Good day, thank you for standing by. Welcome to the PETRONAS Gas Berhad analyst briefing for quarter ending March 31st 2023. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star one and one on your telephone. You will hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star one and one again. Alternatively, you may submit your question via the webcast. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Izzat. Please go ahead.
Thank you, operator. Good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining our session today for PETRONAS Gas Berhad's analyst briefing for quarter ended 31st March 2023. I'm Izzat from Investor Relations. We're here from PGB. We have Encik Abdul Aziz Othman, Managing Director and CEO, Encik Shahrul Azham Sukaiman, CFO, and Encik Hisham Maalot, Head of Business Development and Commercial. We will start the briefing with key highlights, business updates, financial performance, to be followed by Q&A. For reference, our financial results is available at both Bursa Malaysia and PGB websites. The presentation material is available at our website and also-
Hello
at the host platform. Without further ado, I'll hand over to Abdul Aziz Othman for the highlights. Aziz.
Thank you, Izzat. Good evening, everyone. Again, thank you for joining us today. Let us start with the overview of the business as well as external environment that we are operating in. You know, after more than three years, since the initial outbreak, very good news on May 6th, 2023, the World Health Organization, WHO, has declared that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency. Obviously because of that, we expect the population to gradually, if not already, reverting to their normal lives. Of course, with that, business activities are expected to increase in line with the consumer demand. The Malaysian GDP for 2023 was subsequently revised upwards to 4.2 to reflect better than economic expected economic expansion.
Based on the data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the Services Producer Price Index, the SPPI, rose 3.4% in Q1 2023, as most sub-sectors recorded increase of prices during the quarter. The SPPI reflects the increased cost of doing business faced by many companies at the moment, potentially further driving down profitability. You know, for us, because of the opening up of the world, we will increase our maintenance activities for the year. Obviously in 2020, 2021, and to a certain extent in 2022, our activities were kind of lower than what we have done before because of the constraints brought about by the pandemic. The market out there is very volatile.
First and foremost, what actually impacted us the most is the gas price, which has seen substantial increase. While at the same time, the global inflation has actually direct greatly affected the Forex movement. In quarter one 2023, the Malaysia Reference Price, the MRP, reached its peak of MYR 58 per MMBtu. Nevertheless, we expect it to taper little bit, the following quarters of this year. At the same time, I mentioned about the SPPI, the trend we expect to increase, and because of that, we expect our operational and maintenance spending to see an increasing trend also, due to the cost as well as, mentioned before, that we are starting to perform more activities.
In the near term, the MRP and the overall cost of doing business are expected to remain elevated higher than the preceding years. Nevertheless, our operation, we expect it to continue to be stable, which would mean that it will translate into steady revenue throughout the quarters. Although profits would show greater degree of fluctuation due to the high cost environment. Now, with that, let me go into the key highlights for the quarter. Again, we sustained our operational performance in quarter 1, 2023, leveraging on obviously investment that we have made on digitalization. As well as capability of our people. Our digital initiative has enabled us to manage our plant operation better. For example, the implementation of predictive analytics has helped to improve plant monitoring and maintenance planning, resulting in less unplanned shutdown.
Our people, on the other hand, has been equipped with proper tools and training, thus ensuring PGB has the right talent for the job. These are the two key factors in running our plant as well as other assets, well. On the financial side, revenue for quarter one, 2023 was higher than the same quarter in 2022. This is despite the lower RP2 tariffs for our regulated business. The higher revenue was mainly due to higher revenue from the utility segment, of course, on the higher product price, due to the pass-through from the higher fuel gas that I mentioned just now. At the same time, while we enjoy higher re-revenue, the higher gas price at the utilities has also impacted the cost of all the products, again, for the utilities.
This has led to reduced PGB sales gross profit margin to 33%, evidently lower than our normal range between 40%-50%. Despite all that, we do have a healthy balance of cash to support the implementation of current projects, with some headroom for new projects or other value-adding opportunities. With that, the board has declared an interim dividend for the quarter at MYR 0.16 per share, which is similar to Q1 2022. Looking at the financial, comparing Q1 2023 with Q2 2022. Group revenue stood at MYR 1.67 billion, an increase of 15%, mainly contributed by higher revenue from utilities segment, in line with the higher product prices.
