2007 Results Announcement

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ld 08 May 2008 GULF KEYSTONE PETROLEUM LTD ("Gulf Keystone" or the "Company") 2007 RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited (AIM: GKP), an independent oil and gas exploration company operating in Algeria and Kurdistan, today announces its results for the year ended 31 December 2007. Highlights - In January 2007, BG farmed into the HBH licence in Algeria. - In 2007 Gulf Keystone acquired 2,047 kilometres of 2D seismic and 533 square kilometres of 3D seismic on the HBH licence area. In 2008, the Company and its partners will drill six wells on the HBH licence in Algeria. - In November 2007, Gulf Keystone entered into two production sharing contracts in the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq. - In 2008, Gulf Keystone acquired 170 kilometres of 2D seismic in Kurdistan - In January 2008 ALNAFT (the Hydrocarbon National Agency in Algeria) approved the proposed Development Plan for the GKN and GKS oil fields following the Declaration of Commerciality in June 2007. Todd Kozel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said: "2007 was a year of significant challenges for Gulf Keystone Petroleum from which I believe the Company has emerged both operationally and strategically stronger. Entering into two production sharing contracts in Kurdistan, entitlement to production from the GKN-1 oil field and continuing exploration activity in Algeria has ensured the shape of Gulf Keystone, and as such our future prospects, has improved considerably over the past year." Christopher Garrett, the Company's Vice President of Operations, who has over 29 years relevant experience within the sector and who has been involved with this project for over 2 years has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this announcement. Mr Garrett is a Fellow of the Geological Society, a member of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, and a Certified Petroleum Geologist (American Association of Petroleum Geologists). He meets the criteria of a qualified person under the AIM guidance note for mining, oil and gas companies. Enquiries Gulf Keystone Petroleum +44 (0) 20 7514 1400 Todd Kozel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer RBC Capital Markets +44 (0) 20 7653 4667 Sarah Wharry Tristone +44 (0) 207 399 2470 Simon Ashby-Rudd Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44 (0) 20 7638 9571 Media: Martin Jackson Analysts: George Cazenove or visit: www.gulfkeystone.com Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer's Statement Overview The year began well with approval by the Algerian Council of Ministers for the introduction of BG Group into the Hassi Ba Hamou ("HBH") Contract in the Timimoun Basin / Allal High area in central Algeria, with its formal ratification by an announcement in the Official Journal of Algeria. This was, for Gulf Keystone, a strategically important transaction which significantly enhanced our financial position and brought in a strong partner as operator. The Declaration of Commerciality by the Joint SONATRACH / Gulf Keystone Management Committee in June 2007 for the GKN and GKS oil fields, located in Block 126a, South East Constantine Basin, North Algeria, was followed by confirmation in January 2008 of approval by ALNAFT (the Hydrocarbon National Agency) of the Field Development Plan. This triggered an entitlement to a share of production revenues from the GKN and GKS fields effective from 10 October 2007, which are a first for Gulf Keystone marking our evolution into an exploration and production company. In November 2007, we were delighted, in partnership with MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas Public Company Limited ("MOL"), to be awarded interests in two blocks in Kurdistan. This was an important first step in the diversification of Gulf Keystone's asset portfolio and extended our relationships with major international energy companies. We have made a good start to the current year. Two wells have been completed and preparations are advanced for the commencement of a third well of a six well campaign to be drilled by our operating partner BG Group on the HBH Permit, Algeria. 2D seismic on the Shaikan Block, Kurdistan, has been completed and seismic on the Akri-Bijeel Block, Kurdistan, has begun. I would like to thank all of the Company's employees who have contributed enormously to the strong position that we now enjoy. Management A number of directors decided to leave the Company after termination of the RAK Petroleum proposal and the Company then embarked on a major restructuring initiative. I assumed the role of Chairman and Chief Executive and co-founder Mr. Ali Al-Qabandi assumed one of the vacant Director positions. In January 2008, I was delighted to welcome Mr. Jeremy Asher and Mr. Mehdi Varzi as Non-Executive Directors of the Company. Jeremy Asher has considerable oil and gas and business management experience and Mehdi Varzi, a joint Iranian and British national, has considerable experience in the international oil and gas industry. Both have significantly strengthened our Board. I was also delighted to welcome Mr. Ewen Ainsworth who joined the Board in January 2008, as Finance Director. Ewen Ainsworth has over 20 years experience of finance roles within the oil and gas industry, including as Finance Director of a publicly listed oil and gas company. Operating Review Algeria Hassi Ba Hamou ("HBH") Permit The HBH Permit, awarded to Gulf Keystone in May 2005, comprises five blocks within an area of 18,380 square kilometres in the Timimoun Basin / Allal High area in central Algeria. The HBH Permit contains the significant HBH gas field that was discovered by SONATRACH in 1965. Following approval by the Algerian Council of Ministers, the introduction of BG Group ("BG") into the HBH Contract was formally ratified in January 2007 by an announcement in the Official Journal of Algeria. This completed the transaction between Gulf Keystone and BG, first announced in August 2006, in which BG acquired a 36.75% interest in the HBH Concession, with Gulf Keystone retaining a 38.25% interest and SONATRACH a 25% interest. The 3D seismic programme shot over 533 square kilometres of the HBH gas field, which began in July 2007, has been completed on plan and the results have been evaluated giving the partners a greater understanding of the gas discovery. The HBH Permit wide 2D seismic programme was completed on 4 December 2007 with 2,047 kilometres of seismic having been acquired to fulfil the 2,000 kilometre commitment. Early indications from the data interpretation are that promising leads and prospects have been identified over the HBH Permit, three of which the partners agreed to prioritise as drill targets in the six well campaign currently underway. The six well drilling programme planned for the HBH Licence Area consists of three exploration wells and three development wells which will satisfy the contractual commitment for Period 1 of the Exploration Licence. Spudded on 16 December 2007, HBH-4, an appraisal well on the HBH gas field, the first of the six well campaign, was successfully drilled to a total depth of 1,011 metres and tested. A production test, completed on reservoirs of Devonian age, achieved a stabilised flow rate of 12,800 cubic metres per hour (10.8 mmscfg per day) through an 88/64-inch choke. The drill rig then moved to well HBHN-1, an exploration well to the north of the HBH gas field, which was spudded on 21 February 2008. The well completed drilling in April 2008 but failed to find commercial quantities of hydrocarbons and it was abandoned. The rig has now moved to prepare for drilling of the third well of the six well commitment, exploration well RM-1. Blocks 108 and 128a Formal ratification in the Official Journal of Algeria of The Council of Ministers of the award of the Ben Guecha Blocks (108 and 128a), which Gulf Keystone signed in April 2005, occurred in January 2007, marking the start of the first three year period of exploration on the contract. Gulf Keystone immediately commenced exploration and appraisal activities on the Blocks. On Block 108, we completed the processing and preliminary interpretation of 156 square kilometres of 3D seismic acquired over the producing Ras Toumb field. The inventory of potential prospects has been reviewed and the risks and rewards are currently being assessed. The remaining work commitment covering the blocks includes the drilling of one appraisal well on the Ras Toumb field and the drilling of one exploration well. Block 126 SONATRACH and Gulf Keystone reached final agreement on all aspects of the field development plans for the GKS and GKN oil fields, located in Block 126a, South East Constantine Basin, North Algeria on 25 June 2007, the joint Management Committee for the 126a Block unanimously approved the declaration of commerciality for both fields. The Development Plan was then submitted to ALNAFT (the Hydrocarbon National Agency) for approval which was received in January 2008. Approval conferred on Gulf Keystone entitlement to its first producing revenues effective from 10 October 2007. The GKN-1 well is currently producing at approximately 1,000 bopd gross and the Development Plan envisages bringing the GKS-2 well on stream as soon as practicable. SONATRACH and Gulf Keystone intend to build a pipeline to connect GKS-2 to the existing evacuation pipeline so that this well can begin production. The GKS-2 well produced at a rate equivalent to 4,586 bopd and 4.61 mmcfgd when it was tested in 2005. The two fields will then be developed in a staged process through the acquisition of a 3D seismic survey and a development drilling programme jointly conducted by SONATRACH and Gulf Keystone. In addition, it is intended that the existing facilities will be upgraded to handle c3,000 bopd (gross). Block 129 Early in 2007, the environmental impact assessment was completed and the work programme and budget finalised to include the testing of one of the two discovery wells Hassi El Kerma-1 ("HEK-1") and Hassi El Kerma-3 ("HEK-3"), the acquisition of additional 2D seismic and the processing of 412 square kilometres of 3D seismic acquired over the DDN discovery. In April 2007, Gulf Keystone commenced workover operations on well HEK-3, an oil and gas discovery well drilled by SONATRACH in 2004. At that time, the well was tested over the Cretaceous, Coniacian limestone interval and achieved, post acidisation, a flow rate of 184 barrels of oil over a 4 hour period, prior to the well being suspended. Gulf Keystone re-entered the well and tested the same zone, over the measured interval 2,439 to 2,446 metres, employing an acid fracturing technique to improve connectivity between the reservoir and the wellbore. After cleaning up the well, a stabilised flow rate of 1,040 barrels per day of 31 degrees API oil was achieved through a 32/64 inch choke. The well was flowed through a separator for a total of 4.5 days and over 3,500 barrels of oil were produced during this period. The crude contained little entrained gas and has an estimated gas/oil ratio of 93 standard cubic feet per barrel. The well is presently suspended. A large amount of good quality engineering data was collected during the test programme which, combined with the produced volume of oil and the long flow and shut in periods, is providing valuable data for reservoir evaluation and field development study purposes. SONATRACH and Gulf Keystone are evaluating the potential for the commercial development of the HEK discovery. Kurdistan Gulf Keystone was delighted in November 2007 to be awarded interests in two Production Sharing Contracts ("PSC's") covering the Shaikan Block and the Akri-Bijeel Block and also to be in partnership in these PSC's with MOL, through its subsidiary Kalegran, and Texas Keystone Inc. ("Texas Keystone"). Shaikan Block The Shaikan Block is situated approximately 90 kilometres North-West of Erbil and covers an area of 283 square kilometres. The interests under the PSC are Gulf Keystone 75% (operators), Kalegran 20% and Texas Keystone 5%. Gulf Keystone will carry Texas Keystone's 5% share of initial costs and expenses prior