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Baron Oil PLC
Annual Report 2013

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FY2013 Annual Report · Baron Oil PLC
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Baron Oil Plc

(formerly Canisp PLC)

Annual Report and 
Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2013

Contents
for the year ended 30 April 2010

Section

1 Corporate Information

2 Corporate Statement

3 Chairman’s Statement and Operations Report

4

5

Strategic Report

Report of the Directors

6 Corporate Governance Statement

7

8

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
in respect of the Strategic Report, the Directors’s Report 
and the Financial Statements

Report of the Independent Auditors 
to the Members of Baron Oil Plc

9 Consolidated Income Statement 
for the year ended 31 December 2013

10 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31 December 2013

11 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

as at 31 December 2013

12 Company Statement of Financial Position

as at 31 December 2013

13 Consolidated and Company Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 December 2013

14 Consolidated and Company Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 December 2013

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

16 Notice of Annual General Meeting

Page

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59

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

1

1 Corporate Information
for the year ended 30 April 2010

Directors

Registered Office

Rudolph Berends Chairman
William Colvin Non-Executive Director
Camilo Merendoni Non-Executive Director

Finsgate
5-7 Cranwood Street
London EC1V 9EE

Company Secretary

Geoffrey Barnes

Auditors 

Solicitors

Nominated Adviser
and Brokers

Registrars

Jeffreys Henry LLP
Finsgate
5-7 Cranwood Street
London EC1V 9EE

Kerman & Co LLP
200 Strand
London WC2R 1DJ

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe
One Churchill Place
Canary Wharf
London E14 5RD

Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited
Heron House
Corrig Road
Sandyford Industrial Estate
Dublin 18
Ireland

Communications

Website www.baronoilplc.com

Company number

5098776 (England and Wales)

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

2

2 Corporate Statement
for the year ended 30 April 2010

Baron  Oil  Plc  (“the  Company”)  is  an  independent  oil  and  natural  gas  exploration 
and  exploitation  company  focused  on  the  South  American  continent. Shares  in  the
Company  are  listed  in  the  UK  on  the  AIM  market  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange  –
(BOIL.L).

The  Company  is  seeking  to  maintain  a  balanced  portfolio  of  higher  risk  and  reward
exploration assets supplemented by cash flow from producing assets which also contain
further exploitation upside. This strategy is being pursued through establishing significant
licence ownership positions concentrated in a few, highly prospective geographic areas.
The Company, and its subsidiaries (together “the Group” or “Baron Oil”) currently has
a  significant  acreage  position  and  is  recognized  as  an  approved  operator  for  both
onshore and offshore licences in Peru, and is an operator of production through its now
50%  subsidiary  Inversiones  Petroleras  de  Colombia  SAS  (also  known  as  “Invepetrol
SAS”)  onshore  Colombia  and  also  has  a  further  ownership  interest  in  an  exploration
licence onshore Colombia.

The  Group’s  objective  is  to  deliver  shareholder  value  through  generating  substantial
increases in our asset values by discovering commercial quantities of hydrocarbons while
mitigating our costs as much as possible through farm-out and cost carry arrangements
with our partners.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

3

3 Chairman’s Statement and Operations Report
for the year ended 31 December 2013

Finance and financial results
In the year ended 31 December 2013, the net result for the year was a loss before taxation of £2,998,000,
which compares to a loss of £9,353,000 for the preceding financial year. The improvement arises primarily
from the greatly reduced impairment provisions in 2013.

Turnover for the year was £2,211,000, down from £2,832,000 in the preceding year, reflecting the significant
drop in revenue from the Colombian producing wells, as detailed below. This has led to a loss at the gross
profit line of £186,000 as certain direct costs are fixed and do not vary directly with production. 

In this year, the Group sold its entire interest in its subsidiary company Plectrum Petroleum Limited to Union
Oil & Gas Group. Plectrum Petroleum Limited is a 50% licence holder in the Peru Z34 offshore exploration
licence and its sale forms part of the larger farmout of an 80% interest in that licence. The sale led to a book
loss of £88,000 after taking into account the reversal of prior year impairment provisions. We also continue
with  our  policy  of  writing  down  the  value  of  our  investment  in  the  Nancy-Burdine-Maxine  asset  until  the
contract termination date in 2015, this gives rise to a further impairment charge of £526,000.

The Income Statement also shows a charge to tax of £567,000. This is largely made up of tax arising on the
capital receipt from the farmout of Block XXI Peru in 2012, which was higher than originally anticipated.

At the end of the financial year, free cash reserves of the Group had improved to £2,078,000 from a level at
the preceding year end of £950,000 (excluding funds held in escrow in respect of performance guarantees).
The placing of shares in January 2013 raised a gross £2 million, plus an additional $3.5 million was received
from the first phase of the Z34 farm-out. A further $2.5 million was due at the end of the year in respect of
the Z34 farm-out, of which $500,000 has been received, and we anticipate the remainder will be received
within the next twelve months, along with $2 million on the sale of a 50% interest in the Nancy-Burdine-Maxine
producing fields in Colombia. 

It  is  our  belief  that,  in  taking  hard  decisions  in  impairing  the  carrying  value  of  our  assets,  we  now  have  a
Balance Sheet that recognises clear value in our exploration and production assets. Coupled with the fact that
the Company is now carried on all its exploration commitments, we can expect to see positive results in both
net income and cash flow in 2014 and beyond.

Operations in Peru
Block Z-34 offshore
The main event in early 2013 was the farm out of 80% of the interest in our very prospective North West Peru
offshore block Z-34 to Union Oil & Gas Group (“Union”). Baron Oil has retained operatorship and 20% of
the block equity and our share of all costs will be carried by Union until the end of the exploration commitment
period in our license contract. 

During 2013 we have progressed our partnership with Union and together have been working hard to obtain
final approval for the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) study which includes seismic coverage over
85% of the block area plus a selection of 90 well locations which were identified by interpreting the extensive
2D and 3D seismic data acquired in 2009 and 2011.

The EIA study is now in the final phase and the final approval is expected by the end of June this year. Baron
Oil has prepared extensive information packages for all the fishing villages, towns and ports along the coast
in  the  direct  areas  around  the  block  and  we  believe  we  have  created  excellent  local  relationships  with  all
stakeholders to enable further development of our block in the near future with minimum interference.

Now  Baron  Oil  and  its  partner  are  presently  discussing  how  to  move  forward  into  the  Third  Phase  of  our
exploration program commitment by either drilling one or more of our identified prospects on the block or
acquiring additional 3D seismic data. Any decision taken by the partnership group will of course be reported
to shareholders immediately.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

4

3 Chairman’s Statement and Operations Report
for the year ended 31 December 2013

Z34 is located within the Talara Basin offshore North West Peru and our block covers a very large area of
3,713 sq km. This highly prospective basin has historically produced more than 1.6 billion barrels of oil. Most
of the remaining potential is believed to be in the offshore area of the basin. The block is bordered to the east
by Block Z2B which has been in production since the early 1950s.

A competent person’s report compiled in 2012 for the Company by independent consultants DeGolyer and
MacNaughton using the results from the large 3D-seismic survey has assessed the gross, un-risked potential
of this offshore block to be in excess of 2 billion barrels of oil. There are several attractive individual prospects
identified across this block, some exceeding 100 million barrels.

Karoon Oil & Gas Company, the operator of the adjoining block Z-38 immediately to the north of Z-34, is
well advanced with plans for the publicly announced drilling campaign in the near future on that block. 

Positive developments have also been reported to the north east of our block where BPZ Resources Inc. in its
offshore Block Z-1 during the first quarter of 2014 announced a substantial gross production increase. Their
gross production increased to 5,050 barrels of oil per day (“bopd”), from 2,570 bopd in the previous quarter.
In addition BPZ has announced additional and positive news concerning its aggressive drilling campaign and
development of the Corvina and Albacora Fields. 

Due to the proximity of both these blocks, these recent developments are regarded by the Board as being very
positive news for our Z34 block.

Block XXI onshore
Developments in this large (3,030 sq km) onshore Block located in northern Peru are progressing very well.
Baron Oil is the operator and holds a 30% carried interest while Vale has the remaining 70% interest and
currently pays 100% of all the costs.

The EIA is in process and advancing in line with the Board’s expectations. We are hopeful of obtaining final
approval later this year.

The  Company  has  commenced  negotiations  with  contractors  to  shoot  350-450  kms  of  2D  seismic  lines
immediately after we obtain all necessary permits and EIA approval. The plan is to drill 2-3 shallow exploration
wells in 2015 once the seismic survey is acquired and fully interpreted. 

The  EIA  study  includes  extensive  2D  seismic  work  plus  30  well  locations  identified  by  the  aero  gravimetric
survey.  Peruvian  EIA  regulations  allow  changes  between  well  locations  in  a  much  quicker  process  than
preparing a new EIA study after seismic acquisition; therefore the 30 well locations were included from the
beginning of the process.

In  December  2012  the  Geotechnical  Company,  Fugro,  completed  the  acquisition  and  processing  of  an
8,000km line of aeromagnetic and aero gravimetric data over the block.

This survey showed the presence of some deep sedimentary basins creating potential mature “cooking pots”
for generating hydrocarbons. It is interesting to note that no seismic coverage exists at all over these gravity
anomalies.  Also  several  wells  in  the  south  of  the  block,  drilled  about  50  years  ago  without  any  seismic
coverage, showed the presence of gas. The adjoining block to the west held by Olympic recently announced
several large, commercial oil and gas discoveries.

Finally  this  block  is  located  to  the  west  of  the  Andes  Mountains  meaning  that  any  potential  hydrocarbon
reserves discovered will have much easier access to a very attractive local market.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

5

3 Chairman’s Statement and Operations Report
for the year ended 31 December 2013

Operations in Colombia
Nancy Burdine Maxine Producing Fields
2013 was a challenging year for all oil and gas operators in the Putumayo region of Colombia and also for
the  Nancy  Burdine  Maxine  (“NMB”)  oil  fields.  The  first  half  of  the  year  was  mainly  focused  on  production
optimization and cost reduction in the field whereas the second half was mostly dedicated to the commercial
improvements and surface facilities repair and revamping.

In January 2013, a detailed in-house evaluation study was conducted on each existing well in the NMB field.
This lead to the identification of three wells being capable of producing untapped oil from either the U or N
sands in the Villetas formation: B-5, B-2 and B-4. A workover program was designed for each well where the
B-5 well was identified as the best candidate to be worked over first.

Early March 2013, B-5 was successfully worked over with a new production string able to independently test
either the N or the U sand within the Villetas Formation. The overall B-5 workover results are very encouraging
and shows Burdine is a field yet to be produced from the N and the U sand. B-5 is in a long term production
test to further evaluate the flowing pressure and water cut behavior over time to enable us to gather sufficient
reservoir data for an optimum field development model. 

The B-1 well was steadily producing until late January 2013 when water production started to increase with
an  increasing  amount  of  sediments  and  then  suddenly  stopped  flowing  completely.  A  work  program  was
designed for B-1 aimed to clean the production string. Unfortunately the B-1 production string was found to
be broken at 2,200 ft. and the well was shut-in until a larger rig became available to repair the casing and
restart the oil production.

A full operational analysis was carried out during the year to optimize the communication between the field
office and the headquarter office. As a result some personnel positions were relocated from the Bogota offices
out to the field resulting in both cost reductions and improved relations with the local communities. 

Unfortunately  on  6  October  2013  the  NBM  surface  facilities  were  destroyed  by  terrorists  after  a  series  of
attacks and explosions. Thankfully no personnel were injured during these attacks. However these attacks left
NBM without any functioning surface facilities resulting in a total shutdown of the field. The field was shut down
until early November when B-5 was re-opened again and N-1 was re-opened in early January 2014.

Since January 2014 the NBM field has been producing consistently between 500-600 bopd from the two wells
N-1 and B-5. Currently we are in the process of getting final approval from the local authorities to test the 
B-2 and B-4 wells.

The Company plans to carry out additional well workovers, a 3D seismic survey and drill several additional
wells when we obtain the green light to continue the NBM operations after the end of the current license period
which expires at the end of 2015. At present we are in active discussions with Ecopetrol about the potential
continuation of our operations in the NMB field. We are anticipating obtaining more clarity from them over
the next few months.

In  July  2013,  Baron  Oil  created  a  50%  partnership  in  the  field  ownership  company  with  S&J  Full  Services
(“S&J”). Subsequently in April 2014 Baron Oil purchased back the S&J 50% interest in NMB and they were
replaced by CI International Fuels Limited, a major Colombian private company with over 10 years experience
of working in the commercialization, storage and supply of petroleum derivatives, fuels and lubricants. This
joint  venture  will  help  Baron  Oil  with  the  crude  marketing  and  transportation  options  in  addition  to  the
financial strength of our new partner.

