Providence Resources P.l.c - 2015 Annual Results

Providence Resources P.l.c - 2015 Annual Results

Providence Resources P.l.c. - 2015 Annual Results

LEADERSHIP IN THE IRISH OFFSHORE

Dublin and London - June 29, 2016 - Providence Resources P.l.c. (PVR LN, PRP ID), the Irish based Oil and Gas Exploration Company, today announces Annual Results for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Tony O'Reilly, Chief Executive Officer commented:

"2015 was a year of unprecedented dislocation in the global oil and gas industry and provided a very tough backdrop for us to operate in.  Market volatility has continued into 2016 but I am happy to report that, despite market turmoil, we have made significant progress in developing and realising value from our unique portfolio of assets offshore Ireland.  Regardless of short term market flux, the Irish offshore remains a very attractive location for the global industry majors as evidenced by the record interest expressed in the recent Atlantic Margin Licensing Round.

"Thanks to the very significant support of our existing shareholders and new investors, we will have the financial resources and capability to advance our very extensive portfolio of assets.   The proceeds from the recently announced equity capital raise, which is subject to shareholder approval, will not only allow Providence to repay the Melody debt facility and its court mandated obligations to Transocean, but it will also restore our flexibility in commercial negotiations on farm outs in relation to Barryroe, Spanish Point and the Porcupine Basin.  Importantly, it will also allow us to fund our share of drilling costs associated with the high impact Druid exploration prospect in 2017, which is a key asset in our Porcupine Basin exploration portfolio.

"We look forward to updating shareholders on further developments as we continue to consolidate our leading position offshore Ireland."

2015 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Barryroe Oil Project, North Celtic Sea Basin (SEL 1/11)
    • Farm out discussions continued
    • 2 year extension to the 1st phase of SEL 1/11 to July 2017 and an extension to 2nd phase to July 2019
    • Area of SEL 1/11 increased by c.118 km2 to accommodate mapped potential extensions of Barryroe, formerly located within LO 12/4, which has now expired
    • Assessed separate fast-track development options of the highly productive C-Sand gas bearing reservoir
       
  • Offshore Petroleum Lease 1 (OPL 1) South Option, North Celtic Sea Basin
    • Option with PSE Kinsale Energy Limited for a right to earn a 60% working interest in southern portion of OPL 1 (subject to Ministerial consent) exercisable for a 3 year period
    • Option is earned through the 100% financing and drilling of an exploration well
    • Based on mapping, this area has the potential to host significant incremental resources
       
  • Spanish Point Gas Condensate Project, Northern Porcupine Basin (FEL 2/04 and 4/08)
    • Acquired Chrysaor E&P Ireland Limited which increased the Company's working interest in Spanish Point licences (FEL 2/04 and FEL 4/08) from 32% to 58% and FEL 1/14 from 32% to 43%
    • HIIP of c. 730 MMBOE and combined contingent plus prospective recoverable resources of up to 337 MMBOE
    • Farm out campaign launched in October 2015
       
  • Dunquin Oil Prospect, Southern Porcupine Basin (FEL 3/04)
    • Agreed to acquire Atlantic Petroleum (Ireland) Limited's 4% working interest in FEL 3/04 increasing the Company's working interest to 20% (subject to Ministerial approval)
       
  • Druid/Drombeg Oil Prospects, Southern Porcupine Basin (FEL2/14)
    • Major post 3D seismic analysis carried out; 3D seismic morphologies consistent with large stacked Lower Cretaceous and Paleocene deep-water fan systems at Drombeg and Druid
    • Apparent depth consistent Class II AVO responses noted on both fan systems
    • Large deeply buried pre-Cretaceous Diablo Ridge presence confirmed

             
2015 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  •  Operating loss for the period of €13.080 million versus €6.463 million in 2014
  •  Loss of €24.137 million versus €11.489 million in 2014
  •  Loss per share of 19.57 cents versus 17.77 cents in 2014
  •  At December 31, 2015, total cash and cash equivalents were €6.518 million versus €8.552 million (2014, includes restricted cash of €3.296 million)

POST YEAR-END PROGRESS

  • Barryroe Oil Project, North Celtic Sea Basin (SEL 1/11)
    • Farm out discussions continue with a number of counterparties
    • Upper C-Sand GIIP within SEL 1/11 & OPL1 Option area now estimated at c. 400 BSCF
    • Latest well cost estimates for single vertical well c. US$25 million
    • Court of Appeal overturns one aspect of 2014 Commercial Court Judgment in relation to Transocean litigation
       
