TIDMEME
RNS Number : 2507L
Empyrean Energy PLC
21 December 2018
This announcement contains inside information
Empyrean Energy PLC / Index: AIM / Epic: EME / Sector: Oil &
Gas
21 December 2018
Empyrean Energy PLC ("Empyrean" or the "Company")
Interim Results
Empyrean Energy (EME: AIM), the oil and gas development company
with interests in China, Indonesia and the United States, is
pleased to provide its Interim Report for the six months ended 30
September 2018.
Highlights
-- Block 29/11, Pearl River Mouth Basin, China (EME 100%)
o 31% Uplift in Best Case Gross Prospective (Un-risked)
Resources
o Oil Migration Study Completed
o Petroleum Contract for Block 29/11 signed
o Gaffney, Cline & Associates independent assessment
validates internal Oil-in place estimates
-- Audited unrisked Mean Oil-in place of 884 MMbbl
-- Audited unrisked P10 upside of 1,588 MMbbl
-- Duyung PSC Project, Indonesia (EME 10%)
o Plan of Development, including reserves certification,
submitted to Indonesian oil and gas regulator SKKMigas
o Heads of Agreement signed with regional gas buyer for sale of
all Mako gas
o Further appraisal wells planned to increase 2P reserves
o Significant exploration 'lead' Mako Deep identified; currently
being mapped and evaluated
-- Sacramento Basin, California (EME 25-30%)
o Natural Gas sales commenced at Dempsey in July 2018, technical
evaluation of further targets and related well permitting
activities underway
o Technical evaluation continuing to refine test targets and
perforation intervals at Alvarez
o Further wells planned for 2019
-- Corporate
o Placement at 10p per share raises GBP1,028,000 (US$1,322,000)
before costs in November 2018.
Empyrean Energy plc
Tom Kelly Tel: +618 9380 9920
Cenkos Securities plc (NOMAD)
Neil McDonald nmcdonald@cenkos.com Tel: +44 (0) 131 220
9771
Beth McKiernan bmckiernan@cenkos.com Tel: +44 (0) 131 220
9778
St Brides Partners Ltd (Public Relations Adviser)
Priit Piip priit@stbridespartners.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 7236
1177
Frank Buhagiar frank@stbridespartners.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 7236
1177
Chairman's Statement
Empyrean continued to make progress on its portfolio of
exploration projects in China, Indonesia and the United States
during the six months to 30 September 2018.
The work completed in China over the past six months has been
particularly pleasing. Block 29/11, located directly to the south
of, and on trend to, the largest oil field in the basin with three
prospects (Jade, Topaz and Pearl) has significant resource
potential, which was delineated by excellent quality 3D seismic
acquired during 2017. An Oil Migration Study completed in June 2018
has now established effective potential oil migration pathways into
the prospects. In November 2018 the Company announced the results
of the independent audit of Oil-in-place estimate of the three
prospects by Gaffney, Cline & Associates (GCA). GCA validated
the internal oil in-place estimates and independently assessed the
Geological Chance of Success (GCoS) at Jade and Topaz to be
approximately 30%. The significant potential of the prospects
combined by the high GCOS is very encouraging.
Empyrean signed the Petroleum Contract ("PSC") on Block 29/11 in
September 2018, thereby securing the Block, and the Company is now
positioned to progress the project and deliver the associated news
flow from China over the next twelve months and beyond.
In Indonesia, the operator Conrad Petroleum submitted the Plan
of Development (POD), which included a certification of reserves by
Lemigas, to the Indonesian regulator in August 2018. As part of the
POD submission, a Heads of Agreement was signed with a regional gas
buyer for the sale of all Mako gas.
Recently completed re-processing of 2D seismic has also led to
the identification of a new exploration lead called Mako Deep.
Seismic mapping is currently being conducted on this prospect. The
operator is also planning further appraisal wells to increase the
reserves estimate and potential of the Mako field so there should
be no shortage of news from Indonesia.
In California, the first well, Dempsey 1-15, was successfully
drilled to basement and several gas zones were tested. This
culminated in gas sales commencing at Dempsey in July 2018.
Technical evaluation is currently being conducted at both Dempsey
and the second prospect, Alvarez, to determine the future test
program.
The Company also recently strengthened its cash position,
completing a placement in November 2018 of approximately
GBP1,028,000, pleasingly at a small premium to the market
price.
The Company continues to assess other acquisition opportunities
in parallel to the current activities and will also evaluate any
attractive divestment opportunities in due course.
Patrick Cross
Non-Executive Chairman
21 December 2018
Operational Review
China Block 29/11 Project (100% WI)
Block 29/11 is located in the prolific Pearl River Mouth Basin,
offshore China, approximately 200km Southeast of Hong Kong.
Empyrean is the operator with 100% of the exploration rights of the
permit during the exploration phase of the project. In the event of
a commercial discovery, China National Offshore Oil Corporation
Limited (CNOOC) will have a back in right to 51% of the permit.
