TIDMPPC
RNS Number : 9018U
President Energy PLC
30 October 2017
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS RESTRICTED AND IT IS NOT FOR RELEASE,
PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OF ITS TERRITORIES,
CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH
AFRICA OR AUSTRALIA OR ANY OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL
President Energy Plc
("President" or the "Company")
Open Offer of up to 44,358,875 New Ordinary Shares
at 10 pence per share
Conversion of loan into New Ordinary Shares at 10 pence per
share
and
Notice of General Meeting
President Energy Plc (AIM: PPC), the upstream oil and gas
company with a diverse portfolio of production and exploration
assets focused primarily in Argentina, is pleased to announce that,
further to the Company's announcement on 20 October 2017, a
circular containing details of the Open Offer, together with the
notice of General Meeting (the "Circular"), will be posted to
Shareholders on 31 October 2017.
The Open Offer proposes to raise up to EUR5 million by the issue
of up to a maximum of 44,358,875 New Ordinary Shares pursuant to an
Open Offer to Qualifying Shareholders, at an issue price of 10
pence per New Ordinary Share.
Further information regarding the Open Offer, including the
timetable of principal events, is set out below.
A copy of the Circular will be available on the Company's
website (www.presidentenergyplc.com) shortly.
For further information please contact:
President Energy Plc +44 (0) 207 016
Peter Levine, Chairman, Chief Executive 7950
finnCap (Nominated Advisor and Broker)
Christopher Raggett, Scott Mathieson +44 (0) 20 7220
(Corporate Finance) 0500
Emily Morris, Abigail Wayne (Corporate +44 (0) 20 7220
Broking) 0511/0594
+44 (0) 203 757
Camarco Financial PR 4980
Billy Clegg, Georgia Edmonds, Mercedes
Valenzuela-Goldman
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalised terms used in this
announcement shall have the same meanings as defined in the
Circular.
Important Information
Neither the content of the Company's website (or any other
website) nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's
website (or any other website) is incorporated in, or forms part
of, this announcement.
Any person receiving this announcement is advised to exercise
caution in relation to the Open Offer. If in any doubt about any of
the contents of this announcement or the action that you should
take, independent professional advice should be obtained.
finnCap Ltd, which is authorised and regulated in the United
Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as nominated adviser and broker to
the Company in connection with the Open Offer and is not acting for
any other persons in relation to the Open Offer. finnCap Ltd is
retained by the Company in connection with the Open Offer and shall
not be responsible to any other party for providing advice or
taking any other action in relation to the Open Offer. Persons
receiving this announcement should note that finnCap Ltd will not
be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the
protections afforded to clients of finnCap Ltd or for advising any
other person on the arrangements described in this announcement.
finnCap Ltd has not authorised the contents of, or any part of,
this announcement and no liability whatsoever is accepted by
finnCap Ltd nor does it make any representation or warranty,
express or implied, for the accuracy of any information or opinion
contained in this announcement or for the omission of any
information. finnCap Ltd disclaims all and any responsibility or
liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise which it
might otherwise have in respect of this announcement. finnCap Ltd
may, in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory provisions,
engage in transactions in relation to the Ordinary Shares
(including the Open Offer Shares) and/or related instruments for
its own account for the purposes of hedging any underwriting
exposure or otherwise. Except as required by applicable law or
regulation, finnCap Ltd does not propose to make any public
disclosure in relation to any such transactions.
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or an
invitation to subscribe for, or solicitation of an offer to
subscribe for or buy, New Ordinary Shares to any person in any
jurisdiction to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or
solicitation. In particular, this announcement must not be taken,
transmitted, distributed or sent, directly or indirectly, in, or
into, and Open Offer Entitlements may not be transferred through
CREST, in or into, the United States of America, Canada, Australia,
Japan or the Republic of South Africa or transmitted, distributed
or sent to, or by, any national, resident or citizen of such
countries. Accordingly, the New Ordinary Shares and/or Open Offer
Entitlements may not, subject to certain exceptions, be offered or
sold, directly or indirectly, in, or into, or credited to the stock
account of any person in the United States of America, Canada,
Australia, Japan or the Republic of South Africa or in any other
country, territory or possession where to do so may contravene
local securities laws or regulations. The New Ordinary Shares and
the Open Offer Entitlements have not been, and will not be,
registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (as
amended) or under the securities legislation of any state of the
United States of America, any province or territory of Canada,
Australia, Japan or the Republic of South Africa and they may not
be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United
States of America or Canada, Australia, Japan or the Republic of
South Africa or to or for the account or benefit of any national,
citizen or resident of the United States of America, Canada,
Australia, Japan or the Republic of South Africa or to any US
person (within the definition of Regulation S made under the US
Securities Act 1933 (as amended)).
