TIDMVGAS
RNS Number : 1622A
Volga Gas PLC
25 September 2015
25 September 2015
Volga Gas plc
('Volga Gas' or 'the Company' or 'the Group')
RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2015
Volga Gas, the oil and gas exploration and production group
operating in the Volga region of Russia, announces its results for
the six months ended 30 June 2015.
HIGHLIGHTS
OIL, GAS AND CONDENSATE PRODUCTION
-- As previously announced, production volumes in H1 2015 were
materially impacted by disruptions to the regional markets for
condensate.
-- Group production averaged 2,624 barrels of oil equivalent per
day ("boepd") in H1 2015 (H1 2014: 4,419 boepd). However,
production during March and April 2015 averaged 4,163 boepd, more
closely reflecting actual well capacity.
-- Group production capacity after placing the new VM#3 and VM#4
wells on production is expected to rise to over 6,000 boepd.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
-- The financial performance reflects previously announced lower
sales volumes and prices and materially higher formula rates of
production taxes introduced on 1 January 2015.
-- Revenues of US$7.9 million (H1 2014: US$23.2 million).
-- EBITDA of negative US$0.3 million (H1 2014: positive US$11.2 million).
-- Loss before tax of US$1.6 million (H1 2014: profit of US$8.0
million) including US$0.4 million provision for loss on fraudulent
cash withdrawal (H1 2014: nil).
-- Net loss of US$1.6 million (H1 2014: net profit of US$6.2 million).
-- Net cash flow from operations before working capital
movements of negative US$0.5 million (H1 2014: positive US$10.7
million).
-- Cash at 30 June 2015 of US$11.5 million (31 December 2014
US$15.8 million at) and no debt (US$ nil at 31 December 2014).
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
-- Successful drilling of sidetrack to VM#4 and completion of drilling on VM#3 production wells.
-- Including the new wells, production capacity on the Vostochny
Makarovskoye ("VM") field is expected to be sufficient to deliver
the target 1 million cubic metres per day (35.3 mmcf/d) production
plateau.
-- Front-end engineering and design study on a new two-stage
amine sweetening and LPG extraction project for a major
redevelopment of the Dobrinskoye gas processing plant.
-- Commenced drilling sidetracks to two existing oil wells on
the Uzen and Sobolevskoye fields to rebuild declining oil
production.
BOARD AND MANAGEMENT
-- On 5 May 2015, Andrey Zozulya was appointed to the Board of
Volga Gas and as Group Chief Executive Officer.
-- The former CEO, Mikhail Ivanov remains on the Board and has
as of 6 June 2015 become Chairman.
Andrey Zozulya, Chief Executive Officer of Volga Gas, said:
"Since the start of 2015, the business environment has been very
challenging for a small, domestically oriented Russian oil gas and
condensate producer like Volga Gas. It is fortunate that the Group
entered this challenging period in robust financial condition so
that it has been able to continue with the development of its
assets. Now, with the majority of the current capital programme
executed, the Group should be able to benefit from its increased
production capacity and has a solid base from which to grow its
production.
"As incoming Chief Executive, I am excited about the Group's
assets and the longer term potential to deliver future growth in
the assets and the value of the business both organically and by
selective acquisition."
For further information, please contact:
Volga Gas plc
Andrey Zozulya, Chief Executive Officer +7 903 385 9889
Tony Alves, Chief Financial Officer +44 20 8622 4451
FTI Consulting
Edward Westropp, Alex Beagley +44 (0)20 3727 1000
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Nominated
Adviser and Broker)
Michael Shaw, Ashton Clanfield +44 (0)20 7710 7600
Editors' notes:
Volga Gas is an independent oil and gas exploration and
production company operating in the Volga region of Russia. The
company has 100% interests in its four licence areas.
The information contained in this announcement has been reviewed
and verified by Mr. Andrey Zozulya, Director and Chief Executive
Officer of Volga Gas plc, for the purposes of the Guidance Note for
Mining, Oil and Gas companies issued by the London Stock Exchange
in June 2009. Mr. Andrey Zozulya has a degree in Geophysics and
Engineering from the Groznensky Oil & Gas Institute and is a
member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Glossary
Bopd Barrels of oil per day
Boepd Barrels of oil equivalent per day, in which 6,000 cubic
feet of natural gas is equated to one barrel of oil
Bpd Barrels per day
mcf thousands of standard cubic feet
mcm thousands of standard cubic metres
mcm/d thousands of standard cubic metres per day
m(3) standard cubic metre
mmcf/d millions of standard cubic feet per day
mmcm/d millions of standard cubic metres per day
RUR Russian Rouble
Interim Management Report
Volga Gas and its subsidiaries (together, the "Group") are
involved in the production of and exploration for oil and gas in
four licence areas in the Volga Region of Russia.
