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2017 Annual Report

Cooper Energy Limited
ABN 93 096 170 295

Reporting Period,  
Terms and Abbreviations 

Annual Report

This document has been prepared to 
provide shareholders with an overview  
of Cooper Energy Limited’s performance  
for the 2017 financial year and its outlook. 
The Annual Report is mailed to shareholders 
who elect to receive a copy and is available 
free of charge on request (see Shareholder 
Information printed in this Report).

The Annual Report and other information 
about the company can be accessed  
via the company’s website at  
www.cooperenergy.com.au

Notice of Meeting

The 2017 Annual General Meeting of Cooper 
Energy Limited ABN 93 096 170 295 (“the 
company”) will be held at 10.30 am (ACDT) 
on Thursday, 9  November 2017 in the  
PwC Building, Level 11, 70 Franklin Street, 
Adelaide, South Australia.

A formal Notice of Meeting has been mailed 
to shareholders.  Additional copies can  
be obtained from the company’s registered 
office or downloaded from its website at 
www.cooperenergy.com.au

Abbreviations and terms

Reserves and resources 

This Report uses terms and abbreviations 
relevant to the company’s accounts and  
the petroleum industry.

The terms “the company” and “Cooper 
Energy” and “the Group” are used in this 
report to refer to Cooper Energy Limited 
and/or its subsidiaries. The terms “2017”, 
“FY17” or “2017 financial year” refer to 
the 12 months ended 30 June 2017 unless 
otherwise stated. References to “2016”, 
“FY16” or other years refer to the  
12 months ended 30 June of that year.

Other abbreviations

bbl: barrels of oil

boe: barrels of oil equivalent

bopd: barrels of oil per day

$: Australian dollars

FEED: Front End Engineering & Design

FID: Final Investment Decision

FTE: Full Time Equivalent

GJ: gigajoules

HSEC: health, safety, environment and 
community

km: kilometres

LNG: liquefied natural gas

LTI: lost time injury

m: metres

MMbbl: million barrels of oil

Cooper Energy reports its reserves and 
resources according to the SPE (Society of 
Petroleum Engineers) Petroleum Resources 
Management System guidelines (PRMS). 

Reserves are those quantities of petroleum 
anticipated to be commercially recoverable 
by application of development projects  
to known accumulations from a given date 
forward under defined conditions.

Contingent resources are those quantities 
of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, 
to be potentially recoverable from known 
accumulations but the applied project(s)  
are not yet considered mature enough for 
commercial development due to one or 
more contingencies.

In PRMS, the range of uncertainty is 
characterised by three specific scenarios 
reflecting low, best and high case  
outcomes from the project. The terminology 
is different depending on which class 
is appropriate for the project, but the 
underlying principle is the same regardless 
of the level of maturity. In summary, if the 
project satisfies all the criteria for Reserves, 
the low, best and high estimates are 
designated as proved (1P), proved plus 
probable (2P) and proved plus probable 
plus possible (3P), respectively. The 
equivalent terms for contingent resources 
are 1C, 2C and 3C.

MMboe: million barrels of oil equivalent

Rounding

Numbers in this report have been rounded. 
As a result, some figures may differ 
insignificantly due to rounding and totals 
reported may differ insignificantly from 
arithmetic addition of the rounded numbers.

NOPTA: National Offshore Petroleum Title 
Administrator

PJ: petajoules

PRMS: Petroleum Resources Management 
System

SCF: standard cubic feet

SPE: Society of Petroleum Engineers

TRCFR: Total recordable case  
frequency rate

1C: Low estimate contingent resources 

2C: Best estimate contingent resources 

3C: High estimate contingent resources 

1P: Proved reserves

2P: Proved & probable reserves

3P: Proved, probable & possible reserves

Front cover: Work on the Sole gas project commenced during the year. Cover shows horizontal directional drilling to establish the  
subsurface shore crossing to link the Orbost Gas Plant with the pipeline to be laid from the Sole gas field in 2018.

We find, develop and commercialise oil and gas.

We do this with care and strive to provide 
attractive returns for our shareholders and good 
commercial outcomes for our customers.

Darwin

Perth

Brisbane

Adelaide

Sydney

Melbourne

Hobart

Onshore Otway Basin

Offshore Otway Basin

Cooper Basin

Gippsland Basin

•  Gas exploration acreage

•  Casino Henry, Minerva  
gas production projects
•  Gas exploration acreage

•  Western flank oil  

production and exploration

• Sole gas project
• Manta gas resource
• Patricia-Baleen infrastructure

Key features:

Key figures: 

•  gas production, reserves and projects  

For the year ended 30 June 2017

for supply to south-east Australia

•  cash generating oil production from 

the western flank of the Cooper Basin

•  a 5 times growth trajectory in the 

period to FY20 through projects in train

•  a management team and board with 
proven success in exploration, gas 
commercialisation and building  
resource companies

Production:

Gas: 4 PJ 
Crude oil & condensate: 280,000 bbl

Net (debt)/cash:

$147.5 million

2P reserves:

11.7 million boe

Contingent resources:

77.6 million boe

Shares on issue:

1,140.3 million

1

The year in brief

Key themes 

Building a portfolio style gas business to supply south-east Australia

•  acquired gas production, plant, uncontracted gas and exploration  

interests in the Otway Basin

•  acquired interests that give 100% equity in the Sole gas field and  

Orbost Gas Plant; and 100% interest in Patricia-Baleen

•  first revenue as gas supplier  

•  contracted 104 PJ for future supply

•  2P gas reserves taken from zero to 56 PJ at 30 June, and 305 PJ after year-end

Sole gas project advancing to first gas in 2019

•  agreement with APA Group for the sale and upgrade of Orbost Gas Plant and 

processing of Sole and Manta gas

•  Sole gas project approved as ready to proceed

•  project funding and FID announced after year end

Building a leading mid-tier oil and gas company

•  2P reserves increased by 290% to 11.7 MMboe at 30 June

•  appointment as Operator of offshore Otway Basin and Gippsland Basin licences

•  team, management and systems upgraded consistent with new responsibilities

•  admission to S&P/ASX 300 post-year-end

11.7

0.96

0.59

0.49

0.48

0.46

2.16

2.01

3.08

3.00

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017

Proved & probable reserves
million boe at 30 June

2

Production 
million boe, 12 months to 30 June

Key results 

Financial

•  revenue of $39.1 million, up from $27.4 million

•  significant non-operating items of $(3.6) million after tax 

•  statutory net loss after tax of $12.3 million compared with  

FY16 loss after tax of $34.8 million 

•  underlying net loss after tax of $8.7 million, down from FY16 

underlying loss of $2.8 million

•  cash flow from operating activities of $4.1 million, down  

from $7.9 million

•  cash and investments of $148.2 million, up from $50.8 million  

at 30 June 2016

Operations: production, reserves, resources and exploration

•  1 recordable incident, zero lost time injuries

•  Total Recordable Case Frequency Rate of 1.98 per million hours

•  production of 0.96 million boe, up from 0.46 million boe

•  9 wells drilled; 7 successful 

Safety: lost time injuries  
and recordable cases
rate per million hours worked

4.50

4.00

3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00

1.98

0.00

2013      2014     2015     2016      2017

TRCFR

LTI

Proved & Probable Reserves
MMboe as at 30 June 2017

•  proved and probable reserves of 11.7 million boe, up from  

1.8

3.0 million boe

•  contingent resources (2C) of 78 million boe, up from  

9.9

64 million boe

Gas

Oil & condensate

433

166

123

81

94

0.51

0.38

0.38

0.25

0.22

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017

Market capitalisation
$ million as at 30 June

Share price
cents per share at 30 June

3

Chairman’s Report
John Conde AO

Shareholders, whose support 
for capital raisings enabled this 
transformation, have benefited with  
a total shareholder return over the  
12 months to 30 June of 72.7%.

It is important that the key factors 
underlying what appears a ‘break-
out’ year are noted so that the 
strength of the company’s year-end 
position is appreciated. I highlight 
the main points.

1)  The progress made in FY17  

was the product of a visionary  
gas strategy executed patiently 
over the preceding 5 years,  
as long term shareholders would 
be aware. The growth achieved 
during the year was possible 
because (a) Cooper Energy 
identified and responded quickly 
to value accretive opportunities 
consistent with its strategy and (b) 
had equity market support for its 
strategy and management team.

2)  While the company’s business has 
changed significantly, the values 
which underpin its strategy have 
not changed. An ongoing, over-
arching focus on care and total 
shareholder return is considered 
essential to delivering ongoing 
returns for shareholders and 
capturing the full potential of the 
company’s position. 

3)  Throughout this period, the 

company has retained a stable 
board and senior management, 
all of whom recognised, and were 
committed to, the company’s 
strategy. The company has also 
promptly anticipated additional 
requirements brought by its 
success and opportunities and 
has strengthened further the 
company’s senior management 
team, and recruited operational 
staff and contractors. The 
company is resourced 
appropriately to manage current 
and future opportunities. 

I am pleased that Mr Hector Gordon 
accepted a board position as non-
executive director after retiring from 
his executive involvement. He was 
previously an executive director. 
Hector’s guidance and oversight of 
the company’s technical matters has 
been invaluable and I am delighted 
that shareholders will continue to 
have the benefit of his knowledge and 
counsel as a member of the board.

The financial results for the year are, 
to a large degree, reflective of the 
costs of acquiring and integrating 
gas assets with the supporting 
systems and approvals. A statutory 
loss of $12.3 million was recorded for 
the 12 months to 30 June 2017. This 
compares with the 2016 statutory loss 
of $34.8 million. 

The board’s decision in March to  
approve the Sole gas project  
as ‘ready to proceed’ was most 
significant. 

The completion of an over-
subscribed capital raising in 
April raised $151 million in equity 
funding for the project, enabling 
work to proceed in advance of the 
finalisation of debt funding. The 
project is proceeding according to 
schedule and budget.

The company’s balance sheet and  
reserve position changed 
significantly post-balance-date 
with the announcement of the debt 
and equity finance package that 
will complete funding for the Sole 
project and provide additional 
capital for other opportunities and 
commitments within the company’s 
portfolio. The financing solution in 
place for the project is considered 
prudent given the cashflow 
anticipated from Sole, the company’s 
capital management forecasts and 
the maintenance of a conservative 
gearing position. 

Fellow shareholders,

I am pleased to present 
your company’s annual 
report for the 2017 
financial year. 

The year was successful 
and transformational. 

The transactions, associated capital 
raisings and project developments 
have brought substantial change 
and growth. Cooper Energy today 
is enhanced dramatically from the 
enterprise it was at 1 July 2016. 

The company now generates the 
majority of its revenue from the 
production and supply of gas. 
Our acreage and asset portfolio 
is weighted towards offshore 
Victoria. Market capitalisation has 
increased from $94 million at 1 July 
2016 to over $400 million at 30 June 
2017. Our principal business has 
expanded from minority onshore 
oil production interests to being the 
Operator and major, and in some 
cases sole, interest holder of offshore 
gas exploration, development and 
production. 

4

In closing, I acknowledge and  
thank our Managing Director,  
David Maxwell, his expanded 
executive team, and indeed all of  
our employees, for their unstinting  
work in making the exceptional 
progress reported in this Annual 
Report. I thank also our share-
holders and other stakeholders 
for their confidence and support, 
I acknowledge and thank our 
advisors, bankers, brokers and 
underwriters, and I thank our 
auditors – all for their thoroughness 
and diligence and for their integrity 
which we value greatly.

Finally, I thank my colleagues on  
the board and our Company 
Secretary for their counsel and 
support during a year which has 
required many extraordinary 
meetings and discussions.

John Conde AO 
Chairman

The finalisation of funding for Sole  
enabled the declaration of the Final 
Investment Decision for the Sole 
project and the reclassification of the 
field’s gas resource. Consequently, 
proved and probable reserves as at  
the date of this report are substantially  
different from the figures at 30 June 
2017 reported in this document. 
Proved and probable reserves at 
25 August were 54.1 million boe 
compared to 11.7 million boe at  
30 June 2017 and 3.0 million boe at 
the beginning of FY17. 

As the Managing Director outlines 
in his report, Sole will deliver a 
substantial increase in production 
and revenue to Cooper Energy 
when it commences production, 
which is anticipated in the first half 
of calendar 2019. From a broader 
perspective, the project will deliver  
a new source of gas supply to  
south-east Australia at a time of  
great market need. 

Within Cooper Energy there  
is a sense of pride in the role your 
company has played in making 
the Sole gas project a reality and 
appreciation for the contributions 
from our shareholders, customers, 
financiers and project partners 
including APA Group. This is an 
achievement which is noteworthy: 
Cooper Energy, which had a market 
value of $94 million at the beginning 
of the financial year, has, with the 
support attracted from debt and 
equity markets, and APA Group, 
been able to bring a $605 million 
gas project to Final Investment 
Decision. Moreover, the company’s 
capital management has enabled 
this outcome to be achieved while 
retaining 100% equity in Sole’s 
gas reserves, thereby retaining 
for Cooper Energy shareholders 
the maximum exposure to value 
increments from higher gas 
prices and the passage of project 
development.

5

Managing Director’s Report
David Maxwell

-  production of gas in the offshore 

-  geographic; our sphere of 

Otway Basin;

-  the Sole gas project under 
construction in the offshore 
Gippsland Basin;

-  a range of supply contracts with 

blue-chip gas buyers;

-  gas development opportunities and 
prospective gas exploration acreage 
in the Gippsland and Otway basins; 
and 

-  low-cost oil production assets in the 
western flank of the Cooper Basin. 

With the core assets in place, the 
focus of our gas strategy has shifted to 
value creation through development, 
production and marketing of our gas 
and safe, efficient operations.

The details of the company’s assets, 
financial and operating results for 
the 2017 financial year are provided 
in the sections titled Reserves and 
Resources, Review of Operations, 
Operating and Financial Review and 
the financial statements included 
in this Annual Report. I will review 
the key features of Cooper Energy’s 
performance and position, discuss 
their significance, and finally address 
our plans and expectations for your 
company’s future.

Company transformation 

The twelve months to 30 June 2017 
was a transformational year in almost 
every aspect of the company:

-  business; the revenue, production 

and reserves base shifted from 100% 
reliance on oil to predominantly gas.

-  scope of responsibilities; the 

company has shifted from being 
predominantly a non-operator  
to being Operator in respect of the 
most significant parts of its business, 
encompassing operatorship  
of offshore exploration, project 
development and production 
operations.

operations is now focussed entirely 
on Australia. Cooper Energy ceased 
operations outside the country with 
divestment and withdrawal from the 
previously remaining Indonesian  
and Tunisian interests. 

-  production and reserves; annual 
production rose by 105% and 2P 
reserves by 290%.

-  organisation; the number of 

employees and contractors engaged 
by the company at 30 June was  
41 full time equivalent (FTE),  
up from 25 at the start of the year.  
On 1 July 2017, the corresponding 
figure was 75 persons FTE. The new 
employees include senior executives 
with experience in offshore gas 
development and operations who 
have also joined the Management 
Team. Contractors engaged 
specifically on the Sole gas project 
accounted for 30 FTE.

-  capital structure and valuation; the 
completion of two capital raisings 
saw the company finish the year 
with issued capital of 1,140.3 million 
shares, compared with 435.2 million 
at 30 June 2016. In this same period 
the market capitalisation increased 
360% from $94 million to $433 million.  
The company now ranks among the 
larger mid-tier Australian oil and  
gas companies.

-  Balance sheet and capital 

management; the company’s 
balance sheet is in the midst of 
change as Cooper Energy proceeds 
through development of the Sole 
gas project. Cash on hand at 
year-end rose from $49.8 million 
to $147.5 million and debt finance 
initiatives conducted during the 
year culminated post-balance-date 
with the signing of senior secured 
reserve based lending facilities 
with ANZ and Natixis, a leading 
French bank. Further discussion of 
the company’s capital management 
follows on page 10.

In 2011, your company 
identified a future 
business opportunity 
in the supply of gas to 
south-east Australia 
where it anticipated 
a tightening market 
following the onset of 
LNG manufacture in 
Queensland.

This forecast has been 
proven accurate.

By the conclusion of the 2017 financial 
year, Cooper Energy was favourably 
positioned as a gas producer, 
operator and developer of gas 
projects and holder of a significant 
volume of uncontracted gas available 
for supply in the coming 13 years.

The improvement in the company’s 
market capitalisation over the course 
of the year and its subsequent 
admission to the S&P/ASX300 index, 
evidences market recognition of 
Cooper Energy’s position and outlook. 

Cooper Energy has completed the 
establishment phase of its strategy; 
the restructuring of the asset portfolio 
to focus on Australia and creating 
a cash-generating, portfolio-style 
gas business. Our asset base now 
comprises:

6

Victorian gas asset acquisition

A pivotal event in this transformation 
was the acquisition of a portfolio of gas 
assets in Victoria from Santos Limited. 

The transaction, for initial cash 
consideration of $62 million and 
a further $20 million milestone 
payment, involved the acquisition of 
offshore acreage in the Otway and 
Gippsland basins holding a net  
61 petajoules of proved and probable 
gas reserves and 143 PJ of contingent 
2C gas resources effective from 
1 January. Details of the assets 
acquired and their contribution  
to the year’s production is included 
in the Review of Operations and 
Operating and Financial Review from 
pages 16 and 34 respectively. 

Importantly, the transaction delivered 
five key advances which accelerated 
our gas strategy and which have 
recast the company’s outlook:

1.  Immediate access to the south-
east Australian gas market,  
and increased revenue, from  
cost-competitive Otway Basin 
production. Cooper Energy’s 
participation in the gas market has 
been accelerated. The company 
is now supplying gas to south-
east Australia and is marketing 
uncontracted Otway Basin gas for 
supply from March 2018. The cash 
generated by the Otway Basin gas 
assets has been instrumental in 
securing funding for the company’s 
Gippsland Basin gas projects.

2.  100% ownership of Gippsland 
Basin gas assets. Moving to  
100% equity in the Sole gas field 
has substantially upgraded the 
gas resources and future earnings 
available to the company from  
Sole and simplified the pathway  
for development of the field and 
the adjacent Manta gas field,  

which is also wholly-owned by 
Cooper Energy. 

3.  Upgrade to operational and 
technical capabilities and 
resources. Cooper Energy was 
appointed Operator of the Casino 
Henry, Sole and Patricia-Baleen 
projects and the VIC/P44 licence.  
A comprehensive process was 
undertaken to ensure all saftey and 
environmental management plans 
were in place and to the satisfaction 
of regulators and for the company 
to demonstrate fitness to operate 
offshore petroleum operations. 
Cooper Energy is now among the 
few independent Australian oil and 
gas offshore production operating 
companies, a feature which adds to 
our value as a joint venture partner 
and expands portfolio options.

 The company’s talent pool of 
operational professional staff 
has been enlarged with the 

Bottle manufacture by O-I, Australia’s largest glass container manufacturer and  
the foundation customer for gas from the Sole gas field.

7

 
Managing Director’s Report 
David Maxwell

recruitment of technical and 
senior executive staff with proven 
experience in offshore project 
development and operation, 
including in the assets acquired. 

 The acquisition of the offshore 
Otway Basin assets has also  
provided access to a comprehensive  
suite of geological data, which has 
been integrated onto the Cooper 
Energy technical platform.

4.  Addition of prospective gas 
exploration acreage. The 
company’s prospects and leads 
inventory has been transformed 
by the gas exploration potential of 
the offshore Otway Basin acreage 
acquired. The region is highly 
prospective for gas, with exploration 
having recorded good success  
rates and resulted in a number 
of field developments. Technical 
review and analysis indicates the 
presence of a number of gas  
exploration targets, the development 
economics of which are enhanced 
by the proximity of pipeline and 
processing infrastructure.

 5.  Upgraded production outlook. 

The Otway Basin gas assets added 
by the acquisition are expected  
to drive three consecutive years 
of production growth for Cooper 
Energy, prior to a further step-up  
in 2020 brought by the Sole  
gas project.

Sole gas project

The decision by the company’s board 
of directors in March 2017 to approve 
the Sole gas project as ‘ready to 
proceed’ was affirmed after year-end 
with the announcement of a finance 
package and the declaration of Final 
Investment Decision. The project 
will develop the Sole gas field to 
supply approximately 24 petajoules 
of gas per annum from 2019, thereby 
bringing a new source of gas for 
south-east Australia. 

Commercial and technical work 
completed during the year supported 
the commercialisation of the field 

8

through reducing technical and 
construction risk and capital cost. 

approximately 25 PJ of gas in its first 
full year of production.

As a result, the project differs in a 
number of respects from that outlined 
in the previous year’s annual report. 
The key features of the project include:

-  a two-well development concept, 
which provides reduced risk and 
increases proved and probable 
reserves by 7 PJ;

-  separate but coordinated offshore 
and onshore elements following 
the signing of agreements which 
include the sale of the Orbost Gas 
Plant to APA Group Limited (APA). 
Cooper Energy will undertake the 
offshore development, including 
shore crossing, and APA will 
upgrade and operate the plant to 
process gas from Sole under a pre-
determined tariff. The anticipated 
cost of the offshore development to 
be undertaken by Cooper Energy 
is $355 million;

-  180 PJ of the field’s gas has been 
contracted under long-term take-
or-pay contracts to a portfolio of 
four gas buyers; AGL Energy, 
EnergyAustralia, Alinta Energy and 
O-I Australia. The balance is to be 
retained for contracting at a later 
date as value determines;

-  fixed price contracting for the 

majority (estimated to be 62%) of 
Cooper Energy’s project costs; and

-  a completion schedule which 
provides for first gas into the 
upgraded Sole plant in March 2019 
and sales from mid-2019.

Work on Sole is proceeding in accord 
with the project budget and schedule. 
Further details on the Sole project are 
contained in the Review of Operations 
on page 18.

Manta gas project 

Development of the Manta gas and 
liquids resources adjacent to Sole has 
been identified as a second-stage gas 
development in the Gippsland Basin. 
The project is forecast to produce 

As discussed on page 19, the case for 
Manta development was advanced 
during the year by stronger demand 
and price indications, agreement 
with APA on processing access and 
terms at the Orbost Gas Plant and the 
substantial improvement to capital 
cost knowledge obtained through the 
Sole development project.

Current expectations are that the 
development of Manta will be subject 
to the results of the Manta-3 appraisal 
and exploration well. Opportunities to 
drill Manta-3 in 2019, leveraging the 
local presence of the Ocean Monarch 
rig mobilised to drill the Sole 
production wells, are being evaluated. 
Drilling of Manta-3 in this time frame 
could lead to Manta commencing 
production in FY22.

Care

Cooper Energy has two key 
requirements of all its activities and 
plans: that they deliver acceptable 
returns and that they be performed 
with due care for the people, 
environments and communities who 
may be affected. A report on the 
sustainability related elements of our 
operations is provided on page 24.

The company recorded a single 
recordable safety and environment 
incident in the since-divested 
Indonesian operations. There were no 
lost time incidents. A zero injury-zero 
incident performance remains the 
minimum acceptable safety standard 
for your company.

The scope of the company’s care 
obligations increased significantly 
during the year with the acquisition 
of the Otway and Gippsland basin 
assets. The company’s appointment 
as Operator of the Sole, Casino Henry 
and Patricia-Baleen projects required 
regulatory approval of the resources, 
capabilities, safety and environmental 
management systems for each 
operation. I have noted the strategic 

 
significance of this achievement above 
and commend the efforts of those who 
have contributed to this achievement. 

Of course, documentation, systems 
and accreditation do not constitute 
performance. The transformation 
of the company has brought an 
accompanying expansion to our 
accountability of care. We remain 
mindful that acceptable performance 
requires incident-free operations  
in every hour of every day at  
every location.

Cooper Basin 

Our oil production interests in the 
western flank of the Cooper Basin 
remain a valuable element of  
the company’s cash generation.  
The performance of the PEL 92 Joint 
Venture highlighted the quality of  
this asset with low production costs, 
good drilling results and evidence  
of untapped potential. 

Cash production costs, including 
royalties and transportation of  
A$29.77/bbl for the twelve months 
to 30 June compare with the average 
sale price received of A$61.89/bbl. 
Production of 0.25 million barrels of 
oil was lower than the previous year, 
a result anticipated in view of the 
suspension of drilling in the previous 
year due to low oil prices and natural 
field decline. 

The resumption of drilling recorded 
good results, with seven successful 
wells from the nine wells drilled 
during the year. Six of the successful 
wells were drilled on the Callawonga 
oil field, including a five-well 
campaign to assess the production 
potential of the McKinlay Member 
Sandstone, which has hitherto been 
lightly exploited. The connection of 
these wells, scheduled for the first 
half of FY18, will give confirmation of 
long-term productive capacity. 

It is noteworthy that Cooper Basin 
field performance and drilling 
resulted in upgrades of 0.8 MMbbl 
to the company’s proved and 
probable reserves, representing a 
135% reserves replacement ratio in 
the region. The year’s results have 
reinforced the prospectivity of the 
acreage held by the PEL 92 Joint 
Venture, particularly for incremental 
oil in existing producing fields. 

Financial results

A detailed analysis and discussion 
of the financial results for the year 
is provided in the Operating and 
Financial Review which commences 
on page 34.

The financial results were affected 
by the substantial changes in the 
company’s portfolio and activities 
during the year. 

Callawonga facilities, Cooper Basin. The field was the location for six of the nine wells 
drilled by the company during the year, all of which were successful.

9

Managing Director’s Report 
David Maxwell

The exit from international operations 
in Indonesia and Tunisia incurred 
impairments and exit provisions 
whilst the acquisition, integration 
and financing of new Australian gas 
assets brought additional costs.  
The company recorded a reduced, 
statutory loss after tax of $12.3 million 
compared with the statutory loss of 
$34.8 million in the previous year.

Revenue increased by 43% over the 
previous year due to the six-month 
contribution from the Otway Basin 
gas assets, rising from $27.4 million 
to $39.1 million despite the lower oil 
volumes discussed above.

Reserves 

The 290% increment to reserves 
in the 2017 financial year was the 
precursor to the larger increase 
after year end brought by the Final 
Investment Decision for Sole. 

Proved and probable reserves of  
11.7 million boe at 30 June 2017 
compares with 3.0 million at the 
beginning of the year, with the latter 
figure including 1.7 million boe 
attributable to the Indonesian assets 
divested during the year. 

The increase in year-end reserves is 
largely attributable to the Victorian 
gas asset acquisition, which 
contributed proved and probable 
reserves of 10.6 million boe. As 
noted at the outset of this report, the 
acquired assets brought change to 
the composition and location of the 
company’s reserves. Gas and gas 
liquids located in the Otway Basin 
accounted for 85% of proved and 
probable reserves compared with 
zero at the beginning of the year. 

The company’s contingent resources 
of 77.6 million boe at year-end was 
13.3 million boe higher, notwith-
standing the removal of 11.7 million 
boe attributable to divested Tunisian 
and Indonesian assets. The increased 
contingent resources highlight the 
exposure of the company to gas 
development opportunities in the 
Gippsland and Otway basins. 

10

The largest of these is the Sole gas 
project and the Final Investment 
Decision for the project on 29 August 
resulted in an uplift of 43 million boe 
to the proved and probable reserves 
and a corresponding reduction to 
contingent resources at 30 June.  
2C contingent resources attributable 
to the Manta (21 million boe) and 
Black Watch fields (2 million boe) 
offer further reserves additions in  
the longer term. 

South-east Australian gas 
market 

Prior to FY17, Cooper Energy’s 
earnings were essentially driven by  
three factors: crude oil prices, 
operating costs and its crude oil 
production. In FY17, gas accounted 
for the majority of the company’s 
revenue and its share is expected to  
continue to increase. Moreover, 
approximately 95% of the company’s 
capital expenditure budget for FY18  
is allocated to gas projects. 

The company applies a portfolio 
approach to the marketing of its 
gas, mixing long-term take or pay 
contracts that offer assured cash 
flows as required with a range of 
shorter term contracts for exposure 
to higher value where appropriate. 

Tightening gas supply in eastern 
Australia over the past twelve months  
has been reflected in rising and 
volatile gas spot prices, which 
have attracted unprecedented 
attention, and the introduction of 
supply safeguard provisions by the 
federal government in the form of 
the Australian Domestic Gas Supply 
Mechanism.

Given the recent change to the 
company’s business base and the 
publicity concerning prices, it is 
appropriate that I briefly discuss 
the company’s exposure and 
strategy in relation to gas prices and 
the implications of the Australian 
Domestic Gas Supply Mechanism.

In respect of price exposure, the 
company’s gas assets are highly  
cost competitive in its chosen south-
east Australian market. 

The Casino Henry and Minerva gas  
operations are considered to be 
among the lowest cost options of 
current supply sources for gas 
delivered to Melbourne city-gate. 
Independent analysis has found the 
Sole gas project to possess lower 
delivered cost to Melbourne than 
other new potential sources of supply. 
Approximately 75% of Sole’s gas 
reserves are already contracted at 
stable prices.

Moreover, the projects are economic 
in lower gas price environments than 
is currently prevailing or expected. 
Casino Henry, Sole and Manta are 
considered economic at prices  
well below those prevailing in FY17  
and those modelled to result from 
influx of gas such as could occur 
through the Australian Domestic Gas 
Supply Mechanism.

In summary, it is assessed that supply 
from the company’s operations  
is unlikely to be displaced by higher 
cost gas resulting from operation of 
the Australian Domestic Gas Supply 
Mechanism and that such action does 
not threaten the anticipated returns 
from the company’s gas business. 

Balance sheet and capital 
management

The company generated $4.1 million  
net cash flow from operating 
activities for the financial year, a 
figure which incorporates 6 months’ 
contribution from the Otway gas 
assets, expenditure associated with 
their acquisition and integration and 
a $3.7 million payment to complete 
withdrawal from Tunisian acreage.

The gas projects provide the 
opportunity for substantial additions 
to shareholder value. Consistent 
with our strategy and objectives, the 
development of these projects and  
the attendant capital management will 
be driven by total shareholder return. 

The Sole project is illustrative of 
this approach where, through the 
Orbost Gas Plant sale and processing 
agreement struck with APA Group 
during the year, the company 
has been able to concentrate its 
capital and risk exposure to its core 
competency, upstream development. 
In doing so, the project cost for 
Cooper Energy has been reduced 
from $605 million to $355 million. 

The balance sheet, and accompanying  
note on events after the reporting 
period published in this report, 
show the implementation of capital 
management initiatives to fund the 
company’s growth. As the balance 
sheet reports, the company’s  
cash positon at 30 June rose from  
$49.8 million to $147.5 million, an 
increase attributable to the equity 
raising completed in April to raise 
funds for the Sole gas project. 

Debt funding for the project, still in 
progress at year-end, was announced 
on 29 August with a $250 senior 
secured reserve based lending facility 
fully underwritten by banks ANZ and 
Natixis, supported by a $15 million 
working capital facility. The debt 
package has been accompanied by a 
$135 million, 2 for 5 entitlement issue. 

The finance package adopted 
was selected after analysis and 
consideration of bank and non-bank 
debt finance options. Ultimately the 
combination of bank debt and equity 
finance adopted was selected as 
the most accretive for shareholder 
returns, funding Sole plus other value 
adding activities within the portfolio, 
at highly competitive interest rates 
whilst retaining a prudently geared 
balance sheet. 

The company’s portfolio offers a 
number of additional opportunities  
for value creation available in the 
period prior to Sole commencing 
production. The advancement  
and funding of these opportunities  
will be undertaken with the same 
focus on total shareholder return that  

has driven our portfolio development  
over the past 5 years. 

Outlook 

In my concluding comments to the 
previous annual report I noted that 
2017 was expected to be the year 
when the various strategic elements 
pursued in the preceding four years 
converged and Cooper Energy 
emerged with a distinctly different 
form and outlook. As this report 
documents, this is what occurred, 
albeit the company has emerged 
larger and with greater opportunity 
than envisaged at that time.

The decisions made mean FY17 was 
the first year of a multi-year growth 
trajectory on offer from the existing 
asset base, before consideration of 
any contribution from exploration 
success or inorganic growth. 

The portfolio and capital expenditure 
plans have the capacity to deliver 
successive increases in production 
over the coming 3 years such that, 
based on existing asset equities, 
annual output could rise from 1 million 
boe in FY17 to over 6 million. The key 
drivers are expected to be:

•  in FY18 – the first full year of 

production from the Otway Basin 
gas assets, the conduct of well 
workover on the Casino field and, in 
the Cooper Basin, the connection of 
the wells drilled on the Callawonga 
oil field in FY17;

•  in FY19 – the benefits of the Casino 
well workover, the prospect of an 
uplift in Otway Basin gas production 
from development drilling on 
the Henry gas field and the 
commencement of production from 
Sole in FY19; and

•  in FY20 – the first full year of 

production from Sole. 

The drilling and development of the 
Manta field in the Gippsland Basin 
holds the potential for further growth 
in later years.

Much of the work to translate this 
potential into value for shareholders 
is expected to be undertaken in the 
12 months from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 
2018, including: 

•  progression of the Sole gas project 
including to approximately 50% 
complete; 

•  the negotiation of new sales and 
processing contracts for Otway 
Basin gas from 1 March 2018; 

•  development and other activities 

on the Casino Henry field including 
well workover and preparation 
for, and subject to rig schedules 
and joint venture agreement, the 
commencement of, a development 
well on the Henry field; and

•  evaluation of gas exploration 

opportunities in the onshore and 
offshore Otway Basin.

In the Cooper Basin, ongoing 
activities to optimise production and 
address prospectivity for addition  
of reserves close to infrastructure  
are anticipated.

The development of your company 
in FY17 has, through a mixture of 
strategic planning, execution, as well 
as good fortune, coincided with the 
most promising business climate  
for the upstream gas business since 
its origins. Cooper Energy is now 
well positioned with gas development 
capabilities, projects and operator 
credentials to pursue and develop 
these opportunities for the benefit of 
our shareholders.

FY17 has been a year of great 
development and progress for 
Cooper Energy. Thank-you to our 
team of staff and contractors that have 
made this possible.

I look forward to reporting on our 
progress.

David Maxwell
Managing Director

11

Reserves and resources

Reserves
Cooper Energy’s proved and probable reserves at 30 June 2017 are assessed to be 11.7 million barrels of oil 
equivalent (MMboe). This is an increase of 8.7 MMboe from 30 June 2016. The key factors contributing to the material 
revisions are:

• completion of the acquisition of Santos Limited’s offshore Victorian gas assets, effective 1 January 2017;

•  increase in Cooper Basin (PEL 92) oil reserves following new drilling at the Callawonga field and identification of 

additional development opportunities at the Butlers and Parsons fields;

• divestment of the Indonesian production assets to Bass Oil Limited, effective 1 October 2016; and

• production of 1.0 MMboe.

Reserves at 30 June 2017 (MMboe)

Category

Basin

Developed

Undeveloped

Total 1,2

Proved  
(1P)

Proved & probable  
(2P) 

Proved, probable &  
possible (3P)

Cooper

Otway

Total

Cooper

Otway

Total

Cooper

Otway

0.6

0.3

0.9

1.1

5.9

7.0

1.7

6.2

7.9

1.1

0.6

1.8

2.4

7.5

9.9

3.6

8.1

11.7

2.0

0.9

2.9

5.1

10.7

15.8

Total

7.0

11.7

18.7

1.  The reserves exclude Cooper Energy’s share of future crude fuel usage. 

2.  Totals may not reflect arithmetic addition due to rounding. The method of aggregation is by arithmetic sum by category. As a result, the 1P estimate 

may be conservative and the 3P estimate may be optimistic due to the effects of arithmetic summation. 

