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Block Energy plc

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FY2019 Annual Report · Block Energy plc
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48 Warwick Street  
London W1B 5AW
www.blockenergy.co.uk

Annual Report and Financial Statements  
18 Months Period Ended
31 December 2019

The  Company’s  strategy  is  to  become  the  leading 
independent oil and gas company in Georgia. It plans to 
develop and exploit its portfolio of low cost, high impact 
development assets in a proven region of Georgia, and 
to scale up its existing production and reserves via the 
implementation of efficient work programmes.

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Table of Contents

1

Contents 

Strategic Report 

2     Officers and Advisors 

3     Highlights 

4     Strategy and Business Model 

5     Chairman’s Statement 

6     Chief Executive Officer’s Statement 

7     Chief Financial Officer’s Statement 

9     Technical Director’s Statement  

11   Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

16   Statement of Corporate Responsibility 

19   Board of Directors 

Report of the Directors 

21   Report of the Directors 

Governance Report 

25   Corporate Governance Statement 

35   Remuneration Report 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

39   Independent Auditor’s Report 

Financial Statements – Group Company Financial Statements 

44   Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

45   Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

46   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

47   Consolidated Statement of Cashflows 

48   Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Financial Statements – Parent Company Financial Statements 

76   Parent Company Statement of Financial Position 

77   Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

78   Parent Company Statement of Cashflows 

79   Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
 
 
 
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Strategic Report

Officers and Advisors

2

Directors 

Paul Haywood             Chief Executive Officer 
Roger McMechan        Technical Director 
William McAvock         Chief Financial Officer (appointed 16 September 2019) 
Niall Tomlinson            Executive Director (resigned 30 November 2019) 
Serina Bierer               Finance Director (resigned 21 January 2019) 
Philip Dimmock            Independent Non-Executive Chairman 
Timothy Parson           Director – Non-Executive (resigned 3 October 2018) 
Christopher Brown       Director – Non-Executive (appointed 3 October 2018) 

UK Office 

48 Warwick Street 
London 
W1B 5AW 
UK registration: 05356303 
www.blockenergy.co.uk 

Company Secretary and Registered Office 

Ben Harber 
6th Floor, 60 Gracechurch Street 
London 
EC3V 0HR 

Block Energy Plc is quoted on AIM (Symbol BLOE)

Registrar 

Share Registrars Limited 
Suite E, First Floor 
9 Lion and Lamb Yard 
Farnham 
Surrey 
GU9 7LL 

Bank 

Barclays Bank Plc 
10 Berkeley Square 
London 
W1J 6AA 

Public Relations 

Camarco 
107 Cheapside 
London 
EC2V 6DN

Broker 

Mirabaud Securities Limited 
10 Bressenden Place 
London 
SW1E 5DH 

Nominated Advisor 

Spark Advisory Partners Limited 
5 St John’s Lane 
London 
EC1M 4BH 

Auditor 

BDO LLP 
55 Baker Street 
London 
W1U 7EU 

Block Energy PLC

 
 
 
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Strategic Report continued

Highlights

Equity placing 

3

•      In May 2019, Block Energy Plc completed a placing of 109,090,000 new Ordinary Shares, raising approximately 
£12 million, equivalent to $15.2 million, (before expenses) with institutional investors at a placing price of 11 pence, 
equivalent to $0.14, per share. 

Acquisition and business growth 

•      The Group continued to grow its portfolio of oil and gas assets in Georgia by increasing its working interest in the West 
Rustavi Production Sharing Contract (“PSC”) from 25% to 100% for total cash payments of $500,000 and the issue of 
12,876,268 Ordinary Shares with a value $1,000,000. 

•      At 31 December 2019, Block Energy held three operating licences – Norio (100% working interest (“WI”)), Satskhenisi 

(90% WI) and West Rustavi (100% WI). 

•      Following the period end, on 25 March 2020, the Company entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement 
with Schlumberger B.V. (“Schlumberger”) to acquire its subsidiary Schlumberger Rustaveli Company Limited (“SRCL”), 
which on closing will hold two PSCs in Georgia. 

•      Cash at 31 December 2019 was $6,494,000 (30 June 2018: $5,278,000). 

Operations 

•      The Group successfully drilled two horizontal wells (WR-16aZ and WR-38Z) in its West Rustavi licence area. Tests 

from both WR-16aZ and WR-38Z showed encouraging production rates. 

•      Gas sales agreement signed with Bago LLC, one of the largest private gas suppliers and purchasers in Georgia, for 

the offtake of gas produced at the Company’s flagship West Rustavi field at a price of $5.24 per MCF. 

•      Construction underway for an Early Production Facility (“EPF”), with capacity for 6 wells, to exploit Block Energy’s 

contingent gas resources of over 600 BCF, with gas sales expected to commence in H2 2020. 

•      100 km2 of 3D seismic survey acquired over and beyond the entire area of the Company’s West Rustavi licence with 

results exhibiting good subsurface imaging of the main producing and prospective formations in the licence. 

•      Prior to the recent shutdown to conserve oil that would otherwise be sold at a low price and gas that would otherwise 
be flared, the Group was producing 325 boepd from the West Rustavi field. It continues to produce approximately 20 
bopd from the Norio and Satskhenisi fields.  

•      The Group maintains a strong focus on assuring Health, Safety and Environmental (“HSE”) management. 

•      Secured an agreement with the national oil company, Georgia Oil and Gas Corporation (“GOGC”), for access to 90,000 

bbls of capacity at GOGC’s principal storage facility. 

•      Entered into an agreement with Georgia Oil and Gas Limited (“GOG”) for the hire of drilling and workover rigs and 

equipment.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Strategic Report continued

Strategy and Business Model

4

The Company’s strategy is focused on it becoming the leading independent oil and gas company in Georgia. It plans to 
develop and exploit its portfolio of low cost, high impact development assets in a proven region of Georgia, and to scale up 
its existing production and reserves via the implementation of efficient work programmes.  

Led by a management team with deep experience of the Caucasus region, and an operations team drawing on local and 
international talent, Block is currently adding two further exciting licences to its portfolio in the heart of Georgia’s oil and 
gas-bearing Kura Basin. 

Block’s programme is designed to unlock West Rustavi’s 0.9MMbbls of gross 2P reserves of oil, 38 MMbbls of gross unrisked 
2C contingent resources of oil and 608 BCF of gross unrisked 2C contingent resources of gas (Source: CPR Gustavson 
Associates: 1 January 2018). 

The core elements of the programme are to exploit existing fields, converting resources to reserves and reserves to 
production, boosted by the acquisition of additional licences, containing high-potential and proven fields. 

We have made good progress over the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019: 

•      Sidetracked and put two West Rustavi wells on production. 

•      Acquired a 3D seismic survey in order to evaluate and rank development and appraisal well targets in West Rustavi. 

•      Negotiated oil storage and gas offtake agreements to serve Georgia’s growing energy market. 

•      Continued to build our management and technical teams in Georgia and London. 

•      Entered into a gas sales agreement with one of Georgia’s largest private gas supplier. 

•      Began the installation of an EPF to begin gas sales in H2 2020. 

•      Incorporated Block Operating Company LLC, which is 100% owned by the Company and became operator of all of the 

Company’s PSCs on 1 September 2019. 

We continue to review opportunities to build the Company through development and acquisition, particularly within the 
immediate region. 

The Company may in future consider farm-out agreements with third parties at project level as a means of funding future 
capital expenditure, though, at present, no such agreements are contemplated.

Block Energy PLC

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Strategic Report continued

Chairman’s Statement

5

During the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019, the Company has learnt valuable lessons whilst making significant 
progress in reaching its goal of becoming the leading independent oil and gas company in Georgia. Everyone at Block 
Energy has worked tirelessly to achieve its corporate and operational objectives. 

A crucial milestone during the period was the signing of a gas sales agreement with Bago LLC. This agreement has paved 
the way for Block to install an EPF at West Rustavi, which will see gas sales commence in H2 2020. This timely addition to 
Block’s portfolio is ever relevant given the prevailing low crude oil prices, and means that Block will be able to gain revenue 
from its large gas resource at West Rustavi. The advent of gas sales will also align with Block’s commitment to high 
environmental standards, as it looks to cease gas flaring and commence supplying Georgia with a clean efficient fuel source, 
decreasing the consumption of gasoline and diesel in the country. Incidentally, the Company already uses a combination 
of electricity from the national grid and diesel to power its contracted drilling rig, keeping its carbon footprint to a minimum. 

I am excited by the Company’s transaction with Schlumberger for two further licences, one with proven resources and 
reserves and another with excellent exploration potential.  

Following the end of the accounting period, we have used the current period of low oil price to suspend production and 
conserve our valuable gas resources until the EPF is commissioned and gas sales can commence. Depending on the oil 
price, the Company will continue to produce and, if necessary, store oil from its Norio and Satskhenisi licences, as the 
quantity of gas produced from these fields is small. 

As always, the health and safety of Block’s staff and its wider stakeholders are a number one priority. It was disappointing 
that we incurred one lost time incident in the period. But, overall, the safety record was good for a new company that has 
brought a number of innovative and modern technologies to Georgia.  

In order to adhere to all the regulations and guidance laid down by the governments of Georgia and the United Kingdom to 
combat the COVID-19 crisis, most of our staff work from home but remain very effective. Our staff who have to attend the 
field maintain social distancing and have their temperatures measured and health checked on a daily basis.  

The improvement of corporate governance continued during the period with the establishment of a Technical Committee 
and more frequent meetings of the board and its committees. We continue to adhere to the Quoted Company Alliance’s 
(“QCA”) Corporate Governance Code for Small and Mid-Size Quoted Companies 2018 version (“QCA Code”). Furthermore, 
I plan to bolster the stewardship of the Board through the appointment of a well-qualified, third non-executive director.  

In November 2019, Niall Tomlinson retired from the Board to concentrate on his interests in the mining sector. Our thanks 
are due to him for his contributions to the founding of the Company and to building corporate governance. We wish him 
well with his future endeavours. We welcome William McAvock, Chief Financial Officer, to the Board and the Company. We 
are already benefitting from his knowledge and experience of managing the financial aspects of an international oil and 
gas business. 

We  are  prepared  for  an  extended  period  of  weak  demand  for  oil  and  low  prices  well  into  next  year.  However,  our 
fundamentals are strong; we have learnt a number of lessons from our initial operations and, even in the lock down, continue 
to implement our programme. We are accelerating the exploitation of gas resources in West Rustavi and are planning the 
increase of oil production and exploitation of gas resources in the blocks being acquired from Schlumberger. We are 
confident the market will recognise our inherent value and re-rating potential.  

I would like to thank all our team for their focus, skill and hard work, particularly in today’s difficult circumstances. We look 
forward to updating shareholders with further news in the months to come. 

Philip Dimmock 
Chairman

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Strategic Report continued

Chief Executive Officer’s Statement

6

Introduction 

We are an agile energy start up, making intelligent use of a broad skill set and deep understanding of Georgia. Our position 
is further complemented by the use of efficient drilling technology and our focus on establishing the Company as Georgia’s 
leading independent oil and gas operator. We draw on the collective knowledge of the industry to source appropriate 
techniques and technologies for opening-up the full potential of our Georgian assets. 

Our Company successfully listed on AIM in June 2018, raising £5 million ($6.6 million) to perform low-cost development 
operations, which provided early confirmation of the potential in our West Rustavi licence. After strong test results at the 
field’s  appraisal  well  WR-16aZ,  we  undertook  a  £12  million  ($15.2  million)  fundraise  to  execute  a  development  and 
acquisition programme targeted at accelerating our plan to increase West Rustavi’s oil production and appraise its gas 
potential. 

Our enhanced programme has allowed us to sidetrack additional wells, expand the field’s infrastructure with new processing 
facilities and carry out a 3D seismic survey of West Rustavi’s subsurface to identify optimal locations for new oil and gas 
wells. The results of the survey are currently under review.  

We  have  also  negotiated  oil  storage  and  gas  offtake  agreements  and  continue  to  strengthen  our  management  and 
operations teams across the Group.  

Serving Georgia’s growing energy market 

Our oil and gas sales serve Georgia’s intense demand for energy. Georgia has achieved strong economic growth over the 
past decade, growing at an average annual rate of 5%. The country relies on gas for 40% of its total energy use and is 
highly dependent on gas imports from neighbouring countries. Local gas production currently accounts for less than 0.5% 
of annual consumption. 

Building relationships in Georgia 

In addition to pursuing our West Rustavi drilling programme, we have continued production at our Norio and Satskhenisi 
fields. We have further consolidated our presence in country by establishing an operating subsidiary, Block Operating 
Company LLC, in Tbilisi.  

Until COVID-19 curtailed travel, our directors regularly travelled to the country to oversee and develop our Georgian 
management and mature our excellent relationships with local and national tiers of government. 

Our Company continues to work closely with the Georgian Technical University (“GTU”) to help train the next generation of 
Georgian production engineers through a programme that will allow GTU students to visit Block’s fields to gain hands-on 
experience of our operations. 

Future horizons 

Following the end of the period, Block Energy entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with Schlumberger 
to  acquire  its  Georgian  subsidiary  and  thereby  significantly  increase  its  acreage  position  in  Georgia  from  82  km2  to 
2,622 km2. The Company will acquire producing Block XIB and exploration Block IX, which together bring 200 bopd of 
production and 64 million boe of proven and probable oil and gas reserves to Block’s portfolio as well as many synergies 
between the two businesses. Block XIB is Georgia’s most productive block, with over 180 million bbls of oil produced from 
the Middle Eocene, peaking in the 1980s at 67,000 bopd. 

We remain an ambitious and growing oil and gas start-up, ever alert to fresh opportunities. We look forward to sharing 
news of our progress in Georgia and beyond. 

Paul Haywood 
Chief Executive Officer

Block Energy PLC

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Strategic Report continued

Chief Financial Officer’s Statement

7

This report covers the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019, because, in June 2019, in order to bring its financial 
reporting into line with peer companies and to carry out its year-end work when there is a seasonal reduction in operational 
activities, the Company changed its accounting reference date from 30 June to 31 December. Therefore, the current 
18 months period ended 31 December 2019 is not directly comparable with the prior 12 months period ended 30 June 
2018. 

During the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019, Block Energy Plc continued to build its production and development 
base whilst maintaining a strong balance sheet.  

Following the period end, owing to the combined impacts of lower demand for oil caused by COVID-19 and the Russia–
Saudi Arabia oil price war, the Brent oil price collapsed from over $50 per barrel at the start of March 2020 to less than $20 
per barrel in April 2020. The Company has responded to the low oil price by postponing all new capital expenditure and 
reducing the monthly cash burn in Georgia by 40% from $107,000 to $64,000 through a combination of cost-cutting and 
deferral of operating and administration expenses. In the UK, directors and employees have agreed a scheme in which, 
with effect from 1 April 2020, 40% of their salaries will be paid in nil-cost options to acquire ordinary shares in the Company, 
reducing monthly cash salary costs. Options will be priced at a volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) over the monthly 
salary period and the first options are expected to be based on the VWAP for the month of April 2020 and issued in early 
May 2020. 

Balance sheet – acquisitions and asset growth 

Block Energy Plc increased its working interest in the West Rustavi PSC from 25% to 100% for total consideration of 
$1,500,000,  comprising  cash  payments  of  $500,000  and  the  issue  of  12,876,268  Ordinary  Shares  with  a  value  of 
$1,000,000. 

In May 2019, Block Energy Plc completed a placing of 109,090,000 new Ordinary Shares, raising approximately £12 million 
(equivalent to $15.2 million) before expenses with institutional investors at a placing price of 11 pence, (equivalent to $0.14) 
per share. 

The Group’s financial position has changed significantly over the past 18 months, with Group net assets increasing from 
$9,200,000 as at 30 June 2018 to $20,610,000 as at 31 December 2019 owing to the $15.2 million cash raised in the equity 
placing, much of which had been spent and capitalised during the period, including the costs of drilling two wells and the 
3D seismic data acquisition at West Rustavi. At the end of the period, the Group’s cash balance was $6,494,000 (2018: 
$5,278,000).  

Income statement 

The Group’s revenue increased to $314,000 (2018: $179,000). The current period revenue of $314,000 was for 5,210 
barrels of oil, which equates to average revenue of $60.29 per barrel, from West Rustavi, Norio and Satskhenisi. 

In addition, the Group had over 14,000 barrels of crude oil inventory as at 31 December 2019. Following the period end, 
the Group sold 6,879 barrels of crude oil inventory for net revenue of $325,083, which equates to average revenue of 
$47.26 per barrel. 

The loss for the period was $6,130,000 as compared with a $1,835,000 loss in the prior year. The Company listed on AIM 
on 11 June 2018, just before the end of the prior accounting year. The main reasons for the increase in the loss are the 
income statement covers a longer period of 18 months compared with 12 months in the prior period and includes new costs 
associated  with  an  AIM-listed  company  that  has  raised  significant  funding  and  embarked  on  a  capital  expenditure 
programme and increased operational activities in Georgia. 

The Company has always been focused on controlling administration costs and continues to endeavour to keep these to 
a minimum. We maintain a low-cost operation, and our Georgian portfolio offers a low-cost short-cycle production base.  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Strategic Report continued

Chief Financial Officer’s statement continued

8

Liquidity, counterparty risk and going concern 

The Group monitors its cash position, cash forecasts and liquidity regularly, and has a conservative approach to cash 
management, with surplus cash held on term deposits with major financial institutions.  

The directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for a period of 14 months from the date of signing of these financial 
statements. The Group’s forecasts include a number of enacted cost saving measures and the forecasts are reviewed 
regularly in order to assess whether any further actions are required. The Group is in the final stages of negotiating to 
engage Bago LLC to construct a gas pipeline and to revise the sales agreement for West Rustavi gas. The forecasts assume 
the gas pipeline will be constructed and the gas will be sold, and indicate the Group has sufficient funds to complete the 
construction of the gas project and to meet its liabilities as they fall due until April 2021. The financial benefit of any additional 
capital projects would be assessed against capital requirements and balanced with ensuring that the Company can continue 
to meet its liabilities and commitments through to April 2021. The Parent Company’s forecasts are considered together with 
the Group’s forecasts. 

The directors note that COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on the global economy and oil prices have fallen 
significantly, which may mean it is harder to secure additional funding than it has historically been. The global pandemic 
may also bring practical challenges to the timetables for the construction of the gas pipeline and the consequent sale of 
gas. The directors are confident that current capital projects are funded and have a reasonable expectation that they could 
secure  additional  funding,  if  needed,  to  fund  additional  capital  projects.  However,  these  conditions  are  necessarily 
considered to represent a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt over the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern. Whilst acknowledging this material uncertainty, the directors remain confident of making further cost savings 
when required and therefore the directors consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern 
basis. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a 
going concern. 

Restatement of prior year financial statements 

The comparative figures have been restated for two prior period adjustments relating to deferred consideration and share 
options issued. Please refer to note 4 of the financial statements for details of the restatements. 

Results and dividends 

The results for the period and the financial position of the Group are shown in the following financial statements. The Group 
has incurred a pre-tax loss of $6,030,000 (2018: loss of $1,835,000). 

The Group has net assets of $20,610,000 (2018: net assets of $9,200,000). 

The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2018: nil). 

William McAvock 
Chief Financial Officer

Block Energy PLC

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Strategic Report continued

Technical Director’s Statement

9

During the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019, we have accomplished the following: 

Field operations 

West Rustavi: 

•      Drilled two horizontal sidetrack wells resulting in 2019 production of 7,500 bbls of oil. In the first quarter of 2020, West 

Rustavi produced 10,500 bbls of oil. 

      o     Both horizontal sidetracks tested individual rates in excess of the forecast rates, even though choke-constrained, 
indicating  highly  productive  wells. This  confirmed  the  Company’s  thesis  that  horizontal  wells  in  the  naturally 
fractured Middle Eocene reservoirs will be many times more productive than the legacy vertical wells. The Company 
remains confident that an average initial production rate of at least 300 boepd is attainable from future development 
wells, as demonstrated by well WR-38Z. 

      o     The proportion of oil, gas and water from the wells is different from forecast. The wells produce significantly more 

gas than expected and initial water cuts are also higher, at the expense of oil production.  

      o     Both wells were shut-in during the month of April 2020 to conserve gas and eliminate flaring.  

      o     Prior to shut-in during April 2020, the West Rustavi wells were producing 325 boepd. A workover at WR-16aZ is 

planned for H2 2020, when the gas sales system is in place. 

•      Acquired and processed a high quality 100 km2 3D seismic survey giving full-fold coverage over the entire West Rustavi 
licence area. This 3D seismic will provide the company valuable insights regarding the placement of future development 
wells thus further increasing the likelihood of highly productive and economic horizontal wells. 

•      Designed and purchased an EPF, including natural gas processing, to be delivered to Georgia during Q2 2020. Initial 

gas throughput rates are expected to exceed 1 MMCF/d in H2 2020. 

•      Conducted the civil works to prepare the WR-30 wellsite to re-test a legacy natural gas discovery in the Lower Eocene. 

Norio/Satskhenisi: 

•      Completed four workovers, two of which used micro-drilling technology to improve well inflow. Initial production results 

were an incremental 60 bbl/d. 

•      During 2019, the fields produced a combined total of 9,300 bbls of oil. 

•      The facilities at Norio were upgraded to conform with Georgian state and Block Energy corporate standards. 

Technical and operations team 

We have continued to build the technical team with geoscientists, engineers and operations staff; 

•      A sub-surface team leader with 40 years’ of geoscience experience is managing the processing and interpretation of 

the West Rustavi 3D seismic survey. 

•      A senior development geologist with more than 30 years’ experience in oil and gas field development and exploitation, 

as well as extensive experience in new ventures and reserve evaluations. 

•      The full-time assignment of an operations manager from North America to Georgia to oversee workover, testing and 

production operations. 

•      A reservoir engineer to lead well test analysis and well performance predictions. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Strategic Report continued

Technical Director’s Statement continued

10

Health, safety and environment 

The Company has continued to upgrade equipment, training and standards across its operations: 

•      In  2019,  a  total  of  260,160  man-hours  were  worked  in  the  field,  comprising  139,492  man-hours  worked  by  the 
Company’s field staff and 120,668 man-hours by contractors. During this time, the Company recorded one lost time 
incident, two high potential incidents and three minor contained oil releases (less than 250 litres released). 

•      All employees in Georgia received training on basic first aid and the drilling crews received specialist drilling operations 

training from the local technical university. 

•      A doctor attended the field during seismic and drilling operations on a full-time basis to provide continuous emergency 

support as well as daily drug and alcohol testing. 

Equipment and services 

We have contracted the equipment and services we need to carry out our programme: 

•      The Company assumed direct control of operations and logistics by establishing its own operating Company, Block 

Operating Company, replacing the previous sub-contractor.  

•      A one-year rig contract providing continued access to the same drilling and workover equipment we hired in 2018, 

namely a ZJ40 drilling rig (1260 horsepower) and an A50 workover rig, on a bare charter basis.  

•      Imported two modern refurbished three phase test separators for the flow back and testing operations of the high-
pressure wells in West Rustavi. These separators are operated by BOC and one of these separators will become part 
of the EPF at the West Rustavi field. 

Operations subsequent to the period end 

In 2020: 

•      The third horizontal sidetrack well in West Rustavi, WR-51Z had to be abandoned, as the existing wellbore condition 

was found to be too poor to support the planned horizontal drilling operation. 

•      The processing of the 3D seismic data is yielding excellent images of the subsurface in the West Rustavi licence area 

with full interpretation results expected in Q2 2020. 

•      The EPF and associated gas processing facilities for West Rustavi is in transit to Georgia from Canada. The installation 
of the EPF, in combination with the 10km gas sales pipeline to be installed by Bago, will enable gas sales and provide 
monthly cash flow. 

•      The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on operations. In their efforts to contain the spread of the virus, 
the Georgian state has severely constrained both local and international travel. Recent communications from the 
Georgian state indicate a schedule of gradual loosening of restrictions from now through to mid-July. 

Roger McMechan 
Technical Director

Block Energy PLC

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Strategic Report continued

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

11

There are general risks associated with the oil and gas extraction industry. The Board regularly reviews the risks to which 
the Group is exposed and endeavours to minimise these risks as far as possible. The Board considers that there is no 
necessity at the present time to establish an independent internal audit function given the current size and simplicity of the 
business.  

The following summary outlines the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group at its present stage of development: 

Description                         Impact                                                                                      Mitigation 

Strategic Risk: 

• Regional tensions 
could have an 
adverse effect on the 
local economy and 
our business

Financial Risks: 

• Currency exchange 

rate fluctuations may 
negatively affect 
Block Energy

Georgia shares borders with Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia 
and  Turkey  and  could  be  adversely  affected  by  political 
unrest within its borders and in surrounding countries. In 
particular,  Georgia  has  had  ongoing  disputes  in  the 
breakaway  regions  of  Abkhazia  and 
the  Tskhinvali 
Region/South  Ossetia,  and  with  Russia,  since  Georgian 
independence in 1991. These disputes have led to sporadic 
violence  and  breaches  of  peacekeeping  operations. 
Escalation  of  these  issues  could  impact  the  Group 
operationally, logistically and ultimately financially.

The  Group’s  consolidated 
financial  statements  are 
presented  in  United  States  dollars  and  certain  ongoing 
management costs will be denominated in British pounds 
sterling.  The  markets  for  the  commodities  produced  are 
typically listed in US dollars and so Block Energy expects 
that  the  majority  of  its  future  revenues  and  operating 
expenses will be in US dollars, British pounds sterling and 
Georgian Lari. Consequently, Block Energy will be exposed 
to  ongoing  currency  risk.  Block  Energy  may  also  have 
operating  expenses  denominated  in  another  currency. 
Consequently,  changes  in  the  exchange  rates  of  these 
currencies may negatively affect the Group’s cash flows, 
operating results or financial condition to a material extent.

• The price of oil or gas 

may decrease 
significantly

Continued decreases in the oil or gas price over a sustained 
period  might  negatively  affect  the  Group’s  cash  flows, 
operating results or financial condition to a material extent

The Board monitors all political 
developments  on  an  ongoing 
basis.  This  ensures 
swift 
reaction should it be required.

its  cash 

exchange 

Block Energy does not intend to 
hedge 
resources 
against  risks  associated  with 
disadvantageous movements in 
rates. 
currency 
Therefore,  currency  exchange 
rate fluctuations may negatively 
affect the Group. However, Block 
will  endeavour  to  immediately 
convert funds raised in pounds 
sterling  to  US  dollars  as  a 
natural  currency  hedge  to  fulfil 
operational work plans, and will 
continue to place money market 
take 
orders 
advantage 
favourable 
currency fluctuations.

in  order 

to 

of 

The  Board  has  planned  for 
sustained period of low oil or gas 
prices.  The  Board  introduced 
measures  in  April  2020  (e.g. 
capital 
postponement 
expenditure, cost reductions and 
cost  deferrals)  and  would  take 
further  measures  as  and  when 
required.

of 

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Strategic Report continued

Principal Risks and Uncertainties continued

12

Description                         Impact                                                                                      Mitigation 

Financial Risks: continued 

• Substantial capital 
requirements and 
access to funding 
might be limited

The Board will remain proactive 
in identifying possible business 
risks  and  funding  shortfalls.  A 
fund warning code structure is in 
place,  which  is  activated  when 
funding levels reach certain low 
cash resource parameters. This 
will  ensure  the  board  can  act 
swiftly  as  required  to  mitigate 
these risks.  