to drilling the first well. Acquisition of 2D seismic on the Shaikan Block began on 2 March 2008 and was completed on 19 April 2008. A total of 171 kilometres was acquired utilising both vibrator and dynamite sources. The 2D seismic is now being processed. Akri-Bijeel Block In consideration for introducing Kalegran into the Shaikan partnership, Gulf Keystone received a 20% interest, on a ground floor basis, in the Kalegran operated PSC covering the Akri-Bijeel Block. The Akri-Bijeel Block is adjacent to the Shaikan Block. The interests in this PSC are Kalegran 80% (operator) and Gulf Keystone 20%. The partners expect to begin an extensive 2D seismic programme on the Akri-Bijeel Block in the second quarter of 2008 to assess the exploration potential of the Block. The commercial terms of the PSC are in line with the terms and conditions published by the Kurdistan Regional Government ("KRG") on its website. Both the PSCs are of a 25 year duration with an initial 3 year exploration phase. Gulf Keystone's expected total expenditure for these two blocks over the next three years, given its current interests, is approximately US$53 million, the majority of which is expected to have been incurred during the initial six month period. Financial Review The Company reports a loss after taxation of US$30.0m (2006: profit US$46.3m) for the year ended 31 December 2007. This loss is after a charge of US$20.6m as a result of an impairment test on Block 126a following the failure to find commercial levels of hydrocarbons in GRJ. Net cash generated for the period of $28.9m (2006: $7.9m), reflected the collection of $55m from the partial disposal of HBH in the prior year, which added significantly to the group's cash reserve. Net cash used in operating activities for the period was $11.4m (2006:$11.3m). In common with many exploration companies, the Group raises finance for its exploration and appraisal activities in discrete tranches to finance its activities for specific periods. The directors actively monitor the cash requirements of the business, and further funding is raised as and when required. The group's existing cash reserves, which stood at $88.3m at 31 December 2007 (2006: $59.3m), along with the expected production revenue from the GKN and GKS fields, are considered to be sufficient to cover known work commitments on existing projects. A successful outcome from these work commitments will require additional financing for these projects as they move into appraisal and/or development. Outlook The shape of Gulf Keystone, and as such our future prospects, has improved considerably over the past year. Gulf Keystone is now entitled to its first production revenues from Block 126 and it is anticipated that this will allow the development of these fields to be self financing. The Gulf Keystone / SONATRACH Joint Venture is focused on increased production from the GKN and GKS fields and the prudent future development of these fields. The work programme on the HBH Permit is progressing at a steady pace. Operator, BG North Sea Holdings, is currently preparing to drill the third well of a six well programme while the partners, SONATRACH / Gulf Keystone / BG, continue to evaluate the economic potential of the HBH discovery and further exploration upside. Our 2D seismic survey on the Shaikan Block in the Kurdish Region of Iraq has been completed and it is intended to drill an exploration well on the Shaikan structure as soon as a drilling rig and services can be contracted. Our partner, MOL, has brought forward their planned 400 kilometre 2D seismic programme on the Akri-Bejeel Block in Kurdistan, its process to acquire seismic began in April 2008. The results of that survey will be used to plan an exploration drilling programme on the Block. The progress being made on both blocks in Kurdistan is outstanding. I am confident that 2008 will prove to be a year of historically unparalleled activity and potential for Gulf Keystone. TF Kozel Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Directors' Report The directors present their annual report and the consolidated financial statements of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited (the "Group") for the year ended 31 December 2007. Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited is a public company, incorporated in Bermuda, and quoted on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. Principal Activities The principal activity of the Group during the year was that of oil and gas exploration operating in the Republic of Algeria and the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq. Results and Dividends The Group's net loss after tax for the year was $30.0 million (2006: net profit of $46.3 million). The directors do not recommend a dividend for the year (2006: $ nil). Capital Structure Details of the authorised and issued share capital, together with movements in the Company's issued share capital during the year are shown in Note 15. There are no specific restrictions on the size of a holding nor on the transfer of shares, which are both governed by the general provisions of the Company's bye-laws and prevailing legislation. The Directors are not aware of any agreements between holders of the company's shares that may result in restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights. Details of the employee share scheme are set out in Note 21. No person has any special rights of control over the Company's share capital and all issued shares are fully paid. With regard to the appointment and replacement of directors, the Company is governed by its bye-laws, the Companies Act (Bermuda) and related legislation. Review of the Business and Future Developments A review of the business is given on pages 3 to 6 of this document. Post Balance Sheet Events On 10 January 2008, ALNAFT (the Hydrocarbon National Agency in Algeria) approved the proposed Development Plan for the GKN and GKS oil fields located in Northern Algeria. The Field Development Plan envisages producing oil from the GKN-1 well (currently producing at approximately 1,000 bopd gross) and bringing the GKS-2 well on stream as soon as practicable. Under the terms of the Development Plan, the Group is entitled to an approximate 30% to 49% share of production from the GKN-1 well effective from 10 October 2007. As a result, oil production revenue of $5.4 million and cost of sales of $3.3 million has been recorded for the year ended 31 December 2007. Directors The following directors have held office during the year. TF Kozel - Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (2) JW Guest - President (resigned 23 July 2007) RW Parsons - Chairman (resigned 23 July 2007) (1) Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi - Non-Executive Director (resigned 23 July 2007) (1) AA Al-Qabandi - Executive Vice President (appointed 23 July 2007) (2) JR Cooper - Finance Director (resigned 23 January 2008) M Varzi - Non-Executive Director (appointed 7 January 2008) (3) J Asher - Non-Executive Director (appointed 21 January 2008) (3) KE Ainsworth - Finance Director (appointed 24 January 2008) (1) Member of the audit committee, remuneration and appointments committee and directors' remuneration committee up to 23 July 2007. (2) Member of the audit committee, remuneration and appointments committee and directors' remuneration committee from 23 July 2007 to 21 January 2008. (3) Member of the audit committee, remuneration and appointments committee and directors' remuneration committee from 22 January 2008. Directors' Report continued Directors' Interests in Shares and Options Directors' interests in the shares of the Company, including family interests, were as follows: At 31 December 2007 At 1 January 2007 Number of Number of common shares common shares TF Kozel 20,050,000 20,050,000 RW Parsons n/a 300,000 JW Guest n/a 698,614 JR Cooper n/a 126,533 AA Al-Qabandi 5,500,000 5,500,000 In addition to the above interests, TF Kozel and AA Al-Qabandi are shareholders in Gulf Keystone Petroleum Company LLC which owns 40,000,000 Common Shares. On 15 February 2008, Agile Energy purchased 250,000 ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 31.50p. Agile Energy is a Channel Islands company owned by the Asher Family Trust, of which J Asher is the settlor and lifetime beneficiary. Directors' interests in share options of the Company, including family interests, as at 31 December are disclosed on Page 12. Substantial Shareholdings Other than the directors' interests shown above, the Company has been notified of the following substantial interests as at 14 April 2008: Number of Common Shares Percentage of issued share capital Chase Nominees Ltd 37,999,296 13.64% Credit Suisse Client Nominees (UK) Ltd 20,984,862 7.54% Gibca Ltd 20,000,000 7.18% Appollo Nominees Ltd 19,530,605 7.01% Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd 16,850,920 6.05% HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Ltd 10,553,000 3.79% Evolution Securities Nominees Ltd 10,436,000 3.75% Going Concern The Directors have considered the factors relevant to support a statement on going concern. They have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and have therefore used the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. In common with many exploration companies, the Group raises finance for its exploration and appraisal activities in discrete tranches to finance its activities for specific periods. The directors actively monitor the cash requirements of the business, and further funding is raised as and when required. The group's existing cash reserves, which stood at $88.3m at 31 December 2007 (2006: $59.3m), along with the expected production revenue from the GKN and GKS fields, are considered to be sufficient to cover known work commitments on existing projects. A successful outcome from these work commitments will require additional financing for these projects as they move into appraisal and/or development. Annual General Meeting 2008 The resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") to be held on 10 June 2008 are set out in the Notice of the AGM which can be found on Page 46. By order of the board TF Kozel Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 7 May 2008 Corporate Governance Statement Principles of Corporate Governance Although not required to, the policy of the Board is to manage the affairs of the Group in accordance with the principles underlying the Combined Code on Corporate Governance insofar as is appropriate given the circumstances of the Group. The Board The Group is led and controlled by a Board comprising the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, two Non-Executive Directors and two Executive Directors. There are no matters specifically reserved to the Board for its decision, although board meetings are held on a regular basis, outside of the UK, and effectively no decision of any consequence is made other than by the directors. All directors participate in the key areas of decision-making, including the appointment of new directors, through the Remunerations and Appointments Committee. The Board is responsible to shareholders for the proper management of the Group. A statement of directors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements is set out on Page 14. The Non-Executive Directors have a particular responsibility to ensure that the strategies proposed by the Executive Directors are fully considered. To enable the Board to discharge its duties, all Directors have full and timely access to all relevant information. There is no agreed formal procedure for the Directors to take independent professional advice at the Group's expense, however, independent professional advice is made available where considered appropriate. All Directors submit themselves for re-election at the Annual General Meeting at regular intervals. There are no specific terms of appointment for Non-Executive Directors. During 2007, 13 scheduled board meetings were held. Eight meetings took place in continental Europe, five of which were in countries outside of the EU; four in North America and one in the Middle East. Board Committees The following committees, which have written terms