26 March 2024
WESTMOUNT ENERGY
LIMITED
("Westmount" or the "Company")
Interim
Results
Westmount Energy Limited (UK AIM:
WTE.L, USA OTCQB: WMELF), the AIM-quoted oil and gas investment
company focussed on the Guyana-Suriname Basin is pleased to
announce its unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 31
December 2023.
Copies of the Company's results are
available on the Company's website, www.westmountenergy.com, and
will be posted to shareholders shortly.
CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW
2023 Highlights
· Company had cash of £0.34M
and listed marketable securities of £0.61M at Period End, 31st
December 2023; no debt
· Canje Block, Guyana -
Cumulative Impact Assessment filed with Guyanese EPA in September
2023 suggests potential drilling on Canje from 2024 - though
specific guidance on timeline not yet available from Canje
partners
· Kaieteur Block - Exit of
ExxonMobil and Hess with licence equity being returned to Ratio
Petroleum 50% and CEC 50%; Ratio Petroleum farm-down process
continues with a primary objective of bringing a new deepwater
operator to the block before February 2025
· Full redemption of
outstanding Loan Notes by CEC - with large American Private Equity
Fund converting approximately USD $22.2M of Loan Notes into circa
2.45M CEC common shares (an implied conversion metric of circa USD
$9.03 per share).
·
·
Orinduik Block -
ECO Atlantic becomes operator and continues in 2nd Renewal Period
with 100% Participating Interest plus commitment to drill 1 well to
Cretaceous; farm-down process underway
·
Investment in
Africa Oil Corp - confirmation that Orange Basin, offshore Namibia,
is a major emerging hydrocarbon province with 7 significant
discoveries reported since early 2022
· Major milestones reported in
the appraisal of the giant Venus light oil discovery, with
successful drilling of large step-out appraisal wells at Venus-1A,
Mangetti-1x and the successful testing of sidetracked Venus-1X
discovery well
·
Continuing
news-flow anticipated from Namibian investment in 2024 with ongoing
drilling/testing operations at Venus appraisal wells, Mangetti-1x
discovery plus additional exploration
program
· JHI completes acquisition of
100% interest in Production Licence PL001 in the North Falkland
Basin from Argos Resources Ltd.
Investment portfolio summary
As of the 31st December 2023
Westmount had a cash balance of £0.34M, listed marketable
securities of £0.61M, and is debt free.
As of 31st December 2023, Westmount
holds 300,000 shares in Africa Oil Corp ("AOC") representing
approximately 0.065% of the issued common shares in AOC as of 29th
February 2024. On the 29th September 2023 AOC paid a cash dividend
of USD$0.025 per common share. On 4th March, 2024 AOC declared a
semi-annual cash dividend of USD$0.025 per common share, payable on
the 28th March 2024 to shareholders of record on the 8th March
2024.
As of the 31st December 2023
Westmount held a total of 5,651,270 shares in JHI Associates Inc
("JHI"). Upon completion of the Argos-JHI transaction, as announced
on the 25th September 2023, and subsequent to the voluntary
liquidation of Argos and the distribution of JHI Consideration
Shares to Argos shareholders it is estimated that Westmount will
hold circa 5,684,866 shares in JHI, representing approximately
6.24% of the enlarged issued share capital of JHI.
As of 31st December 2023, Westmount
holds 474,816 common shares in Cataleya Energy Corporation ("CEC")
representing approximately 5.26% of the issued shares in CEC, as of
6th January 2023. Subsequent to period end CEC has redeemed in full
USD $43,782,722 in convertible loan notes previously issued to a
certain noteholder (the "Noteholder"), a large American Private
Equity Fund, between April 2020 and January 2023. The loan notes
have been redeemed via the repayment of USD $21,590,000 in cash and
the conversion of USD $22,192,722 into 2,458,705 CEC common shares.
The transaction closed on the 15th March 2024 and CEC is now debt
free. As a result of this loan note conversion the Noteholder has
now become a significant shareholder in CEC, with a shareholding of
approximately 21.4% of the enlarged CEC share capital. Post
redemption of these loan notes, Westmount retains a holding of
474,816 common shares in CEC, representing approximately 4.13% of
the enlarged issued share capital of CEC.
