TIDMRKH TIDMMOG
RNS Number : 8999H
Rockhopper Exploration plc
23 May 2014
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY RESTRICTED JURISDICTION OR WHERE IT
WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF ANY SUCH
JURISDICTION
Date: 23 May 2014
RECOMMENDED CASH, SHARE AND CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION OFFER
by
ROCKHOPPER EXPLORATION PLC
for
MEDITERRANEAN OIL & GAS PLC
(to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under
Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006)
-- The boards of Rockhopper Exploration plc ("Rockhopper") and
of Mediterranean Oil & Gas plc ("MOG") are pleased to announce
that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended
acquisition under which Rockhopper will acquire the entire issued
and to be issued ordinary share capital of MOG (the "Acquisition").
The Acquisition is to be effected by means of a Court sanctioned
scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006.
-- Under the terms of the Acquisition, shareholders of MOG ("MOG
Shareholders") will receive 6.5 pence per share ("MOG Share")
comprising 4.875 pence in cash and 0.0172 shares of Rockhopper per
MOG share (together the "Initial Consideration Offer").
-- In addition, under the terms of the Acquisition, MOG
Shareholders will receive a contingent entitlement up to a maximum
amount of 3.550 pence in cash for each MOG Share (the "Contingent
Consideration Offer") assuming MOG's fully diluted ordinary share
capital is 451,192,831.
-- The Initial Consideration Offer:
-- values the entire issued and to be issued share capital of
MOG at approximately GBP29.3 million;
-- represents a 15.6 per cent premium to MOG's closing share
price of 5.625 pence on 22 May 2014 (being the last Business Day
prior to the date of this announcement); and
-- represents a 31.1 per cent premium to MOG's average volume
weighted share price of 4.957 pence for the three months ended 22
May 2014 (being the last Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement).
-- The shares of Rockhopper forming part of the Initial
Consideration Offer and to be issued pursuant to the Acquisition
(the "Rockhopper Consideration Shares") are expected to represent
approximately 2.65 per cent of the issued share capital of
Rockhopper as enlarged by the Acquisition. The Rockhopper
Consideration Shares will rank equally in all respects with the
existing Rockhopper Shares and will be entitled to all dividends
and/or other distributions declared or paid by Rockhopper in
respect of Rockhopper Shares by reference to a record date falling
after the Effective Date.
-- The availability of the Contingent Consideration Offer, and
the amount of cash which may ultimately be payable in connection
therewith (the "Contingent Consideration"), will be determined by
the success of an exploration well targeting the Hagar Qim prospect
in Offshore Malta Area 4, Block 7 (the "HQ Prospect"). The
Contingent Consideration Offer is intended to afford MOG
Shareholders an opportunity to benefit from the potential success
of the HQ Prospect.
The Contingent Consideration Offer is a contractual,
non-transferable, unsecured, interest-free obligation of Rockhopper
to make (subject to certain conditions) an additional one-off cash
payment of between GBP11.9 million and GBP16.0 million in total
(the "Total Contingent Consideration Amount"). The Contingent
Consideration will only be payable if the 2C Contingent Resources
of Liquid Hydrocarbons estimated to be potentially recoverable from
the HQ Prospect equal or exceed 80 mmbbl in total, which is a level
that the Rockhopper Directors consider to be commercially
viable.
The Total Contingent Consideration Amount shall be calculated on
the basis of 25 per cent (being the percentage interest which MOG
holds in the HQ Prospect) multiplied by GBP0.59 multiplied by the
2C Contingent Resources of Liquid Hydrocarbons estimated to be
potentially recoverable from the HQ Prospect. The Total Contingent
Consideration Amount payable will be subject to a hurdle of 20
mmbbl 2C Contingent Resources of Liquid Hydrocarbons estimated to
be potentially recoverable from the HQ Prospect (on a Net Basis)
and will be capped at GBP16.0 million. The Contingent
Consideration, if payable, will be equivalent to Rockhopper paying
approximately US$ 1 per barrel of 2C Contingent Resources of Liquid
Hydrocarbons
If any Contingent Consideration is payable, Relevant
Shareholders will receive, for every MOG Share held, an amount
calculated by dividing the Total Contingent Consideration Amount by
the aggregate number of MOG Shares in issue at the Reduction Record
Time plus the number of MOG Shares issued after that date pursuant
to the exercise of options and share awards under the MOG Share
Plans. .
The Contingent Consideration Offer is conditional and subject to
the cap summarised above and therefore there is no certainty that
all or any Contingent Consideration will become payable in
connection with the Acquisition.
-- The deferred shares issued by MOG as part of a reorganisation
of its share capital in 2011 will be unaffected by and will not
form part of the Acquisition and the Scheme.
-- The cash consideration payable under the terms of the
Acquisition, including any payments due under the Contingent
Consideration Offer, will be financed from existing cash resources
of Rockhopper.
-- The MOG Directors, who have been so advised by RBC Europe
Limited ("RBC"), as the independent financial adviser for the
purposes of Rule 3 of the Takeover Code, consider the terms of the
Acquisition to be fair and reasonable. In providing its advice to
the MOG Directors, RBC has taken into account the commercial
assessments of the MOG Directors.
-- Accordingly, the MOG Directors intend to recommend
unanimously that MOG Shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions
to be proposed at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting which
are to be convened to approve and implement the Acquisition.
-- The MOG Directors have irrevocably undertaken to approve the
necessary resolutions in respect of their entire beneficial
holdings in MOG, which, in aggregate, amount to 2,588,171 MOG
Shares, representing approximately 0.60 per cent of the existing
issued ordinary share capital of MOG. These irrevocable
undertakings will cease to be binding only if the Scheme lapses or
is withdrawn and remain binding if a higher competing offer for MOG
is made.
-- In addition, Rockhopper has received irrevocable undertakings
to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and in favour
of the resolution at the General Meeting from certain MOG
Shareholders in respect of 135,297,780 MOG Shares representing, in
aggregate, approximately 31.36 per cent of the existing issued
ordinary share capital of MOG. These irrevocable undertakings will
cease to be binding only if the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn or if
a competing offer for MOG is made which represents the increase to
the Initial Consideration and the Contingent Consideration set out
in Appendix 3 of this announcement.
-- Therefore, as at the date of this announcement, Rockhopper
has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the
Scheme at the Court Meeting and in favour of the resolution at the
General Meeting in respect of a total of 137,885,951 MOG Shares,
representing, in aggregate, approximately 31.96 per cent of MOG's
existing issued ordinary share capital.
-- Rockhopper is an AIM-quoted exploration and production
company with its principal asset being 5,800km(2) of prospective
oil and gas acreage in the North Falkland Basin, which contains up
to 450 mmbbl of 2C Contingent Resources if a gas cap does not exist
on the western flank of the Sea Lion field. Rockhopper has a robust
balance sheet, with current cash of approximately US$ 250 million
(GBP147 million).
-- MOG is an AIM-quoted exploration and production company with
operations in Italy, Malta and France. MOG produces natural gas
onshore and offshore in Italy and has a balanced portfolio of
exploration, appraisal and development opportunities with reserves
and contingent resources of 33 mmboe and total unrisked prospective
resources of over 1,200 mmboe. Net production from the Guendalina
field, MOG's principal production asset, was 35,650 scm per day as
of 13 May 2014. Development activities are focused on MOG's 100 per
cent operated interest in the offshore Italian Ombrina Mare
discovery, which has 2C Contingent Resources of 26.5 mmboe. MOG is
also undertaking high-impact exploration offshore Malta and will
drill the HQ Prospect in 2014 targeting net mean unrisked resources
of 27 mmboe. MOG also holds additional development and exploration
opportunities in Italy, Malta and France.
-- In order to become effective, the Scheme requires the
sanction of the Court and must be approved by the requisite
majority of MOG Shareholders. The Scheme is also conditional on,
among other things, the Government of the Republic of Malta. either
confirming that consent is not required for the indirect change of
control of Melita Exploration Company Limited (a subsidiary of MOG)
or, if it is required, giving such consent.
-- It is currently expected that the Scheme Document, containing
further information about the Acquisition and notices of the Court
Meeting and the General Meeting, together with the Forms of Proxy,
will be posted not later than 20 June 2014 and that, subject to the
satisfaction or, where relevant, waiver of all relevant Conditions,
the Scheme is expected to become effective on or around 5 August
2014.
-- Commenting on the Acquisition, Pierre Jungels, Chairman of Rockhopper said:
"This transaction represents an important milestone for the
company as we add production to our portfolio and broaden our
exploration and development opportunity set, by establishing
ourselves in an area our team understands well. While the
acquisition cost and capital exposure are modest in relation to our
balance sheet, the upside potential is significant and we believe
that the new acreage will create an attractive entry platform to
one of the most exciting regions in the industry at this time."
-- Commenting on the Acquisition, Keith Henry of MOG said:
"This is a good transaction for our shareholders, offering them
the combination of both cash and shares in Rockhopper today, while
also providing the opportunity to benefit from the potential upside
of our Malta well. Sadly, a series of setbacks over the past year
at the Guendalina Field, MOG's principal producing asset, and the
continuing regulatory delays to Ombrina Mare, our key development
project, have prevented us from implementing our strategy of
growing our portfolio in the Mediterranean region. In the current
market conditions, the MOG board strongly believes that this can
only be achieved by a significantly more capitalised company. In
addition to the cash element, Rockhopper's offer represents an
opportunity for MOG shareholders to receive shares in Rockhopper,
while still retaining a contingent interest in the high risk
exploration well offshore Malta that will spud in the next few
days."
-- This summary should be read in conjunction with the full text
of this announcement. Appendix 1 to this announcement contains the
conditions to, and certain further terms of, the Acquisition.
Appendix 2 to this announcement contains further details of the
sources of information and bases of calculations set out in this
announcement. Appendix 3 contains a summary of the irrevocable
undertakings given by the MOG Directors and by certain MOG
Shareholders. Appendix 4 contains definitions of certain
expressions used in this summary and in this announcement.
-- In accordance with Rule 30.4 of the City Code on Takeovers
and Mergers, a copy of this announcement will be made available,
free of charge, on MOG's website at www.medoilgas.com by no later
than 12 noon on the first Business Day following this announcement.
A copy of this announcement will also be made available on
Rockhopper's website at www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk. Neither
the content of any website referred to in this announcement nor the
content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on MOG or
Rockhopper's website (or any other website) is incorporated into,
or forms part of, this announcement.
Enquiries
Rockhopper Exploration plc via Vigo Communications
- 020 7016 9571
Sam Moody, Chief Executive
Stewart MacDonald, Chief Financial Officer
Canaccord Genuity Limited, NOMAD, broker
and financial adviser to Rockhopper 020 7523 8000
Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor
Neil Elliot
Vigo Communications, PR adviser to Rockhopper 020 7016 9571
Peter Reilly
Mediterranean Oil & Gas plc 020 7959 2322
Bill Higgs, Chief Executive
Chris Kelsall, Finance Director
RBC Europe Limited, Rule 3 adviser and joint
broker to MOG 020 7653 4000
Jeremy Low
Matthew Coakes
Liberum Capital Limited, NOMAD, financial
adviser and joint broker to MOG 020 3100 2222
Clayton Bush
Tim Graham
FTI Consulting, PR adviser to MOG 020 3727 1000
Ben Brewerton
Alex Beagley
Further information
This announcement is for information only and is not intended to
and does not constitute, or form part of any offer to sell or
invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, or any
solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant
to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale,
issuance or transfer of securities of Rockhopper or MOG in any
jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This announcement
does not constitute a prospectus or a prospectus equivalent
document. The Acquisition will be made on the terms and subject to
the conditions and further terms set out herein and in Appendix 1
to this announcement and the further terms and conditions to be set
out in the Scheme Document and Forms of Proxy when issued. Any vote
by MOG Shareholders in respect of the Acquisition should be made
only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme
Document, which will include details of how to vote in favour of
the Scheme. MOG Shareholders are advised to read the formal
documentation in relation to the Acquisition which will be
distributed to MOG Shareholders in due course, as it will contain
important information relating to the Acquisition.
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
other information provided by MOG Shareholders, persons with
information rights and other relevant persons in connection with
the receipt of communications from MOG may be provided to
Rockhopper during the Offer Period (as required under Section 4 of
Appendix 4 to the Takeover Code).
Canaccord Genuity Limited, which is authorised and regulated in
the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting
exclusively for Rockhopper and no one else in connection with the
Acquisition and this announcement and will not be responsible to
anyone other than Rockhopper for providing the protections afforded
to clients of Canaccord Genuity Limited nor for providing advice in
connection with the Acquisition or this announcement or any matter
referred to herein.
RBC Europe Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the
Prudential Regulation Authority and is acting as financial adviser
to MOG and no one else in connection with the contents of this
announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than MOG
for providing the protections afforded to clients, or for providing
advice in relation to any matters referred to herein.
Liberum Capital Limited, which is authorised and regulated in
the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting
exclusively for MOG and no one else in connection with the
Acquisition and this announcement and will not be responsible to
anyone other than MOG for providing the protections afforded to
clients of Liberum Capital Limited nor for providing advice in
connection with the Acquisition or this announcement or any matter
referred to herein.
