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EnQuest

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FY2018 Annual Report · EnQuest
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DELIVER

DE-LEVER

GROW

EnQuest PLC
Annual Report and Accounts 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
OUR PURPOSE

With hydrocarbons expected to remain 
a key element of the global energy mix 
for many years, EnQuest is focused on 
enhancing hydrocarbon recovery and 
extending the useful lives of assets in 
a profitable and responsible manner, 
helping to fulfil energy demand 
requirements as part of the transition 
to a sustainable lower-carbon world

WORK
COLLABORATIVELY

RESPECT
& OPENNESS

GROWTH
& LEARNING

DRIVING
A FOCUSED
BUSINESS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

84  Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities for 

85 

the Group Financial Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report to the 
Members of EnQuest PLC

92  Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
93  Group Balance Sheet
94  Group Statement of Changes in Equity
95  Group Statement of Cash Flows
96  Notes to the Group Financial Statements
137  Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities for 

the Parent Company Financial Statements

138  Company Balance Sheet
139  Company Statement of Changes in Equity
140  Notes to the Financial Statements
146  Company information

ENQUEST VALUES

EnQuest’s Values embody 
everything the Company 
stands for, underpinning the 
way in which we want to work 
with all our stakeholders in 
achieving our strategy.

Safety sits at the core of 
everything we do as we aim for 
Safe Results with no harm to 
our people and respect for the 
environment. We conduct our 
business and our relationships 
with respect and openness.

We work collaboratively to 
achieve exceptional results, 
driving a focused business 
to achieve success. Always 
pursuing growth and learning 
opportunities to unlock our full 
potential as individuals, teams 
and the Company as a whole.

CONTENTS

STRATEGIC REPORT

01  Highlights
02  Our year in review
04  Strategy and business model
06  Track record
08  Key performance indicators
09  EnQuest Values 
10  Chairman’s statement
12  Chief Executive’s report
16  Operating review
17  Northern North Sea operations
18  Central North Sea operations
18  The Kraken development
19  Malaysia operations
20  Reserves and resources 
21  Hydrocarbon assets
22  Financial review
28  Corporate responsibility review
36  Risks and uncertainties

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

44  Board of Directors
46  Senior management
48  Chairman’s letter
49  Corporate Governance Statement
53  Audit Committee Report
58  Directors’ Remuneration Report
77  Nomination Committee Report
79  Risk Committee Report
80  Directors’ Report

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

01

HIGHLIGHTS

The Group met its operational targets for 2018, growing production 
by 48%. Material production growth of around 20% is expected in 
2019 and a focus on cost control and capital discipline will enable the 
scheduled repayment of debt, which remains the priority for the Group

2018 PERFORMANCE

2019 OUTLOOK

Production range (Boepd)

c.63,000 to 70,000

+14% to 26%

Operating expenditure (m)

c.$600

+28%

Cash capex (m)

c.$275

+14%

For more details
See pages 07 and 15

Production (Boepd)

55,447

+48%

Unit opex (/Boe)

$23 

-10%

EBITDA1 (m)

$716

+136%

Net 2P Reserves (MMboe)

245

+17%

Read more on KPIs
See page 08

2018 STATUTORY REPORTING METRICS

Revenue and other operating income
Profit/(loss) before tax
Basic earnings per share (cents)2
Net cash flow from operating activities
Net assets

2018 $m

2017 $m

Change %

1,298.4
94.0
10.4
794.4
983.6

627.5
(243.8)
(4.6)
301.8
760.9

106.9
–
–
163.2
29.3

Notes:
1  EBITDA is calculated on a Business performance basis, and is calculated by taking profit/(loss) from operations before tax and finance 

income/(costs) and adding back depletion, depreciation, foreign exchange movements, inventory revaluation and the realised gain/(loss) 
on foreign currency and derivatives related to capital expenditure
2017 reported earnings per share has been restated for the bonus element of the rights issue

2 

This Strategic Report includes details of EnQuest’s strategy, business model, capabilities, Values, long-term 
track record and key risks. The Group’s performance since the last Annual Report and current outlook is 
covered within the Chairman’s statement, the Chief Executive’s report and the Operating, Financial and 
Corporate responsibility reviews.

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
02

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

OUR YEAR IN REVIEW

In 2018, EnQuest delivered a good operational performance 
and strong cost control and cash generation, enabling the 
Group to reduce its debt.

J A N UA R Y  TO  M A R C H

•  Received $30 million in cash from BP 
in exchange for undertaking the 
management of the physical 
decommissioning of the Thistle and 
Deveron fields and making payments by 
reference to 4.5% of BP’s decommissioning 
costs of these fields when spend 
commences. Option agreed to receive a 
further $20 million in cash in exchange for 
increasing future decommissioning-related 
payments by 3.0%

•  Agreed renegotiated terms for the drilling 
rig at Kraken, reducing both the contract 
duration and day rates, saving c.$60 million 
of net cash payments for capital 
expenditure in 2019

A P R I L TO J U N E 

•  First production from the M-62 well at 

• 

Magnus in May
Improved cash flow generating 
capacity enabled the early cancellation 
of $50 million of the Group’s credit 
facility, which reduced to $1,075 million 
by the end of May

•  Esperanza drilling rig arrived and 
commenced the Group’s first ever 
drilling operations on PM8/Seligi

The Magnus and SVT assets are a strong strategic fit 
for EnQuest. They are assets to which the Group can 
apply its life extension expertise to deliver value for 
all its stakeholders.

J U LY  TO  S E P T E M B E R

•  Production from the Group’s two-well 
drilling programme at PM8/Seligi was 
successfully completed and brought into 
production in July, with aggregate flow 
rates in line with pre-drill expectations

•  All six well abandonments at Thistle 

successfully concluded ahead of schedule 
and at a lower cost than budgeted
•  Completed the replacement of three 

Electric Submersible Pumps at 
Alma/Galia, increasing aggregate 
production from the previously low 
levels as planned

•  Agreed a $15 million (gross) 

compensation settlement with Armada 
Kraken Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of Bumi Armada Berhad 
(‘Bumi’), in relation to historic issues with 
the Kraken FPSO
Issued Bumi with the FPSO Acceptance 
Certificate upon completion of agreed 
engineering requirements for issuance

• 

• 

Improved reservoir understanding 
enabled approval for developing DC4 
at Kraken with three wells instead of 
the four originally planned, saving 
approximately $23 million in capital 
costs with no material impact on oil 
production rates or recovery anticipated

•  10 MMbbls of oil produced and 20 
cargoes offloaded from the Kraken 
FPSO since first production

•  Agreed $175 million of financing, 

ring-fenced on a 15% interest in the 
Kraken oil field, with funds managed by 
Oz Management

•  The SVT team handled logistical support 
to the Shetland Islands Council for the 
first ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil 
at the Port of Sullom Voe for almost 
three years

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

03

•  Heather H-67 well brought into production 
in March, with production significantly 
better than expectations

•  EnQuest Malaysia reached four years 

LTI free with Tanjong Baram remaining 
recordable incident free since inception

Production (Boepd)

55,447

+48%

EBITDA1 (m)

$716

+136%

Note:
1  EBITDA is calculated on a Business 

performance basis, and is calculated 
by taking profit/(loss) from 
operations before tax and finance 
income/(costs) and adding back 
depletion, depreciation, foreign 
exchange movements, inventory 
revaluation and the realised 
gain/(loss) on foreign currency 
and derivatives related to 
capital expenditure

•  Sanctioned the Dunlin bypass export 

project which, once completed, will see 
volumes from Thistle and the Dons 
exported via the Magnus facility and 
Ninian Pipeline System to the Sullom 
Voe Terminal

•  Sanctioned a replacement pipeline 

at Scolty/Crathes to mitigate existing 
wax-related restrictions on production. 
Following installation, production 

levels from the development are 

expected to improve significantly

O C TO B E R  TO  D EC E M B E R 

•  Kittiwake and PM8/Seligi achieved 

13 and eight years LTI free respectively 

•  Following an early repayment of 
$25 million of the term facility in 
August, a further $200 million 
repayment was made in October, 
reducing the facility to $850 million. 
The reduction was primarily funded 
by the drawdown from the $175 million 
Oz Management facility

•  Kraken subsea infrastructure for DC4 
completed and three-well drilling 
campaign commenced

•  Received strong shareholder support 
to undertake a rights issue to finance 
the acquisition of additional interests 
in Magnus, SVT and associated 
infrastructure from BP. The rights issue 
successfully raised approximately 
$129 million (net) to fund the 
acquisition, which completed effective 
1 December 2018 adding significant 
low-cost 2P reserves, and to drill two 
new wells at Magnus in 2019

•  Exercised the Thistle option, receiving 
$20 million in cash in exchange for 
increasing the Group’s total 
decommissioning payment obligation 
to 7.5%

•  Strong cash generation enabled a 

further early repayment of $65 million 
of bank debt in November; term facility 
reduced to $785 million

•  Successfully reduced annual operating 

costs at SVT by around 25% to 
approximately £150 million through 
applying an asset business model at 
the terminal, focused supply chain 
management and efficient project 
delivery

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
04

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

STRATEGY AND BUSINESS MODEL

EnQuest’s strategic vision is to be the operator of choice 
for maturing and underdeveloped hydrocarbon assets 
by focusing on operational excellence, differential 
capability, value enhancement and financial discipline

S T R AT EGIC PILLARS

B U S I NESS FOCUS

B U S I N ESS MODEL

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S H A R E H O L D E R S 

E M P LOY E E S

OT H E R  S TA K E H O L D E R S

We aim to deliver growth and 
returns through the acquisition 
of high-quality assets with 
creative transaction structuring, 
commercialising and developing 
discoveries, converting contingent 
resources into reserves, and 
exploiting existing reserves.

We recognise that our people 
are critical to our success. We 
have a strong set of Values that 
underpin our way of working 
and are dedicated to delivering 
Safe Results. We aim to provide 
a rewarding work environment, 
with opportunities for growth 
and learning while contributing 
to the delivery of our strategy.

We are committed to delivering 
Safe Results, helping meet society’s 
need for hydrocarbons with no 
harm to people and respect for 
the environment. Delivering on 
our targets ensures we fulfil our 
commitments with our creditors 
and suppliers, with whom we 
aim to develop and maintain 
long-term relationships based 
on respect and collaboration.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

05

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

DIFFERENTIAL CAPABILITY

This underpins everything we do. With safety the top priority, 
EnQuest’s highly skilled and integrated teams strive to 
enhance hydrocarbon recovery through focused 
improvement programmes with no harm to people and with 
respect to the environment.
•  In 2018, maintained production efficiency in excess of 94% 
at PM8/Seligi with production efficiency improved across 
the majority of the Group’s UK operated assets, with many 
achieving rates above 80%

EnQuest has the right mix of integrated technical capabilities 
to select appropriate development and production options, 
delivering high levels of production efficiency and cost control 
to realise value from maturing and underdeveloped assets. 
Achieving asset life extension and maximising economic 
recovery from those assets will enable future growth.
•  Redesigned, upgraded and reused existing facilities and 
infrastructure, including drilling rig reactivation at Thistle 
and Magnus

•  Workshops held to maintain and improve Major Accident 

•  Completed more than 1,500 well work programmes and 

Hazard awareness

•  Improved reservoir understanding facilitated a reduction in 
the number of DC4 wells at Kraken, saving approximately 
$23 million in capital costs with no material impact on oil 
production rates or recovery anticipated

•  PM8/Seligi flaring maintained c.35% below the annual flare 

consent

•  PM8/Seligi compressor rejuvenation resulting in improved 

reliability

more than doubled the active well count to over 70 strings at 
PM8/Seligi since 2014, facilitating additional production to 
arrest field decline

•  Matched production history to support development drilling 
and secondary recovery schemes to add additional reserves 
and extend field life at Thistle, Heather, Dons and Magnus
•  In 2018, successfully completed a variety of extensive drilling, 

workover, intervention and abandonment campaigns, 
including those at Kraken, Magnus, PM8/Seligi, Heather, 
Alma/Galia and Thistle 

VALUE ENHANCEMENT

FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE

EnQuest employs a cost-conscious approach and 
implements innovative initiatives to add value to its 
operations. Innovative transaction structures facilitate 
getting the right assets into the right hands.
•  Hub approach to logistics, inspection and maintenance 
combined with inventory sharing with other operators in 
the North Sea

•  Innovative supply chain management, including interactive 
supplier forums, open book contracts and ‘should cost’ 
modelling

•  Innovative transaction structure enabled the acquisition of 

Magnus, SVT and associated infrastructure from BP

•  Drilled the first two wells at Magnus at materially lower cost 

than originally anticipated

•  Renegotiated both the contract duration and day rates for 
the drilling rig at Kraken, saving c.$60 million of net cash 
payments for capital expenditure in 2019

EnQuest focuses on capital allocation that prioritises positive 
cash flow generative investment and the effective 
management of EnQuest’s capital structure and liquidity.
•  Reduced costs at SVT by c.25% through applying an asset 

business model at the terminal, focused supply chain 
management and efficient project delivery

•  2018 rights issue raised c.$129 million (net) to fund the 
acquisition of additional interests in Magnus, SVT and 
associated infrastructure and the drilling of two wells 
in 2019

•  Improved cash generation and the Kraken financing 
agreement facilitated cancellation and repayment of 
$340.0 million of the Group’s credit facility, more than the 
scheduled amortisation requirement

•  Effective liquidity management through the exercise of the 

Thistle decommissioning option

For more details
See pages 12 to 35

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
06

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

TRACK RECORD

Having the right assets in the right hands leads to improved performance 

K
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A

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S
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M

2010

55%

production growth on 
a pro forma basis in 
our first year

Three operated  
producing hubs

EnQuest listed on the 
London Stock Exchange in 
April 2010

2014

13

operated offshore 
assets acquired at 
PM8/Seligi through 
PM8 Extension PSC

Quickly increased gross 
production from 12,400 
Boepd to 15,100 Boepd

Signed Tanjong Baram  
SFRSC contract and 
commenced development

3

additional production 
hubs added through 
the sanction of 
Alma/Galia and Kraken 
and the acquisition 
of GKA

Thistle major power  
supply upgrade; new and 
simplified process controls 
and safety systems 
introduced; integrity  
work on platform topsides; 
and a water injection 
reliability programme

>70%

reduction in GKA unit 
opex since acquisition

Material production 
enhancement at GKA 
through additional wells, 
dissolver treatment and 
‘Produce the Limit’ focus; 
Scolty/Crathes sanctioned, 
extending GKA hub life 
to 2025

Rig reactivation and drilling 
campaign initially doubled 
production at Heather/Broom 
in 2015. Alma/Galia 
development first production

2

wells drilled and 
brought online at 
Tanjong Baram

At PM8/Seligi,  
gas engine changeouts  
for Train A & B gas 
compressors and first 
scheduled annual 
maintenance shutdown 
completed ahead 
of schedule

>500

well interventions 
undertaken at 
PM8/Seligi since 
assuming operatorship

16 idle well strings 
successfully returned 
to service

Record weekly production 
achieved since EnQuest 
assumed operatorship, 
averaging over 23,000 Boepd 
gross in December 2016

2017

25%

equity interest  
in Magnus acquired 
from BP

First oil from Kraken in 
June 2017 with production 
of >40,000 Bopd gross 
achieved in November

Kraken full cycle gross project 
capital expenditure further 
reduced; anticipated to be 
more than 25% lower than 
originally sanctioned

2017

5

MMboe gross annual 
production maintained 
for third consecutive 
year at PM8/Seligi

Investment in facility 
projects and process 
simplification to  
improve reliability and 
production efficiency

Established remote 
monitoring for satellite wells 
on Seligi D & F, improving 
uptime and performance

NORTH SEA OPERATION BREAKDOWN

MALAYSIA OPERATION BREAKDOWN

1

onshore  
terminal

63

wells drilled and 
completed by 
EnQuest

7 

operated 
production  
hubs

c.235

MMboe of net 2P  
reserves added

c.89

MMboe  
produced (net)

c.28

MMboe of net 2P 
reserves added

production 

2
licences 63
14

idle wells returned  
to production  
by EnQuest

operated  
offshore  
platforms

c.12

MMboe  
produced 
(net)

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

07

2018 ACHIEVEMENTS

2019 AND BEYOND

c.55

MMboe added to net 2P reserves 
at 31 December 2018 from 75% 
interest in Magnus

Additional production from new wells 
at Kraken, Magnus and Heather

Significant cost savings at SVT through 
focused project execution and supply 
chain management

Asset life extension activities through well 
workovers at Alma/Galia and idle well 
abandonments at Thistle

2018 ACHIEVEMENTS

2

new wells at PM8/Seligi  
delivered aggregate production 
in line with expectations

Achieved >99% availability for two gas 
compressors in Q3

Established remote monitoring of satellite 
wells at six platforms improving uptime. 
Received an award from PETRONAS for  
the ‘Highest Improvement’ in relation  
to offshore self-regulation. Delivered 
cumulative production of 1.5 MMbbls  
from Tanjong Baram

PRODUCTION HISTORY (Boepd)

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

63-70,000

Boepd expected in 2019

In the near term, delivering on 
operational targets and reducing  
the Group’s debt remains  
EnQuest’s priority

In the future, the Group’s capital  
allocation will balance investment to 
develop its asset base, the acquisition 
of suitable opportunities and, should 
conditions allow, returns to shareholders

“ WITH NET 2P RESERVES OF 

c.245 MMBOE, UNDERPINNED 
BY MAGNUS, PM8/SELIGI AND 
KRAKEN, THE GROUP HAS 
SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL 
WITHIN THE PORTFOLIO 
AND IS WELL POSITIONED 
TO PURSUE LONG-TERM 
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.”

NET 2P RESERVES (MMboe)

2010 –2018 2

  End 2018 4

81

99

263

245

2010 1

2010 –2018 3

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Reserves life of c.13 years based on 2018 production

c.17% compound average growth in production

Notes:
1  Net 2P reserves at start of 2010
2  Additions to 2P reserves 2010 to end of 2018
3  Production 2010 to 2018
4  Net 2P reserves at end of 2018

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
08

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

A: HSE&A 
GROUP LOST TIME INCIDENT FREQUENCY RATE1

E: CASH GENERATED BY OPERATIONS 
($ MILLION)

-6.5%

2018

2017

2016

0.43

0.46

0.51

EnQuest delivered on its commitment to continual 
improvement in HSE&A performance. In occupational safety, 
our Lost Time Incident (‘LTI’) performance remained strong, 
with many assets recording an LTI-free year.

+141.2%

2018

2017

2016

788.6

327.0

408.3

Cash generated by operations was 141.2% higher than in 2017, 
primarily reflecting improved EBITDA.

Link to strategy

Link to strategy

For more details
See pages 28 to 31

For more details
See pages 22 to 27

B: PRODUCTION 
(BOEPD)

+48.2%

2018

2017

2016

55,447

37,405

39,751

F: CASH CAPEX3 
($ MILLION)

-40.1%

2018

2017

2016

220.2

367.6

609.2

Production was 48.2% higher than in 2017. Increased production 
from Kraken and Magnus was partially offset by the expected 
lower production at Alma/Galia and Scolty/Crathes and 
underlying natural declines elsewhere in the portfolio.

Cash capex was 40.1% lower than in 2017, primarily driven by 
reduced activity at Kraken.

Link to strategy

Link to strategy

For more details
See pages 10 to 19

For more details
See pages 22 to 27

C: UNIT OPEX 
($/BOE)

-10.2%

2018

2017

2016

23.0

25.6

24.6

G: NET DEBT 
($ MILLION)

-10.9%

2018

2017

2016

1,774.5

1,991.4

1,796.5

Average unit operating costs were 10.2% lower than in 2017 
($25.6/Boe), primarily as a result of increased production from 
the Kraken field which has a lower unit operating cost than 
the Group average.

Net debt decreased by 10.9% compared to 2017, primarily 
reflecting the improved cash-generating capability of the 
Group with increased contributions from Kraken and Magnus 
and favourable working capital movements. The Group has 
remained in compliance with financial covenants under its 
debt facilities throughout the year and managing ongoing 
compliance remains a priority.

Link to strategy

Link to strategy

For more details
See pages 22 to 27

For more details
See pages 22 to 27

D: EBITDA2 
($ MILLION)

+135.9%

2018

2017

2016

716.3

303.6

477.1

Higher production from Kraken and Magnus combined with 
increased realised prices, reflecting higher average market 
prices, increased EnQuest’s EBITDA.

H: NET 2P RESERVES 
(MMBOE)

+16.6%

2018

2017

2016

245

210

215

Net 2P reserves increased by 16.6% compared to 2017, 
primarily reflecting the Magnus acquisition-related increase.

Link to strategy

Link to strategy

For more details
See pages 22 to 27

For more details
See page 20

Notes:
1 
Lost Time Incident frequency represents the number of incidents per million exposure hours worked (based on 12 hours for offshore and 8 hours for onshore)
2  EBITDA is calculated on a Business performance basis, and is calculated by taking profit/(loss) from operations before tax and finance income/(costs) and adding 
back depletion, depreciation, foreign exchange movements, inventory revaluation and the realised gain/(loss) on foreign currency and derivatives related to 
capital expenditure

3  Net of proceeds from disposal of $nil (2017: $nil, 2016: $1.5 million)

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

09

ENQUEST VALUES

Our Values embody everything the Company stands for, 
underpinning the way in which we want to work with all our 
stakeholders in achieving our strategy.

During 2018, teams from across the 
organisation were involved in refreshing 
the Group’s Values. Through a series 
of focus groups and reviews, the 
teams provided valuable insight to 
ensure the essence of what makes 
EnQuest great was captured and 
provide a link between the Company’s 

purpose, vision and strategy. 
These Values are now our five key 
‘drivers of behaviour’ and are being 
incorporated into all our people-related 
processes, including a core 
competency framework, performance 
management appraisal, talent and 
succession planning and reward.

WORK
COLLABORATIVELY

RESPECT
& OPENNESS

GROWTH
& LEARNING

DRIVING
A FOCUSED
BUSINESS

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
10

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

“ EXERCISING  
THE MAGNUS 
OPTION HAS 
STRENGTHENED 
THE BUSINESS.”
Jock Lennox 
Chairman

EnQuest performance overview
In 2018, EnQuest took a further significant 
step forward in strengthening the 
business and adding to its potential. The 
exercise of the Magnus Option, which 
received very strong support from our 
shareholders to acquire the remaining 
75% equity interest in Magnus, provided 
the Group with an immediate and material 
increase to its 2P reserves, production 
and cash flow. Magnus performance 
has been strong since EnQuest 
assumed operatorship in December 
2017 and the application of the Group’s 
differential capabilities saw production 
increase significantly in late 2018.

While production from Kraken was 
below our expectations, primarily 
reflecting FPSO performance and 
weather-related outages, the strong 
production performance across the 
Group elsewhere saw EnQuest meet 
its production growth target. The 
Group’s improved cash-generating 
capability and the execution of the 
Kraken financing agreement enabled 
the Group to make material repayments 
on its bank debt. Debt reduction 
remains a priority for EnQuest.

The Group’s net 2P reserves were up 
approximately 17% after accounting 
for the increased production in 2018, 
driven by the additional 75% interest in 
Magnus. By the end of 2018, EnQuest had 
a net 2P reserves base of 245 MMboe, 
which represents average growth of 
approximately 13% per annum since 
EnQuest’s formation nine years ago 
and a reserves life of around 13 years.

Industry context
For much of 2018, we saw a steady 
improvement in the oil price, reflecting 
a combination of strong growth in 
global demand coupled with increasing 
constraints on supply. However, during the 
fourth quarter, concerns over a weakening 
demand outlook and expectations of 
over-supply saw a rapid deterioration 
in the oil price, which dipped to around 
$50/bbl in late December. Since then, 
the price has quite quickly recovered 
to within the range of c.$65/bbl and 
c.$68/bbl. Throughout this period of 
volatility, we have remained focused on 
achieving our targets, maintaining and 
enhancing production while controlling 
costs and capital expenditure. It is vital 
we continue to keep this focus through 
2019 with ongoing oil price uncertainty.

The Directors believe that the UK 
Continental Shelf remains an attractive 
investment proposition. While there may 
be some disruption to the supply chain 
from the impacts of the UK’s proposed 
exit from the European Union, the 
Directors are confident that such issues 
can be overcome. The industry has 
worked hard in recent years to reduce its 
operating and capital costs, facilitating 
delivery on the UK Government’s strategy 
of Maximising Economic Recovery of 
the significant hydrocarbons that remain 
in place. This competitive regulatory 
structure is further supported by a 
competitive fiscal regime, an extensive 
installed infrastructure base, access to a 
world-leading supply chain and a highly 
skilled workforce. EnQuest has been 
successful in replicating its UK operating 
model in Malaysia, another maturing 
region with significant hydrocarbons 
in place, and where the Group has a 
strong partnership with PETRONAS.

EnQuest’s Board
As previously noted in EnQuest’s 2017 
Annual Report and Accounts, we were 
extremely pleased to welcome Laurie Fitch 
to the Board. Laurie joined the Company 
on 8 January 2018 and became a member 
of both the Risk and Remuneration 
Committees. In January 2019, as planned, 
Laurie succeeded Helmut Langanger as 
the Chair of the Remuneration Committee. 
Helmut has chaired the Committee 
for nine years, developing open and 
transparent communications with our 
investors as we have shaped an effective 
remuneration policy. I would like to take 
this opportunity to thank Helmut for his 
valuable leadership over this period. 
We are pleased he will continue to be a 
member of the Remuneration Committee 
to aid Laurie’s transition into the role.

As a Board, we remain conscious of the 
need to have an effective succession 
plan that ensures the Board has the 
correct composition of skills and 
experience to continue its support of 
the executive management team in 
executing the Group’s strategy. We are 
therefore very pleased that, subject 
to shareholder approval at the annual 
general meeting, Howard Paver will 
join the Board. Howard is a petroleum 
engineer by background and has 40 
years of oil and gas experience working 
for Hess, BHP Petroleum, Mobil and 
Schlumberger in various senior leadership 
positions. His significant knowledge in 
production and development, as well 
as experience of managing complex 
assets in various parts of the globe, will 
bring technical and commercial skills to 
the Board. This is of particular relevance 
as Helmut Langanger, who has over 40 
years of industry experience, will be 
rotating off the Board in due course.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

11

In 2019, both Helmut and I will have 
served as Directors of the Company for 
nine years. With the completion of the 
Magnus option and following on from 
the Company’s financial restructuring 
in late 2016, the Company is positioned 
to pursue its strategic goals and, as is 
now appropriate, Helmut, as Senior 
Independent Director, is leading a 
process to identify a candidate to 
replace me as Chairman and take the 
Company forward to the next phase of 
its development. It is envisaged that after 
my succession process has completed, 
Helmut will retire from the Board.

EnQuest’s people
In 2018, the Group was focused on 
meeting its operational and financial 
targets and maintaining cost and capital 
discipline in a volatile macro environment. 
The capital raise, via a rights issue, to 
facilitate the strategically important 
acquisition of additional interests in 
Magnus, the Sullom Voe Terminal and 
associated infrastructure from BP, and 
the financing associated with Kraken, 
all required significant amounts of the 
Board’s and management’s time and 
attention. Additionally, achieving all of 
these objectives has only ultimately been 
possible due to EnQuest’s people. The 
Board and I would like to express our 
gratitude to everyone, both new and old, 
at EnQuest for their drive, commitment 
and professionalism in delivering 
Safe Results, meeting our targets and 
completing the acquisition of assets from 
BP to give the Company an even stronger 
base upon which to build for the future.

Following the results of our culture 
survey in 2017, the Group’s Values were 
refreshed through a series of group-wide 
focus groups and workshops. This 
process has ensured that our Values 
embody everything the Company 
stands for and align with the aspirations 
of our people, acting as a guide in 
the pursuit of EnQuest’s strategy. 
Through 2019, the refreshed Values 
will be incorporated into a number 
of the Group’s processes, including 
those in Human Resources and Health, 
Safety, Environment and Assurance.

In early 2019, the Board approved the 
establishment of an Employee Forum to 
improve engagement and interaction 
between the workforce and the Board. 
This supplements the Group’s existing 
employee engagement activities and 
is in line with the revised Corporate 
Governance Code published in July 2018.

Strategy and governance
The Directors provide strategic guidance 
and challenge to executive management 
and take key decisions on the 
implementation of the Group’s strategy. 
EnQuest’s governance framework also 
contains several non-Board Committees, 
which provide advice and support 
to the Chief Executive, including an 
Executive Committee, Investment 
Committee and HSE&A Committee. 

“ BOARD 

SUCCESSION 
PLANNING HAS 
REMAINED AN 
AREA OF FOCUS 
THROUGHOUT 
2018.”

The Group welcomes the drive for 
increased governance and transparency 
in general, and specifically in relation to 
climate change. The Board recognises the 
increasing societal, media and investor 
focus on climate change and the desire to 
understand its potential impacts on the 
oil and gas industry through improved 
disclosure, utilising mechanisms such 
as those proposed by the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures. 
Through the Risk and Audit Committees, 
the Board has continued to review the 
potential risk of climate change on the 
effective execution of the Group’s strategy 
and has concluded that, on a standalone 
basis, climate change is not a principal risk 
but one factor amongst others influencing 
our assessment of the Group’s principal 
risks, the details of which can be found on 
pages 36 to 43. The Risk Committee will 
continue to undertake detailed analyses 
of specific risk areas to ensure that the 
potential effects of climate change 
continue to be identified, considered and 
assessed appropriately within the Group’s 
Risk Management Framework. Further, 
the Board, in particular through the work 
of the Risk Committee, has been active 
in supporting the continued evolution of 
the Group’s Risk Management Framework 
to enhance effective risk management 
within the Board-approved risk appetite 
of the Company. Through this process, 
the Risk Committee reviewed all risk areas 
faced by the Group and identified the 
causes of risk and their associated impacts 
and mapped these to the preventative 
and containment controls used to 
manage such risks to acceptable levels. 

Ensuring that the Board works effectively 
remains a key focus of the Company. 
During the year, an external evaluation 
of the Board was held which recognised 
the improvements made in the Group’s 
governance since the last external 
evaluation in 2016. It also identified 
additional areas for consideration to 
drive continuous improvement in this 
area. The most important area discussed 
related to Board succession planning, 
which I have already outlined. More 
details are provided on pages 77 and 78. 
The Board is committed to delivering 
the highest standards of corporate 
governance. Activities are already under 
way in relation to the changes to the 
Corporate Governance Code announced 
in July 2018 and the Board is actively 

engaged in the implementation of the 
necessary processes and procedures 
that will enable continued compliance. 

The Board believes that the manner in 
which the Group conducts its business 
is important. In the execution of our 
strategy, we are committed to working 
responsibly for the benefit of all our 
stakeholders. The Board has approved the 
Company’s overall approach to corporate 
responsibility, which is focused on five 
main areas. These are: Health and Safety; 
People; Environment; Business Conduct; 
and Community. The Board receives 
regular information on the performance 
of the Company in these areas, and 
specifically monitors health, safety and 
environmental reporting at each Board 
meeting. The Company’s Health, Safety, 
Environment & Assurance (‘HSE&A’) Policy 
is reviewed by the Board annually and 
all incidents, forward-looking indicators 
and significant HSE&A programmes 
are discussed by the Board. Specific 
developments and updates in all areas 
are brought to the Board’s attention when 
appropriate. Having undertaken a detailed 
review of the Group’s HSE&A processes, 
the Risk Committee recommended the 
addition of HSE&A oversight and review 
within its scope of work to supplement and 
assist the Board in reviewing such matters.

The Group has a Code of Conduct that 
it requires all personnel to be familiar 
with as it sets out the behaviour which 
the organisation expects of its Directors, 
managers and employees, as well as 
suppliers, contractors, agents and partners. 

Dividend
The Company has not declared or paid 
any dividends since incorporation and 
does not plan to pay dividends in the 
immediate future. However, the Board 
anticipates reviewing the policy when 
appropriate, the timing of which will be 
subject to the oil price environment, 
the capital structure of the Company 
and its expected future cash flows.

2019: continued focus on delivery and 
debt reduction
We have made significant progress in 
2018, meeting our targets and making 
substantial repayments of our bank debt. 
The acquisition of Magnus diversifies 
our production portfolio and, along with 
Kraken and PM8/Seligi, provides the 
Group with material future production 
opportunities. In 2019, we must continue 
to focus on delivering on our targets to 
facilitate the effective management of our 
liquidity position and capital structure. 
With the oil price environment remaining 
volatile, we recognise that we must 
maintain our focus on financial discipline, 
cost efficiencies and managing Group 
liquidity. We will continue to prioritise 
our resources to those projects which 
maximise cash flow to facilitate debt 
reduction, continuing the Company’s 
progress towards a more sustainable 
balance sheet which will enable the 
long-term growth of the business.

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
12

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

“ IN 2018, THE GROUP 
MET ITS FINANCIAL 
AND OPERATIONAL 
TARGETS, GROWING 
PRODUCTION BY 
48% AND REDUCING 
NET DEBT.”
Amjad Bseisu
Chief Executive

Overview
During 2018, the Group was focused on 
meeting its financial and operational 
targets and facilitating debt reduction. 
The successful acquisition of Magnus, 
the Sullom Voe Terminal and related 
infrastructure assets from BP was a great 
testament to our people’s focus on 
delivery and excellent team collaboration. 
The Group’s collective efforts delivered a 
set of assets with a strong strategic fit into 
the portfolio. EnQuest’s cash-generation 
capability has improved through the 
acquisition of Magnus in particular and 
we are well positioned to meet our 
debt repayment schedule and capital 
programme in 2019 and beyond.

Operational performance
EnQuest’s average production increased 
by 48.2% to 55,447 Boepd, above the 
mid-point of the Group’s guidance. 
The increase reflected the contributions 
from Kraken and Magnus, along with a 
better than expected performance at 
Heather, Alma/Galia and Scolty/Crathes, 
partially offset by natural declines.

Following strong shareholder support for 
the rights issue undertaken in October, 
EnQuest completed the acquisition of 
additional interests in Magnus, the Sullom 
Voe Terminal and related infrastructure 
in December. The additional interest 
in Magnus and the success of plant 
debottlenecking and well intervention 
work drove a substantial and better 
than expected increase in production. 

The acquisition of Magnus also drove a 
material increase in net 2P reserves to 
245 MMboe at the end of 2018, up 17% 
on the 210 MMboe at the end of 2017, 
and was a key component in the Group 
achieving a reserves replacement ratio 
of 184%. While production at Kraken has 
been below expectations, with FPSO 
performance the main limiting factor, 
the Group’s reserves position for Kraken 

remains materially unchanged. Since 
the Company was formed with around 
81 MMboe of 2P reserves, the Group 
has achieved a compound average 
reserves growth of 13%, with remaining 
2P reserves representing a current 
production life of around 13 years.

Financial performance
The combination of increased 
production and higher realised 
prices drove an improved financial 
performance in 2018. Both EBITDA 
and cash generated by operations 
more than doubled, to $716.3 million 
and $788.6 million respectively. 
The Group’s ongoing focus on cost 
control kept operating expenditure to 
$465.9 million, with unit operating costs 
reduced to around $23.0/Boe. Capital 
expenditure was also significantly 
lower year on year, down $147.4 million 
to $220.2 million, primarily driven by 
the reduced programme at Kraken.

EnQuest reviewed a number of potential 
opportunities to realise value from the 
Kraken asset. Having reviewed the various 
options available to the Group, the Board 
approved the financing arrangement 
for $175 million, ring-fenced on a 15% 
interest in the Kraken oil field, with funds 
managed by Oz Management, as the 
preferred economic option at the time. 
We continue to keep a future potential 
equity farm-down at Kraken under review.

The combination of this financing 
agreement and strong underlying 
business performance facilitated 
accelerated repayments of the Group’s 
credit facility, which reduced by 
$340.0 million, from $1,125.0 million to 
$785.0 million, excluding the revolving 
credit facility. The Group ended the year 
with net debt of $1,774.5 million, down 
from $1,991.4 million at the end of 2017 
and further debt reduction remains 
a near-term priority for the Group.

PRODUCTION
(BOEPD)

+48.2%

2018

55,447

2017

2016

37,405

39,751

Health, Safety, Environment and 
Assurance (‘HSE&A’)
As always, Safe Results is our number 
one priority and we have had excellent 
results in many areas, meeting the 
majority of our performance targets. In 
Malaysia, we again had zero lost-time 
incidents (‘LTI’), with PM8/Seligi achieving 
eight years LTI free, and we reduced the 
number of hydrocarbon release events. 
This strong performance came against a 
backdrop of high activity levels offshore. 
In the UK North Sea, our colleagues 
on the Kittiwake platform recorded 
their 13th year without an LTI with many 
of our other assets also delivering 
an LTI-free year. However, we saw an 
increase in the number of hydrocarbon 
release events and had a high-potential 
dropped-object incident on Magnus 
associated with lifting operations. These 
serve to highlight that we must remain 
focused on safety at all times and aim for 
continuous improvement in all that we do. 

The main sources of atmospheric 
emissions from EnQuest assets are 
derived from combustion plant associated 
with power generation and flaring. As 
such, while overall extraction emissions 
increased in 2018, largely as a result of the 
addition of Magnus to our portfolio, our 
improved production performance drove 
our extraction-related greenhouse gas 
emissions intensity ratio lower by 17.6%. 
In Malaysia, the team’s focus on minimising 
emissions resulted in flaring at PM8/Seligi 
being maintained at around 35% below the 
annual flare consent from the regulator.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

13

EBITDA1
($ MILLION)

+135.9%

2018

716.3

2017

2016

303.6

477.1

Note:
1  EBITDA is calculated on a Business performance 

basis, and is calculated by taking profit/(loss) from 
operations before tax and finance income/(costs) 
and adding back depletion, depreciation, foreign 
exchange movements, inventory revaluation and 
the realised gain/(loss) on foreign currency and 
derivatives related to capital expenditure

While hydrocarbons are expected to 
remain a key element of the UK and global 
energy mix, the Group recognises that 
it must endeavour to minimise carbon 
emissions from its operations as far 
as practicable as it seeks to enhance 
hydrocarbon recovery and extend the 
useful lives of mature and underdeveloped 
assets and associated infrastructure in 
a profitable and responsible manner. 
Our strategy of acquiring assets and 
extending their economic life facilitates 
the industry’s move from long-term, 
‘full-cycle’ expenditure to lower-carbon 
energy supply sources while helping 
to fulfil energy demand requirements 
during this transition period. 

UK North Sea operations
Production from the UK North Sea was 
materially higher in 2018 than in 2017. This 
increase was driven by a combination of 
additional production from Kraken and 
Magnus and the successful execution 
of our planned work programmes.

At Magnus, the team successfully 
undertook plant de-bottlenecking and 
water injection system improvements. Two 
new wells were drilled and brought online, 
with further production improvements 
driven by successful well intervention 
activities. Following our two-well drilling 
campaign in 2018, a further two-well 
programme will commence in 2019, 
along with additional intervention and 
plant improvement activities. Future 
material infill drilling opportunities 
continue to be refined and assessed to 
maximise recovery from the significant 
remaining resources in place.

ENQUEST VALUES

DRIVING 
A FOCUSED 
BUSINESS

“EnQuest’s cohesive culture 
with in-depth niche skills is 
driving a focused business 
working environment.”

Hadiani Haron
Planning Analyst, Malaysia

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
14

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT CONTINUED

NET 2P RESERVES 
(MMBOE)

+16.6%

2018

245

2017

2016

210

215

Further drilling successes were achieved 
at Heather, Thistle and Alma/Galia. The 
H-67 well at Heather delivered above 
the Group’s pre-drill expectations and 
the Group began its well abandonment 
campaign at Heather in December 
following the successful execution 
of six well abandonments at Thistle. 
The replacement of three Electric 
Submersible Pumps at Alma/Galia 
resulted in production restoration 
in line with the Group’s plans.

At both Alma/Galia and Scolty/Crathes, 
production was better than expected 
as a result of improved production 
efficiency and the successful management 
of wax deposition, respectively. The 
successful production optimisation 
strategy at Scolty/Crathes has resulted 
in the project achieving payback 
just over two years after start-up, 
despite the wax deposition challenges 
meaning only the Crathes reservoir has 
delivered production and revenues.

During the year, we sanctioned the 
Scolty/Crathes pipeline replacement 
project, to remedy the wax deposition-
related production restrictions, and the 
Dunlin bypass, which will see volumes 
from Thistle and the Dons exported via 
the Magnus facility and Ninian Pipeline 
System to the Sullom Voe Terminal. 
Both projects help underpin longer-
term production from these assets. 
Elsewhere, the Group continues to assess 
development options for the Eagle 
Discovery and at Dons North East.

Production at Kraken was below 
expectations, reflecting a number of 
FPSO and weather-related outages 
throughout the year. Our clear 
operational priority in 2019 is to improve 
FPSO uptime and efficiency. We are 
working with the FPSO operator on a 
number of improvement initiatives to 
maximise facility uptime to enable stable 
production. Reservoir performance 

has been strong and remains broadly 
in line with the Group’s expectations. 
We have seen excellent communication 
between producer and injector wells 
and our improving management of 
reservoir voidage following repairs 
to the water injection system also 
supported reservoir deliverability. 

The delayed arrival of the drilling rig at 
Drill Centre 4 (‘DC4’) resulted in drilling 
commencing later than planned with first 
production from the wells being rephased 
accordingly. Drilling at DC4 is nearing 
completion, with the first two of three 
wells now onstream. We continue to assess 
future opportunities at Kraken that have 
material volumes of oil in place for future 
development, such as the Western Flank.

At the Sullom Voe Terminal, the Group 
reduced terminal operating costs 
by around 25%, to approximately 
£150.0 million, through the implementation 
of a number of efficiency initiatives. 
We also assisted in three ship-to-ship 
transfers of oil in the Port of Sullom 
Voe, and the Group continues to 
explore opportunities to maximise 
the long-term value of the terminal.

Malaysia operations
Production in 2018 was slightly lower 
than in 2017, primarily reflecting natural 
decline at Tanjong Baram. Our focus on 
asset integrity, which included underwater 
structural integrity assessments and gas 
compressor rejuvenation, helped drive 
continued high levels of production 
efficiency at PM8/Seligi. The regulator 
recognised the Group’s efforts with an 
award for the ‘Highest Improvement’ 
in relation to offshore self-regulation. 
Our programme of well interventions 
continues to be successful in arresting 
the field’s decline, and we successfully 
concluded EnQuest’s first ever 
drilling campaign at PM8/Seligi, with 
aggregate production from the two 
new wells in line with expectations.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
“ 2019 PRODUCTION 

IS EXPECTED 
TO GROW BY 
AROUND 20% 
TO BETWEEN 
63,000 AND 
70,000 BOEPD.”

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

15

EnQuest will continue its asset life 
extension activities in 2019 through further 
investment in two new wells, idle well 
restoration and facility improvements and 
upgrades. Technical studies to support 
future development drilling and secondary 
recovery projects to increase ultimate 
recovery from the material volumes in 
place in PM8/Seligi are also under way.

2019 performance and outlook
Following effective reservoir management 
and well intervention work at Magnus, 
performance has remained strong 
through the first two months of the year. 
FPSO performance has continued to 
limit production performance at Kraken. 
All DC4 wells are now onstream and, 
as FPSO maintenance activities are 
completed, production is expected to 
significantly improve. We continue to 
expect to deliver gross production of 
between 30,000 and 35,000 Bopd from 
Kraken. Elsewhere across the portfolio, 
aggregate production has been broadly 
in line with the Group’s expectations.

2019 production is expected to grow 
by around 20% to between 63,000 
and 70,000 Boepd, primarily driven by 
Magnus. Production from DC4 at Kraken, 
where all three wells are now onstream, 
and the anticipated improvement in 
performance at Scolty/Crathes following 
the pipeline replacement project 
scheduled for the third quarter of 2019 
are expected to offset natural declines 
elsewhere across the portfolio.

The successful delivery of the capital 
programme, which includes drilling at 
Kraken, Magnus and PM8/Seligi combined 
with project-related expenditures at 
Scolty/Crathes and Thistle/Deveron 
and the Dons, will underpin production 
during 2019 and beyond. 

Debt repayment remains the priority for 
the Group, and will be enabled through 
its improved cash-generation capability 
combined with our focus on cost control 
and capital discipline. In March, the Group 
reduced its credit facility by $55.0 million 
to $730.0 million, ahead of the scheduled 
amortisation due in April, which now has 
a balance due of $50.0 million. At the 
end of 2019, the Group expects overall 
net debt to EBITDA to be approaching 
2x, with the Group intending to operate 
between 1x and 2x in the future.

Longer-term development
In the near term, we remain focused on 
delivering on our plans to reduce our 
debt. We also have the opportunity for 
material growth where our portfolio 
has significant potential for near-field, 
short-cycle development, particularly 
at Magnus, PM8/Seligi and Kraken.

After we have reduced our debt to 
sustainable levels, and dependent on price 
conditions and company performance, 
our capital allocation will balance 
investment to develop our asset base, 
returns to shareholders and the acquisition 
of suitable growth opportunities. The 
application of our proven capabilities 
in enhancing hydrocarbon recovery 
from mature and underdeveloped 
assets means we are well placed to 
pursue long-term sustainable growth.

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
16

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

OPERATING REVIEW

During 2018, Faysal Hamza stepped down as Interim 
Head of North Sea and Managing Director – North Sea, 
returning to his previous role as Managing Director, 
Corporate Development.

SULLOM VOE
TERMINAL

  Producing assets
  Onshore terminal

“OUR PRODUCTION 
PERFORMANCE IS 
NOW UNDERPINNED 
BY TWO MATERIAL 
ASSETS IN MAGNUS 
AND KRAKEN, BOTH 
WITH SIGNIFICANT 
DEVELOPMENT 
OPPORTUNITIES.”
Bob Davenport
Managing Director – North Sea

MAGNUS

  DONS

THISTLE/DEVERON

HEATHER/BROOM

KRAKEN

ALBA

SCOLTY/CRATHES

ABERDEEN

GREATER KITTIWAKE AREA

For illustrative purposes only, not to scale

ALMA/GALIA

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

17

NORTHERN NORTH SEA OPERATIONS

DAILY AVERAGE NET PRODUCTION:
(Boepd)

15,6272

19,2931

2017

2018

Notes:
1 

2 

Includes net production related to 25% interest in 
Magnus until 30 November 2018 and 100% interest 
of Magnus from 1 December 2018, averaged over 
the 12 months to the end of December 2018
Includes net production from the initial 25% interest 
in Magnus since the acquisition on 1 December 
2017, averaged over the 12 months to the end of 
December 2017

2018 performance summary
Production in 2018 of 19,293 Boepd 
was 23.5% higher than in 2017, primarily 
reflecting a full year’s contribution from 
Magnus and better than expected 
performance from the H-67 well at 
Heather, which came online in March, 
partially offset by natural declines across 
the area. Good production and water 
injection efficiency performance was 
achieved at Heather/Broom, Thistle and 
the Dons, with production efficiency 
at each of these fields above 80%.

Magnus performance has been strong 
throughout 2018, also achieving 
production efficiency above 80%. 
Successful plant de-bottlenecking, 
completion of the planned maintenance 
shutdown and additional production 
following the two well drilling campaign 
were complemented by successful well 
intervention activities. Water injection 
performance has been strong, with 
high levels of uptime throughout the 
year, reflecting the Group’s analysis of 
historical power generation reliability and 
a focus on alleviating downtime issues.

EnQuest continued to pursue a series 
of partner-funded idle well reservoir 
abandonments as part of the Group’s 
asset life extension strategy, improving 
asset integrity and reducing longer-term 
decommissioning costs. At Thistle, six 
well abandonments were successfully 
concluded ahead of schedule and at a 
lower cost than budgeted, with the team 
subsequently mobilised to Heather to 
undertake abandonment work on two wells. 

In June, the Dunlin bypass export project 
was sanctioned which, once completed, 
will see volumes from Thistle and the Dons 
exported via the Magnus facility and Ninian 
Pipeline System to the Sullom Voe Terminal.

At the Sullom Voe Terminal, the Group 
made excellent progress in the optimisation 
of its planned work programme and 
identified and implemented a number 
of cost-saving initiatives. The Group was 
successful in reducing terminal operating 
costs by around 25% to approximately 
£150.0 million through focused supply 
chain management, efficient project 
delivery and simplifying and improving 
utilisation of the resources on site. These 
savings were achieved while delivering a 
strong safety performance and high levels 
of site availability. In line with the Group’s 
aim to maximise the long-term value of 
the terminal, the Group has worked with 
the Shetland Islands Council and other 
stakeholders to deliver three ship-to-ship 
transfers of crude oil at the terminal.

2019 performance and outlook
Strong production performance at 
Magnus has continued, with aggregate 
production elsewhere broadly in line 
with the Group’s plans.

At Magnus, the Group is focused on 
maintaining and improving production 
through a combination of drilling two 
new wells, further well intervention 
activity and increases in the facility’s 
water injection capacity by returning to 
service the second of two deaeration 
towers on the asset and improving pump 
operations. EnQuest will continue to 
optimise the volumes and placement of 
both injected water and gas to maintain 
production. A three-week shutdown 
is planned for the second quarter.

The planned two-week maintenance 
shutdowns at Thistle and the Dons are 
expected to take place in the summer and 
have been coordinated with the operator 
of the existing third-party export route and 
the timing of the installation of the Dunlin 
bypass pipeline to minimise downtime 
during the pipeline’s commissioning 
phase. Drilling of the Dons North East 
prospect continues to be evaluated.

At Heather/Broom, further well 
abandonments are expected to be 
executed during the year along with a 
scheduled three-week shutdown in the 
third quarter. Further well intervention and 
drilling opportunities are being developed.

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
18

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

OPERATING REVIEW CONTINUED

CENTRAL NORTH SEA OPERATIONS

DAILY AVERAGE NET PRODUCTION:
(Boepd)

6,353

2018

8,131

2017

2018 performance summary
Production in 2018 of 6,353 Boepd was 
21.9% lower than in 2017. The reduction 
was primarily driven by the expected 
performance at both Scolty/Crathes 
and Alma/Galia, although production 
at both assets was slightly better 
than anticipated with production 
efficiency at both fields above 80%.

At Alma/Galia, three failed Electric 
Submersible Pumps (‘ESP’) were 
successfully replaced during the third 
quarter, restoring aggregate production 
in line with plans. Production and water 
injection efficiency were strong, although 
partially offset by the end of production 
from the Galia reservoir following the 
cessation of the originally installed ESP.

Good management of wax deposition 
at Scolty/Crathes drove a better 
than expected performance and the 
installation of the new pipeline was 
sanctioned in June. Wax restrictions on 
production will continue to be managed 
until the pipeline is operational.

Aggregate production from Kittiwake and 
Alba was slightly ahead of expectations. 
Anticipated natural declines were 
partially mitigated by better than 
expected production and water injection 
efficiency. The team at Kittiwake delivered 
production efficiency of around 80% 
while also achieving another strong 
HSE&A performance, reaching 13 
years without a lost-time incident.

2019 performance and outlook
Performance to the end of February 
has been broadly in line with the 
Group’s expectations.

The Scolty/Crathes pipeline is expected 
to be installed during the third quarter. 
To facilitate annual maintenance and 
the required pipeline installation and 
commissioning activities, a shutdown 
of approximately six weeks has been 
planned. Once complete, production 
levels at Scolty/Crathes are expected 
to improve significantly. At Kittiwake, 
production optimisation activities and 
development options for the Eagle 
discovery continue to be evaluated. 
Following an extensive asset integrity 
campaign across the Greater Kittiwake 
Area in 2018, a short shutdown is 
planned during the third quarter.

With Alma/Galia expected to cease 
production early in the next decade, 
the focus is on production optimisation 
and cost control, with preparatory 
decommissioning plans now under 
way. A two-week scheduled shutdown 
is planned for the second quarter.

THE KRAKEN DEVELOPMENT

DAILY AVERAGE NET PRODUCTION:
(Bopd)

2017

4,7091

21,369

2018

Note:
1  Net production since first oil on 23 June, averaged 
over the 12 months to the end of December 2017

2019 performance and outlook
FPSO performance has continued 
to limit production performance 
at Kraken. All DC4 wells are now 
onstream and performing in line with 
expectations. As FPSO maintenance 
activities are completed, production 
is expected to significantly improve. 
We continue to expect to deliver 
gross production of between 30,000 
and 35,000 Bopd from Kraken.

A three-week maintenance shutdown 
is scheduled for the third quarter.

The Group continues to pursue 
opportunities for production optimisation 
through improving facility uptime and 
reservoir management activities, including 
well tests, water injection and reservoir 
voidage. Assessment of additional 
near-field, low-cost drilling opportunities 
within the existing producing reservoir 
and the Western Flank, which combined 
contain around 115 MMbbls of stock 
tank oil initially in place, is ongoing.

2018 performance summary
Average gross production for 2018 was 
below expectations. Throughout 2018, 
production was limited by a number of 
FPSO system and weather-related outages 
which required additional maintenance 
activities to resolve. Following repairs 
to the water injection system, injection 
rates were significantly increased to 
manage reservoir voidage, which in 
turn supported improved reservoir 
deliverability. Reservoir performance 
remains on track with well testing and 
reservoir modelling showing excellent 
communication between producer and 
injector wells. Net lease charter payment 
credits arising from the non-availability 
of the Kraken FPSO in 2018 were 
approximately $45 million, which partially 
mitigated the loss of revenue associated 
with lower production performance.

At DC4, the subsea infrastructure was 
installed in line with plans. Drilling 
commenced in November after the 
delayed arrival of the Transocean Leader 
drilling rig, with first production from 
the wells being rephased to the end 
of the first quarter 2019. As a result of 
improved reservoir understanding, the 
Group gained approval for developing 
DC4 with three wells instead of the four 
originally planned, saving approximately 
$23 million with no material impact on oil 
production rates or recovery anticipated.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

19

“ THE FIRST TWO WELLS ENQUEST HAS 
DRILLED AT PM8/SELIGI DELIVERED 
AGGREGATE PRODUCTION IN LINE  
WITH THE PRE-DRILL ESTIMATES, WHILE 
THE GROUP’S IDLE WELL INTERVENTION 
PROGRAMME CONTINUES TO ARREST 
THE FIELD’S NATURAL DECLINE.”
John Penrose
Managing Director, Malaysia

MALAYSIA OPERATIONS

2018 performance summary
Production in 2018 of 8,432 Boepd 
was 5.7% lower than in 2017, primarily 
reflecting natural decline at Tanjong 
Baram. Production efficiency has remained 
high at PM8/Seligi, with the planned 
shutdown activities in September and 
October successfully concluded ahead 
of budget and schedule. During the 
year, the Group undertook a significant 
low-cost idle well intervention programme 
at PM8/Seligi. In total, 12 idle wells were 
returned to service ahead of schedule 
and below budget, delivering production 
improvements above the Group’s plans. 
Such programmes have been fundamental 
to arresting natural declines at the field 
since EnQuest took on operatorship. The 
Group also drilled its first new wells in the 
field, with aggregate production broadly 
in line with the Group’s expectations. 
Asset integrity activities included 
underwater structural inspections for 
a number of assets, gas compressor 
rejuvenation and improving satellite 
facility monsoon reliability performance 
through the upgrade of control and 
shutdown systems. The installation of 
multi-phase flow meters at PM8/Seligi 
platforms B, E and Raya-A and remote 
well monitoring and testing at the 
satellite facilities will facilitate improved 
well optimisation. The team received an 
award for the ‘Highest Improvement’ 
in relation to offshore self-regulation, 
reflecting the Group’s focus on safety 
and continuous improvement.

At Tanjong Baram, the focus remained 
on steady, safe and low-cost operations. 
Third-party export facility outages 
limited production efficiency and 
uptime throughout the year.

2019 performance and outlook
Aggregate production from PM8/Seligi 
and Tanjong Baram has been in line 
with the Group’s expectations for the 
first two months of 2019, with the Group 
receiving an award for meeting domestic 
demand fluctuations for natural gas. 

At PM8/Seligi, a two-well drilling campaign 
is expected to be executed in the third 
quarter of 2019, with first production 
from both wells around the end of the 
quarter. Further subsurface studies will 
be completed to enable the Group to 
continue to develop and optimise its 
future drilling opportunities to further 
increase recovery from the significant 
hydrocarbons in place, targeting an 
increase in production over time. 

Further idle well intervention activities 
are planned throughout the year, with 
the Group planning to return to service 
around ten wells in order to mitigate 
natural decline in the reservoir. 

2019 will also benefit from asset 
rejuvenation activity, including idle 
piping isolation, pipework maintenance, 
glycol dehydration unit rejuvenation 
and a compressor turbine control 
panel upgrade. A minimal shutdown is 
planned this year and is aligned with 
the third-party operated oil export 
pipeline and terminal maintenance 
activities to minimise downtime.

Longer term, EnQuest will extend field 
life through further investment in idle 
well restoration, facility improvements 
and upgrades and technical studies 
supporting development drilling and  
secondary recovery projects to 
increase ultimate recovery.

At Tanjong Baram, the focus is on 
maintaining safe operations, with 
production expected to continue 
to decline. 

