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Buru Energy Limited
Annual Report 2023

BRU · ASX Energy
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FY2023 Annual Report · Buru Energy Limited
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2023

ANNUAL REPORT

Buru Energy Limited Annual Report  
For the year ended 31 December 2023

ABN 71 130 651 437

Buru recognises the Aboriginal People of this nation and their ongoing 
connection to culture and country.

We acknowledge Aboriginal People as the Traditional Owners and 
Custodians of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respects to their 
Elders past, present and emerging.

Aboriginal readers are warned that the following report  
may contain images of deceased persons.

About this Report

This 2023 Annual Report is a summary of Buru Energy’s operations, activities and financial position for the 
12-month period ended 31 December 2023. In this report, unless otherwise stated, references to ‘Buru’, the 
‘Company’, ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ refer to Buru Energy Limited and its subsidiaries. This report contains forward-
looking statements. 

Please refer to page 2, which contains a notice in respect of these statements. All references to dollars, cents 
or $ in this document are to Australian currency, unless otherwise stated. An electronic version of this report is 
available on Buru’s website www.buruenergy.com.

The 2023 Corporate Governance Statement can be viewed on our website on the Corporate Governance page.

CORPORATE REGISTER

Directors

Mr Eric Streitberg

Non-Executive Chair

Ms Joanne Williams

Independent Non-Executive Director

Mr Malcolm King

Independent Non-Executive Director

Mr Robert Willes

Independent Non-Executive Director

Chief Executive Officer Mr Thomas Z Nador

Company Secretary

Mr Paul Bird

Registered and 
Principal Office

Address:

Telephone:

Email:

Website:

Level 2, 16 Ord Street, West Perth WA 6005

+61 (08) 9215 1800

info@buruenergy.com

www.buruenergy.com

Share Registry: 

Link Market Services Limited

Address: 

Telephone: 

Email:

Website:

KPMG

Address:

Level 12, QV1 Building  
250 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

1800 810 859 (within Australia) 
+61 1800 810 859 (outside Australia)

registrars@linkmarketservices.com.au

www.linkmarketservices.com.au

235 St George’s Terrace, Perth WA 6000

Auditors: 

Stock Exchange:

Australian Securities Exchange

ASX Code:

Address:

BRU

Exchange Plaza, 2 The Esplanade, Perth WA 6000

Current Issued Capital

Fully paid ordinary shares

671,345,082

Unlisted employee share 
options

1,000,000

Trading History

Share price range  
during 2023

$0.08 to $0.175 

Liquidity (annual turnover 
as % of average issued 
capital)

13.50% 

Average number of 
shares traded per day

~0.321 million

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

1

 
CONTENTS

About Buru Energy 

Chair’s Letter 

Chief Executive Officer’s Report 

Directors

Leadership Team 

Our Strategy 

Review of Operations 

Directors’ Report 

Remuneration Report 

Auditor's Independence Declaration 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income or Loss 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Additional ASX Information 

3

4

6

9

11

14

16

31

36

44

45

46

47

48

49

81

82

86

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors associated with the oil and 
gas, carbon capture and storage, natural hydrogen and helium exploration and battery minerals exploration 
industries. All statements in this Report regarding forward plans, forecasts and estimates are provided as 
a general guide only and should not be relied upon as an indication or guarantee of future performance. 
Forward looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and reflect judgments, 
assumptions, estimates and other information available as at the date of this document, and are subject to 
known and unknown risks and significant uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of Buru. Actual 
results, performance, actions, and developments by Buru may differ materially from those expressed or implied 
by the forward-looking statements in this Report. Except as required by applicable law or the Australian 
Securities Exchange (ASX) Listing Rules, Buru disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update any 
forward-looking statements.

2

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023ABOUT BURU ENERGY

WHO WE ARE

Buru Energy Limited (ASX:BRU; “Buru” or “the Company”) is a Western 
Australian energy company focused on exploration and production of 
gas and oil and new energy resources in Australia. The Company is 
headquartered in Perth with a regional operational office in Broome.

WHAT WE DO

The Company’s principal focus is the development of gas and oil resources 
in the northwest of Western Australia whilst participating in the new energy 
economy through its subsidiary companies involved in natural hydrogen 
and helium exploration, carbon capture and storage, and battery minerals 
exploration.

The Company’s gas and oil assets and tenements are located onshore in 
the Canning Basin in the southwest Kimberley region of Western Australia, 
where it owns and operates 100% of the conventional gas and condensate 
discovery at Rafael 1, and the conventional Ungani Oilfield project.

In addition, Buru operates a basin wide portfolio of exploration permits 
and licences in the Canning Basin spanning ~22,000 km2, prospective for 
conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources, carbon capture 
and storage and battery minerals exploration, with working interests ranging 
from 60% to 100%.   

The Company also has significant exploration licence application areas in 
the Adelaide Superbasin in South Australia spanning ~30,000 km2 where it 
is targeting natural hydrogen and helium exploration, and is the preferred 
applicant for Special Prospecting Authorities with an Acreage Option 
in Western Australia spanning ~35,000km2 where it is targeting helium 
exploration. 

OUR PURPOSE

To bring energy resource developments to life in a way that creates 
long term value for our shareholders and stakeholders, including the 
communities and Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate, our 
employees, joint venture partners, and suppliers.

OUR VISION

The Company’s vision is to be a premier Australian diversified energy 
company, committed to business and financial success, that has a positive 
impact on society and the environment.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

3

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

“

The Company’s other 
activities in the energy 
sector, particularly in 
natural hydrogen, have 
also been substantially 
advanced, and this 
aspect of our business is 
increasingly getting the 
recognition it deserves.

“

4

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

Dear Shareholders, 

I am pleased to be able to provide 
my comments as Chair as part of this 
annual report’s review of 2023.

I assumed the role of non-executive Chair at the 
beginning of the year and am pleased to report 
that my transition to non-executive Chair as a “first 
among equals” of Directors of the Board has gone 
smoothly and effectively.  The success of this 
transition was substantially due to the appointment 
of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Thomas 
Nador, reporting to the Board and responsible for 
the management of the operations of the Company.  
This management transition was a direct reflection of 
the Company’s operational transition from a focus on 
exploration to a focus on appraisal and development 
activity for the Rafael conventional gas and 
condensate discovery and the growing importance of 
our natural hydrogen and CCS activity.   

The Rafael appraisal and development activities 
included the acquisition of a 3D seismic survey that 
has provided valuable insights into the nature of the 
Rafael discovery, and in parallel, extensive and very 
focused planning and analysis for the development 
of the discovery.  These activities are covered in 
more detail in the CEO’s review in this report.

The Company’s other activities in the energy sector, 
particularly in natural hydrogen, have also been 
substantially advanced, and this aspect of our 
business is increasingly getting the recognition it 
deserves.

In a broader sense, the contraction of support in 
the equity markets for smaller companies has been 
dramatic, but pleasingly the Buru share price has 
relatively outperformed the majority of our peers. 
We have also retained and increased the support of 
our existing shareholders, and introduced additional 
shareholders, through the capital raising in late 2023.

This support from our shareholders is most gratefully 
acknowledged and has allowed us to maintain the 
momentum for the development of Rafael and of our 
natural hydrogen and CCS activities through our 2H 
Resources and GeoVault subsidiaries.

We have challenges ahead, but our gas development 
activity is underpinned by the recognition of the need 
for gas as a transition fuel, particularly as a long-term 
firming component of the electricity grid, and for wide 
ranging industrial uses. In that regard it is particularly 
exciting for us to be advancing our “Phase 1” Rafael 
development project to supply gas as a low emission, 
reliable energy source in the Kimberley, including to 
remote communities.

Buru and its predecessor, ARC Energy, have operated 
in the Kimberley since 2006 and we have developed 
deep connections at a community and Government 
level, and continuously strive to maintain and 
improve those relationships.  In that regard we also 
acknowledge and thank the Traditional Owners of 
the areas in which we operate.  We deeply respect 
their connection to country and appreciate our role 
to ensure that our activities are of mutual benefit and 
cause a minimum level of disturbance.

Yakka Munga Station Homestead

Our successes rely on our energetic and hard-
working staff who have delivered outstanding 
results during the year. I would particularly like to 
acknowledge our CEO, Thomas Nador, who has 
worked tirelessly to deliver the Company’s vision 
under at times, very challenging conditions.

The Buru Board has also provided the essential 
support and counsel that is required to deliver on the 
Company’s vision, particularly during my transition to 
the role of non-executive Chair and I personally thank 
them for that support.

I again thank shareholders for their support and look 
forward to a successful 2024.

Eric Streitberg 
Non-Executive Chairman

25 March 2024

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

5

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER’S REPORT

Dear Shareholders, 

I am pleased to present Buru 
Energy’s Annual Report for 2023.

2023 was another successful year for Buru as we 
continued to make material progress on our strategy 
to find, enable and develop gas and oil resources 
safely and competitively, whilst evolving our 
complementary new energy businesses that support 
a structured transition to a low carbon economy. 

It has also been an eventful year for Buru, book-
ended by both opportunities that the Company was 
able to seize due to its agile and entrepreneurial 
culture, and challenges which have tested its ability 
to adapt, persevere, and demonstrate resilience.    

GAS AND OIL EXPLORATION,  
DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION
In our core gas and oil focused business, the year 
has seen Buru regain full ownership of Rafael, the 
first significant conventional gas and condensate 
discovery in the onshore Canning Basin of Western 
Australia, following the acquisition earlier in the year 
of Origin Energy’s joint venture interests in our assets 
in the Canning Basin. 

The Rafael resource has been independently 
assessed to have the potential to hold gross 
recoverable volumes of over one TCF of gas and 20 
million barrels of condensate, creating optionality for 
project development. Commercialising this resource 
is the Company’s strategic priority, with significant 
progress made over the past 12 months as evidenced 
by the appraisal and development milestones 
achieved, which are aimed at de-risking the Rafael 
resource appraisal and development activity and 
creating stakeholder value. 

In relation to Rafael commercialisation activities, the 
year has seen Buru:

• 

• 

• 

receive government approval of a Declaration of 
Location for the Rafael discovery
complete a 3D seismic survey over the Rafael 
structure on schedule and on budget. Preliminary 
results from this survey have shown a significant 
data quality uplift over the vintage 2D seismic 
survey. The survey was majority funded by Origin 
Energy as part of their exit, 
commit to long lead well equipment items to 
support planned Rafael appraisal drilling in the 
second half of 2024, 

6

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

• 

• 

• 

confirm a two-phased project delivery strategy 
that aims to generate early cashflows, 
accelerated benefits to shareholders and the 
Kimberley, and the ability to optimise a larger 
scale development based on Rafael resource 
appraisal outcomes,
commence pre-Front End Engineering Design 
(FEED) for Phase 1 of the Rafael development 
based on the already defined ‘low-case’ volume 
estimate of the Rafael contingent resource. 
This project is aimed at displacing imported 
diesel and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to the 
Kimberley with a local source of natural gas and 
condensate, importantly catalysing emissions 
reduction by providing firming for 50-125MW of 
additional renewable energy generation capacity 
for the region, and   
initiate a strategic appraisal/development partner 
selection process for Buru’s Canning Basin 
acreage, including the Rafael discovery, which 
was underway at that date of this report.

These achievements are designed to drive the 
certainty of outcome for the Rafael development, 
with the potential to transform Buru from an explorer 
to a developer and producer of natural gas by 2027, 
coinciding with a period of projected supply deficits 
in the domestic market in Western Australia and 
increased global gas demand internationally. 

In our oil business, the unprecedented record 
flooding in the Kimberley early in the year that 
resulted in widespread damage to communities 
and regional infrastructure, including Buru’s road 
transportation export route for Ungani crude oil, 
challenged our business and tested our resilience. 

After a period of production between May 2023 
and July 2023, Buru was able to successfully export 

2023 Rafael 3D Seismic Acquisition Camp

one shipment of crude oil from Wyndham to the SE 
Asian market in August 2023 after which the Ungani 
Oilfield production was suspended. This suspension 
also coincided with the withdrawal of Roc Oil from the 
Ungani Joint Venture, with Buru regaining 100% of 
the Ungani assets on 30 September 2023 following 
the assignment of Roc Oil’s 50% interests in the field 
to Buru. 

The full ownership of the Ungani Oilfield provides 
Buru with the opportunity to revisit its operating 
model for the field, and to this end, Buru is testing the 
market for potential partnerships to extract maximum 
value from this late life asset. 

Finally, and in line with the priorities of the business, 
the year has seen the divestment of non-operated 
joint venture interests in the onshore Carnarvon Basin 
to Mineral Resources for a cash payment, thereby 
strengthening Buru’s balance sheet to advance 
Rafael commercialisation activities. 

INTEGRATED NEW ENERGY BUSINESSES
Although a significant share of the Company’s focus 
and resources is allocated to the commercialisation 
of the Rafael resource, Buru’s integrated energy 
subsidiaries continued to make good progress during 
the year to build the value of these energy expansion 
and energy transition initiatives. 

Our 2H Resources subsidiary, focused on natural 
hydrogen and helium exploration and development 
has expanded its footprint beyond South Australia, 
via the application of six Special Prospecting 
Authorities with Acreage Option (SPA-AO) adjacent 
to the Perth Basin, and in the Goldfield area in 
Western Australia, prospective for helium and 

associated gases. Together with the seven Petroleum 
Exploration Licence application areas and two Gas 
Storage Exploration Licence application areas that 
2H Resources already has in South Australia, the 
combined area under application is some 65,000 sq 
kms, or approximately the area of Tasmania. 

Other notable developments in our 2H Resources 
business include the completion of an independent 
hydrogen Prospective Resource assessment for the 
South Australian application areas, and the execution 
of a research agreement with the CSIRO for the 
deployment of autonomous monitoring instruments to 
detect natural hydrogen and other gases in soil.   

With natural hydrogen and helium exploration gaining 
significant momentum internationally and in Australia, 
2H Resources is well placed to participate in this 
nascent area of resource development for the benefit 
of the environment and our shareholders.

Our GeoVault subsidiary, focused on Carbon Capture 
and Storage (CCS), continued to define the Greenhouse 
Gas (GHG) storage potential of Buru Energy’s onshore 
Canning Basin holdings, and has completed an 
independently validated GHG storage potential 
assessment for areas in and around Buru’s petroleum 
permits and licenses in the basin during the year. 

This work confirmed material hub scale potential that 
well exceeds the estimated source CO2 emissions 
from a larger-scale Rafael project, thus providing a 
pathway to potentially significant reductions in Scope 
1 and Scope 2 emissions from the planned Rafael 
project, as well as the opportunity to provide CO2 
storage capacity for third party emitters seeking to 
reduce their own emissions. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

7

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER’S REPORT

SUSTAINABILITY
I want to comment on Buru’s commitment to 
continual improvement in Environmental, Social and 
Governance (ESG) practices, as documented in detail 
in our 2023 Sustainability Report.

I am pleased to report that during the year we made 
robust progress in enhancing our ESG disclosures 
and aligning them with Global Reporting Initiative 
(GRI) standards and the recommendations of the 
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD), thus demonstrating our dedication to 
transparency and accountability in all aspects of our 
operations.

On our environmental performance and practices, we 
finished the year strongly, having recorded no Tier 1 
and or Tier 2 incidents. We also continued to refine 
our goals related to Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 
climate adaptation, resilience, and transition as part 
of our sustainability framework. 

On our social performance, I am pleased to report 
that we have successfully maintained a track record 
of no lost time injuries during the year across our 
operations, reflecting our commitment to ensuring 
the well-being of our workforce and achieving Zero 
Harm. This accomplishment is a testament to the 
dedication and vigilance of our people. 

Connected to the care and respect for people and 
the environment, we continued to maintain our strong 
commitment and positive engagement with local and 
Indigenous communities, relationships that we have 
nurtured over 15 years of operating in the Kimberley. 
We are strong believers of supporting communities 
at a local level and are pleased with our ongoing 
sponsorship of the Kimberley Art and Photographic 
Prize, the Young Indigenous Women’s Pathway 
Program - Kimberley Girl, the Kimberley Economic 
Forum, and our ongoing collaboration with the Shire 
of Derby/West Kimberley and the Broome Chamber 
of Commerce and Industry. 

FINANCIAL AND CORPORATE
With the high levels of operational activity across the 
business, disciplined capital and resource allocation 
remains a key focus for management. 

As at year end, the Company remains debt free with 
approximately $18 million in cash.

Thanks to the support of our existing shareholders 
and new investors, funds were raised via a successful 
share placement and share purchase plan during the 

8

year, with the funds allocated to the placement of 
critical drilling long lead item orders for the planned 
2024 appraisal drilling program, and progressing 
regulatory approvals, native title negotiations and 
project development activities in support of taking 
a Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2025 and 
delivering first gas and condensate from a Phase 1 
Rafael project in late 2027. 

2024 OUTLOOK
We enter 2024 focused on building on the 
momentum that we’ve generated over the past 12 
months. 

Our key planned activities for our gas and oil 
business include the processing and interpretation 
of the Rafael 3D seismic survey data, the completion 
of the Canning Basin/Rafael strategic appraisal and 
development partner selection process, resource 
appraisal drilling and the maturation of the Rafael 
Phase 1 development toward Final Investment 
Decision in 2025. Together with the completion of the 
strategic review of our Ungani Oilfield assets, these 
core activities are recognised as key value drivers for 
the Company. 

For our new energy businesses, we aim to continue 
and build the value of these assets by securing 
tenure for exploration, and leveraging our quality 
technical work completed to date to enable early 
partnering and commercialisation opportunities. 

In closing, I would like to extend my appreciation 
to our shareholders, the Chair and the Board, my 
executive team, our talented staff and wide-ranging 
stakeholders, for their support of our Company, and 
our vision to be a premier Australian diversified 
energy company, committed to business and financial 
success that has a positive impact on society and the 
environment. 

I look forward to another year of performance and 
achievement in 2024.

