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FY2021 Annual Report · 51Talk Online Education Group
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ANNUAL 
ANNUAL 
REPORT 
REPORT 
2021
2021

Investing  
for increased 
gas supply

OUR PURPOSE

Cooper Energy’s purpose is to contribute to 
Australia’s sustainable energy future by 
commercialising gas, oil and other resources 
for domestic markets. 

We operate with an emphasis on care, 
shareholder value and sustainability.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Cooper Energy acknowledges the Kaurna people as the custodians of the Adelaide region of our head office, 
the Whadjauk Noongar people on whose land our Perth office is based and the Eastern Marr people of the 
western district of Victoria where our Athena Gas Plant is located. 

COOPER ENERGY LIMITED
ABN 93 096 170 295

Cover image: Biodiverse Carbon Coorong Project, South Australia  
Opposite: Ocean Monarch offshore drilling rig

The terms “the company” and “Cooper Energy” are used in this Annual Report to refer to Cooper Energy 
Limited and/or its subsidiaries. The terms “2021”, “FY21” and the “2021 financial year” refer to the 12 months 
ended 30 June 2021 unless otherwise stated. Likewise references to 2020, FY20 or 2022, FY22 refer to the  
12 months ending 30 June of that year.

This Annual Report uses terms and abbreviations relevant to the Company, its accounts and the  
petroleum industry. Information on abbreviations and terms, rounding and reserves and resources  
reporting is provided on page 124.

WE ENERGISE THE  
LIVES OF THOUSANDS 
OF AUSTRALIANS 
EVERY DAY BY FINDING, 
DEVELOPING AND 
COMMERCIALISING  
GAS AND OIL

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

JOHN CONDE AO

This year we were presented again  
with significant challenges to navigate. 

Not being able to process and sell our Sole gas 
at originally forecast levels had a flow-on effect to 
revenue, cash flow and earnings, which in turn deferred 
the progress of other growth projects. We are working 
constructively with APA to secure certainty on the  
long-term arrangements for processing Sole gas at 
Orbost. We look forward to providing clarity on this  
as the year progresses.

In the broader energy sector, there 
is increasing pressure for companies 
to demonstrate their commitment 
to sustainability and emissions 
management. There is increasing 
activism and access to capital is 
changing. However, Cooper Energy 
is a leader in climate action within 
the Australian oil and gas sector,  
as discussed below.

We continue to manage the  
ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. 
Cooper Energy acted quickly in 
2020 to implement procedures and 
practices to manage the pandemic, 
and we continue to monitor, react 
and adapt as required. It is pleasing to note that  
during the year we reported no cases of COVID-19 
among our staff or contractors; we had no COVID-19 
related interruptions to processing of gas and oil;  
and our Athena Gas Plant Project progressed  
on schedule. I extend my gratitude to all involved.

The challenges, and in particular the delays at Orbost, 
have had an adverse impact on our share price.  
We acknowledge the frustration this has caused our 
shareholders and appreciate the ongoing loyalty shown 
by many. In response to our results and share price 
performance in the 2021 financial year, short-term 
incentive payments were cut significantly across the 
organisation and base salaries have again been held 
constant for the Board and staff.

2

Key milestones

Your company maintained strict focus on delivering its 
south-eastern Australia gas strategy. In doing so, we 
achieved several key milestones which are transforming 
Cooper Energy.

First, we took a major step in establishing ourselves 
as a material and important supplier of gas to south-
eastern Australia with the initiation of our Sole Gas 
Sales Agreements. With support from our customers 
and the guiding principles of the Transition Agreement 

with APA, we were able to 
commence the sale of gas even 
though the performance of the 
Orbost Gas Processing Plant 
remained volatile. The material 
increase in revenue, earnings and 
cash flow in the second half of  
the 2021 financial year is expected 
to continue in 2022 and beyond.

We met all customer gas 
nominations on every day. At times 
we had to draw on the back-up 
arrangements we have in place. 
This is a credit to our commercial 
team and demonstrates the 

value of our twin gas hub strategy and the customer 
relationships that have been developed.

Secondly, we made great strides in establishing 
ourselves as a mid-stream gas infrastructure operator, 
with the upgrade of the Athena Gas Plant significantly 
progressed. Once commissioned, the Athena Gas Plant 
will give Cooper Energy control of processing our Otway 
Basin gas and provide extra capacity for the next wave 
of our gas developments. 

Thirdly, we established ourselves as a leader in our 
sector on climate action. We received independent 
certification by Climate Active of our carbon neutral 
position with respect to Scope 1, Scope 2 and 
controllable Scope 3 emissions. This confirmed and 
validated Cooper Energy as Australia’s first carbon 

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

neutral gas and oil producer. While many companies 
talk of future net zero aspirations, our actions to achieve 
carbon neutrality put us many years, even decades, 
ahead of our peers. As we grow, we plan to maintain 
our net zero carbon status and will seek innovative 
ways to harness the value from momentum in this area.

The Managing Director’s Report and the Financial 
Report address our results and achievements in more 
detail. The 2021 Sustainability Report, which was 
published at the time of this Annual Report, addresses 
our performance across health and safety, the 
environment, climate actions, community involvement 
and our relationships with stakeholders. I encourage 
you to read these documents.

FY22 outlook

Prospectively, there are many reasons for optimism.

We are all feeling the impact that delays at Orbost and 
related uncertainties have had on shareholder value, 
cash flow generation and earnings. 

APA will be undertaking additional work at Orbost, 
which they plan to complete within the March 2022 
quarter, with the objective of materially increasing 
the gas processing rate. Extensive testing on solids 
removal technology has provided us with confidence in 
the work program to deliver further improvements  
in plant performance. In addition, together with APA,  
we continue our efforts to identify the root cause  
of the underlying issues at Orbost.

The Athena Gas Plant will be commissioned this year, 
providing us with control of processing Otway Basin 
gas and capacity for future developments. The Otway 
Phase 3 Development will be our first development to 
utilise the additional capacity at Athena, resulting in new 
gas supply for south-eastern Australia and a step-up in 
cash flow and earnings for Cooper Energy. I expect this 
will be followed by further gas discoveries in our Otway 
Basin permits at a time when gas supply is very tight 
and gas prices are increasing.

We will also continue our climate action program 
and maintain our industry-leading carbon neutral 
position. Net zero is one part of Cooper Energy’s 
broader Sustainability strategy. For us, Sustainability 
means offering a long-term value proposition for all 
stakeholders while leaving our environment in a better 
state than when we found it. Our assets, strategy  
and values are aligned with this:

•  We produce gas which we know will be required 
for decades to come as the world transitions to 
renewable energy.

•  We have consolidated the company’s asset portfolio 
around proven cost competitive gas provinces and 
established infrastructure located close to the key  
gas markets. 

•  We have an extensive resource position which 

provides the foundation for increasing production and 
cash flow over time.

•  Most of our gas reserves are linked to long-term 
contracts which offer stable prices and cash flow 
through take-or-pay terms.

•  We are proud of our environmental track record and 
the relationships we have built with the communities 
in which we operate. 

•  Our governance framework and Cooper Energy 

values guide all decisions and actions.

Our actions to date demonstrate our commitment  
to Sustainability.

Concluding remarks

Notwithstanding the challenging and disappointing year 
for Cooper Energy and our shareholders, growth is  
now underway and we are confident in our ability to 
create ongoing sustainable growth in shareholder value 
as we deliver our south-eastern Australia gas strategy.  
Our twin gas hubs are established, gas supply is tight 
and getting tighter, and the initiation of our Sole Gas 
Sales Agreements has demonstrated the inherent value 
of our Sole gas development.

3

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021FROM THE CHAIRMAN

I record my thanks to my Board colleagues and to our 
Company Secretary for their counsel and support. In 
August, we welcomed Ms Giselle Collins to the Board, 
subject to confirmation by shareholders at this year’s 
annual general meeting. Ms Collins brings valuable 
expertise to the Board and adds diversity of experience. 

I also record my appreciation to our Managing Director, 
David Maxwell, and his team for their leadership and 
commitment to Cooper Energy.

I extend my gratitude to all stakeholders, and in 
particular our lenders, customers, suppliers and 
contractors for your ongoing support. 

Lastly, thank you to you, our shareholders, for your 
ongoing support. It was unquestionably a difficult year. 
However, our foundation is set, our strategy is correct 
and we are excited for the year ahead.

John Conde AO 
Chairman

COOPER ENERGY 
ACHIEVED MANY 
KEY MILESTONES IN 
2021 WHICH ARE 
TRANSFORMING THE 
COMPANY

4

Coorong Biodiversity Project

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021

5

MANAGING DIRECTOR'S 
REPORT

DAVID MAXWELL

Our results for the 2021 financial year  
were shaped by the ongoing delay in 
commissioning the Orbost Gas Processing 
Plant – owned and operated by APA.

This constrained Sole production, cash flow and 
earnings, relative to our original expectations,  
and impacted the progress of our growth projects. 
This has weighed on our financial 
results and the share price.  
I acknowledge the frustration 
this has caused and extend my 
personal gratitude to you, my fellow 
shareholders, for your ongoing 
support through this period.

Despite the challenges, the 2021 
financial year can be regarded as 
transformational for Cooper Energy. 
We delivered many key milestones 
which are establishing the company 
as a material and important supplier 
of gas to south-eastern Australia  
and setting the foundation for 
sustainable growth in shareholder 
value. The milestones include:

• Sole gas production: Commenced processing
through the Orbost Gas Processing Plant with
improving Orbost performance throughout the year
and further improvements expected in 2022.

• Sole Gas Sales Agreements: Commenced in

December and January and met every customer
nomination.

• Athena Gas Plant Project: Significant progress

in upgrading the Athena Gas Plant and establishing
Cooper Energy as a midstream gas infrastructure
operator.

• Financial performance: Record results and a step-

change in second-half performance following initiation
of the Sole Gas Sales Agreements.

6

• Health, safety and environment: Pleasing

performance against the backdrop of COVID-19.

• Carbon neutrality: Independent certification as

Australia’s first carbon neutral gas and oil producer.

• Gas market and strategy: Increasing gas supply

constraints in south-eastern Australia and increasing
gas prices playing out as expected.

These milestones were supported 
by strong relationships with 
our key stakeholders including 
our customers, banks and the 
communities in which we operate.

I discuss each of these topics 
below.

2021 REVIEW

Sole and the Orbost Gas 
Processing Plant

Cooper Energy delivered 
the upstream Sole gas field 
development on time and below 

budget during the 2019 calendar year. Since then,  
the Orbost Gas Processing Plant, which is owned and 
operated by APA, has faced challenges due to foaming 
and fouling within the plant’s Sulphur Recovery Unit. 
Cooper Energy has been working constructively with 
APA to increase processing rates and improve stability 
while also focusing on identifying the root cause of  
the foaming and fouling.

During the 2021 financial year, reconfiguration of the 
plant’s Sulphur Recovery Unit was undertaken and 
improvement in plant performance was seen during 
the second half of the year. Processing rates improved 
from 23 TJ/day on average in the first half to 35 TJ/day 
on average in the second half. Subsequent to financial 
year-end, stability had further improved with regular 
cleaning of the absorbers and rates of approximately  
40 TJ/day on average.

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT

APA will be undertaking further capital works at 
Orbost which is scheduled to be complete during 
the March 2022 quarter. Extensive testing on solids 
removal technology during 2021 has provided us 
with confidence that the planned activities can further 
improve plant performance. 

Your Board and Executive Leadership Team are acutely 
aware of the impact Orbost performance has had on 
Cooper Energy’s share price.  
We are focused on providing 
certainty regarding these longer-
term arrangements and are 
working constructively with APA  
to achieve such an outcome.  
We look forward to providing 
updates in due course.

Athena Gas Plant Project

In the Otway Basin, the Athena 
Gas Plant is Cooper Energy’s 
second gas processing hub. 
Cooper Energy is the operator of 
Athena and owns a 50% interest 
alongside Mitsui E&P Australia.

During the 2021 financial year we made significant 
progress in delivering the upgrade of the Athena Gas 
Plant. Commissioning of the plant is now underway  
and once complete will see Cooper Energy established 
as a midstream gas infrastructure operator. This will  
be a significant milestone for your company.

The Athena Gas Plant is a strategic asset ideally 
located within the core south-eastern Australia gas 
market, which is becoming increasingly short of  
gas supply. It will be an integral asset within Cooper 
Energy’s portfolio. It will allow for higher processing 
rates from existing Otway Basin fields, operate at a 
lower cost relative to current processing arrangements, 
provide significant extra capacity for future 
developments and discoveries, and enable enhanced 
marketing of gas on a firm supply basis.

I thank all staff, contractors and stakeholders who 
have contributed to the Athena Gas Plant upgrade. 
The project has involved significant staff coordination, 
training and delivery throughout its various stages. 
Pleasingly, we have recorded no lost-time injuries  
and the project stayed within schedule during the  
2021 financial year despite the backdrop of COVID-19. 
The learnings gained from the project to date are 

COOPER ENERGY 
IS BECOMING  
A MATERIAL 
AND IMPORTANT 
SUPPLIER OF 
GAS TO SOUTH-
EASTERN 
AUSTRALIA 

extensive and will prove 
invaluable as we transition to a 
gas processing plant operator 
and continue to grow our  
gas production.

Financial Performance 

Our financial results in 2021 
demonstrated a step-change 
in revenue, mainly due to the 
initiation of our Sole Gas Sales 
Agreements in the middle of 
the year. This was a significant 
achievement for Cooper Energy, 
particularly given the volatile 
performance of the Orbost Gas 

Processing Plant. With support from our customers, 
third-party gas suppliers and APA, and guided by the 
principles of the Transition Agreement, we delivered 
over 8 petajoules of gas into our Sole Gas Sales 
Agreements during the second half of the year. During 
the peak winter gas demand months, we averaged  
gas supply of 59 TJ/day, with Orbost shortfalls sourced 
from our back-up supply arrangements.

The initiation of our Sole Gas Sales Agreements and 
improving performance of the Orbost Gas Processing 
Plant drove record production, sales volume and 
revenue. Production was up 69% to 2.63 MMboe, sales 
volume up 94% to 3.01 MMboe and revenue up 69% to 
$132 million. We generated $50 million in cash margin 
from our gas business in what was a challenging year.

7

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The momentum from the second half of the year is 
continuing into the 2022 financial year. The step-change 
in earnings and cash flow which we have been referring 
to for some time is now underway.

Our financial position remains sound and we are grateful 
for the ongoing support of our lenders. Towards the  
end of the financial year we adjusted our debt facility to 
align it with current processing rates at Orbost of 40-45 
TJ/day. The adjustments helped preserve liquidity so 
we can continue advancing growth projects such as the 
Otway Phase 3 Development.

Bank security for our debt facility is mainly in the Sole 
2P Reserves and the long-term take or pay Gas Sales 
Agreements. The adjustments demonstrate the strength 
of this position and our lenders’ support for Cooper 
Energy. At financial year-end, our cash reserves were 
$91 million and drawn debt was $218 million.

Health, safety and the environment

We recorded pleasing health, safety and environmental 
performance as we strive for continual improvement. 
The ever-changing COVID-19 situation provided ongoing 
challenges for us all. The policies and procedures 
implemented by Cooper Energy early in the pandemic 
have served us well and we continue to monitor, react 
and adapt as required.

We had no reported cases of COVID-19 among our staff 
and contractors. We also achieved no COVID-19 related 
interruptions to our oil and gas processing, and the 
Athena Gas Plant Project progressed to schedule  
as noted above.

We reported no lost-time injuries. We did have two 
minor safety incidents which resulted in an increase to 
our total recordable injury frequency rate. The incidents 
were a hamstring strain and a cut on the nose. For both 
incidents, the individuals returned to work the following 
day. We again had no reportable environmental 
incidents at our operated sites.

The 2021 Sustainability Report, which was published 
at the time of this Annual Report, addresses our 
performance across health and safety, the environment, 
climate actions, community involvement and our 
relationships with stakeholders. I encourage you to read 
this report.

Carbon neutral certification

Cooper Energy’s accelerated push to achieve net zero 
carbon emissions was a great accomplishment for 
the organisation. We announced in October 2020 our 
commitment to net zero carbon emissions, that is Scope 
1, Scope 2 and controllable Scope 3 emissions. We 
achieved this through partnering with Greening Australia 
in the Coorong Biodiversity Project.

Towards the end of the financial year we received 
independent certification from Climate Active as 
Australia’s first carbon-neutral gas producer. This is a 
fantastic accomplishment for Cooper Energy.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive.  
Our staff appreciate it and are proud to be working for  
a net zero gas producer. Our lenders acknowledge it  
and we expect to benefit from better access to 
debt capital markets in the future. Our institutional 
shareholders like it, particularly those who may 
otherwise be restricted from investing in Cooper Energy. 
Our broader stakeholders and communities like it as it 
reinforces our commitment to working sustainably.

We are progressing other carbon reduction initiatives 
which are timed to align with our gas production growth. 
We have several cost-effective opportunities under 
review and will have more to say on these in due course.

Our focus on maintaining carbon neutrality is one  
part of our broader objectives in the area of 
Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG). 
Our objectives aim to create a long-term sustainable 
investment proposition for our investors and a long-term 
valuable contributor to our broader stakeholders 
and communities.

Gas market and strategy

While we work with APA to rectify the issues at the 
Orbost Gas Processing Plant and progress our other 
growth projects, increasing gas supply shortages in the 
south-eastern Australia gas market continue to play  
out as we expected.

The gas demand-supply fundamentals remain 
challenged and skewed towards increasing gas supply 
shortfalls. It is a fact that gas will be needed for decades 
to come, and that gas will support our transition to 
renewable energy. However, industry and regulators 
continue to see tight gas supply for south-eastern 

8

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Australia, with a supply shortfall of approximately 60 
petajoules expected by 2025. This equates to roughly 
four Sole projects at current Orbost processing rates.

The shortfall is driven by several factors, including 
declining production from existing fields as reservoirs 
deplete, increasing costs and regulatory burden 
associated with new developments, and various drilling 
moratoriums which have hampered new supply. To have 
a positive impact on the supply shortfall come 2025, 
new gas projects need to be at the Final Investment 
Decision stage now or very soon.

Pricing fundamentals also remain sound for Cooper 
Energy. LNG and spot gas prices increased over the 
course of the year which supports our view that the 
long-term contracted gas price range will be $8-$11/GJ. 

The gas supply challenges will persist for south-eastern 
Australia. Thankfully, our twin gas hub strategy and 
existing asset portfolio provide a clear pathway for 
discovering and developing gas reserves over time. 

Our Otway and Gippsland basin permits are in cost 
competitive gas producing regions, include multiple 
attractive exploration prospects and are connected to 
customers via existing pipeline infrastructure. These are 
strategically located assets that will support customers 
while the gas supply shortfall grows.

Our opportunity pipeline includes growing production 
from existing producing assets, developing resources 
over the near-term, and exploring for new discoveries. 
The Athena Gas Plant will provide extra processing 
capacity, allowing us to develop gas through our own 
plant at attractive margins. 

It is key that we have effective energy policy and 
regulations which have regard to the needs of society 
whilst supporting the ongoing development of the 
gas industry. Our industry is vital to support the 
development and reliable supply of renewable energies 
and numerous everyday products.

Athena Gas Plant

9

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT

2022 OUTLOOK

Cooper Energy’s purpose is to contribute to Australia’s 
sustainable energy future by commercialising gas,  
oil and other resources for domestic markets. We 
operate with an emphasis on care, shareholder value 
and sustainability. To achieve this purpose, our  
strategy involves:

• establishing a portfolio of low cost, long-term gas and

oil production assets;

• growing through a combination of exploration,

development and acquisition;

• participating in APA’s delivery of the next phase of

capital works at Orbost which aim to further improve
plant stability and performance;

• commissioning the Athena Gas Plant to deliver

benefits including higher processing rates, lower
operating costs and improved gas marketing
capability;

• preparing for a Final Investment Decision for the next
phase of development in the offshore Otway Basin;
and

• building future resilience by prioritising Environment,

• progressing other exploration, appraisal and

Sustainability and Governance and investing in
sustainable energy projects;

development activities within Cooper Energy’s existing
portfolio of growth opportunities.

• leveraging and developing our people, stakeholder

relationships and capabilities where we operate; and

• balancing risk by sharing opportunities, partnering and

achieving good commercial outcomes.

Specific activities planned for the FY22 financial 
year include:

• finalising commercial arrangements with APA for the
long-term processing of Sole gas through the Orbost
Gas Processing Plant;

I record my appreciation for the loyal support of 
our shareholders, lenders and customers, and the 
committed effort of our employees and contractors 
during the year. I also acknowledge the valuable 
guidance and support provided by the Board during 
what was a challenging year.

David Maxwell 
Managing Director

10

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Orbost Gas Processing Plant

Ocean Monarch offshore drilling rig

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021

11

OUR VALUES

Cooper Energy is a values-driven 
business with actions guided at all 
times by our seven core values.

12

CARE
Prioritising safety, health, the environment 
and community.

INTEGRITY
Striving to be consistent, staying true to our 
values and accountable for our actions.

FAIRNESS AND RESPECT
Valuing diversity and difference, acting without 
prejudice and communicating with courtesy.

TRANSPARENCY
Being honest, addressing problems and 
being clear with our communications.

COLLABORATION
Sharing ideas and knowledge, encouraging 
cooperation, listening to our stakeholders and 
building long-term relationships.

AWARENESS
Taking account of all identified key issues in our 
decisions and considering future impacts.

COMMITMENT
Staying focused on the core objectives, making 
pragmatic, quality technical and commercial 
decisions and being decisive with the courage  
of our convictions.

OUR BUSINESS

We generate revenue from the discovery, 
commercialisation and sale of gas to south-
eastern Australia and from oil production 
and development in the Cooper Basin.

0.16

0.77

FY21 Production
2.63 MMboe

1.70

Gippsland Basin gas 

Otway Basin gas and gas liquids 

Cooper Basin oil

1.1

8.9

2P Proved and 
Probable Reserves
47.1 MMboe  
at 30 June 2021

Gippsland Basin 

Otway Basin 

Cooper Basin

OTHER KEY STATISTICS 
at 30 June 2021

Market capitalisation

$424.1 million

Net debt

Issued shares

Shareholders

$126.7 million

1,631 million

9,355

Employees and contractors

105.3 full time equivalent

We aim to deliver sustainable growth in shareholder 
value by:

• establishing a portfolio of low-cost, long-term gas

and oil production assets;

• growing through a combination of development,

exploration and acquisition;

• building future resilience by prioritising Environment,

Sustainability and Governance and investing in
sustainable energy projects;

• leveraging and developing our people, stakeholder

relationships and capabilities; and

• balancing risk by sharing opportunities, partnering

and achieving good commercial outcomes.

37.1

0.5

8.0

2C Contingent  
Resources
33.9 MMboe  
at 30 June 2021

25.4

Gippsland Basin 

Otway Basin 

Cooper Basin

13

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021OUR OPERATIONS

2

PERTH

3

ADELAIDE

1

MELBOURNE

6

4

5

ADELAIDE

• Corporate head office

PERTH

• Projects and offshore drilling office

COOPER BASIN

• Western Flank oil production, development

and exploration

• 25% Cooper Energy interest

ATHENA GAS PLANT

• Processing hub for offshore Otway Basin gas

• Commissioning in FY22

• 50% Cooper Energy interest

1

2

3

4

ONSHORE OTWAY BASIN

• Dombey gas discovery

• Gas exploration and development prospects

• 30% Cooper Energy interest (South Australia)

OFFSHORE OTWAY BASIN

• Gas and gas liquids production from the

Casino, Henry and Netherby fields

• Annie gas discovery and multiple exploration

prospects

• Preparing for the Otway Phase 3 Development

• 50% Cooper Energy interest

GIPPSLAND BASIN

• Sole gas field

• Manta gas and gas liquids resource and

multiple gas exploration prospects

• 100% Cooper Energy interest

4

5

6

14

ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY 
AND GOVERNANCE

INDUSTRY-LEADING NET ZERO DECARBONISATION POSITION

•  Net Zero achieved for the second consecutive year
•  100% Scope 1, Scope 2 and controllable Scope 31 offset

•  4,338 tonnes of CO2 offset

•  Commitment to continue this initiative for the foreseeable future

•  2020 South Australian Premier’s Award for Environment for Net Zero initiative 

•  Climate Active Carbon Neutral Organisation certification achieved 

HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

•  0 lost-time injuries

•  0 reportable environmental incidents

•  0 COVID-19 cases; management plans in place at all sites

•  2 minor contractor medical treatment incidents; both returned to work the following day

GENDER DIVERSITY 

•  Ahead of industry benchmarks
•  38% female representation on the Board of Directors2

•  28% overall company female representation

LOCAL CONTENT

•  >$60 million in local purchases

•  >375 local suppliers

Full details are contained in the Cooper Energy 2021 Sustainability Report,  
published concurrently with this Annual Report.

1.  Controllable Scope 3 emissions comprise carbon embedded in concrete and steel, and employee travel. 
Customer emissions from transportation of gas purchased and ultimate combustion are not included.

2.  Post appointment of Giselle Collins on 19 August 2021, subject to confirmation by shareholders at this 

year’s annual general meeting.

15

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021KEY RESULTS

FINANCIAL

• Record sales revenue, up 69% to $131.7 million from initiation of the Sole Gas Sales Agreements

•  Underlying net loss after tax of $25.9 million, impacted by delayed commissioning of the Orbost Gas

Processing Plant

• Debt facility adjusted with ongoing support from lenders

• Higher depreciation and amortisation due to increased Sole production

• General administration expense down 16% to $12.7 million

Sales revenue
$ million

Statutory net profit / (loss) after tax
$ million

Underlying net profit / (loss) after tax
$ million

131.7

27.0

13.3

9.8

(12.3)

(12.1)

(30.0)

(8.7)

(6.6)

75.5

78.1

67.5

39.1

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

(86.0)

(25.9)

Operating cash flow
$ million

Net cash / (debt)
$ million

48.1

147.4

111.0

Total equity
$ million

443.9

433.7

351.1

325.8

285.0

22.2

20.5

4.1

8.1

(53.9)

(97.8)

(126.7)

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

16

KEY RESULTS

OPERATIONS AND RESERVES

• No lost-time injuries and no reported COVID-19 cases

• Two minor contractor incidents; both individuals returned to work the following day

• Record production, up 69% to 2.63 MMboe

• Athena Gas Plant Project significantly progressed

• Climate Active carbon neutral certification achieved

Safety
Total recordable injury frequency rate

Production
MMboe

Proved and Probable Reserves
MMboe

6.9

2.63

52.4

52.7

49.9

47.1

3.5

1.49

1.31

1.56

0.96

11.7

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

EQUITY

Share price 
cents per share at 30 June

Basic earnings per share
cents per share at 30 June

Market capitalisation
$ million at 30 June

54.0

1.8

(0.7)

873

38.0

38.5

37.5

(1.8)

(1.8)

616

608

26.0

433

424

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY21

(5.3)

17

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021KEY RESULTS

GAS AND OIL REVENUE

•  Twin gas hub strategy delivering step-change in sales volume and revenue 

•  Record total sales volume, up 94% to 3.01 MMboe

•   Gas revenue up 88% to $119.5 million from initiation of the Sole Gas Sales Agreements

GAS

Total sales volume (PJ)

Total revenue ($ million)

2P Proved and Probable Reserves1 (PJ)

Average realised price ($/GJ)

OIL AND CONDENSATE

Total sales volume (kbbl)

Total revenue ($ million)

2P Proved and Probable Reserves1 (MMbbl)

Average realised price ($/bbl)

1. As announced on 23 August 2021.

FY21

17.4

119.4

281.3

6.86

FY21

153.8

12.3

1.1

79.0

Darwin

FY20

8.3

63.6

295.3

7.66

FY20

186.0

14.5

1.6

77.0

Port Hedland

Dampier

Carnarvon

Cooper Basin

Perth

Gladstone

Brisbane

Adelaide

Sydney

Otway Basin

Melbourne

Gippsland Basin

Hobart

18

KEY RESULTS

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

• Lower capital expenditure due to completion of the Sole gas development

• Expenditure predominantly related to upgrade of the Athena Gas Plant

BY ACTIVITY ($ million)

Exploration and appraisal

Development

Total

BY BASIN ($ million)

Gippsland Basin

Otway Basin

Cooper Basin

Other

Total

FY21

2.2

30.1

32.3

FY21

0.4

27.3

1.7

2.9

32.3

FY20

41.6

35.1

76.7

FY20

17.7

35.5

10.4

13.1

76.7

Athena Gas Plant team

19

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021RESERVES AND CONTINGENT RESOURCES

RESERVES 

Cooper Energy’s 2P oil and gas Reserves at 30 June 2021 are assessed to be 47.1 MMboe (30 June 2020:  
49.9 MMboe), as summarised in the following tables and notes and described in more detail in the ASX 
announcement of 23 August 2021. 

RESERVES AT 30 JUNE 2021

1P (Proved)

2P (Proved and Probable)

3P (Proved, Probable and Possible)

Developed Undeveloped

Total Developed Undeveloped Total Developed Undeveloped

Total

Sales gas

PJ

Oil & 
Condensate

MMbbl

171

0.5

Total1

MMboe

28.4

30

0.0

4.9

201

0.5

238

1.1

33.4

40.0

43

0.1

7.1

281

1.1

323

1.5

47.1

54.4

56

0.1

9.3

380

1.6

63.7

1. Totals throughout these tables may not reflect arithmetic addition due to rounding; estimates exclude Cooper Energy’s share of future fuel, 

flare and vent consumption and are net to Cooper Energy.

Key factors contributing to the change in Reserves since 30 June 2020 include:

•  production of 2.6 MMboe in FY21;

•  upward revisions in the offshore Otway Basin due to revised subsurface interpretation of the Henry gas field and production 

performance of the Casino, Henry and Netherby gas fields; and

•  downward revisions in PEL 92 due to revised operator decline profiles, execution of development projects during FY21 and  

re-classification of two projects from Undeveloped Reserves to Contingent Resources. 

YEAR-ON-YEAR MOVEMENT IN 2P RESERVES

 Proved and Probable 2P Reserves (MMboe)

Cooper Basin

Otway Basin

Gippsland Basin

Reserves at 30 June 2020

FY21 Production

Revisions

Reserves at 30 June 2021

1.6

(0.2) 

(0.3) 

1.1

9.5

(0.8) 

0.2

8.9

38.8

(1.7) 

(0.1) 

37.1

Total

49.9

(2.6) 

(0.1) 

47.1

YEAR-ON-YEAR MOVEMENT IN 1P, 2P AND 3P RESERVES

Proved (1P)

Proved & Probable (2P)

Proved, Probable & Possible (3P)

MMboe

MMboe

MMboe

Reserves

30 June 2020

Production

Revisions 

FY21

FY21

Reserves

30 June 2021

35.5

(2.6)

0.5

33.4

49.9

(2.6)

(0.1)

47.1

66.6

(2.6)

(0.3)

63.7

20

 
 
RESERVES AND CONTINGENT RESOURCES

RESERVES BY BASIN AND PRODUCT AT 30 JUNE 2021

Reserves at 30 June 2021 Developed and Undeveloped

Proved (1P)

Proved and Probable (2P)

Proved, Probable and Possible (3P)

Cooper  Otway Gippsland  Total 1 Cooper Otway Gippsland  Total 1 Cooper Otway Gippsland    Total 1

Developed

Sales Gas

PJ

–

Oil & Condensate MMbbl

0.5

Developed total

MMboe

0.5

6.7

0.0

1.1

Undeveloped

Sales Gas

PJ

–

29.9

Oil & Condensate MMbbl

Undeveloped total MMboe

Total

MMboe

0.0

0.0

0.5

0.0

4.9

6.0

164.3

171.1

–

11.2

226.8

238.0

–

14.1

309.3

323.4

–

0.5

26.9

28.4

1.1

1.1

0.0

1.8

–

1.1

37.1

40.0

1.5

1.5

0.0

2.3

–

50.5

29.9

–

43.2

43.2

–

56.5

–

–

–

0.0

4.9

0.0

0.0

1.1

0.0

7.1

8.9

–

–

–

0.1

7.1

0.0

9.3

0.1

0.1

1.6

26.9

33.4

37.1

47.1

11.6

50.5

63.7

1.5

54.4

56.5

0.1

9.3

–

–

–

CONTINGENT RESOURCES

Cooper Energy’s 2C oil and gas Contingent Resources at 30 June 2021 are assessed to be 33.9 MMboe (30 June 2020: 

34.9 MMboe). The decrease is primarily due to revisions to PEL 92 oil projects and conversion of gas 2C Contingent  

Resources to 2P Reserves.