The key operational activities of H1 2015 were the successful
drilling of a sidetrack to the VM#4 production well on the VM
field. On conclusion of testing of this well and of the ongoing
development of the VM#3 well, a significant increase in total
production capacity is expected to be realised.
As announced, during H1 2015 the financial performance of Volga
Gas as reported in US dollars has been substantially impacted by
the sharp reduction in oil prices, the devaluation of the Russian
Ruble and disruptions to the regional market for oil products. As a
consequence of the market disruptions, total production reported
for H1 2015 is well below the capabilities of our existing wells
and revenue for the period is significantly below that reported in
H1 2014. However, thanks to the strong financial positon of the
Group at the start of the year, Volga Gas has been able to continue
the development of its key assets and has been able to meet its
current capital expenditure commitments. Based on these
developments, and subject to market conditions, the Group expects
to be able to increase its revenues and profits at the current low
oil prices.
Production Operations
Gas and condensate production - Dobrinskoye and VM fields
The Dobrinskoye and VM fields are managed as a single business
unit. Production from the fields is processed at the gas plant
located next to the Dobrinskoye field, extracting the condensate
and processing the gas to pipeline standards before input into
Gazprom's regional pipeline system via an inlet located at the
plant. During normal market conditions, the plant continues to
operate at a rate of 500 mcm/d (approximately 17.7 mmcf/d). Under
the current operating configuration, the plant is expected to be
able to process up to 750 mcm/d (21.2 mmcf/d). The Board of Volga
Gas has sanctioned further development of the gas plant in order to
increase the operational capacity and significantly enhance its
economic performance.
During H1 2015, the combined gas and condensate production
derived from both fields averaged 9.7 mmcf/d of gas and 543 bpd of
condensate (H1 2014: 15.9 mmcf/d of gas and 1,025 bpd of
condensate). The major cause of this reduction in output was
extended periods of disruption to the market for condensate during
which the fields had to be shut in for lack of sales. These market
effects had major impacts during H1 2015. During March and April
2015 production averaged 17.0 mmcf/d of gas and 908 bpd of
condensate, which more accurately reflect the actual capabilities
of the fields.
Gas continues to be sold to Trans Nafta at a fixed Ruble price.
During H1 2015, the average price realised was equivalent to
approximately US$1.55 per mcf, net of VAT (H1 2014: US$2.63). The
change in the US dollar equivalent price is entirely attributable
to the devaluation of the Russian Ruble.
During H1 2015 the average condensate sales price was US$28.01
per barrel (H1 2014: US$48.45 per barrel). This primarily reflects
the fall in international oil prices but also the effect of a wider
discount to netback pricing that has occurred in the domestic
market in the Volga region experienced particularly during January
and February 2015.
Unit production costs on the gas-condensate fields were
approximately level at US$6.44 per boe (H1 2014: US$6.23). Although
the actual expenses incurred were down significantly as a result of
the Ruble devaluation, the lower production levels and the
non-volume related component of costs had an impact on the unit
production costs.
As of 1 January 2015, new rates of Mineral Extraction Tax
("MET") came into effect, with increased rates applying to gas and
a large (4.5 fold) increase applying to the formula rate for
condensate. As a result, the MET charged on our gas and condensate
production has increased to 33.6% of revenue during H1 2015 (H1
2014: 10.9%). This has had a significant impact on the economics of
gas-condensate production.
Oil production - Uzenskoye fields
During H1 2015, oil production averaged 471 bopd (H1 2014: 738
bopd). There was some market-related disruption to oil sales during
the period, but the main cause for the drop in oil production was
natural decline in the existing wells on the Uzenskoye field and
the cessation of production from the Sobolevskoye field.
Sales prices realised from crude oil decreased, averaging
US$29.84/bbl net of VAT in H1 2015 (H1 2014: US$50.15/bbl).
Production costs remained low at $3.10/bbl (H1 2014: $2.99/bbl).
MET formula rates applying to oil production also increased
significantly at the start of 2015. As a result, the MET expense in
H1 2015 rose to 54% of revenues (H1 2014: 44%).
