Transportadora de Gas del Sur ("tgs", "the Company", “us”, “our”, or “we”) is the leader in Argentina in the transportation of natural gas, transporting approximately 60% of the gas consumed in the country, through more than 5,700 miles of gas pipelines, with a firm-contracted capacity of 82.6 MMm3/d. We are one of the main natural gas processors. In addition, our infrastructure investments in Vaca Muerta formation place us as one of the main Midstreamers at Vaca Muerta.
Our shares are traded on NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) and BYMA (Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos S.A.).
Our controlling company is Compañía de Inversiones de Energía S.A. ("CIESA"), which owns 51% of the total share capital. CIESA’s shareholders are: (i) Pampa Energía S.A. with 50%, (ii) Grupo Investor Petroquímica S.L. (member of the GIP group, led by the Sielecki family) and PCT L.L.C. hold the remaining 50%.
For further information, see our website https://www.tgs.com.ar/inversores/servicio-para-inversores?lang=EN
Stock Information
BYMA Symbol: TGSU2
NYSE Symbol: TGS (1 ADS = 5 ordinary shares)
Shareholding structure as of Decmber 31, 2021
tgs holds 794,495,283 issued shares and 752,761,058 outstanding shares.
Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 8, 2022
During the 4Q2021, total comprehensive income amounted to Ps. 6,755 million, or Ps. 8.97 per share (Ps. 44.87 per ADS), compared to total comprehensive loss of Ps. 5,353 million, or Ps. 7.10 per share (Ps. 35.52 per ADS) in the fourth quarter ended on December 31, 2020 (“4Q2020”).
Financial results recorded a positive variation of Ps. 8,697 million.
During 4Q2020, an impairment of Property, plant and equipment ("PPE") of Ps. 4,700 million was recorded, and no impairment was recorded during 4Q2021.
Operating profit before depreciation for 4Q2021 amounted to Ps. 11,914 million, an increase of Ps. 586 million compared to 4Q2020. This variation was mainly due to:
ØHigher revenues of Ps. 5,226 million (26%). This was mainly due to higher revenues from the Production and Commercialization of Natural Gas Liquids (Liquids) segment of Ps. 7,092 million, which were partially offset by lower revenues from the Natural Gas Transportation segment (as no tariff increases were granted, which corresponded from October 2019, and April and October 2020) of Ps. 2,216 million.
ØOperating costs and administrative and commercialization expenses increased by Ps. 4,584 million compared to 4Q2020.
(1)The financial information presented in this press release is based on consolidated financial statements presented in constant Argentine pesos as of December 31, 2021 (Ps.) which is based on the application of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 2
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
4Q2021 highlights and subsequent events
ØIn December 2021, our Board of Directors approved investments amounting to US$ 82 million earmarked for the expansion of the conditioning plant located in Tratayén. These works, which are expected to be completed by mid 2023, will increase the supply of natural gas conditioning volume and will allow us to meet producers’ demand.
ØOn February 7, 2022, the Energy Secretariat issued Resolution No. 67/2022, which was ratified by Decree No. 96/2022, creating the "Transport.Ar Producción Nacional" Natural Gas Pipeline System Program and declaring the construction of the President Néstor Kirchner natural gas pipeline and its expansion and complementary works of public interest. These works will be conducted by Integración Energética S.A. or third parties. This work is essential for tgs to continue growing its midstream business at Vaca Muerta formation, as well as other projects which tgs is currently evaluating.
ØOn February 23, 2022, the National Executive Branch issued Decree No. 91/2022 and ENARGAS issued Resolution No. 60/2022, ratifying the transitory agreement agreed with TGS, which resulted in a transitory tariff adjustment of 60%, effective as of March 1, 2022. Among other conditions, the tariff adjustment did not establish a mandatory investment plan but prohibited the: (i) distribution of dividends, (ii) an early cancellation of financial and commercial debts contracted with shareholders, and (iii) the acquisition of other companies or granting loans.
Analysis of the results
Total revenues amounted to Ps. 25,358 million in 4Q2021, a Ps. 5,226 million increase compared to Ps. 20,132 million in 4Q2020.
The breakdown of operating costs, administrative and commercialization expenses, excluding depreciation, for 4Q2021 and 4Q2020 is shown in the table below:
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 3
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
Operating costs and administrative and selling expenses, excluding depreciation and impairment of PPE, increased by approximately Ps. 4,584 million in 4Q2021 compared to 4Q2020. This variation is mainly explained by higher: (i) natural gas processing costs (following higher prices denominated in US dollars, which were partially offset by the inflation restatement effect in accordance with IAS 29 - "Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies" ("IAS 29")), (ii) taxes, fees and contributions (due to higher export taxes), and (iii) repair and maintenance of PPE expenses.
Financial results are presented in gross terms considering the effect of change in the currency purchasing power ("Gain on monetary position") in a single separate line. In 4Q2021, financial results recorded a positive variation of Ps. 8,697 million compared to 4Q2020. This variation is mainly related to the gain recorded in 4Q2021 due to the change in the fair value of financial assets, compared to a loss recorded in 4Q2020, and a lower negative exchange difference (as a consequence of the lower net liability position in foreign currency during 4Q2021 and the lower devaluation of the Argentine peso against the US dollar). These effects were partially offset by the lower gain on monetary position results, due to the effect of the lower net monetary liability position.
Analysis of operating profit / (loss) by business segment
Natural Gas Transportation
Operating profit before depreciation and impairment of PPE of the Natural Gas Transportation segment decreased by Ps. 3,219 million.
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 4
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
Natural gas transportation revenues accounted for approximately 22% and 39% of total revenues in 4Q2021 and 4Q2020, respectively.
