Interim Results

RNS Number : 2677C
Zhaikmunai LP
29 August 2008
 



29th August 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




Continuing strong progress in the first half of the year


Zhaikmunai L.P. (LSE:ZKM) ('Zhaikmunai'), the independent oil and gas enterprise operating in northwestern Kazakhstan, today announces its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2008.


Financial highlights


  • Revenue up 93 per cent to US$76.9 million (1H07: US$39.9 million);
  • Operating profit up 98 per cent to US$42.1 million (1H07: US$21.3 million);
  • EBITDup 68 per cent to US$42.1 million (1H07: US$25.0 million); 
  • Net income up 22 per cent to US$17.6 million (1H07: US$14.4 million);
  • Average realised oil price of US$91.92/bbl (1H07US$52.56/bbl);


Operational highlights


  • Average daily production for the six months up to 4,930 barrels per day (1H074,639 bbls per day);
  • End June 2008 daily oil production up to 6,700 bbls per day;
  • Long-term rail cars agreement obtained;
  • Progress with detailed engineering and procurement for the Gas treatment plant 


Key developments


  • New internal reserve estimates report submitted to Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources (MEMR)
  • New drilling programme launched for production wells to increase production under existing production permit


Commenting on the results, Kai-Uwe Kessel, Chief Executive, said:


 'The first half of the year has shown strong progress financially and operationallyFollowing the announcement of six commercial discoveries in May, we have now submitted new internal reserves estimates for the whole license area for approval. This is a new important stage of growing the company's production and financial performance.'


  Chairman and Chief Executive's Review


In June 2008, Zhaikmunai announced that it made six commercial discoveries in the Chinarevskoye license. The Company issued six declarations on May 15 and May 17 which were subsequently submitted to the Kazakh ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources (MEMR) on May 19, 2008. This followed successful drilling and test operations of four drilled exploration wells and new interpretation of existing seismic, production and well data. 


Revised reserve estimates have now been finalised for the entire license area and have been submitted to MEMR, for approval in order to obtain the development lease for all gas-condensate reservoirs. Approvals of the reserve estimates and subsequently, the development plans are expected to be obtained by the end of 2008.


In May 2008, Zhaikmunai launched a new drilling campaign for production wells in order to increase current level of oil production under the existing production permit. We continue to develop transportation and treatment infrastructure for the future anticipated ramp up of production.



Financial Results



Revenue 


Revenues from Oil Sales for the first 6 months of 2008 were $76.9 million, up 93% on the corresponding period (1H 07: $39.9 million). Sales volumes for the first 6 months of 2008 were 837,275 bbls, up 10% (1H07: 759,424 bbls).


Net price received


The weighted average Brent crude oil price on which Zhaikmunai based its sales for the first 6 months of 2008 was US$105.55/bbl (1H07: US$65.1/bbl). The discount, accounting for the trader's costs and fee, was US$13.63/bbl for the first 6 months of 2008 (1H07: US$12.53/bbl). Accordingly, the average netback for crude oil sales on FOB Uralsk basis during the first 6 months of 2008 was US$91.92/bbl (1H07: US$52.56/bbl).


Capex


Total net cash used for capital expenditures for the first 6 months of 2008 amounted to US$90.8 million, as compared to US$55.1 million for the first 6 months of 2007. 



Operational Review



Production 


Production volumes increased 7 per cent for the first 6 months of 2008 to 892,000 barrels, compared to 835,000 barrels for the first 6 months of 2007.


Daily crude oil production increased to 4,930 barrels per day during the first six months of 2008 in comparison to an average of 4,639 barrels per day in first half of 2007. 


At the end of June 2008, there were 9 producing wells, an increase from 7 producing wells in the corresponding period. Daily oil production reached 6,700 barrels per day.


Drilling


During the second quarter, the company continued to deploy 4 drilling rigs. At the end of June, one UNGG rig and two Saipem rigs were drilling well numbers 51, 57 and 115. The second UNGG rig was being moved to its new location at well 121.


