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FY2010 Annual Report · EnQuest
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Welcome to the eNQUeSt Plc  
ANNUAl RePoRt AND AccoUNtS 2010.

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overview

Business Review

Governance

Highlights

1 
2  At a Glance
4 
7 
8 

– Technical Skills
– Operational Scale
– Financial Strength

38  Board of Directors
40  Senior Management
42  Directors’ Report
45  Corporate Governance 

Report

49  Remuneration Report

10  Chairman’s Statement
12  Chief Executive’s Report
Interview with the  
16 
Chief Executive

18  Management of Risks  
and Uncertainties
20  Operating Review
23  Engage, Enhance, Enable
24  – Project Execution
27  – Subsurface Experts
28  – Operator Excellence
30  Financial Review
34  Abridged Group Pro-

Forma Income Statement

35  Oil and Gas Reserves  

and Resources
36  Corporate Social 

Responsibility Review

Financial Statements

53  Statement of Directors’ 

54 

Responsibilities in Relation 
to the Group Financial 
Statements
Independent Auditor’s 
Report on the Annual 
Report and Accounts to the 
Members of EnQuest PLC

55  Group Statement of 

Comprehensive Income

56  Group Balance Sheet
57  Group Statement of 

Changes in Equity
58  Group Statement of  

Cash Flows

59  Notes to the Group 

Financial Statements
80  Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities for the 
Parent Company Financial 
Statements
Independent Auditor’s 
Report to the Members  
of EnQuest PLC

81 

82  Company Balance Sheet
83  Notes to the Financial 

Statements

86  Company Information

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Annual Report and Accounts 2010

Delivering growth

An independent oil and gas development  
and production company

Overview

Business Review

Governance

Highlights

1 
2  At a Glance
4 
7 
8 

– Technical Skills
– Operational Scale
– Financial Strength

38  Board of Directors
40  Senior Management
42  Directors’ Report
45  Corporate Governance 

Report

49  Remuneration Report

10  Chairman’s Statement
12  Chief Executive’s Report
Interview with the Chief 
16 
Executive

18  Management of Risks and 

Uncertainties
20  Operating Review
23  Engage, Enhance, Enable
24  – Project Execution
27  – Subsurface Experts
28  – Operator Excellence
30  Financial Review
34  Abridged Group Pro-

Forma Income Statement
35  Oil and Gas Reserves and 

Resources

36  Corporate Social 

Responsibility Review

Skills

Financial Statements

53  Statement of Directors’ 

54 

Responsibilities in Relation 
to the Group Financial 
Statements
Independent Auditor’s 
Report on the Annual 
Report and Accounts to the 
Members of EnQuest PLC

55  Group Statement of 

Comprehensive Income

56  Group Balance Sheet
57  Group Statement of 

Changes in Equity
58  Group Statement of  

Cash Flows

59  Notes to the Group 

Financial Statements
80  Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities for the 
Parent Company Financial 
Statements
Independent Auditor’s 
Report to the Members  
of EnQuest PLC

81 

82  Company Balance Sheet
83  Notes to the Financial 

Statements

86  Company Information

Scale

Strength

EnQuest is an oil and gas development 
and production company: the largest UK 
independent producer in the UK North Sea.

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

HigHligHts

In its first year as a listed 
company, EnQuest has 
performed well against its 
key objectives; delivering 
strong results with 
significant increases in 
reserves and production. 
We have selectively 
increased our staffing 
levels and enhanced our 
operational capabilities; 
putting us well on our way 
to creating a company 
with distinctive skills.

1	

‘Pro-forma’	data	reflects	the	results	for	the	
12	calendar	months	of	2010	and	2009,	as	if	the	
assets	previously	owned	by	Petrofac	Limited	
and	Lundin	Petroleum	AB	were	owned	by	
EnQuest	throughout	the	period.	For	detail	see	
page	34.

2	 EBITDA	is	calculated	by	taking	profit/(loss)	
from	operations	before	tax	and	finance	
income/(costs)	and	adding	back	gains	or	
losses	on	sale	of	assets,	negative	goodwill	and	
depletion,	depreciation	and	write	off	of	
tangible	and	intangible	oil	and	gas	assets.

Delivering strong growth

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

A	strong	55%	increase	in	pro-forma
production.	21,074	Boepd	produced	in	2010,	17%	higher	
than	the	target	set	in	early	2010

1	net	export	

Good	operational	performances	across	producing	fields,	
the	overall	2010	drilling	programme	completed	ahead	of	
schedule	and	under	budget	

Increased	net	year	end	2P	reserves	to	88.5	MMboe;	
equates	to	a	reserves	replacement	ratio	of	208%	and	 
an	increase	in	year	end	reserves	of	10%

Increased	2010	pro-forma	revenue	by	93%	to	 
$614.4	million,	with	pro-forma	EBITDA2	pre-exceptionals	
and	fair	value	adjustments,	up	from	$124.8	million	 
to	$369.3	million

Reported	cash	flow	from	operations	was	$267.7	million,	
over	four	times	2009	levels

Increased	number	of	production	licences	from	16	to	26	
during	2010	through	the	acquisition	of	Stratic	Energy	
Corporation	and	the	26th	licensing	round

 >

EnQuest	is	targeting	production	of	26,500	Boepd	for	
2011:	a	26%	increase	on	2010

Production 
Boepd

up 55%

Pro-forma daily average net production

2010

2009

21,074 

13,613 

2P Reserves
MMboe

Net year end 2P reserves

up 10%

2010

2009

88.5 

80.5 

Pro-forma EBITDA
$ million

Pro-forma EBITDA

up 196%

2010

369.3 

2009

124.8 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

1

at a glance

Strategy for growth

Key strengths 

EnQuest	intends	to	deliver	sustainable	growth	in	 
shareholder	value	by	focusing	on	exploiting	its	existing	
reserves,	commercialising	and	developing	discoveries,	
converting	contingent	resources	into	reserves	and	 
pursuing	selective	acquisitions.	

EnQuest	believes	that	its	assets	offer	material	organic	
growth	opportunities,	driven	by	exploitation	of	current	
infrastructure	on	the	United	Kingdom	Continental	Shelf	
(‘UKCS’)	and	the	development	of	low	risk	near	field	
opportunities,	rather	than	exploitation	of	high	risk	
exploration	prospects.	

EnQuest	intends	to	focus	on	increasing	production	through	
its	existing	assets	and	through	selective	acquisitions	aiming	
for	medium-term	production	growth	of	10%	per	annum.	

EnQuest	intends	to	achieve	its	strategy	through:	 

 >

Having	geographic	focus

 >

Pro-actively	operating	its	assets

 >

 >

Maximising	production,	reserves	and	cash	flow	
generation	from	the	Group’s	existing	assets

Utilising	the	Group’s	operational,	execution,	subsurface	
and	integration	skills

 >

Becoming	a	development	partner	of	choice	in	the	UKCS

 >

Selective	acquisitions

 >

Delivering	balanced	growth

EnQuest	believes	that	it	benefits	from	the	following	 
key	strengths:	 

 >

Operational	and	technical	expertise

 >

Operatorship	and	high	equity	interest

 >

Strong	balance	sheet

 >

Cash	generation	from	existing	operations	

EnQuest	believes	that	the	combination	of	the	Group’s	
technical	skills,	its	operational	scale	and	financial	strength	
will	position	the	Group	to	deliver	on	its	strategy	and	take	
advantage	of	the	production	and	development	opportunities	
in	the	UKCS.	EnQuest’s	management	has	considerable	
experience	of	working	in	the	UKCS	region	and	a	proven	 
track	record	of	identifying	valuable	assets	and	developing	
and	producing	oil	and	gas,	using	innovative	and	cost	 
efficient	solutions.	

EnQuest	believes	that	the	UKCS	represents	a	significant	
hydrocarbon	basin	in	a	low-risk	region,	which	continues	to	
benefit	from	an	extensive	installed	infrastructure	base	and	
skilled	labour.

15 to 24 billion Boe 
projected reserves and 
resources is the figure 
remaining in the UKCS: as 
estimated in the Oil & Gas 
UK 2010 Economic Report

2

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

Delivering growth

Focus	on	hubs

Near	field	appraisal	
and	exploration

Business	
development

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Principal assets

EnQuest’s	principal	assets	as	at	the	end	of	2010	were	its	interests	in	the	Heather,	
Broom,	Thistle,	Deveron,	West	Don	and	Don	Southwest	producing	oilfields	and	
further	development	opportunities	in	the	Ardmore,	Crawford,	Southwest	Heather,	
Peik	&	Burdock,	Elke	&	Pilot,	Scolty	and	Cairngorm	discoveries.	EnQuest	has	
working	interests	in	26	production	licences	covering	34	blocks	or	part	blocks	 
in	the	UKCS,	including	those	licences	offered	to	EnQuest	in	2010	as	part	of	the	
26th	licensing	round.	EnQuest	is	the	operator	of	21	of	its	26	licences.

UK	Continental	Shelf

01

07

03

05

06

11

North
Atlantic

Sullom Voe
Terminal

2

3

Shetland
Islands

9

14

14

15

16

16

17

20

21

19

21

18

22

Orkney
Islands

Scotland

211

No. Licence

Blocks

Respective 
EnQuest 
Working 
Interest (%) Name

60

50

50

100

55

55,	100,	 
55	&	55

Broom

Broom,	
Heather,	SW	
Heather	&	Ivy

50*

West	Don

West	Don,	
Don	SW,	Area	
26,	Thistle	&	
Deveron

Thistle

40*,	60,	60,	 
99	&	99

99

100

33.33

211/1a,	2a	 
&	3a

211/18c

211/17

3/1c

2/4a

2/5

211/13b

211/18a

211/19a

3/11a

3/17

P1487

P1269

P1455

P1751	 
(26th	round)

P902

P242

P1200

P236

P475

P1608

P1753	 
(26th	round)

P1645

P090

P209

P1214

P1465

02

08

09

04

10

12

13

15

20

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

9/8b

60

9/10b	&	15a

85	&	33.33** Peik	&	

9/28a

16/2b

15/23c,	24a,	
28a	&	29e

Burdock

Crawford

Cairngorm

19

100

15

20

40

100

P1463	

14/30a

P1413

P1582

21/7a

20/15a

20

P1614

15/30b

33.33

21

22

23

24

25

26

P1107

P1414

21/8a

21/13b

P1790	 
(26th	round)

21/27a	&	
28/2a

P995

28/3a

P1825	 
(26th	round)

30/24b

P1765	 
(26th	round)

30/24c	&	 
25c

40

40

100

70

100

100

Scolty

Pilot

Elke

Ardmore	Area

Ardmore

25 

*	 EnQuest’s	unitised	equity	for	West	Don	as	of	31	December	

2010	is	44.95%.

**	 EnQuest’s	unitised	equity	for	Peik	as	of	31	December	2010	 

is	17.66%.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 3

Aberdeen

23

28

24

30

26

at a glance

Technical	skills

subsurface	to	production

4

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

EnQuest has
>  years of experience
>  expertise
>  skill
>  innovation
>  know-how

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 5

at a glance

6

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Operational	scale

focused	on	safe	production

EnQuest has
>  many of the global capabilities 
of the major oil companies 
in the North Sea

>  the agility and creativity of a 
smaller independent operator

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 7

at a glance

Financial	strength

cash	generative	and	well	positioned	 
to	invest	for	growth

8

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

EnQuest has
>  a strong balance sheet
>  visible cash flow from production
>  the financial firepower to 

take advantage of business 
development opportunities

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 9

cHairman’s statement

Market conditions
2010	saw	the	average	price	of	Brent	
crude	oil	at	$79.5/Bbl,	up	almost	
30%	on	2009	and	resulted	in	higher	
realised	oil	prices	per	barrel	for	
EnQuest;	up	from	$65.1	to	$81.3	per	
barrel	on	a	pro-forma	basis.	During	
2010,	the	increased	level	of	crude	oil	
prices	reflected	improving	financial	
markets	and	strengthening	of	the	
overall	global	economy.	More	recent	
global	geo-political	events	have	
increased	oil	price	volatility	and	
highlighted	supply	side	constraints.	

Whilst	we	cannot	predict	the	short-
term	impact	of	oil	price	movements,	
EnQuest	is	well	positioned	in	2011	
and	well	placed	to	capitalise	on	
opportunities	which	may	arise.	Over	
the	long-term,	I	firmly	believe	that	
the	fundamental	economics	of	
global	supply	and	demand	for	oil	will	
inevitably	result	in	prices	that	will	
strongly	support	EnQuest’s	strategy.

2010	was	an	interesting	year	for	the	
UK	North	Sea	upstream	marketplace,	
with	a	number	of	independents	
leaving	the	UK	listed	sector.	Many	
of	those	that	remain	are	focused	on	
exploration	rather	than	exploitation	
and	are	also	managing	a	range	of	
geographies	outside	the	United	
Kingdom	Continental	Shelf.	Whilst	
recent	UK	government	tax	changes	
have	been	disappointing,	nonetheless,	
EnQuest	is	well	positioned	with	its	
strong	balance	sheet	and	its	skills	 
and	capabilities	to	take	forward	
development	projects.	I	believe	 
that	these	strengths	give	EnQuest	 
a	competitive	advantage	in	 
its	marketplace.

The timely evolution of EnQuest
In	2010	EnQuest	was	formed	from	
the	demerged	UK	North	Sea	assets	
of	Petrofac	Limited	and	Lundin	
Petroleum	AB.	In	April,	following	the	
IPO	process,	EnQuest	PLC	made	a	
successful	debut	on	both	the	London	
Stock	Exchange	and	the	Nasdaq	 
OMX	in	Stockholm.	EnQuest	started	
with	an	initial	net	2P	reserves	of	
80.5	MMboe	in	the	North	Sea	and	a	
portfolio	which	included	a	number	
of	undeveloped	discoveries	in	this	
mature	basin;	clearly	a	compelling	fit	
with	EnQuest’s	‘exploitation’	focused	
model.	EnQuest’s	results	today	
confirm	this;	these	assets	have	been	
thriving	within	EnQuest,	benefiting	
from	the	financial,	technical	and	
operational	expertise	and	capital	 
that	is	needed	to	optimise	 
their	development.

On	formation,	EnQuest’s	operational	
priorities	were	the	immediate	

Dr James Buckee
Chairman

2010	was	an	excellent	year	for	EnQuest	PLC,	following	 
our	flotation	in	April.	EnQuest	has	been	using	its	technical,	
operational,	commercial	and	asset	management	skills	to	
implement	its	differentiated	strategy.	Our	performance	
delivered	an	impressive	set	of	maiden	results,	with	strong	
growth	in	production	and	earnings.	Pro-forma	daily	average	
net	production	grew	by	55%	compared	to	2009,	to	21,074	
Boepd	in	2010	and	basic	earnings	per	share	of	4.0	cents	
increased	by	111%.	Reported	cash	flow	from	operations	was	
$267.7	million,	over	four	times	2009	levels.	I	am	pleased	to	
say	that	our	conviction	of	EnQuest’s	potential	is	already	
proving	to	have	been	well	founded.	

10

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

implementation	of	an	effective	 
health,	safety	and	environment	
management	system	and	the	
integration	of	the	overall	structures	 
of	its	two	predecessor	organisations.	
During	this	transformation	period,	 
we	placed	particular	emphasis	on	
developing	a	distinctive	EnQuest	
culture	and	on	establishing	the	
EnQuest	values.	

In	2010,	the	EnQuest	team	delivered;	
its	strong	production	performance,	
its	success	in	the	26th	licensing	
round	and	the	acquisition	of	Stratic	
Energy	Corporation	have	all	
reaffirmed	our	confidence	in	
EnQuest’s	model	and	in	its	ability	
to	achieve	its	growth	objectives.

Investing for the future
The	EnQuest	Board	believes	that	
reinvesting	in	our	core	business	is	key	
to	building	shareholder	value	and	that	
the	opportunities	for	investment	are	
currently	such	that	growth	is	a	more	
effective	way	to	generate	returns	
for	investors	than	by	paying	out	a	
dividend.	This	will	be	reassessed	on	a	
regular	basis,	but	for	the	foreseeable	
future,	cash	will	be	invested	in	
ongoing	production	operations	
development	and	exploration	projects	
and	acquisitions.	

Creating a new force in integrated 
development
In	order	to	help	establish	EnQuest,	
we	drew	together	a	strong	Board,	
comprising	leading	industry	players	
with	the	expertise	and	experience	to	
take	the	Company	forward.	Our	Chief	
Executive,	Amjad	Bseisu	was	one	
of	the	founders	of	Petrofac	Limited,	
having	started	its	highly	successful	
Petrofac	Energy	Developments	
division,	and	his	vision	was	the	initial	
driving	force	in	the	creation	of	
EnQuest.	Both	Chief	Operating	
Officer	Nigel	Hares	and	I	worked	
initially	with	BP	and	then	went	on	to	
lead	Talisman	Energy,	a	company	
which	we	are	proud	to	say	had	an	
excellent	growth	record	and	also	a	
similar	business	model	to	EnQuest’s.	
When	Nigel	and	I	saw	a	similarly	
compelling	potential	in	EnQuest,	
we	had	little	hesitation	in	coming	on	
board.	Our	Chief	Financial	Officer,	
Jonathan	Swinney,	has	broad	
international	mergers	and	acquisition	
expertise	and	all	of	our	Non-Executive	
Directors	bring	highly	relevant	
in-depth	experience	of	developing	
similar	businesses.	

During	this	critical	formative	period	
for	EnQuest,	it	has	been	invaluable	
to	have	both	Robin	Pinchbeck	and	
Alexandre	Schneiter	as	Non-Executive	

Directors,	given	their	knowledge	
of	the	Company’s	business	and	
their	experience.	However	their	
associations	with	Petrofac	Limited	
and	Lundin	Petroleum	AB	mean	that	
they	are	not	independent,	for	the	
purposes	of	the	Combined	Code.	
EnQuest	therefore	undertook	that	
they	would	both	stand	down	from	the	
Board	before	April	2012.	As	part	of	
this	process	Robin	Pinchbeck	will	
be	retiring	at	the	EnQuest	Annual	
General	Meeting	on	25	May	2011.	The	
Board	and	I	would	like	to	thank	him	
for	his	important	contribution	to	the	
successful	establishment	of	EnQuest.	
The	Board	plans	to	appoint	a	new	
independent	Non-Executive	Director	
in	the	near	future.

The	creation	of	EnQuest	has	evidently	
put	our	employees	through	a	
considerable	period	of	change;	these	
forces	of	change	have	generated	a	
very	positive	momentum.	This	has	
enabled	us	to	optimise	our	
organisational	structure,	increase	
our	scale	and	build	on	our	integrated	
multi-disciplinary	capabilities.	Whilst	
EnQuest’s	projects	are	always	
planned	rigorously	and	methodically,	
our	employees	also	have	the	agility	
to	respond	swiftly	and	effectively	
to	unexpected	opportunities	as	
they	arise;	I	believe	that	this	is	a	key	
EnQuest	differentiator.	After	this	
particularly	busy	launch	year,	the	
Board	and	I	would	like	to	thank	
EnQuest’s	employees	for	their	
commitment,	their	enthusiasm	and	
their	support	throughout.	

I	would	also	like	to	welcome	the	highly	
skilled	new	people	who	have	been	
joining	EnQuest.	EnQuest’s	vision,	its	
performance	to	date	and	its	pipeline	
of	activity,	are	all	helping	us	to	attract	
some	of	the	best	talent	in	the	industry	
–	this	is	critical	to	delivering	our	
ambitious	growth	plans.	We	have	
successfully	recruited	a	number	of	
senior	figures	during	the	year,	in	areas	
where	there	is	strong	competition	for	
resources.	EnQuest	is	building	its	
reputation	as	a	dynamic	and	attractive	
place	in	which	to	work	and	where	
petroleum	industry	professionals	can	
develop	excellent	careers.	

Governance and the EnQuest Code 
of Conduct
The	launch	of	EnQuest’s	Code	of	
Conduct	was	an	important	step	in	
2010.	The	Code	sets	out	the	behaviour	
which	EnQuest	expects	of	its	
Directors,	managers	and	employees,	
of	our	suppliers,	contractors,	agents	
and	partners.	We	are	committed	to	
complying	with	all	applicable	legal	
requirements,	to	upholding	the	

highest	ethical	standards	and	to	
acting	with	complete	integrity	at	all	
times.	Our	employees	and	everyone	
that	we	work	with	create	and	support	
our	reputation	and	ensure	our	
progress	and	success.	This	Code	
demonstrates	our	commitment	to	
ensuring	that	these	high	levels	of	
conduct	continue.

Delivering sustainable balanced 
growth
There	are	significant	opportunities	on	
the	United	Kingdom	Continental	Shelf	
(‘UKCS’).	With	an	estimated	15	to	24	
billion	Boe	of	projected	reserves	and	
resources	remaining	in	the	UKCS,	this	
should	be	a	fertile	environment	for	
EnQuest’s	growth.	We	believe	that	we	
have	a	good	supply	of	development	
opportunities	and	that	EnQuest	is	one	
of	the	few	companies	which	can	take	
such	opportunities	and	turn	them	into	
operationally	and	economically	viable	
projects.	In	the	short	time	since	it	
has	been	in	existence,	EnQuest’s	
performance	has	given	the	Board	
increased	confidence	that	it	will	be	
able	to	achieve	its	medium-term	
production	growth	objective.

Earnings per share

2010

2009

1.9 

cents

4.0 

Our employees have 
the agility to respond 
swiftly and effectively to 
unexpected opportunities 
as they arise; I believe 
that this is a key EnQuest 
differentiator.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

11

cHief executive’s report

Amjad Bseisu
Chief Executive

Delivering strong growth
Our	first	year	has	been	an	excellent	start	for	EnQuest,	
delivering	production,	operational,	and	financial	results	
exceeding	expectations.	Pro-forma	production	rose	 
55%	to	21,074	Boepd	making	EnQuest	the	largest	UK	
independent	producer	in	the	UK	North	Sea.	The	increase	
was	due	to	additional	production	from	our	Don	fields	where	
we	drilled	one	injection	and	three	production	wells	and	to	
our	Thistle	field	where	we	have	successfully	rebuilt	a	
platform	rig	and	drilled	and	worked	over	two	wells.	Our	
active	capital	programme	increased	EnQuest’s	2P	reserves	
by	10%	to	a	net	88.5	MMboe,	representing	a	reserve	
replacement	ratio	of	208%	in	our	maiden	year	of	operations.	
EnQuest’s	financial	results	were	also	strong,	driven	by	
the	increased	production	levels	as	well	as	higher	oil	
prices.	Pro-forma	revenues	were	up	93%	to	$614.4	million	
and	pre-exceptionals	EBITDA	was	up	196%	to	
$369.3	million.

12

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

We	are	well	on	our	way	to	building	a	
strong	technically	differentiated	
company	with	over	a	thousand	people	
now	working	for	EnQuest.	With	safety	
as	our	first	priority,	we	have	hired	new	
senior	management	and	instituted	
new	systems	and	a	functional	
responsibility	matrix.	Our	newly	
formed	integrated	subsurface	and	
execution	teams	managed	a	capital	
programme	totalling	$196.3	million	on	
a	pro-forma	basis.	This	included	the	
drilling	of	five	production	and	injection	
wells,	two	exploration	and	appraisal	
wells,	execution	of	the	Don	to	Thistle	
export	programme,	execution	of	the	
Broom	to	Heather	improved	pipeline	
and	many	other	upgrade	programmes.	
We	also	completed	a	major	upgrade	of	
the	Thistle	platform	drilling	rig.

Our	active	drilling	programme	
included	what	we	believe	are	record	
drilling	times	in	the	northern	North	
Sea	–	only	41	days	for	the	S5	well	at	
Don	Southwest.	

EnQuest’s differentiated strategy
EnQuest	is	an	exploitation	company	
focusing	on	discovered	reserves,	late	
life	assets	and	near	field	appraisal	and	
exploration.	EnQuest	aims	to	deliver	
sustainable	growth	in	shareholder	
value	by	focusing	on	exploiting	our	
existing	reserves,	commercialising	and	
developing	discoveries,	converting	our	
contingent	resources	into	reserves	and	
pursuing	selective	acquisitions	and	
opportunities	in	new	licence	rounds.	
With	EnQuest’s	core	technical	
capability	and	its	financial	strength,	the	
Company	is	well	placed	to	grow	and	to	
create	a	substantial	development	and	
production	company	with	strong	
long-term	prospects.

The	North	Sea	provides	a	significant	
opportunity	that	fits	EnQuest’s	
strategy,	with	its	extensive	existing	
infrastructure	and	its	pool	of	skilled	
labour.	Our	integrated	team	approach	
with	focus	on	subsurface	and	
operations	skills,	allows	us	to	be	
internally	focused	on	execution.	 
The	results	of	this	integrated	team	
approach	were	exemplified	by	the	
excellence	of	EnQuest’s	drilling	work,	
our	execution	of	two	pipeline	projects	
in	2010	on	time	and	ahead	of	budget	
and	completion	of	the	Thistle	rig	
refurbishment	programme.	

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Health, Safety and Environment 
(‘Hse’) 
HSE	is	our	first	priority	and	is	integral	
to	how	we	manage	our	business,	 
with	regard	to	our	people,	our	
installations	and	the	environment	 
in	which	we	operate.	

I	am	pleased	that	Norman	Thomson	
has	joined	us	as	Head	of	Health,	
Safety,	Environment	and	Quality	
(‘HSEQ’)	to	manage	and	further	
develop	our	HSEQ	systems,	policies	
and	procedures	and	to	provide	
functional	safety	leadership	to	all	of	
our	Asset	Managers.	HSE	is	a	critical	
part	of	EnQuest’s	values	and	is	
reflected	in	all	of	our	operational	and	
development	decisions.	Norman	will	
help	to	bring	further	rigour	to	our	
performance	and	operational	HSEQ	
measures,	allowing	a	proactive	
continuous	improvement	approach	in	
all	of	our	assets	and	development	
projects.	In	2010,	we	had	a	strong	HSE	
record	with	an	LTA	rate	of	0.21,	and	we	
put	in	place	an	HSE	culture	and	HSE	
systems	designed	to	maintain	and	
improve	on	our	current	high	
standards.

Operational results ahead of 
expectations 
As	noted,	EnQuest	had	a	55%	increase	
in	pro-forma	production	to	21,074	
Boepd,	which	came	ahead	of	our	
18,000	Boepd	target	as	initially	set	for	
the	year.	This	outperformance	came	
primarily	from	the	Don	and	Thistle	
fields,	where	EnQuest	had	undertaken	
a	programme	of	active	investment.	

On	the	Don	fields,	a	threefold	year- 
on-year	growth	in	production	was	
achieved,	with	an	increase	in	daily	
average	pro-forma	net	production	
from	3,358	Boepd	in	2009	to	11,660	
Boepd	in	2010;	in	particular	reflecting	
the	positive	contribution	from	the	Don	
Southwest	S5	and	S6	production	and	
injection	wells.	On	Thistle,	the	newly	
refurbished	rig	carried	out	its	first	
drilling	in	over	20	years,	with	the	new	
well	drilled	under	budget	and	in	only	
47	days.	Approximately	$70	million	
has	been	invested	in	an	extensive	
upgrade	of	Thistle’s	drilling	facilities,	
allowing	us	to	lower	drilling	costs	
significantly	and	to	tap	smaller	
reserves.	At	our	third	hub,	Heather,	
the	2010	work	programme	was	
focused	on	a	major	subsurface	review	
and	a	drilling	evaluation	project.	This	
has	been	completed	and	a	rig	upgrade	
programme	will	start	this	year.

A strong financial performance
Pro-forma	profit	before	tax	and	net	
finance	costs	rose	to	$169.4	million,	
compared	to	$24.6	million	in	2009.	

Pre-exceptionals	pro-forma	EBITDA	
was	196%	up	at	$369.3	million.

EnQuest	also	had	strong	production	
driven	reported	cash	flow	from	
operations	of	$267.7	million.	During	
the	year,	on	a	pro-forma	basis	the	
Group	realised	average	oil	prices	per	
barrel	of	$81.3,	compared	with	$65.1	
per	barrel	in	2009,	reflecting	the	
increases	in	market	prices	for	Brent	
crude.	The	year	end	balance	sheet	
was	also	strong,	with	a	net	cash	
balance	of	$41.4	million,	after	
repayment	of	the	$88.8	million	of	 
net	debt	arising	from	the	Stratic	
acquisition	and	also	$29.2	million	of	
working	capital	due	to	Petrofac	and	
Lundin.	Our	borrowing	facility	had	 
no	cash	draw	downs	as	at	the	end	 
of	2010.	

Pro-forma	unit	cost	of	sales	for	
production	and	transportation	costs	
were	$30.4	per	Boe	in	2010,	driven	
partly	by	one-off	workover	costs	on	
the	West	Don	W2	well	and	by	the	
higher	than	anticipated	costs	imposed	
on	EnQuest	for	the	maintenance	and	
operation	of	the	Sullom	Voe	Terminal,	
the	destination	for	the	petroleum	from	
all	three	of	our	hubs.

Pro-forma	capital	expenditure	of	
$196.3	million	was	less	than	initially	
anticipated,	partly	due	to	the	speed	
and	efficiency	of	the	drilling	
programme	and	also	to	the	rephasing	
of	some	projects	that	will	now	be	
implemented	in	2011.	For	example	the	
Thistle	rig	started	a	programme	of	
partial	well	abandonments	in	late	
2010,	prior	to	returning	to	drilling	the	
North	West	Fault	Block,	which	was	
consequently	rephased	into	2011.	

With EnQuest’s core 
technical capability and 
our financial strength, we 
are well placed to become 
a leader amongst our peer 
group and to create a 
substantial development 
and production company 
with strong long-term 
growth prospects. 
I believe that EnQuest’s 
differentiated focus on 
late life development 
opportunities that are not 
material to others, will 
deliver substantial growth 
for our shareholders.

Production 
Boepd

up 55%

Pro-forma daily average net production

2010

2009

21,074 

13,613 

2P Reserves
MMboe

Reserves replacement ratio

208%

Pro-forma EBITDA
$ million

Net year end 2P reserves

2010

2009

88.5 

80.5 

Pro-forma EBITDA

up 196%

2010

369.3 

2009

124.8 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

13

cHief executive’s report
CONTINUED

Through its resolute focus on execution and its 
creation of fresh opportunities, EnQuest has 
delivered in its first year. EnQuest is firmly on track 
with its ambitious plans to become a substantial 
exploitation company in the North Sea.

An active and productive business 
development programme
Since	announcing	our	intention	 
to	float,	EnQuest’s	technical	 
and	financial	capabilities	have	
continued	to	strengthen	as	we	 
have	assessed	a	steady	stream	 
of	potential	opportunities.

Just	a	few	weeks	after	flotation,	
EnQuest	submitted	bids	as	part	of	the	
26th	licensing	round,	and	in	October	
2010,	we	were	pleased	to	be	offered	
all	of	the	licences	we	had	applied	for.	
These	new	EnQuest	licences	
complement	and	build	on	the	strength	
of	our	existing	portfolio	in	the	North	
Sea.	The	new	licences	included;	
Ardmore,	where	studies	are	underway	
to	assess	its	redevelopment	potential,	
Pilot,	which	is	a	heavy	oil	discovery	
close	to	Elke,	block	3/1c	which	is	a	
small	exploration	block	adjacent	to	
Heather,	and	block	3/17	an	exploration	
block	immediately	south	east	of	an	
existing	EnQuest	block	(3/11a).

In	August	2010,	we	announced	our	
first	acquisition	since	EnQuest’s	IPO,	
that	of	Stratic	Energy	Corporation	
(‘Stratic’);	this	was	subsequently	
completed	in	November	2010.	This	
acquisition	was	in	line	with	our	
strategy	to	deliver	sustainable	growth	
in	shareholder	value	through	the	
exploitation	of	existing	reserves	and	
pursuit	of	selective	acquisitions.	
Stratic	added	7.2	MMboe	to	our	2P	
reserves,	enhanced	our	working	
interest	in	West	Don	from	27.7%	to	
44.95%	and	provided	a	19%	interest	 
in	the	Crawford	field.	At	the	time	of	
the	announcement,	the	acquisition	
purchase	price,	adjusted	for	tax,	
equated	to	US$11.2	per	barrel	of	 
2P	reserves.	

In	2010,	we	also	signed	a	farm-in	
agreement	with	the	Kuwait	Foreign	
Petroleum	Exploration	Corporation	
(‘KUFPEC’),	to	join	us	in	the	Elke	
discovery.	KUFPEC	is	a	subsidiary	 

of	the	Kuwait	Petroleum	Company	
and	we	believe	this	is	KUFPEC’s	first	
upstream	investment	in	Europe.

EnQuest’s	main	focus	in	acquiring	
Stratic	was	its	interests	in	the	West	
Don	field	and	the	undeveloped	
Crawford	field,	but	we	recognised	that	
a	Stratic	project	in	Slovenia	also	had	
some	potential	in	its	own	right.	
Following	the	completion	of	the	
Stratic	acquisition,	we	announced	the	
disposal	of	our	48.75%	working	
interest	in	the	Petisovci	project	in	
Slovenia	in	return	for	a	22.5%	equity	
stake	in	Ascent	Resources	PLC,	the	
operator	of	the	Petisovci	project	and	
the	owner	of	an	existing	26%	working	
interest.	This	transaction,	completed	
in	February	2011,	will	enable	EnQuest	
to	crystallise	such	value	as	may	be	
realised	from	this	asset	in	the	future.

