Final Results

Regal Petroleum PLC 06 June 2003 For Immediate Release Friday 6 June 2003 Regal Petroleum plc Preliminary Results for the Year ended 31 December 2002 Regal Petroleum plc ('Regal' or 'the Group'), the oil and gas exploration, development and production company, is pleased to announce its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2002 ('the financial period'). Highlights during the financial period include: • Successful flotation on AIM in September 2002 raising £10m via a placing of 16.7m shares at 60p per share • Successful registration as an oil and gas producer in the Ukraine allowing Regal to proceed with its export programme • Commencement of gas production in August 2002 from MEX3, producing on average 110,000 cubic meters of gas and 2 metric tonnes of condensate per day • Drilling of Regal's first new well, GOL 2, was successfully completed in November 2002 (and commenced production in January 2003) • Work over rigs installed on GOL 1 and SV10 during the fourth quarter 2002 • Drilling of new wells SV52 and MEX102 commenced in Q4 2002 Highlights post the financial year include: • 4 wells completed to date and a further 4 wells due to be completed by the end of 2003 • construction of the 1st phase of Regal's new gas processing plant completed, providing a capacity of 1,000,000 m3 per day • export programme progressing well with exports of gas due to commence in Q3 2003 • acquisition of onshore oil & gas exploration and development license in North East Romania in February 2003 • appointment of Guenter Nolte as Chief Executive Officer Commenting on the results, Frank Timis, Chairman of Regal, said: '2002 was an important year in creating the structure required for Regal to continue its rapid development. Significant progress has been made in the Ukraine with exports likely to commence in the next few months. Our strategy remains to identify other assets with similar potential and believe that we have the management team, the corporate structure and the necessary cash flow to deliver a year of considerable growth in 2003.' JUNE 2003 TRADING UPDATE Work-Over MEX3. Regal's first well continues production since being brought into production in August 2002. New Well GOL2. Regal's second well continues production since being brought into production at the end of January 2003. Work-Over GOL1. Regal's third well is now completed and is expected to commence commercial production by 25 June 2003. Work-Over SV10. Regal's fourth well is now completed and will be connected for production once the new second phase gas plant has been completed (refer below). New Well SV52. Regal's fifth well has been drilled to a depth of 4,674 metres and is expected to be completed in Q4 2003. New Well MEX102. Regal's sixth well has been drilled to a depth of 3,829 metres and is expected to be completed in Q4 2003. Other Wells. Two other wells have been identified for work-over and are expected to be completed in Q4 2003 bringing the total number of completed wells to 8 by the end of the year. First Phase Gas Plant. During commissioning of GOL2 it became evident that there were capacity restrictions in the state owned gas processing and treatment plant and pipelines. Accordingly, the Directors made an immediate decision to fast track the construction of the Regal owned first phase gas plant and associated infrastructure. Construction commenced in April 2003 and is now complete and being commissioned in anticipation of being fully operational by 25 June 2003. This new plant enables production to be increased to 450,000m3 per day from 25 June 2003 until the construction of the new high capacity pipeline has been completed to enable maximum flow of gas from completed wells. The capacity of the plant is 1,000,000m3 per day. The new plant also enables Regal to have total control over the production of gas and condensate by removing the reliance on the state owned facilities. Second Phase Gas Plant. The second phase of the gas plant referred to above is due to be completed by 31 December 2003. The capacity of the second phase plant will be 2,000,000m3 per day bringing total plant capacity to 3,000,000m3 per day. This will include the construction of a 17km high capacity pipeline connected from the new gas plant to the main gas export trunk pipeline to allow Regal to utilise current production and allow for future growth potential generated by drilling/work-over of new wells and by implementing advanced stimulations technology on existing wells (to optimise flow rates). Exports. Regal expects to commence exporting gas in the third quarter 2003 which will increase the gas sales price to approximately US$90 per thousand cubic metres (an increase of over 60% compared with current domestic prices). Suceava Block, Romania. The geological and geophysical data package is being prepared to assist the seismic and geochemical program which is due to commence in 2004. For further information please contact: Regal Tel: 020 7647 6622 Frank Timis, Executive Chairman Glenn Featherby, Finance Director Buchanan Communications Tel: 020 7466 5000 Bobby Morse / Tim Thompson CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT 2002 has been an eventful year for Regal. Our successful £10 million fund raising through an institutional placing and admission to AIM in September 2002, together with the commencement of gas production in August 2002, has enabled us to initiate a more aggressive exploration and development plan, hire and retain an experienced management team and to investigate other