5 June 2024
Jersey
Oil and Gas plc
("Jersey
Oil & Gas", "JOG" or the
"Company")
AGM Update
Jersey Oil & Gas (AIM: JOG), an
independent upstream oil and gas company focused on the UK
Continental Shelf region of the North Sea, is pleased to provide
the following update on the Buchan redevelopment project ahead of
today's Annual General Meeting ("AGM").
Following the announcement of an
earlier than expected UK General Election in July 2024, the Buchan
joint venture partners have assessed the implications and their
plan for progressing the project. While activities continue
in order for the Buchan project to be ready for Field Development
Plan ("FDP") approval by the end of this year, the exact timing for
achieving this key milestone and enabling project sanction is
naturally linked to securing fiscal clarity from the next
government and ensuring that the project remains financially
attractive.
The Buchan Operator, NEO Energy,
continues to make good progress on advancing the work programme
required to enable project sanction. Completion of the
necessary engineering work is on track and the first offshore
survey was completed in May, obtaining the geophysical data used
for the subsea and drilling rig contract tendering process. A
second survey to obtain geotechnical data is scheduled to commence
this month. Work is also advancing on completion of the other
two key remaining workstreams, being the subsurface studies
required to finalise the drilling programme and operational
verification and preparation for the handover of the "Western
Isles" floating production, storage and offloading vessel ("FPSO")
to the Buchan joint venture. Alongside these activities,
engagement on the Buchan FDP and associated regulatory consents is
progressing to plan with the North Sea Transition Authority
("NSTA") and the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for the Environment
and Decommissioning.
Following the receipt of fiscal
clarity and subject to FDP approval, the major contract awards and
capital commitments for the project are now expected in 2025, which
leads to Buchan first production being targeted for late 2027.
Under the current fiscal policy, the Company's valuation of
the Buchan redevelopment project does not materially change as a
result of the later first production date.
JOG remains fully funded with a
current cash position of over £13 million and a forecast annual
base cash spend of £3 million. The Buchan project remains fully
carried to FDP with a further $20 million payment due following
approval by the NSTA of the Buchan FDP and receipt of the
associated regulatory and legal consents. The Company also has a
full carry to first oil for its 20% equity interest in the Buchan
field development costs, which are to be approved in the
FDP.
Andrew Benitz, Chief Executive Officer,
commented:
"With a UK General Election now announced, we are hopeful that
fiscal clarity will be forthcoming in short order so that the
industry can continue to do what it does best, namely investing in
major capital projects that deliver vital low carbon homegrown
energy and highly skilled jobs. In the case of the Buchan
field, we have a project that will deliver a meaningful
contribution to the energy transition process through our
electrification strategy, which helps facilitate investment in
cutting-edge floating offshore wind."
Enquiries:
Jersey Oil and Gas plc
|
Andrew Benitz
|
c/o Camarco:
020 3757 4980
|
Strand Hanson Limited
|
James Harris
Matthew Chandler
James Bellman
|
Tel: 020 7409 3494
|
Zeus Capital Limited
|
Simon Johnson
|
Tel: 020 3829 5000
|
Cavendish Capital Markets
Limited
|
Neil McDonald
Leif Powis
|
Tel: 020 7220 0500
|
Camarco
|
Billy Clegg
Rebecca Waterworth
|
Tel: 020 3757 4980
|
- Ends -
Notes to Editors:
Jersey Oil & Gas (AIM:JOG) is a
UK energy company focused on creating shareholder value through the
development of oil and gas assets and the execution of accretive
transactions.
The Company has a focused asset
portfolio centred on developing homegrown North Sea resources that
support the UK's energy requirements as it transitions towards net
zero. JOG holds a 20% interest in each of licences P2498
(Blocks 20/5a, 20/5e and 21/1a) and P2170 (Blocks 20/5b and 21/1d)
located in the UK Central North Sea and referred to as the "Greater
Buchan Area" ("GBA"). Licence P2498 contains the Buchan oil
field and J2 oil discovery and licence P2170 contains the Verbier
oil discovery.
JOG's strategy is focused on
unlocking the organic value of its GBA assets, combined with the
pursuit of potential asset acquisitions that bring cash flow,
diversity and quality investment opportunities into the portfolio.
The Company's Board and Executive team have a wealth of
experience in managing and growing publicly listed energy companies
and a strong track-record of value creation in the UK North Sea oil
and gas sector.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement may contain
certain forward-looking statements that are subject to the usual
risk factors and uncertainties associated with an oil and gas
business. Whilst the Company believes the expectations
reflected herein to be reasonable in light of the information
available to it at this time, the actual outcome may be materially
different owing to factors beyond the Company's control or
otherwise within the Company's control but where, for example, the
Company decides on a change of plan or strategy.
All figures quoted in this
announcement are in US dollars, unless stated otherwise.
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
United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union
(Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue of the Market Abuse
(Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.