First Day of Dealings on AIM

RNS Number : 9274V

Diversified Gas & Oil PLC

03 February 2017

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ADMISSION DOCUMENT AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR INVITATION TO SELL OR ISSUE, OR ANY SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, ANY ORDINARY SHARES IN THE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL IT (OR ANY PART OF IT), OR THE FACT OF ITS DISTRIBUTION, FORM THE BASIS OF, OR BE RELIED ON IN CONNECTION WITH OR ACT AS ANY INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO, ANY CONTRACT OR COMMITMENT WHATSOEVER.

3 February 2017

Diversified Gas & Oil PLC

("DGO", the "Company" or the "Group")

First Day of Dealings on AIM

Diversified Gas & Oil PLC, a US based gas and oil producer, is pleased to announce the admission of its issued share capital to trading on AIM.  This follows the completion of a placing of 61,000,000 new Ordinary Shares at 65 pence per share to raise $50 million (approximately £39.7 million) (before expenses), giving the Company a market capitalisation of approximately $86.4 million (approximately £68.6 million) on Admission at the Placing Price.  The funds raised will be used for the repurchase of Bonds, repayment of existing debt facilities, costs of Admission and working capital requirements of the Group.

Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited is acting as nominated adviser and joint broker to the Company and Mirabaud Securities LLP is acting as lead broker.

Highlights:

·     Established, profitable, proven and fast growing US oil and gas company

·     Onshore licences in Appalachian Basin, northeastern US

·     Total proved reserves of oil of approximately 2,271 mmbbl (1,470 producing) and gas reserves of approximately 153,695 mcf (135,402 producing)

·   Current daily gas production is running at approximately 26,000 mcfd and oil production is approximately 475 bopd

·     Since incorporation in 2001, the Group has never drilled a non-producing well

·     Successful track record of sourcing, financing and closing acquisitions

·     Well defined growth strategy to grow production through organic and acquisitive means

·    DGO's experienced management team and its proven ability to drive operational efficiency creates opportunities for additional value in a low commodity price cycle

·    The Board intends that not less than 40 per cent of operating free cash flow will be paid to Shareholders by way of a dividend.

Rusty Hutson Jr., Chief Executive Officer of DGO, said:

"We are delighted to be joining AIM and thank our existing and new shareholders for their support in the Placing.  DGO has grown exponentially since inception in 2001 and we believe that our admission to AIM will provide the Company with a platform from which we can accelerate this growth trajectory.  We offer a compelling proposition given our extensive acreage position in the Appalachian Basin, our low cost production, our proven track record for value creation and our commitment to pay a dividend to our shareholders.  We have a well-defined growth strategy based on proven and low-risk operations and the opportunity for complementary acquisitions that we are uniquely positioned to execute on.  We look forward to communicating on our progress as we begin our life as an AIM quoted company." 

Diversified Gas & Oil PLC Rusty Hutson Jr., Chief Executive Officer Brad Gray, Finance Director www.diversifiedgasandoil.com	+ 1 [phone]
Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Russell Cook Azhic Basirov Katy Birkin	[phone]
Mirabaud Securities LLP (Lead Broker) Peter Krens Edward Haig-Thomas	[phone]
Buchanan (Financial Public Relations) Ben Romney Chris Judd Henry Wilson [e-mail]	[phone]

Defined terms used in this announcement have the same meaning as set out in the Company's Admission Document dated 30 January 2017.

Overview

Diversified Gas & Oil PLC owns and operates approximately 7,500 gas and oil producing wells in the Appalachian Basin in the northeastern United States. The Company has grown rapidly over the last two years, capitalising upon opportunities to acquire conventional, low risk oil and gas producing assets from larger US exploration and production companies which are today focused increasingly upon the opportunities from unconventional shale production as well as from small family run companies. The Company is well positioned to acquire further conventional assets.

The Group's gas and oil production in the six months to 30 June 2016 was 2,571,315 mcfe, up from 775,665 mcfe in the same period for 2015. Revenues for the six months to 30 June 2016 were $7.6 million (2015: $2.9 million) and for the nine months to 30 September 2016 were $13.4 million (2015: $4.8 million).

The Company's operations are based entirely in the neighbouring states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, within one of the largest oil and gas fields in the US, known as the Appalachian Basin.

The Group began trading in 2001. DGO has a head office in Birmingham, Alabama and was incorporated in England and Wales as a public limited company on 31 July 2014 by its founders, Robert "Rusty" Hutson Jr. and Robert Post.

