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EnQuest

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FY2022 Annual Report · EnQuest
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Providing creative 
solutions through  
the energy transition

E N Q U E S T   P L C   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   A N D   A C C O U N T S   2 0 2 2

 
Welcome

Upstream

Responsibly extracting existing oil and 
gas resources through established 
infrastructure while minimising 
emissions remains our core business.

     For more, see Page 12

        Repurposing

Electrification

Green hydrogen

Infrastructure  
and New Energy

Maintaining high-quality services at the  
lowest cost and transforming strategically 
advantaged existing infrastructure into  
a hub for renewable energy.

     For more, see Page 14

Strategic Report
02  Highlights
03  Key performance indicators
04  Our purpose, strategy, Values and 

business model

06  Chairman’s statement
08  Chief Executive’s report
12  Operational review
18  Oil and gas reserves and resources
19  Hydrocarbon assets
20  Financial review
27   Group non-financial information 

statement

28  Environmental, Social and Governance

30  Environmental
34  Social: Health and safety
36  Social: Community
38  Social: Our people
40  Governance: Risks and uncertainties
52  Governance: Business conduct
53  Governance: Task Force on Climate-

related Financial Disclosures

62  Governance: Stakeholder 

engagement

CO2 storage

Corporate Governance
65  Executive Committee
66  Board of Directors
68  Chairman’s letter
70  Corporate governance statement
78  Audit Committee report
85  Directors’ Remuneration Report
103  Safety, Sustainability and  
Risk Committee report
105  Technical and Reserves  

Committee report

106  Directors’ report

Financial Statements
111  Statement of Directors’  
Responsibilities for the  
Group Financial Statements

112  Independent auditor’s report 

to the members of EnQuest PLC

124  Group Income Statement
125  Group Balance Sheet
126  Group Statement of Changes in Equity
127  Group Statement of Cash Flows
128  Notes to the Group Financial Statements
168  Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
for the Parent Company Financial 
Statements

169  Company Balance Sheet
170  Company Statement of Changes 

in Equity

171  Notes to the Financial Statements
175  Glossary - Non-GAAP Measures
179  Company information

 
Late-life  
management

Production optimisation,  
asset development  
and growth

Cost control and 
capital discipline

The  
energy
 transition

Project and well  
P&A delivery

EnQuest is well positioned  
to play an important role  
in the energy transition.  
It will do so by responsibly 
optimising production, 
repurposing existing 
infrastructure, delivering  
a strong decommissioning 
performance and  
progressing new energy and 
decarbonisation opportunities.

Post-cessation of  
production operations

Minimising emissions 
and maximising reuse

Decommissioning

Managing end-of-life production and 
delivering safe, cost-efficient and  
low-carbon decommissioning

     For more, see Page 16

01

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022 
Highlights

Strong free cash flow 
generation driving 
continued debt reduction.

Production in the year increased 
by 6.4% versus 2021, reflecting a full 
year’s contribution from Golden 
Eagle following its acquisition in 
October 2021, good uptime across 
the portfolio and the successful 
execution of well programmes 
offsetting natural declines. 

The Group’s adjusted EBITDA 
increased 31.8% to $979.1 million, 
primarily reflecting materially higher 
revenue. Profit before tax decreased 
by 42.3% to $203.2 million, primarily 
driven by non-cash impacts 
of impairments and fair value 
changes in the Magnus contingent 
consideration liability. The Group 
reported a basic loss per share of 
2.2 pence (2021: profit per share of 
21.7 pence), primarily reflecting the 
impact of the initial recognition of 
a deferred tax liability associated 
with the UK Energy Profits Levy (‘EPL’).

Strong production performance, 
focused cost control and the 
supportive commodity price 
environment underpinned record 
free cash flow generation, which 
enabled the Group to lower debt 
and undertake a comprehensive 
refinancing, rebalancing its capital 
structure between secured and 
unsecured debt and extending 
maturities until 2027. EnQuest net 
debt was reduced in the year from 
$1,222.0 million to $717.1 million.

The UK Energy Profits Levy impacts 
cash flow generation and the 
Group’s capital allocation strategy. 
EnQuest remains focused on 
deleveraging and intends to 
prioritise organic investments 
with quick paybacks and 
accretive M&A opportunities 
that allow it to leverage its 
operating capability and tax loss 
position, with shareholder returns 
expected to follow in the future.

02

A LTE R NATI V E  P E R FO R MA N C E  M E AS U R E S 1

Operating costs
($ million)

396.5

+23.5%

Free cash flow
($ million)

518.9

+30.8%

Adjusted EBITDA
($ million)

979.1

+31.8%

Read more in the Financial review  
See Page 20

STATUTO RY  PE R FO R MA N C E  M E AS U R E S

Revenue and other operating income
($ million)

Profit/(loss) before tax
($ million)

1,853.6

+46.4%
2021: 1,265.8

203.2

-42.3%
2021: 352.4

Basic earnings/(loss) per share
(cents)

Net cash flow from operating activities
($ million)

(2.2)

n/a
2021: 21.7

Net assets/(liabilities)
($ million)

456.6

-12.3%
2021: 520.8

931.6

+38.2%
2021: 674.1

Read more in the Financial review  
See Page 20

Note above:
1  See reconciliation of alternative performance measures within the ‘Glossary – Non-GAAP measures’ 

starting on page 175. 