Reserves growth sustaining 
EnQuest’s future production growth
EnQuest	seeks	to	maximise	reserves	
generation	from	its	existing	assets	
and	through	developments	and	
selective	acquisitions.	In	2010,	we	
delivered	increased	reserves	by	both	
of	these	means.	

Over	the	course	of	the	year,	we	grew	
our	year	end	net	2P	reserves	by	10%,	
this	equates	to	a	reserve	replacement	
ratio	of	208%.	This	increase	in	
reserves	replaced	the	7.4	MMboe	
produced	during	the	year	and	in	
addition	also	added	approximately	
the	same	amount	again.	This	robust	
growth	was	achieved	partly	through	
the	Stratic	acquisition,	but	we	also	
delivered	a	net	8.2	MMboe	through	
the	exploitation	of	our	existing	assets.	

EnQuest	increased	its	acreage	
position	from	16	to	26	licences	in	the	
UKCS.	These	opportunities	alongside	
external	ones	form	the	basis	for	
continued	conversion	of	undeveloped	
and	unappraised	discoveries	to	
producing	assets.

14

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

Building a high performance 
organisation
The	EnQuest	vision	and	values	have	
been	defined	and	enthusiastically	
embraced	by	our	staff.	This	has	
greatly	helped	us	to	swiftly	create	one	
highly	focused	organisation,	from	the	
two	heritage	companies	and	more	
recently	also	from	the	Stratic	
acquisition.	Our	vision	centres	around	
three	key	elements:
 >

to	become	the	UK’s	leading	
independent	oil	and	gas	production	
and	development	company
to	become	a	technical	leader	in	
integrated	development	
to	maximise	the	potential	from	
existing	fields	and	undeveloped	
discoveries	in	the	UKCS	 
and	beyond

 >

 >

Proven and Probable Reserves  
(2P MMbbl)

At	1	January	2010
Production	during	2010
Revisions	to	estimates
Acquisition	(Stratic)

As at 31 December 2010

80.50
(7.41)
8.22
7.20

88.51

Contingent Resources (MMbbl)

At	1	January	2010
Revisions	to	estimates
Acquisitions
Additions	–	UK	26th	

licensing	round

Disposals

72.72
3.77
8.07

25.00
(4.50)

As at 31 December 2010

105.56

For	detail	see	page	35.

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Summary and outlook for 2011:
Delivering growth
In	summary,	we	are	pleased	to	report	
that	EnQuest	has	exceeded	its	growth	
targets	for	2010.	We	delivered	
pro-forma	net	production	of	over	
21,000	Boepd,	with	growth	of	55%	 
on	the	prior	year	and	we	generated	
pro-forma	EBITDA	of	$369.3	million,	
with	strong	reported	net	cash	flow	
from	operations	of	$112.8	million	after	
adjusting	for	capital	expenditure	of	
$154.9	million.	In	2010,	we	increased	
our	year	end	net	2P	reserves	by	10%	 
to	88.5	MMboe,	with	a	reserve	
replacement	ratio	of	208%.	We	
completed	our	first	acquisition	since	
our	IPO,	providing	us	with	a	
meaningful	increase	in	our	2P	reserves	
and	increasing	our	equity	in	the	West	
Don	field.	We	were	also	pleased	to	be	
offered	all	of	the	licences	we	sought	in	
the	26th	licensing	round.	Our	business	
development	effort	has	provided	
opportunities	for	new	stand-alone	
projects	and	the	potential	for	
additional	hubs	and	we	have	increased	
the	number	of	EnQuest’s	UK	
production	licences	from	16	to	26.

Building	on	the	momentum	of	
performance	in	2010	and	the	
continuous	development	of	our	 

assets,	EnQuest	is	now	targeting	
26,500	Boepd	average	net	production	
for	2011.	This	equates	to	a	26%	increase	
above	2010,	significantly	increasing	
our	cash	flow.	Our	26,500	Boepd	
target	is	underpinned	by	our	active	
2011	programme	of	eight	wells.	
Following	the	early	success	in	2011	at	
Area	E,	the	drilling	programme	will	
include	five	production	wells,	two	on	
Don	Southwest	and	three	on	Thistle.	
Our	guidance	for	full	year	levels	of	
capital	expenditure	is	that	we	currently	
anticipate	approximately	$300	million	
of	capex	this	year;	$250	million	on	
development	drilling	and	facilities,	$50	
million	on	exploration	and	appraisal.

EnQuest	was	disappointed	by	the	
recent	unexpected	UK	Budget	
decision	to	increase	the	supplementary	
charge	levied	on	North	Sea	oil	and	gas	
production	from	20%	to	32%.	The	
increase	in	tax	rate	does	not	create	a	
positive	climate	for	additional	
investments	in	the	UKCS	and	will	
render	some	small	field	investments	
uneconomic.	Nonetheless,	there	
remains	significant	potential	in	our	
development	and	production	
programme	and	EnQuest	is	confident	
of	its	ability	to	deliver	not	only	its	 
2011	targets,	but	also	its	medium	and	

longer	term	growth	objectives	from	its	
UKCS	production	and	further	afield.

Through	its	resolute	focus	on	
execution	and	its	creation	of	fresh	
opportunities,	EnQuest	has	delivered	
against	its	targets	in	its	first	year.	This	
performance	and	today’s	results	give	
me	more	confidence	than	ever	in	our	
ability	to	deliver	sustainable	growth	 
in	shareholder	value	through	the	
exploitation	of	existing	reserves,	
development	opportunities	and	
selective	acquisitions.	We	have	grown	
not	only	our	production	and	reserves	
levels,	but	also	our	staffing,	our	
capacities	and	our	differentiated	
capabilities.	EnQuest	is	firmly	on	track	
with	its	ambitious	plans	to	become	a	
substantial	exploitation	company	in	
the	North	Sea	and	beyond.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

15

interview witH tHe cHief executive

2010 EnQuest Timeline

February 
 >

Thistle	A46	Jet	Pump	installed	and	production	recommenced	from	
well	A46

March
 >

S2Z	sidetrack	well	on	Don	Southwest

 >

Up	and	over	to	Thistle

 >

Programme	of	Thistle	partial	abandonment	begins

 >

EnQuest	PLC	announces	its	intention	to	float	on	the	London	Stock	
Exchange	and	the	NASDAQ	OMX	Stockholm	–	including	the	setting	 
of	a	production	target	for	2010	at	18,000	Boepd	for	pro-forma	average	
daily	net	production,	representing	an	increase	of	more	than	30%	
over	2009

April 
 >

Start	of	trading	in	EnQuest	PLC

 >

EnQuest	submits	applications	for	26th	licensing	round

July 
 >

S5	production	well	online	at	Don	Southwest

August
 >

EnQuest’s	maiden	set	of	half	year	financial	results	announced	–	2010	
production	target	increased	by	more	than	10%,	from	18,000	Boepd	 
to	20,000	Boepd

 >

Announced	KUFPEC	farm-in	to	Elke

 >

Announced	intention	to	acquire	Stratic	Energy	Corporation	

 >

S6	injection	well	online	at	Don	Southwest

October
 >

EnQuest	PLC	offered	all	the	licences	it	applied	for	in	the	26th	 
licensing	round

 >

W4	production	well	online	at	West	Don	

November
 >

Broom	pipeline	replacement	and	augmentation	project	completed	 
on	time

 >

Completion	of	acquisition	of	Stratic	Energy	Corporation

 >

First	well	on	Thistle	in	over	20	years	comes	online	–	the	SFB-P1

December
 >

EnQuest	closes	its	first	financial	year	with	its	share	price	at	139.5p,	
43.5%	up	on	its	opening	price	on	the	day	of	flotation	

Q. Why an exploitation focus rather 

than an exploration one?

A. Our	vision	for	EnQuest	was	based	
on	the	conviction	that	there	is	a	
significant	opportunity	for	an	 
agile	mid-sized,	highly	technical	
organisation	that	can	take	
advantage	of	the	potential	of	
smaller	and	late	life	oil	fields	which	
are	not	material	for	the	industry	
majors.	In	North	America,	this	is	 
a	tried	and	tested	model	for	
extracting	maximum	value	from	
mature	assets.	Increasing	the	
recovery	rates	on	mature	late	life	
fields	is	however	not	an	easy	
operation	and	in	many	ways	this	is	
the	last	‘hard	yard’.	An	organisation	
with	significant	in-house	technical	
project	resources	and	a	highly	
efficient	integrated	organisation	is	
needed	to	achieve	this	objective.	
EnQuest	has	the	necessary	
technical	skills	and	the	required	
operational	scale	and	financial	
strength	that	could	make	this	
model	a	success	in	the	UK.	We	also	
undertake	some	exploration	and	
appraisal	work	but	it	is	generally	
limited	in	scale	and	is	largely	
low-cost	and/or	near	field	in	nature.	
Where	such	exploration	is	
successful,	it	carries	high	rates	of	
return	given	the	limited	additional	
costs	of	production.	

Q. Why the North Sea, isn’t it  

in decline?

A. Production	from	the	UKCS	may	 
be	past	its	peak,	but	the	UK	still	
produced	2.4	million	Boepd	in	
2009	and	satisfied	over	90%	of	the	
oil	demand	in	the	UK.	There	is	still	 
a	lot	of	potential	in	the	North	Sea,	
with	potentially	15-24	Billion	Boe	of	
Britain’s	oil	reserves	and	resources	
yet	to	be	recovered.	In	2010	
EnQuest	generated	an	average	 
net	production	of	c21,000	Boepd,	
so	the	size	of	the	remaining	UKCS	
reserves	and	smaller	fields	
represents	a	highly	material	
opportunity	for	us.	Typically	we	
target	fields	with	10	MMboe	to	20	
MMboe	of	reserves.	Doing	business	
in	the	North	Sea	also	has	other	
advantages:	access	to	a	local	pool	
of	high	quality	industry	skills	and	 
a	relatively	stable	geo-political	
environment.	I	am,	however,	very	
disappointed	by	the	recent	
unexpected	decision	to	increase	
the	supplementary	tax	levied	on	 
oil	and	gas	production.	The	tax	
increase	does	not	create	a	positive	
climate	for	additional	investments	
in	the	UKCS	and	will	render	some	
small	field	investments	

16

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

uneconomic,	negatively	impacting	
both	the	ultimate	recovery	of	
resources	in	the	UKCS	and	
reducing	overall	tax	take	when	
fields	are	not	developed.

Q. Would you look outside the North 

Sea and if so, when?

A. We	currently	see	good	

opportunities	in	the	North	Sea	to	
satisfy	our	medium-term	ambitions.	
However	our	model	is	certainly	also	
transferable	to	other	mature	basins	
and	in	due	course	I	would	expect	
EnQuest	to	have	operations	outside	
the	North	Sea	too,	especially	 
with	the	more	negative	UKCS	
investment	climate	created	by	the	
tax	increase.	We	will	always	want	to	
retain	the	flexibility	to	respond	to	
the	right	opportunities	if	they	arise.

Q. What are EnQuest’s points of 
competitive advantage? How 
would you characterise your 
in-house resources? 

A. Our	technical	skills,	operational	
scale	and	financial	strength	
underpin	our	competitive	
advantage.	This	is	reflected	in	our	
in-sourcing	of	key	areas	of	
expertise.	We	are	building	what	we	
believe	to	be	an	industry	leading	
integrated	team	with	subsurface,	
technical	and	engineering	skills	
focused	on	smaller	fields	and	late	
life	assets.	For	example,	we	believe	
that	we	already	have	one	of	the	
largest	in-house	drilling	teams	in	
Aberdeen.	The	record	drilling	times	
we	achieved	in	2010	are	down	to	
excellent	integrated	planning,	
teamwork	and	execution;	delivered	
by	teams	which	have	now	been	
working	together	–	often	on	the	
same	rig	-	on	a	steady	flow	of	
successive	projects.	Our	track	
record	of	delivery	to	date	and	our	
extensive	forward	pipeline	enables	
us	to	retain	and	attract	the	talent	
we	need	to	achieve	our	ambitious	
growth	plans.	We	have	made	some	
important	appointments	during	the	
year,	including	development,	well	
support	and	reservoir	engineers,	
geologists	and	geoscientists,	and	
will	continue	to	recruit	actively	
going	forward	into	2011.

Q. Why do you think that the assets 

which EnQuest was initially 
comprised of are thriving as much 
as they are?

A. The	assets	acquired	from	Lundin	

and	Petrofac	at	flotation	are	at	the	
strategic	core	of	EnQuest,	so	we	
have	been	able	to	focus	on	them	

and	invest	more	aggressively	in	
their	development.	Furthermore,	
our	integrated	subsurface	and	
execution	approach	has	allowed	 
us	to	unlock	further	potential	from	
these	fields.	Within	EnQuest,	fresh	
capital	investment	and	technical	
resources	will	continue	to	be	
directed	towards	these	assets	 
with	the	aim	of	building	a	strong,	
dynamic	hub	that	can	maximise	
reserves	and	value.	

	 The	hubs	are	also	naturally	

complementary	and	give	us	further	
value	accretion.	For	example,	
excess	gas	from	Dons	is	now	piped	
to	Thistle,	thanks	to	our	newly	
commissioned	gas	pipeline,	which	
reduces	the	operating	costs	on	
Thistle	and	disposes	of	unneeded	
excess	gas	from	the	Dons.	Also,	the	
cash	flow	profiles	and	needs	from	
the	fields	are	complementary.	 
The	Dons	are	young	fields	which	
came	onstream	with	high	initial	
production	rates	and	are	highly	
cash	generative,	but	they	will	also	
decline	quickly.	This	profile	allows	
us	to	use	cash	flow	from	the	Dons	
production	to	reinvest	into	the	
older	Heather	and	Thistle	fields	 
to	increase	recovery,	improve	
production	and	extend	the	lives	 
of	these	assets.	

Q. How have you tackled the 

challenge of creating EnQuest 
from two different organisations 
and is this task complete?

A. We	committed	a	considerable	

amount	of	time	and	resource	to	
integrating	the	two	organisations	
and	were	always	conscious	of	the	
imperative	to	keep	the	business	
moving	forwards	during	both	the	
flotation	and	the	transition	periods.	
Generating	a	clear	vision	and	sense	
of	purpose	from	the	start	made	the	
process	easier	as	staff	could	relate	
to	the	strong	shared	beliefs	in	the	
leadership	team	and	EnQuest’s	
growth	aspirations.

	 Communication	has	been	key	as	we	
have	created	a	new	management	
team	and	moved	from	a	functional	
to	an	asset	based	organisation	
structure,	which	meant	that	many	
staff	changed	roles	and	reporting	
lines	during	the	integration	process.	
The	main	transition	programmes	
are	now	virtually	complete	and	all	
staff	are	now	together	in	one	
location	in	Aberdeen,	but	there	 
is	more	to	be	done	before	all	 
our	systems	and	processes	are	 
fully	integrated.

Q. What is your general approach to 
business development? What are 
your strategic and financial 
investment criteria? 

A. It	all	starts	with	the	subsurface	–	we	
ask	if	these	are	attractive	assets	to	
which	we	can	apply	our	capabilities,	
either	developing	smaller	fields	or	
extending	field	life	to	maximise	
production.	We	then	look	at	
infrastructure	issues,	considering	
the	overlap	with	our	existing	hub	
infrastructure	or	accessible	third	
party	infrastructure	or	look	at	the	
new	assets	themselves	as	a	new	
hub.	We	also	analyse	the	level	of	
strategic	fit,	the	impact	of	the	fiscal	
regime	and	of	course	whether	or	
not	they	meet	our	financial	
investment	criteria.	

Our technical skills, 
operational scale and 
financial strength 
underpin our competitive 
advantage.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

17

MANAGEMENT OF RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The	Board	has	articulated	EnQuest’s	strategy	to	deliver	shareholder	 
value	by:
 >
 >
 >
 >

exploiting	its	hydrocarbon	reserves
commercialising	and	developing	discoveries	
converting	its	contingent	resources	into	reserves	and	
pursuing	selective	acquisitions	

In	pursuit	of	this	strategy,	EnQuest	has	to	face	and	manage	a	variety	of	
risks.	As	a	result,	the	Board	has	established	a	risk	management	framework,	
embedding	the	principles	of	effective	risk	management	throughout	the	
business.	

Key business risks 
The	Group’s	principal	risks	could	lead	to	a	significant	loss	of	reputation	or	
could	prevent	the	business	from	executing	its	strategy	and	creating	value	for	
shareholders.	These	risks,	along	with	mitigating	actions	are	set	out	below:

Risk

Mitigation

Health Safety and Environment 
(‘Hse’)
Oil	and	gas	development,	production	
and	exploration	activities	are	
complex	and	HSE	risks	cover	many	
areas	including	operational	safety,	
personal	health	and	safety,	
compliance	with	regulatory	
requirements	and	potential	
environmental	harm.

Production
The	Group’s	production	is	critical	to	
its	success	and	is	subject	to	a	variety	
of	risks	including	uncertain	geology,	
operating	in	a	difficult	environment	
with	mature	equipment	and	potential	
for	significant	unexpected	
shutdowns	and	unplanned	
expenditure	to	occur.

Lower	than	expected	reservoir	
performance	may	have	a	material	
impact	on	the	Group’s	results.

The	Group	maintains,	in	conjunction	with	its	core	contractors,	a	comprehensive	
programme	of	health,	safety,	environmental	asset	integrity	and	assurance	activities	
and	has	implemented	a	continuous	improvement	programme,	promoting	a	culture	 
of	transparency	in	relation	to	HSE	matters.	

In	addition,	the	Group	has	a	positive,	transparent	relationship	with	the	UK	Health	and	
Safety	Executive.

The	Group’s	programme	of	asset	integrity	and	assurance	activities	provides	leading	
data	indicators	of	significant	potential	issues	which	may	result	in	unplanned	
shutdowns	or	which	may	in	other	respects	have	the	potential	to	undermine	asset	
availability	and	uptime.	The	Group	continually	assesses	the	condition	of	its	assets	
and	operates	extensive	maintenance	procedures	designed	to	minimise	the	risk	of	
unplanned	shutdowns	and	expenditure.	The	Group	monitors	both	leading	and	
lagging	key	performance	indicators	in	relation	to	its	maintenance	activities.

Life	of	asset	production	profiles	are	audited	by	independent	reserves	auditors.	 
The	Group	also	undertakes	regular	internal	peer	reviews.

The	Group	instigates	pro-active	operational	interventions,	when	appropriate.	

The	Group’s	forecasts	of	production	are	risked	to	reflect	appropriate	production	risks.

The	Group’s	delivery	infrastructure	
on	the	UKCS	is	dependent	on	the	
Sullom	Voe	Terminal.

The	Sullom	Voe	Terminal	has	a	good	safety	record	and	its	safety	and	operational	
performance	levels	are	regularly	monitored	by	the	Group	and	other	Terminal	owners	 
to	ensure	that	operational	integrity	is	maintained.	

Reserve Replacement
Failure	to	develop	its	contingent	and	
prospective	resources	or	secure	new	
licences	and/or	asset	acquisitions	
and	realise	their	expected	value.

The	Group	puts	a	strong	emphasis	on	subsurface	analysis	and	employs	industry	
leading	professionals.	The	Group	has	recruited	a	significant	number	of	employees	
during	the	year	in	a	variety	of	technical	positions	which	enables	it	to	evaluate	and	
subsequently	implement	the	acquisition	of	new	assets	and	licences.	All	analysis	is	
subject	to	internal,	and	where	appropriate,	external	peer	review.

The	Group	allocates	resource	to	manage	its	reputation	with	DECC,	relative	to	
continuous	improvement	in	safety	performance,	environmental	performance	and	
ultimate	recovery	of	hydrocarbon	reserves,	therefore	enhancing	its	position	to	be	
successful	in	applying	for	UK	licences.

In	addition,	the	Group	has	secured	appropriate	bank	facilities	to	fund	new	licence	
applications	and	asset	acquisitions.

The	Group	has	post	acquisition	integration	procedures	which	include	implementation	
plans.	These	implementation	plans	are	monitored	on	a	regular	basis	to	ensure	the	
Group	realises	its	anticipated	value	from	acquisitions.

Financial
Inability	to	fund	appraisal	and	
development	work	programmes.

The	Group	has	secured	appropriate	bank	facilities	to	fund	its	development	activities,	
this	is	due	to	be	refinanced	before	6	April	2012.	This	funding	is	supported	by	operating	
cash	inflow	from	the	Group’s	producing	assets.	The	Group	reviews	its	cash	flow	
requirements	on	an	ongoing	basis	to	ensure	it	has	suitable	resources	for	its	needs.

18

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Risk

Mitigation

Human Resources
The	Group’s	success	is	dependent	
upon	its	ability	to	attract	and	retain	
key	personnel.

Reputation
The	reputational	and	commercial	
exposures	to	a	major	offshore	
incident	are	significant.

Oil Price
A	material	decline	in	oil	and	gas	
prices	may	adversely	affect	the	
Group’s	results	of	operations	and	
financial	condition.

The	Group	monitors	its	employee	value	proposition	to	support	the	recruitment	and	
retention	of	technically	qualified	personnel,	used	in	identifying	and	executing	its	
commercial	and	technical	work.	Specifically,	the	Group	regularly	monitors	the	
employment	market	to	provide	remuneration	packages,	bonus	plans	and	long-term	
share-based	incentives	plans	targeted	to	incentivise	performance	and	loyalty	to	
the	Group.

To	enable	the	Company	to	meet	its	growth	aspirations,	the	Group	is	undertaking	a	
number	of	resource	initiatives	in	2011	and	beyond	which	will	offer	significant	career	
development	and	progression	opportunities	for	the	current	workforce:	including	
senior	management	succession	planning	and	talent	management.	There	has	already	
been	a	high	level	of	recruitment	activity;	robust	recruitment	and	selection	strategies	
and	processes	are	in	place.	EnQuest’s	experienced	HR	department	will	continue	to	
seek	to	recruit	in	line	with	current	workforce	plans	and	forecasts.	

The	Group	also	maintains	market	competitive	contracts	with	key	suppliers	to	support	
the	execution	of	work,	where	the	necessary	skills	do	not	exist	within	the	Group’s	
employee	base.

In	addition	the	Group	allocates	resources	to	develop	strong,	supportive	joint	venture	
partner	relationships.

Operational	activities	are	conducted	in	accordance	with	approved	policies,	
standards	and	procedures.	Interface	agreements	are	agreed	with	all	core	
contractors.

The	Group	undertakes	regular	audit	activities	to	provide	assurance	on	compliance	
with	established	policies,	standards	and	procedures.

The	Group	monitors	oil	price	sensitivity	relative	to	the	core	economics	of	its	business.	
In	2010	the	Board	approved	a	policy	to	hedge	up	to	50%	of	annual	forecast	oil	
production.	Approximately	40%	of	2011	forecast	oil	production	has	been	hedged	
using	zero	premium	collars.	

In	order	to	develop	its	resources,	the	Group	needs	to	be	able	to	fund	substantial	
levels	of	investment.	The	Group	will	therefore	regularly	review	and	implement	
suitable	policies	to	hedge	against	the	possible	negative	funding	impacts	of	changes	
in	oil	prices	on	revenues	and	profits.

Political and Fiscal
Changes	in	the	regulatory	or	fiscal	
environment	affecting	the	Group’s	
ability	to	deliver	its	strategy.

It	is	difficult	for	the	Group	to	predict	the	timing	or	severity	of	such	changes.	However,	
the	Group	does	engage	with	government	and	other	appropriate	organisations,	
through	Oil	&	Gas	UK	and	other	industry	associations	in	order	ensure	the	Group	is	
kept	abreast	of	expected	potential	changes	and	takes	an	active	role	in	making	
appropriate	representations.

Joint Venture Partners
Failure	by	joint	venture	parties	to	
fund	their	obligations.

At	a	more	operational	level,	the	Group	has	procedures	to	identify	impending	changes	
in	relevant	regulations	to	ensure	legislative	compliance.

The	Group	operates	regular	‘cash	call’	arrangements	with	its	co-venturers	to	mitigate	
the	Group’s	credit	exposure	at	any	one	point	in	time	and	keeps	in	regular	dialogue	
with	each	of	these	parties	to	ensure	payment.	Risk	of	default	is	mitigated	by	joint	
operating	agreements	allowing	the	Group	to	take	over	any	defaulting	party’s	share	 
in	an	operated	asset.

Dependence	on	other	parties	where	
the	Group	is	not	the	operator.

The	Group	maintains	regular	dialogue	with	its	partners	to	ensure	alignment	of	
interests	and	to	maximise	the	value	of	joint	venture	assets.

Competition
The	Group	operates	in	a	competitive	
environment	across	many	areas	
including	the	acquisition	of	oil	and	
gas	assets,	the	marketing	of	oil	and	
gas,	the	provision	of	oil	and	gas	
services	and	access	to	human	
resources.

The	Group	has	a	strong	balance	sheet	which	puts	it	in	a	favourable	position	to	be	able	
to	compete	effectively	and	move	quickly	when	looking	to	acquire	assets.

The	Group	also	has	strong	technical	and	business	development	capabilities	to	ensure	
it	is	well	positioned	to	identify	potential	acquisition	opportunities.

The	Group	has	good	relations	with	oil	and	gas	service	providers	and	constantly	keeps	
the	market	under	review.

Human	resources	are	key	to	the	Group’s	success	and	programmes	outlined	above	are	
in	place	to	ensure	it	can	attract	and	retain	key	personnel.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

19

operating review

Nigel Hares
Chief Operating Officer

Overview
EnQuest	delivered	a	robust	operational	performance	in	
2010,	with	a	successful	drilling	programme,	strong	
production	results	ahead	of	expectations	and	a	good	
reserve	replacement	ratio.

EnQuest’s	assets	include	interests	in	six	producing	fields	
situated	in	the	North	of	the	UKCS:	Broom,	Heather,	Thistle,	
Deveron,	West	Don	and	Don	Southwest.	These	assets	
generated	pro-forma	daily	average	net	production	of	
21,074	Boepd,	an	increase	of	55%	over	the	13,613	Boepd	
produced	in	2009.	

Year	end	net	2P	reserves	increased	by	10%	from	80.5	
MMboe	at	year	end	2009	to	88.5	MMboe	at	year	end	2010.	
This	equates	to	a	2P	reserve	replacement	ratio	of	208%,	as	
auditied	by	a	recognised	‘Competent	Person’	in	accordance	
with	the	definitions	and	guidelines	set	out	under	the	2007	
Petroleum	Resources	Management	System	guidelines,	
approved	by	the	Society	of	Petroleum	Engineers.	

20

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

Pro-forma	capital	expenditure	during	
the	year	was	$196.3	million,	which	
included	financing	the	drilling	of	five	
successful	production	and	injection	
wells	in	three	different	fields,	and	also	
two	exploration	and	appraisal	wells,	
which	were	dry.

Keeping	EnQuest’s	people	safe	and	
mitigating	impacts	on	the	environment	
in	which	it	operates	are	always	
EnQuest’s	top	priorities.	EnQuest	has	
well	developed	policies	and	processes,	
monitored	at	Board	level	that	set	
continuously	improving	targets	
compared	with	acknowledged	
industry	benchmarks.	EnQuest	has	
established	a	series	of	both	leading	
and	lagging	indicators	which	are	
monitored	at	each	Board	meeting.	
A	long	established	lagging	indicator	
which	EnQuest	measures	is	the	
number	of	‘lost	time	accidents’.	
EnQuest	is	committed	to	working	
towards	not	having	any	such	
accidents,	whilst	the	0.21	LTA	rate	
recorded	by	EnQuest	and	its	leading	
contractors	in	2010	is	in	the	upper	
quartile	of	HSE	performance	in	 
the	industry.	

Producing Oil Fields

Thistle and Deveron
Working	interest:	
>  99%	in	both	fields
No	decommissioning	liabilities:
>  remain	with	former	owners	 

(apart	from	new	incremental	
developments	since	acquisition)

Pro-forma	daily	average	net	
production:	
>  2010:	4,836	Boepd	 

(2009:	3,849	Boepd)

18a
P236

Deveron

Thistle

19a

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

West Don
West	Don	also	benefited	from	the	
commissioning	of	water	injection.	 
At	West	Don	a	workover	was	only	
partially	successful	and	production	
well	W2	remains	temporarily	
suspended.	The	third	West	Don	
production	well	(W4)	was	brought	
onstream	for	less	than	budget	in	late	
November	2010,	at	an	initial	net	rate	 
of	around	12,000	Boepd.

2011
Early	in	2011,	we	drilled	a	successful	
exploration	well	in	Area	E	on	Don	
Southwest	and	development	plans	for	
this	new	discovery	(the	Conrie	field)	
are	now	being	finalised.	The	Don	
Southwest	Area	26	appraisal	well	
was	dry.	Further	drilling	plans	for	Don	
Southwest	in	2011	include	a	producer-
injector	pair	(wells	S8	and	S9)	in	
Area	6.

Heather and Broom
Working	interests:
>  Heather,	100%
>  Broom,	55%	
Decommissioning	liabilities:
>  Heather,	37.5%
>  Broom,	55%
Pro-forma	daily	average	net	
production:	
>  2010:	4,578	Boepd	 

(2009:	6,406	Boepd)

2

5
P242

3/1c
26th
round

Heather

Broom

4a
P902

Ivy

SW Heather

Summary 
In	2010	the	first	new	well	in	over	20	
years	was	drilled	on	Thistle.	It	was	
successfully	completed	and	came	into	
production	as	planned	in	November.	
This	well	made	a	contribution	to	the	
substantial	increase	in	Thistle	and	
Deveron’s	reserves.

2010 Highlights
It	was	an	exciting	year	for	the	Thistle	
field	with	the	first	new	well	(SFB-P1)	 
in	20	years	successfully	brought	
onstream	at	800	Boepd.	Innovative	
use	of	proven	technology	reduced	the	
complexity	of	the	drilling	approach,	
enabling	the	new	well	to	be	delivered	
under	budget.	This	followed	a	
previous	investment	programme	of	
approximately	$70	million	to	upgrade	
the	capability	and	integrity	of	the	
Thistle	drilling	rig.	

A	successful	partial	abandonment	
programme	was	completed	on	four	
wells,	on	behalf	of	the	former	owners.	
Production	recommenced	from	well	
A46	at	600	Boepd	following	a	
successful	workover	and	jet	pump	
installation.	The	connection	of	the	
Dons	oil	and	gas	pipelines	into	Thistle	
brought	in	owned	fuel	gas,	helping	to	
reduce	reliance	on	third	party	supplies.

2011
In	2011,	we	plan	to	drill	three	further	
infill	wells;	NWFB,	EFB-P1	and	Dev-P1.	
Two	water	injection	workovers	are	
also	planned.	

During	2010	work	continued	on	
evaluating	options	to	improve	
platform	uptimes	and	this	is	expected	
to	result	in	further	investment	in	 
2011	and	over	the	next	few	years	 
in	power	generation	and	control	
systems	upgrades.

The Don Fields
Working	interests:	
>  Don	Southwest,	60%
>  West	Don,	27.7%	at	start	of	2010,	

increasing	to	44.95%	in	November	
2010,	through	the	acquisition	of	
Stratic	Energy	Corporation

Decommissioning	liabilities:	
>  as	per	working	interests
Pro-forma	daily	average	net	
production:	
>  2010:	11,660	Boepd	 
(2009:	3,358	Boepd)

13b
P1200

13a

18a
P236

W Don

E

Don SW

Ariel

Don SW Area 26

H

18c
P1269

Summary
Pro-forma	production	in	2010	of	
11,660	Boepd,	was	over	three	times	
the	level	produced	in	2009.	This	was	
due	to	three	new	production	wells,	the	
commissioning	of	a	successful	water	
injection	system,	the	installation	of	a	
pipeline	connecting	the	Dons	to	the	
Thistle	field,	and	the	start	up	of	gas	
lift.	Faster	than	expected	delivery	of	
the	wells	drilled	on	the	Dons	was	a	key	
feature	of	the	2010	performance.

2010 Highlights
The	start	of	2010	saw	the	Dons	fields	
switch	from	a	tanker	offload	system	to	
pipeline	export	into	the	Brent	system	
via	a	newly	commissioned	pipeline	to	
Thistle.	The	tanker	offload	system	 
had	allowed	early	production	but	was	
vulnerable	to	interruption	by	bad	
weather.	Connection	to	Thistle	
delivered	a	step	change	in	production	
efficiency	and	reduced	the	cost	of	 
oil	export.	The	final	commissioning	 
of	the	water	injection	system	was	 
also	completed	in	early	2010.	The	
production	wells	on	both	fields	
responded	well	to	pressure	support.	
These	two	milestones	successfully	
brought	the	project	phase	of	the	 
Don	development	to	a	close.	

Don Southwest
The	S2Z	sidetrack	well	(Area	22)	
started	production	in	March	2010.	
Water	injection	to	Area	5	and	Area	22	
also	commenced	in	March	2010.	

