VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/22/11 -- Africa Oil Corp. (TSX VENTURE: AOI)(OMX: AOI) ('Africa Oil', 'the Company' or 'AOC') is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2011.
Highlights and accomplishments during the third quarter of 2011 included:
-- The Company continued to actively explore in East Africa:
-- In Block 10BB, the Ngamia (Camel) prospect has been selected by the
Tullow operated joint venture as the initial well in Block 10BB. The
prospect will test the oil potential in Miocene age sandstones
within a three way dip closure against the West Lokichar rift fault.
Ngamia is directly analogous to successful oil accumulations drilled
by Tullow and partners early in the exploration efforts in the Lake
Albert graben of Uganda. The Ngamia well is expected to spud in
December of 2011.
-- In Block 10A, the Paipai-1 prospect has been selected by the Tullow
operated joint venture as the initial well in Block 10A. The
prospect will test the oil potential in Cretaceous age sandstones
within a four way dip closure downthrown to the Lag Bagal fault, the
northern bounding fault on the Anza Trough. Preparations for
drilling, including purchase of materials, execution of drilling
related contracts, civil works, and environmental permits are either
completed or underway. The Block 10A well is expected to spud in the
second quarter of 2012 using the same Weatherford rig as will be
used in Block 10BB.
-- In Puntland, Horn Petroleum Corp. ('Horn') is currently in final
preparations to commence a two well drilling campaign in the Dharoor
Valley Block, with the first well (Shabeel-1) planned to spud in
December of 2011. Drilling locations have been selected over two
robust prospects targeting gross best estimated prospective
resources of over 300 million barrels each, based on internal
estimates. A contract has been awarded to Sakson Drilling and Oil
Services who will provide a 1500 horse-power, top drive equipped
rig. All drilling related third party service contracts have been
executed. The Company has completed sourcing drilling related
materials and the majority of materials are on site or on route to
the drilling site. Site preparation including the drill site, air
strip and ingress route construction have been completed. Water
wells are currently being drilled to provide source water for
drilling operations.
-- The Company, in partnership with Tullow, has recently completed an
extensive Full Tensor Gravity ('FTG') survey over all of the blocks
in the Tertiary Rift basin. This technique has been proven highly
successful in Tullow's Uganda Albert Graben project, delineating
structured prospects and leads.
-- Based on the results of the FTG survey, the Company, in partnership
with Tullow, has an extensive 2D seismic program planned on blocks
in the Tertiary Rift basin over the next twelve months.
-- The Company closed its previously announced transaction with Horn
(formerly Denovo Capital Corp.) pursuant to which Horn acquired all of
the issued and outstanding shares of Canmex Holdings (Bermuda) I Ltd.
('Canmex'), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Canmex holds a 60%
interest in the production sharing agreements for the Dharoor Valley
Exploration Area and the Nugaal Valley Exploration Area in Puntland
(Somalia).
-- AOC transferred to Horn all of the issued and outstanding shares of
Canmex. AOC received, in consideration of the transfer, 27.8 million
common shares of Horn.
-- Horn also completed a non-brokered private placement of an aggregate
of 45.5 million subscription receipts at a price of CAD$0.90 per
subscription receipt for gross proceeds of $41.3 million. The
subscription receipts were converted into common shares and warrants
of Horn on September 20, 2011. AOC subscribed to 11.1 million
subscription receipts All securities issued pursuant to the Offering
are subject to a statutory hold period expiring December 3, 2011.
-- AOC now holds 51.4% of the outstanding shares of Horn, as well, a
management services arrangement has been agreed between Horn and AOC
in which the management of AOC are responsible for the operating
decisions of Horn. As such, AOC is deemed to control Horn.
-- Horn has successfully raised the anticipated funds required for its
planned two well exploratory drilling program in Puntland (Somalia).
Spudding of the first well is anticipated before the end of 2011.
-- Horn's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the
symbol 'HRN'.