Revenues from this segment derive mainly from firm natural gas transportation contracts, which represented approximately 78% and 81%, of the total revenues of this segment in 4Q2021 and 4Q2020, respectively.
Natural Gas Transportation Operational information
This business segment, subject to ENARGAS regulation, received its last tariff adjustement on April 1st, 2019, following Resolution No. 192/2019.
The decrease in operating profit before depreciation and impairment of PPE was mainly due to lower revenues given the lack of a tariff adjustment to compensate for the negative variation associated with the inflation restatement effect under IAS 29.
During 4Q2020, the Company recorded an impairment of PPE of Ps. 4,700 million, and no impairment was recorded during 4Q2021.
Liquids Production and Commercialization
Liquids Production and Commercialization revenues accounted for approximately 69% and 52% of total revenues in 4Q2021 and 4Q2020, respectively. During 4Q2021, production reached 317,386 metric tons (10,733 metric tons higher than 4Q2020).
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 5
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
Operating profit before depreciation in this business segment during 4Q2021 was Ps. 3,420 million above 4Q2020, reaching Ps. 8,378 million (compared to Ps. 4,957 million recorded in 4Q2020). This variation mainly stems from the increase in revenues of Ps. 7,092 million, which were partially offset by higher natural gas processing costs of Ps. 2,719 million (resulting from a higher U.S. dollar-denominated price), and a higher export withholding tax charge of Ps. 715 million.
Liquids revenues were Ps. 17,501 million in 4Q2021, Ps. 7,092 million above 4Q2020. This was mainly due to higher international reference prices for natural gasoline and LPG amounting to Ps. 5,241 million, combined with the increase in the nominal variation of the exchange rate in U.S. dollar-denominated revenues of Ps. 1,477 million, and the increase in ethane price of Ps. 770 million.
Total volumes dispatched recorded an increase of 11%, or 32,201 metric tons, compared to 4Q2020, which represented an increase in revenues of Ps. 2,174 million. This increase was mainly due to the higher quantities of LPG exported.
The breakdown of volumes dispatched by market and product and revenues by market is included below:
These effects were partially offset by higher negative impact of the IAS 29 restatement of Ps. 2,861 million.
Other Services and Telecommunications
This business segment mainly includes services such as midstream and telecommunications, representing approximately 9% and 10% of our total revenues in 4Q2021 and 4Q2020, respectively.
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 6
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
Operating profit before depreciation increased by Ps. 382 million (or 36%) mainly as a result of a Ps. 350 million increase in revenues in 4Q2021.
The increase in revenues was mainly due to: (i) higher natural gas transportation and conditioning services at Vaca Muerta area amounting to Ps. 636 million, (ii) more natural gas compression services of Ps. 141 million, and (iii) the nominal effect of the exchange rate on U.S. dollar-denominated revenues of Ps. 186 million. These effects were partially offset by the impact of IAS 29 restatement of Ps. 630 million.
Financial position analysis
Net debt
As of December 31, 2021, our net debt amounted to Ps. 12,436 million compared to Ps. 35,196 million as of December 31, 2020. Our total net financial debt is denominated in US dollars for both periods and is shown in Argentine pesos in the table below.
The table below shows a reconciliation of our net debt:
Liquidity and capital resources
The net variation in cash and cash equivalents for 4Q2021 and 4Q2020 was as follows:
Below is a reconciliation of the free cash flows for the 4Q2021 and 4Q2020:
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 7
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
4Q2021 vs. 4Q2020
During 4Q2021, cash flow generated by the operating activities amounted to Ps. 9,187 million, Ps. 967 million above 4Q2020, and is mainly due to the increase in operating profit before depreciation and impairment and lower interests paid, but was partially offset by the increase in working capital.
Cash flow used in investing activities amounted to Ps. 6,321 million in 4Q2021, compared to Ps. 11,210 million in 4Q2020, mainly due to lower acquisition of financial assets not considered cash equivalents made during 4Q2021. In addition, payments for PPE acquisition increased by Ps. 1,451 million.
Finally, cash flow used for financing activities decreased by Ps. 87 million. During 4Q2020, Ps. 349 million in treasury shares were repurchased, while no repurchases were made in 4Q2021. Similarly, Ps. 262 million of notes were repurchased in 4Q2021 and none were repurchased in the same 2020 period.
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 8
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
4Q2021 earnings videoconference
We invite you to participate in the videoconference to discuss this 4Q2021 announcement on Wednesday March 9, 2022 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 11:00 a.m. Buenos Aires time.
In order for those interested in participating in our earnings videoconference, there will be a live webcast that you can access at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ALDG1yRFRnmFxYCIgLy0fw
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27 A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks. Although the Company has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information and assumptions on which these statements and projections are based are current, reasonable and complete, a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations contained in this release. Neither the Company nor its management can guarantee that anticipated future results will be achieved. Investors should refer to the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of important factors that may affect actual results.
Rounding: Certain figures included in this press release have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this press release have not, in all cases, been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this press release may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our Financial Statements. Certain numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them due to rounding.
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 9
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 10
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 11
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 12
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
4Q2021 EARNINGS RELEASE
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. 13
3672 Don Bosco St. (1206), Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
https://www.tgs.com.ar/investors/Press-releases
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A.
By:
| /s/Alejandro M. Basso
|
Name:
| Alejandro M. Basso
|
Title:
| Vice President of Administration, Finance and Services
|
By:
| /s/Hernán Diego Flores Gómez
|
Name:
| Hernán Diego Flores Gómez
|
Title:
| Legal Affairs Vice president
|
Date: March 8, 2022