Gross profit was at MYR 547 million, lower by 11%, again, due to the higher operating expenses, mainly, fuel gas, the internal gas consumption and depreciation expenses. Just to note that the fuel gas and the internal gas consumption, PGB pay it at market value linked to MRP. Profit after tax showed a 2% increase due to higher interest income from fund investment, higher share of profit from joint venture companies, and lower tax expense. The tax expense in Q1 2022 was higher due to the imposition of prosperity tax at that time. EBITDA was lower by 4%, in line with the gross profit movement. Earning per share increased by 3%, reflecting higher profits attributable to shareholders of the company.
A first interim dividend of 16 sen per ordinary share was announced, as I mentioned, similar to the same quarter last year. Later on, our CFO will provide the details of the financial performance. Moving on to the business update, starting with gas processing. Operation at our gas processing plant continue to operate at a world-class level. We consistently match the reservation charge requirement as stipulated in the Gas Processing Agreement. This business segment continued to operate in a steady manner, where the OEE was almost 100% for both ethane and methane. Predictive analytics, as I mentioned, as part of our digital initiative, has led to higher level efficiency, resulting in MYR 39 million of performance incentive achieved in the quarter.
On the project, the PCOT of gas reusing project is slightly behind schedule due to delay in compressor fabrication and instrument equipment work. This is attributed to disruption in the supply chain as business activities surge in the recent quarters. Regardless, the slight delay has minimal impact to us. On the GPA, we have started the third term GPA negotiation with PETRONAS. Of course, we aim to gain a fair key terms to ensure that we have a fair return on our assets amidst across the challenging environment that I've mentioned. Next is the gas transportation. The group pipeline network sustained close to 100% reliability during the quarter under review.
Average sales gas delivery was more than 2.2 billion standard cubic feet per day, higher than previous quarters, in line with more business gradually returning to pre-COVID days. Effective January 1st 2023, as we mentioned, the Energy Commission has approved the RP2 tariff of RM 1.061 per gigajoule, and introduced a separate tariff of high pressure gas delivery tariff of RM 0.533553 per gigajoule. The regular tariff is lower than RP1 tariff. However, the separate tariff for customer utilizing PGU to Sector 3, as I mentioned above, has helped to partly mitigate the segment revenue. On growth, the pipeline project at Pulau Indah are progressing well and due for gas in the next, in the coming quarters.
As for the Kluang Compressor Station, there is a slight delay also attributed to the disruption in the supply value chain as I mentioned, similar to the PCOT project, just now. Regardless, the delay will have a minimal impact to PGB. For regasification business, we managed to sustain full capacity payment, supported again by strong operational performance at both regasification terminals. The group regasification terminals in Sungai Udang, Melaka, and Pengerang in Johor sustained strong reliability performance at close to 100% during the quarter. We received a total of 15 cargos at both terminal, higher than 13 cargos received in Q1 2022. Just like the pipeline, effective January 1st 2023, the Energy Commission has approved new RP2 tariff for the regasification terminal.
The regulated tariff was unchanged for RGTSU at RM 3.455 per gigajoule, while it was lower for RGTP at 3.165 per gigajoule. On the digitalization, we recently completed the implementation of a remote monitoring of RGTP from Segamat. Both our regas terminal are operated remotely from Segamat. This not only improve on our costs, but also will improve employee safety and wellbeing. Big chunk of it is reduce the exposure to offshore hazard for RGTSU. As for the LNG storage project that I've mentioned a few times, we are working hard to reach a final investment decision. We'll share more in the second half of the year. Utilities. Overall, we continue to fulfill customers' demand with 100% product delivery reliability for electricity and steam.
For electricity, Q1 2023 volume was lower than previous quarter due to lower offtake from customers and lower sales to the grids on unfavorable pricing during the quarters. Again, this is because of the high gas price that I mentioned before. Steam offtake is slightly lower as per customer demand. Industrial gases, volume was also delivered according to customers' plant availability. We have since actually completed all our contract renewals. All are already contributing to better commercial terms that have partially mitigated the high cost of the fuel gas that we purchase from PETRONAS. The ICPT surcharge of MYR 0.20 per kilowatt hour announced in January has also partially reduced our electricity production cost. We are actively engaging with the government on the continuation of the ICPT beyond June 2023.
