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Comet Ridge

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FY2021 Annual Report · Comet Ridge
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Comet Ridge

ANNUAL
REPORT

2021

CONTENTS

Overview of Activities

Chairman and Managing Director Letter to the Shareholders

2021 Annual Reserves Statement

Corporate Governance Overview Statement

Directors’ Report

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Notes to the Financial Statements

Directors’ Declaration

Independent Auditor’s Report

Additional Information

Corporate Directory

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66

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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Overview of Activities  

Highlights 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Transformative  acquisition  of  APLNG’s  30%  interest  in  the  Mahalo  Gas  Project  (announced  3  August  2021),  taking  Comet  Ridge’s 
interest to 70%, adding significant increases to 2P and 3P Reserves and Contingent Resources - to be developed for near-term supply 
into the strengthening east coast gas market. 

Funding for acquisition provided by continuing Mahalo JV partner, Santos Ltd (STO) in exchange for options to increase STO’s equity 
to 50% in the Mahalo Gas Project and to acquire a 50% interest in Comet Ridge’s 100% Mahalo North (ATP 2048) and Mahalo East 
(ATP 2061) assets. 

$10 million loan facility agreed with Pure Asset Management to support the Company’s Mahalo Gas Hub project development strategy, 
with Tranche 1 drawdown of $6.5 million completed 17 September 2021. 

Placement of $5.0 million (net of costs) completed 16 September 2021. 

Operations 

• 

Two  additional  100%  block  bids  -  Mahalo  East  (ATP  2061)  and  Mahalo  Far  East  (ATP  2063)  -  won  via  Queensland  Government 
competitive tender, then formally awarded in FY21, following Mahalo North (ATP 2048) win and award in FY20. 

•  MOU signed to assess the feasibility of the supply of Mahalo North pilot gas to displace diesel and/or for the generation of behind-the-

fence power in nearby coal mines. 

•  Mahalo North drilling program advanced and two well locations finalised for drilling in 2Q FY22, followed by production testing during 

3Q and 4Q FY22. 

Corporate 

• 

• 

• 

Underlying loss after tax of $6.96 million (2020: $10.39 million). 

Cash balance of $3.39 million at 30 June 2021. 

R&D tax incentives received in FY21 totalling $3.25 million.  

Project Overview 

Comet Ridge has highly prospective, large footprint gas assets in three basins in eastern Australia (Figure 1 and Table 1): 

1.  Southern  Bowen  Basin,  Queensland  –  comprising  the 
significantly  appraised  Mahalo  Gas  Project,  and  three 
recently  awarded  100%  blocks  to  the  north  (collectively 
referred  to  by  Comet  Ridge  as  the  Mahalo  Gas  Hub  area). 
The  Mahalo  Gas  Hub  is  close  to  infrastructure  and  the 
Gladstone LNG market.  It is being targeted by Comet Ridge 
for  near-term  production,  using  the  modular  development 
model from the nearby Santos-operated Arcadia coal seam 
gas (CSG) field (located to the south).  

2.  Galilee  Basin,  Queensland  –  three  permits  that  cover  a 
large  area  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  basin  and  are 
prospective for both CSG and conventional gas (Deeps).  

3.  Gunnedah  Basin,  NSW  –  two  large  permits  located  in  the 
northern part of the basin that are prospective for both CSG 
and conventional gas. 

Figure 1 – Map of East Australia detailing Comet Ridge’s Permits 

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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Comet Ridge Permits 

State 

CSG Interest 

Conventional 
Interest 

Area (km2) 

Mahalo Gas Hub, southern Bowen Basin 

Mahalo Gas Project (PL 1082, PL 1083, PCA 302, 
PCA 303, PCA 304) 
Mahalo North (ATP 2048) 
Mahalo East (ATP 2061) 
Mahalo Far East (ATP 2063) 

Galilee Basin 

ATP 743 3 
ATP 744 4 
ATP 1015 
Gunnedah Basin 5 

PEL 6 
PEL 427 

QLD 

QLD 
QLD 
QLD 

QLD 
QLD 
QLD 

NSW 
NSW 

40%2 

100% 
100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 
100% 

29.55% 
59.09% 

n/a 1 

n/a 
n/a 
100% 

70% 
70% 
70% 

97.5% 
100% 

9112 

450 
97 
338 

3,195 
4,296 
2,194 

5,162 
5,764 

Table 1 – Summary of Comet Ridge Permits at 30 June 2021 

1 

Comet Ridge has rights for gas down to the level of the lower Mantuan coals. 
2  Becoming 70% equity and 989 km2 after the transaction with APLNG completes. 
3  ATP 743 expired on 3 September 2021 and is currently subject to permit renewal and Potential Commercial Area (PCA) applications. As part 
of the permit renewal and PCA application process, Comet Ridge will relinquish a large area of the ATP which is not supported by petroleum 
discoveries and Contingent Resources.  

4  ATP  744  expires  on  31  October  2021  and,  prior  to  expiry,  will  be  subject  to  permit  renewal  and  Potential  Commercial  Area  (PCA) 
applications. Comet Ridge expects a large part of the existing permit area will be retained under the permit renewal and PCA applications.  
Comet  Ridge  relinquished  its  interests  in  PEL  428,  effective  from  22  May  2021.  PEL  6  and  PEL  427  are  currently  subject  to  renewal 
application.  

5 

1. 

Mahalo Gas Hub, Bowen Basin, QLD 

Mahalo Gas Project (PL 1082, PL 1083, PCA 302, PCA 303, PCA 304) 

Overview - Comet Ridge’s Mahalo Gas Project is located in the Denison Trough, approximately 240km west of Gladstone in the southern Bowen 
Basin and currently covers an area of 911km2, however this will expand after the recently announced transaction completes. The initial focus for 
development  of  the  Project  will  be  in  the  two  Petroleum  Lease  (PL 1082  and  PL  1083)  areas  that  were  awarded  to  the  Mahalo  joint  venture 
participants in June 2020, and have been heavily appraised to date, with strong flow rates and reserves independently certified (see Figure 2). 
The  project  is  located  65km  to  the  north  of  infrastructure  connecting  to  the  east  coast  gas  market  and  Gladstone  LNG  export  terminals  (see 
Figure 3). Comet Ridge has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Australia Pacific LNG Pty Limited’s (APLNG) 30% interest in the Mahalo 
Gas Project, taking Comet Ridge’s interest from 40% to 70% on completion (Acquisition).  

Increased equity – During the financial year Comet Ridge and its Joint Venture partners invested significant  time and effort into preparing to take 
the Mahalo Gas Project forward. This led to Comet Ridge announcing, subsequent to year end, the acquisition of APLNG’s 30% interest in the 
Project. At the same time, Comet Ridge executed a funding and option agreement with continuing Mahalo Gas Project partner, Santos Limited.  
The key terms of the Acquisition and Santos agreements are: 

• 

• 

• 

Cash  consideration  of  $12  million  payable  to  APLNG  at  completion  of  the  Acquisition  and  $8  million  post-completion  payment  in 
deferred tranches.  

Comet Ridge has access to $13.15 million of debt funding from Santos to fully fund the upfront Acquisition consideration ($12 million) 
and stamp duty costs ($1.15 million), due later in CY 2021.  

In exchange for receiving loan funding for the Acquisition, Comet Ridge is providing Santos with the following rights to acquire various 
interests in the Mahalo Gas Hub area:  

o  Option  1  -  Santos  may  elect  (for  a  period  up  to  six  months  post-completion  of  the  Acquisition)  to  purchase  a  12.86% 

interest in the Mahalo Gas Project from Comet Ridge at proportional Acquisition value ($8.57 million); and  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         2 

	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

o 

Expansion option – Santos has an exclusive right to negotiate, on commercial terms to be agreed, to purchase from Comet 
Ridge, an additional 7.14% interest in Mahalo Gas Project (equalising Santos and Comet Ridge interest at 50% each) as well 
as 50% interests in Mahalo North (ATP 2048) and Mahalo East (ATP2061). The expansion option is subject to Option 1 
being exercised by Santos. 

Figure 2 – Map of Mahalo Gas Project PL areas and location of CSG and historic conventional wells drilled to date 

Development Plan – The arrangements with Santos to potentially equalise equity interests across Mahalo Gas Project, Mahalo North and Mahalo 
East provides for a larger initial development project focused on the high productivity fairway inside these three permits.  The final step prior to a 
development  decision  is  to  undertake  appraisal  in  Mahalo  North  and  Mahalo  East,  which  will  put  the  joint  Venture  in  a  position  to  take  a  final 
investment decision later in 2022.  

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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Figure 3 – Regional location of the very large Mahalo Gas Hub area showing proximity to pipeline infrastructure and Gladstone domestic and LNG 
market 

Mahalo North – ATP 2048 

Overview – This large 450km2 block is highly prospective, given its location directly north of, and contiguous with, the Mahalo Gas Project. The 
block was formally awarded to Comet Ridge as 100% equity holder by the Queensland Government on 29 April 2020, following the approval of 
the Environmental Authority (EA) by the Department of Environment and Science (DES), and formal execution of a Native Title agreement over the 
block. Gas produced from Mahalo North is subject to domestic supply conditions, meaning that it cannot be supplied other than to the Australian 
domestic market (unless there is an offsetting domestic sales volume from another project via a swap arrangement). 

Subsurface Analysis - Comet Ridge has undertaken subsurface analysis utilising the significant volume of detailed well and seismic data that 
exists  for  the  permit,  principally  from  historical  coal  and  petroleum  exploration.  The  third  party,  high  quality,  seismic  data  has  increased  our 
confidence in the productive coal fairway and the ability of strategically placed pilots to deliver meaningful gas volumes and means that appraisal 
and initial development well locations can be chosen based on the available data.   

Mahalo East – ATP 2061 

Overview - The 97km2 block is also highly prospective, given its location directly north-east of, and contiguous with, the Mahalo Gas Project. The 
block  was  formally  awarded  to  Comet  Ridge  as  100%  equity  holder  by  the  Queensland  Government  on  28  September  2020,  soon  after  the 
Company won a competitive tender process. Gas produced from Mahalo East is subject to domestic supply conditions, meaning that it cannot be 
supplied  other  than  to  the  Australian  domestic  market  (unless  there  is  an  offsetting  domestic  sales  volume  from  another  project  via  a  swap 
arrangement). 

Subsurface Analysis – Whilst the amount of well and seismic data in this block is less than is available for Mahalo North, there is still sufficient 
drilling data to confirm the extension of the high-quality fairway from the Mahalo PL areas towards the northeast, with good coal development 
and a number of high-quality drilling locations for appraisal and development. 

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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Planned Drilling Program for Mahalo North and Mahalo East 

Comet Ridge’s forward plan for the Mahalo Gas Hub area is to undertake appraisal of the high productivity fairway, extending north from the PL 
areas in the Mahalo Gas Project, and located in the Mahalo North and Mahalo East blocks (see Figure 4). The work program will comprise pilot 
well drilling, production testing, and step-out core holes in each of the blocks. This should be the final appraisal work required prior to a final 
investment decision (FID) for the Mahalo Gas Hub area. 

The first phase of the work program will be funded by Comet Ridge from the Pure Asset Management facility and the recently completed equity 
placement. The drilling activity is expected to commence in Q2 FY22 and will comprise: 

• 

• 

a Mahalo North Pilot production test comprising a vertical core hole (to become a production well) and a dual lateral well planned to 
intersect more than 2,000m of coal. 

one step-out core hole either in Mahalo North or Mahalo East (pending final technical assessment). 

The objectives of this first phase work program are to: 

• 

• 

• 

demonstrate the production potential of development-length wells in the shallow, high-productivity coals. 

certify a meaningful volume of additional 2P and 3P Gas Reserves – making Mahalo Gas Hub project at least 30% bigger. 

plan a pilot production test at Mahalo East and any additional step out core holes prior to FID (to add further 2P and 3P Reserves). 

Figure 4 – Map showing the location of the development (hjgh productivity) fairway for the Mahalo Gas Hub, comprising PL 1082 (Humboldt) 
and PL 1083 (Mahalo), ATP 2048 (Mahalo North) and ATP 2061 (Mahalo East) 

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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Mahalo Far East – ATP 2063 

Overview  –  This  very  large  338km2  block  was  formally  awarded  to  Comet  Ridge  on  a  100%  equity  basis  on  10  May  2021.  Mahalo  Far  East 
contains coals that are generally deeper and have notably higher natural gas content than the main Mahalo high productivity fairway, adding a 
very significant additional gas in place volume to Comet Ridge’s portfolio in the Mahalo Gas Hub area.  This block also contains conventional 
(sandstone) gas potential underneath the coals, for which Comet Ridge also holds 100% equity.   

Comet Ridge is considering project funding options to advance exploration and appraisal activities in this block, given its size and multi-target 
plays.  This block has less existing data available compared to the other Mahalo Hub blocks and subsequently is not expected to be part of the 
initial development plan for Mahalo, but could potentially feed in a very large volume of gas following the initial Mahalo Hub development. 

2. 

Galilee Basin Permits 

Historically, Comet Ridge has held a large acreage position of 9,685km2 in the eastern part of the Galilee Basin. This acreage contains (gross) 
2,287 PJ of 3C Contingent Resources, which have been independently certified at two stratigraphic levels. These comprise the sandstones or 
“Deeps”  (from  a  depth  of  approximately  2,500  metres)  in  the  Albany  structure  and  also  CSG or  “Shallows”  in  the  Gunn Project  Area  (from  a 
depth  down  to  approximately  1,000  metres).  In  November  2017,  Comet  Ridge  and  Vintage  Energy  Limited  (Vintage)  signed  a  Joint  Venture 
Agreement, where Vintage has earned a 30% interest in the Galilee “Deeps” Joint Venture (GDJV).  

Activities in the Galilee Basin projects in the current financial year have focused on completing technical work that will: 

• 
• 

secure tenure via renewal of certain areas of ATP 743 and ATP 744 and  
underpin securing the large resource areas (see Figure 5 below) with Potential Commercial Area (PCA) applications to the Queensland 
Government.  

Figure 5 – Galilee ATP 743, ATP 744 and ATP 1015 - seismic leads, conventional (sandstone) and CSG wells drilled to date  

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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

ATP 743 – The permit expired on 3 September 2021 with all work program commitments up to date and the permit in good-standing with the 
Queensland  Government.  Comet  Ridge  has  applied  for  permit  renewal  and  PCA  applications  over  the  most  prospective  areas  of  this  permit, 
namely  the  Koburra  structure  in  the  north-west  of  the  permit  (PCA 318)  and  an  area  in  the  south-east  of  the  permit  (PCA 319),  being  an 
extension of the Albany structure in ATP 744. Most of the remaining area of the ATP will be relinquished as part of the permit renewal and PCA 
applications, which were submitted to the DoR and formally accepted for evaluation. The GDJV is targeting retention of approximately 30% of the 
area of this block under PCAs with the remainder relinquished. 

ATP 744 - The permit expires on 31 October 2021, with all work program commitments up to date and the permit in good-standing with the 
Queensland  Government.  Comet  Ridge  has  submitted  a  PCA  application  over  the  Albany  Structure  (PCA  320)  within  ATP 744  alongside  the 
ATP 743 PCA applications as logically, this entire area would be appraised and potentially developed concurrently. In addition, Comet Ridge will 
submit a permit renewal application for ATP 744 and a PCA application over the Gunn CSG project area within ATP 744 prior to 30 September 
2021. A significant portion of ATP 744 is targeted to be retained by the GDJV due to a combination of the prospectivity and size of the Albany 
Structure (conventional sandstone gas) and also the CSG Contingent Resource areas held 100% by Comet Ridge.  

ATP 1015 – The tenure on ATP 1015 is current until November 2022 and as such, planning for tenure renewal and PCA applications is ongoing.  
Similarly to ATP 744, Comet Ridge is targeting retention of a significant portion of the permit area given the prospectivity and size of the CSG 
Contingent Resource areas.  

3. 

New South Wales Permits 

Comet Ridge’s two contiguous NSW licences (PEL 428 and PEL 6) cover a total area of 10,926km2 and are located in the northern Gunnedah 
Basin, immediately north and northeast of Santos’ Narrabri CSG Project in the Bohena Trough.  

Comet  Ridge  currently  holds  between  29.55%  and  59.09%  CSG  equity  interests  across  these  licences  and  between  97.5%  and  100% 
conventional equity interest. Comet Ridge is the conventional operator whilst Santos operates the CSG interest.  

In  late  May  2021,  Renewal  Application  Amendments  were  submitted  for  PEL  6  and  PEL  427,  the  most  prospective  of  Comet  Ridge’s  NSW 
permits,  on  the  understanding  that,  after  a  decade  of  waiting,  the  Department  of  Regional  NSW  would  favourably  consider  renewals  of  these 
permits.  Discussions  with  the  Department  indicated  that  a  minimum  relinquishment  of  25%  of  each  block  area  was  required  and  amended 
renewal applications were submitted by Comet Ridge on that basis. At the same time and at the request of the Department, it was agreed that the 
outstanding permit renewal for PEL 428 should be withdrawn, on the understanding that PEL 6 and PEL 427 would be renewed. Comet Ridge 
was  prepared  to  accept  the  relinquishment  of  the  Company’s  least  prospective  permit,  in  order  to  retain  75%  of  the  two  most  prospective 
permits, particularly given the conventional gas potential in PEL 6 and the benefits for NSW to be able to supply its own gas to consumers and 
industry. 

Formal acknowledgement of the PEL 428 withdrawal of renewal application was received from the Department of Regional NSW, effective 21 
May 2021. Consequently, PEL 428 has ceased and Comet Ridge no longer has an interest in this permit. A 3C Contingent Resource of 73PJ was 
independently certified in PEL 428 in 2011 and has been removed from the Company’s statement of reserves and contingent resources. This 3C 
Contingent Resource represents only 2.5% of the total 3C contingent resource held by Comet Ridge and is not considered material. 

Following the relinquishment of PEL 428, the NSW Government published its Future of Gas Statement on 21 July 2021. In this Statement, the 
NSW Government on one hand seems to support a gas industry for manufacturing, but at the same time has undertaken to restrict gas activity 
outside  the  Narrabri  Gas  Project  area.  The  Company  is  unclear  on  the  NSW  Government’s  intentions  for  renewal  of  PEL 6  and  PEL 427.  The 
Company is extremely disappointed that the apparent intent of The Future of Gas Statement is to extinguish entire permit areas, over and above 
statutory obligations, with no indication of any regard for the investment made by Comet Ridge in these permits over the past 10 years (including 
annual  fees  charged  by  the  NSW  Government).  Comet  Ridge  believes  the  Statement  is  a  backward  step  for  investment  and  job  creation  in 
regional NSW, particularly considering the half century of demonstrated economic and social benefit that natural gas has provided to regional 
areas, just across the border in Queensland.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         7 

	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

International Activities 

During the 2016 financial year, Comet Ridge submitted an application to surrender its interest in PMP50100 in New Zealand. This is currently 
being processed by New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals. 

During the 2019 financial year, Comet Ridge undertook a program to plug and abandon (make permanently safe) all the wells in its New Zealand 
acreage as part of the process to surrender PMP50100. As of 30 June 2021, all wells except for Murcott 1 (awaiting site access), have been 
successfully plugged and abandoned (made safe by cementing the reservoir section and permanently isolating from surface).  

Health, Safety and Environment	
  

Comet  Ridge  has  been  very  cognisant  of  Covid-19  risks  during  the  2021  financial  year,  which  resulted  in  some  staff  working  from  home 
(particularly in April to early May 2020), with regular morning Teams ‘check in’ meetings to maintain team cohesiveness and wellbeing. We were 
still able (with appropriate Covid provisions) to travel to the field for scouting of well site locations and landholder meetings in the newly acquired 
Mahalo North (ATP 2048) lease later in 2020. 

With minimal field operations, the total hours worked has decreased significantly from the previous year to a total of 18,900 hours. There were no 
injuries, health or environmental incidents reported for the period 1 July 2020 through to 30 June 2021.  

The HSE focus for the previous 12 months has been on preparing for the recommencement of operations in the 2022 financial year.   

The  risk  management  focus  has  been  on  preparing  for  the  upcoming  operations  via  the  systematic  identification  of  the  strategic  level  risks 
associated with the Mahalo Hub drilling campaign. This work has largely been communicated to the business via the Risk Committee. 

COVID  19  remains  the  most  significant  risk  to  operations  moving  forward.   The  supporting  COVID  19  contingency  plans  aim  to  ensure  the 
business is well prepared for any COVID 19 outbreak that may affect operations either in the field or in the supporting office environment. 

We have continued to work closely with the Regulatory Authorities to understand the implication of the Resources Safety and Health Act 2020 
and the raising of a new regulatory function being “Resources Safety and Health Queensland”. 

Community 

Comet  Ridge  takes  its  corporate  social  responsibility  very  seriously.  This  is  reflected  in  a  deep  commitment,  at  all  levels  of  the  Company,  to 
working  with  community  stakeholders  in  the  regions  where  it  operates.  This  commitment  has  ensured  external  and  stakeholder  relationships 
continue to be extremely positive. Due to COVID-19, Comet Ridge has intentionally reduced direct face to face contact with key landholders and 
community representatives for the bulk of 2021. 

During 2020, and early in 2021 Comet Ridge has: 

•  Maintained its financial membership of the Leucaena Society, to allow knowledge gathering and networking in anticipation of future 

gas field development. 

• 

• 

Commenced land access negotiations with key landholders in the Mahalo North lease area. 

Attended and contributed to a number of Government and Industry organised workshops.	
  

Community  engagement  and  respect  for  the  communities  where  the  Company  operates  is  a  core  value  for  Comet  Ridge  and  is  supported  by 
legislation  and  regulation.  The  Queensland  ‘Land  Access  Code’,  which  has  been  developed  in  compliance  with  the  relevant  legislation  and  is 
enshrined in regulation, is the main formal reference when it comes to landowner and community relations and interaction between landholders 
and the gas Industry.  Comet Ridge has always acted consistently with the principles and guidelines set out in this Code of Practice.  

Comet Ridge believes that co-existence and mutual respect are the cornerstones of community relations. The Company has built on the strong 
relationships  developed  over  previous  years  and  continues  to  enjoy  excellent  relationships  with  landowners,  Local  Government,  the  wider 
community, and all relevant stakeholders. 

