H1 2022 Results

RNS Number : 3479Z
Chariot Limited
14 September 2022
 

14 September 2022

Chariot Limited

("Chariot", the "Company")

 

H1 2022 Results

 

Chariot (AIM: CHAR), the Africa focused transitional energy company, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2022.

 

· Significant gas discovery at the Anchois-2 well offshore Morocco

· Material increase in gas resources within a basin scale opportunity

· Rissana Offshore exploration licence awarded in Morocco

· Two new renewable energy projects in development in South Africa and Zambia

· Pre-Feasibility Study ('PFS') completed on Project Nour in Mauritania confirming world class green hydrogen potential

· Partnership signed with Total Eren to co-develop Project Nour

· Oversubscribed Placing and Open Offer raised gross US$29.5m

 

Adonis Pouroulis, CEO of Chariot commented : "It is a pleasure to report on our activities in the first half of 2022, as we delivered significant progress across all areas of our business. It has been a busy time but our focus remains on securing and developing large-scale, scalable, first-mover positions in projects that can diversify the energy mix, potentially reduce carbon emissions, support greener industrial development and facilitate access to affordable, accessible energy for all. In delivering this strategy, we are looking to play a material role in the energy transition whilst creating value and generating a wide range of positive impacts for all stakeholders. As we advance our three pillar strategy across our gas, power and hydrogen businesses, we are building a unique position within the transitional energy space and look forward to updating all our stakeholders on the next phases of our journey."

 

Highlights during and post period

 

Transitional Gas: Anchois Gas Development Project

 

· Successful drilling campaign completed safely and on budget in January 2022.

· The Anchois-2 well reported a significant gas discovery, with

o 150m net pay confirmed across seven reservoirs

o confirmation of consistent and excellent quality dry gas composition across all reservoirs, which should enable a conventional and common development.

· Independent assessment confirmed a significant upgrade in gas resources - increased to 1.4 Tcf in total remaining recoverable (2C plus 2U) at the Anchois Project.

· Societe Generale appointed as financial advisor to lead the project financing.

· Front end engineering design ("FEED") awarded to Schlumberger and Subsea7 ("Subsea Integration Alliance")

· Agreement with ONHYM to tie-in to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline ("GME")

 

 

 

 

Material Upside Potential

 

· Anchois-2 drilling success directly de-risked a material portfolio of prospects within the Lixus licence area.

· Rissana Offshore Licence signed in February 2022 capturing gas play extensions from the Lixus licence and prospects from our legacy Mohammedia licence area.

· Early assessment of areas covered by 3D seismic, estimates a total 2U prospective resource in Rissana of over 7Tcf.

 

Transitional Power: Renewable Energy for Mining Projects

 

· Partnership with Total Eren extended from January 2022 with Chariot having the right to invest up to 49% into the co-developed mining projects.

· Two projects signed during the period and in development:

40MW solar PV project with Tharisa Plc to provide power to its chrome and PGM operations in South Africa.

Partnership with First Quantum Minerals to advance the development of a 430 MW solar and wind power project for its copper mining operations in Zambia - one of the largest renewable private sector energy projects in Africa.

· Building up a pipeline of African mining power projects and looking to collaborate on other renewable transactions across the continent.

 

Green Hydrogen - Project Nour

 

· Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") confirmed Mauritania is exceptionally well-placed for green hydrogen production due to its solar and wind resources.

Project Nour could produce some of the cheapest green hydrogen in the world.

· 50%/50% Partnership agreement signed with Total Eren to co-develop the project, progressing the in-depth feasibility study and offtake options.

· Wide ranging potential benefits for domestic, infrastructure and energy industries within Mauritania.

· MoU signed with the Port of Rotterdam International, a global energy hub and Europe's largest seaport which represents a first step towards establishing supply chains.

· Ongoing initiatives to expand the portfolio and evaluate further green hydrogen opportunities.

 

Corporate

 

· Well capitalised business - further reinforced following a successful fundraise in June 2022.

· Cash position as at 30 June 2022 - $23.4million with no debt with minimal licence commitments.