Forward-looking statements
This announcement contains (or may contain) certain
forward-looking statements with respect to the Company and certain
of its goals and expectations relating to its future financial
condition and performance which involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of
future performance and actual results could differ materially from
those contained in any forward-looking statements. All statements,
other than statements of historical facts, contained in this
announcement, including statements regarding the Group's future
financial position, business strategy and plans, business model and
approach and objectives of management for future operations, are
forward-looking statements. Generally, the forward-looking
statements in this announcement use words such as "aim",
"anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "goal",
"believe", "will", "may", "could", "should", "future", "intend",
"opportunity, "potential", "project", "seek" and other words having
a similar meaning. By their nature, forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events
and circumstances, including, but not limited to, economic and
business conditions, the effects of changes in interest rates and
foreign exchange rates, changes in legislation, changes in consumer
habits and other factors outside the control of the Company, that
may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All
forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based
upon information available to the Directors at the date of this
announcement. The forward-looking statements in this announcement
are based on the Directors' beliefs and assumptions and information
only as of the date of this announcement, and the forward-looking
events discussed in this announcement might not occur. Therefore,
investors should not place any reliance on any forward-looking
statements. Except as required by law or regulation, the Directors
undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
Investors are advised to read this announcement and, once
available, the Circular, in their entirety for a further discussion
of the factors that could affect the Company's or the Group's
future performance and the industries in which they operate. In
light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events
described in the forward-looking statements in this announcement
may not occur.
This summary should be read in conjunction with the full text of
the announcement which follows.
OPEN OFFER AND LOAN CONVERSION STATISTICS
Issue Price for each New Ordinary 10 pence
Shares
Basis of Open Offer 1 New Ordinary
Share for every
23 Existing Ordinary
Shares
Number of Existing Ordinary
Shares in Issue at the date
of this announcement 1,020,254,127
Maximum number of New Ordinary
Share to be issued pursuant
to the Open Offer* 44,358,875
Maximum number of New Ordinary
Shares to be issued pursuant
to the Loan Conversion* 21,250,000
Enlarged Share Capital immediately
following completion of the
Open Offer and Loan Conversion* 1,085,863,002
New Ordinary Shares as a percentage 6.0 per cent.
of the Enlarged Share Capital*
Gross proceeds of the Open Offer* US$ 5.82 million
(GBP 4.44 million)
* Assuming full take-up under the Open Offer
Exchange Rates
In this announcement, references to "pounds sterling", "GBP",
"pence" and "p" are to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom
and references to "US dollars", "$" and "cents" are to the lawful
currency of United States of America. Unless otherwise stated, the
basis of translation of US dollars into pounds sterling for the
purposes of inclusion in this announcement is US$0.7627/GBP1.00 and
the basis of translation of pounds sterling into US dollars for the
purposes of inclusion in this announcement is
GBP1.00/US$1.3112.
EXPECTED TIMETABLE OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS
Record Date for entitlement 6.00 p.m. on 27
under the Open Offer October 2017
Announcement of the Open Offer 7.00 a.m. on 30
and Loan Conversion October 2017
Posting of the Circular, Forms 31 October 2017
of Proxy and, to Qualifying
non-CREST Shareholders only,
the Application forms
Open Offer Entitlements and 8.00 a.m. on 1 November
Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements 2017
credited to stock accounts
in CREST of Qualifying CREST
Shareholders
Latest recommended time and 4.30 p.m. on 13
date for requesting withdrawal November 2017
of Open Offer Entitlements
and Excess CREST Open Offer
Entitlements from CREST
Latest time for depositing 3.00 p.m. on 14
Open Offer Entitlements and November 2017
Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements
into CREST
Latest time and date for splitting 3.00 p.m. on 15
Application Forms (to satisfy November 2017
bona fide market claims)
Latest time and date for receipt 11.00 a.m. on 17
of completed Application Forms November 2017
and payment in full under the
Open Offer or settlement of
relevant CREST instruction
(as appropriate)
Latest time and date for receipt 10.00 a.m. on 18
of Forms of Proxy November 2017
General Meeting 10.00 a.m. on 20
November 2017
Expected time of announcement 4.30 p.m. on 20
of results of the General Meeting November 2017
and Open Offer
Admission effective and dealings 8.00 a.m. on 21
in the Open Offer Shares and November 2017
Loan Conversion Shares
Expected date for crediting 8.00 a.m. on 21
of the Open Offer Shares in November 2017
uncertificated form to CREST
stock accounts
Expected date of despatch of No later than 27
share certificates in respect November 2017
of
the Open Offer Shares in certificated
form
In the Circular, all references to times and dates are to dates
and times in London, United Kingdom.
If you have any questions on the procedure for acceptance and
payment, you should contact Equiniti Group Plc, Aspect House,
Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA, telephone: 0371 384
2050 from the UK or +44 121 415 0259 from overseas.
Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security and
training purposes. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m.
(London time) Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays).
Please note that Equiniti cannot provide financial advice on the
merits of the Open Offer or as to whether or not you should take up
your entitlement.
The ISIN code for the Ordinary Shares is GB00B3DDP128. The ISIN
code for the Open Offer Basic Entitlements is GB00BF92G142. The
ISIN for Open Offer Excess Entitlements is GB00BF92G258.