In terms of Local Government engagement, the Company continues to maintain contact with relevant officials and elected representatives, in the 
Local Government areas (LGAs) that Comet Ridge operates.  Contact with Local Government affords an excellent opportunity to communicate 
with local communities at a broad level, permitting the Company to articulate forward plans, understand local businesses and hear local concerns 
and issues. 

Through  membership  of  APPEA,  the  Company  interacts  with  other  regional  explorers  and  more  widely  with  Government  representatives  and 
directly  with  other  agencies  such  as  the  Queensland  GasFields  Commission.   Comet  Ridge  maintains  strong  relationships  with  the  relevant 
Queensland Government Departments, including the Department of Resources (DoR) and the Department of Environment and Science (DES).  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         8 

	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Cultural Heritage 

Comet  Ridge  is  legislatively  required  to  protect  and  secure  Indigenous  Cultural  Heritage  when  conducting  in-field  activities  and  takes 
responsibilities in these matters with the utmost seriousness.  Protecting, preserving and respecting Indigenous culture, Aboriginal peoples’ deep 
connection to the land and ensuring artefacts and items of cultural significance are secured, are all very important to the Company. An example 
of this was the successful completion of a Right to Negotiate (RTN) with a local Native Title Group in the Mahalo Far East region, which was a 
requirement for the awarding of ATP 2063. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         9 

	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
Chairman and Managing Director 
letter to shareholders

Dear Shareholder

The 2021 financial year has been a very 
unusual one for all of us and to widely 
varying degrees.  We are learning to 
communicate and transact less face to face, 
by taking advantage of numerous 
technologies from video conferencing to 
document management. 

As we look back to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
which then led into the start of the 2021 financial year, the 
Comet Ridge Board made some prudent decisions to 
manage cash during a period of great uncertainty.  We 
reduced our contractor head count, all our staff took 
significant pay reductions (senior staff up to 50%) and the 
board went to zero cash payments (net of superannuation 
and tax payments) for the period up to the November AGM, 
where shareholders approved remuneration in shares.

Whilst we were unable to get into the field to commence 
work on our exciting and newly awarded Mahalo North (ATP 
2048) 100% block, the Queensland Department of 
Resources wisely continued with its plans for a new block 
bidding round.  Pleasingly, two further blocks to the 
northeast of the Mahalo Gas Project area were put up for 
competitive tender and subsequently awarded to Comet 
Ridge.  The combined area of these blocks is a very 
significant 435 km2.  This dovetailed into our strategy to 
transform the Mahalo Gas Project into a much larger 
development area by including the northern extension of the 
high-productivity fairway in the new blocks towards both the 
northwest and the northeast.  The award of the two new 
blocks gives us a significant tenure footprint in the area for 
gas development (1874 km2) and makes the Mahalo Gas 
Hub an exciting gas development project for Comet Ridge, 
close to infrastructure and the Gladstone market.

Concurrent with the above, publicly available production 
data showed us that our Mahalo JV partner holding 30% 
equity, APLNG, was experiencing production success in its 
existing fields.  This success could potentially have delayed 
the start of the Mahalo Gas Project.  With Comet Ridge’s 
three 100% block wins right across the north of the Mahalo 
Gas Project, it was our view that the project should progress 
to development as soon as possible, particularly with 
Production Licences awarded in June 2020.

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         10

Subsequently we executed an agreement to acquire APLNG’s 30% 
share of the Mahalo Gas Project, and we were also very pleased to 
have Santos join Comet Ridge in the transaction via funding and 
option arrangements.  These arrangements were finalised and 
announced just after the end of the financial year on 3 August 2021.

And then there is Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) that is produced here in 
Australia and exported to mostly Asian countries.  Australian LNG is 
cleaning up the air in a number of international cities and providing an 
energy source that can start up at the push of a button, at any time of 
the day or night, and in any weather conditions.

This now points us towards a very exciting future.  We are currently 
preparing to drill our first development-style long dual lateral well in 
Mahalo North which we plan to spud in October and production test 
through the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.  The Company has 
been recapitalised through a $10m corporate facility (with attached 
warrants), with the first $6.5 million tranche drawn at the date of this 
report.  We also recently conducted a small and targeted equity 
raising to bring some high-quality institutional investors onto our 
register.  

Subsequently, the Company now has over $15 million in available 
cash reserves and facilities.  We also recently provided CleanCo with 
a notice to commence gas sales negotiations in accordance with the 
agreement executed by both parties in 2019.  Comet Ridge has full 
rights to market and sell its equity share of production from the 
Mahalo Gas Project and its 100% owned Mahalo North (ATP 2048), 
East (ATP 2061) and Far East (ATP 2063) blocks.  

The emergence of COVID-19 is not the only change in our external 
environment. “Fossil fuel” - that cheap and abundant energy that has 
provided prosperity, a high standard of living and longevity to billions 
of people around the world for centuries, now seems to have become 
a term that is ideologically maligned and for some investors, to be 
avoided.  This has all happened very quickly.

The irony is that many of us don’t even realise how inextricably our 
lives are intertwined with fossil fuels.  Some people in our community 
expect (or hope) renewable energy will displace natural gas quickly.  
But nothing could be further from the truth.  Natural gas will play a 
key role in support of renewable energy for decades. Genuine long-
term forecasts on renewable penetration by knowledgeable experts, 
rely on natural gas as an important source of transitional supply of 
energy.  

In addition, natural gas, the lowest carbon density fossil fuel, is 
actually much more heavily utilised in manufacturing, home heating 
and cooking, than in power generation.  More than 70% of the natural 
gas used in Australia is for the manufacture of many of the products 
that we use day to day such as plastics, fertilisers, glass, bricks and 
clothing fibres – the list is very long.

Comet Ridge is proudly a natural gas appraisal and development 
Company, soon to move into production.  Our near-term focus is to 
supply the ever-increasing energy requirements of east-coast 
Australia and support our LNG export industry, by progressing our 
large Mahalo Gas Hub through the final stages of appraisal and into 
production.

Gas market forecasters point to a continuing demand for natural gas 
into Australia’s eastern seaboard, and for LNG into Asia. This demand 
will run for decades, and we believe Comet Ridge can provide 
competitively priced gas into this market opportunity.  We look 
forward to providing operational updates over the coming months on 
our appraisal program in Mahalo North, with an objective of booking 
inaugural 2P and 3P reserves in this area.  This will build a larger 
development area at the Mahalo Gas Hub.  We expect the gas market 
in eastern Australia (and Asia and Europe) to continue to tighten and 
expect an exciting future for Comet Ridge.

We would like to sincerely thank our many stakeholders, particularly 
our landholders, the communities we work with and our shareholders 
for your continued support.  A special thanks is extended to our staff 
and contractors who have endured some challenging times in the last 
18 months but have worked tirelessly to help deliver the 
transformational block wins, acquisition and funding deals for our 
Mahalo Gas Hub assets.

James McKay
Chairman

Tor McCaul
Managing Director

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         11

Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

2021 Annual Reserves Statement 

Comet Ridge is pleased to present its Annual Reserves Statement for the period ending 30 June 2021: 

                   Comet Ridge Limited – Net Recoverable Reserves and Resources 1 

            Reserves (PJ)1 

Contingent Resources (PJ)1 

1P 

1P 

2P 

*2P 

3P 

3P 

1C 

1C 

2C 

**2C 

3C 

3C 

30-6-20  30-6-21  30-6-20  30-6-21  30-6-20  30-6-21  30-6-20  30-6-21  30-6-20  30-6-21  30-6-20  30-6-21 

40% 

*- 

*- 

*106 

*106 

183 

183 

53 

53 

**89 

**89 

154 

154 

100% 

70% 

29.55% 

59.09% 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

**67 

**67 

1,870 

1,870 

39 

39 

**107  **107 

292 

292 

- 

- 

- 

- 

562 

4892 

Southern Bowen 
Basin, QLD 

Galilee Basin,  
QLD 

Mahalo Gas 
Project 
(ATP 1191) + 

Gunn Project 
Area  

(ATP 744) 

Galilee Basin,  
QLD 

Albany Structure 

(ATP 744) 

Gunnedah 

PEL 6 

Basin, NSW 

PEL 427 

Total 
Table 2 – Comet Ridge Limited – Reserves and Resources Annual Statement 

*106 

*106 

*- 

*- 

183 

183 

92 

92 

**263  **263 

2,878 

2,8052 

1  Movements in Net Recoverable Reserves and Resources are explained below in responses to Listing Rule 5.39.3 and 5.40.2   

+  Subsequent  to  the  booking  of  the  Reserves  and  Resources  for  ATP  1191,  the  Authority  to  Prospect  and  the  area  that  it  covered  has  been 

converted on application to PL 1082 and PL 1083 along with PCA’s 302, 303, and 304.   

2.  PEL 428 has been relinquished (effective on 21 May 2021) which results in the decrease of the 3C Resources figures for the Gunnedah Basin 
Permits  from  562PJ  to  480PJ  which  is  approximately  a  13%  decrease.  This  reduction  represents  approximately  a  2.5%  decrease  of  the 
Company’s total 3C position.  

ASX Listing Rules Annual Report Requirements 

* Listing Rule 5.39.1:  

•  All 2P petroleum reserves recorded in Table 2 as at 30 June 2021 are undeveloped and are attributable to unconventional gas.  
•  100% of the 2P petroleum reserves are located in the Southern Bowen Basin.  
•  No 1P petroleum reserves were recorded for the period ending 30 June 2021 – Please refer to ASX Announcement “Mahalo Reserves and 

Resources Revision” 30 October 2020 for details.  

* Listing Rule 5.39.2:  

•  The proportion of 2P petroleum reserves that are unconventional is 100%. There are only 2P reserves recorded for the Company which are 

located in the Company’s Bowen Basin Mahalo Gas Project area (PL 1082 and PL 1083 along with PCA’s 302, 303, and 304).   

Listing Rule 5.39.3: 

•  Table 2 records a comparison of the 1P, 2P and 3P petroleum reserves as at 30 June 2021 as against the previous year and discloses that 

the petroleum reserves (1P, 2P and 3P) have not changed.  

Listing Rule 5.39.4: 

•  Comet Ridge first reported certified petroleum reserves for the Mahalo Gas Project on 27 August 2014 and these reserves have remained 

undeveloped for greater than 5 years since the date initially reported. 

•  The Mahalo Joint Venture has yet to reach a Final Investment Decision on the Mahalo Gas Project, which needs the approval of all Joint 

Venture participants.  Lateral well drilling was undertaken by Comet Ridge, as agent for the exploration Operator (Santos), during 2017 and 
2018, to demonstrate and confirm the most likely development well style.  During the first half of 2020, both Federal and State 
environmental approvals were received for the Mahalo Gas Project and then on 30 June 2020 the Petroleum Leases (PLs) were awarded 
by the Queensland Government.  This allows the Mahalo Joint Venture to now finalise the development concept and proceed to make a 
Final Investment Decision (FID). 

•  Comet Ridge announced 3 August 2021 a funded acquisition of APLNG’s 30% interest in the Mahalo Joint Venture which will allow the 
unlocking of the Mahalo Gas Project by providing a pathway to project development with Comet Ridge appointed appraisal operator (as 
agent) to drive the project towards a Final Investment Decision, with Santos to then carry out the development as development operator.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         12 

	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

•  Concurrent with this, Comet Ridge now holding a large 100% operated acreage position immediately adjacent to the Mahalo Gas Project to 
the north, is appraising these areas, to certify further gas reserves and resources and to develop these in a similar fashion, making use of 
infrastructure that will be available to the Mahalo Gas Project following FID.   

Governance Arrangements and Internal Controls Listing Rule 5.39.5: 

•  Comet Ridge has obtained all of its gas Reserves and Resources reported as at 30 June 2021 from external independent consultants who 

are qualified petroleum Reserves and Resources evaluators as prescribed by the ASX Listing Rules.    

•  Comet  Ridge  estimates  and  reports  its  petroleum  Reserves  and  Resources  in  accordance  with  the  definitions  and  guidelines  of  the 

Petroleum Resources Management System 2018, published by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE PRMS).  

•  To  ensure  the  integrity  and  reliability  of  data  used  in  the  reserves  estimation  process,  the  raw  data  is  reviewed  by  senior  reservoir 
engineering and geological staff at Comet Ridge before being provided to the independent reserve certifiers. Comet Ridge has not and does 
not currently intend to conduct internal reviews of petroleum reserves preferring to appoint independent external experts prior to reporting 
any updated estimates of reserves or resources so as to ensure an independent and rigorous review of its data.  

•  Comet Ridge reviews and updates its gas Reserves and Resources position on a regular basis to ensure that if there is any new data that 
might affect the reserves or resources estimates of the Company, steps can be taken to ensure that the estimates are adjusted accordingly. 

 Listing Rule 5.40.1: 

• 

• 

All  2C  contingent  resources  at  30  June  2021  are  undeveloped.  Approximately  78%  of  the  reported  2C  Contingent  Resource  is 
attributable  to  unconventional  gas  with  the  remainder  attributable  to  a  sandstone  reservoir  referred  to  in  Table  2  as  the  Albany 
Structure.  
The geographical areas where the 2C Contingent Resources are located appear in the far-left column of Table. 

Listing Rule 5.40.2: 

• 

Table  2  records  a  comparison  of  the  1C,  2C  and  3C  Contingent  Resources  as  at  30  June  2021,  against  the  previous  year  and 
discloses that: 
o 
o 

the net 1C, 2C and 3C Contingent Resources for the Albany Structure remained unchanged during the period.  
the  net  1C,  2C  and  3C  Contingent  Resources  for  the  Mahalo  Gas  Project  remained  unchanged  during  the  period.  However 
subsequent to 30 June 2021 the Company announced the acquisition of ALNG’s 30% interest in the Mahalo Joint Venture which 
will see an increase (through acquisition) to the 1C, 2C and 3C Contingent Resources the details of which can be found in the 
Company’s ASX announcement of 3 August 2021. 
The  net  3C  Contingent  Resources  of  73  PJ  for  PEL  428  have  been  removed  as  the  permit  was  relinquished  by  Comet  Ridge 
(effective on 21 May 2021).     
There were no other changes to the 1C, 2C and 3C Contingent Resources from those recorded as at 30 June 2020.   

o 

o 

Listing Rule 5.44: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The estimates of Reserves and Contingent Resources appearing in the 2021 Annual Reserves Statement for Comet Ridge Limited and 
its  subsidiaries  are  based  on,  and  fairly  represent,  information  and  supporting  documentation  determined  by  the  various  qualified 
petroleum reserves and resource evaluators listed below.  
The Contingent Resource for the Albany Structure in ATP 744 are taken from an independent report by Dr Bruce McConachie of SRK 
Consulting  (Australasia)  Pty  Ltd,  an  independent  petroleum  reserve  and  resource  evaluation  company.  The  Contingent  Resources 
information in the form and context in which they appear herein has been issued with the previous consent of Dr McConachie in the 
form  and  context  in  which  they  appear  in  this  Annual  Reserves  Statement  for  2021.  His  qualifications  and  experience  meet  the 
requirements  to  act  as  a  qualified  petroleum  reserves  and  resource  evaluator  as  defined  under  the  ASX  Listing  Rule  5.42  to  report 
petroleum reserves in accordance with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (“SPE”) 2018 Petroleum Resource Management System 
(“PRMS”) Guidelines as well as the 2011 Guidelines for Application of the Petroleum Resources Management System  
The unconventional (CSG) Contingent Resource estimates for ATP 744 in the Annual Reserves Statement for 2021 were determined 
by Mr John Hattner of Netherland, Sewell and Associates Inc. (NSAI) in accordance with Petroleum Resource Management System 
guidelines. Mr Hattner is a full-time employee of NSAI and is considered to be a qualified person as defined under the ASX Listing Rule 
5.42 and has given his consent to the use of the resource figures in the form and context in which they appear in the Annual Reserves 
Statement.  
The  estimate  of  Reserves  and  Contingent  Resources  for  the  Mahalo  Gas  Project,  as  part  of  ATP  1191+  provided  in  the  Annual 
Reserves  Statement  was  determined  by  and  under  the  supervision  of  Mr  Timothy  L.  Hower  of  MHA  Petroleum  Consultants  LLC  in 
accordance  with  Petroleum  Resource  Management  System  guidelines.  Mr  Hower  is  a  full-time  employee  of  MHA  and  is  a  qualified 
petroleum reserves and resource evaluator as defined under the ASX Listing Rule 5.42.  Mr Hower is a Licensed Professional Engineer 
in the States of Colorado and Wyoming as well as being a member of The Society of Petroleum Engineers. Mr Hower has previously 
consented  to  the  publication  of  the  Reserve  and  Contingent  Resource  estimates  for  Mahalo  in  the  form  and  context  in  which  they 
appear in this Annual Reserves Statement for 2021. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         13 

	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

• 

The  Contingent  Resource  estimates  for  PEL  6  and  PEL  427  were  also  determined  by  Mr  Timothy  L.  Hower  of  MHA  Petroleum 
Consultants  LLC.  Mr  Hower  consented  to  the  publication  of  the  resource  figures  which  appeared  in  the  announcement  of  7  March 
2011 made by Eastern Star Gas Limited (ASX:ESG) and any reference and reliance on the resource figures for PEL 6 and PEL 427 in 
the table is only a restatement of the information contained in the ESG announcement.   

Notes to Net Recoverable Reserves and Resources Table: 

1)  Gas Reserve and Resource numbers have been rounded to the nearest whole number.   
2)  Comet Ridge’s net reserves have not been adjusted for fuel or shrinkage (estimated at approximately 3%) and have been calculated at the 

wellhead (which is the reference point for the purposes of Listing Rule 5.26.5). 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021         14 

	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Corporate Governance Overview Statement 

The Directors and management of Comet Ridge are committed to the creation of shareholder value and recognise the need for high standards of 
corporate governance as integral to that objective.  

The  Board  is  pleased  to  report  that  during  the  year  ending  30  June  2021  the  Company’s  corporate  governance  practices  and  policies  have 
substantially  accorded  with  those  outlined  in  the  ASX  Corporate  Governance  Council’s  Principles  and  Recommendations  (4th  Edition)  (ASX 
Recommendations  or  ASX  Guidelines),  except  as  outlined  in  the  Company’s  annual  Corporate  Governance  Statement.  Even  where  there  is  a 
deviation from the recommendations the Company continues to review and update its policies and practices in order that these keep abreast of 
the growth of the Company, the broadening of its activities, current legislation and good practice. 

The  ASX  Corporate  Governance  Council’s  (the  Council)  recommendations  are  not  prescriptive  but  rather  they  are  guidelines.  If  certain 
recommendations  are  not  appropriate  for  the  Company  given  its  circumstances,  it  may  elect  not  to  adopt  that  particular  practice  in  limited 
circumstances.  

Where the Company’s Corporate Governance practices do not correlate with the practices recommended by the Council, the Company does not 
consider  that  the  recommended  practices  are  appropriate  due  to  either  the  size  of  the  Board  or  the  management  team  or  due  to  the  current 
activities and operations being carried on by and within the Company.  

A copy of Comet Ridge’s 2021 Corporate Governance Statement, which provides detailed information about governance and a copy of Comet 
Ridge’s  Appendix  4G  which  sets  outs  the  Company’s  compliance  with  the  ASX  Recommendations,  is  available  on  the  corporate  governance 
section of the Company’s website at: 

http://www.cometridge.com.au/corporate-governance/ 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        15 

	
  
	
  
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Directors’ Report 

Your  Directors  present  their  report  on  Comet  Ridge  Limited  (Comet  Ridge  or  the  Company)  and  the  consolidated  entity  (the  Group)  for  the 
financial  year  ended  30  June  2021.  The  Company  was  incorporated  on  23  August  2003  and  listed  on  the  Australian  Securities  Exchange  on 
19 April 2004. 

1. 

Information on Directors 

The following persons were the Directors of Comet Ridge Limited who held office  for the whole or part of the year and up to the date of this 
Report. 

James McKay B.Com, LLB, Non-executive Chairman (Director since 16 April 2009) 

Special Responsibilities 
Chairman 
Member of the Remuneration Committee 

Experience 
James  McKay  is  Executive  Chairman  and  co-founder  of  Walcot  Capital,  a  venture  capital  business  specialising  in  early  stage  commodity 
investments.  Walcot Capital has established a number of large and successful resource projects including Tlou Energy Limited, an ASX and AIM 
listed southern Africa focused coal seam gas company, and ERPM a South African based gold company that purchased the historic East Rand 
Proprietary Mine with a 51M oz reserve. 

James is the former Chairman of successful coal seam gas company Sunshine Gas Limited, having overseen that company’s growth to join the 
ranks of Australia’s Top 150 and a top ten Queensland company with a market capitalisation over $1 billion, prior to its merger with Queensland 
Gas Company.   

Mr McKay is also a director and shareholder of Centenary Memorial Gardens Pty Ltd, a major Brisbane cemetery and crematorium. He is a past 
president of the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association, having served on its board for over 8 years. 

James  McKay  has  a  strong  commercial  background,  with  sound  finance,  investment  markets,  business  management  and  legal  expertise.  He 
holds degrees in commerce and law. 

Interest in Shares and Options 
38,076,275 ordinary shares 

Directorships Held in Other Listed Entities in Last 3 Years 
Firefinch Limited (formerly Birimian Limited) (resigned 13 November 2018) 

Tor McCaul B.E. (Hons/Petroleum), B.Econ, MBA, Managing Director (Director since 16 April 2009) 

Special Responsibilities 
Managing Director 
Member of the Risk Committee 

Experience 
Tor  McCaul  was  appointed  Managing  Director  of  Comet  Ridge  in  April  2009  when  the  Company  merged  with  Chartwell  Energy  Limited 
(Chartwell).  He previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Chartwell having commenced with the Company in 2008. Tor has over 
30 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry. He graduated in Petroleum Engineering from UNSW in 1987 and spent the next 9 years based in 
Brisbane working with operating companies in technical roles on projects in Queensland, New Zealand and PNG, which included a secondment to 
Chevron Niugini. 

