GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS -- (Marketwired) -- 07/28/17 -- Tethys Petroleum Limited ("Tethys" or "the Company") (TSX: TPL) today announced its unaudited results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.
Q2 Financial Highlights
(all figures reported in USD unless stated otherwise. 2016 amounts are for the quarter ended June 30, 2016)
-- Oil and gas sales and other revenues decreased by 19% to USD2.9 million
from USD3.5 million, however, net revenues increased by 2% to USD2.9
million from USD2.8 million because there were no sales expenses in the
current quarter following termination of the previous marketing
agreement in late 2016;
-- Revenues in the current period were impacted by lower production volumes
as a result of the natural decline from existing wells and a lower gas
sales price. This was partly offset by a slightly higher oil price;
-- Gas produced from January to the end of May 2017 was sold in the quarter
i.e. representing five months' worth of production. The comparable
period in 2016 includes sales of three months' gas produced in Q2 2016
when revenue was recognised evenly under an annual sales contract;
-- The loss of USD3.9 million was lower than the Q2 2016 loss of USD4.9
million due mainly to the absence of restructuring costs and lower
finance costs, partly offset by a higher non-cash tax charge;
-- Adjusted EBITDA improved marginally to negative USD0.2 million from
negative USD0.4 million mainly due to the absence of restructuring costs
in the current quarter;
-- Net debt increased as a result of working capital loans received from
Olisol Petroleum Limited during 2016 which were expected to be converted
into ordinary shares of the Company or repaid from the proceeds of the
investment agreement, however, Olisol failed to complete the
transaction.
Operational Highlights
Oil
-- Oil production in Q2 2017 averaged 752 bopd compared with 965 bopd in Q2
2016, reflecting a natural decline in overall production. The ESP
installed in early June has produced up to 2,483 bopd although some
downtime due to generator issues meant it was not on production
consistently throughout June;
-- Oil production cost per barrel in Q2 2017 reduced to USD6.34 compared
with USD7.73 in Q2 2016, despite the lower production volume as a result
of ongoing cost optimisation;
-- Oil prices averaged USD7.91 in the quarter compared with USD6.96 bbl in
Q2 2016, an increase of 14%, reflecting slightly better contract terms
from the customer and a stronger Kazakhstan Tenge.
Gas
-- Current quarter gross gas production averaged 2,104 boe/d compared with
2,312 boe/d in Q2 2016, reflecting a natural decline in overall
production. Some downtime with the compressors also impacted production
volumes;
-- Gas production cost per Mcm in the current quarter decreased to USD16.68
compared with USD16.84 in Q2 2016, due to the timing of recognition of
some costs although were higher for the half year reflecting the
decrease in gas production and non-variable costs of production. Costs
were also higher in USD from the strengthening of the Kazakhstan Tenge;
-- Gas was sold at a net price equivalent to USD45.33 per Mcm for the
quarter compared with USD62.61 in Q2 2016.
Q2 Significant Events and Transactions
-- On March 29, 2017 the Company announced a new shallow gas well drilling
programme and said that it hoped to commence drilling in early May. The
tender was awarded to drilling company Great Wall and contracts were
signed on April 28, 2017. Drilling operations were delayed from the
original planned date, however, whilst the Company renegotiated some of
the contractual terms, including the price, with the outcome being a
price reduction achieved of around 12 percent. The cost of the drilling
programme is approximately USD5.1 million (USD5.7m including recoverable
VAT) at the current exchange rate with most of the payments deferred
until 2018 when the Company expects to be able to pay from increased
production.
Great Wall is now fully engaged, has mobilised, delivered equipment to
the drilling site and commenced drilling operations which are expected
to be completed in November. Wells are typically 650m and take up to 14
days to drill with testing usually taking up to 10 days post completion.
No results of testing are available at this time.
The initial plan was for a ten well drilling programme. Additionally,
the Company would work over three existing wells and tie in two wells
drilled but not tied into production.
Because drilling has begun later than originally intended, discussions
are now underway to modify the programme. This would involve reducing
the number of wells drilled in 2017 from ten to eight, obtaining and
interpreting new seismic then drilling the two wells not drilled in 2017
in early 2018 based on the new data and adding 2-3 additional wells.
This would result in a 4-5 well drilling program in 2018 with the
intention of maintaining and improving shallow gas production on a
continuing basis.
