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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Report on Form 6-K for August, 2018
Commission File Number 1-31615
Sasol Limited
50 Katherine Street
Sandton 2196
South Africa
(Name and address of registrant’s principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or
Form 40-F.
Form 20-F __X__ Form 40-F _____
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-
T Rule 101(b)(1): ____
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted
solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-
T Rule 101(b)(7): ____
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to
furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public
under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized
(the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the
registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not
required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material
event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
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.
Yes _____ No __X__
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule
12g3-2(b):
82-_______________.d
Enclosures:SASOL LIMITED - AUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 30 JUNE 2018:
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SASOL LIMITED
Audited Financial Results
for the year ended 30 June 2018
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Sasol creates sustainable
VALUE
for all stakeholders through a
FOCUS
on our strategy and having the
DISCIPLINE
in how we allocate capital
OUR PURPOSE
To create superior value for our customers, shareholders and other
stakeholders. Through our talented people, we use selected technologies
to safely and sustainably source, produce and market chemical and energy
products competitively.
OUR VISION
To be a leading integrated global chemical and energy company, proudly
rooted in our South African heritage, delivering superior value to our
stakeholders.
OUR VALUES
We ensure
that safety,
health and
environment is
a top priority
We act with
respect and
integrity
at all
times
We care for
our
people
and
support their
development
We
comply
with all
applicable legal
requirements
We value
and promote
diversity and
inclusion
We take
ownership
and accountability
for our individual and
team performance
We deliver what
we promise to
our customers,
shareholders
and other
stakeholders
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SALIENT FEATURES
Sasol is a global integrated chemicals and energy company. Through our
talented people, we use selected technologies to safely and sustainably
source, produce and market chemical and energy products competitively
to create superior value for our customers, shareholders and other
stakeholders.
SAFETY
Safety Recordable Case Rate (RCR),
excluding illnesses,
improved to 0,27
,
our lowest so far, regrettably four
fatalities
OPERATIONAL
PERFORMANCE
•
Plant interruptions lowers Secunda
Synfuels Operations volumes by
3%
•
Eurasian Operations volumes up
3%
•
ORYX GTL utilisation at
95%
•
Strong market demand drives
1%
increase in Performance Chemicals
sales volumes
•
Liquid fuels sales volumes down 
2%
,
Base Chemicals volumes down
1%
both impacted by Synfuels plant
incidents
FINANCIAL
PERFORMANCE
•
EBITDA up
10%
to R52 billion
•
Core headline earnings per share down 6%
to
R36,03
•
Headline earnings per share down 22%
to
R27,44
•
Normalised cash fixed costs
remained flat
in real terms
•
Dividend per share*
R12,90
(2,8xCHEPS)
* Our dividend policy is to pay dividends with a dividend
cover on core headline earnings per share (CHEPS)
ADVANCING LCCP*
•
88%
complete, tracking schedule and
revised cost estimate of US$11,13 billion
•
Steam utility system commissioned
earlier than planned
* Lake Charles Chemicals Project (LCCP)
SOCIAL VALUE AND
TRANSFORMATION
•
Invested
R2 billion
in skills and
socio-economic development, up 25%
•
Implemented
Sasol Khanyisa,
our new Broad-Based Black
Economic Empowerment ownership
transaction to advance our
transformation imperative
AUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS
for the year ended 30 June 2018
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
2
Joint President and Chief Executive Officer, Bongani Nqwababa said:
Our resilient 2018 performance was underpinned by higher sales and production volumes, in the second half of the
year. This was enabled by our continued focus on factors within our control and higher global oil prices, resulting in
improved product prices and margins, notwithstanding continued exchange rate volatility. Overall, our operational
performance was satisfactory, however unplanned Eskom electricity supply interruptions and two internal outages
at Secunda Synfuels Operations, negatively impacted volumes. Enhancing our foundation businesses, a core aspect
of our value-based strategy, will be delivered through ensuring safe and sustainable operations, robust asset
management strategies, continuous improvement and digitalisation, underscored by disciplined capital allocation.
Joint President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Cornell said:
2019 will be a defining year for Sasol with the start-up of the LCCP, a catalyst for transforming our earnings profile¹.
Mozambique, our other key growth area, remains central to our gas strategy where we are stepping up efforts to
secure long-term gas feedstock, while delivering on our stakeholder commitments. Improving the flexibility of our
balance sheet, through increased cash flow and reduced gearing, and managing an optimal capital structure will be
a key focus ahead. We remain confident in delivering on our strategy, which will realise sustainable long-term value
for our stakeholders.
Financial results overview
2,4
Sasol delivered a resilient set of results, underpinned by satisfactory sales and production volumes, delivering a flat
normalised real cash fixed cost base and benefitting from much higher crude oil and product margins in the second
half of the financial year. Our financial results were negatively impacted by several unplanned Eskom electricity
supply interruptions and two internal outages at our Secunda Synfuels (SSO) and Natref operations that resulted in
lower production volumes, as well as a 6% stronger average rand/US dollar exchange rate compared to the prior
period.
Our underlying cash flow performance was robust. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
(EBITDA⁴) increased by 10% when compared to the prior year. Core headline earnings³ per share (CHEPS) however
decreased by 6% to R36,03 compared to the prior period and Headline Earnings Per Share decreased by 22% to
R27,44. The difference between core headline earnings and EBITDA in the current year is largely due to depreciation
of approximately R16 billion and employee share-based payment expenses of R1,5 billion due to the marked
improvement of the Sasol share price at the end of the financial year. The share-based payment relating to our
Khanyisa Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) transaction of R3 billion is excluded from core
headline earnings and EBITDA as it is considered to be a once-off and non-cash item.
Sasol’s core headline earnings per share were impacted by the following notable once-off and period close items:
2018
2017
% change
2018 vs 2017
Rand per
share
Rand per
share
Headline earnings per share
(22)
27,44
35,15
Translation impact of closing exchange rate
(106)
(0,09)
1,39
Mark-to-market valuation of hedges
3,81
(0,42)
Implementation of Khanyisa B-BBEE transaction
4,82
–
LCCP ramp-up depreciation
0,05
–
Once-off Uzbekistan license fee
–
(0,59)
Strike action at Mining and related costs
–
1,45
Provision for tax litigation matters
–
1,49
Core headline earnings per share³
(6)
36,03
38,47
Earnings attributable to shareholders for the year ended 30 June 2018 decreased by 57% to R8,7 billion from
R20,4 billion in the prior year. This resulted in earnings per share (EPS) decreasing by 57% to R14,26 compared to
the prior year. The stronger average rand/US dollar exchange rate and the negative impact of remeasurement
items, largely driven by the stronger longer-term rand exchange rate, resulted in a much lower profit and earnings
per share for the year.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
3
The closing exchange rate however weakened by 5% which negatively impacted gearing and the valuation of our
derivatives and foreign debtors and loans. Our hedging programme for the 2018 and 2019 financial years is
complete and positions Sasol well to steer through these periods of volatility. The average Brent crude oil price
moved 28% higher compared to the prior year, and, since December 2017, spot prices have moved closer to the
US$75/bbl mark which positively impacted our results. The rand per barrel oil price increased by approximately
20% to R818 per barrel compared to 2017, (refer to table below), and has subsequently increased by approximately
15% – 25% since the end of June 2018. The spot rand per barrel oil price is now ranging between R950 and R1 050
per barrel.
The movement in macroeconomic factors can be summarised as follows:
% change
2018
2017
Rand/US dollar average exchange rate
(6)
12,85
13,61
Rand/US dollar closing exchange rate
5
13,73
13,06
Average dated Brent crude oil price (US dollar/barrel)
28
63,62
49,77
Refining margins (US dollar/barrel)
(8)
9,32
10,09
Average Henry Hub gas price (US dollar/million British thermal unit)
(2)
2,95
3,00
1
Forward looking statements are the responsibility of the directors and in accordance with standard practice, it is noted that this
statement has not been reviewed and reported on by the company’s auditors.
2
All comparisons to the prior period refer to the year ended 30 June 2017. All numbers are quoted on a pre-tax basis, except for
earnings attributable to shareholders and the Response Plan cash conservation measures.
3
Core headline earnings are calculated by adjusting headline earnings with once-off items, period close adjustments and depreciation
and amortisation of significant capital projects, exceeding R4 billion which have reached beneficial operation and are still ramping up
and share-based payments on implementation of B-BBEE transactions. Period close adjustments in relation to the valuation of our
derivatives at period end is to remove volatility from earnings as these instruments are valued using forward curves and other
market factors at the reporting date and could vary from period to period. We believe core headline earnings are a useful measure of
the group’s sustainable operating performance. However, this is not a defined term under IFRS and may not be comparable with
similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Core headline earnings constitutes pro-forma financial information in terms
of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements and should be read in conjunction with the basis of preparation set out on page 19.