On projects in 2023, several projects are expected to complete. Of course, I mentioned about the PCOT offgas utilization, the lateral gas pipeline to Pulau Indah, and the lateral gas pipeline to Banting. We are closely monitoring all the projects to be delivered timely, safely, and within budget. We continue to stage projects that would enhance revenue contribution to GPU business, as well as adding up to the RAB under GTR business. There are several new developments under the project in the pipeline on the right side of slide. Again, we hope that we will announce this pretty soon. Other than that, of course, one of the big thing that we are looking at is to have a role in the value chain of the carbon capture and storage that PETRONAS is developing in Kerteh.
Studies are currently underway and of course, we are working hard that PGB will be a player in this value chain and becoming another business for PGB. That's all for now. Over to Sharul for financial.
Thank you, Encik Aziz. Good evening, everyone. I'm Sharul here. I think we have heard from DTO on the operating landscape and also the operational performance for all our business segments. Let me now take you through the financials. Let's start with segmental performance for gas processing. In Q1 2023, the business continued to run as usual with sustained revenues amid higher operating costs, and this revenue was sustained based on excellent operational performance as explained earlier. Comparing against preceding Q4 2022, revenue for the quarter was slightly higher at MYR 444 million. Supported by high incentive received as a result of operational optimization. Correspondingly, our gross profit was also higher at MYR 208 million.
Against corresponding quarter, Q1 2022, segment revenue increased by 2% following high internal gas consumption incentive achieved. Similarly, this is also supported by continuous operational optimization effort that we have done at our gas processing plant. Segment result, however, declined by 11% due to high operating expenses in line with higher level of plant activity, mainly depreciation expense as we capitalize more projects for MTO, as well as higher level of plant repair and maintenance activities during the quarter. Moving on to gas transportation segment. The group's pipeline network registered close to 100% reliability during the quarter under review. The business assumed new RP2 tariff effective January 1st 2023 for regular PGU tariff and a separate tariff for PGU to Sector 3 or known as Tariff C.
In terms of performance, comparing against preceding quarter four 2022, our revenue was lower by 3% at MYR 288 million, on the lower RP2 tariff effective earlier this year. This was partly mitigated by the additional revenue, coming from Tariff C. Gross profit, higher by more than 100% to reach MYR 123 million due to lower operating costs. This was due to the higher recognition of previous costs in the preceding quarter. What has happened is that as part of our continuous operational improvement, we have installed an equipment at the end of last year that allow us to closely monitor what we have, called as unaccounted for gas or UFG.
For financial year 2022, prior to the installation of the equipment, the reconciliation of UFG can only be done at the end of the year, hence higher cost recorded in the preceding quarter. Against corresponding quarter, Q1 2022, segment revenue was comparable, while segment results fell by 33% due to high OpEx, mainly internal gas consumption expense intended with higher fuel gas price. As explained during our special briefing on RP2, under the new regime, IGC is recoverable during the next annual review adjustment from the shipper. Moving on to regasification segment, which also assume new RP2 tariff for both regas terminal. Again, just to recap, tariff for RGT Sungai Udang is maintained similar to RP1, while tariff for RGT Pengerang was lower.
The result against preceding quarter, Q4 2022, revenue was 6% lower at MYR 334 million, mainly due to lower operating days and also lower RP2 tariff for RGT Pengerang. Segment result was 23% lower at MYR 160 million on the back of higher operational expenses involving depreciation following capitalization of gas projects and also higher internal gas consumption following higher gas price. Against corresponding quarter, Q1 2022, segment revenue was slightly lower by 3% on the back of lower RP2 tariff for RGT Pengerang. Segment results similarly declined by 9% in tandem with lower revenue coupled with higher operating expenditure. Moving on to utility segment. The group's utilities plans achieve 100% product delivery reliability for all the products during the quarter under review.
