Africa Oil Corp. (TSX VENTURE:AOI)(OMX:AOI) ("Africa Oil", "the Company" or
"AOC") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2013.
-- On the back of the successful exploration activities in Kenya during
2012, the Company, together with its partners, continues to ramp up its
exploration program in Kenya and Ethiopia. Entering the year, two
Tullow-Africa Oil joint venture rigs were operating in Kenya and one
joint venture rig was operating in Ethiopia. A fourth Tullow-Africa Oil
joint venture rig has been secured and is expected to commence testing
and drilling operations in Kenya on Blocks 10BB and 13T during October
2013. The Company, as operator, and its partner in Block 9 (Kenya) have
secured a fifth rig, which will commence drilling operations in
September 2013. In addition, the Company and its partners in Block 7/8
(Ethiopia) have secured a sixth rig, which will commence drilling
operations in September 2013. For a period, the Company will have six
drilling rigs operating and expects to exit the year with five rigs
operating in the region. The Company plans to have drilled ten
exploration wells and to have tested four wells across its exploration
blocks during 2013
-- During the first half of the year, the Company completed a series of
well tests at both Twiga South-1 and Ngamia-1 on Blocks 13T and 10BB in
Kenya, respectively. These successful well tests confirmed over 5,000
barrels of oil per day ("bopd") flow potential per well and a doubling
of our previous estimates of net oil pay. Ekales-1, the next exploration
well in the Basin Bounding Fault Play and on trend with Ngamia-1 and
Twiga South-1, commenced drilling in July. Transient Pressure Analysis
has been conducted on the Twiga South-1 and Ngamia-1 well tests. No
pressure depletion was recorded over the duration of the tests. Flow
periods ranged from 0.5 to 2.5 days and build up periods ranged between
3 to 12 days.
-- Upon completing testing operations at Ngamia-1 in Block 10BB, the
Weatherford 804 rig mobilized to the Ekales-1 well in Block 13T. The
Ekales prospect is located on the main basin bounding fault midway
between the Ngamia-1 and Twiga South-1 discoveries and is targeting the
same formations that were productive in these discoveries. The well spud
in July and is expected to be completed around end September.
-- In July, the Company announced a new major oil discovery at Etuko-1.
Etuko-1 is located 14 kilometers east of Twiga South-1 in Block 10BB and
is the first test of the Basin Flank Play in the eastern part of the
Basin. The well encountered approximately 40 meters of net oil pay in
the Auwerwer and Upper Lokhone targets and approximately 50 meters of
additional potential net pay in the Lower Lokhone interval. The well
will be tested later in the year.
-- In July, the Company reported that the Sabisa-1 well on the South Omo
Block in Ethiopia, the most northerly well drilled on the Tertiary rift
trend to date, had confirmed a viable hydrocarbon system with oil and
heavy gas shows. Based on the encouragement of the results, the decision
was made to drill the Tultule-1 as the next well on the South Omo Block.
This well is expected to spud around the end August.
-- In the first quarter of 2013, the Company and its operating partners on
Block 10A completed drilling the Paipai-1 exploration well. The Paipai-1
well tested a large four-way closed structure with Cretaceous-age
sandstone targets at multiple depths. Paipai-1 spudded in September 2012
and completed drilling in the first quarter of 2013 to a total depth of
4,255 meters. Light hydrocarbons were encountered while drilling a 55
meter thick gross sandstone interval. Attempts to sample the reservoir
fluid were unsuccessful and the hydrocarbons encountered while drilling
were not recovered to surface. The Company and its partners were unable
to test the well at the time due to the unavailability, in country, of
testing equipment capable of handling the higher reservoir pressures
encountered at this depth. As a result, the well has been temporarily
suspended pending further data evaluation.
-- The Company and its partner on Block 9 are currently planning to drill
one exploration well in 2013. Block 9 is in the Cretaceous rift basin on
trend with the South Sudan oil fields and the play concept was confirmed
by the recent Paipai-1 well drilled in Block 10A. Two major prospects,
Bahasi-1 and Sala-1, with large volume potential have been identified.
The Company, as operator, and its partners in Block 9 have completed
construction of the access road and well site for the Bahasi-1
exploration well. The Greatwall GW190 rig has commenced mobilization to
site and the well is expected to spud in September.
-- The Company and its partners continue to focus on the El Kuran oil
accumulation on Block 8, discovered in the early 1970's. After
completing reservoir characterization studies, the Company focused
efforts on testing and completion strategies for producing commercial
quantities of oil and gas. The Company and its joint operating partners
on Blocks 7/8 (New Age operated) are planning to drill and test the El
Kuran-3 appraisal well. The well site has been constructed, erection of
the rig is ongoing at site and the well is expected to spud in September
2013.