He spent the following 11 years in Asia (Karachi, Jakarta, Chennai and Delhi) in technical, finance, commercial and management roles. At VICO 
Indonesia (a BP-ENI JV) he was their LNG Contract Manager on the 23 million-tonne-per-annum Bontang LNG project. In India, he was Cairn 
plc’s  Head  of  Commercial  for  the  Indian  business.  Mr  McCaul  is  currently  a  Director  of  the  Australian  Petroleum  Production  and  Exploration 
Association  and  has  previously  been  the  Chairman  for  the  Queensland  Section  of  the  Society  of  Petroleum  Engineers  and  was  the  2013 
Queensland Petroleum Exploration Association (QUPEX) President. 

Mr McCaul was elected to the APPEA Board in November 2018 and is the Chair of the APPEA Exploration Committee. 

Interest in Shares and Options 
6,501,053 ordinary shares 
2,500,000 Performance Rights 

Directorships Held in Other Listed Entities in Last 3 Years 
Nil. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        16 

	
  
	
  
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Chris Pieters B.Sc (Hons), B.Bus, Executive Director (Director since 16 April 2009)   

Appointed Executive Director 17 June 2015.  

Special Responsibilities 
Nil 

Experience 
Chris Pieters is the Managing Director and co-founder of Walcot Capital, a private venture capital business specialising in early-stage commodity 
investments,  and  the  former  Managing  Director  of  Tlou  Energy  Limited,  when  it  was  a  private  unlisted  public  company  with  CSG  exploration 
interests in Southern Africa. 

Previously he was Chief Commercial Officer at Sunshine Gas Limited prior to its merger with the Queensland Gas Company in 2008.  Mr Pieters 
also held other technical and business development roles at Sunshine Gas. 

He is a member of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia. 

Interest in Shares and Options 
1,576,178 ordinary shares 

Directorships Held in Other Listed Entities in Last 3 Years 
Nil. 

Gillian Swaby B.Bus, FAICD, FCIS, MAusIMM, Non-executive Director (Director since 9 January 2004) 

Special Responsibilities 
Chairperson of the Audit Committee 

Experience 
Gillian Swaby has been involved in financial and corporate administration for listed companies for over 30 years, as both Director and Company 
Secretary covering a broad range of industry sectors. Ms Swaby has extensive experience in the area of  corporate governance, corporate and 
financial management and board practice. 

Gillian is a  past  Chair  of  the  Western  Australian  Council  of  Chartered  Secretaries  of  Australia,  a  former  Director  on  their  National  Board  and  a 
lecturer for the Securities Institute of Australia. Ms Swaby is the principal of a corporate consulting company and was a member of the Paladin 
Energy  Ltd  Board  for  a  period  of  10  years.  In  August  2015,  she  stepped  down  from  her  role  at  Paladin  as  Company  Secretary  and  EGM-
Corporate Services. She also serves on the board of ASX listed Deep Yellow Limited and Panoramic Resources Ltd.  Gillian is also a member of 
the West Australian Division Council of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Interest in Shares and Options 
295,372 ordinary shares 

Directorships Held in Other Listed Entities in Last 3 Years 
Deep Yellow Limited 
Panoramic Resources Ltd 
Firefinch Limited (formerly Birimian Limited) (Resigned 13 November 2018) 

Martin Riley B.E. (Hons I/Chem), Non-executive Director (Director since 13 March 2019) 

Special Responsibilities 
Chairperson of the Risk Committee 
Member of the Remuneration Committee 
Member of the Audit Committee 

Experience 
Martin Riley holds a first-class honours degree from Sydney University in Chemical Engineering and has 35 years’ experience in the upstream oil 
and gas industry in a variety of roles. Martin was influential in the commercial inception and development of the Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry in 
Queensland in the 1990s with Origin Energy. Martin has held a number of sub-surface technical roles, and senior executive positions within the 
industry, across both CSG and conventional assets, through exploration, development and production.  

Interest in Shares and Options 
850,895 ordinary shares 

Directorships Held in Other Listed Entities in Last 3 Years 
Nil. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        17 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Shaun Scott B.A (Rec Admin), B.Bus (Accountancy), ACA, Non-executive Director (Director since 16 October 2019) 

Special Responsibilities 
Chairperson of the Remuneration Committee 
Member of the Audit Committee 

Experience 
Shaun  Scott  is  an  experienced  independent  non-executive director on both public and private boards.   As  an  executive,  Mr  Scott  was  CEO  of 
Arrow Energy Limited and was instrumental in taking this business from a $20 million coal seam gas explorer to a significant gas and energy 
producer and leader in the development of the Queensland LNG industry, until Arrow’s $3.5 billion acquisition by Shell and Petro-China in 2010.  
At the Board level, Shaun has operated as Chairman and non-executive director of a number of publicly listed companies and chaired numerous 
Board  sub-committees.    Mr  Scott  has  specific  expertise  and  experience  in  business  strategy,  negotiations,  financial  and  risk  management, 
executive remuneration, governance and safety leadership.  

He is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.  

Interest in Shares and Options 
1,038,074 ordinary shares 

Directorships Held in Other Listed Entities in Last 3 Years 
iGas Energy PLC (Non-executive Director of Australian subsidiaries) (resigned February 2020) 

2.  Company Secretary 

Stephen Rodgers was appointed Company Secretary on 16 April 2009 and continues in office at the date of this report. He is a lawyer with over 
30 years’ experience and holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queensland University of Technology. 

After  practising  law  with  several  firms  in  Brisbane  over  a  12-year  period  he  then  operated  his  own  specialist  commercial  and  property  law 
practice for 7 years. Mr Rodgers then joined the successful team at Sunshine Gas Limited, where he was the in-house Legal and Commercial 
Counsel;  a  broad  role  which  also  included  assisting  the  Company  Secretary  with  many  of  the  facets  of  that  position.  During  this  period,  Mr 
Rodgers  gained  invaluable  experience  in  the  operation  and  running  of  an  ASX200  coal  seam  gas  company  as  well  as  being  an  instrumental 
member of the team which led the takeover negotiations and implementation of QGC’s friendly acquisition of that Company. 

He also holds the position of Company Secretary of Galilee Energy Limited and Blue Energy Limited, both ASX listed CSG exploration companies 
operating  in  Australia,  as  well  as  ASX  listed  HSC  Technology  Group  Ltd,  a  medical  technology  company.  Mr  Rodgers  brings  to  Comet  Ridge 
strong legal and commercial experience with a particular emphasis on the coal seam gas industry. 

3.  Principal Activities 

The principal activities of the Group during the financial year were to carry out oil and gas exploration activities. The Group has tenement interests 
and a number of prospective projects in eastern Australia. 

There have been no significant changes in the nature of the Group's principal activities during the financial year. 

4.  Operating and Financial Review 

The  loss  after  tax  of  the  Group  for  the  financial  year  ended  30  June 2021  amounted  to  $6.96  million  (2020:  loss  of  $10.4  million),  including 
write-offs of Galilee Basin seismic costs ($0.62 million) and current year Gunnedah Basin expenditure ($0.14 million).   

During  the  financial  year,  the  Group  capitalised  exploration  expenditure  of  $0.4  million  (2020:  $2.5  million)  on  the  Mahalo  Gas  Project,  $0.3 
million (2020: $11.8 million) on the Galilee Deeps Joint Venture, $0.7 million (2020: $0.8 million) on Mahalo North, and $0.3 million (2020: $0) 
combined on Mahalo East and Far East.   

At  30  June  2021,  the  Group  had  $3.39  million  in  cash  on  hand  and  net  current  liabilities  of  $20.36  million  (which  includes  the  CleanCo 
(previously Stanwell) liability disclosed as a current obligation for the first time this financial year). 

Comet  Ridge  has  future  exploration  commitments  for  its  Galilee,  Mahalo  and  100%  owned  Mahalo  northern  projects  which  will  be  funded  as 
required when they fall due. These commitments will be funded via existing cash, a placement completed on 16 September 2021 ($5.0 million, 
net of costs) and PURE Asset Management $10.0 million loan facility. 

Also, if Comet Ridge were to enter into commercial discussions regarding a gas sales agreement with CleanCo (assigned from Stanwell), and an 
agreement  not  come  to  fruition,  a  cash  payment  would  arise,  which  is  not  presently  funded. Note  2  (d)  Going  Concern,  and  the  independent 
auditor’s report both acknowledge the existence of these matters and the material uncertainty that exists as a consequence. If Comet Ridge was 
not able to secure funding to meet this payment, that may cast significant doubt about the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.   

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        18 

	
  
	
  
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Comet  Ridge  is  actively  pursuing  a  number  of  potential  funding  transactions  to  progress  the  appraisal  and  development  of  the  Company’s 
projects including sell-down, farm-out and gas prepay arrangements.  The Board is confident of being able to source funding at the necessary 
time.  

Further information on the operations of the Group and likely developments are set out in the Overview of Activities and Significant Affairs outlined 
below. 

5.  Significant Affairs 

The following significant changes in the state of affairs of the Group occurred during the financial year ended 30 June 2021: 

(a)  Mahalo Gas Project Petroleum Lease Approvals 

On 7 July 2020 it was announced that the Mahalo Gas Project had been granted Queensland State Government Petroleum Leases (PLs) 1082 
(Humboldt) and 1083 (Mahalo).  These were issued for a term of 30 years. 

(b)  Award of Mahalo East block (ATP 2061) 

Comet Ridge was notified on 21 September 2020 as the successful bidder via a tender process by the Queensland Government for two additional 
blocks in the Mahalo Gas Hub area.  The first of these blocks, Mahalo East was formally awarded to Comet Ridge as ATP 2061 as 100% equity 
holder and operator.  ATP 2061 covers an area of 97km2 and is located immediately to the north of the Mahalo Gas Project and east of Mahalo 
North in the same high productivity gas fairway.  

(c)  Award of Mahalo Far East block (ATP 2063) 

Comet Ridge was awarded ATP 2063 (Mahalo Far East), being the second block from its successful Queensland Government tender process 
notified in September 2020, following award of an environmental authority and Native Title agreement.  ATP 2063 covers an area of 338km2 and 
is located northeast of the Mahalo Gas Project.  Mahalo Far East contains coal that are generally deeper and have notably higher gas content than 
the main Mahalo high production fairway, adding a significant additional gas-in-place volume to Comet Ridge’s portfolio. 

6.  Dividends Paid or Recommended 

The Directors recommend that no dividend be paid or declared. No amounts have been paid or declared by way of dividend during the financial 
year. 

7.  Post Balance Date Events 

(a)  Performance Rights 

On 12 July 2021, Comet Ridge issued 4,350,000 ordinary shares as a result of vesting of the same number of Performance Rights.  In addition, 
Comet Ridge announced on the same date, the lapse of 870,000 Performance Rights because the retention condition was not satisfied.  

(b)  Acquisition of APLNG’s 30% interest in the Mahalo Gas Project 

On 3 August 2021, Comet Ridge announced it had executed a binding agreement with Australia Pacific LNG Pty Ltd (APLNG) to acquire their 
30% interest in the Mahalo Gas Project.  The consideration payable to APLNG is $20 million, payable in staged payments. The first payment of 
$12 million is due on completion of the acquisition (expected in late 2021), with $8 million deferred and payable in four annual instalments of $2 
million each unless a post completion trigger event occurs requiring earlier payment.  Comet Ridge has paid a deposit of $1 million which will be 
deducted from the $12 million completion payment.  The acquisition significantly increases Comet Ridge gas reserves and contingent resources, 
on favourable deal metrics, and provides the Mahalo JV the alignment required to move the Mahalo Gas Project to development on a time and 
cost-efficient basis. 

(c)  Santos loan and option agreements  

On 3 August 2021, Comet Ridge also announced it had executed binding agreements with Santos Ltd to provide loan funding of $13.15 million to 
fund the upfront consideration (and stamp duty costs) payable by Comet Ridge to APLNG for the acquisition noted in (b) above in exchange for 
Santos receiving options to acquire increased equity in certain Mahalo permits. These options comprise: 

• 

• 

a firm option for Santos to acquire a 12.86% in Mahalo Gas Project from Comet Ridge at proportional acquisition value of the APLNG 
acquisition; and 
a  right  for  Santos  to negotiate,  on  terms  to  be  agreed,  to  purchase  from  Comet  Ridge,  an  additional  7.14%  in  Mahalo  Gas  Project 
(equalising  Santos  and  Comet  Ridge  interest  at  50%  each)  and  50%  interests  in  Mahalo  North  (ATP  2048)  and  Mahalo  East  (ATP 
2061). This is subject to the option above being exercised by Santos.  

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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

(d)  PURE Asset Management $10 million loan facility 

Comet Ridge announced on 3 August 2021, a binding agreement with PURE Asset Management Pty Ltd (PURE) to provide Comet Ridge access 
to a term loan facility for up to $10 million.  The facility is provided in two  tranches of $6.5 million (Tranche 1) and $3.5 million (Tranche 2) 
respectively.  The Tranche 1 loan was drawn on 17 September 2021 following execution of a facility agreement on 9 September 2021.  The loan 
agreement with PURE also contains attached warrant shares.  Comet Ridge issued the first tranche of warrant shares to PURE on 12 August 
2021, being 39,393,939 warrant shares exercisable at $0.165 per share for a period of 48 months from the utilisation of the Tranche 1 loan.  If 
Comet Ridge draws down the Tranche 2 loan, additional warrant shares will be issued to PURE in accordance with the terms of the previously 
announced agreement. 

(e)  Completion of placement on new shares 

Comet Ridge announced on 10 August 2021, a placement to institutional and sophisticated investors to raise $5.0 million (net of costs).  The 
placement  comprised  the  issue  of  64,472,726  new  shares  at  an  issue  price  of  $0.0825  per  share.    The  placement  shares  were  allotted  to 
investors on 17 September 2021.   

(f) 

Permit renewal and Potential Commercial Area (PCA) applications for Galilee permits 

Comet Ridge lodged an application for renewal of ATP 743 in the Galilee Basin with the Queensland Department of Resources (DoR) on 4 August 
2021. The permit renewal was accompanied by PCA applications over the two most prospective areas within the permit, being the Koburra area 
and Albany NW area.  These applications were accepted by the DoR and PCA 318 (750 km2)	
  and PCA 319 (257 km2) respectively awarded to 
Comet Ridge. The remaining areas of ATP 743 will be relinquished as part of the permit renewal application. It will take a number of months for 
the permit renewal and PCA applications to be considered by DoR prior to their award.  Assuming the application is successful, the permit will be 
renewed for a further 12-year term. 

Comet  Ridge  has  also  submitted  a  PCA  application  over  the  Albany  Structure  within  ATP 744  alongside  the  ATP 743  PCA  applications  as 
logically, this entire area would be appraised and potentially developed concurrently. This application was accepted by DoR and PCA 320 (363 
km2) awarded to the Company.  Comet Ridge is also finalising a permit renewal application for ATP 744 and a PCA application over the entire 
Gunn CSG project area prior to 30 September 2021, which, if awarded, will secure the long-term tenure of a significant portion of the current 
permit area.      

(g)  Notice of intention to negotiate a gas sales agreement with CleanCo 

Comet Ridge issued a notice to CleanCo Queensland Limited (CleanCo) on 21 September 2021 to commence gas sale agreement negotiations.  
CleanCo has responded to the notice and both parties intend to undertake these negotiations over the coming months. 

8.  Principal Risks 

Risk Management Framework 

Comet  Ridge  established  the  Risk  Committee  to  provide  advice  and  assistance  to  the  Board  in  developing  policy  and  assessing  risks  of  the 
business. The Comet Ridge risk management procedure is based on the Australian Standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 as having prominence in 
guiding the facilitation and management of risk within the Company. Comet Ridge recognises that effective risk management is a fundamental 
consideration in the decision-making process within the Company. The process of identifying, assessing and managing material business risks is 
designed to manage risks, mitigate risks to an acceptable level and, where appropriate, accept risk to generate returns. The Comet Ridge risk 
management  framework  is  reviewed  annually,  in  which  an  analytical  review  is  undertaken  of  all  the  Company's  operational,  corporate,  legal, 
regulatory and financial risk exposures.  

The Comet Ridge risk management procedure incorporates an enterprise level view of risk, an understanding of risk management options and the 
use  of  consistently  developed  risk  information.    This  is  a  continuous  process  and  provides  the  foundation  for  the  execution  of  business 
management activities. The use of common language around risk identification, management and reporting across field and office-based teams 
enables management, the employees and contractors who work for the company to focus on the key risks to achieve organisational goals.  

The Comet Ridge risk management procedure defines oversight responsibilities for the Board to enable effective risk identification, assessment 
and management across the business. 

Material Risks at 30 June 2021  

The  material  business  risks  for  Comet  Ridge  at  30  June  2021  are  outlined  in  this  section.  These  risks  may  materialise  independently, 
concurrently or in combination. The active management of these risks through our risk management framework is imperative to Comet Ridge 
meeting strategic objectives and delivering shareholder value. This summary is neither an exhaustive list of risks that may affect Comet Ridge, 
nor are the risks listed in order of importance.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        20 

	
  
	
  
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Operational Risks 

Risk 

Cause 

Joint  Venture  arrangements  –  Comet  Ridge  is  in  several  joint  ventures  for  some  of  the  assets  it  owns  and,  as  such,  is 
dependent on technical and commercial alignment with our Joint Venture partners. 

Misalignment  between  Joint  Venture  partners  can  lead  to  inefficient  utilisation  of  available  capital  and  may  impact 
approaches to prioritisation of exploration or development opportunities. 

Impact 

Delayed approvals of development plans may impact on the timing of Comet Ridge’s growth. 

Mitigations 

We ensure that our team works closely with our Joint Venture partners to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.  

Risk 

Cause 

Exploration and development – Our growth is dependent on our ability to successfully discover, develop and deliver new 
resources and reserves.  

Exploration and drilling activities are highly uncertain and dependent on capital funding and the acquisition and analysis of 
data. 

Impact 

Comet Ridge’s ability to deliver our strategy may be impacted by the success of our exploration and development efforts. 

Mitigations 

To ensure the highest possibility of success and therefore confidence of investors, we seek to employ the most technically 
capable staff, who analyse our existing acreage for drilling prospects by applying best-in-class technologies and process 
for exploration and development. Comet Ridge seeks partnering and farm-in opportunities to diversify risk.  

Risk 

Cause 

Impact 

Access to infrastructure – Comet Ridge’s growth strategy is largely dependent on access to infrastructure owned by third 
parties.  

We rely on third parties to process, transport and market the product Comet Ridge is seeking to produce. 

Comet Ridge’s growth may be impacted by the failure to obtain access to appropriate supporting facilities. 

Mitigations 

We  seek  to  work  closely  with  suppliers  of  infrastructure  to  mitigate  the  risk  of  not  obtaining  access  and  we  continue  to 
explore alternative routes to market to diversify risk where possible.  

Risk  

Cause  

Impact  

Mitigation  

Risk  

Cause 

Impact 

Mitigations 

Renewal of Tenure - All permits and tenure are subject to compliance with certain requirements, including but not limited to 
meeting  minimum  exploration  work  commitments,  lodgement  of  reports,  payment  of  fees  and  compliance  with 
environmental conditions and legislation.  
We  rely  on  a  number  of  external  factors  as  well  as  internal  to  ensure  that  we  are  able  to  satisfy  these  conditions  which 
might  not  be  able  to  be  met  on  time  or  at  all  due  to  various  factors  some  of  which  may  be  out  of  the  control  of  the 
Company.  

Comet Ridge could lose title to or its interest in any of the permits or tenure to any of its assets if these requirements are not 
met.  

We have a very experienced team who are familiar with the regulatory environment and continue to monitor the Company’s 
progress as against work commitments and reporting obligations. These commitments are continually reviewed throughout 
the  year  not  only  by  the  operations  team  level  but  also  are  overseen  by  the  Risk  Committee  who  reports  directly  to  the 
Board who has the authority to secure further resources and funding to ensure commitments are not missed.   

Land Access – Land access is critical for the success of Comet Ridge’s exploration and development activities. 

We rely on being able to negotiate with landholders and other stakeholders’ access and entry agreements onto private and 
public lands over which Comet Ridge’s exploration and production tenures overlay.  
Comet Ridge’s exploration operations and profitability may be adversely impacted or delayed in the event of a dispute with a 
landowner or user that delays or prevents the Company carrying out its projects and this could materially adversely affect 
its financial position and performance. 
We seek to work closely with landholders and other stakeholders and engage with them as early as possible to ensure that 
they  are  kept  appraised  of  our  proposed  activities  and  seek  to  develop  working  partnerships  with  these  parties  where 
possible.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        21 

	
  
	
  
 
 
	
  
	
  
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Strategic Financial Risks 

Risk 

Cause 

Access to Funding – Comet Ridge’s ability to fund operations and future growth.  

Volatility or uncertainty in capital markets could restrict the willingness of investors to provide additional capital, such as has 
been experienced with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Impact 

Comet Ridge’s growth aspirations require the investment of significant capital to generate returns.  

Mitigations 

We  have  prudent  expenditure  management  and  forecasting  with  a  Board  approved  budget.  We  actively  seek  partnering 
opportunities to help fund key activities on a project by project basis.   

Safety, Environmental and Sustainability Risks 

Risk  

Cause  

Impact  

Mitigation  

Risk 

Cause 

Impact 

Mitigations 

Risk 

Cause 

Impact 

Mitigations 

Political Risks 

Risk 

Cause 

Impact 

Climate Change - Management of carbon emissions and increased regulatory obligations may lead to increasing regulation 
and costs 

There continues to be focus from governments, regulators, and investors in relation to how companies are managing the 
impacts of climate change policy and expectations. 

Comet  Ridge’s  growth  may  be  impacted  by  increasing  regulation  and  costs  associated  with  climate  change  and  the 
management of carbon emissions.  

Comet ridge actively monitors current and emerging areas of climate change risk and opportunities to ensure appropriate 
action can be taken. Comet Ridge continuously focuses on improving its energy efficiency and emissions management in 
delivering cost efficiencies 

Health and safety – There is a risk of harm to employees, contractors and communities near our operations, particularly in 
remote locations, from exploration activities.  

Our activities are subject to operating hazards which could result in harm to our people or our communities.  

In  addition  to  injury  or  negative  effects  to  the  health  or  wellbeing  of  affected  people,  impacts  may  include  reputational 
damage and fines.  

The  identification,  effective  control  and  overall  management  of  health  and  safety  risks  are  the  highest  priority  for  Comet 
Ridge.  We  have  developed  detailed  health  and  safety  management  plans,  as  well  as  rigorous  processes  to  ensure  we 
operate at the highest standards of safety management.  