CONTINGENT RESOURCES AT 30 JUNE 2021

1C

2C

3C

 Gas 
PJ

83.1

32.3

–

115.3

Oil & Cond. 
MMbbl

 Total 
 MMboe

2.2

0.0

0.3

2.5

15.8

5.3

0.3

21.4

Gas 
PJ

134.9

48.6

–

183.5

Gippsland Basin

Otway  Basin

Cooper Basin

Total

Oil & Cond. 
MMbbl

 Total 
 MMboe

3.4

0.1

0.5

4.0

25.4

8.0

0.5

 Gas 
 PJ

212.3

63.2

–

Oil & Cond. 
MMbbl

 Total 
 MMboe

5.4

0.1

0.9

6.4

40.1

10.4

0.9

51.4

33.9

275.5

YEAR-ON-YEAR MOVEMENT IN CONTINGENT RESOURCES

MMboe

Contingent Resources at 30 June 2020

Revisions

Contingent Resources at 30 June 2021

1C

21.6

(0.2)

21.4

2C

34.9

(0.9)

33.9

3C

52.0

(0.6)

51.4

21

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021RESERVES AND CONTINGENT RESOURCES

Notes on calculation of Reserves and 
Contingent Resources

Cooper Energy prepares its petroleum Reserves 
and Contingent Resources in accordance with the 
definitions and guidelines in the Society of Petroleum 
Engineers (SPE) 2018 Petroleum Resources 
Management System (PRMS).

The estimates of petroleum Reserves and Contingent 
Resources contained in this Annual Report are  
as at 30 June 2021.

All Reserves and Contingent Resources figures in 
this document are net to Cooper Energy unless 
otherwise stated.

Cooper Energy has completed its own estimation of 
Reserves and Contingent Resources for its operated 
Otway and Gippsland Basin assets. Elsewhere, 
Reserves and Contingent Resources estimation is 
based on assessment and independent views of 
information provided by the permit operators (Beach 
Energy Limited for PEL 92 and the Worrior field). 

Reference points for Cooper Energy’s petroleum 
Reserves and Contingent Resources and production 
are defined where normal operations cease, and 
petroleum products are measured under defined 
conditions prior to custody transfer. Fuel, flare and vent 
consumed prior to the reference point is excluded.

Petroleum Reserves and Contingent Resources are 
prepared using deterministic and probabilistic methods. 
The Reserves and Contingent Resources estimate 
methodologies incorporate a range of uncertainties 
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.

The conversion factor of 1 PJ = 0.163 MMboe has been 
used to convert from sales gas (PJ) to oil equivalent 
(MMboe).

22

Reserves

Under the SPE PRMS 2018, “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”.

The Otway Basin totals comprise the arithmetically 
aggregated project fields (Casino, Henry and 
Netherby). The Cooper Basin totals comprise the 
arithmetically aggregated PEL 92 fields and the 
arithmetic summation of the Worrior field Reserves. 
The Gippsland Basin totals comprise Sole  
Reserves only. 

Contingent Resources

Under the SPE PRMS 2018, “Contingent Resources 
are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as  
of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from 
known accumulations by application of development 
projects, but which are not currently considered to 
be commercially recoverable owing to one or more 
contingencies”.

The Contingent Resources assessment includes 
Contingent Resources in the Gippsland, Otway and 
Cooper basins.

Qualified petroleum Reserves and 
Contingent Resources evaluator statement 

The information contained in this report regarding 
Cooper Energy’s Reserves and Contingent Resources 
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. Mr Thomas 
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.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

SAFETY 

Detailed discussion of Cooper Energy’s safety performance is provided in the 2021 Sustainability Report. The report 
was published at the time of this Annual Report and can be viewed and downloaded from the company’s website.

SAFETY METRICS

Hours worked

Recordable incidents 

Lost-time injuries (LTI)

LTI frequency rate1

Total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR)2

Industry TRIFR3

1. Per million hours worked

FY21

289,071

2

–

–

6.91

3.19

FY20

283,672

1

1

3.53

3.53

5.27

2. TRIFR is recordable incidents (Medical Treatment Injuries + Restricted Work/Transfer Case + Lost-Time Injuries + Fatalities)

per million hours worked. Calculated on a rolling 12-month basis

3. Industry TRIFR is the NOPSEMA benchmark for offshore Australian operations; data is for the last full calendar year;

published at www.nopsema.gov.au

PRODUCTION 

Cooper Energy recorded record oil and gas production of 2.63 MMboe due mainly to increasing gas production 
from the Sole field in the Gippsland Basin.

PRODUCTION

Gippsland Basin

Otway Basin

Cooper Basin

Total

FY21

Oil and 
condensate
(kbbl)

–

1.8

156.9

158.7

Total

(MMboe)

1.70

0.77

0.16

2.63

Gas

(PJ)

10.4

4.7

–

15.1

Production by region 
MMboe

1.70

0.77

0.16
FY21

1.22

1.07

0.34

1.02

0.27

0.24

0.19

0.68

0.25

0.25

FY17 

FY18 

FY19 

FY20 

FY20

Oil and 
condensate
(kbbl)

Total

(MMboe)

–

3.5

193.0

196.5

0.34

1.03

0.19

1.56

Gas

(PJ)

2.1

6.2

–

8.3

Gippsland Basin

Otway Basin

Cooper Basin

South Sumatra, Indonesia

23

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

GIPPSLAND BASIN

Cooper Energy is the Operator and 100% interest 
holder for all of its Gippsland Basin interests.  
As at 30 June 2021, these interests comprised:

•  installation of spray nozzles in the absorbers to 

suppress foaming and reduce fouling; and

•  installation of solids removal technology to prevent 

•  VIC/L32, which contains the Sole gas field;

fouling within the absorbers.

•  VIC/RL13, VIC/RL14 and VIC/RL15, which contain 
the Manta gas and liquids field. These Retention 
Leases also hold legacy infrastructure associated 
with the BMG oil project;

•  VIC/RL16, which contains the shut-in Patricia-Baleen 
gas field and infrastructure which connects to the 
OGPP; and

•  exploration permits VIC/P72 and VIC/P75.

Development: Sole Gas Project and OGPP

The Sole Gas Project involves development of the 
Sole gas field by Cooper Energy and upgrading of the 
OGPP by APA to process Sole gas. 

The offshore project was completed by Cooper Energy 
during the 2019 calendar year within schedule, below 
budget, with zero lost-time injuries and with zero 
reportable environmental incidents. Total capital cost 
for the offshore project was $335 million compared with 
a budget of $355 million.

Commissioning of the OGPP by APA is continuing.  
The plant’s performance has been impaired by foaming 
and fouling in the sulphur recovery unit’s two absorbers, 
which has constrained processing rates and required 
regular maintenance and cleaning. During Q2 FY21, 
reconfiguration works were undertaken by APA to enable 
operation of the absorbers independently, in parallel 
or in series. These works provided greater operational 
flexibility and the ability to conduct cleaning of absorbers 
while minimising interruption to production.

Subsequent to financial year-end, Cooper Energy 
provided approval to APA for further capital works 
at OGPP to be undertaken during FY22. The work 
program is designed to significantly improve plant 
performance and includes:

The analysis to determine the underlying root cause 
of foaming and fouling at OGPP is continuing. In Q4 
FY21, APA and Cooper Energy engaged a specialist 
surfactant chemist to peer review the testing results 
and analysis previously undertaken. The surfactant 
chemist’s scope of work is being overseen by a 
technical committee comprising APA and Cooper 
Energy representatives.

Exploration 

The exploration focus in the Gippsland Basin has been 
on VIC/P75 in the Basin’s central area. The permit 
is surrounded by major fields, including the Marlin, 
Snapper and Barracouta gas fields to the north and the 
Kingfish and Fortescue oil fields to the south and east. 

Interpretation and depth conversion of the reprocessed 
3D seismic data in VIC/P75 was completed and a 
prospect called Spineback was identified. Resource 
and risk assessment of Spineback is underway.

In VIC/RLs 13, 14 and 15, the prospectivity under 
existing discoveries is being reviewed based on  
an improved understanding of depth conversion in the 
Gippsland Basin from work in VIC/P75. In addition  
to the Manta Deep prospect, which could be drilled  
by deepening a future Manta-3 appraisal well to 
approximately 4,500 metres, investigations are  
ongoing on similar prospectivity below the discovered  
Gummy field.

A suspension and extension of VIC/P72 was received 
from NOPTA, with the permit’s primary term now  
expiring in May 2023. VIC/P72 adjoins VIC/RL16, 
which holds the Patricia-Baleen gas field and 
associated subsea production infrastructure connected 
to the OGPP. VIC/P72 is close to several Esso-
operated oil and gas fields including Remora, Snapper, 
Sunfish and Sweetlips, and the SGH Energy-operated 
Longtom gas field. Prospects identified in VIC/P72  
are analogues to offset fields.

24

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

BMG abandonment

The abandonment project in the BMG fields involves 
decommissioning seven wells and associated subsea 
infrastructure in the Gippsland Basin. The BMG 
permits contain the proven Manta gas field and the 
Manta Deep prospect. 

The BMG abandonment project entered the  
FEED stage, with activities focused on selecting  
optimal methodologies and technologies for safe  
and cost-effective delivery of the decommissioning 
objectives. Regulatory documentation, including  
the Well Operations Management Plan, was submitted 
to the regulator, NOPSEMA, and the review process  

Melbourne

VICTORIA

Orbost

E A STERN GAS PIPEL I N E

Orbost Gas Processing Plant

Lakes Entrance

is underway. Details of the scope of works and cost 
estimates will be announced after all details have  
been received and the required assurance review  
is completed. 

In consultation with industry, Cooper Energy is 
considering NOPSEMA’s Decommissioning 
Compliance Strategy, which was released in April 
2021. Cooper Energy continues to liaise closely with 
the regulator and other stakeholders to ensure 
ongoing compliance with the regulatory requirements.

To Sydney
To Sydney

Plan area

TA

VIC/P72 (100%)

Sweetlips

Patricia-Baleen

Moby

VIC/RL16 (100%)

Longtom

Moonfish

Snapper

Marlin

Barracouta

VIC/P75 (100%)

Veilfin

Luderick

Bream

0

20

kilometres

Gippsland_136

Gippsland Basin

Sunfish

Tuna

Judith

VIC/L32 (100%)

Sole

Batfish

Angelfish

Flounder

Fortescue

Kipper

Grunter

Scallop

Chimaera

Manta

VIC/RL15 (100%)

Basker

Gummy

VIC/RL13 (100%)

VIC/RL14 (100%)

Mackerel

Blackback

Kingfish

Cooper Energy 
tenement

Gas field

Oil field

Prospect

Gas pipeline

Oil pipeline

25

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

OTWAY BASIN (OFFSHORE)

The company’s interests in the offshore Otway Basin 
as at 30 June 2021 comprised:

•  a 50% interest in and Operatorship of production 
licences VIC/L24 and VIC/L30 containing the 
producing Casino, Henry and Netherby gas fields, 
with the remaining 50% interest held by Mitsui E&P 
Australia and its associated entities (“Mitsui”);

•  a 50% interest in and Operatorship of production 
licences VIC/L33 and VIC/L34 containing part of 
the Black Watch and Martha gas fields, with the 
remaining 50% interest in these production licences 
held by Mitsui;

•  a 50% interest in and Operatorship of exploration 
permit VIC/P44 containing the undeveloped Annie 
gas discovery, with the remaining 50% interest held 
by Mitsui;

•  a 100% interest in and Operatorship of exploration 

permit VIC/P76;

•  a 50% interest in and Operatorship of the Athena Gas 
Plant (onshore Victoria) which is jointly owned with 
Mitsui and is being recommissioned to process gas 
from Casino, Henry and Netherby and other Otway 
Basin discoveries; and

•  a 10% non-operated interest in production licence 
VIC/L22 which holds the shut-in Minerva gas field, 
with BHP the Operator and 90% interest holder. 

Exploration

Reprocessing of 3D seismic data covering VIC/P76, 
VIC/P44, VIC/L24, VIC/L30, VIC/L33 and VIC/L34 
commenced, with completion targeted for early FY22.

Geoscience studies progressed for the Elanora, Juliet, 
Nestor and Pecten East prospects, including review 
of the successful Artisan-1 exploration well of Beach 
Energy Limited (“Beach”) in neighbouring VIC/P43. The 
studies have increased Cooper Energy’s confidence in 
the size and prospectivity of Juliet and Nestor. Wells 
targeting these prospects will be assessed for inclusion 
in future drilling campaigns. All prospects show strong 
seismic amplitude support for the presence of gas and 
are close to production infrastructure.

26

Suspension, extension and variations for VIC/P44 
and VIC/P76 were received from NOPTA, with the 
permits’ primary terms now expiring in May 2023 and 
September 2024, respectively.

Development: Otway Phase 3 
Development Project (“OP3D”) 

OP3D involves development of the Annie gas discovery 
and Henry gas field to produce more than 120 PJ of 
gas through the Athena Gas Plant. OP3D is currently in 
the Select Phase with planning for development drilling 
underway. The timing for a FID will be made having 
regard to optimisation for market timing and funding.

Cooper Energy received Declaration as a Location 
approvals for the Annie discovery in VIC/P44 and 
VIC/P76 from NOPTA. These regulatory approvals 
acknowledge the location of the Annie discovery and 
reserve the permits for conversion to future retention or 
production licenses.

Development: Athena Gas Plant Project 

The Athena Gas Plant Project commenced in Q1 FY21 
following COVID-19 related delays during the prior 
financial year. The project involves commissioning  
the Athena Gas Plant to process gas and liquids from  
the Casino, Henry and Netherby fields and from  
future developments.

The upgrade is on schedule and on budget, with the 
work program approximately 80% complete at financial 
year-end. Mechanical completion has been achieved 
and preparations commenced for commissioning and  
start-up readiness. Work also commenced on the 
pipeline cutover which when complete will direct gas from 
the Casino, Henry and Netherby fields to the Minerva 
Pipeline which connects to the Athena Gas Plant.

First commissioning gas through the plant is expected 
in Q1 FY22 and cutover of processing from the Iona 
Gas Plant to the Athena Gas Plant is expected in  
Q2 FY22 following the peak winter demand period. 

Once operational, the Athena Gas Plant will be  
an integral asset within Cooper Energy’s gas portfolio. 

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Expected benefits from re-commissioning the 
plant include:

• the ability to produce gas from the Casino, Henry

and Netherby fields at a higher rate due to the plant’s
lower inlet pressure relative to the Iona Gas Plant;

• lower operating costs relative to current tariffs paid

for gas processed through the Iona Gas Plant;

• additional gas processing capacity (total plant

capacity of ~150 TJ/day) to support Otway Basin gas
developments such as OP3D and future discoveries;
and

• enhanced gas production and marketing flexibility,
with the ability to offer firm gas supply and manage
Sole customer requirements using Cooper Energy’s
Otway Basin gas if required.

Adelaide

Warrnambool

PEP 168 (50%)

Cooper Energy tenement

Gas field

Gas pipeline

Gas well

Prospect

Melbourne

VICTORIA

VIC/L34 (50%)

VIC/L33 (50%)

VIC/P44 (50%)

Martha

VIC/L30 (50%)

Netherby

Henry

Black Watch

Iona Gas Plant

Athena Gas Processing Plant

VIC/P44 (50%)

VIC/L22 (10%)

Annie

Minerva

Casino

VIC/P44 (50%)

VIC/P76 (100%)

VIC/L24 (50%)

Plan area

TA

0

10

kilometres

Otway 176

Otway Basin

27

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

OTWAY BASIN (ONSHORE)

COOPER BASIN

The company’s interests in the onshore Otway Basin 
include licences in South Australia and permits in 
Victoria. Activities in the latter were suspended 
pursuant to a Victorian State Government moratorium 
on onshore gas exploration, which was imposed  
in 2017. That moratorium has been overturned by  
the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Act 2020  
(Vic) with effect from 1 July 2021. The company’s 
interests in the onshore Otway Basin as at 30 June 
2021 comprised:

•  a 30% interest in PEL 494, PRL 32 and PEL 680 in 
South Australia with the remaining interests held by 
the Operator, Beach; 

•  a 50% interest in PEP 168 in Victoria with the 

remaining interest held by the Operator, Beach; and 

•  a 75% interest in PEP 171 in Victoria, which may 

reduce to 50% on fulfilment of farm-in arrangements 
executed with joint venture partner and Operator 
Vintage Energy Limited.

Exploration

Preparation for the Dombey 3D seismic acquisition 
in PEL 494 progressed during the financial year. The 
seismic acquisition is expected to be conducted in 
FY22 and will cover the Dombey gas discovery in the 
Penola Trough. 

The South Australian Department for Energy and 
Mining granted PEL 680 to Beach and Cooper Energy 
during the financial year. The five-year work program 
consists of geological and geophysical studies and 
reprocessing of 2,700 km of 2D seismic.

Cooper Energy withdrew from the PEP 150 joint 
venture during the financial year.The Victorian 
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is 
reviewing the revised work programs for PEP 168 and 
PEP 171, following the lifting of the onshore Victorian 
exploration moratorium.

28

The company’s interests in the Cooper Basin as  
at 30 June 2021 comprised:

•  a 25% interest in PRLs 85-104 (the “PEL 92 Joint 
Venture”) with the remaining interests held by the 
Operator, Beach;

•  a 30% interest in PRLs 231-233 (the “PEL 93 Joint 
Venture”), with the remaining interests held by the 
Operator, Beach;

•  a 20% interest in PRL 237, with the remaining 
interests held by Metgasco Limited and the  
Operator, Beach; 

•  a 19.165% interest in PRLs 207-209 (formerly PEL 
100), with the remaining interests held by Santos 
QNT Pty Limited and the Operator, Beach; and

•  a 20% interest in PRLs 183-190 (formerly  

PEL 110), with the remaining interests held by the  
Operator, Beach.

Sale of oil interests to Bass Oil Limited

As announced by Bass Oil Limited (ASX: BAS, “Bass”) 
on 12 July 2021, agreement was reached for Bass to 
acquire Cooper Energy’s interest in the Worrior oil field 
(PPL 207) and certain other Cooper Basin exploration 
permits for $0.65 million. The transaction includes the 
company’s 30% interest in PRLs 231-233, the 20% 
interest in PRLs 183-190 and PRL 237, and 19.165% 
interest in PRLs 207-209. The transaction is subject to 
various conditions precedent, including a Bass capital 
raising and regulatory approvals.

The sale of these oil interests demonstrates Cooper 
Energy’s ongoing focus on portfolio optimisation and 
divesting of assets considered non-core. This focus 
will continue, and particularly in the context of Cooper 
Energy’s primary focus on commercialising gas 
resources for south-eastern Australia.

Development

One oil development well was drilled during the 
financial year, being the Callawonga-13 horizontal oil 
development well in PEL 92. The well was drilled to 
a total depth of 3,226 metres with a lateral section of 
1,106 metres in the primary target McKinlay Member. 
The preliminary assessment of results indicated a net 
pay section of 605 metres across the lateral section. 
Installation of flowlines and artificial lift was completed 
and Callawonga-13 commenced production in May.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

PEL  494 (30%)

SOUTH  AUSTRALIA

Beachport

PEL  680 (30%)

Millicent

Dombey-1

PRL 32  (30%)
Coonawarra
Coonawon
a
C
Coona
nawarraaa

Penola

VICTORIA

PEP 171 (75%)

Strathdownie

Mount Gambier
M

Cooper Energy tenement

0

10

20

kilometres

Gas field

Gas pipeline

Gas well

Prospect

Nelson

SOUTH  AUSTRALIA

PRLs 183-190 (20%)

Plan area

Otway 177
Otway 177

Onshore Otway Basin

Plan area

TA

TA

Cooper Energy 
tenement

Gas field

Oil field

Gas pipeline

Oil pipeline

PRLs 207-209 (19.165%)

edge

e r m ia n

P

A

R

R

A

W

A

H

P A T C

O U G H

R

T

R I

R

E

M

A

A P P

N

R O U G H

T

Rincon
North
Rincon

PRLs 85 to 104 (25%) (PEL 92)

Callawonga
Elliston
Parsons
Perlubie
Germein

Windmill

Sellicks

Christies

Silver Sands

Butlers
Lycium Hub

PRL 231 (30%)

MOOMBA

PRL 232 (30%)

PRL 233 (30%)

Worrior

PPL 207 (30%)

PRL 237 (20%)

0

20

40

kilometres

Cooper Basin

Cooper 95

29

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021PORTFOLIO

COOPER ENERGY EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION TENEMENTS

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/Perlubie Sth)

PPL 248  
(Rincon/Rincon Nth)

PPL 249 (Elliston)

PPL 250 (Windmill)

PRLs 85-104 

PRLs 231-233 

PRL 237

PRLs 207-209

PRLs 183-190

25%

30%

25%

25%

25%

25%

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

4.3

6.4

5.5

1.8

2.1

0.1

Beach Energy

Production

Senex Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production 

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

25%

Onshore

1.5

Beach Energy

Production

25%

25%

25%

25%

30%

20%

19.165%

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

20%

Onshore

2.0

0.8

0.6

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

Beach Energy

Production

1,889

Beach Energy

Exploration

276

18

297

728

Beach Energy

Exploration 

Beach Energy

Exploration

Beach Energy

Exploration 

Beach Energy

Exploration 

OTWAY BASIN

State

Tenement

Interest

Location Area (km2)

Operator

Activities

South Australia

PEL 494 

Victoria

PEL 680

PRL 32

VIC/L22

VIC/L24

VIC/L30

VIC/L33

VIC/L34

VIC/P44

VIC/P76

PEP 168

PEP 171

Athena Gas Plant

30%

30%

30%

10%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

100%

50%

75%1

50%

Onshore

Onshore

Onshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Onshore

2,489

1,923

Beach Energy

Exploration

Beach Energy

Exploration

37

58

199

200

127

6.0

599

161

795

Beach Energy

Exploration

BHP

Ceased production

Cooper Energy

Production

Cooper Energy

Production

Cooper Energy

Development

Cooper Energy

Development

Cooper Energy

Exploration

Cooper Energy

Exploration

Beach Energy

Exploration 

Onshore

1,974

Vintage Energy

Exploration 

Onshore

n/a

Cooper Energy

Gas Processing

 1 Subject to Heads of Agreement for a farm-in which will reduce Cooper Energy’s interest to 50%.

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PORTFOLIO

GIPPSLAND BASIN

State

Victoria 

Tenement

VIC/RL16

VIC/RL13 

VIC/RL14

VIC/RL15

VIC/L32

VIC/P72

VIC/P75

Interest

Location

Area (km2)

Operator

Activities

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

Offshore

134.0

Cooper Energy

Retention

67.0

67.0

67.0

201.0

269.0

802.0

Cooper Energy

Retention

Cooper Energy

Retention

Cooper Energy

Retention

Cooper Energy

Production

Cooper Energy

Exploration

Cooper Energy

Exploration

Supporting the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club

31

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021DIRECTORS

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

Independent
Non-Executive Director

Appointed 25 February 2013

MANAGING DIRECTOR 
Mr David P. Maxwell  
M.Tech, FAICD

Appointed 12 October 2011

INDEPENDENT  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Timothy G. Bednall 
LLB (Hons)

INDEPENDENT  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Victoria (Vicky) J. Binns 
B. Eng. (Mining – Hons 1), Grad Dip SIA,

Appointed 31 March 2020

FAusIMM, GAICD

Appointed 2 March 2020

Experience and expertise

Experience and expertise

Experience and expertise 

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 the Sydney 
Symphony Orchestra, Director  
of AFC Asian Cup, 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 The 
McGrath Foundation (since 2013 
and Director since 2012). He is also 
President of the Commonwealth 
Remuneration Tribunal (since 2003), 
Chairman of Dexus Wholesale 
Property Fund (DWPF) (since 2020) 
and Deputy Chairman of 
Whitehaven Coal Limited ASX: 
WHC (since 2007). Mr Conde is a 
former Chairman of Bupa Australia 
(2008 – 2018), and a former 
Director of Dexus Property Group 
ASX: DXS (2009 – 2020).

Special responsibilities 

Mr Conde is Chairman of the  
Board of Directors. Effective  
19 August 2021 he is also a member  
of the People & Remuneration 
Committee and is the Chairman of 
the Governance & Nomination 
Committee.

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 the 
wholly owned subsidiaries of 
Cooper Energy Limited. He is also 
on the board of the Australian 
Petroleum Production & Exploration 
Association (since 2018) and the 
Minerals and Energy Advisory 
Council (South Australia 
Government) (since 2019).

Special responsibilities

Mr Maxwell is Managing Director.  
He is responsible for the day-to-day 
leadership of Cooper Energy,  
and is the leader of the Executive 
Leadership Team. Mr Maxwell is 
also Chairman of the HSEC 
Committee (being a management 
committee, not a Board committee).

Mr Bednall is a highly experienced 
and respected corporate lawyer and 
law firm manager. He is a partner of 
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), 
where he specialises in mergers and 
acquisitions, capital markets and 
corporate governance, representing 
public company and government 
clients. Mr Bednall has advised 
clients in the oil and gas and energy 
sectors throughout his career.

Mr Bednall was the Chairman of the 
Australian partnership of KWM from 
January 2010 to December 2012, 
during which time the merger of  
King & Wood and Mallesons 
Stephen Jaques was negotiated and 
implemented. He was also Managing 
Partner of M&A and Tax for KWM 
Australia from 2013 to 2014, and 
Managing Partner of KWM Europe 
and Middle East from 2016 to 2017. 
He was General Counsel of 
Southcorp Limited (which became 
the core of Treasury Wine Estates 
Limited) from 2000 to 2001. 

Current and other directorships 
in the last 3 years

Mr Bednall is a board member of the 
National Portrait Gallery Foundation 
(since 2018). He is also a board 
member of QSP Residual 
Recoveries LLP (in administration) 
and a Director of Pooling Limited.

Special responsibilities

Effective 19 August 2021 Mr Bednall 
is a member of the Audit Committee, 
the People & Remuneration 
Committee and the Governance  
& Nomination Committee.

Ms Binns has over 35 years’ 
experience in the global resources 
and financial services sectors 
including more than 10 years in 
executive leadership roles at BHP 
and 15 years in financial services 
with Merrill Lynch Australia and 
Macquarie Equities. During her 
career at BHP, Ms Binns’ roles 
included Vice President Minerals 
Marketing, leadership positions in 
the metals and coal marketing 
business, Vice President of Market 
Analysis and Economics.

Prior to joining BHP, Ms Binns  
held a number of board and senior 
management roles at Merrill Lynch 
Australia including Managing 
Director and Head of Australian 
Research, Head of Global Mining, 
Metals and Steel, and Head of 
Australian Mining Research.  
She was also co-founder and  
Chair of Women in Mining and 
Resources Singapore.

Current and other directorships 
in the last 3 years

Ms Binns is currently a Non-
Executive Director of Evolution 
Mining ASX: EVN (since 2020)  
and Sims Limited ASX: SGM  
(since October 2021). She is also  
a Non-Executive Director of the 
Carbon Marketing Institute and a 
Member of the J.P. Morgan Australia 
& NZ Advisory Council.

Special responsibilities

Effective 19 August 2021 Ms Binns 
is the Chairman of the Audit 
Committee and is a member of the 
Risk & Sustainability Committee.

32

DIRECTORS

INDEPENDENT
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ms Giselle M. Collins 
B.Ec., ACA

INDEPENDENT  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ms Elizabeth A. Donaghey 
B.Sc., M.Sc.

Appointed 19 August 2021 subject to 
confirmation by shareholders at the 
Company’s 2021 AGM

Appointed 25 June 2018

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr Hector M. Gordon  
B.Sc. (Hons)

Appointed 24 June 2017 

Executive Director  
26 June 2012 – 23 June 2017

INDEPENDENT  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr Jeffrey W. Schneider  
B.Com.

Appointed 12 October 2011

Experience and expertise

Experience and expertise

Experience and expertise

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 does not currently 
hold any other directorships.

Special responsibilities 

Effective 19 August 2021  
Mr Schneider is Chairman of the 
People & Remuneration Committee 
and a member of the Governance  
& Nomination Committees.

Ms Collins has broad executive and 
director experience across finance, 
treasury and property disciplines.  
Ms Collins is also active with 
not-for-profit organisations and has  
a strong interest in sustainability 
across many of her involvements.

Ms Collins’ executive positions 
included General Manager Property, 
Treasury and Tourism of NRMA,  
Chief Executive Officer, Property  
and General Manager Finance  
with the Hannan Group, and Senior 
Manager, Audit Services with  
KPMG Switzerland. 

Current and other directorships 
in the last 3 years

Ms Collins is currently non-
executive director of Peak 
Resources Limited ASX:PEK (since 
2021), trustee director of the Royal 
Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust 
(since 2019), non-executive director 
of Generation Life (since 2018), 
non-executive director of Hotel 
Property Investments Limited 
ASX:HPI (since 2017) and nominee 
Chairman for Indigenous Business 
Australia in The Darwin Hotel Pty 
Limited (since 2014).

Special responsibilities

Ms Collins was not a director during 
the period ending 30 June 2021, 
having joined the Board on  
19 August 2021. Ms Collins is a 
member of the Audit Committee and 
the Risk & Sustainability Committee.

Ms Donaghey brings over 30 years’ 
experience in the energy sector 
including technical, commercial and 
executive roles in EnergyAustralia, 
Woodside Energy and BHP 
Petroleum.

Ms Donaghey’s experience includes 
Non-Executive Director roles at 
Imdex Ltd (an ASX-listed provider  
of drilling fluids and downhole 
instrumentation), St Barbara Ltd  
(a gold explorer and producer), and 
the Australian Renewable Energy 
Agency. She has performed 
extensive committee roles in these 
appointments, serving on audit and 
compliance, risk and audit, technical 
and regulatory, remuneration and 
health and safety committees.

Current and other directorships 
in the last 3 years

Ms Donaghey is a Non-Executive 
Director of the Australian Energy 
Market Operator (AEMO) (since 
2017) and a Non-Executive Director 
of Ampol Limited (ASX: ALD)  
(since 1 September 2021).