Movement in reserves (MMboe)

Category

Reserves at 30 June 2016

FY17 Production

Revisions 

Reserves at 30 June 20171,2

Proved 
(1P)

1.6

(1.0)

7.3

7.9

Proved & probable 
(2P)

Proved, probable &  
possible (3P)

3.0

(1.0)

9.7

11.7

4.8

(1.0)

14.9

18.7

1. The reserves exclude Cooper Energy’s share of future crude fuel usage. 

2.  Totals may not reflect arithmetic addition due to rounding. The method of aggregation is by arithmetic sum by category. As a result, the 1P estimate 

may be conservative and the 3P estimate may be optimistic due to the effects of arithmetic summation.

Contingent resources
Cooper Energy’s Australian 2C (P50) contingent resources at 30 June 2017 have increased since 30 June 2016 by  
13.3 MMboe to a total of 77.6 MMboe. The key factors contributing to the material revisions are:

• completion of the acquisition of Santos Limited’s offshore Victorian assets, effective 1 January 2017;

•  exit of Beach Energy Limited from the BMG joint venture effective 26 October 2016, taking Cooper Energy’s equity in 

the Basker and Manta fields in VIC/RL13, VIC/RL14 and VIC/RL15, offshore Gippsland Basin to 100%; 

• divestment of the Indonesian production assets to Bass Oil Limited, effective 1 October 2016; and

• completion of withdrawal from Tunisia. 

12

Contingent resources at 30 June 2017 (MMboe)

Category

Basin

Gippsland

Otway

Cooper

Total 1

 Gas 
  PJ 1

291

12

0

304

1C

Oil 
MMbbl

4.0

0.0

0.1

4.1

 Total 1 
MMboe

54.1

2.1

0.1

56.3

 Gas 
  PJ 2

388

19

0

407

2C

Oil 
MMbbl

7.6

0.0

0.1

7.7

Total 1 
MMboe

74.3

3.2

0.1

77.6

 Gas 
  PJ 2

532

27

0

559

3C

Oil 
MMbbl

12.1

0.0

0.2

12.3

Total1 
MMboe

103.6

4.7

0.2

108.5

1.  Totals may not reflect arithmetic addition due to rounding. The method of aggregation is by arithmetic sum by category.  

As a result, the 1C estimate may be conservative and the 3C estimate may be optimistic due to the effects of arithmetic summation.

2. The conversion factor of 1 PJ = 0.172 MMboe has been used to convert from Sales Gas (PJ) to Oil Equivalent (MMboe).

Movement in contingent resources (MMboe)

Category

Contingent resources at 30 June 20161

Revisions

Contingent resources at 30 June 20172

1C

39.7

16.6

56.3

2C

64.3

13.3

77.6

3C

112.4

(3.9)

108.5

1. Resources at 30 June 2016 as reported in the Cooper Energy 2016 Annual Report to the ASX on 11 October 2016.

2.  Totals may not reflect arithmetic addition due to rounding. The method of aggregation is by arithmetic sum by category.  

As a result, the 1C estimate may be conservative and the 3C estimate may be optimistic due to the effects of arithmetic summation.

Notes on calculation of reserves and resources
Cooper Energy has completed its own estimation of reserves and resources based on information provided by the permit Operators 
Beach Energy Limited, Senex Limited, Santos Limited, and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Victoria) Pty Ltd in accordance with the definitions 
and guidelines in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS). All reserves and 
contingent resources figures in this document are net to Cooper Energy.

Petroleum reserves and contingent resources are prepared using deterministic and probabilistic methods. The resources estimate 
methodologies incorporate a range of uncertainty relating to each of the key reservoir input parameters to predict the likely range 
of outcomes. Project and field totals are aggregated by arithmetic summation by category. Aggregated 1P and 1C estimates may be 
conservative, and aggregated 3P and 3C estimates may be optimistic due to the effects of arithmetic summation. Totals may not exactly 
reflect arithmetic addition due to rounding.

Reserves

Under the SPE PRMS, reserves are those petroleum volumes that are anticipated to be commercially recoverable by application of 
development projects to known accumulations from a given date forward under defined conditions.

The Otway Basin totals comprise the arithmetically aggregated project fields (Casino, Henry, Netherby and Minerva) and exclude 
reserves used for field fuel. The Cooper Basin totals comprise the arithmetically aggregated PEL 92 project fields and the arithmetic 
summation of the Worrior project reserves, and exclude reserves used for field fuel. 

Contingent resources

Under the SPE PRMS, contingent resources are those petroleum volumes that are estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially 
recoverable from known accumulations but for which the applied projects are not considered mature enough for commercial development 
due to one or more contingencies. 

The contingent resources assessment includes resources in the Gippsland, Otway and Cooper basins. The following contingent resources 
assessments have been released to the ASX: 

• Sole on 27 February 2017;

• Manta on 16 July 2015; and

• Basker and Manta on 18 August 2014.

Cooper Energy is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information provided in those releases, and all 
material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates provided in the releases continue to apply.

Qualified petroleum reserves and resources evaluator statement 
The information contained in this report regarding the Cooper Energy reserves, contingent resources and prospective resources report  
is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation reviewed by Mr Andrew Thomas who is a full-time employee 
of Cooper Energy Limited holding the position of General Manager – Exploration & Subsurface, holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons),  
is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Petroleum Engineers, is qualified in accordance with 
ASX listing rule 5.41, and has consented to the inclusion of this information in the form and context in which it appears.

13

 
Review of Operations

Cooper Energy’s operations primarily comprise:

• gas production in the Otway Basin, offshore Victoria

• oil production in the Cooper Basin, onshore South Australia 

• development of the Sole gas field in the Gippsland Basin, offshore Victoria; and

• exploration for oil and gas in the Cooper, Otway and Gippsland basins.

Production 
Cooper Energy’s oil and gas production for the year totaled 0.96 MMboe 
compared with 0.46 MMboe in the previous year. The increase in production is 
due to output from the Otway Basin gas operations, which were acquired effective 
from 1 January 2017 and contributed 71% of the company’s production for the year.

The contribution from the Otway Basin more than offset lower output from natural 
decline in the Cooper Basin in the absence of drilling in the previous year and 
through the divestment of Indonesian operations effective from 1 October 2016.

Production MMboe

Otway Basin, Australia

Cooper Basin, Australia

South Sumatra, Indonesia

Total

2016

-

0.32

0.14

0.46

2017

0.68

0.25

0.03

0.96

Production by region  
MMboe

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

0.03

0.25

0.68

0.14

0.32

2016  

2017

  Otway Basin, Australia
  Cooper Basin, Australia
  South Sumatra, Indonesia

14

Drilling
Drilling was concentrated entirely on the Cooper Basin where Cooper Energy participated in 9 wells 
during the year, 7 of which were successful. All of the successful wells, with the exception of Worrior-11, 
were drilled on the Callawonga oil field, the largest in the company’s Cooper Basin acreage.

The 9 well program comprised the drilling of four oil development wells (Callawonga-12, -15 and -16,  
and Worrior-11), three oil appraisal/development wells (Callawonga-14, -17 and -18), one appraisal  
well (Butlers-9), and one exploration well (Penneshaw-1) in the Cooper Basin during the year.  
The Callawonga drilling campaign successfully targeted previously undeveloped reserves in the 
McKinlay Member sandstone. Oil production from these wells is expected to begin later in 2017.

Type

Exploration

Appraisal

Area

Tenement

Well

Cooper Basin

PRL 87

Penneshaw-1

Cooper Basin

Butlers-9

Result

P&A

P&A

Appraisal/Development

Cooper Basin

Appraisal/Development

Cooper Basin

Appraisal/Development

Cooper Basin

Development

Development

Development

Development

Cooper Basin

Cooper Basin

Cooper Basin

Cooper Basin

* Cased and suspended as a future oil production well.

PPL 245

PPL 220

PPL 220

PPL 220

PPL 220

PPL 220

PPL 220

PPL 207

Callawonga-14

Oil well*

Callawonga-17

Oil well*

Callawonga-18

Oil well*

Callawonga-12

Oil producer

Callawonga-15

Oil well*

Callawonga-16

Oil well*

Worrior-11

Oil producer

Site works for installation of the shore crossing, Orbost Gas Plant, showing horizontal directional drillers  
at right and elevated conduits for guiding umbilical casing and gas pipe into the shore crossing.

15

Review of Operations

Otway Basin - Offshore

Adelaide

Warrnambool

PEP 168 (50%)

VIC/RL12 (50%)

VIC/RL11 (50%)

Halladale

Black Watch

Cooper Energy 
tenement

Gas field

Gas pipeline

VICTORIA

Melbourne

Iona Gas Plant

VIC/P44 (50%)

Martha

Minerva Gas Plant (10%)

VIC/P44 (50%)

VIC/L30 (50%)

Henry

Netherby

Minerva

VIC/L22 (10%)

Casino

VIC/L24 (50%)

0

10

kilometres

VIC/P44 (50%)

Otway 59AR17

In the Otway Basin offshore Victoria 
Cooper Energy holds interests in 2 
producing gas projects; one onshore 
gas plant, 2 retention leases and an 
exploration licence.

The offshore Otway Basin portfolio 
comprises: 

-  a 50% interest and Operatorship  

of the producing Casino Henry gas 
project (VIC/L24 and VIC/L30);

-  a 50% interest and Operatorship  
of the retention licences VIC/RL11 
and VIC/RL12; 

-  a 50% interest and Operatorship of 
the VIC/P44 exploration licence; and,

-  a 10% interest in the Minerva gas 
project comprising the offshore 
licence VIC L/22 and the Minerva 
Gas Plant onshore.

These interests were acquired 
effective from 1 January 2017. 
Operator responsibilities were 
assumed subsequent to year-end.

16

The Casino Henry Joint Venture has 
submitted applications to NOPTA,  
to renew VIC/RL11, VIC/RL12 and to  
vary the work program of VIC/P44.

Casino Henry gas project

The Casino Henry gas project 
produces gas and gas liquids from the 
Casino field in VIC/L24, and the Henry 
and Netherby fields in VIC/L30. The 
fields are located 17 to 25 kilometres 
offshore Victoria in water depth 
ranging from 65 to 71 metres. 

The licenses are covered entirely 
by high-quality 3D seismic surveys 
acquired in the years 2001 to 
2007. The hydrocarbon reservoirs 
discovered and produced to date are 
in the Cretaceous Waarre Formation. 
The depth of the top Waarre 
Formation at the discovered fields 
ranges between 1,460 metres and 
2,030 metres.

The project consists of a subsea 
development comprising four 
producing wells (Casino-4, Casino-5, 

Henry-2 and Netherby-1), with 
production from a maximum of 3 wells 
at any one time. Gas produced from 
the fields is transported via a 12-inch 
subsea pipeline to the processing 
facility at Iona owned by Lochard 
Energy. Casino was brought online 
in January 2006 and the Henry and 
Netherby fields in February 2010. 

Successful optimisation trials were 
conducted during the year to reduce 
the onshore plant inlet pressure for 
purpose of enhancing flow rates  
and recoverable reserves. Additional 
optimisation work will be undertaken 
in 2017 to pursue further gains. 
Commercial negotiations are in 
progress to extend the arrangements 
to process gas through the Iona facility 
beyond February 2018. 

Cooper Energy’s share of production 
from Casino Henry during the year 
was 3.28 PJ of gas and 1,960 barrels  
of condensate. 

Cooper Energy’s share of proved 
and probable gas reserves at Casino 
Henry at 30 June 2017 is assessed  
to be approximately 56 PJ, of which  
13 PJ is developed. The company  
is preparing development options for 
the production of the undeveloped gas 
for joint venture consideration in FY18.

Minerva gas project

The Minerva gas field is located 
in production licence VIC/L22 
approximately 9 kilometres offshore 
Victoria in a water depth of 58 metres. 
The field was discovered by the 
current operator, BHP Billiton, in 2002. 

The project consists of two subsea 
development wells (Minerva-3 and 
Minerva-4) tied back to the Minerva 
Gas Plant via a 10 inch, 14 kilometre 
trunkline. Cooper Energy holds a  
10% interest in these assets.

Production from Minerva commenced 
in mid-January 2005. The field has 
produced beyond expectations and 
is believed to be approaching end of 
life and is anticipated that production 
will cease during FY18.

Minerva contributed 0.75 PJ and 
1,696 barrels of condensate to  
the company’s production in FY17.

Undeveloped fields and 
exploration

In VIC/RL11 and VIC/RL12, the 
development prospects for the Black 
Watch gas field will be the subject of 
further review. In the adjacent licence 
VIC/L1(V), Origin Energy Limited 
has successfully developed offshore 
gas at Halladale and Speculant by 
drilling extended reach wells from 
shore and potential exists for a 
similar development at Black Watch. 

Significant exploration potential  
is recognised in the offshore Otway 
acreage. Thirty-three exploration 

prospects have been identified and 
the majority are the same play type 
as the current producing gas fields. 
The majority of the prospects are 
located less than 10 kilometres from 
tie-in points to the existing offshore 
production pipeline, offering future 
exploration success simple and close 
access to production infrastructure.

The work program for VIC/P44 
includes seismic inversion studies to 
be conducted in FY18. The studies 
will enhance assessment of the 
presence of gas in the prospects 
which may result in definition of 
potential future drilling candidates.

Minerva Gas Plant, Otway Basin

17

Review of Operations

Gippsland Basin

Cooper Energy’s interests in the 
Gippsland Basin comprise:

-  a 100% interest and Operatorship of 
VIC/L32 which holds the Sole gas 
field. Cooper Energy increased its 
stake from 50% to 100% effective 
from 1 January 2017. VIC/L32 is a 
production licence awarded during 
the year which replaces the retention 
licence VIC/RL3.

-  a 100% interest and Operatorship of 
VIC/RL13, VIC/RL14 and VIC/RL15, 
which contain the Manta gas and 
liquids resource;

-  a 100% interest and Operatorship 
of  VIC/L21, which contains the 
depleted Patricia-Baleen gas field 
acquired effective from 1 January; 
and

-  a 100% interest in the onshore 

Orbost Gas Plant. As noted earlier 
in this report, this interest is to be 
acquired by APA Group on the 
completion of conditions precedent 
under an agreement announced  
1 June 2017. Under the agreement, 
APA Group will acquire, upgrade 
and operate the plant to process 
gas from Sole, Manta and potentially 
other fields.

Sole gas project 

Development of the Sole gas field 
commenced during the year and is  
on schedule for the start of gas 
production from the field to  
the upgraded Orbost Gas Plant in 
May 2019.

The development comprises separate 
onshore and offshore workstreams, 
with the former to be undertaken by 
APA Group pursuant to the acquisition 
agreement announced 1 June 2017. 
The offshore element, to be conducted 
by Cooper Energy, comprises two 
near-horizontal development wells,  
subsea completion, fabrication and 
installation of subsea well-heads, 
pipeline and umbilical connections 
and the construction of a shore 
crossing to connect to the plant. 

18

VICTORIA

Orbost

EAST E R N   G

Sydney

E LIN E

S    P I P

A

M e l b o u r n e

Orbost Gas Plant (APA*)

Lakes Entrance

Patricia-Baleen

VIC/L21 (100%)

Longtom

Tuna

Kipper

VIC/L32 (100%)

Sole

Snapper

Marlin

Flounder

Chimaera

Manta
Basker

Gummy

VIC/RL15 (100%)

Fortescue

Kingfish

VIC/RL14 (100%)

VIC/RL13 (100%)

*APA to acquire, upgrade and 
operate Orbost Gas Plant under 
agreement announced 1 June 2017

Cooper Energy tenement

Gas field

Oil field

Gas pipeline

Oil pipeline

0

20

kilometres

Gippsland_68AR17

Plan area

TAS

Sole pipeline; indicative

Pipeline options

The offshore project has an estimated 
capital cost of $355 million; 
approximately 60% of which is to be 
performed under fixed price contracts. 

Site works commenced in the final  
quarter of FY17. The Final Investment 
Decision (FID) was declared 
subsequent to year-end with the 
announcement of fully underwritten  
debt and equity financing. With  
FID achieved, it is expected that the 
agreement with APA Group will 
complete with the finalisation of 
financing documentation in the first 
half of FY18.

The Sole gas field was assessed to 
hold a 2C contingent resource of 
249 PJ of gas as at 30 June. This was 
reclassified as proved and probable  

reserves of 249 PJ following Final 
Investment Decision for the project 
subsequent to year-end. Gas supply 
from the field is forecast to be 
approximately 24 PJ per annum. 
Marketing activity secured contract 
coverage sufficient for financing, such 
that 20 PJ per annum is subject to 
binding long term sales agreements 
with AGL Energy, EnergyAustralia, 
Alinta Energy and O-I Australia.

It is expected that Sole gas currently 
uncommitted will be contracted under 
shorter term agreements as value 
recommends. Further discussion of 
the company’s gas marketing efforts, 
strategy and position is provided  
in the Managing Director’s Report on 
pages 8 and 10.

Manta gas project 

The Manta gas field is located in 
retention licences VIC/RL13, VIC/RL14 
and VIC/RL15, 35 kilometres from Sole 
and 58 kilometres from the Orbost 
Gas Plant. The field is assessed to 
contain contingent resources of 106 PJ 
of gas and 3.2 MMboe of condensate. 

Prospective resources are present at 
Manta, with a best estimate unrisked 
prospective resources estimate  
of 105 MMboe comprising 526 PJ 
of gas, 12.9 MMbbl of condensate 
and 1.5 MMbbl of oil. The estimated 
quantities of petroleum that may 
be potentially recovered by the 
application of future development 
projects relate to undiscovered 
accumulations. 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 moveable hydrocarbons.

Manta’s proximity to Sole and 
Orbost enhances its prospects for 
development. Analysis has identified 
significant synergies and cost savings 
if Manta is developed and operated 
in co-ordination with Sole in areas 
including drilling, control umbilicals, 
plant, redundancies and maintenance. 

Patricia-Baleen

Patricia-Baleen is a largely depleted 
gas field located in VIC/L21. The 
field and associated pipeline is in a 
suspended state and under care  
and maintenance after being shut-in 
in 2008. 

Sole gas project; welded pipe laid out ready 
for installation in shore crossing at Orbost.

19

Review of Operations

Cooper Basin 

139°20'

139°40'
39 40

-27°40'

100 101

99

96
Rincon 
North

98

Rincon

k

e
e
r

C

r
e
p
o
o
C

Cooper Energy tenement

Other tenements

Oil field

Gas field

Oil pipeline

Gas pipeline

95

94

93

Callawonga

98

97

99

100

PRLs 85 to 104 (25%) (ex ‘PEL 92’)

97

93

91

92

90

87

89
Parsons

Windmill

Sellicks

86

Christies
Silver Sands

102

Elliston

85

87

86

-28°

Perlubie
Perlubie South

Butlers

85

Germein

101

92

104

103
Lycium Hub

91

88

90

Plan area

TAS

oper 78AR17
Cooper_78AR17

Cooper Energy holds interests  
in three exploration licenses,  
28 retention licences and 11 
production licences in the South 
Australian Cooper Basin. The 
company’s activities are primarily 
focussed on tenements held by the 
PEL 92 Joint Venture1 (‘PEL 92’) on 
the western flank of the basin, which 
provided approximately 26% of 
Cooper Energy’s total production in 
FY17. The Worrior Field (PPL 207) 
supplied 2% of Cooper Energy’s total 
production for the year.

20

0

20

kilometres

PEL 93 (30%)

Joint venture and tenement interests 
comprise:

-  a 25% interest in the PEL 92 Joint 
Venture which holds PRL’s 85 to 
104 and includes the oil producing 
Butlers, Callawonga, Christies, 
Elliston, Germain. Parsons, Perlubie, 
Rincon, Rincon North, Sellicks, Silver 
Sands, and Windmill fields;

-  a 30% interest in PEL 93 and PPL 
207 which holds the producing 
Worrior oil field; 

-  a 25% interest in PEL 90K;

-  a 19.17% interest in the PRL’s 207-

209 (ex PEL 100), and

-  a 20% interest in the PRL’s 183-190 

(ex PEL 110).

 
 
 
139°30'

139°40'

139°50'

PPL 207 (30%)

Worrior

1 kilometre

Inset

PEL 93 (30%)

Plan area

TAS

Cooper Energy tenement

Other tenements

Oil field

Gas field

Gas pipeline

Oil well

Oil show

The Cooper Basin operations became 
the company’s sole source of oil 
production after the divestment of 
Indonesian operations in September. 

The company’s share of oil 
production from the Cooper Basin 
during the year was 0.25 MMbbl, 
94% of which was from the PEL 92 
Joint Venture. Production for the  
12 months to 30 June was 22% lower 
than the previous year, an outcome 
which reflects the impact of the 
suspension of drilling operations 
from May 2015 to August 2016 and 
natural field decline. 

Additional potential at the 
Callawonga oil field was identified 
in the McKinlay Member Sandstone 
which lies immediately above the 
main producing reservoir, the 
Namur Sandstone. Callawonga-12 
drilled at the beginning of the year 
was successfully completed as a 

Worrior

See inset

PPL 207

PEL 93 (30%)

-28°20'

O P E R  B A SIN

C O

-28°30'

0

10

kilometres

-28°40'

Cooper_77_AR17

McKinlay Sandstone oil producer 
and highlighted the potential of the 
previously undeveloped oil reservoir. 

A further five appraisal and 
development locations (Callawonga 
12-18) were drilled to delineate 
additional McKinlay potential and to 
appraise the extent of the field. All 
wells were successful and production 
from these wells is scheduled to 
commence in the December quarter 
of 2017. The drilling campaign 
resulted in a net increase to 2P field 
reserves of 0.5 MMbbls. There is 
potential to conduct another drilling 
campaign in the 2018 calendar year 
pending the outcome of production 
performance. The potential of other 
fields to provide similar results 
from the previously under-exploited 
McKinlay Member is under review.

A project to upgrade the Callawonga 
oil production facilities and increase 
the total fluids production capacity 
commenced in the year. Works  
are underway to increase the total  
daily fluids handling capacity  
from approximately 32,000 bbl to  
52,000 bbl of total fluids, which will 
increase oil production and mitigate 
natural production decline.

In PPL 207 (30% interest) the 
Worrior-11 development well drilled 
in December 2016 was brought 
online to produce from the lower 
Birkhead Formation and upper Hutton 
Sandstone. Production fell below 
expectations and the well was later 
shut in, with subsequent analysis 
showing that the reservoir had been 
swept of material oil volumes. 

The Operator continues to evaluate 
exploitation opportunities in the 
Worrior field to arrest natural 
production decline. 

In the northern Cooper Basin permits  
PEL 90K (25% interest), PRLs 207-209  
(19.165% interest) and PRLs 183-190  
(20% interest), the Operator conducted  
a detailed regional prospectivity 
review that will potentially identify 
drilling opportunities.

1  The PEL 92 Joint Venture (Cooer Energy 

25% interest) holds 10 Petroleum Production 
Licences and 28 Petroleum Retention Leases: 
PRL’s 85-104 (all of which were originally 
licenced as PEL 92). The PEL 100 Joint 
Venture (Cooper Energy 19.165%) holds 3 
Petroleum Retention Leases: PRL’s 207-209 
(all of which were originally licenced as PEL 
100). The PEL 110 Joint Venture (Cooper 
Energy 20%) holds 8 Petroleum Retention 
Leases: PRL’s 183-190 (all of which were 
originally licenced as PEL 110).   

21

Review of Operations

Otway Basin – Onshore

Kingston SE

SOUTH  AUSTRALIA

Naracoorte

ROBE  TROUGH

Robe

PEL 494 (30%)

PRL 32 (30%)

Cooper Energy tenement

Gas field

Gas pipeline

Depositional trough

PE

N

O

LA

ST CLAIR  TROUGH

Beachport

Millicent

Penola

Katnook

Nangwarry

T

R

O

U

G

H

VICTORIA

PEP 171 (25%)

Mount Gambier

ARDONAC

HIE  T

R

O

U

G

H

Hamilton

PEP 150 (20%)

PEP 168 (50%)

Plan area

TAS

0

20

40

kilometres

Portland

Warrnambool

Cobden

SHIPWRECK 
TROUGH

Otway 58AR17

Cooper Energy holds interests in four 
exploration licences and one retention 
licence in the onshore Otway Basin, 
covering a total area of 7,292 km:

PEL 494 undertaken during the  
year has enhanced delineation  
and high-grading of conventional  
drilling opportunities. 

-  a 30% interest in the PEL 494 

and PRL 32, Penola Trough, South 
Australia;

-  a 25% interest in PEP 171, Penola 

Trough, Victoria;

-  a 20% interest in PEP 150, Victoria, 

and 

- a 50% interest in PEP 168, Victoria.

The company’s primary focus in the 
onshore Otway Basin is exploration 
for oil and gas plays associated with 
the Casterton, Sawpit and Pretty 
Hill formations, primarily within the 
Penola Trough. Analysis of data from 
Jolly-1 ST1 and Bungaloo-1, has 
assisted identification of a number of 
opportunities for future evaluation of 
the deep plays in the Penola Trough. 

Reprocessing and interpretation of 
the Haselgrove, Balnaves and  
St George 3D seismic surveys in  

22

Applications to suspend and extend 
PEPs 150, 168 and 171 for a further 
12 months due to the ongoing 
moratorium on onshore conventional 
gas exploration were submitted to  
the Victorian regulatory authority.

Prior to year-end the Victorian 
government passed legislation to 
amend the Petroleum Act 1998 to 
indefinitely ban hydraulic fracture 
stimulation and to extend the 
moratorium on petroleum exploration 
and production in onshore Victoria 
until 30 June 2020.

Cooper Energy and its joint venture 
partners are also currently reviewing 
their longer term options and plans  
for onshore permits in Victoria in light 
of the state government’s extension  
to a moratorium on onshore 
petroleum activities.

International

Cooper Energy completed its 
withdrawal from activities outside 
Australia during FY17. 

Indonesia

Cooper Energy sold its remaining 
Indonesian interest, a 55% stake  
in the Tangai-Sukananti KSO  
onshore South Sumatra Basin during 
the year. The sale, to Bass Oil  
Limited, involved total consideration  
of $5.7 million, comprised of initial 
$500,000 and 180,000,00 shares  
in Bass Oil Limited with the remaining 
$2.27 million in deferred payments 
with the final payment to be  
received before December 2018,  
and receivables as they fall due. 

Cooper Energy’s share of oil 
production from its Indonesian 
operations in FY17 prior to divestment 
was 25.6 kbbl. 

Tunisia

Cooper Energy ceased operations 
in Tunisia during the year, consistent 
with its strategy of focusing resources 
on its opportunities in Australia.

The company’s 30% interest in the 
Bargou permit was transferred to joint 
venture partner Dragon Oil Limited 
after the completion of the Hammamet 
West-3 well abandonment work 
obligation. 

The company agreed terms with the 
Hammamet Joint Venture in respect  
of an outstanding dispute. 

The terms of the settlement does 
not require a firm cash payment by 
Cooper Energy. However, should 
the Hammamet Joint Venture elect to 
withdraw from the permit, Cooper 
Energy will fund a 35% share of any 
agreed exit fee up to an agreed, 
undisclosed, ceiling. Cooper Energy 
previously held a 35% interest in  
the Hammamet Joint Venture prior to 
its withdrawal in June 2015.

23

Health Safety Environment  
and Community (HSEC) 

In Cooper Energy  
HSEC is embodied  
in the word “care” and 
consideration for this 
is a priority in all our 
decisions and actions.

Care is a core Cooper Energy value 
and, consistent with this the effective 
management of Health, Safety, 
Environment and Community is an 
essential and integral part of the way 
in which Cooper Energy manages its 
operations and activities.  The HSEC 
Management System is Cooper 
Energy’s Corporate System, which 
provides the framework for the 
delivery of the Company’s values 
related to health, safety, environment 
and community. 

The second half of the financial year 
has been one of momentous change 
for Cooper Energy in the HSEC area 
as it has evolved from a company 
primarily undertaking non-operated 
activities in Australia together with 
land based operations in South 
Sumatra, Indonesia to a fully-
fledged Operator of newly acquired 
offshore subsea gas producing 
assets in Victoria and taking on full 
responsibility for the Sole offshore 
gas development. Consequently, 
the company’s HSEC Management 
Systems and processes have 
undergone transformational change, 
with the commitment of considerable 
resources to develop and implement 
the necessary systems, processes 
and procedures to support the 
operational change. 

Health and Safety
Cooper Energy staff and contractors 
worked a total of 501,000 hours in 
FY17, with a single minor medical 
treatment injury in Indonesia, 
resulting in a Total Recordable Case 
Frequency Rate for the year of 1.98 
events per million hours. There were 
no lost time injuries. This compares 
to the zero recordable cases and 

24

zero lost time injuries in the previous 
year. While the FY17 result does not 
match the previous year’s result of 
zero recordable cases and medical 
treatment cases, the incident and 
injury free performance with this 
one minor exception is a noteworthy 
achievement.

Environment Management Plans. 
Significant work has gone into 
developing and implementing this 
system for compliance with legislative  
and regulatory requirements whilst 
also being fit for purpose for the 
needs of a relatively small and 
growing company. 

Our focus during FY18 will be on 
embedding the HSEC Management 
System into the corporate 
culture, ensuring compliance 
with regulatory obligations and 
operating in accordance with 
best industry practice. Two areas 
of particular attention will be 
audit and management of key 
contractors, notably those involved 
with the offshore drilling campaign 
scheduled to start from the March 
quarter 2018.

Community and Values
In Cooper Energy our values 
are a key input to all we do, 
including recruitment of our staff 
and contractors. The Cooper 
Energy values are care, integrity, 
fairness and respect, transparency, 
collaboration, awareness and 
commitment. We endeavour to live 
these values in all we do. 

Cooper Energy has a long term 
commitment to contribute to, and 
engage with, the communities in 
which we operate. An example is the 
“Making a Difference” volunteering 
program in Adelaide, where Cooper 
Energy staff contributed their 
time and resources to a variety of 
charitable organisations which have 
relevance and meaning to our staff 
and contractors. This program will 
be broadened to other locations 
where Cooper Energy now operates.

Environment
There were no recordable 
environmental incidents in our 
operated activities during the 
financial year. Our focus during 
FY18 will be to maintain this 
record; ensure compliance with the 
obligations set out in Environment 
Plans; ensure staff and contractors 
are fully trained to effectively 
manage any environmental 
incidents; and ensure continuous 
improvement in processes and 
performance in this area. To support 
this process the company is mindful 
of, and taking account of, best 
practice and lessons from others  
in the upstream oil and gas sector 
and other relevant industries.

Management Systems 
Development
The change in Cooper Energy 
during the year was largely due to 
the assumption of responsibilities as 
Operator of the Sole, Casino Henry 
and Patricia-Baleen gas projects 
offshore Victoria. A key element 
of this transition has been the 
development and implementation of 
the HSEC Management System that 
underpins activities. This system 
comprises the company’s Policies, 
Standards, Standard Instructions  
and Operating Procedures, together 
with various offshore regulatory  
and safety critical documents such 
as Safety Cases, Environment Plans, 
Offshore Pollution Emergency Plans, 
Emergency Response Plans, Well 
Operations Management Plans  
and Pipeline Integrity Management  
Plans and the onshore equivalent 
Safety Management Plans and 

Site workers at Orbost Gas Plant

25

Portfolio 
Exploration and Production Tenements

Region: Australia

Cooper Basin

State

Tenement

Interest

Location

Area (km2)

Operator

Activities

South Australia    PPL 204 (Sellicks)

25%

Onshore

2.0

Beach Energy

Production

PPL 205  
(Christies / Silver Sands)

PPL 207 (Worrior)

PPL 220 (Callawonga)

PPL 224 (Parsons)

PPL 245 (Butlers)

PPL 246 (Germein)

PPL 247 (Perlubie)

PPL 248 (Rincon)

PPL 249 (Elliston)

PPL 250 (Windmill)

PEL 90 (Kiwi sub-block)

ex PEL 92 1 

PEL 93

ex PEL 100 2

ex PEL 110 3

25%

30%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

30%

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

4.3

6.4

5.5

1.8

2.1

0.1

1.5

2.0

0.8

0.6

Beach Energy

Production

Senex Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production 

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

Onshore

144.6

Senex Energy

Exploration

Onshore

1889.3

Beach Energy

Exploration 

Onshore

621.8

Senex Energy

Exploration 

19.17%

Onshore

296.5

Senex Energy

Exploration 

20%

Onshore

727.5

Senex Energy

Exploration 

Otway Basin

State

Tenement

Interest

Location

Area (km2)

Operator

Activities

30%

30%

10%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

20%

50%

25%

10%

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

1274

Beach Energy

Exploration

36.9

58.0

Beach Energy

Exploration

BHP

Production 

Offshore

199.0

Cooper Energy

Production

Offshore

200.0

Cooper Energy

Production

Offshore

127.0

Cooper Energy

Retention

Offshore

6.0

Cooper Energy

Retention

Offshore

599.0

Cooper Energy

Exploration

Onshore

3,212.0

Beach Energy

Exploration

Onshore

795.0

Beach Energy

Exploration

Onshore

1,974.0

Beach Energy

Exploration

Onshore

n/a

BHP

Gas Processing

South Australia

PEL 494

PRL 32

VIC/L22

VIC/L24

VIC/L30

VIC/RL11

VIC/RL12

VIC/P44

PEP 150

PEP 168

PEP 171

Minerva Gas Plant

Victoria

26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gippsland Basin

State

Tenement

Interest

Location

Area (km2)

Operator

Activities

Victoria 

Orbost Gas Plant

100%4

Onshore

n/a

Cooper Energy4

VIC/L21

100%

Offshore

134.0

Cooper Energy

Gas Processing 
(undergoing upgrade 
for Sole gas project)

Production 
(suspended)

VIC/RL13 

VIC/RL14

VIC/RL15

VIC/L32

100%

100%

100%

100%

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

67.0

67.0

67.0

Cooper Energy

Retention

Cooper Energy

Retention

Cooper Energy

Retention

Offshore

201.0

Cooper Energy

Development  
(for Sole gas project)

1 ex PEL 92 consists of PRLs;  85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 92, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103  and 104.

2 ex PEL 100 consists of PRLs; 207, 208 and 209.

3 ex PEL 110 consists of PRLs; 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189 and 190.

4 this interest is to be acquired by APA Group pursuant to agreement announced 1 June 2017.

Orbost gas plant, centre view shows elevated conduit guides for horizontal directional drill.

27

 
 
 
Board of 
Directors

28

Chairman 
Mr John C. Conde AO  
B Sc B.E(Hons), MBA

Independent Non-Executive Director 
Appointed 25 February 2013

Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Mr Jeffrey W. Schneider  
B.Com

Appointed 12 October 2011 

Experience and expertise
Mr Schneider has over 30 years of 
experience in senior management roles  
in the oil and gas industry, including  
24 years with Woodside Petroleum Limited. 
He has extensive corporate governance 
and board experience as both a non-
executive director and chairman in 
resources companies.

Current and other directorships in  
the last 3 years Mr Schneider is a former 
director of Comet Ridge Limited ASX:  
COI (2003 – 2014).  

Special Responsibilities 
During the reporting period, Mr Schneider 
was Chairman of the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee and member of the 
Audit and Risk Committee.

From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit 
and Risk Committee were separated  
into two stand-alone committees being the 
Audit Committee and the Risk and 
Sustainability Committee. Mr Schneider  
is a member of both the Risk and 
Sustainability Committee and the Audit 
Committee.

Experience and expertise 
Mr Conde has extensive experience in 
business and commerce and in chairing 
high profile business, arts and sporting 
organisations. 