While these are Tethys' current intentions and plans, all plans are
subject to unforeseen circumstances (such as those experienced to date)
that will naturally arise and which may lead to further revisions;
-- The Company successfully completed the installation of an Electrical
Submersible Pump ("ESP") in its main oil producing well, AKD-01. The ESP
has been operating as expected although some periods of downtime have
been experienced due to issues with generators and the availability of
trucking, in part due to extreme weather conditions. AKD-01 was
therefore not on production throughout the whole of June and July
although these issues have now been overcome and current production from
the well is circa 2,100 bopd with an approximate 55% water-cut;
-- On June 23, 2017 the Company held its AGM and announced that all
resolutions put to shareholders at the meeting were passed on a poll at
the meeting, including over 99% of all votes cast in favour of the re-
election of the current board members;
-- In June, the Company completed the relocation of its main administrative
office in Kazakhstan from Almaty to Aktobe where it already had an
office. Tethys' field operations and exploration acreage are both in the
Aktobe region in the west of Kazakhstan and Aktobe is the main regional
centre. The Company expects to achieve annualized cost savings of at
least USD600,000 from amalgamating the two offices;
-- The cancellation of the standard listing of the Company's ordinary
shares from the Official List of the UKLA and trading in the shares on
the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, which was announced in
March took effect on May 2, 2017. This followed a determination by the
Company that the costs of maintaining a dual listing on the London and
Toronto stock exchanges was unnecessarily expensive for a company of
Tethys' size. The shares will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock
Exchange;
-- The Company has previously had two share registers, a register
maintained by Capita Asset Services in the UK and a register maintained
by TSX Trust Company in Canada. The shareholdings on the Capita register
in the UK were transferred to the TSX Trust register in Canada following
the Company's Annual General Meeting on June 23, 2017 which will result
in further cost savings for the Company;
-- The Company has arranged for TSX Trust to provide shareholders with
access to Direct Registration Service (DRS), the global standard for
securities ownership in which securities are owned, recorded and
transferred electronically. Shareholders who wish to use DRS will still
have all the same rights and privileges as previously, without the
necessity of having a physical share certificate, although a physical
certificate can still be issued on request. Information for shareholders
who wish to transfer their shares to DRS is available on the Company's
website. No action is required to be taken by Tethys shareholders unless
they wish to use the DRS service.
Significant events and transactions subsequent to the period end
-- Tethys and its partner in Georgia, Georgia Oil and Gas Limited ("GOG"),
have proposed to the State Agency of Oil and Gas in the Ministry of
Energy of Georgia ("the Agency") to amend the existing minimum work
programmes for License Blocks XI(M) and XI(N) to allow further time to
evaluate, through additional geological studies, the possibility of
running 2D seismic surveys on the license areas or, alternatively, to
relinquish the licenses and terminate the PSCs without application of
any sanctions or penalties. The Agency has responded positively to the
proposals and confirmed in writing that it has commenced the legal
process to review and amend the PSCs.
Tethys and GOG also notified the Agency of their decision to relinquish
License Block XI(A) and terminate the PSC as work performed to date
indicates it has low prospectivity and Tethys and GOG do not wish to
commit further investment to it.
The full Q2 results, together with Management's Discussion and Analysis, have been filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Copies of the filed documents may be obtained via SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on the Tethys website at www.tethyspetroleum.com. The summary financial statements are attached to this press release.
The Company's Q2 2017 financial statements are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
A barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") conversion ratio of 6,000 cubic feet (169.9 cubic metres) of natural gas = 1 barrel of oil has been used and is based on the standard energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
Disclaimer
Some of the statements in this document are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief and current expectations of the Company or its officers with respect to the potential that exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits in Central Asia and the Caspian Region, the annualized savings from the relocation of its Kazakhstan office to Aktobe, the cost, timing, payment for and outcome of the shallow gas well drilling program and the whether the Agency in Georgia will approve the proposed work programme amendments. When used in this document, the words "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "may," "will," "should" and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are not promises or guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those suggested by any such statements including risks and uncertainties with respect to the potential that exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits in Central Asia and the Caspian Region, the annualized savings from the relocation of its Kazakhstan office to Aktobe, the cost, timing, payment for and outcome of the shallow gas well drilling program and the whether the Agency in Georgia will approve the proposed work programme amendments.
No part of this announcement constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in the Company or any other entity, and shareholders of the Company are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Save as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake to update or change any forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date of this announcement.
See our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a description of risks and uncertainties relevant to our business, including our exploration activities.
See also notes 10 and 14 of our June 30, 2017 Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the status of loan restructuring and an update on litigations, claims and assessments involving the Company and its subsidiaries.
About Tethys
Tethys is focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in Central Asia and the Caspian Region. This highly prolific oil and gas area is rapidly developing and Tethys believes that significant potential exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits.
