The operating profit in the LNG segment amounted to USD 24.2 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to USD 24.4 million in the third quarter of 2007. The average number of LNG vessels decreased from 6.5 to 5.5 as one small LNG vessel was sold in February 2008.
Operating expenses increased by USD 9.1 million from USD 52.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 to USD 61.1 million in the third quarter of 2008, mainly due to a one-off charge of USD 8.3 million related the right-sizing effected in the shore based organization in this quarter, higher manning expenses and to the effects of the weakening of USD against NOK related to the NOK denominated share of operating expenses.
The accounts show net financial income of USD 37.6 million in the third quarter of 2008 (USD – 34.2 million in 2007), of which interest expenses amounted to USD 22.2 million (USD 21.8 million in 2007). Net foreign exchange gain amounted to USD 78.2 million (USD -1.8 million in 2007), of which USD 68.6 million is an unrealised foreign exchange gain related to the NOK denominated tax liability. Other financial items amounted to USD - 21.6 million in the third quarter of 2008 (USD – 16.5 million in 2007), and consist mainly of changes in marked to market value of interest rate swaps.
Profit before tax amounted to USD 72.5 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to USD 23.9 million in the third quarter of 2007. Net profit was USD 111.6 million (USD 0.9 per share) in the third quarter of 2008, compared to a net profit of USD 17.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 (USD 0.1 per share).
Income tax gain amounted to USD 39.1 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to a tax expense of USD 6.9 million in the third quarter of 2007, and is mainly related to calculated changes in deferred tax in ordinary taxed companies as a result of a reversal of unrealised foreign exchange gains on internal loans.