November 21, 2011 (SNM-TSXV & NASDAQ OMX: SNM). ShaMaran Petroleum Corp.
("ShaMaran" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: SNM) (NASDAQ OMX: SNM) is pleased
to announce its financial and operating results for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2011.
Highlights
• A major oil discovery in the Atrush Block was announced by the Company on
April 13, 2011. The Atrush 1 well flowed at rates totalling over 6,393 bopd
of 26.5 API oil from three tests in the Middle and Upper Jurassic
reservoirs and well analysis indicated that the intervals are capable of
much higher rates when completed for production. The well was drilled in
budget and on time to a total depth of 3,400 meters.
• The Appraisal Work Programme & Budget on the Atrush Block has been
submitted to the KRG. The Programme consists of 3D seismic and a number of
appraisal wells and studies. 3D seismic acquisition is in progress and the
construction of the location for the Atrush-2 appraisal well has commenced.
Planning for an Early Production facility is also underway.
• Pulkhana-9 completed well testing and recovered oil from the Shiranish,
Jaddala & Euphrates formations. Due to mechanical issues experienced during
testing, a geological sidetrack is underway to allow the openhole testing
of the two Cretaceous reservoirs (Shiranish & Balambo) which had good
hydrocarbon indications. The workover on the Pulkhana-8 well is on-going.
• The Company's 100% owned subsidiary ShaMaran Petroleum BV entered into a
production sharing contract (“PSC”) on July 27, 2011 in respect of the Taza
Block (formerly Block K42) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. ShaMaran
holds a 20% working interest in the PSC, and Oil Search Iraq Limited
(“OSIL”) is the operator with a 60% working interest in the PSC. The
Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (“KRG”) holds a 20% working interest
in the PSC with costs carried by ShaMaran and OSIL. Planning is underway
for an exploration well to be drilled in 2012.
• The Company commenced the acquisition of 2D seismic data on the Arbat
Block. The Company will acquire 183 line kilometres of data on the north
side of the Block with the objective of defining a closure on a significant
lead. The program is expected to be concluded by end of this year.
• Cash proceeds of $CAD 51.0 million were raised by the Company through a
private placement of 127.5 million common shares at $CAD 0.40 per share
which was concluded on November 15, 2011. A 4% finders' fee is payable in
cash on a portion of the private placement.
• The Company had net losses of $2,810,000 and $3,323,000 for the three and
nine months ended September 30th, 2011 (2010: $750,000 and $3,501,000). The
cash balance of the Company was $28.6 million as at September 30th, 2011
(December 31st 2010: $58.7 million).
Financial and Operating Results for the three and nine months ended September
30th 2011
(Unaudited: Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
In the first nine months of 2011 the Company continued its exploration campaign
in respect of its petroleum properties in Kurdistan constituting the continuing
operations of the Company which currently have no corresponding revenue. The
net losses in 2011 were driven by normal operational and corporate expenses
incurred over the reporting periods.
Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited: Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
Three months Nine months
ended September ended September
30, 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
Expenses from continuing operations
General and administrative (expense) / 202 (643) (799) (1,222)
recovery
Share based payments (70) (73) (243) (488)
Depreciation expense (58) (41) (166) (96)
Share of loss of associate (173) (73) (282) (73)
Operating loss (99) (830) (1,490) (1,879)
Finance costs (2,780) (457) (1,984) (1,363)
Finance income 147 600 424 670
Net finance (costs) / income (2,633) 143 (1,560) (693)
Loss before income tax expense (2,732) (687) (3,050) (2,572)
Income tax expense (32) (16) (106) (43)
Net loss from continuing operations (2,764) (703) (3,156) (2,615)
Discontinued operations
Loss from discontinued operations (46) (47) (167) (886)
Net loss for the period (2,810) (750) (3,323) (3,501)
Other comprehensive income:
Currency translation differences (61) 111 8 85
Total other comprehensive income / (61) 111 8 85
(loss)
Total comprehensive loss for the period (2,871) (639) (3,315) (3,416)
The Company increased its investment in exploration, evaluation and other
intangible assets by $77.0 million during the first nine months of 2011
relating to its exploration properties located in Kurdistan. In addition the
deferred consideration liability outstanding at December 31, 2010 was
discharged completely by providing funds to the associate of the Company,
General Exploration Partners Inc (“GEP”), for its approved work program on the
Atrush Block. Accounts payable and accrued expenses increased by $15.9 million
over the balance at December 31, 2010 primarily due to the increase in activity
associated with the Company's exploration campaign in Kurdistan.
Consolidated Interim Balance Sheet
(Unaudited: Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
September January
30, December 31, 1,
2010
2011 2010
Assets
Non-current assets
Exploration, evaluation and other 226,855 149,892 185,035
intangible assets
Property, plant & equipment 775 330 145
Investment in associate 49,145 44,282 -
276,775 194,504 185,180
Current assets
Other current assets 562 447 376
Inventories 3,426 2,656 -
Other receivables 146 124 31
Cash and cash equivalents 28,617 58,684 63,565
32,751 61,911 63,972
Assets associated with discontinued 89 74 847
operations
Total assets 309,615 256,489 249,999
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 21,019 5,156 2,087
Current tax liabilities 96 103 12
Deferred consideration - 12,643 -
21,115 17,902 2,099
Non-current liabilities
Provisions 1,344 - -
Other long-term liabilities - - 170
1,344 - 170
Liabilities associated with discontinued 2,793 3,069 3,167
operations
Total liabilities 25,252 20,971 5,436
Equity
Share capital 484,827 432,506 379,673
Equity share rights - - 61,349
Share premium account 3,807 3,968 3,405
Cumulative translation adjustment 13 5 4
Accumulated deficit (204,284) (200,961) (199,868)
Total equity 284,363 235,518 244,563
Net liabilities and equity 309,615 256,489 249,999
The cash position of the Company decreased by $43,350 during the third quarter
of 2011 and $30,067 during the first nine months of 2011. The main reason for
the decrease in the cash position was the outflow of funds in the amount $74.5
million for its exploration properties in Kurdistan and $17.8 million on the
investment in GEP. This decrease in cash was offset by the receipt by the
Company in May 2011 of funds related to the private placement of 56 million
common shares to $51.3 million ($CAD 49.5 million).
