TIDMCLON
RNS Number : 5878P
Clontarf Energy PLC
30 May 2018
30(th) May 2018
Clontarf Energy plc
("Clontarf" or "the Company")
Preliminary Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2017
Clontarf Energy, the oil and gas exploration company focused on
Ghana, today announces its results for the year ending 31 December
2017.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.
For further information please visit http://clontarfenergy.com
or contact:
Clontarf Energy plc
John Teeling, Chairman +353 (0) 1 833 2833
David Horgan, Director
Nominated Adviser and Broker
Northland Capital Partners Limited
Tom Price / Dugald Carlean (Corporate
Finance) +44 (0) 203 861 6625
John Howes
Joint Broker
Novum Securities Limited
Colin Rowbury +44 (0) 207 399 9400
Public Relations
Blytheweigh +44 (0) 207 138 3204
Nick Elwes +44 (0) 783 185 1855
Camilla Horsfall +44 (0) 787 184 1793
Teneo PSG
Luke Hogg +353 (0) 1 661 4055
Alan Tyrrell +353 (0) 1 661 4055
Statement Accompanying the Final Results
Junior oil explorers remain in the doldrums. The shares of
listed oil exploration companies are generally friendless. Their
share prices have almost all fallen and remain in, many cases, more
than 90% below their peak. It is virtually impossible to raise
serious money. This in turn makes it very hard to undertake
meaningful grass roots exploration. The bear market in this sector
has lasted for at least seven years, with little sign of
improvement.
That's the bad news. The good news is that oil prices are once
again at levels which can provide a huge return to successful
explorers. A serious reduction in oil and gas exploration in recent
years means that properties with potential become available to
companies surviving in the sector.
Clontarf has taken advantage of this environment. We were
successful in acquiring ground offshore Ghana initially in 2008
with revisions in 2010. In 2017, we obtained Block 18 offshore
Equatorial Guinea.
The Ghana block has been the subject of ongoing wrangling for
over 5 years. This is not all bad as it implies that people see
value in the ground. The current position following the most recent
series of discussions is an agreement to submit the licence for
approval to the cabinet in Accra. No time scale has been finalised.
Cabinet approval would clear the way for the next step -
parliamentary approval. Given our experience no guarantees can be
given.
Equatorial Guinea is an emerging oil producer in West Africa. We
applied for a particular block but were awarded in June an
exclusive right to negotiate an agreement on another block - Block
18. Negotiations on the general terms of the licence led to us
signing a six month exclusive Memorandum of Understanding earlier
this year which enables us to agree a Production Service Contract
(PSC) on the block. Talks on this continue though we are yet to
negotiate the detailed terms of the PSC, which will be subject to
final approval by the Minister and the President.
We have a long history, across numerous countries and resources,
of bringing together good technical skills, seed finance and,
later, partners to prospect and explore early stage prospects. The
very tough oil industry environment of recent years has seen good
ground such as that in Ghana and Equatorial Guinea become
available. We did outstanding work on the Ghana ground to identify
numerous drill targets. If we can finalise the Equatorial Guinea
negotiations we will do the same. We then attempt to bring in
bigger partners to do the drilling. We did this earlier in Clontarf
by bringing in Union Oil on Block 183 in Peru. Earlier still, as
Pan Andean, we had joint ventures with Reliance Industries of
India, CEPSA of Spain in Peru, and BHP in Bolivia.
Companies such as Clontarf do the early prospecting work,
identifying good geology, negotiating workable agreements and often
doing enough work to validate the potential. At this stage the
multinationals appear. The projects have been de-risked to a degree
while the potential has been clarified to a degree. Juniors get a
return and/or a potential upside by getting a participation in a
joint venture. But the once active joint venture oil exploration
market is on the floor. The majors gorged on debt in the early part
of the century to fund acquisitions. The collapse in the oil price
has seen a serious cut in discretionary expenditure as management
scramble to reduce debt. Exploration has been a major casualty.
Of course this must change as oil fields run out and supply
becomes sluggish while demand continues to grow. But, explorers
such as Clontarf have to survive and hold on to their ground until
the majors are ready to move. Eighty dollar oil and a growing world
economy suggest that the time is near. But not yet.
