TIDMSMDR
RNS Number : 1148C
Salamander Energy PLC
14 January 2015
Salamander Energy plc
4(th) Floor, 25 Great Pulteney Street, London, W1F 9LT
Telephone: - 020 7432 2680 Fax: - 020 7692 5524
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, IN, INTO OR FROM, ANY RESTRICTED JURISDICTIONS OR ANY OTHER
JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE
RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
14 January 2015
Salamander Energy plc
("Salamander" or the "Group")
Operational and Corporate Update
Salamander Energy plc issues the following operational and
corporate update that includes unaudited information and may be
subject to further review.
Highlights
-- 2014 average production of 14,200 boepd
-- Bualuang field and the Sinphuhorm field both produced record high annual rates
-- Kerendan Gas Processing Facility is nearing completion
-- Renegotiations on the Kerendan gas sales agreement are
expected to complete shortly with significantly more favourable
terms
-- Net debt as at 31 December 2014 of US$380 million with cash and funds of US$118 million
-- Scheme Document in relation to the offer by Ophir Energy plc
to be posted today; shareholders of Salamander and Ophir to vote on
6 February 2015; the Scheme expected to become effective 2 March
2015
-- Intention to terminate the sale of an effective 40% interest
in the Greater Bualuang Area with mutual agreement by SONA,
satisfying a condition of the Ophir Offer
Chief Executive, James Menzies, commented:
"We are delighted to report that production has been strong in
the second half of the year following the completion of the latest
phase of Bualuang development. Measures taken to reduce Bualuang
operating costs have been implemented and negotiations are underway
on the Kerendan Gas Sales Agreement which we expect to result in
significantly more favourable terms. In addition, we have today
released documentation with regards to the offer from Ophir Energy
plc which we expect will complete this quarter."
Asset Overview
Thailand
Having drilled and completed a sequence of wells in the T4, T2
and T5 reservoirs, including some dual-lateral wells, production
from the Bualuang field during the second half of the year averaged
15,100 bopd, exceeding management expectations. The full year
average production for Bualuang of 12,500 bopd is the highest
annual rate in the history of the field. Production averaged 9,900
bopd in the first half of the year when the field had to be shut in
for six weeks. Enhancing the cash flow from these volumes, an
infrastructure upgrade was completed in August with the
installation of the Suksan Salamander Floating Storage and Offtake
Vessel ("FSO"). These upgrades have significantly reduced costs,
with Salamander on track to deliver the targeted $25 million per
annum reduction in operating costs, and extended the field's
operating life.
Salamander continues to collect and analyse new well data from
the most recent drilling campaign associated with the Bravo Well
Head Platform. Bualuang's strong second half performance is being
used to review the field's further development potential including
options for the third platform, Charlie, which will enable the
development and commercialisation of additional resources.
In Northeast Thailand, robust gas demand continued to drive
strong production growth from the Sinphuhorm field, with output in
2014 setting a record at 105 MMscfd (c.1,700 boepd net to
Salamander). Elsewhere in Northeast Thailand, a FEED study for the
Dong Mun gas field development is progressing and commercial
discussions are underway with candidate buyers of the gas.
Indonesia
Salamander's Kerendan Gas Processing Facility ("KGPF") is
nearing completion, though a few weeks behind schedule due to very
dry conditions making the logistics of river-borne transportation
difficult. The wells are ready to produce and the pipelines
connecting the well pad to KGPF and KGPF to the PT PLN
(Persero)("PLN") power plant are in the final stages of
installation.
PLN's power plant and transmission lines have progressed over
the year but PLN has recently amended its schedule to mid-2015
readiness citing delays with importation of equipment and the
difficult logistics of the Kerendan site. The delay is being
factored into the economic assessments underpinning negotiations of
an increased gas price in the Kerendan gas sales agreement ("GSA").
Management believe that these negotiations will complete during the
first quarter resulting in a gas price substantially higher than
the existing GSA and sufficiently high to at least preserve
Salamander's project economics.
The Indonesian upstream regulator, SKKMigas, has recommended the
approval of the Plan of Development for the Tutung gas field in the
Bontang PSC. Formal approval is now awaited from the Ministry of
Energy.
Corporate
At 31 December 2014 net debt had fallen to $380 million and
total cash and funds equalled $118 million. The Group's investment
programme across its predominantly operated portfolio is largely
discretionary, and capex to which the Group is currently committed
in 2015 totals circa $40 million.
As announced at the time of Salamander's interim results in
August 2014, the Group has hedged 1,200 bopd for calendar year 2015
at an average price of $103.30/bbl.
Offer from Ophir Energy plc
On 24 November 2014, Salamander and Ophir Energy plc ("Ophir")
announced they had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended
acquisition to be made by Ophir for the entire issued and to be
issued share capital of Salamander (the "Ophir Offer"). Today,
Salamander announced that the circular to shareholders in
connection with the Ophir Offer (the "Scheme Document") is being
published together with the associated Forms of Proxy. The Court
Meeting and the General Meeting are scheduled to take place on 6
February 2015. Full details are contained in the Scheme Document.
Ophir's Shareholder Circular and Prospectus in connection with the
Offer are expected to be issued shortly with the Ophir General
Meeting due to be convened for 6 February 2015. The Scheme is
expected to become effective on 2 March 2015.
SONA Transaction
In light of the recommendation of the Salamander Directors to
vote in favour of the Ophir Offer, Salamander and Sona Petroleum
Berhad ("SONA") intend to terminate by mutual agreement the
previously announced Sale and Purchase Agreement in respect of an
effective 40% interest in the Greater Bualuang Area. Once
terminated with the consent of Ophir, such termination will satisfy
the SONA condition to the Ophir Offer. Salamander notes that in
SONA's press release to its shareholders, SONA states that it
remains interested in acquiring a stake in the Greater Bualuang
Area and intends to approach either Ophir or Salamander regarding a
revised transaction post their respective shareholder meetings on 6
February 2015.
Enquiries:
Salamander Energy + 44 (0)20 7432 2680
James Menzies, Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan Copus, Chief Financial Officer
Goldman Sachs + 44 (0)20 7774 1000
(Lead Financial Adviser to Salamander)
Andrew Fry, Managing Director
Nimesh Khiroya, Managing Director
Jefferies Hoare Govett + 44 (0)20 7029 8000
(Corporate Broker to Salamander)
Chris Zeal
Graham Hertrich
Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited + 44 (0)20 3037 2000
(Rule 3 Adviser to Salamander)
Jon Fitzpatrick, Senior Managing Director
Andrew Jones, Associate Director
Tulchan Communications +44 (0)20 7353 4200
(Communications Adviser to Salamander)
Martin Pengelley
Stephen Malthouse
This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute
or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an
offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or
otherwise dispose of, any securities or any vote for approval in
any jurisdiction pursuant to the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will
be made solely pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document which
contains the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including
details of how to vote in respect of the Offer. Any decision in
respect of, or other response to, the Offer should be made only on
the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document and
the Ophir Prospectus.
This announcement has been prepared for the purposes of
complying with English law and the City Code on Takeovers and
Mergers (the "Code") and the information disclosed may not be the
same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement
had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions
outside the United Kingdom.
The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions outside
the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons
into whose possession this announcement comes should inform
themselves about, and observe, such restrictions. Any failure to
comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the
securities law of any such jurisdiction.
Goldman Sachs International, which is authorised by the
Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the
United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Salamander and no one
else in connection with the Offer and the other matters referred to
in this announcement, and will not be responsible to anyone other
than Salamander for providing the protections afforded to clients
of Goldman Sachs International or for providing advice in relation
to the Offer or in connection with the other matters referred to in
this announcement.
Jefferies Hoare Govett, a division of Jefferies International
Limited ("Jefferies"), which is authorised and regulated in the
United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting
exclusively for Salamander and no one else in connection with the
Offer and the other matters referred to in this announcement, and
will not be responsible to anyone other than Salamander for
providing the protections afforded to clients of Jefferies, nor for
providing advice in relation to the Offer or in connection with the
other matters referred to in this announcement.
Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited, which is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom,
is acting exclusively for Salamander and no one else in connection
with the Offer and the other matters referred to in this
announcement, and will not be responsible to anyone other than
Salamander for providing the protections afforded to clients of
Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited or for providing advice in
relation to the Offer or in connection with the other matters
referred to in this announcement.
Disclosure requirements of the Takeover Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in
1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror
other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced
that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an
Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer
period and, if later, following the announcement in which any
securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening
Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests
and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant
securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any
securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a
person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than
3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later
than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first
identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of
the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the
offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a
Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities
of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A
Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned
and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to
subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree
company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the
extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule
8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies
must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business
day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a
securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit
on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you
are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
Publication on website
A copy of this announcement will be made available at
www.salamander-energy.com no later than 12:00 noon (London time) on
15 January 2015 (being the business day following the date of this
announcement) in accordance with Rule 30.4 of the Code. The content
of the website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated
into and does not form part of this announcement.
Forward looking statements
Some of the statements in this announcement include
forward-looking statements which reflect the Salamander group's
(the "Group") or, as applicable, the directors' of Salamander (the
"Directors") current views with respect to financial performance,
business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future
operations (including development plans relating to the Group's
exploration and production). These statements include
forward-looking statements both with respect to the Group and the
sectors and industries in which the Group operates. Statements
which include the words "expects", "intends", "plans", "believes",
"projects", "anticipates", "will", "targets", "aims", "may",
"would", "could", "continue", their negative variations and similar
statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify
forward-looking statements for the purposes of the U.S. federal
securities laws or otherwise. All forward-looking statements
address matters that involve risks and uncertainties many of which
are beyond the control of the Group. Accordingly, there are or will
be important factors that could cause the Group's actual results to
differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These
factors include but are not limited to the following factors:
declines in oil or gas prices; energy demand in South-East Asia;
accuracy of the estimates of the Group's reserves and resources;
the Group's ability to implement successfully any of its business
strategies; the Group's ability to fund its future operations and
capital needs through borrowing or otherwise; outcome of the
exploration activities; increased operating costs; the Group's
ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals; competition in
the markets where the Group operates; changes in tax rates; changes
in accounting standards or practices; inflation and fluctuations in
exchange rates; the impact of general business and global economic
conditions; changes in political, economic, legal or social
conditions in Thailand, Indonesia, or Laos; changes in the policies
of the governments of Thailand, Indonesia, or Laos; and the Group's
success in identifying other risks relating to its business and
managing the risks relating to the aforementioned factors.
Any forward-looking statements in this announcement reflect the
Group's or, as applicable, the Directors' current views with
respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks,
uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Group's business,
results of operations and growth strategy. Each forward-looking
statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement. Subject
to any obligations under applicable law, rules and regulations,
neither Salamander nor the Directors undertakes any obligation to
publicly update or review any forward-looking statement or other
information contained in this announcement whether as a result of
new information, future developments or otherwise. All subsequent
written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the
Group or individuals acting on behalf of the Group are expressly
qualified in their entirety by this paragraph.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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