4
EBITDA is calculated by adjusting earnings before interest and taxation for depreciation, amortisation, remeasurement items, share-
based payments and unrealised gains and losses on our hedging activities. We believe EBITDA is a useful measure of the group’s
underlying cash flow performance. However, this is not a defined term under IFRS and may not be comparable with similarly titled
measures reported by other companies.
Operational and cost performance
Sasol experienced some challenges with regards to our operational performance during the year, largely due to
planned and unplanned production interruptions at SSO, Natref and Mining which impacted production and sales
volumes across the value chain. Despite these interruptions, we delivered a stronger overall operational
performance in the second half of the year. Our production run-rates during the fourth quarter of financial year
2018, on an annual average basis, supports our internal targeted run-rates.
Sales volumes increased by 1% for our Performance Chemicals business spurred by robust market demand despite
Eskom electricity supply interruptions. Base Chemicals reported a 1% decrease in sales volumes mainly due to
production interruptions at SSO and a stock build for our high density polyethylene joint venture in the US.
Excluding the impact of Eskom electricity supply interruptions, sales volumes increased by 1%. Liquid fuels sales
volumes were down 2% due to lower volumes from SSO and Natref and a challenging South African retail liquid
fuels market.
The highlights of our business performance are summarised below:
•
In the first half of the year, our mining operations were focused on ramping up production volumes post the
labour strike in the prior year. However, in the period December 2017 to February 2018 we experienced three
tragic work-related fatalities which significantly slowed us in ramping up our operational performance and
resulted in lower than expected production volumes.
•
We are committed to ensuring that our mining operations remain safe and have implemented a number of
initiatives to restore our safety performance. Our Business Improvement Programme (BIP), aimed at increasing
productivity and achieving cost efficiency was refocused post the stabilisation of our safety performance in
March 2018 and to date we have seen some positive results. Our production run rate over the past quarter has
improved by more than 20% compared to the previous quarter and is representative of a run rate to achieve
40 million tons per year and match pre strike production rates.
Production volumes from SSO decreased by 3% to 7,6 million tons mainly as a result of unplanned Eskom supply
interruptions (1%) and internal outages (2%) during the year. Notwithstanding, we continued to improve
operational processes and plant efficiencies to realise better production yields. Our production run rates
achieved during May and June 2018, supports full year production of approximately 7,8 million tons.
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
4
•
Our Eurasian Operations continued to improve on their operational performance and delivered a 3% increase in
production volumes. This was largely due to stronger product demand and increased plant availability.
•
ORYX GTL delivered a strong production performance, with an average utilisation rate of 95% exceeding our
market guidance of 92%.
•
Natref’s production volumes were 9% lower due to planned shutdowns and an unexpected electricity supply
interruption at the start of the financial period. The second half of the year however yielded much improved
production rates despite a planned shutdown in quarter four. The increased volumes in the second half of 2018
partially offsets the lower production volumes recorded in the first half of the year. The production run rate for
quarter four was 600m³/h resulting in a full year run rate of 536m³/h. This compares to a run rate of 592m³/h in
2017.
A detailed production summary and key business performance metrics for the financial year for all our businesses is
available on our website,
www.sasol.com
.
Turning to our cost performance, cash fixed costs were up 2% in real terms in the first half of the year mainly as a
result of above–mentioned planned and unplanned production interruptions. In the second half of the year, we
increased our focus on improving our cost efficiency and managed to keep our normalised cash fixed costs
(excluding growth and once-off items) for the year flat in real terms. We are of the view that our cost management
processes remain robust to protect and improve our cost competitive position and still positions us in managing
our cost base to within our inflation target, while ensuring that we maintain safe and sustainable operations.
Whilst we have reduced our cost base significantly through our Business Performance Enhancement Programme
(BPEP) and Response Plan (RP), we are continuing to evaluate further opportunities to reduce cost through our
Continuous Improvement (CI) programme. The inflation rate for South Africa remains volatile and has moved from
6,5% over the past two years to 4,7% at 30 June 2018. Against this backdrop, we are targeting an inflation rate of
6% as a more sustainable increase for our cost base. We are well positioned to continue with this improved
operational and cost performance into the 2019 financial year.
Cash and capital performance
Cash generated by operating activities decreased slightly to R42,9 billion compared with R44,1 billion in the prior
year. This is largely attributable to a R3,8 billion increase in working capital. Our trade receivables increased by
R2,8 billion due to higher chemical sales prices and higher volumes in June 2018 which translated into cash in July
2018. In addition, due to the last day of the financial year being on a weekend, R1 billion was received from debtors
in the first three business days of July 2018. Inventory increased by R3,4 billion mainly as a result of higher
feedstock costs as a result of the increase in crude oil prices compared to the previous financial year. Inventory
holding in days were slightly higher compared to the previous financial year.
Actual capital expenditure, including accruals, amounted to R53,4 billion. This includes R30,1 billion (US$2,3 billion)
relating to the LCCP. The capital spending rate is aligned to our internal targets and with previous market guidance
provided.
Our net cash position decreased by 42%, from R29,3 billion in the prior period to R17 billion as at 30 June 2018 due
to the funding of the LCCP and investments to fund growth projects. Loans raised during the year amounted to
R25 billion, mainly for the funding of our US growth project. Short-term debt increases relates to the Sasol Inzalo
Public transaction unwinding in September 2018. During the year, we increased our existing US$1,5 billion Revolving
Credit Facility to US$3,9 billion and extended the maturity to five years, with the inclusion of two further extension
options of one year each. In addition, our Domestic Medium Term Note Programme of R8 billion provides us with
access to the South African debt capital markets. The focus on our funding plan will now shift to ensuring that
longer-term debt instruments are put in place.
Due to the funding of the LCCP, more than 80% of our debt is now US dollar denominated. Given the significantly
weaker closing exchange rate of R13,73 and the related translation loss of R4,8 billion arising on the valuation of the
balance sheet at year end, gearing increased to 43,2%, which is slightly below our internal ceiling and market
guidance. Included in net debt is R6,1 billion of new finance leases mainly relating to Oxygen Train 17 in Secunda and
rail storage facilities at the LCCP.
We are actively reviewing our capital structure and funding plan to ensure that we maintain an optimum solvency
and liquidity profile. The unwinding of the Sasol Inzalo transaction has been structured to ensure that our credit
ratings are maintained at investment grade and with the least amount of dilution to our shareholders. The Sasol
Limited Board (the Board) approved that Sasol repurchase the shares from Inzalo Public Funding Limited (RF) and
settle the outstanding debt of R7,4 billion and a cash top-up for value realised of approximately R600 million in
September 2018, assuming a share price of R500. This step will eliminate any Sasol shareholder dilution as a result
of the unwind of the Sasol Inzalo B-BBEE structure.
We therefore expect our gearing to remain around peak levels of 40% - 44% in 2019 due to higher debt associated
with the Inzalo unwind. Accordingly, the Board approved that we manage the balance sheet to below our peak
internal gearing ceiling of 44% for the 2019 financial year.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
5
In January 2018, S&P Global Ratings affirmed Sasol’s credit rating at a BBB-/A-3 with a stable outlook. This is two
notches above the South African sovereign credit rating and is at investment grade. Similarly Moody's Investors
Service (Moody’s) confirmed South Africa’s sovereign rating at Baa3 changing the rating from negative to stable in
March 2018, while affirming Sasol’s global scale long-term issuer rating at Baa3, adjusting the outlook from
negative to stable. Sasol’s national scale long-term rating was affirmed at Aaa.za. Moody’s has delinked Sasol from
the South African sovereign rating by one notch.
Our dividend policy is to pay dividends with a dividend cover range based on CHEPS. Taking into account the impact
of the current volatile macroeconomic environment, capital investment plans, the current gearing range of 43,2%,
and the dividend cover range, the Board has declared a gross final dividend of R7,90 per ordinary share and Sasol
BEE ordinary share (1,3% higher compared to the prior year). The dividend cover was 2,8 times at 30 June 2018
(30 June 2017: 2,8 times).