  • Druid/ Drombeg Oil Prospects, Southern Porcupine Basin (FEL 2/14)
    • Multi-domain analysis confirms that the 3D seismic responses from the Druid and Drombeg prospects are consistent with the presence of 2 large vertically stacked stratigraphically trapped oil accumulations
    • Total cumulative in-place un-risked prospective resources of c. 5.095 BBO (PMean)
    • Adjacent third party Licensing Options awarded in 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round
    • Drilling of Druid being planned for summer 2017 (subject to conclusion of capital fundraising - see below)
       
  • Avalon Oil Prospect, LO 16/27)
    • Award of new Licensing Option in 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round
       
  • Spanish Point Gas Condensate Project, Northern Porcupine Basin (FEL 2/04)
    • Farm out campaign continues
    • Adjacent third party Licensing Options awarded in 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round
       
  • Dunquin Oil Prospect, Southern Porcupine Basin (FEL 3/04)
    • Dunquin North post-well technical studies continuing
    • Evidence of more significant residual oil in the Dunquin North well
    • Adjacent third party Licensing Options awarded in 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round
       
  • Newgrange Prospect, Goban Spur Basin (FEL 6/14)
    • Seismic supports top seal and reservoir presence for Cretaceous target
    • Pre-Cretaceous structural closure far larger than previously mapped
    • Adjacent third party Licensing Options awarded in 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round
       
  • Kish Oil Prospect, Kish Bank Basin (SEL 2/11)
    • Company's working interest increased to 100%
       
  • Helvick/Dunmore Oil Discoveries North Celtic Sea Basin 
    • Award of Lease Undertakings
    • 50% staged farm in by Marginal Field Development Company Limited
       
  • Ruadhan Prospect, Northern Porcupine Basin (FEL 1/14)
    • Recently acquired 3D seismic data confirm the presence of a large base Cretaceous structural closure
       
  • Relinquishments made to Licence Authorisations over:
    • Cuchulain, Southern Porcupine Basin (FEL 1/99)
    • Polaris, Rathlin Basin (P 1885)
    • Dragon (UK), St George's Channel Basin (P 1930)

POST YEAR-END FINANCIALS

  • Capital fundraising announced on June 21, 2016 to raise gross proceeds of £53.712 million, comprising:
    • Proposed issuance of 399.670 million shares in a Placing Offer at £0.12 per share
    • Proposed allotment of 9.938 million shares to Melody at £0.12 per share
    • Proposed issuance of 37.998 million shares to Cenkos at £0.12 per share
       
  • Open Offer of 31.835 million shares at €0.152 per share to raise up to a gross amount of €4.839 million
     
  • Capital fundraising subject to ratification at the EGM on July 14, 2016
     
  • Proceeds from capital fundraising proposed to be used to:
    • Retire corporate debt
    • Make payment to Transocean
    • Provide working capital
    • Finance the Company's cost of drilling the Druid exploration well

BOARD CHANGES

  • Retirement of Dr. Brian Hillery from the Board
  • Appointment of James S.D. McCarthy as Chairman
  • Appointment of Dr. Phil Nolan as Senior Independent Director

EGM, AGM AND NEXT REPORTING

Providence will hold an EGM on July 14, 2016 for shareholders to consider the resolutions for the Proposed Placing Offer and Open Offer (as announced on June 21, 2016).  The AGM is scheduled for July 27, 2016.  The provisional date for the release of Interim Results for the period ending June 30, 2016 is September 29, 2016.

INVESTOR ENQUIRIES  
  
Providence Resources P.l.c. Tel: +353 1 219 4074
Tony O'Reilly, Chief Executive Officer
     
 
   
Cenkos Securities plc Tel: +44 131 220 9771
Neil McDonald/Derrick Lee  
  
J&E Davy Tel: +353 1 679 6363
Eugenee Mulhern/Anthony Farrell  
   
MEDIA ENQUIRIES  
  
Powerscourt Tel: +44 207 250 1446
Lisa Kavanagh/Peter Ogden  
  
Murray Consultants Tel: +353 1 498 0300
Pauline McAlester  

ABOUT PROVIDENCE RESOURCES

Providence Resources is an Irish based Oil and Gas Exploration Company with a portfolio of appraisal and exploration assets located offshore Ireland.  Providence's shares are quoted on AIM in London and the ESM in Dublin.

GLOSSARY OF TERSM USED

AVO- Amplitude Versus Offset                                                                 
BBO - Billion Barrels of Oil
FEL - Frontier Exploration Licence                                                                           
HIIP - Hydrocarbons Initially in Place      
LO - Licensing Option                                                                                    
MMBOE - Millions of Barrels of Oil Equivalent
OPL - Offshore Production Lease                                                                            
SEL - Standard Exploration Licence         

ANNOUNCEMENT

This announcement has been reviewed by Dr John O'Sullivan, Technical Director, Providence Resources P.l.c.  John is a geology graduate of University College, Cork and holds a Masters in Applied Geophysics from the National University of Ireland, Galway. He also holds a Masters in Technology Management from the Smurfit Graduate School of Business at University College Dublin and a doctorate in Geology from Trinity College Dublin.  John is a Chartered Geologist and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London.  He is also a member of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Geophysical Association of Ireland.  John has more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas exploration and production industry having previously worked with both Mobil and Marathon Oil.  John is a qualified person as defined in the guidance note for Mining Oil & Gas Companies, March 2006 of the London Stock Exchange. Definitions in this press release are consistent with SPE guidelines.

