Interim results

RNS Number : 7040A
Infrastrata PLC
25 March 2013
 



 

 

 

 

 

 

25 March 2013                                                                       For Immediate Release

 

 

InfraStrata plc

("InfraStrata" or the "Company")

 

 

Interim results for the six months ended 31 January 2013

 

InfraStrata plc (AIM:INFA), the independent petroleum exploration and gas storage company today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 January 2013.

 

Overview and highlights

 

Operational

 

·      Increasing focus on exploration activities.

 

·      Significant prospective resources identified within the Company's exploration licences in County Antrim and offshore Dorset.

 

·      A Prospectivity Review by Merlin Energy Resources Limited has identified P50 prospective resources in excess of 450 million barrels of oil within the PL1/10 exploration licence in County Antrim.

 

·      In March 2013 a 5% interest in the PL1/10 licence was sold to fund drilling activity.

 

·      BP Gas Marketing Limited total funding of £1m received to 31 January 2013 in relation to its option to acquire a 50.495% interest in Islandmagee Storage Limited.

 

·      Planning permission and a gas storage licence were awarded in October 2012 for the Islandmagee gas storage project.

 

·      Three well drilling programme planned within its exploration and gas storage portfolio for the 2013 and 2014 calendar years, with exposure to a fourth well in the East Midlands via the Company's shareholding in Corfe Energy Limited.

 

·      The Company is currently pursuing an opportunity to produce salt from Portland, Dorset.

 

 

 

  

Financial

 

·      Loss for the six month period ended 31 January 2013, after non-cash share of associates loss, of £0.8 million (31 January 2012 - loss £1.2 million).

 

·      Basic and diluted loss per share - 0.94p (31 January 2012 loss - 1.51p). Continuing basic and diluted loss per share - 0.86p (31 January 2012 loss - 1.51p).

 

·      Cash position inclusive of cash allocated to discontinued operations - £0.9 million (31 January 2012 - £0.6 million).

 

·      Net asset position - £10.7 million (31 January 2012 - £28.1 million).

 

 

Commenting on the results and outlook, Ken Ratcliff, Chairman, said:

 

"Good progress has been made with the Islandmagee project and defining the prospectivity within the Company's exploration acreage over the past six months.

 

InfraStrata is very well positioned to move forward into an exciting stage of development and increase shareholder value. We hope to develop the Company's existing exploration acreage, acquire new acreage and further develop the Islandmagee gas storage project with the project partners in the near future."

 

 

For further information please contact:

 

InfraStrata plc

 

Andrew Hindle, Chief Executive Officer                                                            020 8332 1200

Craig Gouws, Chief Financial Officer

 

Financial PR - Buchanan

           

Richard Darby/Gabriella Clinkard/Tom Hufton                                                  020 7466 5000

 

Nominated Advisor and Broker - Arden Partners plc

 

Richard Day/Katelin Kennish                                                                         020 7614 5917

 

 

Notes to Editors:

 

Background on InfraStrata plc

 

InfraStrata is an independent petroleum exploration and gas storage company. The Company is focused on two areas in the UK, in Dorset, England and Antrim, Northern Ireland.

 

Further information is available on the Company's website www.infrastrata.co.uk.

 

 

In accordance with the AIM Rules - Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies, the information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off by the Chief Executive Officer of InfraStrata plc Andrew Hindle BSc, MSc, PhD, a Chartered Geologist with 28 years' experience, a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, and a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain.

 

 

 

Chairman and CEO's Statement

 

InfraStrata plc ('InfraStrata' or the 'Company') is an independent petroleum exploration and gas storage company.

 

The Company is focused on two geographical areas in the UK, County Antrim and Dorset.

 

Financial results

 

InfraStrata has recorded a loss for the six month period ended 31 January 2013 of £0.8 million (31 January 2012 - loss £1.2 million). The loss for the period, together with the balance of £19.9 million loss brought forward, leaves a retained loss of £20.7 million to be carried forward.

