SDX Energy Regulatory News (SDX)

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY SDX TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014 ("MAR"). ON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE ("RIS"), THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

5 January 2021

SDX ENERGY PLC ("SDX" or the "Company")

TRADING AND OPERATIONS UPDATE TWELVE MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2020

AND

COMMENCEMENT OF SOUTH DISOUQ SD-12X WELL - FIRST GAS SIX WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

SDX Energy Plc (AIM: SDX), the MENA-focused oil and gas company, is pleased to provide an update on the South Disouq SD-12X well achieving first gas, its unaudited operating results, cash and liquidity position for the twelve months ended 31 December 2020 and its planned drilling campaigns for 2021. All monetary values are expressed in United States dollars net to the Company unless otherwise stated.

Mark Reid, CEO of SDX, commented:

"I am very pleased to be able to announce a strong end to 2020 and a promising start to 2021 with our SD-12X (Sobhi) well, where we have 100% entitlement interest, coming on stream six weeks ahead of schedule. Production from two of our three core assets beat 2020 guidance (being South Disouq and Morocco, where production is now back to pre-Covid close down levels) while our third core asset (West Gharib) came in at the top end of guidance. Furthermore, as a result of our continued focus on capital discipline, I am pleased to report that our 2020 capex spend was approximately US$1million lower than our guidance of US$26million.

Our strong performance in 2020 means that we finished the year debt-free with c.US$9.6million of cash and US$2.5million of undrawn availability from our EBRD facility, which will increase to US$10million in the coming months after the standard conditions precedent in our new facility are satisfied. When viewed in light of a year which was full of operational challenges and volatile commodity prices, I see our robust cash generation as a hallmark of our business and is testament to the commitment of the team at SDX. We have started 2021 in a very positive position with an exciting programme of nine wells to be drilled in the year and I expect us to build on the successes of 2020 by discovering more resource and continuing our resilient cash generation."  

South Disouq, Egypt operations update - SD-12X first gas six weeks ahead of schedule

· Following the success of the SD-12X exploration well (100% W.I.) in Q2'20, being a commercial discovery in the Kafr el Sheikh ("KES") formation, the Company achieved first gas from the well on 21 December 2020, approximately six weeks ahead of schedule.

· Management estimates that SD-12X has approximately 24 bcf of recoverable resources and can produce at a rate of up to 10-12 MMscf/d. At present, the well is producing at approximately 5-7 MMscf/d and will continue to be monitored to determine its optimum production rate. SDX has a 100% working interest in the production from this well.

Trading and operations update twelve months to 31 December 2020

Production

· Average entitlement production for the year of c.6,400 boe/d, an increase of 58% from FY 2019 and exceeding 2020 guidance of 6,000-6,250 boe/d.

· Moroccan customers back to their March 2020 pre-Covid close down consumption levels.

· Production from all core assets either exceeded or was at the top end of guidance.

Capex

· Capex for the twelve months to 31 December 2020 also beat guidance due to a reduced drilling campaign at West Gharib.

(1) Includes US$0.2 million of non-cash decommissioning provisions

(2) Includes US$0.5 million of non-cash decommissioning provisions

Cash and liquidity

· Cash and liquidity remain strong with cash of c.US$9.6 million (unaudited) as at 31 December 2020 and the EBRD credit facility remaining undrawn with US$2.5 million of availability.

· The Company has agreed a new five-year, US$10 million facility, with EBRD which is expected to be available for drawing before the end of Q1'21 upon satisfaction of standard conditions precedent.

· Together with cash generated from operations, the Company is fully funded for all of its planned activities in 2021.

2021 Drilling and prospectivity: Nine wells to be drilled in 2021

· Two wells in South Disouq (55% W.I.)

· Following the success of SD-12X at South Disouq and upon further review of the 3D seismic, management has high-graded c.233bcf of mean unrisked recoverable volumes, which are close to our existing infrastructure, located in horizons that are either productive in South Disouq or in adjacent blocks, and which are now viewed as ready-to-drill prospects.

· During Q2 and Q3'21 the Hanut prospect, which Company estimates has an unrisked mean recoverable volumes of 139bcf with a 33% chance of success, will be drilled, together with Ibn Yunus-2, a development well, into our existing 46Bcf producing discovery at Ibn Yunus which will further accelerate production and ensure that the CPF throughput continues to be optimised.

· The net drilling costs to the Company of these two wells, reflecting the dry hole cost of Hanut only, is estimated at US$3.6 million and the net tie in cost of Ibn Yunus-2 is US$0.3 million. The Company's partner in the concession has now confirmed that it will participate in both of these wells.

· Three wells in West Gharib (50% W.I.)

· The Company plans to drill a minimum of three development wells in the concession during 2021 with the campaign expected to commence in Q2/Q3'21.

· The three wells are targeting approximately gross 1 million barrels of recoverable resources and each of these wells is expected to produce gross 300-400bbl/d.

· The net cost of the campaign to the Company, including tie in, is expected to be c.US$1.5 million.

· Four wells in Morocco (75% W.I.)

· During the year, the Company will drill four 'close to infrastructure' appraisal/development wells, two of which will be deepened to target the newly discovered Top Nappe play. The LMS-2 discovery will also be tested in 2021.

· The campaign which will commence in early Q2'21 and complete late Q3/early Q4'21 will target approximately gross 2 bcf of recoverable resources, excluding the volumes in any potential Top Nappe prospects, which are still being assessed.

· Including tie in costs, the campaign is expected to cost the Company c.US$12 million.

