Interim results for nine months ended 30 Septem...
FOR: FALCON OIL & GAS LTD.
TSX VENTURE SYMBOL: FO
AIM SYMBOL: FOG
ISE SYMBOL: FAC
November 27, 2014
Interim Results for Nine Months Ended 30 September 2014 and Operational Update
DUBLIN, IRELAND--(Marketwired - Nov. 27, 2014) - Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:FO)(AIM:FOG)(ESM:FAC) (the
"Group" or the "Company") announces that it has filed its results for the three and nine months ended 30
September 2014 and provides the following operational update for its operations in Australia, South Africa and
Hungary.
The following should be read in conjunction with the complete Interim Financial Statements and the accompanying
Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months period ended 30 September 2014 filed with
the TSXV. These filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.falconoilandgas.com.
Financial highlights
-- Strong financial position, debt free with cash and cash deposits up 119%
to US$18.4 million at 30 September 2014 (31 December 2013: US$8.4
million).
-- Continued focus on strict cost management and efficient operation of the
portfolio.
-- The Group's operating expenses decreased from US$4.4 million in the nine
months ended 30 September 2013 to US$3.9 million in the nine months
ended 30 September 2014.
Operational highlights
-- Preparations for initial three wells in 2015 in the Beetaloo Basin,
Australia, at an advanced stage.
-- Drilling locations identified following technical evaluation undertaken
by Origin, Sasol and Falcon.
-- Well locations to penetrate oil mature through to dry gas mature
sections of the Middle Velkerri shale.
-- Civil construction works expected to start early 2015 - tendering and
contracting for rig and key well services ongoing.
-- Company's Exploration License application in South Africa's Karoo Basin
being processed.
-- South African Department of Mineral Resources ("DMR") expected to issue
licences in 2015.
-- The Group's Karoo Environmental Management Programme is being updated.
-- Second Algyo Formation well in Hungary (the Company 100% carried) not
commercial - working with partner on options to derive shareholder value
for the remainder of three well programme.
Philip O'Quigley, CEO of Falcon Oil & Gas commented:
"I am delighted to provide this update on the Group's financial position and operations. During the period, net
cash increased to US$18.4 million up from US$8.4 million at 31 December 2013 and our work programme remains
fully carried. Ongoing expenses have been reduced during the period."
"Operationally it has been a busy first three quarters of the year. In Australia, progress to date with our
joint venture partners Origin and Sasol has been excellent. Our experience has shown that we made the optimal
choice for our shareholders in partnering with Origin and Sasol. Origin's operatorship of the exploration
program to date in working with all stakeholders has been very smart, professional and a pleasure to be
involved with. We look forward to the forthcoming "Dry Season" in the Beetaloo Basin and the commencement of
our drilling programme. We will update the market in due course as the 2015 three well drilling campaign
commences."
"With activity levels in South Africa picking up and the regulatory environment developing, we look to the
future with excitement that 2015 will provide our shareholders with a number of very high value adding events
in our acreage in both Australia and South Africa."
Interim results for the nine months ended 30 September 2014
The Group incurred a loss of US$4 million in the nine months ended 30 September 2014, (US$3.7 million in the
nine months ended 30 September 2013). Operating expenses decreased from US$4.4 million in the nine months ended
30 September 2013 to US$3.9 million in the nine months ended 30 September 2014.
The Group's cash and cash on deposit balance at 30 September 2014 was US$18.4 million (31 December 2013: US$8.4
million).
Australia - Drilling preparations underway in the Beetaloo Basin
Preparations for the Group's 2015 Australian drilling programme, comprising the initial three wells in the
Beetaloo Basin are at an advanced stage.
2014 has seen significant progress of the agreed work programme with our joint operating partners Origin Energy
Resources Limited ("Origin", acting as operator) and Sasol Petroleum Australia Limited ("Sasol") with the
objective of moving the project towards commerciality. A comprehensive technical evaluation undertaken in 2014
has enabled the selection of appropriate well locations to penetrate oil mature through to dry gas mature
sections of the Middle Velkerri shale play. The principal objectives of the 2015 drilling programme are to:
-- penetrate the Middle Velkerri formation to assess hydrocarbon saturation
and reservoir quality;
-- evaluate oil versus gas maturity and determine the most prospective
areas and depth window;
-- provide wide geographical cover of the target Middle Velkerri formation;
and
-- collect data points for subsequent vertical/horizontal drilling,
completion and production testing.