Update on hedging activities
As part of our enterprise risk management framework, we entered into a number of hedges to mitigate specific
financial market risks and provide protection of our balance sheet and operating cash flows against unforeseen
movements in oil prices, interest rates, currency movements, commodity and final product prices. A summary of
our group hedges are presented below:
Settled
contracts
Open
contracts
2018
2019
Brent oil – put options
Number of barrels hedged
mm bbl
50,25
48,00
Average Brent crude oil price floor, net of costs
US$/bbl
47,82
53,36
Premiums paid
US$ m
125,00
131,00
Rand/US dollar currency – zero-cost collar instruments
US$ exposure hedged
US$bn
4,00
4,00
Annual average floor
R/US$
13,46
13,14
Annual average cap
R/US$
15,51
15,14
Export coal - swaps
Number of tons hedged
mm tons
2,80
1,40
Average coal swap price
US$/ton
76,11
81,82
Ethane gas – Swaps
Number of barrels hedged
mm bbl
2,30
3,50
Average ethane gas swap price
US$ c/gal
27,54
27,30
Our hedging strategy has held us in good stead as we have managed to secure a floor of US$48/bbl for 2018 and
US$53/bbl for 2019 which protects our balance sheet against crude oil price volatility. On the exchange rate, we
have realised gains of R2,8 billion (cash flow) in 2018 which protected earnings and the balance sheet given the
average exchange rate of R12,85/US$1.
The current volatility in the crude oil price and exchange rate impacted the valuation of the open hedges at the end
of 2018. The unrealised losses include:
•
R0,3 billion loss on the rand/US dollar zero-cost collars;
•
R1,2 billion loss on Brent crude oil put options. The open instruments were valued against an average strike of
US$56/bbl; and
•
R0,4 billion loss on export coal swaps.
These losses are highly dependent on market factors and could change in 2019 depending on the actual oil price
realised and exchange rate performance. We have completed our hedging programme for 2019 and are considering
our hedging strategy for 2020 given the current oil price outlook and exchange rate volatility.
Continuous improvement and digitalisation
Our low oil price RP achieved cumulative cash savings of R85,3 billion since January 2015, exceeding our target
range of R65 - 75 billion. The RP has delivered sustainable annual cash fixed cost savings of R3,5 billion which is in
addition to the R5,4 billion sustainable cost savings from our BPEP. This brings our cumulative sustainable cost
savings to R8,9 billion. We have now formally closed the RP at the end of June 2018. This proactive initiative
enabled us to manage the balance sheet through periods of oil price volatility, while maintaining our investment
grade and ability to fund our growth projects.
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
6
To ensure that we remain relevant and competitive and to reap the benefits of a higher oil price, we have
introduced a CI programme. CI, building on the solid foundation established by the BPEP and the RP, is aimed at
ensuring our continued competitiveness at an oil price of $40/bbl, while enhancing our offering to markets across
all the industries in which we compete. Our medium-term target is to increase our Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
for our foundation businesses by at least two percentage points by 2022 to 19%. This is off a 2017 actual base,
normalised for remeasurements and once-off items and excluding assets under construction. To date, we have
identified value enhancing opportunities to the value of 50% of the target, which positions us well towards
achieving our 2022 medium-term target.
Value adding digitalisation improvements, process simplification, selective core function repositioning and asset
performance reviews, are considered across all our businesses globally as key enablers to achieving our CI targets.
Our digitalisation objectives are centered around improving asset health management (predictive maintenance),
increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of operations (yield, energy, throughput, plan and schedule
achievement), advancing customer engagement, and extracting value from business process automation. Through
the effective use of data and digital technologies, we are positioning digitalisation to significantly contribute to our
continuous improvement target of a 2% ROIC uplift by 2022. We are making steady progress with our focused
asset review process. Several non-strategic assets have been identified for possible disposal or reduced
shareholding. During the past financial year we successfully disposed of our shareholding in our Base Chemical joint
ventures in Malaysia and several smaller investments. The disposal process for our Canadian shale assets has
commenced. Market updates will be made as sufficient progress is made without negatively impacting the disposal
process.
Effective tax rate
Our effective corporate tax rate increased from 28,3% to 35,4% largely as a result of impairments relating to our
shale gas assets in Canada (R2,8 billion) and the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) in Mozambique (R1,1 billion)
as well as the share-based payment expense (R3 billion) with the implementation of Sasol Khanyisa. The adjusted
effective tax rate, excluding equity accounted investments, remeasurements and once-off items, is 27,3%
compared to 26,5% in the prior year.
Satisfactory operational performance, higher oil and product prices
1,3
Operating Business Units
Mining – improving productivity, benefitting from higher global coal prices
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) increased by 41% to R5,2 billion compared to the prior period, mainly as a
result of the strike action in 2017. Earnings, excluding the strike cost and remeasurement items, increased by 4%
due to higher selling prices to SSO, an increase in export coal sales volumes and a 16% increase in export coal prices,
partially offset by additional external coal purchases of R865 million to restore the stockpile to two million tons. At
30 June 2018, our coal stockpiles were fully restored through own production and additional external coal
purchases. Based on our improved production run rate in the last quarter, we expect our external purchases from
Anglo Coal’s Isibonelo Colliery to return to our targeted level of five million tons per year. External coal purchased to
supplement production ceased during July 2018.
Normalised unit cost of production increased by 5% to R284/ton compared to the prior year as a result of
productivity rates not reaching our planned internal targets. This is in line with previous market guidance.
Sasol Mining concluded a three-year wage agreement with all five of our participating trade unions in August 2017.
Exploration and Production International (E&PI) – strong operational delivery from Mozambique and
Gabon, partial impairment of PSA
EBIT adjusted for remeasurement items and the closing rate translation effect (normalised earnings*) amounted to
R270 million for the period.
Our Mozambican producing operations recorded an EBIT of R2 billion largely due to higher sales prices which was
partly negated by lower demand in the Mozambican gas market. The valuation of the PSA was impacted by weaker
long-term macroeconomic assumptions and lower than expected oil volumes. This resulted in a partial impairment
of R1,1 billion (US$94 million). We are currently reviewing the capital spend on the oil field development plan
following the results of the drilling campaign and an update to the PSA approved capital expenditure will be
communicated at the 2019 interim results. We expect lower capital expenditure as a result of the oil development
but the gas development still remains according to our estimates made at FID (Final Investment Decision).
Our Gabon asset recorded an EBIT of R537 million, 82% higher compared to the prior year largely due to higher
sales prices. This was partially offset by a 12% decrease in production volumes resulting from the natural decline of
the field.
We impaired our Canadian shale gas assets by R2,8 billion in the first half of the year due to a further decline in
long–term gas prices. The disposal process for these assets has commenced, however these assets have not yet
been classified as held-for-sale. Further announcements will be made once the process develops to an advanced
stage.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
7
Strategic Business Units
Performance Chemicals – increased sales volumes, robust market demand, adversely impacted by
stronger rand
Our sales volumes increased by 1% compared to the prior year despite Eskom electricity interruptions at SSO and
Hurricane Harvey. We continued to take advantage of the strong demand for our organics and inorganics products
and expanded our footprint in differentiated markets. The margins for our European and US specialty businesses
remained resilient, benefitting from robust demand and favourable market conditions. Production volumes from
our Eurasian Operations increased by 3% due to stronger demand and increased plant availability.
EBIT decreased by 7% to R8,2 billion compared to the prior year, mainly due to the stronger exchange rate, start-up
costs associated with our growth projects and production interruptions at SSO. Excluding growth costs associated
with our projects in the US and Brunsbüttel, cash fixed costs were contained to 2,6% for the year, which is below
inflation target.
Base Chemicals – lower volumes, profitability adversely impacted by the stronger rand
Our business benefitted from higher chemical US dollar prices, which improved by 12% due to higher crude oil
prices and favourable conditions prevailing in certain of our Solvents markets. The market demand remained strong
for most of our products, however the impact of the stronger exchange rate offset this benefit in earnings.
Normalised earnings* decreased by 18% to R5,2 billion compared to the prior year mainly due to the stronger
exchange rate which negatively impacted earnings by R1,8 billion or 27%. Our cash fixed costs, normalised for
growth and once–off items increased by only 5,5%, which is below our inflation target. Remeasurement items
includes an impairment of R5,2 billion (R3,7 billion after tax) on our South African Chlor Vinyls cash generating unit,
as a result of the continued and sustained strengthening of the exchange rate outlook and the resulting impact on
Base Chemicals margins.
Sales volumes decreased by 1% mainly due to production interruptions at SSO. Improved efficiencies in our
Ethylene and Propylene value chains have however partially negated the impact of production interruptions on
sales volumes.
Our 50% joint venture HDPE plant with Ineos Olefins and Polymers USA achieved beneficial operation in November
2017. The plant ramped up production during quarter four and is performing to expectations. We have successfully
completed all guarantee runs and transitioned to bimodal production.
As part of the strategic review of our asset portfolio, we disposed of our 40% interest in the Petronas Chemicals
LDPE plant and our 12% share in Petronas Chemicals Olefins plant in March 2018 for R1,9 billion (US$163 million). We
are continuing to review our other assets and investments in the portfolio to further enhance performance and
improve the ROIC for the group.
Energy – margins improve, but volumes under pressure
Our normalised earnings* margin increased from 21% to 22% mainly as a result of a higher crude oil prices. This was
partially offset by lower liquid fuels volumes of R680 million (6%) and the stronger exchange rate of R1,9 billion
(17%).
Normalised earnings* increased by 12% to R15,1 billion when compared to the prior year. We continued to focus on
cost containment and identifying opportunities to further reduce our cost base. Normalised for the Power
Purchase Agreement with Eskom coming to an end in 2017, our cash fixed costs increased by only 1,9%, which is
well below inflation.
Natref’s production volumes were 9% lower largely due to planned and unplanned production interruptions and an
Eskom electricity supply interruption at the start of the year. The first half of the year was challenging. However,
Natref delivered a strong performance during the last quarter of the year with an improved production run rate of
600m³/h despite a planned shutdown in quarter four. The increased volumes in the second half of the year partially
offsets the lower production volumes recorded in the first half of the year. We expect the positive production run
rate to continue in 2019.
ORYX GTL delivered a strong production performance with an average utilisation rate of 95%. ORYX GTL contributed
R1,2 billion to operating profit with volumes increasing by 1% compared to the prior year.
In Nigeria, Escravos GTL (EGTL), optimisation efforts to reduce costs and improve plant efficiency are progressing
well, with a marked improvement on average utilisation rates. This, together with a higher oil price outlook,
resulted in a reversal of impairment of our investment in EGTL of R254 million.
The challenging economic environment also impacted our gas sales volumes to the external market, resulting in a
reduction of 3% compared to the prior year. The available gas was, however, utilised internally in our integrated
value chain.
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
8
In line with our strategy to grow our South African retail presence and maximise margins, we opened 12 new Sasol
retail convenience centres (RCCs) and divested from 10 non-operating RCCs. We are continuing to accelerate the
growth of our retail network through organic growth and potential acquisitions. We are also improving our retail
offering to meet the changing trends of our customer base through embracing digitalisation. As part of our
commitment to transformation, we continued to focus on procurement, skills and enterprise development
initiatives and improved our B-BBEE score for Sasol Oil from a level 7 to a level 3 in the current year.
* Normalised earnings represent reported EBIT adjusted for remeasurement items and the closing rate translation effects based on
information contained in the published Group consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018.
Advancing projects to enable future growth
We are making steady progress in delivering on our growth pipeline:
•
Growing our footprint in North America
:
•
We are progressing with LCCP in Lake Charles and indications are that the cost of the project will remain
within the previous market guidance of US$11,13 billion. As at end June 2018, engineering, equipment
fabrication and procurement were substantially complete and construction progress reached 68%
completion. Overall the project is 88% complete with capital expenditure amounting to US$9,8 billion. The
project remains on track to start up the first three manufacturing units in the second half of the 2018
calendar year. A significant milestone was reached when we achieved first steam production in July 2018. The
expected start-up date of the remainder of the manufacturing units remains in the second half of the 2019
calendar year.
We have updated the LCCP economics with the current view of long-term market assumptions obtained from
independent market consultants. Due to the volatile market and differing views of where ethane will
be sourced from, the assumptions from the market consultants differ significantly. In a scenario where
ethane is sourced from the Gulf area, the internal rate of return (IRR) is 8,0% - 8,5% and assumes an ethane
price of between US$30-40 cents per gallon. The alternative view which assumes that ethane is sourced
further away from the Gulf yields an IRR of 5,2% - 5,7% as the ethane price is between US$60-65 cents per
gallon. In both of these scenarios the oil price is assumed to be US$60-80/bbl and the EBITDA at steady state
ranges between US$1,2 billion to US$1,3 billion. At spot prices, using the last quarter of 2018 as a reference,
the IRR is 8,5% - 8,9%. The spot WACC rate for the US at 30 June 2018 was 7,68%.
•
Focusing on our asset base in Africa:
•
Our strategic R14 billion mine replacement programme, which will ensure uninterrupted coal supply to SSO in
order to support Sasol’s strategy to operate our Southern African facilities until 2050, is nearing completion.
Phase two of the Impumelelo colliery project is on track to be completed within budget, late in the 2019
calendar year. The Shondoni colliery underground infrastructure was completed during May 2018 and the
colliery was officially inaugurated on 5 July 2018. The phases completed to date were within budget and
schedule.
•
In Mozambique, the PSA Phase 1 and Phase 2 drilling activities have been completed. In total, 11 wells were
drilled comprising seven oil wells and four gas wells. The Inhassoro oil reservoirs have proved more complex
than expected and, with the reduced expectation of recoverable oil volumes and uncertainty on the oil price,
we are looking to maximise the use of existing processing facilities in the adjacent Petroleum Production
Agreement (PPA) facilities. Phase 1 gas results confirm gas resources cover for Central Termica Temane (CTT),
formerly Mozambique Gas-to-Power Project (MGtP). Phase 2 appraisal drilling results indicate gas volumes to
be at the lower end of our initial estimates. Focused efforts are underway to assess the range of options and
possibilities to sustainably secure and source gas feedstock.
•
In continuing to execute our strategy, we have concluded a farm-in into the DE8 block in Gabon where we
now hold 40% working interest of that block. An exploration well drilled during the year was unsuccessful
and written off.
Maintaining our focus on safety and sustainable value creation
We continued to deliver on our broader sustainability and community contributions during the year:
•
Safety remains one of our top priorities and is a core value. However, we are deeply saddened to report that we
had four work-related fatalities and six high severity injuries this year. An incident, which resulted in the tragic
death of an employee, was investigated as a fatality and the harm was determined to have been self-inflicted.
The main learnings from this investigation were taken on board and implemented. Our thoughts remain with the
families of our employees who have lost their lives in Sasol’s service this year.
A senior executive safety workshop was conducted as a necessary intervention to evaluate industry best
practices and strengthen the standardised approach to prevent fatalities and high severity injuries across the
group. Four focus areas were identified which will form the basis of our safety programme for the next financial
year. Our 12 month rolling Recordable Case Rate for employees and service providers, excluding illnesses,
improved to 0,27, our lowest level ever recorded. We believe our focused programme will also improve our injury
rate.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
9
•
During the year, we invested R2 billion in skills development and socio-economic development, which includes
our Ikusasa programme, bursaries, learnerships and artisan training programmes. The Ikusasa programme
focuses on education, health and wellbeing, infrastructure, and safety and security in the Secunda and
Sasolburg regions.
•
This year saw the publication of the draft Carbon Tax and Climate Change Bills, both of which are expected to be
implemented during the course of 2019. Sasol is supportive of the “Just Transition” campaign where a holistic
approach is taken to achieving a lower carbon economy. Sasol continues to constructively engage with
government on both these critical pieces of legislation. Further, we are progressing transparency around our
climate change management, aligned with international initiatives, such as the Task Force for Climate Related
Financial Disclosure requirements. Ongoing engagements with key stakeholders inform the robustness of our
journey.
•
Our total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all operations globally is slightly lower at 67,43 million tons for
2018 when compared to 67,68 million tons in the prior year. Our GHG emissions intensity (measured in carbon
dioxide equivalent per ton of production) is higher at 3,78 compared to 3,66 in 2017. This is due to lower
production levels in Secunda as a result of production interruptions.
•
Sasol supports the objective of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEMAQA) to
contribute to an environment that is not harmful to human health or wellbeing. We regularly engage with the
Department of Environmental Affairs on this to achieve a sustainable regulatory framework to support
meaningful improvements in ambient air quality.
•
While most of Sasol’s processes will be able to comply with new plant Minimum Emission Standards by 2025,
there are selected activities that will not. For these specific cases, Sasol relies on applications for postponement
of the applicable compliance timeframes as we continue to investigate technical solutions that will ensure
compliance. In support, we are progressing the implementation of our committed air quality roadmaps.
•
The Sasol Group Energy Intensity index (EIi) improved from the 2015 baseline by 6,03% against our internal
target of 3% (1% per year). Our South African Operation’s EIi for 2018 is 6,62% and has essentially remained
unchanged from the previous year mainly due to unplanned electricity supply outages resulting in frequent
plant interruptions at our South African operations.
