Completion of North West Shelf Project Acquisition

RNS Number : 8026E

Jadestone Energy PLC

01 November 2022

 

Completion of North West Shelf Oil Project Acquisition

1 November 2022 - Singapore: Jadestone Energy plc ("Jadestone" or the "Company"), an independent oil and gas production company focused on the Asia-Pacific region, is pleased to announce the completion of the acquisition of a non-operated 16.67% working interest in the Cossack, Wanaea, Lambert, and Hermes ("CWLH") oil fields development (the "North West Shelf Oil Project"), offshore Western Australia, from BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd ("BP" or "the Seller"), following the satisfaction of all conditions precedent as per the terms of the sale and purchase agreement dated 28 July 2022.  

The headline acquisition cost to Jadestone is US$20 million[1], as originally announced. Inclusive of agreed adjustments, which results from the accumulated economic benefits of the CWLH assets for the period from the effective date of 1 January 2020 to completion, Jadestone will receive from the Seller a cash amount of US$5.75 million. In line with the original acquisition announcement, Jadestone has paid an initial US$41 million into the North West Shelf Oil Project's Abandonment Trust Fund. [2]

The acquired interest includes the Seller's entire 16.67% working interest in the CWLH oil fields, subsea infrastructure, Okha FPSO, and full abandonment liabilities estimated at US$82 million, and represents 10.4 mmbbls of acquired reserves and resources as of the effective date of 1 January 2020. According to the operator, production from the CWLH fields averaged 14,196 bopd for the three months ended September 2022, or 2,366 bopd net to Jadestone's acquired interest.

Liftings of crude oil from the CWLH fields are implemented on an equity basis, with the next lifting attributable to Jadestone's acquired interest of approximately 650,000 barrels scheduled for mid-November 2022, with receipt of the cash proceeds by Jadestone expected in December 2022.

Jadestone will now apply to the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator for approval of the dealing and registration on the petroleum titles relating to the acquired interest.

Paul Blakeley, President and CEO commented:

"We are very pleased to have gained access to this material asset, particularly as we see very significant upside through further investment in the future.  Our transaction is benefiting from the effective date, which was nearly two years ago, and the strengthening of the oil price in that same period. We will also see a positive impact from the next equity lifting, which is likely to generate significant cash proceeds for Jadestone before the end of 2022.  This transaction is typical of the natural transfer of interests in maturing assets from large IOCs, where materiality thresholds do not compete within their portfolios, to smaller companies willing to invest for incremental reserves and production.

We firmly believe that the CWLH fields will be a key asset and a strategic stepping-stone for Jadestone going forward. Over time we hope to work with the existing North West Shelf Oil Project Operator and joint venture partners to add value through sharing our expertise in the management of mature oil assets."

For further information, please contact:

Jadestone Energy plc
Paul Blakeley, President and CEO	[phone] (Singapore)
Bert-Jaap Dijkstra, CFO
Phil Corbett, Investor Relations Manager	[phone] (UK)
	[e-mail]
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Nomad, Joint Broker)	[phone] (UK)
Callum Stewart
Jason Grossman
Ashton Clanfield
Jefferies International Limited (Joint Broker)	[phone] (UK)
Tony White
Will Soutar
Camarco (Public Relations Advisor)	[phone] (UK)
Billy Clegg	[e-mail]
Georgia Edmonds
Elfie Kent

About Jadestone Energy

Jadestone Energy plc is an independent oil and gas company focused on the Asia-Pacific region.  It has a balanced, low risk, full cycle portfolio of development, production and exploration assets in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The Company has a 100% operated working interest in the Stag oilfield and in the Montara project, both offshore Australia. Both the Stag and Montara assets include oil producing fields, with further development and exploration potential. The Company also has a 16.67% non-operated interest in the North West Shelf Oil Project offshore Western Australia, comprising four oil fields containing significant upside potential through potential infill drilling and life extension activities.

The Company has interests in four oil producing licences offshore Peninsula Malaysia; two operated and two non-operated positions.  Further, the Company has a 100% operated working interest in two gas development blocks in Southwest Vietnam, and an operated 100% interest (assuming completion of the Hexindo stake acquisition, as announced in November 2021) in the Lemang PSC, onshore Sumatra, Indonesia, which includes the Akatara gas field development, where first production is expected in the first half of 2024.

Led by an experienced management team with a track record of delivery, who were core to the successful growth of Talisman's business in Asia, the Company is pursuing an acquisition strategy focused on growth and creating value through identifying, acquiring, developing and operating assets in the Asia-Pacific region.

Jadestone Energy plc (LEI: 21380076GWJ8XDYKVQ37) is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: JSE).  The Company is headquartered in Singapore.  For further information on the Company please visit www.jadestone-energy.com .

The information contained within this announcement is considered to be inside information prior to its release, as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

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[1] Further consideration of up to US$4 million in aggregate is payable to the Seller contingent upon occurrence of certain upside scenarios, which are tied to realised average oil prices in 2022 and 2023.

[2] Jadestone will make further payments to the North West Shelf Oil Project's Abandonment Trust Fund via two equal instalments of US$20.5 million payable on or about 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2023.

 

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