Publication of 2015 Annual Report & Notice of AGM

RNS Number : 7391W

SEPLAT Petroleum Development Co PLC

28 April 2016

Seplat Petroleum Development Company plc - Annual Report and Notice of AGM

28 April 2016

Seplat Petroleum Development Company plc confirms it has posted its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015 to shareholders together with the notice of the 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and forms of proxy. The Company will holds its AGM at 11 a.m. (local time) on Wednesday 1 June 2016 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

In accordance with Listing Rule 14.3.6 copies of the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015, the Notice of AGM and proxy forms have also been submitted to the FCA for publication through the document viewing facility of the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM.

In accordance with Disclosure and Transparency Rule 6.3.5R(3), copies are available on the Company's website at http://seplatpetroleum.com/investor-centre/results-centre/.

A condensed set of the Company's financial statements and extracts of the management report, were included in the Company's Final Results announcement on 24 March 2016. That information, together with the Appendices to this announcement, which contains the following additional information that has been extracted from the 2015 Annual Report, constitutes the material required for the purposes of compliance with DTR 6.3.5 only:

· the Directors' Responsibilities Statement;

· a description of principal risks and uncertainties that the Company faces; and

· related party transactions.

This announcement should be read in conjunction with and is not a substitute for reading the full 2015 Annual Report. Page and note references in the text below refer to page numbers and notes in the 2015 Annual Report and terms defined in that document have the same meanings in these extracts.

Enquiries:

Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc

Roger Brown, CFO

Andrew Dymond, Head of Investor Relations +44 (0) 203 725 6500

Chioma Nwachuku, GM - External Affairs and Communications +234 12 770 400

FTI Consulting

Ben Brewerton / Sara Powell / George Parker +44 (0) 203 727 1000

seplat@fticonsulting.com

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 working interest in OML 53 and a 22.5 percent 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/

Appendices

Appendix A: Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The following Statement of Directors' responsibilities is extracted from the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts (page 105).

The Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAP C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of financial affairs of the Company at the end of the year and of its profit or loss. The responsibilities include ensuring that the Company:

a. keeps proper accounting records that disclose, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the Company and comply with the requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAP C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004;

b. establishes adequate internal controls to safeguard its assets and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities; and

c. prepares its financial statements using suitable accounting policies supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates, and are consistently applied.

The Directors accept responsibility for the annual financial statements, which have been prepared using appropriate accounting policies supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'), the requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAP C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, No 6, 2011.

The Directors are of the opinion that the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the financial affairs of the Company and of its financial performance for the year. The Directors further accept responsibility for the maintenance of accounting records that may be relied upon in the preparation of financial statements, as well as adequate systems of internal financial control.

Nothing has come to the attention of the Directors to indicate that the Company will not remain a going concern for at least 12 months from the date of this statement.

Signed on behalf of the Directors by

A.B.C. Orjiako

Chairman

FRC/2013/IODN/00000003161

24 March 2016

Austin Avuru

Chief Executive Officer
FRC/2013/IODN/00000003100

24 March 2016

Appendix B: Principal risks and uncertainties

The following Principal risks and uncertainties table is extracted from the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts (pages 44 to 47).

Monitoring and mitigating risks to the business

The implementation of our strategy can be hindered by various risks and uncertainties. The risks that the Board considers most significant are described here.

