30
September 2024
ENWELL ENERGY
PLC
2024 INTERIM
RESULTS
Enwell Energy plc ("Enwell Energy"
or the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"),
the AIM-quoted (AIM: ENW) oil and gas exploration and production
group, is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the six
month period ended 30 June 2024.
Highlights
Operational
•
|
Aggregate average daily production
of 2,077 boepd (1H 2023: 2,730 boepd) (in each case calculated on
the days when the Group's fields were actually in
production)
|
•
|
Aggregate production volumes for
the period of 377,968 boe (1H 2023: 475,305 boe)
|
Financial
•
|
Revenue of $23.7 million (1H 2023:
$33.1 million), down 28% primarily as a result of lower production
rates and gas prices
|
•
|
Gross profit of $15.5 million (1H
2023: $19.6 million), down 21%
|
•
|
Operating profit of $16.9 million
(1H 2023: $17.2 million), down 2% predominantly as a result of
lower production rates and gas prices
|
•
|
Net profit of $12.6 million (1H
2023: $12.5 million), up 1%
|
•
|
Cash and cash equivalents of $93.7
million as at 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: $33.8 million), and of
$97.1 million as at 23 September 2024
|
•
|
Average realised gas, condensate
and LPG prices in Ukraine were $306/Mm3
(UAH11,919/Mm3), $74/bbl and $149/bbl respectively (1H
2023: $419/Mm3 (UAH15,315/Mm3) gas, $46/bbl
condensate and $92/bbl LPG)
|
Outlook
•
|
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in
February 2022 has had and continues to have a significant impact on
all aspects of life in Ukraine, including the Group's business and
operations. The scale and duration of disruption to the Group's
business continues to be difficult to predict, and there remains
significant uncertainty about the outcome of the war in
Ukraine
|
•
|
In June 2024, the suspensions of
the VAS production licence and the SC exploration licence were
lifted, and production has now resumed at the VAS field
|
•
|
Subject to the Group's ability to
operate safely, development work planned for the remainder of 2024
and 2025 at the MEX-GOL and SV fields includes completing a
workover of the MEX-102 well to access a shallower horizon,
drilling the MEX-114 appraisal well, deepening the MEX-109 well to
explore a deeper horizon, investigating the possible hydraulic
fracturing of the SV-29 well, evaluating the potential for
sidetracking of the MEX-119 well to access additional reserves,
installing additional compression equipment and upgrading the
flow-line network and other field infrastructure
|
•
|
At the VAS field, production
operations will continue, and at the SC licence area, planning for
the development of this licence area is currently
underway
|
•
|
Currently, the Group retains a
substantial proportion of its cash outside Ukraine, which enhances
the Group's ability to navigate the current risk environment for
the foreseeable future, and provides a material buffer to any
further disruptions to the Group's operations
|
•
|
Development programme for the
remainder of 2024 and 2025 is expected to be funded from the
Group's existing cash resources and operational cash
flow
|
Oleksiy Zayets, Interim CEO,
commented: "To date, 2024 has been a
solid operational year for Enwell Energy, however our
achievements are significantly overshadowed by the ongoing war,
which continues to have a huge impact on all aspects of life and
business in Ukraine. The lifting of the suspensions of the VAS and
SC licences in June 2024 was very welcome news, and we are pleased
to be able to resume operations at those licences. In addition, we
have continued production and some development activities at our
MEX-GOL and SV fields, which is testament to the diligence and
fortitude of our operational team."
This announcement contains inside
information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation No.
596/2014, which forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue
of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue
of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) regulations
2019.
For further information, please contact:
Enwell Energy plc
|
Tel: 020 3427 3550
|
Chuck Valceschini,
Chairman
|
|
Oleksiy Zayets, Interim Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
Bruce Burrows, Finance
Director
|
|
|
|
Strand Hanson Limited
|
Tel: 020 7409 3494
|
Rory Murphy / Matthew
Chandler
|
|
|
|
Zeus Capital Limited
|
Tel: 020 7614 5900
|
Alexandra Campbell-Harris
(Corporate Finance)
|
|
Simon Johnson (Corporate
Broking)
|
|
|
|
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
|
Tel: 020 7638 9571
|
Ellen Wilton / Alex
Winch
|
|
Dr Gehrig Schultz, BSc Geophysical
Engineering, PhD Geophysics, Member of the European Association of
Geophysical Engineers, Member of the Executive Coordinating
Committee of the Continental European Energy Council, and a
Non-Executive Director of the Company, has reviewed and approved
the technical information contained within this announcement in his
capacity as a qualified person, as required under the AIM Rules for
Companies.
Definitions/Glossary
|
|
|
|
bbl
|
barrel
|
bbl/d
|
barrels per day
|
boe
|
barrels of oil
equivalent
|
boepd
|
barrels of oil equivalent per
day
|
Company
|
Enwell Energy plc
|
€
|
Euro
|
GDP
|
gross domestic product
|
Group
|
Enwell Energy plc and its
subsidiaries
|
km
|
kilometre
|
km2
|
square kilometre
|
LPG
|
liquefied petroleum gas
|
MEX-GOL
|
Mekhediviska-Golotvshinska
|
m3
|
cubic metres
|
Mm³
|
thousand cubic metres
|
MMboe
|
million barrels of oil
equivalent
|
MMscf
|
million scf
|
MMscf/d
|
million scf per day
|
%
|
per cent.
|
QHSE
|
quality, health, safety and
environment
|
SC
|
Svystunivsko-Chervonolutskyi
|
scf
|
standard cubic feet measured at 20
degrees Celsius and one atmosphere
|
SV
|
Svyrydivske
|
$
|
United States Dollar
|
UAH
|
Ukrainian Hryvnia
|
VAS
|
Vasyschevskoye
|
VED
|
Vvdenska
|
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to present the
Group's results for the first half of 2024 but very much wish that
the circumstances were different. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia
in February 2022 and the ongoing conflict has created a very
challenging and worrying outlook for both the current and future
situation in Ukraine, and I am greatly saddened by the terrible
events occurring there.
The ongoing war has had a
significant impact on all aspects of life in Ukraine, including the
Group's business and operations. The overall scale and duration of
future disruption to the Group's business continues to be difficult
to predict, and there remains significant uncertainty about the
outcome of the war.
Notwithstanding the disruption
caused by the war, during the first half of 2024, the Group
continued with some development activities at the MEX-GOL and SV
fields. However, the suspensions of the VAS production licence and
SC exploration licence in May 2023 meant that no activities on
these licences took place in the period. At the MEX-GOL field,
following the completion of the GOL-107 development well in Q4
2023, the well underwent longer-term testing to establish its
optimal operating parameters. Following testing, the producing
horizon in the well was re-perforated, which improved production
rates, and hydraulic fracturing of the well is being evaluated to
assess whether this may further improve production rates.
Additionally, at the MEX-GOL field, a workover of the MEX-102 well
to access a shallower horizon is underway, and planning has
continued for the drilling of the MEX-114 appraisal well, deepening
of the MEX-109 well to explore a deeper horizon and investigating
the possible sidetracking of the MEX-119 well to access additional
reserves. At the SV field, hydraulic fracturing of the SV-29
development well is being considered.
Aggregate average daily production
(calculated on the days when the fields were actually in
production) from the MEX-GOL and SV fields during the first half of
2024 was 2,077 boepd, which is lower than the aggregate daily
production rate of 2,730 boepd achieved on the days of actual
production during the corresponding period in 2023 due to the
disruption caused by the war, natural field decline and the
suspension of operations at the VAS field in May 2023. The
aggregate production volumes for the period were 377,968 boe, which
is lower than the aggregate production volumes of 475,305 boe for
the corresponding period in 2023 for the same reasons.
There was also a significant
decline in gas prices during the period further contributing to the
decline in revenues to $23.7 million (1H 2023: $33.1 million). The
Group's operating profit was lower at $16.9 million (1H 2023: $17.2
million), but net profit was slightly higher at $12.6 million (1H
2023: $12.5 million), and cash generated from operations was higher
at $21.3 million (1H 2023: $12.4 million) as a result of the
disproportionate reduction in operating costs.
Whilst the Group's operational
activities continued broadly in line with 2023, development
activity was significantly impacted by the increase in risks faced
by the Group in Ukraine.
There is significant disruption to
the fiscal and economic environment in Ukraine due to the ongoing
conflict, and while the economy grew during the first half of 2024,
the inflation rate increased and the Ukrainian Hryvnia weakened
further against other currencies. It is likely that fiscal and
economic uncertainties will continue in the future until
hostilities cease.
The Ukrainian Government has
implemented a number of reforms in the oil and gas sector in recent
years, which include the deregulation of the gas supply market in
late 2015, and subsequently, the simplification of the regulatory
procedures applicable to oil and gas exploration and production
activities in Ukraine.
The deregulation of the gas supply
market, supported by electronic gas trading platforms and improved
pricing transparency, has meant that Ukrainian market prices for
gas are broadly correlated with the price of imported gas. During
2024 to date, gas prices weakened, reflecting a similar trend in
European gas prices, as disruption to worldwide oil and gas
supplies eased. However, condensate and LPG prices were higher by
comparison to the corresponding period in 2023.
Restructuring of Smart Holding Group
In January 2023, the Company was
notified that there had been a restructuring of the ownership of
the PJSC Smart-Holding Group, a member of which held a major
shareholding in the Company, and which was ultimately controlled by
Mr Vadym Novynskyi ("Mr Novynskyi"). Under this restructuring,
which occurred with effect from 1 December 2022, Mr Novynskyi
disposed of his major indirect shareholding
interest in the Company to two trusts registered in Cyprus
named the SMART Trust and the STEP Trust. Further information is
contained in the Company's announcement dated 17 January 2023, and
the TR-1 Forms published on 26 January 2023, 31 July 2023 and 20
March 2024.
Regulatory Actions by Ukrainian Authorities affecting
the VAS and SC Licences
In early December 2022, the
Ukrainian Government imposed sanctions on Mr Novynskyi, as set out
in the Company's announcement dated 9 December 2022.
As announced on 4 January 2023,
new legislation, Law No. 2805-IX,
relating to the natural resources sector was
enacted in Ukraine, which came into force
on 28 March 2023. This legislation is a substantial package of new
procedures and reforms designed to improve the regulatory process
relating to the exploration and development of natural resources in
Ukraine. However, the legislation includes provisions that if the
ultimate beneficial owner of a mineral or hydrocarbon licence
becomes the subject of sanctions in Ukraine, then
the State Geologic and Subsoil Survey of Ukraine
(the "SGSS") may suspend or revoke that
licence.
Following Law No. 2805-IX coming into force on 28 March
2023, the Ukrainian
authorities have taken a number of regulatory actions against
certain of the Group's subsidiary companies in
Ukraine.