PM8/SELIGI

TANJONG 
BARAM

For illustrative purposes only, not to scale

DAILY AVERAGE NET PRODUCTION:
(Boepd)

8,4321

8,9381

2018

2017

Note:
1  Working interest. 2018 entitlement: 5,631 Boepd; 

2017 entitlement: 5,884 Boepd

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
20

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RESERVES AND RESOURCES

EnQuest oil and gas reserves and resources at 31 December 2018

Proven and probable reserves (notes 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8)
At 31 December 2017
Revisions of previous estimates
Acquisitions and disposals (note 7)
Production:

Export meter
Volume adjustments (note 5)

Total at 31 December 2018 (note 8)

Contingent resources (notes 1, 2 and 4)
At 31 December 2017
Revisions of previous estimates
Acquisitions and disposals (note 7)
Promoted to reserves

Total contingent resources at 31 December 2018

UKCS

Other regions

Total

MMboe

MMboe

MMboe

MMboe

MMboe

(17)
0

190
(3)
55

(17)

225

98
4
36
(6)

131

(3)
1

21
1
–

(2)

20

67
1
–
–

68

210
(2)
55

(19)

245

164
5
36
(6)

198

Notes:
1  Reserves are quoted on a net entitlement basis, resources are quoted on a working interest basis
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 profiles have been audited by a recognised Competent Person in accordance with the definitions set out under the 2018 Petroleum 

Resources Management System and supporting guidelines issued 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 best technical case or ‘2C’ basis
5  Correction of export to sales volumes
6  All UKCS volumes are presented pre-SVT value adjustment
7  Proven and probable reserves: Acquisition of 75% equity in Magnus

Contingent resources: Acquisition of 75% equity in Magnus largely offset by relinquishment of the Group’s equity interests in the Kildrummy and Torphins licences

8  The above proven and probable reserves include 6 MMboe that will be consumed as lease fuel on the Kraken FPSO and fuel gas on Heather, Broom, West Don, Don SW, 

Conrie and Ythan

9  The above table excludes Tanjong Baram in Malaysia

The Group’s net 2P reserves at the end of 2018 were 245 MMboe, up 16.6% from 210 MMboe at the end of 2017. This increase 
was primarily driven by the acquisition of the additional 75% interest in Magnus, partially offset by production of 19 MMboe.

Contingent resources at the end of 2018 were 198 MMboe, up 20.7% from 164 MMboe at the end of 2017. This increase was driven by the 
acquisition of the additional 75% interest in Magnus, partially offset by the relinquishment of the Group’s Kildrummy and 
Torphins licences. 

For more details
Read more on pages 10 to 19

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

21

HYDROCARBON ASSETS

EnQuest’s asset base as at 31 December 2018

Licence

Block(s)

North Sea production and development

Working interest  
(%)

Name 

P073

P193

P2133

P236

P236

21/12a

211/7a & 211/12a

16/26a

211/18a

211/18a

P236/P1200

P238

211/18b & 211/13b

21/18a, 21/19a & 21/19b

P242 

P242/P902

P475

P1077

P1107/P1617

P1765/P1825

P2137

Other North Sea licences

P903

P2177

P2334

2/5a

2/5a & 2/4a

211/19s

9/2b

21/8a, 21/12c & 21/13a

30/24c & 30/25c, 30/24b

211/18e, 211/19a & 211/19c

9/15a

21/14b, 21/19c & 21/20b

211/13c & 211/18h

Malaysia production and development

Tanjong Baram SFRSC6

Tanjong Baram

PM8/Seligi7

PM8 Extension

50.0

100.01

8.0

99.0

60.0

78.6

50.0

100.0

63.0

99.0

70.5

50.0

65.0

60.0

33.33

50.0

60.0

70.0

50.0

Goosander

Magnus

Alba

Thistle & Deveron

Don SW & Conrie

West Don

Kittiwake
Mallard
Grouse & Gadwall
Eagle5

Heather

Broom

Thistle

Decommissioning obligation

As per working interests

30.0%2

As per working interests

7.5%4

As per working interests

As per working interests

25.0%
30.5%
As per working interests
n/a

37.5%

As per working interests

7.5%4

Kraken & Kraken North

As per working interests

Scolty & Crathes

Alma & Galia

Ythan

As per working interests

As per working interests

As per working interests

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

50.0%

Tanjong Baram

Seligi, North & South Raya, Lawang, 
Langat, Yong and Serudon

Notes:
1  BP has a security over the Magnus asset (and related infrastructure assets) and is entitled to 37.5% of free cash flow from the assets subject to the terms of the transaction 

documents between BP and EnQuest

2  BP has retained the decommissioning liability in respect of the existing Magnus wells and infrastructure. EnQuest will pay BP additional deferred consideration by reference to 

30% of BP’s actual decommissioning costs on an after-tax basis, which EnQuest estimates will result in a payment equivalent to approximately 9% of the gross estimated 
decommissioning costs. The additional consideration payable is capped at the amount of cumulative positive cash flows received by EnQuest from Magnus, SVT and the 
associated infrastructure assets

3  Non-operated
4  EnQuest is liable for the decommissioning costs associated with investment since it assumed operatorship, with the balance remaining with the former owners. Following the 
exercise of the Thistle decommissioning options in January and October 2018, EnQuest will undertake the management of the physical decommissioning of Thistle and 
Deveron and is liable to make payments to BP by reference to 7.5% of BP’s decommissioning costs of Thistle and Deveron
2016 discovery (100% EnQuest)

5 
6  Small Field Risk Service Contract. PETRONAS remains the asset owner
7  Official reference PM-8 Extension PSC, commonly referred to elsewhere as PM8/Seligi

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
22

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

FINANCIAL REVIEW

“ THE CASH-GENERATING 

CAPABILITY OF THE GROUP 
HAS BEEN MATERIALLY 
ENHANCED THROUGH 
THE ACQUISITION OF THE 
ADDITIONAL INTEREST 
IN MAGNUS.”
Jonathan Swinney
Chief Financial Officer

Financial overview
All figures quoted are in US Dollars and relate to Business performance unless 
otherwise stated.

The Group made significant progress in 2018, meeting our targets, 
maintaining financial discipline and making substantial repayments 
of our bank debt. Significant time and attention were devoted to 
completing the acquisition of assets from BP and executing the 
financing agreement for a 15% share of Kraken, which have 
strengthened the balance sheet and enhanced liquidity.

Production on a working interest basis increased by 48.2% to 
55,447 Boepd, compared to 37,405 Boepd in 2017. The full year’s 
contribution from Magnus, including the post-acquisition impact 
of an additional 75% equity interest in December, increased 
volumes at Kraken and the strong performance at Heather were 
partially offset by anticipated lower production at Alma/Galia and 
Scolty/Crathes, along with natural declines across the portfolio.

Revenue for 2018 was $1,201.0 million, 89.1% higher than in 2017 
($635.2 million) reflecting the material increase in volumes 
and higher realised prices. The Group’s commodity hedge 
programme resulted in realised losses of $93.0 million in 2018 
(2017: losses of $20.6 million) as a result of the timing at which the 
hedges were entered into and the increase in market prices 
during the first half of 2018 in particular.

The Group’s operating expenditures of $465.9 million were 
33.4% higher than in 2017 ($349.3 million) reflecting the full year 
contribution of the Kraken and Magnus assets. Unit operating 
costs decreased by 10.2% to $23.0/Boe (2017: $25.6/Boe) as a 
result of increased production. 

EBITDA for 2018 was $716.3 million, up 135.9% compared to 2017 
($303.6 million), primarily as a result of increased revenue.

Profit from operations before tax and 

finance income/(costs) 
Depletion and depreciation
Inventory revaluation
Net foreign exchange (gain)/loss 
Realised (gain)/loss on FX derivatives 

related to capital expenditure1

EBITDA

2018 
$ million

2017 
$ million

290.0
442.4
5.8
(21.9)

–

716.3

47.3
227.6
–
23.9

4.8

303.6

Note:
1  Realised (gain)/loss on FX derivatives is recorded within cost of sales. Where the 
derivative hedges capital expenditure, the (gain)/loss is added back when 
calculating EBITDA in order to reflect the underlying result of operating activities

EnQuest’s net debt decreased by $216.9 million to $1,774.5 million 
at 31 December 2018 (31 December 2017: $1,991.4 million). 
This includes $132.0 million of interest that has been capitalised 
to the principal of the facilities pursuant to the terms of the 
Group’s November 2016 refinancing (‘Payable in Kind’ or ‘PIK’) 
(31 December 2017: $90.5 million) (see note 19 for further details). 
Excluding PIK capitalised in 2018, net debt reduced by 
$258.4 million.

Bonds1
Multi-currency revolving credit 

facility2 (‘RCF’)

Oz Management facility
Tanjong Baram Project Finance 

Facility

Mercuria Prepayment Facility
SVT Working Capital Facility
Other loans
Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt/(cash)

31 December 
2018 
$ million

31 December 
2017 
$ million

965.1

799.4
178.5

31.7
22.2
15.7
2.5
(240.6)

944.9

1,100.0
–

8.5
75.5
25.6
10.0
(173.1)

Net debt

1,774.5

1,991.4

Notes:
1  Stated excluding accrued interest and accounting adjustment on adoption of 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments of $33.4 million, and excluding the net-off of 
unamortised fees. Includes $117.5 million of PIK (2017: $85.7 million)

2  Stated excluding accrued interest and excluding the net-off of unamortised fees. 

Includes $14.4 million of PIK (2017: $4.8 million)

During the year, the Group’s improved cash generation and the 
Kraken financing agreement facilitated cancellation and 
repayment of $340.0 million of the RCF, more than the scheduled 
amortisation requirement. In March 2019, EnQuest repaid an 
additional $55.0 million early with further scheduled amortisation 
reductions under the facility due in April 2019 ($50.0 million) and 
October 2019 ($100.0 million).

As at 31 December 2018, total cash and available facilities totalled 
$309.0 million, including ring-fenced accounts associated with 
Magnus, the Oz Management facility and other joint venture 
accounts totalling $107.3 million (2017: $270.9 million including 
ring-fenced accounts associated with Magnus and other joint 
venture accounts totalling $71.9 million). Undrawn available facilities 
amounted to $68.4 million at the end of 2018 (2017: $97.8 million).

UK corporate tax losses at the end of the year remained broadly in 
line with 2017 at $3,225.3 million (2017: $3,121.3 million). The Group 
generated taxable profits as production from Kraken increased 
and completed the acquisition of 75% of the Magnus field and 
associated infrastructure. Both utilised existing tax losses, which 
were largely offset by additional Ring Fence Expenditure 
Supplement (‘RFES’) generated in the period.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

23

In the current environment, no significant corporation tax or 
supplementary corporation tax is expected to be paid on UK 
operational activities for the foreseeable future. During 2018, 
cash tax has been paid on the profits generated from Magnus 
and associated infrastructure assets prior to the completion of the 
acquisition of the additional interests. As part of this transaction, 
the assets were transferred to EnQuest Heather Ltd from EnQuest 
NNS Ltd, which allows profits generated by these assets to be 
offset against tax losses. Post-transfer, no taxes are expected to 
be payable in respect of these assets for the foreseeable future. 
The Group also paid cash corporate income tax on the Malaysian 
assets which will continue throughout the life of the Production 
Sharing Contract.

Cost of sales were $926.0 million for the year ended 31 December 
2018, 62.6% higher than in 2017 ($569.5 million). Operating costs 
increased by $116.6 million, reflecting the full year contribution of 
Kraken and Magnus partly offset by the benefit of a weaker Sterling 
exchange rate. The Group’s average unit operating cost decreased 
by 10.2% to $23.0/Boe as a result of increased production.

Depletion expense of $437.1 million was 95.9% higher than in 2017 
($223.1 million), mainly reflecting the contribution from Kraken and 
Magnus in 2018. Other cost of sales of $48.1 million were higher 
than in 2017 ($12.7 million), principally reflecting the cost of 
additional Magnus related third-party gas purchases not required 
for injection activities.

Income statement
Production and revenue
Production on a working interest basis increased by 48.2% to 
55,447 Boepd, compared to 37,405 Boepd in 2017. The full year’s 
contribution from Magnus, including the post-acquisition impact 
of an additional 75% equity interest in December, increased 
volumes at Kraken and the strong performance at Heather were 
partially offset by anticipated lower production at Alma/Galia and 
Scolty/Crathes, along with natural declines across the portfolio.

On average, market prices for crude oil in 2018 were higher than 
in 2017. The Group’s blended average realised oil price excluding 
the impact of hedging was $66.2/bbl, 22.8% higher than in 2017 
($53.9/bbl). Revenue is predominantly derived from crude oil 
sales which totalled $1,237.6 million, 94.3% higher than in 2017 
($637.0 million), reflecting the material increase in volumes and 
higher realised prices. Revenue from the sale of condensate and 
gas was $43.1 million (2017: $2.8 million) as a result of sales of gas 
from Magnus, which includes the combination of produced gas 
sales and the onward sale of third-party gas purchases not 
required for injection activities, for which the costs are included 
in other cost of sales. Tariffs and other income generated 
$13.4 million (2017: $16.0 million). The Group’s commodity hedges 
and other oil derivatives generated $93.0 million of realised losses 
(2017: $20.6 million), including losses of $17.2 million of non-cash 
amortisation of option premiums (2017: losses of $10.4 million) as a 
result of the timing at which the hedges were entered into and the 
increase in market prices during the first half of 2018 in particular. 
The Group’s blended average realised oil price including the 
impact of hedging was $61.2/bbl in 2018, 17.2% higher than 
2017 ($52.2/bbl).

Cost of sales

Production costs
Tariff and transportation expenses
Realised (gain)/loss on FX derivatives 

related to operating costs

Operating costs
Realised (gain)/loss on FX derivatives 

related to capital expenditure

(Credit)/charge relating to the Group’s 

lifting position and inventory
Depletion of oil and gas assets
Other cost of sales

Cost of sales

Operating cost per barrel1
– Production costs
– Tariff and transportation expenses

Note:
1  Calculated on a working interest basis

2018 
$ million

2017 
$ million

396.9
68.4

0.6

465.9

–

(25.1)
437.1
48.1

926.0

$/Boe
19.6
3.4

23.0

287.1
62.2

–

349.3

4.8

(20.4)
223.1
12.7

569.5

$/Boe
21.0
4.6

25.6

General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses were $4.0 million 
(2017: $0.8 million), reflecting the Group’s personnel and 
property costs.

Other income and expenses
Net other income of $19.1 million (2017: net other expenses of 
$17.6 million) primarily comprises net foreign exchange gains, 
which relate to the revaluation of Sterling-denominated amounts 
in the balance sheet following the weakening of Sterling against 
the Dollar. The prior year expense comprised net foreign 
exchange losses, offset by one-off general and administration 
recovery impacts.

Finance costs
Finance costs of $236.1 million were 58.5% higher than in 
2017 ($149.0 million). The increase was primarily driven by a 
$40.8 million reduction in capitalised interest as a result of the 
Kraken project coming onstream in 2017 (2018: $1.5 million; 
2017: $42.3 million), an additional $24.5 million in finance lease 
interest (2018: $55.8 million; 2017: $31.3 million), $19.7 million 
additional bond and loan interest charges (2018: $157.7 million; 
2017: $137.9 million) and an additional $0.5 million relating 
to the unwinding of discount on provisions and liabilities, 
largely in respect of decommissioning (2018: $14.0 million; 
2017: $13.5 million). Other finance costs included $8.5 million 
amortisation of arrangement fees for financing facilities and 
bonds (2017: $2.8 million) and other financial expenses of 
$1.7 million (2017: $5.9 million), primarily the cost for surety bonds 
principally to provide security for decommissioning liabilities. 

Finance income
Finance income of $3.4 million (2017: $2.2 million) includes 
$1.8 million of bank interest receivable (2017: $0.4 million) and 
$1.5 million from the unwind of the discount on financial assets 
(2017: $1.8 million).

Taxation
The tax credit for 2018 of $20.9 million (2017: $66.0 million tax 
credit), excluding exceptional items, is mainly due to the RFES 
on UK activities. 

Earnings per share
The Group’s Business performance basic profit per share was 6.4 
cents (2017: loss per share of 2.5 cents, restated for bonus element 
of rights issue) and Business performance diluted profit per share 
was 6.2 cents (2017: loss per share of 2.5 cents, restated for bonus 
element of rights issue).

Remeasurement and exceptional items
Revenue included unrealised gains of $97.4 million in respect of 
the mark to market movement on the Group’s commodity 
contracts (2017: unrealised loss of $7.7 million).

Non-cash impairment charge on the Group’s oil and gas assets 
arising from changes in assumptions combined with change in 
production profiles in the North Sea totalled $126.0 million 
(2017: $172.0 million).

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
24

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Other income and expense included a $1.3 million loss on fair 
value in relation to the revaluation of the option to purchase 
the remaining 75% of Magnus and other interests and the fair 
value uplift of the initial acquisition assets on the accounting 
step acquisition of $74.3 million. It also includes the reversal 
of a contingent provision of $5.3 million. 

A tax credit of $12.4 million (2017: credit of $117.0 million) has been 
presented as exceptional, representing the tax impact of the 
above items.

Earnings per share
The Group’s reported basic profit per share was 10.4 cents 
(2017: loss per share of 4.6 cents, restated for bonus element of 
rights issue) and reported diluted profit per share was 10.1 cents 
(2017: loss per share of 4.6 cents, restated for bonus element of 
rights issue).

Cash flow and liquidity
Net debt at 31 December 2018 amounted to $1,774.5 million, 
including PIK of $132.0 million, compared with net debt of 
$1,991.4 million at 31 December 2017, including PIK of 
$90.5 million. The Group has remained in compliance with 
financial covenants under its debt facilities throughout the year. 
The movement in net debt was as follows:

Net debt 1 January 2018
Operating cash flows
Cash capital expenditure
Finance lease payments
Net cash proceeds from rights issue
Magnus acquisition consideration
Vendor loan repayments on Magnus financing
Net interest and finance costs paid
Non-cash capitalisation of interest
Other movements, primarily net foreign exchange 

on cash and debt

Net debt 31 December 2018

$ million

(1,991.4)
794.4
(220.2)
(144.8)
128.9
(100.0)
(48.6)
(155.3)
(45.0)

7.5

(1,774.5)

Note:
1  Stated including $117.5 million of bond PIK (2017: $85.7 million) and $14.4 million of 

facility PIK (2017: $4.8 million). Capitalised interest on Oz Management facility of 
$3.5 million (2017: $nil)

The Group’s reported operating cash flows for the year ended 
31 December 2018 were $794.4 million, up 163.2% compared to 
2017 ($301.8 million). The main drivers for this increase were the 
material increase in volumes and higher realised prices, partly 
offset by commodity price hedges.

Cash outflow on capital expenditure is set out in the table below:

North Sea
Malaysia
Exploration and evaluation

Year ended  
31 December 
2018 
$ million

Year ended  
31 December 
2017 
$ million

200.2
19.5
0.5

220.2

355.3
3.1
9.2

367.6

Property, plant and equipment (‘PP&E’)
PP&E has increased by $501.3 million to $4,349.9 million at 
31 December 2018 from $3,848.6 million at 31 December 2017 
(see note 10). This increase is explained by the capital additions 
to PP&E of $181.5 million, additions of $745.4 million for the 
acquisition of the remaining 75% interest in Magnus and 
additional interests in associated assets, additions of 
$123.9 million on the uplift of the original 25% acquisition, a net 
increase of $19.0 million for changes in estimates for 
decommissioning and other provisions, including the KUFPEC 
cost recovery provision, offset by depletion and depreciation 
charges of $442.4 million and non-cash impairments of 
$126.0 million.

The PP&E capital additions during the period, including 
capitalised interest, are set out in the table below:

Kraken
Northern North Sea
Central North Sea
Malaysia

2018 
$ million

70.3
53.8
41.6
15.8

181.5

Intangible oil and gas assets
Intangible oil and gas assets marginally decreased to $51.8 million 
at 31 December 2018 (31 December 2017: $52.1 million).

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables have increased by $48.0 million to 
$275.8 million at 31 December 2018 compared with $227.8 million 
at 31 December 2017 (see note 15).

Cash and net debt1
The Group had $240.6 million of cash and cash equivalents at 
31 December 2018 and $1,774.5 million of net debt, including PIK 
and capitalised interest of $135.5 million (2017: $173.1 million 
of cash and cash equivalents and $1,991.4 million of net debt, 
including PIK of $90.5 million).

Net debt1 comprises the following liabilities:
•  $218.9 million principal outstanding on the £155 million 
retail bond, including interest capitalised as an amount 
PIK of $21.5 million in the year (2017: $224.1 million and 
$14.9 million, respectively);

•  $746.1 million principal outstanding on the high yield bond, 
including PIK of $96.1 million in the year (2017: $720.8 million 
and $70.8 million, respectively);

•  $799.4 million carrying value of credit facility, comprising 
amounts drawn down of $785.0 million and PIK interest of 
$14.4 million (2017: $1,100.0 million comprising amounts drawn 
down of $1,095.2 million and PIK interest of $4.8 million);
•  $178.5 million carrying value of Oz Management facility, 
comprising amounts drawn down of $175.0 million and 
capitalised interest of $3.5 million (2017: $nil);

•  $15.7 million relating to the SVT Working Capital Facility 

(2017: $25.6 million);

•  $22.2 million relating to the Mercuria Prepayment Facility 

(2017: $75.5 million);

•  $2.5 million outstanding from a trade creditor loan 

(2017: $10.0 million); and

Cash capital expenditure primarily relates to Kraken activities and 
well drilling on Heather/Broom and PM8/Seligi.

•  $31.7 million principal outstanding on the Tanjong Baram 

Project Finance Facility (2017: $8.5 million).

Balance sheet
The Group’s total asset value has increased by $642.6 million 
to $5,681.1 million at 31 December 2018 (2017: $5,038.5 million), 
mainly attributable to the acquisition of the remaining 75% 
of Magnus and associated assets. Net current liabilities 
have decreased to $301.2 million as at 31 December 2018 
(2017: $377.9 million).

Note:
1  Net debt excludes accrued interest, accounting adjustment on adoption of IFRS 9 

Financial Instruments and the net-off of unamortised fees (see note 19)

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

25

Provisions
The Group’s decommissioning provision increased by 
$32.4 million to $671.7 million at 31 December 2018 
(2017: $639.3 million). The movement is explained by an increase 
of $29.9 million due to changes in estimates (including the impact 
of oil prices and foreign exchange rates) and $12.6 million 
unwinding of discount, partially offset by reductions of 
$10.0 million for decommissioning carried out in the period.

Other provisions increased by $605.4 million in 2018 to $715.4 million 
(2017: $110.0 million). Key movements during the period primarily 
related to the remaining acquisition of 75% of Magnus and 
additional interests in SVT and associated infrastructure assets from 
BP. An addition of $625.3 million reflects the discounted amounts 
expected to be due under the terms of the Magnus vendor loan 
and long-term profit sharing agreement associated with the 75% 
interest. In 2018, EnQuest repaid $48.6 million of the outstanding 
vendor loan associated with the initial 25% interest, and recognised 
a change in estimate of $12.8 million on the outstanding contingent 
consideration (see note 29). Other provisions also includes 
EnQuest’s obligation to make payments to BP by reference to 7.5% 
of BP’s decommissioning costs of the Thistle and Deveron fields. 
$5.3 million of the movement relates to the utilisation of PM8/Seligi 
cost recovery.

Income tax
The Group had a UK corporation tax or supplementary 
corporation tax liability at 31 December 2018 of $12.2 million 
(2017: $nil), primarily reflecting tax payable on Magnus and 
associated infrastructure assets prior to the completion of the 
acquisition of additional interests and the transfer of these assets 
to EnQuest Heather Limited. Following transfer of the assets, no 
further tax is expected to be payable for the foreseeable future. 
The remainder of the income tax liability of $3.7 million related to 
corporate income tax on Malaysian assets (see note 7).

Deferred tax
The Group’s net deferred tax asset has decreased from 
$335.6 million at 31 December 2017 to a net deferred tax asset 
of $258.9 million at 31 December 2018. The decrease is mainly 
due to the deferred tax liability generated as part of the business 
combination accounting for the Magnus acquisition during 
the period.

Total UK tax losses carried forward at the year end amount to 
$3,225.3 million (2017: $3,121.3 million) (see note 7).

ENQUEST VALUES

WORK 
COLLABORATIVELY

“Collaborative working creates 
great teams, promotes creative 
thinking and gives a shared 
purpose.”

Duncan Macdonald
IS Project Portfolio Manager, UK

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
26

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables of $502.0 million at 31 December 2018 
are $55.9 million higher than at 31 December 2017 ($446.1 million). 
$483.8 million are payable within one year (2017: $367.3 million) 
and $18.2 million are payable after more than one year 
(2017: $78.8 million). The increase in current payables mainly 
reflects VAT payments due at year end combined with other 
working capital movements (see note 23).

Obligations under finance leases
As at 31 December 2018, the Group held a finance lease liability 
of $709.0 million associated with the Kraken FPSO of which 
$93.2 million is classified as a current liability.

Other financial liabilities
As at the end of 2018, the Group had no other financial liabilities 
(2017: $68.3 million). The decrease primarily relates to the cash 
payment associated with waiver fees due to credit facility lenders 
and mark to market movements on the Group’s commodity 
derivatives following the weakening of the oil price in late 2018. 

Financial risk management
Oil price
The Group is exposed to the impact of changes in both Brent 
crude oil prices and gas prices on its revenue and profits. 
EnQuest’s policy is to manage the impact of commodity prices to 
protect against volatility and allow availability of cash flow for 
repayment of debt and investment in capital programmes. 

During the year ended 31 December 2018, commodity derivatives 
generated a total gain of $4.4 million, with revenue and other 
operating income including a realised loss of $93.0 million. The 
losses were mostly in respect of the settlement of swaps and calls, 
and the amortisation of premiums on calls.

Foreign exchange
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. To mitigate the 
risks of large fluctuations in the currency markets, the hedging 
policy agreed by the Board allows for up to 70% of the non-US 
Dollar portion of the Group’s annual capital budget and operating 
expenditure to be hedged. For specific contracted capital 
expenditure projects, up to 100% can be hedged.

EnQuest continually reviews its currency exposures and, when 
appropriate, looks at opportunities to enter into foreign exchange 
hedging contracts. During the year ended 31 December 2018, losses 
totalling $0.4 million (2017: gain of $0.4 million) were recognised in 
the income statement. This included losses totalling $0.6 million 
realised on contracts maturing during the year (2017: $nil). 

Surplus cash balances are deposited as cash collateral against 
in-place letters of credit as a way of reducing interest costs. 
Otherwise, 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 counterparty credit risks.

Going concern
The Group closely monitors and manages its funding position and 
liquidity risk throughout the year, including monitoring forecast 
covenant results, to ensure that it has access to sufficient funds to 
meet forecast cash requirements. Cash forecasts are regularly 
produced and sensitivities considered for, but not limited to, 
changes in crude oil prices (adjusted for hedging undertaken by 
the Group), production rates and project timing and costs. These 
forecasts and sensitivity analyses allow management to mitigate 
liquidity or covenant compliance risks in a timely manner. 
Management has also continued to take action to implement 
cost-saving programmes to reduce planned operational 
expenditure, general and administrative spend and capital 
expenditure in 2018 and 2019. At 31 December 2018, the Group 
had total cash and available facilities of $309.0 million, including 
ring-fenced accounts associated with Magnus, the Oz Management 
facility and other joint venture accounts totalling $107.3 million.

The Group’s business plan (‘Base case’), which underpins this 
going concern assessment, assumes Kraken production rates are 
in line with the Group’s production guidance. The Base case has 
been updated for the forward curve and uses an oil price 
assumption of c.$61.9/bbl throughout 2019 and c.$60.7/bbl for first 
quarter 2020. This has been further stress tested under a plausible 
downside case (‘Downside case’) as described in the viability 
statement. Both cases reflect the bank debt amortisation profile 
due in the going concern period. The Directors consider the Base 
case and Downside case to be an appropriate basis on which to 
make their assessment.

The Base case and Downside case indicate that the Company is 
covenant compliant and able to operate within the headroom of 
its existing borrowing facilities for 12 months from the date of 
approval of the Annual Report and Accounts. 

Should circumstances arise that differ from the Group’s 
projections, the Directors believe that a number of mitigating 
actions, including asset sales or other funding options, can be 
executed successfully in the necessary timeframe to meet debt 
repayment obligations as they become due and in order to 
maintain liquidity. 

After making enquiries and assessing the progress against the 
forecast, projections and the status of the mitigating actions 
referred to above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group can continue in operation and meet its 
commitments as they fall due over the going concern period. 
Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the financial statements.

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

27

Viability statement
The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a 
three-year period to March 2022. This assessment has taken into 
account the Group’s financial position as at March 2019, the future 
projections and the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties. The 
Directors’ approach to risk management, their assessment of the 
Group’s principal risks and uncertainties, and the actions 
management are taking to mitigate these risks are outlined on 
pages 36 to 43. The period of three years is deemed appropriate 
as it is the time horizon across which management constructs a 
detailed plan against which business performance is measured 
and also covers the period within which the Group’s term loan and 
revolving credit facility is expected to be repaid. Based on the 
Group’s projections, the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group can continue in operation and meet its liabilities as 
they fall due over the period to March 2022. 

The Group’s business plan process has underpinned this 
assessment and has been used as the Base case. The business 
plan process takes account of the Group’s principal risks and 
uncertainties, and has further been stress tested to understand 
the impact on the Group’s liquidity and financial position of 
reasonably possible changes in these risks and/or assumptions.

The forecasts which underpin this assessment use the same oil 
price assumption as for the going concern assessment, with a 
longer term price assumption for the viability period being 
aligned to the current forward curve. 

For the current assessment, the Directors also draw attention to 
the specific principal risks and uncertainties (and mitigants) 
identified below, which, individually or collectively, could have a 
material impact on the Group’s viability during the period of 
review. In forming this view, it is recognised that such future 
assessments are subject to a level of uncertainty that increases 
with time and, therefore, future outcomes cannot be guaranteed 
or predicted with certainty. The impact of these risks and 
uncertainties, including their combined impact, has been 
reviewed by the Directors and the effectiveness and achievability 
of the potential mitigating actions have been considered.

Oil price volatility
A decline in oil and gas prices would adversely affect the Group’s 
operations and financial condition. To mitigate oil price volatility, 
the Directors have hedged approximately 6.5 MMbbls of collar 
options at an average floor price of around $66/bbl in the first 
half of 2019. In accordance with the Oz Management facility 
agreement, the Group has a further approximately 1.5 MMbbls 
hedged across 2019 with an average floor price of around $56/bbl. 
The Directors, in line with Group policy, will continue to pursue 
hedging at the appropriate time and price.

Kraken production
All production and injector wells on Drilling Centres (‘DC’) DC1, 
DC2, DC3 and DC4 are onstream. Both production processing 
trains are also online and production and injection wells are 
operating in line with expectations in aggregate. On the basis of 
this performance, and subject to delivering on the Group’s plans 
to further optimise production and improve plant uptime, 
EnQuest expects to deliver planned production rates.

Access to funding
The Group’s credit facility contains certain covenants (based on 
the ratio of indebtedness incurred under the term loan and 
revolving credit facility to EBITDA, finance charges to EBITDA, 
and a requirement for liquidity testing). Prolonged low oil prices, 
cost increases and production delays or outages could further 
threaten the Group’s liquidity and/or ability to comply with 
relevant covenants.

The Directors recognise the importance of ensuring medium-term 
liquidity and in particular to protect against potential future 
declines in the oil price. EnQuest has a committed $785 million 
Tranche A Term Loan and a further Tranche B $75 million revolving 
credit facility (collectively the ‘Facility’). Across the Facility, 
$68 million remains available at 31 December 2018. 

In addition, the maturity dates of the existing $746 million High 
Yield Bond and the £172 million Retail Notes (both figures 
inclusive of the PIK notes) is April 2022, with an option exercisable 
by the Group (at its absolute discretion) to extend the maturity 
date to October 2023 if the existing Facility is not fully repaid or 
refinanced by October 2020.

A further condition to the payment of interest on both the High 
Yield Bond and Retail Notes in cash is based on, amongst other 
things, the average prevailing oil price (dated Brent Futures 
benchmark as published by Platts) for the six-month period 
immediately preceding the day which is one month prior to the 
relevant interest payment date being at least $65 per barrel; 
otherwise interest payable is to be capitalised.

In conducting the viability review, these risks have been taken into 
account in the stress testing performed on the Base case 
described above. 

Specifically the Base case has been subjected to stress testing by 
considering the impact of the following plausible downside risks:
•  a 10.0% discount to the oil price forward curve;
•  a 3.5% decrease in 2019 production and a 5.0% decrease from 

2020 onwards;

•  a 2.5% increase in operating costs except for fixed costs 

related to the Kraken FPSO; and

•  a 2.5% increase in capital expenditure from 2020 onwards.

A scenario has been run illustrating the impact of the above risks 
on the Base case. This plausible Downside case indicates that 
mitigating actions, including asset sales or other funding options, 
would need to be undertaken for the Group to be viable for in 
some parts of the three-year period.

Notwithstanding the principal risks and uncertainties described 
above, after making enquiries and assessing the progress against 
the forecast, projections and the status of the mitigating actions 
referred to above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group can continue in operation and meet its 
commitments as they fall due over the viability period ending 
March 2022. Accordingly, the Directors therefore support this 
viability statement.

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
28

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REVIEW

“ WITH SAFETY AT THE HEART 

OF PERFORMANCE, ENQUEST 
IS COMMITTED TO DELIVER 
SAFE RESULTS THROUGH 
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.”
Sandy Fettes
Technical Services and HSE&A Director

NON-FINANCIAL INFORMATION STATEMENT
The following information is prepared in accordance with  
section 414CB(1) of the Companies Act 2006.

E N V I R O N M E N T 

•  EnQuest’s priority is delivering Safe 
Results, with no harm to our people 
and respect for the environment
•  Our Environmental Management 
System ensures our activities are 
conducted in such a way that we 
manage and mitigate our impact on 
the environment, which includes 
permitted hydrocarbon releases and 
discharges. Non-compliant releases 
and discharges from the Group’s 
operations carry adverse reputational, 
financial and other consequences
•  The Group acknowledges that a 

reduction in carbon emissions is of 
primary importance if the objectives of 
the UK Climate Change Act (2008) and 
the 2015 Paris Agreement are to be met. 
The Group endeavours to minimise 
carbon emissions from its operations 
as far as reasonably practicable
•  EnQuest has reported on all of the 

emission sources within its operational 
control required under the Companies 
Act 2006 (Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013

For more details
See pages 30 to 31

Safe Results is not just a 
goal, but what we expect to 
achieve every day.

O U R  P EO P L E 

CO M M U N I T Y

•  We are committed to ensuring that 
EnQuest is a great place to work

•  Through an integrated and 

collaborative approach we undertook 
a Values refresh during 2018

•  We revised our Diversity and Inclusion 

Policy

•  The Board approved the establishment 
of an Employee Forum as part of its 
workforce engagement activities, in line 
with the revised Corporate Governance 
Code published in July 2018

For more details
See pages 09, 11 and 32 to 34

•  EnQuest is fully committed to active 

community engagement programmes 
and encourages and supports 
charitable donations in the areas of 
improving health, education and 
welfare within the communities in which 
it works
In EnQuest’s first full year of 
operatorship at the Sullom Voe 
Terminal (‘SVT’) in December 2017, the 
Group has continued its charitable 
support on Shetland and its support of 
the Shetland Oil Terminal 
Environmental Advisory Group
In Malaysia, EnQuest has provided 
educational support for university 
students and continued its support for 
underprivileged and orphaned children 
of the Good Samaritan House

• 

• 

The Group’s risks and uncertainties are 
outlined on pages 36 to 43.

For more details
See page 34

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

29

B U S I N E S S  CO N D U C T 

•  The Group has a Code of Conduct that 

sets out the behaviour which the 
organisation expects of its Directors, 
managers and employees, and of our 
suppliers, contractors, agents and 
partners

•  This code addresses the Group’s 

requirements in a number of areas, 
including the importance of health and 
safety and environmental protection, 
compliance with applicable law, 
anti-corruption, anti-facilitation of tax 
evasion, anti-slavery, addressing 
conflicts of interest, ensuring equal 
opportunities, combatting bullying and 
harassment and the protection of 
privacy

For more details
See pages 34 and 35

GROUP LOST TIME INCIDENT 
FREQUENCY RATE1

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 
INTENSITY RATIO2

-6.5%

2018

2017

2016

0.43

0.46

0.51

-17.6%

2018

2017

2016

50.51

61.33

62.11

Notes:
1 

Lost Time Incident frequency represents the number of incidents per million exposure hours 
worked (based on 12 hours for offshore and 8 hours for onshore)

2  Ratio expressed in terms of kilogrammes of CO2 emissions per EnQuest-produced barrel of 
oil equivalent and represents combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 extraction related emissions. 
See page 82 for more information

ENQUEST VALUES

RESPECT AND 
OPENNESS

“We have a great open culture 
at EnQuest. We communicate 
freely and engage at all levels 
across the organisation.”

Lisa Proctor
Senior Reward Advisor, UK

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
30

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REVIEW CONTINUED

Health, Safety, Environment and 
Assurance (‘HSE&A’)
The key components of EnQuest’s 
HSE&A policy (which can be found on 
the Group’s website, www.enquest.com, 
under Corporate Responsibility) are that 
the Company is committed to operating 
responsibly and will not compromise its 
health, safety or environmental standards 
to meet its business objectives. The 
EnQuest Board continues to receive 
regular information on the HSE&A 
performance of the Company, and 
specifically monitors health, safety, 
environmental and assurance reporting 
at each Board meeting and meetings of 
the Risk Committee, conscious that the 
Company may face reputational and/or 
financial risks should an incident occur. 

The Group delivered on its commitment 
of continual improvement in HSE&A 
performance, witnessing excellent 
results in many areas and meeting the 
majority of performance targets.

In occupational safety, our Lost Time 
Incident (‘LTI’) performance remained 
strong in both the UK and Malaysia. 
During 2018, our teams at Kittiwake and 
PM8/Seligi recorded 13 and eight years, 
respectively, LTI free, while our Thistle, 
Northern Producer, EnQuest Producer and 
Heather assets in the UK North Sea and 
Tanjong Baram in Malaysia all recorded 
an LTI-free year. These milestones were 
achieved against a backdrop of ongoing 
high levels of activity on the assets.

With regard to HSE performance, in 
Malaysia the number of reportable 
hydrocarbon releases reduced to four 
and the team received positive feedback 
from the regulator, Malaysia Petroleum 
Management, with regard to the high 
levels of improvement from the Integrated 
Operational Asset Integrity Assurance 
(‘IOAIA’) process. They also received an 
award for the ‘Highest Improvement’ in 
relation to offshore self-regulation. On 
average, PM8/Seligi maintained flaring 
levels around 35% below the annual flare 
consent. In the UK, the teams delivered 
significant reductions in spills to sea 
compared to 2017. However, reportable 
hydrocarbon releases across the Group’s 
UK operated assets increased slightly 
to six and we had a high-potential 
dropped-object incident associated 
with lifting operations at Magnus. We 
continue to learn from these events 
through extensive root cause analysis 
and the subsequent development and 
sharing of any required improvements 
across EnQuest’s assets in an effort 
to limit the chance of reoccurrence. 

Across the Group, good progress was 
made with the leading metrics in areas 
such as safety-critical maintenance 
deferrals, leadership site visits and 
close out of actions from incidents and 
audits, demonstrating our commitment 
to be proactive with regard to HSE&A. 
In both Malaysia and the UK, positive 
feedback from the respective regulators 
was received regarding the levels of 
transparency and trust that have been 
generated. This has allowed for better 
dissemination of learnings within 
EnQuest and across the industry.

EnQuest welcomes the drive for increased 
governance and transparency in relation 
to climate change, and discloses its 
assessment of associated potential risks to 
the execution of its strategy within the risks 
and uncertainties section of this report 
(see page 36). While hydrocarbons are 
expected to remain a key element of 
the UK and global energy mix for many 
years, the Group recognises that it 
must endeavour to minimise carbon 
emissions from its operations as far as 
practicable if the objectives of the UK 
Climate Change Act (2008) and the 2015 
Paris Agreement are to be met. The 
Group endeavours to minimise carbon 
emissions from its operations through 
improving operational performance 
and the application of appropriate 
improvement initiatives, noting the ability 
to reduce carbon emissions is constrained 
by the original design of our later-life 
assets. The main sources of atmospheric 
emissions from EnQuest assets are 
from combustion plant associated 
with power generation and flaring.

Greenhouse gases are reported as 
appropriate. Attempts to minimise the 
quantity of CO2 continued through 
optimisation of plant efficiencies and 
minimisation of flaring and venting where 
possible. The acquisition of Magnus and 
SVT has inevitably increased the quantity 
of CO2 emitted by EnQuest in 2018. 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

31

“ WE RECOGNISE 

OUR PEOPLE ARE 
CRITICAL TO OUR 
SUCCESS AND 
ARE COMMITTED 
TO ENSURING 
ENQUEST IS A 
GREAT PLACE 
TO WORK.”

SVT operates under a Pollution Prevention 
and Control (‘PPC’) permit, granted by 
the Scottish Environmental Protection 
Agency (‘SEPA’). SEPA’s Compliance 
Assessment Scheme is designed to 
demonstrate the level of compliance 
associated with specific PPC permit 
conditions. EnQuest acknowledges the 
environmental sensitivities at SVT and 
the surrounding area and have employed 
a specialist third-party oil spill response 
company which is based on site.

During 2018, a greater level of collaboration 
has been witnessed between the UK and 
Malaysia and this will continue into 2019. 
Evidence of our continued commitment to 
improvement was demonstrated through 
the following activities:

Malaysia:
•  Roll-out of HSE case during the first 

quarter of 2018;

•  Major Accident Awareness training 
continued throughout the year;

•  Completed the 2018 IOAIA audit by the 

regulator on ten assets with 
significantly fewer findings and a 
reduction in the severity of those 
findings compared to the previous 
audit. The teams reached 98% closure 
on the 2016 IOAIA findings, with all 
serious findings closed out;

•  Completed external audits of the HSE 

Management System with no significant 
findings;

•  Continued the internal audit 

programme throughout the year while 
managing zero overdue safety-critical 
actions;

•  Second contractor HSE event 

completed with increased attendance 
indicating increased commitment and 
collaboration; 

•  Continued implementation of quarterly 
HSE reviews with key contractors; and
•  Completed oil spill response training 

for all offshore crews.

We also completed comprehensive UK 
and Malaysian HSE&A audit programmes, 
with outcomes fed into our 2019 Continual 
Improvement Programme. This underlines 
our focus upon improvement through the 
early detection and resolution of issues.

UK North Sea:
•  Continued with workforce awareness 
of SAFE behaviours and control of 
Major Accident Hazards via workshops, 
which provide a lasting demonstration 
of the potential consequences of 
hydrocarbon releases;

•  Further developed the capabilities of 
Elected Safety Representatives and 
Environment Representatives through 
on and offshore engagement sessions 
allowing collaboration and sharing of 
learnings;

•  Delivered the Level 1-3 Assurance Plan 
that focuses on the audit of the Safety 
and Environmental Management 
System, identifying findings that have 
been factored into asset and business 
improvement plans as part of the 
Group’s commitment to continuous 
improvement;

•  Continued with the roll-out of Life 
Saving Rules to underline the 
importance of maintaining standards 
and encouraging procedural 
compliance in our high-risk activities; 
and;

•  Supported industry groups such as 

Step Change in Safety and Oil & Gas 
UK with our ongoing commitment to 
simplification initiatives and 
contributed to the industry ’Boots on 
for Safety’ campaign to improve 
leadership visibility and workforce 
engagement.

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
32

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REVIEW CONTINUED

People
Rewarding work environment
We recognise our people are critical 
to our success and are committed to 
ensuring that EnQuest is a great place to 
work. In 2018, we worked with our teams 
to develop a refreshed set of Values. 
This was an integrated and collaborative 
approach, with contributions from 
teams across the Group, to ensure we 
captured the essence of what makes 
EnQuest great. Our Values are outlined 
on page 9 and are being incorporated 
into a number of our processes, such as 
those in Human Resources and Health, 
Safety, Environment and Assurance. We 
remain committed to ensuring that staff 
can optimise their performance through 
a combination of cascaded objectives 
at the beginning of the year that align 
to our wider Group goals, followed by 
regular line management feedback 
and conversations to measure progress 
towards these goals. We also developed 
a process to identify the Group’s high 
performing individuals and provide 
them with relevant exposure to senior 
management and members of the Board. 

In line with our aim of providing a rewarding 
work environment, with opportunities for 
growth and learning while contributing 
to the delivery of our strategy, we 
undertook a review of our UK offshore 
organisation to ensure that we have the 
right structures in place. This process, 
which was undertaken in consultation with 
the EnQuest workforce and relevant trade 
unions, involved assessing the optimal 
crew size and skill dispersion across our 
assets and the benefits of insourcing 
operations and maintenance services on 
assets for which EnQuest is duty holder. 
In addition, following feedback from 
our teams and cognisant of the wider 
industry, changes that standardised our 

offshore rota patterns for all EnQuest 
offshore operations and maintenance 
core positions were proposed. We 
believe these changes combined 
facilitate a better work-life balance and 
make competency development and 
personnel movements easier to manage. 

In our Malaysian offshore organisation, 
ensuring that we have appropriate 
competency levels remained a priority and 
led to job levels being redefined, creating 
growth and learning opportunities for our 
employees. Significant efforts were also 
undertaken with regard to succession 
planning and long-term employee 
retention, in conjunction with our efforts to 
enhance our workforce compliance further 
under the Production Sharing Contract 
agreement with PETRONAS. The process 
for identifying high-potential Malaysian 
talent and supporting their development 
through targeted training and work 
placements is under way. EnQuest was an 
active sponsor of the PETRONAS training 
programme for graduates (PRODIGY) and 
has subsequently hired all trainees who 
were sponsored. We were also successful 
in recruiting or promoting qualified 
Malaysian nationals into leadership 
roles within our finance, subsurface 
and engineering teams, replacing 
expatriates in some of these roles.

Engagement
As part of the Group’s employee 
engagement programme, we have 
continued to run our business briefings 
and town halls. In line with the updated UK 
Corporate Governance Code published 
in July 2018, the Board approved the 
establishment of an Employee Forum to 
improve engagement and interaction 
between the workforce and the Board. 
While the Code is UK specific, EnQuest 
sees the value in having a global forum 

for its employees, with up to 12 employee 
representatives drawn from across our 
geographies meeting on a quarterly 
basis. The Forum Chair will be rotated 
amongst senior leaders and will report 
to the Board through two designated 
Non-Executive Directors. The Board has 
nominated Laurie Fitch and Phil Holland 
to share the designated Non-Executive 
Directors accountabilities between them, 
which will include attending at least 
two of the Forum meetings each year. 

Gender pay
EnQuest published its second Gender 
Pay Report in compliance with the 
UK’s gender pay legislation. Both the 
average and median gender pay gap 
difference between men and women in 
the Company improved materially. As 
expected, however, the transfer of staff 
from BP at the end of 2017 increased the 
percentage of men in our UK workforce 
from 77% to 86%. As outlined above, with 
the offshore restructuring under way, it 
is likely that the proportion of males in 
the organisation will increase further.

The gender pay gap is not the same as 
equal pay which refers to whether a man 
and a woman are receiving equal pay for 
doing equal work and it is important to 
clarify this point. The gender pay gap is 
there to compare the average pay of all 
women compared to the average pay of all 
men in the same organisation – regardless 
of role, seniority, experience or contracted 
working hours. Our gender pay gap results 
are influenced by factors such as societal 
norms, more males than females working 
in the oil and gas sector (particularly 
offshore) and individual choices in terms 
of self-selected flexible working practices 
such as part-time working. Having a 
gender pay gap does not mean that the 
pay practices at EnQuest are unequal. 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
“ WE ARE 

COMMITTED TO 
CONDUCTING 
OURSELVES 
ETHICALLY, WITH 
INTEGRITY AND TO 
COMPLYING WITH 
ALL APPLICABLE 
LEGAL 
REQUIREMENTS.”

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

33

market is predominantly male, and so 
we ensure our processes are open and 
transparent, providing equal opportunity 
for applicants. EnQuest recognises the 
value of diversity in its workforce and 
is committed to diversity, including 
diversity of skills, experience, nationality 
and gender in its appointments to the 
Board and within the executive and senior 
management teams and will continue to 
be so, recruiting individuals on merit and 
their suitability for the role and cognisant 
of the skills and experience of the rest of 
the executive and senior management.

Diversity and Inclusion
In 2018 and early 2019, our Diversity 
and Inclusion Policy was revised to 
incorporate our new Values in a clear 
policy statement, with the formal launch 
during 2019. We encourage a culture 
of respect and openness which values 
the diversity of all our people. We 
also expect to see collaborative and 
inclusive teamwork where we combine 
our collective capabilities to deliver Safe 
Results. We wish to create an environment 
where all individuals, teams and the 
Company as a whole can learn, develop 
and adapt. It is for everyone to ensure 
that their actions and engagement in 
daily interactions with colleagues and 
stakeholders demonstrate respect for one 
another, encourage inclusion and diversity, 
recognising the contributions that each 
individual makes to the workplace.

The information collected was based 
on the relevant pay period of:
•  The month of April 2018, for the 

purposes of calculating salary earned; 
and

•  The year April 2017 – March 2018 for 

the purposes of calculating bonus paid.

The results show that the average rate 
of total pay for women is 29.5% below 
the average rate of total pay for men, a 
significant improvement when compared 
to the 38.7% reported previously, 
although the average bonus gap for 
women widened to 53.9% (from 44.9%) 
below the average bonus paid for men. 
On the comparison of median total pay 
and bonus, the percentage difference 
is 22.9% on pay, again a substantial 
improvement on the 31.6% reported 
previously, and 33.9% on bonus, an increase 
from 23.1% previously. During the period 
April 2017 – March 2018, almost an equal 
percentage of women and men received 
a bonus (84% of women and 85% of men). 

The Company conducts regular 
benchmarking exercises to ensure that 
our salaries are comparable, regardless 
of gender, and that our recruitment 
process is fair and balanced. However, 
we recognise that we need to work at 
addressing our gender pay gap over 
the coming years. Whilst we recognise 
that any improvements of this imbalance 
cannot be resolved immediately, we are 
committed to narrowing the gender 
pay gap in EnQuest over time.

Our people and organisational strategy 
is to ensure that we have the right people 
in the right roles driving performance 
and delivering efficiencies as we continue 
to pursue our strategy for growth. We 
recognise that we operate in an industry 
where the talent pool and labour 

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
34

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REVIEW CONTINUED

Recipients and trustees of the Sullom Voe Terminal Participants’ Tenth Anniversary 
Education Trust

EnQuest volunteers with children and caretakers of Good Samaritan Home and their 
Christmas presents

EnQuest remains committed to fair 
treatment of people with disabilities 
in relation to job applications. Full 
consideration is given to applications 
from disabled persons where the 
candidate’s particular aptitudes and 
abilities are consistent with adequately 
meeting the requirements of the job. 
EnQuest is committed to ensuring 
that the needs of staff members with 
disabilities are addressed. As set out in 
the Equal Opportunities & Dignity at 
Work Policy, the Company encourages 
individuals with a disability, or who 
develop a disability at any time during 
their employment, to speak to their line 
manager about their condition. This will 
enable the Company to provide support 
and prevent unfavourable treatment. 
Careful consideration is given to whether 
any reasonable adjustments can be 
made in order to assist individuals with a 
disability in the performance of their roles.

Community
Supporting the communities in which 
we operate and live continues to be an 
important element of working at EnQuest, 
and we remain committed to developing 
strong relationships with partner 
organisations in the North Sea 
and Malaysia.

EnQuest is an active member of Oil 
Spill Response Limited, which was 
established to respond to oil spills, 
wherever they may occur in the world, 
through the provision of preparedness, 
response and intervention services. It 
is the largest international cooperative 
funded by industry. In Malaysia, the 
Group is also a member of the Petroleum 
Industry of Malaysia Mutual Aid Group, 
which provides oil spill response and 
associated training for its members.

North Sea
Our North Sea team supports a wide 
range of charities throughout the UK. 
Our offshore teams link their fundraising 
efforts to the delivery of strong safety 

and environmental performance. 
In 2018, we raised more than £74,000, 
with our offshore teams nominating 
the charities that will benefit from their 
efforts. Nominated charities included 
CLAN Cancer Support, Great North Air 
Ambulance Service, Highland Hospice, 
The Brain Tumour Charity, Lamont 
Farm Project, and Zoe’s Place Trust.

We held a number of fundraising activities 
that continued to help us support 
Archway, an Aberdeen-based charity 
which supports young people and adults 
with learning disabilities. This programme 
of support will continue in 2019, alongside 
CLAN Cancer Support, which was 
nominated by our teams as our second 
charity to support through 2019 and 
beyond. CLAN is a well-established local 
charity providing emotional and practical 
support to people affected by cancer 
and their families, carers and friends.

As operator of the SVT, supporting local 
charities and fundraising events is an 
important element of our community 
engagement. Once again, the Trustees of 
the SVT Participants’ Tenth Anniversary 
Education Trust made awards to local 
young people. The fund was established 
to promote and encourage the education 
of Shetland residents who will be studying 
a discipline likely to contribute to the 
social and/or economic development 
of Shetland. Ten educational awards 
were made for the academic year 
2018/2019; five of these were recipients 
of scholarships the previous year. Funds 
were also raised for a broad range of 
community groups, including: Shetland 
Youth Volunteering Awards; Anderson 
High School local opportunities event; 
Shetland Community Bike Project; RNLI 
Lerwick and Aberdeen; Royal Voluntary 
Service; Cancer Research; and Shetland 
Bereavement Support Services. 

of the Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental 
Advisory Group (‘SOTEAG’). For 40 years, 
SOTEAG has helped to ensure that Sullom 
Voe’s special geographical and biological 
features remain unspoiled through 
high-quality marine environmental 
monitoring and management.

Malaysia
In 2018, EnQuest improved the gender 
diversity of the Malaysia Leadership 
Team with the recruitment of two female 
members in Finance and Engineering. 
We also engaged five female and 
seven male local university students 
for internship placements in a variety 
of disciplines within EnQuest, such as 
operations, subsurface, HSE and supply 
chain management, supporting them 
in gaining practical experience in their 
chosen study area. To encourage young 
people to participate in higher education, 
particularly in the disciplines of Science, 
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics 
(‘STEM’), a scholarship programme has 
been established and will support two 
undergraduate students in the fields of 
geoscience and engineering at Universiti 
Malaya and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

We continue to offer practical support 
to the Good Samaritan House with 
donations for the home, which in 2018 
included kitchen equipment and a water 
dispenser. A home safety inspection was 
conducted by our HSE team to identify 
and minimise any safety hazards, which 
helps ensure a safer living environment 
for the children and caretakers of 
the home. Our team also helped 35 
underprivileged and orphaned children 
through a ‘Wishing Tree’ gift-giving event, 
based on their wishes for Christmas 
and New Year. The children joined 
an end-of-year party with staff, which 
included career and safety talks as well 
as a choir performance by the children.

We are also committed to the continuing 
protection of the outstanding environment 
around the terminal through our support 

Business conduct
EnQuest has a Code of Conduct with 
which it requires all personnel to be 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

35

familiar. The EnQuest Code of Conduct 
sets out the behaviour which the 
organisation expects of its Directors, 
managers and employees, of our suppliers, 
contractors, agents and partners. We 
are committed to conducting ourselves 
ethically, with integrity and to complying 
with all applicable legal requirements; we 
routinely remind those who work with or 
for us of our obligations in this respect.

Our employees and everyone that we 
work with help to create and support 
our reputation, which in turn underpins 
our ability to succeed. This code 
addresses our requirements in a number 
of areas, including the importance of 
health and safety and environmental 
protection, compliance with applicable 
law, anti-corruption, anti-facilitation of 
tax evasion, anti-slavery, addressing 
conflicts of interest, ensuring equal 
opportunities, combatting bullying and 
harassment and the protection of privacy.

The Group’s induction procedures cover 
the Code of Conduct and the Group 
runs both ad hoc and scheduled periodic 
training for personnel to refresh their 
familiarity with relevant aspects of the 
Code of Conduct and specific policies 
and procedures which support it (such as 
the Group’s anti-corruption programme).

As part of the Group’s Risk Management 
Framework, the Board is supplied annually 
with an ‘assurance map’ that provides 
an insight into the status of the main 
sources of controls and assurance in 
respect of the Group’s key risk areas (see 
pages 36 to 43 for further information 
on how the Group manages its key 
risk areas). Whilst this provides some 
formal assurance as to how the Group 
reinforces its requirements in respect 
of business conduct, the Board also 
recognises the importance of promoting 
the right culture within the Group and this 
remains an area of focus for the Group. 

The Code of Conduct also includes 
details of the independent reporting line 
through which any concerns related to 
the Group’s practices or any suspected 
breaches of the Group’s policies and 
procedures can be raised anonymously 
and encourages personnel to report any 
concerns to the legal department and/
or the General Counsel. Where concerns 
are raised (whether through the reporting 
line or otherwise), the General Counsel, 
reporting for this purpose to the Chairman 
of the Audit Committee, is required to 
look into the relevant concern, investigate 
and take appropriate action. Concerns 
raised in relation to potential conflicts of 
interest and safety practices, as well as 

more routine interfaces with regulatory 
authorities, are also reported to the 
Board and addressed appropriately.

The Code of Conduct includes a 
confirmation of EnQuest’s commitments 
to adhere to applicable tax laws (including 
the corporate offence of failure to prevent 
the criminal facilitation of tax evasion) 
as well as the Group’s stance against 
slavery and human trafficking. The Group 
has zero tolerance of such practices and 
expects the same of all with whom it has 
business dealings; for example, in relation 
to procurement, by requiring suppliers to 
confirm their commitment to anti-slavery 
before being qualified to supply the 
Group. The Group has supplemented its 
procedures to provide further assurance 
that it is able to identify and manage 
human rights risks in its supply chain and 
publishes its modern slavery statement 
on its website at www.enquest.com, 
under Corporate Responsibility.

Further detail on EnQuest’s corporate 
responsibility policies and activities, 
including the area of Business Conduct, 
is also available on the Corporate 
Responsibility section of EnQuest’s 
website at www.enquest.com. This is 
updated as required during the year.

ENQUEST VALUES

GROWTH 
AND 
LEARNING

“EnQuest has been dynamic 
and flexible with my role, 
encouraging me to achieve 
my career goals.”

Rebecca Young
Senior Legal Advisor, UK

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
36

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Management of risks and uncertainties
Consistent with the Company’s 
purpose (as set out on the inside of the 
front cover of this report), the Board 
has articulated EnQuest’s strategic 
vision to be the operator of choice 
for maturing and underdeveloped 
hydrocarbon assets. EnQuest is 
focused on delivering on its targets, 
driving future growth and managing 
its capital structure and liquidity.

