Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. Interim Results for N...
NEWS RELEASE TRANSMITTED BY MARKETWIRED
FOR: FALCON OIL & GAS LTD.
TSX VENTURE SYMBOL: FO
AIM SYMBOL: FOG
November 28, 2013
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. Interim Results for Nine Months Ended 30 September 2013
DUBLIN, IRELAND--(Marketwired - Nov. 28, 2013) - Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:FO) (AIM:FOG) (ESM:FAC) ("Falcon")
announces its results for the nine months ended 30 September 2013.
The following should be read in conjunction with the complete Interim Financial Statements and the accompanying
Management's Discussion and Analysis for the nine months period ended 30 September 2013 filed with the TSXV. These
filings are available at www.sedar.com and on Falcon's website at www.falconoilandgas.com.
Highlights
/T/
-- Farm-out discussions advancing in Australia
-- Consolidation of interest in Australian subsidiary completed
-- Results of Seismic Program in Beetaloo Basin, Australia encouraging
-- The Overriding Royalty, Beetaloo Basin, Australia reduced, thus
increasing the asset value
-- Drilling of first well in Hungary, fully carried by Naftna Industrija
Srbije JSC ("NIS"), completed and awaiting start of extensive testing
-- Focus on strict cost management and efficient operation of the portfolio
-- Healthy financial position with cash and cash equivalents at US$10.8
million
/T/
Philip O'Quigley, CEO of Falcon commented:
"As expected, we have had an extremely busy start to the second half of 2013. Our attention is focused on securing a new
farm-out of our acreage in Australia, preparing for the testing of the Kutvolgy-1 well in Hungary and working with
Chevron under our Cooperation Agreement in South Africa. We are delighted to report that progress to date on all of
these fronts is in line with our expectations."
Australia
Farm out discussions advancing in Australia
Further to the announcement on 1 July 2013, Falcon has been approached by several oil and gas companies interested in
farming into its assets in the Beetaloo Basin. Falcon is well advanced in its discussions with a number of those
companies and is confident of securing an attractive farm - out with a large oil and gas company. Falcon will provide an
update to the market when appropriate.
Consolidation of interest in Australian subsidiary
Falcon completed the acquisition of a 25.4% minority interest in its subsidiary Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Ltd ("Falcon
Australia"). Falcon Australia is the registered holder of four exploration permits in the Beetaloo Basin, Northern
Territory, Australia. Following the completion of the above transaction, Falcon holds 202,462,686 shares in Falcon
Australia, representing 98.1% of its issued share capital.
Results of Seismic Program in Beetaloo Basin, Australia
Under the terms of the joint venture with Hess, in 2011 and 2012, Hess acquired 3,490 kilometres of 2D seismic data and
invested approximately US$80 million during that period, substantially more than initially expected and at no cost to
Falcon. The seismic database has now been passed on to Falcon and along with existing well data, provides a very solid
platform to extrapolate a detailed structural and stratigraphic model for the main parts of the Beetaloo Basin.
All the necessary elements of a productive unconventional and conventional petroleum system have been identified in
multiple shales and sand reservoirs, and it is now clear that the Beetaloo Basin is an active petroleum system.
Three hydrocarbon plays have been identified:
/T/
-- the shale gas potential in the basin centre;
-- a shale oil play in the northern part of the permits; and
-- conventional prospects throughout the acreage.
/T/
Recent interpretation of the seismic database mapped out several conventional drilling targets that are promising areas
of hydrocarbon accumulation in the form of structural closures and traps.
Reducing the Overriding Royalty, Beetaloo Basin, Australia
On 1 November 2013, Falcon announced that Falcon Australia, had entered into an agreement with CR Innovations AG
("CRIAG") to acquire its 4% Overriding Royalty Interest ("ORRI") relating to its exploration permits in the Beetaloo
Basin ("the CRIAG Agreement"). The transaction details were:
/T/
-- Falcon Australia made an initial payment to CRIAG of US$999,000 on
signing the CRIAG Agreement;
-- Falcon Australia to make a second payment to CRIAG of US$999,000 to
acquire the first 3% of the ORRI;
-- Second payment to be made upon completion of a farm - out deal in
Australia;
-- CRIAG has granted Falcon Australia a five year call option to acquire
the remaining 1% for US$5 million; and
-- All ORRI's acquired under the CRIAG Agreement have been immediately
cancelled by Falcon Australia.
/T/
Falcon believes that this transaction should help to further progress the farm - out negotiations, which are at an
advanced stage. Together with the significant seismic programme completed last year, this transaction further increases
the value of the Group's assets in the Northern Territory.
Hungary Drilling
Drilling operations on the first joint well between NIS and Falcon, Kutvolgy-1 well were completed in July 2013, the
well having reached total depth ("TD") of 3,305 metres. As anticipated, the top of the Algyo Formation was encountered
at 2,985 metres; the well then penetrating an alternating sequence of sandstones, siltstones and shales over a gross
interval of 320 metres to TD, with gas shows throughout. Two conventional cores were taken and extensive wireline logs
were run. As planned the well has been cased to TD and is now suspended. The operations were conducted to a high
standard with no accidents occurring during drilling.
Technical evaluation of the well results has been concluded and preparations are now well underway to complete and test
this well. The process will involve conventional testing of up to 8 gas bearing intervals as a first phase. A decision
on whether hydraulic fracturing of the penetrated tight sands is required will be made upon evaluating the results of
conventional flow tests. We expect technical operations to commence in January 2014.
Preparations for drilling the second well have commenced. Actual drilling operations on this well are expected to start
in Quarter 1 of 2014.
