Africa Oil Releases its Year-End 2019 Statement of Reserves
All dollar amounts in this press release are USD unless otherwise indicated.
VANCOUVER, March 26, 2020 /CNW/ - (AOI–TSX, AOI–Nasdaq-Stockholm) – Africa Oil Corp. ("Africa Oil" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the posting of its end of 2019 statement of reserves on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). This disclosure is based on an independent reserves evaluation, effective 31 December 2019, prepared by Lloyd's Register ("LR") for Africa Oil in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 51-101 – Standards for Oil and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101") and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook ("COGE Handbook"). View PDF version.
Africa Oil's statement of reserves is based on the Company's 50% ownership interest in Prime Oil & Gas B.V. ("Prime"). The primary assets of Prime are an indirect 8% interest in Oil Mining Lease ("OML") 127 and an indirect 16% interest in OML 130; both are deepwater Nigeria concessions. OML 127 is operated by the affiliates of Chevron Corporation ("Chevron") and contains the producing Agbami field. OML 130 is operated by affiliates of TOTAL S.A. ("TOTAL") and contains the producing Akpo and Egina fields.
The reserves and changes to reserves summarised in the following table pertain to 50% of Prime's net entitlement reserves1:
Net Entitlement Reserves2 |
Year-End |
2019 |
Pro Forma Year- |
Year-End |
Difference in |
Proved Reserves (1P) |
62.7 |
12.6 |
49.2 |
52.3 |
+ 3.1 |
Proved + Probable Reserves (2P) |
94.7 |
80.6 |
85.1 |
+ 4.5 |
Africa Oil President and CEO Keith Hill commented: "These are extremely challenging times for the international oil and gas sector. However, despite the dramatic developments of last few weeks, Africa Oil's management and board of directors continue to view our recent investment in Prime positively. Net to our 50% shareholding, Prime has a modest 2020 capital budget of $55 million, which compares to the guidance of $630 to $680 million7 for 50% of Prime's 2020 cash flow from operations, before capital investment and financing cash flows. Furthermore, with 95% of Prime's 2020 oil production hedged at an average price of $66 per barrel, we are in a much stronger position relative to our peers to withstand the current turmoil. We are also continuing our work to curb any discretionary spend until the magnitude and duration of these events are understood. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to all our shareholders, stakeholders and their families during this extremely difficult period."
Notes: |
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1 |
Please refer to the oil and gas advisory on the next page for important information. |
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2 |
Net entitlement reserves are calculated using the economic interest methodology and include cost recovery oil, tax oil and profit oil and are different from working interest reserves that are calculated based on project volumes multiplied by Prime's effective working interest. |
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3 |
Estimates for the three producing fields (Agbami, Akpo and Egina) only. |
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4 |
Entitlement production from Agbami, Akpo and Egina. |
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5 |
Pro forma end of 2019 reserves estimates were announced in the Company's press release of 14 January 2020 ('Africa Oil Announces the Closing of the Acquisition of Producing Assets in Deepwater Nigeria') and provided in the interim whilst LR completed its year-end 2019 report. |
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6 |
Estimates account for 2019 net entitlement production from the three producing fields (Agbami, Akpo and Egina) plus technical revisions for the three fields and the addition of the undeveloped field, Preowei, to the reserves base. |
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7 |
Cash flow from operations net to the Company's 50% shareholding in Prime. Any dividends received by Africa Oil from Prime's operating cash flows will be subject to Prime's capital investment (2020 estimate of $55 million net to the 50% shareholding) and financing cashflows, including payments of Prime's Reserve Based Lending ("RBL") principal amortization and interest payments, currently estimated to be approximately $315 million and $50 million respectively in 2020, net to Africa Oil's 50% shareholding in Prime. The 50% shareholding in Prime will be accounted for using the equity method and it will be presented as an investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Africa Oil's 50% share of Prime's net profit or loss will be shown in the Consolidated Statements of Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss. Any dividends received by Africa Oil from Prime will be recorded as a Cash flow from Investing Activities. The guidance presented here is for information only. |
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About Africa Oil
Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with producing and development assets in deepwater Nigeria; development assets in Kenya; and an exploration/appraisal portfolio in Africa and Guyana. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol "AOI".
Additional Information
This information is information that Africa Oil Corp. is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below on March 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Advisory Regarding Oil and Gas Information
The terms boe (barrel of oil equivalent) and MMboe (millions of barrels of oil equivalent) are used throughout this press release. Such terms may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. Year-end 2019 reserves estimates are based on a conversion ratio of five thousand and eight hundred cubic feet per barrel (5.85 Mcf: 1bbl), whereas year-end 2018 estimates and pro forma 2019 reserves estimates presented in this press release and previous press releases are based on a conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet per barrel (6 Mcf: 1bbl). The change in the conversion ratio used is in order to align Africa Oil's methodology to that used by Prime Oil & Gas B.V. LR's year-end 2019 1P and 2P reserves estimates, based on the previous conversion factor (6 Mcf: 1bbl), are 52.2 MMboe and 84.9 MMboe, respectively, representing a difference of less than one percent (1%). The conversion ratio of five thousand and eight hundred cubic feet per barrel (5.85 Mcf:1 bbl) of natural gas to barrels of oil equivalent and the conversion ratio of 1 barrel per five thousand and eight hundred cubic feet (1 bbl:5.85 Mcf) of barrels of oil to natural gas equivalent is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 5.85:1, utilizing a conversion on a 5.85:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.
LR's report was prepared prior to the recent drop in oil prices using Brent oil price forecast of ($/bbl): 2020 - 63.5; 2021 – 65.0; 2022 – 67.0; 2023 – 69.0; 2024 – 70.4; 2025 – 72.9; 2026 – 74.3; and 2027 – 75.9. There is no assurance that the forecast prices will be attained and variances could be material. The recovery and reserves estimates of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. Actual crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein.
The reserves estimates presented in this press release with respect to the Acquisition have been evaluated by Lloyd's Register in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE Handbook, are effective December 31, 2019. The reserves presented herein have been categorized accordance with the reserves and resource definitions as set out in the COGE Handbook. The estimates of reserves in this press release may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.
Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of petroleum anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on the analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical, and engineering data; the use of established technology; and specified economic conditions, which are generally accepted as being reasonable. Reserves are further classified according to the level of certainty associated with the estimates and may be sub-classified based on development and production status. Proved Reserves are those quantities of petroleum, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations. Probable Reserves are those additional quantities of petroleum that are less certain to be recovered than Proved Reserves, but which, together with Proved Reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered. Possible Reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. It is unlikely that actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus probable plus possible reserves.
Forward Looking Information
Certain statements and information contained herein constitute "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, "forward looking statements") relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities.
All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable reserves and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements and reflect conclusions that are based on certain assumptions that the reserves and resources can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect, "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, ongoing uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including statements pertaining to the 2020 Management Guidance, the results and costs of exploratory drilling activity, uninsured risks, regulatory and fiscal changes, availability of materials and equipment, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations, duration of the drilling program, availability of third party service providers and defects in title. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, changes in macro-economic conditions and their impact on operations, changes in oil prices, results of exploration and development activities, cost overruns, uninsured risks, regulatory and fiscal changes, defects in title, claims and legal proceedings, availability of materials and equipment, availability of skilled personnel, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities, joint venture partner underperformance, availability of financing on reasonable terms, availability of third party service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and expectations and unanticipated environmental, health and safety impacts on operations. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Africa Oil Corp.
For further information: Shahin Amini, IR and Commercial Manager, [email protected], T: +44 (0)203 982 6800; Sophia Shane, Corporate Development, [email protected], T: +1 (604) 806-3575
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