Thomas Z Nador 
Chief Executive Officer

25 March 2024

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023DIRECTORS

Name, qualifications and independence status

Experience, special responsibilities, and other directorships

Mr Eric Streitberg

Non-executive Chairman

Eric is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and 
Metallurgy and the Australian Institute of Company 
Directors, a member of the Society of Exploration 
Geophysicists, Petroleum Exploration Society of 
Australia and the American Association of Petroleum 
Geologists.

He is a Certified Petroleum Geologist and Geophysicist 
and holds a Bachelor of Science (App. Geoph.) from 
the University of Queensland.

Mr Robert Willes

Independent Non-executive Director

Robert is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of 
Company Directors and member of the Association 
of International Petroleum Negotiators. He holds an 
Honours Degree in Geography from Durham University 
in the UK and has completed Executive Education 
Programmes at Harvard Business School in the USA 
and Cambridge University in the UK.

Ms Joanne Williams

Independent Non-executive Director

(Appointed 22 February 2021)

Joanne is a Petroleum/Reservoir Engineer holding a 
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the University of 
Adelaide and is a member of the Australian Institute of 
Company Directors.

Eric has more than 40 years of experience in petroleum geology 
and geophysics, oil and gas exploration and oil and gas company 
management. He was a founding shareholder and held the position of 
Managing Director of ARC Energy Limited which was transformed from 
a junior oil and gas exploration company into a mid-size Australian oil 
and gas producer. He was also the founding shareholder and Managing 
Director of Discovery Petroleum which was a key participant in the 
renaissance of the Perth Basin as a significant gas producer until the 
takeover of that company in 1996. Prior to that he held various senior 
international exploration roles with Occidental Petroleum and BP. He 
was a founding shareholder and Non-executive Director of Adelphi 
Energy Limited from 2005 until its takeover in 2010. 

Eric was previously a Director and Chair of the Australian Petroleum 
Production and Exploration Association and has also chaired the APPEA 
Exploration and Environment Committees. He is also a past Chair of the 
Marine Parks and Reserves Authority of Western Australia.

Eric has been a Director since October 2008 and was the Executive 
Chairman from May 2014 to December 2022. 

Robert has been a Director since July 2014 and has over 30 years 
of extensive international experience in the oil and gas and energy 
industries, covering senior commercial and leadership positions 
with BP as well as ASX and government board roles. His BP career 
included exploration & production, gas & power and global M&A, with 
responsibility for numerous complex deals such as divestments, farm-
ins, asset swaps, new acreage bids, unitisations, gas and LNG sales.

A former Managing Director of Challenger Energy Ltd and CEO of 
Eureka Energy Limited, Robert is also a Director of the Mid West 
Port Authority and has served on a number of boards including the 
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, North 
West Shelf Gas Pty Ltd, North West Shelf Liaison Co. Pty Ltd, North 
West Shelf Australia LNG Pty Ltd, North West Shelf Shipping Services 
Co. Pty Ltd, Carbon Reduction Ventures Pty Ltd and Perth Centre for 
Photography. 

Robert is the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of 
the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Joanne is an experienced industry professional with more than 25 
years’ experience in technical and executive roles with Woodside 
Petroleum, Newfield Exploration, Gulf Canada, Clyde Petroleum and 
Nido Petroleum.

Joanne has been directly responsible for managing production 
operations, exploration drilling and development projects, capital 
raisings, asset transactions and joint venture interests throughout her 
career; including as Deputy Managing Director at ASX-listed Nido 
Petroleum for seven years.

Joanne is currently a Non-Executive Director of 88 Energy Limited and 
Jadestone Energy Plc. She was previously the Managing Director of 
Blue Star Helium, a Perth-based helium exploration and development 
company focused on activities in North America.

Joanne is a member of both the Audit & Risk and Remuneration & 
Nomination Committees.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

9

DIRECTORS

Name, qualifications and independence status

Experience, special responsibilities, and other directorships

Mr Malcolm King

Independent Non-executive Director

(Appointed 22 February 2021)

Malcolm has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Geology) 
degree from the University of Southern Queensland 
and a Master of Science (Petroleum Geology) from 
the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is a Member 
of Australian Institute of Company Directors and 
a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company 
Directors Director Program.

Malcolm has 35 years of upstream oil and gas experience, mostly 
with Shell in technical, commercial and executive leadership roles 
across Asia and Australia. His Shell experience spans the Exploration 
& Production and Gas & Power businesses, participating in and 
leading exploration and M&A campaigns, and working extensively 
in LNG operations, market and business development, and project 
development. More recently Malcolm headed-up Senex Energy’s 
Commercial and Growth functions for the Cooper Basin oil and 
Queensland coal seam gas businesses. Malcolm has held non-
executive board positions for other ASX-listed energy companies and 
currently provides consulting services to the energy industry. 

Malcolm is the Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee 
and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Left to right: Malcolm King, Robert Willes, Joanne Williams, Eric Streitberg

10

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023LEADERSHIP TEAM

Thomas Z Nador

Chief Executive Officer
BSc, PGDip Sc, MAICD

Thomas is a globally experienced oil and gas executive with over 25 years’ experience in various roles 
across the oil and gas value chain, mining and metals, pipelines and infrastructure developments. Thomas 
has been involved in the development of major oil and gas resources from discovery to production, 
managed significant pre- and post-merger integrations at an asset and corporate level, and has led large 
multidisciplinary and multicultural teams to deliver high value, complex and innovative programs of work.

Prior to joining Buru in 2022, Thomas held the position of Group Executive, Development with Beach 
Energy, Executive Vice President and Country Manager for InterOil Corporation in Papua New Guinea, and 
Development Manager, Project Interface Manager and Project Integration Manager for LNG projects at 
Woodside Energy.

Paul Bird

Chief Financial Officer & 
Company Secretary
BSc, FCCA, AGIA

Paul is a Chartered Accountant and Governance 
Professional with over 25 years’ experience, 
predominantly within the energy sector with 
ASX listed companies. 

Paul joined Buru in October 2022 following his 
most recent role as Chief Financial Officer and 
Company Secretary of ASX listed Metgasco Ltd. 
He has held previous senior finance leadership 
roles with national oil companies, publicly listed 
and private oil companies in Australia, US, 
Europe and SE Asia. 

Paul has been responsible for many aspects of 
finance and business administration, including 
financial control and reporting, corporate 
governance, debt and capital raising, treasury 
management, insurance and risk management, 
and tax planning. Paul is experienced in 
corporate acquisitions and divestments 
including business valuations and joint venture 
farm in/out transactions and adds significant 
strength and diverse capability to Buru.

Rachel McIntyre

Development Manager
MGeol

Rachel joined Buru in February 2023 and has 
over 15 years of oil and gas experience across 
exploration and development and specific 
expertise in carbon capture and storage (CCS) 
projects in Australia and throughout the United 
Kingdom and Europe. 

Rachel has a strong geoscience background 
which she has utilised in a variety of roles and 
projects through the life cycle of appraisal, 
development and late life assets. 

As central member of a dynamic consultancy 
team, Rachel has also managed multiple 
projects across several technical disciplines. 

Rachel assumed the role of Development 
Manager at Buru Energy in January 2024.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

11

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Grant McMurtrie

General Manager 
Exploration 
MSc Geology

Grant has 25 years’ experience across 
geoscience and managerial roles, 
predominantly with multinational organisations 
BHP and Shell. 

He has led the execution of oil and gas 
exploration work programs across most 
Australian Basins including operations, seismic 
acquisition, seabed coring, airborne surveys 
and drilling wells. 

His broad geoscience skillset is complimented 
by expertise in play-based exploration, remote 
sensing, new ventures and exploration portfolio 
management.

Grant assumed the role of Exploration Manager 
at Buru Energy in January 2024.

Pete Ryan

General Manager 
Commercial
BComm, GDip Applied 
Finance, MBA

Pete has over 15 years’ experience in the 
Australian energy industry incorporating a 
specialised skill set of corporate strategy, 
project development, energy marketing and 
trading, market development, joint venture 
leadership and commercial operations.

Pete also has a broad range of commercial 
leadership experience in senior commercial 
roles and has led commercial development 
and operations of new energies, renewables, 
power generation, and upstream projects. 
Pete has significant commercial experience 
in conventional hydrocarbon developments, 
including domestic gas, domestic LNG, export 
LNG and hybrid renewables.

Pete is a member of the Australian Institute of 
Energy and Association of International Energy 
Negotiators.

12

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Rosie Johnstone

Head of CCS Solutions
BSc (Hons) Geology

Rosie has over 25 years’ experience in both oil 
and gas exploration and carbon capture and 
storage (CCS) across Australia, Asia-Pacific and 
the United Kingdom.

She is a technical authority on CCS in Australia, 
engaging with federal and state government 
regulators, research institutions, local 
communities and emitters. Rosie’s previous 
work with Shell Australia saw her become the 
focal point for CCS sink identification in the 
Australia/Asia-Pacific region where she was 
responsible for high-level screening to injection 
site planning in the Petrel Sub-Basin.

She joined Buru Energy’s wholly owned 
subsidiary, GeoVault, as Head of CCS Solutions 
in 2021 and currently holds the position of 
Interim Chair of the Carbon Capture Utilisation 
and Storage Network of Australia (CCUSNA).

Leah Fuller

Project Approvals and 
Strategy Manager
Dip Law, Dip Business

Leah brings over 14 years’ experience in the 
resources industry having held roles in both 
minerals and petroleum across most Australian 
jurisdictions. 

Leah has demonstrated experience with 
major development projects such as the 
Australia Pacific LNG project with Origin 
Energy, the Eastern Leases project with BHP/
South32 on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, 
the Dendrobium Next Domain project and 
Appin mine extension for South32 Illawarra 
Metallurgical Coal in NSW and more recently, 
the Lockyer Gas Development with Mineral 
Resources in the Perth Basin, Western Australia. 

Along with demonstrated experience and 
strengths in strategy and planning, agreement 
negotiation, land access and tenement 
management, native title, heritage and 
regulatory approvals, stakeholder engagement 
and compliance, Leah also holds undergraduate 
qualifications in Business and Law.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

13

OUR STRATEGY

Fitzroy River, Kimberley region Western Australia

The Company’s goal is to deliver material benefits to its shareholders, the Traditional Owners, the 
Government, and communities of the areas in which it operates. The Company plans to achieve this goal 
by successfully and responsibly exploring for and developing gas and oil resources, and ensuring it is part 
of the energy transition, in an environmentally and culturally sensitive manner.

The Company’s strategy is focused on balancing it’s short-medium term returns from a hydrocarbon focused 
business with its longer-term business drivers via its new energy businesses. 

14

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023OUR STRATEGY

In 2023, we continued to execute and deliver against our strategy.

FIND
ENERGY RESOURCES  
SAFELY AND  
COMPETITIVELY

ENABLE
OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH 
RIGHT PARTNERSHIPS AND 
FUNDING STRUCTURES

• 
Incurred no lost time injuries across operations. 
•  Received government approval of a Declaration 
of Location application for the Rafael gas and 
condensate discovery.

•  Committed to long lead items to support planned 

• 

Rafael appraisal drilling in 2024.
Executed a 3D seismic survey over the Rafael 
structure on budget and schedule.

•  Matured several leads as potential backfill for a 

Rafael development.

•  Applied for renewal of exploration permits EP 428, 

EP 436 and EP 391 and exited exploration permit 
EP 458 to focus on core acreage.

•  Completed the acquisition of Origin Energy’s Canning 
Basin joint venture interests, enabling the resetting of 
the Rafael appraisal and development process.
•  Regained full ownership of the Ungani Oilfield, 

following agreement with Roc Oil to assign its 50% 
interests in the field to Buru.

•  Divested non-operated assets in the onshore 

• 

Carnarvon Basin to strengthen balance sheet and 
focus on core activities.
Initiated appraisal and development partner 
selection process for the Rafael discovery, with 
Australian and International parties commencing 
due diligence.

DEVELOP
THROUGH OTHERS WHILST 
MAINTAINING A MATERIAL 
INTEREST IN PRODUCING 
ASSETS

EVOLVE
COMPLEMENTARY  
INTEGRATED ENERGY  
BUSINESSES

• 

Successful Ungani crude oil lifting of ~72,500 bbls, 
following prolonged interruptions to production 
operations due to impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone 
Ellie on regional infrastructure.

•  Completed technical and commercial feasibility 
studies for the full range of Rafael contingent 
resource volumes.

•  Confirmed a two-phase development strategy 
and entered pre-FEED engineering for a Phase 
1 Rafael project based on a conservative low 
contingent resource volume.   

•  Commenced Economic Impact Assessment for 

Rafael Phase 1 development.

•  Received an independent hydrogen Prospective 

• 

• 

Resource assessment for 2H Resources’ exploration 
licence application areas in South Australia.
Preferred applicant for six SPA-AOs in Western 
Australia, targeting helium exploration. 
Executed research agreement with the CSIRO to 
develop autonomous soil gas sensors to support 
hydrogen/helium exploration. 

•  Continued to expedite land access agreements 

with key Native Title parties to facilitate on-ground 
hydrogen/helium exploration activities in South 
Australia.

•  Completed independently validated assessment 
of the geological greenhouse gas (GHG) storage 
potential of areas in and around Buru’s Canning 
Basin petroleum licence areas (GeoVault).
Founded   Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage 
Network Australia (CCUSNA).

• 

•  Continued analysis of the initial drilling program 
results from late 2022 demonstration project 
targeting lead/zinc deposits in Canning Basin 
(Battmin).

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

15

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Derby

EP 436

EP 428

Broome

YULLEROO

EP 391

L 20

UNGANI

RAFAEL

L 21

EP 391

EP 457

EP 129

L 17

L 8

Backreef

L 6

EP 391

EP 457

EP 458

EP 431

Backreef Area

Buru 100% EP

Buru 60%. Rey 40%

Buru 100% PL

EXPLORATION AND APPRAISAL

Buru’s petroleum acreage in the onshore 
Canning Basin of Western Australia is 
uniquely positioned to transform the 
Kimberley energy system, and to  
develop a new world class energy 
province that leverages the Basin’s 
carbon capture and storage, and solar 
energy resource potential.  

The Company’s Rafael gas and condensate 
discovery in a conventional reservoir presents 
significant opportunity for the Kimberley region 
to replace/displace the current gas and diesel 
imports for its energy needs, and to add to Western 
Australia’s resource endowment.     

RAFAEL DISCOVERY – THE CATALYST FOR 
APPRAISAL AND DEVELOPMENT
The Rafael 1 well is located on Exploration Permit 428 
in the Canning Basin, some 50 kilometres to the east 
of the Ungani Oilfield and some 150 kilometres east of 
Broome. The well was drilled in late 2021 and defined 
a significant conventional gas and condensate 
resource in the Ungani Dolomite equivalent reservoir 
and in the dolomitised Upper Laurel Carbonate 
reservoir. 

A limited section of the interpreted hydrocarbon 
column in the Ungani Dolomite reservoir was flow 
tested in 2022 and confirmed high quality gas with 
low reservoir CO2, and a high condensate content of 
40 barrels per million cubic feet of gas.

16

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023Rafael conventional gas and condensate discovery flow testing, 2022

Subsequent to flow testing the Rafael well, ERCE 
Australia Pty Ltd (ERCE), a specialist resource 
assessment consulting group, assessed both the 
Contingent Resources in the Ungani Dolomite 
equivalent section and the Prospective Resources 
identified within the separate Upper Laurel Carbonate 
zone and confirmed that subject to further appraisal, 
the Rafael accumulation has the potential to hold 
recoverable resources of over one TCF (trillion cubic 
feet) of gas and over 20 million barrels of condensate.  

The detailed results of ERCE’s assessment and 
required disclosures and qualifications are set out in 
the ASX announcement dated 26 April 2022.

In February 2023, subsequent to Origin Energy’s 
change of strategic focus away from upstream oil 
and gas activities, Buru acquired Origin’s Canning 
Basin Joint Venture interests, including the Rafael 
discovery, thus resuming the Company’s position 
as the dominant net acreage holder and operator 
in the Canning Basin, and 100% owner of the Rafael 
discovery.   

The Western Australian government subsequently 
approved Buru’s Declaration of Location application 
for the Rafael discovery in July 2023, paving the way 
for the future application for a Production Licence 
which is required for the development of the resource. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

17

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

RAFAEL APPRAISAL PROGRAM
During the year Buru completed the acquisition of 
the Rafael 3D seismic survey covering an area of 
approximately 200 sq kms over and around the Rafael 
gas and condensate accumulation within the EP 428 
and EP 457 permit areas. 

The low impact seismic survey was completed 
safely, on time, and on budget by Terrex Seismic 
who have a long history of safe and environmentally 
responsible survey acquisition in the Canning Basin. 
As part of Origin Energy’s exit from its Canning Basin 
joint venture interests in February 2023, a funding 
contribution of up to $4 million towards the seismic 
survey program was negotiated by Buru and this 
significantly reduced the cost exposure of the survey 
to the Company. 

The seismic survey program also included the 
acquisition of several 2D seismic lines in exploration 
permit EP 457 (Buru 60% and Operator), aimed at 
enhancing the definition of prospects identified 
on existing data that could potentially provide 
exploration opportunities complementary to a Rafael 
development.  

The new seismic data is being processed with industry 
leading techniques and completion of this processing 
and interpretation of the full 3D volume will assist 
with Rafael appraisal well planning and the appraisal/
development partner selection process.

To maintain the planned appraisal drilling schedule, 
Buru has placed orders for well equipment long lead 
items in November 2023 to support the drilling of an 
appraisal well, and the recompletion and test of the 
Rafael 1 well, planned for the Kimberley field operating 
season in the second half of 2024.

DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALISATION 
In August 2023 Buru confirmed a phased 
development strategy to commercialise the Rafael 
discovery. This strategy selection followed completion 
of concept studies in collaboration with Petrofac 
Limited, Transborders Energy and Technip Energies 
for development concepts that cover the full range of 
independently assessed contingent resources of gas 
and condensate. 

A phased development generates early cashflows 
with staged capital expenditure, delivering 
accelerated benefits to shareholders and the 
Kimberley, and optimises a larger scale development 
based on Rafael resource appraisal outcomes.

