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Annual Report 2015

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Annual Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2015 Registered number 05239285 CONTENTS Company Overview ............................................................................................ 2 Chairman’s Statement ........................................................................................ 3 Operations Review ............................................................................................. 6 Strategic report .................................................................................................. 7 Directors’ Report ................................................................................................ 9 Board of Directors ............................................................................................ 12 Directors and Advisers ...................................................................................... 13 Summary of Group Net Oil and Gas Reserves.................................................... 14 Corporate Responsibility .................................................................................. 16 Statement of Directors' Responsibilities ........................................................... 18 Independent Auditors Report to the Members of Ascent Resources plc ........... 19 Consolidated Income Statement & Statement of Comprehensive Income ........ 21 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity ................................................... 22 Company Statement of Changes in Equity ........................................................ 23 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position ................................................... 24 Company Statement of Financial Position ......................................................... 25 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement ................................................................... 26 Company Cash Flow Statement ........................................................................ 27 Notes to the accounts ....................................................................................... 28 Notice of Annual General Meeting .................................................................... 49 - 1 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Company Overview Ascent Resources plc (‘Ascent’ or ‘the Company’) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production (‘E&P’) company that was admitted to trading on AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s market for smaller and growing companies, in November 2004 (AIM:AST). Since then its portfolio has consisted of predominantly European onshore projects. Ascent operates the Petišovci tight gas project in Slovenia which is currently its sole asset. Our strategy The Board firmly believes that the gas field at Petišovci in Slovenia is an outstanding prospect and therefore has focussed all of its resources on this project. Our strategy is to direct our available funding towards bringing Petišovci into production. The Group plans to continue its exploration programme in the longer term and take advantage of the significant possible reserves and contingent resources within its areas of interest. How we operate Our project is operated through a local entity in a joint venture which is able to access the best local technical knowledge to help us develop our assets effectively and efficiently. The Company utilises a full range of advanced geophysical, geological and other state-of-the-art technology to evaluate and de-risk projects and to reap maximum benefit from its appraisal, development and production activities. Our people Ascent has a small management team, implementing a defined development programme. This is supplemented, as the need requires, with regional technical and operational expertise to ensure the highest standards are delivered on our projects. As an important employer in our area of operation we take our environmental and social responsibilities seriously and always strive to be a good corporate citizen. Our markets Dependency on imported gas is very high throughout the EU, particularly in Slovenia. This, and the history of relatively stable gas prices in Europe, notwithstanding the declines since 2014, underpins our strategy of exploration, development and production in this region. Our operations are in close proximity to existing processing facilities, intra-field and national pipelines, ensuring low cost connection and easy access to the market. - 2 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Chairman’s Statement Introduction I am pleased to present the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015. The issue of the permitting delays at our Petišovci project was raised at the highest political level by the UK Government and we too raised it with the visiting Slovenian Prime Minister late in 2015. Towards the end of the period under review and continuing in the first few months of 2016 we have experienced a positive change in the attitude of those on who we rely on to commence production. In addition, we have also seen an increase in the interest displayed by industry participants in developing our Petišovci gas field once a clear route to first gas exists which is encouraging. Routes to first gas Shareholders may recall that we have three theoretical routes to first gas. The first and the most conventional route is to secure an environmental permit (‘IPPC’) to construct and operate a new gas treatment works. The gas would then be treated on site and piped into the national grid. The second involves sending the gas untreated across national boundaries, and the third is to supply untreated gas to a reconditioned methanol plant adjacent to our field. IPPC permit The preferred field development plan to date has been to install a Gas Gathering and Separation Station (‘GGSS’) to reduce the carbon dioxide content of the gas to meet national grid specifications, upgrade a metering station to at the entry point to the national grid and connect the wells via the GGSS to the metering station. The installation of the GGSS requires an IPPC permit, for which an application was lodged in June 2014; it was initially approved and put out to public consultation in December 2014 and following an extensive consultation process the Permit was awarded in July 2015. Under the prevailing rules there is very little cost associated with objecting to the environment ministry's decision. It was therefore predictable that the original decision would be appealed, however we were pleasantly surprised that only two protest groups challenged the original decision. Under the appeal the Environment Minister was required to re-assess the decision of her department, which she did and in November 2015 confirmed the initial ruling to grant the Permit. Under the rules, objectors again have the option to refer the Minister’s decision to the Slovenian Courts. Once again such a review is without material cost or inconvenience to the objector and inevitably one of the protesters saw fit to challenge the Minister's decision. Thankfully the referral to the Court provides the last opportunity for a decision to be reviewed. We understand that the Court has already reviewed the files and we await their decision. One of the unexpected benefits of the prolonged delays has been that the costs of construction of the proposed treatment works have fallen, with some suppliers being prepared to either lease the equipment or to receive payment from gas sold. In anticipation of a favourable and final ruling we have issued tenders for the metering station. - 3 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Cross border gas The Lendava location of our gas field is within a few miles of the Austrian, Hungarian and Croatian borders. There exists a network of pipes that would allow our gas to be transported across the border to an existing and underutilised treatment facility. This route to market does not require the IPPC permit to have been issued We are at an advanced stage of negotiations to have joint venture gas treated outside Slovenia. While this may not be a long term solution, in particular when the second phase of the Petišovci field is developed, it would bring forward the date when we first receive income from the field. It also allows us to demonstrate to any banks who may provide project funding prolonged data on well performance and reservoir behaviour which we expect to reduce the risk and therefore the cost of any project finance facility. A further advantage of this arrangement would be positive cash flow during the period when the treatment works envisaged under the IPPC permit is constructed. Sale of gas to a reconditioned methanol plant A characteristic of methanol is that it can be produced from gas with a sulphur content higher than is acceptable for the national grid. Therefore, with a disused methanol plant adjacent to our gas field we have for some time entertained thoughts of being able to achieve first gas without the need for a new treatment works and therefore without the need in the short term for an IPPC permit. Our hopes were raised in September 2015 when we learnt that the methanol plant in question had been acquired by a Californian based company for €5 million. However, despite repeated attempts to contact the new owners, we have yet to establish whether their intention is to refurbish the plant or alternatively use it for scrap. We have therefore for the time being discounted thoughts of first gas being achieved via methanol production. Management From September 2015, Colin Hutchinson has in addition to being Finance Director fulfilled the duties of the CEO. I am pleased to report that following his performance the non-executive directors have resolved to appoint Colin as permanent CEO. Funding We are unable to generate income until we have a clear route to first gas. We have therefore been dependent upon issues of equity and debt to meet the costs of maintaining a presence in the UK and Slovenia. In both locations we have reduced costs to a minimum, with as noted above our new CEO also fulfilling the role of Chief Financial Officer. In the UK we have held numerous discussions with industry participants interested in developing the Petišovci project once a clear route to first gas exists. In Slovenia our team has worked to maintain the condition of the field and prepare the tender documentation for the issue of the IPPC permit. We have been reliant on the continued support of our largest stakeholders Henderson Global Investors and EnQuest PLC in the period under review and subsequently. From Henderson Global Investors we drew £500,000 in convertible loan notes in February 2015, a further £450,000 from the £7 million debt facility in 2015 and have drawn a further £350,000 of the facility since the end of the year. In July 2015, we issued £2 million of Convertible Loan Notes (‘CLNs’) in full settlement of a £3 million liability. - 4 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 In addition, we have taken in a further £1.2 million in new equity over the same period thereby broadening the shareholder base and preserving the value of the Ascent investment in the Petišovci project. Subsequent to the period under review, on 7 April 2016 the Company raised £500,000 gross (£477,500 net to the Company) via the placing of 35,714,285 new ordinary shares of 0.2p each in the Company at a price of 1.4p per Placing Share with investors using the Primarybid.com platform. These funds will meet the working capital requirements of the Company until the end of Q2 2016 during which time the final outcome of the IPPC Permit and negotiations around an alternative route to first gas are expected Outlook We have two live options for a clear path to first gas. Our expectation is that both will crystallise during Q2 2016. An early agreement on the cross border route would still allow first gas in 2016. The Placing in April 2016 has provided the Company with sufficient funds to meet its commitments during the period when these options are expected to crystallise and enables the Company to make progress towards the next stage of the project. More importantly perhaps, we believe that the value of the project as a whole has been recognised by industry participants, whose interest we expect to firm up once a clear route to first gas exists. Clive Carver Chairman 3 May2016 - 5 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Operations Review Slovenia Ascent Slovenia Ltd 75% (operator), Geoenergo d.o.o. 25% (concession holder) The Petišovci Tight Gas Project, in a 98 km2 area in north eastern Slovenia, targets the development of substantial tight gas reservoirs known to be in Miocene clastic sediments. Ascent first acquired an interest in the Petišovci project in 2007 and in 2009 an extensive 3D seismic survey was conducted across the Petišovci concession area. The structure has two sets of reservoirs, the shallower Upper Miocene and the deeper Middle Miocene. The Middle Miocene Badenian reservoirs, or Pg sands, are the focus of Ascent's development objectives; however, the shallow reservoirs, which were extensively developed during the 1960s, are not considered to be fully depleted. The north east region of Slovenia has been an oil and gas producing area since the early 1940s and contains much of the infrastructure necessary for processing and exporting produced hydrocarbons. Two new appraisal wells, Pg-10 and Pg-11, drilled in 2010/2011 to a total vertical depth of 3,497 m and 3,500 m respectively, confirmed gas in all six Middle Miocene Badenian reservoirs (‘A’ to ‘F’ Pg sands). Gas flowed for the first time from the shallowest ‘A’ sands and, in addition, gas and condensate were sampled from the Lower Badenian ‘L’ to ‘Q’ sands. Pg-10 proved productive from the ‘F’ sands and Pg-11A (Pg-11 was side-tracked for technical reasons to Pg-11A) from the deeper ‘L’ to ‘Q’ sands. Both wells were successfully fracture stimulated resulting in flow rates of 8 MMscfd from the ‘F’ sands and 2 MMscfd from the ‘L, M and N’ sands, proving the commercial potential of both wells. The data generated from the Pg-11 well, including three 18 m core samples and state-of-the-art wireline logging, supplemented the 2009 3D survey of the project area. The Company has reported independently verified P50 estimate of gas in place of 456 Bcf (13 Bm3; 76 MMboe). Both wells will require a further recompletion prior to Phase One production which will help to better understand the long-term productivity performance of the reservoirs. The Phase One production results will inform decisions regarding the Phase Two, full field, Petišovci development. Back-in Rights Switzerland The Hermrigen and Linden exploration permits in Switzerland cover undeveloped discoveries made by Elf Aquitaine in 1972 and 1982 with a combined estimated gas resource base of over 360 Bcf. As the original Hermrigen well was drilled before gas pipeline infrastructure was built in the area, the discovery has remained unappraised. Despite selling its interest in 2010 to eCORP, the current operator of the project, Ascent retains various back-in rights on any successful outcome of six conventional appraisal prospects, provided relevant apportioned costs are covered. Netherlands As part of the Sale and Purchase agreement with Tulip Oil for the Company’s former Dutch licences, Ascent has the right to re-purchase a 10% interest in each of the Dutch licences once Tulip has made a final investment decision with respect to the commercial development of the Terschelling-Noord Field. - 6 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Strategic report Section 414C of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the Act’) requires that the Company inform its members as to how the Directors have performed their duty to promote the success of the Company by way of a Strategic Report. Fair review of the business The Act requires the Company to set out in the Directors’ Report a fair review of the business of the Company during the financial year ended 31 December 2015 including an analysis of the position of the business at the end of the financial year and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company (the ‘Business Review’). The purpose of the Business Review is to enable shareholders to assess how the Directors have performed their duties under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, being the duty to promote the success of the Company. The Chairman’s Statement and the Group Operations Review, starting on pages 3 and 6, together with the Corporate Responsibility Statement, corporate governance statements and Principal Risks and Uncertainties section of the Annual Report, which are incorporated herein by reference, are considered to fulfil the requirements of the Business Review. Principal risks and uncertainties The Group operates in an industry characterised by a range of business risks. The key risks and uncertainties faced by the Group are summarised below.  