Westmount continues to hold
1,500,000 shares in Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. ("EOG"),
representing approximately 0.4% of the common shares in issue as of
2nd August 2023.
Westmount continues to hold 89,653
shares in Ratio Petroleum representing approximately 0.04% of the
issued share capital.
The complete investment portfolio is
summarised in Table 1. The reported financial loss for the period
is primarily made up of a non-cash loss on financial assets held at
fair value through the profit and loss, some of which is as a
result of Foreign Exchange movements on the portfolio Investments
when valued at the period end.
Summary/Outlook
Notwithstanding the energy
transition, exploration spending in deepwater and ultra-deepwater
areas is forecast to continue to grow as the majors and NOCs seek
to high-grade their portfolios, consolidate assets and to dominate
this space. Exploration 'hotspots' with high success rates, such as
the deepwater Guyana-Suriname Basin and the Orange Basin, are areas
that are well positioned to capture their share of this increased
exploration spending.
Westmount's strategy continues to be
one of seeking value creation for shareholders via exposure to high
impact exploration and appraisal drilling programs.
With respect to offshore Guyana,
while most of the pieces of the jigsaw appear to be in place for
the Canje Block, we await guidance with respect to timing of
further discretionary drilling. We note the September 2023 filing
by the operator ExxonMobil of a Cumulative Impact Assessment
("CIA") for the Canje Block with the EPA. This CIA report indicates
that exploration drilling on the Canje Block could potentially
recommence from 2024, though this guideline has not yet been
confirmed by our investee, JHI, or any of the Canje partners. The
exit of ExxonMobil and Hess from the Kaieteur Block is a setback
with respect to drilling timeframes for Kaieteur, though a
farm-down process is underway with a view to bringing new entrants,
including a deepwater operator, to the block prior to February
2025. We are also encouraged that CEC's Noteholder, a large
American Private Equity Fund, has elected to convert USD
$22,192,722 of its outstanding loan notes into 2,458,705 CEC common
shares (an implied conversion metric of circa USD $9.03 per share)
and has now become a 21.4% shareholder in CEC. We believe that this
new investment into CEC reflects confidence that the ongoing
farm-down process can bring new partners and a resumption of
drilling on the Kaieteur Block, which has been substantially
derisked by the Tanager-1 discovery, yet remains
underexplored.
With respect to the Orinduik Block,
there is now a firm commitment to drill a well to the Cretaceous,
prior to January 2026 - and EOG has already commenced a farm-down
process with a view to bringing new partners to the block to
support this effort.
The pace of exploration activity in
the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia, indicates the continuing
appetite amongst major players for exploration drilling in this
prolific emerging province, where seven discoveries have been
reported since early 2022. While Westmount's investment in AOC
offers exposure to the ongoing successes on Block 2913B,
unfortunately, share price responses have been disappointing so
far, in part due to the limited disclosure around these operations,
and in our opinion, do not reflect the value being created.
Nevertheless, an exciting program of drilling and testing lies
ahead in 2024, with further appraisal drilling/testing at Venus and
Mangetti discoveries and potential follow-on drilling of a
portfolio of substantial exploration targets that have already been
identified on the block, including the Kokerboom, Damara and Damara
South prospects. In addition, the recent farm-down news reported by
our investees AOC and EOG with respect to Block 3B/4B, offshore
South Africa, offers line of sight to exposure to a further two
high impact wells in the Orange Basin.
While Westmount's strategy continues
to be one of seeking value creation for shareholders via exposure
to high impact exploration and appraisal drilling programs, in this
changing landscape we remain open to consolidation manoeuvres which
offer shareholder value.
GERARD WALSH
Chairman
25 March 2024
For
further information, please contact:
Westmount Energy Limited
www.westmountenergy.com
David King,
Director
Tel: +44 (0) 1534 823000
Cavendish Securities plc
(Nomad and Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397
8900
Neil McDonald / Pete Lynch
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
|
Six months
ended
31
December 2023
(unaudited)
£
|
|
Six months
ended
31
December
2022
(unaudited)
£
|
|
Year
ended
30 June
2023
(audited)
£
|
Net fair value losses on financial
assets held at fair value through profit or loss
|
(531,596)
|
|
(2,512,900)
|
|
(2,718,218)
|
Investment income
|
11,762
|
|
-
|
|
11,816
|
Finance income
|
1,928
|
|
2,393
|
|
9,096
|
Administration expenses
|
(139,930)
|
|
(143,932)
|
|
(253,071)
|
Foreign exchange
(losses)/gains
|
(3,686)
|
|
1,985
|
|
(23,893)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss
|
(661,522)
|
|
(2,652,454)
|
|
(2,974,270)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before tax
|
(661,522)
|
|
(2,652,454)
|
|
(2,974,270)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss for the period / year
|
(661,522)
|
|
(2,652,454)
|
|
(2,974,270)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic loss per share
(pence)
|
(0.46)
|
|
(1.84)
|
|
(2.06)
|
Diluted loss per share
(pence)
|
(0.46)
|
|
(1.84)
|
|
(2.06)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
All results are derived from
continuing operations.
The Company had no items of other
comprehensive income during the period / year.
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS
AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
|
31
December 2023
(unaudited)
£
|
|
31
December 2022
(unaudited)
£
|
|
30 June
2023
(audited)
£
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss
|
4,247,606
|
|
4,449,684
|
|
4,779,202
|
|
4,247,606
|
|
4,449,684
|
|
4,779,202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other receivables
|
29,397
|
|
300,562
|
|
44,977
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
345,913
|
|
864,768
|
|
478,200
|
|
375,310
|
|
1,165,330
|
|
523,177
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
4,622,916
|
|
5,615,014
|
|
5,302,379
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
36,498
|
|
45,258
|
|
54,439
|
|
36,498
|
|
45,258
|
|
54,439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
36,498
|
|
45,258
|
|
54,439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
16,652,482
|
|
16,652,482
|
|
16,652,482
|
Share option account
|
469,670
|
|
469,670
|
|
469,670
|
Retained earnings
|
(12,535,734)
|
|
(11,552,396)
|
|
(11,874,212)
|
Total equity
|
4,586,418
|
|
5,569,756
|
|
5,247,940
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
4,622,916
|
|
5,615,014
|
|
5,302,379
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
|
|
Share capital account
£
|
Share option account
£
|
Retained earnings
£
|
Total equity
£
|
As at 1 July 2022
|
|
16,652,482
|
469,670
|
(8,899,942)
|
8,222,210
|
Comprehensive Income
Loss for the year ended 30 June
2023
|
-
|
-
|
(2,974,270)
|
(2,974,270)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at 30 June 2023
|
|
16,652,482
|
469,670
|
(11,874,212)
|
5,247,940
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the period ended 31
December 2023
|
-
|
-
|
(661,522)
|
(661,522)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at 31 December 2023
|
|
16,652,482
|
469,670
|
(12,535,734)
|
4,586,418
|
|
|
Share capital account
£
|
Share option account
£
|
Retained earnings
£
|
Total equity
£
|
As at 1 July 2021
|
|
16,652,482
|
469,670
|
(1,472,692)
|
15,649,460
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive Income
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the year ended 30 June
2022
|
-
|
-
|
(7,427,250)
|
(7,427,250)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at 30 June 2022
|
|
16,652,482
|
469,670
|
(8,899,942)
|
8,222,210
|
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
|
Six months
ended
31
December 2023
(unaudited)
£
|
|
Six months
ended
31
December 2022
(unaudited)
£
|
|
Year
ended
30 June
2023
(audited)
£
|
Cash flows from operating
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
period / year
|
(661,522)
|
|
(2,652,454)
|
|
(2,974,270)
|
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss on financial assets at
fair value through profit or loss
|
531,596
|
|
2,512,900
|
|
2,718,218
|
|
Movement in other
receivables
|
15,580
|
|
(290,416)
|
|
(34,831)
|
|
Movement in trade and other
payables
|
(17,941)
|
|
(7,672)
|
|
1,509
|
|
Net cash outflow from operating
activities
|
(132,287)
|
|
(437,642)
|
|
(289,374)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from return of capital on
investment
|
-
|
|
299,320
|
|
299,320
|
|
Purchase of investments
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(534,836)
|
|
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from
investing activities
|
-
|
|
299,320
|
|
(235,516)
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents
|
(132,287)
|
|
(138,322)
|
|
(524,890)
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the period / year
|
478,200
|
|
1,003,090
|
|
1,003,090
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the period / year
|
345,913
|
|
864,768
|
|
478,200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1.
Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The interim
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the
International Accounting Standard ("IAS")
34, Interim
Financial Reporting. The interim
financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required
in the annual financial statements and
should be read in
conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements for the year
ended 30 June 2023. The annual financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards ("IFRS").
The same accounting policies and methods
of computation are followed in the interim
financial statements as in the Company's annual financial statements for the
year ended 30 June 2023.
2.
Investments
|
Six months
ended
31
December 2023
|
|
Six months
ended
31
December 2022
|
|
Year
ended
30
June
2023
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
(audited)
|
|
£
|
|
£
|
|
£
|
Africa Oil Corp, at market
value
|
442,680
|
|
-
|
|
503,317
|
Cost, 300,000 shares
|
534,836
|
|
-
|
|
534,836
|
(31 December 2022: nil shares, 30
June 2023: 300,000 shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Argos Resources Limited, at market
value
|
-
|
|
9,900
|
|
3,480
|
Cost, nil shares
|
-
|
|
310,775
|
|
310,775
|
(31 December 2022: 1,000,000 shares,
30 June 2023: 1,000,000 shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cataleya Energy Corporation, at
market value
|
1,454,796
|
|
1,973,660
|
|
1,867,404
|
Cost, 474,816 shares
|
3,751,907
|
|
4,218,895
|
|
3,751,906
|
(31 December 2022: 474,816 shares,
30 June 2023: 474,816 shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Oil
Limited, at market value
|
165,000
|
|
276,750
|
|
216,750
|
Cost, 1,500,000 shares
|
240,000
|
|
240,000
|
|
240,000
|
(31 December 2022: 1,500,000 shares,
30 June 2023: 1,500,000 shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JHI Associates Inc, at market
value
|
2,182,521
|
|
2,182,520
|
|
2,182,521
|
Cost, 5,651,270 shares
|
7,770,027
|
|
7,770,027
|
|
7,770,027
|
(31 December 2022: 5,651,270 shares,
30 June 2023: 5,651,270 shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio Petroleum Energy Limited
Partnership shares, at market value
|
2,609
|
|
6,854
|
|
5,730
|
Cost, 89,653 shares
|
22,256
|
|
22,256
|
|
22,256
|
(31 December 2022: 89,653 shares, 30
June 2023: 89,653 shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total market value
|
4,247,606
|
|
4,449,684
|
|
4,779,202
|
Total cost
|
12,319,026
|
|
12,561,953
|
|
12,629,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (CONTINUED)
2.
Investments (continued)
|
Six months
ended
31
December 2023
|
|
Six months
ended
31
December 2022
|
|
Year
ended
30
June
2023
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
(audited)
|
|
£
|
|
£
|
|
£
|
Total fair value
adjustment
|
(8,071,420)
|
|
(8,112,269)
|
|
(7,850,598)
|
Reverse prior year fair value
adjustment
|
7,850,598
|
|
5,599,369
|
|
5,599,369
|
Current period fair value
movement
|
(220,822)
|
|
(2,512,900)
|
|
(2,251,229)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealised loss
|
(220,822)
|
|
(2,512,900)
|
|
(2,251,229)
|
Realised loss
|
(310,774)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Current period income statement
impact
|
(531,596)
|
|
(2,512,900)
|
|
(2,251,229)
|