EnQuest seeks to balance its risk position 
between investing in activities that can 
achieve its near-term targets and drive 
future growth with the appropriate 
returns, including any appropriate 
market opportunities that may present 
themselves, and the continuing need 
to remain financially disciplined. This 
combination drives cost efficiency 
and cash flow generation, facilitating 
a reduction in the Group’s debt. In 
this regard, the Board has developed 
certain strategic tenets to guide the 
Company which link with its strategy 
and appetite for risk. Broadly, these 
reflect a focus by the Company on:
•  Maintaining discipline across metrics 
such as financial headroom, leverage 
ratio and gearing;

•  Enhancing diversity within our portfolio 

of assets, with a focus on 
underdeveloped producing assets and 
maturing assets with investment 
potential; and

•  Ensuring the quality of the investment 

decision-making process.

In pursuit of its strategy, EnQuest 
has to manage a variety of risks. 
Accordingly, the Board has established 
a Risk Management Framework to 
enhance effective risk management 
within the following Board-approved 
overarching statement of risk appetite:
•  We make investments and manage the 
asset portfolio against agreed key 
performance indicators consistent with 
the strategic objectives of enhancing 
net cash flow, reducing leverage, 
managing costs and diversifying our 
asset base;

•  We seek to embed a risk culture within 
our organisation corresponding to the 
risk appetite which is articulated for 
each of our principal risks;

•  We seek to avoid reputational risk by 
ensuring that our operational and 
HSE&A processes, policies and 
practices reduce the potential for error 
and harm to the greatest extent 
practicable by means of a variety of 
controls to prevent or mitigate 
occurrence; and

•  We set clear tolerances for all material 
operational risks to minimise overall 
operational losses, with zero tolerance 
for criminal conduct.

The Board reviews the Company’s risk 
appetite annually in light of changing 
market conditions and the Company’s 
performance and strategic focus. The 
Executive Committee periodically reviews 
and updates the Group Risk Register 
based on the individual risk registers of 
the business. The Group Risk Register, 
along with an assurance mapping and 
controls review exercise and a risk report 
(focused on identifying and mitigating the 
most critical and emerging risks through 
a systematic analysis of the Company’s 
business, its industry and the global risk 
environment), is periodically reviewed by 
the Board (with senior management), to 
ensure that key issues are being adequately 
identified and actively managed. In 
addition, the Group’s Risk Committee (a 
sub-Committee of the Board) provides 
a forum for the Board to review selected 
individual risk areas in greater depth 
(for further information, please see the 
Risk Committee Report on page 79).

As part of its strategic, business planning 
and risk processes, the Group considers 
how a number of macro-economic themes 
may influence its principal risks. These are 
factors which influence long-term supply 
and demand trends and/or about which 
the Company should be cognisant in 
developing its strategy. They include, for 
example, developments in technology, 
demographics, climate change and how 
markets and the regulatory environment 
may respond, and the decommissioning 

of infrastructure in the UK North Sea 
and other mature basins. These themes 
are relevant to the Group’s assessments 
across a number of its principal risks. 
The Group will continue to monitor these 
themes and the relevant developing 
policy environment at an international and 
national level and will adapt its strategy 
accordingly. For example, EnQuest 
remains conscious of the potential 
for a number of aspects of climate 
change to amplify certain principal risks 
over time (e.g. in relation to access to 
capital markets – see ‘Financial’ risk on 
page 40 – and oil price – see ‘Oil and 
gas prices’ risk on page 39). The Group 
is also conscious that as an operator of 
mature producing assets with limited 
appetite for exploration, it has limited 
exposure to investments which do not 
deliver near-term returns and is therefore 
in a position to adapt and calibrate its 
exposure to new investments according 
to developments in relevant markets.

As part of its evolution of the Group’s 
Risk Management Framework, the Risk 
Committee has refreshed its views on all 
risk areas faced by the Group (categorising 
these into a ‘Risk Library’ of 18 overarching 
risks). For each risk area, the Committee 
reviewed ‘Risk Bowties’ that identified 
risk causes and impacts and mapped 
these to preventative and containment 
controls used to manage the risks to 
acceptable levels (see diagram below).

S
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RISK
EVENT 

C

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STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

37

The Board, supported by the Audit 
and Risk Committees, has reviewed the 
Group’s system of risk management 
and internal control for the period from 
1 January 2018 to the date of this report 
and carried out a robust assessment of 
the Company’s emerging and principal 
risks, the procedures in place to identify 
and mitigate principal and emerging 
risks and confirms that the Group 
complies in this respect with the Financial 
Reporting Council’s ‘Guidance on Risk 
Management, Internal Control and Related 
Financial and Business Reporting’.

Key business risks
The Group’s principal risks (identified 
from the ‘Risk Library’) are those which 

could prevent the business from executing 
its strategy and creating value for 
shareholders or lead to a significant loss 
of reputation. The Board has carried out 
a robust assessment of the principal risks 
facing the Company, including those 
that would threaten its business model, 
future performance, solvency or liquidity.

Set out on the following pages are:
•  The principal risks and mitigations;
•  An estimate of the potential impact and 

likelihood of occurrence after the 
mitigation actions, along with how these 
have changed in the past year; and
•  An articulation of the Group’s risk 

appetite for each of these principal risks.

Cognisant of the Group’s purpose and 
strategy (as outlined on the inside front 
cover and page 4 of this report), the 
Board is satisfied that the Group’s risk 
management system works effectively 
in assessing and managing the Group’s 
risk appetite and has supported a 
robust assessment by the Directors of 
the principal risks facing the Group.

Amongst these, the key risks the Group 
currently faces are a sustained decline in 
oil prices (see ‘Oil and gas prices’ risk on 
page 39), a lack of growth opportunities 
(see ‘Production’ risk on page 38 and 
‘Subsurface risk and reserves replacement’ 
on page 42) and materially lower than 
expected production performance for a 
prolonged period, particularly at the Kraken 
field (see ‘Production’ risk on page 38).

RISK

APPETITE

HEALTH, SAFETY & 
ENVIRONMENT (‘HSE’)

Oil and gas development, production and 
exploration activities are complex and HSE 
risks cover many areas including Major 
Accident Hazards, personal health and 
safety, compliance with regulatory 
requirements, asset integrity issues and 
potential environmental harm, including 
those associated with the impacts of 
climate change.

Potential impact –  
Medium (2017 Medium)
Likelihood – Low (2017 Low)

There has been no material change in the 
potential impact or likelihood and the 
Group’s overall record on HSE remains 
robust.

Related KPIs – A, B, C, D, E, F, G

RISK

REPUTATION

The reputational and commercial exposures 
to a major offshore incident, including those 
related to an environmental incident, or 
non-compliance with applicable law and 
regulation are significant.

Potential impact – High (2017 High)
Likelihood – Low (2017 Low)

There has been no material change in the 
potential impact or likelihood.

Related KPIs – A, C, D, E, G, H

The Group’s desire is to maintain upper 
quartile HSE performance measured 
against suitable industry metrics.

The Group’s principal aim is Safe Results 
with no harm to people and respect for 
the environment. Should operational 
results and safety ever come into conflict, 
employees have a responsibility to choose 
safety over operational results. Employees 
are empowered to stop operations for 
safety-related reasons. 

MITIGATION

The Group maintains, in conjunction with 
its core contractors, a comprehensive 
programme of HSE, asset integrity and 
assurance activities and has implemented 
a continual improvement programme, 
promoting a culture of transparency in 
relation to HSE matters. HSE performance 
is discussed at each Board meeting and 
the mitigation of HSE risk has been 
enhanced through further emphasising 
the role of HSE oversight within the Risk 
Committee’s terms of reference. During 
2018, the Group continued to focus on 
control of Major Accident Hazards and 
‘Safe Behaviours’.

In addition, the Group has a positive and 
transparent relationship with the UK Health 
and Safety Executive and Department 
for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, 
and the Malaysian regulator, Malaysia 
Petroleum Management.

EnQuest’s HSE Policy is now fully 
integrated across our operated sites and 
this has enabled an increased focus on 
Health, Safety and the Environment. There 
is a strong assurance programme in place 
to ensure EnQuest complies with its Policy 
and Principles and regulatory 
commitments.

APPETITE

The Group has no tolerance for conduct 
which may compromise its reputation for 
integrity and competence.

MITIGATION

All 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 requires adherence to its Code 
of Conduct and runs compliance 
programmes to provide assurance on 
conformity with relevant legal and ethical 
requirements.

All EnQuest personnel and contractors are 
required to pass an annual anti-bribery, 
corruption and anti-facilitation of tax 
evasion course.

All personnel are authorised to shut down 
production for safety-related reasons.

Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’):  A: HSE&A (LTI)  B: Production (Boepd)  C: Unit opex ($/Boe)  D: EBITDA ($ million)  E: Cash generated by operations ($ million)
F: Cash capex ($ million)  G: Net debt ($ million)  H: Net 2P reserves (MMboe)

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
38

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

RISK

APPETITE

Since production efficiency and meeting 
production targets are core to our 
business and the Group seeks to maintain 
a high degree of operational control over 

production assets in its portfolio, EnQuest 
has a very low tolerance for operational 
risks to its production (or the support 
systems that underpin production).

MITIGATION

The Group’s programme of asset integrity 
and assurance activities provide leading 
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 and 
inspection programmes designed to 
minimise the risk of unplanned shutdowns 
and expenditure. The Group monitors 
both leading and lagging KPIs in relation 
to its maintenance activities and liaises 
closely with its downstream operators to 
minimise pipeline and terminal production 
impacts.

Production efficiency is continually 
monitored with losses being identified and 
remedial and improvement opportunities 
undertaken as required. A continual, 
rigorous cost focus is also maintained.

Life of asset production profiles are 
audited by independent reserves auditors. 
The Group also undertakes regular 
internal reviews. The Group’s forecasts of 
production are risked to reflect 
appropriate production uncertainties.

The Sullom Voe Terminal has a good safety 
record and its safety and operational 
performance levels are regularly 
monitored and challenged by the Group 
and other terminal owners and users to 
ensure that operational integrity is 
maintained. Further, EnQuest expects to 
be well positioned to manage potential 
operational risks related to the Sullom Voe 
Terminal having assumed operatorship of 
the terminal and with the workforce having 
transferred with the asset in 2017. 
Nevertheless, the Group actively 
continues to explore the potential of 
alternative transport options and 
developing hubs that may provide both 
risk mitigation and cost savings.

The Group also continues to consider new 
opportunities for expanding production.

PRODUCTION

The Group’s production is critical to its 
success and is subject to a variety of risks 
including: subsurface uncertainties; 
operating in a mature field environment; 
potential for significant unexpected 
shutdowns; and unplanned expenditure 
(particularly where remediation may be 
dependent on suitable weather
conditions offshore).

Lower than expected reservoir 
performance or insufficient addition of 
new resources may have a material impact 
on the Group’s future growth.

Climate change could result in more 
severe weather conditions over time, 
which could impact asset uptime.

The Group’s delivery infrastructure in the 
UK North Sea is, to a significant extent, 
dependent on the Sullom Voe Terminal.

Longer-term production is threatened if 
low oil prices bring forward 
decommissioning timelines.

Potential impact – High (2017 High)
Likelihood – Low (2017 Low)

There has been no material change in the 
potential impact or likelihood.

The Group has delivered on its 2018 
production target despite a lower 
performance at Kraken than originally 
expected. With the additional interest in 
the Magnus asset, EnQuest’s production 
portfolio has been further diversified, with 
material growth expected as a result in 
2019. However, the increased interest in 
Magnus also increased the Group’s 
reliance on the Sullom Voe Terminal. 
Further, the Dunlin bypass export project, 
once completed, will see volumes from 
Thistle and the Dons exported via the 
Magnus facility and Ninian Pipeline System 
and will therefore further increase reliance 
on the Sullom Voe Terminal.

Related KPIs – B, C, D, E, G, H

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

39

RISK

APPETITE

OIL AND GAS PRICES

A material decline in oil and gas prices 
adversely affects the Group’s operations 
and financial condition.

Potential impact – High (2017 High)
Likelihood – Medium (2017 Medium)

There has been no material change in
the potential impact or likelihood.
The Group recognises that climate change 
concerns and related regulatory 
developments are likely to reduce demand 
for hydrocarbons over time. This may be 
mitigated by correlated constraints on the 
development of new supply.

Related KPIs – B, D, E, F, G, H

The Group recognises that considerable 
exposure to this risk is inherent to its 
business.

MITIGATION

This risk is being mitigated by a number 
of measures including hedging oil price, 
renegotiating supplier contracts, reducing 
costs and commitments and 
institutionalising a lower cost base.

The Group monitors oil price sensitivity 
relative to its capital commitments 
and has a policy (see page 129) which 
allows hedging of its production. As at 
19 March 2019, the Group had hedged 
approximately 8 MMbbls. This ensures that 
the Group will receive a minimum oil price 
for its production.

RISK

APPETITE

In order to develop its resources, the 
Group needs to be able to fund the 
required investment. The Group will 
therefore regularly review and implement 
suitable policies to hedge against the 
possible negative impact of changes in oil 
prices while remaining within the limits set 
by its term loan and revolving credit facility.

The Group has established an in-house 
trading and marketing function to enable 
it to enhance its ability to mitigate the 
exposure to volatility in oil prices.

Further, as described previously, the 
Group’s focus on production efficiency 
supports mitigation of a low oil price 
environment.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The Group’s success continues to be 
dependent upon its ability to attract and 
retain key personnel and develop 
organisational capability to deliver 
strategic growth. Industrial action across 
the sector could also impact the 
operations of the Group.

Potential impact – Medium (2017 Low)
Likelihood – High (2017 Medium)

The impact and likelihood have increased 
given the increased competition in the 
sector, particularly in the UK.

Related KPIs – A, B, C, D, E, F, G

As a low-cost, lean organisation, 
the Group relies on motivated and 
high-quality employees to achieve its 
targets and manage its risks. 

The Group recognises that the benefits of 
a lean and flexible organisation require 
agility to assure against the risk of skills 
shortages.

MITIGATION

The Group has established an able and 
competent employee base to execute its 
principal activities. In addition to this, the 
Group seeks to maintain good 
relationships with its employees and 
contractor companies and regularly 
monitors the employment market to 
provide remuneration packages, bonus 
plans and long-term share-based incentive 
plans that incentivise performance and 
long-term commitment from employees to 
the Group.

We recognise that our people are critical 
to our success and so are continually 
evolving our end-to-end people 
management processes, including 
recruitment and selection, career 
development and performance 
management. This ensures that we have 
the right person for the job and that we 
provide appropriate training, support and 
development opportunities with feedback 
to drive continuous improvement whilst 
delivering Safe Results. The culture of the 
Group is an area of ongoing focus and a 
‘Values refresh’ took place during 2018.

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.

The Group recognises that there is a 
gender pay gap within the organisation 
but that there is no issue with equal pay 
for the same tasks. EnQuest aims to 
attract the best talent, recognising the 
value of diversity. 

Executive and senior management 
retention, succession planning and 
development remain important priorities 
for the Board. It is a Board-level priority 
that executive and senior management 
possess the appropriate mix of skills and 
experience to realise the Group’s strategy; 
succession planning therefore remains 
a key priority.

EnQuest is introducing a Group Employee 
Forum during 2019 to add to our employee 
communication and engagement strategy. 
This forum will improve engagement and 
interaction between the workforce and the 
Board.

Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’):  A: HSE&A (LTI)  B: Production (Boepd)  C: Unit opex ($/Boe)  D: EBITDA ($ million)  E: Cash generated by operations ($ million)
F: Cash capex ($ million)  G: Net debt ($ million)  H: Net 2P reserves (MMboe)

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
40

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

APPETITE

The Group recognises that significant 
leverage has been required to fund its 
growth as low oil prices have impacted 
revenues. However, it is intent on reducing 
its leverage levels, maintaining liquidity, 
enhancing profit margins, reducing costs

and complying with its obligations to 
finance providers while delivering 
shareholder value, recognising that 
reasonable assumptions relating to 
external risks need to be made in 
transacting with finance providers.

MITIGATION

Debt reduction is a strategic priority. 
During the year, the Group completed 
a $175 million credit facility from Oz 
Management and raised c.$129 million 
(net) through a rights issue, of which 
$100 million was used to fund the Group’s 
cash consideration for the acquisition of 
additional interests in assets from BP. The 
Group also paid and/or cancelled a total of 
$340 million of the term facility.

These steps, together with other 
mitigating actions available to 
management, are expected to provide the 
Group with sufficient liquidity to 
strengthen its balance sheet for 
longer-term growth.

Ongoing compliance with the financial 
covenants under the Group’s term loan 
and revolving credit facility is actively 
monitored and reviewed. 

Funding from the bonds and revolving 
credit facility is supplemented 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 adequate resources 
for its needs.

The Group is continuing to enhance its 
financial position through maintaining a 
focus on controlling and reducing costs 
through supplier renegotiations, assessing 
counterparty credit risk, hedging and 
trading, cost-cutting and rationalisation. 
Where costs are incurred by external 
service providers, the Group actively 
challenges operating costs. The Group 
also maintains a framework of internal 
controls.

RISK

FINANCIAL

Inability to fund financial commitments or 
maintain adequate cash flow and liquidity 
and/or reduce costs.

The Group’s term loan and revolving credit 
facility contains certain financial covenants 
(based on the ratio of indebtedness 
incurred under the term loan and revolving 
facility to EBITDA, finance charges to 
EBITDA and a requirement for liquidity 
testing). Prolonged low oil prices, cost 
increases, including those related to an 
environmental incident, and production 
delays or outages could threaten the 
Group’s liquidity and/or ability to comply 
with relevant covenants.

Potential impact – High (2017 High)
Likelihood – Medium (2017 Medium)

There has been no material change in the 
potential impact or likelihood; however, 
there is potential for the cost of capital to 
increase as factors such as climate change 
concerns and oil price volatility may 
reduce investors’ acceptable levels of oil 
and gas sector exposure and the cost of 
emissions trading certificates, or their 
replacement in the event the UK exits the 
European Union, may trend higher. In 
addition, adhering to the term loan 
amortisation schedule remains partially 
dependent on the successful increase in 
the Group’s aggregate production being 
materially in line with expectations and no 
significant reduction in oil prices. Further 
information is contained in the going 
concern and viability paragraphs on 
page 26 of the Financial Review.

Related KPIs – B, C, F, G, H

RISK

APPETITE

FISCAL RISK AND 
GOVERNMENT TAKE

The Group faces an uncertain 
macro-economic and regulatory 
environment. 

Due to the nature of such risks and their 
relative unpredictability, it must be 
tolerant of certain inherent exposure.

MITIGATION

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

All business development or investment 
activities recognise potential tax 
implications and the Group maintains 
relevant internal tax expertise.

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

Unanticipated changes in the regulatory or 
fiscal environment can affect the Group’s 
ability to deliver its strategy/business plan 
and potentially impact revenue and future 
developments.

Potential impact – High (2017 High)
Likelihood – Medium (2017 Medium)

There has been no material change in the 
potential impact or likelihood, although 
the anticipated exit of the United Kingdom 
from the European Union may impact the 
regulatory environment going forward, for 
example by affecting the cost of emissions 
trading certificates.

Related KPIs – E, G

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

41

RISK

APPETITE

PROJECT EXECUTION 
AND DELIVERY

The Group’s success will be partially 
dependent upon the successful execution 
and delivery of development projects.

The efficient delivery of new project 
developments has been a key feature of 
the Group’s long-term strategy. The 
Group’s current appetite is for short-cycle 
development projects such as infill drilling 
and near-field tie-backs.

While the Group necessarily assumes 
significant risk when it sanctions a new 
development (for example, by incurring 
costs against oil price assumptions), it 
requires that risks to the efficient 
implementation of the project are 
minimised.

Potential impact – Medium (2017 High)
Likelihood – Low (2017 Low)

MITIGATION

The potential impact has reduced, with the 
likelihood remaining unchanged. As the 
Group focuses on reducing its debt, its 
current appetite is to pursue short-cycle 
development projects. The main project 
developments in 2019 are oil export 
pipeline projects for Thistle/Deveron (the 
Dunlin bypass project) and Scolty/Crathes 
(the pipeline replacement project).

Related KPIs – B, D, E, F, G, H

The Group has project teams which are 
responsible for the planning and execution 
of new projects with a dedicated team for 
each development. The Group has 
detailed controls, systems and monitoring 
processes in place to ensure that 
deadlines are met, costs are controlled 
and that design concepts and the Field 
Development Plan are adhered to and 
implemented. These are modified when 
circumstances require and only through a 
controlled management of change 
process and with the necessary internal 
and external authorisation and 
communication. The Group also engages

third-party assurance experts to review, 
challenge and, where appropriate, make 
recommendations to improve the 
processes for project management, cost 
control and governance of major projects. 
EnQuest ensures that responsibility for 
delivering time-critical supplier 
obligations and lead times are fully 
understood, acknowledged and 
proactively managed by the most senior 
levels within supplier organisations. 
EnQuest also supports its partners and 
suppliers through the provision of 
appropriate secondees if required.

RISK

APPETITE

PORTFOLIO 
CONCENTRATION

The Group’s assets are primarily 
concentrated in the UK North Sea around 
a limited number of infrastructure hubs 
and existing production (principally oil) is 
from mature fields. This amplifies exposure 
to key infrastructure (including ageing 
pipelines and terminals), political/fiscal 
changes and oil price movements.

Potential impact – High (2017 High)
Likelihood – High (2017 Medium)

The acquisition of an additional interest in 
the Magnus oil field has elevated this risk 
in the long term (by further concentrating 
the Group’s portfolio in the UK North Sea). 
Further, the Dunlin bypass export project, 
once completed, will see volumes from 
Thistle and the Dons exported via the 
Magnus facility and Ninian Pipeline System 
to the Sullom Voe Terminal.

The Group is currently focused on oil 
production and does not have significant 
exposure to gas or other sources of 
income.

Related KPIs – B, C, D, E

Although the extent of portfolio 
concentration is moderated by production 
generated internationally, the majority of 
the Group’s assets remain relatively

concentrated in the UK North Sea and 
therefore this risk remains intrinsic to the 
Group.

Production at the Greater Kittiwake Area, 
Alma/Galia and Kraken reduced the 
Group’s prior concentration to the Brent 
Pipeline System (‘BPS’) and the Sullom Voe 
Terminal. However, the acquisition of an 
additional interest in the Magnus field in 
December 2018 resulted in further 
concentration in Sullom Voe Terminal, with 
concentration increasing again following 
completion of the Dunlin bypass export 
project in 2019. Although the Group has 
concentration risk at Sullom Voe Terminal, 
taking operatorship of the terminal has put 
the Group in a position of more direct 
control of such risk.

MITIGATION

This risk is mitigated in part through 
acquisitions. For all acquisitions, the 
Group uses a number of business 
development resources to evaluate and 
transact acquisitions in a commercially 
sensitive manner. This includes performing 
extensive due diligence (using in-house 
and external personnel) and actively 
involving executive management in 
reviewing commercial, technical and other 
business risks together with mitigation 
measures.

The Group also constantly keeps its 
portfolio under rigorous review and, 
accordingly, actively considers the 
potential for making disposals and 
divesting, executing development 
projects, making international acquisitions, 
expanding hubs and potentially investing 
in gas assets or export capability where 
such opportunities are consistent with the 
Group’s focus on enhancing net revenues, 
generating cash flow and strengthening 
the balance sheet.

Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’):  A: HSE&A (LTI)  B: Production (Boepd)  C: Unit opex ($/Boe)  D: EBITDA ($ million)  E: Cash generated by operations ($ million)
F: Cash capex ($ million)  G: Net debt ($ million)  H: Net 2P reserves (MMboe)

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
42

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTINUED

RISK

APPETITE

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS

Failure by joint venture parties to fund 
their obligations.

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

Potential impact – Medium  
(2017 Medium)
Likelihood – Medium (2017 Medium)

There has been no material change in the 
potential impact or likelihood.

Related KPIs – C, D, E, F, G

The Group requires partners of high 
integrity. It recognises that it must accept 
a degree of exposure to the

creditworthiness of partners and evaluates 
this aspect carefully as part of every 
investment decision.

MITIGATION

The Group operates regular cash call and 
billing 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 and rigorous and continual 
assessment of the financial situation of 
partners. 

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

RISK

APPETITE

SUBSURFACE RISK AND 
RESERVES REPLACEMENT

Reserves replacement is an element of the 
sustainability of the Group and its ability
to grow. The Group has some tolerance for

the assumption of risk in relation to the key 
activities required to deliver reserves 
growth, such as drilling and acquisitions.

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

Potential impact – High (2017 High)
Likelihood – Medium (2017 Medium)

There has been no material change in the 
potential impact or likelihood as oil price 
volatility, a focus on strengthening
the balance sheet and increased 
competition to acquire assets continues to 
limit business development activity to the 
pursuit of reserves enhancing, selective, 
cash-accretive opportunities.

Low oil prices can potentially affect 
development of contingent and 
prospective resources and/or reserves 
certifications.

Related KPIs – B, C, D, E, F, G, H

MITIGATION

The Group puts a strong emphasis on 
subsurface analysis and employs 
industry-leading professionals. The Group 
continues to recruit in a variety of technical 
positions which enables it to manage 
existing assets and evaluate the 
acquisition of new assets and licences.

All analysis is subject to internal and, 
where appropriate, external review and 
relevant stage gate processes. All reserves 
are currently externally reviewed by a 
Competent Person. In addition, EnQuest 
has active business development teams, 
both in the UK and internationally, 
developing a range of opportunities and 
liaising with vendors/government.

RISK

APPETITE

The Group operates in a mature industry 
with well-established competitors and 
aims to be the leading operator in 
the sector.

MITIGATION

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

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 procurement 
of oil and gas services and access to 
human resources.

Potential impact – High (2017 Medium)
Likelihood – High (2017 Medium)

The potential impact and likelihood has 
increased due to an increase in the 
number of available oil and gas assets and 
competitors looking to acquire them.

Related KPIs – C, D, E, F, H

The Group continues to consider potential 
opportunities to acquire new production 
resources that meet its investment criteria.

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

STRATEGIC REPORT 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

43

RISK

APPETITE

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

While the majority of the Group’s activities 
and assets are in the UK, the international 
business is still material. The Group’s 
international business is subject to the 
same risks as the UK business (e.g. HSE&A, 
production and project execution); 
however, there are additional risks that the 
Group faces, including security of staff and 
assets, political, foreign exchange and 
currency control, taxation, legal and 
regulatory, cultural and language barriers 
and corruption.

Potential impact – Medium  
(2017 Medium)
Likelihood – Medium (2017 Medium)

There has been no material change in the 
impact or likelihood.

Related KPIs – A, D, E, F, G, H

In light of its long-term growth strategy, 
the Group seeks to expand and diversify 
its production (geographically and in 
terms of quantum); as such, it is tolerant of 
assuming certain commercial risks which 
may accompany the opportunities it 
pursues. 

However, such tolerance does not impair 
the Group’s commitment to comply with 
legislative and regulatory requirements in 
the jurisdictions in which it operates. 
Opportunities should enhance net 
revenues and facilitate strengthening of 
the balance sheet.

Where appropriate, the risks may be 
mitigated by entering into a joint venture 
with partners with local knowledge and 
experience.

After country entry, EnQuest maintains a 
dialogue with local and regional 
government, particularly with those 
responsible for oil, energy and fiscal 
matters, and may obtain support from 
appropriate risk consultancies. When 
there is a significant change in the risk to 
people or assets within a country, the 
Group takes appropriate action to 
safeguard people and assets.

MITIGATION

Prior to entering a new country, EnQuest 
evaluates the host country to assess 
whether there is an adequate and 
established legal and political framework 
in place to protect and safeguard first its 
expatriate and local staff and, second, any 
investment within the country in question.

When evaluating international business 
risks, executive management reviews 
commercial, technical and other business 
risks together with mitigation and how 
risks can be managed by the business on 
an ongoing basis.

EnQuest looks to employ suitably qualified 
host country staff and work with 
good-quality local advisers to ensure it 
complies with national legislation, 
business practices and cultural norms 
while at all times ensuring that staff, 
contractors and advisers comply with 
EnQuest’s business principles, including 
those on financial control, cost 
management, fraud and corruption.

RISK

APPETITE

The Group endeavours to provide a secure 
IT environment that is able to resist and 
withstand any attacks or unintentional 
disruption that may compromise sensitive

data, impact operations or destabilise its 
financial systems; it has a very low appetite 
for this risk.

MITIGATION

The Group has established IT capabilities 
and endeavours to be in a position to 
defend its systems against disruption or 
attack.

The Risk Committee undertook additional 
analyses of cyber-security risks in 2018. 
Recognising that it is one of the Group’s 
key focus areas, the Group now employs a 
cyber-security manager. Work on 
assessing the cyber-security environment 
and implementing improvements as 
necessary will continue during 2019.

IT SECURITY AND 
RESILIENCE

The Group is exposed to risks arising from 
interruption to, or failure of, IT 
infrastructure. The risks of disruption to 
normal operations range from loss in 
functionality of generic systems (such as 
email and internet access) to the 
compromising of more sophisticated 
systems that support the Group’s 
operational activities. These risks could 
result from malicious interventions such as 
cyber-attacks.

Potential impact – Medium  
(2017 Medium)
Likelihood – Low (2017 Low)

Related KPIs – A, B

Stefan Ricketts
Company Secretary

The Strategic Report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by the Company Secretary on 20 March 2019.

Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’):  A: HSE&A (LTI)  B: Production (Boepd)  C: Unit opex ($/Boe)  D: EBITDA ($ million)  E: Cash generated by operations ($ million)
F: Cash capex ($ million)  G: Net debt ($ million)  H: Net 2P reserves (MMboe)

 STRATEGIC REPORT 
44

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOCK LENNOX
NON-EXECUTIVE  
CHAIRMAN

AMJAD BSEISU
CHIEF EXECUTIVE

JONATHAN SWINNEY
CHIEF FINANCIAL  
OFFICER

HELMUT LANGANGER
SENIOR INDEPENDENT 
DIRECTOR

Appointed
8 September 2016 (member of 
the Board since 22 February 2010)

Appointed
22 February 2010

Committees
Nomination (Chairman)

Committees
Nomination

Appointed
29 March 2010

Committees
None

Skills and experience
Jock Lennox holds a law 
degree and in 1980 qualified 
as a chartered accountant with 
Ernst & Young LLP (‘EY’). He 
is a member of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants of 
Scotland. In 1988, Jock became 
a partner at EY. In his time at 
EY, Jock gained a wide range 
of experience working with 
multinational clients, including 
projects in many countries and 
a secondment to Seattle, US 
in the early 1980s. He held a 
number of leadership positions 
in the UK and globally. Jock 
retired from EY in 2009, since 
when he has developed a 
career as an independent 
public company director. 

Skills and experience
Jonathan Swinney is a qualified 
chartered accountant and a 
member of the Institute of 
Chartered Accountants of 
England and Wales. He is also 
a qualified solicitor. Jonathan 
has significant merger and 
acquisition transactional 
experience, having focused on 
acquisition finance as a solicitor, 
and subsequently worked at 
Credit Suisse and then Lehman 
Brothers, advising on a wide 
range of transactions with equity 
advisory, before joining Petrofac 
Limited in April 2008 as head 
of mergers and acquisitions for 
the Petrofac Group. Jonathan 
joined EnQuest PLC in 2010 
as Chief Financial Officer. 

Skills and experience
Amjad Bseisu holds a BSc 
Honours degree in Mechanical 
Engineering from Duke 
University, an MSc and D.ENG 
degree in Aeronautical 
Engineering from Stanford 
University and an executive MBA 
from SMU. From 1984 to 1998, 
Amjad worked for the Atlantic 
Richfield Company (‘ARCO’), 
eventually becoming president 
of ARCO Petroleum Ventures. In 
1998, Amjad founded and was 
the chief executive of Petrofac 
Resources International Limited 
which merged into Petrofac PLC 
in 2003. In 2010, Amjad formed 
EnQuest PLC, having previously 
been a founding non-executive 
chairman of Serica Energy plc 
and a founding partner of Stratic 
Energy Corporation. Amjad was 
chairman of Enviromena Ltd., the 
largest solar power engineering 
company in the MENA region 
until its sale in 2017. Amjad was 
British Business Ambassador 
for Energy from 2013 to 2015.

Other principal external 
appointments
Non-executive director of 
Barratt Developments plc 
and chairman of Hill & Smith 
Holdings plc. Jock stepped 
down from the Board of Dixons 
Carphone plc at the end of 2018.

Other principal external 
appointments
Chairman of the independent 
energy community for the World 
Economic Forum since 2016 and 
director of the Amjad and Suha 
Bseisu Foundation since 2011.

Other principal external 
appointments
None.

Appointed
16 March 2010

Committees
Remuneration, Audit and 
Nomination

Skills and experience
Helmut Langanger holds an MSc 
degree in Petroleum Engineering 
and an MA in Economics. 
Between 1974 and 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 was the group executive 
vice-president for E&P, OMV 
until he retired in 2010. During 
his tenure, Helmut was in charge 
of OMV activities in 14 countries 
and production increased 
from 80,000 barrels per day 
to 320,000 barrels per day.

Other principal external 
appointments
Non-executive director of 
Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield 
Equipment A.G. (Austria), and 
MND (Czech Republic).

Risk and Remuneration (Chair)

Risk (Chairman) and 

Audit (Chairman), Risk and 

Audit, Risk and Remuneration

LAURIE FITCH

NON-EXECUTIVE  

DIRECTOR

Appointed

8 January 2018

Committees

PHILIP HOLLAND

NON-EXECUTIVE  

DIRECTOR

Appointed

1 August 2015

Committees

Remuneration

CARL HUGHES

NON-EXECUTIVE  

DIRECTOR

Appointed

1 January 2017

Committees

Remuneration

Skills and experience

Laurie Fitch has a BA in Arabic 

and an MA from Georgetown 

University’s School of Foreign 

Service, where she is chair 

of the University’s Center for 

Contemporary Arab Studies. 

Laurie is currently a partner in 

the strategic advisory group at 

PJT Partners, based in London. 

She spent a significant part of 

her career as an equity analyst 

and portfolio manager at TIAA 

CREF and Artisan Partners, 

where she invested in the 

global industrials, utility and 

infrastructure sectors. Laurie 

spent four years in the global 

power and global industrials 

Skills and experience

Philip Holland holds a BSc 

in Civil Engineering from 

Leeds University and a MSc in 

Engineering and Construction 

Project Management from 

Skills and experience

Carl Hughes holds an MA 

in Philosophy, Politics and 

Economics, is a Fellow of 

the Institute of Chartered 

Accountants in England 

Cranfield School of Management. 

and Wales, and is a Fellow 

Philip has extensive experience 

in managing large-scale oil 

and gas projects around the 

of the Energy Institute. Carl 

joined Arthur Andersen in 

1983, qualified as a chartered 

globe. In 1980, he joined Bechtel 

accountant and became a 

Corporation and managed 

major oil and gas projects in 

a wide range of international 

locations. In 2004, he joined 

Shell as vice-president of 

projects, Shell Global Solutions 

International. In 2009, Philip 

partner in 1993. Throughout 

his professional career he 

specialised in the oil and gas, 

mining and utilities sectors, 

becoming the head of the UK 

energy and resources industry 

practice of Andersen in 1999 

became executive vice-president 

and subsequently of Deloitte 

groups at Morgan Stanley, most 

downstream projects in Shell’s 

in 2002. When Carl retired from 

recently as co-head of the global 

newly formed projects and 

industrials group in Europe, prior 

technology business and in 2010, 

to joining PJT Partners in 2016.

the partnership of Deloitte in 

2015, he was a vice-chairman, 

senior audit partner and 

resources business globally.

he was appointed as project 

director for Shell’s Kashagan 

phase 2 project in Kazakhstan, 

and subsequently the Shell/

QP Al Karaana petrochemicals 

project. Since 2013, he has 

operated as an independent 

project management consultant.

JOHN WINTERMAN

NON-EXECUTIVE  

DIRECTOR

Appointed

7 September 2017

Committees

Skills and experience

John Winterman holds a BSc 

in geology from Queen Mary 

College, London University 

and is a member of the 

American Association of 

Petroleum Geologists. John 

has extensive leadership 

experience in global exploration, 

business development and 

asset management and has a 

strong record of exploration 

success globally with over two 

billion barrels of oil equivalent 

discovered in the Philippines, 

Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, 

Russia, the US and Yemen. 

John joined Occidental in 1981 

and after a 20+ year technical 

career as a geologist with the 

company, moved into executive 

roles, including high-level 

executive leadership positions. 

and since then he has provided 

strategic advice to international 

oil and gas companies.

leader of the firm’s energy and 

John left Occidental in 2013 

Other principal external 

Other principal external 

Other principal external 

Other principal external 

appointments

appointments

appointments

appointments

Partner in the strategic 

Non-executive director 

Non-executive director and 

Non-executive director 

advisory group of PJT Partners; 

of Velocys plc.

chairman of the audit committee 

of CC Energy.

non-executive director of 

Energias de Portugal (EDP), 

SA; and a member of the 

Audit and Finance and 

Operations subcommittees of 

the Tate Board of Trustees.

of EN+ Group plc; member of 

the finance and audit committee 

of the Energy Institute; director 

and trustee of the Premier 

Christian Media Trust and 

of the Lambeth Conference 

Company; member of the 

General Synod of the Church 

of England and of the finance 

and investment committees 

of the Archbishops’ Council.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

45

JOCK LENNOX

NON-EXECUTIVE  

CHAIRMAN

AMJAD BSEISU

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

JONATHAN SWINNEY

CHIEF FINANCIAL  

OFFICER

HELMUT LANGANGER

SENIOR INDEPENDENT 

DIRECTOR

Appointed

8 September 2016 (member of 

the Board since 22 February 2010)

Appointed

22 February 2010

Committees

Nomination (Chairman)

Committees

Nomination

Appointed

29 March 2010

Committees

None

Scotland. In 1988, Jock became 

University and an executive MBA 

has significant merger and 

Skills and experience

Amjad Bseisu holds a BSc 

Skills and experience

Skills and experience

Jonathan Swinney is a qualified 

Honours degree in Mechanical 

chartered accountant and a 

Engineering from Duke 

University, an MSc and D.ENG 

degree in Aeronautical 

Engineering from Stanford 

member of the Institute of 

Chartered Accountants of 

England and Wales. He is also 

a qualified solicitor. Jonathan 

from SMU. From 1984 to 1998, 

Amjad worked for the Atlantic 

Richfield Company (‘ARCO’), 

acquisition transactional 

experience, having focused on 

engineer for the technical 

acquisition finance as a solicitor, 

and economic assessment of 

eventually becoming president 

and subsequently worked at 

of ARCO Petroleum Ventures. In 

Credit Suisse and then Lehman 

Skills and experience

Jock Lennox holds a law 

degree and in 1980 qualified 

as a chartered accountant with 

Ernst & Young LLP (‘EY’). He 

is a member of the Institute 

of Chartered Accountants of 

a partner at EY. In his time at 

EY, Jock gained a wide range 

of experience working with 

multinational clients, including 

projects in many countries and 

a secondment to Seattle, US 

in the early 1980s. He held a 

number of leadership positions 

in the UK and globally. Jock 

retired from EY in 2009, since 

when he has developed a 

career as an independent 

public company director. 

Brothers, advising on a wide 

range of transactions with equity 

advisory, before joining Petrofac 

Limited in April 2008 as head 

of mergers and acquisitions for 

the Petrofac Group. Jonathan 

joined EnQuest PLC in 2010 

as Chief Financial Officer. 

1998, Amjad founded and was 

the chief executive of Petrofac 

Resources International Limited 

which merged into Petrofac PLC 

in 2003. In 2010, Amjad formed 

EnQuest PLC, having previously 

been a founding non-executive 

chairman of Serica Energy plc 

and a founding partner of Stratic 

Energy Corporation. Amjad was 

chairman of Enviromena Ltd., the 

largest solar power engineering 

company in the MENA region 

until its sale in 2017. Amjad was 

British Business Ambassador 

for Energy from 2013 to 2015.

Other principal external 

Other principal external 

Other principal external 

Other principal external 

appointments

appointments

Non-executive director of 

Barratt Developments plc 

and chairman of Hill & Smith 

Holdings plc. Jock stepped 

down from the Board of Dixons 

Carphone plc at the end of 2018.

Chairman of the independent 

energy community for the World 

Economic Forum since 2016 and 

director of the Amjad and Suha 

Bseisu Foundation since 2011.

appointments

None.

Appointed

16 March 2010

Committees

Remuneration, Audit and 

Nomination

Helmut Langanger holds an MSc 

degree in Petroleum Engineering 

and an MA in Economics. 

Between 1974 and 2010, Helmut 

was employed by OMV, Austria 

where he was a reservoir 

engineer until 1980. From 1981 to 

1985, Helmut was an evaluation 

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 was the group executive 

vice-president for E&P, OMV 

until he retired in 2010. During 

his tenure, Helmut was in charge 

of OMV activities in 14 countries 

and production increased 

from 80,000 barrels per day 

to 320,000 barrels per day.

appointments

Non-executive director of 

Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield 

Equipment A.G. (Austria), and 

MND (Czech Republic).

LAURIE FITCH
NON-EXECUTIVE  
DIRECTOR

Appointed
8 January 2018

PHILIP HOLLAND
NON-EXECUTIVE  
DIRECTOR

Appointed
1 August 2015

CARL HUGHES
NON-EXECUTIVE  
DIRECTOR

Appointed
1 January 2017

JOHN WINTERMAN
NON-EXECUTIVE  
DIRECTOR

Appointed
7 September 2017

Committees
Risk and Remuneration (Chair)

Committees
Risk (Chairman) and 
Remuneration

Committees
Audit (Chairman), Risk and 
Remuneration

Committees
Audit, Risk and Remuneration

Skills and experience
Philip Holland holds a BSc 
in Civil Engineering from 
Leeds University and a MSc in 
Engineering and Construction 
Project Management from 
Cranfield School of Management. 
Philip has extensive experience 
in managing large-scale oil 
and gas projects around the 
globe. In 1980, he joined Bechtel 
Corporation and managed 
major oil and gas projects in 
a wide range of international 
locations. In 2004, he joined 
Shell as vice-president of 
projects, Shell Global Solutions 
International. In 2009, Philip 
became executive vice-president 
downstream projects in Shell’s 
newly formed projects and 
technology business and in 2010, 
he was appointed as project 
director for Shell’s Kashagan 
phase 2 project in Kazakhstan, 
and subsequently the Shell/
QP Al Karaana petrochemicals 
project. Since 2013, he has 
operated as an independent 
project management consultant.

Other principal external 
appointments
Non-executive director 
of Velocys plc.

Skills and experience
Laurie Fitch has a BA in Arabic 
and an MA from Georgetown 
University’s School of Foreign 
Service, where she is chair 
of the University’s Center for 
Contemporary Arab Studies. 
Laurie is currently a partner in 
the strategic advisory group at 
PJT Partners, based in London. 
She spent a significant part of 
her career as an equity analyst 
and portfolio manager at TIAA 
CREF and Artisan Partners, 
where she invested in the 
global industrials, utility and 
infrastructure sectors. Laurie 
spent four years in the global 
power and global industrials 
groups at Morgan Stanley, most 
recently as co-head of the global 
industrials group in Europe, prior 
to joining PJT Partners in 2016.

Other principal external 
appointments
Partner in the strategic 
advisory group of PJT Partners; 
non-executive director of 
Energias de Portugal (EDP), 
SA; and a member of the 
Audit and Finance and 
Operations subcommittees of 
the Tate Board of Trustees.

Skills and experience
Carl Hughes holds an MA 
in Philosophy, Politics and 
Economics, is a Fellow of 
the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England 
and Wales, and is a Fellow 
of the Energy Institute. Carl 
joined Arthur Andersen in 
1983, qualified as a chartered 
accountant and became a 
partner in 1993. Throughout 
his professional career he 
specialised in the oil and gas, 
mining and utilities sectors, 
becoming the head of the UK 
energy and resources industry 
practice of Andersen in 1999 
and subsequently of Deloitte 
in 2002. When Carl retired from 
the partnership of Deloitte in 
2015, he was a vice-chairman, 
senior audit partner and 
leader of the firm’s energy and 
resources business globally.

Other principal external 
appointments
Non-executive director and 
chairman of the audit committee 
of EN+ Group plc; member of 
the finance and audit committee 
of the Energy Institute; director 
and trustee of the Premier 
Christian Media Trust and 
of the Lambeth Conference 
Company; member of the 
General Synod of the Church 
of England and of the finance 
and investment committees 
of the Archbishops’ Council.

Skills and experience
John Winterman holds a BSc 
in geology from Queen Mary 
College, London University 
and is a member of the 
American Association of 
Petroleum Geologists. John 
has extensive leadership 
experience in global exploration, 
business development and 
asset management and has a 
strong record of exploration 
success globally with over two 
billion barrels of oil equivalent 
discovered in the Philippines, 
Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, 
Russia, the US and Yemen. 
John joined Occidental in 1981 
and after a 20+ year technical 
career as a geologist with the 
company, moved into executive 
roles, including high-level 
executive leadership positions. 
John left Occidental in 2013 
and since then he has provided 
strategic advice to international 
oil and gas companies.

Other principal external 
appointments
Non-executive director 
of CC Energy.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
46

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

FAYSAL HAMZA
MANAGING DIRECTOR – CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

Faysal has an MBA from Georgetown University in Washington and over 30 years of 
experience in oil and gas finance, business development and private equity. Faysal 
joined EnQuest in 2011 and prior to that was managing director, private equity at 
Swicorp, a financial firm operating in the Middle East and North Africa. Faysal has 
also held roles as a senior executive at Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation 
(‘APICORP’), group business development manager with the Alturki Group in Saudi 
Arabia, and management positions at Arco International Oil & Gas Company 
(‘ARCO’) in the US, Saudi International Bank in London and the Saudi Arabian Oil 
Company (‘Saudi Aramco’).

BOB DAVENPORT
MANAGING DIRECTOR – NORTH SEA

Bob has a degree in Mineral Engineering and an MBA. He began his early career in 
1984 as a field engineer with Schlumberger, then gained broad international 
experience in petroleum engineering, operations and management with Texaco, 
Shell, BP and Apache Corporation. In previous roles he has worked in Southeast 
Asia, the Middle East, Egypt, UK North Sea and the US Gulf Coast. Prior to joining 
EnQuest, Bob served as North Sea operations director for Apache and general 
manager, Khalda where he led the largest oil and gas producer in Egypt’s western 
desert. He joined EnQuest in 2015 as Managing Director – Malaysia. 

JOHN PENROSE
MANAGING DIRECTOR – MALAYSIA

John holds a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering and an MBA. He started 
his career in 1988 as a design engineer, spending over ten years working on 
greenfield and brownfield projects in both the UK North Sea and the Middle East. 
Subsequent experience was gained in an operational environment with Arco in the 
Southern North Sea as an engineering superintendent and in a field development 
capacity with Talisman Energy. Following a period of managing an oil and gas 
consultancy in Australia, John worked for Noble Energy as operations manager 
in the UK, the US and Israel. He joined EnQuest in 2013, initially as Facilities Adviser 
(International) before moving to Malaysia as General Manager and Development 
Manager for the Tanjong Baram Risk Service Contract that delivered the first oil in 
mid-2015. After a period of acting as Head of Engineering, Projects and Assurance, 
John assumed overall responsibility of the Malaysia business for EnQuest in 
late 2017.

MARTIN MENTIPLY
CHIEF PETROLEUM ENGINEER

Martin holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh 
and a Masters degree in Petroleum Engineering from Imperial College, London. 
He has over 20 years of broad international oil and gas operator experience. 
Throughout his career he has gained significant technical and commercial expertise 
in field development planning, project execution, reservoir management and 
investment assurance across the value chain from upstream through to LNG. 
He joined EnQuest in 2016 from BG Group plc, where his most recent role was 
head of assurance, advising the board and chief executive on investment decisions. 
In previous roles he has worked in Indonesia, Egypt, Tunisia and the UK North Sea. 
As the Chief Petroleum Engineer for EnQuest, Martin has global accountability for 
all subsurface activities, including reserves management and resource maturation.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

47

STEFAN RICKETTS
GENERAL COUNSEL & COMPANY SECRETARY

Stefan joined EnQuest in 2012 and is responsible for all legal, Company secretarial 
matters and for EnQuest’s Risk Management Framework. Prior to joining EnQuest, 
Stefan was a partner at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, heading its energy and natural 
resources practice in the Asia-Pacific region. He had previously been group general 
counsel at BG Group plc. Stefan, who graduated from the University of Bristol with 
a degree in Law, began his early career as a solicitor with Herbert Smith, has 
significant experience as a lawyer and in management working across the energy 
chain and in all phases of project development and operations. In previous roles he 
has been based in London, Paris, Dubai, Jakarta, Singapore and Hong Kong.

IMRAN MALIK
VICE PRESIDENT – FINANCE

Imran holds a BEng Honours in Chemical Engineering from University College 
London, qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 1991 and is a member of 
the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. He has over 25 years 
of broad international oil and gas experience in group and operational finance, 
project services, contracts and procurement, and general management across the 
value chain from upstream to LNG. Since joining EnQuest in 2015 as Vice President 
-Finance, Imran has ensured that the Company has the necessary finance capacity 
and capabilities in place to deliver EnQuest’s strategy. This has included supporting 
the successful restructuring undertaken in 2016 and the more recent rights issue in 
2018. He joined from BG Group plc, where he was part of the finance leadership 
team and his most recent role was as group head of planning and risk. His previous 
roles have been Project Services Director in Australia as well as senior finance 
leadership roles in Egypt, the Netherlands, Libya and Pakistan.

SALMAN MALIK
VICE PRESIDENT – CORPORATE FINANCE AND M&A

Salman graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Finance and 
Economics with high distinction. He is also a CFA charter holder with extensive 
experience in investment management, investment banking and private equity in 
Canada and the Middle East. Prior to joining EnQuest in 2013, Salman was a 
director of private equity and principal investments at Swicorp, a financial firm 
operating in the Middle East and North Africa, where he served on the board of 
several portfolio companies and was responsible for acquisitions, post-acquisition 
management and exits across the energy value chain. Prior to that, Salman held 
several sell-side positions in the investment banking industry in Canada, primarily 
focused on the industrial and metals and mining sectors. In his current role, Salman 
is responsible for the Group’s strategy, corporate finance activities, and transaction 
structuring and execution, including acquisitions and divestments.

MICHAEL EASTON
HR DIRECTOR

Michael is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 
having held global HR leadership roles across a range of sectors, including 
commencing his career in the oil and gas sector. In addition to graduating in 
Business Studies with Personnel Management, he also holds a qualification in 
Media & Communication Studies. With extensive experience in the US, Asia and 
Europe, successfully leading the people agenda across listed global matrix 
organisations and privately held companies, Michael brings a diversity of 
experience across a wide range of sectors including medical technologies and 
devices, energy infrastructure, engineering and manufacturing solutions, mobile 
telecoms, education and the maritime industry. Michael joined EnQuest 
and the Executive Committee in December 2018, also advising the Board and 
Remuneration Committee in his role, being responsible for the people agenda 
and HR strategy, leading the EnQuest global HR team.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
48

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

“ THE GROUP’S VALUES ARE 

A KEY PART OF ITS IDENTITY 
AND GUIDE THE WORKFORCE 
AS THEY PURSUE ENQUEST’S 
STRATEGY AND DELIVERY 
OF OUR PRIORITIES.”
Jock Lennox
Chairman

Dear Fellow Shareholder
On behalf of the Board of Directors (the ‘Board’), I am pleased to 
introduce EnQuest’s Corporate Governance Report. A significant 
focus during the latter half of 2018 were the transactions relating 
to the Magnus field and the Thistle and Deveron fields. 
Shareholders approved both the transactions and the associated 
rights issue at a General Meeting of the Company held on 
1 October 2018. I would especially like to thank Board members, 
management and staff for their efforts during the period. In 
addition, the Board has focused on:
•  Kraken performance;
•  Strategy and risk management;
•  Debt reduction;
•  Values refresh;
•  Employee Forum;
•  Updated Corporate Governance Code; and
•  HSE&A.

Corporate governance
The Board believes that the manner in which it conducts its 
business is important and it is committed to delivering the 
highest standards of corporate governance for the benefit of 
all of its stakeholders. EnQuest has a Code of Conduct that it 
requires all personnel to be familiar with and which sets out the 
behaviours which the organisation expects of those who work 
at and with the Company. The Group’s Values are a key part 
of the identity of the Group and guide the workforce as they 
pursue EnQuest’s strategy and delivery of our key priorities 
and Safe Results. The following pages provide information 
on the operation of the Board and its Committees. A summary 
of their work is found on page 51 and the individual reports 
are on pages 53–57 (Audit), pages 58–76 (Remuneration), 
pages 77–78 (Nomination) and page 79 (Risk).

EnQuest’s governance framework also contains several 
non-Board Committees which provide advice and support to the 
Chief Executive on the development, implementation and 
monitoring of the Group’s strategy, including an Executive 
Committee, Health, Safety, Environmental and Assurance 
(‘HSE&A’) Committee and Investment Committee.

Board composition and succession planning
The Board regularly considers how it operates and whether there 
is an appropriate composition and mix around the Board table. 
Rotation of, and succession for, the Directors is kept under review 
by the Nomination Committee, which has this year considered not 
only Board succession planning but also the composition and 
development of, and succession planning for, the Executive 
Committee. As previously noted in EnQuest’s 2017 Annual Report, 
Laurie Fitch joined the Company on 8 January 2018 and became a 
member of both the Risk and Remuneration Committees and she 
was, as planned, appointed Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
on 29 January 2019. In addition, Howard Paver has been invited to 
join the Company and his appointment as Non-Executive Director 
will take effect from 1 May 2019. 

The Board has also considered succession planning for me as 
Chairman and for the Senior Independent Director (‘SID’). We have 
served as Directors for nine years during 2019 and following the 
delivery of the financial restructuring in 2016 and the Magnus 
Option in 2018, a process for orderly succession to take the 
Company to the next phase of its development has been initiated. 
This is discussed further on page 77. More information on the work 
of the Nomination Committee can be found on pages 77–78.

Board evaluation
The Board held an external evaluation in 2018 and identified a 
number of areas for consideration, which are summarised on 
page 51.

Corporate responsibility
The Company’s corporate responsibility is focused on five 
main areas. These are Health and Safety, People, Environment, 
Business Conduct and Community. The Board has approved 
the Company’s overall approach to corporate responsibility 
and receives regular information on the performance of the 
Company in these areas, and specifically monitors health and 
safety and environmental reporting at each Risk Committee and 
Board meeting. The Company’s HSE&A Policy is reviewed by the 
Board annually and all incidents, forward-looking indicators and 
significant HSE&A programmes are discussed by the Board. 
We report on these areas specifically on page 30.

Culture
The culture of the Company, underpinned by our Values, was 
a key consideration for the Board during 2018. We believe that 
engaged and committed staff are integral to the delivery of the 
Company’s business plan and intend to conduct a staff survey in 
2019 in order to continue to progress in this area. In early 2019, 
the Board approved the establishment of an Employee Forum 
as part of its workforce engagement activities, in line with the 
revised Corporate Governance Code published in July 2018. 
More details on these elements are detailed in the Corporate 
Responsibility Review on page 32.

Strategy and risk management
The Board continued to provide strategic guidance to executive 
management throughout the year, with two key strategy 
discussions held with executive management in 2018, in May and 
in October, at EnQuest’s annual Board strategy day. We also 
spent considerable time discussing EnQuest’s purpose and 
potential risks in the context of increased societal and investor 
focus on climate change.

The Board, in particular through the work of the Risk Committee, 
has also been active in supporting the continued evolution of 
the Group’s Risk Management Framework. In 2019, we will 
continue to build on our governance processes and strategic 
priorities as outlined on the following pages.

Jock Lennox
Chairman
20 March 2019

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

49

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Statement of compliance
The Financial Reporting Council (‘FRC’) published the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’) in April 2016, which was 
effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 17 June 
2016. The Company complies with the Code and views corporate 
governance as an essential part of its framework, supporting 
structure, risk management and core Values. Detailed below is 
EnQuest’s application of, and compliance with, the Code. 
EnQuest notes that the FRC introduced a revised Code in July 
2018 which applies to accounting periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2019. The Company will report on its compliance with 
the revised Code in its 2019 Annual Report and Accounts.

Key corporate governance  
activities in 2018

Details

Appointment of  
Non-Executive Directors

Rights issue

Laurie Fitch was appointed on 
8 January 2018 and Howard Paver’s 
appointment will take effect from 
1 May 2019. See page 48 for details.

The rationale for the rights issue, in 
relation to the Magnus transaction, is 
detailed on page 10.

Shareholder consultation

In relation to remuneration matters.

Independent review of 
Board performance

Facilitated by an external adviser. 
See page 51 for details.

Employee workforce and 
staff culture

Preparation for new Code 
implementation

Learning and development, Values 
refresh and Employee Forum. 
See page 32 for details.

Ongoing work to ensure compliance.

Leadership
The long-term success of the Company is the collective 
responsibility of the Board.

The role of the Board
The Board is the custodian of the Company’s Values and its 
long-term vision and approves the strategic direction and 
guidance for the Company in order to deliver long-term 
shareholder value.

The Board is responsible for:
•  The Group’s overall strategy;
•  Review of business plans and trading performance;
•  Approval of major capital investment projects;
•  Acquisition and divestment opportunities;
•  Review of significant financial and operational issues;
•  Review and approval of the Company’s financial statements;
•  Oversight of control and risk management systems (supported 

by the Audit and Risk Committees);

•  Succession planning and appointments (supported by the 

Nomination Committee); 
•  Oversight of staff culture; and
•  Health, Safety and Environment.

The Board held six scheduled Board meetings in the year ended 
31 December 2018, four of which were held at the Company’s 
registered office in London, one in the Aberdeen office and one 
was held offsite in conjunction with the Company’s annual 
strategy day in October. In addition, the Board held a number of 
further Board meetings throughout the year. In total, there were 
an additional ten meetings, primarily focused on the rights issue 
and Magnus and Thistle transactions, which were all fully 
attended. All Directors are expected to attend scheduled Board 
and relevant Committee meetings and the Company’s Annual 
General Meeting (‘AGM’). Details of Board and Committee 
membership and attendance at scheduled meetings can be found 
on page 50.