SPE/WPC/AAPG/SPEE Petroleum Resource Management System 2007 has been used in preparing this announcement.

LIST OF ASSETS

Ref Licence Issued Asset Operator Partners % Type
NORTH CELTIC SEA BASIN
1 SEL 1/11 2011 Barryroe Providence Lansdowne 80.0 Oil discovery
2 SEL 2/07 2007 Hook Head Providence Atlantic; Sosina 72.5 Oil and gas discovery
3 LU 2016 Helvick Providence Atlantic; Sosina, Lansdowne 62.5 Oil and gas discovery
4 LU 2016 Dunmore Providence Atlantic; Sosina 72.5 Oil discovery
NORTHERN  PORCUPINE BASIN
5 FEL 2/04 2004 Spanish Point / Burren Cairn Sosina 58.0 Oil and gas discoveries
6 FEL 4/08 2008 Spanish Point North Cairn Sosina 58.0 Oil and gas exploration
7 FEL 1/14 2014 Ruadhan Cairn Sosina, Chrysaor 43.0 Oil and gas exploration
SOUTHERN PORCUPINE BASIN
8 FEL 3/04 2004 Dunquin ExxonMobil Repsol; Eni; Sosina, Atlantic 16.0 Oil and gas exploration
9 LO 16/27 2016 Avalon Providence Sosina 80.0 Oil and gas exploration
10 FEL 2/14 2014 Druid / Drombeg Providence Sosina 80.0 Oil exploration
GOBAN SPUR BASIN
11 FEL 6/14 2014 Newgrange Providence Sosina 80.0 Oil and gas exploration
KISH BANK BASIN
12 SEL 2/11 2011 Kish Bank Providence   100.0 Oil and gas exploration
SOUTH CELTIC SEA BASIN
13 LO 13/4 2013 Silverback Providence   100.0 Oil and gas exploration
ST GEORGE'S CHANNEL BASIN
14 SEL 1/07 2007 Dragon Providence   100.0 Gas discovery

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.
Condensed consolidated income statement
For the year ended 31 December 2015

  Notes 

Year ended 31 December 2015
Audited
€'000
 

Year ended 31 December 2014
Audited
€'000

 
Revenue - continuing operations1--
Administration and legal expenses 2(6,437)(6,119)
Pre-licence expenditure  (856)(245)
Impairment of  exploration, and evaluation  assets  (5,787)(99)
Operating loss1(13,080)(6,463)
     
Finance income  3439
Finance expense 3(11,091)(5,065)
     
Loss before income tax (24,137)(11,489)
Income tax expense  --
     
Loss for the financial year (24,137)(11,489)
     
Loss per share (cent) - total      
Basic loss per share 7(19.57)(17.77)
Diluted loss per share 7(19.57)(17.77)

The total loss for the year is entirely attributable to equity holders of the Company.

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2015

 Year ended 31 December 2015
Audited
€'000
Year ended 31 December 2014
Audited
€'000
Loss for the financial year(24,137)(11,489)
   
Continuing operations  
OCI items that can be reclassified into profit and loss  
Foreign exchange translation differences 7,1782,257
    
Total income recognised in other comprehensive income from continuing operations  

7,178
 

2,257
   
Total comprehensive expense for the year(16,959)(9,232)

The total comprehensive expense for the period is entirely attributable to equity holders of the Company.

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.
Condensed consolidated statement of financial position
As at 31 December 2015

  Notes31 December 2015
Audited
€'000
31 December 2014
Audited
€'000
Assets      
Exploration and evaluation assets 498,21189,733
Property, plant and equipment  16831
Intangible assets  296-
Total non-current assets 98,67589,764
   ______________
Trade and other receivables  2,1741,887
Restricted cash  -3,296
Cash and cash equivalents  6,5185,256
Total current assets 8,69210,439
   ______________
Total assets 107,367100,203
     
Equity   
Share capital 525,69418,151
Capital conversion reserve fund  623623
Share premium 5226,998210,230
Foreign currency translation reserve  11,8214,643
Share based payment reserve  3,5864,282
Retained deficit  (199,780)(176,339)
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 68,94261,590
     