During the quarter the company employed 4 work-over rigs. Work-over operations have been carried out on wells 23, 27, 56 and 61.


Finally, an additional rig from KazBurgaz has been employed for drilling water wells that will form part of the reservoir pressure maintenance system. 



Sales & Marketing


The second quarter saw some discontinuity in the supply of rail cars for shipment of crude. The shortage of railcars effectively caused a lowering of the production down to 2,000 bbls per day. By August, the railcar shortage was resolved and production was back up to 6,700 bbls per day.



Gas Treatment Plant


During the first half of the year, project activity continued to make progress, focused primarily on basic and detailed engineering and procurement.


Construction


The main other ongoing construction projects are: the oil pipeline (from the field to the city of Uralsk), construction of an oil loading terminal, the gas pipeline (from the field to the Intergas Central Asia Gas pipeline), infield pipelines and roads, expansion of the existing Oil Treatment Unit, construction of a reservoir pressure maintenance system and the construction of a 90 flat residential building in the city of Uralsk. The first project to be commissioned (end of Q3) will be the expansion of the Oil Treatment Unit.



Financial Statements


The reviewed consolidated financial statements for the period through to 30 June 2008 are appended to this release.



Conference call

Zhaikmunai's management team will be holding a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss this development at 2pm BST on 2 September 2008. Dial in details for the conference call and the replay facility, which will be available for one week, are below.


Participants International Dial In:             +44 (0) 1452 561 263

Conference ID                                        62589379


Replay Details:

International Dial In:                               +44 (0) 1452 55 00 00

Replay Access Number:                         62589379#


For further information please visit our website www.zhaikmunai.com or contact:


Zhaikmunai                                           info@zhaikmunai.com


Analysts/Investors


Frank Monstrey, Chairman                     +44 1624 682 179    

Kai-Uwe Kessel, CEO        

Jan-Ru Muller, CFO


Media


Brunswick Group LLP:

Michael Harrison                                   +44 207 404 5959

Carole Cable             


Notes to Editors


Zhaikmunai is an independent oil and gas enterprise engaged in the exploration, production and sale of crude oil and gas condensate in northwestern Kazakhstan. The Company's licence area is the Chinarevskoye field, which is located in the northern part of the oil-rich Pre-Caspian Basin. Zhaikmunai entered into a Production Sharing Contract with the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1997. Based on a reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott Company L.P., Zhaikmunai's estimated gross proven plus probable hydrocarbon reserves as at 1 July 2007 were 397 million boe. Zhaikmunai's GDRs are listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'ZKM'.




Forward looking statements


In the interests of providing Company current and potential investors with information regarding the Company, including the Company's assessment of its and its subsidiaries' future plans and operations, certain statements included in this press release may constitute forward-looking information or forward looking statements (collectively, 'forward-looking statements'). All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words 'anticipate', 'believe', 'expect', 'estimate' and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. These forward-looking statements made as of the date hereof disclaim any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. 
























Zhaikmunai LP


Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Information (Unaudited)


For the six months ended June 30, 2008


 


















Zhaikmunai LP                                                                                                           Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Information


CONTENTS



    Page


Report on Review of Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Information



Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)

Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)                                                                                                                            1

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited)                                                                                                                 2

Condensed Interim Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (unaudited)                                                                                                                3

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)                                                                                             4

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Information (unaudited)                                                                                   5-13


















Report on Review of Interim Condensed

Consolidated Financial Statements


To Board of Directors and Shareholders of Zhaikmunai LP:    


Introduction


We have reviewed the accompanying interim condensed consolidated balance sheet of Zhaikmunai LP and its subsidiaries (jointly 'the Group') as at 30 June 2008 and the related condensed consolidated interim statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for the six-month period then ended and explanatory notes. Management is responsible for the preparation and presentation of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting ('IAS 34'). Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on these condensed consolidated interim financial statements based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity.' A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying interim condensed financial information is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34.