-- The Company continues to actively acquire, process and interpret 2D
seismic over Blocks 10BA, 10BB, 12A, 13T and South Omo. In addition, the
Company and its partner in Blocks 10BB and 13T will mobilize a 3D
seismic crew to complete a 550 square kilometer 3D seismic survey over
the Ngamia and Twiga structures later in 2013.
-- In first quarter of 2013, the Company executed a PSC for the Rift Basin
Area in Ethiopia. Located north of the South Omo Block, the Rift Basin
Area covers 42,519 square kilometers. This block is on trend with highly
prospective blocks in the Tertiary rift valley including the South Omo
Block in Ethiopia, and Kenyan Blocks 10BA, 10BB, 13T, and 12A. The
Company commenced acquiring a Full Tensor Gradiometry survey in May
2013, which is approximately 70% complete, and is conducting an
exhaustive environmental and social impact assessment over the block in
preparation for a seismic program in 2014.
-- Africa Oil ended the quarter in a strong financial position with cash of
$179.5 million and working capital of $141.2 million.
Keith Hill, President and CEO, commented, "Africa Oil is very encouraged with
the results of our first three exploration wells in the Lokichar basin. Our
fully funded 2013 work program is focused on drilling and testing multiple wells
in the Lokichar sub-basin in Kenya in an effort to reach commercial thresholds
and on drilling multiple potential basin-opening wells across its vast East
African exploration acreage."
Second Quarter 2013 Financial and Operating Highlights
Consolidated Statement of Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Thousands of United States Dollars)
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Three months Three months Six months Six months
ended ended ended ended
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012
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Operating expenses
Salaries and
benefits $ 477 $ 294 $ 1,040 $ 577
Stock-based
compensation 7,088 587 7,785 1,217
Travel 446 237 727 462
Office and general 257 301 460 507
Donation - - 100 -
Depreciation 12 14 25 26
Professional fees 91 3,152 194 3,243
Stock exchange and
filing fees 162 147 362 274
Impairment of
intangible
exploration
assets - - - 3,115
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8,533 4,732 10,693 9,421
Finance income (464) (9,980) (3,563) (1,371)
Finance expense 1,354 132 2,405 13,904
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Net income (loss)
and comprehensive
income (loss) (9,423) 5,116 (9,535) (21,954)
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Net income (loss)
and comprehensive
income (loss)
attributable to
non-controlling
interest (160) 6,084 1,602 (7,344)
Net loss and
comprehensive loss
attributable to
common shareholders (9,263) (968) (11,137) (14,610)
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Net loss
attributable to
common shareholders
per share
Basic $ (0.04) $ (0.00) $ (0.04) $ (0.07)
Diluted $ (0.04) $ (0.00) $ (0.04) $ (0.07)
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Weighted average
number of shares
outstanding for the
purpose of
calculating
earnings per share
Basic 252,735,463 218,664,492 252,452,274 215,859,707
Diluted 252,735,463 225,318,773 252,452,274 215,859,707
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Operating expenses increased $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30,
2013 compared to the prior year due mainly to an increase of $6.5 million in
stock-based compensation relating to the 5,673,500 options granted in the
current period. The increase was offset partially by a decrease of $3.1 million
in professional fees due to finder fees paid in shares during the second quarter
of 2012. The remaining $0.4 million increase can be attributed to increased
salary and travel related costs associated with increased headcount and
operational activity.
Operating expenses increased $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013
compared to the prior year due mainly to an increase of $6.6 million in
stock-based compensation relating to the 5,673,500 options granted in the
current period. The increase was offset by a decrease of $3.2 million in
professional fees due to finder fees paid in shares and $3.1 million in
impairment of intangible exploration assets relating to the abandonment of
Blocks 7 and 11 in Mali during the prior period. The remaining $0.8 million
increase can be attributed to increased salary and travel related costs
associated with increased headcount and operational activity.
Financial income and expense is made up of the following items:
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Three months Three months Six months Six months
ended ended ended ended
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss on marketable
securities - - - (124)
Fair value
adjustment -
warrants 155 9,906 2,882 (13,763)
Interest and other
income 309 74 681 236
Bank charges (5) (9) (13) (17)
Foreign exchange
gain (loss) (1,349) (123) (2,392) 1,135
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Finance income 464 9,980 3,563 1,371
Finance expense (1,354) (132) (2,405) (13,904)
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The loss on revaluation of marketable securities is the result of a decrease in
the value of 10 million shares held in Encanto Potash Corp which were acquired
as part of the acquisition of Lion. These shares were sold during the first
quarter of 2012.