Overseas shareholders
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
or into, jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom and the
availability of the Rockhopper Consideration Shares may be
restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this
announcement comes who are not resident in the United Kingdom
should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal
or regulatory restrictions in those jurisdictions. MOG Shareholders
who are in any doubt regarding such matters should consult an
appropriate independent adviser in the relevant jurisdiction
without delay. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may
constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
the companies involved in the Acquisition disclaim any
responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions
by any person. This document does not constitute an offer to sell,
or the solicitation of any offer to buy, any Rockhopper
Consideration Shares in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or
solicitation would be unlawful.
This announcement has been prepared for the purposes of
complying with English law, the AIM Rules, the rules of the London
Stock Exchange and the Takeover Code and the information disclosed
may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this
announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of any
jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.
The Rockhopper Consideration Shares to be issued pursuant to the
Scheme have not been and will not be registered under the US
Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) (the "Securities Act") or under
the relevant securities laws of any state or territory or other
jurisdiction of the United States, but are expected to be offered
in the United States in reliance upon the exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section
3(a)(10) thereof. The Scheme will be subject to the disclosure
requirements and practices applicable in the UK to schemes of
arrangement, which differ from the disclosure requirements of the
US proxy solicitation rules and tender offer rules. However, if
Rockhopper were to elect (in accordance with the condition in
paragraph (a) of Part (B) of Appendix 1) to implement the
Acquisition by means of a Takeover Offer, such offer will be made
in compliance with the US tender offer rules, to the extent
applicable, or an exemption therefrom.
None of the securities referred to in this document have been
approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange
Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or
any other US regulatory authority, nor have such authorities passed
upon or determined the adequacy or accuracy of this document. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United
States.
Disclosure requirements of the Takeover Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is
interested in 1 per cent or more of any class of relevant
securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange
offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of
which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be,
solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following
the commencement of the Offer Period and, if later, following the
announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first
identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of
the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to
subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree
company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening
Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be
made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the tenth business
day following the commencement of the Offer Period and, if
appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the tenth
business day following the announcement in which any securities
exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in
the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities
exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening
Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or
becomes, interested in 1 per cent or more of any class of relevant
securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange
offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any
relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities
exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the
dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions
in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of
(i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror,
save to the extent that these details have previously been
disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom
Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London
time) on the business day following the date of the relevant
dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a
securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the Offer Period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit
on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you
are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements
with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and
business of the MOG Group and certain plans and objectives of the
boards of directors of MOG and Rockhopper. These forward-looking
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate
only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements
often use words such as "anticipate", "target", "expect",
"estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "will", "may",
"should", "would", "could" or other words of similar meaning. These
statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the
boards of directors of MOG and Rockhopper in light of their
experience and their perception of historical trends, current
conditions, expected future developments and other factors they
believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainty, and the factors described in the
context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement
could cause actual results and developments to differ materially
from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those described in this
announcement. MOG and Rockhopper assume no obligation to update or
correct the information contained in this announcement, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to
the extent legally required.
The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the
date of this announcement, unless some other time is specified in
relation to them, and publication of this announcement shall not
give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the
facts set out in this announcement since such date. Nothing
contained in this announcement shall be deemed to be a forecast,
projection or estimate of the future financial performance of MOG
and Rockhopper except where expressly stated.
No profit forecast
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast or a profit estimate, and no statement in this
announcement should be interpreted to mean that the future earnings
per MOG Share for current or future financial years will
necessarily match or exceed the historical or published earnings
per MOG Share.
BOE presentation
References herein to "boe" mean barrels of oil equivalent
derived by converting gas to oil in the ratio of between 5,500 to
6,000 cubic feet (scf) of gas (dependent on the richness of the
gas) to one barrel (bbl) of oil. Boe may be misleading,
particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6,000
scf: 1 bbl is based on an energy conversion method primarily
applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value
equivalency at the wellhead.
Note regarding Rockhopper oil and gas disclosure
This announcement has been approved by Rockhopper's geological
staff who include Fiona MacAulay (Chief Operating Officer), who is
a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and a Member of the
Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain and American
Association of Petroleum Geologists with over 25 years of
experience in petroleum exploration and management, and who is the
qualified person as defined in the Guidance Note for Mining, Oil
and Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in respect of
AIM companies. In compiling its resource estimates, Rockhopper has
used the definitions and guidelines as set forth in the 2007
Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of
Petroleum Engineers.
Note regarding MOG oil and gas disclosure
This announcement has been approved by MOG's geological staff
who include Dr Bill Higgs (Chief Executive Officer), a geologist,
explorationist and reservoir manager with over 25 years of oil and
gas industry experience, and who is the qualified person as defined
in the Guidance Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies issued by
the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM companies. In compiling
its resource estimates, MOG has used the definitions and guidelines
as set forth in the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System
approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Rule 2.10 Disclosure
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Takeover Code, Rockhopper
confirms that it has 284,722,509 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in
issue and admitted to trading on AIM under ISIN GB00B0FVQX23.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY RESTRICTED JURISDICTION OR WHERE IT
WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF ANY SUCH
JURISDICTION
Date: 23 May 2014
RECOMMENDED CASH, SHARE AND CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION OFFER
by
ROCKHOPPER EXPLORATION PLC
for
MEDITERRANEAN OIL & GAS PLC
(to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under
Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006)
1. Introduction
The boards of MOG and Rockhopper are pleased to announce that
they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended
acquisition under which Rockhopper will acquire the entire issued
and to be issued ordinary share capital of MOG.
2. Summary of terms
2.1 It is intended that the Acquisition will be effected by way
of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the
Companies Act. The Scheme requires approval by MOG Shareholders at
the Court Meeting and the General Meeting which are to be convened
in connection with the Scheme. Further details of the
Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement and the requisite level of
MOG Shareholder approvals are contained in paragraph 13 below.
2.2 Under the terms of the Acquisition, Relevant Shareholders
will receive 6.5 pence for each MOG Share held, comprising 4.875
pence in cash and 0.0172 Rockhopper Consideration Shares (the
"Initial Consideration Offer").
2.3 In addition, under the terms of the Acquisition, MOG
Shareholders will receive a contingent entitlement up to a maximum
amount of 3.550 pence in cash for each MOG Share held (the
"Contingent Consideration Offer"), assuming MOG's fully diluted
ordinary share capital is 451,192,831.
2.4 The Initial Consideration Offer:
-- values the entire issued and to be issued share capital of
MOG at approximately GBP29.3 million;
-- represents a 15.6 per cent premium to MOG's closing share
price of 5.625 pence on 22 May 2014 (being the last Business Day
prior to the date of this announcement); and
-- represents a 31.1 per cent premium to MOG's average volume
weighted share price of 4.957 pence for the three months ended 22
May 2014 (being the last Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement).
2.5 The Rockhopper Consideration Shares to be issued pursuant to
the Acquisition are expected to represent approximately 2.65 per
cent of the issued share capital of Rockhopper as enlarged by the
Acquisition. The Rockhopper Consideration Shares will rank equally
in all respects with the existing Rockhopper Shares and will be
entitled to all dividends and/or other distributions declared or
paid by Rockhopper in respect of Rockhopper Shares by reference to
a record date falling after the Effective Date. Fractions of
Rockhopper Consideration Shares will not be allotted to Relevant
Shareholders pursuant to the Acquisition. However, the entitlements
of Relevant Shareholders will be rounded up or down (with 0.5 of a
Rockhopper Consideration Share being rounded up) to the nearest
whole number of Rockhopper Consideration Shares.
The availability of the Contingent Consideration Offer, and the
amount of cash which may ultimately be payable in connection
therewith (the "Contingent Consideration"), will be determined by
the success of an exploration well targeting the Hagar Qim prospect
in Offshore Malta Area 4, Block 7 (the "HQ Prospect"). The
Contingent Consideration Offer is intended to afford MOG
Shareholders an opportunity to benefit from the potential success
of the HQ Prospect.
The Contingent Consideration Offer is a contractual,
non-transferable, unsecured, interest-free obligation of Rockhopper
to make (subject to certain conditions) an additional one-off cash
payment of between GBP11.9 million and GBP16.0 million in total
(the "Total Contingent Consideration Amount"). The Contingent
Consideration will only be payable if the 2C Contingent Resources
of Liquid Hydrocarbons estimated to be potentially recoverable from
the HQ Prospect equal or exceed 80 mmbbl in total, which is a level
that the Rockhopper Directors consider to be commercially
viable.
The Total Contingent Consideration Amount shall be calculated on
the basis of 25 per cent (being the percentage interest which MOG
holds in the HQ Prospect) multiplied by GBP0.59 multiplied by the
2C Contingent Resources of Liquid Hydrocarbons estimated to be
potentially recoverable from the HQ Prospect. The Total Contingent
Consideration Amount payable will be subject to a hurdle of 20
mmbbl 2C Contingent Resources of Liquid Hydrocarbons estimated to
be potentially recoverable from the HQ Prospect (on a Net Basis)
and will be capped at GBP16.0 million. The Contingent
Consideration, if payable, will be equivalent to Rockhopper paying
approximately US$ 1 per barrel of 2C Contingent Resources of Liquid
Hydrocarbons
If any Contingent Consideration is payable, Relevant
Shareholders will receive, for every MOG Share held, an amount
calculated by dividing the Total Contingent Consideration Amount by
the aggregate number of MOG Shares in issue at the Reduction Record
Time plus the number of MOG Shares issued after that date pursuant
to the exercise of options and share awards under the MOG Share
Plans. .
The Contingent Consideration Offer is conditional and subject to
the cap summarised above and therefore there is no certainty that
all or any Contingent Consideration will become payable in
connection with the Acquisition.
2.6 The Deferred Shares will not form part of, and will be
unaffected by, the Acquisition or the Scheme. For further details,
please see paragraph 8 below.
3. The Contingent Consideration Offer
3.1 Summary of the Contingent Consideration Offer
(a) The Contingent Consideration Offer is designed to enable MOG
Shareholders to benefit from the potential success of the HQ
Exploration Well, subject to the Contingent Consideration Condition
being met.
(b) The Contingent Consideration Offer is conditional and
therefore there is no certainty that all or any Contingent
Consideration will become payable in connection with the
Acquisition.
(c) MOG, together with its partner Genel, intends to drill the
HQ Exploration Well, which is expected to be Spudded on or around
25 May 2014. As the results of the HQ Exploration Well are not
expected to be known before mid to late July 2014, the Contingent
Consideration Offer is being made available to Relevant
Shareholders.
(d) The Contingent Consideration Offer is a contractual,
non-transferable, unsecured, interest-free obligation of Rockhopper
to make (subject to the Contingent Consideration Condition) an
additional one-off cash payment of between GBP11.9 million and
GBP16.0 million in total (the "Total Contingent Consideration
Amount") to all Relevant Shareholders.
(e) The actual amount of the Contingent Consideration due to
each Relevant Shareholder will be determined by (i) the economic
viability of the HQ Prospect, based on the amount of the Agreed
Resources associated with the HQ Exploration Well, calculated as
set out in paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 below and (ii) the number of
Relevant Shares (assumed in this announcement to be 451,192,831
shares).
3.2 The Contingent Consideration Condition
The Contingent Consideration will be payable to Relevant
Shareholders only if:
(a) the HQ Exploration Well is Spudded before the Effective Date
or 17 July 2014, whichever is the earlier; and
(b) the Agreed Resources are equal to or exceed 20 million
barrels of Liquid Hydrocarbons (on a Net Basis); and
(c) MOG's interest in the HQ Prospect is 25 per cent at the Effective Date,
(together, being the "Contingent Consideration Condition").
The Contingent Consideration Offer will lapse if the Contingent
Consideration Condition is not fulfilled. In such circumstances
Relevant Shareholders will receive the Initial Consideration only;
no Contingent Consideration will be payable to Relevant
Shareholders.
3.3 Determination of the Agreed Resources
(a) Rockhopper will make an RNS announcement within two Business
Days of the HQ Exploration Well Completion Date, confirming the HQ
Exploration Well Completion Date.
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event no later
than one month after the HQ Exploration Well Completion Date,
Rockhopper shall instruct the Competent Person to produce the
Competent Person's Report to determine the 2C Contingent Resources
estimated to be potentially recoverable from the HQ Prospect (the
"HQ Prospect 2C Contingent Resources").
(c) The Competent Person shall be instructed to submit the
Competent Person's Report to Rockhopper within 90 days of the
instruction by Rockhopper. The Competent Person's Report will be
final as to the level of HQ Prospect 2C Contingent Resources, which
shall then constitute the Agreed Resources, save as set out in
sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) below. Rockhopper will make an RNS
announcement within two Business Days of the Competent Person's
Report being submitted to Rockhopper, and that announcement shall
identify the HQ Prospect 2C Contingent Resources as determined by
the Competent Person.
(d) If the Competent Person's Report determines that the HQ
Prospect 2C Contingent Resources are of an amount:
(i) equal to or in excess of 20 million barrels of Liquid
Hydrocarbons (on a Net Basis), the Contingent Consideration
Condition will have been satisfied;
(ii) less than 18 million barrels of Liquid Hydrocarbons (on a
Net Basis), the Contingent Consideration Condition will not have
been satisfied and no Contingent Consideration will be payable;
(iii) equal to or in excess of 18 million barrels of Liquid
Hydrocarbons (on a Net Basis) but less than 20 million barrels of
Liquid Hydrocarbons (on a Net Basis), the provisions of
sub-paragraph (e) below shall apply.
