Last checked at 25 May 2022 07:00
25 May 2022
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. (LSE: GKP)
("Gulf Keystone", "GKP" or "the Company")
Special dividend of $50 million
Gulf Keystone, a leading independent operator and producer in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, is pleased to announce that the Board has approved the declaration of a special dividend of $50 million.
Jon Harris, Gulf Keystone's Chief Executive Officer, said:
"Following payment of $115 million of dividends year to date, we are delighted to declare today a special dividend of $50 million, consistent with our strategic commitment to balance investment in growth with shareholder distributions. The declaration brings total dividends for shareholder approval at the upcoming AGM to $75 million and increases total dividends declared in 2022 to $190 million. Assuming timely payment of invoices and strong oil prices, we expect continuing strong cash flow generation in 2022, providing flexibility to consider further shareholder distributions, optimisation of the capital structure and a potential increase in capital expenditure with progress on the FDP."
Gulf Keystone will be seeking shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") on 24 June 2022 to pay total dividends of $75 million, comprising the previously declared $25 million annual ordinary dividend and the $50 million special dividend declared today.
The annual ordinary dividend of $25 million is expected to be paid on 15 July 2022, based on a record date of 1 July 2022. The special dividend of $50 million is expected to be paid on 29 July 2022, based on a record date of 15 July 2022.
Both dividends will be payable in pounds sterling and converted from dollars at the spot rate leading up to the relevant record dates. The Company will disclose the US dollar and pounds sterling rate per share for both dividends prior to their ex-dividend dates.
As at 24 May 2022, the Company had a cash balance of $218.0 million, including the recently received February 2022 invoice payment.
Enquiries:
Gulf Keystone: | +44 (0) 20 7514 1400 |
Aaron Clark, Head of Investor Relations | aclark@gulfkeystone.com |
Celicourt Communications: | +44 (0) 20 8434 2754 |
Mark Antelme Jimmy Lea | GKP@Celicourt.uk |
or visit: www.gulfkeystone.com
Notes to Editors:
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. (LSE: GKP) is a leading independent operator and producer in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Further information on Gulf Keystone is available on its website www.gulfkeystone.com
Disclaimer
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with the oil & gas exploration and production business. These statements are made by the Company and its Directors in good faith based on the information available to them up to the time of their approval of this announcement but such statements should be treated with caution due to inherent risks and uncertainties, including both economic and business factors and/or factors beyond the Company's control or within the Company's control where, for example, the Company decides on a change of plan or strategy. This announcement has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the Group's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. This announcement should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.