The	S5	and	S6	producer	injector	pair	
were	drilled	and	brought	onstream	in	
record	time	and	ahead	of	budget.	The	
reservoir	properties	at	S5	proved	to	
be	better	than	prognosed,	and	the	
well	came	online	with	initial	net	
production	of	over	13,000	Boepd.	
One	dry	exploration	well	was	drilled	
in	the	Dons	at	Area	H.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 21

operating review
CONTINUED

Summary
In	2010	the	Broom	pipeline	
improvement	to	Heather	was	
completed	on	schedule	and	on	
budget.	The	dry	North	West	Terrace	
exploration	well	at	Broom	proved	that	
there	was	no	potential	for	extension	 
to	the	west.	An	extensive	project	to	
evaluate	the	remaining	drilling	
potential	of	the	Heather	field	was	
completed.	This	has	resulted	in	the	
development	of	a	plan	to	upgrade	the	
drilling	rig,	with	identification	of	nine	
well	locations	and	drilling	starting	in	
mid	2012.	The	rig	upgrade	will	start	 
in	Q2	2011.

2010 Highlights
Heather
No	new	drilling	took	place	on	Heather	
during	the	year.	A	planned	shutdown	
in	2010	was	extended	to	bring	forward	
maintenance	and	integrity	work,	
avoiding	the	need	for	a	shutdown	 
in	2011.	

Broom
The	BR7	NWT	well	produced	
disappointing	results	and	the	well	was	
suspended.	As	expected,	2010	saw	 
a	decrease	in	production	over	2009	
levels,	due	to	the	failure	of	one	of	the	
Broom	pipelines	from	corrosion	in	
2009.	In	2010,	a	new	pipeline	was	
successfully	installed	and	production	
returned	to	full	capacity.	Work	was	
also	completed	at	the	BR-2	well	to	
remove	a	restriction	in	the	gas	lift	
supply	enabling	the	well	to	be	
restored	to	full	production.

2011
Following	the	successful	Heather	
subsurface	review	in	2010,	the	
Heather	rig	will	be	upgraded	in	2011	
for	a	drilling	programme	starting	in	
2012.	An	exploration	well	will	be	
drilled	on	the	Ivy	prospect,	south	 
of	Heather,	in	2011.

Opportunities on other  
EnQuest blocks 

Crawford (9/28a)
The	acquisition	of	Stratic	provided	a	
19%	interest	in	the	Crawford	field	where	
work	is	being	undertaken	with	partners	
to	prepare	development	plans.	

UK North Sea 26th licensing round
Shortly	after	flotation	in	April	2010,	
EnQuest	applied	for	a	number	of	
blocks	as	part	of	the	UK	North	Sea	
26th	licensing	round.	In	October	2010,	
EnQuest	was	offered	all	of	the	
licences	that	it	had	applied	for.	

Ardmore (26th round, 30/24b, 24c  
& 25c) 
Working	interest:	100%.

The	previously	abandoned	Ardmore	
field	is	being	reviewed	and	options	 
for	further	redevelopment	are	being	
analysed;	Ardmore	has	the	potential	to	
be	a	stand-alone	field	redevelopment.	
Seismic	surveys	have	been	purchased	
and	evaluated	and	an	option	on	a	
Floating	Production	and	Storage	
Offloading	(‘FPSO’)	vessel	has	 
already	been	secured.

Peik & Burdock (9/15a & 9/10b)
Working	interests:	18%	and	 
85%	respectively.

Studies	to	evaluate	the	commercial	
viability	of	these	blocks	will	continue	
during	2011.	In	the	second	half	of	2010,	
a	non-cash	impairment	amount	of	
$35.0	million	was	charged	against	
Peik	&	Burdock	in	the	accounts;	this	
project	is	highly	dependent	upon	 
gas	prices.	It	is	therefore	uncertain	
whether	the	project	will	meet	the	
economic	thresholds	required.

Elke & Pilot (28/3a) & (26th round, 
21/27a & 28/2a)
Working	interest:	70%	and	 
100%	respectively.	

In	2010,	KUFPEC,	a	subsidiary	of	the	
Kuwait	Petroleum	Company,	farmed-
in	to	30%	of	the	Elke	block.	During	
2010,	studies	took	place	to	evaluate	
the	potential	of	the	existing	heavy	 
oil	at	Elke,	these	included	an	
electromagnetic	survey	in	August	and	
this	evaluation	work	is	ongoing.	The	
Pilot	block	offered	to	EnQuest	as	part	
of	the	26th	licensing	round	is	also	a	
heavy	oil	discovery	and	its	proximity	
to	Elke	may	improve	the	economic	
potential	of	both	blocks.	

Scolty (21/8a)
Working	interest:	40%.

Following	initial	exploration	work,	this	
field	was	found	to	be	uneconomic	for	
development	on	its	own.	A	non-cash	
impairment	of	$25.0	million	was	taken	
in	the	first	half	of	2010.	EnQuest	
continues	to	work	on	potential	
solutions	with	other	licence	holders	 
in	the	area.	

Full 12 months pro-forma daily average 
net production Boepd

Thistle/Deveron

2010

4,836 

2009

3,849 

The Don Fields

2010

11,660 

2009

3,358 

Heather/Broom

2010

2009

4,578 

6,406 

Keeping EnQuest’s 
people safe and 
mitigating impacts on 
the environment in which 
it operates are always 
EnQuest’s top priorities.

22

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

 
overview

business review

governance

financial statements

ENGAGE, ENHANCE, ENABlE

EnQuest	engages to 
find	new	opportunities,	
we	review	to	establish	
how	much	EnQuest	can	
enhance	the	opportunity	
by	adding	our	value,	and	
if	it	all	adds	up	we	deploy	
our	resources	to	enable	the	
development	–	we	execute	
our	plans,	relentlessly	
maintaining	our	focus.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 23

Project 
execution

24

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

ENGAGE, ENHANCE, ENABlE

Maintaining	excellent	
working	relationships	with	
contractors,	operations	
and	the	three	partners	
on	the	field	was	just	
one	of	the	key	factors	
behind	the	successful	
execution	of	the	project.	

Broom augmentation

When one of the two production 
pipelines which tie the Broom 
field back to the Heather platform 
needed to be replaced, EnQuest 
decided to take the opportunity 
to increase the capacity of the 
pipeline and extend its life at the 
same time – whilst keeping to an 
exceptionally tight schedule.

Back in 2009, an unexplained 
reduction in crude oil arrival 
temperature at the Heather 
platform was the first indication 
of a problem: diagnostics 
combined with intelligent pigging 
revealed that the pipeline was 
no longer fit for purpose.

During the accelerated project define 
phase, an extensive evaluation of 
the options was undertaken to get 
the right design solution before 
the project was sanctioned – these 
included replacing the 8" diameter 
pipeline with a 10" diameter pipeline. 
This was a fast track project: close 
senior management involvement 
meant the required decisions 
were made quickly, a project team 
of highly skilled individuals was 
assembled and the supply chain 
was aligned so that as soon as the 

main contract was awarded, all the 
subcontracts instantly followed.

One main contractor was appointed 
to manage the extensive project 
elements and interfaces, from 
engineering to procurement, 
installation and commissioning. 
A reeled Pipe in Pipe solution was 
elected with the new pipeline, 
mainly constructed onshore, 
then transported to the field by 
a reel pipelay vessel and laid in 
two sections. Metre for metre, it 
was one of the heaviest pipelines 
ever installed by the contractor’s 
vessel – one of seven different 
vessels used during the project.

Maintaining excellent working 
relationships with contractors, 
operations and the three partners 
on the field was just one of the 
key factors behind the successful 
execution of the project within an 
impressive 12 months. The new 
pipeline tie-in was co-ordinated to 
coincide with a Heather platform 
planned maintenance shutdown to 
minimise the impact on production, 
with production coming back online 
in September 2010, with all key 
performance indicators achieved 
including zero safety incidents.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 25

 
ENGAGE, ENHANCE, ENABlE

Creativity,	collaboration	
and	challenge	were	the	
critical	factors	underpinning	
EnQuest’s	record	breaking	
drilling	programme	
in	the	Don	fields.

Fast track to success in the Dons

Creativity, collaboration and 
challenge were the critical factors 
underpinning EnQuest’s record 
breaking drilling programme in 
the Don fields, combined with a 
relentless focus on delivery and 
safety. Stepping up to the challenge 
of drilling a well in 50 days, the team 
completed three successful wells (S5, 
S6, W4) decisively ahead of target, 
including drilling 3,000 feet in 24 
hours – a record for the Don fields.

the time to process the cuttings, part 
of a major investment to upgrade the 
rig. Whilst the rig was in the shipyard, 
the team focused their efforts on 
driving up performance. The whole 
team, from drillers to subsurface, 
subsea to engineering, plus all key 
service providers, were challenged to 
make their part of the project more 
efficient with impressive results: 
drilling performance accelerated 
from 1,500 to 3,000 feet per day.

Retaining the same team meant 
EnQuest was able to capitalise on 
the knowledge gained during the 
first phase of activity in the Don 
fields early in 2010. Experience 
from phase one led to an innovative 
approach to the well design for 
phase two. A simplified well 
design, combined with careful risk 
assessment, allowed the drillers to 
miss out a casing section and drill 
continuously into the reservoir, 
saving considerable time.

New cranes and cuttings handling 
equipment installed on the John 
Shaw rig before it left the shipyard 
played a significant role in reducing 

The outcome of these measures 
was exceptional. The rig arrived in 
the Dons in early May and S5 was 
completed by the end of June in 41 
days against a budget of 53. Drilling 
on S6 commenced on 1 July and 
within 33 days, the team were ready 
to move on to W4, well ahead of the 
55 days planned. 43 days later, W4 
was complete, ahead of schedule and 
30% below budget. The reservoirs 
in both S5 and W4 were at the top 
end of quality expectations and 
combined with an extra month’s 
production from the accelerated 
drilling programme, production 
from the Dons rose threefold 
above 2009 to 11,660 Boepd.

26

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Subsurface 
experts

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 27

Operator 
excellence

28

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

ENGAGE, ENHANCE, ENABlE

The	well	added	to	2P	
reserves	demonstrating	
the	future	potential	of	the	
reservoir,	extending	the	
life	of	this	mature	asset	
and	adding	value	to	the	
EnQuest	portfolio.

Revitalising a key North Sea asset

Drilling the first successful new 
producer well on the Thistle 
field since 1990 was a significant 
achievement in more ways than 
one. The drilling rig was completely 
rebuilt, a newly-formed drilling 
crew arrived on the platform to 
start up a rig for the first time 
in 20 years and a new well was 
completed safely and under budget. 

The condition of the drilling rig 
had degraded during 20 years of 
inactivity requiring an extensive 
US$70 million investment to bring 
it back up to standard, including 
installing a top drive. By early 2010 a 
new drilling crew had been mobilised 
but before they arrived on the 
platform, team-building exercises 
onshore – that included production 
and maintenance staff – ensured 
that the teams integrated rapidly 
offshore. Underpinned by the ‘Team 
Thistle Charter’ that set out a clear 
vision for the future of the field 

and defined key values/working 
behaviours, this proved a powerful 
tool in building a high-performing, 
enthusiastic and committed team.

The safe start up of the newly 
refurbished rig in February 2010 was 
a significant milestone and source 
of pride for the team. Working 
initially on the A46 workover and 
the partial abandonment of four 
wells undertaken on behalf of the 
field’s previous owners, the new rig 
commenced drilling SFB-P1, the new 
well, in September. A relentless focus 
on planning and execution resulted 
in delivery of the project in 47 days, 
ahead of schedule and under budget. 

The well came onstream at a healthy 
800 Boepd and added to 2P reserves 
demonstrating the future potential 
of the reservoir, extending the life 
of this mature asset and adding 
value to the EnQuest portfolio.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 29

financial review

Jonathan Swinney
Chief Financial Officer

Economic environment
In	the	year	ended	31	December	2010,	the	Brent	crude	oil	
price	averaged	US$79.5	per	barrel,	up	some	US$18	per	
barrel	on	the	average	for	2009,	reflecting	a	gradual	shift	
to	greater	stability	in	the	global	economy	following	a	
period	of	significant	economic	and	financial	turmoil.	 
This	improvement	in	the	stability	of	the	financial	markets,	
supported	by	increased	confidence	in	the	need	to	grow	
world	oil	production,	provided	the	platform	for	the	
Company’s	IPO	in	April	2010.	

The	Group’s	financial	performance	in	2010	reflects	strong	
operational	performance	throughout	the	year,	with	
revenue	up	by	93%	on	a	pro-forma	basis	compared	with	
2009	reflecting	higher	production	volumes,	higher	sales	
prices	and	the	acquisition	of	Stratic	in	November	2010.

30

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

The	Group	enters	2011	with	US$41.4	
million	net	cash	having	repaid	US$88.8	
million	of	Stratic	debt	in	November	
2010;	as	well	as	strong	ongoing	
operating	cash	flows	from	its	existing	
portfolio	of	assets	and	a	US$280.0	
million	bank	facility,	of	which	
US$206.0	million	is	undrawn	and	
available	for	development	activities	
and	acquisition	opportunities.	

Income Statement
Production and revenue
Production	levels,	on	a	working	
interest	basis,	for	the	pro-forma	
12	months	to	31	December	2010	
averaged	21,074	Boepd,	up	55%	
compared	with	2009.	The	increase	
primarily	reflects	improved	
production	from	Don	Southwest	and	
West	Don	fields,	which	commenced	
first	production	in	June	2009	and	
April	2009	respectively,	and	
incremental	production	from	West	
Don	field	as	a	result	of	the	Stratic	
acquisition.	Thistle	field	production	
also	increased	due	to	well	A46	being	
brought	back	onstream	and	sustained	
high	levels	of	power	system	uptime.	
Saleable	production	was	
approximately	4%	lower	than	the	
export	meter	production	volumes	
quoted	above	primarily	as	a	result	of	
the	partial	decommissioning	of	the	
LPG	processing	plant	during	2010,	
resulting	in	additional	volume	
adjustments	being	applied	by	the	
Sullom	Voe	Terminal	operator.

Realised	oil	prices,	on	a	pro-forma	
basis	for	the	12	months	to	
31	December	2010,	averaged	US$81.3	
per	barrel	compared	with	US$65.1	per	
barrel	in	2009,	reflecting	the	increase	
in	market	prices	for	Brent	crude.

Operating costs
The	Group’s	pro-forma	unit	operating	
cost	for	the	year	is	broadly	consistent	
with	the	previous	year	with	a	
reduction	of	US$0.3	per	Boe	(0.6%).

The	reduction	in	the	Group’s	average	
pro-forma	unit	production	and	
transportation	cost	of	US$4.4	per	 
Boe	for	the	year	ended	31	December	
2010	compared	with	2009,	is	 
primarily	attributable	to	the	increase	 
in	production	volume	from	 
Don	Southwest.	

The	increase	of	US$4.1	per	Boe	in	the	
Group’s	average	pro-forma	depletion	
expense	is	also	mainly	due	to	the	
impact	of	the	increase	in	Don	
Southwest	production	compared	with	
the	previous	year	as	the	Don	fields	
carry	a	significantly	higher	depletion	
rate	per	barrel	compared	with	the	
Heather,	Thistle	and	Broom	fields.	

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Well	abandonment	expenses	of	
US$8.2	million	have	been	reported	 
in	2010	in	relation	to	the	partial	
decommissioning	of	the	Thistle	field	
wells	A40/42	and	A18/55.	The	wells	
were	drilled	prior	to	May	2002	and	are	
therefore	covered	by	the	Intervening	
Period	and	Decommissioning	Liability	
Agreements	with	the	previous	field	
owners.	However,	the	previous	owners	
did	not	approve	the	abandonment	
expense	and	EnQuest	proceeded	with	
performing	partial	decommissioning	
of	these	wells	following	an	agreed	
programme	to	perform	early	partial	
decommissioning	of	four	other	Thistle	
wells	in	2010.	As	EnQuest	considered	
the	safety	and	integrity	of	the	A40/42	
and	A18/55	wells	and	the	safety	of	its	
personnel	and	the	platform	essential,	
it	performed	partial	decommissioning	
work	on	these	wells,	prioritising	the	
work	ahead	of	drilling	further	in-fill	
production	wells.	Since	the	previous	
owners	did	not	approve	the	work	
under	the	Decommissioning	Liability	
Agreement,	EnQuest	has	therefore	
decided	to	provide	for	these	expenses	
but	will	continue	to	consider	its	
options	to	recover	these	funds	from	
the	previous	owners.

The	Group’s	reported	change	in	lifting	
position	expense	was	US$3.9	million	
for	the	year	ended	31	December	2010,	
compared	with	a	credit	of	US$4.6	
million	in	2009.	The	increase	in	
expense	of	US$8.5	million	has	arisen	
primarily	due	to	over-lifting	of	Thistle	
volumes	at	31	December	2010	
compared	to	under-lifting	at	
31	December	2009.

The	reported	hydrocarbon	inventory	
movement	credit	of	US$2.8	million	in	
the	year	ended	31	December	2010	was	

Pro-forma revenue US$ million

2010

2009

319.0 

614.4 

Pro-forma gross profit US$ million

2010

208.0 

2009

59.4 

Reported cash flow from operating 
activities US$ million

2010

2009

59.9 

267.7 

Operating costs
Cost	of	sales	for	the	Group	are	as	follows:

Pro-forma1	(pre-exceptionals	
and	fair	value	adjustments)

Reported	(pre-exceptionals	
and	fair	value	adjustments)

Year	ended	31	December

Year	ended	31	December

2010
US$ million

2009
US$	million

2010
US$ million

2009
US$	million

Cost	of	sales

406.41

us$

259.61

US$

384.5

us$

193.1

US$

Unit	operating	cost,	adjusted	for	
over/under-lift	and	inventory	
movements	(per	Boe):
–	Production	and	

transportation	costs
–	Depletion	of	oil	and	 

gas	properties

30.41

22.81

53.21

34.81

18.71

53.51

30.8

22.2

53.0

39.0

13.8

52.8

mainly	due	to	the	increase	in	shipping	
co-ordinator	deadstock	resulting	 
from	increased	production	through-
put	volumes.

Reported	general	and	administrative	
expenses	excluding	exceptional	items	
were	US$13.8	million	in	the	year	ended	
31	December	2010	compared	with	
US$0.1	million	in	the	previous	year.	
The	expenses	primarily	relate	to	the	
Group’s	general	management	and	
business	development	expenses.	Prior	
to	the	IPO,	all	significant	general	and	
administrative	expenses	incurred	 
by	Lundin	North	Sea	BV	(‘LNS’)	were	
directly	chargeable	to	joint	ventures.	

Exceptional items
Exceptional	costs	totalling	US$97.9	
million	(before	tax)	have	been	
disclosed	separately	in	the	year	ended	
31	December	2010	relating	to:
 >

non-cash	impairment	of	US$35.0	
million	in	relation	to	the	Peik	and	
Burdock	discoveries	due	to	latest	
development	economics	being	
below	the	Group’s	investment	
hurdle	rates;
non-cash	impairment	of	US$25.0	
million	in	relation	to	the	Scolty	
discovery	resulting	from	EnQuest’s	
decision	to	discontinue	field	
specific	development;
additional	depletion	costs	of	
US$16.3	million	resulting	from	the	
fair	value	uplift	of	Petrofac	Energy	
Developments	Limited’s	(‘PEDL’)	 
oil	and	gas	assets	on	acquisition;
demerger	and	listing	expenses	of	
US$8.0	million	relating	to	the	
Group’s	formation	and	listing	on	the	
London	Stock	Exchange	and	the	
Stockholm	NASDAQ	OMX	market;
Stratic	acquisition	costs	of	US$5.3	
million,	including	US$4.3	million	 
of	redundancy	costs;	and
well	abandonment	expenses	of	
US$8.2	million,	outlined	above.

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

Finance costs
Net	finance	costs	reported	of	 
US$10.0	million	include	US$5.2	million	
unwinding	of	discount	on	
decommissioning	provisions	and	
US$4.3	million	of	costs	associated	
with	the	Group’s	revolving	credit	
facility	and	letter	of	credit	utilisation	
during	the	year.

Taxation
The	reported	tax	charge	for	the	year	of	
US$28.7	million	represents	an	effective	
rate	of	51%	compared	with	27%	in	the	
previous	year.	The	Group’s	effective	
tax	rate	in	the	year	results	from	UK	
Corporation	tax	payable	at	the	
statutory	rate	of	50%,	petroleum	
revenue	tax	(‘PRT’)	on	the	Thistle	field,	
ring	fence	expenditure	supplement	
receivable	and	prior	year	adjustments.	
The	Group’s	2009	effective	tax	rate	
was	significantly	lower	due	to	prior	
year	PRT	adjustments.	

Earnings per share
The	Group’s	reported	basic	earnings	
per	share	were	US$0.040	for	the	year	
ended	31	December	2010	compared	
with	US$0.019	in	2009.	The	increase	
of	US$0.021	is	attributable	to	the	
combined	impact	of	an	increase	in	
production	volumes	and	realised	oil	
price	in	the	year	ended	31	December	
2010	compared	with	the	previous	year.

Cash flow and liquidity
The	Group’s	reported	cash	generated	
from	operations	in	2010	increased	by	
US$207.8	million	to	US$267.7	million	
(2009:	US$59.9	million),	resulting	
mainly	from	the	combination	of	higher	
average	reported	realised	oil	prices	in	
2010	compared	with	2009	and	the	
additional	production	volumes	from	
Don	Southwest	and	West	Don	fields	
following	the	acquisition	of	PEDL	
and	Stratic.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 31

 
financial review
CONTINUED

Pro-forma1	cash	outflow	on	capital	expenditure	is	set	out	in	the	table	below:

Expenditure	on	producing	oil	and	gas	assets:

–	Dons	hub
–	Thistle	hub
–	Heather	and	Broom	hub

Exploration	and	evaluation	expenditure
Other	capital	expenditure

2010  

2009	 

US$ million

US$	million

70.8
41.5
59.1

17.1
7.8

196.3

207.2
39.6
23.9

2.3
0.3

273.3

The	net	cash	position	at	31	December	
2010,	together	with	unutilised	
committed	bank	facilities,	provides	
US$247.4	million	of	funding	available	
to	the	Group	for	the	2011	capital	
development	programme	and	future	
investment	opportunities.

Capital restructuring and acquisitions
The	combination	of	LNS	with	EnQuest	
was	accounted	for	as	a	corporate	
restructuring	under	the	pooling	of	
interests	method.	The	combination	of	
PEDL	with	LNS	has	been	accounted	
for	using	the	acquisition	method.	Both	
transactions	were	satisfied	by	the	
allotment	and	issuance	of	Ordinary	
shares	in	the	Company	and	resulted	in	
a	Group	merger	reserve	of	US$662.9	
million	at	31	December	2010.

On	8	November	2010,	the	Group	
announced	completion	of	the	Stratic	
acquisition	through	the	allotment	and	
issuance	of	Ordinary	shares	in	the	
Company.	The	acquisition	of	Stratic	
enhanced	the	Group’s	proven	and	
probable	oil	and	gas	reserves	in	the	
UKCS	and	consolidated	its	position	 
in	the	West	Don	asset,	providing	 
a	further	17.25%	working	interest	 
in	the	asset.	

Balance Sheet
As	a	result	of	the	combination	of	LNS,	
EnQuest	and	PEDL	described	above,	
the	Group’s	total	asset	value	has	
increased	by	US$782.2	million	to	
US$1,439.5	million	at	31	December	
2010	(2009:	US$657.3	million).

Property, plant and equipment
Property,	plant	and	equipment	has	
increased	to	US$1,136.4	million	at	
31	December	2010	from	US$518.6	
million	at	31	December	2009.	The	
increase	of	US$617.8	million	is	mainly	
due	to	oil	and	gas	assets	net	book	
value	of	US$631.2	million	added	on	 
the	acquisition	of	PEDL	and	Stratic,	
together	with	oil	and	gas	asset	
additions	of	US$148.5	million,	partially	
offset	by	depletion	charges	of	
US$177.2	million	in	the	year.

Goodwill
Goodwill	of	US$100.1	million	and	
US$1.8	million	has	been	recorded	in	
connection	with	the	acquisition	of	
PEDL	and	Stratic	respectively.	The	
goodwill	and	fair	values	recognised	on	
the	acquisitions	are	provisional	due	to	
the	complexity	of	the	acquisition	and	
due	to	the	inherently	uncertain	nature	
of	a	number	of	critical	accounting	
estimates.	The	review	of	the	fair	value	
of	the	assets	and	liabilities	acquired	
will	be	completed	within	12	months	of	
each	acquisition,	and	the	goodwill	
valuation	will	then	be	finalised.

Intangible oil and gas assets
The	Group’s	intangible	oil	and	gas	
assets	value	has	reduced	by	
US$59.3	million	to	US$12.3	million	at	
31	December	2010	compared	with	
US$71.6	million	in	2009.	The	decrease	
is	mainly	due	to	impairment	provisions	
and	exploration	write	offs	recorded	of	
US$80.9	million,	of	which	US$57.9	
million	associated	with	the	Peik,	
Burdock	and	Scolty	discoveries	have	
been	classified	as	exceptional,	and	the	
reclassification	of	US$18.7	million	to	
asset	held	for	sale	at	the	year	end	
relating	to	the	Petisovci	asset.	This	 
is	partially	offset	by	intangible	oil	 
and	gas	assets	of	US$22.8	million	
added	on	the	acquisition	of	Stratic	
and	additions	during	the	year	of	
US$17.4	million.

Asset held for sale
In	February	2011	the	Group	sold	its	
interest	in	the	Petisovci	asset	in	return	
for	150,903,958	new	Ordinary	shares	
in	Ascent	Resources	plc	(‘Ascent’)	and	
a	nil	cost	option	to	receive	a	further	
29,686,000	new	Ordinary	shares	in	
Ascent	subject	to	certain	criteria	
related	to	the	successful	development	
of	the	Petisovci	asset.	Costs	of	
US$18.7	million	related	to	this	asset,	
which	were	added	on	the	acquisition	
of	Stratic,	are	reported	as	asset	held	
for	sale	at	31	December	2010.

Significant	projects	were	undertaken	
during	the	year,	including:
 >

drilling	and	completing	 
Don	Southwest	S5	and	S6	
development	wells;
new	pipeline	installed	on	Broom	
field;
Don	Southwest	phase	one	drilling	
programme;
West	Don	W4	production	well	
drilling	programme;
Thistle	Southern	Fault	Block	
sidetrack	drilling	and	completion;	
Thistle	electric	submersible	 
pump	installation;
long	lead	costs	incurred	in	
preparing	for	Don	Southwest	2011	
development	drilling	programme;	
Thistle	and	Heather	platform	
structural	upgrade	programme;	
Don	Southwest	Area	E	exploration	
well	top-hole	drilling;
unsuccessful	Broom	North	West	
Terrace	extension	well;	and
unsuccessful	Area	H	 
exploration	well.	

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

Net	cash	at	31	December	2010	
amounted	to	US$41.4	million	
compared	to	net	indebtedness	of	
US$126.7	million	in	2009.	In	April	2010,	
prior	to	the	corporate	restructure	with	
EnQuest,	the	outstanding	bank	loan	
of	LNS	amounting	to	US$156.0	million	
was	assigned	to	its	then	parent,	
Lundin	Petroleum	AB.	The	resulting	
liability	between	LNS	and	Lundin	
Petroleum	AB,	net	of	a	long-term	 
loan	payable	to	LNS,	was	capitalised	
on	31	March	2010.	

On	17	March	2010,	in	anticipation	of	
the	corporate	restructuring	with	 
LNS	and	the	acquisition	of	PEDL,	the	
Group	established	a	two	year	
US$280.0	million	Revolving	Credit	
Facility	Agreement	with	the	Bank	of	
Scotland	and	BNP	Paribas.	In	the	half	
year	results,	the	Group	reported	an	
intention	to	extend	this	facility	by	a	
further	US$70.0	million	in	preparation	
for	the	acquisition	of	Stratic.	However,	
as	a	result	of	strong	operating	cash	
inflows	in	the	second	half	of	the	 
year,	the	Group	determined	that	 
an	extension	to	the	facility	was	 
not	required.	

32

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

 
overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Trade and other receivables
Trade	and	other	receivables	have	
increased	by	US$71.7	million	to	
US$107.5	million	at	31	December	2010.	
US$48.7	million	of	this	increase	relates	
to	a	rise	in	trade	receivables	for	oil	
sales	and	tariff	income	due	to	the	
improved	production	volumes	and	
realised	oil	price	in	December	2010	
compared	with	December	2009,	 
and	US$18.8	million	relates	to	an	
increase	in	joint	venture	receivables	 
in	relation	to	Don	Southwest	and	 
West	Don	fields.

Cash and bank
The	Group	has	a	strong	liquidity	
position	at	31	December	2010,	with	
US$41.4	million	of	cash	and	cash	
equivalents	despite	undertaking	 
a	significant	capital	expenditure	
programme	with	US$196.3	million	
pro-forma	spend	in	the	year,	and	 
the	repayment	of	US$88.8	million	 
of	Stratic	debt	shortly	after	the	
acquisition	in	November	2010.

loans and borrowings
The	Group’s	borrowings	of	US$156.0	
million	at	31	December	2010	were	
cleared	in	full	in	April	2010,	prior	to	the	
corporate	restructure	with	EnQuest,	
when	the	LNS	loan	was	assigned	to	its	
then	parent,	Lundin	Petroleum	BV.	

Provisions
The	Group’s	decommissioning	
provision	increased	by	US$87.2	million	
to	US$140.1	million	at	31	December	
2010	(2009:	US$52.9	million).	The	
increase	is	due	to	the	combined	
impact	of	the	acquisition	of	PEDL	and	
Stratic	which	added	US$66.8	million	
of	decommissioning	provisions,	
additions	of	US$10.9	million	during	
the	year	resulting	from	the	Group’s	
drilling	programme,	unwinding	of	the	
discount	of	US$5.2	million	and	
US$4.3	million	resulting	from	a	
change	in	decommissioning	estimates	
during	the	year.

Trade and other payables
Trade	and	other	payables	have	
increased	to	US$116.9	million	at	
31	December	2010	from	US$33.3	
million	at	31	December	2009.	The	
increase	of	US$83.6	million	is	primarily	
due	to	an	increase	in	accrued	capital	
expenses	of	US$70.0	million	
compared	with	2009	resulting	from	
the	Group’s	drilling	and	capital	project	
programme	which	was	ongoing	at	the	
end	of	2010.

Financial risk management
The	Group	is	exposed	to	the	impact	of	
changes	in	Brent	crude	oil	prices	on	its	
revenue	and	profits.	The	Group	did	

not	hedge	this	risk	in	the	years	ending	
31	December	2010	and	2009.	
However,	during	2010	the	Board	
approved	a	policy	to	hedge	up	to	a	
maximum	of	50%	of	annual	oil	
production	and	in	Q4	2010	the	Group	
entered	into	four	zero	premium	oil	
price	collars	to	partially	hedge	its	
exposure	to	fluctuations	in	the	Brent	
oil	price.	The	oil	price	collar	hedges	
apply	to	approximately	four	million	
barrels	of	oil	production	in	2011	and	
have	an	average	floor	price	of	US$75	
per	barrel	and	an	average	cap	of	
US$100	per	barrel.

EnQuest’s	functional	currency	is	
US	dollars.	Foreign	currency	risk	
arises	on	purchases,	and	the	
translation	of	assets	and	liabilities	
denominated	in	currencies	other	than	
US	dollars.	During	the	12	months	
ended	31	December	2010	the	Group’s	
exposure	has	been	managed	by	the	
sale	of	US	dollars	on	a	spot	basis.

Cash	balances	can	be	invested	in	
short-term	bank	deposits	and	AAA	
rated	liquidity	funds,	subject	to	Board	
approved	limits	and	with	a	view	to	
minimising	counter-party	credit	risks.

Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’)

Lost	Time	Accidents	(days)

2P	Reserves	(MMboe)

Business performance pro-forma data1:

Production	(Boepd)

Revenue	(US$	million)

Realised	oil	price	per	barrel	(US$)

Opex	per	barrel	(production	and	transportation	costs)	(US$)

Gross	profit	(US$	million)

Capex	(US$	million)

Reported data:

Cash	flow	generated	from	operations	(US$	million)

Net	cash/(debt)	(US$	million)

Profit	before	tax	(US$	million)

Basic	earnings	per	share	(US	cents)

2010

0.21

88.51

21,0741

614.41

81.261

30.41

208.01

196.31

267.7

41.4

55.8

4.0

2009

0.07

80.50

13,6131

319.01

65.141

34.81

59.41

273.31

59.9

(126.7)

11.0

1.9

1		

In	April	2010	the	newly	incorporated	independent	entity	EnQuest	PLC	acquired	the	demerged	UK	North	Sea	assets	of	Petrofac	Limited	and	Lundin	
Petroleum	AB	respectively.	This	transaction	has	been	accounted	for	as	a	capital	restructuring	of	EnQuest	and	the	former	Lundin	business	(Lundin	North	 
Sea	BV,	‘LNS’)	and	an	acquisition	of	the	former	Petrofac	business	(Petrofac	Energy	Developments	Limited,	‘PEDL’).	Consequently	the	Group	statement	of	
comprehensive	income,	prepared	in	accordance	with	IFRS	and	published	on	page	55,	includes	the	results	of	LNS	from	the	start	of	the	2010	calendar	year	 
but	only	from	5	April	2010	for	PEDL.	For	the	comparative	period	to	31	December	2009,	the	reported	statement	of	comprehensive	income	includes	the	
results	of	LNS	only.	The	results	of	EnQuest	are	included	from	its	incorporation	date	of	29	January	2010.	The	pro-forma	data	in	the	above	table	presents	 
the	trading	results	for	both	LNS	and	PEDL	from	the	start	of	the	2010	calendar	year,	as	though	PEDL	was	part	of	the	Group	for	the	full	12	months	ended	
31	December	2010.	The	comparative	data	for	the	year	ended	31	December	2009	is	presented	on	the	same	basis.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 33

ABRIDGED GROUP PRO-FORMA1 income statement
FOR THE yEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010

2010

Exceptional 
items and 
depletion 
of fair value 
uplift
us$’000
Unaudited

Business 
performance
us$’000
Unaudited

2009	

Total for 
period
us$’000
Unaudited

US$’000 
Unaudited

614,357
(406,403)

–
(16,319)

614,357
(422,722)

318,988
(259,570)

207,954
(22,987)
–
–
(17,126)
1,546

(16,319)
(57,870)
(2,121)
(8,194)
(13,432)
–

191,635
(80,857)
(2,121)
(8,194)
(30,558)
1,546

59,418
(6,149)
–
–
(11,427)
(17,217)

24,625

124,778

Revenue
Cost	of	sales

Gross profit/(loss)
Exploration	and	evaluation	expenses
Impairment	of	oil	and	gas	assets
Well	abandonment	expenses
General	and	administration	expenses
Other	income/(expenses),	net

Profit/(loss) from operations before tax and finance income/(costs)

169,387

(97,936)

71,451

EBITDA2

369,342

(21,627)

347,715

Notes:
1	

In	April	2010	the	newly	incorporated	independent	entity	EnQuest	PLC	acquired	the	demerged	UK	North	Sea	assets	of	Petrofac	Limited	and	Lundin	
Petroleum	AB	respectively.	This	transaction	has	been	accounted	for	as	a	capital	restructuring	of	EnQuest	and	the	former	Lundin	business	(Lundin	North	
Sea,	‘LNS’)	and	an	acquisition	of	the	former	Petrofac	business	(Petrofac	Energy	Developments	Limited,	‘PEDL’).	Consequently	the	Group	statement	of	
comprehensive	income,	prepared	in	accordance	with	IFRS	and	published	on	page	55	of	the	Group	Financial	Statements,	includes	the	results	of	LNS	from	
the	start	of	the	2010	calendar	year	but	only	from	5	April	2010	for	PEDL.	For	the	comparative	period	to	31	December	2009,	the	reported	statement	of	
comprehensive	income	includes	the	results	of	LNS	only.	The	results	of	EnQuest	are	included	from	its	incorporation	date	of	29	January	2010.
This	abridged	pro-forma	income	statement	presents	the	trading	results	for	both	LNS	and	PEDL	from	the	start	of	the	2010	calendar	year,	as	though	PEDL	
was	part	of	the	group	for	the	full	year	ended	31	December	2010.	The	comparative	data	for	the	year	ended	31	December	2009	is	presented	on	the	same	
basis.

2	 EBITDA	is	calculated	by	taking	profit/(loss)	from	operations	before	tax	and	finance	income/(costs)	and	adding	back	depletion,	depreciation	and	

impairment	and	write	off	of	tangible	and	intangible	oil	and	gas	assets.	EBITDA	is	not	a	measure	of	financial	performance	under	IFRS.

Pro-forma profit before tax 
and net finance costs rose to 
US$169.4 million, compared 
to US$24.6 million in 2009. 
Pro-forma EBITDA was 196% 
up at US$369.3 million.

34

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

	
overview

business review

governance

financial statements

oil and gas reserves and resources
at 31 december 2010

Proven and Probable reserves (notes 1, 2, 3 & 7)
At 1 January 2010
Revisions of previous estimates
Acquisitions
Production:

Export meter
Volume adjustments: 

Heather, Broom and Thistle (note 5)
Dons hub (note 6)

Proven and Probable reserves at 31 december 2010

contingent resources (notes 1,2 & 4)
At 1 January 2010
Revisions of previous estimates
Acquisitions (note 10)
Additions – UK 26th licensing round (note 8)
Disposals (note 9)

contingent resources at 31 december 2010

UKCS

Other Regions

Total

MMboe

MMboe

MMboe

MMboe

(7.69)

0.10
0.18

80.50
8.22
7.20

(7.41)

88.51

72.72
3.77
–
25.00
(4.50)

96.99

–
–
–

–

–

–
–
8.07
–
–

8.07

80.50
8.22
7.20

(7.41)

88.51

72.72
3.77
8.07
25.00
(4.50)

105.06

Notes:
1  Reserves and resources are quoted on a pro-forma working interest basis for the 12 calendar months of 2010 as if the assets previously owned by Petrofac 

and Lundin Petroleum were owned by EnQuest throughout the period.

2  Proven and Probable Reserves and Contingent Resources have been assessed by the Group’s internal reservoir engineers, utilising geological, 

geophysical, engineering and financial data. 

3  The Group’s Proven and Probable Reserves have been audited by a recognised Competent Person in accordance with the definitions and guidelines set 

out under the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System guidelines approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

4  Contingent Resources relate to technically recoverable hydrocarbons for which commerciality has not yet been determined and are stated on a most 

likely technical case or ‘2C’ basis.

5  Attributable to partial decommissioning of the Sullom Voe Terminal (‘SVT’) LPG processing plant during the year, resulting in Heather, Broom and Thistle 
light ends components delivered to the terminal being reclassified, with the propane no longer forming part of the saleable production revenue stream. 
Some of this propane value is now recovered by a reduced contribution to terminal fuel and flare costs.

6  Attributable to the change from offshore loading to direct export via SVT during the year. As described in note 5, following partial decommissioning of 

the SVT LPG processing plant in 2010, propane and butane volumes do not form part of the saleable production revenue stream. Instead, the surplus light 
ends recovered offshore will contribute to increased SVT oil production and terminal fuel and flare costs.

7  All volumes are presented pre SVT value adjustment.
8  The values presented include some licences offered to the Group in October 2010 which had not legally commenced as at 31 December 2010.
9  On 10 December 2010, the Group assigned 30% of its equity in the Elke P995, Block 28/3a licence to KUFPEC under a Sale and Purchase Agreement.
10  On 11 February 2011 the Group sold its 48.75% interest in the Slovenian Petisovci project. The Group had acquired its interest in Petisovci through its 
acquisition of Stratic in November 2010 and Contingent Resources of 12.47 MMboe related to this asset were therefore excluded from the Group’s 
Contingent Resources at 31 December 2010.

our active capital 
programme allowed 
enQuest’s 2P reserves to 
increase by 10% to a net 
88.5 mmboe, representing 
a reserve replacement ratio 
of 208% in our maiden 
year of operations.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 35

corporate social responsibility review

Corporate	responsibility	is	integral	to	the	way	we	operate	
our	business	and	fundamental	to	keeping	our	people	safe,	
protecting	our	reputation	and	building	a	high	performance	
workforce.	We	have	well	developed	policies	approved	by	
the	Board	and	we	have	set	high	standards	that	we	will	seek	
to	improve	as	we	grow.	

It	has	been	important	to	underpin	this	
new,	fast	growing	organisation	with	
strong,	well-articulated	policies	on	
safety,	security,	risk	management,	
integrity	assurances	and	our	ethical	
standards	to	ensure	these	disciplines	
are	hard	wired	into	the	business	from	
the	start.

Protecting our people and our 
environment
Maintaining	the	highest	standards	 
of	health	and	safety	is	critical	for	a	
business	working	in	a	challenging	
environment	and	we	constantly	 
seek	ways	to	improve	our	safety	
performance,	to	reduce	our	
environmental	impact	and	to	 
raise	standards.	

We	have	a	strong	health	and	safety	
record	to	date	and	made	good	
progress	during	the	year	in	improving	
our	Reporting	of	Injuries,	Diseases	
and	Dangerous	Occurrences	
Regulation	(‘RIDDOR’)	results	and	
reducing	our	High	Potential	Incident	
Occurrences	(‘HIPO’).	All	HIPOs	are	
reported	and	reviewed	at	Board	level,	
with	remedial	action	checked	and	
approved.	In	combination	with	other	
key	contractors,	our	lost	time	
accident	(‘LTA’)	frequency	rate	was	
0.21,	which	is	in	the	upper	quartile	of	
HSE	performance	in	the	industry,	
although	we	are	committed	to	a	‘zero	
accident’	target.	The	HSE	group	was	
strengthened	by	the	appointment	of	a	
new	manager	of	corporate	safety	and	
additional	staff.

Our	environmental	management	
system	was	independently	audited	
this	year	and	we	are	seeking	an	 
ISO	14001	certification	by	the	end	 
of	2011.	On	the	Heather	platform,	
hydrocyclones	are	being	installed	in	
2011,	these	will	improve	oil	in	water	
levels.	Management	of	any	oil	spills	is	 
a	key	part	of	our	emergency	response	
team’s	crisis	management	training	and	
targets	have	been	set	for	2011	to	drive	
standards	up	further	in	this	area.	 
Our	CO2	emissions	were	below	the	
permitted	limit	this	year,	as	were	 
gas	flares.	

Whilst	we	aim	to	ensure	safety	is	
embedded	in	our	culture	and	seen	 
as	everyone’s	responsibility,	we	have	
clear	lines	of	accountability	with	the	
Chief	Operating	Officer	responsible	 
to	the	Board	for	health,	safety	and	
environment	(‘HSE’).	HSE	training	 
is	a	mandatory	requirement	for	
everyone	offshore	but	in	2011,	 
we	intend	to	introduce	a	safety	
leadership	programme	for	our	 
senior	management.	In	addition	 
we	aim	to	raise	competencies	in	 
risk	management	and	‘behavioural	
safety’,	improving	understanding	 

Building a talented workforce
One	of	our	first	challenges	as	a	newly	
formed	business	was	to	build	one	
company	with	a	single	culture	from	
the	businesses	that	were	previously	
with	Petrofac	and	Lundin.	We	set	up	 
a	number	of	teams	to	work	on	key	
aspects	of	the	process	and	these	
projects	are	now	essentially	complete.	
Key	to	the	success	of	these	projects	
was	a	clear	vision	from	the	leadership	
team	based	on	a	strong	shared	belief	
in	EnQuest’s	potential,	underpinned	
by	a	distinctive	set	of	EnQuest	values.	
These	values	were	selected	because	
they	were	already	integral	to	the	 
way	we	work	and	to	EnQuest’s	
differentiated	set	of	capabilities.	 
In	addition	to	the	formal	values	 
launch	programme,	the	EnQuest	
values	are	being	reinforced	in	staff	
performance	appraisals.

After	flotation,	we	focused	directly	on	
positioning	EnQuest	for	growth,	with	
the	right	structure,	skills	and	culture	 
to	achieve	our	ambitious	targets.	
EnQuest	has	a	Board	and	an	Executive	
team	with	impressive	industry	
credentials,	a	proven	track	record	and	
the	enthusiasm	and	drive	to	take	the	
Company	forward.	The	Executive	is	
supported	by	a	flat	organisation	
structure	based	around	asset	
management.	This	has	been	a	

36

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

significant	change	from	the	functional	
organisations	of	our	heritage	
companies.	We	firmly	believe	that	 
an	asset	based	structure	gives	
accountability	and	clarity	of	
responsibility	and	can	facilitate	rapid	
growth	as	new	assets	are	added	easily.

This	structure,	the	strength	of	our	
performance	and	our	pipeline	of	
activity,	had	a	positive	impact	on	our	
ability	to	recruit	high	quality	people.	
During	the	year	we	were	able	to	
augment	our	resources	in	areas	of	
strong	competition	for	skilled	people	
including	well-support	and	reservoir	
engineers,	geologists	and	
geoscientists.	We	believe	it	is	
important	to	have	key	expertise	
in-house,	particularly	with	regard	 
to	core	competencies	–	subsurface,	
technical	and	engineering	skills.	
EnQuest	is	building	a	reputation	as	 
a	dynamic,	innovative	organisation,	
which	can	offer	exciting	opportunities.

During	the	initial	intense	period	 
of	change,	frequent,	two-way	
communication	was	critical.	For	
example,	we	supplemented	our	
normal	channels	with	a	series	of	‘Town	
Hall’	meetings	attended	by	all	staff,	
where	our	performance,	progress,	
targets	and	future	plans	were	
presented,	giving	staff	an	opportunity	
to	question	the	Directors	directly.

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of why people make mistakes  
and promoting a proactive safety 
management culture across 
the Group.

This is part of a 10 point HSE 
improvement programme for 2011, 
that also includes improving life/work 
balance and promoting healthy 
working. Heather and Thistle achieved 
silver awards as part of the Scottish 
Government’s ‘Healthy Working Lives’ 
initiative and we intend to promote 
this initiative across the whole 
Company in 2011. 

contributing to our community
EnQuest’s broader community policy 
is to assist in the development of local 
community programmes where we 
operate, in consultation with local 
government, public and other 
stakeholders. These have been 
focused mainly on environmental  
and youth projects in Aberdeen.

Projects supported include Solstice 
Nurseries, an organisation that 
provides work experience and training 
in horticulture and garden maintenance 
for people who have experienced 
mental health problems and want to 
return to work; a local primary school 
and support for a local amateur 
swimming club.

Corporate projects have included 
support for Fairbridge (“Supporting 
Inner City Youth”) and for Crisis UK.

In addition to current EnQuest 
charitable funding for small scale 
environment, youth or local 
community projects in Aberdeen, 
local charities are nominated for 
annual fundraising activities by staff. 
Many staff also give their time to help 
such organisations and EnQuest tries 
to facilitate such initiatives; in addition 
to the benefits they provide directly  
to the charities, these projects also 
contribute to team building and to 
staff morale. As we continue to grow, 
we believe we can make a positive 
impact on the communities within 
which we operate; we aim to increase 
these activities during 2011.

EnQuest is currently updating its 
Charity Committee structures and  
its existing policies on CSR and HSE; 
once these policies have been revised 
and approved they will be available 
on the Company’s website at  
www.enquest.com. In an important 
step, EnQuest launched its Code  
of Conduct during 2010; further 
details of which can be found in  
the Chairman’s Statement, earlier 
within this report. 

enQuest values

respect
 >

In EnQuest respect is paramount, for our people, for our environment 
and the safety of others.

focus
 >

EnQuest is an organisation with a relentless focus on results. Our 
people are accountable and responsible, and entrusted to take 
ownership of decisions and appropriate actions.

agile
 >

Nimble technical and commercial behaviour from a responsive and 
flexible team allows EnQuest to meet its growth targets and to react  
to challenges.

creative
 >

Creativity and innovation to embrace new ideas and deliver solutions 
will differentiate EnQuest from its peers. They will lead to a motivated 
workforce with greater self confidence, pride and self management.

Passion
 >

EnQuest is a passionate, enthusiastic and committed organisation. 
Individuals and teams inspire others and create a catalyst with a 
positive impact on the organisation and projects.

collaborative
 >

In EnQuest we take on challenges and find solutions through 
fellowship, mutual trust, knowledge sharing and teamwork at the level 
of the individual team and overall through Team EnQuest.

empowerment
 >

EnQuest recognises that an empowered workforce is fundamental to 
its success. By clearly defining each role, our people are encouraged to 
be accountable and responsible, and entrusted to take ownership of 
decisions and appropriate actions.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 37

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EnQuest is an organisation 
with a relentless focus 
on results. Our people 
are accountable and 
responsible, and 
entrusted to take 
ownership of decisions 
and appropriate actions.

Dr James Buckee
Chairman
James	Buckee	holds	a	BSc	Honours	
degree	in	Physics	from	the	University	
of	Western	Australia	and	a	PhD	in	
Astrophysics	from	Oxford	University.	
From	1971	to	1977,	James	held	various	
petroleum	engineering	positions	with	
Shell	International	and	Burma	Oil	and	
from	1977	to	1987,	he	was	appointed	 
to	various	posts	within	BP,	London.

In	1987	James	was	appointed	as	
operations	manager	for	BP	Norway,	
and	thereafter	vice-president,	
development	programmes,	for	BP	
Alaska.	In	1989	James	returned	to	the	
UK	as	manager,	planning,	for	BP	
Exploration.	In	1991	he	was	appointed	
president	and	chief	operating	officer	
of	BP	Canada	Inc.	and	in	1993	as	
president	and	chief	executive	officer	
of	Talisman	Energy	Inc.	(formerly	BP	
Canada),	steering	the	company	from	
its	Calgary	base	to	an	international	
powerhouse	in	Europe,	Asia	and	
Africa.	James	retired	from	Talisman	
Energy	Inc.	in	2007.

James	was	appointed	as	Non-
Executive	Chairman	of	EnQuest	PLC	
in	2010,	where	he	sits	on	the	Audit	and	
Remuneration	Committees	and	chairs	

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the	Nominations	Committee.	James	
also	serves	as	a	non-executive	
director	on	the	board	of	Cairn	 
Energy	PLC.

Amjad Bseisu
Chief Executive 
Amjad	Bseisu	holds	a	BSc	Honours	
degree	in	Mechanical	Engineering	
from	Duke	University	and	an	MSc	and	
D.ENG	degree	in	Aeronautical	
Engineering	from	Stanford	University.	
From	1984	to	1998,	Amjad	worked	for	
the	Atlantic	Richfield	Company	
(ARCO),	ultimately	as	head	of	
international	marketing,	negotiations	
and	business	development,	becoming	
president	of	ARCO	Petroleum	
Ventures	and	ARCO	Crude	Trading	Inc.

In	1998	Amjad	founded	the	operations	
and	investment	business	for	Petrofac	
Limited	and	has	been	the	chief	
executive	officer	of	Petrofac	Energy	
Developments	International	Limited	
since	its	founding.	In	2007	Amjad	
rejoined	the	board	of	Petrofac	
Limited,	having	previously	served	with	
Petrofac	Limited	prior	to	its	admission	
to	listing	on	the	London	Stock	
Exchange	in	2005.	In	April	2010	
Amjad	stood	down	from	the	board	 
of	Petrofac	Limited	in	order	to	form	
EnQuest	PLC	and	was	appointed	 
to	the	Board	as	Chief	Executive.	
Previously	Amjad	was	a	founding	
non-executive	director	of	Serica	
Energy	plc	and	Stratic	Energy	
Corporation.	Amjad	is	also	non-
executive	chairman	of	Enviromena	
Power	Systems,	a	private	company	
and	the	leading	developer	of	solar	
services	in	the	Middle	East	and	 
North	Africa.

Nigel Hares
Chief Operating Officer
From	1972	to	1994,	Nigel	worked	for	
BP	Exploration	and	Production	in	the	
UK,	Abu	Dhabi,	Norway	and	Alaska.	 
At	BP	Exploration	and	Production,	
Nigel’s	roles	included	those	of	drilling	
engineer,	petroleum	engineer,	
reservoir	engineer,	well-site	engineer	
and	offshore	production	engineer.	
Nigel	also	held	positions	of	production	
and	pipeline	superintendent,	manager	
of	petroleum	engineering,	manager	of	
reservoir	studies	for	Middle	East,	
Europe	and	Africa	and	business	
advisor,	developing	global	gas	
strategies	for	BP	Exploration	and	
Production,	reporting	to	BP’s	CEO	 
of	Global	Gas.

From	1994	to	2009,	Nigel	was	
executive	vice-president,	international	
operations,	for	Talisman	Energy	Inc.	
heading	Talisman’s	international	
operations	for	the	UK,	Norway,	
Netherlands,	Algeria,	Sudan,	Malaysia,	
Indonesia,	Vietnam,	Peru,	Colombia	
and	Trinidad.	In	2010	Nigel	joined	
EnQuest	PLC	and	was	appointed	 
to	the	Board.	

Jonathan Swinney
Chief Financial Officer
Jonathan	Swinney	qualified	as	a	
chartered	accountant	with	Arthur	
Andersen	in	1992	and	is	a	member	 
of	the	Institute	of	Chartered	
Accountants	of	England	and	Wales.	
Jonathan	qualified	as	a	solicitor	in	
1997	and	trained	at	Cameron	
McKenna,	joining	the	acquisition	
finance	team	upon	qualification.

In	1998	Jonathan	joined	Credit	Suisse	
First	Boston.	Working	within	the	
corporate	broking	team,	he	advised	
both	listed	and	unlisted	companies	 
on	various	equity	market	related	

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matters,	including	mergers	and	
acquisitions	and	flotations.	Jonathan	
later	moved	to	Lehman	Brothers	
advising	on	a	wide	range	of	
transactions	and	in	2006	he	became	a	
managing	director	within	the	
corporate	broking	team.	Jonathan	
joined	Petrofac	Limited	in	April	2008	
as	head	of	mergers	and	acquisitions	
for	the	Petrofac	Group.	Jonathan	left	
Petrofac	Limited	to	join	EnQuest	PLC	
in	2010	when	he	was	appointed	to	the	
Board.	

Helmut langanger
Non-Executive Director
Helmut	Langanger	holds	an	MSc	
degree	in	Petroleum	Engineering	from	
Mining	University	Leoben	Austria	and	
an	MA	in	Economics	from	the	
University	of	Vienna.	From	1974	to	
2010,	Helmut	was	employed	by	OMV,	
Austria	where	he	was	a	reservoir	
engineer	until	1980.	From	1981	to	1985,	
Helmut	was	an	evaluation	engineer	 
for	the	technical	and	economic	
assessment	of	international	E&P	
ventures	and	from	1985	to	1989,	he	
held	the	position	of	vice-president,	
planning	and	economics	for	E&P	 
and	natural	gas	projects.

In	1989	Helmut	was	appointed	as	
senior	vice-president	of	international	
E&P	and	in	1992	became	senior	
vice-president	of	E&P	for	OMV’s	
global	operations.	From	2002	Helmut	
had	been	the	group	executive	vice-
president	for	E&P,	OMV	until	he	retired	
in	2010.	In	2010	Helmut	was	appointed	
to	the	Board	of	EnQuest	PLC	and	sits	
on	the	Audit	and	Nominations	
Committees	and	chairs	the	
Remuneration	Committee.	Helmut	 
is	also	the	Senior	Non-Executive	
Director	of	EnQuest	PLC	and	a	
member	of	the	supervisory	board	 
of	Schoeller	Bleckman	Oilfield	
Equipment	A.G.

Jock lennox
Non-Executive Director
Jock	Lennox	holds	a	Law	degree	from	
the	University	of	Edinburgh	and	in	
1980	he	qualified	as	a	chartered	
accountant	with	Ernst	&	Young	LLP,	
Edinburgh.	Jock	is	also	a	member	 
of	the	Institute	of	Chartered	
Accountants	of	Scotland.	In	1988	Jock	
became	a	partner	at	Ernst	&	Young	
LLP,	London,	after	having	held	a	
number	of	leadership	positions	in	the	
UK	and	the	United	States.	Jock	was	a	
senior	partner	at	Ernst	&	Young	from	
2008	to	2009,	leading	Ernst	&	Young	
relationships	with	a	number	of	major	
multinational	clients,	reporting	to	 
and	advising	the	boards	on	a	range	 
of	complex	audits,	financial	
restructurings	and	corporate	
transactions.	Jock	retired	from	 
Ernst	&	Young	in	2009.

In	2010	Jock	was	appointed	to	the	
Board	of	EnQuest	PLC	and	sits	on	the	
Nominations	and	Remuneration	
Committees	and	chairs	the	Audit	
Committee.	Jock	is	a	non-executive	
director	of	Hill	&	Smith	Holdings	plc,	
Oxford	Instruments	plc	and	A&J	
Mucklow	Group	plc	and	sits	on	the	
Council	of	the	Institute	of	Chartered	
Accountants	of	Scotland.

Robin Pinchbeck
Non-Executive Director
Robin	Pinchbeck	is	a	graduate	of	
Imperial	College,	London	and	
Stanford	University.	After	23	years	
with	BP,	Robin	moved	to	the	oil	
services	sector	and	from	1995	to	1998	
was	managing	director	of	Atlantic	
Power	&	Gas,	a	leading	North	Sea	
operations	services	provider	and	
pioneer	of	the	contractor	‘duty	holder’	
model.	Atlantic	Power	&	Gas	was	sold	

in	1998	to	Petroleum	Geo-Services	
ASA,	which	was	subsequently	
purchased	by	Petrofac	in	2002.

Robin	established	Petrofac’s	Facilities	
Management	business	which	now	
forms	part	of	the	Offshore	Engineering	
&	Operations	business.	Robin	is	the	
non-executive	chairman	of	Sparrows	
Limited,	a	CBPE	backed	international	
crane	services	specialist	and	is	a	
non-executive	director	of	SLR	
Consulting	Limited,	a	3i	backed	
international	environmental	consultancy	
firm.	In	2010	Robin	was	appointed	to	
the	Board	of	EnQuest	PLC.	

Alexandre Schneiter
Non-Executive Director
Alexandre	Schneiter	holds	a	degree	 
in	Geology	and	a	Masters	degree	in	
Geophysics	from	the	University	of	
Geneva.	From	1987	until	1989,	
Alexandre	worked	in	the	mining	
industry	as	a	geophysicist	before	
joining	a	public	Canadian	oil	company	
as	geophysicist,	seismic	interpreter	
and	seismic	acquisition	quality	control	
officer.	Since	1993	Alexandre	has	
worked	with	public	companies	
associated	with	the	Lundin	family	 
and	in	1998,	he	was	appointed	
vice-president,	exploration,	of	 
Lundin	Oil	AB.

In	2001	Lundin	Oil	AB	was	acquired	 
by	Talisman	Energy	of	Canada	and	
Alexandre	was	appointed	executive	
vice-president	and	chief	operating	
officer	of	Lundin	Petroleum	AB.	
Alexandre	is	also	a	director	of	
ShaMaran	Petroleum	Corp.,	a	
Canadian	listed	oil	and	gas	company	
with	interests	in	the	Kurdistan	region	
of	the	Republic	of	Iraq.	In	2010	
Alexandre	was	appointed	to	the	 
Board	of	EnQuest	PLC.	

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 39

senior management

Paul lindop
UKCS General Manager
Paul	Lindop	graduated	from	Imperial	
College	London	in	1984	with	a	Masters	
degree	in	Petroleum	Engineering	and	
has	over	26	years	of	experience	in	the	
oil	and	gas	industry.	Paul	initially	
joined	Total	Oil	Marine	working	in	Paris	
and	Aberdeen	as	a	reservoir	engineer.	
In	1989	he	was	appointed	commercial	
manager	for	Oryx	UK	Energy	
Company	and	reservoir	engineer	for	
Oryx	Energy,	followed	by	10	years	in	
various	managerial	positions	for	
Kerr-McGee.

In	2005	Paul	was	appointed	as	an	
appraisal	manager	for	Maersk	Oil	
working	on	Flyndre/Boa	and	wider	
exploration	portfolio	and	Transmedian	
line	development.	In	October	2007	 
he	joined	Lundin	Britain	as	an	asset	
manager	for	the	Heather,	Broom	and	
Thistle	fields	and	was	promoted	to	 
the	position	of	managing	director	in	
February	2009.	Upon	the	formation	 
of	EnQuest,	Paul	was	appointed	 
UKCS	General	Manager.

Craig Matthew
New Developments and Deputy 
General Manager
Craig	Matthew	graduated	from	
Dundee	University	with	an	Honours	
degree	in	Civil	Engineering	in	1991	and	
now	has	20	years	of	field	development,	
project	management,	engineering	and	
construction	experience	in	oil	and	gas	
projects,	both	in	the	UK	and	overseas.	
Immediately	after	graduating	he	spent	
10	years	working	for	Stena	Offshore	
(Coflexip	Stena)	in	a	variety	of	subsea	
project	roles	whilst	also	completing	a	
Post-Graduate	certificate	in	Project	
Management	at	Aberdeen	University.	

Craig	then	joined	Kerr-McGee/Maersk	
as	subsea	manager	for	the	Maclure	
and	Tulloch	fields,	eventually	
becoming	project	manager	for	the	
Dumbarton	Field	Development.	Craig	
became	part	of	EnQuest	via	Petrofac	
Energy	Developments	after	joining	
Petrofac	in	2007	as	project	manager	
for	the	Don	Area	Development.	After	
completing	an	initial	assignment	as	
Thistle	Asset	Manager,	Craig	is	now	
New	Developments	and	Deputy	
General	Manager.

Andrew Thomson
General Manager, Technical
Andrew	Thomson	graduated	from	
Heriot	Watt	in	1983	with	a	Masters	
degree	in	Petroleum	Engineering	and	
has	a	wealth	of	experience	working	as	
a	petroleum,	reservoir	and	operations	
engineer.	Andrew	first	worked	for	
Schlumberger	in	Africa	and	spent	
seven	years	working	for	Britoil	and	
then	BP	in	the	UKCS.

In	1990	Andrew	co-founded	RML	
where	he	was	managing	director,	
followed	by	Senergy	in	2005,	where	
he	held	director	roles	as	chief	financial	
officer	then	chief	executive	officer	of	
Senergy	Investments.	Andrew	has	
acted	as	a	Competent	Person	in	
reserves	reporting	and	is	a	chartered	
engineer.	Andrew	joined	EnQuest	full	
time	in	October	2010,	having	
supported	the	formation	of	EnQuest	
from	December	2009	as	a	consultant.	
As	General	Manager,	Technical	he	is	
responsible	for	the	technical	aspects	
of	Business	Development	and	Quality	
Assurance	of	subsurface	work	across	
the	Company.

40

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

 
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Graham Cooper
Head of Business Development
Graham	Cooper	graduated	from	
Cambridge	University	in	1978	with	a	
Masters	degree	in	Natural	Sciences.	
Graham	worked	as	a	wireline	logging	
engineer	for	four	years,	before	joining	
Conoco	in	London	as	a	geologist	and	
petrophysicist.	During	the	period	from	
1982	to	1993,	he	held	a	number	of	
technical	roles	for	Conoco,	both	 
in	the	UK	and	Dubai	UAE,	before	
moving	into	various	commercial	 
roles	in	acquisitions	and	divestments,	
asset	commercial,	and	joint	 
venture	management.

In	1999	Graham	joined	Shell	UK	as	new	
business	development	manager	in	
Aberdeen	and	subsequently	moved	to	
The	Hague	in	2005	to	take	up	the	role	
of	vice-president	commercial	for	
global	exploration.	Graham	latterly	
became	head	of	Shell’s	commercial	
academy	before	joining	EnQuest	in	
October	2010.

Jonathan lee
Head of legal
In	1973	Jonathan	Lee	graduated	from	
Bristol	University	with	an	Honours	
degree	in	Law	and	now	has	over	25	
years	of	legal	experience	in	the	oil	 
and	gas	sector.	Jonathan	was	called	 
to	the	Bar	of	England	and	Wales	in	
1974	where	he	began	his	career	as	 
a	barrister	in	private	practice	at	 
the	English	Bar	specialising	in	
international	and	competition	law,	
followed	by	two	years	in	the	nuclear	
power	industry	and	five	years	in	the	
steel	industry.

From	1985	to	1999,	Jonathan	worked	
in-house	for	Santa-Fe	Minerals	UK,	
Texas	Eastern	and	Enterprise	Oil.	
Following	this,	he	took	senior	in-house	
consulting	roles	at	Phillips	Petroleum,	
Talisman	and	latterly	TOTAL	E&P	UK.	

Jonathan	joined	EnQuest	in	July	2010	
as	Head	of	Legal,	responsible	for	
Group	legal	affairs	including	the	
negotiation	of	commercial	contracts,	
acquisitions	and	disposals	and	
regulation	and	risk.

Norman Thomson
Head of HSEQ
Norman	Thomson	graduated	from	 
the	University	of	Aberdeen	in	 
1982	with	an	Honours	degree	in	
Biochemistry	and	later	completed	 
a	Masters	degree	in	Occupational	
Safety	and	Environmental	
Management	from	the	University	 
of	Portsmouth.

Following	a	career	at	senior	
management	level	within	the	fire	and	
rescue	service,	Norman	joined	BP	and	
worked	as	an	offshore	HSE	advisor	on	
the	Forties	field.	Returning	onshore	 
as	a	corporate	HSEQ	manager,	he	
worked	in	several	countries	including	
Brunei,	Africa	and	South	America.

Norman	joined	KBR	in	1999	as	an	
HSEQ	manager,	working	mainly	on	
subsea	and	topsides	construction	
projects	for	Chevron,	Texaco	and	
Marathon.	Norman’s	next	role	was	as	
European	HSEQ	director	for	a	large	
food	manufacturing	company,	
returning	to	the	oil	and	gas	industry	
two	years	later	working	for	BP	in	
Norway	as	HSE	manager	before	
joining	EnQuest	in	December	2010.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 41

DiReCtoRs’ RePoRt

The Directors of the Company submit their 
report together with the Group and 
Company audited financial statements  
for the year ended 31 December 2010.

The Company was incorporated as EnQuest 
PLC on 29 January 2010 in England and 
Wales under the Companies Act 2006  
(the ‘Companies Act’) to become the 
ultimate holding company of the Group.  
The Company’s shares were admitted to 
listing on the Official List and to trading  
on the Main Market of the London Stock 
Exchange as well as to secondary listing  
and trading on the NASDAQ OMX 
Stockholm in April 2010. The Company  
is a member of the FTSE 250 Index. 