Phase 1 of the Rafael development (Figure 1) includes 
a small footprint, scalable, Kimberley-based hybrid 
gas to power and renewables project based on the 
already defined low-case volume estimate of the 
Rafael contingent resource.   

This project is designed to meet the forecast energy 
needs of the Kimberley, significantly reducing the 
reliance of imported LNG and diesel fuel to support 
electricity generation and the broader energy needs 
of the region. 

During the year Buru awarded GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) the 
pre-Front End Engineering Design (pre-FEED) scope 
for the Rafael Phase 1 development. This work is due 
to be completed in early 2024, in support of planned 
commencement of Front End Engineering Design 
(FEED) in the second half of 2024, Final Investment 
Decision in 2025, and first production for the project 
targeted for 2027. 

18

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

A larger Phase 2 development is planned to follow rapidly, which will be informed by appraisal drilling results in 
late 2024, with concept selection by mid-2025 and commencement of FEED shortly thereafter.   

Concept studies completed during the year for a Phase 2 development have demonstrated commercial 
attractiveness for larger scale ammonia, methanol, and LNG projects, complemented with Carbon Capture 
and Storage (CCS) - project concepts which are supported by mid to high-case volume estimates of Rafael 
contingent resources.

Phasing the Rafael development will deliver numerous benefits including early cashflows to Buru and reduced 
capital expenditure to reach first production and cashflows. Phasing the development will also facilitate a wider 
range of project financing options (including access to government grants and incentives), and an overall 
improved funding position for Buru.

In parallel, independently verified CO2 storage capacity studies have been completed by Buru’s GeoVault 
subsidiary, that confirmed that Buru’s current operational area in the Canning Basin has the capacity to store not 
only carbon emissions related to a potentially large scale Rafael development but that of other carbon emitters, 
including potential international carbon emitters.

Figure 1 - Rafael Phase 1 Development Concept

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

19

REVIEW OF 
OPERATIONS

OIL PRODUCTION 

UNGANI OILFIELD  
PRODUCTION AND SALES
(L20/L21 - BURU ENERGY 100%)

Decommissioning operations at the Blina Oilfield

It was a challenging 2023 for Ungani 
production, with unprecedented flooding 
in the Kimberley early in the year 
significantly impacting operations and 
revenue.

Oil production at the Ungani Production Facility (UPF) 
was suspended on 5 January 2023, due to the impact 
of ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie on sections of the Great 
Northern Highway and the Fitzroy River bridge at 
Fitzroy Crossing, resulting in the closure of the oil 
transportation road route from the UPF to the export 
facility at Wyndham Port. 

Following the construction by Main Roads WA of a 
temporary low-level crossing of the Fitzroy River at 
Fitzroy Crossing that was suitable for heavy vehicles, 
Buru recommenced trucking operations in May 2023 
to clear the oil inventory at the UPF, with production 
operations restarting at the UPF shortly after.

In July 2023 Buru suspended operations again for 
one week due to unseasonal rain in the Kimberley 
and the closure of the temporary low-level river 
crossing at Fitzroy Crossing. 

Operations at the Ungani Production Facility were 
suspended again in August 2023 following the 
removal of the temporary dual lane causeway that 
was being used by Buru to transport Ungani crude oil 
across the Fitzroy River. A subsequent risk assessment 
determined that a temporary replacement barge 
facility proposed by Government at the time would not 
be suitable for the safe and reliable transportation of 
crude oil via road trains across the Fitzroy River prior 
to the construction of a permanent river crossing.

The suspension involved the orderly and staged 
termination of key contract arrangements associated 
with the trucking and storage of Ungani crude oil, as 
well as employment contracts with Ungani operations 
personnel to significantly and appropriately reduce 
fixed and monthly operating costs.

In August 2023 Buru entered into an agreement with 
Roc Oil (Canning) Pty Limited (ROC) pursuant to which 
ROC withdrew from, and has assigned to Buru its 50% 
joint venture interests in Production Licences L 20 
and L 21, containing the Ungani Oilfield. 

Following the completion of customary assignment and 
transfer documentation, Buru regained 100% ownership 
of the Ungani Oilfield from 30 September 2023. 

20

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

of ~A$1,269,000 before inventory adjustments and 
amortisation charges, at an average annualised loss 
of ~A$16/bbl (2022: cost of sales ~ A$6,585,000 
at ~ A$51/bbl). The increase in costs per barrel 
is reflective of the suspension of production 
operations at the UPF between January and May 
2023. The field was on production for approximately 
three months during the reporting period before 
operations at the Ungani Production Facility were 
suspended on 27 August 2023 following the 
removal of the temporary dual lane causeway across 
the Fitzroy River.

OTHER ASSETS

BLINA OILFIELD
(L6/L8 - BURU ENERGY 100%)
Decommissioning of the legacy Lennard Shelf assets 
continued during the year. Any future production 
from Lennard Shelf fields including the Blina Oilfield 
and any new discoveries will require installation 
of new equipment meeting current regulatory and 
environmental standards.

YULLEROO GASFIELD
(EP391 & EP436 - BURU ENERGY 100%)
The Yulleroo Gasfield accumulation contains a 
substantial 2C tight gas resource that has been 
independently certified. It forms part of the much 
larger prospective tight gas resource in the wider 
Canning Basin and has potential for conventional gas 
resources.

Further analysis of the potential for a well targeting 
conventional sands in the accumulation continues 
to be undertaken as part of the planning for future 
drilling campaigns in the Canning Basin.

CARNARVON BASIN 
In line with a refocused strategy on core assets, in 
August 2023 Buru executed a Sale and Purchase 
Agreement (SPA) with Energy Resources Limited 
(MinRes) for the sale of its interests in the onshore 
Carnarvon Basin of Western Australia. These interests 
included Exploration Permit EP 510 and Exploration 
Permit application areas L22-2 and L22-4 where Buru 
held a 25% non-operated working interest in joint 
venture with MinRes (75% and Operator).

The sale was unconditional, and the $5 million cash 
proceeds from the transaction received by Buru in 
August 2023, with regulatory consents and approvals 
received in September 2023.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

21

Ungani Production Facility Camp accommodation

In December 2023 a new permanent bridge across 
the Fitzroy River was opened six months ahead of 
schedule. This, combined with the full ownership of 
the Ungani Oilfield provides Buru with the opportunity 
to revisit its operating model for the field, and to this 
end, Buru has commenced analysis of potential paths 
to extract maximum value from this late life asset.

Production from the Ungani Oilfield for the year ended 
31 December 2023 totalled ~47,175 bbls at an average 
rate of ~458 bopd (Buru Energy’s 50% share ~23,588 
bbls). 

Gross sales of Ungani crude during the year totalled 
approximately 72,000 bbls from one lifting at Wyndham 
Port, these sales include oil inventory volumes 
measured at the beginning of the reporting period. 
Buru Energy’s share of revenue from the Ungani Oilfield 
for the year totalled ~A$4,733,000 at an average 
received price of ~A$129/bbl (2022: ~ A$13,893,000 at 
an average received price of ~ A$127/bbl). 

Cost of sales totalled ~A$3,464,000 at A$145/bbl 
(2022: ~ A$7,308,000 at A$76/bbl) giving a gross 
profit from sales of Ungani crude net to Buru Energy 

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

INTEGRATED NEW ENERGY BUSINESSES

NATURAL HYDROGEN EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT 
(2H RESOURCES, BURU ENERGY 100%)

Hydrogen from geological sources 
(natural hydrogen) is gaining an increasing 
share of exploration investment and 
activity in Australia and globally. If found in 
commercially exploitable quantities, this 
naturally produced resource will be cost 
competitive against all forms of industrially 
manufactured hydrogen and could 
potentially support the energy transition 
as a low to no-carbon energy source.

With Australian domestic production of helium ending 
in 2023, and a global forecast helium shortage, 2H 
Resources is also actively planning to explore for 
naturally occurring helium and associated gases, 
initially focussing its efforts in Western Australia.

2H Resources was established to apply the geological 
knowledge of its supporting shareholder Buru Energy 
in the exploration and appraisal of natural hydrogen 
and helium accumulations. 

2H Resources has established an exploration portfolio 
in South Australia (Figure 2) where the regulatory 
framework is in place for natural hydrogen exploration, 
and is actively evaluating other areas where there is 
potential for natural hydrogen occurrences.

2H Resources has been confirmed as the preferred 
applicant for the granting of seven South Australian 
Petroleum Exploration Licences for hydrogen 
exploration that are geologically on trend with 
legacy hydrogen discoveries, and two Gas Storage 
Exploration Licences. 

The granting of the hydrogen exploration and gas 
storage licences to 2H Resources is subject to the 
completion of land access agreements in accordance 
with the requirements of the Commonwealth Native 
Title Act 1993 over any area where Native Title 
interests exist, which 2H Resources is targeting to 
complete in in the first half of 2024. 

In January 2023 an independent third-party Hydrogen 
Prospective Resource estimate from RISC Advisory 

22

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023for these Petroleum Exploration Licence application areas has confirmed the very significant potential of this 
acreage which reinforces 2H Resources’ view of the value opportunity associated with this venture. 

The results of the RISC Advisory review are as follows, noting the wide range of resources and risk factors 
applied to the estimates due to the early stage of the quantification of the resources.

Hydrogen Prospective Resources 

Gross Unrisked

Gross Risked

Exploration 
Portfolio

Hydrogen (Bcf)

1U

246

2U

1,713

3U

6,567

1U

21

2U

148

3U

566

Hydrogen (t)

570,236

3,977,110

15,249,222

49,850

342,846

1,313,425

(t=metric tonnes)

Hydrogen Prospective Resources relate to the estimated quantities of naturally occurring hydrogen gas that 
may potentially be recovered by the application of future development projects to undiscovered accumulations. 
These estimates have both an associated risk of discovery and risk of development. Further exploration and 
appraisal and evaluation is required to determine the existence of a significant quantity of potentially moveable 
naturally occurring hydrogen gas.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

23

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

NOTES TO THE TABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASX LISTING RULE 5.35 & 5.42:
The estimates relate to South Australian permit application areas (PELAs 705, 706, 707, 708, 710 and 711) for 
which 2H Resources is the Preferred Applicant. The grant of these PELs to 2H Resources is subject to reaching 
an agreement with relevant Native Title parties. 2H Resources has commenced engagement with these Native 
Title parties. 

Basis on which the prospective resources are estimated:

1.

The estimates are for naturally occurring hydrogen gas only. Adjustments for petroleum gases and inert
gases have been made.
“Gross” are 100% quantities attributable to PELAs 705, 706, 707, 708, 710 and 711 (2H Resources 100%)
2.
3. These estimates have both an associated risk of discovery and a risk of development. Further exploration,
appraisal and evaluation is required to determine the existence of a significant quantity of potentially
recoverable hydrogen.

4. The natural hydrogen resource estimates have been derived in accordance with the principles of the PRMS.
The PRMS specifically applies to petroleum. However, the PRMS reserves committee advised in August
2022 that although the gaseous extraction of natural hydrogen is outside of the scope of the PRMS, the
principles can be applied given the similarities in exploration, evaluation and exploitation.

5. The hydrogen Prospective Resources have been evaluated using probabilistic and deterministic methods.
6. No adjustment has been made to the estimates to account for fuel and flare.
7.

Totals are by arithmetic summation. As a result, RISC Advisory cautions that the Low Estimate aggregate
quantities may be very conservative estimates and the High Estimate aggregate quantities may be very
optimistic due to portfolio effects.

8. Hydrogen mass conversion is 2,321.98 t/Bscf.
9. The risked hydrogen Prospective Resources have been adjusted for the associated chance of discovery.
The chance of success has been estimated at between 6% and 10% using a 4-factor risk assessment and
dependent on trap configuration.

Buru is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects this assessment and that all material 
assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates continue to apply and have not materially 
changed.

Further planned exploration activity include field sampling, geophysical surveys and interpretation of existing 
geological and geophysical data followed by exploration drilling to determine gas compositions and flow rates.

During the year 2H Resources has also applied for six Special Prospecting Authorities with Acreage Option (SPA-
AO’s) under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (PGERA) in Western Australia (see figure 
3). These applications have been accepted by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Resources and Safety 
(DEMIRS) in accordance with the PGERA as being valid and are under assessment. These applications are the 
result of extensive geological research undertaken by the 2H Resources technical team and follow the removal of 
the reservation on SPA-AO’s imposed by the Western Australian Government between 2021 and 2023. 

Four of these SPA-AO’s are at 75% equity in partnership with Gehyra Flux Pty Ltd (Gehyra Flux) in an area 
covering ~20,000 sq km northwest of Perth adjacent to the margins of the Perth Basin where geological 
conditions are interpreted to be favourable for generation of helium and associated gases. A further two SPA-
AO’s (at 100% equity) are situated in the Goldfields area between Norseman and Kalgoorlie. These Goldfields 
areas are close to infrastructure and access to market and have optimal geological characteristics for the 
generation of helium and importantly have had previous strong indications of natural gas influxes during mineral 
drilling activity. Upon the completion of the Assessment stage which includes Native Title negotiations and 
granting of the SPA-AO, 2H Resources will have six months to undertake a soil gas sampling program which will 
seek to identify areas of anomalously high gas flux which will then be high-graded for future exploration.

More details on natural hydrogen and the activities of 2H Resources are available on the 2H Resources website 
at 2HResources.com.

24

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

PELA 763

PELA
705

GSELA
765

PELA 710

PELA 708

Whyalla

Port Pirie

GSELA
764

PELA 707

PELA
711

PELA
706

Port Lincoln

Ramsay 1

Adelaide

Figure 2 – 2H Resources Exploration Licence application areas in South Australia

Known Hydrogen Occurences

2H Gas Storage Exploration Licence
Applications (GSELA)

2H Petroleum Exploration Licence
Application (PELA)

Gold Hydrogen PEL

Figure 3 - 2H Resources Western Australian application areas 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

25

PerthKalgoorlieNorseman2H Helium SPA Application AreasREVIEW OF OPERATIONS

INTEGRATED NEW ENERGY BUSINESSES

CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE 
(GEOVAULT, BURU ENERGY 100%)

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is 
the process of capturing carbon dioxide 
(CO2) from industrial processes before 
it enters the atmosphere, transporting it, 
and storing it in underground geological 
formations.

CCS complements other emission reduction 
technologies by addressing emissions that currently 
cannot be avoided, including CO2 emissions from 
industrial processes. Since early 2021 Buru has been 
progressing CCS technical and commercial activities 
through its GeoVault subsidiary, with a focus on 
onshore geological greenhouse gas (GHG) storage.

Buru Energy recognises that CCS is a key component 
of any realisable path to net zero by 2050. Via its 
wholly owned subsidiary GeoVault, the company is 
leveraging its existing onshore petroleum acreage 

26

Figure 4 - The process of Carbon Capture and Storage

Source: European Commission, DG TREN

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023and in-house capabilities to explore and develop 
CCS potential. This is underpinned by the knowledge 
gained from a long history of operating exploration 
and production assets in Western Australia.

GeoVault aims to be a pre-eminent operator in the 
identification, development and operation of GHG 
storage projects in the onshore Canning Basin. 
Leveraging Buru’s considerable geological intellectual 
property, GeoVault is in the process of building a 
GeoVault-operated inventory of geologically suitable 
storage formations matched to projects requiring 
storage. 

In addition to providing direct benefits to Buru and 
its Rafael development, this storage capacity will be 
made available to companies seeking to reduce their 
GHG emissions as part of the transition to a lower 
carbon future.

During the year, the in-house GeoVault team 
completed an assessment of the geological 

greenhouse gas (GHG) storage potential for areas 
in and around Buru’s petroleum licences and 
permits in the onshore Canning Basin. This work 
was subsequently independently validated by RISC 
Advisory. 

This assessment is in support of the 
commercialisation pathway for Buru’s 100% owned, 
low reservoir CO2 Rafael conventional gas and 
condensate discovery in the onshore Canning Basin 
of Western Australia. The independently reviewed 
CO2 storage estimates prepared by GeoVault for 
these areas confirmed material hub scale CCS 
potential that significantly exceeds the estimated 
source CO2 emissions from a larger-scale Rafael 
project, thus providing a pathway to potentially 
significant reductions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 
emissions from the planned project. 

More details on CCS and the activities of GeoVault are 
available on the GeoVault website at GeoVault.com.au.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

27

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

YULLEROO

Broome

UNGANI

Derby

RAFAEL 1

Buru Petroleum 
Acreage

2022 Drillholes

Barbwire Tenements

Zn Pb Deposit

Devonian Reef Trend

INTEGRATED NEW ENERGY BUSINESSES

BATTERY MINERALS EXPLORATION 
(BATTMIN, BURU ENERGY 50%)

Wagon Pass

Narlarla

D

E

V

O

N

I

A

M

I

N

N

R

E

R

E

E

A

F

L
I
S

O

U

A

T
I

T

C

O

R

N

O

P

&

Fitzroy
Crossing

Fossil Downs

Pillara

F
I
T

Z

R

Goongewa

Cadjebut

Kapok

O

Y

T

R

O

U

G

H

BWTDD001

BWTDD003

BWTDD004

D

E

V

O

N

I

A

N

R

E

E

F

T

R

E

N

D

Figure 5 - Focus of the Barbwire Terrace exploration program in 2022

Barbwire Terrace exploration program 2022

During the year, the Joint Venture continued work on 
the core analysis from the three diamond core holes 
drilled late 2022 and worked to define any future 
potential activity on this project.

Battmin, a wholly owned subsidiary of 
Buru, was initially formed to apply the 
geological knowledge that Buru had 
acquired in its extensive petroleum 
exploration activity in the Canning Basin 
to the exploration for minerals formed by 
similar processes, and often in association 
with, oil and gas accumulations. 

Battmin’s activities remain focused on its Barbwire 
Terrace demonstration project in the central 
Canning Basin in joint venture with Sipa Resources 
Limited (“Sipa”), where the JV is targeting zinc/lead 
mineralisation in carbonate sections along a Devonian 
Reef Trend.