Background on the Group

DGO's activities comprise the development and operation of conventional oil and natural gas assets in the United States. The Group has grown significantly since its formation in 2001, primarily through the acquisition of operating assets with some drilling of existing leases. DGO has an experienced operating team managing the Group's wells.

The Group has over 1 million acres under lease which are all held by production ("HBP"). HBP means that the lease does not expire as long as the land is still producing.

DGO has total proved reserves of oil of approximately 2,271 mmbbl (1,470 producing) and gas reserves of approximately 153,695 mcf (135,402 producing). Current daily gas production is running at approximately 26,000 mcfd and oil production is approximately 475 bopd.

The Company continues to invest in the appropriate capital infrastructure both at the well head, through the extensive network of Company owned pipeline, and at pumping and compression sites. DGO's operational structure enables it to generate significant operating free cash flow, even in the current low energy price environment, with an average operating cost equivalent to $9.53/boe.

The Company has a track record of sourcing, financing and closing acquisitions. Since September 2014, the Company has completed five acquisitions with an aggregate consideration of $16 million. These acquisitions have added significant production volume and cash flows.

The Company intends to continue to capitalise on the current investment opportunities and the Directors are confident that there are numerous opportunities for further acquisitions. The Company is currently evaluating three acquisition opportunities which have gas assets producing between 1,400 mcfd and 3,200 mcfd, and oil assets producing between 80 bopd and 170 bopd.

Reserves

The Company has engaged Wright & Co. to produce a Competent Person Report ("CPR"), which is contained in the Admission Document. As set out in the CPR, total proved reserves for the Group as at 1 December 2016 comprise:

Net oil reserves	2,271.6 mbbl	2,271.6 mboe
Net gas reserves	153,695.2 mmcf	25,415.8 mboe
Net natural gas liquids reserves	20.3 mbbl	20.3 mboe
Total		27,707.7 mboe

The valuation of the total proved reserves, on a 10 per cent cumulative discounted basis as calculated by Wright & Co, is $125 million.

The CPR valuation is based only on proved reserves and does not take into account the further probable or possible reserves of the Group.

The Group has an overall average working interest in its properties of approximately 95 per cent. and the overall average net revenue interest is approximately 83 per cent. The average royalty rate is approximately 12.6 per cent.

The Investment Opportunity

DGO represents a unique investment opportunity within the E&P sector of the US oil and gas industry. As many US oil and gas investments are primarily focused on companies searching for revenues from new shale formation drilling prospects, DGO differentiates itself by offering existing, consistent production and cash flows for Shareholders.

Additionally, DGO's growth strategy, which is the acquisition of proven production at historically low valuations, provides an attractive investment upside for increasing dividend yields and capital price appreciation.

The Directors believe that there are a numbers of factors which differentiate DGO from other companies in the market:

·    Actual cash flow and strong EBITDA margins create opportunities with a commitment from the Board to return not less than 40 per cent. of operating free cash flow to Shareholders by way of a dividend.

·    Larger public and private E&P companies are selling conventional assets to focus their investment capital on shale development.

·     Due to the importance of continuation of production by a competent operator, sellers are less price sensitive for asset sales, thus creating value purchase opportunities for DGO. The larger US shale E&P companies are seeking buyers for their conventional assets that are proven and competent operators. The competency of the buyer is an important factor for these companies because the continuation of production from the conventional assets protects the future drilling opportunity for the deeper shale formations retained by the E&P vendors.

·     DGO has a successful track record for safely operating acquired wells whilst also successfully integrating assets and employees into its existing operations.

·     DGO has a successful track record of sourcing, financing and closing acquisitions. Only a small number of operators in the region have shown the sophistication or ability to execute these larger transactions.

·     DGO's experienced management team and its proven ability to drive operational efficiency creates opportunities for additional value in a low commodity price cycle.

·     DGO's assets have the following attributes:

-           predictable and consistent production profile

-           typical life span of over 50 years

-           proven low decline rates

-           low operational costs

-           minimal operational risks and production concentration

·     The Group has 1,033,500 acres under lease which are all HBP. This expansive leasehold interest provides DGO the flexibility to develop new production through drilling at favourable rates of return when the commodity price cycle improves.

Board and Senior Management

The Board comprises three executive directors and, with effect from Admission and following the appointment of David Johnson, two non-executive directors.