42

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

Principal activities
The Group is an independent oil and gas development and 
production Group with its main focus on the UKCS. The 
Group’s producing assets include interests in six producing 
fields in the UKCS: Broom, Heather, Thistle, Deveron, West 
Don and Don Southwest. The Group operates through a 
number of principal subsidiaries which are set out in note 
26 of the financial statements on page 79.

Business Review
The Business Review includes the financial performance 
during the financial year, future developments, 
performance of the Group and principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Group. A review of the business is 
incorporated by reference, forming part of this Directors’ 
Report and further information can be found in the 
following sections below:
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >

Chairman’s Statement on 
Chief Executive’s Report on 
Operating Review on 
Financial Review on 
Key Performance Indicators on 
page 33; and
Corporate Social Responsibility Review on  
pages 36 and 37.

pages 10 and 11;
pages 12 to 15;

pages 30 to 33;

pages 20 to 22;

The Company’s ‘forward-looking statements’ form part  
of the Business Review on pages 10 to 37.

Corporate governance statement
In accordance with the Financial Services Authority’s 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules (‘DTR’) 7.2.1, the 
disclosures required by DTR 7.2.2 and DTR 7.2.7 may  
be found in the Corporate Governance Report on pages  
45 to 48. 

Results and dividends
The Group’s financial statements for the year ended  
31 December 2010 are set out on pages 53 to 85. 

The Company has not declared or paid any dividends since 
incorporation and does not have any current intentions to 
pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Future payments 
of dividends are expected to depend on the earnings and 
financial condition of the Company and such other factors 
as the Board of Directors of the Company consider 
appropriate.

Directors
With the exception of Richard Milne, all Directors of the 
Company, as listed below, served from the date of their 
respective appointment throughout 2010 and up to the 
date of signing the financial statements.

Name of Director

Date of appointment

Dr James Buckee, Chairman and  

22 February 2010

Non-Executive Director

Amjad Bseisu, Chief Executive 
Nigel Hares, Chief Operating Officer
Jonathan Swinney,  

Chief Finance Officer

Helmut Langanger,  

Non-Executive Director

Jock Lennox,  

Non-Executive Director

Robin Pinchbeck,  

Non-Executive Director

Alexandre Schneiter,  

Non-Executive Director

22 February 2010
22 February 2010
29 January 2010

16 March 2010

22 February 2010

22 February 2010

22 February 2010

Richard Milne, Non-Executive Director

29 January 20101

Note:
1   At the date of the Company’s incorporation, Mr Richard Milne was 
appointed a Director and resigned at the first Board meeting on 22 
February 2010.

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

Biographical details of all the Directors can be found on 
pages 38 and 39.

Directors’ election and rotation
With regard to the retirement and re-election of Directors, 
the Company is governed by its Articles of Association (the 
‘Articles’), the Combined Code and the Companies Act. 
Directors have the power to appoint a Director during the 
year but any person so appointed must stand for election 
at the next Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’). A retiring 
director is eligible to stand for re-election. The Directors  
of the Company are fully committed to supporting the 
principles of good governance outlined in the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, which was published by  
the Financial Reporting Council in June 2010 and which 
replaces the existing Combined Code on Corporate 
Governance for accounting periods beginning on or  
after 29 June 2010. The UK Corporate Governance Code 
recommends that all directors of FTSE 350 companies 
should be subject to annual election by shareholders. The 
Directors have decided to adopt this provision of the new 
UK Corporate Governance Code early, on a voluntary basis.

In accordance with the above provisions, each of the 
Directors of the Company will retire and, being eligible, 
offer themselves for re-election at the next AGM, with the 
exception of Robin Pinchbeck, who will not be standing  
for re-election. 

Powers of the Directors
Subject to the Company’s Articles, relevant statutory law 
and any direction that may be given by the Company in  
the AGM, the business of the Company is managed by the 
Directors who may exercise all powers of the Company. 

Directors’ indemnity provisions 
Under the Company’s Articles, the Directors of the 
Company are indemnified out of the assets of the 
Company against all costs, charges, expenses, losses or 
liabilities sustained or incurred in or about the execution  
of their duties. Such qualifying third party indemnity 
provision remains in force as at the date of approving  
the Directors’ Report.

share capital
The Company has a single class of share capital, which is 
divided into Ordinary shares of £0.05 each (‘Ordinary 
shares’). Each Ordinary share carries one vote.

The Company’s issued share capital and total voting rights 
as at 4 April 2011 comprises 799,462,905 Ordinary shares 
issued and outstanding, which constitutes 100% 
of the total voting rights of the Company. All of the 
Company’s issued Ordinary shares have been fully paid  
up. Further detail on the Ordinary shares issued during  
the financial year can be found in note 17 of the financial 
statements on page 73.

Further information regarding the rights attaching to the 
Company’s Ordinary shares can be found in note 17 to the 
financial statements on page 73. No person has any special 
rights with respect to control of the Company. 

There are no specific restrictions on the size of a holding  
of, or the transfer of, Ordinary shares, both of which are  
governed by the Company’s Articles and the current 
legislation. The Directors are not aware of any agreements 
between holders of the Company’s Ordinary shares that 
may result in restrictions on transfers of, or voting rights  
in connection with, Ordinary shares. 

The Company did not purchase any of its own shares  
during 2010 or in 2011 up to and including 4 April 2011, 
being the date of this report.

company share schemes
The Group Employee Benefit Trust holds 0.9% of the issued 
share capital of the Company in trust for the benefit of 
employees and their dependents. The voting rights in 
relation to these shares are exercised by the trustees.

Directors’ interests
The interests of the Directors in the Ordinary shares of the 
Company are shown below:

Name

Amjad Bseisu2
Dr James Buckee
Nigel Hares
Jock Lennox
Robin Pinchbeck
Alexandre Schneiter
Jonathan Swinney

As at 6 April
20101

31 December 
2010

4 April  
2011

17,898,149
0
0
0
820,000
136,212
16,630

31,175,613
281,617
200,000
20,000
1,001,617
400,000
62,033

31,175,613
281,617
200,000
20,000
1,001,617
400,000
62,033

Notes:
1  Being the date that the Company’s Ordinary shares were admitted to 
listing on the Official List and to trading on the Main Market of the 
London Stock Exchange. 

2  The shares are held by Double A Limited and Alima Trust, both  

discretionary trusts in which the extended family of Amjad Bseisu has  
a beneficial interest. 

substantial interests in shares
In accordance with Chapter 5 of the DTR, the shareholders 
listed on the following table have notified the Company of 
their interests in the Ordinary shares of the Company as  
at 4 April 2011. 

Name

Lundin family and associated 

entities 

Ayman Asfari and family
Amjad Bseisu and family

Number of 
Ordinary 
shares held

% of issued 
share capital 
held 

71,350,000
44,282,114
31,175,613

8.92
5.54
3.90

acquisitions 
On 5 November 2010 the Company completed the 
acquisition of all the outstanding shares of Stratic Energy 
Corporation (‘Stratic’) through a plan of arrangement 
whereby Stratic shareholders received 0.089626 EnQuest 
Ordinary shares per Stratic share, which valued the Static 
shares at approximately US$54.2 million. 

annual general meeting
The Company’s first AGM will be held at Sofitel London 
St James Hotel, 6 Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 4AN on  
25 May 2011. Formal notice of the AGM, including details  
of special business is set out in the Notice of AGM which 
accompanies this Annual Report and Accounts and is 
available on the Company’s website at www.enquest.com.

registrars
In connection with the Ordinary shares traded on the 
London Stock Exchange, the Company’s share registrar  
is Capita Registrars. For the Ordinary shares traded on 
NASDAQ OMX Stockholm the Company’s share registrar  
is Euroclear Sweden. Full details of both registrars can be 
found in the Company Information section on page 86. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 43

DiReCtoRs’ RePoRt  
CONTINUED

Creditors’ payment policy
It is the Company and Group’s policy to settle all debts  
with creditors on a timely basis and in accordance with the 
terms of credit agreed with each supplier. Average creditor 
payment days for the year under review were 
approximately 38 days. 

Political and charitable donations
The Company made charitable, social, community-related 
and political donations totalling US$71,145 during the  
year, which includes a political donation of US$13,300  
to the Conservative Party. 

Change of control agreements 
The Company confirms that there are no significant 
agreements to which it is party that would take effect, alter 
or terminate upon a change of control of the Company 
following a takeover bid. See page 51 of the Remuneration 
Report for details of compensation which the Directors  
are entitled to in the event of a change of control. 

On a change of control of the Company resulting in the 
termination or change in scope of works or duties, one 
employee is entitled to compensation of a sum equal to 
two times his/her annual basic salary as at the termination 
of employment.

important events subsequent to the year end
Events since the balance sheet date are summarised in 
note 25 to the financial statements on page 79. 

Directors’ statement as to disclosure of information to 
auditors
The Directors who held office at the date of the approval  
of the Directors’ Report confirm that, so far as they are 
each aware, there is no relevant audit information of which 
the Company’s auditors are unaware; and each Director 
has taken all steps that they ought to have taken as 
Directors in order to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

Responsibility statements under the DtR
The Directors who held office at the date of the approval  
of the Directors’ Report confirm that, to the best of their 
knowledge, the financial statements, prepared in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, 
give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit of the Company and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and the 
Directors’ Report and the Group Operating and Financial 
Review include a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description 
of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

audit and auditors
Having reviewed the independence and effectiveness of 
the auditors, the Audit Committee has recommended to 
the Board that the existing auditors, Ernst & Young LLP be 
reappointed. Ernst & Young LLP has expressed their 
willingness to continue as auditors. An ordinary resolution 
to reappoint Ernst & Young LLP as auditors of the 
Company and authorising the Directors to set their 
remuneration will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM. 

Financial risk and financial instruments
Information on financial risk management, including credit 
and liquidity risks and information about financial 
instruments, is set out in the Financial Review on pages 30 
to 33 and the notes to the financial statements on pages 59 
to 79 respectively. 

going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with the factors 
likely to affect its future development, performance and 
position are set out in the Business Review on pages 10 to 
37. The financial position of the Group, its cash flow, 
liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in 
the Financial Review on pages 30 to 33. In addition, note 24 
to the financial statements includes the Group’s objectives, 
policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial 
risk management objectives; details of its financial 
instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to 
credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group has considerable financial resources together 
with 2P reserves of 88.5 MMboe. As a consequence, the 
Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage 
its business risks successfully.

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group has adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing 
the annual financial statements.

Approved by the Board on 4 April 2011.

Paul waters
Company secretary

44

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

oveRview

Business Review

goveRnanCe

finanCial statements

CoRPoRate goveRnanCe RePoRt

The responsibility of the Board of Directors 
is to represent the Company’s owners and 
ensure that Company’s strategic objectives 
are properly realised and that all major 
business risks are actively monitored and 
managed. To this effect the Company is 
committed to achieving compliance with 
the principles and provisions set out in 
Section 1 of the Combined Code on 
Corporate Governance published by the 
Financial Reporting Council in June 2008 
(‘Combined Code’) and appended to the 
Listing Rules and to ensuring that high 
standards of corporate governance are 
maintained. The Board considers that the 
Company is compliant with the Combined 
Code, other than as detailed below. 

Set out below is a statement of how the 
Company applied the principles of the 
Combined Code for the year ended 
31 December 2010. 

the Board 
The Board currently comprises the Chairman, three 
Executive Directors and four Non-Executive Directors. The 
Directors’ biographies are set out on pages 38 and 39. No 
group of individuals dominate the Board’s decision making 
process and none of the Directors has any conflict of 
interest between their duties to the Company and their 
private interests.

The division of responsibilities between the Chairman and 
the Chief Executive has been clearly established, set out in 
writing and agreed by the Board in 2010. 

In the opinion of the Board, Jock Lennox and Helmut 
Langanger, are fully independent for the purposes of the 
Combined Code. However, the other Non-Executive 
Directors, Alexandre Schneiter and Robin Pinchbeck, due 
to their association with Lundin Petroleum AB and Petrofac 
Limited, respectively, are not deemed to be independent 
for the purposes of the Combined Code. 

Notwithstanding the fact that Alexandre Schneiter and 
Robin Pinchbeck are not deemed independent for the 
purpose of the Combined Code, the other Directors, having 
given full consideration to this issue, agreed that their 
knowledge of the Company’s business and the experience 
they bring to their roles, outweighed the resulting non-
compliance with the Combined Code. The Board is also 
satisfied that it maintained a sufficient degree of 
independence throughout the year to enable it to 
discharge effectively and properly its obligations under  
the Combined Code. 

In order to achieve full compliance with the Combined Code, 
it was stated in the Company’s listing Prospectus dated 18 
March 2010 that Alexandre Schneiter and Robin Pinchbeck 
would stand down as Non-Executive Directors before April 
2012. As part of this process, Robin Pinchbeck will be retiring 
at the AGM on 25 May 2011 and the Board plans to appoint a 
new independent Non-Executive Director in the near future 
as replacement for Robin Pinchbeck. 

All of the Directors are subject to election by shareholders 
at the first AGM after their appointment to the Board, so 
with the exception of Robin Pinchbeck, all the Directors will 
be seeking election by shareholders at the AGM to be held 
on 25 May 2011. 

Helmut Langanger has been appointed the Senior Non-
Executive Director. A key responsibility for the Senior 
Non-Executive Director is to be available to shareholders  
in the event that they may feel it inappropriate to relay 
views through the Chairman, Chief Executive or the Chief 
Financial Officer. His role is to evaluate the performance  
of the Chairman and address any concerns that might be 
raised by the shareholders that have not been resolved 
through normal channels. 

The Board has a formal schedule of matters specifically 
reserved to it for decision, which was approved by the 
Board in March 2010. Its reserved matters include 
determination of the overall strategy of the Group, to 
review business plans, trading performance and overhead 
costs, to approve major capital investment projects, 
examine acquisition opportunities and divestment 
possibilities, review significant financial and operational 
issues, and review and approve the Company’s financial 
statements, control and risk management systems. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 45

CoRPoRate goveRnanCe RePoRt  
CONTINUED

The Board delegates the execution of its strategic 
objectives to the Executive Committee, which comprises 
the Executive Directors, Head of Business Development 
and the Head of Legal. Operational management of the 
Group on a day-to-day basis is managed by the 
Operational Committee, which comprises members of  
the Executive Committee, General Manager UKCS, asset 
managers and selected senior management. 

The Board has full and timely access to all relevant 
information to enable it to perform its duties. The Company 
Secretary is responsible for advising the Board, through 
the Chairman, on all governance matters. In addition, each 
Director has access to the advice and services of the 
Company Secretary. There is also a procedure agreed by 
the Board for Directors, in furtherance of the duties, to  
take independent professional advice if necessary, at the 
Company’s expense, up to a pre-determined limit. 

During 2010, eight scheduled meetings of the Board were 
held, seven of which were held at the Company’s registered 
office in London and one meeting held offsite. Details of 
attendance at each of those meetings, and at meetings  
of the Board Committees, are set out on page 47. 

During the year, a number of other meetings took place to 
deal with specific matters that required to be considered  
at short notice, and in each case, notice was duly given  
to all the Directors. Any Director who is unable to attend 
scheduled or short-notice Board meetings in person  
is invited to join the meeting by video or telephone 
conferencing facilities, or is given the opportunity to be 
consulted and comment in advance of the meeting by 
telephone or in writing. 

The formal agenda for each scheduled Board meeting is 
set by the Chairman in consultation with the Company 
Secretary and agreement from the Chief Executive. Formal 
minutes of all Board and committee meetings are 
circulated to all Directors prior to the next Board meeting 
and are considered for approval at that Board meeting. In 
addition, the Chief Executive is in frequent contact with the 
Non-Executive Directors between meetings in order to 
keep them updated with progress on the Group’s business. 
The Chairman also meets the Non-Executive Directors 
informally, without any Executives present, on a regular 
basis to discuss matters in respect of the business. 

The Board has in place a procedure for the consideration 
and authorisation of conflicts or possible conflicts with the 
Company’s interests. In accordance with the Directors’ 
interests provisions in the Companies Act 2006, all the 
Directors are required to submit details to the Company 
Secretary of any situations which may give rise to a conflict, 
or potential conflict, of interest. The Board monitors and 
reviews potential conflicts of interest on a regular basis. 

Board committees 
The Board has established an Audit Committee, a 
Remuneration Committee and a Nomination Committee, 
each of which has formal Terms of Reference approved by 
the Board. The Terms of Reference for each of these 
committees satisfy the requirements of the Combined 
Code and are reviewed internally on an ongoing basis by 
the Board. Copies of the Terms of Reference are available 
on the Company’s website. 

The committees are provided with all necessary resources 
to enable them to undertake their duties in an effective 
manner. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the 

46

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

committees and minutes of all committee meetings are 
available to all Directors. 

Set out below are reports from the Audit Committee, 
Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee. 

audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises two independent Non-
Executive Directors and the Chairman. Currently, its 
members are Jock Lennox (Chairman), Dr James Buckee 
and Helmut Langanger. Dr Buckee is currently a member  
of the Audit Committee as the remaining Non-Executive 
Directors are not independent. This will be reviewed once 
one or more independent Non-Executive Directors are 
appointed in due course. Mr Lennox has recent and 
relevant financial experience; he is Audit Committee 
chairman of a number of public companies. No members  
of the Audit Committee have ongoing links with the 
Company’s auditors, Ernst & Young LLP.

The main responsibilities of the Committee include:
 >

monitoring the integrity of the financial statements, 
including annual and interim reports and any other 
formal announcement relating to the Company’s 
financial performance; 
considering the establishment of an internal  
audit function;
reviewing the Company’s internal control procedures 
and risk management systems;
making recommendations to the Board on the 
appointment, review and removal of external auditors; 
establishing the external auditors’ remuneration;
monitoring external auditors’ independence; 
monitoring the policy on external auditors’  
non-audit services; and
identifying any matters in respect of which it considers 
that action or improvement is needed and making 
recommendations to the Board as to the steps to  
be taken. 

 >

 >

 >

 >
 >
 >

 >

The Audit Committee engages in numerous ad hoc 
discussions and in 2010 had two formal meetings to 
discharge its responsibilities as set out in its Terms of 
Reference. At the request of the Audit Committee, the 
Chief Financial Officer and a senior member of the finance 
department attended each of these meetings. The Chief 
Executive also attended both meetings as an observer, on 
being invited to do so by the Committee. In addition, the 
external auditors attended both meetings and received 
copies of all Audit Committee papers. 

In fulfilling its responsibility to monitor the integrity of 
financial reports to shareholders, the Audit Committee 
reviewed the accounting principles, policies and practises 
adopted in the presentation of public financial information. 
The ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving  
the interim and annual financial statements remains with 
the Board. 

As part of the process when the Company became listed 
on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, the 
Board reviewed the need for an internal audit function, and 
concurred that the control systems in place together with 
management oversight were sufficient to highlight any 
areas of weakness in the financial reporting systems, so no 
internal audit function was established. At the end of 2010, 
the Audit Committee reviewed the need for an internal 
audit function and agreed to appoint Deloitte LLP to 
provide outsourced internal audit services to the Company.

oveRview

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finanCial statements

The Audit Committee reviewed the Group’s procedures  
for staff to raise concerns in confidence about possible 
financial reporting or other misconduct. The Committee 
considered any concerns raised, how these were 
investigated and follow-up action taken.  

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Mr Langanger 
and its other appointees are Dr Buckee and Mr Lennox. The 
Chief Executive may also be invited to attend meetings as 
and when deemed appropriate. 

The main responsibilities of the Committee include:
 >

setting the remuneration policy for the Chairman, 
Executive Directors and senior executives; 
assessing and determining total compensation 
packages available to the Executive and Non-Executive 
Directors; 
monitoring the remuneration of senior management 
other than the Executive Directors whose remuneration 
it sets; 
making recommendations to the Board for its approval, 
and that of shareholders, on the design of long-term 
share incentive plans and making recommendations for 
the grant of awards to Executives under such plans; and 
determining policy and scope for pension rights and any 
compensation payments and ensuring compliance with 
the Combined Code in this respect. 

 >

 >

 >

 >

The Remuneration Committee engages in numerous  
ad hoc discussions and in 2010 had four formal meetings  
to discharge its responsibilities as set out in its Terms  
of Reference.

Further information on the Committee can be found in the 
Remuneration Report on pages 49 to 52. 

nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee currently comprises Mr Bseisu, 
Mr Langanger, Mr Lennox and Dr Buckee who is the 
Chairman. 

The Nomination Committee assists the Board in its 
responsibilities relating to the composition of the Board,  
its size and structure whilst also evaluating the balance  
of skills, knowledge and experience of the Directors.  
The composition of the Board is also taken into account 
and it is the responsibility of the Committee to identify  
and nominate candidates for approval by the Board to fill 
vacancies, appoint new Directors to replace those retiring 
and make the appropriate recommendations to the Board. 
The Committee meets at least twice a year and the Terms 
of Reference of the Committee are to be found on the 
Company’s website.

The main responsibilities of the Committee include:
 >

reviewing the size, structure and composition of the 
Board in order to recommend changes to the Board and 
to ensure the orderly succession of Directors; 
formalising succession planning and the process for new 
Director appointments; 
identifying, evaluating and recommending candidates 
for appointment or reappointment as Directors or 
Company Secretary, taking into account the balance of 
knowledge, skills and experience required to serve the 
Board; and
reviewing the outside directorships/commitments  
of Non-Executive Directors.

 >

 >

 >

The Nomination Committee engages in numerous ad hoc 
discussions and in 2010 had two formal meetings to 
discharge its responsibilities as set out in its Terms of 
Reference. The Committee ensures, amongst other things, 
that there is a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure 
for the appointment of new Directors. 

induction and training
New Directors receive induction on their appointment to 
the Board covering the activities of the Group and its key 
business and financial risks, the Terms of Reference of the 
Board and its committees and the latest financial 
information about the Group.

The Chairman ensures that Directors update their skills, 
knowledge and familiarity with the Company required to 
fulfil their roles on the Board and on Board committees. 
Ongoing training is provided as necessary and includes 
updates from the Company Secretary on changes to the 
Listing Rules, requirements under the Companies Act and 
other regulatory matters. Directors may consult with the 
Company Secretary at any time on matters related to their 
role on the Board.

Directors’ attendance at Board and Board  
Committee meetings
The table below sets out the attendance record of each 
Director at scheduled Board and Board Committee 
meetings during 2010:

Board 
Meetings

Audit 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Meetings held in 2010

executive Directors
Amjad Bseisu
Nigel Hares
Jonathan Swinney

8

8
8
8

non-executive Directors
Dr James Buckee
Helmut Langanger
Jock Lennox
Robin Pinchbeck
Alexandre Schneiter

8
8
8
8
8

2

n/a
n/a
n/a

2
2
2
n/a
n/a

4

2

n/a
n/a
n/a

4
4
4
n/a
n/a

2
n/a
n/a

2
2
2
n/a
n/a

Note:
n/a means not applicable where a Director is not a member of the committee.

Board performance evaluation 
An evaluation of the performance of the Board, its 
committees, the individual Directors and the Chairman, 
was conducted at the end of 2010 by the Chairman and  
the results of the review were then fed back to the Board  
as a whole. 

Following the evaluation, the Directors concluded that  
the Board and its committee operate effectively and also 
consider that each Director is contributing effectively and 
demonstrates commitment to the role. 

internal controls
The Company’s system of internal controls is designed to 
manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve 
business objectives and can only provide reasonable and 
not absolute reassurance against misstatement or loss.  
The Board will continue to review and improve the system 
of internal controls.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 47

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT  
CONTINUED

The Board recognises the need for effective internal 
controls and for evaluating and managing the risks of the 
Company. Such matters are brought to the attention of the 
Board at its formal Board meetings or ad hoc discussions. 

High level controls in operation include:
 >

review of management accounts with comparison of 
actual performance against prior periods and budget; 
approval of orders, authorisation of invoices and two 
signatures required to make a transfer from the principal 
bank accounts;
recognition of all control accounts; 
prior approval by the Board for major investments; and 
segregation of duties between relevant functions  
and departments. 

 >

 >
 >
 >

The Board is aware of the need to conduct regular risk 
assessments to identify any deficiencies in the controls 
currently operating over all aspects of the Company. A 
formal risk assessment was conducted by the Board in 
2010 on internal controls to cover material contracts both 
financial and operational and risk management systems. 

Financial reporting procedures were reviewed as part of 
the process to become listed on the Main Market of the 
London Stock Exchange and a full Board memorandum 
was prepared. Having considered the findings, the Board 
were able to confirm that the financial reporting 
procedures established provided them with a reasonable 
basis on which to make proper judgements on the  
financial position and prospects of the Company  
on an ongoing basis. 

North American cities. These roadshows, combined with 
the attendance of various Directors and senior 
management at several oil and gas sector conferences, 
provided for comprehensive and engaging dialogue  
with shareholders.

The Company issues its results and other news releases 
promptly and publishes them on the Company’s website  
at www.enquest.com. Other corporate information  
issued during the year is also available on the website. 
Shareholders and other interested parties can subscribe  
to receive news updates by email by registering online  
on the website. 

At the 2011 AGM, a business presentation will be provided 
for the benefit of shareholders. The Chairman will aim to 
ensure that the respective Chairmen of the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees attend the AGM to answer 
questions and that the other Directors also attend. 

Compliance statement
As the Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange,  
it is subject to the Combined Code, which is available from 
the Financial Reporting Council (www.frc.org.uk).

Since 6 April 2010, being the date that the Company’s 
Ordinary shares became listed on the London Stock 
Exchange, to the end of 2010, the Company complied fully 
with the provisions set out in Section 1 of the Combined 
Code with the exception of:
A3.2 Less than half the Board, excluding the Chairman, 

comprise independent Non-Executive Directors.

C3.1  The Chairman is a member of the Audit Committee.

Details of principal risk and uncertainties are discussed in 
the Business Review on pages 18 and 19. 

On behalf of the Board

Dr James Buckee
Chairman of the Board
4 April 2011

The Company has established a Code of Conduct policy 
which all employees and contractors are required to 
comply with. This policy includes the procedures for 
whistle-blowing whereby employees can raise concerns in 
confidence about possible wrong doing. This matter is on 
the agenda at Audit Committee meetings to review and 
take action as required. 

Auditor independence 
The Audit Committee and Board recognise the importance 
and objectivity of the Group’s external auditors, Ernst & 
Young LLP, when performing their role in the Company’s 
reporting to shareholders. The external auditors are 
expected to provide the Audit Committee with information 
about policies and processes for maintaining 
independence and monitoring compliance with current 
regulatory requirements, including those regarding the 
rotation of audit partners and staff. 

The overall performance, independence and objectivity of 
the auditors is reviewed regularly by the Audit Committee. 
The Audit Committee has a policy in respect of the 
provision of non-audit services to the Company by the 
external auditor. Fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP, during 
2010 amounted to US$369,000 for audit related services 
and US$794,000 for non-audit services. 

Communication with shareholders 
Communications with shareholders are given high priority 
by the Board. EnQuest will send its maiden 2010 Annual 
Report and Accounts to all registered shareholders. In 
order to ensure that the Board develop a strong dialogue 
with shareholders, during 2010, the Executive Directors 
and senior management met with institutional investors in 
London and across the UK as well as other European and 

48

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

oveRview

Business Review

goveRnanCe

finanCial statements

RemuneRation RePoRt

introduction 
This report has been prepared with reference to the  
UK Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the 
‘regulations’). The report also meets the relevant 
requirements of the Financial Services Authority’s  
Listing Rules and describes how the Board has  
applied the Principles of Good Governance relating  
to Directors’ remuneration. 

A resolution to approve the report will be put to 
shareholders at the AGM on 25 May 2011. 

information not subject to audit
Remuneration Committee 
The Remuneration Committee is a formal Committee  
of the Board, and has powers delegated to it under the 
Company’s Articles. Its Terms of Reference were formally 
adopted by the Board on 1 March 2010. The primary 
purposes of the Remuneration Committee, as set out  
in its Terms of Reference, are to:
 >

recommend to the Board the broad policy in respect  
of senior management remuneration; 
ensure that the levels of remuneration are appropriate  
in order to encourage enhanced performance; 
approve the design and set the targets for any 
performance-related pay scheme;
review the design of all share incentive plans before 
approval by the Board and shareholders, to monitor the 
application of the rules of such schemes and the overall 
aggregate amount of such awards; and
set the remuneration of the Chairman, Executive 
Directors and senior management including annual  
cash bonus and share incentive arrangements. 

 >

 >

 >

 >

The members of the Remuneration Committee during the 
year and up until the date of this Report were Helmut 
Langanger (Chairman), Dr James Buckee and Jock Lennox. 
Helmut Langanger and Jock Lennox are considered by the 
Board to be independent as explained in the Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 45 to 48. 

Remuneration policy – overview
EnQuest’s remuneration policy for 2010 and subsequent 
financial years is designed to encourage behaviour and 
performance among Executive Directors and senior 
management which the Remuneration Committee believes 
is in the best interest of shareholders. 

A key objective of the Remuneration Committee is to 
establish a level of remuneration which is sufficient to 
attract, retain and motivate the Executive Directors  
and senior management and to align their remuneration 
with the achievement of the Company’s strategic,  
business and financial objectives and thereby enhance 
shareholder value. 

As part of the preparation for the Company becoming 
listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, 
the Remuneration Committee first met in March 2010 to 
determine the remuneration programme for the Executive 
Directors and senior management going forward, and took 
advice from Deloitte LLP to provide independent guidance 
on setting the remuneration framework for the year.  
Deloitte LLP also provide internal audit and tax advisory 
services to the Company. The Company’s legal advisers, 
Ashurst LLP, also provided assistance to the Committee in 
respect of the Company’s share incentive arrangements. 
Deloitte LLP and Ashurst LLP were not appointed by the 
Remuneration Committee. The proposed remuneration 
framework developed with Deloitte LLP was based on the 
following principles:

 >

 >

 >

the remuneration framework should reflect the growth 
focus of EnQuest and provide emphasis on the 
long-term horizon;
total remuneration should be competitive versus 
compensation benchmarks of UK oil and gas companies 
of a similar size to EnQuest; and
the remuneration structure should be consistent with 
UK corporate governance principles and best practice. 

Based on independent advice and guidance provided by 
Deloitte LLP, the Remuneration Committee approved its 
remuneration framework for the Executive Directors and 
senior management based on the following criteria:
 >

basic salaries would be median or below benchmarked 
salaries against UK oil and gas companies of a similar 
size to EnQuest; and
the variable elements of remuneration would be 
structured so that individuals can achieve total 
remuneration that is upper quartile subject to 
achievement of challenging performance standards.

 >

The Remuneration Committee believes establishing a 
remuneration framework which sets the fixed elements  
at median or below and provides incentives capable of 
delivering upper quartile pay for delivery of superior 
performance is the most effective way in which to ensure 
that the Executive Directors and senior management are 
incentivised to deliver the Company’s strategic goals and 
thus deliver long-term shareholder value.

The Company’s annual remuneration programme currently 
consists of three primary components: base salary and 
benefits, annual performance pay, and long-term incentive 
awards granted under the Company’s current share 
incentive plans. 

The amount of base salary, annual performance pay and 
long-term incentive awards granted to the Executive 
Directors during 2010 are set out in the remuneration table 
on page 52.

Reward component 
Base salary and benefits
Base salary and benefits comprise a portion of the total 
remuneration; whilst annual performance pay and 
long-term incentives represent a significant component of 
total remuneration. Remuneration that is ‘at risk’ means 
remuneration that may or may not be paid to the Executive 
Directors is dependent on whether the individual is able to 
meet or exceed their applicable performance targets 
together with achievement of corporate performance 
targets. The ‘at risk’ element of total remuneration is used 
to promote long-term shareholder value and does not 
represent remuneration that is ‘at risk’ in the short-term. 
The greater the Executive Directors’ impact is upon driving 
the long-term business objectives, the higher the risk/
reward portion of the remuneration. 

The base salary and benefits of the Executive Directors are 
reviewed annually by the Remuneration Committee and 
any changes take effect from 1 January each year. In 
conducting the base salary review, the Committee takes 
into consideration factors such as current competitive 
market conditions and particular skills, such as leadership 
ability and management effectiveness, experience, 
responsibility and proven or expected performance of the 
particular individual. The Committee obtains information 
regarding competitive market conditions from our 
management and external benchmarking agencies,  
as required. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 49

RemuneRation RePoRt  
CONTINUED

The Chief Executive (with the assistance of the Chairman  
of the Remuneration Committee) evaluates annually the 
performance of each of the Executive Directors and direct 
reports and recommends adjustments to base salary which 
are reviewed by the Remuneration Committee for 
approval. Compensation of the Chief Executive is reviewed 
by the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and 
subsequently approved by the Committee.

For 2010, the basic salaries for the Executive Directors 
were set at £375,000 for Amjad Bseisu, £285,000 for  
Nigel Hares and £220,000 for Jonathan Swinney. The 
Committee carried out a review of salaries for 2011, and 
agreed that these would be frozen at 2010 levels.