The initial contractual term, called the Geophysical Service
Agreement (GSA), was for two years with a work programme commitment
of acquisition, processing and interpretation of 500km(2) of 3D
seismic data. Empyrean exceeded the work obligation of the permit
for the current GSA phase by successfully completing a 3D seismic
survey in August 2017, which acquired 580km(2) data.
In September 2017, Empyrean completed an internal interpretation
and preliminary mapping of the raw 3D data which confirmed the
structural validity of the Jade and Topaz prospects and also
identified a third significant prospect named Pearl, located
immediately north of the Topaz prospect. Preliminary mapping
estimated the gross unrisked Oil-in-place for Jade, Topaz and Pearl
in August 2017 but have been superseded (and enhanced) as detailed
below.
Completion of Processing of 3D seismic data
Following the successful acquisition of a large 3D survey, the
seismic data was then processed optimally. Empyrean had regular
interaction with the China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL)
processing team at all stages of the project. Time (PSTM) and Depth
(PSDM) processing of the 3D seismic data was completed in January
2018. The final processed data was of high-quality that clearly
imaged the potential reservoirs, faults and deeper basin.
Interpretation of the processed data commenced immediately
following the completion of processing which resulted in the Jade
and Topaz prospects being developed into better defined and very
substantial opportunities. The Pearl Prospect, which was a
substantial lead based on the vintage regional 2D seismic, has
evolved into a significant prospect following the 3D seismic
interpretation. The results indicated that all three prospects are
large and are in favourable geological settings.
The Oil-in-place (un-risked) estimates of these three major high
graded prospects was also revised upwards by 31% (from boat
processed 3D data), as per the table below. The revised estimates
are higher than previously reported estimates because of detailed
mapping and the improved assessment of the reservoir
parameters.
Gross (100%) 'Best' case Oil-in-place combined are estimated at
774 MMbbl on an un-risked basis, as per below.
Block 29/11 China: Gross Oil-in-place (un-risked) MMbbl*
Timeline September 2017 June 2018
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
(Seismic Boat Raw 3D data) (Final Processed 3D data)
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Prospect Low Case Best Case High Case Low Case Best Case High Case
--------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Jade 89 103 143 94 190 303
--------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Topaz 280 365 498 292 435 728
--------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Pearl 84 123 206 94 149 256
--------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Given that one of the major challenges with resource estimation
rests heavily on an estimation of Gross Rock Volume (GRV), a
critical step to reducing the uncertainty of estimating GRV is to
better understand and quantify velocity field and depth conversion.
As a result, two approaches were taken for depth 'conversion of
time' interpretation of the seismic marker for the potential
reservoir top. The resulting two GRVs from two structure maps were
then combined to generate an industry standard probabilistic result
using Monte Carlo simulation with 1,000 trials (using Crystal Ball
software). This probabilistic method has produced Gross
Oil-in-place (un-risked) as shown below.
Block 29/11 China: Gross Oil-in-place MMbbl*
Probabilistic Estimates
Prospect P90 P50 P10 Mean
------- ------- ------- --------
Jade 110 183 230 202
------- ------- ------- --------
Topaz 298 431 631 453
------- ------- ------- --------
Pearl 105 152 220 159
------- ------- ------- --------
Oil Migration Study Completed
Substantial geological work was also undertaken during the year,
focusing on migration pathways of oil in the basin which culminated
in an Oil Migration Study (the Study) which was completed in June
2018. The Study established the maturity profile of source rock,
and unambiguously established that the source rock in the Baiyun
Sag East (BSE) area was at peak maturity when oil expulsion
commenced. The main implications for Block 29/11 prospectivity are
very positive with the entire source rock within BSE interpreted to
have produced abundant hydrocarbons. In addition, any potential oil
accumulation in Block 29/11 prospects are expected to be light and
therefore similar to the oil discoveries around Block 29/11 that
range from 33-38 API.
The Study validated the interpreted oil migration pathways from
the known oil sources of the Enping Formation (Paleocene aged)
within the BSE into the several oil discoveries made by CNOOC
Limited to the immediate West and South of Block 29/11 in the
period since 2010. This provided strong evidence of a prolific
petroleum system in the area. At the same time, the Study
interprets effective migration pathways from BSE towards the
northern flank of the Baiyun uplift where the Jade and Topaz
prospects are located.
In addition, 28km(2) of 3D seismic data that was acquired
outside Block 29/11 over the 2013 CNOOC Limited oil discovery LH
23-1d-1 which is located 8km west of the Jade prospect, helps
confirm potential "fill-and-spill" pathways to the Jade structure
from the oil discovery. Whilst early exploration techniques such as
this are no guarantee of exploration success, the Company believes
that this form of "seismic tie" to a nearby known discovery helps
to reduce the risks associated with exploration and helps to
provide an improved understanding of the geology in the basin and
within Block 29/11.