All Directors are covered by the Company’s Directors’ and 
Officers’ insurance policy.

ENQUEST GOVERNANCE 
AND MANAGEMENT MAP

ENQUEST PLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jock Lennox (Chairman),  
Helmut Langanger (SID),  
Laurie Fitch, Carl Hughes,  
Philip Holland, John Winterman,  
Amjad Bseisu (CE) and  
Jonathan Swinney (CFO)

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE
Laurie Fitch (Chair),  
Philip Holland, Carl Hughes, 
Helmut Langanger and 
John Winterman

NOMINATION  
COMMITTEE
Jock Lennox (Chairman),  
Helmut Langanger and 
Amjad Bseisu

AUDIT  
COMMITTEE
Carl Hughes (Chairman),  
Helmut Langanger and 
John Winterman

RISK  
COMMITTEE
Philip Holland (Chairman),  
Laurie Fitch, Carl Hughes  
and John Winterman

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE

INVESTMENT 
COMMITTEE

HSE&A

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
50

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED

A clear division of responsibilities
There is a clear division between the role of the Chairman and the 
Chief Executive; this has been set out in writing and agreed by the 
Board. The Chairman was independent upon his appointment to 
the Board, and the Board continues to consider him to be an 
independent Non-Executive Director. The Chairman is 
responsible for the leadership of the Board, setting the Board 
agenda and ensuring the overall effective working of the Board. 
The Chief Executive is accountable and reports to the Board. His 
role is to develop strategy in consultation with the Board, to 
execute that strategy following presentation to, and consideration 
and approval by, the Board and to oversee the operational 
management of the business.

The role of the Non-Executive Directors
The Non-Executive Directors combine broad business and 
commercial experience from oil and gas and other industry 
sectors. They bring independence, external skills and objective 
judgement, and constructively challenge the actions of senior 
management. This is critical for providing assurance that the 
Executive Directors are exercising good judgement in delivery of 
strategy and decision making and the Chairman holds regular 
one-to-one and group meetings with the Non-Executive Directors, 
without the Executive Directors present. The Board considers that 
all the Non-Executive Directors continue to remain independent 
and free from any relationship that could affect, or appear to 
affect, their independent judgement. Information on the skills and 
experience of the Non-Executive Directors can be found in the 
Board biographies on pages 44 to 45.

The Board has carefully considered guidance in the revised Code 
relating to nine-year tenures for directors, as each of the Chairman 
and the Senior Independent Director (‘SID’) reached his nine-year 
milestone in early 2019. Following an independent evaluation, 
which considered the governance of the Company, the Board 
concluded that both the Chairman and SID remain independent 
and should remain in post to ensure an orderly process of 
succession as described on page 48 and the Nomination 
Committee Report on page 77.

The role of the Senior Independent Director
The SID is available to shareholders if they have concerns where 
contact through the normal channels of the Chairman, the Chief 
Executive or other Executive Directors has failed to resolve an 
issue or where such contact is inappropriate. In his role as the SID, 
Helmut Langanger runs the annual review of the performance of 
the Chairman and is responsible for succession planning and the 
process that is under way for the role of Chairman, in respect of 
which the SID has held meetings with several of the Company’s 
leading shareholders. He continues to provide a sounding board 
for the Chairman as well as act as an intermediary with other 
Directors when necessary.

Company Secretary
The Company Secretary is responsible for advising the Board, 
through the Chairman, on all Board procedures and governance 
matters. In addition, each Director has access to the advice and 
services of the Company Secretary. The Company Secretary 
assists with the ongoing training and development of the Board 
and is instrumental in facilitating the induction of new Directors, 
most recently Laurie Fitch and, in due course, Howard Paver, who 
will be appointed with effect from 1 May 2019. 

Effectiveness
Board composition and changes
The Nomination Committee, as one of its duties, regularly reviews 
the structure, size and composition of the Board. At the date of 
this report there are eight Directors, consisting of two Executive 
Directors and six Non-Executive Directors (including the 
Chairman). As explained in the Chairman’s Statement, Laurie Fitch 
was appointed as Non-Executive Director on 8 January 2018 and 
Howard Paver will be appointed with effect from 1 May 2019. More 
detail on Board biographies is set out on pages 44 to 45. The work 
of the Nomination Committee is found on pages 77 to 78.

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 2018:

Meetings considered by the Board

Executive Directors
Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

Non-Executive Directors
Jock Lennox
Helmut Langanger1
Laurie Fitch2
Philip Holland
Carl Hughes
John Winterman

Board  

meetings

Audit 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Risk  

Committee

Nomination 
Committee

6

6
6

6
6
6
6
6
6

3

n/a
n/a

n/a
3
n/a
n/a
3
3

4

n/a
n/a

n/a
4
4
4
4
4

3

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
3
3
3
3

6

6
n/a

6
6
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Notes:
1  Helmut Langanger stepped down as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019
2 

Laurie Fitch was appointed to the Board on 8 January 2018, becoming a member of the Remuneration and Risk Committees. Laurie assumed the role of Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019

Board activities during the year
How the Board operates
During 2018, the Board held six scheduled meetings and, as 
previously noted, a number of ad hoc meetings were arranged to 
deal with matters arising between scheduled meetings. 
Scheduled Board meetings are preceded by a day of Committee 
meetings and, when required, technical reviews which allow for an 
in-depth review on a particular topic of interest, such as well 
performance, project updates and drilling. This pattern of 
meetings is intended to support the Board’s focus on strategic 
and long-term matters, while ensuring that it discharges its 
monitoring and oversight role effectively through intensive 
high-quality discussions and information flow.

All Board papers are published via an online Board portal system. 
This offers a fast, secure and reliable method of distribution, 
which helps lower the Company’s environmental impact through 
the reduction of printing and lowers costs associated with printing 
and postage. Board agendas are drawn up by the Company 
Secretary in conjunction with the Chairman and with agreement 
from the Chief Executive. Board members also receive a monthly 
report on Company performance and updates on major projects, 
irrespective of a meeting taking place, which allows them to 
monitor performance regularly.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

51

Board agenda and key activities throughout 2018
The table below sets out matters that the Board discuss at each 
meeting and the key activities that have taken place throughout 
this period.

Matters considered at all  
Board meetings

Key activities for the Board 
throughout 2018

•  HSE&A
•  Key project status and 

progress

•  Review of plans for debt 

amortisation

•  Exercise of the Magnus and 

•  Responses to oil price 

Thistle options

Board performance evaluation
Each year the Board is required to carry out an evaluation of its 
own effectiveness as required by the Code. The 2018 review was 
carried out, in an independent capacity, by an external adviser, 
Colin Mayer, Professor of Management Studies at the Saïd 
Business School at the University of Oxford. The process 
consisted of one-to-one structured interviews with each Director, 
selected senior management and representatives from amongst 
the Company’s stakeholders, such as the Company’s auditors and 
institutional investors, and also attendance at the Company’s 
December Board and Committee meetings.

movements

•  Strategy
•  Key transactions
•  Financial reports and 

statements
•  Production
•  Operational issues and 

highlights

•  HR issues and developments
•  Key legal updates
•  Assurance and risk 

• 

management
Investor relations and capital 
markets update

•  Liquidity

•  Rights issue
•  Progression of pipeline 

projects for Dunlin bypass 
and Scolty Crathes
•  Sullom Voe Terminal 

operations

•  Growth opportunities
•  Compliance with debt 
covenants and liquidity
•  Risk, going concern and 
long-term viability review
•  Strategy sessions held in May 

and October

•  Risk Management Framework
•  2018 budget review and 2019 

budget review

•  Periodic updates on 

corporate regulatory changes 
and reporting requirements
•  Hedging strategy and policy
•  Annual anti-corruption review
•  Continued development of 

Risk Committee

•  Staff culture and Values 

implementation

•  Review of the Group’s 
cyber-security related 
process and controls
•  Review of climate change 

related risks

•  Succession planning

Board Committees
The Board delegates a number of responsibilities to its Audit 
Committee, Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee 
and Risk Committee. Membership for each Committee is found 
on page 50. The Chairman of each Committee reports formally to 
the Board on its proceedings after each meeting and makes 
recommendations that it deems appropriate to the Board for its 
consideration and approval. There are formal terms of reference 
for each Committee, approved by the Board. The terms of 
reference for each of these Committees set out the scope of 
authority of the Committee, satisfy the requirements of the 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, www.enquest.com, under Corporate Governance.

The Committees are provided with all necessary resources to 
enable them to undertake their duties in an effective manner. 
The appropriate person acts as secretary to the Committees, 
and minutes and papers of all Committee meetings are available 
to all Directors.

In addition to the four Board Committees, EnQuest has a number 
of non-Board Committees, which assist the Chief Executive in the 
development, implementation and monitoring of strategy. These 
include the Executive Committee, HSE&A Committee and 
Investment Committee. 

Delegation of authority
Responsibility levels are communicated throughout the Group as 
part of the business management system and through an 
authority matrix which sets out, inter alia, delegated authority 
levels, segregation of duties and other control procedures. 
Changes are approved by the Board.

Key themes which arose from the evaluation included:
•  Succession planning and Board composition;
•  Board governance processes;
•  Board performance and strategy; and
•  Staff culture and Values.

The results of the evaluation were discussed at the January 2019 
Board meeting and it was concluded that the Board was well 
governed, with constructive and frank debate encouraged. In 
particular, the implementation of the Risk Committee had proved 
a success and it evaluated the risks of the Company in an 
insightful and constructive manner.

A number of action points were agreed and have been worked 
into the Board agenda for 2019, including those in relation to:
•  Further succession planning, especially in relation to the 

requirements of the new Corporate Governance Code. This is 
described further on page 77;

•  Continued monitoring of the culture and Values of the 

Company, including through the new Employee Forum, 
as described on page 32;
•  Enhanced scenario planning;
•  More explicit articulation of the Company’s role in the 
transition to a lower-carbon intensity economy; and

•  The process for internal audit.

In addition to the external evaluation, the Non-Executive Directors, 
led by the SID, carried out a performance evaluation of the 
Chairman and concluded that the Chairman was knowledgeable 
in the business of the Company, managed meetings well and 
facilitated effective contribution of all members of the Board.

Induction, information and support
The Directors may consult with the Company Secretary at any 
time on matters related to their role on the Board.

On joining EnQuest, Non-Executive Directors receive a full and 
tailored induction to the Company. The induction programme 
consists of a comprehensive briefing pack, which includes Group 
structure details, the constitution of the Company, the Group 
governance map, a guide to Directors’ duties, terms of reference 
of each Committee, Group policies and the Company’s authorities 
matrix. In addition to this, each Director receives an introduction 
to the Company’s resource centre (including all external 
communications, such as investor presentations, reports and 
corporate responsibility reports) and a schedule of one-to-one 
meetings with each of the Executive Directors, members of senior 
management and external advisers. Visits to the Aberdeen and 
overseas offices are also arranged as appropriate.

All Non-Executive Directors have access to the Company’s senior 
management between Board meetings and the Board aims to 
hold at least one meeting each year in one of the business units to 
allow Non-Executive Directors to meet and engage with local 
staff. In addition, the continuing development of Board members 
is supported through regular briefings on key business, industry, 
governance and regulatory developments, which in 2018 included 
the revised Corporate Governance Code, guidance as to how the 
Board complies with s172 of the Companies Act 2006, new IFRS 
accounting standards and the Investment Association’s Principles 
of Remuneration. Training for the Board also included discussion 
with third-party experts on ‘the future of hydrocarbons’ at the 
Company’s strategy meeting. Board meetings are also preceded 

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
52

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED

by informal Board dinners which provide the Board an opportunity 
to discuss a broad range of issues relevant to the Group amongst 
themselves and with senior management. Individual Directors 
have also hosted breakfast meetings with staff to exchange views 
and information, and provide an opportunity for Board-level 
exposure to relevant individuals in order to aid staff development 
and succession planning. The Chairman monitors the breadth of 
knowledge, skills and experience of the Board and its Committees 
to ensure that they can fulfil their obligations.

Accountability
Conflicts of interest
The Company has established procedures in place through the 
Articles of Association and the Company’s Code of Conduct 
which identify and, where appropriate, manage conflicts or 
potential conflicts of interest with the Company’s interests. In 
accordance with the provisions relating to Directors’ interests’ 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. A register of 
relevant interests of Board members is maintained and the Board 
is satisfied that formal procedures are in place to ensure that 
authorisation for potential and actual conflicts of interest are 
operated efficiently and considers the issue of conflicts at the 
start of every Board meeting. In addition, the Directors are 
required to obtain the approval of the Chairman before accepting 
any further external appointments.

Anti-bribery and corruption
The Company is committed to behaving fairly and ethically in all 
of its endeavours and has policies which cover anti-bribery and 
corruption. The overall anti-bribery and corruption programme is 
reviewed annually by the Board and a corruption risk awareness 
email is sent out annually by the Chief Executive reminding staff 
of their obligations and also to prompt them to complete a 
compulsory online anti-corruption training course. Additional 
information can be found on page 35 of the Strategic Report and 
in the Code of Conduct which is available on the Company’s 
website (www.enquest.com).

The Company also encourages staff to escalate any concerns and, 
to facilitate this, provides an external ‘speak-up’ reporting line 
which is available to all staff in the UK, Malaysia and the UAE. 
Where concerns are raised, these are investigated by the 
Company’s General Counsel and reported to the Audit 
Committee.

Risk
EnQuest has continued throughout the year to implement and 
develop its comprehensive Risk Management Framework, and has 
conducted a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the 
Group; see pages 36 to 43 of the Strategic Report for further 
information. In addition, the work of the Risk Committee, which 
allows for a deeper dive on specific key risks, is reported on 
page 79.

The Audit Committee remains responsible for the following risk 
management related tasks:
•  Reviewing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls 

and risk management systems;

•  Reviewing and approving the statements to be included in the 

Annual Report concerning internal controls and risk 
management; and

•  Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the Company’s 

internal audit capability in the context of the Company’s 
overall risk management system.

Remuneration
The work of the Remuneration Committee is set out on pages 58 
to 76.

Relations with shareholders
Engagement with shareholders
EnQuest maintained an active and constructive dialogue with its 
shareholders throughout the year through a planned programme 
of investor relations activities and ad hoc meetings. In 2018, the 
Chairman and the Company’s SID were available to meet with 
institutional investors on corporate governance, remuneration 
and any other matters. A number of such meetings were held 
during the year, with the Board updated on the content of those 
meetings. The Board is routinely kept informed of investor 
feedback, broker and analyst views in the paper submitted at 
each Board meeting by the Company’s Investor Relations team 
and as required on an ad hoc basis. In 2019, the SID has 
conducted a number of meetings with significant shareholders, to 
facilitate the Chair succession process. 

EnQuest’s Investor Relations team and Company Secretarial 
department respond to queries from shareholders, debt holders 
and analysts. The Company’s website has a section dedicated 
to these stakeholders which can be found under ‘Investors’ at 
www.enquest.com. EnQuest’s registrars, Link Asset Services, also 
have a team available to answer shareholder queries in relation to 
technical and administrative aspects of their holdings, such as 
shareholding balances.

All of the Company’s financial results presentations are also 
available on the Company’s website and shareholders can register 
on the website to receive email alerts of relevant Company news.

Throughout 2018, a number of equity and debt investor, analyst 
and broker sales team meetings were held. The Company also 
delivers presentations alongside its half year and full year results 
as well as ad hoc presentations at investor conferences. The 
Group’s results meetings are followed by investor roadshows with 
existing and potential new investors. Executive Directors and 
other members of management routinely hold meetings in a 
number of leading financial centres and at EnQuest’s offices, with 
site visits undertaken when appropriate. These meetings, which 
take place throughout the year, other than during closed periods, 
are organised directly by the Company, via brokers and in 
response to incoming investor requests.

EnQuest is continuing to monitor developments related to the 
European Directive Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II 
(‘MiFID II’), which took effect in the UK on 3 January 2018, with 
the objective of ensuring that its existing high standards of 
engagement with investors are maintained. Over the period 
in which MiFID II has been in force, the Company has not 
experienced any material change in the levels of investor 
interaction or engagement, or analyst coverage. It has updated 
its corporate website to improve its digital communication with 
all stakeholders.

2018 Annual Report and Accounts
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and Accounts and consider that, taken as a whole, the Annual 
Report and Accounts are fair, balanced and understandable and 
provide the necessary information for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s position and performance, business model and 
strategy.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s AGM is attended by the Board and senior 
management and is open to all EnQuest shareholders to attend. It 
provides the Board with an important opportunity to meet with 
shareholders. All of the Directors are expected to attend and will 
be available to answer questions from shareholders attending the 
meeting.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

53

“WE HAVE CONTINUED TO 
MONITOR CLOSELY THE 
GROUP’S FINANCIAL 
POSITION WHILE FURTHER 
DEVELOPING THE GROUP’S 
CONTROLS AND RISK 
MANAGEMENT 
FRAMEWORKS.”
Carl Hughes
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Dear Fellow Shareholder
2018 has been an active year for the Audit Committee. The 
developments in the external environment, the Group’s equity 
raise and subsequent acquisition of the remaining interests in 
the Magnus oil field (‘Magnus’) and Sullom Voe Oil Terminal 
(‘SVT’) and the execution of the Oz Management facility have 
driven the Committee’s agenda. The Committee also reviewed 
the impact of the new accounting standards adopted in the year 
and of those being implemented in 2019, the quality of strategic 
reporting for Alternative Performance Measures (‘APM’) and 
non-financial information, and the developments of the UK’s 
proposed exit from the European Union, in line with the 
Financial Reporting Council’s (‘FRC’) guidance. 

As planned when we last reported to you, our work in 2018 has 
focused on the areas below:
•  Close monitoring of the Group’s financial position, liquidity 
and covenant compliance given the ongoing volatility in the 
oil price;

•  The accounting implications of the Magnus, SVT and 

associated infrastructure acquisition, both for the initial 25% 
portion in 2017 and the 75% option which was exercised and 
effective from 1 December 2018;

•  Overseeing the execution of our risk-based internal audit 

plan; and

Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective from 
1 January 2018, are embedded within the financial statements in 
this Annual Report and Accounts. The Committee notes that the 
implementation of IFRS 16 Leases, which is effective from 
1 January 2019, is expected to have an impact on both the 
Group’s EBITDA and operating profit for the year ended 
31 December 2019, as further explained in note 2, on page 97. 
Details of the judgements and estimates made in the 2018 
financial statements, and how we satisfied ourselves as to their 
appropriateness, are set out in detail on the following pages, 
together with further information on how the Committee 
discharged its responsibilities during the year. The Committee 
also continues to assess climate risk and related reporting, as 
detailed in Risks and uncertainties on page 36.

As explained further on the Company’s website 
(www.enquest.com; under Corporate Governance), the Audit 
Committee’s core responsibilities are to:
•  Review the content and integrity of the annual and interim 
financial statements and advise the Board on whether they 
are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the 
necessary information for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance, business model and strategy;
•  Review the appropriateness of the significant accounting 

policies, judgements and estimates;

•  The continuous development of the Group’s internal control 

•  Monitor and review the effectiveness of the internal control 

and Risk Management Framework.

This report explains the way in which the Committee addressed 
the financial and audit risks in the context of the industry’s 
macro environment and the Company’s operations during 2018. 
We have taken such items into account in the review of the going 
concern and the viability assessment. 

We have continued to review and enhance the financial control 
environment of the Group, ensuring that controls are in place, 
focused on the relevant risk areas and operating effectively. 
Further, we ensured that key judgements and estimates made 
in the financial statements, such as the recoverable value of the 
Group’s assets, are carefully assessed. In 2018, the environmental 
organisation Client Earth suggested to the FRC that the Group 
may not have complied with its reporting obligations relating to 
climate change related risks. EnQuest subsequently received 
correspondence from the FRC regarding EnQuest’s climate 
change related disclosures and other non-financial reporting 
of environmental matters under the Non-financial Reporting 
Directive. We responded to demonstrate the Group’s past 
compliance with relevant requirements and believe that we have 
addressed the FRC’s observations within the 2018 Annual Report 
and Accounts, including through more explicit links between 
climate change and the various risk factors and trends identified. 
The matter is now closed1.

The Committee confirms that the adoption of the new 
accounting standards IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 

and Risk Management Framework;

•  Monitor and review the effectiveness of the internal audit 

function;

•  Oversee the relationship with the external auditor, including 

• 

fees for audit and non-audit services;
Identify 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; and

•  Monitor and review the process of the assessment of the 
Group’s proven and probable reserves by a recognised 
Competent Person.

The report also looks ahead to those matters which I expect 
that the Committee will need to consider in the forthcoming 
year. As in previous years, we will remain focused on monitoring 
closely the enlarged Group’s financial position, liquidity and 
covenant compliance, as well as overseeing the execution of our 
risk-based internal audit plan. During 2019, the Committee will 
also undertake a tender process for the provision of the external 
audit services in respect of the 2020 financial year, as required 
under the Group’s policy.

Carl Hughes
Chairman of the Audit Committee
20 March 2019

1  Note that the FRC’s enquiries considered compliance with reporting 

requirements related to certain specific aspects of the Group’s 2017 Annual 
Report rather than verification of information. The FRC did not benefit from 
detailed knowledge of the Group’s business and does not provide assurance 
that the Group’s 2017 Annual Report was correct in all material respects. 

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
54

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Committee composition
As required by the UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’) published in April 2016, the Committee exclusively comprises 
Non-Executive Directors, biographies of whom are set out on pages 44 and 45. The Board is satisfied that the Chairman of the 
Committee, previously an energy and resources audit partner of Deloitte, a ‘Big Four’ professional services firm, and a Fellow of 
the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, meets the requirement for recent and relevant financial experience.

Membership of the Committee and attendance at the three scheduled meetings held during 2018 is provided in the table below:

Member

Carl Hughes 
Helmut Langanger
John Winterman

Date appointed  

Committee member

Attendance at meetings  
during the year

1 January 2017
16 March 2010
7 September 2017

3/3
3/3
3/3

Meetings are also normally attended by the General Counsel and Company Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President 
Finance, the external auditor Ernst & Young (‘EY’) and other key finance team members as required. The Chief Executive and the 
Chairman of the Board also attend the meetings when invited to do so by the Committee. PricewaterhouseCoopers (‘PwC’), in its role as 
internal auditor during 2018, attended the meetings as appropriate. The Chairman of the Committee regularly meets with the external 
audit partner (with such meetings including the independent review of the going concern and viability assessments) and the internal 
audit partner to discuss matters relevant to the Company.

The Committee monitors its effectiveness and the effectiveness of the functions it supports on a regular basis. Through the review of 
the Terms of Reference of the Audit Committee, regular meetings with the internal and external auditor and key management personnel 
the Committee has concluded that its core duties in relation to financial reporting, internal controls and risk management systems, 
whistleblowing and fraud, internal audit, external audit and reporting responsibilities are being performed well.

An external Board effectiveness evaluation was conducted during 2018, and further details are outlined in the Corporate Governance 
Report (refer to page 51).

Meetings during 2018
In line with the Committee’s annual schedule, since the Committee last reported to you, three meetings have been held. A summary of 
the main items discussed in each meeting is set out in the table below:

Agenda item

August 2018 December 2018

March 2019

Key risks, judgements and uncertainties impacting the half-year and year-end financial 

statements (reports from both management and EY)

Internal audit findings since last meeting

Internal audit plan for 2019

Review and approve the external (EY) audit plan, including key risks and planned approach

Approve external (EY) audit fees subject to the audit plan

Review the level of non-audit service fees for EY

Evaluate quality, independence and objectivity of EY

Approach to tender for appointment of external auditors

Evaluate the viability assessment

Appropriateness of going concern assumption

Review of half year and full year regulatory press release and results statements

Corporate governance update

Presentation on the reserves audit and evaluation of the Competent Person’s independence 

and objectivity

Consideration of tax strategy, policy and compliance across corporate, petroleum and 

indirect taxes

Review of process and controls relating to migration of back-office accounting and support 

processes to Dubai

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

Fair, balanced and understandable
A key requirement of our Annual Report and Accounts is for the report to be fair, balanced and understandable. The Audit Committee 
and the Board are satisfied that the Annual Report and Accounts meet this requirement, with appropriate weight being given to both 
positive and negative developments in the year.

In justifying this statement, the Audit Committee has considered the robust process which operates in creating the Annual Report and 
Accounts, including:
•  Clear guidance and instructions are provided to all contributors;
•  Revisions to regulatory requirements, including the Code, are communicated and monitored;
•  A thorough process of review, evaluation and verification of the content of the Annual Report and Accounts is undertaken to ensure 

accuracy and consistency;

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

55

•  External advisers, including the external auditors, provide advice to management and the Audit Committee on best practice with 

regard to the creation of the Annual Report and Accounts; and

•  A meeting of the Audit Committee was held in March 2019 to review and approve the draft 2018 Annual Report and Accounts in 

advance of the final sign-off by the Board.

Financial reporting and significant financial statement reporting issues
The primary role of the Committee in relation to financial reporting is to assess, amongst other things:
•  The appropriateness of the accounting policies selected and disclosures made, including whether they comply with International 

Financial Reporting Standards; and

•  Those judgements, estimates and key assumptions that could have a significant impact on the Group’s financial performance and 

position, or on the remuneration of senior management.

We consider these items together with both management and our external auditor, who each provide reports to the Audit Committee in 
respect of these areas at each Committee meeting. The main areas considered during 2018 are set out below:

Significant financial statement reporting issue

Consideration

Going concern and viability
The Group’s assessments of the going concern assumption and 
viability are based on detailed cash flow and covenant forecasts. 
These are, in turn, underpinned by forecasts and assumptions in 
respect of:
•  Production forecast for the next three years, based on the 

Group’s 2019 business plan production forecast;

•  The oil price assumption, based on a forward curve as at 
31 January 2019, of $61.9/bbl (2019), $60.7/bbl (2020),  
$60.1/bbl (2021) and $65/bbl (Q1 2022);

•  Opex and capex forecasts based on the approved 2019 

business plan; and

•  Other funding activities including certain asset portfolio 

activities.

Potential misstatement of oil and gas reserves
The Group has total proved and probable reserves at 31 December 
2018 of 245 MMboe. The estimation of these reserves is essential 
to:
•  The value of the Company;
•  Assessment of going concern;
• 
•  Decommissioning liability estimates; and
•  Calculation of depreciation.

Impairment testing;

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
Significant capital expenditure is incurred on projects and the
fair value of these projects is a significant area of judgement.

At 31 December 2018, a total of $1.1 billion had been capitalised in 
respect of oil and gas and other fixed assets, including $0.9 billion 
from the acquisition of the additional interests in the Magnus oil 
field. The recovery of these amounts is dependent upon the 
expected future cash flows from the underlying assets.

Impairment testing has been performed resulting in a pre-tax 
non-cash net impairment charge of $0.1 billion of tangible oil and 
gas assets.

These impairment tests are underpinned by assumptions regarding:
•  2P reserves;
•  Oil price assumptions (based on a forward curve of  
$60/bbl (2019), $65/bbl (2020), $65/bbl (2021) and  
$75/bbl real thereafter);

•  Life of field opex, capex and abandonment expenditure; and
•  A discount rate driven by EnQuest’s weighted average cost of 

capital.

Complexity of acquisition accounting
The acquisition of the remaining 75% of the Magnus oil field from 
BP along with BP’s interest in the related infrastructure assets 
completed on 1 December 2018. This is a complex agreement 
funded by way of a vendor loan from BP and a future profit share 
arrangement. Given the complexity of the deal there is a fair value 
calculation misstatement risk. In addition, the initial acquisition of 
25% of the Magnus oil field and other interests, completed on 
1 December 2017, was revisited in the year with immaterial 
adjustments made to the original completion accounting.

The Board regularly reviews the liquidity projections of the Group. 
The detailed going concern and longer-term viability analysis, 
including sensitivity analysis and stress testing, along with 
explanations and justifications for the key assumptions made, were 
presented at the March Audit Committee meeting. The external 
auditors presented their findings on the conclusions drawn.

This analysis was considered and challenged, in detail, by the 
Committee, including, but not limited to, the appropriateness of 
the period covered, planning scenarios and macroeconomic 
assumptions were realistic, stress tests were appropriate and 
mitigations achievable. The wording in the Annual Report 
concerning the viability statement and going concern assumption 
(see page 26) was reviewed and approved for recommendation to 
the Board.

At the March meeting, management presented the Group’s 2P 
reserves, together with the report from Gaffney, Cline & 
Associates, our reserves auditor.

We considered the scope and adequacy of the work performed by 
Gaffney, Cline & Associates and its independence and objectivity.

Management presented to the Committee, at the March meeting, 
the key assumptions made in respect of impairment testing, and 
the result thereof. The Committee considered and challenged 
these assumptions. Consideration was also given to EY’s view of 
the work performed by management.

At the December meeting, the preliminary acquisition accounting 
considerations were presented to the Committee. In the March 
meeting, the key assumptions and results of the completion 
statements were presented to the Committee. Consideration was 
also given to EY’s view of the work performed by management.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
56

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Significant financial statement reporting issue

Consideration

Adequacy of the decommissioning provision
The Group’s decommissioning provision of $0.7 billion at 
31 December 2018 is based upon a discounted estimate of the 
future costs and timing of decommissioning of the Group’s oil and 
gas assets. Judgement exists in respect of the estimation of the 
costs involved, the discount rate assumed, and the timing of 
decommissioning activities.

In 2016, the Group commissioned Wood Group PSN to estimate 
the costs involved in decommissioning each of our operated fields, 
and in 2017 Wood Group PSN also estimated the costs involved in 
decommissioning the Kraken facility and associated infrastructure. 
These estimates were reviewed by operations personnel and 
adjustments were made where necessary to reflect management’s 
view of the estimates. The estimates in respect of decommissioning 
the Group’s well stock was determined internally by appropriately 
qualified personnel. Independent estimates are updated triennially, 
with the next review due in 2019.

The estimate for PM8/Seligi has been reviewed during 2018 and will 
be reviewed annually.

For Alba, our non-operated asset, the provision is based on 
estimates provided by the operator, adjusted as necessary by our 
own operations personnel, to ensure consistency in key 
assumptions with our other North Sea assets.

Taxation
At 31 December 2018, the Group carried deferred tax balances 
comprising $286.7 million of tax assets (primarily related to 
previous years’ tax losses) and $27.8 million of tax liabilities.

The recoverability of the tax losses has been assessed by reference 
to the tax projections derived from the Group’s impairment testing. 
Ring-fenced losses totalling $3,225.3 million ($1,210.3 million 
tax-effected) have been recognised. Mainstream (outside 
ring-fence) tax losses totalling $287.5 million ($48.9 million 
tax-effected) have not been recognised due to uncertainty 
of recovery.

Given the complexity of tax legislation, risk exists in respect of 
some of the Group’s tax positions.

Internal controls
The Code requires that the Board monitors the Company’s risk 
management and internal control systems and, at least annually, 
carries out and reports on the results of a review of their 
effectiveness. The Board has oversight of risk management within 
EnQuest, and page 36 provides more detail on how the Board, 
and its Risk Committee, have discharged its responsibility in this 
regard.

Responsibility in respect of internal control is delegated to the 
Audit Committee. Key features of the Group’s internal control 
framework, the effectiveness of which is reviewed continually 
throughout the year, include:
•  Clear delegations of authority to the Board and its 
sub-committees, and to each level of management;
•  Setting of HSE&A, operational and financial targets and 

budgets which are subsequently monitored by management 
and the Board;

•  A comprehensive risk management process with clear 

definition of risk tolerance and appetite. This includes a review 
by the Risk Committee of the effectiveness of management 
controls and actions which address and mitigate the most 
significant risks;

•  An annual risk-based internal audit programme developed in 

conjunction with management. Findings are communicated to 
the Audit Committee and follow-up reviews are conducted 
where necessary; and

•  Further objective feedback provided by the external auditors 

and other external specialists.

The Committee reviewed the report by management summarising 
the key findings and their impact on the provision. Regard was also 
given to the observations made by EY as to the appropriateness of 
the estimates made.

The Committee received a report from the Group’s Head of Tax, 
outlining all uncertain tax positions, and evaluated the technical 
arguments supporting the position taken by management. The 
Committee also took into account the views of EY as to the 
adequacy of our tax balances.

An evaluation of the transparency of the Group’s tax exposures was 
undertaken, reviewing the adequacy and appropriateness of tax 
disclosures presented by management. Regard was also given to 
the observations made by EY as to the appropriateness of the 
disclosures made.

Obtaining assurance on the internal control environment
The Group outsources its internal audit function to PwC. The 
Committee remains satisfied that outsourcing this function 
remains appropriate for the Group but we will continue to keep 
this approach under review.

The Group’s system of internal control, which is embedded in all 
key operations, provides reasonable rather than absolute 
assurance that the Group’s business objectives will be achieved 
within the risk tolerance levels defined by the Board. Regular 
management reporting, which provides a balanced assessment of 
key risks and controls, is an important component of assurance.

In respect of the work performed by the internal auditors, we 
determine the internal audit plan each year. When setting the plan 
we consider recommendations from management and the internal 
auditor, and take into account the particular risks impacting the 
Company, which are reviewed by the Board and Risk Committee. 
During 2018, internal audit activities were undertaken for various 
areas, including reviews of:
•  The Group’s accounting and consolidation system upgrade pre 
and post-implementation review and post-implementation 
lessons learned;

•  Procurement procedures in Malaysia; and
•  Ongoing rotational reviews of the effectiveness of the financial 
control framework in the finance functions in head office, the 
North Sea, Dubai and Malaysia.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

57

In all cases, the audit conclusions were that the systems and 
processes were satisfactory and, where potential control 
enhancements were identified as being required, the Committee 
ensured that appropriate action was being taken by management 
to implement the agreed improvements.

After considering the priorities in 2019, we have directed internal 
audit to focus on, amongst other areas, the review of the Risk 
Management Framework and cyber-security on top of the 
ongoing rotational review of the financial control framework.

External audit
One of the Committee’s key responsibilities is to monitor the 
performance, objectivity and independence of EY, which has 
been the Group’s external auditor since 2010. Each year, the 
Committee ensures that the scope of the auditor’s work is 
sufficient and that the auditor is remunerated fairly. The process 
for reviewing EY’s performance involves interviewing, each year, 
key members of the Group who are involved in the audit process 
to obtain feedback on the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of 
EY’s audit services. Additionally, the Committee members take 
into account their own view of EY’s performance when 
determining whether or not to recommend reappointment.

The effectiveness of EY was formally evaluated during the 
Committee’s meeting in December 2018, and it was concluded 
that the Committee continues to be satisfied with EY’s 
performance and the firm’s objectivity and independence. The 
Chairman of the Committee met with the extended audit team to 
discuss key audit issues during the year.

In its evaluation of EY, the Committee also considered the level of 
non-audit services provided by the firm during the year, the 
compliance with our policy in respect of the provision of non-audit 
services by the external auditor, and the safeguards in place to 
ensure EY’s continued independence and objectivity. In 
recommending the reappointment of EY for 2019, the Committee 
recognised the increase of non-audit fees (from $5,000 in 2017 to 
$373,000 in 2018). In 2018, the fees reflected the work required of 
EY for the Group’s equity raise prospectus, including the working 
capital review and reporting accountant’s services. The services 
provided in 2018 are typically provided by a company’s auditor. 
The ratio of non-audit fees to audit fees over the last three years 
was 23%, which remains below the 70% cap outlined in the 
Company’s policy in respect of non-audit services provided 
by the external auditor.

In respect of audit tendering and rotation, the Committee has 
adopted a policy which complies with the EU Audit Regulation 
and Competition and Markets Authority ‘The Statutory Audit 
Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory 
Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities)’ Order 2014. This policy requires an annual 
assessment of whether an audit tender is required on the basis of 
quality or independence, a mandatory tender after ten years, and 
rotation of audit firms at least every 20 years. As noted above, EY 
has been the Group’s auditor since 2010, and the external audit 
has not been tendered in this time. In compliance with the Group 
policy above, the Committee will undertake a tender process in 
2019 for the provision of the external audit services in respect of 
the 2020 financial year.

Use of external auditors for non-audit services
The Audit Committee and Board believe that the external 
auditor’s independence and objectivity can potentially be 
affected by the level of non-audit services to EnQuest. However, 
the Committee acknowledges that certain work of a non-audit 
nature is best undertaken by the external auditor. To ensure 
objectivity and independence, and to reflect best practice in this 
area, the Company’s policy on non-audit services reflects the EU 
Regulations.

As part of the Committee’s process in respect of the provision of 
non-audit services, the external auditor provides the Committee 
with information about its policies and processes for maintaining 
independence and monitoring compliance with current regulatory 
requirements, including those regarding the rotation of audit 
partners and staff. EY has reconfirmed its independence and 
objectivity.

The key features of the non-audit services policy, the full version 
of which is available on our website (www.enquest.com), are as 
follows:
•  A pre-defined list of prohibited services has been established;
•  A schedule of services where the Group may engage the 
external auditor has been established and agreed by the 
Committee;

•  Any non-audit project work which could impair the objectivity 
or independence of the external auditor may not be awarded 
to the external auditor; and

•  Fees for permissible non-audit services provided by the 

external auditor for three consecutive years are to be capped 
at no more than 70% of the average Group audit fee for the 
preceding three years.

Delegated authority by the Audit Committee for the approval of 
non-audit services by the external auditor is as follows:

Authoriser

Chief Financial Officer
Chairman of the Audit Committee
Audit Committee

Value of services per  
non-audit project

Up to £50,000
Up to £100,000
Above £100,000

Raising concerns at work
Throughout the year, our whistleblowing procedure, the ‘speak-up’ 
reporting line, has continued to be in place across the Group. 
This allows employees and contractors to raise any concerns about 
business practices in confidence, and anonymously if required, 
through an independently appointed third party. Any concerns 
raised under these arrangements or otherwise are notified to the 
Chairman of the Audit Committee and then investigated promptly 
by the General Counsel, with follow-up action being taken as soon 
as practicable thereafter. In line with the process outlined on page 
52 of the Corporate Governance Statement, there have been a 
limited number of instances where such issues have been elevated 
and the Committee has been kept appraised of how these have 
been addressed.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
58

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

“ EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION 

IS CLOSELY ALIGNED TO 
COMPANY PURPOSE AND 
VALUES AND CLEARLY 
LINKED TO THE SUCCESSFUL 
DELIVERY OF THE COMPANY’S 
LONG-TERM STRATEGY.”
Helmut Langanger
Former Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Dear Fellow Shareholder
On behalf of the Board and my fellow members of the 
Remuneration Committee, I am pleased to present EnQuest’s 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (‘DRR’) for the financial year 
ended 31 December 2018.

Overview
At the Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) in May 2018, almost 90% 
of shareholders voted to approve the new Remuneration Policy 
(the ‘Policy’) for EnQuest. Policy revisions followed an extensive 
review of the remuneration framework and shareholder 
consultation by the Committee on some changes to reflect both 
developments in EnQuest as a maturing business and the 
ongoing need to retain and attract high-calibre people in a 
challenging commercial environment. It is anticipated that the 
Policy will remain in force until the next scheduled shareholder 
vote, being at the AGM in 2021.

One of the commitments the Company made as part of the 
policy changes approved at the 2018 AGM was to make 
appropriate adjustments to production and reserve growth 
targets under the Performance Share Plans (‘PSP’) should the 
Company engage in any future transaction where a change in 
equity capital is directly linked to changes in production and/or 
reserves. Any such adjustments will be designed to neutralise 
fully the incentive outcome to the impact of the change in equity 
capital. For the 2016 PSP awards, due to vest in April 2019, the 
Committee agreed to reduce the production outturn for the 
purpose of the PSP by the equivalent of one month of 
production from the additional 75% interest in Magnus, which 
equates to 1,371 Boepd and adjusted the reserves outturn by 
55.4 MMboe. For the 2017 and 2018 PSP awards, due to vest in 
April 2020 and April 2021 respectively, appropriate reductions 
will be assessed to the Group’s production and reserve outturn 
at the end of each respective performance period.

In 2018, we also implemented the second phase of the two-year 
rebalancing of the overall executive remuneration package from 
short-term bonuses to longer-term PSP awards. The main 
changes were as follows:
•  Annual bonus opportunities were reduced from 85% to 75% 

of salary (at target) and from 175% to 125% of salary (at 
maximum); and

•  A two-year post-vesting holding period will apply to PSP 
awards made to Executive Directors from 2019 onwards.

As a Committee, we believe that the Policy, strongly endorsed 
by shareholders, is aligned with the Company’s purpose, 
strategy and Values, and reflects current market practice. We are 
also clear that variable remuneration should be based on strong, 
long-term business performance that delivers value to 
shareholders. We believe that our incentive performance 
measures help achieve this goal.

The DRR has three sections:
1.  This annual summary statement;
2.  The Remuneration Policy, which was approved by the 

shareholders at the 2018 AGM; and

3.  The Annual Report on Remuneration of the Executive 

Directors and Non-Executive Directors for 2018, which will be 
subject to an advisory shareholder vote at the 2019 AGM.

Shareholder consultation
We continued our programme of open and transparent 
shareholder dialogue in 2018. Following consultation with 
shareholders and the subsequent supportive response, a 9.9% 
increase in base salary for Jonathan Swinney, Chief Financial 
Officer, was implemented from 1 March 2018, taking his 
annualised salary from £294,000 to £323,000. 

As stated above, we also gained strong support for the AGM 
resolution to align the Company’s production and reserves 
growth targets with how they are assessed, disclosed and 
reported. 

The Committee understands the revisions made to the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’) published in July 2018 
and coming into effect for financial accounting years beginning 
on or after 1 January 2019. As outlined above and approved by 
shareholders at the 2018 AGM, the Company has already 
implemented an additional two-year holding period post the 
three-year vesting cycle for PSP awards made to Executive 
Directors vesting from 2019 onwards. The new disclosure 
requirements, including the Chief Executive ‘pay ratio’, will be 
included in EnQuest’s 2019 Annual Report and Accounts to be 
published in April 2020. 

The Committee is also aware of the new Code requirement to 
develop a formal policy for post-employment shareholdings. 
This policy will be developed as part of the next Policy renewal, 
required in 2021, and shareholder approval sought at that year’s 
AGM. When developing the Company’s Policy, the Committee 
carefully considers shareholders and proxy adviser guidelines on 
executive remuneration and welcomes open engagement and 
dialogue on these matters. We are aware of new institutional 
shareholder guidelines on executive pensions and the ratio of 
target to maximum bonus and will address these as part of the 
next Policy review.

Performance and remuneration outcomes for 2018
2018 was a critical year for EnQuest. A successful rights issue, 
strongly supported by our shareholders, raised $129 million (net) 
to fund the acquisition of additional interests in Magnus and the 
Sullom Voe Terminal and delivered a set of assets with a strong 
strategic fit into the Group’s portfolio. The Group also met its 
operational and financial targets. While the Group did not dispose 
of an equity interest in the Kraken asset, a financing agreement 
with funds managed by Oz Management was successfully 
executed. This financing, which is ring-fenced on a 15% share of 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

59

“ I AM PLEASED TO HAVE 
ASSUMED THE ROLE OF 
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE 
CHAIR AND LOOK FORWARD 
TO CONTINUING OUR  
OPEN AND TRANSPARENT 
RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR 
SHAREHOLDERS.”
Laurie Fitch
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

strong performance. This is designed to ensure we continue to 
retain and attract top people who can deliver superior results for 
our shareholders.

For the year ahead, the Committee has awarded a salary 
increase of 2.0% to Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney 
effective from 1 January 2019. This is in line with the average 
increase awarded to Company employees.

2019 PSP awards
The Committee has decided to grant 250% of salary as a PSP 
award in April 2019 to Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney. 
These 2019 awards will be subject to the same performance 
targets as the 2018 award.

In 2018, we again saw the clear benefits of transparency and a 
positive and close working relationship with major shareholders. 
We wish this to continue as we welcome your input, and are 
always prepared to listen and take on board suggestions that 
help EnQuest to continue to mature and develop. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Committee 
colleagues and fellow shareholders in their support for me as 
Committee Chairman. On 29 January 2019, I stepped down from 
the Chairman role, with Laurie Fitch replacing me. Laurie has 
been serving on the Committee since she joined the Company 
on 8 January 2018 and we have been conducting a full handover 
during the last few months of 2018 to ensure a smooth transition. 
I will continue to serve as a member of the Committee for 2019 
and look forward to continuing to work with Laurie and my fellow 
Committee members.

Helmut Langanger
Former Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

I am delighted to have assumed the role of Remuneration 
Committee Chair, having been a member of the Company and 
this Committee since 8 January 2018. I would also like to take 
this opportunity to thank Helmut on behalf of my fellow Board 
and Committee colleagues for his valuable leadership in the 
development of a robust Remuneration Policy for EnQuest, the 
results of which are contained in the report that follows. I look 
forward to meeting with you at our forthcoming AGM and in the 
future as we continue our objective of having an open and 
transparent relationship with our shareholders.

Laurie Fitch
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
20 March 2019

Kraken with repayment made out of the cash flows from this 15% 
share, along with the Group’s improved cash-generation capacity, 
enabled EnQuest to meet its term loan facility amortisation 
payments and manage its liquidity position effectively.

2018 annual bonus – payable in 2019
The Executive Directors’ annual bonus awards are based on a 
combination of financial and operational results and the 
achievement of key accountability objectives. The bonus 
attainment for Amjad Bseisu (Chief Executive) was based solely on 
achievement against the Company Performance Contract (‘CPC’). 
In the case of Jonathan Swinney, 50% of his bonus award was 
based on the CPC and 50% on achievement against performance 
measures set out in his individual performance contract. A 2018 
bonus award of 98.6% of base salary (78.9% of maximum) has 
been made for Amjad Bseisu and 109.5% of base salary (87.6% of 
maximum) for Jonathan Swinney. The Committee believes that 
these levels of award are appropriate in light of performance 
during the year, including, but not limited to, operational delivery, 
the successful rights issue and subsequent completion of the 
acquisition of assets from BP and effective liquidity management. 
Full details of how these awards were determined are included on 
pages 68 to 70 of this report. Any bonus amount in excess of 
100% of salary will be deferred into EnQuest shares with a holding 
period of two years, in line with the Policy.

Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’)
The award vesting on 22 April 2019 is the 2016 PSP award, which 
had a three-year performance period ending 31 December 2018 
and vested at 55.7% of the original award. Our Production 
Growth target vested at 21.2% out of 40.0% after adjusting for the 
impacts of the Magnus acquisition, whilst the measure on Total 
Shareholder Return (‘TSR’) vested at 34.6% out of 50.0%. However, 
the Reserves Growth target, with a weighting of 10.0% of the total, 
after adjusting for the impacts of the Magnus acquisition, was not 
achieved. Full details of actual performance against the three 
performance conditions of TSR, Production Growth and Reserves 
Growth targets are included later in the report.

A PSP award of 250% of salary for both Amjad Bseisu and 
Jonathan Swinney was made on 24 April 2018. The performance 
conditions associated with this award will be measured over the 
three-year performance period until 31 December 2020, and will 
vest in April 2021. 

Executive Director shareholding
Executive Directors are now expected to build up and hold a 
shareholding of 200% of salary. Both Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan 
Swinney comfortably meet this requirement.

Executive Director remuneration in 2019
2019 base salaries
As outlined in our report last year, we plan to adjust salaries 
progressively towards the median of peer companies in our 
market over the period of this Policy and subject to continued 

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
60

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Governance
General governance
The Directors’ Remuneration Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and Schedule 
8 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 as amended in August 2013. It also 
describes the Group’s compliance with the Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’) in relation to remuneration. The Committee takes 
account of the new requirements for the disclosure of Directors’ remuneration and guidelines issued by major shareholder bodies when 
setting the remuneration strategy for the Company. Disclosure requirements under the revised Code not already part of the Group’s 
Policy will be implemented during 2019 and included in the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2019 to be published in 
April 2020.

Remuneration Policy – approved by shareholders in 2018
The full Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved for three years at the 2018 AGM held on 24 May 2018 with a ‘for’ vote of 89.67%. 
A shareholder vote on the Remuneration Policy is not required in 2019. The approved Policy is reproduced on the following pages for 
ease of reference. 

There may be circumstances from time to time when the Committee will consider it appropriate to apply some judgement and exercise 
discretion in respect of the approved Policy. This ability to apply discretion is highlighted where relevant in the Policy, and the use of 
discretion will always be in the spirit of the Policy. 

Remuneration principles
In determining the Remuneration Policy approved at the AGM held in May 2018, we reviewed our overall remuneration principles to 
ensure that they continued to be aligned with our strategy. EnQuest’s strategic objective is to be the operator of choice for maturing 
and underdeveloped hydrocarbon assets, focused on enhancing hydrocarbon recovery and extending the useful lives of these assets in 
a profitable and responsible manner.

We also want to ensure that we operate within the appropriate culture and, therefore, that the principles support and reinforce the 
EnQuest Values. Our principles are clear and simple; to strengthen the link of reward for exceptional performance, as well as to 
emphasise the importance of our Values.

In summary, the principles underpinning our Remuneration Policy are that remuneration for Executive Directors should be:
•  Aligned with shareholders;
•  Fair, reflective of best practice, and market competitive;
•  Comprising fixed pay set at or below the median and variable pay capable of delivering remuneration at upper quartile; and
•  Rewarding performance with a balance of short-term and long-term elements, shifting the emphasis to longer-term reward.

Executive Directors
General approach
The remuneration of the Executive Directors comprises base salary, participation in an annual bonus plan (paid partly in cash and partly 
in deferred shares), the Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’), private medical insurance, life assurance, personal accident insurance, and cash 
in lieu of pension.

When setting remuneration for the Executive Directors, the Committee takes into account the performance and experience of the 
Director, as well as the Company performance, employment conditions for other employees in the Company, and the external 
marketplace. Data is obtained from a variety of independent sources.

The following table details EnQuest’s Remuneration Policy, which became binding from 24 May 2018, following approval at the 2018 AGM:

Component

Purpose

Operation/key features

What is the maximum  
potential opportunity?

Salary  
and fees

To enable the recruitment 
and retention of Executive 
Directors who possess the 
appropriate experience, 
knowledge, commercial 
acumen and capabilities 
required to deliver 
sustained long-term 
shareholder value.

•  Set at or below median 
when compared to a 
comparator group 
generally of the same 
size and industry as 
EnQuest and who have a 
similar level of enterprise 
value.

•  Salaries are typically 
reviewed by the 
Remuneration 
Committee in January 
each year.

Typically, the conditions and 
pay of all employees within 
the Company are factors 
considered by the 
Committee in its review. 
Increases in excess of the 
general workforce may be 
made where there is a 
significant change in duties, 
contribution to Company 
performance, personal 
performance, or external 
market conditions.

Applicable performance measures

None.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

61

Applicable performance measures

None.

What is the maximum  
potential opportunity?

The maximum pension 
allowance that may be 
offered is £50,000, plus 
private medical insurance, 
life assurance and personal 
accident insurance, the 
costs of which are 
determined by third-party 
providers.

•  Target award – 75% of 

•  Using a scorecard 

salary.

•  Maximum award – 125% 

of salary.

approach, including key 
performance objectives 
such as financial, 
operational, project 
delivery, HSE&A targets 
and net debt. These are 
set annually by the 
Remuneration Committee, 
with varying weightings.
•  Performance against key 
objectives has threshold, 
target and stretch 
components.

•  Where the threshold level 
of performance is met for 
each element, bonuses will 
begin to accrue on a 
sliding scale from 0%.

Component

Purpose

Operation/key features

Pension  
and other 
benefits

Provide market-competitive 
employee benefits that 
are in line with the 
marketplace and enable 
EnQuest to attract and 
retain high-calibre 
employees, as well as 
providing tax-efficient 
provision for retirement 
income.

Annual  
bonus

Incentivises and rewards 
short-term performance 
(over no more than one 
financial year) through 
the achievement of 
pre-determined annual 
targets which support 
Company strategy and 
shareholder value.

•  Delivered as cash in lieu 

of pension, with 
remaining benefits 
provided by the 
Company.

•  Executive Directors may 

participate in the 
HMRC-approved 
Sharesave Scheme and 
benefit from share price 
growth.

•  Reviewed annually by the 

Remuneration 
Committee and adjusted 
to meet typical market 
conditions.

•  Where required, we 

would offer additional 
benefits in line with local 
market practice.
•  Any reasonable  
business-related 
expenses (including 
tax thereon) which are 
determined to be a 
taxable benefit can be 
reimbursed.

•  Up to 100% of salary paid 
as cash. All bonus above 
100% of salary is 
deferred into EnQuest 
shares for two years, 
subject to continued 
employment.

•  The Committee has 
discretion to allow 
Executive Directors to 
receive dividends that 
would otherwise have 
been paid on deferred 
shares at the time of 
vesting.

•  Both cash and share 
elements of bonuses 
awarded from 2017 may 
be subject to malus or 
clawback in the event of 
a material misstatement 
of the Company’s 
accounts, errors in the 
calculation of 
performance, or gross 
misconduct by an 
individual for up to three 
years following the 
determination of 
performance.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
62

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Component

Purpose

Operation/key features

Performance 
Share Plan 
(‘PSP’)

•  Encourages alignment 

with shareholders on the 
longer-term strategy of 
the Company.

•  Enhances delivery of 

shareholder returns by 
encouraging higher 
levels of Company 
performance.

•  Encourages executives 
to build a shareholding.

•  Annual award levels may 
take account of the 
performance of the 
Company and the 
Executive Director in the 
prior year.

•  Awards vest over three 

years provided corporate 
performance conditions 
have been achieved.
•  Awards vesting from 

What is the maximum  
potential opportunity?

•  Normal maximum – 250% 

of salary.

•  Exceptional maximum 

– 350% of salary.

2022 onwards will then 
be subject to an 
additional two-year 
holding period which, 
unless the Committee 
determines otherwise, 
will apply up to the fifth 
anniversary of the date of 
grant.

•  The Committee has 
discretion to allow 
Executive Directors to 
receive dividends that 
would otherwise have 
been paid on shares at 
the time of vesting.
•  Awards may take the 
form of conditional 
awards, nil cost options 
or joint interests in 
shares. Where joint 
interests in shares are 
awarded, the participants 
and the Employee 
Benefit Trust (‘EBT’) 
acquire separate 
beneficial interests in 
shares in the Company.

•  Awards granted from 

2017 onwards are subject 
to malus or clawback in 
the event of a material 
misstatement of the 
Company’s accounts, 
errors in the calculation 
of performance, or gross 
misconduct by an 
individual for up to three 
years following the 
determination of 
performance.

Applicable performance measures

•  Vesting of awards granted 
from 2017 will be based 
on, but not limited to, 
relative TSR, reserves 
growth, production 
growth and net debt (or 
debt reduction).

•  No more than 25% of the 
maximum award vests at 
threshold.

•  Details of the performance 

conditions applied to 
awards granted in the year 
under review and for the 
awards to be granted in 
the forthcoming year are 
set out in the Annual 
Report on Remuneration.

•  The number, type and 

weighting of performance 
measures may vary for 
future awards to help drive 
the strategy of the 
business provided these 
are no less challenging 
than the existing targets.

•  The Committee will 

normally consult with 
major shareholders before 
introducing any material 
new metrics.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

63

Applicable performance measures

None.

What is the maximum  
potential opportunity?

•  Limited by the 

Company’s Articles of 
Association.

•  Reviewed periodically 
but at least every third 
year.

Component

Purpose

Chairman 
and Non-
Executive 
Director fees

To attract Non-Executive 
Directors of the calibre and 
experience required for a 
company of EnQuest’s size.

Operation/key features

•  Fees for the 

Non-Executive Directors 
are reviewed annually 
by the Chairman and 
Executive Directors and 
take into account:
–  typical practice at 

other companies of a 
similar size and 
complexity to 
EnQuest;

–  the time commitment 
required to fulfil the 
role; and

–  salary increases 
awarded to 
employees 
throughout the 
Company.

•  Non-Executive Directors 
are paid a base fee, with 
additional fees being 
paid to the Senior 
Independent Director 
and Committee Chairs, 
to reflect the additional 
time commitments and 
responsibilities these 
roles entail.

•  Additional fees may be 

paid if there is a material 
increase in time 
commitment and the 
Board wishes to 
recognise this additional 
workload.

•  Any reasonable 
business-related 
expenses (including tax 
thereon) which are 
determined to be a 
taxable benefit can be 
reimbursed.

•  The Non-Executive 

Directors are not eligible 
to participate in any of 
the Company incentive 
schemes.

•  The Chairman’s fee is set 

by the Senior 
Independent Director 
and consists of an 
all-inclusive fee.

Shareholding requirement
The Executive Directors are expected to retain 50% of shares from vested awards under the PSP (other than sales to settle any tax or 
social security withholdings due) until they hold at least 200% of salary in shares1. The Committee will review progress against this 
guideline on an annual basis.

Note:
1  To include shares which are beneficially owned (directly or indirectly) by family members of an Executive Director

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
64

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Performance measures and targets
Annual bonus
The annual bonus scheme is a weighted scorecard of key performance indicators with a number of categories, under which the 
performance of the Company, and therefore the annual bonus of Executive Directors, is determined. The categories that form the 
scorecard may include, but are not limited to:
•  Health, Safety, Environment and Assurance (‘HSE&A’);
•  Financial (including EBITDA, opex and capex);
•  Operational performance/production;
•  Project delivery;
•  Reserves additions;
•  Net debt; and
•  Objectives linked to key accountabilities.

The measures in each category are selected by the Committee to support the creation of shareholder value. These criteria are also 
aligned with the longer-term strategy of the Company and the performance conditions of the Company’s long-term incentive scheme. 
In addition to measuring performance against objectives, the Committee will consider the overall quality of the Company’s financial 
performance, and other factors, when determining annual performance pay awards.

Amjad Bseisu’s bonus objectives are normally based solely on the Company Performance Contract (‘CPC’) of EnQuest. Jonathan 
Swinney’s bonus objectives may also include up to 50% based on additional objectives that cover his own specific area of key 
accountabilities and responsibilities.

