Interim Results

Green Dragon Gas Ltd 26 September 2007 GREEN DRAGON GAS LTD. ('Green Dragon' or 'the Company') Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2007 Green Dragon Gas Ltd (AIM: GDG), the Chinese coal bed methane business, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2007. Highlights: * Record drilling plan of 80 wells launched to complement the 69 wells across five diversified blocks successfully drilled in 2006 * Raised US$50million from an institution through the issue of a zero coupon convertible note, providing funding for 2007 capital expenditure and the acquisition of Kesi * Launched downstream distribution business in Beijing through the acquisition of 49% of Kesi for US$27.1 million in cash * Industry specialist, Netherland Sewell & Associates ('NSAI'), issued a Competent Persons Report ('CPR') confirming 18 TCF of gas in place across the Company's five blocks * 3P reserves of US$4.6 billion dollars * Net assets of US$438 million, including cash of US$65 million, and a loss after tax of US$1.5 million Commenting on the results, Randeep S. Grewal, Chairman and Chief Executive of Green Dragon, stated: 'In the year following the Company's admission to AIM, it has experienced significant growth. The Company received an injection of approximately US$75 million through capital raised on admission and over the year which has provided a strong balance sheet. This has facilitated the acquisition of a downstream business in Beijing and allowed the Company to commence an ambitious drilling programme comprising 80 wells across all five blocks. 'This growth has been made possible by the Green Dragon's skilled personnel whose existing expertise have been complemented by specific training in CBM, focusing on the Company's specific blocks and coal seams. I look forward to keeping you updated on the progress of Green Dragon as we look to conclude our current projects and prepare for future growth.' For further information on the Company and its activities, please refer to the website at www.greendragongas.com or contact: Randeep S. Grewal Betty Cheung Green Dragon Gas +852 3710 0168 Dr Azhic Basirov/ David Jones Nominated Adviser & Broker Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited +44 20 7131 4000 Tim Thompson / Nick Melson Investor Relations Buchanan Communications +44 20 7466 5000 Chairman's Statement Following the successful conclusion of the 2006 drilling plan, in May 2007 Green Dragon concluded a US$50 million fundraising through a zero coupon convertible note. The strengthened balance sheet positioned the Company to conclude the acquisition of a 49 per cent. interest in Kesi Hengrun (Beijing) Technology Co, Ltd ('Kesi'), a strategic downstream distribution business. The acquisition resulted in Green Dragon becoming one of the few foreign companies participating in Beijing city gas distribution being supplied by the CNPC pipeline. This acquisition was in accordance with the Company's strategy of being a 'vertically integrated clean gas supplier in China'. With the capital on hand, the Company launched an ambitious drilling programme of 80 wells across all five blocks. The operational team attained commitments from 12 drilling contractors to drill the wells using 25 rigs. Wells in Shizhuang South were spudded on 26 July 2007 and in Fengcheng on 3 August 2007, while Qinyuan and Shizhuang North are now scheduled to spud on 26 September and Panxie on 30 September. The Company's operations personnel have demonstrated their ability to successfully manage the growth to date and the team is expanding to sustain Green Dragon's anticipated growth. As well as increasing headcount, the operations team held a CBM training seminar in Beijing to expand on their skills, focusing on the Company's coal seams across the blocks. The training also included a field trip to Australia to see other companies' successful CBM operations. A Competent Persons Report from industry specialist, Netherland Sewell & Associates ('NSAI'), certified gas-in-place of 18 trillion cubic feet (509 billion cubic meters) in the Company's five blocks, with a 3P valuation of US$4.6 billion for the 2 TCF net reserves. Resources of two of the five blocks, Qinyuan and Panxie, were characterised as Prospective Resources and thus provide incremental resource growth potential. The continued drilling programme this year, coupled with the dewatering of the coal seams from the currently producing wells, ought to provide a reserve progression across the blocks. There has been a significant increase in companies participating in CBM projects throughout China this year. It has become well established that the CBM is a viable resource for the much needed energy to fuel China's continued