Key risk	Description	Mitigation	KPI/Performance metric	Strategic pillars	Assessment	Trend
Operational risks
Field operations and project deliverability	Failure to manage operational activities in line with planned expectations can lead to production misses, project delays and cost overruns, high production costs and earlier than expected field decommissioning.	Focus on risk management at planning phase and mitigations plans activated. Compulsory 'peer-to- peer' review for high-value projects and better project management techniques. Protracted land acquisition, preparation and rig startup have been contributory factors which have received focused attention and significant process improvements and improved communications with JV partner and approving regulators to mitigate delays. Use of smart/intelligent wells to improve recovery and improved rig performance monitoring and reporting to manage NPTs.	• Net working interest production • Operating costs per boe	1/ 2/ 3	High	Whilst this risk still remains, there have been significant improvements in the contributory areas of land acquisition and preparation.
Third party infrastructure downtime	An over-reliance on third party operated transportation infrastructure can expose the Company to extended periods of production shut-in and reduced earnings.	Built two contingency tanks in Amukpe for partial storage during shut-in over shorter periods. Discussions are underway for in-country supply versus exportation via own pipeline infrastructure. Management is further exploring economics of other avenues for crude evacuation to reduce dependency on major export route.	• Net working interest production • Days downtime • EBIT	1/3	Very High	Variable. With periods of good uptime levels interspersed with unpredictable shut-ins of varying severity.
HSSE risks	Oil and gas activities carry significant levels of HSSE risks if not properly managed. As activity levels continue to increase there is a strong focus on preventing major environmental, health or safety incidents.	Deployment of an HSSE Management System in line with best practices. Monitoring and reporting of HSSE performance scorecards at management level and Board level. Our HSSE systems and process have been subject to independent review and identified improvement initiatives are being deployed. Continual focus on HSSE training and initiatives focused on incidence prevention. Emergency Response plan set for any eventuality and comprehensive Incident Review panels to identify and channel lessons learnt to improvement activities.	• HSSE scorecards • LTIF • TRIR	5/1/3	High	Steady. Though the risk is inherent, we have improved HSSE scorecards as compared to prior year.
Sustained E&A programme failure	Exploration and appraisal activities carry significant levels of subsurface risk. Sustained E&A drilling failure will impact the Company's ability to organically replace reserves and production.	Strict compliance with reservoir management guidelines. Building internal capacity with skilled subsurface expertise.	Reserve replacement	1/2/3	High	No change. Reduced E&A activities but we will monitor the outcomes of further studies.
External risks
Security incidents	The Company operates in a region where security incidents such as kidnappings and criminal attacks can occur.	Continuous security monitoring and intelligence. Quick mechanism for security advisory to staff and movement restriction for high alert situations.	• LTIF • TRIR • Security incidents.	5/1/3	Medium	Steady. We will continue our monitoring and vigilance.
Failure to manage stakeholder relationships	Failure to manage stakeholders can result in business disruptions and interference. The Company prioritises the effective management of relationships with all stakeholders including host communities, government, regulatory bodies and shareholders.	Successful operation of the GMOU agreement with host communities, periodic engagement and feedback forums. Tailored CSR programmes, capacity building and infrastructure developments with the host communities. Organisational focus and clear strategy to deliver shareholder value pursued by the Board and management. Corporate governance and transparency in dealings with regulators.	• Net working interest production • LTIF • TRIR • Host community incidences	5/1	High	No change. We continue to enjoy good working relations with all stakeholders.
Geo-political risk	Nigeria has at times in its history faced political uncertainties and threats such as terrorism aimed at de-stabilising and undermining the orderly and effective rule of central government.	Scenarios and response option plans set. Crisis management team over the high alert political periods. Business continuity plans actioned in light of current geo-political situation.	Occurrences of civil unrest and terrorism	5/1/3	High	No change. Our operations have not been directly affected and we will continue to monitor situations closely.
Financial risks