Rosa Blanca Block
Baron Oil has been closely working with P&IG to reactivate the Rosa Blanca exploration permit and to further
evaluate its hydrocarbon potential. Baron Oil has a 5% carried interest and is also the operator.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

6

3 Chairman’s Statement and Operations Report
for the year ended 31 December 2013

New ventures
Baron Oil considers Latin America a continent with enormous untapped hydrocarbon potential and is currently
seeking out additional opportunities in this part of the world. The Company is presently initiating local contacts
in Mexico besides potentially expanding in both Colombia and Peru. 

Baron  Oil  will  participate  in  the  upcoming  bidding  round  scheduled  for  later  this  year  for  the  onshore
exploitation blocks 3 and 4 located in the Talara basin in Peru.

Conclusions
Baron  Oil  has  three  exciting  exploration  and  producing  assets  in  Peru  and  Colombia  where  the  Directors
believe each asset has the potential to become a “company maker”. Farming out of part of our interest in all
three has reduced both the risk and our capital requirements. In Colombia the potential extension of the NMB
field would create a completely different scale of operations. In Peru, offshore Z-34 block and onshore block
XXI both have significant exploration potential while the Company remains cost carried through the exploration
phases, meaning that we have no financial commitments while we are exposed to our share of the upside of
any commercial fields discovered.

I would like to thank all Shareholders for their continued support and l am looking forward to a very exciting
and rewarding future for our company in South America.

Rudolph Berends
Chairman and CEO

2 June 2014

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

7

4 Strategic Report

for the period ended 31 December 2013

The directors now present their strategic report with the financial statements of Baron Oil Plc (“the company”)
and its subsidiaries (collectively “the group”) for the year ended 31 December 2013.

Principal activities
The principal activity of the Group is that of oil and gas exploration and production.

Business review
A  review  of  the  Group’s  business  during  the  financial  period  and  its  likely  development  is  given  in  the
Chairman’s Statement and Operations Report.

Key performance indicators
At this stage in the company’s development, the key performance indicators that the directors monitor on a
regular  basis  are  management  of  liquid  resources  that  is  cash-flows  and  bank  balances  and  also  general
administrative expenses, which are tightly controlled. Specific exploration-related key performance indicators
that  will  be  relevant  in  the  future  include:  the  probability  of  geological  success  (Pg),  the  probability  of
commerciality or completion (Pc) and the probability of economic success (Pe). 

The following table summarises the key changes in the two KPIs during the period.

Liquid cash reserves 
Administrative expenses

Year ended
31 December
2013
£’000

Year ended
31 December
2012
£’000

2,078
2,043

951
3,267

Key risks and uncertainties
Exploration  for  hydrocarbons  is  speculative  and  involves  significant  degrees  of  risk.  The  key  risks  and  their
impact to the Group are summarised below along with the impact on the Group and the action that the board
take to minimise those risks.

Oil prices
Baron Oil’s results are strongly influenced by oil prices which are dependent on a number of factors impacting
world supply and demand. Due to these factors, oil prices may be subject to significant fluctuations from year
to year. The Group’s normal policy is to sell its products under contract at prices determined by reference to
prevailing market prices on international petroleum exchanges.

Impact
Oil  prices  can  fluctuate  widely  and  could  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Group’s  asset  values,  revenues,
earnings and cash flows. In addition, oil price increases could cause supply or capacity constraints in areas
such as specialist staff or equipment.

Action
The  Group  keeps  under  regular  review  its  sensitivity  to  fluctuations  in  oil  prices.  The  Group  does  not  as  a
matter of course hedge oil prices, but may enter into a hedge programme for oil where the Board determines
it is in the Group’s interest to provide greater certainty over future cash flows.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

8

4 Strategic Report

for the period ended 31 December 2013

Liquidity risk
The Group is exposed to liquidity risks, including the risk that borrowing facilities are not available to meet
capital expenditure requirements, and the risk that financial assets cannot readily be converted to cash without
the loss of value.

Impact
Failure  to  manage  financing  risks  could  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Group’s  cash  flows,  earnings  and
financial position as well as reducing the funds available to the Group for working capital, capital expenditure,
acquisitions, dividends and other general corporate purposes.

Action
The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate committed borrowing facilities and working capital
funds. The Board monitors the net debt level of the Group taking into consideration the expected outlook of
the Group. 

Taxation
As the tax legislation in Colombia and Peru is developing, tax risks are substantially greater than typically found
in  countries  with  more  developed  tax  systems.  Tax  law  is  evolving  and  is  subject  to  different  and  changing
interpretations, as well as inconsistent enforcement. Tax regulation and compliance is subject to review and
investigation by the authorities who may impose severe fines, penalties and interest charges. 

Impact
The uncertainty of interpretation and application, and the evolution, of tax laws create a risk of additional and
substantial payments of tax by the Group, which could have a material adverse effect on the Group’s cash
flows, earnings and financial position.

Action
The  Group  makes  every  effort  to  comply  with  tax  legislation.  The  Group  is  also  of  the  opinion  that  all  its
contracts in Peru and Colombia are tax compliant. The Group takes appropriate professional tax advice and
works closely with the tax authorities to ensure compliance.

By order of the Board

Rudolph Berends
Chairman

2 June 2014

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

9

5 Report of the Directors
for the year ended 30 April 2010

The directors submit their report together with the audited financial statements of Baron Oil Plc (“the Company”)
and its subsidiaries (collectively “the Group”), for the year ended 31 December 2013.

Directors
The following are biographical details of the directors of Baron Oil Plc.

Rudolph Berends Chairman
Rudolph  Berends,  aged  68,  has  more  than  40  years  experience  in  the  oil  and  gas  industry.  He  started  with 
Shell  as  an  explorationist  and  has  more  than  20  years  experience  in  Latin  America  where  he  has  been  the
CEO/President of various public and private companies. Rudolph has a Doctoral degree in Geology/Geophysics
and a BSc in Economics from universities in the Netherlands and the United States.

Camilo Merendoni Non-Executive Director
Camilo Merendoni, aged 81, has 50 years of diversified experience in the Oil and Gas industry. He started as
a Petroleum Engineer with Texas Petroleum Company in Colombia and has worked mainly in Latin America, the
Middle  East  and  Central  Asia.  His  career  included  stints  with  Ecopetrol,  Petrobras,  Hocol,  Shell  and  Bridas
Energy. He has degrees in Petroleum Engineering from Pittsburgh University and Advanced Management from
Universidad de los Andes.

William (“Bill”) Colvin Non-Executive Director
Bill Colvin, aged 56, has over 30 years experience in the international oil and gas and healthcare sectors both
in senior management and board positions of large corporations. He was Finance Director of British-Borneo
Oil & Gas Plc from 1992 to 1999. From 1990 to 1992, Bill was Finance Manager at Oryx UK Energy. From
1984 to 1989, he worked in a variety of financial roles for Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) Inc. He qualified as a
Scottish  Chartered  Accountant  in  1982  and  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Commerce  degree  from  the  University  of
Edinburgh.  Bill  is  currently  a  non-executive  Director  of  Energy  XXI,  a  NASDAQ  and  UK  listed  oil  &  gas
exploration and production company, and Infrastrata PLC. He also advises the private equity firm Duke Street
Capital.

Proposed dividend
The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend in respect of the financial year ended 31 December
2013.

Political and charitable contributions
In the year ended 31 December 2013 the Group made no political or charitable contributions.

Policy and practice on payment of creditors
The  Group  and  Company  policy,  in  relation  to  all  of  its  suppliers,  is  to  settle  the  terms  of  payment  when
agreeing  the  terms  of  the  transactions  and  to  abide  by  those  terms.  The  Group  and  the  Company  do  not
follow any code or statement on payment policy. The creditors’ days as at 31 December 2013 were 165 days
(2012: 172 days).

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

10

5 Report of the Directors
for the year ended 30 April 2010

Activities and results
A loss of £3,565,000 (2012: £9,471,000) was recorded for the year. Net assets of the Group at 31 December
2013 amounted to £8,343,000 (2012: £9,456,000). No dividends or transfers to reserves are proposed.

Details of the Group’s affairs and the development of its various activities during the period, important events
since  the  period  end,  and  details  of  the  Company’s  plans  for  the  next  year  are  given  in  the  Chairman’s
Statement and Operations Report.

Change of name
On 29 June 2013, the Company changed its name from Gold Oil Plc to Baron Oil Plc.

Issue of shares
On 24 January 2013, the Company placed 278,000,000 Ordinary Shares at a subscription price of £0.0075,
raising £2,050,000 after expenses.

The environment
The  Company  is  firmly  committed  to  protecting  the  environment  wherever  we  do  business.  We  will  do  our
upmost to minimise the impact of the business on the environment. Both the Company and its employees will
try and be recognised by regulatory agencies, environmental groups and governments where we do business
for our efforts to safeguard the environment.

Community
We believe it is our responsibility as a good corporate citizen to improve the quality of life in the communities
in  which  we  do  business.  Where  we  can  we  will  seek  to  contribute  towards  local  cultural  and  educational
organisations.

Future outlook
Details of the Group’s affairs and the development of its various activities during the period, important events
since  the  period  end,  and  details  of  the  Company’s  plans  for  the  next  year  are  given  in  the  Chairman’s
Statement and the Operations Report.

Directors’ interests
The interests of the directors who were in office at the year end, and their families, in the issued share capital
of the company are as follows:

Share capital held by the directors are as follows:

31 December 2013

31 December 2012

R Berends 
C Merendoni 
W Colvin (appointed 24 January 2013)

Number of
Ordinary
shares

39,098,335
–
–

39,098,335

%
Holding

3.3%
–
–

3.3%

Number of
Ordinary
shares

%
Holding

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

11

5 Report of the Directors
for the year ended 30 April 2010

Options held by the directors are as follows:

R Berends

R Berends

W Colvin

31 December
2013
Number of
options
£0.0075*

22,000,000

31 December
2012
Number of
options
£0.0075*

–

Number of
options
£0.016**

Number of
options
£0.016**

11,250,000

–

Number of
options
£0.0167***

Number of
options
£0.0167***

2,990,431

36,240,431

–

–

*Each £0.0075 option grants the holder the right to subscribe for one Ordinary Share at £0.0075 per share,
and is exercisable at any time prior to 27 January 2016.

**Each £0.016 option grants the holder the right to subscribe for one Ordinary Share at £0.016 per share,
and are granted under one option contract exercisable at any time prior to 27 June 2016. 

***Each £0.0167 option grants the holder the right to subscribe for one Ordinary Share at £0.0167 per share,
and are granted under one option contract exercisable at any time prior to 27 June 2016. 

There have been no contracts or arrangements of significance during the period in which the directors of the
Company were interested.

Currently there are service contracts in place with all directors of the Company and the contracts are available
for inspection at the registered office of the company on request.

Remuneration policy
The Remuneration Committee takes into account both Company and individual performance, market value
and  sector  conditions  in  determining  director  and  senior  employee  remuneration.  The  Company  has
maintained  a  policy  of  paying  only  minimum  salaries  compared  with  peer  companies  in  the  oil  and  gas
independent sector until the Company established a good position with acreage, assets, income and cash at
hand. All current salaries are without pension benefits.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

12

5 Report of the Directors
for the year ended 30 April 2010

Basic salaries
Basic salaries are reviewed annually or when individuals change positions or responsibility or the Company’s
position changes. Details of the salaries are shown below.

Chairman
R Berends (appointed 10 August 2012)
J R Bell (not re-appointed 29 June 2012)

Executive Directors
R Mew (resigned 31 May 2012)
J Garcia (appointed 13 February 2012, not re-appointed 10 August 2012)
I Reid (not re-appointed 29 June 2012)
T Tidow (resigned 24 May 2012)

Non Executive Director
C Merendoni (appointed 10 August 2012)
W Colvin (appointed 24 January 2013)
Dr J Charlton (not re-appointed 29 June 2012)
G Cowan (not re-appointed 29 June 2012)
W Dailly (appointed 29 June 2012, not re-appointed 10 August 2012)
M Neville (appointed 29 June 2012, not re-appointed 10 August 2012)

2013
£

170,925
–

–
–
–
–

38,787
46,987
–
–
–
–

2012
£

58,465
15,000

128,364
92,704
93,416
40,428

11,387
–
12,500
12,500
12,000
12,000

256,699

488,764

The share options held by the directors are disclosed above and no pension contributions were made during
the period for the directors.