Formation evaluation and reservoir characterisation will be carried out from these initial three wells through
petrophysical interpretation, core analysis, geomechanical studies and stimulation design.
Drilling permit applications are being prepared for regulatory approval. Civil construction works are expected
to commence early in 2015. Tendering and contracting for the rig and key well services, and recruiting
additional project resources are ongoing. Spudding of the first well is expected in mid-2015 subject to weather
conditions as the wet season ends. Two further wells will be drilled back-to-back before the dry season ends in
2015.
Background
On 2 May 2014, the Group announced it had entered into a Farm-Out Agreement and Joint Operating Agreement with
Origin and Sasol (collectively referred to herein as the "Farminees") with each farming into 35% of the Group's
exploration permits in the Beetaloo Basin, Australia through its 98% subsidiary, Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Ltd
("Falcon"). At completion of the Farm-Out Agreement and Joint Operating Agreement on 21 August 2014, Falcon
received A$20 million cash from the Farminees.
The Farminees will carry Falcon in a nine well exploration and appraisal programme over the next four years.
The exploration programme focuses on the Middle Velkerri shale play which according to RPS(i) has prospective
potentially recoverable resources of 2.7 billion BBLS of oil and 74.5 TCF of natural gas in the Beetaloo basin.
South Africa - Exploration Licence being processed by Petroleum Agency SA
The Petroleum Agency of South Africa ("PASA") is proceeding with the processing of the Company's application
for a shale gas Exploration Licence in South Africa's Karoo Basin and the Company expects that the South
African Department of Mineral Resources ("DMR") will issue Falcon with a licence to explore for shale gas in
2015. The Group is updating its Environmental Management Programme where necessary in accordance with the South
African Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 2002.
As a reminder to shareholders, the Company was granted a Technical Cooperation Permit in 2009 covering 7.5
million (30,327 km2) acres in the southern part of the Karoo Basin and the Company has a cooperation agreement
(as announced on 12 December 2012) with Chevron Business Development South Africa Limited. ("Chevron"), which
enables the Group to work exclusively with Chevron for a period of five years in jointly obtaining Exploration
Licences.
Hungary - Operational Update
Further to the Group's press release of 15 July 2014, which detailed the extension of the Naftna Industrija
Srbije jsc ("NIS") three well drilling contract to 31 December 2014, the Group announces that it and its
partner, NIS have mutually agreed to plug and abandon the second well, Besa-D-1, in the planned work programme.
As per the contract with NIS, the Company was fully carried on all costs associated with the wells.
Well testing operations on Besa-D-1 are now completed. The testing of two sand intervals, both part of the
tight turbiditic sequence in the lower Algyo Formation at depths of 2,976 meters to 2,986 meters and 2,960.5
meters to 2,970 meters, indicated that well production did not meet commercial rates.
In January 2013, the Group and NIS agreed to a three-well drilling programme targeting the relatively shallow
Algyo play by July 2014, whereby NIS made a cash payment of US$1.5 million and agreed to carry the Group 100%
over the programme. The July 2014 deadline for completion of drilling and testing of the three well programme
was subsequently extended to 31 December 2014. In accordance with the agreement with NIS, the Group is fully
carried on all costs associated with the three well drilling programme and is working with NIS in evaluating
all options to derive shareholder value for the remainder of the programme.
This announcement has been reviewed by Dr. Gabor Bada, Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd's Head of Technical Operations. Dr.
Bada obtained his geology degree at the Eotvos L. University in Budapest, Hungary and his PhD at the Vrije
Aniversiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He is a member of AAPG and EAGE.
All dollar amounts in this document are in United States dollars "$", except as otherwise indicated.
About Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd 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 focused in
Australia, South Africa and Hungary. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd 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.
