Tlou Energy
Limited
("Tlou"
or "the Company")
Quarterly Activities Report
for the quarter ended 30 September 2024
Ø Tlou's downstream activities
including the grid connection power line, Lesedi & Serowe
substations and generators are nearing completion
Ø Lesedi electrical
substation is
~85% complete with expected completion by the end of the
year
Ø Tier 1 power generation
provider lined up to deliver infrastructure at Tlou's Lesedi
Project when required
Ø Focus is now turning to the
upstream to provide higher and more consistent gas flow
rates
Ø Dr Ian Campbell (Tlou's
largest shareholder) has indicated that he is willing to to provide
funding during this time
Lesedi Substation
Construction - October 2024
Lesedi
Project
Lesedi is Tlou's most advanced
project. Work has been ongoing at Lesedi for some time with the
project targeting first power generation expected in mid-2025.
Lesedi remains at the forefront of Botswana's gas to power sector,
making substantial progress in the development of the proposed 10MW
gas-to-power project.
The Lesedi development is located on
Tlou's 40 Km2property. This property forms part of
Tlou's 800 Km2 mining (production) licence, which
remains valid until 2042. Additionally, all prospecting licences
due for renewal in the past year were successfully renewed. Tlou's
prospecting licences span ~8,000 Km2, ensuring our
continuing exploration and development potential across a vast
area. The Lesedi development involves the following key
elements:
·
Gas production
·
Electricity generation
·
Substation construction
·
Transmission and sale of electricity
The status of each of the above at
the end of the reporting quarter is outlined below.
Gas
production
Coalbed methane gas from the
Company's gas field in central Botswana will be used for power
generation.
To produce gas, the Company drills
dual lateral production wells referred to as "pods" which consist
of a vertical production well and two lateral wells that intersect
the production well. The Company currently has two production pods,
Lesedi 4 and Lesedi 6 which have produced gas at fluctuating
rates.
Once drilled, a pod needs to be
dewatered which involves removing water from the target coal seam
and thereafter gas flow increases. As more and more pods are
drilled the coal will get progressively dewatered which should aid
future gas production.
Lesedi Gas production status
Ø Coal fines
(or particles) produced as part of the drilling and dewatering
process have caused issues with the downhole pump and pod
dewatering
Ø Tlou is
now focusing on methods to maintain maximum water
drawdown
Ø The
objective of this process is to produce higher and more consistent
gas flows for power generation over the coming months
Ø Once gas
flow rates are maximised and generation is commissioned, the
Company is of the opinion that it will be in a stronger position to
seek external capital for expansion
Lesedi 4 and Lesedi 6 continue to
flow gas however, rates fluctuate due to surging water and coal
fines. The Company is investigating methods to manage the influx of
coal fines which can jam the downhole pump making dewatering
inconsistent. Well data, different pumping methods, pumps and pod
configurations are all being reviewed by our operations
team.
The next phase of production well
drilling will then commence once the preferred method of dewatering
and handling coal fines has been agreed and additional funding is
in place.
Maintaining steady and consistent
dewatering should allow the coal reservoir to deliver the highest
and most consistent gas flow possible.
Generation
Tlou is in advanced discussions with
a Tier 1 power generation provider to install a 10MW power
generation facility using reciprocating 1,375 kW Cummins branded
gas engines with GE generators.
It is envisaged that these units will
be delivered, installed and commissioned by the provider, who will
also handle ongoing operations and maintenance.
Power Generators are planned to be
supplied and installed in phases, commensurate with gas production
capacity.
Transmission Line
The 66kV power line connecting Lesedi
to the Serowe substation is virtually complete and is designed to
take up to 25MW of power.
Some minor finishing works, such as
the addition of switchgear at the Serowe substation, will be
carried out prior to the line being energized.
The power line is effectively under
care and maintenance until Tlou is ready to bring it online. It
will provide the Company with access to both the Botswana power
market as well as the Southern African Power Pool.
Lesedi Substation
At the end of September 2024, the
Lesedi substation was approximately 85% complete and Serowe
extensions are ready for commissioning, with final completion
anticipated later this year.
The Lesedi substation is designed for
rapid expansion, enabling Tlou to scale from 10MW to 25MW as gas
production increases, and subject to additional power purchase
agreements.
Botswana Power Corporation is
supplying the first 5MVA transformer to Tlou. Future expansion will
require Tlou to procure and install larger transformers, such as
two 20MVA transformers, which would allow up to 25MW of power with
some system redundancy.
Lesedi Substation and
Transmission Line connection
Power Sales
The power station is anticipated to
be installed, commissioned and tested ready for approval by BPC
ahead of first generation in 2025.
This is subject to receiving adequate
financing and flowing sufficient and consistent gas from existing
and proposed production wells.
