Last checked at 8 Apr 2022 07:00
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR NEW ZEALAND OR IN OR INTO ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A BREACH OF ANY APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE A PROSPECTUS OR OFFERING MEMORANDUM OR AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION IN RESPECT OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES OF ANGUS ENERGY PLC IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD BREACH ANY APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION.
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
8 April 2022
Angus Energy plc ("Angus Energy" or the "Company")
Sound Energy plc ("Sound") not to proceed with possible offer for Angus Energy Plc
Termination of Formal Sale Process and update on Strategic Review
Sound
The Company notes the announcement made by Sound this morning in which it confirms it does not intend to make an offer under Rule 2.7 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code") to acquire Angus.
End of Formal Sale Process
On 6 January 2022, Angus Energy plc (the "Angus") announced that it was undertaking a review of the strategic options. These options include, but were not limited to, a sale of the Company which will be conducted under the framework of a "formal sale process" in accordance with the Takeover Code.
The Company now announces that whilst it will continue its strategic review at the asset level only, as explained below, it has ended the "formal sale process" of the Company which it had commenced previously in accordance with Rules 2.4 and 2.6 of the Takeover Code. Accordingly, the Company is no longer in an offer period as defined by the Takeover Code.
George Lucan, CEO, commented: "Our Competent Persons Report of October 2021 gave a P90 valuation of £24 million (P50 of £34 million) to our interest in Saltfleetby, since which time confidence in our ability to achieve First Gas in June has risen, and the wider market has reflected this in our own share price.
After lengthy discussions on a possible combination with Sound, which we consider to have had merit, we were unable to agree terms.
The Company is pleased to continue discussions with two actively interested parties for part or all of our Licence interest at an asset level. However, in the light of a strongly supportive economic backdrop and in constant pursuit of shareholder value, we are now formally closing out our Formal Sales Process as regards potential Offers for the shares of Angus Energy plc although we remain in a Strategic Review period whilst those discussions continue at an asset or licence level."
For further information on the Company, please visit www.angusenergy.co.uk or contact:
Enquiries:
Angus Energy Plc www.angusenergy.co.uk
George Lucan Tel: +44 (0) 208 899 6380
Beaumont Cornish (Nomad) www.beaumontcornish.com
James Biddle / Roland Cornish Tel: +44 (0) 207 628 3396
WH Ireland Limited (Broker)
Harry Ansell / Katy Mitchell Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666
Flagstaff PR/IR angus@flagstaffcomms.com
Tim Thompson / Fergus Mellon Tel: +44 (0) 207 129 1474
Aleph Commodities info@alephcommodities.com
About Angus Energy plc
Angus Energy plc is a UK AIM quoted independent onshore Energy Transition company with a complementary portfolio of clean gas development assets, onshore geothermal projects, and legacy oil producing fields. Angus is focused on becoming a leading onshore UK diversified clean energy and energy infrastructure company. Angus Energy has a 51% interest in the Saltfleetby Gas Field (PEDL005), majority owns and operates conventional oil production fields at Brockham (PL 235) and Lidsey (PL 241) and has a 25% interest in the Balcombe Licence (PEDL244).
Important Notices
This announcement contains 'forward-looking statements' concerning the Company that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, the words 'will', 'may', 'should', 'continue', 'believes', 'targets', 'plans', 'expects', 'aims', 'intends', 'anticipates' or similar expressions or negatives thereof identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the Company's ability to control or estimate precisely. The Company cannot give any assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements set out herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of the Company.