Previous positions include non-executive 
director of BHP Billiton, Chairman of  
Pacific Power (the Electricity Commission 
of NSW), Chairman of Events NSW, 
President of the National Heart Foundation 
and Chairman of the Pymble Ladies’ 
College Council.

Current and other directorships in  
the last 3 years
Mr Conde is Chairman of Bupa Australia 
(since 2008) and The McGrath Foundation 
(since 2013 and Director since 2012).  
He is President of the Commonwealth 
Remuneration Tribunal (since 2003) and a 
director of Dexus Property Group ASX: 
DXS (since 2009). He is Deputy Chairman 
of Whitehaven Coal Limited ASX: WHC 
(since 2007). 

Mr Conde is a former Chairman of 
Destination NSW (2011 – 2014) and the 
Sydney Symphony Orchestra (2007 – 
2015) and is a former director of AFC 
Asian Cup (2015) (2012 – 2015).

Special Responsibilities 
Mr Conde is Chairman of the Board of 
Directors. During the reporting period he 
was a member of the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee and the Audit  
and Risk Committee. 

From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit 
and Risk Committee were separated  
into two stand-alone committees being the 
Audit Committee and the Risk and 
Sustainability Committee. Mr Conde is  
a member of the Audit Committee.

Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Ms Alice J. M. Williams  
B.Com FAICD, FCPA, CFA

Appointed 28 August 2013

Non-Executive Director
Mr Hector M. Gordon  
B Sc (Hons). FAICD

Appointed 24 June 2017 

Executive Director  
26 June 2012 – 23 June 2017

Managing Director 
Mr David P. Maxwell  
M Tech FAICD

Appointed 12 October 2011

Experience and expertise 
Ms Williams has over 25 years of senior 
management and Board level experience 
in corporate, investment banking and 
government sectors.

Ms Williams has been a consultant to  
major Australian and international 
corporations as a corporate advisor  
on strategic and financial assignments.  
Ms Williams has also been engaged  
by federal and state government 
organisations to undertake reviews of 
competition policy and regulation.  
Prior appointments include Director  
of Airservices Australia, Telstra Sale 
Company, V/Line Passenger Corporation, 
State Trustees, Western Health and the 
Australian Accounting Standards Board.

Current and other directorships in  
the last 3 years
Ms Williams is a non-executive Director  
of Equity Trustees Limited ASX: EQT  
(since 2007), Djerriwarrh Investments 
Limited, Victorian Funds Management 
Corporation (since 2008), Barristers 
Chambers Limited (since 2015), the 
Foreign Investment Review Board (since 
2015) and Defence Health. Ms Williams  
is a former council member of the  
Cancer Council of Victoria and former 
non-executive Director of Guild Group, 
Racing Victoria Limited and Port of 
Melbourne Corporation. 

Special Responsibilities
During the Reporting period, Ms Williams 
was Chairman of the Audit and Risk 
Committee and a member of the 
Remuneration and Nomination Committee. 
From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit 
and Risk Committee were separated into 
two stand-alone committees being the 
Audit Committee and the Risk and 
Sustainability Committee. Ms Williams  
is the Chairman of the Audit Committee 
and a member of the Risk and 
Sustainability Committee.

Experience and expertise
Mr Gordon is a successful geologist  
with over 35 years of experience in the 
petroleum industry. Mr Gordon was 
previously Managing Director of Somerton 
Energy until it was acquired by Cooper 
Energy in 2012. Previously he was an 
Executive Director with Beach Energy 
Limited where he was employed for more 
than 16 years. In this time Beach Energy 
experienced significant growth and  
Mr Gordon held a number of roles 
including Exploration Manager, Chief 
Operating Officer and, ultimately, Chief 
Executive Officer. Mr. Gordon’s previous 
employers also include Santos Limited, 
AGL Petroleum, TMOC Resources, Esso 
Australia and Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd.

Current and other directorships in  
the last 3 years
Mr Gordon is a director of Bass Oil Limited 
ASX: BAS (since 2014) and various wholly 
owned subsidiaries of the Company. 

Special Responsibilities
As a part-time executive of the Company, 
Mr Gordon was responsible for overseeing 
exploration and production activities and 
providing technical expertise in these 
areas. He ceased being an executive 
director at the end of the term of his 
executive services agreement on 23 June 
2017 and became a Non-Executive 
Director on 24 June 2017. 

From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit 
and Risk Committee were separated  
into two stand-alone committees being the 
Audit Committee and the Risk and 
Sustainability Committee. Mr Gordon  
is the Chairman of the Risk and 
Sustainability Committee and a member  
of the Audit Committee.

Experience and expertise
Mr Maxwell is a leading oil and gas 
industry executive with more than 30 years 
in senior executive roles with companies 
such as BG Group, Woodside Petroleum 
Limited and Santos Limited. Mr Maxwell 
has very successfully led many large 
commercial, marketing and business 
development projects.

Prior to joining Cooper Energy  
Mr Maxwell worked with the BG Group, 
where he was responsible for all 
commercial, exploration, business 
development, strategy and marketing 
activities in Australia and led BG Group’s 
entry into Australia and Asia including a 
number of material acquisitions.

Mr Maxwell has served on a number  
of industry association boards,  
government advisory Groups and public 
Company boards. 

Current and other directorships in  
the last 3 years 
Mr Maxwell is a director of wholly-owned 
subsidiaries of Cooper Energy Limited.

Special Responsibilities
Mr Maxwell is Managing Director and is 
responsible for the day-to-day leadership 
of Cooper Energy. He is the leader of  
the management team.

29

Executive 
Management 
Team

Managing Director
David Maxwell  
M. Tech FAICD

Chief Financial Officer
Virginia Suttell  
B.Com ACA GAICD, Grad Dip ACG 

David Maxwell  has over 30 years’ 
experience as a senior executive with 
companies such as BG Group, Woodside  
and Santos. As Senior Vice President at 
QGC, a BG Group business, he led BG’s 
entry into Australia, its alliance with and 
subsequent takeover of QGC. Roles at 
Woodside included director of gas and 
marketing and membership of Woodside’s 
executive committee.

Virginia Suttell is a chartered accountant 
with more than 20 years’ experience, 
including 16  years in publicly listed 
entities, principally in group finance and 
secretarial roles in the resources and 
media sectors. This has included the role  
of Chief Financial Officer and Company 
Secretary for Monax Mining Limited and 
Marmota Energy Limited. Other previous 
appointments include Group Financial 
Controller at Austereo Group Limited.

Company Secretary and  
Legal Counsel
Alison Evans  
BA LLB

General Manager, Commercial  
and  Business Development 
Eddy Glavas  
B.Acc CPA, MBA

Ms Alison Evans is an experienced 
company secretary and corporate legal 
counsel with extensive knowledge of 
corporate and commercial law in the 
resources and energy sectors. Ms Evans 
has been Company Secretary and/or  
Legal Counsel in a number of minerals  
and energy companies including Centrex 
Metals, GTL Energy and AGL. Ms Evans’ 
public Company experience is supported 
by her work at leading corporate law firms.

Eddy Glavas has more than 18 years’ 
experience in business development, 
finance, commercial, portfolio management 
and strategy, including 14 years in oil and  
gas. Prior to joining Cooper Energy, he was 
employed by Santos as Manager Corporate 
Development with responsibility for 
managing multi-disciplinary teams tasked 
with mergers, acquisitions, partnerships  
and divestitures.

30

General Manager, Development
Duncan Clegg 
PhD - Soil Mechanics, BSc Engineering

General Manager, Operations 
Iain MacDougall  
Bsc (Hons)

Duncan Clegg has over 35 years’ 
experience in upstream and midstream  
oil and gas development, including 
management positions at Shell  and 
Woodside, leading oil and gas 
developments including FPSO, subsea  
and fixed platform developments.  
At Woodside, he held several senior 
executive positions including Director  
of the Australian Business Unit, Director  
of the African Business Unit and CEO  
of the North West Shelf Venture.

Iain MacDougall has more than 28 years’ 
experience in the upstream petroleum 
exploration and production sector. His 
experience includes senior management 
positions with independent operators  
and wide ranging international experience  
with Schlumberger.  In Australia, his 
previous roles include Production and 
Engineering Manager and then acting 
CEO at Stuart Petroleum prior to the take- 
over by Senex Energy.

General Manager, Exploration  
and Subsurface
Andrew Thomas  
BSc (Hons)

Andrew Thomas is a successful  
geoscientist with over 28 years’ experience 
in oil and gas exploration and development 
in companies including Geoscience 
Australia, Santos, Gulf Canada and  
Newfield Exploration.  At Newfield he was 
SE Asia New Ventures Manager and 
Exploration Manager for offshore Sarawak.

General Manager, Projects
Michael Jacobsen 
B Eng (Hons)

Michael Jacobsen has over 25 years’ 
experience in upstream oil and gas 
specialising in major capital works projects 
and field developments.

He has worked more than 10 years with 
engineering and construction contractors 
and then progressed to managing multi- 
discipline teams on major capital projects 
for E&P companies. In that time Michael 
has been responsible for the delivery/ 
project management of a number of 
successful offshore petroleum projects 
including most recently Fletcher Finucane 
and Henry/Netherby.

31

Key Performance Indicators

Operational

Production

12 months  
to 30 June

MMboe

Proved and probable reserves MMboe

Wells drilled

number

Exploration wells spudded

number

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0.49

1.91

7

5

0.47

2.00

4

4

0.41

2.47

12

6

0.52

1.88

10

6

0.49

2.16

13

8

0.59

2.01

11

5

0.48

3.08

9

4

0.46

3.00

1

-

0.96

11.7

9

1

Reserve replacement ratio

percent

196%

11%

134%

-113%

98%

71%

333%

18%

768%

Financial

Sales revenue

Other revenue

EBITDA

Profit before tax

$ million

41.6

40.0

39.1

59.6

53.4

72.3

39.1

27.4

39.1

$ million

$ million

$ million

4.2

5.2

5.0

4.3

8.0

7.2

1.2

5.1

(6.0)

(5.5)

(10.3)

Profit after tax / (loss)

$ million

(2.8)

Cash and term deposits

$ million

93.4

92.5

72.4

Investments

Working capital

Accumulated profit

$ million

$ million

$ million

Cumulative franking credits

$ million

-

96.5

23.2

17.7

-

95.4

24.4

25.7

-

79.5

14.1

31.4

4.7

9.1

21.0

8.4

61.5

13.2

53.4

22.5

37.0

2.3

22.3

18.3

2.8

1.9

0.9

36.9

(58.4)

(37.4)

1.6

1.9

31.2

(18.8)

(26.0)

(7.0)

1.3

22.0

(63.5)

(34.8)

(12.3)

47.9

20.2

 51.7

23.8

39.0

49.1

26.0

41.2

39.4

49.8

147.5

1.9

1.0

0.7

43.0

44.2

84.0

45.7

(17.7)

(52.6)

(64.9)

38.7

43.7

42.9

42.9

Shareholders equity

$ million

123.3

125.1

114.9

136.9

137.2

167.8

103.9

91.6

285.0

Earnings per share

cents

(1.0)

0.4

(3.5)

2.8

0.4

6.4

(19.2)

(10.1)

(1.8)

Return on shareholders funds

percent

-2.3%

1.0%

-8.6%

6.7%

0.9%

14.4% -46.7% (-38.0)%

-6.5%

Total shareholder return

percent

(3.2)% (17.8)% (2.7)%

25.0% (16.7)%

34.7% (51.5)% (12.2)%

72.7

Average oil price 

A$/bbl

86.76 

87.02 

95.42 

114.63 

112.31 

124.08 

85.48 

60.75

61.89

Capital as at 30 June

Share price

Issued shares

$ per share

0.45

0.37

0.36

0.45

0.375

0.505

0.245

0.215

0.38

million

291.9

292.6

292.6

327.3

329.1

329.2

331.9

435.2 1,140.2

Market capitalisation

$ million

131.4

108.3

105.3

147.3

123.4

166.3

81.4

93.6

433.3

Shareholders

number

7,596

6,537

5,573

5,485

5,284

5,122

5,103

4,931

6,292

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cooper Energy Limited and its controlled entities
 Financial Report

 For the year ended 30 June 2017

Operating and Financial Review

Directors’ Statutory Report

Remuneration Report

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Notes to Financial Statements

1 Corporate information

2

3

4

5

Summary of significant accounting policies

Segment reporting

Revenues and expenses

Income tax

6 Earnings per share

7 Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits

8

9

Trade and other receivables 

Prepayments 

10 Equity instruments at fair value through other  

comprehensive income

11 Discontinued operations and assets held for sale

12 Investments in associate

13 Asset acquisition

14 Oil and gas assets 

15 Impairment

16 Property, plant and equipment 

17 Exploration and evaluation 

18 Trade and other payables 

19 Provisions

20 Financial liabilities 

21 Contributed equity and reserves

22 Financial risk management objectives and policies

23 Hedge accounting

24 Commitments and contingencies

25 Interests in joint arrangements

26 Related parties

27 Share based payment plans

28 Auditors remuneration

29 Parent entity information

30 Events after the reporting period

Directors’ Declaration

Independent Audit Report

Auditors’ Independence Declaration

Securities Exchange and Shareholder Information

Shareholder Information

34

44

46

66

67

68

69

70

70

83

86

87

90

91

92

93

93

94

95

95

96

97

97

98

98

99

100

100

102

105

106

107

108

110

113

113

114

115

116

124

125

126

Corporate Directory                                             Inside back cover

33

Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Summary Overview

Cooper Energy has concluded the 2017 financial year (“FY17” or “the year”) having fundamentally changed its revenue profile, size, asset 
portfolio and geographical focus and capital structure. 

The Company is now focussed entirely on Australia and generates the majority of its income from gas production in south-east Australia. 
Gas also accounts for the majority of the Company’s expanded reserves and resources base. Annual production increased 109% and is 
expected to grow by approximately five times in three years to 2020 through projects that are currently in development. 

Market capitalisation of $433 million at 30 June compares with the corresponding figure of $96 million at the commencement of the 
year. This development can be attributed to four milestone events completed under the Company’s strategy to focus on Australia and in 
particular gas:

• the acquisition of gas production, exploration and development assets in the Otway and Gippsland basins, offshore Victoria. The assets 
acquired saw Cooper Energy assume 100% ownership of the Sole gas field and Orbost Gas Plant and 50% ownership of the offshore 
Otway Basin assets;

• agreement with APA Group, whereby they will acquire, upgrade and operate the Orbost Gas Plant to process gas from the Sole gas field; 

• Board approval of the Sole gas project as ready to proceed in March 2017 with the final investment decision (FID) made by the Board 

subsequent to 30 June 2017 as a result of significant advancements towards achieving full funding of the project; and 

• concentration of the Company’s portfolio on Australia with the sale of remaining Indonesian assets and withdrawal from Tunisia.

Cooper Energy has now completed the establishment phase of its strategy to build a gas business around a portfolio of gas projects and 
supply contracts focussed on south-east Australia. The Company’s portfolio now encompasses a mixture of gas supply contracts, market 
competitive producing assets, plant, development projects underway and under consideration, and well-located exploration acreage 
with an inventory of attractive prospects. These assets have the capacity to generate growth in reserves, production and revenue for 
several years. 

The financial significance of the year’s progress is only partially evident in the accounts for the twelve months to 30 June, initially because 
the acquisition of producing assets was effective from 1 January 2017 and, more significantly, because the greatest uplift in revenue 
generation is forecast to occur from the closing six months of FY19. The accounts are thus those of a transition year, incorporating a half-
year’s production from the acquired gas assets, and contract, portfolio and capital management initiatives associated with the Sole gas 
project that were still in progress at 30 June.

The Company recorded a statutory loss for the period of $12.3 million, of which $3.6 million is due to significant items, mainly 
impairments recorded against Indonesian assets held for sale and penalty provisions associated with the Company’s exit from Tunisia. 
Exclusive of these significant items, Cooper Energy recorded an underlying loss of $8.7 million. Analysis of these and other results, 
including comparison with previous periods, appears under the heading ‘Financial Performance’ later in this report.

Operations

Cooper Energy is a petroleum exploration and production company which generates revenue from the supply of gas to south-east Australia 
and oil production in the Cooper Basin. The Company’s current interests and operations include:

• offshore gas and gas liquids production in the Otway Basin, Victoria, from the Casino Henry and Minerva gas assets;

• onshore oil production and exploration from the western flank of the Cooper Basin;

• development projects in the Gippsland Basin to supply gas to south-east Australia; 

• onshore and offshore gas exploration in the Otway Basin; and 

• offshore gas exploration in the Gippsland Basin.

The Company has Operator responsibilities for offshore gas production and exploration in the Otway Basin and offshore gas exploration 
and development in the Gippsland Basin.

At 30 June 2017 the Company had 26.9 full time equivalent (FTE) employees and 14.1 FTE contractors compared with 20.1 FTE 
employees and 3.6 FTE contractors at the beginning of the year. FTE and contractor numbers increased after year end with the 
assumption of operator responsibilities from Santos effective from 1 July 2017. Headcount at that date was 31.6 FTE employees and 45.6 
FTE contractors.

Safety

A single recordable case injury occurred during the period, resulting in a Total Recordable Case Frequency Rate (TRCFR) of 1.98 for the 
12 months to 30 June 2017 which is better than industry average. No lost time incidents were recorded. 

Production

Cooper Energy produced 0.96 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) in FY17, comprising 4.0 PJ of gas and 0.28 million barrels 
(MMbbl) of crude oil and condensate, which compares to the previous year’s production of 0.46 MMbbl of oil. The movement in 
oil volume between periods is attributable to the divestment of Indonesian operations effective from 30 September 2016 and lower 
production from the Cooper Basin, where the suspension of drilling in the previous year was reflected in lower output. Results achieved 
from the resumption of drilling in the Cooper Basin during FY17 are expected to maintain production levels in FY18.

34

Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Operations continued 

Reserves and resources 

Reserves and Contingent Resources as at 30 June 2017 were reported to the ASX on 29 August 2017.

Proved and Probable (“2P”) Reserves at 30 June totalled 11.7 MMboe compared with 3.0 MMboe twelve months earlier. The principal 
factors in the movement were:

• addition of 10.6 MMboe from the acquisition of the Casino Henry and Minerva gas assets; 

• revisions to Cooper Basin 2P oil reserves that resulted in net 0.8 MMbbl upgrade to estimates. The major contributor to this upgrade 

was reserves upgrades for the Callawonga field following the successful 5-well drilling campaign during the year;

• removal of 1.7 MMboe attributable to Indonesian operations divested during the year; and

• production of 0.96 MMboe.

Contingent Resources (2C) at 30 June were 78 MMboe, 23% higher than at the beginning of the year. The movement in Contingent 
Resources is the result of:

• the addition of 21.9 MMboe in the Sole gas field through acquisition of the 50% interest not held previously; 

• addition of 3.2 MMboe in the Otway Basin through recognition of Cooper Energy’s share of the Black Watch gas field, VIC/RL11 and 

VIC/RL12 and through plant inlet pressure reductions at the Iona Gas Plant; 

• removal of 17.4MMboe attributable to Tunisian and Indonesian interests divested during the year; and

• a net increase in Cooper Basin Contingent Resources.

Gas marketing

The development, contracting and supply of gas to south-east Australia is a core element of the Company’s strategy to create value for its 
shareholders. The marketing of this gas is being conducted to optimise returns whilst assuring cash flow and revenue through contracting 
a base load of gas under longer term contracts and marketing the balance in a mixture of shorter term agreements. 

The objective of the Company’s gas marketing efforts in FY17 was to contract sufficient gas from the Sole gas field necessary to support 
financing of development. This objective was achieved in January 2017 at which point 180 PJ of the Company’s 249 PJ 2C Resource had 
been contracted to a portfolio of gas buyers including AGL Energy, EnergyAustralia, Alinta Energy and O-I Australia. It is expected that 
marketing of uncontracted gas from Sole will be pursued once the Sole finance arrangements are finalised. 

The Company also holds uncontracted gas at Casino Henry (52PJ of 2P Reserves) and Manta (106 PJ 2C Resources). Marketing of 
uncontracted gas from Casino Henry is now underway. Marketing of Manta gas will be coordinated with the development plans for 
the field.

Exploration and development 

Otway Basin 

The Company holds offshore and onshore interests in the Otway Basin, the most significant of which are the Casino Henry and Minerva 
gas projects and the VIC/P44 exploration permit located offshore Victoria. Interests are held in onshore acreage in South Australia and 
Victoria, with activity in the latter suspended due to the Victorian government’s moratorium on onshore gas exploration.

Transfer of operatorship and the majority of the titles in relation to the offshore Otway Basin acreage occurred subsequent to year end. 
Transfer of title for a few of the pipeline licences is pending approval from the relevant regulators.

Gippsland Basin

Commercialisation of the Company’s gas resources in the Gippsland Basin is a principal element of the Company’s growth strategy.  
The Company’s interests in the region comprise:

• a 100% interest in VIC/L32, which holds the Sole gas field;

• a 100 % interest in VIC/RL13, VIC/RL14 and VIC/RL15, which holds the Manta gas field. Manta is assessed to contain 2C Resources  

of 106 PJ of gas and 3.2 MMbbl of liquids  as well as hydrocarbon potential in deeper reservoirs; and

• a 100% interest in VIC/RL22 which contains the largely depleted and shut-in Patricia-Baleen gas field, and infrastructure offering 

connection to the Orbost Gas Plant.

The Company is working towards a two-phase development program of its Gippsland gas resources involving development of Sole to 
supply gas from 2019 and a subsequent development of Manta. 

Sole gas project

The Sole gas project comprises:

• an offshore development to be conducted by Cooper Energy comprising the drilling and completion of two production wells, the 

installation of gas pipeline and control umbilicals to connect field; operations to the Orbost Gas Plant via a horizontally drilled shore 
crossing. Abandonment of the Sole-2 appraisal well will also be conducted; and

• an onshore development comprising the upgrade of the Orbost Gas Plant by APA Group to process gas from Sole.

35

Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Operations continued 

The project schedule is for the delivery of first gas from the field into the upgraded plant in March 2019 and supply of sales gas from the 
plant from around June 2019. 

Work on the offshore project to date has concentrated on the shore crossing and finalisation of the planning and preparations for further 
work which is scheduled to commence in the FY18 second half with drilling operations.

The offshore development is estimated to involve capital expenditure of $355 million, approximately 62% of which is under fixed price contracts.

Manta gas project

It is intended the Manta gas and liquids field be developed to utilise economies available through integration with Sole and, potentially, the 
Patricia-Baleen gas field and pipeline. 

Commercialisation of the gas field was found to be economically feasible in 2015 by a formal business case study and a development 
concept involving subsea wellheads for the production of gas and gas liquids through connection to the Orbost Gas Plant by either a direct 
pipeline or via connection to the Patricia-Baleen gas field and pipeline.

Events during FY17 have enhanced the economics and certainty of Manta project development:

• gas market forecasts indicate a tighter gas supply outlook for south-east Australia and the level of enquiry and prices on offer from 

buyers has increased; 

• development costs have been ascertained to have reduced substantially through the process of price discovery and tendering for the 

Sole gas project. Development costs for Manta are now estimated to be $309 million;

• access and terms for processing of Manta gas at the Orbost Gas Plant has been agreed with the proposed plant owner APA Group; and 

• Cooper Energy’s acquisition of the Patricia-Baleen gas field and the pipeline linking the field with the Orbost Gas Plant.

It is expected that a firm development plan for the field will be completed following the results from drilling Manta-3, which is proposed to 
appraise the known gas-bearing reservoirs and test prospective resources in deeper reservoirs underlying those previously drilled. 

Cooper Basin

Drilling activity, which had been suspended in FY16 due to the low oil price environment, recommenced during the year. A total of nine 
wells were spudded in the Company’s Cooper Basin acreage. Of the nine wells drilled, seven were successful development wells and were 
cased and suspended. The final five of these wells, which also had appraisal objectives, were drilled on the Callawonga oil field to address 
the McKinlay Member sandstone which has hitherto been lightly exploited. The success of this program has been reflected in upgrades to 
reserves estimates and investigation of a possible further drilling program in the new calendar year. 

The remaining wells, Penneshaw-1, an oil exploration well in PRL 87, and Butlers-9, an oil appraisal well in PPL 245, were plugged 
and abandoned.

36

Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Financial Performance

Cooper Energy recorded a statutory loss after tax of $12.3 million for the financial year which compares with the loss after tax of $34.8 
million recorded in the 2016 financial year. The 2017 statutory loss includes a number of items which adversely affected the loss after tax 
by a total of $3.6 million. These items principally comprise impairments to the Indonesian oil property assets held for sale and a provision 
for the exit of the Hammamet permit in Tunisia (both included in discontinued operations).

Financial Performance

Sales volume

Sales revenue

Gross profit

Gross profit / Sales revenue

Operating cash flow

Reported loss

Underlying loss

Underlying EBITDA*

MMboe

$ million

$ million

%

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

FY17

0.951

39.1

16.6

42.5

4.1

-12.3

-8.7

5.3

FY16

0.451

27.4

9.9

36.1

7.9

-34.8

-2.8

1.2

Change

0.500

11.7

6.7

6.4

-3.8

22.5

-5.9

4.1

%

111%

43%

68%

18%

-48%

65%

-211%

342%

* Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation

All numbers in tables in the Operating and Financial Review have been rounded. As a result, some total figures may differ insignificantly 
from totals obtained from arithmetic addition of the rounded numbers presented.

Calculation of underlying NPAT / (loss) by adjusting for items unrelated to the underlying operating performance is considered to provide 
meaningful comparison of results between periods. Underlying NPAT / (loss) and underlying EBITDA are not defined measures under 
International Financial Reporting Standards and are not audited. Reconciliations of NPAT / (loss), Underlying NPAT / (loss), Underlying 
EBITDA and other measures included in this report to the Financial Statements are included at the end of this review. 

The underlying loss after tax (exclusive of impairments to the Indonesian oil property assets, gain on sale of the Indonesian subsidiary and 
Tunisian exit provision) was $8.7 million, compared with an underlying loss after tax of $2.8 million in the 2016 financial year. The factors 
which contributed to the movement between the periods were:

• higher sales revenue of $11.7 million as a result of gas produced from the assets acquired during the period;

• higher amortisation costs, $5.8 million, mainly due to amortisation on gas assets acquired;

• higher exploration and evaluation expenditure written off, $1.9 million, due to unsuccessful wells drilled in the 2017 financial year; 

• higher non-cash finance costs and restoration expenses of $2.3 million, due to rehabilitation relating to the assets acquired during  

the period;

• higher general administration and other costs of $3.9 million, due to integration costs brought about by the acquisition of the Victorian 
assets, consulting and new venture costs, costs associated with the closure of discontinued operations and increased staff costs; and

• higher tax expense of $4.2 million including PRRT payments made in respect of the Company’s producing gas assets.

37

 
Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Financial Position

Financial Position

Total assets

Total liabilities

Total equity

Total Assets

$ million

$ million

$ million

FY17

492.6

207.6

285.0

FY16

176.3

84.8

91.6

Change

316.3

122.8

193.4

%

179%

145%

211%

Total assets increased by $316.3 million from $176.3 million to $492.6 million.

At 30 June the Company held cash and deposit balances of $147.5 million, equity investments of $0.7 million and no debt. 

Cash and deposit balances increased by $97.7 million over the period after net proceeds from equity issues of $201.9 million and cash 
flows from operations of $4.1 million partially offset by the acquisition of the Victorian gas assets of $65.0 million and funding exploration 
and development expenditure of $42.3 million as summarised in the chart below.

$ million
Total cash &
investments
50.8

-42.1

-65.0

Total cash &
investments
148.2

201.9

-1.2

0.7

Investments
(at fair value)

Investments
(at fair value)

1.0

49.8

Cash &
deposits

-14.6

27.0

-3.4

-2.8

1.6

-3.7

147.5

Cash &
deposits

Operating
+4.1

53.9

Other 
+93.6 

June 16  Operations  General  Net  

Tax 

Admin  Working 
Capital 

  Movement 

Exit 
Penalties 

Interest  Cash   Proceeds  E & D  Aquisitions  FX &  June 17

after 

from  
operating  equity 
issues
cash flows 

of oil & gas  Other

assets 

Exploration and evaluation assets increased $112.3 million from $111.0 million to $223.3 million as a result of expenditure on Gippsland 
Basin assets and the acquisition of the Victorian exploration gas assets.

Oil and gas assets increased by $64.0 million from $5.4 million to $69.4 million mainly as a result of the acquisition of the Victorian gas 
assets and capital expenditure incurred on development activities in the Cooper Basin.

Trade and other receivables increased $10.5 million from $3.4 million to $13.9 million, mainly due to the timing of sales revenue receipts 
and consideration receivable for the sale of Sukananti to the Company’s associate.

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Financial Position continued 

Total Liabilities

Total liabilities increased by $112.8 million from $84.8 million to $207.6 million. 

Trade and other payables increased $50.5 million from $8.0 million to $58.5 million mainly due to $20.0 million of contingent 
consideration payable for the Victorian gas asset acquisition and accrued costs relating to capital expenditure.

Provisions increased by $49.4 million from $69.6 million to $119.0 million due to rehabilitation provisions assumed on acquisition of  
the Victorian gas assets.

Total Equity

Total equity has increased by $193.4 million from $91.6 million to $285.0 million. In comparing equity for the period to the prior 
corresponding period the key movements were: 

• higher contributed equity of $205.6 million due to shares issued from equity raisings and shares issued on vesting of performance 

rights during the period; and

• higher reserves of $0.2 million mainly due to the issue of equity incentives to employees partially offset by fair value movements in  

the Company’s oil price options and swaps for which cash flow hedge relationships apply; offset in part by

• higher accumulated losses of $12.3 million due to the reported loss for the period.

Business Strategies and Prospects

Since 2012 Cooper Energy has been pursuing a strategy aimed at concentrating the Company’s efforts and resources on building a  
gas business that can participate in gas supply opportunities foreseen arising in south-east Australia. The progress made in FY17 has 
taken Cooper Energy to the point where it has the portfolio of gas reserves and resources, development projects and gas contracts to  
fulfil this strategy and to record substantial growth in production revenue and shareholder value through its execution.

This will be achieved through:

• conducting operations safely and with due care for the employees, communities and environments in which we operate;

• increasing revenue and margin generation from existing gas operations in the Otway Basin through contracting and portfolio 

management of uncontracted gas and improved operational outcomes;

• efficient and value-accretive development and production of oil and gas from existing operations in the Cooper Basin; 

• value-adding to the Manta gas project through the drilling of the Manta-3 appraisal and exploration well and progression of the 

development proposal to the point of commitment;

• assessment, exploration and appraisal of the attractive gas prospects in the Company’s offshore acreage; VIC/P44 in particular is highly 
prospective for gas and presents favourable development economics through the proximity of pipeline and processing infrastructure;

• the addition of new production brought by completion of the Sole gas project to commence supply from mid-2019; and

• vigilance for value-accretive growth opportunities that meet the Company’s acquisition criteria, in particular value creation through 

application of Cooper Energy’s gas commercialisation and/or offshore operator credentials.

Market conditions are supportive of the Company’s prospects for executing and generating value from its strategy. Gas supply to south-
east Australia is anticipated to remain tight and the Company’s uncontracted gas in the Otway and Gippsland basins continues to attract 
enquiries and interest from gas buyers.

Acquisition opportunities will be assessed for their capacity to generate value for shareholders, subject to the Company’s stated key 
investment criteria:

1)  the assets are cost competitive;

2)  there is a foreseeable pathway to commercialisation within 5 years; and

3)  the opportunity offers the potential for value creation; whether that be an incremental increase to the value of the assets through 

the application of Cooper Energy’s capabilities and/or an incremental increase to the value of Cooper Energy’s portfolio arising from 
integration of the assets.

39

Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Business Strategies and Prospects continued 

Outlook

Cooper Energy anticipates production of approximately 1.4 MMboe from its operations in FY18. The large majority of this figure is forecast 
to come from Otway Basin gas production with approximately 0.2 MMboe from the Cooper Basin oil production. 

The Company continues to manage general and administration costs tightly while advancing commercialisation of the Gippsland Basin 
gas projects. General and administration cost estimates for FY18 are now expected to be approximately $14 million.

Capital expenditure guidance for FY18 is for cash expenditure of approximately $224 million accounted for by:

• Gippsland Basin expenditure of $204 million, chiefly being development expenditure of $203 million on the Sole gas project;

• Otway Basin expenditure of $9 million being development expenditure, the major item of which is workover of the Casino-5 

production well;

• Cooper Basin expenditure of $7 million, including the drilling of 3 exploration wells, the drilling of 5 development wells, and field 

connections and facilities upgrade at Callawonga; and

• other expenditure of approximately $4 million.

As at 30 June the Company had oil price hedge arrangements in place for 0.03 MMbbl over the next 6 months. In respect of the balance 
of FY18, the effect of the positions taken is that approximately 27% of the Company’s first half oil production is hedged at an average floor 
price of A$54.45/bbl. The Company does not currently hedge for gas price or foreign currency exchange risk.

Funding and Capital Management

Cooper Energy seeks to manage its capital with the objective of providing shareholders with the optimal risk-weighted return from the 
application of its expertise in the exploration, development, production and sale of hydrocarbons. 

At 30 June the Company had cash, deposits and investments of $148.2 million. On 29 August 2017 the Company announced a fully 
underwritten accelerated non renounceable entitlement offer to raise approximately $135.0 million, subject to standard market terms. 
On this date, the Company also announced its execution of binding underwritten commitments for $250.0 million under a senior reserve 
based lending facility to be used for the purposes of debt funding a portion of the Sole gas field development costs. Further information  
is detailed in Notes 7 and 30 of the Financial Statements. 

Risk Management

The Company manages risks in accordance with its risk management policy with the objective of ensuring all risks inherent in oil and 
gas exploration and production activities are identified, measured and then managed or kept as low as reasonably practicable. The 
Management Team perform risk assessments on a regular basis and a summary is reported to the Risk and Sustainability Committee 
(previously The Audit and Risk Committee). The Committee approves and oversees an internal audit program undertaken internally and/or 
in conjunction with appropriate external industry or field specialists.

Key risks which may materially impact the execution and achievement of the business strategies and prospects for Cooper Energy are 
summarised below and are risks largely inherent in the oil and gas industry. This should not be taken to be a complete or exhaustive list  
of risks nor are risks disclosed in any particular order. Many of the risks are outside the control of the Company and its officers. 

Appropriate policies and procedures are continually being developed and updated to manage these risks. 

Risk

Description

1

Exploration

2

Development and 
Production

40

Exploration is a speculative activity with an associated risk of discovery to find any oil and gas in 
commercial quantities and a risk of development. If Cooper Energy is unsuccessful in locating and 
developing or acquiring new reserves and resources that are commercially viable, this may have a material 
adverse effect on future business, results of operations and financial conditions.

Cooper Energy utilises established methodologies and experienced personnel to evaluate prospects and 
manage the risk associated with exploration. The Company also ensures that all major decisions are 
subjected to assurance reviews which includes external experts and contractors where appropriate.

Development and production of oil and gas projects may be exposed to low side reserve outcomes, cost 
overruns, production decrease or stoppage, which may result from facility shutdowns, mechanical or 
technical failure and other unforeseen events. Cooper Energy undertakes technical, financial, business and 
other analysis in order to determine a project’s readiness to proceed from an operational, commercial and 
economic perspective. Even if Cooper Energy recovers commercial quantities of oil and gas, there is no 
guarantee that a commercial return can be generated. 

