JKX.L Regulatory News (JKX)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 29 JULY 2013

JKX Oil & Gas plc

('JKX' or the 'Company')

HALF-YEARLY RESULTS

 FOR

THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2013

Key Financials

·; Revenue: $91.3m (2012: $103.0m)

·; Profit from operations: $9.4m (2012: $0.5m)

·; Earnings per share: 4.34 cents (2012: loss per share 2.95 cents)

·; Operating cash flow: $43.2m (2012: $60.0m)

·; Capital expenditure: $33.3m (2012: $45.6m)

·; Cash resources and undrawn bank facilities: $49.2m (31 December 2012: $12.7m)

Operational Highlights

·; Average production up 21% to 9,040 boepd (2012: 7,481 boepd)

·; Russian production stabilised in excess of nominal plant capacity of 40 MMcfd

·; Ukrainian production rising with restart of drilling programme

·; 9-stage multi-frac in progress at Rudenkovskoye field in Ukraine

·; Elizavetovskoye field development project in Ukraine on-schedule

Outlook

·; On-going Russian plant capacity modifications targeted to increase throughput to 60 MMcfd

·; Completion of Rudenkovskoye multi-frac and stabilised flow anticipated by end of Q3 2013

·; Completion of Elizavetovskoye facilities and first gas expected by year-end

·; Drilling of appraisal well on Zaplavskoye exploration licence, Ukraine in Q3 2013

JKX Chief Executive, Dr Paul Davies, commented: "These are a solid set of half-year results which underpin our ability to continue the transformation of JKX over the full year. In Russia we have established sustainable gas production with potential for substantial growth. We are making good progress with expansion of the plant capacity.

Development drilling and the workover programme in Ukraine has been relaunched after a pause of seven months. The increased investment in Ukraine has already yielded first results and we have continued to benefit from strong oil, gas and LPG realisations which are expected to remain firm throughout 2013.

We achieved a milestone in June by beginning the multi-stage frac at our Rudenkovskoye field. We have already completed the first three out of the nine stages and anticipate initial results at the end of the third quarter this year. This operational progress coupled with the successful placing of $40m convertible five year bond in January provides JKX with an excellent platform from which to create shareholder value from production growth in Ukraine and the expansion of its activities in Russia."  

ENDS

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Chairman's Statement

Strategy

The Group strategy remains focused on oil and gas developments in eastern and central Europe. Ukraine is our core market and increased investment in 2013 and 2014 is aimed at both stabilising Ukrainian production from mature fields and initiating new production from undeveloped assets. Early entry into the Russian independent gas market has been achieved and the current focus is on growing the existing production base whilst evaluating further growth opportunities.

Performance

In the first half of the year, we have achieved a number of the important goals set for the development and growth of your Company. Firstly, we have stabilised Russian gas production above 40 MMcfd and identified the way to expand the plant capacity at Koshekhablskoye by 50 per cent at minimal cost. Secondly, in Ukraine we have restarted the development drilling and workover programme which is resulting in production rising from our mature fields. Thirdly, we have begun probably the largest onshore multi-frac to date in Europe at our Rudenkovskoye field in Ukraine. Initial results are awaited as we believe the successful application of this technique will permit us to progress the development of our largest undeveloped asset. Finally, we are on schedule with our Elizavetovskoye development in Ukraine and remain confident that we will achieve our goal of first gas before the end of the year.

The on-going capital expenditure programmes in Russia and Ukraine are underpinned by the successful placing of $40 million of convertible 5-year bonds in the early part of the year. The bonds are now listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and trading on its Euro MTF market.

Dividend

The Board has reviewed its cash flow projections for the coming period in light of the Company's committed 2013/2014 capital expenditure programmes in both Ukraine and Russia. The Board has concluded that it is not appropriate at this time to declare an interim dividend but will review its dividend policy in light of the circumstances prevailing at the year end.

Board

As announced in my 2012 statement, Richard Murray joined the Board as non-executive director in January of this year. Richard has been appointed Chairman of the Audit Committee and brings a wealth of experience to the role following his long career with Ernst & Young, most latterly as a Senior Partner. There are no other changes to the Board to report.

The death of our previous Chairman Lord Fraser of Carmyllie in June this year at the age of only 68 was a very sad event. Peter led our Board from 1997 until his retirement in 2011, a period of growth and dramatic change for JKX. All of us who knew him well held him in high regard and deep affection. Our abiding memory will be of his kindly wisdom.

Gender diversity

The Board is committed to employing the highest quality staff and directors, be they men or women, solely on merit and the most appropriate experience for the requirements of the business. I am encouraged to see that the percentage of women in the total workforce is growing towards 20% with an increasing uptake within the technical and managerial staff.

Outlook

The Board and senior management are focused on achieving the goals set for the growth and development of the Company in the current year. Increasing stabilised production rates in both Russia and Ukraine lies at the heart of all our key development projects.

The immediate goal in Russia is to increase plant capacity at the Koshekhablskoye field by 50% and to ensure that we can maintain stable gas production from the Oxfordian reservoir at this increased level. Once this is achieved, we will return to completion and testing of the underlying Callovian reservoir.

The key activity in Ukraine in the second half of the year is the completion of the large multi-frac project on well R-103. The results will, to some extent, set the shape of the 2014 development programme in Ukraine. Also, construction activity will peak in the second half on the Elizavetovskoye field with installation of the facilities, drilling of the first new well, completion of the export line, tie-ins and start-up for first gas delivery before the end of the year. On the Novo-Nikolaevskoye Complex, the development drilling and workover programme will continue, including drilling of the appraisal well Z-05 on the Zaplavskoye exploration licence.

We are fully funded for our 2013 and 2014 capital expenditure programmes but continue to investigate longer term funding options to allow the Company to expand its current asset portfolio in the medium term. We continue to seek opportunities for growth whether by acquisition or by organic development in our core central and eastern European areas.

Chief Executive's Statement

Performance highlights

The performance highlights for the period are:

·; Averaged daily production increased by 21% to 9,040 boepd (2012: 7,481 boepd)

·; Russian production stabilised in excess of nominal plant capacity of 40MMcfd

·; On-going Russian plant capacity modifications targeted to increase throughput by 50% to 60 MMcfd

·; Ukrainian production rising with restart of drilling programme

·; 9-stage multi-frac in progress at Rudenkovskoye field in Ukraine

·; Elizavetovskoye field development project in Ukraine on-schedule for first gas in 2013

The first half of the year saw a significant improvement in the operating performance of the Company with daily production rising to average 9,040 boepd for the period. This is the result of gas production growth in excess of nominal plant capacity in Russia, and the recommencement of both development drilling and well workovers at the end of the first quarter in Ukraine. Oil realisations weakened in the period averaging $89.45/bbl (2012: $97.82/bbl), with average gas realisations reducing to $7.19/Mcf (2012: $11.85/Mcf) as a result of the significant increase between the periods in the proportion of Russian gas produced relative to Ukrainian and Hungarian production.

Encouragingly, the 15% rise in regulated gas price for domestic Russian gas was implemented on 1 July, in line with current legislation. LPG realisations in Ukraine remained strong at $846/tonne, but were lower than the previous period (2012: $923/tonne).

Current production is in excess of 12,000 boepd and we anticipate this continuing for the remainder of the year.