 

The Company's revenue, when compared to the prior period, decreased by £143,294 largely as a result of current period inter-group revenue transactions with Portland Gas Limited being earned but eliminated on consolidation. In the comparative period, when Portland Gas Limited was accounted for as a Joint Venture, the related revenue transactions were recognised in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

Project costs relating to Portland Gas Limited of £0.5 million were charged to the current period administrative costs; in the prior period these costs were accounted for as share of loss of a Joint Venture. Corporate and general administrative costs which have been very well controlled and are in line with budget, of £0.4 million, were incurred in the current period.

 

 

 

The Company's cash (including cash disclosed as discontinuing) and net asset positions are £0.9 million (31 January 2012 - £0.6 million) and £10.7 million (31 January 2012 - £28.1 million) respectively.

 

PL1/10 Licence exploration project, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

 

The PL1/10 licence in Antrim was awarded to InfraStrata in March 2011 and covers an area of 663 square kilometres. InfraStrata is the operator of the licence with a 25% direct interest. The Company has a further indirect interest of 18% in the licence through a shareholding in project partner company Brigantes Energy Limited ("Brigantes"). Its overall net licence interest is therefore 43%.

 

A total of 400 kilometres of new 2D seismic data were acquired during 2011 and 2012, and processing of the data was completed in early October 2012. The interpretation of the data has resulted in the mapping of more than twenty very encouraging prospects and leads.

 

In line with the Company's overall strategy for securing funding into its projects, and as announced on 15 March 2013, the Company sold a 5% interest in the PL1/10 licence to Brigantes, in which InfraStrata holds a 40% interest. Under the terms of the agreement, Brigantes will pay £150,000 in cash and in addition carry InfraStrata for its share of 5% of the costs of the well. Taken together with previous funding arrangements with project partners, InfraStrata now has funding in place to cover the majority of its anticipated costs to drill the first exploration well.  

 

A PL1/10 Prospectivity Review by Merlin Energy Resources Limited ("Merlin"), was announced on 15th March 2013 and published on the Company's website. Merlin has identified combined unrisked P50 prospective resources on the PL1/10 licence in the Triassic and Permian sandstone reservoir intervals of over 450 million barrels of oil ("mmbo") (net InfraStrata 194 mmbo).

 

InfraStrata is seeking a suitable site from which to drill the first exploration well to target P50 prospective resources of 25 million barrels of oil ("mmbo") recoverable (net 11 mmbo to InfraStrata) within the primary Triassic and Permian sandstone objectives. The well will also evaluate the potential of deeper Carboniferous sandstones. As with any new exploration province, the presence of a working petroleum basin carries a high risk and can only be resolved by drilling a well. Success with the first well would have the potential to open up a new play fairway within the licence with multiple reservoir targets in multiple prospects. Subject to obtaining the necessary consents and rig availability the well is anticipated to be drilled in Q4 2013.

 

InfraStrata intends, if possible, to coordinate the drilling of this well with the appraisal well planned for the Islandmagee gas storage project, which should ensure a more efficient use of drilling equipment on both projects.

 

P1918 Licence exploration project, Dorset, England

 

The Dorset petroleum licence comprising offshore blocks 97/14, 97/15 and 98/11 was awarded with an effective date of 1 February 2012. InfraStrata is the operator of the licence with a 70% direct interest. The Company has a further 8% indirect interest in the licence through a shareholding in project partner company Corfe Energy Limited. Its overall net licence interest is therefore 78%.

 

The InfraStrata led joint venture has purchased approximately 3,500 kilometres of existing 2D seismic data, and three existing 3D seismic surveys, within or adjacent to the licence. The focus of activity has been the offshore extension of the Purbeck Prospect, an anticline in the east of the licence, up dip of the onshore well Southard Quarry-1, which encountered petroleum in Jurassic and Triassic reservoirs during 1989 but which was not tested. The new mapping of the Purbeck Prospect shows it covering an area of approximately 13 square kilometres at the primary target level, the majority within the P1918 licence.