-- Africa Oil ended the quarter in a strong financial position with cash of
$118.0 million and working capital of $110.6 million as compared to cash
of $76.1 million and working capital of $70.6 million at December 31,
2010. Of the $110.6 million in cash at September 30, 2011, $43.7 million
is cash held by Horn. The Company's liquidity and capital resource
position has remained strong throughout the year.
-- Africa Oil has more than sufficient funds to meet its currently planned
work program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the
Company incurred expenditures of $20.4 million of the 2011 Board of
Directors approved $43 million in capital expenditures.
Keith Hill, President and CEO, commented, 'Africa Oil and joint venture partners made significant operational progress with respect to exploration activities in the first nine months of 2011. The Company is in a very strong financial position and is extremely excited to commence drilling operations and plans to drill seven to ten high potential exploration wells in the next eighteen months.'
Third Quarter 2011 Financial and Operating Highlights
Consolidated Statement of Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited; United States Dollars)
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Three months Three months Nine months Nine months
ended ended ended ended
September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
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Operating expenses
Salaries and
benefits $ 309,476 $ 305,398 $ 1,067,364 $ 769,450
Stock-based
compensation 908,550 158,227 2,790,484 790,243
Bank charges 23,103 45,423 133,242 76,158
Travel 470,806 219,591 853,767 517,998
Management fees 60,593 57,016 187,325 172,648
Office and general 455,579 447,771 1,011,900 965,029
Depreciation 8,480 13,796 41,739 62,877
Professional fees 462,066 114,119 859,190 362,915
Stock exchange and
filing fees 158,807 26,371 432,089 71,235
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2,857,460 1,387,712 7,377,100 3,788,553
Impairment of
intangible
exploration assets - - 6,969,413 -
Gain on acquisition
of Lion Energy - - (4,143,051) -
Dilution loss on
sale of subsidiary 4,578,634 - 4,578,634 -
Finance income (2,568,551) (464,081) (7,607,452) (431,261)
Finance expense 7,187,485 17,938,066 5,079,824 12,433,877
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Net loss and
comprehensive loss (12,055,028) (18,861,697) (12,254,468) (15,791,169)
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Net loss and
comprehensive loss
attributable to
non-controlling
interest (915,207) - (915,207) -
Net loss and
comprehensive loss
attributable to
common shareholders (11,139,821) (18,861,697) (11,339,261) (15,791,169)
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Net loss per share
Basic $ (0.05) $ (0.21) $ (0.06) $ (0.20)
Diluted $ (0.05) $ (0.21) $ (0.09) $ (0.20)
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Weighted average
number of shares
outstanding
Basic 211,319,720 91,366,405 187,353,051 77,440,607
Diluted 212,018,784 91,651,243 189,283,659 77,557,817
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Horn was formed as a new Puntland focused exploration company. The Horn Transaction has been accounted for as an acquisition of Horn's net assets by Canmex (reverse acquisition) as AOC, the sole owner of Canmex prior to the Transaction, controls Horn subsequent to the Horn Transaction. Effectively as a result of the Horn Transaction and Horn private placement, AOC through its wholly owned subsidiary acquired 51.4% of the newly formed entity. While the results of Canmex have historically been consolidated in the Company's financial statements, effective September 20, 2011, the 48.6% non-controlling interest in Horn will be accounted for in the consolidated results of the Company.
Operating expenses increased $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in the previous year due to stock-based compensation costs associated with stock option grants in Horn, as well as professional fees and listing fees associated with the Horn Transaction.
Operating expenses increased $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period last year due mainly to a $2.0 million increase in stock based compensation costs, increased listing fees and professional fees associated with our multiple acquisitions completed during the year and the Horn Transaction.
Expenditures relating to Blocks 2/6 have been written off resulting in the $6.7 million impairment of intangible exploration assets. AOC relinquished Blocks 2/6 and obtained Ministerial approval to waive remaining commitments. The Company paid $1.2 million to the Government of Ethiopia, in lieu of unfulfilled commitments with respect to the Blocks 2/6 PSA.