 

Enquiries:

Chariot Limited

Adonis Pouroulis, CEO

Julian Maurice-Williams, CFO

+44 (0)20 7318 0450

 

Cenkos Securities Plc (Nomad and Joint Broker)

Derrick Lee, Adam Rae

 

Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker)

Richard Crichton, David McKeown

 

+44 (0)20 7397 8900

 

 

 

+44 (0) 20 7894 7000

Celicourt Communications  (Financial PR)

Mark Antelme, Jimmy Lea

 

+44 (0)20 8434 2754

 

Chariot Limited

 

Chief Executive's Review

 

Climate change and the tumultuous events that have unfolded in Eastern Europe this year have reinforced the reality that energy security and sustainability remain at the forefront of global agendas and we are fully focused on developing and delivering on our transitional energy projects, all of which have the potential to play a material role within this context. I am delighted to report on our progress over the first half of 2022, as we have significantly increased our natural gas resources and are moving towards FID at the Anchois Gas Project offshore Morocco. In addition, over this period we added two major projects to our renewable power pipeline in Southern Africa and delivered on our objective of securing a world class partner in Total Eren to co-develop our large-scale green hydrogen asset in Mauritania.

 

Transitional Gas

 

The Anchois Development Project

Our successful drilling campaign and significant gas discovery at the Anchois gas field offshore Morocco has been well documented since the beginning of this year, the results from which exceeded expectations, confirmed the consistency and quality of the gas and reported an upgrade to net pay estimates as well as a material increase in gas resources. We were pleased to have our in-house analysis corroborated by Netherland Sewell & Associates Inc which confirmed upgrades to the 2C and 2U resources as well as the basin scale opportunity that sits within our acreage providing further material upside to both Anchois and Lixus.

 

We are now developing a significant project which has 1.4 Tcf in 2C plus 2U total recoverable resources at Anchois and our team is fully focused on the FEED elements of the development plan, working alongside Schlumberger and Subsea 7 who we appointed in June. With Societe Generale leading the project financing, a Tie-In agreement signed with OHNYM post-period end providing access to the major Maghreb Europe Gas pipeline, ongoing offtake and strategic partnering discussions and our Environmental and Social Impact Assessment underway, we are looking to reach FID as soon as possible to start generating material cash flows thereafter.

 

Material Upside Potential

The exploration and appraisal drilling also served to derisk a range of targets, both in the Lixus licence where Anchois is located and also in surrounding acreage in the Rissana licence which we signed in February 2022.  Early assessment of the areas in Rissana covered by 3D seismic, provides a total 2U prospective resource of over 7 Tcf, combining a high-graded prospect 'Emissole' within the lower risk Anchois Tertiary gas play and multi Tcf prospects in a higher-risk Mesozoic play, inherited from Chariot's legacy Mohammedia Offshore licence area.

 

We are committed to developing and realising the value of this gas field and moving it into production to help meet the growing demand within Morocco's domestic market as well as potentially supplying surplus gas to Europe.

 

Transitional Power

 

Providing Renewable Power in Africa

 

Our Transitional Power business is focused on providing innovative energy solutions for mining and industrial offtakers across the African continent in order to reduce costs, improve ESG performance, and deliver reliable and low-risk energy supplies. Working alongside Total Eren our team has continued to leverage their expertise and network securing two substantial new projects within the first half of the year with a 40MW solar plant now in development at Tharisa's PGM and chrome mine in South Africa, and a 430 MW solar and wind partnership underway at First Quantum's Kansanshi copper gold mine in Zambia. Both projects are flagship initiatives within these countries and will follow a similar development path to that of IAMGold's exemplary operational 15GW solar project at the Essakane gold mine in Burkina Faso, our first renewable project in which we hold a 10% stake.

 

The power demand of the mining sector offers huge scale and growth potential but we are also looking at other opportunities that stem from wider energy needs and scarcity of resources in some regions across Africa. We have the team and the flexibility to access and evaluate a range of options and we will consider all those that would be value accretive and fit within our Transitional Power remit and strategy. Considering that our Power business is only just over a year old, we have grown rapidly over this last period and we are just beginning the journey. There are huge opportunities in which Chariot can play a leading role in Africa's energy transition.