Notes opposite:
1  Lost Time Incident frequency represents the number of incidents per million exposure hours worked 

(based on 12 hours for offshore and eight hours for onshore)

2  EnQuest has updated its reporting of proven and probable reserves to be on an equity working interest 
basis for alignment and consistency with its peer group, having previously reported on an entitlement 
basis. Previously, 2021 was reported as 194 MMboe with 2020 reported as 189 MMboe

3  See reconciliation of alternative performance measures within the ‘Glossary – Non-GAAP measures’ 

starting on page 175

4  Prior periods have been restated to reflect alignment of reporting methodologies for independent 
verification of 2022 data in Malaysia. Previously, 2021 was reported as 1,145.3 ktCO2e and 2020 as  
1,342.8 ktCO2e

Key performance indicators

A: HSEA
Group Lost Time Incident frequency rate1

D: Cash generated by operations
$ million

G: Net 2P reserves2, 3
MMboe

+171.4%

+35.6%

-7.3%

2022

2021

2020

0.21

0.22

0.57

2022

2021

2020

1,026.1

756.9

567.2

2022

2021

2020

190

205

200

In occupational safety, the Group’s 
excellent track record with respect to Lost 
Time Incident (‘LTI’) performance was 
challenged but remained in the upper 
quartile. The increase in 2022 primarily 
occurred through routine activities and the 
Group has taken steps to re-emphasise 
the need for increased focus on situational 
awareness and dynamic risk assessment. 

Strong cash generated by operations 
reflected higher adjusted EBITDA, driven by 
the combination of increased production, 
supportive commodity prices and 
effective cost control.

During the year, the Group produced   
c.17 MMboe of its year-end 2021 2P 
reserves base. Other revisions and 
transfers from 2C resources added  
a net c.2 MMboe to 2P reserves.

B: Net production
Boepd

+6.4%

2022

2021

2020

E: Cash capital and abandonment expense3
$ million

H: Scope 1 and 2 emissions4
tCO2e

+48.6%

-9.6%

47,259

44,415

59,116

2022

2021

2020

117.6

174.8

173.0

2022

2021

2020

1,051.9

1,164.1

1,361.0

The increase in production was primarily 
driven by the full-year contribution  
from Golden Eagle and improved 
performances at Magnus and PM8/Seligi, 
reflecting successful well programmes, 
while production at Kraken was at the 
top end of its guidance range.

Increased cash capital and abandonment 
expense reflected significant production 
enhancing well programmes at Magnus, 
PM8/Seligi and Golden Eagle, in addition  
to well plug and abandonment 
decommissioning activities at Heather/
Broom, and Thistle/Deveron.

Total CO2e emissions were lower, reflecting 
lower emissions in Malaysia primarily as  
a result of sustained periods of single 
compressor operations.

C: Unit opex3
$/Boe

+10.7%

F: EnQuest net debt3
$ million

-41.3%

2022

2021

2020

22.7

20.5

15.2

2022

2021

2020

717.1

1,222.0

1,279.7

Average unit operating costs were 
primarily impacted by the Golden Eagle 
acquisition and higher fuel and emission 
trading allowance costs due to higher 
market prices, partially offset by increased 
production and the weakening of Sterling 
against the US Dollar.

Strong free cash flow generation was 
utilised to deleverage the Group’s 
balance sheet. During 2022, the Group 
refinanced its debt, rebalancing its 
capital structure between secured  
and unsecured debt and extending 
maturities until 2027.  

03

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Our purpose, strategy, Values and business model

An integrated 
energy company

EnQuest is focused on delivering energy to meet 
today’s and tomorrow’s needs while pursuing 
decarbonisation opportunities.

1

Our purpose

Our purpose is to provide creative 
solutions through the energy 
transition. 

We harness the creative energy 
from all our people to focus on 
SAFE Results and providing the 
energy society needs while 
reducing our environmental 
impact as we all transition to  
a cleaner world.

3

Our Values

SAFE Results

Working Collaboratively

Respect & Openness

Growth & Learning 

Driving a Focused Business

2

Our strategic 
vision

To be the partner of choice for the 
responsible management of 
existing energy assets, applying our 
core capabilities to create value 
through the transition.

04

 
 
4

What we do

U P STR E A M
We responsibly extract 
existing oil and gas resources 
through established 
infrastructure while 
minimising emissions.

     For more, see Page 12

I N FR ASTRU CTU R E A N D   
N E W E N E RGY
We are focused on safe and reliable 
operations while repurposing 
infrastructure to progress renewable 
energy and decarbonisation 
opportunities at scale.

     For more, see Page 14

D E CO M M I S S I O N I N G
We are committed to delivering 
decommissioning programmes 
responsibly, minimising emissions 
and maximising the reuse of 
recovered materials.

     For more, see Page 16

5

Our strategic 
focus
Deliver, De-Lever  
and Grow

Managing assets to optimise 
production while exercising  
cost control and capital  
discipline

Repurposing existing 
infrastructure to deliver new 
energy and decarbonisation 
opportunities at scale 

Safely and efficiently executing 
decommissioning activities

Continuing to reduce debt

Pursuing selective,  
capability-led and                 

value-accretive acquisitions

Shareholder returns

05

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022 
Chairman’s statement

Well set  
for a global,  
just energy 
transition

Gareth Penny
Chairman

Chairman Gareth Penny explains what  
excites him about EnQuest’s future

06

Q: What attracted you to the role of 
Chairman of EnQuest PLC?
A: EnQuest has made great progress 
over the last few years in delivering 
on its strategic priorities. Strong 
production performance and a 
focus on cost control and capital 
discipline, combined with creative 
and timely acquisitions, have enabled 
the Group to generate material 
cash flows, even during the period 
of extremely depressed oil prices as 
the world navigated the COVID-19 
pandemic. More recently, despite a 
challenging macro backdrop fuelled 
by a combination of the Russian 
invasion of Ukraine, uncertainty over 
global post-pandemic recovery, 
rising global inflation and, in the UK 
at least, changes in government 
leadership and the fiscal regime 
through the introduction of the 
Energy Profits Levy (‘EPL’), the Group 
successfully refinanced its debt 
facilities and extended their maturities.

