Client News

United Oil & Gas PLC (AIM: “UOG”), the full cycle oil and gas company with a portfolio of production, development, exploration and appraisal assets is pleased to announce its unaudited financial and operating results for the half year ended 30 June 2023.  A shareholder call will take place this morning, details are below.

 

Brian Larkin, CEO commented:

 

 

“We are pleased to be able to report progress across our portfolio as we seek to explore further opportunities for growth to deliver greater value to our shareholders.

 

Looking at Egypt, we successfully drilled and brought 2 development wells onstream during the first half of 2023. Notably, we maintained our excellent safety record throughout these operations. Our active drilling programme continues with the drilling of a further near field exploration well planned for the fourth quarter of the year. Simultaneously, we continue to work with our JV partners to optimise production from our existing well stock through a comprehensive programme of workovers and well intervention activity. Whilst the macroeconomic situation In Egypt remains challenging, we do continue to be paid a portion of our receivables in US dollars.

 

In Jamaica we are engaged in discussions with the Government and with high-quality potential farm-in partners on our exciting high-impact exploration asset. Identifying a partner with the right skillset to complement our work is of paramount importance to advancing this project and we expect to move forward to commercial discussions with a preferred partner over the coming weeks.

 

Whilst Quattro have not yet completed their funding process and are likely to require a further extension to the long stop date on the sale agreement for licence P2519, we are hopeful that this transaction will complete over the coming weeks, given the renewed interest in the North Sea

 

We enter the last quarter of 2023 well placed, and will continue to work hard on delivering on our strategy in order to return value to our shareholders.”

 

 

1H 2023 Operational summary

·      1H 2023 Group net 22% working interest production averaged 1,051 bopd and 93 boepd gas with full year average net production forecast to be in the range of 930 to 1,030 boepd.

·      In Egypt

–       Active drilling programme continues with two wells drilled in 1H, and one additional exploration well planned for H2

–       Successful ASH-8 development well brought onstream in March

–       Successful ASD-3 development well brought onstream in May

–       Zero – Lost Time Incident Frequency rate and Fatal Accident Frequency rate. No environmental spills, Restricted Work Incidents or Medical Treatment Incidents

–       We continue to have a portion of our Egyptian receivable balance settled in USD

·      In Jamaica, discussions continuing with the Ministry and with potential farm-in partners with commercial discussions with a preferred partner expected to commence in Q4.

·      In the UK, whilst the current deadline for completion of the deal with Quattro has been extended to 30th September, this is likely to be extended further as Quattro have not yet completed their funding process.

 

 

1H 2023 Financial summary 

·      Group revenue for the first half of 2023 was $6.4m⁽¹⁾ (1H 2022:$9.8m)

·      Realised oil price of $78.19/bbl (1H 2022:$105.5/bbl)

·      Gross Profit (excluding Egypt tax gross up) $2.2m (1H 2022: $5.6m)

·      Cash Operating Expenses of $10.65/boe  (1H 2022: $8.40/boe)

·      Profit After Tax of $0.6m (1H 2022: $2.4m)

·      Cash collections in the six-month period of $7.0m (1H 2022: $8.7m)

·      Repayments on BP Pre-payment facility of $1.2 (1H 2022: $1.6m)

·      A 30% reduction in Corporate G&A to $830k (1H 2022: $1.2m) and on target to deliver the 15% full year reduction.

·      Group cash balances at period end were $0.6m (1H 2022: $3.8m)

⁽¹⁾       22% working interest net of Government Take

 

1H 2023 Corporate summary

·      Jonathan Leather, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer stepped down from the Board on 31 August 2023. Jonathan will continue to provide support to the company on the Jamaican farm out process on a consultancy basis.

 

Outlook

 

·      In Egypt we look forward to drilling the ASD-S-1X near-field exploration well, which we expect to spud in October. This is an exciting exploration well located to the south of the prolific ASD Field. The well is targeting an estimated gross in-place mean volume of 10.1 million barrels of oil in multiple stacked reservoir targets across the productive Abu Roash and Bahariya reservoirs. 

·      The ASD-S-1X exploration well will be followed by additional development drilling on the Abu Sennan concession – likely targeting an undrained crestal area that has been identified on the ASH Field.

·      In Jamaica, we continue discussions with high-quality potential partners and expect to commence commercial discussions with a preferred party over the coming weeks. We will provide further updates to the markets in due course.