Mr Gordon is a geologist with over 
40 years’ experience in the 
upstream petroleum industry, 
primarily in Australia and southeast 
Asia. He joined Cooper Energy in 
2012, initially as an Executive 
Director – Exploration & Production 
and subsequently moved to his 
position as Non-Executive Director 
in 2017.

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.

Current and other directorships 
in the last 3 years

Mr Gordon is a Director of Bass Oil 
Limited ASX: BAS (since 2014). 

Special responsibilities

Special responsibilities

Effective 19 August 2021  
Ms Donaghey is a member of the 
Risk & Sustainability Committee,  
the People & Remuneration 
Committee and the Governance  
& Nomination Committee.

Effective 19 August 2021 Mr Gordon  
is the Chairman of the Risk  
& Sustainability Committee and a 
member of the Audit Committee.

33

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

MANAGING DIRECTOR 
David Maxwell  
M. Tech FAICD

ACTING CHIEF FINANCIAL 
OFFICER
David Di Blasio  
B.Sc., B.Com., CA, MBA

GENERAL MANAGER, 
COMMERCIAL AND 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 
Eddy Glavas  
B.Acc. FCPA, MBA

GENERAL MANAGER, 
PEOPLE AND 
REMUNERATION 
Ashley Haren  
Dip. Bus. (HR/IR)

Mr Glavas joined Cooper Energy in 
August 2014 and has more than 
20 years of experience in business 
development, finance, commercial, 
portfolio management and strategy, 
including 18 years in the oil and 
gas sector.

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. 

Prior roles within Santos included: 
Finance Manager WA and NT, 
where Mr Glavas was a member of 
the leadership team that managed  
a large asset portfolio; corporate 
roles in strategy and planning;  
and operational, commercial and 
finance roles for Santos’ Cooper 
Basin assets.

Mr Haren joined Cooper Energy in 
January 2021. He brings more than 
25 years of experience in human 
resource management in corporate 
and operational roles. Mr Haren has 
worked for global and domestic 
publicly listed and private entities 
within the professional services, 
beverage, retail, mining, and oil and 
gas sectors. 

Prior to Cooper Energy, Mr Haren 
was the Global Leader People  
& Culture – Operations with Woods 
Bagot and spent nine years with 
Pernod Ricard Winemakers 
including five years as HR Director 
– Australia. His previous 
appointments included General 
Manager HR for Australian Leisure 
& Hospitality, Group HR Manager  
at Foster’s Limited and various HR 
roles with Mt Isa Mines (Australia 
and Argentina) and Santos Limited.

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 led its 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, including  
the Australian Petroleum Production 
and Exploration Association – 
Mr Maxwell is a recipient of the 
Australian Gas Association Silver 
Flame Award for his contribution  
to the gas industry. In September 
2019, he was named the recipient  
of the 2019 John Doran Lifetime 
Achievement Award for outstanding 
long term achievement in the 
Australian oil and gas industry.

Mr Di Blasio joined Cooper Energy 
in 2019 as Finance Manager and 
has managed all aspects of the 
finance function. Prior to Cooper 
Energy, he held senior finance roles 
over a 13-year period with Santos 
and before that worked in audit and 
assurance at PwC.

Mr Di Blasio is a Chartered 
Accountant and holds an MBA and 
Bachelor of Commerce degree from  
the University of South Australia.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER1 
Virginia Suttell  
B.Com. ACA GAICD, FGIA, FCIS

Ms Suttell joined Cooper Energy in 
January 2017, bringing more than 
25 years’ experience, including  
20 years in publicly listed entities, 
principally in group finance and 
secretarial roles in the resources 
and media sectors. This included 
Chief Financial Officer and 
Company Secretary for Monax 
Mining Limited and Marmota Energy 
Limited from 2007 to 2016, and 
2007 to 2015 respectively. 

Other previous appointments include 
9 years at Austereo Group Limited, 
including Group Financial Controller 
from 2003 to 2006. A chartered 
accountant, Ms Suttell’s other 
previous employers include KPMG 
and Price Waterhouse. 

1  As announced on 7 July 2021, Ms Suttell 

has resigned from Cooper Energy, 
effective 30 September 2021.

34

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

GENERAL MANAGER, 
PROJECTS AND 
OPERATIONS
Michael Jacobsen  
B. Eng. (Hons)

Mr Jacobsen has 28 years of 
experience in upstream and 
midstream oil and gas development 
projects. He has held various 
positions at Santos, Woodside and 
BHPB Petroleum. Mr Jacobsen’s 
experience includes managing 
major capital works projects with 
multi-discipline teams in the North 
Sea, Asia, and Australia. He has 
overseen the management of 
subsea and FPSO developments, 
fixed platforms and LNG plants. 

Prior to joining Cooper Energy  
Mr Jacobsen worked for  
Santos as part of the leadership  
team of the WA/NT business unit.  
Mr Jacobsen has extensive 
experience with oil field services 
company Halliburton managing 
subsea construction projects 
throughout Asia and Australia.

COMPANY SECRETARY AND 
GENERAL COUNSEL 
Amelia Jalleh  
BA, LLB (Hons), LLM

GENERAL MANAGER, HSEC 
AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
Iain MacDougall  
B.Sc. (Hons)

GENERAL MANAGER, 
EXPLORATION AND 
SUBSURFACE 
Andrew Thomas  
B.Sc. (Hons)

Ms Jalleh has more than 20 years  
of experience in the international oil 
and gas industry, including senior 
corporate, commercial and legal 
roles. Her experience spans 
conventional and unconventional 
projects, asset and portfolio 
management, and international  
M&A transactions. 

Prior to joining Cooper Energy,  
Ms Jalleh held the position of 
Director, Business Development 
Asia-Pacific for Repsol, based in 
Singapore. Ms Jalleh has worked in 
Australia, the Middle East, North 
America and South East Asia in 
roles with Repsol, Talisman Energy, 
King & Spalding LLP and Santos.

Ms Jalleh holds a Masters of  
Laws (University of Melbourne),  
a Bachelor of Laws and Legal 
Practice (Hons) (Flinders University 
of South Australia) and a Bachelor 
of Arts (Flinders University of  
South Australia).

Mr MacDougall’s career in the 
upstream petroleum exploration  
and production business  
spans more than 30 years,  
prior to which he worked in the  
nuclear power industry and in  
automotive powertrain research  
and development.

Mr MacDougall has extensive 
experience with international oilfield 
services company Schlumberger, 
with operational and management 
assignments in Australia, Asia,  
the UK North Sea, Europe, West 
Africa and the Middle East.

Since 2001, he has been based in 
Australia, initially with independent 
Operator Stuart Petroleum  
as Production and Engineering 
Manager and subsequently as 
acting CEO prior to the takeover of 
Stuart Petroleum by Senex Energy.

Mr MacDougall is an alumnus of 
Manchester University in the UK  
and of the INSEAD Business School 
in France. He is a member of the 
Society of Petroleum Engineers and 
also serves on the Advisory  
Board of the Australian School of 
Petroleum at Adelaide University.

Mr Thomas is a successful and 
experienced geoscientist who has 
been involved with Australian and 
International oil and gas exploration 
and development projects for over 
30 years. He has experience in a 
wide range of onshore and offshore 
basins in Australia, Asia and Africa.

Prior to joining Cooper Energy  
Mr Thomas was employed by 
Newfield Exploration in the roles of 
SE Asia New Ventures Manager  
and Exploration Manager for 
offshore Sarawak and was a key 
person in the team that successfully 
negotiated Newfield’s entry into 
Malaysia in 2004. Through  
the efforts of the teams he led,  
Newfield built a substantial portfolio 
of permits in Malaysia and made 
several significant oil and gas 
discoveries before being divested  
to SapuraKencana in 2014.

Mr Thomas’s previous employers 
include Santos Limited, Gulf  
Canada and Geoscience Australia. 
He is a member of the American 
Association of Petroleum Geologists 
and a member of the Society  
of Petroleum Engineers.

35

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Operations

Production

2P Proved and  
Probable Reserves

Wells drilled

Exploration wells spudded

MMboe

0.49

0.59

0.48

0.46

0.96

1.49

1.31

1.56

MMboe

2.16

2.01

3.08

3.00

11.7

52.4

52.7

49.9

#

#

13

8

11

5

9

4

1

0

9

1

4

2

0

0

18

4

2.63

47.1

1

0

Reserve replacement ratio1 %

98%

71%

333%

18%

768% 2,380% (206%)

(56%)

(80%)

Financial

Sales revenue

$ million

53.4

72.3

39.1

27.4

39.1

67.5

75.5

78.1

131.7

Other income

$ million

2.3

2.8

1.9

0.9

EBITDA

$ million

22.3

36.9

(58.4)

(37.4)

1.6

1.9

4.9

4.2

19.8

7.2

49.9

7.5

(75.2)

23.5

Net profit before tax / (loss)

$ million

18.3

31.2

(18.8)

(26.0)

(7.0)

31.0

(13.2)

(110.0)

Net profit after tax / (loss)

$ million

1.3

22.0

(63.5)

(34.8)

(12.3)

27.0

(12.1)

(86.0)

Cash and cash equivalents

$ million

47.9

49.1

39.4

49.8

147.5

236.9

164.3

131.6

Other financial assets

$ million

20.2

26.0

1.9

1.0

0.7

42.6

21.7

0.6

Working capital

$ million

51.7

41.2

43.0

44.2

84.0

154.0

131.8

90.4

(33.5)

(30.0)

91.3

1.2

30.3

Accumulated profit

$ million

23.8

45.7

(17.7)

(52.6)

(64.9)

(37.9)

(49.9)

(136.0)

(166.0)

Franking credits

$ million

39.0

38.7

43.7

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

Total equity

$ million

137.2

167.8

103.9

91.6

285.0

443.9

433.7

351.1

Earnings per share

cents

0.4

6.4

(19.2)

(10.1)

(1.8)

1.8

(0.7)

(5.3)

42.9

325.8

(1.8)

Return on shareholder funds %

0.9%

14.4% (46.7%)

(38.0%)

(6.5%)

7.4% (2.6%)

(21.9%)

(8.9%)

Total shareholder return

%

(16.7%)

34.7% (51.5%)

(12.2%)

72.7%

6.0%

40.3% (30.6%)

(30.7%)

Average oil price

$/bbl

112.31

124.08

85.48

60.75

61.89

99.61

106.19

83.75

79.56

Capital as at 30 June

Share price

$ 

0.375

0.505

0.245

0.215

0.380

0.385

0.540

0.375

0.260

Issued shares

million

329.1

329.2

331.9

435.2

1,140.2

1,601.1

1,621.6

1,621.6

1,631.0

Market

$ million

123.4

166.3

81.4

93.6

433.3

616.4

875.5

608.1

Shareholders

#

5,284

5,122

5,103

4,931

6,292

6,622

6,758

8,094

424.1

9,355

1  Reserve replacement ratio calculated by net 1P reserve addition divided by annual production.

36

  
 
 Cooper Energy Limited 
and its controlled entities

FINANCIAL 
REPORT

 For the year ended 30 June 2021

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 the Consolidated Financial Statements

Group Performance
1. Segment reporting 

2. Revenues and expenses

3.

4.

Income tax

Earnings per share

Working Capital
5. Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits

6. Trade and other receivables 

7. Prepayments 

8.

Inventory

9. Trade and other payables

10. Exploration assets held for sale

Capital Employed
11. Property, plant and equipment

12. Intangible assets

13. Exploration and evaluation assets

14. Oil and gas assets

15. Impairment

16. Provisions

17. Leases

Funding and Risk Management
18. Interest bearing loans and borrowings

19. Net finance costs

20. Contributed equity and reserves

21. Financial risk management

Group Structure
22. Interests in joint arrangements

23. Investments in controlled entities

24. Parent entity information

Other Information
25. Commitments for expenditure

26. Contingent liabilities

27. Share based payments

28. Related party disclosures

29. Remuneration of Auditors

30. Events after the reporting period

Directors’ Declaration

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members 
of Cooper Energy Limited

Auditor’s Independence Declaration to the 
Directors of Cooper Energy Limited

Securities Exchange and Shareholder Information

38

51

55

78

79

80

81

82

84

86

87

91

92

93

93

93

93

94

94

95

95

96

97

98

100

102

103

103

105

109

110

111

111

112

112

114

114

114

115

116

122

123

Corporate Directory

Inside back over

37

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

For the year ended 30 June 2021

Operations

Cooper Energy Limited (“Cooper Energy” or the “Company”) generates revenue from production of gas from the Otway and Gippsland basins 
and production of oil from the Cooper Basin. The Company’s current operations and interests include:

•  offshore gas production in the Gippsland Basin, Victoria, from the Sole gas field; 

•  offshore gas and gas liquids production in the Otway Basin, Victoria, from the Casino, Henry and Netherby (“Casino Henry”) gas fields;

•  onshore oil production and exploration prospects in the western flank of the Cooper Basin, South Australia;

•  the Athena Gas Plant (previously known as the Minerva Gas Plant) in the onshore Otway Basin, Victoria;

•  the Manta gas and liquids field in the Gippsland Basin;

•  the Annie gas discovery in the offshore Otway Basin; and

•  exploration and appraisal prospects in the Otway, Gippsland and Cooper basins.

The Company is the Operator of all of its offshore gas activities and of the Athena Gas Plant.

Reserves and Contingent Resources 

Proved and probable reserves (2P) at 30 June 2021 are assessed to be 47.1 MMboe compared with 49.9 MMboe at 30 June 2020. Contingent 
resources (2C) at 30 June 2021 are assessed to be 33.9 MMboe compared with 34.9 MMboe at 30 June 2020. Details of reserves and 
contingent resources and the movement from the previous year are available in the ASX announcement titled Reserves and Contingent 
Resources at 30 June 2021, released 23 August 2021. 

As at 30 June 20211

Gippsland Basin

Otway Basin

Cooper Basin 

Total Cooper Energy

2P Proved and Probable Reserves

2C Contingent Resource 

Gas 
PJ

Oil & condensate 
MMbbl

Total 
MMboe

Gas 
PJ

Oil & condensate 
MMbbl

Total 
MMboe

226.8

54.5

0.0

281.3

0.0

0.0

1.1

1.1

37.1

8.9

1.1

47.1

134.9

48.6

0.0

183.5

3.4

0.1

0.5

4.0

25.4

8.0

0.5

33.9

1  As announced on 23 August 2021. Totals may not reflect arithmetic addition due to rounding. The method of aggregation is by arithmetic sum 

by category. 

Workforce

At 30 June 2021, the Company had 88.5 full time equivalent (“FTE”) employees and 16.8 FTE contractors compared with 75.9 FTE employees 
and 31.5 FTE contractors at 30 June 2020. The increase in employee numbers is attributable to resourcing growth of the Group’s operations, in 
particular for the operational readiness of the Athena Gas Plant.

Contractor numbers have fluctuated in line with the project requirements of the Athena Gas Plant, Otway Phase 3 Development (“OP3D”) Select 
Phase, Basker Manta Gummy (“BMG”) project and Casino Henry hydraulic flying lead and subsea control module electric flying leads (“CHASE”) 
project for the FY21 works programs. 

Health Safety Environment and Community

No Lost Time Injuries (“LTI”) were recorded for the period. This was an improvement over FY20 where one LTI was recorded. There were two 
minor injuries sustained by contractors which resulted in a Total Recordable Incident Frequency Rate (“TRIFR”) of 6.92. This was up on FY20 
which had a TRIFR of 3.53.

There were no reportable environmental incidents.

Production

Record oil and gas production of 2.63 MMboe was 69% higher than the prior year, mainly due to increased gas production from Sole following 
reconfiguration works at the Orbost Gas Processing Plant (“OGPP”) undertaken during the second quarter of the financial year.

Total gas production of 15.1 PJ was 82% higher than the prior year. In the Gippsland Basin, increased Sole production resulted in a 395% 
increase in gas production to 10.4 PJ. In the Otway Basin, natural field decline and processing interruptions in June contributed to a 20% decline 
in gas production to 4.7 PJ (net to Cooper Energy). 

Oil and condensate production of 158.7 kbbl was 19% lower than the prior year, mainly due to natural field decline.

Production by product and basin is summarised in the following tables.

38

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Operations continued

Production by product

Sales gas

Oil and condensate

Total production

Production by basin

Gippsland Basin 

  Sole: Sales gas

Otway Basin

  Casino Henry: Sales gas

  Casino Henry: Condensate

  Minerva: Sales gas

  Minerva: Condensate

Cooper Basin

  Oil 

Total production

PJ

kbbl

MMboe

PJ

PJ

kbbl

PJ

kbbl

kbbl

MMboe

FY20

8.3

196.5

1.56

FY20

2.1

5.9

2.8

0.3

0.8

193.0

1.56

FY21

15.1

158.7

2.63

FY21

10.4

4.7

1.8

–

–

156.9

2.63

Change

82%

(19%)

69%

Change

395%

(20%)

(36%)

(100%)

(100%)

(19%)

69%

Commercial

Key commercial activities during the financial year are summarised below.

Transition Agreement

As announced on 20 August 2020, Cooper Energy and APA Group (ASX: APA) entered into a Transition Agreement to provide the framework for 
commencing the Sole Gas Sales Agreements (“GSAs”) and commissioning OGPP as early as possible. The Transition Agreement also provides 
for revenue and cost sharing mechanisms during the commissioning phase and contributions from APA to Cooper Energy for the cost of sourcing 
certain back-up gas supply if required. The Transition Agreement expires on 1 May 2022.

Commencement of Sole Gas Sales Agreements

Consistent with the objectives of the Transition Agreement, Cooper Energy commenced supply of gas to its customers under the long-term Sole 
GSAs during the financial year. Gas supply commenced on 1 December 2020 and 1 January 2021 with total gas supply for the financial year of 
12.7 PJ. Despite continuing gas processing shortfalls at OGPP, all Sole customer nominations were met. Average Sole customer nominations 
during H2 FY21 were 47 TJ/day.

Securing third-party gas volumes to support Sole GSAs 

To mitigate the risk of gas supply shortfalls and ensure all customer nominations are met, various risk mitigating actions were taken throughout 
the year, including:

• entering various third-party gas purchase agreements;

• maintaining volumes held in gas pipeline storage; and

• agreeing arrangements to supply some gas volumes from Casino Henry into existing Sole GSAs.

Cooper Energy undertakes a portfolio approach to purchasing third-party gas when required to ensure the lowest cost and highest margin are 
achieved. The average cost of third-party gas purchased during the financial year, net of the contribution received from APA, was materially less 
than Cooper Energy’s average realised gas price. 

Exploration, appraisal and development

Gippsland Basin

Cooper Energy is the Operator and 100% interest holder for all of its Gippsland Basin interests. As at 30 June 2021, these interests comprised: 

a)  VIC/L32, which contains the Sole gas field;

b)  VIC/RL13, VIC/RL14 and VIC/RL15, which contain the Manta gas and liquids field. These Retention Leases also hold legacy infrastructure 

associated with the BMG oil project; 

c)  VIC/RL16, which contains the shut-in Patricia-Baleen gas field and infrastructure which connects to the OGPP; and

d)  exploration permits VIC/P72 and VIC/P75.

39

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Operations continued

Development: Sole Gas Project and OGPP

The Sole Gas Project involves development of the Sole gas field by Cooper Energy and upgrading of the OGPP by APA to process Sole gas. 

The offshore project was completed by Cooper Energy during the 2019 calendar year within schedule, below budget, with zero lost time injuries and 
with zero reportable environmental incidents. Total capital cost for the offshore project was $335 million compared with a budget of $355 million.

Commissioning of the OGPP by APA is continuing. The plant’s performance has been impaired by foaming and fouling in the sulphur recovery 
unit’s two absorbers, which has constrained processing rates and required regular maintenance and cleaning. During Q2 FY21, reconfiguration 
works were undertaken by APA to enable operation of the absorbers independently, in parallel or in series. These works provided greater 
operational flexibility and the ability to conduct cleaning of absorbers while minimising interruption to production.

During the second half of the financial year, OGPP processing rates and stability improved. However, production of gas from the Sole gas field 
continued to be constrained due to fouling within the two absorbers. By the end of the financial year, each absorber was being cleaned every two 
weeks (i.e. one absorber cleaned every week) to stabilise and maximise the average production profile through winter. 

Subsequent to financial year-end, Cooper Energy provided approval to APA for further capital works at OGPP to be undertaken during FY22. 
The work program is designed to significantly improve plant performance and includes:

•  installation of spray nozzles in the absorbers to suppress foaming and reduce fouling; and

•  installation of solids removal technology to prevent fouling within the absorbers.

During Q4 FY21, significant testing was undertaken by APA at OGPP on solids removal technologies. The equipment tested is designed to 
reduce sulphur particle size from the solution. This sulphur deposition (fouling) within the sulphur recovery unit’s absorbers and peripheral 
equipment has led to the high frequency cleaning of the absorbers. The testing undertaken on the solids removal technology delivered promising 
results regarding the ability to remove, in a controlled way, larger sulphur particles from the solution before they enter the absorbers. 

The analysis to determine the underlying root cause of foaming and fouling at OGPP is continuing. In Q4 FY21, APA and Cooper Energy engaged 
a specialist surfactant chemist to peer review the testing results and analysis previously undertaken. The surfactant chemist’s scope of work is 
being overseen by a technical committee comprising APA and Cooper Energy representatives.

Exploration 

The exploration focus in the Gippsland Basin has been on VIC/P75 in the Basin’s central area. The permit is surrounded by major fields, including 
the Marlin, Snapper and Barracouta gas fields to the north and the Kingfish and Fortescue oil fields to the south and east. 

Interpretation and depth conversion of the reprocessed 3D seismic data in VIC/P75 was completed and a prospect called Spineback was 
identified. Resource and risk assessment of Spineback is underway.

In VIC/RLs 13, 14 and 15, the prospectivity under existing discoveries is being reviewed based on an improved understanding of depth 
conversion in the Gippsland Basin from work in VIC/P75. In addition to the Manta Deep prospect, which could be drilled by deepening a future 
Manta-3 appraisal well to approximately 4,500 metres, investigations are ongoing on similar prospectivity below the discovered Gummy field.

A suspension and extension of VIC/P72 was received from the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (“NOPTA”), with the permit’s 
primary term now expiring in May 2023. VIC/P72 adjoins VIC/RL16, which holds the Patricia-Baleen gas field and associated subsea production 
infrastructure connected to the OGPP. VIC/P72 is close to several Esso-operated oil and gas fields including Remora, Snapper, Sunfish and 
Sweetlips, and the SGH Energy-operated Longtom gas field. Prospects identified in VIC/P72 are analogues to offset fields.

BMG abandonment

The Basker, Manta and Gummy fields (“BMG”) abandonment project involves decommissioning seven wells and associated subsea infrastructure 
in the BMG fields in the Gippsland Basin. The BMG permits contain the proven Manta gas field and the Manta Deep prospect. 

The BMG abandonment project entered the Front-End Engineering Design (“FEED”) stage, with activities focused on selecting optimal methodologies 
and technologies for safe and cost-effective delivery of the decommissioning objectives. Regulatory documentation, including the Well Operations 
Management Plan, was submitted to the regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (“NOPSEMA”) and 
the review process is underway. Details of the scope of works and cost estimates will be announced after all details have been received and the required 
assurance review is completed. Timing will be determined as part of NOPSEMA’s review, which we expect will include discussions with Cooper Energy.

In consultation with industry, Cooper Energy is considering NOPSEMA’s Decommissioning Compliance Strategy, which was released in April 2021. 
Cooper Energy continues to liaise closely with the regulator and other stakeholders to ensure ongoing compliance with the regulatory requirements.

Otway Basin (Offshore)
The Company’s interests in the offshore Otway Basin as at 30 June 2021 comprised:

a)  a 50% interest in and Operatorship of production licences VIC/L24 and VIC/L30 containing the producing Casino, Henry and Netherby gas 

fields, with the remaining 50% interest held by Mitsui E&P Australia and its associated entities (“Mitsui”);

b)  a 50% interest in and Operatorship of production licences VIC/L33 and VIC/L34 containing part of the Black Watch and Martha gas fields, 

with the remaining 50% interest in these production licences held by Mitsui;

c)  a 50% interest in and Operatorship of exploration permit VIC/P44 containing the undeveloped Annie gas discovery, with the remaining 

50% interest held by Mitsui;

40

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Operations continued
d)  a 100% interest in and Operatorship of exploration permit VIC/P76;

e)  a 50% interest in and Operatorship of the Athena Gas Plant (onshore Victoria) which is jointly owned with Mitsui and is being 

recommissioned to process gas from Casino Henry and other Otway Basin discoveries; and

f)  a 10% non-operated interest in production licence VIC/L22 which holds the shut-in Minerva gas field, with BHP the Operator and 

90% interest holder. 

Exploration

Reprocessing of 3D seismic data covering VIC/P76, VIC/P44, VIC/L24, VIC/L30, VIC/L33 and VIC/L34 commenced, with completion targeted for 
early FY22.

Geoscience studies progressed for the Elanora, Juliet, Nestor and Pecten East prospects, including review of the successful Artisan-1 exploration 
well of Beach Energy Limited (“Beach”) in neighbouring VIC/P43. The studies have increased Cooper Energy’s confidence in the size and 
prospectivity of Juliet and Nestor. Wells targeting these prospects will be assessed for inclusion in future drilling campaigns. All prospects show 
strong seismic amplitude support for the presence of gas and are close to production infrastructure.

Suspension, extension and variations for VIC/P44 and VIC/P76 were received from NOPTA, with the permits’ primary terms now expiring in May 
2023 and September 2024, respectively.

Development: Otway Phase 3 Development Project (“OP3D”) 

OP3D involves development of the Annie gas discovery and Henry gas field to produce more than 120 PJ of gas through the Athena Gas Plant. 
OP3D is currently in the Select Phase with planning for development drilling underway. The timing for a FID will be made having regard to 
optimisation for market timing and funding.

Cooper Energy received Declaration as a Location approvals for the Annie discovery in VIC/P44 and VIC/P76 from NOPTA. These regulatory 
approvals acknowledge the location of the Annie discovery and reserve the permits for conversion to future retention or production licenses.

Development: Athena Gas Plant Project 

The Athena Gas Plant Project commenced in Q1 FY21 following COVID-19 related delays during the prior financial year. The project involves 
commissioning the Athena Gas Plant to process gas and liquids from the Casino Henry fields and from future developments.

The upgrade is on schedule and on budget, with the work program approximately 80% complete at financial year-end. Mechanical completion 
has been achieved and preparations commenced for commissioning and start-up readiness. Work also commenced on the pipeline cutover 
which when complete will direct gas from the Casino Henry fields to the Minerva Pipeline which connects to the Athena Gas Plant.

First commissioning gas through the plant is expected in Q1 FY22 and cutover of processing from the Iona Gas Plant to the Athena Gas Plant is 
expected in Q2 FY22 following the peak winter demand period. Once operational, the Athena Gas Plant will be an integral asset within Cooper 
Energy’s gas portfolio. Expected benefits from re-commissioning the plant include:

•  the ability to produce gas from the Casino Henry fields at a higher rate due to the plant’s lower inlet pressure relative to the Iona Gas Plant;

•  lower operating costs relative to current tariffs paid for gas processed through the Iona Gas Plant;

•  additional gas processing capacity (total plant capacity of ~150 TJ/day) to support Otway Basin gas developments such as OP3D and future 

discoveries; and

•  enhanced gas production and marketing flexibility, with the ability to offer firm gas supply and manage Sole customer requirements using 

Cooper Energy’s Otway Basin gas if required.

Otway Basin (Onshore)

The Company’s interests in the onshore Otway Basin include licences in South Australia and permits in Victoria. Activities in the latter were 
suspended pursuant to a Victorian State Government moratorium on onshore gas exploration, which was imposed in 2017. That moratorium has 
been overturned by the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (Vic) with effect from 1 July 2021. 

The Company’s interests in the onshore Otway Basin as at 30 June 2021 comprised:

a)  a 30% interest in PEL 494, PRL 32 and PEL 680 in South Australia with the remaining interests held by the Operator, Beach; 

b)  a 50% interest in PEP 168 in Victoria with the remaining interest held by the Operator, Beach; and 

c)  a 75% interest in PEP 171 in Victoria, which may reduce to 50% on fulfilment of farm-in arrangements executed with joint venture partner and 

Operator Vintage Energy Limited.

Exploration

Preparation for the Dombey 3D seismic acquisition in PEL 494 progressed during the financial year. The seismic acquisition is expected to be 
conducted in FY22 and will cover the Dombey gas discovery in the Penola Trough. 

The South Australian Department for Energy and Mining granted PEL 680 to Beach and Cooper Energy during the financial year. The five-year 
work program consists of geological and geophysical studies and reprocessing of 2,700 km of 2D seismic.

Cooper Energy withdrew from the PEP 150 joint venture during the financial year.

41

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Operations continued
The Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is reviewing the revised work programs for PEP 168 and PEP 171, following the lifting 
of the onshore Victorian exploration moratorium. 

Cooper Basin

The Company’s interests in the Cooper Basin as at 30 June 2021 comprised:

a)  a 25% interest in PRLs 85-104 (the “PEL 92 Joint Venture”) with the remaining interests held by the Operator, Beach;

b)  a 30% interest in PRLs 231-233 (the “PEL 93 Joint Venture”), with the remaining interests held by the Operator, Beach;

c)  a 20% interest in PRL 237, with the remaining interests held by Metgasco Limited and the Operator, Beach; 

d)  a 19.165% interest in PRLs 207-209 (formerly PEL 100), with the remaining interests held by Santos QNT Pty Limited and the Operator, 

Beach; and

e)  a 20% interest in PRLs 183-190 (formerly PEL 110), with the remaining interests held by the Operator, Beach.

Sale of oil interests to Bass Oil Limited

As announced by Bass Oil Limited (ASX: BAS, “Bass”) on 12 July 2021, agreement was reached for Bass to acquire Cooper Energy’s interest 
in the Worrior oil field (PPL 207) and certain other exploration permits for $0.65 million. The transaction includes the Company’s 30% interest in 
PRLs 231-233, the 20% interest in PRLs 183-190 and PRL 237, and 19.165% interest in PRLs 207-209. The transaction is subject to various 
conditions precedent, including a Bass capital raising and regulatory approvals.

The sale of these oil interests demonstrates Cooper Energy’s ongoing focus on portfolio optimisation and divesting of assets considered non-core. 
This focus will continue, and particularly in the context of Cooper Energy’s primary focus on commercialising gas resources for south-eastern Australia.

Development

One oil development well was drilled during the financial year, being the Callawonga-13 horizontal oil development well in PEL 92. The well was 
drilled to a total depth of 3,226 metres with a lateral section of 1,106 metres in the primary target McKinlay Member. The preliminary assessment 
of results indicated a net pay section of 605 metres across the lateral section. Installation of flowlines and artificial lift was completed and 
Callawonga-13 commenced production in May. 

Financial Performance

Cooper Energy recorded a statutory loss after tax of $30.0 million for the financial year which compares with a statutory loss after tax of $86.0 
million recorded in the 2020 financial year. The 2021 financial year statutory loss included a number of items which affected the result by a total of 
$4.1 million. These items comprise:

•  other expense being the share of OGPP reconfiguration and commissioning works under the APA Transition Agreement of $11.2 million;

•  non-cash restoration income of $7.2 million resulting from a change in the government bond rate used to discount the Patricia Baleen, BMG 

and Minerva fields’ restoration provisions;

•  adjustment to the gain on sale recognised on the sale of the OGPP due to transaction costs of $1.4 million;

•  a non-cash impairment expense of $0.4 million; and

•  tax impact of the above items of $1.8 million.