Comprehensive interpretation of the 2017 3D seismic data has
helped map a new sub-basin called Baiyun Sag North (BSN). BSN is
located between the Jade and Topaz prospects and is entirely within
Block 29/11. The Study confirms a potential effective migration
pathway from BSN into Jade and Topaz.
The Study also indicates that the Pearl Prospect is potentially
located in a migration shadow for oil migrating from BSE or BSN. As
a result, further work has been done focusing on the possibility of
migration from the Huizhou Sag located NW of Block 29/11. The
Liuhua 11-1 field complex that contained an estimated 1.1 billion
barrels of oil is located immediately North of Block 29/11 and has
been interpreted to have received oil from Huizhou Sag. Additional
work completed now indicates that the Pearl prospect is located
favourably for receiving oil charge from Huizhou Sag.
Petroleum Contract for Block 29/11 signed
Having successfully completed the committed work program for the
first phase (GSA), the Company signed the PSC with CNOOC for Block
29/11 on 30 September 2018.
The PSC became effective on 13 December 2018. The first phase of
the contract is for 2.5 years with a commitment to drill one
exploration well to a depth of 2,500m or to basement formation.
Gaffney, Cline & Associates Independent Review of
Oil-in-place estimates
In November 2018 Gaffney, Cline & Associates ("GCA"), an
independent petroleum advisory firm, completed an independent audit
of the Company's oil initially in place estimates over the Jade,
Topaz and Pearl prospects identified in Block 29/11, Pearl River
Mouth Basin, offshore China. GCA's audit primarily consisted of
reviewing, checking and validating the available data and existing
interpretations and auditing the technical work that has been
performed by EME and its contractors. GCA's independent assessment
validated the Company's internal estimates, with Total Mean
Oil-in-place increasing 9% to 884 MMbbl (from 814 MMbbl) and the
total P10 estimates increased 47% to 1588 MMbbl (from 1081 MMbbl)
on an un-risked basis. Importantly, GCA's estimates of the
Geological Chance of Success of Jade and Topaz prospects were
assessed at 32% and 30% respectively.
Duyung PSC Project, Indonesia (EME 10%)
In April 2017, Empyrean acquired from Conrad Petroleum Pte Ltd
(Conrad) a 10% shareholding in West Natuna Exploration Ltd (WNEL),
which holds a 100% Participating Interest in the Duyung Production
Sharing Contract (Duyung PSC) in offshore Indonesia and is the
operator of the Duyung PSC.
The Duyung PSC covers an offshore permit of approximately
1,100km(2) in the prolific West Natuna Basin. The main asset in the
permit is the Mako shallow gas discovery that has an independently
verified 2C and 3C gas resource of between 430-650 Bcf recoverable
gas, that was completed before drilling the Mako South-1 well.
The Mako South-1 well exceeded the Company's expectations
encountering excellent reservoir quality rock with high
permeability sands in the multi Darcy range with 23 feet of gas
bearing reservoir. This zone flowed gas at a stabilized rate of
10.9 million cubic feet per day through a 2 inch choke. The gas is
of high-quality being close to 100% methane.
In August 2018 Conrad submitted the Plan of Development (POD) to
the Indonesian regulator SKKMigas, which was the culmination of
detailed and comprehensive technical studies incorporating all the
sub-surface data collected in the discovery well. Substantial
commercial and facilities studies were also completed as a part of
POD. The POD process paves the way for the Duyung PSC to convert
into a Production Permit through to 2037 following approval of the
POD by the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mines. As part of the
POD submission, a Heads of Agreement for the sale of all Mako gas
to a regional utility was also negotiated and signed.
As part of the POD submission, the Indonesian government owned
and accredited consultant Lemigas completed a certification of
reserves (Lemigas Reserves) based primarily on the Mako South-1
well and an area of circumference spreading out from the well. In
addition, Conrad has completed an internal calculation of its
contingent resources (Contingent Resources) based on the full Mako
Gas Field. The Conrad preliminary estimate of 2C Contingent
Resources of 373Bcf is expected to be converted into reserves
following a Final Investment Decision (FID) by WNEL and the signing
of a GSA and agreements to access (Access Agreements) the West
Natuna Transport System (WNTS), the pipeline that carries gas to
mainland Singapore. Conrad also has plans for third party
certification of its Contingent Resources using current Society of
Petroleum Engineers (SPE) standards in due course. The "Lemigas
Reserves" are shown in the table below:
"Lemigas Reserve" Certification* 1P 2P 3P
Initial Gas In Place (Bcf) 38.03 190.38 620.70
------ ------- -------
Recoverable Gas Reserve (Bcf)
as at April 01, 2018 30.42 152.30 496.56
------ ------- -------
Lemigas Mako POD "Reserves"
* It is important to note that "reserves" in this context does
not equate with the current SPE definitions followed by Conrad but
does signify approval for WNEL to extract the certified volume of
gas.