Ukraine

The recommencement of development drilling at the end of the first quarter is having a positive effect on the level of production from our mature licences at Poltava. We have also recently announced a very encouraging result from the first workover undertaken in 2013 by our TW-100 rig which has now returned from a farm-out contract to another operator which was part of our cash management plan at the latter part of 2012. The renewed drilling and workover programme is benefitting greatly from both the recently completed reprocessing of our large 3-D seismic data set over the Novo-Nikolaevskoye Complex licences, and the addition of the new 3-D seismic data acquired over part of our licence area towards the end of 2012.

A large amount of preparatory work was carried out in the period at the Rudenkovskoye R-103 well site, culminating in June with the arrival of the large frac fleet and the significant quantities of materials required for the nine-stage multi-frac. The operation commenced at the end of June, and is scheduled to complete in the latter half of August.

Following project sanction last year, the new development on our Elizavetovskoye licence is moving ahead well with design complete and fabrication of the new gas plant in Canada in its final stages. Site preparation is complete and good progress is being made on installation of the 11 km export line. The first well will be spudded in the latter part of the year, with completion scheduled to coincide with plant start-up.

Russia

The large-scale acidisation programme in the first quarter of the year addressed to a large extent the difficulties that have been experienced in maintaining high production levels from the completed wells in the Koshekhablskoye field. In the second quarter, attention moved to debottlenecking the plant and identifying the most efficient way to raise plant capacity to 60 MMcfd. In parallel, workover started on the crestal well-05 with tubing recovery proceeding prior to a new sidetrack into the reservoir.

The achievement of stabilised gas flows from our first Russian project opens up the possibility of optimising our commercial contracting strategy and expanding our operating footprint.

Finally, the first phase of the exploration programme on the Georgievskoye licence is proceeding on-schedule with the acquisition and reprocessing of existing seismic data.

Current and future activity

As stated above, activity in Russia through year end will be focused on extending plant capacity and maintaining stabilised deliveries of sales gas. Successful completion of the well-05 sidetrack will add both volume and flexibility to this goal.

The completion of the first phase of the Koshekhablskoye field development in Russia is allowing the Company to step-up activity in Ukraine and focus on building a broader production base. Much remains to be achieved in extending the production life of our mature fields there, both with more advanced subsurface technical work and the implementation of the waterflood programme. Rising production in Ukraine through the second quarter of the year is evidence of the application of the former to both the recommenced development drilling and workover programmes.

Future production growth in Ukraine will increasingly come from our undeveloped licences of Elizavetovskoye, Zaplavskoye and Rudenkovskoye: Elizavetovskoye we consider to be a relatively straightforward development, similar in many ways to the development of our existing licences at Poltava; Zaplavskoye is an exploration-led development which relies on significant subsurface evaluation and production testing and analysis; Rudenkovskoye is the largest of our undeveloped assets and, as a deep tight gas licence, is technically the most challenging. Of course, it has the highest risk and also the highest potential reward.

Since the period end we have successfully completed the first three out of nine stages of the well R-103 frac. An interim flow back has been performed for preliminary clean-up of the formation, and work has now started on stages four to nine of the programme.

We are now actively driving forward the development of each of these licences and, although the impact on overall revenues will only be significant in 2014 onwards, we will be announcing progress and results as they become available over the coming months.

Activity in both Hungary and Slovakia will remain at a low level for the remainder of 2013.

As stated in the 2012 Annual report, I believe that 2013 is the year where we begin an important growth phase of your Company. The progress to date is encouraging. I thank all management and staff for their committed contribution and our shareholders for their support and faith in the goals we seek to achieve.

Operational Review

Group production

The first half of 2013 saw production from the Koshekhablskoye Field in Russia stabilising in excess of plant design capacity, and Ukrainian production beginning to rise.

Group average production in the first half of 2013 was 9,040 boepd comprising 45.7 MMcfd of gas and 1,420 bpd of oil and condensate, a 21% increase on the average for the first half of 2012. This period also saw a rise to an average of 11,102 boepd during the second quarter. The rise in production reflects the impact of the improved Koshekhablskoye flow rates as a result of the acid treatments in the period, and new production from the recommenced drilling operations in the Novo-Nikolaevskoye Complex in Ukraine.

Water breakthrough in the Hadjunanas field wells has led to a further decline in Hungarian oil and gas production. Gas production has now been stabilised, albeit at much lower rates.

Ukraine

Novo-Nikolaevskoye licences

Production

Average production from the Novo-Nikolaevskoye group of fields in the first half of 2013 was 4,508 boepd comprising 18.8 MMcfd of gas and 1,380 bpd of oil and condensate, a 33% decrease on the average for the first half of 2012. The decline relative to the first half of 2012 was exacerbated by the pause in development and appraisal drilling from August 2012 to March 2013.

Current production rates are now in excess of 5,000 boepd with more than 50 tons per day of Liquefied Petroleum Gas ('LPG') being produced, confirming that overall production is now rising as the new drilling programme gets underway.

Development drilling and workover activity

Drilling and workover activity at our wholly-owned subsidiary Poltava Petroleum Company ('PPC') restarted in March 2013. During the second quarter of the year, PPC completed two new wells and worked-over two wells in the Poltava licences using its Skytop N-75 and TW-100 rigs.

·; The first well to be drilled by the N-75 rig was the second sidetrack of the Molchanovskoye North M-166X well in the productive Devonian sandstone reservoir. The well was drilled to a total depth of 2,941m and penetrated 207m of reservoir along its planned horizontal trajectory at 2,650m true vertical depth subsea. It was completed with 100m of pre-perforated liner below 107m of blank pipe leaving room for further recompletion towards the end of the well's life. The initial 12 hour flow rate stabilised at an average of 1,710 bopd with 2.13 MMcfd gas through a 1 1/8" choke with a flowing well head pressure of 601 psi. After further testing, production was set at a lower choke size to manage the reservoir and prevent early water breakthrough. The most recent test rate was 277 bopd with 1.3 MMcfd and 150 bwpd through a 36/64" choke.

·; The second well to be drilled was the IG-132 which was targeting the Tournaisian Carbonate reservoir in the northern part of the Molchanovskoye field but within the Ignatovskoye licence area. The well, which was drilled to a total depth of 2,759 metres, encountered a 300 metre section of gas bearing limestone and dolomite reservoir of which around 60 metres is considered to be of reservoir quality. There is an open hole completion over the carbonate and, following a 30 m3 acid squeeze and multirate testing, the well is flowing at an average rate of 1.35 MMcfd with 28 bpd of condensate at a FWHP of 159 psi through a 48/64" choke.

·; The N-75 rig is now drilling the IG-107 well to appraise the Visean and Tournaisian carbonate reservoirs and the Devonian sandstone, in a downthrown fault block on the east flank of the Ignatovskoye Field.

·; The TW-100 workover rig returned to PPC service in April to recomplete the IG-110 well as a Triassic water production well. This well is a first step in the evaluation of the Ignatovskoye carbonate waterflood scheme providing essential water availability and compatibility data. Reservoir and project modelling is in progress and the viability of the project should be determined by the end of the year.

·; The rig went on to recomplete the Novo-Nikolaevskoye well NN-71 from the V-16 reservoir to the V-15 reservoir. This operation is complete and, following gas lift, the well flowed at an initial rate of 5.4 MMcfd with 264 bopd.

·; The TW-100 is currently on precautionary stand-by for the well R-103 frac operation, but will move to well IG-154 for a Devonian sandstone recompletion as soon as it is released from this support role.

R-103 multistage frac

The nine-stage fracture stimulation project on well R-103 in the Rudenkovskoye deep tight-gas field began operations at the end of June and these are expected to continue into August.