The Company provides a defined contribution pension plan 
and benefits such as car allowance for certain employees 
below Executive Director level. In lieu of such benefits for 
the Executive Directors, the Company pays an allowance  
of £30,000 per annum (£40,000 for the Chief Executive). 

annual performance pay 
The discretionary performance pay scheme applies to  
all employees and Executive Directors and is based on 
individual and Company performance against objectives. 
Each measure is given a respective weighting, with the 
Executive Directors receiving 80% of performance pay 
based on Company performance targets and 20% based 
on individual performance targets. The Executive 
Directors’ individual performance is measured through 
personal performance contracts which were set and 
approved by the Remuneration Committee at the time 
when the Company became listed on the Main Market of 
the London Stock Exchange in April 2010, and then 
reviewed at the end of 2010. The Company’s performance 
objectives are based on annually defined Key Performance 
Indicators (‘KPIs’). The Board set the Company’s KPIs at 
the time when the Company became listed on the Main 
Market of the London Stock Exchange, which required the 
achievement of operational targets, financial performance, 
HSE standards and portfolio growth over the remainder of 
the 2010 financial year. 

The choice of the Company performance targets for 2010 
and their respective weightings, reflects the Committee’s 
belief that any short-term performance pay should be tied 
both to the overall performance of the Company and the 
individual’s performance. 

The maximum level of performance pay for the Executive 
Directors is set at 100% of base salary, with the ability to 
increase this to 200% of base salary for outstanding 
individual and Company performance. Part of the 
performance pay will be paid in cash and part in shares 
which vest after two years, subject to continued 
employment. The actual level of performance pay awarded 
to the Executive Directors for performance in 2010 is 
shown in the remuneration table on page 52. 

The maximum level of performance pay for senior 
management was set between 30% to 60% of base salary, 
with the ability to increase this to between 60% to 120%  
of base salary for outstanding individual and Company 
performance. Senior management, together with all 
employees who receive performance pay, may be eligible 
to receive non-performance based matching shares, 
determined by reference to the number of shares  
acquired using the annual performance pay. 

50

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

long-term share incentives 
In order to encourage Executive Directors and selected 
senior management to deliver superior levels of long-term 
performance for the benefit of shareholders, the 
Remuneration Committee’s policy is to award these 
individuals with share incentives under the long-term 
incentive plan. The current arrangement is the EnQuest 
PLC Performance Share Plan 2010 (‘2010 PSP’), which was 
approved at a special meeting of shareholders held on 18 
March 2010. At the same meeting, shareholders approved 
the establishment of the EnQuest PLC Restricted Share 
Plan 2010 (‘2010 RSP’) and the EnQuest PLC Deferred 
Bonus Share Plan 2010 (‘2010 DBSP’). 

2010 RSP 
The 2010 RSP was established for use at the time when the 
Company became listed on the Main Market of the London 
Stock Exchange in April 2010 in order to facilitate the 
deferral of IPO bonuses and to grant retention focused 
awards. The Remuneration Committee granted an 
aggregate of 5,809,675 share awards to Executive 
Directors and selected employees on 1 April 2010 and  
19 April 2010. Other than being subject to continued 
employment, the RSP awards have no performance 
targets, and vest in tranches over two, three and four years 
from the date of grant, save in relation to Nigel Hares’ 
awards of which one-quarter will vest on the first 
anniversary of the date of grant. Going forward, the 2010 
RSP will be available as a retention tool for selected 
employees below Executive Director level, whereby awards 
may be made to selected individuals who join the Company 
part way through the year, having left accrued benefits 
with a previous employer. In this regard, the Remuneration 
Committee granted an aggregate of 699,856 share awards 
to selected senior employees on 13 October 2010. 

2010 DBSP 
Under the 2010 DBSP, employees, below Executive 
Director level, are invited to defer a proportion of their 
annual cash bonus into Company shares. Under the plan, 
the shares which are acquired with a participant’s cash 
bonus are called ‘Invested Shares’. Following such an 
investment, the Company will generally grant the 
participant an additional award over a number of shares 
being a specified ratio to the number of Invested Shares 
and these awards are called ‘Matching Shares’. The 
Remuneration Committee granted an aggregate of 195,365 
Matching Shares on 19 April 2010, which were awarded to 
participants on the basis of a 1:1 ratio to the Invested 
Shares. No further awards were granted under the 2010 
DBSP during the year.   

2010 PSP 
The 2010 PSP enables Executive Directors and selected 
senior employees to be granted conditional awards over 
Ordinary shares, the vesting of which is normally 
dependent on both continued employment with the 
Company and the extent to which pre-determined 
performance conditions are met over a specified period  
of three years. The scheme is intended to incentivise the 
participants to create shareholder value whilst retaining 
due focus on the underlying financial performance of the 
Company and to align their interests closely with those  
of shareholders. 

The value of Ordinary shares awards to a participant under 
the 2010 PSP in any financial year is subject to a limit of 
200% of base salary, although a 300% of salary limit can be 
awarded to an individual by the Remuneration Committee 
in exceptional circumstances. 

No awards under the 2010 PSP have been made as at the 
date of this Report. 

oveRview

Business Review

goveRnanCe

finanCial statements

non-executive Directors 
The remuneration of each of the Non-Executive Directors (other than the Chairman) is determined by the Chairman  
and the Executive members of the Board within limits set out in the Articles and having taken independent advice on 
appropriate levels. The remuneration of the Chairman is determined by the Committee (in his absence), again based  
on independent advice. The Company’s policy is to set levels of fees so as to ensure that they are sufficient to attract 
experienced individuals and reflect the increased responsibilities of the Non-Executive Directors. 

The Non-Executive Directors’ annual fees for 2010 were £200,000 for Dr James Buckee and £45,000 for each of the 
other Non-Executive Directors. In addition to this, an annual fee of £8,000 is payable to Jock Lennox and Helmut 
Langanger for their roles as Chairman of the Audit and Remuneration Committee respectively. Actual fees paid for  
the year ended 31 December 2010 are shown in the remuneration table on page 52. 

As stated in the Company’s listing Prospectus dated 18 March 2010, Dr James Buckee received a one-off award over 
1,416,880 Ordinary shares on 1 April 2010 in recognition of his appointment as Chairman of the Board, and the shares  
will vest on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of grant.

Non-Executive Directors cannot participate in the Company’s share incentive arrangements and are not entitled to  
a bonus or pension contribution. 

service contracts/letters of appointment 
The Company’s policy is for all Executive Directors to have contracts of service which can be terminated by either the 
Director concerned or the Company on giving 12 months’ notice of termination.  In the event of termination by the 
Company (other than as a result of a change of control), the Executive Directors would be entitled to loss of salary and 
cash benefit allowance for the notice period. Depending on the circumstances of termination, the Executive Directors 
may be entitled, or the Remuneration Committee may exercise its discretion to allow the Executive Directors, to receive  
a pro-rated proportion of their outstanding awards under the long-term share incentive plans. 

On a change of control of the Company resulting in the termination of an Executive Director’s employment, the Executive 
Director is entitled to compensation of a sum equal to his/her annual basic salary as at the date of termination of 
employment.  

The Non-Executive Directors do not have service contracts but their terms are set out in a letter of appointment.  Their 
terms of appointment may be terminated by each party giving three months notice in writing. The letters of appointment 
set out the time commitment expected by the Company and the Board is satisfied that each of the Non-Executive 
Directors commits sufficient time to fulfil their duties as a Director of the Company.    

The Executive Directors’ service contracts and Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment are available for 
inspection on request and will be available for inspection before and during the AGM to be held on 25 May 2011. 

Details of the service contracts and letters of appointment of the current Directors of the Company are given in the  
tables below:

executive service contacts
Amjad Bseisu 
Nigel Hares 
Jonathan Swinney 

non-executive letters of appointment
Dr James Buckee
Helmut Langanger
Jock Lennox
Robin Pinchbeck
Alexandre Schneiter

Effective date Notice period

Initial term of 
appointment 

Subsequent 
term of 
appointment 

6 April 2010 12 months
6 April 2010 12 months
6 April 2010 12 months

n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a

Date of letter of 

appointment Notice period

Initial term of 
appointment 

Subsequent 
term of 
appointment 

8 March 2010
9 March 2010
2 March 2010
4 March 2010
4 March 2010

2011 AGM
3 months
2011 AGM
3 months
2011 AGM
3 months
3 months
2011 AGM
3 months  2011 AGM

2 years 
3 years 
3 years 
1 year 
1 year 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 51

 
RemuneRation RePoRt  
CONTINUED

Performance graph 
The following graph shows the Company’s share price since trading of the Company’s shares began on the London Stock 
Exchange on 6 April 2010 against the FTSE 250 index and FTSE 350 Oil & Gas index.

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

06/04/2010

06/06/2010

06/08/2010

06/10/2010

information subject to audit
Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2010

EnQuest 

FTSE 250 

FTSE 350 O&G

06/12/2010

executive 
Amjad Bseisu 
Nigel Hares 
Jonathan Swinney 
non-executive 
Dr James Buckee5
Helmut Langanger
Jock Lennox
Robin Pinchbeck
Alexandre Schneiter

total

Cash
allowance

benefits2 

£

Performance
pay3
£

Salary1
£

Fees4 
£

Total  
2010  

£

277,404
210,826
162,743

30,177
24,406
23,956

600,000
456,000
347,600

–
–
–

907,581
691,232
534,299

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

147,222
39,013
39,013
33,125
33,125

147,222
39,013
39,013
33,125
33,125

650,973

78,539 1,403,600

291,498 2,424,610

Notes:
1  Messrs Bseisu, Hares and Swinney’s employment with the Company became effective on 6 April 2010 following the Company’s demerger from Petrofac 

Limited and Lundin Petroleum AB and when the Company’s Ordinary shares were admitted to listing on the Official List and to trading on the Main Market 
of the London Stock Exchange.  Their salaries relate to the period from 6 April 2010 to 31 December 2010.  

2  Cash allowance in lieu of pension and other benefits.  None of the Directors are eligible to receive pension contributions from the Company. The Directors 

receive the non-cash benefit of private medical insurance cover as well.

3  Performance pay was based on 2010 base salary levels and payment was made in respect of the full financial year.  One-third of the performance pay will 

be paid in EnQuest PLC shares, deferred for two years and subject to continued employment.  

4  The fees payable to the Non-Executive Directors became effective on 6 April 2010, when the Company’s Ordinary shares were admitted to listing on the 

Official List and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. The fees relate to the period from 6 April 2010 to 31 December 2010.  

5  Dr James Buckee received 50% of his 2010 fees as a cash payment in March 2011.       

Directors’ interests in restricted share plan awards as at 31 December 2010

Director

Amjad Bseisu

Nigel Hares 

Jonathan Swinney

On behalf of the Board

Granted 
during year

1,609,063 
591,324
268,177 
804,532
536,354 
163,387

Awards 
vested

At December 
2010

Vesting periods

Expiry date

–
–
–
–
–
–

1,609,063 
591,324
268,177 
804,532
536,354 
163,387

1 April 2012 – 1 April 2014
19 April 2012 – 19 April 2014
1 April 2011 
1 April 2012 – 1 April 2014
1 April 2012 – 1 April 2014 
19 April 2012 – 19 April 2014

1 April 2020  
19 April 2020
1 April 2020  
1 April 2020
1 April 2020  
19 April 2020

Helmut langanger
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
4 April 2011

52

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

statement of Directors’ resPonsibilities in 
relation to tHe grouP financial statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 
Report and the Group financial statements in accordance 
with applicable United Kingdom law and those 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted  
by the European Union.

Under Company Law the Directors must not approve the 
Group financial statements unless they are satisfied that 
they present fairly the financial position, financial 
performance and cash flows of the Group for that period. 
In preparing the Group financial statements the Directors 
are required to:
 >

select suitable accounting policies in accordance with 
IAS 8: Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting 
Estimates and Errors and then apply them consistently;
present information, including accounting policies, in a 
manner that provides relevant reliable, comparable and 
understandable information;
provide additional disclosures when compliance with 
the specific requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to 
enable users to understand the impact of particular 
transactions, other events and conditions on the Group’s 
financial position and financial performance;
state that the Group has complied with IFRSs, subject to 
any material departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements; and
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable  
and prudent.

 >

 >

 >

 >

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain 
the Group’s transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group 
and enable them to ensure that the Group financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and 
Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also responsible 
for safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence for 
taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection  
wof fraud and other irregularities.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 53

inDePenDent auDitor’s rePort on tHe  
annual rePort anD accounts to tHe  
members of enQuest Plc (ReGiSteReD nuMbeR: 07140891)

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ 
Report for the financial year for which the Group financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the 
consolidated financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report 
to you if, in our opinion:
 >

certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified 
by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and 
explanations we require for our audit. 

 >

page 44, in relation 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:
 >

the Directors’ statement, set out on 
to going concern;
the part of the Corporate Governance Report relating  
to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions  
of the June 2008 Combined Code specified for our 
review; and
certain elements of the report to shareholders by the 
Board on Directors’ remuneration.

 >

 >

Other matter
We have reported separately on the Parent Company 
financial statements of EnQuest PLC for the year ended 
31 December 2010 and on the information in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report that is described as having  
been audited.

ernst & Young llP
Gary Donald (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
London
4 April 2011

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of 
EnQuest PLC for the year ended 31 December 2010 which 
comprise the Group statement of comprehensive income, 
Group balance sheet, the Group statement of changes in 
equity, the Group statement of cash flow and the related 
notes 1 to 26. The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as 
adopted by the European Union. This report is made solely 
to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit 
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 
Company’s members those matters we are required to 
state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other 
purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not 
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the 
Company and the Company’s members as a body, for 
our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we 
have formed.

respective responsibilities of Directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities in respect of the Group financial statements 
set out on page 53, the Directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the consolidated financial statements and 
for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our 
responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the 
consolidated financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK 
and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the 
Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free 
from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or 
error. This includes an assessment of: whether the 
accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s 
circumstances and have been consistently applied and 
adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant 
accounting estimates made by the Directors; and the 
overall presentation of the financial statements.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the consolidated financial statements:
 >

give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s 
affairs as at 31 December 2010 and of its profit for the 
year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS  
as adopted by the European Union; and
have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 
of the IAS Regulation.

 >

 >

54

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

grouP statement of comPreHensive income
FOR the yeAR enDeD 31 DeCeMbeR 2010

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit/(loss)
Exploration and evaluation expenses
Impairment of oil and gas assets 
Well abandonment expenses
General and administration expenses
Other income 
Other expenses 

Profit/(loss) from operations before tax and finance 

income/(costs)

Finance costs
Finance income

Profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax

Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to owners  

of the parent 

Other comprehensive income for the year, after tax:
Cash flow hedges

total comprehensive income for the year, attributable 

to owners of the parent

earnings Per share
Basic 
Diluted 

2010

exceptional 
items and 
depletion 
of fair value 
uplift
(note 4)
us$’000

reported
 in year
us$’000

business 
performance 
us$’000

Notes

5(a)  583,468
5(b) (384,485)

–

 583,468
(16,319) (400,804)

198,983
(22,987)
–
–
(13,770)
7,024
(5,526)

163,724
(11,187)
1,174

153,711
(78,647)

(16,319)
(57,870)
(2,121)
(8,194)
(13,432)
–
–

(97,936)
–
–

(97,936)
49,948

182,664
(80,857)
(2,121)
(8,194)
(27,202)
7,024
(5,526)

65,788
(11,187)
1,174

55,775
(28,699)

2009

US$’000

234,017
(193,146)

40,871
(6,149)
–
–
(135)
3,932
(21,885)

16,634
(6,444) 
827

11,017
(3,025)

75,064

(47,988)

27,076

7,992

–

18,122

27,076

26,114

us$
0.040
0.040

US$
0.019
0.019

5(c)

5(d)
5(e)
5(f)

6
6

7

8

The comparative statement of comprehensive income has been presented as a single column as there were no 
exceptional items or depletion of fair value uplifts reported in the year ended 31 December 2009.

The attached notes 1 to 26 form part of these Group financial statements. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 55

grouP balance sHeet
AS At 31 DeCeMbeR 2010

Notes

2010 
us$’000

2009 
US$’000

assets
non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Intangible oil and gas assets
Asset held for sale
Loan receivable from related party
Deferred tax assets

current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables 
Due from related parties
Cash and cash equivalents

total assets

eQuitY anD liabilities
equity 
Share capital
Merger reserve
Other reserves
Share-based payment reserve
Retained earnings

total eQuitY

non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities

current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Due to related parties
Income tax payable

total liabilities

total eQuitY anD liabilities

10 1,136,449
12
101,918
13
12,302
13
18,665
23
–
7

8,871   

1,278,205

12,404
107,543
–
41,395

161,342

518,558
–
71,641
–
21,443
156

611,798

1,297
35,782
552
7,893

45,524

1,439,547

657,322

113,174
662,855
–
2,540
104,327

32,164
50,785
83
–
77,168

882,896

160,200

–
140,108
292,021

432,129

116,916
–
7,606

124,522

556,651

156,000
53,198
252,483

461,681

33,326
497
1,618

35,441

497,122

1,439,547

657,322

14
15
23
16

17

19
20
7

21
23

The attached notes 1 to 26 form part of these Group financial statements. 

The financial statements on pages 55 to 79 were approved by the Board of Directors on 4 April 2011 and signed on its 
behalf by:

Jonathan Swinney
Chief Financial Officer

56

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

grouP statement of cHanges in eQuitY
FOR the yeAR enDeD 31 DeCeMbeR 2010

At 1 January 2009
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income for  

the year

Total comprehensive income for  

the year

Share option programme transfer  

to retained earnings

At 31 December 2009
Total comprehensive income for  

the year: profit for the year

Issue of Ordinary shares
Capital contribution on assignment 

of debt on de-merger 

Issue of shares to Employee  

Benefit Trust

Share-based payment charge
Share option programme transfer  

to retained earnings

At 31 December 2010

Share  
capital 
US$’000

32,164
–

Merger 
reserve 
US$’000

50,785
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

32,164

50,785

–
80,480

–
486,850

–

125,220

530
–

–

–
–

–

113,174

662,855

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve 
US$’000

(18,122)
–

18,122

18,122

–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

Other 
reserves 
US$’000

847
–

–

–

(764)

83

–
–

–

–
–

(83)

–

Share-based 
payments 
reserve 
US$’000

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

(530)
3,070

–

Retained 
earnings 
US$’000

68,412
7,992

Total 
US$’000

134,086
7,992

–

18,122

7,992

26,114

764

–

77,168

160,200

27,076
–

27,076
567,330

–

–
–

83

125,220

–
3,070

–

2,540

104,327

882,896

The attached notes 1 to 26 form part of these Group financial statements. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 57

grouP statement of casH flows
FOR the yeAR enDeD 31 DeCeMbeR 2010

casH flow from oPerating activities
Profit before tax
Depreciation 
Depletion
Exploration costs written off
Impairment of oil and gas assets
Share-based payment charge
Long-term incentive plan
Unwinding of discount on decommissioning provisions
Unrealised exchange losses
Net finance costs

Operating profit before working capital changes
Trade and other receivables
Due from related parties
Inventories
Trade and other payables
Due to related parties

Cash generated from operations
Long-term incentive plan
Income taxes paid

net cash flows from operating activities

investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible oil and gas assets
Acquisition of subsidiaries – cash
Interest received

net cash flows used in investing activities

financing activities
Long-term receivables repaid
Repayment of loans and borrowings
Interest paid
Other finance costs paid

net cash flows (used in)/generated from financing activities

net increase in casH anD casH eQuivalents
Net foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

CASh AnD CASh equivAlentS At 31 DeCeMbeR

The attached notes 1 to 26 form part of these Group financial statements. 

2010 
us$’000

2009 
US$’000

55,775
845
177,185
80,857
2,121
3,070
717
5,196
164
4,817

330,747
8,532
552
442
(72,038)
(497)

267,738
(1,036)
(4,093)

11,017
642
51,778
6,149
–
–
608
2,916
2,535
2,272

77,917
10,005
(503)
(174)
(24,860)
(2,476)

59,909
(228)
(1,448)

262,609

58,233

(137,494)
(17,374)
21,556
35

(63,784)
(2,341)
–
–

(133,277)

(66,125)

-
(86,251)
(3,393)
(5,030)

(94,674)

34,658
(1,156)
7,893

41,395

29,072
(15,000)
(2,794)
–

11,278

3,386
981
3,526

7,893

58

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

 
overview

business review

governance

financial statements

notes to tHe grouP financial statements

1. Corporate information 
EnQuest PLC (‘EnQuest’ or the ‘Company’) is a limited 
liability Company registered in England and is listed on the 
London Stock Exchange and Stockholm NASDAQ OMX 
market. 

The Group’s principal activities are the exploration for, and 
extraction and production of hydrocarbons in the UK 
Continental Shelf.

The Company was incorporated on 29 January 2010 as a 
holding Company to effect a business combination 
between Lundin North Sea BV (‘LNS’) and Petrofac Energy 
Developments Limited (‘PEDL’).

On 5 April 2010 the Company acquired 100% of the 
voting shares of PEDL and on 6 April 2010 acquired 100% 
of the voting shares of LNS. Both acquisitions were 
satisfied by the allotment and issuance of Ordinary shares 
in the Company. 

On 6 April 2010, following completion of the PEDL and LNS 
acquisitions, the Company was admitted to the Official List 
and to unconditional trading on the main market for listed 
securities of the London Stock Exchange. On 9 April 2010, 
the Company was admitted to unconditional trading on the 
Stockholm NASDAQ OMX market, as a secondary listing.

The Group’s financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2010 were authorised for issue in accordance 
with a resolution of the Board of Directors on 4 April 2011.

A listing of the principal Group companies is contained in 
note 26 to these Group financial statements.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies 
basis of preparation
The Group financial information has been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(‘IFRS’) as adopted by the European Union as they apply to 
the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 
31 December 2010 and applied in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006. The accounting policies which follow 
set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2010.

The Group financial information has been prepared on  
a historical cost basis. The presentation currency of the 
Group financial information is United States dollars and  
all values in the Group financial information are rounded  
to the nearest thousand (US$’000) except where 
otherwise stated. 

Going concern concept
The Directors’ assessment of going concern concludes that 
the use of the going concern basis is appropriate because 
there are no material uncertainties that may cast significant 
doubt about the ability of the Group to continue as a going 
concern. 

Group formation
The combination of LNS with EnQuest has been accounted 
for as a capital restructuring under the pooling of interests 
method. The combination of PEDL with LNS has been 
accounted for using the acquisition method, with LNS 
identified as the acquirer.

The approach adopted has a number of consequences 
including that:
 >

the Group’s financial statements are prepared on the 
basis that EnQuest and LNS had always been combined, 
with the results of LNS being included for the year 

ended 31 December 2010 and EnQuest results being 
included from its incorporation date of 29 January 2010; 
comparative data for the statement of comprehensive 
income within these Group financial statements only 
relates to LNS as EnQuest was not incorporated in the 
comparative period;
the Group’s equity reflects the capital restructuring of 
EnQuest and LNS at the beginning of the comparative 
period and LNS’s retained earnings carry forward within 
Group equity together with EnQuest’s retained earnings;
the carrying value of LNS net assets are unadjusted for 
the combination with EnQuest under the pooling of 
interests method; no goodwill arises as a result of the 
combination of LNS with EnQuest;
the additional share premium resulting from 
capitalisation of LNS’s long-term loans payable is 
eliminated by transfer to the Group merger reserve;
the consideration for the acquisition of PEDL is derived 
from the market value of EnQuest Ordinary shares 
issued to effect the acquisition;
the identifiable net assets of PEDL are measured at fair 
value at the date of the acquisition; and
the Group merger reserve represents the difference 
between the market value of shares issued to effect the 
business combinations less the nominal value of shares 
issued; and consolidation adjustments which arise under 
the application of the pooling of interests method. 

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >

Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the 
sole right to exercise control over the operations and 
govern the financial policies generally accompanying a 
shareholding of more than half of the voting rights. The 
existence and effect of potential voting rights that are 
currently exercisable or convertible are considered when 
assessing the Group’s control. Subsidiaries are fully 
consolidated from the date on which control is transferred 
to the Group and are de-consolidated from the date that 
control ceases.

Intercompany profits, transactions and balances are 
eliminated on consolidation. Accounting policies of 
subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure 
consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

Unincorporated jointly controlled assets
Oil and gas operations are conducted by the Group as 
co-licensees in unincorporated joint ventures with other 
companies. The Group’s financial statements reflect the 
relevant proportions of production, capital costs, operating 
costs and current assets and liabilities of the joint venture 
applicable to the Group’s interests. The Group’s current 
joint venture interests are detailed on page 3.

Business combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the 
acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured 
as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, 
measured at acquisition date fair value and the amount of 
any controlling interest in the acquiree. For each business 
combination, the acquirer measures the non-controlling 
interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the 
proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net 
assets. Those petroleum reserves and resources that are 
able to be reliably valued are recognised in the assessment 
of fair values on acquisition. Other potential reserves, 
resources and rights, for which fair values cannot be 
reliably determined, are not recognised.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 59

notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

2. Summary of significant accounting policies 
(continued)
New standards and interpretations
The Group has adopted new and revised IFRS that are 
relevant to its operations and effective for accounting 
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2010. The principal 
effects of the adoption of these new and amended 
standards and interpretations are discussed below:

IFRS 2 Share-based Payment (Revised)
The IASB issued an amendment to IFRS 2 that clarified the 
scope and the accounting for Group cash-settled share-
based payment transactions. The Group adopted this 
amendment as of 1 January 2010, the amendment did not 
have any impact on the financial position or performance 
of the Group.

IFRS 3 Business Combinations (Revised) and IAS 27 
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements 
(Amended)
IFRS 3 (Revised) introduces significant changes in the 
accounting for business combinations occurring after 
1 January 2010. Changes affect the valuation of non-
controlling interests, the accounting for transaction costs, 
the initial recognition and subsequent measurement of a 
contingent consideration and business combinations 
achieved in stages. The Group adopted this revised 
standard as of 1 January 2010. Retrospective application 
has been applied to 2009 equity comparatives where 
appropriate, however there is no impact on the financial 
position or performance of the Group for the year ended 
31 December 2009.

IAS 27 (Amended) is effective for annual periods beginning 
on or after 1 July 2009 and prescribes the accounting 
treatment in respect of a change in ownership interest in 
a subsidiary, allocation of losses incurred by a subsidiary 
between controlling and non-controlling interests and 
accounting for a loss of interest in a subsidiary. This may 
affect the Group where there is a change in ownership 
interest in any of its subsidiaries. The amendment did not 
have any impact on the financial position or performance 
of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2009.

Standards issued but not yet effective
Standards issued and relevant to the Group, but not yet 
effective up to the date of issuance of the Group’s 
financial statements are listed below. This listing is of 
standards and interpretations issued, which the Group 
reasonably expects to be applicable at a future date.  
The Group intends to adopt those standards when they 
become effective.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Classification and 
Measurement
IFRS 9 as issued reflects the first phase of the IASB’s work 
on the replacement of IAS 39 and applies to classification 
and measurement of financial assets as defined in IAS 39. 
The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on 
or after 1 January 2013. In subsequent phases, the IASB  
will address classification and measurement of financial 
liabilities, hedge accounting and derecognition. The 
completion of this project is expected in mid-2011. The 
adoption of IFRS 9 will have an effect on the classification 
and measurement of the Group’s financial assets. However, 
the Group determined that the effect shall be quantified in 
conjunction with the other phases when issued to present  
a comprehensive picture. 

Improvements to IFRS’s (Issued in May 2010)
The IASB issued improvements to IFRS, an omnibus of 
amendments to its IFRS standards. The amendments have 
not been adopted as they become effective for annual 
periods on or after either 1 July 2010 or 1 January 2011. 

The Group does not expect that adoption of the 
amendments will have any impact on its financial position 
or performance.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The management of the Group has to make estimates and 
judgements when preparing the financial statements of the 
Group. Uncertainties in the estimates and judgements 
could have an impact on the carrying amount of assets  
and liabilities and the Group’s result. The most important 
estimates and judgements in relation thereto are:

Estimates in oil and gas reserves
The business of the Group is the exploration for, 
development of and production of oil and gas reserves. 
Estimates of oil and gas reserves are used in the calculations 
for impairment tests and accounting for depletion and 
decommissioning. Changes in estimates of oil and gas 
reserves resulting in different future production profiles will 
affect the discounted cash flows used in impairment testing, 
the anticipated date of decommissioning and the depletion 
charges in accordance with the unit-of-production method.

Estimates in impairment of assets (excluding goodwill)
For details of policy see Impairment of assets (excluding 
goodwill) and refer to the further economic assumptions 
above within Estimates in oil and gas reserves.

Decommissioning provision 
Amounts used in recording a provision for decommissioning 
are estimates based on current legal and constructive 
requirements and current technology and price levels for 
the removal of facilities and plugging and abandoning of 
wells. Due to changes in relation to these items, the future 
actual cash outflows in relation to decommissioning are 
likely to differ in practice. To reflect the effects due to 
changes in legislation, requirements and technology and 
price levels, the carrying amounts of decommissioning 
provisions are reviewed on a regular basis. 

The effects of changes in estimates do not give rise to prior 
year adjustments and are dealt with prospectively. While 
the Group uses its best estimates and judgement, actual 
results could differ from these estimates.

In estimating decommissioning provisions, the Group 
applies an annual inflation rate of 2% and an annual 
discount rate of 5%.

Estimates in impairment of goodwill
Determination of whether goodwill has suffered any 
impairment requires an estimation of the value in use of 
the cash-generating units (‘CGU’) to which goodwill has 
been allocated. The present value calculation requires the 
entity to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise 
from the CGU and a suitable discount rate. In calculating 
the present value in use of the CGU, the Group has applied 
an oil price assumption of US$85 per barrel, escalated at 
2% per annum and discounted at a pre-tax rate of 19%.

60

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

2. Summary of significant accounting policies 
(continued)
Taxation
The UK’s Corporation tax legislation is relatively complex. 
The Group’s operations are subject to a number of specific 
rules which apply to UK North Sea exploration and 
production. In addition, the tax provision is prepared 
before the relevant companies have filed their UK 
Corporation tax and supplementary charge returns with 
HMRC and significantly, before these have been agreed.  
As a result of these factors the tax provision process 
necessarily involves the use of a number of estimates  
and judgements. 

Depreciation on other elements of property, plant and 
equipment is provided on a straight-line basis at the 
following rates:

Office furniture and equipment 

25% – 100%

Each asset’s estimated useful life, residual value and 
method of depreciation are reviewed and adjusted if 
appropriate at each financial year end.

No depreciation is charged on land or assets under 
construction. 

The Group recognises deferred tax assets on unused tax 
losses where it is probable that future taxable profits will be 
available for utilisation. This requires management to make 
judgements and assumptions regarding the amount of 
deferred tax that can be recognised as well as the 
likelihood of future taxable profits.

The carrying amount of an item of property, plant and 
equipment is derecognised on disposal or when no future 
economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. 
The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item 
of property, plant and equipment is included in the 
statement of comprehensive income when the item  
is derecognised. Gains are not classified as revenue.

Foreign currencies
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 (‘functional currency’). The Group financial 
statements are presented in United States dollars, the 
currency which the Group has elected to use as its 
presentation currency.

In the accounts of the Company and its individual 
subsidiaries, transactions in currencies other than a 
Company’s functional currency are recorded at the 
prevailing rate of exchange on the date of the transaction. 
At the year end, monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the 
rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. 
Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured at 
historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the 
rate of exchange as at the dates of the initial transactions. 
Non-monetary assets and liabilities measured at fair value 
in a foreign currency are translated using the rate of 
exchange at the date the fair value was determined.  
All foreign exchange gains and losses are taken to the 
statement of comprehensive income.

Classification and recognition of assets and liabilities
Non-current assets and non-current liabilities including 
provisions consist, for the most part, solely of amounts that 
are expected to be recovered or paid more than 12 months 
after the balance sheet date. Current assets and current 
liabilities consist solely of amounts that are expected to be 
recovered or paid within 12 months after the balance sheet 
date.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value. 
Cost comprises the purchase price or construction cost 
and any costs directly attributable to making that asset 
capable of operating as intended. The purchase price or 
construction cost is the aggregate amount paid and the 
fair value of any other consideration given to acquire 
the asset. 

Oil and gas assets are depleted, on a field-by-field basis, 
using the unit-of-production method based on entitlement 
to proven and probable reserves, taking account of 
estimated future development expenditure relating to 
those reserves. 

Capitalised costs
Oil and gas assets are accounted for using the successful 
efforts method of accounting.

Intangible oil and gas assets
Expenditure directly associated with evaluation or 
appraisal activities is capitalised as an intangible asset. 
Such costs include the costs of acquiring an interest, 
appraisal well drilling costs, payments to contractors and 
an appropriate share of directly attributable overheads 
incurred during the evaluation phase. For such appraisal 
activity, which may require drilling of further wells, costs 
continue to be carried as an asset whilst related 
hydrocarbons are considered capable of commercial 
development. Such costs are subject to technical, 
commercial and management review to confirm the 
continued intent to develop, or otherwise extract value. 
When this is no longer the case, the costs are written off  
in the statement of comprehensive income. When such 
assets are declared part of a commercial development, 
related costs are transferred to property, plant and 
equipment oil and gas assets. All intangible oil and gas 
assets are assessed for any impairment prior to transfer 
and any impairment loss is recognised in the statement  
of comprehensive income.

Oil and gas assets
Expenditure relating to development of assets including the 
construction, installation and completion of infrastructure 
facilities such as platforms, pipelines and development wells, 
is capitalised within property, plant and equipment.