 

Green Hydrogen - an essential part of the future energy mix

 

We are delighted to have partnered with Total Eren in Mauritania to co-develop Project Nour, which with the potential to install 10GW of electrolyser capacity, could become one of the most significant green hydrogen projects in Africa. We share a similar vision for green hydrogen seeing it as a key component in diversifying the energy mix and a vital energy source of the future and our teams have complementary skillsets that we bring to this project. The partnership will be a 50%/50% split, and we will be working together to progress the in-depth feasibility study and offtake options. Chariot will continue to co-lead on project development and permitting, local content, and stakeholder engagement and the project will undoubtedly benefit from Total Eren's range of expertise and engineering knowledge. As confirmed by the PFS, this could become one of the most competitive green hydrogen projects in the world due to the abundance of natural resources and could bring a range of sustainable economic benefits to Mauritania including greener industry opportunities and provision of clean power to the national grid. It could also potentially result in the country becoming one of the world's main producers and exporters of green hydrogen, providing a cost-effective, transportable energy solution to replace CO2 emitting fuels for exportation to the European market.

 

We are very pleased to have secured a first mover advantage and are keen to expand our footprint within this fast moving and critical sector. We will continue to evaluate opportunities in this space and look forward to collaborating on new ventures with Total Eren in the future.

 

Financial Review

 

The Group remains debt free and had a cash balance of US$23.4 million at 30 June 2022 (US$19.4 million at 31 December 2021) following the equity fundraising completed in June 2022 which raised gross proceeds of US$29.5 million.

 

Hydrogen and other business development costs of $1.5m (30 June 2021: $nil) comprise non-administrative expenses incurred in the development of Transitional Power and Hydrogen projects following the acquisitions made in June 2021.

 

Other administrative expenses of US$5.0 million (30 June 2021: US$1.7 million) are higher than the prior period driven by one-off new venture and employment costs and the inclusion of administration costs from the Transitional Power acquisitions.

 

Finance expenses of US$0.4 million (30 June 2021: US$0.3 million) reflect foreign exchange losses on the holding of cash balances in Sterling to meet administrative and capital expenditures, in addition to the unwinding of the discount on the lease liability under IFRS 16.

 

Share-based payments charges of US$0.9 million (30 June 2021: US$0.2 million) are higher than the prior period due to the granting of share awards to employees across the group, including employees joining the group as part of the Transitional Power acquisition.

 

Outlook

 

Looking forward, we are enthused with both the evolution and revolution taking place within our business, especially when I look at the projects we offer and what the future might hold for the Company. We are excited about the path forward with our gas development project at Anchois, fast tracking all workstreams to reach FID and deliver a valuable resource to energy hungry customers. Within our Transitional Power business, we will continue to develop our mining project pipeline across the continent as well as potentially broadening our portfolio and with Green Hydrogen we look forward to further unlocking the scale of this nascent but important commodity. Our business has three pillars, gas, power and hydrogen, which offer a range of significant, scalable resources underpinned by expanding markets and fundamental objectives of looking to create value and deliver positive change. As a management team, we remain closely aligned with our shareholder base and we look forward to providing further updates on our continued progress and development over the coming months.

 

A Pouroulis

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

14 September 2022



Chariot Limited

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the six months ended 30 June 2022

 

 

 



 

Six months

ended 30

June 2022

 

Six months

ended 30

June 2021

 

Year ended

31 December

2021



US$000

US$000

US$000

 

Notes

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited



 



Share based payments


(938)

(26)

Hydrogen and other business development costs


  (1,463)


  (1,139)

Other administrative expenses


(4,970)

(1,655)

(4,549)

 

Total operating expenses


 

(7,371)

 

(1,681)

 

(6,448)

Loss from operations

 

(7,371)

(1,681)

(6,488)






Finance expense


(390)

(329)

(512)

Loss for the period before and after taxation

 

(7,761)

(2,010)

(6,960)






Loss for the period and total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to equity owners of the parent

 

(7,761)

(2,010)

(6,960)

 










Loss per ordinary share attributable to the equity holders of the parent - basic and diluted

3

US$(0.01)

US$(0.01)

US$(0.01)

 



 

Chariot Limited

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 30 June 2022

For the six months ended 30 June 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Share capital

 

 

Share premium

 

 

Contributed equity

Share based payment reserve

Shares based to be issued reserve

 

 

Retained deficit

Total attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2022

11,696

383,318

796

2,207

142

(359,199)

38,960

 







 

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

(7,761)

(7,761)

Issue of capital

2,541

31,892

-

-

-

-

34,433

Issue costs

-

(1,618)

-

-

-

-

(1,618)

Share based payments

-

-

-

938 

-

-

938

 







 

As at 30 June 2022

14,237

413,592

796

3,145

142

(366,960)

64,952

 

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2021 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Share capital

 

 