28

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

CORPORATE 

On 14 November 2023 Buru successfully completed 
a Share Placement with several of Buru’s major 
shareholders, as well as new institutional shareholders, 
raising a total of some $5 million. A Share Purchase 
Plan was also launched in November 2023 and closed 
on 8 December raising a further $3.7 million. 

The funds will be used to ensure that preparations for 
the planned 2024 appraisal drilling program maintain 
their current momentum and the Company is fully 
funded through its current program of partner selection 
and commercialisation activity. The total number of 
new shares issued by way of the Share Placement and 
Share Purchase Plan was some 75.3 million.

Risk reporting includes the status of risks through 
integrated risk management programs aimed 
at ensuring risks are identified, assessed, and 
appropriately managed. The Audit and Risk 
Committee reports the status of material business 
risks to the Board on an annual basis.

The risks involved with oil and gas exploration 
generally and the specific risks associated with Buru 
Energy’s activities in particular are regularly monitored 
and all exploration and investment proposals reviewed 
include a conscious consideration of the issues and 
risks of each proposal. The Company’s executive and 
senior management have extensive experience in the 
industry and manage and monitor potential exposures 
facing the Company.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The principles governing the actions of the Board and 
the employees of the Company are in accordance 
with the ASX core principles of corporate governance. 
The Company’s full Corporate Governance Statement 
and Appendix 4G for the year ended 31 December 
2023 has also been released and can be found on 
the Company’s website.

The Company also has in place policies that cover 
the principal actions under its Corporate Governance 
Statement and these may also be found on the 
Company’s website.

RISK MANAGEMENT 

The Audit and Risk Committee oversees the 
establishment, implementation, and annual review of 
the Group’s Risk Management System. Management 
has established and implemented the Risk 
Management System for assessing, monitoring, and 
managing all risks, including material business risks, 
for the Group (including sustainability risk). The Chief 
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have 
provided assurance, in writing to the Board, that the 
financial reporting risk management and associated 
compliance and controls have been assessed and 
found to be operating effectively. The operational 
and other risk management compliance and controls 
have also been assessed and found to be operating 
effectively.

CLIMATE RELATED RISKS AND 
OPPORTUNITIES

The Board considers the potential impact of climate 
related risks in its oversight of the Company’s strategy. 
The Company recognises that human activity, 
including fossil fuel combustion, is contributing to 
increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 
and that modelling suggests this can lead to changes 
in the global climate. 

The Company recognises that society is transitioning 
towards energy sources with low carbon dioxide 
emissions and supports this process. Even in the most 
ambitious energy transition scenarios, this process 
will be gradual. Natural gas and oil will continue to 
play an important role in the global economy for 
decades to come, and new sources of gas and oil 
supply are required for a sustainable energy transition. 
The Company therefore continues with a strategy 
of monetising its natural gas and oil assets through 
exploration, appraisal, development, and production. 

The Company has committed to net zero carbon 
emissions from its current and future gas and oil 
operations by 2050 and is actively seeking to 
reduce or offset its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, 
particularly in ways that directly benefit the Kimberley 
community. Buru has also implemented the 
Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD) framework. The TCFD reporting and further 
information is included in the Company’s Sustainability 
Report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

29

During 2023, Buru Energy was not aware of any 
material non-compliance with health, safety or 
environmental legislation or regulations. Further 
information on the Company’s HSE performance for 
2023 is included in the Company’s Sustainability 
Report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

TRADITIONAL OWNER 
ENGAGEMENT 

No petroleum activity can be conducted on the 
Company’s licences and permits without the 
involvement and consent of the Traditional Owners 
of the areas, and Buru has never accessed an area 
without this consent. 

A number of Nyikina Mangala, Yawuru and Warrwa 
Aboriginal employees worked at the Ungani Oilfield 
operations during 2023 and supported our wider 
Kimberley operations. The Company continues to 
comply with the relevant Ungani Traditional Owner 
agreements it has negotiated with appropriate native 
title holders and is meeting its targets for Aboriginal 
employment. Buru also provides support for local 
Aboriginal ranger groups for key areas in which it 
operates and gives preference to contracting local 
Kimberley Aboriginal businesses to provide services 
subject to a competitive tender and selection process. 
Further information is included in the Company’s 
Sustainability Report for the year ended 31 December 
2023.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

The Company also sees significant opportunity 
in leveraging its existing geological, engineering 
and commercial expertise to participate in the new 
energy economy. As part of this process, it has 
established businesses that are exploring for natural 
hydrogen and battery minerals. It is also establishing 
expertise and operational capability for carbon 
dioxide capture and storage services through its 
GeoVault subsidiary.

HEALTH, SAFETY AND 
ENVIRONMENT 

Buru Energy is committed to protecting the health and 
safety of all personnel as well as the environment, 
cultural heritage, and communities in the vicinity of 
all its activities. As such, the Company’s overarching 
HSE goal is Zero Harm to people and the environment 
during its activities. To ensure HSE performance, the 
Company implements a robust HSE Management 
System, which includes monitoring and reporting 
against various targets to meet the overarching goal 
of Zero Harm.

The Company’s onshore operations are regulated by 
numerous agencies and authorities, principally the 
Department of Energy, Mines, Industry, Resources 
and Safety (DEMIRS) under the Petroleum and 
Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (PGER Act) 
and the Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 and associated 
regulations. Other regulators include the Department 
of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) under 
the Rights and Water and Irrigation Act 1914 and the 
Environmental Protection Act 1986 and a number of 
other agencies and regulations.

Health, safety, and environmental approvals from 
the various agencies are required to be in place 
prior to undertaking any petroleum activities. During 
all activities, the Company implements a structured 
internal HSE audit process to identify opportunities for 
improvement and measurement of HSE performance. 
Further, external audits and inspections are often 
undertaken by regulatory agencies to measure 
compliance against HSE approvals.

30

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors present their report together with the consolidated financial statements of the Group 
comprising Buru Energy Limited (Buru Energy or Group) and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 
December 2023, and the auditor’s report thereon. The remuneration report for the year ended 31 
December 2023 on pages 36 to 43 forms part of the Directors’ report.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The number of Board and Committee meetings and the number of meetings attended by each of the Directors 
of the Company during the year were:

Meeting

Director

Eric Streitberg

Robert Willes

Joanne Williams

Malcolm King

Board Meetings

Audit & Risk  
Committee Meetings

Remuneration & Nomination  
Committee Meetings

Eligible to Attend

Attended

Eligible to Attend

Attended

Eligible to Attend

Attended

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

8

8

8

8

7

8

8

8

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activity of the Group during the period was oil and gas exploration and production in the Canning 
Basin, in the northwest of Western Australia. The Group has also been progressing a number of initiatives to 
ensure it is part of the energy transition both through both internal Buru activity and through three subsidiaries, 
2H Resources (natural hydrogen and helium exploration), Geovault (Carbon Capture and Storage) and Battmin 
(battery minerals exploration). Further information is included in the Review of Operations. There were no other 
significant changes in the nature of the Group’s principal activities during the period.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

31

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

The Review of Operations for the year ended 31 December 2023 is set out on pages 16 to 30 and forms part of 
this Directors’ Report.

OPERATING RESULTS

The consolidated loss of the Group after providing for income tax for the year ended 31 December 2023 was 
$5,118,000 (31 December 2022: loss of $32,777,000).

FINANCIAL POSITION

The net assets of the Group totalled $23,194,000 as at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: $19,756,000).

DIVIDENDS

The Directors do not propose to recommend the payment of a dividend for the period. No dividends have been 
paid or declared by the Company during the current period.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS

No significant change in the state of affairs of the Group occurred during the period other than already referred 
to elsewhere in this report.

AFTER BALANCE DATE EVENTS

On 1 January 2024 Buru withdrew from the EP 458 Joint Operating Agreement, with Buru assigning its 60% 
interest and Operatorship of the permit to JV partner Rey Resources. At year end no value was attributed to  
EP 458.

On 8 March 2024, the Company executed a Deed of Settlement, Termination and Release with Roc Oil 
Company Pty Limited (ROC) and subsequently received $3.4 million from ROC in exchange for releasing ROC 
from its obligations relating to future decommissioning activity for the Ungani Oilfield.

No other significant events have occurred subsequent to balance date that in the opinion of the directors has 
significantly affected, or may significantly affect in future financial years:

• 
• 
• 

The Group’s operations; or
The results of those operations; or
The Group’s state of affairs.

LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS

The Group’s likely developments in its operations in future financial years and the expected results of those 
operations have been included generally in the Review of Operations. Other than as disclosed elsewhere, 
disclosure of information regarding likely developments in the operations of the consolidated entity in future 
financial years and the expected results of those operations is likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the 
Group. Accordingly, this information has not been disclosed. 

32

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023DIRECTORS’ REPORT

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

Buru Energy is subject to environmental regulation under relevant Australian and Western Australian legislation 
in relation to its oil and gas exploration and production activities. DEMIRS is the primary regulator in Western 
Australia for petroleum activities though the Group’s activities are also regulated by DWER. The Directors 
actively monitor compliance with these regulations. As at the date of this report, the Directors are not aware of 
any material breaches in respect of the regulations. 

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

The relevant interest of each Director in the shares or options issued by the Company, as notified by the 
Directors to the ASX in accordance with s205G(1) of the Corporations Act 2001, at the date of this report were 
as follows:

Directors

Eric Streitberg

Robert Willes

Malcolm King

Joanne Williams

Total

Ordinary Shares

21,686,279

310,957

121,179

-

22,118,415

Unlisted Options

-

-

-

-

-

SHARE OPTIONS

At the date of this report, the unissued shares of the Company under option were as follows:

Date of Expiry

31 December 2025

Exercise Price

$0.23

Number of shares under Option

1,000,000

All share options are over ordinary shares in the Company. All options are unlisted, held by employees of the 
Company and expire on the earlier of their expiry date or within 30 days from termination of the employee’s 
employment or at a date determined by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. These options do not 
entitle the holder to participate in any share issue of the Company or any other body corporate. Further details 
about options granted to senior executives during the financial year are included in the Remuneration Report on 
pages 36 to 43. No options have been granted since the end of the reporting period. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

33

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE OF OFFICERS

The Company has agreed to indemnify all current Directors and Officers of the Company and its controlled 
entities against all liabilities to another person (other than the Company or a related body corporate) that may 
arise from their position as Directors and Officers of the Company and its controlled entities, except where the 
liability arises out of conduct involving a lack of good faith. The agreement stipulates that the Company will 
meet the full amount of any such liabilities, including costs and expenses. 

During the year, the Company has paid insurance premiums of $213,020 (2022: $232,870) in respect of 
Directors’ and Officers’ liability. The premiums cover current and former Directors and Officers, including senior 
executives of the Company and Directors and secretaries of its controlled entities. The insurance premiums 
relate to:

• 

• 

costs and expenses incurred by the relevant officers in defending proceedings, whether civil or criminal and 
whatever their outcome; and
other liabilities that may arise from their position, with the exception of conduct involving a wilful breach of 
duty or improper use of information or position to gain a personal advantage.

PROCEEDINGS ON BEHALF OF COMPANY

No person has applied for leave from any Court to bring proceedings on behalf of the Company or intervene 
in any proceedings to which the Company is a party for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the 
Company for all or any part of those proceedings. The Company was not a party to any such proceedings 
during the period.

NON-AUDIT SERVICES

During the period, the Company’s auditor did not perform any other services in addition to their statutory full 
year audit, half year review, Joint Venture audits and royalty audits. During the year ended 31 December 2023, 
the amount paid or payable to the Group’s auditor (KPMG Australia) for statutory and other audit and review 
services totalled $99,500 (2022: $95,767).

QUALIFIED PETROLEUM RESOURCES EVALUATOR STATEMENT

Except where otherwise noted, information in this Annual Report related to exploration and production results 
and petroleum resources is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation 
prepared by Mr Eric Streitberg who is a Qualified Petroleum Resources Evaluator. Mr Streitberg who is a 
Director of Buru Energy Limited is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors, and a member and Certified Petroleum Geologist of the American Association of 
Petroleum Geologists. He has over 40 years of relevant experience. Mr Streitberg consents to the inclusion of 
the information in this document.

34

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023DIRECTORS’ REPORT

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

The lead auditor’s independence declaration is set out on page 44 and forms part of the Directors’ Report for 
the year ended 31 December 2023.

ROUNDING OFF

The Company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial / Directors’ Reports) Instrument 
2016/191 and in accordance with that instrument, amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements and 
Directors’ Report have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise stated.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of Directors.

Mr Eric Streitberg 
Non-executive Chairman 

Perth 
25 March 2024 

Mr Robert Willes
Non-executive Director

Perth
25 March 2024

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

35

 
REMUNERATION REPORT - AUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

PRINCIPLES OF REMUNERATION - AUDITED

The Directors present their Remuneration Report for Buru Energy for the year ended 31 December 2023. 
This remuneration report outlines the remuneration arrangements of the Company’s Directors and other key 
management personnel (KMP) in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and its 
Regulations. In accordance with section 308(3C) of the Corporations Act 2001, the Remuneration Report has 
been audited and forms part of the Directors’ Report. 

KMP have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group and 
comprise the Directors, executives and senior management in accordance with s300A of the Corporations Act 
2001. 

Remuneration levels for KMP are competitively set to attract and retain appropriately qualified and experienced 
Directors and executives. The remuneration structures explained below are designed to reward the 
achievement of the Company’s strategic objectives and achieve the broader outcome of the creation of 
shareholder value. The Company’s remuneration structures take into account:

• 
• 

the capability and experience of KMP; and
the Group’s corporate, operational and financial performance.

Remuneration packages include a mix of fixed and variable remuneration, and short and long term performance 
based incentives.

FIXED REMUNERATION
Fixed remuneration consists of base remuneration (which is calculated on a total cost basis and includes 
any FBT charges related to employee benefits), as well as employer contributions to superannuation funds. 
Remuneration levels are reviewed annually by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee through a process 
that considers individual, segment and overall performance of the Group. In addition, external consultants 
may provide analysis and advice to ensure the Directors, executive and senior management remuneration is 
competitive in the market place. Remuneration is also reviewed on promotion.

PERFORMANCE LINKED REMUNERATION
Performance linked remuneration includes both short term and long term incentives, and is designed to reward 
KMP for meeting or exceeding the Company’s expectations and agreed objectives. Any short term incentive 
(STI) is an ‘at risk’ bonus provided in the form of cash, while any long term incentive (LTI) is provided under the 
Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP). The LTIs are structured to ensure that incentives are appropriately aligned 
to sustainable shareholder value creation.

SHORT TERM INCENTIVE BONUSES
All STI bonuses are subject to the Board’s discretionary approval. The payments of any STI bonuses are based 
on the fulfilment of key performance indicators (KPIs) and individual achievements. The KPIs are designed to 
promote shareholder value creation and include financial and non-financial measures. The financial and non-
financial KPIs include base and stretch targets related to health and safety results, production levels, exploration 
outcomes, cost control and sustainability outcomes. 

36

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023REMUNERATION REPORT - AUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE BONUSES
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee considers that an LTI scheme structured around equity-based 
remuneration is necessary to attract and retain the highest calibre of professionals to the Group, whilst 
preserving the Group’s cash reserves. The purpose of these schemes is to align the interests of KMP with 
shareholders and to reward, over the medium term, KMP for delivering value to shareholders through share 
price appreciation. 

Options are issued under the ESOP in accordance with the thresholds set in the plan approved by shareholders. 
The number of options available to be issued under the ESOP is limited to 5% of the total number of ordinary 
shares in the Company. The options are issued for no consideration and vest immediately. All options refer to 
options over ordinary shares of Buru Energy Limited which are exercisable on a one for one basis.

CONSEQUENCES OF PERFORMANCE ON SHAREHOLDER WEALTH
The Board considers that the most effective way to increase shareholder wealth is through the successful 
exploration and development of the Group’s gas and oil exploration permits and development of new energy 
resources in Australia. The Board considers that the Group’s LTI schemes incentivise KMP to achieve these 
outcomes by providing rewards, over the short and long term that are directly correlated to delivering value 
to shareholders through share price appreciation. The Company’s relative share price performance is the 
primary measure when the Board considers the effectiveness of STI and LTI remuneration consequences on 
shareholder wealth.

SERVICE CONTRACTS
The employment contract with the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Thomas Nador, is unlimited in term but capable 
of termination with three months’ notice by either party, or by payment in lieu thereof at the discretion of the 
Company. Six months of base salary and pro-rated STI and LTI entitlements are payable upon termination by 
either party in the event of a change in control of the Company. 

Employment contracts with all other current non-Director KMP are unlimited in term but capable of termination 
notice by either party, or by payment in lieu thereof at the discretion of the Company. Notice periods vary 
between one to three months.

The Remuneration & Nomination Committee determined the amount of remuneration payable to KMP under 
each agreement. KMP are also entitled to receive their contractual and statutory entitlements including accrued 
annual and long service leave, together with any superannuation benefits, on termination of employment. 
Remuneration levels are reviewed each year to take into account cost-of-living changes, any change in 
the scope of the role performed by KMP and any changes required to meet the principles of the Group’s 
remuneration policy. 