The following text is extracted from the Circular:
1. Introduction
On 20 October 2017, the Company announced that it had raised
approximately US$8.75 million (GBP6.67 million) by way of an
institutional placing which was completed on 26 October 2017. At
the same time, President announced its intention to launch an open
offer in order raise up to EUR5 million (before expenses) through
the issue of up to 44,358,875 New Ordinary Shares at a price of 10
pence per New Ordinary Share. The Issue Price of 10 pence per New
Ordinary Share represents the same price at which Ordinary Shares
were issued to institutional investors pursuant to the Placing.
The fundraising is being made by way of an Open Offer, thus
allowing the Company's existing Shareholders the opportunity to
participate on the same terms as institutions in the Placing
through the Open Offer.
Qualifying Shareholders may subscribe for Open Offer Shares on
the basis of 1 Open Offer Share for every 23 Existing Ordinary
Shares held on the Record Date. Shareholders subscribing for their
full entitlement under the Open Offer may also request additional
New Ordinary Shares through the Excess Application Facility.
Assuming full take-up under the Open Offer, the issue of the Open
Offer Shares will raise gross proceeds of up to US$5.82 million
(GBP4.44 million) for the Company. The New Ordinary Shares to be
issued pursuant to the Open Offer are to be admitted to trading on
AIM at the time of Admission, which is expected to take place on
8.00 a.m. on 21 November 2017.
The gross proceeds of the Open Offer of up to US$5.82 million
(GBP4.44 million) together with the funds raised under the Placing
will be used principally to strengthen the Company's capitalised
position as it continues to actively consider production
acquisition opportunities and to support the ongoing work programme
in Argentina.
The Open Offer is conditional, inter alia, on the passing of the
Resolutions by Shareholders at the General Meeting, notice of which
is set out at the end of this announcement. If the Resolutions are
passed, the New Ordinary Shares will be allotted immediately after
the General Meeting and Admission of the New Ordinary Shares is
expected to occur at 8.00 a.m. on 21 November 2017. Should
Shareholder approval not be obtained at the General Meeting the
Open Offer will not proceed.
In addition, the Company is intending to capitalise part of the
Existing Loan Facility through the issue of the Loan Conversion
Shares at the Issue Price. The Company will only issue the Loan
Conversion Shares to the extent that such issuance will enable
Peter Levine (and his related companies) to remain below 30 per
cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital since Peter Levine does not
wish to incur an obligation to make a mandatory offer under the
City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.
2. Background to and reasons for the Open Offer and Loan Conversion
On 9 October 2017 the Company announced that it had agreed the
acquisition of the Puesto Flores and Estancia Viejo Concession from
Chevron Argentina S.R.L for an initial payment of US$400,000 with a
further additional payment of US$15 million to the Rio Negro
Province upon extension of the relevant licences and a further US$7
million payable during 2018. This acquisition marks the Company's
entry into the prolific Neuquén basin and provides immediate
positive cashflow at field level of approximately US$1 million per
month at the current production levels. The Company believes there
is potential to develop and expand production from these
Concessions to 3,000 bopd through a work programme already agreed
with the province.
At the same time the Company agreed an extension of the existing
loan arrangements with IYA, a member of the PLLG Group to cover the
potential payments to the Rio Negro province. The Company noted at
that time that loans from shareholders are not the optimum
financing medium and that it was exploring other financing options.
Accordingly, and in reaction to positive market demand and as
further detailed in the Use of Proceeds section in this letter, the
Company, as part of the financial tool-kit at its disposal,
announced the Placing and Open Offer on 20 October 2017. As noted
elsewhere in this letter, the Open Offer is intended to allow those
Shareholders who were not afforded the opportunity to participate
in the Placing the chance to invest in the equity of the Company on
the same terms. In addition to the Placing and Open Offer and as
previously announced, the Company remains in discussions with
institutional style type senior debt providers with a view to them
replacing and/or supplementing the Company's current loan
arrangements if the Company views it expedient to do so. Moreover,
the Loan Conversion will reduce the Company's current gearing,
interest payments and its reliance upon shareholder loans.
3. Current Trading and Prospects
As announced on 17 October 2017, the Company received its
payment of US$1.5 million from the first shipment of oil from
Puesto Flores. This payment was for oil produced and ready at that
stage to be shipped ie received into storage tanks at the port
being at the end of the transport pipeline, thus not calculated in
terms of daily production and consequently representing only a part
of a month's worth of revenue calculated at US$55/barrel.
Production at Puesto Flores remains running at over 1,200 boepd and
the Company estimates it is currently achieving in excess of the
US$1 million monthly positive cashflow contribution from this
Concession. No production has been contributed to this figure from
the Estancia Vieja Field which has been shut-in for some time.
Total Argentine production is running at approximately 2,000 boepd
taking into account production from Puesto Guardian Concession,
where although as previously announced, production is currently
constrained, that Concession, like Puesto Flores is now generating
free cash flow before capex and G&A.