 

An initial best estimate of the prospective resources for the primary reservoir objective, the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone, is 100 billion cubic feet ("bcf") of gas recoverable (net 78 bcf to InfraStrata). An appraisal well is now required to test the productivity of the reservoir at a depth of approximately 2,500 metres below ground level.

 

The joint venture partners intend to reprocess 2D seismic data to define the sub-surface target location for a new appraisal well. It is proposed to drill the well directionally from an onshore location to the offshore within Block 98/11 of licence P1918. Subject to planning approval, rig availability and project funding, it is anticipated that the well will be drilled during Q1 2014.

 

Other petroleum exploration activity

 

The Company holds a 40% shareholding in two well-funded private independent petroleum exploration companies, Brigantes Energy Limited and Corfe Energy Limited. In addition to holding interests in the PL1/10 and P1918 licences, they also each hold a 5% production interest in the Avington oilfield in southern England. The Company has a net interest of 5% in an exploration well anticipated in Q3 2013 on the Burton-on-the-Wolds prospect in PEDL201 in the East Midlands, which is targeting prospective resources of 3.8 mmbo (net 0.19 mmbo Infrastrata).

 

Islandmagee gas storage project, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

 

Portland project, Dorset, England

 

Outlook

 

 

 

 

Ken Ratcliff - Non-executive Chairman

Andrew Hindle - Chief Executive Officer

25 March 2013

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME for the six months ended 31 January 2013

 


 
 
 
 
 
Notes


Six months ended 31 January 2013
Unaudited
 
Six months ended 31 January 2012
Unaudited
 
 
Year ended 31 July
2012
Audited




£


£


£

Continuing operations








Revenue



12,634


155,928


253,932









Cost of sales



-

 


-


-









Gross profit



12,634


155,928


253,932









Administrative expenses

2


(859,203)


(620,157)


(1,259,206)

















Operating loss



(846,569)


(464,229)


(1,005,274)









Finance income

Share of loss of joint venture and associates

Impairment of interest in Joint Venture

Gain arising on assumption of control of former Joint Venture



16,695

 

(37,294)

 

-

 

-


962

 

(715,365)

 

-

 

-


2,596

 

(10,481,264)

 

(10,626,210)

 

2,512,480

















Loss before taxation



(867,168)


(1,178,632)


(19,597,672)









Taxation

3


141,170


-


-

















Loss for the period from continuing operations



 

(725,998)


 

(1,178,632)


 

(19,597,672)









Loss for the period from discontinued operations

 

5


 

(63,869)


 

(1,828)


 

(129,690)

 

Loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent



 

(789,867)


 

(1,180,460)


 

(19,727,362)

















Other comprehensive income



-


-


-

















Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to the equity holders of the parent



 

 

(789,867)

 

 

 

 

(1,180,460)


 

 

(19,727,362)

















Basic and diluted loss per share








Continuing operations

4


(0.86)p


(1.51)p


(23.30)p

Discontinued operations



(0.08)p


0.00p


(0.15)p

Continuing and discontinued operations



 

(0.94)p


 

(1.51)p


 

(23.45)p









 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION as at 31 January 2013

 


 
 
 

Notes


31 January 2013
Unaudited


31 January 2012
Unaudited


31
July
2012
Audited




£


£


£









Non-current assets








Intangible fixed assets

Plant and equipment



3,498,179

4,685


-

11,639


3,399,473

7,471

Investments in associates



2,667,837


2,477,707


2,705,131

Investment in joint venture

Other receivables



-

335,832


22,160,446

-


-

768,102

















Total non-current assets



6,506,533


24,649,792


6,880,177









Current assets








Trade and other receivables



1,176,523


130,696


1,114,145

Available for sale assets



12,500


12,500


12,500

Cash and cash equivalents



812,175


530,036


1,918,201









Assets classified as held for sale

5


3,505,758


3,054,141


3,206,003

















Total current assets



5,506,956


3,727,373


6,250,849

















Current liabilities








Trade and other payables



(234,038)