August 28, 2008















Zhaikmunai LP                                                                                                            Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Information


interim Consolidated BALANCE SHEET

In thousands of US dollars






Notes

June 30,

2008 (unaudited)

December 31,

2007 (audited) 

ASSETS




Non-Current Assets




Property, plant and equipment

3

371,547

289,533

Advances for equipment and construction works


91,395

70,475



462,942

360,008





Current Assets




Inventories 


4,296

2,496

Trade receivables


16,317

9,530

Prepayments and other current assets


16,249

14,973

Cash and cash equivalents


87,808

7,344



124,670

34,343

TOTAL ASSETS


587,612 

394,351




EQUITY AND LIABILITIES




Partnership capital and Reserves




Partnership capital


91,822

-

Retained earnings and translation reserve


85,464

68,240



177,286

68,240





Non-Current Liabilities 




Long term borrowings

4

324,336

203,982

Abandonment and site restoration liabilities


1,920

1,299

Due to Government of Kazakhstan


6,301

6,317

Deferred tax liability


35,375

26,191



367,932

237,789





Current Liabilities




Trade payables


30,071

35,768

Current portion of long term borrowings

4

1,073

45,521

Current portion of Due to Government of Kazakhstan


1,278

-

Income taxes payable

8

547

2,062

Other current liabilities


9,425

4,971



42,394

88,322





TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


587,612

394,351



The notes on pages 5 through 13 are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial information.







Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP


Kai-Uwe Kessel










Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP


Jan-Ru Muller

    

Zhaikmunai LP                                                                                                            Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Information


interim consolidated Statement of income

In thousands of US dollars




Six months ended June 30


Notes

2008

(unaudited)

2007

(unaudited)





Sales of crude oil 


76,939

39,913

Cost of sales

5

(23,160)

(13,343)

Gross profit


53,779

26,570





General and administrative expenses

6

(8,383)

(5,111)

Selling and oil transportation expenses


(6,450)

(2,899)

Finance costs

7

(7,348)

(2,187)

Foreign exchange (loss)/gain


(780)

4,049

Other income


(216)

-





Profit before Income Tax


30,602

20,422





Income tax expense

8

(13,035)

(5,979)

Net Income 


17,567

14,443



The notes on pages 5 through 13 are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial information.







Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP


Kai-Uwe Kessel










Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP


Jan-Ru Muller






Zhaikmunai LP                                                                                                           Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Information


interim consolidated CASH FLOW Statement 

In thousands of US dollars




Six months ended June 30


Notes

2008 (unaudited)

2007 (unaudited)

Cash flow from operating activities:




Profit before income tax


30,602

20,422

Adjustments for:




Depreciation and amortization


4,514

2,358

Interest expense on borrowings 

7

5,731

2,361

Unwinding of discount on amounts due to Government of Kazakhstan


488

487

Unrealized foreign exchange gain


792

(3,668)

Revision of contractual obligation to Government


-

(700)

Operating profit before working capital changes


42,127

21,260

Changes in working capital:




(Increase)/decrease in inventories


(1,813)

902

(Increase)/decrease in trade receivables


(6,835)

2,716

Increase in prepayments and other current assets


(1,373)

(9,047)

(Decrease)/increase in trade payables 


(13,280)

705

Increase/(decrease) in other current liabilities


4,573

468

(Decrease)/increase in provisions 


(1,237)

45

Cash generated from operations 


22,162

17,049

Income tax paid


(3,184)

(377)

Net cash flows from operating activities


18,978

16,672





Cash flow from investing activities:




Purchases of property, plant and equipment


(90,842)

(55,103)

Net cash used in investing activities


(90,842)

(55,103)





Cash flow from financing activities:




Repayment of borrowings 


(245,872)

(4,493)

Interest paid


(17,859)

(6,544)

Proceeds from borrowings


324,381

53,645

Proceedings from issue of Global Depositary Receipts


91,822

-

Net cash provided by financing activities


152,472

42,608





Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents


(145)

137

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents


80,608

4,177





Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period


7,344

2,806





Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period


87,807

7,120



The notes on pages 5 through 13 are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial information.







Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP


Kai-Uwe Kessel










Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP


Jan-Ru Muller






Zhaikmunai LP                                                                                                           Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Information


condensed interim Statement of changes in equity


In thousands of US dollars



Partnership

capital

Retained

 earnings

Translation reserve

Total






As of December 31, 2006 (audited)

-

26,488

1,704

28,192

Translation difference (unaudited)

-

-

-

-

Profit for the period (unaudited)

-

14,443

1,179

15,622

As of June 30, 2007 (unaudited)


40,931

2,883

43,814






As of December 31, 2007 (audited)

-

64,261

3,979

68,240

Translation difference (unaudited)

-

-

(343)

(343)

Issue of Global Depositary Receipts

91,822

-

-

91,822

Profit for the period (unaudited)

-

17,567

-

17,567

As of June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

91,822

81,828

3,636

177,286



The notes on pages 5 through 13 are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial information.







Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP


Kai-Uwe Kessel










Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP


Jan-Ru Muller






Zhaikmunai LP                                                                                                            Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Information


nOTES TO THE interim condensed consolidated Financial Information


1.    General

Zhaikmunai LP is a Limited Partnership formed on 29 August 2007 pursuant to the Partnership Act 1909 of the Isle of Man. The Partnership is registered in the Isle of Man with registered number 259P.

The consolidated financial information includes the results of the operations of Zhaikmunai L.P. ('the Zhaikmunai LP' or 'the Group') and its wholly owned subsidiaries Claydon Industrial Limited (BVI) ('Claydon') and Jubilata Investments Limited (BVI) ('Jubilata'), who in turn own 100 percent of Zhaikmunai LLP ('the Partnership'). The Zhaikmunai LP and its subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as 'the Group'. The Group's operations are primarily conducted through its oil and gas producing entity Zhaikmunai LLP located in Kazakhstan. The Group is ultimately indirectly controlled, through Thyler Holdings Limited, by Frank Monstrey. The General Partner of the Zhaikmunai LP is Zhaikmunai Group Limited, which is responsible for the management of the Group.

On March 28, 2008 the Group listed 10,000,000 Global Depository Receipts ('GDRs') at US$10 per GDR, representing 9.09% of the participating rights of the Group, on the London Stock Exchange ('LSE').

The Zhaikmunai LP is an Isle of Man limited partnership that was formed and registered under the Partnership Act 1909 (the ''Partnership Act'') on 29 August 2007.. The ownership interests in the Zhaikmunai LP consist of Common Units, which represent a fractional entitlement in respect of all of the limited partner interests in the Zhaikmunai LP and the General Partner. At any general meeting every holder of Common Units shall have one vote for each Common Unit of which he or she is the holder. Under the Partnership Agreement, distributions to limited partners will be made either as determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion or following the approval of a majority of limited partners. Any distributions to the Zhaikmunai LP's limited partners will be made on a pro rata basis according to their respective partnership interests in the Zhaikmunai LP and will be paid only to the record holders of Common Units.

The Group was formed through a reorganization of entities under common control on March 28, 2008 to enable the listing of GDRs on the LSE. This consolidated financial information has been prepared using the pooling of interest method and, as such, the financial information has been presented as if the transfers of the Group interests in Claydon and Jubilata had occurred from the beginning of the earliest period presented.

The Partnership was established in 1997 for the purpose of exploration and development of Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field in the Western Kazakhstan Region. The Partnership carries out its activities in accordance with the Contract for Additional Exploration, Production and Production-Sharing of Crude Hydrocarbons in the Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field (the 'Contract') dated October 31, 1997 in accordance with the license MG No. 253D (the 'License') for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field between the State Committee of Investments of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Partnership. 

The registered address of the Zhaikmunai L.P. is: Clinch House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man IM991R2.

This interim condensed consolidated financial information was authorized for issue by issue by Kai-Uwe Kessel, Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP and by Jan-Ru Muller, Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner of Zhaikmunai LP on August 28, 2008.

