Interim Results

Pan Andean Resources PLC 08 December 2004 Pan Andean Resources plc Interim Results for the six months to 30th September 2004 Highlights • Pre-Tax Profit for the six months ending 30th Sept 2004 of £376,000 (increase of 19% on 2003) • Profitable, cash generating and debt-free with £2.2m cash on the balance sheet • Active drilling program during 2004 with Pan Andean participating in four wells • Activity in the US will continue with drilling on Estaban licence as well as evaluation of existing licences for further drilling opportunities Chairman's Statement During the six month period ending 30th September 2004 Pan Andean recorded a pre-tax profit of £359,000 due mainly to high oil and gas prices. The last few months have been an exciting and turbulent time for Pan Andean. High gas prices have been good for our cash flow and the recommencement of production from High Island 30 L will help our earnings in 2005. The main focus during 2004 has been on exploration. We, together with our partners, drilled three wells in the US, two in onshore Texas, one in the Gulf of Mexico and one in Bolivia. The overall outcome is mixed, two producers in the U.S. and one dry, while the Bolivian project found gas, but had technical difficulties testing at over 4,000 metres. The Blackstone Ivory well on Danbury Dome near Houston, Texas had the potential to make a significant contribution to the company. Targets of 50 billion cubic feet of gas were identified, but instead we discovered 1 billion cubic feet of gas. We are now completing the well by drilling the remaining secondary targets at greater depth. Drilling will be completed during December 2004. We will then technically evaluate the results and consider drilling the deeper Golden Eye prospect at 17,000 feet. Sands in the principal two target zones contained water, not gas. The well, which cost over US $5m and was financed by our partners, will be brought into production early in 2005 at an expected rate of 3 mmcf of gas per day. Pan Andean farmed out the project and maintained a 20% carried interest. The net results will be a monthly income of at least US$60k at no cost to Pan Andean. Earlier in the year we drilled the Vrazel well in the Danbury Dome area. This well is now producing 1.3 mmcf a day, worth US$40k a month to Pan Andean, after four months of significant mechanical and technical problems. Over the summer, we drilled a well on our High Island 68 offshore Texas licence in the Gulf of Mexico, participating 50% with the operator. The well contained no commercial oil or gas. The cost to the company was US $800,000. Meanwhile, our revenue from gas production continues to grow. We now receive monthly income from the Gryphon royalty on High Island 52, the Zachry and Vrazel wells onshore Texas and a small royalty from the North Bob West field in Texas. Income will grow significantly in early 2005 when High Island 30L comes back on stream and the Blackstone Ivory well commences production. High Island 30L is an oil producer in the Gulf of Mexico. It is being upgraded with gas lifts to increase the output as well as a new piping system. In Bolivia, with our partner Chaco / BP (Pan Andean has an interest of 10%) we drilled a fourth well on the large El Dorado gas discovery close to the city of Santa Cruz. The well was to test the extension of the field and to prove up reserves. The well was relatively deep at 4,200 metres at an estimated US $7.0m plus total cost. The well was an exploration success showing that the gas and condensate reserves extend across the El Dorado fault to the western side of the anticline. Gas shows were found and production testing undertaken. Mechanical problems deep in the hole made it impossible to adequately test the extent of the gas discovery in the main target zone. Electric logs showing the presence of gas, good porosity and permeability, strengthen our belief that the total reserves are over 400 bcf of gas and 6 million barrels of associated condensate. Bolivia is a country blessed with vast gas reserves (circa 60 trillion cubic feet) and well located to supply the emerging markets of South America, but major political, fiscal and economic uncertainty has developed. There is no doubt that the future of Bolivia lies in developing its hydrocarbon and mineral resources, but it will take time to realise this potential. We produce oil and gas from our joint venture field at Monteagudo (Pan Andean interest - 30%). Tightly regulated prices and fluctuating taxes means that we break even. There are major exploration targets identified by 3D seismic at depth in Monteagudo. Total, on an adjacent block, has