Liabilities   
Decommissioning provision  7,4246,034
     
Total non-current liabilities 7,4246,034
     
Trade and other payables  12,71213,231
Loans and borrowings 618,28919,348
     
Total current liabilities 31,00132,579
     
Total liabilities 38,42538,613
Total equity and liabilities 107,367100,203

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2015

  Share Capital €'000Capital Conversion Reserve Fund  €'000Share Premium €'000Foreign Currency Translation Reserve  €'000Share Based Payment Reserve €'000Retained Deficit €'000Total €'000
At 1 January 201418,151623210,2302,3865,382(165,950)70,822
Total comprehensive income              
Loss for financial year - - - - - (11,489) (11,489)
Currency translation - - - 2,257 - - 2,257
Cashflow hedge - - - - - - -
Total comprehensive income - - - 2,257 - (11,489) (9,232)
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity              
Shares issued in year - - - - - - -
Share based payments - - - - - - -
Share options exercised in year - - - - - - -
Share options forfeited in year - - - - - - -
Reclassified to gain on disposal - - - - - - -
Share options lapsed in year - - - - (1,100) 1,100 -
At 31 December 201418,151623210,2304,6434,282(176,339)61,590
               
At 1 January 201518,151623210,2304,6434,282(176,339)61,590
Total comprehensive income              
Loss for financial year - - - - - (24,137) (24,137)
Currency translation - - - 7,178 - - 7,178
Cashflow hedge - - - - - - -
Total comprehensive income - - - 7,178 - (24,137) (16,959)
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity              
Shares issued in year 7,543 - 16,768 - - - 24,311
Share based payments - - - - - - -
Share options exercised in year - - - - - - -
Share options forfeited in year - - - -   - -
Share options lapsed in year - - - - (696) 696 -
Reclassified to gain on disposal - - - - - - -
At 31 December 201525,694623226,99811,8213,586(199,780)68,942


PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows           
For the year ended 31 December 2015

  Year ended 31 December 2015Year ended 31 December 2014
  AuditedAudited
  €'000€'000
Cash flows from operating activities    
Loss before income tax for year (24,137)(11,489)
    
Adjustments for:   
Depletion and depreciation 3418
Amortisation of intangible assets 17-
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets 5,78799
Finance income (34)(39)
Finance expense 11,0915,065
Foreign exchange (2,684)(441)
Change in trade and other receivables (287)1,004
Change in trade and other payables (521)(2,855)
Interest paid (4,204)(1,350)
    
Net cash outflow from operating activities(14,938)(9,988)
    
Cash flows from investing activities  
Interest received 3439
Acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets (7,746)(8,221)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (484)(14)
Change in restricted cash 3,296(3,296)
    
Net cash from investing activities(4,900)(11,492)
    
Cash flows from financing activities  
Proceeds from issue of share capital 25,754-
Share capital issue costs (1,443)-
Repayment of loans and borrowings (3,671)-
Proceeds from drawdown of loans and borrowings -16,699
    
Net cash from financing activities20,64016,699
    
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents802(4,781)
    
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January5,2568,998
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents 4601,039
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December6,5185,256

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Basis of preparation

The consolidated preliminary financial results announcement of the Company, for the year ended 31 December 2015 comprises of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group"). 

The financial information included in this preliminary financial results announcement, has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (EU IFRS) which comprises standards and interpretations approved by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The consolidated preliminary financial information presented herein does not constitute the Company's statutory financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2015, with the meaning of Regulation 40(1) of the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations, 1992 of Ireland, insofar as such Group accounts would have to comply with disclosure and other requirements to those Regulations. The statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015, together with the independent auditor's report thereon, will be filed with the Irish Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting and will also be available on the Company's website www.providenceresources.com. The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 June 2016.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated preliminary financial information requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.  In preparing this financial information, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Company's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty are the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2015. 

Going concern
                           
The Group has two significant liabilities now falling due for payment being its loan facility (the "Facility") with Melody Business Finance LLC ("Melody") and amounts owing to Transocean UK Limited ("Transocean") arising from a recent order by the Court of Appeal in England and Wales (the " Order").  The Group currently does not have sufficient cash reserves to settle these liabilities.  To allow the Group to meet these obligations and to recapitalise the Group's balance sheet, the Board of Directors announced a conditional equity placing to raise net proceeds of c.US$68.4 million (€60.5 million) which will be voted on by shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 14 July 2016.

Melody
The Company has reached agreement with Melody to extend the repayment date of the facility to 13 June 2016 and to extend the period within which to cure any event of default from 3 Business Days to 25 Business Days (subject to the preservation of the Lenders' rights and remedies under the Facility or at law in respect of any event of default arising in relation to insolvency proceedings). Accordingly, in the event of non-payment of amounts due to Melody by 13 June 2016, the Company will be required to remedy such default by the close of business on 15 July 2016. Pursuant to the terms of the Floating Charge, Melody may, at any time after an event of default which is continuing or where the Facility has become due and payable, exercise (as agent) its power of sale or appoint a receiver over the assets of the Group.