Whilst the POD work was being performed, it was decided to
re-process the vintage 2D seismic data. The main focus of the
reprocessing was to achieve substantial improvement in the imaging
of the geological features underneath the Mako Gas Field.
The reprocessing efforts helped identify a significant
exploration 'lead', named Mako Deep. The target depth of the
prospect is relatively shallow (approximately -6000ft below mean
sea level). Mako Deep is expected to contain well developed thick
sand packages as proven by the Tengirri-1 well (drilled by Conoco
in 1975) which are the conventional reservoirs in most oil and gas
fields in the area. Provisional initial estimates show that Mako
Deep has the potential to contain very large quantities of
recoverable hydrocarbons, both oil and natural gas.
Seismic interpretation is currently underway to further
delineate and de-risk this exciting 'lead' for prospect for
potential future appraisal drilling.
Sacramento Basin, California (EME 25-30%)
In May 2017, Empyrean entered into an agreement with ASX listed
Sacgasco Limited (Sacgasco), a Sacramento Basin focused natural gas
developer and producer, to farm-in to a package of gas projects in
the Sacramento Basin, onshore California. The package includes two
mature, prospects, Dempsey and Alvarez, and an Area of Mutual
Interest (AMI) along trend from Dempsey that includes at least
three already identified Dempsey style follow up prospects.
Empyrean earned a 30% interest in the Dempsey Prospect by paying
US$2,100,000 towards the cost of drilling the Dempsey 1-15
exploration well. Dempsey 1-15 well was spudded on 2 August 2017
and drilled to a TD of 2,970 metres (9,747 feet) in September 2017.
Wireline logs confirmed numerous potentially gas-bearing zones. A
comprehensive production testing programme was designed to assess
the production capability of these zones through 2017 and 2018. A
total of three zones (Zone 2, 3, and 4) in the well were
tested.
In July 2018, Dempsey 1-15 began producing into the sales gas
pipeline at an approximate rate of 1,300 mcf per day from Field
Level Kione Sandstone and the combined Zones 2 and 3.
At the time of this report, the Dempsey Well is shut-in awaiting
an imminent change in production piping to make production more
efficient going forward, followed by, if advantageous, the
perforating of additional gas zones in the shallow section.
Technical analysis indicates significant quantities of natural gas
remain to be produced from the Dempsey well.
Based on extensive testing of several zones in the Dempsey 1-15
well that has produced clean dry natural gas over 2000 feet, the
geological risk in the deeper level has been reduced significantly
for future exploration.
The JV is now integrating the subsurface data with regional
geology and seismic data to evaluate additional opportunities in
the area for future drilling opportunities.
In August 2018 Sacgasco obtained regulatory approval to test the
potential of gas in the over-looked natural gas in the Alvarez-1
well. The initial plan at Alvarez is to assess the integrity of the
well bore as the basis for a decision to either record modern logs
through casing to identify the more prospective zones for
perforation or perforate based on existing logs and / or natural
gas shows recorded during the drilling of the Alvares-1. An option
also exists to side-track the well to evaluate a new section of the
Stoney Creek reservoirs.
Empyrean will earn a 25% working interest in the Alvarez
appraisal prospect by paying 33.33% of the costs of the next
Alvarez appraisal well.
The Dempsey Trend AMI, in which Empyrean will earn a 30%
interest, extends to approximately 250,000 acres (including the
Dempsey structure) and includes at least three large Dempsey style
identified follow up prospects. Empyrean will provide technical
assistance to Sacgasco to further mature prospects within the
Dempsey Trend AMI and will also have an option to participate in
the already identified prospects on the following basis:
-- Prospect #1: EME pays 60% of dry hole cost (i.e. to testing
and setting production casing or abandonment) to earn 30% WI
-- Prospect #2: EME pays 45% of dry hole cost (i.e. to testing
and setting production casing or abandonment) to earn 30% WI
-- Prospect #3: EME pays 45% of dry hole cost (i.e. to testing
and setting production casing or abandonment) to earn 30% WI
Riverbend Project (10%) and Eagle Oil Pool Development Project
(58.084% WI)
Little or no work has been completed on these projects in the
period and no budget has been prepared for 2018/19 whilst the
Company focuses on other projects.
Definitions
2C: Contingent resources are quantities of petroleum estimated,
as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known
accumulations by application of development projects, but which are
not currently considered to be commercially recoverable. The range
of uncertainty is expressed as 1C (low), 2C (best) and 3C
(high).
* Cautionary Statement: The volumes presented in this
announcement are STOIIP estimates only. A recovery factor needs to
be applied to the undiscovered STOIIP estimates based on the
application of a future development project. The subsequent
estimates, post the application of a recovery factor, will have
both an associated risk of discovery and a risk of development.