prospects in order to expand and diversify our operations. Specifically, the fund raising has allowed us to invest funds towards the completion of well work-overs, the drilling of new wells and associated capital infrastructure, as well as raising our corporate profile in the investment community and the oil and gas industry, particularly in the Ukraine. FINANCIAL REVIEW The financial results for the year ended 31 December 2002 reflect the Group's successful fund raising through the institutional placing and the acceleration of well development during the fourth quarter of 2002. Turnover for the year was $583,000 reflecting 4 months of gas and condensate production from well MEX 3. All production was sold locally at an average rate of $54 per thousand cubic metres of gas and $186 per metric tonne of condensate. In order to minimise counterparty risk all sales are for payment in advance. The operating loss for the year was $4,172,000 which included one-off listing costs of $1,782,000. The loss before and after tax of $4,492,000 included a total interest charge for the year of $430,000, representing interest paid on funds loaned to the Group prior to the fund raising in September 2002. As at 31 December 2002 the Group had no long term external borrowings. Total interest receivable of $110,000 reflected the Group's successful cash management since the large cash injection from the Institutional Placing in September 2002. Net cash outflow from operating activities was $5,281,000 which included $1,782,000 of one-off listing costs. The capital expenditure and financial investment outflow of $3,207,000 represented the aggressive investment towards well development in the fourth quarter of 2002. As at 31 December 2002 the Group had total cash balances of $8,974,000. OPERATIONAL REVIEW To date 18 exploratory wells have been drilled in the gas field. Of these, 12 wells have been flow-tested and demonstrated that commercial gas can be produced. As at 31 December 2002 there was one well in commercial production, MEX 3. MEX 3. The Group completed the work-over of the MEX 3 well and commenced commercial production in August 2002. MEX 3 is currently producing an average of 110,000 sm3 of gas and 2 tonnes of condensate per day. GOL 2. The drilling of the Group's first new well, GOL 2, was successfully completed in November 2002 and, following production testing, was connected via a newly constructed 10 kilometres, 114mm diameter underground pipeline to Micherdovka, the existing state owned treatment facility. However, due to severe weather conditions in December 2002, GOL 2 did not commence commercial production until January 2003. GOL 1. A work-over rig was installed on the Group's third well, GOL 1, in the fourth quarter of 2002. Work-over operations and the construction of associated infrastructure commenced in late 2002 and a new 11 kilometre underground pipeline connecting the well to the processing plant was completed in December 2002. SV 10. A work-over rig was installed and the work-over of well SV 10 was commenced in late 2002. Cement suspension plugs had been drilled and milled to a depth of approximately 5,000 meters as at 31 December 2002. SV 52. The location for Regal's second new well, SV 52, was prepared, the drilling rig was installed and commissioned and drilling commenced in the third quarter of 2002. MEX 102. The location for Regal's third new well, MEX 102, was prepared and the drilling rig was installed and commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2002. Other work-over candidates. Several other well work-over candidates were identified during 2002. These work-over candidates form part of the development programme for 2003. Export programme. In September 2002 Regal was officially registered as an oil and gas producer in Ukraine by Oil and Gas of Ukraine, the State entity responsible for all matters pertaining to the production, processing and transit of oil and gas. This registration enables us to proceed with our export programme and elevates us to a high standing with traders and users within the Ukraine. The Group will commence the export of gas once it is able to produce a volume considered sufficient to satisfy long-term orders from overseas companies. Discussions with potential buyers throughout Europe have taken place. Regal expects to commence exporting gas in the third quarter 2003 which will increase the gas sales price to approximately US$90 per thousand cubic metres (an increase of over 60% compared with current domestic prices). Gas processing plant. The gas produced from Regal's wells is pumped via Regal owned pipelines to a Ukrainian state owned processing and conditioning plant before being pumped into the state owned main trunk pipeline and ultimately to customers. The Group intends to identify means to reduce the operating costs of gas production and to reduce the Group's exposure to state-owned and managed utilities. To this end, the Group commenced negotiations in 2002 for the development of an independent gas processing facility, together with a new underground pipeline to the main export trunk pipeline, with a view to having a fully operational plant at the end of 2003. Future activity. The main emphasis of Regal in 2003 is on the continuation of the drilling/work-over programme, construction of the new gas processing plant and associated infrastructure, procurement of a production licence, and the commencement of export sales. OUTLOOK FOR 2003 During 2003 we will continue our aggressive development plan in the Ukraine to achieve