Final Results

RNS Number : 3960V
Ascent Resources PLC
28 May 2008
 



Ascent Resources plc / Epic: AST / Index: AIM / Sector: Oil and Gas

28 May 2008

Ascent Resources plc ('Ascent' or 'the Company')

Preliminary Results


Ascent Resources plc, the AIM-traded oil and gas exploration company with assets in six countries across Europe, announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2007.


HIGHLIGHTS


  • Drilling of five exploration wells in HungaryItaly and Spain

  • Portfolio development with acquisitions in HungarySlovenia and Italy 

  • Portfolio rationalisation with divestments in Romania and Spain 

  • Acquisition of minority interest in the Italian drilling contractor PerazzolDrilling provides priority access to drilling rigs    

  • Farm-out of exploration interests in Italythe Netherlands and Switzerland

  • Planning complete for the commencement of Hungarian gas production in 2008

  • Planning on-going for production from Slovenian assets in 2008

  • Fund raising of a net £5.8 million in equity and convertible loan notes

  • Pre-tax loss of £2.13 million in line with budget

  • Fully diluted loss per share of 0.74p

  • Ten well potential for the period 2008-2009

  • Experienced corporate, exploration and operations team in place


Jeremy Eng, Managing Director of Ascent Resources plc commented, 'Our portfolio continues to grow and improve in quality through rigorous management of risk and value. Our focus remains on drilling and testing to prove the hydrocarbon potential of our portfolio, with potential  ten wells planned during 2008-2009. We are also soon to enter gas production phase with our Hungarian assets, as well as further work planned at the Slovenian Petisovci project. Looking forward, we are confident in both our portfolio approach and our team, and we believe that through our exploration and development programme, we can significantly increase the value of the Company.'



For further information visit www.ascentresources.co.uk or contact:

Ascent Resources plc


Jeremy Eng, Managing Director 

020 7251 4905

St Brides Media and Finance 


Hugo de Salis / Victoria Thomas

020 7236 1177

Cenkos Securities plc


Max Hartley

020 7397 8900

  

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT


I am pleased to update shareholders on the Company's performance during the year ended   31 December 2007 and provide an overview of where I believe Ascent is now placed with regards to the oil and gas exploration and production industry. 


Our aim has been to assemble a broad portfolio of oil and gas assets at various stages of development across Europe and to this end we currently have some 20 projects across six European countries. Our focus remains in Europe as we believe we can benefit from profitable development projects, good infrastructure with deregulated local market access and both political and financial stability. Being centred in Europe provides a balance of low risk and high potential with managed exposure to upside value through the mix of development, appraisal and exploration projects. 


During the period our focus was on continuing to grow and improve the quality of our portfolio with the Company's technical staff working hard to reduce risk and calibrate the value of the assets within the portfolio. As our portfolio matures, the drilling and testing to prove hydrocarbon reserves will remain the primary objective, with development and cash flow from production a secondary focus. 


The year ended 2007 was a challenging one, yet I believe that the Company's portfolio and strategy remained sound, with several gas prospects under development or in preparation as the year ended. As a company we experienced some disappointments, which negatively affected the share price, the most prominent being the Anagni-1 well results in Italy, drilled initially as a shallow geological assessment well. During drilling, the prospect exhibited most of the key ingredients of a commercial oil discovery and based on these initial positive factors, a decision was taken to deepen the well. However, Anagni-1 turned out to be a complicated well to drill. Costs went over budget and it has provided what are, for the time being at least, enigmatic results. Oil and gas exploration is a risky business and Anagni-1 highlights this fact. In the strictest sense, the well did meet its initial objectives, which were to prove the regional geological model. In order to refine our understanding of the geology, more seismic is to be run on the structure before deciding on further work on the permit. 


Having noted the Anagni-1 factor with regards to our performance, it is worth remembering that it is only one project in the Company's asset base and we should not let it eclipse the positive steps taken elsewhere within the portfolio.


In Italy, the Company has secured a farm-in agreement on our Cento-Bastiglia exploration permit in the Po Valley where our new partner will fund all the costs of the first exploration well, together with the acquisition of seismic and back costs.  Engineering work has continued on our two Hungarian development projects - Bajcsa and Penészlek. In a strategic context it is worth noting that since the year end we have been able to book proven and probable reserves on the Penészlek area. Whilst not large, it is encouraging that a central part of our strategy is beginning to take shape. 