Robert Marshall Post, (60), Executive Chairman

Mr. Post joined Diversified Gas & Oil in 2005 as 50% owner with Mr. Hutson Jr. Mr. Post was Controller for Whiting Corporation for 3 years. He then purchased TramBeam, an overhead crane company, from Whiting Corporation and owned and operated the business for 20 years. Mr. Post sold TramBeam in 2002 to a London based corporation, FKI Industries. He has a B.S. degree in Accounting (Finance minor) from Jacksonville State University - Alabama.

Robert "Rusty" Russell Hutson Jr., (47), Chief Executive Officer

Mr Hutson Jr. is the fourth generation of his family to be involved in the oil and gas industry but the first to hold an executive role, with his Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather all working in various field operational roles. Before founding Diversified Gas & Oil in 2001, Mr. Hutson Jr. held finance and accounting roles for 13 years at Bank One (Columbus, Ohio) and Compass Bank (Birmingham, Alabama). He finished his banking career as CFO of Compass Financial Services. Mr. Hutson has a B.S. degree in Accounting from Fairmont State College - West Virginia. He is a former certified public accountant ("CPA") (Ohio).

Bradley Grafton Gray, (48), Finance Director and US Chief Operating Officer

Prior to joining the Company in October 2016, Mr. Gray held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Royal Cup, Inc., a United States based commercial coffee roaster and wholesale distributor of tea and other beverage related products. Prior to Royal Cup, Inc., from 2006 to 2014, Mr. Gray worked in the petroleum distribution industry for The McPherson Companies, Inc. and held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, from 1997 to 2006, Mr. Gray worked in various financial and operational roles with Saks Incorporated, a previously listed New York Stock Exchange retail group in the United States. Mr Gray began his career at Arthur Andersen. Mr. Gray has a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama and he is a licensed CPA (Alabama).

David Edward Johnson, (56), Senior Independent Non-executive Director

Mr Johnson has enjoyed a long and successful career in the investment sector. He has worked at a number of leading City investment houses, as both an investment analyst and more recently in equity sales and investment management. During his career he has worked for Sun Life Assurance, Henderson Crosthwaite and Investec Securities. He joined Panmure Gordon & Co in 2004 where he worked until 2013, including as Head of Sales from 2006 and then Head of Equities from 2009. He joined Chelverton Asset Management in 2014 where he had specific responsibility for the Group's private equity investments. Mr Johnson is a non-executive director of AIM quoted Bilby plc, a holding company providing a platform for strategic acquisitions in the gas heating and general building services industries.

Martin Keith Thomas, (52), Independent Non-executive Director

Martin Thomas is a partner in the corporate team at Watson Farley & Williams in London. Martin specialises in advising on IPOs and secondary offerings of equity and debt on the London capital markets, corporate finance and M&A work, including cross-border and domestic acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and private equity transactions. Previously named one of The Lawyer's "UK Hot 100 Lawyers" and ranked by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, Martin advises clients operating in a variety of sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energy, natural resources and mining, climate change, financial services and early stage technology. During his legal career of 30 years, Martin has also held senior management positions including 7 years as the European Managing Partner of a global law firm headquartered in the United States.

Senior Management

Robert ("Rusty") Russell Hutson, Sr., (68), Field Operations Manager

Rusty Hutson, Senior., spent over 30 years in the oil and gas business in various operational roles for oil and gas operators. The Hutson family has been engaged in aspects of the oil and gas industry in West Virginia, United States since the early 1900s. He now supervises the West Virginia operations for the Group.

Timothy Louis Altier, (53), Production Manager - Ohio

Tim Altier is the third generation in his family to work in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Altier started his career at Dominion East Ohio where he worked in the engineering and metering division. He spent 16 years as the Operations Manager at Range Resources and their predecessors with responsibility for all their wells and production in Ohio and New York. After Range sold their Ohio and New York production, Mr. Altier moved to Mountaineer Keystone as Production Manager where he worked with Utica and Marcellus production. Mr. Altier left Mountaineer Keystone to become the Conventional Production Manager of Eclipse Resources in Ohio. Mr. Altier joined the Group as Production Manager for all of the Group's operations in the state of Ohio upon its acquisition of Eclipse. Mr. Altier has a Petroleum Engineering Degree from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio and also received his Master's Degree in Petroleum Engineering from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Garland "Drew" Adamo, (55), Production Manager - Pennsylvania

Mr. Adamo started his career in 1986 with Victory Energy Corporation as a well tender, spending 10 years learning well tending and compressor operations. In 1996, Mr. Adamo moved to Texas Keystone Inc ("TKI") spending 20 years growing from well tending to management. Mr. Adamo managed all of TKI's field operations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, consisting of drilling, completing and pipelining over 1,500 conventional gas wells. Mr. Adamo's 30 years of experience in the oil & gas industry has grown his extensive knowledge of all facets of conventional field operations, specialising in engineering and setting large horsepower compression. Mr. Adamo joined the Group upon its acquisition of the TKI conventional assets, as Production Manager for all of the Group's operations in the state of Pennsylvania.