Strategic – the achievement of corporate objectives is dependent on the strategy followed by the Group, as well as the interaction with stakeholders and shareholders, good governance and an understanding of economic and market dynamics. This risk is mitigated by the expertise of the Company’s Directors and specialists.  Operations – the operations of the Group may be adversely affected by its ability to find and develop adequate gas and oil reserves, to develop and exploit new gas and oil acreage and to recruit and retain management and staff with the right technical skills. This risk is mitigated through the experience and expertise of the Company’s Directors, staff, specialists and consultants, the application of appropriate technology and the selection of appropriate prospective exploration and development assets.    Financial – the Group’s ability to meet its obligations and achieve objectives is influenced by its liquidity, gearing, movements in commodity prices and costs, movements in foreign exchange and funding. Foreign exchange risk is mitigated by close monitoring of exchange rate movements and holding cash reserves with a variety of different institutions in a variety of currencies being euro, US dollar and British pound. The Group’s liquidity risk is set out in Notes 1 and 24 to the financial statements and includes a material uncertainty in respect of going concern. All other financial risks are mitigated, to the extent possible, by the expertise of the Company’s financial staff. Compliance – the Group must comply with a range of corporate, legal and industry regulations and the nature of its operations necessitates strong controls around contractual arrangements, especially in respect of areas such as joint venture agreements. This risk is mitigated by the expertise of the Company’s Directors and advisers. Knowledge – the Group is dependent on the efficient and effective operation of its information systems, and the management and reporting of project data and reserves information is key. Loss of key personnel may also lead to the potential loss of corporate ‘intellectual property’. This risk is mitigated by ensuring all Company information is both readily available to the relevant Company employees and is securely maintained on a regularly backed up, password protected IT system. - 7 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Analysis of the development and performance of the business Information is contained in pages 3 to 5 of the Chairman’s statement. The Group incurred a loss of £3.6 million (2014: £5.6 million) arising from £1.9 million (2014: £2.1 million) of administrative costs and net finance costs of £1.7 million (2014: £3.5 million). Further details of the net finance costs are provided in note 5. Analysis of the position of the business Information is contained in pages 3 to 5 of the Chairman’s statement. The exploration and evaluation asset totals £32.7 million (2014: £33.2 million) including £0.7m (2014: £0.8m) of additions and the effect of foreign exchange. The Group’s borrowings and other liabilities totalled £11.2 million (2014: £12.2 million) as detailed in note 13. Analysis using other key performance indicators The Directors consider a range of financial and non-financial key performance indicators. Financial indicators are principally focussed on the regular review of major projects, comparing actual costs with budgets and projections and analysis of expenditure, see Note 2. More detailed assessments are also made of un-risked and risked net present values (‘NPVs’), project rates of return and investment ratios such as ‘success case investment efficiency’. Monthly trading and cash movements are also reviewed for each of the Group companies. Specific exploration-related key performance indicators include: the probability of geological success (Pg), the probability of commerciality or completion (Pc) and the probability of economic success (Pe). For more details, see Summary of Group Net Oil and Gas Reserves on page 14. The projected NPV of the Petišovci project is regularly reassessed by management and offers a significant premium to the current market capitalisation of the Company. Approved for issue by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf Clive Carver Chairman 3 May 2016 - 8 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Directors’ Report The Directors present their Directors’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 (‘the year’). Principal activities The principal activities of the Group comprise gas and oil exploration and production. The Company is registered in England and Wales and is quoted on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. The Group’s corporate management is in London and its oil and gas interests are in Slovenia. The Group operates its own undertakings both through subsidiary companies and joint ventures. The subsidiary undertakings affecting the Group’s results and net assets are listed in Note 9 to the Financial Statements. Future developments The Company has identified the European gas market as a relatively stable and secure arena in which to compete. The European market continues to be a net importer of gas whilst diversity of supply is central to the energy security strategy of most nations. The Petišovci field in Slovenia has the potential to supply a significant proportion of the country’s gas requirement for many years. Financial risk management Details of the Group’s financial instruments and its policies with regard to financial risk management are given in Note 24 of the Financial Statements. Results and dividends The loss for the year after taxation was £3.6 million (2014: £5.6 million). The Directors cannot recommend the payment of a dividend (2014: Nil). Post balance sheet events In January and March 2016, the Company drew a further £350,000 in total under the £7 million Henderson Facility which is now drawn to £800,000. On 7 April 2016 the Company raised £500,000 gross (£477,500 net to the Company) via the placing of 35,714,285 new ordinary shares of 0.2p each in the Company at a price of 1.4p per Placing Share with investors using the Primarybid.com platform. The Company received a number of notices to convert CLNs of £1 each which were issued in May 2013 as part of an open offer to all shareholders and the terms of which were amended in February 2015. The Loan Notes, including rolled up interest, are convertible into new ordinary shares of 0.2 pence each in the Company at a rate of 100 new Ordinary Shares per £1 loan note.  On 7 April 2016:  On 14 April 2016:  On 25 April 2016: 81,681 convertible notes were converted into 9,199,293 shares 542,566 convertible notes were converted into 61,106,308 shares 342,140 convertible notes were converted into 38,533,398 shares - 9 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Directors The Directors of the Company that served during the year, and subsequently, were as follows: Colin Hutchinson Leonard John Reece (resigned 14 August 2015) Clive Nathan Carver Nigel Sandford Johnson Moore William Cameron Davies Relevant details of the Directors, which include committee memberships, are set out on page 12. Directors’ interests The beneficial and non-beneficial interests in the issued share capital and CLNs of the Company were as follows: Ordinary shares of 0.1p each. Convertible loan notes. At 31 December 2015 At 31 December 2014 At 31 December 2015 At 31 December 2014 Leonard Reece Clive Carver Nigel Moore Cameron Davies Colin Hutchinson - - 5,975 7,500 - - - 119,500 150,000 - 63,444 17,500 - - - 63,444 17,500 - - - Details of Directors’ share options and remuneration are set out in Note 4 to the Financial Statements, under the heading ‘Directors’ remuneration’. Directors’ emoluments For details of Directors’ emoluments and share options please see Note 4 of the Financial Statements. Third party indemnity provision The Company has provided liability insurance for its Directors. The annual cost of the cover is not material to the Group. The Company’s Articles of Association allow it to provide an indemnity for the benefit of its Directors which is a qualifying indemnity provision for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006. Share capital Details of changes to share capital in the period are set out in Note 18 to the Financial Statements. As at 26 April 2016 the Company has been notified of the following significant interests in its ordinary shares, being a holding of 3% and above: Global Power Sources Srl EnQuest PLC Shareholder communications Number of ordinary shares 15,356.339 8,045,197 % 5.83 3.06 The Company has a website, www.ascentresources.co.uk, for the purposes of improving information flow to shareholders, as well as potential investors. Employees The Company’s Board composition provides the platform for sound corporate governance and robust leadership in implementing the Company’s strategies to meet its stated goals and objectives. - 10 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 The Group’s employees and consultants play an integral part in executing its strategy and the overall success and sustainability of the organisation. The Group has a highly skilled and dedicated team of employees and consultants and places great emphasis on attracting and retaining quality staff. As an international oil and gas company, we facilitate the development of leadership from the communities in which we operate. There is a large pool of qualified upstream oil and gas exploration and production professionals in the areas in which we operate, and we are committed to building and developing our teams from these talent pools. The Group holds its employees and consultants at all levels to high standards and expects the conduct of its employees to reflect mutual respect, tolerance of cultural differences, adherence to the corporate code of conduct and an ambition to excel in their various disciplines. Disclosure of information to auditors In the case of each person who was a Director at the time this report was approved:   so far as that Director was aware there was no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditors were unaware; and that Director had taken all steps that the Director ought to have taken as a Director to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditors were aware of that information. This information is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006. Going Concern The Financial Statements of the Group are prepared on a going concern basis as detailed in Note 1 to the financial statements. The Group has sufficient cash to fund its current trading obligations but further funding will be required for working capital for a period of 12 months from the date of this report and to finance work programmes in Slovenia. In addition, the CLNs totalling approximately £11 million fall due for redemption in November 2016. As a consequence, there is a material uncertainty as to the Group’s ability to raise additional finance, which may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Further, the Group may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The Directors, however, remain confident of the Group’s ability to operate as a going concern given the funding discussions that have and continue to take place and in light of the significant recent support from existing shareholders. Auditors In accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution for the reappointment of BDO LLP as auditors of the Company is to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Approved for issue by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf Clive Carver Chairman 3 May 2016 - 11 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Board of Directors Clive Carver Non-executive Chairman Clive Carver has worked in the City since 1986 and focussed exclusively on the small cap sector since 1994. He is the Executive Chairman of Roxi Petroleum plc, an AIM listed oil and gas exploration and production company operating in Kazakhstan, where he served as Non-Executive Chairman from 2006 to May 2012. He is also Non- Executive Chairman of 365 Agile plc, a Technology company focussed on ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) applications; and a Non-Executive Director of unlisted Darwin Strategic Limited, a company which funds many AIM listed businesses. Clive is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and is a qualified Corporate Treasurer. Colin Hutchinson Chief Executive Officer Colin Hutchinson is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, he holds a law degree from the University of Dundee and an MBA from Warwick Business School. Colin previously served as the Company's Finance Director. He has over fifteen years’ international experience gained in commercially orientated finance roles with a mix of technology and energy companies. Prior to joining Ascent, he was Group Financial Controller & Company Secretary at Lochard Energy plc and Co-Founder & Finance Director at Samba Communications Ltd. He is also a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the audit committee of 365 Agile plc, a Technology company focussed on IoT applications. Nigel Moore Non-executive Director Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Remuneration Committee Nigel Moore is a Chartered Accountant and was a former partner at Ernst & Young for thirty years until 2003. For the last ten years at Ernst & Young he specialised in the oil and gas sector, advising a wide range of client companies, providing significant input to strategic options, new opportunities and helping to deliver shareholder value. During the last 12 years Nigel has been a member of a number of Boards focussed on extractive industries and is currently on the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Hochschild Mining PLC. Cameron Davies Non-executive Director Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Audit Committee Cameron Davies is an international energy sector specialist and the former Chief Executive of Alkane Energy