In addition, the Company and Melody have now agreed that, subject to the Placing and Open Offer Agreement becoming unconditional, repayment of amounts outstanding under the Facility will be satisfied as follows:

i. cash equal to US$20 million (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) to be wired by the Company to Melody in immediately available funds in accordance with the terms of the Facility; and

ii. the allotment of 9,938,033 New Ordinary Shares by the Company to the Lenders by way of capitalisation of US$1.7 million of outstanding debt due to Melody under the amended Facility.

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Going concern (continued)

Assuming the Placing and Open Offer Agreement which was issued on 21 June 2016 becomes unconditional, the Melody Liability Shares will be issued and the balance of the Facility will be repaid in full from the proceeds of this Placing Offer. The Board believe that the repayment of the Facility in the manner set out above is in the best interests of the Company and that it will strengthen the financial position of the Company by removing a potential refinancing risk which, in turn, should help with future commercial discussions.

Subject to the successful conclusion of the Placing Offer and the Open Offer at the EGM on 14 July 2016, the net proceeds of the Placing Offer and the Open Offer are expected to be received by the Company on 15 July 2016.

Transocean
Pursuant to an Order of Her Majesty's Court of Appeal of England and Wales made on 13 April 2016, the Company was required to pay Transocean c.US$6.77 million by 6 May 2016 in respect of certain costs claimed by Transocean in the context of the original legal proceedings issued against the Company by Transocean in May 2012.  The Order further stated that the Company was required to pay part of Transocean legal costs of the appeal in the sum of £225,000 by 27 April 2016 (with the remainder to be agreed and paid at a future date).  These legal costs in the sum of £225,000 were paid to Transocean on 27 April 2016. Other matters in dispute between the Company and Transocean in the legal proceedings were remitted to the Commercial Court in England and Wales for determination at a future date. 

The Company reached agreement with Transocean whereby the Company agreed to make a payment of (gross) US$2 million to Transocean in part satisfaction of the Order. This was done on May 6, 2016. By way of a further communication between Transocean and the Company dated 26 May, 3 June and 17 June, Transocean has agreed not to enforce the Order prior to 18 July 2016, or such earlier date as may be determined by Transocean in the event that Transocean reasonably concludes that the Company will be unable to pay in full the sums due to it.  The Company further agreed the quantum of Transocean's costs of the legal proceedings as part of the agreement which the Company intends to discharge in due course.  Lansdowne, the Company's Barryroe joint venture partner, is liable for their 20 per cent interest share of all costs associated with the litigation.

Assuming the successful completion of the Placing Offer and Open Offer, the balance of the sum owing to Transocean as specified in the Order will be paid in full from the proceeds of the Placing Offer and the Open Offer on or before 18 July 2016.

Cash flow forecasts
Detailed cash flow forecasts have been prepared by the Directors for the period through to 31 December 2017 which indicate that the Group will be able to settle the above liabilities and other commitments as they fall due.           
        
The principal assumptions underlying the cash flow forecasts are as follows:

  • the proposed conditional equity placing (the "Placing") will be completed; and
  • exploration and evaluation expenditure and administrative expenditure will be line with commitments and current expectations.

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Going concern (continued)

The Placing is due to be voted on by the shareholders at the EGM on 14 July 2016.  The conditional net funds are c.US$68.4 million (€60.5 million).  The Group intends to use to proceeds from the Placing as follows:

  • to fund the Group's share of payments arising from the Transocean litigation; and the repayment of an amount of US$20 million of the Facility (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon).
  • to strengthen the Group's financial position, fund general working capital to cover general administrative costs, sustaining capital expenditure and license expenditure and costs associated with the Company's portfolio of oil and gas projects and prospects, offshore Ireland.
  • to fund the Company's share of drilling costs for an exploration well at Druid, drilling of which is subject to equipment availability, regulatory approvals and joint venture partner funding being in place.

On the basis that the Placing will be approved by the shareholders at the EGM, the Directors are satisfied that the Group will have sufficient resources available to settle its existing liabilities and commitments as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the 31 December 2015 financial statements.

However, these matters require the successful ratifications of resolutions to be voted upon by shareholders at the EGM on 14 July, 2016. A failure to pass the resolutions would create material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the Group and the Parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Group and the Parent Company may, therefore, be unable to continue realising their assets and discharging their liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group and Company were unable to continue as a going concern.

The accounting policies applied in the condensed consolidated preliminary financial information are the same as those applied in the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2015, as set out on pages 24 to 28 of the 2014 Annual Report.   There were no new standards or amendments to standards which were mandatory for the first time for the financial year beginning 1 January 2015 which had a significant impact on the financial information. FRS101 has been adopted by the Company in the preparation of its Company only financial statements.

