Zen bonds11 Feb 2020 07:05
Successful Issue of Bonds & Operational Update
Zenith Energy Ltd., ("Zenith" or the "Company), (LSE: ZEN; TSX.V: ZEE; OSE: ZENA-ME), the international oil & gas production company, is pleased to provide an update on a number of financial and operational matters.
EUR 25 million EMTN Programme
As anticipated on January 20, 2020, the Company is pleased to announce that the following unsecured, multi-currency Euro Medium Term Notes at par value have now been issued (the "Notes"):
· EURO 1,000,000 bearing an interest of 10.125 per cent per year (the "EUR-Notes"). ISIN: XS2108546735
· GBP 1,000,000 bearing an interest of 10.50 per cent per year (the "GBP-Notes"). ISIN: XS2108546578
· USD 1,000,000 bearing an interest of 10.375 per cent per year (the "USD-Notes"). ISIN: XS2108546651
· CHF 1,000,000 bearing an interest of 10.00 per cent per year (the "CHF-Notes"). ISIN: XS2108546818
The distribution of the Notes is currently ongoing across a number of markets. It is expected that the USD Notes will shortly be the first fully subscribed series of Notes.
The Notes have been issued under Zenith's EUR 25,000,000 multi-currency Euro Medium Term Notes Programme, as announced by the Company on November 6, 2019, and will be due on January 27, 2024.
The Notes are governed by Austrian law and, since the Notes are not convertible into equity of Zenith, the issuance of the Notes is not subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada.
The issue of the Notes is aligned with the Company's strategy of diversifying its financing towards non-equity dilutive funding to support its continued successful development.
AAOG Congo Acquisition
The Company's management has in recent weeks completed a number of visits to the Republic of the Congo to achieve completion of the SPA ("Completion"), announced on December 27, 2019, for the acquisition of an 80 percent interest in AAOG Congo ("AAOGC"), which has a 56 percent majority interest in, and is operator of, the Tilapia oilfield in the Republic of the Congo (the "License").
Management believes significant progress has been achieved during recent weeks and is pleased to report the following key highlights:
· Zenith has met with the relevant authorities to discuss the renewal of the License for a new 25-year term, as well as developing an understanding of the required signature bonus amount.
· The Company has also met with SNPC to present its development programme for Tilapia. Specific discussions were held in relation to geological and technical matters in relation to future planned drilling activities to produce the Mengo and Djeno horizons. Drilling operations are expected to commence during April 2020.
· Meetings were held with SNPC with regards to seeking clarity on the repayment of the approximately US$5.3 million owed to AAOGC as a result of past work completed on the License. Zenith's confidence in obtaining repayment of