At June 30, 2013, nil warrants were outstanding in AOC and 53.4 million warrants
were outstanding in Horn. AOC holds 13.3 million of the warrants outstanding in
Horn. The Company recorded a $0.2 million gain on the revaluation of warrants
for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and a $2.9 million gain for the six
months ended June 30, 2013, due to a reduction in the volatility of the shares
of Horn combined with a reduction in the remaining life of the warrants. The
Company will incur fair market value adjustments on the Horn warrants until they
are exercised or they expire (43,868,527 expire September 20, 2013, 9,375,000
expire June 8, 2014, 156,248 expire June 11, 2014, and 15,000 expire June 18,
2014).
Interest income increased in the first six months of 2013 due to a significant
increase in cash late in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of cash received
from the non-brokered private placement in December of 2012.
The foreign exchange gains and losses are the direct result of changes in the
value of the Canadian dollar in comparison to the US dollar. The Company's cash
holdings are primarily in US and Canadian currency.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Thousands United States Dollars)
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June 30, December 31,
2013 2012
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ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 179,487 $ 272,175
Accounts receivable 1,953 2,848
Prepaid expenses 1,171 1,124
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182,611 276,147
Long-term assets
Restricted cash 1,625 1,119
Property and equipment 98 82
Intangible exploration assets 376,679 282,109
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378,402 283,310
Total assets $ 561,013 $ 559,457
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 41,371 $ 36,188
Current portion of warrants 10 2,288
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41,381 38,476
Long-term liabilities
Warrants 224 828
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224 828
Total liabilities 41,605 39,304
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Equity attributable to common shareholders
Share capital 560,023 558,555
Contributed surplus 19,445 12,123
Deficit (109,213) (98,076)
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470,255 472,602
Non-controlling interest 49,153 47,551
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Total equity 519,408 520,153
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Total liabilities and equity $ 561,013 $ 559,457
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The increase in total assets from December 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013 is
primarily attributable to intangible asset expenditures incurred during the
quarter in Kenya, Ethiopia and Puntland (Somalia).
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Thousands United States Dollars)
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Three months Three months Six months Six months
ended ended ended ended
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012
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Cash flows provided
by (used in):
Operations:
Net income (loss)
and comprehensive
income (loss) for
the period $ (9,423) $ 5,116 $ (9,535) $ (21,954)
Items not affecting
cash:
Stock-based
compensation 7,088 587 7,785 1,217
Share-based
expense - 3,298 - 3,298
Depreciation 12 14 25 26
Gain on marketable
securities - - - (124)
Impairment of
intangible
exploration
assets - - - 3,115
Fair value
adjustment -
warrants (155) (9,906) (2,882) 13,763
Unrealized foreign
exchange loss 1,116 1,477 2,235 87
Changes in non-
cash operating
working capital (46) (597) (796) (785)
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(1,408) (11) (3,168) (1,357)
Investing:
Property and
equipment
expenditures (27) - (41) (64)
Intangible
exploration
expenditures (55,304) (38,249) (94,570) (60,144)
Proceeds from sale
of marketable
securities - - - 2,690
Changes in non-
cash investing
working capital (7) 7,591 6,827 9,264
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(55,338) (30,658) (87,784) (48,254)
Financing:
Common shares
issued 1,005 13,431 1,005 24,233
Deposit of cash
for bank
guarantee (1,250) (375) (1,250) (375)
Release of bank
guarantee 450 - 744 1,275
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205 13,056 499 25,133
Effect of exchange
rate changes on
cash and cash
equivalents
denominated in
foreign currency (1,116) (1,477) (2,235) (47)
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Decrease in cash and
cash equivalents (57,657) (19,090) (92,688) (24,525)
Cash and cash
equivalents,
beginning of period 237,144 104,123 $ 272,175 $ 109,558
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Cash and cash
equivalents, end of
period 179,487 $ 85,033 $ 179,487 $ 85,033
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Supplementary
information:
Interest paid Nil Nil Nil Nil
Income taxes paid Nil Nil Nil Nil
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The decrease in cash for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 is mainly
the result of intangible exploration expenditures and cash-based operating
expenses.
Consolidated Statement of Equity
(Thousands United States Dollars)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, June 30,
2013 2012
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Share capital:
Balance, beginning of period $ 558,555 $ 306,510
Exercise of warrants - 14,340
Exercise of options 1,468 1,271
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Balance, end of period 560,023 322,121
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Contributed surplus:
Balance, beginning of period $ 12,123 $ 8,425
Exercise of Horn warrants - 1,148
Stock based compensation 7,785 1,217
Exercise of options (463) (407)
Shares to be issued in lieu of professional fees - 3,298
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Balance, end of period 19,445 13,681
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Deficit:
Balance, beginning of period $ (98,076) $ (75,283)
Net loss and comprehensive loss attributable to
common shareholders (11,137) (14,610)
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Balance, end of period (109,213) (89,893)
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Total equity attributable to common shareholders $ 470,255 245,909
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Non-controlling interest:
Balance, beginning of period $ 47,551 $ 36,296
Non-controlling interest on issuance of Horn
shares - 8,328
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)
attributable to non-controlling interest 1,602 (7,344)
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Balance, end of period 49,153 37,280
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Total equity $ 519,408 $ 283,189
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The Company's consolidated financial statements, notes to the financial
statements, management's discussion and analysis for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2013 and the 2012 Annual Information Form have been filed on
SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and are available on the Company's website
(www.africaoilcorp.com).