(e) If sub-paragraph (d)(iii) above applies, Rockhopper shall
appoint the Second Competent Person to produce the Second Competent
Person's Report to determine the HQ Prospect 2C Contingent
Resources. The Second Competent Person shall be instructed to
submit the Second Competent Person's Report to Rockhopper within 90
days of its appointment. In preparing its report, the Second
Competent Person shall use the same data as used by the Competent
Person in the preparation of the Competent Person's Report.
If the Second Competent Person's Report determines that the HQ
Prospect 2C Contingent Resources are less than 20 million barrels
of Liquid Hydrocarbons (on a Net Basis), such amount of 2C
Contingent Resources will constitute the Agreed Resources and
accordingly the Contingent Consideration Condition will not have
been met and no Contingent Consideration will be payable.
If the Second Competent Person's Report determines that the HQ
Prospect 2C Contingent Resources are more than 20 million barrels
of Liquid Hydrocarbons (on a Net Basis), the Agreed Resources shall
be determined by Rockhopper by calculating the average mean of (i)
the HQ Prospect 2C Contingent Resources determined by the Competent
Person and (ii) the HQ Prospect 2C Contingent Resources determined
by the Second Competent Person (the "Average Resources"). The
Contingent Consideration shall only be payable if the Average
Resources equals or exceeds 20 million barrels of Liquid
Hydrocarbons (on a Net Basis).
Rockhopper will make an RNS announcement within two Business
Days of the Second Competent Person's Report being submitted to
Rockhopper, which shall identify (i) the HQ Prospect 2C Contingent
Resources as determined by the Second Competent Person and (ii) the
Agreed Resources.
Rockhopper shall seek to obtain all relevant information
reasonably required by the Competent Person (and, if applicable,
the Second Competent Person) from the operator of the HQ
Exploration Well in order for the Competent Person (and, if
applicable, the Second Competent Person), to complete the Competent
Person's Report (and, if applicable, the Second Competent Person's
Report). Rockhopper shall provide, or procure the provision of,
such information as is provided to it by the operator of the HQ
Exploration Well to the Competent Person (and, if applicable, the
Second Competent Person). All expenses associated with the
Competent Person's Report (and, if applicable, the Second Competent
Person's Report) will be paid by Rockhopper.
3.4 Contingent Consideration payable
(a) The Total Contingent Consideration Amount shall be
calculated as GBP0.59 multiplied by the Agreed Resources (and not
just the excess over 20 million barrels of Liquid Hydrocarbons),
subject always to the Contingent Consideration Cap.
(b) Therefore, the Contingent Consideration payable per Relevant
Share shall be equal to the Total Contingent Consideration Amount
divided by the aggregate number of Relevant Shares.
(c) The total amount of the HQ Prospect 2C Contingent Resources
(if any) is uncertain and therefore the amount of the Contingent
Consideration (if any) which may become payable cannot be
quantified at this time. There can be no guarantee that all or any
Contingent Consideration will become payable in connection with the
Acquisition.
(d) By way of example only, the amount payable in various
circumstances pursuant to the Contingent Consideration Offer
(assuming a fully diluted ordinary share capital of MOG of
451,192,831 ordinary shares) is set out below:
Agreed Resources Total Contingent Contingent Consideration
on a Net Basis (Barrels) Consideration Amount payable per Relevant
Share
-------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
12.5 million GBP0 0 pence
(Contingent Consideration (Contingent Consideration
Condition not satisfied) Condition not satisfied)
-------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
20 million GBP11.9 million 2.63 pence
-------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
25 million GBP14.8 million 3.29 pence
-------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
27 million GBP16.0 million 3.55 pence
(Contingent Consideration (Contingent Consideration
Cap reached) Cap reached)
-------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
30 million GBP16.0 million 3.55 pence
(Contingent Consideration (Contingent Consideration
Cap exceeded) Cap exceeded)
-------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
3.5 Payment of the Contingent Consideration
(a) The Contingent Consideration, if payable, will be paid to the holders of Relevant Shares.
(b) The obligation to pay the Contingent Consideration is and
will remain a non-interest bearing and unsecured obligation of
Rockhopper. Accordingly, if the Contingent Consideration becomes
payable and there is a default in payment (on insolvency of
Rockhopper or otherwise), Relevant Shareholders will rank as
unsecured creditors only in respect of their entitlement to the
Contingent Consideration.
(c) The precise timing for the payment of the Contingent
Consideration (if any) cannot be ascertained at the time of this
announcement. However, it shall be paid within 14 days (or such
other date as the Panel may allow) of the Competent Person's Report
(or, if commissioned, the Second Competent Person's Report) being
provided to Rockhopper by the Competent Person (or the Second
Competent Person, as applicable), provided that in no circumstances
will the Contingent Consideration be calculated or paid before the
date falling three months from the Effective Date, in order to
allow all options and awards under the MOG Share Plans to be
exercised or to have lapsed.
4. Information on Rockhopper
Rockhopper was admitted to AIM in 2005 with its principal asset
being 5,800 km(2) of prospective oil and gas acreage in the North
Falkland Basin. Rockhopper has, as an operator, successfully
evaluated, drilled and appraised this acreage culminating in up to
approximately 450 mmbbl of 2C Contingent Resources being discovered
in Sea Lion and its satellite fields, if a gas cap does not exist
on the western flank of Sea Lion. Following the farm-out of 60 per
cent of its principal acreage and relinquishment of operatorship to
Premier Oil in 2012, Rockhopper is an active partner in the
development of the Sea Lion field and sub-surface lead for further
exploration in the North Falkland Basin for the joint venture with
Premier Oil. The farm-out to Premier Oil has given Rockhopper a
robust balance sheet, with current cash of approximately US$ 250
million (GBP147 million). Premier Oil is currently seeking further
industry partners to participate in the development of Sea Lion
prior to its project sanction and Rockhopper is actively assisting
in this process. Rockhopper is currently looking forward to
participating in the next phase of exploration drilling in the
Falklands which, is expected to commence in the first half of 2015.
Rockhopper has already completed the planning for the four firm
wells to be drilled on its acreage, targeting over 500 mmbbl of
Pmean STOIIP net to Rockhopper.
5. Background to and reasons for the Acquisition
5.1 Following the completion of the farm-out of Sea Lion to
Premier Oil and having conducted the preparation for the next
exploration campaign in the North Falkland Basin, the Rockhopper
Directors set about planning for the next phase of Rockhopper's
growth, including a review of opportunities outside the North
Falkland Basin. The Rockhopper Directors wish to harness the skills
and experience that Rockhopper has acquired in the process of
maturing the North Falkland Basin from an area of prospective
acreage through to a major new oil development and have determined
that any opportunity outside the North Falklands Basin must contain
significant appraisal and exploration potential. The Rockhopper
Directors are also mindful of establishing a balanced portfolio of
assets and therefore any opportunity outside the North Falklands
Basin should also give Rockhopper exposure to an element of
production or near term production. Importantly, the Rockhopper
Directors wish Rockhopper to operate or to have strong influence,
where possible, over a significant proportion of the assets it is
to acquire, in particular at the exploration and appraisal stage
and which are part of a regional and geographically focused
portfolio.
5.2 The Rockhopper Directors believe that Rockhopper's relative
balance sheet strength could be efficiently used to unlock value
accretive opportunities that have previously suffered from lack of
access to financing. However, the Rockhopper Directors do not wish
to see significant cash resources being expended or large work
commitments being entered into until such time as there is further
clarity around the Sea Lion development and Rockhopper's remaining
funding requirements. The Rockhopper Directors remain cognisant
that the North Falklands will remain Rockhopper's core focus for
the foreseeable future and financial resources must remain
available to assist in its development as necessary and to fund
Rockhopper's share of the expected 2015 exploration drilling
campaign in the North Falkland Basin.
5.3 The Rockhopper Directors believe the acquisition of MOG
represents a compelling opportunity that fits well within its
selected criteria, for the following reasons:
(a) as part of the Acquisition, Rockhopper will acquire a well
understood production base which will generate immediate revenue to
Rockhopper;
(b) as part of the Initial Consideration Offer value of GBP29.3
million, Rockhopper will be acquiring significant net cash, EUR
12.4 million (GBP10.0 million) as at 31 December 2013;
(c) it gives Rockhopper access to material low-risk appraisal
and development opportunities on existing discoveries;
(d) it provides Rockhopper with a mixture of low, medium and
high risk exploration opportunities;
(e) it provides Rockhopper with an entry into a region
(Mediterranean / North Africa) where it sees significant potential
for growth and where over time, it believes a substantial business
can be built; and
(f) management believes the Acquisition represents a relatively
low cost entry into a new region with limited commitments, limited
cash impact and value supported by existing cash and existing
producing assets.
5.4 Pursuant to the Initial Consideration Offer, which values
MOG at GBP29.3 million, Rockhopper will be immediately acquiring
significant net cash, which as at 31 December 2013 was EUR 12.4
million (GBP10.0 million) held by MOG on its balance sheet.
Additionally, Rockhopper will be acquiring existing production that
will provide the Enlarged Group with immediate revenue. Production
from MOG's principal production asset, being the Guendalina
offshore field, was 35,650 scm per day net to MOG as of 13 May
2014, which is an increase of 23 per cent above average net
production for December 2013, as announced by MOG on 13 May
2014.
5.5 Rockhopper sees significant potential in the 100 per cent
owned and operated Ombrina Mare project, which already has 2C
Contingent Resources of 26.5 mmboe with the ability for this to be
increased materially depending on the results of the next planned
appraisal well. Rockhopper has spent time understanding the Ombrina
Mare discovery and Rockhopper believes that with additional
technical and engineering work, combined with some patience and
funds available to support an appraisal of the discovery, its value
can be significantly increased over time.
5.6 As a result of the Acquisition, Rockhopper will be acquiring
in aggregate oil and gas reserves and contingent resources of
approximately 33 mmboe therefore materially increasing its current
resource base. The net acquisition cost, based on the Initial
Consideration only, of these additional reserves and resources to
Rockhopper is equivalent to less than US$ 1 (GBP0.59) per boe.
5.7 Rockhopper had identified a number of low to high risk
exploration opportunities, with unrisked prospective resources of
over 150 mmboe, from within the MOG portfolio. In its assessment of
MOG, Rockhopper has ascribed no value to the HQ Exploration Well
(which is soon to be drilled by Genel) as part of the Initial
Consideration Offer. Instead it is offering an element of
contingent consideration depending on the success of this well
which is described in more detail in paragraph 3. Regardless of the
outcome of the HQ Exploration Well, Rockhopper will have gained
access to potential high-impact exploration assets elsewhere in the
MOG portfolio including the Monte Grosso exploration prospect in
the Southern Apennines region of Italy, which has a gross Pmean
prospective resource of more than 200 mmstb and a geological chance
of success of 23 per cent and Malta Area 3 on which technical work
continues with MOG's partner Cairn and where 1714 km of 2D
broadband seismic data has just been acquired.
5.8 Importantly, Rockhopper will be entering into a region where
it sees significant potential for growth and where, over time, it
believes a substantial business can be built. Rockhopper would seek
to leverage the agreement to work together with Genel in the area
of mutual interest covering the offshore basins of Libya, Malta and
Tunisia. Following the Acquisition, Rockhopper will be well placed
to take advantage of other opportunities that emerge in the region
and, for example, will look carefully at participating in any new
licensing rounds similar to the one recently announced by MOG for
three blocks in offshore Montenegro. Additionally, Rockhopper will
seek to build upon the strategic relationships, acquired as part of
the Acquisition, with other high quality operators and partners in
the region including ENI S.p.A., Total S.A., Cairn Energy plc and
Genel.
5.9 The Rockhopper Directors and management already have
significant experience of working in the Mediterranean and North
Africa regions through previous roles in other oil companies which
will combine well with the expertise of MOG's management. Most
notably, Rockhopper's team had exposure to this region through
involvement with a number of operating companies including
Petrocanada, BG Group plc, Melrose Resources plc and Veba Oil &
Gas GmbH along with extensive non-operated and new ventures
experience across the region.
5.10 The Rockhopper Directors believe that the Cash
Consideration payable, when taken together with the cash on MOG's
balance sheet (which was approximately EUR 12.4 million (GBP10.0
million) as of 31 December 2013) and the issue of 7,758,606
Rockhopper Consideration Shares (which represents a dilution of
less than 2.65 per cent) is a reasonable price to secure a
portfolio of assets of this nature. Any work commitments associated
with the MOG portfolio are relatively small and Rockhopper will
continue to manage its cash resources prudently. The Contingent
Consideration Offer is limited to a maximum of GBP16.0 million and
will only become payable if a commercial discovery is made which is
independently certified as exceeding 20 mmbbl of 2C Contingent
Resources of Liquid Hydrocarbons on a Net Basis, which Rockhopper
believes would be highly likely to represent a commercially viable
project.