SERVICES FROM REMUNERATION CONSULTANTS
There were no services received from remuneration consultants during the period.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Total fixed remuneration for all Non-executive Directors, last voted upon by shareholders at the 2012 Annual 
General Meeting, is not to exceed $600,000 per annum. The Non-executive Directors’ base fee is $96,000 plus 
statutory superannuation per annum and the Chairman’s base fee is $150,000 plus statutory superannuation 
per annum. Mr Streitberg is eligible for the Chairman’s remuneration as he assumed the role of Non-executive 
Chairman and ceased to act in an executive capacity for the Company as of 1 January 2023. An additional fee 
of $7,400 plus statutory superannuation per annum is payable for Non-executive Directors being a member of a 
Committee and the fee for chairing a Committee is $14,600 plus statutory superannuation.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

37

REMUNERATION REPORT - AUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL REMUNERATION - AUDITED 

Details of the nature and amount of each major element of remuneration of each director of the Company and other key management personnel of the consolidated 
entity are:

Short term

Post-
employment

Salary &  
Fees

Annual  
leave

STI cash  
bonus

Non-
monetary 
benefits  
(A)

Super-
annuation 
benefits

Total

Other 
long 
term

Long 
service 
leave 
accrued

Share-
based 
payments

Termination 
benefits 

ESOP  
(B)

Total 
(C)

s300A(1)(e)(i)  
proportion of 
remuneration 
performance 
related

s300A(1)(e)
(vi) value of 
share based 
payments 
as a 
proportion of 
remuneration

Non-executive Directors

Mr R Willes, NED

2023

118,000

2022

118,000

Ms J Williams, NED

2023

110,800

2022

110,800

Mr M King, NED 

2023

118,000

Mr E Streitberg, NED - 
Chairman (Assumed role 
on 1 January 2023)

Total Non-executive  
Directors’ Remuneration

2022

118,000

2023

150,000

2022

-

2023 496,800

2022 346,800

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

38

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

118,000

12,685

118,000

12,095

110,800

11,911

110,800

11,357

118,000

12,685

118,000

12,095

150,000

16,125

-

-

496,800

53,406

346,800

35,547

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

130,685

130,095

122,711

122,157

130,685

130,095

166,125

-

550,206

382,347

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

REMUNERATION REPORT - AUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Short term

Post-
employment

Salary &  
Fees

Annual  
leave

STI cash  
bonus

Non-
monetary 
benefits  
(A)

Super-
annuation 
benefits

Total

Other 
long 
term

Long 
service 
leave 
accrued

Share-
based 
payments

Termination 
benefits 

ESOP  
(B)

Total 
(C)

Executive Directors

Mr E Streitberg, Executive 
Chairman (up until 31 
December 2022)

Total Directors’ 
Remuneration

2023

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2022

440,386

38,462

247,500

24,485

750,833

77,238

15,727

2023 496,800

-

-

-

496,800

53,406

-

2022 787,186 38,462 247,500

24,485

1,097,633

112,785

15,727

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

843,798

550,206

1,226,145

s300A(1)(e)(i)  
proportion of 
remuneration 
performance 
related

s300A(1)(e)
(vi) value of 
share based 
payments 
as a 
proportion of 
remuneration

0%

30%

0%

0%

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

39

REMUNERATION REPORT - AUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Short term

Post-
employment

Other 
long 
term

Share-
based 
payments

STI cash 
bonus 
(C)

Non-
monetary 
benefits 
(A)

Other 
short-
term 
benefits 
(D)

Super-
annuation 
benefits

Long 
service 
leave 
accrued

Total

Salary & 
Fees

Annual 
leave

Termination 
benefits 

ESOP  
(B)

Total

s300A(1)(e)(i) 
proportion of 
remuneration 
performance 
related

s300A(1)(e)
(vi) value of 
share based 
payments 
as a 
proportion of 
remuneration

2023

484,616

38,462

155,540

8,409

1,149

688,176

66,325

1,118

755,619

21%

2022

168,590

12,821

2023

276,100

22,362

2022

61,385

5,481

-

-

-

-

-

181,411

19,115

7,781

1,149

307,392

30,492

-

66,866

6,906

167

653

60

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

200,693

34,611

373,148

-

-

-

-

-

73,832

457,146

522,407

-

387,942

0%

9%

0%

11%

25%

0%

9%

0%

0%

9%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

-

-

-

-

-

397,365

42,560

17,221

464,517

47,342

10,548

-

-

-

349,022

33,906

5,014

Executives

Mr T Nador, Chief Executive 
Officer (Appointed August 2022)

Mr P Bird, Chief Financial 
Officer & Company Secretary 
(Appointed October 2022)

Mr K Waddington, Chief 
Operating Officer (Resigned 
December 2023)

2023

313,353

26,496

50,000

7,516

2022

300,843

25,538

131,540

6,596

Mr A Forcke, General Manager –  
Commercial (Resigned October 
2022)

2023

-

-

-

-

2022

283,769

22,885

33,915

8,453

40

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

REMUNERATION REPORT - AUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Post-
employment

Other 
long 
term

Share-
based 
payments

Short term

STI cash 
bonus 
(C)

Non-
monetary 
benefits 
(A)

Other 
short-
term 
benefits 
(D)

Salary & 
Fees

Annual 
leave

2023

-

-

-

-

2022

143,388

11,115

27,455

1,636

-

-

Super-
annuation 
benefits

Long 
service 
leave 
accrued

Total

-

-

-

183,594

18,033

2,738

2023 1,074,069

87,320 205,540

23,706

2,298

1,392,933

139,377

18,992

2022

957,975

77,840 192,910

16,685

-

1,245,410

125,302

18,527

2023 1,570,869

87,320 205,540

23,706

2,298

1,889,733

192,783

18,992

2022 1,745,161 116,302 440,410

41,170

-

2,343,043

238,087

34,254

s300A(1)(e)(i) 
proportion of 
remuneration 
performance 
related

s300A(1)(e)
(vi) value of 
share based 
payments 
as a 
proportion of 
remuneration

Termination 
benefits 

ESOP  
(B)

Total

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

204,365

0%

13%

0%

0%

34,611

1,585,913

-

1,389,239

34,611

2,136,119

-

2,615,384

Mr S McDermott, Chief Financial 
Officer & Company Secretary 
(Resigned July 2022)

Total Executive Officer 
Remuneration

Total Directors and Executive 
Officer Remuneration

Notes in relation to the table of KMP remuneration

A.  Non-monetary benefits to KMP relate to the provision of car parking, life insurance and salary continuance insurance.

B. 

 The fair value of options issued under the ESOP in 2023 are calculated at the date of grant using the Black & Scholes option-pricing method and expensed at grant date. The value disclosed is the portion 

of the fair value of the options recognised in this reporting period.

C.  During the year, the Remuneration & Nomination Committee approved Short Term Incentives (STI) bonuses. All STI bonuses are subject to the Board’s discretionary approval.

D.  Other short-term benefits to KMP relate to the allowance for mobile devices.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

41

REMUNERATION REPORT - AUDITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

LOANS TO KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
There were no loans outstanding at the end of the period to key management personnel or their related parties.

SHARES HELD BY KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

KMP

Held at  
1 Jan 23

Ceased to be a  
Director of Buru

Exercise of  
options

Purchased

Sold

Mr E Streitberg

21,425,409

Mr R Willes

Mr M King

Mr T Nador

224,000

77,700

300,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

260,870

86,957

43,479

-

-

-

-

-

Held at  
31 Dec 23

21,686,279

310,957

121,179

300,000

J Williams, K Waddington and P Bird did not hold any shares during this period.

ANALYSIS OF SHARE BASED PAYMENTS - ESOP
The movement during the period by number of options granted under the ESOP to KMP during the period is 
detailed below.

KMP

Held at  
1 Jan 23

Granted as  
remuneration

Exercised

Lapsed /  
Forfeited

Held at  
31 Dec 23

Vested during  
the year

Vested and  
exercisable

Mr K Waddington

750,000

-

Mr P Bird

-

500,000

-

-

(750,000)

-

-

-

500,000

-

500,000

The share options that lapsed during the year were options granted on 17 February 2021 and expired on 31 December 2023. 

During the reporting period, a total of 1,000,000 unlisted options were granted to employees of the Company 
under the terms of the ESOP. This included 500,000 unlisted options to KMP. No options have been granted to 
any Director. The options have an exercise price of $0.23 and an expiry date of 31 December 2025. All options 
were provided at no cost to the recipients and expire on the earlier of their expiry date or 30 days after the 
termination of the individual’s employment or at a date determined by the Board. All options vested immediately 
and were exercisable from the grant date of 21 April 2023. No terms of options granted as remuneration to a 
KMP have been altered or modified by the issuing entity during the reporting period or prior period. During the 
reporting period, no shares were issued on the exercise of options previously granted as remuneration.

42

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023REMUNERATION REPORT - AUDITED

The assumptions used to value the options granted under the ESOP to KMP are detailed below.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Underlying security spot price 

Strike / exercise price

Risk free rate (bond rate with duration the same as option)

Dividend rate (decrease in Share Price)

Grant date

Vesting date

Expiry date

Time to expiry (years)

Volatility (annualised)

Valuation per option

Number of options

Value recognised to date

Value still to be recognised

Mr P Bird

$0.11

$0.23

2.99%

0%

21 Apr 23

21 Apr 23

31 Dec 25

2.70

141%

$0.069

500,000

$34,611

-

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

43

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under 
Section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 

To the Directors of Buru Energy Limited 

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit of Buru Energy Limited for 
the financial year ended 31 December 2023 there have been: 

Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under 
Section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 

no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the 
Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and 

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

ii. 

i. 

To the Directors of Buru Energy Limited 

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit of Buru Energy Limited for 
the financial year ended 31 December 2023 there have been: 
KPMG 

Graham Hogg 

i. 

ii. 

KPMG 

no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the 
Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and 

Perth  

Partner 

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

25 March 2024 

Graham Hogg 

Partner 

Perth  

25 March 2024 

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated 
with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and 
logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organisation. Liability limited 
by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.  

44

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated 

with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and 

logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organisation. Liability limited 

by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.  

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note

31 December 2023

31 December 2022

11a

9

10

6

7

8

26

14

8

15

8

15

18,197

395

434

19,026

-

14,846

2,704

3,367

20,917

39,943

2,670

450

1,058

4,178

944

11,627

12,571

16,749

23,194

17,922

913

1,323

20,158

-

10,197

3,777

-

13,974

34,132

2,048

1,291

2,194

5,533

2,472

6,371

8,843

14,376

19,756

12

304,458

69

(281,333)

23,194

295,971

550

(276,765)

19,756

in thousands of AUD

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Total Current Assets

Non-Current Assets

Oil and gas assets

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Property, plant and equipment

Other receivables

Total Non-Current Assets

Total Assets

Current Liabilities

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Provisions 

Total Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Lease liabilities

Provisions

Total Non-Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total Equity

The notes on pages 49 to 80 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

45

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note

31 December 2023

31 December 2022

in thousands of AUD

Revenue 

Cost of sales (Purchases)

Movement in crude inventories

Amortisation of oil and gas assets

Gross profit

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Changes in restoration provision

Gain on sale of exploration interests

Impairment of oil and gas expenditure

Impairment of right-of-use assets (O&G)

Gain on termination of leases (O&G)

Corporate and administrative expenditure

Share based payment expenses

Results from operating activities

Net finance income / (expense)

Loss before income tax

Income tax expense

Total comprehensive loss 

2

19

6

8

8

3

16

4

5

4,733

(3,464)

(1,064)

-

205

 (6,776)

(1,173)

5,000

-

-

687

 (2,929)

(69)

(5,055)

(63)

(5,118)

-

(5,118)

(0.85)

13,893

(7,308)

(702)

(2,675)

3,208

 (5,917)

(941)

-

(23,460)

(1,774)

-

 (3,905)

-

(32,789)

12

(32,777)

-

(32,777)

(5.74)

Loss per share (cents) and diluted loss per share (cents)

13

The notes on pages 49 to 80 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

46

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

in thousands of AUD

Share 
capital 
$

Share-based 
payment reserve 
$

Accumulated 
losses 
$

Total 
equity 
$

Balance as at 1 January 2022

286,891

565

(244,003)

43,453

Comprehensive loss for the period

Loss for the period

Total comprehensive loss for the period

-

-

Transactions with owners recorded directly in equity

Issue of ordinary shares, net of transaction costs

9,080

Share-based payment transactions

Share options lapsed

-

-

Total transactions with owners recorded directly in equity

9,080

Balance as at 31 December 2022

295,971

-

-

-

(15)

(15)

550

(32,777)

(32,777)

(32,777)

(32,777)

9,080

-

-

9,080

-

15

15

(276,765)

19,756

in thousands of AUD

Share 
capital 
$

Share-based 
payment reserve 
$

Accumulated 
losses 
$

Total 
equity 
$

Balance as at 1 January 2023

295,971

550

(276,765)

19,756

Comprehensive loss for the period

Loss for the period

Total comprehensive loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(5,118)

(5,118)

(5,118)

(5,118)

Transactions with owners recorded directly in equity

Issue of ordinary shares, net of transaction costs

8,487

Share-based payment transactions

Share options lapsed

-

-

Total transactions with owners recorded directly in equity

8,487

Balance as at 31 December 2023

304,458

69

(550)

(481)

69

8,487

69

-

8,556

-

550

550

(281,333)

23,194

The notes on pages 49 to 80 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

47

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

in thousands of AUD

Note

31 December 2023

31 December 2022

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash receipts from sales

Payments to suppliers and employees

Payments for exploration and evaluation

4,733

(6,620)

(6,420)

Net cash outflow from operating activities

11b

(8,307)

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Receipts from sale of plant and equipment

Payments for capitalised exploration and evaluation

Payments for oil and gas development

Proceeds from sale of exploration interests

Net cash inflow / (outflow) from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from the issue of share capital 

Transaction costs arising from the issue of share capital

Payments for lease liabilities

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 508 

3

 (3,889) 

 (25)

5,000

1,597

8,660

(173)

(1,223)

7,264

555

17,922

(280)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

11a

18,197

The notes on pages 49 to 80 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

13,893

(10,213)

(8,462)

(4,782)

213 

12

(1,715) 

(7,304)

-

(8,794)

9,215

(136)

(1,263)

7,816

(5,760)

23,723

(41)

17,922

48

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

BASIS OF PREPARATION

Buru Energy Limited (Buru Energy or the Company) is a for profit company domiciled in Australia. The address 
of the Company’s registered office is Level 2, 16 Ord Street, West Perth, Western Australia. The consolidated 
financial statements of the Company as at, and for the year ended 31 December 2023 comprise the Company 
and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the Group) and the Group’s interest in jointly controlled entities. The 
Group is primarily involved in the exploration and production of gas and oil and development of new energy 
resources in Australia.

This section sets out the basis upon which the Group’s financial statements are prepared as a whole. Material 
accounting policies and key judgements and estimates of the Group that summarise the measurement basis 
used and assist in understanding the financial statements are described in the relevant note to the financial 
statements or are otherwise provided in this section.  The consolidated financial statements are general 
purpose financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards 
(AASBs) (including Australian Interpretations) adopted by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) 
and the Corporations Act 2001.  The consolidated financial statements of the Group comply with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB). The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 25 March 2024.  The 
accounting policies have been applied consistently by Group entities to all periods presented in these 
consolidated financial statements.  The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical 
cost basis unless stated otherwise.

The Company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 
2016/191 and in accordance with that instrument, amounts in the consolidated financial statements and Directors’ 
Report have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise stated.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has 
rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through 
its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial 
statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. Intra-group balances and 
transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in 
preparing the consolidated financial statements. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

49

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY

These consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is each of the Group 
entities’ functional currency. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to Australian dollars at the foreign 
exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies at the balance sheet date are translated to Australian dollars at the foreign exchange rate ruling at 
that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the income statement.

USE OF ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and 
assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, 
income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions 
are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which 
the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected. Information about assumptions and estimation 
uncertainties in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amount recognised in 
the financial statements are:

•  Note 5 – Recognition of tax losses
•  Note 6 – Oil and gas assets
•  Note 7 – Exploration and evaluation expenditure
•  Note 8 – Right-of-use assets
•  Note 15 – Provisions
•  Note 16 – Measurement of share-based payments

50

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

This section explains the results and performance of the Group including additional information about those 
individual line items in the financial statements most relevant in the context of the operations of the Group, 
including accounting policies that are relevant for understanding the items recognised in the financial 
statements and an analysis of the Group’s result for the year by reference to key areas, including operating 
segments, revenue, expenses, employee costs, taxation and earnings per share.

1. 

SEGMENT INFORMATION

An operating segment is a component of Buru Energy that engages in business activities from which it 
may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions 
with any of Buru Energy’s other components. All operating segments’ operating results are reviewed 
regularly by the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executives to make 
decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance, and for which 
discrete financial information is available. Segment results that are reported to the Chief Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those 
that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items comprise mainly corporate assets and 
head office expenses. Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the year to acquire 
property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill.

The Group has only one reportable geographical segment being Australia. The reportable operating 
segments are based on the Group’s strategic business units: oil production, exploration and energy 
transition. The following summary describes the operations in each of the Group’s reportable operating 
segments:

•  Oil Production: Development and production of the Ungani Oilfield. The Ungani Production 

Facility has been placed under care and maintenance after operations were suspended in August 
2023 following the removal of the temporary dual lane causeway that was being used by Buru 
to transport Ungani crude oil across the Fitzroy River. The Company is currently exploring various 
technical and commercial options for the future of the Ungani Oilfield.
Exploration: The exploration program is focused on the following:
 -

the Rafael area where the Rafael 1 exploration well was drilled in 2021 with a subsequent 
successful flow test of gas to surface;
the Yulleroo area where gas resources have been identified in the Laurel Formation;
several other prospects along the Ungani oil trend;
the Lennard Shelf area including the shut-in Blina and Sundown Oilfields;
and evaluation of the other areas in the Group’s portfolio. 

 -
 -
 -
 -
Energy Transition: The Company is progressing a number of initiatives to ensure it is part of the 
energy transition through three subsidiaries, 2H Resources (natural hydrogen), Geovault (Carbon 
Capture and Storage) and Battmin (Battery Minerals).

• 

• 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

51

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Information regarding the results of each reportable segment is included below. Performance is measured in regard to the Group and its segments principally 
with reference to earnings before interest and tax, and capital expenditure on exploration and evaluation assets, oil and gas assets, and property, plant and 
equipment. The unallocated segment represents a reconciliation of reportable segments revenues, profit or loss and assets to the consolidated figures. 