Employees
The Group seeks to keep employees informed and involved in the operations and progress of the business by
means of regular staff meetings by country open to all employees and directors.

The Group operates an equal opportunities policy. The policy provides that full and fair consideration will be
given to disabled applications for employment and that existing employees who become disabled will have
the opportunity to retrain and continue in employment wherever possible.

Events after the reporting period
On 14 April 2014, the company announced the sale of 50% of its interest in the Nancy-Burdine-Maxine fields
in Colombia for US$2,000,000.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

13

5 Report of the Directors
for the year ended 30 April 2010

Financial review
Liquidity & Share Trading
The Board believes that high liquidity is important in attracting both small and institutional investors to Baron
Oil. During the last financial period Baron Oil has had a reasonably high stock liquidity on the E&P sector on
AIM.

Shares in Issue and Shareholders Profile
The  number  of  shares  in  issue  at  22  May  2014  was  1,169,513,025  Ordinary  Shares,  each  share  having
equal voting rights.

Baron Oil Plc has 1,297 shareholders.

The shareholding distribution at 22 May 2014 is as follows:

Range

>10%
5-10%
1-5%
0.5-1%
<0.5%

Number of
shares

342,440,667
126,967,066
412,215,251
99,910,416
187,979,625

1,169,513,025

Number of
shareholders

2
2
16
12
1,265

1,297

Significant shareholdings
The Company has been informed that, as of 22 May 2014, the following shareholders own 3% or more of
the issued share capital of the Company:

Name

Fitel Nominees Limited 
W B Nominees Limited
Commerz Nominees Limited
Mr Mark Pritchard
Barclayshare Nominees Limited
Lynchwood Nominees Limited
TD Direct Investing Nominees
Mr R Berends

Total

Shares

221,630,057
120,810,610
67,800,400
59,166,666
51,553,836
50,871,881
45,136,208
39,098,335

656,067,993

% of company

18.95%
10.33%
5.80%
5.06%
4.41%
4.35%
3.86%
3.34%

56.10%

Listing
The Company’s ordinary shares have been traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange since 
14 July 2004. Cantor Fitzgerald Europe are the Company’s Nominated Adviser and Broker. As of 31 December
2012,  the  Company’s  listing  on  AIM  was  suspended.  The  suspension  was  lifted  on  24  January  2013  and
shares commenced trading on that day. The closing mid-market price on 22 May 2014 was 1.3p.

Financial instruments
Details of the financial risk management objectives and policies, and details on the use of financial instruments
by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings, are provided in note 22 to the financial statements.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

14

5 Report of the Directors
for the year ended 30 April 2010

Going concern
With  the  cash  reserves  the  Group’s  medium  term  investment  plans  in  Peru  and  Colombia  show,  in  the
directors’  opinion,  that  there  is  a  reasonable  expectation  that  the  resources  available  to  the  Company  will
allow it to continue operations. Thus, the going concern basis for the preparation and reporting of accounts
has been adopted.

Publication on company’s website
Financial statements are published on the Company’s website (www.baronoilplc.com). The maintenance and
integrity  of  the  website  is  the  responsibility  of  the  directors.  The  directors’  responsibility  also  extends  to  the
financial  statements  contained  therein.  Legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom  governing  the  preparation  and
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other countries.

Indemnity of officers
The  Group  may  purchase  and  maintain,  for  any  director  or  officer,  insurance  against  any  liability  and  the
Group  does  maintain  appropriate  insurance  cover  against  legal  action  bought  against  its  directors  and
officers.

By order of the Board

Geoffrey Barnes
Secretary

2 June 2014

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

15

6 Corporate Governance Statement
for the year ended 30 April 2010

The directors recognise the importance of sound corporate governance commensurate with the Group’s size
and  the  interests  of  shareholders.  As  the  Group  grows,  policies  and  procedures  that  reflect  the  FRC’s  UK
Corporate Governance Code will be developed. The Company has sought to comply with a number of the
provisions in the Code in so far as it considers them to be appropriate for a company of this size and nature.

The Board
The board comprises one executive director and two non-executive directors, details of who are contained in
the Report of the Directors included in this report.

The board meets at least four times a year.

The  board  is  responsible  for  the  strategy,  review  and  approval  of  acquisition  opportunities,  capital
expenditures, budgets, trading performance and all significant financial and operational issues.

The Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is comprised of two directors with Bill Colvin as chairman and Camilo Merendoni as the
other member. The Audit Committee meets at least twice a year and the external auditors have the opportunity
to meet with the Audit Committee without any executive management being present. The Audit Committee’s
terms  of  reference  include  the  review  of  the  Interim  and  Annual  Accounts,  review  of  internal  controls,  risk
management and compliance procedures, consideration of the Company accounting policies and all issues
with the annual audit.

The Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is comprised of three directors with Rudolph Berends as chairman, Bill Colvin
and Camilo Merendoni are the other members. The Remuneration Committee determines the contract terms,
remuneration and other benefits of the directors and senior employees. The Remuneration Committee meets
as required, but at least twice a year.

The Nominations Committee
Due to the small size of the Group, it is not considered necessary to have a Nominations Committee at this
s development and the board reserves to itself the process by which a new director is
time in the Company
appointed.

´

Communications
The Company provides information on Group activities by way of press releases, Interim and Annual Accounts
and  also  the  website  (www.baronoilplc.com).  The  Company  website  is  updated  regularly  and  contains  all
operational reports, press releases and Interim and Annual Accounts.

Internal control
The board has the overall responsibility for identifying, evaluating and taking the necessary action to manage
the risks faced by the Company and the Group. The process of internal control is not to eliminate risk, but to
manage the risk to reasonably minimise loss.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

16

7 Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

in respect of the Strategic Report, the Directors’s Report and the Financial Statements

Directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial period in accordance
with  applicable  law  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  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 and loss
of the Group for that year. The directors are also required to prepare the financial statements in accordance
with the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the Alternative Investment
Market.

In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required:

l

l

l

l

to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state  whether  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRS  as  adopted  by  the
European Union subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that
the Group company will continue in business.

The  directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  adequate  accounting  records  which  disclose  with  reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and the Group and to enable them to ensure that
the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking such
steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and the Group and to prevent
and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Statement of disclosure to auditor
So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Group’s auditors are
unaware, and they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves
aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Group auditors are aware of that information.

Auditors
A  resolution  for  the  reappointment  of  Jeffreys  Henry  LLP  as  auditors  will  be  proposed  at  the  forthcoming
Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board

Rudolph Berends
Chairman

2 June 2014

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

17

8 Report of the Independent Auditors

to the Members of Baron Oil Plc

We have audited the Group and Parent Company financial statements of Baron Oil Plc for the year ended 
31  December  2013,  which  comprise  the  consolidated  income  statement,  consolidated  statement  of
comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity, company statement of changes in equity,
consolidated statement of financial position, company statement of financial position, consolidated statement
of cash flows, company statement 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 auditors’ 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 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
Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient
to  give  reasonable  assurance  that  the  financial  statements  are  free  from  material  misstatement,  whether
caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to
the Group’s and the parent Company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately
disclosed;  the  reasonableness  of  significant  accounting  estimates  made  by  the  directors;  and  the  overall
presentation of the financial statements. In addition we read all financial and non-financial information in the
Corporate  Statement,  Chairman’s  Statement  and  Strategic  Report,  Report  of  the  Directors  and  Corporate
Governance Statement to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If we become
aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 

l

l

l

l

the  financial  statements  give  a  true  and  fair  view,  of  the  state  of  the  Group’s  and  Parent  Company’s
affairs as at 31 December 2013 and of the Group’s loss and Group’s and Parent Company’s cash flow
for the year then ended;

the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the
European Union;

the  parent  company  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRS’s  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 properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

18

8 Report of the Independent Auditors

to the Members of Baron Oil Plc

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Strategic Report and Report of the Directors 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: 

l

l

l

l

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for 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.

Jonathan Issacs
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of Jeffreys Henry LLP, Statutory Auditor 

Finsgate
5-7 Cranwood Street
London EC1V 9EE
United Kingdom

2 June 2014

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

19

9 Consolidated Income Statement

for the year ended 31 December 2013

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross (loss)/profit

Intangible asset impairment
Loss on disposal of investment
Loss on destruction of oilfield assets
Goodwill impairment
Administration expenses
Other operating Income

Operating loss

Finance cost
Finance income

Loss on ordinary activities

before taxation

Income tax expense

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities

after taxation

Dividends

(Loss) for the year

(Loss) on ordinary activities

after taxation is attributable to:

Equity shareholders

Minority interests

Notes

3

11

3

5
5

6

2013
£’000

2,211

(2,397)

(186)

(384)
(88)
(232)
(526)
(2,043)
486 

(2,973)

(68)
43 

(2,998)

(567)

2012
£’000

2,832

(2,623)

209

(5,535)
–
–
(728)
(3,267)
17 

(9,304)

(69)
20 

(9,353)

(118)

(3,565)

(9,471)

–

–

(3,565)

(9,471)

(3,565)

(9,471)

–

–

(3,565)

(9,471)

Earnings per ordinary share – continuing
Basic
Diluted

8

(0.31p)
(0.31p)

(1.06p)
(1.06p)

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

20

10 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31 December 2013

Loss on ordinary activities after taxation attributable to the parent

Other comprehensive income:
Share based payments
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations

Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income attributable to Owners of the parent

2013
£’000

(3,565)

205
197 

(3,163)

(3,163)

2012
£’000

(9,471)

–
394 

(9,077)

(9,077)

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

21

11 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

as at 31 December 2013

ASSETS
Non current assets
Property plant and equipment
– oil and gas assets
– others
Intangibles
Goodwill
Intangible assets held for resale

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the parent
Share capital
Share premium account
Share option reserve
Foreign exchange translation reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Taxes payable

Notes

2013
£’000

2012
£’000

9
9
10
11
12

14
15
16

18
19
19
19
19

17
17

2,405 
–
2,275 
922 
–

5,602 

235 
2,211 
4,354 

6,800 

1,893 
–
2,039 
2,004 
2,476 

8,412 

113 
2,423 
3,184 

5,720 

12,402 

14,132 

292 
27,304 
205 
1,489 
(20,947)

8,343 

3,290 
769 

4,059 

223 
25,323 
–
1,292 
(17,382)

9,456 

4,438 
238 

4,676 

Total equity and liabilities

12,402 

14,132 

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 2 June 2014
and were signed on its behalf by:

Rudolph Berends
Director

Company number: 5098776

Bill Colvin
Director

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

22

12 Company Statement of Financial Position

as at 31 December 2013

ASSETS
Non current assets
Property plant and equipment
– oil and gas assets
– others
Intangibles
Investments

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves attributable to owners of the parent
Share capital
Share premium account
Share option reserve
Foreign exchange translation reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Taxes payable

Notes

2013
£’000

2012
£’000

9 
9 
10
13

14 
15 
16

18 
19 
19 
19 
19 

17 
17 

110 
–
–
1,108 

1,218 

–
1,606 
2,501 

4,107 

5,325 

292 
27,304 
205
(64)
(23,150)

4,587 

658 
80 

738 

981 
–
2,166 
4,216 

7,363 

18 
812 
2,528 

3,358 

10,721 

223 
25,323 
–
214 
(18,878)

6,882 

3,792 
47 

3,839 

Total equity and liabilities

5,325 

10,721 

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 2 June 2014
and were signed on its behalf by:

Rudolph Berends
Director

Company number: 5098776

Bill Colvin
Director

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

23

13 Consolidated and Company Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 December 2013

GROUP

Share
Capital
£’000

Share
Premium
£’000

As at 1 January 2012

223 

25,323 

Loss for the year
Foreign exchange translation 
adjustments

Total comprehensive income 
for the period

–

–

–

–

–

–

Retained
Earnings
£’000

(7,911)

(9,471)

–

(9,471)

As at 1 January 2013

223 

25,323 

(17,382)

Shares issued

Transactions with owners

Loss for the year
Share based payments
Foreign exchange translation 
adjustments

Total comprehensive income 
for the period

69

69

–
–

–

–

1,981

1,981

–
–

–

–

–

–

(3,565)
–

–

(3,565)

As at 31 December 2013

292 

27,304 

(20,947)

Share
Option
Reserve
£’000

Foreign
Exchange
Translation
£’000

Total
Equity
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
205

–

205 

205 

898 

18,533 

–

(9,471)

394 

394 

394

(9,077)

1,292 

–

–

–
–

9,456 

2,050 

2,050 

(3,565)
205 

197 

197 

197

1,489 

(3,163)

8,343 

Share capital is the amount subscribed for shares at nominal value.