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
(Unaudited: Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
Three months Nine months
ended September ended September
30, 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
Operating activities
Net loss for the period from (2,764) (703) (3,156) (2,615)
continuing operations
Adjustments for:
Interest income (147) (99) (424) (239)
Foreign exchange (gain) / loss 2,572 (501) 1,320 (431)
Depreciation expense 58 41 166 96
Income tax (98) 19 (7) 46
Share-based payment expense 70 73 243 488
Share of loss of associates 173 73 282 73
Capitalized expenses (473) - (1,070) -
Changes in trade and other receivables 14 47 (22) (74)
Changes in other current assets 489 (534) (115) (337)
Changes in inventories (210) - (770) -
Changes in accounts payable and accrued 8,136 3,413 15,863 3,366
expenses
Cash used in discontinued operations (104) 549 (458) (382)
Net cash inflows / (outflows) from 7,716 2,378 11,852 (9)
operating activities
Investment activities
Exploration, evaluation and other (46,222) (8,952) (74,549) (17,567)
intangible assets
Property, plant & equipment (9) (155) (611) (283)
Investment in associate (2,345) (24,342) (17,788) (24,342)
Interest received on cash deposits 147 99 424 239
Cash provided by discontinued - - - 277
operations
Net cash outflows to investing (48,429) (33,350) (92,524) (41,676)
activities
Financing activities
Net proceeds / (costs) on issuance of (4) 47,815 51,917 47,815
shares
Net cash inflows / (outflows) from (4) 47,815 51,917 47,815
financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (2,633) 415 (1,312) 319
and cash equivalents
Change in cash and cash equivalents (43,350) 17,258 (30,067) 6,449
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning 71,967 52,756 58,684 63,565
of the period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the 28,617 70,014 28,617 70,014
period
Outlook
The outlook for the remainder of the year 2011 for the four blocks which the
Company holds interests in Kurdistan is as follows:
Atrush Block
3D seismic is currently in progress and operations are expected to continue
until the winter weather window closes operations in the high mountains for
2011. The Atrush-2 well location is under construction and operator, GEP, is
tendering for a rig that can commence drilling operations in Q2 2012.
Pulkhana Block
The geological sidetrack and openhole testing of the Shiranish & Balambo
formations in Pulkhana 9 should be completed in December, and the rig moved
drilling Pulkhana-10. The workover operations on Pulkhana-8 should be
completed. Planning for Pulkhana-11 will commence.
The Company will progress with the feasibility study and design for the
Pulkhana Early Production Facility ("EPF") planned to be installed in 2012
using information gathered from current operations.
Arbat Block
Construction of the Arbat-1 well location will commence and the design for the
well finalized. The ongoing infill 2D seismic should be completed by year end
with data processing initiated.
Taza Block (Formerly Block K42)
Well planning for the Taza exploration well will continue following approval of
the surface location. Civil engineering works for access road and the well
location are under preparation.
New Ventures
As part of its normal business the Company is pursuing new opportunities in the
region.
About ShaMaran
ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. is a Kurdistan focused oil development and exploration
vehicle. It has four projects in the region: the Pulkhana development/appraisal
block and the Arbat, Atrush and Taza Block (formerly K42) exploration blocks.
These projects are nearby and on trend with existing fields and recent
discoveries.
Kurdistan lies within the northern extension of the Zagros Folded Belt. The
area is highly underexplored and is currently undergoing a significant
exploration and development campaign by over 40 mid to large size international
oil companies.
ShaMaran Petroleum is a Canadian oil and gas company listed on the TSX Venture
Exchange and the NASDAQ OMX First North Exchange (Stockholm) under the symbol
"SNM".
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements about expected or anticipated future
events and financial results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a
result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as legal and
political risk, civil unrest, general economic, market and business conditions,
the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation,
competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties
resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of
unexpected events and management's capacity to execute and implement its future
plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management.
Further, any forward-looking information is made only as of a certain date and
the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information
or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such
statement is made or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as
may be required by applicable securities laws. New factors emerge from time to
time, and it is not possible for management of the Company to predict all of
these factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the
Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of
factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in
any forward-looking information.
On behalf of the Board,
Pradeep Kabra,
President and CEO
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. Keith Hill Chairman (604) 806-3583 khill@namdo.com
or
ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. Pradeep Kabra President and CEO 0041 22 560 8605
pradeep.kabra@shamaranpetroleum.com
or
ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. Sophia Shane Corporate Development (604) 689-7842
(604) 689-4250 (FAX) sophias@namdo.com www.shamaranpetroleum.com