As part of our overall portfolio management process, during the year, we sold our interest in our Romanian asset for cash and divested the bulk of our Spanish assets. In terms of additions to the portfolio, we gained access to two promising developments in Slovenia by purchasing Nemmoco Slovenia Corporation, while in Hungary we increased our position in the country by agreeing farm-in terms with Toreador Resources on its large Szolnok exploration permit. We feel that the Company's portfolio is now technically well balanced in terms of near term development projects, appraisal wells and exploration prospects and plays. 


Also during the year a noteworthy event was the acquisition of a strategic stake in the Italian rig contractor Perazzoli Drilling. This provides the Group with preferential access to drilling rigs at a time when many of our competitors are struggling to secure units in a very competitive market.


Additionally, the Group's technical and portfolio management expertise has been enhanced by the appointment of Gavin Ward. Gavin, a graduate geologist and a chartered accountant, brings 20 years upstream oil and gas experience, spending the last 10 years with Noble Energy. At a time when the industry is suffering from a severe shortage of qualified staff, it is gratifying that we are able to attract people of Gavin's calibre.  


Post the period end, in January 2008, we appointed Alan Sinclair to the Board as Finance Director. Alan has 29 years experience in the oil and gas sector as a corporate advisor, economist and analyst, working/consulting for a number of well-known organisations. He has considerable experience of the sector and the City and we believe he is ideally qualified to aid us in developing and enhancing the value of our portfolio. Peter Earl stepped down from his non-executive Board position because of the weight of his responsibilities in his other executive commitments and Jonathan Legg reverted from an executive to a non-executive Board role.


Regarding the financial results, we reported a loss for the year to 31 December 2007 of £2.13 million (2006: £2.15 million loss). 


Outlook for 2008


The current year features a busy work programme. In Italy we will continue to evaluate the results of the Anagni-1 well where we will run further seismic on the structure and we will drill the Gazzata prospect on our Po Valley acreage. In Hungary, the Szolnok farm-in features the drilling of two exploration wells and the acquisition of 3-D seismic. We expect first gas from our Hungarian projects, and the completion of a 3-D seismic programme on the Penészlek acreage. We also hope to complete the sale of a portion of our offshore Netherlands acreage and anticipate that this will unlock the value of the work we have carried out on those licences. Towards the end of the year, we hope to spud the Hermrigen exploration/appraisal well in Switzerland and initiate a major redevelopment programme on our exploration and field development acreage in Slovenia


I am confident that results of all this activity will go a long way to maturing the Company's asset base. Furthermore, we will remain alert to potential transactions, both corporate and asset-specific, and rigorous in our assessment of these in the context of adding shareholder value. 


Given the current economic climate and our planned work programme, the Directors and I have taken steps to positively review the Group's cash flow position to ensure that we have sufficient funding to continue as a going concern.  In line with best practice we have set out our potential future cash flow concerns in a transparent and clear manner in Note 1 to these Statements. At the date of approving these Preliminary Statements the Group's cash position is positive and it is trading as a going concern.  


Finally, I would like to thank all staff members for their dedication and hard work over the period and extend my appreciation to all of our shareholders for their continued support.



John Kenny

Chairman


OPERATIONS REVIEW


The Company's portfolio now has some 20 projects across six western and central European countries and with the corporate headquarters in LondonDuring 2007, the period under review, Ascent has made progress right across the portfolio. As well as the high profile drilling and testing operations, much progress has been made in the geological and geophysical work that is the most essential part of the complex of activities that leads to efficient exploration, appraisal and development.


The portfolio is continually assessed and opportunities for strategic divestments are balanced with the assessment of compatible acquisitions. In 2007, the Company exited from its minority non-operated position in Romania and entered Slovenia as the operator of a field redevelopment project. It also sold its Spanish oil assets, but retained a gas exploration application in Spain.


REVIEW OF THE YEAR 


January 2007

Romania    Profitable disposal of Millennium Resources Corporation ('MRC') to Aurelian Energy plc. MRC owned a 5% interest in three gas exploration and production concessions in north eastern Romania.


Italy    Temporary completion of the Anagni-1 well in the Frosinone exploration permit of the Latina Valley. The well had been drilled to the top of the reservoir interval where a core sample had oil shows. A total loss of circulation into the reservoir necessitated the sourcing of addition equipment and materials to proceed with the drilling and evaluation.