In preparation for the frac, the well was worked over in the second half of 2012 with the removal of the existing slotted liner and its replacement by a cemented liner. The preparation and extension of the well site continued into 2013, setting out the roads and load area for the frac fleet which comprises 10,000hp of pump trucks, a full well test spread, coiled tubing services, materials handling and laboratory services. Additional water wells were also drilled and four large frac-pits constructed.

Mobilisation of materials was initiated early in 2013 and included 1,200 tons of proppant and over 100 tons of other chemicals and consumables which were sourced mostly from the USA and Asia. All materials arrived in Ukraine for customs clearance during May and June. Mobilisation of the Schlumberger frac fleet from Africa and Western Europe was timed to coincide with the materials delivery.

The first step in the frac operation is to run in-hole using the coiled tubing unit ('CTU') to set and test the first plug at the end of the well. The CTU then abrasive-jets five sets of perforations before carrying out a preliminary mini-frac. This mini-frac permits fine-tuning of the parameters for the main fracs, each of which inject up to 120 tons of proppant into the formation. The sequence of "plug, perforate and frac" is then repeated a further eight times.

The plugs will finally be drilled out three stages at a time and a short flow initiated, probably with the assistance of nitrogen lift, in order to clean-up the reservoir. 4 stages have now been completed and the first three of these have been opened up and briefly flowed back.

Once all nine stages have been completed the final and full clean-up is anticipated to take between two to four weeks, with the well reaching stable production approximately one month later.

Zaplavskoye exploration licence activity

Work is complete on the interpretation of the new 3D seismic data over the West Novo-Nikolaevskoye area of the Zaplavskoye exploration licence. The interpretation focused on understanding the potential for further gas accumulations in the Visean V25 & V26 wet gas reservoirs discovered in the Z-04 exploration well. It would appear that the trapping mechanism is provided by a combination of structural and stratigraphic features. A similar trap has been mapped to the east of the Molchanovskoye Main field and some larger, but deeper, Devonian leads have also been identified.

The first new location has been selected and the Z-05 appraisal well will be drilled in the second half of the year to test the Visean sandstone reservoirs. It will be a deviated well with a bottom hole target some 500m southeast of the discovery well Z-04.

Production facilities (including the Liquefied Petroleum Gas plant)

Installation of the LPG plant upgrade was completed successfully in the period. The upgrade was intended to increase LPG recovery by around 15% mostly through improving the propane recovery mechanism. Early results indicate a 25% increase in LPG recovery overall (of which the propane content is now around 51%), thereby increasing the LPG yield from 1.94 tonnes/MMcf to 2.43 tonnes/MMcf.

Operations at the main production facility and the LPG plant continued smoothly through the period. Work continues on plant optimisation, re-routing flowlines to reduce back pressure, and wax clearance to enhance production from the available well stock.

Elizavetovskoye exploration licence

The data acquired from well EM-53 (JKX net 33.3%) and the subsequent reserves upgrade have justified a stand-alone development. Approval has been received from the authorities to install a pilot production plant and drill the initial wells within the existing exploration licence conditions.

A hot tap to the nearby gas trunkline was completed in late 2011 and laying of the 11 km export line from the plant location is more than 95% complete. The site for the gas processing facility is ready, and fabrication of the foundation structures has commenced. Offsite, the production facilities are nearing completion and are expected to be shipped from Canada in August.

The drilling site for the first three wells is being finalised and drilling of the first new well E-301 is being timed to coincide with completion of the facility installation in the fourth quarter. Hook up will then commence and first gas from the field is expected towards the end of the year.

JKX will retain 100% of the revenue from all new wells on the field.

Russia

Koshekhablskoye licence

Production

Average production through the first half of 2013 was 4,355 boepd, comprising 25.9 MMcfd gas and 35 bpd of condensate. The average half-year figures mask the contrast between the two quarters with a first quarter production of 2,129 boepd (12.7 MMcfd and 16 bcpd) and a second quarter production of 6,557 boepd (39 MMcfd and 54 bcpd). Current production in excess of 45 MMcfd with 70 bcpd (7,500 boepd).

Facilities

The Gas Processing Facility ('GPF') reached its design throughput of 40 MMcfd at the end of the first quarter and since then has peaked at just over 50 MMcfd with very little plant modification required. The plant performance is under review to ensure that all the components are handling this throughput comfortably before the next stage of throughput expansion is undertaken.

Preliminary studies indicate that the GPF has the capacity to process up to 60 MMcfd for a modest incremental investment. This will entail changes to some of the vessels, replacement of some valves and pipework and improvements to the operating procedures. Plans for the upgrade are being finalised with timing and cost details expected in the third quarter. It is anticipated that final design, procurement and regulatory approvals will push completion of the full upgrade into 2014.

Workover and well stimulation activity

The first half of 2013 has seen significant changes in well performance as the hydrochloric acid treatment programme has progressed. The treatment utilised a coiled tubing unit to slowly introduce up to 20 cubic metres of acid to the carbonate reservoir section in each well. The programme can be repeated for those wells where well performance analysis has indicated that further treatment should be beneficial. JKX has developed a lower cost alternative technique of bull-heading a smaller amount of acid into the wells and initial results have been promising.

Current production from crestal well-20 is around 17.5 MMcfd and with 15.0 MMcfd, subject to routine acid treatment. The north flank well-25 has been maintaining a steady 12.5 MMcfd and the deep east flank well-15, originally thought to have been tight, is now flowing at a steady 2.4 MMcfd. Installation of larger diameter flowlines to improve the production rates from the flank wells is under investigation.

Work on crestal well-05 is continuing, with the Geostream rig engaged in recovery of the remaining tubing in the well bore until it reaches the sidetrack point. It will then drill and complete a fresh hole through the reservoir, as in the other re-completions. Given its location, well performance when completed should be comparable to well-27.

Georgievskoye exploration licence

Our wholly owned Russian subsidiary, Yuzhgazenergie LLC ('YGE'), was awarded the 170.7 sq. km Georgievskoye exploration licence in 2012. The largest part of the licence lies adjacent to, and immediately south, of the Koshekhablskoye production licence but a significant part of it also runs to the northwest of the Koshekhablskoye field as well as covering the western and eastern flanks of the field. Recovery, reprocessing and interpretation of all the existing 2D seismic is now in progress in preparation for further seismic acquisition in 2014.

Under the Koshekhablskoye licence commitment, YGE is obliged to evaluate the deeper Callovian reservoir potential using an approved technical institute. Data input and evaluation is in progress.

Hungary

Production

Hajdunanas field

The Hajdunanas and Gorbehaza fields (JKX 50%) had been producing from three wells to a single separator and then via a 14.5 km export line to an existing facility for input to the Hungarian gas pipeline system.

Production last year was affected by water influx and the operator temporarily shut-in both fields. Well Hn-2 was restarted in February 2013 and average gross production for the first half of the year was 72 boepd (0.4 MMcfd and 3 bcpd).

Exploration and appraisal

Hernad licences

JKX holds a 50% equity interest in the two Hernad licences in the northern Pannonian Basin. A shallow prospect, Tisvaszvari-15, has been identified for possible drilling in 2013.

Sarkad I Mining Plot

JKX retains its 25% interest in the 15.6 sq. km farm-in area around the Nyekpuszta-2 gas condensate discovery well, formerly part of the Vezsto exploration licence. An appraisal well is under consideration, but is unlikely to be drilled during 2013.

Turkeve IV Mining Plot

 The Turkeve IV Mining Plot (JKX 50%) of 10 sq. km has been approved for the productive area around the Ny-7 well. The operator has still not made any firm proposal for the development of this discovery.

