Volumetric Production Payment (VPP)

Definition

A Volumetric Production Payment (VPP) is a type of financial derivative in the energy market where an oil or gas producer sells future production from a specific field in return for an upfront payment. The purchased production volume is delivered over the term of the contract, which is typically a few years. It provides a form of financing for the producer without increasing debt or diluting shares.

Phonetic

The phonetic pronunciation for the keyword “Volumetric Production Payment (VPP)” would be:Volumetric: Vuh-loo-meh-trickProduction: Pro-duhk-shunPayment: Pay-muhntVPP: Vee-Pee-Pee

Key Takeaways

1. Volumetric Production Payment (VPP) is a type of financing arrangement in which an oil and gas company sells a specific volume of its future production in exchange for upfront capital. It’s a popular way for these companies to raise funds while maintaining ownership and control over their assets.
2. From an investor’s perspective, a VPP is a non-operating interest in an oil and natural gas property, which implies they are not responsible for operational costs related to production, making VPPs a less risky investment. The investor receives a percentage of the production until the agreed-upon volume is met.
3. VPP arrangements can have a significant impact on a company’s balance sheet by converting future production into current assets. This, in turn, can enhance the company’s financial standing and borrowing capacity.

Importance

Volumetric Production Payment (VPP) is a critical term in business and finance, especially in the energy sector, as it pertains to a specific form of asset financing. VPPs are used primarily in oil and gas transactions where a firm sells a percentage of their future production in return for an upfront cash payment. This is especially important as it allows companies to finance their operations and development projects without incurring debt or diluting equity, creating a non-traditional financing method. It can also assist in managing risks associated with fluctuating commodity prices, as the price for future production is often decided during the VPP deal. Therefore, understanding and employing VPP effectively can play a vital role in a company’s financial strategy and overall business operations.

Explanation

Volumetric Production Payment (VPP) is primarily used as a financing strategy for oil and gas companies. It enables these companies to sell a specified amount of production from a specific field or property over a particular period. The purpose of this mechanism is to provide a source of financing for exploration or production companies. The Operator can use proceeds from the sale of a VPP to finance capital programs, repay debts, or for any other corporate purposes without losing complete ownership of their resources. This makes a VPP a valuable financial tool as it provides upfront cash without increasing a corporation’s balance sheet liability.Moreover, VPP also has a risk management angle. It is a tool that provides a kind of protection against commodity price volatility. For the buyer, a VPP contract represents an investment in the form of a potential future stream of income, based on the production of the resource. The buyer indirectly bears the risk of production and commodity prices, while the seller gets a non-recourse funding source. Therefore, in the complex world of oil and gas finance, the VPP is used as both a financing and risk management tool.

Examples

1. Oil and Gas Industry: For example, in the oil and gas industry, a small-sized company may enter into a VPP agreement with a larger, well-funded corporation. The smaller company will receive a lump sum upfront payment from the larger corporation in exchange for a specific volume of the oil or gas it produces over a specified time period. This allows the smaller company to finance its immediate needs for operations or expansion while the larger corporation profits from the future sales of the oil or gas.2. Mining Industry: A mining company might use a VPP to fund the expensive process of exploring and mining a new area. A financier or investment company could provide the necessary upfront capital to the mining company in return for a specific volume of the mineral produced over a period of time. In this way, the mining company reduces its risk and the investor stands to make a profit based on the future sales of the mineral.3. Alternative Energy Sector: A wind farm developer may use a VPP to fund the construction of new wind turbines. The developer could sell a specified volume of the future electricity generated from these turbines to a utility company in return for upfront financing. This allows the developer to fund the construction and the utility company to secure a future supply of sustainable electricity at a predetermined price. This example also applies to other alternative energy sources like solar or hydroelectric power.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Related Finance Terms

• Upstream Oil and Gas Industries: These industries typically use VPPs, which pertain to the initial stage of production, detection, and extraction of oil and gas.
• Royalty Interest: This denotes the right an individual or company retains to revenue from a mineral deposit or property, which explains its use in VPPs.
• Future Production: VPP is based on a specified volume of future production of natural resources, making this one of its major components.
• Non-operational Interest: Participation in VPP allows companies to earn from resource extraction without directly involving in the operational activities.
• Securitization: The process of converting assets into financial instruments that can be sold to investors, synonymous with VPP as such contracts are sometimes securitized.

Sources for More Information

• Investopedia
• Macalester College
• Bloomberg Law
• The National Law Review