Global Pandemic – The current worldwide pandemic, or any future pandemic, may have a material adverse impact on the 
activities of the Company. To date the pandemic has not had a material adverse impact on the Company. 
Local,  national  and  international  events  of  this  nature  are  not  within  the  control  of  the  Company  including  impacts  of 
government  and  regulatory  restrictions  that  have  or  may  be  implemented  including  as  to  travel,  employment,  operational 
matters, imports or good/services.  
To  date  the  pandemic  has  not  had  a  material  adverse  impact  on  the  Company.  There  is  a  risk  of  harm  to  employees, 
contractors and communities near our operations, particularly in remote locations, from exploration activities. 
The  Company  has  adopted  best  practice  measures  to  deal  with  the  effects  of  the  pandemic  and  will  implement 
contingencies within all of its activities so as to ensure that any adverse effect that the pandemic may have is minimised.  

Significant  regulatory  change  –  A  change  in  government  or  policy  and  /  or  unexpected  changes  to  legislation  and 
regulation may significantly impact Comet Ridge financially and operationally. 

Changes in legislation, regulations and / or policy can result from changes in Government or from changes by Government 
or external pressures.  

Changes in legislation, regulation and / or policy may impact on exploration and development of our product. In turn, such 
changes would impact on sustainable returns for investors, through profit erosion and loss of company value. Retrospective 
or unexpected regulatory changes potentially impact the longer-term viability of projects.  

Mitigations 

We  actively  monitor  regulatory  and  political  developments  and  constructively  engage  with  government,  regulators  and 
industry bodies.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        22 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

9. 

Future Developments and Expected Results 

The Group proposes to continue its exploration programmes and investment activities.   

Further information on the operations of the Group and likely future developments is set out in the Overview of Activities. 

10.  Environmental Regulations 

The Group's operations are subject to environmental regulation under the federal and state laws of Australia, where it undertakes its exploration, 
development and production activities. It is the Group’s policy to engage appropriately experienced contractors and consultants to advise on, and 
ensure compliance with, its environmental performance obligations. 

There have been no reports of breaches of any environmental regulations or obligations in the financial year and as at the date of this report. 

11.  Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

The  auditor’s  independence  declaration  for  the  year  ended  30  June  2021  has  been  received  and  is  attached  to  this  report  as  required  under 
section 307c of the Corporations Act 2001. 

12.  Meetings of Directors 

The number of meetings of the Company's Board of Directors and of each Board committee held during the financial year ended 30 June 2021 
and the number of meetings attended by each Director were: 

Board 

Audit 
Committee 

Remuneration Committee 

Risk 
Committee 

Number 
eligible to 
attend 

Number 
attended 

Number 
eligible to 
attend 

Number 
attended 

Number 
eligible to 
attend 

Number 
attended 

Number 
eligible to 
attend 

Number 
attended 

J McKay 
T McCaul 
G Swaby 
C Pieters 
S Scott 
M Riley 
* Not a member of the relevant committee  

7 
7 
7 
7 
7 
7 

7 
7 
7 
6 
7 
7 

13.  Remuneration Report – Audited 

* 

* 
3 
* 
3 
3 

* 

* 
3 
* 
3 
3 

2 

* 
* 
* 
2 
2 

2 

* 
* 
* 
2 
2 

* 
2 

* 
* 

* 
2 

* 
2 

* 
* 

* 
2 

This  report  outlines  the  remuneration  arrangements  in  place  for  the  Non-executive  Directors,  Executive  Directors  and  other  Key  Management 
Personnel of the Company.  

Remuneration Committee 

The Board has established a Remuneration Committee which provides advice and specific recommendations on the remuneration packages and 
other terms of employment for Non-executive Directors, Executive Directors and other senior executives, including: 

• 
• 
• 

the level of Non-executive Director fees; 
the amount and nature of remuneration arrangements for Executive Directors and other executives; and 
the type and nature of incentive arrangements including key performance targets effecting the remuneration of the executive team. 

The objective of the Remuneration Committee is to ensure that the remuneration policies and arrangements are fair and competitive and aligned 
with the long-term interest of the Company. 

The level of remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment for Executive Directors and Company executives are reviewed annually 
having regard to performance and relevant comparative information and are approved by the Board after the Remuneration Committee has sought 
independent professional advice, as required.  In this respect, consideration is given to normal commercial rates of remuneration for similar levels 
of responsibility. 

At this stage of the Group’s development, the Remuneration Committee is focused on long-term value generation for shareholders and therefore 
consider Long Term Incentives (LTIs) based on achieving specific milestones, to be the preferred method of incentivising Executive Directors and 
Senior  Executives.  With  the  LTIs  selected,  the  Committee  has  focused  on  ensuring  Executive  Directors  and  Senior  Executives’  long-term 
performance aligns with long-term value for shareholders.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        23 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

The Corporate Governance Statement provides further information on the role of this Committee. 

Key Management Personnel 

For 2021, the Key Management Personnel (KMP) for Comet Ridge comprised: 

James McKay 

Tor McCaul 

Non-executive Chairman 

Managing Director 

Christopher Pieters 

Executive Director 

Gillian Swaby 

Martin Riley 

Shaun Scott 

Non-executive Director 

Non-executive Director 

Non-executive Director 

Based on the Group’s current activities, it is the view of the Committee that the Board remain as the KMPs for the organisation. As the Company 
moves  closer  to  development  and  ultimately  production,  the  Committee  intends  to  review  its  position  on  those  personnel  who  could  be 
considered as KMPs. 

Non-executive Director Remuneration 

The  Board's  policy  is  to  remunerate  Non-executive  Directors  at  market  rates  for  time,  commitment  and  responsibilities.  The  Remuneration 
Committee determines payments to the Non-executive Directors and reviews their remuneration annually, based on market practice, duties and 
accountability. Independent external advice is sought when required.  

The maximum aggregate amount of fees that can be paid to Non-executive Directors is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General 
Meeting.  The  latest  determination  was  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  held  on  11  November  2009  when  shareholders  approved  an  aggregate 
remuneration of $500,000 per year. 

Fees for Non-executive Directors are not linked to the performance of the Group, however, to align Directors’ interests with shareholder interests, 
the Directors are encouraged to hold shares in the Company.  There is no minimum holding prescribed in the Constitution. 

During the 2019 financial year the Committee engaged with BDO on a Board Remuneration report, which compared Comet Ridge’s current fees 
against comparative companies in the same industry.  The Committee discussed the report and recommended the increase from the lower end of 
the scale provided effective from 1 December 2018.  This was the first increase since 2009.  No increases to Non-Executive Directors fees have 
been made in 2021.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to conserve cash resources, the Company announced on 31 March 
2020 that all Directors (other than the Managing Director) elected to receive their net fees in equity rather than cash from 1 April 2020 until 31 
October 2021 (which was approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2020 Annual General Meeting). The applicable Superannuation and PAYG 
relating to Directors fees continued to be paid in cash during this period.  The Non-executive Directors’ remuneration shown below is reported on 
a gross basis, notwithstanding net wages were not paid in cash between 1 July 2020 and 31 October 2020 but were settled in shares. 

Non-executive Directors’ fees (inclusive of superannuation) have been paid on the following basis as at the end of each financial year: 

Director fees 

Base Fees 
Chair 
Other Non-executive Directors 
Additional Fees 
Chair of Audit Committee 
Chairs of Remuneration and Risk Committees 
Members of committees 

2021 
$ 

156,000 
81,000 

10,000 
5,000 
3,000 

2020 
$ 

       156,000  
       81,000  

       10,000  
         5,000  
         3,000  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        24 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Executive Remuneration Framework 

The  objective  of  the  executive  remuneration  policy  is  to  ensure  that  the  Group’s  remuneration  arrangements  are  competitive  and  reasonable, 
enabling it to attract and retain the right calibre of staff and to align the remuneration of Executive Directors and other executives with shareholder 
and  business  objectives.  Executive  remuneration  arrangements  comprise  a  fixed  remuneration  component  and  may  also  include  specific 
incentives based on key performance areas affecting the Group's financial and/or operational results as follows: 

(a)  a  base  salary  (which  is  based  on  factors  such  as  length  of  service,  qualifications  and  experience),  superannuation,  fringe  benefits  and 

performance incentives; 

(b)  short-term performance incentives in the form of cash bonuses which are paid only when predetermined key performance indicators have 

been met; 

(c)  executives engaged through professional service entities are paid fees based on an agreed market based hourly and/or daily rate for the 

(d) 

services provided and may also be entitled to short term performance-based incentives; and 
long-term performance-based incentives comprising Performance Rights which are designed to align the remuneration of executives with 
the business objectives of the Company and its shareholders. 

The  Remuneration  Committee  reviews  executive  remuneration  arrangements  annually  by  reference  to  the  Group’s  performance,  executive 
performance and comparable information from industry sectors. 

Executive  and  Non-executive  Directors  and  other  employed  executives  receive  the  superannuation  guarantee  contribution  required  by  the 
Commonwealth  Government.  For  the  year  ended  30  June 2021  the  rate  was  9.5%  up  to a  maximum  contribution  of  $21,694.    Executive  and 
Non-executive Directors and other employed executives do not receive any other retirement benefits; however, some individuals may choose to 
sacrifice part of their salary to increase payments towards superannuation. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to conserve cash resources, the Company reduced the salary of the Managing Director by 
50%  from  1  July  2020  to  15  August  2020,  adjusted  to  a  20%  reduction  between  16  August  2020  and  30  September  2020  with  full  salary 
resuming on 1 October 2020.  

Share Trading Policy 

Shares  issued  under  any  of  the  Group's  employee  equity  plans  are  subject  to,  and  conditional  upon,  compliance  with  the  Group's  Securities 
Trading Policy. Executives are prohibited from limiting risk attached to those instruments by use of derivatives or other means. 

Details of Remuneration 

Details of remuneration of each of the KMP of the Group during the financial year are set out in the following table: 

Benefits and Payments  
Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Short-term Benefits  
& Fees 

Post- 
Employment 

Long-term  
Benefits 

Directors 
J McKay 
T McCaul 
G Swaby 
C Pieters 
M Riley 
S Scott 

Paid in 
Cash 
$ 
113,875 
389,203 
69,255 
57,131 
62,876 
60,738 

Settled in 
Shares1  
$ 
31,330 
- 
13,850 
16,842 
21,142 
20,541 

Super- 
annuation 
$ 
13,794 
21,513 
7,895 
7,027 
7,982 
7,721 

Long Service 
Leave 
$ 

- 
8,240 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Total Fixed 
Remuneration 
$ 
159,000 
418,956 
91,000 
81,000 
92,000 
89,000 

Share-based 
Payments 

Performance 
Rights 
$ 
- 
31,692 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Total 
$ 
159,000 
450,648 
91,000 
81,000 
92,000 
89,000 

Total KMP 

753,078 

103,705 

65,933 

8,240 

930,956 

31,692 

962,648 

1   Net fees (after superannuation and PAYG obligations) were not paid in cash between 1 July 2020 and 31 October 2020, due to COVID-19 cash management 

strategies, rather they have been settled in shares as per shareholder approval in the 2020 AGM. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        25 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
	
  
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021

Benefits and Payments  
Year Ended 30 June 2020 

Short-term Benefits 
& Fees 

Post- 
Employment 

Directors 
J McKay 
T McCaul 
G Swaby 
C Pieters 
M Riley 
S Scott 

Paid in 
Cash 
$ 
       122,759 
     348,595 
       85,280 
     144,759 
68,179 
41,253 

Settled in 
Shares1 
$ 
23,497 
-
10,387 
12,631 
15,857 
15,406 

Super- 
annuation 
$ 
13,894 
20,554
7,932 
7,115 
7,983 
5,383

Long-term 
Benefits 

Long Service 
Leave 
$ 
-

             18,787 

-
-
-
-

Share-based 
Payments 

Performance 
Rights 
$ 
-
44,716 
-
(223)2
-
-

Total Fixed 
Remuneration 
$ 
160,150
387,936
103,599
164,505
92,016
62,042

Total 
$ 
160,150
432,652
103,599
164,282
92,016
62,042

Total KMP 

     810,822 

77,778 

           62,861 

18,787 

970,248 

144,493 

1,014,741 

1   Net fees (after superannuation and PAYG obligations) were not paid in cash between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2020, due to COVID-19 cash management 

strategies, rather they have been settled in shares as per shareholder approval in the 2020 AGM. 

2  The Company reassessed the likelihood of non-market vesting conditions attached to a tranche of Performance Rights being satisfied. It was determined that it is 

no longer probable that this tranche of Performance Rights will vest. As a result, the expense associated with these rights has been reversed.  

The relative proportions of actual remuneration recognised are as follows: 

Executive Director 
T McCaul 
C Pieters 

 Fixed Remuneration 
2020 
2021 
89.7% 
93.0% 
100.0% 
100.0% 

 At Risk  
 Short-term Incentives 
2020 
2021 
0.0% 
0.0% 
0.0% 
0.0% 

 At Risk  
 Long-term Incentives 
2020 
2021 
10.3% 
7.0% 
0.0% 
0.0% 

Long-term  incentives  are  provided  by  way  of  Performance  Rights  and  the  percentages  disclosed  above  are  based  on  the  value  of  the 
Performance Rights expensed during the year.  

Comparison of KMP Remuneration to Company Performance 

The table below shows the total remuneration cost of the KMP, earnings per ordinary share (EPS), dividends paid or declared, and the closing 
price of ordinary shares on the ASX at year end for the current year and previous four years. 

Relation to performance 
Total remuneration ($) 
Loss per share cents 
Dividends paid 
Share price at year end (cents) 

2021 
962,648 
 (0.88) 
- 
6.2 

2020 
1,014,741 
1(1.36) 
- 
9.2 

2019 
935,250 
(0.56) 
- 
26 

2018 
1,041,323 
(0.34) 
- 
36 

2017 
711,635 
(0.64) 

-   

13 

1  The loss for 2020 includes a non-cash write-off of $5.48 million (0.69 cents) of capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure for previously drilled CSG 

wells in the Galilee Basin.

Service Agreements 

Remuneration and other terms of employment for the Managing Director and the Executive Director are formalised in employment contracts.  The 
contracts  provide  for  the  provision  of  performance  related  bonuses  and  participation  in  the  Comet  Ridge  Employee  Performance  Rights  Plan. 
Other major provisions of the employment agreements are set out below. 

Tor McCaul 

Managing Director (Appointed 16 April 2009)  

Term of Agreement: 

No fixed term  

Base Salary: 

$450,000 per annum (inclusive of superannuation) 

Termination Benefit: 

Three  (3)  months’  base  salary  is  to  be  paid  in  lieu  of  notice  of  termination.   Twelve  (12)  months  is  payable  if 
services are terminated due to change of control event.  Subject to Board discretion, a further six (6) months can be 
paid in addition. 

Termination Notice: 

The Company or Mr McCaul may terminate the Agreement at any time providing each other a minimum of three (3) 
months’ notice. No termination benefit is required if terminated for cause.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        26 

 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Chris Pieters 

Executive Director (appointed 17 June 2015)  

Term of Agreement: 

Four months with options for parties to extend as needed  

Remuneration: 

Services provided as a consultant at $1,500 per day 

Termination Benefit: 

No termination benefits payable 

Termination Notice: 

Either party may terminate the Agreement with a minimum of fourteen days’ notice 

KPIs: 

A bonus of $50,000 for each KPI achieved listed below: 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Agreement for the commercial offtake of more than 50% of the gas from Mahalo 
FID Mahalo 
Agreement for the commercial offtake of more than 50% of the gas from Galilee 
FID Galilee Basin; and 
Farmout of the Shallow Coals in the Galilee. 

I 

In the event that the position was to become redundant or other factors prevented Mr Pieters from achieving those 
KPIs within the allowed time, which were outside of his control, they could be treated as having been satisfied and 
able to be paid. 

Share-based Compensation 
Long-term incentives are provided to certain employees through the Comet Ridge Limited Performance Rights Plan as approved by shareholders 
for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 7.2 Exception 9 most recently at the 2016 Annual General Meeting. Share-based compensation is equity-
settled. 

Performance Rights 
The  terms  and  conditions  of  each  grant  of  Performance  Rights  during  the  year  affecting  remuneration  in  the  current  or  a  future  period  with 
respect  to  KMP  are  shown  in  the  table  below.  In  addition  to  the  performance  condition,  KMP  must  satisfy  a  service  condition  of  continuous 
employment with the Company up to and including the date when the performance conditions are achieved.  Performance Rights are issued for 
no consideration and no amount is payable on vesting. 

Grant Date 

No. of Rights 

Expiry  
Date 

Vesting 
Date 

T McCaul  
31-Dec -191 

31-Dec -19 

750,000  31-Dec-21  31-Dec-21 

750,000  31-Dec-22  31-Dec-22 

Fair Value 
at Grant 
date 
Cents 

19.00 

19.00 

31-Dec -19 

1,000,000 

30-Jun-23 

30-Jun-23 

19.00 

    2,500,000  

Performance Condition 

Delivery of first commercial gas production 

Commercial gas production for 30 consecutive days   

averaging 15Tj/d net 

Commercial gas production for 30 consecutive days   

averaging 20Tj/d net 

Vested 
% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

1   The expense associated with these rights has been reversed based on the Company determining that it is no longer probable that the performance condition will 

be met by the vesting date. 

The movements in the current year of the number of Performance Rights granted to KMP are as follows: 

Grant 
Date 

Vesting Date 

Number at Beginning 
of Year 

Granted as 
Remuneration During 
the Year 

Number of Rights 
Vested 

Number of 
Rights Lapsed 

Number at End of 
Year 

T McCaul  
23-Nov-17 
31-Dec-19 
31-Dec-19 
31-Dec-19 

31-Jan-21 
31-Dec-21 
31-Dec-22 
30-Jun-23 

               1,000,000  
750,000 
750,000 
1,000,000 
                 3,500,000  

                                 -    

                              -    

- 
- 
- 
                              - 

- 
- 
- 
                                   - 

(1,000,000)                                  

                 - 
750,000 
750,000 
1,000,000 
(1,000,000)                     2,500,000  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        27 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Key Management Personnel Shareholdings 

The number of ordinary shares in the Company held by each of the KMP of the Group is as follows: 

30 June 2021 

Balance at  
beginning of the year 

Shares  
purchased 

Other  
Movements1 

Balance at  
end of the year 

J McKay 
T McCaul 
G Swaby 
C Pieters 
M Riley 
S Scott 
Total  

                          37,408,105  
                             6,501,053  

-    

                             1,217,000  
400,000 
600,000 
46,126,158 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

668,170 
- 
295,372 
359,178 
450,895 
438,074 
2,211,689 

38,076,275 
6,501,053 
295,372 
1,576,187 
850,895 
1,038,074 
48,337,847 

1   As consideration paid to non-executive directors who agreed to forgo a cash component of their monthly director and board committee fees with respect to the 

period from 1 April 2020 to 31 October 2020, in exchange for the issue of fully paid ordinary shares in the Company. 

30 June 2020 

Balance at  
beginning of the year 

J McKay 
T McCaul 
G Swaby 
C Pieters 
M Riley 
S Scott 
Total  

37,295,470  
6,343,159  

-    

1,217,000  

-    
- 
44,855,629  

END OF AUDITED REMUNERATION REPORT 

14.  Performance Rights 

Shares  
purchased 

112,635   
157,894    
-    
-    
    400,000    
600,000 
1,270,529 

Other  
Movements 

Balance at  
end of the year 

-    
-    
-    
-    
-    
- 
- 

37,408,105  
6,501,053  

-    

1,217,000  

400,000    
600,000 
46,126,158  

Movements in the number of Performance Rights on issue during the year ended 30 June 2021 as a result of new grants and expiring of 
Performance Rights during the year are as follows: 

Grant Date 

Expiry Date 

Share Price at 
Grant Date 
(cents) 

23-Nov-17 

20-May-18 

31-Dec-18 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-19 

31-Dec-19 

07-Aug-20 

07-Aug-20 

31-Jan-21 

31-Jan-21 

31-Jan-21 

31-Dec-21 

31-Dec-22 

30-Jun-23 

01-Jul-21 

01-Jul-22 

26.50 

36.50 

32.50 

19.00 

19.00 

19.00 

7.90 

7.90 

No. of Rights  
30 June 2020 

Granted during 
the year 

Vested during 
the year 

Expired during 
the year 

No. of Rights  
30 June 2021 

        1,000,000                        -                         -    

(1,000,000) 

-  

           250,000                        -                         -    

    (250,000) 

           - 

           350,000  

750,000 

750,000 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

5,220,000 

2,510,000 

                     -    

       (350,000) 

-  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(870,000) 

- 

750,000 

750,000 

1,000,000 

4,350,000 

2,510,000 

        4,100,000         7,730,000  

                     -    

(2,470,000) 

        9,360,000  

Since the end of the financial year and up to the date of this report no performance rights have been issued.  Post 30 June 2021 and prior to the 
date of this report, 4,350,000 ordinary shares were issued by Comet Ridge as a result of vesting of the same number of Performance Rights.  In 
addition, 870,000 Performance Rights lapsed because the retention condition was not satisfied.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        28 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

15.  Insurance of Directors and Officers 

The  Company  has  entered  into  agreements  with  Directors  to  indemnify  them  against  any  claims  and  related  expenses  that  may  arise  in  their 
capacity as Directors and Officers of the Company or a related body corporate, except where the liability arises out of conduct involving a lack of 
good faith and subject to the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001. 

During the financial year, the Company paid premiums for Directors’ and  Officers’ Liability Insurance. The contract prohibits disclosure of the 
details of the nature of the liabilities covered or the premium paid. 

The Company has not during or since the end of the financial period indemnified or agreed to indemnify an Auditor of the Company. 

16.  Proceedings on Behalf of Company 

No  person  has  applied  for  leave  of  Court  under  section  237  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001  to  bring  proceedings  on  behalf  of  the  Company  or 
intervene in any proceedings to which the Company is a party for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the Company for all or any part 
of those proceedings.  The Company was not a party to any such proceedings during the year. 

17.  Rounding of Amounts to Nearest Thousand Dollars 

Pursuant  to  Legislative  Instrument  2016/191  issued  by  the  Australian  Securities  &  Investments  Commission,  amounts  in  the  Financial  Report 
have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars unless otherwise indicated. 