The Company maintains regular 
reporting  structures,  so  that  all 
issues are quickly identified by 
the  Board,  be  it  operational  or 
financial in nature.

The  Company’s  development  strategy  will 
require 
significant  expenditure  to  fully  exploit  its  potential.  The 
Company  will  need  to  generate  free  cash  flow  from  its 
operations and raise debt or equity funding to be able to 
finance  these  costs.  If  the  Company’s  revenues  do  not 
recover or its reserves decline, it may have limited ability to 
expend  the  capital  necessary  to  undertake  or  complete 
future  drilling  programmes  and  may  require  additional 
financing to do so. If Block Energy is unable to raise funding 
to  support  ongoing  operations  and  to  fund  capital 
expenditure, it may limit the Company’s growth or may have 
a  material  adverse  effect  upon  the  Company’s  financial 
condition, results of operations or prospects. The ability of 
Block Energy to arrange financing in the future will depend 
in  part  upon  the  prevailing  capital  market  conditions, 
perceived  risk  associated  with  Georgia,  and  business 
performance of the Company. Fluctuations in oil and gas 
prices  may  affect  lending  policies  for  potential  future 
lenders.  This  in  turn  could  limit  growth  prospects  in  the 
short-term or may even require Block Energy to dedicate 
existing cash balances or cash flows, dispose of assets or 
raise  new  equity 
to  continue  operations  under 
circumstances  of  declining  energy  prices,  disappointing 
drilling  results,  or  economic  or  political  dislocation  in 
Georgia. There can be no assurance that debt or equity 
financing or cash generated by operations will be available 
or  sufficient  to  meet  these  requirements  or  for  other 
corporate  purposes  or,  if  debt  or  equity  financing  is 
available,  that  it  will  be  on  terms  acceptable  to  the 
Company. This may be further complicated by the limited 
market liquidity for shares of smaller companies, restricting 
access to some institutional investors. If additional financing 
is raised by the issuance of shares from treasury of Block 
Energy,  control  of  the  Company  may  change  and 
shareholders may suffer additional dilution. The Company 
cannot predict the size of future issuances of equity or the 
issuance of debt or the effect, if any, that future issuances 
and  sales  of  the  Company’s  securities  will  have  on  the 
market price of the Company’s shares.

• Project Capital Cost 

Performance

Higher costs might negatively affect the Group’s cash flows, 
operating results or financial condition to a material extent

To  gain  the  most  competitive 
pricing,  control  costs  and  limit 
the  Group  will 
overruns, 
negotiate  lump-sum  pricing  for 
services, wherever possible, and 
obtain quotations from multiple 
suppliers  of  materials  and 
services.

Block Energy PLC

    
    
 
    
    
 
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Strategic Report continued

Principal Risks and Uncertainties continued

Description                         Impact                                                                                      Mitigation 

13

Operational Risks: 

• Poor production 
performance

• Permits, licences and 

leases

Less  cash  flow  than  forecast  from  operations  might 
negatively affect the Group’s cash flows, operating results 
or financial condition to a material extent.

The  Group  has  a  portfolio  of 
projects with varying risk, capital 
and  production  profiles,  which 
enables  it  to  spread  the  risk 
across its three licences.

Significant  parts  of  the  Company’s  operations  require 
permits,  licences  and  leases  from  various  governmental 
authorities in Georgia. There can be no assurance that the 
Company  will  be  able  to  obtain  all  necessary  permits, 
licences and leases that may be required to carry out future 
exploration and development at our projects. If the present 
permits, licences and leases are terminated or withdrawn, 
such event could have an adverse effect of the Company’s 
operations. 

to 

in  order 
its  activities 

The  directors  believe  that  the 
Group 
in  all 
is  complying 
material respects with the terms 
of  the  licences  and  permits 
granted 
to 
it 
in 
undertake 
Georgia. Furthermore, the PSCs 
contain  provisions  obliging  the 
government  of  Georgia 
to 
co-operate fully with the Group 
in  obtaining  all  necessary 
consents 
permits. 
and 
Nevertheless, the Group’s ability 
to obtain, sustain or renew such 
on 
licences 
acceptable terms are subject to 
change 
regulations  and 
policies and to the discretion of 
regulatory 
the 
authorities and governments.

applicable 

permits 

and 

in 

• The Company’s 

proposed 
development plans 
are subject to several 
operational risks

Both the drilling and workover programmes that have been 
and  continue  to  be  carried  out  by  the  Group  involve 
potentially  complicated  and  difficult  technical  operations 
with which there are inherent risks. These include human 
error by the drilling operator, equipment failure, mistakes in 
the  planning  of  the  operations  and  the  encountering  of 
unforeseen difficulties within field operations.

in 

While  these  risks  cannot  be 
eliminated, they are to an extent 
mitigated  because  the  geology 
and  geophysics  of  Block 
Energy’s  assets  are  well 
understood, 
particular 
because of the number of wells 
previously drilled in each of the 
licences.  Block  Energy  has  an 
experienced technical team who 
have  worked  in  Georgia  for 
many  years.  In  addition,  NOC 
has  overseen  the  drilling  of  a 
number of wells in Georgia.

• Global pandemic 

negatively impacts 
operations

If  the  global  pandemic  results  in  a  lockdown  or  state  of 
emergency  being  declared,  it  could  result  in  the  Group 
having to cease its operations, which might negatively affect 
the  Group’s  cash  flows,  operating  results  or  financial 
condition to a material extent.

The 

The Board has planned for such 
a  period  of  cessation  of 
operations. 
Board 
introduced  measures  in  April 
2020  (e.g.  postponement  of 
cost 
capital 
reductions  and  cost  deferrals) 
and would take further measures 
as and when required.

expenditure, 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

    
    
 
    
    
 
    
    
 
    
    
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Strategic Report continued

Principal Risks and Uncertainties continued

14

Description                         Impact                                                                                      Mitigation 

HSE Risks: 

• Accident and 

Incidents associated 
with operations

Serious accidents can result in shut down of operational 
sites and loss of credible operator reputation/licence.

improvements 
equipment 

The Group carries out frequent 
inspections  of  operations  by 
HSE  staff,  personnel  safety 
training,  daily  worksite  safety 
to 
meetings, 
operating 
and 
assignment  of  proper  personal 
protection equipment to all field 
worksite personnel. In response 
to the lost time incident in 2019 
future 
and 
occurrence of a similar incident, 
the Company upgraded well-site 
equipment  and 
in 
additional training of personnel.

to  prevent 

invested 

the 

• Environmental 

contamination caused 
by oil and water spills

Increased operating expenditures due to clean-up costs and 
loss of production revenue due to intermittent shut-downs 
and less oil to sell if it’s being dumped on the ground. Also, 
frequent spills can lead to fines being levied by the state.

Organisational Risks: 

• Dependence on key 

relationships 
including, inter alia, 
the State and GOGC

The success of the business of the Group and the effective 
operation of the Group’s interests in Georgia is dependent 
in part on good relationships and co-operation with these 
parties. The State is a counterparty to the Group’s three 
PSCs.  Accordingly,  if  the  State,  its  Agency  and/or  the 
national oil company, GOGC, are not able to co-operate 
with  each  other  or  the  Group,  it  could  have  an  adverse 
impact on the business, operations and prospects of the 
Group.

The Group will continue to repair 
and  upgrade 
its  production 
facilities at its oilfields to reduce 
the 
to 
risk  of  spills  due 
equipment failure.  

Improved operating procedures 
through  training  of  operations 
personnel  to  avoid  the  spill 
situations.

Management maintains regular 
communication with the State, its 
Agency and GOGC.

Block Energy PLC

    
    
 
    
    
 
    
    
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Principal Risks and Uncertainties continued

15

Description                         Impact                                                                                      Mitigation 

Organisational Risks continued: 

• Dependence on key 
executives and 
personnel, employee 
retention and 
recruitment

Block Energy has a comparatively small number of current 
and proposed employees. The future success of the Group 
depends partially on the expertise of the directors. The loss 
of  key  personnel,  and  the  inability  to  recruit  further  key 
personnel  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the 
Group’s future by impairing the day to day running of the 
Group and its ability to exploit the opportunities open to it. 
An inability to attract or retain additional key personnel could 
have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business and 
trading results. In addition, the loss of the services of the 
executive directors or other key employees could damage 
the Group’s business.

Executive directors have notice 
periods  of  no  less  than  three 
months to ensure sufficient time 
to  handover  responsibilities  in 
the event of a departure. 

The  Remuneration  Committee 
regularly evaluates compensation 
and  incentivisation  schemes  to 
ensure they remain competitive. 

The strategic report was approved by the directors and signed on behalf of the Board on 30 April 2020. 

Paul Haywood 
Chief Executive Officer 
30 April 2020

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

    
    
 
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Strategic Report continued

Statement of Corporate Responsibility

16

Block Energy Plc has a practical and open approach to its Corporate Responsibility (“CR”) and our CR programme is 
focused on doing the right thing, as well as managing risk, and investing sustainably in the community in which we operate. 

Impact of culture on decision-making 

Our investment decisions carefully take into account environmental and social impacts and how such impacts are best 
managed for all stakeholders. Our operations should not compromise the wellbeing of current or future generations. This 
responsible behaviour is a key element for our long-term business success. 

For Block Energy this means: 

•      Acting with respect for people, communities and the environment 

•      Acting honestly and openly with all stakeholders, respecting fully the rule of law and human rights 

•      Contributing to the development goals of Georgia  

•      Integrating sustainability and CR into our strategy, planning, implementation and management systems 

•      Providing clear public reporting on our management systems and performance.  

In Georgia, the Group has worked on the preparation of a number of detailed Environmental Impact Statements (“EIS”).  

Subsidiaries 

There are no qualifying UK subsidiary companies to report on in their own right. 

Health, safety, environmental and social performance 

The Company strives for continuous improvement and Block Energy is committed to maintaining high standards of health, 
safety, environmental and social performance (“HSES”) across all its oil and gas exploration and development operations. 
To achieve this, we will: 

•      As an integral part of our business, identify, assess and manage the HSES risks to people, the environment and assets 

in order to avoid adverse direct or indirect effects from our operations. 

•      Ensure that our operations comply, as a minimum, with applicable health, safety, environmental and social laws and 

regulations, as well as best practicable industry standards. 

•      Maintain high ethical standards in carrying out business activities. 

•      Provide necessary leadership and resources to enable effective HSES management throughout our organisation. 

•      Prevent and minimise the impact of our operations on the environment. 

•      Ensure continuous improvement of HSES performance through the setting of objectives and targets and focused 

auditing, reviews and external benchmarking. 

•      Select competent staff, contractors and suppliers to manage and support the business. 

•      Ensure that a high priority is placed on emergency preparedness and contingency planning, and that any plans are 

tested regularly to ensure that any incidents are responded to in a timely and effective manner. 

•      Foster a culture where accidents, incidents and near misses are reported and investigated, and the lessons learned 

are shared. 

•      Consult  with  and  respond  to  the  concerns  of  our  stakeholders  on  our  health,  safety,  environmental  and  social 

performance. 

Block Energy PLC

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Strategic Report continued

Statement of Corporate Responsibility continued

17

•      Ensure that this policy is clearly displayed in all Block Energy premises and operational sites, provided to all contractors, 

and made publicly available. 

•      The Company’s directors, employees and contractors have a responsibility for maintaining high HSES standards and 

this Policy will be used to guide their activities. 

Stakeholder engagement 

We understand that our long-term success depends on our relationships with our stakeholders. We strive to provide our 
stakeholders with timely and effective information, responses and support. The following table summarises how we identify 
and seek to meet their needs, interests and expectations. 

Stakeholder                                              Reason for engagement                         How we engage 

Employees:  Our  capacity  to  design 
and execute our strategy depends on 
the health, development and retention 
of our dedicated and skilled staff.

to 

and 

ensuring 

understanding 

regular 
Transparent 
communications with staff is essential 
for 
of 
commitment 
the  Company’s 
objectives. As an oil and gas production 
company  we  have  particular  health, 
safety  and  environmental  obligations 
(see  ‘Communities  and  environment’ 
below).

We 

Shareholders. 
provide 
transparent, accessible and balanced 
information  to  investors  to  ensure 
support and confidence.

Understanding shareholder sentiments 
regarding  the  business,  its  prospects 
and the performance of management 
and,  incidentally,  meeting  regulatory 
requirements.

Industry bodies, local and national 
governments. Our services must meet 
certain 
regulatory 
requirements.

legal 

and 

We work hard to meet our regulatory 
obligations to retain our good standing 
with 
the  Georgian 
government, and the wider oil and gas 
sector. 

regulators, 

Our  relationship  with  the  local  and 
national  government  is  a  key  to  our 
success and has taken a long time to 
develop.

London staff have daily team meetings. 
International team join a weekly dial-in 
meeting.  The  directors  make  regular 
trips  to  Georgia  to  work  with  our 
operations staff onsite. The Executive 
team has regular one-on-one meetings 
with every staff member. 

Other  elements  are:  Training  and 
(on  HSE, 
development  sessions 
compliance,  event  prevention);  and 
corporate benefits.

RNS  announcements  and  on  our 
website  and  across  our  online 
channels. Interviews with our directors 
published  as  videos  and  podcasts. 
list  subscription 
Investor  mailing 
to  our 
service.  Regular  updates 
corporate presentation. Attendance at 
investor relations events. Annual report 
and AGM channels. 

to 
Regular  campaign  of  outreach 
shareholders, including 1-2-1 sessions 
with top 10 shareholders.

to  Georgian 

state 
Adherence 
regulations.  Commitment  to  fulfilling 
our  AIM  obligations.  Annual  audit  of 
financial 
Company  processes  and 
risks.  We 
developed 
Abuse 
comprehensive 
Regulations  (MAR)  and  Anti-Bribery 
policies.

Market 

have 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
 
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Strategic Report continued

Statement of Corporate Responsibility continued

18

Stakeholder                                              Reason for engagement                         How we engage 

Communities and environment. Our 
operations  are  embedded  within  a 
complex 
and 
ecosystem.

economic 

local 

Suppliers. We engage contractors and 
purchase 
from  a  wide  range  of 
suppliers.

We ensure that all our staff, particularly 
those  involved  in  operations,  work  in 
safe  conditions  and  that  they  protect 
the  safety  of  others.  We  also  ensure 
that  our  exploration  and  production 
activities are conducted with due care 
for the environment and neighbouring 
communities. We work with state and 
the 
local  government 
communities  in  the  areas  where  we 
operate  and  support  community 
programmes.

to  support 

We must honour our obligations to the 
staff of the companies that we contract, 
and ensure they are aware of the HSE 
and regulatory framework within which 
we operate.

We  have  appointed  an  experienced 
professional  to  develop,  enforce  and 
oversee our HSE policy. HSE is the first 
item  discussed  during  the  operations 
section of our monthly board meeting. 
Our Technical Director also provides an 
HSE  update  during  our  weekly  team 
meeting. Our London office operates a 
for  paper  and 
recycling  policy 
packaging.  We  intend  to  extend  this 
policy to our Georgian offices.

We  integrate  our  MAR  and  HSE 
policies  into  all  agreements  entered 
into  by  our  contractors.  We  have  a 
robust financial process for settling our 
invoices  for  contractors  and  all  other 
service  providers.  We  take  care  to 
ensure  we  source  products  and 
services from ethical suppliers.

The Board is responsible for putting in place and communicating a sound system to manage risk and implement internal 
control. We recognise that the management of risk is an essential business practice: we work to balance risk and return, 
threat and opportunity. 

Health, safety and environment 

Our operations are conducted within a robust Health, Safety and Environment (“HSE”) framework. We have employed a 
full time HSE advisor to work onsite in Georgia with our Georgian HSE manager to design and enforce our policy. The 
Board has taken on the responsibility of formulating the HSE Policy and establishing an HSE Management Plan for the 
remainder of 2020. It monitors performance against the Plan every month, assisted by regular reports from the HSE advisor. 
Any serious incident or high potential near miss will immediately be brought to the attention of the Board which will then 
oversee the appropriate remedial action. 

Climate change  

For our sector, there is a keen interest from several stakeholders and investors on the theme of climate change and we can 
assure them that Block is wholly committed to good environmental stewardship. We have a robust approach to corporate 
responsibility  and  sustainability  issues,  underpinned  by  our  commitment  to  high  standards  of  health  and  safety  and 
environmental stewardship. Consistent with our strategy, one of our operational focuses in 2020 is the installation of a gas 
processing facility in West Rustavi that will greatly reduce the emissions from the flaring of natural gas associated with the 
oil production. This will have a positive impact upon the carbon footprint of the output and help reduce carbon dioxide 
emissions.  

Paul Haywood  
Chief Executive Officer 

Block Energy PLC

 
 
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Strategic Report continued

Board of Directors

19

The current Board consists of five directors: two independent non-executive directors, one with the role of Chairman, and 
three executive directors. There are also additional succession plans being developed, as outlined in the Nominations 
Committee Report on page 33. 

Paul Haywood | Chief Executive Officer 

Committee memberships: Nominations Committee; Technical Committee 

Paul has a wealth of experience and success in delivering value for his investment network through a blended skill set of 
corporate banking and operational experience, building early stage and growth projects throughout the UK, Europe, Africa 
and Middle East. Paul is a founder of Block Energy and has spent more than 15 years in the natural resources sector with 
over  nine  years  in  the  Georgian  oil  and  gas  sector,  leading  the  acquisition,  development  and  sale  of  many  assets. 
Additionally, Paul has held senior management roles with UK and Australian public companies in the natural resources 
sector.  

Key skills and competencies: corporate and operational oil experience, Georgia knowledge and contacts, and strong record 
of delivering projects. 

Roger McMechan | Technical Director 

Committee memberships: Technical Committee 

Roger has more than 30 years’ experience of managing domestic and international operations with senior managerial and 
executive roles at companies including Petro Canada, Burlington Resources and Winstar Resources (active in Algeria, 
Hungary, Romania and Tunisia). He has deep experience in new field development, mature field optimisation, oil and gas 
well completions and stimulation, and oil and gas opportunity evaluation. Roger has worked in Georgia for five years, 
overseeing  operations,  crude  marketing,  new  well  drilling,  old  well  workovers  and  recompletions.  He  has  a  BSc  in 
Engineering from the University of Waterloo and is a Professional Engineer registered in Alberta. 

Key  skills  and  competencies:  operational  oil  and  gas  experience,  Georgia  knowledge  and  contacts,  and  opportunity 
evaluation. 

William McAvock | Chief Financial Officer 

Committee memberships: Disclosure Committee 

William has more than 13 years’ experience in strategic and operational finance roles within several listed natural resources 
groups, including Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd, International Petroleum Ltd, African Minerals Ltd and Adastra Minerals Inc, 
where he took leading roles in establishing and managing financial systems in Iraq, Russia, Kazakhstan, Niger, Sierra 
Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. William is a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant and holds a BA (Hons) 
in Accounting from London Guildhall University. 

Key skills and competencies: finance and accounting, operational oil experience. 

Philip Dimmock | Non-Executive Chairman 

Committee  memberships:  Audit  Committee  (Chair);  Disclosure  Committee  (Chair);  Nominations  Committee  (Chair); 
Remuneration Committee; Technical Committee 

Philip spent a significant part of his career at BP in a wide variety of senior positions, including manager of the Forties oil 
field.  Subsequently,  his  executive  roles  included  Vice  President  International/Managing  Director  UK  at  Ranger  Oil 
Ltd/Canadian Natural Resources and Vice President Operations at Vanco Energy. In non-executive board positions, Philip 
was a director of Nautical Petroleum Plc and, recently, the Senior Independent Director of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. 
He currently serves as Advisor to Oando Energy Resources Inc. Philip has an MA in Physics from the University of Oxford. 

Key skills and competencies: extensive oil and gas sector experience and knowledge, career board member. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Strategic Report continued

Board of Directors continued

20

Christopher Brown | Non-Executive Director 

Committee  memberships:  Audit  Committee;  Nominations  Committee;  Remuneration  Committee  (Chair);  Technical 
Committee (Chair) 

Chris Brown has nearly 40 years’ experience across the international upstream oil and gas sector. Educated at Exeter 
University, Imperial College and the INSEAD Management School, he is a founding director of Beagle Geoscience, which 
provides consultancy and management services for the exploration and production sector. During his career Chris has led 
oil and gas operations in the UK, Europe, North Africa and South America, while working for Shell, Enterprise Oil and 
Suncor. He is a regular speaker and presenter at industry conferences. 

Key skills and competencies: extensive oil and gas sector experience, professional consultant and manager. 

Block Energy PLC

 
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Report of the Directors

21

The directors present their report and the audited financial statements of Block Energy Plc (“the Group”) for the 18 months 
period ended 31 December 2019. 

Principal activity 

The principal activity of the Group is oil and gas extraction and development. 

Incorporation and admission to trading on AIM 

The Company was incorporated on 8 February 2005 and was admitted to trading on AIM on 11 June 2018. 

Results and dividends 

The results for the 18 months period are set out on page 44. 

This report covers the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019, because, in June 2019, in order to bring its financial 
reporting into line with peer companies and to carry out its year-end work when there is a seasonal reduction in operational 
activities, the Company changed its accounting reference date from 30 June to 31 December. Therefore, the current 
18 months period ended 31 December 2019 is not directly comparable with the prior 12 months period ended 30 June 
2018. 

At 30 June 2019, to enable easier comparison with most of its oil & gas sector peer group, the presentational currency for 
the consolidated accounts was changed from the pound sterling to the United States dollar with effect from 1 July 2017. 
The current and comparative period balances have been translated using the average exchange rate for the year (2019: 
$1.29702,  2018:  $1.34497)  for  the  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income  and  the  period  end  date  exchange  rate 
(31 December 2019: $1.26992, 30 June 2018: $1.32050, 30 June 2017: $1.29946) for the Statement of Financial Position, 
except for share capital, which was translated using historical exchange rates. 

The directors do not recommend payment of a dividend (2018: $Nil). 

Review of business and future developments 

A review of the business and likely future developments of the Company are contained in the CEO’s business review on 
page 6. 

Following the period end, on 25 March 2020, the Company entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with 
Schlumberger to acquire its subsidiary Schlumberger Rustaveli Company Limited, which holds three production sharing 
contracts in Georgia. 

Also following the period end, owing to the combined impacts of lower demand for oil caused by COVID-19 and the Russia–
Saudi Arabia oil price war, the Brent oil price collapsed from over $50 per barrel at the start of March 2020 to less than $20 
per barrel in April 2020. The Company has responded to the low oil price by postponing all new capital expenditure and 
reducing the monthly cash burn in Georgia by 40% from $107,000 to $64,000 through a combination of cost-cutting and 
deferral of operating and administration expenses. In the UK, directors and employees have agreed a scheme in which, 
with effect from 1 April 2020, 40% of their salaries will be paid in nil-cost options to acquire ordinary shares in the Company, 
reducing monthly cash salary costs. Options will be priced at a VWAP over the monthly salary period and the first options 
are expected to be based on the VWAP for the month of April 2020 and issued in early May 2020. 

The directors note that COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on the global economy and oil prices have fallen 
significantly, which may mean it is harder to secure additional funding than it has historically been. The global pandemic 
may also bring practical challenges to the timetables for the construction of the gas pipeline and the consequent sale of 
gas. The directors are confident that current capital projects are funded and have a reasonable expectation that they could 
secure  additional  funding,  if  needed,  to  fund  additional  capital  projects.  However,  these  conditions  are  necessarily 
considered to represent a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt over the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern. Whilst acknowledging this material uncertainty, the directors remain confident of making further cost savings 
when required and therefore the directors consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

258827 Block Energy pp01-pp24.qxp  14/05/2020  15:11  Page 22

Report of the Directors continued

22

basis. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a 
going concern. 

Risk management 

Risk management is integral to the business with management continuously monitoring and managing risk within the 
relevant business areas. Every material decision is preceded by an evaluation of applicable business risks. Regular reviews 
of risks and management of these are undertaken and presented to the Board. 

Principal risks and uncertainties 

The principal risks the Board have reviewed are disclosed on pages 11 to 15 of the Strategic Report. 

Share capital 

Details of shares issued by the Company during the period are set out in Note 24 to the financial statements. 

Directors and directors’ interests 

The directors of the Company who served during the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019 are listed below, and the 
current Board members’ biographies are on pages 19 to 20. 

Paul Haywood                     Chief Executive Officer 

Roger McMechan                 Technical Director 
William McAvock                  Chief Financial Officer (appointed 16 September 2019) 
Niall Tomlinson                     Executive Director (resigned 30 November 2019) 
Serina Bierer                        Finance Director (resigned 21 January 2019) 
Philip Dimmock                     Independent Non-Executive Chairman 
Timothy Parson                    Director – Non-Executive (resigned 3 October 2018) 
Christopher Brown                Director – Non-Executive (appointed 3 October 2018) 

Details of directors’ interests in shares are disclosed on page 38. 

Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance 

The Group provided directors’ and officers’ liability insurance at a cost of $7,000 (2018: $2,000). 

Statement of 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 year. Under that law the directors 
have elected to prepare the Group and company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and company and 
of the profit or loss of the Group and company for that period. The directors are also required to prepare financial statements 
in accordance with the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on AIM.  

In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to: 

•      select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

•      make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

•      state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, subject to any 

material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

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•      prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company 

will continue in business. 

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to 
ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible 
for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud 
and other irregularities.  

Website publication 

The directors are responsible for ensuring the annual report and the financial statements are made available on a website. 
Financial  statements  are  published  on  the  Company’s  website  in  accordance  with  legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. 
The maintenance and integrity of the company’s website is the responsibility of the directors. The directors’ responsibility 
also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein. 

Governance statement 

We have chosen to adhere to the Quoted Company Alliance’s Corporate Governance Code for Small and Mid-Size Quoted 
Companies 2018 version. Our full statement of compliance with the QCA Code is provided in the Governance Report from 
pages 25 to 38. 

Engagement with employees in the UK 

We have few UK staff and our London based staff have daily team meetings, and the executive team has regular one-on-
one meetings with every staff member. 