About Origin Energy
Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) is the leading Australian integrated energy company focused on gas and oil exploration
and production, power generation and energy retailing. A member of the S&P/ASX 20 Index, the Company has
approximately 6,700 employees and is a leading producer of gas in eastern Australia. Origin is Australia's
largest energy retailer servicing 4.3 million electricity, natural gas and LPG customer accounts and has one of
the country's largest and most flexible generation portfolios with approximately 6,010 MW of capacity, through
either owned generation or contracted rights. Origin's strategic positioning and portfolio of assets provide
flexibility, stability and significant opportunities for growth across the energy industry. Through Australia
Pacific LNG, its incorporated joint venture with ConocoPhillips and Sinopec, Origin is developing one of
Australia's largest CSG to LNG projects based on Australia's largest 2P CSG reserves base.
In New Zealand, Origin is the major shareholder in Contact Energy, a leading integrated energy company,
operating geothermal, thermal and hydro generation facilities totalling 2,359 MW and servicing approximately
568,000 electricity, gas and LPG customers across both the North and South islands. Origin also operates
several oil and gas projects in New Zealand and is one of the largest holders of petroleum exploration acreage
in the country.
Origin has a strong focus on ensuring the sustainability of its operations, is the largest green energy
retailer in Australia and has significant investments in renewable energy technologies. For more information go
to www.originenergy.com.au.
About Sasol
Sasol Limited, through its subsidiary Sasol Canada, owns a 50 per cent working interest in two natural gas
fields in British Columbia and is pursuing the opportunity to build Canada's first gas-to-liquids (GTL)
facility to convert natural gas into high-quality transportation fuels. Sasol entered Canada in early 2011
through the $2 billion acquisition of a 50 per cent working interest in Talisman Energy's natural gas assets in
one of the most prolific shale plays in North America: the Montney shale basin located in northeast British
Columbia. The Sasol/Talisman partnership holds 108,000 total net acres of land in the Montney basin with
approximately 20 TCF of contingent resource. 134 production wells have been drilled to date.
Sasol Limited is an integrated energy and chemical company and is the world's largest producer of synthetic
fuels. It is the World leader in gas-to-liquids (GTL) and coal-to-liquids (CTL) technology with over 60 years'
experience. Sasol is present in 37 Countries and employs over 33,000 people Worldwide. Sasol is listed on the
JSE and NYSE with a market capitalisation of US$31 billion.
About Chevron Business Development South Africa Limited.
Chevron Business Development South Africa Limited is a subsidiary of Chevron Global Energy Inc. Chevron is one
of the world's leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The
company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and
transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants;
manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy
efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron is based in
San Ramon, California. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
About Naftna Industrija Srbije JSC (NIS)
NIS is one of the largest, vertically integrated oil and gas companies in Southeast Europe, focusing on
exploration and production of hydrocarbons, refining of crude oil and sales of a broad range of petroleum
products.
For further information on NIS please visit www.nis.eu.
(i) Source: RPS Energy in its Competent Person Report ("CPR") titled "Evaluation of the Hydrocarbon Resource
Potential Pertaining to Certain Acreage Interests in the Beetaloo Basin, Onshore Australia and Mako Trough,
Onshore Hungary" (the "RPS 2013 Report") dated 1 January 2013 (filed on www.sedar.com and on Falcon Oil & Gas
Ltd's website at www.falconoilandgas.com). Prospective Resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated,
as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by application of future
development projects. Prospective resources have both an associated chance of discovery and a chance of
development. There is no certainty that any portion of the undiscovered resources will be discovered and that,
if discovered, it may not be economically viable or technically feasible to produce any of the resources.
Glossary of terms
BBLS Barrels of oil
BCF Billion cubic feet
CSG Coal seam gas
LNG Liquefied natural gas
A$ Australian dollars
MW Megawatt
TCF Trillion cubic feet
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. This information
including comments made with respect to the type, number and objectives of the wells to be drilled in the
Beetaloo basin Australia, the prospectively of the Velkerri shale play and the prospect of the exploration
programme being brought to commerciality and comments made with respect to the granting of an exploration right
in South Africa 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. The Company 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 the Company. Additional information identifying risks and
uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are
available at www.sedar.com.
