RNS Number : 3318G
Savannah Energy Plc
30 September 2024
 

30 September 2024

Savannah Energy PLC

("Savannah" or "the Company")

 

2024 Half-Year Results

 

Savannah Energy PLC, the British independent energy company focused around the delivery of Projects that Matter, is pleased to announce its unaudited half-year results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.

Andrew Knott, CEO of Savannah Energy, said:

"I am pleased to report our results for the first six months of 2024, as well as the wider progress we are making developing our business. Key highlights in H1 included the delivery of US$233m of Total Income1 and the announcement of our planned acquisition of SINOPEC's upstream assets in Nigeria. Alongside this, we are pleased to report strong progress in the development of our renewable energy business, particularly relating to our planned projects in Niger and Cameroon. Looking forward we expect to make a series of announcements around our entry into further renewable energy projects prior to year-end. We remain unequivocally an "AND" company, seeking to deliver strong performance both for the short AND long term across multiple fronts, and pursuing growth opportunities in both the hydrocarbon AND renewable energy sectors."

 

 

Highlights

·    Average gross daily production of 24.4 Kboepd, a 3% increase compared to FY2023 (23.6 Kboepd);

·      Up to 696 MW of renewable energy projects in motion at period-end, and targeting a portfolio of up to 1 GW+ of renewable energy projects in motion by end 2024 and up to 2 GW+ by end 2026;

·      Three contracts with customers agreed and extended in the year-to-date for a total of up to 105 MMscfpd;

·      Strong financial performance reported in the period:

Total Income1 increased by 40% to US$233.4 million (H1 2023: US$167.6 million), comprising Total Revenues2 of US$123.5 million and Other operating income of US$109.9 million;

Operating profit of US$152.3 million, 130% higher than H1 2023 (US$66.2 million); and

Adjusted EBITDA3 of US$91.6 million (H1 2023: US$108.2 million). This excludes Other operating income which when included shows a 47% increase year-on-year to US$201.5 million (H1 2023: US$137.1 million).

·      Agreements signed to consolidate our interest in Stubb Creek through the acquisition of 100% of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited ("SIPEC") for a total consideration of US$61.5 million (the "SIPEC Acquisition"). Completion of the SIPEC Acquisition is anticipated in Q4 2024, with plans in place to more than double oil production to approximately 4.7 Kbopd within 12 months of completion;

·      US$45 million compression project in Nigeria remains on-budget and on-track for completion during 2024, enabling us to maintain and grow our gas production levels over the long-term; and

·      Naira denominated debt facility signed with a consortium of five Nigerian banks. This is being progressively drawn down, with the resulting funds being converted to US$ to repay the existing Accugas US$ Facility.

 

 

2024 Guidance

·      Guidance is reiterated at:

Total Revenues2 'greater than US$245 million';

Operating expenses plus administrative expenses4 'up to US$75 million'; and

Capital expenditure 'up to US$50 million'.

 

For further information, please refer to the Company's website www.savannah-energy.com or contact:

 

Savannah Energy                                                                    +44 (0) 20 3817 9844

Andrew Knott, CEO

Nick Beattie, CFO

Sally Marshak, Head of IR & Communications

 

Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated Adviser)                        +44 (0) 20 7409 3494

James Spinney

Ritchie Balmer

Rob Patrick

 

Cavendish Capital Markets Ltd (Joint Broker)                      +44 (0) 20 7220 0500

Derrick Lee

Tim Redfern

 

Panmure Liberum Limited (Joint Broker)                              +44 (0) 20 3100 2000

Scott Mathieson

Kieron Hodgson

James Sinclair-Ford

 

Camarco                                                                                  +44 (0) 20 3757 4983

Billy Clegg

Owen Roberts

Violet Wilson

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended.

 

About Savannah:  

Savannah Energy PLC is a British independent energy company focused around the delivery of Projects that Matter in Africa.

 

 

 



Operational Review

Nigeria

Average gross daily production was 24.4 Kboepd an increase of 3% compared to FY 2023 (23.6 Kboepd).

During 2024 YTD, three gas contracts have been agreed and extended for a total of up to 105 MMscfpd, including:

·      An extension of the agreement with First Independent Power Limited ("FIPL") was signed in January 2024 for an additional 12-month period, whereby Accugas is supplying FIPL's FIPL Afam, Eleme and Trans Amadi power stations with up to 65 MMscfpd of gas;

·      A new 24-month agreement was signed in July 2024 with Ibom Power Company Limited, owner of the Ibom power station, to supply up to 30 MMscfpd of gas. This follows the expiration of the previous 10-year agreement; and

·      An extension of the agreement with Central Horizon Gas Company Limited ("CHGC") was signed in August 2024 for an additional 12-month period, whereby Accugas is supplying CHGC with up to 10 MMscfpd of gas.

 

Progress continues on the US$45 million compression project at the Uquo Central Processing Facility ("CPF"). In H1 2024, we completed the detailed engineering work, the procurement of all long lead items and the site preparation, piling and civil works. All remaining site installation works, including structural works, electrical and instrumentation, piping and mechanical works, and the compressor package installation itself, are nearing completion and pre-commissioning activities are underway.

The compression project remains on budget and on track to be completed during 2024. The remaining steps to it becoming operational include the finalisation of site installation activities, mechanical works, and pre-commissioning and commissioning activities, together with the receipt of regulatory approval.

Post-period end in August 2024, we successfully completed an annual maintenance programme at the CPF, which involved a 10-day shutdown of the plant. This was also used as an opportunity to tie in the new compression system.

We are currently working on a proposed further development programme for the Uquo field which is expected to see additional wells drilled in 2025 and 2026. 

SIPEC Acquisition

In March 2024, we announced the proposed acquisition (via two separate transactions) of 100% of SIPEC for a total consideration of US$61.5 million.  SIPEC's principal asset is the 49% non-operated interest in Stubb Creek. A subsidiary of Savannah, Universal Energy Resources Limited, is the 51% owner and operator.  We currently expect completion to occur in Q4 2024. The transaction consideration is expected to be funded through a new senior debt facility arranged by Standard Bank of South Africa Limited and the existing cash resources of the Company.