Oil price volatility	Oil prices have exhibited a history of volatility and can fluctuate sharply in line with external factors.	Hedging continues to be an option, with the Company benefitting from the strike price hedged in Q4 2015. Price sensitisation on project economics and cost discipline for capital projects sanctioning. Aggressive focus on cost reduction.	Realised oil price	1	Very High	Increasing with the very low oil prices in recent times. We will continue to take hedge positions and apply cost reduction strategies.
Changes to tax status and legislation	If the tax regime/legislation and incentives under which the Company operates its assets were to change, profitability will be impacted.	Perform evaluation of business plan and performance metrics exclusive of any tax benefits. Project economics determined on maximum tax basis to mitigate impact of any potential change in tax status. Impact assessment of potential tax legislature monitored at the Board level.	• Effective tax rate • Tax status	1/3	Very High	Increasing. New government in Nigeria has resumed the review of the PIB and tax status and we will continue to monitor the situation.
Availability of capital	The oil and gas industry is highly capital intensive. Significant amounts of capital are required to continue development activities and fund M&A. Non funding of cash calls by JV partners impacts activities and liquidity.	Working on alternative funding arrangement with JV partner. Board review and approval of financial strategy and debt refinancing arrangements with strong banking relationships.	• JV receivables • Capital expenditures • New M&A activities	1/3/4	Very High	Steady. Discussions on alternative funding continue to progress.
Ineffective cost control	Increasing operating cost and ineffective capital cost control negatively impacting operating cash flows and profitability.	Comprehensive budgeting process approved by the joint venture partner and the Board. Clear cost management targets. Grading of portfolio opportunities and project ranking for capital allocation. Focus on reducing drilling costs at well design phase. Cost monitoring and periodic reporting. Focus on effective contracting strategies for cost reduction.	• Operating cost per boe • EBIT • Capital expenditure • Well costs	5/1/3	Very High	Increasing, with the associated pressures from low oil pricing requiring greater cost discipline.
Strategic risks
Portfolio concentration risk	High dependency on a concentrated portfolio of producing blocks and limited number of wells can leave the Company more susceptible to declining long-term growth and reserves depletion.	Focus on portfolio expansion strategy from the Board level to diversify current portfolio. Integrated long-term planning on crude oil and gas business.	Successful execution of new acquisition and farm-in opportunities	1/3	High	Steady, as the Company is currently in a portfolio expansion phase.
Bribery and corruption risk	Bribery and corruption presents a risk throughout the global oil and gas industry and represents an ongoing risk to any oil and gas company.	Extensive training on anti-bribery and corruption. Embedding corporate governance principles with key focus on all areas of the business which may be more susceptible to corruption such as the contracting and procurement process. Processes exist to guide dealing with public officials.	• Whistleblowing reports • Number of disciplinary cases	5	High	No change, as geographical location continues to be susceptible to corruption.
Loss of key employees	The oil and gas industry is very specialised in certain areas and there is competition within the industry to secure talent and highly-skilled and experienced personnel in core areas.	Annual benchmark reviews to ensure competitiveness in reward and recruitment. Succession planning in place as part of business continuity. Focus on training as a key differentiating factor in the operating environment.	Staff turnover	1/4	Low	Declining, with attendant reduction in capital spend in general response to low oil prices.
Fraudulent activity risk	Fraudulent activity presents a risk throughout the global oil and gas industry and represents an ongoing risk to any oil and gas company.	Extensive whistleblowing campaign. Continuous monitoring and improvement of the system of internal controls by all lines of defence with strong internal audit activity. Automation of processes where possible to reduce manual intervention.	Number of reported cases.	5	High	Risk is still high and management continues to maintain a zero tolerance policy.
Information security risk	Potential cyber attacks and information technology security breaches could result in loss or compromise of sensitive proprietary information, communication and business continuity disruption across operations	We monitor and regularly upgrade the Company's information technology and security systems. The Company has a clearly defined employee user policy and control of access rights. Our information security framework and infrastructure have been externally reviewed in line with requirements of ISO27001. A business continuity plan is in place for quick deployment.	Information security identification and containment reports	5/2	Medium	No change. While cyber security continues to hold international attention, there has been no material IT breach on our operations.