Share premium represents the excess of the amount subscribed for share capital over the nominal value of
those shares net of share issue expenses. 

Retained earnings represents the cumulative loss of the company attributable to equity shareholders.

The share option reserve represents the amount charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of
share based payments.

Foreign exchange translation occurs on consolidation of the translation of the subsidiaries balance sheets at
the closing rate of exchange and their income statements at the average rate.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

24

13 Consolidated and Company Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 December 2013

COMPANY

Share
Capital
£’000

Share
Premium
£’000

As at 1 January 2012

223 

25,323 

(Loss) for the year
Foreign exchange translation 
adjustments

Total comprehensive income
for the period

–

–

–

–

–

–

Retained
Earnings
£’000

(9,240)

(9,638)

–

(9,638)

As at 1 January 2013

223 

25,323 

(18,878)

Share
Option
Reserve
£’000

Foreign
Exchange
Translation
£’000

Total
Equity
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

107 

16,413 

–

(9,638)

107 

107 

107 

214 

–

–

–
–

(9,531)

6,882 

2,050 

2,050 

(4,272)
205 

Shares issued

Transactions with owners

(Loss) for the year
Share based payments
Foreign exchange translation 
adjustments

Total comprehensive income
for the period

69 

69 

1,981 

1,981 

–

–

(4,272)
–

–
205 

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

As at 31 December 2013

292 

27,304 

(23,150)

(4,272)

205 

205 

(278)

(64)

(4,345)

4,587 

–

–

(278)

(278)

Share capital is the amount subscribed for shares at nominal value.

Share premium represents the excess of the amount subscribed for share capital over the nominal value of
those shares net of share issue expenses. 

Retained earnings represents the cumulative loss of the group attributable to equity shareholders.

The share option reserve represents the amount charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of
share based payments.

Foreign exchange translation occurs on consolidation of the translation of the subsidiaries balance sheets at
the closing rate of exchange and their income statements at the average rate.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

25

14 Consolidated and Company Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 December 2013

Operating activities

(1,470)

(4,492)

(2,877)

(2,230)

Group
2013
£’000

Company
2013
£’000

Group
2012
£’000

Company
2012
£’000

Investing activities
Return from investment and servicing of finance
Sale of intangible assets
Disposal of tangible assets
Acquisition of investment assets
Acquisition of goodwill
Cash deposited for Peru performance guarantees
Loan to subsidiary (advanced/(repaid)
Acquisition of intangible assets
Acquisition of tangible fixed assets

Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital

Net cash inflow

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
of the year

43 
2,579
640 
–
–
–
–
(438)
(2,276)

548 

2,050 

1,128 

950 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

2,078 

Reconciliation to Consolidated Statement of 
Financial Position
Cash not available for use

2,276 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

4,354 

3 
–
189 
–
–
–
2,181 
–
–

2,373 

2,050 

(69)

294 

225 

2,276 

2,501 

20 
2,337 
–
–
(573)
(949)
–
(1,598)
(494)

(1,257)

4 
1 
–
–
–
(949)
205 
(1,203)
(209)

(2,151)

–

–

(4,134)

(4,381)

5,084 

950 

4,675 

294 

2,234 

3,184 

2,234 

2,528 

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

26

14 Consolidated and Company Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 December 2013

Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows

Operating activities
Loss for the year
Depreciation, amortisation and 
impairment charges
Loss on disposal of assets
Non-cash movement arising on consolidation 
of minority interests in tangible fixed assets
Non-cash movement arising on transfer of 
assets to subsidiary undertaking
Share based payments
Impairment of investment
Finance income shown as an investing activity 
Tax expense
Foreign exchange translation

Operating cash outflows before movements 
in working capital

(Increase)/decrease in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in receivables
Tax paid
Increase/(decrease) in payables

Net cash (outflows)/inflows from 
operating activities

Group
2013
£’000

Company
2013
£’000

Group
2012
£’000

Company
2012
£’000

(3,565)

(4,272)

(9,471)

(9,638)

1,411
320

2,065 
–

7,055
–

3,878 
–

555

–
205 
–
(43)
567
174 

(376)

(122)
213 
(36)
(1,149)

–

(593)

–

764
205 
927 
(3)
–
(301)

(615)

18 
(794)
33 
(3,134)

–
–
–
(20)
118 
307 

(2,604)

5 
(1,506)
(47)
1,275 

–
–
3,836 
(4)
3 
77 

(1,848)

12 
51 
(124)
(321)

(1,470)

(4,492)

(2,877)

(2,230)

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

27

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

General information
Baron Oil Plc is a company incorporated in England and Wales and quoted on the AIM market of the London
Stock Exchange. The address of the registered office is disclosed on page 2 of the financial statements. The
principal activity of the Group is described in the Report of the Directors in section 4.

1

Significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements
are  set  out  below.  These  policies  have  been  consistently  applied  to  all  the  periods  presented,  unless
otherwise stated.

Going concern basis
These financial statements have been prepared on the assumption that the Group is a going concern.

When assessing the foreseeable future, the directors have looked at a period of twelve months from the
date of approval of this report. The forecast cash-flow requirements of the business are contingent upon
the ability of the Group to generate future sales and seek investment partners for its assets.

The  uncertainty  as  to  the  timing  and  volume  of  the  future  growth  in  sales  and  source  of  funds  from
investment partners requires the directors to consider the group’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Notwithstanding  this  uncertainty,  the  directors  believe  that  the  group  has  demonstrated  progress  in
achieving its objective of positioning the assets for future investment.

After making enquiries, the directors firmly believe that the Company has adequate resources to continue
in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern
basis in preparing the financial statements.

Were the Group to be unable to continue as a going concern, adjustments may have to be made to the
statement of financial position of the Group to reduce statement of financial position values of assets to
their recoverable amounts, to provide for future liabilities that might arise and to reclassify non-current
assets and long-term liabilities as current assets and liabilities.

Basis of preparation
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting
Standards (IFRSs) and IFRIC interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB)
as  adopted  by  the  European  Union  and  with  those  parts  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  applicable  to
companies reporting under IFRS. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

New and amended standards adopted by the Company
There  are  no  IFRSs  or  IFRIC  interpretations  that  are  effective  for  the  first  time  for  the  financial  year
beginning on or after 1 January 2013 that would be expected to have a material impact on the group.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

28

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that are not yet effective
The following new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations have been issued, but are
not effective for the financial year beginning 1 January 2013 and have not been early adopted:

Reference

Title 

Summary

Amendments  Amendments 
resulting from 
to IFRS 2,
Annual 
IFRS 3
Improvements 
2010-12 Cycle combination

IFRS 2: clarifies definition 
of vesting conditions
IFRS 3: clarifies contingent 
consideration in a business 

Application date 
of standard

Application date 
of Group

1 July 2014

1 July 2014

Amendments  Defined Benefit  Clarifies that the treatment of  Periods commencing  1 January 2015
to IAS 19

Plans: Employee contributions when they are 
independent of the number 
Contributions
of years of service

on or after 1 July 
2014

IFRS 9

IAS 36

IAS 39

IFRIS 21

IFRS 10, 
IFRS 12, 
IAS 27

IAS 32

IFRS 14

Financial 
Instruments

Revised standard for 
accounting for financial 
instruments

Periods commencing  1 January 2015
on or after 1 January 
2015

Impairment of 
assets

Limited scope amendments 
to disclosure requirements

Provides relief from 
Hedge 
accounting and  discontinuing hedge 
novation of 
derivatives

accounting when novation of  2014
a hedging instrument to a 
central counterparty meets 
specified criteria

Periods commencing  1 January 2014
on or after 1 January 
2014

Periods commencing  1 January 2014
on or after 1 January 

Accounting for  Clarifies that the obligating 
levies imposed  event giving rise to a liability 
by governments

to pay a levy is the activity 
described in the relevant 
legislation that triggers 
payment of the levy

Periods commencing  1 January 2014
on or after 1 January 
2014

Exception from  Amendments have been made  Periods commencing  1 January 2014
consolidation 
for “investment  entity” and to introduce an 
entities”

on or after 1 January 
2014

to define an “investment 

exception from consolidation 
and the required disclosures

Financial 
instruments: 
Presentation

Regulatory 
deferral 
accounts

Clarifies the requirements for  Periods commencing  1 January 2014
offsetting of financial assets 
and financial liabilities

on or after 1 January 
2014

Aims to enhance the 
comparability of financial 
reporting by entities subject to  2016
rate-regulations

Periods commencing  1 January 2016
on or after 1 January 

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of these standards and the interpretations in future periods will
have no material impact on the financial statements of the Group.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

29

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Basis of consolidation
The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  financial  statements  of  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries and associated undertakings.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities over which Baron Oil Plc has the power to govern the financial and operating
policies generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. The existence
and  effect  of  potential  voting  rights  that  are  currently  exercisable  or  convertible  are  considered  when
assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on
which control is transferred to the Company. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group.
The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and
liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition.
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination
are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any minority
interest. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable
net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net
assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised directly in the income statement.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies
are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated but considered an impairment indicator of the asset
transferred.  Accounting  policies  of  subsidiaries  have  been  changed  where  necessary  to  ensure
consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

Joint ventures
The Group is engaged in oil and gas exploration and appraisal through unincorporated joint ventures.
The Group accounts for its share of the results and net assets of these joint ventures as jointly controlled
assets.  The  Group’s  interests  in  jointly  controlled  entities  are  accounted  for  by  proportionate
consolidation.  The  Group  combines  its  share  of  the  joint  ventures’  individual  income  and  expenses,
assets and liabilities and cash flows on a line-by-line basis with similar items in the Group’s financial
statements. The Group recognises the portion of gains or losses on the sale of assets by the group to the
joint venture that is attributable to the other venturers. The Group does not recognise its share of profits
or losses from the joint venture that result from the Group’s purchase of assets from the joint venture until
it  re-sells  the  assets  to  an  independent  party.  However,  a  loss  on  the  transaction  is  recognised
immediately if the loss provides evidence of a reduction in the net realisable value of current assets, or
an impairment loss. In addition, where the Group acts as operator of the joint venture, the gross liabilities
and  receivables  (including  amounts  due  to  or  from  non-operating  partners)  of  the  joint  venture  are
included in the Consolidated Statement of financial position.

Business combinations
The Group has chosen to adopt IFRS 3 prospectively from the date of transition and not restate historic
business  combinations  from  before  this  date.  Business  combinations  from  the  date  of  transition  are
accounted for under IFRS 3 using the purchase method.

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the
net  identifiable  assets  of  the  acquired  subsidiary  or  associate  at  the  date  of  acquisition.  Goodwill  on
acquisitions  of  subsidiaries  is  included  in  ‘intangible  assets’.  Separately  recognised  goodwill  is  tested
annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Impairment losses on
goodwill are not reversed. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of
goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Goodwill  is  allocated  to  cash-generating  units  for  the  purpose  of  impairment  testing.  The  allocation  is
made to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from
the business combination in which the goodwill arose. The Group allocates goodwill to each business
segment in each country in which it operates.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

30

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Impairment of non-financial assets
Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example goodwill, are not subject to amortisation and are
tested annually for impairment. 

At each statement of financial position date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and
intangible  assets  to  determine  whether  there  is  any  indication  that  those  assets  have  suffered  an
impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order
to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that
are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating
unit to which the asset belongs. An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is tested for impairment
annually and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired. 

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in
use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate
that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for
which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. 

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying
amount, the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount.
An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a re-
valued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease. 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating unit)
is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount
does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been
recognised  for  the  asset  (cash-generating  unit)  in  prior  periods.  A  reversal  of  an  impairment  loss  is
recognised as income immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which
case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase. 

Intangible assets
Oil and gas assets: exploration and evaluation
The  Group  has  continued  to  apply  the  ‘successful  efforts’  method  of  accounting  for  Exploration  and
Evaluation (“E&E”) costs, having regard to the requirements of IFRS 6 ‘Exploration for the Evaluation of
Mineral Resources’. 