Outlook
The Company is significantly increasing the pace of exploration. For a period
during the last half of the year, the Company will have six drilling rigs
operating and expects to exit the year with five rigs operating.
The Ngamia-1, Twiga South-1 and Etuko-1 light oil discoveries in the Lokichar
sub-basin, combined with positive results from reservoir analysis and flow rate
tests at Ngamia-1 and Twiga South-1, has led to a significant increase in the
pace of exploration focused on tertiary rift basins. The Company and its joint
venture partners in the tertiary rift play in east Africa plan to have four rigs
operating by the end of 2013. The near term focus of these rigs is to continue
drilling and testing wells in the Lokichar sub-basin in Kenya with improved
efficiencies in an effort to continue building its contingent resource base, and
to drill potential basin-opening wells in the Turkana, Chew Bahir, and Kerio
basins in the tertiary rift play within Kenya and Ethiopia. Resources discovered
to date are of a scale that the Tullow-Africa Oil joint venture partnership will
initiate discussions with the Government of Kenya and other relevant
stakeholders to consider development options. These discussions include
consideration of a "start-up phase" oil production system with potential to
deliver significant production rates with oil export via road or rail in advance
of a full-scale pipeline development. The Company and its partners will continue
to acquire seismic data throughout the tertiary rift in Kenya and Ethiopia in an
effort to add to its existing portfolio of drill-ready prospects.
The Company and its operating partner in Block 9 in Kenya are currently
mobilizing Greatwall GW190 rig to drill the Bahasi-1 exploratory well. This well
which is planned to spud in September will be drilled on a large anticlinal
structure targeting tertiary and cretaceous sandstones where six billion barrels
of oil was discovered along trend in Sudan in a similar geologic setting. A
follow-up well is also being considered in early 2014 in Block 9. The Company
and its operating partners in Blocks 7/8 in Ethiopia are currently mobilizing a
rig to drill a well to appraise reservoir characteristics of Jurassic carbonates
on the El Kuran oil accumulation. The main focus of this well which is expected
to spud in September, is to establish commercial rates with acidizing, fraccing
and horizontal sidetracks being considered.
Based on the encouragement provided by the Shabeel wells, the Company and its
partners entered the next exploration period in both the Dharoor Valley and
Nugaal Valley PSAs which carry a commitment to drill one well in each block
within an additional three year term ending October 2015. The current
operational plan is to contract a seismic crew to acquire additional data in the
Dharoor Valley block and to hold discussions with the Puntland Government
regarding drill ready prospects in the Nugaal Valley block. The focus of the
Dharoor Valley block seismic program will be to delineate new structural
prospects for the upcoming drilling campaign. Horn has been in discussion with
potential joint venture partners and is reviewing new venture opportunities in
the region.
Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya and
Ethiopia as well as Puntland (Somalia) through its 45% equity interest in Horn
Petroleum Corporation. Africa Oil's East African holdings are in within a
world-class exploration play fairway with a total gross land package in this
prolific region in excess of 250,000 square kilometers. The East African Rift
Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. Two new
significant discoveries have been announced in the Lokichar basin in which the
Company holds a 50% interest along with operator Tullow Oil plc. The Company is
listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and on First North at NASDAQ OMX-Stockholm
under the symbol "AOI".
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made 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. Forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimates of
reserves and or resources, future production levels, future capital expenditures
and their allocation to exploration and development activities, future drilling
and other exploration and development activities, ultimate recovery of reserves
or resources and dates by which certain areas will be explored, developed or
reach expected operating capacity, that are based on forecasts of future
results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of
management.
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, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or
events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those
forward-looking statements are reasonable, but 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 oil prices, results of
exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes,
defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of
government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities,
availability of financing on reasonable terms, availability of third party
service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and
expectations and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Actual
results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Keith C. Hill", President and CEO
Africa Oil's Certified Advisor on NASDAQ OMX First North is Pareto Ohman AB.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Pareto Provider
Ohman (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Africa Oil Corp.
Sophia Shane
Corporate Development
(604) 689-7842
(604) 689-4250 (FAX)
africaoilcorp@namdo.com
www.africaoilcorp.com
Africa Oil Corp. (TSXV:AOI)
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