Engagement with stakeholders 

This is discussed in the Statement of Corporate Responsibility on pages 16 to 18. Furthermore, the Board has appointed 
Chris Brown to serve as its Employee Representative.  

Engagement with shareholders 

The directors attach great importance to maintaining good relationships with shareholders and the Company is active in 
communicating  with  both  its  institutional  and  private  shareholders.  The  Company  also  issues  regular  updates  to 
shareholders. Market sensitive information is notified in accordance with the AIM Rules and the Market Abuse Regulation. 

Political contributions 

During the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019, political donations totalled $Nil (2018: $Nil). 

Financial instruments 

The main financial risks arising from the Group’s activities are liquidity risk, commodity price risk, increased costs and 
currency risk. These are monitored by the Board and were not considered to be significant at the reporting date. 

Budgets are regularly prepared and fund-raising initiatives undertaken as and when required. Risk is inherent in the nature 
of the business and is managed to the best of the Board’s ability. Further detail on financial instruments is shown in note 30. 

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Auditors and disclosure of information to auditors 

All of the current directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any 
information needed by the relevant Auditors for the purposes of their audit and to establish that the Auditors are aware of 
that information. The directors are not aware of any relevant audit information of which the Auditors are unaware. 

BDO LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office and a resolution to re appoint them will be proposed at the 
annual general meeting. 

The Directors’ Report was approved and authorised for issue on 30 April 2020. 

Paul Haywood 
Director 
Date: 30 April 2020

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Corporate Governance Statement

25

Introduction 

We believe in the value and importance of good corporate governance and in our accountability to our stakeholders, 
including shareholders, staff, contractors, clients, suppliers, and the communities within which we operate.  

Corporate governance was improved during the current period with the establishment of a new Technical Committee of the 
board and more frequent meetings of the board and its committees. The Company’s succession plans include greater 
diversity and the recruitment of a third independent non-executive director. 

QCA Corporate Governance Code (2018) 

From 28 September 2018, AIM rules require AIM listed companies to apply a recognised Corporate Governance Code. We 
have chosen to adhere to the Quoted Company Alliance’s Corporate Governance Code for Small and Mid-Size Quoted 
Companies to meet the new requirements of AIM Rule 26. 

The QCA Code is constructed around 10 broad principles and a set of disclosures. The QCA has stated what it considers 
to be appropriate arrangements for growing companies and asks companies to explain how they are meeting the principles 
through the prescribed disclosures. This statement explains how Block will follow the 10 principles of the QCA Code, quoted 
in the headings below, as specified in the AIM Rules for Companies published by the London Stock Exchange. 

Principle One: ‘Establish a strategy and business model which promote long-term value for 
shareholders’ 

Block’s aim is to become the leading independent oil and gas producer in Georgia by realising the potential of previously 
discovered fields suited for the deployment of selected Western well technology and completion techniques. Georgia is a 
stable, business friendly nation with proven but underdeveloped reserves, and is of increasing interest to major producers. 

Block has working interests in three licences: West Rustavi (100%), Norio (100%) and Satskhenisi (90%). All are within the 
region’s prolific Kura basin, which at its peak produced approximately 67,000 bopd and in the course of its history has 
produced over 180 MMbbl. 

We have designed a robust business model to implement our strategy: 

•      The Company has raised a total of £17 million ($21.8 million) to fund a multi-well drilling programme to accelerate 
exploration and production at West Rustavi. Two wells have been horizontally sidetracked, both of which are on 
production. A 3D seismic survey of the field has been acquired to identify optimal drilling locations. Storage facilities 
have been upgraded, and a gas offtake agreement secured. 

•      Successful execution of Block’s plan requires a management and technical team with extensive knowledge of Georgia’s 
oil and gas sector and its legal and regulatory environment. Block is led by a management team with deep and wide 
experience, with networks both in Georgia and across the international oil and gas industry. One of our shareholders, 
Georgia Oil & Gas Limited (“GOG”), is a well-established operator and asset owner within the region. The Company 
has also assembled a team of geologists and geophysicists with first-hand experience of working on major Georgian 
oil fields. 

•      Block’s principal technical challenges are to identify technologies suitable for the near-wellbore damage believed to 
exist in the wells drilled within our licences during the Soviet era, and to successfully deploy sidetracking and suitable 
completion techniques to optimise production from the fractured and compartmentalised reservoirs present. In meeting 
these challenges, Block is bringing the most cost-efficient technology that the international oil and gas industry has to 
offer to Georgia. A state-of-the-art 3D seismic survey of West Rustavi has been completed, the results of which are 
being analysed by an experienced technical team. We have recruited a highly skilled and experienced technical team, 
drawing on specialist consultants as required, to design and implement horizontal sidetracking operations at West 
Rustavi. And  we  have  selected  an  enhanced  perforation  technology  that  our  research  indicates  will  be  ideal  for 
overcoming legacy wellbore damage, able to bore multiple small holes from the wellbores and circumvent historic 
issues. 

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•      All our operations are conducted within a developing robust Health, Safety and Environment (“HSE”) framework. The 
Board has set a number of short-term objectives to bring the legacy facilities up to industry standards and has recruited 
an industry professional with decades of experience overseeing HSE in Georgia for multinational oil and gas companies 
as a full time HSE advisor. He is working onsite to further develop and enforce our policies. 

•      The  Board  recognises  the  critical  importance  of  developing  effective  communications  channels  with  current  and 
prospective investors. We regularly update the market as appropriate with RNS announcements, which are posted 
automatically to our website as soon as they appear on the London Stock Exchange’s Regulatory News Service. Our 
directors are frequently interviewed on investor news channels. We also distribute our RNS announcements and other 
Block news through social media and a mailing list subscription service, and continue to make the Company’s business 
case at investor meetups and other events around the UK. All of our communications are available on our website and 
social media channels. We intend to meet our major institutional investors on a regular basis and, beyond the Annual 
General Meeting of shareholders, to hold investor days periodically. 

•      The Company contracts an experienced financial communications company to assist with the preparation of our RNS 

announcements, presentations and the management of our social media channels. 

•      Our directors continually investigate and evaluate new exploration and production opportunities in Georgia and beyond. 
We have recently identified two further Georgian licences operated by Schlumberger and have entered into a conditional 
sale and purchase agreement to acquire them. We are an ambitious, flexible and open-minded operator, alert to fresh 
opportunities for applying the latest production and exploration technologies and processes to take advantage of 
discoveries. 

Principle Two: ‘Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations’ 

The Board strives to keep shareholders informed with clear and transparent information on the Company’s operations, 
strategy  and  financial  position.  Details  of  all  shareholder  communications  are  provided  on  the  Company  website  in 
accordance with AIM Rules. RNS updates are published to the ‘Announcements’ section; reports and circulars to the 
‘Investors’ section; and videos, podcasts, presentations and images from our field operations to Block’s social media – 
Twitter and LinkedIn – and the website’s ‘Media’ section. 

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Primary responsibility for investor relations rests with the Chief Executive Officer, supported by the other directors. Since 
Block began trading on AIM on 11 June 2018, the Company has used multiple channels to understand the needs and 
expectations of its shareholder base. The table below summarises the communications the Company has undertaken during 
the last six months of 2019 with current and potential investors in addition to regular RNS announcements: 

Date               Activity                                                                                                                           Participants 

12 Nov 19      TD records series of short operations videos for social media                                       TD 

31 Oct 19       CEO and TD presentations given at AGM                                                                      CEO, TD 

25 Sep 19      CEO and TD give video presentation on operations at well WR-16aZ                           CEO, TD 

3 Sep 19        Well 38Z operations video published to social media                                                     TD 

13 Aug 19       NED Chris Brown interviewed by Proactive Investors                                                    NED 

12 Aug 19       NED Philip Dimmock interviewed by Proactive Investors                                               NED 

7 Aug 19         CEO interviewed by Vox Markets and Proactive Investors                                             CEO 

15 Jul 19        CEO interviewed by IG TV and Proactive Investors                                                       CEO 

11 Jul 19        CEO presents at LSE Investor Briefing                                                                           CEO 

10 Jul 19        CEO interviewed by ValueTheMarkets                                                                           CEO 

8 Jul 19          CEO interviewed by Total Market Solutions                                                                    CEO 

2 Jul 19          CEO interviewed by Proactive Investors                                                                         CEO 

27 Jun 19       CEO presents at Amati Investor Afternoon                                                                     CEO 

29 May 19      CEO interview with Total Market Solutions                                                                     CEO 

24 May 19      CEO interview with IG TV                                                                                               CEO 

22 May 19      CEO interview with Vox Markets                                                                                     CEO 

21 May 19      CEO interview with Proactive Investors and Vox Markets                                              CEO 

25 Apr 19       CEO interviewed by IG TV on positive production test at West Rustavi well 16aZ         CEO 

23 Mar 19       CEO video Q&A with Vox Markets                                                                                  CEO 

12 Mar 19       CEO interviewed by Proactive Investors on agreement to take 100% Working  

Interest in West Rustavi field                                                                                           CEO 

29 Jan 19       CEO interviewed by Proactive Investors about West Rustavi horizontal sidetrack         CEO 

Key: CH (Chair), CEO (Chief Executive Officer), TD (Technical Director), NED (Non-Executive Director) 

The AGM is our principal forum for dialogue with private shareholders, and usually we encourage all shareholders to attend 
and participate, but attendance at the next AGM is likely to be restricted by COVID-19 measures. The Notice of Meeting is 
sent to shareholders at least 21 days before the meeting. The chairs of the Board and all committees, together with all 
other  directors  whenever  possible,  attend  the  AGM  and  are  available  to  answer  questions  raised  by  shareholders. 
Shareholders vote on each resolution by way of a poll. We intend to announce the number of votes withheld, received for 
and against each resolution and publish them on our website. 

In  addition  to  maintaining  the  digital  communications  channels  discussed  under  Principle  One  above,  the  Company 
maintains a dedicated email address (info@blockenergy.co.uk) which investors can use to contact the Company. This is 
displayed prominently on our website, together with an online enquiries form and our address and phone number. All 
enquiries are reviewed and distributed to our directors as appropriate. We also contract a financial communications agency 
to assist with the preparation and maintenance of our investor announcements, presentations and social media channels. 

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The directors continually review our channels with private shareholders. As discussed under Principle One above, we intend 
to hold investor days which shareholders will be encouraged to attend either in person or by teleconference, in addition to 
our AGM. 

The  directors  also  take  every  opportunity  to  communicate  our  objectives  to  institutional  shareholders.  They  make 
presentations to institutional shareholders and analysts immediately following the release of the Company’s full-year results. 
We keep-in-touch with institutional investors through a combination of formal meetings, participation at investor conferences, 
roadshows and informal briefings with management. The majority of meetings with shareholders and potential investors 
are arranged by the Company’s brokers or direct with the Company. After meetings the broker provides anonymised 
feedback to the Board from all of the fund managers we meet with, to gather and monitor sentiments, expectations and 
intentions. In addition, we review analyst notes to achieve a wide understanding of investor views and develop our investor 
relations strategy. 

Principle Three: ‘Take into account wider stakeholder and social responsibilities and their 
implications for long-term success’ 

We understand that our long-term success depends on our relationships with our stakeholders. Please see our Statement 
of Corporate Responsibility in the Strategic Report element of this Annual Report as presented on pages 16 to 18. 

Principle Four: ‘Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, 
throughout the organisation’ 

The Board is responsible for putting in place and communicating robust systems to manage risk and implement internal 
control. We recognise that risk management is an essential business practice: we work to balance risk and return, threat 
and opportunity. 

Audit Committee 

The Board has established an Audit Committee to meet as necessary to consider the scope of the annual audit and the 
interim financial statements and to assess the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal controls. It reviews the 
results of the external audit, its cost effectiveness and the objectives of the auditor. Given the present size of the Company 
the Audit Committee considers an internal audit function is not currently justified. The Audit Committee comprises Philip 
Dimmock (Chair) and Chris Brown. 

Remuneration Committee 

The Remuneration Committee reviews the performance of the executive directors and makes recommendations to the 
Board on matters relating to their remuneration and terms of employment. The Remuneration Committee also makes 
recommendations to the Board on proposals for the granting of share options and other equity incentives pursuant to any 
share option scheme or equity incentive scheme in operation. The remuneration and terms and conditions of appointment 
of the non-executive directors of the Group is set by the Board. The executive directors are invited to attend for agenda 
items that require their contributions although they do not take part in any discussion on their own benefits and remuneration. 
The Remuneration Committee currently comprises Chris Brown (Chair) and Philip Dimmock. Paul Haywood ceased to be 
a member of the Remuneration Committee on 11 June 2018. 

Nominations Committee 

The Nominations Committee meets as and when necessary to consider appointments to the Board, senior management 
positions and succession planning. The Nominations Committee comprises Philip Dimmock (Chair), Chris Brown and Paul 
Haywood. 

Disclosure Committee 

The Disclosure Committee has the primary responsibility and authority to make decisions on disclosure delay for the 
purposes of Market Abuse Regulations (“MAR”). The Disclosure Committee comprises Philip Dimmock (Chair) and William 
McAvock. 

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Technical Committee 

The Technical Committee meets every month and sometimes more frequently to consider surface and sub-surface technical 
and operational matters. The Technical Committee comprises Chris Brown (Chair), Philip Dimmock, Roger McMechan and 
Paul Haywood. 

Health, Safety and Environment 

Our operations are conducted within a robust Health, Safety and Environment (“HSE”) framework. We have employed a 
full time HSE manager to work onsite in Georgia to design and enforce our policy: a professional petroleum engineer with 
decades of experience overseeing HSE in Georgia for multinational oil and gas companies. 

The Board is yet to establish a HSE Committee. It has therefore taken on the responsibility of formulating the HSE policy 
and establishing an HSE management plan for the remainder of 2020. It monitors performance against the plan every 
month, assisted by regular reports from the HSE Manager. Any serious incident or high potential near miss will immediately 
be brought to the attention of the Board which will then oversee the appropriate remedial action. 

Principle Five: ‘Maintain the Board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the Chair’ 

The members of the Board have a collective responsibility and legal obligation to promote the interests of the Company, 
and are jointly responsible for defining corporate governance arrangements. Ultimate responsibility for the quality of, and 
approach to, corporate governance lies with the Chairman. 

The Board currently consists of five directors, three of whom are executives and two independent non-executives (including 
the Chairman). The Board has established a set of committees to support its work (see Principle Nine below). 

Board meetings are held regularly. All directors, executive and non-executive, are required to attend, and to make every 
effort to attend in person. They are also required to be available at other times as necessary for face-to-face and dial-in 
and video conferencing meetings with staff and investors. 

Executive and non-executive directors’ attendance at Board and committee meetings during the 18 months period ended 
31 December 2019 is summarised below: 

                                                                                                      Board                 Audit   Remuneration      Nominations           Technical 
Director name                                                                           meetings        Committee        Committee        Committee        Committee 

Serina Bierer (1)                                                                                   8/9                     2/2                     2/2                           

Chris Brown (2)                                                                                17/20                     1/1                 11/11                     1/1                     8/8 

Philip Dimmock                                                                               24/24                     7/7                 12/12                     3/3                     7/8 

Paul Haywood (3)                                                                             24/24                                                                        3/3                     7/8 

William McAvock (4)                                                                             5/5                           

Roger McMechan                                                                           23/24                                                                                                 8/8 

Timothy Parson (5)                                                                               3/4                                              1/1 

Niall Tomlinson (6)                                                                            23/24                     6/6 

(1)   Resigned as a director on 21 January 2019 
(2)   Appointed as a director and appointed to Remuneration Committee on 3 October 2018, and appointed to Audit Committee on 30 

November 2019 

(3)   Ceased to be a member of the Remuneration Committee on 11 June 2018 
(4)   Appointed as a director on 16 September 2019 
(5)   Resigned as a director on 3 October 2018 
(6)   Resigned as a director on 30 November 2018 

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The Board follows a schedule of regular business, financial and operational matters, and each committee has compiled a 
schedule of work to ensure that all areas for which the Board has responsibility are addressed and reviewed during the 
period. The Chairman is responsible for ensuring directors receive accurate, sufficient and timely information to facilitate 
their decision-making. The Company’s Communications Officer minutes the meetings and compiles the papers circulated 
to directors prior to meetings. Directors are aware of the right to have any concerns minuted and to seek independent 
advice at the Company’s expense where appropriate. Minutes are passed to the Company Secretary for archiving. 

The Board has at least one formal meeting a month. Papers are issued covering the full range of subjects of interest to the 
Board in good time for review prior to each meeting. The directors also dedicate time to committee meetings. The committees 
meet from two to four times a year. The directors will attend the AGM, whenever possible, and will review the Annual Report 
and Statement of Accounts in preparation. The directors also visit Georgia twice a year in order to perform safety inspections 
and meet staff and stakeholders. In addition to these formal events the directors frequently discuss day-to-day Company 
matters in person and by conference call. The number of days committed to the Company is difficult to quantify because 
directors make themselves available as required on a daily basis: the total is in the range of 36 days per year. 

The Board believes its blend of experience, skills, personal qualities and capabilities is sufficient to enable it to successfully 
execute the Company’s strategy. The directors attend seminars and other regulatory and trade events to help ensure their 
knowledge remains current. 

The Board has established a Nominations Committee, which meets at least twice a year. As well as making appointments 
to the Board it maintains a list of candidates for future selection. 

Principle Six: ‘Ensure that between them the directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, 
skills and capabilities’ 

On the Company’s admission to AIM in June 2018, the founding directors brought new directors onto the Board to ensure 
that the directors have the collective experience and skills to oversee the activities of the Company and the successful 
execution  of  its  strategy. Together,  the  directors  have  wide  and  deep  experience  in  the  governance  of  publicly  listed 
companies, HSE management, well and production operations, petroleum reservoir engineering, geoscience, oil and gas 
field  development,  contract  negotiation,  commercial,  finance,  accounting  and  government  and  community  relations. 
Furthermore, three of our directors have experience of applying all of these skills within Georgia. 

Profiles of our executive and non-executive directors demonstrating their suitability for the responsibilities with which they 
have been entrusted are available in this report and the ‘About Us’ page of our website. 

All of the directors accept personal responsibility for undertaking continuous professional development – through means 
including  seminars,  conferences  and  self-directed  study  –  to  understand  and  take  advantage  of  the  most  recent 
developments in the sector whether technical, commercial or related to governance. 

The Nominations Committee will continue to assess the suitability the Board’s skills and experience for designing and 
implementing the Company’s strategy, and, when warranted, will appoint new directors with the required skills. 

The Board is kept abreast of developments of governance and AIM regulations. Hill Dickinson, the Company’s lawyers, 
provide updates on governance issues, and the Company’s nominated advisors, Spark Advisory Partners, provide annual 
Board AIM Rules refresher training as well as the initial training received in the course of a new director’s onboarding.  

The directors have access to the Company’s nominated advisors, lawyers and auditors as and when required and are able 
to obtain advice from other external bodies when necessary. 

Principle Seven: ‘Evaluate Board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking 
continuous improvement’ 

The performance of each member of the Board (and senior management) is evaluated to assess their contribution to the 
success of the Company. The Board is collectively responsible for the evaluation of the performance of each member. The 
executive directors are incentivised to seek continuous improvement and innovation through remuneration schemes linked 
to share price, and thus, ultimately, Company performance.  

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It is intended that a questionnaire method of measuring the performance of the Board will be introduced for the financial 
year ending 31 December 2020. 

Principle Eight: ‘Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours’ 

Our long-term growth is underpinned by our core values: 

•      We continually work to develop and maintain excellent relationships with all of our stakeholders: with staff, shareholders, 

suppliers and the communities within which our operations work is embedded. 

•      We are an agile and ambitious company with a team carefully selected for their skills and experience, commitment to 

our values, and dedication the successful execution of our current and future strategy. 

•      We are committed to employing the industry’s most cost-effective technology and processes to achieve our objectives 

and deliver value to our stakeholders. 

•      We  are  courteous,  honest  and  straightforward  in  all  our  dealings,  honouring  diversity,  individuality  and  personal 
differences, and are committed to observing the highest personal, professional and ethical standards in conducting our 
business. 

•      We are acutely conscious of our particular responsibilities as an oil and gas producer. Our HSE obligations are the first 
operations-related  agenda  item  at  all  of  our  Board  meetings,  and  we  have  employed  an  experienced  full  time 
professional onsite in Georgia to develop and manage our HSE processes. 

Our values are expressed and communicated regularly to staff through internal communications and forums. They are 
enshrined in the contract signed by all new employees, and evidence of commitment to them by candidates is considered 
as part of the selection process. 

The Board believes the suffusion of our core values across the Company’s operations also gives Block a critical competitive 
advantage, improving our internal efficiency and the quality of our stakeholder relationships. 

Principle Nine: ‘Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support 
good decision-making by the Board’ 

The Board is supported by the following governance structure: 

The Board 

The Board provides the Company’s strategic leadership and operates within the scope of a robust corporate governance 
framework. It ensures the delivery of long-term shareholder value by setting and promoting the culture, values and practices 
that operate throughout the business, and defining the Company’s strategic goals. The Board delegates certain defined 
responsibilities to its committees. The chair of each committee (defined below) reports its activities to the Board. 

The Chairman has overall responsibility for the quality of corporate governance. The Chair: 

•      leads and chairs the Board; 

•      ensures that committees are properly structured and operate with appropriate terms of reference; 

•      ensures that performance of individual directors, the Board and its committees are reviewed on a regular basis; 

•      leads the development of strategy and setting objectives; 

•      oversees communication between the Company and its shareholders.  

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The Chief Executive Officer oversees the coherent leadership and management of the Company. The CEO: 

•      leads the development of objectives, strategies and performance standards as agreed by the Board; 

•      monitors, reviews and manages key risks and strategies with the Board; 

•      ensures that the Company’s assets are maintained and safeguarded; 

•      leads on investor relations activities to ensure the Company’s standing with shareholders and financial institutions is 

maintained; 

•      ensures the Board is aware of the views and opinions of employees on relevant matters. 

The executive directors are responsible for implementing and delivering the operational decisions agreed by the Board, 
making operational and financial decisions required in the day-to-day operation of the Company, providing executive 
leadership to managers, championing the Company’s core values and promoting talent management. 

The independent non-executive directors contribute independent thinking and judgement through the application of their 
external experience and knowledge, scrutinise the performance of management, provide constructive challenge to the 
executive directors, and ensure that the Company is operating within the governance and risk framework approved by the 
Board. 

The Communications Officer is responsible for providing clear and timely information flow to the Board and its committees 
and the Company Secretary supports the Board on matters of corporate governance and risk. 

The matters reserved for the Board are: 

•      setting long-term objectives and commercial strategy; 

•      approving annual operating and capital expenditure budgets; 

•      establishing and monitoring the implementation of the HSE Policy and Management Plan 

•      changing the share capital or corporate structure of the Company; 

•      approving results and reports; 

•      approving dividend policy and the declaration of dividends; 

•      approving major investments, disposals, capital projects or contracts; 

•      approving resolutions to be put to general meetings of shareholders and the associated documents or circulars; and 

•      approving changes to the Board structure. 

The Board has approved the adoption of the QCA Code as its governance framework against which this statement has 
been prepared. The Board will monitor the suitability of this Code on an annual basis and revise its governance framework 
as appropriate as the Company evolves. 

Audit Committee 

Please see the description of our Audit Committee above. 

Nominations Committee 

Please see the description of our Nominations Committee above. 

Remuneration Committee 

Please see the description of our Remuneration Committee above. 

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Disclosure Committee 

Please see the description of our Disclosure Committee above. 

Technical Committee 

Please see the description of our Technical Committee above.  

Principle Ten: ‘Communicate how the company is governed and is performing by maintaining a 
dialogue with shareholders and other relevant stakeholders’ 

All historical annual reports, notices of general meetings and other corporate governance related material are available on 
the ‘Investors’ section of our website. Here are brief summaries of the work of our committees since 30 June 2018: 

Audit Committee Report 

The Audit Committee meets as and when required to consider financial controls, review plans and completion reports 
prepared by its auditor, and to review financial statements and recommend them for approval by the Board. The Audit 
Committee met seven times during the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019. 

Nominations Committee Report 

The Nominations Committee meets as and when necessary to consider appointments to the Board and senior management 
positions, and has met three times during the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019. It has developed criteria for the 
selection of non-executive directors and has identified candidates that meet those criteria in order to formulate a succession 
plan. The Committee has considered the merits of a number of those candidates and selected one for recruitment to the 
Board during the current period, and has plans for further strengthening of the Board. 

The Nominations Committee comprises two non-executive director members and one executive director member, as follows: 

•      Philip Dimmock (Chair) 
•      Chris Brown  
•      Paul Haywood  

The Nominations Committee has responsibilities relating to: 

•      Reviewing the structure, size and composition of the Board and recommending any succession planning related 

changes required;  

•      Developing the process for appointments, and ensuring plans are in place for orderly succession to both the Board 

and senior management positions, and  

•      Overseeing the identifying and nominating of potential board candidates. 

Activities during the year included succession planning for the management team as William McAvock was appointed as 
Chief Financial Officer on the 16 September 2019, and Niall Tomlinson resigned as Executive Director on 30 November 
2019.  

The Committee feels that the Company has a skilled and talented team of executives and managers in place and has been 
making plans to further strengthen both the management team and the Board. The Company believes that there is merit 
from conducting a search process for an additional independent non-executive director, as this will help with succession 
planning and ensure a resilient and effective Board is in place and fit for purpose over the long-term. 

Remuneration Committee Report 

See the Remuneration Report in the section below. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Governance Report continued

Corporate Governance Statement continued

34

Disclosure Committee Report 

There has been no call to convene the Disclosure Committee since 30 June 2018.  

General Meeting voting 

The Company maintains that, if there is a resolution passed to a General Meeting with 20% or more votes against, the 
Company will seek to understand the reason for the result and, where appropriate, take suitable action. 

Block Energy PLC

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Governance Report continued

Remuneration Report

35

This Remuneration Report covers the 18 months period from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2019. The Remuneration 
Committee comprises Chris Brown (Chairman) and Philip Dimmock. Paul Haywood at times attends as a guest, and other 
directors attend on an ad hoc basis. During the period, the Remuneration Committee met 12 times. 

Remuneration policy 

The Remuneration Committee, in forming its policy on remuneration, gives due consideration to the needs of the Group, 
the shareholders, and the provisions of the QCA Code. The ongoing policy of the Remuneration Committee is to provide 
competitive remuneration packages to enable the Group to retain and motivate its key executives and to cost-effectively 
incentivise them to deliver long-term shareholder value. 

The Remuneration Committee keeps itself informed of relevant developments and best practice in the field of remuneration 
and seeks advice where appropriate from external advisors. It maintains oversight of the remuneration of staff, which is the 
responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. 

