15 September 2016
SOUND ENERGY PLC
("Sound Energy" or the "Company")
HALF YEARLY REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2016
Sound Energy, the European and African focused upstream oil and gas company, announces its unaudited half year report for the six months ended 30 June 2016.
For further information please contact:
Vigo Communications - PR Adviser Patrick d'Ancona Chris McMahon Alexandra Roper
|
Tel: +44 (0)20 7830 9700 |
Sound Energy James Parsons, Chief Executive Officer
|
j.parsons@soundenergyplc.com
|
Smith & Williamson - Nominated Adviser Azhic Basirov David Jones Ben Jeynes
|
Tel: +44 (0)20 7131 4000 |
Cantor Fitzgerald Europe - Broker Sarah Wharry David Porter
|
Tel: +44 (0)20 7894 8896 |
Whilst the challenging sector backdrop continues, Sound Energy is delivering its counter cyclical growth agenda, leveraging its world class portfolio, people and partners.
In August 2016, we were delighted to announce a resounding success at our first strategic play with a material gas discovery at Tendrara following the successful drilling of our first well on the structure. This success was shared with Schlumberger, our strategic partner, who both technically de-risks the asset as well as providing funding for the first three wells.
The results seen at TE-6, together with the lack of a gas/water contact at any of the historical wells, suggests the possibility of a significant gas column within a continuous extended structure and therefore a potential multi Tcf gas field. We are continuing our appraisal of the Tendrara licence area, with the spud of TE-7 on 25 August 2016. This well aims to prove sufficient volumes for a concession application as well as proving the benefits of sub-horizontal drilling.
We will begin to unlock the long term potential of Tendrara with the drilling of one or more outpost wells and the shooting of additional seismic.
The Company has also recently secured, subject to regulatory and other approvals, a 55% interest in the Meridja exploration permit, which is adjacent to the Tendrara licence and shares the same fundamental geology.
Following securing the final permission to drill the Badile prospect, onshore Italy, in May 2016, the countdown to our second Strategic Play has been initiated. A key step in this process has been the expansion of the Schlumberger partnership to include Badile, with Schlumberger gaining access to a 20% profit interest in the licence in exchange for funding 30% of the estimated cost of the first well and 20% of all costs thereafter. We also continue to finalise the acquisition of the 75% operated asset in the Sidi Moktar licences, onshore Morocco, and thus our third Strategic Play, with regulatory approvals expected shortly.
Our portfolio continues to include a blend of high upside exploration assets, low risk appraisal/development assets and production, which is diversified across Italy and Morocco. The pursuit of an onshore regional gas strategy, underpinned by solid European gas fundamentals and a stable, growing, gas-hungry country in Morocco has enabled the Company to continue to flourish.
The Company remains in a strong financial position, with a cash balance of $27 million at 31 August 2016 after the receipt of $1.1 million Indonesian contingent consideration, the drilling of TE-6 and the completion of its planned debt refinancing during the summer.
2016 is looking to be a pivotal year for the Company.
Our achievements would not have been possible without the efforts of our people, the governments and partners we work with and our supportive shareholders. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them.
"2016 has been an incredibly exciting period for the Company so far, with Tendrara, Meridja and the Eastern Morocco TAGI play having demonstrated the potential to be a material hydrocarbon province and therefore to transform both Sound Energy and the Moroccan gas industry."
Chairman CEO
"A rate of 17 mmscf/d was achieved. This rate is significantly above initial expectations and represents a highly commercial rate."
During the first half of 2016, the first Tendrara well, TE-6, was drilled to a measured vertical depth of 2,665 metres and successfully encountered approximately 28 metres of net gas pay in the TAGI reservoir. Flow was achieved pre-stimulation and, post-stimulation, a rate of 17 mmscf/d (0.5 million scm/d) was achieved. This rate is significantly above initial expectations and represents a highly commercial rate.
The reservoir bottom hole pressure recorded was 420 bars and the static pressure recorded in the well correlates, in terms of gas gradient, with all of the wells previously drilled in the licence area. The combination of these factors together with the fact that none of the historically drilled wells on the licence have identified a gas/water contact, suggests the possibility of a significant gas column within a continuous extended structure.