plc. He has a PhD in Applied Geochemistry from Imperial College, is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and a member of the European Petroleum Negotiators Group and the PESGB. He has an excellent track record of exploration success and also growing profits in a quoted energy company. His career successes include the discovery of the third largest oilfield in Tunisia. In 1994 he founded Alkane Energy plc and managed the business from original concept, through venture capital funding and an IPO to become a profitable operator of c. 160MW of gas to power generation plants. In Q4 2015 Alkane was acquired by Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners and Cameron resigned as a director. - 12 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Directors and Advisers Directors Secretary Registered Office Nominated Adviser and Broker Auditors Solicitors Bankers Share Registry PR & IR Clive Carver Colin Hutchinson Nigel Moore Cameron Davies Colin Hutchinson 5 New Street Square London EC4A 3TW Stockdale Securities Limited Beaufort House 15 St Botolph Street London EC3A 7BB BDO LLP 55 Baker Street London W1U 7EU Taylor Wessing LLP 5 New Street Square London EC4A 3TW Barclays Corporate Banking 1 Churchill Place London E14 5HP Computershare Investors Services PLC The Pavilions Bridgwater Road Bristol BS13 8AE IFC Advisory Limited 73 Watling Street London EC4M 9BJ Company’s registered number 05239285 - 13 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Summary of Group Net Oil and Gas Reserves Net Reserves and Resources Net Attributable Net Attributable Net Attributable Reserves (Bcfe) Contingent Resources Prospective Resources (Bcfe) (Bcfe) Slovenia P90 41 P50 88 P10 174 Low Best High Low Best High 42 76 140 - - - These figures are based on RPS gas-in-place estimates with a management assumption of a 50% recovery factor and Ascent’s 75% participation. Tested and/or produced commercial sands are included as reserves while untested and unproduced sands remain as resources. The condensate content of gas is not included. Remaining reserves have been adjusted to take account of historic field production, which to the end of 2015 was 8.7 Bcfe. Proven Reserves are those quantities of petroleum which can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations. There is at least a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. Probable Reserves are those unproven reserves which are more likely than not to be recoverable. There is at least a 50% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proven plus probable reserves. Contingent Resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations, but the applied project(s) are not yet considered mature enough for commercial development due to one or more contingencies. Contingent resources may include, for example, projects for which there are currently no viable markets or where commercial recovery is dependent on technology under development or where evaluation of the accumulation is insufficient to clearly assess commerciality. Prospective Resources are those quantities of petroleum which are estimated to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations. P90 (P50; P10) Reserves: at least a 90% (50%; 10%) probability that the quantities will equal or exceed the estimate. This is a measure of uncertainty not geological or commercial risk. - 14 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Summary of Ascent Resources Plc’s Licence Interests as at 31 December 2015 Permit Operations Slovenia Subsidiary Working Interest (%) Permit Area Gross (km2) Net (km2) Status Petišovci Concession Ascent Slovenia Limited 75 98 73 Oil & gas exploitation Back in rights Switzerland Seeland-Frienisberg Linden Gros de Vaud The Netherlands M10/M11 Ascent Resources plc Ascent Resources plc Ascent Resources plc 364 330 736 - - - Gas appraisal Gas appraisal Oil & gas exploration Ascent Resources plc 110 59 Gas exploration and appraisal Glossary M MM B km2 m3 Thousand* Million* Billion* Square kilometres Cubic metres cf scf scfd Cubic feet Standard cubic feet Standard cubic feet per day * These are ‘oilfield’ units, as commonly used in the oil and gas industry. Other units conform to the Système International d'unités (SI) convention Prospect: a potential trap which geologists believe may contain hydrocarbon resources Reservoirs: a subsurface body of rock having sufficient porosity and permeability to store and transmit hydrocarbons Miocene: a geological epoch of the Neogene Period that extended from about 13 to 25 million years ago. - 15 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Corporate Responsibility Ascent operates a Management System that embodies Environmental, Health, Safety (‘EHS’) and Social Responsibility (‘SR’) principles. This system defines objectives to be met by Ascent, its subsidiaries, affiliates, associates and operated joint ventures (hereinafter collectively referred to as Ascent) in the management of EHS and SR. The policy of the Board of Ascent is to be fully accountable for the necessary practices, procedures and means being in place so as to ensure that each EHS and SR objective is demonstrated in full and that continuous improvement practices are operating to ensure that the required practices, procedures and means are being monitored, refined and optimised as necessary. The Board will accordingly review and report regularly to external stakeholders as to the achievement of the objectives of this policy. In accordance with this policy, the Executive Directors of Ascent are directly and collectively responsible to the Board for demonstrating that the EHS and SR objectives are attained throughout Ascent. The Executive Directors have adopted Management System Guidelines as guidance for demonstrating this. The objectives of the Environment, Health, Safety and Social Responsibility Policy are:             Ascent shall manage all operations in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of employees, third parties and the community. The Executive Director provides the vision, establish the framework, set the objectives and provide the resources for responsible management of Ascent’s operations. Leadership and visible commitment to continuous improvement are critical elements of successful operations. A process that measures performance relative to policy aims and objectives is essential to improving performance. Sharing best practices and learning from each other promotes improvement. Effective business controls ensure the prevention, control and mitigation of threats and hazards to business stewardship. Risk identification, assessment and prioritisation can reduce risk and mitigate hazards to employees, third parties, the community and the environment. Management of risk is a continuous process. Safe, environmentally sound operations rely on well-trained, motivated people. Careful selection, placement, training, development and assessment of employees and clear communication and understanding of responsibilities are critical to achieving operating excellence. The use of internationally recognised standards, procedures and specifications for design, construction, commissioning, modifications and decommissioning activities are essential for achieving operating excellence. Operations within recognised and prudent parameters are essential to achieving clear operating excellence. This requires operating, inspection and maintenance procedures and information on the processes, facilities and materials handled, together with systems to ensure that such procedures have been properly communicated and understood. Adhering to established safe work practices, evaluating and managing change and providing up-to- date procedures to manage safety and health risks contribute to a safe workplace for employees and third parties. The minimisation of environmental risks and liabilities are integral parts of Ascent’s operations. Third parties who provide materials and services (personnel and equipment) or operate facilities on Ascent’s behalf have an impact on EHS and SR excellence. It is essential that third-party services are provided in a manner consistent with Ascent’s EHS and SR Policy and Management System Guidelines. - 16 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015     Compliance with regulatory requirements and company guidelines must be periodically measured and verified as part of the continuous improvement process. Preparedness and planning for emergencies are essential to ensuring that all necessary actions are taken if an incident occurs, to protect employees, third parties, the public, the environment, the assets and brand of Ascent. Effective reporting, incident investigation, communication and lessons learned are essential to attaining and improving performance. Open and honest communication with the communities, authorities and stakeholders with which Ascent operates builds confidence and trust in the integrity of Ascent. During 2015, the Group was Operator of one project which was closely managed for maintaining the EHS and SR policy aims. There have been no breaches of any applicable Acts recorded against the Group during the reporting period. - 17 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Statement of Directors' Responsibilities The Directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ Report, the Strategic Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the Group and Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. The Directors are also required to prepare financial statements in accordance with the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the AIM Market. In preparing these financial statements the Directors are required to: • select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; • make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; • • state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business. The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Website publication The Directors are responsible for ensuring the Annual Report and the Financial Statements are made available on a website. Financial statements are published on the Company's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Company's website is the responsibility of the Directors. The Directors' responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the Financial Statements contained therein. - 18 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Independent Auditors Report to the Members of Ascent Resources plc We have audited the financial statements of Ascent Resources plc for the year ended 31 December 2015 which comprise the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated and company statements of financial position, the consolidated and company statements of changes in equity, the consolidated and company statements of cash flows and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors As explained more fully in the statement of directors’ responsibilities, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors. Scope of the audit of the financial statements A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. Opinion on financial statements In our opinion:     the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2015 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended; the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Emphasis of matter – Going concern In forming our opinion of the financial statements, which is not modified, we have considered the adequacy of the disclosures made in Note 1 to the financial statements concerning the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Further funds will be required to meet the Group’s working capital requirements, finance the Group’s planned work programme and to service existing debt facilities and repay any amounts required under the convertible loan notes which become due in November 2016. While the Directors are confident of being able to acquire the finance necessary to meet both capital and administrative obligations and liabilities as they fall due, the necessary facilities are not currently in place. - 19 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 These conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern. Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion the information given in the strategic report and directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements. Matters on which we are required to report by exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:   adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Ryan Ferguson (senior statutory auditor) For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor London United Kingdom 3 May 2016 BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127). - 20 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Consolidated Income Statement & Statement of Comprehensive Income For the year ended 31 December 2015 Other administrative expenses Termination payments Aborted transaction costs Total administrative expenses Loss from operating activities Finance income Finance cost Net finance costs Loss before taxation Income tax expense Loss for the year Loss per share Basic & fully diluted loss per share (pence) * * Adjusted for share consolidation Loss for the year Other comprehensive expense Year ended Year ended 31 December 2015 £ ’000s 31 December 2014 £ ’000s Notes 3 5 5 6 7 (1,609) (279) - (1,888) (1,879) - (228) (2,107) (1,888) (2,107) 745 (2,501) (1,756) 3 (3,519) (3,516) (3,644) (5,623) - (3,644) - (5,623) (4.13) (7.73) Year ended Year ended 31 December 2015 £ ’000s 31 December 2014 £ ’000s (3,644) (5,623) Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations * (1,059) (1,248) Total comprehensive loss for the year (4,703) (6,871) * Foreign currency translation differences from foreign operations may be recycled through the income statement in the future if certain future conditions arise. - 21 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity For the year ended 31 December 2015 - 2 2 - Balance at 1 January 2014 Comprehensive expense Loss for the year Other comprehensive expense Currency translation differences Total comprehensive expense Transactions with owners Issue of convertible loan notes Conversion of loan notes Issue of shares during the year net of costs Share-based payments and expiry of options Balance at 31 December 2014 Balance at 1 January 2015 Comprehensive expense Loss for the year Other comprehensive expense Currency translation differences Total comprehensive loss Transactions with owners Extinguishment of convertible loan notes Extension of convertible loan notes EnQuest liability restructured to convertible loan notes Conversion of loan notes Issue of shares during the year net of costs Share-based payments and expiry of options Balance at 31 December 2015 Share capital Share premium Equity reserve Shares to be issued Share based payment reserve Translation reserve Accumulated Losses £ ’000s 1,451 £ ’000s 55,833 £ ’000s 518 £ ’000s 84 £ ’000s 1,896 £ ’000s (498) £ ’000s (34,171) - - - - - 8 - 1,459 1,459 - - - - - - 4 415 - 1,878 - - - - 2 76 - 55,911 55,911 - - - - - - 1 781 - 56,693 - - - 2,058 - - - 2,576 2,576 - - - (4,586) 3,481 101 - - - 1,572 - - - - - (84) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (1,035) 861 861 - - - - - - - - (378) 483 Total £ ’000s 25,113 - (5,623) - (5,623) (1,248) - (1,248) (1,248) (5,623) - - - - (1,746) (1,746) - - - 1,181 (38,613) (38,613) (6,871) - 2,058 2 - 146 20,448 20,448 - (3,644) (3,644) (1,059) (1,059) - - - - - - (2,805) - (3,644) 4,586 - - - - 524 (37,147) (1,059) (4,703) - 