of reference, deal with specific aspects of the Group's affairs. As a result of Board changes during 2007, Todd Kozel and Ali Al-Qabandi were required to sit on several committees as an interim measure until two non-executive directors were appointed. Whilst this is not considered to be best practice, the Company made every effort to appoint several non-executive directors to rectify this situation and on 22 January 2008, Mehdi Varzi and Jeremy Asher were appointed as members of the Remuneration and Appointments Committee and the Audit Committee. The Remuneration and Appointments Committee The Remuneration and Appointments Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on the Company's framework of Executive remuneration and its cost. The Committee determines the contract terms, remuneration and other benefits for each of the Executive Directors and for other senior members of management and is advised, as necessary, by a leading firm of recruitment consultants. The Committee comprised Roger Parsons and Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi up to their resignation on 23 July 2007, Todd Kozel and Ali Al-Qabandi to 21 January 2008 and has comprised Mehdi Varzi and Jeremy Asher since that date. Details of the Directors' remuneration are set out on Pages 11 to 13. The Audit Committee The Audit Committee comprised Roger Parsons and Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi up to their resignation on 23 July 2007, Todd Kozel and Ali Al-Qabandi up to 21 January 2008 and has comprised Mehdi Varzi and Jeremy Asher since that date. Its primary tasks are to review the half-yearly and annual accounts before they are presented to the Board, focusing in particular on accounting policies and areas of management judgement and estimation. The Committee is responsible for monitoring the controls which are in force to ensure the integrity of the information reported to the shareholders. The Committee acts as a forum for discussion of internal control issues and contributes to the Board's review of the effectiveness of the Group's internal control and risk management systems and processes. It advises the Board on the appointment of external auditors and on their remuneration for both audit and non-audit work, and discusses the nature and scope of the audit with the external auditors. The Committee assesses the performance of the external auditors as well as their independence and objectivity. The external auditors confirm their independence each year in writing to the Committee. The Committee, which meets at least three times per year, provides a forum for reporting by the Group's external auditors. Meetings are also attended, by invitation, by the Finance Director and CEO. Internal Control The Board acknowledges its responsibility for establishing and monitoring the Group's systems of internal control. Although no system of internal control can provide absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss, the Group's systems are designed to provide the Directors with reasonable assurance that problems are identified on a timely basis and dealt with appropriately. The key procedures that have been established and which are designed to provide effective control are as follows: - Management Structure: The Board meets regularly to discuss all issues affecting the Group; and - Investment Appraisal: The Group has a clearly defined framework for investment appraisal and approval is required by the Board where appropriate. The Board regularly reviews the effectiveness of the systems of internal control and considers the major business risks and the control environment. No significant control deficiencies have come to light during the year and no weakness in internal financial control has resulted in any material losses, contingencies or uncertainties which would require disclosure as recommended by the guidance for directors on reporting on internal financial control. The Board considers that in light of the control environment described above, there is no current requirement for a separate internal audit function. Relations with Shareholders The Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Finance Director are the Company's principal spokespeople with investors, fund managers, the press and other interested parties. Each of the Non-Executive Directors are available to attend meetings with major shareholders (without the Executive Directors present), if requested by such major shareholders. At the Annual General Meeting, private investors are given the opportunity to question the Board. This year's AGM will be held on 10 June 2008. Report of the Remuneration and Appointments Committee Remuneration and Appointments Committee The Remuneration and Appointments Committee comprised Roger Parsons and Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi up to their resignation on 23 July 2007, Todd Kozel and Ali Al-Qabandi up to 21 January 2008 and has comprised Mehdi Varzi and Jeremy Asher since that date. The Committee was provided with information supplied by Opus Executive Partners ("Opus"), a specialist recruitment Company, with regard to structuring Directors' remuneration packages and searching for suitable candidates. Opus did not provide any other services to the Group. Details of the remuneration of each director are set out below. Remuneration Policy The policy of the Committee is to reward Executive Directors in line with the current remuneration of Directors in comparable businesses, taking into consideration the advice of independent benefit consultants in order to recruit, motivate and retain high quality executives within a competitive market place. There are two main elements of the remuneration packages for Executive Directors and Senior Management: • basic annual salary (including Directors' fees) and benefits; and • share option and bonus share incentives. There are no pension arrangements in the Group. The Directors have share options granted to them under the terms of the Share Option Scheme which is open to other qualifying employees. The exercise of options under the Scheme is based upon the satisfaction of conditions relating to the share price and length of employment. The conditions vary from grant to grant. Directors' Contracts It is the Company's policy that Executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite term providing for a maximum of one year's notice. In the event of early termination, the Directors' contracts provide for compensation up to a maximum of basic salary for the notice period. Todd Kozel, Ali Al-Qabandi and Ewen Ainsworth have service contracts with the Company. These can be terminated by either side on twelve months' notice for Todd Kozel, six months for Ewen Ainsworth and one week for Ali Al-Qabandi. Non-Executive Directors The fees of Non-Executive Directors are determined by the Board as a whole having regard to the commitment of time required and the level of fees in similar companies. Directors' Emoluments Bonus 2007 2006 Salary Shares Fees Total Total $ $ $ $ $ TF Kozel 675,000 - - 675,000 675,000 RW Parsons - - 47,379 47,379 141,000 JW Guest 330,808 416,634 - 747,442 1,316,406 Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi - - 26,322 26,322 45,000 JR Cooper 360,662 164,322 - 524,984 434,584 CA Brown - - - - 220,062 AA Al-Qabandi 119,096 - - 119,096 - 1,485,566 580,956 73,701 2,140,223 2,832,052 Directors' Interests in Options Directors' interests in share options of the Company, including family interests, as at 31 December 2007 and for the comparative period, were as follows: Date of grant Number of Exercise Option exercise period options over Price common (Great British shares Pence) 2007 TF Kozel 20 Aug 05 2,650,000 48.00p 20 Aug 05 - 19 Aug 14 AA Al-Qabandi 20 Aug 05 500,000 48.00p 20 Aug 05 - 19 Aug 14 2006 TF Kozel 20 Aug 05 2,650,000 48.00p 20 Aug 05 - 19 Aug 14 AA Al-Qabandi 20 Aug 05 500,000 48.00p 20 Aug 05 - 19 Aug 14 RW Parsons 20 Aug 05 50,000 48.00p 20 Aug 05 - 19 Aug 14 JW Guest 20 Aug 05 50,000 48.00p 20 Aug 05 - 19 Aug 14 JW Guest 5 Jan 06 2,100,000 66.00p 5 Jan 06 - 30 Dec 15 Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi 20 Aug 05 500,000 48.00p 20 Aug 05 - 19 Aug 14 JR Cooper 29 Sep 06 1,200,000 59.75p 29 Sep 06 - 28 Sep 09 CA Brown 11 May 06 400,000 60.50p 14 May 06 - 5 Oct 07 For the above Directors, the exercise of an option is subject to the following vesting conditions being satisfied: (a) on or after the share price of Common Shares reaches 96p, an option shall be exercisable in respect of one-third of total shares under option; (b) on or after the price of the Common Shares reaches 144p, an option shall be exercisable in respect of a further third of total shares under option; and (c) on or after the price of the Common Shares reaches 192p, an option shall be exercisable in respect of 100 per cent of the shares under option. There were no share options exercised during the year. On 15 February 2008, KE Ainsworth was granted 1,000,000 options over common shares and M Varzi and J Asher were each granted 100,000 options over common shares with an exercise price of 30p. The options will become exercisable in full after a period of three years from the date of grant provided the Company's closing share price on any day after the Date of Grant is at a level which is no less than 133% of the option price that is 39.9p. Upon a change of control the above conditions fall away for all options and all options become exercisable. There have been no other changes in Directors' interests in share options in the year other than the lapse of CA Brown, JW Guest, RW Parsons, Sheik Sultan Al-Qassimi and JR Cooper's options. Bonus shares The Group granted bonus share payments to certain employees pursuant to Gulf Keystone's Executive Bonus Scheme, subject to continuing employment. These bonus shares are awarded over a period of three years but measured at fair value at the date of grant. JW Guest was the one exception to this as in 2006 his grant was awarded over a two year period. The number and value of shares granted are as follows: Directors' Bonuses 2007 2007 2006 2006 Number Total Number Total of shares $ of shares $ JW Guest 684,019 416,634 678,614 806,221 JR Cooper 253,065 164,322 126,533 150,326 937,084 580,956 805,147 956,547 The awards are included in the directors' emoluments on Page 12. JW Guest's award includes entitlement for both 2006 and 2007 and certain other contractual rights, including a percentage of salary to be taken in shares instead of cash. The market price of the shares at 31 December 2007 and 31 December 2006 was 32.3p and 70p respectively and the range during 2007 was 25.5p to 72.5p. Approved TF Kozel Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 7 May 2008 Directors' Responsibilities in the Preparation of Financial Statements The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The Directors have elected to prepare the group financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"). International Accounting Standard 1 requires that financial statements present fairly for each financial year the Company's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This requires the faithful representation of the effects of transactions, other events and conditions in accordance with the definitions and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses set out in the International Accounting Standards Board's 'Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements'. In virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be achieved by compliance with all applicable IFRSs. Directors are also required to: • properly select and apply accounting policies; • present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information; and • provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity's financial position and financial performance. The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company, for safeguarding assets and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company's website. Legislation in Bermuda governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Independent Auditors' Report to the members of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited We have audited the Group financial statements of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited for the year ended 31 December 2007 which comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and the related notes 1 to 25. This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors The directors' responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) are set out in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities. Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and whether the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the accounting policies as set out in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. In addition we report to you if, in our opinion, the Company has not kept proper accounting records or if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. The other information comprises only the Directors' Report, the Report of the Remuneration and Appointments committee, the Chairman's and the Chief Executive Officer's Statement and the Corporate Governance Statement. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information. Basis of audit opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements. Opinion In our opinion: • the financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs, of the state of the Group's affairs as at 31 December 2007 and of its loss for the year then ended; • the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies; and • the information given in the Directors' Report is consistent with the financial statements. Deloitte and Touche LLP Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors London, United Kingdom 7 May 2008 Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 31 December 2007 Notes 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Continuing Operations Revenue 5 5,414 - Cost of sales (3,257) - Gross profit 2,157 - Other income/(expense) Gain on sale of assets 24 - 61,103 Impairment of intangible exploration assets 9 (20,585) - General and administrative expenses (16,172) (16,589) (Loss)/profit from operations 3 (34,600) 44,514 Interest revenue 5 5,183 2,160 Finance costs (101) (229) (Loss)/profit before tax (29,518) 46,445 Tax expense 6 (377) (136) (Loss)/profit after tax for the year (29,895) 46,309 (Loss)/profit per share (cents) Basic 7 (10.79) 17.69 Diluted 7 (10.79) 16.74 Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2007 Notes 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 8 24,097 26,782 Intangible assets 9 41,996 19,955 Financial asset 12 6,155 5,597 72,248 52,334 Current assets Inventories 11 5,526 4,711 Trade and other receivables 12 6,047 59,999 Cash and cash equivalents 12 88,286 59,328 99,859 124,038 Total assets 172,107 176,372 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 13 36,684 10,835 Tax liabilities 6 377 136 Provisions 14 1,054 2,050 Total liabilities 38,115 13,021 Net assets 133,992 163,351 Equity Share capital 15 1,853 1,853 Share premium account 15 159,076 159,063 Share option reserve 16 3,988 3,535 Exchange translation reserve 16 27 (43) Accumulated losses 17 (30,952) (1,057) Total equity 133,992 163,351 The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 7 May 2008 and are signed on its behalf by: TF Kozel Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer KE Ainsworth Finance Director Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 December 2007 Attributable to equity holders of the Group Share Share Share Accumulated Exchange Total option losses translation capital premium reserve reserve equity account $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Balance as at 1 January 2006 1,638 135,349 502 (47,366) (57) 90,066 Share based payment expense - - 3,033 - - 3,033 Exchange differences arising on translation of - - - - 14 14 overseas operations Share conversion and issue 215 23,714 - - - 23,929 Net profit for the year - - - 46,309 - 46,309 Balance at 1 January 2007 1,853 159,063 3,535 (1,057) (43) 163,351 Share based payment expense - - 453 - - 453 Exchange differences arising on translation of - - - - 70 70 overseas operations Share conversion and issue - 13 - - - 13 Net loss for the year - - - (29,895) - (29,895) Balance at 31 December 2007 1,853 159,076 3,988 (30,952) 27 133,992 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 December 2007 Notes 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Operating activities Cash used in operations 18 (15,916) (13,418) Tax paid (136) - Interest received 4,625 2,160 Net cash used in operating activities (11,427) (11,258) Investing Activities Proceeds from prior year sale of assets 55,000 - Purchase of intangible assets (9,184) (3,166) Purchase of property, plant and equipment (455) (1,401) Net cash generated by / (used in) investing activities 45,361 (4,567) Financing activities Interest paid - (229) Repayment of loan (5,000) - Proceeds on issue of share capital 13 23,929 Net cash (used in) / generated by financing activities (4,987) 23,700 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 28,947 7,875 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 59,328 51,439 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 11 14 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year being bank balances and cash on hand 12 88,286 59,328 Consolidated Financial Statements Summary of Significant Accounting Policies General information The Company is incorporated in Bermuda and it is quoted on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company serves as the holding Company for the Group, which is engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, operating in the Republic of Algeria and the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq. Adoption of new and revised accounting standards In the current year the Group has adopted IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures which is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2007 and the related amendment to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements. The impact of the adoption of IFRS 7 and the changes to IAS 1 has been to expand the disclosures provided in these financial statements regarding the Group's financial instruments and management of capital (see Note 23). Four Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee became effective for the current period. These are: IFRIC 7 Applying the Restatement Approach under IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies; IFRIC 8 Scope of IFRS 2; IFRIC 9 Reassessment of Embedded Derivatives; and IFRIC 10 Interim Financial Reporting and Impairment. The adoption of these Interpretations has not led to any changes in the Group's accounting policies. At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective: IAS 23 (revised) Borrowing Costs IAS 27 (revised) Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements IFRS 3 (revised) Business Combinations IFRS 8 Operating Segments IFRIC 11 IFRS 2 Group and Treasury Share Transactions IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes IFRIC 14 IAS 19 The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction The Directors anticipate that the adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on the financial statements of the Group except for revised segment disclosures when IFRS 8 comes into effect for periods commencing on or after 1 January 2009. Basis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"). The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost basis, except for the valuation of share options and contingent deferred consideration, and on a going concern basis. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. Basis of consolidation The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and enterprises controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. The Group uses the purchase method of accounting for the acquisition of subsidiaries. Consolidated Financial Statements Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued Basis of consolidation (continued) The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those of the Group. All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Revenue Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable and reflects actual sales value in respect of petroleum production in the normal course of business, net of sales related taxes. Petroleum sales are recorded when goods are delivered and title has passed. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, with reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective rate of interest applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net carrying amount. Leasing Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to enter into an operating lease are also spread on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the period to the next rent review date and the lease term. Foreign currencies The functional and presentation currency of the Company, and the presentation currency of the Group, is US Dollars. Transactions in currencies other than US Dollars are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Gains and losses arising on retranslation are included in the income statement for the year. On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group's operations which use functional currencies other than the US Dollar are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for each month in the year. Exchange differences arising, if any, are classified as equity and transferred to the Group's translation reserve. Such translation differences are recognised as income or as expenses in the period in which the operation is disposed of. Consolidated Financial Statements Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued Taxation The tax expense represents the sum of tax currently payable and deferred tax. The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year earned in the United Kingdom by the Group's subsidiary. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated by using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part assets to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the liability is settled or the asset is realised using rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Property, plant and equipment other than oil and gas interests Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value evenly over its expected useful life as follows: Fixtures and equipment - 20% straight-line Intangible assets other than oil and gas Intangible assets, other than oil and gas assets, have finite useful lives and are measured at cost and amortised over their expected useful economic lives as follows: Computer software - 33% straight-line Consolidated Financial Statements Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued Intangible and tangible non-current assets - oil and gas interests The Group adopts the full cost method of accounting for its oil and gas interests. Under the full cost method of accounting all costs relating to the exploration for and development of oil and gas exploration and evaluation interests, whether productive or not, are accumulated and capitalised as non-current assets within geographic cost pools. Exploration and evaluation costs are generally classified as intangible non-current assets during the exploration and evaluation phase and are carried forward where activities in an area have not yet reached a stage which permits reasonable assessment of the existence of economically recoverable reserves, and subject to there being no impairment. Costs dealt with in this way include seismic data, licence acquisition costs, technical work, exploration and appraisal drilling, general technical support and directly attributable administrative and overhead costs. Exploration and evaluation costs are transferred to property, plant and equipment upon declaration of commerciality and amortised, together with development costs and decommissioning costs capitalised, over the life of the area, generally the field. Upon cessation of exploration on each licence, or otherwise when an impairment of an exploration and evaluation asset arises, an impairment test is performed for the pool and any balance of unsuccessful exploration and evaluation costs carried forward in the pool is amortised over the life of the pool. Depreciation, depletion and amortisation is provided under the unit of production method which uses the estimated remaining commercial reserves and the net book value and any further anticipated costs to develop such reserves. Impairment of tangible and intangible non-current assets At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or group of assets, is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). For exploration and evaluation assets, the group of assets considered is the pool. For other assets where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs, generally the field. Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have been adjusted. If the recoverable amount is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately. Disposals of oil and gas interests The difference between the fair value of the consideration receivable and the carrying value of the relevant proportion of the oil and gas asset disposed of is first applied to reduce any unsuccessful exploration and evaluation cost carried in the pool, with any excess gain recognised in the income statement. Carry of expenditures and farm-in arrangements Where the Group enters into a commercial agreement which includes carry of expenditures or a farm-in, the arrangement is accounted for according to its commercial substance. Generally, in the case of a farm-in, the substance is that the counterparty has acquired a share, or a greater share, of the underlying oil and gas reserves and the arrangement is treated as a partial disposal. Where the substance is that the counterparty has acquired a right, or a conditional right to be reimbursed by the Group out of future production, a liability is recognised at the time the obligation arises. In the case of a carry, a liability is recognised when the obligation is probable and is no longer conditional upon factors under the Group's control. Inventories Inventories relate to materials acquired for use in exploration activities. These are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Capitalisation of interest Any interest payable on funds borrowed for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset will be capitalised as a cost of that asset. However, any associated interest charge from funds borrowed principally to address a short-term cash flow shortfall during the suspension of development activities shall be expensed in the year. Financial instruments The Group's financial instruments comprise of cash and borrowings together with various items such as other receivables and trade payables, which arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to provide working capital. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group's balance sheet when the Group has become a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Impairment of financial assets Financial assets, other than those valued at fair value through the profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each balance sheet date. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been impacted. Objective evidence of impairment could include: • significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or • default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or • it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation. For certain categories of financial asset, such as trade receivables, assets that are assessed not to be impaired individually are subsequently assessed for impairment on a collective basis. Objective evidence of impairment for a portfolio of receivables could include the Group's past experience of collecting payments, an increase in the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the average credit period, as well as observable changes in local or national economic conditions that correlate with default on receivables. The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets. If in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortised cost would have been had the impairment not been recognised. Trade receivables Trade receivables do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value as reduced by appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts. Contingent deferred consideration Contingent deferred consideration embedded in certain asset sale contracts is treated as a financial instrument and recognised immediately at its fair value and then reviewed on a periodic basis until the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire. Movements in the fair value are taken to the income statement. Financial liabilities and equity Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. Borrowings Interest-bearing loans and overdrafts are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Finance charges, including premiums payable on settlement or redemption, are accounted for on an accrual basis and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the year in which they arise. Trade payables Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise of cash on hand and demand deposits and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Equity instruments Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Provisions Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event which it is probable will result in an outflow of economic benefits that can be reliably estimated. Decommissioning provision The decommissioning provision represents management's best estimate of the Group's liability for restoring the sites of drilled wells to their original status, discounted where the effect is material. Share-based payments The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 to bonus shares and share option schemes allowing certain employees within the Group to acquire or receive shares of the Company. For all grants of bonus shares and share options, the fair value as at the date of grant is calculated using an appropriate option pricing model and the corresponding cost is recognised over the expected life of the option. The fair value of the bonuses granted is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity to the extent that company performance conditions are expected to be met. The fair value of the bonuses granted is measured using the standard methodology applied by the Company taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the bonuses were granted. To the extent that previous estimates relating to the satisfaction of performance conditions change, a corresponding adjustment is recognised in the income statement. Critical accounting estimates and judgements Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below. Impairment review of GKN and GKS An impairment test of the Group's producing pools requires a comparison of the carrying value of the assets of the pool with the estimated discounted net cash flows from future production to measure any impairment charge. The future net cash flows from production reflect estimates of reserves, productive rates, future oil and gas prices and costs, all of which are inherently uncertain, together with the application of an appropriate discount rate. Management uses a set of assumptions as at the date of the test which it considers to be collectively reasonable in its judgement, and employs an economist to assist in performing the tests. However, because of these uncertainties the actual future cash flows could materially differ from those estimated. Contingent deferred consideration from HBH sale As part of the HBH agreement with the BG group ("BG"), if gas reserves of the HBH field are agreed (in accordance with the agreement) to be greater than 800 bcf BG will pay the Group an additional $4m for every 100 bcf over 800 bcf from a minimum of 900 bcf up to a maximum of 1,300 bcf. The Group estimates, based on a previous independent review of potential reserves that the Group will receive $8m contingent deferred income, which discounted to money of the day at 10% per annum results in an estimated receivable contingent deferred income of $6.2m at 31 December 2007 (2006: $5.6m). Carrying value of intangible exploration and evaluation assets The outcome of ongoing exploration, and therefore whether the carrying value of intangible exploration and evaluation assets will ultimately be recovered, is inherently uncertain. Management makes the judgements necessary to implement the Group's policy with respect to exploration and evaluation assets and considers these assets for impairment at least annually with reference to indicators in IFRS 6. Decommissioning costs The Group has estimated that decommissioning costs for wells will be approximately $850,000 per well based on recent experience. It has provided for its share of this amount for GKN-1, GKS-2 and GKS-3. The total amount provided in the balance sheet as at 31 December 2007 at net present value is $1.1m. Estimating revenue recognised The production revenue recognised by the Group is calculated using the monthly average Sahara Blend oil price between 10 October and 31 December 2007 as the final sales price at which the revenue will be calculated had not been agreed with SONATRACH at the date of signing this report. The average Sahara Blend oil price for this period totalled $89.46 per barrel. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 1. Presentation of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"). These financial statements are presented in US Dollars since that is the currency in which the majority of the Group's transactions are denominated. 2. Business and geographical segments Business and geographical segments For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into three legal entities - Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited and its subsidiaries Gulf Keystone Petroleum International Limited and Gulf Keystone Petroleum (UK) Limited. Geographical segments For the purposes of segmental reporting, the primary segment reporting format is determined to be geographical segments. The Group's main exploration and production activities take place in Algeria and the Kurdistan region of Northern Iraq with corporate support functions in Bermuda and the United Kingdom. Business segments The secondary segment reporting format is business segments of which the Group has one segment being the exploration and production of oil and gas. Segment information for each geographical location is presented below: 2007 United Algeria Kurdistan Kingdom Bermuda Eliminations Total 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Revenue 5,414 - - - - 5,414 Inter-segment sales - - 6,639 - (6,639) - Total revenue 5,414 - 6,639 - (6,639) 5,414 Cost of sales Production costs (3,257) - - - - (3,257) Gross profit 2,157 - 6,639 - (6,639) 2,157 Impairment of intangible (20,585) - (20,585) exploration assets - - - General and (1,902) (1,289) (7,423) (11,647) 6,089 (16,172) administration expenses Segment result (20,330) (1,289) (784) (11,647) (550) (34,600) Interest revenue 5,183 Finance costs (101) Loss before tax (29,518) Tax (377) Loss after tax (29,895) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 2. Business and geographical segments continued 2007 continued United Kingdom Algeria Kurdistan Bermuda Eliminations Total 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 OTHER INFORMATION Capital additions 17,509 25,836 57 - - 43,402 Depreciation and 2,487 3 2,632 amortisation 183 - (41) Impairment losses 20,585 - - - - 20,585 recognised BALANCE SHEET Assets Segment assets 71,179 31,633 3,611 144,947 (79,263) 172,107 Liabilities Segment liabilities (73,845) (32,916) (1,522) (5,347) 75,515 (38,115) 2006 United Algeria Kurdistan Kingdom Bermuda Eliminations Total 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Revenue - - - - - - Inter-segment sales - - 4,276 - (4,276) - Total revenue - - 4,276 - (4,276) - Cost of sales Production costs - - - - - - Gross profit - - 4,276 - (4,276) - Gain on sale of assets 61,103 - - - - 61,103 Impairment of intangible - - - - - - exploration assets General and (5,517) - (4,024) (11,412) 4,364 (16,589) administration expenses Result Segment result 55,586 - 252 (11,412) 88 44,514 Interest revenue 2,160 Finance costs (229) Profit before tax 46,445 Tax (136) Profit after tax 46,309 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 2. Business and geographical segments continued 2006 continued United Kingdom Algeria Kurdistan Bermuda Eliminations Total 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 OTHER INFORMATION Capital additions 4,726 - 65 - - 4,791 Depreciation and 106 - - - 276 amortisation 170 BALANCE SHEET Assets Segment assets 61,225 - 1,459 173,441 (59,753) 176,372 Liabilities Segment liabilities (66,742) - (873) (2,258) 56,852 (13,021) 3. Profit / (loss) from operations 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Profit/(loss) from operations has been arrived at after charging: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment - owned assets 2,568 212 Amortisation of intangible assets 64 64 Impairment of intangible exploration assets 20,585 - Staff costs (see Note 4) 7,539 8,160 Auditors' remuneration for audit services (see below) 120 105 Operating lease rentals (see Note 20) 413 610 Exchange loss 229 157 Amounts payable to Deloitte & Touche LLP, and the previous auditors, in respect of both audit and non-audit services were: 2007 2006 $'000 % $'000 % Audit services - Annual statutory audit of the Group 106 63% 94 53% - Annual statutory audit of UK subsidiary 14 8% 11 6% 120 71% 105 59% Other services pursuant to legislation - Interims 32 19% 24 13% Tax services - Compliance services 16 10% 49 28% 168 100% 178 100% Other assurance services payable in respect of the interims for 2006 were to Baker Tilly. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 4. Staff costs The average monthly number of employees (including executive directors) for the year was as follows: 2007 2006 Number Number Office and management 14 14 Exploration staff 40 35 54 49 Their aggregate remuneration comprised: 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Wages and salaries 3,628 3,823 Social security costs 3,458 1,304 Share based payment (see note 21) 453 3,033 7,539 8,160 5. Revenue 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Sale of goods 5,414 - Interest revenue - Interest on bank deposits 4,625 2,160 - Unwinding of discount on contingent income 558 - 5,183 2,160 6. Tax expense 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Provision for current UK corporation tax 313 60 Provision for deferred UK corporation tax 64 76 Tax attributable to the Company and its subsidiaries 377 136 Under current Bermuda laws, the Group is not required to pay taxes in Bermuda on either income or capital gains. The Group has received an undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda exempting it from any such taxes at least until the year 2016. Any corporate tax liability in Algeria is settled out of SONATRACH's share of oil under the terms of the Production Sharing Contracts and is therefore not reflected in the tax charge for the year. In December 2006 the Algerian Government announced the introduction of a windfall tax. The tax applies to all foreign operators in Algeria producing hydrocarbons (gas or liquids) in association with SONATRACH. The tax is only applied to any profits generated when the average price of a barrel of oil is greater than $30 in the month concerned. In GKP's forecast production range the windfall tax will only be applied at 5% of GKP's share of production from Algeria. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 6. Tax expense continued In Kurdistan, the Group is subject to corporate income tax on its income from petroleum operations. The rate of corporate income tax is currently 40% for all taxable profits in excess of nine million Iraqi Dinar (equivalent to $7,359 at the 31 December 2007 exchange rate). However, any corporate income tax arising from petroleum operations will be paid from the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq's share of petroleum profits. The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year earned in the United Kingdom by the Group's subsidiary. UK corporation tax is calculated at 30% of the estimated assessable profit for the year of the UK subsidiary. Deferred tax is provided for due to the temporary differences which give rise to such a balance in jurisdictions subject to income tax. During the current period no taxable profits were made in respect of the group's Kurdistan PSCs. As a result, no corporate income tax has been provided in the period. The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit/(loss) per the income statement as follows: 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Profit/(loss) before tax (29,518) 46,445 Tax at the Bermudan tax rate of 0% (2006: 0%) - - Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions (377) (136) Tax expense for the year (377) (136) 7. Earnings / (loss) per share The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings / (loss) per share is based on the following data: 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Earnings / (loss) (Loss)/profit for the purposes of basic and diluted loss per (29,895) 46,309 share 2007 2006 Number Number Number of shares Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of 276,963,270 261,769,050 basic earnings/(loss) per share Adjustments for: -bonus shares n/a 1,669,707 -share options n/a 13,240,500 Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of 276,963,270 276,679,257 diluted earnings/(loss) per share Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 8. Property, plant and equipment Oil & Gas Fixtures & Properties Equipment Total $'000 $'000 $'000 At 1 January 2006 Cost 24,849 923 25,772 Accumulated depreciation - (178) (178) Net book value 24,849 745 25,594 Year ended 31 December 2006 Opening net book value 24,849 745 25,594 Additions 1,233 167 1,400 Depreciation charge - (212) (212) Closing net book value 26,082 700 26,782 At 31 December 2006 Cost 26,082 1,090 27,172 Accumulated depreciation - (390) (390) Net book value 26,082 700 26,782 Year ended 31 December 2007 Opening net book value 26,082 700 26,782 Additions 460 255 715 Adjustment to prior year transfer (904) - (904) Depreciation charge (2,304) (264) (2,568) Foreign currency translation differences - 72 72 Closing net book value 23,334 763 24,097 At 31 December 2007 Cost 25,638 1,417 27,055 Accumulated depreciation (2,304) (654) (2,958) Net book value 23,334 763 24,097 The depreciation charge of $2,304,000 on oil and gas properties (2006: $nil) has been included in cost of sales and the depreciation charge of $264,000 on fixtures and equipment (2006: $212,000) has been included in general and administrative expenses. The adjustment to prior year transfer relates to a transfer between intangible assets and property, plant and equipment (see Note 9). Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 9. Intangible assets Exploration & Computer software Total evaluation costs $'000 $'000 $'000 At 1 January 2006 Cost 16,722 156 16,878 Accumulated amortisation - (27) (27) Net book value 16,722 129 16,851 Year ended 31 December 2006 Opening net book value 16,722 129 16,851 Additions 3,330 61 3,391 Disposal of HBH (223) - (223) Amortisation charge - (64) (64) Closing net book value 19,829 126 19,955 At 31 December 2006 Cost 19,829 217 20,046 Accumulated amortisation - (91) (91) Net book value 19,829 126 19,955 Year ended 31 December 2007 Opening net book value 19,829 126 19,955 Additions 41,738 45 41,783 Adjustment to prior year transfer (see Note 8) 904 - 904 Impairment write off (20,585) - (20,585) Amortisation charge - (64) (64) Foreign currency translation differences - 3 3 Closing net book value 41,886 110 41,996 At 31 December 2007 Cost 41,886 265 42,151 Accumulated amortisation - (155) (155) Net book value 41,886 110 41,996 The net book value at 31 December 2007 is made up of intangible assets relating to HBH $7.5m; Block 108 $3.2m; Block 129 $5.6m; and Kurdistan $25.7m. During 2007, an impairment loss was recognised in respect of intangible exploration assets relating to Block 126a following the failure to find commercial levels of hydrocarbons in GRJ. The additions to oil & gas exploration and evaluation costs in the year relate to the simulation and testing of GRJ-2, which has been subsequently written off in the year; drilling of the HBH-4 appraisal well and the acquisition of HBH 2D and 3D seismic. The amortisation charge of $64,075 (2006: $64,452) has been included in general and administrative expenses. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 10. Subsidiary Details of the Company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2007 are as follows: Name of subsidiary Place of Proportion of Proportion of Principal incorporation ownership voting power interest held activity % % Gulf Keystone Petroleum (UK) Great Britain 100 100 Geological, geophysical Limited and engineering services Gulf Keystone Petroleum Bermuda 100 100 Exploration and International Limited evaluation activities in Kurdistan 11. Inventories 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Exploration materials 5,526 4,711 12. Financial Assets Non-current financial asset This balance represents $6.2m (2006: $5.6m) of contingent deferred consideration from the HBH agreement with BG that is required to be recorded at fair value in accordance with IAS 39. This amount is recorded as a financial asset and represents the estimated fair value of potential future "bonus" payments in respect of the approved commercial reserves attributable to the HBH field upon development. The timing of payment of this amount is uncertain but it has been included in non-current assets. Trade and other receivables 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Disposal of HBH - 55,000 Recoverable from BG - 2,014 Trade receivables 4,269 - Prepayments for inventories - 1,175 Other receivables and prepayments 1,778 1,810 6,047 59,999 The $4.3m trade receivable owing from SONATRACH relates to production revenue from the GKN-1 well for the period from 10 October to 31 December 2007. Included within other receivables and prepayments is an amount of $458,000 (2006: $458,000) being the deposit for the UK office which is receivable after more than one year. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value and no amounts are provided against them. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 12. Financial Assets continued Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise of cash and short-term deposits held by the Group. The carrying amount of these assets approximates to their fair value. Certain restrictions relating to cash balances are explained in Note 19. 13. Trade and other payables Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value. 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Due within one year: Trade payables 226 1,483 Amounts owed to related parties - 5,050 Accrued expenses 36,458 4,302 36,684 10,835 14. Provisions Decommissioning Provision $'000 At 1 January 2007 2,050 Decrease due to revision of estimate (687) Utilisation of provision (410) Unwinding of discount 101 At 31 December 2007 1,054 Of this provision for well abandonment for three wells, the expenditure is expected to be incurred over the next five to 10 years. 15. Share capital 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Authorised 500,000,000 Common shares of $0.01 each 5,000 5,000 50,000,000 Non-voting shares $0.01 each 500 500 60,000 Series A Preferred shares of $1,000 each 60,000 60,000 65,500 65,500 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 15. Share capital continued Common shares Share Share Shares Amount Capital Premium No $'000 $'000 $'000 Issued and fully paid Balance 1 January 2006 253,732,140 136,987 1,638 135,349 Share issue August 2006 21,600,000 23,929 215 23,714 Bonus scheme shares October 2006 148,000 - - - Bonus scheme shares December 2006 - - - 1,274,968 Balance 31 December 2006 276,755,108 160,916 1,853 159,063 Retention scheme shares October 2007 652,832 6 - 6 Retention scheme shares November 2007 71,098 1 - 1 Bonus scheme shares December 2007 561,518 6 - 6 Balance 31 December 2007 278,040,556 160,929 1,853 159,076 In October and November 2007, 723,930 new shares were issued as part of a one-off retention scheme. In December 2007, 561,518 new shares were issued as part of the Company's bonus share scheme (2006: 1,422,968 new shares). In August 2006, 21.6m new common shares were placed at £0.62 per common share to finance continuing exploration and development activities. Rights attached to share capital The holders of the common shares have the following rights: The holders of the common shares (subject to the other provisions of the bye-laws) are: (i) entitled to one vote per share; (ii) entitled to receive notice of, and attend and vote at, general meetings of the Company; (iii) entitled to dividends or other distributions; and (iv) in the event of a winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or for a reorganisation or otherwise or upon a distribution of capital, entitled to receive the amount of capital paid up on their Common Shares and to participate further in the surplus assets of the Company only after payment of the Series A Liquidation Value (as defined in the Bye-laws) on the Series A Preferred Shares. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 16. Other reserves Share option Exchange reserve translation $'000 reserve $'000 Balance at 1 January 2006 502 (57) Currency exchange difference - 14 Employee share bonus and share options charge 3,033 - Balance at 31 December 2006 3,535 (43) Currency exchange difference - 70 Employee share bonus and share options charge 453 - Balance at 31 December 2007 3,988 27 17. Accumulated losses $'000 Balance at 1 January 2006 (47,366) Net profit for the year 46,309 Balance at 31 December 2006 (1,057) Net loss for the year (29,895) Balance at 31 December 2007 (32,221) 18. Reconciliation of profit / (loss) from operations to net cash used in operating activities 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 (Loss) / profit from operations (34,598) 44,514 Adjustments for: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 2,568 212 Amortisation of intangible assets 64 64 Impairment of intangible exploration assets 20,585 - Stock written off 249 - Foreign exchange loss 229 - Share based payment expense 453 3,033 (Increase) in inventories (1,064) (1,239) Decrease in provisions (996) - Decrease / (increase) in receivables (1,050) (56,613) (Increase) in non-current financial assets - (5,597) (Decrease) / increase in payables (2,356) 2,208 Net cash used in operating activities (15,916) (13,418) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 19. Guarantees Cash backed guarantees As part of the contractual terms of the Algerian contracts, the Group has given bank guarantees to SONATRACH of $21.6 million. These are cash backed guarantees which effectively reduce the free cash available that the Group has on its balance sheet. The $21.6 million total is comprised of $6 million for the Bottena ("129 Contract") work programme and $15.6 million for the Ben Guecha (" 108/128b Contract") work programme. These guarantees are for the exploration and evaluation work programmes stipulated in the contracts and are reduced as the work programmes are completed. Other guarantees The Group has provided a guarantee of $3.75 million to the Federal Government of the Republic of Iraq to state it will meet the minimum financial commitment and / or the minimum exploration obligations as required under the terms of the PSC. The guarantee is reduced as the work programme is completed. 20. Operating lease arrangements The Group as a lessee 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised as 413 610 expense for the year At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding total commitments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows: 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Within one year 418 531 In the second to fifth years inclusive 46 805 464 1,336 Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its office properties in the UK and Algeria and residential properties in Algeria. The UK lease is for ten years from February 2005 with a break clause at year 5 which is January 2010. The Algerian properties are leased for two years or less. 21. Share based payments 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Bonus shares (credit)/charge (57) 2,184 Share options charge 510 849 453 3,033 Equity settled share option plan The Group plan provides for a grant price equal to the closing market price of the Group shares on the date of grant. The vesting period is generally 10 years for options granted before August 2006 and 3 years for options granted after that. If options remain unexercised after a period of 10 years from the date of grant, the options expire. Furthermore, options are forfeited if the employee leaves the Group before the options vest. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 21. Share based payments continued The weighted average contractual life relating to the share options outstanding at the year end was 7 years (2006: 7 years). 2007 2006 Number of Weighted average Number of Weighted exercise price share options share options average (in pence) '000 '000 exercise price (in pence) Outstanding at 1 January 13,241 57.2p 6,992 53.8p Granted during the year 1,850 33.8p 7,249 61.5p Forfeited during the year (6,100) 60.3p (1,000) 65.6p Outstanding at 31 December 8,991 50.3p 13,241 57.2p Exercisable at 31 December 1,581 51.9p 1,997 51.9p The inputs into the stochastic (Monte-Carlo) valuation model are as follows: 2007 2006 Weighted average share price on date of grant (in pence) 33.8p 61.5p Weighted average exercise price of options granted in the year (in pence) 33.8p 61.5p Expected volatility was determined by using the average of a peer group of similar oil and gas companies over a seven year period for grants before 2006 and over a five year period after that. This was thought more instructive given the limited nature of the Company's history. The expected volatility was calculated as 43.5%/43.1% for September 2006 and October 2006 and 36.0% for all grants in 2007. The expected term of the September 2006 and October 2006 grants were five to nine years. The 2007 grants have been calculated using an expected term of four to five years. The risk free rate was 4.2% and 4.3% for the September 2006 and October 2006 grants respectively and 4.9%, 5.0% and 4.5% for the September, October and December 2007 grants. The Company has made no dividend payments to date and as there is no expectation of making payments in the immediate future, therefore the dividend yield variable has been set at zero for all grants. Share options outstanding at the end of the year have the following expiry date and exercise prices: Exercise price Options ('000) Expiry date (pence) 2007 2006 19 August 2014 48.0 4,250 5,100 05 October 2007 60.5 - 400 29 September 2015 85.0 492 492 30 December 2015 66.0 - 2,100 29 September 2009 59.8 2,049 4,799 18 October 2009 59.0 350 350 17 September 2010 31.0 1,050 - 11 October 2010 39.5 550 - 05 December 2010 33.0 250 - 8,991 13,421 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 21. Share based payments continued Bonus Shares The Group issues bonus shares to certain employees for a nominal consideration. Bonuses are generally granted over three years and are vested in three equal tranches during those years subject to continued employment. These share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant. The fair value of the shares granted is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value of the shares granted is the market price on the date of the award and is charged to the income statement over the vesting period taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the shares were granted. Bonus Shares ('000) 2007 2006 As at 1 January 3,093 - Issued during the year 783 3,093 Lapsed during the year (38) - Sold during the year (1,153) - As at 31 December 2,685 3,093 22. Related party transactions Transactions with related parties Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are disclosed below. During the year the parent Company entered into the following transactions with its subsidiary, Gulf Keystone Petroleum (UK) Ltd: 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Purchases of services in year 6,639 4,276 Amounts owed to related parties at year end 597 - These amounts relate to the provision of geological, geophysical and engineering services by Gulf Keystone Petroleum (UK) Limited. On 9 June 2006 the Group signed loan agreements with GIBCA Limited and Falcon Partners Trust, both related parties, to provide an unsecured debt facility drawn down in aggregate by US$5 million at an interest rate of 7% and for a term of 12 months. Sheikh Sultan Al-Qassimi is a shareholder in GIBCA Limited and Mr Todd Kozel has a relationship with Falcon Partners Trust. On 13 January 2007 the Group repaid in full these loans on the completion of the BG deal. The interest expense paid and accrued for in the year was nil (2006: $228,693). Texas Keystone Inc. Texas Keystone Inc is a related party of the Group because Mr Todd Kozel, a director of the Company, is also a director of Texas Keystone, Inc. ("TKI"). On 21 December 2007, the Company entered into a Joint Operating Agreement ("the Agreement") for the Shaikan Block in Kurdistan in which TKI holds a 5% participating interest. TKI initially led the pursuit of opportunities in the Kurdistan region and participated in the successful signature of the Production Sharing Contract for the Shaikan Block. In return for this and TKI's continuing participation, Gulf Keystone Petroleum International Limited will be liable and pay for TKI's share of the costs of the Exploration Work Programme and all costs ancillary to the Joint Operations. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 22. Related party transactions continued No guarantees have been given or received. No provisions have been made for doubtful debts in respect of the amounts owed by related parties. Remuneration of key management personnel The remuneration of the directors and officers, the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. The names and positions held by those directors and employees identified as key management personnel are as follows: TF Kozel - Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer JW Guest - President (resigned 23 July 2007) RW Parsons - Chairman (resigned 23 July 2007) Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi - Non-Executive Director (resigned 23 July 2007) AA Al-Qabandi - Executive Vice President (appointed 23 July 2007) JR Cooper - Finance Director (resigned 23 January 2008) I Patrick - Director of Commercial & Legal Affairs (Gulf Keystone Petroleum (UK) Ltd) IA Al-Khaldi - Chief Operating Officer C Garrett - Vice President Operations D Mackertich - Executive Vice President Exploration & Technical Further information about the remuneration of individual directors is provided in the Report of the Remuneration and Appointments Committee on pages 11 to 13. 