As likewise previously announced, a pilot workover capex
programme of shut-in wells is due to commence at Puesto Flores in
November. No new material capex is expected to be committed in
Puesto Guardian for the next twelve months. New pumps, already
ordered and being constructed, due for delivery in the next few
months will further enhance surface facilities and optimise the
production capability of the wells successfully worked over earlier
in the year.
Production in Louisiana continues as normal and in line with
expectations, remaining free cash positive and benefiting from the
current increase in oil prices in which regard at the date of this
Circular the November price of Louisiana Light Crude, which is the
reference price for President's production there, is estimated to
be US$57 per barrel.
In Paraguay the Company has commenced a farm-out process and as
disclosed there is an encouraging level of interest shown by a
number of parties.
4. Use of Proceeds
The net proceeds from the Placing and Open Offer will contribute
towards a number of important developments in the coming months. In
particular, the proceeds will:
(i) strengthen the Company's capitalised position as it
continues to actively consider other appropriate production
acquisition opportunities capable of delivering strong shareholder
value;
(ii) support and, as the case may be, accelerate the ongoing
work programme at the recently acquired Puesto Flores and Estancia
Vieja Concession in the Neuquén Basin situated in the Rio Negro
Province, Argentina, which has the potential to materially increase
reserved and production to over 3,000 boepd;
(iii) contribute to the overall funding package or monies to be
paid to the Rio Negro Province in relation to the extension of the
Concession for Puesto Flores; and
(iv) permit the Loan Conversion to take place.
5. Details of the Existing Loan Facility
Under the Existing Loan Facility, the Company has a facility
with IYA, a member of the PLLG Group, which is beneficially owned
by the Company's Executive Chairman and its largest shareholder,
Peter Levine. The Existing Loan Facility is is currently up to
US$26 million, comprising the original facility of US$10 million
together with the extended facility to cover the recent acquisition
as referred to above and more particularly set out in the Company's
announcement of 21 September 2017. Such principal monies as are
then outstanding are repayable on 31 December 2021. The Company
pays interest monthly and the facility has been provided on a
revolving credit basis, thus giving complete flexibility to the
Company. President is free without penalty to permanently retire
any part of the facility during the term but has no obligation to
so do, however, no part of the proceeds of the Placing or Open
Offer will be used to repay any of the debt. At the current date,
taking into account monies paid to Chevron, apportionments, and
costs related to the acquisition as well as capex so far incurred,
the drawn element of the facility is approximately US$13.5 million
which is expected to normalise in the coming few months as the full
benefit of the positive cash flow is received from the latest
acquisition on a regular basis.
Pursuant to the Loan Conversion, it has been agreed (assuming
that the Open Offer is fully subscribed) that up to approximately
GBP2.125 million of the principal amount under the Existing Loan
Facility will be capitalised through the issue of the Loan
Conversion Shares to IYA. To the extent that the Open Offer is not
taken up in full the amount of the Existing Loan Facility to be
converted into New Ordinary Shares will be reduced such that Peter
Levine's shareholding (together with those related to him) will not
exceed 29.99% of the Enlarged Share Capital.
6. Details of the Open Offer
6.1 Open Offer Structure
The Open Offer provides an opportunity for all Qualifying
Shareholders to participate in the fundraising by acquiring Open
Offer Shares pro rata to their current holdings of Existing
Ordinary Shares with the option for subscribing for more pursuant
to the Excess Application Facility subject to clawback.
The Issue Price of 10 pence per New Ordinary Share represents
the same price at which institutional investors subscribed for
Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Placing. The offer ratio will be 1
Open Offer Share for every 23 Existing Ordinary Shares.
6.2 Principal terms of the Open Offer
Subject to the fulfilment of the conditions set out below and in
Part IV of the Circular, Qualifying Shareholders are being given
the opportunity to subscribe for the Open Offer Shares at a price
of 10 pence per Open Offer Share, pro rata to their holdings of
Existing Ordinary Shares on the Record Date on the basis of:
1 Open Offer Share for every 23 Existing Ordinary Shares
Qualifying Shareholders are also being given the opportunity,
provided that they take up their Open Offer Entitlement in full, to
apply for Excess Shares through the Excess Application
Facility.
The allotment and issue of the Open Offer Shares will also need
to be made following and conditional on, inter alia, the
Shareholder approval referred to above.
Assuming full take-up under the Open Offer, the issue of the
Open Offer Shares will, in addition to the amount raised under the
Placing raise further gross proceeds of approximately US$5.82
million (GBP4.44 million) for the Company.
The Open Offer Shares will, upon issue, rank pari passu with the
Existing Ordinary Shares.
Fractions of Open Offer Shares will not be allotted, each
Qualifying Shareholder's entitlement under the Open Offer will be
rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Qualifying Shareholders with holdings of Existing Ordinary
Shares in both certificated and uncertificated form will be treated
as having separate holdings for the purpose of calculating the Open
Offer Entitlements.
6.3 Excess Application Facility
The Excess Application Facility will enable Qualifying
Shareholders, provided that they take up their Open Offer
Entitlement in full, to apply for Excess Open Offer Entitlements.
