New Zealand Oil & Gas reported a flat operating profit for the year ended June but its profit before exploration expenses was up 12.4% to $76 million from $68 million in the previous period.
Forsyth Barr broker Andrew Rooney said the result was a good one, boosted by the recognition of overriding royalty revenue.
The profit before exploration expenses was $8.8 million ahead of his forecasts.
Revenue from ordinary activities was up 4% to $103.6 million from $99.3 million but the profit before income tax and royalties fell to $25.1 million.
After tax of $7.3 million and royalty expenses of $7.7 million, the reported profit was down 61% to $10.1 million from $25.9 million.
Mr Rooney said towards the end of the year, the company announced it had agreed with Genesis Energy on the level of royalty, which saw $7 million recognised in the accounts.
Origin Energy and NZ Oil & Gas appeared to be close to settling on a similar basis with Origin royalty revenue totalling $3.6 million in 2014.
Operating costs were $4.3 million lower than forecast with the main cause being movement in inventory reducing operating costs by $6.4 million.
Other features of the result to note were the lift in exploration costs - up $14.4 million to $29.5 million - most of which related to the dry hole at Oi, and the high levels of foreign exchange losses due to the strengthening of the dollar.
The final dividend of 3 cents per share took the total dividend to 6cps, in line with expectations.
The dividend was once again unimputed, he said.
''As usual, NZ Oil & Gas has not provided any guidance. We are expecting more of the same in 2015 with Kupe and Tui providing a solid earnings stream.''
Forsyth Barr's current forecast for operating profit before exploration costs was $65 million; no change was expected, Mr Rooney said.
Company chief executive Andrew Knight said the operational performance of NZ Oil & Gas had been ''excellent'', reflected in the strong production and operating cashflow results.
Production was up 26% on a barrel-of-oil equivalent basis as a result of a return to full production at Kupe following a pause for planned maintenance last year.
New seismic surveys were completed in the Canterbury Basin and off Taranaki.
Another was started in Sumatra, Indonesia.