Results for operating activities
Falcon incurred a loss of US$3.7 million in the nine months ended 30 September 2013, decreased from a loss of US$16.6
million in the nine months ended 30 September 2012.
Falcon's cash and cash equivalent balance at 30 September 2013 was US$10.8 million (31 December 2012: US$2.9 million).
/T/
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive
Loss
(Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months Three months Nine months Nine months
ended 30 ended 30 ended 30 ended 30
September September September September
2013 $'000 2012 $'000 2013 $'000 2012 $'000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Oil and natural gas
revenue 4 1 11 12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 1 11 12
Expenses
Exploration and
evaluation expenses (206) (447) (614) (1,561)
Production and operating
expenses (5) (18) (17) (30)
Depreciation (54) (57) (261) (295)
General and
administrative expenses (1,140) (1,670) (3,744) (4,917)
Share based compensation (214) (763) (487) (2,204)
Restructuring expenses - (62) - (674)
Foreign exchange gain 197 - 197 -
Other income / (expense) 152 (40) 491 198
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1,270) (3,057) (4,435) (9,483)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results from operating
activities (1,266) (3,056) (4,424) (9,471)
Fair value gain / (loss)
- outstanding warrants 3,844 (4,578) 2,520 (3,956)
Finance income 375 15 637 53
Finance expense (41) (1,299) (2,463) (3,267)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net finance income /
(expense) 334 (1,284) (1,826) (3,214)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income / (loss) and
comprehensive income /
(loss) for the period 2,912 (8,918) (3,730) (16,641)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income / (loss) and
comprehensive income /
(loss) attributable to:
Equity holders of the
company 2,929 (8,891) (3,577) (16,453)
Non - controlling
interests (17) (27) (153) (188)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income / (loss) and
comprehensive income /
(loss) for the period 2,912 (8,918) (3,730) (16,641)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income / (loss) per
share attributable to
equity holders of the
company:
Basic and diluted 0.003 cent (0.013 cent) (0.004 cent) (0.024 cent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 30 September At 31 December
2013 $'000 2012 $'000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Non - current assets
Exploration and evaluation assets 72,456 74,019
Property, plant and equipment 5,447 5,703
Trade and other receivables 562 1,265
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
78,465 80,987
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 10,844 2,884
Restricted cash 387 386
Trade and other receivables 592 1,756
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11,823 5,026
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 90,288 86,013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Share capital 382,844 339,334
Contributed surplus 42,257 41,858
Retained deficit (350,771) (334,279)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
74,330 46,913
Non - controlling interests 743 10,882
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total equity 75,073 57,795
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
Non - current liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities 638 5,292
Decommissioning provision 10,236 10,955
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,874 16,247
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 2,207 3,122
Convertible debentures - 8,773
Derivative financial liabilities 2,134 26
Decommissioning provision - 50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,341 11,971
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 15,215 28,218
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total equity and liabilities 90,288 86,013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine months ended 30 September
2013 $'000 2012 $'000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss for the period (3,730) (16,641)
Adjustments for:
Share based compensation 487 2,204
Depreciation 261 295
Fair value (gain) / loss - outstanding
warrants (2,520) 3,956
Net finance expense 1,826 3,214
Other (322) (636)
Contribution to past costs - Chevron 1,000 -
Change in non-cash working capital (637) 1,308
Interest paid (573) (579)
Interest received 87 53
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in operating activities (4,121) (6,826)
Cash flows from investing activities
Exploration and evaluation assets (664) (2,827)
Proceeds from farm-out transaction - NIS 1,500 -
Property, plant and equipment (29) (21)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash generated by / (used in) investing
activities 807 (2,848)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from private placement - March 2013 25,672 -
Transaction costs relating to private
placement - March 2013 (1,902) -
Repayment of 11% debenture (10,197) -
Share acquisition in Falcon Oil & Gas
Australia Ltd ("Falcon Australia") (3,000) -
Transaction costs associated with share
acquisition in Falcon Australia (60) -
Increase in restricted cash - (268)
Proceeds from exercise of share options 112 90
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash from / (used in) financing
activities 10,625 (178)
Change in cash and cash equivalents 7,311 (9,852)
Effect of exchange rates on cash & cash
equivalents 649 48
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 2,884 15,358
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 10,844 5,554
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/T/
About Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Falcon is an international oil & gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of conventional and
unconventional oil and gas assets, with the current portfolio spread between Australia, South Africa and Hungary. Falcon
is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with a technical team based in
Budapest, Hungary.
For further information on Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. please visit www.falconoilandgas.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information, including comments made with
respect to when payments due under the CRIAG agreement will be made, the ability to secure a new farm- out partner in
Australia and the expected timeframe for drilling operations and testing in Hungary. This information is based on
current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual
results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Falcon assumes no obligation
to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected
in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Falcon.
Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in Falcon's filings with the Canadian securities
regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
+353 1 417 1900
OR
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Philip O'Quigley
CEO
+353 87 814 7042
OR
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
John Craven
Non-Executive Chairman
+353 1 417 1900
www.falconoilandgas.com
OR
FTI Consulting
Edward Westropp
+44 207 269 7230
OR
FTI Consulting
Natalia Erikssen
+44 207 269 9348
OR
Davy (NOMAD & Joint Broker)
John Frain / Anthony Farrell
+353 1 679 6363
OR
GMP Securities Europe LLP (Joint Broker)
Rob Collins / Alexandra Carse
+44 20 7647 2800
OR
Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Joint Broker)
David Porter / Richard Redmayne
+44 207 894 7000
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
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