Qualifying non-CREST Shareholders who wish to apply to acquire more
than their Open Offer Entitlement should complete the relevant
sections on the Application Form. Qualifying CREST Shareholders
will have Excess CREST Open Offer Entitlements credited to their
stock account in CREST. Applications for Excess Open Offer
Entitlements will be satisfied only and to the extent that
corresponding applications by other Qualifying Shareholders are not
made or are made for less than their Open Offer Entitlements. If
applications under the Excess Application Facility are received for
more than the total number of Open Offer Shares available following
take-up of Open Offer Entitlements, such applications will be
scaled back pro rata to the number of Excess Shares applied for by
Qualifying Shareholders under the Excess Application Facility.
Application will be made for the Open Offer Entitlements and
Excess Open Offer Entitlements in respect of Qualifying CREST
Shareholders to be admitted to CREST. It is expected that such Open
Offer Entitlements and Excess Open Offer Entitlements will be
admitted to CREST at 8.00 a.m. on 1 November 2017. Such Open Offer
Entitlements and Excess Open Offer Entitlements will also be
enabled for settlement in CREST at 8.00 a.m. on 1 November 2017.
Applications through the means of the CREST system may only be made
by the Qualifying Shareholder originally entitled or by a person
entitled by virtue of a bona fide market claim.
Qualifying non-CREST Shareholders will have received an
Application Form with the Circular which sets out their entitlement
to Open Offer Shares as shown by the number of Open Offer
Entitlements allocated to them. Qualifying CREST Shareholders will
receive a credit to their appropriate stock accounts in CREST in
respect of their Open Offer Entitlements on 1 November 2017.
Shareholders should note that the Open Offer is not a rights
issue. Qualifying CREST Shareholders should note that although the
Open Offer Entitlements and Excess Open Offer Entitlements will be
admitted to CREST and be enabled for settlement, applications in
respect of entitlements under the Open Offer may only be made by
the Qualifying Shareholder originally entitled or by a person
entitled by virtue of a bona fide market claim. Qualifying
non-CREST Shareholders should note that the Application Form is not
a negotiable document and cannot be traded. Qualifying Shareholders
should be aware that in the Open Offer, unlike in a rights issue,
any Open Offer Shares not applied for will not be sold in the
market or placed for the benefit of Qualifying Shareholders who do
not apply under the Open Offer. If applications are made for less
than all of the Open Offer Shares available, then the lower number
of Open Offer Shares will be issued.
Further information on the Open Offer and the terms and
conditions on which it is made, including the procedure for
application and payment, are set out in Part IV of the
Circular.
For Qualifying non-CREST Shareholders, completed Application
Forms, accompanied by full payment, should be returned by post or
by hand (during normal business hours only) to Equiniti Limited,
Corporate Actions, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex
BN99 6DA so as to arrive as soon as possible and in any event so as
to be received no later than 11.00 a.m. on 17 November 2017. For
Qualifying CREST Shareholders the relevant CREST instructions must
have been settled as explained in the accompanying Circular by no
later than 11.00 a.m. on 17 November 2017.
6.4 Other information relating to the Open Offer and Loan Conversion
The Open Offer and Loan Conversion are conditional, inter alia,
upon:
(i) the passing of Resolutions; and
(ii) Admission of the Open Offer Shares and Loan Conversion
Shares becoming effective by not later than 8.00 a.m. on 21
November 2017 (or such later time and/or date as the Company may
decide, not being later than 8.00 p.m. on 28 November 2017).
Accordingly, if any of such conditions are not satisfied, or, if
applicable, waived, the relevant part or parts of the Open Offer
and Loan Conversion will not proceed.
The Open Offer and Loan Conversion will result in the issue of
in total 65,608,875 New Ordinary Shares assuming full take up under
the Open Offer (representing, in aggregate, approximately 6.00 per
cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital assuming full take up under the
Open Offer). The New Ordinary Shares, when issued and fully paid,
will rank pari passu in all respects with the Existing Ordinary
Shares and therefore rank equally for all dividends or other
distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue of the
New Ordinary Shares. No temporary documents of title will be
issued.
Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the
Open Offer Shares and the Loan Conversion Shares to be admitted to
trading on AIM. It is expected that Admission will become effective
at 8.00 a.m. on 21 November 2017 and that dealings for normal
settlement in the New Ordinary Shares will commence at 8.00 a.m. on
21 November 2017.
7. General Meeting
A notice convening a General Meeting of the Company, to be held
at the offices of fieldfisher LLP Riverbank House, 2 Swan Lane,
London EC4R 3TT on 20 November 2017 at 10.00 a.m. is set out at the
end of this announcement. At the General Meeting, the following
Resolutions will be proposed:
(1) an ordinary resolution to grant authority to the Directors
to allot up to 65,608,875 New Ordinary Shares in the capital of the
Company or to grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security
into shares in the capital of the Company pursuant to section 551
of the Act, being up to an aggregate nominal amount of
GBP656,088.75. The Directors will limit this authority to the
allotment of New Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Open Offer and
Loan Conversion;
(2) a special resolution to disapply the statutory pre-emption
rights contained in section 561(1) of the Act in respect of the
allotment of up to 65,608,875 New Ordinary Shares with an aggregate
nominal amount of up to GBP656,088.75. The Directors will again
limit this authority to the allotment of New Ordinary Shares
pursuant to the Open Offer and Loan Conversion;
(3) an ordinary resolution to grant a general authority to the
Directors to allot up to 361,954,334 shares in the capital of the
Company or to grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security
into shares in the capital of the Company pursuant to section 551
of the Act, being up to an aggregate nominal amount of
GBP3,619,543.34. This authority will represent 33.33 per cent. of
the Enlarged Share Capital and is in line with the Directors'
existing share authorities granted pursuant to section 551 of the
Act at the Company's last AGM which was held in 2017. The authority
will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the
Company to be held later this year; and
(4) a special resolution to disapply the statutory pre-emption
rights contained in section 561(1) of the Act in respect of the
allotment of up to 108,586,300 equity shares with an aggregate
nominal amount of up to GBP1,085,863.00. This authority will
represent approximately 10 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital
and is in line with the Directors' existing share authorities
granted in respect of the disapplication of section 561(1) granted
at the Company's last AGM which was held in 2017. The authority
will expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the
Company to be held later this year.
PLLG, an entity controlled by Peter Levine, has irrevocably
undertaken to vote in favour of the Resolutions.
8. Action to be taken
8.1 General Meeting
Shareholders will find accompanying the Circular a Form of Proxy
for use at the General Meeting. Whether or not you intend to be
present at the General Meeting, you are requested to complete, sign
and return the Form of Proxy in accordance with the instructions
printed on it to Equiniti Limited, Aspect House, Spencer Road,
Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA as soon as possible and, in any
event, so as to arrive no later than 10.00 a.m. on 18 November 2017
or alternatively the CREST Proxy in accordance with the
instructions on the front page. Completion and return of the Form
of Proxy or CREST Proxy will not affect your right to attend and
vote in person at the General Meeting if you so wish.
8.2 Open Offer
Qualifying non-CREST Shareholders
If you are a Qualifying non-CREST Shareholder you will have
received an Application Form which gives details of your maximum
entitlement under the Open Offer (as shown by the number of Open
Offer Entitlements allocated to you). If you wish to apply for Open
Offer Shares under the Open Offer (whether in respect of your Open
Offer Entitlement or both your Open Offer Entitlement and any
Excess Open Offer Entitlements), you should complete the
accompanying Application Form in accordance with the procedure for
application set out in paragraph 4.1.4 of Part IV of the
accompanying Circular and on the Application Form itself.
Qualifying CREST Shareholders
If you are a Qualifying CREST Shareholder and do not hold any
Ordinary Shares in certificated form, no Application Form
accompanies the Circular and you will receive a credit to your
appropriate stock account in CREST in respect of the Open Offer
Entitlements representing your maximum entitlement under the Open
Offer except (subject to certain exceptions) if you are an Overseas
Shareholder who has a registered address in, or is a resident in or
a citizen of an Excluded Territory. Applications by Qualifying
CREST Shareholders for Excess Open Offer Entitlements in excess of
their Open Offer Entitlements should be made in accordance with the
procedures set out in paragraph 4.1.2 of Part IV of the
accompanying Circular, unless you are an Overseas Shareholder in
which event, applications should be made in accordance with the
procedures set out in paragraph 6 of Part IV of the accompanying
Circular.
The latest time for applications under the Open Offer to be
received is 11.00 a.m. on 17 November 2017. The procedure for
application and payment depends on whether, at the time at which
application and payment is made, you have an Application Form in
respect of your entitlement under the Open Offer or have Open Offer
Entitlements credited to your stock account in CREST in respect of
such entitlement. The procedures for application and payment are
set out in Part IV of the Circular.
Qualifying CREST Shareholders who are CREST sponsored members
should refer to their CREST sponsors regarding the action to be
taken in connection with the Circular and the Open Offer.
9. Overseas Shareholders
Information for Overseas Shareholders who have registered
addresses outside the United Kingdom or who are citizens or
residents of countries other than the United Kingdom appears in
paragraph 6 of Part IV of the accompanying Circular, which sets out
the restrictions applicable to such persons. If you are an Overseas
Shareholder, it is important that you read that part of the
Circular.
10. Related Party Transactions
The issue of the Loan Conversion Shares to IYA as part of the
Loan Conversion is classified as a related party transaction under
the AIM Rules. Accordingly, the Directors, excluding Peter Levine
(who is not considered to be independent by virtue of his
relationship with IYA), consider, having also consulted with
finnCap in its capacity as the Company's nominated adviser, that
the terms of IYA's participation in the Loan Conversion are fair
and reasonable insofar as independent Shareholders are
concerned.
11. Additional Information
Your attention is drawn to the additional information set out in
Parts II to V (inclusive) of the Circular.