Oil Production

Exploration

Energy Transition

Unallocated

Total

Dec 23

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 22

Profit or loss

in thousands of AUD

External revenues

Cost of sales

4,733

13,893

(3,464)

(7,308)

Movement in crude inventories

(1,064)

(702)

Amortisation of oil and gas assets

-

(2,675)

Gross Profit

205

3,208

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Changes in restoration provision

Impairment of right-of-use assets

Gain on termination of leases

Impairment of oil and gas expenditure 

Sale of exploration interests

Depreciation expense

Corporate and administrative expenditure

Share based payment expenses

-

(1,639)

-

687

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,774)

-

(23,460)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(5,552)

(4,858)

(1,224)

(1,059)

466

(941)

-

-

-

5,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4,733

13,893

(3,464)

(7,308)

(1,064)

(702)

-

(2,675)

205

3,208

(6,776)

(5,917)

(1,173)

(941)

-

(1,774)

687

-

-

(23,460)

5,000

-

(632)

(808)

(632)

(808)

(2,297)

(3,097)

(2,297)

(3,097)

(69)

-

(69)

-

EBIT

(747)

(22,026)

(86)

(5,799)

(1,224)

(1,059)

(2,998)

(3,905)

(5,055)

(32,789)

Net finance income / (expense)

-

-

-

-

(63)

12

(63)

12

Reportable segment profit / (loss) before tax

(747)

(22,026)

(86)

(5,799)

(1,224)

(1,059)

(3,061)

(3,893)

(5,118)

(32,777)

52

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Total Assets

Oil Production

Exploration

Energy Transition

Unallocated

Total

in thousands of AUD

Dec 23

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 22

Current assets

Oil and gas assets

Other receivable

Exploration and evaluation assets

Property, plant and equipment

-

-

3,367

-

-

1,064

434

259

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

14,846

10,197

-

-

Total Assets

3,367

1,064

15,280

10,456

Capital Expenditure

-

5,881

4,649

696

Total Liabilities

Current liabilities

1,068

2,349

1,757

1,581

Lease liabilities (Non-current)

-

653

283

546

Provisions (Non-current)

7,289

2,559

4,160

3,549

Total Liabilities

8,357

5,561

6,200

5,676

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

18,592

18,835

19,026

20,158

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,367

-

-

14,846

10,197

2,704

3,777

2,704

3,777

21,296

22,612

39,943

34,132

-

-

4,649

6,577

1,353

661

178

1,603

1,273

4,178

944

263

11,627

5,533

2,472

6,371

2,192

3,139

16,749

14,376

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

53

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2. 

REVENUE

in thousands of AUD

Sales of crude oil

Timing effect of revenue

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

4,688

45

4,733

14,604

(711)

13,893

ACCOUNTING POLICY
Revenue is recognised when a customer obtains control of the goods or services. Under the existing 
contract, the sale of oil is recognised on Free on Board (FOB) terms, whereby the customer obtains 
control of the oil as it is loaded onto the vessel. Revenue from the sale of crude oil in the course of 
ordinary activities is recognised in the income statement at the consideration in the contract received 
or receivable. The price received FOB Wyndham represents the realised Brent linked oil price less the 
buyer’s marine transport discount. Contract terms for crude sales allow for a final price adjustment after 
the date of sale, based on average Brent Platts in the month the crude is sold and final volume. The 
adjustment between the provisional and final price is separately disclosed as timing effect of revenue. 
Payment terms for invoices are thirty days from the Bill of Lading date. 

Unprecedented flooding in the Kimberley early in the year significantly impacting operations and 
revenue. After a period of production between May 2023 and July 2023, Buru was able to successfully 
export one shipment of crude oil from Wyndham to the SE Asian market in August 2023 after which the 
Ungani Oilfield production was suspended.

3. 

CORPORATE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE

in thousands of AUD

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Corporate and other administration expenses

2,929

3,905

The above expense excludes share-based payments disclosed at note 16. 

Total personnel expenses for the 2023 year amounted to $7,075,000, (2022: $7,953,000) prior to Joint 
Venture reimbursements.  Net personnel expenses are included in Cost of Sales, Exploration and 
Evaluation Expenditure and Corporate and Administrative Expenditure.

54

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

4. 

NET FINANCE INCOME / (EXPENSE)

in thousands of AUD

Finance Income

Interest income on bank deposits and receivables

Finance Expense

Interest expense on restoration liabilities

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Net foreign exchange loss

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

485

485

(178)

(90)

(280)

(548)

288

288

(174)

(61)

(41)

(276)

12

Net finance income / (expense) recognised in profit or loss

(63)

ACCOUNTING POLICY 
Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested (including financial assets). Interest 
income is recognised as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest method. Foreign 
currency gains and losses are reported on a net basis.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

55

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

5. 

TAXATION

in thousands of AUD

Current income tax

Current income tax charge

Adjustments in respect of previous current income tax 

Deferred income tax

Tax relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences

Total income tax expense reported in equity

Numerical reconciliation between tax expense and pre-tax accounting profit

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Accounting profit / (loss) before tax

(5,118)

(32,777)

Income tax (expense) / benefit using the domestic corporation tax rate of 30%

1,536

9,833

(Increase) / decrease in income tax due to:

 Non-deductible expenses

(25)

(12)

  Temporary differences and tax losses not brought to account as a DTA

(1,511)

(9,820)

 Tax losses utilised

Income tax benefit / (expense) on pre-tax loss

-

-

-

-

ACCOUNTING POLICY 
Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax expense is recognised in the 
income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which 
case it is recognised in equity. Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable 
income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, 
and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. Deferred tax is recognised in respect 
of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes.

56

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNRECOGNISED NET DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
Net deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

in thousands of AUD

Deferred tax assets

Accruals

Provisions

Development expenditure

Rehabilitation

Lease liabilities

Tax losses

Unrealised foreign exchange

Deferred tax liabilities

Property, plant and equipment

Exploration expenditure

Lease assets

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Movement

33

245

6,703

3,574

418

60,605

60

71,638

(330)

(4,454)

(477)

(5,261)

33

426

8,417

2,158

1,129

56,883

5

69,051

(358)

(3,059)

(771)

(4,188)

-

(181)

(1,714)

1,416

(711)

3,722

55

2,587

28

(1,395)

294

(1,073)

Net DTA not brought to account

66,377

64,863

1,514

ACCOUNTING POLICY
Deferred tax is not provided for temporary differences on the initial recognition of assets or liabilities 
in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable 
profit, nor differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will not reverse 
in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of 
realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. In accordance with the group’s accounting policies for 
deferred taxes, a deferred tax asset is recognised for unused tax losses only if it is probable that future 
taxable profits will be available to utilise those losses. Determination of future taxable profits requires 
estimates and assumptions as to future events and circumstances, in particular, whether successful 
development and commercial exploitation, or alternatively sale, of the respective areas of interest will 
be achieved. This includes estimates and judgements about oil and gas prices, reserves, exchange 
rates, future capital requirements, future operational performance and the timing of estimated cash 
flows. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could impact on the amount and probability of 
estimated taxable profits and accordingly the recoverability of deferred tax assets.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

57

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The deductible temporary differences and tax losses do not expire under current tax legislation. 
Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of these items because it is not yet probable 
that future taxable profit will be available against which the Group can utilise the benefits. 

TAX CONSOLIDATION
The Company and its 100% owned entities have formed a tax consolidated group. Members of the 
consolidated entity have entered into a tax sharing arrangement in order to allocate income tax 
expense to the wholly owned controlled entities on a pro-rata basis. The agreement provides for the 
allocation of income tax liabilities between the entities should the head entity default on its tax payment 
obligations. At balance date, the possibility of default is remote.

TAX EFFECT ACCOUNTING BY MEMBERS OF THE CONSOLIDATED GROUP
Members of the tax consolidated group have entered into a tax funding agreement. The tax funding 
agreement provides for the allocation of current taxes to members of the tax consolidated group. 
Deferred taxes are allocated to members  of the tax consolidated group in accordance with a group 
allocation approach which is consistent with the principles of AASB 112 Income Taxes. The allocation 
of taxes under the tax funding agreement are recognised as an increase/decrease in the controlled 
entities intercompany accounts with the tax consolidated group head entity, Buru Energy. In this 
regard, Buru Energy has assumed the benefit of tax losses from the member entities. The nature of 
the tax funding agreement is such that no tax consolidation contributions by or distributions to equity 
participants are required.

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX
Revenue, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST), 
except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the taxation authority. In these 
circumstances, the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the 
expense. Receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included. The net amount of 
GST recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO is included as a current asset or liability in the balance 
sheet. Cash flows are included in the statement of cash flows on a gross basis. The GST components of 
cash flows arising from investing and financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to, the 
ATO are classified as operating cash flows.

58

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.  OIL AND GAS ASSETS

in thousands of AUD

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Carrying amount at beginning of the period

Development expenditure 

Amortisation expense

Impairment of oil and gas assets 

Carrying amount at the end of the period

-

-

-

-

-

22,028

4,107

(2,675)

(23,460)

-

ACCOUNTING POLICY
Oil and gas assets are measured at cost less amortisation and impairment losses. The assets’ useful 
lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date. The carrying amount of oil 
and gas assets is reviewed bi-annually. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing 
proceeds with the carrying amount and included in the profit or loss. Oil and gas assets are amortised 
over their estimated life according to the rate of depletion of the proved and probable hydrocarbon 
reserves. When no reserves are certified, oil and gas assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over 
their estimated useful life until such time when reserves are certified. Retention of petroleum assets is 
subject to meeting certain work obligations/commitments.

The estimated quantities of proved and probable hydrocarbon reserves and resources reported 
by the group are integral to the calculation of amortisation (depletion) and assessments of possible 
impairments. Estimated reserves and resources quantities are based upon interpretations of geological 
and geophysical models and assessment of the technical feasibility and commercial viability of 
producing the reserves and resources. Management prepares estimates which conform to guidelines 
prepared by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. These assessments require assumptions to be made 
regarding future development and production costs, commodity prices, exchange rates and fiscal 
regimes. The estimates of reserves and resources may change from period to period as the economic 
assumptions used to estimate the reserves can change from period to period, and as additional 
geological data is generated during the course of operations. The Ungani Oilfield does not currently 
have certified reserves. 

IMPAIRMENT RECORDED AGAINST THE UNGANI OILFIELD
In December 2022, the Company conducted a strategic of review of the recoverable amount of 
the Ungani Oilfield Cash Generating Unit (CGU) due to the high cost environment, and identified an 
impairment trigger. The impairment assessment required management to make estimates regarding 
the present value of future cash flows and determine a Value in Use (VIU). These estimates require 
significant management judgement and assumptions about expected production and sales volumes, oil 
prices, operating costs, future capital expenditure, rehabilitation costs and allocation of corporate costs. 
These estimates and assumptions are subject to risk and uncertainty, hence there is a possibility that 
changes in circumstances will alter these projections, which may impact the recoverable amount of the 
assets. In such circumstances, some or all of the carrying amount of the assets may be further impaired 
or the impairment charge reversed with the impact recorded in the Consolidated Income Statement.

The Ungani Production Facility has been placed under care and maintenance after operations were 
suspended in August 2023 and the Ungani assets remain fully impaired at the end of the reporting 
period. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

59

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

7. 

EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION EXPENDITURE

in thousands of AUD

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Carrying amount at beginning of the period

Exploration assets additions 

Carrying amount at the end of the period

10,197

4,649

14,846

9,501

696

10,197

ACCOUNTING POLICY
Exploration and evaluation expenditure in respect of each area of interest is accounted for using 
the successful efforts method of accounting. The successful efforts method requires all exploration 
and evaluation expenditure to be expensed in the period it is incurred, except the costs of drilling 
successful wells and the costs of acquiring interests in new exploration assets, and appraisal costs 
relating to determining development feasibility, which are capitalised as an asset.

An exploration/appraisal well is unsuccessful if no recoverable hydrocarbons are identified, or the 
Board considers that the hydrocarbons are not commercially viable. Where hydrocarbon resources 
exist, the costs of successful wells may remain capitalised where further appraisal of the discovery is 
planned. If this further appraisal does not lead to the discovery of commercially recoverable reserves, 
all these costs would be impaired. Exploration and evaluation expenditure is accumulated on a well-by-
well basis and may be carried forward at the end of a reporting period, pending determination.

An area of interest refers to an individual geological area where the presence of oil or a natural gas 
field is considered favourable or has been proved to exist, and in most cases will comprise an individual 
prospective oil or gas field. Exploration and evaluation expenditure is recognised in relation to an area 
of interest when the rights to tenure of the area of interest are current and either:

• 

• 

such expenditure is expected to be recovered through successful development and commercial 
exploitation of the area of interest or, alternatively, by its sale; or
the exploration activities in the area of interest have not yet reached a stage which permits 
reasonable assessment of the existence of economically recoverable reserves and active and 
significant operations in, or in relation to, the area of interest are continuing.

The Rafael 1 exploration well was capitalised during the 2021 year with initial results from the well 
suggesting potential for gas to be present in the structure. During the year Buru completed the 
acquisition of the Rafael 3D seismic survey covering an area of approximately 200 sq kms over and 
around the Rafael gas and condensate accumulation within the EP 428 and EP 457 permit areas 
totalling approximately $3.6 million.

In August 2023 Buru confirmed a phased development strategy to commercialise its 100% owned and 
operated Rafael discovery. This strategy followed completion of concept studies in collaboration with 
Petrofac Limited, Transborders Energy and Technip Energies for development concepts that cover the 
full range of independently assessed contingent resources of gas and condensate. Pre-FEED activities 
were approximately $1 million during the year.

60

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Where an ownership interest in an exploration and evaluation asset is exchanged for another, 
the transaction is recognised by reference to the carrying value of the original interest. Any cash 
consideration paid, including transaction costs, is accounted for as an acquisition of exploration and 
evaluation assets. Any cash consideration received, net of transaction costs, is treated as a recoupment 
of costs previously capitalised with any excess accounted for as a gain on disposal of non-current 
assets. The carrying amounts of the Group’s exploration and evaluation assets are reviewed at each 
reporting date to determine whether any of the following indicators of impairment exists:

• 

• 

• 

• 

tenure over the licence area has expired during the period or will expire in the near future, and is 
not expected to be renewed; or
substantive expenditure on further exploration for and evaluation of resources in the specific area 
is not budgeted or planned; or
exploration for and evaluation of resources in the specific area has not led to the discovery of 
commercially viable quantities of resources, and the Group has decided to discontinue activities in 
the specific area; or
sufficient data exists to indicate that although a development is likely to proceed, the carrying 
amount of the exploration and evaluation asset is unlikely to be recovered in full from successful 
development or from sale.

Where an indicator of impairment exists, a formal estimate of the recoverable amount is made, and any 
resultant impairment loss is recognised in the income statement. When a discovered oil or gas field 
enters the development phase the accumulated exploration and evaluation expenditure is transferred 
to oil and gas assets. Determining the recoverability of exploration and evaluation expenditure 
capitalised requires estimates and judgements as to future events and circumstances, in particular, 
whether successful development and commercial exploitation or sale of the respective area of interest 
is likely. Critical to this assessment are estimates and assumptions as to the timing of expected cash 
flows, exchange rates, commodity prices and future capital requirements. If, after having capitalised the 
expenditure, a judgement is made that recovery of the expenditure is unlikely, an impairment loss is 
recorded in the income statement. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

61

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

8. 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (PPE)

in thousands of AUD

Plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Cultural assets

Total

Cost

Carrying amount at 1 Jan 2022

1,379

Additions

Disposals

Impairment

Balance at 31 Dec 2022

Carrying amount at 1 Jan 2023

Additions

Disposals

Balance at 31 Dec 2023

Accumulated Depreciation 

Carrying amount at 1 Jan 2022

Depreciation for the period

Disposal

Balance at 31 Dec 2022

Carrying amount at 1 Jan 2023

Depreciation for the period

Disposal

Balance at 31 Dec 2023

Carrying amounts

At 31 December 2022

At 31 December 2023

-

(21)

-

1,358

1,358

-

(148)

1,210

(955)

(91)

21

(1,025)

(1,025)

(91)

145

(971)

333

239

5,731

3,010

-

(1,774)

6,967

6,967

31

(469)

6,529

(3,683)

(717)

-

(4,400)

(4,400)

(541)

-

(4,941)

2,567

1,588

877

-

-

-

877

877

-

-

7,987

3,010

(21)

(1,774)

9,202

9,202

31

(617)

877

8,616

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

877

877

(4,638)

(808)

21

(5,425)

(5,425)

(632)

145

(5,912)

3,777

2,704

ACCOUNTING POLICY
Items of PPE are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. 
Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. Gains and losses 
on disposal of an item of PPE are determined by comparing the proceeds from disposal with the 
carrying amount of PPE and are recognised net in profit or loss. Subsequent expenditure is capitalised 
only when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the expenditure will flow 
to the Group, and its cost can be measured reliably. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of PPE are 
recognised in profit or loss as incurred. Depreciation is recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line 
basis over the estimated useful lives of each component of PPE, since this most closely reflects the 
expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in the asset. 

62

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative period are as follows:

• 
• 
• 

plant & equipment 
right-of-use assets 
cultural assets 

10 – 30 years
1 – 4 years
not depreciated

The useful life, residual value and the depreciation method applied to an asset are reassessed at 
least annually. Heritage and cultural assets with the potential to be maintained for an indefinite period 
through conservation, restoration and preservation activities are considered to have an indefinite life 
and not depreciated.

The Group’s accounting policy under AASB 16 as lessee is as follows:

For any new contracts entered into as a lessee, the Group considers whether a contract is, or contains 
a lease. A lease is defined as ‘a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset 
(the underlying asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration’. 

To apply this definition the Group assesses whether the contract meets three key evaluation criteria 
which are whether: 

• 

• 

• 

the contract contains an identified asset, which is either explicitly identified in the contract or 
implicitly specified by being identified at the time the asset is made available to the Group;
the Group has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified 
asset throughout the period of use, considering its rights within the defined scope of the contract; 
and
the Group has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use. The 
Group assesses whether it has the right to direct ‘how and for what purpose’ the asset is used 
throughout the period of use. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

63

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

At lease commencement date, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the 
balance sheet. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement 
of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred by the Group, an estimate of any costs to dismantle 
and remove the asset at the end of the lease, and any lease payments made in advance of the lease 
commencement date (net of any incentives received).   The Group depreciates the right-of-use assets 
on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life 
of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The Group also assesses the right-of-use asset 
for impairment when such indicators exist. At the commencement date, the Group measures the lease 
liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at that date, discounted using the interest 
rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily available or the Group’s incremental borrowing rate of 
3.00%. 