Annual bonus and share deferrals
Executive Directors will normally receive any applicable annual bonus in cash and deferred shares. Any amount up to the equivalent of 
100% of salary will be distributed in cash around the time of the announcement of full year results, with any amount above the equivalent 
of 100% of salary converted into EnQuest shares (without further performance conditions) and deferred for two years, subject to 
continued employment. In exceptional circumstances, these awards may be settled in cash, but only with the pre-approval of the 
Remuneration Committee.

Performance Share Plan
The PSP is typically awarded annually and has a vesting period of three years. Awards vesting from 2022 onwards will be subject to an 
additional two-year holding period which, unless the Committee determines otherwise, will apply up to the fifth anniversary of the date 
of grant. Performance conditions are attached to the awards and reflect the longer-term strategy of EnQuest. For awards granted in 
2019, these will comprise:
•  TSR against a comparator group of oil and gas companies;
•  Production growth on a Compound Annual Growth (‘CAG’) basis;
•  Reserves growth on an absolute growth basis; and
•  Net debt on an absolute reduction basis if considered appropriate by the Remuneration Committee.

Approach to recruitment remuneration
In the event that the Company appoints a new Executive Director either internally or externally, when determining appropriate 
remuneration arrangements, the Committee will take into consideration a number of factors including, but not limited to: quantum 
relating to prior arrangements; the remuneration of other Executive Directors in the Company; appropriate benchmarks in the industry; 
and the financial condition of the Company. This ensures that the arrangements are in the best interests of both the Company and its 
shareholders without paying more than is necessary to recruit an executive of the required calibre.

Salaries for new hires (including internal promotions) will be set to reflect their skills and experience, the Company’s intended pay 
positioning and the market rate for the role. If it is considered appropriate to appoint a new Director on a below market salary initially 
(for example, to allow them to gain experience in the role), their salary may be increased to a median market level over a period by way 
of increases above the general rate of wage growth in the Group and inflation.

The remuneration package for a new Executive Director would be set in accordance with the terms of the Company’s approved 
Remuneration Policy at the time. Different performance measures may be set for the year of joining the Board for the annual bonus and 
PSP, taking into account the individual’s role and responsibilities and the point in the year the executive joined.

Benefits and pensions for new appointees to the Board will normally be provided in line with those offered to other executives and 
employees taking account of local market practice, with relocation expenses/arrangements provided for if necessary. Tax equalisation 
may also be considered if an executive is adversely affected by taxation due to their employment with EnQuest. Legal fees and other 
relevant costs and expenses incurred by the individual may also be paid by the Company.

In the case of an internal hire, any outstanding variable pay awarded in relation to the previous role will be allowed to pay out according 
to its terms of grant.

The Committee may make additional awards on appointing an Executive Director to ‘buy out’ remuneration arrangements forfeited on 
leaving a previous employer. Any such payments would be based solely on remuneration lost when leaving the former employer and 
would reflect (as far as practicable) the delivery mechanism, time horizons and performance requirement attaching to that remuneration. 
The Group’s existing incentive arrangements, including the 2010 Restricted Share Plan (‘RSP’), will be used to the extent possible for any 
buyout (subject to the relevant plan limits), although awards may also be granted outside of these schemes, if necessary, and as 
permitted under the Listing Rules.

On the appointment of a new Chair or Non-Executive Director, the fees will be set taking into account the experience and calibre of 
the individual.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

65

Service contracts
Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney entered into service agreements with the Company which are terminable by either party giving not 
less than 12 months’ written notice. The Company may terminate their employment without giving notice by making a payment equal to 
the aggregate of the Executive Director’s basic salary and the value of any contractual benefits for the notice period including any 
accrued but untaken holiday. Such payments may be paid monthly and/or subject to mitigation.

Executive Directors

Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

Date of appointment

22 February 2010
29 March 2010

Notice period

12 months
12 months

The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment, the details of which are provided below.

Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment

Date of appointment

Notice period

Initial term of appointment

Jock Lennox1
Carl Hughes
Helmut Langanger2
Philip Holland
John Winterman
Laurie Fitch3

22 February 2010
1 January 2017
16 March 2010
1 August 2015
7 September 2017
8 January 2018

3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months

3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years

Jock Lennox also has a more recent letter of appointment following him becoming Chairman on 8 September 2016

Notes:
1 
2  Helmut Langanger stepped down as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019
3 

Laurie Fitch was appointed to the Board on 8 January 2018, becoming a member of the Remuneration and Risk Committees. Laurie assumed the role of Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019

External directorships
The Company recognises that its Executive Directors may be invited to become non-executive directors of companies outside the 
Company and exposure to such non-executive duties can broaden experience and knowledge, which would be of benefit to the 
Company. Any external appointments are subject to Board approval (which would not be given if the proposed appointment required a 
significant time commitment; was with a competing company; would lead to a material conflict of interest; or could otherwise have a 
detrimental effect on a Director’s performance). Executive Directors will be permitted to retain any fees arising from such appointments, 
details of which will be provided in the respective companies’ Annual Report on Remuneration.

Policy on payment for loss of office
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 compensation for loss of basic salary and cash benefit 
allowance and insured benefits for the notice period up to a maximum period of 12 months. Such payments may be made monthly and 
would be subject to mitigation. The Company may also enable the provision of outplacement services to a departing Executive Director, 
where appropriate.

When Executive Directors leave the Company with good leaver status, and they have an entitlement to unvested shares granted under 
the Deferred Bonus Share Plan (‘DBSP’) and PSP, any performance conditions associated with each award outstanding would remain in 
place and are normally tested at the end of the original performance period. Shares would also normally then vest on their original 
vesting date in the proportion to the satisfied performance conditions and are normally pro-rated for time. Awards held by Executive 
Directors who are not good leavers would lapse.

An annual bonus would not typically be paid to Executive Directors when leaving the Company. However, in good leaver circumstances 
the Committee has the discretion to pay a pro-rated bonus in cash, in consideration for performance targets achieved in the year. 
Deferred bonus shares held by good leavers will normally vest at the normal vesting date.

Similar provisions related to the treatment of incentive awards would apply on a change of control, with performance conditions 
normally tested at the date of the change of control and with pro-rating for time, although the Remuneration Committee has discretion 
to waive pro-rating (but not the performance conditions) where it feels this is in the best interests of shareholders.

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 either party giving three months’ notice in writing. During the notice period Non-Executive 
Directors will continue to receive their normal fee.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
66

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Remuneration Committee discretion and determinations
The Committee will operate the annual bonus scheme, DBSP, PSP, RSP and Sharesave Scheme according to their respective rules and in 
accordance with the Listing Rules and HMRC requirements, where relevant. The Committee, consistent with market practice, retains 
discretion over a number of areas relating to the operation and administration of these arrangements. These include, but are not limited 
to, the following:
•  Who participates in the plans;
•  The timing of grant of award and/or payment;
•  The size of an award and/or payment;
•  Discretion relating to the measurement of performance in the event of a change of control or reconstruction;
•  Applying ’good leaver’ status in circumstances such as death, ill health and other categories as the Committee determines 

appropriate and in accordance with the rules of the relevant plan;

•  Discretion to disapply time pro-rating in the event of a change of control or good leaver circumstances;
•  Discretion to settle any outstanding share awards in cash in exceptional circumstances;
•  Adjustments or variations required in certain circumstances (e.g. rights issues, corporate restructuring, change of control, special 

dividends and other major corporate events); and

•  The ability to adjust existing performance conditions and performance targets for exceptional events so that they can still fulfil their 

original purpose.

If an event occurs which results in any applicable performance conditions and/or targets being deemed no longer appropriate (e.g. a 
material acquisition or divestment), the Committee will have the ability to adjust appropriately the measures and/or targets and alter 
weightings, provided that the revised conditions or targets are not materially less difficult to satisfy.

If tax liabilities arise from an error or omission by the Company that is outside of the control of the Executive Directors, the Committee 
will have the ability to reimburse any such tax liabilities.

Legacy awards
For the avoidance of doubt, authority is given to the Committee to honour any commitments entered into with current or former 
Directors (such as the payment of a pension or the unwind of legacy share schemes) that have been disclosed to shareholders in this or 
any previous DRRs or subsequently agreed in line with the approved policy in force at that time. Details of any payments to former 
Directors will be set out in the Annual Report on Remuneration as they arise.

Remuneration outcomes in different performance scenarios
The charts below set out an illustration of the remuneration arrangements for 2019 in line with the Remuneration Policy described in the 
policy section. These charts provide an illustration of the proportion of total remuneration made up of each component of the Policy 
and the value of each component. Four 2019 scenarios have been illustrated for each Executive Director, aligning with the revised 
remuneration reporting requirements that came into effect from 1 January 2019:

Below threshold performance

Target performance

Maximum performance

•  Fixed remuneration
•  Zero annual bonus
•  No vesting under the PSP

•  Fixed remuneration
•  Target payout under the annual bonus, set at 60% of the maximum bonus opportunity
•  25% of maximum vesting under the PSP at threshold performance

•  Fixed remuneration
•  Maximum payout under the annual bonus
•  Full vesting under the PSP

Maximum performance  
plus 50% share appreciation

•  Fixed remuneration
•  Maximum payout under the annual bonus
•  Full vesting under the PSP plus assumed 50% share price appreciation at vesting

)
s
0
0
0
£

(

n
o
i
t
a
r
e
n
u
m
e
R

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

£1,167

25%

30%

45%

£521

100%

£2,871

61%

20%

18%

£2,284

51%

26%

23%

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

£2,025

61%

20%

19%

£1,614

51%

25%

24%

£832

25%

30%

46%

£380

100%

Long term incentives
Annual bonus
Fixed pay

Minimum

Target

Maximum 

Maximum + 
50% share
appreciation 

Minimum

Target

Maximum 

Maximum + 
50% share
appreciation 

Chief Executive (£000s)

Chief Financial Officer (£000s)

Note:
Fixed pay comprises salary from 1 January 2019 for Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney, a pension allowance of £50,000 plus medical insurance benefit of £1,500 each

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

67

Statement of consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Company
The remuneration arrangements for the Executive Directors are consistent with the remuneration principles that have been established 
and are similar to those of the other employees of EnQuest.

The key differences are as follows:
•  Executive Directors and members of the Executive Committee have their fixed pay set below or at market median for the industry; 

other employees typically have their salaries positioned at market median. Specific groups of key technical employees may have their 
salaries set above median for the industry;

•  All employees are offered a non-contributory pension scheme. Executive Directors are given cash in lieu of pension. Non-Executive 

Directors do not participate in pension or benefits arrangements;

•  Non-Executive Directors do not participate in the annual bonus scheme;
If applicable, Executive Directors have an element of the annual bonus automatically converted to shares and deferred; and
• 
•  All other employees may be invited to participate in the DBSP where they can elect to defer a defined proportion of their annual 
bonus and receive a matching amount of shares that vest over the following three years. Executive Directors are not eligible to 
receive matching share awards under this plan. 

During the annual remuneration review, the Committee receives a report which details the remuneration arrangements of other 
executives and senior management as well as the overall spend versus budget for all employees. This report helps to act as a guide to 
the Committee as to the levels of reward being achieved across the organisation so that they can ensure the Directors’ pay does not fall 
out of line with the general trends.

Employees have not previously been directly consulted about the setting of Directors’ pay, although the Committee will take into 
consideration any developments in regulations in operating this policy.

Statement of shareholder views
The Remuneration Committee welcomes and values the opinions of EnQuest’s shareholders with regard to the levels of remuneration 
for Directors. The 2017 DRR was voted on at the AGM held in May 2018, where 99.87% of the votes cast were in favour. 

Annual Report on Remuneration for 2018
Terms of reference
The Committee’s terms of reference are available either on the Company website, www.enquest.com, or by written request from the 
Company Secretarial team at the Group’s London headquarters. The remit of the Committee embraces the remuneration strategy and 
policy for the Executive Directors, senior management and, in certain matters, for the whole Company.

Meetings in 2018
The Committee normally has four scheduled meetings per year. During 2018, it met on four occasions as scheduled to review and 
discuss base salary adjustments for 2019, the setting of Company performance and related annual bonus for 2018, PSP performance 
conditions, UK Corporate Governance Code provisions and approval of share awards.

Committee members, attendees and advisers

Member

Helmut Langanger1
Laurie Fitch2
Philip Holland
Carl Hughes
John Winterman

Date appointed  

Committee member

Attendance at scheduled 
meetings during the year

16 March 2010
8 January 2018
12 October 2016
1 January 2017
7 September 2017

4/4
4/4
4/4
4/4
4/4

Notes:
1  Helmut Langanger stepped down as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019
2 

Laurie Fitch was appointed to the Board on 8 January 2018, becoming a member of the Remuneration and Risk Committees. Laurie assumed the role of Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019

Advisers to the Remuneration Committee
The Committee invites individuals to attend meetings to provide advice so as to ensure that the Committee’s decisions are informed 
and take account of pay and conditions in the Company as a whole. These individuals, who are not members but may attend by 
invitation, included:
•  The Chairman (Jock Lennox);
•  The Chief Executive (Amjad Bseisu);
•  The Chief Financial Officer (Jonathan Swinney);
•  The Company Secretary (Stefan Ricketts); 
•  The Human Resources Director (Michael Easton) who, since appointment, acts as secretary to the Committee; and 
•  A representative from Mercer Kepler, appointed as remuneration adviser by the Committee from 1 August 2017.

No Director takes part in any decision directly affecting their own remuneration.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
68

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Information subject to audit
Directors’ remuneration: the ‘single figure’
In this section of the report we have set out the payments made to the Executive and Non-Executive Directors of EnQuest for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 together with comparative figures for 2017.

Single total figure of remuneration – Executive Directors

‘Single figure’ of remuneration – £000s

Director

Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

Total4

Salary 
and fees 
2018

Salary 
and fees 
2017

All 
taxable 
benefits 
2018

All 
taxable 
benefits 
2017

Annual 
bonus 
20181

Annual 
bonus 
20171

461
318

779

452
294

746

1
1

3

1
1

2

454
354

808

449
388

837

LTIP 
20182

386
251

637

LTIP 
20172

Pension 
20183

Pension 
20173

Total  
for 
20184

46
30

76

50
50

100

50
50

1,352
974

100

2,326

1,761

Total  
for 
20174

998
763

Notes:
1  The annual bonus for 2018 for Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney was based on base salary levels and payment was made in respect of the full financial year. The amount 
stated is the full amount (including any portion deferred). Any 2017 and 2018 Executive Director bonus for Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney that is above 100% of their 
respective salary has been paid in EnQuest PLC shares, deferred for two years, and subject to continued employment

2  PSP awarded on 22 April 2016 which will vest on 22 April 2019: the LTIP value shown in the 2018 single figure is calculated by taking the number of performance shares that 

will vest (55.7% of the performance conditions were achieved) multiplied by the average value of the EnQuest share price between 1 October 2018 and 31 December 2018, as 
the share price on 22 April 2019 was not known at the time of this report
PSP awarded on 27 March 2015 which vested on 27 March 2018: the LTIP value shown in the 2017 single figure is calculated by taking the number of performance shares 
that vested (10.92% of the performance conditions were achieved) multiplied by the actual share price (before adjusting for the impact of the rights issue in October 2018) of 
30.42 pence on the vesting date of 27 March 2018. The 2017 value of the vested shares in the remuneration table has been updated from last year’s value to represent the 
actual value received on the date of vesting 

3  Cash in lieu of pension
4  Rounding may apply

Single total figure of remuneration – Non-Executive Directors
The remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors for the year ended 31 December 2018 was as follows, together with comparative 
figures for 2017:

Director

Jock Lennox
Carl Hughes
Helmut Langanger1
Laurie Fitch2
Philip Holland
John Winterman3

Total

‘Single figure’ of remuneration – £000s

Salary 
and fees 
2018

Salary 
and fees 
2017

All 
taxable 
benefits 
2018

All 
taxable 
benefits 
2017

Total  
for 
2018

Total  
for 
2017

150
60
70
50
60
50

440

150
60
70
–
60
16

356

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

150
60
70
50
60
50

440

150
60
70
–
60
16

356

Notes:
1  Helmut Langanger stepped down as Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019
2 

Laurie Fitch became a Non-Executive Director on 8 January 2018, becoming a member of the Remuneration and Risk Committees. Laurie assumed the role of Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019
John Winterman became a Non-Executive Director on 7 September 2017; therefore his 2017 fees were pro-rated

3 

Annual bonus 2018 – paid in 2019
The Committee’s belief is that any short-term annual bonus should be tied to the overall performance of the Company. An Executive 
Director’s annual bonus may also be tied to additional objectives that cover their own specific area of key accountabilities and 
responsibilities. The maximum bonus entitlement for the year ended 31 December 2018 as a percentage of base salary was reduced 
from 175% to 125% for Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney.

For Amjad Bseisu, the annual bonus for 2018 was wholly based on the CPC results. For Jonathan Swinney, 50% of the bonus potential 
was assessed against the CPC and 50% on achievement against personal targets based on key objectives for the year in his area of 
responsibility.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

69

Company Performance Contract
The details of the CPC for both Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney and the personal objectives for Jonathan Swinney are set out in the 
following tables showing the performance conditions and respective weightings against which the bonus outcome was assessed.

Performance measure

Weighting

Amjad Bseisu

Jonathan Swinney

Performance targets and payout

12.50%

6.25% 

6.25%

9.38% 

0.00%

6.25% 

6.25%

6.25% 

Threshold: 50.0
Maximum: 58.0

Actual: 55.4

Threshold: 513
Maximum: 463

Actual: 454

Threshold: 275
Maximum: 235

Actual: 220

Threshold: 1,765 
Maximum: 1,595 

25.00%

20.00%

10.00%

15.00%

Production  
(Mboepd)

Opex Value of Work Done 
(‘VOWD’) 

Cash capex  
($ million)

Net debt  
($ million)  
Including PIK  
At end 2018

Projects sanction: 
Dunlin by pass and  
Scolty/Crathes pipeline

Maximum bonus % available

31.25%

15.63%

Actual % payout

23.13%

11.56%

Maximum bonus % available 

25.00% 

12.50% 

Actual % payout

25.00%

Maximum bonus % available 

12.50% 

Actual % payout

12.50%

Maximum bonus % available 

18.75% 

Actual: 1,774

Actual % payout

0.00%

Threshold: Sanction Dunlin 
bypass and Scolty/Crathes 
in 2018, with the pipelines online 
in 2020

10.00%

Maximum: Sanction both 
projects to enable them to be 
online in Q3 2019

Actual: Both projects were 
sanctioned in Q2 2018 and are 
expected to be online in Q3 
2019

Maximum bonus % available 

12.50% 

Actual % payout

12.50%

Threshold: n/a 

Maximum bonus % available 

12.50% 

Maximum: $75 million and 
covenant compliance if required 

Actual: Secured Oz 
Management financing and 
maintained covenant 
compliance

Threshold: Disposal of up 
to 20% interest of Kraken 
for minimum acceptable price

Actual % payout

12.50%

Maximum bonus % available

12.50% 

6.25%

6.25% 

10.00%

Maximum: Disposal of up to 
20% interest of Kraken for above 
fair value

Actual: No disposal of Kraken 
achieved

Actual % payout

Added $500 million of NPV 
at $70/bbl and an additional 
16 MMboe of 2P Reserves

n/a

0.00%

13.00%

0.00%

6.50%

98.63%

49.31%

Liquidity management: 
Deliver appropriate funding 
arrangements to maintain 
liquidity (if required)

10.00%

Liquidity management: 
Disposal of up to 20% 
interest in Kraken

Magnus performance 
recognition 

Total bonus payout  
(% of salary)

Any payout against the CPC is subject to an additional underpin based on the Committee’s assessment of the Company’s HSE&A 
performance. This was reviewed by the Committee in January 2019 and was determined to be satisfactory.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
70

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Personal objectives were set individually for Jonathan Swinney based on his key areas of focus for the year within his area of 
responsibility. Please note that for reasons of commercial sensitivity, full details of the target ranges are not being disclosed. However, 
the following table highlights the key objectives and achievements as assessed by the Committee for Jonathan Swinney’s individual 
performance targets for 2018.

Jonathan Swinney
Individual Performance Contract

Objective

Weighting

Maximum 
bonus 
available

Measures

Key achievements

Threshold

Target

Stretch

Performance outcome

Strategic: 
Balance sheet 
responsibility 
(including liquidity)

Strategic: 
Financial control 
environment

50.00% 31.25%

15.00% 9.38%

Balance sheet 
strengthening with 
liquidity aligned with 
strategy

Ensure effective and 
compliant financial 
control processes 

Strategic: 
Cost control

15.00% 9.38%

Effective cost recovery 
management and 
maximise Kraken oil 
sales price

Organisation 
development and 
people

20.00% 12.50% Optimisation of finance 

and economics 
organisation and 
workflows

Effective management 
and delivery against 
target with liquidity 
management delivered

Achieved high level of 
internal controls 
compliance and 
implemented systems 
upgrade independently 
audited by PwC

Achieved stretch cost 
recovery management 
goals 

Kraken oil sales price 
realised between target 
and stretch

Achieved optimised 
finance and economic 
organisations to stretch 
timelines with improved 
workflows 

Total:

62.50%

Delivery of culture 
improvement and 
succession plans

Delivered within finance 
and supported across the 
wider business

Percentage 
of bonus 
achieved

31.25%

9.00%

9.15%

10.75%

60.15%

The annual bonus summary for the Executive Directors for 2018 is shown in the table below. The Committee carefully assessed the 
achievement of the performance conditions against the Company Performance Contract and personal objectives for both Amjad Bseisu 
and Jonathan Swinney to determine the overall level of annual bonus for each Executive Director.

Performance measure1

Production

Opex VOWD

Cash capex

Net debt including PIK

Projects

Liquidity management: Funding arrangements

Liquidity management: Disposal of up to 20% interest in Kraken

Magnus performance recognition 

Sub-total

Personal objectives

Total payout (%)2

Total payout (% of maximum)

Total 2018 bonus award (£)

Weighting

25.00%

20.00%

10.00%

15.00%

10.00%

10.00%

10.00%

n/a

n/a

Amjad Bseisu

Jonathan Swinney

Actual % payout 
of salary

Max

Actual % payout 
of salary

Max

31.25%

25.00%

12.50%

18.75%

12.50%

12.50%

12.50%

n/a

23.13%

25.00%

12.50%

0.00%

12.50%

12.50%

0.00%

13.00%

15.63%

12.50%

6.25%

9.38%

6.25%

6.25%

6.25%

n/a

125.00%

98.63%

62.50%

n/a

n/a

62.50%

11.56%

12.50%

6.25%

0.00%

6.25%

6.25%

0.00%

6.50%

49.31%

60.15%

125.00%

98.63%

125.00%

109.46%

78.90%

£454,210

87.57%

£353,568

Notes:
1 

In relation to the financial measures, threshold, target and stretch performance pay out at 0%, 60% and 100% of maximum respectively and on a straight-line basis in between 
threshold and target performance and between target and stretch performance

2  Any bonus that exceeds 100% of the Executive Director’s salary is converted into EnQuest shares to be retained for a further two years until April 2021

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

71

2016 PSP awards that vest in 2019
The LTIP award made on 22 April 2016 was based on the performance to the year ended 31 December 2018 and will vest on 22 April 2019.

The performance targets for this award and actual performance against those targets over the three-year financial period were as follows:

Grant date

22 April 2016

Below threshold

Threshold

Maximum

Actual performance 

achieved

Percentage meeting 

performance conditions 
and total vest

Vesting date

Performance period

Relative TSR

Production growth

Reserves growth

Total award

22 April 2019

1 Jan 2016 – 31 Dec 2018

50.00%

40.00%

10.00%

100.00%

Performance conditions and weighting

–

36,567 Boepd

216.01 MMboe

Median  

(9th position)

48,671 Boepd

250.0 MMboe

Upper quartile  
(5th position)

63,188 Boepd

287.0 MMboe

(7th position) 54,076 Boepd2 190.6 MMboe2

34.60%

21.20%

55.70%

Notes:
1  This figure includes the additional 10.5% share of Kraken acquired on 1 January 2016
2  Adjusted to remove the impacts of the acquisition of an additional 75% interest in Magnus

The table below shows the number of nil cost options awarded on 22 April 2016 that will vest on 22 April 2019 and their value at 
31 December 2018. This figure is calculated by taking the average closing share price on each trading day of the period 1 October 2018 
to 31 December 2018 and is used as the basis for reporting the 2018 ‘single figure’ of remuneration. The actual value of these shares 
recorded in the remuneration table will be updated in 2019 to represent the actual value received on the day of vesting.

Name

Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

No. of shares

2,260,802
1,472,150 

No. of adjusted 
shares applied1

Total shares

Portion vesting

384,336
250,265

2,645,138
1,722,415

55.7%
55.7%

No. of shares 
vesting

1,473,342
959,385

Average  
share price 
£

Value at  
31 Dec 2018 
£

0.26188
0.26188

385,841
251,245

Note:
1  Reflects the adjustment required to the PSP award to maintain its value following the rights issue, which took place in October 2018

April 2018 PSP award grant
After due consideration of business performance in 2017, the Remuneration Committee awarded the Executive Directors the following 
performance shares on 24 April 2018:

Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

Face value  
(% of 2017 
salary)

Face value at 
date of grant
£

250%
250%

1,320,755
860,026

No. of shares

3,065,864
1,996,376

No. of adjusted 
shares applied1

521,196
339,383

Total shares

3,587,060
2,335,759

Performance period

1 Jan 2018 – 31 Dec 2020
1 Jan 2018 – 31 Dec 2020

Note:
1  Reflects the adjustment required to the PSP award to maintain its value following the rights issue, which took place in October 2018. This adjustment is not reflected in the 

calculation of the face value as a percentage of 2017 salary, which is based on the number of shares originally awarded and the share price (before adjusting for the impact of 
the rights issue in October 2018) on the date of the award of 36.82 pence

Summary of performance measures and targets – April 2018 PSP grant
The 2018 PSP share awards granted on 24 April 2018 have four sets of performance conditions associated with them, over a three-year 
financial performance period:
•  30% of the award relates to TSR relative to a comparator group of 13 oil and gas companies over the same period;
•  30% relates to production growth on a CAG basis from a 2018 base level;
•  10% relates to reserves growth (on an absolute growth basis from a 2018 base level); and
•  30% is calculated on net debt reduction (on an absolute reduction basis) from a 2018 base net debt figure

Vesting is determined on a straight-line basis between threshold and maximum for all of the performance conditions.

The performance period for the award will be 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020 but the awards will not vest until 24 April 2021.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
72

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

2018 PSP – schedule for vesting in 2021

Relative TSR  
weighting 30%

Production growth  
weighting 30%

Reserves growth  
weighting 10%

Reduction in net debt  
weighting 30%

Performance

Vesting

Performance

Vesting

Performance

Vesting

Performance

Vesting

Below threshold

Below median

0%

Threshold1

Median

25%

Maximum1

Upper quartile 
(or better)

100%

Note:
1 

Linear between threshold and maximum

Less than  
10% growth 
from base
(CAG)

10% growth 
from base
(CAG)

20% growth 
from base

(CAG)  

(or better)

0%

Less than  

105% of base

0%

Less than  

0%

25% reduction

25%

105% of base

25% 25% reduction

25%

100%

110% of base 
(or better)

100% 35% reduction 
(or better)

100%

PSP measure base levels
These are the historical base levels that performance is measured from, for a three-year period for each annual PSP grant, up to and 
including the PSP award granted in 2019:

Year of grant

2016
2017
2018
2019

Production growth – base level

Reserves growth – base level

Net debt – base level

36,567 Boepd
39,751 Boepd
37,405 Boepd
55,447 Boepd

216.0 MMboe1
215.5 MMboe
210.3 MMboe
245.2 MMboe

n/a
$1,796.5 million
$1,991.4 million
$1,774.5 million

Note:
1  The reserve figure includes the additional 10.5% share of Kraken acquired on 1 January 2016

The comparator group companies for the TSR performance condition relating to the 2018 PSP award are as follows:

FTSE 350

Cairn Energy
Ophir Energy
Tullow Oil

FTSE All-Share

FTSE AIM – Top 150

NASDAQ OMX Stockholm

Other

Premier Oil
Soco International

Amerisur Resources
Faroe Petroleum
Rockhopper Exploration
Bowleven

Africa Oil
Blackpearl Resources1
Lundin Petroleum

Genel Energy

Note:
1  Blackpearl Resources has been subject to M&A activity during the performance period. As per normal practice, activities have been included up to the date Blackpearl 

Resources ceased to trade, after which the midpoint of the comparator group has been tracked

The number of PSP awards outstanding as at 31 December 2018 are as follows:

No. of 
adjusted 
shares 
applied1

Total shares 
awarded

No. of shares

Performance period

Performance conditions  
(and weighting)

Grant date – April 2016
Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

2,260,802
1,472,150

384,336
250,265

2,645,138 1 Jan 2016 – 31 Dec 2018
1,722,415

TSR (50%)
Production growth (40%)
Reserves growth (10%)

Grant date – September 2017
Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

4,134,615
2,692,307

702,884
457,692

Grant date – April 2018
Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

3,065,864
1,996,376

521,196
339,383

TSR (30%)
4,837,499 1 Jan 2017 – 31 Dec 2019 Production growth (30%)
Reserves growth (10%)
3,149,999
Net debt reduction (30%)

TSR (30%)
3,587,060 1 Jan 2018 – 31 Dec 2020 Production growth (30%)
Reserves growth (10%)
2,335,759
Net debt reduction (30%)

Note:
1  Reflects the adjustment required to the PSP award to maintain its value following the rights issue, which took place in October 2018

Vesting date

22 Apr 2019

12 Sep 2020

24 Apr 2021

Pension allowance
Executive Directors do not participate in the EnQuest pension plan and instead receive cash in lieu. Both Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan 
Swinney received £50,000. These are equivalent to 10.8% of Amjad Bseisu’s salary and 15.4% of Jonathan Swinney’s 2018 salary.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

73

Statement of Directors’ shareholding and share interests
The interests of the Directors in the share capital of the Company as at 31 December 2018 are shown below:

In 2018, the following awards were granted, vested and lapsed for the Executive Directors

Granted

Lapsed

1,238,571

PSP

Amjad Bseisu

Jonathan Swinney

31 December 
2017

1,390,402
2,260,802
4,134,615

 901,439
1,472,150
2,692,307

3,065,864

1,996,376

No. of 
adjusted 
shares 
applied1

25,811
384,336
702,884
521,196

31 December 
2018

Vesting period

Expiry date

177,642 27 Mar 2015 – 27 Mar 2018
2,645,138
22 Apr 2016 – 22 Apr 2019
4837,499 12 Sep 2017 – 12 Sep 2020
24 Apr 2018 – 24 Apr 2021
3,587,060

27 Mar 2025
22 Apr 2026
12 Sep 2027
24 Apr 2028

803,002

16,734
250,265
457,692
339,383

115,171 27 Mar 2015 – 27 Mar 2018
1,722,415
22 Apr 2016 – 22 Apr 2019
3,149,999 12 Sep 2017 – 12 Sep 2020
24 Apr 2018 – 24 Apr 2021
2,335,759

27 Mar 2025
22 Apr 2026
12 Sep 2027
24 Apr 2028

Note:
1  Reflects the adjustment required to the PSP award to maintain its value following the rights issue, which took place in October 2018 

The table above shows the maximum number of shares that could be released if awards were to vest in full. These awards first vest on 
the third anniversary of the award date, subject to the achievement of performance conditions (as described elsewhere in this report).

Payments to past Directors
Loss of office payments to Neil McCulloch totalling £32,201 were made during 2018. There were no other payments made to past 
Directors during 2017.

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests
Executive Directors are currently required to build up and hold shares in the Company worth 200% of salary and are expected to retain 
50% of shares from vested awards under the PSP (other than sales to settle any tax or social security withholdings due) until they hold at 
least 200% of salary in shares (this includes shares which are beneficially owned directly or indirectly by family members of an Executive 
Director).

Legally owned 
(number of 
shares)

152,438,2222
290,208
41,268
412,698
154,760
28,571
28,571
70,000

Value of 
legally owned 
shares as % of 
salary1

Unvested and 
subject to 
performance 
conditions 
under the PSP

Vested but 
not exercised 
under the PSP

Vested but 
not exercised 
under the RSP

Sharesave

8,668% 11,069,697
24% 7,208,173
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

1,986,185
1,208,574
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

2,812,984
894,551
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

0
0
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Executive 
deferrals

1,334,815
1,824,971
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Total at 
31 December 
2018

169,641,903
11,426,477
41,268
412,698
154,760
28,571
28,571
70,000

Value of 
shareholding 
as a % of 
salary1

9,647%
941%
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney
Jock Lennox
Helmut Langanger
Philip Holland
Carl Hughes
John Winterman
Laurie Fitch

Notes:
1  Shares are valued by taking the average closing share price on each trading day of the period 1 October 2018 to 31 December 2018
2  As at 31 December 2018 152,270,675 shares were held by Double A Limited, a discretionary trust in which the extended family of Amjad Bseisu has a beneficial interest. 

The remaining 167,547 shares were held by Amjad Bseisu directly

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
74

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Information not subject to audit
Total Shareholder Return and Chief Executive total remuneration
The following graph shows the Company’s performance, measured by TSR, compared with the performance of the FTSE AIM All-Share 
Oil & Gas, also measured by TSR. The FTSE AIM All-Share Oil & Gas has been selected for this comparison as it is the index whose 
constituents most closely reflect the size and activities of EnQuest.

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

EnQuest
FTSE AIM All-Share – Oil & Gas

06 Apr 10

06 Apr 11

06 Apr 12

06 Apr 13

06 Apr 14

06 Apr 15

06 Apr 16

06 Apr 17

06 Apr 18

Historical Chief Executive pay – single figure history
The table below sets out details of the Chief Executive’s pay for 2018 and the previous six years and the payout of incentive awards as a 
proportion of the maximum opportunity for each period. The Chief Executive’s pay is calculated as per the ‘single figure’ of 
remuneration shown elsewhere in this report.

During this time, Amjad Bseisu’s total remuneration has been:

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

‘Single figure’ of total remuneration  

(£000s)

Annual bonus (as a % of maximum)
Long-term incentive vesting rate  

(as a % of maximum PSP)

910
60%

–

1,356
50%

67%

817
24%

79%

884
27%

77%

941
33%

56%

998
57%

11%

1,352
79%

56%

Relative spend on pay
The table below shows the actual expenditure of the Group on total employee pay, as well as profitability and distributions to 
shareholders, and the change between the current and previous years:

EBITDA
Distribution to shareholders
Total employee pay

Increase in the Chief Executive’s pay relative to the workforce between 2017 and 2018

Amjad Bseisu
UK employees (average)

2017 
$ million

2018 
$ million

304
0
80

716
0
91

Base salary %

Bonus %

Benefits %

2.0%
2.0%

97.4%
10.7%

0.0%
0.0%

Statement of implementation of the Remuneration Policy for the year ending 31 December 2019
Base salary and 2019 pay review
As stated in the annual statement to this report, the remuneration for the Executive Directors is geared towards variable pay linked to 
long-term performance targets, with base salaries currently set in relation to benchmarks for the oil and gas industry and comparable 
sized companies. In the view of the Committee it is therefore important to ensure that the base salaries of the Executive Directors are 
reviewed annually and that any increase reflects the change in scale and complexity of the role as the Company grows, as well as the 
performance of the Executive Director.

The table below shows the change to salaries for 2019:

Name

Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney

Salary for 2018
£

Salary for 2019
£

Increase
%

460,530
323,000

469,741
329,460

2.0
2.0

The increases for Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan Swinney were implemented from 1 January 2019.

The Company employees are, in general, also receiving salary increases averaging approximately 2.0%.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

75

Pension and other benefits
The Company will continue to pay a cash benefit in lieu of pension of up to £50,000 plus private medical insurance, life assurance and 
personal accident insurance, the costs of which are determined by third-party providers.

Annual bonus
For the year ended 31 December 2019, the target and maximum annual bonus opportunities will be 75% of salary at target and 125% of 
salary at maximum.

The annual bonus scheme for 2019 is structured as follows:
•  Awards will be determined based on a balanced combination of financial and operational performance measures;
•  Executive Directors (and other executive management) will have threshold, target and stretch performance levels attributed to key 

performance objectives;

•  Amjad Bseisu’s bonus will be determined solely by the performance of the Company;
•  Jonathan Swinney’s bonus will be determined 50% on the performance of the Company and 50% on performance concerning his 

direct area of responsibility;

•  Each part of the bonus will represent a discrete element which will be added together to determine the performance award for the 

year; and

•  Stretching targets will continue to apply to achieve maximum payout.

The 2019 metrics and weightings, which will determine the level of short-term incentive awards for the Directors, are set out below.

Company 2019 performance measures scorecard

Metric

Production
Cash opex
Cash capex
Net debt including PIK
Projects
Kraken
Culture and Values

Weighting

25%
15%
5%
20%
10%
15%
10%

Notes:
1  Precise targets are commercially sensitive and are not being disclosed in advance at this time
2  Performance in HSE&A is central to EnQuest’s overall results. This category is used as an overlay on overall Company performance

Maximum bonus will only be payable when performance significantly exceeds expectations. To the extent that the targets are no longer 
commercially sensitive, they will be disclosed in next year’s report.

Any amount of bonus earned above 100% of salary will be deferred into EnQuest shares for two years, subject to continued 
employment.

Performance share awards
2019 PSP awards
After due consideration of business performance in 2018, the continued growth of EnQuest, the performance of the Executive Directors, 
as well as other factors, the Remuneration Committee decided to award grants equal to 250% of salary for Amjad Bseisu and Jonathan 
Swinney. These awards will be granted in April 2019.

Summary of 2019 PSP performance measures and targets
The PSP share awards granted in 2018 will have four performance metrics, each of which is measured over a three-year financial period:
•  30% of the award relates to TSR against a comparator group of oil and gas companies;
•  30% relates to production growth (on a CAG basis);
•  10% relates to reserves growth (on an absolute growth basis); and
•  30% relates to net debt (on an absolute reduction basis).

2019 PSP – schedule for 2022 vesting

Relative TSR

Production growth

Reserves growth

Reduction in net debt

Performance

Vesting

Performance

Vesting

Performance

Vesting

Performance

Vesting

Below threshold

Below median

0%

Threshold

Median

25%

Maximum

Upper quartile 
(or better)

100%

Less than  
10% growth 
from base 
(CAG)
10% growth 
from base  

(CAG)
20% growth 
from base  
(CAG)  

(or better)

0%

Less than  

105% of base

0%

Less than  

0%

25% reduction

25%

105% of base

25% 25% reduction

25%

100%

110% of base 
(or better)

100% 35% reduction 
(or better)

100%

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
76

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

2019 PSP – performance target base levels

Production growth base level

Reserves growth base level

55,447 Boepd

245 MMboe

Net debt

$1,774.5m

2019 PSP award TSR comparator group

Tullow Oil
Premier Oil
Aker BP ASA
Soco International
Genel Energy
Hurricane Energy
Ophir Energy
Cairn Energy
Rockhopper Exploration
Lundin Petroleum
Africa Oil
Amerisur Resources
Bowleven
Serica

Non-Executive Directors
The fees for the Non-Executive Directors with effect from 1 January 2019 are:

Chairman
Director
Senior Independent Director
Committee Chair

Fee

£170,000
£60,000
£10,000
£10,000

The Chairman’s fee level has increased from £150,000 to £170,000 from 1 January 2019 to bring it more into line with the median fee rate 
being paid to sector comparators. The Director base fee rate has increased from £50,000 to £60,000 from 1 January 2019. The additional 
fee of £10,000 for chairing a Committee and for undertaking the Senior Independent Director role has remained unchanged. Fee rates 
for Non-Executive Directors will be reviewed annually.

Advisers to the Committee
Mercer Kepler provided advice to the Remuneration Committee.

The Committee satisfied itself that the advice given was objective and independent by reviewing it against other companies in 
EnQuest’s comparator group. Mercer Kepler is a signatory to the Remuneration Consultants Group Code of Conduct which sets out 
guidelines for managing conflicts of interest. Mercer Kepler does not provide any other services to the Company.

The fees in respect of 2018 paid to Mercer Kepler totalled £104,590 (excluding VAT). These fees were charged on the basis of the number 
of hours worked.

Statement of voting at the Annual General Meeting
The table below summarises the voting at the AGM held on 24 May 2018 in respect of the Remuneration Policy and Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. The Group is committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and takes an active interest in voting outcomes. Where 
there are substantial votes against resolutions in relation to Directors’ remuneration, the reasons for any such vote will be sought, and 
any actions in response will be detailed here.

Number of 
votes cast for

Percentage of 
votes cast for

Number of 
votes cast 
against

Percentage of 
votes cast 
against

Total votes cast

Number of 
votes withheld

Remuneration Policy (2018)
Remuneration Report (2018)

478,601,098
533,044,036

89.67%
99.87%

55,126,159
685,923

10.33% 533,727,257
0.13% 533,729,959

22,477,048
22,474,346

Laurie Fitch
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
20 March 2019

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

77

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT

“ WE CONTINUE TO SEEK TO 
ACHIEVE THE APPROPRIATE 
BALANCE OF THE BOARD 
AS WE PROGRESS OUR 
SUCCESSION PLANNING.”
Jock Lennox
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

The process to appoint a successor to Jock Lennox, Chairman 
of EnQuest, is being led by myself with the support of the 
Company Secretary. To assist me, the Nomination Committee 
has established a sub-Committee comprising, in addition to 
myself, Laurie Fitch, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, 
Carl Hughes, Chairman of the Audit Committee, and Amjad, 
Bseisu, Chief Executive. This Committee will make the final 
recommendation as to the appointment of the Chair once a 
suitable candidate is identified.

We have instructed Spencer Stuart, a recruitment firm with no 
connection to the Company, to undertake the search process 
and following a consultation exercise with certain major 
shareholders have identified that a Chair with a background in 
the oil and gas industry would be in the best interests of the 
Company. It is anticipated that a new Chair will be in position 
by the end of 2019, with a planned transition between the 
current Chairman and Chair designate.

Following the appointment of the new Chair, it is anticipated 
that a process for the appointment of a new SID will be 
initiated, following which I will step down as SID.

Helmut Langanger
Senior Independent Director
20 March 2019

Nomination Committee membership
The Nomination Committee comprises the Chairman of the 
Company, the SID and the Chief Executive. Appointment dates 
and attendance at scheduled meetings are set out below:

Member

Jock Lennox
Amjad Bseisu
Helmut Langanger

Date appointed 
Committee member

Attendance  
at meetings 
during the year

8 September 2016
22 February 2010
16 March 2010

6/6
6/6
6/6

Dear Fellow Shareholder
I am pleased to present to you the report of the work of the 
Nomination Committee during 2018.

The core work of the Nomination Committee is to ensure that 
the Board has the appropriate balance of skills, expertise and 
experience in order to support the strategy of the Company. 
We achieve this by continuously reviewing the Board 
composition and skills and developing strong succession 
planning. Currently, the Board consists of six Non-Executive 
Directors and two Executive Directors, who collectively bring a 
diverse mix of skills and experience to the Company and 
collaborate to provide strong leadership.

As announced on 15 March 2019, Howard Paver will join the 
Board on 1 May 2019 and stand for election at the AGM. The 
search was framed to identify an appropriate successor with 
oil and gas industry experience, keeping in view that Helmut 
Langanger, an industry veteran, is anticipated to retire in due 
course, as explained further below. Howard has over 40 years 
of experience across all aspects of E&P, including technical 
function leadership and as a senior executive and will be a 
welcome addition to the Board, further enhancing its technical 
capabilities. On joining the Board, Howard will also become 
a member of the Remuneration and Audit Committees. My 
Board colleagues and I look forward to working with Howard. 
In addition, Laurie Fitch was appointed as Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee in January 2019. This was a planned 
process, with Laurie having served on the Remuneration 
Committee since January 2018, when she joined the Board. 

As reported in last year’s report, the main focus of the 
Committee in 2018 was to prepare for the changes to the 
Code, especially in relation to myself and Helmut, who is also 
the Senior Independent Director (‘SID’), as we reached our 
nine-year milestones in February and March 2019, respectively. 
While the Board concluded that we both remained 
independent, we have, as described on page 48, initiated a 
process to deliver orderly succession and it has been agreed 
that as a first step a search process be initiated and led by the 
SID to find my successor. A sub-Committee of the Nomination 
Committee has been established to run the process and it is 
comprised of the SID, two further Non-Executive Directors and 
the Chief Executive. It is anticipated that, on appointment, the 
Chair will also become Chair of this Committee, with a process 
for appointing a new SID taken subsequently. An update from 
the SID relating to this process is found on this page.

I am confident that Helmut will lead a successful process to find 
the right person to be the next Chair of EnQuest who will then 
lead the Board through its next phase of succession.

Jock Lennox
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
20 March 2019

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
78

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Main responsibilities
The Nomination Committee recently reviewed its terms of 
reference to ensure ongoing compliance with the new Code. 
As a result, it was agreed that the main responsibilities of the 
Committee are to:
•  Review the size, structure and composition (including the skills, 
experience, independence, knowledge and diversity) of the 
Board and its Committees in order to recommend changes to 
the Board;

• 

•  Ensure the orderly succession of Executive Directors, 
Non-Executive Directors and senior management; 
Identify, evaluate and recommend candidates for appointment 
or reappointment as Directors or Company Secretary, taking 
into account the benefits of diversity on the Board, including 
gender, social and ethnic backgrounds, cognitive and personal 
strengths and the balance of knowledge, skills and experience 
required to serve the Board; and

•  Review the outside directorships/commitments of 

Non-Executive Directors.

The Nomination Committee’s full terms of reference can be found 
on the Company’s website, www.enquest.com, under Corporate 
Governance.

Appointment of Non-Executive Directors
We apply a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure for the 
appointment of new Directors to the Board. As noted in the 
Company’s 2017 Annual Report, for the appointment of Laurie 
Fitch we used Zygos, an external consultancy services firm, which 
has no connection with the Company. For Howard Paver’s 
appointment, the Company used Spencer Stuart, which also has 
no connection with the Company. The Committee thoroughly 
reviews each candidate in terms of the balance of skills, knowledge 
and level of independence they would bring to the Board and to 
screen for potential conflicts of interest. The Committee also gives 
careful consideration to other existing commitments a candidate 
may have and whether they will be able to devote the appropriate 
amount of time in order to fully meet what is expected of them. 
Once the Committee has identified a suitable candidate, a 
recommendation is made to the Board for appointment.

Committee activities during the year
The Nomination Committee met six times in 2018 and its key 
activities included:

Structured Board succession planning
•  Planning in relation to the new Code requirements, including 

succession planning for the Chairman;

•  Confirming that, while the SID has served on the Board for nine 
years, he is still considered independent and will remain so 
while he leads the search for a replacement Chair;
•  Appointing Laurie Fitch as Chair of the Remuneration 

• 

Committee on 29 January 2019, replacing Helmut Langanger 
who will remain a member of the Committee; and
Identifying Howard Paver as an independent Non-Executive 
Director who it is anticipated will be appointed with effect 
from 1 May 2019.

Development and staff succession planning
•  Senior management development and succession 

• 

planning; and
Identification and development process for high potential 
employees.

The Board and Nomination Committee remain satisfied that the 
individuals currently fulfilling key senior management positions in 
the Group have the requisite depth and breadth of skills, 
knowledge and experience to ensure that orderly succession to 
the Board and Executive Committee can take place.

Priorities for the coming year
The main focus of the Committee in 2019 will be to ensure that 
a successor to the current Chairman is appointed and that 
the composition of the Board continues to complement the 
requirements of the Company. The Committee remains cognisant 
of the requirements of the new Code and will also focus on 
succession planning of the Executive Directors, senior management 
and development planning for high-potential individuals within 
the Company to ensure that the Company’s organisation has 
both the necessary capacity and capabilities in delivering its 
principal activities.

Boardroom diversity
The Board’s continued policy is that we will work hard to ensure 
that we recruit from a diverse background of candidates, not just 
in relation to gender, and we will continue to recruit the best 
candidate available for the job on merit and against objective 
criteria. The objective of the policy is to have the most effective 
Board possible in order to enable it to discharge its duties and 
responsibilities. We continue to seek to achieve the appropriate 
balance of the Board as we progress our succession planning.

In addition, in March 2019 the Board agreed an EnQuest-wide 
Diversity and Inclusion Policy; this aligns with the Company’s 
Values which incorporate respect and openness and appreciates 
the diversity of all our staff, recognising that those from different 
backgrounds, experience and abilities can bring fresh ideas, 
perspectives and innovation to improve our business and working 
practices.

Senior management and total employee figures include EnQuest’s 
staff in Dubai, Malaysia and the UK:

100

80

60

40

20

0

12.5%

87.5%

10.4%

89.6%

17.6%

82.4%

Directors

Senior managers

Staff 

Female
Male

As explained on page 32 the transfer of BP staff to the Company 
at the end of 2017 resulted in an increase in the number of males 
in our UK workforce. Further information on diversity initiatives 
and gender pay are found on pages 32 and 33. 

Re-election to the Board
Following a formal review of the effectiveness of the Board, the 
Nomination Committee confirms that it is satisfied with both the 
performance and the time commitment of each Director 
throughout the year. The Committee also remains confident that 
each of them is in a position to discharge their duties to the 
Company in the coming year and that together they continue to 
bring the necessary skills required to the Board. Detailed 
biographies for each Director, including their skills and external 
appointments, can be found on pages 44 to 45.

Conflicts of interest
The Board operates a policy to identify and, where appropriate, 
manage conflicts or potential conflicts of interest with the 
Company’s interests. In accordance with the Directors’ interest 
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.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

79

RISK COMMITTEE REPORT

“ THE GROUP CONTINUES TO 
EVOLVE ITS PROCESSES FOR 
IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING 
RISKS AND MITIGATING THEIR 
IMPACT, WHICH IN TURN 
SUPPORTS THE GROUP IN 
ACHIEVING ITS STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES.”
Philip Holland
Chairman of the Risk Committee

Committee activities during the year
During 2018, the Committee:
•  Undertook an assessment of its own performance (including 

reviewing its terms of reference);

•  Drove continued refinements to the Group’s Risk Management 
Framework to reflect the environment in which the Company is 
pursuing its strategy;

•  Reviewed the Group Risk Register(s), assurance map and risk 
report (focusing on the most critical risks and emerging and 
changing risk profiles. This included obtaining assurance that 
the risks associated with climate change are appropriately 
assessed and incorporated within relevant risk areas);
•  Undertook a detailed analysis of the framework and 

adequacy of controls applicable to the risks facing the Group. 
This included synthesising the existing risk universe into a 
‘risk library’ and reviewing the controls for each of these risks 
through a ‘bowtie’ exercise to assess the existence and 
efficacy of controls in place to contain and mitigate risks; 
•  Enhanced the tracking and measurement of risk mitigation 

across the Group; and

•  Reviewed certain macro-economic and societal trends 

(including relating to climate change) to consider whether and 
how such trends affect the Group’s principal risks.

During 2018, the Committee also considered the evolving nature 
of risks the Group faced through undertaking specific detailed 
reviews of Health, Safety, Environment and Assurance (‘HSE&A’) 
(including reviewing the Group’s performance and 
ongoing/planned HSE&A activities) and cyber-security 
risks (including reviewing the results of ‘compromise and 
discovery’ tests and considering cyber-security forward 
planning/remediation strategies) and the Group’s control 
processes for these risks. 

Having undertaken a detailed review of the Group’s HSE&A 
processes, the Committee recommended the addition of HSE&A 
oversight and review within the Risk Committee’s scope of work to 
supplement and assist the Board in reviewing such matters given 
the Group’s low appetite for this risk. For further information on 
these risks, please see the Risks and Uncertainties section on 
pages 36 to 43.

Priorities for the coming year
In 2019, the Committee intends to continue its focus on 
undertaking detailed analyses of specific key risk areas (including 
‘Oil Price’ and ‘External and Portfolio’ risks, both of which 
incorporate an assessment of the risk associated with climate 
change and its potential to impact the Group’s business model 
and strategy (see page 4), so as to ensure that the potential 
effects of climate change continue to be identified, considered 
and risk assessed appropriately within the Group’s Risk 
Management Framework) by scrutinising the risks and the 
associated controls in place. Further, the Committee will be 
conducting post-investment appraisals on selected projects as 
well as continuing to enhance the Group’s Risk Management 
Framework through continual improvement planning.

Dear Fellow Shareholder
On behalf of the Board and my fellow Committee members, I 
am pleased to present EnQuest’s Risk Committee report in 
what has been an active year for the Committee. As outlined in 
this report, throughout 2018 we have continued to undertake 
detailed analyses of specific risk areas and paid particular 
attention to assessing how the mechanisms for the 
identification and evolution of the preventative and 
containment controls for those specific risk areas have been 
implemented. We have also spent considerable time 
enhancing the Risk Management Framework through mapping 
controls and improved tracking and measurement of risk 
mitigation.

The Committee has determined that the Group continues 
positively to evolve its processes for identifying and managing 
risks and mitigating their impact, which in turn supports the 
Group in achieving its strategy.

The report also looks ahead to those matters which I expect 
that the Committee will be considering in the forthcoming 
year, including further detailed analyses of key risk areas, 
post-investment appraisals and continuous improvement in the 
evolution and application of our Risk Management Framework.

Philip Holland
Chairman of the Risk Committee
20 March 2019

Risk Committee responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Committee are to:
•  Support the implementation and progression of the Group’s 

Risk Management Framework; and 

•  Conduct detailed reviews of key non-financial risks not 

reviewed within the Audit Committee.

The Committee’s full terms of reference can be found on the 
Company’s website, www.enquest.com, under Corporate 
Governance.

Risk Committee membership
Membership of the Committee and attendance at the three 
meetings held during 2018 is provided in the table below:

Member

Philip Holland
Laurie Fitch1
Carl Hughes
John Winterman

Date appointed 
Committee member

Attendance  
at meetings 
during the year

25 January 2016
8 January 2018
1 January 2017
7 September 2017

3/3
3/3
3/3
3/3

Note:
1 

Laurie Fitch was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 8 January 2018 
becoming a member of the Risk and Remuneration Committees

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
80

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

“ THE DIRECTORS OF ENQUEST PRESENT 

THEIR ANNUAL REPORT TOGETHER 
WITH THE GROUP AND COMPANY 
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 
THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018.”
Stefan Ricketts
Company Secretary

Directors
The Directors’ biographical details are set out on pages 44 to 45. All the Directors will offer themselves for re-election at the AGM on 
23 May 2019 and Howard Paver will also be offered for election at the AGM.

Employee involvement
EnQuest operates a framework for employee information and consultation which complies with the requirements of the Information and 
Consultation of Employees Regulations 2005. Employees are informed about significant business issues and other matters of concern via 
regular Town Hall meetings, email/electronic communications, by using webcasts on EnQuest’s intranet, as well as face-to-face briefing 
meetings at business locations. Appropriate consultations take place with employees when business change is undertaken. In addition, 
an Employee Forum was established in early 2019 in line with the revised Corporate Governance Code. More information on this 
initiative is found on page 32. EnQuest offers employees the opportunity to participate directly in the success of the Company and 
employees are encouraged to invest in the Company through participation in a number of share schemes such as the Save As You Earn 
(‘SAYE’) Share Scheme. 69% of eligible staff currently participate in SAYE.

Substantial interests in shares
The table below shows the holdings in the Company’s issued share capital, which had been notified to the Company in accordance with 
Chapter 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (‘DTR’):

Name

Amjad Bseisu Family1
Aberforth Partners LLP
Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd
Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management
EnQuest Employee Benefit Trust
Swedbank Robur Fonder AB
Dimensional Fund Advisors

Number  
of Ordinary 
shares held at 
31 December 
2018

% of issued 
share capital 
held at 
31 December 
2018

Number  
of Ordinary 
shares held as 
at 19 March  

2019

152,438,222
150,573,705
94,143,290
76,732,283
73,180,394
68,862,924
66,185,025

9.002 154,345,944
150,573,705
8.89
94,143,290
5.56
79,878,650
4.53
73,169,367
4.32
68,862,924
4.06
69,579,542
3.91

% of issued 
share capital 
held as at 
19 March  

2019

9.11
8.89
5.56
4.71
4.32
4.06
4.11

Notes:
1  The majority of shares are held by Double A Limited, a discretionary trust in which the extended family of Amjad Bseisu has a beneficial interest, with 167,547 shares held 

directly by Amjad Bseisu

2  Rounding applies

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

Name

Amjad Bseisu1
Helmut Langanger
Jock Lennox
Laurie Fitch
Carl Hughes
Philip Holland
Jonathan Swinney
John Winterman

At 31 December 
2018

At 19 March 
2019

152,438,222
412,698
41,268
70,000
28,571
154,760
290,208
28,571

154,345,9441
412,698
41,268
70,000 
28,571
154,760
290,208
28,571

Note:
1 

154,178,397 shares are held by Double A Limited, a discretionary trust in which the extended family of Amjad Bseisu has a beneficial interest. The remaining 167,547 shares are 
held directly by Amjad Bseisu

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

81

Directors’ indemnity provisions
Under the Company’s Articles, the Directors of the Company may be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against certain 
costs, charges, expenses, losses or liabilities which may be 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 and the Company has 
provided indemnities to the Directors in a form consistent with the limitations imposed by law.

Share capital
The Company’s share capital during the year consisted of Ordinary shares of £0.05 each (‘Ordinary shares’). Each Ordinary share carries 
one vote. Prior to the shareholder approved October 2018 rights issue, which is discussed in more detail on page 3, there were 
1,186,084,304 Ordinary shares in issue. Following the admission to the market of an additional 508,321,844 Ordinary shares on 2 October 
2018, there were 1,694,406,148 Ordinary shares in issue at the end of the year. All of the Company’s issued Ordinary shares have been 
fully paid up. Further information regarding the rights attaching to the Company’s Ordinary shares can be found in note 17 to the 
financial statements on page 116. No person has any special rights with respect to control of the Company.

The Company did not purchase any of its own shares during 2018 or up to and including 20 March 2019, being the date of this Directors’ 
Report.