(241,147)


(905,750)









Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale

 

5


 

(13,330)


 

(63,629)


 

(73,032)

















Total current liabilities



(247,368)


(304,776)


(978,782)

















Net current assets



5,259,588


3,422,597


5,272,067









 

Non-current liabilities








Deferred income tax liabilities

3


(1,060,126)


-


(1,201,296)

















Net assets



10,705,995


28,072,389


10,950,948

















Shareholders' funds








Share capital

6


9,099,160


7,826,433


9,099,160

Share premium



11,920,219


11,848,946


11,920,219

Merger reserve



8,988,112


8,988,112


8,988,112

Share based payment reserve



350,468


327,963


333,735

Retained earnings



(20,655,834)


(1,319,065)


(19,865,967)

















Attributable to owners of the parent



9,702,125


27,672,389


10,475,259

 

Non-controlling interests

 

7


 

1,003,870


 

400,000


 

475,689

















Total equity



10,705,995


28,072,389


10,950,948









 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY for the six months ended 31 January 2013

 


     Share       capital
 
 
Share premium
Merger reserve
Share based payment reserve
Retained earnings
Attributable to the owners of the parent
 
Non-controlling interests
Total equity


£

£

£

£

£

£

£

£

Balance at 31 July 2011

7,826,433

 

11,848,946

8,988,112

322,431

(138,605)

 

28,847,317

 

-

28,847,317



















Loss for the period

-

 

-

-

-

(1,180,460)

 

(1,180,460)

 

-

(1,180,460)










 

Total comprehensive loss for the period

-

 

 

 

-

-

-

(1,180,460)

 

 

 

(1,180,460)

 

 

 

-

(1,180,460)










Share based payments

-

 

-

-

5,532

-

 

5,532

 

-

5,532










Funds received by IMSL (note 5)

-

 

-

-

-

-

 

-

 

400,000

400,000



















Balance at 31 January 2012

7,826,433

 

11,848,946

8,988,112

327,963

(1,319,065)

 

27,672,389

 

400,000

28,072,389



















Loss for the period

-

 

-

-

 

-

 

(18,546,902)

 

(18,546,902)

 

-

 

(18,546,902)










 

Total comprehensive loss for the period

-

 

 

 

-

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(18,546,902)

 

 

 

(18,546,902)

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(18,546,902)










Issue of equity capital

1,272,727

 

71,273

-

 

-

 

 

 

1,344,000

 

-

 

1,344,000










Share based payments

-

 

-

-

 

5,772

 

-

 

5,772

 

-

 

5,772










Funds received by IMSL (note 6)

-

 

-

-

 

--

 

-

 

-

 

75,689

 

75,689



















Balance at 31 July 2012

9,099,160

 

11,920,219

8,988,112

333,735

(19,865,967)

 

10,475,259

 

475,689

10,950,948



















Loss for the period

-

 

-

-

-

(789,867)

 

(789,867)

 

-

(789,867)










 

Total comprehensive loss for the period

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

-

(789,867)

 

 

 

(789,867)

 

 

 

-

(789,867)










Share based payments

-

 

-

-

16,733

-

 

16,733

 

-

16,733










Funds received by IMSL (note 6)

-

 

-

-

-

-

 

-

 

528,181

528,181



















Balance at 31 January 2013

9,099,160

 

11,920,219

8,988,112

350,468

(20,655,834)

 

9,702,125

 

1,003,870

10,705,995










 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the six months ended 31 January 2013

 


 
 
 
 
Notes


Six months ended 31
January
2013
Unaudited


Six months ended 31 January 2012
Unaudited


 
Year ended 31 July 2012
Audited




£


£


£









Net cash used in operating activities

 