growth. The recent abundance of the new entrants validates Green Dragon's early entry in to this potentially lucrative market. While many challenges have been addressed over the years, more will arise as the industry evolves. I am pleased to lead a team that has a demonstrated track record of sustaining the Company's growth, steering it through such evolutions. I look forward to providing shareholders with timely updates on the Company's continued growth. Randeep S. Grewal Chairman and Chief Executive 26 September 2007 Unaudited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statement 6 months to Period to For the six months ended 30 June 2007 30 June 30 June 2007 2006 US$000 US$000 Revenue - - Cost of sales - - --------- --------- Gross profit - - Administrative expenses (1,133) (558) Investment revenues 611 - Finance costs (1,050) (152) --------- --------- Loss before taxation (1,572) (710) Taxation 79 1 --------- --------- Net loss for the period (1,493) (709) --------- --------- Loss per share Basic ($) (0.01521) (0.00787) --------- --------- Diluted($) N/A N/A --------- --------- Dividend per share Nil Nil --------- --------- All amounts above relate to continued operations. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Unaudited Audited 30 June 2007 At At 30 June 31 December 2007 2006 US$000 US$000 Assets Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 267 83 Gas exploration and appraisal assets 595,878 592,365 Unlisted investment 27,122 - Deferred tax assets 384 296 ------- -------- Total non-current assets 623,651 592,744 ------- -------- Current assets Trade and other receivables 489 1,686 Cash and cash equivalents 65,021 19,031 ------- -------- Total current assets 65,510 20,717 ------- -------- Total Assets 689,161 613,461 ------- -------- Liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables 29,886 3,986 ------- -------- Total current liabilities 29,886 3,986 ------- -------- Non-current liabilities Convertible notes 46,739 - Loan notes due to shareholder 20,296 19,875 Deferred tax liability 139,225 139,225 Other financial liabilities 14,149 13,779 ------- -------- Total non-current liabilities 220,409 172,879 ------- -------- Total liabilities 250,295 176,865 ------- -------- NET ASSETS 438,866 436,596 ------- -------- Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the company Share capital 9 9 Share Premium 440,737 440,737 Convertible debt option reserve 3,794 - Foreign exchange reserve (76) (45) Accumulated losses (5,598) (4,105) -------- -------- TOTAL EQUITY 438,866 436,596 -------- -------- Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity For the six months ended 30 June 2007 Foreign Convertible Share Share exchange Debt option Accumulated capital premium reserve reserve Losses Total US$000 US$000 US$000 US$000 US$000 US$000 Shares - - - - - - allotted on date of incorporation Shares issued on purchase of 100% interest in Alexi Holdings Limited on 8 9 415,769 - - 415,778 April 2006 Loss for the period - - - - (709) (709) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Balance at 30 June 2006 9 415,769 - - (709) 415,069 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Share placement on admission to London AIM Market - 25,094 - - - 25,094 Share issue costs - (126) - - - (126) Foreign exchange on translation of foreign - (45) - - (45) operations Loss for the period - - - - (3,396) (3,396) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Balance at 9 440,737 (45) - (4,105) 436,596 31 December 2007 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Shares issued pursuant to agreements to acquire 49% equity interest in Kesi Hengrun (Beijing) Technology Co, Ltd - 24,875 - - - 24,875 Issue of $50,000,000 notes with convertible options on 1 June 2007 - - - 3,794 - 3,794 Shares repurchased and cancelled on 29 June 2007 - (24,875) - - - (24,875) Foreign exchange on translation of foreign - - (31) - - (31) operations Loss for the period - - - - (1,493) (1,493) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Balance at 30 June 2007 9 440,737 (76) 3,794 (5,598) 438,866 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Unaudited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Period to Period to For the six months ended 30 June 2007 30 June 30 June 2007 2006 US$000 US$000 Cash flow from operating activities Loss for the period (1,493) (709) Adjustments for: Tax credit (79) (1) Finance costs 1,050 152 Finance income (611) - --------- -------- Operating loss before changes in working capital and provisions (1,133) (558) Increase in receivables (9) (9) Increase in payables 90 484 Increase in provision for liabilities and charges 3 3 --------- --------- Net cash generated by operating activities (1,049) (80) --------- --------- Investing activities Payments for exploration activities (2,751) (118) Payments for Property, plant and equipment (181) - Cash held in subsidiary companies at the date of acquisition - 132 Interest received 611 - --------- --------- Net cash flow from investing activities (2,321) 14 --------- --------- Financing activities Proceeds from loan notes - 615 Proceeds from convertible notes 50,000 - --------- --------- Net cash flow from financing activities 50,000 615 --------- --------- Increase in cash 46,630 549 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 19,031 - Effect of changes in foreign exchange (640) (28) --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 65,021 521 --------- --------- Notes to Condensed Interim Financial Statements 1 Accounting policies Basis of presentation The interim financial information has been prepared using policies based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and IFRIC interpretations) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (ISAB). These accounts have not been audited The financial information has been prepared using the accounting policies as applied in the Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2006. The financial information for the period 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2007 is unaudited. In the opinion of the Directors, the financial information for the period fairly presents the financial position and results from operations and cash flows for the period, and conforms with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The accounts incorporate comparative figures for the interim period 28 March 2006 to 30 June 2006. 2 Loss per share Loss per ordinary share has been calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during the six month period to 30 June 2007 and from 28 March 2006 to 30 June 2006. The weighted average number of equity shares in issue for the periods are 98,137,835 and 90,000,000 respectively. The diluted loss per share for both periods ended was not presented as the convertible notes outstanding would result in a decrease in loss per share. 3 Gas exploration and appraisal assets Unaudited Audited At At 30 June 31 December 2007 2006 US$000 US$000 Cost Brought forward/ On incorporation 592,365 - Acquisitions - 587,075 Additions 2,751 4950 Foreign exchange difference 762 340 ------- ------- 595,878 592,365 ------- ------- Amortisation Brought forward/ On incorporation - - Amortisation for the period - - ------- ------- - - ------- ------- Net book value 595,878 592,365 ------- ------- 4 Unlisted Investment Unlisted investment of US$27,122,000 represents the Group's investment in 49% of the equity interests of Kesi Hengrun (Beijing) Technology Co, Ltd. ('Kesi'). As at 30 June 2007, directors and key management were yet to be appointed. As the Group was not in the position to exercise significant influence on the operations and financial strategy of Kesi, the investment was still carried at cost, less impairment if any, and equity accounting was not yet applicable. 5 Trade and other payables Unaudited Audited At At 30 June 31 December 2007 2006 US$000 US$000 Trade payables 3,908 3,986 Other payables 25,978 - ------- ------ 29,886 3,986 ------- ------ Included in other payables balance as of 30 June 2007 was US$25,978,000 payable for 3,685,167 shares repurchased and cancelled on 29 June 2007. The amount was paid, subsequently, on 5 July 2007. 6 Convertible notes On 1 June 2007, the Company issued convertible notes having a face value of US$50,000,000 and a maturity date of 30 May 2009 ('Maturity Date'). The notes bear interest at 0% per annum. At any time on or after the Maturity Date, the total sum of 118% of the outstanding principal amount of the convertible note shall become payable, unless previously converted or redeemed in accordance with these conditions. As the value of the convertible notes is dependent on assumptions and information in deriving their Fair Value, the following factors have been taken into consideration: As at Issue Date Share price of the Company US$6.08 Expected volatility 22% Risk free rate 4.92% Borrowing rate/effective interest rate of the Company 13% Life of the convertible note 2 years Expiration of the convertible note 31 May 2009 Expected ordinary dividend yield Nil 7 Copies of announcement The Company's Interim Report and copies of this announcement will be available on the Company's website at www.greendragongas.com and from the offices of the Company's nominated adviser, Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited, at 25 Moorgate, London, EC2R 6AY, United Kingdom. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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