Announcement of Interim Dividend

RNS Number : 4729D

SEPLAT Petroleum Development Co PLC

26 October 2015

 

SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC ("SEPLAT")

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIM DIVIDEND

INTERIM DIVIDEND AND RECORD DATE:

The Board of SEPLAT is pleased to announce that an interim dividend at the rate of US$0.04 (United States Four Cents) per Ordinary Share will be paid to SEPLAT's shareholders whose names appear in the Register of Shareholders as at the close of business on 29th October, 2015.

DIVIDEND CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE:

The default currency for the dividend will depend on whether the shareholder has a Nigerian Certificate for Capital Importation ("CCI") and is determined as follows:

•             Shareholders holding their shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and do not hold a valid CCI will be paid their dividend in Naira;

•             Shareholders holding their shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with a valid CCI will be paid their dividend in US dollars as the default currency.  However, those shareholders may instead elect to receive their entire dividend payment in Naira (partial elections are not permissible); and

•             Shareholders holding their shares through depository interests on the London Stock Exchange will be paid their dividend in US dollars as the default currency.  However, those shareholders may instead elect to receive their entire dividend payment in pounds sterling.  Partial elections are not permissible.

SHAREHOLDERS OPTIONS:

Shareholders who have the option to elect to be paid their dividends in a currency other than their default currency, must make the election to the Company's registrars by 9th November 2015, otherwise the dividend will be paid in the default currency.  The election form will be sent out to the relevant shareholders and can also be found on the company website at http://seplatpetroleum.com/investor-centre/corporate-governance/circulars/. Those shareholders holding their shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange who hold a valid CCI should notify Seplat's Nigerian registrars, DataMax Registrars Limited ("DataMax"), of that fact.

PAYMENT DATE:

The interim dividend of US$0.04 (United States Four Cents) will be paid to shareholders on or around 17th November, 2015.

DETERMINATION OF EXCHANGE RATE:

The exchange rate for the Naira or pounds sterling amounts payable will be determined by reference to the relevant exchange rates applicable to the US dollar on 29th October 2015 and will be communicated by the Company on 30th October 2015.

CLOSURE OF REGISTER:

To enable SEPLAT's Registrar, Datamax Registrars Limited, prepare for the payment of the interim dividend, the Register of Shareholders will be closed in Nigeria on the 30th October, 2015.

SHAREHOLDERS' ACCOUNT DETAILS:

Seplat shareholders who are yet to provide their account details for the direct credit of their dividend payments should please provide the necessary information to DataMax through the details stated below.  Holders of shares through depositary interests on the London Stock Exchange should please provide their account details to the Company's UK depositary, Computershare.

DataMax Registrars Limited	Computershare
2c Gbagada Expressway	The Pavillions
Gbagada Phase 1	Bridgewater Road
Lagos	Bristol
Nigeria	BS13 8AE, United Kingdom
Fax: + 234 - 2716095	Fax: [phone]
Web: www.datamaxregistrars.com	Web: www.computershare.com
Email address: [e-mail]	Telephone: [phone]

Enquiries on the opening of account and payment of dividend should be directed to the Registrar.

For other enquiries, kindly contact:

Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc
Roger Brown, CFO	[phone]
Andrew Dymond, Head of Investor Relations
Chioma Nwachuku, GM - External Affairs and Communications	[phone]
FTI Consulting Ben Brewerton / Sara Powell / George Parker [e-mail]	[phone]

Notes to editors

Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc is a leading indigenous Nigerian oil and gas exploration and production company with a strategic focus on Nigeria, listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE") (LSE:SEPL) and Nigerian Stock Exchange ("NSE") (NSE:SEPLAT).

In July 2010, Seplat acquired a 45 percent participating interest in, and was appointed operator of, a portfolio of three onshore producing oil and gas leases in the Niger Delta (OMLs 4, 38 and 41), which includes the producing Oben, Ovhor, Sapele, Okporhuru, Amukpe and Orogho fields.  Since acquisition, Seplat has more than tripled production from these OMLs. 

In June 2013, Newton Energy Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an agreement with Pillar Oil Limited to acquire a 40 percent participating interest in the Umuseti/Igbuku marginal field area within OPL 283.   In February 2015, Seplat completed the acquisition of a 40 percent operated working interest in OML 53 and a 22.5 percent operated effective working interest in OML 55, Onshore Nigeria.

Seplat is pursuing a Nigeria focused growth strategy and is well-positioned to participate in future divestment programmes by the international oil companies, farm-in opportunities and future licensing rounds.  For further information please refer to the company website, http://seplatpetroleum.com.

 

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