8


(1,650,025)


(296,072)


(266,553)




 


 


 

Investing activities



 


 


 

Interest received



3,029


962


2,596

Purchase of intangible assets



(429,729)


(289,823)


(34,564)

Purchase of plant and equipment



-


-


(371,510)

Cash inflow on acquisition of subsidiary



 

-


 

-


 

53,574

Portland Gas Limited preference share receipts



 
442,519


 

-


 

-




 


 


 




 


 


 

Net cash from/(used in) investing activities



15,819


(288,861)


(349,904)




 


 


 




 


 


 

Financing activities



 


 


 

Net proceeds on issue of ordinary shares



 
-


 
-


 
1,344,000

Non-controlling interest

7


528,180


400,000


475,689




 


 


 




 


 


 

Net cash generated from financing activities



528,180


400,000


1,819,689




 


 


 




 


 


 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents



(1,106,026)


(184,933)


1,203,232




 


 


 




 


 


 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period



1,918,201


714,969


714,969




 


 


 




 


 


 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

 


812,175


530,036


1,918,201

























 

 

  

NOTES TO THE INTERIM RESULTS for the six months ended 31 January 2013

 

1.     Basis of preparation

 

    The interim financial information in this report has been prepared using accounting policies consistent with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. IFRS is subject to amendment and interpretation by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the IFRS Interpretations Committee and there is an ongoing process of review and endorsement by the European Commission. The financial information has been prepared on the basis of IFRS that the Directors expect to be adopted by the European Union and applicable as at 31 July 2013.                              

 

          Non-statutory accounts

 

    Financial information contained in this document does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 July 2012 has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The audit report on these accounts is unqualified, did not include references to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their reports and did not contain a statement under Sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The financial information for the 6 months ended 31 January 2013 and 31 January 2012 is unaudited.

 

    Accounting policies

 

The interim financial information has been prepared under the historical cost convention.

 

The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in preparing the interim financial information as were applied in preparation of the Group's financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2012.

 

    Going concern

 

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate cash resources to meet committed expenditure. Consequently the Directors consider it appropriate to prepare the interim financial information on a going concern basis. As with other development companies which have no significant and consistent revenue streams, the Group will only be able to advance its development programme if it has sufficient resources to do so. To avail the Company of any new and emerging opportunities in the next twelve months, if necessary the Directors believe that further funding could be obtained by the issuance of new equity or through the disposal of an interest in projects.

 

  

NOTES TO THE INTERIM RESULTS for the six months ended 31 January 2013 (continued)

 

2.       Administrative expenditure           



Six months ended 31 January 2013
Unaudited
 
Six months ended 31 January 2012
Unaudited
 
Year
ended 31 July
2012

Audited



£


£


£








Corporate and other costs


348,094


620,157


1,075,776

Project costs


511,109


-


183,430















 


859,203


620,157


1,259,206

 







 

3.       Taxation

 

The taxation credit of £141,170 for the current period represents a reduction in the deferred income tax liability relating to the temporary difference arising on settlement of financial assets during the period.

 

The gross movement on the deferred income tax account is as follows:

 



Six months ended 31 January 2013
Unaudited
 
Six months ended 31 January 2012
Unaudited
 
Year
ended 31 July
2012

Audited



£


£


£








Balance at the beginning of the period


(1,201,296)


-


-

Acquisition of subsidiary


-


-


(1,201,296)

Reversal of timing differences


141,170


-


-















Balance at the end of the period


(1,060,126)


-


(1,201,296)

 







 

 

 

  

 

NOTES TO THE INTERIM RESULTS for the six months ended 31 January 2013 (continued)

 

4.