As announced on 12 April 2023,
such regulatory actions included conducting a search at the Group's
Yakhnyky office, from where the MEX-GOL and SV fields are operated,
and placing certain physical assets of the Ukrainian branch
(representative) office of Regal Petroleum Corporation Limited
("RPC") and LLC Arkona Gas-Energy ("Arkona") (which respectively
hold the MEX-GOL and SV fields and the SC exploration licence)
under seizure, thereby restricting any actions that would change
registration of the property rights relating to such assets,
although the use of such assets was not restricted and therefore
the Company has been able to continue to operate and produce gas
and condensate from the MEX-GOL and SV fields. In addition, the
Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (the "MoJ") made an Order cancelling
the registration entry made on behalf of a subsidiary of the
Company named LLC Regal Petroleum Corporation
(Ukraine) Limited in the Unified State Register of Legal
Entities, Individuals-entrepreneurs and Civil Institutions
of Ukraine (the "State Register")
relating to the ultimate beneficial owners of such
company, which were stated as being the trustees of the SMART Trust
and STEP Trust as previously notified to the Company, thereby
restoring the previous entry in the State Register, Mr
Novynskyi. Furthermore, the SGSS issued an
Order to RPC requiring that additional information be provided
and/or violations be eliminated in the disclosures relating to the
ultimate beneficial owners of the MEX-GOL and SV licences
respectively.
On 2 May 2023, the MoJ made
further Orders cancelling the registration entry made on behalf of
three further Ukrainian subsidiaries of the Company named LLC
Prom-Enerho Produkt ("PEP"), Arkona and LLC Well Investum ("Well
Investum") respectively in the State Register relating to the ultimate beneficial owners of such companies,
which again were stated as being the trustees of the SMART Trust
and STEP Trust, thereby restoring the
previous entry,
Mr Novynskyi. PEP holds
the VAS production licence, Arkona holds the SC exploration licence
and Well Investum is a dormant company.
Following the issuance of the
abovementioned Orders by the MoJ, Mr Novynskyi is registered
in the State Register as
the ultimate beneficial owner of
each of PEP and Arkona, and is consequently recognised by the SGSS
as the ultimate beneficial owner of each of the
VAS production licence and SC exploration licence. As a result, on
4 May 2023, the SGSS issued orders suspending the
VAS production licence and SC exploration licence
for a period of 5 years effective from that date.
Accordingly, the Company ceased all field and production operations
on the VAS and SC licence areas at that time.
However, on 26 June 2024, the SGSS
issued orders to renew the validity of each of the VAS production
licence and SC exploration licence, thereby cancelling the
suspensions of those licences, and enabling the resumption of
operational activities at those licences. Further information is
contained in the Company's announcement dated 27 June
2024.
In September 2024, new legislation
has come into force which requires that branches (or representative
offices) of foreign companies operating in Ukraine register their
ultimate beneficial owners in Ukrainian Registries. RPC, which
holds the MEX-GOL and SV licences, operates such a branch and is
therefore required to register its ultimate beneficial owners in
such Registries, which raises a potential risk that such
registration will not be accepted by the Ukrainian authorities, and
possibly result in regulatory action against RPC and/or its
licences and assets, including suspension of the MEX-GOL and SV
licences.
Board and Management Changes
In March 2024, Chris Hopkinson
stepped down as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, and Sergii
Glazunov stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and a Director,
and I joined the Board as Non-Executive Chairman alongside Igor
Basai as a Non-Executive Director. In addition, Oleksiy Zayets was
appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Outlook
The ongoing war in Ukraine creates
a devastating humanitarian situation, as well as extreme challenges
to the country's fiscal, economic and business environment. In
such, circumstances, it is extremely difficult to plan future
investment and operational activities at the Group's fields.
However, subject to it being safe to do so, the Group is planning
to undertake further limited development activities during the
remainder of 2024 and beyond in order to continue the development
of its fields. In doing so, the Group is taking and will continue
to take all measures available to protect and safeguard its
personnel and business, with the safety and wellbeing of its
personnel and contractors being paramount. The Group retains a significant proportion of its cash
reserves outside Ukraine, and this provides a material buffer to
any further disruptions to the Group's operations. This has enabled
the Board to reach the opinion that the Group has sufficient
resources to navigate the current risk environment for the
foreseeable future.
In conclusion, on behalf of the
Board, I would like to thank all of our staff for the continued
dedication and support during 2024 to date, especially their
remarkable fortitude during the ongoing conflict in
Ukraine.
Chuck Valceschini
Chairman
Chief Executive's Statement
Introduction
The war in Ukraine has materially
disrupted the Group's development activity at its Ukrainian fields
during the first half of 2024. At the MEX-GOL and SV fields,
production operations and some development activities continued,
with the GOL-107 development well being completed in Q4 2023 and
undergoing longer-term testing to establish its optimal operating
parameters. Following testing, the producing horizon in the well
was re-perforated, which improved production rates, and hydraulic
fracturing of the well is being evaluated to assess whether this
may further improve flow rates.
At the VAS field, production
operations remained suspended following the suspension of the VAS
production licence in May 2023, but, in June 2024, this suspension
was lifted, and production operations have now resumed. In
addition, planning for the further development of the field, as
well as for a proposed new well to explore the VED prospect within
the VAS licence area have also resumed.
The SC exploration licence was
also suspended in May 2023, but similarly, the suspension of the SC
exploration licence was lifted in June 2024, and planning has
resumed for the development of the licence area.
Overall production in the first
half of 2024 was lower than in the corresponding period in 2023 due
to the disruption to production operations caused by the war in
Ukraine, natural field decline and the suspension of the VAS
production licence.
Production
The average daily production of
gas, condensate and LPG from the MEX-GOL and SV fields during the
six month period ended 30 June 2024 is shown below. There was no
production from the VAS field due to the suspension of the VAS
production licence.
Field
|
Gas
(MMscf/d)
|
Condensate
(bbl/d)
|
LPG
(bbl/d)
|
Aggregate
boepd
|
|
1H
2024
|
1H 2023
|
1H
2024
|
1H 2023
|
1H
2024
|
1H 2023
|
1H
2024
|
1H 2023
|
MEX-GOL & SV
|
8.6
|
9.8
|
323
|
384
|
325
|
413
|
2,077
|
2,400
|
VAS
|
-
|
1.7
|
-
|
17
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
330
|
Total
|
8.6
|
11.5
|
323
|
401
|
325
|
413
|
2,077
|
2,730
|
As a result of the continued
operational disruptions caused by the war and deferment of
development work, the Group's average daily production rate for the
first half of 2024 has been materially adversely affected. In
addition, as a result of the regulatory actions by the Ukrainian
authorities, the VAS production licence and the SC exploration
licence were suspended between 4 May 2023 and 26 June
2024.
Aggregate production volumes for
1H 2024 were 377,968 boe, which is lower than the aggregate
production volumes of 475,305 boe in the corresponding period in
2023 for the reasons set out above.
Production is currently continuing
at the MEX-GOL and SV fields at a rate of approximately 1,900
boepd, and following the lifting of the licence suspension at the
VAS field, production operations resumed, and, after a period of
cleaning up, the production rate is recovering back towards the
production rate prior to the suspension of the
licence.
Operations
The war in Ukraine has
significantly affected fiscal and economic stability in the
country, and the oil and gas sector in
Ukraine has been particularly affected by interruptions to power
supplies, the unavailability of oil field equipment and services
and disruptions to the markets for the sale of gas, condensate and
LPG. In addition, the decrease in gas
prices in Europe fed through to the Group's realised prices in
Ukraine, impacting the Group's revenues and operating profitability
during the period.
During the first half of 2024, the
Group continued to refine its geological subsurface models of the
MEX-GOL, SV and VAS fields, as well as the SC licence area, in
order to enhance its strategy for the further development of such
fields and licence area, including the timing and level of future
capital investment required to exploit the hydrocarbon
resources.
At the MEX-GOL field, the GOL-107
development well, targeting production from the V-20 and V-23
Visean formations, was completed in late October 2023, with the
well having been drilled to a final depth of 5,190 metres. One
interval, at a drilled depth of 5,140 - 5,143 metres, within the
V-23 formation, was perforated and demonstrated gas flows, but at
lower than anticipated rates. The well was hooked up to the gas
processing facilities to undergo longer-term testing to establish
its optimal operating parameters. Following this testing, the
producing horizon in the well was re-perforated, which improved
production rates, and hydraulic fracturing of the well is being
evaluated to assess whether this may further improve flow rates.
The Group continued to operate
each of the SV-2 and SV-12 wells under joint venture agreements
with PJSC Ukrnafta, the majority State-owned oil
and gas producer. Under the agreements, the gas and
condensate produced from the respective wells is sold under an
equal net profit sharing arrangement between the Group and PJSC
Ukrnafta, with the Group accounting for the hydrocarbons produced
and sold from the wells as revenue, and the net profit share due to
PJSC Ukrnafta being treated as a lease expense in cost of sales.
However, following the SV-2 well experiencing water ingress, a
workover of this well was undertaken to replace the production
string and remove obstructions in the well, but this work was
unsuccessful and further remedial work is not being considered at
the present time.
At the VAS field, there were no
operational activities during the period due to the continued
suspension of the VAS production licence since May 2023, but with
the lifting of the suspension of such licence on 26 June 2024,
operational activities resumed, including production operations,
and, after a period of cleaning up, the production rate is
recovering back towards the production rate prior to the suspension
of the licence. Planning for the further development of the field,
as well as for a proposed new well to explore the VED prospect
within the VAS licence area, has also resumed.
Similarly, at the SC exploration
licence area, there were no operational activities due to the
continued suspension of the SC exploration licence since May 2023,
but such suspension was lifted on 26 June 2024, and since then,
planning for the further development of the licence area has
resumed.
Outlook
The ongoing war in Ukraine has
caused significant disruption to the country as a whole and to the
Group's business activities, and until there is a satisfactory
resolution to the conflict, the disruption and uncertainty are
likely to continue. However, subject to it being safe to do so,
during the remainder of 2024 and 2025, the Group plans to continue
the development of its fields to the extent it is possible to do
so.
At the MEX-GOL and SV fields, the
development programme includes completing a workover of the MEX-102
well to access a shallower horizon, drilling the MEX-114 appraisal
well, deepening of the MEX-109 well to explore a deeper horizon in
the Visean formation, investigating the possible hydraulic
fracturing of the SV-29 well, evaluating the potential for
sidetracking of the MEX-119 well to access additional reserves,
installing additional compression equipment and upgrading and
maintaining the flow-line network and pipelines and other field
infrastructure, as well as planning for the further development of
the fields.
At the VAS field, production
operations will continue, together with planning for the further
development of the field, as well as for a proposed new well to
explore the VED prospect within the VAS licence area.
At the SC exploration licence
area, planning for the development of the licence area will
continue, including planning for the installation of new gas
processing facilities and other surface infrastructure and/or the
feasibility of connection to existing gas processing
facilities.
Finally, I would like to add my
thanks to all of our staff for their continued hard work and
dedication over the course of 2024, and to especially recognise
their ongoing efforts and professionalism in the face of the
extremely challenging current situation in Ukraine.
Oleksiy Zayets
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Finance Review
Despite the continued significant
disruption caused by the war in Ukraine, the Group was still able
to generate a net profit for the period of $12.6 million,
marginally higher than the first half of 2023 (1H 2023: $12.5
million), notwithstanding lower production rates and lower gas
prices.
Revenue for the period, derived
from the sale of the Group's Ukrainian gas, condensate and LPG
production, was 28% lower at $23.7 million (1H 2023: $33.1
million), primarily as a result of the combined effects of lower
production rates and a decrease in gas prices in the period,
slightly mitigated by an improvement in condensate and LPG
prices.
Aggregate daily production for the
first half of 2024 was down approximately 24% at 2,077 boepd (1H
2023: 2,730 boepd), in each case calculated on the days when the
Group's fields were actually in production, due to the disruption
to operations and ongoing reduced levels of field development as a
result of the war in Ukraine, natural field decline and the
suspension of the VAS production licence in May 2023. Aggregate
production volumes for the period were 377,968 boe, which is lower
than the aggregate production volumes of 475,305 boe in the
corresponding period in 2023 for the same reasons.
During 2024, global, and
particularly European, gas prices declined as the disruption to
supplies caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine abated, and this
decrease also occurred in Ukraine, causing a 27% decline in average
gas price realisations in the period at $306/Mm3
(UAH11,919/Mm3). However, condensate and LPG average
sales prices improved by 61% and 62% at $74/bbl and $149/bbl
respectively (1H 2023: $419/Mm3
(UAH15,315/Mm3), $46/bbl and $92/bbl
respectively).
During the period from 1 July 2024
to 31 August 2024, the average realised gas, condensate and LPG
prices were $308/Mm3 (UAH12,639/Mm3),
$114/bbl and $106/bbl respectively.
Gross profit for the period was
21% lower at $15.5 million (1H 2023: $19.6 million), the dampened
effect of the steeper fall in revenues being offset to an extent by
a 40% fall in cost of sales for the period at $8.2 million (1H
2023: $13.6 million). The decline in production resulted in a
decline in depreciation, and the decreased gas prices also
disproportionately reduced the revenue-related costs of taxes and
well rental, down a combined 57% at $3.1 million (1H 2023: $7.2
million).
The subsoil tax
rates applicable to gas production were stable during the first six
months of 2024 and were as follows:
(i)
|
when gas prices are up to
$150/Mm3, the rate for wells drilled prior to 1 January 2018 ("old
wells") is 14.5% for gas produced from deposits at depths shallower
than 5,000 metres and 7% for gas produced from deposits deeper than
5,000 metres, and for wells drilled after 1 January 2018 ("new
wells") is 6% for gas produced from deposits at depths shallower
than 5,000 metres and 3% for gas produced from deposits deeper than
5,000 metres;
|
(ii)
|
when gas prices are between $150/Mm3
and $400/Mm3, the rate for old wells is 29% for gas produced from
deposits at depths shallower than 5,000 metres and 14% for gas
produced from deposits deeper than 5,000 metres, and for new wells
is 12% for gas produced from deposits at depths shallower than
5,000 metres and 6% for gas produced from deposits deeper than
5,000 metres;
|
(iii)
|
when gas prices are more than
$400/Mm3, for the first $400/Mm3, the rate for old wells is 29% for
gas produced from deposits at depths shallower than 5,000 metres
and 14% for gas produced from deposits deeper than 5,000 metres,
and for new wells is 12% for gas produced from deposits at depths
shallower than 5,000 metres and 6% for gas produced from deposits
deeper than 5,000 metres, and for the difference between $400/Mm3
and the actual price, the rate for old wells is 65% for gas
produced from deposits at depths shallower than 5,000 metres and
31% for gas produced from deposits deeper than 5,000 metres, and
for new wells is 36% for gas produced from deposits at depths
shallower than 5,000 metres and 18% for gas produced from deposits
deeper than 5,000 metres.
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The tax rates applicable to
condensate production were 31% for condensate produced from
deposits shallower than 5,000 metres and 16% for condensate
produced from deposits deeper than 5,000 metres, for both old and
new wells.
As a direct result of the war in
Ukraine, including the significant decline in domestic consumption
disrupting the previous supply, demand and pricing dynamics, there
has been a divergence between domestic and European gas pricing,
and accordingly, the methodology (linked to European prices) used
to determine the reference gas price for the subsoil tax rates has
had a significantly detrimental effect for domestic gas producers.
In order to address this issue, legislation was implemented in
August 2022 which modified such methodology to ensure that it
operates as originally intended (with such reference price being
aligned with domestic prices).
Administrative expenses for the
period were lower at $2.4 million (1H 2023: $3.7 million) as a
result of the reduced level of activity.
The tax charge for the six months
ended 30 June 2024 was lower at $4.2 million (1H 2023: $5.0
million), and comprised a current tax charge of $3.1 million (1H
2023: $3.1 million) and a deferred tax charge of $1.1 million (1H
2023: $1.9 million).
A deferred tax asset relating to
the Group's provision for decommissioning as at 30 June 2024 of
$0.6 million (31 December 2023: $0.6 million) was recognised on the
tax effect of the temporary differences of the Group's provision
for decommissioning at the MEX-GOL and SV fields, and its tax base.
A deferred tax liability relating to the Group's development and
production assets at the MEX-GOL and SV fields as at 30 June 2024
of $7.0 million (31 December 2023: $5.5 million) was recognised on the
tax effect of the temporary differences between the carrying value
of the Group's development and production asset at the MEX-GOL and
SV fields, and its tax base.
A deferred tax asset relating to
the Group's provision for decommissioning as at 30 June 2024 of
$0.3 million (31 December 2023: $0.3 million) was recognised on the
tax effect of the temporary differences on the Group's provision on
decommissioning at the VAS field, and its tax base. A deferred tax
asset relating to the Group's development and production assets at
the VAS field as at 30 June 2024 of $0.7 million (31 December 2023:
deferred tax liability of $0.1) was recognised on the tax
effect of the temporary differences between the carrying value of
the Group's development and production asset at the VAS field, and
its tax base.
Capital investment of just $0.5
million reflects the greatly reduced investment in the Group's oil
and gas development and production assets during the period (1H
2023: $3.0 million). The low level of capital investment in the
period is a function of the deferral of certain aspects of the
Group's development plans necessitated by the ongoing war in
Ukraine and the suspension of the Group's VAS and SC licences, but
has been increased since the end of the period after the lifting of
the suspensions of the Group's VAS and SC licences in late June
2024.
A review of any indicators of
impairment of the carrying value of the Group's assets was
undertaken at the period end and this review concluded that the war
in Ukraine and the suspension of the VAS production licence had
resulted in such an indicator. Impairment reviews were therefore
conducted on the carrying value of the Group's assets but did not
result in the recognition of any impairment loss.
Cash and cash equivalents held as
at 30 June 2024 were significantly higher at $93.7 million (1H
2023: $33.8 million), primarily due to the payment of the £48.1
million interim dividend in June 2023. The Group's cash and cash
equivalents balance as at 23 September 2024 was $97.1 million, held
as to $79.9 million equivalent in Ukrainian Hryvnia and the balance
of $17.2 million equivalent predominantly in US Dollars, Euros and
Pounds Sterling.
During the first six months of
2024, the Ukrainian Hryvnia weakened slightly against the US
Dollar, at UAH38.0/$1.00 on 31 December 2023 and UAH40.5/$1.00 on
30 June 2024. The impact of this was $8.9 million of foreign
exchange loss (1H 2023: $0.7 million of foreign exchange gain).
Increases and decreases in the value of the Ukrainian Hryvnia
against the US Dollar affect the carrying value of the Group's
assets. The official exchange rate of
the Ukrainian Hryvnia to the US Dollar on
23 September 2024 was
UAH41.4/$1.00.
Cash from operations has funded
the capital investment during the first six months of 2024, and the
Group's current cash position and positive operating cash flow are
the sources from which the Group plans to fund the development
programmes for its assets over the remainder of 2024 and beyond.
This is coupled with the fact that the Group is currently
debt-free, and therefore has no debt covenants that may otherwise
impede its ability to implement contingency plans if domestic
and/or global circumstances dictate. This flexibility and ability
to monitor and manage development plans and liquidity is a
cornerstone of our planning, and underpins our assessments of the
future. With monetary resources at the end
of the period of $93.7 million equivalent,
and annual running costs of less than $8 million, the Group remains in a
very strong position, notwithstanding the impact of the current
conflict in Ukraine, as well as any local or global shocks that may
occur to the industry and/or the Group.
Bruce Burrows
Finance Director
Principal Risks and How We Manage Them
The Group has a risk evaluation
methodology in place to assist in the review of the risks across
all material aspects of its business. This methodology highlights
external, operational and technical, financial and corporate risks
and assesses the level of risk and potential consequences. It is
periodically presented to the Audit Committee and the Board for
review, to bring to their attention potential risks and, where
possible, propose mitigating actions. Key risks recognised and
mitigation factors are detailed below:-
Risk
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Mitigation
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External risks
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War in Ukraine
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On 24 February 2022, Russia
invaded Ukraine and there is currently a serious and ongoing war
within Ukraine. This war is having a huge impact on Ukraine and its
population, with significant destruction of infrastructure and
buildings in the areas of conflict, as well as damage in other
areas of Ukraine. The war is resulting in significant casualties
and has caused a huge humanitarian catastrophe and refugee influx
into neighbouring countries. The war is also impacting the fiscal
and economic environment in Ukraine, as well as the financial
stability and banking system in Ukraine, including restrictions on
the transfer of funds outside Ukraine. The war is an escalation of
the previous regional conflict risk faced by the business, a
dispute that has been going on since 2014 in parts of eastern
Ukraine, and since that time Russia has continued to occupy Crimea.
The current war is also having a significant adverse effect on the
Ukrainian financial markets, hampering the ability of Ukrainian
companies and banks to obtain funding from the international
capital and debt markets. The
war has disrupted the
Group's business and operations, causing periods of suspension of
field operations, and has also impacted the supply of materials and
equipment and the availability of contractors to undertake field
operations. At present, the war is ongoing
and the scope and duration of the war is uncertain.
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The Group has assets in the areas
of conflict in the east of Ukraine, and the war has disrupted its operations in
those areas. The Group has been
undertaking only limited field and production operations at the MEX-GOL
and SV
fields, with no operational activities at
the VAS field and SC licence area
during the period of their suspension between May
2023 and June 2024. At the fields, inventories of hydrocarbons are being
maintained at minimum levels. Where
possible, staff work remotely and have been supplied with all
necessary devices and software to facilitate remote working.
Additionally, the Group aims to maintain a significant proportion
of its cash resources outside Ukraine. The
Group continues to monitor the situation and endeavours to protect
its assets and safeguard its staff and contractors.
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Risk relating to Ukraine
|
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Ukraine is an emerging market and
as such the Group is exposed to greater regulatory, economic and
political risks than it would be in other jurisdictions. Emerging
economies are generally subject to a volatile political and
economic environment, which makes them vulnerable to market
downturns elsewhere in the world and could adversely impact the
Group's ability to operate in the market. Furthermore, the war in
Ukraine is impacting the fiscal and
economic environment, the financial and banking system, and the
economic stability of Ukraine. As a result, Ukraine will require
financial assistance and/or aid from international financial
agencies to provide economic support and assist with the
reconstruction of infrastructure and buildings damaged in the
war.
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The Group minimises this risk by
continuously monitoring the market in Ukraine and by maintaining as
strong a working relationship as possible with the Ukrainian
regulatory authorities. The Group also maintains a significant
proportion of its cash holdings in international banks outside
Ukraine.
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Banking system in Ukraine
|
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The banking system in Ukraine has
been under great strain in recent years due to the weak level of
capital, low asset quality caused by the economic situation,
currency depreciation, changing regulations and other economic
pressures generally, and so the risks associated with the banks in
Ukraine have been significant, including in relation to the banks
with which the Group has operated bank accounts. This situation was
improving moderately following remedial action by the National Bank
of Ukraine, but the current war has significantly affected such
improvements, and the National Bank of Ukraine has imposed a number
of restrictive measures designed to protect the banking system,
including restrictions on
the transfer of funds outside Ukraine (albeit
that the Group aims to maintain a significant proportion of its
cash resources outside Ukraine. In addition, Ukraine continues to
be supported by funding from the International Monetary Fund, and
has requested further funding support from the International
Monetary Fund.
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The creditworthiness and potential
risks relating to the banks in Ukraine are regularly reviewed by
the Group, but the geopolitical and economic events in Ukraine over
recent years have significantly weakened the Ukrainian banking
sector. This has been exacerbated by the current
war in Ukraine.
In light of this, the Group has taken and
continues to take steps to diversify its banking arrangements
between a number of banks in Ukraine. These measures are designed
to spread the risks associated with each bank's creditworthiness,
and the Group endeavours to use banks that have the best available
creditworthiness. Nevertheless, and despite the recent
improvements, the Ukrainian banking sector remains weakly
capitalised and so the risks associated with the banks in Ukraine
remain significant, including in relation to the banks with which
the Group operates bank accounts. As a consequence, the Group also
maintains a significant proportion of its cash holdings in
international banks outside Ukraine.
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Geopolitical environment in Ukraine
|
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Although there were some
improvements in recent years, there has not been a final resolution
of the political, fiscal and economic situation in Ukraine, and the
current war has had a severe detrimental effect on the economic
situation in Ukraine. The ongoing effects of this are difficult to
predict and likely to continue to affect the Ukrainian economy and
potentially the Group's business. This situation is
currently affecting the Group's production
and field operations, and the ongoing instability is disrupting the
Group's development and operational planning for its
assets.
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The Group continually monitors the
market and business environment in Ukraine and endeavours to
recognise approaching risks and factors that may affect its
business. However, the war in Ukraine creates material challenges
in planning future investment and operations. The Group is limiting
its operational activities to minimise risk to its staff and
contractors, and to limit its financial exposure.
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Climate change
|
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Any near and medium-term continued
warming of the planet can have potentially increasing negative
social, economic and environmental consequences, generally,
globally and regionally, and specifically in relation to the Group.
The potential impacts include: loss of market; and increased costs
of operations through increasing regulatory oversight and controls,
including potential effective or actual loss of licences to
operate. As a diligent operator aware of and responsive to its good
stewardship responsibilities, the Group not only needs to monitor
and modify its business plans and operations to react to changes,
but also to ensure its environmental footprint is as minimal as it
can practicably be in managing the hydrocarbon resources the Group
produces.
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The Group's plans include:
assessing, reducing and/or mitigating its emissions in its
operations; and identifying climate change-related risks and
assessing the degree to which they can affect its business,
including financial implications. The HSE Committee is specifically
tasked with overseeing, measuring, benchmarking and mitigating the
Group's environmental and climate impact, which will be reported on
in future periods. At this stage, the Group does not consider
climate change to have any material implications for the Group's
financial statements, including accounting estimates.
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Operational and technical risks
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Quality, Health, Safety and Environment
("QHSE")
|
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The oil and gas industry, by its
nature, conducts activities which can cause health, safety,
environmental and security incidents. Serious incidents can not
only have a financial impact but can also damage the Group's
reputation and the opportunity to undertake further projects. The
war in Ukraine poses significant risks to field operations, by way
of potential threat to the lives of employees and contractors, and
damage to equipment and infrastructure.
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The Group maintains QHSE policies
and requires that management, staff and contractors adhere to these
policies. The policies ensure that the Group meets Ukrainian
legislative standards in full and achieves international standards
to the maximum extent possible. As a consequence of the current war
in Ukraine, operations at the MEX-GOL, SV and VAS fields and SC
licence area have been suspended for periods, and currently only limited field
operations are continuing at the fields. Only essential staff are
located at site, and all other staff are working remotely, either
from areas away from the conflict areas or outside Ukraine. The
Group has invested in technology that allows many staff to work
just as effectively from remote locations.
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Industry risks
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The Group is exposed to risks
which are generally associated with the oil and gas industry. For
example, the Group's ability to pursue and develop its projects and
undertake development programmes depends on a number of
uncertainties, including the availability of capital, seasonal
conditions, regulatory approvals, gas, oil, condensate and LPG
prices, development costs and drilling success. As a result of
these uncertainties, it is unknown whether potential drilling
locations identified on proposed projects will ever be drilled or
whether these or any other potential drilling locations will be
able to produce gas, oil or condensate. In addition, drilling
activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that
commercially productive reservoirs will not be discovered. Drilling
for hydrocarbons can be unprofitable, not only due to dry holes,
but also as a result of productive wells that do not produce
sufficiently to be economic. In addition, drilling and production
operations are highly technical and complex activities and may be
curtailed, delayed or cancelled as a result of a variety of
factors.
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The Group has well qualified and
experienced technical management staff to plan and supervise
operational activities. In addition, the Group engages with
suitably qualified local and international geological, geophysical
and engineering experts and contractors to supplement and broaden
the pool of expertise available to the Group. Detailed planning of
development activities is undertaken with the aim of managing the
inherent risks associated with oil and gas exploration and
production, as well as ensuring that appropriate equipment and
personnel are available for the operations, and that local
contractors are appropriately supervised.
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Production of hydrocarbons
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Producing gas and condensate
reservoirs are generally characterised by declining production
rates which vary depending upon reservoir characteristics and other
factors. Future production of the Group's gas and condensate
reserves, and therefore the Group's cash flow and income, are
highly dependent on the Group's success in operating existing
producing wells, drilling new production wells and efficiently
developing and exploiting any reserves, and finding or acquiring
additional reserves. The Group may not be able to develop, find or
acquire reserves at acceptable costs. The experience gained from
drilling undertaken to date highlights such risks as the Group
targets the appraisal and production of these
hydrocarbons.
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In recent
years, the Group has engaged external technical consultants to
undertake a comprehensive review and
re-evaluation study of the MEX-GOL and SV fields in order to gain
an improved understanding of the geological
aspects of the fields and reservoir engineering, drilling and
completion techniques, and the results of this study and further
planned technical work are being used by the Group in the future
development of these fields. The Group has established an ongoing
relationship with such external technical consultants to ensure
that technical management and planning is of a high quality in
respect of all development activities on the Group's
fields
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Risks relating to the further development and operation of
the Group's gas and condensate fields in Ukraine
|
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The planned development and
operation of the Group's gas and condensate fields in Ukraine is
susceptible to appraisal, development and operational risk. This
could include, but is not restricted to, delays in the delivery of
equipment in Ukraine, failure of key equipment, lower than expected
production from wells that are currently producing, or new wells
that are brought on-stream, problematic wells and complex geology
which is difficult to drill or interpret. The generation of
significant operational cash is dependent on the successful
delivery and completion of the development and operation of the
fields. The war in Ukraine is impacting planning and implementation
of development and operations at the Group's fields.
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The Group's technical management
staff, in consultation with its external technical consultants,
carefully plan and supervise development and operational activities
with the aim of managing the risks associated with the further
development of the Group's fields in Ukraine. This includes
detailed review and consideration of available subsurface data,
utilisation of modern geological software, and utilisation of
engineering and completion techniques developed for the fields.
With regards to operational activities, the Group ensures that
appropriate equipment and personnel are available for the
operations, and that operational contractors are appropriately
supervised. In addition, the Group performs a review of indicators
of impairment of its oil and gas assets on an annual basis, and
considers whether an assessment of its oil and gas assets by a
suitably qualified independent assessor is appropriate or
required.
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Drilling and workover operations
|
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Due to the depth and nature of the
reservoirs in the Group's fields, the technical difficulty of
drilling or re-entering wells in the Group's fields is high, and
this and the equipment limitations within Ukraine, can result in
unsuccessful or lower than expected outcomes for wells.
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The utilisation of detailed
sub-surface analysis, careful well planning and engineering design
in designing work programmes, along with appropriate procurement
procedures and competent on-site management, aims to minimise these
risks.
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Maintenance of facilities
|
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There is a risk that production or
transportation facilities can fail due to non-adequate maintenance,
control or poor performance of the Group's suppliers.
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The Group's facilities are
operated and maintained at standards above the Ukrainian minimum
legal requirements. Operations staff are experienced and receive
supplemental training to ensure that facilities are properly
operated and maintained. Service providers
are rigorously reviewed at the tender stage and are monitored
during the contract period.
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Financial risks
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Exposure to cash flow and liquidity risk
|
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There is a risk that insufficient
funds are available to meet the Group's development obligations to
commercialise the Group's oil and gas assets. Since a significant proportion of the future capital
requirements of the Group is expected to be derived from
operational cash generated from production, including from wells
yet to be drilled, there is a risk that in the longer term
insufficient operational cash is generated, or that additional
funding, should the need arise, cannot be secured. The war in
Ukraine has disrupted production operations at the Group's fields,
and consequently reduced anticipated cash flows from those fields,
and this has increased the risk regarding sufficiency of capital
for development. In addition, the conflict may disrupt the sales
market for hydrocarbons that are produced. Currently, however,
hydrocarbon prices are reasonably
strong, which is ameliorating the
potential reduction in cash flows, and the Group's sales
counterparties are meeting their financial obligations.
In addition to the risk of operational cash
shortfalls, there is a risk that even with strong cash flows and
cash balances, the Group, from time to time, can suffer from
non-Ukrainian operational banking appetite for businesses such as
the Group's business, which can ultimately manifest itself in
having restricted access to banking services.
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The Group maintains adequate cash
reserves and closely monitors forecasted and actual cash flow, as
well as short and longer-term funding requirements.
The Group aims to maintain a significant
proportion of its cash resources outside Ukraine.
The Group does not currently have any loans
outstanding, internal financial projections are regularly made
based on the latest estimates available, and various scenarios are
run to assess the robustness of the Group's liquidity. However, as
the risk to future capital funding is inherent in the oil and gas
exploration and development industry and reliant in part on future
development success, it is difficult for the Group to take any
other measures to further mitigate this risk, other than tailoring
its development activities to its available capital funding from
time to time. The Group aims to maintain
as diverse a range of banking relationships as possible to reduce
the risks associated with limited accessibility to banking services
which may exist from time to time.
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Ensuring appropriate business practices
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The Group operates in Ukraine, an
emerging market, where certain inappropriate business practices
may, from time to time occur, such as corrupt business practices,
bribery, appropriation of property and fraud, all of which can lead
to financial loss.
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The Group maintains anti-bribery
and corruption policies in relation to all aspects of its business,
and ensures that clear authority levels and robust approval
processes are in place, with stringent controls over cash
management and the tendering and procurement processes. In
addition, office and site protection is maintained to protect the
Group's assets.
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Hydrocarbon price risk
|
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The Group derives its revenue
principally from the sale of its Ukrainian gas, condensate and LPG
production. These revenues are subject to commodity price
volatility and political influence. A prolonged period of low gas,
condensate and LPG prices may impact the Group's ability to
maintain its long-term investment programme with a consequent
effect on its growth rate, which in turn may impact the Company's
share price or any shareholder returns. Lower gas, condensate and
LPG prices may not only decrease the Group's revenues per unit, but
may also reduce the amount of gas, condensate and LPG which the
Group can produce economically, as would increases in costs
associated with hydrocarbon production, such as subsoil taxes and
royalties. The overall economics of the Group's key assets (being
the net present value of the future cash flows from its Ukrainian
projects) are far more sensitive to long term gas, condensate and
LPG prices than short-term price volatility. However, short-term
volatility does affect liquidity risk, as, in the early stage of
the projects, income from production revenues is offset by capital
investment. In addition, the war in
Ukraine may disrupt the sales market for hydrocarbons, although,
currently, hydrocarbon prices are reasonably strong, and the Group's
sales counterparties are meeting their financial
obligations.