Further exploration, appraisal and evaluation is required to
determine the existence of a significant quantity of potentially
movable hydrocarbons.
Gajendra Bisht M.Sc. (Tech) in Applied Geology
Executive Director (Technical)
21 December 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Period Ended 30 September 2018
6 months 6 months Year ended
to 30 September to 30 September 31 March
2018 (unaudited) 2017 (unaudited) 2018 (audited)
Notes US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
Revenue - - 30
------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Cost of sales
Operating costs - (1) (1)
Impairment of oil and gas
properties (51) (45) (48)
Amortisation - - -
------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Total cost of sales (51) (46) (49)
Gross loss (51) (46) (19)
Administrative expenditure
Administrative expenses (218) (186) (397)
Directors' remuneration (175) (229) (225)
Compliance fees (42) (62) (415)
Foreign exchange differences (34) 134 114
Total administrative expenditure (469) (344) (923)
Operating loss (520) (390) (942)
Finance income/(expense) 5 1,145 (3,982) (2,558)
------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Profit/(loss) from continuing
operations before taxation 625 (4,372) (3,500)
Tax benefit in current year 5 18 797
------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Profit/(loss) from continuing
operations after taxation 630 (4,354) (2,703)
------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Profit on discontinued operations
net of tax - 73 73
------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Profit/(loss) after taxation 630 (4,281) (2,630)
Total comprehensive profit/(loss)
for the year 630 (4,281) (2,630)
================== ================== ================
Earnings per share from continuing
operations (expressed in cents)
- Basic 2 0.15c (1.21)c (0.71)c
- Diluted 0.15c (1.12)c (0.71)c
Earnings per share from discontinued
operations (expressed in cents)
- Basic 2 - 0.02c 0.02c
- Diluted - 0.02c 0.02c
Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 September 2018
6 months 6 months Year ended
to 30 September to 30 September 31 March
2018 (unaudited) 2017 (restated 2018 (audited)
unaudited)
Notes US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Oil and gas properties: exploration
and evaluation 3 8,590 6,771 7,820
Investments 4 2,866 2,547 2,572
------------------ ----------------- ----------------
Total non-current assets 11,456 9,468 10,392
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 188 176 183
Corporation tax receivable - 540 1,320
Cash and cash equivalents 230 4,650 388
------------------ ----------------- ----------------
Total current assets 418 5,366 1,891
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 451 3,675 374
Provisions 54 51 54
Derivative financial liabilities 5 1,318 3,887 2,463
Total current liabilities 1,823 7,613 2,891
Net current (liabilities)/assets (1,405) (2,247) (1,000)
Net assets 10,051 7,071 9,392
================== ================= ================
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 6 1,205 1,164 1,205
Share premium 25,280 24,661 25,280
Share based payment reserve 39 2,421 10
Retained losses (16,473) (21,175) (17,103)
------------------ ----------------- ----------------
Total equity 10,051 7,071 9,392
================== ================= ================
Statement of Cash Flows
For the Period Ended 30 September 2018
6 months 6 months Year ended
to 30 September to 30 September 31 March
2018 (unaudited) 2017 (restated 2018 (audited)
unaudited)
Notes US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
Cash generated from operating
activities - continuing operations (624) (655) (1,002)
Receipt of corporation tax 1,325 18 17
------------------ ----------------- ----------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow)
from operating activities 701 (637) (985)
Net proceeds from disposal
of discontinued operations - 73 73
Purchase of oil and gas properties:
exploration and evaluation
- continuing operations (531) (3,198) (7,725)
Acquisition of investments (294) (2,547) (2,572)
Payment for exploration bonds
and bank guarantees - (150) (150)
Net cash outflow for investing
activities (825) (5,822) (10,374)
Issue of ordinary share capital - 4,976 5,635
Payment of equity issue costs - (108) (108)
Net cash inflow from financing
activities - 4,868 5,527
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents (124) (1,591) (5,832)
Cash and cash equivalents
at the start of the year 388 6,106 6,106
Forex on cash held (34) 135 114
------------------ ----------------- ----------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at the end of the period 230 4,650 388
================== ================= ================
Statement of Changes in Equity
For the Period Ended 30 September 2018
Share Share Share based Retained Total
capital premium payment losses equity
reserve reserve
US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
Balance at 1 April
2017 754 18,466 2,421 (16,894) 4,747
========= ========= ============ ========= =========
(Loss) after tax
for the period - - - (4,281) (4,281)
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------
Total comprehensive
loss for the period - - - (4,281) (4,281)
Contributions by
and distributions
to owners
Shares issued in
the period 410 6,303 - - 6,713
Equity issue costs - (108) - - (108)
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------
Contributions by
and distributions
to owners 410 6,195 - - 6,605
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------
Balance at 30 September
2017 1,164 24,661 2,421 (21,175) 7,071
========= ========= ============ ========= =========
Balance at 1 April
2017 754 18,466 2,421 (16,894) 4,747
Loss after tax for
the year - - - (2,630) (2,630)
Total comprehensive
loss for the year - - - (2,630) (2,630)
Contributions by
and distributions
to owners
Shares issued in
the period 451 6,922 - - 7,373
Equity issue costs - (108) - - (108)
Transfer of expired
options - - (2,421) 2,421 -
Share based payment
expense - - 10 - 10
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------
Contributions by
and distributions
to owners 451 6,814 (2,411) 2,421 7,275
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------
Balance at 31 March
2018 1,205 25,280 10 (17,103) 9,392
========= ========= ============ ========= =========
Profit after tax
for the period - - - 630 630
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------
Total comprehensive
income for the period - - - 630 630
Contributions by
and distributions
to owners
Share based payment
expense - - 29 - 29
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------
Contributions by
and distributions
to owners - - 29 - 29
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------
Balance at 30 September
2018 1,205 25,280 39 (16,473) 10,051
========= ========= ============ ========= =========
The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral
part of these financial statements.