2.    BASIS OF PREPARATION

The interim condensed consolidated financial information for the six months ended June 30, 2008 has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 and should be read in conjunction with the Group's combined annual financial information for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Group's combined annual financial information was prepared on the same basis as the consolidated financial information for the six months ended June 30, 2008 except that, as discussed above, as a result of the common control transaction, equity now consists of Zhaikmunai LP's partnership capital as described above.


The functional currency of individual entities within the Group is determined as the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are initially recorded at the functional currency rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange gains and losses on settlement of foreign currency transactions translated at the rate prevailing at the date of the transactions, or the translation of monetary assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates, are taken to the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at historical cost are translated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction.

The functional currency of the Partnership is the Kazakhstan Tenge as its operating activities are conducted in Kazakhstan. The functional currency of the remainder of the Group is the US Dollar. On consolidation, income statements of subsidiaries are translated into US Dollars, at average rates of exchange. Balance sheet items are translated into US dollars at period end exchange rates. Exchange differences on the retranslation are taken to a separate component of equity.

Currency exchange rates established by the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange ('KASE') at the respective balance sheet dates were used to translate the assets and liabilities, and the weighted average of currency exchange rates of the KASE for six months of 2007 and 2008 were used to translate the income and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The following Tenge / US Dollar closing rates and weighted average rates were used during the preparation of the financial information:


2008

2007




Weighted average rate for the six months ended June 30,

120,51

123,14

Rate at the balance sheet date

120,75

120,3

This condensed interim financial information has been prepared on an historical cost basis except for financial instruments.


2.    BASIS OF PREPARATION (continued)

Accounting Policies

The accounting policies applied in preparation of this interim condensed consolidated financial information are consistent with those applied in preparation of the Group's combined annual financial information for the year ended December 31, 2007.

New accounting developments

The following IFRS and IFRIC interpretations are not yet in effect as at June 30, 2008:

  • IFRS 3    Business Combinations - amendment

  • IFRS 8    Operating Segments

  • IAS 27    Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements - amendment

  • IFRIC 11    IFRS 2 - Group and Treasury Share Transactions

  • IFRIC 12    Service Concession Arrangements

  • IFRIC 13    Customer Loyalty Programmes

  • IFRIC 14    IAS 19 - The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction 

The Partnership expects that the adoption of the pronouncements listed above have or will have no material impact on the Group's results of operations and financial position. 

3.    Property, Plant and Equipment

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Group had net additions of property, plant and equipment of US dollars 87,799 thousand. These additions included capitalised interest of US dollars 9,878 thousand and abandonment and site restoration assets of US dollars 569 thousand. 

4.    Borrowings

In thousands of US dollars

June 30, 2008

(unaudited)

December 31,

2007 (audited)


Current

Non-current

Current

Non-current






Credit line due to Bank Turan Alem

-

-

38,793

203,982

Loan due to Blavin Holdings Limited

-

-

6,728

-

BNP Paribas facility

1,073

324,336

-

-


1,073

324,336

45,521

203,982

BNP Paribas facility

The Partnership has entered into a 550 million US Dollar senior secured facility agreement with BNP Paribas as mandated lead arranger maturing no later than 31 December 2014. The BNP Paribas Facility comprises three tranches of US Dollars 200 million, US Dollars 200 million and US Dollars150 million. The Group has incurred fees related to the arrangement of the BNP Paribas facility of 20 million US Dollars. These fees are included within the total of the 324,336 thousand US Dollars drawn down as at June 30, 2008.

The rate of interest payable on outstanding amounts under each tranche will be LIBOR plus, under tranche 1, a margin of 3%, under tranche 2, a margin of 4% and under tranche 3, a margin of 5%.

The total amount outstanding is repayable in accordance with a repayment schedule, reducing the total commitments to US$450 million on December 31, 2010 and reducing to zero by December 31, 2014. In addition, the BNP Paribas Facility is mandatorily prepayable to the extent of the proceeds of any material disposals, debt offerings and a cash sweep of 50% of the Partnership collected revenue (in excess of US$25 million). The Partnership is also entitled to voluntarily prepay the amounts outstanding. The Partnership is required to give customary representations and warranties, repeated periodically, and maintain certain covenants. 