The gain relating to the acquisition of Lion was the result of the Company acquiring net working capital and intangible exploration assets valued in excess of the consideration issued. The consideration paid was valued at $21.7 million, net of AOC shares acquired. Working capital acquired was $20.1 million and the intangible exploration assets acquired were valued at $5.7 million.
The dilution loss on the sale of subsidiary was recognized on the consolidation of Horn and represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration paid by the Canmex, in the reverse acquisition, over the value of the net assets of Horn acquired.
Finance income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is made up of the following items:
Three months Three months Nine months Nine months
ended ended ended ended
September September September September
30, 30, 30, 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
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Loss on marketable
securities (395,800) - (540,475) -
Fair value adjustment -
warrants 2,292,353 (8,469,179) 4,835,461 (5,863,448)
Fair value adjustment -
convertible debt - (9,468,887) 2,031,704 (6,570,429)
Interest and other income 276,198 23,662 740,287 32,718
Foreign exchange
gain/(loss) (6,791,685) 440,419 (4,539,349) 398,543
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Financial Income 2,568,551 464,081 7,607,452 431,261
Financial expense (7,187,485) (17,938,066) (5,079,824) (12,433,877)
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The loss on revaluation of marketable securities is the result of a reduction in the value of 10 million shares held in Encanto Potash Corp which were acquired on the acquisition of Lion.
The Company recorded gains on the revaluation of warrants in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to a reduction in AOC's share price from the end of the previous periods.
The Company recorded gains on the revaluation of the convertible debt in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to a reduction in AOC's share price from the end of 2010. The convertible debt was converted to shares in the first and second quarter of 2011.
Interest income was higher in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to a significant increase in the average cash balance versus the nine months of 2010.
The $6.8 million and $4.5 million foreign exchange losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are the result of a decrease in the value of the Canadian dollar at a time when AOC was holding a significant amount of Canadian dollars.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited; United States Dollars)
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September 30, December 31, January 1,
2011 2010 2010
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ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $118,003,034 $ 76,125,834 $ 11,145,486
Marketable securities 1,780,810 - -
Accounts receivable 1,159,803 2,323,208 5,396,253
Prepaid expenses 515,857 595,729 508,344
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121,459,504 79,044,771 17,050,083
Long-term assets
Restricted cash 2,919,000 3,181,500 1,800,000
Property and equipment 42,555 39,621 107,549
Intangible exploration assets 164,789,163 96,468,816 76,138,940
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167,750,718 99,689,937 78,046,489
Total assets $289,210,222 $178,734,708 $ 95,096,572
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities $ 9,717,363 $ 7,122,007 $ 3,244,871
Current portion of warrants 1,189,738 874,949 -
Current portion of convertible
debenture - 411,220 407,950
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10,907,101 8,408,176 3,652,821
Long-term liabilities
Warrants 7,215,509 5,195,914 21,673,039
Convertible debenture - 54,077,952 40,820,217
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7,215,509 59,273,866 62,493,256
Total liabilities 20,636,164 67,682,042 66,146,077
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Equity attributable to common
shareholders
Share capital 306,509,909 163,231,076 62,712,759
Contributed surplus 6,867,348 4,391,940 3,313,753
Deficit (75,979,058) (56,570,350) (37,076,017)
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237,398,199 111,052,666 28,950,495
Non-controlling interest 33,689,413 - -
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Total equity 271,087,612 111,052,666 28,950,495
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Total liabilities and equity $289,210,222 $178,734,708 $ 95,096,572
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The increase in total assets from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 is attributable to the equity financings, expansion of acreage in East Africa (Blocks 12A and 13T (Kenya) and South Omo (Ethiopia)), drilling of Bogal-1 in Block 9, and the seismic acquisition programs on Block 10BB in Kenya and the Ogaden blocks in Ethiopia.