Development
VM Field
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During H1 2015, Eurasia Drilling mobilised a rig onto the VM
licence to drill a sidetrack to the VM#4 well, originally drilled
in 2008/9, and to complete the drilling of the VM#3 production well
which commenced in 2014 with another contractor which did not reach
target depth.
By May 2015, drilling on the VM#4 sidetrack was concluded, the
deviated well section having intersected a total reservoir of 40
metres. Based on flow testing, management anticipates that this
well could be the most productive on the VM field, being capable of
sustaining a flow rate of up to 350 mcm/d (12.4 mmcf/d).
Drilling of the VM#3 well continued into H2 2015 and was
concluded towards the end of August 2015. In this well, the top of
the reservoir section was found higher than anticipated and total
pay of up to 100 metres is expected. Testing and evaluation is
ongoing and should be concluded by the end of September 2015.
Based on this successful drilling and with continuing management
of the existing well stock including, as appropriate, acid wash
treatments, it seems likely that no further drilling will be
required to produce the VM field at the target plateau rate of 1.0
mmcm/d (35.3 mmcf/d).
Gas plant upgrade
During H1 2015 minor upgrades on the gas plant have been carried
out to meet specifications required by the regulatory authorities.
Following completion of these works, the plant is capable of
processing up to 750 mcm/d (26.5 mmcf/d) of gas, the principal
constraint being the logistics of handling the waste chemicals
generated from the sweetening process used at the plant.
Having examined a number of alternatives, the Group has decided
to pursue a two staged re-development of the gas plant. The first
stage of this is to introduce amine based gas sweetening. The
appropriate equipment has been identified and the capital cost for
this stage of the upgrade has been estimated at less than US$10.0
million. This is expected to take less than one year from sanction
to commissioning. Completion of this first stage would enable the
plant to achieve operational capacity of 1.0 mmcm/d (35.3 mmcf/d)
and would, at that rate of operations lead to an annualised cost
saving of over US$6.0 million as well as higher revenues from the
incremental gas and condensate volumes.
The second stage of the redevelopment would be a further upgrade
the gas plant to include recovery of liquefied petroleum gases
("LPG"), principally propane and butane that are currently flared
in the process of stabilization of condensate. This, also, is
believed to be a value enhancing investment albeit of a larger
scale.
Uzen and Sobolevskoye oil fields
Drilling of sidetracks to two existing non-producing oil wells
on these fields is under way currently and expected to be concluded
by October 2015. If successful, these wells will enable higher
levels of oil production before the end of 2015.
Financial Review
Results of Operations
For the six months ended 30 June 2015, Group revenue decreased
to US$7.9 million (H1 2014: US$23.2 million) reflecting, as
previously announced, lower production volumes, lower oil prices
and the devaluation of the Russian Ruble. As a result of
significant increases in the formula rates of Mineral Extraction
Tax applied to oil and especially to condensate, the Group achieved
only a small gross profit of US$0.3 million (H1 2014: US$10.7
million) for the period.
With no exploration expenses (H1 2014: nil) and administrative
expenses of US$1.5 million (H1 2014: US$2.2 million), there was an
operating loss of US$1.2 million (H1 2014: profit of US$8.5
million).
During May 2015 an external cyber-attack on certain bank
accounts held by the Group's Russian subsidiaries resulted in
fraudulent transfers from these accounts. Some of the funds
transferred were returned immediately, a proportion of RUR35.4
million (US$0.6 million) has been frozen by Court order and is
expected to be recovered shortly while a further sum of RUR22.1
million (US$0.4 million) was moved onwards before the recipient
accounts could be frozen. While the Group continues to seek full
recovery, a provision of US$0.4 million has been made in the
accounts.
After these and other net losses of US$62,000 (H1 2014: US$0.6
million), arising in both years mainly from foreign exchange, the
loss before tax was US$1.6 million (H1 2014: profit of US$8.0
million). In H1 2015 there was a no tax charge (H1 2014: deferred
tax charge of US$1.9 million).
EBITDA, calculated as operating income before exploration
expenses, depletion and depreciation was negative US$0.3 million
(H1 2014: positive US$11.2 million).
Oil and condensate sales are made at the field facilities and
the gas plant respectively and are sold to domestic customers and
accounted in H1 2015 for US$5.2 million of sales (H1 2014: US$15.6
million). Average realizations for the six months to 30 June 2015
were US$28.87 per barrel of oil and condensate (H1 2014: US$48.45
per barrel). Gas sales during H1 2015 amounted to US$2.7 million
(H1 2014: US$7.6 million) reflecting lower sales volumes and the
devaluation of the Ruble which led to a decline in the US dollar
equivalent average gas price from US$2.63/mcf in H1 2014 to
US$1.55/mcf in H1 2015. In RUR terms, the gas price was unchanged
in the period.