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 1
Operating segments

  Year ended 31 December 2015Year ended 31 December 2014
  AuditedAudited
  €'000€'000
Segment net loss for the period    
Republic of Ireland - exploration assets (3,946) (97)
UK- exploration assets (1,841) (2)
Corporate expenses (7,293) (6,364)
     
Operating loss (13,080) (6,463)
     
Segment assets    
UK - exploration assets 73 1,799
Republic of Ireland - exploration assets 100,710 89,908
US 32 30
Group assets 6,552 8,466
Total assets 107,367 100,203
     
Segment Liabilities    
UK - exploration assets (14) (37)
Republic of Ireland - exploration  assets (19,634) (16,176)
Group liabilities (18,777) (22,400)
Total Liabilities (38,425) (38,613)
     
Capital Expenditure    
UK - exploration assets 103 417
Republic of Ireland - exploration assets 7,643 7,804
Republic of Ireland - property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 484 14
     
Total capital expenditure, net of cash calls8,2308,235
     
Impairment charge    
Republic of Ireland - exploration assets 3,946 97
UK - exploration assets 1,841 2
  5,787 99

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 2
Administration and legal expenses

  Year ended 31 December 2015Year ended 31 December 2014
  AuditedAudited
  €'000€'000
     
Corporate, exploration and development expenses 3,783 4,593
Legal expenses 2,127 2,804
Foreign exchange differences 1,550 511
     
Total administration and legal expenses for the year7,460 7,908
     
Capitalised in exploration and evaluation expenses (Note 4) (1,023) (1,789)
   
Total charge to the income statement6,437 6,119
     

Note 3
Finance Expense

  Year ended 31 December 2015Year ended 31 December 2014
  AuditedAudited
  €'000€'000
Recognised in income statement:    
Amortisation of arrangement fees and other amounts 2,861 516
Unwinding of discount on decommissioning provision 1,390 929
Interest charge 2,367 1,467
Interest charge on legal settlement 2,141 -
Foreign exchange loss on revaluation of loan, net 2,332 2,153
     
Total finance expense recognised in income statement11,0915,065
     
Recognised directly in other comprehensive income    
     
Foreign currency differences on foreign operations 7,178 2,257
     
Total finance expense recognised in comprehensive income7,1782,257
     

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 4
Exploration and evaluation assets

  Republic of IrelandUKTotal
  €'000€'000€'000
Cost and book value      
       
At 1 January 2014 78,948 1,141 80,089
Additions 6,815 367 7,182
Administration expenses 1,739 50 1,789
Cash calls received in year (750) - (750)
Impairment charge (97) (2) (99)
Foreign exchange translation 1,440 82 1,522
At 31 December 201488,0951,63889,733
       
At 31 December 2014 88,095 1,638 89,733
Additions 6,805 84 6,889
Administration expenses 1,004 19 1,023
Cash calls received in year (166) - (166)
Impairment charge (3,946) (1,841) (5,787)
Foreign exchange translation 6,419 100 6,519
       
At 31 December 201498,211-98,211

The exploration and evaluation asset balance at 31 December 2015 primarily relates to the Barryroe (€62.9 million), Dunquin (€13.6 million), Spanish Point (€13.0 million) and license areas, Druid/Drombeg (€5.7 million) and Newgrange (€1.5 million).  The remaining €1.5 million relates to other license areas held by the Group in the Republic of Ireland.

The Directors have assessed the current activities ongoing within exploration and evaluation assets and have determined that an impairment charge of €5.8 million is required at 31 December 2015 in relation to specific licenses as it is unlikely that further exploration and evaluation work will be undertaken.

The Directors recognise that the future realisation of these exploration and evaluation assets is dependent on future successful exploration and appraisal activities and the subsequent economic production of hydrocarbon reserves.  They have reviewed current and prospective plans for each of the licence areas and are satisfied that future exploration and evaluation activities are appropriate in light of the carrying value of these assets.