Political uncertainty and changing policies continue to bedevil
exploration. Governments frequently set unrealistic fiscal and
permitting terms which mean that great ground can be left fallow.
That has happened to our ground in Peru where our partner, Union
Oil, returned Block 183 to the State after failing for three years
to obtain necessary permits. Earlier, we had a long and successful
period of investment in Peru selling most of our assets in 2009.
The decision by Union means that Clontarf now has no assets in Peru
so we have written off our residual investment of just over GBP2.5
million. This accounts for most of the loss reported in the
accounts. It does not have any impact on our cash.
Bolivia nationalised natural resource assets without
compensation in 2006. Since then almost no junior company
exploration capital has been invested in Bolivia. We continue to
have ongoing contact with parties in the country but there is
nothing to report. Ghana, with good ground and good fiscal terms,
has had inordinate delays in finalising contracts - years.
Obstacles are raised which companies find difficult to
overcome.
The directors are aware of the need to give hope to investors.
Almost ten years after negotiating an agreement in Ghana it has not
been ratified and we do not know when it will be. The Equatorial
Guinea block award is a positive development but it too has
complications. We like our strategy of selecting good geology with
politics being a secondary concern but we are considering other
directions.
John Teeling
Chairman
29(th) May 2018
__________________________________________________________________________________
CLONTARF ENERGY PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2017
2017 2016
CONTINUING OPERATIONS GBP GBP
REVENUE - -
Cost of sales - -
GROSS PROFIT - -
Administrative expenses (226,410) (199,628)
Impairment of exploration and evaluation (2,551,985) -
assets
LOSS BEFORE TAXATION (2,778,395) (199,628)
Income tax expense - -
LOSS FOR THE YEAR AND TOTAL
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (2,778,395) (199,628)
LOSS PER SHARE - Basic and
diluted (0.48p) (0.04p)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2017
2017 2016
GBP GBP
ASSETS:
NON CURRENT ASSETS
Intangible assets 703,023 3,131,779
703,023 3,131,779
CURRENT ASSETS
Other receivables 3,809 5,273
Cash and cash equivalents 433,680 677,198
437,489 682,471
TOTAL ASSETS 1,140,512 3,814,250
LIABILITIES:
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade payables (67,759) (53,102)
Other payables (980,567) (890,567)
(1,048,326) (943,669)
TOTAL LIABILITIES (1,048,326) (943,669)
NET ASSETS 92,186 2,870,581
EQUITY
Called-up share capital 1,454,612 1,454,612
Share premium 10,773,211 10,773,211
Retained deficit (12,327,283) (9,548,888)
Share based payment reserve 191,646 191,646
TOTAL EQUITY 92,186 2,870,581
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2017
Called-up Share Based
Share Share Payment Retained
Capital Premium Reserve Deficit Total
GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP
At 1
December
2016 1,135,564 10,493,259 191,646 (9,349,260) 2,471,209
Issue of
shares 319,048 330,952 - - 650,000
Share
issue
expenses - (51,000) - - (51,000)
Loss for
the year - - - (199,628) (199,628)
At 31
December
2016 1,454,612 10,773,211 191,646 (9,548,888) 2,870,581
Loss for
the year - - - (2,778,395) (2,778,395)
At 31
December
2017 1,454,612 10,773,211 191,646 (12,327,283) 92,186
Share premium
The share premium reserve comprises of a premium arising on the
issue of shares.
Share based payment reserve
The share based payment reserve arises on the grant of share
options under the share option plan.
Retained deficit
Retained deficit comprises of losses incurred in 2017 and prior
years.