3,481 101 5 1,196 146 20,674 Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Company Statement of Changes in Equity For the year ended 31 December 2015 - 2 3 - Balance at 1 January 2014 Comprehensive expense Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year Transactions with owners Issue of convertible loan notes Conversion of loan notes Issue of shares during the year net of costs Share-based payments Balance at 31 December 2014 Balance at 1 January 2015 Comprehensive expense Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year Transactions with owners Extinguishment of convertible loan notes Extension of convertible loan notes EnQuest Liability restructured to convertible loan notes Conversion of loan notes Issue of shares during the year net of costs Share-based payments Balance at 31 December 2015 Share capital Share premium £ ’000s £ ’000s 1,451 55,833 - - - 8 - 1,459 1,459 - - - - 4 415 - 1,878 - - 2 76 - 55,911 55,911 - - - - 1 781 - 56,693 Equity reserve £ ’000s Shares to be issued £ ’000s Share based payment reserve £ ’000s Accumulated Losses Total parent equity £ ’000s £ ’000s 518 - 2,058 - - - 2,576 2,576 - (4,586) 3,481 101 - - - 1,572 84 - - - (84) - - - - - - - - - - - 1,896 (34,689) 25,093 - (6,058) (6,058) - - - (1,035) 861 861 - - - 1,181 (39,566) (39,566) 2,058 2 - 146 21,241 21,241 - (4,306) (4,306) - - - - - (378) 483 4,586 - - - - 524 (38,762) - 3,481 101 5 1,196 146 21,864 Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position As at 31 December 2015 Assets Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Exploration and evaluation costs Total non-current assets Current assets Trade and other receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total current assets Total assets Equity and liabilities Attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company Share capital Share premium account Equity reserve Share-based payment reserve Translation reserves Accumulated losses Total equity Non-current liabilities Provisions Total non-current liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables Borrowings Other current liabilities Total current liabilities Total liabilities Total equity and liabilities 31 December 2015 £ ’000s 31 December 2014 £ ’000s Notes 8 10 18 14 16 13 15 3 32,711 32,714 61 32 93 32,807 1,878 56,693 1,572 483 (2,805) (37,147) 20,674 386 386 508 11,239 - 11,747 12,133 32,807 2 33,166 33,168 98 456 554 33,722 1,459 55,911 2,576 861 (1,746) (38,613) 20,448 410 410 647 9,624 2,593 12,864 13,274 33,722 The Notes on pages 28 to 48 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 3 May 2016 and signed on its behalf by: Clive Carver, Chairman 3 May 2016 - 24 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Company Statement of Financial Position As at 31 December 2015 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Investment in subsidiaries and joint ventures Intercompany receivables Total non-current assets Current assets Trade and other receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total current assets Total assets Equity Share capital Share premium Equity reserve Share-based payment reserve Accumulated loss Total equity Current liabilities Trade and other payables Borrowings Other current liabilities Total current liabilities Total liabilities Total equity and liabilities 31 December 2015 £ ’000s 31 December 2014 £ ’000s Notes 9 21 11 18 17 13 15 1 14,340 19,108 33,449 44 28 72 1 14,340 19,045 33,386 62 439 501 33,521 33,887 1,878 56,693 1,572 483 (38,762) 21,864 418 11,239 - 11,657 11,657 33,521 1,459 55,911 2,576 861 (39,566) 21,241 429 9,624 2,593 12,646 12,646 33,887 The Notes on pages 28 to 48 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 3 May 2016 and signed on its behalf by: Clive Carver Chairman 3 May 2016 - 25 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 December 2015 Cash flows from operations Loss after tax for the year DD&A charge Decrease in receivables Increase/ (Decrease) in payables Increase in share based payments reserve Exchange differences Finance income Finance cost Net cash used in operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Interest received Payments for investing in exploration Purchase of property, plant and equipment Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Interest paid and other finance fees Proceeds from loans Loans repaid Loan issue costs Proceeds from issue of shares Share issue costs Net cash generated from financing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year Year ended 31 December 2015 Year ended 31 December 2014 £ ’000s (3,644) (1) 37 (222) 146 36 (745) 2,501 (1,892) 1 (661) - (660) (18) 950 - - 1,252 (56) 2,128 (424) 456 32 £ ’000s (5,623) 2 12 238 146 (45) (3) 3,519 (1,754) 3 (773) (1) (771) (60) 3,650 (761) (32) - - 2,797 272 184 456 - 26 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Company Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 December 2015 Cash flows from in operations Loss for the year Depreciation charge Increase in receivables (Decrease) / Increase in payables Increase in share based payments reserve Foreign exchange Finance income Finance cost Net cash generated from / (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Interest received Advances to subsidiaries Investment in PPE Net cash flows used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Interest paid Proceeds from loans Repayment of loan Loan issue costs Cash proceeds from issue of shares Share issue costs Net cash generated from financing activities Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year Effects of foreign exchange differences Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year Year ended 31 December 2015 Year ended 31 December 2014 £ ’000s £ ’000s (4,306) - (324) (94) 146 1,424 (745) 2,501 (1,398) 4 (1,158) - (1,154) (5) 951 - - 1,252 (56) 2,142 (410) 439 (1) 28 (6,058) 2 (662) 85 146 1,533 (3) 3,499 (1,458) 3 (1,094) (1) (1,092) (43) 3,650 (761) (32) - - 2,814 264 175 - 439 - 27 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Notes to the accounts 1 Accounting policies Reporting entity Ascent Resources plc (‘the Company’ or ‘Ascent’) is a company domiciled and incorporated in England. The address of the Company’s registered office is 5 New Street Square, London EC4A 3TW. The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2015 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the ‘Group’) and the Group’s interest in associates and joint ventures. The Parent Company financial statements present information about the Company as a separate entity and not about its Group. The Company is admitted to AIM, a market of the London Stock Exchange. The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2015 are available from the Company’s website at www.ascentresources.co.uk. Statement of compliance The Group’s and Company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 3 May 2016 and the Statements of Financial Position were signed on behalf of the Board by Clive Carver. Both the Parent Company financial statements and the Group financial statements give a true and fair view and have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (‘IFRSs’). Basis of preparation In publishing the Parent Company financial statements here together with the Group financial statements, the Company is taking advantage of the exemption in section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present its individual income statement and related notes that form a part of these approved financial statements. The Company loss for the year was £4.3 million. Measurement Convention The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are presented in sterling and have been rounded to the nearest thousand (£’000s) except where otherwise indicated. The principal accounting policies set out below have been consistently applied to all periods presented. Going Concern The Financial Statements of the Group are prepared on a going concern basis. The Company has sufficient cash to fund its current trading obligations but further funding will be required for working capital for a period of the next 12 months and to finance work programmes in Slovenia. In addition, there are £11 million of CLNs which become due in November 2016. As a result, the Directors are considering a range of funding options, including a strategic investor. However, there can be no guarantee over the outcome of these negotiations and as a consequence there is a material uncertainty of the Group’s ability to raise additional finance, which may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Further, the Group may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The Directors, however, remain confident of the Group’s ability to operate as a going concern given the funding discussions that have and continue to take place and in light of the significant recent support from existing shareholders. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Company was unable to continue as a going concern. New and amended Standards effective for 31 December 2015 year-end adopted by the Group: i. The following new standards and amendments to standards are mandatory for the first time for the Group for the financial year beginning 1 January 2015. The adoption of these standards and amendments has had no material effect on the Group’s accounting policies. Standard IAS 19 Description Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010-2012 Cycle Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2011-2013 Cycle Effective date 1 February 2015 1 February 2015 1 January 2015 - 28 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 ii. Standards, amendments and interpretations, which are effective for reporting periods beginning after the date of these financial statements which have not been adopted early: Standard IFRS 11 IAS 16 and IAS 38 IFRS 9 IFRS15 IFRS 16 IAS 12 Description Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operation Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation Financial instruments Revenue from Contracts with Customers Leases Recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses Effective date 1 January 2016 1 January 2016 1 January 2018 1 January 2018 1 January 2019 1 January 2017 The Group has not yet assessed the impact of IFRS 9. IFRS 9 will eventually replace IAS 39 in its entirety and consequently may have a material effect on the presentation, classification, measurement and disclosures of the Group’s financial instruments. Critical accounting estimates and assumptions and critical judgements in applying the Group’s accounting policies The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income, expenses and related disclosures. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on practical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in accounting estimates may be necessary if there are changes in the circumstances on which the estimate was based or as a result of new information. Such changes are recorded in the period in which the estimate is revised. The application of the Group’s accounting policies may require management to make judgements, apart from those involving estimates, which can have a significant effect on the amounts amortised in the financial statements. Management judgement is particularly required when assessing the substance of transactions that have a complicated structure or legal form. The key areas where management judgement has needed to be applied are: (a) Exploration and evaluation assets – exploration and evaluation costs are initially classified and held as intangible fixed assets rather than being expensed. The carrying value of intangible exploration and evaluation assets are then determined. Management considers these assets for indicators of impairment at least annually based on an estimation of the recoverability of the cost pool from future development and production of the related oil and gas reserves. This assessment requires estimates of gas reserves, production, gas prices, operating and capital costs associated with the field and discount rates (see Note 8); (b) Decommissioning provision – the cost of decommissioning is estimated by reference to operators and internal specialist staff and requires estimates regarding the cost of decommissioning, inflation, discount rates and the timing of works (see Note 14); (c) CLNs and extinguishment of EnQuest liability – the Group has entered into a series of significant modifications to the maturity and conversion rights on its CLNs and replaced the previous EnQuest financial liability with a convertible loan note. These transactions, some of which are with significant shareholders, required judgment in terms of the appropriate accounting treatment. In addition, judgment and estimation was required in determining the fair value of liability and equity components of the loan notes (see Note 13); (d) Basis of consolidation – management consider the Company’s ability to exert financial and operational control, as well as the level of voting rights and representation on the Board as a basis of consolidation; (e) Share-based payments – management assesses the fair value of each option using an appropriate pricing model based on option and share prices, volatility and the life of the option (see Note 23); (f) Commercial reserves – Commercial reserves are proven and probable oil and gas reserves calculated on an entitlement basis and are integral to the assessment of the carrying value of the exploration and evaluation assets. Estimates of commercial reserves include estimates of the amount of oil and gas in place, assumptions about reservoir performance over the life of the field and assumptions about commercial factors which, in turn, will be affected by the future oil and gas price. Basis of consolidation Where the Company has control over an investee, it is classified as a subsidiary. The Company controls an investee if all three of the following elements are present: power over the investee, exposure to variable returns from the investee, and the ability of the investor to use its power to affect those variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances indicate that there may be a change in any of these elements of control. - 29 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 The consolidated financial statements present the results of the Company and its subsidiaries as if they formed a single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between Group companies are therefore eliminated in full. The results of undertakings acquired or disposed of are consolidated from or to the date when control passes to or from the Group. The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the period are included in the Consolidated Income Statement from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the results of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies they use into line with those used by the Group. Business combinations On acquisition, the assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of subsidiaries are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess of cost of acquisition over net fair values of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below the net fair values of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired (i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited to profit and loss in the period of acquisition. Joint arrangements The Group is party to a joint arrangement when there is a contractual arrangement that confers joint control over the relevant activities of the arrangement to the Group and at least one