Performance against preceding quarter, Q4 2022, revenue was 1% higher at MYR 608 million, largely due to higher product prices. Gross profit was 68% higher at MYR 57 million. On the back of lower operational expenses as we recorded higher level of maintenance activities in the preceding quarter. Against corresponding quarter, Q1 2022, revenue surged by 55%, mainly attributable to higher product prices. The product prices for steam and industrial gases were higher in line with the increase of fuel gas price, which is based on Malaysia Reference Price, MRP. As for electricity, the tariff was also higher as a result of upward revision of Imbalance Cost Pass-Through or ICPT surcharge, as mentioned by Aziz earlier.
Segment results grew by more than 100% in tandem with higher revenue and improved margin following favorable impact of improved terms in the recent contract renewal, which allow a more balanced cost pass-through to customers and reduce our vulnerability to gas price volatility. For record, we have completed the contract renewal for many customers by end of quarter two last year. Overall result for PGB Group level. Against preceding quarter four 2022, group revenue was at MYR 1.67 billion, higher by 3% mainly contributed by higher revenue from utility segment. Gross profit was at MYR 547 million, increased by 17% in line with higher revenue and lower operating expenses as we recorded higher level of maintenance activities in the preceding quarter four.
PAT, however, declined by 3% at MYR 448 million on the back of higher tax expense. Tax expense was lower in preceding quarter as we were doing downward adjustment on a tax provision for prosperity tax based on the actual result for 2022. Against corresponding quarter, Q1 2022, our group revenue rose by 15%, mainly contributed by higher revenue from utility segment. Gross profit, nevertheless, declined by 11% due to high operating expenditure, mainly relating to fuel gas, internal gas consumption and depreciation expenses. In contrast to gross profit after tax for the quarter improved slightly by 2% due to higher interest income from fund investment, a higher share of profit from our JV companies, and also lower tax expenses.
The corresponding quarter tax expense was higher as a result of imposition of prosperity tax for the year assessment of 2022. Moving on to our balance sheet. As at 31st March 2023, the group's total assets remain robust at MYR 19.6 billion, following higher cash and cash equivalent and also trade and other receivables. With that, we have a healthy balance of cash with some headroom for us to grow our existing and also upcoming growth projects. For dividend, the board has approved the first interim dividend of 16 sen per share, payable on 20 June 2023. This interim dividend demonstrates our commitment to ensure sustained level of returns to the shareholders despite the ongoing economic conditions. With that, I end the financial section.
I will now pass the line over to Abdul Aziz Othman to share on the company update.
Thank you, Sharul. Ladies and gentlemen, again, before I go into what we'll be focusing on for the remaining of the year, let's go back to the business environment, which will continue to be challenging. You know, while we are essentially an infrastructure company, obviously we will be impacted by the gas price, since we pay market price for our fuel gas. In 2023, the forecast for gas price, as I mentioned, will continue to be high. One good thing is a portion of our costs at the regas terminal are in US dollar. We expect the US dollar to Malaysian ringgit will continue to be volatile, hence possibly impacting the PAT. To address this concern, we have reached an agreement with our counterparty on the settlement of the USD contract.
Post the settlement, we expect that there will be less forex impact to our financials. We will announce the outcome of this exercise really soon. Again, that exposure will reduce a lot once this is in place. This year is also the first year of the RP2 for our GTR business. We are thankful to the government on the tariff decision. There are tariff reduction in the tariff, as I mentioned, will impact our revenue for the GTR. Of course, compounding the matter is the higher cost environment compared to 2021 and 2022. More activities as we are coming out from the pandemic, so that obviously will increase our OpEx and will have some impact to our profit.
Despite all that, we will continue with our strategy of continued value creation. Two prong, one is operational excellence of the assets, and second is pursuing a sustainable growth opportunity. As I mentioned, all our long-term contracts have been renewed recently, so we'll have long-term contracts running well into 2030. Our focus on these assets are about operational excellence. As long as we max the assets available, we can collect the capacity payment accordingly. That will be one of the key focus with the long-term contracts already extended. We hope to have the resolution on GPA, the new GPA by year end, and then it's all about operational excellence for us. The second part is about pursuing the growth.