Statement of Accounting Policies
For the Period Ended 30 September 2018
Basis of preparation
The Company's financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union and Companies Act 2006.
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The
financial report is presented in the functional currency, US
dollars and all values are shown in thousands of US dollars
(US$'000). The financial statements have been prepared on a
historical cost basis and fair value for certain assets and
liabilities. These condensed interim financial statements of the
Company for the six months ended 30 September 2018 have been
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs) and with those
parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting
under IFRS. The same accounting policies, presentation and methods
of computation are followed in these financial statements as were
applied in the Company's latest audited financial statements for
the year ended 31 March 2018, except for adoption of the following
new standards:
(i) IFRS 9: Financial Instruments - effective for annual periods
beginning on or after 1 January 2018
(ii) IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers - effective
for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018
The financial information for the period ended 30 September 2018
does not constitute the full statutory accounts for that period.
They have not been reviewed by the Company's auditor. The Annual
Report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2018
have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The independent
auditor's report on the Annual Report and financial statements was
unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of
emphasis, and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) or
498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
Going concern
The Directors consider that the Company has adequate resources
to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and
that it is therefore appropriate to adopt the going concern basis
in preparing its financial statements. The Company had a cash
balance of US$0.23m at 30 September 2018 (US$0.39m: 31 March 2018),
net current liabilities of US$1.41m at 30 September 2018 (US$1.00m:
31 March 2018) and net operating cash inflows of US$0.70m at 30
September 2018 (US$0.99m outflows: 31 March 2018).
In addition, the Company raised GBP1.03m (US$1.32m) in November
2018 through a placement at 10p per share.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 30 September 2018
1. Segmental analysis
The Directors consider the Company to have three geographical segments,
being China (Block 29/11 project), Indonesia (Duyung PSC project)
and North America (Sacramento Basin project), which are all currently
in the exploration and evaluation phase. Corporate costs relate
to the administration and financing costs of the Company and are
not directly attributable to the individual projects. The Company's
registered office is located in the United Kingdom.
Details China Indonesia USA Corporate Total
US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
30 September 2018
Revenue from continued
operations - - - - -
Cost of sales of continued
operations - - (51) - (51)
Segment result - - (51) - (51)
Unallocated corporate expenses - - - (469) (469)
-------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Operating loss - - (51) (469) (520)
Finance income/(expense) - - - 1,145 1,145
-------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Profit/(loss) before taxation - - (51) 676 625
Tax benefit in current
year - - - 5 5
-------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Profit/(loss) after taxation - - (51) 681 630
-------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Total comprehensive profit/(loss) - - (51) 681 630
======== ========== ======== ========== ========
Segment assets 4,769 3,017 3,821 - 11,607
Unallocated corporate assets - - - 267 267
-------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Total assets 4,769 3,017 3,821 267 11,874
======== ========== ======== ========== ========
Segment liabilities - - 290 - 290
Unallocated corporate liabilities - - - 1,533 1,533
-------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------
Total liabilities - - 290 1,533 1,823
======== ========== ======== ========== ========
Details China Indonesia USA Corporate Total
US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
30 September 2017
Profit on sale of
discontinued
operations - - 73 - 73
Cost of sales of
continued
operations - - (45) - (45)
Cost of sales of
discontinued
operations - - (1) - (1)
Segment result - - 27 - 27
Unallocated
corporate expenses - - - (344) (344)
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Operating
profit/(loss) - - 27 (344) (317)
Finance
income/(expense) - - - (3,982) (3,982)
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Profit/(loss)
before taxation - - 27 (4,326) (4,299)
Tax benefit in
current
year - - - 18 18
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Profit/(loss) after
taxation - - 27 (4,308) (4,281)
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Total comprehensive
profit/(loss) - - 27 (4,308) (4,281)
======== ============= ================== ============= ==========
Segment assets
(restated) 4,216 2,698 2,554 - 9,468
Unallocated
corporate assets - - - 5,366 5,366