other party. Joint control is assessed under the same principles as control over subsidiaries. The Group classifies its interests in joint arrangements as either joint ventures, where the Group has rights to only the net assets of the joint arrangement, or joint operations where the Group has both the rights to assets and obligations for the liabilities of the joint arrangement. All of the Group’s joint arrangements are classified as joint operations. The Group accounts for its interests in joint operations by recognising its assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in accordance with its contractually conferred rights and obligations. Oil and Gas Exploration Assets All licence/project acquisitions, exploration and appraisal costs incurred or acquired on the acquisition of a subsidiary, are accumulated in respect of each identifiable project area. These costs, which are classified as intangible fixed assets are only carried forward to the extent that they are expected to be recovered through the successful development of the area or where activities in the area have not yet reached a stage which permits reasonable assessment of the existence of economically recoverable reserves. Pre-licence/project costs are written off immediately. Other costs are also written off unless commercial reserves have been established or the determination process has not been completed. Thus accumulated cost in relation to an abandoned area are written off in full to the statement of comprehensive income in the year in which the decision to abandon the area is made. When production commences the accumulated costs for the relevant area of interest are transferred from intangible fixed assets to Property, Plant and Equipment as ‘Developed oil and gas assets’. Impairment of oil and gas exploration assets Exploration/appraisal assets are reviewed regularly for indicators of impairment following the guidance in IFRS 6 ‘Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources’ and tested for impairment where such indicators exist. In accordance with IFRS 6 the Group considers the following facts and circumstances in their assessment of whether the Group’s oil and gas exploration assets may be impaired:  whether the period for which the Group has the right to explore in a specific area has expired during the period or will expire in the near future, and is not expected to be renewed;  whether substantive expenditure on further exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources in a specific area is neither budgeted nor planned;  whether exploration for and evaluation of oil and gas reserves in a specific area have not led to the discovery of commercially viable quantities of oil and gas and the Group has decided to discontinue such activities in the specific area; and  whether sufficient data exists to indicate that although a development in a specific area is likely to proceed, the carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation assets is unlikely to be recovered in full from successful development or by sale. If any such facts or circumstances are noted, the Group, as a next step, perform an impairment test in accordance with the provisions of IAS 36. In such circumstances the aggregate carrying value of the oil and gas exploration and assets is compared against the expected recoverable amount of the cash generating unit. The recoverable amount is the higher of value in use and the fair value less costs to sell. - 30 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 The Group has identified one cash generating unit, the Petišovci project in Slovenia. Any impairment arising is recognised in the Income Statement for the year. Where there has been a charge for impairment in an earlier period that charge will be reversed in a later period where there has been a change in circumstances to the extent that the discounted future net cash flows are higher than the net book value at the time. In reversing impairment losses, the carrying amount of the asset will be increased to the lower of its original carrying values or the carrying value that would have been determined (net of depletion) had no impairment loss been recognised in prior periods. Decommissioning costs Where a material obligation for the removal of wells and production facilities and site restoration at the end of the field life exists, a provision for decommissioning is recognised. The amount recognised is the net present value of estimated future expenditure determined in accordance with local conditions and requirements. An asset of an amount equivalent to the provision is also added to oil and gas exploration assets and depreciated on a unit of production basis once production begins. Changes in estimates are recognised prospectively, with corresponding adjustments to the provision and the associated asset. Foreign currency The Group’s strategy is focussed on developing oil and gas projects across Europe funded by shareholder equity and other financial assets which are principally denominated in sterling. The functional currency of the Company is sterling. Transactions in foreign currency are translated to the respective functional currency of the Group entity at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated to the functional currency at the rates prevailing on the reporting date. Exchange gains and losses on short-term foreign currency borrowings and deposits are included with net interest payable. The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to sterling at foreign exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated to sterling at the average rate ruling during the period. Foreign exchange differences arising on retranslation are recognised directly in a separate component of equity. Foreign exchange differences arising on inter-company loans considered to be permanent as equity are recorded in equity. On disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative exchange differences recognised in the foreign exchange reserve relating to that operation up to the date of disposal are transferred to the consolidated income statement as part of the profit or loss on disposal. Exchange differences on all other transactions, except intercompany foreign currency loans, are taken to operating loss. Taxation The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and any deferred tax. The tax currently payable is based on the estimated taxable profit for the period. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using the expected tax rate applicable to annual earnings. Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit. It is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Equity-settled share-based payments The cost of providing share-based payments to employees is charged to the income statement over the vesting period of the related share options or share allocations. The cost is based on the fair values of the options and shares allocated determined using the binomial method. The value of the charge is adjusted to reflect expected and actual levels of vesting. Charges are not adjusted for market related conditions which are not achieved. Where equity instruments are granted to persons other than directors or employees the Consolidated Income Statement is charged with the fair value of any goods or services received. Grants of options in relation to acquiring further shares in licence areas are treated as additions to Slovenian exploration costs at Group level and increases in investments at Company level. Provisions A provision is recognised in the Statement of Financial Position when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. If the - 31 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 effect is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. Convertible loan notes Upon issue of a new convertible loan, where the convertible option is at a fixed rate, the net proceeds received from the issue of CLNs are split between a liability element and an equity component at the date of issue. The fair value of the liability component is estimated using the prevailing market interest rate for similar non-convertible debt. The difference between the proceeds of issue of the CLNs and the fair value assigned to the liability component, representing the embedded option to convert the liability into equity of the Group, is included in equity and is not re-measured. Subsequent to the initial recognition the liability component is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. When there are amendments to the contractual loan note terms these terms are assessed to determine whether the amendment represents an inducement to the loan note holders to convert. If this is considered to be the case the estimate of fair value adjusted as appropriate and any loss arising is recorded in the income statement. Where there are amendments to the contractual loan note terms that are considered to represent a significant modification to the loan note, without representing an inducement to convert, the Group treats the transaction as an extinguishment of the existing convertible loan note and replaces the instrument with a new convertible loan note. The fair value of the liability component is estimated using the prevailing market interest rate for similar non-convertible debt. The fair value of the conversion right is recorded as an increase in equity. The previous equity reserve is reclassified to accumulated loss. Any gain or loss arising on the extinguishment of the instrument is recorded in the income statement, unless the transaction is with a counterparty considered to be acting in their capacity as a shareholder whereby the gain or loss is recorded in equity. Non-derivative financial instruments Non-derivative financial instruments comprise of investments in equity and debt securities, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings and trade and other payables. Financial instruments Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Trade and other receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. A provision is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due. The amount of any provision is recognised in the income statement. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the Group and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. Trade and other payables are initially measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Financial liabilities and equity instruments issued by the Group are classified in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into and the definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument. Where a financial liability is extinguished and replaced by a convertible loan note and the counterparty is acting in their capacity as a debt holder, the liability is derecognised and replaced with a new convertible loan note (see above). Any gain or loss arising on the extinguishment is recorded in the income statement. Equity Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of any direct issue costs. Investments and loans Shares and loans in subsidiary undertakings are shown at cost. Provisions are made for any permanent diminution in value when the fair value of the assets is assessed as less than the carrying amount of the asset. Intercompany loans are repayable on demand but are included as non-current as the realisation is not expected in the short term. Segment reporting Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision- maker. The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’). - 32 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 2 Segmental Analysis The Group now has two reportable segments, an operating segment and a head office segment, as described below. The operations and day to day running of the business are carried out on a local level and therefore managed separately. The operating segment reports to the UK head office which evaluates performance, decide how to allocate resources and make other operating decisions such as the purchase of material capital assets and services. Internal reports are generated and submitted to the Group’s CEO for review on a monthly basis. The operations of the Group as a whole are the exploration for, development and production of oil and gas reserves. The two geographic reporting segments are made up as follows: Slovenia UK - - exploration and development head office The costs of exploration and development works are carried out under shared licences with joint ventures and subsidiaries which are co-ordinated by the UK head office. Segment revenue, segment expense and segment results include transfers between segments. Those transfers are eliminated on consolidation. Information regarding the current and prior year’s results for each reportable segment is included below. Initial performance is measured by the results that arise from the exploration and development works carried out. Once producing, other production performance measures are based on the production revenues achieved. This is reported to the Group’s CEO by the level of capitalised exploration costs and the results from studies carried out at the individual locations of the wells. The CEO uses these measures to evaluate project viability within each operating segment. There is no revenue in the current year from continuing operations. 