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The Group sells a proportion of
Its hydrocarbon production through offtake arrangements, which
include pricing formulae so as to ensure that it achieves market
prices for its products, as well utilising the electronic market
platforms in Ukraine to achieve market prices for its remaining
products. However, hydrocarbon prices in Ukraine are implicitly
linked to world hydrocarbon prices and so the Group is subject to
external price trends.
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Currency risk
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Since the beginning of
2014, the Ukrainian Hryvnia significantly
devalued against major world currencies, including
the US Dollar, where it has fallen from
UAH8.3/$1.00 on 1 January 2014 to UAH38.0/$1.00 on 31 December
2023, and
UAH41.4/$1.00
on 23 September 2024. This
devaluation has been a significant contributor to the imposition of
banking restrictions by the National Bank
of Ukraine over recent years. In addition, the geopolitical
events in Ukraine over recent years and the current war in Ukraine
are likely to continue to impact the valuation of the Ukrainian
Hryvnia against major world currencies. Further devaluation of the
Ukrainian Hryvnia against the US Dollar will affect the carrying
value of the Group's assets.
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The Group's sales proceeds are
received in Ukrainian Hryvnia, and the majority of the capital
expenditure costs for the current investment programme will be
incurred in Ukrainian Hryvnia, thus the currency of revenue and
costs are largely matched. In light of the previous devaluation and
volatility of the Ukrainian Hryvnia against major world currencies,
and since the Ukrainian Hryvnia does not benefit from the range of
currency hedging instruments which are available in more developed
economies, the Group has adopted a policy that, where possible,
funds not required for use in Ukraine be retained on deposit in the
United Kingdom and Europe, principally in US Dollars.
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Counterparty and credit risk
|
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The challenging political and
economic environment in Ukraine and current war means that
businesses can be subject to significant financial strain, which
can mean that the Group is exposed to increased counterparty risk
if counterparties fail or default in their contractual obligations
to the Group, including in relation to the sale of its hydrocarbon
production, resulting in financial loss to the
Group.
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The Group monitors the financial
position and credit quality of its contractual counterparties and
seeks to manage the risk associated with counterparties by
contracting with creditworthy contractors and customers.
Hydrocarbon production is sold on terms that limit supply credit
and/or title transfer until payment is received.
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Financial markets and economic outlook
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The performance of the Group is
influenced by global economic conditions and, in particular, the
conditions prevailing in the United Kingdom and Ukraine. The
economies in these regions have been subject to volatile pressures
in recent periods, with the global economy having experienced a
long period of difficulty, the COVID pandemic, and more
particularly the current war in Ukraine. This has led to
extreme foreign exchange movements in the
Ukrainian Hryvnia, high inflation and interest rates, and increased credit
risk relating to the Group's key counterparties.
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The Group's sales proceeds are
received in Ukrainian Hryvnia
and a significant proportion of investment
expenditure is made in Ukrainian
Hryvnia, which minimises risks related to
foreign exchange volatility. However, hydrocarbon prices in Ukraine
are implicitly linked to world hydrocarbon prices and so the Group
is subject to external price movements. The Group holds a
significant proportion of its cash reserves in the United Kingdom
and Europe, mostly in US Dollars, with reputable financial
institutions. The financial status of counterparties is carefully
monitored to manage counterparty risks. Nevertheless, the
overall exposure that the Group faces as a result
of these risks cannot be predicted and many of these are outside of
the Group's control.
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Corporate risks
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Ukrainian production licences
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The Group operates in a region
where the right to production can be challenged by State and
non-State parties. During 2010, this manifested itself in the form
of a Ministry Order instructing the Group to suspend all operations
and production from its MEX-GOL and SV production licences, which
was not resolved until mid-2011. In 2013, new rules relating to the
updating of production licences led to further challenges being
raised by the Ukrainian authorities to the production licences held
by independent oil and gas producers in Ukraine, including the
Group. In March 2019, a Ministry Order was issued instructing the
Group to suspend all operations and production from its VAS
production licence, which was not resolved until March 2023. In
2020, LLC Arkona Gas-Energy ("Arkona") faced a challenge
from PJSC Ukrnafta concerning the validity of its SC production
licence, which was not ultimately resolved in Arkona's
favour until February 2021. During 2023, the Ukrainian authorities
took a number of
regulatory actions against the Group, which culminated in
Ministry Orders being made in May 2023 to suspend
all operations and production on
the VAS production licence and SC exploration
licence area, which suspensions were not
lifted until June 2024.
All such challenges
affecting the Group have been successfully defended through the
Ukrainian legal system. In September 2024,
new legislation has come into force, which requires that branches
(or representative offices) of foreign companies operating in
Ukraine register their ultimate beneficial owners in Ukrainian
Registries. Regal Petroleum Corporation Ltd ("RPC"), which holds
the MEX-GOL and SV licences, operates such a branch and is
therefore required to register its ultimate beneficial owners under
this law, which raises a potential risk that such registration will
not be accepted by the Ukrainian authorities, and possibly result
in regulatory action against RPC and/or its licences and assets,
including suspension of the MEX-GOL and SV licences.
The business environment is such that
these types of challenges may arise at any time in relation to the
Group's operations, licence history, compliance with licence
commitments and/or local regulations. In addition,
production licences in Ukraine are issued with
and/or carry ongoing compliance obligations, which if not met, may
lead to the loss of a licence.
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The Group ensures compliance with
commitments and regulations relating to its production
and exploration licences
through Group procedures and controls or, where this is not
immediately feasible for practical or logistical considerations,
seeks to enter into dialogue with the relevant Government bodies
with a view to agreeing a reasonable time frame for achieving
compliance or an alternative, mutually agreeable course of action.
Work programmes are designed to ensure
that all licence obligations are met and continual interaction with
Government bodies is maintained in relation to licence obligations
and commitments.
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Risks relating to key personnel
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The Group's success depends upon
skilled management as well as technical expertise and
administrative staff. The loss of service of critical members from
the Group's team could have an adverse effect on the business. The
current war in Ukraine has meant that, as far as possible, the
Group's staff have needed to move away from areas of conflict and
work remotely.
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The Group periodically reviews the
compensation and contractual terms of its staff. In
addition, the Group has developed
relationships with a number of technical and other professional
experts and advisers, who are used to provide specialist services
as required. As a result of the war, only
essential staff are located at site, and all other staff are
working remotely, either from areas away from the conflict areas or
outside Ukraine. The Group has invested in technology that allows
many staff to work just as effectively from remote
locations.
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Directors' Responsibility Statement
The Directors confirm that, to the
best of their knowledge:
(a)
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the unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International
Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' ("IAS 34")
and the AIM Rules for Companies; and
|
(b)
|
these unaudited interim results
include:
|
|
(i)
|
a fair review of the information
required (i.e. an indication of important events and their impact
and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the
remaining six months of the financial year); and
|
|
(ii)
|
a fair review of the information
required on related party transactions.
|
A list of current Directors is
maintained on the Group's website,
www.enwell-energy.com.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Income
Statement
|
|
6 months
ended
|
6 months
ended
|
|
|
30 Jun
24
|
30
Jun 23
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Note
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
3
|
23,698
|
33,137
|
Cost of sales
|
4
|
(8,152)
|
(13,577)
|
Gross profit
|
|
15,546
|
19,560
|
Administrative expenses
|
|
(2,365)
|
(3,684)
|
Other operating
gains/(losses), (net)
|
5
|
3,685
|
1,279
|
Operating profit
|
|
16,866
|
17,155
|
Net income from
investments
|
|
446
|
-
|
Net impairment losses on financial
assets
|
|
(136)
|
(184)
|
Other (losses)/gains,
(net)
|
6
|
(63)
|
780
|
Finance costs
|
|
(309)
|
(359)
|
Profit before taxation
|
|
16,804
|
17,392
|
Income tax expense
|
7
|
(4,197)
|
(4,918)
|
Profit for the period
|
|
12,607
|
12,474
|
Earnings per share (cents)
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
8
|
3.9c
|
3.9c
|
The Notes set out below are an
integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated
financial statements.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income
|
6 months
ended
|
6 months
ended
|
|
30 Jun 24
|
30
Jun 23
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period
|
12,607
|
12,474
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income:
|
|
|
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or
loss:
|
|
|
Equity - foreign currency
translation
|
(8,901)
|
698
|
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income
|
(8,901)
|
698
|
Total comprehensive income for the period
|
3,706
|
13,172
|
The Notes set out below are an
integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated
financial statements.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance
Sheet
|
|
30 Jun
24
|
31
Dec 23
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(audited)
|
|
Note
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
9
|
72,767
|
79,277
|
Intangible assets
|
10
|
7,724
|
8,372
|
Right-of-use assets
|
|
792
|
192
|
Prepayments for fixed
assets
|
|
645
|
110
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
|
21
|
-
|
Deferred tax asset
|
7
|
989
|
352
|
|
|
82,938
|
88,303
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
3,191
|
2,951
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
11
|
7,304
|
15,585
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
14
|
92,844
|
76,493
|
|
|
103 339
|
95,029
|
Total assets
|
|
186,277
|
183,332
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
(3,980)
|
(6,012)
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
(349)
|
(38)
|
Corporation tax payable
|
|
(1,665)
|
(2,175)
|
|
|
(5,994)
|
(8,225)
|
Net
current assets
|
|
97,345
|
86,804
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Provision for
decommissioning
|
12
|
(7,004)
|
(7,305)
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
(623)
|
(245)
|
Defined benefit liability
|
|
(342)
|
(372)
|
Deferred tax liability
|
7
|
(6,416)
|
(4,976)
|
Other non-current
liabilities
|
13
|
(71)
|
(88)
|
|
|
(14,456)
|
(12,986)
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
(20,450)
|
(21,211)
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets
|
|
165, 827
|
162,121
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
Called up share capital
|
|
28,115
|
28,115
|
Foreign exchange reserve
|
|
(155,450)
|
(146,549)
|
Other reserve
|
|
4,273
|
4,273
|
Retained earnings
|
|
288,889
|
276,282
|
Total equity
|
|
165,827
|
162,121
|
The Notes set out below are an
integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated
financial statements.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Changes in
Equity
|
Called up share
capital
|
Share premium
account
|
Merger
reserve
|
Capital contributions
reserve
|
Foreign exchange
reserve*
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
equity
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at 1 January 2024 (audited)
|
28,115
|
-
|
(3,204)
|
7,477
|
(146,549)
|
276,282
|
162,121
|
Profit for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12,607
|
12,607
|
Other comprehensive
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- exchange
differences
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8,901)
|
-
|
(8,901)
|
Total comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8,901)
|
12,607
|
3,706
|
Distributed dividends
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
As at 30 June 2024 (unaudited)
|
28,115
|
-
|
(3,204)
|
7,477
|
(155,450)
|
288,889
|
165,827
|
|
Called
up share capital
|
Share
premium account
|
Merger
reserve
|
Capital
contributions reserve
|
Foreign
exchange reserve*
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
equity
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at 1 January
2023 (audited)
|
28,115
|
-
|
(3,204)
|
7,477
|
(141,705)
|
309,976
|
200,659
|
Profit for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12,474
|
12,474
|
Other comprehensive
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- exchange
differences
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
698
|
-
|
698
|
Total comprehensive
income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
698
|
12,474
|
13,172
|
Distributed dividends
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(60,227)
|
(60,227)
|
As at 30 June
2023 (unaudited)
|
28,115
|
-
|
(3,204)
|
7,477
|
(141,007)
|
262,223
|
153,604
|
*
Predominantly as a result of exchange differences on retranslation,
where the subsidiaries'
functional currency is not US Dollars
The Notes set out below are an
integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated
financial statements.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash
Flows
|
|
6 months
ended
|
6 months
ended
|
|
|
30 Jun
24
|
30
Jun 23
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Note
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
|
|
Cash generated from
operations
|
15
|
21,321
|
12,353
|
Charitable donations
|
|
(3)
|
(2)
|
Equipment rental income
|
|
-
|
133
|
Income tax paid
|
|
(3,458)
|
(4,233)
|
Interest received
|
|
3,932
|
1,585
|
Net
cash inflow from operating activities
|
|
21,792
|
9,836
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
(1,384)
|
(3,393)
|
Purchase of intangible
assets
|
|
(134)
|
(1,338)
|
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment
|
|
35
|
1
|
Net
cash outflow from investing activities
|
|
(1,483)
|
(4,730)
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
|
Payment of dividends
|
|
-
|
(59,623)
|
Payment of principal portion of
lease liabilities
|
|
(203)
|
(137)
|
Net cash outflow from financing activities
|
|
(203)
|
(59,760)
|
|
|
|
|
Net
increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
20,106
|
(54,654)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
period
|
14
|
76,493
|
88,652
|
ECL* of cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
329
|
25
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate
changes
|
|
(4,084)
|
(192)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
period
|
14
|
92,844
|
33,831
|
*ECL - Expected credit
losses
The Notes set out below are an
integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated
financial statements.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial
Statements
1. General
Information and Operational Environment
Enwell Energy plc (the "Company")
and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") is a gas, condensate
and LPG production group.
Enwell Energy plc is a public
limited company incorporated in England and Wales under the
Companies Act 2006, whose shares are quoted on the AIM Market of
London Stock Exchange plc. The Company's registered office is at 84
Brook Street, London W1K 5EH, United Kingdom and its registered
number is 4462555.
As at 30 June 2024, the Company's immediate parent company was Smart Energy
(CY) Limited, which was 100% owned by Smart Holding (Cyprus)
Limited, which was 100% owned by Proteas Trustees Ltd as trustee of
the STEP Trust, and Proteas Trustee Services Ltd, Afroditi
Loukaidou, Elena Iona and Maria Sokratous as trustees of the SMART
Trust. Accordingly, the Company was ultimately controlled by
Proteas Trustees Ltd as trustee of the STEP
Trust, and Proteas Trustee Services Ltd, Afroditi Loukaidou, Elena
Iona and Maria Sokratous as trustees of the SMART Trust.
The Group's gas, condensate and
LPG extraction and production facilities are located in
Ukraine.
Impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, Russia
commenced a military invasion of Ukraine, and since then there has
been an ongoing war in Ukraine. Shortly after the invasion, the
Ukrainian Government imposed martial law, and the corresponding
introduction of related temporary restrictions that impact, amongst
other areas, the economic environment and business operations in
Ukraine. The war has caused significant economic challenges in
Ukraine, which has led to a deterioration of Ukrainian State
finances, volatility of financial markets, illiquidity on capital
markets, higher inflation and a depreciation of the national
currency against major foreign currencies.
The war is continuing, causing
very significant numbers of military and civilian casualties and
significant dislocation of the Ukrainian population. The Russian
army has occupied territories in the east and south of Ukraine,
including the majority of the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and
Donetsk regions. Russian attacks have targeted and destroyed
civilian infrastructure over wide areas of Ukraine, including
hospitals and residential complexes.
In June 2022, the NBU took a
number of measures to protect the Ukrainian economy, including
significantly increasing its key policy interest rate to 25%,
introducing temporary restrictions on foreign currency trades and
limiting cross-border payments for non-critical imports and
repayment of debt to foreign creditors, apart from international
institutions. In addition, the Ukrainian Hryvnia exchange rate with
the US Dollar was effectively fixed at UAH29.25:$1.00 in February
2022 and then at UAH36.57:$1.00 in July 2022 on the foreign
exchange market to ensure the stable operation of Ukraine's
financial system.
However, in June 2023, the NBU
lifted some of the currency restrictions, including those related
to making cross-border payments to service and repay external
credit facilities and loans established after 20 June 2023 (subject
to a number of requirements) and those that were established
earlier through an international financial organisation or secured
by a foreign export credit agency or foreign state. Furthermore,
with effect from 1 December 2023, the NBU relaxed the measures that
related, inter alia, to foreign currency sale limits for banks and
non-banking financial institutions and allowed export credit
agencies to make international fund transfers for
insurance/reinsurance contracts.
On 3 October 2023, the NBU
returned to a floating exchange rate for the Ukrainian Hryvnia, and
as of 31 December 2023, the Ukrainian Hryvnia exchange rate with
the US Dollar was UAH37.98/$1.00 (UAH36.57/$1.00 as at 31 December
2022).
In addition, during 2023 and 2024,
the NBU gradually decreased its key policy rate, and this has stood
at 13% since 14 June 2024. The NBU is now following an interest
rate policy consistent with inflation targets. The inflation rate
in Ukraine for 2023 was 5% (2022: 26.6%) according to the
statistics published by the State Statistics Service of
Ukraine.
During 2023, Ukrainian GDP
increased by 5.3% compared with a 29.1% decrease in
2022.
The Ukrainian Government also took
a number of actions designed to limit the negative effects of the
war on the Ukrainian economic environment during the period of
martial law, but several of these actions were relaxed with effect
from 1 August 2023, including the moratorium on tax
audits.
Since the start of the war, the
Ukrainian budget has experienced a significant deficit, which has
been financed by national and international borrowings, grants, and
other means. As a result of the inflow of international aid,
Ukrainian currency reserves have reached a record level of $41.7
billion as of 31 July 2023. This was the highest level of such
reserves in more than 30 years. However, following a slowdown of
international aid, such reserves decreased to $40.5 billion as of
31 December 2023. International support is crucially important to
Ukraine's ability to continue fighting against Russia's aggression
and to fund its budget deficit and ongoing debt
repayments.
The nature of the situation in
Ukraine and the unpredictability of the outcome means it is
impracticable to assess the full impact of the war on the economic
environment.
Overall, the final resolution and
the ongoing effects of the war and political and economic situation
in Ukraine are difficult to predict, but they may have further
severe effects on the Ukrainian economy and the Group's
business.
As at 23 September 2024, the
official NBU exchange rate of the Ukrainian Hryvnia against the US
Dollar was UAH41.4/$1.00, compared with UAH40.54/$1.00 as at 30
June 2024.
Further details of risks relating
to Ukraine can be found within the Principal Risks and
Uncertainties section earlier in this announcement.
2. Accounting
Judgements and Estimates
Basis of preparation
These unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements for the six month period ended
30 June 2024 have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted
International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting'
("IAS 34") and the AIM Rules for Companies. The accounting policies
adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year
and corresponding interim reporting period.
These unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements do not comprise statutory
accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act
2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December
2023 were
approved by the Board of Directors on 20 June 2024 and subsequently filed
with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors' Report on those
accounts was not qualified and did not contain any statement under
section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.
The unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year
ended 31 December 2023, which were prepared in accordance with
UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.
The accounting policies and
methods of computation and presentation used are consistent with
those used in the Group's Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023, with the exception of the new
or revised standards and interpretations set out below.
Going Concern
The Group's business activities,
together with the factors likely to affect its future operations,
performance and position are set out in the Chairman's Statement,
Chief Executive's Statement and Finance Review. The financial
position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position are
set out in these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial
statements.
On 24 February 2022, Russia
commenced a military invasion of Ukraine, and since then there has
been an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Immediately after
the commencement of the war, the Ukrainian Government imposed
martial law and introduced a number of related temporary
restrictions that impacted the economic environment and business
operations in Ukraine. While a number of restrictions remain in
place, improvements in the economic environment have led the
Ukrainian Government to relax a number of the restrictions and
stabilise the economic situation in Ukraine.
The production assets of the Group
are located in the central and eastern part of the country (Poltava
and Kharkiv regions) which are controlled by the Ukrainian
Government. As of the date of approval of these financial
statements, no assets of the Group have been damaged, and the Group
continues to operate and produce from its MEX-GOL and SV assets in
the Poltava region and VAS asset in the Kharkiv region. However, as
a result of regulatory action by the State
Geologic and Subsoil Survey of Ukraine, the licences relating to the Group's SC asset in the Poltava
region and VAS asset in the Kharkiv region were suspended for the
period between 4 May 2023 and 26 June 2024, and consequently the Group ceased all field and production
operations on these licences during that period. No military activities have occurred at the Group's field
locations. The Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine has
maintained complete operational and technological control over the
operations of the Ukrainian Gas Transmission System. However, as of
the date of approval of these financial statements, the war has
had, and continues to have, a material impact on the production and
sales levels of the business and execution of the Group's 2024
budget.
The Group has no debt and funds
its operations from its own cash resources. Cash and cash
equivalents were $97.1 million as at 23 September 2024. The
Directors maintain a significant level of flexibility to modify the
Group's development plans as may be required to preserve cash
resources for liquidity management. Absent the potential impact of
the war in Ukraine, the Directors are satisfied that the Group and
the Company are a going concern and will continue their operations
for the foreseeable future.
In assessing the impact of the war
on the ability of the Group and the Company to continue as a going
concern, the Directors have analysed a number of possible scenarios
of economic and military developments and the impact on the
expected cash flows of the Group and Company for 2024 and 2025.
This includes considering a possible (but in the view of the
Directors, highly unlikely) worst case scenario in which the Group
has zero production as a result of possible future military
conflict dictating field operations being completely shut-in, and
all other non-production related costs being maintained at current
levels with no reduction or mitigating actions as would otherwise
be possible. Even in this worst-case scenario, the Directors are
satisfied that the Group and the Company have sufficient liquid
resources to be able to meet their liabilities as they fall due and
to be able to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable
future.
The corporate strategy for the
near term is to:
•
|
continue production from the
MEX-GOL, SV and VAS licences, generating cash to cover Group costs
and add to existing cash resources, whilst moderating development
plans to reduce cash spend exposure whilst the war and
operational/political uncertainty continue; and
|
•
|
tightly manage costs to ensure
cash resources are maintained at levels capable of sustaining the
business through the uncertainty that lies ahead.
|
In respect of the Group's
operations, staff and assets in Ukraine, the potential short and
long-term impact of the future development of the war is inherently
uncertain. Accordingly, this creates a material uncertainty related
to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the
Group's ability to continue as a going concern because of the
potential impact on its ability to continue its operations for the
foreseeable future and realise its assets in the normal course of
business. The financial statements do not include the adjustments
that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a going
concern.
The Company is a UK-based
investment holding company. The Company had cash and cash
equivalents of $17.2 million as at 23 September 2024, all of which
are held outside of Ukraine, in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and
Euros. The Directors are satisfied that the Company is a going
concern and will be able to continue its operations for the
foreseeable future, and there is no material uncertainty in respect
of its ability to do so.
New and amended standards adopted by the
Group
The following amended standards
became effective from 1 January 2023, but did not have a material impact on the
Group's consolidated or Company's financial
statements:
•
|
IFRS 17 "Insurance Contracts". IFRS
17 replaces IFRS 4, which has given companies dispensation to carry
on accounting for insurance contracts using existing practices. As
a consequence, it was difficult for investors to compare and
contrast the financial performance of otherwise similar insurance
companies.
|
•
|
Amendments to IFRS 17 and an
amendment to IFRS 4 (issued on 25 June 2020 and effective for
annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023). The
amendments include a number of clarifications intended to ease
implementation of IFRS 17, simplify some requirements of the
standard and transition.
|
•
|
Transition option to insurers
applying IFRS 17 - Amendments to IFRS 17 (issued on 9 December 2021
and effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January
2023). The amendment to the transition requirements in
IFRS 17 provides insurers with an option aimed at improving the
usefulness of information to investors on initial application of
IFRS 17.
|
•
|
Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS
Practice Statement 2: Disclosure of Accounting policies (issued on
12 February 2021 and effective for annual periods beginning on or
after 1 January 2023). IAS 1 was amended to require companies to
disclose their material accounting policy information rather than
their significant accounting policies.
|
•
|
Amendments to IAS 8: Definition of
Accounting Estimates (issued on 12 February 2021 and effective for
annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023). The amendment
to IAS 8 clarified how companies should distinguish changes in
accounting policies from changes in accounting
estimates.
|
•
|
Deferred tax related to assets and
liabilities arising from a single transaction - Amendments to IAS
12 (issued on 7 May 2021 and effective for annual periods beginning
on or after 1 January 2023). The amendments to IAS 12 specify
how to account for deferred tax on transactions such as leases and
decommissioning obligations.
|
•
|
Amendments to IAS 12 Income taxes:
International Tax Reform - Pillar Two Model Rules (issued 23 May
2023). In May 2023, the IASB issued narrow-scope amendments to IAS
12, 'Income Taxes'. This amendment was introduced in response to
the imminent implementation of the Pillar Two model rules released
by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's
(OECD) as a result of international tax reform.
|
There are no other amended
standards which the Group considers to have a material impact on
these financial statements.
Significant accounting judgements and
estimates
The preparation of the unaudited
condensed interim consolidated financial statements requires
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that
affect the application of accounting policies and the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual
results may differ from these estimates.
In preparing these unaudited
condensed interim consolidated financial statements, the
significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's
accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty
were consistent with those that applied to the consolidated
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 with
certain updates described below.
Estimates
Depreciation of Development
and Production Assets
Development and production assets
held in property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a unit of
production basis at a rate calculated by reference to proven and
probable reserves at the end of the period plus the production in
the period, and incorporating the estimated future cost of
developing and extracting those reserves. Future development costs
are estimated using assumptions about the number of wells required
to produce those reserves, the cost of the wells, future production
facilities and operating costs, together with assumptions on oil
and gas realisations, and are revised annually. The reserves
estimates used are determined using estimates of gas in place,
recovery factors, future hydrocarbon prices and also take into
consideration the Group's latest development plan for the
associated development and production asset. The latest development
plan and therefore the inputs used to determine the depreciation
charge for the MEX-GOL, SV and VAS fields continue until the end of
the economic life of the fields, which is
assessed to be 2038, 2042 and 2028 respectively, based on the
assessment contained in the DeGolyer & MacNaughton reserves
report for these fields. The licences for the MEX-GOL and SV fields
have recently been extended until 2044. Were the estimated reserves at the beginning of the year to
differ by 10% from previous assumptions, the impact on depreciation
for the period ended 30 June 2024 would be to increase it by
$265,500 or decrease it by $217,066 (31 December 2023: increase by
$1,066,000 or decrease by $479,000).
3. Segmental
Information
In line with the Group's internal
reporting framework and management structure, the key strategic and
operating decisions are made by the Board of Directors, who review
internal monthly management reports, budgets and forecast
information as part of this process. Accordingly, the Board of
Directors is deemed to be the Chief Operating Decision Maker within
the Group.
The Group's only class of business
activity is oil and gas exploration, development and production.
The Group's operations are located in Ukraine, with its head office
in the United Kingdom. These geographical regions are the basis on
which the Group reports its segment information. The segment
results as presented represent operating profit before depreciation
and amortisation.
6
months ended 30 June 2024 (unaudited)
|
Ukraine
|
United
Kingdom
|
Total
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
Gas sales
|
13,679
|
-
|
13,679
|
Condensate sales
|
6,238
|
-
|
6,238
|
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
sales
|
3,781
|
-
|
3,781
|
Total revenue
|
23,698
|
-
|
23,698
|
|
|
|
|
Segment result
|
20,455
|
(758)
|
19,697
|
Depreciation and amortisation of non-current
assets
|
(2,831)
|
-
|
(2,831)
|
Operating profit
|
17,624
|
(758)
|
16,866
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
166,291
|
19,986
|
186,277
|
|
|
|
|
Capital additions*
|
983
|
-
|
983
|
*Comprises additions to property,
plant and equipment and intangible assets (Notes
9 and
10).
Year ended 31 December
2023
(audited)
|
Ukraine
|
United
Kingdom
|
Total
|
|
2023
|
2023
|
2023
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
Gas sales
|
42,270
|
-
|
42,270
|
Condensate sales
|
10,466
|
-
|
10,466
|
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
sales
|
9,458
|
-
|
9,458
|
Total revenue
|
62,194
|
-
|
62,194
|
|
|
|
|
Segment result
|
43,649
|
(1,409)
|
42,240
|
Depreciation and amortisation of
non-current assets
|
(6,704)
|
-
|
(6,704)
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
35,536
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
161,232
|
22,100
|
183,332
|
|
|
|
|
Capital additions*
|
15,749
|
-
|
15,749
|
*Comprises additions to property,
plant and equipment and intangible assets (Notes
9 and
10).
6 months ended 30 June
2023
(unaudited)
|
Ukraine
|
United
Kingdom
|
Total
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
Gas sales
|
24,568
|
-
|
24,568
|
Condensate sales
|
3,736
|
-
|
3,736
|
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
sales
|
4,833
|
-
|
4,833
|
Total revenue
|
33,137
|
-
|
33,137
|
|
|
|
|
Segment result
|
20,781
|
(146)
|
20,635
|
Depreciation and amortisation of
non-current assets
|
(3,480)
|
-
|
(3,480)
|
Operating profit
|
17,301
|
(146)
|
17
155
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
170,674
|
22,222
|
192,896
|
|
|
|
|
Capital additions*
|
10,171
|
-
|
10,171
|
*Comprises additions to property,
plant and equipment and intangible assets (Notes
9 and
10).
There are no inter-segment sales
within the Group and all products are sold in the geographical
region in which they are produced. The Group is not significantly
impacted by seasonality.
4. Cost of
Sales
|
6 months
ended
30 Jun
24
|
6 months
ended
30
Jun 23
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant
and equipment
|
2,413
|
3,163
|
Production taxes
|
2,319
|
5,772
|
Staff costs
|
913
|
1,255
|
Cost of inventories recognised as
an expense
|
812
|
837
|
Rent expenses
|
809
|
1,470
|
Transmission tariff for Ukrainian
gas system
|
138
|
174
|
Amortisation of mineral
reserves
|
168
|
180
|
Other expenses
|
580
|
726
|
|
8,152
|
13,577
|
5. Other
operating gains/(losses), (net)
|
6 months
ended
30 Jun
24
|
6 months
ended
30
Jun 23
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
Interest income on cash and cash
equivalents
|
3,932
|
1,585
|
Reversal of accruals
|
94
|
331
|
Other operating (losses)/gains,
net
|
(341)
|
(638)
|
|
3,685
|
1,279
|
6. Other
(losses)/gains, (net)
|
6 months
ended
30 Jun
24
|
6 months
ended
30
Jun 23
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
Net foreign exchange
gains/(losses)
|
(58)
|
712
|
Charitable donations
|
(3)
|
(2)
|
Other (losses)/gains,
(net)
|
(2)
|
70
|
|
(63)
|
780
|
7.
Taxation
The income tax charge of
$4,197,000 for the six month period ended 30 June 2024 relates to a
сurrent tax charge of $3,060,000 and a deferred tax charge of
$1,137,000 (1H 2023: current tax charge of $3,049,000 and deferred
tax charge of $1,869,000).
The movement in the period was as
follows:
|
6 months
ended
|
6 months
ended
|
|
30 Jun
24
|
30
Jun 23
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
Deferred tax (liability)/asset recognised relating to
development and production assets at MEX-GOL-SV fields and
provision for decommissioning
|
|
|
At beginning of the
period
|
(4,976)
|
(3,232)
|
Charged to Income Statement -
current period
|
(1,821)
|
(2,381)
|
Effect of exchange
difference
|
381
|
-
|
At
end of the period
|
(6,416)
|
(5,613)
|
Deferred tax asset/(liability) recognised relating to
development and production assets at VAS field and provision for
decommissioning
|
|
|
At beginning of the
period
|
352
|
287
|
Credited to Income Statement -
current period
|
685
|
512
|
Effect of exchange
difference
|
(48)
|
-
|
At end of the period
|
989
|
799
|
Taxes on income in the interim
periods are accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to
the expected total annual profit or loss. The effective tax rate
for the six month period ended 30 June 2024 was 25% (1H 2023:
25%).
The deferred tax asset relating to
the Group's provision for decommissioning at 30 June 2024 of
$586,000 (31 December 2023: $555,000) was recognised on the
tax effect of the temporary differences of the Group's provision
for decommissioning at the MEX-GOL and SV fields, and its tax base.
The deferred tax liability relating to the Group's development and
production assets at the MEX-GOL and SV fields at 30 June 2024
of $7,001,000 (31 December 2023: $5,531,000) was recognised on the
tax effect of the temporary differences between the carrying value
of the Group's development and production asset at the MEX-GOL and
SV fields, and its tax base.
The deferred tax asset relating to
the Group's provision for decommissioning at 30 June 2024 of
$255,000 (31 December 2023: $280,000) was recognised on the
tax effect of the temporary differences on the Group's provision on
decommissioning at the VAS field, and its tax base. The deferred
tax asset relating to the Group's development and production assets
at the VAS field at 30 June 2024 of $734,000 (31 December
2023: deferred tax liability of $72,000) was recognised on the tax
effect of the temporary differences between the carrying value of
the Group's development and production asset at the VAS field, and
its tax base.
8. Earnings
per Share
The calculation of basic earnings
per ordinary share has been based on the profit for the six-month
period ended 30 June 2024 and 320,637,836 (30 June 2023:
320,637,836) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of
shares in issue for the period. There are no dilutive
instruments.
9. Property,
Plant and Equipment
|
6 months ended 30
Jun 24
(unaudited)
|
6
months ended 30 Jun 23
(unaudited)
|
|
Oil and gas development and
production assets
Ukraine
|
Oil and gas exploration and
evaluation assets
|
Other
fixed
assets
|
Total
|
Oil and
gas development and production assets
Ukraine
|
Oil and
gas exploration and evaluation assets
|
|
Other
fixed
assets
|
Total
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning of the
period
|
141,902
|
13,944
|
2,181
|
158,027
|
135,255
|
13,093
|
|
1,968
|
150,316
|
Additions
|
488
|
196
|
164
|
848
|
8,905
|
1,125
|
|
124
|
10,154
|
Disposals
|
(49)
|
-
|
(166)
|
(215)
|
(204)
|
-
|
|
(28)
|
(232)
|
Exchange differences
|
(8,766)
|
(888)
|
(136)
|
(9,790)
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
At end of the period
|
133,575
|
13,252
|
2,043
|
148,870
|
143,956
|
14,218
|
|
2,064
|
160,238
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning of the
period
|
75,619
|
1,635
|
1,496
|
78,750
|
73,108
|
1,677
|
|
1,275
|
76,060
|
Charge for the period
|
2,392
|
-
|
104
|
2,496
|
3,047
|
-
|
|
135
|
3,182
|
Disposals
|
(44)
|
-
|
(43)
|
(87)
|
(86)
|
-
|
|
(10)
|
(96)
|
Exchange differences
|
(4,855)
|
(103)
|
(98)
|
(5,056)
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
At end of the period
|
73,112
|
1,532
|
1,459
|
76,103
|
76,069
|
-
|
|
1,400
|
79,146
|
Net
book value at the beginning of the period
|
66,283
|
12,309
|
685
|
79,277
|
62,147
|
11,416
|
|
693
|
74,256
|
Net
book value at end of the period
|
60,463
|
11,720
|
584
|
72,767
|
67,887
|
12,541
|
|
664
|
81,092
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
At 30 June 2024, an impairment
indicator was identified by the Group, and impairment tests were
performed for the MEX-GOL, SV, SC and VAS fields. These reviews
concluded that no impairment to carrying value had occurred on any
Group asset.
10. Intangible
Assets
|
6 months ended 30 Jun
24
(unaudited)
|
6
months ended 30 Jun 23
(unaudited)
|
|
Mineral reserve
rights
|
Exploration and evaluation
intangible assets
|
Other intangible
assets
|
Total
|
Mineral
reserve rights
|
Exploration and evaluation intangible assets
|
Other
intangible assets
|
Total
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
$000
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning of the
period
|
4,891
|
6,190
|
914
|
11,995
|
5,080
|
6,433
|
860
|
12,373
|
Additions
|
-
|
-
|
134
|
134
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
17
|
Disposals
|
-
|
-
|
(45)
|
(45)
|
-
|
-
|
(23)
|
(23)
|
Exchange differences
|
(308)
|
(395)
|
(57)
|
(760)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
At end of the period
|
4,583
|
5,795
|
946
|
11,324
|
5,080
|
6,433
|
854
|
12,367
|
Accumulated amortisation
and impairment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning of the
period
|
3,162
|
-
|
461
|
3,623
|
2,925
|
-
|
454
|
3,379
|
Amortisation charge for the
period
|
162
|
-
|
86
|
248
|
180
|
-
|
59
|
239
|
Disposals
|
-
|
-
|
(35)
|
(35)
|
-
|
-
|
(22)
|
(22)
|
Exchange differences
|
(200)
|
-
|
(36)
|
(236)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
At end of the period
|
3,124
|
-
|
476
|
3,600
|
3,105
|
-
|
491
|
3,596
|
Net book value at beginning of the period
|
1,729
|
6,190
|
453
|
8,372
|
2,155
|
6,433
|
406
|
8,994
|
Net book value at end of the period
|
1,459
|
5,795
|
470
|
7,724
|
1,975
|
6,433
|
363
|
8,771
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Intangible assets consist mainly
of the hydrocarbon production licence relating to the VAS gas and
condensate field, which is held by LLC Prom-Enerho Produkt, and the
SC hydrocarbon exploration licence, which is held by LLC Arkona
Gas-Energy. The Group amortises the hydrocarbon production licence
relating to the VAS field using the straight-line method over the
term of the economic life of the VAS field until 2028. The
SC hydrocarbon
exploration licence is not amortised due to it being at an
exploration and evaluation stage.
As at 30 June 2024, an impairment
indicator was identified by the Group, and impairment tests were
performed for the MEX-GOL, SV, SC and VAS fields. These reviews
concluded that no impairment to carrying value had occurred on any
Group asset.
11. Trade and Other
Receivables
|
30 Jun
24
(unaudited)
|
31
Dec 23
(audited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
Trade receivables
|
2,734
|
11,580
|
Other financial
receivables
|
609
|
533
|
Less credit loss
allowance
|
(131)
|
(323)
|
Total financial
receivables
|
3,212
|
11,790
|
|
|
|
Prepayments and accrued
income
|
239
|
350
|
Other receivables
|
3,853
|
3,445
|
Total trade and other
receivables
|
7,304
|
15,585
|
Due to the short-term nature of
the current trade and other financial receivables, their carrying
amount is assumed to be the same as their fair value. All trade and
other financial receivables, except those provided for, are
considered to be of high credit quality.
As at 30 June 2024 and 31 December
2023, the Group's total trade receivables were denominated in
Ukrainian Hryvnia.
12. Provision for
Decommissioning
|
6 months
ended
30 Jun 24
(unaudited)
|
6 months
ended
30 Jun
23
(audited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
At beginning of the
period
|
7,305
|
6,964
|
Unwinding of discount
|
166
|
166
|
Effect of exchange
difference
|
(467)
|
-
|
At end of the period
|
7,004
|
7,130
|
The provision for decommissioning
is based on the net present value of the Group's estimated
liability for the removal of the Ukrainian production facilities
and well site restoration at the end of production life.
The non-current provision of
$7,004,000 (30 June
2023:
$7,130,000)
represents a provision for the decommissioning of the Group's
MEX-GOL, SV, VAS
and SC production and exploration facilities, including site
restoration. None of the provision was utilised during the
reporting period.
13. Other
non-current liabilities
Other non-current liabilities as
at 30 June 2024 and 31 December
2023 consist of the long-term obligations
for the Ukrainian State special purpose fund measured at amortised
cost using an interest rate of 20%.
14. Financial
Instruments
The Group's financial instruments
comprise cash and cash equivalents and various items such as
debtors and creditors that arise directly from its operations. The
Group has bank accounts denominated in British Pounds, US Dollars,
Euros and Ukrainian Hryvnia. The Group does not have any
borrowings. The main future risks arising from the Group's
financial instruments are currency risk, interest rate risk,
liquidity risk and credit risk.
The Group's financial assets and
financial liabilities, measured at amortised cost, which
approximates their fair value, comprise the following:
|
|
|
|
30 Jun 24
(unaudited)
|
31 Dec
23
(audited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
Financial assets
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
92,844
|
76,493
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
2,734
|
11,790
|
|
95,578
|
88,283
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
972
|
283
|
Trade and other
payables
|
783
|
1,293
|
Other financial
liabilities
|
780
|
1,248
|
|
2,535
|
2,824
|
|
|
| |
At 30 June 2024, the Group held
cash and cash equivalents in the following currencies:
|
30 Jun
24 (unaudited)
|
31 Dec
23
(audited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
Ukrainian Hryvnia
|
74,470
|
55,787
|
US Dollars
|
18,015
|
20,341
|
Euros
|
256
|
249
|
British Pounds
|
103
|
116
|
|
92,844
|
76,493
|
|
|
|
All of the cash and cash
equivalents held in Ukrainian Hryvnia are held in banks within
Ukraine, and all other cash and cash equivalents are held in banks
within Europe, Ukraine, the US and the United Kingdom.
15. Reconciliation
of Operating Profit to Operating Cash Flow
|
6 months
ended
|
6 months
ended
|
|
30 Jun 24
|
30 Jun
23
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
16,866
|
17,155
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortisation
|
3,087
|
3,589
|
Less interest income recorded within
operating profit
|
(3,932)
|
(1,585)
|
Fines and penalties
paid/(received)
|
41
|
(1)
|
Net (gain)/loss on sale of
non-current assets
|
(35)
|
(3)
|
(Increase)/decrease in
provisions
|
(329)
|
25
|
(Decrease)/increase in
inventory
|
(442)
|
709
|
Decrease/(increase) in
receivables
|
7,811
|
(3,583)
|
(Decrease) in payables
|
(1,746)
|
(3,953)
|
Cash generated from operations
|
21,321
|
12,353
|
16. Contingencies
and Commitments
Amounts related to works
contracted in relation to the Group's 2024 investment programme at
the MEX-GOL, SV, VAS and SC gas and condensate fields in Ukraine,
but not provided for in the unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements at 30 June 2024, were
$111,000 related to Oil and Gas Exploration and Evaluation assets
and $2,364,000 related to Oil and Gas Development and Production
assets (31 December 2023: $118,000 and $597,000
respectively).
Since 2010, the Group has been in
dispute with the Ukrainian tax authorities in respect of VAT
receivables on imported leased equipment, with a disputed liability
of up to UAH 8,487,000 ($302,000) inclusive of penalties and other
associated costs. There is a level of ambiguity in the
interpretation of the relevant tax legislation, and the position
adopted by the Group has been challenged by the Ukrainian tax
authorities, which has led to legal proceedings to resolve the
issue. The Group had been successful in three court cases in
respect of this dispute in courts of different levels. On 20
September 2016, a hearing was held in the Supreme Court of Ukraine
of an appeal of the Ukrainian tax authorities against the decision
of the Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine, in which the appeal
of the Ukrainian tax authorities was upheld. As a result of this
appeal decision, all decisions of the lower courts were cancelled,
and the case was remitted to the first instance court for a new
trial. On 1 December 2016 and 7 March 2017 respectively, the Group
received positive decisions in the first and second instance
courts, but no appointment of hearings has been settled yet. No
liability has been recognised in these unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements for the period ended 30 June
2024 (30 June
2023: nil), as
the Group has been successful in previous court cases in respect of
this dispute in courts of different levels, the date of the next
legal proceedings has not been set and as management believes that
adequate defences exist to the claim.
17. Related Party
Disclosures
Key management personnel of the
Group are considered to comprise only the Directors. Remuneration
of the Directors for the six month period ended 30 June
2024 was
$934,311 (1H 2023: $407,000,
and year ended 31 December 2023: $815,000).
During the period, Group companies
entered into the following transactions with related parties which
are not members of the Group:
|
6 months
ended
|
6 months
ended
|
|
30 Jun
24
|
30 Jun
23
|
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
|
$000
|
$000
|
|
|
|
Sale of goods/services
|
-
|
19,410
|
Purchase of
goods/services
|
360
|
348
|
Amounts owed by related
parties
|
11
|
55,719
|
Amounts owed to related
parties
|
70
|
185
|
All related party transactions
were with subsidiaries of the ultimate Parent Company, and
primarily relate to the sale of gas to LLC Smart Energy (which has
now ceased), the rental of office facilities and vehicles and the
sale of equipment. The amounts outstanding were unsecured and have
been or will be settled in cash.
At the date of this announcement,
none of the Company's controlling parties prepares consolidated
financial statements available for public use.
18. Events
occurring after the Reporting Period
The ongoing war in Ukraine means
that the fiscal, economic and humanitarian situation in Ukraine is
unstable and extremely challenging and the final resolution and
consequences of the ongoing war are hard to predict, but they may
have a further serious impact on the Ukrainian economy and business
of the Group. Management continues to identify and mitigate, where
possible, the impact on the Group, but the majority of these
factors are beyond their control, including the duration and
severity of the war, as well as the further actions of various
governments and diplomacy.