Register for Digital Look

Company Announcements

Annual Financial Report

Related Companies

RNS Number : 9217L
Afren PLC
30 April 2015
 

 

Afren plc (AFR LN)

Annual Financial Report

London 30 April 2015  Following the release of Afren plc's ("Afren" or the "Company") full year results for the year ended 31 December 2014 (the "Results"), the Company announces it has published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2014 (the "Annual Report and Accounts").

The Company's 2015 Annual General Meeting will be held at the offices of White & Case LLP, 5 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1DW on Thursday 25 June 2015 at 11.00 am. Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts are available to view on the Company's website at www.afren.com.

In accordance with Disclosure and Transparency Rule 6.3.5(2)(b) additional information is set out in the appendices to this announcement. The Results included a set of condensed financial statements and a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the Group. 

Pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.1, a copy of the Annual Report and Accounts will shortly be available for inspection on the National Storage Mechanism which can be accessed at http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM.

For further information contact: 

 

Afren plc                                                                                                       Tel: +44 20 7864 3700

Simon Hawkins, Group Head of Investor Relations                                             

 

Bell Pottinger (public relations adviser to Afren plc)                         Tel: +44 20 7772 2500

Gavin Davis

Henry Lerwill

 

Appendix A: Directors' Responsibility Statement

The following Directors' Responsibility Statement is extracted from page 104 of the Annual Report and Accounts.

Directors' Responsibility Statement

I confirm to the best of my knowledge:

1.   The financial statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;

 

2.   The strategic report, which is incorporated into the Directors' Report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

 

3.   The annual report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy.

 

By order of the Board

Toby Hayward

Interim Chief Executive

30 April 2015

 

Appendix B: Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The following description of principal risks and uncertainties is extracted from pages 26 to 29 of the Annual Report and Accounts.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

We have identified the following principal risks and uncertainties in relation to the Group's financial and operational performance in 2014.

 

Key risk

Description and impact

How we manage it

Operational risk

 

Field delivery
risk


Field delivery risk applies to all phases of the E&P cycle from seismic acquisition through to production operations. At each phase the mitigating measures will be different. However, failure to control risks will lead to project delays, cost over-runs, high production costs, early field decommissioning and, ultimately, lower than expected reserves.


In 2014, Afren encountered operational delays which impacted the timing of production ramp-up at both Ebok, with the installation of the Ebok CFB extension facilities, and OML 26, due to the declaration of Force Majeure at the Forcados Terminal in Q1 2014. In January 2015, Afren announced its intention to review its strategic options in respect of the Barda Rash PSC, following disappointing operational performance at the field and an updated reserves assessment from RPS Energy.


The maintenance of good working relations with our Partners is also critical to field delivery. Without this we face potential delays to projects, issues with funding and disagreement on how best to develop our portfolio.


All operations are subject to risk reviews, to identify as early as possible any potential risks to success.


Our engineers analyse results from appraisal and development wells, and determine the appropriate course of action for the drilling programme and facility design.


We closely monitor all projects to ensure they go to plan and so we can take action to maintain progress.


We monitor project finances alongside their budget to minimise over-runs.


We monitor production operations closely to ensure we minimise unplanned downtime and control operating costs tightly.


We compare actual production regularly to forecast production.


We hold regular technical and operating meetings with our Partners to keep them fully appraised of developments and to get their input and agreement on key issues.

Exploration
failure


Exploration activities can be capital intensive and may involve a high degree of risk. Sustained exploration failure will affect the Group's growth potential.

Exploration assets are subject to a rigorous peer review process.


We evaluate exploration risk for each prospect by looking in detail at how to de-risk the key elements of the subsurface data, source rock, reservoir, trapping and seal mechanisms. We subsequently rank prospects and approve budgets.

Environmental
or safety
incidents


There is a continuing focus on preventing major pollution or loss of life due to failure of systems, equipment or human action.


We have implemented comprehensive EHSS management systems based on best industry practice, at both corporate and country level, with an annual independent audit programme to ensure effective implementation.


Afren oversees its contractors closely to ensure they accept and meet our EHSS standards.

Specific EHSS teams in each area of operation.

Contingency plans in place and tested regularly.

Unfulfilled
work or PSC obligations


Loss of production interest or exploration licence due to incomplete fulfilment of work or PSC obligations.


The operations, finance and legal teams jointly monitor compliance with licence obligations.


We maintain good, open working relationships with local governments in the countries of operation.

External risk

 

 

Geo-political
risk

The countries in which Afren operates continue to face political, socioeconomic uncertainties.