Pursuant to the terms of the BNP Paribas facility the Partnership has entered, at nil cost, into a hedging contract covering oil export sales commencing March 2008 through till December 2013:

Year
Quantity
Brent put price
Brent call price
Barrels (‘bbls’) per month
US Dollars per bbl
US Dollars per bbl
 
 
 
 
2008
96,769
70
123
2009
107,639
70
123
2010
99,461
70
-
2011
96,956
70
-
2012
60,493
70
-
2013
48,384
70
-


Gains and losses on the hedge contract, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, are taken directly to the profit and loss.

The Partnership is additionally required to maintain and fund a debt service reserve account with a balance equal to at least 5% of the amount outstanding under the BNP Paribas Facility. Lastly, the Partnership is required to maintain annual oil and gas off-take contracts (gas to be commenced in 2010) with off-takers required to purchase 80% of total production and 100% of production available for export. The Partnership's obligations under the BNP Paribas Facility are secured by various forms of security, including, (i) a pledge over 100% of the participatory interests in the Partnership; (ii) pledges over its bank accounts; (iii) the assignment of rights under the off-take contracts; (iv) assignment of all guarantees or performance bonds issued in connection with the contract with KSS for the Gas Treatment Facility; and (v) assignment of the benefit of the Partnership's relevant existing and future insurance policies. 

5.    COST OF SALES


Six months ended June 30,

In thousands of US dollars

2008 (unaudited)

2007 (unaudited)




Depreciation and amortization

4,161  

2,358

Well workover costs

4,006  

 1,785

Repair, maintenance and other services

3,128 

2,039

Materials and supplies

2,587 

954

Royalties 

2,400 

1,642

Payroll and related taxes

1,677 

1,221

Rent and operation of oil separation units

1,479 

795

Environmental levies

1,117 

443

Management fees

972 

1,069

Other transportation services

751 

434

Government profit share

710 

400

Other

172 

203


23,160 

13,343


6.    General and administrative expenses


Six months ended June 30,

In thousands of US dollars

2008 (unaudited)

2007 (unaudited)




     Professional services

2,547 

332

Payroll and related taxes

1,099 

  918

     Training

1,313 

845

Management fees

925 

1,461

Equity option plan (Note 8)

871 

 -

     Other

410 

246

     Bank charges 

264 

608

     Sponsorship

192 

153

     Insurance fees

177 

36

     Communication

166 

125

     Business trip

127 

60

     Lease payments

122 

86

     Social program

100 

125

     Materials and supplies

70 

116


8,383 

5,111


7.    FINANCE COSTs


Six months ended June 30,

In thousands of US dollars

2008 (unaudited)

2007 (unaudited)

 



Interest income

(244)

(2)

Interest expense on borrowings

5,731

2,361

Losses on hedge contract (Note 4)

1,321

-

Unwinding of discount on Due to Government

488

481

Revision of contractual obligation to Government

-

(700)

Unwinding of discount on Abandonment and Site Restoration Liability

52

45


7,348

2,187

8.    Equity-based TRANSACTIONS


Employees (including senior executives and executive directors) of members of the Group receive remuneration in the form of equity-based payment transactions, whereby employees render services as consideration for share appreciation rights, which can only be settled in cash ('cash-settled transactions').


The cost of cash-settled equity-based employee compensation is measured initially at fair value at the grant date using a binomial model, further details of which are given in Note 8. This fair value is expensed over the period until vesting with the recognition of a corresponding liability. The liability is remeasured at each balance sheet date up to and including the settlement date with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.


The expense recognised for employee services received during the year is shown in the following table:


In thousands of US dollars

6m 2008 (unaudited)

6m 2007 (unaudited)

Expense arising from cash-settled share-based payment transactions

871

-



The equity-based payment plan is described below. There have been no cancellations or modifications to any of the plans during 2008. 