12. Directors' recommendation
The Directors consider the Open Offer to be in the best
interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole.
The Independent Directors consider the Loan Conversion to be in
the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a
whole.
Accordingly, the Directors unanimously recommend that
Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolutions to be proposed at
the General Meeting.
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement
unless the context otherwise requires:
"Act" the Companies Act 2006
(as amended)
"Admission" the admission to trading
on AIM of the New Ordinary
Shares to be issued pursuant
to the Open Offer and
Loan Conversion taking
place in accordance with
the AIM Rules for Companies
"AIM" the market of that name
operated by London Stock
Exchange
"AIM Rules for Companies" the AIM Rules for Companies,
as published and amended
from time to time by the
London Stock Exchange
"AIM Rules for Nominated the rules for nominated
Advisers" advisers to AIM companies,
as published and amended
from time to time by the
London Stock Exchange
"Applicant" a Qualifying Shareholder
or a person entitled by
virtue of a bona fide
market claim who lodges
an Application Form under
the Open Offer
"Application Form" the application form for
document for Qualifying
non-CREST Shareholders
for use in connection
with the Open Offer
"Articles" the existing articles
of association of the
Company as at the date
of this announcement
"boepd" barrels of oil equivalent
per day
"bopd" barrels of oil per day
"Board" the board of directors
of the Company
"Business Day" any day (excluding Saturdays
and Sundays) on which
banks are open in London
for normal banking business
and the London Stock Exchange
is open for trading
"CCSS" the CREST courier and
sorting service, established
by Euroclear UK & Ireland
to facilitate, inter alia,
the deposit and withdrawal
of certified securities
"certificated" or "certificated not in uncertificated
form" form
"Company" or "President" President Energy PLC
"CREST" the relevant system for
the paperless settlement
of trades and the holding
of uncertificated securities
operated by Euroclear
UK & Ireland in accordance
with the CREST Regulations
"CREST member" a person who has been
admitted by Euroclear
UK & Ireland as a system-member
(as defined in the CREST
Regulations)
"CREST participant" a person who is, in relation
to CREST, a system participant
(as defined in the CREST
Regulations)
"CREST payment" shall have the meaning
given in the CREST Manual
issued by Euroclear UK
& Ireland
"CREST Proxy" the form of proxy relating
to the General Meeting
by utilising the CREST
electronic proxy appointment
service
"CREST Regulations" the Uncertified Securities
Regulations 2001, as amended
"CREST sponsor" a CREST participant admitted
to CREST as a CREST sponsor
"CREST sponsored member" a CREST member admitted
to CREST as a sponsored
member (which includes
all CREST Personal Members)
"Directors" the directors of the Company
at the date of this announcement
"Enlarged Issued Share the issued ordinary share
Capital" capital of the Company
immediately following
Admission
"Enabled for settlement" in relation to Open Offer
Entitlements or Excess
Open Offer Entitlements,
enabled for the limited
purpose of settlement
of claim transactions
and unmatched stock event
transactions (each as
described in the CREST
Manual issued by Euroclear
UK & Ireland)
"Estancia Viejo" a producing oil field
that is located in the
Neuquen Basin in Rio Negro
Province, Argentina
"Euroclear UK & Ireland" Euroclear UK & Ireland
or "Euroclear" Limited, the operator
of CREST
"Excess Application Facility" the arrangement pursuant
to which Qualifying Shareholders
may apply for Open Offer
Shares in excess of their
Open Offer Entitlements
"Excess CREST Open Offer in respect of each Qualifying
Entitlements" CREST Shareholder, the
entitlement (in addition
to his Open Offer Entitlement)
to apply for Open Offer
Shares pursuant to the
Excess Application Facility,
which is conditional on
him taking up his Open
Offer Entitlement in full
and which may be subject
to scaling back in accordance
with the provisions of
the Circular
"Excess Open Offer Entitlements" an entitlement for each
Qualifying Shareholder
to apply to subscribe
for Open Offer Shares
in addition to his Open
Offer Entitlement pursuant
to the Excess Application
Facility which is conditional
on him taking up his Open
Offer Entitlement in full
and which may be subject
to scaling back in accordance
with the provisions of
the Circular
"Excess Shares" Open Offer Shares applied
for by Qualifying Shareholders
under the Excess Application
Facility
"Excluded Territories" the United States, Australia,
Canada, Japan, the Republic
of South Africa, the Republic
of Ireland and any other
jurisdiction where the
extension or availability
of the Open Offer would
breach any applicable
law or regulations
"Existing Loan Facility" the existing unsecured
loan facility entered
into between the Company
and IYA dated 15 November
2016 as amended on 20
September 2017
"Ex-entitlement Date" the date on which the
Existing Ordinary Shares
are marked "ex" for entitlement
under the Open Offer,
being 30 October 2017
"Existing Ordinary Shares" the 1,020,254,127 existing
ordinary shares of 1 pence
each in issue at the date
of this announcement