2015 Intercompany sales Total revenue Administrative expenses Material non-cash items Net finance costs Reportable segment (loss)/profit before tax Taxation Reportable segment (loss)/profit after taxation Reportable segment assets Carrying value of exploration assets Additions to exploration assets Effects of exchange rate movements Total plant and equipment Total non-current assets Other assets Consolidated total assets Reportable segmental liabilities Trade payables External loan balances Inter-group borrowings Other liabilities Consolidated total liabilities UK £ ’000s 276 276 (1,466) (1,741) (2,931) - (2,931) - - - 1 1 19,180 19,181 (418) (11,239) - - (11,657) Slovenia £ ’000s - - (698) (15) (713) - (713) 33,166 661 (1,116) 2 32,713 368 33,081 (90) - (20,662) (386) (21,138) eliminations £ ’000s (276) (276) 276 - - - - - - - - - (19,455) (19,455) - - 20,662 - 20,662 Total £ ’000s - - (1,888) (1,756) (3,644) - (3,644) 33,166 661 (1,116) 3 32,714 93 32,807 (508) (11,239) - (386) (12,133) - 33 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 2014 Intercompany sales Total revenue UK Slovenia eliminations £ ’000s £ ’000s £ ’000s 276 276 - - Administrative expenses (1,039) (1,116) Aborted transaction costs Other Operating Income Material non-cash items Net finance costs Reportable segment (loss)/profit before tax Taxation Reportable segment (loss)/profit after taxation Reportable segment assets Carrying value of exploration assets Additions to exploration assets Effects of exchange rate movements Total plant and equipment Total non-current assets Other assets Consolidated total assets Reportable segmental liabilities Trade payables External loan balances Inter-group borrowings Other liabilities Consolidated total liabilities 3 Operating loss is stated after charging: (228) 10 (3,501) (4,482) - (4,482) - - - 1 1 19,546 19,547 (429) (9,624) - (2,593) (12,646) - 15 (15) (1,116) - (1,116) 33,628 773 (1,235) 1 33,167 420 33,587 (218) - (19,319) (410) (19,947) Total £ ’000s - - (1,879) (228) - (3,516) (5,623) - (5,623) 33,628 773 (1,235) 2 33,168 554 33,722682 (647) (9,624) - (3,003) (13,274) (276) (276) 276 - (25) - (25) - (25) - - - - - (19,412) (19,412) - - 19,319 - 19,319 Employee costs (see Note 4) Aborted transaction costs Termination payments Share based payment charge Foreign Exchange differences Included within Admin Expenses Audit Fees Fees payable to the company’s auditor other services Year ended 31 December 2015 £ ’000s 702 - 279 147 3 Year ended 31 December 2014 £ ’000s 776 228 - 146 3 59 3 62 51 8 59 - 34 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 4 Employees and directors a. Employees The average number of persons employed by the Company and Group, including Executive Directors, was: Year ended 31 December 2015 Year ended 31 December 2014 Management and technical 7 9 b. Directors and key management remuneration Employees & Executive Directors Wages and salaries Termination payments Social security costs Pension costs Share-based payments Taxable benefits c. Directors remuneration 2015 Salary/fees Year ended 31 December 2015 £ ’000s 550 279 113 36 147 3 1,128 Year ended 31 December 2014 £ ’000s 653 - 120 2 146 1 922 Termination payments paid in year £ Termination payments accrued £ 127,318 - - - - 127,318 151,828 - - - - 151,828 £ 146,667 137,500 60,000 30,000 30,000 404,167 Salary/fees £ Termination £ 220,000 129,551 60,000 30,000 30,000 469,551 - - - - - - 2015 Total £ 425,813 137,500 60,000 30,000 30,000 683,313 2014 Total £ 220,000 129,551 - 60,000 30,000 30,000 469,551 Executive Directors L Reece * C Hutchinson Non-executive Directors C Carver C Davies N Moore Total 2014 Executive Directors L Reece C Hutchinson Non-executive Directors C Carver C Davies N Moore Total *Len Reece resigned on 14 August 2015 The highest paid Director in the year ended 31 December 2015 was Leonard Reece earning £146,667 excluding termination payments (2014: L Reece earning £220,000). Nil directors (2014: Nil) are members of the defined contribution pension scheme. - 35 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 d. Directors incentive share options 2015 L Reece C Carver C Hutchinson N Moore C Davies 2014 N Moore C Davies L Reece C Carver C Hutchinson As at 01-Jan-15 69,079,066 26,568,871 5,313,774 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000 As at 01-Jan-14 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000 69,079,066 26,568,871 5,313,774 Impact of capital reorganisation (65,625,113) (25,240,428) (5,048,086) - - - - Granted/ (Lapsed) - - - - - - - * Post share consolidation. Refer to Note 18. As at 31-Dec-15 Date Granted Share Price at Grant Exercise Price* Exercise Period Start End 3,453,953 1,328,443 265,688 - - - - As at 31-Dec-14 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000 69,079,066 26,568,871 5,313,774 30-Apr-13 30-Apr-13 23-May-13 17-Nov-10 17-Nov-10 17-Nov-10 17-Nov-10 Date Granted 17-Nov-10 17-Nov-10 17-Nov-10 17-Nov-10 30-Apr-13 30-Apr-13 23-May-13 0.82p 0.82p 0.65p 5.25p 5.25p 5.25p 5.25p 30-Apr-16 30-Apr-16 30-Apr-23 20p 20p 30-Apr-23 20p 23-May-16 23-May-23 17-Nov-15 17-Nov-15 17-Nov-15 17-Nov-15 17-Nov-11 17-Nov-11 17-Nov-11 17-Nov-11 7.313p 15p 15p 7.313p Share Price at Grant 5.25p 5.25p 5.25p 5.25p 0.82p 0.82p 0.65p Exercise Period Exercise End Price 17-Nov-15 7.313p 17-Nov-15 15p 17-Nov-15 7.313p 17-Nov-15 15p 30-Apr-23 1p 1p 30-Apr-23 1p 23-May-16 23-May-23 Start 17-Nov-11 17-Nov-11 17-Nov-11 17-Nov-11 30-Apr-16 30-Apr-16 5 Finance income and costs recognised in the year Finance income Income on bank deposits Foreign exchange movements realised Gain on EnQuest liability restructuring Finance cost Interest payable on borrowings Bank Charges Unwinding of EnQuest liability (see Note 15) Foreign exchange movements realised Adjustment to equity reserve on loan note variation Loss on extinguishment of convertible loan notes Year ended 31 December 2015 £ ’000s Year ended 31 December 2014 £ ’000s 1 3 741 745 (1,451) (5) (186) (3) - (856) (2,501) 3 - - 3 (1,211) (17) (338) (3) (1,950) - (3,519) Please refer to Note 13 for a description of financing activity during the year. - 36 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 6 Income tax expense Current tax expense Deferred tax expense Total tax expense for the year Year ended 31 December 2015 Year ended 31 December 2014 £ ’000s £ ’000s - - - - - - The difference between the total tax expense shown above and the amount calculated by applying the standard rate of UK corporation tax to the loss before tax is as follows: Loss for the year Year ended 31 December 2015 Year ended 31 December 2014 £ ’000s (3,644) £ ’000s (5,623) Income tax using the Company’s domestic tax rate at 20% (2014: 21.49%) (729) (1,208) Effects of: Net increase in unrecognised losses c/f Change in unrecognised temporary differences Effect of tax rates in foreign jurisdictions Other non-taxable items Other non-deductible expenses Total tax expense for the year 7 Loss per share Result for the year Total loss for the year attributable to equity shareholders Weighted average number of ordinary shares For basic earnings per share Loss per share (Pence) 782 - 29 (186) 104 - 936 - 50 (321) 543 - 31 December 2015 £ ’000s 31 December 2014 £ ’000s 3,644 5,623 Number 88,160,768 Number 72,747,250 (4.13) (7.73) The weighted average number of shares for 2014 has been presented adjusted for the effect of the share consolidation. The previously presented total was 1,454,945,000 which equated to 72,747,250 as if the share consolidation had taken place at the start of 2014. As the result for the year was a loss no dilutive EPS is disclosed. At 31 December 2015 potentially dilutive instruments in issue were 1,362,874,079 (2014: 150,486,824). Dilutive shares arise from share options and CLNs issued by the Company. - 37 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 8 Exploration and evaluation costs – Group Exploration Costs – Group Cost At 1 January 2014 Additions Effects of exchange rate movements At 31 December 2014 At 1 January 2015 Additions Effects of exchange rate movements At 31 December 2015 Carrying value At 31 December 2015 At 31 December 2014 At 1 January 2014 Slovenia £’000s 33,628 773 (1,235) 33,166 33,166 661 (1,116) 32,711 32,711 33,166 33,628 Total £’000s 33,628 773 (1,235) 33,166 33,166 661 (1,116) 32,711 32,711 33,166 33,628 For the purposes of impairment testing the intangible oil and gas assets are allocated to the Group’s cash-generating unit, which represent the lowest level within the Group at which the intangible oil and gas assets are measured for internal management purposes, which is not higher than the Group’s operating segments as reported in Note 2. The amounts for intangible exploration assets represent costs incurred on active exploration projects. Amounts capitalised are assessed for impairment indicators under IFRS 6 at each period end as detailed in the Group’s accounting policy. In addition, the Group routinely reviews the economic model and reasonably possible sensitivities and considers whether there are indicators of impairment. As at 31 December 2015 and 2014 the net present value significantly exceeded the carrying value of the assets. The key estimates associated with the economic model net present value are detailed in Note 1. The outcome of ongoing exploration, and therefore whether the carrying value of intangible exploration assets will ultimately be recovered, is inherently uncertain. 9 Investment in subsidiaries – Company At 1 January & 31 December 2014 At 1 January & 31 December 2015 £000s 14,340 14,340 Name of company Principal activity Country of incorporation Oil and Gas exploration Ascent Slovenia Limited Ascent Resources doo Oil and Gas exploration Ascent Resources Netherlands BV Oil and Gas exploration British Virgin Islands Slovenia Netherlands All subsidiary companies are held directly by Ascent Resources plc. % of share capital held 2015 100% 100% 100% % of share capital held 2014 100% 100% 100% - 38 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 10 Trade and other receivables – Group VAT recoverable Other receivables Prepayments & accrued income 11 Trade and other receivables – Company VAT recoverable Other receivables Prepayments & accrued income 12 Deferred tax – Group & Company Group Total tax losses Unrecorded deferred tax asset at 20% (2014: 20%) Company Total tax losses Unrecorded deferred tax asset at 20% (2014: 20%) 2015 £ ’000s 31 15 15 61 2015 £ ’000s 14 15 15 44 2014 £ ’000s 39 30 29 98 2014 £ ’000s 18 29 15 62 2015 £ ’000s (27,896) (5,858) 2014 £ ’000s (26,071) (5,214) (9,834) (1,967) (8,822) (1,764) No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the tax losses carried forward as the recoverability of this benefit is dependent on the future profitability of the Company, the timing of which cannot reasonably be foreseen. - 39 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 13 Borrowings – Group & Company Group Current Short term loan facility Convertible loan notes Company Current Short term loan facility Convertible loan notes Convertible Loan Note Liability brought forward Loan repaid Interest expense Deferral of set up costs Liability on initial recognition Convertible notes drawn in the period (ii) Modification to convertible loan notes – de recognition (February) (iii) Modification to convertible loan notes – recognition of amended loan note (February) (iii) EnQuest Debt liability restructured to convertible loan note (iv) Modification to convertible loan notes - derecognition (November) (v) Modification to convertible loan notes – recognition of amended loan note (November) (v) 2015 £ ’000s 461 10,778 11,239 461 10,778 11,239 2014 £ ’000s - 9,624 9,624 - 9,624 9,624 2015 £ ’000s 9,624 - 1,534 - - 500 (9,983) 8,930 2,038 (12,021) 10,449 2014 £ ’000s 5,561 (463) 1,168 (32) 3,393 - - - - - - Converted notes (vii) (4) (3) Liability at 31 December 10,778 9,624 There were several transactions during 2014 & 2015 in relation to CLNs: (i) Issuance of convertible loan notes The Group issued £5 million of 9 per cent 2013 CLNs during 2012 and 2013, convertible at any time at the discretion of the holder, into Ordinary Shares at 200 Ordinary Shares per £1 principal of loan note, an effective conversion price of between 0.1p and 0.5p per Ordinary share depending on whether the balance could be sold to independent third party investors. The CLNs were due to mature in January 2015. The Group issued £5 million of 9 per cent 2013 CLNs during 2012 and 2013, convertible at any time at the discretion of the holder, into Ordinary Shares at 200 Ordinary Shares per £1 principal of loan note, an effective conversion price of between 1.0p and 0.5p per Ordinary share depending on whether the balance could be sold to independent third party investors. The CLNs were due to mature in January 2015. On 5 February 2014 the Group agreed with Henderson to create a new £5 million class of 9 per cent CLNs with a maturity date of December 2014, convertible at any time at the discretion of the holder, into Ordinary Shares at 100 Ordinary Shares per £1 principal of loan note, an effective conversion price of 1 pence per Ordinary share. The first £2 million available under these 2014 CLNs was drawn immediately with the balance intended for sale to independent third party investors, with the intention that the pricing of all the 2014 CLNs would be reset to the lowest price paid by these new investors. (ii) Variation of terms in 2014 On 8 September 2014, by when it had become clear that it would not be possible to secure investment from new third party subscribers for the £3 million balance outstanding under the 2014 CLNs, the Company agreed with Henderson to vary the terms of the 2014 CLNs whereby Henderson agreed to subscribe for a further £2 million in principal of 2014 CLNs convertible into Ordinary Shares at 500 Ordinary Shares per £1 principal of loan note, an effective conversion price of 0.2p. Additionally, - 40 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Henderson was granted security in the form of a charge over the Company’s assets. The variation to the loan note terms was considered to be an inducement to convert and resulted in a one-off charge to the income statement of £2,520,000 in 2014. The Company drew £1.5 million between September and December 2014. At 31 December 2014 the carrying value of the loan notes stood at £9,624,000. On 5 February 2015 the Company drew the final £500,000 available under the loan notes. (iii) First variation of terms in 2015 On 19 February 2015 the shareholders and note holders approved the variation of the terms on the 2013 and 2014 CLNs. In total £5 million had been drawn under the 2013 CLNs and £4 million had been drawn under the 2014 CLNs; including accrued interest some £10 million was due for repayment, in part on 23 December 2014 and in part on 31 January 2015. In return for extending the maturity date of the CLNs to 19 November 2015 and terminating the accrual of further interest, the Board of Ascent agreed to adjust the conversion price in respect of both the 2013 and 2014 CLNs from 0.5p and 0.2p respectively to 0.1p (pre-share consolidation) for all loan notes. The 2013 and 2014 CLNs were extinguished and replaced with the amended convertible loan. On initial recognition the liability and equity element of the CLNs have been fair valued. As part of this transaction, a loss on extinguishment of £856,000 was recognised as a finance cost as the loan note holder was considered to be acting in its capacity as a debt holder. The loan was recognised at a discount rate of 15% and the interest charge accretes over the loan period. (iv) EnQuest convertible loan note On 9 July 2015 the Company agreed to restructure other payables due to EnQuest as deferred consideration on the acquisition of their 48.75% interest in the Petišovci project in 2010. In total £3,024,000 was due to be payable to EnQuest on 19 December 2015. As at July 2015, the liability stood at £2,779,000 and would have accreted this up to the full amount payable during the year had this restructuring not occurred. The entire debt payable was restructured into a £2,038,000 convertible loan note. The terms of these CLNs are identical to the £4 million of notes issued in 2014 to Henderson and benefit from security over the Company's shareholding in Ascent Slovenia Limited which owns an interest in the Petišovci concession. On initial recognition the liability and equity element of the CLNs have been fair valued. The loan was recognised at a discount rate of 15% and the interest charge accretes over the loan period. The extinguishment of the previous liability gave rise to a £741,000 gain recorded in finance income as EnQuest was considered to be acting in its capacity as a debt holder. (v) Second variation of loan note terms in 2015 In November 2015, prior to the notes falling due for repayment, the holders of the CLNs agreed to extend the maturity to 19 November 2016 in exchange for the conversion price being rebased from 0.1 pence to 0.05 pence. The carrying value of the CLN liabilities at 19 November 2015 was £12,021,000. The CLNs were extinguished and replaced with amended convertible loans. On initial recognition the liability and equity element of the CLNs have been fair valued. The loans have been recognised at a discount rate of 15% (equating to £10,449,000) and the interest charge will accrete over the loan period with £192,000 having been charged for the period to 31 December 2015. The fair value attributable to the equity portion has been recorded in equity (£1,572,000), representing the fair value of the conversion option and the difference between the previous and new liability which represented a capital contribution by shareholders as the loan note holders were considered to be acting in their capacity as shareholders. The loan amount is convertible at any time into ordinary