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

Underlying EBITDAX of $30.0 million was 1% higher than the prior comparative period figure of $29.6 million.

The underlying loss after tax (exclusive of the items noted above) was $25.9 million, compared with an underlying loss after tax of $6.6 million in 
the 2020 financial year. The factors which contributed to the movement between the periods were:

•  higher gas sales revenue of $55.9 million attributed to commencement of production from the Sole gas field;

•  lower oil sales revenue of $2.3 million derived from lower volumes;

•  higher costs of sales of $63.2 million due to costs associated with the Transition Agreement and commencement of production. Production 

expenses were higher by $36.0 million. Third-party product purchases of $13.4 million were incurred in 2021. Higher amortisation and 
depreciation of $14.0 million due to commencement of Sole production. Royalties decreased by $0.2 million due to lower oil sales volumes;

•  higher net finance costs of $7.6 million due to cessation of interest capitalisation on the Sole gas oil and gas asset;

•  higher administration and other items of $4.7 million including exploration and business development costs, general administration costs and 

foreign currency translation loss;

•  lower exploration and evaluation write off of $2.5 million attributable to unsuccessful wells in the Cooper Basin; and

•  higher tax benefit of $0.1 million.

42

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Financial Performance continued

Financial Performance

Production volume

Sales volume

Sales revenue

Gross profit

Gross profit / Sales revenue

Operating cash flow

Cash, other financial assets and investments

Reported loss after tax

Underlying loss after tax

Underlying loss before tax

Underlying EBITDAX*

MMboe

MMboe

$ million

$ million

%

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

FY21

2.6

3.0

131.7

14.1

10.7

8.1

92.6

(30.0)

(25.9)

(29.3)

30.0

FY20

Change

1.6

1.5

78.1

23.6

30.2

48.1

132.1

(86.0)

(6.6)

(30.5)

29.6

1.0

1.5

53.6

(9.5)

(19.5)

(40.0)

(39.5)

56.0

(19.3)

1.2

0.4

%

69%

100%

69%

(40%)

(65%)

(83%)

(30%)

65%

(293%)

4%

1%

* Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, restoration, exploration and evaluation expense and impairment

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.

Cash and cash equivalents balance decreased by $39.0 million over the period as summarised in the following chart. 

Operating cashflows for the period were $8.0 million comprising: 

•  cash generated from operations of $48.9 million;
• general administration costs of $14.3 million;
• restoration costs of $5.3 million;
• Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) payments of $11.1 million; and
• net interest paid of $10.2 million.

Financing, investing and other cash flows for the period were $48.3 million and included: 

•   exploration, development and property, plant and equipment costs of $34.6 million, mainly in relation to the Athena Gas Plant, 
Casino Henry OP3D Select Phase, general exploration and evaluation activity and the implementation of corporate systems;

• repayment of lease liability $1.0 million;

• repayment of borrowings of $11.4 million; and

• foreign exchange differences and other of $1.3 million. 

Movements in cash and cash equivalents
30 June 2021 vs 30 June 2020

+113.6

(14.3)

(5.3)

48.9

(11.1)

(10.2)

(17.8)

(1.7)

(5.7)

(9.4)

(1.0)

139.6

$ million
Total cash and
cash equivalents,
other financial
assets and
investments
132.2

0.6

Other
financial
assets and
investments

131.6

Cash and
cash 
equivalents

Total cash and
cash equivalents,
other financial
assets and
investments
92.5

(11.4)

(1.3)

1.2

Other financial
assets and
investments

91.3

Cash and
cash 
equivalents

Operating
8.0

Other 
(48.3) 

June-20 Operations General
admin

Restoration 
costs

PRRT

Interest

Cash after 
operating 
cash flows

CAPEX–
PPE

CAPEX–
Intangibles

CAPEX–
E&E

CAPEX–
Development

Payments 
for lease 
liabilities

Repayment 
of 
borrowings

FX &
Other

June-21 

43

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
Financial Position 

Financial Position

Total assets

Total liabilities

Total equity

Net debt

Assets

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

FY21 

978.5

652.7

325.8

126.7

FY20

1,029.9

678.8

351.1

97.8

Change

(51.4)

(26.1)

(25.3)

28.9

%

(5%)

(4%)

(7%)

30%

Total assets decreased by $51.4 million from $1,029.9 million to $978.5 million.

At 30 June 2021 the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $91.3 million and investments of $1.3 million. 

Exploration and evaluation assets are $0.4 million higher than the previous period mainly due to additions partially offset by impairments and 
reclassification of $1.8 million to Exploration Assets Held for Sale which are presented as separate line in the Consolidated Statement of 
Financial Position.

Oil and gas assets decreased by $45.8 million from $616.0 million to $570.2 million mainly as a result of amortisation and the re-set of 
restoration provisions. 

Total Liabilities

Total liabilities decreased by $26.1 million from $678.8 million to $652.7 million. 

Provisions decreased by $28.0 million from $394.6 million to $366.6 million. Restoration provisions decreased $28.5 million from $392.2 million to 
$363.7 million, with the decrease being attributable mainly to $17.5 million for changes in government bond rates, $8.4 million for payments, $1.2 
million reclassified to Liabilities Held for Sale partially offset by accretion charges of $3.2 million. Employee provisions increased by 
$0.5 million from $2.4 million to $2.9 million. 

Interest bearing loans and borrowings decreased by $11.4 million from $229.4 million to $218.0 million. This represents repayments made to the 
reserve-based lending facility.

Total Equity

Total equity decreased by $25.3 million from $351.1 million to $325.8 million. In comparing equity at 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2020 the key 
movements were: 

•  higher contributed equity of $1.8 million due to shares issued on vesting of performance rights and share appreciation rights during the period;

•  higher reserves of $2.9 million due to the unwinding of equity incentives to employees; and

•  higher accumulated losses of $30.0 million due to the statutory loss for the period.

Strategy and Outlook

Cooper Energy’s purpose is to contribute to Australia’s sustainable energy future by commercialising gas, oil and other resources for domestic 
markets. We operate with an emphasis on care, shareholder value and sustainability. 

Cooper Energy will deliver this by:

•  establishing a portfolio of low cost, long-term gas and oil production assets;

•  growing through a combination of acquisition, development and exploration;

•  building future resilience by prioritising Environment, Sustainability and Governance (“ESG”) and investing in sustainable energy projects;

•  leveraging and developing our people, stakeholder relationships and capabilities where we operate; and

•  balancing risk by sharing opportunities, partnering and achieving good commercial outcomes.

Planned activities for the FY22 financial year for the ongoing delivery of Cooper Energy’s strategy will be:

•  participating in APA’s delivery of the next phase of capital works at OGPP which aim to increase production rates and improve stability;

•  commissioning the Athena Gas Plant, which will become an integral asset within Cooper Energy’s gas portfolio and deliver benefits such as 

higher processing rates for the Casino Henry fields, lower operating costs and the ability to offer firm gas supply to customers;

•  being FID ready for OP3D which involves development of the Annie gas discovery and Henry gas field to produce more than 120 PJ of gas 

through the Athena Gas Plant; and 

•  progressing other exploration, appraisal and development activities within Cooper Energy’s existing portfolio of growth opportunities.

44

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Funding and Capital Management

At 30 June 2021, the Company had cash reserves of $91.3 million and drawn debt of $218.0 million. The Company has a reserves-based 
lending debt facility to fund a portion of the Sole gas field development with a limit of $218.0 million. The facility can be used for general corporate 
purposes after project completion. The Company has additional liquidity of approximately $15.0 million through a working capital facility to be 
used for general business purposes, of which $8.8 million has been utilised in respect of bank guarantees. 

As announced on 30 June 2021, Cooper Energy and its lenders agreed adjustments to some terms and conditions of the debt facility. 
The documentation was signed on 26 July 2021. The adjustments include realignment of principal repayments through to expiry of the Transition 
Agreement on 1 May 2022 and re-sculpting of repayments through to maturity. The adjustments align the debt facility with a re-based production 
level of 40– 45 TJ/day for OGPP and preserve liquidity to enable continuing advancement of the growth projects.

Further information is detailed in the Going Concern basis section on page 48 of the Financial Statements.

Risk Management

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

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

Risk

Description

Exploration

Exploration is a speculative activity with an associated risk of discovery to find 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 all major exploration decisions are subjected to assurance 
reviews which include external experts and contractors where appropriate. 

Development and 
Production

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. 

Regulatory

All major development investment decisions are subjected to assurance reviews which include external experts and 
contractors where appropriate. For projects in production, reserves are formally reviewed and reported annually.

Cooper Energy operates in a highly regulated environment and complies with regulatory requirements. There is a risk 
that regulatory approvals are withheld or take longer than expected, or that unforeseen circumstances arise where 
requirements may not be adequately addressed in the eyes of the regulator and costs may be incurred to remediate 
perceived non-compliance and/or obtain approval(s). The Company’s business or operations may be impacted by 
changes in personnel and Governments, or in monetary, taxation and other laws in Australia or overseas.

45

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Risk Management continued 

Risk

Market

Description

The global oil market and Australian domestic gas market are subject to fluctuations of demand and supply, and as a 
consequence, price. The risk of material changes to the demand for oil and gas produced by the Company’s business 
exists from sources such as demand destruction, changes in energy consumption preferences and demand and 
supply-side disruption such as an expansion of alternative, competitive supply sources. If realised, these may result in 
reduced sales volume and sales revenue with consequent impact on the efficiency of operations and the Company’s 
financial condition.

In the near term this risk is managed through the Company’s gas contracting strategy. The Company maintains ‘long’ 
contract coverage such that the major share of its available reserves is contracted, typically under gas sales agreements 
with a term of at least four years. Stability of cash flow is protected through terms which encourage reliable demand 
from customers and which include take-or-pay clauses to ensure minimum annual cash flows. Uncontracted gas carries 
exposure to favourable or unfavourable price movements. The greater share of the Company’s uncontracted gas is in 
the offshore Otway Basin where the Athena Gas Plant Project is being conducted to facilitate the securing of longer term 
contracts supported by more favourable processing terms. 

Cooper Energy monitors developments and changes in the international oil and domestic gas markets to enable the 
Company to be best placed to address changes in market conditions. This activity includes ongoing research and 
analysis of future demand and supply for energy, most particularly gas, in south-east Australia. 

Oil and gas prices

Future value, growth and financial conditions 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. 

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. Gas price risk is assessed within the context of the Company’s ongoing 
modelling of the south-east Australian energy market and through its gas contracting strategy which prioritises long term 
agreements and appropriate indexation and price review clauses. 

Operations

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 and possible 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 (updated in FY21 to reflect risks associated with COVID-19) and an enterprise-wide integrated 
management system to ensure safe and sustainable operations.

Counterparties

The ability of Cooper Energy to achieve its stated objectives can be impacted by the performance of counterparties 
under material agreements the Company has entered into (including joint venture and gas sales agreements). If any 
counterparties do not meet their obligations under these agreements, this may impact on operations, business and/or 
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. Cooper Energy also conducts due diligence 
on counterparties as appropriate, including financial due diligence. The Company’s gas contracting strategy expressly 
focuses on financially robust organisations assessed as being reliable gas customers within the target energy markets 
and supported by the Company’s and third party research.

Reserves

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.

Reserves and Contingent Resources estimation is consistent with the definitions and guidelines in the Society of 
Petroleum Engineers (SPE) 2018 Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS). The assessment of Reserves and 
Contingent Resources may also undergo independent review.

46

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Risk Management continued 

Risk

Description

Environment

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.

Access to Capital

Restoration 
liabilities

Cooper Energy has a comprehensive approach to the management of risks associated with environment which is 
embedded as a core part of our approach to health, safety, environment and community. This approach includes 
standards for asset reliability and integrity, technical and operational competency and emergency response preparedness. 

Cooper Energy must undertake significant capital expenditure in order to fund field, exploration, appraisal, development 
and restoration requirements. Limitations on access to adequate funding could have a material adverse effect on the 
business, results from operations, financial conditions and prospects. Cooper Energy’s business and, in particular, 
development of large-scale projects, relies on access to capital. There can be no assurance that sufficient access to 
capital will be available on acceptable terms or at all.

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

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 construction and conducts a review on a semi-annual basis. 
Any changes to the estimates of the provisions for restoration are recognised in line with accounting standards. 

Community

Cooper Energy conducts gas and oil exploration, development, and production operations. We process gas near regions 
with residential, environmental, cultural, and economic significance. Loss of community confidence in the Company may 
adversely affect Cooper Energy’s capacity to execute its plans on behalf of the State and Federal Governments.

Cooper Energy engages extensively with local communities to build and maintain awareness, understanding and support 
for its operations and plans. We form long term trusted relationships with local communities and generate awareness of 
the economic benefits to the community and the nation. 

Elements of engagement include:

•  sponsorship and donations made to local community organisations;

•  face to face meetings, online meetings, group meetings, emails and phone calls with:

 - local office holders and elected representatives of local, state, and federal governments;

 - local community groups via town hall meetings and community information sessions;

 - fishing groups and other marine users; and

 - local farmers and others who are located nearby our operations;

•  publication of information regarding the Company’s activities and plans including the maintenance of a ‘Community’ 

page on the Company’s website; and

•  engagement with local media, including the use of social media.

47

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Risk Management continued 

Risk

Description

Cooper Energy has taken an industry leading position in becoming the first Australian upstream gas company to become 
carbon neutral in FY20 by fully offsetting Scope 1, Scope 2 and the controllable fraction of Scope 3 emissions using high 
quality Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated from the Morella Biodiversity project in South Australia. The 
Company was recognised for this achievement in being awarded the 2020 SA Premier’s Award for Environment in its 
industry category. Subsequently the Company has achieved Climate Active organisational certification for this net zero 
position and we will strive to both maintain this net zero position and to reduce the absolute quantum of our emissions. 

The Company recognises that direct physical and indirect non-physical impacts of climate change may affect our 
operations and the markets into which we sell our gas and oil. Potential direct risks include those arising from increased 
severe weather events, longer-term changes in climate patterns, sea level rise, and increased frequency and severity 
of bushfires.

Indirect risks arise from a variety of legal, policy, technology, and market responses to the challenges that climate change 
poses as society transitions to a lower emissions future. These risks may impact the demand for and competitiveness of 
the Company’s products and the Company’s appeal as an investment, employer and community member. 

Assessment and response to these risks is undertaken on three fronts:

1)  understanding, managing and mitigating the risks presented by direct physical impacts;

2)  understanding, managing and mitigating the impact of climate change and emissions policy on the demand for the 

Company’s products (“market risk”); and

3) 

identification of means by which the Company can reduce its direct emissions and lessen its overall emissions impact.

In respect of market risk, the Company’s strategy means its gas assets possess a low exposure to the possibility of 
demand loss from climate change. A favourable market for sale of the Company’s gas reserves and resources has been 
confirmed and is expected to continue given demand and supply forecasts for its chosen market of south-east Australia 
and the role gas is expected to play as a conventional and transition energy source for firming variable renewable power 
generation in a lower emissions world. 

The Company’s portfolio of gas assets is concentrated in south-eastern Australia and reflects its screening criteria which 
requires superior cost competitiveness in delivered gas and a foreseeable pathway to development.

Australian government forecasts (Australian Energy Market Operator; AEMO) project a widening gap between gas 
demand and supply in south-east Australia. Production from the region’s existing sources of supply is projected to decline 
significantly over the coming 10 years, while demand is forecast to remain flat over that period, leading to a growing 
supply demand imbalance. 

The merits of gas as a clean-burning energy source, and as a firming supply to provide dispatchable power to support 
variable renewable energy, are expected to support greater use of gas compared with other fossil fuels. Gas is expected 
to continue to be a principal source of energy for conventional heating and cooking applications and a critical input 
for industrial uses including fertiliser and other agricultural chemicals, refrigerants, plastics, glass manufacture, food 
processing and pharmaceuticals.

Natural gas is viewed as a key element supporting society’s sustainable energy transition and forecasts show an 
increasing global demand for gas over the medium to long-term. 

The Company measures and reports its emissions and seeks to reduce its emissions impact. These results are 
published in its annual Sustainability Report and are aligned with the Taskforce for Climate related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD) criteria.

The focus of the Company’s strategy on conventional gas production, located in south-east Australia close to its market in 
south-east Australia, is conducive to lower emissions gas supply.

Climate and 
Sustainability

48

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Risk Management continued 

Risk

COVID-19

Description

Cooper Energy continued its response to the COVID-19 pandemic in line with its focus on: 

•  prioritising the safety and welfare of its employees and their families, together with that of contractors, suppliers and the 

communities within which it operates; and

•  assessing, monitoring and managing risks to the continuity of the business.

The Pandemic Response Team, established in March 2020, continued its work through FY21 overseeing the Company’s 
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This team includes representatives from all sites and takes input from an 
independent medical practitioner. Our response has included implementing robust work from home arrangements with 
on-site staffing requirements limited to minimal IT support attendance when required at office locations, in line with state 
government health directions and restrictions. Construction works at the Cooper Energy-operated Athena Gas Plant in 
Victoria were able to progress with additional specific risk control measures in place to mitigate any infection risk and to 
comply with State government health directions and lockdown/travel restrictions. 

The work from home arrangements were used during the various lockdowns in Victoria, South Australia and Western 
Australia during the year and remain ready to be reinstated at short notice as required.

All of the Company’s gas production is via unmanned subsea installations, which are operated remotely via the relevant 
plant onshore control room. Accordingly, transitioning the Company into and out of work from home has had no impact on 
production levels. Emergency response procedures have been tested using fully remote processes.

The Athena Gas Plant is anticipated to commence processing the Company’s gas in Q1 FY22. Robust procedures have 
been implemented to minimise the risk of COVID-19 impacting processing at that Plant.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been assessed as not being among the Company’s key corporate risks. However, 
it has affected the business indirectly through the impact on energy prices, supply chains and restrictions on travel. 
The Pandemic Response Team continues to monitor and advise the Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team 
on ongoing potential COVID-19-related threats to the business and appropriate preventative actions and responses.

People & Culture

Cooper Energy’s sustainable success is underpinned by attracting and retaining people with the right skills and 
behaviours, who work to the “one team” ethos to deliver base business and growth opportunities. Failure to attract, 
retain and develop such capability may constrain the achievement of business objectives. 

Cooper Energy has established employment conditions, practices, frameworks, values, and environments designed to 
engage, secure and incentivise employees to perform at their best and build their careers. Metrics are in place to monitor 
employee engagement and these are regularly reviewed by the Executive Leadership Team and the Board. 

49

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
For the year ended 30 June 2021

Reconciliations for net profit/(loss) to Underlying net profit/(loss) and Underlying EBITDAX

Reconciliation to Underlying loss

Net loss after income tax

Adjusted for:

Liquidated damages

OGPP reconfiguration and commissioning works

Restoration (income)/expense

Adjustment to gain on sale

Impairment

Tax impact of underlying adjustments

Underlying (loss)/profit

Reconciliation to Underlying EBITDAX*

Underlying loss

Add back:

Tax impact of underlying adjustments

Net finance costs

Accretion expense

Tax expense

Depreciation

Amortisation

Exploration and evaluation expense

Underlying EBITDAX*

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

$ million

FY21

(30.0)

-

11.2

(7.2)

1.4

0.4

(1.8)

(25.9)

FY21

(25.9) 

1.8

10.3

3.3

(3.4)

1.9

41.5

0.6

30.0

FY20

(86.0)

(19.8)

-

14.1

-

107.5

(22.4)

(6.6)

FY20

(6.6)

22.4

1.8

4.0

(23.9)

2.3

26.5

3.1

29.6

Change

56.0

19.8

11.2

(21.3)

1.4

(107.1)

20.6

(19.3)

%

65%

100%

100%

(151%)

100%

(100%)

92%

(293%)   

Change

%

(19.3)

(293%)

(20.6)

8.5

(0.7)

20.5

(0.4)

15.0

(2.5)

0.4

(92%)

472%

(18%)

86%

(17%)

57%

(81%)

1%

* Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, restoration, exploration and evaluation expense and impairment.

50

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORT

For the year ended 30 June 2021

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 2021, 
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 the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Director of AFC Asian Cup, 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 The McGrath Foundation (since 2013 and Director since 2012). He is also President 
of the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal (since 2003), Chairman of Dexus Wholesale Property Fund 
(DWPF) (since 2020) and Deputy Chairman of Whitehaven Coal Limited ASX: WHC (since 2007). Mr Conde is 
a former Chairman of Bupa Australia (2008–2018), and a former Director of Dexus Property Group ASX: DXS 
(2009–2020).

Special responsibilities 

Mr Conde is Chairman of the Board of Directors. Effective 19 August 2021 he is also a member of the People 
& Remuneration Committee and is the Chairman of the Governance & Nomination 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 the wholly owned subsidiaries of Cooper Energy Limited. He is also on the board 
of the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (since 2018) and the Minerals and Energy 
Advisory Council (South Australia Government) (since 2019).

Special responsibilities 

Mr Maxwell is Managing Director. He is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of Cooper Energy, and is 
the leader of the Executive Leadership Team. Mr Maxwell is also Chairman of the HSEC Committee (being a 
management committee, not a Board committee).

51

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20211. Directors continued 

Mr Timothy G. Bednall
LLB (Hons) 

Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Appointed 31 March 2020

Ms Victoria J. Binns
B. Eng (Mining – Hons 1),  
Grad Dip SIA, FAusIMM, GAICD

Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Appointed 2 March 2020

Ms Giselle M. Collins
BeC. Economics, CA, GAICD 

Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Appointed 19 August 2021 
subject to confirmation at the 
Company’s 2021 AGM

52

Experience and expertise

Mr Bednall is a highly experienced and respected corporate lawyer and law firm manager. He is a partner 
of King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), where he specialises in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and 
corporate governance, representing public company and government clients. Mr Bednall has advised clients in 
the oil and gas and energy sectors throughout his career.

Mr Bednall was the Chairman of the Australian partnership of KWM from January 2010 to December 
2012, during which time the merger of King & Wood and Mallesons Stephen Jaques was negotiated and 
implemented. He was also Managing Partner of M&A and Tax for KWM Australia from 2013 to 2014, and 
Managing Partner of KWM Europe and Middle East from 2016 to 2017. He was General Counsel of Southcorp 
Limited (which became the core of Treasury Wine Estates Limited) from 2000 to 2001. 

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Mr Bednall is a board member of the National Portrait Gallery Foundation (since 2018). He is also a board 
member of QSP Residual Recoveries LLP (in administration) and a Director of Pooling Limited.

Special responsibilities 

Effective 19 August 2021 Mr Bednall is a member of the Audit Committee, the People & Remuneration 
Committee and the Governance & Nomination Committee.

Experience and expertise

Ms Binns has over 35 years’ experience in the global resources and financial services sectors including 
more than 10 years in executive leadership roles at BHP and 15 years in financial services with Merrill Lynch 
Australia and Macquarie Equities. During her career at BHP, Ms Binns’ roles included Vice President Minerals 
Marketing, leadership positions in the metals and coal marketing business, Vice President of Market Analysis 
and Economics.

Prior to joining BHP, Ms Binns held a number of board and senior management roles at Merrill Lynch Australia 
including Managing Director and Head of Australian Research, Head of Global Mining, Metals and Steel, 
and Head of Australian Mining Research. She was also co-founder and Chair of Women in Mining and 
Resources Singapore.

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Ms Binns is currently a Non-Executive Director of Evolution Mining ASX: EVN (since 2020) and Sims Limited 
ASX: SGM (since October 2021). She is also a Non-Executive Director of the Carbon Marketing Institute and a 
Member of the J.P. Morgan Australia & NZ Advisory Council. 

Special responsibilities 

Effective 19 August 2021 Ms Binns is the Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Risk & 
Sustainability Committee.

Experience and expertise

Ms Collins has broad executive and director experience across finance, treasury and property disciplines. 
Ms Collins is also active with not-for-profit organisations and has a strong interest in sustainability across 
many of her involvements.

Ms Collins’ executive positions included General Manager Property, Treasury and Tourism of NRMA, Chief 
Executive Officer, Property and General Manager Finance with the Hannan Group, and Senior Manager, 
Audit Services with KPMG Switzerland.

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Ms Collins is currently non-executive director of Peak Resources Limited ASX:PEK (since 2021), trustee 
director of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust (since 2019), non-executive director of Generation 
Life (since 2018), non-executive director of Hotel Property Investments Limited ASX:HPI (since 2017) and 
nominee Chairman for Indigenous Business Australia in The Darwin Hotel Pty Limited (since 2014).

Special responsibilities 

Ms Collins was not a director during the period ending 30 June 2021, having joined the Board on 
19 August 2021. Effective 19 August 2021 Ms Collins is a member of the Audit Committee and the Risk 
& Sustainability Committee.

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20211. Directors continued 

Ms Elizabeth A. Donaghey
B.Sc., M.Sc.

Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Appointed 25 June 2018

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

Independent Non-Executive 
Director

26 June 2012 – 23 June 2017

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 24 June 2017

Experience and expertise

Ms Donaghey brings over 30 years’ experience in the energy sector including technical, commercial and 
executive roles in EnergyAustralia, Woodside Energy and BHP Petroleum. 

Ms Donaghey’s experience includes Non-Executive Director roles at Imdex Ltd (an ASX-listed provider 
of drilling fluids and downhole instrumentation), St Barbara Ltd (a gold explorer and producer), and 
the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. She has performed extensive committee roles in these 
appointments, serving on audit and compliance, risk and audit, technical and regulatory, remuneration and 
health and safety committees.

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Ms Donaghey is a Non-Executive Director of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) (since 2017). 
Effective 1 September 2021 Ms Donaghey will join the Ampol Limited (ASX: ALD) board as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director.

Special responsibilities 

Effective 19 August 2021 Ms Donaghey is a member of the Risk & Sustainability Committee, the People 
& Remuneration Committee and the Governance & Nomination Committee.

Experience and expertise

Mr Gordon is a geologist with over 40 years' experience in the upstream petroleum industry, primarily 
in Australia and southeast Asia. He joined Cooper Energy in 2012, initially as an Executive Director – 
Exploration & Production and subsequently moved to his position as Non-Executive Director in 2017.

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.

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Mr Gordon is a Director of Bass Oil Limited ASX: BAS (since 2014). 

Special responsibilities

Mr Jeffrey W. Schneider
B.Com 

Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Effective 19 August 2021 Mr Gordon is the Chairman of the Risk & Sustainability Committee and 
a member of the Audit Committee.

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

Mr Schneider does not currently hold any other directorships. 

Special responsibilities 

Effective 19 August 2021 Mr Schneider is Chairman of the People & Remuneration Committee and 
a member of the Governance & Nomination Committee.

53

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20211. Directors continued 

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

Independent Non-Executive 
Director 

Appointed 28 August 2013

Retired 12 November 2020

Experience and expertise

Ms Williams has over 30 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, Guild Group, Port of Melbourne Corporation, Telstra Sale Company, 
V/Line Passenger Corporation, State Trustees, Western Health and the Australian Accounting Standards 
Board. Ms Williams is also a former council member of the Cancer Council of Victoria.

Current and other directorships in the last 3 years

Ms Williams is a Non-Executive Director of Djerriwarrh Investments Ltd, Defence Health (since 2010), Mercer 
Investments Australia Ltd and not for profit Tobacco Free Portfolios (since 2018). Until 2020 Ms Williams was 
a Member of the Foreign Investment Review Board and a Non-Executive Director of Equity Trustees Ltd. 
She was also a Non-Executive Director of the Victorian Funds Management Corporation for the period 2008 
to 2018. 

Special responsibilities 

Prior to her retirement, Ms Williams was the Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the 
Risk & Sustainability Committee. 

2. Company secretary

Ms Amelia Jalleh B.A., LLB (Hons), LLM was appointed to the position of Company Secretary and General Counsel effective from 9 August 
2019. Ms Jalleh brings more than 20 years’ international oil and gas experience in senior corporate, commercial and legal roles. Her experience 
spans conventional and unconventional projects, asset and portfolio management, and international M&A transactions. Prior to joining Cooper 
Energy, Ms Jalleh held the position of Director, Business Development Asia-Pacific for Repsol, based in Singapore. Ms Jalleh has worked in 
Australia, the Middle East, North America and South East Asia in roles with Repsol, Talisman Energy, King & Spalding LLP and Santos.

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 were:

Director

 Board Meetings

Audit  
Committee 
Meetings

Risk & 
Sustainability 
Meetings

People & 
Remuneration 
Committee 
Meetings

Governance & 
Nomination 
Committee 
Meetings

Mr J. Conde

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr T. Bednall

Ms V. Binns

Ms E. Donaghey

Mr H. Gordon 

Mr J. Schneider 

Ms A. Williams*

 A

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

 8

 B

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

 8

A

-

-

1

5

2

5

5

3

A = Number of meetings attended. 

B

-

-

1

5

2

5

5

3

A

-

-

4

4

4

4

-

2

B

-

-

4

4

4

4

-

2

A

4

-

4

4

4

-

4

-

B

4

-

4

4

4

-

4

-

A

2

-

2

-

2

-

2

-

B

2

-

2

-

2

-

2

-

B = Number of meetings held during the time the Director held office, or was a member of the Committee, during 
the year (noting that Committee membership was revised three times during the financial year – with effect on and 
from 13 November 2020, with effect on and from 1 February 2021, and with effect on and from 1 April 2021).

*Ms A. Williams resigned as Non-Executive Director on 12 November 2020.

54

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited)

Information about the remuneration of the Company’s key management personnel for the financial year ended 30 June 2021 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 People & Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholder

As has been well described earlier in this Report to shareholders, the 2021 financial year has been a challenging period for the Company. 
This Remuneration Report is presented against this background and includes details of company performance against key metrics. It also sets 
out how, as a consequence, the Company’s remuneration outcomes have been impacted.

We will seek shareholders’ support for the Remuneration Report at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. This report is an important element of the 
Company’s annual reporting. It documents the Company’s remuneration framework and guiding principles. It also details the remuneration outcomes 
for the Board and key management personnel and enables comparison of these remuneration outcomes with the Company’s performance. 

The People & Remuneration Committee believes that the 2021 remuneration outcomes are appropriate taking into account the Company’s 
performance and the employment market generally. 

Remuneration Report context: 2021 Financial Year 
The Company’s performance in the 12 months to 30 June 2021 is reported in the Operating and Financial Review of the Financial Report. This 
performance and how it compared with the specific targets of the Corporate Scorecard provide the context of the Remuneration Report. 

Cooper Energy met the targets of its Corporate Scorecard in the category of Health, Safety, Environment and Community as well as the category of 
People & Enablers. The Company failed to meet targets in the categories of Production & Revenue, Project Delivery and Growth. The Company’s 
share price decreased by 31% over the 2021 financial year, reflecting the challenging operating and external environment over the period.

Remuneration developments 
A remuneration framework which attracts, encourages, rewards and retains talent is an important foundation that can enable the Company 
to achieve superior total shareholder returns. During the past year the People & Remuneration Committee has reviewed each element of 
the remuneration framework and concluded that the current framework is meeting its intended objectives to attract and retain high calibre 
employees as well as providing incentives to deliver superior performance and encourage behaviours consistent with the Cooper Energy Values. 
Consequently, no changes to the remuneration framework are proposed for the 2022 financial year.