As at year end 2023, SIPEC had an estimated 8.1 MMstb of 2P oil reserves and 227 Bscf of 2C Contingent gas resources. Savannah's Reserve and Resource base is expected to increase by approximately 46 MMboe following completion of the SIPEC Acquisition. SIPEC oil production is estimated at an average of 1.4 Kbopd for 2024. Following completion of the SIPEC Acquisition, we plan to implement a de-bottlenecking programme at the Stubb Creek processing facilities. It is anticipated that within 12 months of completion of the acquisition, this will lead to Stubb Creek gross production increasing by 135% to approximately 4.7 Kbopd. Importantly, the SIPEC Acquisition also secures significant additional feedstock gas available for sale to our Accugas subsidiary, underpinning Savannah's long-term ambition to be the gas supplier of choice in Nigeria.

Niger

Savannah remains committed to the 35 MMstb (Gross 2C Resources) R3 East oil development in South-East Niger. The Niger-Benin oil export pipeline, now fully operational, provides a clear route to international markets for crude oil produced from our R1234 contract area. We continue to progress our planned four well testing programme and are in the process of mobilising the required long lead item equipment into country.

Located in the Tahoua Region of southern Niger, Savannah's Parc Eolien de la Tarka wind farm project is anticipated to be the country's first wind farm and the largest in West Africa, with a total power generation capacity of up to 250 MW. We have signed agreements with two leading international Development Finance Institutions (the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank, and the US International Development Finance Corporation, the U.S. government's development finance institution) to fund approximately two-thirds of the pre-construction development costs of the project.

The project made significant progress in H1 2024 with all key studies now either complete or at an advanced stage. We submitted our Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ("ESIA") scoping report to the Government of Niger and have been continuing to progress the ongoing ESIA field work additional studies required for the submission of the full ESIA report, expected in 2025. As part of the ESIA studies, Savannah is currently performing a land survey of the wind farm area. We have partnered with the Department of Geography of the Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, where Savannah has enabled a cartography and software training programme for a cohort of its students, before deploying them under supervision on the Tarka site. This has provided local students with a material and exciting learning experience, while involving them in a transformational energy project for their country.

We hosted a site visit in August 2024 for Niger's Minister of Energy where we provided the Minister, Governor of Tahoua, local officials and community representatives with a presentation on the project and a tour of the wind farm site. During the Minister's visit we detailed our plans for the project and outlined its transformative potential for Niger and its people. The Minister confirmed that the Parc Eolien de la Tarka wind farm project is on the Ministry of Energy's list of priority projects.

Parc Eolien de la Tarka is expected to produce up to 800 GWh of electricity per year, representing approximately 22% of Niger's annual electricity demand, based on the country's projected energy demand in 2026. The construction phase is expected to create over 500 jobs, while the project has the potential to reduce the cost of electricity for Nigeriens and avoid an estimated 450,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

We also continue to progress the two photovoltaic solar power plants expected to be located within 20 km of the cities of Maradi and Zinder. In H1 2024, we presented the preliminary commercial and technical proposals to the Government of Niger. A sanctioning decision on these projects is expected in 2025, with first power in 2027.

Cameroon

Substantial progress has been made on the Bini a Warak Hybrid Hydroelectric and Solar Project in Cameroon, following the approval of the optimisation and proposed redesign of the project given by the Minister of Water and Energy. The redesigned project, involving the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Bini River in the northern Adamawa region of Cameroon, now incorporates photovoltaic solar, raising its installed power generation capacity from up to 75 MW to up to 95 MW. We continue to progress the project towards an anticipated project sanction in 2026, with first power targeted in the 2028 to 2029 window.

South Sudan

As separately announced today, Savannah remains in active discussions regarding a potential transaction in South Sudan. A further update is expected to be made in early November.

Chad Arbitration Update

As previously disclosed in Savannah's 2023 Annual Report, Savannah Chad Inc ("SCI"), has commenced arbitral proceedings against the Government of the Republic of Chad and its instrumentalities in response to the March 2023 nationalisation of SCI's rights in the Doba fields in Chad, and other breaches of SCI's rights. Our other wholly owned subsidiary, Savannah Midstream Investment Limited ("SMIL"), has commenced arbitral proceedings in relation to the nationalisation of its investment in Tchad Oil Transportation Company, the Chadian company which owns and operates the section of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline located in Chad. SMIL has also commenced arbitral and other legal proceedings for breaches of SMIL's rights in relation to Cameroon Oil Transportation Company ("COTCo"), the Cameroon company which owns and operates the section of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline located in Cameroon.

We expect the arbitral proceedings to be concluded in the second half of 2025. SCI and SMIL are claiming in excess of US$840 million for the nationalisation of their rights and assets in Chad, and SMIL has a claim valued at approximately US$380 million for breaches of its rights in relation to COTCo. Whilst the Government of the Republic of Chad has acknowledged SCI's and SMIL's right to compensation, no compensation has been paid or announced by the Government of the Republic of Chad to date.

Savannah remains ready and willing to discuss with the Government of the Republic of Chad an amicable solution to the disputes. However, in the absence of such discussions, the Group intends to vigorously pursue its rights in the arbitrations.

Sustainability

We published our Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures 2023 disclosure report and our maiden disclosure report in accordance with our chosen 13 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in June 2024. We continue to progress our 2024 sustainability performance measurement and reporting in line with our sustainability strategy.

Financial Review

The table below provides an overview of our results for H1 2024 with a comparison for H1 2023: 

Financial highlights


Six months ended

 30 June 2024

Six months ended

 30 June 2023*

Total Income1, US$ million

233.4

167.6

Adjusted EBITDA3, US$ million

91.6

108.2

Adjusted EBITDA3 including Other operating income, US$ million

201.5

137.1

Revenue, US$ million

114.8

123.7

Operating profit, US$ million

152.3

66.2

Operating margin, % (Operating profit/ Total Income1)

65.3%

39.5%

Operating expenses plus administrative expenses4, US$ million

27.5

25.1

Operating expenses plus administrative expenses4, US$/Mscfe

1.1

1.1

 * The prior year comparative has been restated to conform with the presentation of "other operating income" in the 2023 annual report

Total Income1 is 40% higher compared to previous period at US$233.4 million (H1 2023: US$167.6 million) - this measures the total amount of invoiced income for the period and captures both Total Revenues2 plus Other operating income. We believe this is the most representative measure of the underlying income of the Group during the period. The substantial increase is due principally to Other operating income of US$109.9 million (H1 2023: US$28.9 million), which relates to the re-billing of foreign exchange losses incurred by Accugas as it converted historic Naira cash received into US dollars. Total Revenues2 were slightly lower in the period due to phasing of delivery of gas under certain contracted GSAs and a different mix of customers supplied in the period.

Operating profit was significantly higher than H1 2023 at US$152.3 million (H1 2023: US$66.2 million), driven again by the higher level of re-billing of realised foreign exchange losses.

Adjusted EBITDA3 was US$91.6 million (H1 2023: US$108.2 million), which excludes Other operating income. When including this Other operating income, Adjusted EBITDA3 would be US$201.5 million (H1 2023: US$137.1 million).  Adjusted EBITDA3 margin, excluding Other operating income, is slightly lower at 74% (H1 2023: 78%), with this reduction largely due to an increase in Operating expenses plus administrative expenses4 of 10% compared to 2023. However, in H1 2023 certain costs, amounting to US$6.9 million were recharged to operations in Cameroon which did not re-occur in H1 2024. Excluding this recharge, underlying costs decreased on a comparable basis.

Revenue

Revenue during the period of US$114.8 million (H1 2023: US$123.7 million) was 7% lower than 2023 driven primarily by delivery of gas to a different mix of customers compared to prior year.

As previously highlighted, it is important to note the impact of take-or-pay accounting rules under IFRS 15 on our Income Statement as regards to revenue recognition for our gas sales agreements. The Revenue shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income includes only the gas, oil and condensate that has been delivered. The Total Revenues2 of US$123.5 million (H1 2023: US$138.7 million) includes the volume of gas that customers are committed to pay for under the take-or-pay terms of certain gas sales agreements, which includes gas that has been delivered plus gas invoiced but yet to be delivered, plus oil and condensate revenues. The foreign exchange true-up invoices are also not reflected within Revenue or Total Revenues2.

Savannah continues to benefit from over US$3.4 billion of contracted future gas revenues in Accugas with annual price escalation clauses tied to US consumer price inflation.

Cost of Sales, administrative and other operating expenses

Cost of sales amounted to US$34.7 million (H1 2023: US$35.5 million) which includes US$16.0 million (H1 2023: US$14.9 million) for facility operating and maintenance costs, US$2.6 million (H1 2023: US$2.7 million) royalty expenses and US$16.1 million (H1 2023: US$17.8 million) depletion and depreciation. Administrative and other operating expenses for the period were US$15.9 million (H1 2023: US$14.3 million).

On a unit of production basis, costs are stable at US$1.1/Mscfe (H1 2023: US$1.1/Mscfe). Costs have been well managed during the period and on an underlying basis are lower than in the prior period - during H1 2023 there was approximately US$6.9 million of central costs recharged to Cameroon operations which did not reoccur in H1 2024.  The Company has taken steps to reduce central costs which has kept costs stable on a unit of production basis.

Transaction and other related expenses of US$8.9 million (H1 2023: US$2.8 million) primarily relate to legal expenses with respect to the ongoing arbitration processes and the activity associated with the proposed acquisitions in Nigeria and South Sudan.



 

Finance Costs

The 24% decrease in Finance costs to US$39.3 million (H1 2023: US$51.8 million) is largely a result of release of legacy non-cash related finance costs of US$9.6 million and a US$4.0 million reduction in other finance costs from a lower unwind of the decommissioning provision discount. Interest costs were broadly unchanged at US$42.1 million (H1 2023: US$41.4 million). 

Foreign Exchange loss

Foreign exchange losses amounted to US$67.6 million (H1 2023: US$82.9 million). Of this, US$49.9 million (H1 2023: US$54.7 million) are unrealised losses, mainly due to movements in Naira monetary assets and liabilities, specifically Naira cash balances, which occurred as a result of further Naira devaluation from approximately NGN900:US$ at year-end 2023 to NGN1,470:US$ at 30 June 2024. 

Realised losses were lower than previous period at US$17.7 million (H1 2023: US$28.2 million). Certain foreign exchange losses are recoverable through the true up mechanism included in the GSA with our principal gas customer. These amounts, when invoiced, are reported under Other operating income - as noted above, in H1 2024 these amounted to US$109.9 million (H1 2023: US$28.9 million).

Cash flow

Operating cashflows before working capital adjustments remained stable at US$166.3 million (H1 2023: US$163.0 million).

Cash balances at 30 June 2024 were US$42.9 million (31 December 2023: US$106.9 million) with the reduction due principally to a US$60.2 million effect of devaluation on Naira denominated cash and cash equivalent balances. In addition, cash generated during the period was utilised towards debt repayments and finance costs amounting to a combined US$106.8 million (H1 2023: US$102.9 million) partially offset by drawings under the Accugas Naira transitional facility of US$39.0 million (H1 2023: Nil).

Capital and exploration expenditure for the period amounted to US$13.9 million (H1 2023: US$4.2 million), the majority of which related to the Uquo compression project.

Debt

Net debt at 30 June 2024 was US$533.1 million an increase of 13% from year-end position (31 December 2023: US$473.7 million). Gross debt was reduced at US$576.0 million (31 December 2023: US$580.7 million) and the increase seen in net debt was primarily a result of the devaluation of Naira denominated cash balances as discussed above. This has resulted in leverage5 increasing from 2.6x to 3.2x.

It is worth noting the treatment of the debt facility entered into to finance the acquisition of the Chad and Cameroon Assets. Despite the Nationalisation there remains an outstanding balance of US$126.7 million (31 December 2023: US$119.3 million) - of this amount only up to a maximum of US$37.0 million is recourse to the Company with the remainder being fully non-recourse. The only other debt within the Group which is resource to the Company totals approximately US$11.9 million, with all other borrowings on a non-recourse basis.

In H1 2024, a new NGN340 billion 4 year-term facility was signed by Accugas with a consortium of five Nigerian banks. This facility is being progressively drawn down with the resulting funds being converted to US$, which along with cash held is used to repay the existing Accugas US$ Facility. This process, when complete, will align Accugas' debt facility with the currency in which gas revenues are received. Year to date NGN 196 billion has been drawn and we continue to also advance plans for a potential long-dated domestic bond issuance to ultimately replace the transitional facility.

Going Concern

The results have been presented on a going concern basis. Details of the Group's assessment of going concern for the period can be found in note 2.

 



 

Footnotes

1 Total Income is calculated as Total Revenues2 plus Other operating income.

 

2 Total Revenues are defined as the total amount of invoiced sales during the period. This number is seen by management as more accurately reflecting the underlying cash generation capacity of the business as opposed to Revenue recognised in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

3 Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as profit or loss before finance costs, investment revenue, foreign exchange gains or losses, expected credit loss and other related adjustments, fair value adjustments, gain on acquisition, share based payments, taxes, transaction and other related expenses, depreciation, depletion and amortisation and adjusted to include deferred revenue and other invoiced amounts. Management believes that the alternative performance measure of Adjusted EBITDA more accurately reflects the cash-generating capacity of the business.

 

4 Group operating expenses plus administrative expenses are defined as total cost of sales, administrative and other operating expenses, excluding gas purchases, royalties, depletion, depreciation and amortisation and transaction costs.

 

5 Leverage is defined as net debt/Adjusted EBITDA3. For the 6-month period ended 30 June 2024, the Leverage calculation is prepared on a rolling 12-month basis.



 

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the six months ended 30 June 2024

 

 



Six months ended

30 June

2024

US$'000

Six months ended

30 June

2023

US$'000

 

Note

Unaudited

Unaudited

Continuing operations

 

 

 

Revenue

4a

114,788

123,728

Cost of sales

5

(34,695)

(35,464)

Gross profit

 

80,093

88,264

Other operating income           

4b

109,930

28,877

Administrative and other operating expenses


(15,904)

(14,284)

Transaction and other related expenses

6

(8,914)

(2,833)

Expected credit loss and other related adjustments

12

(12,944)

(33,840)

Operating profit

6

152,261

66,184

Share of profit from associates


-

             3,580

Finance income


1,815

1,440

Finance costs

7

(39,271)

(51,752)

Fair value through profit or loss


-

6,519

Foreign exchange loss

8

(67,592)

(82,893)

Profit/(loss) before tax


47,213

(56,922)

Current tax expense

9

(15,198)

(9,756)

Deferred tax (expense)/credit

9

(11,662)

21,489

Total tax (expense)/credit

9

(26,860)

11,733

Profit/(loss) after tax


20,353

(45,189)

Discontinued operations




Profit after tax from discontinued operations          

19

-

91,962

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) attributable to:




Owners of the Company


16,268

54,428

Non-controlling interests


4,085

(7,655)



20,353

46,773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




US cents

US cents

Earnings/(loss) per share for continuing operations


 


Basic

10

1.34

(3.09)

Diluted

10

1.28

(3.09)

Earnings per share including discontinued operations


 


Basic

10

1.34

4.48

Diluted

10

1.28

4.26

 

 

 



 

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position

as at 30 June 2024



30 June

2024

31 December

2023



US$'000

US$'000

 

Note

Unaudited

Audited

Assets


 


Non-current assets


 


Property, plant and equipment

11

465,958

476,144

Intangible assets


176,456

174,707

Financial investment


139,459

139,459

Deferred tax assets


215,656

227,318

Right-of-use assets


2,363

2,648

Restricted cash


29

29

Other non-current receivables

 

15,902

9,879

Total non-current assets

 

1,015,823

1,030,184

Current assets


 


Inventory


7,148

7,143

Trade and other receivables

12

442,301

370,857

Cash at bank

13

42,881

106,941

Total current assets

 

492,330

484,941

Total assets

 

1,508,153

1,515,125

Equity and liabilities


 


Capital and reserves


 


Share capital


1,836

1,836

Share premium


126,824

126,824

Treasury shares


(136)

(136)

Other reserves


531

531

Share-based payment reserve


15,732

14,717

Retained earnings

 

126,994

110,726

Equity attributable to owners of the Company


271,781

254,498

Non-controlling interests

 

13,344

9,259

Total equity

 

285,125

263,757

Non-current liabilities


 


Other payables

14

1,422

2,030

Borrowings

15

429,919

213,469

Lease liabilities


1,358

1,998

Provisions


50,134

49,256

Contract liabilities

16

360,765

346,490

Total non-current liabilities

 

843,598

613,243

Current liabilities


 


Trade and other payables

14

98,613

108,000

Borrowings

15

146,124

367,199

Interest payable

17

100,926

136,090

Tax liabilities


16,795

6,384

Lease liabilities


2,295

2,798

Contract liabilities

16

14,677

17,654

Total current liabilities

 

379,430

638,125

Total liabilities

 

1,223,028

1,251,368

Total equity and liabilities

 

1,508,153

1,515,125



 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

for the six months ended 30 June 2024


 

Six months ended

30 June 2024

Six months ended

30 June 2023


 

US$'000

US$'000


Note

Unaudited

Unaudited

Cash flows from operating activities:

Profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations

 

47,213

(56,922)

Profit before tax from discontinued operations


-

59,748

Adjustments for:


 


Depreciation 

 

1,474

1,804

Depletion

 

16,126

17,832

Finance income

 

(1,598)

(1,350)

Finance costs

7

39,271

51,752

Share of profit from associates


-

(4,155)

Fair value through profit or loss


-

(6,519)

Unrealised foreign exchange loss

8

49,875

54,689

Share-based payments

 

1,015

(74)

Expected credit loss and other related adjustments

12

12,944

33,840

Chad Assets net impairment

19

-

12,350

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital

 

166,320

162,995

Increase in inventory

 

(5)

(1,521)

Increase in trade and other receivables

 

(94,597)

(83,517)

Decrease in trade and other payables

 

(1,604)

(54,209)

Increase in contract liabilities

 

8,780

1,843

Income tax paid

 

(4,401)

(1,975)

Net cash generated from operating activities

 

74,493

23,616

Cash flows from investing activities:

Interest received

 

134

668

Payments for property, plant and equipment

 

(9,729)

(2,379)

Payments for exploration and evaluation assets

 

(4,179)

(1,824)

Acquisition related receipt

 

10,000

-

Proceeds from disposal

 

-

44,900

Loans and advances - receipts

 

782

-

Loans and advances - payments

 

(7,351)

(2,512)

Cash transferred from debt service accounts

 

57,180

83,633

Lessor receipts

 

223

147

Net cash generated from investing activities

 

47,060

122,633

Cash flows from financing activities:

Finance costs

 

(59,576)

(29,099)

Proceeds from issues of equity shares, net of issue costs


-

2,013

Borrowing proceeds

17

39,018

-

Borrowing repayments

17

(47,236)

(73,783)

Lease payments

17

(467)

(484)

Net cash used in from financing activities

 

(68,261)

(101,353)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

53,292

44,896

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(60,172)

(66,493)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

48,134

104,147

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

13

41,254

82,550

Amounts held for debt service at end of period

13

1,627

53,107

Cash at bank at end of period

13

42,881

135,657


 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the six months ended 30 June 2024


Share capital

Share premium

Treasury shares

Other reserves

Share-based payment reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to the owners of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Total equity


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Balance at 1 January 2024 (audited)

1,836

126,824

(136)

531

14,717

110,726

254,498

9,259

263,757

Profit after tax and Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

16,268

16,268

4,085

20,353

Total comprehensive income 

-

-

-

-

-

16,268

16,268

4,085

20,353

Transactions with shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity-settled share-based payments

-

-

-

-

1,015

-

1,015

-

1,015

Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited)

1,836

126,824

(136)

531

15,732

126,994

271,781

13,344

285,125

 

 

 


Share capital

Share premium

Treasury shares

Other reserves

Share-based payment reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to the owners of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Total equity


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Balance at 1 January 2023 (restated and audited)

1,828

124,819

(136)

531

9,974

95,940

232,956

11,116

244,072

Profit/(loss) after tax and Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

54,428

54,428

(7,655)

46,773

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

54,428

54,428

(7,655)

46,773

Transactions with shareholders:










Equity-settled share-based payments

-

-

-

-

(74)

-

(74)

-

(74)

Issue of shares, net of costs

7

1,983

-

-

-

-

1,990

-

1,990

Balance at 30 June 2023 (unaudited)

1,835

126,802

(136)

531

9,900

150,368

289,300

3,461

292,761


Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements

1.   General information

 

Savannah Energy PLC ("Savannah" or "the Company") was incorporated in England and Wales on 3 July 2014. The condensed consolidated financial statements of Savannah and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") for the six months ended 30 June 2024 were approved and authorised for issuance by the board of directors on
27 September 2024.

 

The Group's principal activities are the exploration, development and production of natural gas and crude oil and development of other energy related projects in Africa.

 

The Company is domiciled in England for tax purposes and its shares were listed on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") of the London Stock Exchange on 1 August 2014.  The Company's registered address is 40 Bank Street, London, E14 5NR.

 

2.   Accounting policies

 

Basis of Preparation

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements included within this Interim Report have been prepared in a form consistent with that which will be adopted in the Company's annual accounts having regard to the accounting standards applicable to such annual accounts, and in accordance with the London Stock Exchange AIM Rules for Companies. The provisions of IAS 34: Interim Financial Reporting have not been applied.

 

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all disclosures that would otherwise be required in a complete set of financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts 2023, for the year ended 31 December 2023 ("the Group's 2023 Annual Report"). The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2024 does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434(3) of the Companies Act 2006 and is unaudited.

 

The annual financial statements of Savannah for the year ended 31 December 2023 were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The Independent Auditors' Report on the Group's 2023 Annual Report contained a qualification opinion as described below, and as such contained a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.  The Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 have been filed with the Registrar of UK Companies.

 

All the Company's subsidiaries' functional currency is US Dollars ("US$"), and the consolidated financial statements are presented in US Dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (US$'000), except when otherwise stated.

 

The financial information presented herein has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies used in preparing the Group's 2023 Annual Report. There are no other new or amended standards or interpretations adopted from 1 January 2024 that have a significant impact on the interim financial information.

 

As disclosed in the Group's 2023 Annual Report, the Republic of Chad nationalised the Group's interests in its Chad subsidiaries Savannah Chad Inc ("SCI") and Savannah Midstream Investment Limited ("SMIL"), (the "Chad Assets") by way of a law passed on 31 March 2023 (the "Nationalisation").  As a result of the Nationalisation, the Group was unable to fully access all the underlying financial information, nor have access to the relevant Chad-based employees of the affected entities SCI and SMIL in order to prepare the financial information: (i) for audit purposes to be consolidated into the Group's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023, which were qualified in this respect; and (ii) for the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2023. 

 

Therefore, as at 31 March 2023 the activities of the Chad Assets were considered as a discontinued operation, in accordance with IFRS 5: Non-current Assets for Sale and Discontinued Operations; and the net statement of financial position associated with the Chad Assets was fully impaired such that no balances remained in the consolidated statement of position at subsequent reporting dates. In the six months ended 30 June 2024, no further transactions were recorded with this discontinued operation and Note 20 sets out the position of any potential contingent liabilities associated with the Chad Assets.

 

With respect to the Group's valuation of its financial investment in Cameroon Oil Transportation Company (COTCo), no further adjustment has been made as at 30 June 2024 - more details of this financial investment is set out in the Group's 2023 Annual Report.  

 

 

Going concern

The Group continues to trade strongly throughout 2024 with cash collections from customers amounting to US$148.6 million for the six months ended 30 June 2024 and a total cash balance of US$42.9 million at the reporting date. 

 

The Directors have reviewed the Group's forecasted cash flows for the twelve months from the date of publication of this Interim Report. When reviewing the forecasts the Directors have considered the Group's current trading performance and considered the potential impact from certain sensitivities on the forecasted cash flows including changes in commodity pricing, Naira currency rate movements and timing of cash receipts from customers.