5.11 Whilst this acquisition will be material to Rockhopper, it
is not expected to distract management from Rockhopper's core focus
of the North Falklands Basin, where Rockhopper will continue to
assist the operator in advancing the development of Sea Lion and
eagerly awaits the expected 2015 exploration drilling campaign. The
Rockhopper Directors have ambitions to grow Rockhopper into a
leading international exploration and production company and would
consider moving Rockhopper to the Main Market of the London Stock
Exchange in due course. The Rockhopper Directors believe that the
Acquisition will be likely to improve Rockhopper's eligibility for
such a move to the Main Market.
6. Recommendation
6.1 The MOG Directors, who have been so advised by RBC, as the
independent financial adviser for the purposes of Rule 3 of the
Takeover Code, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and
reasonable. In providing its advice to the MOG Directors, RBC has
taken into account the commercial assessments of the MOG
Directors.
6.2 Accordingly, the MOG Directors intend to recommend
unanimously that MOG Shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions
to be proposed at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting which
are to be convened to approve and implement the Acquisition. The
MOG Directors have irrevocably undertaken to approve the necessary
resolutions in respect of their entire beneficial holdings in MOG,
which, in aggregate, amount to 2,588,171 MOG Shares, representing
approximately 0.60 per cent of the existing issued ordinary share
capital of MOG.
7. Background to and reasons for the recommendation
7.1 MOG has a proven track record of identifying, developing and
monetising oil and gas assets in the Mediterranean region. MOG has
brought together an experienced team from some of the world's
leading energy companies to manage its operations and transactions
to the highest industry standards. MOG's strategy is to balance
investments across the value chain and to invest in strong
partnerships within the region. As a result, MOG has built a
valuable portfolio of exploration, appraisal and production
opportunities in Italy, Malta and France, in partnership with some
of the world's leading energy companies.
7.2 MOG is exploring frontier acreage offshore Malta. MOG holds
a 25 per cent working interest in the Area 4 production sharing
contract offshore Malta where the operator, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Genel (75 per cent working interest, operator), is
expected to soon start drilling operations on the HQ Exploration
Well. This well is targeting 27 million barrels of certified mean
prospective resources net to MOG and is expected to reach the
target reservoir during Q3 2014. The Contingent Consideration
component of the Acquisition is structured to reward a positive
result from this well.
7.3 MOG's flagship project, Ombrina Mare (MOG 100 per cent
working interest, operator), was certified by an independent
competent person in 2013 as containing 25.1 million barrels of 2C
Contingent Resources (oil) and 8.0 billion cubic feet of 2C
Contingent Resources (gas). This project continues to await the
award of environmental permits and the associated production
concession that will enable the project to move ahead with the
drilling of an appraisal well required to prove any resource upside
and to optimise plans for the development of the asset.
7.4 In 2013, MOG's Guendalina offshore gas field (MOG 20 per
cent working interest, ENI S.p.A. operator) experienced production
challenges that resulted in two of the three producing strings
being shut-in, resulting in a 42 per cent reduction in production
for MOG compared to the prior year and an associated 48 per cent
reduction in revenue. Production has been restored in one of the
two affected strings, and production from the field has increased
23 per cent since December 2013. Nonetheless, the MOG Directors
believe a further increase in production, to restore the full
economic value of the field, will require further capital
investment.
7.5 While the MOG Directors believe in the future growth
potential of MOG, having considered the Initial Consideration Offer
in light of the business risks, particularly the timing and
operational challenges of progressing key assets, combined with the
funding risk inherent in the public markets and the timescale
associated with realising value from MOG's assets, they consider
that the Initial Consideration Offer provides MOG Shareholders with
attractive and certain value. In addition, the Contingent
Consideration gives MOG Shareholders the ability to benefit from a
positive result from the HQ Exploration Well which the MOG
Directors believe is important given the potential size and timing
of this target.
7.6 Accordingly, the MOG Directors have concluded that the
Acquisition is fair and reasonable and intend to recommend
unanimously that MOG Shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions
at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting to approve and
implement the Scheme.
8. The Deferred Shares
8.1 MOG has in issue 38,912,736 deferred shares of 19 pence each
(the "Deferred Shares"), which were created as part of a
reorganisation of MOG's share capital in 2011. The Deferred Shares
are not listed on any exchange and effectively have no rights, in
particular they do not confer on their holders any right to any
dividend or distribution nor the right to receive notice of,
attend, speak or vote at general meetings of MOG.
8.2 The Deferred Shares will not form part of, and will be
unaffected by, the Acquisition and the Scheme.
9. Information on MOG
9.1 MOG is an AIM-quoted exploration and production company with
operations in Italy, Malta and France. MOG produces natural gas
onshore and offshore in Italy and has a balanced portfolio of
exploration, appraisal and development opportunities with reserves
and contingent resources of 33 mmboe and total unrisked prospective
resources of over 1,200 mmboe. Net production from the Guendalina
field, MOG's principal production asset, was 35,650 scm per day as
of 13 May 2014. Development activities are focused on MOG's 100 per
cent operated interest in the offshore Italian Ombrina Mare
discovery, which has 2C Contingent Resources of 26.5 mmboe. MOG is
also undertaking high-impact exploration offshore Malta and will
drill the HQ Prospect in 2014 targeting mean net unrisked resources
of 27 mmboe. MOG also holds additional development and exploration
opportunities in Italy, Malta and France.
9.2 In the year to 31 December 2013, MOG recorded a loss before
tax from continuing operations of EUR 5.59 million and as at 31
December 2013 had net assets of EUR 50.49 million (GBP40.89
million).
10. Irrevocable Undertakings
10.1 The MOG Directors have irrevocably undertaken to approve
the necessary resolutions in respect of their entire beneficial
holdings in MOG, which, in aggregate, amount to 2,588,171 MOG
Shares, representing approximately 0.60 per cent of the existing
issued ordinary share capital of MOG. The MOG Directors have also
irrevocably undertaken to approve the necessary resolutions in
respect of their entire holdings of options and awards in the MOG
Share Plans (totalling 18,955,000 MOG Shares), if such options and
awards are exercised or vest prior to the Scheme Voting Record
Time. These irrevocable undertakings will cease to be binding only
if the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn and remain binding if a higher
competing offer for MOG is made.
10.2 In addition, Rockhopper has received irrevocable
undertakings to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting
and in favour of the resolution at the General Meeting from certain
MOG Shareholders representing, in aggregate, approximately 31.36
per cent of the existing issued ordinary share capital of MOG, as
follows:
-- OZ ELS Master Fund Limited in respect of its entire holdings
of MOG Shares, representing approximately 0.42 per cent of the
existing issued ordinary share capital of MOG;
-- OZ Global Spec Invest Master Fund LP in respect of its entire
holdings of MOG Shares, representing approximately 0.78 per cent of
the existing issued ordinary share capital of MOG;
-- OZ Europe Master Fund Limited in respect of its entire
holdings of MOG Shares, representing approximately 8.30 per cent of
the existing issued ordinary share capital of MOG;
-- OZ Master Fund Limited in respect of its entire holdings of
MOG Shares, representing approximately 18.68 per cent of the
existing issued ordinary share capital of MOG;
-- Miles Donnelly in respect of his entire holding of MOG
Shares, representing approximately 0.04 per cent of the existing
issued ordinary share capital of MOG; and
-- Contessa Properties Limited (a company ultimately controlled
by Miles Donnelly) in respect of its entire holding of MOG Shares,
representing approximately 3.14 per cent of the existing issued
ordinary share capital of MOG.
These irrevocable undertakings will cease to be binding only if
the Scheme lapses, is withdrawn or if a competing offer for MOG is
made which represents the increase to the Initial Consideration and
the Contingent Consideration set out in Appendix 3 hereof.
10.3 Therefore, as at the date of this announcement, Rockhopper
has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the
Scheme at the Court Meeting and in favour of the resolution at the
General Meeting in respect of a total of 137,885,951 MOG Shares,
representing, in aggregate, approximately 31.96 per cent of MOG's
existing issued ordinary share capital.
10.4 Further details of the irrevocable undertakings are provided in Appendix 3.
11. Conditions
The Scheme will be subject to the conditions and further terms
set out in Appendix 1 and the full terms and conditions which will
be set out in the Scheme Document. In particular, the Scheme is
conditional on the Government of the Republic of Malta (through its
relevant department or agency), either confirming that consent is
not required for the indirect change of control of Melita
Exploration or, if it is required, giving such consent.
12. Management, employees and locations of business
12.1 Rockhopper attaches great importance to the active
participation and continued commitment of MOG's employees.
Accordingly, Rockhopper confirms that, following the Scheme
becoming effective, the existing contractual and statutory
employment rights, including in relation to pensions, of all MOG
employees will be honoured.
12.2 Following the Effective Date, Rockhopper intends to conduct
a review of the business of the Enlarged Group to identify and
achieve operational and administrative synergies although, in light
of Rockhopper's lack of presence in the Mediterranean, the
Rockhopper Directors anticipate that a significant proportion of
MOG's employees in the region will be retained in the business.
12.3 It is Rockhopper's current intention to maintain the
location of MOG's places of business, save for the London office of
MOG which will be closed. Rockhopper currently expects that closure
to result in a reduction of head count of the MOG Group's
administrative functions in London in order to achieve efficiencies
within the Enlarged Group. It is anticipated that the Rome office
of MOG will become the administrative and operational centre for
the Mediterranean business of the Enlarged Group.
12.4 The MOG Directors have confirmed that it is their intention
to resign as directors of MOG following the Effective Date. It is
anticipated that certain MOG Directors may become consultants for a
transitional period following the Effective Date.
13. Structure of the Acquisition
13.1 It is intended that the Acquisition will be effected by
means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement of MOG under Part
26 of the Companies Act (including the Capital Reduction under
section 641 of the Companies Act).
13.2 The purpose of the Scheme is to provide for Rockhopper to
become the owner of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary
share capital of MOG. This is to be achieved by the cancellation of
the Scheme Shares and the application of the reserve arising from
such cancellation in paying up in full such number of new ordinary
shares in MOG, which is equal to the number of Scheme Shares so
cancelled, and issuing such new MOG ordinary shares to Rockhopper.
In consideration for this, the Scheme Shareholders will receive
cash consideration and Rockhopper Consideration Shares on the basis
set out in paragraph 2 of this announcement, together with the
right to receive the Contingent Consideration pursuant to the
Contingent Consideration Offer. The cancellation of those Scheme
Shares and the subsequent issue of new MOG Shares to Rockhopper
will result in MOG becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Rockhopper.
13.3 To become effective, the Scheme must be approved by a
majority in number of those Scheme Shareholders entitled to vote
and present and voting at the Court Meeting (either in person or by
proxy) representing at least 75 per cent in value of the Scheme
Shares held by such Scheme Shareholders. In addition, the
implementation of the Scheme requires approval by the passing of a
special resolution by MOG Shareholders at the General Meeting to be
held immediately after the Court Meeting.
13.4 The Scheme and the Capital Reduction must also be
sanctioned by the Court. All Scheme Shareholders are entitled to
attend the Court Hearings in person or through counsel to support
or oppose the sanctioning of the Scheme. The Scheme and Capital
Reduction will only become effective upon delivery to the Registrar
of Companies of copies of the Court Orders and (in the case of the
Capital Reduction), the statement of capital (and, if the Court so
orders for the Capital Reduction to take effect, upon registration
by him of the Reduction Court Order and the statement of
capital).
13.5 The Scheme will also be subject to certain Conditions and
further terms referred to in Appendix 1 to this announcement and to
be set out in the Scheme Document.
13.6 Rockhopper reserves the right to switch from implementing
the Acquisition by means of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26
of the Companies Act to a Takeover Offer, in accordance with
paragraph 8 of Appendix 7 of the Takeover Code, with the consent of
the Panel.
13.7 Subject to satisfaction of the Conditions, the Scheme is
expected to become effective on or around 5 August 2014. The
Acquisition will lapse if the Scheme does not become effective by
23 November 2014 (or such later date as may, with the consent of
the Panel (if required), be agreed between Rockhopper and MOG) (the
"Long Stop Date"), provided however that this deadline may be
waived by Rockhopper.
13.8 Upon the Scheme becoming effective, it will be binding on
all Scheme Shareholders, irrespective of whether or not they were
present or voted at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting and,
if they did vote, whether or not they voted in favour of or against
the resolutions proposed at those meetings.
13.9 Further details of the Scheme will be set out in the Scheme
Document, together with notices of the Court Meeting and the
General Meeting and the accompanying Forms of Proxy, which are
expected to be despatched to MOG Shareholders as soon as reasonably
practicable and in any event by 20 June 2014, unless otherwise
agreed with the Panel.
14. MOG Share Plans
Participants in the MOG Share Plans will be contacted regarding
the effect of the Acquisition on their rights under the MOG Share
Plans in accordance with the terms of the relevant plan rules and
appropriate proposals will be made to such participants in due
course.
Participants in the MOG Share Plans who exercise their options
will be entitled to participate in the Initial Consideration Offer
and the Contingent Consideration Offer.
15. Financing the Acquisition
15.1 The cash consideration element of the Initial Consideration
Offer and the Total Contingent Consideration Amount will be
financed from existing cash resources of Rockhopper.
15.2 Canaccord, as financial adviser to Rockhopper, is satisfied
that sufficient resources are available to satisfy in full (i) the
cash consideration payable under the Initial Consideration Offer
and (ii) the maximum amount of the cash consideration payable under
the Contingent Consideration Offer under the terms of the
Acquisition.