At the same time, the Group has 
continued to enhance its strategy 
and business model to meet society’s 
energy needs of today and tomorrow. 
While the Upstream business remains 
a core focus given its cash generating 
capability, the Group has made 
considerable progress in a short 
space of time in the Infrastructure 
and New Energy business to deliver 
credible and material opportunities 
in new energy and decarbonisation, 
primarily through the repurposing of 
existing infrastructure. The Company 
also continues to demonstrate its 
capability in decommissioning.

This enhanced business model 
is underpinned by several 
complementary, transferable, 
proven capabilities, and our drive 
to support energy security, supply 
and affordability, jobs and the 
communities in which we operate 
means we have the chance to 
establish EnQuest as a true just 
and sustainable energy transition 
company. On behalf of the Board, I 
would like to thank our teams for their 
commitment and professionalism 
in delivering the above outcomes. It 
is the combination of a proven track 
record of strong operational and 
financial performance, resilience, 
creativity and adaptability that 
makes EnQuest a really attractive 
company to be a part of.

“ It is the combination of a proven track  

record of strong operational and financial 
performance, resilience, creativity and 
adaptability that makes EnQuest a really 
attractive company to be a part of.”

Q: What do you see as core strengths 
of the Company?
A: EnQuest is a proven operator of 
maturing assets, safely and responsibly 
managing natural resources and 
extracting additional value that 
others may have left behind. The 
Group has long-life assets which have 
opportunities to generate value for the 
Company’s stakeholders that can be 
matured using our distinct capabilities 
in drilling and subsea tie-backs. These 
are transferable skills that can be 
used in the Group’s Decommissioning 
business, where we are focused on 
safe, efficient and environmentally 
responsible operations.

The Group’s strong track record of 
delivering accretive acquisitions 
through innovative transaction 
structures places the Company in 
a good position as other industry 
participants reconsider their 
appetite for continued investment 
in the UK North Sea following the 
introduction of the EPL. EnQuest’s 
business model is proven to capture 
additional value through effective 
late-life asset management across 
Upstream and Decommissioning 
and the utilisation of the Group’s 
significant UK tax loss position. 

Undoubtedly, the Group’s Infrastructure 
and New Energy business provides the 
Group with a bright future. Many of the 
Group’s distinct capabilities that drive 
its Upstream and Decommissioning 
businesses can be equally applied to 
renewable energy and decarbonisation 
workstreams. The advantaged position 
the Group has at the Sullom Voe Terminal 
provides EnQuest with a differentiated 
proposition that I am confident will 
underpin success in the future.

Ultimately, people are any 
company’s strongest asset and, 
even though I have only been with 
the Company a short time, I can see 
our people have drive, commitment, 
professionalism and creativity.

Q: 2022 saw a year of great challenge 
and change, both globally and at 
EnQuest. What are the key risks, 
challenges and opportunities for  
the organisation?
A: Undoubtedly, 2022 was a 
challenging year, but with challenge 
comes opportunity and it is 
companies like EnQuest that will find 
ways to capitalise on them. For 
example, the EPL will impact the 
Group’s cash generating capability 
and, consequently, its capital 
allocation decisions. However, with 
a significant tax loss position, the 
value of assets in EnQuest’s hands 
far outweighs that which could be 
generated in the hands of other 
organisations. As such, I am confident 
there will be further opportunities 
for the Company as majors and 
other operators continue to shift 
their focus from the UK. We will also 
continue to assess appropriate 
M&A opportunities in other 
geographies and look at balancing 
the portfolio with more gas assets.

Clearly, the oil price remains a core 
risk to the business and it has proved 
to be somewhat volatile in recent 
years, reflecting the macroeconomic 
backdrop. However, years of industry-
wide underinvestment, a robust and 
improved post-pandemic demand 
outlook, and increasing recognition of 
the part the oil and gas industry will 
play in a responsible transition to a 
lower-carbon society, mean EnQuest is 
well positioned to continue to generate 
value over an extended period of time 
from its integrated business model. 

Environmental, social and governance 
(‘ESG’) considerations, and climate 
change in particular, have remained 
high on our agenda. We are committed 
to playing our part in the drive to 
net zero and, if we are successful 
in our carbon capture and storage 
opportunity, we will go materially 
beyond net zero. At a Board level, 
we have agreed to rename the 
Safety, Climate and Risk Committee 
the Safety, Sustainability and Risk 
Committee, reflecting the importance 
we place on long-term safety and 
sustainability, particularly as we play 
our part in a just energy transition. 

Q: What is your main focus for 2023? 
A: As part of my induction, I have 
been meeting with many of our 
management teams and employees 
and have been impressed by those 
I have met. I have also had the 
opportunity to meet with several 
of the Group’s major institutional 
shareholders and thank them for 
sharing their views on the Company. 
I am excited to be working with 
Amjad and Salman on charting 
the path of new energy for EnQuest 
and assisting in our strategic 
goal of repurposing assets to 
support the just energy transition. 
I remain committed to supporting 
management in its pursuit of this 
transformative goal with continued 
open and transparent engagement. 

Q: What would success look like for 
you in your time as Chairman?
A: Clearly we need to continue to 
operate in a safe, environmentally 
friendly and sustainable manner. In the 
near term, we must continue to focus 
on the delivery of our financial and 
operational targets as this will enable 
further reductions in the Group’s debt. 
Such delivery will provide the platform 
for the Group to pursue further organic 
and inorganic value-enhancing 
opportunities. In the medium 
term, I want to see the Company 
capitalise on its proven capabilities 
in Upstream and Decommissioning 
and strategically-advantaged 
position in respect of new energy 
and decarbonisation ambitions.

The Company is led by a strong 
and experienced management 
team, supported by a diverse and 
knowledgeable Board, and has 
excellent people who, collectively, 
are focused on delivering on 
EnQuest’s energy transition strategy. 
I am excited about our future.