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Total assets 4,216 2,698 2,554 5,366 14,684
======== ============= ================== ============= ==========
Segment liabilities 3,502 - - - 3,502
Unallocated
corporate
liabilities - - - 4,111 4,111
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Total liabilities 3,502 - - 4,111 7,613
======== ============= ================== ============= ==========
31 March 2018
Revenue from
continued
operations - - 30 - 30
Profit on sale of
discontinued
operations - - 73 - 73
Cost of sales of
continued
operations - - (48) - (48)
Cost of sales of
discontinued
operations - - (1) - (1)
Segment result - - 54 - 54
Unallocated
corporate expenses - - - (923) (923)
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Operating
profit/(loss) - - 54 (923) (869)
Finance income and
expense - - - (2,558) (2,558)
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Profit/(loss)
before taxation - - 54 (3,481) (3,427)
Tax benefit in
current
year - - - 797 797
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Profit/(loss) after
taxation - - 54 (2,684) (2,630)
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Total comprehensive
loss - - 54 (2,684) (2,630)
======== ============= ================== ============= ==========
Segment assets 4,596 2,722 3,254 - 10,572
Unallocated
corporate assets - - - 1,711 1,711
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Total assets 4,596 2,722 3,254 1,711 12,283
======== ============= ================== ============= ==========
Segment liabilities 41 - 81 - 122
Unallocated
corporate
liabilities - - - 2,769 2,769
-------- ------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------
Total liabilities 41 - 81 2,769 2,891
======== ============= ================== ============= ==========
6 months 6 months to Year ended
to 30 30 September 31 March
September 2017 (unaudited) 2018
2018
(unaudited)
(audited)
2. Earnings per share
The basic earnings per share is derived by dividing the profit/(loss)
after taxation for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders
by the weighted average number of shares on issue being 413,995,110
(2017: 358,675,105). The diluted weighted average number of
shares on issue was 428,995,110 (2017: 358,675,105). Details
of potentially issuable shares that could dilute earnings
per share in future periods are set out in Note 6.
Earnings per share from
continuing
operations
Profit/(loss) after taxation US$630,000 (US$4,354,000) (US$2,703,000)
from continuing operations
Earnings/(loss) per share -
basic 0.15c (1.21)c (0.71)c
Profit/(loss) after taxation US$630,000 (US$4,354,000) (US$2,703,000)
from continuing operations
adjusted for dilutive effects
Earnings/(loss) per share -
diluted 0.15c (1.12)c (0.71)c
Earnings per share from
discontinued
operations
Profit after taxation from - US$73,000 US$73,000
discontinued operations
Earnings per share - basic - 0.02c 0.02c
Profit after taxation from - US$73,000 US$73,000
discontinued operations
adjusted
for dilutive effects
Earnings per share - diluted - 0.02c 0.02c
6 months 6 months Year ended
to 30 September to 30 September 31 March
2018 (unaudited) 2017 (restated 2018
unaudited)
(audited)
3. Oil and gas properties:
exploration
and evaluation
Balance brought forward 7,820 87 87
Additions(a) 821 6,729 7,781
Impairment (51) (45) (48)
Net book value 8,590 6,771 7,820
===================== ===================== ====================
(a) The Company was awarded its permit in China in December
2016. Block 29/11 is located in the Pearl River Mouth Basin,
offshore China. Empyrean is operator with 100% of the exploration
right of the Permit during the exploration phase of the project.
The initial contractual term is for two years with a work programme
commitment of acquisition, processing and interpretation of
580km(2) of 3D seismic data. In May 2017 Empyrean entered into a
joint project with ASX listed Sacgasco Limited, to test a group of
projects in the Sacramento Basin, California, including two mature,
multi-TcF gas prospects in Dempsey (EME 30%) and Alvarez (EME 25%)
and also further identified follow up prospects along the Dempsey
trend (EME 30%).
4. Investments 6 months 6 months Year ended
to 30 September to 30 September 31 March
2018 (unaudited) 2017 (restated 2018
unaudited)
(audited)
Balance brought forward 2,572 - -
Additions(a) 294 2,547 2,572
Net book value 2,866 2,547 2,572
================== ================= ===========
(a) The Company acquired a 10% working interest in the Duyung
PSC, Indonesia during the 2018 financial year. Due to the 10%
shareholding and lack of significant influence over operations, the
acquisition has been classified as an investment. The carrying
value approximates the fair value which consists of the acquisition
cost plus subsequent exploration expenditure. For further
information, please refer to the Operational Review.
6 months 6 months Year ended
to 30 September to 30 September 31 March
2018 (unaudited) 2017 (unaudited) 2018
(audited)
5. Derivative financial liabilities
Opening balance 2,463 459 459
Fair value movement (1,145) 3,428 2,004
Net book value 1,318 3,887 2,463
=================== ================ ===============
Derivative financial liabilities represent the fair value of
15,000,000 options granted to Macquarie Bank and linked to the
extension of a now repaid loan facility held with Macquarie Bank.
