Of its four producing mines, Macraes in East Otago and the almost mothballed Reefton produced about 52% of the gold, Didipio in the Philippines more than 30% and the recently acquired former Newmont's mine Waihi, in the Central North Island, more than 16%.
The record 419,153oz eclipsed last year's 307,463oz, with Oceana now having produced a total more than 4.5millionoz during the past 25 years.
Didipio's 2015 copper production also came in at guidance, at 23,109 tonnes, with 2016 guidance set at 19,000-21,000 tonnes.
Oceana shares were up 18c at $3.08 following the announcement; closing at $3.10.
Gold guidance for past year was expectations of 380,000-410,000ounces, which was beaten by more than 9100oz, while guidance for 2016 has been set at 385,000-425,000.
Oceana's chief executive Mick Wilkes said 2015 was ‘‘transformational'' for the company, having completed the $132million acquisition of Waihi from Newmont and $996million (script only) purchase of Romarco's Haile, gold development mine in South Carolina.
‘‘We not only exceeded our gold production guidance but did so at sector-leading low costs, while further improving on our environment, health and safety record,'' he said in a statement yesterday.
Craigs Investment partners broker Peter McIntyre said the result was ‘‘very impressive''.
He expected brokers would be doing positive stock revaluations in coming weeks, given Oceana had beaten guidance, managed cost controls well and delivered on investor expectations.
While he had expected Oceana to have boosted its 2016 guidance further; given Craigs was forecasting an annual 24% growth rate to peak at 590,000oz in calendar 2017, it was still on track to become the lowest-cost producer, he said.
Consolidated production costs, across all operations, was a cash cost of $US420-$US470 per ounce, while the broader more encompassing ‘‘all in sustaining costs'' was $US690-$US740 per ounce.
The boost in gold production was due to the inclusion of Waihi's production since July, and higher production from Didipio and Reefton, the latter using ore stockpiles which will be run down and the 12-year-old mine mothballed by the end of next month, its once near 200 staff now down to a handful.
The all in sustaining cost per ounce, across all mines, was forecast between $US690 to $US740 per ounce and came in at $US709, lower than last year, attributed to a more favourable exchange rate, inclusion of Waihi's low production costs and reduced fuel costs.
However, those savings were offset by decreased copper credits from Didipio last year, although on its own the Didipio mine produced its 2015 gold at costs of $US-150 to $US-100.
Mr Wilkes is looking to extend all the existing mine lives and exploration spending for 2016 will be $US25million-$US30million, up to half of which will be spent at Haile, South Carolina, $US5million-$US10million at Waihi, and the balance at Macraes and Didipio.
During the year, Oceana completed a new six-bank revolving credit facility, rising from $US195million over three years to $US250million over four years.
Mr Wilkes said: ‘‘As we close out a successful 2015 campaign, we begin a new year with a more robust business, one that is low-cost and structured to continue delivering positive results, even at lower commodity prices''.
Oceana's Haile development mine in South Carolina is targeted for production in early-2017.
A total 154,242oz has been hedged by Oceana for 2016, covering Macraes production, to ensure a positive cash flow to counter spot gold volatility, Mr Wilkes said.