Cooper Energy has a project risk management and reporting system to monitor the progress and 
performance of material projects and is subject to regular review by senior management and the Board.  
All major development and investment decisions are subjected to assurance reviews which includes 
experts and contractors where appropriate.

Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Risk Management continued 

Risk

Description

3

Regulatory

4 Market

Cooper Energy operates in a highly regulated environment. Cooper Energy endeavours to comply with the 
regulatory authorities requirements. There is a risk that regulatory approvals are withheld, take longer than 
expected or unforeseen circumstance arise where requirements are not met and costs may be incurred  
to remediate non compliance and/or obtain approval(s). Changes in Government, monetary, taxation and 
other laws in Australia or internationally may impact the Company’s operations

Cooper Energy monitors legislative and regulatory developments and works to ensure that all stakeholder 
concerns are addressed fairly and managed. Policies and procedures are independently reviewed and 
audited to help ensure they are appropriate and comply with all regulatory requirements. 

The oil market and Australian domestic gas market are subject to the fluctuations of supply and demand 
and price. To the extent that future actions of third parties contribute to demand destruction or there is an 
expansion of alternative supply sources, there is a risk that this may have a material adverse effect on price 
for the oil and gas produced and the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Cooper Energy monitors developments and changes in the international oil and domestic gas market and 
conducts regular risk assessments to enable the Company to be best placed to address changes in 
market conditions.

5

Oil and gas prices

Future value, growth and financial condition are dependent upon the prevailing prices for oil and gas. 
Prices for oil and gas are subject to fluctuations and are affected by numerous factors beyond the control 
of Cooper Energy. 

6

Operating

7

Counterparties

8

Reserves

9

Environmental

10 Funding

Cooper Energy monitors and analyses the oil and gas markets and seeks to reduce price risk where 
reasonable and practical. The Company has policies and procedures for entering into hedging contracts to 
mitigate against the fluctuations in oil price and exchange rates.

There are a number of risks associated with operating in the oil and gas industry. The occurrence of any 
event associated with these risks could result in substantial losses to the Company that may have a 
material adverse effect on Cooper Energy’s business, results of operations and financial condition. 

To the extent that it is reasonable to do so, Cooper Energy mitigates the risk of loss associated with operating 
events through insurance contracts. Cooper Energy operates with a comprehensive range of operating and 
risk management plans and an HSEC management system to ensure safe and sustainable operations.

The ability of the Company to achieve its stated objectives will depend on the performance of the counterparties 
under various agreements it has entered into. If any counterparties do not meet their obligations under the 
respective agreements, this may impact on operations, business and financial conditions.

Cooper Energy monitors performance across material contracts against contractual obligations to minimise 
counterparty risk and seeks to include terms in agreements which mitigate such risks.

Oil and gas reserves are expressions of judgement based on knowledge, experience and industry practice. 
These estimates may alter significantly or become uncertain when new information becomes available 
and/or there are material changes of circumstances which may result in Cooper Energy altering its plans 
which could have a positive or negative effect on Cooper Energy’s operations.

Reserve management is consistent with the definitions and guidelines in the Society of Petroleum 
Engineers 2007 Petroleum Resources Management Systems. The assessment of Reserves and Resources 
is also subject to independent review from time to time.

Cooper Energy’s exploration, development and production activities are subject to state, national and 
international environmental laws and regulations. Oil and gas exploration, development and production can 
be potentially environmentally hazardous giving rise to substantial costs for environmental rehabilitation, 
damage control and losses.

Cooper Energy has a comprehensive approach to the management of risks associated with health, safety, 
environment and community which includes standards for asset reliability and integrity, as well as technical 
and operational competency and requirements.

Cooper Energy must undertake significant capital expenditures in order to conduct its development appraisal 
and exploration activities. Limitations on the accessing to adequate funding could have a material adverse 
effect on the business, results from operations, financial condition and prospects. Cooper Energy’s business 
and, in particular development of large scale projects, relies on access to debt and equity funding. There can 
be no assurance that sufficient debt or equity funding will be available on acceptable terms or at all.

Cooper Energy endeavours to ensure that the best source of funding to maximise shareholder benefits and 
having regard to prudent risk management is obtained and is supported by economic and commercial 
analysis of all business undertakings.

41

Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Risk Management continued 

Risk

Description

11 Abandonment 
liabilities

Cooper Energy has certain obligations in respect of decommissioning of its fields, production facilities  
and related infrastructure. These liabilities are derived from legislative and regulatory requirements 
concerning the decommissioning of wells and production facilities and require Cooper Energy to make 
provisions for such decommissioning and the abandonment of assets. Provisions for the costs of this 
activity are informed estimates and there is no assurance that the costs associated with decommissioning 
and abandoning will not exceed the amount of long term provisions recognised to cover these costs.

Cooper Energy recognises restoration provisions after the construction of the facility and conducts a review 
on an annual basis. Any changes to the estimates of the provisions for restoration are recognised in line 
with accounting standards.

Reconciliations for net loss to Underlying net loss and Underlying EBITDA

Reconciliation to Underlying loss

Net loss after income tax

Adjusted for:

Impairment of discontinued operations

Exit provision

Impairment of exploration and evaluation

Impairment of investment in associate

Gain on sale of subsidiary

Tax impact of above changes

Underlying loss

Reconciliation to Underlying EBITDA*

Underlying loss

Add back:

Interest revenue

Accretion expense

Tax expense / (benefit)

Depreciation

Amortisation

Underlying EBITDA*

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million 

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

FY17

-12.3

1.0

4.0

0.0

0.0

-1.4

0.0

-8.7

FY17

-8.7

-1.6

2.5

2.9

0.3

9.8

5.3

FY16

-34.8

13.0

3.7

21.7

0.2

0.0

-6.5

-2.8

FY16

-2.8

-0.8

1.4

-1.2

0.5

4.1

1.2

Change

22.5

-12.0

0.3

-21.7

-0.2

-1.4

6.5

-5.9

Change

%

65%

-92%

8%

-100%

-100%

-100%

100%

-211%

%

-5.9

-211%

-0.8

1.1

4.1

-0.2

5.7

4.1

-100%

79%

342%

-40%

139%

342%

* Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation

42

Operating and Financial Review
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Reconciliations of other measures to the Financial Statements

Reconciliation to sales volumes

Continuing operations

MMboe

Add back: Indonesia held for sale / discontinued operations MMboe

Sales volume

Reconciliation to sales revenue

Continuing operations

MMboe

$ million

Add back: Indonesia held for sale / discontinued operations

$ million

Sales revenue

Reconciliation to gross profit

Continuing operations

$ million

$ million

Add back: Indonesia held for sale / discontinued operations

$ million

Gross profit

$ million

Reconciliation to gross profit / sales revenue

Continuing operations

Add back: Indonesia held for sale / discontinued operations

Gross profit / Sales revenue

%

%

%

Reconciliation to production expenses and royalties

Continuing operations

$ million

Add back: Indonesia held for sale / discontinued operations

$ million

Production expenses and royalties

$ million

Reconciliation to amortisation

Continuing operations

$ million

Add back: Indonesia held for sale / discontinued operations

$ million

Amortisation

Reconciliation to general administration

Continuing operations

$ million

$ million

Add back: Indonesia held for sale / discontinued operations

$ million

General administration

Reconciliation to tax benefit

Continuing operations

Tax impacts of adjustments to underlying loss

$ million

$ million

$ million

Add back: Indonesia held for sale / discontinued operations

$ million

Tax benefit / (expense)

$ million

FY17

0.873

0.078

0.951

FY17

34.6

4.5

39.1

FY17

14.6

1.9

16.5

FY17

42.2

42.2

42.2

FY17

10.2

2.5

12.7

FY16

0.311

0.140

0.451

Change

0.562

-0.062

0.500

FY16

Change

20.3

7.2

27.4

14.3

-2.7

11.7

FY16

Change

8.1

1.8

9.9

6.5

0.1

6.6

FY16

Change

39.9

25.0

36.1

2.3

17.2

6.1

FY16

Change

9.3

4.1

13.4

0.9

-1.6

-0.7

FY17

FY16

Change

9.8

0.1

9.9

FY17

15.4

0.4

15.8

2.9

1.2

4.1

6.9

-1.1

5.8

FY16

Change

10.8

0.9

11.7

4.6

-0.5

4.1

FY17

FY16

Change

-2.8

0.0

-0.1

-2.9

7.9

-6.5

-0.2

1.2

-10.7

6.5

0.1

-4.1

%

181%

-44%

111%

%

70%

-38%

43%

%

80%

6%

67%

%

6%

69%

17%

%

10%

-39%

-5%

%

238%

-92%

141%

%

43%

-56%

35%

%

-135%

-100%

-50%

-342%

43

Directors’ Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

The Directors present their report together with the consolidated financial 
report of the Group, being Cooper Energy Limited (the “parent entity” or 
“Cooper Energy” or “Company”) and its controlled entities, for the financial 
year ended 30 June 2017, and the independent auditor’s report thereon.

1. Directors

The Directors of the parent entity at any time during or since the end of the financial year are:

Mr John C. Conde AO 
B.Sc. B.E(Hons), MBA

Chairman  
Independent Non-Executive 
Director

Appointed 25 February 2013

Mr David P. Maxwell 
M.Tech, FAICD

Managing Director

Appointed 12 October 2011

Experience and expertise 

Mr Conde has extensive experience in business and commerce and in chairing high profile business, 
arts and sporting organisations. 

Previous positions include non-executive Director of BHP Billiton, Chairman of Pacific Power (the 
Electricity Commission of NSW), Chairman of Events NSW, President of the National Heart Foundation 
and Chairman of the Pymble Ladies’ College Council.

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Mr Conde is Chairman of Bupa Australia (since 2008) and The McGrath Foundation (since 2013 and 
Director since 2012). He is President of the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal (since 2003) and 
a director of Dexus Property Group ASX: DXS (since 2009). He is Deputy Chairman of Whitehaven 
Coal Limited ASX: WHC (since 2007). 

Mr Conde is a former Chairman of Destination NSW (2011 – 2014) and the Sydney Symphony 
Orchestra (2007 – 2015) and is a former director of AFC Asian Cup (2015) (2012 – 2015).

Special Responsibilities 

Mr Conde is Chairman of the Board of Directors. During the reporting period he was a member of the 
Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee. 

From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit and Risk Committee were separated into two stand-alone 
committees being the Audit Committee and the Risk and Sustainability Committee. Mr Conde is a 
member of the Audit Committee.

Experience and expertise

Mr Maxwell is a leading oil and gas industry executive with more than 25 years in senior executive roles 
with companies such as BG Group, Woodside Petroleum Limited and Santos Limited. Mr. Maxwell has 
very successfully led many large commercial, marketing and business development projects.

Prior to joining Cooper Energy Mr Maxwell worked with the BG Group, where he was responsible for all 
commercial, exploration, business development, strategy and marketing activities in Australia and led 
BG Group’s entry into Australia and Asia including a number of material acquisitions.

Mr Maxwell has served on a number of industry association boards, government advisory Groups and 
public Company boards. 

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Mr Maxwell is a director of wholly owned subsidiaries of Cooper Energy Ltd.

Special Responsibilities 

Mr Maxwell is Managing Director and is responsible for the day to day leadership of Cooper Energy. 
He is the leader of the management team.

44

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

1. Directors continued 

Mr Hector M. Gordon 
B.Sc. (Hons). FAICD 

Executive Director

26 June 2012 – 23 June 2017

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 24 June 2017

Experience and expertise

Mr Gordon is a very successful geologist with over 35 years of experience in the petroleum industry. 
Mr Gordon was previously Managing Director of Somerton Energy until it was acquired by Cooper 
Energy in 2012. Previously he was an Executive Director with Beach Energy Limited where he was 
employed for more than 16 years. In this time Beach Energy experienced significant growth and  
Mr Gordon held a number of roles including Exploration Manager, Chief Operating Officer and, 
ultimately, Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gordon’s previous employers also include Santos Limited,  
AGL Petroleum, TMOC Resources, Esso Australia and Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd.

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Mr Gordon is a director of Bass Oil Limited ASX: BAS (since 2014) and various wholly owned subsidiaries 
of the Company. 

Special Responsibilities

As a part time executive of the Company, Mr Gordon was responsible for overseeing exploration  
and production activities and providing technical expertise in these areas. After he ceased being an 
executive director at the end of the term of his executive services agreement on 23 June 2017,  
Mr Gordon became a Non-Executive Director on 24 June 2017. 

From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit and Risk Committee were separated into two stand-alone 
committees being the Audit Committee and the Risk and Sustainability Committee. Mr Gordon is the 
Chairman of the Risk and Sustainability Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.

Mr Jeffrey W. Schneider 
B.Com 

Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Experience and expertise

Mr Schneider has over 30 years of experience in senior management roles in the oil and gas industry, 
including 24 years with Woodside Petroleum Limited. He has extensive corporate governance and board 
experience as both a non-executive director and chairman in resources companies.

Appointed 12 October 2011

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Ms Alice J. M. Williams 
B.Com, FAICD, FCPA, CFA

Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Appointed 28 August 2013

Mr Schneider is a former director of Comet Ridge Limited ASX: COI (2003 – 2014).

Special Responsibilities 

During the reporting period, Mr Schneider was Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination 
Committees and member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit and Risk Committee were separated into two stand-alone 
committees being the Audit Committee and the Risk and Sustainability Committee. Mr Schneider is  
a member of both the Risk and Sustainability Committee and the Audit Committee.

Experience and expertise

Ms Williams has over 25 years of senior management and Board level experience in corporate, 
investment banking and Government sectors. 

Ms Williams has been a consultant to major Australian and international corporations as a corporate 
advisor on strategic and financial assignments. Ms Williams has also been engaged by Federal and 
State based Government organisations to undertake reviews of competition policy and regulation. 
Prior appointments include Director of Airservices Australia, Telstra Sale Company, V/Line Passenger 
Corporation, State Trustees, Western Health and the Australian Accounting Standards Board.

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Ms Williams is a non-executive Director of Equity Trustees Ltd ASX: EQT (since 2007), Djerriwarrh 
Investments Ltd, Victorian Funds Management Corporation (since 2008), Barristers Chambers Ltd 
(since 2015), the Foreign Investment Review Board (since 2015), Defence Health and Racing Victoria 
Limited (since 2016). Ms Williams is a former council member of the Cancer Council of Victoria and 
former non-executive Director of Guild Group and Port of Melbourne Corporation. 

Special Responsibilities 

During the Reporting period, Ms Williams was Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee and a 
member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit and Risk Committee were separated into two stand-alone 
committees being the Audit Committee and the Risk and Sustainability Committee. Ms Williams is the 
Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Risk and Sustainability Committee.

45

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

2. Company secretaries

Ms Alison Evans B.A., LLB was appointed to the position of Company Secretary and Legal Counsel on 25 February 2013. Ms Evans is an 
experienced Company secretary and corporate legal counsel with extensive knowledge of corporate and commercial law in the resources 
and energy sectors. Ms Evans has been Company Secretary and/or Legal Counsel in a number of minerals and energy companies including 
Centrex Metals, GTL Energy and AGL. Ms Evans’ public Company experience is supported by her work at leading corporate law firms.

Mr Jason de Ross was appointed to the position of Company Secretary on 25 November 2013. Mr de Ross resigned as Company 
Secretary when his employment with the Company ceased on 9 December 2016.

3. Directors’ meetings

The number of Directors’ meetings (including meetings of committees of Directors) and number of meetings attended by each of the 
Directors during the financial year are:

Director

 Board Meetings

Audit & Risk 
Committee 
Meetings*

Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee 
Meetings

Mr J. Conde

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon 

Mr J. Schneider 

Ms A. Williams

 A

17

17

17

17

17

 B

17

17

17

17

17

A

4

-

-

4

4

B

4

-

-

4

4

A

2

-

-

2

2

B

2

-

-

2

2

A = Number of meetings attended. 

B = Number of meetings held during the time the Director held office, or was a member of the committee, during the year

*From 1 July 2017, the duties of the Audit and Risk Committee were separated into two stand-alone committees being the Audit 
Committee and the Risk and Sustainability Committee.

4. Remuneration Report

Information about the remuneration of the Company’s key management personnel for the financial year ended 30 June 2017 is set out in 
the Remuneration Report. The information in the Remuneration Report has been audited as required by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) 
and forms part of the Directors’ Report.

Introduction to Remuneration Report from the Chairman of the Remuneration 
and Nomination Committee

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present our Remuneration Report for 2017 for which we will seek your support at the 2017 Annual General Meeting.  
The report is designed to provide information regarding our remuneration framework and the outcomes for the reporting period.

Report context: 2017 Financial Year

The Company’s performance in the 12 months to 30 June 2017 is reported in the Operating and Financial Review of the Financial Report 
and discussed in the Managing Director’s report and Chairman’s report found in this Annual Report. It is not necessary to repeat this 
detail, but there are features I highlight in introducing this Remuneration Report. 

Cooper Energy recorded transformational growth in its production, proved and probable reserves and business base in the 2017 financial 
year. The progress of the company’s gas strategy was accelerated, such that by year end, Cooper Energy was established as a gas supplier 
to south-east Australia and had commenced construction of its major growth opportunity, the Sole gas project. The company’s position is 
now such that it can reasonably anticipate further growth in revenue, production and reserves in the 2018 financial year.

Importantly, the company valuation also recorded transformational growth rising from a market capitalisation of approximately $96 million 
at 30 June 2016 to over $400 million at the conclusion of the year. For shareholders, a total shareholder return of 72.7% was recorded, 
outperforming the company’s peer group for the reporting period. 

The Committee believes it is relevant that this performance was achieved through the disciplined application of the Company’s gas 
strategy by its management team over several years. In this context, the Board believes that the remuneration framework, which 
incentivises long term value adding performance has been effective in retaining, motivating and rewarding the existing team and delivering 
value for you, our shareholders.

46

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued 

Developments

The completion of the Victorian gas asset acquisition effective from 1 January changed the balance of the income source from oil to gas; 
brought expanded management responsibilities; and necessitated a reset of scorecard performance measures. 

The management team was restructured effective from 1 January 2017. This involved revision of the roles and responsibilities of each 
member of the Executive KMP to cover the new activities undertaken by the gas business that had been developed including increased 
responsibilities, and larger functional teams. The team’s capability was also strengthened with the addition of Duncan Clegg as General 
Manager, Development and Virginia Suttell as Chief Financial Officer. Since year end, Michael Jacobsen has further enhanced our 
technical leadership as General Manager Projects.

In view of the results achieved at the half year and the change in business, from 1 January 2017 fixed remuneration of Executive KMP 
was reinstated to the levels in place prior to reductions taken in response to the lower oil price environment. At the same time, salaries 
of the Executive KMP were reviewed against industry benchmarks taking into account the revised scope of position descriptions and 
the changed size and nature of the Company. This resulted in some members of the team receiving market adjustments to ensure 
remuneration was market competitive and consistent with the remuneration policy.

Non-Executive Directors had also reduced their Directors’ fees during the previous financial year. Fees were reinstated from 1 January 
2017 to prior levels and following a benchmark review, they were also increased for the first time since 2013. The Non-Executive Directors 
also increased in number with the appointment of Hector Gordon.

We thank the Managing Director, the management team and all our people for their commitment and contribution over the year.

Yours sincerely 

Mr Jeffrey Schneider

Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee

4.1 Introduction

This Remuneration Report (Report) details the approach to remuneration frameworks, outcomes and performance for Cooper Energy.  
The Remuneration Report forms part of the Directors’ Report and provides shareholders with an understanding of the remuneration 
principles in place for key management personnel (KMP) for the reporting period.

The Remuneration Report has been prepared in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001 and unless specified 
otherwise, has been audited in accordance with the provisions of section 308 (3C) of the Corporations Act 2001.

Contents

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Key Management Personnel covered in this report

4.3 Remuneration governance

4.4 FY17 performance and KMP outcomes

4.5 Nature of Executive KMP remuneration

4.6 Nature of Non-Executive KMP remuneration

4.7 Statutory remuneration disclosures

Page

47

47

48

49

53

57

58

4.2 Key Management Personnel covered in this Report 

In this Report, Key Management Personnel (KMP) are those individuals having the authority and responsibility for planning, directing 
and controlling the activities of the Group, either directly or indirectly. They comprise:

• Non-Executive Directors;

• Executive Directors; and 

• the executives on the management team.

47

 
 
Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.2 Key Management Personnel covered in this Report continued

Executive Directors and other executives on the management team are referred to in this Report as “Executive KMP”. The following table 
sets out the KMP of the Group during the reporting period, and the period they were KMP:

Non-Executive Directors

Position

Dates

Current

Mr J. Conde AO 

Mr J. Schneider

Ms A. Williams

Mr H. Gordon 

Executive KMP

Current

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr A. Thomas 

Mr E. Glavas

Ms A. Evans

Mr I. MacDougall 

Ms V. Suttell

Mr D. Clegg

Former

Mr H. Gordon 

Mr J. de Ross 

Chairman

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Position 

Full reporting period

Full reporting period

Full reporting period

From 24 June 2017

Dates

Managing Director

General Manager Exploration & Subsurface 
Exploration Manager

Full reporting period

From 1 January 2017 
Until 31 December 2016

General Manager Commercial & Business Development 
Commercial and Business Development Manager

From 1 January 2017 
Until 31 December 2016

Company Secretary and Legal Counsel

Full reporting period

General Manager Operations 
Operations Manager

Chief Financial Officer (Acting)

General Manager Development

From 1 January 2017 
Until 31 December 2016

18 January 2017 – 30 June 2017

From 1 May 2017

Executive Director – Exploration & Production

Until 23 June 2017

Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Until 9 December 2016

Ms Suttell was appointed Chief Financial Officer on 1 July 2017. Mr Michael Jacobsen was appointed as General Manager Projects on 
1 July 2017. Mr Jacobsen had previously been leading the Sole development project team for Santos and his employment transferred at 
the time operatorship of the Sole assets was transferred to Cooper Energy. Both Ms Suttell and Mr Jacobsen are part of the management 
team and accordingly are Executive KMP for the purposes of this Report.

4.3 Remuneration Governance 

4.3.1 Philosophy and objectives

The Company is committed to a remuneration philosophy that aligns to our business strategy and emphasises superior performance  
and shareholder returns. 

Cooper Energy’s approach towards remuneration aims to ensure that an appropriate balance is achieved among:

• maximising sustainable shareholder returns;

• operational and strategic requirements; and

• providing attractive and appropriate remuneration packages.

The primary objectives of the Company’s remuneration policy are to:

• attract and retain high-calibre employees;

• ensure that remuneration is fair and competitive with both peers and competitor employers;

• provide significant incentive to deliver superior performance (when compared to peers) against Cooper Energy’s strategy and key 

business goals;

• achieve the most effective returns (employee productivity) for total employee spend; and

• ensure remuneration transparency and credibility for all employees and in particular for Executive KMP.

48

 
Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report (Audited) continued 

4.3 Remuneration Governance continued

Cooper Energy’s policy is to pay fixed remuneration (base salary and superannuation) at the median level compared to hydrocarbon 
industry benchmark data and supplement this with “at risk” remuneration to bring total remuneration within the upper quartile when 
outstanding performance is achieved. 

4.3.2 Remuneration & Nomination Committee

The Company’s Remuneration & Nomination Committee (comprised during the reporting period of 3 Non-Executive Directors, all of whom 
are independent) makes recommendations to the Board regarding remuneration strategies and policies in relation to KMP. The Committee 
assesses annually the nature and amount of Executive KMP remuneration by reference to relevant employment market conditions and 
third party remuneration benchmark reports. The Committee determines remuneration arrangements in conjunction with the annual 
performance reviews of the Executive KMP.

4.3.3 External remuneration advisers

From time to time, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee seeks and considers advice from external advisors who are engaged 
by and report directly to the Remuneration Committee. Such advice will typically cover non-Executive Director fees, Executive KMP 
remuneration and advice in relation to equity plans. 

The Corporations Act 2001 requires companies to disclose specific details regarding the use of remuneration consultants. The mandatory 
disclosure requirements only apply to those advisors who provide a “remuneration recommendation” as defined in the Corporations Act 
2001. The Remuneration and Nomination Committee did not receive any remuneration recommendations during the reporting period and 
all remuneration benchmarking was performed in-house against independent Australian hydrocarbon industry remuneration data.

4.4 FY17 performance and Executive KMP pay outcomes

4.4.1 Remuneration actually delivered to Executives in FY17 (not audited)

The Company believes that reporting remuneration actually delivered to Executive KMP is useful to shareholders and provides clear and 
transparent disclosure of remuneration provided by the Company. The tables set out below show amounts paid to Executive KMP and the 
cash value of equity awards which vested during the reporting period.

This information is non-IFRS and is in addition to and different from the disclosures required by the Corporations Act 2001 and 
Accounting Standards in the rest of the Remuneration Report and the tables in sections 4.7.3 and 4.7.4. The information in this section 
4.4.1 is not audited

The total benefits actually delivered during the reporting period and set out in the table below comprise several elements including:

• fixed remuneration being base salary and superannuation;

• STI cash payment made in October 2016 being the STIP awarded for performance during the prior period (FY16); 

• the market value of shares issued in FY17 on the vesting of performance rights granted November 2013 and April 2014. The market 

value is taken to be the share price at the date of issue of the shares;

• the value of other short term benefits including fringe benefits on accommodation, car parking and other benefits.

49

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.4 FY17 performance and Executive KMP pay outcomes continued

4.4.1 Remuneration actually delivered to Executives in FY17 (not audited) continued

Name

Year

Fixed 
Remuneration 
$

STIP

$

LTIP

$

Other

$

Termination 
Payments

$

Total

$

Executive Directors

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon1

Executives

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell2

Ms A. Evans3

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr D. Clegg4

Mr J. de Ross5

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

667,500

350,000

422,608

650,000

275,000

93,907

231,718

85,000

245,348

219,502

80,500

51,922

381,762

96,000

152,824

375,123

96,000

78,681

107,620

-

223,274

176,089

374,411

382,025

297,764

281,190

386,803

-

-

-

48,000

47,500

96,000

87,000

77,000

62,000

-

-

68,040

9,419

88,930

-

-

-

-

-

31,500

-

176,868

86,000

411,691

335,276

85,000

28,433

88,691

83,350

6,466

6,373

6,192

5,824

2,453

-

6,603

6,236

6,649

6,419

6,466

6,373

92

-

3,240

6,373

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,528,799

1,102,257

568,532

358,297

636,778

555,628

110,073

-

345,917

239,244

565,990

475,444

381,230

349,563

418,395

-

283,371

961,170

-

455,082

 1. Mr Gordon worked part time during the reporting period (0.5 full time equivalent) and accordingly his entitlements are prorated. 

2.   Ms Suttell commenced employment with the Company in an acting capacity part time (0.8 full time equivalent) on 18 January 2017. 

She modified her hours to full time from 1 June 2017. 

3.   Ms Evans worked part time (0.7 full time equivalent for the period 1 July 2016 to 31 January 2016 and 0.8 full time equivalent for the 

period 1 February 2017 to 30 June 2017) and accordingly her entitlements are prorated.

4.   Mr Clegg commenced employment with the Company as General Manager Development on 1 May 2017. Prior to that time, he was 

engaged by the Company as a contractor on a part time basis and was not considered KMP during this period. The amounts shown in 
the table above include the total remuneration paid during the reporting period, including as a contractor.

5.   Mr de Ross left employment on 9 December 2016. His termination payment included the payout of unused annual leave entitlements. 
LTIP includes the accelerated vesting of performance rights granted under the 2011 Plan that had been tested and achieved at the 
time of termination and pro-rata vesting of performance rights and share appreciation rights granted under the EIP based on service 
and performance.

50

 
Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued 

4.4 FY17 performance and Executive KMP pay outcomes continued

In addition to the amounts set out in the table above, Executive KMP were also delivered a STI cash bonus in FY17 in respect of the first 
half of the FY17 financial year measurement period for the Company’s STIP. 

STI payments are generally made for performance over a 12 month period, however the acquisition of the Victorian gas assets from 
Santos (which was not foreseen at the time the FY17 company scorecard was approved by the Board) was an extraordinary event which 
transformed the Company and necessitated a re-set of the scorecard performance measures (which were increased because most 
measures had already been exceeded from 1 January). An interim STIP award was made to employees in January 2017. The interim STIP 
payments made to Executive KMP are set out below.

Name

Executive Directors

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon

Executives

Mr A. Thomas

Ms A. Evans

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr J. de Ross

HY17 STIP 
$

293,940

70,171

78,400

51,320

78,400

66,360

50,953

The STIP for the second half of the financial year will be assessed in accordance with the Company’s usual timeframes and will be paid in 
October 2017.

4.4.2 Cooper Energy five-year performance

12 months to 30 June

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Annual production

Proved & Probable Reserves

MMboe

MMboe

TRCFR1

Financial

Sales revenue

Profit after tax

Earnings per share

Total shareholder return

Capital as at 30 June

Share price

Market capitalisation

events per hours worked

$ million

$ million

cents

percent

0.49

2.16

2.10

53.4

1.3

0.4

(16.7)

0.59

2.01

2.52

72.3

22.0

6.4

34.7

$ per share

$ million

0.375

123.4

0.505

166.3

1. Total Recordable Case Frequency Rate 

0.48

3.08

4.18

39.1

(63.5)

(19.2)

(51.5)

0.245

81.4

0.46

3.00

0.00

27.4

(34.8)

(10.1)

(12.2)

0.215

93.6

0.96

11.7

1.98

39.1

(12.3)

(1.8)

72.7

0.38

433.4

51

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.4 FY17 performance and Executive KMP pay outcomes continued

4.4.3 STIP outcomes

The most significant achievement during the performance period was the acquisition of the Victorian gas assets from Santos which was 
effective from 1 January 2017. The acquisition had a significant impact on all of the key measures in the Company Scorecard. The Board 
awarded an interim short term incentive payment relating to performance over the first half of the financial year and then re-set the 
scorecard for the remaining half of the financial year with increased performance measures that reflected the transformed business.

Performance 1 July to 31 December 2016

Performance against the Company Scorecard for the period 1 July to 31 December 2016 was determined by the Board as follows: 

Performance measures in 
company scorecard

Performance 1 July to 31 
December 2016

Comment

HSEC Performance

Super Stretch

0.0 Total Recordable Case Frequency Rate and a 0.0 Lost time 
Injury Frequency Rate. This is an excellent result and better 
than industry benchmarks. In addition, many of the Company’s 
environmental and safety systems and processes were enhanced 
as the Company prepared to become an operator of producing 
assets in Australia.

Increased production

Super Stretch

Production increased 3 times above year end forecast.

Growth in reserves 
and resources

Key gas strategy milestones

Super Stretch

Acquisitions and divestments

Cost management

Processes and 
Risk Management

People and stakeholder 
relationships

Super Stretch

A significant increase in reserves and resources with the 
addition of 10.6 MMboe from the acquisition of the Casino 
Henry and Minerva gas assets. The Company’s gas strategy 
was accelerated. The exit from Tunisia was completed and the 
Company had entered into agreements to exit Indonesia in 
accordance with strategy.

Costs were within budget and processes and systems 
significantly upgraded. The Company undertook a very 
successful capital raising to fund the acquisition of Victorian 
gas assets. 

Excellent performance against all measures (both against the Company Scorecard and individual performance measures) resulted in the 
delivery of between Stretch and Super Stretch (i.e. maximum award) to Executive KMP in relation to the first half of the reporting period. 
The amounts that were paid in January 2016 are set out in Section 4.4.1.

Performance 1 January to 30 June 2017

In re-setting the scorecard, the Board maintained the same broad categories of performance measures but increased the relevant targets. 
The key changes were to:

• recognise increased HSEC requirements in becoming an operator of producing assets in offshore Australia;

• increase reserves and production growth targets;

• recognise that as operator of producing assets in Australia, the Company would have increased regulatory and other responsibilities; and

• recognise the increased funding requirements for Cooper Energy as 100% owner of the Sole gas project.

The preliminary Scorecard results for the second half of the reporting period ranged between Target and Super Stretch. The final STIP 
results for the second half of the reporting period, in conjunction with individual performance reviews will be determined in September 
and form the basis of individual STIP payments in October 2017.

52

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.4 FY17 performance and Executive KMP pay outcomes continued

4.4.4 LTIP outcomes

The Company’s total shareholder return relative to the peer group against which it is measured is set out below. The graph commences 
December 2015, the time the first grant of performance rights and share appreciation rights were made under the Company’s Equity 
Incentive Plan (EIP). Rights will vest and shares will be issued for the first time under this plan in 2018.

-100%

-50%

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

Share Price Performance - 15 December 2015 to 30 June 2017 

Cooper Energy Limited

172%

193%

129%

32%

-7%

-19%

-20%

-24%

-28%

-49%

-51%

-61%

-62%

During the reporting period, shares were issued to Executive KMP on the vesting of performance rights granted in October 2013 and 
March 2014 under the 2011 Plan. Under that plan, 75% of the performance rights were tested against relative total shareholder return 
and 25% were tested against absolute shareholder return after the end of the measurement period. 

The results are set out below:

2011 Plan Award

Start VWAP

End VWAP

Cooper Energy TSR

TSR Rank

Absolute TSR Achieved

Relative TSR Achieved

Award 5 (granted October 2013)

Award 6 (granted March 2014)

0.3965

0.3004

-24.26%

0.5361

0.3004

-43.97%

1st against peer group

1st against peer group

0.00%

100.00%

0.00%

100.00%

4.5 Nature of Executive KMP remuneration

Executive KMP remuneration during the reporting period consisted of:

• base salary and statutory superannuation;

• short term incentive plan (being performance based cash bonuses); 

• other short term benefits such as accommodation, internet allowance and carparking; and

• long term incentive plan (currently comprising the award of performance rights and share appreciation rights under the Company’s 

Equity Incentive Plan (EIP)).

It is the Company’s policy that the performance based (or at risk) pay of Executive KMP forms a significant portion of their total 
remuneration. In addition, within performance based pay, an appropriate balance is targeted between rewarding operational performance 
(through the short term incentive cash bonuses) and rewarding long-term sustainable performance (through the long term incentive plan). 

53

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.5 Nature of Executive KMP remuneration continued

The Company’s remuneration profile for Executive KMP is as follows:

Remuneration 
Element

Expressed as percentage of base remuneration 
at target level performance

Expressed as percentage of base remuneration at 
maximum (super stretch) level performance

Managing 
Director

Executive 
Director

Fixed Remuneration 

STIP (at risk)

LTIP 1 (at risk)

Total

100%

50%

120%

270%

4.5.1 Fixed Remuneration 

100%

38%

95%

233%

Other 
Executive 
KMP

100%

25%

70%

195%

Managing 
Director

Executive 
Director

100%

100%

120%

320%

100%

75%

95%

270%

Other 
Executive 
KMP

100%

50%

70%

220%

Fixed Remuneration includes base salary (paid in cash) and statutory superannuation.

Executives are paid base salaries which are competitive in the markets in which the Company operates and are consistent with the 
responsibilities, accountabilities and complexities of the respective roles. 

The Company benchmarks Executive KMP base salaries against hydrocarbon industry market surveys which are published annually. 
Additionally, the pay levels of Executive positions in the Company may be benchmarked against national market executive remuneration 
surveys. It is the Company’s policy to position itself at the median level of the market when benchmarking base salaries.

4.5.2 Short term incentive plan (STIP) - Overview

The key features of the STIP for the financial year 2017 are set out in the following table:

Plan Feature

Details

What is the purpose of the STIP?

The STIP is designed to motivate and reward Executive KMP for their contribution to the annual 
performance of the Company.

How does the STIP align with 
the interests of Cooper Energy’s 
shareholders?