16. Admission, dealings and settlement of the Rockhopper Consideration Shares
An application, conditional on the Scheme becoming effective,
will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the Rockhopper
Consideration Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM. It is
anticipated that Admission will become effective, and that dealings
for normal settlement in the Rockhopper Consideration Shares will
commence, no later than 8 a.m. on the Business Day after the
Effective Date.
17. Delisting of the MOG Shares
17.1 It is intended that dealings in MOG Shares will be
suspended at the Reduction Record Time and that no transfers of MOG
Shares will be registered after that time. Application will be made
to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the admission
to trading of the MOG Shares to AIM upon or shortly after the
Effective Date.
17.2 When the Scheme becomes effective in accordance with its
terms, the MOG Shares will be cancelled. At that point, share
certificates in respect of MOG Shares will cease to be valid and
entitlements to MOG Shares held within the CREST system will be
cancelled.
18. Offer-related arrangements
MOG and Rockhopper entered into a confidentiality agreement on
11 February 2014. Pursuant to this agreement, the parties undertook
to keep confidential information relating to Rockhopper, MOG and
their respective subsidiaries and businesses and not to disclose it
to third parties (other than certain permitted recipients), unless
required by law or regulation. These obligations will remain in
force until the Scheme becomes Effective or until 11 February 2016,
save in respect of certain limited information which shall remain
confidential indefinitely. The agreement includes a 12 month mutual
non-solicitation undertaking in respect of Rockhopper and MOG
senior employees and officers.
19. Opening position disclosures and interests
19.1 Rockhopper will make, on the date hereof, an Opening
Position Disclosure, setting out the details required to be
disclosed by it under Rule 8.1(a) of the Takeover Code.
19.2 MOG will make, on the date hereof, an Opening Position
Disclosure, setting out details required to be disclosed by it
under Rule 8.2(a) of the Takeover Code.
20. Overseas shareholders
20.1 The availability of the Rockhopper Consideration Shares
under the terms of the Acquisition to persons not resident in the
United Kingdom may be prohibited or affected by the laws and
regulations of the relevant jurisdictions. Such persons should
inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements.
Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be
contained in the Scheme Document.
20.2 This announcement does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase any securities.
20.3 MOG Shareholders are advised to read carefully the Scheme
Document once it has been dispatched.
21. Expected timetable
21.1 Further details of the Scheme will be contained in the
Scheme Document which is currently expected to be posted to MOG
Shareholders before 20 June 2014, unless otherwise agreed with the
Panel.
21.2 Further details on the timetable for implementation of the
Scheme will be set out in the Scheme Document, which will also
include the notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting
and specify the necessary actions to be taken by MOG Shareholders.
It is currently expected that the Court Meeting and General Meeting
will be held on or around 14 July 2014.
21.3 If the Scheme does not become effective by the Long Stop
Date, the Acquisition will lapse except where the approval of MOG
Shareholders at the Court Meeting and General Meeting is obtained
before this date, in which case the long stop date for the
Acquisition may be extended to such later date as Rockhopper and
MOG may agree and, if appropriate, the Court may approve.
22. Documents on display
Copies of the following documents will be available on the
websites of Rockhopper and MOG at, respectively,
www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk and www.medoilgas.com by not later
than 12 noon on 27 May 2014 (being the Business Day following the
date of this announcement):
-- this announcement;
-- the irrevocable undertakings referred to at paragraph 10
above and summarised in Appendix 3 to this announcement; and
-- the confidentiality agreement referred to at paragraph 18 above.
23. General
The Acquisition will be made subject to the Conditions and on
the terms set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and on the
further terms and conditions to be set out in the Scheme Document.
The Scheme will be governed by English law and subject to the
applicable rules and regulations of the London Stock Exchange, the
Panel and the FCA.
Appendix 1 to this announcement contains the conditions to, and
certain further terms of, the Acquisition. Appendix 2 to this
announcement contains further details of the sources of information
and bases of calculations set out in this announcement. Appendix 3
contains a summary of the irrevocable undertakings given by the MOG
Directors and by certain MOG Shareholders. Appendix 4 contains
definitions of certain expressions used in this summary and in this
announcement.
Enquiries
Rockhopper Exploration plc via Vigo Communications
- 020 7016 9571
Sam Moody, Chief Executive
Stewart MacDonald, Chief Financial Officer
Canaccord Genuity Limited, NOMAD and financial
adviser to Rockhopper 020 7523 8000
Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor
Neil Elliot
Vigo Communications, PR adviser to Rockhopper 020 7016 9571
Peter Reilly
Mediterranean Oil & Gas plc 020 7959 2322
Bill Higgs, Chief Executive
Chris Kelsall, Finance Director
RBC Europe Limited, Rule 3 adviser and joint
broker to MOG 020 7653 4000
Jeremy Low
Matthew Coakes
Liberum Capital Limited, NOMAD, financial
advisor and joint broker to MOG 020 3100 2222
Clayton Bush
Tim Graham
FTI Consulting, PR adviser to MOG 020 3727 1000
Ben Brewerton
Alex Beagley
Further information
This announcement is for information only and is not intended to
and does not constitute, or form part of any offer to sell or
invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, or any
solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant
to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale,
issuance or transfer of securities of Rockhopper or MOG in any
jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This announcement
does not constitute a prospectus or a prospectus equivalent
document. The Acquisition will be made on the terms and subject to
the conditions and further terms set out herein and in Appendix 1
to this announcement and the further terms and conditions to be set
out in the Scheme Document and Forms of Proxy when issued. Any vote
by MOG Shareholders in respect of the Acquisition should be made
only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme
Document, which will include details of how to vote in favour of
the Scheme. MOG Shareholders are advised to read the formal
documentation in relation to the Acquisition which will be
distributed to MOG Shareholders in due course, as it will contain
important information relating to the Acquisition.
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
other information provided by MOG Shareholders, persons with
information rights and other relevant persons in connection with
the receipt of communications from MOG may be provided to
Rockhopper during the Offer Period (as required under Section 4 of
Appendix 4 to the Takeover Code).
Canaccord Genuity Limited, which is authorised and regulated in
the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting
exclusively for Rockhopper and no one else in connection with the
Acquisition and this announcement and will not be responsible to
anyone other than Rockhopper for providing the protections afforded
to clients of Canaccord Genuity Limited nor for providing advice in
connection with the Acquisition or this announcement or any matter
referred to herein.
RBC Europe Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the
Prudential Regulation Authority and is acting as financial adviser
to MOG and no one else in connection with the contents of this
announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than MOG
for providing the protections afforded to clients, or for providing
advice in relation to any matters referred to herein.
Liberum, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom
by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for MOG
and no one else in connection with the Acquisition and this
announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than MOG
for providing the protections afforded to clients of Liberum nor
for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition or this
announcement or any matter referred to herein.
Overseas shareholders
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
or into, jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom and the
availability of the Rockhopper Consideration Shares may be
restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this
announcement comes who are not resident in the United Kingdom
should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal
or regulatory restrictions in those jurisdictions. MOG Shareholders
who are in any doubt regarding such matters should consult an
appropriate independent adviser in the relevant jurisdiction
without delay. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may
constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
the companies involved in the Acquisition disclaim any
responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions
by any person. This document does not constitute an offer to sell,
or the solicitation of any offer to buy, any Rockhopper
Consideration Shares in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or
solicitation would be unlawful.
This announcement has been prepared for the purposes of
complying with English law, the AIM Rules, the rules of the London
Stock Exchange and the Takeover Code and the information disclosed
may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this
announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of any
jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.
The Rockhopper Consideration Shares to be issued pursuant to the
Scheme have not been and will not be registered under the US
Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) (the "Securities Act") or under
the relevant securities laws of any state or territory or other
jurisdiction of the United States, but are expected to be offered
in the United States in reliance upon the exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section
3(a)(10) thereof. The Scheme will be subject to the disclosure
requirements and practices applicable in the UK to schemes of
arrangement, which differ from the disclosure requirements of the
US proxy solicitation rules and tender offer rules. However, if
Rockhopper were to elect (in accordance with the condition in
paragraph (a) of Part (B) of Appendix 1) to implement the
Acquisition by means of a Takeover Offer, such offer will be made
in compliance with the US tender offer rules, to the extent
applicable, or an exemption therefrom.
None of the securities referred to in this document have been
approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange
Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or
any other US regulatory authority, nor have such authorities passed
upon or determined the adequacy or accuracy of this document. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United
States.
Disclosure requirements of the Takeover Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is
interested in 1 per cent or more of any class of relevant
securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange
offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of
which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be,
solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following
the commencement of the Offer Period and, if later, following the
announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first
identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of
the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to
subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree
company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening
Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be
made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the tenth business
day following the commencement of the Offer Period and, if
appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the tenth
business day following the announcement in which any securities
exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in
the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities
exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening
Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or
becomes, interested in 1 per cent or more of any class of relevant
securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange
offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any
relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities
exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the
dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions
in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of
(i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror,
save to the extent that these details have previously been
disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom
Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London
time) on the business day following the date of the relevant
dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a
securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the Offer Period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit
on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you
are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements
with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and
business of the MOG Group and certain plans and objectives of the
boards of directors of MOG and Rockhopper. These forward-looking
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate
only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements
often use words such as "anticipate", "target", "expect",
"estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "will", "may",
"should", "would", "could" or other words of similar meaning. These
statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the
boards of directors of MOG and Rockhopper in light of their
experience and their perception of historical trends, current
conditions, expected future developments and other factors they
believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainty, and the factors described in the
context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement
could cause actual results and developments to differ materially
from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those described in this
announcement. MOG and Rockhopper assume no obligation to update or
correct the information contained in this announcement, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to
the extent legally required.
The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the
date of this announcement, unless some other time is specified in
relation to them, and publication of this announcement shall not
give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the
facts set out in this announcement since such date. Nothing
contained in this announcement shall be deemed to be a forecast,
projection or estimate of the future financial performance of MOG
and Rockhopper except where expressly stated.
No profit forecast
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast or a profit estimate, and no statement in this
announcement should be interpreted to mean that the future earnings
per MOG Share for current or future financial years will
necessarily match or exceed the historical or published earnings
per MOG Share.
BOE presentation
References herein to "boe" mean barrels of oil equivalent
derived by converting gas to oil in the ratio of between 5,500 to
6,000 cubic feet (scf) of gas (dependent on the richness of the
gas) to one barrel (bbl) of oil. Boe may be misleading,
particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6,000
scf: 1 bbl is based on an energy conversion method primarily
applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value
equivalency at the wellhead.
Note regarding Rockhopper oil and gas disclosure
This announcement has been approved by Rockhopper's geological
staff who include Fiona MacAulay (Chief Operating Officer), who is
a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and a Member of the
Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain and American
Association of Petroleum Geologists with over 25 years of
experience in petroleum exploration and management, and who is the
qualified person as defined in the Guidance Note for Mining, Oil
and Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in respect of
AIM companies. In compiling its resource estimates, Rockhopper has
used the definitions and guidelines as set forth in the 2007
Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of
Petroleum Engineers.
Note regarding MOG oil and gas disclosure
This announcement has been approved by MOG's geological staff
who include Dr Bill Higgs (Chief Executive Officer), a geologist,
explorationist and reservoir manager with over 25 years of oil and
gas industry experience, and who is the qualified person as defined
in the Guidance Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies issued by
the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM companies. In compiling
its resource estimates, MOG has used the definitions and guidelines
as set forth in the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System
approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Rule 2.10 Disclosure
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Takeover Code, Rockhopper
confirms that it has 284,722, 509 ordinary shares of 1 pence each
in issue and admitted to trading on AIM under ISIN
GB00B0FVQX23.
appendix 1
terms and conditions
CONDITIONS AND FURTHER TERMS OF THE SCHEME AND THE
ACQUISITION
Part A
Conditions of the Acquisition
1. The Acquisition will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming
unconditional and becoming Effective by not later than 23 November
2014, or such later date (if any) as Rockhopper and MOG may, with
the consent of the Panel (if required), agree and (if required) the
Court may allow.
2. The Scheme will be conditional upon:
(a) (i) its approval by a majority in number, representing 75
per cent or more in value, of Scheme Shareholders present, entitled
to vote and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Court
Meeting (or at any adjournment of such meeting); and
(ii) such Court Meeting being held on or before the date that is
the twenty-second day after the expected date of the Court Meeting
to be set out in the Scheme Document (or such later date as may be
agreed by Rockhopper and MOG);
(b) (i) the special resolution required to approve and implement
the Scheme (including, without limitation, to amend MOG's articles
of association) being duly passed by the requisite majority of MOG
Shareholders at the General Meeting (or at any adjournment of such
meeting); and
(ii) such General Meeting being held on or before the date that
is the twenty-second day after the expected date of the General
Meeting to be set out in the Scheme Document (or such later date as
may be agreed by Rockhopper and MOG);
(c) the sanction of the Scheme and the confirmation of the
Capital Reduction by the Court being obtained (in both cases with
or without modification, any such modification being on terms
acceptable to MOG and Rockhopper); and
(d) the delivery of copies of the Court Orders and the requisite
statement of capital to the Registrar of Companies and, if so
ordered by the Court, the registration of the Reduction Court Order
and such statement of capital by the Registrar of Companies.
