Quarterly Report for Period Ending 30 September...
Range Resources Ltd
ABN 88 002 522 009
16 Southport Street
West Leederville, 6007
Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 6389 5700
Fax: +61 8 9381 4144
admin@rangeresources.com.au
31 October 2008
QUARTERLY REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING 30 September 2008
The Board is pleased to provide the following commentary for Range Resources
Ltd ("Range" or the "Company") to be read in conjunction with the Appendix 5B
which is attached. The recently announced (29 October 2008) new management
team, rights issue and offshore opportunities are of great significance to
Range and the success of the Company moving forward (see summary below).
EXPLORATION UPDATE - Dharoor
Seismic operations are continuing in the Dharoor valley by Range's joint
venture partner Africa Oil. The survey is being undertaken over the prospective
part of the basin and will hopefully identify closures at the Jurassic and
Cretaceous level. Acquisition of a planned 2600 km of seismic data is
approximately 30% complete. Drilling at the planned Nogal valley sites is still
on `standby" with the security situation in the area to be reassessed in
conjunction with the proposed drilling program in the Dharoor valley. At this
stage, spudding of the first well by Africa Oil is scheduled for the first
quarter of 2009.
Offshore acreage
As recently announced, Range has entered into a Letter of Understanding
(Agreement) with a leading Chinese geophysical service provider. The Agreement
is in respect of completing a regional survey of offshore Puntland comprising
15,000 kilometres of 2-D seismic data on Puntland's offshore oil and gas areas.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the contractor has conditionally agreed to
finance 50% of the costs associated with the Seismic programme, by way of a
multi client tender programme for off shore Puntland. A seismic charter is
available at this stage to commence before the end of 2008. Led by the new
management team (see below), the Company is in discussions with a number of
parties regarding the joint venturing of Range's current 100% interest in
offshore Puntland, and the balance of the funding of the seismic programme.
Mineral Exploration
With current world markets, poor commodity prices and sentiment towards early
stage resource exploration projects, Range will look to farm out or dispose of
its Western Australian tenements (gold and nickel potential) on an immediate
basis.
Management
A summary of the management changes recently announced is set out below.
Mark Patterson - Executive Technical Consultant
Mr Patterson has over 25 years experience in the oil and gas industry. He was
Managing Partner of Calypso Energy LLC, an independent exploration and
development company and part of the Calypso Energy group of companies he
co-founded in 2000. He has occupied various positions of responsibility with
oil and gas companies including Offshore Exploration Manager, Exploration &
Development Manager for North America, General Country Manager , Offshore
Exploration Geophysicist and Engineering Geophysicist. Mr. Patterson and his
exploration teams are credited with the discovery of more than 85 million
barrels of oil and 300 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
Gregory Smith - Executive Consultant
Mr Gregory Smith has been involved in the resources business for in excess of
20 years. He has a wide breadth of senior management and executive experience,
having been associated with natural resource companies across the globe - coal
bed methane in Wyoming; onshore oil and gas in Guatemala and Colombia;
underground and open pit zinc mines in Canada; and corporate finance and
advisory services throughout much of the world.
Mr Pawan Sharma - Executive Consultant
Mr Pawan Sharma has considerable legal and corporate finance experience, having
been a lawyer at US law firm Debevoise & Plimpton and, most recently, a partner
in the corporate department of London law firm, Stephenson Harwood. Mr Sharma
has structured, led and advised on numerous debt and equity transactions,
mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions for both start-up and
FTSE 100 companies.
Mr Fawaz Mourad - New Board Appointment
Mr Mourad has over 25 years of expertise in the oil and gas industry in Africa
and the Middle East and has assisted with major seismic acquisition exercises
in the Eastern Mediterranean. In recent years, Fawaz has been heavily involved
in business development in North Africa and the Middle East. Mr Mourad is a
director of Lake Energy Services and AFIL (Al Fardouss International) which is
a representative for Norway based PGS-Marine, Petroleum Geoservices, out of
Norway.
Political Situation
Puntland and greater Somalia have featured prominently in world news over the
quarter with a significant increase in piracy and kidnapping incidents. It is
difficult to assess the ultimate impact on Range's activities in Puntland but a
few general observations can be made:
* Clearly the current security situation is inadequate to protect the number
of ships travelling through the Gulf of Aden. A number of security
initiatives are being proposed by various governments, world organisations,
ship owners and insurers. The Puntland government and his excellency
President Hersi are heavily involved in discussing proposed security
options which adds, in Range's opinion, significant diplomatic credibility
and recognition to Puntland.
