RIL's telecom, oil projects to push up profits: CLSA

New Delhi: Reliance Industries' much talked about USD 11 billion 4G telecom venture is likely to be launched this year which together with start of key oil projects will help it near double pre-tax profit, says a report.

"2015/FY16 will prove to be one of the most important years in recent past for Reliance. Several of its important projects will come to fruition during 2015," CLSA said in a research report.

"We expect the launch of its much talked about 4G telecom services in 1H2015. This will be followed by commissioning of key downstream (oil) expansion projects in 2HFY16 viz. The petcoke gasification plant, refinery off-gas cracker and large expansion of its Paraxylene capacity," it added.

Also, clarity on the premium over the current price of USD 5.61 per million British thermal unit to be paid to gas finds in deep sea and approvals for key deepwater discoveries of RIL should kick-start the development, it said.

However, continued weakness in crude price may prove to be a challenge for its shale gas business in 2015.

"We expect Reliance Retail to further strengthen its positioning," CLSA said.

"Launch of the USD 11 billion 4G telecom service, clarity on gas price premium for deepwater discoveries and start of the key projects in its ongoing USD 14 billion downstream expansion are all slated in 2015. These projects should drive a near doubling in EBITDA and makes Reliance the strongest two-year earnings growth story in global large cap oil space," it said.

RIL's two year EBITDA as well as net profit growth is the best amongst the global large cap oil stocks.

CLSA expected gas output to rise to 48 million standard cubic meters per day by 2020 from current production of less than 14 mmscmd as RIL brings R-cluster and other satellite gas fields in the eastern offshore KG-D6 block into production.

"We sense excessive pessimism on Reliance's 4G telecom foray and launch of services in 1H-2015 should provide some comfort. This will also allow investors to focus on the key downstream projects which will drive over 90 per cent increase in EBITDA in next three years after three years of decline," it added.

Historically, RIL's strong stock performance has coincided with years when large projects have started. The next 12-18 months may be another such period for the stock.