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2017
2017 2016
GBP GBP
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
Loss for financial year (2,778,395) (199,628)
Impairment of exploration and 2,551,985 -
evaluation
assets
Finance costs recognised in
loss - 529
Exchange movement 3,493 468
(222,917) (198,631)
MOVEMENTS IN WORKING CAPITAL
Increase in payables 74,657 54,848
Decrease/(Increase) in trade
and other receivables 1,464 (75)
CASH USED BY OPERATIONS (146,796) (143,858)
Finance costs - (529)
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING
ACTIVITIES (146,796) (144,387)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES
Payments for exploration and
evaluation assets (93,229) (2,863)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING
ACTIVITIES (93,229) (2,863)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issue of shares - 650,000
Share issue expenses - (51,000)
NET CASH GENERATED BY FINANCING
ACTIVITIES - 599,000
NET (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH
AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS (240,025) 451,750
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of
the financial year 677,198 225,916
Effect of exchange rate changes
on cash held
in
foreign currencies (3,493) (468)
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of the financial
year 433,680 677,198
Notes:
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
There were no changes in accounting policies from those used to
prepare the Group's Annual Report for financial year ended 31
December 2016. The financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and in accordance with the
Companies Act 2006.
2. LOSS PER SHARE
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the loss after
taxation for the year available to ordinary shareholders by the
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue and ranking for
dividend during the year. Diluted earnings per share is computed by
dividing the loss after taxation for the year by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue, adjusted for the effect
of all dilutive potential ordinary shares that were outstanding
during the year.
The following table sets out the computation for basic and
diluted earnings per share (EPS):
2017 2016
GBP GBP
Numerator
For basic and diluted EPS (2,778,395) (199,628)
Denominator
For basic and diluted EPS 581,844,829 489,628,260
Basic EPS (0.48p) (0.04p)
Diluted EPS (0.48p) (0.04p)
Basic and diluted loss per share is the same as the effect of
the outstanding share options is anti-dilutive and is therefore
excluded.
3. GOING CONCERN
The Group incurred a loss for the year of GBP2,778,395 (2016:
GBP199,628) and had net current liabilities of GBP610,837 (2016:
GBP261,198) at the balance sheet date. These conditions represent a
material uncertainty that may cast doubt on the group's ability to
continue as a going concern.
Included in current liabilities is an amount of GBP980,567
(2016: GBP890,567) owed to directors in respect of directors'
remuneration due at the balance sheet date. The directors have
confirmed that they will not seek settlement of these amounts in
cash for a period of at least one year after the date of approval
of the financial statements or until the group has generated
sufficient funds from its operations after paying its third party
creditors.
The Group had a cash balance of GBP433,680 at the balance sheet
date. Cashflow projections prepared by the directors indicate that
the funds available are sufficient to meet the obligations of the
Group for a period of at least twelve months from the date of
approval of these financial statements.
As in previous years the Directors have given careful
consideration to the appropriateness of the going concern basis in
the preparation of the financial statements and believe the going
concern basis is appropriate for these financial statements. The
financial statements do not include the adjustments that would
result if the group was unable to continue as a going concern.
4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
2017 2016
Group Group
GBP GBP
Exploration and evaluation
assets:
Cost:
At 1 January 8,178,324 8,145,461
Additions during the year 123,229 32,863
At 31 December 8,301,553 8,178,324
Impairment:
At 1 January 5,046,545 5,046,545
Impairment during the year 2,551,985 -
At 31 December 7,598,530 5,046,545
Carrying Value:
At 1 January 3,131,779 3,098,916
At 31 December 703,023 3,131,779
Segmental analysis 2017 2016
Group Group
GBP GBP
Peru - 2,473,538
Ghana 703,023 658,241
703,023 3,131,779
Exploration and evaluation assets relates to expenditure
incurred in prospecting and exploration for oil and gas in Peru,
Ghana and Equatorial Guinea. The directors are aware that by its
nature there is an inherent uncertainty in such development
expenditure as to the value of the asset.
On 26 September 2017 the board of Clontarf Energy had been
informed that Union Oil (the 80% owner of the concession held in
Peru) had returned to the Peruvian Authorities the licence held on
Block 183. They gave as their reason an inability over a 3 year
period to obtain the permits, particularly environmental permits,
necessary to explore.