* A focussed effort (as proposed by the European Economic Community) on
combating piracy will hopefully provide further assistance and benefits to
Puntland through joint security initiatives which may ultimately provide
greater stability to the region in the medium term.
* There has been an increased risk of terrorist activity with the al shebab
movement being identified as having a greater operating presence in both
Puntland and Somaliland. The situation is being monitored with the Puntland
Government looking at a number of efforts to address the problem with the
main issue being lack of resources and funding to implement the strategies
that the Government has developed.
Government Release - 20 August 2008
In response to reports that the Transitional Federal Government ("TFG") of
Somalia had, during the quarter, signed an agreement with two foreign firms
said to be paving the way for a joint venture company that would explore
Somalia's natural resources, the Puntland Government stated:
"The Puntland Government remains fully committed to its existing agreement with
Africa Oil Company and Range Resources, covering concessions in the Dharoor and
Nogal Valley of Puntland, the concessions agreements covering those areas
remain in effect and are supported by the full force of the laws of Puntland.
Although the legality of the reported agreement is far from certain, this
prompt statement by the Puntland Government is intended to dispel
uncertainty-surrounding control of natural resources in Puntland. The Puntland
Government will fiercely protect its rights in order to preserve ownership of
its natural resources for the people of Puntland" 20 August 2008.
As clearly defined in a Puntland Government Policy Statement (puntlandgovt.com)
of 19 March, 2008, "Until such time an all inclusive federal constitution is
effected and state governments, convinced with the sharing power and resources,
are instituted, Puntland's support of the TFG should not be interpreted in any
manner that Puntland is part of the TFG - Puntland shall remain independent for
its laws, policies and interests."
Rights Issue
Summary details of the Company's proposed rights issue were announced on 29
October 2008. Full details will be provided shortly.
Contacts:
Australia UK
Range Resources Ltd. Range Resources Ltd.
Robert Hyndes Peter Landau
+61 8 6389 5700 +44 207 389 8191
admin@rangeresources.com.au p.landau@rangeresources.com.au
RFC Corporate Finance Fox-Davies Capital
(Nominated Advisor) (Broker)
Stuart Laing Daniel Fox-Davies
+61 8 9 480 2500 +44 207 936 5200
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity quarterly report
Introduced 1/7/96. Origin: Appendix 8. Amended 1/7/97, 1/7/98, 30/9/2001.
Name of entity
RANGE RESOURCES LIMITED
ABN Quarter ended ("current
quarter")
88 002 522 009 30 SEPTEMBER 2008
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Cash flows related to operating Current quarter Year to date
activities
$A'000 (3 months)
$A'000
1.1 Receipts from product sales and
related debtors
1.2 Payments for
(a) exploration and evaluation (536) (536)
(b) development -
(c) production -
(d) administration (786) (786)
1.3 Dividends received -
1.4 Interest and other items of a 39 39
similar nature received
1.5 Interest and other costs of - -
finance paid
1.6 Income taxes paid - -
1.7 Other (provide details if - -
material)
Net Operating Cash Flows (1,283) (1,283)
Cash flows related to investing
activities
1.8 Payment for purchases of:
(a) prospects - -
(b) equity investments - -
(c) other fixed assets (149) (149)
1.9 Proceeds from sale of:
(a) prospects - -
(b) equity investments - -
(c) other fixed assets - -
1.10 Loans to other entities - -
1.11 Loans repaid by other entities - -
1.12 Other (provide details if - -
material)
Net investing cash flows (149) (149)
1.13 Total operating and investing cash (1,432) (1,432)
flows (carried forward)
1.13 Total operating and investing cash (1,432) (1,432)
flows (brought forward)
Cash flows related to financing
activities
1.14 Proceeds from issues of shares, 1 1
options, etc.
1.15 Proceeds from sale of forfeited - -
shares
1.16 Proceeds from borrowings - -
1.17 Repayment of borrowings - -
1.18 Dividends paid - -
1.19 Costs associated with issue of - -
shares
Net financing cash flows 1 1
Net increase (decrease) in cash (1,431) (1,431)
held
1.20 Cash at beginning of quarter/year 4,138 4,138
to date
1.21 Exchange rate adjustments to item 3 3
1.20
1.22 Cash at end of quarter 2,710 2,710
Payments to directors of the entity and associates of the directors
Payments to related entities of the entity and associates of the related
entities
Current quarter
$A'000
1.23 Aggregate amount of payments to the parties 243
included in item 1.2
1.24 Aggregate amount of loans to the parties included Nil
in item 1.10
1.25 Explanation necessary for an understanding of the transactions
Payments of Directors Fees $141k
Reimbursement of Directors Travel and business related expenses $102k
Non-cash financing and investing activities
2.1 Details of financing and investing transactions which have had a
material effect on consolidated assets and liabilities but did not
involve cash flows
N/A
2.2 Details of outlays made by other entities to establish or increase
their share in projects in which the reporting entity has an interest
N/A
Financing facilities available
Add notes as necessary for an understanding of the position.
Amount available Amount used
$A'000 $A'000
3.1 Loan facilities - -
3.2 Credit standby arrangements - -
Estimated cash outflows for next quarter
$A'000
4.1 Exploration and evaluation 500
4.2 Development
Total 500
Reconciliation of cash
Reconciliation of cash at the end of the Current quarter Previous quarter
quarter (as shown in the consolidated
statement of cash flows) to the related $A'000 $A'000
items in the accounts is as follows.
5.1 Cash on hand and at bank 2,710 4,138
5.2 Deposits at call - -
5.3 Bank overdraft - -
5.4 Other (provide details) - -
Total: cash at end of quarter 2,710 4,138
(item 1.22)
Changes in interests in mining tenements
Tenement Nature of interest Interest Interest
reference at at end of
beginning quarter
of
quarter
6.1 Interests in mining M77/748* 100%, (held through 100% Nil
tenements Clara Resources Pty
relinquished, Ltd)
reduced or lapsed
P77/276* 100% (held through 100% Nil
Clara Resources Pty
Ltd)
6.2 Interests in mining P77/3598* 100% (held through Nil 100%
tenements acquired Clara Resources Pty
or increased Ltd)
* Note M77/748 and P77/2766 lapsed on 12/8/2008 but revision application P77/
3598 was granted on 13/8/08.
Issued and quoted securities at end of current quarter
Description includes rate of interest and any redemption or conversion rights
together with prices and dates.
Total Number Issue price Amount paid
number quoted per security up per
security (
7.1 Preference + Nil
securities
(description)
7.2 Changes during
quarter
(a) Increases
through issues
(b) Decreases
through returns of
capital,
buy-backs,
redemptions
7.3 +Ordinary 194,304,944 194,304,944
securities
7.4 Changes during
quarter
(a) Increases 920 920 $1.00 $1.00
through issues
(b) Decreases Nil Nil
through returns of
capital, buy-backs
7.5 +Convertible debt Nil
securities
(description)
7.6 Changes during
quarter
(a) Increases
through issues
(b) Decreases
through securities
matured, converted
7.7 Options Exercise price Expiry date
(description and
conversion factor)
63,723,901 - $1.00 1 October 2008
60,401,186 60,401,186 $1.00 1 October 2010
2,952,029 - $0.50 30 June 2012
7.8 Issued during
quarter
7.9 Exercised during
quarter
7.10 Expired during
quarter
7.11 Debentures
(totals only)
7.12 Unsecured notes
(totals only)
Partly Paid 4,925,000* Nil 60 cents 30 cents
* The Board will shortly convene a meeting of shareholders to obtain the
necessary resolutions for a selective reduction and cancellation of these
Partly Paid shares.
Compliance statement
1 This statement has been prepared under accounting policies which comply with
accounting standards as defined in the Corporations Act or other standards
acceptable to ASX (see note 4).
2 This statement does give a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Sign here: Date: 31 October 2008
([DEL:Director:DEL]/Company secretary)
Print name: Susan Hunter
Notes
1 The quarterly report provides a basis for informing the market how the
entity's activities have been financed for the past quarter and the effect on
its cash position. An entity wanting to disclose additional information is
encouraged to do so, in a note or notes attached to this report.
2 The "Nature of interest" (items 6.1 and 6.2) includes options in respect of
interests in mining tenements acquired, exercised or lapsed during the
reporting period. If the entity is involved in a joint venture agreement and
there are conditions precedent which will change its percentage interest in a
mining tenement, it should disclose the change of percentage interest and
conditions precedent in the list required for items 6.1 and 6.2.
3 Issued and quoted securities The issue price and amount paid up is not
required in items 7.1 and 7.3 for fully paid securities.
4 The definitions in, and provisions of, AASB 1022: Accounting for Extractive
Industries and AASB 1026: Statement of Cash Flows apply to this report.
5 Accounting Standards ASX will accept, for example, the use of International
Accounting Standards for foreign entities. If the standards used do not address
a topic, the Australian standard on that topic (if any) must be complied with