Company share schemes
The trustees of the Employee Benefit Trust (‘EBT’) did not purchase any Ordinary shares in the Company during 2018 except for 
22,126,481 shares which were acquired through the rights issue, having been funded by a loan by EnQuest Britain Limited of £4,611,671. 
At year end, the EBT held 4.32% of the issued share capital of the Company (2017: 4.72%) for the benefit of employees and their 
dependants. The voting rights in relation to these shares are exercised by the trustees.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s AGM will be held at Sofitel London St James, 6 Waterloo Place, London, SW1Y 4AN on 23 May 2019. 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 Link Asset Services. 
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 146.

Change of control agreements
The Company is not party to any significant agreements which take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control of the Company 
following a takeover bid, except in respect of:
(a)  the senior facility agreement, which includes provisions that, upon a change of control, permit each lender not to provide certain 

funding under that facility and to cancel its exposure to credit which may already have been advanced to the Company;

(b) the prepayment facility agreement, which includes provisions that, upon a change of control, permit the lender not to provide certain 

funding under that facility and to cancel its commitment to provide that facility and require prepayment of the credit which has 
already been advanced to the borrower (EnQuest Heather Limited);

(c)  the up to $175 million facility agreement originally dated 4 September 2018 in respect of the Kraken field, which includes provisions 

that, upon a change of control, permit each lender not to provide certain funding under that facility and to cancel its commitment to 
provide that facility and require prepayment of the credit which has already been advanced to the borrower (EnQuest Advance 
Limited);

(d) the security trust and waterfall deed originally dated 24 January 2017 in respect of the transaction regarding the Magnus assets with 
BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, which includes provisions that, upon a change of control, the security trustee in favour 
of BP Exploration Operating Company Limited may take control of the accounts relating to the Magnus assets;

(e) the Company’s Euro Medium Term Note Programme (under which the Company has in issue Euro Medium Term Notes originally due 
2022 with an aggregate nominal amount of approximately £171.9 million, including capitalised interest, at the date of this report), 
pursuant to which if there is a change of control of the Company, a holder of a note has the option to require the Company to redeem 
such note at its principal amount, together with any accrued interest thereon; and

(f)  under the indenture governing the Company’s high yield notes originally due 2022, which at the date of this report have an 

aggregate nominal amount of approximately $746.1 million, including capitalised interest, if the Company undergoes certain events 
defined as constituting a change of control, each holder of the high yield notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a 
portion of its notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

Political donations
At the 2018 AGM, a resolution was passed giving the Company authority to make political donations and/or incur political expenditure 
as defined in Sections 362 to 379 of the Companies Act 2006. Although the Company does not make and does not intend to make 
political donations or to incur political expenditure, the legislation is very broadly drafted and may catch such activities as funding 
seminars or functions to which politicians are invited, or may extend to bodies concerned with policy review, law reform and 
representation of the business community that the Company and its subsidiaries might wish to support.

No political donations were made in 2018 by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
82

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

Greenhouse gas (‘GHG’) emissions 
EnQuest has reported on all of the emission sources within its operational control required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic 
Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013. These sources fall within the EnQuest consolidated financial statements. EnQuest has 
used the principles of the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition), ISO 14064-1 and data 
gathered to fulfil the requirements under the ‘Environmental Reporting Guidelines: Including Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
Reporting Guidance’ June 2013. The Mandatory Carbon Reporting (‘MCR’) report includes assets which are in the operational control of 
EnQuest. These are:
•  Heather Alpha;
•  Thistle Alpha;
•  Northern Producer Floating Production Facility;
•  Kittiwake;
•  EnQuest Producer FPSO;
•  PM8/Seligi & Tanjong Baram (Malaysia);
•  Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, excluding the third-party operated power station (from 1 December 2017);
•  Kraken FPSO (from 12 February 2017);
•  Magnus (from 1 December 2017);
•  Drilling rigs under the control of EnQuest for exploration and appraisal purposes; and 
•  All land-based offices.

All six greenhouse gases are reported as appropriate.

MCR (Operational Control) Scope
EnQuest has a number of financial interests, e.g. joint ventures and joint investments, as covered in this Annual Report for which it does 
not have operational control. In line with MCR and ISO 14064-1 guidance, only those assets where EnQuest has operational control 
greater than 50% are captured within the MCR reporting boundary. Where EnQuest has less than 50% operational control of an asset it 
is not included within the MCR reporting boundary. Hence, the MCR operational control boundary is different to EnQuest’s financial 
boundary. In line with MCR guidance, this is fully disclosed.

ISO-14064 Verified Scope
EnQuest has voluntarily opted to have emissions reported within the MCR scope verified to the internationally recognised ISO 14064-1 
standard by a UKAS accredited verification body. This increases the robustness of the reported emissions and provides the reader with 
more confidence in the stated figures. This goes beyond the minimum requirements of the MCR guidance. Some data for the Group’s 
Malaysian assets (Seligi and associated land based offices), do not currently meet ISO 14064-1 requirements, and so are excluded from 
the ISO 14064-1 reported figures. Efforts are being made to improve data quality with the objective of including these assets within the 
ISO 14064-1 verified scope in future years. 

Total Emissions tCO2e4

Extraction Emissions tCO2e4

2018

2017

20151

MCR 
(Operational 
Control) 
Scope

ISO-14064 
Verified 
Scope

MCR 
(Operational 
Control) 
Scope2

ISO-14064 
Verified 
Scope3

Baseline

1,802,435

1,298,303

1,281,820

732,818

1,149,743

1,661,565

1,157,432

1,281,820

732,818

869,692

Extraction Intensity ratio kgCO2e/BOE4

50.51

43.14

61.33

52.12

45.65

Terminal (SVT) Emissions tCO2e4

Terminal (SVT) Intensity ratio kgCO2e/BOE4 throughput

n/a

n/a

140,870

4.65

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

280,051

6.87

Scope 1 (direct 
combustion)  
and Scope 2 
(consumed 
electricity 
& steam)

Notes: 
1  When it is considered that the portfolio of assets under a Company’s operational control has changed significantly, the baseline, which is based on Verified Scope data, 

is recalculated to an appropriate comparative period for which good data is available. As such, the baseline has been changed to 2015 from 2013 previously
Includes December data only for Magnus as operational control commenced 1 December 2017

2 
3  Data for Magnus and SVT relating to 2017 has not been verified and so is not included in the figures quoted
tCO2e = tonnes of CO2 equivalent. kgCO2e = kilogrammes of CO2 equivalent. BOE = barrel of oil equivalent
4 

Emissions relating to Voluntary Scope 3 (Helicopter Flights UK Operations) have not been reported in 2018 with the Group’s resources 
focused on the first full year operation of Magnus, SVT and associated infrastructure.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

83

Dividends
The Company has not declared or paid any dividends since 
incorporation and does not plan to pay dividends in the 
immediate future. However, the Board anticipates reviewing the 
policy when appropriate, the timing of which will be subject to the 
earnings and financial condition of the Company meeting the 
conditions for dividend payments which the Company has agreed 
with its lenders and such other factors as the Board of Directors of 
the Company consider appropriate, including the Company’s 
expected future cash flows. 

Directors’ statement of disclosure of information to auditor
The Directors in office at the date of the approval of this 
Directors’ Report have each confirmed that, so far as they are 
aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by 
Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the Company’s 
auditor is unaware, and each of the Directors has taken all 
the steps he/she ought to have taken as a Director to make 
himself/herself aware of any relevant audit information and to 
establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information. 
This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance 
with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

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, Operating Review 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.

Independent auditor
Having reviewed the independence and effectiveness of the 
auditor, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board 
that the existing auditor, Ernst & Young (‘EY’), be reappointed. EY 
has expressed its willingness to continue as auditor. An ordinary 
resolution to reappoint EY as auditor of the Company and 
authorising the Directors to set its remuneration will be proposed 
at the forthcoming AGM. Information on the Company’s policy on 
audit tendering (including the 2019 tender process) and rotation is 
found on page 57.

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 Strategic Report on pages 1 to 43. The financial position 
of the Group, its cash flow, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities are described in the Financial Review on pages 22 to 27. 
The Board’s assessment of going concern and viability for the 
Group is set out on pages 26 to 27. In addition, note 26 to the 
financial statements on pages 129 to 132 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.

Further disclosures
Further disclosure requirements as required by the Companies 
Act 2006, Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies 
and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the 
FCA’s Listing Rules and DTR are found on the following pages 
of the Company’s Annual Report and are incorporated into the 
Directors’ Report by reference:

Disclosure

Page number

Future developments
Acquisitions and disposals
Fair treatment of disabled employees
Anti-slavery disclosure
Corporate Governance Statement
Gender diversity
Financial risk and financial instruments
Important events subsequent to year end
Branches outside of the UK

15
134-136
34
35
49-52
78
26
n/a
132

The Directors’ Report was approved by the Board and signed on 
its behalf by the Company Secretary on 20 March 2019.

Stefan Ricketts
Company Secretary

 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
84

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR 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 regulations. Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group financial statements for each financial year. 
Under that law, the Directors are required to prepare Group financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards 
(‘IFRS’) as adopted by the European Union.

Under Company law the Directors must not approve the Group financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing the Group financial statements, 
International Accounting Standard 1 (‘IAS’) requires that the Directors:
•  Properly select and apply accounting policies; 
•  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 IFRS 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; and

•  Make an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

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 of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are also responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the 
Corporate Governance Statement in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and applicable regulations, including the requirements 
of the Listing Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

Fair, balanced and understandable
In accordance with the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Directors are responsible for establishing arrangements to 
evaluate whether the information presented in the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides 
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy, and making a 
statement to that effect. This statement is set out on page 54 of the Annual Report.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

85

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
to the Members of EnQuest PLC (Registered number: 07140891)

Our opinion on the financial statements
In our opinion:
•  EnQuest PLC’s Group financial statements and parent company financial statements (the ‘financial statements’) give a true and fair 
view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2018 and of the Group’s profit for the year 
then ended;

•  The Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and IFRS as 

issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’); 

•  The parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 

Accounting Practice including FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’; and

•  The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and, as regards the 

Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

What we have audited 
EnQuest PLC’s financial statements comprise:

Group

Group Balance Sheet 

Parent company

Company Balance Sheet

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

Group Statement of Changes in Equity 

Notes 1 to 12 to the Company financial statements

Group Statement of Cash Flows

Notes 1 to 29 to the Group financial statements 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable law and IFRS 
as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the parent company 
financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ 
(United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (‘ISAs (UK)’) and applicable law. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
section of our report below. We are independent of the Group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are 
relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest 
entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained during the planning, execution and conclusion of our audit is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a suitable basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to principal risks, going concern and viability statement
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the Annual Report, in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to 
report to you whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to:
•  The disclosures in the Annual Report set out on pages 36 to 43 that describe the principal risks and explain how they are being 

managed or mitigated;

•  The Directors’ confirmation set out on page 36 in the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal 

risks facing the entity, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;

•  The Directors’ statement set out on page 36 in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the 
going concern basis of accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any material uncertainties to the entity’s ability to 
continue to do so over a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements;

•  Whether the Directors’ statement in relation to going concern required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 

9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or 

•  The Directors’ explanation set out on pages 26 to 27 in the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the entity, 
over what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they 
have a reasonable expectation that the entity will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Overview of our audit approach

Key audit matters

Audit scope

•  Complexity of the acquisition accounting for 75% of Magnus
•  Going concern assumption
• 

Impact of estimation of the quantity of oil and gas reserves

•  We performed an audit of the complete financial information of the North Sea component (full scope)
•  Malaysia was full scope in the prior year and has been changed to specific scope this year. This change is 
driven by the relatively smaller contribution of Malaysia to Group EBITDA (the basis of our materiality) 
(2018: 10%, 2017: 19%). We did not identify a perceived heightened risk of material misstatement following the 
full scope audit procedures performed last year and no additional risks were identified in the current year
•  Through our on-site work on full and specific scope entities in the UK and Malaysia we will cover 100% of the 

Group’s EBITDA, 100% of the Group’s revenue and 99% of the Group’s total assets

Materiality

•  Overall Group materiality of $14.3 million which represents 2% of Business performance EBITDA

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
86

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED
to the Members of EnQuest PLC (Registered number: 07140891)

Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements for the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources 
in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee 

Complexity of the acquisition accounting for 75% of Magnus

Risk direction:

The accounting for the acquisition of an additional 75% stake in the Magnus field resulted in:
1.  Revaluing the option to acquire the 75% stake generating a loss in the income statement of $1 million
2.  Recording the fair value of the net assets acquired which principally related to property, plant and equipment of $745 million
3.  Recording deferred consideration of $625 million reflecting the payments due from the future production of Magnus
4.  Recording goodwill of $95 million which principally relates to the recognition of a deferred tax liability of $298 million 

partially offset by the recognition of a deferred tax asset of $203 million

5.  A gain of $124 million following the revaluation of the existing 25% stake in Magnus

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (pages 53 to 57); Accounting policies (from page 96); and note 29 of the Annual Report and Accounts

EnQuest have updated their reserve 
estimates compared to the prior year 
resulting in an increase in 2P reserves 
driven by management’s assessment of the 
asset in the 12 months since the 25% 
acquisition with a significantly revised work 
programme. The new programme has 
resulted in additional forecast capital 
expenditures to perform additional drilling 
and other procedures which management 
believe will extend the life of Magnus and 
result in additional reserves being 
recovered. Our conclusions on reserves are 
included below.

In our view, the oil price assumptions, 
future capital and operating expenditures 
and discount rate assumptions used by 
management are within reasonable ranges.

Consequently, we believe management 
have appropriately accounted for all 
elements of the transaction. The option 
revaluation, the recognition of the fair value 
of net assets acquired, the fair value of the 
consideration paid for the 75% increase 
and the revaluation of the existing 25% 
share of Magnus have been appropriately 
recorded and disclosed.

The acquisition of the 75% share in 
Magnus completed on 1 December 
2018.

We documented our understanding and walked 
through EnQuest’s process for calculating and 
recording the various elements of this acquisition.

The consideration for this 
acquisition was:
•  $100 million upfront cash;
•  $200 million of deferred 

consideration through a vendor 
loan from BP; and

•  Further cash flow sharing from 

future production.

Due to the complexity of the 
accounting for the pre-existing 
option and the acquisition 
transaction itself, there is a risk that 
the accounting could be inaccurate 
or incomplete. 

There is also a risk that the 
revaluation of the option, fair value 
of net assets acquired, deferred 
consideration and the revaluation of 
the existing 25% stake in Magnus 
could be materially incorrect.

The procedures on the:
•  Revaluation of the option;
•  Fair value of net assets acquired;
•  Deferred consideration; and
•  Revaluation of the existing 25% stake in Magnus 

are focused on the audit of EnQuest’s underlying 
valuation models which value the future cash flows of 
the Magnus field and apportion those future cash 
flows in accordance with the Sale and Purchase 
Agreement (‘SPA’).

The key inputs to EnQuest’s valuation models 
included oil price assumptions, production profiles, 
future capital and operating expenditures and 
discount rates. Our procedures included:
•  Prices: compared the short and long-term price 
assumption to those prepared by our internal 
valuation specialists;

•  Production profiles, future capital and operating 

expenditures: EnQuest made their own estimates 
for these values and used a specialist to audit 
these estimates. We reviewed and challenged 
the work of management’s external specialist 
by checking data inputs, challenging and 
verifying assumptions, and checking application 
of the resulting estimates to the accounts. 
Our procedures on production profiles are 
further outlined below in the section on oil 
and gas reserves; and

•  Discount rates: we used our internal valuation 
specialists to assist us in evaluating whether 
EnQuest’s discount rate was reasonable.

We tested the mathematical accuracy and integrity 
of the model.

Given the size of the gain recorded, we also focused 
on what was driving the increased value of Magnus 
since the 25% acquisition in late 2017. We did this by 
comparing the updated cash flows to the prior year 
cash flows and identifying the key changes and 
obtaining evidence to support those changes.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

87

Risk

Our response to the risk

Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee 

Going concern assumption

Risk direction:

Going concern assumption (including impact of oil prices, loan covenants and projections)

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (pages 53 to 57; Accounting policies (from page 96)

There remains a heightened 
awareness around going concern, in 
particular as the assessment 
includes significant management 
estimates regarding future liquidity.

Going concern continues to be a 
significant risk given the large 
upcoming debt amortisation 
payments relating to the revolving 
credit facility (‘RCF’) due in 
six-monthly instalments as outlined 
in note 19.

There is a focus on whether the 
Directors have appropriately 
disclosed the risks and uncertainties 
associated with going concern and 
whether it is appropriate to prepare 
the financial statements on a going 
concern basis. 

We discussed with management and the Audit 
Committee to understand and walkthrough 
EnQuest’s internal process for going concern 
assessment.

We have audited the going concern model 
and have concluded that the Directors’ 
assessment that EnQuest PLC is a going 
concern is appropriate. 

We have also concluded that management 
have made appropriate disclosures 
discussing the risks and assumptions 
associated with this conclusion.

Our audit procedures have focused on 
management’s estimation process including the key 
assumptions used in the Directors’ assessment and 
cash flow model including oil prices, production 
profiles and future costs. We considered whether 
management has exercised any bias in selecting 
their assumptions; 

We performed our own sensitivity calculations on 
key assumptions to test the adequacy of the 
available headroom;

We compared forecast future cash flows to historical 
data, ensuring variations are in line with our 
expectations and understanding of the business and 
considered the reliability of past forecasts;

We tested the mathematical accuracy and integrity 
of the model;

We tested the covenant calculations to ensure they 
had been calculated correctly in accordance with the 
revolving credit facility agreement; 

We agreed the available facilities and arrangements 
to underlying agreements and external confirmation 
from debt providers.

We assessed whether the mitigating actions 
proposed by the Directors, including asset sales or 
other funding options, are feasible within the 
required time frame.

We reviewed the disclosures made in the Annual 
Report and Accounts as highlighted in the above 
section of our opinion covering going concern.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
88

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED
to the Members of EnQuest PLC (Registered number: 07140891)

Risk

Our response to the risk

Key observations communicated to the Audit Committee 

Impact of estimation of the quantity of oil and gas reserves

Risk direction:

Impact of the estimation of the quantity of oil and gas reserves on impairment testing, depreciation, depletion 
and amortisation, decommissioning provisions, going concern assessment and fair value model for Magnus 
acquisition 

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (pages 53 to 57); Accounting policies (note 2 of the Annual Report and Accounts); 
and the Strategic Report (pages 36 to 43)

We have concluded that the estimation of 
oil and gas reserves are in line with 
appropriate methodology and guidelines, 
and have been determined on a reasonable 
basis through the use of competent internal 
experts and objective and competent 
external specialists.

We did not identify any indication of 
management bias in the estimation 
process.

The estimation of oil and gas 
reserves requires significant 
judgement and assumptions by 
management and engineers which 
could be manipulated to achieve 
desired results. These estimates 
have a material impact on the 
financial statements. 

There is technical uncertainty in 
assessing reserve quantities and 
complex contractual arrangements 
dictating EnQuest’s share of 
reserves, particularly the Production 
Sharing Contract and Risk Sharing 
Contract and joint venture 
arrangements in place. We focus on 
management’s estimation process 
including whether bias exists in the 
determination of reserves and 
resources.

The risk has remained the same 
compared to last year.

We carried out procedures to understand and 
walkthrough EnQuest’s internal process for oil and  
gas reserves estimation.

We evaluated the competence of internal specialists 
and the competence and objectivity of external 
specialists. We also obtained the report of the 
external specialists on their audit of the reserves for 
the UK North Sea and Malaysia assets as at 
31 December 2018. We held a meeting with the 
Chief Petroleum Engineer and external specialists to 
evaluate the appropriateness of their work and 
findings.

We have assessed the reasonableness of the 
assumptions in the reserves report, such as future oil 
price assumptions, to those prepared by our internal 
valuation specialists. We also reconciled internal 
estimates to third party reserves reports, and 
obtained an understanding of any differences.

We performed analytical procedures to identify 
movements by comparing this year to last year on a 
field by field basis. We obtained explanations for the 
significant additions on Magnus and the absence of 
significant movements on Kraken with the Chief 
Petroleum Engineer and external specialists.

We discussed with the Chief Petroleum Engineer and 
external specialists the fact that EnQuest’s joint 
venture partner in the Kraken field had reported 
reserves that were lower than EnQuest and obtained 
explanations for this difference.

We compared management's internal estimations to 
those of the independent external specialist and 
investigated all significant variations. 

We checked that the reserve estimates were 
consistently used in the asset impairment testing, 
the calculation of depreciation, depletion and 
amortisation, the calculation of decommissioning 
provisions, the assessment of going concern and the 
fair value calculation for Magnus.

In the prior year, our auditor’s report included a section: ‘Material uncertainty related to going concern’ to discuss the material 
uncertainty that may have cast significant doubt on the Group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern. In the 
current year, management has concluded that a material uncertainty does not exist over going concern and we agree with this 
conclusion. Hence, we did not include a ‘Material uncertainty related to going concern’ section but have discussed the risk, our 
procedures performed and conclusion on going concern in the key audit matter section above. 

The ‘complexity of the deferred taxation calculation’ was considered to be a key audit matter for the 2017 audit. While the complexity of 
the calculation remains a risk, there were no significant changes in the calculation methodology or legislation impacting the 2018 
balance, hence this matter has had less impact on the allocation of resources in the audit and directing the efforts of the engagement 
team than in the prior year. For the 2018 audit, the work performed in relation to the deferred tax arising from the Magnus option is 
included with the key audit matter ‘Complexity of the acquisition accounting for 75% of Magnus’.

Impairment and impairment reversal of the carrying value of tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill was considered to be a key 
audit matter for the 2017 audit. For the 2018 audit, the key inputs and assumptions that impact this risk, such as oil prices, discount rates, 
production profiles and future costs, have been covered through our audit procedures on other key audit matters relating to the 
acquisition of the 75% stake in Magnus, reserves and going concern. We therefore concluded that, as a stand-alone risk, this had less 
impact on the allocation of resources and directing the efforts of the engagement team and hence was not reported as a key audit 
matter for the 2018 audit.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

89

Revenue recognition is a significant risk presumed by ISAs (UK). It is not included above, as EnQuest’s revenue streams are largely 
routine in nature and do not involve significant judgement or use of significant estimates. Consequently, the auditing of revenue 
recognition did not have the greatest effect on our overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit or in directing the 
efforts of the engagement team.

An overview of the scope of our audit 
Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance materiality determine our audit scope for 
each entity within the Group. Taken together, this enables us to form an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We take into 
account size, risk profile, the organisation of the Group and effectiveness of Group-wide controls and changes in the business 
environment when assessing the level of work to be performed at each entity.

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative coverage 
of significant accounts in the financial statements, of the two reporting components of the Group, we selected both components 
covering entities within Malaysia and the North Sea, which represent the principal business units within the Group.

We performed an audit of the complete financial information of the North Sea business unit (full scope) as it accounts for approximately 
90% of the Group’s EBITDA. We audited the Malaysian entities as specific scope. We also audited the parent company in full scope and 
the remaining significant balances of the Group are in specific scope for audit procedures performed by the primary team.

REVENUE
EBITDA
TOTAL ASSETS

Full scope

Specific scope

Other procedures

89% (2017: 100%)
90% (2017: 100%)
96% (2017: 95%)

11%  (2017: 0%)
10%  (2017: 0%)
3% (2017: 0%)

0% (2017: 0%)
0% (2017: 0%)
0% (2017: 5%)

Changes from the prior year 
Malaysia was full scope in the prior year and has been reduced to specific scope audit this year. This change is driven by the relatively 
smaller contribution of Malaysia to Group EBITDA (the basis of materiality) (2018: 10%, 2017: 19%) and no perceived heightened risk of 
material misstatement following the full scope audit procedures performed audit last year.

Involvement with component teams 
In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be undertaken at each of the 
components audited by us, as the primary audit engagement team, or by component auditors from other EY global network firms 
operating under our instruction. For the North Sea full scope component (which represents 90% of Group EBITDA), parent company and 
remaining significant (non-Malaysia) balances, audit procedures were performed directly by the primary audit team. For the specific scope 
component (Malaysia), where the work was performed by component auditors, we determined the appropriate level of involvement to 
enable us to determine that sufficient audit evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the Group as a whole.

The primary team (including the Senior Statutory Auditor) interacted regularly with the Malaysia team during various stages of the audit 
including planning of the audit approach, discussing any issues arising from their work and reviewing key working papers. The primary 
team were responsible for the scope and direction of the audit process. The primary team also attended the audit close meeting with 
EnQuest Malaysia management. This, together with the additional procedures performed at Group level, gave us appropriate evidence 
for our opinion on the Group financial statements.

Our application of materiality 
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the 
audit and in forming our audit opinion. 

Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and extent of our 
audit procedures.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the Group to be $14.3 million (2017: $6.1 million), which is 2% 
(2017: 2%) of Business performance EBITDA as included in the consolidated financial statements. Our materiality has increased by 134% 
from the prior year in line with the increased profitability of the Group. In the prior year, materiality was lower due to lower price and 
production levels and as both recovered in 2018, we expected our materiality to increase. Accordingly, we believe the magnitude of the 
increase to be appropriate.

We believe that EBITDA is the most appropriate basis to use as this is the key performance indicator used by management, it is the main 
performance measure used in the covenant calculations associated with the Group’s debt and is the measure most focused on by stakeholders. 

We determined materiality for the parent company to be $8.9 million (2017: $7.8 million), which is 1% (2017: 1%) of equity excluding the 
impact from reversal of impairment on investment. The materiality is lower for the parent company as compared to the Group due to the 
different basis used for determining materiality.

During the course of our audit, we reassessed initial materiality and there has been no significant change in final materiality from our 
original assessment at planning.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
90

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED
to the Members of EnQuest PLC (Registered number: 07140891)

Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately low level the 
probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our judgement was that 
performance materiality should be 50% (2017: 50%) of our planning materiality, namely $7.2 million (2017: $3.1 million). We have set 
performance materiality at this percentage due to our understanding of the entity and past experience with the engagement indicating 
a higher risk of misstatements.

Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is 
undertaken based on a percentage of total performance materiality. The performance materiality set for each component is based on 
the relative scale and risk of the component to the Group as a whole and our assessment of the risk of misstatement at that component. 
In the current year, the performance materiality allocated to components was $6.4 million (90% of Group performance materiality) for the 
North Sea (2017: $2.8 million) and $2.1 million (30% of Group performance materiality) for Malaysia (2017: $1.2 million). 

Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered as being clearly trivial.

We identify and capture misstatements above $0.7 million (2017: $0.3 million) which is set at 5% of planning materiality. We agreed with 
the Audit Committee that we would report to them all uncorrected audit differences in excess of $1 million, as well as differences below 
that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both 
the quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in light of other relevant qualitative considerations in forming our opinion.

Other information 
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s 
report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this 
report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are 
required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of the other information, we 
are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our responsibility to specifically address the following items in the other 
information and to report as uncorrected material misstatements of the other information where we conclude that those items meet the 
following conditions:
•  Fair, balanced and understandable, set out on page 54 – the statement given by the Directors that they consider the Annual Report 

and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s performance, business model and strategy, is materially inconsistent with our knowledge 
obtained in the audit; or 

•  Audit Committee reporting, set out on pages 53 to 57 – the section describing the work of the Audit Committee does not 

appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee; or

•  Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, set out on pages 49 to 52 – the parts of the 

Directors’ statement required under the Listing Rules relating to the Company’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code containing provisions specified for review by the auditor in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not properly disclose a 
departure from a relevant provision of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Opinions 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.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
•  The information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 

prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

•  The Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the course of 
the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 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.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

91

Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement, set out on page 84, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is 
necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group and parent company’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 
Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high 
level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud 
The objectives of our audit, in respect to fraud, are: to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements 
due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through 
designing and implementing appropriate responses; and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the 
audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of 
the entity and management. 

Our approach was as follows: 
•  We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the Group and determined that the 

most significant frameworks which are directly relevant to specific assertions in the financial statements are those that relate to the 
reporting framework (IFRS, FRS 101, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Corporate Governance Code) and the relevant tax compliance 
regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. In addition, we concluded that there are certain significant laws and 
regulations which may have an effect on the determination of the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements being the 
Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority, and those laws and regulations relating to health and safety and employee matters.

•  We understood how EnQuest PLC is complying with those frameworks by making enquiries of management, those responsible for 

legal and compliance procedures and the Company Secretary. We corroborated our enquiries through our review of Board minutes, 
papers provided to the Audit Committee and correspondence received from regulatory bodies. We obtained the Code of Business 
conduct and employee handbook (updated as at May 2017) which is provided to all employees and those charged with governance 
which indicates a culture of honesty and ethical behaviour and with an emphasis on fraud prevention, which may reduce 
opportunities for fraud to take place. Inquiries were made of those charged with governance in part to corroborate the responses to 
the inquiries of management.

•  We assessed the susceptibility of the Group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur, by 

meeting with management from various parts of the business to understand where it considered there was susceptibility to fraud.  
We considered the programmes and controls that the Group has established to address risks identified, or that otherwise prevent, 
deter and detect fraud; and how senior management monitors those programmes and controls. Where the risk was considered to be 
higher, we performed audit procedures to address each identified fraud risk. These procedures included testing manual journals and 
were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud or error.

•  Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations identified 
in the paragraphs above. Our procedures involved: journal entry testing, with a focus on manual consolidation journals and journals 
indicating large or unusual transactions based on our understanding of the business; enquiries of legal counsel, Group management, 
location management in all full scope entities; and focused testing, as referred to in the key audit matters section above.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters we are required to address 
•  We were appointed by the Board of Directors in 2010 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2010 and 

subsequent financial periods.

•  The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments is eight years, covering the years 

ended 31 December 2010 to 31 December 2018. The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided 
to the Group or the parent company and we remain independent of the Group and the parent company in conducting the audit. 

•  The audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee.

Use of our report
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. 

Paul Wallek (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
London

20 March 2019

Notes:
1  The maintenance and integrity of the EnQuest PLC website is the responsibility of the Directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters 

and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions

2 

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
92

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the year ended 31 December 2018

2018

Business 
performance
$’000

Remeasurements 
and exceptional 
items (note 4)
$’000

Notes

Reported
 in year
$’000

Business 
performance
$’000

2017

Remeasurements 
and exceptional 
items (note 4)
$’000

Revenue and other operating income
Cost of sales

5(a)
5(b)

1,201,005
(926,020)

97,432
1,718

99,150

1,298,437
(924,302)

635,167
(569,506)

374,135

65,661

(126,046)
–
78,316
(14,715)

36,705
(28)
–

36,677
12,406

(126,046)
(4,018)
100,744
(18,077)

326,738
(236,142)
3,389

93,985
33,293

 –
 (848) 
6,807
(24,363)

47,257
 (149,020)
 2,213

(99,550)
65,996

(7,716)
5,481

(2,235)

(171,971)
–
50,613
(20,358)

(143,951)
(272)
–

(144,223)
116,947

274,985

 –
(4,018)
22,428
(3,362)

290,033
(236,114)
3,389

57,308
20,887

Reported
 in year
$’000

627,451
(564,025)

63,426

(171,971)
(848)
57,420
(44,721)

(96,694)
(149,292)
2,213

(243,773)
182,943

78,195

49,083

127,278

(33,554)

(27,276)

(60,830)

(36)

(36)

127,242

$
0.104
0.101

$

(0.025)(i)
(0.025)(i)

(5)

(5)

(60,835)

$

(0.046)(i)
(0.046)(i)

$
0.064
0.062

Gross profit/(loss)
Net impairment (charge)/reversal to 

oil and gas assets

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
Items that may be reclassified to profit 

or loss:

Transfers to income statement of cash 

flow hedges

Other comprehensive income for 

the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the 

year, attributable to owners of 
the parent

Earnings per share
Basic 
Diluted 

(i)  Restated following rights issue

4
5(c)
5(d)
5(e)

6
6

7

8

The attached notes 1 to 29 form part of these Group financial statements. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
GROUP BALANCE SHEET
At 31 December 2018

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Intangible oil and gas assets
Investments
Deferred tax assets
Other financial assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables 
Current tax receivable
Cash and cash equivalents
Other financial assets

TOTAL ASSETS

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital and premium
Merger reserve
Cash flow hedge reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Bonds
Obligations under finance leases
Provisions
Trade and other payables
Other financial liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities
Borrowings
Obligations under finance leases
Provisions
Trade and other payables
Other financial liabilities
Current tax payable

TOTAL LIABILITIES

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

93

Notes

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

10
11
12
13
7
20

14
15

16
20

17

19
19
24
22
23
20
7

19
24
22
23
20

4,349,913
283,950
51,803
31
286,721
5,958 

3,848,622
 189,317
 52,103
 152 
398,263
8,191

4,978,376

4,496,648

100,532
275,809
20
240,604
66,575

683,540

78,045
 227,754
1,159
 173,128
61,737

541,823

5,661,916

5,038,471

345,331
662,855
–
(6,884)
(17,750)

210,402
 662,855
 36 
 (5,516)
 (106,911)

983,552

 760,866

735,470
990,282
615,781
1,306,092
18,209
–
27,815

 888,993
 934,351
 679,924
705,999
 78,777
 7,121
 62,685

3,693,649

 3,357,850

311,261
93,169
81,050
483,781
142
15,312

 330,012
 118,009
43,215 
 367,312
 61,207
–

984,715

 919,755

4,678,364

 4,277,605

5,661,916

5,038,471

The attached notes 1 to 29 form part of these Group financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 20 March 2019 and signed on its behalf by: 

Jonathan Swinney
Chief Financial Officer

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
94

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the year ended 31 December 2018

Balance at 1 January 2017
Profit/(loss) for the year
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Share-based payment
Shares issued on behalf of Employee Benefit Trust

Balance at 31 December 2017 (as previously 

Share capital 
and share 
premium
$’000

208,639 
– 
– 

– 
– 
1,763

Merger 
reserve
$’000

662,855 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

reported)

210,402 

662,855 

Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 9 (see note 2)
Balance at 1 January 2018
Profit/(loss) for the year
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Issue of share capital
Share-based payment
Shares purchased on behalf of Employee  

Benefit Trust

210,402 
– 
– 

– 
128,916
– 

6,013

662,855 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

Balance at 31 December 2018

345,331

662,855

The attached notes 1 to 29 form part of these Group financial statements. 

Cash flow 
hedge 
reserve
$’000

Share-based 
payments 
reserve
$’000

 41 
– 
(5)

(5)
– 
– 

36

36
– 
(36)

(36)
– 
– 

– 

– 

(6,602) 
– 
– 

– 
2,849 
(1,763)

(5,516) 

(5,516) 
– 
– 

– 
– 
4,645

(6,013)

(6,884)

Retained 
earnings 
$’000

(46,081) 
(60,830)
– 

(60,830)
– 
– 

(106,911)
(38,117)
(145,028)
127,278
– 

127,278
– 
– 

Total
$’000

818,852 
(60,830)
(5)

(60,835)
2,849 
–

760,866
(38,117)
722,749
127,278
(36)

127,242
128,916
4,645

– 

– 

(17,750)

983,552

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended 31 December 2018

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Cash generated from operations
Cash (paid)/received on sale/(purchase) of financial instruments
Proceeds from exercise of Thistle decommissioning option
Decommissioning spend
Income taxes paid

Net cash flows from/(used in) operating activities

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible oil and gas assets
Proceeds from disposal of Ascent loan notes 
Consideration on exercise of Magnus acquisition option
Deferred consideration on initial Magnus acquisition
Interest received

Net cash flows (used in)/from investing activities

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from bank facilities
Repayment of bank facilities
Gross proceeds from issue of shares
Shares purchased by Employee Benefit Trust
Share issue and debt restructuring costs paid
Repayment of obligations under finance leases
Interest paid
Other finance costs paid

Net cash flows from/(used in) financing activities

NET (DECREASE)/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

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents per statement of cash flows
Restricted cash

Cash and cash equivalents per balance sheet

The attached notes 1 to 29 form part of these Group financial statements. 

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

95

Notes

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

28

22

788,629
(16,363)
50,000
(10,036)
(17,798)

327,034
 (1,185)
 –
 (10,605)
 (13,463)

794,432

301,781

(220,213)
 –
 –
(100,000)
(48,642)
1,600

 (358,420)
 (9,171)
3,561
–
–
 340

(367,255)

 (363,690)

219,900
(402,008)
138,926
(6,013)
(3,997)
(144,820)
(136,482)
(20,425)

 162,970
 (50,969)
–
 –
 (1,356)
–
 (46,052)
 (6,286)

(354,919)

 58,307

72,258
(4,726)
 169,668

 (3,602)
 5,210
168,060

237,200

 169,668

237,200
3,404

 169,668
3,460

16

240,604

 173,128

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
96

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2018

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

The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’) is to enhance hydrocarbon recovery and extend the 
useful lives of mature and underdeveloped assets and associated infrastructure in a profitable and responsible manner.

The Group’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the 
Board of Directors on 20 March 2019.

A listing of the Group companies is contained in note 27 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 2018 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 2018.

The Group financial information has been prepared on an historical cost basis, except for the fair value remeasurement of certain 
financial instruments, including derivatives, as set out in the accounting policies below. 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 ($’000) except 
where otherwise stated.

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. Further information relating to the use of the going concern 
assumption is provided in the ‘Going concern’ section of the Financial Review.

New standards and interpretations
The Group applied IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018. The nature 
and effect of the changes as a result of adoption of these new accounting standards are described below. Other new standards are also 
effective from 1 January 2018 but they do not have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements. The Group has not early 
adopted any standards, interpretations or amendments that have been issued but are not yet effective. 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognised. It replaces IAS 18 
Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and related interpretations. The five-step model applies to revenue arising from contracts with 
customers and requires revenue to be recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled 
in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. Determining the timing of the transfer of control, at a point in time or over 
time, requires judgement.

The Group adopted IFRS 15 using the full retrospective method of adoption as per the new IFRS 15 accounting policies and the Group 
has assessed that there is no impact on the financial statements. 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, bringing together the accounting 
aspects for financial instruments: classification and measurement, impairment under the expected credit loss (‘ECL’) model and hedge 
accounting.

When adopting IFRS 9, the Group has applied transition relief and opted not to restate prior periods. Differences arising from the 
adoption of IFRS 9 are recognised in retained earnings. The total impact on the Group’s retained earnings as at 1 January 2018 is 
$38.1 million. The effect of adopting IFRS 9 is as follows: 

Impact on the statement of financial position (increase/(decrease)):

Balance sheet (extract)

Non-current liabilities
Bonds

Total

Equity
Retained earnings 

Total

31 December
2017
$’000

IFRS 9
adjustment
$’000

1 January
2018
$’000

934,351

934,351

38,117

38,117

972,468

972,468

 (106,911)

 (106,911)

(38,117)

(145,028)

(38,117)

(145,028)

The table shows the adjustment recognised for each relevant line item. Line items that were not affected by the changes have not been 
included. The adjustments are recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 January 2018.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

97

In October 2017, the IASB confirmed the accounting for modifications of financial liabilities under IFRS 9. When a financial liability 
measured at amortised cost is modified without this resulting in derecognition, a gain or loss should be recognised in profit or loss. The 
gain or loss is calculated as the difference between the original contractual cash flows and the modified cash flows discounted at the 
original effective interest rate (‘EIR’). Any fees and costs incurred are amortised over the remaining term of the asset.

At the end of 2016, the Group’s bonds were refinanced, for which the modification was not considered to be significant under IAS 39. As 
a result, the change in contractual cash flows on the bonds was amortised over the new life of the bonds, rather than taken straight to 
profit or loss. Under IFRS 9, the refinancing is a modification of the debt in which the difference in contractual cash flows should be taken 
straight to profit or loss. The cash flows were reassessed and, on 1 January 2018 on the adoption of IFRS 9, an adjustment for 
$38.1 million was taken through opening reserves and through the amortised value of the bonds ($15.4 million increase to high yield 
bonds and a $22.7 million increase to retail bonds).

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 these standards when they become effective. The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of 
these standards will have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements in the period of initial application.

IFRS 16 Leases
IFRS 16 Leases, issued in January 2016, sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases 
for both lessors and lessees. It replaces the previous leases standard IAS 17 Leases and is effective from 1 January 2019. IFRS 16 requires 
lessees and lessors to make more extensive disclosures than under IAS 17.

IFRS 16 introduces a single, on-balance sheet lease accounting model for lessees. A lessee recognises a right-of-use asset, representing 
its right to use the underlying asset, and a lease liability, representing its obligation to make lease payments. Lessees will be required to 
recognise separately the interest expense on the lease liability and the depreciation expense on the right-of-use asset. There are 
recognition exemptions for short-term leases and leases of low-value items. Lessor accounting remains similar to the current accounting 
under IAS 17 i.e. lessors continue to classify leases as finance or operating leases.

During 2018, the Group has performed an impact assessment for the application of IFRS 16. This assessment is based on currently 
available information and will be subject to changes arising from further reasonable and supportable information being made available 
to the Group in 2019, including the Group’s borrowing rate at 1 January 2019 when the Group will adopt IFRS 16. The Group continues to 
assess its accounting processes, controls and policies on an ongoing basis.

The Group will adopt the new standard on the required effective date using the modified retrospective method. The Group will apply 
the practical expedient to grandfather the definition of a lease on transition. It will therefore apply IFRS 16 to all contracts entered into 
before 1 January 2019 and identified as leases in accordance with IAS 17. Contracts which have not been considered or identified as a 
lease will continue to be accounted for in line with their historical treatment. The Group will also elect to use the exemptions proposed 
by the standard on lease contracts for which the lease terms ends within 12 months as of the date of initial application and lease 
contracts for which the underlying asset is of low value.

The Group has identified leases which will be recognised as finance leases under IFRS 16. On the implementation of IFRS 16 on 1 January 
2019, the Group expects to recognise right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities of approximately $82 million. The 
preliminary estimated impact on the Group’s 2019 consolidated statement of comprehensive income results in a decrease in net profit of 
approximately $2 million; a result of the replacement of operating lease payments previously accounted under IAS 17 by increased 
depreciation and finance charges under IFRS 16. EBITDA is estimated to increase by approximately $7 million. The estimated 2019 
consolidated financial statements impact is computed based on the information available to date and the actual impact of IFRS 16 on 
the Group’s 2019 consolidated financial statements may differ from the estimates provided above.

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.

Joint arrangements
Oil and gas operations are usually conducted by the Group as co-licensees in unincorporated joint operations with other companies. 
Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant 
activities require the consent of the relevant parties sharing control.

Most of the Group’s activities are conducted through joint operations, whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement 
have the rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. The Group reports its interests in joint 
operations using proportionate consolidation – the Group’s share of the production, assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the joint 
operation are combined with the equivalent items in the consolidated financial statements on a line-by-line basis.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
98

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

2. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
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.

Where applicable, the consideration for the acquisition includes any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration 
arrangement, measured at its acquisition date fair value. Subsequent changes in such fair values are adjusted against the cost of 
acquisition where they qualify as measurement period adjustments (see below). All other subsequent changes in the fair value of 
contingent consideration classified as a financial liability are remeasured through profit or loss. If the contingent consideration is not 
within the scope of IFRS 9, it is measured at fair value in accordance with the appropriate IFRS. Contingent consideration that is classified 
as equity is not remeasured and subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity.

If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the 
Group reports provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted during 
the measurement period (see below), or additional assets or liabilities are recognised to reflect new information obtained about facts 
and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the amounts recognised as of that date.

The measurement period is the period from the date of acquisition to the date the Group obtains complete information about facts and 
circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, and is subject to a maximum of one year.

Goodwill 
Goodwill arising on 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. 

If the fair value of the net assets acquired is in excess of the aggregate consideration transferred, the Group reassesses whether it has 
correctly identified all of the assets acquired and all of the liabilities assumed and reviews the procedures used to measure the amounts 
to be recognised at the acquisition date. If the reassessment still results in an excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the 
aggregate consideration transferred, the gain is recognised in profit or loss.

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. 

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill acquired is allocated to the cash generating units (‘CGU’) 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. 

Impairment is determined by assessing the recoverable amount of the CGU to which the goodwill relates. Where the recoverable 
amount of the CGU is less than the carrying amount of the CGU and related goodwill, an impairment loss is recognised. Impairment 
losses relating to goodwill cannot be reversed in future periods.

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 to enhance hydrocarbon recovery and extend the useful lives of mature and underdeveloped assets and 
associated infrastructure in a profitable and responsible manner. 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 oil and gas assets, goodwill and the estimate of the cost recovery provision
Determination of whether oil and gas assets or goodwill have suffered any impairment requires an estimation of the fair value less costs 
to dispose of the CGU to which oil and gas assets and goodwill have been allocated. The calculation requires the entity to estimate the 
future cash flows expected to arise from the CGU using discounted cash flow models comprising asset-by-asset life of field projections 
using Level 3 inputs (based on the IFRS 13 fair value hierarchy). Key assumptions and estimates in the impairment models relate to: 
commodity prices that are based on internal view of forward curve prices for the first three years and thereafter at $75/bbl inflated at 
2.0% per annum from 2023; discount rates derived from the Group’s post-tax weighted average cost of capital of 10.0% (2017: 10.0%); 
commercial reserves and the related cost profiles. As the production and related cash flows can be estimated from EnQuest’s 
experience, management believes that the estimated cash flows expected to be generated over the life of each field is the appropriate 
basis upon which to assess goodwill and individual assets for impairment. 

These same models and assumptions are used in the calculation of the cost recovery provision (see note 22). 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

99

Determining the fair value of property, plant and equipment on business combinations
The Group determines the fair value of property, plant and equipment acquired in a business combination based on the discounted 
cash flows at the time of acquisition from the proven and probable reserves. In assessing the discounted cash flows, the estimated future 
cash flows attributable to the asset are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects the market assessments of 
the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset at the time of the acquisition. In calculating the asset fair value, the Group will 
apply a forward curve followed by an oil price assumption representing management’s view of the long-term oil price. 

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, 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 2.0% (2017: 2.0%) and an annual discount rate of 
2.0% (2017: 2.0%).

Going concern
The Directors’ assessment of going concern concludes that the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and that the Directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its commitments as they fall due over the 
going concern period.

The going concern assumption is highly sensitive to economic conditions. The Group closely monitors and manages its funding position 
and liquidity risk throughout the year, including monitoring forecast covenant results, to ensure it has access to sufficient funds to meet 
forecast cash requirements. Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities considered for, but not limited to, changes in crude 
oil prices (adjusted for hedging undertaken by the Group), production rates and development project timing and costs. These forecasts 
and sensitivity analyses allow management to mitigate liquidity or covenant compliance risks in a timely manner. See the Financial 
Review for further details.

Taxation
The Group’s operations are subject to a number of specific tax rules which apply to exploration, development and production. In 
addition, the tax provision is prepared before the relevant companies have filed their tax returns with the relevant tax authorities 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 including those required in calculating the effective tax rate. In considering the tax on exceptional 
items, the Group applies the appropriate statutory tax rate to each item to calculate the relevant tax charge on exceptional items.

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 likelihood of future taxable profits and the 
amount of deferred tax that can be recognised. 

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’s 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 profit and loss in the statement of 
comprehensive income. 

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 by 
management. 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. 

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

Office furniture and equipment   Five years
Ten years
Fixtures and fittings 
Period of lease
Long leasehold land 

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 assets under construction. 

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
100

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

2. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
Oil and gas assets
Exploration and appraisal assets
The Group adopts the successful efforts method of accounting for exploration and evaluation costs. Pre-licence costs are expensed in 
the period in which they are incurred. Expenditure directly associated with exploration, evaluation or appraisal activities is initially 
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 as exploration and evaluation expenses in 
the statement of comprehensive income. When exploration licences are relinquished without further development, any previous 
impairment loss is reversed and the carrying costs are written off through the statement of comprehensive income. When assets are 
declared part of a commercial development, related costs are transferred to property, plant and equipment. 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. 

Development 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.

Farm-outs – in the exploration and evaluation phase
The Group does not record any expenditure made by the farmee on its account. In the event of a partial farm-out, the Group also does 
not recognise any gain or loss on its exploration and evaluation farm-out arrangements but redesignates any costs previously 
capitalised in relation to the whole interest as relating to the partial interest retained. Any cash consideration received directly from the 
farmee is credited against costs previously capitalised in relation to the whole interest with any excess accounted for by the farmor as a 
gain on disposal.

Farm-outs – outside the exploration and evaluation phase
In accounting for a farm-out arrangement outside the exploration and evaluation phase, the Group:
•  Derecognises the proportion of the asset that it has sold to the farmee;
•  Recognises the consideration received or receivable from the farmee, which represents the cash received and/or the farmee’s 
obligation to fund the capital expenditure in relation to the interest retained by the farmor and/or any deferred consideration;
•  Recognises a gain or loss on the transaction for the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the 
asset disposed of. A gain is only recognised when the value of the consideration can be determined reliably. If not, then the Group 
accounts for the consideration received as a reduction in the carrying amount of the underlying assets; and

•  Tests the retained interests for impairment if the terms of the arrangement indicate that the retained interest may be impaired.

The consideration receivable on disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment or an intangible asset is recognised initially at its 
fair value by the Group. However, if payment for the item is deferred, the consideration received is recognised initially at the cash price 
equivalent. The difference between the nominal amount of the consideration and the cash price equivalent is recognised as interest 
revenue. Any part of the consideration that is receivable in the form of cash is treated as a financial asset and is accounted for at 
amortised cost.

Carry arrangements
Where amounts are paid on behalf of a carried party these are capitalised. Where there is an obligation to make payments on behalf of a 
carried party and the timing and amount are uncertain, a provision is recognised. Where the payment is a fixed monetary amount, a 
financial liability is recognised.

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.

Impairment of tangible and intangible 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 its fair value less costs of disposal 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 post-tax discount rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

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.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

101

Non-current assets held for sale
Non-current assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs of disposal. 

Non-current assets are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through 
continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset is available for immediate sale in its 
present condition. Management must be committed to the sale which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale 
within one year from the date of classification.

Financial instruments (policy applicable from 1 January 2018)
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial 
instrument. 

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and 
substantially all the risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or 
expires. When 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 the derecognition of the original liability and the 
recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the statement of profit or loss.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if 
there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis.

Financial assets 
Initial recognition and initial measurement
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (‘FVOCI’), or fair 
value through profit or loss (‘FVPL’).

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow characteristics and the 
Group’s business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing 
component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient, the Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus 
transaction costs (in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss). Trade receivables that do not contain a 
significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient are measured at the transaction price 
determined under IFRS 15.

Subsequent measurement 
Financial assets at amortised cost
This category is the most relevant to the Group. The Group measures financial assets at amortised cost if both of the following 
conditions are met:
•  The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; 

and 

•  The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest 

on the principal amount outstanding.

Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest rate method and are subject to impairment. 
Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (debt instruments)
The Group measures debt instruments at fair value through OCI if both of the following conditions are met:
•  The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective of both holding to collect contractual cash flows and selling; and
•  The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest 

on the principal amount outstanding.

For debt instruments at FVOCI, interest income, foreign exchange revaluation and impairment losses or reversals are recognised in the 
statement of profit or loss and computed in the same manner as for financial assets measured at amortised cost. The remaining fair value 
changes are recognised in OCI. Upon derecognition, the cumulative fair value change recognised in OCI is recycled to profit or loss.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading, financial assets designated upon initial 
recognition at fair value through profit or loss, or financial assets mandatorily required to be measured at fair value. Financial assets are 
classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term. All financial assets not 
classified as measured at amortised cost or FVOCI as described above are measured at FVPL.

Derivatives, including separated embedded derivatives, are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective 
hedging instruments. Financial assets with cash flows that are not solely payments of principal and interest are classified and measured 
at fair value through profit or loss, irrespective of the business model. Notwithstanding the criteria for debt instruments to be classified 
at amortised cost or at FVOCI, as described above, debt instruments may be designated at FVPL on initial recognition if doing so 
eliminates, or significantly reduces, an accounting mismatch.

Financial assets at FVPL are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with net changes in fair value recognised in the 
statement of profit or loss.

This category includes derivative instruments and listed equity investments which the Group had not irrevocably elected to classify 
at FVOCI. 

Financial assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety when determining whether their cash flows are solely 
payment of principal and interest.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
102

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

2. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
Impairment of financial assets
IFRS 9’s impairment requirements use more forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the ECL model. This 
replaces IAS 39’s ‘incurred loss model’. 

The Group recognises an allowance for ECLs for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the 
difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to 
receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the 
sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.

ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial 
recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12 months (a ‘12-month 
ECL’). For those credit exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is 
required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a ‘lifetime ECL’).

For trade receivables and contract assets, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not 
track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Group has 
established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the 
debtors and the economic environment.

For debt instruments at FVOCI, the Group applies the low credit risk simplification. At every reporting date, the Group evaluates 
whether the debt instrument is considered to have low credit risk using all reasonable and supportable information that is available 
without undue cost or effort. In making that evaluation, the Group reassesses the internal credit rating of the debt instrument. In 
addition, the Group considers that there has been a significant increase in credit risk when contractual payments are more than 30 days 
past due.

It is the Group’s policy to measure ECLs on such instruments on a 12-month basis.

Financial liabilities 
Initial recognition and initial measurement
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at FVPL, loans and borrowings, payables, or as derivatives 
designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.

All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly 
attributable transaction costs.

The Group’s financial liabilities include loans and borrowings, trade and other payables, quoted and unquoted financial liabilities, and 
derivative financial instruments.

Subsequent measurement 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial liabilities at FVPL include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair 
value through profit or loss.

Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. This category 
also includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Group that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge 
relationships as defined by IFRS 9. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as 
effective hedging instruments. Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognised in the statement of profit or loss.

The Group uses derivative financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts, interest rate swaps and commodity contracts, to 
address its foreign currency risks, interest rate risks and commodity price risks, respectively. Such derivative financial instruments are 
initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. 
Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative. Any 
changes in fair value are recognised immediately in the profit or loss within ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’ profit or loss on the 
face of the income statement. When a derivative reaches maturity, the realised gain or loss is included within the Group’s ‘Business 
performance’ results with a corresponding reclassification from ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’. 

Option premium received or paid for commodity derivatives are amortised into ‘Business performance’ revenue over the period 
between the inception of the option, and that option’s expiry date. This results in a corresponding reclassification from 
‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’ revenue.

The Group has not designated any derivative financial instruments as hedging instruments for the periods contained within these 
financial statements. 

Loans and borrowings
This is the category most relevant to the Group and includes the measurement of the bonds. After initial recognition, interest-bearing 
loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or 
loss when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR amortisation process. This category generally applies to 
interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of 
the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the statement of profit or loss.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

103

Inventories
Inventories of consumable well supplies are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value, cost being determined on an average 
cost basis. Inventories of hydrocarbons are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

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. 

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. 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. The merger reserve in the Group financial statements also includes 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 hedged item, the change in fair value is transferred to profit or loss.

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 shares held 
within the Employee Benefit Trust.

Retained earnings
Retained earnings contain the accumulated results attributable to the shareholders of the parent company. 

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; 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.

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.

Leases
The determination of whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement at the inception date. 
The arrangement is assessed for whether fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets or the 
arrangement conveys a right to use the asset or assets, even if that right is not explicitly specified in an arrangement.

Group as a lessee 
A lease is classified at the inception date as a finance lease or an operating lease. A lease that transfers substantially all the risks and 
rewards incidental to ownership to the Group is classified as a finance lease.

Finance leases are capitalised at the commencement of the lease at the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, at the present value of 
the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease liability so as to 
achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are recognised in finance costs in the 
income statement.

A leased asset is depreciated over the useful life of the asset. However, if there is no reasonable certainty that the Group will obtain 
ownership by the end of the lease term, the asset is depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset and the 
lease term. Lease charter payment credits, arising from the non-performance of the leased asset, are recognised as an operating 
expense in the income statement for the period to which they relate. 

An operating lease is a lease other than a finance lease. Operating lease payments are recognised as an operating expense in the 
income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
104

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

2. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
Group as a lessor
Leases in which the Group does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset are classified as operating 
leases. Rental income arising is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease terms and is included in revenue in the statement of 
profit or loss due to its operating nature. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the 
carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised over the lease term on the same basis as rental income. Contingent rents are 
recognised as revenue in the period in which they are earned.

Revenue from contracts with customers
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when control of the goods or services are transferred to the customer at an 
amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Group 
has concluded that it is the principal in its revenue arrangements because it typically controls the goods or services before transferring 
them to the customer.

Sale of crude oil, gas and condensate
The sale of crude oil, gas or condensate represents a single performance obligation, being the sale of barrels equivalent on collection of 
a cargo or on delivery of commodity into an infrastructure. Revenue is accordingly recognised for this performance obligation when 
control over the corresponding commodity is transferred to the customer. Variable revenue conditions can arise on either party based 
on the failure to provide commitments detailed within the contract. These variations arise as an event occurs and therefore the 
transaction price is known at the timing of the performance obligations with no judgement required. The normal credit term is 30 to 
90 days upon collection or delivery.

Tariff revenue for the use of Group infrastructure 
Tariffs are charged to customers for the use of infrastructure owned by the Group. There is one contract per customer which is for a 
period of 12 months or less and is based on one performance obligation for the use of Group assets. The use of the assets is not 
separable as they are interdependent in order to fulfil the contract and no one item of infrastructure can be individually isolated. 
Revenue is recognised over the performance of the contract as services are provided for the use of the infrastructure at the agreed 
contracted rates on a throughput basis.

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

Production imbalances and under/over-lift 
Production imbalances arise on fields as oil is lifted per each joint venture party, resulting in a variance in the volume of oil lifted versus 
the entitlement per owner per their working interest. All Group fields are operated through a Joint Venture Agreement (‘JVA’) through 
which production imbalances are settled. Settlement occurs through agreed lifting schedules and are not settled in cash, with the 
exception of a misbalance at the cessation of contract. As collaborative agreements and non-monetary exchanges, the transactions do 
not meet the definition of a customer under IFRS 15 and are recognised through cost of sales.

The under or over-lifted positions of hydrocarbons arising from production imbalances 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. 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. Movements in under or over-lifted positions are accounted for through cost of sales.

Remeasurements and 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 or 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 better assess trends in financial performance.

The following items are classified as Remeasurements and exceptional items (‘exceptional’):
•  Unrealised mark-to-market changes in the remeasurement of derivative contracts are included in exceptional profit or loss. This 

includes the recycling of realised amounts from exceptional items into ‘Business performance’ income when a derivative instrument 
matures, together with the recycling of option premium amortisation from exceptional to ‘Business performance’ as set out in the 
derivatives policy previously;
Impairments and write offs/write downs are deemed to be exceptional in nature. This includes impairments of tangible and 
intangible assets, and write offs/write downs of unsuccessful exploration. Other non-routine write offs/write downs, where deemed 
material, are also included in this category; 

• 

•  The depletion of a fair value uplift to property, plant and equipment that arose from the merger accounting applied at the time of 

EnQuest’s formation; and

•  Other exceptional items that arise from time to time as reviewed by management and disclosed as exceptionals in the notes to the 

financial statements, such as the acquisition accounting of Magnus and other interests in 2017 and 2018.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

105

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
Eligible 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. 
Fair value is measured in reference to the scheme rules, as detailed in note 18. 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 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 previously 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, 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.

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. 

Production tax relates to Petroleum Revenue Tax (‘PRT’) within the UK and is accounted for under IAS 12 Income Taxes 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. 

Investment allowance
The UK taxation regime provides for a reduction in ring fence supplementary corporation tax where investment in new or existing 
UK assets qualify for a relief known as investment allowance. Investment allowance must be activated by commercial production from 
the same field before it can be claimed. The Group has both unactivated and activated investment allowance which could reduce future 
supplementary corporation taxation. The Group’s policy is that investment allowance is recognised as a reduction in the charge to 
taxation in the years claimed.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
106

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

3. Segment information
Management have considered the requirements of IFRS 8 Operating Segments in regard to the determination of operating segments 
and concluded that the Group has two significant operating segments: the North Sea and Malaysia. Operations are managed by 
location and all information is presented per geographical segment. The information reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker 
does not include an analysis of assets and liabilities and accordingly this information is not presented.

Year ended 31 December 2018
$’000

Revenue:
Revenue from contracts with customers
Other income

Total revenue

Income/(expenses):
Depreciation and depletion
Net impairment reversal/(charge) to oil and gas 

assets

Impairment reversal of investments
Exploration write offs and impairments
Segment profit/(loss)

Other disclosures: 
Capital expenditure

Year ended 31 December 2017
$’000

Revenue:
Revenue from contracts with customers
Other income

Total revenue

Income/(expenses):
Depreciation and depletion
Net impairment reversal/(charge) to oil and gas 

assets

Impairment reversal of investments
Exploration write offs and impairments
Segment profit/(loss)

Other disclosures:
Capital expenditure

North Sea

Malaysia

All other 
segments

Total
segments

Adjustments 
and 
eliminations

Consolidated

1,140,116
9,046

144,483
–

1,149,162

144,483

–
395

395

1,284,599
9,441

1,294,040

–
4,397

1,284,599
13,838

4,397

1,298,437

(411,624)

(30,767)

–

(442,391)

 – 

(442,391)

(125,009)
(121)
(1,407)
276,365

(1,037)
–
–
38,442

–
–
–
5,839

(126,046)
(121)
(1,407)
320,646

 – 
 – 
 – 
6,092

(126,046)
(121)
(1,407)
326,738

167,070

15,806

–

182,876

–

182,876

North Sea

Malaysia

All other 
segments

Total
segments

Adjustments 
and eliminations

Consolidated

527,272
8,578

535,850

119,545
347

119,892

(201,684)

(27,514)

–
–

–

–

646,817
8,925

655,742

–
(28,291)

(28,291)

646,817
(19,366)

627,451

(229,198)

 – 

(229,198)

(187,716)
(19)
193
(135,187)

15,745
–
–
39,062

–
–
–
22,844

(171,971)
(19)
193
(73,281)

 – 
 – 
 – 
(23,413)

(171,971)
(19)
193
(96,694)

322,398 

2,299

–

324,697

–

324,697

Adjustments and eliminations
Finance income and costs and gains and losses on derivatives are not allocated to individual segments as the underlying instruments 
are managed on a Group basis.

Capital expenditure consists of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, including assets from the acquisition of 
subsidiaries. Inter-segment revenues are eliminated on consolidation. All other adjustments are part of the reconciliations presented 
further below.

Reconciliation of profit/(loss):

Segment profit/(loss)
Finance income
Finance expense
Gain/(loss) on oil and foreign exchange derivatives

Profit/(loss) before tax

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2017
$’000

320,646
3,389
(236,142)
6,092

(73,281)
2,213
(149,292)
(23,413)

93,985

(243,773)

Revenue from two customers relating to the North Sea operating segment each exceed 10% of the Group’s consolidated revenue arising 
from sales of crude oil, with the total amount of $580.5 million (2017: two customers; $206.1 million arising in the North Sea operating 
segment and $105.2 million in the Malaysia operating segment). 

All of the Group’s segment assets (non-current assets excluding financial instruments, deferred tax assets and other financial assets) are 
located in the United Kingdom except for $111.7 million located in Malaysia (2017: $119.1 million). 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

107

4. Remeasurements and exceptional items

Year ended 31 December 2018
$’000

Revenue and other operating income
Cost of sales
Net impairment (charge)/reversal on oil and gas assets
Other income 
Other expenses 
Finance costs

Tax on items above

Year ended 31 December 2017
$’000

Revenue and other operating income
Cost of sales
Net impairment (charge)/reversal on oil and gas assets
Other income 
Other expenses 
Finance costs

Tax on items above
Other tax exceptional items(iv)

Fair value

Impairments
 and

remeasurement(i)

write offs(ii)

Other(iii)

Total

97,432
2,310
–
–
(9,590)
–

90,152
(36,962)

–
(592)
(126,046)
–
(1,528)
–

(128,166)
48,161

53,190

(80,005)

Fair value
remeasurement(i)

Impairments
 and

write offs(ii)

(7,716)
9,726
–
1,685
–
–

3,695
(1,473)
–

2,222

–
(2,682)
(171,971)
193
(19)
–

(174,479)
65,730
–

(108,749)

–
–
–
78,316
(3,597)
(28)

74,691
1,207

75,898

97,432
1,718
(126,046)
78,316
(14,715)
(28)

36,677
12,406

49,083

Other(iii)

Total

–
(1,563)
–
48,735
(20,339)
(272)

26,561
5,482
47,208

79,251

(7,716)
5,481
(171,971)
50,613
(20,358)
(272)

(144,223)
69,739
47,208

(27,276)

(i)  Fair value remeasurements include unrealised mark-to-market movements on derivative contracts and other financial instruments where the Group does not classify them as 

effective hedges. It also includes the impact of recycled realised gains and losses (including option premia) out of ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’ and into ‘Business 
performance’ profit or loss. Refer to note 2 for further details on the Group’s accounting policies for derivatives and ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’. In addition, this 
includes the fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration on the Magnus vendor loan of $9.7 million (2017: includes $1.3 million gain in respect of the disposal of the 
Ascent Resources loan notes)
Impairments and write offs includes an impairment of tangible oil and gas assets totalling $126.0 million (2017: impairment of $172.0 million). 2017 includes a charge of 
$2.7 million in relation to exceptional inventory write downs. Further details on the tangible impairment are provided in note 10

(ii) 

(iii)  Other includes a $1.3 million loss in relation to the revaluation of the option to purchase the Magnus oil field and other interests and $74.3 million in relation to the step 

acquisition uplift of the original 25% equity acquired in 2017 (see note 29) (2017: $22.3 million purchase option, $16.1 million Thistle decommissioning option and $10.3 million 
25% acquisition value, totalling a gain of $48.7 million). Other movements mainly relate to the derecognition of contingent consideration on future exploration of $5.3 million 
(see note 22) (2017: Charge of $10.3 million in relation to the 2014 PM8 cost recovery settlement agreement, a charge of $6.4 million for the cancellation of contracts and a 
charge of $2.8 million in relation to the provision on restricted cash). Other income also includes other items of income and expense which, because of the nature or 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 better assess trends in financial performance

(iv)  In 2017, other tax exceptional items included $13.2 million for the recognition of previously de-recognised tax losses, together with $34.0 million for the impact on deferred tax 

of a revision to the balance of non-qualifying expenditure

5. Revenue and expenses 
(a) Revenue
The Group generates revenue through the sale of crude oil, gas and condensate, and the provision of infrastructure to its customers for 
tariff income. Other sources of revenue include amounts related to derivative contracts and rental income from operating leases. 

The nature and effect of initially applying IFRS 15 on the Group’s financial statements are disclosed in note 2.

Revenue from contracts with customers:
Revenue from crude oil sales
Revenue from gas and condensate sales
Tariff revenue

Total revenue from contracts with customers

Rental income
Realised (losses)/gains on oil derivative contracts (see note 20(f))
Other operating revenue 

Business performance revenue
Unrealised (losses)/gains on oil derivative contracts(i) (see note 20(f))

Total revenue and other operating income

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

1,237,600
43,063
3,936

 636,966
2,822
 7,029

1,284,599

646,817

7,205
(93,035)
2,236

1,201,005
97,432

7,074
(20,575)
1,851 

 635,167
 (7,716)

1,298,437

 627,451

(i)  Unrealised gains and losses on oil derivative contracts which are either ineffective for hedge accounting purposes or held for trading are disclosed as exceptional items in the 

income statement (see note 4)

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
108

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

5. Revenue and expenses continued
Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers

Revenue from contracts with customers:
Revenue from crude oil sales
Revenue from gas and condensate sales
Tariff revenue

Total revenue from contracts with customers

Year ended 
31 December 2018 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 2017 
$’000

North Sea

Malaysia

North Sea

Malaysia

1,096,581
39,599
3,936

141,019
3,464
–

1,140,116

144,483

519,694
549
7,029

527,272

117,272
2,273
–

119,545

Revenue derived from the sale of crude oil, gas and condensate is recognised as goods transferred at a point in time when control is 
gained by the customer on collection or delivery. The sale of oil is subject to market prices. The Group manages this risk through the use 
of commodity derivative contracts. Revenue derived from tariff revenue is recognised as the service is provided over time.

Contract balances
The following table provides information about receivables from contracts with customers. There are no contract assets or 
contract liabilities.

Trade receivables

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

69,857

80,743

Trade receivables are non-interest-bearing and are generally on terms of 30 to 90 days post control gained by the customer. In 2018 and 
2017, no provision was recognised for expected credit losses on trade receivables.

(b) Cost of sales

Production costs
Tariff and transportation expenses
Realised loss/(gain) on foreign exchange derivative contracts(i) (see note 20(f))
Change in lifting position
Crude oil inventory movement 
Depletion of oil and gas assets (see note 10)
Other cost of operations

Business performance cost of sales
Depletion of oil and gas assets (see note 10)
Write down of inventory
Unrealised (gains)/losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts(ii) (see note 20(f))
Unrealised (gains)/losses on carbon derivative contracts(ii) (see note 20(f))
Other expenses

Total cost of sales

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

396,880
68,446
615
(14,332)
(10,761)
437,104
48,068

926,020
–
–
(248)
(2,062)
592

287,064
62,208
4,848
 (20,643)
 237
223,135
12,657

 569,506
 1,563
 2,682
(9,726)
–
–

924,302

 564,025

(i)  The realised loss on foreign exchange derivative contracts was $0.6 million for contracts related to operating expenditure (2017: loss of $4.8 million related to 

capital expenditure)

(ii)  Unrealised gains and losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts which are held for trading are disclosed as exceptional in the income statement (see note 4)

(c) General and administration expenses

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

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

91,113
5,287
32,764
(125,146)

 79,138
4,500
20,077
 (102,867)

4,018

 848

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

109

(d) Other income

Net foreign exchange gains 
Prior year general and administrative expenses recovery
Other income

Business performance other income
Excess of fair value over consideration: 25% acquisition value (see note 29)
Excess of fair value over consideration: Purchase option (see note 29)
Excess of fair value over consideration: Thistle decommissioning option (see note 29)
Fair value gain on step acquisition (see note 29)
Contingent consideration release
Gain on disposal of financial assets
Change in provision for contingent consideration
Other exceptional income

Total other income

(e) Other expenses

Net foreign exchange losses
Exploration and evaluation expenses: Pre-licence costs expensed
Other

Business performance other expenses
Change in provision for contingent consideration
2014 PM8 cost recovery settlement agreement
Early termination of contracts
Write down of receivable
Exploration and evaluation expenses: Written off and impaired
Other expenses

Total other expenses

(f) Staff costs 

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Defined contribution pension costs
Expense of share-based payments (see note 18)
Other staff costs

Total employee costs
Contractor costs

Total staff costs

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

21,911
–
517

22,428
–
(1,329)
–
74,345
5,300
–
–
–

100,744

 –
5,101
1,706

6,807
10,314
22,300
16,120
–
–
1,263
423
193

57,420

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

–
40
3,322

3,362
9,590
–
–
3,010
1,407
708

18,077

23,910
43
410

24,363
–
10,329
6,435
2,808
–
786

44,721

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

56,316
4,487
4,210
4,645
4,731

74,389
16,724

91,113

 48,773
 4,686 
3,057
 2,849
2,486

 61,851
17,287

79,138

The average number of persons employed by the Group during the year was 839, with 415 in operating activities and 424 in 
administrative functions (2017: 506, with 343 in operating activities and 163 in administrative functions).

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
110

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

5. Revenue and expenses continued
(g) Auditor’s remuneration 
The following amounts were payable by the Group to its auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, during the year: 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the parent company and Group financial statements

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services:
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries
Audit related assurance services (interim review)
Tax advisory services 
Corporate finance services(i)

Total auditor’s remuneration

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

721

108
134
5
368

615

1,336

584

 114
 181
 5
–

300

884

(i)  Relates to the reporting accountant’s report on the unaudited pro forma financial information in the Company’s combined prospectus and circular for the rights issue (see note 17)

6. Finance costs/income

Finance costs:
Loan interest payable 
Bond interest payable
Unwinding of discount on decommissioning provisions (see note 22)
Unwinding of discount on other provisions (see note 22)
Unwinding of discount on financial liabilities (see note 20(g))
Fair value (gain)/loss on financial instruments at FVPL (see note 20(f))
Finance charges payable under finance leases
Amortisation of finance fees on loans and bonds
Other financial expenses

Less: amounts capitalised to the cost of qualifying assets

Business performance finance expenses
Unwinding of discounts on other provisions

Finance income:
Bank interest receivable
Unwinding of discount on financial asset (see note 20(g))
Other financial income

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

93,413
64,243
12,617
917
72
353
55,837
8,525
1,666

237,643
(1,529)

236,114
28

236,142

1,821
1,517
51

3,389

74,434
63,463
11,471
1,838
163
(15)
31,273
2,760
5,902

191,289
(42,269)

149,020
272

149,292

 381
1,832
–

2,213

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

111

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

Current income tax
Current income tax charge
Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous years
Current overseas income tax
Current income tax charge
Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous years

Total current income tax

Deferred income tax
Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments in respect of changes in tax rates
Adjustments in respect of deferred income tax of previous years
Deferred overseas income tax
Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments in respect of deferred income tax of previous years

Total deferred income tax

Income tax (credit)/expense reported in profit or loss

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

17,764
–

16,048
420

34,232

(61,879)
(4,404)
(2,304)

612
450

214
(932)

11,191
263

10,736

(202,173)
–
14,469

(5,840)
(135)

(67,525)

(193,679)

(33,293)

(182,943)

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

Profit/(loss) before tax

Statutory rate of corporation tax in the UK of 40% (2017: 40%)
Supplementary corporation tax non-deductible expenditure
Non-deductible expenditure/income(i)
Petroleum revenue tax (net of income tax benefit)
North Sea tax reliefs
Tax in respect of non-ring fence trade
Tax losses not recognised
Deferred tax rate changes
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Overseas tax rate differences
Share-based payments
Other differences

At the effective income tax rate of 17% (2017: 75%)

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

93,985

(243,773)

37,594
20,284
(21,689)
–
(64,228)
691
1,509
(4,404)
(1,434)
(673)
899
(1,842)

(97,509)
21,170
(7,673)
3,703
(93,234)
(9,085)
(11,230)
–
13,665
(4,163)
1,475
(62)

(33,293)

(182,943)

(i)  The 2018 credit is mainly due to the non-taxable income in relation to the goodwill and non-taxable fair value movements on the acquisition of the 75% interest in the Magnus 

oil field; this is netted against the non-tax deductible depreciation on fixed assets

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
112

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

7. Income tax continued
(c) Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax relates to the following:

Deferred tax liability
Accelerated capital allowances

Deferred tax asset
Losses
Decommissioning liability
Other temporary differences

Deferred tax expense

Net deferred tax (assets)/liabilities

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

Net deferred tax (assets)/liabilities

Reconciliation of net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

At 1 January
Tax income/(expense) during the period recognised in profit or loss
Deferred taxes acquired (see note 29)

At 31 December 

Group balance sheet

(Credit)/charge for the year 
recognised in profit or loss

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

1,400,956

1,163,562

93,196

28,290

1,400,956

1,163,562

(1,212,988)
(267,954)
(178,920)

(1,228,034)
(254,008)
(17,098)

15,046
(13,946)
(161,821)

(167,998)
(68,590)
14,619

(1,659,862)

(1,499,140)

(258,906)

(335,578)

(286,721)
27,815

(398,263)
62,685

(258,906)

(335,578)

(67,525)

(193,679)

2018
 $’000

335,578
67,525
(144,197)

2017
$’000

191,715
193,679
(49,816)

258,906

335,578

(d) Tax losses 
The Group’s deferred tax assets at 31 December 2018 are recognised to the extent that taxable profits are expected to arise in the 
future against which tax losses and allowances in the UK can be utilised. In accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes, the Group assessed 
the recoverability of its deferred tax assets at 31 December 2018 with respect to ring fence tax losses and allowances. 

The Group has unused UK mainstream corporation tax losses of $287.5 million (2017: $290.2 million) for which no deferred tax asset has 
been recognised at the balance sheet date due to uncertainty of recovery of these losses. In addition the Group has not recognised a 
deferred tax asset for the adjustment to bond valuations on the adoption of IFRS 9 (see note 2). The benefit of this deduction is taken 
over ten years with a deduction of $3.8 million being taken in the current period with the remaining benefit of $34.4 million remaining 
unrecognised.

The Group has unused Malaysian income tax losses of $9.4 million (2017: $5.2 million) arising in respect of the Tanjong Baram RSC for 
which no deferred tax asset has been recognised at the balance sheet date due to uncertainty of recovery of these losses.

No deferred tax has been provided on unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries, Finance Act 2009 exempted foreign dividends from 
the scope of UK corporation tax where certain conditions are satisfied.

(e) Change in legislation
Finance Act 2017 enacted legislation in relation to the restriction of corporate interest deductions from 1 April 2017 and the restriction 
of relief for mainstream corporate tax losses with effect from 1 April 2017. While these changes do not impact North Sea ring fence of 
relief for mainstream corporate tax losses with effect from 1 April 2017, they have an impact on the current year Group tax charge where 
North Sea ring fence losses are offset against mainstream corporate tax profits which would otherwise be exposed due to the operation 
of these new rules. The restriction had no impact on the current year tax charge (2017: $15.1 million).

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. 

Following the completion of the rights issue in October 2018 the earnings per share calculations, for all periods up to the date the rights 
issue shares were issued, have been adjusted for the bonus element of the rights issue. The bonus factor used was 1.17. Further 
information on the rights issue is included in note 17.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

113

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows:

Basic
Dilutive potential of Ordinary shares granted under 

share-based incentive schemes

Diluted 

Basic (excluding exceptional items) 

Diluted (excluding exceptional items)

(i)  Restated following rights issue

Profit/(loss) after tax

Weighted average number of 
Ordinary shares

Earnings per share

Year ended 31 December

Year ended 31 December

Year ended 31 December

2018
 $’000

 2017
 $’000

2018
million

2017(i)
million

127,278

(60,830)

1,226.2

1,319.8

2018
$

0.104

–

–

37.8

53.0

(0.003)

127,278

(60,830)

1,264.0

78,195

78,195

(33,554)

1,226.2

(33,554)

1,264.0

1,372.9

1,319.8

1,372.9

0.101

0.064

0.062

2017(i)
$

(0.046)

–

(0.046)

(0.025)

(0.025)

9. Dividends paid and proposed
The Company paid no dividends during the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: none). At 31 December 2018, there are no proposed 
dividends (2017: none).

10. Property, plant and equipment

Cost:
At 1 January 2017
Additions
Initial recognition of finance lease asset (see note 24)
Acquired (see note 29)
Change in decommissioning provision
Change in cost recovery provision (see note 22)

At 31 December 2017
Additions
Acquired (see note 29)
Acquired: Change in fair value on step acquisition (see note 29)
Change in decommissioning provision (see notes 12 and 22)
Change in cost recovery provision (see note 22)
Change in financial carry liability (see note 20)
Change in estimate

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated depletion and impairment:
At 1 January 2017
Charge for the year
Impairment charge for the year

At 31 December 2017
Charge for the year
Impairment charge for the year

At 31 December 2018

Net carrying amount:
At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2017

Oil and gas 
assets
$’000

Office furniture, 
fixtures and 
fittings
$’000

6,787,343
320,627
771,975
124,542
143,992
 (77,785) 

 8,070,694 
178,627
745,350
123,909
30,194
(7,947)
(1,066)
(2,195)

54,722
2,994
–
–
–
–

 57,716
2,856
–
–
–
–
–
–

 Total 
$’000 

6,842,065
323,621
771,975
124,542
143,992
(77,785)

8,128,410
181,483
745,350
123,909
30,194
(7,947)
(1,066)
(2,195)

9,137,566

60,572

9,198,138

 3,846,028 
 224,698
171,971 

4,242,697
437,104
126,046

 32,591 
4,500 
–

 37,091 
5,287
–

 3,878,619 
 229,198
171,971

4,279,788
442,391
126,046

4,805,847

42,378

4,848,225

4,331,719

18,194

4,349,913

3,827,997

20,625

3,848,622

 2,941,315 

 22,131 

 2,963,446 

On 1 December 2018, the Group acquired the remaining 75% interest in the Magnus oil field and associated interests (see note 29), 
resulting in an acquisition of assets at a value of $745.4 million allocated to property, plant and equipment.

The Group acquired the initial 25% interest in the Magnus oil field and associated interests in 2017 (see note 29), resulting in an 
acquisition of assets at a value of $124.5 million allocated to property, plant and equipment. As part of the step acquisition to 100% the 
initial interest of 25% was revalued, resulting in an increase of $123.9 million. 

During the year ended 31 December 2017, the Group’s lease from Armada Kraken PTE Limited (‘BUMI’) of the Floating Production,
Storage and Offloading vessel (‘FPSO’) for the Kraken field commenced. The lease has been assessed as a finance lease, and a 
$772.0 million lease liability and lease asset were recognised in June 2017. The liability was calculated based on the present value of the 
minimum lease payments at inception of the lease (see note 24).

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
114

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

10. Property, plant and equipment continued
Impairments to the Group’s producing oil and gas assets and reversals of impairments are set out in the table below:

North Sea(i)
Malaysia(ii)

Impairment (charge)/reversal

Recoverable amount(iii)

Year ended 
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
 31 December 
2017
$’000

31 December
2018
$’000

31 December
2017
$’000

(125,009)
(1,037)

(187,716)
15,745

158,890
41,488

301,731 
48,301 

Net impairment reversal/(charge)

(126,046)

(171,971)

(i)  North Sea includes Thistle/Deveron and the Dons fields. The impairments are attributable primarily to changes in field life assumptions
(ii)  The amounts disclosed for Malaysia relate to the Tanjong Baram field
(iii)  Recoverable amount has been determined on a fair value less costs of disposal basis (see note 11 for further details of methodology and assumptions used, and note 2 Critical 
Accounting Estimates and Judgements for information on significant estimates and judgements made in relation to impairments). The amounts disclosed above are in respect 
of assets where an impairment (or reversal) has been recorded. Assets which did not have any impairment or reversal are excluded from the amounts disclosed

The net book value at 31 December 2018 includes $95.4 million (2017: $71.1 million) of pre-development assets and development assets 
under construction which are not being depreciated. 

The amount of borrowing costs capitalised during the year ended 31 December 2018 was $1.5 million and relates to the Dunlin Bypass 
project (2017: $42.3 million relating to the Kraken development project). The weighted average rate used to determine the amount of 
borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation is 7.7% (2017: 7.0%).

The net book value of property, plant and equipment held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts at 31 December 2018 was 
$690.7 million (2017: $756.3 million).

11. Goodwill
A summary of goodwill is presented below:

Cost and net carrying amount

At 1 January
Acquisition (see note 29)

At 31 December 

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

189,317
94,633

283,950

 189,317
–

189,317

On 1 December 2018, the Group acquired the remaining 75% interest in the Magnus oil field and associated interests. Goodwill of 
$94.6 million was recognised, representing the future economic benefits that EnQuest’s expertise is expected to realise from the assets 
(see note 29).

The historic goodwill balance arose from the acquisition of Stratic and PEDL in 2010 and the Greater Kittiwake Area asset in 2014. 

Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated to a single CGU, the UK Continental Shelf (‘UKCS’), and this is 
therefore the lowest level at which goodwill is reviewed. 

Impairment testing of oil and gas assets and goodwill 
In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, goodwill and oil and gas assets have been reviewed for impairment at the year end. 
In assessing whether goodwill and oil and gas assets have been impaired, the carrying amount of the CGU for goodwill and at field level 
for oil and gas assets is compared with their recoverable amounts. 

The recoverable amounts of the CGU and fields have been determined on a fair value less costs to sell basis. Discounted cash flow 
models comprising asset-by-asset life of field projections using Level 3 inputs (based on IFRS 13 fair value hierarchy) have been used to 
determine the recoverable amounts. The cash flows have been modelled on a post-tax and post-decommissioning basis at the Group’s 
post-tax discount rate of 10.0% (2017: 10.0%). Risks specific to assets within the CGU are reflected within the cash flow forecasts. 

The goodwill on the acquisition of Magnus is assessed to be fully recoverable as at 31 December 2018.

Key assumptions used in calculations
The key assumptions required for the calculation of the recoverable amounts are:
•  Oil prices;
•  Currency exchange rates;
•  Production volumes;
•  Discount rates; and 
•  Opex, capex and decommissioning costs. 

Oil prices are based on an internal view of forward curve prices for the first three years and thereafter at $75/bbl inflated at 2% per 
annum from 2023.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

115

Production volumes are based on life of field production profiles for each asset within the CGU. The production volumes used in the 
calculations were taken from the report prepared by the Group’s independent reserves auditor.

Operating expenditure, capital expenditure and decommissioning costs are derived from the Group’s Business Plan adjusted for 
changes in timing based on the production model used for the assessment of proven and probable (‘2P’) reserves.

The discount rate reflects management’s estimate of the Group’s weighted average cost of capital (‘WACC’). The WACC takes into 
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 post-tax discount rate applied to the Group’s post-tax cash flow projections was 10.0% (2017: 10.0%). Management 
considers this to be the best estimate of a market participant’s discount rate.

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions
The Group’s recoverable value of assets is highly sensitive, inter alia, to oil price achieved and production volumes. The recoverable 
amount of the CGU would be equal to the carrying amount of goodwill if either the oil price or production volumes (on a CGU-weighted 
average basis) were to fall by 5% (2017: 7%) from the prices outlined above and volumes disclosed in the Annual Report. Goodwill would 
need to be fully impaired if the oil price or production volumes (on a CGU-weighted average basis) were to fall by 31% from the prices 
outlined above (2017: 16%). The above sensitivities have flexed revenues and tax cash flows, but operating costs and capital expenditures 
have been kept constant.

12. Intangible oil and gas assets

At 1 January 2017
Additions
Write off of relinquished licences previously impaired
Unsuccessful exploration expenditure written off
Change in decommissioning provision (see note 22)
Impairment charge for the year

At 31 December 2017
Additions
Write off of relinquished licences previously impaired
Unsuccessful exploration expenditure written off
Change in decommissioning provision (see note 22)
Impairment charge for the year

At 31 December 2018

Cost
$’000

229,524
1,076
(3,076)
–
502
–

228,026
1,393
(63,547)
–
(286)
–

Accumulated 
impairment
$’000

Net carrying 
amount
$’000

(179,192)
–
3,076
159
–
34

(175,923)
–
63,547
(1,009)
–
(398)

50,332
1,076
–
159
502
34

52,103
1,393
–
(1,009)
(286)
(398)

165,586

(113,783)

51,803

During the year ended 31 December 2018, the Group relinquished licences previously impaired resulting in write off of $63.5 million. 
During 2018, the Group developed the Eagle prospect (2017: Kraken field) resulting in the additions to intangibles. 

13. Investments

Cost:
At 1 January 2017, 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018

Provision for impairment:
At 1 January 2017
Impairment reversal/(charge) for the year

At 31 December 2017
Impairment (charge)/reversal for the year

At 31 December 2018

Net carrying amount:
At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

At 1 January 2017

$’000

19,231

(19,060)
(19)

(19,079)
(121)

(19,200)

31

152

171

The accounting valuation of the Group’s shareholding (based on the quoted share price of Ascent) resulted in a non-cash impairment 
charge of $0.1 million in the year to 31 December 2018 (2017: $0.02 million). 

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
116

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

14. Inventories

Crude oil
Well supplies

2018
$’000

23,183
77,349

100,532

2017
$’000

12,422
 65,623

 78,045

During 2018, inventories of $5.8 million (2017: $2.9 million) were recognised within cost of sales in the statement of comprehensive 
income. Included within this balance is $5.8 million as a result of the write down of inventories to net realisable value (2017: $2.7 million). 
The write downs are included in cost of sales.

15. Trade and other receivables

Current
Trade receivables
Joint venture receivables
Under-lift position
VAT receivable
Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

69,857
84,745
81,173
–
14,741

80,743
87,037
32,299
11,739
 1,844

250,516
25,293

 213,662
14,092

275,809

227,754

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 2018, no impairment provision for trade receivables was necessary (2017: $nil). 

Joint venture receivables relate to amounts billable to, or recoverable from, joint venture partners and were not impaired. Under-lift is 
valued at market prices prevailing at the balance sheet date. As at 31 December 2018, no other receivables were determined to be 
impaired (2017: none). 

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 largely due to their short-term maturities.

As per the application of IFRS 9, an impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date using a provision matrix to measure 
expected credit losses. The provision rates are based on days past due for groupings of customer segments with similar loss patterns 
(i.e. by geographical region, product type, customer type and rating). The calculation reflects the probability-weighted outcome, the 
time value of money and reasonable and supportable information that is available at the reporting date about past events, current 
conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Generally, trade receivables are written off if past due for more than one year 
and are not subject to enforcement activity. The Group evaluates the concentration of risk with respect to trade receivables and contract 
assets as low, as its customers are joint venture partners and there are no indications of change in risk. 

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 due to 
their short-term maturities. Included within the cash balance at 31 December 2018 is restricted cash of $3.4 million (2017: $3.5 million). 
Of this, $2.8 million relates to cash held in escrow in respect of the unwound acquisition of the Tunisian assets of PA Resources 
(2017: $2.8 million) and the remainder relates to cash collateral held to issue bank guarantees in Malaysia.

Cash and cash equivalents also include an amount of $3.4 million (2017: $3.9 million) held in a Malaysian bank account which can only be 
used to pay cash calls for the Tanjong Baram asset and amounts related to the Tanjong Baram project finance loan.

At 31 December 2018, $6.6 million (2017: $7.0 million) was placed on short-term deposit in order to cash collateralise the Group’s letter  
of credit.

17. Share capital and premium
The movement in the share capital and share premium of the Company was as follows:

Authorised, issued and fully paid

At 1 January 2018
Issuance of equity shares
Expenses on issue of equity shares

At 31 December 2018

Ordinary 
shares of £0.05 
each
Number

1,186,084,304
508,321,844
–

Share
 capital
$’000

85,105
33,077
–

Share 
premium
$’000

125,297
105,849
(3,997)

Total
$’000

210,402
138,926
(3,997)

1,694,406,148

118,182

227,149

345,331

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

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

117

At 31 December 2018, there were 73,180,394 shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust (2017: 56,023,671). On 22 October 2018, 
22,126,481 shares were acquired by the Employee Benefit Trust pursuant to the rights issue. The remainder of the movement in the year 
is due to shares used to satisfy awards made under the Company’s share-based incentive schemes. 

On 22 October 2018, the Company completed a rights issue, pursuant to which 508,321,844 new Ordinary shares were issued at a price 
of £0.21 per share, generating gross aggregate proceeds of $138.9 million. 485,477,620 of the new shares issued resulted from existing 
shareholders taking up their entitlement under the rights issue to acquire three new Ordinary shares for every seven Ordinary shares 
previously held. Following the admission to the market of an additional 508,321,844 Ordinary shares on 22 October 2018, there were 
1,694,406,148 Ordinary shares in issue at the end of the year. 

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 
Deferred Bonus Share Plan, a Restricted Share Plan and a Performance Share Plan. A Sharesave Plan was approved in 2012. 

The share-based payment expense recognised for each scheme was as follows:

Deferred Bonus Share Plan
Restricted Share Plan
Performance Share Plan
Sharesave Plan
Executive Director bonus awards

2018
$’000

649
668
2,126
801
401

4,645

2017
$’000

1,069
1,024
(68)
230
594

2,849

The fair value of awards is calculated at the ‘market value’, being the average middle market quotation of a share for the three 
immediately preceding dealing days as derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange, provided such dealing days 
do not fall within any period when dealings in shares are prohibited because of any dealing restriction. The fair values of awards granted 
to employees during the year are based on the ‘market value’ on the date of grant, or date of invitation in respect to the Sharesave Plan. 

The following disclosure and tables shows the number of shares potentially issuable under equity-settled employee share awards, 
including the number of options outstanding and those options which have vested and are exercisable at the end of each year. The 
awards have been adjusted for the effect of the rights issue.

Deferred Bonus Share Plan (‘DBSP’)
Eligible employees are invited to participate in the DBSP 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 will vest 33% on the first anniversary of the date of grant, a further 33% after year two and the final 
34% on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Awards, both invested and matching, are forfeited if the employee leaves the Group 
before the awards vest. 

The fair values of DBSP awards granted to employees during the year, based on the defined market value on the date of grant, are set 
out below: 

Weighted average fair value per share

The following shows the movement in the number of share awards held under the DBSP scheme:

Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year(i)
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December

2018

36p

2017

37p

2018
Number

2017
Number

2,631,797
1,007,312
(1,407,040)
(71,342)

2,508,026
1,357,040
(1,214,427)
(18,842)

2,160,727

2,631,797

–

–

(i)  On 22 October 2018, at its discretion, the Company increased the number of shares receivable by participants in the DBSP by a factor of 1.17 so that the value of their rights 
under outstanding awards was not adversely affected by the rights issue. This resulted in the grant of 316,128 additional shares. The fair value of these awards is being 
expensed over the remaining vesting period of the original awards to which they relate

The weighted average contractual life for the share awards outstanding as at 31 December 2018 was 0.9 years (2017: 0.9 years).

Restricted Share Plan (‘RSP’)
Under the RSP scheme, employees are granted shares in EnQuest over a discretionary vesting period at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee of the Board of Directors of EnQuest, which may or may not be subject to the satisfaction of performance 
conditions. Awards made under the RSP will vest over periods between one and four years. At present, there are no performance 
conditions applying to this scheme nor is there currently any intention to introduce them in the future. 

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
118

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

18. Share-based payment plans continued
The fair values of RSP awards granted to employees during the year, based on the defined market value on the date of grant, are set out 
below: 

Weighted average fair value per share

The following table shows the movement in the number of share awards held under the RSP scheme:

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted during the year(i)
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December

2018

32p

2017

33p

2018
Number

2017
Number

12,180,771
1,789,377
(240,515)
(1,056,880)

12,564,319
587,216
(893,465)
(77,299)

12,672,753

12,180,771

4,037,914

3,451,209

(i)  On 22 October 2018, at its discretion, the Company increased the number of shares receivable by participants in the RSP by a factor of 1.17 so that the value of their rights 

under outstanding awards was not adversely affected by the rights issue. This resulted in the grant of 1,812,650 additional shares. The fair value of these awards is being 
expensed over the remaining vesting period of the original awards to which they relate

The weighted average contractual life for the share awards outstanding as at 31 December 2018 was 5.0 years (2017: 4.8 years).

Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’)
Under the PSP, the shares vest subject to performance conditions. The PSP share awards granted during the year had four sets of 
performance conditions associated with them: 30% of the award relates to Total Shareholder Return (‘TSR’) against a number of 
comparator group oil and gas companies listed on the FTSE 350, AIM Top 100 and Stockholm NASDAQ OMX; 30% relates to reduction 
in net debt; 30% relates to production growth; and 10% relates to 2P reserve additions over the three-year performance period. Awards 
will vest on the third anniversary.

The fair values of PSP awards granted to employees during the year, based on the defined market value on the date of grant and which 
allow for the effect of the TSR condition which is a market-based performance condition, are set out below:

Weighted average fair value per share

The following table shows the movement in the number of share awards held under the PSP scheme:

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted during the year(i)
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December

2018

32p

2017

33p

2018
Number

2017
Number

70,181,724
27,186,417
(1,160,744)
(14,070,898)

61,023,323
16,302,086
(2,412,846)
(4,730,839)

82,136,499

70,181,724

3,540,460

2,816,844

(i)  On 22 October 2018, at its discretion, the Company increased the number of shares receivable by participants in the PSP by a factor of 1.17 so that the value of their rights 
under outstanding awards was not adversely affected by the rights issue. This resulted in the grant of 11,318,326 additional shares. The fair value of these awards is being 
expensed over the remaining vesting period of the original awards to which they relate

The weighted average contractual life for the share awards outstanding as at 31 December 2018 was 4.0 years (2017: 4.0 years).

Sharesave Plan
The Group operates an approved savings related share option scheme. The plan is based on eligible employees being granted options 
and their agreement to opening a Sharesave account with a nominated savings carrier and to save over a specified period, either three 
or five years. The right to exercise the option is at the employee’s discretion at the end of the period previously chosen, for a period of 
six months.

The fair values of Sharesave awards granted to employees during the year, based on the defined market value on the date the invitation 
for the scheme opens, are shown below:

Weighted average fair value per share

2018

26p

2017

8p

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

119

The following shows the movement in the number of share options held under the Sharesave Plan:

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted during the year(i)
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December

2018
Number

2017
Number

12,834,269
26,069,708
(1,614,746)
(1,541,554)

12,657,432
1,299,185
(17,213)
(1,105,135)

35,747,677

12,834,269

–

–

(i)  On 22 October 2018, at its discretion, the Company increased the number of options receivable by participants in the Sharesave Plan by a factor of 1.17 so that the value of 

their rights under outstanding awards was not adversely affected by the rights issue. This resulted in the grant of 5,235,954 additional shares. The exercise price of outstanding 
options was also reduced by multiplying by a factor 0.8546. The incremental fair value of these adjustments is being expensed over the remaining vesting period of the options 
to which they relate

The weighted average contractual life for the share options outstanding as at 31 December 2018 was 2.6 years (2017: 1.7 years).

Executive Director bonus awards
As detailed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report, the remuneration of the Executive Directors includes the participation in an annual 
bonus plan. Any bonus amount in excess of 100% of salary will be deferred into EnQuest shares for two years, subject to continued 
employment. 

The fair value of the Executive Director bonus awards granted during the year, based on the defined market value on the date of grant, 
are set out below:

Weighted average fair value per share

2018

39p

2017

39p

The following table shows the movement in the number of share awards held under the Executive Director bonus plan:

Outstanding at 1 January
Granted during the year(i)
Cash settled in the year
Vested during the year

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December

2018
Number

2017
Number

2,445,722
714,064
– 
(1,949,074)

2,869,393
779,846
(726,505)
(477,012)

1,210,712

2,445,722

1,949,074

–

(i)  On 22 October 2018, at its discretion, the Company increased the number of shares receivable by participants in the PSP by a factor of 1.17 so that the value of their rights 
under outstanding awards was not adversely affected by the rights issue. This resulted in the grant of 459,112 additional shares. The fair value of these awards is being 
expensed over the remaining vesting period of the original awards to which they relate

The weighted average contractual life for the share awards outstanding as at 31 December 2018 was 0.6 years (2017: 0.6 years).

19. Loans and borrowings
The Group’s loans are carried at amortised cost as follows:

Credit facility
Oz Management facility
Crude oil prepayment
SVT working capital facility
Tanjong Baram project financing facility 
Trade creditor loan

Total loans

Due within one year
Due after more than one year

Total loans

Principal
$’000

799,444
178,524
22,222
15,747
31,730
2,500

2018

Fees
$’000

 – 
(3,325)
(111)
–
 – 
 – 

Total
$’000

Principal
$’000

799,444
175,199
22,111
15,747
31,730
2,500

 1,099,966 
 – 
 75,556 
25,622
 8,531
10,000 

2017

Fees
$’000

 – 
 – 
 (378)
–
(292)
 – 

Total
$’000

1,099,966
 – 
75,178
25,622
8,239
10,000

1,050,167

(3,436)

1,046,731

 1,219,675 

(670)

1,219,005

311,261
735,470

1,046,731

 330,012 
 888,993 

1,219,005 

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
120

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

19. Loans and borrowings continued
Credit facility
In October 2013, the Group entered into a six-year $1.7 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility (the ‘RCF’), comprising of a 
committed amount of $1.2 billion (subject to the level of reserves) with a further $500 million available through an accordion structure. 
Interest on the RCF was payable at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% to 4.25%, dependent on specified covenant ratios.

On 21 November 2016, pursuant to restructuring, the Group entered into an amended and restated credit agreement, which included 
the following terms:
•  Commitments split into a term facility of $1.125 billion and a revolving facility of $75 million (together the ‘credit facility’);
•  Maturity date extended to October 2021;
•  Amortisation profile amended, with 1 April 2018 the first scheduled amortisation date;
•  Borrowings subject to mandatory repayment out of excess cash flow (excluding amounts required for approved capital expenditure), 

assessed on a six-monthly basis;

•  Borrowings up to $890.7 million subject to interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 4.75%, paid in cash;
•  Borrowings in excess of $890.7 million subject to interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 5.25%, paid in cash, with a further 3.75% interest 

accrued and added to the Payment In Kind (‘PIK’) amount at maturity of each loan’s maturity period;

•  PIK amount repayable at maturity and subject to 9.0% interest, which is capitalised and added to the PIK amount on each 30 June and 

31 December;

•  Accordion feature cancelled; and
•  $12 million waiver fee payable to lenders on 31 March 2018.

The Group concluded that the above amendments to the RCF are a substantial modification, resulting in the previous loan carrying 
amount of $1,002.3 million ($1,017.3 million principal less unamortised issuance costs of $15.0 million) being derecognised and a new loan 
of $1,017.3 million being recognised at fair value. The difference of $15.0 million, which equated to the unamortised fees of the previous 
loan, was recognised as loss on extinguishment. The $12.0 million waiver fee along with $11.1 million of advisers’ fees were directly 
attributable to the modification of the RCF and were also expensed as part of the loss on extinguishment.

During November 2017, the Group agreed additional amendments to its term loan and revolving credit facility. These changes included 
the deferral of the scheduled $140 million reduction in the term loan facility from 1 April 2018 to 1 October 2018.

At 31 December 2018, the carrying amount of the credit facility on the balance sheet was $799.4 million, comprising the loan principal 
drawn down of $785.0 million, plus $14.4 million of interest capitalised to the PIK amount (2017: $1,100.0 million, being loan principal 
drawn down of $1,095.2 million plus $4.8 million of interest capitalised to the PIK amount).

At 31 December 2018, after allowing for letter of credit utilisation of $6.6 million, $68.4 million remained available for drawdown under 
the credit facility (2017: $7.0 million and $97.8 million respectively).

Oz Management facility
On 24 September 2018, the Group entered into a $175.0 million financing facility with Oz Management LP. The facility was drawn down in 
full and is repayable in five years from initial availability of the facility. Interest accrues at 6.3% annual effective rate plus one-month USD 
LIBOR. The financing is ring-fenced on a 15% interest in the Kraken oil field and will be repaid out of the cash flows associated with the 
interest over a maximum of five years. If second ranking security interest in respect of the assets secured under the credit facility is 
obtained within six months of the financial close of the Oz Management facility, the interest rate shall decrease to 5.75% annual effective 
rate plus one-month USD LIBOR.

Crude oil prepayment transaction
On 25 October 2017, the Group entered into an $80 million crude oil prepayment with Mercuria Energy Trading SA. 

Repayment is made in equal monthly instalments over 18 months, through the delivery of an aggregate of approximately 1.8 MMbbls of 
oil. EnQuest will receive the average Brent price over each month subject to a floor of $45/bbl and a cap of approximately $64/bbl. 
Interest on the prepayment is payable at one-month USD LIBOR plus a margin of 7.0%. The prepayment transaction is being undertaken 
on an unsecured basis.

At 31 December 2018, the carrying amount of the prepayment on the balance sheet was $22.2 million (2017: $75.6 million). 

SVT working capital facility
On 1 December 2017, EnQuest NNS Limited entered into a £42 million revolving loan facility with a joint operator partner to fund the 
short-term working capital cash requirements on the acquisition of SVT and other interests (see note 29). The facility is able to be drawn 
down against in instalments and accrues interest at 1.0% per annum plus GBP LIBOR. The facility is repayable three years from the initial 
availability of the facility.

Tanjong Baram project financing facility
On 25 October 2017, the Group entered into a $34.6 million financing facility in Malaysia with Castleton Commodities Merchant Asia Co. 
Pte Ltd. The facility is repayable within five years from the drawdown date on 28 February 2018 or on termination of the Risk Services 
Contract, and is secured against the Tanjong Baram asset. Interest is payable at USD LIBOR plus a margin of 8% per annum.

Trade creditor loan
In October 2016, the Group borrowed $40 million under a loan facility with a trade creditor to fund the settlement of deferred amounts 
for the Kraken project. The loan will be paid in full in 2019.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

121

Bonds 
The Group’s bonds are carried at amortised cost as follows:

High yield bond
Retail bond

Total bonds due after more than one year

Principal
$’000

760,553
237,778

998,331

2018

Fees
$’000

(6,475)
(1,574)

Total
$’000

754,078
236,204

Principal
$’000

720,827 
224,048

2017

Fees
$’000

(8,467)
(2,057)

(8,049)

990,282

944,875

(10,524)

Total
$’000

712,360
221,991

934,351

High yield bond
In April 2014, the Group issued a $650 million high yield bond with an originally scheduled maturity of 15 April 2022 and paying a 
7.0% coupon semi-annually in April and October.

On 21 November 2016, the high yield bond was amended pursuant to a scheme of arrangement whereby all existing notes were 
exchanged for new notes. The new high yield notes continue to accrue a fixed coupon of 7.0% payable semi-annually in arrears. The 
interest will only be payable in cash if the ‘Cash Payment Condition’ is satisfied, being the average of the Daily Brent Oil Prices during 
the period of six calendar months immediately preceding the ‘Cash Payment Condition Determination Date’ is equal to or above  
$65/bbl. The ‘Cash Payment Condition Determination Date’ is the date falling one calendar month prior to the relevant interest payment 
date. If the ‘Cash Payment Condition’ is not satisfied, interest will not be paid in cash but instead will be capitalised and satisfied through 
the issue of additional high yield notes (‘Additional HY Notes’). $27.5 million of accrued, unpaid interest as at the restructuring date was 
capitalised and added to the principal amount of the new high yield notes issued pursuant to the scheme. The maturity of the new high 
yield notes was extended to 15 April 2022 and the Company has the option to extend the maturity date of the new high yield notes to 
15 April 2023. Further, the maturity date of the new high yield notes will be automatically extended to 15 October 2023 if the credit 
facility is not repaid or refinanced in full prior to 15 October 2020.

At the end of 2016, the modification was not considered to be significant under IAS 39. As a result, the change in contractual cash flows 
on the bonds were amortised over the new life of the bonds, rather than taken straight to profit or loss. Under IFRS 9, the refinancing 
is a modification of the debt in which the difference in contractual cash flows should be taken straight to profit or loss. The cash flows 
were reassessed and, on 1 January 2018 on the adoption of IFRS 9, an adjustment for $15.4 million was taken through opening reserves 
and through the amortised value of the bond. In accordance with the transitional provisions in IFRS 9, comparative figures have not 
been restated.

The fair value of the high yield bond was estimated to be $534.4 million (2017: $519.9 million). The price quoted for the retail bond was 
used to estimate the fair value of the high yield bond on the basis that, since the restructuring, both bonds carry similar rights. 

Retail bond
In 2013, the Group issued a £155 million retail bond with an originally scheduled maturity of 15 February 2022 and paying a 5.5% coupon 
semi-annually in February and August. For the interest period commencing 15 August 2016, in accordance with the terms of the bond, 
the rate of interest increased to 7.0% following the determination of the Company’s leverage ratio at 31 December 2015.

On 21 November 2016, the retail bond was amended pursuant to a scheme of arrangement whereby all existing notes were exchanged 
for new notes. The new retail notes continue to accrue a fixed coupon of 7.0% payable semi-annually in arrears. The interest will only be 
payable in cash if the ‘Cash Payment Condition’ is satisfied, being the average of the Daily Brent Oil Prices during the period of 
six calendar months immediately preceding the ‘Cash Payment Condition Determination Date’ is equal to or above $65/bbl. The ‘Cash 
Payment Condition Determination Date’ is the date falling one calendar month prior to the relevant interest payment date. If the ‘Cash 
Payment Condition’ is not satisfied, interest will not be paid in cash but instead will be capitalised and satisfied through the issue of 
additional retail notes (‘Additional Retail Notes’). The maturity of the new retail notes was extended to 15 April 2022 and the Company 
has the option to extend the maturity date to 15 April 2023. Further, the maturity date of the new retail notes will be automatically 
extended to 15 October 2023 if the credit facility is not repaid or refinanced in full prior to 15 October 2020.

At the end of 2016, the modification was not considered to be significant under IAS 39. As a result, the change in contractual cash flows 
on the bonds were amortised over the new life of the bonds, rather than taken straight to profit or loss. Under IFRS 9, the refinancing 
is a modification of the debt in which the difference in contractual cash flows should be taken straight to profit or loss. The cash flows 
were reassessed and, on 1 January 2018 on the adoption of IFRS 9, an adjustment for $22.7 million was taken through opening reserves 
and through the amortised value of the bond. In accordance with the transitional provisions in IFRS 9, comparative figures have not 
been restated.

The bond had a fair value of $156.8 million (2017: $161.6 million). The fair value of the retail bond has been determined by reference to the 
price available from the market on which the bond is traded.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
122

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

20. Other financial assets and financial liabilities
(a) Summary

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss:
Commodity contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Carbon contracts
Financial liabilities at amortised cost:
Other liabilities
Financial assets at fair value through OCI: 
Interest rate swap designated as cash flow hedge
Financial assets at amortised cost: 
Other receivables

Total current

Financial liabilities at amortised cost: 
Other liabilities
Financial assets at amortised cost: 
Other receivables

Total non-current

2018

2017

Assets
$’000

Liabilities
$’000

Assets
$’000

Liabilities
$’000

54,733
248
2,077

–

–

9,517

66,575

 –

5,958

5,958

142
–
–

–

–

 –

142

–

 –

 –

–
–
–

–

36

61,701

61,737

 –

 8,191

 8,191

41,996
–
–

 19,211

–

 –

61,207

7,121

 –

7,121

(b) Oil commodity contracts
The Group uses put and call options and swap contracts to manage its exposure to the oil price. 

Commodity derivative contracts are designated as at FVPL, and gains and losses on these contracts are recognised as a component of 
revenue. These contracts typically include bought and sold call options, bought put options and commodity swap contracts. 

For the year ended 31 December 2018, gains totalling $4.4 million (2017: losses of $28.3 million) were recognised in respect of 
commodity contracts designated as FVPL. This included losses totalling $93.0 million (2017: losses of $20.6 million) realised on contracts 
that matured during the year, and mark-to-market unrealised gains totalling $97.4 million (2017: losses of $7.7 million). Of the realised 
amounts recognised during the year, a loss of $17.2 million (2017: loss of $10.4 million) was realised in ‘Business performance’ revenue in 
respect of the amortisation of premium income received on sale of these options. The premiums received are amortised into ‘Business 
performance’ revenue over the life of the option. 

In October 2017, the Group entered into an 18-month collar structure for $80 million (see note 19). The collar includes 18 separate call 
options and 18 separate put options, subject to a floor of $45/bbl and a cap of approximately $64/bbl. Included in the total gains for the 
year ended 31 December 2018, a loss of $8.0 million was recognised in ’Business performance’ revenue (2017: loss of $5.2 million).

The mark-to-market of the Group’s open contracts as at 31 December 2018 was an asset of $54.7 million (2017: liability of $42.0 million). 
The position includes a loss of $0.1 million in respect of fixed price swap contracts for 200,000 barrels of 2019 production at a weighted 
average price of $54.6/bbl (2017: loss of $29.2 million in respect of fixed price swap contracts for 4,150,000 barrels of 2018 production at a 
weighted average price of $59.1/bbl). 

(c) Foreign currency contracts
The Group enters into a variety of foreign currency contracts, including Sterling, Euros, Swedish Krona, Norwegian Krone and 
United Arab Emirates Dirhams. During the year ended 31 December 2018, losses totalling $0.4 million (2017: gain of $0.4 million) were 
recognised in the income statement. This included losses totalling $0.6 million (2017: $nil) realised on contracts maturing in the year.

The mark-to-market of the Group’s open contracts as at 31 December 2018 was $0.2 million (2017: $nil).

(d) Interest rate swap
During the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group entered an interest rate swap which effectively swaps 50% of floating USD  
LIBOR rate interest on the Group’s Malaysian loan into a fixed rate of 1.035% until 2018. The swap, which is effective from a hedge 
accounting perspective, completed in the year with a loss of $0.4 million recognised within finance expenses on the income statement 
(2017: gain of $0.02 million). The net asset fair value at 31 December 2017 was $0.04 million.

(e) Carbon commodity contracts
During the year the Group entered forward carbon commodity contracts to manage its exposure to compliance with European 
emissions regulations. The contracts are designated as at FVPL and gains and losses on these contracts are recognised as a component 
of cost of sales.

For the year ended 31 December 2018, unrealised gains of $2.1 million (2017: $nil) were recognised in respect of carbon commodity 
contracts designated as FVPL. No contracts matured during the year. 

The mark-to-market of the Group’s open contracts as at 31 December 2018 was $2.1 million (2017: $nil).

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

123

(f) Income statement impact
The income/(expense) recognised for commodity, currency and interest rate derivatives are as follows:

Year ended 31 December 2018

Commodity options
Commodity swaps
Commodity futures
Commodity collar on prepayment transaction
Foreign exchange contracts
Carbon forwards
Interest rate swap

Year ended 31 December 2017

Call options
Commodity swaps
Commodity futures
Purchase and sale of crude oil
Foreign exchange swap contracts
Other forward currency contracts
Interest rate swap

(g) Other receivables and liabilities

At 1 January 2017
Additions on acquisition
Disposed during the year
Change in fair value
Utilised during the year
Unwinding of discount
Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2017
Exercised on acquisition (see note 29)
Change in fair value
Utilised during the year
Unwinding of discount
Foreign exchange
Classification update

At 31 December 2018
Current
Non-current

Revenue and  
other operating income

Cost of sales

Finance costs

Realised
$’000

Unrealised
$’000

Realised
$’000

Unrealised
$’000

Realised
$’000

Unrealised
$’000

(29,309)
(47,740)
(7,951)
(8,035)
–
–
–

(93,035)

63,022
29,016
84
5,310
–
–
–

97,432

–
–
–
–
(615)
–
–

(615)

–
–
–
–
248
2,062
–

2,310

–
–
–
–
–
–
(353)

(353)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

Revenue and  
other operating income

Cost of sales

Finance costs

Realised
$’000

880
(23,754)
(437)
2,736
–
–
–

(20,575)

Unrealised
$’000

Realised
$’000

Unrealised
$’000

Realised
$’000

Unrealised
$’000

 (18,670)
14,144
(363)
(2,827)
–
–
–

(7,716)

–
–
–
–
–
(4,848)
–

(4,848)

–
–
–
–
433
9,293
–

9,726

–
–
–
–
–
–
15

15

–
–
–
–
–
–
(38)

(38)

Other 
receivables
$’000

Other liabilities
$’000

59,757
38,420
(3,561)
627
(27,209)
1,832
26

69,892
(20,970)
(51)
(66,194)
(1,081)
980
32,899

15,475
9,517
5,958

15,475

19,767
6,742
–
(340)
 –
163
–

26,332
–
(7,283)
(14,907)
72
–
(4,214)

–
–
–

–

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
124

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

20. Other financial assets and financial liabilities continued
Other receivables

Comprised of:

BUMI receivable
Purchase option
Thistle decommissioning option
KUFPEC receivable

Total

2018
$’000

15,475
–
–
–

15,475

2017
$’000

24,407
22,300
16,120
7,065

69,892

In August 2016, EnQuest agreed with Armada Kraken PTE Ltd (‘BUMI’) that BUMI would refund $65 million (EnQuest’s share being 
$45.8 million) of a $100.0 million lease prepayment made in 2014 for the FPSO for the Kraken field. This refund is receivable from 2018 
and onwards. Included within other receivables at 31 December 2018 is an amount of $15.5 million representing the discounted value of 
EnQuest’s share of these repayments (2017: $24.4 million). A total of $9.1 million was collected during the period. Unwinding of discount 
of $0.2 million (2017: $1.6 million) is included within finance costs in the 12 months ended 31 December 2018.

As part of the Magnus and other interests’ acquisition (see note 29), the Group had an option to acquire the remaining 75% of the 
Magnus oil field and BP’s interest in the associated infrastructure. The option was exercised on 1 December 2018 and in line with the 
accounting for step acquisitions the option was remeasured at fair value resulting in a loss of $1.3 million which was recognised through 
other income in ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’ in the statement of comprehensive income.

