Arbitrage model for optimal capital transactions in petroleum reserves

Book · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5365225

Ten Eyck, D K

This dissertation provides a methodology for identifying price differentials in the market for petroleum reserves, enabling petroleum-producing firms to engage in a variation of classical arbitrage. This approach enables the petroleum-producing firm to evaluate and rank reserve-replacement projects from the three principal sources listed below in order to maximize the return on invested capital. The methodology is based on the discounted cash flow approach to valuation of the oil and gas reserves obtained (1) by exploration, (2) by direct purchase of reserves, and (3) by acquisition of an entire petroleum firm. The reserve-replacement projects are evaluated and ranked to determine an optimal portfolio of reserve-replacement projects. Cost per barrel alone is shown to be ineffective as an evaluation tool because it may lead to economic decisions that do not maximize the value of the firm. When used with other economic decision criteria, cost per barrel is useful as a downside economic indicator by showing which projects will fare better under unfavorable price scenarios. Important factors affecting the valuation of an acquisition (in addition to the oil and gas reserves) are shown by this study to be purchase price, other assets including cash, future tax savings from operating losses carried forward, and liabilities, primarily long-term debt.

• Research Organization: Colorado School of Mines, Golden (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5365225
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
RESERVES
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
MARKET
OPTIMIZATION
ECONOMICS
INDUSTRY
MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES
020100* - Petroleum- Reserves- (-1989)
294002 - Energy Planning & Policy- Petroleum
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology