Interim Results - 6 Months to 30 June 1999

LEPCO PLC 28 October 1999 LEPCO plc ('the Company') INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE 6 MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 1999 LEPCO plc, the oil production and exploration Company, today announced its unaudited interim results for the six-month period to 30 June 1999. Interim Results The Company incurred a loss after tax of £137,470 compared to a loss of £541,554 in the period to 30 June 1998. Turnover declined to £21,779 (£1,022,660 in 1H98) as a result of the sale of the Forties field interest in January this year. Administration costs for the half year were reduced by 30% to £125,258 (£178,486 in 1H98). The loss of revenue from Forties also resulted in a net outflow of cash from operations of £125,454 against an inflow of £174,896 for the period to 30 June 1998. Southern Gas Basin Interests In July, the Company announced that it had reached agreement with Mustang Oil Limited ('Mustang') to rationalise LEPCO's portfolio of UK Southern Gas Basin assets. The agreement with Mustang has now been completed and all the necessary governmental consents have been obtained including LEPCO becoming, for the first time, an offshore exploration operator in the UK. It is expected that all aspects of the transaction will be completed shortly. The rationalisation will result in LEPCO acquiring both the operatorship and effectively all of the equity in Block 47/9c (subject to small carried interests). In return, LEPCO will transfer all its interests in Blocks 44/27c, 49/1c, 49/2b and 49/2c to Mustang. Block 47/9c contains a gas appraisal prospect close to the southern part of the Easington Catchment Area development. Phase I of this BG plc operated project begins production this year and includes the Mercury field on the immediately adjacent block 47/9b. Proposed Dutch Acquisitions The Company announced in June an in-principle agreement to acquire a producing gas interest in the Netherlands. Progress on this acquisition has been slowed by the operator's reassessment of the field's reserve base. LEPCO continues to believe that a firm agreement can be reached on this acquisition and hopes to make an announcement about this and other Dutch purchases in the near future. Shareholder Information Meeting At the Company's AGM on 29 July the Chairman announced that the Board would be holding a shareholder information meeting. This meeting will be on Friday, 19 November 1999 at 4.30pm at the offices of Beeson Gregory, the Company's nominated adviser. LEPCO Chairman, Peter Basset commented: 'The last 18 months have been a traumatic period for the industry. The impact of low oil prices in 1998 and the first half of this year is still creating a slow-down in activity. For instance, last month drilling in the North Sea fell again and currently only 60% of all rigs in the European sector are in use. North Sea oil prices averaged just $13.70/barrel in the first half of the year and this, coupled with last year's low of $9.45/barrel, has resulted in many smaller oil companies being financially stretched. LEPCO is fortunate therefore to have cash. In recent months we have made good progress in rationalising our UK Southern Gas Basin activity, being approved as an exploration operator in the UK, and towards our principal priority of acquiring quality producing assets. I look forward to keeping you informed of developments in an increasingly helpful oil price environment.' For further information contact: Peter Wilde Managing Director, LEPCO plc 0171-233 5245 Chris Callaway Beeson Gregory 0171-488 4040 INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO 30 JUNE 1999 (Neither audited nor reviewed) CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the six months ended 30June 1999 6 months 6 months 30-Jun-99 30-Jun-98 £ £ Turnover Continuing 21,779 9,819 Discontinued (b) 0 1,012,841 21,779 1,022,660 Cost of Sales (a) Continuing (5,360) (5,540) Discontinued (43,329)(1,381,731) (48,689)(1,387,271) Gross Profit (Loss) Continuing 16,419 4,279 Discontinued (43,329) (368,890) (26,910) (364,611) Administrative Expenses Continuing (125,258) (178,486) (125,258) (178,486) Operating Loss Continuing (108,839) (174,207) Discontinued (43,329) (368,890) (152,168) (543,097) Interest Receivable and similar income 14,698 1,543 Loss on ordinary activities before and after taxation (137,470) (541,554) Loss per share (£0.014) (£0.073) Notes: 6 months to 6 months to 30 June 1999 30 June 1998 a: Cost of Sales Continuing Disconting Continuing Discontinued Operating costs 3,860 33,336 5,540 944,842 Exceptional write off of abortive costs 0 0 0 167,190 Forties insurance 0 9,993 0 52,105 Depletion 1,500 0 0 133,675 Provision for abandonment 0 0 0 83,919 5,360 43,329 5,540 1,381,731 b: The Group's interest in the Forties field was sold during 1998 and accordin gly its share of the results for the 6 months to 30 June 1998 has been reclassified as discontinued operations. Costs incured in relation to Forties in the 6 months to 30 June 1999 have also been classified as discontinued. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO 30 JUNE1999 (Neither audited nor reviewed) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET as at 30 June 1999 30 June 30 June 1999 1998 £ £ Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 24,760 1,664,606 Intangible Assets 881,198 936,836 905,958 2,601,442 Current Assets Stock 0 87,635 Investments 0 106,647 Debtors 48,695 316,763 Cash at bank and in hand 598,402 1,960 647,097 513,005 Creditors: (75,840)(1,084,796) amounts falling due within 1 year Net current assets/(liabilities) 571,257 (571,791) Provisions for liabilities and charges 0 (559,779) Net assets 1,477,215 1,469,872 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 983,273 742,883 Share premium account 1,669,144 1,138,060 Other reserves 35,509 91,368 Profit and loss account (1,210,711) (502,439) Total shareholders'funds 1,477,215 1,469,872 INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO 30 JUNE 1999 (Neither audited nor reviewed) RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING LOSS TO NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATIONS For the six months ended 30 June 1999 June June 1999 1998 £ £ Operating loss (152,168) (543,097) Depletion costs 1,500 133,675 Depreciation 4,238 4,206 Provision for decommissioning 0 83,919 Exceptional write off of abortive costs 0 167,190 Decrease in debtors 61,784 73,316 (Decrease) increase in creditors (40,808) 265,357 Increase in stocks 0 (9,670) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operations (125,454) 174,896 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the six months ended 30 June 1999 June June 1998 1999 Notes £ £ Net cash(outflow)/inflow from operations (125,454) 174,896 Returns on investments and servicing 14,698 1,543 of finance Capitalexpenditure Disposal of tangible fixed assets 876,709 0 Purchase of tangible fixed assets (36,156) (268,692) Purchase of intangible fixed assets (79,279) (188,369) Net cash inflow/(outflow)before financing 650,518 (280,622) Financing 0 0 Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (a) 650,518 (280,622) The accompanying notes are an integralpart of this consolidated cash flow statement. Notes to the cash flow statement (a) June June 1998 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement 1999 in net debt £ £ Increase/(decrease) in cash 650,518 (280,622) before exchange differences Exchange differences 417 19,409 Increase (decrease) in cash after 650,935 (261,213) exchange differences Net debt at beginning of period (52,533) (129,340) Net funds/(debt) at close of period 598,402 (390,553) (b) 1 January 30 June Analysis of net debt 1999 Cash flow 1999 £ £ £ Cash in bank and in hand 44,559 553,843 598,402 Overdrafts (97,092) 97,092 0 Net funds (debt) (52,533) 650,935 598,402 Notes to the financial statements 1) The Directors do not propose to pay an interim dividend. 2) Earnings per share have been computed on the basis of loss after taxation of £137,470 (1998 - loss after taxation £541,554), and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 9,832,733 (1998 - 7,482,833). 3) This statement does not comprise statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. 4) The balance sheets as at 30 June 1999 and 30 June 1998 and the results and cash flows for the 6 months ended 30 June 1999 and the comparatives for the 6 months ended 30 June 1998 are neither audited nor reviewed. 5) The financial information included in this document has been prepared on a consistent basis and using the same accounting policies as the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 1998. 6) The financial information included in this document has been approved by the Directors of the Company. 7) Cash at Bank has increased due to the receipt of the proceeds of the sale to BP Exploration Operating Company Limited of the Company's interest in the Forties field. The transaction was accounted for in the Company's audited financial statements to 31 December 1998 as there were no conditions precedent at that date. Completion was on 28 January 1999. 8) A transaction has been agreed with Mustang Oil Limited ('Mustang') (the current operator of the Company's UK Southern Gas Basin interests) to reorganise our interests in those licences. As a result of the agreement, LEPCO will acquire effectively all of the equity in licence P.775 (subject to small carried interests) and will be appointed as operator of that licence. In consideration for this transaction, the Company will assign its interests in licences P.838, P.846, P.847 and P.848 to Mustang, together with the shares that LEPCO holds in Mustang. This transaction is a variation to a number of transactions previously agreed with Mustang. 9) The potential impact of the Year 2000 problem on the business has been considered and the directors have concluded that :- a) The risks are small and their impact is unlikely to be material in the context of the business operations. b) The basic software used in the business is understood to be Year 2000 compatible and there are no significant interfaces with customers, suppliers or other relevant parties. c) No significant expenditure has been incurred or is anticipated on computer applications in the foreseeable future. 10) Further copies of this interim statement will be sent to shareholders shortly and are also available on request from the Company Secretary, LEPCO plc, Vigilant House, 120 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1JZ.

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