The Company's second well on the licence, TE-7, was spud on 25 August 2016, with a view to proving sufficient gas volumes and well deliverability to enable finalisation of the field development plan and a concession application. The well objectives include demonstrating the benefits of sub-horizontal drilling, which is expected to be implemented as the production well concept for Tendrara.
The TE-7 site, lies between TE-5 and TE-6 and is approximately 830 metres to the Northeast of TE-5 and 1.6 kilometres from TE-6. Drilling is planned to reach a total measured depth of 3,440 metres with specific tools being used to geo steer the well at close to an 88 degree angle inside the TAGI reservoir to ensure a horizontal drain of between 600 and 900 metres. The sub-horizontal section will run to the North, parallel to the minimum horizontal stress observed in TE-6. An extended well test will follow clean-up and initial testing will take approximately 70 days thereafter to confirm production sustainability and to aid comprehensive field development planning.
The Company, in conjunction with Schlumberger, is currently considering options for one or more outpost wells, as well as further studies, required to prove the potential of the structure. This may include and extend beyond the reservoir identified at TE-2, some 30km to the North East of TE-6.
The Company exercised its option to acquire, subject to regulatory and other approvals, a 55% participating interest in the Meridja exploration permit, onshore Morocco, from OGIF in June 2016. The Meridja licence area is adjacent to the Tendrara licence and is a highly prospective 9,000 km2 area with the same fundamental geology as Tendrara.
|
Notes |
Six months ended 30 June 2016 Unaudited £'000s |
Six months ended 30 June 2015 Unaudited £'000s |
Year ended 31 Dec 2015 Audited £'000s |
Revenue |
|
529 |
478 |
859 |
Other income |
|
715 |
|
|
Operating costs |
|
(801) |
(291) |
(538) |
Impairment of producing assets |
|
- |
- |
(6,347) |
Exploration costs |
|
(28) |
(1) |
(5,838) |
Gross profit/(loss) |
|
415 |
186 |
(11,864) |
Administrative expenses |
|
(2,346) |
(1,490) |
(3,181) |
Group operating loss from continuing operations |
|
(1,931) |
(1,304) |
(15,045) |
Finance revenue |
5 |
2,717 |
12 |
52 |
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) |
|
807 |
(2,000) |
(1,389) |
External interest costs |
|
(1,183) |
(602) |
(1,905) |
Profit/(loss) for period before taxation |
|
410 |
(3,894) |
(18,287) |
Tax expense |
|
- |
- |
- |
Profit/(loss) for period after taxation |
|
410 |
(3,894) |
(18,287) |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income |
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation income/(loss) |
|
631 |
(100) |
(320) |
Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period |
|
1,041 |
(3,994) |
(18,607) |
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent |
|
1,041 |
(3,994) |
(18,607) |
Basic and diluted profit/(loss) per share for the period attributable to the equity holders of the parent (pence) |
3 |
0.08 |
(0.91) |
(3.90) |
As at 30 June 2016
|
Notes |
30 June 2016 Unaudited £'000s |
30 June 2015 Unaudited £'000s |
31 Dec 2015 Audited £'000s |
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
6,952 |
12,403 |
5,558 |
Intangible assets |
4 |
14,204 |
13,859 |
9,564 |
Land and buildings |
|
1,493 |
1,294 |
1,327 |
|
|
22,649 |
27,556 |
16,449 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
Inventories |
|
327 |
- |
- |
Other receivables |
|
14,147 |
2,434 |
2,506 |
Prepayments |
|
116 |
94 |
99 |
Cash and short term deposits |
|
14,466 |
17,489 |
15,240 |
|
|
29,056 |
20,017 |
17,845 |
Total assets |
|
51,705 |
47,573 |
34,294 |
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
|
10,028 |
3,626 |
2,097 |
Loans repayable in under one year |
5 |
7,704 |
- |
5,751 |
|
|
17,732 |
3,626 |
7,848 |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
2,160 |
1,958 |
1,992 |
Loans due in over one year |
5 |
9,152 |
13,538 |
7,157 |
Provisions |
|
1,780 |
1,082 |
1,138 |
|
|
13,092 |
16,578 |
10,287 |
Total liabilities |
|
30,824 |
20,204 |
18,135 |
Net Assets |
|
20,881 |
27,369 |
16,159 |
Capital and Reserves |
|
|
|
|
Equity share capital |
|
86,868 |
83,086 |
86,315 |
Warrant Reserve |
|
3,209 |
369 |
369 |
Foreign currency reserve |
|
1,699 |
1,288 |
1,068 |
Accumulated deficit |
|
(70,895) |
(57,374) |
(71,593) |
Total Equity |
|
20,881 |
27,369 |
16,159 |
|
Share capital £'000s |
Share premium £'000s |
Accumulated Deficit £'000s |
Warrant Reserve £'000s |
Foreign currency reserves £'000s |
Total equity £'000s |
At 1 January 2016 |
5,039 |
81,276 |
(71,593) |
369 |
1,068 |
16,159 |
Total Profit for the period |
- |
- |
410 |
- |
- |
410 |
Other comprehensive income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
631 |
631 |
Total comprehensive income for the period |
- |
- |
410 |
- |
631 |
1,041 |
Fair value of warrants issued with bonds |
- |
- |
- |
2,840 |
- |
2,840 |
Issue of share capital |
53 |
500 |
- |
- |
- |
553 |
Share based payments |
- |
- |
288 |
- |
- |
288 |
At 30 June 2016 (unaudited) |
5,092 |
81,776 |
(70,895) |
3,209 |
1,699 |
20,881 |
|
Share capital £'000s |
Share premium £'000s |
Accumulated Deficit £'000s |
Warrant Reserve £'000s |
Foreign currency reserves £'000s |
Total equity £'000s |
At 1 January 2015 |
4,153 |
67,145 |
(53,621) |
369 |
1,388 |
19,434 |
Total Loss for the period |
- |
- |
(18,287) |
- |
- |
(18,287) |
Other comprehensive income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(320) |
(320) |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) |
- |
- |
(18,287) |
- |
(320) |
(18,607) |
Issue of share capital |
886 |
15,342 |
- |
- |
- |
16,228 |
Transaction costs |
- |
(1,211) |
- |
- |
- |
(1,211) |
Share based payments |
- |
- |
315 |
- |
- |
315 |
At 31 December 2015 |
5,039 |
81,276 |
(71,593) |
369 |
1,068 |
16,159 |
|
Share capital £'000s |
Share premium £'000s |
Accumulated Deficit £'000s |
Warrant Reserve £'000s |
Foreign currency reserves £'000s |
Total equity £'000s |
At 1 January 2015 |
4,153 |
67,145 |
(53,621) |
369 |
1,388 |
19,434 |
Total Loss for the period |
- |
- |
(3,894) |
- |
- |
(3,894) |
Other comprehensive income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(100) |
(100) |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) |
- |
- |
(3,894) |
- |
(100) |
(3,994) |
Issue of share capital |
675 |
12,034 |
- |
- |
- |
12,709 |
Transaction costs |
- |
(921) |
- |
- |
- |
(921) |
Share based payments |
- |
- |
141 |
- |
- |
141 |
At 30 June 2015 (unaudited) |
4,828 |
78,258 |
(57,374) |
369 |
1,288 |
27,369 |
|
Six months ended 30 June 2016 Unaudited £'000s |
Six months ended 30 June 2015 Unaudited £'000s |
Year ended 31 Dec 2015 Audited £'000s |
Cash flow from operating activities |
|
|
|
Cash flow from operations |
(377) |
(1,593) |
(3,487) |
Interest received |
51 |
12 |
52 |
Net cash flow from operating activities |
(326) |
(1,581) |
(3,435) |
Cash flow from investing activities |
|
|
|
Purchase of drilling inventories |
(327) |
- |
- |
Capital expenditure and disposals |
(470) |
(292) |
(1,156) |
Exploration and development expenditure |
(3,173) |
(3,156) |
(6,545) |
Net cash flow from investing activities |
(3,970) |
(3,448) |
(7,701) |
CSTI Funding contract |
(13) |
(115) |
(117) |
Net proceeds from debt |
5,292 |
- |
- |
Repayment of borrowings |
(2,724) |
- |
- |
Net proceeds from equity issue |
553 |
11,163 |
15,017 |
Interest payments |
(461) |
(382) |
(1,051) |
Net cash flow from financing activities |
2,647 |
10,666 |
13,849 |
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(1,649) |
5,637 |
2,713 |
Net foreign exchange difference |
875 |
(756) |
(81) |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period |
15,240 |
12,608 |
12,608 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
14,466 |
17,489 |
15,240 |
|
Six months ended 30 June 2016 Unaudited £'000s |
Six months ended 30 June 2015 Unaudited £'000s |
Year ended 31 Dec 2015 Audited £'000s |
Cash flow from operations reconciliation |
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax |
410 |
(3,894) |
(18,287) |
Finance revenue |
(2,717) |
(12) |
(52) |
Exploration expenditure written off and impairment of assets |
- |
- |
12,185 |
Increase/(decrease) in accruals and short term payables |
7,104 |
(329) |
(97) |
Depreciation |
181 |
98 |
136 |
Share based payments charge |
288 |
141 |
315 |
Finance costs and exchange differences |
376 |
2,602 |
2,588 |
Increase in short term receivables |
(6,019) |
(199) |
(275) |
Cash flow from operations |
(377) |
(1,593) |
(3,487) |
The condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not represent statutory accounts within the meaning of section 435 of the Companies Act 2016. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2015 is based on the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015. Those accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and did not contain statements under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The condensed interim financial information is unaudited and has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Group's 2015 statutory accounts in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting.
The seasonality or cyclicality of operations does not impact on the interim financial statements.
The Group categorises its operations into two business segments based on exploration and appraisal and development and production. The Group's exploration and appraisal activities are carried out in Morocco and Italy. The Group's reportable segments are based on internal reports about the components of the Group which are regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors, being the Chief Operating Decision Maker (''COMD''), for strategic decision making and resources allocation to the segment and to assess its performance. Sales during the period arose from producing licences in Italy. The segment results for the period ended 30 June 2016 are as follows:
Segment results for the period ended 30 June 2016
|
Corporate £'000s |
Development & Production £'000s |
Exploration & Appraisal £'000s |
Total £'000s |
Sales and other operating revenues |
- |
529 |
- |
529 |
Other income |
715 |
- |
- |
715 |
Operating costs |
- |
(801) |
- |
(801) |
Exploration costs |
- |
- |
(28) |
(28) |
Administration expenses |
(2,346) |
- |
- |
(2,346) |
Operating loss segment result |
(1,631) |
(272) |
(28) |
(1,931) |
Finance revenue |
2,717 |
- |
- |
2,717 |
Finance costs and exchange gains |
(376) |
- |
- |
(376) |
Profit/(loss) for the period before taxation |
710 |
(272) |
(28) |
410 |
The segments assets and liabilities at 30 June 2016 are as follows:
|
Corporate £'000s |
Development & Production £'000s |
Exploration & Appraisal £'000s |
Total £'000s |
Capital expenditure |
274 |
6,678 |
15,697 |
22,649 |
Other assets |
22,802 |
62 |
6,192 |
29,056 |
Total liabilities |
(11,546) |
(1,938) |
(17,340) |
(30,824) |
The geographical split of non-current assets is as follows:
|
UK £'000s |
Italy £'000s |
Morocco £'000s |
Development and production assets |
- |
6,678 |
- |
Land and buildings |
- |
1,493 |
- |
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment |
38 |
170 |
66 |
Goodwill |
- |
2,160 |
- |
Exploration and evaluation assets |
- |
7,809 |
4,122 |
Software |
103 |
8 |
2 |
Total |
141 |
18,318 |
4,190 |
Segment results for the period ended 30 June 2015
|
Corporate £'000s |
Development & Production £'000s |
Exploration & Appraisal £'000s |
Total £'000s |
Sales and other operating revenues |
- |
478 |
- |
478 |
Operating costs |
- |
(291) |
- |
(291) |
Exploration costs |
- |
- |
(1) |
(1) |
Administration expenses |
(1,490) |
- |
- |
(1,490) |
Operating loss segment result |
(1,490) |
187 |
(1) |
(1,304) |
Finance revenue |
12 |
- |
- |
12 |
Finance costs and exchange losses |
(2,602) |
- |
- |
(2,602) |
Loss for the period before taxation |
(4,080) |
187 |
(1) |
(3,894) |
The segments assets and liabilities at 30 June 2015 were as follows:
|
Corporate £'000s |
Development & Production £'000s |
Exploration & Appraisal £'000s |
Total £'000s |
Capital expenditure |
67 |
12,336 |
15,153 |
27,556 |
Other assets |
20,017 |
- |
- |
20,017 |
Total liabilities |
(1,958) |
(6,669) |
(11,577) |
(20,204) |
The geographical split of non-current assets is as follows:
|
UK £'000s |
Italy £'000s |
Development and production assets |
- |
12,336 |
Land and buildings |
- |
1,294 |
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment |
42 |
25 |
Goodwill |
- |
1,959 |
Exploration and evaluation assets |
- |
11,813 |
Software |
- |
87 |
Total |
42 |
27,514 |
Segment results for the year ended 31 December 2015
|
Corporate £'000s |
Development & Production £'000s |
Exploration & Appraisal £'000s |
Total £'000s |
Sales and other operating revenues |
- |
859 |
- |
859 |
Operating costs |
- |
(538) |
- |
(538) |
Exploration costs |
- |
- |
(5,838) |
(5,838) |
Impairment of producing assets |
- |
(6,347) |
- |
(6,347) |
Administration expenses |
(3,181) |
- |
- |
(3,181) |
Operating loss segment result |
(3,181) |
(6,026) |
(5,838) |
(15,045) |
Interest receivable |
52 |
- |
- |
52 |
Finance costs and exchange losses |
(3,294) |
- |
- |
(3,294) |
Loss for the period before taxation |
(6,423) |
(6,026) |
(5,838) |
(18,287) |
The segments assets and liabilities at 31 December 2015 were as follows:
|
Corporate £'000s |
Development & Production £'000s |
Exploration & Appraisal £'000s |
Total £'000s |
Non-current assets |
137 |
5,391 |
10,921 |
16,449 |
Current assets |
17,845 |
- |
- |
17,845 |
Total liabilities |
(7,743) |
(1,498) |
(8,894) |
(18,135) |
The geographical split of non-current assets is as follows:
|
UK £'000s |
Italy £'000s |
Morocco £'000 |
Development and production assets |
- |
5,391 |
- |
Land and buildings |
- |
1,327 |
- |
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment |
37 |
101 |
29 |
Goodwill |
- |
1,992 |
- |
Exploration and evaluation assets |
- |
6,960 |
512 |
Software |
100 |
- |
- |
Total |
137 |
15,771 |
541 |
The calculation of basic profit/(loss) per Ordinary Share is based on the profit/(loss) after tax and on the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period. The calculation of diluted profit/(loss) per share is based on the profit/(loss) after tax on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue plus weighted average number of shares that would be issued if dilutive options and warrants were converted into shares. Basic and diluted profit/(loss) per share is calculated as follows:
|
Profit/(loss) after tax from |
Weighted average |
Profit/(loss) per share (basic) |
||||||
|
June 2016 £'000s |
June 2015 £'000s |
December 2015 £'000s |
June 2016 million |
June 2015 million |
December 2015 million |
June 2016 pence |
June 2015 pence |
December 2015 pence |
Basic |
410 |
(3,894) |
(18,287) |
506 |
430 |
467 |
0.08 |
(0.91) |
(3.90) |
|
Profit/(loss) after tax from |
Weighted average potential ordinary shares |
Profit/(loss) per share (diluted) |
||||||
|
June 2016 £'000s |
June 2015 £'000s |
December 2015 £'000s |
June 2016 million |
June 2015 million |
December 2015 million |
June 2016 pence |
June 2015 pence |
December 2015 pence |
Diluted |
410 |
(3,894) |
(18,287) |
538 |
430 |
467 |
0.08 |
(0.91) |
(3.90) |
|
Six months ended 30 June 2016 Unaudited £'000s |
Six months ended 30 June 2015 Unaudited £'000s |
Year ended 31 Dec 2015 Audited £'000s |
Cost |
|
|
|
At start of period |
20,198 |
13,948 |
13,948 |
Additions |
4,000 |
5,497 |
6,560 |
Exchange adjustments |
657 |
(454) |
(310) |
At end of period |
24,855 |
18,991 |
20,198 |
Impairment and Depreciation |
|
|
|
At start of period |
10,634 |
5,060 |
5,060 |
Charge for period |
17 |
72 |
5,574 |
At end of period |
10,651 |
5,132 |
10,634 |
Net book amount |
14,204 |
13,859 |
9,564 |
On 8 August 2016, the Company announced a significant gas discovery at the Company's Tendrara licence, onshore Morocco. Capital expenditure will be incurred as additional wells are expected to be drilled before the end of 2016.
|
Six months ended 30 June 2016 Unaudited £'000s |
Six months ended 30 June 2015 Unaudited £'000s |
Year ended 31 Dec 2015 Audited £'000s |
Current liability |
|
|
|
Other loans |
7,704 |
- |
5,751 |
Non-current liability |
|
|
|
5-year secured bonds |
8,125 |
- |
- |
Other loans |
1,027 |
13,538 |
7,157 |
|
9,152 |
13,538 |
7,157 |
On 21 June 2016, the Company announced that Greenberry S.A (''Greenberry'') had subscribed for 5- year non-amortising secured bonds with an aggregate value of the issue of EUR28.8 million (the ''bonds''). Alongside the bonds, the Company was to issue 70,312,500 warrants to subscribe for new ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of 30 pence per ordinary share and an exercise period of approximately five years, concurrent with the term of the bonds, to Greenberry (the ''warrants''). The bonds are secured over the share capital of Sound Energy Holdings Italy Limited. The bonds have a 5% coupon and were issued at a 32% discount to par value. A total cash fee of EUR1.1 million was payable by the Company to Greenberry.
The warrants were recorded within equity at their fair value and the remaining proceeds of the notes net of issue costs were recorded as non-current liability. As per the terms of the subscription agreement with Greenberry the bonds were to be issued in tranches. The liability reported as at 30 June 2016 is attributable to the tranches that had been issued to Greenberry as at that date. The final tranche of the bonds was issued subsequent to the period end.
Part of the proceeds of the bonds was used to settle an existing Reserve Based Lending facility of EUR7.0 million at a discount of 50% which, after allocation of attributable transaction costs, resulted in a credit being recognised in the income statement of £2.7 million during the period.
As at 30 June 2016, the Company had 509,211,611 ordinary shares in issue. In the period to 30 June 2016, a total of 5.3 million warrants at 10.4p were exercised.
On 24 March 2016, the Company announced that it had on 23 March 2016 issued a total of 9,050,000 options, of which 3,000,000 were awarded to an officer of the Company, to subscribe for new ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 16 pence per ordinary share. The options will vest on 23 March 2019 and will be exercisable thereafter at any time until 23 March 2021. The Options will vest subject to the pre-determined performance criteria that if the price per ordinary share in the Company increases over the three-year vesting period by 15%, 10%, or 5% on a compounded annualised basis then all, two-thirds, or one-third of the options respectively will vest.
On 8 August 2016, the Company announced the issue of 70,312,500 warrants at an exercise price of 30 pence per share to Greenberry in line with a subscription agreement entered into on 21 June 2016 in which Greenberry subscribed for 5 year non-amortising bonds (Note 5).
On 8 August 2016, the Company announced the issue of 1,500,000 options to non-executive directors of the Company at an exercise price of 60 pence per share and the exercise of 1,780,000 options by an officer of the Company.
On 29 July 2016, the Company announced issue of 300,000 new ordinary shares following the exercise of 300,000 options to subscribe for new ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 16.5 pence per new ordinary share.
On 27 July 2016, the Company announced the signature of an agreement with Schlumberger group entities (''Schlumberger'') where by Schlumberger has agreed to fund EUR 7.5 million of services to be provided by Schlumberger on the Badile well. The agreement is subject to certain standard conditions precedent and signing of the relevant agreements. In exchange the Company has agreed to grant Schlumberger an option, exercisable at nil additional cost at any time during a six-month period following the completion of a well test and the declaration of a potential commercial discovery at the Badile licence, to acquire a 20% net profit interest in the Badile licence.
On 7 July 2016, the Company announced that it had received a non-binding expression of interest from Oil & Gas Investment Fund (''OGIF''), its partner on the Tendrara licence, expressing OGIF's interest in funding, building and operating a new pipeline connecting Tendrara to the Gazoduc Maghreb Europe (GME) pipeline.
Subsequent to the period end to 31 August 2016, a total of 16.6 million warrants at 10.4p and 8.1 million warrants at 24p were exercised.