Remuneration outcomes 
Fixed Annual Remuneration: There will be no increases to Base Salary for the Managing Director, the Executive Leadership Team and staff 
generally except for those who have increased job responsibilities or in the case of general staff, represent a pay anomaly requiring adjustment. 
Any such increases will be consistent with benchmarking data within the Resources Industry (incorporating the Hydrocarbon sector). Fixed 
Annual Remuneration will be adjusted as a consequence of increases to statutory superannuation contribution effective 1 July 2021.

Short Term Incentive Payments (STIP): Despite achieving record levels for full year production, sales volumes and revenue, the FY21 
Corporate Scorecard was significantly impacted by constrained processing rates at the Orbost Gas Processing Plant (operated by APA Group). 
Growth targets also fell short of those planned one year ago. Positive progress has been made on the Athena Gas Plant Project, the Company’s 
Climate Active carbon neutral certification, the debt facility adjustment as well as being able to meet our gas customer nominations despite the 
below expectation performance of the Orbost Gas Processing Plant. When considering overall company performance, the Board has assessed 
the full FY21 Corporate Scorecard result as being 22/100.

This level of Corporate performance is considered by the Board to be below the threshold level for payment. The Board has therefore determined 
that there will be no payment associated with the Company performance component of the STIP for the FY21 financial year for the Managing 
Director, the Executive Leadership Team and for staff generally. 

The Board has determined that individual performance components of the STIP will be paid. The Managing Director has, however, declined 
to accept any STIP payment for FY21. The Board recognises and appreciates the leadership of the Managing Director in this regard. STIP 
payments relating to FY21 individual performance are provided in section 4.6.3 of this report.
Directors’ Statutory Report 
Directors Fees: There is to be no change to fees paid to Directors for FY22. 
For the year ended 30 June 2021   
The Company enters the new financial year in a sound position to materially grow the value of its portfolio. It is very pleasing to see Company 
Directors Fees: There is to be no change to fees paid to Directors for FY22.  
staff at all levels and locations committed to achieving improved outcomes for both the short and long term. I especially thank the Managing 
The Company enters the new financial year in a sound position to materially grow the value of its portfolio. It is very 
Director and the Executive Leadership Team not only for their commitment to achieve superior outcomes, but also their determination to work in a 
pleasing to see Company staff at all levels and locations committed to achieving improved outcomes for both the short and 
long term. I especially thank the Managing Director and the Executive Leadership Team not only for their commitment to 
way that is consistent with the Cooper Energy Values. 
achieve superior outcomes, but also their determination to work in a way that is consistent with the Cooper Energy Values.  
Yours sincerely 
Yours sincerely  

Mr Jeffrey Schneider 
Chairman of the People & Remuneration Committee 
Mr Jeffrey Schneider 

Chairman of the People & Remuneration Committee

55

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

Contents

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Key Management Personnel covered in this Report

4.3 Remuneration Governance

4.4 Nature & Structure of Executive KMP Remuneration

4.5 Cooper Energy’s Five-Year Performance and Link to Remuneration

4.6 2021 Executive KMP Performance and Remuneration Outcomes

4.7 Executive KMP Employment Contracts

4.8 2021 Remuneration Outcomes for Executive KMP

4.9 Nature of Non-Executive Director Remuneration

4.1 Introduction

Page

56

56

57 

58 

65

66

68

68

72

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 
and practices in place for Key Management Personnel (KMP) for the reporting period.

The 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.

4.2 Key Management Personnel covered in this Report 

In this Report, KMP are the people who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group, 
either directly or indirectly. They are:

•  the Non-Executive Directors;

•  the Managing Director; and 

•  the executives on the Executive Leadership Team.

The Managing Director and executives on the Executive Leadership 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 Directors1

Mr J. Conde AO 

Ms E. Donaghey

Mr H. Gordon 

Mr J. Schneider

Ms V. Binns

Mr T. Bednall

Ms A. Williams2

Position

Chairman

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director 

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Period KMP

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

1 July 2020 to 12 November 2020

1.   Ms Giselle Collins has been appointed to the Board as a non-executive director, effective 19 August 2021 (subject to confirmation by 

shareholders at the Company’s 2021 AGM). Ms Collins was therefore not a KMP of the Group during the reporting period.

2.   Ms Williams stepped down from the Board effective 12 November 2020.

56

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

Executive KMP

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr A. Thomas 

Ms V. Suttell1

Ms A. Jalleh 

Mr I. MacDougall 

Mr E. Glavas

Mr M. Jacobsen

Mr A. Haren2

Position 

Managing Director

Period KMP

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

General Manager Exploration & Subsurface

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

Chief Financial Officer 

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

Company Secretary & General Counsel

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

General Manager HSEC & Technical Services

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

General Manager Commercial & Development

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

General Manager Projects & Operations

1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

General Manager People & Remuneration

18 January 2021 to 30 June 2021

1.  Ms Suttell has tendered her resignation effective 30 September 2021.
2.  Mr Haren was appointed to the role of General Manager People & Remuneration on 18 January 2021.

4.3 Remuneration Governance 

4.3.1 Philosophy and objectives

The Company is committed to a remuneration philosophy that aligns to its business strategy and encourages superior performance and 
shareholder returns. Cooper Energy’s approach towards remuneration aims to ensure that an appropriate balance is achieved among:

•  maximising sustainable growth in 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 without rewarding conduct that is contrary to the Cooper Energy Values or risk appetite;

•  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, with a view to enhancing 

Cooper Energy’s reputation and standing in the community.

Cooper Energy’s policy is to pay Fixed Annual Remuneration at the median level compared to resource 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 People & Remuneration Committee

The People & Remuneration Committee (which, as at the date of this report, is comprised of four Non-Executive Directors, all of whom are 
independent) makes recommendations to the Board about remuneration strategies and policies for the Executive KMP and considers matters 
related to organisational structure and operating model, company culture and values, diversity, succession for senior executives and executive 
development and talent management. The ultimate responsibility for, and power to make company decisions with respect to these matters, 
remains with the full Board.

On an annual basis, the People & Remuneration Committee makes recommendations to the Board about the form of payment and incentives to 
Executive KMP and the amount. This is done with reference to Company performance and individual performance of the Executive KMP, relevant 
employment market conditions, current industry practices and independent remuneration benchmark reports.

4.3.3 External remuneration advisers

The Committee may consider advice from external advisors who are engaged by and report directly to the 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 Committee did not receive any remuneration recommendations during the reporting period and all remuneration benchmarking was 
performed in-house against independent Australian resource industry remuneration data.

57

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

4.4 Nature & Structure of Executive KMP Remuneration

Executive KMP remuneration during the reporting period consisted of a mix of:

•  Fixed Annual Remuneration (FAR);
•  Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) participation; 
•  Benefits such as accommodation, internet allowance and car parking; and
•  Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) (composed of performance rights (PRs) and share appreciation rights (SARs) under the Company’s amended 

Equity Incentive Plan approved by shareholders at the 2019 AGM).

It is the Company’s policy that the performance-based (or at risk) pay forms a significant portion of the Executive KMPs’ total remuneration. The 
Company aims to achieve an appropriate balance between rewarding operational performance (through the STIP cash reward) and rewarding 
long-term sustainable performance (through the LTIP).

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

Managing Director 
Remuneration Mix at Maximum
Performance (Super Stretch)

Other Executive KMP 
Remuneration Mix at Maximum 
Performance (Super Stretch)

33.33%

33.33%

31.8%

45.5%

33.33%

22.7%

Fixed Annual Remuneration

Short Term Incentive Plan

Long Term Incentive Plan

4.4.1 Remuneration strategy and framework – Linking Reward to Performance

The remuneration strategy sets the direction for the remuneration framework and drives the design and application of remuneration for the 
Company, including Executive KMP. 

The remuneration strategy:

•  encourages a strong focus on financial and operational performance, and motivates Executive KMP to deliver sustainable business results  

and returns to the Company’s shareholders over the short and long term;

•  attracts, motivates and retains appropriately qualified and experienced talent; and

•  aligns executive and shareholder interests through equity linked plans.

The Board believes that remuneration should include a fixed component and at-risk or performance-related components, including both short 
term and long-term incentives. This remuneration framework is shown in the table following, including how performance outcomes will impact 
remuneration outcomes for Executive KMP.

The Board will continue to review the remuneration framework to ensure it continues to align with the Company’s strategic objectives. 
No significant changes to the key elements of the remuneration framework are anticipated in FY22. 

58

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

4.4.2 Remuneration strategy and framework – Overview – FY2021

Performance Conditions

Remuneration Strategy/Performance Link

Fixed Annual 
Remuneration

Salary and 
other benefits 
(including statutory 
superannuation)

Key Considerations

•  Scope of individual’s role

•  Individual’s level of knowledge, skills and expertise

•  Individual performance

•  Market benchmarking

Short Term 
Incentive Plan 
(STIP)

Annual incentive 
opportunity 
delivered in cash 
based on Company 
and individual 
performance

Strategy & Project Key Performance Indicators 
(KPIs) (up to 40% of Company performance related 
STIP award)

•  Major Projects & Development

•  Growth in Reserves & Resources 

•  Key Gas Strategy Milestones

•  Acquisition and Divestment

Operational & Financial KPIs (up to 40% of 
Company performance related STIP award)

•  Production and Revenue

•  Cost Management

•  Process & Risk Management

•  People and Stakeholder relationships

Safety & Sustainability KPIs (up to 20% of Company 
performance related STIP award)

•  Lead improvement objectives for environmental and 

fatality prevention

•  Sustainability and community relationships

•  Total Recordable Case Frequency Rate 

(TRCFR) target

Individual performance KPIs (up to 25% for 
Managing Director & 30% for the other Executive KMP 
of Final STIP award) aligned to strategic objectives.

Fixed Annual Remuneration is set to attract, retain 
and motivate the right talent to deliver on the strategy 
and contribute to the Company’s financial and 
operational performance.

For executives new to their role, the aim is to set 
Fixed Annual Remuneration at relatively modest levels 
compared to their peers and to progressively increase as 
they gain experience and perform at higher levels. This 
links fixed remuneration to individual performance. 

STIP performance conditions are designed to support 
the financial and strategic direction of the Company (the 
achievement links to shareholder returns) and are clearly 
defined and measurable.

A large proportion of outcomes are subject to the 
Operational & Financial targets of the Company or 
business unit, depending on the role of the executive 
to ensure line of sight. Strategy & Project targets 
ensure that continued focus on future opportunities is 
maintained. 

Non-financial targets are aligned to core Values 
(including safety and sustainability) and key strategic and 
growth objectives.

Threshold, Target, Stretch and Super Stretch targets 
for each measure are set by the Board to ensure that a 
challenging performance-based incentive is provided.

The Board has discretion to adjust STIP outcomes up 
or down to ensure appropriate individual outcomes and 
results align with the Company’s Values.

Individual performance measures are agreed each 
year. The individual measures relate to business unit 
objectives, promotion of Company Values and identified 
areas for development. This ensures a clear focus on 
“how we work” i.e. our Values and culture, as well as 
what we seek to achieve.

59

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued

Long Term 
Incentive Plan 
(LTIP)

Three-year incentive 
opportunity 
delivered through 
Performance 
Rights (PRs) and 
Share Appreciation 
Rights (SARs)

Performance Conditions

Remuneration Strategy/Performance Link

LTIP is a mix of PRs and SARs. Maximum LTIP grant 
is 100% of Fixed Annual Remuneration for Managing 
Director and 70% of Fixed Annual Remuneration for 
other Executive KMP.

Relative Total Shareholder Return is the only 
performance condition. Relative Total Shareholder 
Return ensures that LTIP can only vest when the 
Company’s share price performance is at least at 
the 50th percentile of the peer group. Maximum LTIP 
vesting can only occur at or above 90th percentile of 
the peer group.

•  Relative Total Shareholder Return performance 
is where there is sustained superior share price 
performance of the Company compared to a Peer 
Group of companies. 

•  Peer Group Companies are 12 ASX-listed 

companies in the oil and gas sector, with a range 
of market capitalisation.

•  SARs by their nature have an absolute total 
shareholder return requirement. No SAR will 
vest unless the share price appreciates over the 
measurement period.

Allocation of PRs & SARs upfront encourages executives 
to ‘behave like shareholders’ from the grant date.

The PRs & SARs are restricted and subject to 
risk of forfeiture at the end of the three-year 
performance period.

The Company believes that encouraging its employees 
to become shareholders is the best way of aligning 
employee interests with those of the Company’s 
shareholders. The LTIP also acts as a retention incentive 
for key talent (due to the three-year vesting period).

Relative Total Shareholder Return is designed to 
encourage executives to focus on the key performance 
drivers which underpin sustainable growth in 
shareholder value.

The Relative Total Shareholder Return performance 
condition is designed to ensure vesting can only occur 
where shareholders have enjoyed superior share price 
performance compared to the peer group shareholders. 
SARs only have value when there is an increase in the 
Company’s share price.

In general, the Company’s vesting hurdles are intended 
to be tougher than our industry peers. 

Total Remuneration: The combination of these elements is designed to attract, retain and motivate appropriately qualified and experienced 
individuals, encourage a strong focus on performance, support the delivery of outstanding returns to shareholders and align executive and 
stakeholder interests through share ownership.

4.4.3 Fixed Annual Remuneration

Fixed Annual Remuneration includes base salary (paid in cash) and statutory superannuation. Executives are paid Fixed Annual Remuneration 
which is competitive in the markets in which the Company operates and is consistent with the responsibilities, accountabilities and complexities of 
the respective roles. 

The Company benchmarks Executive KMP Fixed Annual Remuneration against resource industry market surveys which are published annually. 
Additionally, the pay levels of Executive KMP 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 Fixed Annual Remuneration. 

4.4.4 Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) - Overview

The STIP is an annual incentive opportunity delivered in cash based on a mix of Company and individual performance. The individual measures 
are a mixture of business unit and employee-specific goals. The FY21 Company performance measures in the Company’s scorecard and 
weightings are as follows: 

60

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

Performance Measures

HSEC (20%)

•  Health

Rationale

Targeting:

•  Safety (Lost Time Injury, Total Recordable 

•  Leading HSEC performance

Incident Frequency Rate)

•  Environment (reportable environmental 

incidents)

•  Community (strategy, grievance 

management)

•  HSEC Management System

•  Efficient processes (cost & time), easily understood

•  Cooper Energy team clearly engaged & continually improving

•  Leading emissions management, clear sustainability 

positioning and policy

Production & 
Revenue (20%)

•  Production MMboe

•  Revenue A$ million

Targeting growing value by increasing production & margin from 
existing permits

•  Gas marketing $/GJ average spot and new 

sales prices

•  Cash margin A$/boe (sales revenue less 
cash operating costs (excludes DD&A))

Project Delivery 
(20%)

•  Schedule

•  Cost

Targeting:

•  Major capital projects delivered per scope, within schedule 

•  Front End Engineering & Design and Final 

and budget, with appropriate contingency included

Investment Decisions

•  Clear management systems 

•  Consistent successful major project delivery

Growth (20%)

•  Reserves

•  Gas marketing

Targeting:

•  Development projects per schedule and adding economic 

•  Acquisitions & divestments

value

(in each case to reflect a growing business)

•  Term gas contracts that underpin new business and add value

People, Culture & 
Enablers (20%)

•  Cost Management

•  Funding

•  Processes and Risk Management 

•  People 

•  Stakeholder Relationships

Please note as follows:

“HSEC” means Health Safety Environment & Community
“MMboe” means Million barrels of oil equivalent
“GJ” means Gigajoule
“DD&A” means Depreciation, Depletion & Amortisation

•  Maximising value through portfolio management and 

acquisitions and divestment

•  Leveraging competitive strengths 

•  Building growth

Targeting:

•  “One team” performance

•  Applying the Cooper Energy Values and culture to deliver 

our strategy

•  Tight cost management, accurate forecasting

•  Funding fit for purpose, creating shareholder value and 

being optimised

•  Efficient, cost-effective management and IT systems helping 

to make jobs easier

•  Stakeholder relationships creating value

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DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

The key features of the STIP for FY21 are as follows:

STIP FY21 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 Executive 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, usually in October.

Managing Director 
Other Executive KMP 

100% 
50%

Each year, the Board reviews and approves the performance criteria for the year ahead by 
approving a Company scorecard and individual performance contracts are agreed with each 
Executive KMP. The Company’s STIP operates over a 12-month performance period from 
1 July to 30 June. 

The measurement of Company performance is based on the achievement of key performance 
indicators (KPIs) set out in a Company scorecard. See section 4.6.2 for the Company scorecard 
measures used for FY21. 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 and super stretch (i.e. maximum). 

Personal performance measures are agreed between each Executive KMP and Cooper Energy 
each year.

The relative weighting of Company scorecard and individual performance is as follows:

•  Managing Director – 75% Company: 25% individual 

•  Executives – 70% Company: 30% individual

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 base level of performance). 0% STIP will be 
awarded for base level achievement.

0% STIP will be awarded if during any measurement period the Company sustains a fatality 
or major environmental incident.

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

Individual performance measures are agreed each year. The individual measures relate to 
business unit objectives, promotion of Company Values and identified areas for development. 
This ensures a clear focus on “how we work” i.e. our values and culture, as well as what we seek 
to achieve.

In FY21 the Managing Director’s individual performance measures included; leading standards 
relating to HSEC, maintaining constructive stakeholder relationships, effective leadership of 
the executive leadership team, and enhancement of the ‘one team’ ethos and company values. 
Other measures included ensuring funding plans are in place to support activity plans, the 
development of management systems, and strategy development activity aimed at creating 
future value growth.

What is the maximum award 
opportunity (% of Fixed 
Remuneration)?

What is the performance period?

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

What elements are included 
in the individual’s personal 
performance measures?

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DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

4.4.5 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) - Overview

In the reporting period, the LTIP involved grants of Performance Rights (PRs) and Share Appreciation Rights (SARs) under the Equity Incentive 
Plan. The key features of the grants made in the 2021 financial year (granted December 2020) are set out in the following table: 

FY21 LTIP Plan Feature

Details

What is the purpose 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 three years before securities under the plan are available to employees).  

How is the LTIP aligned to 
shareholder interests?

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.

What is the vehicle of the LTIP?

During the reporting period, the LTIP involved grants of 50% PRs and 50% SARs.

A PR is a right to acquire one fully paid share in the Company provided a specified hurdle is met. 
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 annual LTIP 
grant (% of Fixed Remuneration)?

Managing Director 
Executive KMP 
Senior staff                   

100% 
70% 
50%

What is the LTIP performance period?

The performance period is three years.  

What are the performance measures? 

Grants in years prior to the 2019 financial year allowed for re-testing 12 months following the end 
of the performance period. A re-test was considered appropriate because the Company’s growth 
had been dependent on development of projects that have generally taken greater than three 
years from conception to start-up. Given the growth of the Company, including its development 
activities, the Company will no longer be reliant on single projects. As a consequence, the Board 
determined that re-testing would not form part of the terms of the Incentives for future grants.

Re-testing is not a feature of the Equity Incentive Plan approved by shareholders at the 2019 
Annual General Meeting.

100% of the grant (both PRs and SARs) is subject to a Relative Total Shareholder Return 
performance measure. Relative Total Shareholder Return is a common long-term incentive 
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 Relative Total Shareholder Return 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:

•  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; and

•  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.

63

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

FY21 LTIP Plan Feature

Details

Which companies make up the 
Relative TSR peer group?

What happens on cessation of 
employment?

The Relative Total Shareholder Return of the Company is measured as a percentile ranking 
compared to the following comparator Group of 12 listed entities: Woodside Petroleum Limited; 
Oil Search Limited; Santos Limited; Beach Energy Limited; Senex Energy Limited; Karoon Gas 
Australia Limited; FAR Limited; Central Petroleum Limited; Buru Energy Limited; Carnarvon 
Petroleum Limited; Strike Energy Limited; Horizon Oil Limited.

The peer group was based on a group of ASX-listed companies in the oil and gas sector, 
with a range of market capitalisation. 

Generally, if an employee ceases employment prior to the vesting date (e.g. to take a position 
with another company), they will forfeit all awards. In the case of “qualifying leavers” as defined 
(examples of which include redundancy, retirement or incapacity) awards may be retained 
unless the Board determines otherwise. The Board also has a discretion to determine that some 
or all awards may be retained upon cessation of employment. 

What happens if there is a change 
of control?

In the event of a change of control, unless the Board determines otherwise, pro-rata vesting will 
occur on the basis of the proportion of the relevant performance period that has elapsed. 

Who can participate in the LTIP?

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

Is there a cap on dilution?

5% total on issue (excluding KMP).

Will the Company make any changes 
to the LTIP for the grant to be made in 
the 2022 financial year?

It is not anticipated that the general structure of the LTIP will change for grants made in FY22. 

In FY21, a review was undertaken which included the appropriateness of Relative Total 
Shareholder Return (RTSR) being the sole measure for LTIP vesting. It was determined 
that RTSR remained a common performance measure within the oil and gas sector and an 
appropriate measure as the Company transitions from development to gas production. As part 
of this review, it was also acknowledged that SARs by their nature, have a natural Absolute 
Total Shareholder Return measure whereby no SARs will be exercisable unless the share price 
appreciates over the measurement period.

The Relative TSR peer group is reviewed prior to each grant to reflect changes including merger 
and acquisitions within the group. The peer group in FY22 will remained based on a group of 
ASX-listed companies in the oil and gas sector, with a range of market capitalisation. 

4.5 Cooper Energy’s Five-Year Performance and Link to Remuneration

The following graphs illustrated the five-year performance and links to the remuneration strategy and framework:

Annual Production (MMboe)

Proved & Probable Reserves (MMboe)

1.49

1.31

1.50

0.96

2.63

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company STIP reward outcomes as an
Operational & Financial KPI.

52.4

52.7

49.9

47.1

11.7

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company STIP reward outcome as a Growth KPI.

Total Recordable Incident Frequency Rate
(events per hours worked, where a lower value is better)

Sales Revenue ($ million)

64

6.92

131.7

4.07

3.53

1.98

0.0

67.5

75.5

78.1

39.1

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company STIP reward outcome as a

Links directly to Company STIP reward outcome as an 

Safety & Sustainability KPI.

Operational & Financial KPI.

Financial – Profit After Tax ($ million)

Financial – Earnings Per Share (cents)

27.0

1.8

-12.3

-12.1

-30.0

-1.8

-0.7

-5.3

-1.8

-86.0

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

 Links directly to Company STIP reward outcome as an

Operational & Financial KPI through cost management.

Links directly to Company LTIP reward outcome by increasing 

shareholder value.

Financial – Total Shareholder Return (%)

Share Price – As at 30 June ($ per share)

72.7

6.0

40.3

-30.6

-30.7

0.38

0.39

0.38

0.54

0.26

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company LTIP reward outcome by increasing 

Links directly to Company LTIP reward outcome by increasing 

shareholder value.

shareholder value compared to peers.

 Market Capitalisation – As at 30 June ($ million)

875.6

616.4

610.0

433.4

424.1

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company LTIP reward outcome by increasing 

shareholder value compared to peers.

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Annual Production (MMboe)

Proved & Probable Reserves (MMboe)

1.49

1.31

1.50

0.96

2.63

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company STIP reward outcomes as an
Operational & Financial KPI.
4. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

52.4

52.7

49.9

47.1

11.7

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company STIP reward outcome as a Growth KPI.

Total Recordable Incident Frequency Rate
(events per hours worked, where a lower value is better)

Sales Revenue ($ million)

4.07

3.53

1.98

0.0

6.92

131.7

67.5

75.5

78.1

39.1

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company STIP reward outcome as a
Safety & Sustainability KPI.

Links directly to Company STIP reward outcome as an 
Operational & Financial KPI.

Financial – Profit After Tax ($ million)

Financial – Earnings Per Share (cents)

27.0

1.8

-12.3

-12.1

-30.0

-1.8

-0.7

-5.3

-1.8

-86.0

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

 Links directly to Company STIP reward outcome as an
Operational & Financial KPI through cost management.

Links directly to Company LTIP reward outcome by increasing 
shareholder value.

Financial – Total Shareholder Return (%)

Share Price – As at 30 June ($ per share)

72.7

6.0

40.3

-30.6

-30.7

0.38

0.39

0.38

0.54

0.26

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company LTIP reward outcome by increasing 
shareholder value.

Links directly to Company LTIP reward outcome by increasing 
shareholder value compared to peers.

 Market Capitalisation – As at 30 June ($ million)

875.6

616.4

610.0

433.4

424.1

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Links directly to Company LTIP reward outcome by increasing 
shareholder value compared to peers.

In FY21 and in the past five years, dividends were not paid by the Company to its shareholders, nor was there a return of capital by the 
Company to its shareholders. 

65

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

4.6 2021 Executive KMP Performance and Remuneration Outcomes

4.6.1 Fixed Annual Remuneration outcome

Following a review by the Board at the end of FY21, there will be no increases to Base Salary for the Managing Director or the Executive 
Leadership Team except for three Executive Leadership Team members who have increased job responsibilities. Their base salary increases 
range from 2.24% to 3.56%. Such increases are consistent with benchmarking data within the resources industry. 

Fixed Annual Remuneration will be adjusted as a consequence of increases to statutory superannuation contribution effective 1 July 2021. 
This has been applied to the Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team.

4.6.2 STIP performance outcomes – Company Results

The Company Scorecard results for the reporting period ranged between below Threshold and Target and cover the full FY21. The Company’s 
FY21 result was a score of 22 out of 100.

Company Scorecard Results FY21

Threshold

Target

Stretch

Super 
Stretch

Performance Measure Outcome

No LTIs or reportable environmental incidents. 
TRIFR 6.92. Carbon Neutral certification achieved. 
Community engagement positive and supporting projects. 
No COVID-19 incidents. Assessed Score: 12/20

Production of 2.63 MMboe v 3.87 MMboe. 
Assessed Score: 0/20

OGPP delayed. Athena Gas Plant at P50. 
OP3D not in FEED. Assessed Score: 0/20

Started Sole GSAs and back up supply in place. 
No reserve growth or material acquisition or divestment. 
Assessed Score: 0/20

Adjusted funding arrangements. Effective cost 
management. Positive staff engagement as measured 
by staff survey. Improved risk management, processes 
and management systems. Sustained high level of 
stakeholder engagement. Assessed Score: 10/20

Performance 
Measure 
(Weighting %)

HSEC (20%)

Production & 
Revenue (20%)

Project Delivery 
(20%)

Growth (20%)

People, Culture & 
Enablers (20%)

FY21 Performance:

66

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

4.6.3 STIP performance outcomes – Individual Results

In light of the Company’s performance in the year ending 30 June 2021, the Board has determined that no STIP payment relating to 
Company performance will be awarded to the Managing Director or Executive KMP. Figures in this table reflect amounts relating to individual 
performance only.

Short Term Incentive (STI) for the year ended 30 June 2021

Executive KMP

Mr D. Maxwell ¹

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell ²

Ms A. Jalleh

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr M. Jacobsen

Mr A. Haren³

STI target 
% of Fixed Annual 
Remuneration

STI maximum 
% of Fixed Annual 
Remuneration

50%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

100%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

Cash STI

$

0

40,361

41,220

47,678

35,535

36,497

35,535

12,526

% earned of 
maximum STI 
opportunity

% forfeited of 
maximum STI 
opportunity

0%

17%

17%

24%

15%

17%

15%

8%

100%

83%

83%

76%

85%

83%

85%

92%

1.  Managing Director, Mr Maxwell declined to accept any payment of STIP for the 2021 financial year (refer below).
2.  Ms Suttell has tendered her resignation effective 30 September 2021. 
3.  Mr Haren commenced as an Executive KMP on 18 January 2021. His entitlement is prorated. 

The Board determined an individual performance achievement level of 83% for Mr Maxwell, Managing Director. As a result, Mr Maxwell was 
eligible for a Cash STI payment of 21% of his maximum STI opportunity. However, Mr Maxwell has declined to accept any STI payment for FY21. 
The Board recognises and appreciates the leadership of the Managing Director in this regard.

4.6.4 LTIP Outcome
The Company’s Relative Total Shareholder Return compared to the peer group is set out below for the LTIP grant that vested in December 2020. 
The base for the graph is December 2017, being the grant date of PRs and SARs that were made under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan. 
The terms of the Equity Incentive Plan are set out in section 4.4.5.

Share Price Performance of Cooper Energy Limited Versus Applicable Peer Group
8 December 2017 to 7 December 2020

-100%

-50%

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

250%

300%

350%

400%

Cooper Energy Limited

19%

162%

338%

64%

33%

-3%

-11%

-24%

-31%

-44%

-59%

-68%

The value of LTIP that vested in December 2020 decreased compared to December 2019. The vesting of this award in December 2020 was 
impacted by the performance of the Company’s share price against its peers over the measurement period.

Over the three-year measurement period from 8 December 2017 to 7 December 2020, Cooper Energy’s total shareholder return was 19% and 
it achieved a Relative Total Shareholder Return percentile rank of 57%. This resulted in a vesting outcome of 42% of all performance rights and 
SARs that were granted in December 2017.

67

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

Grants in years prior to the 2019 financial year allowed for re-testing 12 months following the end of the performance period. In FY21 grants from 
8 December 2016 that vested on 7 December 2019 were subject to re-testing on 7 December 2020. However, the percentile rank was below the 
50th percentile and therefore no shares vested as a result of this re-testing.    

4.7 Executive KMP Employment Contracts

Each KMP has an ongoing employment contract. All KMP have termination benefits that are within the allowed limit in the Corporations Act 2001 
without shareholder approval. Contracts include the treatment of entitlements on termination in the event of resignation, with notice or for cause. 
The entitlements upon termination of the Managing Director and other Executive KMP’s have not changed between 2020 and 2021. 

Key terms for each Executive KMP are set out below:

Executive KMP Notice by 

Cooper Energy

Notice by 
Executive KMP

Indemnity 
Agreement

Treatment on Termination 
by Cooper Energy

David Maxwell

12 months

6 months

Other Executive 
KMP

6 months

3 months

Company provides 
Indemnity Agreement, 
Directors and Officers 
indemnity insurance 
and access to 
Company records.

Where the Managing Director is not employed for the full period 
of notice a payment in lieu may be made. A payment in lieu 
of notice is based on Fixed Remuneration (base salary and 
superannuation). Upon termination, superannuation is not paid 
on accrued annual leave or long service leave. Unused personal 
leave is not paid out and is forfeited.

Company provides 
Indemnity Agreement, 
Directors and Officers 
indemnity insurance 
and access to 
Company records.

Where an Executive KMP is not employed for the full period 
of notice a payment in lieu may be made. A payment in lieu 
of notice is based on Fixed Remuneration (base salary and 
superannuation). Upon termination, superannuation is not paid 
on accrued annual leave or long service leave. Unused personal 
leave is not paid out and is forfeited.

4.8 2021 Remuneration Outcomes for Executive KMP

4.8.1 Remuneration realised by Executive KMP in 2021 and 2020 (not audited)

The Company believes that reporting remuneration realised by 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 4.8.2 and 4.9.3. The information in this section 4.8.1 is not audited.

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

•  Fixed Annual Remuneration is base salary and superannuation (statutory and salary sacrifice);

•  STIP cash payment made in October each year. The STIP paid in October 2020 (FY2021) is included in the 2021 figure. The STIP paid in 

October 2019 (FY2020) is included in the 2020 figure; 

•  LTIP realised based on the market value of PRs and SARs that vested in December 2019 & 2020 (granted in December 2016 & 2017 

respectively); and 

•  “Other” is the value of benefits including fringe benefits tax on accommodation, car parking and other benefits. 