Lesedi project licences
The project area has four
Prospecting Licenses (PL) and a Production Licence which is the
focus area for the development of Tlou's independently certified
gas reserves and contingent resources. The table below summarises
the status of the Lesedi licences:
Licence
|
Expiry
|
Status
|
Production Licence
2017/18L
|
Aug-42
|
Current
|
PL001/2004
|
Mar-26
|
Current
|
PL003/2004
|
Mar-26
|
Current
|
PL035/2000
|
Mar-25
|
Current
|
PL037/2000
|
Mar-25
|
Current
|
****
Other Project Areas
In addition to the Lesedi project
the Company has two other areas of interest adjacent to Lesedi
known as the Mamba and Boomslang projects.
Mamba
Project
The Mamba project is in the
exploration and evaluation phase with further operations required
on the licences. It consists of five Prospecting Licences covering
an area of approximately 4,500 Km2. In the event of
successful drilling results at Mamba, it is envisioned that this
area would be developed as a separate project from Lesedi. The
Mamba area provides the Company with flexibility and optionality.
The status of the Mamba licences are as follows:
Licence
|
Expiry
|
Status
|
PL 237/2014
|
Dec-25
|
Current
|
PL 238/2014
|
Dec-25
|
Current
|
PL 239/2014
|
Dec-25
|
Current
|
PL 240/2014
|
Dec-25
|
Current
|
PL 241/2014
|
Mar-26
|
Current
|
Further work on the Mamba project is
proposed once the Lesedi project is in production with initial work
likely to include a seismic survey and the drilling of
core-holes.
Boomslang
Project
Prospecting Licence, PL011/2019
designated "Boomslang", is approximately 1,000 Km2. To
date, the Company has not carried out ground operations in the
Boomslang area. Like the Mamba project the first stage of
operations is likely to include a seismic survey following by
core-hole drilling.
The status of the Boomslang licence
is as follows:
Licence
|
Expiry
|
Status
|
PL 011/2019
|
Jun-26
|
Current
|
PL renewal applications are
submitted three months prior to expiration.
****
Cash Position
At the end of the quarter the
Company had ~A$944k cash on hand (unaudited). The aggregate value
of payments to related parties and their associates of A$187k for
the quarter (shown in item 6.1 of the Quarterly Cashflow Report)
relates to directors' salaries and fees (including tax and
superannuation payments made on their behalf) and office
rent.
Dr Ian Campbell of ILC Investments
Pty Limited, Tlou's largest shareholder, has indicated that he is
willing to provide a loan facility to the Company up to A$5m to
advance gas production operations. Further details will be released
once the agreement is in place.
The information contained within
this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as
stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law
by virtue of the European Union (withdrawal) Act 2018. The
information is disclosed in accordance with the Company's
obligations under Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of
this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be
in the public domain.
By
Authority of the Board of Directors
Mr. Anthony Gilby
Managing Director
****
For further information regarding
this announcement please contact:
Tlou Energy
Limited
|
+61 7 3040
9084
|
Tony Gilby,
Managing Director
|
|
Solomon
Rowland, General Manager
|
|
|
|
Grant
Thornton (Nominated Adviser)
|
+44 (0)20
7383 5100
|
Harrison
Clarke, Colin Aaronson,
Elliot Peters
|
|
|
|
Zeus Capital (UK
Broker)
|
+44 (0)20
3829 5000
|
Simon Johnson
|
|
|
|
Investor Relations
|
|
Ashley Seller (Australia)
|
+61 418 556
875
|
FlowComms Ltd - Sasha Sethi
(UK)
|
+44 (0)
7891 677 441
|
About Tlou
Tlou is developing energy solutions
in Sub-Saharan Africa through gas-fired power and ancillary
projects. The Lesedi Gas-to-Power Project ("Lesedi") is 100% owned
and is the Company's most advanced project. Tlou's competitive
advantages include the ability to drill cost effectively for gas,
operational experience and Lesedi's strategic location in relation
to energy customers. All major government approvals have been
achieved.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement may contain
certain forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ
materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking information involves risks and
uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results. No
representation is made that any of those statements or forecasts
will come to pass or that any forecast results will be achieved.