Changes in unit-of-production factors
Changes in factors which affect unit-of-production 
calculations are dealt with prospectively, not by immediate 
adjustment of prior years’ amounts. 

Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the construction  
of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take 
a substantial period of time to prepare for their intended 
use, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time 
as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use. 
All other borrowing costs are recognised as interest 
payable in the statement of comprehensive income  
in accordance with the effective interest method.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 61

 
notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

2. Summary of significant accounting policies 
(continued)
Property, plant and equipment (continued)
Impairment of assets (excluding goodwill)
At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying 
amounts of its oil and gas assets to assess whether there is 
an indication that those assets may be impaired. If any such 
indication exists, the Group makes an estimate of the 
asset’s recoverable amount. An asset’s recoverable amount 
is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and its 
value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future 
cash flows attributable to the asset are discounted to their 
present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of money 
and the risks specific to the asset. In calculating the asset 
fair values the Group has applied an oil price assumption  
of US$85 per barrel, escalated at 2% per annum and a 
discounted pre-tax rate of 19%.

If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be 
less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the 
asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment 
loss is recognised immediately in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the 
carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised 
estimate of its recoverable amount, but only so that the 
increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying 
amount that would have been determined had no 
impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior 
years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised 
immediately in the statement of comprehensive income. 

Goodwill
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is initially 
measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the 
business combination over the net fair value of the 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the 
entity at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, 
goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment 
losses. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more 
frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that such carrying value may be impaired.

Derivatives
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date 
a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured at their fair value. The method of recognising 
the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the 
derivative is designated as a hedging instrument. 

The Group categorises derivatives as follows:

Fair value hedge
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as fair 
value hedging instruments are recorded in the profit or 
loss, together with any changes in the fair value of the 
hedged asset or liability.

Cash flow hedge
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of 
derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges are recognised 
in other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to 
the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the 
profit or loss. Amounts accumulated in shareholders’ 
equity are transferred to the profit or loss in the period 
when the hedged item will affect the profit or loss. When a 
hedging instrument no longer meets the requirements for 
hedge accounting, expires or is sold, any accumulated gain 
or loss recognised in shareholders’ equity is transferred to 
profit and loss.

Net investment hedge
Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are 
accounted for in a similar manner as cash flow hedges.  
The gain or loss accumulated in shareholders’ equity is 
transferred to the profit or loss at the time the foreign 
operation is disposed of.

Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
When derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, 
changes in fair value are recognised immediately in the 
profit or loss.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and 
subsequently measured at amortised cost less provision 
for impairment. 

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill acquired 
is allocated to the cash-generating units that are expected 
to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Each unit 
or units to which goodwill is allocated represents the 
lowest level within the Group at which the goodwill is 
monitored for internal management purposes.

Inventories
Inventories of consumable well supplies are stated at the 
lower of cost and net realisable value, cost being 
determined on a first in first out (‘FIFO’) basis. Inventories 
of hydrocarbons are stated at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value. 

Impairment is determined by assessing the recoverable 
amount of the cash-generating unit to which the goodwill 
relates. Where the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the 
cash-generating unit and related goodwill, an impairment 
loss is recognised.

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

Under/over-lift 
Under-or over-lifted positions of hydrocarbons are valued 
at market prices prevailing at the balance sheet date. An 
under-lift of production from a field is included in current 
receivables and valued at the reporting date spot price or 
prevailing contract price and an over-lift of production 
from a field is included in current liabilities and valued at 
the reporting date spot price or prevailing contract price.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash at bank, cash in 
hand, outstanding bank overdrafts and highly liquid 
interest bearing securities with original maturities of three 
months or less. 

62

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

2. Summary of significant accounting policies 
(continued)
Equity
Share capital
The balance classified as equity share capital includes the 
total net proceeds (both nominal value and share premium) 
on issue of registered share capital of the Parent Company. 

The pooling of EnQuest and LNS on 6 April 2010 has 
resulted in the share capital of LNS being retrospectively 
adjusted to reflect the capital structure of EnQuest as of 
the beginning of the earliest comparative period 
presented. Share issue costs associated with the issuance 
of new equity are treated as a direct reduction of proceeds. 

Merger reserve
Merger reserve represents the difference between the 
market value of shares issued to effect business 
combinations less the nominal value of shares issued, and 
the consolidation adjustments that arise under the 
application of the pooling of interest method.

Cash flow hedge reserve
For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or 
loss on the hedging instrument is recognised directly as 
other comprehensive income in the cash flow hedge 
reserve. Upon settlement of the hedge instrument, the 
change in fair value is transferred to the statement of 
comprehensive income. 

Share-based payments reserve
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions are 
measured at the fair value of the services received, and the 
corresponding increase in equity is recorded directly at the 
fair value of the services received. The share-based 
payments reserve includes treasury shares.

Other
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 
legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events,  
it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required 
to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made 
of the amount of the obligation. 

Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets
A financial asset (or, where applicable a part of a financial 
asset) is derecognised where:
 >

the rights to receive cash flows from the asset  
have expired;
the Group retains the right to receive cash flows from 
the asset, but has assumed an obligation to pay them  
in full without material delay to a third party under  
a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; or
the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows 
from the asset and either (a) has transferred 
substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) 
has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the 
risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred 
control of the asset.

 >

 >

Financial liabilities
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation 
under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires.

If an existing financial liability is replaced by another from 
the same lender, on substantially different terms, or the 
terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such 
an exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition 
of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability 
such that the difference in the respective carrying amounts 
together with any costs or fees incurred are recognised in 
the statement of comprehensive income.

Retained earnings
Retained earnings contain the accumulated results 
attributable to the shareholders of the Parent Company. 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are recognised 
initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. 

Employee benefit trust
EnQuest PLC shares held by the Group are deducted from 
the share-based payments reserve and are recognised at 
cost. Consideration received for the sale of such shares is 
also recognised in equity, with any difference between the 
proceeds from the sale and the original cost being taken to 
reserves. No gain or loss is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income on the purchase, sale, issue or 
cancellation of equity shares.

Provisions
Decommissioning
Provision for future decommissioning costs is made in full 
when the Group has an obligation to dismantle and remove 
a facility or an item of plant and to restore the site on which 
it is located, and when a reasonable estimate of that liability 
can be made. The amount recognised is the present value 
of the estimated future expenditure. An amount equivalent 
to the discounted initial provision for decommissioning 
costs is capitalised and amortised over the life of the 
underlying asset on a unit-of-production basis over proven 
and probable reserves. Any change in the present value of 
the estimated expenditure is reflected as an adjustment  
to the provision and the oil and gas asset. 

The unwinding of the discount applied to future 
decommissioning provisions is included under finance 
costs in the statement of comprehensive income.

Borrowing costs are stated at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method, with interest expense 
recognised on an effective yield basis. 

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

Revenue
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable 
economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue 
can be reliably measured. 

Oil and gas revenues comprise the Group’s share of sales 
from the processing or sale of hydrocarbons on an 
entitlement basis, when the significant risks and rewards  
of ownership have been passed to the buyer.

Tariff revenue is recognised in the period in which the 
services are provided at the agreed contract rates. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 63

notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

2. Summary of significant accounting policies 
(continued)
Exceptional items 
As permitted by IAS 1 (Revised), Presentation of Financial 
Statements, certain items are presented separately. The 
items that the Group separately presents as exceptional  
on the face of the statement of comprehensive income are 
those material items of income and expense which because 
of the nature and expected infrequency of the events 
giving rise to them, merit separate presentation to allow 
shareholders to understand better the elements of 
financial performance in the year, so as to facilitate 
comparison with prior periods and to assess better  
trends in financial performance.

Depletion of fair value uplift to property, plant and 
equipment on acquiring strategic investments
IFRS requires that a fair value exercise is undertaken 
allocating the cost of acquiring controlling interests to the 
fair value of the acquired identifiable assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities. Any difference between the cost of 
acquiring the interest and the fair value of the acquired net 
assets, which includes identified contingent liabilities, is 
recognised as acquired goodwill. The fair value exercise  
is performed as at the date of acquisition.

The Directors have determined that for strategic 
investments it is important to separately identify the 
earnings impact of increased depletion arising from the 
acquisition date fair value uplifts made to property, plant 
and equipment over their useful economic lives. As a result 
of the nature of fair value assessments in the oil and gas 
industry the value attributed to strategic assets is 
subjective, based on a wide range of complex variables at  
a point in time. The subsequent depletion of the fair value 
uplifts bears little relationship to current market conditions, 
operational performance or cash generation. Management 
therefore reports and monitors the business performance 
of strategic investments before the impact of depletion of 
fair value uplifts to property, plant and equipment and the 
uplift is excluded from the business result presented in the 
Group statement of comprehensive income.

Leases
For a lease to qualify as a finance lease, substantially all of 
the risks and benefits of ownership must pass to the lessee. 
In all other cases the lease will be classified as an operating 
lease. Payments made under operating leases (net of any 
incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the 
statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line 
basis over the period of the lease.

Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits such as salaries, social 
premiums and holiday pay, are expensed when incurred. 

Pension obligations
The Group’s pension obligations consist of defined 
contribution plans. A defined contribution plan is a pension 
plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions.  
The Group has no further payment obligations once the 
contributions have been paid. The amount charged to the 
statement of comprehensive income in respect of pension 
costs reflects the contributions payable in the year. 
Differences between contributions payable during the  
year and contributions actually paid are shown as either 
accrued liabilities or prepaid assets in the balance sheet.

Share-based payment transactions
Employees (including Directors) of the Group receive 
remuneration in the form of share-based payment 
transactions, whereby employees render services in 
exchange for shares or rights over shares (‘equity-settled 
transactions’) of EnQuest PLC.

Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees  
is measured by reference to the fair value at the date  
on which they are granted. In valuing equity-settled 
transactions, no account is taken of any service or 
performance conditions, other than conditions linked  
to the price of the shares of EnQuest PLC (‘market 
conditions’) or ‘non-vesting’ conditions, if applicable.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised over 
the period in which the relevant employees become fully 
entitled to the award (the ‘vesting period’). The cumulative 
expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each 
reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to 
which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s best 
estimate of the number of equity instruments that will 
ultimately vest. The statement of comprehensive income 
charge or credit for a period represents the movement in 
cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and 
end of that period.

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately 
vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon  
a market or non-vesting conditions, which are treated as 
vesting irrespective of whether or not the market or 
non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other 
performance conditions are satisfied. Equity awards 
cancelled are treated as vesting immediately on the date  
of cancellation, and any expense not recognised for the 
award at that date is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

Taxes
Income taxes
Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the 
amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the 
taxation authorities, based on tax rates and laws that 
are enacted or substantively enacted by the balance 
sheet date.

Deferred tax is provided in full on temporary differences 
arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and 
their carrying amounts in the Group financial statements. 
However, deferred tax is not accounted for if it arises from 
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  
or loss. Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis 
using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are 
expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is 
realised or the deferred tax liability is settled. Deferred tax 
assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that 
future taxable profits will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised. 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable 
temporary differences arising on investments in 
subsidiaries and interests in joint ventures, except where 
the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary 
difference and it is probable that the temporary difference 
will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

64

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date. Deferred income tax assets 
and liabilities are offset, only if a legal right exists to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities, the deferred 
income taxes relate to the same taxation authority and that authority permits the Group to make a single net payment.

Production taxes
In addition to corporate income taxes, the Group’s financial statements also include and disclose production taxes on net 
income determined from oil and gas production. 

The Group distinguishes between income tax and production tax. Production tax relates to Petroleum Revenue Tax 
(‘PRT’) and is accounted for under IAS 12 since it has the characteristics of an income tax as it is imposed under 
Government authority and the amount payable is based on taxable profits of the relevant fields. Current and deferred  
PRT is provided on the same basis as described above for income taxes. 

3. Segment information 
Management have considered the requirements of IFRS 8, in regard to the determination of operating segments, and 
concluded that the Group has only one operating segment being the exploration for, and the extraction and production  
of hydrocarbons in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. 

All revenue is generated from sales to customers in the United Kingdom. Details of the Group’s revenue components are 
provided in note 5(a). All crude oil revenue is received from one major customer and amounted to US$570,518,000 or 
98% of total revenue in the year ended 31 December 2010 (2009: US$226,325,000 or 97% of total revenue).

4. exceptional items and depletion of fair value uplift

Recognised in arriving at profit from operations before tax and finance income/(costs):
Initial Public Offering and acquisition costs
Costs relating to the acquisition of Stratic
Impairment expenses
Well abandonment expenses

Depletion of fair value uplift

2010 
us$’000

2009 
US$’000

8,143
5,289
59,991
8,194

81,617
16,319

97,936

–
–
–
–

–
–

–

Initial Public Offering and acquisition costs
Expenses relating to the acquisition of LNS and PEDL and the Company’s listing on the London Stock Exchange and 
Stockholm NASDAQ OMX market of US$8,143,000 (2009: nil) are included in general and administrative expenses  
in the statement of comprehensive income.

Costs relating to the acquisition of Stratic
Costs of US$5,289,000 (2009: nil) relating to the acquisition of Stratic Energy Corporation (‘Stratic’) are included in 
general and administrative expenses in the statement of comprehensive income.

Impairment expenses
Expenses relating to the impairment of Scolty and Peik area assets were recognised in the year (2009: nil). The 
impairment expense comprises US$25,034,000 relating to Scolty and US$34,957,000 relating to the Peik area, of which 
US$2,121,000 relates to property, plant and equipment oil and gas assets (note 10) and US$32,836,000 relates to 
intangible oil and gas assets (note 13).

Well abandonment expenses
Expenses of US$8,194,000 (2009: nil) relating to partial decommissioning of two wells covered by the Intervening Period 
and Decommissioning Liability Agreements have been recognised due to doubt over recoverability from the previous 
field owners arising from differences in the commercial interpretation of the Agreements. 

Depletion of fair value uplift
Additional depletion charges arising from the fair value uplift of PEDL’s oil and gas assets on acquisition of US$16,319,000 
(2009: nil) are included within cost of sales in the statement of comprehensive income.

Tax has been included on exceptional items and depletion of fair value uplifts estimated at the Group’s effective tax rate 
of 51%.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 65

notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

5. Revenues and expenses
(a) Revenue

Revenue from crude oil sales
Revenue from condensate sales
Tariff revenue
Other operating revenue 

(b) Cost of sales

Cost of operations
Tariff and transportation expenses
Change in lifting position
Inventory movement – hydrocarbons
Depletion of oil and gas assets (note 10)

(c) exploration and evaluation expenses 

Unsuccessful exploration expenditure written off (note 13)
Impairment charge (note 13)

(d) General and administration expenses

Staff costs (note 5(g))
Depreciation (note 10)
Other general and administration costs
Recharge of costs to operations and joint venture partners

(e) Other income

Foreign exchange gains
Other income

(f) Other expenses

Foreign exchange losses
Other expenses

66

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

Year ended 
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended 
31 December
2009
US$’000

570,518
1,695
11,255
–

226,325
1,786
5,305
601

583,468

234,017

Year ended 
31 December 
2010 
us$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
US$’000

180,903
41,661
3,864
(2,809)
177,185

130,615
15,411
(4,593)
(65)
51,778

400,804

193,146

Year ended 
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended 
31 December
2009
US$’000

13,608
67,249

80,857

–
6,149

6,149

Year ended 
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended 
31 December
2009
US$’000

31,788
845
17,280
(22,711)

27,202

7,157
642
6,181
(13,845)

135

Year ended
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended
31 December
2009
US$’000

4,838
2,186

7,024

3,932
–

3,932

Year ended 
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended
31 December
2009
US$’000

5,526
–

5,526

21,454
431

21,885

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

5. Revenues and expenses (continued)
(g) Staff costs 

Total staff costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Defined contribution pension costs
Expense of share-based payments (note 18)
Long-term incentive plan costs (note 18)
Other staff costs
Contractor costs
Redundancy costs

Year ended
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended
31 December
2009
US$’000

12,823
3,177
841
3,070
717
651
6,174
4,335

31,788

5,145
637
358
–
608
409
–
–

7,157

Redundancy costs of US$4,335,000 were incurred by the Group in the year ended 31 December 2010 (2009: nil) as a 
result of the Stratic acquisition. These costs are included in ‘costs relating to the acquisition of Stratic’ which are reported 
as an exceptional item (note 4).

The average number of persons employed by the Group during the year was 60 (2009: 34).

Details for each Director of remuneration, pension entitlement and incentive arrangements are set out in the 
Remuneration Report on pages 49 to 52.

(h) Auditors’ remuneration 
The following amounts were payable by the Group to its auditors during the year. 

Ernst & Young LLP
Audit of the Group financial statements
Local statutory audits of subsidiaries
Tax services
Other services pursuant to legislation
Corporate finance services (i)

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Audit of the Group financial statements
Tax services
Other services pursuant to legislation
Corporate finance services (i)

Year ended
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended
31 December
2009
US$’000

141
228
80
63
651

1,163

–
9
13
70

92

–
–
–
–
–

–

124
–
–
–

124

(i)  Corporate finance services relate to the IPO and are included in the Initial Public Offering and acquisition costs of $8,144,000 which are presented as an 

exceptional item (note 4).

6. Finance income/costs

Finance costs:
Loan interest payable 
Unwinding of discount on decommissioning provisions (note 20)
Other financial expenses

Finance income:
Bank interest receivable
Other interest receivable
Other financial income

Year ended
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended
31 December
2009
US$’000

1,693
5,196
4,298

11,187

939
–
235

1,174

3,099
2,916
429

6,444

31
796
–

827

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 67

notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

7. income tax
(a) income tax
The major components of income tax expense are as follows:

Group statement of comprehensive income
Current income tax
Current income tax charge
Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous years
Deferred income tax
Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments in respect of deferred income tax of previous years

Income tax expense reported in statement of comprehensive income

Year ended
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended
31 December
2009
US$’000

4,344
(2,121)

25,899
577

28,699

8,916
(943)

(4,948)
–

3,025

(b) Reconciliation of total income tax charge
A reconciliation between the income tax charge and the product of accounting profit multiplied by the Group’s statutory 
tax rate is as follows:

Year ended
31 December
2010
us$’000

Year ended 
31 December
2009
US$’000

55,775
27,888
1,364
3,682
3,241
(6,093)
971
(1,544)
(810)

28,699

11,017
5,509
1,726
–
(3,140)
–
(140)
(943)
13

3,025

Group balance sheet

Group statement of 
comprehensive income

2010
us$’000

2009
US$’000

2010
us$’000

2009
US$’000

554,307
10,474

 355,604
 582 

 (33,290)
 2,334

 17,291
 (6,586)

564,781

 356,186

69,525
(12,093)

(12,502)
 (3,151)

26,476

(4,948)

(207,100)
 (70,054)
 (4,477)

(77,391)
(26,468)
 –

(281,631)

(103,859)

283,150

252,327

 (8,871)
292,021

 (156)
252,483

283,150

252,327

Profit before tax
Statutory rate of Corporation tax in the UK of 50% (2009: 50%)
Supplementary Corporation tax non-deductible expenditure
Non-deductible expenditure
Petroleum revenue tax (net of income tax benefit)
Ring fence expenditure supplement
Tax in respect of non-ring fence trade
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Overseas tax

At the effective income tax rate of 51% (2009: 27%)

(c) Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax relates to the following:

Deferred tax liability
Accelerated capital allowances
Other temporary differences

Deferred tax asset
Losses
Decommissioning liability
Other temporary differences

Deferred tax (expense)/income

Deferred tax liabilities, net

Reflected in balance sheet as follows:
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities, net

68

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

 
overview

business review

governance

financial statements

7. income tax (continued)
(d) tax losses 
Deferred income tax assets are recognised for the carry-forward of unused tax losses and unused tax credits to the 
extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which the unused tax losses/credits can be utilised.

Deferred tax assets of US$5,149,000 (2009: nil) were recognised in 2010 on the acquisition of Stratic (note 11) in relation 
to unutilised tax losses. The tax losses relate to UK trading losses arising in Stratic Energy UK Limited prior to 2010, 
recoverability of which is dependent on future taxable trading profits in excess of those arising from the reversal of 
deferred tax liabilities in that company. It is anticipated that Stratic Energy UK Limited will generate taxable trading profits 
in the future in excess of the losses carried forward, and this company had taxable trading profits in 2010.

8. earnings per share 
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit after tax and on the weighted average number of Ordinary 
shares in issue during the period. The denominators for the purposes of calculating both basic and diluted earnings per 
share for each period have been adjusted to reflect the capital restructure in accordance with IAS 33, ‘Earnings per Share’ 
(note 2).

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows:

Basic
Dilutive potential of Ordinary shares granted 

under share-based incentive schemes

Adjusted 

Profit after tax  
Year ended 31 December

2010
us$’000

27,076

2009
US$’000

7,992

–

–

27,076

7,992

Weighted average 
number of shares  
Year ended 31 December

Earnings per share  
Year ended 31 December

2010
million

686.8

5.6

692.4

2009
Million

422.4

–

2010
us$

0.040

–

2009
US$

0.019

–

422.4

0.040

0.019

9. Dividends paid and proposed
The Company paid no dividends during the year ended 31 December 2010 (2009: nil).

10. Property, plant and equipment

Cost:
At 1 January 2009
Additions
Change in decommissioning provision

At 31 December 2009
Additions
Change in decommissioning provision
Acquisition of subsidiaries

At 31 December 2010

Depletion and depreciation:
At 1 January 2009
Charge for the year

At 31 December 2009
Impairment charge for the year
Charge for the year

At 31 December 2010

net carrying amounts:
At 31 December 2010

At 31 December 2009

At 1 January 2009

Oil and gas
assets
US$’000

Office 
furniture and 
equipment
US$’000

769,016
63,525
3,385

835,926
148,492
15,172
631,211

4,387
259
–

4,646
2,366
–
801

 Total 
US$’000 

773,403
63,784
3,385

840,572
150,858
15,172
632,012

1,630,801

7,813

1,638,614

266,905
51,778

318,683
2,121
177,185

2,689
642

3,331
–
845

269,594
52,420

322,014
2,121
178,030

497,989

4,176

502,165

1,132,812

 3,637 

1,136,449

517,243

502,111

1,315

1,698

518,558

503,809

No interest has been capitalised within oil and gas assets during the year (2009: nil). 

The net book value at 31 December 2010 includes US$5,344,000 (2009: US$2,005,000), of pre-development assets and 
development assets under construction which are not being depreciated. 

During the year ended 31 December 2010, capitalised pre-development costs of US$2,121,000 (2009: nil) and intangible 
asset licence costs of US$32,836,000 (2009: nil), (note 13) associated with the Peik area were written off based on the 
Group’s latest economic evaluation of the asset which did not support the delivery of an economic development.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 69

notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

11. business combinations
acquisition of stratic
On 5 November 2010, the Company acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Stratic, an oil and gas company 
operating principally in the United Kingdom. The acquisition was satisfied by the issue and allotment of 24,434,983 
EnQuest Ordinary shares (note 17). 

The acquisition of Stratic enhanced the Group’s proven and probable oil and gas reserves in the UKCS and also 
consolidated its position in the West Don asset, providing a further 17.25% working interest in the asset. 

The provisional fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of Stratic, as at the date of the acquisition, are 
analysed below:

assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible oil and gas assets
Deferred tax assets
Inventories
Trade receivables
Other receivables and prepayments
Cash

liabilities
Provision – decommissioning 
Loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables
Accrued expenses

Total identifiable net assets at fair value 
Goodwill arising on acquisition

Consideration

Purchase consideration transferred:
24,434,983 Ordinary £0.05 enquest shares

Provisional 
fair value
recognised on 
acquisition
US$’000

131,486
22,809
5,149
2,215
55
4,506
5,421

171,641

(10,840)
(87,969)
(9,793)
(10,692)

(119,294)

52,347
1,816

54,163

54,163

The fair values are provisional due to the complexity of the acquisition and due to the inherently uncertain nature of a 
number of the critical accounting estimates. The review of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired will be 
completed within 12 months of the acquisition.

From the date of acquisition, Stratic has contributed US$6,511,000 to revenue and US$70,000 to the net profit before tax 
of the Group. If the above combination had taken place at the beginning of 2010, net profit of the Group would have been 
US$28,767,000 and revenue would have been US$608,210,000.

The goodwill recognised above is attributed to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and 
activities of Stratic with those of the Group. None of the recognised goodwill will be deductible for income tax purposes. 

Business combination expenses of US$5,289,000 relating to the above transactions have been expensed in the year 
(2009: nil).

lns capital restructuring 
On 6 April 2010, EnQuest acquired 100% of the voting rights of LNS, an oil and gas exploration and production company 
operating in the UK Continental Shelf. The acquisition was satisfied by the issue and allotment of EnQuest Ordinary shares 
(note 17). For financial reporting purposes, the combination of LNS with EnQuest has been accounted for as a capital 
restructuring under the pooling of interests method.

On 6 June 2010, LNS changed its name to EnQuest North Sea BV. 

acquisition of PeDl
On 5 April 2010, EnQuest acquired 100% of the voting shares of PEDL, an oil and gas development and production 
company operating in the UK Continental Shelf. The acquisition, which was satisfied by the issue and allotment of 
EnQuest Ordinary shares (note 17), has been accounted for using the acquisition method. The Group financial  
statements include the results of PEDL for the period from its acquisition date.

70

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

overview

business review

governance

financial statements

11. business combinations (continued)
The provisional fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of PEDL as at the acquisition date was:

assets
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred income tax asset
Inventories
Trade receivables
Joint venture receivables
Other receivables and prepayments
Cash

liabilities
Provision – decommissioning
Deferred tax liabilities
Trade and other payables
Accrued expenses

Total identifiable net assets at fair value
Goodwill arising on acquisition

Purchase consideration transferred, comprising 345,629,616 Ordinary £0.05 enquest shares

Provisional 
fair value
recognised on 
acquisition
US$’000

500,526
27,310
9,335
4,884
51,678
20,051
16,135

629,919

(55,966)
(37,665)
(94,183)
(29,040)

(216,854)

413,065
100,102

513,167

The fair values are provisional due to the complexity of the acquisition and due to the inherently uncertain nature of a 
number of the critical accounting estimates. The review of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired will be 
completed within 12 months of the acquisition.

The fair value of the purchase consideration transferred to acquire PEDL was derived from the opening day share price  
of EnQuest shares on 6 April 2010, as quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

From the date of acquisition, PEDL has contributed US$281,612,000 to revenue and US$75,759,000 to the net profit 
before tax of the Group. If the combination had taken place at the beginning of the period, the net profit before tax of  
the Group for the period would have been US$54,311,000 and revenue would have been US$614,357,000.

The goodwill recognised above is attributed to the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the assets and 
activities of PEDL with those of the Group. None of the recognised goodwill will be deductible for income tax purposes. 

On 6 May 2010, PEDL changed its name to EnQuest Dons Limited.

Business combination expenses of US$1,733,000 relating to the above transactions have been expensed in the period 
(2009: nil). 

12. Goodwill
A summary of the movement in goodwill is presented below:

At 1 January 
Acquisitions during the year (note 11):
Petrofac Energy Developments Limited
Stratic Energy Corporation

At 31 December 

2010
us$’000

2009
US$’000

–

100,102
1,816

101,918

–

–
–

–

Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated to a single cash-generating unit (‘CGU’), the UKCS, 
being the Group’s only operating segment and therefore the lowest level that goodwill is reviewed by the Board. 

impairment testing of goodwill 
The Group performed its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2010. In assessing whether goodwill has been 
impaired, the carrying amount of the CGU, including goodwill, is compared with its recoverable amount. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 71

notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

12. Goodwill (continued)
The recoverable amount of the CGU has been determined on a value in use basis using a discounted cash flow model 
comprising asset-by-asset life of field projections. The discount rate used is derived from the Group’s post-tax weighted 
average cost of capital. Risks specific to assets within the CGU are reflected within the cash flow forecasts. 

Key assumptions used in value in use calculations
The key assumptions required for the calculation of value in use of the CGU are:
 >
 >
 >

oil prices
production volumes
discount rates

Oil prices are based on management’s assessment of oil price using publicly available forecast commodity prices. For the 
purposes of calculating value in use, management has applied an oil price assumption of US$85 per barrel, escalated at 
2% per annum.

Production volumes are based on life of field production profiles for each asset within the CGU. The production volumes 
used in the value in use calculations are supported by the Group’s independent reserve assessment experts.

The discount rate reflects management’s estimate of the Group’s weighted average cost of capital (‘WACC’). The WACC 
takes in to account both debt and equity. The cost of equity is derived from the expected return on investment by the 
Group’s investors. The cost of debt is based on its interest-bearing borrowings. Segment risk is incorporated by applying 
a beta factor based on publicly available market data. The discount rate applied to the Group’s pre-tax cash flow 
projections is 19% (2009: n/a).

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions
There are reasonably possible changes in key assumptions which could erode the estimated amount of US$640,000,000 
by which the calculated value in use exceeds the carrying value of the CGU. These are discussed below:
 >

oil price: management has considered the possibility of lower oil prices in the future. Revenue for the Group’s future oil 
production is directly linked to the market price of Brent blend oil. A fall in the price for Brent blend production would 
directly impact the Group’s revenue and potentially the economic life of assets in the CGU. It is estimated that the 
long-term price of oil that would cause the recoverable amount to be equal to the carrying amount of the CGU would 
be in the order of US$65 per barrel, escalated at 2% per annum.
production volumes: estimated production volumes are based on detailed data for the Group’s portfolio of assets 
taking in to account asset-by-asset development plans agreed by management as part of the planning process. It is 
estimated that production would need to fall by 24% across all assets for the whole of the next 19 years to cause the 
recoverable amount to fall below the carrying amount of the CGU.

 >

13. intangible oil and gas assets

cost
At 1 January 2009
Additions

At 31 December 2009 
Additions
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Unsuccessful exploration expenditure written off
Reclassified to asset held for sale

At 31 December 2010

Provision for impairment
At 1 January 2009
Impairment charge for the year

At 31 December 2009
Impairment charge for the year

At 31 December 2010

net carrying amount:
At 31 December 2010

At 31 December 2009

At 1 January 2009

US$’000

100,573
2,341

102,914
17,374
22,809
(13,608)
(18,665)

110,824

(25,124)
(6,149)

(31,273)
(67,249)

(98,522)

12,302

71,641

75,449

During the year ended 31 December 2010, capitalised intangible asset licence costs of US$32,836,000 (2009: nil) and 
pre-development costs of US$2,121,000 (2009: nil) (note 10), associated with the Peik area were impaired based on  
the Group’s initial economic evaluation of the asset which did not support the delivery of an economic development.

Also, during the year ended 31 December 2010, following a decision taken to discontinue field specific exploration 
activities on certain licences, US$48,021,000 of capitalised evaluation costs were impaired and written off 
(2009: US$6,149,000), including US$25,034,000 in relation to the Scolty area.

At 31 December 2010, US$18,665,000 of costs associated with the Petisovci asset (2009: nil) were reclassified  
to asset held for sale following the announcement that this asset was to be sold in early 2011 (note 25).

72

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business review

governance

financial statements

14. inventories

Crude oil

15. trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Joint venture receivables
Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

2010
us$’000

12,404

2009
US$’000

1,297

2010
us$’000

77,203
18,768
3,865

99,836
7,707

107,543

2009
US$’000

28,473
–
5,546

34,019
1,763

35,782

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 15 to 30 day terms. 

Trade receivables are reported net of any provisions for impairment. As at 31 December 2010 no impairment provision for 
trade receivables was necessary (2009: nil). 

Joint venture receivables relate to billings to joint venture partners and were not impaired. One joint venture receivable  
of US$547,000 was past due at 31 December 2010 (2009: nil) but was not impaired.

As at 31 December 2010 other receivables of US$8,194,000 (2009: nil) were determined to be impaired due to doubt  
over recoverability of well abandonment expenses from previous field owners incurred under Intervening  Period and 
Decommissioning Liability Agreements (note 4).

The carrying value of the Group’s trade, joint venture and other receivables as stated above is considered to be a 
reasonable approximation to their fair value.

16. Cash and cash equivalents
The carrying value of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents is considered to be a reasonable approximation to their 
fair value. 

17. Share capital
The share capital of the Company as at 31 December was as follows:

Authorised, issued and fully paid
799,462,905 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each 
   (31 December 2009: 422,436,246 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each)
Share premium

2010
us$’000

2009
US$’000

60,990

32,164

52,184

113,174

–

32,164

The comparative figure for the share capital at 31 December 2009 is adjusted to reflect the restructuring of EnQuest and 
LNS under the pooling of interests method (note 2).

The share capital comprises only one class of Ordinary share. Each Ordinary share carries an equal voting right and right 
to a dividend.

On incorporation, the Company issued and allotted two Ordinary shares of £1.00 each. On 18 March 2010 the Board 
approved a 20:1 share split whereby each £1.00 Ordinary share was converted to 20 Ordinary shares of £0.05.

On 5 April 2010, the Company issued and allotted, in aggregate, 345,629,616 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each to the 
shareholders of Petrofac Limited, the ultimate holding Company of PEDL, in consideration for the transfer of PEDL’s 
voting shares to EnQuest.

On 6 April 2010, the Company issued and allotted 422,436,246 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each to Lundin Petroleum AB, 
the ultimate holding Company of LNS, in consideration for the transfer of LNS’s voting shares to EnQuest.