Lindsey Stryker Pourciau, (31), Treasury and Financial Controller

Lindsey joined the Group in 2011 and is responsible for financial statement and budget preparation, monthly closing procedures and audit & tax oversight. Prior to joining the Group, Lindsey was a Senior Accountant with Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith where she audited construction contractors, manufacturing and distribution companies. She has a Master of Accountancy and a B.S. in Accounting from Samford University and she is a licensed CPA (Alabama).

Placing Statistics

Number of Existing Ordinary Shares	44,210,481
Placing Price per Ordinary Share	65 pence
Number of Placing Shares	61,000,000
Number of Bond Conversion Shares	380,769
Enlarged Share Capital on Admission	105,591,250
Number of Warrants in issue following Admission	3,050,000
Gross proceeds of the Placing	£39.7 million
Estimated net proceeds of the Placing receivable by the Company	£36.6 million
Market capitalisation of the Company at the Placing Price on Admission	£68.6 million
Placing Shares and Bond Conversion Shares expressed as a percentage of the Enlarged Share Capital	58.1%
AIM ticker	DGOC
ISIN for the Ordinary Shares	GB00BYX7JT74
SEDOL for the Ordinary Shares	BYX7JT7
Legal Entity Identifier ("LEI")	213800YR9TFRVHPGOS67
ISIN for the Bonds	GB00BSTLK095
NEX Exchange Symbol for the Bonds	DOIL

Note: Figures are calculated based on a USD:GBP exchange rate of $1.26 = £1 as at 27 January 2017 

For further information, information provided under AIM Rule 26 and the Company's Admission Document please see the Company's website: www.diversifiedgasandoil.com.

Important Notice

Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange, is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the proposed Admission and Placing. Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited will not regard any other person as its customer or be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to customers of Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the transactions and arrangements detailed in this announcement for which the Company and the Directors are solely responsible. The responsibilities of Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited as the Company's nominated adviser and joint broker for the purposes of the AIM Rules are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange and are not owed to the Company, any Shareholder or any Director or to any other person in respect of his decision to acquire Ordinary Shares in reliance on any part of this announcement. Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited has not authorised the contents of any part of this announcement and is not making any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this announcement and accordingly, without limiting the statutory rights of any recipient of this document, no liability whatsoever is accepted by it for the accuracy of any information or opinions contained in this announcement or for the omission of any material information for which it is not responsible.

Mirabaud Securities LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange, is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the proposed Admission and Placing. Mirabaud Securities LLP will not regard any other person as its customer or be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to customers of Mirabaud Securities LLP nor for providing advice in relation to the transactions and arrangements detailed in this announcement for which the Company and the Directors are solely responsible. The responsibilities of Mirabaud Securities LLP as the Company's lead broker are not owed to the Company, any Shareholder or any Director or to any other person in respect of his decision to acquire Ordinary Shares in reliance on any part of this announcement. Mirabaud Securities LLP is not making any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this announcement and accordingly, without limiting the statutory rights of any recipient of this announcement, no liability is accepted by it for the accuracy of any information or opinions contained in this announcement or for the omission of any material information for which it is not responsible. 

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an admission document and does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any ordinary shares in the capital of the company, nor shall it (or any part of it), or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with or act as any inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever.

This announcement is not for publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa, Japan or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction. The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession this announcement, or other information referred to herein, comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

The securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United States unless registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act") or offered in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the US Securities Act. The offer and sale of securities referred to herein has not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act or under the applicable securities laws of Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan. There will be no public offer of the Ordinary Shares in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan. Subject to certain exceptions, the Ordinary Shares referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan.

No reliance may or should be placed by any person for any purpose whatsoever on the information contained in this announcement or on its completeness, accuracy or fairness. The information in this announcement is subject to change. Investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing all of the amount invested. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the Placing. The value of shares can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the Placing for the person concerned.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These statements relate to, among other things, analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to the Company's future prospects, developments and business strategies. These forward-looking statements can be identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will" or the negative of those variations, or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. The forward-looking statements in this announcement, including statements concerning projections of the Company's future results and operations are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto, any new information or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless required to do so by law or any appropriate regulatory authority.

 

END

 

 

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