e6vk
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 Under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of January, 2007
Cameco Corporation
(Commission file No. 1-14228)
2121
11th Street West
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7M 1J3
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover
Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form
is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b):
Page 2
Exhibit Index
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Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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Page No. |
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1.
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Press Release dated
January 29, 2007
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3-9 |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Date: January 30, 2007 |
Cameco Corporation
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By: |
/s/ "Gary M.S. Chad"
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Gary M.S. Chad, Q.C. |
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Senior Vice-President, Governance,
Legal and Regulatory Affairs, and
Corporate Secretary |
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Share |
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Listed |
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web site address: |
TSX
NYSE
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CCO
CCJ
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www.cameco.com |
2121 11th Street West, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7M 1J3 Canada
Tel: (306) 956-6200 Fax: (306) 956-6201
Cameco Announces Q4 Results from Bruce Power
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, January 29, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . .
Cameco Corporation today announced its interest in the Bruce Power Limited Partnership (BPLP) will
contribute $13 million of pre-tax earnings to its fourth quarter results. This is a decline
compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, in which Camecos share of BPLP pre-tax earnings was $30
million. This decrease in 2006 is due to a lower realized price, partially offset by lower
operating costs.
For the year 2006, earnings before taxes from BPLP were $388 million (100% basis) compared to $520
million (which excludes the $149 million loss recorded on the restructuring of Bruce Power) in
2005. The decline in 2006 from 2005 was due primarily to lower electricity spot prices. Camecos
share of BPLPs pre-tax earnings was $128 million in 2006 compared to $170 million in 2005.
Bruce Powers four B units achieved excellent performance with an average capacity factor of 91%
in 2006, reflecting the benefits of our capital reinvestment program at the site, said Jerry
Grandey, Camecos president and CEO. However, lower electricity prices reduced our earnings.
The average Ontario electricity spot price in 2006 was $22 per megawatt hour (MWh) lower than in
2005, due to decreased demand resulting from more moderate temperatures, lower natural gas prices
and more supply from hydro power.
Cameco is reporting its share of BPLP results today to co-ordinate with TransCanadas fourth
quarter results, which also include earnings from BPLP. Camecos complete fourth quarter results
will be issued after markets close on February 6, 2007.
These financial results reflect the new partnership structure that was created on October 31, 2005
following the division of the Bruce Power site assets between Bruce B operations (BPLP) and Bruce A
operations (Bruce Power A Limited Partnership or BALP). Effective November 1, 2005, Camecos 31.6%
interest in BPLP included the four Bruce B units and does not include the A units.
Immediately following the restructuring, Cameco began to proportionately consolidate its share of
BPLPs financial results. Our move to this new method of accounting was driven by incremental
changes to the partnership agreement, which resulted in joint control among the three major
partners. Proportionate consolidation is required for investments in jointly controlled entities.
For 2006, our results reflect a four-unit operation. Our financial results for the first 10 months
of 2005 reflected a six-unit operation, which was accounted for on an equity basis.
Page 4
Highlights
Bruce Power Limited Partnership (100% basis)1
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Three months ended |
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Year ended |
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Dec 31 |
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Dec 31 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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Output terawatt hours (TWh)1 |
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6.0 |
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6.2 |
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25.8 |
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30.8 |
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Capacity factor (%)2 |
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85 |
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75 |
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91 |
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79 |
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Realized price ($/MWh) |
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46 |
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57 |
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48 |
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58 |
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Average Ontario electricity
spot price ($/MWh) |
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43 |
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71 |
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46 |
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68 |
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($ millions) |
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Revenue |
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278 |
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356 |
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1,242 |
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1,787 |
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Operating costs3 |
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230 |
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258 |
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807 |
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1,202 |
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Cash costs |
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202 |
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209 |
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701 |
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1,008 |
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operating & maintenance |
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157 |
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162 |
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523 |
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779 |
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fuel |
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17 |
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15 |
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65 |
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73 |
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supplemental rent4 |
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28 |
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32 |
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113 |
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156 |
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Non cash costs (amortization) |
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28 |
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49 |
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106 |
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194 |
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Income before interest
and finance charges |
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48 |
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98 |
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435 |
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585 |
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Interest and finance charges |
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12 |
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13 |
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47 |
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65 |
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Earnings before taxes5 |
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36 |
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85 |
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388 |
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520 |
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Cash from operations |
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81 |
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260 |
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514 |
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771 |
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Capital expenditures |
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38 |
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83 |
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103 |
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323 |
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Operating costs ($/MWh) |
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38 |
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42 |
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31 |
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39 |
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Distributions6 |
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65 |
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818 |
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480 |
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1,033 |
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1 |
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In 2006, BPLP consists of the four B units, while in 2005 it included six units
(four B and two A units) for the first 10 months and four B units for the remainder of the
year. |
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2 |
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Capacity factors for a given period represents the amount of electricity actually
produced for sale as a percentage of the amount of electricity the plants are capable of
producing for sale. |
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Net of cost recoveries.