Appendix C: Related Party Transactions

The following Related party relationships and transactions are extracted from the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts (pages 144 to 147).

Related party relationships and transactions

The following companies are common control entities as the companies are controlled by close family members:

• Abbey Court Trading Company Limited

• Abtrust Integrated Services

• Berwick Nigeria Limited

• Cardinal Drilling Nigeria Limited

• Charismond Nigeria Limited

• D. D. Dodo & Co

• Helko Nigeria Limited

• Keco Nigeria Enterprises

• Montego Upstream Services Limited

• Nabila Resources & Investment Limited

• Ndosumili Ventures Limited

• Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc

• Nerine Support Services Limited

• Oriental Catering Services Limited

• Platform Petroleum Limited

• ResourcePro Inter Solutions Limited

• Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited ('SEPCOL')

Services provided by the related parties:

Abbeycourt Trading Company Limited: the Chairman of Seplat is a director and shareholder. The company provides diesel supplies to Seplat in respect of Seplat's rig operations.

Abtrust Integrated Services: The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat's wife is shareholder and director. The company provides bespoke gift hampers to Seplat.

Berwick Nigeria Limited: The chairman of Seplat is a shareholder and director. The company provides construction services to Seplat in relation to a field base station in Sapele.

Cardinal Drilling Services Limited (formerly Caroil Drilling Nigeria Limited): is a company under common control. The company provides drilling rigs and drilling services to Seplat.

Charismond Nigeria Limited: The Chief Executive Officer's sister works at Charismond as a general manager. The company provides bespoke gift hampers to Seplat.

D. D. Dodo & Co: The owner is an Independent Non-Executive Director of Seplat and also a partner of the law firm that provides legal services to the Company (2015: $0.59 million).

Helko Nigeria Limited: The chairman of Seplat is shareholder and director. The company owns the lease to Seplat's main office at 25A Lugard Avenue, Lagos, Nigeria.

Keco Nigeria Enterprises: The Chief Executive Officer's sister is shareholder and director. The company provides diesel supplies to Seplat in respect of its rig operations.

Montego Upstream Services Limited: The chairman's nephew is shareholder and director. The company provides drilling and engineering services to Seplat.

Nabila Resources & Investment Ltd: The chairman's in-law is a shareholder and director. The company provides lubricant to Seplat.

Ndosumili Ventures Limited: is a subsidiary of Platform Petroleum Limited. The company provides transportation services to Seplat.

Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc: The chairman of Seplat is also the chairman of this company. The company provides medical supplies and drugs to Seplat, which are used in connection with Seplat's corporate social responsibility and community healthcare programmes.

Nerine Support Services Limited: is a company under common control. The company provides agency and contract workers to Seplat.

Oriental Catering Services Limited: The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat's spouse is shareholder and director. The company provides catering services to Seplat at the staff canteen.

Platform Petroleum Limited: The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat is a director and shareholder of this company. The company seconded support staff to Seplat in Q1, 2015.

ResourcePro Inter Solutions Limited: The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat's in-law is its UK representative. The company supplies furniture to Seplat.

Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited ('SEPCOL'): The Chairman of Seplat is a director and shareholder of SEPCOL. SEPCOL provided consulting services to Seplat.

The following transactions were carried out by related parties on behalf of Seplat:

a) Transactions:

i) Purchases of goods and services

US$ '000 Nigerian ₦ million
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Shareholders:
MPI	-	299	-	48
Shebah	1,517	1,936	302	311
Platform Petroleum Limited	35	201	7	32
	1,552	2,436	309	391
Entities under common control:
Abbeycourt Trading Company Limited	2,362	4,329	470	695
Abtrust Integrated Services	-	50	-	8
Charismond Nigeria Limited	29	176	6	28
Cardinal Drilling Services Limited	17,244	36,612	3,429	5,875
Keco Nigeria Enterprises	1,896	3,596	377	577
Ndosumili Ventures Limited	1,350	2,759	268	443
Oriental Catering Services Limited	941	598	187	96
ResourcePro Inter Solutions Limited	1,841	2,913	366	467
Berwick Nigeria Limited	27	950	5	152
Montego Upstream Services Limited	9,449	17,328	1,879	2,781
Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc	-	28	-	5
Nerine Support Services Limited	21,015	31,277	4,179	5,019
Nabila Resources & Investment Ltd	226	455	45	73
Helko Nigeria Limited	566	2,379	113	382
D.D Dodo & Co	-	590	-	95
	56,946	104,040	11,324	16,696
ii) Interest expense
US$ '000 Nigerian ₦ million
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Shareholders: MPI	-	960	-	154

b) Balances:

Year-end balances arising from related party transactions:

iii) Prepayments/receivables

US$ '000 Nigerian ₦ million
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Under common control:
Cardinal Drilling Services Limited - current portion	12,632	10,934	1,716	2,015
Cardinal Drilling Services Limited - non-current portion	1,333	5,333	1,060	983
	13,965	16,267	2,776	2,998
iv) Payables
US$ '000 Nigerian ₦ million
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Shareholders:
Other payables to MPI	-	1,223	-	225
	-	1,223	-	225

c) Key management compensation:

Key management includes executive and members of the executive committee. The compensation paid or payable to key management for employee services is shown below: