TIDMANR
RNS Number : 0310X
Altona Energy PLC
14 November 2014
Embargoed until 7.01am 14 November 2014
Altona Energy Plc
("Altona" or "the Company")
Final Results
Altona (AIM: ANR) is today pleased to announce its final results
for the year ended 30 June 2014 and gives notice that its Annual
General Meeting is to be held at the offices of BDO LLP, 55 Baker
Street, London, W1U 7EU on 16 December 2014 at 11am. The Company
issued an RNS relating to its new joint venture agreement at 7am
today.
Highlights
-- New Joint Venture agreement signed on 13 November
- Committed investment of AUD33 million by the JV partners
- JV partners to provide Altona with additional working capital
of GBP2 million
- Product focus is Coal-to-Methanol, coal-chemical and synthetic
gas production, due to global market demand
- Arckaringa BFS to projected be completed within 2 years
-- Completed placing agreement with Wintask to subscribe for
230,000,000 shares for gross proceeds of GBP3.22 million
-- Terminated joint venture agreement with CNOOC and MoU with Duwa
-- Michael Zheng appointed Interim CEO
-- Welcomed Mr Qinfu Zhang to the board of Directors as representative of Wintask
-- Cash in bank as at 30 June 2014 of GBP1.9 million
Michael Zheng, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO of Altona,
commented, "2014 has become a pivotal year in the history of
Altona, following today's announcement regarding the new joint
venture agreement with our partners Sino-Aus and Wintask. Although
the past 12 months have been a testing time for the Company and its
shareholders, we believe this next phase in development will
provide us with a solid foundation for increasing shareholder value
over the next two years."
For further information, please visit www.altonaenergy.com or
contact:
Altona Energy Plc
Michael Zheng, Executive Chairman +8610 596 96 162
Leander (Financial PR)
Christian Taylor- Wilkinson +44 (0)7795 168 157
WH Ireland Ltd (Nomad)
Adrian Hadden
James Bavister +44 (0) 20 7220 1666
Old Park Lane Capital Plc (Broker)
Michael Parnes +44 (0) 20 7493 8188
About Altona Energy
Altona is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. Its
focus is firmly on the evaluation and development of the Company's
coal-to-chemicals Arckaringa Project to exploit the huge coal
resources, equivalent to 7.8 billion barrels, contained in three
exploration licences covering 2,500 sq. kms in the northern portion
of the Permian Arckaringa Basin in South Australia.
Chairman's Statement
As reported in the Interim Statement earlier this year we
suggested that 2014 would be a pivotal year for Altona and,
following today's announcement regarding the signing of the new
joint venture agreement with our partners Sino-Aus Energy Group
Limited ("Sino-Aus") and Wintask Group Limited ("Wintask"), this
has proven to be the case.
After a long period of negotiation we are delighted to be able
to announce that an agreement has been reached with our two
partners to form a joint venture entity, Arckaringa Coal Chemical
Joint Venture Co Pty Ltd. The focus of the joint venture will
initially be on the completion of the test drilling programme at
our Arckaringa project and the Bankable Feasibility Study ("BFS").
Following the successful completion of this work the joint venture
will then focus on the development of a Coal-to-Methanol (CTM),
coal-chemical and synthetic gas production facility at
Arckaringa.
Subject to certain conditions our partners will contribute AUD$
33 million to the project, as well as subscribing for 200,000,000
shares in Altona, at a price of 1p over two tranches, to provide
the Company with GBP2 million in working capital.
Review of the Year
On 31 January 2014, the Company terminated, by mutual consent,
its joint venture agreement with CNOOC New Energy International
(Australia) Pty Ltd (CNOOC), whereby Altona received back its 51%
interest in the Arckaringa project. On 19 March 2014 Altona
received approval from the South Australian Government for the
return of the 51% interest in the project.
The Company also terminated its MOU with Xinjiang Hetian Duwa
Industry Limited (Duwa) due to insurmountable legal issues.
Following the termination of the CNOOC joint venture the Company
proceeded to quickly identify and agree a new Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with its new partners, Sino-Aus and Wintask and
the Company is delighted that this MoU has now been consummated
into a new joint venture agreement.
In May, the Company was informed that its Programme for
Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) had been renewed
by the South Australian Government. The PEPR identifies all
relevant environmental, social and economic impact events that may
result from proposed exploration activities and how each of the
identified impacts are to be managed or avoided. The approval was
granted by the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade,
Resources and Energy (DMITRE).
The Company also received an extension, until 19 May 2015, to
its Water Affecting Activity Permit (WAAP), which defines water
management procedures for the proposed drilling programme. This
Permit was granted by the Department for Environment, Water and
Natural Resources (DEWNR) via the South Australian Arid Lands
Natural Resources Management Board (SAALNRMB).
On 16 May 2014, the Company advised of the sad passing of its
Technical Director, Peter Fagiano, following a long illness. Peter
had been with the Company since 2010 and made an enormous
contribution during his time with the Company, especially with
regards to his completion of the Technical Feasibility Study (TFS)
for CTM in August 2013.
Peter enjoyed a career spanning over 45 years and held a number
of positions of seniority at respected engineering firms, including
his role immediately prior to joining Altona at Jacobs Engineering
where he was operations director of the process & technology
division for 12 years.
The board considered it appropriate to wait until it had found
new partners before re-assigning the role of Technical Director,
and it can now advise shareholders that, with the signing of the
new JV agreement, the Company is looking to find a suitable
replacement to join the Altona board.
Arckaringa Project
During the year under review, the Company commissioned a TFS to
demonstrate that CTM could be capable of augmenting the BFS for
Altona's flagship Arckaringa Clean Energy Coal-to-liquids (CTL)
project. Part of the reasoning behind this was the continued growth
in global methanol demand, particularly in Asia, with methanol
being used increasingly as a fuel additive and feedstock for a wide
range of high value products including acetic acid, Di-Methyl
Ether, formaldehyde, olefins and gasoline. Methanol prices have
been averaging more than US$400/tonne in recent years. Further, the
Company is more confident that the technology used in this process
is far more advanced, commercially sound and proven that that for
CTL. These technologies also offer the opportunity to enhance the
inherently low in-situ value and cost of Arckaringa coal beyond CTL
and accordingly the Company will focus its attention on the utility
value of coal mining and synthetic gas production.
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.
The joint venture partners (Altona, Sino-Aus and Wintask) agree
that the high returns and diverse markets for methanol, combined
with Arckaringa's coal resource, which is capable of sustaining a
wide range of coal conversion options or projects for a hundred
years or more, make CTM, coal-chemical and synthetic gas production
the natural choices for the project.
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.
Financial Review
The financial loss of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2014
was GBP2,281,000 (2013: GBP1,398,000), which is inclusive of a
GBP790,000 provision in respect of tax liabilities as described in
detail below. The loss for the year excluding the one-off effects
of the tax provision was GBP1,491,000 (2013: GBP1,398,000), which
is in line with internal expectations and consistent with the prior
year.
During the year the Group entered into an agreement with Wintask
to issue up to 230,000,000 shares at a price of 1.4 pence to raise
a total of GBP3.22million. The Company also welcomed Mr Qinfu Zhang
to the board of Directors as representative of Wintask following
this transaction.
As at 30 June 2014, the Group had cash of GBP1,913,000 (2013 -
GBP679,000). Subsequent to the year end the Group entered into an
agreement for the placing of 200,000,000 new Ordinary Shares,
conditional inter alia on shareholder approval and government
approvals relating to the joint venture, at a price of 1.0 pence to
raise a total of GBP2 million to provide additional working
capital.
The Group has been vigorous in cutting unnecessary costs out of
the business for the past six months, the full effect of which is
not recognised in these financial results. However we are confident
that future financial results will evidence that the Company is
committed to making shareholder's funds stretch as far as possible
while the important BFS work is completed.
The balance sheet as at 30 June 2014 includes a provision
amounting to GBP790,000 (2013: GBPNil) in respect of a potential
anticipated liability to HMRC for income tax not deducted and
accounted for under the PAYE system, and National Insurance
Contributions not accounted for, in each case in respect of
payments made on a gross basis to private companies for the
provision of the services of a former director.
The precise amount of the Company's liability to HMRC is
currently under negotiation. The sum provided represents, in the
view of the directors, having taken professional advice, a
reasonable estimate of the Company's probable current liability in
this context. While the quantum of the provision represents their
best estimate, of the ultimate liability, no assurance can be given
that the estimate will prove to be accurate.
The Company has submitted arguments which, if accepted, would
result in a significantly lower liability. It is not however,
anticipated that the liability could be entirely eliminated even if
the Company's assertions are accepted in full.
The Company having taken professional advice, considers that it
has potential claims against third parties, whereby they may be
found liable to compensate the Company for a material part of any
liability to HMRC which the Company is found to have. If it is
necessary to pursue such claims by legal proceedings, some element
of irrecoverable costs would inevitably be incurred. It is
anticipated that the quantum of any such irrecoverable costs would
not be substantial relative to the potential recovery.
Outlook
With the signing of the new joint venture agreement, the Company
enters this historic phase of its development with confidence.
Although there are many issues still to negotiate, the board offers
shareholders its assurance that its focus will be on working
closely with its partners to complete the test drilling programme
and submit the BFS within the two year timeframe agreed.
We wish to thank our shareholders for the patience they have
shown over the difficult period of the past 12 months, and look
forward to seeing them at the AGM next month.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the year ended 30 June 2014
Group
2014 2013
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
Other administrative expenses (2,362) (1,450)
Total administrative expenses and loss from
operations 5 (2,362) (1,450)
Finance income 4 1 1
---------- ----------
Loss before taxation (2,361) (1,449)
Tax 9 80 51
---------- ----------
Loss for the year attributable to the
equity holders of the parent. (2,281) (1,398)
Other comprehensive income
Exchange differences on translating foreign
operations may be subsequently reclassified
to profit or loss (929) (967)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to
the equity holders of the parent (3,210) (2,365)
========== ==========
Loss per share expressed in pence
- Basic and diluted attributable to the
equity holders of the parent 8 (0.33p) (0.28p)
========== ==========
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 30 June 2014
Group Group Company Company
2014 2013 2014 2013
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 11,040 11,811 - -
Investment in subsidiaries - - 1,432 1,432
Other receivables 79 79 10,387 11,139
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total non-current assets 11,119 11,890 11,819 12,571
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 202 143 96 108
Cash and cash equivalents 1,913 679 1,869 645
Total current assets 2,115 822 1,965 753
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS 13,234 12,712 13,784 13,324
========== ========== ========== ==========
LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Provisions 2 - 300 - 300
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Current liabilities
Provisions 790 - 790 -
Trade and other payables 155 144 70 106
Total current liabilities 945 144 860 106
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 945 444 860 406
========== ========== ========== ==========
NET ASSETS 12,289 12,268 12,924 12,918
========== ========== ========== ==========
EQUITY
Share capital 3 792 562 792 562
Share premium 17,778 14,949 17,778 14,949
Merger reserve 2,001 2,001 2,001 2,001
Foreign exchange reserve 1,319 2,248 - -
Retained deficit (9,601) (7,492) (7,647) (4,594)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL EQUITY 12,289 12,268 12,924 12,918
========== ========== ========== ==========
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended 30 June 2014
Group Company
2014 2013 2014 2013
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Operating activities
Loss for the year (2,281) (1,398) (3,225) (2,357)
Finance income (1) (1) (1) (1)
Share based payments 172 - 172 -
Foreign exchange on loans to controlled
entities - - 981 1, 019
(Increase)/ decrease in
receivables (59) 17 12 (1)
Increase/ (decrease) in
payables 801 (158) 754 (93)
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Cash used in operations (1,368) (1,540) (1,307) (1,433)
Income tax benefit received - 51 - -
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Net cash flows used in operating
activities (1,368) (1,489) (1,307) (1,433)
Investing activities
Payments to acquire intangible
fixed assets (452) (330) - -
Loans to subsidiary - - (529) (412)
Interest received 1 1 1 1
Net cash flows used in investing
activities (451) (329) (528) (411)
Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares 3,220 1,354 3,220 1,354
Issue costs paid (161) (85) (161) (85)
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Net cash inflow from financing 3,059 1,269 3,059 1,269
Net increase/(decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents 1,240 (549) 1,224 (575)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of the year 679 1,252 645 1,220
Effect of exchange rate changes
on cash and cash equivalents (6) (24) - -
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at 30
June 1,913 679 1,869 645
========== ========== ============ ==========
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the year ended 30 June 2014
Foreign
Share Share Merger exchange Retained Total
capital Premium reserve reserve deficit equity
Group 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
Loss for the year - - - - (1,398) (1,398)
Other comprehensive
income - - - (967) (967)
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
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Loss for the year - - - - (2,281) (2,281)
Other comprehensive
income - - - (929) - (929)
Issue of share capital 230 2,990 - - - 3,220
Costs of issue of share
capital - (161) - - - (161)
Share based payments - - - - 172 172
Balance at 30 June 2014 792 17,778 2,001 1,319 (9,601) 12,289
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Company GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at 30 June 2012 472 13,810 2,001 - (2,277) 14,006
Loss for the year - - - - (2,357) (2,357)
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 - (4,594) 12,918
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----------
Loss for the year - - - - (3,225) (3,225)
Issue of share capital 230 2,990 - - - 3,220
Costs of issue of share
capital - (161) - - - (161)
Share based payments - - - - 172 172
Balance at 30 June 2014 792 17,778 2,001 - (7,647) 12,924
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----------
The following described the nature and purpose of each reserve
within owners' equity:
Reserve Description and Purpose
Share Capital Amount subscribed for share capital at nominal value
Share premium Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of
nominal value.
Merger reserve Reserve created on issue of shares on acquisition
of subsidiaries in prior years.
Foreign exchange Cumulative translation differences of net assets
reserve of subsidiaries.
Retained deficit Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PREPARATION
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of
the financial statements are set out below. The policies have been
consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise
stated. Both the parent company financial statements and the Group
financial statements have been prepared and approved by the
Directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards IFRSs and IFRIC interpretations, issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as endorsed for use
in the EU ('IFRSs') and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that
are applicable to companies that prepare their financial statements
under IFRS.
The financial information for the years ended 30 June 2014 and
30 June 2013 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by
section 435 of the Companies Act 2006 but is extracted from the
audited accounts for those years. The 30 June 2013 accounts have
been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The 30 June 2014
accounts will be delivered to Companies House within the statutory
filing deadline. The auditor's report on the 30 June 2013 financial
statements was unqualified and did not contain any statement under
section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The auditor's
report on the 30 June 2014 financial statements was unqualified
although an emphasis of matter was included in the accounts to draw
attention to going concern.
As at the date of these financial statements, the ability of the
Company, and therefore the group, to continue as a going concern is
dependent on securing shareholder approval for both the share issue
and the joint venture transaction and completing the process to
obtain the necessary regulatory and government approvals. The
Directors are confident that the necessary approvals and consents
will be received, accordingly the financial statements have been
prepared on a going concern basis. No statement was included under
section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
2. PROVISIONS
Group Company
2014 2013 2014 2013
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Current provision
Taxes & Social Security 790 - 790 -
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Non-current provision
Provision for success fee - 300 - 300
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Current year:
The balance sheet as at 30th June 2014 includes a provision
amounting to GBP790,000 (2013: GBPNil) in respect of a potential
anticipated liability to HMRC for income tax not deducted and
accounted for under the PAYE system, and National Insurance
Contributions not accounted for, in each case in respect of
payments made on a gross basis to private companies for the
provision of the services of a former director.
The precise amount of the Company's liability to HMRC is
currently under negotiation. The sum provided represents, in the
view of the directors, having taken professional advice, a
reasonable estimate of the Company's probable current liability in
this context. While the quantum of the provision represents their
best estimate, of the ultimate liability, no assurance can be given
that the estimate will prove to be accurate.
The Company has submitted arguments which, if accepted, would
result in a significantly lower liability. It is not however,
anticipated that the liability could be entirely eliminated even if
the Company's assertions are accepted in full.
The Company having taken professional advice, considers that it
has potential claims against third parties, whereby they may be
found liable to compensate the Company for a material part of any
liability to HMRC which the Company is found to have. If it is
necessary to pursue such claims by legal proceedings, some element
of irrecoverable costs would inevitably be incurred. It is
anticipated that the quantum of any such irrecoverable costs would
not be substantial relative to the potential recovery.
Prior year:
Upon completion of stage 1 and stage 2 of the BFS by CNOOC as
operator of the project the Group were due to pay Michael Zheng
GBP100,000 and upon the completion of stage 2 of the BFS, the Group
will pay Michael Zheng GBP200,000. Following the termination of the
CNOOC agreement during the year, the amount is no longer payable.
As a result the provision has been reversed.
3. SHARE CAPITAL
Group Company
Allotted, called up and fully 2014 2013 2014 2013
paid GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
791,956,853 ordinary shares
of 0.1p each (2013: 561,956,853) 792 562 792 562
========== ========== ========== ==========
During the period the Company issued the following Ordinary 0.1
pence fully paid shares for cash:
Date Issue Price Number of Nominal Share premium
Shares Value GBP'000
GBP'000
30 June 2012 Closing balance 471,656,853 472 13,810
------------- ---------- ---------------
Placing shares at 1.5p
28 January 2013 per share 47,966,667 48 672
11 February Placing shares at 1.5p
2013 per share 25,666,666 25 360
28 February Placing shares at 1.5p
2013 per share 16,666,667 17 232
Costs of issue - - (125)
------------- ---------- ---------------
30 June 2013 Closing balance 561,956,853 562 14,949
Placing shares at 1.4p
8 October 2013 per share 59,700,000 60 776
Placing shares at 1.4p
14 January 2014 per share 170,300,000 170 2,214
Cost of issue - - (161)
30 June 2014 Closing balance 791,956,853 792 17,778
============= ========== ===============
4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Key Management personnel are considered to be the Directors.
Details of their remuneration are included in Note 6 to the
financial statements.
During the period, the Company paid GBP225,000 (2013:
GBP225,000) to CJL Consultants Limited, a company related to
Christopher Lambert, for Director Fees. These fees are included in
the numbers disclosed in Note 6 Staff Costs, no amounts were
payable at the end of the year (2013: GBP22,500).
During the period, the Group paid GBP30,000 (2013: GBP30,000) in
respect of Directors fees to Sutherland People Pty limited, a
company related to the Group by Phil Sutherland, a common Director.
At 30 June 2014, there was GBP2,500 owing/owed (2013: GBPNil).
5. POST REPORTING DATE EVENTS
On 13 November 2014 Altona, Sino-Aus Energy Group Limited
("Sino-Aus") and Wintask Group Limited ("Wintask") signed an
agreement in respect of the terms of the Arckaringa project joint
venture ("joint venture agreement" or "the JV").
In exchange for Altona investing 100% of the Arckaringa project
licences into the joint venture entity, Altona will receive 45%
equity interest in the joint venture. Furthermore under the terms
of the transaction Wintask and Sino-Aus will make total
contributions to fund the Bankable Feasibility study up to a total
of AUD$33 million alongside the investment of up to 200,000,000
ordinary shares in Altona Energy Plc. Both investments are subject
to certain third party approvals including Altona shareholder
approval and Australian government approval for the formation of
the joint venture.
-ends-
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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