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4 |
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Supplemental rent is about $28.3 million per operating reactor for 2006. |
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Excludes $149 million loss recorded on the restructuring of Bruce Power on October 31,
2005. |
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Distributions in 2005 include $633 million due to the BPLP restructuring. Camecos
share was $200 million. |
In the fourth quarter of 2006, BPLP generated cash from operations of $81 million compared to
$260 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. The decrease reflects a lower realized price as a
result of significantly weaker spot electricity prices and changes in working capital requirements.
Due to timing of sales, the accounts receivable balance increased by $32 million in the fourth
quarter of 2006, whereas it declined by $62 million in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Capital expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2006 totalled $38 million compared to $83 million
during the same period in 2005.
Page 5
BPLP also distributed $65 million to the partners in the fourth quarter. Camecos share was $21
million. The partners have agreed that all future excess cash will be distributed on a monthly
basis and that separate cash calls will be made for major capital projects.
Camecos Earnings from BPLP
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Three months ended |
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Year ended |
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($ millions) |
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Dec 31 |
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Dec 31 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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BPLPs earnings before taxes (100%)1 |
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36 |
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85 |
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388 |
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520 |
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Camecos share of pre-tax earnings
before adjustments |
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11 |
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27 |
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122 |
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164 |
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Proprietary adjustments |
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2 |
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3 |
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6 |
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6 |
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Pre-tax earnings from BPLP |
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13 |
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30 |
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128 |
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170 |
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Excludes $149 million loss recorded on the restructuring of Bruce Power on October 31, 2005. |
Fourth Quarter
Earnings Before Taxes
Camecos pre-tax earnings from BPLP amounted to $13 million during the fourth quarter compared to
$30 million during the same period in 2005. This decrease in 2006 is due to a lower realized price,
partially offset by lower operating costs.
Output
BPLP achieved a capacity factor of 85% in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to 75% in the same
period of 2005. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the BPLP units generated 6.0 TWh of electricity
compared to 6.2 TWh in 2005, which included output from the two operating Bruce A units up to
October 31, 2005.
Outlined below are the maintenance activities for BPLP that occurred during the fourth quarter of
2006.
Planned Outages
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Bruce B Unit 8 |
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Unit 8 returned to service on November 19
following a planned outage that began September 9 to
replace low-pressure turbine blades, inspect fuel channels
and perform routine maintenance. |
Unplanned Outages
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Bruce B Unit 8 |
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Unit 8 returned to service on November 27
following an outage that began November 24 to perform
electrical maintenance on a transformer. |
During the fourth quarter of 2006, the B reactors were offline for 52 days, including nine days due
to unplanned outages. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the B reactors experienced 66 days of planned
maintenance and 29 days of unplanned outages.
Page 6
Price
For the fourth quarter of 2006, BPLPs electricity revenue decreased to $278 million from $356
million over the same period in 2005 due to lower spot prices, and lower output from a four-unit
site.
The realized price achieved from a mix of contract and spot sales averaged $46 per MWh in the
quarter, down from $57 per MWh in the same quarter of 2005. During the quarter, the Ontario
electricity spot price averaged $43 per MWh, compared to $71 per MWh in the fourth quarter of 2005.