The remuneration policy for the non-executive directors is determined by the Board, considering best practice and the 
Articles of Association.  

Components of the remuneration package 

The main components of the remuneration package for executive directors and senior management are: 

•      Base salary; 

•      Pension; 

•      Performance-related annual cash bonus scheme; and 

•      Long-term incentive plan (“LTIP’’). 

Base salary 

The policy is to pay a fair and reasonable base salary, set around the median level of comparable companies. The base 
salary is reviewed at least annually by the Remuneration Committee, having regard to the performance of the Company 
and economic conditions. 

Following the period end, owing to the combined impacts of lower demand for oil caused by COVID-19 and the Russia–
Saudi Arabia oil price war, the Brent oil price collapsed from over $50 per barrel at the start of March 2020 to less than $20 
per barrel in April 2020. The Company has responded by agreeing with its executive directors and senior management a 
scheme in which, with effect from 1 April 2020, 40% of their salary will be paid in nil-cost options to acquire ordinary shares 
in the Company, reducing monthly cash salary costs. Options will be priced at a volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) 
over the monthly salary period and the first options are expected to be based on the VWAP for the month of April 2020 and 
issued in early May 2020.  

Pension 

The Company pays for a pension contribution of 10% of base salary for the executive directors. This commenced for William 
McAvock from 13 May 2019 (the date his employment commenced) and for Paul Haywood and Roger McMechan from 
1 July 2019. 

Performance-related cash bonus scheme 

The Remuneration Committee has developed a set of individual and Company key performance indicators (“KPIs”) with 
the aim of measuring performance accurately, consistently and of rewarding performance appropriately.  

For executives and staff, the KPIs are weighted 60% for the individual and 40% for the company. The CEO has 100% of 
his salary available for a bonus payment, while the potential maximum bonus payments for the Technical Director and Chief 
Financial Officer are 75% and 60% respectively. Senior management can receive up to 50% of their base salary as a bonus.  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Governance Report continued

Remuneration Report continued

36

For each KPI, measures are established at the beginning of the period for Threshold, Target and Stretch levels.  

The cash bonus payments made in 2019 were for the 12 months period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, when the 
Company decided to change its accounting reference date from 30 June to 31 December. The next bonus payments are 
planned to be paid in early 2021, depending on the economic environmental conditions and the financial resources of the 
Company at that time, and will be for the 18 months period from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2020. 

Description of Company KPIs for the 12 months period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 

HSE – sought to reward top performance across all sections of the business and was measured by the number of lost time 
incidents. 

Production – set ambitious production targets to be achieved from all company operations. 

Budget – encouraged meeting or coming under the agreed financial budget. 

Governance – rewarded compliance with and enhancement of set company policies and procedures. 

Description of Chief Executive Officer’s KPIs for the 12 months period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 

Business Development and New Ventures – designed to motivate the building Block Energy’s portfolio. 

Strategic Financing – growing the business required sourcing additional funding. 

Planning/Execution – rewarded oversight of the company meeting its key objectives. 

Description of Technical Director KPIs for the 12 months period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 

HSE – there is a specific KPI for the Technical Director who is expected to take the lead in implementing and promoting top 
performance in HSE. 

Production – the Technical Director is responsible for leading the effort to achieve production milestones.  

Cost Performance – encouraged achieving approved capital expenditure budgets. 

Execution – rewarded performing the work programme with minimal non- productive time. 

Planning – rewarded good planning of operations. 

Given the need to grow the business at the beginning of the measuring period, several KPIs were considered to be of 
particular importance, namely the Business Development and Strategic Financing KPIs. Under business development, the 
Group evaluated a number of opportunities, including the recently-announced acquisition from Schlumberger, as well as 
increasing our stake in West Rustavi. The Strategic Financing KPI was more than adequately met with the raise of £12 
million ($15.2 million) to fund future activities. For progress against other KPIs, please refer to the various executives’ 
statements.  

Description of KPIs for the 18 months period from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2020 

The executives have been set a similar set of KPIs for the period July 2019 to December 2020 at both company and 
individual levels as in the previous period. Greater emphasis has been placed on HSE, given the increase in operations, 
with an additional KPI for the completion of a comprehensive HSE plan covering all parts of the business. There are 
additional KPIs for the Chief Financial Officer in this period. 

Individual KPIs for the Chief Financial Officer will include achieving excellent cost management, rewarding value adding 
initiatives as well as rewarding excellence in treasury and contracts. 

Block Energy PLC

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Governance Report continued

Remuneration Report continued

37

Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) 

The LTIP aligns executive director interests with those of shareholders and drives superior long-term performance. Under 
the LTIP, executive directors and other members of the management team may be provided with awards in the form of 
share options that will vest over a three year period. 

On 21 October 2019, the Company granted a total of 6,325,000 options to acquire ordinary shares in the capital of the 
Company to new and existing employees. The options have an exercise price of 11p per share, an expiry date 10 years 
from the date of grant, and vest by one-third on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. 

Options were issued to the following recipients: 

•      3,125,000 William McAvock, Chief Financial Officer 

•      3,200,000 Other employees 

There are no performance conditions attached to these options, which vest in equal tranches after 1, 2 and 3 years. They 
were issued with an exercise price of 11p when the share price was 4.6p. 

Directors’ remuneration 

                                                                                                                                                                               18 months 
                                                                                                                                                                                        to 31     12 months 
                                                                                                                                                                               December     to 30 June 
                                                                                                                                                               Shares              2019              2018 
                                                    Salary            Bonus              Fees   Termination         Pension           issued              Total              Total 
                                                             $                    $                    $                    $                    $                    $                    $                    $ 

Non-Executive Directors                         

Christopher Brown                               –                    –           35,319                    –                223             6,422           41,964                    – 

Philip Dimmock                                    –                    –           64,217                    –                    –           12,201           76,418           20,175 

Timothy Parson                                    –                    –             7,706                    –                  38                    –             7,744           35,866 

Subtotal                                               –                    –         107,242                    –                261           18,623         126,126           56,041 

Executive Directors                                 

Niall Tomlinson                         123,425           39,270                    –                    –                    –                    –         162,695           70,146 

Paul Haywood *                        266,500         133,006                    –                    –           30,841                    –         430,347         100,562 

Roger McMechan                     250,446           75,827                    –                    –             9,633                    –         335,906                    – 

Serina Bierer                               54,379                    –                    –           20,549             3,600                    –           78,528           86,169 

William McAvock *                      46,794                    –                    –                    –             9,555                    –           56,349                    – 

Subtotal                                    741,544         248,103                    –           20,549           53,629                    –      1,063,825         256,877 

Total                                          741,544         248,103         107,242           20,549           53,890           18,623      1,189,951         312,918 

* The pension is higher than 10% of salary because some of the salary and bonus was sacrificed under a salary sacrifice scheme and the 

Company’s National Insurance saving was paid as an additional pension contribution. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
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Governance Report continued

Remuneration Report continued

38

Directors’ interests in shares 

The directors who held office at the end of the period had the following interests in the ordinary shares of the Company: 

                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 

Non-Executive Directors 

Chris Brown                                                                                                                                     69,957                                                 – 

Philip Dimmock                                                                                                                              475,918                                      312,500 

Sub-total                                                                                                                                        545,875                                      312,500 

Executive Directors                                                                                  

Paul Haywood                                                                                                                            2,143,419                                   1,654,727 

Roger McMechan                                                                                                                       3,401,260                                   3,401,260 

William McAvock                                                                                                                                      –                                                 – 

Sub-total                                                                                                                                     5,544,679                                   5,055,987 

Total                                                                                                                                            6,090,554                                   5,368,487 

Directors’ interests in options 

The directors who held office at the end of the period had the following interests in options to acquire ordinary shares of the 
Company: 

                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 

Non-Executive Directors 

Chris Brown                                                                                                                                              –                                                 – 

Philip Dimmock                                                                                                                                         –                                                 – 

Sub-total                                                                                                                                                   –                                                 – 

Executive Directors                                                                                  

Paul Haywood                                                                                                                          12,156,428                                 12,156,428 

Roger McMechan                                                                                                                       6,370,952                                   6,370,952 

William McAvock                                                                                                                        3,125,000                                                 – 

Sub-total                                                                                                                                   21,652,380                                 18,527,380 

Total                                                                                                                                          21,652,380                                 18,527,380 

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Exercise 
                                                                            Grant date                           Expiry date                    Life             Number                  price  
Director                                                                                                                                             (years)                                       (pence)  

Roger McMechan                                           30 June 2017              31 December 2022                     5.5          1,200,000                     2.5  

Paul Haywood                                                   6 April 2018                       11 June 2028                   10.2          4,400,000                     2.5  

Paul Haywood                                                  9 June 2018                       11 June 2028                   10.0          7,756,428                     4.0  

Roger McMechan                                             9 June 2018                       11 June 2028                   10.0          5,170,952                     4.0  

William McAvock                                       21 October 2019                  21 October 2029                   10.0          3,125,000                   11.0  

                                                                                                                                                                          21,652,380 

Christopher Brown 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 

Block Energy PLC

 
 
258827 Block Energy pp39-pp43.qxp  14/05/2020  15:15  Page 39

Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the members of Block Energy Plc

39

Opinion 

We have audited the financial statements of Block Energy Plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for 
the 18 month period ended 31 December 2019 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, 
the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated 
Statement of Cash Flows, the Parent Company Statement of Financial Position, the Parent Company Statement of Changes 
in Equity, the Parent Company Statement of Cash Flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 
significant accounting policies. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements 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.  

In our opinion: 

•      the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 

31 December 2019 and of the Group’s loss for the period then ended; 

•      the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 

Union; 

•      the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 

European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and 

•      the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as 
applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We 
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Material uncertainty related to going concern 

We draw attention to note 1 to the financial statements which notes the negative impact of Covid-19 on the global economy, 
oil prices, and the potential consequential impact on the Group’s ability to secure additional funding. It further notes that 
the global pandemic may also bring practical challenges to the Company and its suppliers that challenge planned timetables 
for the construction of the gas pipeline and the consequent sale of gas. As stated in note 1, these conditions indicate that 
a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s and the Parent Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter. 

Given the conditions and uncertainties disclosed in note 1, we considered going concern to be a Key Audit Matter.  

Our audit procedures in response to this key audit matter included: 

•      Critically assessing Management’s financial forecasts through comparing actual outcomes in the current year against 
prior forecasts. Underlying key assumptions, including revenue, production volumes, operating and capital expenditure 
were assessed by considering factors such as commitments under licences, historical revenue, historical and forecasted 
production and operating expenditure and the Group’s ability to produce gas and sell oil and gas during a period of at 
least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Block Energy Plc continued

40

•      Assessing the reasonableness of key assumptions underpinning the forecasts by referencing to Brent crude oil prices, 
current production sharing agreements, expenditure and commitments and considering the implications of the global 
Covid-19 Pandemic on the Group.  

•      Making enquiries of Management and reviewing Board minutes and key operational contracts to assess completeness 

of possible commitments considered in the cash flow forecasts. 

•      Evaluating the adequacy of disclosure made in the consolidated financial statements in respect of going concern.  

Key audit matters 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not 
due to fraud) which we identified, including those which had the greatest effect on the overall audit strategy, the allocation 
of resources in the audit and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context 
of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate 
opinion on these matters. In addition to the matter referred to in the Material uncertainty related to going concern section 
above, the following key audit matter was identified: 

Key Audit Matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Carrying value of development and production assets 
recorded within Property, Plant and Equipment 

The Group’s development and production assets (“D&P”) 
which are categorised within property, plant and equipment 
represent  the  most  significant  asset  on  the  consolidated 
statement of financial position (see note 15) As explained in 
Note  1  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the 
indicators of impairment assessment in relation to the D&P 
assets  under  the  relevant  accounting  standard  and  the 
resulting  assessment  of  the  assets’  recoverable  amount 
judgement  by 
require 
Management. 

the  exercise  of  significant 

Management  and  the  Directors  are  required  to  assess 
whether there are any potential impairment triggers which 
would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not 
be recoverable. Management identified the current market 
capitalisation of the Company and the oil price trend during 
the period as impairment triggers, and as a result, performed 
a  detailed  assessment  of  the  recoverable  amount  of  the 
D&P  assets  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  accounting 
standard  (refer  to  Note  15  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements).  

Given  the  significance  of  the  assets  to  the  Group’s 
consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  and  the 
significant management judgements and estimates involved 
in this area, we consider this a key audit matter. 

We evaluated Management’s and the Board’s impairment 
review for each cash generating unit identified. We critically 
challenged the considerations made regarding indicators of 
impairment identified and the resulting assessment of the 
recoverable amount of the assets in accordance with the 
relevant accounting standard by performing the following 
procedures: 

•      We  assessed  Management’s  impairment  indicator 
review  to  establish  whether  it  was  performed  in 
accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  relevant 
accounting standard 

•      We obtained and read third party documents relating to 
the licence status and commitments to check legal title 
and validity of each of the licences 

•      We performed an assessment of the appropriateness 
of the cash generating units identified by Management 
by reference to the relevant accounting standard 

•      We  assessed  the  function  of  the  operating  facilities 
through enquiries of the technical director in order to 
confirm  our  understanding  of  the  operations  and  in 
order  to  assess  whether  there  are  any  additional 
indicators  of  impairment.  We  further  reviewed  board 
minutes and other publicly available information. 

•      We agreed the key assumptions used by Management 
in determining the recoverable amount of the D&P asset 
such as oil price and discount rates and compared to 
industry  averages  and  benchmarked  these  against 
publically  available  information  and  other  third  party 
information.  We  considered  assumptions  such  as 
production levels and sales in the light of historic results 
and  underlying  agreements  such  as  the  production 
sharing agreements and performed sensitivity analysis 
to determine the appropriateness thereof. 

Block Energy PLC

 
 
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Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Block Energy plc continued

41

Key Audit Matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

•      We  reviewed 

third  party  reports  obtained 

from 
Management’s  expert  relating  to  the  reserves  and 
impairment  model.  We 
the 
resources 
reviewed  Management  estimates  based  on 
the 
impairment model and as part of this work we sensitised 
inputs used in the models: and  

impacting 

•      We  performed  an  assessment  of  the  competence, 
independence and objectivity of Management’s expert. 

We  evaluated  the  adequacy  and  appropriateness  of  the 
disclosures  provided  within  the  consolidated  financial 
statements in Notes 1 and 15.

Key observations 

Based on the work performed we identified no additional indicators of impairment and considered the key assumptions 
used by Management in performing their impairment assessment.to be reasonable and appropriate. 

Our application of materiality 

Group materiality                                                  $200,000 (2018: $94,000) 
Basis for determining materiality                            1% of total assets (2018: 1.3% of total assets)  

Group performance materiality                           $130,000 (2018: $60,000)  
Basis for performance materiality                           65% of Group materiality (2018: 65% of Group materiality) 

Parent Company materiality                                $146,000 (2018: $52,000) 
Basis for determining materiality                            1% of Total Assets adjusted for elimination of intercompany assets (2018: 

55% of Group materiality) 

Parent Company performance materiality         $95,000 (2018: $34,000)  
Basis for performance materiality                           65%  of  Parent  Company  materiality  (2018:  65%  of  Parent  Company 

materiality) 

We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements. 
We consider materiality to be the magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, could influence the economic 
decisions of reasonable users that are taken on the basis of the financial statements. Importantly, misstatements below 
these levels will not necessarily be evaluated as immaterial as we also take account of the nature of identified misstatements, 
and the particular circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their effect on the financial statements as a whole.  

We consider total assets to be the most significant determinant of the Group’s financial performance as the Group continues 
to develop its portfolio of oil and gas assets through to production. 

In performing the audit, we applied a lower level of materiality, performance materiality, in order to reduce to an appropriately 
low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds financial statement 
materiality. 

Each significant component of the Group was audited to a lower level of materiality ranging from $50,000 to $146,000 
(2018: $16,000 to $52,000).  

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all individual audit differences identified during 
the course of our audit in excess of $4,000 (2018: $2,000). We also agreed to report differences below this threshold that, 
in our view warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
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Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Block Energy plc continued

42

An overview of the scope of our audit 

Our Group audit scope focused on the companies within the Group which hold the Group’s assets: Block Energy Plc, Block 
Norioskhevi Limited, Georgian New Ventures Inc, Satskhenisi Limited and Block Operating Company LLC which were all 
subject to a full scope audit. Together with the Group consolidation, which was also subject to a full scope audit, these 
represent the significant components of the Group.  

Some detailed substantive testing on the significant components, which operate in Georgia, were performed by BDO 
Georgia who were considered to be an extension of the Group audit team. The Group audit team conducted all work on 
the key audit risks identified and completed the audit of the Parent Company and the Group.  

The remaining components of the Group were considered non-significant and were principally subject to analytical review 
procedures. For these non-significant components, detailed audit testing was also performed on financial statement areas 
where specific audit risks had been identified. These procedures were performed by the Group audit team. 

Other information 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the 
annual report and financial statements, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on 
the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our 
report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained 
in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a 
material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a 
material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: 

•      the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial 

statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

•      the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the Parent Company and its environment obtained in the 
course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion: 

•      adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not 

been received from branches not visited by us; or 

•      the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

•      certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or  

•      we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Block Energy PLC

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Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Block Energy plc continued

43

Responsibilities of Directors 

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, and for such internal control as the 
Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Parent Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going 
concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error,  and  to  issue  an  auditor’s  report  that  includes  our  opinion.  Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will 
always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

Use of our report 

This report is made solely to the parent 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 parent company’s members those 
matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by 
law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the parent company and the parent company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Anne Sayers (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor 
London 
United Kingdom 
30 April 2020 

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127). 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

258827 Block Energy pp44-pp47.qxp  14/05/2020  15:16  Page 44

44

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

for the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019

                                                                                                                                                  18 months                                 Year ended 
                                                                                                                                              period ended                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                                    Restated1 
Continuing operations                                                                      Note                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Revenue                                                                                                5                                             314                                             179 

Other cost of sales                                                                                                    (633)                                                                     (277) 

Depreciation and depletion of oil and gas assets                                  6                  (574)                                                                       (50) 

Total cost of sales                                                                                                                          (1,207)                                           (327) 

Gross loss                                                                                                                                          (893)                                           (148) 

Costs in relation to AIM listing                                                                                        –                                                                      (569) 

Other administrative costs                                                                                     (3,783)                                                                  (1,146) 

Share based payments charge                                                                                 (862)                                                                     (101) 

Total Administrative expenses                                                            7,8                                         (4,645)                                        (1,816) 

Foreign exchange movement                                                                                                              (657)                                                5 

Operating loss                                                                                                                                (6,195)                                        (1,959) 

Finance income                                                                                     9                                               69                                                 1 

Finance expense                                                                                                                                     (4)                                             (48) 

Loss for the period/year before taxation                                                                                     (6,130)                                        (2,006) 

Taxation                                                                                               10                                                 –                                                 – 

Loss for the period/year from continuing operations  
(attributable to the equity holders of the parent)                                                                        (6,130)                                        (2,006) 

Discontinued operations 

Discontinued operations – Antubia Ltd                                                14                                                 –                                             171 

Loss for the period/year                                                                                                                (6,130)                                        (1,835) 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently  
to profit and loss: 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations                                                                  483                                               50 

Total comprehensive loss for the period/year  
attributable to the equity holders of the parent                                                                          (5,647)                                        (1,785) 

Loss per share from continuing operations                                                                                     (1.96)c                                        (1.95)c 

Earnings per share from discontinuing operations                                                                                   –                                          0.17c 

Loss per share basic and diluted                                                         11                                        (1.96)c                                        (1.78)c 

1 Please refer to note 4 in the Group consolidated notes for restated balances. 

The notes on pages 48 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

Block Energy PLC

 
 
 
 
 
258827 Block Energy pp44-pp47.qxp  14/05/2020  15:16  Page 45

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

at 31 December 2019

45

                                                                                                                                                            30 June                                30 June 
                                                                                                       31 December                                     2018                                     2017 
                                                                                                                    2019                             Restated1                             Restated1 
                                                                        Note                                    $’000                                    $’000                                    $’000 

Non current assets 

Intangible assets                                                 15                                           –                                    1,894                                       850 

Property, plant and equipment                             16                                  12,713                                    1,803                                           – 

                                                                                                                 12,713                                    3,697                                       850 

Current assets 

Inventory                                                              18                                    2,519                                       334                                           – 

Trade and other receivables                                20                                       303                                       168                                       315 

Cash and cash equivalents                                 21                                    6,494                                    5,278                                       279 

Assets held for sale                                             17                                           –                                           –                                       428 

Total current assets                                                                                  9,316                                    5,780                                    1,022 

Total assets                                                                                              22,029                                    9,477                                    1,872 

Equity and liabilities 

Capital and reserves attributable to  
equity holders of the Company: 

Share capital                                                       24                                    2,623                                    2,192                                    1,581 

Share premium                                                    25                                  27,985                                  12,221                                    3,536 

Other reserves                                           26,27,28                                    1,114                                       460                                       189 

Foreign exchange reserve                                                                             433                                        (50)                                          – 

Accumulated deficit                                                                                  (11,545)                                 (5,623)                                 (3,838) 

Total Equity                                                                                              20,610                                    9,200                                    1,468 

Liabilities 

Trade and other payables                                    23                                    1,143                                       218                                         83 

Borrowings                                                          29                                           –                                         59                                       321 

Provisions                                                            19                                       276                                           –                                           – 

Total current liabilities                                                                              1,419                                       277                                       404 

Total equity and liabilities                                                                      22,029                                    9,477                                    1,872 

1 Please refer to note 4 in the Group consolidated notes for restated balances. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 30 April 2020 and were signed on its 
behalf by:  

William McAvock                                   Paul Haywood 
Director                                                  Director 

The notes on pages 48 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
 
258827 Block Energy pp44-pp47.qxp  14/05/2020  15:16  Page 46

46

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

at 31 December 2019

                                                                                                                                                                                Foreign                           
                                                                             Share                Share     Accumulated                 Other          Exchange                  Total 
                                                                           Capital            premium                deficit          Reserves            Reserve                Equity 
                                                                             $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000 

Balance at 30 June 2017                                    1,581                 3,536               (3,649)                      –                        –                 1,468 

Prior year adjustment 1                                                –                        –                  (189)                  189                        –                        – 

Balance at 30 June 2017 (restated)                   1,581                 3,536               (3,838)                  189                        –                 1,468 

Loss for the year (restated to $US)                              –                        –               (1,681)                      –                        –               (1,681) 

Prior year restatement – share based  
payments 1                                                                   –                        –                  (154)                      –                        –                  (154) 

Loss for the year (restated)                                          –                        –               (1,835)                      –                        –               (1,835) 

Exchange differences on translation  
of foreign operations                                                    –                        –                      50                        –                    (50)                      – 

Total comprehensive loss for the year                         –                        –               (1,785)                      –                    (50)              (1,835) 

Issue of shares                                                         611                 9,182                        –                        –                        –                 9,793 

Cost of issue                                                                –                  (507)                      –                        –                        –                  (507) 

Share based payments                                                –                        –                        –                    127                        –                    127 

Prior year restatement – share based  
payments                                                                     –                        –                        –                    154                        –                    154 

Prior year restatement – Taoudeni 1                             –                      10                        –                    (10)                      –                        – 

Share based payments – restated                               –                      10                        –                    271                        –                    281 

Total transactions with owners                                 611                 8,685                        –                    271                        –                 9,567 

Balance at 30 June 2018                                    2,192               12,221               (5,623)                  460                    (50)               9,200 

Loss for the period                                                       –                        –               (6,130)                      –                        –               (6,130) 

Exchange differences on translation  
of foreign operations                                                    –                        –                        –                        –                    483                    483 

Total comprehensive loss for the period                      –                        –               (6,130)                      –                    483               (5,647) 

Issue of shares                                                        431               16,655                        –                        –                        –               17,086 

Cost of issue                                                                –                  (891)                      –                        –                        –                  (891) 

Share based payments                                                –                        –                    208                    654                        –                    862 

Total transactions with owners                                 431               15,764                    208                    654                        –               17,057 

Balance at 31 December 2019                           2,623               27,985              (11,545)                1,114                    433               20,610 

1 Please refer to note 4 in the Group consolidated notes for restated balances. 

Please refer to note 22 in the Group consolidated notes for non cash transactions 

The notes on pages 48 to 75 form part of these financial statements 

Block Energy PLC

 
258827 Block Energy pp44-pp47.qxp  14/05/2020  15:16  Page 47

Consolidated Statement of Cashflows 

at 31 December 2019

47

                                                                                                                                                  18 months                                                    
                                                                                                                                              period ended                                 Year ended 
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                        Note                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Operating activities 

Loss for the period/year before tax                                                                                              (6,130)                                        (2,006) 

Profit from discontinued operations                                                                                                          –                                             171 

Adjustments for: 

Depreciation and depletion                                                                    6                                             574                                               48 

Finance income                                                                                                                                     (69)                                               (1) 

Finance expense                                                                                                                                      4                                               48 

Share based payments expense                                                         28                                             862                                             246 

Gain on sale of subsidiary                                                                                                                        –                                            (171) 

Foreign exchange movement                                                                                                               657                                                (5) 

AIM Admission costs                                                                                                                                –                                             518 

Net cash flow from operating activities before  
changes in working capital                                                                                                           (4,102)                                        (1,152) 

Changes in working capital: 

(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables                           20                                            (134)                                            149 

Increase in trade and other payables                                                  23                                             703                                             135 

(Increase)/Decrease in inventory                                                        18                                         (2,185)                                            334 

Net cash flow used in operating activities                                                                                   (5,718)                                           (534) 

Investing activities 

Income received                                                                                                                                     37                                                 1 

Expenditure in respect of intangible assets                                         15                                            (264)                                           (796) 

Expenditure in respect of PPE                                                            16                                         (8,050)                                           (709) 

Consideration received on sale of subsidiary                                      14                                                 –                                             611 

Cash used in investing activities                                                                                                  (8,277)                                           (893) 

Financing activities 

Proceeds arising as a result of the issue of ordinary shares                                                           16,087                                          7,061 

Costs related to issue of ordinary share capital                                                                                  (891)                                        (1,024) 

Interest paid                                                                                                                                            (4)                                             (48) 

Convertible loan notes issued                                                             29                                                 –                                             484 

Net cash from financing activities                                                                                               15,192                                          6,473 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents in  
the period/year                                                                                                                                 1,197                                          5,046 

Cash and cash equivalents at start of period/year                                                                      5,278                                             280 

Effects of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and  
cash equivalents                                                                                                                                     19                                              (48) 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period/year                          21                                          6,494                                          5,278 

The notes on pages 48 to 75 form part of these financial statements 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
258827 Block Energy pp48-pp75.qxp  14/05/2020  15:19  Page 48

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

48

Corporate information 

Block Energy Plc traded on NEX until March 2018 and gained admission to AIM on the 11 June 2018, trading under the symbol of BLOE. 