For the six months to 30 June 2015, Mineral Extraction Tax
accounted for 39.1% of revenues (H1 2014: 20.7%), reflecting the
previously announced significant increases in the formula rates
applied to oil and especially to condensate that came into effect
on 1 January 2015.
Production costs in H1 2015 were 45.0% of revenues (H1 2014:
20.7%). In spite of a reduction in the level of fixed costs as a
result of the RUR devaluation, the constrained gas and condensate
production impacted the cost ratio significantly. The Depletion and
Depreciation charge was 12.3% of revenues (H1 2014: 11.5%).
Cash flow from operating activities before working capital
movements in H1 2015 was negative US$0.5million (H1 2014: positive
$10.7 million).
Capital Expenditure
For the six months ended 30 June 2015, the Group incurred
capital expenditures of US$2.1million (H1 2014: US$2.4 million).
The capital expenditure in H1 2015 was mainly incurred on the
drilling of VM#4 well and other additions to the VM field and the
gas plant.
Cash Position
The Group had cash balances at 30 June 2015 of US$11.5 million
(31 December 2014: US$15.8 million), and no debt (31 December 2014:
nil). The cash balance for 30 June 2015 excludes amounts of
US$0.562 million expected to be recovered from the funds
fraudulently transferred from Group accounts in May 2015.
Dividend
On 10 July 2014, the Company announced the Board's dividend
policy, which is to pay out up to 50% of net income as cash
dividends. Given the interim losses, it is not expected that
dividends will be paid in respect of the current financial year.
The policy remains unchanged, although in addition to the net
income, the Board will consider the financial requirements of the
Group when judging on dividend payments or other distributions.
Outlook
During July and early August 2015, gas production was
constrained by scheduled pipeline maintenance by Gazprom and in
those two months Group production averaged 3,474 boepd.. Since the
pipeline maintenance was completed on 7 August 2015 production has
been running consistently at approximately 4,300 boepd. This level
of production is expected to be sustained, subject to domestic
market conditions. Having successfully completed drilling and
testing of VM#3 and VM#4, these new wells are planned to be brought
on stream during 4Q 2015 and 1Q 2016. During this period, gas
production is planned to be increased from 500 to 750 mcm/d, which
would take Group production capacity to a level of approximately
6,000 boepd.
International oil prices have weakened since June 2015 as has
the Russian Ruble, both of which would impact the reported
financial results for the full year 2015 if continued through the
rest of 2015.
Based on current activity and plans for 2015, the Group's
capital expenditure in H2 2015 is expected to be approximately
US$8.6 million, making a total for the full year 2015 of US$11.0
million. The current cash resources combined with cash generated
from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet these
expenditures.
Management has proposed to pursue a two staged redevelopment of
the existing gas processing plant with the first stage being the
construction of an amine-based sweetening unit. The capital
expenditure associated with this is currently estimated to be
US$10.0 million. This would require the Group to raise additional
finance and is contingent on the required debt funding being
secured on acceptable terms.
The continuing operational focus of management is on managing
the existing asset base so as to maximize the production and cash
generation capabilities so as to lay a foundation for future
growth.
Principle Risks and Uncertainties
The risks described on pages 12-13 and in Note 3 - Financial
Risk Management on pages 34-36 of the 2014 Annual Report, a copy of
which can be obtained from www.volgagas.com, remain extant. One
such risk highlighted there is changes to Mineral Extraction Taxes.
Under existing legislation, the formulae used for calculation of
these taxes are scheduled to lead to further increases in 2016. In
addition, the Russian government is reported to have proposed
additional measures that may further increase extraction taxes and
duty rates. The potential impact of these additional measures is
yet to be assessed in detail.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this interim report are forward-looking.
Although the Group believes that the expectations reflected in
these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no
assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct.
Because these statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual
results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements.