shares of the Company. Unlike the previous position in relation to the 2013 and 2014 CLN’s the notes are no longer subject to a waiver of the provisions of Rule 9 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Accordingly, if Henderson or any other holder of the 2013 and 2014 CLN’s exercise their right of conversion and the hold equal to or more than 30 per cent of the total voting rights of the Company, such holder will be required to make a mandatory bid for the remaining ordinary shares in the capital of the Company not held by them. (vi) Capital reorganisation On 30 November 2015 shareholders approved a placing, amendment to convertible loan note terms and a capital reorganisation. The capital reorganisation reduced the nominal share price from 0.1 pence to 0.01 pence and subsequently to consolidate ordinary shares by a factor of 20 thereby increasing the nominal share price to 0.2pence. The conversion price on the loan notes was similarly adjusted by a factor of 20 to 1 pence. (vii) Conversions On 26 March 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 123 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 138,520 new Ordinary shares. On 30 April 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 420 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 473,030 new Ordinary shares. On 27 July 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 217 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 244,392 new Ordinary shares. On 29 September 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 2,439 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 2,746,912 new Ordinary shares. On 10 December 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 900 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 101,362 new Ordinary shares. - 41 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 The Directors consider that the carrying amount of the bank and other loans approximates to their fair value. The weighted average coupon interest rate of the convertible loan is 0% as interest ceased to accrue on the convertible notes in January 2015 (2014: 9%). (viii) £7 million short term funding facility On 12 May 2015 the Company announced that it had agreed a £7 million loan facility (the ‘Loan’) for general corporate purposes with Henderson. The Loan can be drawn at any time from signing to 30 June 2016 at the discretion of Henderson. The Loan accrues interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum on the amount drawn and this is added to the amount of the Loan. The Loan is subject to a drawdown fee of 1.75% per tranche which is deducted from the funds advanced. The Loan is also subject to a repayment fee of 1.25% on any amounts repaid by the Company. The balance outstanding is repayable on demand at any time. As at 31 December 2015 the Company had drawn £450,000 from a £7 million facility provided by Henderson Global Investors on which £11,000 of interest had accrued at year end at 7.5% per annum; a further £250,000 was drawn from this facility during January 2016 and another £100,000 during March 2016. 14 Provisions – Group At 1 January 2014 Foreign exchange movement At 31 December 2014 At 1 January 2015 Foreign exchange movement At 31 December 2015 £000s 437 (27) 410 410 (24) 386 The amount provided for decommissioning costs represents the Group’s share of site restoration costs for the Petišovci field in Slovenia. The most recent estimate is that the year-end provision will become payable after 2022. 15 Other current liabilities – Group & Company The other non-current liability of £2,593,000 in 2014 related to the grant in 2011 of a nil cost option over 29,686,000 new Ordinary Shares of 0.1p each in the Company to EnQuest. Where the share price of the Company is below 10 pence on the exercise date the agreement provided for the liability to be settled in cash for £2,968,000. Given the Company’s share price, the Board previously considered it to be likely that the option would be settled in cash rather than through the issue of equity. As a result, this was reclassified in 2012 from equity to current liabilities. This was held at a discounted rate and repayment was due in December 2015. The discount rate used for the purposes of calculating accretion interest was 15% and the interest accreted for the period was £186,000. On 9 July 2015 the Company reached an agreement with EnQuest to convert this liability into £2,038,000 of CLNs. According the Company recognised a gain of £741,000 being the write down on the liability. 16 Trade and other payables – Group Trade payables Tax and social security payable Other payables Accruals and deferred income 17 Trade and other payables – Company Trade payables Tax and social security payable Other Payables Accruals and deferred income - 42 - 2015 £ ’000s 166 22 152 168 508 2015 £ ’000s 114 22 152 130 418 2014 £ ’000s 475 - 20 152 647 2014 £ ’000s 257 20 - 152 429 Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 18 Called up share capital Authorised 5,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.20 pence (10,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.10p each) Allotted, called up and fully paid 157,306,900 (2014: 1,458,507,909) ordinary shares of 0.20 pence each (2014: 0.10p each) Reconciliation of share capital movement At 1 January March 2015 Conversion April 2015 Conversion May 2015 Placing July 2015 Conversion September 2015 Conversion Capital Reorganisation November 2015 Placing December 2015 Conversion Warranty shares issued 2014 Loan Note Conversion At 31 December Shares issued during the year 2015 £ ’000s 2014 £ ’000s 10,000 10,000 1,878 1,459 2015 Number 1,458,507,909 2014 Number 1,451,114,395 138,520 473,030 275,000,000 244,392 2,746,912 (1,650,255,225) 70,350,000 101,362 - - 157,306,900 - - - - - - - - 7,000,000 393,514 1,458,507,909  On 26 March 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 123 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 138,520 new Ordinary shares.  On 30 April 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 420 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 473,030 new Ordinary shares.  On 1 May 2015 the Company raised £550,000 (£525,250 net of costs) via the Placing of 275,000,000 Ordinary Shares with investors using the PrimaryBid.com platform.  On 27 July 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 217 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 244,392 new Ordinary shares.  On 29 September 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 2,439 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 2,746,912 new Ordinary shares.  On 30 November 2015 the Company raised £703,000 (£671,843 net of costs) via the Placing of 70,350,000 Ordinary Shares with investors using the PrimaryBid.com platform.  On 10 December 2015 the Company processed a conversion request from holders of 900 CLNs which resulted in the issuance of 101,362 new Ordinary shares. Shares issued during the prior year  On 18 December 2013 the Company announced that it had reached a settlement with GPS in respect of a number of matters related to ARI which had the potential to result in Warranty claims under the SPA. In return for a full waiver of any and all claims or potential claims Ascent agreed to issue GPS with 275 million shares. 268 million were issued immediately with the balance of 7 million issued in June 2014 following shareholder approval at General Meeting of the Company.  On 26 March 2014 the Company received a notice of exercise to convert 1,848 CLNs of £1 each which were issued in May 2013 as part of an open offer to all shareholders. The Loan Notes, including rolled up interest at the rate of 9% per annum, are convertible into new ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the capital of the Company (‘Ordinary Shares’) at a price of 0.5 pence per Ordinary Share. Consequently, a total of 393,514 new Ordinary Shares were issued. Reserve description and purpose The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owners’ equity: - 43 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015       Share capital: Amount subscribed for share capital at nominal value. Equity reserve: Amount of proceeds on issue of convertible debt relating to the equity component, i.e. option to convert the debt into share capital. Share premium: Amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value less costs of shares associated with share issues. Share-based payment reserve: Value of share options granted and calculated with reference to a binomial pricing model. When options lapse or are exercised, amounts are transferred from this account to retained earnings. Translation reserve: Exchange movements arising on the retranslation of net assets of operation into the presentation currency. Accumulated losses: Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in consolidated income. 19 Operating lease arrangements At the balance sheet date, the Group had no outstanding commitments under non-cancellable operating leases (2014: £nil). 20 Exploration expenditure commitments In order to maintain an interest in the oil and gas permits in which the Group is involved, the Group is committed to meet the conditions under which the permits were granted and the obligations of any joint operating agreements. The timing and the amount of exploration expenditure commitments and obligations of the Group are subject to the work programmes required as per the permit commitments. This may vary significantly from the forecast programmes based upon the results of the work performed. Drilling results in any of the projects may also cause variations to the forecast programmes and consequent expenditure. Such activity may lead to accelerated or decreased expenditure. It is the Group’s policy to seek joint operating partners at an early stage to reduce its commitments. At 31 December 2015 the Group had exploration and expenditure commitments of £Nil (2014 - Nil). 21 Related party transactions a. Group companies – transactions Ascent Slovenia Limited Ascent Resources doo b. Group companies – balances Ascent Slovenia Limited Ascent Resources doo c. Directors 2015 Cash 840 318 1,158 2015 Cash 13,445 1,790 15,235 2015 Services - 344 344 2015 Services 2,572 1,301 3,873 2014 Cash 627 467 1,094 2014 Cash 13,705 1,563 15,268 2014 Services 27 644 671 2014 Services 2,761 1,016 3,777 Key management are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, controlling and directing the activities of the Group. In the opinion of the Board, the Group’s key management are the Directors of Ascent Resources plc. Information regarding their compensation is given in Note 4. 2015 Clive Carver is a director of Darwin Strategic Limited, which is the owner of PrimaryBid through which the Company raised £1.2 million in equity during 2015. Refer to Note 22 for further share issues. 2014 Clive Carver is a director of Darwin Strategic Limited, with whom the Company agreed a £500,000 short term facility during 2013. At the beginning of 2014 this had been drawn to £150,000 and a further £150,000 was drawn in February 2014. The balance including accrued interest of £326,807 was repaid in full in September 2014. Aside from Darwin there were no related party transactions related to Directors other than their remuneration in 2015. - 44 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 The Loan notes purchased by Len Reece in 2013 were being paid for through salary and are now receivables following his resignation; at the year-end £48,366 had been recovered from salary (2014: £34,429) (Note 4) and the balance of £15,078 (2014: £29,215) is included within other receivables (Note 10). d. Henderson Global Investors Henderson Global Investors, who are a substantial shareholder in the Company, issued £10m of CLNs to Ascent in 2013 and 2014 and £450,000 of short term working capital funding in 2015. For further details, see Note 13. 22 Events subsequent to the reporting period In January and March the Company drew a further £350,000 in total under the Henderson Facility. On 7 April 2016 the Company raised £500,000 gross (£477,500 net to the Company) via the placing of 35,714,285 new ordinary shares of 0.2p each in the Company at a price of 1.4p per Placing Share with investors using the Primarybid.com platform. The Company received the several notices to convert CLNs of £1 each which were issued in May 2013 as part of an open offer to all shareholders and the terms of which were amended in February 2015. The Loan Notes, including rolled up interest, are convertible into new ordinary shares of 0.2 pence each in the Company at a rate of 100 new Ordinary Shares per £1 loan note.  On 7 April 2016:  On 14 April 2016:  On 25 April 2016: 81,681 convertible notes were converted into 9,199,293 shares 542,566 convertible notes were converted into 61,106,308 shares 342,140 convertible notes were converted into 38,533,398 shares 23 Share based payments The Company has provided the Directors, certain employees and institutional investors with share options and warrants (‘options’). Options are exercisable at a price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s shares on the date of grant. The exercisable period varies and can be up to four years after which time the option lapses. The share options below have been rebased following the capital reorganisation which was completed during 2015. All options have been adjusted by a factor of 20. The comparatives have been restated to show like for like. Details of the share options outstanding during the year are as follows: Outstanding at 1 January 2015 Expired during the year Outstanding at 31 December 2015 Exercisable at 31 December 2015 Outstanding at 1 January 2014 Expired during the year Outstanding at 31 December 2014 Exercisable at 31 December 2014 Shares 6,710,738 (775,000) 5,935,738 250,000 7,620,738 (910,000) 6,710,738 1,025,000 Weighted Average price (pence) 39.62 207.58 24.07 170.00 52.59 189.83 39.62 41.46 The value of the options is measured by the use of a binomial pricing model. The inputs into the binomial model made in 2013 prior to the share consolidation were as follows: Share price at grant date Exercise price Volatility Expected life Risk free rate Expected dividend yield 0.8p – 8.12p 1p – 15p 50% 3-5 years 0.5% 0% Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous 5 years. The expected life is the expiry period of the options from the date of issue. Options outstanding at 31 December 2015 have an exercise price in the range of 20p and 240p after the adjustment for the capital reorganisation by a factor of 20 (31 December 2014: 1p and 15p) and a weighted average contractual life of 7.0 years (31 December 2014: 7.2 years). - 45 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 24 Financial risk management Group and Company The Group’s financial liabilities comprise bank loans, CLNs, other loans and trade payables. All liabilities are measured at amortised cost. These are detailed in Notes 13, 15 and 16. The Group has various financial assets, being trade receivables and cash, which arise directly from its operations. All are classified as loans and receivables. These are detailed in Notes 10 and 11. The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk (including interest risk and currency risk). The risk management policies employed by the Group to manage these risks are discussed below: a. Credit risk Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group does not have any significant credit risk exposure. The Group makes allowances for impairment of receivables where there is an identified event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of cash flows. The credit risk on liquid funds (cash) is considered to be limited because the counterparties are financial institutions with high and good credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies in the UK. The carrying amount of financial assets, trade receivables and cash held with financial institutions recorded in the financial statements represents the exposure to credit risk for the group. At Company level, there is the risk of impairment of intercompany receivables if the full amount is not deemed as recoverable from the relevant subsidiary company. These amounts are written down when their deemed recoverable amount is deemed less than the current carrying value. b. Market risk (i) Currency risk Currency risk refers to the risk that fluctuations in foreign currencies cause losses to the Company. The Group’s operations are predominantly in Slovenia. Foreign exchange risk arises from translating the euro earnings, assets and liabilities of the Ascent Resources doo and Ascent Slovenia Limited into sterling. The Group manages exposures that arise from receipt of monies in a non-functional currency by matching receipts and payments in the same currency. The Company often raises funds for future development through the issue of new shares in sterling. These funds are predominantly to pay for the Company’s exploration costs abroad in Euros. As such any sterling balances held are at risk of currency fluctuations and may prove to be insufficient to meet the Company’s planned euro requirements if there is devaluation. Foreign currency sensitivity analysis The Group is mainly exposed to the currency of the European Union (the euro). The Group operates internationally and is exposed to currency risk on sales, purchases, borrowings and cash and cash equivalents that are denominated in a currency other than sterling. The currencies giving rise to this are the euro and the United States dollar. Foreign exchange risk arises from transactions and recognised assets and liabilities. The Group does not use foreign exchange contracts to hedge its currency risk. Sensitivity analysis The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% increase and decrease in sterling against the stated currencies. 