As announced on 13 March 2017, the Options are currently owned by
Apnea Holdings Pty Ltd, a company which is wholly owned by Tom
Kelly, CEO of Empyrean. The options were granted on 27 July 2015
and are referred to as the Tranche 4 options. At the date of grant
these were considered to fall outside of the scope of IFRS 2 and
unlike Tranches 1-3 were not accounted for as a share-based
payment. The Macquarie Bank loan facility was repaid in 2016 but
the options did not expire at that point.
During a prior financial year, the Company modified the exercise
price of the options. This was deemed to be a substantial
modification under IAS 32 and IAS 39. The value of the derivative
financial liability was extinguished at that point and the fair
value of the modified options recognised at the date that they were
granted. As a financial liability at fair value through the profit
or loss these were revalued at period end. The fair value is
measured using a Black-Scholes Model with the following inputs:
Fair value of share options and assumptions
At 30 September 2018 At 30 September 2017 31 March 2018
Grant date 27 July 2015 27 July 2015 27 July 2015
Expiry date 26 July 2019 26 July 2019 26 July 2019
Share price GBP0.0875 GBP0.214 GBP0.138
Exercise price GBP0.02 GBP0.02 GBP0.02
Volatility 82% 78% 79%
Option life 0.83 1.83 1.33
Expected dividends - - -
Risk-free interest rate (based on national government
bonds) 0.81% 0.46% 0.74%
Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical
volatility of the Company's share price over the expected remaining
life of the options.
6. Called up share capital 6 months 6 months Year ended
to 30 September to 30 September 31 March
2018 (unaudited) 2017 (unaudited) 2018
(audited)
Issued and fully paid
413,995,110 (2017: 398,995,110) US$1,205 US$1,164 US$1,205
ordinary shares of 0.2p each
Opening balance (number: 413,995,110) - 754 754
Share issue (number: 70,000,000) - 180 180
Share issue (number: 34,316,551) - 89 89
Exercise of options (number:
15,000,000) - 38 38
Placement (number: 16,080,000) - 41 41
Placement (number: 12,000,000) - 31 31
Placement (number: 11,764,706) - 31 31
Exercise of options (number:
15,000,000) - - 41
Closing balance (number: 413,995,110) 1,205 1,164 1,205
==================== ==================== ===============
The Companies Act 2006 (as amended) abolishes the requirement
for a company to have an authorised share capital. Therefore
the Company has taken advantage of these provisions and has
an unlimited authorised share capital.
Share options and warrants
The following equity instruments have been issued by the Company
and have not been exercised at 30 September 2018:
Option Class Employee Options Financier options (Tranche 4)
Grant Date 20 January 2018 27 July 2015
------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Options awarded 2,500,000 15,000,000
------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Exercise price (GBP) GBP0.17 GBP0.02
------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Expiry date 20 January 2021 26 July 2019
------------------------- ------------------------------------------
The options outstanding at 30 September 2018 have an exercise price in the range of GBP0.02
to GBP0.17 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.14 years. The remaining
15,000,000 financier options have vested and are fully exercisable at the date of this report.
7. Events after the reporting date
In November 2018 Gaffney, Cline & Associates ("GCA"), an
independent petroleum advisory firm, completed an independent audit
of the Company's oil initially in place estimates over the Jade,
Topaz and Pearl prospects identified in Block 29/11, Pearl River
Mouth Basin, offshore China. GCA's audit primarily consisted of
reviewing, checking and validating the available data and existing
interpretations and auditing the technical work that has been
performed by EME and its contractors. GCA's independent assessment
validated the Company's internal estimates, with Total Mean
Oil-in-place increasing 9% to 884 MMbbl (from 814 MMbbl) and the
total P10 estimates increased 47% to 1588 MMbbl (from 1081 MMbbl)
on an un-risked basis. Importantly, GCA's estimates of the
Geological Chance of Success of Jade and Topaz prospects were
assessed at 32% and 30% respectively.
In November 2018 the Company issued 10,280,000 new ordinary
shares at a price of 10p per Placing Share (the "Placing Price")
raising gross proceeds of GBP1,028,000 (the "Placing"). The Placing
was completed under the Company's existing authorities and was not
subject to the approval of shareholders. The Placing Price
represented a 0.37% premium to the Volume Weighted Average Price of
the Company's Shares over the twenty trading days prior to the
Placing. The Placing Shares were issued to new sophisticated
investors and existing shareholders, including Dr Patrick Cross,
the Company's Chairman who subscribed for 100,000 shares under the
Placing. The funds raised pursuant to the Placing will be used for
the Company's general working capital purposes.
There were no other significant events post reporting date.
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
IR VFLBLVLFZFBZ
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