07

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Chief Executive’s report 

Continuing  
to deliver,  
de-lever  
and grow

Amjad Bseisu
Chief Executive 

08

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

Overview
2022 saw the Group once again deliver 
a strong operational and financial 
performance. Production was up 6.4%, 
free cash flows increased to a record 
$518.9 million and EnQuest net debt 
was reduced to $717.1 million, its lowest 
level since 2014. We also undertook a 
comprehensive refinancing of our debt 
facilities, extending maturities until 2027. 
These were significant achievements 
given the backdrop of volatile 
markets and several momentous 
changes in the macro environment, 
as set out later in this report.

Since we set our strategic priorities 
of ‘deliver, de-lever and grow’ at the 
end of 2018, we have progressed on 
all fronts. We have delivered strong 
production performance, controlled 
costs and exercised capital discipline, 
focusing on the most value-accretive 
opportunities. This in turn has allowed 
us to generate material free cash 
flows, even when the oil price was 
depressed during the COVID-19 
pandemic, reduce EnQuest net debt 
by more than $1.0 billion and deliver 
an EnQuest net debt to EBITDA ratio 
of just 0.7x at the end of 2022.

From a growth perspective, our 
acquisition of the Golden Eagle 
asset contributed significantly to our 
cash generation in 2022, while the 
low-cost acquisitions of material 
resources at Bressay and Bentley 
have provided us with future near-
field development opportunities 
that can utilise our heavy oil 
expertise and differential capability 
in subsea drilling and tie-backs. 

Having established our Infrastructure 
and New Energy business in 2021, 
we have now identified and are 
maturing three discrete and scalable 
decarbonisation opportunities of 
carbon capture and storage (‘CCS’), 
electrification, and green hydrogen 
and derivative production. Our position 
at the Sullom Voe Terminal (‘SVT’) 
provides a strategically advantaged, 
sustainable and tangible basis upon 
which to further progress each of 
these opportunities. At the same 
time, we have materially reduced our 
absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions, 
with UK Scope 1 and 2 emissions c.43% 
lower than the 2018 benchmark. This 
is significantly ahead of the UK’s 
North Sea Transition Deal targets.

We have also cemented our position 
as a leading decommissioning 
partner, delivering one of the most 

“Our business model spans the energy transition spectrum.  
We will contribute to a just and sustainable transition by  
responsibly managing existing resources, repurposing assets  
and providing long-term opportunities for our people.”

productive campaigns seen in the 
UK North Sea by decommissioning 
a total of 24 wells at Heather 
and Thistle last year and being 
recognised by regulators in 
both the UK and Malaysia for our 
decommissioning performance.

Our enhanced business model spans 
the energy transition spectrum, 
ensuring the transition is managed 
in a just and sustainable manner 
over time. By responsibly managing 
existing assets, we will continue to 
provide the production the world 
needs today while advancing our 
new energy and decarbonisation 
opportunity set to support a future 
lower-carbon energy system, before 
safely decommissioning those assets. 
Our business model is underpinned by 
several complementary, transferable, 
proven capabilities and provides long-
term opportunities for our people.

Market conditions
Commodity prices
During 2022, global markets were 
impacted by a variety of events. Towards 
the end of 2021 and into early 2022, we 
saw oil prices recover to pre-pandemic 
levels as global markets began to reopen 
and demand for oil products increased. 
In the lead-up to and following Russia’s 
invasion of Ukraine the oil price quickly 
escalated, with spot prices peaking 
at more than $130/bbl in early March. 
Oil prices remained elevated for the 
summer, driven in part by measured 
increases in OPEC+ supply, uncertainty 
over the impact of sanctions against 
Russian oil supplies and continued 
capital discipline across the industry. 
However, prices began to decline later 
in the year as several COVID-19 related 
restrictions remained in place in China, 
the impact of sanctions played through 
and global inflation and recessionary 
pressures mounted.  

By the end of 2022, oil prices had reverted 
back towards those seen at the start of 
the year. Gas prices in Europe and the UK 
saw significant spikes during the year. 
Day-Ahead prices peaked at over £5/
therm in August, reflecting restricted 
pipeline gas supplies from Russia and 
strong competition for liquefied natural 
gas to meet demand. Close to the 
end of the year, gas prices reduced 
significantly as demand softened with 
milder weather across Europe resulting 
in better-than-expected storage levels.

Fiscal uncertainty
In May 2022, the UK Government 
introduced a windfall tax, the Energy 
Profits Levy (‘EPL’), on oil and gas 
producers. The tax was to take effect 
immediately at a rate of 25% and 
was accompanied by investment 
incentives and a commitment to 
remove the tax at the point in which 
oil prices returned to more normal 
levels or by December 2025, whichever 
was earlier. Four months later, after 
a change in prime minister, a mini-
budget was announced aiming 
to protect UK citizens from the 
‘cost-of-living crisis’ and stimulate 
the UK economy. However, it was 
widely criticised and led to financial 
instability, with Sterling weakening 
appreciably against the US Dollar. In 
October, almost all of the mini-budget 
policies were removed, providing 
some stability to financial markets, 
with a second change in leadership 
following shortly afterwards. In the 
November autumn statement, the 
new leadership team announced the 
EPL would be amended and extended, 
with a higher rate of 35% from 
1 January 2023, an end date of March 
2028 and the removal of any price 
floor, which consequently impacted 
access to capital across the sector.

Inflation
The combination of increasing global 
activity after lockdown restrictions 
were eased, supply disruptions and 
higher food and energy prices saw 
increases in inflation rates to levels 
not seen for decades. The Bank of 
England and other central banks 
sought to limit inflation by increasing 
interest rates, with the rate in the 
UK raised to its highest level in 14 
years during December 2022.

