TIDMAST

RNS Number : 0252S

Ascent Resources PLC

28 September 2017

28 September 2017

Ascent Resources plc

("Ascent" or the "Company")

Interim results for the period ended 30 June 2017

Ascent Resources plc, the AIM quoted European oil and gas exploration and production company is pleased to report its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.

Highlights:

   --     Recompletion and flow testing of well Pg-10. 

-- Construction of the new pipeline connection at MRS Lendava (land acquired by Ascent from Trameta in July 2016) required to export gas production to Croatia.

-- Refurbishment of separation equipment at the existing CPP (a gas separation facility) owned and operated by our partner Petrol Geoterm.

-- Raised GBP2,988,000 through a successful Placing on the PrimaryBid platform which allowed private and other investors the opportunity to participate on equal terms.

   --     Reduction in debt of almost GBP6 million through loan note conversions. 

Post Period Highlights:

   --     Recompletion of well Pg-11A 
   --     Company poised to commence supplying gas to INA 

-- Further loan note conversions of GBP2.3 million which has virtually eliminated convertible loan notes from the balance sheet, debt down to less than GBP50K.

Colin Hutchinson, CEO of Ascent, commented:

"2017 has been a transformational year for the Company and probably the most successful in its history. We have begun selling gas, reported revenues for the first time since 2013 and are now virtually debt free. The Company is now in a strong position to look to expand our operations into new territories and face the future with increased optimism."

Enquiries:

 
 Ascent Resources plc 
  Clive Carver, Chairman 
  Colin Hutchinson, CEO      0207 251 4905 
 WH Ireland Limited 
  James Joyce / Alex Bond    0207 220 1666 
 
  Yellow Jersey 
  Tim Thompson 
  Harriet Jackson 
  Henry Wilkinson             0203 735 8825 
 

Chairman's statement

The period under review and subsequently has been probably the most successful in the Company's history.

We achieved first gas selling to local customers from our Pg-10 well in April 2017.

During the first half of the year we refurbished infrastructure and installed pipeline connections to facilitate the export of gas to Croatia under the gas sales agreement signed in July 2016.

Following recompletion work we brought on stream our second well Pg-11A in September 2017.

We are now poised to commence supplying gas to INA and are waiting only on a final approval from one of the Croatian ministries.

Additionally, over the past 18 months we have dramatically improved our balance sheet via conversion of almost GBP12 million of loan notes leaving less than GBP50,000 of outstanding convertible debt.

The impact of the above successes has been to transform the company from a pre-income explorer into a cash positive producer, which has inevitably led to a rerating of our shares.

The future

In the coming months, we look forward to updating the market with news of the IPPC permit, which is again with the Slovenian Administrative Court. We await yet further confirmation from the Slovenian regulatory system that all is fine with our plans for the Petišovci gas field. We also note that it is only the refusal by a single environmental protestor to accept the several previous regulatory rulings that is delaying the progress of the project to the detriment of the Slovenian state. In the meantime, we will intend to sell our untreated gas to INA in Croatia.

Our successes now allow us to consider both the future development of both the Petišovci gas field and investments in other projects from a position of strength compared to previous periods.

We again thank our shareholders and partners for their continued support.

Clive Carver

Non-executive Chairman

CEO's report

The first half of the year saw Ascent Resources move from an exploration company to a production company after ten years of operation in Slovenia. Bringing Pg-10 and then Pg-11A into production were momentous events. We have also completed the necessary infrastructure refurbishment at the CPP and work on the export pipeline; and we now look forward to the imminent commencement of export sales.

During the period under review and subsequently there have been a series of significant developments:

Recompletion of well Pg-10

In January 2017, we finalised the recompletion work on the first of two wells, Pg-10, and perforated the production tubing at a depth of 3,102 metres. The well was subsequently tested and a maximum stabilised flow rate of 249,000 cubic metres (8.8MMscfd) was achieved on a 12mm choke. The well was subsequently shut in while it was connected to infrastructure.

Recompletion of well Pg-11A

The workover at Pg-11A started in April 2017 and was completed in August 2017. The work consisted of an operation to remove and replace a section of the production tubing and install production well head equipment. The operation took longer than anticipated after a wireline tool became stuck in the tubing during the final procedures to remove the bottom hole plug. We commenced the sale of gas from Pg-11A in September 2017.

Construction of flow lines

The 500metre flowline between well Pg-10 and the existing separating station (CPP) which is owned by our partner Petrol Geoterm, was laid during January 2017 and connected to well Pg-10 once the flow test had been completed in March 2017.

The 40metre flowline between well Pg-11A and the production line which runs to the CPP was completed during June 2017 and connected to well Pg-11A once the workover had been completed.

Refurbishment of the CPP

In order to produce gas for export it was necessary to refurbish certain infrastructure in the CPP. The main work involved installing a replacement separator, sufficient for the increased pressures and flow rates expected on the export line. This work was completed in July 2017 and the replacement separator is capable of processing 240,000 cubic metres per day (8.5MMscfd).

Connection and certification of the export pipeline

The 8" export line which runs from the land at MRS Lendava owned by our 100% owned subsidiary, Trameta, to the field operated by INA at Medjimurje in Croatia was pressure tested and certificated by the Slovenian authorities in November 2016.

The 6" production pipeline which runs from the CPP past MRS Lendava was refurbished and recertified during the period under review. At the same time, the surface infrastructure required to clean and maintain the pipeline was installed at MRS Lendava.

Following the work on the production pipeline, the connection between the two lines was installed and tested and an operational certificate issued by the Slovenian authorities.

Finally, in July 2017, the Croatian authorities reviewed the application from our partner, INA, to recertify the pipeline on their side of the border, which INA have advised they expect to receive imminently.

Once operational, the export pipeline could accommodate daily production of over 800,000 cubic metres per day (28MMscfd).

Commencement of production

In April 2017, the Joint Venture commenced production from well Pg-10 which was sold locally to industrial customers after separation at the CPP. The revenues for the period to 30 June 2017 were EUR180,644 (GBP154,000). In total 1,113,217 cubic metres (39,313Mcf) of gas and 24,992 litres (157 barrels) of condensate were sold during the period. Average daily production for the period was 84boepd.

Whilst the volumes and revenues are modest in the context of our long-term plans for the project, commencing production after ten years of operations in Slovenia was a hugely significant milestone.

Supply under the INA contract is expected to commence shortly, once the final Croatian ministerial approval has been received.

The terms of the INA contract set an upper and lower limit on production calculated in megawatt hours (MwH). For the first two months, these translate into a range of 58,182 to 77,577 cubic metres per day; which based on the average rates over the last twelve months would generate revenue to Ascent of between EUR220,000 and EUR290,000 per month. In the subsequent ten months of the contract the range is 63,031 to 82,425 cubic metres per day; which based on the average rates over the last twelve months would generate revenue to Ascent of between EUR240,000 and EUR310,000 per month. Production at these levels, and average rates remaining reasonably stable over the period, will make the Company profitable at an EBITDA level and generate positive operating cash flow.

The contract provides for the maximum level to be increased following the agreement of both parties and the infrastructure has been constructed and refurbished in such a way as to allow for production to be increased.

Financial performance

The financial highlights for the period are the reporting of revenues for the first time since 2013 and the significant reduction of debt which has reduced to less than GBP50,000 since the end of the period.

-- Revenues for the period of GBP154,000 were wholly derived from hydrocarbon sales in Slovenia as discussed above.

-- An additional charge of GBP115,000 was made to cost of sales bring the gross margin to zero as production during the period is considered 'test' production.

-- The loss from operating activities during the period increased on the comparable period in 2016 by GBP105,000 to GBP781,000 as a result of the increase in activities required to bring the field into production.

-- The loss before tax reduced by GBP265,000 to GBP1,079,000 as the result of the reduced finance costs on loan notes following early conversion.