We are very focused in the four areas that we think we are good, which is LNG storage, power generation capacity, integrated utilities, and the carbon capture and storage. Sometime late last year, we have announced the new 55 MW capacity in Sipitang. That was a result of our effort to increase the power generation capacity, which is one of the success that we have had. And we are working on a few more initiatives that we hope as we go into latter part of this year to have announcement on some of these new projects. That's all for now. Let's move to Q&A. Thank you.
Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, you will need to press star one and one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star one and one again. If you wish to ask a question via the webcast, please type it in the box and click Submit. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Once again, if you do wish to ask a question, please press star one and one on your telephone. We will take our first question. Your first question comes from the line of Max Koh from Macquarie. Please go ahead. Your line is open.
Hello. Hi, good evening. Thanks for the call. Just a few questions. For the first one, I think earlier you did mention that you're looking at a settlement with your counterparties to help you to mitigate the volatile USD to Ringgit. I just want to understand that, because you did say that previously, Basically, the new tariff for RP2 allows for the pass on of Forex impact for on an annual basis. Can I just understand, is this an additional mitigating effort? Also, which division does this, which this one would be applicable for which divisions?
Thank you, Max. The charter hire for the storage comprised of CapEx hire and OpEx hire. The CapEx hire is the one that we have settled with the counterparty, which is for the RGTSU, the regas terminal in Sungai Udang. With that, you know, there will be no more Forex movement that will impact the CapEx hire. We do have a small portion of OpEx hire, which will move with the Forex, but it's not going to be significant going forward.
Okay. You're mentioning that you have reached a settlement. This is already done now. Whereas for the OpEx one, are you looking at a new settlement as well, or no, it's just, it'll be just an ongoing business as usual?
We will continue to look at improving our financial position. If there are opportunities, we will do it. At this moment, we are focusing on the CapEx because it presents a big chunk of our exposure on US dollar.
Okay, understood. all right. I mean, would this be similar to a sort of an annual adjustment as what you do for your CapEx for your USD impact on CapEx?
The OpEx hire will be adjusted. Is it annual or the next RP? Next RP.
Sorry. Oh, sorry.
Next RP.
It'll be the next RP. That would be RP3 period, huh?
Correct.
Okay, great. Understood. All right. Also, I think previously, the user did mention that you are also looking at increasing your maintenance activities for the year. Can I get a guidance in terms of what's your CapEx for this year? If I look at your financial statements, are you looking at committing about MYR 4.5 billion, sorry, about MYR 4.8 billion in terms of capital commitments? Can I just confirm that that is what you're looking at in terms of CapEx? Also, what's the breakdown between, let's say, the regulated and the non-regulated divisions?
Thank you, Max. Sharul here. I'll take that question. In terms of capital expenditure, I think at the moment we are anticipating the CapEx to be almost similar at last year's level, around MYR 1.2 billion. Of course, subject to some other finalization of our growth opportunities. At the moment, we're looking at around MYR 1.2 billion CapEx for 2023. In terms of between the regulated and the non-regulated, it's about 50/50, about half/half between the two regulated and also non-regulated segment.
Okay. Great. Understood. Okay. Maybe one last question is that, you did mention that the GP margin on a group level is down about 33%, versus let's say about 40%-50%. This mainly due to the higher gas costs or MRP. I think if you look at data from the government statistics, it seems that on the second quarter, MRP seems to be on a downward trend. So my question is, I guess your message is you're trying to say that, I guess, IGC will still remain quite volatile. Do you expect margins to improve within the next few quarters if we are looking at MRP on the downtrend?
What we see, as I mentioned, quarter one was the highest MRP. We expect it to be lower going forward. This obviously will help in the margin side. I have also mentioned that it, while it's going down, it's still on the high side compared to what we have experienced before. That's where we are.
Okay, great. Okay, that's all from me.
Okay.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you. Once again, if you wish to ask a question, please press star one and one on your telephone. We will take our next question. Please stand by. Your next question comes from the line of Lucas Tan from Affin Hwang Investment Bank Berhad . Please ask your question.