18.  Non-Audit Services 

The  Company  may  decide  to  employ  the  auditor  on  assignments  additional  to  their  statutory  audit  duties  where  the  auditor’s  expertise  and 
experience with the Company and/or the Group are important. The Group did not pay the auditor for any non-audit services. 

The Board of Directors will continuously consider the position and, in accordance with advice received from the Audit Committee, ensure that the 
provision of the non-audit services is compatible with the general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001.  
The  Directors  are  satisfied  that  the  provision  of  non-audit  services  (where  applicable)  by  the  auditor,  does  not  compromise  the  auditor 
independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 for the following reasons: 

• 
• 

all non-audit services will be reviewed to ensure they do not impact the impartiality and objectivity of the auditor; and 
none of the services (where applicable) undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code of 
Ethics for Professional Accountants. 

Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor for audit services provided during the year are set out in Note 5 Auditors’ Remuneration. 

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

Tor McCaul 

Managing Director 
Brisbane, Queensland, 28 September 2021 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        29 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 

for the year ended 30 June 2021	
  

Other income 

Interest received 

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment 

Expenses 

Employee benefits’ expense 

Contractors' & consultancy costs 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure written-off  

Professional fees 

Corporate expenses 

Fair value movement of financial liability at fair value 

Occupancy costs 

Finance costs 

Other expenses 

Depreciation 

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX   

Income tax expense/(benefit) 

LOSS FOR THE YEAR 

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Income Tax 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF INCOME TAX 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS 

Loss attributable to: 

Owners of the parent 

Total Comprehensive Loss attributable to: 
Owners of the parent 

LOSS PER SHARE 

Basic loss per share 

Diluted loss per share 

Consolidated 

Note 

June 2021 

  $000's 

June 2020 

  $000's 

17 

3 

(1,364) 

(399) 

(765) 

(184) 

(193) 

(3,456) 

(141) 

(15) 

(398) 

(65) 

(6,960) 

- 

(6,960) 

93 

- 

(1,036) 

(400) 

(5,630) 

(407) 

(203) 

(2,015) 

(138) 

(23) 

(569) 

(67) 

(10,395) 

- 

(10,395) 

- 

- 

3 

3 

(6,960) 

(10,392) 

(6,960) 

(10,395) 

(6,960) 

(10,392) 

 Cents  

(0.88) 

 Cents  

                   (1.36) 

(0.88) 

                   (1.36) 

4 

4 

16 

4 

6 

7 

7 

The above Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying 
notes. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        31 

	
  
	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position  

as at 30 June 2021	
  

CURRENT ASSETS 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Inventories 

Other assets 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

Property, plant and equipment 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

TOTAL ASSETS 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Trade and other payables 

Financial liability at fair value 

Provisions 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Financial liability at fair value 

Provisions 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 

NET ASSETS 

EQUITY 

Contributed equity 

Reserves 

Accumulated losses 

TOTAL EQUITY 

Consolidated 

Note 

June 2021 

  $000's 

June 2020 

  $000's 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

16 

15 

16 

15 

17 

18 

3,390 

                  4,636  

90 

- 

877 

4,357 

                      1,384  

                        4  

                      752  

                  6,776  

26 

                        97  

71,848 

71,874 

76,231 

                  72,738  

                  72,835  

                  79,611  

898 

                      1,398  

22,662 

1,154 

24,714 

- 

                   538  

                   1,936  

- 

                  19,206  

1,108 

1,108 

25,822 

50,409 

                      1,711  

                  20,917  

                  22,853  

                  56,758  

140,379 

                140,200  

1,633 

                   1,201  

(91,603) 

                (84,643) 

50,409 

                  56,758 

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

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        32 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

for the year ended 30 June 2021	
  

Foreign 
Currency 
Translation 
Reserve 
  $000's 

Contributed 
Equity 
  $000's 

Share-based 
Payments 
Reserve 
  $000's 

Accumulated 
Losses 
  $000's 

Total  
  $000's 

Balance at 1 July 2019 

Loss for the period 

         129,110  

          1,248  

               65  

       (74,248) 

         56,175  

               -    

               -    

               -    

         (10,395) 

         (10,395) 

Other comprehensive loss for the period 
Total comprehensive loss for the period 

               -    
               -    

            3 
            3 

               -    
               -    

               -    

         (10,395) 

            3 
         (10,392) 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as 
owners 
Contributions of equity net of transaction costs 
Shares issued on vesting of Performance Rights 
Share-based payments 

         11,090  

-    
               -    

         11,090  

               -    
               -    
               -    
               -    

               -    
            -    

             (115)  
             (115) 

               -    
               -    
               -    
               -    

         11,090  

               -    

             (115)  
         10,975  

Balance at 30 June 2020 

       140,200  

          1,251  

              (50)  

       (84,643) 

         56,758  

Balance at 1 July 2020 

Loss for the period 

Other comprehensive loss for the period 
Total comprehensive loss for the period 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as 
owners 
Shares issued to Directors net of transaction costs 

Shares issued on vesting of Performance Rights 

Share-based payments 

         140,200  

          1,251  

               (50)  

       (84,643) 

         56,758  

- 

- 
- 

179 

- 

- 
179 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

432 
432 

382 

(6,960) 

- 
(6,960) 

(6,960) 

- 
(6,960) 

- 

- 

- 
- 

179 

- 

432 
611 

(91,603) 

50,409 

Balance at 30 June 2021 

140,379 

1,251 

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

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        33 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

for the year ended 30 June 2021	
  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Interest received 

Payments to suppliers and employees 

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Payments for exploration and evaluation assets 

Research and development tax offset received 

Movements in restricted cash 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 

Payment for property, plant and equipment 

NET CASH FROM / (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Proceeds from issue of shares 

Share issue costs 

NET CASH (USED IN) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Net decrease in cash held  

Cash at the beginning of the year 

CASH AT THE END OF THE YEAR 

Consolidated 

Note 

June 2021 

  $000's 

June 2020 

  $000's 

22 

                      125  

(2,006) 

(1,984) 

                    (2,438) 

                    (2,313) 

19 

(2,372) 

                  (17,112) 

3,254 

(151) 

10 

(1) 

- 

                      (14) 

- 

                      (13) 

740 

                  (17,139) 

- 

(2) 

(2) 

                 11,614  

                    (524) 

                 11,090  

(1,246) 

                   (8,362)  

4,636 

3,390 

                   12,998  

                 4,636  

8 

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

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        34 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1 

General information 

These financial statements include the consolidated financial statements and notes of Comet Ridge Limited (the Company or Comet Ridge) and 
its controlled entities (the Group). Comet Ridge Limited is a for-profit entity for the purpose of preparing the financial statements. Disclosures with 
respect to the parent entity are included in Note 28. The financial statements were approved for issue by the Directors on 28 September 2021. 

Comet Ridge Limited is a public company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia.  

Note 2 

Summary of significant accounting policies 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below or in the relevant notes. These policies 
have been consistently applied to all of the years presented unless otherwise stated. 

Compliance with Accounting Standards 

a.
These general-purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued 
by the Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations Act 2001.  

Compliance with IFRS 

b.
The  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Group  also  comply  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS)  as  issued  by  the 
International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) 

Historical cost convention 

c.
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  an  accruals  basis  and  are  based  on  historical  costs  modified,  where  applicable,  by  the 
measurement at fair value of selected financial assets and financial liabilities. 

Going concern  

d.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which contemplates that the Group will continue to meet its 
commitments  and  can  therefore  continue  normal  business  activities  and  the  realisation  of  assets  and  settlement  of  liabilities  in  the  ordinary 
course of business.  

At 30 June 2021, the Group had $3.4 million in cash on hand and net current liabilities of $20.4 million (which includes the CleanCo  financial 
liability disclosed as a current obligation for the first time this financial year).   

As described in Note 16,  Stanwell Corporation Limited has transferred the 2019 Agreement to CleanCo Queensland Limited (CleanCo). On 21 
September  2021,  Comet  Ridge  sent  a  notice  to  CleanCo  to  commence  GSA  negotiations.  If,  following  the  commencement  of  these  GSA 
negations,  a  GSA  cannot  be  negotiated  or  an  extension  to  the  timeframe  is  not  agreed  by  21  December  2021  then  a  cash  payment  of 
approximately $22.74 million based on current estimates ($20 million, indexed for CPI), would be due within 30 days.  Should GSA negotiations 
continue and a binding GSA is not executed prior to the sunset date of 30 September 2022, then a cash payment of $20 million, indexed for CPI, 
would be due within 30 days.  

Through interaction with the Department of Resources and Comet Ridge’s joint venture partners, there are a number of commitments to continue 
to progress the Company’s Mahalo Gas Hub permits and Galilee permits. These commitments are made over various timeframes, with funding to 
be raised as appropriate to meet these commitments. Exploration commitments required to be spent by 30 June 2022 amount to $7.9 million as 
disclosed in Note 23.  

On 3 August 2021, Comet Ridge announced that it has entered into a binding agreement with Australia Pacific LNG Pty Ltd (APLNG) to acquire 
their  30%  interest  in  the  Mahalo  Gas  Project  for  $20  million,  with  an  initial  cash  payment  of  $12.0  million  on  completion  and  deferred 
consideration of $8.0 million payable in four annual installments of $2.0 million. A deposit of $1.0 million was paid to APLNG in August 2021. 
Concurrent with the APLNG acquisition, Comet Ridge has entered into loan and option agreements with Santos QNT Ltd (Santos). Under these 
agreements, Santos is providing loan funding of $13.15 million to Comet Ridge to fund the initial consideration payable to APLNG and stamp duty 
costs.    In  exchange  Santos  has  an  option  to  acquire  3/7ths  of  the  30%  APLNG  interest  at  transaction  value  ($5.14  million  of  the  initial 
consideration).  If the option is exercised by Santos, the loan amount owing to Santos by Comet Ridge is reduced by a corresponding amount. 
The APLNG acquisition is expected to complete in late 2021 once all of the conditions precedent have been satisfied. Following completion of the 
APLNG  acquisition  and  assuming  Santos  exercises  its  option,  Comet  Ridge  and  Santos  must  pay  their  proportional  share  of  the  $8.0  million 
deferred consideration payable to APLNG (either in four annual instalments post completion of $2.0 million each or earlier) upon a trigger event 
occurring.  

Subsequent  to  year  end,  Comet  Ridge  entered  into  a  binding  term  sheet  with  PURE  Asset  Management  relating  to  a  corporate  loan  facility  of 
$10.0  million,  to  be  drawn  in  two  tranches.  The  first  tranche  of  $6.5  million  was  drawn  by  Comet  Ridge  on  17  September  2021.  In  addition, 
Comet Ridge completed a placement of new shares to raise $5.0 million (net of costs) on 16 September 2021.   

The ability of the Group to continue to adopt the going concern assumption will depend upon a number of matters including the successful raising 
in the future of necessary funding through debt, equity, selldown or farm-out of assets, or the successful exploration and subsequent exploitation 
of the Group’s tenements to meet these commitments as they arise.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        35 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 2  

Summary of significant accounting policies (continued) 

As  a  result  of  these  matters,  the  existence  of  the  CleanCo  (previously  Stanwell)  agreement  and  ongoing  exploration  commitments  there  is  a 
material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern, in the absence of being successful 
in relation to one of the above financing strategies. In the absence of this the Group may have to realise its assets and extinguish its liabilities 
other than in the ordinary course of business, and at amounts different from those stated in the financial statements. No adjustments for such 
circumstances have been made in the financial statements. 

At the date of this report, Comet Ridge has a cash position of $12.2 million, taking into account the net proceeds of the PURE tranche 1 loan 
drawdown of $6.3 million, the net proceeds of the placement of $5.0 million and the $1.0 million deposit paid for the APLNG acquisition.  Comet 
Ridge continues to actively pursue a number of potential funding transactions to progress the appraisal and development of the Group’s projects 
including selldown, farm-out and gas prepay arrangements.  At the date of this financial report, given the high demand for natural gas on the east 
coast, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be successful with its future funding initiatives and, as a result, will have 
adequate resources to fund its future operational requirements and for these reasons they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing 
the financial report. 

Rounding of amounts 

e.
The Group is of a kind referred to in Legislative Instrument 2016/191 issued by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, relating to 
the  “rounding”  of  amounts  in  the  financial  statements.  Amounts  in  the  financial  statements  have  been  rounded  off  in  accordance  with  the 
Legislative Instrument to the nearest one thousand dollars, unless otherwise indicated. 

Goods and Services Tax (GST) 

f.
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the 
Tax Office. In these circumstances the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of an item of the expense.  
Receivables and payables in the Statement of Financial Position are shown inclusive of GST. 

Cash flows are presented in the Statement of Cash Flows on a gross basis, except for the GST component of investing and financing activities, 
which are disclosed as operating cash flows. 

Comparatives 

g.
When required by Accounting Standards, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to changes in presentation for the current financial 
year. 

New accounting standards and interpretations for application in future periods 

h.
The new Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations either adopted or issued but not yet adopted for the 30 June 2021 annual reporting 
period are set out below.  

New or amended accounting standards and Interpretations adopted 
In  March  2021,  the  IFRS  Interpretations  Committee  (IFRIC)  issued  an  agenda  decision  to  clarify  the  accounting  treatment  for  Software-as-a-
Service (SaaS) arrangement, including the accounting for related implementation, customisation and configuration costs.  

The IFRIC clarified that SaaS arrangements are service contracts that provide the Group with the right to access the cloud provider’s software 
over a period of time.  As a result, the underlying software the Group has the right to access is not controlled by the Group and therefore ongoing 
access fees as well as costs incurred to implement, customise and configure the cloud provider’s software are recognised as an expense when 
incurred.  

There was no material impact on the financial report as a result of the adoption of this interpretation.  

Accounting standards issued but not yet adopted 
There are no accounting standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have a material impact on the entity in the current or 
future reporting year/periods and on foreseeable future transactions.  

Note 3 

Material balances - critical accounting estimates and judgements 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  requires  the  use  of  certain  critical  accounting  estimates.  It  also  requires  management  to  exercise  its 
judgement when applying the Group's accounting policies. These estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical 
experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that may have a financial impact on the Group and that are believed to be 
reasonable under the circumstances. 

Management has identified the following critical estimates and judgements applied in the preparation of the financial statements. 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Going concern – Note 2 
Exploration and Evaluation assets – Note 13 
Rehabilitation provisions – Note 15 
Financial liability at fair value – Note 16 

Details of the nature of assumptions and conditions can be found in the relevant notes to the financial statements. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        36 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 4 

Other expenditure 

Expenses 
Loss before income tax includes the following specific expenses: 

(a)  Employee benefits' expense 
Employee benefits' expense 
Share-based payments' expense (Refer to Note 21) 
Defined contribution superannuation expense 

(b)  Occupancy costs 
Rental expense relating to operating leases  
Other occupancy costs 

(c)  Exploration and evaluation expenses  
Exploration and evaluation asset write-off (Refer to Note 13) 
Exploration and evaluation expense (Refer to Note 13) 

Accounting Policies 

Other income 

Consolidated 

June 2021 

June 2020 

$000's 

$000's 

(755) 
(432) 
(177) 
(1,364) 

                  (943) 
                   115 
                      (208) 
                  (1,036) 

(131) 
(10) 
(141) 

                      (116) 
                      (22) 
                    (138) 

(620) 
(145) 
(765) 

                      (5,481) 
(149) 
                    (5,630) 

Interest  income  is  recognised  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method,  which,  for  floating  rate  financial  assets,  is  the  rate  inherent  in  the 
instrument. Dividend revenue is recognised when the right to receive a dividend has been established.  

All other income is stated net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST). 

Employee benefits 

Short-term obligations 
Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits and annual leave expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end 
of the reporting period in which the employees render the related service are recognised in respect of employees’ services up to the end of the 
reporting date and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. The liability for annual leave is recognised in 
the provision for employee benefits. All other short-term employee benefit obligations are presented as payables. 

Other long-term employee benefit obligations 
The liability for long service leave and annual leave which is not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the period in 
which  the  employees  render  the  related  service  is  recognised  in  the  provision  for  employee  benefits  and  measured  as  the  present  value  of 
expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the end of the reporting period 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 on corporate bonds with terms to maturity and currency that 
match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows. 

The obligations are presented as current liabilities in the balance sheet if the entity does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at 
least twelve months after the reporting date, regardless of when actual settlement is expected to occur. 

Superannuation 
The  Group  makes  contributions  to  defined  contribution  superannuation  funds.  Contributions  are  recognised  as  an  expense  as  they  become 
payable. 

Foreign currency translation 

Functional and presentation currency 
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment 
in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Comet 
Ridge Limited’s functional and presentation currency. 

Transactions and balances 
Foreign  currency  transactions  are  translated  into  the  functional  currency  using  the  exchange  rates  prevailing  at  the  dates  of  the  transactions. 
Foreign  exchange  gains  and  losses  resulting  from  the  settlement  of  such  transactions  and  from  the  translation  at  year  end  exchange  rates  of 
monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are  recognised  in  the  Statement  of  Profit  or  Loss  and  Other  Comprehensive 
Income, except when they are deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow hedges and qualifying net investment hedges or are attributable to part of 
the net investment in a foreign operation. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        37 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 4  

Other expenditure (continued) 

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

• 

• 

• 

assets and liabilities for each Statement of Financial Position presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that 
Statement of Financial Position; 
income  and  expenses  for  each  Statement  of  Profit  or  Loss  and  Other  Comprehensive  Income  are  translated  at  average 
exchange rates (unless this is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the 
transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and 
all resulting exchange differences are recognised in Other Comprehensive Income. 

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of any net investment in foreign entities, and of borrowings and other financial 
instruments  designated  as  hedges  of  such  investments,  are  recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  and  accumulated  as  a  separate 
component of equity. When a foreign operation is sold or any borrowings forming part of the net investment are repaid, a proportionate share of 
such  exchange  differences  that  have  been  accumulated  in  equity  are  recognised  in  the  Statement  of  Profit  or  Loss  and  Other  Comprehensive 
Income, as part of the gain or loss on sale where applicable.  

Note 5 

Auditors’ remuneration 

During the year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by the auditor of the Group: 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia 
Auditing or reviewing the financial statements 
Other assurance services 

Note 6 

Income tax 

(a)  Recognised in the Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 
Current tax 
Deferred tax expense  
Income tax expense 

(b)  Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax on accounting profit 
Loss before income tax 
Tax benefit at the Australian tax rate of 30% (2020: 30%) 
Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible/(taxable) in calculating taxable income: 
Share options expensed  
Government COVID-19 cashflow boost 
Other non-deductible items 
Current year tax losses not recognised in deferred tax assets 

Income tax expense 

      Consolidated 

June 2021 
$ 

June 2020 
$ 

110,000 
- 
110,000 

110,000 
- 
                  110,000  

      Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 

June 2020 
$000's 

                        -                                    -    
                        -                                    -    
                        -                                    -    

(6,960) 
2,088 

                  (10,395) 
                   3,119  

(129) 
15 
(13) 
(1,961) 
- 

                    35 
15 
                      (4) 
                    (3,165) 

                                 -    

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

The income tax expense/(benefit) for the year is the tax payable on the current year's taxable income based on the applicable income tax rate for 
each jurisdiction adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences and unused tax losses. 

Accounting Policies 

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the year in the countries 
where the Company and its subsidiaries and associates operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken 
in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        38 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 6 

Income tax (continued) 

Deferred tax asset 

The balance of deferred tax asset comprises: 
Deferred tax assets 
Tax losses 
Capital costs deductible over 5 years 
Provisions 

Deferred tax liabilities 
Exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Accrued interest 

Net deferred tax asset 
Deferred tax asset not recognised 

Deferred tax asset recognised in accounts 

Movements in deferred tax asset 
Opening balance 
Deferred tax (credited) to profit or loss 
Closing balance  

Accounting Policies 

   Consolidated 

June 2021 
  $000's 

June 2020 
  $000's 

                        -                                     -    

29,277 
223 
2,681 
32,181 

                 28,187  
                      361  
                      1,769  
                 30,317  

(17,132) 
- 
(17,132) 

                  (17,228) 
                        (1) 
                  (17,229) 

15,049 
(15,049) 

                  13,088  
                  (13,088) 

                        -                                      -    

                        -                                      -    
                        -                                      -    
                        -                                      -    

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the balance sheet method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if they arise from 
the  initial  recognition  of  goodwill.  Deferred  income  tax  is  not  accounted  for  if  it  arises  from  the  initial  recognition  of  an  asset  or  liability  in  a 
transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit nor loss.  Deferred 
income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the end of the reporting period and are 
expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised, or the deferred income tax liability is settled. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable that future taxable amounts 
will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.  Deferred tax assets have not been recognised with respect to the following 
items: 

Australian temporary differences and tax losses 
Offshore tax losses 

   Consolidated 

June 2021 

June 2020 

  $000's 
14,720 
329 

  $000's 
                   12,753  
                      335  

15,049 

                   13,088  

Deferred  tax  liabilities  and  assets  are  not  recognised  for  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying  amount  and  tax  bases  of  investments  in 
foreign  operations  where  the  parent  entity  is  able  to  control  the  timing  of  the  reversal  of  the  temporary  differences  and  it  is  probable  that  the 
differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and when deferred 
tax balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities are offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right of 
offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in Other Comprehensive Income or 
directly in equity.  In this case, the tax is recognised in Other Comprehensive Income or directly in equity, respectively. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        39 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 6 

Income tax (continued) 

Tax consolidation 
Comet Ridge Limited and its wholly owned Australian subsidiaries (Chartwell Energy Limited, Comet Ridge Mahalo Pty Ltd, Comet Ridge Mahalo 
North Pty Ltd, Comet Ridge Mahalo East Pty Ltd, Comet Ridge Mahalo Far East Pty Ltd, Comet Ridge Gunnedah Pty Ltd, Davidson Prospecting 
Pty Ltd, and Comet Ridge NZ Pty Ltd) have implemented the tax consolidation legislation and formed a tax consolidated group from 1 July 2009. 
The members of the tax consolidated Group have entered into a tax funding agreement such that each member recognises the assets, liabilities, 
expenses and revenues in relation to its own transactions, events and balances only. This means: 

i. 
ii. 
iii. 

the parent entity recognises all current and deferred tax amounts relating to its own transactions, events and balances; 
the subsidiaries recognise all current and deferred tax amounts relating to its own transactions, events and balances; and 
current tax liabilities and deferred tax assets arising with respect to losses in subsidiaries are transferred from the subsidiaries to the 
parent entity as inter-company payables or receivables. 