Share premium

 

 

Contributed equity

Share based payment reserve

 

Shares to be issued reserve

 

 

Retained deficit

Total attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

As at 1 January 2021

6,549

359,609

796

1,447

-

(352,239)

16,162

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

(2,010)

(2,010)

Issue of capital

3,491

15,666

-

-

-

-

19,157

Issue costs

-

(1,241)

-

-

-

-

(1,241)

Share based payments

-

-

-

26 

-

-

26

Share based deferred consideration

-

-

-

-

142

-

142

As at 30 June 2021

10,040

374,034

796

1,473

142

(354,249)

32,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended 31 December 2021 (audited)

 

 

 

Share capital

 

 

Share premium

 

 

Contributed equity

Share based payment reserve

 

Shares to be issued reserve

 

 

Retained deficit

Total attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

As at 1 January 2021

6,549

359,609

796

1,447

-

(352,239)

16,162

 







 

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year

-

-

-

-

-

(6,960)

(6,960)

Issue of capital

5,147

25,585

-

-

-

-

30,732

Issue costs

-

(1,876)

-

-

-

-

(1,876)

Share based payments

-

-

-

760

-

-

760

Share based deferred consideration

-

-

-

-

142

-

142

 







 

As at 31 December 2021

11,696

383,318

796

2,207

142

(359,199)

38,960

 

 



 

Chariot Limited

 

Consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2022

 

 

 

30 June

 2022

30 June

 2021

31 December 2021

 

 

US$000

US$000

US$000

 

Notes

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

Non-current assets

 




Exploration and evaluation assets

4

44,967

13,756

31,750

Investment in power projects


450

450

450

Goodwill


380

380

380

Property, plant and equipment


85

52

84

Right of use asset: office lease


164

492

328

Total non-current assets

 

46,046

15,130

32,992


 




Current assets

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

 

642

704

1,167

Inventory

 

1,306

-

1,183

Cash and cash equivalents

5

23,391

18,049

19,406

Total current assets

 

25,339

18,753

21,756

Total assets

 

71,385

33,883

54,748


 




Current liabilities

 




Trade and other payables

 

6,244

990

15,358

Lease liability: office lease

 

189

431

430

Total current liabilities

 

6,433

1,421

15,788

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Lease liability: office lease

 

-

226

-

Total non-current liabilities

 

-

226

-

Total liabilities

 

6,433

1,647

15,788

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 

64,952

32,236

38,960

 

 




Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the parent

 




Share capital

6

14,237

10,040

11,696

Share premium

 

413,592

374,034

383,318

Contributed equity

 

796

796

796

Share based payment reserve

 

3,145

1,473

2,207

Shares to be issued reserve


142

142

142

Retained deficit

 

(366,960)

(354,249)

 (359,199)

Total equity

 

64,952

32,236

38,960


 




 

 



Chariot Limited

Consolidated cash flow statement for the six months ended 30 June 2022


 

Six months ended 30

June 2022

 

Six months ended 30

June 2021

 

Year ended 31 December 2021


US$000

US$000

US$000


Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

Operating activities




Loss for the period before taxation

(7,761)

(2,010)

(6,960)

Adjustments for:




Finance expense

390

329

512

Depreciation and amortisation

188

177

358

Share based payments

938

26

760

Net cash outflow from operating activities before changes in working capital

(6,245)

(1,478)

(5,330)





Decrease / (increase) in trade and other receivables

285

38

(116)

Increase / (decrease) in trade and other payables

Increase in inventories

3,481

(123)

(290)

-

445

(1,183)

Cash outflow from operating activities

(2,602)

(1,730)

(6,184)





Net cash outflow from operating activities

(2,602)

(1,730)

(6,184)





Investing activities




Payments in respect of property, plant and equipment

(25)

(22)

(72)

Payments in respect of exploration and evaluation assets

(25,572)

(793)

(5,301)

Net cash consideration on acquisition

-

(21)

(21)

Net cash outflow used in investing activities

(25,597)

(836)

(5,394)

 

Financing activities




Issue of ordinary share capital net of fees

32,815

17,396

28,175

Payment of lease liabilities

(241)

(192)

(419)

Finance expense on lease

(10)

(27)

(46)

Net cash inflow from financing activities

32,564

17,177

27,710

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the period

4,365

14,611

16,132




 

Cash and cash equivalents at start of the period

19,406

3,740

3,740




 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalent

(380)

(302)

(466)




 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

23,391

18,049

19,406

 

 


Chariot Limited

Notes to the interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2022

1.  Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards.