·      In the UK, we are looking to complete the transaction with Quattro on the P2519 licence containing the Maria discovery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEO Statement

 

The first half of the year saw us deliver positive results from our Egyptian drilling programme, with notable success from both the ASH-8 and ASD-3 development wells. The high initial rates at ASH-8 demonstrates the productivity and rapid payback, that can be delivered from development wells drilled into this field. This success was followed up with a good result from the ASD-3 well which was drilled 1.1 km to the west of the prolific ASD-2 well and was brought onto production In May. The results of ASD-3 significantly improved our understanding of the ASD field and has led to a significant increase in our in-place volumetric estimates for the field by 16% from 11.4 to 13.2 MMBO in the mid case. Both new wells had strong initial production rates when they came online and overall have performed in line with expectations. Our year-to-date average production to September 2023 was 1,067 boepd net on the Abu Sennan concession. We continue to work with the operator and Joint Venture partners on initiatives to offset the natural production decline in the wells and re-instate production from temporarily shut in wells.

 

Safety will always be of the highest priority within our business and we are pleased to report that during the period the operator has achieved an excellent record of safety in Egypt and has reported zero Lost Time Incidents, Medical Treatment Injuries, Restricted Work Injury, Spills, fires or environmental incidents.

 

In the short term, the macroeconomic issues in the Egyptian economy have resulted in reduced USD liquidity, which in turn has impacted our ability to repatriate funds from Egypt. Whilst we have been successful in repatriating some USD the liquidity constraints imposed by the Egyptian Central bank has resulted in increased foreign exchange charges being incurred by the company.

 

As announced in January 2023, the Company has entered into an agreement with Quattro Energy Limited (“Quattro”) for the sale of our UK North Sea licence that contains the Maria discovery. The parties have agreed to extend the long stop date on the agreement to the end of September to provide Quattro with sufficient time to raise the additional funding needed to complete this transaction. Whilst Quattro have not yet completed their funding process and are likely to require a further extension to the long stop date on the sale agreement for licence P2519, we are hopeful that this transaction will complete over the coming weeks, given the renewed interest in the North Sea.

 

From a financial perspective, we have continued to apply our free cashflow from operations to fully fund our capital programme and also the repayment of debt, with net debt reduced to $1.1m at 30 June and period end cash balances of $0.6m. We continue to receive both USD and EGP in payment for our receivable balances with our steady cashflows from the Egypt production being leveraged to the current high commodity prices. We maintain a disciplined approach to capital allocation in parallel to a close focus on optimising G&A and operating costs. Our drilling and workover program in Abu Sennan has yielded robust operational results, positioning us well to maximize returns for all stakeholders.

 

Looking to the second half of the year, the third well of our fully funded drilling programme in Egypt is the ASD-S-1X exploration well which is due to spud in October. Although the spud of the well experienced delays due to rig availability, we are pleased to confirm that the ECDC-6 drilling rig has been secured by the joint venture for this operation.  This is an exciting exploration well located to the south of the recently drilled ASD Field. The exploration well is targeting 10.1 million barrels of oil in place in multiple stacked reservoir targets across the productive Abu Roash and Bahariya reservoirs. A successful outcome on this well has the potential to increase production levels, add reserves, and boost the longer-term value from the Abu Sennan licence.

 

In Jamaica, we remain incredibly focussed on delivering a farmout partner to participate alongside us in the drilling of an exploration well on this highly prospective acreage. We are continuing to make progress towards securing a partner to move forward with us to the next stage of the licence and we expect to commence commercial discussions with a preferred party over the coming weeks. We remain confident that a successful outcome can be ultimately delivered and further updates will be provided in due course. In parallel to our farmout discussions, we continue to engage with the Jamaican authorities as we work together to deliver the long-term value of this licence to all stakeholders.

 

I would like to extend the Company’s gratitude to United’s former Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Leather, for his dedicated eight years of service with United. While he embarks on new endeavours outside our company, we are excited to continue building upon the foundation of success we’ve achieved together. Jonathan will continue to provide support to the Company on the Jamaican farm out process on a consultancy basis.

 

Our strategy remains the same to create value by actively managing our existing assets whilst growing our business through additional high-margin opportunities. This growth strategy is supported by four pillars;

–       the strength of our assets;

–       commitment to managing a responsible business;

–       effective financial and risk management; and

–       an experienced and capable team

 

United is well placed to deliver on our strategy and with solid assets, a dynamic team, and supportive shareholders, we look forward to embracing the opportunities towards continued growth and success that lie ahead. 

 

Brian Larkin

Chief Executive Officer

28 September 2023

 

 

Operations Update

 

Operations Update

 

Egypt, Abu Sennan (22% non-operated working interest, operated by Kuwait Energy Egypt)

1H 2023 Production

Oil production from the Abu Sennan Licence in H1 2023 averaged 1,051 bopd (net to United’s 22% working interest) with an additional 93 boepd net gas. The exit rate from the first half was 1,011 bopd net, plus 111 boepd net gas with Group working interest production forecast to average between 930 and 1,030 boepd for the full year 2023.

 

2023 Work Programme

Two development wells, ASH-8 and ASD-3, were drilled in the first half of the year. Both of these wells were successful and came onstream in March and May respectively. 