our daily gas production target of 1,500,000 sm3 per day by the end of the year. We also expect to commence the export of gas in the third quarter of 2003 to take advantage of the higher sales prices available. This will substantially increase our cash flow and enable further acceleration of our exploration and drilling programme. We intend to develop Regal into an international oil and gas company with a clear focus on geographic areas and assets where we can add value. To achieve this goal and to diversify our operations we intend to examine additional oil and gas opportunities in 2003. Regal has also been appraising a number of other oil and gas opportunities in other countries. This is evidenced by the acquisition of an exclusive exploration, development and production license in North East Romania in February 2003. Finally, I am pleased to welcome Guenter Nolte to the Board of Directors. Mr Nolte has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and brings over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry together with strong business contacts in Central and Eastern Europe. V. Frank Timis Chairman CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002 Note 2002 2001 $'000 $'000 Turnover 2 583 - Cost of sales (92) - Gross profit 491 - Administrative expenses (4,663) (829) Operating loss (4,172) (829) Interest receivable 110 - Interest payable and similar charges (430) (178) Loss on ordinary activities before and after taxation (4,492) (1,007) Loss per ordinary share (cents) Basic 10.1c 2.5c Diluted 10.1c 2.5c All amounts relate to continuing activities. During the period the group carried out a corporate restructuring including the introduction of a new holding company. The profit and loss account has been prepared using merger accounting and is presented on a proforma basis as if the new holding company, Regal Petroleum plc, has been in existence throughout both the current and prior periods. Further information is given in note 1. The notes form part of these financial statements. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2002 Note 2002 2002 2001 2001 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 5,873 2,586 Investments 54 - 5,927 2,586 Current assets Debtors 1,652 325 Cash at bank and in hand 8,974 98 10,626 423 Creditors: amounts falling due within one (1,044) (1,943) year Net current assets/(liabilities) 9,582 (1,520) Total assets less current liabilities 15,509 1,066 Provision for liabilities and charges (100) - Net assets 15,409 1,066 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 4 4,613 3,219 Share premium 14,754 - Merger reserve (3,204) (3,204) Capital contributions 7,477 4,736 Profit and loss account deficit (8,231) (3,685) Shareholders' funds - equity 15,409 1,066 The financial statements were approved by the Board on 20 May 2003 G R Featherby Director The notes form part of these financial statements. CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002 2002 2002 2001 2001 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Net cash outflow from operating activities (5,281) (899) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 110 - Interest paid (430) - Net cash outflow from returns on investments and (320) - servicing of finance Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (3,207) (1,314) Cash outflow before use of liquid resources and (8,808) (2,213) financing Financing Secured loan (1,337) 1,237 Other Loans 186 - Capital contributions received 2,741 1,077 Issues of ordinary share capital (net of issue 16,094 - costs) 17,684 2,314 Increase in cash 8,876 101 The notes form part of these financial statements. NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2002 1 Corporate restructuring During the year the group carried out a corporate restructuring including the introduction of a new holding company, Regal Petroleum plc, incorporated on 17 June 2002. On 19 September 2002, the company acquired Regal Petroleum (Jersey) Limited, and the entire issued share capital of Regal Petroleum Corporation Limited was acquired by Regal Petroleum (Jersey) Limited. Regal Petroleum Corporation Limited therefore became a wholly owned directly held subsidiary of Regal Petroleum (Jersey) Limited and a wholly owned indirectly held subsidiary of the company. The corporate restructure has been accounted for as a merger in accordance with FRS6 'Acquisitions and Mergers' (see accounting policies note 2). 2 Turnover and net assets 2002 2001 $'000 $'000 Analysis of turnover by activity: Gas Sales 550 - Condensate Sales 26 - Other 7 - 583 - The turnover of the group arose wholly within the territory of Ukraine and was wholly attributable to the group's primary activity. Analysis of net assets by geographical origin: 2002 2001 $'000 $'000 United Kingdom 9,204 - Ukraine 6,205 1,066 15,409 1,066 3 Loss for the financial year The company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 230 of the Companies Act 1985 and has not presented its own profit and loss account in these financial statements. The group loss for the period includes a loss after tax of $2,458,975, for the period 17 June 2002 to 31 December 2002, which is dealt with in the financial statements of the parent company. 4 Share capital Authorised Number $'000 Ordinary shares of 5p each 80,000,000 6,440 (Approximately 8c each) Allotted, called up and fully paid Number $'000 Ordinary shares of 5p each 57,316,667 4,613 (Approximately 8c each) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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