Clearly, such volatility imposes 
significant challenges on any 
business. However, companies like 
EnQuest that demonstrate resilience, 
creativity and adaptability find 
opportunities in such circumstances. 
For example, the introduction of 
the EPL has resulted in a number of 
industry participants accelerating 
their shift in focus away from the UK 
North Sea. Our significant tax loss 
position and the impact of the EPL on 
marginal tax rates means if assets 
were owned by EnQuest their relative 
value could be a multiple of that in 
the hands of existing owners. As such, 
I am confident there will be further 
M&A opportunities for us to pursue.

Operational performance
EnQuest’s average production 
increased by 6.4% to 47,259 Boepd, 
primarily driven by a full year’s 
contribution from Golden Eagle 
following completion of the acquisition 
on 22 October 2021, along with improved 
performances at Magnus and PM8/
Seligi reflecting the successful execution 
of extensive well programmes during 
the year. The well programme at 
Magnus included the successful 
completion of the North West Magnus 
well, which allowed for additional gas 
export capacity, low-cost perforation 
work and three wells being returned to 
service, with simultaneous workover 

09

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Chief Executive’s report continued

“ Our capabilities position us well to be the partner of  
choice for the responsible management of assets.”

and drilling activities undertaken. The 
North West Magnus well, which is the 
longest reservoir section drilled in the 
North Sea this century at 1,914 metres 
and represents the longest liner ever 
run at Magnus, contributed strongly 
to production of both oil and gas in 
the fourth quarter. In Malaysia, the 
infill drilling campaign included the 
Group’s first three horizontal wells at 
PM8/Seligi, while the four-well workover 
programme was delivered on budget 
and ahead of schedule. In addition, we 
successfully executed a three-well plug 
and abandonment (‘P&A’) campaign 
at PM8/Seligi ahead of schedule and 
below budget, for which the team 
were deservedly recognised by the 
regulator for commitment to safety 
and the use of new technology. Kraken 
continued to perform well, delivering 
top-quartile production efficiency 
(‘PE’) of 93% and production at the 
top end of its guidance range. During 
the fourth quarter of 2022, Kraken 
passed the milestone of 60 MMbbls 
(gross) of oil produced since start-up 
in mid-2017, and has been one of the 
Group’s best performing assets for a 
number of years now. While production 
and drilling performance of the non-
operated Golden Eagle asset were 
below expectations, the asset still 
contributed strongly to the Group’s 
cash generation and by the end of 
2022 had fully paid back the initial 
cash acquisition costs. That represents 
a payback period of c.14 months.

During 2022, we produced c.17 MMboe 
of our year-end 2021 2P reserves 
base. This reduction in 2P reserves 
was partially offset by transfers from 
2C resources, net of other technical 
revisions. The Group also changed its 
reporting of Malaysian 2P reserves to 
an equity working interest basis to align 
with peer reporting, having previously 
adopted an entitlement interest basis. 

This change added c.11 MMboe to the 
year-end 2022 balance (see note 7 on 
page 18). As such, 2P reserves at the end 
of the year were around 190 MMboe, 
down from c.194 MMboe reported at 
the end of 2021 (c.205 MMboe on a 
comparative working interest basis). We 
continue to have material 2C resources 
of around 393 MMboe, with Bressay 
and Bentley each holding more than 
100 MMboe of net 2C resources, while 
Magnus and Kraken in the UK and PM8/
Seligi and PM409 offshore Malaysia 
also hold material 2C resources.

Our Infrastructure and New Energy 
business has moved forward at pace 
this year. We have developed three 
credible and scalable new energy and 
decarbonisation opportunities, built 
on the unique and tangible strategic 
advantages of SVT, while continuing to 
deliver top-quartile operational and HSE 
performance at the terminal for existing 
users of the site. Securing an exclusivity 
agreement with the Shetland Islands 
Council provides us with a platform 
from which to connect potential 
strategic partners and piece together 
the component parts of each of the 
opportunities we have. We are hopeful 
of success in the next stage of the 
process as we await the outcome of our 
application for offshore CCS licences.

2022 was a year in which our UK team 
demonstrated, and were recognised 
for, decommissioning excellence. 
Our extensive UK decommissioning 
work programme saw the successful 
execution of 24 well P&As across 
the Heather and Thistle fields and 
we remain on track for our targeted 
disembarkation dates at both platforms, 
with topside removal work planned for 
around the middle of the decade. We 
have awarded the heavy lift contract 
for the Heather topsides and are at 
an advanced stage on the Thistle 
topside removal contract award. 

EnQuest operates the Sullom Voe 
Terminal on Shetland, which will be the  
focus of the Company’s decarbonisation 
and new energy projects

Production 
Boepd

47,259

Free cash flow 
$ million

518.9

EnQuest net debt
$ million

717.1

10

Having only been established in 
2020, it was pleasing to see the 
decommissioning team recognised 
for excellence by Offshore Energies 
UK for its work, executed in 2021, 
on the Northern Producer off-
station project at the Dons field.

Financial performance
The Group’s adjusted EBITDA and 
statutory gross profit increased by 31.8% 
to $979.1 million and 82.3% to $652.9 
million, respectively, reflecting higher 
realised oil prices and production. 
Operating costs for the year of $396.5 
million were higher than 2021, including 
the full-year impact of Golden Eagle, 
higher market price driven costs and 
lower lease charter credits, reflecting 
continued high uptime at Kraken. Unit 
operating costs increased to $22.7/
Boe, primarily reflecting the impacts on 
costs noted above. Cash generated by 
operations increased to $1,026.1 million, 
up by 35.6% compared to 2021, with free 
cash flow generation of $518.9 million.

This strong financial and operating 
performance during the year 
underpinned delivery of our 
comprehensive refinancing of each of 
our three debt facilities in what were 
extremely challenged financial markets.