The Consolidated financial statements of the Group, which comprises Block Energy Plc and its subsidiaries, for the 18 months period 
ended 31 December 2019 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 27 April 2020. Block Energy is a 
Company incorporated in the UK whose shares are publicly traded. The address of the registered office is given in the officers and advisors 
section of this report. The Company’s administrative office is in London, UK. 

The nature of the Company’s operations and its principal activities are set out in the Strategic report and the Report of the Directors on 
pages 4 and 21, respectively. 

1.    Significant Accounting policies 

IAS 8 requires that management shall use its judgement in developing and applying accounting policies that result in information which is 
relevant to the economic decision-making needs of users, that are reliable, free from bias, prudent, complete and represent faithfully the 
financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the entity. 

Basis of preparation 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. The policies 
have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. The functional currency of the Company is the pound 
sterling. At 30 June 2019, to enable easier comparison with most of its oil & gas sector peer group, the presentational currency for the 
consolidated accounts was changed from the pound sterling to the United States dollar (US dollar) with effect from 1 July 2017 This change 
of presentational currency represents a change in accounting policy. The current and comparative period balances have been translated 
using the average exchange rate for the year (2019: $1.29702, 2018: $1.34497) for the Statement of Comprehensive Income and the 
balance sheet date exchange rate (31 December 2019: $1.26992, 30 June 2018: $1.32050, 30 June 2017: $1.29946) for the Statement 
of Financial Position, except for share capital, which was translated using historical exchange rates. All amounts presented are in thousands 
of US dollars unless otherwise stated. 

During the period, the Group changed its accounting reference date from 30 June to 31 December and consequently the current period 
covers the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019. The comparative period covers the year ended 30 June 2018. 

These financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) and IFRIC interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) adopted by the European Union and in 
accordance with applicable UK Law. The adoption of all of the new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB and the 
IFRIC of the IASB that are relevant to the operations and effective for annual reporting periods beginning on 1 July 2017 are reflected in 
these financial statements.  

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions 
that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated 
assumptions are based on historical experience and factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of 
which form the basis of making judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. 
Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in accounting estimates may be necessary if there 
are changes in the circumstances on which the estimate was based, or as a result of new information or more experience. Such changes 
are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised.  

New and amended standards adopted by the Group 

IFRS 9: Financial Instruments  
IFRS 9 is effective for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2018 and deals with the classification and measurement of financial 
instruments.  Financial  instruments  will  include  loans  receivable/payable,  derivative  financial  instruments  and  accounts  payable  and 
receivable balances. Measurement remains broadly consistent with previous guidance with financial assets and liabilities at fair value or 
amortised cost. Where financial assets and liabilities are carried at fair value, the standard provides guidance on where to recognise 
periodic changes in fair value with the primary options being through the income statement or directly to reserves. The standard also 
provides guidance on hedge accounting where a company elects to apply hedge accounting. The most significant change in the new 
standard that impacts the Group relates to the measurement of credit risk and the recognition of that risk through adjusting the carrying 
value of the underlying instrument. The standard requires a company to assess the ‘12-month expected credit losses’ on inception of a 
financial instrument (generally an asset) and recognise those expected losses in the income statement by way of an allowance. Where 
the expected credit risk increases significantly and is not considered to be low, the full credit loss that is expected over the lifetime of the 
asset is recorded. 

Block Energy PLC

258827 Block Energy pp48-pp75.qxp  14/05/2020  15:19  Page 49

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

49

The Group has assessed the particular impact of IFRS 9 on the Group as immaterial, but the adoption of IFRS 9 has impacted the parent 
company. This is a result of the existing incurred loss approach under IAS 39 being replaced by the forward-looking expected credit losses 
(“ECL”) model approach of IFRS 9. The ECL model is required to be applied to the intercompany loans receivable from subsidiary 
companies, which are held at amortised cost. Please refer to note 1 of the parent company financial statements on page 79 for the detail 
on the impact and the financial assets accounting policy included in this note on pages 54 to 55.  

The Company has opted for the transition method, requiring a retrospective application for the first time adoption of IFRS 9. No differences 
were identified to be processed at the date of initial application (i.e. 1 July 2018). 

IRFS 15 
IFRS 15 is effective for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2018 and provides a single comprehensive model for revenue 
recognition. The core principle of the standard is that an entity shall recognise revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services 
to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. 

The standard introduced a new contract-based revenue recognition model with a measurement approach that is based on an allocation 
of the transaction price. This is described further in the accounting policies below. Contracts with customers are presented in an entity’s 
statement of financial position as a contract liability, a contract asset, or a receivable, depending on the relationship between the entity’s 
performance and the customer’s payment. 

New Accounting Standards issued but not yet effective 

Standards issued and relevant to the Group, but not yet effective at the date of these Group financial statements are listed below. The 
standards discussed are those that the Group reasonably expects to be applicable to the financial statements in the future, and therefore 
do not include those standards or interpretations that the directors consider will not be relevant to the Group. The Group intends to adopt 
these standards when they become effective. The directors do not expect that the adoption of these standards will have a material impact 
on the Group’s financial statements either in the period of initial application or thereafter. An assessment of the impact of each relevant 
standard is included below. 

No new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations effective for annual periods commencing on or after 1 July 2018 
have had a material impact on the Group. 

There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the IASB that are effective 
in future accounting periods that the group has decided not to adopt early. The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 
1 January 2020: 

•       IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors (Amendment 

– Definition of Material) 

•       IFRS 3 Business Combinations (Amendment – Definition of Business) 

•       IFRS 16 Leases 

•       Revised Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting 

In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, which clarify the criteria used to determine whether liabilities are classified as 
current or non-current. These amendments clarify that current or non-current classification is based on whether an entity has a right at the 
end of the reporting period to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period. The amendments also 
clarify  that  ‘settlement’  includes  the  transfer  of  cash,  goods,  services,  or  equity  instruments  unless  the  obligation  to  transfer  equity 
instruments arises from a conversion feature classified as an equity instrument separately from the liability component of a compound 
financial instrument. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022. 

IFRS 16: Leases 
The new standard recognises a lease asset and a lease liability for almost all leases and requires them to be accounted for in a consistent 
manner. This introduces a single lessee accounting model and eliminates the previous distinction between an operating lease and a finance 
lease. Management have identified material lease arrangements, and have assessed the potential impact of the Standard as immaterial. 

The Group is currently assessing the impact of the remaining new accounting standards and amendments. The Group does not believe 
that the amendments to IAS 1 will have a significant impact on the classification of its liabilities. 

The Group does not expect any other standards issued by the IASB, but not yet effective, to have a material impact on the group. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

258827 Block Energy pp48-pp75.qxp  14/05/2020  15:19  Page 50

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

50

Basis of consolidation 

Where the Company has control over an investee, it is classified as a subsidiary. The Company controls an investee if all three of the 
following elements are present: power over the investee, exposure to variable returns from the investee, and the ability of the investor to 
use its power to affect those variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances indicate that there may be a change 
in any of these elements of control. De-facto control exists in situations where the Company has the practical ability to direct the relevant 
activities of the investee without holding the majority of the voting rights. In determining whether de-facto control exists the Company 
considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including: 

•       The size of the Company’s voting rights relative to both the size and dispersion of other parties who hold voting rights; 

•       Substantive potential voting rights held by the Company and by other parties; 

•       Other contractual arrangements; and 

•       Historic patterns in voting attendance. 

Business combinations and Goodwill 

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the purchase method. In the consolidated 
statement of financial position, the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair 
values at the acquisition date. The difference between the consideration paid and the acquired net assets is recognised as goodwill. The 
results of acquired operations are included in the consolidated income statement from the date on which control is obtained. Any difference 
arising between the fair value and the tax base of the aquiree’s assets and liabilities that give rise to a deductible difference results in 
recognition of deferred tax liability. No deferred tax liability is recognised on goodwill.  

Acquisitions 

The Group and Company measure goodwill at the acquisition dates as: 

•       The fair value of the consideration transferred; plus 

•       The recognised amount of any non – controlling interests in the acquiree 

•       Plus, if the business combination is achieved in stages, the fair value of the existing equity interest in the aquiree; less the net 

recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  

When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognised immediately in profit or loss.  

Cost related to the acquisition, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities, that the Group incurs in connection 
with a business combination, are expensed as incurred.  

Asset Acquisition  

Acquisitions of mineral exploration licences through the acquisition of non-operational corporate structures that do not represent a business, 
and therefore do not meet the definition of a business combination, are accounted for as the acquisition of an asset. An example of such 
would be increases in working interests in licences.  

The consideration for the asset is allocated to the assets based on their relative fair values at the date of acquisition. 

Going concern  

The directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for a period of 14 months from the date of signing of these financial statements. The 
Group’s forecasts include a number of enacted cost saving measures and the forecasts are reviewed regularly in order to assess whether 
any further actions are required. The Group is in the final stages of negotiating to engage Bago LLC to construct a gas pipeline and to 
revise the sales agreement for West Rustavi gas. The forecasts assume the gas pipeline will be constructed and the gas will be sold, and 
indicate the Group has sufficient funds to complete the construction of the gas project and to meet its liabilities as they fall due until April 
2021. The financial benefit of any additional capital projects would be assessed against capital requirements and balanced with ensuring 
that the Group and the Company can continue to meet their liabilities and commitments through to April 2021. The Company’s forecasts 
are considered together with the Group’s forecasts.  

The directors note that COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on the global economy and oil prices have fallen significantly, 
which may mean it would be more difficult to secure additional funding than it has historically been. The global pandemic may also bring 
practical challenges to the timetables for the construction of the gas pipeline and the consequent sale of gas. The directors are confident 
that current capital projects are funded and have a reasonable expectation that they could secure additional funding, if needed, to fund 
additional capital projects. However, these conditions necessarily indicate that a material uncertainty exists which may cast significant 
doubt over the Group and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and therefore their ability to realise their assets and discharge 
their liabilities in the normal course of business. Whilst acknowledging this material uncertainty, the directors remain confident of making 
further cost savings when required and, therefore, the directors consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going 

Block Energy PLC

258827 Block Energy pp48-pp75.qxp  14/05/2020  15:19  Page 51

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

51

concern basis. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a going 
concern. 

Intangible Assets  

Exploration and evaluation costs 
The Group applies the full cost method of accounting for Exploration and Evaluation (E&E) costs, having regard to the requirements of 
IFRS 6 ‘Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources’. Under the full cost method of accounting, costs of exploring and evaluating 
properties are accumulated and capitalised by reference to appropriate cash generating units (“CGUs”). Such CGU’s are based on 
geographic areas such as a licence area, type or a basin and are not larger than an operating segment – as defined by IFRS 8 ‘Operating 
segments.  

E&E costs are initially capitalised within ‘Intangible assets’. Such E&E costs may include costs of licence 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 an area, which are expensed directly to the statement of comprehensive income as they are incurred. Plant and equipment 
assets acquired for use in exploration and evaluation activities are classified as property, plant and equipment. 

However, to the extent that such an asset is consumed in developing an unproven oil and gas asset, the amount reflecting that consumption 
is recorded as part of the cost of the unproven oil and gas asset. 

Exploration and unproven oil and gas assets related to each exploration license/prospect are not amortised but are carried forward until 
the technical feasibility and commercial feasibility of extracting a mineral resource are demonstrated. 

Impairment of Exploration and Evaluation assets 
All capitalised exploration and evaluation assets and property, plant and equipment are monitored for indications of impairment. Where a 
potential impairment is indicated, assessment is made for the Group of assets representing a cash generating unit.  

In accordance with IFRS 6 the Group firstly considers the following facts and circumstances in their assessment of whether the Group’s 
exploration and evaluation assets may be impaired, whether:  

•       the period for which the Group has the right to explore in a specific area has expired during the period or will expire in the near future, 

and is not expected to be renewed; 

•       unexpected geological occurrences render the resource uneconomic;  

•       a significant fall in realised prices or oil and gas price benchmarks render the project uneconomic; or 

•       an increase in operating costs occurs.  

If any such facts or circumstances are noted, the Group perform an impairment test in accordance with the provisions of IAS 36. 

The aggregate carrying value is compared against the expected recoverable amount of the cash generating unit. The recoverable amount 
is the higher of value in use and the fair value less costs to sell. An impairment loss is reversed if the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s 
recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount. A reversal of impairment loss is recognised in the profit or loss immediately. 

Property, plant and equipment – development and production (D&P) assets  

Capitalisation  
The costs associated with determining the existence of commercial reserves are capitalised in accordance with the preceding policy and 
transferred to property, plant and equipment as development assets following impairment testing. All costs incurred after the technical 
feasibility and commercial viability of producing hydrocarbons have been demonstrated are capitalised within development assets on a 
field-by-field basis. Subsequent expenditure is only capitalised where it either enhances the economic benefits of the development asset 
or replaces part of the existing development asset (where the remaining cost of the original part is expensed through the income statement). 
Costs of borrowing related to the ongoing construction of development and production assets and facilities are capitalised during the 
construction phase. Capitalisation of interest ceases once an asset is ready for production.  

Depreciation  
Capitalised oil assets are not subject to depreciation until commercial production starts. Depreciation is calculated on a unit-of-production 
basis in order to write off the cost of an asset as the reserves that it represents are produced and sold. Any periodic reassessment of 
reserves will affect the depreciation rate on a prospective basis. The unit-of-production depreciation rate is calculated on a field-by-field 
basis using proved, developed reserves as the denominator and capitalised costs as the numerator. The numerator includes an estimate 
of the costs expected to be incurred to bring proved, developed, not-producing reserves into production. Infrastructure that is common to 
a number of fields, such as gathering systems, treatment plants and pipelines are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis using an 
aggregate measure of reserves or on a straight line basis depending on the expected pattern of use of the underlying asset.  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

258827 Block Energy pp48-pp75.qxp  14/05/2020  15:19  Page 52

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

52

Proven oil and gas properties 
Oil and gas properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. The initial cost comprises the purchase 
price or construction cost including any directly attributable cost of bringing the asset into operation and any estimated decommissioning 
provision. 

Once a project reaches the stage of commercial production and production permits are received, the carrying values of the relevant 
exploration and evaluation asset are assessed for impairment and transferred to proven oil and gas properties and included within property 
plant and equipment. 

Proven oil and gas properties are accounted for in accordance with provisions of the cost model under IAS 16 “Property Plant and 
Equipment” and are depleted on unit of production basis based on the estimated proven and probable reserves of the pool to which they 
relate. 

Impairment of development and production assets 
A review is performed for any indication that the value of the Group’s D&P assets may be impaired such as:  

•       significant changes with an adverse effect in the market or economic conditions which will impact the assets; or 

•       obsolescence or physical damage of an asset; or 

•       an asset becoming idle or plans to dispose of the asset before the previously expected date; or 

•       evidence is available from internal reporting that indicates that the economic performance of an asset is or will be worse than expected. 

For D&P assets when there are such indications, an impairment test is carried out on the CGU. CGUs are identified in accordance with 
IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’, where cash flows are largely independent of other significant asset Groups and are normally, but not always, 
single development or production areas. When an impairment is identified, the depletion is charged through the Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income if the net book value of capitalised costs relating to the CGU exceeds the associated estimated future discounted 
cash flows of the related commercial oil reserves. 

The CGU’s identified by the company are Corporate along with West Rustavi, Satskhenisi and Norio given they are independent projects 
under individual Production Sharing Contracts (“PSC’s). An assessment is made at each reporting as to whether there is any indication 
that previously recognised impairment charges may no longer exist or may have decreased. If such an indication exists, the Group estimates 
the recoverable amount. A previously recognised impairment charge is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to 
determine the assets recoverable amount since the last impairment charge was recognised. If this is the case the carrying amount of the 
asset is increased to its recoverable amount, not to exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, 
had no impairment charges been recognised for the asset in prior years. 

Property, plant and equipment and depreciation 
Property, plant and equipment which are awaiting use in the drilling campaigns, and storage, are recorded at historical cost less accumulated 
depreciation. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight line method over their estimated useful lives, as follows: 

•       PPE – 6 years  

The carrying value of Property, plant and equipment is assessed annually and any impairment charge is charged to the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive income.  

Leases 

The Group assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease, at inception of the contract. The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and 
a corresponding lease liability with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is the lessee, except for short-term leases (defined as 
leases with a lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low value assets (such as tablets and personal computers, small items of 
office furniture and telephones). For these leases, the Group recognises the lease payments as an operating expense on a straight-line 
basis over the term of the lease unless another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits 
from the leased assets are consumed.  

Inventories 

Crude oil inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of crude oil is the cost of production, including direct 
labour and materials, depreciation and an appropriate portion of fixed overheads allocated based on normal operating capacity of the 
production facilities, determined on a weighted average cost basis. Net realisable value of crude oil is based on the market price of similar 
crude oil at the balance sheet date and costs to sell, adjusted if the sale of inventories after that date gives additional evidence about its 
net realisable value at the balance sheet date.  

The cost of crude oil is expensed in the period in which the related revenue is recognised. 

Block Energy PLC

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53

Inventories of drilling tubulars and drilling chemicals are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value, where cost represents the 
weighted average unit cost for inventory lines on a line by line basis. Cost comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other 
costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. 

Decommissioning provision 

Provisions for decommissioning are recognised in full when wells have been suspended or facilities have been installed.  

A corresponding amount equivalent to the provision is also recognised as part of the cost of either the related oil and gas exploration and 
evaluation asset or property, plant and equipment as appropriate. The amount recognised is the estimated cost of decommissioning, 
discounted to its net present value, and is reassessed each year in accordance with local conditions and requirements.  

Changes in the estimated timing of decommissioning or decommissioning cost estimates are dealt with prospectively by recording an 
adjustment to the provision, and a corresponding adjustment to the related asset.  

The unwinding of the discount on the decommissioning provision is included as a finance cost. 

Asset held for sale  

Non-current assets (or disposal Groups) are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale 
transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset (or 
disposal Group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary.  

Immediately before classification as held for sale, the measurement of the non-current assets (or all the assets and liabilities in a disposal 
Group) is brought up-to-date in accordance with applicable IFRSs. Then, on initial classification as held for sale, non¬-current assets (other 
than investment properties, deferred tax assets, financial assets and inventories) are measured in accordance with IFRS 5 that is at the 
lower of carrying value and fair value.  

The Asheba asset ($329,000) held within the Ensign Resources Ltd subsidiary was classed as ‘Held for sale’ in the year ended 30 June 
2017. The transaction was finalised in February 2018 and therefore there is no ‘Held for sale’ balance as at 30 June 2018 or 31 December 
2019. 

Taxation and deferred tax 

Income tax expense represents the sum of the current tax and deferred tax charge for the period. 

The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. 

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial information and the 
corresponding tax bases and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. 

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. 

Judgement is applied in making assumptions about future taxable income, including oil and gas prices, production, rehabilitation costs 
and expenditure to determine the extent to which the Group recognises deferred tax assets, as well as the anticipated timing of the utilisation 
of the losses. 

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

Foreign currencies 

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing at the 
reporting date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Exchange 
differences are taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

The Company’s functional currency is the pound sterling and its presentational currency is the US dollar and accordingly the financial 
statements have also been prepared in US dollars. The functional currencies of Block Norioskhevi Ltd, Satskhenisi Limited, Georgia New 
Ventures Inc and Ensign Resources Limited are the US dollar and the functional currencies of their branches in Georgia are the Georgian 
Lari. 

Foreign operations 

The assets are translated into US dollars at the exchange rate at the reporting date and income and expenses of the foreign operations 
are translated at the average exchange rates. Exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in other comprehensive income 
and presented in the other reserves category in equity.  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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54

Determination of functional currency and presentational currency 

The determination of an entity’s functional currency is assessed on an entity by entity basis. A company’s functional currency is defined as 
the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The functional currency of the Parent Company is the 
pound sterling, because it operates in the UK, where the majority of its transactions are in pounds sterling. The functional currencies of 
Block Norioskhevi Ltd, Satskhenisi Limited, Georgia New Ventures Inc and Ensign Resources Limited are the US dollar, because the 
majority of their transactions by value is in US dollars, and the functional currencies of their branches in Georgia are the Georgian Lari, 
because the majority of their transactions by value is in Georgian Lari.  

The presentational currency of the Group for the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019 is US dollars. The presentational currency 
is an accounting policy choice.  

Revenue  

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when the Group satisfies its performance obligation of transferring control of oil to 
a customer. Transfer of control is usually concurrent with both transfer of title and the customer taking physical possession of the oil, which 
is determined by reference to the oil sales agreement. This performance obligation is satisfied at that point in time. 

The transaction price is agreed between the Group and the customer, with the amount of revenue recognised being determined by 
considering the terms of the Production Sharing Contract (“PSC”) and the oil sales agreement for each oil sale.  

Entitlement has two components: 

1.     Cost oil: which is the mechanism by which the Company recovers its costs incurred on an asset; and 

2.     Profit oil: which is the mechanism through which the profits are shared between the Company, its partner and the Georgian Oil & Gas 

Corporation. (“GOGC”). 

Finance income and expenses  

Finance costs are accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable. Finance 
expenses comprise interest or finance costs on borrowings. 

Borrowings 

Borrowings are recorded initially at fair value, net of attributable transaction costs. Borrowings are subsequently carried at their amortised 
cost and finance charges, including any premium payable on settlement or redemption, are recognised in the profit or loss over the term 
of the instrument using the effective rate of interest.  

Financial instruments 

The Group has adopted the amendments to IFRS 9 for the first time in the current year. The amendments to IFRS 9 clarify that for the 
purpose of assessing whether a prepayment feature meets the ‘solely payments of principal and interest’ (SPPI) condition, the party 
exercising the option may pay or receive reasonable compensation for the prepayment irrespective of the reason for prepayment. In other 
words, financial assets with prepayment features with negative compensation do not automatically fail SPPI. 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument.  

Fair value  
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market 
participants at the measurement date. All assets and liabilities, for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the Financial Statements, 
are categorised within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value 
measurement as a whole: 

Level 1 – quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;  

Level 2 – valuation techniques for which the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly 
observable; and  

Level 3 – valuation techniques for which the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.  

Financial assets  
Financial assets are initially recognised at fair value, and subsequently measured at amortised cost, less any allowances for losses using 
the expected credit loss model, being the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due to the Group in accordance with the 
contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive.  

Impairment provisions for receivables from related parties and loans to related parties are recognised based on a forward looking expected 
credit loss model. The methodology used to determine the amount of the provision is based on whether there has been a significant 
increase in credit risk since initial recognition of the financial asset.  

Block Energy PLC

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55

For those where the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition of the financial asset, twelve month expected credit 
losses along with gross interest income are recognised. For those for which credit risk has increased significantly, lifetime expected credit 
losses along with the gross interest income are recognised. For those that are determined to be credit impaired, lifetime expected credit 
losses along with interest income on a net basis are recognised. 

Financial liabilities  
Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL) or as other financial liabilities. 
The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged or cancelled, or they expire.  

Financial liabilities are classified at FVTPL when the financial liability is either held for trading or it is designated at FVTPL. A financial 
liability is classified as held for trading if it has been incurred principally for the purpose of repurchasing it in the near term or is a derivative 
that is not a designated or effective hedging instrument.  

Financial liabilities at FVTPL are measured at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on changes in fair value recognised in profit or 
loss. The net gain or loss recognised in profit or loss incorporates any interest paid on the financial liability.  

Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs and are subsequently measured 
at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis.  

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over 
the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life 
of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.  

Convertible loan notes (“CLN”) 

In accordance with IAS 32, the Group has classified the convertible debt in issue as a compound financial instrument.  

The CLNs were issued in pounds sterling (the functional currency of the Company). Under the terms of these CLNs, the loan instruments 
were considered to be financial liabilities since there is an obligation to settle cash which the issuer cannot avoid. Since the CLNs include 
a term whereby a 10% discount is given on the IPO issue price, and since the value of the 10% discount cannot be known at inception of 
the CLN the number of potential shares is not known. This will mean that the CLN fails the "fixed for fixed" criteria and the conversion 
feature must therefore be accounted for as a derivative liability. For convertible loan notes which have been identified as containing 
embedded derivative liabilities, the embedded derivative liability is valued first, with the residual balance (after deducting the value of the 
embedded derivative from the CLN) being considered to be the host loan financial instrument. The embedded derivative is accounted for 
at fair value through profit or loss and the loan liability is carried at amortised cost. The embedded derivative must be fair valued at each 
reporting date and the changes recognised in the income statement. Interest expense is calculated using an effective interest rate method. 

Share based payments 

The fair value of options and warrants granted to directors and others in respect of services provided is recognised as an expense in the 
Statement of Comprehensive Income with a corresponding increase in equity reserves – ‘other reserves’.  

On exercise or cancellation of share options and warrants, the proportion of the share based payment reserve relevant to those options 
and warrants is transferred from other reserves to the accumulated deficit. On exercise, equity is also increased by the amount of the 
proceeds received.  

The fair value is measured at grant date charged in the accounting period during which the option and warrants becomes unconditional.  

The fair value of options and warrants are calculated using the Black-Scholes model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon 
which the options and warrants were granted. Vesting conditions are non-market and there are no market vesting conditions. These vesting 
conditions are included in the assumptions about the number of options and warrants that are expected to vest. At the end of each reporting 
period, the Company revises its estimate of the number of options and warrants that are expected to vest. The exercise price is fixed at 
the date of grant and no compensation is due at the date of grant. Where equity instruments are granted to persons other than employees, 
the statement of comprehensive income is charged with the fair value of the goods and services received.  

2.    Critical accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions 

The Group makes estimates and assumptions regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continuously evaluated based on 
historical experiences and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 
In the future, actual experience may deviate from these estimates and assumptions. The key assumptions concerning the future and other 
key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are described below. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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56

Recoverable value of Development & Production assets – judgement, estimates and assumptions 

Costs capitalised in respect of the Group’s development and production assets are required to be assessed for impairment under the 
provisions of IAS 36. Such an estimate requires the Group to exercise judgement in respect of the indicators of impairment and also in 
respect of inputs used in the models which are used to support the carrying value of the assets. Such inputs include estimates of oil and 
gas reserves, production profiles, oil price, oil quality discount, capital expenditure, inflation rates, and discount rates. The directors 
concluded there were impairment indicators in the current period. Therefore, the carrying value of the assets of the Group was tested for 
impairment and sensitivities around the main inputs above were considered, but the impairment testing supported the current carrying 
value of the assets of the Group and no impairment to the carrying value of the assets was considered necessary.  