10% is the sensitivity rate used when reporting foreign currency risk internally to key management personnel and represents the management’s assessment of the reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The sensitivity analysis comprises cash and cash equivalents held at the balance sheet date. A positive number below indicates an increase in profit and other equity where sterling weakens 10% against the relevant currency. - 46 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Group Profit or loss 10% strengthening of sterling 10% weakening of sterling Equity 10% strengthening of sterling 10% weakening of sterling Company Profit or loss 10% strengthening of sterling 10% weakening of sterling Equity 10% strengthening of sterling 10% weakening of sterling (ii) Interest rate risk Euro currency change US$ Currency change Year ended 31 December 2015 £000s Year ended 31 December 2015 £000s Year ended 31 December 2015 £000s Year ended 31 December 2014 £000s 89 (109) 103 (125) (1,616) 1,976 (1,696) 2,073 (4) 5 (20) 24 (2,201) 2,690 (2,455) 3,001 2 (2) - - 2 (2) - - 2 (2) 51 (62) 2 (2) 51 (61) Interest rate risk refers to the risk that fluctuations in interest rates cause losses to the Company. The Group and Company have no exposure to interest rate risk except on cash and cash equivalent which carry variable interest rates. The group carries low units of cash and cash equivalents and the group and company’s monitor the variable interest risk accordingly. At 31 December 2015 the Group and Company has GBP loans valued at £10,778,000 rates of 0% per annum and loans of £450,000 at 7.5% per annum. At 31 December 2014 the Group and Company has GBP loans valued at £9,624,000 rates of 9% per annum. c. Liquidity risk Liquidity risk refers to the risk that the Company runs low on cash resources to meet working capital requirements. The Group and Company manages its liquidity requirements by using both short and long-term cash flow projections, supplemented by maintaining debt financing plans and active portfolio management. Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board of Directors, which has built an appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Group closely monitors and manages its liquidity risk. Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities run for different scenarios (see Note 1). For further details on the Group’s liquidity position, please refer to the going concern paragraph in Note 1 of these accounts. Maturity analysis of financial liabilities Less than six months - loans and borrowings Less than six months - trade and other payables Between six months and a year d. Capital management 2015 £ ’000s 461 508 10,778 2014 £ ’000s - 647 12,217 The Directors recognise that this is an area in which they may need to develop specific policies should the Group become exposed to wider financial risks as the business develops. Set in the foregoing is a comparison of carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s and the Company’s financial instruments: - 47 - Ascent Resources plc Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015 Group Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents Trade receivables Financial liabilities Trade Creditors Convertible loans at fixed rate Company Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents Trade receivables Financial liabilities Trade Creditors Convertible loans at fixed rate Convertible loan at fixed rate Carrying amount Year ended 31 December 2015 £000s Fair Value Year ended 31 December 2015 £000s Carrying amount Year ended 31 December 2014 £000s Fair Value Year ended 31 December 2014 £000s 32 - 32 - 171 10,778 171 10,778 27 19,152- 114 10,778 27 19,152 114 10,778 457 - 475 9,624 439 19,107 257 9,624 457 - 475 9,624 439 19,107 257 9,624 Fair value of convertible loans has been determined based on tier 3 measurement techniques. The fair value is estimated at the present value of future cash flows, discounted at estimated market rates. Fair value is not significantly different from carrying value. Trade and other receivables/payables & intercompany receivables All trade and other receivables and payables have a remaining life of less than one year. The ageing profile of the Group and Company receivable and payables are shown in Notes 10, 11, 16 and 17. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are all readily available and therefore carrying value represents a close approximation to fair value. - 48 - ASCENT RESOURCES PLC (Incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 1985 with registered number 05239285) NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Ascent Resources plc (the ‘Company’) will be held at the offices of Taylor Wessing LLP, 5 New Street Square, London, EC4A 3TW on Monday 20 June 2016 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes: Ordinary Resolutions 1. 2. 3. 4. To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4, as Ordinary Resolutions: To receive and adopt the report of the Directors and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 and the report of the auditors thereon. To re-appoint, as a director of the Company, Mr Clive Carver, who retires in accordance with Article 25.2 of the Company’s Articles of Association and offers himself for re-election. To re-appoint BDO LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company and that their remuneration be determined by the Directors. THAT the Directors be and they are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the Act’), in substitution for all previous powers granted to them, to exercise all the powers of the Company to: (a) allot shares in the Company or to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £2,072,956.82, provided that that this authority shall be limited to the allotment of up to 1,036,478,412 new ordinary shares with a nominal value of £2,072,956.82 pursuant to the conversion in full of the outstanding convertible loan notes (together with accrued interest) into new ordinary shares; and. (b) allot and make offers to allot shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount of £681,062.46; and (c) allot and make offers to allot equity securities (within the meaning of the Act) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £681,062.46 (such amount to be reduced by the nominal amount of any shares allotted or rights granted under paragraph (b) of this resolution 4) in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue to: (i) (ii) the holders of ordinary shares in the Company in proportion (as nearly as may be practicable) to the respective numbers of ordinary shares held by them; and holders of other equity securities, as required by the rights of those securities or, subject to such rights, as the Directors otherwise consider necessary, and subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to fractional entitlements or legal or practical problems under the laws of, or the requirements of, any recognised regulatory body or any stock exchange, in any territory. Such authority shall, unless previously revoked or varied by the Company in general meeting, expire on the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2017 provided that the Company may, at any time before such expiry, make an offer or enter into an agreement which would or might require relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot relevant securities pursuant to any such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired. Special Resolution To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as a Special Resolution: 5. THAT the Directors be and they are hereby empowered pursuant to Section 570 of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in Section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by Resolution 4 above as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited to: (a) the allotment of equity securities in connection with an issue in favour of shareholders (but in the case of an allotment pursuant to the authority granted under paragraph (c) of Resolution 4, such power shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue only) where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of all such shareholders are proportionate (or as nearly as may be practicable) to the respective number of Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company held by them on the record date for such allotment, but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to fractional entitlements or legal or practical problems under the laws of, or the requirements of, any recognised regulatory body or any stock exchange, in any territory; and (b) the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (b) above) of further equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £681,062.46. This power shall, unless previously revoked or varied by special resolution of the Company in general meeting, expire at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2017. The Company may, before such expiry, make offers or agreements which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors are hereby empowered to allot equity securities in pursuance of such offers or agreements as if the power conferred hereby had not expired. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD C Hutchinson, Company Secretary 26 May 2016 Notes 5 New Street Square London EC4A 3TW 1. Members are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and to speak and vote on their behalf at the meeting. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company. A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the Annual General Meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by that shareholder. To appoint more than one proxy you may photocopy the form of proxy. Please indicate the proxy holder’s name and the number of shares in relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy (which, in aggregate, should not exceed the number of shares held by you). Please also indicate if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions being given. All forms must be signed and should be returned together in the same envelope. To be valid, the form of proxy and the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed or a certified copy of such power or authority must be lodged at the offices of the Company’s registrars, Computershare Investor Services plc, PO Box 82, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6ZZ by hand, or sent by post, so as to be received not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the holding of the meeting or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be). 2. The completion and return of a form of proxy will not preclude a member from attending in person at the meeting and voting should he wish to do so. 3. The Company has specified that only those members entered on the register of members at 6.00pm on Thursday 16 June 2016 shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting in respect of the number of ordinary shares of £0.002 each in the capital of the Company (‘Ordinary Shares’) held in their name at that time. Changes to the register after 6.00pm on Thursday 16 June 2016 shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting. 4. Resolution 2 – Article 25.2 of the Company’s Articles of Association requires that one third of the Directors of the Company who have held office since the last Annual General Meeting must retire and, if they are eligible, may offer themselves for re-election. 5. Resolution 4 – This resolution, to be proposed as an Ordinary Resolution, relates to the grant to the Directors of authority to allot unissued Ordinary Shares until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2017, unless the authority is renewed or revoked prior to such time. This authority in paragraph (b) is limited to a maximum of 340,531,231 Ordinary Shares, being equivalent to 25 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company, assuming full conversion of all convertible loan notes in issue and the authority in paragraph (c), which only applies to the allotment of Ordinary Shares in connection with a rights issue, is limited to a maximum 340,531,231 Ordinary Shares (less any Ordinary Shares allotted pursuant to the authority in paragraph (b)), being equivalent to 25 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company assuming full conversion of all convertible loan notes in issue. 6. Resolution 5 – The Act requires that if the Directors decide to allot unissued Ordinary Shares in the Company the shares proposed to be issued must be first offered to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings. This is known as shareholders’ pre-emption rights. However, to act in the best interests of the Company, the Directors may require flexibility to allot shares for cash without regard to the provisions of Section 561(1) of the Act. Therefore, this resolution, to be proposed as a Special Resolution, seeks authority to enable the Directors to allot equity securities up to a maximum of 340,531,231 Ordinary Shares, being equivalent to 25 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company, assuming full conversion of all convertible loan notes in issue. This authority expires at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2017. 

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