The interim financial information has been prepared using the accounting policies which were applied in the Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.  The Group has not adopted IAS 34: Interim Financial Reporting in the preparation of the interim financial statements.

There has been no impact on the Group of any new standards, amendments or interpretations that have become effective in the period. The Group has not early adopted any new standards, amendments or interpretations.

In the consolidated statement of comprehensive income Other Administrative expenses has been split out to provide further detail of total operating expenses. The comparative figures for 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 have been represented to reflect this additional disclosure. There is no change to the total operating expenses or loss from operations for those periods.

2.  Financial reporting period

The interim financial information for the period 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022 is unaudited. The financial statements also incorporate the unaudited figures for the interim period 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 and the audited figures for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The financial information contained in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by sections 243-245 of the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008.

The figures for the year ended 31 December 2021 are not the Group's full statutory accounts for that year. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain references to matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under section 263 (3) of the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008.

3.  Loss per share

The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

 

Six months ended 30  June 2022

Six months ended 30  June 2021

Year ended  31 December 2021


 

 


Loss for the period US$000

(7,761)

(2,010)

(6,960)

Weighted average number of shares

822,031,912

391,409,534

519,854,783

Loss per share, basic and diluted*

US$(0.01)

US$(0.01)

US$(0.01)

 

*Inclusion of the potential ordinary shares would result in a decrease in the loss per share and, as such, is considered to be anti-dilutive. Consequently a separate diluted loss per share has not been presented.

 

 

 

 

4.  Exploration and evaluation assets

 

30 June 2022

30 June 2021

31 December 2021

 

US$000

US$000

US$000

Balance brought forward

31,750

12,822

12,822

Additions

13,217

934

18,928

Net book value

44,967

13,756

31,750

 

As at 30 June 2022 the net book value of the Moroccan geographic area is US$45.0 million (31 December 2021: US$31.8 million).

 

5.  Cash and cash equivalents

As at 30 June 2022 the cash balance of US$23.4 million (31 December 2021: US$19.4 million ) contains the following cash deposits that are secured against bank guarantees given in respect of exploration work to be carried out:

 

30 June 2022

30 June 2021

31 December 2021

 

US$000

US$000

US$000

Moroccan licences

750

350

5,350

 

750

350

5,350

 

The funds are freely transferrable but alternative collateral would need to be put in place to replace the cash security.

6.  Share capital

 


Allotted, called up and fully paid

 

At

30 June 2022

At

30 June 2022

At

30 June 2021

At

 30 June 2021

31 December 2021

31

 December 2021

 

Number

US$000

Number

US$000

Number

US$000

Ordinary shares of 1p each

 

958,002,421

 

 

14,237

 

636,077,728

 

10,040

 

759,587,023

 

 

11,696

 

 

 

 

 

Details of the Ordinary shares issued during the six month period to 30 June 2022 are given in the table below:

 

Date

Description

Price US$

No of shares

1 January 2022

Opening Balance

 

759,587,023





31 January 2022

Issue of shares at £0.055 relating to underwriting commitment

0.07

33,742,396

3 March 2022

Issue of shares at £0.055 relating to underwriting commitment

0.07

33,742,396

13 June 2022

Issue of shares at £0.18 in Placing, Subscription, Open Offer and fees

0.22

130,930,606





30 June 2022



958,002,421

 

  The ordinary shares have a nominal value of 1p. The share capital has been translated at the historic rate at the date of issue, or, in the case of the LTIP, the date of grant.

 

Magna Capital LDA (of which Adonis Pouroulis, CEO, has a substantial interest), underwrote the June 2021 equity fundraising to ensure the total fundraising equated to approximately US$23 million. Accordingly, 33,742,396 new Ordinary shares were admitted on 31 January 2022 and 33,742,396 new Ordinary shares were admitted on 3 March 2022 and the Company received proceeds totalling US$5 million. The underwriting commitment constitutes a related party transaction.

 

On 10 June 2022 the Company announced the approval by shareholders at a General Meeting of an equity fundraising for 130,930,606 new Ordinary Shares at a price of 18 pence per share. The new Ordinary Shares were admitted on 13 June 2022 and the Company received gross proceeds of US$29.5m.

 

 

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