 

As a result, the Directors have confidence in the Group's forecasts and have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue in operational existence for the going concern assessment period and have therefore used the going concern basis in preparing these interim condensed financial statements.

   

 

3.   Segmental reporting

 

For the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance, the operations of the Group are divided into four segments: three geographical locations and an Unallocated segment. The current geographical segments are Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger. All these geographical segments' principal activities are exploration, development and extraction of oil and gas. The Unallocated segment's principal activities are the governance and financing of the Group, as well as undertaking business development opportunities. Items not included within Operating profit/(loss) are reviewed at a Group level and therefore there is no segmental analysis for this information.

 

The following is an analysis of the Group's continuing operations results by reportable segment for the six months ended 30 June 2024:

 


Nigeria

Cameroon

Niger

Unallocated

Total


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000


Unaudited

Unaudited

Unaudited

Unaudited

Unaudited

Revenue

114,788

-

-

-

114,788

Cost of sales1

(34,639)

-

(10)

(46)

(34,695)

Gross profit

80,149

-

(10)

(46)

80,093

Other operating income

109,930

-

-

-

109,930

Administrative and other operating expenses

(2,532)

-

(508)

(12,864)

(15,904)

Transaction and other related expenses

(1,075)

-

-

(7,839)

(8,914)

Expected credit loss and other related adjustments

(12,944)

-

-

-

(12,944)

Operating profit/(loss)

173,528

-

(518)

(20,749)

152,261

Finance income





1,815

Finance costs





(39,271)

Fair value through the profit or loss

 

 

 

 

-

Foreign exchange loss

 

 

 

 

(67,592)

Profit before tax

 

 

 

 

47,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment depreciation, depletion and amortisation

16,128

-

114

1,358

17,600

Segment non-current assets additions2

6,191

-

2,615

114

8,920

1.     Refer to Note 5 for items included within Cost of Sales.

2.     Includes Property, plant and equipment and Exploration and evaluation assets.

3.     Refer to the Note 2, Accounting Policies - Basis of Preparation; Note 19, Discontinued operations and Note 20, Contingent Liabilities, which collectively sets out the Company's position with respect to the Chad Assets.

 



 

The following is an analysis of the Group's results by reportable segment for the six months ended 30 June 2023:

 


Nigeria

Cameroon

Niger

Unallocated

Total


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000


Unaudited

Unaudited

Unaudited

Unaudited

Unaudited

Revenue

123,728

-

-

-

123,728

Cost of sales1

(35,150)

-

(120)

(174)

(35,464)

Gross profit

88,578

-

(120)

(174)

88,264

Other operating income

28,877

-

-

-

28,877

Administrative and other operating expenses

(3,748)

-

(107)

(10,429)

(14,284)

Transaction and other related expenses

-

-

-

(2,833)

(2,833)

Expected credit loss and other related adjustments

(33,840)

-

-

-

(33,840)

Operating profit/(loss)

79,867

-

(227)

(13,456)

66,184

Share of profit from associates





3,580

Finance income





1,440

Finance costs





(51,752)

Fair value through the profit or loss





6,517

Foreign exchange loss





(82,893)

Loss before tax





(56,922)







Segment depreciation, depletion and amortisation

19,030

-

112

495

19,637

Segment non-current assets additions2

2,816

-

3,211

29

6,056

1.     Refer to Note 5 for items included within Cost of Sales.

2.     Includes Third party investments, Property, plant and equipment, Exploration and evaluation assets and Right-of-use assets.

3.     Refer to the Note 2, Accounting Policies - Basis of Preparation; Note 19, Discontinued operations and Note 20, Contingent Liabilities, which collectively sets out the Company's position with respect to the Chad Assets.

 

4.   Revenue

(a)  Revenue from contracts with customers

 

Set out below is the disaggregation of the Group's revenue from contracts with customers:

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Gas sales

101,759

115,887

Oil and condensates sales

13,029

7,841

Revenue from contracts with customers

114,788

123,728

 

Gas sales represent gas deliveries made to the Group's customers under gas sale agreements. The Group sells oil and condensates at prevailing market prices.

 

(b) Other operating income

Other operating income of US$109.9 million (2023: US$28.9 million) relates to the invoicing of foreign exchange losses incurred on certain customer trade receivables that are settled in a currency other than the invoiced currency and are permitted to be invoiced to the relevant customer. The prior period's comparative has been represented from Foreign exchange losses to conform with the presentation in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 and to more appropriately reflect the nature of these transactions. 



 

5.   Cost of sales

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Depletion - oil and gas, and infrastructure assets (Note 11)

16,126

17,832

Facility operation and maintenance costs

15,975

14,928

Royalties

2,594

2,704

 

34,695

35,464

 

6.   Operating profit

Operating profit has been arrived at after charging:

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Staff costs

13,130

14,022

Depreciation - other assets (Note 11)

276

261

Depreciation - right-of-use assets

485

522

Amortisation of intangibles

713

1,021

Transaction and other related expenses1

8,914

2,833

1.     Transaction and other related expenses primarily relate to the Group's legal and other costs in relation to the Chad and Cameroon arbitration processes, and acquisition related expenses relating to the proposed acquisition of assets in South Sudan and Nigeria.

 

7.   Finance costs

 

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Interest on bank borrowings and loan notes

42,061

41,350

Amortisation of balances measured at amortised cost1

3,316

5,667

Unwinding of decommissioning discount

542

2,119

Interest expense on lease liabilities

85

136

Bank charges and other finance costs

2,860

2,480

Reversal of prior period finance costs

(9,593)

-

 

39,271

51,752

1.     Includes amounts due to unwinding of a discount on a long-term payable, contract liabilities (Note 16) and amortisation of debt fees.

 

8.   Foreign exchange loss

 

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Realised loss

17,717

28,204

Unrealised loss

49,875

54,689

 

67,592

82,893

 

Realised foreign translation loss mainly relates to the translation of Naira denominated transactions into US Dollars. The comparative for Realised loss has been represented in accordance with Note 4b. Unrealised loss relates to the revaluation of monetary items held in currencies other than in US Dollars.

 



 

9.   Taxation

The tax expense/(credit) for the Group is:

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Current tax

 

 

Adjustments in respect of prior years

-

(42)

Current year

15,198

9,798

 

15,198

9,756

Deferred tax

 

 

Adjustments in respect of prior years

1,118

(989)

Write down and reversal of previous write downs of deferred tax assets

-

5,300

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

10,544

 (25,800)

 

11,662

(21,489)

Total tax expense/(credit) for the period

26,860

(11,733)

 

Income tax expense is recognised based on the actual results for the period and principally arises on Nigerian profits. 

 

10.  Earnings/(loss) per share

 

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit or loss for the period attributable to owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit or loss for the periods attributable to owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, plus the weighted average number of shares that would be issued on the conversion of dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

 

As there is a profit attributable to the owners of the Company for the six months ended 30 June 2024, the diluted weighted average number of shares has been calculated. In the comparative period, the basic average number of shares was used to calculate the diluted loss per share given there is a loss attributable to the owners of the Company, meaning the diluted weighted average number of shares reduces the loss per share. Therefore, the basic weighted average number of shares was used to calculate the diluted loss per share.

 

The weighted average number of shares outstanding excludes treasury shares of 99,858,893 (30 June 2023: 99,858,893).

 

2024

2023

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Six months ended 30 June

US$'000

US$'000

Profit/(loss) from continuing operations

20,353

(45,189)

Profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the Company1

16,268

(37,534)

Profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

4,085

(7,655)

1.                The earnings per share calculation only takes into account profit/(loss) attributed to owners of the Company.

 

 

Number of shares

Number of shares

Basic weighted average number of shares

1,214,693,115

1,214,693,115

Add: employee share options

59,887,307

63,727,684

Diluted weighted average number of shares

1,274,580,422

1,278,420,799

 

 

US cents

Earnings/(loss) per share for continuing operations

 


Basic profit/(loss) per share

1.34

(3.09)

Diluted profit/(loss) per share

1.28

(3.09)

 

 

23,853,457 options granted under share option schemes are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they are anti-dilutive for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: 23,853,457). These options could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.

 



 

To calculate the EPS inclusive of discontinued operations (Note 21), the weighted average number of ordinary shares

for both the basic and diluted EPS is as per the table above. The following table provides the profit/(loss) amount in addition to the above used:

 

2024

2023

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Six months ended 30 June

US$'000

US$'000

Profit for the period including discontinued operations

 


Profit attributable to owners of the Company

16,268

54,428

 

 

US cents

Earnings per share including discontinued operations

 


Basic profit per share

1.34

4.48

Diluted profit per share

1.28

4.26

 

11.  Property, plant and equipment

 


Oil and gas assets

Infrastructure assets

Other assets

 

Total


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Cost





Balance at 1 January 2023 (audited)

315,174

422,340

5,012

742,526

Additions

296

9,525

456

10,277

Disposals

-

-

(250)

(250)

Decommissioning remeasurement adjustment

(287)

(1,699)

-

(1,986)

Transferred to discontinued operations

(121,558)

-

-

(121,558)

Balance at 31 December 2023 (audited)

193,625

430,166

5,218

629,009

Additions

13

6,178

114

6,305

Disposals

-

-

(301)

(301)

Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited)

193,638

436,344

5,031

635,013






Accumulated depreciation





Balance at 1 January 2023 (audited)

(59,245)

(57,118)

(3,045)

(119,408)

Depletion and depreciation charge

(20,097)

(14,722)

(504)

(35,323)

Disposals

-

-

250

250

Transferred to discontinued operations

1,616

-

-

1,616

Balance at 31 December 2023 (audited)

(77,726)

(71,840)

(3,299)

(152,865)

Depletion and depreciation charge

(9,207)

(6,919)

(276)

(16,402)

Disposals

-

-

212

212

Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited)

(86,933)

(78,759)

(3,363)

(169,055)






Net book value





1 January 2023 (audited)

255,929

365,222

1,967

623,118

31 December 2023 (audited)

115,899

358,326

1,919

476,144

30 June 2024 (unaudited)

106,705

357,585

1,668

465,958

 

Upstream assets principally comprise the well and field development costs relating to the Uquo and Stubb Creek oil and gas fields in Nigeria. Infrastructure assets principally comprise the Nigerian midstream assets associated with the Group's network of gas transportation pipelines, oil and gas processing facilities and gas receiving facilities. Other assets include vehicles, office equipment and building improvements.  Decommissioning remeasurement adjustments reflect updated cost estimates for the period/year. 

 

Each year, management performs a review of each CGU to identify potential impairment triggers. During the six months ended 30 June 2024 and the year ended 31 December 2023, no such triggers were identified. 

 



 

12.  Trade and other receivables

 

 

30 June

2024

31 December

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

 

Unaudited

Audited

Trade receivables

477,487

389,911

Receivables from a joint arrangement

4,109

5,388

Other financial assets

5,788

5,829

 

487,384

401,128

Expected credit loss

(66,431)

(53,487)

 

420,953

347,641

Loans and advances

1,315

2,093

VAT receivable

1,645

1,100

Prepayments and other receivables

18,388

20,023

 

442,301

370,857

 

 

The following has been recognised in the Condensed statement of comprehensive income relating to expected credit losses for the period:

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Provision for expected credit losses

12,944

33,840

Expected credit loss and other related adjustments

12,944

33,840

 

13.  Cash at bank

 

 

30 June

2024

31 December

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

 

Unaudited

Audited

Cash and cash equivalents

41,254

48,134

Amounts held for debt service

1,627

58,807

 

42,881

106,941

 

Cash and cash equivalents includes US$0.4 million (31 December 2023: US$0.3 million) of cash collateral on the Orabank revolving facility. The cash collateral was at a value of XOF216.0 million (31 December 2023: XOF210.0 million).

 

Amounts held for debt service represents Naira denominated cash balances which are held by the Group for debt service, and this has been separately disclosed from Cash and cash equivalents.

