Detailed Narrative
Strategic Review and Shareholder Value
The Board has initiated a strategic review process, seeking external advice to explore options for enhancing shareholder value, including potential talks with industrial and financial partners. This comes after the Board's assessment that the company's share price remains undervalued despite significant EBITDA backlog and industry-leading position. The process aims to address this valuation gap, particularly for the period before the full cash flow from Argentina contracts materializes in 2028, and does not impact day-to-day operations.
FLNG Fleet Performance and Expansion
Golar's three FLNG vessels, Hilli, Gimi, and Mark II, are central to its strategy. Hilli maintained 100% economic uptime and exceeded production targets in Q4 FY25, recognizing an additional $2.5 million in excess earnings. Gimi, which achieved commercial operations in June FY25, is also producing above contracted volumes, invoicing 3% above its contractual day rate, with optimization efforts ongoing. The Mark II FLNG is 50% complete and on schedule for delivery by year-end FY27, with $1.1 billion of its $2.2 billion conversion scope already equity-funded.
Argentina Projects and Infrastructure
The Mark II FLNG's 20-year contract in Argentina is fully secured. Hilli will undergo upgrades in Singapore starting July FY26 before commencing its 20-year Argentina contract in H2 FY27. SESA, the joint venture, has awarded $500 million in investments for land-based infrastructure and pipeline connections for the Argentina operations, including turbo compressors and line pipes for the Vaca Muerta pipeline. An EPC award for the pipeline construction is expected in H1 FY26.
Commercial Pipeline and Future Growth
Golar sees strong demand for FLNG tonnage, driving a positive commercial pipeline with discussions for projects in Africa, the Middle East, and South America. The company has confirmed yard availability and pricing for three growth designs (Mark I, Mark II, 5 million tonne unit), noting attractive CapEx per tonne and construction times. However, the company plans to defer significant CapEx expenditure for a fourth FLNG unit until commercial terms mature, aligning with a strategy to leverage stronger cash flow post-2028.
Financial Strength and Capital Allocation
Golar reported $91 million in adjusted EBITDA for Q4 FY25 and $265 million for the full year. The company maintains a strong cash position of $1.2 billion and a net debt of $1.5 billion at year-end FY25. It completed $1.7 billion in financing transactions in Q4, including a $1.2 billion bank refinancing for Gimi and a $500 million unsecured bond offering. The company returned $250 million to shareholders in FY25 through dividends and buybacks, while investing over $750 million in FLNG CapEx.
LNG Market Outlook
The LNG market, at 434 million tonnes in FY25, is expected to grow by 50% in the next five years, primarily driven by U.S. supply. Golar notes increasing industry recognition of FLNG efficiency due to its cost advantage (up to 40% lower CapEx per tonne than land-based) and flexibility, as well as the attraction of sourcing cheaper gas reserves compared to Henry Hub-linked U.S. projects, which will drive the majority of future LNG supply.