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Short-term employee benefits 3,206 3,462 Share based payment - options 510 849 Share based payment - bonus shares (57) 2,184 3,659 6,495 23. Financial instruments Capital Risk Management The Group manages its capital to ensure that the entities within the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising the return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements. The capital structure of the Group consists of cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and accumulated losses as disclosed in Notes 15, 16 and 17. Gearing Ratio The Group's Board of Directors reviews the capital structure on a regular basis. As part of this review, the Board considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. Given the current stage of development of the Group's assets, it is the Group's policy to finance its business by means of internally generated funds and external share capital. As a result, there was no debt at 31 December 2007. Significant Accounting Policies Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 23. Financial instruments continued Categories of Financial Instruments Carrying Value 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 Financial assets Fair value through profit and loss (designated at recognition) 6,155 5,597 Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents) 94,333 119,327 Financial liabilities Amortised cost 36,684 10,835 Financial Risk Management Objectives The Group's management monitors and manages the financial risks relating to the operations of the Group. These financial risks include market risk (including currency and fair value interest rate risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow interest rate risk. The Group does not presently hedge against these risks as the benefits of entering into such agreements is not considered to be significant enough as to outweigh the significant cost and administrative burden associated with such hedging contracts. The risks are closely reviewed by the Board on a regular basis and steps are taken where necessary to ensure these risks are minimised. Market risk The Group's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in interest rates in relation to the Group's cash balances. The operating currencies of the Group are Great British Pounds (GBP), US Dollars (USD), Algerian Dinars (DZD) and Iraqi Dinars (IQD). The Group does not hedge against the effects of movement in exchange rates. The risks are monitored by the Board on a regular basis. During the financial year the Group diversified its operations into Kurdistan in Northern Iraq, exposing the Group to an additional foreign currency risk arising from the use of Iraqi Dinars. This additional exposure is being managed in the same manner as the Group's other foreign currency risks. There have been no other changes to the Group's exposure to market risks or the manner in which it manages and measures the risk. Foreign currency risk management The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies, being any currency other than the functional currency of the Group subsidiary concerned. Hence, exposures to exchange rate fluctuations arise. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 23. Financial instruments continued The carrying amounts of the Group's significant foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the reporting date are as follows: Assets Liabilities 2007 2006 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Great British Pounds 1,160 998 (43) (342) Algerian Dinars 397 (454) (300) (573) Foreign currency sensitivity analysis The Group is mainly exposed to the currency of the United Kingdom (Great British Pounds), Algeria (Algerian Dinars) and Iraq (Iraqi Dinars). The following table details the Group's sensitivity to a 10% increase and decrease in the US dollar against the relevant foreign currencies. 10% is the sensitivity rate that represents management's assessment of the reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items as at the balance sheet date, and adjusts their translation at the year end for a 10% change in foreign currency rates. The sensitivity analysis includes external loans as well as loans to foreign operations within the Group where the denomination of the loan is in a currency other than the currency of the lender or the borrower. A positive number below indicates an increase in profit and net assets where the dollar weakens 10% against the relevant currency. For a 10% strengthening of the dollar against the relevant currency, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the profit and other equity, and the balances below would be negative. GBP Currency Impact DZD Currency Impact IQD Currency Impact 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Profit or 116 100 40 41 - - loss The Group's sensitivity to foreign currency has decreased during the current year, particularly in relation to GBP denominated monetary assets, as there has been a decrease in the value of GBP bank balances and GBP accounts receivable in 2007. Interest rate risk management The Group's policy on interest rate management is agreed at Board level and is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The current policy is to maintain a certain amount of funds in the form of cash for short-term liabilities and have the rest on relatively short term deposits, usually one month notice to maximise returns and accessibility. Interest rate sensitivity analysis The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to the interest rates for cash and cash equivalents at the balance sheet date. A 0.5% increase or decrease is used as it represents management's assessment of the reasonably possible changes in interest rates. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 23. Financial instruments continued If interest rates increased by 0.5% and all other variables were held constant, the Group's profit for the year ended 31 December 2007 would increase by $441,430 per annum (2006: increase by $296,640). If interest rates decreased by 0.5% and all other variables were held constant, the Group's profit for the year ended 31 December 2007 would decrease by $441,430 per annum (2006: decrease by $296,640). The Group's sensitivity to interest rates has remained relatively constant during the current period due to the fairly constant cash balance for the majority of the current financial year. Credit risk management Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group has a non-current financial asset totalling $6.2m (2006: $5.6m) which represents the estimated fair value of potential future "bonus" payments payable by BG to the Group in respect of the size of the ultimately approved commercial reserves attributable to the HBH field upon development. In addition to this non current financial asset, trade and other receivables outstanding from the BG Group at balance date totalled $462,810 (2006: $57.0m). The credit risk in relation to the BG receivables is considered to be minimal. The Group also had a trade receivable outstanding from SONATRACH, Algeria's national oil development enterprise, totalling $4.3m at 31 December 2007. The group has no other major counterparties. Liquidity risk management Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the board of directors. It is the Group's policy to finance its business by means of internally generated funds and external share capital. In common with many exploration companies, the Group raises finance for its exploration and appraisal activities in discrete tranches to finance its activities for limited periods. Further funding is raised as and when required. When any of the Group's projects move to the development stage, specific financing, including debt, may be required to enable development to take place. Liquidity and interest risk tables The following tables detail the Group's remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities. The tables have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. Weighted Less than 1 1 to 3 Total Average month months Effective Interest Rate 2007 % $'000 $'000 $'000 Non-interest bearing n/a 25,200 11,484 36,684 2006 Non-interest bearing n/a 10,835 - 10,835 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2007 continued 23. Financial instruments continued The following table details the Group's expected maturity for its non-derivative financial assets. Weighted Less than 1 1 to 3 1 to 5 Total Average month months years Effective Interest Rate 2007 % $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Non-interest bearing n/a - 6,047 6,155 12,202 Variable interest rate instruments 5.25% 88,286 - - 88,286 2006 Non-interest bearing n/a 55,000 4,999 5,597 65,596 Variable interest rate instruments 3.64% 59,328 - - 59,328 The undiscounted value of those non-interest bearing assets with cash flows expected in the one to five year bracket is $8 million (2006: $8 million). For all other financial assets the book value equals the undiscounted value of the asset. 24. Gain on sale of assets The gain on sale of assets recorded in 2006 was principally comprised of funds received from the farm in deal with BG for a 36.75% interest in the HBH block of $55m. Against that consideration the cost of sales (the amount previously invested by Gulf Keystone on HBH) were calculated as $657,583 (the carrying value of that interest in the Group's balance sheet, of $222,899 and costs incurred of $434,683). Additionally, Gulf Keystone recorded a contingent deferred consideration of $5.6m in 2006 which due to the unwinding of the discount rate, has increased to $6.2m in 2007 (refer to Note 12). The remainder of the gain recorded in 2006 was for the sale of surplus stock ($163,735) and the temporary loan to a third party of a drilling rig under contract to Gulf Keystone ($1m). 25. Subsequent events On 10 January 2008, ALNAFT (the Hydrocarbon National Agency in Algeria) approved the proposed Development Plan for the GKN and GKS oil fields located in Northern Algeria. The field Development Plan envisages producing oil from the GKN-1 well (currently producing at approximately 1,000 bopd gross) and bringing the GKS-2 well on stream as soon as practicable. Under the terms of the Development Plan, the Group is entitled to a 30% to 49% share of production from the GKN-1 well effective from 10 October 2007. As a result, oil production revenue of $5.4m and cost of sales of $3.3m has been recorded for the year ended 31 December 2007. GULF KEYSTONE PETROLEUM LIMITED (the "Company") NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING To the holders of common shares Notice is hereby given that the 2008 annual general meeting of the Company will be held at the Khanzad Hotel and Resort, Salahaldeen Road, Bastora, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq on Tuesday 10 June 2008 at 10am (local time) for the following purposes: To consider and, if thought fit, to approve the following resolutions: 1. THAT the Directors' Report and statutory financial statements of the Company in respect of the financial period ended 31 December 2007 together with the Auditor's Report thereon be received and approved. 2. THAT Mr Ali Al-Qabandi, who is required to retire by rotation in accordance with the Company's bye-laws, be and is hereby appointed as a Director. 3. THAT Mr Mehdi Varzi, who was appointed as a Director by the Board of Directors on 22 January 2008 to fill a vacancy, be and is hereby elected as a Director. 4. THAT Mr Jeremy Asher, who was appointed as a Director by the Board of Directors on 22 January 2008 to fill a vacancy, be and is hereby elected as a Director. 5. THAT Mr Kristian Ewen Ainsworth, who was appointed as a Director by the Board of Directors on 22 January 2008 to fill a vacancy, be and is hereby elected as a Director. 6. THAT Deloitte & Touche LLP, be re-appointed as the Company's auditors until the close of the Company's next annual general meeting of the members of the Company and that the Board of Directors be authorised to determine the Auditor's remuneration. 7. THAT in accordance with Bye-law 51 of the Company's Bye-laws the Directors of the Company be and are hereby authorised to reduce the issued share capital of the Company by way of a repurchase of shares, and THAT pursuant to Bye-law 52 of the Company's Bye-laws the Directors of the Company be authorised in their absolute discretion to determine by resolution of the Directors the terms and dates of such repurchases as well as the amount of shares to be repurchased, and THAT such authorities shall remain in place unless and until the members of the Company resolve otherwise. By Order of the Board T F Kozel, Director Milner House 18 Parliament Street Hamilton HMFX Bermuda 7 May 2008 Note Every member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint another person as his/her proxy to attend and vote thereat instead of him/her and such proxy need not be a member. Forms appointing proxies must be deposited at the Company's Branch Registrar in Jersey, Channel Islands (for the attention of Sophie de Freitas, Registry Manager, Computershare Investor Services (C) Limited, Ordinance House, 31 Pier Road, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PW, Channel Islands) not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the said meeting or any adjourned meeting. A record of the minutes of the last annual general meeting of the members of the Company will be available for inspection at the meeting. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings