Update on Tilapia

RNS Number : 3185Q

Zenith Energy Ltd

17 February 2023

 

February 17, 2023  

ZENITH ENERGY LTD.

("Zenith" or the "Company")

Update on Tilapia

Zenith Energy Ltd.     (LSE: ZEN; OSE: ZENA) ,   the energy company with proven revenue generating production, exploration and development assets in   Africa, the Middle East   and   Europe , provides an update on its business activities in the Republic of the Congo.

Zenith had previously announced the successful completion of an Inquiry of Public Utility (Enquête d'Utilité Publique) ("IPU"), involving an in-depth technical and financial review of the Company performed by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of the Congo, on February 10, 2021.

The purpose of the IPU was, in accordance with local law, to determine Zenith's suitability for the award of a new 25-year licence to operate the Tilapia oilfield following confirmation, announced by the Company on December 23, 2020, regarding the successful bid submitted by Zenith Energy Congo SA ("Zenith Congo") for the award of a new 25-year licence to operate the Tilapia oilfield ("Tilapia II").

The Company has now become aware that a company named Olive Energy E&P has been awarded a licence to operate the Tilapia oilfield.

The Company is disappointed by this development, which contradicts the aforementioned milestones.

Debt owed to Zenith by SNPC - approx.US$5.3 million plus accrued interest

The Company announces that it has engaged a legal representative to negotiate the full repayment of an original principal amount of US$5.3 million plus accrued interest owed by Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo ("SNPC") , the national oil company of the Republic of the Congo, to A nglo African Oil & Gas Congo S.A.U ("AAOGC"), a fully owned subsidiary of the Company, for past work performed during the Tilapia I licence.

Legal Claim against SMP for approx. US$9 million  

Zenith confirms that the legal claim launched by AAOGC against   Société de Maintenance Pétrolière ("SMP"), the rig contractor employed to perform drilling services in wells TLP-103 and TLP-103C of the Tilapia oilfield during 2018-2019, is progressing in the Paris Commercial Court (the "Claim").

The Company has increased the claimed amount for the performance failures by SMP during drilling activities to US$9 million in consideration of the significant commercial damages suffered by AAOGC, specifically the impossibility to begin production activities, as a direct result.

Zenith has not provided for the potential recovery of such costs in its cashflow projections. Therefore, any success in this matter would enhance the Company's cash position.

Luca Benedetto, Chief Financial Officer of Zenith, commented:

"This represents disappointing news. However, the Company's opportunity to recover an amount of approximately US$15 million due to past activities in connection with the Republic of the Congo remains unchanged.

This will now become our primary focus, whilst we continue to work towards completing our acquisitions in other jurisdictions for large, revenue-generating energy production and development assets with transformational potential ."

Further Information:

Zenith Energy Ltd  Andrea Cattaneo, Chief Executive Officer	Tel: [phone] E:  [e-mail]
BlytheRay - Financial PR/IR Tim Blythe, Megan Ray, Matt Bowld	Tel: [phone] E:  [e-mail]

Notes to Editors :                                           

Zenith Energy Ltd. is a revenue generating, independent energy company with production, exploration and development assets in in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, including electricity generation in Italy. The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market (LSE: ZEN) and the Euronext Growth of the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: ZENA).

Zenith's strategic focus is on pursuing transformational opportunities in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe through the development of proven revenue generating energy production assets, as well as low-risk exploration activities in assets with existing production.

For more information, please visit:  www.zenithenergy.ca

Twitter: @zenithenergyltd

LinkedIn:    https://bit.ly/3A5PRJb

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service ("RIS"), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

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