3. In addition, Rockhopper and MOG have agreed that the
Acquisition is also conditional on the following conditions having
been satisfied or, where applicable, waived and accordingly the
necessary actions to make the Scheme Effective will not be taken
unless such conditions have been so satisfied or waived:
(a) the London Stock Exchange having acknowledged to Rockhopper
or its agent (and such acknowledgement not having been withdrawn)
that the Rockhopper Consideration Shares will be admitted to
trading on AIM;
(b) the Government of the Republic of Malta, acting through its
relevant department or agency, either confirming, on terms
reasonably satisfactory to Rockhopper, that no regulatory consents
are required for the indirect change of control of Melita
Exploration, or, if any such consents are required, the Government
of the Republic of Malta, acting through its relevant department or
agency, giving the relevant consents, on terms reasonably
satisfactory to Rockhopper;
(c) no government or governmental, quasi-governmental,
supranational, statutory, administrative or regulatory body,
authority, court, trade agency, association, institution,
environmental body or any other person or body in any jurisdiction
(each a "Relevant Authority") having decided to take, instituted,
implemented or threatened any action, proceedings, suit,
investigation, enquiry or reference, or made, proposed or enacted
any statute, regulation, order or decision or taken any other steps
and there not continuing to be outstanding any statute, regulation,
order or decision, which would or might:
(i) make the Acquisition or the acquisition of any MOG Shares,
or control of MOG or any member of the MOG Group, by Rockhopper or
any member of the Rockhopper Group void, illegal and/or
unenforceable under the laws of any jurisdiction or otherwise
materially restrict, restrain, prohibit, delay or interfere with
the implementation thereof, or impose material additional
conditions or obligations with respect thereto, or require material
amendment thereof or otherwise challenge or interfere therewith in
any such case in a manner which is material in the context of the
Acquisition;
(ii) require or prevent the divestiture by any member of the MOG
Group or any company of which 20 per cent or more of the voting
capital is held by any member of the MOG Group or any partnership,
joint venture, firm or company in which any member of the MOG Group
may be interested (the "Wider MOG Group") or by any member of the
Rockhopper Group or any company of which 20 per cent or more of the
voting capital is held by any member of the Rockhopper Group or any
partnership, joint venture, firm or company in which any member of
the Rockhopper Group may be interested (the "Wider Rockhopper
Group") of all or a material portion of their respective
businesses, assets or property or impose any material limitation on
the ability of any of them to conduct their respective businesses
or own any of their material assets or property in any such case in
a manner which is material in the context of the Acquisition;
(iii) impose any limitation on or result in a delay in the
ability of any member of the Wider MOG Group or the Wider
Rockhopper Group to acquire or to hold or to exercise effectively
any rights of ownership of shares or loans or securities
convertible into shares in any member of the Wider MOG Group or of
the Wider Rockhopper Group held or owned by it, or to exercise
management control over any member of the Wider MOG Group or of the
Wider Rockhopper Group to an extent which is material in the
context of the MOG Group taken as a whole or, as the case may be,
the Rockhopper Group taken as a whole;
(iv) impose any limitation on the ability of any member of the
Wider Rockhopper Group or any member of the Wider MOG Group to
conduct, integrate or co-ordinate all or any part of their
respective businesses with all or any part of the business of any
other member of the Wider Rockhopper Group and/or the Wider MOG
Group in a manner which is material in the context of the
Acquisition;
(v) prevent any member of the Wider Rockhopper Group or the
Wider MOG Group from operating all or any part of their businesses
in any jurisdiction in which it currently does so to an extent
which is material in the context of the Acquisition;
(vi) require any member of the Wider Rockhopper Group or the
Wider MOG Group to acquire or offer to acquire any shares or other
securities (or the equivalent) in any member of the Wider MOG Group
or any asset owned by any third party where such acquisition would
be material in the context of the Acquisition; or
(vii) otherwise adversely affect the assets, business, profits,
financial or trading position or prospects of any member of the
Wider Rockhopper Group or of any member of the Wider MOG Group in a
manner which is material in the context of the Acquisition;
and all applicable waiting and other time periods (including any
extensions thereof) during which any such Relevant Authority could
decide to take, institute, implement or threaten any such action,
proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference or take any
other step under the laws of any jurisdiction in respect of the
Acquisition or the acquisition of any MOG Shares or otherwise
intervene having expired, lapsed or been terminated;
(d) all notifications, filings and applications which are
reasonably necessary having been made, all applicable waiting
periods (including any extensions thereof) under any applicable
legislation or regulations of any jurisdiction having expired,
lapsed or been terminated, in each case in respect of the
Acquisition and the acquisition of any MOG Shares, or of control of
MOG, by Rockhopper, and all authorisations, orders, recognitions,
grants, consents, licences, confirmations, clearances, permissions
and approvals ("Authorisations") which are reasonably necessary or
appropriate in any jurisdiction for, or in respect of, the
Acquisition and the proposed acquisition of any MOG Shares, or of
control of MOG, by Rockhopper and to carry on the business of any
member of the Wider Rockhopper Group or of the Wider MOG Group
having been obtained, in terms and in a form satisfactory to
Rockhopper, from all appropriate Relevant Authorities or (without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) from any persons or
bodies with whom any member of the Wider Rockhopper Group or the
Wider MOG Group has entered into contractual arrangements and all
such
Authorisations remaining in full force and effect as at the
Effective Date and there being no intention or proposal to revoke,
suspend or modify or not to renew any of the same and all necessary
statutory or regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having been
complied with;
(e) no temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent
injunction, preliminary or permanent enjoinment, or other order
threatened or issued and being in effect by a Relevant Authority
which has the effect of making the Acquisition or any acquisition
or proposed acquisition of any MOG Shares or control or management
of, any member of the Wider MOG Group by any member of the Wider
Rockhopper Group, or the implementation of either of them, void,
voidable, illegal and/or unenforceable under the laws of any
relevant jurisdiction, or otherwise directly or indirectly
prohibiting, preventing, restraining, restricting, delaying or
otherwise interfering with the consummation or the approval of the
Acquisition or any matter arising from the proposed acquisition of
any MOG Shares, or control or management of, any member of the
Wider MOG Group by any member of the Wider Rockhopper Group, in a
manner which is material in the context of the Acquisition;
(f) except as publicly announced by MOG prior to the date of
this announcement (by the delivery of an announcement to a
Regulatory Information Service), there being no provision of any
arrangement, agreement, licence, permit, franchise, lease, or other
instrument to which any member of the Wider MOG Group is a party or
by or to which any such member or any of their assets is or may be
bound, entitled or be subject to and which, in consequence of the
Acquisition or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any MOG
Shares, or because of a change in the control of MOG by Rockhopper
or otherwise would or might, to an extent which is material in the
context of the Acquisition, result in:
(i) any monies borrowed by, or other indebtedness (actual or
contingent) of, or grant available to, any member of the Wider MOG
Group being or becoming repayable or being capable of being
declared immediately repayable or prior to its or their stated
maturity or the ability of any such member to borrow monies or
incur any indebtedness being withdrawn or inhibited or becoming
capable of being withdrawn or inhibited;
(ii) the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or
other security interest over the whole or any part of the business,
property or assets of any member of the Wider MOG Group or any such
security (whenever arising or having arisen) being enforced or
becoming enforceable;
(iii) any such arrangement, agreement, licence, permit or
instrument of any member of the Wider MOG Group being terminated or
adversely modified or any obligation or liability arising or any
action being taken of an adverse nature thereunder;
(iv) any assets of any member of the Wider MOG Group being
disposed of or charged, or any right arising under which any such
asset could be required to be disposed of or charged, other than in
the ordinary course of business;
(v) the rights, liabilities, obligations, interests or business
of any member of the Wider MOG Group in or with any firm or body or
person, or any agreements or arrangements relating to such interest
or business, being terminated or adversely modified or
affected;
(vi) any member of the Wider MOG Group ceasing to be able to
carry on business under any name under which it presently does
so;
(vii) the creation or acceleration of any liabilities (actual or
contingent) by any member of the Wider MOG Group;
(viii) except as agreed between Rockhopper and MOG, any
liability of any member of the Wider MOG Group to make any
severance, termination, bonus or other payment to any of its
directors or officers; or
(ix) the business, assets, profits, financial or trading
position of any member of the Wider MOG Group being prejudiced or
adversely affected;
(g) except as publicly announced by MOG prior to the date of
this announcement (by the delivery of an announcement to a
Regulatory Information Service), no member of the Wider MOG Group
having, since 31 December 2013:
(i) issued, or agreed to issue or proposed the issue of
additional shares or securities of any class, or securities
convertible into, or exchangeable for or rights, warrants or
options to subscribe for or acquire, any such shares, securities or
convertible securities (save as between MOG and wholly-owned
subsidiaries of MOG and save for options granted, and for any MOG
Shares allotted upon exercise of options granted under the MOG
Share Schemes before the date of this announcement in the ordinary
course of business or as agreed between Rockhopper and MOG), or
redeemed, purchased or reduced any part of its share capital;
(ii) recommended, declared, paid or made or proposed to
recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus, dividend or other
distribution (whether payable in cash or otherwise) other than to
MOG or a wholly-owned subsidiary of MOG;
(iii) agreed, authorised, proposed or announced its intention to
propose any material change in its share or loan capital or merger
or demerger or acquisition or disposal of assets (other than in the
ordinary course of trading) or shares;
(iv) issued, authorised or proposed the issue of any debentures,
or incurred any indebtedness or contingent liability which is
material in the context of the Acquisition;
(v) acquired or disposed of or transferred, mortgaged, charged
or encumbered any asset or any right, title or interest in any
asset (other than in the ordinary course of trading) in a manner
which is material in the context of the Acquisition;
(vi) entered into or varied or announced its intention to enter
into or vary any contract, arrangement or commitment (whether in
respect of capital expenditure or otherwise) which is of a
long-term or unusual nature or involves or could involve an
obligation of a nature or magnitude, which in any such case is
material in the context of the Acquisition;
(vii) entered into or proposed or announced its intention to
enter into any reconstruction, amalgamation, scheme, transaction or
arrangement (otherwise than in the ordinary course of business)
which is material in the context of the Acquisition;
(viii) made any amendment to its articles of association or
other constitutional documents, except as required in the context
of the Scheme;
(ix) entered into any licence or other disposal of intellectual
property rights of any such member which are material in the
context of the Acquisition;
(x) taken any action nor having had any steps taken or legal
proceedings started or threatened against it for its winding-up
(voluntarily or otherwise) or dissolution or striking-off or for it
to enter into any arrangement or composition for the benefit of its
creditors, or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator,
trustee or similar officer of all or any of its assets or revenues
(or any analogous proceedings or appointment in any overseas
jurisdiction);
(xi) been unable, or admitted in writing that it is unable, to
pay its debts or having stopped or suspended (or threatened to stop
or suspend) payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened
to cease carrying on all or a substantial part of its business;
(xii) entered into or varied or made any offer to enter into or
vary the terms of any service agreement or arrangement with any of
the directors of MOG;
(xiii) proposed, agreed to provide or modified the terms of any
share option scheme, incentive agreement, pension scheme
obligations or other benefit relating to employment or termination
of employment of any employee of the Wider MOG Group;
(xiv) waived, compromised or settled any claim which is material
in the context of the Acquisition; or
(xv) entered into or made an offer (which remains open for
acceptance) to enter into any agreement, arrangement or commitment
or passed any resolution with respect to any of the transactions or
events referred to in this Condition 3(f);
(h) since 31 December 2013, except as publicly announced by MOG
prior to the date of this announcement (by the delivery of an
announcement to a Regulatory Information Service):
(i) there having been no adverse change in the business, assets,
financial or trading position or profits or prospects of any member
of the Wider MOG Group which in any such case is material in the
context of the Acquisition;
(ii) no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or
other legal proceedings having been instituted, announced or
threatened by or against or remaining outstanding in respect of any
member of the Wider MOG Group (whether as claimant, defendant or
otherwise) which in any such case is material in the context of the
Acquisition;
(iii) no enquiry, review or investigation by or complaint or
reference to any Relevant Authority against or in respect of any
member of the Wider MOG Group having been threatened, announced or
instituted or remaining outstanding which in any such case is
material in the context of the Acquisition;
(iv) no steps having been taken and no omissions having been
made which would or might result in the withdrawal, cancellation,
termination or adverse modification of any licence or insurance
policy held by any member of the Wider MOG Group which is necessary
for the proper carrying on of its business which in any such case
is material in the context of the Acquisition;
(v) no contingent or other liability having arisen, increased or
been incurred which might reasonably be expected to adversely
affect any member of the MOG Group in a manner which is material in
the context of the Acquisition; and
(i) save as publicly announced by MOG prior to the date of this
announcement (by the delivery of an announcement to a Regulatory
Information Service), Rockhopper not having discovered that:
(i) the financial, business or other information concerning the
Wider MOG Group which has been disclosed at any time by or on
behalf of any member of the Wider MOG Group whether publicly (by
the delivery of an announcement to a Regulatory Information
Service) or to Rockhopper or its professional advisers, either
contains a material misrepresentation of fact or omits to state a
fact necessary to make the information contained therein not
materially misleading in any such case in a manner which is
material in the context of the Acquisition;
(ii) any member of the Wider MOG Group is subject to any
liability, contingent or otherwise, which is not disclosed in the
annual report and accounts of MOG for the financial year ended 31
December 2013 and which is material in the context of the
Acquisition;
(iii) any past or present member of the Wider MOG Group has not
complied with all applicable legislation or regulations of any
jurisdiction or any notice or requirement of any Relevant Authority
with regard to the storage, disposal, discharge, spillage, leak or
emission of any waste or hazardous substance or any substance
likely to impair the environment or harm human health which
non-compliance would be likely to give rise to any liability
(whether actual or contingent) on the part of any member of the
Wider MOG Group which is material in the context of the
Acquisition;
(iv) there has been a disposal, spillage, emission, discharge or
leak of waste or hazardous substance or any substance likely to
impair the environment or harm human health on, or from, any land
or other asset now or previously owned, occupied or made use of by
any past or present member of the Wider MOG Group, or in which any
such member may now or previously have had an interest, which would
be likely to give rise to any liability (whether actual or
contingent) on the part of any member of the Wider MOG Group in any
such case in a manner which is material in the context of the
Acquisition;
(v) there is or is likely to be any material obligation or
liability (whether actual or contingent) to make good, remediate,
repair, reinstate or clean up any property or asset now or
previously owned, occupied or made use of by any past or present
member of the Wider MOG Group or in which any such member may now
or previously have had an interest under any environmental
legislation or regulation or notice, circular or order of any
Relevant Authority in any jurisdiction in any such case in a manner
which is material in the context of the Acquisition, other than any
obligation or liability which is not disclosed in the annual report
and accounts of MOG for the financial year ended 31 December 2013
for an asset owned or formerly owned by the Wider MOG Group;
(vi) circumstances exist (whether as a result of the Acquisition
or otherwise) which would be reasonably likely to lead to any
Relevant Authority instituting, or whereby any member of the Wider
Rockhopper Group or any present or past member of the Wider MOG
Group would be likely to be required to institute, an environmental
audit or take any other steps which would in any such case be
reasonably likely to result in any liability (whether actual or
contingent) to improve, modify existing or install new plant,
machinery or equipment or carry out changes in the processes
currently carried out or make good, remediate, repair, re-instate,
decommission or clean up any land or other asset currently or
previously owned, occupied, operated or made use of or controlled
by any past or present member of the Wider MOG Group (or on its
behalf) or by any person for which a member of the Wider MOG Group
is or has been responsible, or in which any such member may have or
previously has had or is deemed to have had an interest, in any
such case which is material in the context of the Acquisition;
(vii) circumstances exist whereby a person or class of persons
would be likely to have any claim or claims in respect of any
product or process of manufacture or materials used therein now or
previously manufactured, sold or carried out by any past or present
member of the Wider MOG Group, which claim or claims would be
likely to affect adversely any member of the Wider MOG Group to an
extent which is material in the context of the Acquisition;
(viii) there are no adequate procedures in place to prevent
persons associated with MOG from engaging in any activity, practice
or conduct which would constitute an offence under the Bribery Act
2010 or any other applicable anti-corruption legislation; and
(ix) any asset of any member of the Wider MOG Group constitutes
criminal property as defined in section 340(3) of the Proceeds of
Crime Act 2002 (but disregarding paragraph (b) of that definition)
to an extent which is material in the context of the
Acquisition.