-- Borrowings have reduced by GBP7 million over the past 12 months and by nearly GBP4 million since the beginning of the year. Further conversions since the end of the period have reduced the amount of outstanding notes to less than GBP50,000.

-- Raised GBP2,988,000 before costs in equity during February 2017 through a heavily subscribed offer through the PrimaryBid platform which ensured the maximum practical access to the offering.

Outlook

2017 has been a transformative year so far for the Company. We look forward to the continued development of the Petišovci field. Wells Pg-10 and Pg-11A are intended to prove the commerciality of the field and the significant reserves and resources contained within.

While we anticipate receiving the IPPC permit to construct our own processing facility in due course this is no longer as important to the Company. We have refurbished the existing infrastructure to give ourselves room to grow independent of the IPPC Permit.

Additionally, as the Company is now generating revenue and is virtually debt free, we are in a strong position to look to expand our operations into new territories.

Consolidated Income Statement

for the Period ended 30 June 2017

 
                                           Six months   Six months          Year 
                                                ended        ended         ended 
                                              30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                                 2017         2016          2016 
                                            Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
                                   Notes    GBP '000s    GBP '000s     GBP '000s 
 
 Revenue                                          154            -             - 
 Cost of sales                                  (154)            -             - 
                                          -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Gross profit                                       -            -             - 
 
 Administrative expenses             2          (921)        (676)       (1,888) 
 
 Loss from operating activities                 (921)        (676)       (1,888) 
 
 Finance income                      3              7          153           159 
 Finance cost                        3          (305)        (821)       (1,453) 
                                          -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Net finance costs                              (298)        (668)       (1,294) 
 
 Loss before taxation                         (1,219)      (1,344)       (2,676) 
 
 Income tax expense                                 -            -             - 
                                          -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Loss for the period                          (1,219)      (1,344)       (2,676) 
 
 Loss per share 
 Basic & fully diluted 
  loss per share (Pence) 
  *                                  4           0.08         0.52          0.49 
 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the Period ended 30 June 2017

 
                                  Six months   Six months          Year 
                                       ended        ended         ended 
                                     30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                        2017         2016          2016 
                                   Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
                                   GBP '000s    GBP '000s     GBP '000s 
 
 Loss for the period                 (1,219)      (1,344)       (2,676) 
 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Foreign currency translation 
  differences for foreign 
  operations                             500        2,293         2,997 
 
 Total comprehensive gain 
  / (loss) for the period              (719)          949           321 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the Period ended 30 June 2017

 
                                                                       Share 
                                                                       based 
                                     Share       Share     Equity    payment   Translation   Accumulated 
                                   capital     premium    reserve    reserve       reserve        losses       Total 
                                       GBP                    GBP        GBP           GBP           GBP 
                                     '000s   GBP '000s      '000s      '000s         '000s         '000s   GBP '000s 
 Balance at 1 January 2016           1,878      56,693      1,572        483       (2,805)      (37,147)      20,674 
 Loss for the period                     -           -          -          -             -       (1,344)     (1,344) 
 Currency translation 
  differences                            -           -          -          -         2,293             -       2,293 
 Total comprehensive income              -           -          -          -         2,293       (1,344)         949 
 Conversion of loan notes              565       2,260      (369)          -             -           369       2,825 
 Issue of shares during 
  the period net of costs              405       1,010          -          -             -             -       1,415 
 Share-based payments and 
  expiry of options                      -           -          -         83             -             -          83 
 Balance at 30 June 2016             2,848      59,963      1,203        566         (512)      (38,122)      25,946 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Balance at 1 January 2016           1,878      56,693      1,572        483       (2,805)      (37,147)      20,674 
 Loss for the period                     -           -          -          -             -       (2,676)     (2,676) 
 Currency translation 
  differences                            -           -          -          -         2,997             -       2,997 
 Total comprehensive income              -           -          -          -         2,997       (2,676)         321 
 Acquisition of Trameta                  -           -          -      1,103             -             -       1,103 
 Extinguishment of convertible 
  loan notes                             -           -    (1,572)          -             -         1,572           - 
 Extension of convertible 
  loan notes                             -           -      2,787          -             -             -       2,787 
 Issue of convertible loan 
  notes                                  -           -        360          -             -             -         360 
 Conversion of loan notes              749       2,996          -          -             -             -       3,745 
 Issue of shares during 
  the period net of costs            1,105       3,584          -          -             -             -       4,689 
 Share-based payments and 
  expiry of options                      -           -          -         94             -            94         188 
 Balance at 31 December 
  2016                               3,732      63,273      3,147      1,680           192      (38,157)      33,867 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 Balance at 1 January 2017           3,732      63,273      3,147      1,680           192      (38,157)      33,867 
 Loss for the period                     -           -          -          -             -       (1,219)     (1,194) 
 Currency translation 
  differences                            -           -          -          -           500             -         500 
 Total comprehensive income              -           -          -          -           500       (1,219)     (1,008) 
 Conversion of loan notes              813       3,259    (1,826)          -             -         1,826       4,072 
 Issue of shares during 
  the period net of costs              323       2,503          -          -             -             -       2,826 
 Share-based payments                    -           -          -        102             -             -         102 
 Balance at 30 June 2017             4,868      69,035      1,321      1,782           692      (37,550)      40,418 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------  ---------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 June 2017

 
                                            30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                               2017        2016          2016 
                                          Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
                                                GBP         GBP 
 Assets                           Notes       '000s       '000s     GBP '000s 
 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment                    4           4             4 
 Exploration and evaluation 
  costs                             5        40,024      35,214        37,541 
                                         ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Total non-current assets                    40,028      35,218        37,545 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                    556          23            32 
 Cash and cash equivalents                    2,708         860         3,153 
                                         ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Total current assets                         3,073         883         3,185 
 Total assets                                43,236      36,101        40,730 
                                         ==========  ==========  ============ 
 
 Equity and liabilities 
 Share capital                      7         4,868       2,848         3,732 
 Share premium account              7        69,035      59,963        63,273 
 Equity reserve                               1,321       1,203         3,147 
 Share-based payment reserve                  1,782         566         1,680 
 Translation reserves                           692       (512)           192 
 Accumulated losses                        (37,550)    (38,122)      (38,157) 
                                         ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Total equity                                40,148      25,946        33,867 
                                         ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                       -           -         6,162 
 Provisions                                     460         434           447 
 Total non-current liabilities                  460         434         6,609 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                       292         297           254 
 Borrowings                         6         2,392       9,424             - 
 Total current liabilities                    2,684       9,721           254 
 Total liabilities                            3,144      10,155         6,863 
                                         ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 Total equity and liabilities                43,292      36,101        40,730 
                                         ==========  ==========  ============ 
 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the six months ended 30 June 2017

 
                                  6 months    6 months           Year 
                                     ended       ended          ended 
                                   30 June     30 June    31 December 
                                      2017        2016           2016 
                                 Unaudited   Unaudited        Audited 
                                 GBP '000s   GBP '000s      GBP '000s 
 Cash flows from operations 
 Loss after tax for the 
  period                           (1,219)     (1,344)        (2,676) 
 Adjustment related to 
  test production                      115           -              - 
 Decrease/ (increase) in 
  receivables                        (524)          38             29 
 Increase / (Decrease) 
  in payables                           38       (211)          (252) 
 Increase in share based 
  payments                             102          83            188 
 Exchange differences                 (23)         (8)              1 
 Finance income                        (7)       (153)          (159) 
 Finance cost                          305         821          1,453 
 Net cash used in operating 
  activities                       (1,213)       (774)        (1,416) 
                                ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing 
  activities 
 Interest received                       -           -              1 
 Payments for fixed assets               -           -            (1) 
 Payments for investing 
  in exploration                   (2,062)       (158)          (677) 
 Disposal / (Purchase) 
  of property, plant and 
  equipment                              -         (1)              - 
 Net cash used in investing 
  activities                       (2,062)       (159)          (677) 
                                ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing 
  activities 
 Interest paid and other 
  finance fees                         (2)           -           (73) 
 Proceeds from loans                     -         350          1,400 
 Loan issue costs                        -         (6)          (800) 
 Proceeds from issue of 
  shares                             2,988       1,455          4,999 
 Share issue costs                   (162)        (40)          (311) 
 Net cash generated from 
  financing activities               2,824       1,759          5,215 
                                ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 Net increase in cash and 
  cash equivalents for the 
  period                             (445)         826          3,122 
 Effect of foreign exchange 
  differences                            6           2            (1) 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at beginning of the period         3,153          32             32 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of the period               2,708         860          3,153 
                                ==========  ==========  ============= 
 
   1.     Accounting Policies 

Reporting entity

Ascent Resources plc ('the Company') is a company domiciled in England. The address of the Company's registered office is 5 New Street Square, London EC4A 3TW. The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of the Company as at 30 June 2017 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 'Group').

Basis of preparation

The interim financial statements have been prepared using measurement and recognition criteria based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and IFRIC interpretations) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted for use in the EU. The interim financial information has been prepared using the accounting policies which will be applied in the Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 and were applied in the Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016.

All amounts have been prepared in British pounds, this being the Group's presentational currency.

The interim financial information for the six months to 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2016 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory financial information. The comparatives for the full year ended 31 December 2016 are not the Group's full statutory accounts for that year. The information given for the year ended 31 December 2016 does not constitute statutory financial statements as defined by Section 435 of the Companies Act. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 have been filed with the Registrar and are available on the Company's web site www.ascentresources.co.uk. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified. It did not contain a statement under Section 498(2)-(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

During the period, the Group has generated revenue from test production on well Pg-10. There has been a credit to costs of sales of GBP115,000 begin the gross margin on production which has been recorded against capitalised exploration costs.

Going Concern

The Financial Statements of the Group are prepared on a going concern basis. Provided that the INA contract proceeds as anticipated the Directors consider the Company has sufficient cash to fund its current obligations for at least the next 12 months.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties:

The principal risks and uncertainties affecting the business activities of the Group remain those detailed on pages 46-48 of the Annual Review 2016, a copy of which is available on the Company's website at www.ascentresources.co.uk.

   2.     Operating loss is stated after charging 
 
                                   Six months   Six months          Year 
                                        ended        ended         ended 
                                      30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                         2017         2016          2016 
                                    Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
                                    GBP '000s    GBP '000s     GBP '000s 
 Employee costs                           449          277           560 
 Share based payment charge               102           83           188 
 Foreign Exchange differences               -          (1)             - 
 
 Included within Admin 
  Expenses 
 Audit Fees                                31           25            60 
 Fees payable to the company's 
  auditor other services                    -            -             2 
                                  -----------  -----------  ------------ 
                                           31           25            62 
 
   3.     Finance income and costs recognised in loss 
 
                                    Six months   Six months          Year 
                                         ended        ended         ended 
                                       30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                          2017         2016          2016 
                                     Unaudited    Unaudited       Audited 
                                     GBP '000s    GBP '000s     GBP '000s 
 Finance income 
 Income on bank deposits                     -            -             - 
 Foreign exchange movements 
  realised                                   7            -             6 
 Other income                                -          153           153 
                                             7          153           159 
                                   ===========  ===========  ============ 
 Finance cost 
 Interest payable on borrowings              -         (32)          (51) 
 Accretion charge on loan 
  notes                                  (303)        (782)       (1,380) 
 Bank Charges                              (2)          (8)          (16) 
 Foreign exchange movements 
  realised                                   -            1           (6) 
                                         (305)        (821)       (1,453) 
                                   ===========  ===========  ============ 
 

The liability of GBP153,000 written off as other income represented a creditor dating back more than five years which the Company no longer deems to be payable.

Convertible loan notes were restructured during the prior periods and a full commentary is contained within the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 and are available at www.ascentresources.co.uk.

   4.     Loss per share 
 
 
                                  Six months    Six months          Year 
                                       ended         ended         ended 
                                     30 June       30 June   31 December 
                                        2017          2016          2016 
                                   Unaudited     Unaudited       Audited 
                                   GBP '000s     GBP '000s     GBP '000s 
 Result for the period 
 Total loss for the period 
  attributable to equity 
  shareholders                         1,219         1,344         2,676 
 
 Weighted average number 
  of ordinary shares                  Number        Number        Number 
 For basic earnings per 
  share                        1,580,679,071   258,096,858   544,270,848 
 
 Loss per share (Pence)                 0.08          0.52          0.49 
 
   5.     Exploration and Evaluation Costs 
 
                              Slovenia 
 Exploration Costs              &Total 
 Cost 
 At 1 January 2016              32,711 
 Additions                         144 
 Effects of exchange rate 
  movements                      2,345 
 At 30 June 2016                35,200 
                             --------- 
 At 1 July 2016                 35,200 
 Additions                       1,635 
 Effects of exchange rate 
  movements                        706 
 At 31 December 2016            37,541 
                             --------- 
 At 1 January 2017              37,541 
 Additions                       2,073 
 Adjustment related to 
  test production                (115) 
 Effects of exchange rate 
  movements                        536 
 At 30 June 2017                40,024 
                             --------- 
 
 Carrying value 
 At 30 June 2017                40,024 
                             --------- 
 At 31 December 2016            37,541 
                             --------- 
 At 30 June 2016                32,711 
                             --------- 
 
   6.     Borrowings 
 
                                     30 June     30 June   31 December 
                                        2017        2016          2016 
                                   Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
                                   GBP '000s   GBP '000s     GBP '000s 
 Current 
 Short term loan facility                  -         838             - 
 Convertible loan notes                2,392       8,586         6,162 
                                       2,392       9,424         6,162 
                                  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
                                     30 June     30 June   31 December 
 Convertible Loan Notes                 2017        2016          2016 
                                   Unaudited   Unaudited       Audited 
                                   GBP '000s   GBP '000s     GBP '000s 
 
 Liability brought forward             6,162      10,778        10,778 
 
 Interest expense                        303         786         1,380 
 Conversion loan notes               (4,073)     (2,825)       (3,745) 
 Modification to convertible 
  loan notes - derecognition 
  Nov 2016)                                -           -       (8,140) 
 Modification to convertible 
  loan notes - recognition 
  of amended loan notes 
  (Nov 2016)                               -           -         5,352 
 Fair value of new convertible 
  loan notes issued (Nov 
  2016)                                    -           -           690 
 Other movements                           -       (153)         (153) 
 
 Liability carried forward             2,392       8,586         6,162 
                                  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
   7.     Share Capital 
 
                                      30 June       30 June     31 December 
                                         2017          2016            2016 
                                    Unaudited     Unaudited         Audited 
                                                        GBP 
                                    GBP '000s         '000s       GBP '000s 
 Allotted, called up and 
  fully paid 
 Ordinary shares of 0.20 
  pence each                            4,868         2,848           1,878 
 
 Reconciliation of share 
  capital movement                     Number        Number          Number 
 At 1 January                   1,084,074,224   157,306,900     157,306,900 
                               --------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Placing of ordinary shares       161,500,000   202,380,960     552,281,987 
 Conversion of loan notes         590,046,319   282,542,511     374,485,337 
 At end of period               1,835,620,543   642,230,371   1,084,074,224 
                               ==============  ============  ============== 
 

Equity raised

On 14 February 2017, the Company raised GBP2,987,750 (GBP2,825,863 net of costs) via a Placing of 161,500,000 Ordinary Shares through the PrimaryBid.com platform.