2014 saw particular problems with Boko Haram in northern Nigeria and the rise of Islamic State in Iraq. Whilst these issues received wide international media coverage our operations were not directly affected and we continue to monitor the situation closely.


2015 will see elections in Nigeria and we will be conducting a rigorous business risk assessment of the potential impacts that may arise.

Through close liaison in each relevant country, we monitor the
situation from the perspective of our safety and security.

Contingency plans in place and tested regularly.


Through our contacts in governments and industry, as well as
though specialist advisors, we continuously monitor and evaluate
the potential impacts on our business arising from changes in the geo-political environment.

 

Security
incidents

Afren continues to operate in regions where kidnapping, piracy and criminal attacks occur.

Security teams in each area of operation.

Rigorous security management programme.

Security risk assessments for each asset and operation.

Oil price
volatility

Oil prices can fluctuate significantly.


In 2014, the Group hedged approximately 35% of production through the use of financial instruments.


In Q4 2014, we liquidated our hedge position, which benefited from the lower oil prices in the second half of the year, to generate cash.

Host
community
action


Our operations both on and offshore have the potential for interruption by our host communities if relations are not well established.


We have continued our close relationships with our host communities and have seen no community action against our operations in 2014.


Afren has a tried and tested system for managing community affairs, which is applied to all operations.

Community affairs teams are in place where required.

Contingency plans in place and tested regularly.

 

Strategic risk

 

 

Bribery and corruption

As an international oil and gas operator, bribery and corruption represent an ongoing risk to our business.

We conducted a comprehensive anti-bribery and corruption risk assessment during 2014. This work was integrated into the review and update of the Code of Business Conduct that was completed towards the end of the year. The new Code was approved by the Board in December and all staff and contractors underwent on-line training and testing on the requirements of the Code.


We have established an independent whistle-blowing hotline to enable concerns about poor practice to be voiced without fear of reprisal.


We review and update specific Anti-Bribery and Corruption policies and procedures annually and quarterly respectively, to meet the stringent requirements of the UK Bribery Act as well as the UK Ministry of Justice Guidance.


We provide new starters and existing employees with training on antibribery and corruption as part of the induction process and as an ongoing programme.


We provide quarterly updates to the Audit and Risk Committee regarding anti-bribery and corruption, including any whistle-blowing reports and their subsequent resolution.

Management
of growth

Management of growth is a reducing risk following the fall in oil price and the slowing of Company expansion.

All acquisitions are subject to thorough due diligence, to create an effective integration plan.


We design remuneration policies to incentivise, motivate and retain key employees as well as to attract new personnel as required.

Loss of key employees

Loss of knowledge and skills to the Group, in particular in countries of operation.

 

We consider succession planning Group-wide, taking into account the development of the executive and senior management.


We design remuneration policies to incentivise, motivate and retain key employees including Directors.


We set salaries and reward of senior executives, including Directors, at competitive levels using third party benchmarks.

Climate
change

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contribute to climate change. Important stakeholders expect Afren to have a strategy and meaningful reduction targets (flaring represents over 50% of Afren's current GHG emissions).


Failure to address this issue risks reputational damage and issues with the Company's shareholders.


This also represents an opportunity for Afren to demonstrate a forward looking approach in comparison to its peers.

We recognise the potential impact that energy use and GHG have on climate change and to seek to reduce emissions associated with flaring:


We monitor energy use and ensure energy efficiency in all operations.


We monitor and report other atmospheric emissions.


We have developed and disclosed a comprehensive climate change strategy and will identify engineering solutions to reduce flaring and set flaring reduction targets for 2015.

Financial risk

 

 

Taxation
and other

legislation changes

 

There is a risk that changes in tax regimes and other legislation may affect our financial results. As detailed in the financial statements, there are uncertainties surrounding the taxation treatment of marginal fields (see note 4.8: Contingent liabilities) and Pioneer status (see note 5.16: Post balance sheet events - Company and Group) in Nigeria.

Our financial and legal teams monitor current legislation and proposed changes and incorporate these into our working practices.


Maintenance of good, open working relationships with local authorities in the countries of operation.


Involvement with industry groups in the country of operation to discuss sector issues.

Treasury management

The availability of financing to maintain the ongoing operations of the business is key.

The Group is currently in the process of financial restructuring in order
to provide liquidity and improved financial stability for the Group's ongoing operations.

 

 

 

 

Appendix C: Related Party Transactions

Details of related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2014 were disclosed in the results announcement issued on 30 April 2015.

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
ACSPKKDNPBKDPQN

Top of Page