The  successful  efforts  method  means  that  only  the  costs  which  relate  directly  to  the  discovery  and
development  of  specific  oil  and  gas  reserves  are  capitalised.  Such  costs  may  include  costs  of  license
acquisition, technical services and studies, seismic acquisition; exploration drilling and testing but do not
include  costs  incurred  prior  to  having  obtained  the  legal  rights  to  explore  the  area.  Under  successful
efforts accounting, exploration expenditure which is general in nature is charged directly to the income
statement and that which relates to unsuccessful drilling operations, though initially capitalised pending
determination,  is  subsequently  written  off.  Only  costs  which  relate  directly  to  the  discovery  and
development of specific commercial oil and gas reserves will remain capitalised and to be depreciated
over the lives of these reserves. The success or failure of each exploration effort will be judged on a well-
by-well basis as each potentially hydrocarbon-bearing structure is identified and tested. Exploration and
evaluation  costs  are  capitalised  within  intangible  assets.  Capital  expenditure  on  producing  assets  is
accounted for in accordance with SORP ‘Accounting for Oil and Gas Exploration’. Costs incurred prior
to obtaining legal rights to explore are expensed immediately to the income statement.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

31

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Intangible assets continued
Oil and gas assets: exploration and evaluation continued
All  lease  and  licence  acquisition  costs,  geological  and  geophysical  costs  and  other  direct  costs  of
exploration, evaluation and development are capitalised as intangible or property, plant and equipment
according  to  their  nature.  Intangible  assets  comprise  costs  relating  to  the  exploration  and  evaluation  of
properties which the directors consider to be unevaluated until reserves are appraised as commercial, at
which time they are transferred to tangible assets as ‘Developed oil and gas assets’ following an impairment
review  and  depreciated  accordingly.  Where  properties  are  appraised  to  have  no  commercial  value,  the
associated costs are treated as an impairment loss in the period in which the determination is made. 

Costs  are  amortised  on  a  field  by  field  unit  of  production  method  based  on  commercial  proven  and
probable reserves, or to the expiry of the licence, whichever is earlier.

The calculation of the ‘unit of production’ amortisation takes account of the estimated future development
costs  and  is  based  on  the  current  period  and  un-escalated  price  levels.  Changes  in  reserves  and  cost
estimates are recognised prospectively. 

E&E costs are not amortised prior to the conclusion of appraisal activities.

Property, plant and equipment
Oil and gas assets: development and production
Development and production (“D&P”) assets are accumulated on a well by well basis and represent the
cost of developing the commercial reserves discovered and bringing them into production, together with
the E&E expenditures incurred in finding commercial reserves transferred from intangible E&E assets as
outlined above. The carrying values of producing assets are depreciated on a well by well basis using
the unit of production method based on entitlement to provide by reference to the ratio of production in
the  period  to  the  related  commercial  reserves  of  the  well,  taking  into  account  any  estimated  future
development expenditures necessary to bring additional non producing reserves into production. 

An impairment test is performed for D&P assets whenever events and circumstances arise that indicate
that the carrying value of development or production phase assets may exceed its recoverable amount.
The  aggregate  carrying  value  is  compared  against  the  expected  recoverable  amount  of  each  well,
generally  by  reference  to  the  present  value  of  the  future  net  cash  flows  expected  to  be  derived  from
production of commercial reserves. 

The  cost  of  the  workovers  and  extended  production  testing  is  capitalised  within  property,  plant  and
equipment as a D&P asset.

The D&P assets for Nancy-Burdine-Maxine wells are amortised evenly over the remaining life of the licence.

Decommissioning
Site restoration provisions are made in respect of the estimated future costs of closure and restoration, and
for  environmental  rehabilitation  costs  (which  include  the  dismantling  and  demolition  of  infrastructure,
removal  of  residual  materials  and  remediation  of  disturbed  areas)  in  the  accounting  period  when  the
related environmental disturbance occurs. The provision is discounted where material and the unwinding
of the discount is included in finance costs. Over time, the discounted provision is increased for the change
in present value based on the discount rates that reflect current market assessments and the risks specific
to the liability. At the time of establishing the provision, a corresponding asset is capitalised where it gives
rise  to  a  future  benefit  and  depreciated  over  future  production  from  the  field  to  which  it  relates.  The
provision is reviewed on an annual basis for changes in cost estimates, discount rates or life of operations.
Any  change  in  restoration  costs  or  assumptions  will  be  recognised  as  additions  or  charges  to  the
corresponding asset and provision when they occur. For permanently closed sites, changes to estimated
costs are recognised immediately in the income Statement.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

32

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Property, plant and equipment continued
Non oil and gas assets
Non oil gas assets are stated at cost of acquisition less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.
Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis at rates calculated to write off the cost less the estimated
residual value of each asset over its expected useful economic life. The residual value is the estimated
amount that would currently be obtained from disposal of the asset if the asset were already of the age
and in the condition expected at the end of its useful life.

Buildings, plant and equipment unrelated to production are depreciated using the straight-line method
based on estimated useful lives.

The annual rate of depreciation for each class of depreciable asset is:

Equipment and machinery

4-10 years

The carrying value of tangible fixed assets is assessed annually and any impairment is charged to the
income statement.

Investments
Investments are stated at cost less provision for any impairment in value.

Trade receivables
Trade  receivables  are  recognised  initially  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost
using  the  effective  interest  method,  less  provision  for  impairment.  A  provision  for  impairment  is
established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due
according  to  the  original  terms  of  the  receivables.  Significant  financial  difficulties  of  the  debtor,
probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default or delinquency
in payments are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash  and  cash  equivalents  include  cash  in  hand,  deposits  held  on  call  with  banks,  other  short-term
highly  liquid  investments  with  original  maturities  of  three  months  or  less,  and  bank  overdrafts.  Bank
overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the statement of financial position.

Inventories
Inventories, including materials, equipment and inventories of gas and oil held for sale in the ordinary
course of business, are stated at weighted average historical cost, less provision for deterioration and
obsolescence or, if lower, net realisable value.

Revenue
Oil and gas sales revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and
represents amounts receivable for the Group’s share of oil and gas supplied in the period. Revenue is
shown  net  of  value-added  tax,  returns,  rebates  and  discounts  and  after  eliminating  sales  within  the
Group.  Revenue  is  recognised  when  the  oil  and  gas  produced  is  despatched  and  received  by  the
customers.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

33

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Taxation
Income tax
Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit or loss for the year. Taxable profit or loss differs from
profit or loss as reported in the same income statement because it excludes items of income or expense
that  are  taxable  or  deductible  in  other  periods  and  it  further  excludes  items  that  are  never  taxable  or
deductible. The Company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted
or substantively enacted by the statement of financial position date. 

Deferred tax 
Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the
financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is
accounted  for  using  the  statement  of  financial  position  liability  method.  Deferred  tax  liabilities  are
generally 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. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises
from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and
liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax is reviewed at each statement of financial position 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.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled
or the asset realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited to income statement, except when it relates to
items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax
assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation
authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Trade payables 
Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value.

Fair values 
The carrying amounts of the financial assets and liabilities such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables
and payables of the Group at the statement of financial position date approximated their fair values, due
to relatively short term nature of these financial instruments.

The  Company  provides  financial  guarantees  to  licensed  banks  for  credit  facilities  extended  to  a
subsidiary  company.  The  fair  value  of  such  financial  guarantees  is  not  expected  to  be  significantly
different as the probability of the subsidiary company defaulting on the credit lines is remote.

Share-based compensation
The fair value of the employee and suppliers services received in exchange for the grant of the options is
recognised  as  an  expense.  The  total  amount  to  be  expensed  over  the  vesting  period  is  determined  by
reference  to  the  fair  value  of  the  options  granted,  excluding  the  impact  of  any  non-market  vesting
conditions  (for  example,  profitability  and  sales  growth  targets).  Non-market  vesting  conditions  are
included  in  assumptions  about  the  number  of  options  that  are  expected  to  vest.  At  each  statement  of
financial position date, the entity revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to vest.
It  recognises  the  impact  of  the  revision  to  original  estimates,  if  any,  in  the  income  statement,  with  a
corresponding adjustment to equity.

The  proceeds  received  net  of  any  directly  attributable  transaction  costs  are  credited  to  share  capital
(nominal value) and share premium when the options are exercised. 

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

34

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Share-based compensation continued
Share based payments (Note 20)
The fair value of share-based payments recognised in the income statement is measured by use of the
Black Scholes model, which takes into account conditions attached to the vesting and exercise of the
equity  instruments.  The  expected  life  used  in  the  model  is  adjusted;  based  on  management’s  best
estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. The
share price volatility percentage factor used in the calculation is based on management’s best estimate
of  future  share  price  behaviour  and  is  selected  based  on  past  experience,  future  expectations  and
benchmarked against peer companies in the industry.

Equity instruments 
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental  costs  directly  attributable  to  the  issue  of  new  shares  or  options  are  shown  in  equity  as  a
deduction, net of tax, from proceeds.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present obligation as a result of a past event, and
it is probable that the Company will be required to settle that obligation. Provisions are measured at the
directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the statement of financial
position date, and are discounted to present value where the effect is material.

Financial instruments
Non-derivative financial instruments comprise investments in equity and debt securities, trade and other
receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings, and trade and other payables.

Non-derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value plus, for instruments not at fair
value  through  profit  or  loss,  any  directly  attributable  transactions  costs,  except  as  described  below.
Subsequent to initial recognition non-derivative financial instruments are measured as described below.

A financial instrument is recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of
the instrument. Financial assets are derecognised if the Group’s contractual rights to the cash flows from
the financial assets expire or if the Group transfers the financial assets to another party without retaining
control or substantially all risks and rewards of the asset. Regular purchases and sales of financial assets
are accounted for at trade date, i.e. the date that the Group commits itself to purchase or sell the asset.
Financial  liabilities  are  derecognised  if  the  Group’s  obligations  specified  in  the  contract  expire  or  are
discharged or cancelled.

Foreign currencies
(i)

Functional and presentation currency
Items  included  in  the  financial  statements  of  the  Group  are  measured  using  the  currency  of  the
primary  economic  environment  in  which  the  entity  operates  (the  functional  currency),  which  are
mainly in Pounds Sterling (£), US Dollars (USD), Colombian Pesos (COP) and Peruvian Nuevo Sol
(PEN).  The  financial  statements  are  presented  in  Pounds  Sterling  (£),  which  is  the  Group’s
presentation currency.

(ii)

Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the presentational currency using exchange rates
prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the
settlement of such transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

35

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Foreign currencies continued
(iii) Group companies

The results and financial position of all Group entities (none of which has the currency of a hyper-
inflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are
translated into the presentation currency as follows:

(a)

(b)

assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the
closing rate at the date of that statement of financial position;

income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates
(unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates
prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the
rate on the dates of the transactions); and

(c)

all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign
operations,  and  of  borrowings  and  other  currency  instruments  designated  as  hedges  of  such
investments, are taken to shareholders’ equity. When a foreign operation is partially disposed of or
sold, exchange differences that were recorded in equity are recognised in the income statement as
part of the gain or loss on sale.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as
assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate.

Management of capital
The Group’s policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when
they  become  due.  The  principal  liabilities  of  the  Group  arise  in  respect  of  committed  expenditure  in
respect of its ongoing exploration work. To achieve this aim, it seeks to raise new equity finance and debt
sufficient to meet the next phase of exploration and where relevant development expenditure.

The Board receives cash flow projections on a monthly basis as well as information on cash balances.
The Board will not commit to material expenditure in respect of its ongoing exploration work prior to
being satisfied that sufficient funding is available to the Group to finance the planned programmes. 

Dividends will be issued when there are sufficient reserves available.

Critical accounting judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and
assumptions  concerning  the  future  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The resulting accounting estimates will,
by definition, differ from the related actual results. 

Plant and equipment, intangible assets & impairment of goodwill
Intangible assets plant and equipment are amortised or depreciated over their useful lives. Useful lives
are  based  on  management’s  estimates  of  the  period  that  the  assets  will  generate  revenue,  which  are
periodically  reviewed  for  continued  appropriateness.  Changes  to  the  estimates  used  can  result  in
significant variations in the carrying value.

The Group assesses the impairment of plant and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortisation
or depreciation whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not
be recoverable.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

36

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

1

Significant accounting policies continued
Plant and equipment, intangible assets & impairment of goodwill continued
Additionally, goodwill arising on acquisitions is subject to impairment review. The Group’s management
undertakes  an  impairment  review  of  goodwill  annually  or  more  frequently  if  events  or  changes  in
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

The discount rate used by the group during the period for impairment testing was 10%. 

The complexity of the estimation process and issues related to the assumptions, risks and uncertainties
inherent in the application of the Group’s accounting estimates in relation to plant and equipment and
intangible assets affect the amounts reported in the financial statements, especially the estimates of the
expected  useful  economic  lives  and  the  carrying  values  of  those  assets.  If  business  conditions  were
different, or if different assumptions were used in the application of this and other accounting estimates,
it is likely that materially different amounts could be reported in the Group’s financial statements.