discovered 10 trillion cubic feet of gas in sands, which run through our block. There is no market at present for this gas. It is likely that the gas, when developed, will be sold to Argentina. The El Dorado gas field is much better situated in eastern Bolivia, close to the growing city of Santa Cruz and the major gas export pipeline to Brazil. After a slowdown from 2001 to 2003, Brazilian energy demand is again growing rapidly. Brazilian gas purchases from Bolivia have doubled in one year. A second pipeline is planned. We have a clear transport cost advantage due to pipeline proximity over most competing gas supplies, so we remain hopeful of getting a supply contract - but it will take time. In the meantime, we are examining the feasibility of a small Gas to Liquids (GTL) plant to supply diesel to the local city of Santa Cruz. The technology is proven. The scoping study is completed and recommends moving to the feasibility stage. The estimated capital cost is US $35 million of which Pan Andean would pay 10%. It would require 20 mmcf gas a day, which we can supply from the existing wells. Outlook In early 2005, Pan Andean will drill the first of three wells on our 25% owned Estaban property in West Texas. The target structures are medium depth, at 6,400 feet, and not expected to be difficult to complete. Maximum estimated potential is 6 million barrels of oil, which would enable production of circa 250 barrels of oil and 300 thousand cubic feet of gas daily. Exploration potential continues at Danbury Dome. Once we bring the Blackstone Ivory well on stream we will review the well log and the 3D seismic to decide on a course of action. There are other targets on the 1,700 acre Danbury Dome base including the 17,000 feet Golden Eye prospect. This target is independent of both the producing shallower horizons and also the medium depth horizons, which proved to be water-wet. Potential is up to 100 bcf of gas and associated oil-condensate, estimated from good quality 3-D seismic. A better understanding of the geology is needed before proceeding. Bringing High Island 30 L back on stream is our top priority in the Gulf of Mexico. We are re- evaluating well log and seismic data on High Island 52 to identify potential drilling targets. While we seek to maximise our cash flow and the potential from our existing assets, our search for new ventures has been intensified. Projects in Europe and the Middle East are under evaluation. Pan Andean remains profitable, cash generative and debt-free with £2.2m cash on the balance sheet. Profitability going forward will depend on oil and gas prices and costs will be closely monitored. We are an explorer by orientation and plan to advance additional drilling prospects during 2005. Further information Pan Andean Resources John Teeling / Jim Finn Tel: +353 1 833 2833 Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial Nick Lambert Tel: +44 (0) 7811 358 764 Rowan Dartington Ian Rice Tel.+44 (0) 117 933 0020 Group Profit and Loss Six Months ended 30 Sep 04 30 Sep 03 £'000 £'000 Turnover 1,181 1,920 Operating Costs (805) (1,586) --------------- --------------- Operating Profit 376 334 Interest Receivable 20 1 Interest Payable (37) (34) --------------- --------------- Profit before Taxation 359 301 Taxation (108) (90) --------------- --------------- Profit after Taxation 251 211 Profit per share 0.23p 0.21p Group Balance Sheet 30 Sep 04 30 Sep 03 £'000 £'000 Fixed Assets 11,994 11,190 Current Assets 5,963 3,345 Current Liabilities (1,569) (1,352) --------------- --------------- Current Assets less Current Liabilities 4,394 1,993 Creditors (amounts falling due after one year) (1,561) (1,189) --------------- --------------- Total Assets less Liabilities 14,827 11,994 Share Capital and Reserves 14,827 11,994 Group Cash Flow 30 Sep 04 30 Sep 03 £'000 £'000 Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities 1,280 470 Returns on Investments and Servicing of Finance (17) (33) Taxation (108) (90) Capital Expenditure (1,215) (313) Financing - Issue of Ordinary Share Capital 2,732 0 --------------- --------------- Increase in Cash 2,672 34 Notes: 1. The figures for the six months to 30 September 2004 and 30 September 2003 are unaudited. The financial information set out above does not constitute full statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. 2. Copies of this announcement will be sent to shareholders and will be available for inspection at the Company's registered office at 20-22 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4JS. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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