Operational Update and Cost Recovery Audit

RNS Number : 9052K

Wentworth Resources PLC

23 December 2022

 

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO 596/2014 (AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018). UPON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION WILL BE CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

23 December 2022

WENTWORTH RESOURCES PLC
("Wentworth" or the "Company")

Operational Update and Cost Recovery Audit

Wentworth (AIM: WEN), the independent, Tanzania-focused natural gas production company, is providing an operational update for the Mnazi Bay gas field and on other corporate initiatives.

Full Year Guidance

With sustained strong demand during the year, the Company expects to achieve an average gross daily production rate of approximately 90 MMscf/day for 2022 (previous guidance 75-85MMscf/d). Current production levels are steady at a supply-constrained 90MMscf/d (as at 19 December 2022), below current demand nominations of 95MMscf/d from the key offtaker, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation ("TPDC").

The Mnazi Bay Joint Venture (the "Joint Venture") is undertaking an infield workover and perforation programme with a view to being able to meet gas demand nominations during 2023. In addition, pre-front end engineering design ("FEED") to add compression is being progressed. Once sanctioned, the compression project is designed to support production levels at a plateau of 90 MMscf/d from late 2024 until at least 2027.

Financial

Wentworth has cash (zero debt) of $30.0 million as at 1 December 2022. In addition, TPDC receivables of $5 million are outstanding (representing two months of gas sales for October and November) as well as Tanzania Electric Supply Company ("TANESCO") receivables of approximately $0.9 million, representing six months of gas sales.

The Joint Venture has agreed a firm capital expenditure budget for 2023 of $13.5 million, the primary firm operational cost being associated with the compression project. The Joint Venture has also identified a further contingent capital expenditure programme indicatively costed at $42 million. Of this, $35 million relates to exploration drilling on the Mnazi Bay licence, the programme and extent of which remains contingent upon further commercial viability studies. The remaining $7 million relates to additional compression configuration installation work which may be required subject to completion of the FEED study. Discussions on finalising the scope and timing of contingent expenditures are ongoing, and remain subject to JV partner approval prior to committing them to a firm budget.

Historic Cost Pool Audit

Following a dispute between the Operator and TPDC and the regulator, Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority ("PURA") as to the validity of certain costs contained in the historical cost pool, on 23 December 2022, the Mnazi Bay JV Partners ("JV Partners") received formal notice from TPDC that it proposes to re-open a historic cost pool audit for the years 2013 - 2015 relating to seismic, field infrastructure and drilling of MB-4 well expenditure. The audit will re-examine Joint Venture costs of $45 million (approximately $15 million net to Wentworth). The JV Partners will work together with TPDC and PURA, to resolve this issue in a timely and satisfactory manner.

To date, the Joint Venture has recovered over $300 million of historic costs through the cost recovery mechanism within the Mnazi Bay Production Sharing Agreement (the "PSA"). This has translated into strong cashflows for Wentworth, allowing it to deleverage, strengthen its balance sheet and establish a progressive dividend policy because the economics of the PSA are significantly more favourable during cost recovery when entitlement to production is double whilst those costs are being recovered.

The Company anticipates, given the absence of recent investment in the Mnazi Bay field, that 2023 production will include significant periods where costs have been fully recovered, leading to substantially lower revenues. Any reduction in the current expected cost pool balance as a result of the audit is likely to further impact revenue next year.

Corporate

On 5 December 2022, the Company announced a Recommended Cash Offer (the "Offer") by Maurel et Prom of 32.5 pence per share, representing a 30% premium to the closing price of 25.0 pence per Wentworth Share on 2 December 2022 (being the last Business Day prior to announcement of the Offer) and a 62.2% premium adjusting for existing cash of $30.2 million.

The Company expects to publish the Scheme document in mid-January 2023. The Scheme Document will contain full details of the Offer, an updated independent valuation of the Company's assets and voting instructions for the shareholder meetings to be held in early February 2023.

Sustainability

As a responsible business an effective ESG strategy remains a priority. During 2022, Wentworth has made considerable progress to support ongoing improvements in sustainability-related performance and disclosure.

The Company has started its journey to align and report against the framework recommended by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure ("TCFD"). Initial TCFD disclosure will be included in Wentworth's 2022 Sustainability Report along with expanded reporting against some of its most material ESG topics.

Katherine Roe, Chief Executive of Wentworth, commented:

"2022 has been a year of exceptional performance and we are delighted to be able to guide towards a full year production average of 90 MMscf/day, an increase of 20% from the lower end of our original guidance. Given the increasing demand, evidenced by ambitious nominations from our key offtaker, TPDC, it is clear that material investment into Mnazi Bay is now required to maintain existing production levels.

