel in 2018, and USD65 thereafter – with IRPC’s crude procurement costs adjusted for applicable discounts;
- GIM to improve in 2016-2019;
- High capex in 2016, and reduce in 2017-2019;
- Credit term extension from PTT to 90 days to continue in 2016 and gradually decrease to a normal level at 30 days by 2018.
RATING SENSITIVITIES
Negative: Future developments that may, individually or collectively, lead to negative rating action include;
- Weaker-than-expected operating cash flows, an increase in investments or high cash distributions to shareholders resulting in credit metrics weakening substantially more than expected - a ratings downgrade may occur if the company fails to improve its funds from operations (FFO)-adjusted net leverage to below 4.25x (end-2014: 79.7x) and FFO fixed charge coverage to over 3.0x (end-2014: 0.3x) on a sustained basis from 2017 (on a projected basis).
- A weakening of linkages with PTT
Positive: Future developments that may, individually or collectively, lead to a revision of the Outlook to Stable at the current rating level include;
- Successful completion of its UHV project in 2016, and demonstration of its ability to generate strong margins on a sustained basis.
- ability to maintain FFO net-leverage below 4.25x and FFO fixed charge cover over 3.0x, comfortably on a sustained basis from 2017
- disciplined approach to capex and shareholder distributions, demonstrating a commitment to improving its balance sheet quality