You are cautioned not to place any reliance on such statements or
forecasts. Those forward-looking and other statements speak only as
at the date of this announcement. Save as required by any
applicable law or regulation, Tlou Energy Limited undertakes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity or oil and gas
exploration entity
quarterly cash flow report
Name of entity
|
Tlou Energy Limited
|
ABN
|
|
Quarter ended ("current
quarter")
|
79 136 739 967
|
|
30 September 2024
|
Consolidated statement of cash
flows
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
Year to date (3 months)
$A'000
|
1.
|
Cash flows from operating
activities
|
|
|
1.1
|
Receipts from customers
|
1.2
|
Payments for
|
|
|
|
(a) exploration &
evaluation
|
|
(b)
development
|
|
|
|
(c)
production
|
|
|
|
(d) staff
costs
|
(263)
|
(263)
|
|
(e) administration and
corporate costs
|
(571)
|
(571)
|
1.3
|
Dividends received (see
note 3)
|
|
|
1.4
|
Interest received
|
1
|
1
|
1.5
|
Interest and other costs of finance
paid
|
|
|
1.6
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
|
1.7
|
Government grants and tax
incentives
|
|
|
1.8
|
Other (provide details if
material)
|
|
|
1.9
|
Net
cash from / (used in) operating activities
|
(833)
|
(833)
|
|
2.
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
2.1
|
Payments to acquire or
for:
|
|
(a) entities
|
|
(b) tenements
|
|
|
|
(c) property, plant and
equipment
|
|
|
|
(d) exploration &
evaluation
|
(1,740)
|
(1,740)
|
|
(e)
investments
|
|
|
|
(f) other
non-current assets
|
|
|
2.2
|
Proceeds from the disposal
of:
|
|
|
|
(a) entities
|
|
(b) tenements
|
|
|
|
(c) property, plant and
equipment
|
|
|
|
(d)
investments
|
|
|
|
(e) other non-current
assets
|
|
|
2.3
|
Cash flows from loans to other
entities
|
|
|
2.4
|
Dividends received (see
note 3)
|
|
|
2.5
|
Other (provide details if
material)
|
|
|
2.6
|
Net
cash from / (used in) investing activities
|
(1,740)
|
(1,740)
|
|
3.
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
996
|
996
|
3.1
|
Proceeds from issues of equity
securities (excluding convertible debt securities)
|
3.2
|
Proceeds from issue of convertible
debt securities
|
|
|
3.3
|
Proceeds from exercise of
options
|
|
|
3.4
|
Transaction costs related to issues
of equity securities or convertible debt securities
|
|
|
3.5
|
Proceeds from borrowings
|
|
|
3.6
|
Repayment of borrowings
|
|
|
3.7
|
Transaction costs related to loans
and borrowings
|
|
|
3.8
|
Dividends paid
|
|
|
3.9
|
Other (provide details if
material)
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
3.10
|
Net
cash from / (used in) financing activities
|
991
|
991
|
|
4.
|
Net
increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the
period
|
|
|
4.1
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period
|
2,517
|
2,517
|
4.2
|
Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities (item 1.9 above)
|
(833)
|
(833)
|
4.3
|
Net cash from / (used in) investing
activities (item 2.6 above)
|
(1,740)
|
(1,740)
|
4.4
|
Net cash from / (used in) financing
activities (item 3.10 above)
|
991
|
991
|
4.5
|
Effect of movement in exchange rates
on cash held
|
9
|
9
|
4.6
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
944
|
944
|
5.
|
Reconciliation of cash and cash
equivalents at the end of the quarter
(as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows) to the
related items in the accounts
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
Previous quarter
$A'000
|
5.1
|
Bank balances
|
944
|
2,517
|
5.2
|
Call deposits
|
|
|
5.3
|
Bank overdrafts
|
|
|
5.4
|
Other (provide details)
|
|
|
5.5
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter (should equal
item 4.6 above)
|
944
|
2,517
|
6.
|
Payments to related parties of the
entity and their associates
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
6.1
|
Aggregate amount of payments to
related parties and their associates included in
item 1
|
187
|
6.2
|
Aggregate amount of payments to
related parties and their associates included in
item 2
|
|
Note: if any amounts are shown in items 6.1 or 6.2, your
quarterly activity report must include a description of, and an
explanation for, such payments.
|
7.
|
Financing facilities Note: the term "facility' includes all forms of financing
arrangements available to the entity.
Add notes as necessary for an
understanding of the sources of finance available to the
entity.
|
Total facility amount at quarter
end
$A'000
|
Amount drawn at quarter end
$A'000
|
7.1
|
Loan facilities
|
1,000
|
480
|
7.2
|
Credit standby
arrangements
|
|
|
7.3
|
Other (please specify)
|
|
|
7.4
|
Total financing facilities
|
1,000
|
480
|
|
|
|
7.5
|
Unused financing facilities available at quarter
end
|
520
|
7.6
|
Include in the box below a
description of each facility above, including the lender, interest
rate, maturity date and whether it is secured or unsecured. If any
additional financing facilities have been entered into or are
proposed to be entered into after quarter end, include a note
providing details of those facilities as well.