The STIP is aligned to shareholder interests by encouraging Execute KMP to achieve 
operational and business milestones in a balanced and sustainable manner.

What is the vehicle of the STIP award?

The STIP award is delivered in the form of a cash payment.

What is the maximum award 
opportunity (% of fixed remuneration)?

Managing Director  100% 
Executive Director   75% 
50%
Executives 

What is the performance period?

Each year, the Board reviews and approves the performance criteria for the year ahead by 
approving a Company scorecard. The Company’s STIP generally operates over a 12 month 
performance period from 1 July to 30 June. 

Due to the impact on the scorecard of the acquisition of the Victorian gas assets from Santos 
(which transaction was effective from 1 January 2017), the Board determined to re-set the 
Company scorecard at 1 January 2017. Performance was therefore measured against the initial 
scorecard at the end of December 2016 and against the re-set scorecard at the end of June 
2017. See further information in section 4.4.3.

1  Reflects face value of LTIP at grant date however may not necessarily reflect the amount that will ultimately vest and be exercised.

54

 
 
Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.5 Nature of Executive KMP remuneration continued

4.5.1 Fixed Remuneration continued

How are the performance measures 
determined and what are their 
relative weightings?

When are STIP payments made?

The measurement of Company performance is based on the achievement of key performance 
indicators (KPIs) set out in a Company scorecard. The KPIs focus on the core elements 
the Board believes are needed to successfully deliver the Company strategy and maximise 
sustainable shareholder returns. For each KPI in the scorecard, a base or threshold 
performance level is established as well as a target, stretch target and super stretch 
(ie maximum). 

Personal performance measures are agreed between each Executive KMP and Cooper Energy 
each year. The relative weighting of Company and individual performance varies dependant on 
the seniority of the Executive KMP and is as follows:

• Managing Director: 80% Company: 20% individual 

• Executive Director: 75% Company; 25% individual

• Executives 70% Company; 30% individual

All performance measures are relevant to the Company’s strategic objectives and designed to 
motivate Executive KMP to meet goals which enhance shareholder value. 

Performance measures are challenging and maximum award opportunities are only achieved 
by outstanding performance. 50% of the maximum award opportunity will be awarded if 
the Company meets target level performance. Target level KPIs are set at a challenging and 
achievable level of performance (and not at the expected level of performance (base)). 0% 
STIP will be awarded for base level achievement.

STIP payments, if any, are generally made in October each year. As discussed above however 
in the 2017 financial year the STIP payments were in two halves. The first STIP payment 
was made in January and any STIP payments in respect of the second half will be paid in 
October 2017. 

Irrespective of the scorecard outcome, payment of any STIP is entirely at the discretion of 
the Board. 

4.5.3 Long term incentive plan (LTIP) - Overview

In the reporting period, the LTIP involved grants of performance rights and share appreciation rights under the Equity Incentive Plan 
approved by shareholders at the 2015 AGM (EIP). It is proposed that future grants will be made under the EIP. The key features of the 
grants made in the financial year 2017 (granted October 2016) are set out in the following table: 

Plan Feature

Details

What is the purpose of the LTIP?

How is the LTIP aligned to 
shareholder interests?

What is the vehicle of the LTIP?

The Company believes that encouraging its employees, including Executive KMP, to 
become shareholders is the best way of aligning their interests with those of the Company’s 
shareholders. Having a LTIP is also intended to be a retention incentive for employees (with a 
vesting period of at least 3 years before securities under the plan are available to employees). 

Employees only benefit from the LTIP when there is sustained superior share price performance 
of the company compared to relevant peer group companies. This aligns the LTIP with the 
interests of shareholders.

During the reporting period, the LTIP involved grants of 50% Performance Rights and 50% 
Share Appreciation Rights (SARs). 
A performance right is a right to acquire one fully paid share in the Company provided a 
specified hurdle is met. 
Share Appreciation Rights (SARs) are rights to acquire shares in the Company to the value of 
the difference in the Company share price between the grant date and vesting date.

What is the maximum award 
opportunity (% of fixed remuneration)?

Managing Director 
Executive Director 
Executive KMP 
Senior staff 

120% 
95% 
70% 
50%

55

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.5 Nature of Executive KMP remuneration continued

What is the performance period?

The performance period is 3 years. Additionally, the LTIP allows for re-testing 12 months 
following the end of the performance period. 

What are the performance measures?

A re-test is considered appropriate because the Company’s growth is dependent on 
development of projects that will likely take greater than 3 years from conception to start-up.

100% of the grant (both performance rights and SARs) is subject to a relative total shareholder 
return performance (RTSR) measure. RTSR is a common LTI measure across ASX-listed 
companies and is aligned with shareholder returns. Relative measures ensure that maximum 
incentives are only achieved if Cooper Energy’s performance exceeds that of its peers and 
therefore supports competitive returns against other comparable organisations.

In addition to the RTSR performance measure set by the Board, SARs by their nature also have 
a natural absolute total shareholder return measure. No SARs will be exercisable unless the 
share price appreciates over the measurement period.

What is the vesting schedule?

The level of vesting will be determined based on the ranking against the comparator Group of 
companies in accordance with the following schedule:

Which companies make up the 
Relative TSR peer group?

• below the 50th percentile no rights vest

• at the 50th percentile 30% of the rights vest

• between the 50th percentile and 90th percentile pro rata vesting

• at the 90th percentile or above, 100% of the rights will vest.

The vesting schedule reflects the Board’s requirement that performance measures are 
challenging and maximum award opportunities are only achieved by outstanding performance.

The RTSR of the Company is measured as a percentile ranking compared to the following 
comparator Group of 12 listed entities: Beach Energy Limited; Senex Energy Limited; Blue 
Energy Limited; Tap Oil Limited; Central Petroleum Limited, AWE Limited, Icon Energy Limited, 
Buru Energy Limited, Carnarvon Petroleum Limited, Strike Energy Limited, Empire Oil & Gas NL 
and Horizon Oil Limited.

The peer group was based on a group of ASX-listed companies in the energy and resources 
sector, with Australian operations and a range of market capitalisation. The peer group is 
reviewed annually for relevance and amended as appropriate.

What happens on cessation 
of employment?

Generally, if an employee ceases employment prior to the vesting date, they will forfeit all 
awards. Exceptional circumstances may be approved by the Board in the event of redundancy, 
retirement or incapacity, and may result in a prorate number of awards being retained.

What happens if there is a change 
of control?

In the event of a change of control, the Board has the discretion to approve pro-rata vesting 
based on service and performance. 

Who can participate in the LTIP?

Eligibility is generally restricted to Executive KMP and senior staff who are in a position to 
influence shareholder value the most. 

Staff not offered the opportunity to participate in the LTIP are given the opportunity to become 
shareholders by receiving a deferred component of a STIP which will be paid in equity. 

Is there a cap on dilution?

5% total on issue (excluding KMP).

What is the 2011 Plan referred to in 
this Report?

The 2011 plan refers to the Cooper Energy Employee Incentive Plan which was approved by 
shareholders at the 2011 annual general meeting. The 2011 Plan has now been superseded by 
the Equity Incentive Plan (EIP)approved by shareholders at the 2015 annual general meeting 
and grants are now made under the EIP. The 2011 Plan is referred to in this Report because 
some Executive KMP still hold performance rights granted under the 2011 Plan. The last of the 
performance rights granted under the 2011 Plan will be tested in the 2018 financial year. 

56

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.5 Nature of Executive KMP remuneration continued

4.5.4 Executive KMP employment contracts

Mr David Maxwell – Managing Director

Mr Maxwell commenced as Managing Director on 12 October 2011 under a contract of employment. The initial term of the Managing 
Director’s contract expired on 10 October 2014 and was renewed to end on 31 July 2019. 

The Company may terminate the contract by providing twelve months written notice or payment in lieu of notice. The Company may also 
terminate the contract immediately for cause. Mr Maxwell may terminate the contract by providing 6 months’ written notice.

Mr Hector Gordon – Executive Director Exploration and Production

Mr Gordon commenced as Executive Director Exploration and Production on 26 June 2012 under a contract of employment. Mr Gordon’s 
contract expired on 23 June 2017. From 24 June 2017, Mr Gordon was appointed as a Non-Executive Director.

Deeds of indemnity

The Company also entered into deeds of indemnity, insurance and access with each of the Executive Directors under which the Company 
will, on the terms set out in the deed, provide an indemnity, maintain an appropriate level of Directors’ & Officers’ indemnity insurance 
and provide access to Company records.

Other Executive KMP

The Company has entered into a contract of employment with each Executive KMP. The term of each contract continues until termination. 
The Company may terminate the contract by providing six months’ notice or payment in lieu of notice. The Company may also terminate 
the contract immediately for cause. The Executive may terminate the contract by providing 3 months’ written notice.

4.6 Nature of Non-Executive Director remuneration

Non-Executive Directors are remunerated solely by way of fees and statutory superannuation and their remuneration is reviewed annually 
to ensure that the fees reflect the demands on, and responsibilities of such Directors. Non-Executive Directors do not receive any 
performance related remuneration. 

The maximum aggregate remuneration pool for Non-Executive Directors, as approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2014 Annual 
General Meeting, is $750,000 per annum. This pool is not currently fully utilised. 

Remuneration paid to the Non-Executive Directors for the reporting period and for the previous reporting period is shown in the table in 
Section 4.7.3 The increase in Non-Executive Directors fees reflects the reinstatement of the 10% reduction in fees taken by the Non-
Executive Directors in the 2016 financial year in response to the lower oil price environment. In addition, the Non-Executive Directors fees 
were increased from 1 January 2017 for the first time since 2013 following a review that compared Non-Executive Director fees with peer 
group companies. 

The Company has entered into written letters of appointment with its Non-Executive Directors. The term of the appointment of a Non-
Executive Director is determined in accordance with the Company’s Constitution and is subject to the provisions of the Constitution dealing 
with retirement, re-election and removal of Non-Executive Directors. The Constitution provides that all Non-Executive Directors of the 
Company are subject to re-election by shareholders by rotation every three years.

The Company has entered into deeds of indemnity, insurance and access with each of the Non-Executive Directors under which the 
Company will, on the terms set out in the deed, provide an indemnity, maintain an appropriate level of Directors’ & Officers’ indemnity 
insurance and provide access to Company records. 

57

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report (Audited) continued

4.7 Statutory remuneration disclosures

4.7.1 Accounting for performance rights

The value of the performance rights issued under the 2011 Plan and EIP is recognised as Share Based Payments in the Company’s 
statement of comprehensive income and amortised over the vesting period. Performance rights and share appreciation rights were 
granted under the EIP on 12 September 2016. The performance rights and share appreciation rights were granted for no consideration 
and the employee received no cash benefit at the time of receiving the rights. The cash benefit will be received by the employee following 
the sale of the resultant shares, which can only be achieved after the rights have been vested and the shares are issued.

Performance rights and share appreciation rights granted under the EIP were valued by an independent consultant who applied the 
Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the probability of achievement of the absolute shareholder total return (ASTR), and relative 
shareholder total return (RSTR), performance conditions (as described in Section 4.6 above). 

The value of performance rights and share appreciation rights shown in the tables below are the accounting fair values for grants in the 
reporting period: 

Performance Rights (2011 Plan)

Performance Rights (EIP)

Share Appreciation Rights (EIP)

No. of 
rights 
granted 
during 
period

Fair 
value of 
rights at 
grant 
date

No. of 
rights 
vested 
during 
period

% of 
rights 
vested to 
30 June 
2017

No. of 
rights 
granted 
during 
period

Fair 
value of 
rights at 
grant 
date

No. of 
rights 
vested 
during 
period

% of 
rights 
vested to 
30 June 
2017

No. of 
rights 
granted 
during 
period

Fair 
value of 
rights at 
grant 
date

No. of 
rights 
vested 
during 
period

% of 
rights 
vested to 
30 June 
2017

Executive Directors

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon

Executives

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell

Ms A. Evans

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr D. Clegg

Mr J. de Ross1

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 1,190,446

53% 1,178,643 $333,556

691,121

48% 341,554 $96,660

430,490

45% 421,369 $119,247

-

-

Nil

-

191,662

37% 213,908 $60,536

234,025

29% 404,089 $114,357

-

-

-

-

-

Nil

Nil

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 3,044,232 $459,679

-

882,177 $133,209

- 1,088,323 $164,337

-

-

Nil

-

552,487 $83,426

- 1,043,693 $157,598

-

-

-

Nil

Nil

300,318 $84,990

775,670 $117.126

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 608,920

57%

- 233,975

33%

- 660,415

33%

The vesting date of the performance rights granted on 8 December 2016 is 8 December 2019. The fair value of these rights is $0.283  
per right. These performance rights have a commencement date of 12 September 2016.

The vesting date of the share appreciation rights granted on 8 December 2016 is 8 December 2019. The fair value of these rights is 
$0.151 per right. These share appreciation rights have a commencement date of 12 September 2016.

1  2011 Plan includes the accelerated vesting of performance rights that had been tested and achieved at the time of termination of 

employment. EIP includes the pro-rata vesting of performance rights and share appreciation rights based on service and performance at 
the time of termination.

58

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.7 Statutory remuneration disclosures continued

4.7.2 Additional remuneration disclosures 

Movement in performance rights

The movement during the reporting period in the number of performance rights granted but not exercisable over ordinary shares in 
Cooper Energy held, directly, indirectly or beneficially, by each KMP, including their related parties, is as follows:

Performance Rights 
(2011 Plan)

Held at 
1 July 2016

Granted

Lapsed

Vested & 
Exercised

Held at 
30 June 2017

Directors

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon

Executives

2,913,301

1,270,086

Mr A. Thomas

1,047,545

Ms V. Suttell

Ms A. Evans

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr D. Clegg

Mr J. de Ross

-

475,429

808,722

338,039

-

926,523

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

274,118

159,140

1,190,446

1,448,737

691,121

419,825

99,126

430,490

517,929

-

44,133

78,008

-

-

-

191,662

234,025

-

-

317,603

608,920

-

239,634

496,689

338,039

-

-

Performance Rights 
(EIP)

Held at 
1 July 2016

Granted

Lapsed

Vested & 
Exercised

Held at 
30 June 2017

Directors

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon

Executives

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell

Ms A. Evans

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr D. Clegg

Mr J. de Ross

2,228,571

1,178,643

645,810

341,554

796,722

421,369

-

383,370

764,050

567,840

-

709,017

-

213,908

404,089

300,318

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

475,042

233,975

The performance rights lapsed during the period noted in the table above were granted in December 2015.

3,407,214

987,364

1,218,091

-

597,278

1,168,139

868,158

-

-

59

 
Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.7 Statutory remuneration disclosures continued

4.7.2 Additional remuneration disclosures continued

Share Appreciation 
Rights (EIP)

Held at 
1 July 2016

Granted

Lapsed

Vested & 
Exercised

Held at 
30 June 2017

Directors

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon

Executives

6,290,322

3,044,232

1,822,850

882,177

Mr A. Thomas

2,248,812

1,088,323

Ms V. Suttell

Ms A. Evans

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr D. Clegg

Mr J. de Ross

-

1,082,094

2,156,592

1,602,774

-

2,001,259

-

552,487

1,043,693

775,670

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,340,844

660,415

9,334,554

2,705,027

3,337,135

-

1,634,581

3,200,285

2,378,444

-

-

The share appreciation rights lapsed during the period noted in the table above were granted in December 2015.

Movement in shares

The movement during the reporting period in the number of ordinary shares in Cooper Energy held, directly, indirectly or beneficially, by 
each KMP, including their related parties, is as follows: 

Held at 
1 July 2016

Purchases

Received on 
vesting of 
performance 
rights

Sales

Held at 
30 June 2017

Directors

Mr J. Conde AO

272,728

340,910

-

3,309,333

3,678,877

1,190,446

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon

Mr J. Schneider

Ms A. Williams

Executives

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell

Ms A. Evans

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr D. Clegg

469,610

322,728

52,728

361,227

-

61,174

-

-

-

200,000

403,410

65,910

989,647

29,000

177,664

293,567

-

135,000

-

691,121

-

-

430,490

-

191,662

234,025

-

-

-

Mr J. de Ross1

372,375

Options

No options were issued (or forfeited) during the year. 

1 No longer KMP.

60

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

613,638

8,178,656

1,360,731

726,138

118,638

1,781,364

29,000

430,500

527,592

-

135,000

-

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.7 Statutory remuneration disclosures continued

4.7.3 Table of Directors’ remuneration for 2016 and 2017 financial years

Base 
Salary & 
Fees

$

Directors

Mr J. Conde AO 2017

161,644

2016

137,595

Mr J. Schneider 2017

103,402

2016

81,697

 Benefits

Short-term

STIP

Other 
Short-term 
Benefits(a)

Long 
Term

Long  
Service 
Leave

$

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

Mr D. Maxwell

2017

647,884 498,421

88,691

38,938

2016

630,692

342,388

83,350

Mr H. Gordon

2017

212,241

113,472

6,466

2016

200,194

93,997

6,373

Ms A. Williams

2017

103,402

2016

81,697

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Post 
Employment

Share Based 
Remuneration(c)

Superannuation(b)

LTIP 

Total

$

15,356

13,072

9,823

7,761

19,616

19,308

19,476

19,308

9,823

7,761

$

-

-

-

-

$

177,000

150,667

113,225

89,458

554,317

1,847,867

517,092

1,592,830

179,088

530,743

220,606

540,478

-

-

113,225

89,458

a)  Other short term benefits include fringe benefits on accommodation, car parking and other benefits.

b)  Superannuation includes the amounts required to be contributed by the Company and does not include amounts salary sacrificed.

c)   In accordance with the requirements of the Accounting Standards, remuneration includes a proportion of the value of the equity-linked 

compensation determined as at the grant date of the performance rights and progressively expensed over the vesting period. The 
amount allocated as remuneration is not relative to or indicative of the actual benefit (if any) that may ultimately be realised should the 
equity instruments vest. The value of the performance rights was determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based Payments and 
is discussed in Section 4.11 above and in more detail in Note 26 of the Notes to the Financial Statements. None of the performance 
rights issued vested and no payments were made for performance rights during the current financial year. 

61

 
 
Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Remuneration Report continued

4.7 Statutory remuneration disclosures continued

4.7.4 Table of Executives’ remuneration for 2016 and 2017 financial years

 Benefits

Short-term

Base 
Salary 

STIP

Other 
Short-term 
Benefits(a)

Long 
Term

Long  
Service 
Leave

Post 
Employment

Share Based 
Remuneration(c)

Superannuation(b)

LTIP Termination 
Payments

Total

Executives

Mr A. Thomas

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2017

362,147 128,902

6,192

14,494

19,616

198,431

- 729,782

2016

355,815

98,798

5,824

19,308

186,377

- 666,122

Ms V. Suttell

2017

98,673

26,330

2,453

2016

-

-

-

-

-

8,947

-

-

-

- 136,403

-

-

Ms A. Evans

Mr I. 
MacDougall

2017

203,658

82,521

6,603

9,134

19,616

95,395

- 416,927

2016

156,781

46,278

6,236

-

19,308

81,046

- 309,649

2017

354,796

127,084

6,649

32,245

19,616

146,609

- 686,999

2016

362,717

100,616

6,419

Mr E. Glavas

2017

278,148

113,328

6,466

2016

261,882

74,777

6,373

Mr D. Clegg (d)

2017

383,534

21,201

2016

-

-

92

-

Mr J. de Ross (e)

2017

158,367

49,031

3,240

2016

315,968

87,922

6,373

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

19,308

128,013

- 617,073

19,616

122,724

- 540,282

19,308

65,299

- 427,639

3,269

31,500

- 439,596

-

-

-

-

18,501

67,696

283,371 580,206

19,308

162,930

- 592,501

a)  Other short term benefits include fringe benefits on accommodation, car parking and other benefits.

b)  Superannuation includes the amounts required to be contributed by the Company and does not include amounts salary sacrificed.

c)  In accordance with the requirements of the Accounting Standards, remuneration includes a proportion of the value of the equity-linked 
compensation determined as at the grant date of the performance rights and progressively expensed over the vesting period. The 
amount allocated as remuneration is not relative to or indicative of the actual benefit (if any) that may ultimately be realised should the 
equity instruments vest. The value of the performance rights was determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based Payments and 
is discussed in Section 4.11 above and in more detail in Note 26 of the Notes to the Financial Statements. None of the performance 
rights issued vested and no payments were made for performance rights during the current financial year.

d)  Mr Clegg commenced employment with the Company as General Manager Development on 1 May 2017. Prior to that time, he was 

engaged by the Company as a contractor on a part time basis and was not considered KMP during this period. The amounts shown in 
the table above include the total remuneration paid during the reporting period, including as a contractor. 

e)  Mr de Ross left employment on 9 December 2017. His termination payment included the payout of unused annual leave entitlements. 

End of remuneration report.

62

 
Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

5. Principal activities

Cooper Energy is an upstream oil and gas exploration and production Company whose primary purpose is to secure, find, develop, 
produce and sell hydrocarbons. These activities are undertaken either solely or via unincorporated joint ventures. There was no significant 
change in the nature of these activities during the year.

6. Operating and financial review

Information on the operations and financial position of Cooper Energy and its business strategies and prospects is set out in the Operating 
and Financial Review.

7. Dividends

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend and no amount has been paid or declared by way of dividends since the end 
of the previous financial year, or to the date of this report.

8. Environmental regulation 

The Group is a party to various exploration and development licences or permits. In most cases, the licence or permit terms specify the 
environmental regulations applicable to oil and gas operations in the respective jurisdiction. The Group aims to ensure that it complies 
with the identified regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction in which it operates. There have been no significant known breaches of the 
environmental obligations of the Group’s licences or permits.

9. Likely developments

Other than disclosed elsewhere in the Financial Report (including the Operating and Financial Review under the heading “Outlook”), 
further information about likely developments in the operations of the Group and the expected results of those operations in future 
financial years has not been included in this report because disclosure of the information would likely result in unreasonable prejudice to 
the consolidated entity. 

10. Directors’ interests

The relevant interest of each Director in ordinary shares and options over shares issued by the parent entity as notified by the Directors to 
the Australian Stock Exchange in accordance with S205G(1) of the Corporations Act 2001, at the date of this reports is as follows:

Mr J. Conde AO

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon

Mr J. Schneider

Ms A. Williams

Cooper Energy Limited

Ordinary Shares

Performance Rights

Share Appreciation Rights

613,638

8,178,656

1,360,731

726,138

118,638

-

4,855,951

1,407,189

-

-

-

9,334,554

2,705,027

-

-

11. Share options and rights

At the date of this report, there are no unissued ordinary shares of the parent entity under option.

At the date of this report, there are 5,300,196 outstanding performance rights granted to employees under the 2011 Plan and 10,994,298 
outstanding performance rights and 30,118,716 share appreciation rights under the Equity Incentive Plan approved by shareholders at 
the 2015 AGM.

During the financial year 5,073,140 shares were issued as a result of performance rights exercised. At the date of this report, no 
performance rights have vested and been exercised subsequent to 30 June 2017.

12. Events after financial reporting date

Refer to Note 30 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.

13. Proceedings on behalf of the Company

No person has applied to the Court under section 237 of the Corporations Act for leave to bring proceedings on behalf of the Company, or 
to 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 
part of the proceedings.

No proceedings have been brought or intervened in on behalf of Cooper Energy Limited with leave of the Court under section 237 of the 
Corporations Act.

63

Director’s Statutory Report
For the year ended 30 June 2017

14. Indemnification and insurance of directors and officers

14.1 Indemnification 

The parent entity has agreed to indemnify the current Directors and past Directors of the parent entity and of the subsidiaries, where 
applicable, against all liabilities (subject to certain limited exclusions) to persons (other than the Group or a related body corporate) which 
arise out of the performance of their normal duties as a Director or Executive Director unless the liability relates to conduct involving a lack 
of good faith. The parent entity has agreed to indemnify the Directors and Executive Directors against all costs and expenses incurred in 
defending an action that falls within the scope of the indemnity and any resulting payments. 

14.2 Insurance premiums

During the financial year, the parent entity has paid insurance premiums in respect of Directors’ and Officers’ liability and legal insurance 
contracts for current and former Directors and Officers including senior employees of the Parent entity. The insurance premium relates  
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. The insurance policy outlined above does not contain details of premiums paid in 
respect of individual Directors, Officers and senior employees of the parent entity.

15. Indemnification of auditors

To the extent permitted by law, the Company has agreed to indemnify its auditors, Ernst & Young, as part of the terms of its audit 
engagement agreement against claims by third parties arising from the audit (for an unspecified amount) except in the case where the 
claim arises because of Ernst & Young’s negligent, wrongful or wilful acts or omissions. No payment has been made to indemnify  
Ernst & Young during or since the financial year.

16. Auditor’s independence declaration

The auditor’s independence declaration is set out on page 124 and forms part of the Directors’ report for the financial year ended 
30 June 2017.

17. Non-audit services

The amounts paid to the auditor of the Group, Ernst & Young and its related practices for non-audit services provided during the year was 
$65,000 (2016: $18,540). 

18. Rounding 

The Group is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 dated 24 March 
2016 and in accordance with that Legislative Instrument, amounts in the financial report have been rounded to the nearest thousand 
dollars, unless otherwise stated.

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

Mr John C. Conde AO 
Chairman 

Mr David P. Maxwell
Managing Director

Dated at Adelaide 29 August 2017

64

 Cooper Energy Limited and its controlled entities

 Financial Statements

 For the year ended 30 June 2017

65

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 30 June 2017 

Continuing Operations

Revenue from sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit 

Other revenue

Exploration and evaluation expenditure written back/(off) 

Finance costs

Impairment

Share of loss in associate

Other expenses

Loss before tax

Income tax benefit

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax expense

Total tax (expense)/benefit

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

Notes

4

4

4

4

15

12

4

5

34,648

20,257

(20,058)

(12,180)

14,590

8,077

1,614

(1,577)

(2,555)

850

292

(1,411)

-

(21,865)

(533)

(18,574)

(7,035)

4,786

(7,598)

(2,812)

(87)

(11,851)

(25,995)

7,907

-

7,907

Net loss after tax from continuing operations

(9,847)

(18,088)

11

(2,465)

(12,312)

(16,751)

(34,839)

Discontinued operations

Loss for the year from discontinued operations

Total loss for the period attributable to members

Other comprehensive income/(expenditure)

Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Foreign currency translation reserve

Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve on disposal of subsidiary

Fair value movements on derivatives accounted for in a hedge relationship

Reclassification during the period to profit or loss of realised hedge settlements

23

Income tax effect on fair value movement on derivative financial instrument

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Fair value movement on equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

10

Other comprehensive expenditure for the period net of tax

(297)

(835)

736

494

(369)

237

-

(3,526)

2,526

300

(132)

(403)

(553)

(1,016)

Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to members

(12,715)

(35,855)

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share 

cents

(1.4)

(1.4)

(1.8)

(1.8)

cents

(5.3)

(5.3)

(10.1)

(10.1)

6

6

6

6

The above Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

66

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 June 2017

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

Notes

Assets

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventory

Prepayments

Assets classified as held for sale

Total Current Assets

Non-Current Assets

Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

Investment in associate

Trade and other receivables

Prepayments

Term deposits at banks

Deferred tax assets

Oil and gas assets

Property, plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation

Total Non-Current Assets

Total Assets

Liabilities

Current Liabilities

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Derivative financial liabilities

Liabilities and provisions classified as held for sale

Total Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred Petroleum Resource Rent Tax liability

Provisions

Financial liabilities

Total Non-Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total Equity

7

8

9

147,425

10,878

2,000

1,902

162,205

11

25,090

187,295

658

-

2,997

911

41

4,315

69,402

3,694

49,717

3,400

-

303

53,420

4,788

58,208

790

173

-

-

91

-

5,385

708

223,331

110,976

305,349

118,123

492,644

176,331

58,520

19,188

114

77,822

25,448

8,014

4,064

1,275

13,353

645

103,270

13,998

-

2,176

1,481

99,802

3,044

104,327

-

65,548

3,059

70,783

207,597

84,781

285,047

91,550

343,161

137,558

6,777

6,571

(64,891)

(52,579)

285,047

91,550

10

12

8

9

7

5

14

16

17

18

19

23

11

5

5

19

20

21

21

21

The above Consolidated Statement of Financial Position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

67

Total 
Equity

$’000

91,550

(12,312)

(403)

(52,579)

(12,312)

-

(12,312)

(12,715)

-

-

-

(64,891)

2,272

-

203,940

285,047

(17,740)

103,871

(34,839)

(34,839)

-

(1,016)

(34,839)

(35,855)

-

-

-

(52,579)

1,884

-

21,650

91,550

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Issued Capital

Reserves

Accumulated 
Losses

$’000

$’000

$’000

Balance at 1 July 2016

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive expenditure

Total comprehensive expenditure for the period 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Share based payments

Transferred to issued capital

Equity issue

Balance at 30 June 2017

Balance at 1 July 2015

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive expenditure

Total comprehensive expenditure for the period 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Share based payments

Transferred to issued capital

Shares issued

Balance at 30 June 2016

137,558

-

-

-

223

1,440

203,940

343,161

115,460

-

-

-

448

21,650

137,558

6,571

-

(403)

(403)

2,049

(1,440)

-

6,777

6,151

-

(1,016)

(1,016)

1,884

(448)

-

6,571

The above Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

68

 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 30 June 2017

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Receipts from customers

Payments to suppliers and employees

Exit penalties

Income tax received/(paid)

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax paid

Interest received

Net cash from operating activities 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Transfers of term deposits

Receipts from sale of subsidiary

Payments for exploration and evaluation

Net cash transfer on disposal of subsidiary

Acquisition of exploration and evaluation and gas assets

Payments for oil and gas assets

Net cash flows used in investing activities

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Proceeds from equity issue

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash held

Net foreign exchange differences

Cash and Cash Equivalents At 1 July

Cash and Cash Equivalents At 30 June

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

Notes

36,917

28,078

(27,965)

(21,851)

(3,703)

-

(2,785)

1,614

4,078

-

859

-

849

7,935

7

50

500

(32)

12,440

(32,149)

(28,910)

(1,261)

13

(65,000)

-

-

(9,937)

(3,486)

(107,797)

(19,988)

201,934

201,934

98,215

(507)

49,717

7

147,425

21,171

21,171

9,118

1,226

39,373

49,717

The above Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

69

 
1. Corporate information 

The consolidated financial report of Cooper Energy Limited (the parent entity) for the year ended 30 June 2017 was authorised for issue in 
accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 29 August 2017.

Cooper Energy Limited is a Company limited by shares incorporated and domiciled in Australia whose shares are publicly traded on the 
Australian Securities Exchange. 

The nature of the operations and principal activities of the Group are described in section 5 of the Directors’ Statutory Report.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial report is a general-purpose financial report, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the 
Corporations Act 2001 and Australian Accounting Standards and other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting 
Standards Board.

The financial report has also been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for equity instruments measured at fair value through other 
comprehensive income and derivative financial instruments measured at fair value. Cooper Energy Limited is a for profit Company.

The financial report is presented in Australian dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars ($’000) unless otherwise 
stated under the option available to the Group under ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191. 
The Group is an entity to which the legislative instrument applies.

The consolidated financial report has been prepared on a going concern basis which contemplates the continuity of normal business 
activities (including generation of operating cash flows from the expanded base business) and development of the Sole gas project. 

At 30 June 2017 the Group has entered into contracts for future capital expenditure commitments of $208.0 million primarily in 
connection with the Sole gas project, which is in excess of the Group’s available cash and cash equivalents of $147.4 million at this date. 
Cash outflows associated with these commitments over the 12 months following the date of this report are $104.0 million. 

At the date of this report the Directors are satisfied there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Group will be able to continue to 
meet its debts as and when they fall due and that it is appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on a going concern basis. 
Pertinent matters supporting this position are as follows: 

• On 29 August 2017, the Group announced a fully underwritten entitlement offer to raise approximately $135 million, subject to standard 
market terms. Together with the cash at bank as at 30 June 2017, the funds raised from the equity issue will provide sufficient liquidity 
to fund its expenditure commitments, including the capital commitments relating to the Sole gas project, for more than 12 months from 
the date of this report. 

• The Group is in the advanced stages of finalising the external debt funding of the Sole gas project, including senior debt in the form of a 
reserve based lending facility which is underwritten, and subject to conditions precedent including perfection of security, environmental 
and insurance due diligence and a gas market independent review report. 

• The Company is well advanced with the satisfaction of the conditions precedent under the sale agreement for the Orbost Gas Plant 

to the APA Group (APA). At completion of the sale to APA, all the commitments associated with the Orbost Gas Plant upgrade will be 
transferred to APA. Existing capital commitments of the Group in respect of the Orbost Gas Plant, which are reflected currently in the 
capital commitments set out above, would be assumed by APA.

• The Directors regularly monitor the Group’s cash position and, on an on-going basis, consider a number of options to ensure that 

adequate funding continues to be available. The Group has the capacity, if necessary, to defer discretionary expenditure in the current 
cashflow forecast period of the business, or take other steps to moderate the cash outflows of the business if required.

The Directors are satisfied that the quantum of the funds to be secured via the means outlined above will be sufficient to enable the Group 
to complete the development of the Sole gas project and meet the ongoing commitments of the Group.

Significant event and transaction

During the period the Group raised additional equity through two institutional placements and two retail offers (in December 2016 and 
May 2017). As a result of the institutional placements, 512.2 million new shares were issued (144.2 million in December 2016 and 
368.0 million in May 2017); a further 187.5 million shares were issued under the retail offers (75.4 million in December 2016 and 
112.0 million in May 2017). A total of $203.9 million (net of costs and tax) was raised from the four transactions. Refer to Note 21 for 
further information.

Effective 1 January 2017, the Group acquired the Victorian gas assets of Santos Limited, which established Cooper Energy as a supplier of 
gas to south-east Australia. The assets acquired include:

-  50% interest in the Casino Henry joint venture in the offshore Otway Basin;

-  remaining 50% interests in the Sole gas field and Orbost Gas Plant in the Gippsland Basin, increasing the Company’s interest in both 

assets to 100%;

-  50% interest in gas exploration acreage in the offshore Otway Basin;

-  100% interest in the depleted Patricia Baleen gas field and associated infrastructure; and

-  10% interest in the Minerva gas project and Minerva Gas Plant.

Refer to Note 13 for further information.

70

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

a) Basis of preparation continued

On 27 February 2017, the Group signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement for the sale of the Orbost Gas Plant to APA Group which 
was executed on 1 June 2017. As part of the sale, the Group will receive $20 million in consideration to be held in escrow against 
performance of Cooper Energy’s obligations under the agreements with APA Group. APA Group is responsible for funding capital 
expenditure associated with the upgrade and development of the Orbost Gas Plant to process raw natural gas from the Sole gas field and 
other gas fields. Refer to Note 11 for further information. Completion of the transaction remains subject to certain conditions.

During the period, the Group completed the withdrawal from its international operations. The Company sold its remaining Indonesian 
asset to Bass Oil Limited (the Company’s associate). Activities in Tunisia ceased with the closure of the Tunisian office during the March 
quarter. The only item remaining is a provision regarding the Hammamet exit. Refer to Note 11 for further information.

b) Statement of compliance

The financial report complies with Australian Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by 
the International Accounting Standards Board. 

(i) Changes in accounting policy and disclosures

As at 1 July 2015, Cooper Energy early adopted AASB 9 Financial Instruments (2014). AASB 9 (December 2014) is a new standard 
which replaces AASB 139 (as amended). This new version supersedes AASB 9 issued in December 2009 (as amended) and AASB 
9 (issued in December 2010) and includes a model for classification and measurement, a single, forward-looking ‘expected loss’ 
impairment model and a substantially-reformed approach to hedge accounting. The impact for Cooper Energy has been outlined in Note 
23 of the 2016 Financial Statements. 