•
During the year, we paid R39,5 billion in direct and indirect taxes to the South African government. Sasol
remains one of the largest corporate taxpayers in South Africa, contributing significantly to the country’s
economy.
•
During 2018, Sasol made good progress in terms of Preferential Procurement which resulted in actual spend
with black owned suppliers increasing by R5,2 billion to R12,7 billion from the prior year.
•
Sasol is committed to sustainable transformation and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). In
our recent B-BBEE verification, Sasol achieved a Level 6 contributor status representing a key milestone in our
journey of achieving at least a Level 4 contributor status by 2020.
Unwinding of Inzalo B-BBEE transaction
As announced on 26 June 2018, Sasol settled the Sasol Inzalo Groups preference share debt of approximately
R4,6 billion in June 2018 by utilising existing cash to repurchase up to 9,5 million preferred ordinary shares from
Sasol Inzalo Groups Funding (Pty) Ltd (RF) at a 30 day volume weighted average price (VWAP) of R475,03, and
funded the residual shortfall on the third party debt of R59 million. The Sasol Inzalo Public Funding Limited (RF)
debt becomes due in September 2018. The Board has approved that Sasol settle the Sasol Inzalo Public debt in the
same manner as Sasol Inzalo Groups so as to limit dilution on our shareholders, while maintaining investment
grade ratings by utilising existing cash or credit facilities to repurchase 16,1 million preferred ordinary shares from
Sasol Inzalo Public Funding Limited (RF). Based on Sasol’s current share price and the forecast debt balances, there
could be residual value, after settlement of third party debt, which will be distributed to Sasol Inzalo Public Funding
Limited (RF) ordinary shareholders.
Business performance outlook* – strong production performance and cost
reductions to continue
The current economic climate continues to remain highly volatile and uncertain. While oil price and foreign
exchange movements are outside our control and may impact our results, our focus remains firmly on managing
factors within our control, including volume growth, cost optimisation, effective capital allocation, focused financial
risk management and maintaining an investment grade credit rating.
We expect an overall strong operational performance for 2019, with:
•
SSO volumes of between 7,6 to 7,7 million tons impacted by a planned full shutdown in 2019;
•
Liquid fuels sales of approximately 57 to 58 million barrels due to a planned full shutdown at SSO;
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
10
•
Base Chemicals sales volumes, excluding US produced products, to be 2% – 3% higher than the prior year, with
US dollar product pricing expected to follow Brent crude oil prices. Our US HDPE plant will contribute for the full
year, while LCCP is expected to start contributing during the second half of the year.
•
Performance Chemicals sales volumes to be 2% – 4% higher, excluding the LCCP;
•
Gas production volumes from the Petroleum Production Agreement in Mozambique to be between 114 bscf to
118 bscf;
•
We expect to achieve an average utilisation rate of 95% at ORYX GTL in Qatar;
•
Normalised cash fixed costs to remain in line within our inflation assumption of 6%;
•
Capital expenditure, including capital accruals, of R38 billion for 2019 and R30 billion for 2020 as we progress
with the execution of our growth plan and strategy. Capital estimates may change as a result of exchange rate
volatility and other factors;
•
Our balance sheet gearing to range between 40% – 44%;
•
Rand/US dollar exchange rate to range between R12,50 and R13,50; and
•
Average Brent crude oil prices to remain between US$65/bbl and US$75/bbl.
*
The financial information contained in this business performance outlook is the responsibility of the directors and in accordance with standard practice, it is noted
that this information has not been audited and reported on by the company’s auditors.
Competition law compliance
In 2012, the South African Competition Commission referred allegations of price-fixing and market division against
various petroleum products producers, including Sasol to the Competition Tribunal. Sasol and the other companies
involved settled the matter with the Competition Commission on a no fine and no admission of guilt basis and
provided undertakings regarding future exchange of information within the industry. The application for
confirmation of the settlement agreement was heard before the Competition Tribunal on 7 February 2018. On 3 May
2018, the Competition Tribunal approved the settlement agreement. This effectively closed the investigations with
no penalty imposed on Sasol.
Tax litigation and contingency
As previously reported, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued revised assessments for Sasol Oil (Pty) Ltd
(Sasol Oil) relating to a dispute around our international crude oil procurement activities for the 2005 to 2012 tax
years. Sasol Oil has co-operated fully with SARS during the course of the audit related to these assessments.
The litigation process in the Tax Court, relating to the international crude oil procurement activities for the 2005 to
2007 years of assessment, was concluded and judgement was delivered on 30 June 2017 in favour of SARS. As a
result, a liability of R1,3 billion has been recognised in the prior year financial statements in respect of the 2005 to
2014 matters that remain the subject of the ongoing litigation. Sasol Oil, in consultation with its tax and legal
advisors, does not support the basis of the judgement and filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
The SCA hearing will take place on 21 August 2018, and it is anticipated that the judgement will likely be delivered
within a few months thereafter.
SARS has notified Sasol Oil of its intention to place on hold the field audit relating to this issue for the 1999 to 2004
tax years pending the outcome of the litigation. As a result of the judgement handed down on 30 June 2017, a
possible obligation may arise from the field audit, which is regarded as a contingent liability.
In addition, there could be a potential tax exposure of R12,6 billion for the periods 2013 to 2014 on varying tax
principles relating to the aforementioned activities, which remains the subject of an appeal. Supported by specialist
tax and legal advisors, Sasol Oil disagrees with SARS’ additional assessments for the 2013 and 2014 periods and has
filed an appeal in the Tax Court, which has been suspended, pending the decision of the SCA. A possible obligation
may arise for the tax years subsequent to 2014, which could give rise to a future contingent liability also depending
to a degree on the outcome of the SCA hearing. SARS’ decision to suspend the payment of this disputed tax for the
periods 2005 to 2014 currently remains in force.
In 2010, SARS commenced with a request for information in respect of Sasol Financing International Plc (SFI). This
matter progressed to an audit over the years and has now culminated in SARS issuing a final audit letter on
16 February 2018. Consequently, assessments were issued in respect of the 2002 to 2012 tax years. SARS argues
that the place of effective management of SFI, an offshore treasury function, was South Africa. This approach could
result in potential tax exposure of R3,1 billion (including interest and penalties as at 30 June 2018). SFI has co-
operated fully with SARS during the course of the audit related to these assessments. SFI, in consultation with its
tax and legal advisors, does not support the basis of these additional assessments for all the years. Accordingly, SFI
lodged objections and will submit appeals (as the case may be) to the assessments as the legal process unfolds.
SARS’ decision to suspend the payment of this disputed tax for the periods 2002 to 2012 currently remains in force.
Sasol is committed to compliance with tax laws and any disputes with tax authorities on the interpretation of tax
laws and regulations will be addressed in a transparent and constructive manner.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
11
Change in directors
Ms MBN Dube was appointed as an independent director with effect from 1 April 2018 and Mr HG Dijkgraaf retired
as an independent director on 30 April 2018. Mr MJN Njeke was appointed as the lead independent director with
effect from 30 April 2018.
Declaration of cash dividend number 78
A final gross cash dividend of South African 790 cents per share (30 June 2017 – 780 cents per ordinary share) has
been declared for the year ended 30 June 2018. The cash dividend is payable on the ordinary shares and the Sasol
BEE ordinary shares. The Board is satisfied that the liquidity and solvency of the company, as well as capital
adequacy remaining after payment of the dividend is sufficient to support the current operations for the ensuing
year. The dividend has been declared out of retained earnings (income reserves). The South African dividend
withholding tax rate is 20%. At the declaration date, there are 623 081 550 ordinary, 16 085 199 preferred ordinary
and 6 394 179 Sasol BEE ordinary shares in issue. The net dividend amount payable to shareholders who are not
exempt from the dividend withholding tax, is 632 cents per share, while the dividend amount payable to
shareholders who are exempt from dividend withholding tax is 790 cents per share.
The salient dates for holders of ordinary shares and Sasol BEE ordinary shares are:
Declaration date
Monday, 20 August 2018
Last day for trading to qualify for and participate in the final dividend
(cum dividend)
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Trading ex dividend commences
Wednesday, 5 September 2018
Record date
Friday, 7 September 2018
Dividend payment date (electronic and certificated register)
Monday, 10 September 2018
The salient dates for holders of our American Depository Receipts are:¹
Ex dividend on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
Wednesday, 5 September 2018
Record date
Friday, 7 September 2018
Approximate date for currency conversion
Tuesday, 11 September 2018
Approximate dividend payment date
Friday, 21 September 2018
1 All dates approximate as the NYSE sets the record date after receipt of the dividend declaration.
On Monday, 10 September 2018, dividends due to certificated shareholders on the South African registry will either
be electronically transferred to shareholders’ bank accounts or, in the absence of suitable mandates, dividend
cheques will be posted to such shareholders. Shareholders who hold dematerialised shares will have their accounts
held by their CSDP or broker credited on Monday, 10 September 2018. Share certificates may not be dematerialised
or rematerialised between 5 September 2018 and 7 September 2018, both days inclusive.