The increase in total assets from December 31, 2010 to September 30, 2011 is primarily attributable to the funds raised on the Horn private placement and closing of the acquisitions of Centric and Lion which were funded primarily by the issuance of shares.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited; United States Dollars)
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Three months Three months Nine months Nine months
ended ended ended ended
September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
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Cash flows provided
by (used in):
Operations:
Net loss and
comprehensive
loss for the
period $(12,055,028) $(18,861,697) $(12,254,468) $(15,791,169)
Item not affecting
cash:
Stock-based
compensation 908,550 158,227 2,790,484 790,243
Depreciation 8,480 13,796 41,739 62,877
Loss on
marketable
securities 395,800 - 540,475 -
Gain on
acquisition of
Lion Energy - - (4,143,051) -
Impairment of
intangible
exploration
assets - - 6,969,413 -
Dilution loss on
sale of
subsidiary 4,578,634 - 4,578,634 -
Fair value
adjustment -
warrants (2,292,353) 8,469,179 (4,835,461) 5,863,448
Fair value
adjustment -
convertible
debt - 9,468,887 (2,031,704) 6,570,429
Unrealized
foreign
exchange
(gain)/loss 5,208,612 (240,931) 2,895,612 (356,483)
Changes in non-
cash operating
working capital:
Accounts
receivable and
prepaid
expenses (474,088) 14,306 (230,165) 16,333
Accounts payable
and accrued
liabilities (150,589) 87,161 (162,556) 794,735
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(3,871,982) (891,072) (5,841,048) (2,049,587)
Investing:
Property and
equipment
expenditures - (3,244) (35,850) (7,203)
Intangible
exploration
expenditures (9,391,726) (8,538,194) (20,402,721) (12,871,703)
Farmout
proceeds, net - - 14,900,160 -
Cash received on
business
acquisitions,
net of cash
issued - - 18,636,869 -
Proceeds on
disposal of
Canmex, net of
investment in
Horn 29,923,128 - 29,923,128 -
Changes in non-
cash investing
working capital:
Accounts
receivable and
prepaid
expenses 1,068,104 750,537 1,612,468 3,721,407
Accounts payable
and accrued
liabilities (4,404,921) 3,891,654 2,361,416 2,753,177
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17,194,585 (3,899,247) 46,995,470 (6,404,322)
Financing:
Common shares
issued, net of
issuance costs 259,129 23,176,474 3,019,716 23,196,477
Repayment of
liability
portion of
convertible
debt - (446,347) (411,220) (854,296)
Deposit of cash
for bank
guarantee (723,750) (1,087,500) (2,175,000) (1,087,500)
Release of bank
guarantee 1,087,500 - 2,887,500 -
Changes in non-
cash financing
working capital:
Accounts payable
and accrued
liabilities - - 168,569 -
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622,879 21,642,627 3,489,565 21,254,681
Effect of exchange
rate changes on
cash and cash
equivalents
denominated in
foreign currency (5,036,635) 240,931 (2,766,787) 356,483
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Increase in cash and
cash equivalents 8,908,847 17,093,239 41,877,200 13,157,255
Cash and cash
equivalents,
beginning of period $109,094,187 $ 7,209,502 $ 76,125,834 $ 11,145,486
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Cash and cash
equivalents, end of
period $118,003,034 $ 24,302,741 $118,003,034 $ 24,302,741
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Supplementary
information:
Interest paid Nil 446,347 411,220 854,296
Taxes paid Nil Nil Nil Nil
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The increase in cash in 2011 is mainly a result of the Horn private placement, cash acquired through the Lion acquisition, proceeds received on the close of the Tullow farmout, offset partially by intangible exploration expenditures and operating expenses.
Consolidated Statement of Equity Attributable to Commonshareholders
(Unaudited; United States Dollars)
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September 30, September 30,
2011 2010
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Share capital:
Balance, beginning of period $ 163,231,076 $ 62,712,759
Acquisition of Centric Energy 60,165,193 -
Acquisition of Lion Energy, net of AOC
shares aquired 21,561,185 -
Issued on conversion of convertible
debenture 52,214,817 -
Amended farmout agreement with Lion Energy 5,274,675 -
Private placement, net - 23,176,474
Exercise of warrants 3,023,756 -
Assignment of Blocks 12A and 13T in Kenya - 3,243,470
Farmout ageement finder's fees 166,858 422,588
Exercise of options 872,349 29,549
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Balance, end of period 306,509,909 89,584,840
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Contributed surplus:
Balance, beginning of period $ 4,391,940 $ 3,313,753
Expiration of warrants 3,676 -
Acquisition of Lion Energy 110,606 -
Stock based compensation 2,790,484 790,243
Issuance of shares in lieu of finder's fee (166,858) -
Exercise of options (262,500) (9,546)
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Balance, end of period 6,867,348 4,094,450
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Deficit:
Balance, beginning of period $ (56,570,350) $ (37,076,017)
Dilution loss through equity (8,069,447)
Net loss and comprehensive loss attributable
to common shareholders (11,339,261) (15,791,169)
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Balance, end of period (75,979,058) (52,867,186)
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Total equity attributable to common
shareholders 237,398,199 40,812,104
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Non-controlling interest:
Balance, beginning of period $ - $ -
Non-controlling interest on disposal of
Canmex 34,604,620 -
Net loss and comprehensive loss attributable
to non-controlling interest (915,207) -
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Balance, end of period 33,689,413 -
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Total equity $ 271,087,612 $ 40,812,104
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The Company's consolidated financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and Annual Information Form have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and are available on the Company's website (www.africaoilcorp.com). The Annual Information Form includes the Company's reserves and resource data for the period ended December 31, 2010 and other oil and natural gas information prepared in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.
Outlook
AOC and its partners have an aggressive exploration program planned for the next two years, which is anticipated to include seismic and drilling across a variety of play types and geographic areas of operation. The Company enters the third quarter 2011 in an extremely strong financial position with working capital in excess of $110 million. Additional financing is not required at this time to meet current operational plans.
New discoveries have been announced on trend with the Company's virtually unexplored land position including the major Tullow Oil plc Albert Graben oil discovery in neighboring Uganda. Similar to the Albert Graben play model, the Company's concessions have older wells, a legacy database, and host numerous oil seeps indicating a proven petroleum system. Good quality existing seismic show robust leads and prospects throughout the AOC's project areas.
Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya, Ethiopia, Puntland (Somalia) and Mali. Africa Oil's East African holdings are in within a world-class exploration play fairway with a total gross land package in this prolific region in excess of 300,000 square kilometers. The East African Rift Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. New discoveries have been announced on all sides of Africa Oil's virtually unexplored land position including the major Albert Graben oil discovery in neighbouring Uganda. Similar to the Albert Graben play model, Africa Oil's concessions have older wells, a legacy database, and host numerous oil seeps indicating a proven petroleum system. Good quality existing seismic show robust leads and prospects throughout Africa Oil's project areas. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and on First North at NASDAQ OMX-Stockholm under the symbol 'AOI'.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made and information contained herein constitute 'forward-looking information' (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, 'forward looking statements') relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimates of reserves and or resources, future production levels, future capital expenditures and their allocation to exploration and development activities, future drilling and other exploration and development activities, ultimate recovery of reserves or resources and dates by which certain areas will be explored, developed or reach expected operating capacity, that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable reserves and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements and reflect conclusions that are based on certain assumptions that the reserves and resources can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as 'seek', 'anticipate', 'plan', 'continue', 'estimate', 'expect, 'may', 'will', 'project', 'predict', 'potential', 'targeting', 'intend', 'could', 'might', 'should', 'believe' and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be 'forward-looking statements'. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward- looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, changes in oil prices, results of exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities, availability of financing on reasonable terms, availability of third party service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and expectations and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Keith C. Hill, President and CEO
Africa Oil's Certified Advisor on NASDAQ OMX First North is E. Ohman J:or Fondkommission AB (Pareto Ohman), part of the Pareto Securities Group.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Africa Oil Corp.
Sophia Shane
Corporate Development
(604) 689-7842
(604) 689-4250 (FAX)
africaoilcorp@namdo.com
www.africaoilcorp.com