Conditions 3(b) to (i) inclusive must be fulfilled, be
determined by Rockhopper to be or remain satisfied or (if capable
of waiver) be waived by Rockhopper by 11.59 p.m. on the date
immediately preceding the Scheme Court Hearing, failing which the
Scheme shall lapse, unless Rockhopper and MOG otherwise agree.
To the extent permitted by law and subject to the requirements
of the Panel, Rockhopper reserves the right to waive all or any of
Conditions 3(b) to (i), in whole or in part. Rockhopper shall be
under no obligation to waive or treat as fulfilled any of
Conditions 3(b) to (i) by earlier than 11.59 p.m. on the date
immediately preceding the Scheme Court Hearing, notwithstanding
that the other Conditions of the Acquisition may at such earlier
date have been waived or fulfilled and that there are at such
earlier date no circumstances indicating that any of such
Conditions may not be capable of fulfilment.
Save with the consent of the Panel, the Scheme will not proceed
if either the European Commission initiates proceedings under
Article 6(1)(c) of Council Regulation (EEC) 4064/89 or the
Competition and Markets Authority makes a Phase 2 merger reference
before the date of the Court Meeting. In such event, neither MOG,
Rockhopper nor any MOG Shareholder will be bound by any term of the
Scheme.
Part B
Certain further terms of the Acquisition
(a) Rockhopper reserves the right to elect to implement the
Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer. In such event, such offer
will (unless otherwise determined by Rockhopper and subject to the
consent of the Panel) be effected on the same terms and conditions
subject to appropriate amendments to reflect the change in method
of effecting the Acquisition.
(b) If Rockhopper is required by the Panel to make an offer for
MOG Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the Takeover Code,
Rockhopper may make such alterations to any of the above conditions
as are necessary to comply with the provisions of that Rule.
(c) The Acquisition and the Scheme and any dispute or claim
arising out of, or in connection with, them (whether contractual or
non-contractual in nature) will be governed by English law and will
be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of
England.
(d) Save to the extent cancelled pursuant to the Scheme, the MOG
Shares will be acquired under the Acquisition fully paid and free
from all liens, charges and encumbrances, rights of pre-emption and
any other third party rights of any nature whatsoever and together
with all rights attaching thereto, including the right to receive
and retain all dividends and other distributions declared, paid or
made after the date of this announcement. If any dividend or other
distribution or return of capital is proposed, declared, made, paid
or becomes payable by MOG in respect of a MOG Share on or after the
date of this announcement and prior to the Scheme becoming
Effective, Rockhopper reserves the right to reduce the value of the
consideration payable for each MOG Share under the Acquisition by
up to the amount per MOG Share of such dividend, distribution or
return of capital except where the MOG Share is or will be acquired
pursuant to the Acquisition on a basis which entitled Rockhopper to
receive the dividend and/or distribution and/or return of capital
and to retain it.
(e) The availability of the Rockhopper Consideration Shares to
persons not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the
laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in
the United Kingdom should inform themselves about and observe any
applicable requirements.
(f) The Rockhopper Consideration Shares to be issued under the
Scheme will be issued credited as fully paid and will rank equally
in all respects with the existing Rockhopper Shares, including the
right to receive in full all dividends and other distributions, if
any, declared, made or paid by reference to a record date falling
after the Effective Date.
(g) Fractions of Rockhopper Consideration Shares will not be
allotted to MOG Shareholders pursuant to the Acquisition. However,
the entitlements of MOG Shareholders will be rounded up or down
(with 0.5 of an Rockhopper Consideration Share being rounded up) to
the nearest whole number of Rockhopper Consideration Shares.
appendix 2
sources of information and bases of calculations
1. As at the close of business on 22 May 2014, being the last
Business Day prior to the date of this announcement:
(a) MOG had in issue 431,359,913 MOG Shares and 38,912,736 Deferred Shares; and
(b) Rockhopper had in issue 284,722,509 Rockhopper Shares.
2. The ISIN for MOG Shares is GB00B0MZGF99 and for Rockhopper Shares is GB00B0FVQX23.
3. The value placed on the issued and to be issued share capital
of MOG of GBP29.3 million is based on: (a) 431,359,913 MOG Shares
in issue on 22 May 2014, being the last Business Day prior to the
date of this announcement; (b) 18,231,487 options being exercised;
and (c) 1,601,431 new MOG Shares to be issued in respect of the MOG
LTIP.
4. The closing share price (sourced from Bloomberg) on 22 May
2014, being the last Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement, of Rockhopper Shares was 94.50 pence and of MOG
Shares was 5.625 pence.
5. Unless otherwise stated, the financial information and other
information included in this announcement has been extracted or
derived, without material adjustment, from:
(a) in the case of MOG, the audited consolidated financial
statements for the MOG Group for the year ended 31 December 2013;
and
(b) in the case of Rockhopper, the audited consolidated
financial statements for the Rockhopper Group for the year ended 31
March 2013, the interim report of the Rockhopper Group for the six
months ended September 2013 and the year end update published on 4
April 2014.
6. An exchange rate of US dollars to pounds sterling of 0.5932
has been used, being the US$/GBP exchange rate as at 5.00 p.m.
(London time) on 22 May 2014, sourced from Bloomberg.
7. An exchange rate of euros to pounds sterling of 0.8098 has
been used, being the EUR/GBP exchange rate as at 5.00 p.m. (London
time) on 22 May 2014, sourced from Bloomberg.
appendix 3
irrevocable undertakings
Rockhopper has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in
favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and in favour of the
resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting in respect of a
total of 137,885,951 MOG Shares, representing, in aggregate,
approximately 31.96 per cent of MOG's existing issued ordinary
share capital.
The MOG Directors have irrevocably undertaken to approve the
necessary resolutions in respect of their entire beneficial
holdings in MOG, which, in aggregate, amount to 2,588,171 MOG
Shares, representing approximately 0.60 per cent of the existing
issued ordinary share capital of MOG. The MOG Directors have also
irrevocably undertaken to approve the necessary resolutions in
respect of their entire holdings of options and awards in the MOG
Share Plans (totalling 18,955,000 MOG Shares), if such options and
awards are exercised or vest prior to the Scheme Voting Record
Time. These irrevocable undertakings will cease to be binding only
if the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn and remain binding if a higher
competing offer for MOG is made.
In addition, Rockhopper has received irrevocable undertakings to
vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and in favour of
the resolution at the General Meeting from certain MOG
Shareholders. These undertakings are in respect of a total of
135,297,780 MOG Shares representing, in aggregate, approximately
31.36 per cent of the existing issued ordinary share capital of MOG
and will cease to be binding only if:
(a) the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn; or
(b) a competing offer for MOG is made which represents, in the
reasonable opinion of RBC, an offer in excess of a 10 per cent
improvement on the sum of (i) the value of the Initial
Consideration and (ii) the Contingent Consideration, having regard
to the cash and non-cash elements and other terms and conditions of
the Acquisition where:
(i) the Contingent Consideration is to be valued (for these
purposes only) at GBP1,921,936 (being the Contingent Consideration
Cap, reduced by the application of a 12 per cent probability of
success (the "Certified POS")); and
(ii) for the purposes of this sub-paragraph (b):
(A) where MOG shareholders are required to vote in relation to
such a competing offer which includes in its terms a contingent
payment linked to the results of the HQ Exploration Well and MOG
shareholders are required to vote in relation to that competing
offer before the result of the HQ Exploration Well has been
announced to the market, the contingent element of the competing
offer shall also be reduced by applying the Certified POS; and
(B) where the competing offer involves securities already
admitted to trading on a recognised investment exchange, the value
ascribed to those securities shall be the middle market quotations
(or equivalent) of such securities at the close of business
immediately following the date of the announcement of the competing
offer.
