SB ii7 May 2019 11:08
Some very interesting developments in California over the weekend. Not sure what to make of it. Are we winning or are we on the back foot? I guess until the Judges either signs the TRO [or not] we will continue to ponder. But things have really kicked up a few notches since last Friday. On one hand you have got Hope resigning from the Board and attempting to put FRCC in to liquidation. On the other, FRR has purportedly signed a farmout agreement with another FRR subsidiary that is not connected to CLNs or OMF. My own feeling is that the whole agreement has been farmed out to another unaffected sub in return for 5% of future royalties.
So what does 5% royalties really mean? We know from last year that 3 news wells were drilled on Taribani, with T39 being the most prolific. What we don’t know is how much oil is currently flowing [if at all!]. Also, we know that BHGE is standing by with their equipment and BP supposedly still in discussions.
So, theoretically, if FRR re-drilled the 4 workover wells including Niko, and collectively these and the existing wells produced say 10,000 barrels per day at $60 per barrel, we are looking at revenues of around US$22M a year, and 5% being US$1.1Mln to service the CLNs. I guess is up to FRR to convince the Judge that we current well roaster and agreements with BP and BHGE, the prospect of repayment to OMF is the most strong and most realistic [rather than going down the route of liquidation].
You have also admit that Nicandros is not shying away from repaying OMF, its not his style but he needs more time to get FRR on its feet and I believe they are very close to becoming commercial. So its a timing issue rather than a intent to get out of this obligation.
Anyway, I honestly don’t know as we have so little info. But surely, Hope/OMF taking unilateral action to dismiss the Board and to initiate liquidation proceedings last Friday goes against the current Cali legal proceedings? Or is this another example of recklessness [or desperation] from Hope?
I don’t know, I speculate to keep discussions alive and probative.
Difficult times indeed for all: the creditors of FRR, the employees, the shareholders and indeed for Hope.