4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS (CONTINUED)
Clontarf held a 3% royalty on revenue arising from future
operations on the Block. Clontarf did not incur any liabilities as
a result of Union Oil's decision but has written off the carrying
value of the asset. Accordingly an impairment charge of
GBP2,473,538 in respect of the full carrying value of the Group'
Peruvian assets has been recorded by the Group in the current
year.
During the year the Group incurred expenditure of GBP78,447 on
evaluating licences in Equatorial Guinea. An impairment charge of
GBP78,447 has been recorded by the Group in the current year.
In 2014, the Group reached an agreement with the Ghanaian
authorities on the specific revised coordinates of the signed
petroleum agreement on a licence block in the Tano area of Ghana.
Clontarf Energy PLC await ratification of the amended Petroleum
Agreement by Cabinet and Parliament.
The realisation of these intangible assets is dependent on the
discovery and successful development of economic oil and gas
reserves the ongoing title to the license, the ability of the
company to finance the development of the asset and on the future
profitable production or process from the asset which is affected
by the uncertainties outlined above and risks outlined below:
-- licence obligations
-- requirement for further funding
-- geological and development risks
-- title to assets
-- political risk
Should this prove unsuccessful the value included in the balance
sheet would be written off to the statement of comprehensive
income.
5. TRADE PAYABLES
2017 2016
Group Group
GBP GBP
Trade payables 51,759 37,102
Other accruals 16,000 16,000
Due to group undertakings - -
67,759 53,102
It is the company's normal practice to agree terms of
transactions, including payment terms, with suppliers and provided
suppliers perform in accordance with the agreed terms, payment is
made accordingly. In the absence of agreed terms it is the
company's policy that payment is made between 30 - 40 days. The
carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their
fair value.
6. OTHER PAYABLES
2017 2016 2017 2016
Group Group Company Company
GBP GBP GBP GBP
Amounts
due to
directors 980,567 890,567 531,527 471,527
980,567 890,567 531,527 471,527
Other payables relate to amounts due to directors' remuneration
of GBP980,567 (2016: GBP890,567) accrued but not paid at year
end.
7. CALLED-UP SHARE CAPITAL
Allotted, called-up and fully paid:
Number Share Capital Share Premium
GBP GBP
At 1
January
2016 454,225,781 1,135,564 10,493,259
Issued
during
the year 127,619,048 319,048 330,952
Share
issue
expenses - - (51,000)
At 31
December
2016 581,844,829 1,454,612 10,773,211
Issued - - -
during
the year
At 31
December
2017 581,844,829 1,454,612 10,773,211
Movements in issued share capital
On 20 September 2016 a total of 80,000,000 shares were placed at
a price of 0.50 pence per share. Proceeds were used to provide
additional working capital and fund development costs.
On 22 September 2016 a total of 47,619,048 shares were placed at
a price of 0.525 pence per share. Proceeds were used to provide
additional working capital and fund development costs.
.
Share Options
A total of 8,900,000 share options were in issue at 31 December
2017 (2016: 8,900,000). These options are exercisable, at prices
ranging between 0.725p and 4.6p, up to seven years from the date of
granting of the options unless otherwise determined by the
board.
8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Company's Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday
29(th) June 2018 at Hilton Paddington Hotel, 146 Praed Street,
London, W2 1EE at 10:30 am.
9. GENERAL INFORMATION
The financial information set out above does not constitute the
Company's audited financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2017 or the year ended 31 December 2016. The financial
information for 2016 is derived from the financial statements for
2016 which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The
auditors had reported on the 2016 statements; their report was
unqualified with an emphasis of matter in respect of considering
the adequacy of the disclosures made in the financial statements
concerning the valuation of intangible assets, and did not contain
a statement under section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act
2006. The financial statements for 2017 will be delivered to the
Registrar of Companies.
A copy of the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for 2017 will
be mailed shortly only to those shareholders who have elected to
receive it. Otherwise, shareholders will be notified that the
Annual Report will be available on the website
www.clontarfenergy.com . Copies of the Annual Report will also be
available for collection from the Company's registered office,
Suite 1, 3(rd) Floor, 11-12 St. James's Square, London, SW1Y
4LB.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
FR KMGZKKLVGRZM
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