Interim Results

Petrel Resources PLC 21 September 2007 21st September 2007 Petrel Resources plc Interim Results for the Six Month Period to 30 June 2007 Petrel Resources plc ('Petrel' or 'the Company') is very pleased to announce its interim results for the 6 months to 30 June 2007. Highlights: Strong operational progress • Continued strong relationship with Iraqi Ministry of Oil • Passing of Hydrocarbon Law will allow application for Production Sharing Agreements • Strong progress at Subba & Luhais field: completed surveys and initial delivery of equipment underway • Successful completion of Merjan Oil Field Technical Co-operation Agreement (TCA) in partnership with ITOCHU • Awarded a TCA over the Dhufriya oil field in Central Iraq, to be carried out in partnership with ITOCHU David Horgan, Managing Director of Petrel commented: 'There is no current oil and gas opportunity to match Iraq. The undeveloped proven and probable reserves alone are immense, let alone the unexplored deeper horizons, which have proven to hold massive reserves throughout the wider region. We currently base our strategy around three key partnerships; with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil in Baghdad, with the local communities where we are currently active in the South of Iraq, and finally with ITOCHU, one of the major downstream oil companies in the world. We are confident that our approach will prove to be successful. Managing TCA agreements has provided Petrel with vital on the ground experience. We are confident that this expertise will be applicable to potential high value development, exploration and production projects. After 10 years experience in Iraq, we have a built up an extensive high quality contact base in the region and retain a belief in Iraq and its people. Iraq today is, and will remain, a place where international oil and gas players can be highly successful.' Enquiries: Petrel Resources David Horgan, Managing Director + 353 87 292 3500 John Teeling, Chairman + 353 1 833 2833 College Hill Paddy Blewer +44 (0)20 7457 2020 Nick Elwes Blue Oar Securities Plc John Wakefield +44 (0) 1179 330020 Simon Moynagh www.petrelresources.com In recent months Petrel has driven towards its ultimate objective of participating in the development of Iraqi oil, via risk-sharing agreements. These agreements will be partnerships with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. Such contracts require passage of the Hydrocarbon Law. This legislation is exclusively a matter for the elected authorities, but it is hoped and expected that the outstanding proposal will be passed shortly. In the meantime, Petrel continues to be very active in Iraq. We operate the major Engineering, Procurement and Supervision of Construction (EPC) contract on the Subba & Luhais fields in southern Iraq. Basic design has been completed and signed off. Detailed design work is largely finalised. Recently, in depth surveys have been carried out on-site without significant difficulties. The first major long-lead items of equipment are now being delivered to SCOP, the State Company for Oil Projects. We completed the Merjan Oil Field Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in May 2007. The study was undertaken in partnership with ITOCHU, a Japanese conglomerate, which is one of the major takers of crude oil in the Pacific Basin. We were recently awarded an additional Technical Cooperation Agreement over the oil field, Dhufriya, in central Iraq. Seismic and geological data are now being prepared for reprocessing and reinterpretation. This work will be conducted on a shared basis with our partner, ITOCHU. Petrel will be the operator. Petrel operates under the explicit authority of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and does not work with any regional authority. Accordingly, legal questions as to title awarded by the sovereign Iraqi state and its elected and internationally recognised government are not expected. We also work closely with local people and communities. We do not use, nor have ever needed foreign security contractors. It is anticipated that the Hydrocarbon Law will be passed in the near future. Hopefully, this will be a single national law. But at a minimum, it is expected to legislate for projects in the southern, predominantly Shia areas of Iraq, where Petrel is working. Southern Iraq has the best oil potential with the least risk. It has large structures, existing pipelines and export facilities. In time, there will be sufficient legal and physical security to also work in predominantly Sunni areas of the Western Desert, where we have an interest in the 10,000 sq km Block 6. Title to this block needs to be ratified. Lack of legal clarity may persist in areas of northern Iraq. Petrel is not working in these areas. Iraq is one of the last great under explored and under developed onshore oil provinces. The exploration success rate is very high. Iraq's oil bearing structures are large with straightforward reservoirs and low geological and engineering risks. The deep oil horizons which provide most production elsewhere in the world have to date been largely unexplored and untouched in Iraq. Iraq's challenging geopolitical conditions require attractive terms to entice foreign investment and technology unlike those offered in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran, where there is limited foreign involvement. Such a combination of large structures and limited geological risk will not recur in our lifetime. Most major companies are deterred by the current situation: now is the time for boldness. Petrel's competitive advantage is the knowledge and relationships built up over 10 years working on the ground. One specific competence is the technology to quickly increase recoveries from existing reservoirs and to add new barrels to Iraq's reserves. This can enable a rapid build up of Iraqi oil exports. We can work in Iraq. The successful management of the large Subba & Luhais oil field development shows that dedicated contractors can operate on the ground. We have had no direct incidents and have enjoyed the cooperation of local communities. The Iraqi authorities and especially, the Ministry of Oil, continue to be committed to, and supportive of, our efforts. Petrel staff, both Iraqi and International, have shown exceptional dedication and flexibility. Apart from on the ground operations, they have produced tenders for the development of oil and gas fields which are considered the technical benchmark by the relevant bodies. Our Technical Cooperation Agreement analysis and technology transfer has also been judged first rate. Petrel's pioneering exploration work in the Western Desert blends local expertise with state of the art technology. In ITOCHU, our Japanese partner, we have the long term support of one of the world's largest downstream oil players. Future Petrel shareholders have shown long term commitment in the face of sanctions and war. Though political uncertainty remains, Iraq now has a sovereign elected government committed to developing hydrocarbons. Legal title to risk sharing agreements must soon be a reality. Petrel is demonstrating that it can operate in the oil rich south of Iraq. We will continue to aggressively deepen and broaden our activities in this region. As the only London Stock Exchange company working in southern Iraq, Petrel has a decade of presence and experience, giving us early mover advantage in the most prospective oil province in the world. Though political stability remains elusive, there is no uncertainty over the fact that Iraqi oil must be developed. Iraq needs it, but so too does the rest of the world. Petrel has the expertise, experience and skills to work with the Iraqi people to develop the industry. David Horgan Managing Director 21st September 2007 Financial Information (Unaudited) Six Months Ended 30 June 07 30 June 06 €'000 €'000 Group Profit and Loss Operating Loss (330) (227) Investment Income 26 19 Loss before Taxation (304) (208) Taxation 0 0 Loss for the period (304) (208) Loss per share (.44c) (.31c) 30 June 07 30 June 06 €'000 €'000 Group Balance Sheet Fixed Assets 3,665 4,169 Current Assets Stock - Work in Progress 13,184 1,716 Debtors 187 28 Bank 6,549 9,378 19,920 11,122 Current Liabilities Project Advance Payments (14,344) (7,568) Creditors (1,049) (171) (15,393) (7,739) Current Assets less Current Liabilities 4,527 3,383 8,192 7,552 Share Capital and Reserves 8,192 7,552 Six Months Ended 30 June 07 30 June 06 €'000 €'000 Group Cash Flow Net Cash (Outflow)/Inflow from Operating Activities (3,823) 5,143 Returns on Investments and Servicing of Finance 26 19 Capital Expenditure (255) (305) Financing - Issue of Ordinary Share Capital 1,151 792 (Decrease) / Increase in Cash (2,901) 5,649 Notes: 1. The figures for the six months to 30 June 2007 and 30 June 2006 are unaudited. The financial information set out does not constitute full statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Copies of this announcement will be sent to shareholders and will be available for inspection at the Company's registered office at 162 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3, Ireland. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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