On March 27, 2008, 2,250,000 equity appreciation rights (SARs) were granted to senior employees and executive directors of members of the Group, which can only be settled in cash. These will vest over a five year period from the date of grant, so that one fifth of granted SARs vests on each of the five anniversaries from the date of grant date. The contractual life of the SARs is ten years. The fair value of the SARs is measured at the grant date using a binomial option pricing model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. SARs are exercisable at any time after vesting till the end of the contractual life and give its holder a right to a difference between the market value of the Group's SDRs at the date of exercise and the IPO value of SDR's, which is 10 US Dollars. The services received and a liability to pay for those services are recognised over the expected vesting period. Until the liability is settled it is remeasured at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss as part of the employee benefit expenses arising from cash-settled share-based payment transactions. 

The carrying amount of the liability relating to the SARs at 30 June 2008 is US Dollar 871 (2007: nil). No SARs had vested at 30 June 2008 (2007: Nil).

The following table illustrates the number (No.) and weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) of, and movements in, equity options during the year: 



June 30,

2008 (unaudited)

December 31,

2007


No.

WAEP, 

US Dollar

No.

WAEP, 

US Dollar






Outstanding at the beginning of period

-

-

-

-

Granted 

2,250,000

10

-

-

Exercised

-

-

-

-

Outstanding at the end of period

2,250,000

10

-

-

Exercisable at the end of period

-

-

-

-


9.    Equity-based TRANSACTIONS (continued)


The following table lists the inputs to the models used for the plan for the six months ended 30 June 2008:

Dividend yield (%)                        0

Expected volatility (%)               20

Risk -free interest rate (%)      4.04

Expected life (years)                   6.6

Option turnover (%)                   10


The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome.


9.    income Tax Expense

The income tax expense consisted of the following:

 
Six months ended June 30,
 
In thousands of US dollars
2008 (unaudited)
2007 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expenses comprise:
 
 
 
 
- current income tax expense
                           5 094
                           2,439
 
 
- deferred income tax expense
                           7 941    
                           3,540
 
 
Total income tax expense
                        13,035
                           5,979
 
 

10.    Related Party Transactions

For the purpose of this interim condensed consolidated financial information related parties transactions include mainly balances and transactions between the Group and the participants and/or their subsidiaries or associated companies.

Balances with related parties at the balance sheet dates and transactions with related parties for the respective periods follow.

In thousands of US dollars
June 30,
2008 (unaudited)
December 31,
 2007 (audited)
 
 
 
Trade receivables and advances
 
 
 
Frans van der Schoot N.V.
1,500


   The balance represents advances paid for future services.

In thousands of US dollars
June 30,
2008 (unaudited)
December 31,
 2007 (audited)
 
 
 
 
 
Trade payables
 
 
 
Amersham Oil LLP
                        104
                          81
 
Probel Capital Management N.V.
                         159
                        190
 
Total
                            263
271

 

 
                          Six months ended June 30,
 
In thousands of US dollars
2008 (unaudited)
2007 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees and consulting services
 
 
 
 
Probel Capital Management N.V.
1,219
1,069
 
 
Frans van der Schoot B.V.
4,408
899
 
 
Amersham Oil LLP
644
622
 
 
Total
6,271
2,590
 

 

 10.    Related Party Transactions (continued)

Management fees are payable in accordance with the Technical Assistance Agreement ('TAA') signed between the Partnership, Amersham Oil LLP, Probel Capital Management N.V. and Frans van der Schoot B.V and relate to the rendering of geological, geophysical, drilling, scientific, technical and other consultancy services. 

All related parties are companies indirectly controlled, through Thyler Holdings Limited, by Frank Monstrey.

11.    COMMITMENTS and contingencies

Capital Commitments

As of June 30, 2008 the Group had contractual capital commitments of US Dollars 278,647 thousand (December 31, 2007: US Dollars 186,148 thousand). 

Operating leases 

The Group entered into a lease agreement for the main administrative office in Uralsk in October 2006 for a period of 20 years for US Dollar 12 thousand per month.


There have been no changes to the the Group's contingent liablities as disclosed in the Group's combined annual financial information for the year ended December 31, 2007.





This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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