An assessment of impairment took place at the time that the West Rustavi intangible assets were transferred to Property, Plant and 
Equipment. There were no significant changes from the net present value model that would indicate impairment at that point. 

Asset Decommissioning Provisions – estimates and assumptions 

The Group’s activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. The Group recognises 
management’s best estimate of the asset decommissioning costs in the period in which they are incurred. Actual costs incurred in future 
periods could differ materially from the estimates.  

Additionally, future changes to environmental laws and regulations, life of development and production assets, estimates and discount 
rates could affect the carrying amount of this provision. The Board assessed the extent of decommissioning required as at 31 December 
2019 and concluded that a provision of $276,000 (2018: nil) should be recognised in respect of future decommissioning obligations at 
West Rustavi, Satskhenisi and Norio (refer note 19). 

Share Options – estimates and assumptions 

Share options issued by the Group relates to the Block Energy Plc Share Option Plan. The grant date fair value of such options is calculated 
using a Black-Scholes model whose input assumptions are derived from market and other internal estimates.  

The key estimates include volatility rates and the expected life of the options, together with the likelihood of non-market performance 
conditions being achieved. Refer note 28. 

Accounting for business combinations and fair value – estimates and assumptions  

Business combinations are accounted for at fair value. The assessment of fair value is subjective and depends on a number of assumptions. 
These assumptions include assessment of discount rates, and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows from assets and 
liabilities. In addition, the selection of specific valuation methods for individual assets and liabilities requires judgment. The specific valuation 
methods applied will be driven by the nature of the asset or liability being assessed. The consideration given to a seller for the purchase 
of a business or a company is accounted for at its fair value. When the consideration given includes elements that are not cash, such as 
shares, then the fair value of the consideration given is calculated by reference to the specific elements of the consideration given to the 
seller.  

3.    Segmental disclosures 

IFRS 8 requires segmental information for the Group on the basis of information reported to the chief operating decision maker for decision 
making purposes. The Company considers this role as being performed by the Board of Directors. The Group’s operations are focused on 
oil and gas development and production activities (Oil extraction segment) in Georgia and has a corporate head office in the UK (corporate 
function). Based on risks and returns the directors consider that there are two operating segments that they use to assess the Group’s 
performance and allocate resources being the Oil extraction in Georgia, and the Corporate function including unallocated costs.  

The segmental results are as follows: 

                                                                                                           Oil                                   Corporate                                         Group 
                                                                                                Extraction                                    and other                                            Total 
18 month period ended 31 December 2019                                $’000                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Revenue                                                                                            314                                                 –                                             314 

Cost of sales                                                                                    (633)                                                –                                            (633) 

Administrative costs                                                                      (1,049)                                        (3,596)                                        (4,645) 

Net Finance costs, income and forex                                                    –                                            (592)                                           (592) 

Loss from operating activities                                                        (1,368)                                        (4,188)                                        (5,556) 

Total non-current assets                                                               12,702                                               11                                        12,713 

Depreciation and depletion                                                              (571)                                               (3)                                           (574) 

Block Energy PLC

 
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57

                                                                                                           Oil                                   Corporate                                         Group 
                                                                                                Extraction                                    and other                                            Total 
                                                                                                       $’000                                          $’000                                          $’000 
Year ended 30 June 2018                                                        (restated)1                                   (restated)1                                   (restated)1 

Revenue                                                                                            179                                                 –                                             179 

Cost of sales                                                                                    (315)                                                –                                            (315) 

Discontinued operations                                                                        –                                             171                                             171 

Administrative costs                                                                         (276)                                        (1,376)                                        (1,652) 

Net Finance costs and income                                                              –                                              (47)                                             (47) 

Loss from operating activities                                                           (412)                                        (1,252)                                        (1,664) 

Total non-current assets                                                                 3,697                                                 –                                          3,697 

Depreciation and depletion                                                                (50)                                                –                                              (50) 

                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
Segmental Assets                                                                                                                            $’000                                          $’000 

Oil exploration – Georgia                                                                                                                 15,971                                          4,064 

Corporate and other                                                                                                                          6,038                                          5,413 

                                                                                                                                                        22,009                                          9,477 

                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
Segmental Liabilities                                                                                                                       $’000                                          $’000 

Oil exploration – Georgia                                                                                                                   2,265                                               71 

Corporate and other                                                                                                                             262                                             206 

                                                                                                                                                          2,527                                             277 

1 Refer note 4. 

4.    Restatement of prior year financial statements 

During the year ended 30 June 2018, the share based payments charge included £35,514 ($47,000) in respect of 4,400,000 options with 
a value of £152,501 ($201,000) granted to Paul Haywood on 6 April 2018. All of these options vested on listing on AIM on 11 June 2018 
and, therefore, the whole value of £152,501 ($201,000) should have been charged in the year ended 30 June 2018. This resulted in an 
understatement of the expense by £116,987 ($154,000) in the year ended 30 June 2018. Consequently, the results for the year ended 30 
June 2018 have been restated to include the additional share based payments charge of $154,000. 

During the year ended 30 June 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the share capital of Taoudeni Resources Limited. The consideration 
payable comprised £29,307 ($38,000) cash, 599,177,916 ordinary shares (with a nominal value and fair value of 0.05 pence per share) 
payable on acquisition (“Initial Consideration Shares”) and 617,702,713 ordinary shares payable at a later stage (“Deferred Consideration 
Shares”). At the time of the acquisition, the Company’s shares were trading at 0.05 pence per share, resulting in a fair value of £299,589 
($388,000) for the Initial Consideration Shares and £308,851 ($400,000) for the Deferred Consideration Shares. 

However, in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2016, the £308,851 ($400,000) value of the Deferred Consideration 
Shares was not included in the cost of acquisition and the consideration payable. As at 30 June 2016, the effect of the error was to 
understate the value of E&E assets (included in intangible assets) and other reserves (share based payments) by £308,851 ($400,000). 

In the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2017, the principal asset that had been acquired with Taoudeni Resources Limited 
(i.e. 100% of the shares in Antubia Resources Limited) was held for sale and it was fair valued at its carrying value of £329,000 ($426,000) 
and there was gain or loss recorded in the income statement. However, if the £308,851 ($400,000) value of the Deferred Consideration 
Shares had been included in the value of the asset held for sale, it would have been written down to its fair value of £329,000 ($426,000) 
and there would have been a £308,851 ($400,000) reduction in the value of the E&E assets and a loss of £308,851 ($400,000) recognised 
in the income statement for that year. 

During the year ended 30 June 2018, it was identified that some of the sellers of Taoudeni Resources Limited waived their rights to receive 
Deferred Consideration Shares during the year ended 30 June 2017, but this transaction was not recognised in the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2017. If the waiver of rights to receive deferred consideration shares had been recognised in the financial 
statements, the effect would have been to decrease other reserves by £163,425 ($211,000) and increase the retained deficit by the same 
amount. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
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58

During the year ended 30 June 2018, some of the Deferred Consideration Shares were issued. 72,120 ordinary shares were issued instead 
of 18,029,997 Deferred Consideration Shares to adjust for a 1 for 50 share consolidation and a 1 for 5 share consolidation that had taken 
place. Consequently, to adjust for the share split and consolidation, the share price at the time of acquisition was also adjusted from 0.05 
pence per share to 12.5 pence per share. However, in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018, the 72,120 ordinary 
shares were issued and valued using a share price of 4 pence per share (being the share price at the time of issue) instead of the share 
price at the time of the acquisition of Taoudeni Resources Limited as adjusted for the share split and share consolidation of 12.5 pence 
per share. As at 30 June 2016, the effect of the error was to understate share premium by £7,663 ($10,000) and overstate other reserves 
(share based payments) by £7,663 ($10,000). 

                                                                                             1 July 2018                                                                                    1 July 2017 
                                             30-Jun-18                                    (Restated)                                  30-Jun-17                                    (Restated) 
                                              Restated           Increase/    Restated and                                     Restated           Increase/    Restated and 
(extract)                                     in USD         (Decrease)         unaudited         30-Jun-17              in USD         (Decrease)         unaudited 
Balance sheet                              $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 £’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000 

Intangible assets                                                                                                         654                    850                        –                    850 

Share premium                          12,211                      10               12,221  

Other reserves                                316                    144                    460                        –                        –                    189                    189  

Accumulated deficit                    (5,469)                 (154)              (5,623)              (2,808)              (3,649)                 (189)              (3,838) 

                                                                                             1 July 2018                                                                                    1 July 2017 
                                       30 June 2018                                    (Restated)                                  30-Jun-17                                    (Restated) 
Statement of                           Restated           Increase/    Restated and                                     Restated           Increase/    Restated and 
profit and loss                            in USD         (Decrease)         unaudited    30 June 2017              in USD         (Decrease)         unaudited 
(extract)                                       $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 £’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000 

Total administrative  
expenses                                    (1,657)                 (154)               (1,811)  

Results from operating  
activities                                     (1,805)                 (154)              (1,959)  

Finance income                                  1                                                 1                        –                        –                    211                    211  

Finance expense                             (48)                                             (48)                     (6)                     (8)                 (400)                 (408)  

Loss for the year before  
taxation                                       (1,852)                 (154)              (2,006)                 (290)                 (377)                 (189)                 (566)  

5.    Revenue 

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Crude oil revenue                                                                                                                                 314                                             179 

The first crude oil sale was made in December 2017 from the Norioskhevi and Satskhenisi oil fields, and in November 2019 from the West 
Rustavi oil field. 

Block Energy PLC

 
 
 
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59

6.    Depreciation and Depletion on Oil and Gas assets 

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Depreciation of PPE                                                                                                                               52                                               30 

Depletion of oil and gas assets                                                                                                            522                                               20 

                                                                                                                                                             574                                               50  

7.    Administration costs 

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Restated 

Administration costs are as follows: 

Employee benefit expense (note 8)                                                                                                   2,132                                             409 

Share option charge                                                                                                                             660                                             275 

Warrants charge                                                                                                                                   202                                                 6 

AIM listing fees                                                                                                                                         –                                             518 

Fees to Auditor in respect of the Group and Company audit                                                                 76                                               31 

Fees to Auditor for other non-audit services                                                                                             –                                               17 

Regulatory fees                                                                                                                                      81                                               28 

Operating lease expense                                                                                                                       54                                               30 

8.    Employees 

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Restated 

Employment costs (inc. directors’ remuneration): 

Wages and salaries                                                                                                                           2,341                                             336 

Pensions                                                                                                                                               251                                                 – 

Shares issued in lieu of services                                                                                                              –                                               56 

Share based payments                                                                                                                        862                                             244 

Social security costs                                                                                                                             108                                               16 

                                                                                                                                                          3,562                                             652 

The average monthly number of employees during 2019 was 37 (2018: 2) split as follows: 

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Restated 

Management                                                                                                                                            7                                                 – 

Technical                                                                                                                                                17                                                 – 

Administration                                                                                                                                         13                                                 2 

                                                                                                                                                               37                                                 2 

The wages and salaries of the Company are equivalent to those of the Group. The share based payments comprised the fair value of 
options granted to directors and employees in respect of services provided.  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
 
 
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60

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 
                                                                                                                                                                                                     (restated)* 

Amounts attributable to the highest paid director: 

Director’s salary and bonus                                                                                                                  399                                             101 

Pension                                                                                                                                                  31                                                 – 

Share based payments                                                                                                                            –                                             194 

                                                                                                                                                             430                                             295 

Key management and personnel are considered to be the directors.  

9.    Finance Income 

                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Settlement of loan                                                                                                                                  32                                                 – 

Other finance income                                                                                                                             37                                                 1 

                                                                                                                                                               69                                                 1 

During the current period, the Company reached a settlement agreement on the loan for $59,000, whereby it was agreed to settle the loan 
for an amount of £20,000 ($27,000), through the issue of 500,000 at £0.04p, resulting in a gain on settlement of loan of £24,550 ($32,000) 
being recorded in finance income. 

10.  Taxation 

Based on the results for the period, there is no charge to UK or foreign tax. This is reconciled to the accounting loss as follows: 

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
UK taxation                                                                                                                                        $’000                                          $’000 

UK Loss on ordinary activities                                                                                                          (6,034)                                        (2,006) 

Loss before taxation at the average UK standard rate of 19% (2018:19%)                                     (1,146)                                           (381) 

Effect of: 

Non-taxable income                                                                                                                              (60)                                                – 

Tax losses for which no deferred income tax asset was recognised                                                 1,206                                             381 

Current tax                                                                                                                                                –                                                 –  

The Group offsets deferred tax assets and liabilities if, and only if, it has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and current 
tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities related to corporation taxes levied by the same tax authority. Due to 
the tax rates applicable in the jurisdictions of the Group’s subsidiary entities (being 0%) no deferred tax liabilities or assets are considered 
to arise.  

For any other jurisdictions which the Group has not recognised deferred income tax assets for tax losses carried forward for entities in 
which it is not considered probable that there will be sufficient future taxable profits available for offset. Unrecognised deferred income tax 
assets related to unused tax losses. The Company has UK corporation tax losses available to carry forward against future profits of 
approximately $8,296,000 (2018: $2,262,000).  

Block Energy PLC

 
 
 
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61

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Unrecognised gross deferred tax position  

Tax losses bought forward                                                                                                                 2,262                                             256 

Timing differences bought forward                                                                                                           –                                                 –  

Total unrecognised gross deferred tax position at start of period                                                      2,262                                             256 

Tax losses not recognised in the period                                                                                            6,034                                          2,006 

Movement in timing differences                                                                                                                –                                                 – 

Tax losses carried forward                                                                                                                 8,296                                          2,262 

Timing differences carried forward                                                                                                           –                                                 – 

Total unrecognised gross deferred tax position at start of period                                                      8,296                                          2,262 

                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                                 Year ended  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                             30 June 2018 
Unrecognised deferred tax asset                                                                                                       $’000                                          $’000 

Tax losses                                                                                                                                          1,206                                             381 

Timing differences                                                                                                                                    –                                                 –  

Total unrecognised deferred asset                                                                                                    1,206                                             381 

11.  Loss per share 

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Year ended 
                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                             30 June 2018  
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                                  (restated) 1 

Loss per share from continuing operations–basic                                                                           (1.96)c                                        (1.95)c 

Earnings per share from discontinuing operations–basic                                                                         –                                          0.17c 

Loss per share–basic                                                                                                                      (1.96)c                                        (1.78)c 

1 Refer note 4. 

The basic loss per share is derived by dividing the loss for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number 
of shares in issue. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Year ended 
                                                                                                                            18 months period ended                             30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                    31 December 2019                                  (restated) 1 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Loss for the period/year from continuing operations (used in calculation  

of basic LPS from continuing operations)                                                                                        (6,130)                                        (2,006) 

Profit for the ear from discontinuing operations (used in calculation of  

basic LPS from discontinuing operations)                                                                                                –                                             171 

Loss for the period/year (used in calculation of total basic LPS)                                                     (6,130)                                        (1,835) 

Weighted average number of Ordinary shares of 0.25p in issue                                           312,998,744                               102,915,614 

1 Refer note 4. 

Diluted share earnings per share has not been calculated as the options and warrants have no dilutive effect given the loss arising for the 
period/year. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                 
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62

12.  Acquisition of Subsidiaries and associated PSC interests 

Acquisition of interest in the West Rustavi PSC 

The initial 5% interest in the West Rustavi PSC was acquired from Georgia Oil and Gas Limited (“GOG”) for $100,000 in cash in the year 
ended 30 June 2017. On admission to AIM in June 2018, Block Energy acquired a further 20% working interest in the West Rustavi PSC 
from GOG for the consideration of $1 million in shares and $500,000 in cash. At 30 June 2018, the total Group interest in the West Rustavi 
PSC was 25%. 

During the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019, Block Energy Plc, through Georgia New Ventures Inc. (“GNV”), increased its 
working interest in the West Rustavi PSC to 100% through a three staged settlement, as follows: 

•       Stage 1: Increase from 25% to 71.5% working interest by acquiring an additional 46.5% working interest for the consideration of 

$250,000 cash and $500,000 in shares –completed on 13 March 2019. 

•       Stage 2: increase from 71.5% to 90% working interest by acquiring an additional 18.5% working interest for the consideration of 

$250,000 in cash –completed on 12 July 2019. 

•       Stage 3: increase from 90% to 100% working interest by acquiring an additional 10% working interest for the consideration of $500,000 

in shares –completed on 19 July 2019. 

The increases in working interest on this transaction have been treated as asset acquisitions and recorded at cost.  

Acquisition of Satskhenisi Ltd and associated 90% interest in the Satskhenisi PSC 

On 1 August 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the share capital of Satskhenisi Limited (“Satskhenisi”), a Marshall Islands registered 
company, and through this transaction a 90% interest in the Satkhenisi PSC. 

On acquisition, the company paid $1,000 for the issuance of 1,000 ordinary Satskhenisi shares. 70,000,000 ordinary shares valued at 
0.85 pence were additionally issued as part of the consideration for the interest in the Satskhenisi PSC.  

Satskhenisi’s principal activity is oil and gas extraction, and it was acquired for the purpose of facilitating petroleum operations under the 
Satskhenisi PSC. Petroleum operations include all activities relating to exploration, development, production and transportation of oil and 
gas to the sales point.  

The transaction has been classed as a business combination under IFRS 3.  

Details of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, purchase consideration and goodwill are as follows: 

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Fair Values 
                                                                                                                                                                                                             $’000 

Intangible assets                                                                                                                                                                                     472 

PPE                                                                                                                                                                                                           90 

Oil inventory                                                                                                                                                                                              16 

Inventory and spare parts                                                                                                                                                                        224 

Trade and other payables                                                                                                                                                                        (14) 

Total net assets acquired                                                                                                                                                                         788 

Fair value of consideration paid                                                                                                                                        

Total consideration – Cash and Ordinary shares of the Company 70,000,000 of 0.0085p each                                                            788 

During the period since acquisition, Satskhenisi Ltd contributed $149,000 to the Group loss and revenue of $62,000. 

The intangible asset fair value was derived from the Competent Persons Report (CPR), and is based on P50 NPV with a discount rate of 
10%. The PPE and Spare parts were fair valued based on the condition of the items, and application of an industry accepted discount to 
the original cost. The oil inventory was fair valued by Management based on the post-acquisition recoverable value. 

Increase in Interest in Norio PSC and transfer into Norioskhevi Ltd 

On 20 April 2017, Block Energy Plc acquired Block Norioskhevi Ltd (Norio), a BVI incorporated company. During the year ended 30 June 
2018, the interest increased from 38% to 100%, through $610,0000 cash consideration payment, and $250,000 share issue on AIM listing. 
In total, the consideration paid for the 100% interest in the Norio PSC was a cash payment of $1,300,000 and an issue of $250,000 worth 
of Block Energy Plc ordinary shares. 

This transaction has been treated as an asset acquisition and recorded at cost.  

Block Energy PLC

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63

13.  Sale of Taoudeni Resources SARL 

On the 8 November 2017, an SPA was signed for the sale of Taoudeni Resources SARL. The consideration receivable was agreed as 
either:  

(a)   A sum of $40,000; or 

(b)   Shares in the capital of the Buyer with a value of $40,000 (price being 30 day average weighted volume if buyer is listed). 

The consideration is payable on the earlier of 30 days from the date of first production or the date falling on the fifth anniversary of the 
agreement (8 November 2023). Management have taken the view that five years is the most viable time period at which consideration will 
be received and have discounted this amount to a present value of $36,000.  

14.  Discontinued operations – Antubia Ltd 

The Antubia Ltd sale completed on 26 February 2018 for a total consideration of US $600,000. The assets fair value was considered to 
be its carrying value. The analysis of total gain on disposal, carrying values of the assets and liabilities disposed, and also the net cash 
inflow from the disposal were as follows: 

Total gain on divestment of Antubia Ltd                                                                                                                                          $’000 

Consideration from the divestment                                                                                                                                                          600 

Carrying value of net assets                                                                                                                                                                   (434) 

Foreign exchange                                                                                                                                                                                        2 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                168 

Cashflow from divestment of Antubia Ltd                                                                                                                                       $’000 

Consideration received from divestment                                                                                                                                                 600 

Cash and cash equivalents of Antubia foregone                                                                                                                                         – 

Net cash inflow from divestment                                                                                                                                                             600 

15.  Intangible assets 

                                                                                                                                                Exploration and 
                                                                                                              Licences                    Evaluation cost                                     Total 
Cost                                                                                                            $’000                                    $’000                                    $’000 

At 1 July 2018 (restated, note 4)                                                                 1,894                                           –                                    1,894 

Additions during the period                                                                            250                                         14                                       264 

Transfer to property, plant and equipment                                                 (2,144)                                      (14)                                 (2,158) 

At 31 December 2019                                                                                        –                                           –                                           –  

The additions in the current period are a result of the West Rustavi PSC increase from 25% to 100%. The transfer to PPE relates to the 
West Rustavi ($1,887,000) and Satskhenisi PSC ($257,000). 

                                                                                                                                                Exploration and 
                                                                                                              Licences                    Evaluation cost                                     Total 
Cost                                                                                                            $’000                                    $’000                                    $’000 

At 1 July 2017                                                                                                813                                         49                                       862 

Additions during the period                                                                         1,796                                           –                                    1,796 

Transfer to property, plant and equipment                                                    (706)                                      (50)                                    (756) 

Foreign exchange movements                                                                          (9)                                          1                                          (8) 

At 30 June 2018 (restated, note 4)                                                             1,894                                           –                                    1,894 

The additions in the prior period are a result of the West Rustavi PSC increase from 5% to 25%. The transfer to PPE relates to the 
Norioskhevi ($740,000) and Satskhenisi PSC ($16,000). 

All the intangible assets are located in Georgia.  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
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64

16.  Property, Plant and Equipment 

                                                                                                      Development/                            Computer/ 
                                                                    Licence                            Production                Office Equipment/                                              
                                                                         area                                  Assets                     Motor Vehicles                                     Total 
Cost                                                                $’000                                    $’000                                    $’000                                    $’000 

At 1 July 2017                                                        –                                           –                                           –                                           – 

Transfer from intangibles                                   756                                           –                                           –                                       756 

Additions                                                            885                                       208                                           –                                    1,093 

At 30 June 2018                                             1,641                                       208                                           –                                    1,849 

Transfer from intangibles                                2,158                                           –                                           –                                    2,158 

Additions                                                         1,186                                    8,011                                       129                                    9,326 

At 31 December 2019                                    4,985                                    8,219                                       129                                  13,333 

                                                                                                      Development/                            Computer/ 
                                                                    Licence                            Production                Office Equipment/                                              
                                                                         area                                  Assets                     Motor Vehicles                                     Total 
Accumulated Depreciation                          $’000                                    $’000                                    $’000                                    $’000 

At 1 July 2017                                                        –                                           –                                           –                                           – 

Charge for the period                                          19                                         28                                           –                                         47 

Forex                                                                    (1)                                          –                                           –                                          (1) 

At 30 June 2018                                                  18                                         28                                           –                                         46 

Charge for the period                                            –                                       567                                           7                                       574 

At 31 December 2019                                         18                                       595                                           7                                       620 

Carrying amount  

At 31 December 2019                                    4,967                                    7,624                                       122                                  12,713 

At 30 June 2018                                             1,623                                       180                                           –                                    1,803 

Carrying amount of property plant and equipment by cash generative unit: 

                                                                                                       Norio       Satskhenisi     West Rustavi          Corporate                  Total 
Carrying amount                                                                           $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000 

At 31 December 2019                                                                    2,465                    435                 9,671                    142               12,713 

At 30 June 2018                                                                             1,502                    301                        –                        –                 1,803 

At the end of the current period, the directors concluded there were impairment indicators in the current period that warranted impairment 
testing to be prepared with respect to the carrying value of the assets of the Group. Results of the impairment testing supported the currently 
carrying value of the assets of the Group and as such no impairment to the carrying value of the assets was required. 

An assessment of impairment took place at the time that the West Rustavi intangible assets were transferred to Property, Plant and 
Equipment. There were no significant changes from the net present value model that would indicate impairment at that point.

Block Energy PLC

 
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65

17.  Asset Held for Sale 

Details of asset held for sale are as follows: 

                                                                                                                                                                                                              2019 
Cost                                                                                                                                                                                                      $’000 

At 1 July 2018 and 31 December 2019                                                                                                                                                       – 

                                                                                                                                                                                                              2018 
Cost                                                                                                                                                                                                      $’000 

At 1 July 2017                                                                                                                                                                                          433 

Additions                                                                                                                                                                                                      – 

Forex                                                                                                                                                                                                           9 

Disposal of assets                                                                                                                                                                                  (442) 

At 30 June 2018                                                                                                                                                                                          – 

On 8 June 2017, the Antubia Head of Terms was signed, and the asset classed as held for sale. The SPA was signed on 6 September 
2017. The asset’s fair value was considered to be its carrying value. The sale of Antubia was finalised and completed on 26 February 
2018.  

Antubia Ltd was a subsidiary of Ensign Resources and was sold for consideration of $600,000 giving rise to a gain on disposal of $168,000. 

18.  Inventory 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Spare parts and consumables                                                                                                           1,763                                             334 

Crude oil                                                                                                                                               756                                                 – 

                                                                                                                                                          2,519                                             334 

19.  Provisions 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Decommissioning provision                                                                                                                  276                                                 – 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

At 1 July                                                                                                                                                    –                                                 – 

Additional provision in the period                                                                                                         276                                                 – 

At 31 December                                                                                                                                   276                                                 – 

Decommissioning provisions are based on management estimates of work and the judgement of the directors. By its nature, the detailed 
scope of work required, and timing of such work is uncertain.  

20.  Trade and other receivables 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Other receivables                                                                                                                                 166                                             139 

Prepayments                                                                                                                                        137                                               29 

                                                                                                                                                             303                                             168 

During the period, the Company registered as an employer in Canada and Canadian income tax and employee’s social security were 
payable. In December 2019, the Company paid these liabilities of $77,000 for Roger McMechan to the tax collector during December 2019 
and this effectively formed a loan to the director and included in other receivables – refer Note 34. The Company is currently negotiating 
a repayment plan with Roger, with the loan expected to be repaid in full by 31 July 2020. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
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66

The 2018 balance relates mainly to VAT recoverable, and consideration to be received from the sale of Taoudeni SARL (please refer to 
note 13). 

21.  Cash and cash equivalents 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                               6,494                                          5,278 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of balances in bank accounts used for normal operational activities. The vast majority of the cash was 
held in an institution with a Standard & Poor’s credit rating of A-1. 

22.  Non – cash transactions 

On 1 August 2017, the company issued 70,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of 0.85p per share with a value of $787,522 (£595,000), for 
the acquisition of Satskhenisi Ltd and a 90% interest in the Satskhenisi PSC. 