Loss per share


 


 



 

 

 

 

Six months ended 31 January 2013

Unaudited

Six months ended 31 January 2012
Unaudited
Year ended 31 July
2012
Audited

 


£

£

£

 

The (loss) for purposes of basic and

diluted loss per share being the net

(loss) attributable to equity shareholders:

 

 

 



 

Continuing operations

(725,998)

(1,178,632)

(19,597,672)

 

Discontinued operations

(63,869)

(1,828)

(129,690)

 

Continuing and discontinued operations

(789,867)

(1,180,460)

(19,727,362)

 

Number of shares




 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share

 

 

84,122,359

 

 

78,264,326

 

 

84,122,359

 

Basic earnings per share




 

Continuing operations

(0.86)p

(1.51)p

(23.30)p

 

Discontinued operations

(0.08)p

0.00p

(0.15)p

 

Continuing and discontinued operations

(0.94)p

(1.51)p

(23.45)p


 

 

For the six months to 31 January 2013, in accordance with IAS 33, diluted earnings per share calculations are not presented as assumed conversion of outstanding share options would not be dilutive; as such the diluted earnings/loss per share is equal to the basic earnings/loss per share.

 

5.       Discontinued operations/Assets and liabilities held for sale

           



Six months ended 31 January 2013
Unaudited
 
Six months ended 31 January 2012
Unaudited
 
Year
ended 31 July
2012

Audited



£


£


£

Assets classified as held for sale

 

Freehold land


 

 

440,100


 

 

-


 

 

440,100

Intangible assets - gas storage development costs


 

2,962,776


 

2,980,142


 

2,631,755

Trade and other receivables


31,404


9,467


64,772

Cash and cash equivalents


71,478


64,532


69,376















 


3,505,758


3,054,141


3,206,003

 







 

Liabilities classified as held for sale

 

Current liabilities







Trade creditors


8,330


58,629


69,518

Accruals


5,000


5,000


3,514















 


13,330


63,629


73,032

 







 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE INTERIM RESULTS for the six months ended 31 January 2013 (continued)

 

5.       Assets and liabilities held for sale (continued)

 

The assets and liabilities held for sale at 31 January 2013 comprise the assets and liabilities of Islandmagee Storage Limited. At 31 January 2012 the assets and liabilities held for sale also included those of Portland Gas ESP S.L., which was subsequently disposed of.

 

BP Gas Marketing Limited has an option to acquire an interest in Islandmagee Storage Limited, the vesting of which is contingent on certain future events. If the option vests and is exercised, the Company would lose control of Islandmagee Storage Limited.

 

The loss from discontinued operations represents the loss of Islandmagee Storage Limited and for the year ended 31 January 2012, the loss of Portland Gas ESP S.L..

 

6.       Share capital

 

On the 15 February 2012 the Company issued 12,727,273 new ordinary 10p shares at 11p per share to raise £1,400,000 before expenses.

 

7.                                Non-controlling interests

 

Non-controlling interests are amounts paid by BP Gas Marketing Limited ("BPGM") to Islandmagee Storage Limited in relation to their option to acquire an interest in that company. Should BPGM exercise its option, this amount will form part of the consideration for the equity issued to BPGM.

 

8.

Cash (used in) operations


 
Six months ended 31 January 2013
Unaudited
 
 
Six months ended 31 January 2012
Unaudited
 
 
Year
ended 31 July
2012

Audited




£


£


£










Operating loss for the period


(846,569)


(464,229)


(1,005,274)


Depreciation


3,154


3,522


7,690


(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables


 

(62,378)


 

9,830


 

(35,128)


(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables


 

(671,712)


 

135,160


 

801,592


Share option expense


16,733


5,532


11,304


Share issue in lieu of salary


-


-


50,000


Cash used in discontinued operations


(89,253)


14,113


(96,737)


















Cash used in continuing and discontinued operations


(1,650,025)


(296,072)


(266,553)


 







 

9.     Dividend

 

The Directors do not recommend payment of a dividend.

 

10.    Publication of the interim report

 

This interim report is available on the Company's website www.InfraStrata.co.uk.

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
IR JTMFTMBBTBIJ
UK 100

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