On behalf of the Board
Mandla Gantsho
Bongani Nqwababa
Stephen Cornell
Paul Victor
Chairman
Joint President and
Joint President and
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Sasol Limited
17 August 2018
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
12
The summarised financial statements are presented on a condensed consolidated basis.
Income statement
2016
2017
2018
2018
2017
2016
US$m*
US$m*
US$m*
Rm
Rm
Rm
11 911
12 668
14 121
Turnover
181 461
172 407
172 942
(4 912)
(5 249)
(5 961)    Materials, energy and consumables used
(76 606)
(71 436)
(71 320)
(476)
(471)
(549)    Selling and distribution costs
(7 060)
(6 405)
(6 914)
(582)
(636)
(713)   Maintenance expenditure
(9 163)
(8 654)
(8 453)
(1 647)
(1 794)
(2 138)    Employee-related expenditure
(27 468)
(24 417)
(23 911)
(20)
(36)
(27)   Exploration expenditure and feasibility
costs
(352)
(491)
(282)
(1 127)
(1 190)
(1 278)    Depreciation and amortisation
(16 425)
(16 204)
(16 367)
(625)
(922)
(1 192)   Other expenses and income
(15 316)
(12 550)
(9 073)
10
(88)
(1)     Translation (losses)/gains
(11)
(1 201)
150
(635)
(834)
(1 191)     Other operating expenses and income
(15 305)
(11 349)
(9 223)
35
79
112    Equity accounted profits, net of tax
1 443
1 071
509
2 557
2 449
2 375
 Operating profit before remeasurement
 items and Sasol Khanyisa share-based
 payment
30 514
33 321
37 131
(888)
(119)
(771)   Remeasurement items
(9 901)
(1 616)
(12 892)
-
-
(223)    Sasol Khanyisa share-based payment
(2 866)
-
-
1 669
2 330
1 381
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)
17 747
31 705
24 239
125
115
133    Finance income
1 716
1 568
1 819
(161)
(240)
(292)    Finance costs
(3 759)
(3 265)
(2 340)
1 633
2 205
1 222
Earnings before tax
15 704
30 008
23 718
(598)
(624)
(432)   Taxation
(5 558)
(8 495)
(8 691)
1 035
1 581
790
Earnings for the year
10 146
21 513
15 027
Attributable to
911
1 497
679     Owners of Sasol Limited
8 729
20 374
13 225
124
84
111   Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
1 417
1 139
1 802
1 035
1 581
790
10 146
21 513
15 027
US$
US$
US$
Rand
Rand
Rand
Per share information
1,49
2,45
1,11    Basic earnings per share
14,26
33,36
21,66
1,49
2,44
1,10    Diluted earnings per share
14,18
33,27
21,66
*
Supplementary non-IFRS information. US dollar convenience translation, converted at average exchange rate of R12,85/US$1
(30 June 2017 – R13,61/US$1; 30 June 2016 – R14,52/US$1).
The income statement has been translated from rand to US dollar for convenience purposes in order to enable offshore
shareholders to interpret the financial performance in a universally measured currency. This constitutes pro-forma financial
information in terms of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements and should be read in conjunction with the basis of preparation set
out on page 19.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
13
Statement of comprehensive income
2018
2017
2016
Rm
Rm
Rm
Earnings for the year
10 146
21 513
15 027
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Items that can be subsequently reclassified to the income statement
6 068
(8 931)
13 253
Effect of translation of foreign operations
5 237
(10 074)
15 112
Effect of cash flow hedges
1 233
1 821
(2 855)
Fair value of investments available-for-sale
13
11
(7)
Tax on items that can be subsequently reclassified to the income statement
(415)
(689)
1 003
Items that cannot be subsequently reclassified to the income statement
(54)
743
(546)
Remeasurements on post-retirement benefit obligations
(80)
1 114
(877)
Tax on items that cannot be subsequently reclassified to the income
statement
26
(371)
331
Total comprehensive income for the year
16 160
13 325
27 734
Attributable to
Owners of Sasol Limited
14 727
12 234
25 890
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
1 433
1 091
1 844
16 160
13 325
27 734
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
14
Statement of financial position
2017
2018
2018
2017
US$m*
US$m*
Rm
Rm
Assets
12 157
12 196      Property, plant and equipment
167 457
158 773
10 010
12 044       Assets under construction
165 361
130 734
181
196       Goodwill and other intangible assets
2 687
2 361
904
801       Equity accounted investments
10 991
11 813
48
109       Post-retirement benefit assets
1 498
622
236
298       Deferred tax assets
4 096
3 082
276
429       Other long-term assets
5 888
3 600
23 812
26 073
Non-current assets
357 978
310 985
17
8      Assets in disposal groups held for sale
113
216
-
6       Short-term assets
85
-
1 943
2 139       Inventories
29 364
25 374
2 310
2 406       Trade and other receivables
33 031
30 179
210
112      Short-term financial assets
1 536
2 739
138
144      Cash restricted for use
1 980
1 803
2 117
1 103      Cash and cash equivalents
15 148
27 643
6 735
5 918
Current assets
81 257
87 954
30 547
31 991
Total assets
439 235
398 939
Equity and liabilities
16 211
16 240       Shareholders' equity
222 985
211 711
423
410       Non-controlling interests
5 623
5 523
16 634
16 650
Total equity
228 608
217 234
5 690
7 042       Long-term debt
96 691
74 312
1 275
1 104       Long-term provisions
15 160
16 648
847
867       Post-retirement benefit obligations
11 900
11 069
70
64       Long-term deferred income
879
910
56
10       Long-term financial liabilities
133
733
1 980
1 887       Deferred tax liabilities
25 908
25 860
9 918
10 974
Non-current liabilities
150 671
129 532
-
3       Liabilities in disposal groups held for sale
36
-
744
1 071       Short-term debt
14 709
9 718
57
140       Short-term financial liabilities
1 926
740
3 185
3 147       Other current liabilities
43 196
41 592
9
6       Bank overdraft
89
123
3 995
4 367
Current liabilities
59 956
52 173
30 547
31 991
Total equity and liabilities
439 235
398 939
*
Supplementary non-IFRS information. US dollar convenience translation, converted at a closing exchange rate of R13,73/US$1 (30 June 2017 – R13,06/US$1).
The Statement of financial position has been translated from rand to US dollar for convenience purposes in order to enable offshore shareholders to interpret
the financial performance in a universally measured currency. This constitutes pro-forma financial information in terms of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements
and should be read in conjunction with the basis of preparation set out on page 19.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
15
Statement of changes in equity
2018
2017
2016
Rm
Rm
Rm
Balance at beginning of year
217 234
212 418
196 483
Movement in share-based payment reserve
3 942
1 108
177
Share-based payment expense
823
463
123
Deferred tax
166
–
–
Implementation of Sasol Khanyisa transaction
2 953
–
–
Shares issued on implementation of long-term incentive scheme
–
–
54
Long-term incentive scheme converted to equity-settled
–
645
–
Total comprehensive income for the year
16 160
13 325
27 734
Transactions with non-controlling shareholders
(51)
–
–
Dividends paid to shareholders
(7 952)
(8 628)
(10 680)
Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders in subsidiaries
(725)
(989)
(1 296)
Balance at end of year
228 608
217 234
212 418
Comprising
Share capital
15 775
29 282
29 282
Share repurchase programme
–
(2 641)
(2 641)
Retained earnings
184 352
176 714
164 917
Share-based payment reserve
(4 021)
(12 525)
(13 582)
Foreign currency translation reserve
28 500
23 285
33 316
Remeasurements on post-retirement benefit obligations
(1 844)
(1 790)
(2 533)
Investment fair value reserve
43
33
26
Cash flow hedge accounting reserve
180
(647)
(1 788)
Shareholders' equity
222 985
211 711
206 997
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
5 623
5 523
5 421
Total equity
228 608
217 234
212 418
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
16
Statement of cash flows
2018
2017
2016
Rm
Rm
Rm
Cash receipts from customers
178 672
172 061
175 994
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
(135 795)
(127 992)
(121 321)
Cash generated by operating activities
42 877
44 069
54 673
Dividends received from equity accounted investments
1 702
1 539
887
Finance income received
1 565
1 464
1 633
Finance costs paid
(4 797)
(3 612)
(3 249)
Tax paid
(7 041)
(6 352)
(9 329)
Cash available from operating activities
34 306
37 108
44 615
Dividends paid
(7 952)
(8 628)
(10 680)
Cash retained from operating activities
26 354
28 480
33 935
Total additions to non-current assets
(55 891)
(56 812)
(70 497)
Additions to non-current assets
(53 384)
(60 343)
(73 748)
(Decrease)/increase in capital project related payables
(2 507)
3 531
3 251
Additional cash contributions to equity accounted investments
(164)
(444)
(548)
Proceeds on disposals and scrappings
2 280
788
569
Purchase of investments
(124)
(96)
(223)
Other net cash flow from investing activities
(80)
(113)
(335)
Cash used in investing activities
(53 979)
(56 677)
(71 034)
Share capital issued on implementation of share options
–
–
54
Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders in subsidiaries
(725)
(989)
(1 296)
Proceeds from long-term debt
24 961
9 277
34 008
Repayment of long-term debt
(9 199)
(2 364)
(3 120)
Proceeds from short-term debt
1 957
4 033
2 901
Repayment of short-term debt
(2 607)
(1 410)
(3 369)
Cash generated by financing activities
14 387
8 547
29 178
Translation effects on cash and cash equivalents
954
(3 207)
7 069
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(12 284)
(22 857)
(852)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year
29 323
52 180
53 032
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
17 039
29 323
52 180
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
17
Segment report
Turnover
Earnings before interest
and tax (EBIT)
R million
R million
2016*
2017*
2018
Segment analysis
2018
2017*
2016*
21 186
23 046
23 995      Operating Business Units
1 561
4 310
(6 975)
16 975
18 962
19 797
Mining
5 244
3 725
4 739
4 211
4 084
4 198
Exploration and Production International
(3 683)
585
(11 714)
173 042
170 413
179 630      Strategic Business Units
22 852
26 843
29 831
64 341
64 772
69 773
Energy
14 081
11 218
14 069
37 795
38 414
40 091
Base Chemicals
588
6 862
5 606
70 906
67 227
69 766
Performance Chemicals
8 183
8 763
10 156
108
516
52
Group Functions
(6 666)
552
1 383
194 336
193 975
203 677
Group performance
17 747
31 705
24 239
(21 394)
(21 568)
(22 216)
Intersegmental turnover
172 942
172 407
181 461
External turnover
* Restated for the transfer of the US ethylene business from Performance Chemicals to Base Chemicals.
EBITDA
R million
2018
2017*
2016*
Operating Business Units
9 146
8 299
7 737
Mining
7 060
5 658
6 443
Exploration and Production International
2 086
2 641
1 294
Strategic Business Units
41 647
40 080
43 771
Energy
20 045
17 590
19 343
Base Chemicals
9 212
9 685
10 598
Performance Chemicals
12 390
12 805
13 830
Group Functions
1 620
(752)
2 484
Group performance
52 413
47 627
53 992
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
18
Salient features
2018
2017
2016
Selected ratios
Earnings before interest and tax margin
%
9,8
18,4
14,0
Finance costs cover
times
4,1
9,2
8,0
Net borrowings to shareholders' equity (gearing)
%
43,2
26,7
14,6
Dividend cover - Core headline earnings per share¹
times
2,8
2,8
2,8
Share statistics
Total shares in issue
million
645,6
679,8
679,8
Sasol ordinary shares in issue
million
623,1
651,4
651,4
Treasury shares (share repurchase programme)
million
–
8,8
8,8
Weighted average number of shares
million
612,2
610,7
610,7
Diluted weighted average number of shares
million
615,9
612,4
610,7
Share price (closing)
Rand
502,86
366,50
397,17
Market capitalisation - Sasol ordinary shares
Rm
313 323
238 738
258 717
Market capitalisation - Sasol BEE ordinary shares
Rm
1 918
866
892
Net asset value per share
Rand
359,60
348,27
340,51
Dividend per share
Rand
12,90
12,60
14,80
- interim
Rand
5,00
4,80
5,70
- final
Rand
7,90
7,80
9,10
1 With effect from 23 February 2018, the Board approved a change in dividend policy from HEPS to CHEPS.
2018
2017
2016
Other financial information
Total debt (including bank overdraft)
Rm
109 454
81 405
80 151
- interest-bearing
Rm
108 017
80 352
79 175
- non-interest-bearing
Rm
1 437
1 053
976
Finance expense capitalised
Rm
3 568
2 764
2 253
Capital commitments (subsidiaries and joint operations)
Rm
63 276
90 736
137 286
- authorised and contracted
Rm
179 172
154 739
143 380
- authorised, not yet contracted
Rm
40 687
61 673
95 590
- less expenditure to date
Rm (156 583)
(125 676)
(101 684)
Capital commitments (equity accounted investments)
Rm
893
584
608
- authorised and contracted
Rm
536
292
175
- authorised, not yet contracted
Rm
623
573
756
- less expenditure to date
Rm
(266)
(281)
(323)
Guarantees (excluding treasury facilities)
- maximum potential exposure
Rm
80 260
81 896
98 312
- related debt recognised on the balance sheet
Rm
76 199
64 057
71 252
Effective tax rate
%
35,4
28,3
36,6
Adjusted effective tax rate²
%
27,3
26,5
28,2
Number of employees³
number
31 270
30 900
30 100
Average crude oil price - dated Brent
US$/barrel
63,62
49,77
43,37
Average rand/US$ exchange rate
1US$ = Rand
12,85
13,61
14,52
Closing rand/US$ exchange rate
1US$ = Rand
13,73
13,06
14,71
2
Effective tax rate adjusted for equity accounted investments, remeasurement items and once-off items.
3
The total number of employees includes permanent and non-permanent employees and the group's share of employees within joint operations, but excludes
contractors and equity accounted investments' employees.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
19
2018
2017
2016
Rm
Rm
Rm
Reconciliation of headline earnings
Earnings attributable to owners of Sasol Limited
8 729
20 374
13 225
Effect of remeasurement items for subsidiaries and joint operations¹
9 901
1 616
12 892
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
7 623
415
8 424
Impairment of assets under construction
1 492
1 942
3 586
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
–
120
310
Reversal of impairment
(354)
(1 136)
–
Fair value write down - assets held for sale
–
64
–
Loss/(profit) on disposal of non-current assets
7
(21)
(389)
(Profit)/loss on disposal of investment in businesses
(833)
(51)
226
Scrapping of non-current assets
1 654
283
1 099
Write-off of unsuccessful exploration wells
312
–
(3)
Realisation of foreign currency translation reserve
–
–
(361)
Tax effects and non-controlling interests
(1 843)
(539)
(846)
Effect of remeasurement items for equity accounted investments
11
14
13
Headline earnings
16 798
21 465
25 284
Headline earnings adjustments per above
Mining
34
6
31
Exploration and Production International
4 241
(6)
9 963
Energy
971
1 844
1 267
Base Chemicals
4 499
(901)
1 723
Performance Chemicals
116
663
55
Group Functions
40
10
(147)
Remeasurement items
9 901
1 616
12 892
Headline earnings per share
Rand
27,44
35,15
41,40
Diluted headline earnings per share
Rand
27,27
35,05
41,40
1
Includes the impact of the full impairment of our Chlor Vinyls value chain of R5,2 billion in South Africa, the impairment of the PSA
asset of R1,1 billion (US$94 million) in Mozambique, the partial impairment of our Canadian shale gas assets of R2,8 billion
(CAD281 million) and the scrapping of our US GTL project amounting to R1,1 billion (US$83 million).
Basis of preparation
The summarised consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the JSE Limited's (JSE) Listings
Requirements for summary financial statements, and the requirements of the Companies Act applicable to
summary financial statements. The JSE requires summary financial statements to be prepared in accordance with
the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition requirements of International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS), the SAICA Financial Reporting Guides
as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee and Financial Pronouncements as issued by the Financial
Reporting Standards Council and to also, as a minimum, contain the information required by IAS 34, Interim
Financial Reporting.
The summarised consolidated financial statements do not include all the disclosure required for complete annual
financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
These summarised consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the historic cost
convention except that certain items, including derivative instruments, liabilities for cash-settled share-based
payment schemes, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and available-for-sale financial assets, are
stated at fair value.
The summarised consolidated financial statements are presented in South African rand, which is Sasol Limited’s
functional and presentation currency. The accounting policies applied in the preparation of these summarised
consolidated financial statements are in terms of IFRS and are consistent with those applied in the consolidated
annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018.
The summarised consolidated financial statements appearing in this announcement are the responsibility of the
directors. The directors take full responsibility for the preparation of the summarised consolidated financial
statements. Paul Victor CA(SA), Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for this set of summarised consolidated
financial statements and has supervised the preparation thereof in conjunction with the Senior Vice President:
Financial Control Services, Brenda Baijnath CA(SA).
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
20
Pro–forma financial information
Core headline earnings and US dollar convenience translations included in this announcement constitutes pro-
forma financial information.
The pro–forma financial information is the responsibility of the board of directors and is presented for illustrative
purposes only. Because of its nature, the pro–forma financial information may not fairly present Sasol’s financial
position, changes in equity, results of operations or cash flows. The underlying information, used in the preparation
of the pro–forma financial information, has been prepared using accounting policies which comply with IFRS and
are consistent with those applied in the published group consolidated annual financial statements for the year
ended 30 June 2018.
This pro-forma information has been reported on by the group’s auditors, being PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. Their
unqualified reporting accountant’s report thereon is available for inspection at the company’s registered address.
Related party transactions
The group, in the ordinary course of business, entered into various sale and purchase transactions on an arm’s
length basis at market rates with related parties.
Subsequent events
The Sasol Limited Board approved that Sasol repurchase the shares from Inzalo Public Funding Limited (RF) in
September 2018 and settle the outstanding debt of R7,4 billion and a cash top-up for value realised of
approximately R600 million in September 2018, assuming a share price of R500. This will then conclude the
unwinding of the Sasol Inzalo transaction.
Financial instruments
Fair value
Fair value is determined using valuation techniques as outlined unless the instrument is listed in an active market.
Where possible, inputs are based on quoted prices and other market determined variables.
Fair value hierarchy
The table below represents significant financial instruments measured at fair value at reporting date, or for which
fair value is disclosed at 30 June 2018. The US dollar bond, the interest rate swap, the crude oil put options, the
zero-cost foreign exchange collars and the coal swaps were considered to be significant financial instruments for
the group based on the amounts recognised in the statement of financial position. The calculation of fair value
requires various inputs into the valuation methodologies used. The source of the inputs used affects the reliability
and accuracy of the valuations. Financial instruments have been classified into the hierarchical levels in line with
IFRS 13.
Level 1  Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2  Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (directly or indirectly).
Level 3  Inputs for the asset or liability that are unobservable.
Carrying
value
Fair
value
Instrument
IFRS 13
fair value
hierarchy
Rm
Rm
 Valuation method
Significant inputs
Listed long-term
debt
Level 1
13 704
13 345    Fair value
Quoted market price for the
same or similar instruments
Derivative financial
assets and
liabilities
Level 2
(232)
(232)   Forward rate interpolator
model, discounted
expected cash flows,
numerical approximation,
as appropriate
Foreign exchange rates,
market commodity prices, US$
swap curve, as appropriate
For all other financial instruments, fair value approximates carrying value.
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
21
Sasol Limited
Audited Financial Results 2018
21
Independent auditor’s report on the summary consolidated financial statements
To the Shareholders of Sasol Limited
Opinion
The summary consolidated financial statements of Sasol Limited, set out on pages 2 to 20 of the Sasol Limited
Audited Financial Results, which comprise the summary consolidated statement of financial position as at
30 June 2018, the summary consolidated income statement, the summary consolidated statements of
comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended, and related notes, are derived
from the audited consolidated financial statements of Sasol Limited for the year ended 30 June 2018.
In our opinion, the accompanying summary consolidated financial statements are consistent, in all material
respects, with the audited consolidated financial statements, in accordance with the JSE Limited’s (JSE)
requirements for summary financial statements, as set out in the “Basis of preparation” section on page 19 to the
summary consolidated financial statements, and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa as
applicable to summary financial statements.
Summary consolidated financial statements
The summary consolidated financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by International
Financial Reporting Standards and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa as applicable to annual
financial statements. Reading the summary consolidated financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon,
therefore, is not a substitute for reading the audited consolidated financial statements and the auditor’s report
thereon.
The audited consolidated financial statements and our report thereon
We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the audited consolidated financial statements in our report dated
17 August 2018. That report also includes communication of key audit matters. Key audit matters are those matters
that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements
of the current period.
Directors’ responsibility for the summary consolidated financial statements
The directors are responsible for the preparation of the summary consolidated financial statements in accordance
with the JSE’s requirements for summary financial statements, set out in the “Basis of preparation” section on
page 19 to the summary consolidated financial statements, and the requirements of the Companies Act of South
Africa as applicable to summary financial statements.
Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the summary consolidated financial statements are
consistent, in all material respects, with the audited consolidated financial statements based on our procedures,
which were conducted in accordance with International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 810 (Revised), Engagements to
Report on Summary Financial Statements.
Other matter
We have not audited future financial performance and expectations, normalised financial information, production
and sales volumes, selected ratios, share statistics, other non-financial information, information included in the
Analyst Book and information not required by IAS 34 expressed by the directors in the accompanying summary
consolidated financial statements and accordingly do not express an opinion thereon.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
Director: PC Hough
Registered Auditor
Waterfall City
17 August 2018
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
22
Registered office: Sasol Place, 50 Katherine Street, Sandton, Johannesburg 2090
PO Box 5486, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Share registrars: Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd, 15 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank 2196
PO Box 61051, Marshalltown 2107, South Africa, Tel: +27 11 370 5000 Fax: +27 11 688 5248
JSE Sponsor:
Deutsche Securities (SA) Proprietary Limited
Directors (Non-executive): Dr MSV Gantsho* (Chairman), Mr C Beggs*, Mr MJ Cuambe (Mozambican)*,
Ms MBN Dube*, Dr M Flöel (German)*, Ms GMB Kennealy*, Ms NNA Matyumza*, Mr ZM Mkhize*,
Mr MJN Njeke^*, Ms ME Nkeli*, Mr PJ Robertson (British and American)*, Mr S Westwell (British)*
Directors (Executive): Mr SR Cornell (Joint President and Chief Executive Officer) (American),
Mr B Nqwababa (Joint President and Chief Executive Officer), Mr P Victor (Chief Financial Officer)
*Independent ^Lead independent director
Company Secretary: Mr VD Kahla
Company registration number: 1979/003231/06, incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
Income tax reference number: 9520/018/60/8
JSE
NYSE
Ordinary shares
Share code:
SOL
SSL
ISIN:
ZAE000006896
US8038663006
Sasol BEE Ordinary shares
Share code:
SOLBE1
ISIN:
ZAE000151817
American depository receipts (ADR) program:
Cusip number 803866300
ADR to ordinary share 1:1
Depositary: The Bank of New York Mellon, 22nd Floor, 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10286,
United States of America
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Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
23
Forward-looking statements
Sasol may, in this document, make certain statements that are not historical facts and relate to analyses and other information which
are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may also relate to our
future prospects, developments and business strategies. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding exchange rate fluctuations, volume growth, increases in market share, total shareholder return, executing our
growth projects (including LCCP) oil and gas reserves and cost reductions, including in connection with our Business Performance
Enhancement Programme, Response Plan, Continuous Improvement programme and our business performance outlook. Words such as
“believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “seek”, “will”, “plan”, “could”, “may”, “endeavour”, “target”, “forecast”, “project” and similar
expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there are risks
that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. If one or more of these risks
materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. You
should understand that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives,
expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward looking statements. These factors are discussed more fully in our
most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed on 28 August 2017 and in other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. The list of factors discussed therein is not exhaustive; when relying on forward-looking statements to make investment
decisions, you should carefully consider both these factors and other uncertainties and events. Forward-looking statements apply only
as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Please note: One billion is defined as one thousand million, bbl – barrel, bscf – billion standard cubic feet, mmscf – million standard
cubic feet, oil references brent crude, mmboe – million barrels oil equivalent. All references to years refer to the financial year ended
30 June. Any reference to a calendar year is prefaced by the word "calendar".
Comprehensive additional information is available on our website: www.sasol.com
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Sasol Limited Group
Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
24
NOTES
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NOTES
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www.sasol.com
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant, Sasol Limited, has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: 20 August, 2018
By:
/s/ V D Kahla
Name:     Vuyo Dominic Kahla
Title:        Company Secretary


This regulatory filing also includes additional resources:
sasol_afr.pdf
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