Petronas Gas Bhd reported net profit of RM333.45mil in the January-March quarter of 2012 and expects earnings to remain stable due to the fixed fee structure under the Gas Processing and Transmission Agreement (GPTA).
It announced on Wednesday that revenue rose 2.6% to RM914.80mil from a year ago mainly due to higher utilities sales and gas transportation revenue.
"Profit before tax increased by RM96.1mil (27.4%) as compared to the corresponding quarter mainly due to lower cost of revenue. Accordingly, profit after tax increased by RM67.0 million (25.1%)," it said.
When compared with the preceding quarter ended Dec 31, 2011, it said pre-tax profit fell 3.8% to RM446.90mil mainly due to higher other expenses following an unrealised loss from the revaluation of Currency Exchange Agreement (CEA) and retranslation of term loan.
On the outlook, Petronas Gas expected stable earnings due to GPTA with additional earnings potential from the performance-based structure, which would hinge on the level of production of by-products and their prices.
"The completion of the LNG Regasification Terminal in Melaka within the next 12 months will have a positive impact to the group's earnings in terms of additional income from regasification and transportation services," it said.