Executive KMP

Year

Fixed Annual  
Remuneration1 
$

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

915,000

905,247 

470,000

463,250 

480,000

472,500 

390,000

347,532 

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell

Ms A. Jalleh²

68

STIP1 

$

439,200

614,363

108,570

148,793

110,880

161,743

87,210

- 

LTIP1 

$

347,704

801,800 

106,484

286,646 

103,948

- 

-

- 

Other 

$

29,231

74,755 

6,011

6,515 

6,011

6,515 

6,011

35,535 

Total 

$

1,731,135

2,396,165

691,065

905,204

700,839

640,758

483,221

383,067

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
 
 
4. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

Executive KMP

Year

Fixed Annual  
Remuneration1 
$

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr M. Jacobsen

Mr A. Haren3

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

460,000

453,750 

425,000

417,500 

460,000

453,750 

134,019

-

STIP1 

$

98,325

131,075

98,175

132,671

102,293

121,721

-

-

LTIP1 

$

106,484

274,891 

95,075

204,299 

106,484

- 

-

-

Other 

$

6,011

6,515 

6,011

6,515 

508

536 

196

-

Total 

$

670,820

866,231

624,261

760,985 

669,285

576,007

134,215

-

1.  Amounts above include adjustments for unpaid leave where applicable. 
2.  Ms Jalleh commenced as an Executive KMP on 9 August 2019 and her entitlements for 2020 are prorated.
3.  Mr Haren commenced as an Executive KMP on 18 January 2021 and his entitlements for 2021 are prorated.

4.8.2 Table of Executive KMP Statutory Remuneration Disclosure for 2021 and 2020 financial years

 Benefits

Short-term

Long-term

Post 
Employment(c)

Share Based 
Remuneration(e)

Base Salary 

STIP (a)

Executive KMP

$

Mr D. Maxwell

2021

893,306

$

-

Other 
Short-term 
Benefits(b)

$

Long  
Service 
Leave

$

29,231

23,293

2020

884,245

510,298

74,755

17,601

Mr A. Thomas

2021

448,306

40,361

6,011

11,618

2020

442,247

123,270

6,515

16,993

Ms V. Suttell

2021 

458,306

41,220

6,011

12,591

Ms A. Jalleh(f)

2020

2021

2020

451,497

136,412

6,515

35,691

368,306

47,678

6,011

328,279

87,210

35,535

-

-

Mr I. MacDougall

2021

438,306

35,535

6,011

11,601

Mr E. Glavas

2020

2021

2020

432,747

97,729

6,515

10,572

403,306

36,497

6,011

10,653

396,497

111,282

6,515

5,257

Mr M. Jacobsen

2021

438,306

35,535

2020

432,747

92,343

508

536

-15,211

17,017

Mr A. Haren(g)

2021

123,367

12,526

196 

2020

-

-

-

- 

-

Superannuation(d)

LTIP 

Total

$

21,694

21,003

21,694

21,003

21,694

21,003

21,694

19,252

21,694

21,003

21,694

21,003

21,694

21,003

10,652

-

$

$

739,698

1,707,222

762,633

2,270,535

259,730

787,720

258,707

868,735

263,153

802,975

219,540

870,658

116,690

560,379

41,231

511,507

255,246

768,393

254,572

823,138

233,449

711,610

224,387

764,941

255,246

736,078

216,800

780,446

- 

-

146,741

-

a)  The STIP values noted for 2020 include an under/over accrual representing the difference between the prior period accrual and what was 

actually paid in respect of that year. Refer to 4.6.3 for STIP amount earned in FY21 which will be paid in FY22.

b) 

 Other short-term benefits include fringe benefits on accommodation, car parking and other benefits. Other short term benefits such as short-
term compensated absences, short-term cash profit-sharing and other bonuses are not applicable to Executive KMP in FY21.

69

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
 
 
 
4. Remuneration Report (audited) continued

c)  Superannuation is the only applicable post-employment benefit ie. no pension or similar benefits for Executive KMP.

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

e) 

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 PRs 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 PRs was determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based Payments and is discussed in Section 4.8.3 below and 
in more detail in Note 27 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.

f)  Ms Jalleh commenced as an Executive KMP on 9 August 2019 and her entitlements for 2020 are prorated.

g)  Mr Haren commenced as an Executive KMP on 18 January 2021 and his entitlements for 2021 are prorated.

No cash-settled share-based payment transactions or other forms of share-based payment compensation (including hybrids) were made 
by the Company.

4.8.3 Performance Rights and Share Appreciation Rights accounting for the reporting period

The value of the PRs and SARs issued under the Equity Incentive Plan is recognised as Share Based Payments in the Company’s statement of 
comprehensive income and amortised over the vesting period. PRs and SARs were granted under the Equity Incentive Plan on 10 December 
2020. The PRs and SARs 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.

PRs and SARs granted under the Equity Incentive Plan were valued by an independent consultant who applied the Monte Carlo simulation model 
to determine the probability of achievement of the Relative Total Shareholder Return against performance conditions.

The value of PRs and SARs shown in the tables below are the accounting fair values for grants in the reporting period:

Performance Rights 
(Equity Incentive Plan)

Fair value 
of rights at 
grant date

No. of 
rights vested 
during period

% of rights 
vested to 
30 June 
2021

No. of rights 
granted 
during 
period

Share Appreciation Rights 
(Equity Incentive Plan)

Fair value 
of rights at 
grant date

No. of 
rights vested 
during period

% of rights 
vested to 
30 June 
2021

No. of rights 
granted 
during 
period

Directors

Mr D. Maxwell

1,310,888

335,587

689,529

43%

4,197,247

457,500

1,731,761

41%

Executive KMP

Mr A. Thomas

471,346

120,665

211,168

Ms V. Suttell

481,375

123,232

206,140

Ms A. Jalleh

391,117

100,126

-

Mr I. MacDougall

461,318

118,097

211,168

Mr E. Glavas

426,217

109,112

188,543

Mr M. Jacobsen

461,318

118,097

211,168

Mr A. Haren¹

-

-

-

1. Mr Haren commenced as an Executive KMP on 18 January 2021.

43%

13%

0%

43%

39%

13%

0%

1,509,174

164,500

530,351

1,541,284

168,000

517,724

1,252,293

136,500

-

1,477,064

161,000

530,351

1,364,678

148,750

473,528

1,477,064

161,000

530,351

-

-

-

41%

11%

0%

41%

37%

11%

0%

The vesting date of the PRs granted on 10 December 2020 is 10 December 2023. The fair value of these rights is $0.256 per right and the share 
price on grant date was $0.39. The performance period for these PRs commenced on 10 December 2020.

The vesting date of the SARs granted on 10 December 2020 is 10 December 2023. The fair value of these rights is $0.109 per right and the 
share price on grant date was $0.39. The performance period for these SARs commenced on 10 December 2020.

70

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
4. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

4.8.4 Movement in Incentive Rights

The movement during the reporting period in the number of Performance Rights (PRs) 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 
(Equity Incentive Plan)

Held at 
1 July 2020

Granted

Lapsed

Vested & 
Exercised

Held at 
30 June 2021

Directors

Mr D. Maxwell1

Mr H. Gordon2

Executive KMP

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell

Ms A. Jalleh

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr M. Jacobsen

Mr A. Haren³

3,989,401

180,683

1,347,249

1,123,912

228,260

1,325,895

1,165,599

1,112,131

-

1,310,888

-

471,346

481,375

391,117

461,318

426,217

461,318

-

623,503

180,683

222,905

-

-

213,764

158,869

-

-

689,529

3,987,257

-

-

211,168

206,140

-

211,168

188,543

211,168

-

1,384,522

1,399,147

619,377

1,362,281

1,244,404

1,362,281

-

1.  As a consequence of the Equity Incentive Plan amendments approved by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held 

on 7 November 2019 (see note below), the terms of the PRs held by Mr Maxwell at 1 July 2019 were also amended.

2.  PRs were granted to Mr Gordon when he was an Executive Director.

3.  Mr Haren commenced as an Executive KMP on 18 January 2021.

The terms of the PRs held at 1 July 2019 were amended following shareholder approval at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on 
7 November 2019 to provide that “good leavers” would retain rights held upon cessation of employment, subject to a Board discretion to 
determine otherwise. Rights were also amended to provide for pro-rata vesting of rights upon a change of control event on the basis of the 
proportion of the relevant performance period that has elapsed.

The movement during the reporting period in the number of Share Appreciation Rights (SARs) 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:

Share Appreciation Rights 
(Equity Incentive Plan)

Held at 
1 July 2020

Granted

Lapsed

Vested & 
Exercised⁴

Held at 
30 June 2021

Directors

Mr D. Maxwell¹

Mr H. Gordon²

Executive KMP

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell

Ms A. Jalleh

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr M. Jacobsen

Mr A. Haren³

11,044,509

466,672

3,752,327

3,182,631

797,387

3,690,768

3,256,857

3,138,654

-

4,197,247

-

1,509,174

1,541,284

1,252,293

1,477,064

1,364,678

1,477,064

-

1,610,399

466,672

1,731,761

11,899,596

-

-

575,723

-

-

552,114

410,330

-

-

530,351

517,724

-

530,351

473,528

530,351

-

4,155,427

4,206,191

2,049,680

4,085,367

3,737,677

4,085,367

-

1.  As a consequence of the Equity Incentive Plan amendments approved by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held  

on 7 November 2019 (see note below), the terms of the SARs held by Mr Maxwell at 1 July 2019 were also amended.

2.  SARs were granted to Mr Gordon when he was an Executive Director. 

3.  Mr Haren commenced as an Executive KMP on 18 January 2021.

4.  SARs represent the right to receive a quantity of shares based on an amount equal to the difference in share price at grant date and test date.

71

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

The terms of the SARs held at 1 July 2019 were amended following shareholder approval at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on 
7 November 2019 to provide that “good leavers” would retain rights held upon cessation of employment, subject to a Board discretion to 
determine otherwise. Rights were also amended to provide for pro-rata vesting of rights upon a change of control event on the basis of the 
proportion of the relevant performance period that has elapsed.

4.9 Nature of Non-Executive Director remuneration

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

4.9.1 Non-Executive Director Fee Structure

The maximum aggregate remuneration pool for Non-Executive Directors, as approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2018 Annual General 
Meeting, is $1.25 million. The Non-Executive Directors’ fee structure for the reporting period was as follows:

Role

Chairman*

Member

Board

Audit 
Committee

Risk & 
Sustainability 
Committee

People & 
Remuneration 
Committee

Governance & 
Nomination 
Committee

$240,000

$115,000

$20,000

$10,000

$20,000

$10,000

$20,000

$10,000

$0

$5,000

*Where the Chairman of the Board is a member of a committee, he will not receive any additional committee fees.

In August 2021, the role of the Nomination Committee has been expanded to incorporate governance, and therefore the Committee has been 
renamed the Governance & Nomination Committee. Annual fees for this Committee will be brought into line with the other Committees effective 
August 2021.

Remuneration paid to the Non-Executive Directors for the reporting period and for the previous reporting period is shown in the table in 
Section 4.9.3.

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 indemnity, insurance and access agreements with each of the Non-Executive Directors under which the Company 
will, on the terms set out in the agreement, provide an indemnity, maintain an appropriate level of Directors’ and Officers’ indemnity insurance and 
provide access to Company records.

Note that Ms Alice Williams stepped down from the Board effective 12 November 2020, and Ms Giselle Collins has been appointed to the Board 
as a non-executive director, effective 19 August 2021 (subject to confirmation by shareholders at the Company’s 2021 AGM).

72

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

4.9.2 Directors & Executives 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: 

Directors¹

Mr J. Conde AO

Mr D. Maxwell

Ms E. Donaghey

Mr H. Gordon

Mr J. Schneider

Ms V. Binns

Mr T. Bednall

Executive KMP

Mr A. Thomas

Ms V. Suttell²

Ms A. Jalleh

Mr I. MacDougall

Mr E. Glavas

Mr M. Jacobsen

Mr A. Haren³

Held at 
1 July 2020

Purchases

859,093

18,874,365

160,000

3,096,138

1,016,594

-

44,499

4,850,025

40,600

-

3,176,844

2,083,772

-

-

-

155,000

420,000

-

-

322,857

88,000

-

42,000

-

-

-

-

-

Received on 
vesting of 
PRs & SARs

-

970,721

-

-

-

-

-

297,283

290,204

-

297,283

265,431

297,283

-

Sales

Held at 
30 June 2021

-

-

-

1,350,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

925,000

-

-

859,093

20,000,086

580,000

1,746,138

1,016,594

322,857

132,499

5,147,308

372,804

-

3,474,127

1,424,203

297,283

-

1.  Ms Williams stepped down from the Board effective 12 November 2020.
2. 
3.  Mr Haren commenced as an Executive KMP on 18 January 2021.

In FY21 Ms Suttell became a trustee of a superannuation fund that holds 42,000 shares and is one of the potential beneficiaries of that trust.

Options

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

73

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Remuneration Report (audited) continued 

4.9.3 Table of Directors’ remuneration for 2021 and 2020 financial years

 Benefits

Short-term

Base Salary  
& Fees

STIP(a)

Other 
Short-term 
Benefits(b)

Long 
Term

Long  
Service 
Leave

$

-

- 

$

-

- 

$

-

- 

-

29,231

23,293

884,245

510,298

74,755

17,601

Directors

$

Mr J. Conde AO

2021

219,178

Mr D. Maxwell 

2020

2021

2020

219,178

893,306

Ms E. Donaghey  2021

131,659

2020

137,131

Mr H. Gordon(e)

2021

132,420

2020

136,225

Mr J. Schneider 

2021

136,986

Ms V. Binns(f)

Mr T. Bednall(f)

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

Ms A. Williams(g)

2021

136,986

138,204

40,335

130,137

30,863

48,724

2020

136,225

- 

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

Post 
Employment

Share Based 
Remuneration(d)

Superannuation(c)

LTIP

Total

$

20,822

20,822

21,694

21,003

12,508

13,027

12,580

12,941

13,014

13,014

13,129

3,832

12,363

2,932

4,629

12,941

$

- 

- 

$

240,000

240,000

739,698

1,707,222

762,633

2,270,535

- 

- 

-

144,167

150,158

145,000

31,926

181,092

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

150,000

150,000

151,333

44,167

142,500

33,795

53,353

149,166

a)  The STIP values noted for 2020 include an under/over accrual representing the difference between the prior period accrual and what was 

actually paid in respect of that year. Refer to 4.6.3 for STIP amount earned in FY21 which will be paid in FY22.

b)  Other short-term benefits include fringe benefits on accommodation, car parking and other benefits.
c)  Superannuation includes the amounts required to be contributed by the Company and does not include amounts salary sacrificed.
d) 

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 PRs 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 PRs was determined in accordance with AASB 2 Share-based Payments and is discussed in Section 4.8.3 above and in 
more detail in Note 27 of the Notes to the Financial Statements. 

e)  The LTIP value noted for 2020 relates to PRs and SARs which were granted to Mr Gordon when he was an Executive Director.
f)  Ms Binns and Mr Bednall were each appointed to casual vacancies as Non-Executive Directors in March 2020. In each case their 

remuneration for 2020 has been prorated.

g)  Ms Williams stepped down from the Board effective 12 November 2020.

End of remuneration report.

74

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021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 Company is a party to various production, 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:

Ordinary Shares1

Performance Rights

Share Appreciation Rights

Mr J. Conde AO

Mr D. Maxwell

Mr T. Bednall

Ms V. Binns

Ms E. Donaghey

Mr H. Gordon

Mr J. Schneider

Ms A. Williams2

859,093

20,000,086

132,499

322,857

580,000

1,746,138

1,016,594

Nil

3,987,257 

Nil

11,899,596 

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil 

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

1. 

 Ms Giselle Collins has been appointed to the Board as a non-executive director, effective 19 August 2021 (subject to confirmation by 
shareholders at the Company’s 2021 AGM). Ms Collins was therefore not a Director during the reporting period.

2.  Ms Williams stepped down from the Board effective 12 November 2020.

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 20,919,555 outstanding PRs and 57,433,406 SARs under the Equity Incentive Plan approved by shareholders 
at the 2019 AGM.

During the financial year 4,378,707 shares were issued as a result of PRs and SARs exercised. At the date of this report, no PRs have vested 
and been exercised subsequent to 30 June 2021.

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 2001 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.

75

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Directors’ Statutory Report 
For the year ended 30 June 2021   

14. Indemnification and insurance of directors and officers
Indemnification and insurance of directors and officers 
12. 
14.1 Indemnification 
Indemnification  
14.1  
The parent entity has agreed to indemnify the current Directors and Officers, and past Directors and Officers, of the parent entity and its 
The parent entity has agreed to indemnify the current Directors and Officers, and past Directors and Officers, of the parent 
entity and its subsidiaries, where applicable, against all liabilities (subject to certain limited exclusions) to persons (other 
subsidiaries, where applicable, against all liabilities (subject to certain limited exclusions) to persons (other than the parent entity and its 
than the parent entity and its subsidiaries) which arise out of the performance of their normal duties as a Director or 
subsidiaries) which arise out of the performance of their normal duties as a Director or Officer, unless the liability relates to conduct involving 
Officer, unless the liability relates to conduct involving a lack of good faith. The parent entity has agreed to indemnify the 
a lack of good faith. The parent entity has agreed to indemnify the Directors and Officers against all costs and expenses (other than certain 
Directors and Officers against all costs and expenses (other than certain excluded legal costs) incurred in defending an 
excluded legal costs) incurred in defending an action that falls within the scope of the indemnity and any resulting payments. 
action that falls within the scope of the indemnity and any resulting payments.  

14.2 Insurance premiums
Insurance premiums 
12.2 
During the financial year, the parent entity has paid insurance premiums in respect of Directors’ and Officers’ liability and 
During the financial year, the parent entity has paid insurance premiums in respect of Directors’ and Officers’ liability and legal insurance 
legal insurance contracts for current and former Directors and Officers of the parent entity. The insurance contracts relate 
contracts for current and former Directors and Officers of the parent entity. The insurance contracts relate to costs and expenses incurred by 
to costs and expenses incurred by the relevant Directors and Officers in defending proceedings, whether civil or criminal 
the relevant Directors and Officers in defending proceedings, whether civil or criminal and whatever their outcome and other liabilities that may 
and whatever their outcome and other liabilities that may arise from their position, with exceptions including conduct 
involving a wilful breach of duty or improper use of information or position to gain a personal advantage. The insurance 
arise from their position, with exceptions including conduct involving a wilful breach of duty or improper use of information or position to gain a 
contracts outlined above do not contain details of premiums paid in respect of individual Directors or Officers of the parent 
personal advantage. The insurance contracts outlined above do not contain details of premiums paid in respect of individual Directors or Officers 
entity. 
of the parent entity.

Indemnification of auditors 
13. 
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 
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 
its audit engagement agreement against claims by third parties arising from the audit (for an unspecified amount) except 
agreement against claims by third parties arising from the audit (for an unspecified amount) except in the case where the claim arises because 
in the case where the claim arises because of Ernst & Young's negligent, wrongful or wilful acts or omissions. No payment 
of Ernst & Young's negligent, wrongful or wilful acts or omissions. No payment has been made to indemnify Ernst & Young during or since the 
has been made to indemnify Ernst & Young during or since the financial year. 
financial year.
14.  Auditor’s independence declaration 
16. Auditor’s independence declaration
The auditor’s independence declaration is set out on page 90 and forms part of the Directors’ report for the financial year 
ended 30 June 2021. 
The auditor’s independence declaration is set out on page 90 and forms part of the Directors’ report for the financial year ended 30 June 2021.

15.  Non-audit services 
17. Non-audit services
The amounts paid and payable to the auditor of the Group, Ernst & Young and its related practices for non-audit services 
The amounts paid and payable to the auditor of the Group, Ernst & Young and its related practices for non-audit services provided during the 
provided during the year was $48,300 (2020: $187,915). The directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services 
year was $48,300 (2020: $187,915). The directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services is compatible with the general standard of 
is compatible with the general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001. The nature 
independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001. The nature and scope of each type of non-audit service provided means that 
and scope of each type of non-audit service provided means that auditor independence was not compromised. 
auditor independence was not compromised.
16.  Rounding  
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 
The Group is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 dated 24 March 2016 
rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise stated. 
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. 
This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Mr John C. Conde AO 
Mr John C. Conde AO 
Chairman 
Chairman 
Dated at Adelaide 23 August 2021 

Dated at Adelaide 23 August 2021

Mr David P. Maxwell 
Managing Director 

Mr David P. Maxwell

Managing Director

76

DIRECTORS’ STATUTORY REPORTFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cooper Energy Limited 
and its controlled entities

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

 For the year ended 30 June 2021

77

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 30 June 2021

Revenue from oil and gas sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit 

Other income

Other expenses

Finance income

Finance costs

Loss before tax

Income tax benefit

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax expense

Total tax benefit

Notes

2

2

2

2

19

19

3

3

2021
$’000

131,734

(117,649)

14,085

2020
$’000

78,139

(54,520)

23,619

7,181

19,828

(41,225)

(147,546)

542

(14,054)

(33,471)

9,158

(5,724)

3,434

1,728

(7,587)

(109,958)

25,575

(1,646)

23,929

Loss after tax for the period attributable to shareholders

(30,037)

(86,029)

Other comprehensive income/(expenditure)

Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

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

Fair value movements on interest rate swaps accounted for in a hedge relationship

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

Other comprehensive income/(expenditure) for the period net of tax

Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to shareholders

Basic loss per share

Diluted loss per share 

-

-

-

(1,173)

2,140

(383)

20

4

4

(688)

(688)

(690)

(106)

(29,349)

(86,135)

Cents

(1.8)

(1.8)

Cents

(5.3)

(5.3)

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

78

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 30 June 2021

Assets

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Prepayments

Inventory

Total Current Assets

Non-Current Assets

Other financial assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Right-of-use assets

Exploration and evaluation assets

Oil and gas assets

Deferred tax asset

Total Non-Current Assets

Exploration assets classified as held for sale

Total Assets

Liabilities

Current Liabilities

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Lease liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Total Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Provisions 

Lease liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Other financial liabilities

Deferred Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Liability

Total Non-Current Liabilities

Exploration assets classified as held for sale

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total Equity

Notes

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

5

6

7

8

21

11

12

17

13

14

3

10

9

16

17

18

16

17

18

21

3

10

20

20

20

91,308

32,105

11,893

950

131,583

19,996

6,106

822

136,256

158,507

10,964

33,217

2,059

8,625

159,443

570,178

55,993 

840,479

21,533

16,366

1,878

9,738

159,078

615,980

46,835

871,408

1,807

–

978,542

1,029,915

34,374

10,453

1,141

60,000

105,968

356,093

10,863

158,000

3,582

17,083

545,621

1,157

21,183

19,902

1,045

26,000

68,130

374,671

12,004

203,438

3,642

16,948

610,703

–

652,746

678,833

325,796

351,082

477,675

14,118

(165,997)

325,796

475,862

11,180

(135,960)

351,082

79

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

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 June 2021

Balance at 1 July 2020

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive expenditure

Total comprehensive loss for the period

Transactions with owners in their capacity  
as owners:

Share based payments

Transferred to issued capital

Balance as at 30 June 2021

Balance at 1 July 2019

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive expenditure

Total comprehensive gain for the period

Transactions with owners in their capacity 
as owners:

Share based payments

Transferred to issued capital

Balance as at 30 June 2020

Notes

Issued 
Capital

$’000

Reserves

Accumulated 
Losses

$’000

$’000

Total 
Equity

$’000

475,862

11,180

(135,960)

351,082

-

-

-

-

1,813

-

688

688

(30,037)

(30,037)

-

688

(30,037)

(29,349)

4,063

(1,813)

-

-

4,063

-

477,675

14,118

(165,997)

325,796

20

20

20

20

-

-

-

-

1,465

475,862

474,397

9,247

-

(106)

(106)

(49,931)

(86,029)

-

433,713

(86,029)

(106)

(86,029)

(86,135)

3,504

(1,465)

-

-

3,504

-

11,180

(135,960)

351,082

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

80

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 30 June 2021

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Receipts from customers

Payments to suppliers and employees

Payments for restoration

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (paid)/refund

Interest received

Interest paid

Net cash from operating activities

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Payments for intangibles

Payments for exploration and evaluation

Payments for oil and gas assets

Interest paid

Net cash flows used in investing activities

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Repayment of principal portion of lease liabilities

(Repayment of)/Proceeds from borrowings

Transaction costs associated with borrowings

Net cash flow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash held

Net foreign exchange differences

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 July

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June

Notes

5

5

5

5

2021
$’000

119,075

(84,314)

(5,324)

(11,130)

548

(10,796)

8,059

(17,820)

(1,683)

(5,668)

(9,405)

-

(34,576)

(1,045)

(11,438)

-

(12,483)

(39,000)

(1,275)

131,583

91,308

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

2020
$’000

98,327

(49,532)

(2,544)

4,112

1,248

(3,549)

48,062

(5,947)

(2,018)

(35,057)

(38,703)

(9,665)

(91,390)

(698)

11,284

(257)

10,329

(32,999)

293

164,289

131,583

81

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2021

Corporate information 

The consolidated financial report of Cooper Energy Limited and its controlled entities (“Cooper Energy” or “the Group”) for the year ended 
30 June 2021 was authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 23 August 2021. Cooper Energy Limited is a for profit 
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 the Directors’ Statutory Report and Note 1.

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, Australian Accounting Standards and other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

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 through profit and loss.

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

Australian Dollars is the functional currency of Cooper Energy Limited and all of its subsidiaries. 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.

A global pandemic was declared in March 2020 in relation to COVID-19. Further information on the Group’s response to COVID-19 has been 
included within the Operating and Financial Review.

Going concern basis

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Group is a going concern, which contemplates continuity of 
normal operations and the realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities in the ordinary course of business.

At the date of this report, it is the directors’ view that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Group will continue as a going concern, 
having considered the matters set out below in the section titled Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions “Funding and 
liquidity and progress towards Practical Completion of the Sole Gas Project”.

Basis of consolidation 

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

The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent entity, using consistent accounting policies. 
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 the Group gains control of the subsidiary and cease to be consolidated from the date on 
which the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.

Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions 

Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which the Group gains control of the subsidiary and cease to be consolidated from the date on 
which the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.

Note 3

Income tax

Note 14

Oil and gas assets

Note 16

Provisions

Note 17

Leases

Note 27

Share based payments

Note 15

Impairment

Note 22

Interests in joint arrangements

Judgements, estimates and assumptions which are material to the overall financial statements are below:

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

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 Group’s Hydrocarbon Guidelines (www.cooperenergy.com.au/our-company/corporate-governance-and-policies/
hydrocarbon-reporting-policy). 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.

82

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 30 June 2021

Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions continued

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

Funding and liquidity and progress towards Practical Completion of the Sole Gas Project

Completion of commissioning of the Orbost Gas Processing Plant (OGPP) to process Sole gas by the APA Group remains outstanding and is 
yet to meet the contracted performance standards for practical completion, which include demonstrated capacity to supply 68 TJ/day of 
Sole gas into the Eastern Gas Pipeline. Foaming and fouling in the absorber section of the plant has impaired output rates from the OGPP.

APA and Cooper Energy entered into a Transition Agreement (TA) which establishes the commercial framework for addressing issues with 
performance of the OGPP, commencement of the Sole Gas Sale Agreements (GSAs) over December 2020 and January 2021 and the basis 
to collaboratively improve plant performance and hence progress towards Practical Completion of the OGPP. The agreement provides for the 
commencement of the term GSAs, payment of the processing tariff to APA for Sole gas processed for the GSAs and the sharing of revenue, 
operating and capital costs attributable to spot gas sales until Practical Completion or expiry. Cooper Energy has put in place supplementary 
supply arrangements to fulfil gas customer supply obligations if required. In April 2021, the TA was extended by 12 months until 1 May 2022.

Substantial root cause analysis and capital works have been undertaken over a number of months and are ongoing in order to address the 
production capacity issues as communicated to the market. Whilst gas processing and servicing of the Sole GSAs has commenced, APA is 
continuing absorber testing and commissioning, including undertaking further capital works at the plant to install solids removal equipment and 
changing of the liquid distributor within each absorber.

Cooper Energy’s development of the Sole gas field was funded through the Company’s Reserve Based Lending facility (RBL). The syndicate 
holds security over the Company’s 2P Reserves and GSAs. The date for Scheduled Project Completion as well as the “long-stop” date being 
90 days following Scheduled Project Completion Date set out in the RBL was adjusted, with agreement reached in June 2021 on amendments. 
The amendments include realignment of principal repayments through to expiry of the Transition Agreement on 1 May 2022 and re-sculpting of 
repayments through to maturity in 2024. The amendments align the RBL with a re-based production level of 40 - 45 TJ/day for the Orbost Gas 
Processing Plant, including a revised completion test. Cooper Energy and the lenders continue to have a productive relationship and negotiate 
practical resolutions to the technical OGPP issues being addressed above. As at the date of the report, the Group has met and continues to 
meet all the requirements under the RBL including covenant requirements The facility requires Cooper Energy to meet financial covenants and 
information and general undertakings and allows for a Review Event under certain circumstances. 

The uncertainties associated with the progress to Practical Completion of the OGPP have required management to make significant accounting 
judgments and estimates.

Impacts on going concern basis and interest-bearing loans and borrowings: 

The Group holds significant cash balances of $91.3 million and has drawn debt of $218.0 million as at the end of the reporting period. All debt 
covenants have been complied with to the date of this report. Cash flow forecasts for the Group, inclusive of the impact of the TA and under various 
reasonably likely scenarios that have been modelled, indicate that the Group can continue to meet its obligations and commitments including servicing 
debt for at least the next 12 months from the date of this report under the existing RBL facility. There is judgment involved in assessing the cash flows 
post Practical Completion. The directors continue to believe that the lenders will continue to negotiate in good faith as the Practical Completion issues 
are resolved. Under the reasonably possible scenarios modelled, the Group maintains at all times, the liquidity levels required under the RBL facility.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Group is a going concern, which contemplates continuity of 
normal operations and the realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities in the ordinary course of business.

New accounting standards and interpretations 

New standards, interpretations and amendments thereof, adopted by the Group

The Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board 
(the AASB) that are relevant to their operations and effective for the 2021 financial year. 

Accounting standards, amendments and interpretations applicable on 1 July 2020 have had no material impact on the Group’s financial statements. 

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 for the annual reporting period ending 30 June 2021, are outlined below:

AASB 2021-5

Amendments to AASs – Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction

Summary

AASB 112 Income Taxes requires entities to account for income tax consequences when economic transactions take 
place, and not at the time when income tax payments or recoveries are made. Accounting for such tax consequences, 
means entities need to consider the differences between the tax rules and the accounting standards.

This amendment requires entities to also recognise deferred tax for all temporary differences related to leases, 
decommissioning, restoration and similar liabilities at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented.

Application Date 
of the Standard

1 January 2023

Impact on Consolidated 
Financial Statements

The impact of this accounting standard amendment on the Group is yet to be determined.

83

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021New accounting standards and interpretations continued

AASB 2020-3

Amendments to AASB 116 – Property Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use

Summary

The amendment prohibits entities from deducting from the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment (PP&E), 
any proceeds of the sale of items produced while bringing that asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be 
capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Instead, an entity recognises the proceeds from selling 
such items, and the costs of producing those items, in profit or loss.