On 11 June 2018, the following shares were issued in settlement of liabilities: 

Shares issued in lieu of payment for services                                                                        No of shares                             Value – $’000 

Serina Bierer                                                                                                                                 420,000                                               23 

Philip Dimmock                                                                                                                              312,500                                               16 

Tim Parson                                                                                                                                    325,000                                               17 

Caravel                                                                                                                                            24,553                                                 1 

Taoudeni                                                                                                                                          72,120                                                 4 

St Brides                                                                                                                                        500,000                                               27 

Spark                                                                                                                                             187,500                                               11 

Total                                                                                                                                            1,841,673                                               99 

Also on 11 June 2018, 4,695,717 shares at 4p ($250,000) were issued on behalf of Block Norioskhevi Limited as part of the PSC purchase 
agreement, and 18,782,870 shares were issued at 4p ($1,000,00) on behalf of Georgia New Ventures Inc as part of the West Rustavi PSC 
consideration. 

The listing also activated the conversion of all outstanding $360,000 convertible loan notes at a discounted price of 3.6p which resulted in 
the issue of 10,759,132 shares with a value of $516,000 (£387,329). 

On 4 March 2019, the Company issued 1,846,791 shares at an average price of 3.8p to various consultants and professional advisors in 
settlement of fees along with the settlement of the outstanding loan (refer Note 29) for a value of $99,000 as follows: 

Shares issued in lieu of payment for services                                                                        No of shares                             Value – $’000 

Operational consultants                                                                                                              1,068,429                                               57 

Spark                                                                                                                                             278,362                                               15 

Starvest – loan settlement                                                                                                             500,000                                               27 

Total                                                                                                                                            1,846,791                                               99 

On 13 March 2019, the Company issued 9,550,870 ordinary shares at 4p with a value of $500,000 to GOG as part of the consideration 
for a further 46.5% interest in the West Rustavi PSC.  

On 5 June 2019, the Company issued 1,091,291 ordinary shares at 15p with a value of $208,000 as full and final settlement of deferred 
consideration in line with the Taoudeni Resources Limited share purchase agreement (details of which are set out in the Company’s 
Admission Document dated 4 June 2018). 977,383 of these ordinary shares were allotted to Plutus Strategies Limited, a company in which 
Paul Haywood, Chief Executive, and Niall Tomlinson, former Executive Director, have an interest. The agreement to issue these shares 
was completed on the 3rd March 2016 at a time when the Company’s share price (adjusted for subsequent share consolidations) was 
15p. 

On 5 June 2019, the Company issued 377,834 ordinary shares to non-executive directors and a consultant in settlement of fees. 163,418 
of the ordinary shares were allotted to Philip Dimmock, Chairman, at an average price of 3.67p in settlement of fees amounting to £6,000 
($7,628) due to him, and 69,957 ordinary shares were allotted to Chris Brown, Non-Executive Director, at an average price of 3.81p in 
settlement of fees of £2,667 ($3,390) due to him. The issue price of these shares has been calculated monthly, based on the 30-day 
volume weighted average price ("VWAP") for the periods to which these fees relate. The remaining 144,459 ordinary shares were allotted 

Block Energy PLC

 
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

67

to a consultant to the Company as settlement for services with a value of $10,000 provided on the Georgian operations for the five months 
from January 2019 to May 2019. 

On 15 July 2019, the Company issued 3,326,268 ordinary shares at 11.99p with a value of $500,000 to GOG for the final 10% interest in 
the West Rustavi PSC and 772,727 ordinary shares at an issue price of 11p per share to settle liabilities amounting to $106,655 (£85,000) 
for professional services provided to the Company. 

23.  Trade and Other Payables 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Trade and other payables                                                                                                                 1,066                                               94 

Accruals                                                                                                                                                  77                                             124 

                                                                                                                                                          1,143                                             218 

Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for corporate services and operational expenditure.  

24.  Share capital 

                                                                                           No. Ordinary                               No. Deferred                                      Nominal 
Called up, allotted, issued and fully paid                                      Shares                                        Shares                                       Value $ 

As at 30 June 2017                                                             379,841,048                            2,095,165,355                                   1,580,859 

Issue of equity on 3 July 2017                                               10,588,235                                                 –                                          6,855 

Issue of equity on 1 August 2017                                          70,000,000                                                 –                                        46,325 

Issue of equity on 31 August 2017                                        29,411,765                                                 –                                        19,038 

Consolidation of Ordinary shares at 15 November 2017   (391,872,839)                                                –                                                 – 

Issue of equity on 11 June 2018                                          161,079,392                                                 –                                      538,951 

As at 30 June 2018                                                             259,047,601                            2,095,165,355                                   2,192,028 

Issue of equity on 4 March 2019                                             1,846,791                                                 –                                          6,045 

Issue of equity on 13 March 2019                                           9,550,000                                                 –                                        31,654 

Issue of equity on 15 April 2019                                              1,837,500                                                 –                                          5,941 

Issue of equity on 1 May 2019                                                3,624,326                                                 –                                        11,783 

Issue of equity on 15 May 2019                                                 225,000                                                 –                                             715 

Issue of equity on 21 May 2019                                            42,820,000                                                 –                                      135,405 

Issue of equity on 23 May 2019                                              1,723,650                                                 –                                          5,434 

Issue of equity on 4 June 2019                                             66,270,000                                                 –                                      210,175 

Issue of equity on 15 June 2019                                             1,469,125                                                 –                                          4,672 

Issue of equity on 13 June 2019                                                650,674                                                 –                                          2,052 

Issue of equity on 5 July 2019                                                    375,000                                                 –                                          1,174 

Issue of equity on 15 July 2019                                               4,098,995                                                 –                                        12,858 

Issue of equity on 19 December 2019                                        900,000                                                 –                                          2,930 

As at 31 December 2019                                                     394,438,662                            2,095,165,355                                   2,622,866 

On 3 July 2017, through an equity placing of 10,588,235 ordinary shares at a price of 0.85p per share, $117,000 of funds were raised in 
conjunction with $272,000 of convertible loan notes. 

On 1 August 2017, the company issued 70,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of 0.85p per share with a value of $788,000, for the acquisition 
of Satskhenisi Ltd and a 90% interest in the Satskhenisi PSC.  

On 31 August 2017, the company raised $323,650 funds through the placing of 29,411,765 new shares at 0.85p per share.  

On 15 November 2017, each 5 Ordinary shares of 0.05p were consolidated into one Ordinary Share of 0.25p, resulting in a reduction in 
the number of Ordinary Shares from 489,841,048 to 97,968,209. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
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68

The issue of equity on AIM listing on 11 June 2018 comprised of the following: 

Issue of equity on AIM listing                                                      Value ($)                      Share issue price                               No of shares 

Shares issued on placing of £5 million                                    6,644,000                                               4p                               125,000,000 

GOG West Rustavi consideration                                           1,000,000                                               4p                                 18,782,870 

GOG Norioskhevi consideration                                                 250,000                                               4p                                   4,695,717 

Conversion of loan notes                                                            516,000                                            3.6p                                 10,759,132 

Shares issued in lieu of services                                                  99,000                                               4p                                   1,841,673 

                                                                                                                                                                                                  161,079,392 

On 11 June 2018, the Company raised gross proceeds of $6,644,000 through the placing of 125,000,000 ordinary shares at 4p per share.  

On 11 June 2018, the Company issued 18,782,870 ordinary shares at 4p with a value of $1,000,000 to Georgian Oil and Gas for a further 
20% interest in the West Rustavi PSC.  

On 11 June 2018, the Company issued 4,695,717 shares at 4p with a value of $250,000 to GOG as part of the purchase consideration for 
the Group’s 100% interest in the Norioskhevi PSC. 

On 11 June 2018, the Company converted all of the existing convertible loan note balance through the issue of 10,759,132 shares at a 
discounted price of 3.6p with a value of $516,000.  

On 11 June 2018, the Company issued 1,841,673 shares at 4p to various consultants and professional advisors in settlement of fees. This 
issue was apportioned between directors (1,057,500 shares of value $56,000), and consultants (784,173 shares of value $43,000). See 
note 22 for further information. 

On 4 March 2019, the Company issued 1,846,791 shares at an average price of 3.8p to various consultants and professional advisors in 
settlement of fees along with the settlement of the outstanding loan (refer Note 29). 

On 13 March 2019, the Company issued 9,550,000 ordinary shares at 4p with a value of $500,000 to GOG as part of the consideration 
for a further 46.5% interest in the West Rustavi PSC.  

On 15 April 2019, the Company issued 1,837,500 ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant at 4p.  

On 1 May 2019, the Company issued 3,624,326 ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrants at 4p.  

On 15 May 2019, the Company issued 225,000 ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant at 4p.  

On 21 May 2019, the Company raised gross proceeds of $5,958,000 through the placing of 42,820,000 ordinary shares at 11p per share. 

On 23 May 2019, the Company issued 1,723,650 ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of options at 4p.  

On 4 June 2019, the Company raised gross proceeds of $9,248,000 through the placing of 66,270,000 ordinary shares at 11p per share. 

On 5 June 2019, the Company issued 1,091,291 ordinary shares at 15p as full and final settlement of deferred consideration in line with 
the Taoudeni Resources Limited share purchase agreement (details of which are set out in the Company’s Admission Document dated 4 
June 2018). 977,383 of these ordinary shares were allotted to Plutus Strategies Limited, a company in which Paul Haywood, Chief 
Executive, and Niall Tomlinson, former Executive Director, have an interest. The agreement to issue these shares was completed on the 
3rd March 2016 at a time when the Company’s share price (adjusted for subsequent share consolidations) was 15p. 

On 5 June 2019, the Company issued 377,834 ordinary shares to non-executive directors and a consultant in settlement of fees. 163,418 
of the ordinary shares were allotted to Philip Dimmock, Chairman, at an average price of 3.67p in settlement of fees amounting to $7,628 
(£6,000) due to him, and 69,957 ordinary shares were allotted to Chris Brown, Non-Executive Director, at an average price of 3.81p in 
settlement of fees of $3,390 (£2,667) due to him. The issue price of these shares has been calculated monthly, based on the 30-day 
volume weighted average price ("VWAP") for the periods to which these fees relate. The remaining 144,459 ordinary shares were allotted 
to a consultant to the Company as settlement for services with a value of $10,000 provided on the Georgian operations for the five months 
from January 2019 to May 2019. 

On 13 June 2019, the Company issued 650,674 ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrants at 4p.  

On 5 July 2019, the Company issued 375,000 ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant at 4p.  

On 15 July 2019, the Company issued 3,326,268 ordinary shares at 11.99p with a value of $500,000 to GOG for the final 10% interest in 
the West Rustavi PSC and 772,727 ordinary shares at an issue price of 11p per share to settle liabilities amounting to $106,655 (£85,000) 
for professional services provided to the Company. 

On 13 December 2019, the Company issued 900,000 ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant at 4p. 

Block Energy PLC

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69

The Ordinary Shares consist of full voting, dividend and capital distribution rights and they do not confer any rights for redemption. The 
Deferred Shares have no entitlement to receive dividends or to participate in any way in the income or profits of the Company, nor is there 
entitlement to receive notice of, speak at, or vote at any general meeting or annual general meeting. 

25.  Share premium account 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             $’000 

Balance at 1 July 2018                                                                                                                                                                       12,221 

Premium arising on issue of equity shares                                                                                                                                         16,655 

Share issue costs                                                                                                                                                                                   (891) 

Balance at 31 December 2019                                                                                                                                                           27,985 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             $’000 

Balance at 1 July 2017                                                                                                                                                                         3,536 

Premium arising on issue of equity shares                                                                                                                                           9,182 

Share issue costs                                                                                                                                                                                   (507) 

Prior year restatement, Taoudeni                                                                                                                                                              10 

Balance at 30 June 2018                                                                                                                                                                    12,221 

26.  Reserves 

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owners’ equity. 

Reserves                                                 Description and purpose 

Share Capital                                          Amount subscribed for share capital at nominal value. 

Share premium account                          Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value, less attributable costs. 

Other reserves                                        The other reserves comprises the fair value of all share options and warrants which have been 

charged over the vesting period, net of the amount relating to share options which have expired, 
been cancelled and have vested 

Foreign exchange reserve                      Exchange differences on translating the net assets of foreign operations 

Accumulated deficit                                 Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the income statement and in respect of foreign 

27.  Warrants 

exchange.  

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                    Weighted                                    Weighted 
                                                                                                                        Number of             average         Number of             average 
                                                                                                                           Warrants   exercise price           Warrants   exercise price 

Outstanding at the beginning of the period                                                     11,142,115                      6p          4,045,151                  125p 

Additions                                                                                                           6,011,308                    11p          8,862,500                      4p  

Exercised                                                                                                         (7,612,500)                    4p                        –                        – 

Lapsed                                                                                                             (1,470,588)                  15p                        –                        – 

Share capital reorganisation effect                                                                                 –                        –        (1,765,536)                      – 

Outstanding at the end of the period                                                                8,070,335                    10p        11,142,115                      6p 

As at 31 December 2019, all warrants were available to exercise and were exercisable at prices between 4p and 12.5p (30 June 2018: 4p 
and 15p). The weighted average life of the warrants is 3.2 years (30 June 2018: 2.1 years). The additions represent warrants issued with 
three year terms (30 June 2018: terms ranging from 81 days to 5 years).

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

70

28.  Share based payments  

During the period, the Group operated a Block Energy Plc Share Option Plan (Share Option Scheme).  

Under IFRS 2, an expense is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income for share based payments, to recognise their fair 
value at the date of grant. The application of IFRS 2 gave rise to a charge of $862,000 for the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019. 
The equivalent charge for the year ended June 2018 was $201,000 which was restated as of 30 June 2018, refer note 4. The warrants 
charge for the comparative period represents only 22 days’ valuation charge, as all warrants became exercisable on AIM admission (11 June 
2018). 

The Group recognised total expenses (all of which related to equity settled share-based payment transactions) under the current plans of: 

                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Restated 

Share option scheme                                                                                                                           660                                             275 

Warrants charge                                                                                                                                   202                                                 6 

                                                                                                                                                             862                                             281 

Share Option Scheme 

The Option Plan provides for an exercise price equal to or higher than the closing market price of the Group shares on the date of the 
grant. The vesting period varies between 66 days to 3 years. The options expire if they remain unexercised after the exercise period has 
lapsed and have been valued using the Black Scholes model. 

The following table sets out details of all outstanding options granted under the Share Option Scheme.  

                                                                                                                                 2019                  2019                  2018                  2018 
                                                                                                                                                    Weighted                                    Weighted 
                                                                                                                                                      average                                      average 
                                                                                                                             Options   exercise price             Options   exercise price 

Outstanding at beginning of period/year                                                         23,698,332                 $0.05          1,200,000                 $0.03 

Granted during the period                                                                                 6,325,000                 $0.15        22,498,332                 $0.05 

Exercised during the period                                                                             (1,723,650)               $0.05                        –                        – 

Expired during the period                                                                                   (861,826)               $0.05                        –                        – 

Outstanding at the end of the period                                                              27,437,856                 $0.07        23,698,332                 $0.05 

Exercisable at the end of the period                                                               12,494,603                 $0.04          5,600,000                 $0.03 

The weighted average exercise price of the share options exercisable at 31 December 2019 is $0.04 (30 June 2018: $0.03). The weighted 
average contractual life of the share based payments outstanding at 31 December 2019 is 8.5 years (30 June 2018: 9.8 years).  

The estimated fair values of options which fall under IFRS 2, and the inputs used in the Black Scholes Option model to calculate those fair 
values are as follows: 

                                        Number       Estimated             Share         Exercise        Expected        Expected                Risk        Expected 
Date of grant                 of options        fair value               price               price          volatility                  life          free rate        dividends 

30 June 2017                1,200,000              $0.04              $0.01              $0.03                84%        5.5 years             1.16%                  0% 

6 April 2018                   4,400,000              $0.05              $0.04              $0.03                84%         10 years             1.34%                  0% 

11 June 2018              18,098,332              $0.04              $0.05              $0.05                84%         10 years             1.23%                  0% 

21 October 2019           6,325,000              $0.05              $0.06              $0.15              109%        9.0 years             0.63%                  0% 

All share based payment charges are calculated using the Black Scholes model. 

Expected volatility was determined by reviewing benchmark values from comparator companies.

Block Energy PLC

 
 
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

71

29.  Borrowings 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Short term loans – unsecured                                                                                                                  –                                               59 

All loans are denominated in pounds sterling and presented in $US dollars.  

During the year ended 30 June 2018, a convertible loan note was issued which carried a 10% interest rate. The loan note converted on 
AIM listing, at a 10% discount to the share price on admission to AIM.  

As at 30 June 2018, the directors considered it appropriate to classify the loan balance of $59,000 as current. The interest was payable 
annually at the rate of 20%. There was no agreement on the term of the loan.  

During the current period, the Company reached a settlement agreement on the loan for an amount of £20,000 ($27,000), through the 
issue of 500,000 at £0.04p, resulting in a gain on settlement of loan of £24,550 ($32,000) being recorded in finance income. 

Movement in borrowings is analysed as follows: 

                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

At beginning of period                                                                                                                            59                                             325 

Proceeds from issue of loans                                                                                                                   –                                             206 

Interest accrued                                                                                                                                        –                                               44 

Settlement of loan through issue of shares                                                                                           (27)                                                – 

Gain on settlement of loan recorded through SOCI                                                                              (32)                                                – 

Conversion of convertible of loan notes                                                                                                   –                                            (516) 

At end of period                                                                                                                                        –                                               59 

The non-cash movement on the settlement of the convertible loan note: 

                                                                                                                                                         Non-cash changes 
                                                                                                                                                                          Conversion  
                                                                                                      1 July                 Cash              Interest             through             30 June 
                                                                                                        2017                 flows            Accrued       share issue                  2018 
                                                                                                       $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000 

Convertible loan                                                                                266                    206                      44                  (516)                      – 

30.  Financial instruments  

Capital Risk Management 

The Company manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the 
return to stakeholders. The overall strategy of the Company and the Group is to minimise costs and liquidity risk.  

The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued share capital, foreign 
exchange and other reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes of Equity. 

The Group is exposed to a number of risks through its normal operations, the most significant of which are interest, credit, foreign exchange 
and liquidity risks. The management of these risks is vested to the Board of Directors. 

The sensitivity has been prepared assuming the liability outstanding was outstanding for the whole period. In all cases presented, a negative 
number in profit and loss represents an increase in finance expense / decrease in interest income.  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

72

Fair Value Measurements Recognised in the Statement of Financial Position 

The following provides an analysis of the Group’s financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, 
grouped into Levels 1 & 2 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.  

–      Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, 

either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).  

–      Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not 

based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).  

–      Level 3 assets are assets whose fair value cannot be determined by using observable inputs or measures, such as market prices or 
models. Level 3 assets are typically very illiquid, and fair values can only be calculated using estimates or risk-adjusted value ranges. 

Credit risk 

Credit risk is the risk that the Group will suffer a financial loss as a result of another party failing to discharge an obligation and arises from 
cash and other liquid investments deposited with banks and financial institutions and receivables from the sale of crude oil. 

For deposits lodged at banks and financial institutions these are all held through a recognised financial institution. The maximum exposure 
to credit risk is $6,494,000 (2018: $5,278,000). The Group does not hold any collateral as security. 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and financial assets represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk at year 
end. The Group has no material financial assets that are past due. 

The Company has made unsecured interest-free loans to its subsidiary companies. Although the loans are repayable on demand, they 
are unlikely to be repaid until the projects become successful and the subsidiaries start to generate revenues. An assessment of the 
expected credit loss arising on intercompany loans is detailed in note 1 of the parent company financial statements on page 79. 

The amounts owed by the subsidiaries to the Company were as follows: 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Georgia New Ventures Inc.                                                                                                             12,503                                          1,660 

Block Norioskhevi Ltd                                                                                                                        3,432                                          1,771 

Satskhenisi Ltd                                                                                                                                  1,116                                             957 

Block Operating Company LLC                                                                                                            182                                                 – 

                                                                                                                                                        17,233                                          4,388 

Market risk 

Market risk arises from the Group’s use of interest bearing and foreign currency financial instruments. It is the risk that future cash flows 
of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in interest rates (interest rate risk), and foreign exchange rates (currency risk). 

There are no variable interest bearing loans in the Group. No risk therefore identified. 

Currency risk 

Foreign currency risk is the risk that fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign 
exchange rates.  

The Group undertakes transactions denominated in currencies other than its functional currency (which is the US Dollar). For transactions 
denominated in Pounds Sterling, the Group manages this risk by holding Sterling against actual or expected Sterling commitments to act 
as an economic hedge against exchange rate movements.  

The Group’s cash and cash equivalents and liquid investments are mainly held in US Dollars and Pounds Sterling. At 31 December 2019, 
76% of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and liquid investments were held in US Dollars (2018: 0%).  

A 10% increase in the strength of Sterling against the US Dollar would cause an estimated increase of $140,000 (2018: $480,000 increase) 
on the profit after tax of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2019, with a 10% weakening causing an equal and opposite decrease. 
The impact on equity is the same as the impact on profit after tax.  

The  exposure  to  other  foreign  currency  exchange  movements  is  not  material.  This  sensitivity  analysis  includes  foreign  currency 
denominated monetary items and assumes all other variables remain unchanged. Whilst the effect of any movement in exchange rates 
upon revaluing foreign currency denominated monetary items is charged or credited to the income statement, the economic effect of 
holding  Pounds  Sterling  against  actual  or  expected  commitments  in  Pounds  Sterling  is  an  economic  hedge  against  exchange  rate 
movements. 

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

73

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that the Group and its subsidiaries might encounter difficulty in settling its debts or otherwise meeting 
its obligations related to financial liabilities. In addition to equity funding, additional borrowings have been secured in the past to finance 
operations. The Company manages this risk by monitoring its financial resources and carefully plans its expenditure programmes. Financial 
liabilities of the Group comprise trade payables which mature in less than twelve months. .  

31.  Categories of financial instruments 

In terms of financial instruments, these solely comprise of those measured at amortised cost and are as follows: 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Liabilities at amortised cost                                                                                                               1,143                                             277 

                                                                                                                                                          1,143                                             277 

Cash and cash equivalents at amortised cost                                                                                   6,494                                          5,278 

Financial assets at amortised cost                                                                                                       166                                             139 

                                                                                                                                                          6,660                                          5,417 

No collateral has been pledged in relation thereto. 

32.  Subsidiaries 

At 31 December 2019, the Group consists of the following subsidiaries, which are wholly owned by the Company. 

Company                                                          Country of Incorporation                               Proportion of voting rights and equity interest 

                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 

Block Norioskhevi Ltd                                             British Virgin Islands                                          100%                                          100% 

Satskhenisi Ltd                                                              Marshall Islands                                          100%                                          100% 

Georgia New Ventures Inc.                                                      Bahamas                                          100%                                          100% 

Block Operating Company LLC*                                                 Georgia                                          100%                                                 – 

Ensign Resources Limited**                                                  Isle of Man                                          100%                                          100%  

* Incorporated on 9 August 2019 

** Subsequent to period end, the company was liquidated  

Subsidiaries – Nature of business  

The  principal  activity  of  Georgia  New  Ventures  Inc,  Satskhenisi  Limited  and  Block  Norioskhevi  Ltd  is  oil  and  gas  development  and 
production. 

The principal activity of Block Operating Company LLC is to be the operator of the oil and gas licenses held in Georgia. 

Ensign Resources is dormant, but held the Antubia Ltd company and associated Ghanaian mining asset until February 2018. 

Registered Office 

The registered office of Georgia New Ventures Inc. is Bolam House, King and George Streets, P.O. Box CB 11.343, Nassau, Bahamas.  

The registered office of Satskhenisi Ltd is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake road, Ajeltake Island,Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. 

The registered office of Block Norioskhevi Ltd is Trident chambers, P.O.Box 146, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. 

The registered office of Block Operating Company LLC is 13A Tamarashvili Street, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia. 

The registered office of Ensign Resources Limited is Falcon Cliff, Palace Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 4LB.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

74

33.  Commitments 

Commitments at the reporting date that have not been provided for were as follows; 

Operating lease commitment 

UK operating lease commitment  
At 31 December 2019 and 30 June 2018, the total of future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases for each of 
the following periods was: 

                                                                                                                                             31 December                                      30 June 
                                                                                                                                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Within 1 year                                                                                                                                          37                                               29 

Between 1 and 5 years                                                                                                                             –                                               34 

Total                                                                                                                                                        37                                               63 

34.  Related party transactions 

Key management personnel comprises of the directors and details of their remuneration are set out in Note 8 and the Remuneration 
Report.  

On 1 August 2017, Block Energy secured a 90% working interest in the Satskhenisi PSC via the acquisition of 100% of the share capital 
of Satskhenisi Ltd, a Marshall Islands registered company. Satskhenisi Ltd was bought from Iskander Energy Corporation for $595,000 
consideration, paid in Block Energy Plc Ordinary shares. Roger McMechan is the CEO of Iskander Energy Corporation. 

On 5 June 2019, the Company issued: 

(a)   1,091,291 Ordinary Shares as payment of deferred consideration per the Taoudeni Resources Limited share purchase agreement 
(details of which were set out in the Company’s AIM Admission Document dated 4 June 2018). 977,383 of these Ordinary Shares 
were allotted to Plutus Strategies Limited, a company in which Paul Haywood, Chief Executive, and Niall Tomlinson, former Executive 
Director, have an interest. The agreement to issue these shares was completed on 3 March 2016 at a time when the Company’s 
share price (adjusted for subsequent share consolidations) was 15p. 

(b)   163,418 Ordinary Shares to Philip Dimmock, Non-Executive Chairman, at an average price of 3.67p in payment of fees amounting to 
£6,000 ($7,628) due to him and 69,957 Ordinary Shares to Chris Brown, Non-Executive Director, at an average price of 3.81p in 
payment of fees of £2,667 ($3,390) due to him. The issue price of these shares has been calculated monthly, based on the 30 day 
volume weighted average price for the periods to which these fees relate. The agreement to issue shares semi-annually in lieu of 
fees was made in 2018. The reason these shares were not issued until 5 June 2019 is that, for a large part of 2019, the Company 
was in a closed period and unable to issue shares to directors. 

As a result of the issues on 5 June 2019 of 163,418 Ordinary Shares to Philip Dimmock and 69,957 Ordinary Shares to Chris Brown, UK 
income tax and employee’s National Insurance contributions were payable. The Company paid these liabilities of $10,000 for Philip 
Dimmock and $3,000 for Chris Brown to the tax collector during September 2019 and this effectively formed a loan to the two directors. 
Both directors had repaid the loans in full by 31 December 2019. 