With the introduction of the EPL 
during the year, the Group assessed 
the carrying value of its assets as at 
31 December 2022. The net impact of 
the EPL, changes in asset profiles and 
higher forecast oil prices resulted in 
the Group recording a pre-tax non-
cash impairment charge of $81.0 
million. In January, the Group’s RBL 
redetermination was undertaken 
and included the increase in EPL rate 
to 35%, its extension of duration until 
2028 and removal of the windfall tax 
price floor. This redetermination has 
resulted in a reduction in the funds 
available in the RBL facility from 
$500.0 million to c.$339.0 million. 
The Group has made repayments 
totalling $118.0 million in the first 
quarter of 2023, ensuring it stays 
ahead of the revised capacity limits.

Environmental, Social and 
Governance
The health, safety and wellbeing of our 
employees remains our top priority. In 
2022, we achieved an upper quartile 
Lost Time Incident (‘LTI’) frequency1 
rate. However, there was an increase 
in the number of LTIs from 2021 for 
which intervention was undertaken, 
emphasising increased focus on 
situational awareness and dynamic 
risk assessment. During 2022, our 
team developed a fully integrated 

HSEA Continuous Improvement Plan 
(‘CIP’) to drive enhanced performance 
in 2023 and beyond. This CIP is fully 
aligned to the Group’s HSEA Policy and 
has been implemented across the 
North Sea and Malaysia operations.

As outlined earlier, we have made 
excellent progress in reducing 
absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions 
during the year with the Group’s 
CO2 equivalent emissions reduced 
by c.23% since 2020 and the UK’s 
emissions down by c.43% since 2018, 
reflecting lower flaring and lower 
fuel gas and diesel usage. This 
progress is significantly ahead of 
the Group’s targeted reductions and 
those set by the UK Government’s 
North Sea Transition Deal. At the 
same time, we continue to optimise 
sales of Kraken cargoes directly to 
the shipping fuel market, avoiding 
emissions related to refining and 
helping reduce sulphur emissions.

This year saw a number of changes 
to our Board, with Martin Houston, 
Jonathan Swinney and Philip Holland 
stepping down, to be succeeded by 
Gareth Penny (Chairman), Salman 
Malik (Chief Financial Officer) and 
Rani Koya (Non-Executive Director), 
respectively. I would like to thank 
Martin, Jonathan and Philip for their 
contributions, and I look forward to 
working with Gareth, Salman and 
Rani as we execute on our integrated 
energy strategy. Following these 
changes, the EnQuest Board has 
33% female representation, which 
shows good progress towards the 
FTSE Women Leaders Review target 
of 40% and remains ahead of the 
Parker Review target with respect to 
minority ethnic representation, with 
four minority ethnic Board members.

2023 performance and outlook
Production performance to the end of 
March was around 47,800 Boepd. Our 
full-year net production guidance of 
between 42,000 and 46,000 Boepd 
includes the impacts from drilling 
campaigns at Magnus and Golden 
Eagle and required maintenance 
activities at Kraken, Magnus and 
the Greater Kittiwake Area.

Operating costs are expected 
to be approximately $425.0 
million, while capital expenditure 
is expected to be around $160.0 
million, with decommissioning 
expenditure expected to total 
approximately $60.0 million.

Longer-term development
Over the last few years, we have 
enhanced our strategy and business 
model with the aim of meeting society’s 
energy needs of today and tomorrow. 
The Upstream business is focused on 
responsibly optimising production 
to drive cash generation for further 
deleveraging, selective organic and 
inorganic investments and returns to 
shareholders. Our Infrastructure and 
New Energy business is assessing 
repurposing opportunities which 
leverage existing infrastructure to build 
scalable businesses in each of CCS, 
electrification and hydrogen production, 
supporting decarbonisation at levels 
which could take the Company beyond 
net zero emissions. In Decommissioning, 
we manage end of field life and post-
cessation of production operations to 
deliver safe and efficient execution of 
decommissioning work programmes 
in a responsible manner. 

This collective offering, alongside 
our advantaged tax position in the 
UK, enhances our M&A credentials 
as a responsible owner and operator 
of existing assets and infrastructure 
as we transition to a lower-carbon 
energy system, offering our people 
long-term opportunities. 

We look forward to delivering on our 
strategic aims as we transition.

1  Lost Time Incident frequency represents the 

number of incidents per million exposure hours 
worked (based on 12 hours for offshore and eight 
hours for onshore)

Production guidance 
Boepd

42,000– 
46,000

11

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Operational review

Upstream operations

2022 Group performance summary
Production of 47,259 Boepd reflected 
improved performances at Magnus 
and at PM8/Seligi, continued strong 
performance at Kraken and the 
impact of a full year of contribution 
from Golden Eagle; this was partially 
offset by the expected natural 
declines across the portfolio. The 
Group executed significant well 
programmes during 2022 following the 
necessary pause in drilling during the 
low commodity price environments 
experienced during 2020 and 2021. 

UK Upstream operations1
Daily average net production (Boepd)

40,801

+4%
(2021: 39,220)

1 

Includes Magnus, Kraken, Golden Eagle, the 
Greater Kittiwake Area including Scolty/Crathes 
and Alba

Magnus
2022 performance summary
2022 production of 12,641 Boepd was 
6.5% higher than the 2021 figure of 
11,870 Boepd, with production efficiency 
for the year at 66%. With simultaneous 
workover and drilling activities 
undertaken, a key success at Magnus 
was the completion of the North West 
Magnus well and its associated gas 
production, while perforation work at 
a second target well was successful 
in adding incremental volumes at 

significantly lower cost than infill 
drilling. The North West Magnus well, 
which is the longest reservoir section 
drilled in the North Sea this century 
at 1,914 metres and represents the 
longest liner ever run at Magnus, 
contributed strongly to production of 
both oil and gas in the fourth quarter. 
In remedying well integrity issues 
encountered during the first half of 
the year, the Group’s well intervention 
programme returned two wells to 
service in the first half of 2022, with 
production from a third producer 
reinstated during the fourth quarter.