The  tax  consolidated  group  also  has  a  tax  sharing  agreement  in  place  to  limit  the  liability  of  subsidiaries  in  the  tax  consolidated  group  arising 
under the joint and several liability requirements of the tax consolidation system, in the event of default of the parent entity to meet its payment 
obligations. 

Note 7 

Earnings per share 

(a)  Reconciliation of earnings used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share: 

Loss for the year 
Loss used in the calculation of the basic and dilutive earnings per share 

June 2021 
$000's 

6,960 
6,960 

June 2020 
$000's 

10,395 
10,395 

(b)  Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic earnings per share 
Adjustments for the calculation of diluted earnings per share: 
Options/Performance Rights 

Number 
791,211,719 

Number 
789,000,030 

- 

- 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share 

791,211,719 

789,000,030 

(c) Options and Performance Rights are considered to be "potential ordinary shares" and have been 

included in the determination of diluted earnings per share to the extent to which they are 
dilutive.  Details relating to options and Performance Rights are set out in Note 21. 

Accounting Policies 

Basic earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to owners of the Company, excluding any costs of servicing equity 
other  than  ordinary  shares,  by  the  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary  shares  outstanding  during  the  year,  adjusted  for  bonus  elements  in 
ordinary shares issued during the year. 

Diluted earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the after income tax effect 
of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted average number of additional ordinary 
shares that would have been outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. 

Note 8 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash at bank and on hand 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
          3,390         

June 2020 
$000's 
                            4,636  

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original 
maturities of three months or less. Interest earned on accounts range from 0.00% - 1.35%. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        40 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 9 

Trade and other receivables 

Current 
Trade receivables 
Other receivables 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 

June 2020 
$000's 

53 
37 
90 

                        67  
                      1,317  
                      1,384  

Other receivables mainly comprise GST refunds - 97% (2020: 2%).  The carrying amount of trade debtors and other receivables is assumed to 
approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. 

Accounting Policy 

Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.  
Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 days. They are presented as current assets unless collection is not expected more 
than 12 months after reporting date. 

Impairment of trade receivables  

The  Group  considers  an  allowance  for  expected  credit  losses  (ECL)  for  trade  debtors.  The  Group  applies  a  simplified  approach  in  calculating 
ECLs. The Group bases its ECL assessment on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors specific to the debtors and the economic 
environment  including,  but  not  limited  to,  financial  difficulties  of  the  debtor,  probability  that  the  debtor  will  enter  bankruptcy  or  financial 
reorganisation and delinquency in payments. In 2021 and 2020 all of the Group’s trade receivables and other current receivables which the Group 
measures  at  amortised  cost  are  short-term  (i.e.  expected  settlement  within  12  months)  and  the  Group  has  credit  assessment  and  risk 
management policies in place. As a result, the expected credit losses on trade receivables were not considered material. 

Other debtors  

These amounts generally arise from transactions outside the usual operating activities of the Group. They do not contain impaired assets and are 
not past due. Based on the credit history and future economic forecasts, it is expected that these other balances will be received when due. 

Note 10 

Inventories 

Consumables - at cost 

Accounting Policy 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 

June 2020 
$000's 

                       -   

                                 4 

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs are assigned on the specific identification basis. 

Note 11 

Other assets 

Prepayments 
Restricted cash 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
298 
579 

June 2020 
$000's 
                        300  
                      452  

877 

                      752  

Restricted cash 
Restricted cash represents funds held on term deposit which support guarantees provided by the Group's bankers to the States of Queensland 
and New South Wales in respect of the Group's exploration permits and environmental guarantees. Refer Note 23. 

Prepayments 
The prepaid expenses predominately relate to the prepayment for exploration equipment hire. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        41 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 12 

Property, plant and equipment 

Plant and equipment at cost 
Accumulated depreciation 

Movements in carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment 
Balance at the beginning of year 
Additions 
Disposals 
Depreciation 

Balance at the end of year 

Accounting Policy 

Consolidated 

June 2021 

June 2020 

$000's 
217 
(191) 

$000's 
                      274  
                      (177) 

26 

                        97  

97 
1 
(7) 
(65) 

26 

                        150  
                        14  
- 
                        (67) 

                        97  

Plant and equipment are measured on the cost basis less depreciation and impairment losses. The depreciable amount of all plant and equipment 
is calculated on a straight-line basis over the asset's useful life to the Group commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. The range 
of useful life is: 

Class of fixed asset 

Plant and Equipment 

3 to 10 years 

The assets' residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.  Gains and losses on disposals are 
determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These gains and losses are included in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other 
Comprehensive Income. 

Note 13 

Exploration and evaluation assets 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Less provision for impairment 

Movements in exploration and evaluation phase 

Balance at the beginning of year 
Exploration and evaluation expenditure during the year 
Research and development tax offset 
Exploration and evaluation expenditure written-off  
Restoration and rehabilitation asset 
Balance at the end of year 

Accounting Policy 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
  $000's 
96,169 
(24,321) 
71,848 

June 2021 
  $000's 
72,738 
1,885 
(1,961) 
(765) 
(49) 
71,848 

June 2020 
  $000's 
                 96,295  
                (23,557) 
                 72,738  

June 2020 
  $000's 
                 63,142  
                   16,366  
(1,293) 
                    (5,630) 
153 
                 72,738  

Cost 
Exploration  and  evaluation  costs,  including  the  costs  of  acquiring  licences,  are  capitalised  as  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  on  an  area  of 
interest basis. Costs incurred before the Group has obtained the legal rights to explore an area are expensed in the profit or loss. 

The  recoupment  of  costs  carried  forward  in  relation  to  areas  of  interest  in  the  exploration  and  evaluation  phase  is  dependent  on  successful 
development and commercial exploitation, or alternatively, sale of the respective areas of interest.   

Recognition 
Exploration and evaluation assets are only recognised if the rights to the area of interest are current and either: 

i. 

ii. 

the expenditures are expected to be recouped through successful development and exploitation of the area of interest or by its sale; 
or 
activities  in  the  area  of  interest  have  not  at  the  reporting  date  reached  a  stage  which  permits  a  reasonable  assessment  of  the 
existence or otherwise of economically recoverable reserves, and active and significant operations in, or in relation to, the area of 
interest are continuing. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        42 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 13 

Exploration and evaluation assets (continued) 

Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the area of interest are demonstrable, exploration and evaluation assets attributable to 
that  area  of  interest  are  first  tested  for  impairment  and  then  reclassified  from  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  to  property  and  development 
assets within property, plant and equipment. 

The timing and amount of restoration costs that are expected to be incurred are estimated, and the net present value is included as part of the 
cost  of  the  exploration  and  evaluation  activity  that  gives  rise  to  the  need  for  restoration.  A  corresponding  provision  for  restoration  and 
rehabilitation is also recognised. Finance charges arising from the unwinding of the liability are recognised as an expense in the profit or loss. 

Research and development tax incentives 
Research and development tax incentives received by the Group are deducted from the carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation asset to 
which  they  relate  in  accordance  with  the  capital  approach  as  defined  in  AASB  120  Accounting  for  Government  Grants  and  Disclosure  of 
Governance Assistance. 

Critical accounting estimates and judgements 

Exploration expenditure commitments 
In order to maintain an interest in the exploration tenements in which it is involved, the Group is required to meet certain conditions imposed by 
the various statutory authorities granting the exploration tenements or that are imposed by the joint venture agreements entered into by the Group.  
These  conditions  include  minimum  expenditure  commitments.  The  timing  and  amount  of  minimum  exploration  expenditure  obligations  of  the 
Group may vary significantly from the forecast based on the results of the work performed, which will determine the prospectivity of the relevant 
area of interest. 

The Group's minimum expenditure obligations, which are not provided for in the financial statements are set out in Note 23. 

Recoverability of exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment if sufficient data exists to determine technical feasibility and commercial viability 
and  facts  and  circumstances  suggest  that  the  carrying  amount  exceeds  the  recoverable  amount.  For  the  purposes  of  impairment  testing, 
exploration and evaluation assets are allocated to cash-generating units to which the exploration activity relates. The cash-generating unit shall 
not be larger than the area of interest. 

The Group assesses the recoverability of the carrying value of capitalised exploration and evaluation assets at each reporting date (or during the 
year should the need arise). In completing this assessment, regard is given to the Group's intentions with respect to proposed future exploration 
and development plans for individual areas, to the success or otherwise of activities undertaken in individual areas, to the likely success of future 
planned exploration activities, and to any potential plans for divestment of individual areas. Any required impairment of capitalised exploration and 
evaluation expenditure is completed based on the results of the assessment. Furthermore, for various areas of interest, exploration and evaluation 
activities  may  not  have  reached  a  stage  to  allow  a  reasonable  assessment  to  be  made  regarding  the  existence  of  economically  recoverable 
reserves. Accordingly, exploration and evaluation assets may be subject to further impairment in the future. 

In  the  second  half  of  the  2020  financial  year,  the  Mahalo  Gas  Project  received  Commonwealth  and  Queensland  environmental  approvals  and 
finally, Petroleum Leases (PL 1082 and PL 1083) for a term of 30 years. In addition, the remaining tenure of ATP 1191 has been secured with the 
award of three Potential Commercial Areas (PCA 302, PCA 303 and PCA 304) for a term of 5 years. Subsequent to year end, Comet Ridge signed 
a  binding  agreement  with  APLNG  to  acquire  their  30%  interest  in  the  Mahalo  Gas  Project  for  $20  million.  Consideration  was  given  to  this 
transaction in forming the view that no impairment is required at 30 June 2021. 

The Company was awarded ATP 2048 (Mahalo North project) in April 2020. The Mahalo North project contains a north-west extension of the 
same coal reservoirs as the Mahalo Gas Project.  Capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure at 30 June 2021 totals $1.46 million, relating 
to office-based geological and geophysical interpretation and analysis. Comet Ridge is planning an appraisal programme at Mahalo North during 
the 2022 financial year.  The Company was also awarded two new Mahalo extension blocks in the 2021 financial year. The first block was ATP 
2061 (Mahalo East project), awarded in September 2020, which contains a north-east extension of the same coal reservoirs as the Mahalo Gas 
Project.  Capitalised  exploration  and  evaluation  expenditure  at  30  June  2021  totals  $0.13  million,  relating  to  office-based  geological  and 
geophysical  interpretation  and  analysis.  The  second  block  was  ATP  2063  (Mahalo  Far  East  project),  awarded  in  May  2021.  Mahalo  Far  East 
contains coals that are generally deeper and have notably higher gas content than the main Mahalo high production fairway, adding a significant 
additional  gas-in-place  volume  to  Comet  Ridge’s  portfolio.    Capitalised  exploration  and  evaluation  expenditure  at  30  June  2021  totals  $0.15 
million, relating to native title negotiations and office-based geological and geophysical interpretation and analysis. Each of Mahalo North, Mahalo 
East and Mahalo Far East have not yet reached a stage to allow a reasonable assessment to be made regarding the existence of economically 
recoverable reserves.         

ATP743, ATP 744 and ATP1015 are still under evaluation for both “Shallow” CSG and Conventional “Deeps” and have not yet reached a stage to 
allow a reasonable assessment to be made regarding the existence of economically recoverable reserves. The Company is also in the process of 
applications to the Queensland Department of Resources to secure the long-term tenure on these permits via Potential Commercial Areas (PCAs). 
As part of the PCA application process, it is likely that acreage within the Galilee permits will be relinquished where Contingent Resources do not 
exist. As a result of this, Comet Ridge has reviewed the carrying value of capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure in the Galilee permits 
at 30 June 2021 and has decided to write-off $0.62 million of capitalised cost of prior seismic costs for ATP 743 that lie in areas that may be 
relinquished as part of the PCA application process.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        43 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 13 

Exploration and evaluation assets (continued) 

The write-off by permit is as follows:    

Permit 

ATP 743 
ATP 744 
ATP 1015 
Total 

         Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000’s 
620 
- 
- 
620 

June 2020 
$000’s 

- 

                        3,924   
                        1,557  
                      5,481  

The Gunnedah Basin permits have been  fully impaired because of the current uncertainty around the CSG industry in NSW which has created 
significant limitations on the Company’s ability to undertake any exploration or development activity. During the 2021 financial year an amount of 
$145,000  (2020:  $149,000)  of  exploration  and  evaluation  expenditure  was  written-off  for  the  Gunnedah  Basin  permits  (PEL427,  PEL428  and 
PEL6).  The Company relinquished its interests in PEL 428 in May 2021. 

Permit 

PEL 427 
PEL 428 
PEL 6 
Total 

         Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000’s 
53 
57 
35 
145 

June 2020 
$000’s 
                        24  
                        82  
                        43  
                      149  

The New Zealand permit PMP50100 is in the process of being surrendered and the carrying value of its exploration and evaluation assets has 
been written-off. 

Interest in joint operations 

The Group’s exploration activities are often conducted through joint arrangements. Joint arrangements are classified as joint operations or joint 
ventures depending on the contractual rights and obligations that each investor has, rather than the legal structure of the joint arrangement. 

In  accordance  with  AASB  11  Joint  Arrangements,  all  of  the  Groups’  interests  in  joint  arrangements  are  classified  as  joint  operations.  A  joint 
operation involves joint control of the assets contributed or acquired for the purpose of the joint operation. Each party may take their share of the 
output  of  the  joint  operation  and  each  bears  its  share  of  the  expenses  incurred.  The  interests  of  the  Group  in  joint  operations  are  brought  to 
account by recognising the Group’s share of jointly controlled assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. 

The  carrying  amount  of  exploration  and  evaluation  expenditure  includes  the  Group's  interest  in  the  exploration  and  evaluation  expenditure  of  a 
number of joint operations. Comet Ridges share of the respective joint operations is as follows: 

30 June 2021 
Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Total current assets 

Non-current assets 
Exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Total non-current assets 
Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Total current liabilities 

Share of joint venture net assets  

GDJV 
70.0% 
$000's 

ATP1191 
40.0% 
$000's 

PEL427 
59.1% 
$000's 

PEL428 
68.4% 
$000's 

PEL6 
29.6% 
$000's 

164 
- 
164 

19,206 
19,206 
19,370 

267 
267 

- 
6 
6 

25,306 
25,306 
25,312 

- 
- 

19,103 

25,312 

7 
- 
7 

753 
753 
760 

15 
15 

745 

4 
- 
4 

728 
728 
732 

10 
10 

722 

Total 

$000's 

175 
6 
181 

46,423 
46,423 
46,604 

297 
297 

- 
- 
- 

430 
430 
430 

5 
5 

425 

46,307 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        44 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 13 

Exploration and evaluation assets (continued) 

30 June 2020 
Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 

Total current assets 
Non-current assets 
Exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Total non-current assets 
Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Total current liabilities 

GDJV 
85.0% 
$000's 

ATP1191 
40.0% 
$000's 

PEL427 
59.1% 
$000's 

PEL428 
68.4% 
$000's 

PEL6 
29.6% 
$000's 

Total 

$000's 

39 
259 

298 

- 
- 

- 

               16  

             -                  12    

             -                    -  

               -  

          67  
           259  

               16 

               -                  12  

          326  

18,860 
18,860 
19,158 

25,306 
25,306 
25,306 

           705  
           705  
           721  

           680  
           680  
           680  

           406  
           406  
           418  

       45,957  
       45,957  
       46,283  

55 
55 

566 
566 

             23                    9                  16  
             23                    9                  16  

          669  
          669  

Share of joint venture net assets  

19,103 

24,740 

           698  

           671  

           402  

       45,614  

As at 30 June 2021, the principal place of business for PEL 6, 427 is c/- Santos Limited, Level 5, 60 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000.  For 
ATP1191, the principal place of business is c/- Origin Energy, as upstream operator for APLNG, Level 24, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane QLD 4000. 
For GDJV, the principal place of business is c/- Comet Ridge Ltd, Level 3, 410 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000. 

The Group has fully impaired its interest in the Gunnedah Basin Licences PEL 427, and PEL 6.  

The Group's minimum expenditure obligations with respect to its interests in joint operations are as follows: 

Minimum expenditure requirements  
● not later than 12 months 
● between 12 months and 5 years 

Note 14 

Trade and other payables 

Current 

Trade payables 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
425 
200 

June 2020 
$000's 
1,056    

                       2,257 

625 

                        3,313    

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 

June 2020 
$000's 

                    898 

                            1,398 

Trade payables includes $143,000 (2020: $669,000) for the Group’s share of joint operation liabilities (refer Note 13). 

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of financial year which are unpaid. The amounts 
are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition. Trade and other payables are presented as current liabilities unless payment is 
not  due  within  12  months  from  reporting  date.  The  carrying  amounts  of  trade  and  other  payables  are  considered  to  be  the  same  as  their  fair 
values, due to their short-term nature. 

Note 15 

Provisions 

Current 
Employee benefits 
Restoration & rehabilitation 

Non-current 
Employee benefits 
Restoration & rehabilitation 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
484 
670 
1,154 

June 2020 
$000's 
                      436  
                      102  
                   538  

33 
1,075 
1,108 

2,262 

                        34  
                      1,677  
                      1,711  

                   2,249  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        45 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021

Note 15 

Provisions (continued) 

Movements in carrying amounts of restoration and rehabilitation 
Balance at the beginning of the year 
(Reductions)/Additions capitalised to exploration and evaluation expenditure 
Utilisation of provision  
Unwind of discount - finance charges 
Foreign exchange movements 

Balance at the end of the year 

Accounting Policy 

June 2021 
$000's 
1,779 
(49) 
- 
15 
- 

1,745 

June 2020 
$000's 
1,605 

153   
- 
23 
(2) 

1,779 

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation, as a result of past events, for whic h it is probable that an outflow 
of economic benefits will result, and that outflow can be reliably measured. 

Rehabilitation Provision 
The Group records the present value of the estimated cost of legal and constructive obligations to restore disturbances in the period in which the 
obligation arises. The nature of rehabilitation activities includes the abandonment of wells, removal of facilities and restoration of affected areas. 
Typically, the obligation arises when the well is spudded (commences drilling) or the infrastructure is installed. 

When the  liability  is  initially  recorded,  the  estimated  cost  is  capitalised  by  increasing  the  carrying  amount  of  the  related  asset.  Over  time,  the 
liability is increased for the change in the present value based on a risk adjusted pre-t
ax discount rate appropriate to the risks in herent in the 
liability. The unwinding of the discount is recorded as an expense within finance costs. 

The carrying amount capitalised is amortised over the useful life of the related asset. The assets’ useful lives are currently estimated at between 
one and fifteen years (once production commences). Costs incurred which relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which 
do not give rise to a future economic benefit, are expensed. 

The  estimated  costs  of  rehabilitation  are  reviewed  annually  and  adjusted  as  appropriate  for  changes  in  legislation,  technology  or  other 
circumstances. 

Critical accounting estimates and judgements 

The Group  estimates  the  future  re habilitation costs  of  gas wells  and associated  infrastructure  at  the  time  of  installation . In  most  instances, 
rehabilitation of  assets  occurs  many  years  into  the  future.  This  requires  assumptions  to  be  made  on  the  rehabilitation  date , the  extent  of 
rehabilitation activities  required,  requirements  of  future  environmental  legislation,  methodology  and  technologies  used  to  determine  the  future 
rehabilitation cost. 

The rehabilitation obligation is discounted to present value using a ten-year government bond discount rate as this is reflective of the risk-free rate 
over the period to rehabilitation of the assets.  These estimates require significant management judgement and are subject to risk and uncertainty 
that may be beyond the control of the Group; hence, there is a possibility that changes in circumstances will materially alter projections, which 
may impact the recoverable amount of assets and the value of rehabilitation obligations at each reporting date.  

Note	
  16	
  

Financial	
  liability	
  at	
  fair	
  value	
  

Consolidated 

Current 
Financial liability at fair value – CleanCo Queensland Limited 
Non-current 
Financial liability at fair value – CleanCo Queensland Limited 

Movements in financial liability at fair value 
Balance at the beginning of the year 
Movement in financial liability at fair value 
Balance at the end of the year 

June 2021 
  $000's 

22,662 

- 

June 2021 
  $000's 
19,206 
3,456 
22,662 

June 2020 
  $000's 

19,206 

June 2020 
  $000's 
17,191 
2,015 
19,206 

The liability to CleanCo Queensland Limited (CleanCo) (previously Stanwell Corporation Limited) arising from the renegotiated agreements is 
recognised as a “financial liability at fair value through profit or loss”. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        46 

 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 16 

Financial liability at fair value (continued) 

Critical accounting estimates and judgements 

On 17 June 2019, Comet Ridge executed an agreement with Stanwell Corporation Limited (Stanwell), which amended the 2014 Deed of Option 
between the parties, extending the Final Option Date under the Deed to 30 September 2022. The 2019 Agreement removed Stanwell’s option to 
select  either  a  Gas  Sales  Agreement  (GSA)  or  a  cash  settlement  from  the  2014  Agreement  as  well  as  terminating  the  2018  Agreement.  This 
option was replaced with the ability for Comet Ridge Mahalo Pty Ltd (CML) to commence negotiations on a GSA by 29 September 2021, or if 
CML does not commence negotiations, Stanwell may commence negotiations for a GSA by 8 October 2021. Stanwell transferred its rights to 
CleanCo under the Government Owned Corporations (Generator Restructure-CleanCo) Regulation 2019. 

If CML and CleanCo are unable to come to an agreement on a GSA or neither party commence negotiations for a GSA, then a cash settlement of 
$20 million, indexed for CPI from March 2014, would be triggered on or before 8 November 2021 (Payment Amount). On 21 September 2021 , 
Comet Ridge issued  a notice to CleanCo to commence GSA negotiations. If a GSA cannot be negotiated or an extension to the timeframe is not 
agreed by 21 December 2021 then a cash payment of approximately $22.74 million based on current estimates ($20 million, indexed for CPI), 
would be due within 30 days. Should GSA negotiations continue and a binding GSA is not executed prior to the sunset date of 30 September 
2022, then a cash payment of $20 million, indexed for CPI, would be due within 30 days.   