Bulgaria

Exploration

Provadia Licence

JKX has a 18% carried interest in the 1,787 sq. km Provadia licence operated by Overgas. JKX has initiated its withdrawal from the licence which was expected to complete during the second quarter of 2013 but has been delayed.

Slovakia

Exploration

JKX holds a 25% equity interest in the Svidnik, Medzilaborce and Snina exploration licences in the Carpathian fold belt in north east Slovakia. The Cierne-1 exploration well location in the westernmost Svidnik licence has been identified. The well is currently planned to be drilled to more than 3,500 metres with multiple targets identified in this sub-thrust play. A change of operator has meant that the well has been deferred to 2014.

Financial performance

1Calculated on an annualised basis

2Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation ('EBITDA') is a non-IFRS measure and calculated using Profit from operations of $9.4m (2012: $0.5m) and adding back depreciation, depletion and amortisation and exceptional items of $27.1m (2012: $57.1m). EBITDA is an indicator of the Group's ability to generate operating cash flow that can fund its working capital needs, service debt obligations and fund capital expenditures.

3Total cash is Cash and cash equivalents plus Restricted Cash.

4Net cash/(debt) is Total cash less Borrowings.

5 Return on average capital employed is the annualised Profit for the period divided by average capital employed.

Financial Review

High commodity prices in Ukraine have continued to sustain our operating profits and cash flow in the first half of the year, albeit at slightly lower levels than previously experienced, and despite reduced production volumes in Ukraine compared with the first half of 2012. In the second quarter 2013 we reached plant design capacity in Russia and restarted our drilling programme in Ukraine. We will see the effect of this through increased production in the second half of the year.

The first half of the year continued with solid operating cash flow from our Ukrainian subsidiary, reduced capital expenditure, reflecting the completion of construction and commissioning of our Russian Gas Processing Facility in April 2012, and increased liquidity from the proceeds of the 5-year convertible bond placement.

Revenue

Group revenues of $91.3m (2012: $103.0m) were down 11.4% from the prior year which was the result of a 32.2% reduction in production from Ukraine and lower oil and gas realisations. Average oil realisations were 8.6% less at $89.45/bbl (2012: $97.82/bbl) in line with trends in international oil prices. Gas prices reduced 39.3 percent to 7.19/Mcf (2012: 11.85/Mcf). This was partly offset by reaching full plant capacity in Russia facilitating a more meaningful contribution to the Group's revenues. The level of production and commercial sales at our Russian plant continues apace as we currently exceed nominal plant capacity throughput.

Average sales volume rose almost 38.5% to 9,202 boepd (2012: 6,644 boepd), with 56.4% (5,189 boepd) sold in Ukraine, 43.2% (3,977 boepd) attributable to Russia and the remaining 0.4% (36 boepd) in Hungary. As expected, this volume gain, which was largely driven by Russian sales, occasioned a decrease in the group average gas price realised of 39.3% to $7.19/Mcf (2012: $11.85/Mcf) because the Russian sales volumes currently attract a considerably lower tariff than the Ukrainian volumes. The strong operational performance of the Ukrainian LPG plant in combination with continued attractive LPG prices contributed $6.1m (2012: $9.1m) to Group revenue and helped defray the impact of reduced oil and gas sales volumes in Ukraine.

Profit from operations

 Profit from operations of $9.4m (2012: $0.5m including the $30.7m exceptional depreciation charge on Ukrainian assets) was primarily the result of the decrease in Ukrainian production and realisations.

Total cost of sales for the period increased to $69.9m (2012: $58.3m excluding exceptional charges of $30.7m) due to increases in:

·; operating costs of $6.2m

·; oil and gas inventory movements of $8.1m

·; depreciation, depletion and amortisation ('DD&A') charge of $0.7m

offset by reductions in:

·; production based taxes of $2.2m, and

·; the write off of exploration and evaluation costs of $1.2m.

The operating cost increase of $6.2m is entirely due to the inclusion of full period operating costs from our Russian Gas Processing Facility ('GPF'); commercial production commenced in April 2012 and therefore the previous period does not include a full six month charge. Sales from inventory during the period caused the additional $8.1m charge (2012: $3.0m gain) and resulted (on a boe basis) in a 7.4% rise in production costs to $13.05/boe from the $12.15/boe experienced in the second half of 2012, which is viewed as more comparable due to the inclusion of a full period of operating costs for our Russian subsidiary. With production rising in the Ukraine, less sales from inventory are anticipated for the remainder of 2013.

Production based taxes for the Group reduced by $2.2m as a result of the reduction in oil production tax rate in Ukraine; this reduced to $13.70/boe (2012: $18.10/boe).

Write off of exploration and evaluation costs decreased by $1.2m to nil (2012: $1.2m) due to the reduction in exploration activity and drilling during the period.

The Group's administrative expenses (excluding movements in foreign exchange) remained stable and totalled $10.1m (2012: $10.4m).

Taxation

The total tax charge for the period was $2.2m (2012: $4.4m, after an exceptional deferred tax credit of $4.9m). The Group's effective tax rate for the period decreased in line with the statutory tax rate reductions in Ukraine, where most of the Group's corporation tax is paid. New Ukrainian corporation tax rates were introduced in 2010 and were set at 21%, 19% and 16% for 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

The royalties and rental costs regime in Ukraine changed to a single production tax system for oil and gas from 1 January 2013 making our position and future liability simpler and more predictable. The rates are subject to minimum thresholds. At current production and border price levels this has increased our production tax rate on gas from $73.30/Mcm to $100.60/Mcm but reduced the production tax rate on oil from $37.70/bbl to $36.90/bbl.

On 19 November 2012 the Russian government confirmed production tax (MET) increases from a current rate of 334 Roubles/Mcm to 552 Roubles/Mcm by 2015. In May 2013 the Ministry of Finance proposed a new gas and condensate MET formula (to be implemented from January 2014), which is to be reviewed by the government later this year. The new formula is based on gas prices, both in Russia and abroad, gas production as a share of total hydrocarbon output, oil prices, the Rouble-US Dollar exchange rate and the complexity of gas reservoirs (depletion rates, depth of the producing horizons and geographical location of producing fields).

Profit for the period

 Profit for the period was $7.5m (2012: loss $5.1m; after an exceptional charge of $25.8m (net of tax)).

On a pre-exceptional basis, the $13.2m reduction is the combined result of:

·; an $11.7m decrease in revenues mainly due to reduced Ukrainian oil and gas production

·; an increase in operating charges of $11.6m to $69.9m (2012: $58.3m) as a result of a full period of Russia operating costs, charges related to sales from inventory in Ukraine, a decrease in Ukrainian production taxes from lower volumes and rates, a reduction in the write off of exploration and evaluation costs, and an increase in DD&A charges

·; a decrease in foreign exchange losses and administrative expense of $1.5m, offset by an increase in net finance costs of $0.4m

·; a $1.8m fair value gain on the derivative attached to the convertible bond, and

·; a $7.2m reduction in the taxation charge, excluding the tax effects on the exceptional items.

Basic earnings per share were 4.34 cents (2012: loss per share of 2.95 cents, after exceptional items).

Cash flows

Cash generated from operations was a healthy $43.2m (2012: $60.0m). Whilst $16.8m less than the same period in 2012, mainly due to lower sales in Ukraine, this was substantially offset by the $14.3m reduced capital investment programme required in the first half of 2013 as described below.

Total net cash outflow from investing activities was down 31% to $31.3m (2012: $45.3m).

The $31.3m of capital investment is materially reduced from the amount invested during the same period in 2012 ($45.6m), reflecting the completion of construction and commissioning of YGE's Koshekhablskoye GPF in April 2012. At the end of the period the carrying value of the Group's oil and gas assets in Russia ($291m including the $50m acquisition cost) which when compared with the carrying value of the Group's Ukrainian oil and gas assets ($162m) is indicative of the scale of the Russian project and its importance to the Group. The Group's focus now is to complete the additional well intervention activities at the Koshekhablskoye gas field and expand plant capacity now that production has stabilised above 40 MMcfd. Our Ukrainian capital investments mainly comprised drilling and workover activity at our Novo-Nikolaevskoye Complex, LPG facilities upgrade and frac-preparation work at the Rudenkovskoye field.

Income tax paid in the period has decreased to $8.4m (2012: $13.5m) due to a reduction in the Ukrainian corporation tax rate and lower profitability. Interest paid during the period comprises $0.3m (2012: $0.6m) in respect of financing charges on the Crédit Agricole facility and nil (2012: $4.3m) in respect of Credit Suisse finance payments.

Interest received in the period was $0.03m (2012: $0.4m) reflecting the low interest rate environment.

Net Cash inflow from financing activities in the period was $19.2m (2012: outflow $5.1m) mainly comprising $37.8m of bond proceeds (2012: nil) off-set by repayment of $14.9m (2012: inflow $14.9m) of the working capital facility provided by Crédit Agricole and $4.0m (2012: nil) representing the acquisition of 5,000,000 shares in JKX Oil & Gas plc by the JKX Employee Benefit Trust for the purpose of making awards under the Group's employee share schemes.

No dividends were paid to shareholders in the period (2012: nil).

Cash

The resultant increase in cash and cash equivalents in the period before adjusting for foreign exchange effects was $22.4m (2012: decrease of $8.7m).

Total cash resources and undrawn bank facilities at the end of the period were $49.2m including unused Crédit Agricole facility and restricted cash, compared to 31 December 2012 total of $12.7m.

Liquidity

Following the settlement of our short-term borrowings during 2012, the completion of the 5-year convertible bond in February 2013 (see notes 9 and 10 to the financial information) and the cash requirements of our Russian project reducing, the Group's liquidity position has strengthened significantly.

Our immediate priority is to fund cash generative projects on our existing licences in Ukraine and ensure that our Russian operation becomes a net cash contributor to the Group at the earliest opportunity.

The Group has the ability to fund its future operating and capital expenditures through existing working capital, cash flow from operations, and the bond proceeds. Our low level of gearing and the Crédit Agricole facility together provide us with the financial flexibility to support our operating and growth objectives.

Financial instruments

The Group employs a number of financial instruments to finance the Group's operations. These include cash and liquid resources, together with items such as receivables and payables that arise directly from our operations.

In February the Company successfully completed the placing of $40m of guaranteed unsubordinated convertible bonds with institutional investors which are due 2018. The bonds have an annual coupon of 8 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrears. Further information on the terms and conditions of the bonds is included in notes 9 and 10.

The Group renewed the Crédit Agricole working capital facility and continues to benefit from the flexibility that this financing provides our Ukrainian subsidiary, in particular, to manage its working capital needs. The facility is available until 30 June 2014 with the maximum facility reducing to $10.0m and $5.0m on 30 April 2014 and 30 May 2014 respectively.

Risks and uncertainties

The Group continuously monitors the major strategic, operational, financial and external risks it faces and determines the appropriate course of action to manage these risks. The key risks and uncertainties which may impact the Group's performance have not changed from those stated on pages 36 to 43 of our 2012 Annual Report.

The principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of 2013 are identified as being:

Reservoir performance

In Ukraine, the multi-frac of the Rudenkovskoye field and the development of the Elizavetovskoye field and Gas Processing Facility are on-going projects that may materially enhance the Group's production and reserves. In Russia, we continue to make progress towards expanding throughput at our Koshekhablskoye Gas Processing Facility from 50 MMcfd to 60 MMcfd.

The production and cash flow expected to be generated from these development projects and the Group's other hydrocarbon reservoirs underpin the Group's operations and growth. If these reservoirs do not perform as expected, the Group will be exposed to lower profits, challenges in funding future development and potential impairment of the Group's oil and gas assets.

Commodity prices - Russia and Ukraine

We are exposed to international oil and gas price movements and political developments in Russia and Ukraine. In Russia and Ukraine, the respective governments set the gas prices at which we can sell our gas.

In Ukraine the regulated gas price is based on its border price which in turn is driven by the price used in the long term gas purchase contract between Ukraine and Russia. The contract price is the subject of continued political debate and negotiation by the Ukrainian government in order to reduce this contracted gas price.

Following a 3% decrease in gas prices in Russia on 1 April 2013 and a 15% increase on 1 July, the government has stated its intention to increase gas sector tariffs by 3% on 1 August 2013, annually by 15% on 1 July 2014 and 2015, and by a lower increment in the years thereafter to achieve European net-back price convergence.

A prolonged period of low gas prices in Ukraine would impact the Group's ability to support its long-term capital investment programme and would reduce shareholder returns and the share price. In addition, a reduction in the future gas prices in Ukraine and/or lower than expected future gas price increases in Russia could lead to impairment of the Group's oil and gas assets.

Country exposure

Over 95% of the Group's oil and gas assets are based in Ukraine and Russia and the gas that we produce is sold into their domestic markets.

Ukraine and Russia both display emerging market characteristics which means that the legislation and business practices regarding banking operations, foreign currency transactions and taxation are constantly evolving as those governments attempt to manage their economies.

Other risks inherent in conducting business in an emerging market economy include, but are not limited to, volatility in the financial markets and the general economy.

Tax legislation

In Ukraine, PPC has at times since 1994 sought clarification of their status regarding a number of production related taxes and has been subject to a number of such taxes. PPC continues to seek clarification from professional advisers and the tax authorities concerning rules of calculation and payment of various production related taxes to 31 December 2010.

Management's interpretation of tax legislation in Ukraine as applied to the transactions and activities of the Group may at times not coincide with that of the tax authorities and therefore the tax authorities may challenge transactions and the Group may be assessed for additional taxes, penalties and fines. These uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on the Group's financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In addition, the Group is liable to Russian mineral extraction tax ('MET') based on Russian production volumes. MET rates are changed periodically by the Russian government to encourage new investment but also to support the government's financial needs.

The Group's condensed consolidated interim financial information does not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability, and classification of assets or the amounts or classifications of liabilities that may result from these tax uncertainties.

Health, Safety and Environment

As we continue with the development and monetisation of our oil and gas reserves, we are exposed to a wide range of significant health, safety, security and environmental risks influenced by the geographic range, operational diversity and technical complexity of our exploration and production activities.

There are risks of technical failure, natural disasters and other adverse conditions where we operate, which could lead to loss of containment of hydrocarbons and other hazardous material, as well as the risk of fires, explosions or other incidents.

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, this condensed consolidated interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union, and that the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R, namely:

·; an indication of important events that have occurred in the first six months and their impact on the condensed set of financial information, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and

·; material related party transactions in the first six months and any material changes in related party transactions described in the last Annual Report.

A list of current Directors is maintained on the JKX Oil & Gas plc website www.jkx.co.uk.

On behalf of the Board

Dr Paul Davies Cynthia Dubin

Chief Executive Officer Finance Director

26 July 2013

Independent review report to JKX Oil & Gas plc

Introduction

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed consolidated interim financial information in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2013, which comprises the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement, Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and related notes. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed consolidated interim financial information.

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed consolidated interim financial information included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed consolidated interim financial information in the half-yearly financial report based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed consolidated interim financial information in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2013 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants

London

26 July 2013

Notes:

(a) The maintenance and integrity of the JKX Oil & Gas plc web site is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since it was initially presented on the website.

(b) Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)

1 Shares held by JKX Employee Benefit Trust.

2 The share option reserve has been included within the retained earnings reserve.Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Notes to the interim financial information

1. General information and accounting policies

JKX Oil & Gas plc (the ultimate parent of the Group) is a public limited company listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated in England. The registered office is 6 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0PD and the principal activities of the Group are exploration, appraisal, development and production of oil and gas reserves. The registered number of the Company is 03050645.

The condensed consolidated interim financial information incorporate the results of JKX Oil & Gas plc and its subsidiary undertakings as at 30 June 2013 and was approved by the Directors for issue on 26 July 2013.

This condensed consolidated interim financial information does not constitute accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012 were approved by the Board of Directors on 8 April 2013 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under section 498(2)-(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

This condensed consolidated interim financial information has not been audited, but was the subject of an independent review carried out by the Company's auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

2. Basis of preparation

This condensed consolidated interim financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2013 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting' as adopted by the European Union. The condensed consolidated interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. A copy of the annual financial statements is available on the Company's corporate website (www.jkx.co.uk) or from the Company's registered office.

The Group's business activities, together with factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the operational and financial review sections of this report. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the preceding paragraphs of this financial review.

The Directors have reviewed the Group's forecast cash flows for the next twelve months and through to the end of 2014. Capital and operating costs are based on approved budgets and latest forecasts in the case of 2013 and current development plans in the case of 2014. In addition the Directors have made enquiries into and considered the Ukrainian and Russian business environments and future expectations regarding country and currency risks that the Group may encounter.

Having considered the sensitivities and potential outcomes relating to these country and currency risks, the Group's ability to change the timing and scale of its discretionary capital expenditure if required, the Directors consider that the Company and Group have adequate resources to continue for the foreseeable future. The going concern basis for the accounts has therefore continued to be adopted.

3. Accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those used in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 and those expected to be applied in the 31 December 2013 annual financial statements. Taxes on income in the interim period are accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable on expected total annual earnings. There were no new standards, interpretations or amendments to standards issued and effective for the period which materially impacted the Group. During the period the Group adopted the following new accounting policies:

JKX Employee Benefit Trust

The JKX Employee Benefit Trust was established in the period to hold ordinary shares purchased to satisfy various new share scheme awards made to the employees of the Company which will be transferred to the members of the scheme on their respective vesting dates subject to satisfying the performance conditions of each scheme.

The trust has been consolidated in the Group financial statements in accordance with IFRS10. The cost of shares temporarily held by the trust is deducted from equity.

Convertible bonds due 2018

The net proceeds received from the issue of convertible bonds at the date of issue have been split between two elements: the host debt instrument classified as a financial liability in Borrowings, and the embedded derivative.

The fair value of the embedded derivative has been calculated first and the residual value is assigned to the debt host liability. The difference between the proceeds of issue of the convertible bonds and the fair value assigned to the embedded derivative, representing the value of the host debt instrument, is included as Borrowings and is not remeasured. The host debt component is then carried at amortised cost and the fair value of the embedded derivative is determined at inception and at each reporting date with the fair value changes being recognised in profit or loss.

Issue costs are apportioned between the host debt element (included in Borrowings) and the derivative component of the convertible bond based on their relative carrying amounts at the date of issue.

The interest expense on the component included in Borrowings is calculated by applying the effective interest method, with interest recognised on an effective yield basis.

Presentation change

Where a change in presentation between the prior year and current year financial statements has been made during the period, comparative figures have been restated accordingly. For the current and prior periods the Equity share options reserve has been included in Retained earnings. At 30 June 2012, the Equity share option reserve of $6.5m was shown separately from the Retained earnings.

4. Segmental analysis

The Group has one single class of business, being the exploration for, appraisal, development and production of oil and gas reserves. Accordingly the reportable operating segments are determined by the geographical location of the assets.

There are four (2012: five) reportable operating segments which are based on the internal reports provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM'). Ukraine and Russia segments are involved with production and exploration; the 'Rest of World' are involved in exploration, development and production and the UK is the home of the head office and purchases material, capital assets and services on behalf of other segments. The 'Rest of World' segment comprises operations in Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

Hungary is no longer considered a separate segment by the CODM due to the decline in the production rates and the impairment charge at 31 December 2012. Therefore Hungary has been included under the 'Rest of the World' segment.

Transfer prices between segments are set on an arms length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third parties. Segment revenue, segment expense and segment results include transfers between segments. Those transfers are eliminated on consolidation.

Segment results and assets include items directly attributable to the segment. Segment assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, inventories and receivables. Capital expenditures comprise additions to property, plant and equipment.

4. Segmental analysis (continued)

5. Property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets

During the period the Group acquired $33.3m additional assets (2012: $45.6m) in Ukraine, Russia and Hungary, with 99% (2012: 96%) in respect of Group's oil and gas producing and development assets and 1% (2012: 4%) being spent on intangible assets.

Yuzhgazenergie ('YGE')

For purposes of testing for impairment of YGE's non-current oil and gas assets in 2013, we have adopted a similar process to that used in previous periods. Having taken account of developments since the last test for impairment, based on the assessment of fair value less costs to sell, the recoverable amount exceeds the carrying value and no impairment trigger has been noted. However it should be noted that the estimate of the recoverable amount uses a discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology which is highly sensitive to changes in the key assumptions of future Russian gas prices and related production taxes, both of which are under the direct control of the Russian government.

In accordance with the Russian Government's stated intention, on the 1 July 2013, the Company received a 15% increase to the price at which it sells its gas in Russia. As in previous estimates, the Company has assumed net-back convergence with European gas prices occurring in 2020 after applying the Russian government's stated intention to increase gas sector tariffs annually by 15% on 1 July 2014 and 2015, and by a lower increment in the years thereafter to achieve European net-back price convergence. The Company's estimates also reflect the Russian government's recent confirmation of gas production tax rates through to 2015 and an inflationary increase has been applied thereafter.

6. (a) Exceptional item - accelerated depreciation of Ukrainian oil and gas assets

Following the change in the Group's oil and gas reserves at the Novo-Nikolaevskoye Complex on 31 December 2011, and subsequent revision to future production plans from those fields during 2012, there was a reassessment of the expected future economic benefit from the Complex's oil and gas assets in Ukraine. As a result, certain oil and gas assets have become obsolete and therefore their carrying value has been written off. A one-off accelerated depreciation charge of $30.7m was recognised in the income statement in 2012 in respect of these oil and gas assets.

6. (b) Exceptional item - impairment of Hungarian oil and gas assets

HHE North Kft (HHN), Hungary

During 2012, two of our producing Hungarian wells experienced an unexpected decline in production rates:

·; well Gh-1 watered out and following a review with our partner there are currently no plans to attempt to rectify this

·; well Hn-2 watered out but following remediation work this well has been restarted at lower production rates than previously experienced.

As a result, during 2012, management reduced their future production forecasts and reserves in respect of these two wells which the Company considered constituted an impairment trigger. A full impairment test was undertaken in respect of the Group's Hungarian oil and gas assets.

Please refer to pages 127 and 128 of the 2012 Annual Report for the full disclosure.