|
ILC BC Pty Ltd (the "Financier") has
provided an unsecured loan facility that enables Tlou Energy
Limited (the "Borrower") to seek advances from time to time from
the Financier up to a maximum amount of A$1 million or such higher
amount as the Financier might in future agree in writing. Interest
is charged at 10% per annum on amounts drawn down. The loan is
repayable 10 Business Days after the Financier requests payment of
all outstanding amounts from the Borrower or when the Borrower
elects to repay the Financier all outstanding amounts.
|
8.
|
Estimated cash available for future
operating activities
|
$A'000
|
8.1
|
Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities (item 1.9)
|
833
|
8.2
|
(Payments for exploration & evaluation classified as investing
activities) (item 2.1(d))
|
1,740
|
8.3
|
Total relevant outgoings
(item 8.1 + item 8.2)
|
2,573
|
8.4
|
Cash and cash equivalents at quarter
end (item 4.6)
|
944
|
8.5
|
Unused finance facilities available
at quarter end (item 7.5)
|
520
|
8.6
|
Total available funding
(item 8.4 + item 8.5)
|
1,464
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
Estimated quarters of funding available (item 8.6 divided
by item 8.3)
|
0.6
|
Note: if the entity has reported positive relevant outgoings
(ie a net cash inflow) in item 8.3, answer item 8.7 as
"N/A". Otherwise, a figure for the estimated quarters of funding
available must be included in item 8.7.
|
8.8
|
If item 8.7 is less than
2 quarters, please provide answers to the following
questions:
|
|
8.8.1 Does
the entity expect that it will continue to have the current level
of net operating cash flows for the time being and, if not, why
not?
|
|
Answer: The net operating cash flow
can fluctuate depending on operational requirements in a specific
quarter. Is it expected that the next quarter will be similar to
the level of net operating cash flows in this reporting
period.
|
|
8.8.2 Has
the entity taken any steps, or does it propose to take any steps,
to raise further cash to fund its operations and, if so, what are
those steps and how likely does it believe that they will be
successful?
|
|
Answer: The company is working on
raising additional capital in the near term. Discussions are
ongoing with potential funding partners that are interested in
providing capital for the company to achieve its stated target of
getting connected to the power grid in Botswana and selling
electricity. Negotiations with potential partners has been positive
but the company cannot guarantee that
sufficient capital will be raised. The Company is also in advanced
discussions with its largest shareholder to increase the current
loan facility from ILC BC Pty Ltd from A$1m to A$5m to support the
Company's ongoing gas production operations until another funding
partner is secured.
|
|
8.8.3 Does
the entity expect to be able to continue its operations and to meet
its business objectives and, if so, on what basis?
|
|
Answer: The company expects to be
able to continue operations and meet business objectives based on
support from its largest shareholder or from funds raised via
alternative sources. Any delay in funding may result in a delay or
postponement of planned activities until sufficient capital becomes
available.
|
|
Note: where item 8.7 is less than 2 quarters, all of
questions 8.8.1, 8.8.2 and 8.8.3 above must be
answered.
|
Compliance statement
1 This statement has
been prepared in accordance with accounting standards and policies
which comply with Listing Rule 19.11A.
2 This statement
gives a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Date:
.....30/10/2024...............................................................
Authorised by: ....By the
Board.............................................................
(Name of body or officer authorising
release - see note 4)
Notes
1. This
quarterly cash flow report and the accompanying activity report
provide a basis for informing the market about the entity's
activities for the past quarter, how they have been financed and
the effect this has had on its cash position. An entity that wishes
to disclose additional information over and above the minimum
required under the Listing Rules is encouraged to do so.
2. If
this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance
with Australian Accounting Standards, the definitions in, and
provisions of, AASB 6:
Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources and
AASB 107: Statement of Cash
Flows apply to this report. If this quarterly cash flow
report has been prepared in accordance with other accounting
standards agreed by ASX pursuant to Listing Rule 19.11A, the
corresponding equivalent standards apply to this report.
3.
Dividends received may be classified either as cash flows from
operating activities or cash flows from investing activities,
depending on the accounting policy of the entity.
4. If
this report has been authorised for release to the market by your
board of directors, you can insert here: "By the board". If it has
been authorised for release to the market by a committee of your
board of directors, you can insert here: "By the [name of board committee - eg Audit and Risk Committee]". If it
has been authorised for release to the market by a disclosure
committee, you can insert here: "By the Disclosure
Committee".
5. If
this report has been authorised for release to the market by your
board of directors and you wish to hold yourself out as complying
with recommendation 4.2 of the ASX Corporate Governance
Council's Corporate Governance
Principles and Recommendations, the board should have
received a declaration from its CEO and CFO that, in their opinion,
the financial records of the entity have been properly maintained,
that this report complies with the appropriate accounting standards
and gives a true and fair view of the cash flows of the entity, and
that their opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system
of risk management and internal control which is operating
effectively.