Latest Karoon Energy (ASX:KAR) News

Small explorers led the ASX week, with Lachlan Star, EcoGraf and Basin Energy recording the biggest gains on new drilling, offtake and exploration news.
Takeovers, capital raisings and strong company results also drew attention, although several large stocks fell despite reporting better earnings.

Small-cap materials shares produced some of the market’s biggest moves, led by a dramatic rise in Accent Resources and strong gains in gold and critical metals explorers.
Investors also weighed new project funding, drilling results, acquisitions and several steep falls after opening price gaps.

Karoon Energy's Who Dat East Joint Venture has given the green light to develop the Who Dat East field in the Gulf of America, aiming for production start in the second half of 2028 with attractive economics.

Karoon Energy delivered a solid second quarter with 1.08 million barrels of oil equivalent produced and US$116.4 million in sales, underpinned by higher oil prices and operational milestones at Baúna and Who Dat. The company is progressing strategic growth projects and share buybacks while navigating extended Brazilian export taxes.

Karoon Energy reveals the Brazilian government has extended its 12% crude oil export tax for an additional 60 days. The company continues legal efforts to contest the tax while leveraging trade agreements to mitigate its impact.

A tiny gold explorer, a battery materials stock and a biotech name led a week packed with dealmaking, drilling news and fresh funding. Resources did most of the heavy lifting, while several big gaps either held firm or gave back part of their early jump.

Karoon Energy has successfully revived production at the Baúna SPS-92 well, lifting total output to 20,500 bopd and revising its 2026 capital expenditure guidance upward. Concurrently, the company plans a third phase of its on-market share buyback, citing undervaluation and disciplined capital allocation.

Karoon Energy has pushed back production restoration at the Who Dat E manifold to the second half of 2027, prompting a significant downgrade to its 2026 output forecast. Operational setbacks at Who Dat and weather-impacted Baúna interventions weigh on near-term volumes.

Fitch Ratings has maintained Karoon Energy’s credit ratings while revising its outlook to Negative, citing operational disruptions and production decline risks despite solid liquidity and manageable debt. Karoon is actively working on restoring production at key assets with updates expected in its upcoming quarterly report.

The Brazilian government has imposed a 12% tax on crude oil exports effective immediately, a move framed as windfall profit sharing amid high oil prices. Karoon Energy, with significant Brazilian operations, faces new cost pressures as the tax awaits potential ratification by Congress.

Karoon Energy delivered 2025 production near the upper guidance range, marked by a leadership change and significant operational improvements. The company outlines cautious yet optimistic 2026 growth and cost guidance amid ongoing maintenance and exploration activities.

Karoon Energy has appointed industry veteran Carri Lockhart as its new CEO, signaling a strategic push as it prepares to operate the Baúna FPSO and expand in Brazil and the US.