The planned annual shutdown was 
completed during the third quarter 
and all major scopes were executed, 
with the primary focus on compressor 
maintenance activities. Following 
generator refurbishment work, the 
asset power generation unit has been 
performing reliably since February 2022, 
raising confidence that previous topside 
issues have been largely mitigated 
and enabling Magnus to facilitate 
consistent gas supply to the UK.

2023 outlook
A shutdown of around three weeks is 
planned in the third quarter to complete 
scheduled safety-critical activities, while 
further asset integrity maintenance 
and plant improvement opportunities 
will continue to be assessed and 
implemented throughout the year in 
order to reduce platform vulnerability. In 
addition, the Group plans to implement 
a variety of permanent solution repair 
methods to wells impacted by the 

12

Richard Hall
Managing Director, Global  
Operations and Developments

P-seal design, which has caused 
well integrity issues in recent years.

It is anticipated that three wells will 
be drilled in 2023, including a water 
injector to provide pressure support 
to the North West Magnus well, 
with the expectation that Magnus 
production will be higher than 2022. 
With 2C resources of c.35 MMboe, 
Magnus offers the Group significant 
low-cost, quick payback drilling 
opportunities in the medium term.

Kraken
2022 performance summary
Average gross production was at the 
top end of the Group’s guidance range 
at 26,091 Boepd gross (18,394 Boepd 
net). Overall subsurface and well 
performance was good with aggregate 
water cut evolution remaining in line with 
expectations. The Floating, Production, 
Storage and Offloading (‘FPSO’) vessel 
continued to perform well throughout 
the year, with top-quartile production 
and water injection efficiency of 93%. The 
planned shutdown saw all key scopes 
completed ahead of schedule, having 
been optimised to facilitate single train 
processing train operations for one week 
of the two-week programme of activities. 

During the fourth quarter of 2022, 
Kraken production reached the 
milestone of over 60 million barrels 
(gross) produced since inception.

The Group continues to optimise 
Kraken cargo sales into the shipping 
fuel market, with Kraken oil a key 
component of IMO 2020 compliant 

low-sulphur fuel oil. While the Group 
has seen varied pricing within this 
market, 2022 sales again delivered 
a premium versus Brent pricing and 
avoided refining-related emissions.

2023 outlook
No shutdown is planned during 
2023 but it is expected that two 
separate ten-day periods of single 
processing train operations will 
be undertaken in order to execute 
safety-critical maintenance work.

Near-field drilling and subsea tie-back 
opportunities continue to be assessed, 
with interpretation of 3D seismic data 
ongoing. In light of the direct impact 
of the EPL on the Group’s available 
cash flow and the indirect contribution 
to underlying inflationary pressures 
through incentivisation of industry-
wide investment within a defined 
timeline, the Group has delayed its 
plans to progress the Kraken drilling 
programme. With c.33 MMboe of 2C 
resources, there remains significant 
opportunity in terms of main field side-
track drilling opportunities, along with 
further drilling within the Pembroke 
and Maureen sands, but the Group 
has delayed the decision to sanction 
investment until 2024 at the earliest. As 
such, Kraken production will be subject 
to natural decline in the coming years. 

Golden Eagle
2022 performance summary
2022 net production was 6,323 Boepd. 
Production efficiency remained strong 
at around 95% although production 
rates were lower than forecast. EnQuest 
continues to work with the operator and 
the joint venture partners to identify 
opportunities to maximise rates.

The planned two-well infill drilling 
campaign is ongoing, but delayed. The 
first wellbore, having failed to locate 
reservoir-quality sands, was plugged 
and the well was side-tracked to 
the second target. Adverse weather 
conditions have resulted in expected 
first production from this well being 
deferred into the second quarter of 2023.

2023 outlook
Further to completion of the delayed 
2022 drilling campaign, a platform 
well programme is expected 
to commence later in the year, 
subject to joint venture approval.

The operator has scheduled a 
shutdown of around two weeks in the 
summer of 2023, with subsequent 
major shutdowns expected to be 
required every two to three years. 

“ We aim to maintain strong production 

performance across our portfolio through a 
commitment to operational efficiency and 
effective execution of drilling, workover and 
production enhancement activities.”
Richard Hall
Managing Director, Global Operations and Developments

2022 performance summary
Average production of 6,458 Boepd 
was 28% higher than 2021. Production 
was boosted by a successful four-well 
workover campaign and the delivery 
of the Group’s first three horizontal 
wells at PM8/Seligi being brought 
onstream, partially offset by natural 
declines and compressor downtime. 

A three-well plug and abandonment 
(‘P&A’) campaign at PM8/Seligi was 
executed ahead of schedule, with 
costs delivered 30% below budget. In 
recognition of the success of the 2022 
well workover and P&A campaign, 
EnQuest received three awards 
from Petronas for commitment to 
safety and use of new technology.

2023 outlook
A three-week shutdown at PM8/
Seligi to undertake asset integrity and 
maintenance activities is planned for 
the summer, which will help to improve 
reliability and efficiency at the field. Well 
P&A work will also continue, primarily 
funded by a centralised investment fund 
to which EnQuest contributes, with six 
well abandonments planned for 2023.

EnQuest has significant 2P reserves 
and 2C resources of c.31 MMboe 
and c.80 MMboe, respectively, and 
continues to assess a potential 2023 
drilling programme in Malaysia, 
with future multi-well annual 
drilling programmes planned. 

The Group continues to work with the 
regulator to assess the opportunity 
to develop the additional gas 
resource at PM8/Seligi to meet 
forecast Malaysian demand. 