The directors have carried out a detailed impairment review in respect of goodwill. The group assesses
at each reporting date whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired, by considering the
net present value of discounted cash flows forecasts which have been discounted at 10%. The cash flow
projections are based on the assumption that the group can realise projected sales. A prudent approach
has been applied with no residual value being factored. At the period end, based on these assumptions
there was no indication of impairment of the value of goodwill.

However, if the projected sales do not materialise there is a risk that the value of the intangible assets
shown above would be impaired.

Commercial reserves estimates 
Oil  and  gas  reserve  estimates:  estimation  of  recoverable  reserves  include  assumptions  regarding
commodity prices, exchange rates, discount rates, production and transportation costs all of which impact
future cashflows. It also requires the interpretation of complex geological and geophysical models in order
to make an assessment of the size, shape, depth and quality of reservoirs and their anticipated recoveries.
The  economic,  geological  and  technical  factors  used  to  estimate  reserves  may  change  from  period  to
period. Changes in estimated reserves can impact developed and undeveloped property carrying values,
asset retirement costs and the recognition of income tax assets, due to changes in expected future cash
flows. Reserve estimates are also integral to the amount of depletion and depreciation charged to income.

Decommissioning costs 
Asset retirement obligations: the amounts recorded for asset retirement obligations are based on each
field’s operator’s best estimate of future costs and the remaining time to abandonment of oil and gas
properties, which may also depend on commodity prices. 

Share based payments (Note 20) 
The fair value of share based payments recognised in the income statement is measured by use of the
Black Scholes model, which takes into account conditions attached to the vesting and exercise of the
equity  instruments.  The  expected  life  used  in  the  model  is  adjusted;  based  on  management’s  best
estimate, for the effects of non ¬transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. The
share price volatility percentage factor used in the calculation is based on management’s best estimate
of  future  share  price  behaviour  and  is  selected  based  on  past  experience,  future  expectations  and
benchmarked against peer companies in the industry. 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and
assumptions  concerning  the  future  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The resulting accounting estimates will,
by definition, differ from the related actual results.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

37

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

2 

Segmental Information
In  the  opinion  of  the  Directors  the  Group  has  one  class  of  business,  being  the  exploration  for,  and
development and production of, oil and gas reserves, and other related activities.

The Group’s primary reporting format is determined to be the geographical segment according to the
location of the oil and gas asset. There are currently two geographic reporting segments: South America,
which is involved in production, development and exploration activity, and the United Kingdom being the
head office.

Exploration and production 
year ended 31 December 2013

Revenue – oil
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Intangible asset impairment
Loss on disposal of investment
Goodwill impairment
Destruction of oilfield assets
Administration expenses
Other operating income

Operating (loss)/profit

Finance costs 
Finance income

(Loss)/Profit before taxation

Income tax expense

Loss/(Profit) before taxation

Assets and liabilities
Segment assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Segment liabilities
Current tax liabilities

Total liabilities

Other segment items
Capital expenditure
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges

United
Kingdom
£’000

South
America
£’000

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
(965)
–

(965)

–
3

(962)

–

(962)

8 
2,415 

2,423 

289 
–

289 

–
–

2,211 
(2,397)

(186)

(384)
(88)
(526)
(232)
(1,078)
486 

(2,008)

(68)
40 

(2,036)

(567)

(2,603)

8,040 
1,939 

9,979 

3,001 
769 

3,770 

2,714 
663 

Total
£’000

2,211 
(2,397)

(186)

(384)
(88)
(526)
(232)
(2,043)
486 

(2,973)

(68)
43 

(2,998)

(567)

(3,565)

8,048 
4,354 

12,402 

3,290 
769 

4,059 

2,714 
663 

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

38

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

2 

Segmental Information continued
Exploration and production
year ended 31 December 2012

Revenue – oil
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Intangible asset impairment
Goodwill impairment
Administration expenses
Other operating income

Operating (loss)/profit

Finance costs 
Finance income

(Loss)/Profit before taxation

Income tax expense

Loss/(Profit) before taxation

Assets and liabilities
Segment assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Segment liabilities
Current tax liabilities

Total liabilities

United
Kingdom
£’000

South
America
£’000

–
–

–

–
–
(1,922)
–

(1,922)

–
4 

(1,918)

–

(1,918)

36 
2,287 

2,323 

(236)
–

(236)

2,832 
(2,623)

209 

(5,535)
(728)
(1,345)
17 

(7,382)

(69)
16 

(7,435)

(118)

(7,553)

10,912 
897 

11,809 

4,674 
238 

4,912 

Total
£’000

2,832 
(2,623)

209 

(5,535)
(728)
(3,267)
17 

(9,304)

(69)
20 

(9,353)

(118)

(9,471)

10,948 
3,184 

14,132 

4,438 
238 

4,676 

Other segment items
Capital expenditure
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges

–
–

2,092 
7,057 

2,092 
7,057 

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

39

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

3

Loss from operations
The loss on ordinary activities before taxation is stated after charging:

Auditors’ remuneration

Group – audit
Group – prior year audit
Company – audit
Company – prior year audit
Group – other non-audit services
Company – other non-audit services
Depreciation of non oil and gas assets
Depreciation of oil and gas assets
Loss on disposal of investment
Impairment of intangible assets
Loss on exchange

2013
£’000

46 
–
28 
–
12 
–
5 
1,209 
88
384 
104 

2012
£’000

54 
34 
30 
21 
5 
5 
5 
789 
–
5,535 
191 

The analysis of development and administrative expenses in the consolidated income statement by nature
of expense is:

Employee benefit expense
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges
Legal and professional fees
(Gain)/loss on exchange
Other expenses

2013
£’000

599 
663 
410 
104 
651 

2,427 

2012
£’000

884 
6,329 
745 
191 
653 

8,802 

4

Staff numbers and cost
The average number of persons employed by the Group (including directors) during the year, analysed
by category, were as follows:

Directors 
Technical and production
Administration

Total 

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

Wages and salaries
Directors’ salaries
Share based payments
Social security costs

2013
Number

2012
Number

3
22
9

34

4
23
10

37

£’000

£’000

365
257
205
26

853

741
395
–
244

1,380

In addition to the above figure for directors’ salaries, in the year ended 31 December 2012 there was
an amount of £93,415 (of which £56,563 was capitalised as an intangible) of directors’ fees paid to
Sheer Energy Pty Ltd in respect of services provided by Ian Reid, a director during that year. There were
no such charges in 2013.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

40

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

5

Finance income

Bank interest received
Finance cost

Total 

6

Income tax expense
The tax charge on the loss on ordinary activities was:

UK Corporation Tax – current
Foreign taxation

2013
£’000

43 
(68)

(25)

2013
£’000

–
567 

567 

Foreign taxation arises from an under-provision for tax in 2012.

The total charge for the year can be reconciled to the accounting profit as follows:

(Loss) before tax
Continuing operations

Tax at composite group rate of 25% (2012: 26.5%)

Effects of:
Losses/(profits) not subject to tax
Change of tax rate on brought forward tax loss
Increase in tax losses
Foreign taxation

Tax expense

2013
£’000

(2,998)

(750)

(906)
(157)
1,813 
567 

567

2012
£’000

20 
(69)

(49)

2012
£’000

–
118 

118 

2012
£’000

(9,353)

(2,478)

1,441 
– 
1,037 
118 

118 

At 31 December 2013, the Group has tax losses of £17,733,000 (31 December 2012: £10,480,000)
to carry forward against future profits. The deferred tax asset on these tax losses at 25% of £4,433,000
(31December  2012:  at  26.5%,  £2,777,000)  has  not  been  recognised  due  to  the  uncertainty  of  the
recovery.

7

Loss for the period
As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Parent Company’s income statement has
not been included in these financial statements. The loss for the financial year is made up as follows:

Parent company’s loss

2013
£’000

4,272

2012
£’000

9,638

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

41

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

8

Earnings per share

Loss per ordinary share
– Basic
– Diluted

2013

2012

(0.31p)
(0.31p)

(1.06p)
(1.06p)

Earnings  per  ordinary  share  is  based  on  the  Group’s  loss  for  the  year  of  £3,565,000  (2012:  loss  of
£9,471,000).

The weighted average number of shares used in the calculation is the weighted average ordinary shares
in issue during the year.

2013
Number

2012
Number

Weighted average ordinary shares in issue during the year
Potentially dilutive warrants issued

1,151,995,217
32,474,523

891,513,025
24,072,404

Weighted average ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share

1,184,469,740

915,585,429

Due to the Group’s results for the year, the diluted earnings per share is deemed to be the same as the
basic earnings per share.

9

Property, plant and equipment

GROUP

Development
and production
costs
£’000

Equipment
and
machinery
£’000

Vehicles
£’000

Cost
At 1 January 2012
Foreign exchange translation adjustment
Acquisition of minority interest
Expenditure
Disposals

At 1 January 2013
Foreign exchange translation adjustment
Expenditure
Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Depreciation
At 1 January 2012
Foreign exchange translation adjustment
Acquisition of minority interest
Charge for the period
Disposals

At 1 January 2013
Foreign exchange translation adjustment
Charge for the period
Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Net book value
At 31 December 2013

At 31 December 2012

49 
–
–
–
–

49 
–
–
–

49 

15 
–
–
13 
–

28 
–
9 
–

37 

12 

21 

1,992 
3 
858
494
(3)

3,344 
(1)
2,276
(731)

4,888 

430 
–
265 
779 
(2)

1,472 
(1)
1,205 
(181)

2,495 

2,393 

1,872 

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

42

19 
4 
–
–
–

23 
–
–
–

23 

19 
4
–
–
–

23 
–
–
–

23 

–

–

Total
£’000

2,060 
7 
858 
494 
(3)

3,416 
(1)
2,276 
(731)

4,960 

464 
4 
265 
792 
(2)

1,523 
(1)
1,214 
(181)

2,555 

2,405 

1,893 

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

9

Property, plant and equipment continued

COMPANY

Cost
At 1 January 2012
Expenditure
Disposals

At 1 January 2013
Transferred to subsidiary undertakings
Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Depreciation
At 1 January 2012
Charge for the year
Disposals

At 1 January 2013
Transferred to subsidiary undertakings
Charge for the period
Eliminated on disposals

At 31 December 2013

Net book value
At 31 December 2013

At 31 December 2012

Development
and production
costs
£’000

Equipment
and
machinery
£’000

34 
–
–

34 
(34)
–

–

10 
10 
–

20 
(20)
–
–

–

–

14 

1,459 
209 
(3)

1,665 
(1,335)
(19)

311 

302 
398 
(2)

698 
(566)
79 
(10)

201 

110 

967

Total
£’000

1,493 
209 
(3)

1,699 
(1,369)
(19)

311 

312 
408 
(2)

718 
(586)
79 
(10)

201 

110 

981 

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

43

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

10 Intangible fixed assets

GROUP 

Cost
At 1 January 2012
Foreign exchange translation adjustment
Expenditure
Disposals
Reclassify as held for resale

At 1 January 2013
Foreign exchange translation adjustment
Expenditure
Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Impairment
At 1 January 2012
Charge for the period
Reclassify as held for resale

At 1 January 2013
Charge for the period
Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Net book value
At 31 December 2013

At 31 December 2012

Exploration
and
evaluation
costs
£’000

8,938 
116 
1,598 
(2,336)
(2,560)

5,756 
(19)
438 
(1,620)

4,555 

162 
3,639 
(84)

3,717 
(328)
(1,109)

2,280 

2,275 

2,039 

Licence
£’000

1,896 
–
–
–
–

1,896 
–
–
–

1,896 

–
1,896 
–

1,896 
–
–

1,896 

–

–

Total
£’000

10,834 
116 
1,598 
(2,336)
(2,560)

7,652 
(19)
438 
(1,620)

6,451 

162 
5,535 
(84)

5,613 
(328)
(1,109)

4,176 

2,275 

2,039 

The  impairment  of  all  intangible  assets  has  been  reviewed,  giving  rise  to  the  following  impairment
charges, or reduction in impairment charges.

Block Z34 offshore Peru: the carrying value of this asset has been set by reference to the value of the
farm-out  to  Union  Oil  &  Gas,  which  was  US$6,000,000  for  an  80%  interest,  equating  to  an  overall
value of US$7,500,000. The sale of the Group’s share in Plectrum Petroleum Limited during the year,
accounting for a 50% interest in the asset, gives rise to a release of impairment amounting to £511,000.
The  remaining  50%  has  been  impaired  to  a  value  representing  50%  of  the  value  implied  by  the 
farm-out.

