Last checked at 18 Dec 2018 07:00
18 December 2018
San Leon Energy plc
("San Leon" or the "Company")
Update on Share Buyback and Expected Completion of SunTrust Exit
San Leon Energy plc , the AIM-listed company focused on oil and gas development and appraisal in Africa, is pleased to provide an update on its plans for a share buyback of at least US$10,000,000 and also on the expected completion of the Midwestern Oil & Gas Ltd ("Midwestern") purchase of the remaining San Leon shares held by SunTrust Oil Company Nigeria Limited ("SunTrust").
Share Buyback
On 25 September 2018, the Company announced its intention initially to return not less than $10 million to shareholders through a share buy-back programme (the "Programme"), once it had completed its capital reorganisation. Whilst the reorganisation was expected to complete during October/November 2018, it has been delayed whilst awaiting confirmation from SunTrust that it has no objection to the Company undertaking the required capital reorganisation nor will it in any way seek to impede the process. The Company is pleased to confirm that it has now received such written confirmation from SunTrust.
Following this confirmation of no objection from SunTrust, San Leon will apply to the High Court in Ireland to approve the reduction in the Company's share capital so as to create distributable reserves and thereby permit the Company to make distributions to its shareholders, by way of the Programme. The Company is applying to the Irish High Court as soon as practicable and has been advised that this is a procedural process, having already completed all requisite requirements. Upon court approval, the Company must then advertise to provide an opportunity for any creditors to object to the capital reorganisation.
The Company will keep shareholders informed of the progress of these final steps and also the likely timing for commencing the Programme.
Midwestern Purchase of San Leon Shares From SunTrust
On 1 October 2018, the Company announced that Midwestern had entered into a binding agreement with SunTrust to acquire SunTrust's entire remaining holding in San Leon, being 71,487,179 ordinary shares (representing 14.29 % of the issued ordinary shares of the Company). As of that date 47,243,590 ordinary shares in San Leon (representing 9.44% of issued ordinary shares) had already been transferred to Midwestern. The Company has been informed by Midwestern that the subsequent balance is expected to be transferred in the near term, with a target date of completing the transfer by mid January 2019.
Oisin Fanning, CEO of San Leon, commented:"I am pleased to advise shareholders of the recent developments, which should enable the Company to commence the previously announced share buyback once legal formalities have been concluded, and subject to meeting regulatory requirements. Whilst this is later than originally envisaged, the Company was keen to ensure any potential obstacles had been removed prior to commencing the legal process of the capital reorganisation. The Company would like to thank shareholders for their patience and understanding and I look forward to providing further corporate and operational updates over the coming months.
The Company also looks forward to Midwestern completing its purchase of the remaining San Leon shares held by SunTrust."
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement
Enquiries:
San Leon Energy plc
Oisin Fanning, Chief Executive (+ 353 1291 6292)
Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Nominated adviser, financial adviser and joint broker to the Company)
Nick Tulloch (+44 131 257 4634)
David Porter (+44 207 894 8896)
Whitman Howard Limited (Financial adviser and joint broker to the Company)
Nick Lovering (+44 20 7659 1234)
Brandon Hill Capital Limited (Joint broker to the Company)
Oliver Stansfield (+44 203 463 5000)
Jonathan Evans (+44 203 463 5016)
Vigo Communications (Financial Public Relations)
Chris McMahon +44 207 390 0232)
Simon Woods (+44 207 390 0236)
Plunkett Public Relations
Sharon Plunkett (+353 1 280 7873)