The Group’s accounting policies are consistent with those of the previous financial year except for new policies adopted from 1 July 2016 
as follows:

AASB 2014-3

Summary

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in 
Joint Operations 
[AASB 1 & AASB 11]

The amendments require an entity acquiring an interest in a joint operation, in which the activity of 
the joint operation constitutes a business, to apply, to the extent of its share, all of the principles in 
AASB 3 Business Combinations and other Australian Accounting Standards that do not conflict with 
the requirements of AASB 11 Joint Arrangements. 

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2016

Application Date for Group

1 July 2016

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of this standard in the current financial year has not had a material impact on the 

Group and did not impact the Group’s acquisition of the Victorian Gas Assets.

AASB 2014-4

Summary

Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation 
(Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38)

The amendments clarify the principle in AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment and AASB 138 
Intangible Assets that revenue reflects a pattern of economic benefits that are generated from 
operating a business (of which the asset is part) rather than the economic benefits that are 
consumed through use of the asset. As a result, the ratio of revenue generated to total revenue 
expected to be generated cannot be used to depreciate property, plant and equipment and may 
only be used in very limited circumstances to amortise intangible assets. 

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2016

Application Date for Group

1 July 2016

Impact on Group Financial report The Group uses diminishing value and units of production bases for the calculation of depreciation 

and amortisation. This standard has no impact upon the Group’s methodologies. 

71

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
2. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

b) Statement of compliance continued

AASB 2015-1

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Annual Improvements to Australian 
Accounting Standards 2012–2014 Cycle

Summary

The amendments clarify certain requirements in: 

• AASB 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations – Changes in methods 

of disposal 

• AASB 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures - servicing contracts; applicability of the amendments to 

AASB 7 to condensed interim financial statements 

• AASB 119 Employee Benefits - regional market issue regarding discount rate 

• AASB 134 Interim Financial Reporting- disclosure of information ‘elsewhere in the interim 

financial report’ 

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2016

Application Date for Group

1 July 2016

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of these updates has not had a material impact on the Group.

AASB 2015-2

Summary

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to AASB 101

This Standard amends AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements to clarify existing 
presentation and disclosure requirements and to ensure entities are able to use judgement when 
applying the Standard in determining what information to disclose, where and in what order 
information is presented in their financial statements. For example, the amendments make clear 
that materiality applies to the whole of financial statements and that the inclusion of immaterial 
information can inhibit the usefulness of financial disclosures.

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2016

Application Date for Group

1 July 2016

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of these updates has not had a material impact on the Group.

(ii) Accounting standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective

The accounting standards and interpretations that have recently been issued or amended but are not yet effective and have not been adopted by 
the Group and for which the Group has elected not to early adopt for the annual reporting period ending 30 June 2017, are outlined below:

AASB 15

Summary

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In October 2015, the AASB issued AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which replaces 
AASB 111 Construction Contracts, AASB 118 Revenue and related Interpretations (IFRIC 13 Customer 
Loyalty Programmes, AASB 15 Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate, IFRIC 18 Transfers of 
Assets from Customers and IFRIC 131 Revenue—Barter Transactions Involving Advertising Services). 

The core principle of AASB 15 is that an entity recognises revenue to depict the transfer of 
promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the 
entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. An entity recognises revenue 
in accordance with that core principle by applying the following steps:

(a) Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer

(b) Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract

(c) Step 3: Determine the transaction price

(d) Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

(e) Step 5: Recognise revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation

Early application of this standard is permitted.

AASB 2014-5 incorporates the consequential amendments to a number Australian Accounting 
Standards (including Interpretations) arising from the issuance of AASB 15.

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2018

Application Date for Group

1 July 2018

Impact on Group Financial report The Group is currently assessing the impact of this standard.

72

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

b) Statement of compliance continued

AASB 2014-10

Summary

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Sale or Contribution of Assets between an 
Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture 

AASB 2014-10 amends AASB 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and AASB 128 to address an 
inconsistency between the requirements in AASB 10 and those in AASB 128 (August 2011), in 
dealing with the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. 
The amendments require:

(a)  a full gain or loss to be recognised when a transaction involves a business (whether it is housed in 

a subsidiary or not); and

(b)  a partial gain or loss to be recognised when a transaction involves assets that do not constitute a 

business, even if these assets are housed in a subsidiary.

AASB 2014-10 also makes an editorial correction to AASB 10.

AASB 2014-10 applies to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016. Early 
adoption permitted.

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2018

Application Date for Group

1 July 2018

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of this standard in the current format is not expected to have a material impact on 

AASB 16

Summary

the Group.

Leases

The key features of AASB 16 are as follows:

Lessee accounting

• Lessees are required to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 

months, unless the underlying asset is of low value.

• A lessee measures right-of-use assets similarly to other non-financial assets and lease liabilities 

similarly to other financial liabilities. 

• Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. The 

measurement includes non-cancellable lease payments (including inflation-linked payments), and 
also includes payments to be made in optional periods if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise 
an option to extend the lease, or not to exercise an option to terminate the lease.

• AASB 16 contains disclosure requirements for lessees. 

Lessor accounting

• AASB 16 substantially carries forward the lessor accounting requirements in AASB 117. 

Accordingly, a lessor continues to classify its leases as operating leases or finance leases, and to 
account for those two types of leases differently.

• AASB 16 also requires enhanced disclosures to be provided by lessors that will improve information 

disclosed about a lessor’s risk exposure, particularly to residual value risk.

AASB 16 supersedes:

(a) AASB 117 Leases

(b) Interpretation 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease

(c) SIC-15 Operating Leases—Incentives

(d) SIC-27 Evaluating the Substance of Transactions Involving the Legal Form of a lease

The new standard will be effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. Early 
application is permitted, provided the new revenue standard, AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers, has been applied, or is applied at the same date as AASB 16.

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2019

Application Date for Group

1 July 2019

Impact on Group Financial report The Group is currently assessing the impact of this standard.

73

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

b) Statement of compliance continued

AASB 2016-1

Summary

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for 
Unrealised Losses [AASB 112]

This Standard amends AASB 112 Income Taxes (July 2004) and AASB 112 Income Taxes (August 
2015) to clarify the requirements on recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses on debt 
instruments measured at fair value

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2017

Application Date for Group

1 July 2017

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

AASB 2016-2

Summary

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to 
AASB 107 

The amendments to AASB 107 Statement of Cash Flows are part of the IASB’s Disclosure Initiative 
and help users of financial statements better understand changes in an entity’s debt. The 
amendments require entities to provide disclosures about changes in their liabilities arising from 
financing activities, including both changes arising from cash flows and non-cash changes (such as 
foreign exchange gains or losses). 

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2017

Application Date for Group

1 July 2017

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

AASB 2016-5

Summary

Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions

This standard amends to AASB 2 Share-based Payment, clarifying how to account for certain types of 
share-based payment transactions. The amendments provide requirements on the accounting for:

• The effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of cash-settled share-based 

payments

• Share-based payment transactions with a net settlement feature for withholding tax obligations

• A modification to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment that changes the classification 

of the transaction from cash-settled to equity-settled.

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2018

Application Date for Group

1 July 2018

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

AASB 2017-1

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Transfers of Investments Property, 
Annual Improvements 2014-2016 Cycle and Other Amendments 

Summary

The amendments clarify certain requirements in: 

• AASB 1 First-time Adoption of Australian Accounting Standards – deletion of exemptions for 
first-time adopters and addition of an exemption arising from AASB Interpretation 22 Foreign 
Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration 

• AASB 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities – clarification of scope 

• AASB 128 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures – measuring an associate or joint venture 

at fair value 

• AASB 140 Investment Property – change in use. 

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2018

Application Date for Group

1 July 2018

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

74

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

b) Statement of compliance continued

AASB Interpretation 22

Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration 

Summary

The Interpretation clarifies that in determining the spot exchange rate to use on initial recognition of 
the related asset, expense or income (or part of it) or on the derecognition of a non-monetary asset or 
non-monetary liability relating to advance consideration, the date of the transaction is the date on 
which an entity initially recognises the non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability arising from the 
advance consideration. If there are multiple payments or receipts in advance, then the entity must 
determine a date of the transactions for each payment or receipt of advance consideration. 

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2018

Application Date for Group

1 July 2018

Impact on Group Financial report The Group is currently assessing the impact of this standard.

AASB 2017-2

Summary

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Further Annual Improvements 
2014-2016 Cycle

This Standard clarifies the scope of AASB 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities by specifying 
that the disclosure requirements apply to an entity’s interests in other entities that are classified as 
held for sale or discontinued operations in accordance with AASB 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale 
and Discontinued Operations. 

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2017

Application Date for Group

1 July 2017

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

AASB Interpretation 23

Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

Summary

The Interpretation clarifies the application of the recognition and measurement criteria in IAS 12 
Income Taxes when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The Interpretation specifically 
addresses the following: 

• Whether an entity considers uncertain tax treatments separately 

• The assumptions an entity makes about the examination of tax treatments by taxation authorities 

• How an entity determines taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits 

and tax rates 

• How an entity considers changes in facts and circumstances. 

Application Date of the Standard

1 January 2019

Application Date for Group

1 July 2019

Impact on Group Financial report The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

The Group has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

c) Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements are those of the consolidated entity, comprising Cooper Energy Limited (“the parent entity”) and its 
subsidiaries (“the Group”).

The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent entity, using consistent accounting policies. 
Adjustments are made to bring into line any dissimilar accounting policies that may exist. All inter-Company balances and transactions, income 
and expenses and profit and losses arising from intra-Group transactions, have been eliminated in full. 

Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and cease to be consolidated from the date on which 
control is transferred out of the Group.

75

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

d) Business combinations and asset acquisitions

Business combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate 
of the consideration transferred, measured at acquisition date fair value and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the 
acquiree. For each business combination, the Group elects whether it measures the non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair 
value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. Acquisition costs incurred are expensed and included in 
administrative expenses.

When the Group acquires a business, it assesses the financial assets and liabilities assumed for appropriate classification and designation 
in accordance with the contractual terms, economic circumstances and pertinent conditions as at the acquisition date. This includes the 
separation of embedded derivatives in host contracts by the acquiree. 

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date fair value of the acquirers previously held equity interest in the 
acquiree is remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date through profit or loss.

Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the acquirer will be recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes 
to the fair value of the contingent consideration that is deemed to be an asset or liability will be recognised in accordance with AASB 9 
either in profit or loss or as a change to other comprehensive income. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity it will not be 
remeasured. Subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. In instances where the contingent consideration does not fall within 
the scope of AASB 9, it is measured in accordance with the appropriate AASB. 

Goodwill is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the amount recognised for 
non-controlling interest over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If this consideration is lower than the fair value of 
the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised in profit or loss.

After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, 
goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units that are 
expected to benefit from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquirer are assigned to those units.

Where goodwill forms part of the cash generating unit and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated 
with the operation disposed of is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal of the 
operation. Goodwill disposed of in this circumstance is measured based on the relative values of the operation disposed of and the portion 
of the cash-generating unit retained. 

Asset acquisitions

Assets that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. Under this method, assets are initially 
recognised at a value based on their proportionate share of consideration transferred. Under this method transaction costs are capitalised 
to the asset and not expensed. 

e) Joint arrangements

The Group has interests in arrangements that are controlled jointly. A joint arrangement is either a joint operation or a joint venture. The 
Group has a number of joint arrangements which are classified as joint operations. A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the 
parties that have joint control of the arrangement, have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. 
Currently the Group does not have any interests in joint ventures.

In relation to its interests in joint operations, the Group recognises its:

• Assets, including its share of any assets held jointly

• Liabilities, including its share of any liabilities incurred jointly

• Revenue from the sale of its share of the output arising from the joint operation

• Share of the revenue from the sale of the output by the joint operation

• Expenses, including its share of any expenses incurred jointly

f) Foreign currency

The functional and presentation currency of the Company is Australian dollars.

Translation of foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the functional currency of the transacting entity at the exchange rates ruling at 
the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are translated at the 
rates of exchange ruling at that date. Exchange differences in the consolidated financial statements are taken to the income statement.

Translation of the financial result of foreign operations

An entity’s functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity, or a significant component of the 
entity, operates. 

Other than Sukananti Ltd, which has been disposed of in the year, which had a US dollar functional currency, all other subsidiaries of the 
Group have an Australian dollar functional currency. 

76

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

g) Investments 

Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

Investments are classified as equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income and are initially recognised at fair value 
plus any directly attributable transaction costs. The classification depends on the purpose for which the investments were acquired. 

After initial recognition, investments are remeasured to fair value. Changes in the fair value of equity investments are recognised as a 
separate component of equity. The equity reserve will never be recycled through profit or loss. 

For investments that are actively traded in organised financial markets, fair value is determined by reference to stock exchange quoted 
market bid prices at the close of business on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position date. Where investments are not actively 
traded, fair value is established by using other market accepted valuation techniques.

Investments in associates

Investments in associates are initially recognised at cost. Any surplus over the Group’s share in the associates net assets on acquisition is 
accounted for as goodwill; any deficit is treated as an accounting gain and recognise immediately in the income statement.

After initial recognition, the Group recognises its share of the associate’s profit or loss.

h) Revenue and cost recognition

Revenue is recognised and measured at fair value of consideration received or receivable to the extent that it is probable that the economic 
benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before 
revenue is recognised:

Revenues and costs from production sharing contracts

Revenue earned and production costs incurred from a production sharing contract are recognised when title to the product passes to the 
customer and is based upon the Group’s share of sales and costs relating to oil production that are allocated to the Group under the contract. 

Interest revenue

Interest revenue is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest rate, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future 
cash receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

Joint venture fees

Joint venture fees are in respect of the Group’s parent’s ability to recover overhead costs relating to operated activities. Joint venture fees 
include overhead recoveries on operated activities, parent Company overheads, operator overhead allowances and other indirect charges. 
Revenue is recognised when the Group’s right to receive payment is established or services are rendered.

i) Depreciation and amortisation

Oil and gas assets are amortised on the Units of Production basis using the latest approved estimate of Proved and Probable (2P) 
Reserves. Amortisation is charged only once production has commenced. No amortisation is charged on areas under development where 
production has not commenced.

Depreciation on property plant and equipment is calculated at between 7.5% and 37.5% per annum using the diminishing value method 
over their estimated useful lives. 

j) Employee benefits 

Provision is made for employee benefits accumulated as a result of employees rendering services up to the end of the reporting period. 
These benefits included wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits and annual leave. Liabilities are recognised in respect 
of employees’ services up to the reporting date and are measured at the amount expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. 
Expenses for non-accumulating sick leave are recognised when the leave is taken and are measured at the rates paid or payable. 

The general provisions for long service leave are recognised and measured as the present value of expected future payments to be made 
in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given 
to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures, and periods of service. Expected future payments are 
discounted using market yields at the reporting date based on high quality corporate bonds with terms of maturity and currencies that 
match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows. Employees’ accumulated long service leave is ascribed to individual 
employees at the rates payable as and when they become entitled to long service leave. A provision for bonus is recognised and measured 
based upon the current wage and salary level and forms part of the employee short term incentive plan. The basis for the bonus is set out 
in the Remuneration Report.

k) Share based payments

The Group provides benefits to employees (including Executive Directors) of the Group in the form of share-based payment transactions, 
whereby employees render services in exchange for rights over shares (“equity-settled transactions”). 

The cost of these equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which they are 
granted and are recorded as an expense, with a corresponding increase in reserves, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the 
related instrument. 

77

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

k) Share based payments continued

The fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes methodology to produce a Monte-Carlo simulation model that takes into account the 
exercise price, the vesting period, the vesting and performance criteria, the impact of dilution, the non-tradable nature of the performance 
right or share appreciation right, the share price at grant date, the expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend 
yield and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the vesting period. The fair value of the performance rights and share appreciation rights 
granted excludes the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets). 

The volatility assumption is based on the actual volatility of Cooper Energy’s daily closing share price over the three year period to the 
valuation date. 

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the 
performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award 
(the vesting period).

The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until vesting date reflects:

1. the extent to which the vesting period has expired; and 

2. the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest.

No adjustment is made for the likelihood of market performance conditions being met as the effect of these conditions is included in the 
determination of fair value at grant date. The Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income charge or credit for a period represents 
the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end of that period. 

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is only conditional upon a 
market condition.

If the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognised as if the terms had not been modified. In 
addition, an expense is recognised for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based payment arrangement, or is 
otherwise beneficial to the employees as measured at the date of modification. 

If an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation, and any expense not yet recognised for 
the award is recognised immediately. However, if a new award is substituted for the cancelled award and designated as a replacement 
award on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and new award are treated as if they were a modification of the original award, as 
described in the previous paragraph. 

The dilutive effect, if any, of outstanding performance rights and share appreciation rights is reflected as additional share dilution in the 
computation of diluted earnings per share. 

l) Leases

The determination of whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement and requires an 
assessment of whether the fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets and the arrangement 
conveys a right to use the asset.

Finance leases, which transfer to the Group substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item, are 
capitalised at the inception of the lease at the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease 
payments. Lease payments are apportioned between the finance charges and reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant 
rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are recognised as an expense in profit or loss. 

Capitalised lease assets are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset and the lease term if there is no 
reasonable certainty that the Group will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term.

Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term. 

m) Income tax

Current tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to 
the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted by the 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position date.

Deferred income tax is provided on all temporary differences at the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position date between the tax 
bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred income tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences except:

• when the deferred income tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a 

business combination and that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; or

• when the taxable temporary difference is associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates or interests in joint ventures, and the 
timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in 
the foreseeable future.

78

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

m) Income tax continued

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax assets and unused tax 
losses, to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences and 
the carry-forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilised, except:

• when the deferred income tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of an asset or 

liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor 
taxable profit or loss; or

• when the deductible temporary difference is associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates or interest in joint ventures, in which 
case a deferred tax asset is only recognised to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable 
future and taxable profit will be accessible against which the temporary difference can be utilised.

Future taxable profits are estimated by Board approved internal budgets and forecasts.

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each Consolidated Statement of Financial Position date and reduced to 
the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset to 
be utilised.

Unrecognised deferred income tax assets are assessed at each Consolidated Statement of Financial Position date and are recognised to 
the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profit will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered. Where allowable by initial 
recognition exemptions, deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities that arise on acquisition are netted off against each other.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that were expected to apply to the year when the asset is realised 
or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the Consolidated Statement of 
Financial Position date.

Income taxes relating to items recognised directly in equity are recognised in equity and not in profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset only if a legally enforceable right exits to offset current tax assets against current 
tax liabilities and the deferred tax asset and liabilities relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority. 

n) Other taxes

Goods and Services Taxes (“GST”)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of Goods and Services Taxes (“GST”) except:-

• where the GST incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case the GST is 

recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item as applicable; and

• receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included. 

The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables in the 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Cash flows are included in the Cash Flow Statement on a net basis and the net GST component of cash flows arising from investing and 
financing activities, which is recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority, are classified as operating cash flows.

Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority.

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT)

For PRRT purposes, the impact of future augmentation on expenditure is included in the determination of future taxable profits when 
assessing the extent to which a deferred tax asset can be recognised in the statement of financial position. Deferred tax assets are 
reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised. The Group has lodged starting base returns 
for all exploration and production areas. In June 2013, participants including the Company were granted a combination certificate for  
the Cooper Basin projects essentially deeming PEL 92 and PEL 93 to be a single project for PRRT purposes. 

o) Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Exploration and evaluation expenditure is accounted for in accordance with the area of interest method and is capitalised to the 
extent that:

i.   the rights to tenure of the areas of interest are current and the Group controls the area of interest in which the expenditure has been 

incurred; and

ii.  such costs are expected to be recouped through successful development and exploration of the area of interest, or alternatively  

by its sale; or

iii. exploration and evaluation activities in the area of interest have not at the reporting date:

  a. reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the existence or otherwise of economically recoverable reserves; and 
  b. active and significant operations in, or in relation to, the area of interest are continuing.

An area of interest refers to an individual geological area where the potential presence of an oil or a natural gas field is considered 
favourable or has been proven to exist, and in most cases will comprise an individual prospective oil or gas field.

79

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

o) Exploration and evaluation expenditure continued

Exploration and evaluation expenditure which does not satisfy these criteria is written off. Specifically, costs carried forward in respect  
of an area of interest that is abandoned or costs relating directly to the drilling of an unsuccessful well are written off in the year in which  
the decision to abandon is made or the results of drilling are concluded. The success or otherwise of a well is determined by reference 
to the drilling objectives for that well. For successful wells, the well costs remain capitalised on the Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position as long as sufficient progress in assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project is being made.  
A regular review is undertaken of each area of interest to determine the appropriateness of continuing to carry forward costs in relation to 
that area of interest.

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.

Where a discovered oil or gas field enters the development phase the accumulated exploration and evaluation expenditure is transferred 
to oil and gas assets.

p) Oil and gas assets

Oil and gas assets are carried at cost including construction, installation of infrastructure such as roads and the cost of development 
of wells. 

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable 
that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other 
repairs and maintenance are charged to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income during the financial period in which they 
are incurred. 

q) Provision for restoration

The Group records the present value of its share of the estimated cost to restore operating locations. The nature of restoration activities 
includes the obligations relating to the reclamation, waste site closure, plant closure, production facility removal and other costs associated 
with the restoration of the site. 

A restoration provision is recognised upon commencement of construction and then reviewed on an annual basis. 

When the liability is recorded the carrying amount of the production asset is increased by the restoration costs and are depreciated over 
the producing life of the asset. Over time, the liability is increased for the change in the present value based on a risk free discount rate. 
The unwinding of the discount is recorded as an accretion charge within finance costs.

Any changes in the estimate of the provision for restoration arising from changes in the gross cost estimate or changes in the discount rate 
of the restoration provision are recorded by adjusting the provision and the carrying amount of the production or exploration asset and 
then depreciated over the producing life of the asset. Any change in the discount rate is applied prospectively. 

These estimated costs, whilst based on anticipated technological and legal requirements, assume no significant changes will occur in 
relevant State, Federal and International legislation.

r) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. 
Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. 

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable 
that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other 
repairs and maintenance are charged to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income during the financial period in which they 
are incurred.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position date. The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment at each reporting date, with recoverable 
amount being estimated when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. The recoverable 
amount of property, plant and equipment is the higher of fair value less cost to sell and value in use. For an asset that does not generate 
largely independent cash flows, recoverable amount is determined for the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs, unless the 
asset’s value in use can be estimated to be close to its fair value.

An asset’s or cash generating unit’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s or cash 
generating unit’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These are included in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

An item of property, plant and equipment is de-recognised upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits are expected from 
its use. Any gains or losses arising on de-recognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the 
net carrying amount of the asset) is included in the statement of comprehensive income in the period the asset is de-recognised.

80

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

s) Impairment of non-current assets

Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds 
its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes 
of assessing impairment, assets are Grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating 
units). In assessing value-in-use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax rate that reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. 

t) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and short term deposits in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position comprise cash at bank and short term deposits generally 
with an original maturity of three months or less. For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash includes cash on hand and in banks, 
and money market investments readily convertible to cash within 90 days from date of investment, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.

u) Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables, which generally have 30 to 90 day terms, are recognised and carried at original invoice amount less an allowance for 
any uncollectible amounts.

An allowance for doubtful debts is made in accordance with the expected credit loss method. An allowance for doubtful debts is raised at 
an amount equal to the lifetime expected credit losses if the credit risk on the financial instrument has increased significantly since initial 
recognition. If the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition, the loss allowance is recognised at an amount equal 
to the lifetime expected credit losses. Bad debts are written off when identified.

v) Inventory

Inventories are carried at the lower of their cost or net realisable value. Inventories held by the Group are in respect of stores and spares 
involved in drilling operations.

w) Trade and other payables 

Trade payables and other payables are carried at amortised costs and represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group 
prior to the end of the financial year that are unpaid and arise when the Group becomes obliged to make future payments in respect of 
the purchase of these goods and services.

x) Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation to make a future sacrifice of economic benefits to other 
entities as a result of past transactions or other past events, it is probable that a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required and 
a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses. Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow 
will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised even if the 
likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.

y) Contributed equity

Issued and paid up capital is recognised as the fair value of the consideration received by the Group.

Any transaction costs arising on the issue of ordinary shares that would not have been incurred had ordinary shares not been issued are 
recognised directly in equity as a reduction of the share proceeds received.

z) Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated as net profit attributable to members divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated as net profit attributable to members adjusted for the after tax effect of dilutive potential ordinary 
shares that have been recognised as expenses during the period divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive 
potential ordinary shares.

aa) Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are initially recognised at their fair value when the Group becomes a party to the contract. Oil price options measured at fair 
value through other comprehensive income are designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges of forecast sales. 

Cash flow hedges

The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised in other comprehensive income in the cash flow hedge 
reserve while any ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the statement of profit or loss.

The Group uses oil price options as hedges of its exposure to commodity price risk in forecast transactions. Amounts recognised as other 
comprehensive income are transferred to profit or loss when the hedged transaction affects profit or loss – when the sale occurs.

If the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover, or if its designation as a hedge is 
revoked, or when the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in other 
comprehensive income remains separately in equity until the forecast transaction occurs.

81

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

bb) Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions

(i) Significant accounting judgements

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management has made the following judgements, apart from those involving 
estimations, which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements:

Joint arrangements 

Judgement is required to determine when the Group has joint control over an arrangement, which requires an assessment of the relevant 
activities and when the decisions in relation to those activities require unanimous consent. The Group has determined that the relevant 
activities for its joint arrangements are those relating to the operating and capital decisions of the arrangement, such as approval of the capital 
expenditure program for each year and appointing, remunerating and terminating the key management personnel or service providers of the 
joint arrangement. Where joint control does not exist, the relationship is not accounted for as a joint arrangement. The considerations made in 
determining joint control are similar to those necessary to determine control over subsidiaries. 

 Judgement is also required to classify a joint arrangement. Classifying the arrangement requires the Group to assess their rights and 
obligations arising from the arrangement. Specifically, the Group considers:

• The structure of the joint arrangement – whether it is structured through a separate vehicle;

• When the arrangement is structured through a separate vehicle, the Group also considers the rights and obligations arising from:  

The legal form of the separate vehicle; the terms of the contractual arrangement and; other facts and circumstances (when relevant).

This assessment often requires significant judgement, and a different conclusion on joint control and also whether the arrangement is a joint 
operation or a joint venture, may materially impact the accounting.

Taxation

The Group’s accounting policy for taxation requires management’s judgement in relation to the types of arrangements considered to be a 
tax on income in contrast to an operating cost. 

Judgement is also made in assessing whether deferred tax assets and certain deferred tax liabilities are recognised on the Consolidated 
Statement of Financial Position. 

Deferred tax assets, including those arising from un-recouped tax losses, capital losses, and temporary differences arising from the 
Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (Imposition – General) Act 2011, are recognised only where it is considered more likely than not they will be 
recovered, which is dependent on the generation of sufficient future taxable profits. 

Judgements are also required about the application of income tax legislation. These judgements and assumptions are subject to risk and 
uncertainty, hence there is a possibility changes in circumstances will alter expectation, which may impact the amount of deferred tax 
assets and deferred tax liabilities recognised on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and the amount of other tax losses and 
temporary differences not yet recognised.

In such circumstances, some or all of the carrying amounts of recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities may require adjustment, 
resulting in a corresponding credit or charge to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

Operating lease commitments

The Group has entered into a commercial property lease. The Group has determined that is does not retain any of the significant risks and 
rewards of ownership of this property and has thus classified the lease as an operating lease.

(ii) Significant accounting estimates and assumptions

The carrying amounts of certain assets and liabilities are often determined based on estimates and assumptions of future events. The 
key estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of certain assets and 
liabilities within the next annual reporting period are:

Determination of recoverable hydrocarbons 

Estimates of recoverable hydrocarbons impact the asset impairment assessment, depreciation and amortisation rates and 
decommissioning and restoration provisions.

Estimates of recoverable hydrocarbons are evaluated and reported by qualified petroleum reserves and resources evaluators in 
accordance with the ASX Listing Rules and the Company’s Hydrocarbon Guidelines (www.cooperenergy.com.au/policies). A technical 
understanding of the geological and engineering processes enables the recoverable hydrocarbon estimates to be determined by using 
forecasts of production, commodity prices, production costs, exchange rates, tax rates and discount rates.

Recoverable hydrocarbon estimates may change from time to time if any of the forecast assumptions are revised.

Impairment of capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure

The future recoverability of capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure is dependent on a number of factors, including whether 
the Group decides to exploit the related lease itself or, if not, whether it successfully recovers the related exploration and evaluation asset 
through sale.

Factors which could impact the future recoverability include the level of oil and gas reserves, future technological changes which 
could impact the cost of extraction, future legal changes (including changes to environmental restoration obligations) and changes to 
commodity prices.

82

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20172. Summary of significant accounting policies continued

bb) Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions continued

To the extent that capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure is determined not to be recoverable in the future, this will reduce 
profits and net assets in the period in which this determination is made.

In addition, exploration and evaluation expenditure is capitalised if activities in the area of interest have not yet reached a stage which 
permits a reasonable assessment of the existence or otherwise of economically recoverable oil and gas reserves. To the extent that it is 
determined in the future that this capitalised expenditure should be written off, this will reduce profits and net assets in the period in 
which this determination is made.

Impairment of oil and gas assets and property, plant & equipment

The Group reviews the carrying amount of oil and gas assets and property, plant & equipment at each reporting date starting with analysis 
of any indicators of impairment. Where indicators of impairment are present, the Group will test whether the cash generating unit’s 
recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount. The Group makes assumptions regarding future production and sales volumes, pricing, 
foreign exchange rates and capital and operating expenditure. The sensitivity of the impairment models to these assumptions is tested as 
part of this process and shows that the models are most sensitive to management’s assumptions relating to production and pricing.

Provisions for decommissioning and restoration costs

Decommissioning and restoration costs are a normal consequence of oil extraction and the majority of this expenditure is incurred at the 
end of a well’s life. In determining an appropriate level of provision consideration is given to the expected future costs to be incurred, the 
timing of these expected future costs (largely dependent on the life of the well), and the estimated future level of inflation.

The ultimate cost of decommissioning and restoration is uncertain and costs can vary in response to many factors including changes 
to the relevant legal requirements, the emergence of new restoration techniques or experience at other wells. The expected timing of 
expenditure can also change, for example in response to changes in oil and gas reserves or to production rates.

Changes to any of the estimates could result in significant changes to the level of provisioning required, which would in turn impact future 
financial results.

Share-based payments transactions

The Group measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at 
the date at which they are granted. The fair value is determined by an external valuation expert using the calculation criteria detailed in 
Note 2(k).

3. Segment reporting

Identification of reportable segments and types of activities

Following the completion of the Victorian gas asset acquisition in the second half of the year, the Group identified its operating segments 
to be Cooper Basin, South East Australia (based on the nature and geographic location of the assets) and the Corporate and Discontinued 
operating segments. This forms the basis that the Group reports internally to the Managing Director who is the chief operating decision 
maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources between each segment. Revenue and expenses are allocated 
by way of their natural expense and income category. The comparative disclosures have been restated to be on a consistent basis as the 
new segments. 

Other prospective opportunities outside of these segments are also considered from time to time and, if they are secured, will then be 
attributed to the basin where they are located.

The following are the current segments:

Cooper Basin

Exploration and evaluation of oil and gas and production and sale of crude oil in the Company’s permits within the Cooper Basin. Revenue 
is derived from the sale of crude oil to IOR Energy Pty Ltd and a consortium of buyers made up of Santos Limited and its subsidiaries; 
Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd and Origin Energy Resources Limited. 

South East Australia

The South East Australia segment primarily consists of the Sole gas project, Manta gas project and gas production from the Company’s 
interest in the operated Casino Henry and non-operated Minerva gas assets. Revenue is derived from the sale of gas and condensate to 
four customers. The segment also includes exploration and evaluation and care and maintenance activities ongoing in the Otway and 
Gippsland basins. Included within the segment is also the Orbost Gas Plant which is being sold to APA Group and is classified as assets 
held for sale as outlined in Note 11.

Corporate Business Unit

The Corporate business unit includes the revenue and costs associated with the running of the business and includes items which are not 
directly allocable to the other segments.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations consist of the Company’s former interests in Indonesia and Tunisia which have been sold or withdrawn from at 
30 June 2017.

83

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20173. Segment reporting continued

Accounting policies and inter-segment transactions

The accounting policies used by the Group in reporting segments internally is the same as those contained in Note 2 to the accounts and 
in the prior period. 

The following table presents revenue and segment results for reportable segments.

Segments

Cooper 
Basin 

South East 
Australia  

Corporate  

Continuing 
Operations Total 

Discontinued 
Operations Total 

Consolidated 

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Year ended 30 June 2017

Revenue

15,513

19,135

Other income and revenue

-

-

Total consolidated revenue

15,513

19,135

Depreciation of property

-

-

-

1,614

1,614

(235)

34,648

1,614

36,262

4,481

39,129

-

1,614

4,481

40,743

(235)

(56)

(291)

(9,557)

(59)

(9,616)

(241)

(2,512)

(43)

-

(1,629)

(533)

(1,226)

58

(2,272)

(9,198)

(1,062)

-

-

-

(241)

(2,512)

(43)

(1,020)

(1,020)

-

-

-

-

-

(1,629)

(533)

(1,226)

58

(2,272)

(1,780)

(10,978)

(672)

(1,734)

-

1,395

1,395

-

(4,031)

(4,031)

(1,577)

(7,035)

(242)

(1,819)

(2,344)

(9,379)

4,665

(7,598)

(13,270)

(13,270)

(360)

(13,630)

Amortisation of 
development costs

Amortisation of 
exploration costs

Accretion on 
rehabilitation provision

Accretion on success 
fee liability

Impairment

Care & maintenance

Share of loss in associate

Restoration expense

Fair value adjustment on 
success fee

Share based payments

Production expenses

Royalties

Gain on sale of subsidiary

Other expenses

Exit provision

Exploration costs 
written off

Segment result

Income tax 

Petroleum Resource 
Rent Tax

Net Loss

Segment liabilities

Segment assets

Non-Current Assets

84

(1,842)

(7,715)

(241)

-

(92)

(2,420)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(43)

-

(1,629)

(1,226)

58

-

(3,036)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(533)

-

-

(2,272)

-

-

-

3,124

(14,696)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(6,162)

(1,062)

-

-

-

(1,577)

4,537

4,537

6,526

16,718

12,684

3,124

(14,696)

(7,035)

(2,344)

(12,312)

163,492

33,825

316,006

159,920

283,981

8,684

203,843

492,644

305,349

3,754

207,597

-

-

492,644

305,349

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Segment reporting continued

Segments

Cooper 
Basin 

South East 
Australia  

Corporate  

Continuing 
Operations Total 

Discontinued 
Operations Total 

Consolidated 

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Year ended 30 June 2016

Revenue

Other income and revenue

20,257

-

Total consolidated revenue

20,257

Depreciation of property

-

Amortisation of 
development costs

Amortisation of 
exploration costs

Accretion on rehabilitation 
provision

Accretion on success 
fee liability

(2,461)

(405)

(111)

(1,288)

-

(12)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

850

850

(284)

-

-

-

-

20,257

850

21,107

7,169

27,426

-

850

7,169

28,276

(284)

(178)

(462)

(2,461)

(1,251)

(3,712)

(405)

(1,399)

(12)

-

-

-

(405)

(1,399)

(12)

Impairment

(4,066)

(17,645)

(154)

(21,865)

(11,820)

(33,685)

Care & maintenance

Share of loss in associate

Fair value adjustment on 
success fee

Share based payments

Production expenses

Royalties

Other expenses

Exit provision

Exploration costs 
written off

Segment result

Income tax 

Net Loss

Segment liabilities

Segment assets

Non-Current Assets

-

-

-

-

(8,181)

(1,133)

-

-

292

4,192

(634)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(87)

19

(1,884)

-

-

(9,068)

-

-

(634)

(87)

19

(1,884)

(8,181)

(1,133)

(9,068)

-

-

-

-

(634)

(87)

19

(1,884)

(3,041)

(11,222)

(1,072)

(2,205)

(2,488)

(11,556)

-

(3,663)

(3,663)

292

(180)

112

(19,579)

(10,608)

(25,995)

(16,524)

(42,519)

7,680

(34,839)

5,280

13,158

10,186

67,984

106,575

106,547

7,212

50,957

1,315

80,473

170,690

118,048

4,308

84,781

5,641

176,331

75

118,123

Revenue from external customers by geographical location of production

Australia

Indonesia

Total revenue 

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

34,648

20,257

4,481

7,169

39,129

27,426

Revenue from two customers amounted to $29,423,000 (2016: $19,304,000 from one customer) arising from oil and gas sales.