Peru Block XXI, Colombia Rosa Blanca and Colombia Azar: all these fields are impaired fully due to their
uncertain prospects.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

44

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

10 Intangible fixed assets continued

COMPANY 

Cost
At 1 January 2012
Expenditure

At 1 January 2013
Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Impairment
At 1 January 2012
Charge for the year

At 1 January 2013
Charge for the period
Disposals

At 31 December 2013

Net book value
At 31 December 2013

At 31 December 2012

Exploration
and
evaluation
costs
£’000

Licence
£’000

Total
£’000

4,433 
1,203 

5,636 
(2,917)

2,719 

–
3,470 

3,470 
1,986 
(2,737)

2,719 

4,433 
1,203 

5,636 
(2,917)

2,719 

–
3,470 

3,470 
1,986 
(2,737)

2,719 

–

–

2,166 

2,166 

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

The exploration and evaluation costs above represent the cost in acquiring, exploring and evaluating the
company’s and group’s assets. The Nancy Burdine Maxine oil fields have commercial reserves and are
currently in production. The assets have been assessed for impairment and appropriate provisions have
been made.

The acquisition of licence relates to the 20% interest in the Azar field in Colombia through the company’s
subsidiary, Red River Capital Advisors SA. Exporation activities in this field have now ceased and, as a
result, the asset is fully impaired, along with its associated exploration and evaluation costs.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

45

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

11 Goodwill

GROUP

Cost
At 1 January 2012
Foreign exchange translation adjustment
Expenditure

At 1January 2013
Adjustment to goodwill

At 31 December 2013

Impairment
At 1 January 2012
Charge for the period

At 1January 2013
Charge for the period

At 31 December 2013

Net book value
At 31 December 2013

At 31 December 2012

Goodwill on
consolidation
of subsidiaries
£’000

2,341 
(32)
573 

2,882 
(556)

2,326 

150 
728 

878 
526 

1,404 

922 

2,004

The  carrying  value  of  goodwill  represents  the  acquisition  of  Inversiones  Petroleras  de  Colombia  SA.
Between  November  2012  and  January  2013,  this  subsidiary  entered  into  agreements  to  acquire  the
41.95% interest in the Nancy-Burdine-Maxine oil fields not previously held which, when added to the
Group’s existing 59.05% interest in these assets, gives the Group 100% control over these operations.
Under these agreements, the group is entitled to 100% of the net income from these fields with effect
from January 2012. Accordingly, the goodwill cost of acquiring the remaining interests in these fields is
fully reflected in these Financial Statements.

12 Intangible assets held for sale

2013

Group
£’000

Company
£’000

2012

Group
£’000

Company
£’000

Intangible assets: 
exploration and evaluation costs

–

–

2,476

–

The assets and liabilities related to Plectrum Petroleum Limited were presentred as held for sale following
the completion of the sale of this company on 30 April 2013.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

46

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

13 Investments

COMPANY

Cost
At 1 January 2012
Expenditure
Exchange rate adjustment

At 1 January 2013
Expenditure
Disposals
Exchange rate adjustment

At 31 December 2013

Impairment
At 1 January 2012
Charge for the year

At 1 January 2013
Charge for the period

At 31 December 2013

Carrying value
At 31 December 2013

At 31 December 2012

Loans to
group
undertaking
£’000

Shares in
group
undertaking
£’000

5,743 
(205)
30 

5,568 
379 
(2,560)
–

3,387 

1,928 
1,164 

3,092 
295 

3,387 

–

2,476 

7,139 
–
–

7,139 
–
–
–

7,139 

2,727 
2,672 

5,399 
632 

6,031 

1,108 

1,740 

Total
£’000

12,882 
(205)
30 

12,707 
379 
(2,560)
–

10,526 

4,655 
3,836 

8,491 
927

9,418 

1,108 

4,216 

In August 2008, the Group acquired the whole of the issued share capital of Inversiones Petroleras de
Colombia  SA,  incorporated  in  Colombia,  which  now  holds  an  effective  100%  interest  in  the  Nancy-
Burdine-Maxine oil fields. 

The  company  has  made  provision  on  the  the  investment  in  Gold  Oil  Peru  S.A.C.  of  £6,016,000 
(2012:  £5,636,000)  to  reflect  the  underlying  impairment  of  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  in  the
subsidiary.

The Company’s subsidiary undertakings at the year end were as follows:

Subsidiary/
controlled entity

Place of
incorporation
and operation

Proportion
of ownership

Proportion
of voting
interest power held
%

% 

Method
used to
account for
investment

Colombia

Gold Oil Plc 
Sucursal Colombia
Gold Oil Peru S.A.C Peru
Gold Oil 
Caribbean Limited
Ayoopco Ltd

Commonwealth of 
Dominica
England

Panama

Colombia

Red River Capital 
Advisors SA
Union Temporal II 
& B (i)
Nexxus Energy 
Corporation
Inversiones Petroleras  Colombia
de Colombia SA (ii)
Invepetrol Limited

England

Panama

100

100
100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

equity method

100
100

equity method
equity method

100

equity method

100

equity method

100

equity method

100

equity method

100

equity method

100

equity method

Nature of business

Exploration and 
production of oil and gas
Exploration of oil and gas
Exploration of oil and gas

Exploration and 
production of oil and gas
Holding company

Exploration and 
production of oil and gas
Holding company

Exploration and 
production of oil and gas
Dormant

All shareholdings are in ordinary, voting shares.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

47

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

13 Investments continued

The results of subsidiaries is as follows:

Gold Oil Plc Sucursal Colombia
Aggregate capital and reserves 
Profit for the year
Gold Oil Peru S.A.C
Aggregate capital and reserves 
Profit/(Loss) for the year
Gold Oil Caribbean Limited
Aggregate capital and reserves 
Profit for the year
Ayoopco Ltd
Aggregate capital and reserves 
(Loss) for the year
Red River Capital Advisors SA
Aggregate capital and reserves 
(Loss) for the year
Union Temporal II & B (i)
Aggregate capital and reserves 
Profit for the year
Nexxus Energy Corporation
Aggregate capital and reserves 
Profit/(loss)for the year
Inversiones Petroleras de Colombia SA (ii)
Aggregate capital and reserves 
Profit/(loss)for the year
Plectrum Petroleum Limited (iii)
Aggregate capital and reserves 
Profit for the year
Invepetrol Limited
Aggregate capital and reserves 
Profit for the year

2013
£’000

1,529 
(3,114)

(677)
(780)

1,287 
(741)

–
(12)

–
–

2012
£’000

4,311 
(220)

407 
(343)

2,535 
–

12 
–

–
–

(2,040)
(2,259)

1,340 
(676)

–
–

267 
199 

–
–

–
–

–
–

207 
(174)

9,944 
–

–
–

(i)

The Union Temporal II & B (“UT”) is a joint venture operating in the Nancy-Burdine-Maxine fields in southern Colombia.
Since December 2012, the UT has been under the 100% control of Inversiones Petroleras de Colombia SA.

(ii) Held by Nexxus Energy Corporation.
(iii) Disposed of during the year.

14 Inventories

Exploration materials and consumables
Crude oil

Group
£’000

78 
157 

235 

2013

Company
£’000

2012

Group
£’000

Company
£’000

–
–

–

67 
46 

113 

18 
–

18 

The amount of brought forward inventories to form part of cost of sales during the year was £90,000.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

48

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

15 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Amounts owed by subsidiary and 
associate undertakings
Prepayments and accrued income

16 Cash and cash equivalents

Bank current accounts
Bank deposit accounts

Group
£’000

685 
1,494 

–
32 

2,211 

Group
£’000

26 
4,328 

4,354 

2013

Company
£’000

–
33 

1,567 
6 

1,606 

Group
£’000

1,078 
1,322 

–
23 

2,423 

2012

Company
£’000

246 
305 

255 
6 

812 

2013

2012

Company
£’000

21 
2,480 

2,501 

Group
£’000

41 
3,143 

3,184 

Company
£’000

36 
2,492 

2,528 

Bank deposit accounts comprise cash held by the Group and short-term bank deposits with an original
maturity  of  three  months  or  less  and  earn  interest  at  respective  short-term  deposit  rates.  The  carrying
amount of these assets approximates to their fair value.

As at 31 December 2013, bank deposits included £2,276,083 (2012: £2,233,760) that is being held
as a guarantee in respect of a letter of credit and is not available for use until the Group fulfills certain
licence commitments in Peru and Colombia. This is not considered to be liquid cash and has therefore
been excluded from the cash flow statement.

17 Trade and other payables

Bank loans and overdrafts
Trade payables
Other payables
Amounts owed by subsidiary and 
associate undertakings
Accruals and deferred income
Provisions
Taxation

Group
£’000

12
1,881 
666 

–
678 
53 
769 

4,059 

2013

Company
£’000

–
54 
338 

235 
31 
–
80 

738 

18 Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid
Equity: 1,169,513,025 (2012: 891,513,025) 
ordinary shares of £0.00025 each

Group
£’000

–
2,637 
1,616 

–
132 
53 
238 

4,676 

2012

Company
£’000

–
758 
76 

2,809 
113 
36 
47 

3,839 

2013
£’000

2012
£’000

292 

223 

During the year, the Company issued 278,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of 0.75p each.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

49

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

19 Share premium and reserves

GROUP

At beginning of the year
Loss for the year 
Foreign exchange translation adjustments
Premium on share issues
Costs of issuing shares
Share based payments

COMPANY

At beginning of the year
Loss for the year 
Foreign exchange translation adjustments
Premium on share issues
Costs of issuing shares
Shares to be issued 

Share
premium
account
£’000

25,323 
–
–
2,016 
(35)
–

27,304 

Share
premium
account
£’000

25,323 
–
–
2,016
(35)
–

27,304 

Share
option
reserve
£’000

–
–
–
–
–
205 

205 

Share
option
reserve
£’000

–
–
–
–
–
205 

205 

Foreign
exchange
translation
reserve
£’000

1,292 
–
197
–
–
–

1,489 

Foreign
exchange
translation
reserve
£’000

214 
–
(278)
–
–
–

(64)

Profit
and loss
account
£’000

(17,382)
(3,565)
–
–
–
–

(20,947)

Profit
and loss
account
£’000

(18,878)
(4,272)
–
–
–
–

(23,150)

Details  of  options  issued,  exercised  and  lapsed  during  the  year  together  with  options  outstanding  at 
31 December 2013 are as follows:

Issue date

Final exercise date

Exercise
price

1 January
2013
Number

New
issue Exercised

Lapsed
Number Number Number

31 December
2013
Number

17 February 2010 17 February 2013
26 October 2011 26 October 2014
27 January 2013
27 June 2013
27 June 2013

27 January 2016 £0.0075
£0.0160
27 June 2016
£0.0167
27 June 2016

£0.04 4,000,000
£0.055 4,000,000

–
–
– 22,000,000
– 11,250,000
2,990,431
–

–
– 4,000,000
–
–
4,000,000 
– 22,000,000
–
– 11,250,000
–
2,990,431
–
–

8,000,000 36,240,431

– 4,000,000 40,240,431

Details  of  options  issued,  exercised  and  lapsed  during  the  year  together  with  options  outstanding  at 
31 December 2012 are as follows:

Issue date

Final exercise date

Exercise
price

1 January
2012

New
issue Exercised
Number Number Number

Lapsed
Number

31 December
2012
Number

1 May 2009
17 February 2010 17 February 2013
26 October 2012 26 October 2014

30 April 2012

£0.04 2,500,000 
£0.04 7,000,000
£0.06 32,000,000

41,500,000

–
–
–

–

2,500,000
–
–
3,000,000
– 28,000,000

–
4,000,000 
4,000,000 

– 33,500,000

8,000,000

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

50

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

20 Share based payments

The fair values of the options granted have been calculated using Black-Scholes model assuming the
inputs shown below:

Grant date

Number of warrants granted
Share price at grant date
Exercise price at grant date
Option life
Risk free rate
Expected volatility
Expected dividend yield
Fair value of option

27 June
2013

2,990,431
1.45p
1.67p
3 years
0.85%
80%
0%
0.36p

27 June
2013

27 January
2013

11,250,000
1.45p
1.6p
3 years
0.85%
80%
0%
0.36p

22,000,000
1.80p
0.75p
3 years
0.59%
80%
0%
0.75p

26 October
2011

4,000,000 
2.74p
5.5p
3 years
0.85%
80%
0%
0.48p

The  options  will  not  normally  be  exercisable  during  a  closed  period,  and  furthermore  can  only  be
exercisable if the performance conditions are satisfied. Subsisting options will lapse no later than 3 years
after the date of grant. Options, which have vested immediately before either the death of a participant
or  his  ceasing  to  be  an  eligible  employee  by  reason  of  injury,  disability,  redundancy,  retirement  or
dismissal (otherwise than for good cause) shall remain, exercisable (to the extent vested) for 12 months
after such cessation, and all non-vested options shall lapse. 