Hi. Hi, Lucas, here. Thanks for the presentation. I have a question about the margin for your gas transportation and regasification. I noticed that your EBIT margin for gas transportation actually improved, mainly due to lower IGC costs. On the contrary, your regasification margins actually dropped by close to 10%. Just wondering why there's a different direction in terms of the margin changes. Thanks.
I can take the question. I believe this is in comparison to preceding quarter.
Yeah.
As mentioned in my presentation earlier, what happened for GTR business, we have installed a new equipment that allow us to track our, what we call as unaccounted for gas, better. As of, as for last year, 2022, we were only able to do the reconciliation by end of the year, hence the higher fuel gas cost recorded in quarter four. For this year, 2023, we are testing it based on the new equipment involved, and we expect the cost to be more constant throughout the quarters.
mainly to say if it wasn't for the one-off event, in year end last year, the Q on a Q-on-Q basis, the IGC would have been higher than this quarter. Is that what you mean?
Yeah. Q-on-Q, mainly because of the...
Price.
The price impact, the MRP movement. Yeah.
Okay. That explain, mostly why the different why is there the different directions. I mean, 'cause, Regas actually, Regas margin dropped, Gas Transportation increased.
Yeah.
Okay. I have only these questions. Thank you.
Okay.
Thank you. We will take our next question. The next question comes from the line of Daniel Wong from Hong Leong Research. Please go ahead. Your line is open.
Hello.
Daniel Wong, your line is open. Please ask your question.
Okay. Can I check on the JV side, why did the JV numbers drop significantly in the previous fourth quarter? How come this quarter improved drastically? That's the first question. The second question, you just now guided that the transportation and regas will be able to pass through the higher fuel cost into FY 2024. Just want to get a understanding. If we base on this first quarter, how much cost are you expected to pass through?
Can you repeat the question?
Yes. Can you repeat the second question, please? Second question, on the gas transportation and regas, just now it was guided that you guys will be able to pass through the higher IGC cost and forex to, in FY 2024 on an annual basis. If we base on the first quarter alone, this first quarter 2023 numbers, how much will PETRONAS can able to pass through the cost?
let me answer the first question first on the share profit from our associates and joint ventures.
Yeah.
I think we saw lower numbers in quarter four compared to quarter one, first because the volume for one of our JV in Pengerang is higher in quarter one this year. For the same JV, late last year, quarter four, we do a small provision on receivables, and hence the higher profit recorded for quarter one this year. Secondly, that is now under the new regime is passed through. When we submit our OPEX to Energy Commission, there's certain assumption on our MRP price level. What was agreed, if the price is higher than what was used as a basis during the tariff decision, we will be able to recover in the next year to our AR.
In this quarter, how much are you able to pass through?
I think indicatively, if you look at the MRP, price is slightly, is higher than what we forecast, around 30, in the mid-thirties. Now about MYR 40 MMBTU, so that's the differential for the pass through.
Mid-30s, the pass through.
Yeah.
on the MRP.
Yeah.
We are not sure how much gas IGC you guys consume for annual basis.
It's subject to the volume as well. Yeah.
On a average basis, are you able to guide?
Me?
On average basis, how much IGC per annum, just based on some rough guidance?
Can I get back to you on that question? I need to check the numbers first.
Okay, sure. The other, how about the FOREX? How about, what assumptions are we looking at as compared to now, which is about 4.4, now increased further to 4.5 recently?
Sorry, you mean the assumption for what?
FOREX.
Assumption for tariffs, you mean?
The FOREX, you guys, I will be able to pass through the higher FOREX cost, right, on the CapEx spending on this, right?
Yeah.
On a in basis. on, in the book, how much FOREX For under the current RP, right, what are the FOREX assumption being used as compared to now, today, which is relatively higher, 4.4.5?
I believe the submission made to ST was sometime in March last year. The assumption was around 4.2.
I see. Okay. Sure. Thank you very much. That's all for me.
Thank you. We will take our next question. Please stand by. Your next question comes from the line of Anshul Singh from JP Morgan. Please go ahead. Your line is open.
Hi. Can you hear me?
Yes, we can.
Yes. I, most of the questions I had are actually, sort of asked them, but I just have.
Anshul, can you please speak up a bit?
Speak louder, Anshul, because...
Can you hear me clearly now?
a bit.