Application Date  
of the Standard

1 January 2022

Impact on Consolidated 
Financial Statements

The impact of this accounting standard amendment on the Group is yet to be determined.

Notes to the financial statements 

The notes include information which is required to understand the financial statements and is material and relevant to the operations, financial 
position and performance of the Group. They include applicable accounting policies applied and significant judgements, estimates and 
assumptions made. Specific accounting policies are disclosed in the respective notes to the financial statements. 

The notes are organised into the following sections:

Group performance

Provides additional information regarding financial statement lines that are most relevant to explaining the Group’s 
performance during the period.

Working capital

Provides additional information regarding financial statement lines that are most relevant to explaining the assets used 
to generate the Group’s trading performance during the period.

Capital employed

Provides additional information regarding financial statement lines that are most relevant to explaining the capital 
investments made that allows the Group to generate its operating result during the period and liabilities incurred as 
a result.

Funding and risk 
management

Provides additional information regarding financial statement lines that are most relevant to explaining the Group’s 
funding sources. This section also provides information relating to the Group’s exposure to various financial risks, its 
impact on the financial position and performance of the Group and how these risks are managed.

Group structure

Summarises how the group structure affects the financial position and performance of the Group as a whole.

Other information

Includes other information that is disclosed to comply with relevant accounting standards and other pronouncements, 
but is not directly related to the individual line items in the financial statement.

Group Performance

1. Segment reporting

Identification of reportable segments and types of activities

The Group identified its reportable segments to be Cooper Basin, South-East Australia (based on the nature and geographic location of the 
assets) and Corporate and Other. This forms the basis of internal Group reporting 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. 

Other prospective opportunities are also considered from time to time and, if they are secured, will then be attributed to the segment where they 
are located, or a new segment will be established.

The following are reportable segments:

Cooper Basin

Exploration and evaluation of oil and gas and production and sale of crude oil in the Group’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 Beach Energy (Operations) Limited. 

South-East Australia

The South-East Australia segment primarily consists of the Sole Gas Project, the operated Casino Henry producing gas assets and Athena 
Gas Plant, the Manta Gas Project, and the non-operated depleted Minerva field. 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. 

84

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20211. Segment reporting continued

Corporate and Other

The Corporate segment includes the revenue and costs associated with the running of the business and includes items which are not directly 
allocable to the other segments.

Accounting policies and inter-segment transactions

The accounting policies used by the Group in reporting segments internally is the same as those contained in the financial statements.

Cooper 
Basin 

$’000

South-East 
Australia  

Corporate  
and Other 

$’000

$’000

Consolidated

$’000

30 June 2021

Revenue from oil and gas sales to external customers

Total revenue

Segment result before interest, tax, depreciation, 
amortisation and impairment

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment

Net finance costs

Profit/(loss) before tax

Income tax benefit

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax expense

Net profit/(loss) after tax

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Additions of non-current assets

Exploration and evaluation assets

Oil and gas assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangibles

Total additions of non-current assets

12,236

12,236

5,037

(2,641)

(389)

(115)

1,892

-

-

1,892

15,016

7,159

493

988

-

-

1,481

119,498

119,498

-

-

38,946

(20,102)

(38,150)

(2,660)

-

(13,344)

(12,548)

-

(5,724)

(18,272)

782,167

405,776

2,634

(5,997)

17,663

-

14,300

-

(53)

(22,815)

9,158

-

(13,657)

181,359

239,811

-

(3)

157

1,683

1,837

131,734

131,734

23,881

(43,451)

(389)

(13,512)

(33,471)

9,158

(5,724)

(30,037)

978,542

652,746

3,127

(5,012)

17,820

1,683

17,618

Cooper 
Basin 

$’000

South-East 
Australia  

Corporate  
and Other 

$’000

$’000

Consolidated

$’000

30 June 2020

Revenue from oil and gas sales to external customers

Total revenue

Segment result before interest, tax, depreciation, 
amortisation and impairment

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment

Net finance costs

Profit/(loss) before tax

Income tax benefit

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax expense

Net profit/(loss) after tax

14,558

14,558

6,486

(3,573)

(7,836)

(95)

(5,018)

-

-

(5,018)

63,581

63,581

42,937

(23,234)

(99,662)

(3,943)

(83,902)

-

(1,646)

(85,548)

-

-

(17,094)

(2,123)

-

(1,821)

(21,038)

25,575

-

4,537

78,139

78,139

32,329

(28,930)

(107,498)

(5,859)

(109,958)

25,575

(1,646)

(86,029)

85

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
South-East 
Australia  

Corporate  
and Other 

1. Segment reporting continued

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Additions of non-current assets

Exploration and evaluation assets

Oil and gas assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangibles

Right-of-use assets

Cooper 
Basin 

$’000

14,969

8,731

6,802

5,579

-

-

-

$’000

802,263

421,656

85,651

48,610

11,593

-

-

$’000

212,683

248,446

-

-

1,481

2,017

2,723

6,221

Consolidated

$’000

1,029,915

678,833

92,453

54,189

13,074

2,017

2,723

164,456

Total additions of non-current assets 

12,381

145,854

In 2021, revenue from two customers amounted to $71.1 million, and $21.5 million respectively in the South-East Australia segment. In 2020, 
revenue from two customers amounted to $31.9 million, and $27.3 million respectively in the South-East Australia segment and $17.9 million 
from one customer in the Cooper Basin segment.

2. Revenues and expenses

Revenue from oil and gas sales

Revenue from contracts with customers

   Oil revenue from contracts with customers

   Gas revenue from contracts with customers

Total revenue from contracts with customers

Other revenue

   Fair value movement on crude oil receivables

Total other revenue

Total revenue from oil and gas sales

Other income

Liquidated damages

Other

Restoration income

Total other income

Cost of sales

Production expenses

Royalties

Third-party product purchases

Amortisation of oil and gas assets

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Total cost of sales

Other expenses

Selling expense

General administration

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangibles

86

Notes

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

12,141

119,499

131,640

94

94

131,734

-

6

7,175

7,181

(62,510)

(976)

(13,373)

(40,790)

-

(117,649)

(678)

(12,669)

(807)

(742)

15,563

63,581

79,144

(1,005)

(1,005)

78,139

19,800

28

-

19,828

(26,511)

(1,203)

-

(26,452)

(354)

(54,520)

(693)

(15,123)

(828)

(176)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
 
 
2. Revenues and expenses

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Care and maintenance

Restoration expense

Exploration and evaluation expense 

Impairment expense

Fair value adjustment of success fee liability

Realised and unrealised foreign currency translation (loss)/gain

Other (including new ventures)

OGPP reconfiguration and commissioning works

Total other expenses

Employee benefits expense included in general administration

Director and employee benefits

Share based payments

Superannuation expense

Total employee benefits expense (gross)

Accounting Policy

Revenue from contracts with customers

Notes

15

2021
$’000

(1,113)

(2,755)

-

(566)

(389)

73

(1,275)

(9,089)

(11,215)

(41,225)

(24,907)

(4,063)

(1,856)

(30,826)

2020
$’000

(1,120)

(3,597)

(14,056)

(3,100)

(107,498)

(123)

119

(1,351)

-

(147,546)

(20,412)

(3,504)

(1,264)

(25,180)

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised at the point in time when control of the crude oil, natural gas or liquids is transferred to the 
customer, at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods. This is generally 
when the product is transferred to the delivery point specified in the individual customer contract. The Group’s performance obligations are 
considered to relate only to the sale of the crude oil, natural gas or liquids, with each barrel of crude oil or GJ of natural gas considered to be a 
separate performance obligation under the contractual arrangements in place. 

The Group has concluded that it is the principal in all of its revenue arrangements since it controls the goods before transferring them to the 
customer. Under the terms of the relevant joint operating arrangements the Group is entitled to its participating share in the crude oil, natural gas 
or liquids based on the Group’s entitlement interest. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised based on the actual volumes sold 
to customers. 

The Group’s sales of natural gas are predominantly based on contracted prices, while crude oil and liquids transactions are priced based on 
market prices. The crude oil sales price is the Tapis crude oil price, adjusted for a quality differential. 

The crude oil sales contain provisional pricing. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised based on the provisional pricing 
at the date of delivery, with the price estimate based on the forward curve. The difference between the estimated price and the price ultimately 
achieved for the sale of the crude oil transaction is recognised as a movement in the fair value of the receivable in accordance with AASB 9 
Financial Instruments. This amount is presented as other revenue in Note 2 as these movements are not within the scope of AASB 15 Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers. 

3. Income tax

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Current income tax

Current year

Deferred income tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Recognition of tax losses

Over provision in respect of prior year income tax

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

-

-

(22,166)

31,324

-

9,158

(504)

(504)

14,632

11,438

9

26,079

87

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
3. Income Tax continued

Income tax benefit

Current Petroleum Resource Rent Tax

Current year

Adjustments in respect of prior year income tax

Deferred Petroleum Resource Rent Tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax expense

Total tax benefit

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% (2020: 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

Permanent difference arising from impairment expense

Other

Income tax benefit

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax expense

Total tax benefit

Tax Consolidation

2021
$’000

9,158

(5,589)

-

(5,589)

(135)

(135)

(5,724)

3,434

2020
$’000

25,575

(5,686)

3,299

(2,387)

741

741

(1,646)

23,929

(33,471)

(109,958)

10,041

32,987

(2,945)

-

41

-

2,021

9,158

(5,724)

3,434

(187)

9

197

(8,112)

681

25,575

(1,646)

23,929

Cooper Energy Limited and its 100% owned Australian resident subsidiaries are consolidated for Australian income tax purposes with Cooper 
Energy Limited being 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. 

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 2021, there are no unrecognised temporary differences associated with the Group’s investments in subsidiaries, as the Group has 
no liability for additional taxation should unremitted earnings be remitted (2020: $nil).

Franking Tax Credits

At 30 June 2021 the parent entity had franking tax credits of $42.9 million (2020: $42.9 million). The fully franked dividend equivalent is 
$142.9 million (2020: $142.9 million). 

88

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20213. Income Tax continued

Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT)

Cooper Energy Limited has recognised a Deferred Tax Liability for Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) of $17.1 million (2020: $16.9 million) 
relating to PRRT on the Group’s producing gas assets. The Group has not recognised a Deferred Tax Asset for PRRT of $33.6 million (2020: 
$29.0 million). In the current year, this is in respect of the Sole Gas Project, and the Deferred Tax Asset for Sole will be recognised when it is 
probable that the undeducted expenditure will be able to be utilised. 

Income Tax Losses

(a) Revenue Losses

A Deferred Tax Asset has been recognised for the year ended 30 June 2021 of $66.4 million (2020: $35.0 million).

(b) Capital Losses

Cooper Energy has not recognised a Deferred Tax Asset for Australian income tax capital losses of $15.5 million (2020: $15.5 million) on the 
basis that it is not probable that the carried forward capital losses will be utilised against future assessable capital profits.

Deferred income tax from corporate tax

Deferred income tax at 30 June relates to:

Deferred tax liabilities

Trade and other receivables

Oil and gas assets

Exploration and evaluation

Property, plant and equipment

Other

Deferred tax assets

Leases

Provision for employee entitlements

Provisions

Other

Capital raising costs

Tax losses

Deferred tax benefit

Deferred tax asset from corporate tax

55,993

46,835

Deferred income tax from PRRT

Deferred income tax at 30 June relates to:

Deferred tax liabilities

Oil and gas assets

Deferred tax (expense)

17,083

16,948

-

-

Deferred tax liability from PRRT

17,083

16,948

Consolidated 
Statement of 
Financial Position

Consolidated 
Statement of 
Comprehensive Income

2021
$’000

2020 
$’000

2021
$’000

2020 
$’000

5,191

45,933

19,116

40

-

(62)

(5,253)

2,302

33,974

17,118

40

83

(11,959)

(13,649)

(1,998)

(8,825)

-

83

-

20

70,280

51,153

(19,127)

(20,152)

651

1,049

992

1,422

(341)

(373)

47,865

53,392

(5,527)

9,976

342

66,390

126,273

5,903

1,213

35,066

97,988

4,073

(871)

31,324

28,285

9,158

993

(660)

34,982

525

(1,048)

11,438

46,230

26,078

25

25

89

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20213. Income tax continued

Accounting Policy

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 based on tax rates and tax laws that are enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Deferred income tax is recognised on all temporary differences, except for:

•  the initial recognition of an asset or liability that affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; or

•  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.

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.

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each reporting 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 reassessed at each reporting 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. 

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 reporting 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. Where allowable by initial 
recognition exemptions, deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities that arise on acquisition are not recognised.

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.   

Goods and Services Taxes (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST. Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount 
of GST receivable or payable. 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. Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the amount of GST 
recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority.

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.

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

The Group has a Tax Risk Management Framework which outlines how the direct and indirect tax obligations of Cooper Energy Limited are 
met from an operational, governance and tax risk management perspective. 

Management judgements are made in relation to the types of arrangements considered to be a tax on income (PRRT) 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 legislation, 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. Future taxable profits are estimated by using Board 
approved internal budgets and forecasts.

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. 

90

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20214. Earnings per share

The following reflects the net (loss)/profit and share data used in the calculations of earnings per share:

Net loss after tax attributable to shareholders

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

(30,037)

(86,029)

2021
Thousands

2020
Thousands

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic earnings per share 

1,629,017

1,624,260

Dilutive performance rights and share appreciation rights1

-

-

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating dilutive earnings per share

1,629,017

1,624,260

Basic loss per share for the period (cents per share)

Diluted loss per share for the period (cents per share)

(1.8)

(1.8)

(5.3)

(5.3)

1. The weighted average number of potentially dilutive shares at 30 June 2021 is 19.6 million (2020: 12.4 million)

At 30 June 2021 there exist 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. 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.

Accounting Policy

Basic earnings per share are calculated as net profit attributable to shareholders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares. 
Diluted earnings per share is calculated as net profit attributable to shareholders 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.

91

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Working Capital

5. Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits

Current Assets

Cash at bank and in hand

Term deposits at bank

Cash and cash equivalents

Reconciliation of net profit to net cash flows from operating activities

Net (loss)/profit after tax

Add/(deduct) non-cash items:

Amortisation of oil and gas assets

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangibles

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Impairment expense

Exploration and Evaluation expense

Restoration (income)/expense

Share based payments

Finance costs

Foreign exchange (gain)/loss

Other non-cash movements

Net cash from operating activities before changes in assets or liabilities

Add/(deduct) changes in operating assets or liabilities:

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

Increase in inventories

Increase in prepayments

Increase in deferred taxes

Increase in trade and other payables

Decrease in provisions

Net cash from operating activities

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

2021
$’000

91,308

-

91,308

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

111,567

20,016

131,583

2020
$’000

(30,037)

(86,029)

40,790

807

742

1,113

389

566

(7,175)

4,063

3,255

1,275

756

16,544

(12,108)

(128)

(5,787)

(9,022)

26,475

(7,915)

8,059

26,452

1,182

176

1,120

107,498

3,100

14,056

3,504

4,038

(119)

455

75,433

1,173

(396)

(3,760)

(25,424)

2,750

(1,714)

48,062

Balance at beginning of period

Financing cash flows¹

Non-cash financing movements²

Balance at end of period

Borrowings

Lease Liabilities

2021
$’000

229,438

(11,438)

-

218,000

2020
$’000

213,680

11,284

4,474

229,438

2021
$’000

13,049

(1,045)

-

12,004

2020
$’000

-

(698)

13,747

13,049

1. Financing cash flows consist of the net amount of proceeds from borrowings and repayment of lease liabilities in the statement of cash flows.

2. The movement in borrowings is amortisation of prepaid financing costs, and movement in lease liabilities represents the lease liability 

recognised on adoption of AASB 16 Leases.

Accounting Policy

Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position comprise cash at bank and short-term deposits for periods of 
up to three months or subject to insignificant changes in value. For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents 
includes cash and term deposits as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.

Cash held in escrow with associated restrictions whereby the Group cannot use that cash for operational purposes as it deems appropriate 
is not included in cash and cash equivalents. 

92

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 20216. Trade and other receivables 

Current Assets

Trade receivables

Accrued revenue

Interest receivable

2021
$’000

12,380

19,694

31

32,105

2020
$’000

17,783

2,176

37

19,996

Expected credit losses in respect of trade and other receivables is set out in Note 21.

Accounting Policy

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and generally have 30 to 90 day terms. Trade receivables are initially recognised at the 
transaction price as defined by AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and subsequently carried at amortised cost less any 
allowances for expected credit loss. An allowance for expected credit loss is recognised using the simplified approach which permits the use 
of the lifetime expected loss provision for all trade receivables. Bad debts are written off when identified.

7. Prepayments 

Insurance 

Prepaid cash calls to joint arrangements

Other prepayments

8. Inventory

Spares and parts

2021
$’000

3,396

8,265

232 

11,893

2020
$’000

950

2020
$’000

1,530

4,384

192

6,106

2020
$’000

822

All inventory items are carried at cost in the current and previous financial years.

Accounting Policy

Inventories are carried at the lower of their cost or net realisable value. Inventories held by the Group are in respect of spares and parts 
involved in drilling operations. Items held as insurance or capital spares are treated as part of property, plant and equipment.

9. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Accruals (capital and operating expenditure)

2021
$’000

14,092

20,282

34,374

2020
$’000

14,844

6,339

21,183

Accounting Policy

Trade payables are non-interest bearing and carried at amortised cost. The amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided 
during the financial year, but not yet settled at the balance sheet date. Accruals represent unbilled goods or services.

93

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
10. Exploration assets held for sale

A Sale and Purchase Agreement for the sale to Bass Oil of the Company’s interests in several of its Cooper Basin exploration and production 
licenses (PEL 93, PPL 207, PRL 237, PEL 100 and PEL 110) was announced on 12 July 2021 for consideration of $0.7 million. The assets and 
associated liabilities are classified as held for sale and presented in separate lines in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The 
assets are included within the Cooper Basin segment, refer to Note 1. The net assets relating to the above licenses have been impaired to their 
Level 3 fair value less cost to sell, refer to Note 21.

Exploration assets held for sale

Total assets held for sale

Restoration Provisions associated with assets held for sale

Total restoration provisions held for sale

Net assets held for sale

Capital Employed

11. Property, plant and equipment 

2021
$’000

1,807

1,807

(1,157)

(1,157)

650

2020
$’000

-

-

-

-

-

Production assets

Corporate assets

Total

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

Reconciliation of carrying amounts at 
beginning and end of period:

Carrying amount at beginning of period

11,676

Assets acquired

Additions

Restoration

Depreciation

-

17,663

(162)

-

543

8,674

2,813

-

(354)

Carrying amount at end of period

29,177

11,676

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

Carrying amount at end of period

33,004

(3,827)

29,177

15,567

(3,891)

11,676

4,690

-

157

-

(807)

4,040

7,713

(3,673)

4,040

4,037

-

1,481

-

(828)

4,690

7,556

(2,866)

4,690

16,366

-

17,820

(162)

(807)

33,217

40,717

(7,500)

33,217

4,580

8,674

4,294

-

(1,182)

16,366

23,123

(6,757)

16,366

Accounting Policy

Property, plant and equipment comprises office and IT equipment, leasehold improvements and the Athena Gas Plant, and is stated at 
historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses (refer to Note 15 for impairment policy). 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. Repairs and maintenance are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income as incurred.

Depreciation on property plant and equipment is calculated at between 7.5% and 37.5% per annum using the diminishing value method 
over the asset’s estimated useful lives. The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each 
reporting date. 

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits are expected from 
its use. Any gains or losses arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the 
net carrying amount of the asset) is included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

94

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
12. Intangible assets

Reconciliation of carrying amounts at beginning and end of period:

Carrying amount at beginning of period

Additions

Disposals/written off

Amortisation

Carrying amount at end of period

Cost

Accumulated amortisation

Carrying amount at end of period

Accounting Policy

2021
$’000

1,878

1,683

(760)

(742)

2,059

2,808

(749)

2,059

2020
$’000

36

2,018

-

(176)

1,878

2,054

(176)

1,878

Intangible assets comprise software and is stated at historical cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. 
Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Intangible assets are determined to have a 
finite useful life and are amortised over their useful lives and tested for impairment whenever there is an indicator of impairment.

Amortisation on intangibles is calculated at 20% per annum using the straight line method. The assets’ residual values and useful lives are 
reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.

13. Exploration and evaluation assets

Reconciliation of carrying amounts at beginning and end of period

Carrying amount at beginning of period

Additions

Exploration and evaluation expense

Impairment

Transfer to oil and gas assets

Exploration expenditure classified as held for sale

Carrying amount at end of period¹

Notes

15

2021
$’000

159,078

3,127

(566)

(389)

-

(1,807)

159,443

2020
$’000

152,268

92,453

(3,100)

(79,398)

(3,145)

-

159,078

1.  Recoverability is dependent on the successful development and commercial exploration or sale of the respective areas of interest.

95

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
13. Exploration and evaluation assets continued

Accounting Policy

Exploration and evaluation expenditure include costs incurred in the search for hydrocarbon resources and determining the commercial 
viability in each identifiable area of interest. Exploration and evaluation expenditure is accounted for in accordance with the successful 
efforts 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, comprises an individual prospective oil or gas field.

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. Any appraisal 
costs relating to determining commercial feasibility are also capitalised as exploration and evaluation assets. 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 facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, or where one of the specific factors set 
out in i-iii above are no longer met, the Group will test for impairment in accordance with the impairment policy stated in Note 15.

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 tested for impairment and then transferred to 
oil and gas assets.

14. Oil and gas assets

Reconciliation of carrying amounts at beginning and end of period:

Carrying amount at beginning of period

Additions¹

Transferred from exploration and evaluation

Amortisation

Impairment

Carrying amount at end of period

Cost

Accumulated amortisation & impairment

Carrying amount at end of period

1.  Includes movements from reset of restoration provisions.

Accounting Policy

Notes

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

15

615,980

(5,012)

-

(40,790)

-

570,178

759,522

(189,344)

570,178

613,198

54,189

3,145

(26,452)

(28,100)

615,980

764,534

(148,554)

615,980

Oil and gas assets are carried at cost including construction, installation of infrastructure such as roads, pipelines or umbilicals and the 
cost of development of wells. Any restoration assets arising as a result of recognition of a restoration provision is also included in the 
carrying amount of oil and gas assets. 

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 as incurred. 

Oil and gas assets are amortised on the Units of Production basis using the latest approved estimate of Proved and Probable (2P) Reserves 
and future development cost estimates. Amortisation is charged only once production has commenced. No amortisation is charged on areas 
under development where production has not commenced. Oil and gas assets are subject to impairment testing, refer to Note 15.

96

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
 
14. Oil and gas assets continued

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

Estimation of oil and gas asset expenditure

Capitalised oil and gas assets for the construction of major projects or ongoing well construction activities include accruals in relation to the 
value of work done. These remain estimates until the contractual arrangement is finalised, including any rebates, credits and variations as 
part of the standard contractual process.

Amortisation of oil and gas assets

The amortisation of oil and gas assets are impacted by management’s estimates of reserves and future development costs. Refer to 
the significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions section on page 49 in relation to reserves. Future development cost 
estimates are costs necessary to develop an assets’ undeveloped 2P reserves. These costs are subject to changes in technology, regulation 
and other external factors. 

Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions are also made in relation to the impairment of oil and gas assets and 
recognition of restoration assets, refer to Note 15 and Note 16 respectively.

15. Impairment

Exploration and evaluation assets

Oil and gas assets

2021
$’000

389

-

389

2020
$’000

79,398

28,100

107,498

The impairment losses recognised in the 2021 financial year relate to the Group’s exploration licenses held for sale being written down to their 
fair value less costs to sell. Refer Note 10.

During the year, the Group’s oil and gas assets were assessed for impairment indicators in accordance with AASB 136 Impairment of Assets. 
There were no impairment indicators present, therefore no impairment was recognised on oil and gas assets.

In the previous financial year, the Sole asset was tested for impairment as indicators of impairment existed, notably the delay experienced by 
APA Group (APA) in commissioning the OGPP. No impairment of the Sole asset was recognised at 30 June 2020. The commissioning delay is 
the result of foaming in absorber vessels of the Sulphur Recovery Unit of the OGPP, which has restricted gas processing capacity, preventing the 
plant from producing at nameplate capacity of 68 TJ/d. On 20 August 2020, Cooper Energy and APA announced that they had entered into 
a Transition Agreement (TA). This agreement was extended by 12 months to 1 May 2022 as announced to the market on 12 April 2021.

Despite the ongoing commissioning delay, trigger test modelling presented no indicators of impairment at 30 June 2021, thereby not requiring 
formal recoverable amount testing of the Sole asset at year end.

As outlined in the financial report for the previous financial year, whilst the Sole asset has not been impaired, its value remains sensitive to 
variables including, but not limited to:

•  the timing of and costs required to achieve nameplate processing capacity of 68 TJ/d
•  processing capacity levels attained both pre and post reconfiguration and commissioning works.

Adverse outcomes in one or more of the variables may give rise to an impairment of the asset in future periods.

Accounting Policy

The carrying values of non-current assets, including, property, plant and equipment, capitalised exploration and evaluation assets and 
oil and gas assets are assessed for indicators of impairment biannually. Where indicators of impairment are present, an impairment test 
is performed. 

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset or CGU’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The 
recoverable amount of a non-current asset or CGU is the higher of value in use (VIU) and fair value less costs of disposal (FVLCD). For the 
purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (CGUs). 
In assessing VIU, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax rate that reflects the risks specific to 
the asset. Where the recoverable amount is based on the FVLCD, a discounted cash flow model is also used and the inputs are consistent 
with level 3 on the fair value hierarchy. 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 that would be taken into account by an 
independent market participant.

97

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202115. Impairment continued

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

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.

Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions in applying this policy. Factors which could impact the future recoverability 
include the level of oil and gas resources, future technological changes which could impact the cost of extraction, future legal changes 
(including changes to environmental restoration obligations) and changes to commodity prices. These estimates and assumptions may 
change as new information becomes available. 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 or resources. 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 exploration and evaluation assets and oil and gas assets

The Group reviews the carrying amount of oil and gas assets at each reporting date starting with analysis of any indicators of impairment 
and where relevant may prepare trigger test modelling for certain CGUs to determine if any indicators of impairment are present. Where 
indicators of impairment are present, the Group will test whether the CGU’s recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount with reference 
to formal impairment models where discounted cash flow models are used to assess the recoverable amount.

Relevant items of working capital and property, plant and equipment are allocated to CGUs when testing for impairment.

The estimated expected cash flows used in the discounted cash flow model are based on management’s best estimate of the future 
production of reserves and sales volumes, commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, development expenditure in order to access the 
reserves, and operating expenditure.

16. Provisions

Current Liabilities

Employee provisions 

Restoration provisions

Non-Current Liabilities

Employee provisions

Restoration provisions

Movement in carrying amount of the current restoration provision:

Carrying amount at beginning of period

Restoration expenditure incurred

New provisions and changes in restoration assumptions

Transferred (to)/from non-current provisions

Carrying amount at end of period

98

2021
$’000

2,459

7,994

10,453

441

355,652

356,093

2021
$’000

17,899

(8,445)

-

(1,460)

7,994

2020
$’000

2,003

17,899

19,902

367

374,304

374,671

2020
$’000

9,989

(2,380)

-

10,290

17,899

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202116. Provisions continued

Movement in carrying amount of the non-current restoration provision:

Carrying amount at beginning of period

New provisions and changes in restoration assumptions 

Provision through asset acquisition

Transferred from/(to) current provisions

Increase through accretion

Change in discount rate

Restoration expenditure classified as held for sale

Carrying amount at end of period

2021
$’000

374,304

(4,746)

-

1,460

3,243

(17,452)

(1,157)

355,652

2020
$’000

276,228

88,473

4,957

(10,290)

4,001

10,935

-

374,304

The current planning case for the abandonment and remediation work on BMG has a timing expectation on the works completing in the 2023 
calendar year subject to rig availability and regulatory approvals. 

The discount rate used in the calculation of the provisions as at 30 June 2021 ranged from 0.05% to 2.25% (2020: 0.24% to 1.72%) reflecting a 
risk-free rate that aligns to the timing of restoration obligations. The movement in the risk-free rate reflects the change in Australian government 
bond rates since the last assessment.

Accounting Policy

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation 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.

Employee benefits

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits and annual leave 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 provision for long service leave is 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 relating to Key Management Personnel is set out in the Remuneration Report.

Restoration

The Group records a restoration provision for the present value of its share of the estimated cost to restore its sites. 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 biannually at each reporting date. When the 
liability is recorded the carrying amount of the production or exploration asset is increased by the same amount and is depreciated over the 
remaining producing life of the asset. The movement is recorded as a restoration expense when there is no asset recorded. 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, to the extent 
that it is appropriate to recognise an asset under accounting standards, and then depreciated over the remaining producing life of the asset. 
Where it is not appropriate to recognise an asset, changes will go through profit or loss. Any change in assumptions is applied prospectively.

These estimated costs are based on current technology available, State, Federal and International legislation and or industry practice.

99

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202116. Provisions continued

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

Provisions for restoration costs

Decommissioning and restoration costs are a normal consequence of oil and gas extraction and the majority of this expenditure is incurred 
at the end of a field’s life many years in the future. In determining an appropriate level of provision, assumptions are made on the expected 
future costs to be incurred, the timing of these expected future costs (largely dependent on the life of the field), and the estimated future level 
of inflation.

The ultimate cost of decommissioning and restoration is uncertain and these ultimate costs can vary in response to many factors. These 
include the extent of restoration required due to changes to the relevant legal or regulatory requirements and the emergence of new restoration 
techniques or experience at other fields, including prevailing service costs. The expected timing of expenditure can also change, for example 
in response to changes in oil and gas reserves or to production rates. Provisions for restoration costs are based on the Company’s best 
estimates based on the information available at the time. Changes to any of the estimates could result in significant changes to the amount of 
the provision recognised, which would in turn impact future financial results.

The Company’s restoration provision for offshore assets is based on recovering subsea trees and manifolds and recovery of flowlines and 
umbilicals to a certain distance from shore and at a certain depth of water. The Company’s restoration provision for onshore production 
facilities, is based on demolition and removal of the facilities, removal of contaminated soil and revegetation of the affected area.

17. Leases

The Group as a lessee

The Group has lease contracts for properties with lease terms of between 1-11 years and fixed monthly payments. The Group also has certain 
leases with lease terms of 12 months or less and low value leases.

Right-of-use assets

Reconciliation of carrying amounts at beginning and end of period:

Carrying amount at beginning of period

Transition – Right-of-use assets recognised 1 July 2019

Additions

Depreciation

Carrying amount at end of period

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

Carrying amount at end of period

Lease liabilities

Reconciliation of carrying amounts at beginning and end of period:

Carrying amount at beginning of period

Transition - Lease liabilities recognised 1 July 2019

Additions

Accretion of interest

Payments

Carrying amount at end of period

Current

Non-Current

100

2021
$’000

9,738

-

-

(1,113)

8,625

10,858

(2,233)

8,625

2021
$’000

13,049

-

-

598

(1,643)

12,004

1,141

10,863

2020
$’000

-

8,135

2,723

(1,120)

9,738

10,858

(1,120)

9,738

2020
$’000

-

9,378

4,624

634

(1,587)

13,049

1,045

12,004

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
17. Leases continued

Short-term and low-value lease asset exemptions

For the year ending 30 June 2021, the following expense has been recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income for lease 
arrangements that have been classified as short-term leases or low-value assets.