February

Slovenia    Acquired Nemmoco Slovenia Corporation with a 45% interest and operatorship of the Joint Venture that owns the development rights to the Petisovci Dolina ('P-D') oil and gasfields and a 15.75% interest and operatorship of the Joint Venture that owns the development rights to the underlying Petisovci Globoki ('P-G') gasfield. The fields are in eastern Slovenia near Lendava, close to the borders of SloveniaAustriaHungary and Croatia.

March

UK    Raised £3.5 million (approximately £3.3 million net of expenses) through the issue of 25,000,000 new ordinary shares of 0.1p each at 14p per share.


Spain    Commenced drilling of the Hontomin-4 appraisal well in the Huermeces exploration permit in Spain.


Italy    Increased Ascent's equity in the Frosinone Exploration permit where the Anagni-1 well is located from 70% to 80%. 


April

Hungary    The Bajcsa gasfield redevelopment project received sanction from the executive management of MOL, the project partner.  The project is to redevelop the partially depleted gasfield by using horizontal well recompletions.


Drilling started on PEN-102 , an appraisal well to the PEN-12 gas discovery.


Netherlands    The Dutch state oil company, EBN, agreed to participate in the exploration of the Company's three exploration licences offshore in the Netherlands. They took a 40% interest in Blocks P4, M8 and M10/11.



Spain    The Hontomin-4 appraisal well was plugged and abandoned after drilling into a downthrown fault compartment of the Hontomin field. This asset was fully impaired at this time.


May

Hungary    The PEN-102 well was suspended awaiting a sidetrack decision as the reservoir interval was deeper than expected in the well.

    

The VAM-1 exploration well in the southern part of the Nyírség exploration permits started drilling.


June

Hungary    The VAM-1 well was abandoned when no viable reservoir was discovered at this location.  This asset was fully impaired at this time.


Italy    The Anagni-1 well was deepened following the arrival of the rig which drilled the Hontomin-4 well in Spain.


July

Italy    The core and logs from the deepened Anagni-1 well showed good reservoir quality and contained good oil shows in the cores. The rig prepared the well for pump testing to recover over 3,000 tonnes of drilling fluids estimated to have been lost during drilling.


August

Italy    Deltana Energy Limited agreed to farm-in to the Cento and Bastiglia exploration permits in the Po Valley. The agreement provided for Deltana to drill one firm and one contingent well, to purchase €1.5 million of seismic and to refund past expenditures on the project.


    The Arrone-1 gas exploration well in the Fiume Arrone exploration permit commenced drilling. The well encountered gas but the logs showed that the reservoir would not be capable of commercial exploitation at this stage. However, well post mortem and geoscience studies were planned to establish any other viable targets in the area.


September

Italy    The Company initiated the acquisition of a minority 22.5% interest in Perazzoli Drilling, an Italian drilling contractor. Perazzoli Drilling has two rigs with 40 Tonne and 100 Tonne capacity. It also has a new 200 Tonne unit on order. This acquisition provides Ascent with priority access to drilling rigs for its projects in Italy and Switzerland.


Hungary    The Joint Development Agreements for the Bajcsa project were signed with MOL.


October

Spain    The Company entered into an agreement with Leni Gas and Oil plc to sell its Spanish oil assets which were producing a total of approximately 120 barrels per day.


Switzerland    Leni Gas and Oil, subject to various criteria, agreed to take either a 10% or 40% interest in the Seeland Freinisberg exploration permit in northern Switzerland. It is planned to drill an appraisal well to the 1982 gas discovery at Hermrigen on this permit.


November

UK    The Company placed £2.5 million of convertible loan notes.


December

Italy    The Perazzoli Drilling acquisition was completed.


Deltana Energy Limited brought fellow Australian company, Otto Energy Limited, into the farm-in arrangements for the Cento and Bastiglia exploration permits in the Po Valley.


Hungary    Ascent agreed to farm into the Szolnok exploration licence and to take a 27.5% interest. It is planned to drill two wells and shoot 150 sq km of 3-D seismic in the first half of 2008.



POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS


January 2008

Italy    Despite producing small amounts of oil, water dominated the production fluids during testing of the Anagni-1 well. A seismic survey to assess the scale of the reservoir updip is planned during 2008 since the new log and in-well seismic indicate that the Anagni-1 location was not optimally located on the structure.