In December 2022, $1,774,000 was impaired to reduce the book value of the right-of-use assets 
associated with the Ungani assets. As at the end of the reporting year, the Group’s current lease 
liabilities were $450,000 (2022: $1,291,000) and non-current lease liabilities were $944,000 (2022: 
$2,472,000). 

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are made up of fixed payments 
(including in substance fixed), variable payments based on an index or rate, amounts expected to be 
payable under a residual value guarantee and payments arising from options reasonably certain to 
be exercised.  Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced for payments made 
and increased for interest. It is remeasured to reflect any reassessment or modification, or if there are 
changes in in-substance fixed payments. When the lease liability is remeasured, the corresponding 
adjustment is reflected in the right-of-use asset, or profit and loss if the right-of-use asset is already 
reduced to zero. The Ungani Production Facility (UPF) has been placed under care and maintenance 
after operations were suspended in August 2023. Leases associated with the UPF which were 
discharged during the year resulted in an accounting gain on termination of $687,000.  

The Group has elected to account for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets using the 
practical expedients. Instead of recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, the payments in 
relation to these are recognised as an expense in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease 
term. Lease liabilities are shown directly on the statement of financial position (current and non-current).

64

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

9. 

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

in thousands of AUD

Trade receivable 

Interest receivable

Joint operation receivables

GST receivable

Prepayments

Other receivables

Total 

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

30

71

-

120

146

28

395

-

93

366

100

347

7

913

The Group’s exposure to credit and currency risks and impairment losses related to trade receivables 
are disclosed in note 23. 

10. 

INVENTORIES

in thousands of AUD

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Materials and consumables at net realisable value

Petroleum products at cost

434

-

434

259

1,064

1,323

ACCOUNTING POLICY 
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. 

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated 
costs of completion and selling expenses. 

Cost is determined as follows:

•  Materials and consumables, which include drilling and production materials and consumables, are 

valued at the cost of acquisition which includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories 
and bringing them to their existing location and condition; and
Petroleum products, comprising extracted crude oil stored in tanks and pipeline systems, are 
valued using the full absorption cost method.

• 

Materials and consumables are accounted for on a FIFO basis.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

65

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

11. 

(A) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

in thousands of AUD

Bank balances

Term deposits available at call

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

6,934

11,263

18,197

5,209

12,713

17,922

The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk and sensitivity analysis for financial assets is disclosed in note 
23.

(B) RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

in thousands of AUD

Note

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the period

Adjustments for:

Depreciation 

Amortisation on development expenditure

Impairment of oil and gas assets

Impairment of right-of-use assets

Gain on termination of leases (O&G)

Gain on asset disposal

Share based payment expenses

Gain on sale of exploration interests

Interest in lease liabilities

Net finance (income) / costs

(5,118)

(32,777)

8

6

6

8

19

4

632

-

-

-

(932)

(3)

69

(5,000)

(90)

63

808

2,675

23,460

1,774

-

(12)

-

-

(61)

(12)

Operating loss before changes in working capital 
and provisions

(10,379)

(4,145)

Changes in working capital

Change in trade and other receivables

Change in trade and other payables

Change in inventories

Change in provisions

Cash received /(used in) operating activities

(3,025)

90

1,064

3,943

2,072

(613)

(2,018)

712

1,282

(637)

Net cash outflow from operating activities

(8,307)

(4,782)

66

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

12.  CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Share capital

Ordinary Shares

31 Dec 2023 
No.

31 Dec 2023 
$’000

31 Dec 2022 
No.

31 Dec 2022 
$’000

Fully paid shares on issue at the beginning of the period 596,043,085

295,971

538,442,991

286,891

Issued under Share Placement – 20 November 2023

43,308,700

4,981

Issued under Share Purchase Plan – 13 December 2023

31,993,297

3,679

Less: Transaction costs arising from 2023 share placements

Issued under non-renounceable entitlement offer & 
shortfall offer – 7 June 2022 

Issued under shortfall placement – 8 June 2022

Less: Transactions costs arising from 2022 share placements

-

-

-

-

(173)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

55,350,094

8,856

2,250,000

-

360

(136)

On issue at the end of the period – fully paid

671,345,082

304,458

596,043,085

295,971

The Company does not have authorised capital or par value in respect of its issued shares. The holders 
of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to 
one vote per share at meetings of the Company. All shares rank equally with regard to the Company’s 
residual assets.

In November 2023, Buru announced the results of its Share Placement with a number of Buru’s major 
shareholders as well as new institutional shareholders at an offer price of $0.115 per new share. A Share 
Purchase Plan was also launched in November 2023. The combined proceeds of the Share Placement 
and Share Purchase Plan was approximately $8.7 million (before costs), resulting in the issue of some 
75.3 million new shares.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

67

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

13.  EARNINGS / (LOSS) PER SHARE

in thousands of AUD

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders

(5,118)

(32,777)

Basic and diluted earnings / (loss) per share

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

31 Dec 2023 
No.

31 Dec 2022 
No.

Issued ordinary shares at beginning of the period

596,043,085

538,442,991

Effect of shares issued

6,442,565

32,660,190

Weighted average number of ordinary shares at the end of the period

602,485,650

571,103,181

Basic and dilutive loss per share calculated using the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares at the end of the period (cents)

(0.85)

(5.74)

The Group presents basic and diluted earnings or loss per share (EPS or LPS) data for its ordinary 
shares. Basic EPS or LPS is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders 
of the Group by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. 
Diluted EPS or LPS is determined by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders 
and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, for the effects of all dilutive potential 
ordinary shares, which comprise share options granted to employees. 

The Company’s potential ordinary shares, being 1,000,000 options, are not considered dilutive as the 
options were ‘out of the money’ as at 31 December 2023.

14.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

in thousands of AUD

Trade payables

Accruals

Joint Venture cash calls received in advance

Other payables

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

715

1,475

433

47

2,670

504

1,493

-

51

2,048

The Group’s exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to trade and other payables is disclosed in 
note 23.

68

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

15.  PROVISIONS

in thousands of AUD

Current

Provision for annual leave

Provision for long-service leave

Provision for site restoration

Non-Current

Provision for long-service leave 

Provision for site restoration

Movements in the site restoration provision

in thousands of AUD

Opening balance

Provision used during the period

Unwinding of discount

Additions in estimate of provision

Change in estimate of provision

Balance at the end of the period

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

399

195

464

1,058

178

11,449

11,627

886

223

1,085

2,194

262

6,109

6,371

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

7,194

(630)

178

1,106

4,065

11,913

5,462

(130)

174

1,688

-

7,194

ACCOUNTING POLICY 
A provision is recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result 
of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the 
obligation and that the obligation can be measured reliably.  The site restoration provision is in respect 
of the Group’s obligation to rectify environmental liabilities relating to exploration and production in the 
Canning Basin in accordance with the requirements of DWER and DEMIRS.  The provision is derived from 
an annual internal review of the liabilities.  These liabilities are also reviewed by independent external 
consultants as and when required.  Due to the long-term nature of the liability, there is uncertainty 
in estimating the costs that will be incurred at a future date.  Changes to estimated future costs are 
recognised in the statement of financial position by adjusting the rehabilitation asset and liability. The 
provision has been calculated using a discount rate of 3.86%. The rehabilitation is expected to continue 
to occur progressively. In December 2023, a receivable $3.4 million was recorded for ROC’s share 
of decommissioning activity. Subsequent to the end of the reporting period, a Deed of Settlement, 
Termination and Release resulted in Buru receiving $3.4 million from ROC in exchange for releasing ROC 
from its obligations relating to future decommissioning activity. Refer to note 26 for further information.

The Group’s net obligation in respect of long-term employee benefits is the amount of future benefit 
that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods plus related on-
costs; that benefit is discounted at 3% to determine its present value, and the fair value of any related 
assets is deducted. The calculation is performed using the projected unit credit method. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

69

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

16.  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Fair value expensed in thousands of AUD

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Employee Share Option Plan expense

69

69

-

-

ACCOUNTING POLICY 
The grant date fair value of share-based payments granted to employees is recognised as an 
employee expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees 
unconditionally become entitled to the awards. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted 
to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market vesting conditions are 
expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number 
of awards that meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date. 
For share-based payment awards with non-vesting conditions, the grant date fair value of the share-
based payment is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up for differences between 
expected and actual outcomes. Share-based payment arrangements in which the Group receives 
goods or services as consideration for its own equity instruments are accounted for as equity-settled 
share-based payment transactions, regardless of how the equity instruments are obtained by the 
Group. When the Company grants options over its shares to employees of subsidiaries, the fair value 
at grant date is recognised as an increase in the investments in subsidiaries, with a corresponding 
increase in equity over the vesting period of the grant. The fair value of share options granted under 
the Employee Share Option Plan are measured using the Black Scholes valuation model. Measurement 
inputs include share price on a measurement date, exercise price of the instrument, expected volatility 
(based on weighted average historic volatility adjusted for changes expected due to publicly available 
information) weighted average expected life of the instruments (based on historical experience 
and general option holder behaviour), expected dividends, and the risk-free interest rate (based on 
government bonds). Service and non-market performance conditions attached to the transactions are 
not taken into account in determining fair value.

A total of 1,000,000 unlisted options were granted to employees of the Company under the terms of 
the Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) during the reporting period. The options have an exercise 
price of $0.23 and an expiry date of 31 December 2025. All options vested immediately and were 
exercisable from the grant date of 21 April 2023.

70

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The assumptions used to value the options granted under the ESOP to KMP are detailed below.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Underlying security spot price 

Strike / exercise price

Risk free rate (bond rate with duration the same as option)

Dividend rate (decrease in Share Price)

Grant date

Vesting date

Expiry date

Time to expiry (years)

Volatility (annualised)

Valuation per option

Number of options

Value recognised to date

Value still to be recognised

Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP)

The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options are as follows:

Outstanding unlisted options as at 1 January 2023

Granted on 21 April 2023

Lapsed during the period ended 31 December 2023

Outstanding as at 31 December 2023

Weighted average  
exercise price ($)

0.23

0.23

0.23

0.23

Mr P Bird

$0.11

$0.23

2.99%

0%

21 Apr 23

21 Apr 23

31 Dec 25

2.70

141%

$0.069

500,000

$34,611

-

Number of  
options

7,200,000

1,000,000

(7,200,000)

1,000,000

The unlisted share options outstanding as at 31 December 2023 have a weighted average exercise 
price of $0.23 (Dec 2022: $0.23), and a weighted average contractual life of 2 years (Dec 2022: 1 year). 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

71

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

17.  GROUP ENTITIES

Parent entity

Buru Energy Limited

Subsidiaries

Royalty Holding Company Pty Limited

Buru Operations Pty Limited

Noonkanbah Diamonds Pty Limited

Buru Fitzroy Pty Limited

Battmin Pty Ltd 

2H Resources Pty Limited

Geovault Pty Limited

Buru Canning Gas Pty Ltd

Geo-Steam Pty Ltd

Country of  
incorporation

Australia

Ownership  
interest

Ownership  
interest

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

0%

0%

Buru Energy Limited is the head entity of the tax consolidated group and all subsidiaries are members 
of the tax consolidated group. 

72

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

18.  PARENT ENTITY DISCLOSURES

As at, and throughout the year ended 31 December 2023 the parent company of the Group was Buru 
Energy Limited.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

in thousands of AUD

Result of the parent entity

Company 
12 months ended 
31 Dec 2023

Company 
12 months ended 
31 Dec 2022

Total comprehensive loss for the period

(2,756)

(31,093)

Financial position of the parent entity at year end

Current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity of the parent entity at year end

Share capital

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total equity

Refer to note 21 for further information on contingencies.

19,026

35,666

4,217

16,190

304,458

69

(285,051)

19,476

20,482

34,132

5,533

14,376

295,971

550

(276,765)

19,756

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

73

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

19. 

JOINT OPERATIONS

A joint arrangement is an arrangement over which two or more parties have joint control. Joint control 
exists only when decisions about the relevant activities - i.e. those that significantly affect the returns 
of the arrangement - require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control of the arrangement. 
In accordance with AASB 11, the arrangements have been classified as joint operations (whereby 
the jointly controlling parties have rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities relating to the 
arrangement) as opposed to a joint venture because separate vehicles have not been established 
through which activities are conducted. The Group therefore recognises its assets, liabilities, and 
transactions, including its share of those incurred jointly, in its consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated entity has an interest in the following joint operations as at 31 December 2023 whose 
principal activities were oil and gas exploration, development and production.

Permit/Joint  
Operation

December 2023  
Beneficial Interest

December 2022 
Beneficial Interest

L20 1

L21 1

EP 129 2,3

EP 391 2

EP 428 2

EP 431 2

EP 436 2

EP 457 2

EP 458 2

E04/2674

E04/2684

EP 510 (formerly L20-1) 4

L22-2 4

L22-4 4

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

60.00%

60.00%

50.00%

50.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

50.00%

40.00%

40.00%

50.00%

50.00%

25.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Operator

Country

Buru Energy Ltd

Australia

Buru Energy Ltd

Australia

Buru Energy Ltd

Australia

Buru Energy Ltd

Australia

Buru Energy Ltd

Australia

Buru Energy Ltd

Australia

Buru Energy Ltd

Australia

Buru Fitzroy Pty Ltd

Australia

Buru Fitzroy Pty Ltd

Australia

Sipa Resources Ltd

Australia

Sipa Resources Ltd

Australia

Energy Resources Ltd

Australia

Energy Resources Ltd

Australia

Energy Resources Ltd

Australia

1 

In August 2023 Buru entered into an agreement with ROC where Buru resumed 100% ownership of the Ungani Oilfield 

from 30 September 2023, subject to regulatory approvals following the lodgement of the instruments of transfer of the 

permits with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS). Subsequent to the reporting 

period, Buru received $3,367,000 from Roc Oil (Canning) Pty Limited (ROC) as full settlement, termination and release of all 

claims, obligations and liabilities against each other in respect of ROC’s withdrawal from the Ungani Joint Venture. Refer to 

note 26 for further information.

² 

In February 2023, subsequent to Origin Energy’s change of strategic focus away from upstream oil and gas activities, Buru 

acquired Origin’s Canning Basin Joint Venture interests. Refer to note 21 for further disclosure on the Origin transaction 

(excluding EP 457 and EP 458).

Buru’s interest in EP 129 exclude the Backreef Area.

In August 2023, Buru executed a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Energy Resources Limited (MinRes) for the 

sale of 100% its interests in the onshore Carnarvon Basin of Western Australia. The sale was unconditional, and the $5 

million cash proceeds from the transaction was received by Buru in August 2023, with regulatory consents and approvals 

received in September 2023.

³ 

⁴ 

74

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20.  CAPITAL AND OTHER COMMITMENTS 

in thousands of AUD

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Exploration expenditure commitments

Contracted but not yet provided for and payable:

Within one year 

One year later and no later than five years

-

3,000

3,000

127

1,865

1,992

The commitments are required in order to maintain the petroleum exploration permits in which the 
Group has interests in good standing with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation & 
Safety (DEMIRS), and these obligations may be varied from time to time, subject to approval by DEMIRS.

21.  CONTINGENCIES

In February 2023, Buru Energy announced that it has reached an agreement with Origin Energy 
(Origin) to acquire Origin’s Canning Basin Joint Venture interests. Under the terms of the transaction 
as reflected in a withdrawal agreement (Agreement) executed between Origin, Buru and Buru Canning 
Gas Pty Ltd (Buru Canning), Buru Canning, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Buru, will receive Origin’s 
50% participating interest in exploration permits EP 428 (containing the Rafael-1 conventional gas and 
condensate discovery), EP 129, EP 391, EP 431 and EP 436 with Buru and Buru Canning becoming the 
collective 100% owners of these permits. 

Under the terms of the Agreement, Buru will provide to Origin future capped staged contingent 
reimbursement payments of up to a total $34 million, conditional on the achievement of key Rafael 
discovery related development and production milestones. These contingent payments reflect certain 
past costs and costs related to this transaction as incurred by Origin.

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

75

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

22.  RELATED PARTIES

Key management personnel compensation

The key management personnel compensation comprised:

in AUD

Short term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Long term employee benefits

Share-based payments

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

1,889,733

2,343,043

192,783 

18,992

34,611 

238,087 

34,254

- 

2,136,119

2,615,384

Individual directors and executives compensation disclosures

Information regarding individual Directors and executives compensation and some equity instruments 
disclosures as required by Corporations Regulations 2M.3.03 is provided in the Remuneration Report 
section of the Directors’ report on pages 36 to 43.

Apart from the details disclosed in this note, no Director has entered into a material contract with the 
Group since the end of the previous financial year and there were no material contracts involving 
directors’ interests existing at the end of the period.

Other related party transactions 

No other related party transaction has occurred during the reporting period. 

76

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

23.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Credit risk

The carrying amount of the Group’s financial assets represents the Group’s maximum credit exposure. 
The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:

Carrying amount

in thousands of AUD

Note

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits at call

Trade and other receivables 

11a

9

18,197

395

18,592

17,922

913

18,835

The Group’s cash and cash equivalents and term deposits at call are held with bank and financial 
institution counterparties, which are rated at least AA-, based on rating agency Fitch Ratings. 

Trade and other receivables include accrued income on sales of Ungani crude, accrued interest 
receivable from Australian accredited banks, JV receivables and tax amounts receivable from the 
Australian Taxation Office. The Group has elected to measure loss allowances for trade and other 
receivables at an amount equal to the 12 month Expected Credit Loss (ECL). When determining the 
credit risk of a financial asset, the Group considers reasonable and supportable information that is 
relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both the quantitative and qualitative 
information and analysis, based on the Group’s historical experience and informed credit assessment, 
including forward-looking information. The Group assumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has 
increased significantly if it is more than 30 days past due. The Group considers a financial asset to be in 
default when the financial asset is more than 90 days past due. 

