Google Finance: A Look at Ophir Energy (Past Ticker: OPHR)

While Ophir Energy no longer exists as an independent publicly traded company, its history and the information available on platforms like Google Finance offer valuable insights into the world of oil and gas exploration, corporate acquisitions, and shareholder value. Before being acquired by Medco Energi in 2019, Ophir Energy was a London Stock Exchange-listed (LSE) company with the ticker symbol OPHR, and Google Finance provided investors with real-time stock quotes, historical data, news, and financial statements related to the company.

Ophir Energy's Business & Financial Performance

Ophir Energy was focused on exploration and production of oil and gas, primarily in Africa and Southeast Asia. They held interests in various exploration licenses and production assets, aiming to discover and develop commercially viable hydrocarbon reserves. The company’s success was inherently linked to factors such as global oil prices, exploration results, and its ability to secure financing for large-scale development projects. Google Finance tracked Ophir's share price performance, which reflected investor sentiment towards these factors.

Key financial metrics, such as revenue, earnings per share (EPS), and debt levels, were readily accessible on Google Finance. Investors could monitor trends in these metrics over time to assess Ophir's profitability and financial health. Dividend payments, if any, would also have been detailed. By analyzing this data, investors could gauge the company’s ability to generate returns and manage its financial obligations.

Acquisition by Medco Energi

The defining event for Ophir Energy was its acquisition by Medco Energi, an Indonesian oil and gas company. This acquisition came after a period of challenges for Ophir, including disappointing exploration results and fluctuating oil prices. Google Finance would have reflected the impact of the takeover bid on Ophir's share price, typically showing a significant jump towards the offer price as the deal progressed. The final date of trading and delisting of OPHR from the LSE would also be recorded.

The acquisition ultimately resulted in Ophir Energy ceasing to exist as an independent entity. Shareholders of Ophir received compensation for their shares, and the company's assets and operations were integrated into Medco Energi. The historical data on Google Finance now serves as a record of Ophir's existence as a publicly traded company.

Lessons Learned & Google Finance's Role

The story of Ophir Energy highlights the inherent risks and rewards associated with the oil and gas exploration and production industry. External factors, such as commodity prices and geopolitical events, can significantly impact a company's performance and valuation. Analyzing historical data from platforms like Google Finance allows investors to understand the factors that influenced Ophir’s success and eventual acquisition.

Google Finance provided a valuable tool for investors seeking information on Ophir Energy. Even though the company no longer exists, the archived data remains a resource for those studying corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and the dynamics of the energy sector. It demonstrates how easily accessible financial information can be critical for making informed investment decisions and understanding market trends, even concerning companies that have since been acquired or ceased operations.