85

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Revenues and expenses

Profit before income tax expense includes the following revenues and expenses whose disclosure is relevant in explaining the 
performance of the entity:

Revenues from operations

Oil sales

Gas sales

Total revenue from operations

Other revenue

Interest revenue 

Joint venture fees

Total other revenue

Cost of sales

Production expenses

Royalties

Amortisation of exploration costs in areas under production

Amortisation of development costs in areas under production

Total cost of sales

Finance costs

Accretion of rehabilitation cost

Accretion of success fee liability

Total finance costs

Other expenses

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

General administration (includes employee benefits and lease payments)

Consultants and compliance

Care and maintenance

Loss on fair value of oil price derivative

Loss on deemed disposal of associate

Restoration expense

Fair value adjustment of success fee liability

Realised and unrealised foreign currency translation gain

Total other expenses

Employee benefits expense

Director and employee benefits

Share based payments 

Superannuation expense

Total employee benefits expense

Lease payments

Minimum lease payment – operating lease

86

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

15,738

18,910

20,257

-

34,648

20,257

1,331

283

1,614

(9,198)

(1,062)

(241)

777

73

850

(8,181)

(1,133)

(405)

(9,557)

(2,461)

(20,058)

(12,180)

(2,512)

(1,399)

(43)

(12)

(2,555)

(1,411)

(235)

(12,945)

(2,443)

(1,629)

-

-

(1,226)

58

(154)

(284)

(9,319)

(1,462)

(634)

(275)

(105)

-

19

209

(18,574)

(11,851)

(8,172)

(6,668)

(2,272)

(1,884)

(440)

(380)

(10,884)

(8,932)

(352)

(328)

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20175. Income tax

The major components of income tax expense are:

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Current income tax

Adjustments in respect of prior year income tax

Deferred income tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustments in respect of prior year income tax

Income tax benefit

Current royalty tax

Current year

Deferred royalty tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Total royalty tax expense

Numerical reconciliation between tax expense and pre-tax net profit

Accounting loss before tax from continuing operations

Income tax using the domestic corporation tax rate of 30% (2016: 30%)

Increase/(decrease) in income tax expense due to:

Non-deductible expenditure 

Adjustments in respect to current income tax of previous years

Recognition of royalty related income tax benefits

Other

Non Australian taxation jurisdictional subsidiaries

Total

Royalty related tax expense

Income tax benefit

Income tax recognised in other comprehensive income

Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments

Income tax using the domestic corporation tax rate of 30% (2016: 30%)

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

(38)

(38)

4,824

-

4,824

4,786

(6,117)

(6,117)

(1,481)

(1,481)

(7,598)

205

205

7,543

159

7,702

7,907

-

-

-

-

-

(7,035)

(25,995)

2,111

7,799

(54)

(38)

2,279

488

-

4,786

(7,598)

(2,812)

(232)

364

-

-

(24)

108

-

7,907

(369)

(369)

300

300

87

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
5. Income tax continued

Cooper Energy Limited and its 100% owned Australian resident subsidiaries formed a tax consolidated Group. Cooper Energy Limited  
is the head entity of the tax consolidated Group. Members of the Group entered into a tax sharing arrangement in order to allocate income 
tax expense to the wholly-owned subsidiaries. In addition, the agreement provides for the allocation of income tax liabilities between the 
entities should the head entity default on its tax payment obligations. Cooper Energy Limited formally notified the Australian Tax Office of 
its adoption of the tax consolidation regime when lodging its 30 June 2003 consolidated tax return. 

Members of the tax consolidated Group have entered into a tax funding agreement. The tax funding agreement requires members of the 
tax consolidated Group to make contributions to the head Company for tax liabilities and deferred tax balances arising from transactions 
occurring after the implementation of tax consolidation. Contributions are payable following the payment of the liabilities by Cooper Energy 
Limited. The assets and liabilities arising under the tax funding agreement are recognised as inter Company assets and liabilities with a 
consequential adjustment to income tax expense or benefit. In addition, the agreement provides for the allocation of income tax liabilities 
between the entities should the head entity default on its tax payment obligations or upon leaving the Group. The current and deferred tax 
amounts are measured in a systematic manner that is consistent with the broad principles in AASB 112 Income Taxes.

Unrecognised temporary differences 

At 30 June 2017, there are no unrecognised temporary differences associated with the Group’s investments in subsidiaries or joint 
ventures, as the Group has no liability for additional taxation should unremitted earnings be remitted (2016 $nil).

Franking Tax Credits

At 30 June 2017 the parent entity had franking tax credits of $42,856,152 (2016: $42,856,152). The fully franked dividend equivalent is 
$142,852,840 (2016 $99,997,690). 

PRRT

Cooper Energy Limited has recognised a Deferred Tax Liability for Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) of $1,481,000 (2016: $nil)  
relating to PRRT on the Company’s producing gas assets. The Company has not recognised a Deferred Tax Asset for PRRT of 
$29,386,000 (2016: $26,623,000) relating to the Company’s Cooper Basin oil producing assets on the basis that it has a significant level 
of undeducted expenditure and nil PRRT payments projected in the future.

Income Tax Losses

(a) Revenue Losses

Cooper Energy has recognised a Deferred Tax Asset for the year ended 30 June 2017 of $16,275,000 (2016: $7,661,000). 

(b) Capital Losses

Cooper Energy has not recognised a Deferred Tax Asset for Australian income tax capital losses of $62,272,095 (2016: $60,108,000) on 
the basis that it is not probable that the carried forward capital losses will be utilised against future assessable capital profits. 

88

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20175. Income tax continued

Deferred income tax from corporate tax

Deferred income tax at 30 June relates to the following:

Deferred tax liabilities

Trade and other receivables

Oil and gas assets

Exploration and evaluation

Provisions

Other

Unrealised currency translation gain

Deferred tax assets

Property, plant & equipment

Oil and gas assets

Unrealised currency translation gain

Trade and other payables

Provision for employee entitlements

Provisions

Other

Capital raising costs in equity

Tax losses

Consolidated 
Statement of 
Financial Position

Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive 
Income

2017
$’000

2016 
$’000

2017
$’000

2016 
$’000

2,419

325

933

-

1,486

325

641

-

15,934

17,588

3,398

(5,882)

-

24

38

-

-

-

-

-

38

18,740

18,521

-

-

-

1,199

365

2,488

473

2,255

10

(10)

1,762

(1,762)

2

-

575

5,640

496

199

(2)

1,199

(210)

1,900

5,640

(22)

-

320

-

16,275

7,661

8,614

6,984

23,054

16,345

(158)

144

(2)

466

2

(29)

(106)

Deferred tax income (expense)

14,954

8,207

Deferred tax asset/(liability) from corporate tax

4,315

(2,176)

Deferred income tax from petroleum resource rent tax

Deferred income tax at 30 June relates to the following:

Deferred tax liabilities

Oil and gas assets

As represented on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, 
deferred tax asset

1,481

4,315

-

-

As represented on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, 
net deferred tax liability

-

2,176

-

-

-

-

-

-

89

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20176. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by 
the weighted average of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would 
be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential options into ordinary shares. At 30 June 2017 there exists performance rights and 
share appreciation rights that if vested, would result in the issue of additional ordinary shares over the next three years. In the current 
period these potential ordinary shares are considered antidilutive as their conversion to ordinary shares would reduce the loss per share. 
Accordingly, they have been excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation.

The following reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

Net loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent from continuing operations

(9,847)

(18,088)

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings per share 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares adjusted for the effect of dilution

Basic earnings per share for the period (cents per share)

Diluted earnings per share for the period (cents per share)

Net loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent from continuing and 
discontinued operations

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings per share 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares adjusted for the effect of dilution

Basic earnings per share for the period (cents per share)

Diluted earnings per share for the period (cents per share)

2017
Thousands

2016
Thousands

683,255

343,602

683,255

343,602

(1.4)

(1.4)

(5.3)

(5.3)

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

(12,312)

(34,839)

2017
Thousands

2016
Thousands

683,255

343,602

683,255

343,602

(1.8)

(1.8)

(10.1)

(10.1)

There have been no other transactions involving ordinary shares or potential ordinary shares between the reporting date and the date of 
completion of these financial statements.

The weighted average number of potentially dilutive shares at 30 June 2017 is 705,291 thousand shares (including performance rights 
and share appreciation rights that have not been achieved and vested at the end of the financial year).

90

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20177. Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits 

Current Assets

Cash at bank and in hand

Short-term deposits at banks (i)

Total cash and cash equivalents

Non-Current Assets

Term deposits at bank (ii)

Consolidated

2017
$’000

49,425

98,000

147,425

2016
$’000

16,815

32,902

49,717

41

91

(i)  Short term deposits at banks are in Australian dollars and are generally for periods of three months or less and earn interest at 
money market interest rates. At June 2017 there are no term deposits with a maturity greater than 3 months. At June 2016 this 
amount also included term deposits of $10 million which had a maturity greater than 3 months, but which were not subject to 
significant break costs had the Company wished to withdraw these funds before maturity.

(ii) The carrying value of term deposits approximates their fair value. 

As disclosed in Note 30, the Company has executed binding underwritten commitments for $250 million under a senior reserve based 
lending facility. Financial close and drawdown are subject to the Company being in a position to fund the agreed non debt proportion of 
the Sole gas field development costs, completion of the APA transaction, and a number of conditions precedent, including perfection  
of security, environmental and insurance due diligence and a gas market independent review report. 

91

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20177. Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits continued

Reconciliation of net profit after tax to net cash flows from operating activities

Net Profit/(loss) for the Year

Adjustments for:

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

(12,312)

(34,839)

Amortisation of development costs in areas of production

9,616

3,712

Amortisation of exploration costs in areas under production

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation written off

Exit provision

Impairment of Non-Current Assets

(Gain)/loss on sale of assets held for sale

Share of loss in associate

Share based payments

Finance cost

Restoration expense

Fair value adjustment of success fee liability

Unrealised foreign currency translation (gain)/loss

Loss on fair value movement of oil price derivatives

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in prepayments

(Decrease)/increase in deferred taxes

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

(Decrease)/increase in current tax liability

(Decrease)/increase in provisions

(Increase)/decrease in held for sale assets

Net cash from operating activities

8. Trade and other receivables

Current Assets

Trade receivables (i)

Accrued revenue

Related party receivables (ii)

Related party receivables – joint ventures (iii)

Hedge settlement receivable 

Interest receivable

92

241

291

1,819

(3,703)

1,020

(1,395)

533

2,272

2,555

1,226

(58)

57

-

405

462

(112)

3,663

33,685

904

87

1,884

1,411

-

(19)

138

275

(10,474)

3,513

-

(507)

940

337

(5,010)

(8,844)

13,216

-

559

4,132

4,078

(922)

859

4,539

(4,143)

7,935

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2,813

7,855

-

-

-

210

2016
$’000

2

2,954

170

77

125

72

10,878

3,400

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 20178. Trade and other receivables continued

(i)  Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 30-90 days terms. There are no past due or impaired 

receivables and none that have a history of past default. 

(ii)  All related party receivables are current within agreed terms of trade and do not exceed 180 days. 

(iii) Related party receivables for joint ventures are for work to be undertaken in the near term and are within 

contractual arrangements. 

Non-Current Assets

Trade receivables

Consideration receivable

9. Prepayments

Current Assets

Bank facility fee

Insurance 

Other

Non-Current Assets

Insurance

10. Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

Shares at fair value

A reconciliation of the movement during the year is as follows:-

Opening balance

Fair value movement

Closing balance

The equity investments consist of one investment and the Group has received no dividends throughout the financial year.

Consolidated

2017
$’000

1,739

1,258

2,997

2016
$’000

-

-

-

Consolidated

2017
$’000

79

1,787

36

1,902

911

911

2017
$’000

658

790

(132)

658

2016
$’000

154

142

7

303

-

-

2016
$’000

790

1,343

(553)

790

93

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201711. Discontinued operations and assets held for sale

Indonesia

During 2017, the Company executed a share sale agreement with Bass Oil Company Limited (BAS), the Company’s associate, for the  
sale of its remaining Indonesian asset, a 55% interest in the Tangai-Sukananti KSO. Total consideration was $5.7 million consisting of cash 
consideration, shares in BAS, deferred consideration and working capital adjustments. The transaction completed on the 28 February 
2017. A receivable of $2.3 million has been recognised relating to the deferred consideration receivable from Bass Oil Company Limited 
which will be fully received by December 2018.

Tunisia

The Company exited the Hammamet and Nabeul joint ventures during the 2016 financial year. The remaining interest in Tunisia, the 
Bargou joint venture, has been assigned to joint venture partner Dragon Oil Ltd (Dragon). 

The abandonment activities and finalisation of transfer of operatorship were completed during the March 2017 quarter, and the closure of 
the Tunisia office. 

Orbost Gas Plant

On 1 June 2017 the Company announced the execution of the Agreement (originally announced on 27 February 2017) for APA Group 
to acquire, upgrade and operate the Orbost Gas Plant. Completion of this transaction remains subject to certain conditions precedent 
including finalisation of the Company’s debt funding and final investment decision for the Sole gas development project. The assets and 
liabilities relating to the plant are classified as held for sale.

The losses from discontinued operations are presented on a separate line in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

Trade and other receivables

Oil and gas assets

Other assets

Total assets held for sale

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Other liabilities

Total (liabilities) associated with assets held for sale

Net (liabilities)/assets directly associated with disposal Group

Revenue for the year from discontinued operations

Expenses for the year from discontinued operations

Gain on sale

Impairment loss recognised 

Pre-tax loss for the year from discontinued operations

Income tax expense

Loss for the year from discontinued operations

Operating cash flows from discontinued operations

Investing cash flows from discontinued operations

Financing cash flows from discontinued operations

Total net cash flow from discontinued operations

Basis loss per share from discontinued operations (cents per share)

Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations (cents per share)

94

2017
$’000

-

24,631

459

2016
$’000

3,861

819

108

25,090

4,788

(14,790)

(10,658)

-

(25,448)

(358)

4,481

(282)

(221)

(142)

(645)

4,143

7,169

(7,200)

(11,873)

1,395

-

(1,020)

(11,820)

(2,344)

(16,524)

(121)

(227)

(2,465)

(16,751)

420

(929)

-

1,164

(3,055)

-

(509)

(1,891)

(0.4)

(0.4)

(4.9)

(4.9)

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201712. Investments in associate 

The Group has a 15.78% (2016: 13.94%) interest in Bass Oil Limited (ASX: BAS), which is involved in oil production and development in 
Indonesia oil and gas exploration in the Gippsland Basin, offshore Victoria, Australia. The Group’s interest in Bass Oil Limited is accounted 
for using the equity method in the consolidated financial statements. During the 2015 financial year, the Group obtained significant 
influence over the investment following the election of one of the Group’s board members to the board of Bass Oil Limited, and therefore 
commenced accounting for the investment as an investment in associate. 

The carrying value of the Group’s investment in its associated is nil following the recognition of the Group’s share of the associated profit 
and loss. The fair value of the investment at 30 June 2017 is $353,361.

The Group has accumulated unrecognised losses in respect of the Group’s investment in its associate. Any future profits generated by  
the associate will be offset by the accumulated unrecognised losses before any profit can be recognised.

13. Asset acquisition 

On 24 October 2016 the Company entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Victorian gas assets of Santos Limited (Victorian  
Gas Assets). The assets acquired include:

• a 50% interest and operatorship of the producing Casino Henry gas assets (VIC/L30, VIC/L24) (“Casino Henry”) in the offshore  

Otway Basin;

• a 10% interest in the producing Minerva gas field (VIC/L22) and Minerva Gas Plant in the Otway Basin (“Minerva”);

• the remaining 50% interests in the Sole gas field (“Sole”) and Orbost Gas Plant in the Gippsland Basin, increasing Cooper Energy’s 

interest in both assets to 100%;

• acreage prospective for gas in the offshore Otway Basin, Victoria, including VIC/P44, VIC/RL11 and /RL12; and 

• a 100% interest in the largely depleted and non-operating Patricia Baleen gas field and associated infrastructure (“Patricia Baleen”)  
in the offshore Gippsland Basin. Sub-sea infrastructure at Patricia Baleen connects the adjacent Longtom gas field to the Orbost  
Gas Plant.

The acquisition of Casino Henry, Sole, Patricia Baleen field and the prospective acreage in the Otway Basin completed on 10 January 
2017. The acquisition of the Minerva gas field and Minerva Gas Plant completed on 7 April 2017.

Consideration transferred:

Cash (including working capital)

Contingent consideration1

$’000

65,000

20,000

85,000

(1)  In accordance with the binding agreements entered into to acquire the Victorian Gas Assets, a further $20 million milestone payment 

is payable on the earlier of: 

•   achievement of the final investment decision for the Sole gas project, due within 60 days of a formal sanctioning of Sole by the 

Board of Cooper Energy; or 

•   the receipt of cash consideration for any sell-down by Cooper Energy of an interest in any of the Victorian Gas Assets. The amount 
payable to Santos shall not exceed the proceeds received by Cooper Energy and any such payment will be made within 10 days 
after Cooper Energy actually receives the proceeds for the sell-down.

The bonus consideration has been provided for at 30 June 2017 within trade and other payables (refer to Note 18)

The table below illustrates the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the transactions.

Inventory

Property, plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation assets

Oil and gas assets

Rehabilitation provision

Other provision

Net assets acquired

Casino Henry, Sole, 
Patricia Baleen

$’000

2,459

436

84,061

64,724

Minerva

Total

$’000

$’000

-

3,307

-

1,966

2,459

3,743

84,061

66,690

(66,620)

(5,067)

(71,687)

(266)

-

(266)

84,794

206

85,000

95

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
 
Transferred Exploration
and Evaluation

Development

Total

$’000

$’000

$’000

1,373

-

-

4,012

6,530

5,385

6,530

66,690

66,690

(241)

(8,962)

(9,203)

1,132

68,270

69,402

5,174

100,354

105,528

(4,042)

(32,084)

(36,126)

1,132

68,270

69,402

1,778

10,143

11,921

-

-

(405)

1,373

(4,297)

(4,297)

627

627

(2,461)

(2,866)

4,012

5,385

5,174

27,134

32,308

(3,801)

(23,122)

(26,923)

1,373

4,012

5,385

14. Oil and Gas assets 

Year end 30 June 2017

Carrying amount at 1 July 2016

Additions

Gas assets acquired (i)

Amortisation

Carrying amount at 30 June 2017

As at 30 June 2017

Cost

Accumulated amortisation & impairment

Year end 30 June 2016

Carrying amount at 1 July 2015

Classified as held for sale

Additions

Amortisation

Carrying amount at 30 June 2016

As at 30 June 2016

Cost

Accumulated amortisation & impairment

(i) Refer to Note 13.

96

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201715. Impairment

Impairment 

Investments in associates

Exploration and evaluation

Total

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

-

-

-

(154)

(21,711)

(21,865)

There were no impairment losses for continuing operations recognised during the financial year.

In accordance with the Group’s accounting policies and procedures, the Group performs its impairment testing bi-annually.

Exploration and evaluation impairment

During the financial year the Company’s exploration assets were assessed for impairment indicators in accordance with AASB 6. No 
impairment indicators were present and no impairment was recognised on exploration and evaluation assets during the first half of the 
2017 financial year. During the 2016 financial year impairment losses were recognised in respect of the Company’s Victorian Otway Basin 
permits and the Cooper Basin Northern licences. 

Oil and gas asset impairment

At year-end the Company’s oil and gas assets were assessed for impairment indicators in accordance with AASB 136. Following 
this assessment, no impairment indicators were present and no impairment was recognised on oil and gas assets during the 2017 
financial year.

16. Property, plant and equipment 

Year end 30 June 

Carrying amount at 1 July

Assets acquired

Additions

Disposals/written off

Depreciation and amortisation

Transferred to assets held for sale

Carrying amount at 30 June

As at 30 June 

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

708

3,743

2,159

(1)

(830)

(2,085)

3,694

981

-

45

(34)

(284)

-

708

5,917

2,101

(2,223)

(1,393)

3,694

708

97

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
17. Exploration and evaluation 

Reconciliations of the carrying amounts of capitalised exploration at the beginning and end of the 
financial year are set out below:

Carrying amount at 1 July

Exploration expenditure classified as held for sale

Additions

Exploration acquired (i)

Unsuccessful exploration wells written (off)/back (ii) 

Impairment

Carrying amount at 30 June (iii) 

(i)  Refer to Note 13

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

110,976

105,363

-

(15,270)

29,094

84,061

22,878

19,424

(800)

292

-

(21,711)

223,331

110,976

(ii)  Exploration write offs relate to exploration wells that were plugged and abandoned as unsuccessful during the year.

(iii) Recoverability is dependent on the successful development and commercial exploration or sale of the respective areas of interest. 

18. Trade and other payables 

Trade payables (i)

Hedge payable

Contingent bonus consideration (ii)

Accruals

Related party payables – joint arrangements (iii)

Consolidated

2017
$’000

5,110

22

20,000

29,366

54,498

4,022

58,520

2016
$’000

489

-

-

2,505

2,994

5,020

8,014

(i)   Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 30-90 day terms.

(ii)  Contingent bonus consideration is payable to Santos Ltd on final investment decision on the Sole gas project. Refer to Note 13.

(iii) Related party payables are accrued expenditure incurred on joint arrangements.

98

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201719. Provisions

Current Liabilities

Restoration provision

Exit penalty provision

Employee provisions 

Non-Current Liabilities

Long service leave provision

Restoration provisions

Movement in carrying amount of the non-current restoration provision:

Carrying amount at 1 July

Transferred to held for sale

Restoration expenditure incurred

Transferred to current provisions

Provision through asset acquisition

Increase through accretion

Impact of changes in restoration assumptions (i)

Carrying amount at 30 June

Consolidated

2017
$’000

14,584

3,754

850

19,188

2016
$’000

-

3,663

401

4,064

365

346

99,437

65,202

99,802

65,548

65,202

45,049

(9,980)

(155)

(14,584)

-

-

-

71,687

19,424

2,512

(15,245)

1,399

(670)

99,437

65,202

(i)  Changes in restoration assumptions results from a change in discount rate from 2.12% to 2.41% and changes in gross  

cost assumptions.

The restoration provision is the present value of the Group’s share of the estimated cost to restore operating locations. The nature of 
restoration activities includes the obligations relating to the reclamation, waste site closure, plant closure, production facility removal and 
other costs associated with the restoration of the site. However, actual restoration costs will ultimately depend upon future market prices 
for the necessary decommissioning works required that will reflect market conditions at the relevant time and the condition of the site at 
the time of the restoration. Furthermore, the timing of restoration is likely to depend on when the fields cease to produce at economically 
viable rates. This, in turn, will depend upon future oil and gas prices, which are inherently uncertain. 

The discount rate used in the calculation of the provision as at 30 June 2017 equalled 2.41% (2016: 2.12%) reflecting the Australian 
Government 10 year bond rate.

99

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201720. Financial liabilities 

Success fee financial liability

Movement in carrying amount of the success fee financial liability:

Carrying amount at 1 July

Finance cost

Fair value adjustment

Carrying amount at 30 June

Consolidated

2017
$’000

3,044

2016
$’000

3,059

3,059

3,066

43

(58)

12

(19)

3,044

3,059

The success fee liability is the fair value of the Group’s liability to pay a $5,000,000 success fee upon the commencement of commercial 
production of hydrocarbons on the Group’s VIC/RL13, 14 & 15 assets in the Gippsland Basin offshore Victoria acquired on 7 May 2014.

The discount rate used in the calculation of the liability as at 30 June 2017 equalled 2.41% (2016: 2.12%) reflecting the Australian 
Government 10 year bond rate.

21. Contributed equity and reserves

Share capital

Ordinary shares

Issued and fully paid

Capital raising

During the period the Group raised $203.9 million (net of costs and tax of $9.9 million) through 
institutional placements and entitlement offers, 699,662,038 new ordinary shares were issued.

Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share and carry the right to dividends.

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

343,161

137,558 

Movement in ordinary shares on issue

At 1 July

Equity issue

2017

2016

Thousands

$’000

Thousands

$’000

435,186

137,558

331,905

115,460

699,662

203,940

101,047

21,650

Issuance of shares to contractors

630

223

-

Issuance of shares for performance rights & share appreciation rights

5,073

1,440

2,234

-

448

At 30 June

1,140,551

343,161

435,186

137,558

100

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201721. Contributed equity and reserves continued

Reserves

Consolidation
reserve
$’000

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve
$’000

Share 
based 
payment
reserve
$’000

Option
premium
reserve
$’000

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve 
$’000

Equity 
instrument 
reserve  
$’000

Total
$’000

Consolidated

At 1 July 2015

Other comprehensive 
income/(expenditure)

Transferred to 
issued capital

Share-based payments

(541)

-

-

-

895

237

-

-

At 30 June 2016

(541)

1,132

-

(448)

1,884

7,208

Other comprehensive 
income/(expenditure)

Transferred to issued 
capital

Share-based payments

-

-

-

At 30 June 2017

(541)

Nature and purpose of reserves

Consolidation reserve

(1,132)

-

-

-

-

(1,440)

2,049

7,817

5,772

25

-

-

6,151

(700)

(553)

(1,016)

-

-

-

-

-

25

(700)

-

-

-

861

-

-

-

-

(553)

(132)

-

-

(448)

1,884

6,571

(403)

(1,440)

2,049

6,777

25

161

(685)

The reserve comprises the premium paid on acquisition of minority shareholdings in a controlled entity. 

Foreign currency translation reserve

This reserve is used to record the value of foreign currency movements on retranslation of the net assets of the US dollar functional 
currency subsidiary. 

Share based payment reserve

This reserve is used to record the value of equity benefits provided to employees and Executive Directors as part of their remuneration. 

Option premium reserve

This reserve is used to accumulate amounts received from the issue of options. The reserve can be used to pay dividends or issue 
bonus shares.

Cash flow hedge reserve

This reserve is used to capture the effective portion of the mark to market movement of instruments designed in a hedge relationship. 

Equity instruments reserve

This reserve is used to capture the mark to market movement in the value of shares held in companies listed on a public exchange.  
Items in this reserve are never recycled through profit or loss.

Accumulated Losses

Movement in accumulated losses:

Balance at 1July

Net loss for the year

Balance at 30 June

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

(52,579)

(17,740)

(12,312)

(34,839)

(64,891)

(52,579)

101

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
21. Contributed equity and reserves continued

Capital Management

For the purpose of the Group’s capital management, capital includes issued capital and all other equity reserves attributable to the equity 
holders of the parent. The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to maintain an appropriate capital profile to support its 
business activities and to maximise shareholder value. The Group’s capital management, amongst other things, aims to ensure that it meets 
financial covenants attached to its finance facilities that form part of its capital structure requirements. The Group currently has no interest 
bearing debt. The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments in light of economic conditions and the requirements of the 
financial covenants. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust its dividend policy, return capital to shareholders, issue 
new shares or draw on debt. No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes during the years ended 30 June 2017 and 
30 June 2016.

22. Financial risk management objectives and policies

The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise cash and short term deposits, receivables, equity investments and payables. 

The Group manages its exposure to key financial risks in accordance with its risk management policy with the objective to ensure that 
the financial risks inherent in oil and gas exploration activities are identified and then managed or kept as low as reasonably practicable. 
The Company has established a Risk and Sustainability Committee from 1 July 2017.

The main financial risks that arise in the normal course of business for the Group’s financial instruments are foreign currency risk, 
commodity price risk, share price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. The Group uses different methods to measure and 
manage different types of risks to which it is exposed. These include monitoring exposure to foreign exchange risk and assessments of 
market forecast for interest rates, foreign exchange and commodity prices. Liquidity risk is monitored through the development of future 
rolling cash flow forecasts.

It is, and has been, throughout the period under review, the Board’s policy that no speculative trading in financial instruments be 
undertaken. 

The primary responsibility for the identification and control of financial risks rests with the Managing Director and the Chief Financial 
Officer, under the authority of the Board. The Board is apprised of these and other risks at Board meetings and agrees any policies that 
may be implemented to manage any of the risks identified below.

Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement 
and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised in respect of each financial instrument are disclosed in Note 2 to the 
financial statements. 

Fair value hierarchy 

All financial instruments for which fair value is recognised or disclosed are categorised within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, 
and based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

Level 1 – Quoted market prices in an active market (that are unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 –  Valuation techniques (for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or 

indirectly observable)

Level 3 – Valuation techniques (for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable)

For financial instruments that are recognised at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred 
between Levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value 
measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period. 

102

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201722. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued

Set out below is an overview of financial instruments held by the Group, with a comparison of the carrying amounts and fair values as at 
30 June 2017:

Consolidated

Financial assets

Equity instruments at fair value through other 
comprehensive income

Financial liabilities

Success fee financial liability

Derivative financial instruments

Carrying amount

Fair value

Level

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

1

3

2

658

790

658

790

3,044

114

3,059

1,275

3,044

114

3,059

1,275

The financial assets and liabilities of the Group are recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position in accordance with the 
accounting policies set out in Note 2. 

The following summarises the significant methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments:

Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income
The fair value of equity instruments is determined by reference to their quoted market price on a prescribed equity stock exchange at the 
reporting date, and hence is a level 1 fair value measurement.

Derivative financial instruments
The derivative financial instruments relate to the Group’s hedging activities to hedge against cash flow risks from movements in oil price, 
for which hedge accounting has been applied. The fair value of the derivative financial instruments are obtained from third party valuation 
reports and are valued using the Black-Scholes model.

Success fee financial liability
The success fee liability is the fair value of the Group’s liability to pay a $5,000,000 success fee upon the commencement of commercial 
production of hydrocarbons on the Group’s VIC/RL13-15 assets acquired on 7 May 2014. The significant unobservable valuation inputs 
for the success fee financial liability include: a probability of 37% that no payment is made and a probability of 63% the payment is made 
in 2022. The discount rate used in the calculation of the liability as at 30 June 2017 equalled 2.41% (June 2016: 2.12%). The financial 
liability is valued using a discounted cash flow model and the value is sensitive to changes in discount rate and probability of payment.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. 
Market risk comprises three types of risk: foreign currency risk, commodity price risk and interest rate risk. Financial instruments affected 
by market risk include deposits, trade receivables, trade payables and accrued liabilities.

The sensitivity analyses in the following sections relate to the position as at 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2016.

The sensitivity analyses have been prepared on the basis that the amount of the financial instruments in foreign currencies is all constant. 
The sensitivity analyses are intended to illustrate the sensitivity to changes in market variables on the Group’s financial instruments and 
show the impact on profit or loss and shareholders’ equity, where applicable.

The analyses exclude the impact of movements in market variables on the carrying value of provisions.

The following assumptions have been made in calculating the sensitivity analyses:

• The statement of financial position sensitivity relates to US-denominated trade receivables

• The sensitivity of the relevant profit before tax item and/or equity is the effect of the assumed changes in respective market risks. 

This is based on the financial assets and financial liabilities held at 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2016

a) Foreign currency risk

The Group has transactional currency exposure arising from oil sales which are denominated in United States dollars, whilst almost all its 
costs are denominated in the Group’s functional currency of Australian dollars.

During the year, the Group operated internationally and was exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures,  
to the United States dollars. 

The majority of costs related to the Sole gas project are denominated in Australian dollars, however there are some costs incurred in  
Great British pounds and United States dollars. 

Transaction exposures, where possible, are netted off across the Group to reduce volatility and provide a natural hedge.

The Group may from time to time have cash denominated in United States dollars.

Currently the Group has no foreign exchange hedge programmes in place. The Chief Financial Officer manages the purchase of foreign 
currency to meet expenditure requirements, which cannot be netted off against US dollar receivables.

103

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
22. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued

The financial instruments which are denominated in US dollars are as follows:

Financial assets

Cash

Term deposits at bank

Trade and other receivables (current and non-current)

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

2,680

7,045

-

75

4,011

4,016

-

282

The following table summarises the sensitivity of financial instruments held at the year end, to movements in the exchange rates for the 
Australian dollar to the foreign currency, with all other variables held constant. 

If the Australian dollar were higher at the balance date by 10% 

If the Australian dollar were lower at the balance date by 10% 

b) Commodity price risk

Impact on after tax profit

2017
$’000

(608)

743

2016
$’000

(987)

1,206

The Group uses oil price options to manage some of its transaction exposures. These options are designated as cash flow hedges and are 
entered into for periods consistent with oil price exposure of the underlying transactions, generally from one to 12 months. 

The following table shows the effect of price changes in oil on the Group’s provisional sales excluding the effect of hedging.

Commodity price risk arises from the sale of oil denominated in US dollars. The Group has provisional sales at 30 June 2017 of 
$4,011,293 (2016: $2,953,605).

If the Brent Average price were higher at the balance date by 10%

If the Brent Average price were lower at the balance date by 10%

c) Interest rate risk

Impact on after tax profit

2017
$’000

461

(461)

2016
$’000

339

(339)

The Group has no borrowings at 30 June 2017 (2016: $ nil) nor has the Group drawn and repaid any loans from a financial institution 
during the reporting period. 

The Group has interest bearing deposits of $98,000,000 (2016: $32,902,000).

If the interest rate were 1% rate higher at the balance date

If the interest rate were 1% rate lower at the balance date

104

Impact on after tax profit

2017
$’000

314

(314)

2016
$’000

24

(24)

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201722. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued

Credit risk

Credit risk arises from the financial assets of the Group which comprise cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables 
including hedge settlement receivables. The Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from potential default of the counter party, with a 
maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of these instruments. Exposure at balance date is addressed in each applicable note.

The Group trades only with recognised creditworthy third parties. The Group has had no exposure to bad debts.

The Group has a concentration of credit risk with trade receivables due from a small number of entities which have traded with the Group 
since 2003.

Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits are held at three financial institutions that have a Standard & Poor’s A credit rating or better. 
Trade receivables are settled on 30 to 90 day terms.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The liquidity position of the Group 
is managed to ensure sufficient liquid funds are available to meet all financial commitments in a timely and cost-effective manner. The 
Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer review the liquidity position on a regular basis including cash flow forecasts to determine 
the forecast liquidity position and maintain appropriate liquidity levels. 