As at 31 December 2023, no receivables were more than 30 days past due. No receivables are 
considered to have a material credit risk.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. 
The Group’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have 
sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without 
incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation. This is monitored through 
rolling cash flow forecasts. The Group maintains sufficient cash to safeguard liquidity risk. The following 
are contractual maturities of trade and other payables (excluding provisions) and loans and borrowings.

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

in thousands of AUD

Less than 1 year

1 - 5 years

Less than 1 year

1 - 5 years

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

450

2,670

3,120

999

-

999

1,291

2,048

3,339

2,472

-

2,472

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

77

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as currency rates, interest rates and equity 
prices will affect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective 
of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable 
parameters, while optimising the return.

Currency risk

The Group is exposed to currency risk on sales that are denominated in a currency other than the 
functional currency of the Group (AUD). All sales of crude oil are denominated in US dollars. The Group 
does not hedge its foreign currency exposure.

The Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk at balance date was as follows, based on notional 
amounts: 

in thousands

Cash and cash equivalents

Gross balance sheet exposure

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

AUD

3,282

3,282

USD

2,245

2,245

AUD

119

119

USD

81

81

The average exchange rate from AUD to USD during the period was AUD 1.0000 / USD 0.6644 (Dec 
2022: AUD 1.0000 / USD 0.6947). The reporting date spot rate was AUD 1.0000 / USD 0.6840 (Dec 
2022: AUD 1.0000 / USD 0.6775). A 10 percent strengthening of the Australian dollar against the USD 
over the period would have increased the loss after tax for the financial period by $466,000 (Dec 2022: 
increased loss after tax by $1,392,000). A 10 percent weakening of the Australian dollar against the 
USD over the period would have decreased the loss after tax for the financial period by $466,000 (Dec 
2022: decreased loss after tax by $1,392,000). This analysis assumes that all other variables remain 
constant.

Commodity price risk

The Group is exposed to commodity price fluctuations through the sale of Ungani crude at a differential 
against the dated Brent crude. The Group does not hedge its commodity price exposure and the Group 
did not enter into any commodity derivative contracts during the year.

78

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Interest rate risk

At balance date the Group’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relate primarily to the 
Group’s short term cash deposits. The interest rate risk is only applicable to interest revenue as the 
Group does not have any short or long term borrowings. The Group constantly analyses its exposure to 
interest rates, with consideration given to potential renewal of the terms of existing deposits. Fixed rate 
instruments are term deposits held with bank and financial institution counterparties and are available at 
call, therefore the fair value approximates the carrying amount. 

At the reporting date the Group’s interest-bearing financial instruments were as follows:

in thousands of AUD

Fixed rate instruments

Lease liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents with fixed interest

Total fixed interest bearing financial assets

in thousands of AUD

Variable rate instruments

Carrying amount

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

1,394

11,263

12,657

3,763

12,713

16,476

Carrying amount

31 Dec 2023

31 Dec 2022

Cash and cash equivalents with variable interest

Total variable interest bearing financial assets

6,934

6,934

5,209

5,209

A change of 100 basis points in interest rates at the reporting date would have increased/(decreased) 
equity and profit or loss after tax by $69,340 (2022: $52,090). This analysis assumes that all other 
variables remain constant. 

Capital management

The Group’s objective when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, 
so as to maintain future exploration and development of its projects. Capital consists of share capital 
of the Group. In order to maintain or adjust its capital structure, Buru Energy may in the future return 
capital to shareholders, issue new shares, borrow funds from financiers or farm-down / sell assets. Buru 
Energy’s focus has been to maintain sufficient funds to fund exploration and development activities.

24.  CHANGES IN MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Group has adopted all accounting standards and interpretations that had a mandatory application 
for this reporting period which did not have material impact.

25.  STANDARDS ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE

A number of new accounting standards are effective for annual periods beginning after 1 January 
2023 and earlier application is permitted. However, the Group has not early adopted the following 
new or amended accounting standards in preparing these consolidated financial statements. New 
and amended accounting standards are not expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s 
consolidated financial statements. 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

79

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

26.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On 1 January 2024 Buru withdrew from the EP 458 Joint Operating Agreement, with Buru assigning its 
60% interest and Operatorship of the permit to JV partner Rey Resources. At year end no value was 
attributed to EP 458.

On 8 March 2024, the Company executed a Deed of Settlement, Termination and Release with Roc Oil 
Company Pty Limited (ROC) and subsequently received $3.4 million from ROC in exchange for releasing 
ROC from its obligations relating to future decommissioning activity for the Ungani Oilfield. 

No other significant events have occurred subsequent to balance date that in the opinion of the 
directors has significantly affected, or may significantly affect in future financial years:

• 
• 
• 

The Group’s operations; or
The results of those operations; or
The Group’s state of affairs.

27.  AUDITORS’ REMUNERATION

Audit services

KPMG Australia: Audit and review of financial reports

KPMG Australia: Audit of Joint Venture reports

KPMG Australia: Audit of Traditional Owner Royalty Statements

31 Dec 2023 
($)

31 Dec 2022 
($)

90,000

4,500

5,000

99,500

90,000

3,267

2,500

95,767

All amounts payable to the Auditors of the Company were paid or payable by the parent entity.

80

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

1 

In the opinion of the Directors of Buru Energy Limited (‘the Company’):

(a) 

 the consolidated financial statements and notes that are contained on pages 45 to 80 and the 
Remuneration report in the Directors’ report, set out on pages 36 to 43 are in accordance with the 
Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i) 

(ii) 

 Giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 31 December 2023 and of its 
performance, for the financial period ended on that date; and

 Complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting 
Interpretations) and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

(b)   There are reasonable grounds to believe that the Group will be able to pay its debts as and when they 

become due and payable.

2 

3 

 The Directors have been given the declarations required by Section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 
from the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, for the year ended 31 December 2023.

 The Directors draw attention to the consolidated financial statements, which includes a statement of 
compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors:

Mr Eric Streitberg 
Non-executive Chairman 

Perth 
25 March 2024 

Mr Robert Willes
Non-executive Director 

Perth
25 March 2024

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the shareholders of Buru Energy Limited  

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Report on the audit of the Financial Report 

To the shareholders of Buru Energy Limited  

Opinion 
Report on the audit of the Financial Report 

We have audited the Financial Report of 
Buru Energy Limited (the Company). 

Opinion 
In our opinion, the accompanying Financial 
Report of the Company is in accordance with the 
We have audited the Financial Report of 
Corporations Act 2001, including:  
Buru Energy Limited (the Company). 
•  Giving a true and fair view of the Group’s 
In our opinion, the accompanying Financial 
financial position as at 31 December 2023 
Report of the Company is in accordance with the 
and of its financial performance for the year 
Corporations Act 2001, including:  
ended on that date; and 

•  Giving a true and fair view of the Group’s 
•  Complying with Australian Accounting 
financial position as at 31 December 2023 
Standards and the Corporations Regulations 
and of its financial performance for the year 
2001. 
ended on that date; and 

•  Complying with Australian Accounting 

Basis for opinion 

Standards and the Corporations Regulations 
2001. 

The Financial Report comprises:  

•  Consolidated statement of financial position as at 

31 December 2023; 

•  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
The Financial Report comprises:  
or loss, Consolidated statement of changes in 
•  Consolidated statement of financial position as at 
equity, and Consolidated statement of cash flows 
31 December 2023; 
for the year then ended; 

•  Directors’ Declaration. 

•  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
•  Notes, including material accounting policies; and 
or loss, Consolidated statement of changes in 
equity, and Consolidated statement of cash flows 
for the year then ended; 
The Group consists of the Company and the entities 
it controlled at the year-end or from time to time 
•  Notes, including material accounting policies; and 
during the financial year. 
•  Directors’ Declaration. 

The Group consists of the Company and the entities 
it controlled at the year-end or from time to time 
during the financial year. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. We believe that the audit 
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Basis for opinion 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the 
audit of the Financial Report section of our report.  
We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. We believe that the audit 
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical 
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 
requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the 
Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of 
audit of the Financial Report section of our report.  
the Financial Report in Australia. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
these requirements.  
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical 
requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for 
Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of 
Key Audit Matters 
the Financial Report in Australia. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
these requirements.  
Key Audit Matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our 
audit of the Financial Report of the current period. 

Key Audit Matters 
This matter was addressed in the context of our audit of the Financial Report as a whole, and in forming 
our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on this matter. 
Key Audit Matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our 
audit of the Financial Report of the current period. 

This matter was addressed in the context of our audit of the Financial Report as a whole, and in forming 
our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on this matter. 

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated 
with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and 
logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organisation. Liability limited 
by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated 
with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and 
logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organisation. Liability limited 
by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

82

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Exploration and Evaluation Expenditure Capitalised of $14.8m 

Refer to Note 7 to the Financial Report 

The key audit matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure (E&E) 
capitalised is a key audit matter due to:  

•  The significance of the balance (being 41% of 

total assets); and 

•  The greater level of audit effort to evaluate the 
Group’s application of the requirements of the 
industry specific accounting standard AASB 6 
Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral 
Resources, in particular the conditions allowing 
capitalisation of relevant expenditure and 
presence of impairment indicators. The 
presence of impairment indicators would 
necessitate a detailed analysis by the Group of 
the value of capitalised E&E. Given the criticality 
of this to the scope and depth of our work, we 
involved senior team members to challenge the 
Group’s determination that no such indicators 
existed.  

In assessing the conditions allowing capitalisation of 
relevant expenditure, we focused on: 

•  The determination of the areas of interest; 

•  Documentation available regarding rights to 
tenure, via licensing, and compliance with 
relevant conditions, to maintain current rights to 
an area of interest and the authoritative nature of 
external registry sources, together with the 
Group’s intention and capacity to continue the 
relevant E&E activities; and 

•  The Group’s determination of whether the 

capitalised E&E are expected to be recouped 
through successful development and 
exploitation of the area of interest, or 
alternatively, by its sale.  

In assessing the presence of impairment indicators, 
we focused on those that may draw into question 
the commercial continuation of E&E activities for 
areas of interest where significant capitalised E&E 
exists. In addition to the assessments above, and 
given the financial position of the Group, we paid 
particular attention to the ability of the Group to fund 
the continuation of activities. 

These assessments can be inherently difficult, 
particularly in uncertain conditions such as those 
currently being experienced in Australian oil and gas 
exploration. 

Further to the above, the Group acquired its joint 
venture (JV) partner’s participating interest in 
exploration permits EP 428, and EP 457 during the 
year. 

Our audit procedures included: 

•  Evaluating the Group’s accounting policy to 
recognise exploration and evaluation assets 
using the criteria in the accounting standard; 

•  We assessed the Group’s determination of its 
areas of interest for consistency with the 
definition in the accounting standard. This 
involved analysing the licenses in which the 
Group holds an interest and the exploration 
programs planned for those for consistency with 
documentation such as license related technical 
conditions, and joint venture agreements, 
planned work programs, and active and 
significant operations in the areas of interest by 
the Group; 

•  We assessed the assignment of exploration 

permits (EP428 and EP457) from the JV partner 
on the Rafael project through inspection of the 
exit agreement and government registries; 

•  For each area of interest, we assessed the 

Group’s current rights to tenure by comparing 
the ownership of the relevant license to 
government registries and agreements in place 
with other parties. We also assessed 
compliance with conditions, such as minimum 
expenditure requirements; 

•  We tested the Group’s additions to capitalised 
E&E for the year by evaluating a sample of 
recorded expenditure for consistency to 
underlying records and the capitalisation 
requirements of the accounting standard; 

•  We evaluated Group documents, such as 

minutes of Board meetings for consistency with 
their stated intentions for continuing E&E in 
certain areas. We corroborated this through 
interviews with key operational and finance 
personnel; 

•  We analysed the Group’s determination of 

recoupment through successful development 
and exploitation of the area or by its sale by 
evaluating the Group’s documentation of 
planned future/continuing activities including 
work programs and project and corporate 
budgets for each area; and 

•  We obtained project and corporate budgets 
identifying areas with existing funding. We 
compared this for consistency with areas with 
E&E, for evidence of the ability to fund 
continued activities.   

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Other Information 

Other Information is financial and non-financial information in Buru Energy Limited’s annual report which is 
provided in addition to the Financial Report and the Auditor’s Report. The Directors are responsible for the 
Other Information. 

Our opinion on the Financial Report does not cover the Other Information and, accordingly, we do not 
express an audit opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon, with the exception of the 
Remuneration report and our related assurance opinion. 

In connection with our audit of the Financial Report, our responsibility is to read the Other Information. In 
doing so, we consider whether the Other Information is materially inconsistent with the Financial Report or 
our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

We are required to report if we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this Other Information, 
and based on the work we have performed on the Other Information that we obtained prior to the date of 
this Auditor’s Report we have nothing to report. 

Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report 

The Directors are responsible for: 

•  Preparing the Financial Report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting 

Standards and the Corporations Act 2001;  

• 

Implementing necessary internal control to enable the preparation of a Financial Report that gives a true 
and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; and 

•  Assessing the Group and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and whether the use of the 
going concern basis of accounting is appropriate. This includes disclosing, as applicable, matters related 
to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate 
the Group and Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.  

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report 

Our objective is: 

•  To obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Report as a whole is 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 Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error. They 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 the 
Financial Report. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report is located at the Auditing and 
Assurance Standards Board website at: https://www.auasb.gov.au/admin/file/content102/c3/ar1_2020.pdf. 
This description forms part of our Auditor’s Report. 

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Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Report on the Remuneration Report

Opinion 

Directors’ responsibilities 

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of 
Buru Energy Limited for the year ended 
31 December 2023, complies with Section 300A 
of the Corporations Act 2001. 

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the 
preparation and presentation of the Remuneration 
Report in accordance with Section 300A of the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

Our responsibilities 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in 
pages 36 to 43 of the Directors’ report for the year 
ended 31 December 2023.  

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted 
in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. 

KPMG 

Graham Hogg 

Partner 

Perth  

25 March 2024 

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

85

ADDITIONAL ASX INFORMATION

Additional information required by the ASX Limited Listing Rules and not disclosed elsewhere in this report is 
set out below.

The distribution of ordinary shares ranked according to size as at 29 February 2024 was as follows:

Category

Ordinary Shares

100,001 and Over

10,001 to 100,000

5,001 to 10,000

1,001 to 5,000

1 to 1,000

Total

586,758,691

72,612,057

6,731,612

4,887,582

355,140

671,345,082

Unmarketable Parcels

4,249,916

%

87.4

10.82

1.003

0.728

0.053

100

0.633

No of Holders

787

1,996

880

1,633

911

6,207

2,341

%

12.68

32.16

14.18

26.31

14.68

100

37.72

86

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023ADDITIONAL ASX INFORMATION

The 20 largest ordinary shareholders of the ordinary shares as at 29 February 2024 were as follows:

Rank 

Name

Number of ordinary shares

%

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

BIRKDALE ENTERPRISES PTY LTD 

CHEMCO PTY LTD 

MR ERIC CHARLES STREITBERG 

COOGEE RESOURCES PTY LTD 

AUSTRADE HOLDINGS PTY LTD 

BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 

TAPERSLEE PTY LTD 

WANDJI INVESTMENTS LIMITED 

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 

TWINSOUTH HOLDINGS PTY LTD 

PARAMON HOLDINGS PTY LTD 

CHARRINGTON PTY LTD 

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT GROUP PTY LTD 

FLEXIPLAN MANAGEMENT PTY LTD 

MR MARC ARONSTEN 

MR ILIA LAKAEV & MRS GLORIA LAKAEV 

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 

JH NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD 

AMK INVESTMENTS (WA) PTY LTD 

EAST ARNHEM TRADING PTY LTD 

20

SINO PORTFOLIO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED 

Total twenty largest shareholders

Balance of register 

Total register 

61,294,092

31,640,097

18,776,068

18,666,667

14,000,000

11,080,886

10,757,468

9,572,400

7,558,600

7,260,000

7,260,000

6,498,871

6,351,228

6,207,910

5,588,181

5,000,000

4,504,681

4,400,000

4,233,183

4,000,000

3,820,588

248,470,920

422,874,162

671,345,082

9.13

4.71

2.80

2.78

2.09

1.65

1.60

1.43

1.13

1.08

1.08

0.97

0.95

0.92

0.83

0.74

0.67

0.66

0.63

0.60

0.57

37.01

62.99

100.00

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023

87

ADDITIONAL ASX INFORMATION

The following interests were registered on the Company’s register of Substantial Shareholders as at 29 
February 2024:

Shareholder

Number of ordinary shares

Birkdale Enterprises Pty Ltd

Chemco Pty Ltd

61,294,092

50,306,764

%

9.13

7.49

VOTING RIGHTS

ORDINARY SHARES
At a general meeting of shareholders:

(a) On a show of hands, each person who is a member or sole proxy has one vote.

(b) On a poll, each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each fully paid share.

UNLISTED OPTIONS
There are no voting rights attached to the unlisted options.

OTHER INFORMATION

Buru Energy Limited, incorporated and domiciled in Australia, is a publicly listed company limited by shares.

The Company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. ASX Code: BRU

The Company and its controlled entities schedule of interests in permits as at 29 February 2024 were as 
follows:

PERMIT

TYPE

OWNERSHIP

BURU INTEREST

OPERATOR

L6 1

L8

L17

L20

L21

EP 129 1

EP 391 

EP 428 

EP 431 

EP 436 

EP 457 

Production licence

Production licence

Production licence

Production licence

Production licence

Exploration permit

Exploration permit

Exploration permit

Exploration permit

Exploration permit

Exploration permit

E04/2674

Exploration permit

E04/2684

Exploration permit

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

60.00%

50.00%

50.00%

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Energy Ltd

Buru Fitzroy Pty Ltd

Buru Fitzroy Pty Ltd

Battmin Pty Ltd

Sipa Resources Pty Ltd

Battmin Pty Ltd

Sipa Resources Pty Ltd

1 

Buru’s interest in L6 and EP 129 exclude the Backreef Area

88

Buru Energy Ltd - Annual Report 2023www.buruenergy.com