VOLGA GAS plc
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IFRS CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2015
Group Interim Income Statement (Unaudited)
(presented in US$000, except for profit per ordinary share and
number of shares)
Six months ended 30 June Notes 2015 2014
---------------------------------------- ------ -------------------- -----------------
Continuing operations
Revenue 7,851 23,156
Cost of sales 4 (7,572) (12,425)
---------------------------------------- ------
Gross profit 279 10,731
Exploration and evaluation expense - -
General and administrative expenses 5 (1,515) (2,238)
---------------------------------------- ------
Operating (loss)/profit (1,236) 8,493
Interest income 109 95
Other net expenses 6 (446) (551)
---------------------------------------- ------
(Loss)/profit before tax (1,573) 8,037
Tax credit/(provision) - (1,882)
---------------------------------------- ------
(Loss)/profit attributable to equity
holders (1,573) 6,155
Basic and diluted (loss)/profit per ordinary
share (in US dollars) (0.019) 0.076
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding 81,017,800 81,017,800
Group Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(presented in US$000)
Six months ended 30 June 2015 2014
------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------------
(Loss)/profit for the Period (1,573) 6,155
Other comprehensive income that may
be reclassified to profit and loss - -
Currency translation differences 868 (2,905)
Total comprehensive income for the
period (705) 3,250
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed
consolidated interim financial information.
Group Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
(presented in US$000)
As at 30 June 31 December
Notes 2015 2014
------------------------------------ ------ --------------------- ---------------------
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 7 3,795 3,746
Property, plant and equipment 7 61,643 57,819
Other non-current assets 55 68
Deferred tax assets 1,000 706
------------------------------------ ------
Total non-current assets 66,493 62,339
Current assets
Cash, cash equivalents and bank deposits 11,538 15,767
Inventories 1,032 1,099
Other receivables 8 1,990 918
------------------------------------ ------
Total current assets 14,560 17,784
Total assets 81,053 80,123
------------------------------------ ------ --------------------- ---------------------
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Share capital 1,485 1,485
Other reserves (69,948) (70,816)
Accumulated profit 142,528 145,114
------------------------------------ ------ --------------------- ---------------------
Total equity 74,065 75,783
Long term liabilities
Asset retirement obligation 191 189
Deferred tax liabilities 2,794 2,478
------------------------------------ ------ --------------------- ---------------------
Total long term liabilities 2,985 2,667
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 4,003 1,673
------------------------------------ ------
Total current liabilities 4,003 1,673
Total equity and liabilities 81,053 80,123
------------------------------------ ------ --------------------- ---------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed
consolidated interim financial information.
Group Interim Cash Flow Statement (Unaudited)
(presented in US$000)
Six months ended
30 June
2015 2014
------------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------------
(Loss)/profit for the period before
tax (1,573) 8,037
Less adjustments for:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 990 2,673
Foreign exchange differences 81 -
-------------------------------------------
Total effect of adjustments 1,071 2,673
Net cash flow before working capital
movements (502) 10,710
Working capital changes
Increase in trade and other receivables (1,071) (372)
Decrease in payables 501 142
Decrease in inventory 62 3
(Decrease)/increase in other non-current
assets (4) 561
-------------------------------------------- -----------------
Net cash from operating activities (1,014) 11,044
-------------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2,131) (2,426)
Net cash used in investing activities (2,131) (2,426)
-------------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------------
Cash flows from financing activities -
Dividends paid (1,013) -
Net cash used by financing activities (1,013) -
------------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
and cash equivalents (71) 61
--------------------------------------------
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and
cash equivalents (4,229) 8,679
-------------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of the period 15,767 8,081
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
the period 11,538 16,760
-------------------------------------------- ----------------- --------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed
consolidated interim financial information.
Group Interim Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)
(presented in US$000)
Share Share Other Accumulated Total
Capital Premium Reserves Loss Equity
----------------------- ------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------------------ ------------
Opening equity at 1
January 2014 1,485 165,873 (21,861) (30,779) 114,718
Profit for the period - - - 6,155 9,005
Currency translation
differences - - (2,905) (2,782)
Closing equity at 30
June 2014 1,485 165,873 (24,766) (24,624) 117,968
----------------------- ------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------------------ ------------
Opening equity at 1
January 2015 1,485 - (70,816) 145,114 75,783
Loss for the period - - - (1,573) (1,573)
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September 25, 2015 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Currency translation
differences - - 868 - 868
Closing equity at 30
June 2015 1,485 - (69,948) 143,541 75,078
----------------------- ------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------------------ ------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed
consolidated interim financial information.
Notes to the IFRS Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(presented in US$000 unless otherwise stated)
1. General information
Volga Gas plc (hereinafter referred to as "Company" or "Volga")
is a public liability company registered in England and Wales with
registered number 05886534 and quoted on the AIM market of London
Stock Exchange plc. The principal activities of the Company and its
subsidiaries (hereinafter jointly referred to as the "Group") are
the acquisition, exploration and development of hydrocarbon assets
and production of hydrocarbons in the Volga Region of the Russian
Federation. The Company's registered office is at Ground Floor,
17-19 Rochester Row, London SW1P 1QT. This condensed consolidated
interim financial information was approved for issue on 24
September 2015.
2. Basis of presentation
This condensed consolidated interim financial information for
the half-year ended 30 June 2015 has been prepared in accordance
with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting'. The condensed
consolidated interim financial information should be read in
conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended
31 December 2014, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs
as adopted by the European Union.
Selected explanatory notes are included to explain events and
transactions that are significant to an understanding of the
changes in the Financial Position and performance of the group
since the last annual consolidated financial statements.
This condensed consolidated interim financial information does
not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434
of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31
December 2014 were approved by the board of directors on 27 March
2015 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the
auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an
emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement
under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.
Except as described below, the accounting policies applied are
consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the
year ended 31 December 2014, as described in those annual financial
statements.
Going-concern basis The group meets its day-to-day working
capital requirements through its cash resources. After making
enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the
Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence
for the foreseeable future. The Group therefore continues to adopt
the going concern basis in preparing its consolidated interim
financial statements.
Exchange rates. The official rate of exchange of the Russian
ruble to the US dollar ("USD") at 30 June 2015 and 31 December 2014
was 55.524 and 56.258 Russian rubles to USD 1.00, respectively. Any
re-measurement of Russian ruble amounts to US dollars or any other
currency should not be construed as a representation that such
Russian ruble amounts have been, could be, or will in the future be
converted into other currencies at these exchange rates.
Taxation. Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued
using the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total
annual earnings.
Segmental reporting follows the Group's internal reporting
structure. The operations of the Group comprise one class of
business, being oil and gas exploration, development and production
and the Group operates in only one geographic area - the Russian
Federation.
3. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies and methods of computation
followed by the Group are consistent with those disclosed in the
consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December
2014.
4. COST OF SALES
Cost of sales is analysed as follows:
2015 2014
Six months ended 30 June US$ 000 US$ 000
----------------------------------------- -------- --------
Production expenses 3,535 4,963
Mineral Extraction Taxes 3,069 4,802
Depletion Depreciation and Amortization 968 2,660
-----------------------------------------
7,572 12,425
----------------------------------------- -------- --------
5. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
General and administrative expenses are analysed as follows:
2015 2014
Six months ended 30 June US$ 000 US$ 000
---------------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
Salaries 845 984
Taxes other than payroll and MET 24 46
Audit fees 49 160
Legal and Consultancy 279 471
Other 319 577
----------------------------------
Total general and administrative
expenses 1,515 2,238
---------------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
6. OTHER GAINS AND LOSSES, NET
Six months ended 30 June
2015 2014
US$ 000 US$ 000
--------------------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------------
Foreign exchange loss ( 81) ( 561)
Provision for loss on fraudulent cash ( 384) -
withdrawal
Other Income 19 10
---------------------------------------
Total other net expenses (446) (551)
--------------------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------------
During May 2015 an external cyber-attack on certain bank
accounts held by the Group's Russian subsidiaries resulted in
fraudulent transfers from these accounts. Some of the funds
transferred were returned immediately, a proportion of RUR 35.4
million (US$ 0.562 million) has been frozen by Court order and is
expected to be recovered shortly while a further sum of RUR 22.1
million (US$ 0.350 million) was moved onwards before the recipient
accounts could be frozen. While the Group continues to seek full
recovery, a provision of US$ 0.384 million has been made in the
accounts.
7. PROPERTY PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Property, Intangible
plant assets
and equipment
As at 1 January 2014 98,272 6,438
Additions 2,409 -
Depreciation and amortisation (2,673) -
Exchange adjustment (2,668) (173)
-------------------------------
At 30 June 2014 95,340 6,265
------------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------------
Property, Intangible
plant assets
and equipment
As at 1 January 2015 57,819 3,746
Additions 3,885 -
Depreciation and amortisation (935) -
Exchange adjustment 874 49
-------------------------------
At 30 June 2015 61,643 3,795
------------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------------
8. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
As at 30 June 31 December
2015 2014
US$ 000 US$ 000
VAT recoverable 49 81
Prepayments 264 202
Trade receivables 1,012 579
Recoverable amounts of fraudulent cash 636 -
withdrawal
Other 29 56
----------------------------------------
Total accounts receivable 1,990 918
---------------------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------------
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