 

In parallel to the development drilling, a number of workovers have also been completed, and we have enhanced production from existing wells through low-cost interventions. Further workovers are planned as we continue through the second half of 2023.

 

After producing for a number of months at rates in excess of 2,800 bopd (616 bopd net) and producing 390,000 barrels to end of August, production from the ASH-8 well is now declining, and is currently producing at a flow rate of 601 bopd (132 bopd net). This decline is broadly in line with expectations and the performance of the other production wells in the ASH Field. Based on our previous experience of the field, the impact of the decline is expected to be partially mitigated by the installation of artificial lift in the well during H2, and by continued production-enhancing workover activity across the Abu Sennan Licence.

 

The results of ASD-3 significantly improved our understanding of the ASD field and has led to a significant increase in our in-place volumetric estimates for the field by 16% from 11.4 to 13.2 MMBO in the mid case. This well also had strong initial production rates which have now declined in line with expectations.

 

We continue to work with the operator and Joint Venture partners on initiatives including additional drilling, water injection, and stimulation to offset the natural production decline in the wells and re-instate production from temporarily shut in wells.

 

Additional drilling in 2H 2023 has now been agreed by the JV partners and is expected to commence in October with the drilling of the ASD-S-1X exploration well. This exciting exploration prospect lies to the south of the prolific ASD Field and is expected to take approximately 40 days to drill. The exploration well is targeting a gross mean in-place volume of 10.1 million barrels of oil in multiple stacked reservoir targets across the productive Abu Roash and Bahariya reservoirs.

 

Once ASD-S-1X has been completed, additional development drilling is planned and will likely target an undrained crestal area that has been identified on the ASH Field. Subject to rig availability, this well is expected to spud in Q1 2024.

 

Jamaica, Walton Morant Licence (100% working interest)

The farm-out campaign remains a key focus for United, as we seek to take this potentially transformational project forward into the next phase of the Licence. We have continued to engage with potential partners to participate alongside us in drilling an exploration well and have been encouraged by the quality of the companies who have undertaken in-depth evaluations. The initial deadline for indicative offers that was set at the end of 1H was extended to allow these evaluations to be completed. Commercial discussions with a preferred partner are now expected to commence in Q4. Additional updates will be provided in due course.

 

UK Central North Sea, Maria Discovery, Licence P2519 (100% working interest)

United entered into a binding Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”) on the licence with Quattro Energy Limited (“Quattro”) on 18^th January 2023. This APA had a long-stop date of 31^st July 2023, and although the NSTA approval was received for this transaction, Quattro had not completed the required fundraising by this long-stop date.

After receiving further assurances from Quattro and a non-refundable deposit of $0.1m, the parties subsequently agreed an extension of the long stop date in the APA to 30^th September 2023. It was also agreed that a further extension may be required for all conditions precedent to be met to allow completion of the sale, namely regulatory approvals to enable the transfer of funds to United, and the Licence assignment to Quattro, with such extension to be automatically granted on the satisfaction of the Quattro funding condition being met by 30 September 2023. Whilst we understand that Quattro has made progress towards completing their funding process it is likely that they will require a further extension to the long stop date to facilitate this process. A further update will be provided in due course.  

 

UK Onshore, Licence PL090 (26.25% non-operated working interest, operated by Egdon Resources UK Ltd)

Licence PL090 contains the shut-in Waddock Cross Field, situated in the onshore Wessex Basin, UK. Work continues on securing planning and permitting consents, finalising the site facilities and well designs, ahead of a potential 2024 drilling campaign. There is clearly value within this asset, and United will continue to evaluate all the options for realising this potential, including the option of participating in a well in 2024.

 

 

Financial Update

 

Highlights

 

	1H 2023	1H 2022
Net average production volumes (boepd)	1,144	1,552
Oil price realised ($/bbl)	$78.19	$105.5
Revenue(1)	$6.4m	$9.8m
Gross profit(2)	$2.2m	$5.6m
Profit after tax	$0.6m	$2.4m
Cash from operating activities	$4.4m	$4.9m
Capital expenditure	$3.5m	$3.4m
Debt repayments	$1.2m	$1.6m
Cash operating cost per boe	$10.65	$8.40

 

⁽¹⁾ 22% working interest stated net of government take

⁽²⁾ Gross profits excluding Egypt tax gross up

 

Group Production and Commodity Prices

Total group working interest production for 1H 2023 was 1,144 boepd. The average realised oil price was $78.19/bbl and the average realised gas price was $2.61/mmbtu.

 

Revenues

Group Revenues for the six month period ending 30 June 2023 was $6.4m (1H 2022 $9.8 m), due to a 26% reduction in average production and a 26% reduction in realised oil prices in the period. The entire revenue for the Group is generated from our 22% interest in the Abu Sennan concession in Egypt and is stated after accounting for government entitlements under each of the production sharing contracts. The 1H 2023 average realised oil price per barrel achieved was $78.19/bbl (representing a discount to Brent of circa $2.37/bbl).