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 5
Share Capital and Share Premium

       
    Number  
Authorised:   '000 €'000
At 31 December 2015      
Deferred shares of €0.011 each   1,062,442 11,687
Ordinary shares of €0.10 each   223,131 22,313
       
  Number Share Capital Share Premium
Issued: 000's €'000 €'000
       
Deferred shares of €0.011 each 1,062,442 11,687 5,691
Ordinary share of €0.10 each 64,649 6,464 204,539
       
At 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014 64,649 18,151 210,230
       
At 1 January 2015 64,649 18,151 210,230
Shares issued in year 75,427 7,543 16,768
At 31 December 2015140,07625,694226,998

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 6
Loans and Borrowings

  Melody
 loan facility
Melody loan feesTotal
  €'000€'000€'000
       
At 1 January 2014      
Drawn down in year 17,572 (873) 16,699
Written off to income statement - 496 496
Foreign exchange difference 2,155 (2) 2,153
At 31 December 201419,727(379)19,348
       
Repaid during year (3,646) - (3,646)
Drawn down in year 1,519 (4,125) (2,606)
Written off to income statement - 2,861 2,861
Foreign exchange difference 2,332 - 2,332
At 31 December 201519,932(1,643)18,289
       

In June 2014, the Company agreed a US$24 million financing with Melody. This financing was structured by way of a US$20 million facility and a US$4 million facility. In February 2015, the Company and Melody agreed to restructure the commercial arrangements with the US$4 million facility being repaid in June 2015 and the US$20 million facility being extended to 22 May 2016, with the extension fees and associated costs being capitalised, resulting in a net outstanding sum payable of US$ 21.7 million (the "Facility"). Under the Facility, Melody has security over all of the Group's assets by way of the Floating Charge.

The Company has reached agreement with Melody to extend the repayment date of the Facility to 13 June 2016 and to extend the period within which to cure any event of default from 3 Business Days to 25 Business Days (subject to the preservation of the Lenders' rights and remedies under the Facility or at law in respect of any event of default arising in relation to insolvency proceedings). Accordingly, in the event of non-payment of amounts due to Melody by 13 June 2016, the Company will be required to remedy such default by the close of business on 15 July 2016. Pursuant to the terms of the Floating Charge, Melody may, at any time after an event of default which is continuing or where the Facility has become due and payable, exercise (as agent) its power of sale or appoint a receiver over the assets of the Group.

In addition, the Company and Melody have now agreed (pursuant to the terms of the consent request between the Company, Melody and the Lenders dated 17 June 2016 (the "Consent Request")) that, subject to the Placing and Open Offer Agreement becoming unconditional, repayment of amounts outstanding under the Facility will be satisfied as follows:

i. cash equal to US$20 million (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) to be wired by the Company to Melody in immediately available funds in accordance with the terms of the Facility; and

ii. the allotment of 9,938,033 New Ordinary Shares by the Company to the Lenders (being the "Melody Liability Shares") by way of capitalisation of US$1.7 million of outstanding debt due to Melody under the amended Facility.

Assuming the Placing and Open Offer Agreement which was issued on 21 June 2016 becomes unconditional, the Melody Liability Shares will be issued and the balance of the Facility will be repaid in full from the proceeds of this Placing Offer. The Board believe that the repayment of the Facility in the manner set out above is in the best interests of the Company and that it will strengthen  the financial position of the Company by removing a potential refinancing risk which, in turn, should help with future commercial discussions.

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 6
Loans and Borrowings (continued)

Subject to the successful conclusion of the Placing Offer and the Open Offer at the EGM on 14 July 2016, the net proceeds of the Placing Offer and the Open Offer are expected to be received by the Company on 15 July 2016.

The Facility Agreement (as amended by written agreement between the parties) provides for a 25 Business Day (as that term is defined in the Facility Agreement) cure period within which the Company can remedy any failure to repay. If such failure to repay is not remedied within the 25 Business Day cure period, then it will constitute an "Event of Default" (as that term is defined in the Facility Agreement). In addition, pursuant to the terms of Floating Charge, Melody may, at any time after an Event of Default which is continuing or where the Facility has become due and payable, exercise (as agent) its power of sale or appoint or a receiver over the assets of the Group.


PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 7
Earnings per share

 31 December 201531 December 2014
 AuditedAudited
 TotalTotal
(Loss) / profit attributable to equity holders of the company from continuing operations (€'000) (24,137) (11,489)
    
The basic weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue    
    
In issue at beginning of year ('000s) 64,649 64,649
Adjustment for shares issued in year ('000s) 58,689 -
     
Weighted average number of ordinary shares ('000s) 123,338 64,649
     
Basic and diluted (loss) / earnings per share (cent) (19.57) (17.77)
     

There is no difference between the loss per ordinary share and the diluted loss per ordinary share for the current period as all potentially dilutive ordinary shares outstanding are anti-dilutive.


PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 8
Related party transactions

Mr. Tony O'Reilly, has, through Kildare Consulting Limited, a company beneficially owned by him, a contract for the provision of service to the company outside the Republic of Ireland effective 1 May 2015. The amount paid under the contract in the year ended 31 December 2015 was €448,500. It is of two years duration and is subject to one year's notice period.

Note 9
Commitments

The Group has capital commitments of approximately €2.7m to contribute to its share of costs of exploration and evaluation activities during 2016.