Fair value measurement 
Given the change in nature of the 2019 Agreement, Comet Ridge revisited the assumptions of the transaction in preparation of the 2019 Annual 
Report and in particular who is the potential market participant and what they would seek as compensation for taking on the financial obligations 
now included in the 2019 Agreement.  

In this instance, the liability is the obligation to either 1) provide a discount to the price that would be applied to a GSA to supply gas from the 
Mahalo Project or 2) to provide cash consideration. The principal market and market participant could essentially include any producer or trader. 
It would be expected that any market participant would take a conservative view on the liability and therefore want to be compensated for the 
present value of the greatest liability. 

Notwithstanding that Comet Ridge has issued a notice to CleanCo on 21 September 2021 to commence GSA negotiations, in considering the 
options above, Comet Ridge has determined that a cash settlement continues to represent the maximum liability under the 2019 Agreement.  

An expense of $3,456,425 has been recorded in the 2021 financial year as shown in the movements in financial liability at fair value above. 

Valuation techniques and process used to determine fair values at 30 June 2021 
The  fair  value  of  the  CleanCo  liability  is  based  on  the  anticipated  financial  liability  arising  from  the  2019  Agreement.  The  CleanCo  liability  is 
classified  as  level  3  in  the  fair  value  hierarchy  due  to  the  use  of  unobservable  inputs  (refer  to  Note  24  for  further  definitions  of  the  fair  value 
hierarchy). The inputs used in the calculation of the fair value of the financial liability at fair value are as follows: 

1.  The option with the greatest liability that a market participant would want to be compensated for is a cash settlement based on neither party 
commencing negotiations representing the maximum liability under the 2019 Agreement. As a result, the $20 million, indexed for CPI, will 
be the basis for determining the liability. 

2.  The earliest date for the cash payment under point 1 is 8 November 2021, giving a period of indexation of 7.7 years from March 2014. 
3.  The CPI rate used to index the $20 million cash payment from March 2014 is based on actual quarterly CPI rates from March 2014 to 30 

June 2020 and forecast at 1.13% per annum for the remaining period to 8 November 2021. 

The relationships between the unobservable inputs and the fair value of the financial liability at fair value are as follows: 

Unobservable input 

Relationship to fair value 

Agreement term 

If Comet Ridge begins negotiations with CleanCo that are unsuccessful, the cash payment would be payable earlier 
than 8 November 2021, and the carrying amount of the financial liability at fair value will decrease. 

CPI rate 

If the 1.13% pa forecast CPI rate reduces/increases to a low of 0.5% pa or a high of 2.5% pa, the indexed liability will 
reduce by approximately 0.4% or $79,750; or increase by approximately 0.4% or $79,870. 

Parent Entity Guarantee 
Comet Ridge Limited has provided a parent company financial guarantee Comet Ridge Mahalo Pty Ltd (CRM) in favour of Comet Ridge Mahalo's 
potential $20m liability (indexed at CPI from 2014) to CleanCo Queensland Limited. 

The guarantee represents a contingent liability of the parent should CRM not be able to settle the obligation if and when it falls due. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        47 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 17 

Equity 

Ordinary shares - fully paid 

Movements in ordinary shares 

 Balance at the beginning of the period  
 Share placement @ 19 cents per share  
 Share Purchase Plan @ 19 cents per share  
 Directors’ fees paid in equity @ 8.5 cents per share 
 Share issue costs  

    Consolidated 

June 2021 

June 2020 

  $000's 

  $000's 

140,379               

140,200  

June 2021 
Number of Shares 

June 2020 
Number of Shares 

789,000,030 

727,876,423    
52,631,579    
8,492,028    

June 2021 
  $000's 

140,200 

June 2020 
  $000's 

129,110 

10,000    
1,614 

2,211,689 
- 

                               -    

181 
(2) 

                   (524) 

 Balance at the end of the year 

791,211,719 

789,000,030    

140,379 

140,200 

Accounting Policy 

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

Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on winding up of the Company in proportion to the number of and 
amounts paid on the shares held.  On a show of hands, every holder of ordinary shares present at a meeting in person or by proxy, is entitled to 
one vote, and upon a poll, each share is entitled to one vote. 

Note	
  18	
  

Reserves 

Foreign currency translation 
Share-based payments 

The movements in the Share-based Payments' Reserve during the year are as follows: 
Balance at the beginning of the year 
Share-based payments during the year 
Balance at the end of the year 

Accounting Policy 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
1,251 
382 
1,633 

June 2021 
$000's 
(50) 
432 
382 

June 2020 
$000's 
                   1,251  
                        (50)  
                   1,201  

June 2020 
$000's 
                        65  
                      (115)  
                        (50)  

Foreign Currency Translation Reserve 
The Foreign Currency Translation Reserve records exchange differences arising on translation of foreign controlled entities. 

Share-based Payments Reserve 
The Share-based Payments Reserve is used to record the expense associated with options and Performance Rights granted to employees under 
equity-settled share-based payment arrangements.  It is also used to record fair value of options granted for other goods and services as well as 
acquisition of other assets. 

Note 19 

Consolidated Statement of Cashflows reconciliation 

(a)   Reconciliation of cash flow from operations 
Loss for the year 
Depreciation 
Exploration and evaluation assets written-off 
Share-based payments 
Net exchange differences 
Movement in financial liability at fair value 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
(6,960) 
65 
765 
613 
- 
3,456 

June 2020 
$000's 
(10,395) 
67 
5,630 
(115) 
3 
2,015 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        48 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
               
                     
 
 
 
 
 
 
              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 19 

Consolidated Statement of Cashflows reconciliation (continued) 

Changes in assets and liabilities  
Decrease in trade and other receivables 
Decrease in inventories 
Decrease in prepayments and deposits paid 
(Decrease)/Increase in trade payables and accruals 
Decrease in property, plant and equipment 
Increase in provisions 

24 
4 
26 
(36) 
(3) 
62 

355 
53 
567 
(621) 
- 
128 

(1,984) 

(2,313) 

(b)  Non-cash financing and investing activities 
There were no investing and financing transactions undertaken during the current year that did not require the use of cash or cash equivalents. 

Note 20 

Segment information 

Operating  segments  are  reported  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  internal  reporting  provided  to  the  chief  operating  decision  makers.  The  chief 
operating decision makers, who are responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, are the Board of 
Directors. 

Identification of reportable segments 
The principal operating activities of the Group are the exploration and evaluation of its tenements for oil and gas reserves. The internal reports 
used by the Board of Directors (chief operating decision makers) in assessing performance and determining the allocations of resources is cash 
flow reporting of exploration and evaluation activities as one segment. 

Note 21 

Share-based payments 

Share-based payments 
The share-based payments’ expense included in the financial statements with respect to Performance Rights issued during the year and already 
issued in prior years is as follows:	
   

Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Share-based payments’ expense included in employee benefits' expense 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
  $000's 

June 2020 
  $000's 

               432                                   (115)  

Annual assessment of the likelihood of Performance Rights meeting vesting conditions was performed and as a result it is now being considered 
unlikely that some of the performance metrics will be met. This resulted in the reversal of those expenses. 

The types of share-based payment plans are described below. 

Share-based payments 
Share-based  compensation  benefits  are  provided  to  employees  under  the  Comet  Ridge  Share  Incentive  Option  Plan,  the  Comet  Ridge  Limited 
Employee Performance Share Rights Plan or under terms and conditions as determined by the Directors. 

The  fair  value  of  options  granted  is  recognised  as  an  employee  benefits’  expense  with  a  corresponding  increase  in  equity  over  the  expected 
vesting  period.  The  total  amount  expensed  is  determined  by  reference  to  the  fair  value  of  the  options  granted,  which  includes  any  market 
performance conditions but excludes the impact of any non-market performance vesting conditions and the impact of any non-vesting conditions. 

Non-market  vesting  conditions  are  included  in  assumptions  about  the  number  of  options  that  are  expected  to  vest.  The  total  expense  is 
recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified vesting conditions are to be satisfied. At the end of each 
period,  the  entity  revises  its  estimates  of  the  number  of  options  that  are  expected  to  vest  based  on  the  non-market  vesting  conditions.    It 
recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in profit or loss, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. 

Employee Performance Rights 
Employee  Performance  Rights  are  provided  to  certain  employees  via  the  Comet  Ridge  Limited  Employee  Performance  Share  Rights  Plan  as 
approved  by  shareholders  at  the  2010  Annual  General  Meeting  and  refreshed  at  the  2016  Annual  General  Meeting.  Performance  Rights  are 
granted on terms determined by the Directors.   

Performance  Rights,  which  have  a  maximum  term  of  seven  years,  are  issued  for  no  consideration  and  provide  an  equity-based  reward  for 
employees  that  is  linked  with  the  success  of  performance  conditions  determined  when  the  Performance  Rights  are  granted.  The  performance 
criteria are determined on a case by case basis by the Board. These performance criteria are likely to be matters such as length of employment, 
successful operational results and/or direct increase in shareholder value linked to the share price of the Company or reserve targets. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        49 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 21 

Share-based payments (continued) 

The fair value of Performance Rights is determined at grant date. The value of Performance Rights that are issued subject only to non-market 
conditions such as a service condition or subject to a service condition and a performance condition e.g. reserves certification, is determined by 
reference to the quoted price of the Company's shares on the ASX.  The fair value of Performance Rights at grant date issued subject to a market 
condition e.g. Total Shareholder Return performance is determined using generally accepted valuation techniques including Black-Scholes option 
pricing model and Monte Carlo simulation that take into account the term of the performance right, the impact of dilution, the share price at grant 
date, the expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free rate for the term of the performance right 
and an appropriate probability weighting to factor the likelihood of the satisfaction of non-vesting conditions. 

Performance  Rights  may  only  be  issued  if  the  number  of  shares  underlying  the  Performance  Rights,  when  aggregated  with  the  number  of 
Performance  Rights  on  issue  and  the  number  of  shares  issued  during  the  previous  five  years  under  the  plan  or  any  other  employee  incentive 
scheme, do not exceed 5% of the total number of shares on issue.   

The following table shows the number and movements of Performance Rights during the 2021 year: 

Grant Date 
23-Nov-17 
20-May-18 
31-Dec-18 
31-Dec-19 
31-Dec-19 
31-Dec-19 
07-Aug-20 
07-Aug-20 

Expiry Date 
31-Jan-21 
31-Jan-21 
31-Jan-21 
31-Dec-21 
31-Dec-22 
30-Jun-23 
01-Jul-21 
01-Jul-22 

Share Price at 
Grant Date 
(cents) 
26.50 
36.50 
32.50 
19.00 
19.00 
19.00 
7.90 
7.90 

No. of Rights  
30 June 2020 
1,000,000 
250,000 
350,000 
750,000 
750,000 
1,000,000 
- 
- 

Granted During 
the Year 
-  
-  
-  
- 
- 
- 
5,220,000 
2,510,000 

Vested During 
the Year 

                     -    
                     -    
                     -    

Expired During 
the Year 
(1,000,000) 
(250,000)  
(350,000)   

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
(870,000) 
- 

No. of Rights  
30 June 2021 
- 
- 
- 
750,000 
750,000 
1,000,000 
4,350,000 
2,510,000 

4,100,000  

7,730,000 

                     -    

(2,470,000)    

9,360,000  

At 30 June 2021, all Performance Rights were subject to non-market vesting conditions.   

The following table shows the number and movements of Performance Rights during the 2020 year:   

Grant Date 
1-Dec-16 
23-Nov-17 
23-Nov-17 
20-May-18 
20-May-18 
31-Dec-18 
31-Dec-18 
31-Dec-18 
31-Dec-19 
31-Dec-19 
31-Dec-19 

Expiry Date 
31-Dec-19 
31-Jan-20 
31-Jan-21 
31-Jan-20 
31-Jan-21 
31-Dec-19 
31-Jan-20 
31-Jan-21 
31-Dec-21 
31-Dec-22 
30-Jun-23 

Share Price at 
Grant Date 
(cents) 
7.00 
26.50 
26.50 
36.50 
36.50 
23.50 
32.50 
32.50 
19.00 
19.00 
19.00 

No. of Rights  
30 June 2019 
1,875,000 
1,000,000  
1,000,000  
250,000  
250,000  
400,000   
350,000    
350,000    

- 
- 
- 

Granted During 
the Year 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
750,000 
750,000 
1,000,000 

Vested During the 
Year 
- 
-    
-    
-    
-    
- 
-    
-    
- 
- 
- 

Expired During 
the Year 
(1,875,000) 
(1,000,000)   
-    
 (250,000)    
-    
(400,000)    
(350,000)    
-    
- 
- 
- 

No. of Rights  
30 June 2020 
- 
 -  
1,000,000  
-  
 250,000  

-    
-  
350,000  
750,000 
750,000 
1,000,000 

5,475,000  

2,500,000 

       - 

(3,875,000) 

4,100,000  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        50 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
        
        
 
 
 
 
        
       
       
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 21 

Share-based payments (continued) 

Accounting Policy 

The amount assessed as fair value at the grant date is allocated equally over the period from grant date to vesting date. Fair values at grant date 
are determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing method that takes into account the exercise price, the terms of the option, the vesting and 
market related criteria, the impact of dilution, the non-tradable nature of the option, the share price at grant date and the risk of the underlying 
share and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the option.  

There were no employee share options on issue at the beginning of the year and none were granted during the year ended 30 June 2021. 

Note 22 

Contingent liabilities 

There are no contingent liabilities of the Group as at 30 June 2021. 

Note 23 

Commitments 

Lease commitments 
Commitments  for  minimum  lease  payments  for  non-cancellable  leases  for  offices  and  equipment  contracted  for  but  not  recognised  in  the 
financial statements. 

Payable – minimum lease payments  
● not later than 12 months 
● between 12 months and 5 years 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
73 
2 
75 

June 2020 
$000's 
79 
8 
87 

Exploration expenditure 
In order to maintain an interest in the exploration tenements in which the parent is involved, the parent is committed to meet the conditions under 
the agreements. The timing and amount of exploration expenditure and obligations of the parent are subject to the minimum work or expenditure 
requirements of the permit conditions or farm-in agreements (where applicable) and may vary significantly from the forecast based on the results 
of the work performed, which will determine the prospectivity of the relevant area of interest. The obligations are not provided for in the financial 
statements. 

Minimum expenditure requirements  
● not later than 12 months 
● between 12 months and 5 years 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
7,949 
15,225 
23,174 

June 2020 
$000's 
1,056 
13,683 
14,739 

Bank guarantees 
Westpac Banking Corporation have provided bank guarantees totalling $579,000 (2020: $452,000) as follows: 
•  $379,000 (2020: $252,000) to the State of Queensland - Group's exploration permits and environmental guarantees; and 
•  $200,000 (2020: $200,000) to the State of NSW - Group’s exploration permits and environmental guarantees. 

The bank guarantees are secured by term deposits. 

Note 24 

Risk management 

Overview 

The  Group's  principal  financial  instruments  comprise  receivables,  payables,  cash,  term  deposits  and  financial  liabilities  at  fair  value.  The  main 
risks arising from the Group's financial assets and liabilities are interest rate risk, price risk, foreign currency risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.  
This note presents information about the Group's exposure to each of the above risks, its objectives, policies and processes for measuring and 
managing risk. 

Key risks are monitored and reviewed as circumstances change (e.g. acquisition of new entity or project) and policies are created or revised as 
required.  The overall objective of the Group's financial risk management policy is to support the delivery of the Group's financial targets whilst 
protecting future financial security. 

Given the nature and size of the business and uncertainty as to the timing and amount of cash inflows and outflows, the Group does not enter into 
derivative transactions to mitigate the financial risks. In addition, the Group's policy is that no trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken 
for the purpose of making speculative gains. As the Group's operations change, the Directors will review this policy. 

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the risk management framework. The Board reviews and 
agrees policies for managing the Group's financial risks as summarised below.   

The Group holds the following financial instruments which are carried at amortised cost unless otherwise stated: 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        51 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 24 

Risk Management (continued) 

Financial Assets 
Cash and cash equivalents  
Trade and other receivables  
Restricted cash 

Financial Liabilities 
Trade and other payables  
Financial liability at fair value – CleanCo Queensland Limited 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 
3,390 
90 
579 

June 2020 
$000's 
                 4,636  
                      1,384  
                      452  

4,059 

                 6,472  

898 
22,662 

23,560 

                     1,398  
                 19,206  

                 20,604  

Interest rate risk 
Exposure to interest rate risk arises on cash and term deposits recognised at reporting date whereby a future change in interest rates will affect 
future cash flows or the fair value of fixed rate financial instruments.  

A  forward  business  cash  requirement  estimate  is  made,  identifying  cash  requirements  for  the  following  period  (generally  up  to  one  year)  and 
interest  rate  term  deposit  information  is  obtained  from  a  variety  of  banks  over  a  variety  of  periods  (usually  one  month  up  to  six  month  term 
deposits) accordingly. The funds to invest are then scheduled in an optimised fashion to maximise interest returns whilst preserving liquidity. 

Interest rate sensitivity 
A  sensitivity  of  1%  interest  rate  has  been  selected  as  this  is  considered  reasonable  given  the  current  market  conditions.  A  1%  movement  in 
interest  rates  at  the  reporting  date  would  have  increased/(decreased)  equity  and  profit  or  loss  by  the  amounts  shown  below.  This  analysis 
assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign currency rates, remain constant. 

2021 – Consolidated 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 
2020 – Consolidated 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 

Profit or Loss 

Equity 

1% increase 
$000's 
40  

1% decrease 
$000's 
(40) 

1% increase 
$000's 
40 

1% decrease 
$000's 
(40) 

                    51  

                  (51) 

                    51  

                  (51) 

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Board's approach to managing liquidity 
is to ensure, as far as possible, that the Group will always have sufficient resources to meet its obligations when due. 

Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board of Directors. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate 
reserves and by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.  This 
is based on the undiscounted cash flows of the financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which they are required to be paid.  With respect 
to the liability to CleanCo arising from the Renegotiated Mahalo Option Agreement, the Group will manage this liquidity risk by negotiating a Gas 
Supply Agreement (GSA) with CleanCo.  In the event a GSA is not negotiated then a cash payment of $20m escalated by CPI until the date of 
payment will be required and has been disclosed in the below table.  

The following table details the remaining contractual maturity for non-derivative financial liabilities. 

Consolidated - 30 June 2021 
Trade and other payables 
Financial liability at fair value – CleanCo Queensland Limited 

Consolidated - 30 June 2020 
Trade and other payables 
Financial liability at fair value – CleanCo Queensland Limited 

Total 
Contractual 
Cash Flows 
$000's 
898 
22,662 

1 to 3 years 
$000's 
- 
- 

Carrying 
Amount 
$000's 
898 
22,662     

- 

23,560 

23,560 

<1 year 
$000's 
898 
22,662 

23,560 

              1,398 

                -    

                -                   1,398  
         22,397  

         22,397  

              1,398 
         19,206  

              1,398  

         22,397  

         23,795  

         20,604  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        52 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 24 

Risk Management (continued) 

Foreign exchange risk 
As a result of activities overseas, the Group's Statement of Financial Position can be affected by movements in exchange rates.  The Group also 
has transactional currency exposures. Such exposures arise from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of 
the Group.  The Group's exposure to foreign currency risk primarily arises from the Group's operations overseas, namely in New Zealand. 

The Group currently does not engage in any hedging or derivative transactions to manage foreign currency risk. The Group’s policy is to generally 
convert its local currency to NZ dollars at the time of transaction.   

The Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk at the reporting date, expressed in Australian dollars, was as follows: 

Financial Assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Financial Liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

2021 
NZD 
$000's 
                                   3  
                                   -  

2020 
NZD 
$000's 
                                   2  
                                   1  

                               (12) 

                               (16) 

Based on financial instruments held at 30 June 2021 and 30 June 2020, had the Australian dollar strengthened/weakened by 10% there would be 
an immaterial impact on the Group’s profit or loss and equity.  

Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. 
This  arises  principally  from  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  restricted  cash,  and  trade  and  other  receivables.  The  Group  exposure  and  the  credit 
ratings of its counterparties are continuously monitored by the Board of Directors. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying amount of the financial assets as summarised in the table above. 

Credit risk exposures 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade  and  other  receivables  comprise  primarily  of  charges  to  joint  operations.  Where  possible  the  Group  trades  with  recognised,  creditworthy 
third parties. The receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis. The Group’s exposure to bad debts is not significant. At 30 June 2021 
$nil, (2020: $nil) of the Group's receivables were past due.  The Group has no other significant concentration of credit risk. 

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and term deposits 
The Group has a significant concentration of credit risk with respect to cash deposits with banks. AAA rated banks are mostly used and non-AAA 
banks are utilised where commercially attractive returns are available. 

Price risk 
Price risk relates to the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. 

The Group is exposed to commodity price risk. Commodity prices can be volatile and are influenced by factors beyond the Group's control. As the 
Group is currently engaged in exploration, no sales of commodities are forecast for the next 12 months, and accordingly, no hedging or derivative 
transactions have been used to manage commodity price risk. 

Capital risk management 
When managing capital, management’s objective is to ensure the Group continues as a going concern and to maintain a structure that ensures 
the lowest cost of capital available and to ensure adequate capital is available for exploration and evaluation of tenements.  In order to maintain or 
adjust the capital structure, the Group may seek to issue new shares. 

Consistent with others in the industry, the Group monitors capital on the basis of forecast exploration and evaluation expenditure required to reach 
a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the existence or otherwise of an economically recoverable reserve.  Total capital is calculated 
as ‘equity’ as shown in the Statement of Financial Position. 

There were no changes in the Group's approach to capital management during the year. The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital 
requirements. 

Fair value measurement 
The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities must be estimated for recognition and measurement and for disclosure purposes.  

Fair value hierarchy 
AASB  7  Financial  Instruments:  Disclosures  requires  disclosure  of  fair  value  measurements  by  level  as  determined  by  the  following  fair  value 
measurement hierarchy: 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        53 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 24 

Risk Management (continued) 

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

a) 
b)  Level  2:  inputs  other  than  quoted  prices  included  within  level  1  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  or  liability,  either  directly  (as 

prices) or indirectly (derived from prices); and 
Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). 

c) 

The following table shows the 'fair value measurement hierarchy' classification of the Group's assets and liabilities measured and recognised at 
fair value at 30 June 2021 (refer Note 16). 