UK    Alan Sinclair was appointed as Finance Director; Peter Earl resigned from the Board and Jonathan Legg resumed a non-executive position.


February

Switzerland    The location of the Hermrigen gas appraisal well was discussed with the Hermrigen Town Council and a location was chosen close to the original well.


April

Hungary    The TIK-1 gas exploration well started drilling and the acquisition of the 150 sq km 3-D seismic survey commenced in the Szolnok exploration licence.


Leni Gas and Oil purchased a 7.27% interest in the Penészlek and Bajcsa gas development projects.


The completion and re-test of the PEN-104 gas discovery was finished. This well will commence production as soon as the facilities are delivered and hooked-up and the necessary authorisations are received later in 2008.


The TIK-1 exploration well was plugged and abandoned having discovered a thicker than expected gas reservoir, but containing gas with approximately 90% CO2 content.  Management have started to explore the potential of other related locations with the project's joint-venture partners.



CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 

for the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2007 



Notes

Year ended

31 December 2007 


18 months ended 

31 December 2006 








Unaudited


Unaudited



£


£

Continuing operations










Revenue


252,652


384,499

Cost of sales


(2,224,517)


(870,215)



              


              

Gross loss


(1,971,865)


(485,716)






Other operating income


35,513


85,993






Administrative expenses


(2,939,276)


(1,929,745)



                  


                  






Operating loss


(4,875,628)


(2,329,468)






Finance income


755,511


129,117

Finance expense


(122,965)


(11,514)

Profit on sale of investments held for sale


2,113,100


57,858



               


                 

Loss before tax


(2,129,982)


(2,154,007)






Taxation


-


-



                 


              

Loss for period


(2,129,982)


(2,154,007)



                    


                   

Attributable to:





Equity holders of the Company


(2,129,982)


(2,154,007)

Minority interests


-


-



                    


                

Loss per share










From total operations





Basic and fully diluted loss per share

2

(0.74)p


(0.94)p



                   


                 












CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 

as at 31 DECEMBER 2007



Notes

31 December 2007 



31 December 2006 








Unaudited


Unaudited



£


£






Non-current assets





Property, Plant and Equipment


13,142


176,788

Exploration and Decommissioning costs

3

9,590,541


4,218,918

Interests in associates


918,475


-



                  


                  

Total non-current assets


10,522,158


4,395,706



                 


                  

Current assets





Assets held for sale


-


805,303

Inventories


646,861


450,774

Trading investments


500,000


50,482

Trade and other receivables

4

3,141,819


2,121,568

Cash and cash equivalents


1,323,773


1,941,044



                  


                 

Total current assets


5,612,453


5,369,171



                 


                  

Current liabilities





Trade and other payables

5

(2,131,663)


(2,555,042)

Bank loans

6

(447,971)


(459,310)



                  


                  

Net current assets


3,032,819


2,354,819






Non-current liabilities





Borrowings

6

(3,468,110)


(458,411)

Provisions


(246,552)


(121,075)



                  


                  

Net assets


9,840,315


6,171,039



                    


                    

Equity





Attributable to: 





Share capital 


304,781


264,825

Equity reserve


84,356


-

Share premium account


13,067,078


7,943,786

Share based payment reserve


1,191,177


793,060

Translation reserves


149,065


(4,472)

Retained earnings


(4,956,511)


(2,826,529)



                 


                 

Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Company


9,839,946


6,170,670






Minority interest


  369


369



                  


                  

Total equity


9,840,315


6,171,039



                   


                    





CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

for the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2007 



Notes

Year ended

31 December 2007 


18 months ended 

31 December 2006 








Unaudited


Unaudited



£


£

Net cash used in operating activities

7

(4,171,198)


(1,334,509)



                 


                 

Investing activities





Financial income


106,834


129,117

Payments for investing in exploration


(5,915,174)


(3,120,155)

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment


(13,549)


-

Acquisition of subsidiaries held for sale


-


(855,786)

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary 


943,694


987,629

Proceeds from disposal of current asset investment


1,399,341


-

Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment


159,072


-

Acquisition of associated undertaking


(918,474)


-

Acquisition of subsidiaries


-


(158,144)

Cash acquired with subsidiaries


(25,056)


77,533



                 


                 

Net cash from investing activities


(4,263,312)


(2,939,806)



                 


                 

Financing activities





Financial expense


(122,965)