Note 10
Post Balance Sheet Events

Equity fundraising
The Company announced a conditional equity placing to raise net proceeds of c.US$68.4 million (€60.5 million) which will be voted on by shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 14 July 2016.

Transocean Drilling UK Limited legal case
In May 2012, Transocean initiated proceedings against the Company for c.US$19 million. The Company counterclaimed pleading that Transocean was in breach of contract because their rig and their equipment were not in good working condition or adequate to conduct the drilling activities over most of a period from late December 2011 through to early February 2012. In December 2014, a judgment was handed down by the Commercial Court in London (the "Judgment") which confirmed the Company's pleadings that it should not have to pay Transocean for those periods when the rig was not operable, due to breaches of contract arising from Transocean's failure to carry out maintenance on safety critical parts of its sub-sea equipment. The Judgment provided that the Company should also be allowed to set-off certain third party costs against Transocean's claim. The Judgment allowed the parties to agree the final account, with the Company paying a net amount of c.US$6.15 million and Lansdowne paying c.US$1.54 million.

Transocean was subsequently granted the right to appeal one aspect of the Judgment. In April 2016 the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Transocean's appeal (the "Appeal Judgment"). The  appeal of this one aspect of the Judgment turned on the Court of Appeal's interpretation of the wording of the consequential loss clause in the rig contract.

In relation to the Appeal Judgement, by Order of Her Majesty's Court of Appeal of England and Wales made on 13 April 2016 (the "EWCA Order"), the Company was ordered to pay Transocean a gross amount of c.US$6.77 million on or before 4.00 p.m. on 6 May 2016 in respect of certain costs claimed by Transocean in the context of the original legal proceedings issued against the Company by Transocean in May 2012.  This amount has been fully accrued as at 31 December 2015 (note 21). The EWCA Order further stated that the Company was required to pay part of Transocean's legal costs of the appeal in the sum of gross £225,000 by 27 April 2016 (with the remainder to be agreed and paid at a future date). This amount was fully accrued as at 31 December 2015 (note 21).

These legal costs in the sum of £225,000 were paid to Transocean on 27 April 2016.  In addition, the EWCA Order stated that other matters in dispute between the Company and Transocean in the legal proceedings will be the subject of a further hearing in the Commercial Court in London unless otherwise resolved between the parties.

PROVIDENCE RESOURCES P.l.c.

Note 10 - continued
Post Balance Sheet Events

The two main matters which arise out of the Court of Appeal judgment and which remain unresolved as at the date of the financial statements are as follows:

(a) the quantification of interest on the judgment sum awarded by the Court of Appeal to Transocean; and

(b) whether Transocean is entitled to its legal costs (and interest thereon) in respect of the first instance decision handed down by the Commercial Court in London in December 2014, on the basis of Transocean having previously made an offer to the Company (the "Settlement Offer") to reach a settlement in respect of those proceedings pursuant to Part 36 of the English Civil Procedure Rules (the "CPR"). Part 36.14 of the CPR provides that, where judgment against a defendant (in this case, the Company) is at least as advantageous as the proposals in the Part 36 offer, the offeror (in this case, Transocean) would be entitled to its legal costs and interest on those costs together with interest on the principal sums from the date upon which the period for acceptance of the offer expired.

Transocean contends that, as the aggregate amount payable to them as a result of the Judgment and the Appeal Judgment is more advantageous to Transocean than the terms of the Settlement Offer, that Transocean is now entitled to recover from the Company its costs (and interest thereon) in respect of the first instance proceedings. The Company will be required to make an additional payment to Transocean pursuant to paragraph (a) above in the sum of (net) c.US$0.4 million (however, the final amount has yet to be agreed/determined) and, in the event that Transocean is successful in the Commercial Court in relation to the matter outlined in paragraph (b) above, an additional payment of (net) c.US$3.1 million.

As of the date of approval of the financial statements, no date has been set by the Commercial Court to consider these matters. In the event of an adverse adjudication, it is open to the Company to appeal such a decision.

Following the issue of the EWCA Order, the Company and Transocean reached agreement (the "TO Agreement") whereby the Company agreed to make a payment of (gross) US$2 million to Transocean (in part satisfaction of the EWCA Order) payment of which has now been made. By way of a further communication between Transocean and the Company dated 26 May, 3 June and 17 June, Transocean has agreed not to enforce the EWCA Order prior to 18 July 2016, or such earlier date as may be determined by Transocean in the event that Transocean reasonably concludes that the Company will be unable to pay in full the sums due to it (the "Transocean Long Stop Date"). The Company further agreed the quantum of Transocean's costs of the legal proceedings as part of the agreement which the Company intends to discharge in due course. Lansdowne, the Company's joint venture partner in Barryroe, is also liable for its 20 per cent. interest share of all costs associated with the litigation.




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Source: Providence Resources plc via Globenewswire

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