Short-term leases

Leases for low-value assets

Total expense recognised

2021
$’000

100

167

267

2020
$’000

-

18

18

The Group had total cash outflows for leases of $1.6 million in 2021, including leases for short-term leases and low-value assets. The future cash 
outflows relating to leases that have not yet commenced are disclosed in Note 25.

Orbost Gas Processing Plant

Under AASB 16, the Group will recognise a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability in relation to the OGPP. The Sole Gas Processing 
Agreement (GPA) creates a right-of-use asset and will be recognised at an amount equal to the corresponding lease liability. The Group expects 
to recognise a right-of-use asset and lease liability under AASB 16 for the OGPP at the date the underlying asset is available for use. The 
Group expects the agreement, which was entered into prior to 1 July 2019, to result in a right-of-use asset and lease liability of approximately 
$250 million to $280 million based on current information, with recognition expected to occur in the second half of the 2022 financial year once 
the asset is available for use and the GPA or arrangements on like terms commence. The final value that will be recorded for the right-of-
use asset and lease liability is dependent on a number of factors that will be known at the time the asset is available for use. These amounts 
may change depending on production volumes per annum, the timing of commencement of the lease, annual indexation to be applied and 
other factors. The Transition Agreement entered into with APA Group on 20 August 2020 has not triggered commencement of the lease.

AASB 16 requires that the lessee’s rate implicit in the lease arrangement be used to measure the present value of the lease liability, unless that 
cannot be determined, in which case the incremental borrowing rate should be used. In determining the discount rate applicable to the OGPP 
lease liability, the Group will use the rate implicit in the lease. 

The contract includes non-lease payments for services which do not form part of the lease liability and will be recognised as production costs 
as incurred. The lease charge is calculated based on the lease component payment required under the agreements.

Accounting Policy

The Group recognises right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities at the commencement date of the lease (the date the 
underlying asset is available for use). The right-of-use assets are initially measured at a value equal to the lease liability, adjusted for 
any initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. 
Subsequently, the right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any 
remeasurement of lease liabilities. The property right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of its estimated 
useful life and the lease term. Right-of-use assets are also allocated to Cash Generating Units (CGUs) when testing for impairment (refer to 
Note 15). Lease liabilities are excluded from the carrying amount of a CGU.

At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be 
made over the lease term. In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease 
commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. Subsequent to initial measurement, the amount 
of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. The carrying amount of lease 
liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the fixed lease payments or a change in the 
assessment to purchase the underlying asset.

The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases (those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or 
less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption 
to leases of office equipment that are considered of low value (below $10,000). Lease payments on short-term leases and eases of low-
value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

Lease term of contracts with renewal options

The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods covered by an option to extend the 
lease if the option is reasonably certain to be exercised. The Group has the option, under some of its leases to lease the assets for additional 
terms of three to five years. The Group applies judgement in evaluating whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the option to renew. The 
Group continues to reassess the lease over its term to determine if there is a significant event or change in circumstances that would impact 
the renewal decision. The Group has included the renewal period as part of the lease term for its property leases.

101

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Funding and Risk Management

18. Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Current bank debt

Non-current bank debt

2021
$’000

60,000

158,000

2020
$’000

26,000

203,438

In August 2017, Cooper Energy negotiated a $250.0 million senior secured Reserve Based Lending Facility, principally to fund the Sole 
Gas Project, and a senior secured $15.0 million working capital facility. Cooper Energy is in compliance with all covenants at 30 June 2021. 
A summary of the Group’s secured facilities is included below.

Facility

Currency

Limit1

Utilised amount

Accounting balance

Effective interest rate

Maturity²

Facility

Currency

Limit

Utilised amount3

Accounting balance

Reserve Based Lending Facility

Australian dollars

$218.0 million (2020: $250.0 million)

$218.0 million (2020: $229.4 million)

$218.0 million (2020: $229.4 million)

4.36% floating

2021 – 2024

Working Capital Facility

Australian Dollars

$15 million (2020: $15 million)

$8.8 million (2020: $1.5 million)

Nil (2020: Nil)

Effective interest rate

Nil

Maturity

28 September 2022

1. As at 30 June 2021, $218.0 million of the facility limit of $250.0 million remains available.

2. Repayment profile based on the facility repayment schedule, the reserves profile at completion of the Sole Gas Project and the facility 

maturity date.

3. As at 30 June 2021, there have been no cash draw downs. $8.8 million has been utilised by way of bank guarantees.

Accounting Policy

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value net of directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, borrowings 
are stated at amortised cost, with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in profit or loss over the period of the 
borrowings on an effective interest basis. Transaction costs are capitalised initially and included in the effective interest rate calculation and 
unwound over the expected term of the facility.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 
12 months after the end of the reporting period. Interest expense is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest rate and if not 
paid at balance date, is reflected in the balance sheet as a payable.

102

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202119. Net finance costs

Finance Income

Interest income

Finance Costs

Accretion of restoration provision 

Accretion of success fee liability

Finance costs associated with lease liabilities

Interest expense

Capitalised interest

Total finance costs

Net finance costs 

Accounting Policy

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

542

1,728

(3,243)

(12)

(598)

(4,001)

(37)

(634)

(10,201)

(12,580)

-

(14,054)

(13,512)

9,665

(7,587)

(5,859)

Interest earned is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as finance income and is recognised as interest 
accrues using the effective interest rate. This 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. Interest expense is capitalised to the cost of a qualifying asset during the 
development phase.

20. Contributed equity and reserves

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 entity. 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. At 30 June 2021, the Group has utilised $218.0 million of its Reserve Based Lending Facility. 
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 current and prior period.

Share capital

Ordinary shares issued and fully paid

Movement in ordinary shares on issue

At 1 July

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

477,675

475,862

2021

2020

Thousands

$’000

Thousands

$’000

1,626,647

475,862

1,621,551

474,397

Issuance of shares for Performance Rights and Share Appreciation Rights

4,379

1,813

5,096

1,465

At 30 June

1,631,026

477,675

1,626,647

475,862

Accounting Policy

Issued and paid up capital is recognised as the fair value of the consideration received by the Group. The shares issued do not have a par 
value and there is no limit on the authorised share capital of the Group. Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share, which entitles the 
holder to participate in the proceeds on winding up of the Company in proportion to the number of, and amounts paid on, the shares held.

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. 

The Group may issue shares to contractors at its discretion in exchange for services rendered. The cost of these issued shares is measured by 
reference to the fair value at the date at which they are granted.

103

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
20. Contributed equity and reserves continued

Reserves

Consolidation
reserve
$’000

Share 
based 
payment
reserve
$’000

Option
premium
reserve
$’000

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve 
$’000

Equity 
instrument 
reserve  
$’000

Consolidated

At 1 July 2019

Other comprehensive expenditure

Transferred to issued capital

Share-based payments

At 30 June 2020

Other comprehensive income/

(expenditure)

Transferred to issued capital

Share-based payments

At 30 June 2021

Nature and purpose of reserves

Consolidation reserve

(541)

10,791

-

-

-

(541)

-

-

-

-

(1,465)

3,504

12,830

-

(1,813)

4,063

(541)

15,080

25

-

-

-

25

-

-

-

25

(584)

584

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total
$’000

9,247

(106)

(1,465)

3,504

11,180

(444)

(690)

-

-

(1,134)

688

688

-

-

(1,813)

4,063

(446)

14,118

The reserve comprises the premium paid on acquisition of minority shareholdings in a controlled entity. 

Share based payment reserve

This reserve is used to record the value of equity benefits provided to employees, contractors 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 fair value movement in the value of equity instruments designated at fair value through Other Comprehensive 
Income. Items in this reserve are never recycled through profit or loss.

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

(135,960)

(30,037)

(165,997)

(49,931)

(86,029)

(135,960)

Accumulated Losses

Movement in accumulated losses:

Balance at 1 July

Net loss for the year

Balance at 30 June

104

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202121. Financial risk management

The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise cash and short-term deposits (Note 5), receivables (Note 6), payables (Note 9), borrowings 
(Note 18) and other financial assets and liabilities as disclosed in the below table.

Other financial assets – Non-Current

Equity instruments¹

Escrow proceeds receivable

2021
$’000

1,252

9,712

10,964

1. The equity instruments consist of two investments and the Group has not received dividends during the financial year.

Other financial liabilities – Non-Current

Success fee financial liability

Movement in carrying amount of the success fee financial liability:

Carrying amount at 1 July

Accretion of success fee liability

Fair value adjustment

Carrying amount at 30 June

Fair value hierarchy 

3,582

3,582

3,642

12

(72)

3,582

2020
$’000

564

20,968

21,532

3,642

3,642

3,482

37

123

3,642

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 
market participants at the measurement date. 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.

Set out below are the carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments held by the Group:

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables

Equity instruments

Escrow proceeds receivable

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Success fee financial liability

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

2

1

2

2

3

2

Carrying amount

Fair value

Level

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

19,996

564

20,969

21,183

3,642

32,105

19,996

32,105

1,252

9,712

34,374

3,582

564

20,969

21,183

3,642

1,252

9,712

34,374

3,582

218,000

229,438

216,802

230,705

105

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202121. Financial risk management continued

The following summarises the significant methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments:

Equity instruments

Equity instruments are not held for trading and measured at fair value through other comprehensive income based on an irrevocable election 
made at inception on an instrument basis and are initially recognised at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. After initial 
recognition, investments are remeasured to fair value 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. 

Changes in the fair value of equity investments are recognised as a separate component of equity and not recycled to profit and loss at any 
stage. Any dividends received are reflected in profit or loss.

Escrow proceeds receivable

During the 2018 financial year, the Group completed the sale of OGPP to APA Group. A portion of proceeds from the sale is held in escrow, 
to be released upon certain conditions being satisfied. Amounts held in escrow are measured at amortised cost in the Consolidated Statement 
of Financial Position. During the period, a portion of these funds were used to pay the Group’s share of OGPP reconfiguration and 
commissioning works.

Success fee financial liability

The success fee liability is the fair value of the Group’s liability to pay a $5.0 million success fee upon the commencement of commercial 
production of hydrocarbons on the Group’s VIC/RL 13-15 assets acquired on 7 May 2014. The significant unobservable (level 3) valuation inputs 
for the success fee financial liability includes: a probability of 33% that no payment is made and a probability of 67% the payment is made in 
2024. The discount rate used in the calculation of the liability as at 30 June 2021 equalled 0.52% (June 2020: 0.49%). The financial liability is 
measured at fair value through profit and loss and valued using a discounted cash flow model and the value is sensitive to changes in discount 
rate and probability of payment. Significant changes in any of the significant unobservable inputs would result in significantly higher or lower fair 
value measurement.

Risk Management

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 Group 
has a separate Risk & Sustainability Committee.

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.

The Board’s policy is 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.

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 four types of risk: foreign currency risk, commodity price risk, interest rate risk and share price risk. Financial instruments affected 
by market risk include deposits, trade receivables, trade payables, accrued liabilities and borrowings.

The sensitivity analyses in the following sections relate to the position as at 30 June 2021 and 30 June 2020. 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.

When calculating the sensitivity analyses, it is assumed that the sensitivity of the relevant profit before tax item and/or equity is the effect of the 
assumed changes in respective market risks, with all other variables held constant. This is based on the financial assets and financial liabilities 
held at 30 June 2021 and 30 June 2020.

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 Australian dollars.

The majority of costs 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.

106

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202121. Financial risk management continued

a) Foreign currency risk

The Group may from time to time have cash denominated in United States dollars (US dollars).

Currently the Group has no foreign exchange hedge programmes in place. The Group manages the purchase of foreign currency to meet 
expenditure requirements, which cannot be netted off against US dollar receivables.

The financial instruments which are denominated in US dollars are as follows:

Financial assets

Cash

Trade and other receivables

b) Commodity price risk

2021
$’000

7,044

4,124

2020
$’000

13,830

2,176

The Group uses oil price options to manage some of its transaction exposures. Options entered into have not been 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.

Commodity price risk arises from the sale of oil denominated in US dollars. The Group has provisional sales at 30 June 2021 of $4.1 million 
(2020: $2.2 million).

c) Interest rate risk

The Group has borrowings of $218.0 million at 30 June 2021 (2020: $229.4 million). Interest on borrowings is at variable rates (refer to Note 18) 
and are capitalised while the project is in development. The Group has fixed rate term deposits that are not impacted by changes in the interest 
rate at balance date. 

d) 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. 

The following table summarises the sensitivity of financial instruments held at the year end, to the market risks above, with all other variables held 
constant. 

If the Australian dollar were 10% higher at the balance date

If the Australian dollar were 10% lower at the balance date

If the Brent Average price were 10% higher at the balance date

If the Brent Average price were 10% lower at the balance date

If the interest rates were 10% higher at the balance date

If the interest rates were 10% lower at the balance date

If the share price were 10% higher at the balance date

If the share price were 10% lower at the balance date

2021
$’000

2020
$’000

Impact on after tax profit

(1,015)

1,241

452

(452)

(2,180)

2,180

125

(125)

(1,455)

1,778

397

(397)

(2,294)

2,294

Impact on reserve

56

(56)

107

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202121. Financial risk management 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, escrow proceeds receivable (disclosed as other financial assets), and certain prepayments. 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.

The Group trades only with recognised creditworthy third parties and has had no exposure to expected credit losses. 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. Trade 
receivables are settled on 30 to 90 day terms. The Group has some exposure to credit loss from other receivables and an amount of $4.2 million 
calculated on lifetime expected credit loss has been recognised in respect of credit-impaired receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents, term deposits and escrow proceeds receivable are held at three financial institutions that have a Standard & Poor’s A 
credit rating or better.

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.  

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. 

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities based on contractual undiscounted payments:

At 30 June 2021

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Success fee financial liability

At 30 June 2020

Trade and other payables¹

Lease liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Success fee financial liability

1.  Excludes deferred lease incentive.

Less than 
3 months 
$’000

3 to 12 
months 
$’000

1 to 5 
years 
$’000

Greater than 
5 years 
$’000

34,372

275

9,394

-

-

864

-

7,459

59,722

168,955

-

5,000

-

3,406

-

-

44,041

60,586

181,414

3,406

21,183

258

2,530

-

-

786

35,192

-

23,971

35,978

-

6,887

218,017

5,000

229,904

-

5,118

-

-

5,118

Total 
$’000

34,372

12,004

238,071

5,000

289,447

21,183

13,049

255,739

5,000

294,971

108

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Group Structure

22. Interests in joint arrangements

The Group has the following interests in joint arrangements involved in the exploration and/or production of oil and gas in Australia: 

Joint Arrangements in Australia in which Cooper Energy Limited is the Operator/manager

VIC/L24 & 30

VIC/P44

Gas exploration and production

Gas exploration

Athena Processing Plant

Gas processing services

Joint Arrangements in Australia in which Cooper Energy Limited is not the Operator/manager
PEL 93¹,²

Oil and gas exploration and production

PRL 237²

Oil and gas exploration

 Ownership Interest

2021

2020

50%

50%

50%

30%

20%

50%

50%

-

30%

20%

PRL 207-209 (Formerly PEL 100)²

Oil and gas exploration

19.165%

19.165%

PRL 183-190 (Formerly PEL 110)²

Oil and gas exploration

PEL 494

PEP 150

PEP 168

PEP 171

PRL 32

PEL 680

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

Oil and gas exploration

PRL 85-104¹ (Formerly PEL 92)

Oil and gas exploration and production

1. Includes associated PPLs.

20%

30%

50%

50%

75%

30%

30%

25%

20%

30%

50%

50%

75%

30%

-

25%

2. The assets and liabilities associated with these joint arrangements are held for sale as at 30 June 2021. Refer to Note 10. 

Accounting Policy

The Group has interests in arrangements that are controlled jointly. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an 
arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. 
A joint arrangement is either a joint operation or a joint venture. The Group has several 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.

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
•  Expenses, including its share of any expenses incurred jointly

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

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; and

•  when the arrangement is structured through a separate vehicle, 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.

109

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
23. Investments in controlled entities

(a) Schedule of controlled entities

The Group’s consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Cooper Energy Limited and the subsidiaries listed in the 
following table.

Name

CE Tunisia Bargou Ltd

CE Hammamet Ltd

CE Nabeul Ltd

Somerton Energy Limited

Essential Petroleum Exploration Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (Australia) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (PBF) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (PB Pipelines) 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 (VO) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (Marketing) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (BMG) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (CB) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (Finance) Pty Ltd

Cooper Energy (AGP) Pty Ltd

Country of 
incorporation

British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Ownership interest

Note

2021

-

-

-

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)(b)

(a)(b)

(a)(b)

(a)(b)

2020

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

-

The parties that comprise the Closed Group are denoted by (a). Parties added to the Closed Group by assumption deed dated 28 August 2020 

are denoted by (b).

(b) Deed of Cross Guarantee

Pursuant to ASIC Corporations (Wholly-owned Companies) Instrument 2016/785 dated 29 September 2016, relief has been granted to these 
controlled entities of Cooper Energy Limited from the Corporations Act 2001 for preparation, audit and lodgement of financial reports, and 
directors’ reports. As a condition of the Class Order, Cooper Energy Limited, and the controlled entities subject to the Class Order, entered into a 
Deed of Cross Guarantee. The effect of the deed is that Cooper Energy Limited has guaranteed to pay any deficiency in the event of the winding 
up of any member of the Closed Group, and each member of the Closed Group has given a guarantee to pay any deficiency, in the event that 
Cooper Energy Limited or any other member of the Closed Group is wound up.

CE Tunisia Bargou Ltd, CE Hammamet Ltd and CE Nabeul Ltd were inactive during the current and prior year, therefore the Financial Statements 
of the consolidated entity also represent the closed group results. These entities were also wound up during the financial year.

110

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202123. Investments in controlled entities continued

Accounting Policy

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration for 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 acquired for appropriate classification and designation 
per AASB 9 Financial Instruments (AASB 9) in accordance with the contractual terms, economic circumstances and pertinent conditions as at 
the acquisition date. 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 and 
measured at fair value through profit and loss. 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. 

An asset or group of assets that do not meet the definition of a business are accounted for as asset acquisitions. Under this method, 
assets are initially recognised at cost based on their relative fair value at the date of acquisition. Under this method transaction costs are 
capitalised to the asset and not expensed.

24. Parent entity information

Information relating to the parent entity, Cooper Energy Limited

Current Assets

Total Assets

Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Issued capital

Accumulated loss

Option premium reserve

Share based payment reserve

Total shareholders’ equity

Loss of the parent entity

Total comprehensive loss of the parent entity

Other Information

25. Commitments for expenditure

2021
$’000

405,709

616,747

17,695

185,623

477,675

2020
$’000

114,686

638,485

14,891

192,562

475,862

(61,655)

(42,794)

25

15,079

431,124

(18,862)

(18,862)

25

12,830

445,923

(39,302)

(39,302)

The Group has the following commitments for expenditure not provided for in the financial statements and payable.

Due within 1 year

Due within 1-5 years

Due later than 5 years

Total

Exploration capital

Leases

2021
$’000

2,460

63,445

-

2020
$’000

32,300

68,944

-

65,905

101,244

2021¹
$’000

8,151

244,535

84,683

337,369

1. Commitments relating to leases that have not yet commenced.

From time to time through the ordinary course of business, Cooper Energy enters into contractual arrangements that may give rise to 
negotiated outcomes.

As at 30 June 2021 the Parent entity has bank guarantees for $8.8 million (2020: $1.5 million). These guarantees are in relation to credit 
support for gas purchases and guarantees on office leases.

2020²
$’000

24,273

242,729

112,398

379,400

111

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202126. Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities arise in the ordinary course of business through commercial disputes or claims, including contractual or third-party claims. 
These contingent liabilities are possible obligations whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of uncertain 
future events. Because it is not probable that a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required or the amount of the obligation cannot be 
measured with sufficient reliability, the Group has not provided for these amounts in the financial statements.

27. Share based payments

At the 2018 AGM, shareholders of Cooper Energy approved the plan referred to as the Equity Incentive Plan (EIP). Performance rights and 
share appreciation rights were issued for no consideration under the EIP. These rights issued will vest as shares in the parent entity subject to 
performance hurdles being met. A performance right is the right to acquire one fully paid share in the Company provided a specified hurdle is met 
and share appreciation rights 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. 

Testing of the performance rights and share appreciation rights will occur at the end of the three year performance period. Rights granted prior to 
the 2020 financial year 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 the absolute total 
shareholder returns of 12 peer companies listed on the Australian Securities 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.

Performance rights are also granted as part of deferred STIP and testing of these rights will occur at the end of a 12 month performance period. 
Rights granted will vest if the employee remains employed by the Company at the end of the performance period.

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:

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

Date Granted

12 December 2018

11 December 2019

11 December 20191,2

13,312,848

14,871,802

-

10 December 2020

20,473,191

10 December 2020²

-

1. Granted in December 2019 and exercised in December 2020

2. Relates to deferred STIP performance rights granted

4,888,166

4,257,209

769,605

6,394,202

1,885,834

$0.435

$0.575

$0.575

$0.390

$0.390

3

3

1

3

1

0.5

1.5

-

2.5

0.5

The number of performance rights and 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

1. Includes deferred STIP issued as performance rights

Number of Share 
Appreciation Rights

Number of Performance 
Rights1

2021

48,280,025

20,473,191

(6,438,631)

(4,881,179)

-

2020

38,457,469

14,871,802

2021

17,862,629

8,280,036

2020

15,464,897

5,026,814

(5,049,246)

(3,333,247)

(2,613,107)

-

-

(1,889,863)

-

-

(15,975)

57,433,406

48,280,025

20,919,555

17,862,629

-

-

-

-

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.

112

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 202127. Share based payments continued

Share Appreciation Rights fair value assumptions

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

Accounting Policy

12 December 
2018 

11 December  
2019

10 December  
2020

14.5 cents

43.5 cents

1.95%

49%

0%

15.8 cents

57.5 cents

0.68%

40%

0%

10.9 cents

39.0 cents

0.11%

45%

0%

12 December 
2018 

11 December  
2019

10 December  
2020

30.0 cents

43.5 cents

1.95%

49%

0%

37.7 cents

57.5 cents

0.68%

40%

0%

25.6 cents

39.0 cents

0.11%

45%

0%

The Group provides benefits to employees 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. 

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. 

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

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.

113

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
28. Related party disclosures

The Group has a related party relationship with its joint arrangements (Note 22), its subsidiaries (Note 23), and its key management personnel 
(disclosure below).

The key management personnel’s remuneration included in General Administration (see Note 2) is as follows:

Short-term benefits

Other long-term benefits

Post-employment benefits

Performance Rights and Share Appreciation Rights

Total

29. Remuneration of Auditors

The auditor of Cooper Energy Limited is Ernst & Young

Audit services

Amounts received or due and receivable by Ernst & Young Australia for:

Audit of statutory report of Cooper Energy Limited

Other services

Taxation and other services

Total fees to Ernst & Young

2021
$

2020
$

4,818,430

5,906,298

54,545

251,556

47,513

244,725

2,123,212

2,263,996

7,247,743

8,462,532

2021
$

2020
$

486,075

486,075

48,300

48,300

534,375

511,395

511,395

187,915

187,915

699,310

30. Events after the reporting period

Other than the Sale and Purchase Agreement for the sale to Bass Oil of the Company’s interests in several of its Cooper Basin exploration and 
production licenses (PEL 93, PPL 207, PRL 237, PEL 100 and PEL 110) that was announced on 12 July 2021 as detailed in Note 10, there are no 
significant events subsequent to 30 June 2021 at the date of this report. .

114

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFor the year ended 30 June 2021COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Directors’ Declaration 

In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of Cooper Energy Limited, I state that: 

1.  In the opinion of the Directors: 

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

(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 2021 and of its 

In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of Cooper Energy Limited, I state that:

performance for the year ended on that date; and 

1. 

In the opinion of the Directors:
(ii) complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the 
(a) the financial statements and notes of the consolidated entity are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

Corporations Regulations 2001;  

(i)  giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2021 and of its performance for the year ended 

(b) the financial statements and notes also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in the 

on that date; and
Basis of Preparation; and 

(ii)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Corporations Regulations 

(c) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become 

2001; 
due and payable. 
(b)  the financial statements and notes also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in the Basis of Preparation; 

2.  This declaration has been made after receiving the declarations required to be made to the Directors in accordance 

and

with section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 for the financial year ended 30 June 2021.  

(c) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

3.  In the opinion of the Directors, as at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the 

2.  This declaration has been made after receiving the declarations required to be made to the Directors in accordance with section 295A of the 
members of the Closed Group identified in note 23 will be able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which they are, 
Corporations Act 2001 for the financial year ended 30 June 2021. 
or may become subject, by virtue of the deed of cross guarantee.  
3. 

In the opinion of the Directors, as at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the members of the Closed 
Group identified in note 23 will be able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which they are, or may become subject, by virtue of the deed of 
cross guarantee. 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors. 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Mr John C. Conde AO 
Mr John C. Conde AO 
Chairman 
Chairman 
23 August 2021 

23 August 2021

Mr David P. Maxwell 
Mr David P. Maxwell
Managing Director 
Managing Director

115

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
116

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021117

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021118

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021119

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021120

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021121

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021122

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021Securities Exchange and Shareholder Information
as at 31 August 2021

Listing
The company’s shares are quoted on the Australian Securities Exchange under the code of “COE”.

Number of Shareholders
There were 9,422 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 2021)

Size of Shareholding

Number of holders

Number of Shares

% of issued capital

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 Performance Rights

Number of Holders of Rights

101

22

1,035

2,372

1,430

3,729

856

9,422

294,429

6,677,245

11,793,671

140,693,469

1,471,567,291

1,631,026,105

0.02

0.41

0.72

8.63

90.22

100.00

Total Performance Rights 

20,435,120 Performance Rights

56,443,748 Share Appreciation Rights

Unmarketable Parcels
There were 2,026 members, representing 1,913,049 shares, holding less than a marketable parcel of 2,223 shares in the company.

Twenty Largest Shareholders

Rank Name

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

CS Third Nominees Pty Limited 

Bnp Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

National Nominees Limited

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 

Mccusker Holdings Pty Ltd

UBS Nominees Pty Ltd

Nero Resource Fund Pty Ltd 

Invia Custodian Pty Limited 

Kavel Pty Ltd 

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 

14. Mr Leendert Hoeksema & Mrs Aaltje Hoeksema

15.

Levak Nominees Pty Ltd

16. Mr Matthew Brendan Ryland

17. Mr Timothy Bryce Kleemann

18.

19.

20.

Hooks Enterprises Pty Ltd 

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd Six Sis Ltd 

Farjoy Pty Ltd

Units

% of Issued Capital

220,957,128

215,337,660

212,372,325

168,854,522

56,555,315

56,261,371

41,520,740

41,500,000

25,143,556

14,600,000

14,099,180

12,341,476

10,989,649

8,980,000

7,269,015

6,300,000

5,647,682

5,440,000

4,948,575

4,350,000

13.55

13.20

13.02

10.35

3.47

3.45

2.55

2.54

1.54

0.90

0.86

0.76

0.67

0.55

0.45

0.39

0.35

0.33

0.30

0.27

Totals: Top 20 holders of Ordinary Fully Paid Shares (Total)

1,133,468,194

69.49

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

L1 Capital Pty Ltd

First Sentier Investors Holdings Ltd

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc

Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd

CBA

Challenger Ltd

Greencape Capital

Carol Australia Holdings Pty Ltd

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

208,910,445

123,639,367

123,639,367

83,835,500

85,908,900

134,892,539

131,213,903

97,203,575

12.81%

7.58%

7.58%

5.14%

5.27%

8.27%

8.07%

5.99%

123

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021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 contact details in the 
Corporate Directory of this Annual Report.

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 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. Annual 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 half-yearly and quarterly
reports, company press releases and investor
presentations. All publications can be obtained
either through the Company’s website or by
contacting the Company

•  Telephone or email enquiry: Derek Piper,

Head of Investor Relations, +61 8 8100 4900;

customerservice@cooperenergy.com.au

Annual Report 
This Annual Report has been prepared to 
provide Shareholders with an overview of 
Cooper Energy Limited’s performance for the 
2021 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 Annual Report).

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

Annual General Meeting

•  Date of meeting: Thursday, 11 November 2021

•  Time of meeting: 10:30 am

(Australian Central Daylight Time)

•  Place of meeting: Due to Federal and State

Government restrictions regarding gatherings
and COVID-19, the Annual General Meeting
will be held virtually via an online platform
at https://web.lumiagm.com with meeting
ID 373-924-797

The 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
1C: low estimate Contingent Resources
2C: best estimate Contingent Resources
3C: high estimate Contingent Resources
1P: Proved Reserves
2P: Proved and Probable Reserves
3P: Proved, Probable and Possible Reserves
ASX: Australian Securities Exchange
bbl: barrels of oil

BMG: Basker, Manta and Gummy fields
boe: barrels of oil equivalent
bopd: barrels of oil per day
$: Australian dollars
EBITDAX: earnings before interest, tax, 
depreciation, amortisation, restoration, 
exploration and evaluation expense  
and impairment

FEED: front end engineering and design
FID: final investment decision
FTE: full time equivalent
GJ: gigajoules
HSEC: health, safety, environment 
and community

kboe: thousand barrels of oil equivalent
kbbl: thousand barrels of oil
km: kilometres
LNG: liquefied natural gas
LTI: lost time injury
LTIFR: lost time injury frequency rate
m: metres
MMbbl: million barrels of oil
MMboe: million barrels of oil equivalent
NOPSEMA: National Offshore Petroleum 
Safety and Management Authority

NOPTA: National Offshore Petroleum 
Title Administrator

NPAT: net profit after tax
OGPP: Orbost Gas Processing Plant
PJ: petajoules
PRMS: Petroleum Resources Management 
System

SCF: standard cubic feet
SPE: Society of Petroleum Engineers
TJ: terajoules

TRIFR: total recordable injury frequency rate
TRCFR: total recordable case frequency rate 
per million hours worked

VWAP: volume weighted average price

Reserves and Contingent Resources

Cooper Energy reports its Reserves and 
Contingent Resources according to the Society 
of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Petroleum 
Resources Management System (PRMS) 
guidelines. 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, at 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.

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.

124

COOPER ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2021CORPORATE DIRECTORY

Directors

Bankers

John C Conde AO, Chairman

David P Maxwell, Managing Director

Timothy G Bednall

Victoria J Binns

Giselle M Collins (appointed 19 August 2021)

Elizabeth A Donaghey

Hector M Gordon

Jeffrey W Schneider

Alice J Williams (retired 12 November 2020)

Company Secretary

Amelia Jalleh

Registered Office and Business Address

Level 8, 70 Franklin 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, South Australia, 5000

ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Singapore Branch
Level 26, One Raffles Quay South Tower
Singapore 048583

National Australia Bank Limited 
Level 32, 500 Bourke Street 
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group 
Level 20, 242 Pitt Street 
Sydney, New South Wales, 2000
Australia

Natixis, Hong Kong Branch
Level 72, International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West
Kowloon, Hong Kong

ING Bank N.V.
Level 31, 60 Margaret Street
Sydney, New South Wales, 2000

National Australia Bank Limited
Level 32, 500 Bourke Street
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

Share Registry

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
Level 5, 115 Grenfell Street
Adelaide, South Australia, 5000 
Website: computershare.com

Telephone:
Australia 1300 655 248
International +61 3 9415 4887
Facsimile: +61 3 9473 2500