Last checked at 27 Feb 2009 07:00
27 February 2009
ROC OIL COMPANY LIMITED ("ROC")
STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE
2008 FINANCIAL RESULTS SUMMARY
ROC has released its Preliminary Final Report (Appendix 4E), Directors' Report and Annual Financial Report for the Financial Year ended 31 December 2008. The key highlights are:
FINANCIALS
Net loss after income tax of US$278.4 million (2007: loss of US$84.4 million) including:
OPERATIONS
- eight exploration wells (one discovery at Coco-1, onshore Angola);
- six appraisal wells;
- three 3D seismic surveys; and
- one aeromagnetic survey.
- Construction, fabrication and installation of new facilities, as well as development drilling activities at Zhao Dong Block, Bohai Bay, offshore China; and
- Ongoing expansion activity at Basker-Manta-Gummy Oil and Gas Fields, offshore Victoria.
Commenting on the 2008 Financial Results, ROC's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bruce Clement, stated:
"ROC's 2008 Financial Results are dominated by non-cash balance sheet asset impairments that largely resulted from the fall in oil price during the year. The oil price fell 62% year-on-year and by 64% since the acquisition of Anzon in September. Asset revaluations have resulted in write-downs and impairments of US$376.9 million (before tax), which was a major contributor to the reported loss of US$278.4 million (after tax).
However, underlying these results is a healthy business, with a sound operational and cash flow base, substantial 2P Reserves (24 MMBOE) and development potential from Contingent Resources (23.9 MMBOE). The Anzon acquisition contributed 7.7 MMBOE of 2P Reserves and 18.7 MMBOE of Contingent Resources. The 2008 cash flow from operations was US$182.5 million from production of 4.0 MMBOE. Current production exceeds 12,000 BOEPD and average operating cost is approximately US$15/BBL. Even in today's US$40/BBL oil price environment, ROC continues to generate positive operating cash flow.
Importantly, the funding for ROC's 2009 business plans is largely underpinned by operating cash flow and support from existing lenders. In particular, a new US$35 million bridge facility has been provided by CBA to support development activities in 2009 and the term of the existing US$30 million working capital facility from CBA has been extended to 30 June 2010.
In this uncertain global financial environment and with oil prices at four year lows, ROC's business strategy is to steward financial resources and to continue focusing on production and development operations. ROC has taken positive action to ensure the business operates effectively in this environment. Exploration expenditure for 2009 has been minimised, development programmes have been structured to focus on delivering optimal financial returns and opportunities are already being pursued to enhance production performance and to take advantage of cost reductions now being experienced in the industry.
ROC is well positioned to take advantage of improvements in oil price, whenever this may occur, through strong production and development opportunities within its existing asset base."
For further information please contact:
Mr Bruce Clement
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +61-2-8023-2000
Fax: +61-2-8023-2222
Email: bclement@rocoil.com.au
Or visit ROC's website: www.rocoil.com.au
Michael Shaw
Oriel Securities Limited (Nominated Adviser)
Tel: +44 (0)20 7710 7600
Bobby Morse
Buchanan Communications
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7466 5000
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7466 5001
E-Mail: bobbym@buchanan.uk.com
Mob: +44 (0)7802 875 227
In accordance with ASX and AIM Rules, the reserves and resources information in this Release has been reviewed and approved by Mr Neil Seage, Chief Reservoir Engineer, Roc Oil Company Limited, BA, BEng (Hons), MBA and Dip App Fin. Mr Seage, who is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, has more than 30 years of relevant experience within the industry and consents to the information in the form and context in which it appears.