 

Group Operating costs, Depreciation, Depletion & Amortisation (“DD&A”), and expenses

Cash Operating costs amounted to $10.65/boe (1H 2022: $8.40/boe). The increase in the per barrel cost is being primarily driven by the predominantly fixed nature of the cost base, and the reduction in average daily production in the period. DD&A charges on production and development assets amounted to $2.1m for the six months to 30 June 2023.

 

Administrative Expenses

Group administrative expenses for the six month period ending 30 June 2023 was $1.6m (1H 2022 $1.8 m). Adjusted for the non-cash items under IFRS Share Based payments and IFRS 16 leases, the administrative expense is $1.4m (2022 $1.6m) Included in Administrative expenses are foreign exchange losses of $0.5m (2022: $0.2m) with the increase being due primarily to realised losses on the devaluation of the Egyptian pound versus the USD during the year and the additional costs to translate EGP to USD.

 

As previously announced in January 2023, the Group is currently implementing a number of initiatives to further reduce General and Administration costs whilst ensuring continuity of operational capability. In 1H 2023 other Administrative Expenses have been reduced by approximately 30% to $0.8m from $1.2m in 1H 2022. This decrease has been delivered primarily through a reduction in Corporate Headcount and reduction in the size of the Board. The Company remains on track to deliver the overall 15% reduction for the full year compared to 2022.

 

Derivative Financial Instrument

In 2022 the Group extended the final maturity date on the BP facility from 30 September 2022 to 31 December 2023. This amendment required the Group to recognise a fair value loss on the derivative of $1.5m in the prior year period, rather than recognising the charge over the remaining maturity of the facility. No additional charge to the income statement in relation to the fair value of the derivative arose in the period as the prevailing oil price remained above $70 per barrel throughout the period.

 

Exploration Costs

There were no exploration costs written off in the period; $302K has been spent assessing New Venture activities and has been expensed as these costs are pre-licence.

 

Impairment

There were no impairment triggers in the period.

 

Taxation and other income

In Egypt under the terms of the Production Sharing Agreement all corporate taxes are paid by EGPC who receive production entitlements from the licence. The Egypt concession is subject to corporate income tax at the standard rate of 40.55%. However, responsibility for payment of corporate income taxes falls upon EGPC on behalf of UOG Egypt Pty Ltd. The Group records a tax charge with a corresponding increase in other income for the tax paid by EGPC on its behalf. Due to accumulated tax- deductible balances there was no tax due in the prior period.

 

Cash

 

						US$’000
Opening Cash at 1 January 2023						1,345
Net cash inflow from operations						3,463
Movements in working capital						909
Exploration Expenditure						(492)
Development Expenditure						(2,992)
Repayment of Debt facility						(1,158)
Exchange movements and other						(521)
Closing Cash at 30 June 2023						554

 

The continued effect of macroeconomic challenges on the broader Egyptian economy has resulted in both a devaluation of the Egyptian Pound and restrictions on outgoing US Dollar transfers by the Central Bank of Egypt. This has resulted in businesses in Egypt suffering from reduced and occasionally unpredictable USD liquidity.

 

As previously announced, we have continued to receive a portion of our USD receivable balances in USD with the remainder received in EGP, the latter of which are primarily used to fund our active drilling and operations programme in country. The Group continues to manage its cash and working capital position through this period with the continued support of our joint venture partners in Egypt and our strategic long term financing partner BP. 

 

Capital Expenditure

The Group continues to engage in an active work programme across our portfolio of assets with forecast cash capital expenditure for the full year 2023 of c. $6m of which $3.5m was incurred in 1H 2023, including $3.2m on the drilling programme in Egypt and workover activity in addition to $0.3m on Jamaica and UK assets.

 

 

 

Events today

Management is hosting a shareholder call at 1100 BST today.   Investors that wish to participate in the event, please click on this link to register  https://bit.ly/46rS2FF

 

Confirmation email with the details of the dialling in process will be sent to your email address.

 

A presentation will be available today on www.uogplc.com.

 

ENDS

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 2014/596/EU which is part of domestic UK law pursuant to the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) regulations (SI 2019/310).

 

Glossary:

1H- first half

bbl – barrel of crude oil

boe – barrel of oil equivalent

bopd – barrels of oil per day

boepd – barrels of oil equivalent per day

EGP – Egyptian pound

EGPC – Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation

JV – Joint Venture

mmbbls – million barrels of oil

m- million

NSTA – Noth Sea Transition Authority

USD – US Dollar

 

 

 

 

Half-year 2023 results – 07:00:09 28 Sep 2023 – UOG News article | London Stock Exchange

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