"We will issue 2023 guidance in January. Whilst historically the Joint Venture has successfully recovered the substantial majority of cost subject to audit, it highlights our expectation that 2023 production entitlement will in any event be materially less than previously, due to many years of historic cost recovery without replenishing the cost pools.

"This represents an opportune moment for Wentworth shareholders to monetise their investment in Wentworth given the Offer made by the Operator of our Mnazi Bay asset."

Ends

Enquiries:  Wentworth Resources Katherine Roe, Chief Executive Officer   [e-mail] [phone]     Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited   AIM Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker  Callum Stewart Jason Grossman Simon Mensley   [phone]   Peel Hunt LLP   Joint Broker  Richard Crichton Georgia Langoulant   [phone]   FTI Consulting   Communications Advisor  Sara Powell Ben Brewerton    [phone] Further information This Announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer of invitation to purchase or otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Wentworth in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable laws. The Acquisition will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document (or, in the event that the Acquisition is to be implemented by means of a Takeover Offer, the Offer Document), which, together with the Forms of Proxy, will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Acquisition. Any decision by Wentworth Shareholders in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition (including any vote in respect of the Resolutions to approve the Acquisition, the Scheme or related matters), should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the Offer Document). Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Wentworth Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons in connection with the receipt of communications from Wentworth may be provided to M&P during the offer period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Code. Important Notices relating to the Financial Advisers Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited ("Stifel"), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK, is acting as financial adviser, nominated adviser and corporate broker exclusively for Wentworth and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Wentworth for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Stifel, nor any of its affiliates, owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Stifel in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise. Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt"), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK, is acting as corporate broker exclusively for Wentworth and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Wentworth for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Peel Hunt, nor any of its affiliates, owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Peel Hunt in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise. Overseas jurisdictions The release, publication or distribution of this Announcement in or into, and the availability of the Acquisition to persons who are residents, citizens of nationals of, jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom or Jersey may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Jersey should inform themselves about, and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or Jersey to accept or procure the acceptance of the Acquisition (when made) may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. This Announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English and Jersey law, the Code, the Market Abuse Regulation and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this Announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom or Jersey. The receipt of cash pursuant to the Acquisition by Wentworth Shareholders may be a taxable transaction under applicable national, state and local, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each Wentworth Shareholder is urged to consult their independent professional adviser regarding the tax consequences of the Acquisition applicable to them. Further details in relation to Wentworth Shareholders in overseas jurisdictions will be contained in the Scheme Document. The Acquisition will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Code, the Panel, the Jersey Companies Law, the London Stock Exchange and the FCA. Notes to US investors in Wentworth Shareholders in the United States should note that the Acquisition relates to the shares of a Jersey company and is proposed to be made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under, and governed by, Jersey law.  Neither the proxy solicitation nor the tender offer rules under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, will apply to the Scheme.  Moreover the Scheme will be subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in the UK and Jersey to schemes of arrangement, which differ from the disclosure requirements of the US proxy solicitation rules and tender offer rules.  Financial information included in this Announcement and the Scheme Document has been or will be prepared in accordance with accounting standards applicable in the UK and Jersey and may not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. If M&P exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer and determines to extend the offer into the United States, such offer will be made in compliance with applicable United States securities laws and regulations. Wentworth and M&P are organised under the laws of Jersey and France respectively.  Some or all of the officers and directors of Wentworth and M&P are residents of countries other than the United States.  It may not be possible to sue Wentworth and M&P in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws.  It may be difficult to compel Wentworth, M&P and their respective affiliates to subject themselves to the jurisdiction and judgment of a US court. In accordance with normal UK practice and pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, M&P or its nominees, or its brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase Wentworth Shares outside of the United States, other than pursuant to the Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn.  These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices.  Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the UK, will be reported to the Regulatory Information Service of the London Stock Exchange and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-home.html. This Announcement does not constitute or form a part of any offer to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, any securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities commission of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved the Acquisition, passed upon the fairness of the Acquisition, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States. Disclosure requirements Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the Announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the Announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure. Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4). Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at  www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk   , including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on [phone] if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure. Forward   -   looking statements This Announcement contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding M&P's and Wentworth's plans, objectives and expected performance.  Such statements relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  There are a number of factors which could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including, among others the enactment of legislation or regulation that may impose costs or restrict activities; the re-negotiation of contracts or licences; fluctuations in demand and pricing in the oil and gas industry; fluctuations in exchange controls; changes in government policy and taxations; industrial disputes; war and terrorism. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this Announcement.

 

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