The lower spot prices during the quarter were attributable to reduced demand due to moderate
weather, depressed industrial demand, lower natural gas prices and a higher level of hydroelectric
generation.
To reduce its exposure to spot market prices, BPLP has a portfolio of fixed-price sales contracts.
During the fourth quarter of 2006, about 54% of BPLP output was sold under fixed-price contracts,
up from the 53% level during the same period in 2005.
Cameco provides guarantees to customers under these contracts of up to $74 million. At December 31,
2006, Camecos actual exposure under these guarantees was $2 million. In addition, Cameco has
agreed to provide up to $133 million in guarantees to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
and $58 million to Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to support other Bruce Power commitments. Of
these amounts, corporate guarantees have been issued for $24 million to the CNSC and $58 million to
OPG at December 31, 2006.
Costs
Operating costs (including amortization) were $230 million in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared
with $258 million in the same period of 2005. About 95% of BPLPs operating costs are fixed. As
such, most of the costs are incurred whether the plant is operating or not. On a per MWh basis, the
operating cost in the fourth quarter of 2006 was $38, compared with $42 in the fourth quarter of
2005.
Full Year 2006
Earnings Before Taxes
For the year 2006, BPLP earnings before taxes were $388 million compared to $520 million (which
excludes the $149 million loss recorded on the restructuring of Bruce Power) in 2005.
Fewer days lost to planned outages in 2006, combined with substantially fewer forced outages
contributed to a significantly higher capacity factor and reduced unit operating costs. However,
lower electricity spot prices offset these gains.
Output
For the year, the BPLP units achieved a capacity factor of 91%, compared with 79% in the same
period last year. These units produced 25.8 TWh during 2006 compared to 30.8 TWh (including 8.2 TWh
from the A units up to October 31, 2005) over the same period last year. The decrease primarily
reflects the loss of output from the A units as a result of moving to a four-unit site in 2006
versus a six-unit site for most of 2005. The decrease was partially offset by higher output from
the B units.
Page 7
Price
For 2006, BPLPs electricity revenue totalled $1,242 million, compared to $1,787 million in 2005.
During the year, BPLPs realized price averaged $48 per MWh from a mix of contract and spot sales
compared with $58 per MWh last year. The Ontario electricity spot price averaged about $46 per MWh
during the year, compared to $68 per MWh a year ago.
During 2006, about 51% of BPLPs output was sold under fixed-price contracts compared to 48% in
2005.
Costs
For 2006, operating costs were $807 million, compared with $1,202 million in 2005. This decrease
primarily reflects the costs of a four-unit site in 2006 versus the six-unit site for most of 2005,
and higher costs associated with planned and forced outages in 2005. The operating cost declined to
$31 per MWh in 2006 from $39 per MWh in 2005.
BPLP Outlook Considerations
The results from BPLP are influenced by a number of factors including operating performance, costs
and realized price. The operating performance is affected by planned and unplanned outages. Total
costs are relatively insensitive to output shifts as about 95% of BPLPs operating costs are fixed
and most of the costs are incurred whether the plant is operating or not. As such, unit costs are
dependent on output and subject to large variability if output changes. Cameco reports BPLP costs
net of recoveries. Realized prices are made up of a mixture of sales under contract at fixed prices
and sales in the Ontario spot electricity market. The Ontario spot price is dependent on a number
of factors such as the supply of and demand for electricity. The demand for electricity is very
sensitive to Ontario weather patterns.
BPLPs Outlook for First Quarter 2007
In the first quarter of 2007, there is one planned outage. Unit B 6 was shut down on January 20 and
is expected back in service early in the second quarter. As a result, BPLPs average unit costs are
expected to be about $46 per MWh compared to $38 in the fourth quarter of 2006. In the first
quarter we expect more outage days when compared to the fourth quarter of 2006.
For the first quarter of 2007, we anticipate BPLP revenue to be 10% higher than in the fourth
quarter of 2006, as the result of higher expected realized prices that will more than offset lower
generation. The average realized price was $46 per MWh in the fourth quarter of 2006.