Financial Liabilities - Level 3 

Financial liability at fair value - CleanCo Queensland Limited 

Balance at the beginning of the year 
Movement in financial liability at fair value 

Balance at the end of the year 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$000's 

June 2020 
$000's 

22,662 

                 19,206  

19,206 
3,456 

22,662 

                 17,191  
                   2,015  

                 19,206  

Other fair value disclosures 
The  Directors  consider  that  the  carrying  amount  of  trade  receivables  and  payables  recorded  in  the  financial  statements  approximates  their  fair 
values due to their short-term nature. 

Note 25 

Group structure 

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following subsidiaries: 

Name of entity 

Chartwell Energy Pty Ltd  
Comet Ridge Limited  
Comet Ridge NZ Pty Ltd 
Davidson Prospecting Pty Ltd 
Comet Ridge Mahalo Pty Ltd 
Comet Ridge Gunnedah Pty Ltd 
Comet Ridge Galilee Pty Ltd 
Comet Ridge Mahalo North Pty Ltd 
Comet Ridge Mahalo East Pty Ltd 
Comet Ridge Mahalo Far East Pty Ltd 

Accounting Policies 

Country of 
Incorporation 

Class of 
Shares 

Equity Holding 
% 

Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia  
Australia  
Australia  
Australia  
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 

Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 

2021 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

2020 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
- 
- 

Subsidiaries 
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has the rights to, 
variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. 
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control 
ceases. 

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. 

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated.  Unrealised losses are also 
eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of the impairment of the asset transferred. 

Accounting  policies  of  subsidiaries  have  been  changed  where  necessary  to  ensure  consistency  with  the  policies  adopted  by  the  Group.    The 
financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent entity. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for 
at cost in the separate financial statements of Comet Ridge Limited. 

Changes in ownership interests 
The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of the Group.  
A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling interests to reflect 
their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling interests and any consideration 
paid or received is recognised in a separate reserve within equity attributable to owners of the parent entity. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        54 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 25 

Group Structure (continued) 

When the Group ceases to have control, joint control or significant influence, any retained interest in the entity is remeasured to its fair value with 
the  change  in  carrying  amount  recognised  in  profit  or  loss.    The  fair  value  is  the  initial  carrying  amount  for  the  purposes  of  subsequently 
accounting for the retained interest as an associate, jointly controlled entity or financial asset.  In addition, any amounts previously recognised in 
Other Comprehensive Income in respect of that entity are accounted for as if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities.  
This means that any amounts previously recognised in Other Comprehensive Income are reclassified to profit or loss. 

If  the  ownership  interest  in  a  jointly  controlled  entity  or  an  associate  is  reduced  but  joint  control  or  significant  influence  is  retained,  only  a 
proportionate share of the amounts previously recognised in Other Comprehensive Income are reclassified to profit or loss where appropriate. 

Joint arrangements 
The Group has interests in the following Joint Arrangements: 

ATP 1191 Mahalo 
ATP 743 Galilee 
ATP 744 Galilee 
ATP 1015 Galilee 
PEL427 Gunnedah 
PEL6 Gunnedah 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

40.00% 
70.00% *, #  
70.00% 
70.00% 
59.09% * 
29.55% * 

* subject to renewal application 
 # As part of the ATP 743 renewal application, Comet Ridge has applied for two PCAs (PCA 318 and PCA 319) covering approximately 30% of the 

current permit area 

In accordance with AASB 11 Joint Arrangements, the accounting treatment adopted for these joint arrangements depends upon an assessment of 
the rights and obligations of the parties to the arrangement that are established in each of the joint operating agreements (JOAs) or the farm-in 
agreement  as  the  case  may  be.  The  JOA  or  farm-in  agreement  sets  out  the  voting  rights  of  the  parties  to  the  agreement.  The  voting  rights 
determine who has control i.e. the power to direct the operating activities of the joint arrangement. 

Based  on  the  analysis  of  each  JOA  and  farm-in  agreement,  the  Group  has  classified  each  of  its  joint  arrangements  as  a  “joint  operation”  in 
accordance with the requirements of AASB 11 in that: 

1. 

2. 

there  is  joint  control  because  all  decisions  about  the  operating  activities  requires  unanimous  consent  of  all  parties,  or  a  Group  of  parties 
considered collectively; and 
each party to the joint operation has rights to its respective interest in the assets and revenue of the arrangement, and obligations for its 
share of the liabilities and expenditure. 

As  a  result,  the  Group  recognises  in  its  financial  statements  its  share  of  the  revenue,  expenses,  assets  and  liabilities  of  each  of  the  joint 
operations in which it has an interest. 

Note 26 

Related party transactions 

Parent entity 
The legal parent entity is Comet Ridge Limited. Details of controlled entities are set out in Note 25. 

Key Management Personnel 
There were no transactions with KMP during the year, other than those disclosed in Note 27. 

Transactions with controlled entities 
Transactions between Comet Ridge Limited and its subsidiaries during the year included: 

• 
• 

loans advanced to/repayments from subsidiaries; and 
investments in subsidiaries. 

The  loans  and  investments  have  been  impaired  as  shown  in  the  parent  entity  disclosures  section  of  this  note.  The  loans  to  subsidiaries  are 
interest free, repayable in cash at call and are unsecured. 

Loans to subsidiaries and investments in subsidiaries 
The parent entity has recorded investments in subsidiaries at cost of $44.25 million (2020: $44.25 million) less provisions for impairment $44.08 
million (2020: $44.08 million).  

The  parent  entity  has  also  loaned  funds  to  its  subsidiaries  of  net  $30.97  million  (2020:  $28.48  million)  primarily  to  undertake  exploration 
expenditure. The parent entity has impaired the carrying amount of the loans by $16.06 million (2020: $11.86 million).  The impairment of the 
investments and loans has been based on the underlying net assets of the subsidiaries.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        55 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 26 

Related party transactions (continued) 

In  future  periods,  as  the  underlying  exploration  and  evaluation  activities  progress  on  various  tenements,  and  with  changes  in  other  market 
conditions, the carrying amounts of the investments and loans may need to be reassessed in line with the net asset position of the subsidiaries or 
as otherwise appropriate. 

Note 27 

Key Management Personnel 

Details of Key Management Personnel 
Key Management Personnel comprise all of the Directors of the Company. 

James McKay 
Tor McCaul 
Christopher Pieters 
Gillian Swaby 
Martin Riley 
Shaun Scott 

Non-executive Chairman 
Managing Director 
Executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Non-executive Director 
Non-executive Director 

Consolidated 

June 2021 
$ 
856,783 
65,933 
8,240 
31,692 

June 2020 
$ 
                888,600  
                  62,861  
                   18,787  
                44,493  

962,648 

                1,014,741  

June 2021 
$000's 
4,274 
50,155 
54,409 

1,738 
1,826 
3,564 

50,845 

154,989 
4,144 
(108,288) 

50,845 

June 2020 
$000's 
           6,696  
54,965  
61,661  

               1,717  
            2,397  
            4,114  

           57,547  

         154,809  
            3,713  
         (100,975) 

           57,547  

7,314 
- 

7,314 

            11,719  

                 -    

11,719  

Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Long-term employment benefits 
Share-based payments 

Note 28 

Parent entity disclosures 

Current assets 
Non-current assets 
Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Contributed equity 
Share-based payments’ reserve 
Accumulated losses 

Total equity 

Loss for the period 
Other comprehensive income 

Total Comprehensive Income 

Bank guarantees  
Bank guarantees are disclosed in Note 23. 

Contingent liabilities 
Contingent liabilities are disclosed in Note 22. 

Parent Entity Guarantee 

Comet  Ridge  Limited  has  provided  a  parent  company  financial  guarantee  for  Comet  Ridge  Mahalo  Pty  Ltd  (CRM)  in  favour  of  Comet  Ridge 
Mahalo's potential $20m liability (indexed at CPI from 2014) to CleanCo. 

The guarantee represents a contingent liability of the parent should CRM not be able to settle the obligation if and when it falls due.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        56 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 29 

Post balance date events 

(a)  Performance Rights 

On 12 July 2021, Comet Ridge issued 4,350,000 ordinary shares as a result of vesting of the same number of Performance Rights.  In addition, 
Comet Ridge announced on the same date, the lapse of 870,000 Performance Rights because the retention condition was not satisfied.  

(b)  Acquisition of APLNG’s 30% interest in the Mahalo Gas Project 

On 3 August 2021, Comet Ridge announced it had executed a binding agreement with Australia Pacific LNG Pty Ltd (APLNG) to acquire their 30% 
interest in the Mahalo Gas Project.  The consideration payable to APLNG is $20 million, payable in staged payments. The first payment of $12 
million  is  due  on  completion  of  the  acquisition  (expected  in  late  2021),  with  $8  million  deferred  and  payable  in  four  annual  instalments  of  $2 
million each unless a post completion trigger event occurs requiring earlier payment.  Comet Ridge has paid a deposit of $1 million which will be 
deducted from the $12 million completion payment.  The acquisition significantly increases Comet Ridge gas reserves and contingent resources, 
on  favour  deal  metrics,  and  provides  the  Mahalo  JV  alignment  required  to  move  the  Mahalo  Gas  Project  to  development  on  a  time  and  cost-
efficient basis. 

(c)  Santos loan and option agreements  

On 3 August 2021, Comet Ridge also announced it had executed binding agreements with Santos Ltd to provide loan funding of $13.15 million to 
fund the upfront consideration (and stamp duty costs) payable by Comet Ridge to APLNG for the acquisition noted in (b) above in exchange for 
Santos receiving options to acquire increased equity in certain Mahalo permits. These options comprise: 

• 

• 

a firm option for Santos to acquire a 12.86% in Mahalo Gas Project from Comet Ridge at proportional acquisition value of the APLNG 
acquisition; and 
a  right  for  Santos  to  negotiate,  on  terms  to  be  agreed,  to  purchase  from  Comet  Ridge,  an  additional  7.14%  in  Mahalo  Gas  Project 
(equalising  Santos  and  Comet  Ridge  interest  at  50%  each)  and  50%  interests  in  Mahalo  North  (ATP  2048)  and  Mahalo  East  (ATP 
2061). This is subject to the option above being exercised by Santos.  

(d)  PURE Asset Management $10 million loan facility 

Comet Ridge announced on 3 August 2021, a binding agreement with PURE Asset Management Pty Ltd (PURE) to provide Comet Ridge access 
to  a  term  loan  facility  for  up  to  $10  million.    The  facility  is  provided  in  two  tranches  of  $6.5  million  (Tranche  1)  and  $3.5  million  (Tranche  2) 
respectively.  The Tranche 1 loan was drawn on 17 September 2021 following execution of a facility agreement on 9 September 2021.  The loan 
agreement  with  PURE  also  contains  attached  warrant  shares.    Comet  Ridge  issued  the  first  tranche  of  warrant  shares  to  PURE  on  12  August 
2021, being 39,393,939 warrant shares exercisable at $0.165 per share for a period of 48 months from the utilisation of the Tranche 1 loan.  If 
Comet Ridge draws down the Tranche 2 loan, additional warrant shares will be issued to PURE in accordance with the terms of the previously 
announced agreement. 

(e)  Completion of placement on new shares 

Comet Ridge announced on 10 August 2021, a placement to institutional and sophisticated investors to raise $5.0 million (net of costs).  The 
placement  comprised  the  issue  of  64,472,726  new  shares  at  an  issue  price  of  $0.0825  per  share.    The  placement  shares  were  allotted  to 
investors on 17 September 2021.   

(f) 

Potential Commercial Area applications for Galilee permits 

Comet Ridge lodged an application for renewal of ATP 743 in the Galilee Basin with the Queensland Department of Resources (DoR) on 4 August 
2021. The permit renewal was accompanied by PCA applications over the two most prospective areas within the permit, being the Koburra area 
and Albany NW area.  These applications were accepted by the DoR and PCA 318 (750 km2)	
  and PCA 319 (257 km2) respectively awarded to 
Comet Ridge. The remaining areas of ATP 743 will be relinquished as part of the permit renewal application. It will take a number of months for 
the permit renewal and PCA applications to be considered by DoR prior to their award.  Assuming the application is successful, the permit will be 
renewed for a further 12 year term. 

Comet  Ridge  has  also  submitted  a  PCA  application  over  the  Albany  Structure  within  ATP 744  alongside  the  ATP 743  PCA  applications  as 
logically, this entire area would be appraised and potentially developed concurrently. This application was accepted by DoR and PCA 320 (363 
km2) awarded to the Company.  Comet Ridge is also finalising a permit renewal application for ATP 744 and a PCA application over the entire 
Gunn CSG project area prior to 30 September 2021, which, if awarded, will secure the long-term tenure of a significant portion of the current 
permit area.      

(g)  Notice of intention to negotiate a gas sales agreement with CleanCo 

Comet Ridge issued a notice to CleanCo Queensland Limited (CleanCo) on 21 September 2021 to commence gas sale agreement negotiations.  
CleanCo has responded to the notice and both parties intend to undertake these negotiations over the coming months. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        57 

	
  
	
  
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Note 29 

Post balance date events (continued) 

Other than the above events, no matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year which significantly affected or may 
significantly affect the operations of the Group, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the Group in future financial years. 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        58 

	
  
	
  
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Directors’ Declaration 

In the Directors’ opinion: 

1) 

the attached financial statements and notes are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

(a) 

(b) 

complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the 
Corporations Regulations 2001; and 

giving a true and fair view of the financial position as at 30 June 2021 and of the performance for the year ended on that date of the 
consolidated entity. 

2)  As stated in Note 2, the financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

3)  There are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable. 

The Directors have been given the declarations by the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer required by section 295A of the Corporations 
Act 2001. 

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

Tor McCaul 

Managing Director 
Brisbane, Queensland, 28 September 2021 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        59 

	
  
	
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Additional Information 

The additional information set out below was applicable at 17 September 2021: 

1. 

Number of Equity Holders 

Ordinary Share Capital  

860,034,445 fully paid ordinary shares are held by 2,510 individual shareholders. 

2. 

Voting Rights 

In  accordance  with  the  Company's  constitution,  on  a  show  of  hands  every  shareholder  present  in  person  or  by  a  proxy,  attorney  or 
representative of a shareholder has one vote and on a poll every shareholder present in person or by a proxy, attorney or representative has 
in respect of fully paid shares, one vote for every share held. No class of option holder has a right to vote, however the shares issued upon 
exercise of options will rank pari passu with the then existing issued fully paid ordinary shares. 

3. 

Distribution of Shareholdings  

Holdings 
1 
1,001 
5,001 
10,001 
100,001 

-  1,000    
-  5,000    
-  10,000    
-  100,000    
-  maximum    

No. of Holders 
175 
257 
316 
983 
779 
2,510 

Units 
8,435 
816,933 
2,520,364 
42,074,506 
814,614,207 
860,034,445 

Percentage 
of Issued Capital* 
0.001% 
0.095% 
0.293% 
4.892% 
94.719% 
100.000% 

∗ 

Percentages have been rounded to the nearest 1/1000 decimal place.  

The numbers of shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel (being 4,546units or less) were: 

378 Holders (558,655 Shares) 

4. 

Substantial Shareholders 

The following information is extracted from the Company’s Register of Substantial Shareholders: 

Name 
Awal Bank BSC 

Number of 
Shares Held 
51,500,000 

Percentage 
of Issued Capital 
5.99% 

The above shareholdings are disclosed pursuant to section 671B (3) of the Corporations Act 2001 but the relevant interests shown do not 
necessarily represent the beneficial interest in the share capital of the Company or the parties concerned.  

5. 

Unquoted Securities 

Unlisted Performance Rights:  The Company has 5,010,000 Performance Rights on issue, issued in accordance with the Employee 
Performance Share Rights Plan last approved by shareholders at the Company’s AGM on 24 November 2016. The number of beneficial 
holders of Performance Rights totals 9. 

Unlisted Warrant shares: The Company has 39,393,939 warrant shares on issue, exercisable at $0.165 per share.  These have been issued 
to PURE Asset Management Pty Ltd in connection with utilisation of the Tranche 1 loan of $6.5 million. The warrant shares have a term of 
48 months from the utilisation date of the Tranche 1 loan.  

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        66 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

6. 

The 20 Largest Holders of Ordinary Shares 

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD  
BRIXIA INVESTMENTS LTD 

GILBY RESOURCES PTY LTD 
SIXTH ERRA PTY LTD 
NORFOLK ENCHANTS PTY LTD  
KABILA INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4.  MCKAY SUPER PTY LTD 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10.  MR JOHN NAUGHTON 
11.  WATERFORD ATLANTIC PTY LTD 
12.  POWER INDUSTRIES PTY LTD  
13.  NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED  
14.  MR CHRISTOPHER JOHN BLAMEY + MRS ANNE MARGARET BLAMEY  

15.  HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED – A/C 2 
16.  MICHAEL JOYCE PTY LTD  
17.  ZERO NOMINEES PTY LTD 
18.  BRAZIL FARMING PTY LTD 
19.  NAUGHTON SUPER PTY LTD  
20.  BIAN GROUP PTY LTD 
TOTAL 

Number of Ordinary 
Fully Paid Shares 
Held 

Percentage of 
Issued Capital 
% 

63,810,937 
24,155,346 
20,744,001 
20,253,129 
18,000,000 
17,969,150 
17,660,000 
17,479,318 
17,208,114 
15,003,116 
14,523,146 
13,463,297 
11,544,142 

10,840,197 

10,837,211 
10,000,000 
10,000,000 
  8,859,062 
8,700,000 
8,248,383 
338,298,549 

7.30% 
2.81% 
2.41% 
2.35% 
2.09% 
2.09% 
2.05% 
2.03% 
2.00% 
1.74% 
1.69% 
1.57% 
1.34% 

1.26% 

1.26% 
1.16% 
1.16% 
1.03% 
1.01% 
0.96% 
39.34% 

7. 

Restricted Securities  

There were no restricted securities issued or held during the reporting period.  

8. 

Interest in Petroleum Tenements - Authority to Prospect (ATP), Petroleum Exploration Lease (PEL), Petroleum Mining Permit (PMP) 
Interests  

ATP / PEL / PMP 
ATP1191 Mahalo 2 

ATP2048  

ATP2061 

ATP 2063 

ATP743 3 

ATP744 3 

Location 

Bowen Basin 

Bowen Basin 

Bowen Basin 

Bowen Basin 

Galilee Basin 

Galilee Basin 

ATP1015 3 

Galilee Basin 

PEL427 4 

PEL 6 4 

Gunnedah Basin 

Gunnedah Basin 

Interest1  

Operator 

40% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

70% Conventional 
100% CSG 
70% Conventional 
100% CSG 
70% Conventional  
100% CSG 
100% Conventional  
59.09% CSG 
97.5% Conventional 
29.55% CSG 

Origin Energy, as upstream operator for APLNG  

Comet Ridge Mahalo North Pty Ltd 

Comet Ridge Mahalo East Pty Ltd 

Comet Ridge Mahalo Far East Pty Ltd 

Comet Ridge Limited 

Comet Ridge Limited 

Comet Ridge Limited 

Comet Ridge Limited (Conventional) 
Santos NSW (Betel) Pty Ltd (CSG) 
Comet Ridge Limited (Conventional) 
Santos NSW (Betel) Pty Ltd (CSG) 

PMP50100 5 

South Island, New Zealand 

100% CSG 

Comet Ridge NZ Pty Ltd 

1  
2  

3  

4  

5 

The interest is held either by Comet Ridge Limited or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries 
Part of the ATP 1191 Mahalo Permit has been converted to Petroleum Lease (PL) 1082 and 1083 with the remaining area, covered by Petroleum Commercial Area (PCA) 
applications 302, 303 and 304. Subsequent to 30 June 2021, Comet Ridge has executed a binding agreement to acquire the 30% interest of APLNG (one the Mahalo JV 
participants), which will increase Comet Ridge’s interest on completion to 70% and remove Origin Energy as operator.   
The  Authorities  to  Prospect  (ATPs)  located  in  the  Galilee  Basin  have  been  divided  by  way  of  a  farm-in  to  Vintage  Energy  Limited  into  the  Conventional  (Deeps)  and 
Unconventional (Shallows) joint ventures. The percentages recorded show the interests that Comet Ridge (or a wholly owned subsidiary) holds in these respective ATPs.  
ATP743 is currently subject to permit renewal and PCA applications. 
The Petroleum Exploration Permits located in the Gunnedah Basin are divided into Conventional oil and gas equity and CSG Joint Ventures. The percentages recorded show 
the interests that Comet Ridge (or a wholly owned subsidiary) holds in these respective permits. PEL 427 and PEL 6 are currently subject to renewal applications.  
As previously announced PMP 50100 has been relinquished by the Company. There is currently one outstanding well that requires final abandonment works to be completed 
to satisfy the NZPM’s requirements.  

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Comet Ridge Limited – Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2021 

Corporate Directory 

Directors 

James McKay – Non-executive Chairman 
Tor McCaul – Managing Director 
Christopher Pieters – Executive Director  
Gillian Swaby – Non-executive Director 
Martin Riley – Non-executive Director 
Shaun Scott – Non-executive Director 
Company Secretary – Stephen Rodgers 

Registered Office 
Comet Ridge Limited 
ABN 47 106 092 577 
Level 3  
410 Queen Street 
Brisbane, Queensland, 4000 
Telephone: +61 7 3221 3661 
Website: www.cometridge.com.au  
Email: info@cometridge.com.au  

Share Registry  
Computershare Registry Services Pty Ltd 
Level 1 
200 Mary Street 
Brisbane, Queensland, 4000 
Telephone: +61 7 3237 2100 
Facsimile: +61 7 3229 9860 

Auditors 
PricewaterhouseCoopers  
480 Queen Street 
Brisbane, Queensland, 4000 
Telephone: +61 7 3257 5000 

Securities Exchange Listing 
Australian Securities Exchange Ltd 
Home Exchange: Brisbane 

ASX Code: COI 

Comet Ridge Limited I Annual Report 2021        68 

	
  
	
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comet Ridge

A

T
W
E

Level 3
410 Queen Street Brisbane 
QLD 4000
+61 7 3221 3661
www.cometridge.com.au 
info@cometridge.com.au