Financial risks are managed in respect of the guidelines issued by the Board of Directors of Eni SpA in its role of directing and setting the risk limits, targeting to align and centrally coordinate Group companies’ policies on financial risks (“Guidelines on financial risks management and control”). The “Guidelines” define for each financial risk the key components of the management and control process, such as the target of the risk management, the valuation methodology, the structure of limits, the relationship model and the hedging and mitigation instruments. Eni’s top risks are presented with regard to the Company’s targets.
The following is the description of financial risks and their management and control. With reference to the issues related to credit risk, the parameters adopted for the determination of expected losses and, in particular, the estimates of the probability of default and the loss given default have been updated to take into account the impacts of COVID-19 and its related effects on the economic context. As of December 31, 2021, the Company retains liquidity reserves that management deems enough to meet the financial obligations due in the next eighteen months. No significant effects were reported on hedging transactions connected to the impacts of COVID-19 on the economic context.
Risks in connection with the war in Ukraine
The crisis in the relationship between Russia and Ukraine that in February 2022 gave rise to the Russian military invasion and an open conflict on a large scale with violent armed clashes and tragic loss of human lives, constitutes a macroeconomic risk. Possible outcomes of this situation might include a prolonged armed conflict, a possible escalation in the military action, risks of enlargement of the ongoing geopolitical crisis and a further tightening up of the economic sanctions against Russia. These factors could result in a scenario that could eventually sap consumers’ confidence, deter investment decisions by operators and cripple industrial activities derailing the global recovery or, in the worst of the outcomes, triggering a new worldwide recession, while the economy has been still recovering from the fallout of the COVID-19 downturn. This scenario would drove a reduction in hydrocarbons demands and of commodity prices and would adversely and significantly affect our results of operations and cash flow, as well as business prospects, with a possible lower remuneration of our shareholders.
For further details, please refer to Annual Report 2022 Section “Management report | Consolidated financial statements | Annex “pg 147