"FCA" the Financial Conduct
Authority
"finnCap" finnCap Limited
"Form of Proxy" the form of proxy for
use by Shareholders in
connection with the General
Meeting
"FSMA" the Financial Services
and Markets Act 2000
"General Meeting" the general meeting of
the Company convened for
10.00 a.m. on 20 November
2017
"Group" the group comprising the
Company and its subsidiary
undertakings
"Independent Directors" the Directors of the Company
(excluding Peter Levine)
"Issue Price" 10 pence per New Ordinary
Share
"IYA" IYA Global Limited, a
company registered in
the British Virgin Islands
under number 1518389 with
its registered office
at OMC Chambers, Wickhams
Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola,
British Virgin Islands
"Loan Conversion" the conversion of part
of the amount outstanding
under the Existing Loan
Facility through the issue
of the Loan Conversion
Shares
"Loan Conversion Shares" up to 21,250,000 New Ordinary
Shares to be issued to
IYA pursuant to the Loan
Conversion
"London Stock Exchange" London Stock Exchange
plc
"Member Account ID" the identification code
or number attached to
any member
account in CREST
"Money Laundering Regulations" the Money Laundering Regulations
2007
"New Ordinary Shares" up to 65,608,875 of 1
penny each in the capital
of the Company to be issued
pursuant to the Open Offer
and Loan Conversion
"Official List" the Official List of the
UK Listing Authority
"Open Offer" the invitation to Qualifying
Shareholders to subscribe
for Open Offer Shares
at the Issue Price on
the terms of and subject
to the conditions set
out or referred to in
Part IV of the Circular
and, where relevant, in
the Application Form
"Open Offer Entitlement" the pro rata basic entitlement
for Qualifying Shareholders
to apply to subscribe
for 1 Open Offer Share
for every 23 Existing
Ordinary Shares held by
them on the Record Date
pursuant to the Open Offer
"Open Offer Shares" the up to 44,358,875 New
Ordinary Shares for which
Qualifying Shareholders
are being invited to apply
under the terms of the
Open Offer
"Ordinary Shares" ordinary shares of 1 penny
each in the capital of
the Company
"Overseas Shareholders" Shareholders with a registered
address outside the United
Kingdom
"Paraguay" the Republic of Paraguay
"Placing" the placing of 66,656,510
Ordinary Shares at 10
pence per share to raise
US$8.75 million (GBP6.67
million) announced on
20 October 2017 and completed
on 26 October 2017
"PLLG" PLLG Investments Limited
(formerly called Levine
Capital Management Limited),
a company registered in
the British Virgin Islands
under number 1533154 with
its registered office
at OMC Chambers, Wickhams
Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola,
British Virgin Islands
"Prospectus Rules" the prospectus rules made
by the FCA pursuant to
section 73A of FSMA
"Puesto Flores" a producing oil field
is that located in the
Neuquen Basin in Rio Negro
Province, Argentina
"Puesto Guardian Concession" the exploitation concession
over the CNO-8 "Puesto
Guardian Area" located
in the Province of Salta,
Argentina granted by means
of a Presidential Decree
1596/1991 dated 15 August
1991 of the National Executive
Branch (as subsequently
amended)
"Qualifying Crest Shareholders" Qualifying Shareholders
whose Existing Ordinary
Shares on the register
of members of the Company
at the close of business
on the Record Date are
held in CREST form
"Qualifying non-Crest Qualifying Shareholders
Shareholders" whose Existing Ordinary
Shares on the register
of members of the Company
at the close of business
on the Record Date are
held in certificated form
"Qualifying Shareholders" holders of Existing Ordinary
Shares on the Company's
register of members at
the Record Date (other
than certain Overseas
Shareholders)
"Receiving Agent" or "Registrar" Equiniti Limited, Aspect
House, Spencer Road, Lancing,
West Sussex, BN99 6DA
"Record Date" 6.00 p.m. on 27 October
2017
"Resolutions" the resolutions set out
in the Notice of General
Meeting
"Shareholders" holders of Existing Ordinary
Shares
"stock account" an account within a member
account in CREST to which
a holding of a particular
share or other security
in CREST is credited
"subsidiary" a "subsidiary undertaking"
as that term is defined
in the Act
"UK Listing Authority" the FCA acting in its
capacity as the competent
authority for the
"UK" the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
"uncertificated" or "in an Ordinary Share recorded
uncertificated form" on a company's share register
as being held in uncertificated
form in CREST and title
to which, by virtue of
the CREST Regulations,
may be transferred by
means of CREST
"United States", "USA" the United States of America,
or "US" its territories and possessions
and any state of the United
States of America and
the District of Colombia
"US$" or "US Dollars" US dollars, being the
lawful currency of the
United States
"US Securities Act" the United States Securities
Act of 1933, as amended
"GBP", "pounds sterling", are references to the
"pence" or "p" lawful currency of the
United Kingdom
"EUR" or "Euros" are references to the
lawful currency of the
European Union
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IOEFEWFMUFWSELS
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 30, 2017 03:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
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