BPLPs Outlook for 2007
In 2007, capacity factors for the B units are expected to average in the low 90% range similar to
the 91% achieved in 2006. After investing significant capital on refurbishing the B units over the
past few years, we anticipate continuing through 2007 with a significant reduction in time and
expenditure on refurbishment programs, with only one planned outage as noted above under the BPLPs
outlook for the first quarter of 2007.
For 2007, the average unit cost is expected to rise to $34 per MWh compared to $31 in 2006. Total
costs are expected to rise by 12% in 2007 over 2006. The increase is due primarily to a rise in
staff costs, operating and maintenance costs for heavy water treatment and fuel costs as well as
lower incidental recoveries compared to 2006. In addition, higher amortization expenses are
expected in 2007 reflecting the addition of the new administration building and other capital
projects.
Page 8
For 2007, we anticipate BPLP revenue to be 18% higher than in 2006, almost entirely due to higher
expected realized prices, which are made up of fixed contract prices and Ontario spot market
electricity prices. The spot prices are very sensitive to Ontario weather patterns. The
average realized price was $48 per MWh in 2006.
The first quarter and 2007 outlook for BPLP assumes the B units will achieve their targeted
capacity factor and that there will be no significant changes in current estimates for costs and
prices.
Electricity Price Sensitivity Analysis
For 2007, BPLP has 7 TWh under contract, which would represent about 25% of Bruce B generation at
its planned capacity factor. For 2007, a $1.00 per MWh change in the spot price for electricity in
Ontario would change Camecos after-tax earnings from BPLP by about $4 million.
2007 BPLP Capital Expenditures (100% Basis)
BPLP capital expenditure program is expected to total $149 million. This includes $55 million for
sustaining capital, with the balance for major projects, improvements and new fuel.
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2007 BPLP Capital Plan |
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Bruce B
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Common Capital |
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Total BPLP |
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Category |
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Major Projects |
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$ |
17 |
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$ |
16 |
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$ |
33 |
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Improvement |
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15 |
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15 |
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Sustaining |
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23 |
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32 |
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55 |
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New Fuel |
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46 |
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46 |
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Total Capital Plan |
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$ |
101 |
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$ |
48 |
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$ |
149 |
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Cameco expects that funding of these projects will come entirely from BPLP cash flows. However,
available funds will depend on the electricity market prices and the operational performance of the
BPLP reactors.
Cameco, with its head office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is the worlds largest uranium producer.
The companys uranium products are used to generate electricity in nuclear energy plants around the
world, providing one of the cleanest sources of energy available today. Camecos shares trade on
the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
Statements contained in this news release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking
statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause such differences, without limiting the generality of the following, include: the impact
of the sales volume of fuel fabrication services, uranium, conversion services, electricity
generated and gold; volatility and sensitivity to market prices for uranium, conversion services,
electricity in Ontario and gold; competition; the impact of change in foreign currency exchange
Page 9
rates and interest rates; imprecision in decommissioning, reclamation, reserve and tax estimates;
environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens and long-term waste disposal;
unexpected geological or hydrological conditions; adverse mining conditions; political risks
arising from operating in certain developing countries; terrorism; sabotage; a possible
deterioration in political support for nuclear energy; changes in government regulations and
policies, including tax and trade laws and policies; demand for nuclear power; replacement of
production; failure to obtain or maintain necessary permits and approvals from government
authorities; legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation, regulation or
restructuring of the electric utility industry in Ontario; Ontario electricity rate regulations;
natural phenomena including inclement weather conditions, fire, flood, underground floods,
earthquakes, pit wall failure and cave-ins; ability to maintain and further improve positive labour
relations; strikes or lockouts; operating performance, disruption in the operation of, and life of
the companys and customers facilities; decrease in electrical production due to planned outages
extending beyond their scheduled periods or unplanned outages; success of planned development
projects; and other development and operating risks.
Although Cameco believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the
date of this report. Cameco disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
- End -
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Investor & media inquiries:
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Alice Wong
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(306) 956-6337 |
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Investor inquiries:
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Bob Lillie
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(306) 956-6639 |
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Media inquiries:
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Lyle Krahn
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(306) 956-6316 |