(11,514)

Loans received


3,387,950


1,346,620

Loans repaid


(305,234)


-

Cash proceeds from issue of shares


5,047,238


1,282,515

Share issue costs


(189,750)


(75,615)



                 


                 

Net cash from financing activities


7,817,239


2,542,006



                 


                 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(617,271)


(1,732,309)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


1,941,044


3,673,353



                 


                 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


1,323,773


1,941,044



                  

                


NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2007 


1        Presentation of Financial Information
 
         Reporting entity
 
Ascent Resources plc (“the Company”) is a company domiciled in England. The address of the Company’s registered office is One America Square, Crosswall, London EC3N 2SG. The consolidated financial information of the Company as at 31 December 2007 comprises the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”) and the Group’s interest in associates.
 
Basis of accounting
 
While the financial information included in this Preliminary Announcement has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted for use in the EU, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. The Company expects to publish full financial statements that comply with IFRS before the end of June 2008.
 
The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the Company’s statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2007 and 31 December 2006, but is extracted from the unaudited accounts. The statutory accounts for 2007, which are being prepared under IFRSs as adopted by the EU, will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in these Preliminary Statements and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in due course. The audit report on the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2007 is expected to contain an ‘emphasis of matter’ drawing attention to uncertainties relating to the going concern assumption which are discussed in more detail in the summary that follows.
 
The comparative figures for the period to 31 December 2006 have been restated to comply with IFRS and as such are not the Company’s statutory accounts for that financial period. Those accounts, which were prepared under UK GAAP, have been reported on by the Company’s auditors at the time and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was: (i) unqualified; (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis, without qualifying their report; and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
 
In preparing the consolidated interim financial information to 30 June 2007 management revised the assumptions and treatment of the Group’s activities. As a result management have corrected errors under previous GAAP and have restated the closing position as at 31 December 2006. Further details were provided in the interim accounts to 30 June 2007 and will be presented in the financial statements for the year to 31 December 2007.
 
The principal accounting policies applied are consistent with those adopted and disclosed in the Group’s interim financial statements for period ended 30 June 2007.
 
Going concern
 
The financial information has been prepared on a going concern basis. The directors are of the opinion that the Group has sufficient cash to fund its activities based on projected cash flow information in excess of twelve months from the date of these Preliminary Statements. Management continues to monitor all working capital commitments and balances on a weekly basis and believe that they have identified appropriate levels of financing for the Group to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least the next twelve months.
 
In preparing the cashflow forecasts the Directors have identified a number of cash receipts and cash payments where they have had to use their best judgement to make certain estimates. The most significant of these judgements and estimates are described below.
 
The Group has submitted returns to the Italian tax authorities in respect of a substantial VAT recoverable amount relating to 2007 transactions. However, the recovery of VAT can be protracted and until verified by the authorities the final amount and its timing of receipt cannot be agreed with certainty.
 
Revenue from the current development on the Penészlek field in Hungary is assumed, based on the best estimates of production levels and current contracted gas prices.
 
In common with many similar companies, the Group raises finance for its exploration and appraisal activities in discrete tranches. On a number of projects certain assumptions have also been made with regard to working capital management matching cash inflows from cash calls, to cash outflows. If the timing of these inflows and outflows were to change the Group may be required to seek additional bridging finance to meet any shortfall. At this time, based on the latest cash flow projections, the Board does not believe that it is necessary to secure additional financing.

Given the current economic climate and with a possible shortfall between funds expected to be available and on-going expenditure requirements a degree of uncertainty remains over the receipt and timing of the inflow of finance and this could cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If this were the case the Group would be unable to continue realising its assets and discharging its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, at the date of approving these Preliminary Statements the Group’s cash position is positive and it is trading as a going concern.

2

Loss per share




2007  


18 months ended

31 December 2006


Losses

£


£



Losses for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share being net profit attributable to equity shareholders

2,129,982


2,154,007



               


            



Number of shares




2007 


18 months ended

31 December 2006



Number


Number



Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share

289,478,538


229,697,066



Number of dilutive shares under option

-


-



               


            



Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of dilutive earnings per share

289,478,538


229,697,066



               


            



The calculation of diluted earnings per share assumes conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares, all of which arise from share options. A calculation is done to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value, based upon the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to outstanding share options. 