Options in respect of 36,240,431 ordinary shares were issued in 2013, and can be exercised at any
time  during  the  option  period.  All  options  are  settled  in  equity.  A  share  based  payment  charge  of
£205,000 (2012: nil) arose in relation to options in existence at 31 December 2013.

21 Directors’ emoluments

Directors’ remuneration
Directors’ fees 
Share based payments
Compensation for loss of office

2013
£’000

171 
86 
205 
–

462 

2012
£’000

438 
35 
–
16 

489 

Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2012 includes a salary paid to Ian Reid, a
director until 29 June 2012, which was paid via the consultancy agreement referred to in note 27 below. 

Highest paid director emoluments and other benefits are as listed below.

Remuneration
Share based payments

2013
£’000

171
205

376 

2012
£’000

128
–

128 

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

51

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

22 Financial instruments

The  Group’s  activities  expose  it  to  a  variety  of  financial  risks:  credit  risk,  cash  flow  interest  rate  risk,
foreign currency risk, liquidity risk, price risk and capital risk. The Group’s activities also expose it to non-
financial risks: market risk. The Group’s overall risk management programme focuses on unpredictability
and seeks to minimise the potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance. The Board,
on a regular basis, reviews key risks and, where appropriate, actions are taken to mitigate the key risks
identified.

Financial instruments – Risk Management
The Group is exposed through its operations to the following risks:

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

Credit risk
Cash flow interest rate risk
Foreign Exchange Risk
Liquidity risk
Price risk
Capital risk
Market risk

In common with all other businesses, the Group is exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial
instruments. This note describes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks
and  the  methods  used  to  measure  them.  Further  quantitative  information  in  respect  of  these  risks  is
presented throughout these financial statements.

There  have  been  no  substantive  changes  in  the  Group’s  exposure  to  financial  instrument  risks,  its
objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks or the methods used to measure them from
previous periods unless otherwise stated in this note.

Principal financial instruments
The principal financial instruments used by the Group, from which financial instrument risk arises are as
follows:

l

l

l

l

l

Loans and receivables
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Short term investments
Trade and other payables

General objectives, policies and processes
The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group’s risk management objectives
and policies and, whilst retaining responsibility for them it has delegated the authority for designing and
operating  processes  that  ensure  the  effective  implementation  of  the  objectives  and  policies  to  the
Group’s finance function. The Board receive regular updates from the Executive Directors through which
it reviews the effectiveness of the processes put in place and the appropriateness of the objectives and
policies it sets. The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce as far as possible
without  unduly  affecting  the  Group’s  competitiveness  and  flexibility.  Further  details  regarding  these
policies are set out below:

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

52

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

22 Financial instruments continued

Credit risk
The  Group’s  principal  financial  assets  are  bank  balances  and  cash,  trade  and  other  receivables.  The
credit  risk  on  liquid  funds  is  limited  because  the  counter  parties  are  banks  with  high  credit  ratings
assigned  by  international  credit-rating  agencies.  The  Group’s  credit  risk  is  primarily  attributable  to  its
trade. The amounts presented in the statement of financial position are net of allowance for doubtful
receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based
on previous experiences, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. The Group
has  no  significant  concentration  of  credit  risk,  with  exposure  spread  over  a  large  number  of
counterparties and customers.

As at 31 December 2013 the ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows:

31 December 2013

31 December 2012

Neither past 
due nor
impaired
£’000

688

1,078

Total
£’000

688

1,078

Cash flow interest rate risk
The Group is exposed to cash flow interest rate risk from its deposits of cash and cash equivalents with
banks. The cash balances maintained by the Group are proactively managed in order to ensure that the
maximum level of interest is received for the available funds but without affecting the working capital
flexibility the Group requires.

The Group is not at present exposed to cash flow interest rate risk on borrowings as it has no significant
debt.  No  subsidiary  company  of  the  Group  is  permitted  to  enter  into  any  borrowing  facility  or  lease
agreement without the prior consent of the Company.

Interest rates on financial assets and liabilities
The Group’s financial assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, loans, trade and other receivables.
The interest rate profile at period end of these assets was as follows:

31 December 2013

UK sterling
US dollar (USD)
Euro (EUR)
Colombian pesos (COP)
Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)

Financial
assets on
which interest
earned
£’000

Financial
assets on
which interest
not earned 
£’000

200
2,194
–
453
264

3,111

14
1,297 
–
1,164
979

3,454

Total
£’000

214
3,491
–
1,617
1,243

6,565

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

53

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

22 Financial instruments continued

Interest rates on financial assets and liabilities continued
31 December 2012

Financial
assets on
which interest
earned
£’000

UK sterling
US dollar (USD)
Euro (EUR)
Colombian pesos (COP)
Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)

1
2,272
–
350
545

3,168

Financial
assets on
which interest
not earned 
£’000

39
–
11
1,011
1,378

2,439

Total
£’000

40
2,272
11
1,361
1,923

5,607

The  Group  earned  interest  on  its  interest  bearing  financial  assets  at  rates  between  0.1%  and  5% 
(2012: 0.1% and 5%) during the period. 

A change in interest rates on the statement of financial position date would increase/(decrease) the equity
and the anticipated annual income or loss by the theoretical amounts presented below. The analysis is
made  on  the  assumption  that  the  rest  of  the  variables  remain  constant.  The  analysis  with  respect  to 
31 December 2012 was prepared under the same assumptions.

Instruments bearing variable interest (£’000)

31

(31)

Increase 
of 1.0%

Decrease
of 1.0%

Increase
of 1.0%

32

Decrease
of 1.0%

(11)

Change of 1.0% in the interest rate as of

31 December 2013

31 December 2012

It is considered that there have been no significant changes in cash flow interest rate risk at the reporting
date compared to the previous period end and that therefore this risk has had no material impact on
earnings or shareholders’ equity.

Foreign exchange risk
Foreign exchange risk arises because the Group has operations located in various parts of the world
whose functional currency is not the same as the functional currency in which other Group companies
are  operating.  Although  its  geographical  spread  reduces  the  Group’s  operation  risk,  the  Group’s  net
assets arising from such overseas operations are exposed to currency risk resulting in gains and losses
on retranslation into Sterling. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Group consider hedging its net
investments  in  overseas  operations,  as  generally  it  does  not  consider  that  the  reduction  in  foreign
currency exposure warrants the cash flow risk created from such hedging techniques. It is the Group’s
policy to ensure that individual Group entities enter into local transactions in their functional currency
wherever possible and that only surplus funds over and above working capital requirements should be
transferred to the parent company treasury. The Group considers this policy minimises any unnecessary
foreign exchange exposure.

In order to monitor the continuing effectiveness of this policy the Board through their approval of both
corporate  and  capital  expenditure  budgets  and  review  of  the  currency  profile  of  cash  balances  and
management accounts, considers the effectiveness of the policy on an ongoing basis.

The following table discloses the major exchange rates of those currencies utilised by the Group:

Foreign currency units to £1 UK Sterling (rounded)

Average for year ended 31 December 2013
At 31 December 2013
Average for year ended 31 December 2012
At 31 December 2012

USD

1.57
1.65
1.59
1.62

EUR

1.18
1.20
1.23
1.23

COP

2,934
3.175
2,853
2,851

PEN

4.17
4.55
4.13
4.12

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

54

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

22 Financial instruments continued

Liquidity risk
Liquidity  risk  arises  from  the  Group’s  management  of  working  capital  and  the  finance  charges  and
principal  repayments  on  its  debt  instruments.  It  is  the  risk  that  the  Group  will  encounter  difficulty  in
meeting its financial obligations as they fall due.

The Group’s policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when
they become due. To achieve this aim, it seeks to maintain readily available cash balances (or agreed
facilities) to meet expected requirements for a period of at least 60 days. The Group currently has no
long term borrowings.

Price risk
Oil and gas sales revenue is subject to energy market price risk. The Group’s oil and gas sales revenue
in 2013 have been affected by the decrease in crude oil price during this period.

Given current production levels, it is not considered appropriate for the Group to enter into any hedging
activities or trade in any financial instruments, such as derivatives. This strategy will continue to be subject
to regular review through 2014 as the production levels increase.

It is considered that price risk of the Group at the reporting date has not increased compared to the
previous period end given the Group’s increase in hydrocarbon production levels in percentage terms
and the volatility in oil and gas prices seen during 2013 which has continued in to 2014.

Volatility of crude oil prices
A material part of the Group’s revenue will be derived from the sale of oil that it expects to produce. 
A substantial or extended decline in prices for crude oil and refined products could adversely affect the
Group’s  revenues,  cash  flows,  profitability  and  ability  to  finance  its  planned  capital  expenditure.  The
movement of crude oil prices is shown below:

Per barrel – US$
Per barrel – £

31 December
2013

Average price
31 December
2012

31 December
2011

102
65

116
73

102
64

Baron  Oil’s  results  are  strongly  influenced  by  oil  prices  which  are  dependent  on  a  number  of  factors
impacting  world  supply  and  demand.  Due  to  these  factors,  oil  prices  may  be  subject  to  significant
fluctuations from year to year. The Group’s normal policy is to sell its products under contract at prices
determined by reference to prevailing market prices on international petroleum exchanges.

Capital risk
The  Group’s  objectives  when  managing  capital  are  to  safeguard  the  ability  to  continue  as  a  going
concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits to other stakeholders and to maintain
an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

Market risk
The market may not grow as rapidly as anticipated. The Group may lose customers to its competitors.
The Group’s major competitors may have significantly greater financial resources than those available
to the group. There is no certainty that the group will be able to achieve its projected levels of sales or
profitability.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

55

15 Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2013

23 Capital commitments

As of 31 December 2013, there were no capital commitments. 

24 Contingent liabilities

The Group and the Company have given guarantees of $3,760,000 (31 December 2012: $3,760,000)
to Perupetro SA to fulfil licence commitments for Block XXI and Z34. The Company has made provision
in respect of decommissioning costs of producing fields and there is the possibility of decommissioning
costs in respect of abandoned field which have yet to be quantified (if any) by the operator. Other than
that, the Company does not consider that there are any further contingent liabilities in this regard. 

25 Events after the reporting period

On 14 April 2014, the company annopunced the sale of 50% of its interest in the Nancy-Burdine-Maxine
fields in Colombia for US$2,000,000.

26 Ultimate controlling party

Baron  Oil  Plc  is  listed  on  the  Alternative  Investment  Market  (AIM)  operated  by  the  London  Stock
Exchange. At the date of the Annual Report in the Directors’ opinion there is no controlling party.

27 Related party transactions

Company
During the year, the Company advanced loans to its subsidiaries. The details of the transactions and the
amount owed by the subsidiaries at the year end were:

Year ended
31 December 2013

Loan advance/
repayment less
impairment
£’000

379

Balance
£’000

–

Year ended
31 December 2012

Balance
£’000

–

Loan
advance
£’000

(1,285)

Gold Oil Peru S.A.C*

*The company has provided for an impairment of £3,277,000 (2012: £3,007,000) on the outstanding loans.

Group and Company
During  the  year  ended  31  December  2012,  the  Company  was  provided  with  services  by  Australian
Drilling Associates Pty Ltd (ADA) and Sheer Energy Pty Ltd (Sheer). Such transactions are carried out on
an  arm’s  length  basis.  The  companies  are  owned  and  controlled  by  John  Bell  who  was  Chairman  of
Gold Oil Plc until 29 June 2012.

The total amount of services provided by these companies in the period ended 31 December 2013 was
nil (2012: £240,682). The balance owing at the end of the year was nil (2012: £734). 

During  the  year  ended  31  December  2012  the  Company  was  provided  with  services  by  Terra  Firma
Technology Pty Ltd (TFT). Such transactions were carried out on an arm’s length basis. The company is
owned and controlled by Ian Reid who was also a Director of Gold Oil Plc until 29 June 2012.

The total amount of services provided by this company in the year ended 31 December 2013 was nil
(2012:  £237,959).  The  balance  owing  at  the  end  of  the  year  was  £58,790  (2012:  £58,790);  the
outstanding balance continues to be subject to dispute by the company. The services provided consisted
of Geotechnical services.

Baron Oil Plc
Financial Report 31 December 2013

56

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