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SOCAR to make presentation to Moody’s

Oil&Gas Materials 24 October 2009 11:55 (UTC +04:00)
In the first half of 2010 SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) will organize its presentation to the experts of Moody's rating agency, SOCAR said.
SOCAR to make presentation to Moody’s

Azerbaijan, Baku, October 24 / Trend /

In the first half of 2010 SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) will organize its presentation to the experts of Moody's rating agency, SOCAR said.

Company's cooperation with the Fitch Ratings and Moody's testify that the company cares about its rating. In accordance with international rules, obtaining ratings from the two agencies is a greater confidence.

Earlier Fitch Ratings awarded SOCAR with long-term Issuer Default Rating "BB+" and short-term Issuer Default Rating "B". The forecast on long-term Issuer Default Rating is "Stabile".

As SOCAR is in 100-percent state property, it represents state interests in oil and gas sector important for Azerbaijani economy. It is also the largest tax-payer in Azerbaijan. Fitch considers legal, operational and strategic ties between the state and the company as strong ones. Therefore, the company's rating is connected with Azerbaijani rating ("BB+"/ forecast "Stabile") in accordance with methodology Fitch "Interaction between ratings of maternal and subsidiary companies".

Moreover, SOCAR's rating reflects diversified profile of business. Sale refers to regulated domestic market there. Therefore, the company is less vulnerable to prices for oil and gas on the international market.

Moreover, ratings take into account financial indices of the company (given margin EBITDAR worth 38.9 percent for 2008 and net leverage in 0.8x corrected by Fitch) regard to comparable Russian and the international companies.

Though general leverage of the company increased up to 1,4x in 2008 (0,2x in 2007) after purchase of Turkish oil-chemical producer Petkim Petrokimya Holdings AS ("Petkim", rating "BB-"/ forecast "Nagative") for $2 billion, structure of a debt on a term of paying off is well-balanced but position of liquidity - adequate. As of late 2008 the company's funds hit 512.2 million manat. It is rather higher compared to short-term debt worth 408 million manat.

Fitch stresses that SOCAR intends to expand activity by implementing intensive investment program worth 5.2 billion manat ($6.4 billion) over 2009-2013 (without obligations within production sharing agreements). Realization of this program together with planned construction of refinery at Petkim's production area worth $4.4 billion can call for significant foreign investment. It would lead to significant increase of leverage.

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