 



 

14.  Trade and other payables

 

 

30 June

2024

31 December 2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

 

Unaudited

Audited

Trade payables

24,701

26,461

Accruals

25,328

29,273

VAT and WHT payable

17,271

16,601

Royalty and levies

6,821

6,815

Employee benefits

20

35

Financial liability

19,328

19,328

Other payables

5,144

9,487

Trade and other payables

98,613

108,000

Other payables - non-current

 

 

Employee benefits

1,422

2,030

 

1,422

2,030

 

100,035

110,030

 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.

 

15. Borrowings

 

30 June

2024

31 December 2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

 

Unaudited

Audited

Revolving credit facility

8,888

11,376

Bank loans

334,945

345,849

Senior Secured Notes

88,033

86,626

Other loan notes

144,177

136,817

 

576,043

580,668

 

 

 

 

 

30 June

2024

31 December 2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

 

Unaudited

Audited

Current borrowings

146,124

367,199

Non-current borrowings

429,919

213,469

 

576,043

580,668

 



 

16. Contract liabilities

 

Contract liabilities represent the value of gas supply commitment to the Group's customers for gas not taken but invoiced under the terms of the contracts. The amount has been analysed between current and non-current, based on the customers' expected future usage gas delivery profile. This expected usage is updated periodically with the customer.

 

 

30 June

2024

31 December 2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

 

Unaudited

Audited

Amount due for delivery within 12 months

14,677

17,654

Amount due for delivery after 12 months

360,765

346,490

 

375,442

364,144

 

 

 

30 June

2024

31 December 2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

 

Unaudited

Audited

As at 1 January

364,144

331,810

Additional contract liabilities

15,793

48,378

Contract liabilities utilised

(7,012)

(24,871)

Unwinding of discount on contract liabilities

2,517

8,827

As at end of period

375,442

364,144

 

The unwinding of the discount on contract liabilities relates to the fair value adjustments made under IFRS 3: Business Combinations following the acquisition of the Nigerian assets and entities in 2019. The fair value adjustment was calculated as the discounted, expected cost of the future deliveries of gas volumes under the terms of customer take-or-pay contracts. This discounted amount unwinds relative to an apportioned amount of the contract liabilities volumes at the date of acquisition that have subsequently been utilised.

 

17. Cash flow reconciliations

 

The changes in the Group's liabilities arising from financing activities can be classified as follows:


Borrowings

Interest payable

Lease liabilities

Total


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

At 1 January 2024 (audited)

580,668

136,091

4,796

721,555

Cash flows

 

 

 

 

Proceeds

39,018

-

-

39,018

Repayment

(47,236)

(56,644)

(467)

(104,347)


(8,218)

(56,644)

(467)

(65,329)

Non-cash adjustments

 

 

 

 

Payment in kind adjustment/accretion of interest

9,563

21,578

61

31,202

Net debt fees

(760)

-

-

(760)

Re-estimation of lease liability

-

-

(773)

(773)

Foreign translation

(5,210)

(99)

36

(5,273)

Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited)

576,043

100,926

3,653

680,622

 



 

 


Borrowings

Interest payable

Lease liabilities

Total


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

At 1 January 2023 (audited)

645,789

105,600

5,079

756,468

Cash flows

 

 

 

 

Repayment

(73,783)

(28,545)

(484)

(102,812)


(73,783)

(28,545)

(484)

(102,812)

Non-cash adjustments

 

 

 

 

Payment in kind adjustment/accretion of interest

9,723

32,694

136

42,553

Net debt fees

56

-

-

56

Borrowing fair value adjustments

543

-

-

543

Working capital movements

-

-

80

80

Foreign translation

(3,301)

(115)

140

(3,276)

Balance at 30 June 2023 (unaudited)

579,027

109,634

4,951

693,612

 

18. Capital commitments

 

At 30 June 2024, capital commitments amounted to US$0.5 million (30 June 2023: US$6.6 million).

 

19. Discontinued Operations

 

As outlined in Note 2 Accounting Policies - Basis of Preparation, the Group has classified all of the activities associated with the Chad Assets as a discontinued operation in accordance with IFRS 5. In the six months ended 30 June 2024, no further transactions were recorded within discontinued operations.

 

Summarised in the table below for the six months ended 30 June 2023 were the trading results from the Chad Assets up to the date of the Nationalisation (31 March 2023), together with a (total pre-tax) impairment loss of US$12.4 million (excluding an associated tax credit reversal which amounted to US$32.2 million).  

 

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Revenue

-

76,560

Cost of sales

-

(4,452)

Gross profit

-

72,108

Administrative and other operating expenses

-

(84)

Operating profit

-

72,024

Share of profit from associates

-

575

Foreign translation loss

-

(501)

Net impairment of SCI

-

(6,850)

Impairment of associate - Tchad Oil Transportation Company (TOTCo)

-

(5,500)

Profit before tax

-

59,748

Tax credit

-

32,214

Net profit and total comprehensive profit from discontinued operations

-

91,962

 

The net cash flows from the discontinued operations are as follows:

 

2024

2023

 

US$'000

US$'000

Six months ended 30 June

Unaudited

Unaudited

Net cash generated from operating activities

-

33,738

Net cash used in investing activities

-

(10,441)

Net cash used in financing activities

-

(16,779)

Net cash inflow

-

6,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.  Contingent liabilities

 

As set out in Note 2, the impact of the Nationalisation of the Chad Assets has resulted in the Group not being able to determine liabilities within its subsidiary, SCI, as to both type and quantum.  The consequences of the Nationalisation Law for SCI will be established by an arbitration which SCI commenced during 2024 against the Republic of Chad. Based upon the legal advice received and the Group's inability to sufficiently identify and quantify, through any reasonable means, the liabilities associated with SCI or the Chad Assets, the Directors believe that these should be considered as contingent liabilities in line with the requirements of IAS 37: Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.

 

As reported in the Group's 2023 Annual Report there are conditions remaining to the completion of the sale of the 10% interest in COTCo to Société Nationale Des Hydrocarbures (SNH) and if the sale is completed it could result in a tax liability. Given the uncertainty surrounding the completion, the impact of the above arbitrations and the shareholder dispute, it is not possible to properly assess if any tax liability will arise.  

 

21.  Events after the reporting date

 

There are no events after the reporting date other than those described within this announcement.

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