On 7 April 2010, 6,962,020 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each were issued and allotted to the Company’s Employee Benefit 
Trust to satisfy awards to be made under the Company’s share-based incentive schemes.

On 8 November 2010, a further 24,434,983 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each were issued and allotted to the shareholders  
of Stratic in consideration for the transfer of Stratic’s voting shares to the Company. Following this transaction, and at 
31 December 2010, the Company had an issued share capital of 799,462,905 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 73

notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

18. Share-based payment plans
On 18 March 2010, the Directors of the Company approved three share schemes for the benefit of Directors and 
employees, being a Performance Share Plan, a Deferred Bonus Share Plan and a Restricted Share Plan. No awards under 
the Performance Share Plan were granted to employees in 2010.

Deferred bonus Share Plan (‘DbSP’)
Directors and selected employees are eligible to participate under this scheme. Participants may be invited to elect or  
in some cases, be required, to receive a proportion of any bonus in Ordinary shares of EnQuest (‘Invested Awards’). 
Following such award, EnQuest will generally grant the participant an additional award over a number of shares bearing  
a specified ratio to the number of his or her invested shares (‘Matching Shares’). The awards granted in 2010 will vest 25% 
on the second anniversary of the date of grant, a further 25% after year three and the final 50% on the fourth anniversary 
of the date of grant. The invested awards are fully recognised as an expense in the period to which the bonuses relate.  
The costs relating to the matching shares are recognised over the four year vesting period and the fair values of the 
equity-settled matching shares granted to employees are based on quoted market prices adjusted for the trued up 
percentage vesting rate of the plan.

Details of the fair values and assumed vesting rates of the DBSP scheme are shown below:

2010 awards
2009 awards

Weighted 
average fair 
value per 
share

101p
n/a

Trued up 
vesting rate

98%
n/a

The following shows the movement in the number of shares held under the DBSP scheme outstanding but not exercisable:

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted during the year
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at 31 December 

* 

Includes invested and matching shares.

2010
number*

 –
390,730
–
–

390,730

2009 
Number*

–
–
–
–

–

The charge recognised in the 2010 statement of comprehensive income in relation to matching share awards amounted  
to US$72,000 (2009: nil).

Restricted Share Plan (‘RSP’)
Under the Restricted Share Plan scheme, employees are granted shares in EnQuest over a discretionary vesting period, 
which may or may not be, at the direction of the Remuneration Committee of the Board of Directors of EnQuest, subject 
to the satisfaction of performance conditions. Awards made in 2010 under the RSP will vest over periods between one 
and five years. At present there are no performance conditions applying to this scheme nor is there currently any intention 
to introduce them in the future. The fair value of the awards granted under the plan at various grant dates during the year 
are based on quoted market prices adjusted for an assumed vesting rate over the relevant vesting period. 

Details of the fair values and assumed vesting rate of the RSP scheme are shown below:

2010 awards
2009 awards

Weighted 
average fair 
value per 
share

104p
n/a

Trued up 
vesting rate

98%
n/a

The following table shows the movement in the number of shares held under the RSP scheme outstanding but not exercisable:

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted during the year
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at 31 December

2010
number

2009
Number

–
7,926,411
–
–

7,926,411

–
–
–
–

–

The charge recognised in the year ended 31 December 2010 amounted to US$2,997,000 (2009: nil). 

The Company has recognised a total charge of US$3,070,000 (2009: nil) in the statement of comprehensive income 
during the year, relating to the above employee share-based schemes.

74

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financial statements

18. Share-based payment plans (continued)
long-term incentive Plan scheme (‘ltiP’)
Prior to the formation of EnQuest PLC, LNS participated in the Lundin Petroleum Group LTIP scheme which consisted of 
an annual grant of units that converted into cash payment at vesting. The cash payment was determined at the end of 
each vesting period by multiplying the number of units by the share price. The LTIP had a three year duration whereby the 
initial grant of units vested equally in three tranches; one third after one year, one third after two years and the final third 
after three years. The demerger of LNS from the Lundin Petroleum Group resulted in all LTIP awards vesting due to the 
change in control, resulting in total costs of US$717,000 for the year ended 31 December 2010 (2009: US$608,000).

Share Option programme
LNS participated in the Lundin Petroleum Group Share Option programme prior to the formation of EnQuest PLC, 
whereby warrants were issued to employees enabling them to buy shares in Lundin Petroleum AB. All incentive warrants 
issued under this scheme expired by 30 June 2010.

Movements in the number of incentive warrants outstanding in relation to employees of the Group and the related 
weighted average exercise prices are as follows:

At 1 January
Granted
Exercised
Lapsed

At 31 December 

2010 
average 
weighted 
exercise 
price  
seK per 
share

78.05
–
–
78.05

–

2010  
number  
of shares

118,250
–
–
(118,250)

–

2009 
Average 
weighted 
exercise  
price  
SEK per  
share

89.85
–
–
89.36

78.05

2009  
Number  
of shares

534,250
–
–
(416,000)

118,250

19. loans and borrowings
The Group had the following loans and borrowings outstanding:

non-current
Term loan (ii)

Effective  

interest rate
(%)

Maturity

2010
us$’000

2009
US$’000

US LIBOR +0.9%

2014

–

156,000

(i) Revolving credit facility
On 17 March 2010, in anticipation of the corporate restructuring with LNS and the acquisition of PEDL, the Group 
established a two year US$280,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Agreement with Bank of Scotland and BNP Paribas 
which is secured on the assets of the Group. Under the terms of the facility agreement, the Group has the ability to draw 
loans to a maximum value of US$200,000,000 and utilise Letters of Credit (‘LoC’) to a maximum aggregate value of 
US$80,000,000. 

Interest on the revolving credit facility is payable at US LIBOR (relative to each agreed loan period) plus a margin of  
2.25% to 3.25%, dependent on specified covenant ratios. A facility non-utilisation commitment fee is payable at 50%  
of the interest margin.

At 31 December 2010 there were no borrowings under the Group’s facility agreement (2009: nil) and LoC utilisation of 
US$74,000,000 (2009: nil).

(ii) Term loan
At 31 December 2009, LNS had a term loan under the Lundin Petroleum AB Group term loan facility with BNP Paribas.  
On 31 March 2010, in anticipation of the combination of LNS with EnQuest, this term loan was assigned from LNS to 
Lundin Petroleum BV. The resulting liability between LNS and Lundin Petroleum BV, net of a long-term loan receivable  
by LNS, was capitalised on 6 April 2010. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 75

 
notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

20. Provisions

At 1 January 2009
Additions during the year
Changes in estimates
Unwinding of discount
Utilisation

At 31 December 2009

At 1 January 2010
Additions during the year
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Changes in estimates
Unwinding of discount
Utilisation

At 31 December 2010

Decommissioning
US$’000

Others
US$’000

 46,633
–
3,385
2,916
–

52,934

 52,934
 10,897
66,806
4,275
5,196
–

 231
261
–
–
(228)

264

 264
 –
–
–
–
 (264)

Total
US$’000

 46,864
261
3,385
2,916
(228)

53,198

 53,198
 10,897 
66,806
4,275
5,196
(264)

140,108

–

140,108

Provision for decommissioning
The Group makes full provision for the future costs of decommissioning its oil production facilities and pipelines on  
a discounted basis.

The provision represents the present value of decommissioning costs, which are expected to be incurred up to 2030 
assuming no further development of the Group’s assets. The liability is discounted at a rate of 5.0% (2009: 5.5 %).  
The unwinding of the discount is classified as finance cost (note 6).

These provisions have been created based on internal estimates. Assumptions, based on the current economic 
environment, have been made which management believe are a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the future 
liability. These estimates are reviewed regularly to take into account any material changes to the assumptions. However, 
actual decommissioning costs will ultimately depend upon future market prices for the necessary decommissioning 
works required which will reflect market conditions at the relevant time. Furthermore, the timing of decommissioning 
liabilities is likely to depend on the dates when the fields cease to be economically viable. This in turn depends on future  
oil prices, which are inherently uncertain.

21. trade and other payables

Trade creditors
Accrued expenses
Other payables

2010
us$’000

11,762
101,767
3,387

116,916

2009
US$’000

1,481
31,241
604

33,326

Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on terms of between 10 and 30 days. Certain trade and 
other payables will be settled in currencies other than the reporting currency of the Group, mainly in GBP.

Accrued expenses include accruals for capital and operating expenditure in relation to the producing oil and gas assets.

The carrying value of the Group’s trade and other payables as stated above is considered to be a reasonable 
approximation to their fair value.

22. Commitments and contingencies
Commitments
Leases
The Group has financial commitments in respect of non-cancellable operating leases for office premises. These leases 
have remaining non-cancellable lease terms of between one and five years. The future minimum rental commitments 
under these non-cancellable leases are as follows:

Not later than one year
After one year but not more than five years

2010
us$’000

2009
US$’000

1,725
3,433

5,158

711
1,423

2,134

Lease payments recognised as an operating lease expense during the year amounted to US$1,163,446 (2009: US$649,000). 

Capital commitments
At 31 December 2010, the Group had capital commitments excluding the above lease commitments amounting  
to US$78,602,000 (2009: US$24,485,000).

76

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governance

financial statements

23. Related party transactions 
The Group financial statements include the financial statements of EnQuest PLC and its subsidiaries. 

The following table provides the total amount of transactions which have been entered into with related parties:

2010:
Lundin Petroleum BV

Parent Company

2009:
Lundin Petroleum AB – current
Lundin Petroleum AB – long-term loan

ultimate Parent Company

Lundin Petroleum BV

Parent Company

Lundin Services BV
Lundin Oil & Gas BV
Lundin Norway AS

subsidiaries

Sales to 
related
parties
US$’000

Purchases 
from
related 
parties
US$’000

 Amounts 
owed by  
related 
parties 
 US$’000 

 Amounts 
owed  to 
related 
parties 
 US$’000 

904

904

–
–

–

796

796

–
–
–

–

796

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–
21,443

21,443

–

–

–
438
114

552

21,995

–

–

179
–

179

36

36

282
–
–

282

497

All sales to and purchases from related parties are made at normal market prices and the pricing policies and terms of 
these transactions are approved by the Group’s management. Following the restructuring on 6 April 2010, the entities 
listed in the above table ceased to be related parties. 

There have been no other transactions with related parties.

The carrying value of the Group’s related party assets and liabilities as stated above is considered to be a reasonable 
approximation to their fair value.

Compensation of key management personnel 
The following table details remuneration of key management personnel of the Group comprising of Executive Directors  
of the Company and other senior personnel. 

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

2010
us$’000

2009
US$’000

4,992
2,323
38

7,353

350
–
44

394

24. Risk management and financial instruments
Risk management objectives and policies
The Group’s principal financial assets and liabilities comprise trade and other receivables, cash and short-term deposits, 
interest-bearing loans and borrowings and trade and other payables. The main purpose of these financial instruments is 
to manage short-term cash flow and raise finance for the Group’s capital expenditure programme.

The Group’s activities expose it to various financial risks particularly associated with fluctuations in oil price, foreign 
currency risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. Management reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks, 
which are summarised below. Also presented below is a sensitivity analysis to indicate sensitivity to changes in market 
variables on the Group’s financial instruments and to show the impact on profit and shareholders’ equity, where 
applicable. The sensitivity has been prepared for periods ended 31 December 2010 and 2009 using the amounts of debt 
and other financial assets and liabilities held at those reporting dates.

Commodity price risk – oil prices
The Group is exposed to the impact of changes in oil prices on its revenues and profits generated from sales of crude oil. 
The Group did not hedge this risk in the years ending 31 December 2010 and 2009. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 77

notes to tHe grouP financial statements 
CONTINUED

24. Risk management and financial instruments (continued)
The following table summarises the impact on the Group’s pre-tax profit and equity of a reasonably possible change in 
the oil price, with all other variables held constant: 

31 December 2010
31 December 2009

Pre-tax profit

Equity

 +US$10/Bbl
 increase
US$’000

-US$10/Bbl
 decrease
US$’000

+US$10/Bbl
increase
US$’000

-US$10/Bbl
decrease
US$’000

69,746
35,790

(69,746)
(35,790)

20,661
14,810

(33,478)
(14,810)

During 2010, the Board of EnQuest approved a policy to hedge up to a maximum of 50% of annual oil production. In the 
fourth quarter of 2010, the Group entered in to four zero premium oil price collars for 2011 to hedge, partially, its exposure 
to fluctuations in oil prices. Each collar will hedge the price of approximately 1,000,000 barrels of oil in 2011. These 
derivative instruments are designated effective cash flow hedges and had a nil fair value at 31 December 2010 (2009: nil).

Foreign currency risk
The Group has transactional currency exposures. Such exposure arises from sales or purchases in currencies other than 
the Group’s functional currency. The Group manages this risk by converting US$ receipts at spot rates periodically and as 
required for payments in other currencies. Approximately 6% of the Group’s sales and 79% of costs are denominated in 
currencies other than the functional currency.

The following table summarises the impact on the Group’s pre-tax profit and equity (due to change in the fair value of monetary 
assets and liabilities) of a reasonably possible change in United States dollar exchange rates with respect to different currencies:

31 December 2010
31 December 2009

 Pre-tax profit

Equity

+10%  
US dollar  
rate increase 
US$’000

-10%  
US dollar  
rate decrease 
US$’000

+10%  
US dollar  
rate increase 
US$’000

-10%  
US dollar  
rate decrease 
US$’000

(22,664)
(1,752)

22,664
1,752

(10,879)
(876)

10,879
876

Credit risk
The Group trades only with recognised, international oil and gas operators and at 31 December 2010 there were no trade 
receivables past due (2009: nil), and one joint venture receivable past due of US$547,000 (2009: nil). Receivable 
balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with appropriate follow-up action taken where necessary. 

At 31 December 2010, the Group had one customer accounting for 97% of outstanding trade and other receivables  
(2009: one customer, 83%) and three joint venture partners accounting for 82% of joint venture receivables (2009: nil). 

With respect to credit risk arising from the other financial assets of the Group, which comprise cash and cash equivalents, 
the Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of the counterparty, with a maximum exposure equal to the 
carrying amount of these instruments.

Cash balances can be invested in short-term bank deposits and AAA rated liquidity funds, subject to Board approved 
limits and with a view to minimising counter-party credit risks.

Liquidity risk
The Group monitors its risk to a shortage of funds by reviewing its cash flow requirements on a regular basis relative to its 
existing bank facilities and the maturity profile of these facilities. Specifically the Group’s policy is to ensure that sufficient 
liquidity or committed facilities exist within the Group to meet its operational funding requirements and to ensure the 
Group can service its debt and adhere to its financial covenants. Throughout the year and at 31 December 2010 the Group 
was in compliance with all financial covenant ratios agreed with its bankers. 

At 31 December 2010, the Group had US$206,000,000 (2009: nil) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities available 
which are due to expire in March 2012 and replacement borrowing facilities are expected to be arranged during 2011.

The maturity profiles of the Group’s financial liabilities are as follows:

year ended 31 December 2010

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Financial expenses

year ended 31 December 2009

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Due to related parties
Financial expenses

78

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

On demand
US$’000

Up to 1 year
US$’000

1 to 2 years
US$’000

2 to 5 years
US$’000 

116,254
–

116,254

–
3,983

3,983

–
1,320

1,320

–
–

–

On demand
US$’000

Up to 1 year
US$’000

1 to 2 years
US$’000

2 to 5 years
US$’000

–
33,326
497
–

33,823

–
–
–
1,810

1,810

–
–
–
1,810

156,000
–
–
5,430

1,810

161,430

198,873

Total
US$’000

116,254
5,303

121,557

Total
US$’000

156,000
33,326
497
9,050

 
overview

business review

governance

financial statements

24. Risk management and financial instruments (continued)
Capital management
The Group’s management is committed to delivering and enhancing shareholder value, and building upon the progress 
made during the current year. The Board believes that this can best be achieved by reinvesting in the Group’s core 
business and through pursuing selective acquisitions and development opportunities. In light of the Group’s commitment 
to investment in ongoing production operations development, exploration projects and acquisitions, the Directors do  
not recommend payment of a dividend at this time. This is, however, re-assessed by the Board on a regular basis.

The Group seeks to optimise the return on investment, by managing its capital structure to achieve capital efficiency 
whilst also maintaining flexibility for future acquisitions. The Group keeps under review the costs and access to debt 
funding to ensure it has an appropriate flexibility. Note 19 to the financial statements provides further details of the 
Group’s financing activity.

Capital for the Group is equity attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company, and is in the Group statement  
of changes in equity on page 57.

The Group monitors capital using the gearing ratio and return on shareholders’ equity as follows:

Loans and borrowings, net (A)
Cash and short-term deposits 

Net debt (B)

Equity attributable to EnQuest PLC shareholders (C)
Profit for the year attributable to EnQuest PLC shareholders (D)
Gross gearing ratio (A/C)
Net gearing ratio (B/C)
Shareholders’ return on investment (D/C)

2010
us$’000

–
41,395

41,395

882,896
27,076
n/a
n/a
3%

2009
US$’000

(134,557)
7,893

(126,664)

160,200
7,992
84%
79%
5%

25. Post balance sheet events
On 11 February 2011 the Group sold its 48.75% interest in the Petisovci project (‘Petisovci’) in Slovenia in return for 150, 
903,958 new Ordinary shares in Ascent Resources plc (‘Ascent’), representing a 22.2% equity stake in Ascent. The Group 
had acquired its interest in Petisovci through its acquisition of Stratic in November 2010. As part of the transaction the 
Group also received a nil-cost option to receive a further 29,686,000 new Ordinary shares in Ascent, subject to certain 
criteria related to the successful development of Petisovci.

On 23 March 2011 it was announced that supplementary Corporation tax on UK oil and gas production is to be increased 
from 20 per cent to 32 per cent with effect from 24 March 2011, thereby increasing the combined rate of tax on UK oil and 
gas production from 50 per cent to 62 per cent on ring fence profits and from 65 per cent to 81 per cent for fields liable to 
petroleum revenue tax. The government has stated that the supplementary Corporation tax rate may be reduced back to 
20 per cent if oil prices stay low (below US$75 per barrel) for a sustained period, however it is not clear at this time if this 
will be incorporated into legislation. This change in UK tax legislation does not impact the 2010 Group financial results as 
these changes have not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, however it is likely to have a material effect 
on the value of the Group’s deferred tax liabilities and assets and income tax charge in future reporting periods.

26. subsidiaries
At 31 December 2010, EnQuest PLC had investments in the following principal subsidiaries:

Name of company

Principal activity

Country of incorporation

EnQuest North Sea BV
EnQuest Britain Limited (i)

Intermediate holding company
Intermediate holding company and provision  

Netherlands
England

EnQuest Dons Limited

of Group manpower and contracting/ 
procurement services

Exploration, extraction and production  

of hydrocarbons

England

EnQuest Dons Oceania Limited (i)

Exploration, extraction and production  

Cayman Islands

EnQuest Heather Limited (i)

Exploration, extraction and production  

of hydrocarbons

of hydrocarbons

EnQuest Thistle Limited (i)
Stratic Energy (UK) Limited (i)

Extraction and production of hydrocarbons
Exploration, extraction and production  

England

England
England

Grove Energy Limited (i)

Intermediate holding company and exploration  

Canada

of hydrocarbons

of hydrocarbons

(i)  Held by subsidiary undertaking.

Proportion 
of nominal 
value of 
issued shares 
controlled by 
the Group

100%
100%

100%

100%

100%

100%
100%

100%

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 79

statement of Directors’ resPonsibilities for 
tHe Parent comPanY financial statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ 
Report and the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the 
Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements 
in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards and applicable law). Under company law the 
Directors must not approve the financial statements unless 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 
state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of 
the Company for that period. In preparing those financial 
statements, the Directors are required to:
 >

select suitable accounting policies and then apply  
them consistently;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable  
and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards  
have been followed, subject to any material departures 
disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern 
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 
Company will continue in business.

 >

 >

 >

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

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inDePenDent auDitor’s rePort
to tHe members of enQuest Plc

We have audited the parent Company financial statements 
of EnQuest PLC for the period ended 31 December 2010 
which comprise the Company balance sheet, and the 
related notes 1 to 12. The financial reporting framework that 
has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

This report is made solely to the Company’s members,  
as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the 
Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken 
so that we might state to the Company’s members those 
matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 
report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility 
to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report,  
or for the opinions we have formed. 

respective responsibilities of Directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 81, the Directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the parent company financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true  
and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express  
an opinion on the parent company financial statements  
in accordance with applicable law and International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s 
Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to  
give reasonable assurance that the financial statements  
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by 
fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether  
the accounting policies are appropriate to the parent 
company’s circumstances and have been consistently 
applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of 
significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; 
and the overall presentation of the financial statements.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the parent Company financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s 
 >
affairs as at 31 December 2010 and of its loss for the 
period then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

 >

 >

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
act 2006
In our opinion:
 >

the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited has been properly prepared in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006; and
the information given in the Directors’ Report for the 
financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the parent Company 
financial statements.

 >

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following 
matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion:
 >

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 
parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have 
not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the parent Company financial statements and the part 
of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are 
not in agreement with the accounting records and 
returns; or
certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified 
by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and 
explanations we require for our audit.

 >

 >

 >

Other matter
We have reported separately on the parent Company 
financial statements of EnQuest PLC for the year ended 
31 December 2010 and on the information in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report that is described  
as having been audited.

Gary Donald (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of ernst & young llP, Statutory 
Auditor, london
4 April 2011

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 81

comPanY balance sHeet
AS At 31 DeCeMbeR 2010

assets
non-current assets
Investment in subsidiaries

Debtors

current assets
Amounts due from subsidiaries
Cash and cash equivalents

total assets

eQuitY anD liabilities
equity 
Issued share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Share-based payment reserve 
Retained losses

total equity

current liabilities
Accruals
Amounts due to subsidiaries

total liabilities

total eQuitY anD liabilities

Notes

2010
us$’000

3

5

4

7
8
8
8
6

1,197,602

638

1,198,240

10,083
157

10,240

1,208,480

60,990
52,184
1,081,890
2,540
(8,371)

1,189,233

1,990
17,257

 19,247

1,208,480

The attached notes 1 to 12 form part of these Group financial statements. 

The financial statements on pages 80 to 85 were approved by the Board of Directors on 4 April 2011 and signed on its 
behalf by:

Jonathan Swinney
Chief Financial Officer

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notes to tHe financial statements

1. Corporate information 
The Company financial statements of EnQuest PLC (the 
‘Company’) for the period ended 31 December 2010 were 
authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the 
Directors on 4 April 2011.

EnQuest PLC (‘EnQuest’ or the ‘Company’) is a limited 
liability company registered in England and is the holding 
Company for the Group of EnQuest subsidiaries (together 
‘the Group’). The Company was incorporated on 
29 January 2010 as a holding Company to effect a business 
combination between Lundin North Sea BV (‘LNS’) and 
Petrofac Energy Developments Limited (‘PEDL’).

The Group’s principal activities are the exploration for, and 
extraction and production of hydrocarbons in the UK 
Continental Shelf.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies
basis of preparation
The separate financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with applicable UK Accounting Standards on 
a historical cost basis. The functional and presentation 
currency of the separate financial statements is United 
States dollars and all values in the separate financial 
statements are rounded to the nearest thousand 
(US$’000) except where otherwise stated. 

No profit and loss account is presented by the Company 
as permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006.

The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is 
recognised immediately in the profit or loss. Amounts 
accumulated in shareholders’ equity are transferred to the 
profit or loss in the period when the hedged item will affect 
the profit or loss. When a hedging instrument no longer 
meets the requirements for hedge accounting, expires  
or is sold, any accumulated gain or loss recognised in 
reserves is transferred to profit and loss.

Net investment hedge
Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are 
accounted for in a similar manner as cash flow hedges.  
The gain or loss accumulated in the statement of 
recognised gains and losses is transferred to the profit  
or loss at the time the foreign operation is disposed of.

Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
When derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, 
changes in fair value are recognised immediately in the 
statement of comprehensive income.

Employee benefit trust
EnQuest PLC shares held by the Group are deducted from 
the share-based payments reserve and are recognised at 
cost. Consideration received for the sale of such shares is 
also recognised in equity, with any difference between the 
proceeds from the sale and the original cost being taken to 
reserves. No gain or loss is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income on the purchase, sale, issue or 
cancellation of equity shares.

Going concern concept
The Directors’ assessment of going concern concludes that  
the use of going concern basis is appropriate because 
there are no material uncertainties that may cast significant 
doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a 
going concern. 

Share-based payment transactions
Employees (including Directors) of the Group receive 
remuneration in the form of share-based payment 
transactions, whereby employees render services in 
exchange for shares or rights over shares (‘equity-settled 
transactions’) of EnQuest PLC.

investment in subsidiaries
Investment in subsidiaries are stated at cost less any 
provision for impairment.

Amounts due from/to subsidiaries
Amounts due from/to subsidiaries are non-interest bearing 
short-term funding to and from subsidiaries. These are 
recognised at the fair value of consideration received  
or paid, less any provision for impairment.

cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash at bank, cash  
in hand, outstanding bank overdrafts and highly liquid 
interest bearing securities with original maturities of  
three months or less. 

Derivatives
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date 
a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured at their fair value. The method of recognising 
the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the 
derivative is designated as a hedging instrument. 

The Group categorises derivatives as follows:

Fair value hedge
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as fair 
value hedging instruments are recorded in the profit or 
loss, together with any changes in the fair value of the 
hedged asset or liability.

Cash flow hedge
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of 
derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges are recognised 
through the statement of recognised gains or losses.  

Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees  
is measured by reference to the fair value at the date  
on which they are granted. In valuing equity-settled 
transactions, no account is taken of any service or 
performance conditions, other than conditions linked  
to the price of the shares of EnQuest PLC (‘market 
conditions’) or ‘non-vesting’ conditions, if applicable.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised over 
the period in which the relevant employees become fully 
entitled to the award (the ‘vesting period’). The cumulative 
expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each 
reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to 
which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s best 
estimate of the number of equity instruments that will 
ultimately vest. The profit or loss charge or credit for a 
period represents the movement in cumulative expense 
recognised as at the beginning and end of that period.

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately 
vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon  
a market or non-vesting condition, which are treated as 
vesting irrespective of whether or not the market or 
non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other 
performance conditions are satisfied. Equity awards 
cancelled are treated as vesting immediately on the date  
of cancellation, and any expense not recognised for the 
award at that date is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

The Company operates a number of share award schemes 
on behalf of the employees of the Group which are described 
in detail in note 18 of the Group financial statements.

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 83

notes to tHe financial statements  
CONTINUED

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
The reserve for the share-based payments is used to record the value of equity-settled share-based payments awarded 
to employees and transfers out of this reserve are made upon vesting of the original share awards.

3. investments in subsidiaries

At 29 January 
Investment in Lundin North Sea BV
Investment in EnQuest Dons Limited
Investment in Stratic Energy Corporation
Additions – shared-based payments charge

At 31 December

2010
us$’000

–
627,203
513,167
54,162
3,070

1,197,602

Details of the Company’s principal subsidiaries at 31 December 2010 are provided in note 26 of the Group  
financial statements.

4. cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. 

The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as stated above is considered to be a reasonable 
approximation to their fair value. 

5. Debtors

Deferred tax losses available for offset

2010
us$’000

157

2010
us$’000

638

Change in Corporation tax rate
The Emergency Budget on 22 June 2010 announced that the UK Corporation tax rate will reduce from 28% to 24% over a 
period of four years from 2011. The first reduction in the UK Corporation tax rate from 28% to 27% was substantively 
enacted on 20 July 2010 and will be effective from 1 April 2011. This will reduce the Company’s future current tax charge 
accordingly. Any deferred tax expected to reverse in the year to 31 December 2011 has been remeasured using the 
effective rate that will apply for the period.

The aggregate impact of the proposed reductions from 27% to 24% would reduce the deferred tax asset by approximately 
US$91,000.

6. loss attributable to members of the Parent Company
The loss dealt with in the financial statements of the Parent Company is US$8,371,000 (2009: nil). There were no other 
recognised gains or losses in the period (2009: nil).

7. issued share capital
Allotted, called up and fully paid

799,462,905 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each

2010
us$’000

60,990

On incorporation, the Company issued and allotted two Ordinary shares of £1.00 each. On 18 March 2010 the Board 
approved a 20:1 share split whereby each £1.00 Ordinary share was converted to 20 Ordinary shares of £0.05.

On 5 April 2010, the Company issued and allotted, in aggregate, 345,629,616 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each to the 
shareholders of Petrofac Limited, the ultimate holding Company of PEDL, in consideration for the transfer of PEDL’s 
voting shares to EnQuest.

On 6 April 2010, the Company issued and allotted 422,436,246 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each to Lundin Petroleum AB, 
the ultimate holding Company of LNS, in consideration for the transfer of LNS’s voting shares to EnQuest.

On 7 April 2010, 6,962,020 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each were issued and allotted to the Company’s Employee Benefit 
Trust to satisfy awards to be made under the Company’s share-based incentive schemes.

On 8 November 2010, a further 24,434,983 Ordinary shares of £0.05 each were issued and allotted to the shareholders of 
Stratic Energy Corporation (‘Stratic’) in consideration for the transfer of Stratic’s voting shares to the Company. Following 
this transaction, and at 31 December 2010, the Company had an issued share capital of 799,462,905 Ordinary shares of 
£0.05 each.

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8. Reserves

Balance at 29 January 2010
Issue of Ordinary shares to acquire subsidiaries 
Issue of shares to Employee Benefit Trust
Share-based payments charge
Loss for the period

Share 
premium
US$’000

Merger 
reserve
US$’000

–
52,184
–
–
–

–
1,081,890
–
–
–

Share-based 
payments 
reserve
US$’000

–
–
(530)
3,070
–

Retained 
(losses)
US$’000

–
–
–
–
(8,371)

Total
US$’000

–
1,134,074
(530)
3,070
(8,371)

balance at 31 December 2010

52,184 1,081,890

2,540

(8,371)

1,128,243

nature and purpose of other reserves
Share premium 
The excess contribution over the nominal value on the issuance of shares is accounted for as share premium.

Merger reserve
The Group merger reserve is used to record the difference between the market value of EnQuest shares issued to effect 
the business combinations less the nominal value of shares issued.

Share-based payments reserve
The reserve for share-based payments is used to record the value of equity-settled share-based payments awards  
to employees. Transfers out of this reserve are made upon vesting of the original share awards.

Share-based payment plan information is disclosed in note 18 of the Group financial statements.

9. Derivative financial instruments
At 31 December 2010, the Company had entered into four zero premium oil price collars on behalf of its subsidiaries; 
EnQuest Heather Limited, EnQuest Thistle Limited and EnQuest Dons Limited; which will mature in 2011 to hedge, 
partially, the Group’s exposure to fluctuations in oil prices. At the balance sheet date the change in fair value of these 
derivatives was nil (2009: nil). On maturity of the hedges the associated gain or loss will be recharged to EnQuest  
Heather Limited, EnQuest Thistle Limited and EnQuest Dons Limited.

10. Risk management and financial instruments
Details of risk management and financial instruments are provided in note 24 of the Group financial statements.

11. Other transactions with Directors
Details of Directors’ remuneration are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

12. Related party transactions
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 8, not to disclose transactions with its wholly  
owned subsidiaries. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 85

 
comPanY information

Registered Office
4th Floor, Rex House
4–12 Regent Street
London
SW1Y 4PE

Secretary
Paul Waters

Corporate brokers
J.P. Morgan Cazenove
10 Aldermanbury
London
EC2V 7RF

auditors
Ernst & Young LLP
1 More London Place
London
SE1 2AF

legal Advisers to the Company
Ashursts 
Broadwalk House
5 Appold Street
London
EC2A 2HA

corporate and financial Public relations
Finsbury
Tenter House
45 Moorfields
London
EC2Y 9AE

EnQuest PLC shares are traded on the London Stock 
Exchange using code ENQ. The shares are also traded  
on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm using the code ENQ

registrar
Capita Registrars
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4TU

swedish registrar
Euroclear Sweden AB
Box 7822
SE-103 97 Stockholm
SVERIGE

financial calendar
25 May 2011 
August 2011 

2011 Annual General Meeting
2011 Half-Year Results

Glossary
For a full list of Company definitions, please visit  
the Glossary in the Media section of our website  
www.enquest.com

Forward looking statements: This report may contain certain forward-
looking statements with respect to EnQuest’s expectation and plans, 
strategy, management’s objectives, future performance, production, costs, 
revenues and other trend information. These statements and forecasts 
involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon 
circumstances that may occur in the future. There are a number of factors 
which could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from 
those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and 
forecasts.  The statements have been made with reference to forecast price 
changes, economic conditions and the current regulatory environment. 
Nothing in this report should be construed as a profit forecast. Past share 
performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

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notes

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010 87

notes

88

EnQuest PLC Annual Report 2010

EnQuest office locations: 

Aberdeen, Scotland 
Level 5, Consort House 
Stell Road 
Aberdeen, AB11 5QR 
United Kingdom 

Tel: +44 (0)1224 287000 
Fax: +44 (0)1224 287105 

London, England 
4th Floor, Rex House 
4–12 Regent Street 
London, SW1Y 4PE 
United Kingdom 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7925 4900 
Fax: +44 (0)20 7925 4936