7. Other receivables

Non-current receivables consist of VAT recoverable as a result of expenditures incurred in Russia. A portion of the receivables are now expected to be recovered within one year (30 June 2012: within one year) following production and sales of oil, gas and condensate from YGE's Koshekhablskoye gas field and have therefore been classified as Current assets. The Non-current portion of the receivables is expected to be recovered between two and five years (2012: two and five years).

8. Cash

Restricted cash

At 30 June 2013 $0.2m (31 December 2012: $0.6m) of the cash held in Hungary at K & H Bank Zrt was restricted as under the Hungarian Mining Act the Group is required to deposit cash to cover compensation for any land damage and the costs of recultivation, including environmental damage of the waste management facilities.

9. Borrowings

Convertible bonds due 2018

On 19 February 2013 the Company successfully completed the placing of $40m of guaranteed unsubordinated convertible bonds with institutional investors which are due 2018 raising cash of $37.2m net of issue costs.

The Bonds have an annual coupon of 8 per cent per annum payable semi annually in arrears. The Bonds are convertible into ordinary shares of the Company at any time from 1 April 2013 up until seven days prior to their maturity on 19 February 2018 at a conversion price of 76.29 pence per Ordinary Share, unless the Company settles the conversion notice by paying the Bondholder the Cash Alternative Amount (see note 10). The conversion price is potentially subject to further downward adjustment on 19 August 2013 to a minimum of 69.94 pence per Ordinary Share.

Interest, after the deduction of issue costs and the inclusion of the redemption premium, will be charged to the profit or loss using an effective rate of 18.0%.

Cash Alternative Amount

At the option of the Company, the conversion notice in respect of the Bonds can be settled in cash rather than shares, the Cash Alternative Amount payable is based on the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Company's shares prior to the conversion notice.

Credit Facility

On 31 March 2011, Poltava Petroleum Company (PPC), our subsidiary in Ukraine, entered into a reducing credit facility agreement with Crédit Agricole CIB (France) secured by indemnity provided by the parent company, JKX Oil & Gas plc. The credit facility is for a maximum of Ukrainian Hryvnia equivalent of $15.0m. The facility was renewed on 26 April 2013 and is available until 30 June 2014 (2012: 30 June 2013) with the maximum facility reducing to $10.0m and $5.0m on 30 April 2014 and 30 May 2014 respectively. All provisions contained in the credit facility documentation have been negotiated on normal commercial and customary terms for such finance arrangements. The interest is calculated at prevailing Crédit Agricole CIB (France) bank rate plus a margin.

At the reporting date none of the Credit Facility had been drawn down.

Pre-paid Swap

The Pre-paid swap related to a term loan which the Group entered into on 14 June 2011 with Credit Suisse International. The transaction which secured $50m for capital expenditure and other purposes was repayable over an 18 month schedule commencing in September 2011, concluding with a final payment in December 2012. There was a zero coupon rate on the outstanding balance however under the transaction the Group hedged forward sales of oil.

The pre-paid swap was secured over the shares of all those Group subsidiaries which own, control or have an interest in the Group's oil and gas licences.

All obligations under the pre-paid swap concluded with a final payment to Credit Suisse in December 2012.

10. Derivatives

Non-current derivative financial instruments

Convertible bonds due 2018 - embedded derivatives

Coupon Makewhole

Upon conversion of a Bond prior to the 19 February 2015 the Company is required to pay an amount of interest equal to the aggregate interest which would have been payable on the principal amount of the Bond if such Bond had been outstanding until 19 February 2015.

Bondholder Put Option

Bondholders have the right to require the Company to redeem the following number of Bonds on the following dates together with accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) such dates:

Company Call Option

The Company can redeem the Bonds early in full but not in part at their principal amount together with accrued interest at any time on or after 19 February 2017 if the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Company's shares over a specified period equal or exceed 130 per cent of the principal amount of the Bonds; or if the aggregate principal amount of the bonds outstanding is less than 15% of the aggregate principal amount originally issued.

Fixed exchange rate

The Sterling-US Dollar exchange rate is fixed at £1/$1.5809 for the conversion and other features.

Current derivative financial instruments

Pre-paid Swap

The pre-paid swap transaction with Credit Suisse International was structured to enable its repayment by the Group from future sales of oil. Under this structure, the Group sold forward 36,000 bbl/month of crude at $94.00 Urals Med per barrel while retaining value if prices rise above $130 per bbl.

The Urals Med index was the closest international benchmark for the range of oil and gas produced by the Group and delivered in local markets. The volume allocated represented approximately 10% of the Group's current daily production on a barrel of oil equivalent basis.

As the amount of consideration payable to Credit Suisse International changed in response to the change in the Urals Med index and was being settled in the future, the payable was treated as a derivative liability. For the purpose of hedge accounting the oil price hedge (forward sale) entered into during the period was classified as cash flow hedge. The gains and losses taken to equity that were transferred to the condensed consolidated income statement during the period were nil (2012: $1.6m).

All obligations under the pre-paid swap concluded with a final payment to Credit Suisse in December 2012.

11. Financial instruments

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities - Group

Set out below is a comparison by category of carrying amounts and fair values of the Group's financial instruments.  Fair value is the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in an arm's length transaction. Where available, market values have been used (this excludes short term assets and liabilities).

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, short-term deposits and restricted cash of $34.2m. Loans and receivables comprise trade and other receivables of $9.8m. Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost are carried at $49.3m. The Group's borrowings at 30 June 2013 relate entirely to the convertible bond due 2018.

Fair value hierarchy

At the period end the Group's derivative financial instrument related to various embedded derivatives within the convertible bond due 2018. The value of the derivative was calculated at inception and the reporting date using Monte Carlo simulation methodology using the Company's historic share price and volatility, treasury rates and other market data and estimations. As it was derived from inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) it has been grouped into Level 2 within the fair value measurement hierarchy. Categorisation within the fair value measurement hierarchy was determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to its fair value measurement.

Capital management - Group

The Group's policy as to the level of equity capital and reserves is to ensure that it maintains a strong financial position and low gearing ratio which provides financial flexibility to continue as a going concern and to maximise shareholder value. The capital structure of the Group consists of shareholders' equity excluding the hedge reserve together with net cash.

Net cash comprises: borrowings disclosed in note 9 and total cash in note 8, and excludes derivatives. Equity attributable to the shareholders of the Company comprises issued capital, capital reserves, retained earnings, excluding the hedge reserve (see Consolidated statement of changes in equity).

The capital structure of the Group is as follows:

Following the issue of $40m of convertible bonds in February 2013, the primary capital risk to the Group is the level of indebtedness. The convertible bond includes a financial covenant which limits the Group's indebtedness (excluding the bonds themselves and the $15.0m Credit Agricole facility) in respect of any new borrowings (in addition to the bond amount) to three times 12-month free cash flow based on the most recently published consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity risk - Group

The treasury function is responsible for liquidity, funding and settlement management under policies approved by the Board of Directors. Liquidity needs are monitored using regular forecasting of operational cash flows and financing commitments. The Group maintains a mixture of cash and cash equivalents and committed facilities in order to ensure sufficient funding for business requirements.

The following tables set out details of the expected contractual maturity of non-derivative financial liabilities. The tables include both interest and principal cash flows on an undiscounted basis. To the extent that interest flows are floating rate, the undiscounted amount is derived from interest rate curves at the reporting date.