The Company also raised funds through placings during the prior year:

-- On 12 April 2016, the Company raised GBP500,000 (GBP477,500 net of costs) via the Placing of 35,714,285 Ordinary Shares with investors using the PrimaryBid.com platform.

-- On 7 June 2016, the Company raised GBP500,000 (GBP477,500 net of costs) via the Placing of 83,333,333 Ordinary Shares with investors using the PrimaryBid.com platform.

-- On 15 June 2016, the Company raised GBP500,000 (GBP500,000 net of costs) via the Placing of 83,333,333 Ordinary Shares to Henderson Global Investors.

-- On 31 October 2016, the Company raised GBP2,627,500 (GBP2,402,434 net of costs) via the Placing of 262,750,000 Ordinary Shares.

-- On 7 November 2016, the Company raised GBP871,510 (GBP871,510 net of costs) via the Placing of 87,151,027 Ordinary Shares to Henderson Global Investors.

Loan note conversions

Over the course of the period a total of 590,076,850 shares were issued as a result of loan note conversions. In total GBP5,900,769 of liabilities were converted into equity. This is the cash value of the loan notes which is lower than the accounting value in Note 6 which had been discounted to net present value.

During 2016 a total of 374,485,337 shares were issued as a result of loan note conversions. In total GBP3,744,853 of liabilities were converted into equity.

 
                Loan notes converted               Shares issued 
                   including accrued 
                            interest 
----------- 
                    2016        2017          2016          2017 
-----------  -----------  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 January               0           0             0             0 
 February              0   2,652,107             0   265,210,704 
 March                 0   1,597,018             0   159,701,787 
 April         1,088,390   1,581,609   108,838,990   158,160,880 
 May             463,113      69,709    46,311,258     6,970,931 
 June          1,273,923         325   127,392,263        32,548 
 July                  0                         0 
 August          845,053                84,505,321 
 September           563                    56,312 
 October               0                         0 
 November         73,455                 7,345,491 
 December            357                    35,702 
               3,744,853   5,900,769   374,485,337   590,076,850 
-----------  -----------  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   8.     Events subsequent to the end of the reporting period 

There were GBP3,018,831 of loan note principal converted during July 2017 into 311,713,705 Ordinary Shares. As at 26 July 2017 all of the loan notes issued to Henderson Global Investors (subsequently Lombard Odier) have been converted in full. The balance of GBP49,423 (including rolled up interest) is held by other investors.

On 4 August 2017, the Company announced that all of the infrastructure required to produce to INA had been installed and the new infrastructure was being used for local production.

On 7 September 2017, the Company announced that well Pg-11a had been successfully recompleted and production would begin on 8 September 2017 to be sold locally.

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS

 
 Directors               Clive Nathan Carver 
                         Colin Hutchinson 
                         William Cameron Davies 
                         Nigel Sandford Johnson Moore 
 
 Secretary               Colin Hutchinson 
 
 Registered Office       5 New Street Square 
                         London EC4A 3TW 
 
 Nominated Adviser       WH Ireland Corporate Brokers 
  & Broker 
                         24 Martin Lane 
                          London EC4R 0DR 
                         WH Ireland Corporate Brokers 
 
 Auditors                BDO LLP 
                         55 Baker Street 
                         London W1U 7EU 
 
 Solicitors              Taylor Wessing LLP 
                         5 New Street Square 
                         London EC4A 3TW 
 
 Bankers                 Barclays Corporate Banking 
                         1 Churchill Place 
                         London E14 5HP 
 
 Share Registry          Computershare Investors Services 
                          plc 
                         The Pavilions 
                         Bridgwater Road 
                         Bristol BS13 8AE 
 
 IR & PR                 Yellow Jersey PR Limited 
                          30 Stamford Street 
                          London SE1 9LQ 
 Company's registered 
  number                 05239285 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR EAXNXAELXEFF

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 28, 2017 02:02 ET (06:02 GMT)

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