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive
Loss
(Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three
Three months months Nine months Nine months
ended 30 ended 30 ended 30 ended 30
September September September September
2014 2013 2014 2013
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Oil and natural gas
revenue 5 4 22 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 4 22 11
Expenses
Exploration and
evaluation expenses (191) (206) (595) (614)
Production and
operating expenses (7) (5) (22) (17)
Depreciation (29) (54) (102) (261)
General and
administrative
expenses (868) (1,140) (3,118) (3,744)
Share based
compensation (65) (214) (272) (487)
Foreign exchange
(loss) / gain (127) 197 (182) 197
Other income 73 152 372 491
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1,214) (1,270) (3,919) (4,435)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results from operating
activities (1,209) (1,266) (3,897) (4,424)
Fair value gain -
outstanding warrants 283 3,844 506 2,520
Finance income 10 375 36 637
Finance expense (651) (41) (619) (2,463)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net finance (expense)
/ income (641) 334 (583) (1,826)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) / income and
Comprehensive (loss)
/ income for the
period (1,567) 2,912 (3,974) (3,730)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss and comprehensive
loss attributable to:
Equity holders of the
company (1,556) 2,929 (3,954) (3,577)
Non-controlling
interests (11) (17) (20) (153)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) / income and
comprehensive (loss)
/ income for the
period (1,567) 2,912 (3,974) (3,730)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) / income per share
attributable to equity holders of
the company:
Basic and diluted (0.002 cent) 0.003 cent (0.004 cent) (0.004 cent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 30 September At 31 December
2014 2013
$'000 $'000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Non-current assets
Exploration and evaluation assets 61,431 74,517
Property, plant and equipment 5,274 5,403
Trade and other receivables 105 77
Restricted cash 349 396
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
67,159 80,393
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets
Cash and cash on deposit 18,383 8,431
Restricted cash - 219
Trade and other receivables 465 473
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18,848 9,123
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 86,007 89,516
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to owners of the
parent
Share capital 382,853 382,853
Contributed surplus 42,735 42,463
Retained deficit (354,559) (350,605)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
71,029 74,711
Non-controlling interests 717 737
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total equity 71,746 75,448
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Decommissioning provision 10,343 11,138
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,343 11,138
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 3,027 1,533
Derivative financial liabilities 891 1,397
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,918 2,930
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 14,261 14,068
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total equity and liabilities 86,007 89,516
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine months ended 30 September
2014 2013
$'000 $'000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss for the period (3,974) (3,730)
Adjustments for:
Share based compensation 272 487
Depreciation 102 261
Fair value gain - outstanding warrants (506) (2,520)
Net finance expense 583 1,826
Other 182 (322)
Contribution to past costs - Chevron - 1,000
Change in non-cash working capital:
Trade and other receivables 6 288
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (764) (925)
Interest paid - (573)
Interest received 36 87
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in operating activities (4,063) (4,121)
Cash flows from investing activities
Decrease in restricted cash 219 -
Increase in cash on deposit - other
receivables (6,000)
Exploration and evaluation assets (6,577) (664)
Proceeds from farm-out transaction - NIS - 1,500
Proceeds from farm-out transaction -
Origin and Sasol 20,471 -
Property, plant and equipment (10) (29)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash generated by investing activities 8,103 807
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from private placement - 25,672
Transaction costs relating to private
placement - (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)
Proceeds from exercise of share options - 112
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash from financing activities - 10,625
Change in cash and cash equivalents 4,040 7,311
Effect of exchange rates on cash & cash
equivalents (88) 649
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 8,431 2,884
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 12,383 10,844
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Cash and cash on deposit
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
At 30
September
2014
$'000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents 12,383
Cash on deposit 6,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
At 30 September 2014 18,383
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-30-
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.
Michael Gallagher, CFO
+353 1 417 0814
OR
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
John Craven, Non-Executive Chairman
+353 1 417 1900
www.falconoilandgas.com
OR
Davy (NOMAD & Joint Broker)
John Frain / Anthony Farrell
+353 1 679 6363
OR
GMP Securities Europe LLP (Joint Broker)
Rob Collins / Liz Williamson / Emily Morris
+44 20 7647 2800
OR
CAMARCO
Billy Clegg
+44 20 3757 4983
OR
CAMARCO
Georgia Mann
+44 20 3757 4980
-0-
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
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