As part of the Magnus and other interests’ acquisition, the Group also entered into an option to undertake the decommissioning of 
Thistle. At 31 December 2017, the receivable had a carrying value of $16.1 million. The option was exercised in the year and a total of 
$50.0 million was received with the corresponding liability of $33.6 million recognised within provisions (see note 22). 

As part of the 2012 farm-out to the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (‘KUFPEC’) of 35% of the Alma/Galia development, 
KUFPEC agreed to pay EnQuest a total of $23.3 million over a 36-month period after Alma/Galia is deemed to be fully operational. 
During the year ended 31 December 2018, the arrangement was completed and $7.1 million was received. At 31 December 2017, the 
receivable had a carrying value of $7.1 million. 

Other liabilities

Comprised of:

Accrued waiver fee
Financial carry
Decommissioning of Magnus and other interests option
Other

Total

2018
$’000

–
–
–
–

–

2017
$’000

12,000
7,211
4,214
2,907

26,332

As part of the agreement to acquire an interest in the PM8/Seligi assets in Malaysia, the Group agreed to carry Petronas Carigali for its 
share of exploration or appraisal well commitments. Well commitments were performed during the year and the liability was released 
during the year. At 31 December 2017, the liability had a carrying value of $7.2 million. 

21. Fair value measurement
The following table provides the fair value measurement hierarchy of the Group’s assets and liabilities:

31 December 2018

Financial assets measured at fair value: 
Derivative financial assets at FVPL 
Oil commodity derivative contracts(i)
Foreign currency derivative contracts(ii)
Carbon commodity derivative contracts(ii)
Other financial assets at FVPL 
Quoted equity shares
Liabilities measured at fair value:
Derivative financial liabilities at FVPL 
Oil commodity derivative contracts(i)
Other financial liabilities measured at FVPL
Contingent consideration
Liabilities for which fair values are disclosed
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Obligations under finance leases
Retail bond
High yield bond

Quoted prices 
in active 
markets
(Level 1)
$’000

Significant 
observable 
inputs
(Level 2)
$’000

Significant 
unobservable 
inputs
(Level 3)
$’000

Total
$’000

54,733
248
2,077

31

142

660,436

1,050,167
708,950
156,764
534,363

 – 
 – 
 – 

31

 – 

 – 

54,733
248
2,077

–

142

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

660,436

 – 
 – 
156,764
 – 

– 
 – 
 – 
534,363

1,050,167
708,950
 – 
 – 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

125

Quoted prices 
in active 
markets
(Level 1)
$’000

Significant 
observable 
inputs
(Level 2)
$’000

Significant 
unobservable 
inputs
(Level 3)
$’000

 – 

152

–
–

 – 

–
–

36

–

–
–

 – 

 – 

16,120
22,300

41,996

 – 

–
–

4,214
83,166

Total
$’000

36

152

16,120
22,300

41,996

4,214
83,166

1,219,675
797,933
161,595
519,896

 – 
 – 
161,595
 – 

– 
 – 
 – 
519,896

1,219,675
797,933
 – 
 – 

31 December 2017

Financial assets measured at fair value: 
Derivative financial asset at FVPL 
Interest rate swap(ii)
Other financial assets at FVPL 
Quoted equity shares
Assets for which fair values are disclosed
Thistle decommissioning option
Purchase option
Liabilities measured at fair value:
Derivative financial liabilities at FVPL 
Commodity derivative contracts(i)
Other financial liability at FVPL 
Decommissioning of Magnus and other interests option
Contingent consideration
Liabilities for which fair values are disclosed
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Obligations under finance leases
Retail bond
High yield bond

(i)  Valued using readily available information in the public markets and quotations provided by brokers and price index developers
(ii)  Valued by the counterparties, with the valuations reviewed internally and corroborated with market data

Fair value hierarchy
All financial instruments for which fair value is recognised or disclosed are categorised within the fair value hierarchy, based on the 
lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole, as follows:

Level 1: Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly 
observable;
Level 3: Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.

For assets and liabilities that are recognised at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred 
between levels in the hierarchy by reassessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value 
measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period. There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the 
period (2017: no transfers). 

For recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements categorised within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the Group uses the 
valuation processes to decide its valuation policies and procedures and analyse changes in fair value measurements from period to 
period. Level 3 financial instruments consist of interest-bearing loans and borrowings (see note 19) and provisions (see note 22), which 
are valued in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies. 

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
126

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

22. Provisions

At 1 January 2017
Additions during the year
Acquisitions (see note 29)
Changes in estimates
Unwinding of discount
Utilisation
Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2017
Additions during the year
Acquisitions (see note 29)
Changes in estimates
Unwinding of discount
Utilisation
Classification update
Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2018

Classified as:
Current
Non-current

Decommissioning 
provision
$’000

Carry 
provision
$’000

Cost recovery 
provision
$’000

Contingent 
consideration
$’000

Surplus lease 
provision
$’000

Other 
provisions 
$’000

 493,891 
63,613 
– 
80,881
11,471
(10,605)
–

639,251
– 
– 
29,908
12,617
(10,036)
– 
–

671,740

10,395
661,345

671,740

5,491
–
–
–
–
(5,491)
–

–
– 
– 
–
–
– 
– 
–

–

–
–

–

89,529
10,329
–
(77,785)
1,838
–
–

23,911
– 
– 
(7,947)
260
(5,261)
(5,068)
–

22,580
3,131
66,623
(423)
255
(9,000)
–

83,166
– 
625,296
8,595
20
(56,641)
– 
– 

5,895

660,436

–
5,895

5,895

69,680
590,756

660,436

2,816
–
–
194
17
(394)
253

2,886
–
– 
– 
8
(409)
– 
(141)

2,344

388
1,956

2,344

Total
$’000

614,307
77,073
66,623
2,867
13,581
(25,490)
253

749,214
41,856
625,296
31,213
12,905
(72,347)
(854)
(141)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
41,856
– 
657
– 
– 
4,214
– 

46,727

1,387,142

587
46,140

46,727

81,050
1,306,092

1,387,142

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

The Group’s total provision represents the present value of decommissioning costs which are expected to be incurred up to 2042 
assuming no further development of the Group’s assets. The liability is discounted at a rate of 2.0% (2017: 2.0%). The unwinding of the 
discount is classified as a finance cost (see note 6).

These provisions have been created based on internal and third-party 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.

The Group enters into surety bonds principally to provide security for its decommissioning obligations. The surety bond facilities which 
expired in December 2018 were renewed for 12 months, subject to ongoing compliance with the terms of the Group’s borrowings. At 
31 December 2018, the Group held surety bonds totalling $123.2 million (2017: $129.6 million).

Carry provision
Consideration for the acquisition of 40% of the Kraken field from Cairn (previously Nautical) and First Oil PLC in 2012 was through 
development carries. The ‘contingent’ carry is dependent upon a reserves determination which took place in Q2 2016. During 2017, 
$5.5 million of the carry had been paid, with no remaining liability recognised on the balance sheet as at 31 December 2018 (2017: $nil).

Cost recovery provision
As part of the KUFPEC farm-in agreement, a cost recovery protection mechanism was agreed with KUFPEC to enable KUFPEC to recoup 
its investment to the date of first production. If, on 1 January 2017, KUFPEC’s costs to first production had not been recovered or 
deemed to have been recovered, EnQuest would pay KUFPEC an additional 20% share of net revenue. This additional revenue is to be 
paid until the capital costs to first production have been recovered. 

A provision has been made for the expected payments that the Group will make to KUFPEC. The assumptions made in arriving at the 
projected cash payments are consistent with the assumptions used in the Group’s 2018 year end impairment test, and the resulting cash 
flows were included in the determination of the recoverable value of the project. In establishing when KUFPEC has recovered its capital 
cost to first oil, the farm-in agreement requires the use of the higher of the actual oil price, or $90/bbl real, inflated at 2.0% per annum 
from 2012. These cash flows have been discounted at a rate of 2.0% (2017: 2.0%).

During 2017, the Group entered into discussions with PETRONAS in relation to the prior period PM8 cost recovery. During 2017, 
a provision was made for the expected payments that the Group will make as part of the settlement agreement. During the year ended 
31 December 2018, $5.3 million was paid. At 31 December 2018, the remaining balance to be paid was recognised within accruals for a 
value of $5.1 million (2017: $10.3 million).

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

127

Contingent consideration
As part of the purchase agreement with the previous owner of the GKA assets, a contingent consideration was agreed based on  
Scolty/Crathes field development plan (‘FDP’) approval and ‘first oil’. EnQuest paid $3.0 million in November 2015, following FDP 
approval in October 2015, and $9.0 million during 2017. During 2018, $8.0 million was paid with no remaining liability recognised on the 
balance sheet as at 31 December 2018 (2017: $8.1 million). Change in estimate of $0.1 million is included within finance costs for the year 
ended 31 December 2018 (2017: $0.4 million).

In addition, there was potential consideration due subject to future exploration success which, having been reassessed, are deemed not 
to be probable. No remaining liability has been recognised on the balance sheet as at 31 December 2018 (2017: $5.3 million). The 
reversal of provision is included within other income for the year ended 31 December 2018.

On 1 December 2017, the acquisition of the initial 25% interest in the Magnus oil field (‘Magnus’) and associated interests (collectively 
the ‘Transaction assets’) was funded through a vendor loan from BP (see note 29). The loan is repayable solely out of the cash flows, 
which are achieved above operating cash flows from the acquired assets and is secured over the interests in the Transaction assets. The 
loan accrues interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum on the base consideration. The fair value has been estimated by calculating the present 
value of the future expected cash flows, based on a discount rate of 10.0% (2017: 10.0%) and assumed repayment of around three years. 
A total of $48.6 million was repaid during 2018. Change in fair value of $9.7 million is recognised within finance costs in the 12 months 
ended 31 December 2018. The provision of $33.9 million is expected to be paid during 2019, as disclosed within current provisions 
(2017: $69.8 million). 

On 1 December 2018, the acquisition of the additional 75% interest in the Magnus oil field and associated interests (see note 29) was 
part funded through a vendor loan and profit share arrangement with BP, originally recognised at a discounted value of $625.3 million. 
The loan is repayable solely out of the cash flows which are achieved above operating cash flows from Magnus and is secured over the 
acquired assets. The loan accrues interest at a rate of 7.5% per annum on the base consideration. The fair value has been estimated by 
calculating the present value of the future expected cash flows, based on a discount rate of 10.0% and assumed repayment over the life 
of the field. 

Surplus lease provision
In June 2015, the Group entered a 20-year lease in respect of the Group’s office building in Aberdeen, with part of the building 
subsequently being sub-let with a rent-free incentive. A provision has been recognised for the unavoidable costs in relation to the 
sub-let space. The provision has been discounted using a 2.0% discount rate (2017: 2.0%). At 31 December 2018, the provision was 
$2.3 million (2017: $2.9 million).

Other provisions 
As part of the Magnus and associated interests acquisition (see note 29), EnQuest agreed to pay additional consideration in relation to 
the management of the physical decommissioning costs of Magnus. At 31 December 2018, the amount due to BP by reference to 7.5% of 
BP’s decommissioning costs on Magnus on an after-tax basis was $12.6 million (2017: $4.2 million). 

The Thistle decommissioning option was exercised during the year resulting in receipt of cash of $50.0 million. At 31 December 2018, the 
amount due to BP by reference to 7.5% of BP’s decommissioning costs on Thistle and Deveron on an after-tax basis was $33.6 million 
(2017: $nil). Unwinding of discount of $0.7 million is included within finance income for the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: $nil).

23. Trade and other payables

Current
Trade payables
Accrued expenses
Over-lift position
Joint venture creditors
VAT payable
Other payables

Classified as:
Current
Non-current

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

162,686
296,758
12,837
1,701
23,543
4,465

144,584 
271,686 
23,173 
1,632 
–
5,014 

501,990

446,089

483,781
18,209

367,312
78,777

501,990

446,089

Trade payables are normally non-interest-bearing and settled on terms of between 10 and 30 days. The Group has arrangements with 
various suppliers to defer payment of a proportion of its capital spend. The majority of these deferred payments fall due in 2019 and the 
balance is expected to be fully settled in 2020.

Certain trade and other payables will be settled in currencies other than the reporting currency of the Group, mainly in Sterling.

Accrued expenses include accruals for capital and operating expenditure in relation to the 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 largely due to the short-term maturities.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
128

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

24. Commitments and contingencies
Commitments
(i) Operating lease commitments – lessee
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 20 years. The future minimum rental commitments under these non-cancellable leases 
are as follows:

Due in less than one year
Due in more than one year but not more than five years
Due in more than five years

2018
$’000

5,058
20,096
62,238

87,392

2017
$’000

7,177
27,286
75,536

109,999

Lease payments recognised as an operating lease expense during the year amounted to $5.1 million (2017: $5.3 million). 

Under the Dons Northern Producer Agreement, a minimum notice period of 12 months exists whereby the Group expects the minimum 
commitment under this agreement to be approximately $7.8 million (2017: $7.1 million).

(ii) Operating lease commitments – lessor
The Group sub-leases part of its Aberdeen office. The future minimum rental commitments under these non-cancellable leases are 
as follows:

Due in less than one year
Due in more than one year but not more than five years
Due in more than five years

Sub-lease rent recognised during the year amounted to $1.1 million (2017: $1.3 million). 

(iii) Finance lease commitments
The Group had the following obligations under finance leases as at the balance sheet date:

2018
$’000

1,568
6,952
2,927

2017
$’000

1,638
7,141
4,686

11,447

13,465

Due in less than one year
Due in more than one year but not more than five years
Due in more than five years

Less future financing charges

2018
Minimum 
payments
$’000 

2018
Present value 
of payments
$’000

2017
Minimum 
payments
$’000 

2017
Present value 
of payments
$’000

144,188
460,960
341,212

946,360
237,410

93,169
313,500
302,281

708,950
–

 173,846
460,960
456,374

1,091,180
293,247

708,950

708,950

797,933

118,009
289,949
389,975

797,933
–

797,933

The FPSO finance lease liability is carried at $709.0 million as at 31 December 2018 (2017: $797.9 million), of which $93.2 million is 
classified as a current liability. Finance lease interest of $55.8 million (2017: $31.3 million) has been recognised within finance costs. 
The finance leases have an effective borrowing rate of 8.12%.

(iv) Capital commitments
At 31 December 2018, the Group had capital commitments excluding the above lease commitments amounting to $15.7 million 
(2017: $33.8 million).

Contingencies
The Group becomes involved from time to time in various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its business. Other than as 
discussed below, the Company is not, nor has been during the past 12 months, involved in any governmental, legal or arbitration 
proceedings which, either individually or in the aggregate, have had, or are expected to have, a material adverse effect on the 
Company’s and/or the Group’s financial position or profitability, nor, so far as the Company is aware, are any such proceedings pending 
or threatened. 

The Group is currently engaged in a dispute with KUFPEC, the Group’s field partner in respect of Alma/Galia. KUFPEC has commenced a 
court action in the High Court of Justice claiming an alleged breach of one of the Group’s warranties provided under the Alma/Galia 
Farm-in Agreement and seeking damages of $91.0 million (the maximum breach of warranty claim permitted under the Alma/Galia 
Farm-in Agreement), together with interest. The court proceedings are ongoing and the Directors believe that a considerable period 
will elapse before a final decision is reached by the courts. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

129

The Directors consider the merits of the claim to be poor and the Group is defending itself vigorously. The Group has not made any 
provisions in respect of this claim as the Directors believe the claim is unlikely to be successful; and in any event the Directors believe the 
chances of an outcome exposing the Group to material damages are remote. There can, however, be no assurances that this claim will 
not ultimately be successful, or that the Group would not otherwise seek to enter into a settlement or compromise in respect of this 
claim, or that in the event of any such circumstances the Group would not incur costs and expenses in excess of its estimates.

The Group is also currently engaged in discussions with EMAS, one of the Group’s contractors on Kraken who performed the installation 
of a buoy and mooring system, in relation to the payment of approximately $15.0 million of variation claims which EMAS claims is due as 
a result of soil conditions at the work site being materially different from those reasonably expected to be encountered based on soil 
data previously provided. The Group is confident that such variation claims are not valid and that accordingly such amount is not due 
and payable by the Group under the terms of the contract with EMAS. The parties are currently in discussions pursuant to the dispute 
resolution process under the contract.

25. Related party transactions
The Group financial statements include the financial statements of EnQuest PLC and its subsidiaries. A list of the Group’s principal 
subsidiaries is contained in note 27 to these Group financial statements.

Balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation 
and are not disclosed in this note. 

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. With the exception of the transactions disclosed below, there have been no transactions 
with related parties who are not members of the Group during the year ended 31 December 2018 (2017: none).

Share subscription
In 2018, subscription for new Ordinary shares pursuant to the rights issue (see note 17) at the issue price of £0.21 per share:
•  Double A Limited (‘Double A’), a company beneficially owned by the extended family of Amjad Bseisu, took up its entitlement in the 

rights issue, subscribing for 43,849,727 shares;

•  Double A participated in the rump placing for 5,000,000 shares; and
•  Directors and key management personnel took up their entitlement in the rights issue, subscribing for 382,273 shares.

Office sublease
During the year ended 31 December 2018, the Group recognised $0.1 million (2017: $0.1 million) of rental income in respect of an office 
sublease arrangement with Levendi Investment Management, a company where 72% of the issued share capital is held by Amjad Bseisu.

Contracted services
During the year ended 31 December 2018, the Group obtained contracting services from Influit UK Production Solutions for a value of 
$0.06 million (2017: $0.04 million). Amjad Bseisu has an indirect interest in Influit UK Production Solutions.

Compensation of key management personnel 
The following table details remuneration of key management personnel of the Group. Key management personnel comprise of 
Executive and Non-Executive Directors of the Company and other senior personnel. This includes the Executive Committee for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

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

2018
$’000

7,052
1,300
218

8,570

2017
$’000

5,057
 1,305
 55

 6,417

26. 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, borrowings and finance leases, derivative financial instruments 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 2018 and 2017, 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 Brent oil prices on its revenues and profits generated from sales of crude oil. 

The Group’s policy is to have the ability to hedge oil prices up to a maximum of 75% of the next 12 months’ production on a rolling 
annual basis, up to 60% in the following 12-month period and 50% in the subsequent 12-month period.

Details of the commodity derivative contracts entered into during and on hand at the end of 2018 are disclosed in note 20.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
130

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

26. Risk management and financial instruments continued
The following table summarises the impact on the Group’s pre-tax profit and total equity of a reasonably possible change in the Brent oil 
price, on the fair value of derivative financial instruments, with all other variables held constant. As the derivatives on hand at 
31 December 2018 have not been designated as hedges, there is no impact on equity.

31 December 2018

31 December 2017

Pre-tax profit

Total equity

+$10/bbl 
increase 
$’000

(40,310)

(68,350)

-$10/bbl  
decrease 
$’000

45,146

48,320

+$10/bbl 
increase 
$’000

-$10/bbl  
decrease 
$’000

–

–

–

–

Foreign exchange risk
The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from movements in currency exchange rates. Such exposure arises from sales or 
purchases in currencies other than the Group’s functional currency (US Dollars) and the bond which is denominated in Sterling. To 
mitigate the risks of large fluctuations in the currency markets, the hedging policy agreed by the Board allows for up to 70% of the 
non-US Dollar portion of the Group’s annual capital budget and operating expenditure to be hedged. For specific contracted capital 
expenditure projects, up to 100% can be hedged. Approximately 3% (2017: 1%) of the Group’s sales and 42% (2017: 81%) of costs 
(including capital expenditure) are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency.

The Group also enters into foreign currency swap contracts from time to time to manage short-term exposures.

The following table summarises the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in the US Dollar to Sterling foreign exchange rate, with all 
other variables held constant, of the Group’s profit before tax due to changes in the carrying value of monetary assets and liabilities at 
the reporting date. The impact in equity is the same as the impact on profit before tax. The Group’s exposure to foreign currency 
changes for all other currencies is not material:

31 December 2018

31 December 2017

Pre-tax profit

+$10% rate 
increase 
$’000

(41,852)

(43,100)

-$10% rate 
decrease 
$’000

41,852

43,100

Credit risk
Credit risk is managed on a Group basis. Credit risk in financial instruments arises from cash and cash equivalents and derivative 
financial instruments where the Group’s exposure arises from default of the counterparty, with a maximum exposure equal to the 
carrying amount of these instruments (see maturity table within liquidity risks in note 26). For banks and financial institutions, only those 
rated with an A-/A3 credit rating or better are accepted. 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 counterparty credit risks.

In addition, there are credit risks of commercial counterparties including exposures in respect of outstanding receivables. The Group 
trades only with recognised international oil and gas companies and at 31 December 2018 there were $5.0 million of trade receivables 
past due (2017: $23.6 million), $1.6 million of joint venture receivables past due (2017: $1.7 million) and $nil (2017: $nil) of other receivables 
past due but not impaired. Subsequent to year end, $4.6 million of these outstanding balances have been collected (2017: $1.5 million). 
Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with appropriate follow-up action taken where necessary. 

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables

Less than 30 days
30-60 days
60-90 days
90-120 days
120+ days

2018
$’000

4,649
16
8
–
1,933

6,606

2017
$’000

1,726
–
253
–
23,301

25,280

At 31 December 2018, the Group had three customers accounting for 81% of outstanding trade receivables (2017: four customers, 84%) 
and two joint venture partners accounting for 41% of outstanding joint venture receivables (2017: three joint venture partners, 97%).

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 its borrowings. 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. At 31 December 2018, $68.4 million (2017: $97.8 million) was available for drawdown under the Group’s credit 
facility (see note 19). 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

131

The following tables detail the maturity profiles of the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities including projected interest thereon. 
The amounts in these tables are different from the balance sheet as the table is prepared on a contractual undiscounted cash flow basis 
and include future interest payments.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Loans and borrowings
Bonds(i)
Obligations under finance leases
Trade and other payables

Year ended 31 December 2017

Loans and borrowings
Bonds(i)
Obligations under finance leases
Trade and other payables
Other financial liabilities

On demand
$’000

Up to 1 year
$’000

1 to 2 years
$’000

2 to 5 years
$’000 

Over 5 years
$’000 

Total
$’000

–
–
–
–

–

364,135
34,234
93,169
419,855

272,189
36,521
69,689
18,209

546,611
1,229,314
243,811
–

–
–
302,282
50,412

1,182,935
1,300,069
708,951
488,476

911,393

396,608

2,019,736

352,694

3,680,431

On demand
$’000

Up to 1 year
$’000

1 to 2 years
$’000

2 to 5 years
$’000 

Over 5 years
$’000 

Total
$’000

–
–
–
–
–

–

424,886
66,141
118,009
364,472
7,211

980,719

347,603
66,141
64,142
157,554
–

667,975
1,112,842
225,807
–
–

–
–
389,975
–
–

1,440,464
1,245,124
797,933
522,026
7,211

635,440

2,006,624

389,975

4,012,758

(i)  Maturity analysis profile for the Group’s bonds includes semi-annual coupon interest. This interest is only payable in cash if the average dated Brent oil price is equal to or 

greater than $65/bbl for the six months preceding one month before the coupon payment date (see note 19)

The following tables detail the Group’s expected maturity of payables and receivables for its derivative financial instruments. The 
amounts in these tables are different from the balance sheet as the table is prepared on a contractual undiscounted cash flow basis. 
When the amount receivable or payable is not fixed, the amount disclosed has been determined by reference to a projected forward 
curve at the reporting date.

Year ended 31 December 2018

Commodity derivative contracts
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
Carbon derivative contracts

Year ended 31 December 2017

Commodity derivative contracts
Chooser contract
Interest rate swaps

On demand
$’000

10,069
–
(837)

9,232

On demand
$’000

(4,991)
(1,035)
–

(6,026)

Less than 
3 months
$’000

52,382
249
9,542

62,173

Less than 
3 months
$’000

(29,616)
–
(13)

(29,629)

3 to 12 months
$’000

1 to 2 years
$’000

1,852
–
–

1,852

–
–
–

–

3 to 12 months
$’000

1 to 2 years
$’000

(10,850)
–
(19)

(10,869)

(1,531)
–
–

(1,531)

Over
2 years
$’000

–
–
–

–

Over
2 years
$’000 

–
–
–

–

Total
$’000

64,303
249
8,705

73,257

Total
$’000

(46,988)
(1,035)
(32)

(48,055)

Capital management
The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 19, cash and cash equivalents and 
equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent company, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as in the 
Group statement of changes in equity.

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to optimise the return on investment, by managing its capital structure to 
achieve capital efficiency whilst also maintaining flexibility. The Group regularly monitors the capital requirements of the business over 
the short, medium and long term, in order to enable it to foresee when additional capital will be required. On 21 November 2016, the 
Group completed a comprehensive package of financial restructuring measures (see notes 17 and 19 for further details).

The Group has approval from the Board to hedge foreign exchange risk on up to 70% of the non-US Dollar portion of the Group’s annual 
capital budget and operating expenditure. For specific contracted capex projects, up to 100% can be hedged. In addition, the Group’s 
policy is to have the ability to hedge oil prices up to a maximum of 75% of the next 12 months production on a rolling annual basis, up to 
60% in the following 12-month period and 50% in the subsequent 12-month period. This is designed to reduce the risk of adverse 
movements in exchange rates and market prices eroding the return on the Group’s projects and operations.

The Board regularly reassesses the existing dividend policy to ensure that shareholder value is maximised. Any future payment of 
dividends is expected to depend on the earnings and financial condition of the Company and such other factors as the Board 
considers appropriate.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
132

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

26. Risk management and financial instruments continued
The Group monitors capital using the gearing ratio and return on shareholders’ equity as follows:

Loans, borrowings and bond(i) (A)
Cash and short-term deposits 
Net debt/(cash) (B)
Equity attributable to EnQuest PLC shareholders (C)
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to EnQuest PLC shareholders (D)
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to EnQuest PLC shareholders excluding exceptionals (E)
Gross gearing ratio (A/C)
Net gearing ratio (B/C)
Shareholders’ return on investment (D/C)
Shareholders’ return on investment excluding exceptionals (E/C)

(i)  Principal amounts drawn, excludes netting off of fees (see note 19)

27. Subsidiaries
At 31 December 2018, EnQuest PLC had investments in the following subsidiaries:

Name of company

Principal activity

EnQuest Britain Limited 

Intermediate holding company and provision of Group 
manpower and contracting/procurement services
EnQuest Heather Limited(i)
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
EnQuest Thistle Limited(i)
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
Stratic UK (Holdings) Limited(i)
Intermediate holding company
Grove Energy Limited1
Intermediate holding company
EnQuest ENS Limited(i)
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
EnQuest UKCS Limited(i)
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
EnQuest Norge AS(i)2
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
EnQuest Heather Leasing Limited(i)
Leasing
EQ Petroleum Sabah Limited(i)
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
EnQuest Dons Leasing Limited(i)
Dormant
EnQuest Energy Limited(i)
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
EnQuest Production Limited(i)
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
Intermediate holding company
EnQuest Global Limited 
EnQuest NWO Limited(i)
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
EQ Petroleum Production Malaysia Limited(i) Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
NSIP (GKA) Limited3
Construction, ownership and operation of an oil pipeline
EnQuest Global Services Limited(i)4
Provision of Group manpower and contracting/procurement 
services for the International business
Marketing and trading of crude oil
Dormant
Dormant
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

EnQuest Marketing and Trading Limited
NorthWestOctober Limited(i)
EnQuest UK Limited(i)
EnQuest Petroleum Developments Malaysia 

SDN. BHD(i)5

EnQuest NNS Holdings Limited(i)
EnQuest NNS Limited(i)
EnQuest Advance Holdings Limited(i)
EnQuest Advance Limited(i)

(i)  Held by subsidiary undertaking

Intermediate holding company
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons
Intermediate holding company
Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

2,048,498
(240,604)
1,807,894
983,552
127,278
78,195
2.1
1.8
13%
8%

2,164,550
(173,128)
1,991,422
760,866
(60,830) 
(33,554)
2.8
2.6
(8%)
(4%)

Proportion of
nominal value
of issued shares 
controlled by
the Group

100%

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

100%
100%
100%
100%

100%
100%
100%
100%

Country of
incorporation

England

England
England
England
Canada
England
England
Norway
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
Scotland
Jersey

England
England
England
Malaysia

England
England
England
England

The Group has three branches outside the UK (all held by subsidiary undertakings): EnQuest Global Services Limited (Dubai); EnQuest 
Petroleum Production Malaysia Limited (Malaysia); and EQ Petroleum Sabah Limited (Malaysia).

Registered office addresses:
1  Suite 2200, 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2E9
2  Fabrikkveien 9, Stavanger, 4033, Norway
3  Annan House, Palmerston Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB11 5QP, United Kingdom
4  Ground Floor, Colomberie House, St Helier, JE4 0RX, Jersey
5 

c/o TMF, 10th Floor, Menara Hap Seng, No 1 & 3, Jalan P. Ramlee 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

133

Year ended
31 December
2018
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2017
$’000

Notes

5(c)
5(b)
5(e)
4
5(b)
4
4
4
4
5(d)
4
5(f)
17

22
22
22
20
5(a)(b)
5(a)(b)
5(d)(e)
6

93,985
5,287
437,104
1,407
126,046
5,837
3,602
–
1,329
(74,345)
–
121
4,645
–
14,028
8
12,617
(3,907)
17,208
(97,432)
(2,310)
(21,911)
219,191

742,510
6,844
22,255
17,020
788,629

Bonds
(see note 19)
$’000

Finance leases
(see note 24)
$’000

(243,773)
4,500
224,698
(193)
171,971
(2,682)
2,808
(48,734)
–
–
(1,263)
19
2,849
(1,763)
–
(200)
–
10,161
(10,445)
(2,010)
–
23,910
147,079

276,932
(13,611)
2,039
61,674
327,034

Total
$’000

(1,971,106)
(112,001)
(771,975)
(19,380)
(58,242)
(31,273)
1,494

Loans and 
borrowings
(see note 19)
$’000

(1,102,366)
(112,001)
–
(552)
–
–
(4,756)

(1,219,675)
–

(1,219,675)
357,072
(175,000)
814
(13,179)
–
(199)

(868,740)
–
–
(18,828)
(58,242)
–
935

(944,875)
(38,117)

(982,992)
–
–
11,745
(16,220)
–
(10,864)

–
–
(771,975)
–
–
(31,273)
5,315

(797,933)
–

(2,962,483)
(38,117)

(797,933)
144,820
–
–
–
(55,837)
–

(3,000,600)
501,892
(175,000)
12,559
(29,399)
(55,837)
(11,063)

28. Cash flow information
Cash generated from operations

Profit/(loss) before tax
Depreciation 
Depletion
Exploration costs impaired/(reversed) and written off
Net impairment (reversal)/charge to oil and gas assets
Write down of inventory
Write down of asset
Excess of fair value over consideration
Loss on fair value of purchase option
Gain on step acquisition accounting for 25% of Magnus and other interests
Gain on disposal of loan notes 
Impairment (reversal)/charge to investments
Share-based payment charge
Shares purchased on behalf of Employee Benefit Trust
Change in deferred consideration
Change in surplus lease provision
Change in decommissioning provision
Change in other provisions
Amortisation of option premiums
Unrealised (gain)/loss on commodity financial instruments
Unrealised (gain)/loss on other financial instruments
Unrealised exchange loss/(gain)
Net finance (income)/expense 

Operating profit before working capital changes
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
(Increase)/decrease in inventories
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables
Cash generated from operations

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities 

Year ended 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2017
Cash flows
Additions
Foreign exchange adjustments
Capitalised PIK
Unwind of finance discount
Other non-cash movements

At 31 December 2017
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 9

At 1 January 2018
Cash flows
Additions
Foreign exchange adjustments
Capitalised interest and PIK
Unwind of finance discount
Other non-cash movements

At 31 December 2018 (see note 19)

(1,050,167)

(998,331)

(708,950)

(2,757,448)

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
134

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

29. Business combinations
Acquisitions in 2018
Acquisition of 75% interest in Magnus oil field and associated interests
On 1 December 2018, EnQuest completed the acquisition from BP of the remaining 75% interest in the Magnus oil field (‘Magnus’), an 
additional 9.0% interest in Sullom Voe Oil terminal and supply facility (‘SVT’) and other additional interests in associated infrastructure 
(collectively the ‘Transaction assets’). This acquisition followed from the acquisition of initial interests completed in December 2017 
(see below). The transaction is in keeping with EnQuest’s strategy of maximising value from late life assets with significant remaining 
resource potential. 

The Transaction assets constitute a business and the acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method, in accordance 
with IFRS 3 Business Combinations. The consolidated financial statements include the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities 
as at the date of acquisition and the results of the assets for the one month period from the acquisition date. Each identifiable asset and 
liability is measured at its acquisition date fair value based on guidance in IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement. The standard defines fair 
value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly fashion between willing market participants at 
the measurement date.

Accounts receivable are recognised at gross contractual amounts due, as they relate to large and creditworthy customers. Historically, 
there has been no significant uncollectible accounts receivable in the Transaction assets. At 31 December 2018, none of the trade 
receivables have been impaired.

The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the Transaction assets as at the date of acquisition were: 

Assets
Property, plant and equipment (see note 10)
Inventory
Trade and other receivables (see note 15)

Liabilities
Trade and other payables (see note 23)
Financial liabilities (see note 20)
Deferred tax liability (see note 7)

Total identifiable net assets

Technical goodwill arising on acquisition
Purchase option derecognition

Purchase consideration

Purchase consideration transferred:
Cash transferred 
Deferred consideration: Vendor loan
Contingent consideration: Future cash flow share arrangement

Total purchase consideration

Fair value 
recognised on 
acquisition(i)

$’000

745,350
50,977
2,927

(44,617)
(8,370)
(94,634)

651,633

94,633
(20,970)

725,296

100,000
116,530
508,766

725,296

(i)  The initial accounting for the acquisition of the Transaction assets has only been provisionally determined at the end of the reporting period. At the date of finalisation of these 
financial statements, the necessary market valuations and other calculations had not been finalised and they have therefore only been provisionally determined based on the 
Directors’ best estimates. Thus, the fair value of the net assets may be subsequently adjusted, with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill prior to 1 December 2019 (one year 
after the transaction)

Goodwill arising on acquisition
The option to purchase the remaining 75% in Magnus and other interests was included with the acquisition of the initial 25% interest. As 
at 31 December 2017, the option was recognised as a financial asset of $22.3 million. The option was revalued on exercise on 
1 December 2018 to the fair value of the acquisition assets, resulting in a financial asset of $21.0 million. The revaluation of the option in 
the year resulted in an expense of $1.3 million and has been recognised in the statement of comprehensive income through other 
income in ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’. The option value captures the ability of EnQuest to extend the life of existing 
mature assets and from the Group’s ability to maximise the value from the late life assets with significant remaining resource potential 
and the increase in underlying oil prices during the year. 

On acquisition, the option was derecognised as part of the acquisition assets and liabilities. The goodwill of $94.6 million arises 
principally due to the requirement to recognise deferred tax assets and liabilities for the difference between the assigned fair values and 
the tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The assessment of the fair value of property, plant 
and equipment is based on cash flows after tax. Nevertheless, in accordance with IAS 12 sections 15 and 19, a provision is made for 
deferred tax corresponding to the tax rate multiplied with the difference between the acquisition cost and the tax base. The offsetting 
entry to this deferred tax is goodwill. Hence, goodwill arises as a technical effect of deferred tax (‘technical goodwill’). None of the 
goodwill recognised will be deductible for income tax purposes.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

135

Fair value of consideration
The consideration for the acquisition of the Transaction assets was $300 million, consisting of $100 million cash contribution, paid from 
the funds received through the rights issue undertaken in October 2018, and $200 million deferred consideration financed by BP, which 
are to be repaid out of future cash flows from the assets. With an effective date of 1 January 2017, the deferred consideration was 
adjusted for the interim period and working capital adjustments, resulting in contingent consideration of $116.5 million as at 1 December 
2018. The deferred consideration is secured over the interests in the Transaction assets and accrues interest at a rate of 7.5% per annum 
on the base consideration. 

The consideration also included a cash flow sharing arrangement whereby EnQuest and BP share the net cash flow generated by the 
75% interest on a 50:50 basis, subject to a cap of $1 billion received by BP. The present value of the contingent future cash flow share 
arrangement over the estimated life of the field has resulted in the recognition of contingent consideration of $508.8 million. 

The present value of the deferred and contingent profit share consideration is calculated from the future expected cash flows, at a 
discount rate of 10.0%. These are recognised within contingent consideration within provisions (see note 22). 

From the date of acquisition, the Transaction assets have contributed $41.7 million of revenue and a $1.2 million gain to the profit before 
tax from continuing operations of the Group. If the combination had taken place at the beginning of 2018, revenue from continuing 
operations would have been an additional $264.7 million and the profit before tax from continuing operations would have been an 
additional $103.7 million. In determining these amounts, management has assumed that the fair value adjustments, determined 
provisionally, that arose on the date of acquisition would have been the same if the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2018. 

Fair value uplift 
The acquisition of the remaining 75% interest is considered a step acquisition as per IFRS 3 Business Combinations. The property, plant 
and equipment acquired with the initial 25% has been fair valued as at 1 December 2018, recognising an uplift of $123.9 million to 
property, plant and equipment and a corresponding deferred tax liability of $49.6 million. The gain on uplift of $74.3 million has been 
recognised through other income in ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’ in the statement of comprehensive income.

Acquisitions in 2017
Acquisition of 25% interest in Magnus oil field and associated interests
On 1 December 2017, EnQuest completed the acquisition from BP of an initial 25% interest in the Magnus oil field (‘Magnus’) as well as a 
3.0% interest in SVT, 9.0% of Northern Leg Gas Pipeline (‘NLGP’), and 3.8% of Ninian Pipeline System (‘NPS’) (collectively the 
‘Transaction assets’). 

The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the Transaction assets as at the date of acquisition were: 

Assets
Property, plant and equipment (see note 10)
Purchase option(i)
Financial asset(ii)
Inventory

Liabilities
Trade and other payables (see note 23)
Financial liabilities(iii)
Deferred tax liability (see note 7)

Total identifiable net assets at fair value

Excess of fair value over cost arising on acquisition:
Purchase option(i)
Thistle decommissioning option(ii)
25% acquisition value

Total excess of fair value over cost arising on acquisition

Purchase consideration through vendor loan

Fair value 
recognised
on acquisition
$’000

124,542
22,300
16,120
14,884

177,846

(8,459)
(4,214)
(49,816)

(62,489)

115,357

(22,300)
(16,120)
(10,314)

(48,734)

66,623

(i)  The financial asset related to the purchase option to acquire the remaining 75% of Magnus oil field and BP’s interest in the associated infrastructure for a value of $300 million. 

At 31 December 2017, the option was recognised as a financial asset of $22.3 million (see note 20)

(ii)  The financial asset related to the Thistle decommissioning option, and represents the difference between the $50 million cash that BP would transfer to EnQuest upon exercise 

of the option, and the net present value of the estimated cash outflow to settle the liability assumed

(ii)  The financial liability related to the amount due to BP by reference to 7.5% of BP’s actual decommissioning costs on an after-tax basis. The additional consideration EnQuest 

may pay is capped at the amount of cumulative positive cash flows received by EnQuest from the Transaction assets

The new assets recognised in the 31 December 2017 financial statements were based on a provisional assessment of their fair value while 
the Group determined the necessary market valuations and other calculations. During 2018, the calculations were completed resulting in 
a $1.5 million decrease to accruals and underlift, with the corresponding balance taken through acquisition property, plant 
and equipment.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
136

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

29. Business combinations continued
In addition to the above identifiable assets and liabilities, under the terms of the agreement, the Group had the option to acquire the 
remaining 75% of the Magnus oil field and BP’s interest in the associated infrastructure as exercised and described above. EnQuest also 
had the option to receive $50 million from BP in exchange for undertaking the management of the physical decommissioning activities 
for Thistle and Deveron and making payments by reference to 6.0% of the gross decommissioning costs of Thistle and Deveron fields. 
The option was exercised in full during 2018 (see note 20).

The excess of fair value of the net assets acquired over the purchase consideration has arisen primarily due to BP’s strategic decision to 
partner with EnQuest to extend the life of existing mature assets and from the Group’s ability to maximise the value from the late life 
assets with significant remaining resource potential. The gain has been immediately recognised through exceptionals in the statement 
of comprehensive income.

Fair value of consideration
The consideration payable has been satisfied via a vendor loan from BP. The loan is repayable solely out of the cash flows which are 
achieved above operating cash flows from the Transaction assets and is secured over the interests in the Transaction assets. The loan 
accrues interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum on the base consideration. The base consideration was $85 million, which was adjusted for 
the interim period and working capital adjustments since the economic date of 1 January 2017, resulting in contingent consideration of 
$66.6 million. The present value of the deferred consideration was calculated from the future expected cash flows, at a discount rate of 
10.0% and assumed repayment of around three years. This is recognised within contingent consideration within provisions (see note 22). 

During 2017 from the date of acquisition, the Transaction assets contributed $14.0 million of revenue and $2.1 million to the profit before 
tax from continuing operations of the Group. If the combination had taken place at the beginning of 2017, revenue from continuing 
operations would have been $73.9 million and the profit before tax from continuing operations would have been $25.9 million. In 
determining these amounts, management has assumed that the fair value adjustments, determined provisionally, that arose on the date 
of acquisition would have been the same if the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2017. At 31 December 2017, none of the trade 
receivables have been impaired.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

137

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 the parent company 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 accounting 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 
Company 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.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
138

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET
At 31 December 2018

Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Trade and other receivables
– due within one year
– due after one year
Cash at bank and in hand 

Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due after one year

Net assets

Share capital and reserves
Share capital and premium
Merger reserve
Other reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

Note

2018
$’000

2017 
$’000

3

5
5
4

7

8

9

1,378,619

894,512

6,442
1,094,298
480

10,323
1,042,427
60

1,101,220
(115,303)

1,052,810
(236,851)

985,917

815,959

2,364,536
(990,283)

1,710,471 
(934,352)

1,374,253

776,119 

345,331
905,890
40,143
(6,884)
89,773

210,402
 905,890 
 40,143 
(5,516)
(374,800)

1,374,253

776,119

The attached notes 1 to 12 form part of these Company financial statements.

The Company reported a gain for the financial year ended 31 December 2018 of $502.7 million (2017: loss of $77.0 million). There were no 
other recognised gains or losses in the period (2017: $nil).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 20 March 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Jonathan Swinney
Chief Financial Officer

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

139

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the year ended 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2017
Loss for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year
Share-based payment charge
Shares issued on behalf of Employee Benefit Trust

At 31 December 2017 (as previously reported)
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 9

Balance as at 1 January 2018
Profit/(loss) for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year
Issue of share capital
Share-based payment charge
Shares purchased on behalf of Employee Benefit Trust

Share capital 
and share 
premium
$’000

208,639
–

–
–
1,763

210,402
–

210,402
–

–
128,916
–
6,013

Merger
reserve
$’000

905,890
–

–
–
–

905,890 
–

905,890 
–

–
–
–
–

Other 
reserve
$’000

40,143
–

–
–
–

40,143 
–

40,143 
–

–
–
–
–

Share-based 
payments 
reserve
$’000

(6,602)
–

–
2,849
(1,763)

(5,516)
–

(5,516)
–

–
–
4,645
(6,013)

Profit
and loss 
account 
$’000

(297,799)
(77,001)

(77,001)
–
–

(374,800)
(38,117)

(412,917)
502,690

502,690
–
–
–

Total
$’000

850,271
(77,001)

(77,001)
2,849
–

776,119
(38,117)

738,002
502,690

502,690
128,916
4,645
–

At 31 December 2018

345,331

905,890 

40,143 

(6,884)

89,773

1,374,253

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
140

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2018

1. Corporate information
The separate parent company financial statements of EnQuest PLC (the ‘Company’) for the year ended 31 December 2018 were 
authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 20 March 2019.

EnQuest PLC (‘EnQuest’ or the ‘Company’) is a limited liability company incorporated and registered in England and is the holding 
company for the Group of EnQuest subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’). 

2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
These separate financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101, ‘Reduced Disclosure 
Framework’ (‘FRS 101’) and the Companies Act 2006. The Company meets the definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 100, 
‘Application of Financial Reporting Requirements’ as issued by the Financial Reporting Council. The Company has previously notified its 
shareholders in writing about, and they do not object to, the use of the disclosure exemptions used by the Company in these 
financial statements.

These financial statements are prepared under the historical cost basis, except for the fair value remeasurement of certain financial 
instruments, including derivatives, as set out in the accounting policies below. 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 
($’000) except where otherwise stated.

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to 
share-based payments, financial instruments, fair value measurement, capital management, presentation of comparative information in 
respect of certain assets, presentation of a cash flow statement, standards not yet effective, impairment of assets and related party 
transactions. Where relevant, equivalent disclosures have been given in the Group accounts.

The Directors have taken advantage of the exemption available under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and not presented an 
income statement or a statement of comprehensive income for the parent company. The parent company’s accounts present 
information about it as an individual undertaking and not about its Group.

Going concern 
The Directors’ assessment of going concern concludes that the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and that the Directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its commitments as they fall due over the 
going concern period. See the Financial Review for further details.

The accounting policies which follow set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2018.

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:

Going concern
The going concern assumption is highly sensitive to economic conditions. The Company closely monitors and manages its funding 
position and liquidity risk throughout the year including monitoring forecast covenant results to ensure it has access to sufficient funds 
to meet forecast cash requirements. Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities considered for, but not limited to, changes 
in crude oil prices (adjusted for hedging undertaken by the Group), production rates and development project timing and costs. These 
forecasts and sensitivity analyses allow management to mitigate any liquidity or covenant compliance risks in a timely manner.

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries
Determination of whether investments have suffered any impairment requires an estimation of the assets recoverable value. The 
recoverable value is based on the discounted cash flows expected to arise from the subsidiaries oil and gas assets, using asset-by-asset 
life of field projections as part of the Group’s assessment for the impairment of the oil and gas assets. See Group critical accounting 
estimates and judgements.

Taxation
The tax provision is prepared before the tax returns are filed with the tax authority and, significantly, before these have been agreed.  
As a result, the tax provision process necessarily involves the use of a number of estimates and judgements including those required in 
calculating the effective tax rate.

The Company 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. 

Foreign currencies
Transactions in currencies other than the 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.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

141

Financial instruments (policy applicable from 1 January 2018)
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial 
instrument. 

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial 
asset and substantially all the risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, 
cancelled or expires. When 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 the derecognition of the 
original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the statement 
of profit or loss.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if 
there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis.

Financial assets 
Initial recognition and initial measurement
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (‘FVOCI’), or fair 
value through profit or loss (‘FVPL’).

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset’s contractual cash flow characteristics and the 
Group’s business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing 
component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient, the Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, 
in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. Trade receivables that do not contain a significant 
financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient are measured at the transaction price determined 
under IFRS 15.

Subsequent measurement 
Financial assets at amortised cost
This category is the most relevant to the Group. The Group measures financial assets at amortised cost if both of the following 
conditions are met:
•  The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; 

and 

•  The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest 

on the principal amount outstanding.

Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (‘EIR’) method and are subject to impairment. 
Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (debt instruments)
The Group measures debt instruments at fair value through OCI if both of the following conditions are met:
•  The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective of both holding to collect contractual cash flows and selling; and
•  The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest 

on the principal amount outstanding.

For debt instruments at FVOCI, interest income, foreign exchange revaluation and impairment losses or reversals are recognised in the 
statement of profit or loss and computed in the same manner as for financial assets measured at amortised cost. The remaining fair value 
changes are recognised in OCI. Upon derecognition, the cumulative fair value change recognised in OCI is recycled to profit or loss.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading, financial assets designated upon initial 
recognition at fair value through profit or loss, or financial assets mandatorily required to be measured at fair value. Financial assets are 
classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term. All financial assets not 
classified as measured at amortised cost or FVOCI as described above are measured at FVPL.

Derivatives, including separated embedded derivatives, are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective 
hedging instruments. Financial assets with cash flows that are not solely payments of principal and interest are classified and measured 
at fair value through profit or loss, irrespective of the business model. Notwithstanding the criteria for debt instruments to be classified 
at amortised cost or at FVOCI, as described above, debt instruments may be designated at FVPL on initial recognition if doing so 
eliminates, or significantly reduces, an accounting mismatch.

Financial assets at FVPL are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with net changes in fair value recognised in the 
statement of profit or loss.

This category includes derivative instruments and listed equity investments which the Group had not irrevocably elected to classify at 
FVOCI. Dividends on listed equity investments are also recognised as other income in the statement of profit or loss when the right of 
payment has been established.

Financial assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety when determining whether their cash flows are solely 
payment of principal and interest.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
142

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

2. Summary of significant accounting policies continued
Impairment of financial assets
IFRS 9’s impairment requirements use more forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the ‘expected credit loss 
(‘ECL’) model’. This replaces IAS 39’s ‘incurred loss model’. 

The Group recognises an allowance for ECLs for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the 
difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to 
receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the 
sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.

ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial 
recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12 months (a ‘12-month 
ECL’). For those credit exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is 
required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a ‘lifetime ECL’).

For trade receivables and contract assets, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not 
track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Group has 
established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the 
debtors and the economic environment.

For debt instruments at FVOCI, the Group applies the low credit risk simplification. At every reporting date, the Group evaluates 
whether the debt instrument is considered to have low credit risk using all reasonable and supportable information that is available 
without undue cost or effort. In making that evaluation, the Group reassesses the internal credit rating of the debt instrument. In 
addition, the Group considers that there has been a significant increase in credit risk when contractual payments are more than 30 days 
past due. It is the Group’s policy to measure ECLs on such instruments on a 12-month basis.

Financial liabilities 
Initial recognition and initial measurement
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at FVPL, loans and borrowings, payables, or as derivatives 
designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.

All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly 
attributable transaction costs.

The Group’s financial liabilities include loans and borrowings, trade and other payables, quoted and unquoted financial liabilities, and 
derivative financial instruments.

Subsequent measurement 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial liabilities at FVPL include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair 
value through profit or loss.

Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. This category 
also includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Group that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge 
relationships as defined by IFRS 9. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as 
effective hedging instruments.

Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognised in the statement of profit or loss.

The Group uses derivative financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts, interest rate swaps and forward commodity 
contracts, to address its foreign currency risks, interest rate risks and commodity price risks, respectively. Such derivative financial 
instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair 
value is negative. Any changes in fair value are recognised immediately in the profit or loss within ‘Remeasurements and exceptional 
items’ profit or loss on the face of the income statement. When a derivative reaches maturity, the realised gain or loss is included within 
the Group’s ‘Business performance’ results with a corresponding reclassification from ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’. 

Option premium received or paid for commodity derivatives are amortised into ‘Business performance’ revenue over the period 
between the inception of the option, and that option’s expiry date. This results in a corresponding reclassification from 
‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’ revenue.

The Group has not designated any derivative financial instruments as hedging instruments for the periods contained within these 
financial statements. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

143

Loans and borrowings
This is the category most relevant to the Group and includes the measurement of the bonds. After initial recognition, interest-bearing 
loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or 
loss when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR amortisation process. This category generally applies to 
interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of 
the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the statement of profit or loss.

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost 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. 

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 Company financial statements. 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.

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 Company to make a single net payment.

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 profit and loss account on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of 
equity shares.

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 (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 and loss account 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 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 profit and loss account. The Company 
operates a number of share award schemes on behalf of the employees of the Group which are described in detail within note 18 of the 
Group financial statements.

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.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
144

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 31 December 2018

3. Investments

Cost
At 1 January 2017
Additions 

At 31 December 2017
Additions 

At 31 December 2018

Provision for impairment
At 1 January 2017
Impairment charge/(reversal) for the year

At 31 December 2017
Impairment charge/(reversal) for the year

At 31 December 2018

Net book value
At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2016

Subsidiary 
undertakings
$’000

Other financial 
assets at FVPL 
$’000

Total
$’000

1,371,094
2,849

1,373,943
4,645

1,378,588

386,307
93,276

479,583
(479,583)

–

1,378,588

894,360

984,787

1,797
–

1,797
–

1,372,891
2,849

1,375,740
4,645

1,797

1,380,385

1,626
19

1,645 
121

1,766

387,933
93,295

481,228
(479,462)

1,766

31

152

171

1,378,619

894,512

984,958

The Company has recognised a reversal of impairment of its investment in subsidiary undertakings of $479.6 million (2017: impairment of 
$93.3 million). The reversal of impairment for the year ended 31 December 2018 is attributable primarily to the acquisition of Magnus and 
other interests as described in note 29 to the Group financial statements. 

Details of the Company’s subsidiaries at 31 December 2018 are provided in note 27 of the Group financial statements.

The interest in other listed investments at the end of the year is part of the Group’s investment in the Ordinary share capital of Ascent 
Resources plc, which is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. See note 13 of the Group financial statements 
for more detail on the impairment.

4. Cash at bank and in hand 

Cash at bank and in hand

2018
$’000

480

2017
$’000

60

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. Trade and other receivables

Due within one year
Amounts due from subsidiaries
Other financial assets

Due after one year
Amounts due from subsidiaries

2018
$’000

6,442
–

6,442

2017
$’000

10,231
92

10,323

1,094,298

1,042,427

As per the application of IFRS 9, an impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date using a provision matrix to measure 
expected credit losses. The provision rates are based on days past due for groupings of intercompany balances with similar loss patterns 
(i.e. by geographical region and security). The calculation reflects the probability-weighted outcome, the time value of money and 
reasonable and supportable information that is available at the reporting date about past events, current conditions and forecasts of 
future economic conditions. Generally, trade receivables are written off if past due for more than one year and are not subject to 
enforcement activity. The Group evaluates the concentration of risk with respect to intercompany receivables as low, as its customers are 
intercompany ventures, and has considered the risk relating to the probability of default on loans that are repayable on demand. The 
Group has evaluated an expected credit loss of $2.5 million for the year ended 31 December 2018. 

6. Deferred tax
The Company has unused UK mainstream corporation tax losses of $52.7 million (2017: $57.8 million) for which no deferred tax asset has 
been recognised at the balance sheet date due to the uncertainty of recovery of these losses. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

145

7. Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year

Bond interest
Amounts due to subsidiaries
Accruals

8. Trade and other payables: amounts falling due after one year 

Bonds

2018
$’000

16,810
98,375
118

115,303

2017
$’000

16,574
220,056
221

236,851

2018
$’000

2017
$’000

990,283

934,352

At 31 December 2018, bonds comprise a high yield bond with principal of $746.1 million (2017: $720.8 million) and a retail bond with 
principal of £171.9 million (2017: £166.0 million). The bonds mature in April 2022 and pay a coupon of 7.0% bi-annually. See note 19 of the 
Group financial statements. 

9. Share capital and share premium
The movement in the share capital and share premium of the Company was as follows:

Authorised, issued and fully paid

At 1 January 2018
Issuance of equity shares
Expenses on issue of equity shares

At 31 December 2018

Ordinary shares of 
£0.05 each
Number

1,186,084,304
508,321,844
–

Share capital
$’000

Share premium
$’000

85,105
33,077
–

125,297
105,849
(3,997)

Total
$’000

210,402
138,926
(3,997)

1,694,406,148

118,182

227,149

345,331

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

At 31 December 2018, there were 73,180,394 shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust (2017: 56,023,671). On 22 October 2018, 
22,126,481 shares were acquired by the Employee Benefit Trust pursuant to the rights issue. The remainder of the movement in the year is 
due to shares used to satisfy awards made under the Company’s share-based incentive schemes. 

On 22 October 2018, the Company completed a rights issue, pursuant to which 508,321,844 new Ordinary shares were issued at a price 
of £0.21 per share, generating gross aggregate proceeds of $138.9 million. 485,477,620 of the new shares issued resulted from existing 
shareholders taking up their entitlement under the rights issue to acquire three new Ordinary shares for every seven Ordinary shares 
previously held. Following the admission to the market of an additional 508,321,844 Ordinary shares on 22 October 2018, there were 
1,694,406,148 Ordinary shares in issue at the end of the year. 

10. Reserves
Share premium
The excess contribution over the nominal value on the issuance of shares is accounted for as share premium.

Merger reserve
The Company 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 the shares issued where merger relief applies to the transaction. The reserve is adjusted for any 
write down in the value of the investment in the subsidiary.

Other reserve
The other reserve is used to record any other transactions taken straight to reserves as non-distributable.

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 and the 
balance of the shares held by the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust. 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.

11. Auditor’s remuneration
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company and Group financial statements are disclosed in note 5(g) of the 
Group financial statements.

12. Directors’ remuneration
The emoluments of the Directors are paid to them in their capacity as Directors of the Company for qualifying services in to the 
Company and the EnQuest Group. Further information is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 58.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
146

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

COMPANY INFORMATION

Registered office
5th Floor, Cunard House
15 Regent Street
London
SW1Y 4LR

Corporate brokers
J.P. Morgan Cazenove
10 Aldermanbury
London
EC2V 7RF

Merrill Lynch International
2 King Edward Street
London
EC1A 1HQ

Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
1 More London Place
London
SE1 2AF

Legal adviser to the Company
Ashurst LLP
Broadwalk House 
5 Appold Street
London
EC2A 2HA

Corporate and financial public relations
Tulchan Communications LLP 
85 Fleet Street
London 
EC4Y 1AE

EnQuest PLC shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange 
and on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, in both cases using the 
code ‘ENQ’.

Registrar
Link Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent
BR3 4TU

Swedish registrar 
Euroclear Sweden AB 
Box 191
101 23 Stockholm 
Sweden

Financial calendar
23 May 2019: Annual General Meeting
5 September 2019: Half year results (subject to change)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

147

NOTES

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
148

EnQuest PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018

NOTES

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
E

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London, England
5th Floor, Cunard House
15 Regent Street
London, SW1Y 4LR
United Kingdom

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Level 12, Menara Maxis
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

T +44 (0)20 7925 4900

T +60 323 021 888

Aberdeen, Scotland
Annan House
Palmerston Road
Aberdeen, AB11 5QP
United Kingdom

Dubai, UAE
14th Floor, Office #1403
Arenco Tower
Dubai Internet City
Dubai, UAE

T +44 (0)1224 975000

T +971 4 5507100

More information on www.enquest.com