Trade and other payables amounting to $58,520,000 (2016: $8,014,000) are payable within normal terms of 30 to 90 days. 

Financial liability amounting to $5,000,000 (undiscounted) will be payable upon the commencement of commercial production of 
hydrocarbons on the Group’s VIC/RL13-15 assets. The timing of this payment is uncertain but not expected to be within one year.

Any fluctuation of the interest rate either up or down will have no impact on the principal amount of the cash on term deposit at the 
banks. The Group does not invest in financial instruments that are traded on any secondary market. 

Share price risk

Share price risk arises from the movement of share prices on a prescribed stock exchange. The Group has equity instruments measured 
at fair value through other comprehensive income the fair value of which fluctuates as a result of movement in the share price. 

If the share price were 10% higher at the balance date

If the share price were 10% lower at the balance date

23. Hedge accounting

Impact on revaluation reserve

2017
$’000

66

(66)

2016
$’000

79

(79)

The Company uses Australian dollar Brent options to manage some of its transaction exposures. The options are designated as cash flow 
hedges and are entered into for a period consistent with the oil price exposure of the underlying transactions. Historically this was typically 
over a 12 to 18 month period.

Cash flow hedges

Australian dollar oil price options measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are designated as hedging instruments in 
cash flow hedges of forecast sales in US dollars. These forecast transactions are highly probable, and they comprise about 28% of the 
Company’s total expected oil sales in US dollars to December 2017.

Oil price cash flow hedges outstanding at 30 June 2017:

• A$54.45 50% participating swaps for 5,000 bbl/month for the period January 2017 to December 2017.

The table below shows the Company’s hedges that are currently outstanding.

Hedge arrangements (bbl remaining)

A$54.45 – 50% participating swap

FY18H1

30,000

Total

30,000

These transactions have been entered into in order to reduce the variability of cash flows arising from oil sales during the period July 2017 
to December 2017. The impact of these transactions is that the Company has locked in an average floor price of $54.45/bbl over 28% of 
production while still being able to participate in upside should the oil price increase.

105

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201723. Hedge accounting continued

The fair value of the options vary based on the level of sales and changes in forward rates.

30 June 2017

30 June 2016

Assets
$’000

Liabilities
$’000

Assets
$’000

Liabilities
$’000

Fair value of oil price options

-

114

-

1,275

The terms of the oil price options match the terms of the expected highly probable forecast sales with the exception of currency given the 
instruments are Australian dollar denominated options and the forecast sales being in US dollars. 

During the financial year, $0.5 million was reclassified from other comprehensive income (OCI) to the income statement in respect of 
realised hedge settlements.

The cash flow hedges of the expected future sales were assessed to be highly effective and a net unrealised loss of $0.2 million and a tax 
expense of $48,000 relating to the hedging instrument are included in OCI. 

The amounts retained in OCI at 30 June 2017 are expected to mature and impact the statement of profit or loss in the first half of 2018.

24. Commitments and contingencies

Operating lease commitments under non-cancellable office lease not provided for in the financial 
statements and payable: 

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

After more than five years

Total minimum lease payments

The Parent entity leases an office in Adelaide from which it conducts its operations. 

Exploration capital commitments not provided in the financial statements and payable: 

Within one year (i)

After one year but not more than five years

After more than five years

Total minimum lease payments

Consolidated

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

255

-

-

255

14,600

30

-

322

248

-

570

5,405

2,200

-

14,630

7,605

(i) The joint venture has applied for a revision to the work schedule that is currently with the minister for approval.

Cooper Energy has executed a number of material contracts to the value of $208.0 million at 30 June 2017 relating to the Sole gas 
project. The minimum payment under these contracts at 30 June 2017 is $67,421,000.

As at 30 June 2017 the Parent entity has bank guarantees for $160,512 (2016: $161,512). These guarantees are in relation to 
performance bonds on exploration permits and guarantees on office leases.

On 1 July 2017 Cooper Energy entered into an operating lease over its Perth office. The operating lease is for a period of 36 months. 
A bank guarantee for $60,000 was also issued in respect of the office lease.

106

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201725. Interests in joint arrangements

The Group has interests in a number of joint arrangements which are classified as joint operations. These joint operations are involved in 
the exploration and/or production of oil in Australia, Tunisia and Indonesia. The Group has the following interests in joint arrangements in 
the following major areas: 

a) Joint Arrangements in which Cooper Energy Limited is the operator/manager

Australia

VIC/RL 13-15

Indonesia

Oil and gas exploration and production

100%1

100%

 Ownership Interest

2017

2016

Tangai-Sukananti KSO

Oil and gas exploration and production

Tunisia

Bargou Exploration Permit

Oil and gas exploration

 b) Joint Arrangements in which Cooper Energy Limited is not the operator/manager

Australia

PEL 90K

PEL 93*

PEL 100

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration and production

-2

-3

25%

30%

55%

30%

25%

30%

Oil and gas exploration

19.165%

19.165%

PRL 183-190 (Formerly PEL 110)

Oil and gas exploration

PEL 494

PEP 150

PEP 168

PEP 171

PRL 32

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

PRL 85-104* (Formerly PEL 92)

Oil and gas exploration and production

*Includes associated PPL’s

1. Abandonment costs are shared between Cooper Energy Limited and former JV partners.

2. Sold during the period.

3. Withdrawn from during the period.

20%

30%

20%

50%

25%

30%

25%

20%

30%

20%

50%

25%

30%

25%

It is noted that the Victorian gas assets acquired do not meet the definition of joint arrangements and as such are not included in this note.

107

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201726. Related parties 

The Group has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries, its joint arrangements (see Note 25) and with its key management 
personnel (refer to disclosure for key management personnel below).

Key management personnel disclosures

The following were key management personnel of the Group at any time during the reporting period and unless otherwise indicated were 
key management personnel for the entire period.

Non-Executive Directors

Mr J. Conde AO (Chairman)

Mr J. Schneider

Ms A. Williams

Executive Directors

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr H. Gordon (executive director to 24 June 2017)

Executives at year end

Mr D. Clegg (General Manager Development from 1 May 2017)

Ms A. Evans (Legal Counsel and Company Secretary) 

Mr E. Glavas (General Manager Commercial and Business Development)

Mr I. MacDougall (General Manager Operations) 

Ms V. Suttell (Chief Financial Officer, acting from 18 January 2017 and Chief Financial Officer from 1 July 2017)

Mr A. Thomas (General Manager Exploration & Subsurface)

Key Management Personnel who resigned during the year

Mr J. de Ross (Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary to 9 December 2016)

The key management personnel’s remuneration included in General Administration (see Note 4) is as follows: 

Short-term benefits

Other long-term benefits

Post-employment benefits

Performance Rights and Share Appreciation Rights

Termination benefits

Total

Consolidated

2017
$

2016
$

4,355,038

3,550,762

94,811

20,158

183,275

163,750

1,395,760

1,361,363

283,371

-

6,312,255

5,096,033

108

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
 
 
26. Related parties continued

Subsidiaries

The Group financial statements include the financial statements of Cooper Energy Limited and the subsidiaries listed in the following table.

Country of 
incorporation

British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands

Equity interest

2017 
%

-1

100%

2016 
%

100%

100%

British Virgin Islands

100%

100%

British Virgin Islands

100%

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-2

-2

100%

100%

100%3

100%4

100%5

100%4

100%6

100%4

100%4

100%7

100%8

100%5

100%9

100%

100%

Name

Cooper Energy Sukananti Limited

CE Tunisia Bargou Ltd

CE Hammamet Ltd

CE Nabeul Ltd

Cooper Energy (Seruway) Pty Ltd

CE Poland Pty Ltd

Somerton Energy Limited

Essential Petroleum Exploration Pty Ltd

Coper Energy (Australia) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (PBF) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (PB Pipeline) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (CH) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (TC) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (MF) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (MGP) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (IC) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (HC) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (EA) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (Sole) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (PBGP) Pty Ltd

1 Sold during the period.

2 Deregistered during the period.

3 Incorporated on 19 July 2016.

4 Incorporated on 14 October 2016.

5 Incorporated on 22 May 2017.

6 Incorporated on 21July 2016.

7 Incorporated on 25 July 2016.

8 Incorporated on 27 July 2016.

9 Incorporated on 29 July 2016.

Joint arrangements

During the reporting period, the Group provided geological and technical services to joint arrangements it manages at a cost of 
$1,454,000 (2016: $1,746,000). At the end of the financial period, nothing was outstanding for these services (2016: $77,800). 

An impairment assessment is undertaken each financial year of related party receivables with reference to the lifetime expected credit loss 
model. Where there is evidence that a related party receivable is impaired the Group recognises an allowance for the impairment loss.

109

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017  
27. Share based payment plans

There are two share based payment plans in place at 30 June 2017. On 12 November 2015 shareholders of Cooper Energy approved the 
second plan referred to as the Equity Incentive Plan (EIP). 

Performance rights and share appreciation rights were issued in December 2016 for no consideration under the EIP. These rights issued 
will vest as shares in the parent entity. 

Testing of the performance rights and share appreciation rights will occur once over the performance period and if required may be 
retested once 12 months after the original three year test date. At the end of the three year measurement period, those rights that were 
tested and achieved will vest. 

The vesting test is determined from the absolute total shareholder return of Cooper Energy’s share price ranked against a weighted basket 
of absolute total shareholder returns of 12 peer companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. If Cooper Energy is ranked lower 
than the 50th percentile no rights will vest. If Cooper Energy is ranked in the 50th percentile 30% of the eligible rights will vest. If Cooper 
Energy is ranked greater than the 50th percentile but less than the 90th percentile the amount of eligible rights vested will be based on a 
pro rata calculation. If Cooper Energy is ranked in in the 90th percentile or higher 100% of the eligible rights will vest.

Rights that do not qualify for vesting in the third year can be carried forward to the following year for retesting of vesting eligibility. There 
are no participating rights or entitlements inherent in the rights and holders will not be entitled to participate in new issues of capital 
offered to shareholders during the period of the rights. All rights are settled by physical delivery of shares.

Information with respect to the number of performance rights and share appreciation rights granted to employees is as follows:

Date Granted

Number of share 
appreciation rights 
(SARs) granted

Number of 
performance 
rights granted

Average share 
price at 
commencement 
date of grant

Average
contractual life 
of rights at grant 
date in years

Remaining life of 
rights in years

15 December 2015

22,278,100

21 December 2016

9,841,875

7,892,812

3,810,503

$0.175

$0.298

3

3

2

3

The number of performance rights held by employees is as follows: 

Balance at beginning of year

 - granted

 - vested

 - expired and not exercised

 - forfeited following employee termination 

Balance at end of year

Achieved at end of year

The number of share appreciation rights held by employees is as follows:

Balance at beginning of year

 - granted

 - vested

 - expired and not exercised

 - forfeited following employee termination 

Balance at end of year

Achieved at end of year

110

Number of Rights

2017

7,892,812

2016

-

3,810,503

7,892,812

(233,975)

-

(475,042)

-

-

-

10,994,298

7,892,812

-

-

Number of Rights

2017

22,278,100

2016

-

9,841,875

22,278,100

(660,415)

-

(1,340,844)

-

-

-

30,118,716

22,278,100

-

-

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
 
27. Share based payment plans continued

The fair value of services received in return for the performance rights granted are measured by reference to the fair value of performance 
rights granted. The estimate of the fair value of the services received is measured based on the Black-Scholes methodology to produce  
a Monte-Carlo simulation model that allows for the incorporation of market based performance hurdles that must be met before the shares 
vest to the holder. 

Share Appreciation Rights Fair value assumptions

15 December 2015

Fair value at measurement date

Share price

Risk free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

Performance Rights Fair value assumptions

Fair value at measurement date

Share price

Risk free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

6.2 cents

17.5 cents

1.95%

50%

0%

15 December 2015

13.1 cents

16.5 cents

2.13%

53%

0%

Share Appreciation Rights Fair value assumptions

21 December 2016

Fair value at measurement date

Share price

Risk free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

Performance Rights Fair value assumptions

Fair value at measurement date

Share price

Risk free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

11.5 cents

29.78 cents

1.575%

56%

0%

21 December 2016

29.78 cents

34.5 cents

1.88%

56%

0%

2011 Employee Performance Rights Plan

On 16 December 2011 shareholders of Cooper Energy approved the establishment of an Employee Performance Rights Plan (2011 Plan) 
whereby the Board can, subject to certain conditions, issue performance rights to employees to acquire shares in the parent entity.

No issues of performance rights under the 2011 Plan were made during the financial year. 

Testing of the performance rights will be in three equal tranches over the term of the right to be determined in the fourth calendar quartile 
of each year. At the end of the three year measurement period, those rights that were tested and achieved will vest. 

The vesting test is two parts. Up to 25% of the eligible rights to be tested are determined from the absolute total shareholder return of 
Cooper Energy’s share price against its own share price at the date of the grant of the right. If the return is less than 5% no rights will 
vest. If the return is between 5% and 25% the rights that will vest will be between 6.25% and 12.5% of the eligible rights. If the return is 
greater than 25% up to 25% of the eligible rights will vest.

111

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201727. Share based payment plans continued

The second part is for the remaining 75% of the eligible rights to vest and is determined from the absolute total shareholder return of 
Cooper Energy’s share price ranked against a weighted basket of absolute total shareholder returns of peer companies listed on the 
Australian Stock Exchange. If Cooper Energy’s ranking is lower than 6 out of 9 of peer companies no rights will vest. If the ranking is 5th 
50% of the eligible rights will vest. If Cooper Energy is ranked 3rd or 4th, prorate 50% to 100% of the eligible rights will vest and if it  
ranks 1st or 2nd, 100% of the eligible rights will vest.

Rights that do not qualify for vesting in any one year can be carried forward to the following year for testing of vesting eligibility. There are 
no participating rights or entitlements inherent in the rights and holders will not be entitled to participate in new issues of capital offered  
to shareholders during the period of the rights. All rights are settled by physical delivery of shares.

Information with respect to the number of performance rights granted to employees is as follows:

Date Granted

Number of 
rights granted

Average share price 
at commencement 
date of grant

Average contractual 
life of rights at 
grant date in years

Remaining life of 
rights in years

1 December 2014

6,584,708

$0.285

3

1

The number of performance rights held by employees is as follows:- 

Balance at beginning of year

 - granted

 - vested

 - expired and not exercised

 - forfeited following employee termination 

Balance at end of year

Achieved at end of year

Number of rights 
2017

Number of rights 
2016

11,167,070

17,276,975

-

-

(4,535,319)

(2,234,300)

(886,918)

(2,920,525)

(444,637)

(955,080)

5,300,196

11,167,070

2,650,106

3,017,074

The weighted average price of shares vested during the financial year was $0.36 per share.

The fair value of services received in return for the performance rights granted are measured by reference to the fair value of performance 
rights granted. The estimate of the fair value of the services received is measured based on the Black-Scholes methodology to produce a 
Monte-Carlo simulation model that allows for the incorporation of market based performance hurdles that must be met before the shares 
vest to the holder.

Fair value assumptions

Fair value at measurement date

Share price

Risk free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

112

1 December 2014

19.4 cents

28.5 cents

2.35%

51%

0%

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017 
 
28. Auditors remuneration

The auditor of Cooper Energy Limited is Ernst & Young

Amounts received or due and receivable by Ernst & Young Australia for:

Auditing and review of financial reports of the entity and the consolidated Group

217,259

172,914

Consolidated

2017
$

2016
$

Taxation and other services

Amounts received or due and receivable by related practices of Ernst & Young Australia for:

Auditing and review of financial reports of an entity in the consolidated Group

29. Parent entity information

Information relating to Cooper Energy Limited

Current Assets

Total Assets

Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Issued capital

Accumulated loss

Option premium reserve

Cash flow hedge reserve

Equity instruments reserve

Share based payment reserve

Total shareholders’ equity

Loss of the parent entity

Total comprehensive income/(loss) of the parent entity

Commitments and Contingencies

Operating lease commitments under non-cancellable office lease not provided for in the financial 
statements and payable: 

Within one year

After one year but not more than five years

After more than five years

Total minimum lease payments

65,000

18,540

282,259

191,454

-

-

282,259

191,454

2017
$’000

2016
$’000

155,552

52,613

436,960

202,061

61,308

9,633

111,539

80,400

343,161

137,558

(33,980)

(21,878)

25

161

(685)

25

(700)

(553)

7,818

7,209

316,500

121,661

(13,415)

(12,759)

729

(1,253)

255

-

-

255

322

245

-

567

113

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 201730. Events after the reporting period

Transfer of Operatorship

On 1 July 2017 operatorship of the Sole gas project, the Orbost Gas Plant and the Patricia Baleen field transferred from Santos Ltd to 
Cooper Energy. 

On 1 August 2017 operatorship of the Casino Henry gas assets (including VIC/L30, VIC/L24, VIC/P44, VIC/RL11 and VIC/RL12) transferred  
from Santos Ltd to Cooper Energy. Employees and contractors were transferred to Cooer Energy as part of the operatorship transfers.

Management Changes

Virginia Suttell was appointed Chief Financial Officer effective 1 July 2017. Ms Suttell had been Chief Financial Officer, Acting since  
18 January 2017.

Michael Jacobsen was appointed General Manager Projects effective 1 July 2017. Mr Jacobsen had previously been leading the 
Sole development project team for Santos Ltd and his employment transferred at the same time operatorship of the Sole assets were 
transferred to Cooper Energy.

Both Ms Suttell and Mr Jacobsen are part of the Management Team and are KMP. 

Sole Final Investment Decision and Funding

Subsequent to 30 June 2017, the Company made a Final Investment Decision for the Sole gas project as a result of significant 
advancements towards achieving full funding of the Sole gas project as outlined below. 

On 29 August 2017, the Company announced a fully underwritten accelerated non renounceable 2 for 5 entitlement offer to raise 
approximately $135 million, subject to standard market terms. As a result, 456,220,522 new ordinary shares in the Company will be 
issued. The offer will close on 19 September 2017. The offer price is $0.295.

On 29 August 2017, Cooper Energy Limited executed binding underwritten commitments for $250 million under a senior reserve based 
lending facility, to be used for the purposes of debt funding a proportion of the Sole gas field development costs. Financial close and 
drawdown are subject to the Company being in a position to fund the agreed non debt proportion of the Sole gas field development costs, 
completion of the APA transaction, and a number of conditions precedent, including perfection of security, environmental and insurance 
due diligence and a gas market independent review report.

114

Notes to the Financial StatementFor the year ended 30 June 2017Directors’ Declaration

In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of Cooper Energy Limited, I state that:

In the opinion of the Directors:

(a) the financial statements and notes of the consolidated entity are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i)  giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2017 and of its performance for the year 

ended on that date; and

(ii)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Corporations 

Regulations 2001; 

(b) the financial statements and notes also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in Note 2b; 

(c)  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the consolidated entity will be able to pay its debts as and when they become 

due and payable; and

(d)  this declaration has been made after receiving the declarations required to be made to the Directors in accordance with 

section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 for the financial year ended 30 June 2017. 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors. 

Mr John C. Conde AO 
Chairman 

29 August 2017

Mr David P. Maxwell
Managing Director

115

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ernst & Young 
121 King William Street 
Adelaide  SA  5000  Australia 
GPO Box 1271 Adelaide  SA  5001 

  Tel: +61 8 8417 1600 
Fax: +61 8 8417 1775 
ey.com/au 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT  

To the Members of Cooper Energy Limited 

Report on the Audit of the Financial Report 

Opinion  

We have audited the financial report of Cooper Energy Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries 
(collectively the Group), which comprises the consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 
June 2017, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes to the 
financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the Directors 
Declaration. 

In our opinion, 

the accompanying financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, 
including: 

a) 

b) 

giving a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position of the Group as at 30 June 
2017 and of its consolidated financial performance for the year ended on that date; and 

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

Basis for Opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.  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 are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor 
independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the 
Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES110 Code of Ethics for Professional 
Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia; and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion.  

Key Audit Matters 

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 year.  These matters were addressed in the context of 
our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, but we do not provide 
a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit 
addressed the matter is provided in that context. 

116

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

 
 
 
 
 
 
We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the 
Financial Report section of our report, including in relation to these matters.  Accordingly, our audit 
included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of 
material misstatement of the financial statements. The results of our audit procedures, including the 
procedures performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the 
accompanying financial report. 

1.  Funding, liquidity and basis of preparation 

Why significant 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

The Group is entering a capital intensive phase 
of its Sole gas project. As outlined in note 24 to 
the financial report, the Group has capital 
commitments of $208.0 million at 30 June 2017 
($104.0 million due in less than 12 months). At 
30 June 2017, the Group has cash and cash 
equivalents of $147.4 million as outlined in note 
7 to the financial report.  

Immediately prior to signing our audit opinion, we 
evaluated the Group’s funding position and its ability 
to repay its debts as and when they fall due for at 
least 12 months from the date of our opinion. In 
obtaining sufficient audit evidence, we: 

•  understood the process undertaken by the Group 
to determine the appropriateness of the use of 
the going concern basis; 

As outlined in note 30 to the financial report, 
subsequent to 30 June 2017, the Group has 
taken steps to secure additional sources of 
funding, being:  

•  A fully underwritten equity issue for 

approximately $135 million, subject to 
standard market terms; and 

•  A senior reserves based lending facility for 
$250 million which is fully underwritten, 
subject to a number of conditions precedent, 
as outlined in note 2 a) to the financial 
report.  

If the Group is not able to satisfy the various 
conditions precedent to secure the reserve 
based lending facility, or secure alternate 
sources of financing, the Group has the ability to 
defer discretionary expenditure or take alternate 
steps to moderate the cash outflows of the 
business.  

This is a key audit matter given there is 
judgement required by the Group in determining 
the cash flow forecasts, the value and timing of 
capital commitments and financing cash inflows, 
and the forecast expenditure committed for the 
development of the Sole gas project. 

•  understood the capital commitments of the 

Group;  

• 

• 

• 

assessed the base cash flow forecasts and 
options that the Group has to defer or otherwise 
not incur certain expenditure, and performed 
sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of 
variances to the planned budget and forecast on 
the Group’s ability to pays its debts;  

assessed the status of the $135 million 
underwritten equity issue; 

assessed the nature and status of the senior 
reserve based lending facility including the  
remaining conditions precedent;  

•  obtained representation from management and 
the Board with regards to current and future 
capital commitments; and  

• 

assessed the adequacy of the related disclosures 
in the financial report. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

117

 
 
 
 
 
2.  Acquisition of gas assets 

Why significant 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

As disclosed in note 13 of the Group’s financial 
report, the Group acquired the Victorian Gas 
Assets during the year, for cash consideration of 
$65 million and deferred consideration of $20 
million.  

Accounting for the acquisition required judgment 
due to the structure of the transaction and the 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed being 
material to the Group’s financial performance 
and position at 30 June 2017. 

We assessed the treatment of the transaction in 
accordance with Australian Accounting Standards. In 
obtaining sufficient audit evidence, we assessed: 

• 

• 

• 

the Sale and Purchase Agreements and 
associated agreements; 

the consideration paid and contingent 
consideration payable; and 

the allocation of the purchase based on the 
relative fair values performed by the Group, 
including the identification of all assets acquired 
and liabilities assumed.  

We assessed the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures 
in respect of this transaction as set out in note 13.  

3.  Estimation of oil and gas reserves and resources 

Why significant 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Estimation of oil and gas reserves and resources 
requires significant judgment and the use of 
assumptions by the Group, as outlined in note 2 
(ii) of the Group’s financial report. These 
estimates can have a material impact on the 
financial report, primarily in the following areas:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

capitalisation and classification of 
expenditure as exploration and evaluation 
(E&E) assets or oil and gas  assets; 

valuation of assets and impairment testing;  

calculation of depreciation, depletion and 
amortisation (DD&A); and  

estimation of the costs and timing of 
decommissioning and restoration activities.  

Further details on these areas are set out in 
notes 2, 4, 14, 15, 17 and 19 to the Group’s 
financial report. 

Our audit procedures focused on the work of the 
Group’s experts with respect to the hydrocarbon 
reserve estimations, in accordance with Australian 
Auditing Standards.  

In obtaining sufficient audit evidence, we:  

• 

assessed the competence and objectivity of 
internal management experts involved in the 
estimation process;  

•  understood the Group’s reserves estimation 

process and controls; 

• 

• 

assessed and tested the design and operating 
effectiveness of relevant controls over the 
reserves review process employed by the Group;  

reconciled to application financial information; 
and  

•  understood the reasons for reserve revisions, or 

the absence of reserves revisions where 
expected, and assessed movements in reserves 
for consistency with other information that we 
obtained throughout the audit.  

118

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.  Impairment assessment of exploration and evaluation assets  

Why significant 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

The carrying value of E&E assets is subjective as 
it is based on the Groups ability, and intention, to 
continue to explore and evaluate the assets. The 
carrying value is also impacted by the results of 
exploration and evaluation work. This creates a 
risk that the amounts stated in the Group’s 
financial report may not be recoverable. 

The impairment testing process is complex and 
judgmental, and for E&E assets commences with 
an assessment against indicators of impairment 
under Australian Accounting Standard - AASB 6 
Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral 
Resources. This is to reflect that E&E assets may 
be at an early stage in the project life cycle.  

Key assumptions, judgments and estimates used 
in the formulation of the Group’s impairment 
assessment of E&E assets are set out in note 15 
to the financial report. 

We assessed the impairment analysis prepared by 
the Directors, evaluating the assumptions and 
methodologies used by the Group and the estimates 
made. In obtaining sufficient audit evidence, we: 

•  considered the Group’s right to explore in the 
relevant exploration area which included 
obtaining and assessing supporting 
documentation such as license agreements and 
correspondence with relevant government 
agencies; 

•  considered the Group’s intention to carry out 

substantive E&E activity in the relevant 
exploration area, or plans to move the asset into 
development. This  included assessment of the 
Group’s cash-flow forecast models approved by 
the Board for evidence of planned future activity, 
and enquiries with senior management and 
Directors as to the intentions and strategy of the 
Group; 

•  assessed the carrying value of E&E assets where 
recent exploration activity in a given exploration 
license provided negative indicators as to the 
recoverability of amounts capitalised; 

•  considered the Group’s assessment of the 

commercial viability of results relating to E&E 
activities carried out in the relevant license area;  

•  assessed the Group’s ability to finance both 

planned future E&E activity and asset 
development plans; 

•  assessed the capabilities of management’s 

internal experts for the purposes of estimating 
the potential resources associated with those E&E 
assets, as outlined in key audit matter 3; and 

•  considered the adequacy of the financial report 

disclosures regarding impairment and the 
recoverable amount of the Group’s E&E assets. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

119

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.  Decommissioning and restoration provisions  

Why significant 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

The Group has recognised decommissioning and 
restoration provisions of $114 million at 30 
June 2017 which are disclosed in note 19 to the 
Group’s financial report. 

Our audit procedures focused on the work of the 
Group’s experts.  

In obtaining sufficient audit evidence, we: 

The calculation of decommissioning and 
restoration provisions requires significant 
judgment in respect of asset lives, timing of 
restoration work being undertaken, 
environmental legislative requirements, the 
extent of restoration activities required and 
future costs. 

• 

• 

assessed the competence and objectivity of both 
the Group’s internal and external experts 
involved in the estimation process;  

assessed the independence of the Group’s 
external experts; 

•  evaluated the adequacy of the expert’s work; 

•  understood the Group’s decommissioning and 

restoration estimation processes;  

• 

• 

• 

tested the consistency in the application of 
principles and assumptions to other areas of the 
audit such as reserves estimation and 
impairment testing;  

tested the mathematical accuracy of the net 
present value calculations and discount rate 
applied; and  

reconciled the calculations to the financial 
report. 

120

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information Other than the Financial Report and Auditor’s Report 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the 
information included in the Group’s 30 June 2017 Annual Report other than the financial report and 
our auditor’s report thereon. We obtained the Directors’ Report and the Overall Financial Review that 
are to be included in the Annual Report, prior to the date of this auditor’s report, and we expect to 
obtain the remaining sections of the Annual Report after the date of this auditor’s report.  

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and we do not and will not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information 
and, in doing so, 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.  

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information obtained prior to the date of this 
auditor’s report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.  

Directors’ Responsibilities for the Financial Report 

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a 
true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 
and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the 
financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error. 

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

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report  

Our objectives are 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 and are considered material 
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

121

 
 
 
 
 
As part of an audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional 
judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit.  We also: 

• 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to 
fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit 
evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not 
detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 
as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override 
of internal control. 

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. 

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made by the Directors. 

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in 
the preparation of the financial report.  We also conclude, based on the audit evidence obtained, 
whether a material uncertainty exists related to events and conditions that may cast significant 
doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.  If we conclude that a material 
uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in the auditor’s report to the disclosures in 
the financial report about the material uncertainty or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to 
modify the opinion on the financial report.  However, future events or conditions may cause an 
entity to cease to continue as a going concern. 

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the 
disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying 
transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.  

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 

business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the financial report. We are 
responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain solely 
responsible for our audit opinion. 

We communicate with the Directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of 
the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that 
we identify during our audit.  

We also provide the Directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical 
requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other 
matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related 
safeguards. 

From the matters communicated to the Directors, we determine those matters that were of most 
significance in the audit of the financial report of the current year and are therefore the key audit 
matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public 
disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter 
should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would 
reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication. 

122

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Report on the Remuneration Report 

Opinion on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 46 to 62 of the Directors’ Report for the 
year ended 30 June 2017. 

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Cooper Energy Limited for the year ended 30 June 2017, 
complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Responsibilities 

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

Ernst & Young 

L A Carr 
Partner 
Adelaide 
29 August 2017 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 

123

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
124

Securities Exchange and Shareholder Information
as at 31 August 2017

Listing
The company’s shares are quoted on the Australian Securities Exchange under the code of “COE”.

Number of Shareholders
There were 6,207 shareholders. All issued shares carry voting rights. On a show of hands every member at a meeting of shareholders 
shall have one vote and upon a poll each share shall have one vote.

Distribution of Shareholding (at 31 August 2017)

Size of Shareholding

1 - 1,000 

1,001 - 5,000

5,001 - 10,000 

10,001 - 100,000 

100,001 - 9,999,999,999 

Total

Unquoted Options on Issue
Nil

Unquoted Rights 

Number of Holders of Rights

22

10

Number of holders

Number of Shares

% of issued capital

940

1,617

1,012

2,149

489

238,048

4,724,197

8,060,432

73,268,666

1,054,259,964

6,207 

1,140,551,307 

0.02

0.41

0.71

6.42

92.43

100.00

Total Rights 

16,625,088 Performance Rights

30,118,716 Share Appreciation Rights

Unmarketable Parcels
There were 1,277 members, representing 698,819 shares, holding less than a marketable parcel of 1,667 shares in the company.

Twenty Largest Shareholders

Rank Name

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

Beach Energy Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

National Nominees Limited

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

Zero Nominees Pty Ltd

UBS Nominees Pty Ltd

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 

CS Fourth Nominees Pty Limited 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

Neweconomy Com Au Nominees Pty Limited <900 Account>

RBC Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Ltd 

Kavel Pty Ltd 

Invia Custodian Pty Limited 

UBS Nominees Pty Ltd

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited - A/C 2

Rocket Science Pty Ltd 

Mr Timothy Bryce Kleemann

Town Inns (Holdings) Pty Ltd

Units

% of Issued Capital

211,363,683

136,627,699

116,775,206

90,160,971

86,410,021

61,559,692

43,196,912

37,649,929

24,093,758

15,000,000

12,327,508

11,748,144

9,641,153

7,882,073

5,796,700

5,567,221

5,457,113

5,000,000

4,034,058

3,726,138

18.53

11.98

10.24

7.91

7.58

5.40

3.79

3.30

2.11

1.32

1.08

1.03

0.85

0.69

0.51

0.49

0.48

0.44

0.35

0.33

Totals: Top 20 holders of Ordinary Fully Paid Shares (Total)

894,017,979

78.39

Substantial Shareholder
The following were substantial holders in the company, as disclosed in substantial holding notices given to the Company as required by 
section 671B of the Corporations Act.

Name of entity

Beach Energy Limited

CBA

JCP Investment Partners Ltd

Kinetic Investment Partners

Number of securities in which substantial shareholder  
has a relevant interest as at date of last notice

Voting power  
as at date of last notice

116,775,206

40,875,089

60,687,647

33,948,335

10.24%

6.19%

5.32%

5.14%

125

Shareholder Information

Enquiries and share registry 
address

Shareholders with enquiries about 
their shareholdings should contact the 
company’s share registry, Computershare 
Investor Services Pty Ltd, via the telephone  
contact above.

Online shareholder information

Shareholders can obtain information  
about their holdings or view their  
account instructions online, as well as 
download forms to update their holder 
details. For identification and security 
purposes, you will need to know your 
Holder Identification Number (HIN/SRN), 
Surname/Company Name and Post/
Country Code to access. This service is 
accessible via the Computershare website.

Change of address

Shareholders who have changed their 
address should advise Computershare  
in writing. Written notification can be 
mailed or faxed to Computershare at the 
address given above and must include 
both old and new addresses and the 
security holder reference number (SRN) 
of the holding. 

Change of address forms are available 
for download from the Computershare 
website. Alternatively, holders can amend 
their details on-line via the Computershare 
website. Shareholders who have broker 
sponsored holdings should contact their 
broker to update these details. 

Annual Report mailing list

Shareholders who wish to vary their annual 
report mailing arrangements should  
advise Computershare in writing. Electronic 
versions of the report are available to all  
via the company’s website. Annual Reports 
will be mailed to all shareholders who  
have elected to be placed on the mailing list 
for this document. Report election 
forms can be downloaded from the 
Computershare website. 

Forms for download

All forms relating to amendment of  
holding details and holder instructions  
to the company are available for  
download from the Computershare.

Investor information

Information about the company is available 
from a number of sources:

• Website: www.cooperenergy.com.au 

•  E-news: Shareholders can nominate 

to receive company information 
electronically. This service is hosted  
by Computershare and can be accessed 
via Computershare’s website

•  Publications: the annual report is the 
major printed source of company 
information. Other publications include 
the half-yearly report, company press 
releases, investor packs, presentations 
and Open Briefings. All publications can 
be obtained either through the company’s 
website or by contacting the company

• Telephone or email enquiry:  

to Don Murchland, Investor Relations  
+61 439 300 932;  
donm@cooperenergy.com.au

126

Corporate Directory

Directors

John C Conde AO, Chairman
David P Maxwell 
Hector M Gordon
Jeffrey W Schneider
Alice J M Williams

Company Secretary

Alison M Evans

Registered Office and Business Address

Level 10, 60 Waymouth Street 
Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Telephone: + 618 8100 4900
Facsimile: + 618 8100 4997
E-mail: customerservice@cooperenergy.com.au
Website: www.cooperenergy.com.au

Auditors

Ernst & Young
121 King William Street
Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Solicitors

Johnson Winter & Slattery 
Level 9, 211 Victoria Square 
Adelaide SA 5000

Bankers

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited
11-29 Waymouth Street 
Adelaide, 5000 
South Australia

NATIXIS
Hong Kong Branch
Level 72, International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Westpac Banking Corporation
Level 18, 91 King William Street
Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Share Registry

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
Level 5, 115 Grenfell Street
Adelaide SA 5000

Website: investorcentre.com/au

Telephone: 
Australia 1300 655 248 
International +61 3 9415 4887
Facsimile: +61 3 9473 2500