Tethys Petroleum Limited
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (unaudited)
(in thousands of US dollars)
As at
June 30, December 31,
2017 2016
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Non-current assets
Intangible assets 42,836 42,732
Property, plant and equipment 99,069 103,115
Restricted cash 2,156 2,238
Investment in joint arrangements 4 4
Trade and other receivables 1,326 1,237
Deferred tax 95 208
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145,486 149,534
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 817 449
Trade and other receivables 6,980 6,532
Inventories 611 676
Restricted cash 7 2,713
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8,415 10,370
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Total assets 153,901 159,904
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Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables 24 44
Financial liabilities - borrowings 6,789 -
Deferred tax 11,172 11,913
Provisions 944 910
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18,929 12,867
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities - borrowings 26,950 33,249
Current taxation 560 522
Trade and other payables 22,396 19,838
Provisions 26 200
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49,932 53,809
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Total liabilities 68,861 66,676
Equity
Share capital 5,081 5,081
Share premium 358,444 358,444
Other reserves 43,755 43,648
Accumulated deficit (328,336) (320,041)
Non-controlling interest 6,096 6,096
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Total equity 85,040 93,228
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Total equity and liabilities 153,901 159,904
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Tethys Petroleum Limited
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited)
(in thousands of US dollars except per share information)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
2017 2016 2017 2016
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Sales and other revenues 2,855 3,529 3,335 6,984
Sales expenses - (733) - (1,467)
Production expenses (1,513) (1,328) (2,108) (2,524)
Depreciation, depletion and
amortisation (2,503) (2,927) (5,070) (5,783)
Administrative expenses (1,392) (1,230) (2,566) (3,025)
Restructuring costs 17 (676) (101) (1,423)
Share based payments (51) (81) (107) (163)
Profit on sale of fixed assets - - - 10
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain (153) 50 (171) 123
Fair value gain on derivative
financial instrument - 65 - 269
Finance costs (977) (2,012) (2,080) (3,942)
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(6,572) (8,872) (12,203) (17,925)
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Loss before tax from continuing
operations (3,717) (5,343) (8,868) (10,941)
Taxation (188) 409 573 330
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Loss from continuing operations and
total comprehensive income (3,905) (4,934) (8,295) (10,611)
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Loss and total comprehensive income
attributable to: (3,905) (4,934) s(8,295) (10,611)
Shareholders (3,905) (4,776) (8,295) (10,453)
Non-controlling interest - (158) - (158)
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Loss and total comprehensive income
for the year (3,905) (4,934) (8,295) (10,611)
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Loss per share attributable to
shareholders:
Basic and diluted - from continuing
operations (USD) (0.01) (0.01) (0.02) (0.03)
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Tethys Petroleum Limited
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(in thousands of US dollars)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
2017 2016 2017 2016
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Cash flow from operating activities
Loss before tax from continuing
operations (3,717) (5,343) (8,868) (10,941)
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Adjustments for:
Share based payments 51 81 107 163
Net finance cost 977 2,012 2,080 3,942
Depreciation, depletion and
amortisation 2,503 2,927 5,070 5,783
Profit on sale of fixed assets - - - (10)
Fair value gain on derivative
financial instruments - (65) - (269)
Net unrealised foreign exchange
gain 51 (293) 67 (357)
Movement in provisions (155) (845) (275) (1,636)
Net change in working capital 2,342 (79) 2,531 (216)
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Cash generated from/(used in)
operating activities 2,052 (1,605) 712 (3,541)
Corporation tax paid (10) (21) (18) (21)
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Net cash generated from/(used in)
operating activities 2,042 (1,626) 694 (3,562)
Cash flow from investing activities
Expenditure on exploration and
evaluation assets (51) (177) (104) (455)
Expenditure on property, plant and
equipment (58) (165) (1,004) (281)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets - 33 - 33
Movement in restricted cash 108 (3) 2,788 148
Movement in advances to
construction contractors 14 (203) - (199)
Movement in value added tax
receivable (343) 206 (42) 428
Net change in working capital (214) 61 (228) 39
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Net cash generated (used
in)/generated from investing
activities (544) (248) 1,410 (287)
Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of
borrowings, net of issue costs - 1,500 - 3,500
Repayment of borrowings (502) (234) (744) (574)
Interest paid on borrowings (134) (544) (754) (1,713)
Movement in other non-current
liabilities - (21) (21) (68)
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Net cash (used in)/generated from
financing activities (636) 701 (1,519) 1,145
Effects of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash equivalents (114) 740 (217) 132
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Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents 748 (433) 368 (2,572)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the year 69 1,133 449 3,272
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
the year 817 700 817 700
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Contacts:
Tethys Petroleum
info@tethyspetroleum.com
http://www.tethyspetroleum.com