About SDX

SDX is an international oil and gas exploration, production and development company, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with a principal focus on MENA. In Egypt, SDX has a working interest in two producing assets: a 55% operated interest in the South Disouq gas field in the Nile Delta and a 50% non-operated interest in the West Gharib concession, which is located onshore in the Eastern Desert, adjacent to the Gulf of Suez. In Morocco, SDX has a 75% working interest in five development/production concessions, all situated in the Gharb Basin. The producing assets in Morocco are characterised by attractive gas prices and exceptionally low operating costs. SDX has a strong weighting of fixed price gas assets in its portfolio with low operating costs and attractive margins throughout, providing resilience in a low commodity price environment. SDX's portfolio also includes high impact exploration opportunities in both Egypt and Morocco.

For further information, please see the Company's website at www.sdxenergy.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com.

Competent Persons Statement

In accordance with the guidelines of the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange, the technical information contained in the announcement has been reviewed and approved by Rob Cook, VP Subsurface of SDX. Dr. Cook has over 25 years of oil and gas industry experience and is the qualified person as defined in the London Stock Exchange's Guidance Note for Mining and Oil and Gas companies. Dr. Cook holds a BSc in Geochemistry and a PhD in Sedimentology from the University of Reading, UK. He is a Chartered Geologist with the Geological Society of London (Geol Soc) and a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG-11983) with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).

For further information:

Glossary

Forward-looking information

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or are not statements of historical fact should be viewed as forward-looking information. In particular, statements regarding the Company's 2020 production and capex guidance, liquidity and sources of cash flows in 2020 and 2021,the impact of COVID-19 on customer consumption, future drilling developments and results, and extending the tenor and re-establishing the full availability of the US$10 million credit facility with the EBRD should all be regarded as forward-looking information.

The forward-looking information contained in this document is based on certain assumptions, and although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because SDX can give no assurances that they may prove to be correct. This includes, but is not limited to, assumptions related to, among other things, commodity prices and interest and foreign exchange rates; planned synergies, capital efficiencies and cost-savings; applicable tax laws; future production rates; receipt of necessary permits; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities, and the availability and cost of labour and services.

All timing given in this announcement, unless stated otherwise, is indicative, and while the Company endeavours to provide accurate timing to the market, it cautions that, due to the nature of its operations and reliance on third parties, this is subject to change, often at little or no notice. If there is a delay or change to any of the timings indicated in this announcement, the Company shall update the market without delay.

Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks and uncertainties (both general and specific) that could cause actual events or outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, but are not limited to, political, social, and other risks inherent in daily operations for the Company, risks associated with the industries in which the Company operates, such as: operational risks; delays or changes in plans with respect to growth projects or capital expenditures; costs and expenses; health, safety and environmental risks; commodity price, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations; environmental risks; competition; permitting risks; the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws and environmental regulations. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and are advised to refer to the Principal Risks & Uncertainties section of SDX's Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019, which can be found on SDX's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, for a description of additional risks and uncertainties associated with SDX's business.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release is as of the date hereof and SDX does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward‐looking information, except as required by applicable law. The forward‐looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Oil and Gas Advisory

Certain disclosures in this news release constitute "anticipated results" for the purposes of National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101") of the Canadian Securities Administrators because the disclosure in question may, in the opinion of a reasonable person, indicate the potential value or quantities of resources in respect of the Company's resources or a portion of its resources. Without limitation, the anticipated results disclosed in this news release include estimates of volume, flow rate, production rates, porosity, and pay thickness attributable to the resources of the Company. Such estimates have been prepared by Company management and have not been prepared or reviewed by an independent qualified reserves evaluator or auditor. Anticipated results are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those described above and various geological, technical, operational, engineering, commercial, and technical risks. In addition, the geotechnical analysis and engineering to be conducted in respect of such resources is not complete. Such risks and uncertainties may cause the anticipated results disclosed herein to be inaccurate. Actual results may vary, perhaps materially.

Use of the term "boe" or the term "MMscf" may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A "boe" conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl and a "Mcf" conversion ratio of 1 bbl: 6 Mcf are based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Prospective Resources Data

The prospective resources estimates disclosed or referenced herein have been prepared by Dr. Rob Cook, a qualified reserves evaluator, in accordance with the SPE's Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and in accordance with NI 51-101. The prospective resources disclosed herein have an effective date of 1 January 2020. Prospective resources are those quantities of gas, estimated as of the given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations through future development projects. As prospective resources, there is no certainty that any portion of the resources will be discovered. The chance that an exploration project will result in a discovery is referred to as the "chance of discovery" as defined by the management of the Company.

There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources discussed herein; though any discovery that is commercially viable would be tied back to the Company's pipeline in Morocco and then connected to customers' facilities within 9 to 12 months of discovery. Based upon the economic analysis undertaken on any discovery, management has attributed an associated chance of development of 100%.

There are uncertainties associated with the volume estimates of the prospective resources disclosed herein, due to the level of information available on prospective resources, but ranges are defined based on data from the Company's nearby existing analogous wells. Some of the risks and uncertainties are outlined below:

· Petrophysical parameters of the sand/reservoir;

· Fluid composition, especially heavy end hydrocarbons;

· Accurate estimation of reservoir conditions (pressure and temperature);

· Reservoir drive mechanism;

· Potential well deliverability; and

· The thickness and lateral extent of the reservoir section, currently based on 3D seismic data.

"P50" means that there is at least a 50% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the best estimate.