3

Exploration costs  










Group

Decommission costs


Italy


Hungary


Other locations


Total



£


£


£


£


£


Cost











At 1 July 2005

-


-


-


164,973


164,973


Additions 

121,075


2,422,775


1,246,523


516,561


4,306,934



               


           


            


           


           













At 1 January 2007

121,075


2,422,775


1,246,523


681,534


4,471,907


Additions

246,552


4,311,521


68,398


1,798,590


6,425,061


Disposals

(121,075)


-


-


-


(121,075)


Intra-group transfers

-


804,560


-


(804,560)


-


Net exchange differences


-



301,955



106,801



-



408,756



               


           


            


           


           













At 31 December 2007

246,552


7,840,811


1,421,722


1,675,564


11,184,649



               


           


            


           


           













Impairment











At 1 July 2005

-


-


-


-


-


Charge for the year

10,281


-


242,708


-


252,989



               


           


            


           


           













At 1 January 2007

10,281


-


242,708


-


252,989


Charge for the year

4,277


-


302,966


1,027,639


1,334,882


On disposals

(14,558)


-


-


-


(14,558)


Net exchange differences


-



-



20,795



-



20,795



               


           


            


           


           













At 31 December 2007

-


-


566,469


1,027,639


1,594,108



               


           


           


           


           













Net book value






















At 31 December 2007

246,552


7,840,811


855,253


647,925


9,590,541



               


           


            


           


           













At 31 December 2006

110,794


2,422,775


1,003,815


681,534


4,218,918



               


           


            


           


           













At 1 July 2005

-


-


-


164,973


164,973



               


           


            


           


           

'Other locations' include: the NetherlandsSloveniaSpain and Switzerland


Impairment provisions have been made in the year in respect of two sites in Hungary and one in Spain, prior to disposal.  All associated costs were written off at this time.


4

Trade and other receivables 


Group


2007



2006




£


£







Trade receivables

360,804


158,170


VAT recoverable

1,280,769


923,181


Other debtors

284,986


9,886


Prepayments

97,476


1,077


Bond

1,117,784


1,029,254



               


           








3,141,819


2,121,568



               


           







A bond is held with the Cento Bank Italia as security for a bank loan of €2,000,000.




5

Trade and other payables 


Group


2007



2006




£


£







Trade payable

1,579,855


1,248,505


Bank loan

-


428,898


Tax and social security payable

276,826


378,251


Other creditors

-


336,084


Accruals and deferred income

274,982


163,304



                


           








2,131,663


2,555,042



                


           

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.


Tax and social security payable includes National Insurance on share based payments of £229,358 (2006 : £73,920).


6

Borrowings

2007



2006



Group

£


£







Current 

Bank loan


447,971



459,310



                


           







Non-current





Convertible loan note

2,415,644


-


Bank loan

593,413


458,411


Other loans

459,053


-



                


           



3,468,110


458,411



                


            


Company










Non-current





Convertible loan note

2,415,644


-



                


             



Group non-current borrowings are repayable as follows:










In the second year

3,468,110


458,411


In the third to fifth years inclusive

-


-



                


              



3,468,110


458,411



                


             


The Directors consider that the carrying amount of the bank and other loans approximates to their fair value. The weighted average interest rate of the bank loan is 4.8% (2006: 4.6%). 


7

Cash used in operations 



Group


Year ended 31 December

2007 



18 months ended

31 December 

2006 



2006




£


£







Loss before tax

(2,129,982)


(2,154,007)


Depreciation charge

570


26,110


Increase in receivables

(687,753)


(908,410)


(Decrease)/increase in payables

(350,069)


1,503,910


Increase in inventories

(196,087)


(450,773)


Profit on sale of tangible fixed assets

(3,447)


-


Profit on sale of asset held for sale

-


(57,858)


Profit on sale of subsidiary

(2,113,100)


-


Revaluation of quoted securities

60,000


-


Impairment of asset held for sale

148,217


-


Impairment of exploration expenditure

1,330,605


242,708


Amortisation of decommissioning costs

4,277


10,281


Share-based payment charge

398,117


576,380


Exchange differences

(648,677)


(5,247)



                


               







Cash used in operations

(4,187,329)


(1,216,906)







Tax paid

-


-


Financial income 

(106,834)


(129,117)


Financial expense

122,965


11,514



                


               







Net cash used in operating activities

(4,171,198)


(1,334,509)



                


                


* * ENDS * *


This information is provided by RNS
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