RE: Baker Hughes3 Mar 2024 20:36
Crusty - in terms of when we will get the RNS, much depends on whether they decide to, or need to, wait for the lab results. If they don't, and it's simply a case of their own evaluation, then "any day now". They might want to wait for the lab results before declaring anything, and that might be the appropriate way to do things? If so, then end of March/early April.
In terms of what next - I don't think they will dilute to monetise the project. Firstly, the costs of monetisation are likely to be outside of what they can raise from the market. Even in the DM days, the estimate was £50 million and that was 3 years ago. Secondly, if they have a commercial discovery, it is really hard to see how one of the majors isn't going to come knocking very loudly to JV into the project, and pay a very sizeable sum to He1 to JV into the project. Thirdly, NHE were hinting they had off takers ready to fund them into production. Presumably, that will also be the case with He1 if they have a commercial discovery. Fourthly, if the costs of going into production are in the region of £50 to 100 million, then it might not make sense for He1 to JV and give away a large slice.
I think dilution only comes into play if they need to undertake further testing, or drilling, to prove they have a commercial discovery. Or if they need to undertake such work to establish the size of any commercial discovery.