During the period, the Company registered as an employer in Canada and Canadian income tax and employee’s social security were 
payable. In December 2019, the Company paid these liabilities of $77,000 for Roger McMechan to the tax collector during December 2019 
and this effectively formed a loan to the director. The Company is currently negotiating a repayment plan with Roger, with the loan expected 
to be repaid in full by 31 July 2020. 

35.  Subsequent events 

On 25 March 2020, Block Energy Plc, the exploration and production company focused on Georgia, announced that it had entered into a 
sale and purchase agreement with Schlumberger B.V. ("Schlumberger") to acquire its subsidiary Schlumberger Rustaveli Company Limited 
("SRCL") ("the Acquisition"). Consideration for the Acquisition will be satisfied by the issue of share options ("Options") that will give 
Schlumberger the right to acquire 120 million 0.25p ordinary shares in Block Energy Plc, representing 23.3% of Block’s enlarged ordinary 
share capital, at a nil exercise price ("Base Options"). SRCL is being acquired on a debt-free, cash-free basis. If it is determined that SRCL 
has net working capital assets following completion, Block will issue up to 10 million additional Options to Schlumberger. For this purpose, 
it is agreed that the Options are valued at $0.05 each. This imputes a value to the Base Options of $6 million. The Options are exercisable 
between 12 and 24 months from completion of the transaction, unless there is a change of control or general offer in respect of the 
Company, in which case they are exercisable immediately. Completion of the Acquisition is subject to the fulfilment of the following conditions 
precedent within six months from the date Georgia’s borders are reopened: 

(a)   Regulatory approvals being obtained in Georgia and the United Kingdom; 

(b)   No catastrophic event occurring prior to completion in relation to the assets that would constitute a material adverse change; and 

Block Energy PLC

 
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

75

(c)    Completion of the audit of SRCL’s accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019. 

Following the period end, owing to the combined impacts of lower demand for oil caused by COVID-19 and the Russia–Saudi Arabia oil 
price war, the Brent oil price collapsed from over $50 per barrel at the start of March 2020 to less than $20 per barrel in April 2020. The 
Company has responded to the low oil price by postponing all new capital expenditure and reducing the monthly cash burn in Georgia by 
40% from $107,000 to $64,000 through a combination of cost-cutting and deferral of operating and administration expenses. In the UK, 
directors and employees have agreed a scheme in which, with effect from 1 April 2020, 40% of their salaries will be paid in nil-cost options 
to acquire ordinary shares in the Company, reducing monthly cash salary costs. Options will be priced at a volume-weighted average price 
(“VWAP”) over the monthly salary period and the first options are expected to be based on the VWAP for the month of April 2020 and 
issued in early May 2020. 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

258827 Block Energy pp76-pp84.qxp  14/05/2020  15:21  Page 76

76

Parent Company Statement of Financial Position 

At 31 December 2019

                                                                        Note                                     2019                                     2018                                     2017 
                                                                                                                                                           Restated                              Restated 
                                                                                                                    $’000                                    $’000                                    $’000 

Non-current assets 

Investments                                                           4                                           1                                           1                                           – 

Intangible assets                                                   5                                           –                                           –                                           – 

Property, plant and equipment                               6                                         11                                           –                                       850 

                                                                                                                        12                                           1                                       850 

Current assets 

Trade and other receivables                                  7                                  16,888                                    4,038                                       802 

Cash and cash equivalents                                   8                                    5,865                                    5,274                                       279 

Total current assets                                                                                22,753                                    9,312                                    1,081 

Total assets                                                                                              22,765                                    9,313                                    1,931 

Capital and reserves attributable  
to equity shareholders 

Share capital                                                       10                                    2,623                                    2,192                                    1,581 

Share premium                                                                                          27,985                                  12,221                                    3,536 

Other reserves                                                                                             1,115                                       460                                       189 

Foreign exchange reserve                                                                             400                                        (75)                                          – 

Accumulated deficit                                                                                    (9,620)                                 (5,819)                                 (3,779) 

Total equity                                                                                              22,503                                    8,979                                    1,527 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables                                    11                                       262                                       275                                         83 

Borrowings                                                          12                                           –                                         59                                       321 

Total current liabilities                                                                                 262                                       334                                       404 

Total equity and liabilities                                                                      22,765                                    9,313                                    1,931 

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 by choosing not to present its individual 
Statement of Comprehensive Income and related notes that form part of these approved financial statements. 

The Company’s loss for the period from continuing and discontinued operations is $4,008,000 (2018: loss of $2,040,000). 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 30 April 2020 and were signed on its 
behalf by:  

William McAvock                                     Paul Haywood 
Director                                                  Director 

The notes on pages 79 to 84 form part of these financial statements

Block Energy PLC

 
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Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

At 31 December 2019

77

                                                                                                                                                                                Foreign  
                                                                             Share                Share     Accumulated                 Other           Currency                  Total 
                                                                            capital            premium                deficit            Reserve            Reserve                equity 
                                                                             $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000 

Balance at 30 June 2017 (restated to $US)       1,581                 3,536               (3,640)                      –                        –                 1,477 

Prior year restatement                                                 –                        –                  (189)                  189                        –                        – 

Balance at 30 June 2017 (restated to $US)       1,581                 3,536               (3,829)                  189                        –                 1,477 

Loss for period (restated in $US)                                 –                        –               (1,886)                      –                        –               (1,886) 
Prior period restatement – share based  
payments                                                                     –                        –                  (154)                      –                        –                  (154) 

Total comprehensive loss for the period                      –                        –               (2,040)                      –                        –               (2,040) 

Exchange differences on translation of  
foreign operations                                                        –                        –                      50                        –                    (75)                   (25) 

Total comprehensive loss for the period                      –                        –               (1,990)                      –                    (75)              (2,065) 

Shares issued                                                          611                 9,182                        –                        –                        –                 9,793 

Cost of issue                                                                –                  (507)                      –                        –                        –                  (507) 

Share based payments                                                –                        –                        –                    127                        –                    127 

Prior year restatement – SBP                                      –                        –                        –                    154                        –                    154 

Prior year restatement – Taoudeni                               –                      10                        –                    (10)                      –                        – 

Share based payments – restated                               –                      10                        –                    271                        –                    281 

Total transactions with owners                                 611                 8,685                        –                    271                        –                 9,567 

Balance at 30 June 2018 –  
restated and unaudited                                      2,192               12,221               (5,819)                  460                    (75)               8,979 

Loss for the 18 months period                                     –                        –               (4,008)                      –                        –               (4,008) 

Exchange differences on translation  
of foreign operations                                                    –                        –                        –                        –                    475                    475 

Total comprehensive income for the  
18 months period                                                         –                        –               (4,008)                      –                    475               (3,533) 

Shares issued                                                          431               16,655                        –                        –                        –               17,086 

Cost of issue                                                                –                  (891)                      –                        –                        –                  (891) 

Share based payments                                                –                        –                    207                    655                        –                    862 

Total transactions with owners                                 431               15,764                    207                    655                        –               17,057 

Balance at 31 December 2019                           2,623               27,985               (9,620)                1,115                    400               22,503 

The notes on pages 79 to 84 form part of these financial statements

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
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78

Parent Company Statement of Cashflows 

For the 18 months period ended 31 December 2019

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Restated 
                                                                                                        Note                                           2019                                           2018 
                                                                                                                                                          $’000                                          $’000 

Operating activities 

Loss for the period before income tax                                                                                         (4,008)                                        (2,040) 

Finance income                                                                                                                                   (180)                                               (1) 

Finance expense                                                                                                                                      3                                               48  

Share based payments expense                                                           2                                             862                                             246  

Foreign exchange movement                                                                                                               549                                                 – 

AIM admission costs                                                                                                                                –                                             519  

Net cash flow from operating activities before  
changes in working capital                                                                                                           (2,774)                                        (1,228) 

(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables                             7                                              (23)                                            627 

Increase in trade and other payables                                                  11                                               14                                               79 

Net cash flow used in operating activities                                                                                   (2,783)                                           (522)  

Investing activities 

Finance income                                                                                                                                      37                                                 1  

Expenditure in respect of property, plant and equipment                                                                      (14)                                                –  

Inter-Group amounts (drawn down)                                                                                               (11,828)                                           (874) 

Cash used in investing activities                                                                                                (11,805)                                           (873) 

Financing activities 

Issue of ordinary share capital                                                                                                        16,086                                          7,061  

Costs related to issue of ordinary share capital                                                                                  (891)                                        (1,024) 

Interest paid                                                                                                                                              –                                              (48) 

Convertible loan notes issued                                                             12                                                 –                                             484  

Net cash from financing activities                                                                                               15,195                                          6,473  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents in  
the period/year                                                                                                                                    607                                          5,078  

Cash and cash equivalents at start of period/year                                                                      5,274                                             280  

Effects of foreign exchange                                                                                                               (16)                                             (84) 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period/year                            8                                          5,865                                          5,274 

Please refer to note 9 in the Parent company notes for non-cash transactions. 

The notes on pages 79 to 84 form part of these financial statements

Block Energy PLC

 
258827 Block Energy pp76-pp84.qxp  14/05/2020  15:21  Page 79

Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements 

For the year ended 31 December 2019 

79

1.    Accounting policies 

Basis of preparation 
These financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis and in line with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) and IFRIC interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) adopted by the European Union and in 
accordance with UK Law. All accounting policies are consistent with those adopted by the Group. These accounting policies are detailed 
in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, note 1. Any deviations from these Group policies by the Company are detailed below. 

Going concern 
The directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for a period of 14 months from the date of signing of these financial statements. The 
Group’s forecasts include a number of enacted cost saving measures and the forecasts are reviewed regularly in order to assess whether 
any further actions are required. The Group is in the final stages of negotiating to engage Bago LLC to construct a gas pipeline and to 
revise the sales agreement for West Rustavi gas. The forecasts assume the gas pipeline will be constructed and the gas will be sold, and 
indicate the Group has sufficient funds to complete the construction of the gas project and to meet its liabilities as they fall due until April 
2021. The financial benefit of any additional capital projects would be assessed against capital requirements and balanced with ensuring 
that the Group and the Company can continue to meet its liabilities and commitments through to April 2021. The Company’s forecasts are 
considered together with the Group’s forecasts. 

The directors note that COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on the global economy and oil prices have fallen significantly, 
which may mean it is harder to secure additional funding than it has historically been. The global pandemic may also bring practical 
challenges to the timetables for the construction of the gas pipeline and the consequent sale of gas. The directors are confident that current 
capital projects are funded and have a reasonable expectation that they could secure additional funding, if needed, to fund additional 
capital projects. However, these conditions necessarily indicate that a material uncertainty exists which may cast significant doubt over 
the Group and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and therefore their ability to realise their assets and discharge their 
liabilities in the normal course of business.. Whilst acknowledging this material uncertainty, the directors remain confident of making further 
cost savings when required and therefore the directors consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern 
basis. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a going concern. 

New standards adopted in the period 
No loss allowance were recognised as a result of the application of the ECL model. This is a result of the existing incurred loss approach 
under IAS 39 being replaced by the forward-looking ECL model approach of IFRS 9.  

The impairment assessment of the loan has been performed using a lifetime ECL model.  

The  loans  to  group  undertakings  are  classified  as  repayable  on  demand.  IFRS  9  requires  consideration  of  the  expected  credit  risk 
associated with the loans. As the subsidiary companies do not have sufficient liquid assets to sell to repay the loan, should it be recalled, 
the conclusion reached was that the loan should be categorised as stage 3. 

The directors have also assessed the cash flow scenarios of the above considerations. Estimations were made regarding the credit risk 
of the counterparty and the underlying probability of default in the credit loss scenario. The scenarios identified by management included 
a fire-sale. The scenario considered technical data, necessary licences obtained, and the Company’s ability to raise cash and sell the 
project. The credit risk of the intercompany loan was assessed at the date of initial application of IFRS 9, being 1 July 2018, and again at 
the current period end. There had been no change in the significant credit risk at 31 December 2019. 

Restatement 
During the year ended 30 June 2018, the share based payments charge included £35,514 ($47,000) in respect of 4,400,000 options with 
a value of £152,501 ($201,000) granted to Paul Haywood on 6 April 2018. All of these options vested on listing on AIM on 11 June 2018 
and, therefore, the whole value of £152,501 ($201,000) should have been charged in the year ended 30 June 2018. This resulted in an 
understatement of the expense by £116,987 ($154,000) in the year ended 30 June 2018. Consequently, the results for the year ended 30 
June 2018 have been restated to include the additional share based payments charge of $154,000. 

During the year ended 30 June 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the share capital of Taoudeni Resources Limited. The consideration 
payable comprised £29,307 ($38,000) cash, 599,177,916 ordinary shares (with a nominal value and fair value of 0.05 pence per share) 
payable on acquisition (“Initial Consideration Shares”) and 617,702,713 ordinary shares payable at a later stage (“Deferred Consideration 
Shares”). At the time of the acquisition, the Company’s shares were trading at 0.05 pence per share, resulting in a fair value of £299,589 
($388,000) for the Initial Consideration Shares and £308,851 ($400,000) for the Deferred Consideration Shares. 

However, in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2016, the £308,851 ($400,000) value of the Deferred Consideration 
Shares was not included in the cost of acquisition and the consideration payable. As at 30 June 2016, the effect of the error was to 
understate the value of E&E assets (included in intangible assets) and other reserves (share based payments) by £308,851 ($400,000). 

In the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2017, the principal asset that had been acquired with Taoudeni Resources Limited 
(i.e. 100% of the shares in Antubia Resources Limited) was held for sale and it was fair valued at its carrying value of £329,000 ($426,000) 
and there was gain or loss recorded in the income statement. However, if the £308,851 ($400,000) value of the Deferred Consideration 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued

80

Shares had been included in the value of the asset held for sale, it would have been written down to its fair value of £329,000 ($426,000) 
and there would have been a £308,851 ($400,000) reduction in the value of the E&E assets and a loss of £308,851 ($400,000) recognised 
in the income statement for that year. 

During the year ended 30 June 2018, it was identified that some of the sellers of Taoudeni Resources Limited waived their rights to receive 
Deferred Consideration Shares during the year ended 30 June 2017, but this transaction was not recognised in the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2017. If the waiver of rights to receive deferred consideration shares had been recognised in the financial 
statements, the effect would have been to decrease other reserves by £163,425 ($211,000) and increase the retained deficit by the same 
amount. 

During the year ended 30 June 2018, some of the Deferred Consideration Shares were issued. 72,120 ordinary shares were issued instead 
of 18,029,997 Deferred Consideration Shares to adjust for a 1 for 50 share split and a 1 for 5 share consolidation that had taken place. 
Consequently, to adjust for the share split and consolidation, the share price at the time of acquisition was also adjusted from 0.05 pence 
per share to 12.5 pence per share. However, in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2018, the 72,120 ordinary shares 
were issued were valued using a share price of 4 pence per share (being the share price at the time of issue) instead of the share price at 
the time of the acquisition of Taoudeni Resources Limited as adjusted for the share split and share consolidation of 12.5 pence per share. 
As at 30 June 2016, the effect of the error was to understate share premium by £7,663 ($10,000) and overstate other reserves (share 
based payments) by £7,663 ($10,000). 

                                                                                             1 July 2018                                                                                    1 July 2017 
Balance sheet                      30-Jun-18                                    (Restated)                                  30-Jun-17                                    (Restated) 
                                              Restated           Increase/    Restated and                                     Restated           Increase/    Restated and 
                                                 in USD         (Decrease)         unaudited         30-Jun-17              in USD         (Decrease)         unaudited 
(extract)                                       $’000                 $’000                 $’000                 £’000                 $’000                 $’000                 $’000 

Share premium                          12,211                      10               12,221 

Other reserves                                316                    144                    460                        –                        –                    189                    189  

Accumulated deficit                    (5,665)                 (154)              (5,819)              (2,808)              (3,640)                 (189)              (3,829) 

Investments 
Investments are stated at their fair value at acquisition date and are reviewed at the end of each reporting period for impairment. Please 
refer to note 4 below. 

2. Employees 

                                                                                                                                                                      Year ended           Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                   31 December        30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                                                2019             (restated)* 
                                                                                                                                                                                $’000                     $’000 

Employment costs consist of: 

Wages and salaries                                                                                                                                                 1,222                       337 

Pension                                                                                                                                                                      251                           – 

Shares issued in lieu of services                                                                                                                                    –                         56 

Share based payments                                                                                                                                              862                       239 

Social security costs                                                                                                                                                  108                         16 

                                                                                                                                                                               2,443                       648 

The average monthly number of employees during the period was 8 (2018: 2) split as follows: 

                                                                                                                                                                        18 months 
                                                                                                                                                                   period ended 
                                                                                                                                                                   31 December           Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                2019        30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                                                $’000                     $’000 

Management                                                                                                                                                                  5                           2 

Technical                                                                                                                                                                        2                           – 

Administration                                                                                                                                                                1                           – 

                                                                                                                                                                                      8                           2 

Block Energy PLC

 
 
 
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Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued

81

3.    Directors’ Emoluments 

Directors’ Emoluments are disclosed in the Remuneration Report of the consolidated financial statements. 

4.    Investments 

Investments of $1,002 (2018: $1,002) relate to the share capital held in subsidiaries of the Company. Please refer to note 32 in the Group 
notes for more detail. 

5.    Intangible assets 

                                                                                                                                                                      Exploration   
                                                                                                                                                                 and Evaluation 
                                                                                                                                             Licences                       cost                      Total 
                                                                                                                                                  $’000                     $’000                     $’000 

Cost 

At 1 July 2018                                                                                                                                   –                           –                           – 

Transfer to Subsidiary                                                                                                                       –                           –                           – 

At 31 December 2019                                                                                                                       –                           –                           – 

                                                                                                                                                                      Exploration                              
                                                                                                                                                                 and Evaluation 
                                                                                                                                             Licences                       cost                      Total 
                                                                                                                                                  $’000                     $’000                     $’000 

Cost 

At 1 July 2017                                                                                                                               813                         49                       862 

Additions                                                                                                                                           –                           –                           – 

Transfer to subsidiary                                                                                                                  (830)                       (50)                     (880) 

Forex                                                                                                                                               17                           1                         18 

At 30 June 2018                                                                                                                                –                           –                           –  

The transfer to subsidiary balances in the prior period represent intangible costs paid by the Company on behalf of the subsidiaries. 
Ownership of these costs is now held in the respective subsidiaries. 

6.    Property, plant and equipment 

                                                                                                                                           Computer                    Office 
                                                                                                                                          Equipment            Equipment                      Total 
                                                                                                                                                  $’000                     $’000                     $’000 

Cost 

At 1 July 2018                                                                                                                                   –                           –                           – 

Additions                                                                                                                                         13                           1                         14 

Depreciation                                                                                                                                    (3)                          –                          (3) 

At 31 December 2019                                                                                                                     10                           1                          11 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

 
 
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Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued

82

7.    Trade and other receivables 

                                                                                                                                                                                2019                     2018 
                                                                                                                                                                                $’000                     $’000 

Prepayments                                                                                                                                                                22                           5 

Other receivables                                                                                                                                                       139                       132 

Amounts due from Group undertakings                                                                                                                16,727                    3,901 

                                                                                                                                                                             16,888                    4,038 

All of the above amounts are due within one year.  

All trade and other receivables are denominated in pounds sterling. Amounts due from Group undertakings are denominated in US dollars 
and interest free and repayable on demand.  

The adoption of IFRS 9 has impacted the parent company. This is a result of the existing incurred loss approach under IAS 39 being 
replaced by the forward-looking expected credit losses (“ECL”) model approach of IFRS 9. The ECL model is required to be applied to the 
intercompany loans receivable from subsidiary companies, which are held at amortised cost. Please refer to note 1 on page 79 for the 
detail on the impact and the financial assets accounting policy included in note 1 on pages 54 to 55.  

The Company has opted for the transition method, requiring a retrospective application for the first time adoption of IFRS 9. No differences 
were identified to be processed at the date of initial application (i.e. 1 July 2018). 

8.    Cash at bank 

                                                                                                                                                                                2019                     2018 
                                                                                                                                                                                $’000                     $’000 

Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                     5,865                    5,274 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of balances in bank accounts used for normal operational activities. The bank account is held within 
an institution with a credit rating of A-1. 

At 31 December 2019, the Company had cash balances which comprised balances held in US dollars, pounds sterling and Canadian 
dollars. 

9.    Non – cash transactions 

Details of non cash transactions can be found in note 22 of the consolidated financial statements. 

10.  Share capital 

Details of share capital and movements in the period are set out in note 24 to the consolidated financial statements. 

11.  Trade and other payables 

                                                                                                                                                                                2019                     2018 
                                                                                                                                                                                $’000                     $’000 

Trade and other payables                                                                                                                                          195                         54 

Accruals                                                                                                                                                                       67                       109 

Amounts due to Group undertakings                                                                                                                             –                        112 

                                                                                                                                                                                  262                       275 

Trade and other payables at 31 December 2019 comprised balances in US dollars and pounds sterling. For the prior year, all trade and 
other payables were denominated in pounds sterling. 

12.  Borrowings 

Please refer to note 29 in consolidated notes. The movement in borrowings for the Company was the same as for the Group.  

Block Energy PLC

 
 
 
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Notes to the Parent Company Financial Statements continued

83

13.  Financial Instruments 

Capital Risk Management 
The Company manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the 
return to stakeholders. The overall strategy of the Company and the Group is to minimise costs and liquidity risk.  

The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued share capital, foreign 
exchange and other reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes of Equity. 

The Group is exposed to a number of risks through its normal operations, the most significant of which are interest, credit, foreign exchange 
and liquidity risks. The management of these risks is vested to the Board of Directors. 

Fair Value Measurements Recognised in the Statement of Financial Position 
The following provides an analysis of the Group’s financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, 
grouped into Levels 1 & 2 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.  

–      Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, 

either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).  

–      Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not 

based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).  

–      Level 3 assets are assets whose fair value cannot be determined by using observable inputs or measures, such as market prices or 
models. Level 3 assets are typically very illiquid, and fair values can only be calculated using estimates or risk-adjusted value ranges. 

Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk that the Group will suffer a financial loss as a result of another party failing to discharge an obligation and arises from 
cash and other liquid investments deposited with banks and financial institutions and receivables from the sale of crude oil. 

For deposits lodged at banks and financial institutions these are all held through a recognised financial institution. The maximum exposure 
to credit risk is $5,865,000 (2018: $5,274,000). The Group does not hold any collateral as security. 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk 
at year end. The Group has no material financial assets that are past due.  

Market risk 
Market risk arises from the Group’s use of interest bearing and foreign currency financial instruments. It is the risk that future cash flows 
of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in interest rates (interest rate risk), and foreign exchange rates (currency risk). 

There are no variable interest bearing loans in the Group. No risk therefore identified. 

Currency risk 
Foreign currency risk is the risk that fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign 
exchange rates.  

The Group undertakes transactions denominated in currencies other than its functional currency (which is the US Dollar). For transactions 
denominated in Pounds Sterling, the Group manages this risk by holding Sterling against actual or expected Sterling commitments to act 
as an economic hedge against exchange rate movements.  

The Group’s cash and cash equivalents and liquid investments are mainly held in US Dollars and Pounds Sterling. At 31 December 2019, 
76% of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and liquid investments were held in US Dollars (2018: 0%).  

A 10% increase in the strength of Sterling against the US Dollar would cause an estimated increase of $140,000 (2018: $480,000 increase) 
on the profit after tax of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2019, with a 10% weakening causing an equal and opposite decrease. 
The impact on equity is the same as the impact on profit after tax.  

The  exposure  to  other  foreign  currency  exchange  movements  is  not  material.  This  sensitivity  analysis  includes  foreign  currency 
denominated monetary items and assumes all other variables remain unchanged. Whilst the effect of any movement in exchange rates 
upon revaluing foreign currency denominated monetary items is charged or credited to the income statement, the economic effect of 
holding  Pounds  Sterling  against  actual  or  expected  commitments  in  Pounds  Sterling  is  an  economic  hedge  against  exchange  rate 
movements. 

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that the Group and its subsidiaries might encounter difficulty in settling its debts or otherwise meeting 
its obligations related to financial liabilities. In addition to equity funding, additional borrowings have been secured in the past to finance 
operations. The Company manages this risk by monitoring its financial resources and carefully plans its expenditure programmes. Financial 
liabilities of the Group comprise trade payables which mature in less than twelve months 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019

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84

14.  Categories of financial instruments 

In terms of financial instruments, these solely comprise of those measured at amortised cost and are as follows: 

                                                                                                                                                                   31 December 
                                                                                                                                                                                2019        30 June 2018 
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Restated 
                                                                                                                                                                                $’000                     $’000 

Liabilities at amortised cost                                                                                                                                        262                       222 

                                                                                                                                                                                  262                       222 

Cash and cash equivalents at amortised cost                                                                                                        5,865                    5,274 

Trade receivables at amortised cost                                                                                                                     16,888                    4,038 

                                                                                                                                                                             22,753                    9,312 

15.  Commitments 

Commitments at the reporting date that have not been provided for were as follows; 

Operating lease commitment 

UK operating lease commitment  
At 31 December, the total of future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods 
was: 

                                                                                                                                                                                2019                     2018 
                                                                                                                                                                                $’000                     $’000 

Within 1 year                                                                                                                                                                37                         29 

Between 1 and 5 years                                                                                                                                                  –                         34 

Total                                                                                                                                                                             37                         63 

16.  Related party transactions 

At 31 December 2019, the following subsidiaries owed the parent company for payments made and recovered on their behalf.  

•       Block Norioskhevi Ltd – $3,432,000 (30 June 2018: $1,771,000) 

•       Georgia New Ventures Inc – $12,503,000 (30 June 2018: $1,660,000) 

•       Satskhenisi Ltd – $1,116,000 (30 June 2018: $957,000) 

•       Block Operating Company LLC – $182,000 (30 June 2018: $nil) 

•       Ensign Ltd (Antubia resources) – $nil (2018: $85,000 owed to Ensign Ltd) 

Further detail on related party transactions can be found in note 34 in the consolidated financial statements. The disclosure of fees paid 
to consultancy companies for key management services can be seen in the Remuneration Report.  

17.  Subsequent events 

Please refer to note 35 to the consolidated financial statements.

Block Energy PLC

 
 
The  Company’s  strategy  is  to  become  the  leading 
independent oil and gas company in Georgia. It plans to 
develop and exploit its portfolio of low cost, high impact 
development assets in a proven region of Georgia, and 
to scale up its existing production and reserves via the 
implementation of efficient work programmes.

48 Warwick Street  
London W1B 5AW
www.blockenergy.co.uk

Annual Report and Financial Statements  
18 Months Period Ended
31 December 2019