A bit louder.
Hello. My apologies.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. Okay. Okay.
Yes. Most of the questions I had are asked. I have a very basic question. You mentioned that the IGC cost adjustment will be made next year. Assuming the costs drop to below MYR 35 by the end of the year, you will register savings. Is that understanding correct?
I think the way it works with the regulator is during the RP period, there are assumptions on the gas price. If it goes higher, then it will be adjusted in the next year, whatever that percentage higher price-wise, assuming the volume remain same. Likewise, if we use less, or the price is lower than the budget, then it will also be adjusted, meaning we have to give back. You know? That's how it works. So we are not exposed either way. It's just timing between this year and next year. Fine, Anshul?
Yes. Yes. That is very, very clear. I just had another follow-up question. For the regulated business, if we want to assume a run rate, how would we go about doing that?
Sorry, Anshul.
Which business again? Regulated-
For the regulated business, specifically transportation.
Okay.
Sorry, Anshul. What's the question again?
My question is, given the within quarters, while there is still some impact of the fluctuation of the gas price, or, and the IGC, if you want to assume a run rate, is. How should we go about that? Is there, is the fluctuation still going to be considering MRP remains elevated for the next two quarters as well?
The price is based on Malaysia Reference Price. The Malaysia Reference Price is published by Jabatan Statistik every quarter. You can see trends of the price if you refer to Jabatan Statistik. Obviously it moves with the oil price, and it has a seasonal price also, because it's linked to the oil price, which is also seasonal. Sometimes this quarter is higher, sometimes it's lower, but we budgeted a number for the year. Is that answer your question, Andrew?
Yes. Yes, now we hear you.
Okay.
Thank you.
There seems to be no further phone questions at this time. If you wish to take your web questions.
Yes. We will take some questions from the web. From Teh of Kenanga. The first quarter effective tax rate was around 30%. It is explained in the results note that the low tax rate was due to tax incentive granted to Pengerang RGT. Is this a new incentive, and how long does this incentive last?
I'll take this question. Yes, you are right. Our Q1 EPR is about 20%, and it's lower than last year. Last year was around 23% because last year we had the impact of Cukai Makmur or prosperity tax. What we are seeing now is the regular EPR rate. You are right, this is because of the incentive that we have for our RGT with Pengerang mainly. RGT Pengerang is granted on tax incentive for its reconciliation activities. Of course, this is subject to availability of statutory income. We will have this for 15 years. As of last year, we still have the unused tax process, we practically still have that incentive for quite a long period moving forward.
All right. The next question is from Archon of RHB. Okay. What's PGAS role in CCS project and any timeline for such new projects?
Okay. There's two questions there. The JV, we talked about it just now.
Yep.
The CCS. Okay. PGAS is not a molecule owner. We process the gas on behalf of the shipper, which in this case is PETRONAS. Again, the CO2 and whatever utilities is associated with the molecule owner. What we are looking at is to process it or to take care of it on behalf of the molecule owner. That's how the project is. What we are looking at is on the offshore, wherever that the CO2 is emitted, we are looking at gathering it and then consolidating it before we pump, or we compress it onwards to offshore for storage in a depleted reservoir. Anything onshore in Kerteh is what we are looking at as a business, new business for us going forward.
We actually expected to have this project up and running by 2028. We are working to support that timeline to meet the objectives that PETRONAS has set.
All right. Last question of the day, from Tan Chui of Maybank. Will IGC pass-through now being reviewed annually, can PNL recognition of IGC be done on accrued theoretical basis, or will we continue to recognize actual as incurred?
Thank you for the question. Yes, the IGC pass-through will be reviewed annually. In terms of profit and loss recognition of IGC, at the moment, we cannot accrue the pass-through because the accounting standard doesn't allow that to happen. There is a new accounting standard by the name of MFRS 14, Regulatory Asset and Regulatory Liability, which currently at the exposure draft stage, that would allow this accrual to happen. Until that being made effective, we will continue to recognize the actual gas cost during the year and recover or surrender the differences the following year.
All right. That's all. It seems like that's all the questions for today. Over to Heidi.
That does conclude our conference for today. Thank you for participating. You may now disconnect.