Interest rate risk profile of financial assets and liabilities - Group

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk principally in relation to the balance outstanding on the credit facility with Crédit Agricole CIB (France) where interest is calculated at prevailing Crédit Agricole CIB (France) bank rate plus a margin. Fixed rate interest is charged on the Group's convertible bond (see note 10). The interest rate profile of the financial assets and liabilities of the Group as at 30 June is as follows (excluding short-term assets and liabilities, non-interest bearing):

Floating rate financial assets comprise cash deposits placed on money markets at call, seven day and monthly rates.

12. JKX Employee Benefit Trust

During the period, JKX Employee Benefit Trust was established and acquired 5,000,000 (2012: nil) of shares in JKX Oil & Gas plc at a cost of $4.0m (2012: $nil) for the purpose of making awards under the Group's employee share schemes and these shares have been classified in the statement of financial position as treasury shares within equity.

None of these shares were used in 2013 (2012: nil) to settle share options therefore at the period end JKX Employee Benefit Trust held 5,000,000 shares in JKX Oil & Gas plc (2012: nil).

13. Share capital

Equity share capital, denominated in Sterling, was as follows:

The Company did not purchase any treasury shares during 2013 (2012: nil). There were no treasury shares used in 2013 (2012: nil) to settle share options. There are no shares reserved for issue under options or contracts.

14. Provisions

15. Taxation

No liability to UK taxation has arisen during the six months ended 30 June 2013 (2012: $nil) due to the availability of tax losses. The current tax charged in the period relates to Ukrainian corporation tax which has arisen in the Group's subsidiary, Poltava Petroleum Company. Taxes charged on production of hydrocarbons in Ukraine and Hungary are included in cost of sales.

Factors that may affect future tax charges

A significant proportion of the Group's income will be generated overseas. Profits made overseas will not be able to be offset by costs incurred elsewhere in the Group. This could lead to a higher than expected effective tax rate for the Group.

The UK corporation tax rate changes announced in the 2012 Autumn Statement and March 2013 Budget were substantively enacted as part of the Finance Bill 2013 on 2 July 2013. These include reductions to the main rate of UK corporation tax to 21% for the financial year commencing 1 April 2014 and 20% for the financial year commencing 1 April 2015.

As the changes had not been substantively enacted at the reporting date their effects are not included in these financial statements. The overall effect of these changes, if they had applied to the deferred tax balances at the reporting date, would not be material to the Group.

The new corporation tax rate in Ukraine for 2013 is 19%. The expected corporation tax rate for 2014 and beyond is 16%.

Taxation in Ukraine - production taxes

The Group is subject to uncertainties relating to the determination of its tax liabilities. Ukrainian tax legislation and practice are in a state of continuous development, with new laws coming into effect at times which can conflict with others and, therefore, are subject to varying interpretations and changes which may be applied retrospectively. Management's interpretation of tax legislation as applied to the transactions and activities of the Group may at times not coincide with that of the tax authorities. As a result, the tax authorities may challenge transactions and the Group may be assessed for additional taxes, penalties and fines which could have a material adverse effect on the Group's financial position and results of operations.

Since PPC's inception in 1994 the Company has operated in a regime where conflicting laws have often existed, including in relation to effective taxes on oil and gas production. Various laws and regulations have existed and have implied a number of variable rates.

PPC has at times since 1994 sought clarification of their status regarding a number of production related taxes, and has been subject to a number of such taxes, at various rates, which have been paid and accounted for within Operating Costs within the Group Income Statement. In late 2009, coinciding with the lead up to the Presidential election in Ukraine, PPC was subjected to increased operational pressures in several areas, including broader taxation.

On 1 January 2010 yet another law came into force in Ukraine in the area of production related tax, the Law of Ukraine on "On Rent Charges for Oil, Natural Gas and Gas Condensate" which had been suspended since 2004. The Law was suspended on 24 April 2010. During 2010 conflicting laws were announced (most particularly the Law of Ukraine on "Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine") which may be a basis for the Ukrainian Tax Authorities to assert that further production related taxes are due from various oil and gas companies, including PPC, for periods through to 31 December 2010.

PPC continues to defend itself in court against action initiated by the tax authorities concerning rules of calculation and payment of various production related taxes for the period from January to March 2007. The statutory period of limitation in Ukraine for such matters is three years. If PPC was subject to maximum production related taxes for the periods from January to March 2007 and from June 2010 to December 2010, additional production related taxes could be approximately twenty per cent of Ukraine gross revenues for those periods (net of corporate tax savings), plus interest and penalties. The Group considers that the likelihood of additional production related taxes for the period from May 2007 to May 2010 is remote on the basis of tax audits completed, the related legal position and the three year statute of limitation. The Group would exhaustively challenge the payment of any further production related taxes (over and above those it has already paid) for the period through 31 December 2010. Given the lack of clarity over the legal position together with arguments that the Group has to defend its position, the Group considers that no payments are likely to be made in the next 12 months.

A new tax code became effective in Ukraine on 1 January 2011 replacing most of the previous tax laws. The new tax code has removed uncertainty over the applicability of rental fee payment by PPC from 2011 and accordingly PPC has been liable to, and has paid, rental fees during the period. The fees are levied on production volumes in accordance with a rates schedule which may change from time to time. Such payments are recorded in cost of sales.

16. Earnings/(loss) per share

The calculation of earnings per ordinary share for the six months ended 30 June 2013 is based on the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 172,090,805 (2012: 172,070,477; 31 December 2012: 172,070,477) and the profit/(loss) for the relevant period. For the calculation of diluted earnings per share, earnings for the six months ended 30 June 2013 have been adjusted for the effect of the net finance charge of $1,326,182 (2012: nil) relating to the convertible bonds and the fair value gain on the embedded derivative of $1,816,933 (2012: nil) in respect of dilutive potential ordinary shares associated with the bond.

The diluted earnings per share for the six months ended 30 June 2013 is based on 198,767,752 (30 June 2012: 173,762,803; 31 December 2012: 173,317,487) ordinary shares calculated as follows:

17. Dividends

In respect of the full year 2012, the Directors did not propose any final dividend (2011: nil). No interim dividend for six months to 30 June 2013 is being paid or proposed (2012: nil).

18. Reconciliation of profit from operations to net cash generated from operations

19. Capital commitments

Under the work programmes for the Group's exploration and development licenses the Group had committed  $3.3m to future capital expenditure on drilling rigs and facilities as at 30 June 2013 (30 June 2012: $3.5m; 31 December 2012: $2.0m).

20. Related-party transactions

Key management compensation amounted to $2.8m for the six months ended 30 June 2013 (2012: $2.8m).

21. Events after the reporting date

Since the reporting date, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary in Ukraine commenced the multi-stage frac operation on well R-103 in its Rudenkovskoye licence in Poltava, Ukraine. Well R-103 was drilled to a total depth of 4,641 metres into the Rudenkovskoye Devonian sandstone reservoir with a horizontal section of just over 1,000 metres at a true vertical depth of 3,650 metres.

The operation, which will consist of nine stages, is expected to take around 40 days to complete with initial flow expected in mid-August. Clean-up is anticipated to take between two to four weeks, with the well reaching stable production approximately one month later.

In addition, in Ukraine, well NN-71 in the Novo-Nikolaevskoye field was successfully recompleted to the Visean V-15 sandstone reservoir. Following a three stage test, production stabilised rate of 4.3 MMcfd of gas and 342 bpd of condensate through a 93/64" choke with a flowing wellhead pressure of 625 psi.

On 11 July the $40m Guaranteed Convertible Bonds due 2018 were admitted to the official list of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and to trading on its Euro MTF Market.

Glossary