TIDMANR
RNS Number : 3765A
Altona Energy PLC
19 February 2014
19 February 2013
Altona Energy Plc
("Altona" or the "Company")
Interim Results for the six months ended 31 December 2013
Altona Energy Plc, the AIM-quoted energy company, today
announces its results for the six month period ended 31 December
2013.
Period Highlights
- The commissioning of a Technical Feasibility Study ("TFS")
into Coal to Methanol ("CTM") for the Arckaringa project. The study
highlighted the following information:
o The investment costs for Coal to Liquid ("CTL") / CTM plant
were essentially the same as the planned two train CTL plant
o The same quantity of gasified coal needed to make 15,000
barrels per day ("BPD") of FT liquids could instead produce 6,200
Tonnes per day of methanol
o The available power generated by the 15,000 BPD/CTL plant
would be sufficient to operate the CTM plant
o Altona's in house study estimated that the CTL/CTM plant had
the potential, when compared to a CTL only plant, to increase
annual revenues by approximately US$212 million, or 18%
- Initiated discussions with China National Offshore Oil
Corporation ("CNOOC") about their future involvement in the
Arckaringa project;
- Entered into placing agreement with Wintask Group Limited
("Wintask") to subscribe for 230,000,000 shares for gross proceeds
of GBP3.22million; and
- Completed the first tranche of the Wintask placing of
59,700,000 shares for gross proceeds of GBP835,800.
Post Period Highlights
- Completed placing with Wintask where second tranche shares of
170,300,000 were admitted for gross proceeds of GBP2,384,200;
- Terminated the Joint venture with CNOOC by mutual consent
whereby CNOOC return their 51% interest in the project to
Altona;
- Identified and started discussions with potential new partners
culminating in the Memorandum Of Understanding ("MOU") signed with
Sino-Aus Energy Group Limited ("Sino-Aus Energy") and Wintask;
- Submitted regulatory approvals required for the reassignment of CNOOC's 51% interest
- Parsons Brinckerhoff working with Altona to ensure that the
bankable feasibility study ("BFS") project with the maximum
potential value is selected; and
- Welcomed Mr Qinfu Zhang to the board of Directors as representative of Wintask.
For further information, please visit www.altonaenergy.com or
contact:
Altona Energy Plc
Christopher Lambert, Chief Executive
Michael Zheng, Executive Chairman +44 (0) 20 7024 8391
WH Ireland Ltd
Adrian Hadden
James Bavister +44 (0) 20 7220 1666
Old Park Lane Capital Plc
Michael Parnes +44 (0) 20 7493 8188
Tavistock Communications
Mike Bartlett
Simon Hudson +44 (0) 20 7920 3150
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to report that during the second half of 2013 we
made real progress towards our objectives at the Arckaringa
project.
We arranged a meeting with CNOOC in January in Beijing and the
outcome of this meeting was that we mutually agreed to the
termination of the joint venture. The agreement resulted in the
agreement to return CNOOC's 51% interest in the project to Altona,
the return of all the key study materials that CNOOC had prepared
under its operatorship and the assumption by Altona of 100% of the
licence obligations going forward.
Importantly, the recently completed GBP3.22million investment
into Altona by our cornerstone investor Wintask, gives the Company
the financial stability to meet its licence commitments throughout
the current licence period.
Since agreeing the termination with CNOOC we have worked
together with some urgency, and have now jointly submitted the
necessary approvals for the return of the interest to Altona to the
South Australian Government.
In anticipation of the joint venture termination we also started
discussions with interested third parties about the possibility of
them investing in the project once CNOOC had terminated their
involvement. Our focus has therefore been to find future potential
investors into the project who are motivated, dynamic and capable
of taking the Arckaringa project through to BFS completion.
We were therefore delighted to announce earlier in February this
year that we had entered into a MOU with Sino-Aus Energy Group
Limited (Sino-Aus Energy) and Wintask for them to make a potential
300 million RMB (approximately GBP30million) investment into the
project. This investment remains subject to due diligence and we
look forward to updating investors further in due course.
Arckaringa project
During the period we commissioned a TFS to demonstrate that CTM
could be a project capable of augmenting the BFS for Altona's
flagship Arckaringa Clean Energy CTL and Power Project in South
Australia. The original CTL proposal was for a 45,000 Barrels per
day ("BPD") CTL facility developed in three separate 15,000 BPD/
280MW phases over a 10 year period. The CTM study proposed that one
15,000 BPD train is replaced by a 6,200 Methanol Tonne per day CTM
Plant to be built in tandem with a 15,000 BPD CTL Plant rather than
building the first two CTL plants in series.
We also continued to work with CNOOC to try and influence the
work programme during the period. However we were ultimately
unsuccessful and CNOOC, then the sole operator of the Arckaringa
joint venture did not substantially progress the project during the
period.
During the period, bid documents were received by CNOOC from
three of the five pre-qualified companies for the drilling
programme however the programme was ultimately cancelled because
the relevant permits lapsed. In our new position as 100% owner and
operator of the project Altona will bear the responsibility of
executing the drill programme, once we have been successful in
securing the necessary government approvals. Work has already
commenced in preparing our applications but we must first receive
government approval relating to the return of the 51% interest.
Altona believes the rationale for the development of the
Arckaringa project remains as compelling as ever. The project's
strong fundamentals include the size of the resource (7.8 billion
tonnes, including 1.3 billion tonnes JORC compliant), a coal
quality which is suitable for gasification and synthetic fuels
production, attractive economics, combined with a very supportive
South Australian government and a location which favours both
domestic use and international export.
Duwa update
We provide the following update to shareholders as to our
progress since October 2013 with respect to the MOU with Xinjiang
Hetian Duwa Industry Limited ("Duwa") ("Duwa MOU"). As we reported
in October 2013 we had completed initial technical and legal due
diligence that had identified that additional legal due diligence
on the ownership status of the licences was required.
However, whilst both parties have worked to try and rectify the
situation, our due diligence since October has encountered a series
of issues and we have been unable to adequately prove valid title
for the asset.
Prior to the termination of the joint venture with CNOOC, the
rationale for the Duwa MOU was to purchase a project capable of
generating cash flows, such as the Duwa mine, as we recognized that
whilst CNOOC controlled the pace of delivery of the BFS, we needed
an operating coal mine to contribute to our working capital
requirements during this period. However the legal issues
associated with Duwa have proved to be insurmountable and this,
coupled with the termination of the joint venture with CNOOC means
that the board has decided to terminate the Duwa MOU and give the
Arckaringa project the full attention and resources that it
merits.
Financial results
The financial loss of the Group for the six months ended 31
December 2013 was GBP704,000 (2012: GBP885,000).
During the period we entered into an agreement with Wintask
Group Limited to issue 230,000,000 new ordinary shares for
GBP3.22million gross proceeds in two tranches. The first tranche of
GBP835,800 completed during the period and as at 31 December 2013
the Group cash and cash equivalents totaled GBP639,000 (2012:
GBP213,000)
Since year end our financial position has been further boosted
by the completion of the second tranche placing for
GBP2.384million. In Wintask, we have a new Chinese cornerstone
investor who brings expertise, enthusiasm and financial commitment
to the Group.
Outlook
2014 will be a pivotal year for Altona. We have taken control of
our flagship project once again, and we are in detailed talks with
new partners about how we can maximise the potential of this world
class development. I look forward to being able to further update
shareholders in the future on progress in this regard and in
respect of the BFS on Arckaringa.
Finally I would like to thank both our shareholders and the
Board for their ongoing commitment, patience and support for the
Company.
Michael Zheng
Chairman
Altona Energy
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the half year ended 31 December 2013
Notes Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Half-year Half-year Year
ended ended ended
31 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2012 30 June 2013
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Total administrative expenses
and loss from operations (710) (886) (1,450)
Finance income - 1 1
Loss before taxation (710) (885) (1,449)
Tax 3 6 - 51
Loss for the financial period (704) (885) (1,398)
Other comprehensive income
Exchange differences on translating
foreign operations maybe subsequently
reclassified to profit or loss (1,252) (165) (967)
Total comprehensive (loss) attributable
to the equity holders of the
parent (1,956) (1,050) (2,365)
------------- ------------- --------------
Loss per share
- Basic and diluted 4 (0.12p) (0.19p) (0.28p)
Consolidated Statements of financial position
At 31 December 2013
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2012 30 June 2013
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 10,601 12,422 11,811
Other receivables 79 3 79
------------- ------------- --------------
Total Non-current assets 10,680 12,425 11,890
------------- ------------- --------------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 159 200 143
Cash and cash equivalents 639 213 679
Total Current assets 798 413 822
------------- ------------- --------------
Total assets 11,478 12,838 12,712
------------- ------------- --------------
LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Provisions 300 300 300
------------- ------------- --------------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 72 224 144
Total Current liabilities 72 224 144
------------- ------------- --------------
Total liabilities 372 524 444
------------- ------------- --------------
NET ASSETS 11,106 12,314 12,268
------------- ------------- --------------
Capital and reserve attributable
to the equity holders of the
Parent
Share capital 622 472 562
Share premium 15,683 13,810 14,949
Merger reserve 2,001 2,001 2,001
Foreign exchange reserve 996 3,050 2,248
Retained losses (8,196) (7,019) (7,492)
------------- ------------- --------------
TOTAL EQUITY 11,106 12,314 12,268
------------- ------------- --------------
Consolidated Statement of Cashflows
For the half year ended 31 December 2012
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Half-year Half-year Year
ended ended ended
31 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2012 30 June 2013
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Operating activities
Loss before taxation (704) (885) (1,398)
Finance income - (1) (1)
(Increase)/ decrease in receivables (24) (36) 17
(Decrease) / increase in payables (72) (28) (158)
Cash used in operations (800) (950) (1,540)
Income tax benefit received - 50 51
------------- ------------- --------------
Net cash outflow used in operating
activities (800) (900) (1,489)
Investing activities
Payments to acquire intangible fixed
assets (30) (140) (330)
Interest received - 1 1
Net cash outflow from investing activities (30) (139) (329)
Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares 836 - 1,354
Issue costs paid (42) - (85)
Net cash inflow from financing 794 - 1,269
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
in period/ year (36) (1,039) (549)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of period / year 679 1,252 1,252
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash equivalents (4) - (24)
------------- ------------- --------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period / year 639 213 679
------------- ------------- --------------
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the half year ended 31 December 2013
Share Share Merger Foreign Retained Total shareholders!--
capital premium reserve exchange losses equity
reserve
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
As at 1 July 2012 472 13,810 2,001 3,215 (6,134) 13,364
Total comprehensive
loss for the period - - - (165) (885) (1,050)
Balance at 31 December
2012 472 13,810 2,001 3,050 (7,019) 12,314
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------------------
Total comprehensive
loss for the period - - - (802) (513) (1,315)
Issue of share capital 90 1,264 - - - 1,354
Costs of issue of share
capital - (85) - - - (85)
Share based payments - (40) - - 40 -
Balance at 30 June 2013 562 14,949 2,001 2,248 (7,492) 12,268
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------------------
Total comprehensive
loss for the period - - - (1,252) (704) (1,956)
Issue of share capital 60 776 - - - 836
Costs of issue of share
capital - (42) - - - (42)
Balance at 31 December
2013 622 15,683 2,001 996 (8,196) 11,106
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------------------
Notes to the Interim Report
For the half year ending 31 December 2013
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Altona Energy Plc (the Company) is a company domiciled in
England. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of
the Company for the six months ended 31 December 2013 comprise the
result of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as
the "Group").
The condensed interim financial information for the period 1
July 2013 to 31 December 2013 is unaudited. In the opinion of the
Directors the condensed interim financial information for the
period presents fairly the financial position, and results from
operations and cash flows for the period in conformity with the
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The
condensed interim financial information incorporates unaudited
comparative figures for the interim period 1 July 2012 to 31
December 2012 and extracts from the audited financial statements
for the year to 30 June 2013.
The financial information contained in this interim report does
not constitute statutory accounts as defined by section 435 of the
Companies Act 2006.
The comparatives for the full year ended 30 June 2013 are not
the Company's full statutory accounts for that year. A copy of the
statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies. The auditor!--s report on those financial
statements was unqualified but did include a reference to the
uncertainties surrounding going concern, to which the auditors drew
attention by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under
s498 (2) - (3) of Companies Act 2006.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The condensed interim financial information has been prepared
using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and IFRIC
interpretations) issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board ("IASB") as adopted for use in the EU. The condensed interim
financial information has been prepared using the accounting
policies which will be applied in the Group's statutory financial
information for the year ended 30 June 2014.
Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.
Following a review of the Group's financial position and its
budgets, plans and considering the recently completed share capital
placing's, disclosed in note 5, the Directors remain confident that
the Group's current cash position will enable the Group to fully
finance its current commitments beyond the period of 12 months of
the date of this report.
The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of
computation are followed in the condensed set of financial
statements as applied in the Group's latest annual audited
financial statements, except as described below:
The financial statements have been drawn up on the basis of
accounting standards, interpretations and amendments effective at
the beginning of the accounting period.
(i) The following new standards, interpretations and amendments
to published standards effective in the year have been adopted by
the Group:
International Accounting Standards (IAS/IFRS) Effective
date
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement 1 Jan 2013
IAS 19 Employee Benefits 1 Jan 2013
IFRIC 20 Stripping Costs in the Production Phase 1 Jan 2013
of a Surface Mine
(ii) Standards, amendments and interpretations, which are
effective for reporting periods beginning after the date of these
financial statements and which have not been adopted early:
Standard Description Effective date
IFRS 9 Financial instruments 1 Jan 2015
IFRS 10 Consolidated financial statements 1 Jan 2014
IFRS 11 Joint arrangements 1 Jan 2014
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Involvement with Other Entities 1 Jan 2014
IAS 28 Investments in Associates (revised 2011) 1 Jan 2014
IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements (revised 2011) 1 Jan 2014
The Group is evaluating the impact of the above pronouncements
and will consider the potential impact of IFRS 11. No other
pronouncement is expected to have a material impact on the Group's
earnings or shareholders' funds.
3. TAXATION
The Group has recognised a GBP6,000 tax credit (31 December
2012: GBPnil and 30 June 2013: GBP6,000) in respect of the
concession for research and development available to the Group. No
current taxation has been provided due to losses in the period.
4. LOSS PER SHARE
The basic loss per share is derived by dividing the loss for the
period attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted
average number of shares in issue.
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
31 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2011 30 June 2013
Loss for the period (GBP!--000) (704) (885) (1,398)
Weighted average number of shares
- expressed in millions 581.7 471.7 507.1
Basic loss per share - expressed
in pence (0.12p) (0.19p) (0.28p)
As the inclusion of the potential ordinary shares would result
in a decrease in the loss per share they are considered to be
anti-dilutive and, as such, the diluted loss per share calculation
is the same as the basic loss per share.
5. POST REPORTING DATE EVENTS
On 15 January 2014 the Group completed the placing of 170.3
million shares at a price of 1.4 pence per share raising a total of
GBP2,384,200 before expenses.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR DVLFFZLFLBBV
Altona Energy (LSE:ANR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Altona Energy (LSE:ANR)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024