The irrevocable undertakings received are comprised as
follows:
MOG Directors
% of MOG Shares in
Name Number of MOG Shares issue
------------------------ --------------------- -------------------
Keith Nicholas Henry 1,400,000 0.32
William George Higgs 454,838 0.11
Peter McIntosh Jackson 400,000 0.09
Christopher David
Kelsall 333,333 0.08
------------------------ --------------------- -------------------
Total 2,588,171 0.60
Name Number of options/awards MOG Share Plan
------------------------ ------------------------- ----------------------
MOG Long Term Option
Keith Nicholas Henry 2,000,000 Scheme 2012 award
MOG Long Term Option
675,000 Scheme 2013 award
Global Share Option
William George Higgs 6,000,000 Plan (19 March 2012)
Global Share Option
Plan (23 January
2,000,000 2013)
Global Share Option
Plan (23 January
Peter McIntosh Jackson 1,000,000 2013)
Christopher David Global Share Option
Kelsall 90,000 Plan (March 2010)
Global Share Option
Plan (19 January
2,000,000 2012)
Global Share Option
Plan (23 January
675,000 2013)
Global Share Option
Sergio Morandi 165,000 Plan (March 2010)
Global Share Option
Plan (19 January
2,500,000 2012)
Global Share Option
Plan (23 January
850,000 2013)
Global Share Option
Plan (23 January
Enrico Testa 1,000,000 2013)
------------------------ ------------------------- ----------------------
Total 18,955,000
Other MOG Shareholders
Number of MOG % of MOG Shares
Name Shares in issue
------------------------------- -------------- ----------------
OZ ELS Master Fund Limited 1,824,657 0.42
OZ Global Spec Invest Master
Fund LP 3,374,963 0.78
OZ Europe Master Fund Limited 35,809,535 8.30
OZ Master Fund Limited 80,563,625 18.68
Miles Donnelly 190,000 0.04
Contessa Properties Limited 13,535,000 3.14
------------------------------- -------------- ----------------
Total 135,297,780 31.36
appendix 4
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement
unless the context requires otherwise:
"2C Contingent Resources" those quantities of petroleum in the 2C
contingent resources category (such category
being a best estimate scenario and as defined
in the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management
System (as amended from time to time by
any of its formal updates) sponsored by
the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the
American Association of Petroleum Geologists,
the World Petroleum Council and the Society
of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers) estimated,
as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable,
from known bodies of naturally occurring
petroleum in reservoirs, by application
of development projects but which are not
currently considered to be commercially
recoverable due to one or more contingencies
"Acquisition" the recommended acquisition by Rockhopper
of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary
share capital of MOG, to be effected by
means of the Scheme (or, if Rockhopper
validly elects in accordance with the condition
in paragraph (a) of Part B of Appendix
1, by means of a Takeover Offer), subject
to the Conditions
"Additional MOG Shares" MOG Shares issued after the Reduction Record
Time pursuant to the exercise of options
and awards under the MOG Share Plans
"Additional MOG Shareholders" holders of Additional MOG Shares
"Admission" the admission of the Rockhopper Consideration
Shares to trading on AIM
"Agreed Resources" the HQ Prospect 2C Contingent Resources
as determined in accordance with paragraph
3.3(b) of this announcement
"AIM" AIM, a market operated by the London Stock
Exchange
"AIM Rules" the rules and guidance for companies the
shares of which are admitted to trading
on AIM entitled "AIM Rules for Companies"
published by the London Stock Exchange,
as amended from time to time
"Average Resources" has the meaning given in paragraph 3.3(e)
of this announcement
"barrel" quantity or unit of Crude Oil equal to
42 US gallons at Standard Conditions
"Business Day" any day (excluding any day which is a Saturday,
Sunday or public holiday in England and
Wales) on which banks in the City of London
are open for general banking business
"Cairn" Cairn Energy plc
"Canaccord" Canaccord Genuity Limited, the nominated
adviser to Rockhopper for the purposes
of the AIM Rules and the financial adviser
in relation to the Acquisition
"Capital Reduction" the proposed reduction of the ordinary
share capital of MOG provided for in the
Scheme under section 641 of the Companies
Act
"Companies Act" the Companies Act 2006
"Competent Person" ERC Equipoise Limited or, if such company
is unable or unwilling to act, Gaffney,
Cline & Associates, for the purposes of
preparing the Competent Person's Report
each of whom is an entity with the relevant
and appropriate qualifications, experience
and technical knowledge to professionally
and independently appraise the HQ Prospect
2C Contingent Resources
"Competent Person's the report to be prepared by the Competent
Report" Person which shall determine the number
of barrels of Liquid Hydrocarbons on a
Net Basis in the 2C Contingent Resources
category associated with the HQ Prospect
prepared to the standard determined by
the Society of Petroleum Engineers
"Conditions" the conditions to the implementation of
the Scheme as set out in Appendix 1 to
this announcement and to be set out in
the Scheme Document
"Contingent Consideration" the consideration offered pursuant to,
and subject to the terms of, the Contingent
Consideration Offer
"Contingent Consideration GBP16.0 million
Cap"
"Contingent Consideration has the meaning given in paragraph 3.2
Condition" of this announcement
"Contingent Consideration the contingent entitlement to a one-off
Offer" cash payment of between GBP11.9 million
and the Contingent Consideration Cap, made
subject to the Contingent Consideration
Condition having been met
"contingent resources" those quantities of petroleum estimated,
as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable
from known bodies of naturally occurring
petroleum in reservoirs by application
of development projects but which are not
currently considered to be commercially
recoverable due to one or more contingencies
"Court" the High Court of Justice in England and
Wales
"Court Hearings" the Scheme Court Hearing and the Reduction
Court Hearing
"Court Meeting" the meeting of Scheme Shareholders to be
convened pursuant to an order of the Court
under Part 26 of the Companies Act for
the purpose of considering and, if thought
fit, approving the Scheme (with or without
amendment) including any adjournment thereof
"Court Orders" the Scheme Court Order and the Reduction
Court Order
"CREST" the relevant system, as defined in the
Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001
(SI 2011/3755, as amended), for paperless
settlement of share transfers and the holding
of shares in uncertificated form (in respect
of which Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited
is the operator)
"Crude Oil" petroleum that exists in the liquid phase
in natural underground reservoirs and remains
liquid at Standard Conditions, which may
include small amounts of non-hydrocarbons
produced with the liquids but does not
include liquids obtained from the processing
of natural gas
"Dealing Disclosure" has the same meaning as in Rule 8 of the
Takeover Code
"Deferred Shares" the deferred shares of 19 pence each in
the share capital of MOG
"Effective" the Scheme having become effective pursuant
to its terms
"Effective Date" the date on which the Scheme becomes effective
in accordance with its terms
"Enlarged Group" the Rockhopper Group and the MOG Group
following the Effective Date and completion
of the Acquisition
"Excluded Shares" any MOG Shares registered in the name of
or beneficially owned by any member of
the Rockhopper Group
"FCA" the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority
and shall include any body or authority
which succeeds to any of the duties, powers
and discretions vested in the Financial
Conduct Authority
"Forms of Proxy" the forms of proxy for the Court Meeting
and the General Meeting
"Genel" Genel Energy plc
"General Meeting" the general meeting (including any adjournment
thereof) of MOG Shareholders to be convened
in connection with the Scheme
"HQ Exploration Well" the exploration well targeting the HQ Prospect
"HQ Exploration Well the date on which the oil rig used to drill
Completion Date" the HQ Exploration Well goes Off Hire in
respect of the HQ Exploration Well having
completed the drilling of the HQ Exploration
Well
"HQ Prospect" the Hagar Qim prospect in Offshore Malta
Area 4, Block 7
"HQ Prospect 2C Contingent the 2C Contingent Resources of Liquid Hydrocarbons
Resources" estimated to be potentially recoverable
from the HQ Prospect on a Net Basis
"Initial Consideration" the consideration offered pursuant to,
and subject to the terms of, the Initial
Consideration Offer
"Initial Consideration 4.875 pence in cash and 0.0172 Rockhopper
Offer" Consideration Shares for each Scheme Share
held at the Reduction Record Time and each
Additional MOG Share
"Liberum" Liberum Capital Limited, the nominated
adviser to MOG for the purposes of the
AIM Rules
"Liquid Hydrocarbons" all Crude Oil and condensates that occur
at Standard Conditions together with natural
gas liquids where the natural gas liquids
form no more than 5 per cent of the liquid
hydrocarbon mix by total volume
"London Stock Exchange" London Stock Exchange plc
"Long Stop Date" 23 November 2014 (or such later date as
may, with the consent of the Panel (if
required), be agreed between Rockhopper
and MOG)
"Main Market" the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange
"Malta Oil" Malta Oil Pty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary
of MOG
"Melita Exploration" Melita Exploration Company Limited, a wholly
owned subsidiary of MOG
"mmbbl" million barrels
"mmboe" million barrels of oil equivalent
"mmstb" million stock tank barrels
"MOG" Mediterranean Oil & Gas plc
"MOG Directors" the directors of MOG
"MOG Group" MOG and its subsidiary undertakings
"MOG Shareholders" the holders of MOG Shares
"MOG Share Plans" the Mediterranean Oil & Gas plc Global
Share Option Plan and the Mediterranean
Oil & Gas plc Long Term Incentive Plan
"MOG Shares" the ordinary shares of 1 pence each in
the share capital of MOG
"Net Basis" the percentage interest MOG holds in the
HQ Prospect, being 25 per cent
"Offer Period" the offer period (as defined by the Takeover
Code) relating to MOG, which commenced
on the date of this announcement and which
will end on the earlier of the Effective
Date and the date which the Scheme lapses
or is withdrawn in accordance with its
terms
"Opening Position Disclosure" has the same meaning as in Rule 8 of the
Takeover Code
"Off Hire" the time when the drilling rig moves away
from the HQ Exploration Well having completed
operations on the HQ Exploration Well
"Panel" the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers
"Pmean" percentile mean
"Premier Oil" Premier Oil plc
"prospective resources" those quantities of petroleum which are
estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially
recoverable from undiscovered accumulations
"Rockhopper" Rockhopper Exploration plc
"Rockhopper Consideration the Rockhopper Shares to be issued pursuant
Shares" to the Acquisition and any and all of them
as the context requires
"Rockhopper Directors" the directors of Rockhopper
"Rockhopper Group" Rockhopper and its subsidiary undertakings
"Rockhopper Shares" the ordinary shares of 1 pence each in
the share capital of Rockhopper
"RBC" RBC Europe Limited, the adviser to MOG
for the purposes of Rule 3 of the Takeover
Code
"Reduction Court Hearing" the hearing at which the Reduction Court
order will be sought
"Reduction Court Order" the order of the Court confirming the Capital
Reduction
"Reduction Record Time" 6 p.m., on the Business Day immediately
preceding the date of the Reduction Court
Hearing
"Registrar of Companies" the Registrar of Companies in England and
Wales
"Regulatory Information any information service authorised from
Service" time to time by the FCA for the purpose
of disseminating regulatory announcements
"Relevant Shares" the Scheme Shares and the Additional MOG
Shares
"Relevant Shareholders" the Scheme Shareholders at the Reduction
Record Time and the Additional MOG Shareholders
"Restricted Jurisdictions" any jurisdiction where local laws or regulations
may result in a significant risk of civil,
regulatory or criminal exposure if information
concerning the Acquisition is sent or made
available to MOG Shareholders in that jurisdiction
"Sea Lion" the Sea Lion field and satellite fields
discovered in the North Falkland Basin
"Scheme" the scheme of arrangement proposed to be
made under Part 26 of the Companies Act
between MOG and the Scheme Shareholders
in connection with the Acquisition, the
full terms of which will be set out in
the Scheme Document, with, or subject to,
any amendment, modification or condition
which MOG and Rockhopper agree, and if
required, the Court may approve or impose
"Scheme Court Hearing" the hearing at which the Scheme Court Order
will be sought
"Scheme Court Order" the order of the Court sanctioning the
Scheme under section 899 of the Companies
Act
"Scheme Document" the formal document to be sent to MOG Shareholders
containing, amongst other things, the Scheme,
the terms and conditions of the Acquisition
and the notices convening the Court Meeting
and the General Meeting
"Scheme Shareholders" holders of Scheme Shares
"Scheme Shares" MOG Shares:
(a) in issue as at the date of the Scheme
Document;
(b) (if any) issued after the date of the
Scheme Document and on or prior to the
Scheme Voting Record Time in respect of
the Court Meeting; or
(c) (if any) issued after the Scheme Voting
Record Time in respect of the Court Meeting
but on or prior to the Reduction Record
Time either on terms that the original
or any subsequent holders thereof shall
be bound by the Scheme and/or in respect
of which the original or any subsequent
holders thereof are, or shall have agreed
in writing to be, bound by the Scheme,
but excluding (A) in the case of references
to the "Scheme Shares" or "Scheme Shareholders"
in relation to the Court Meeting any Excluded
Shares in issue at the Scheme Voting Record
Time and (B) in the case of all other references
to "Scheme Shares" and "Scheme Shareholders"
any Excluded Shares in issue at the Reduction
Record Time
"Scheme Voting Record 6.00 p.m. on the day which is two days
Time" before the date of the Court Meeting and
the General Meeting, or if the Court Meeting
or, if the General Meeting is adjourned,
6.00 p.m. on the day which is two days
before the date of such adjourned meeting
"scm" standard cubic meter
"Second Competent Person" Gaffney, Cline & Associates or ERC Equipoise
Limited (if either such company has not
acted as the Competent Person) or (if the
relevant company is unable or unwilling
to act) RPS Group plc, for the purposes
of preparing the Second Competent Person's
Report and is an entity with the relevant
and appropriate qualifications, experience
and technical knowledge to professionally
and independently appraise the 2C Contingent
Resources associated with the HQ Exploration
Well
"Second Competent Person's the report prepared by the Second Competent
Report" Person which shall determine the number
of barrels of Liquid Hydrocarbons on a
Net Basis in the 2C Contingent Resources
category associated with the HQ Prospect
prepared to the standard determined by
the Society of Petroleum Engineers
"Spudded" the moment when the drilling bit of a drilling
rig capable of drilling a well to the authorised
depth penetrates the surface of the sea
bed, as confirmed by the rig operator
"Standard Conditions" 60˚F and 14.7 pounds per square inch
(1 atmosphere)
"STOIIP" stock-tank oil initially in place, being
the volume of oil in a reservoir prior
to production
"Takeover Code" the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers
"Takeover Offer" has the meaning given to it in Part 28
of the Companies Act
"Total Contingent Consideration the total amount which may be payable,
Amount" in aggregate, under the Contingent Consideration
Offer
"United Kingdom" the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland
For the purposes of this announcement, "subsidiary", "subsidiary
undertaking", "undertaking" and "associated undertaking" have the
respective meanings given thereto by the Companies Act.
All references to "pounds", "pounds sterling", "Sterling",
"GBP", "pence", "penny" and "p" are to the lawful currency of the
United Kingdom.
All references to "US$" and "US Dollars" are to the lawful
currency of the United States.
All references to "EUR" and "euro" are to the official currency
of the European Union's member states.
Unless otherwise stated, all times referred to in this
announcement are references to the time in London.
Any reference to any provision of any legislation shall include
any amendment, modification, re-enactment or extension thereof.
Reference to the singular shall include the plural and vice
versa.
- ENDS -
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
ACQEAASDASFLEEF
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