At PM409, the Group plans to drill 
an exploration well in the middle 
of the year, in line with the work 
programme commitment. 

Other Upstream assets
2022 performance summary
Production in 2022 averaged 3,443 
Boepd, largely in line with expectations 
and reflecting strong uptime of 87% 
at the Greater Kittiwake Area.

At Alba, performance continued largely 
in line with the Group’s expectations.

In response to adverse changes to the 
EPL, several operators have begun to 
reconsider their capital programmes 
in the UK. In late 2022, EnQuest 
increased its equity interest in Bressay 
to 100%, following the withdrawal 
of Equinor and Harbour Energy. 

2023 outlook
At GKA, a three-week shutdown 
is planned during the second 
quarter, as well as a short shutdown 
of related infrastructure.

At Alba, the partners expect to execute 
a well workover and a two infill well 
drilling programme during 2023, 
the first of which is due to deliver 
first oil during the third quarter. 

At Bressay, EnQuest is actively 
exploring farm-down opportunities 
while continuing to progress 
development planning of the asset. 
EnQuest aims to utilise its expertise 
in heavy oil developments to access 
hydrocarbons at Bressay and 
Bentley, with each field having more 
than 100 MMboe of 2C resources.

Malaysia operations
Daily average net production (Boepd)

6,458

+28%
(2021: 5,028)

Daily average net entitlement (Boepd)

4,237 

(2021: 3,356)

13

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Operational review continued

Infrastructure and New Energy

Infrastructure
Operational excellence
Throughout 2022, the Group continued 
to deliver top-quartile operational 
and HSE performance at the Sullom 
Voe Terminal (‘SVT’). SVT delivered 
100% continuous uptime for East 
of Shetland and West of Shetland 
operations, while executing a number 
of operational risk reduction projects, 
including major inspections and 
replacing sections of pipeline.

Preparing for the future
The Group is now developing plans for 
a multi-year programme of projects 
which will right-size the terminal 
facilities for expected future throughput 
and prepare the way for the next 
phase of SVT operations, including 
new energy and decarbonisation 
activities. This programme of work will 
ensure EnQuest reduces the emissions 
footprint of the site and provides 
ongoing cost-effective and efficient 
support to East of Shetland and West 
of Shetland operators. The enhanced 
investment allowance associated with 
decarbonisation expenditure under 
the UK EPL is expected to support the 
delivery of these programmes.

New energy
Well positioned to deliver 
decarbonisation 
EnQuest’s new energy strategy is 
anchored in its unique infrastructure 
position and strong engineering and 
subsurface capability. The terminal 
site offers several unique competitive 
advantages, including a 1,000-acre 
industrial site with access to existing 
oil and gas pipeline infrastructure, 
a deep-water port and jetties, 
the highest wind capacity factor 
across Europe, and a highly skilled 
workforce and local supply chain. 
The Group aims to deliver on its 
ambitions to deliver decarbonisation 
opportunities at scale with strategic 
partners in a capital-light manner. 

The first step in the process requires 
the existing site to be repurposed. 
A key enabler in this regard was 
the Group’s success in securing 
exclusivity from the Shetland Islands 
Council to progress its proposed 
new energy opportunities on the 
Sullom Voe site in March 2022.

This provides EnQuest with a strong 
position from which to hold discussions 
with other potential strategic partners 
to piece together the component 
parts of each of the three key 
opportunities the Group has identified.

14

Salman Malik
Managing Director, Infrastructure  
and New Energy

Key projects
Carbon Capture and Storage (‘CCS’) 
The availability of a natural deep-
water port with four jetties, as well as 
a pipeline network linked to several 
well-understood offshore reservoirs, 
presents an exceptional opportunity 
to repurpose existing infrastructure 
and enable the import and permanent 
storage of material quantities of 
CO2 from isolated emitters in the 
UK, Europe or further afield. 

EnQuest has applied for two CCS 
licences for East of Shetland reservoirs 
as part of the North Sea Transition 
Authority (‘NSTA’) licensing round 
and has conducted initial phases of 
feasibility and economic screening 
work in respect of this carbon storage 
concept. These studies indicate the 
capability of the existing infrastructure, 
including the EnQuest-operated East of 
Shetland pipeline system, and storage 
sites to support a project that could 
store up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 per 
annum, with initial studies suggesting 
the presence of total storage potential 
in excess of 500 million tonnes.

This quantity of potential carbon 
storage represents a multiple of the 
Group’s existing direct emissions.

Electrification 
EnQuest is assessing the potential 
to leverage its existing infrastructure 
and subsea projects expertise to 
facilitate the electrification of nearby 
offshore oil and gas assets and 
planned developments by way of 
a grid connection supplemented 

by renewable power. EnQuest 
believes that this offers a robust 
and economically viable option to 
facilitate offshore electrification and 
would lead to significant emission 
reductions for platforms which are 
expected to operate into the 2050s. 
EnQuest remains in discussions with 
West of Shetland field owners, some 
of whom could take advantage of 
the EPL decarbonisation allowance 
available for this investment. 

In addition, the Group is also currently 
assessing onshore wind potential 
and a new power solution for SVT, 

which has the potential to significantly 
reduce the Group’s carbon footprint.

CCS project storage 
Up to (mtpa)

Hydrogen 
EnQuest is exploring the potential for 
harnessing the advantaged natural 
wind resource around Shetland for 
the production of green hydrogen 
and derivatives at export scale to 
provide a low-carbon alternative fuel 
which could help to decarbonise a 
number of industries, with ambitions 
to produce around one million 
tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

10 

Total storage potential 
In excess of (mtpa)

500

“ EnQuest’s new energy strategy is anchored  

in its unique infrastructure position and strong 
engineering and subsurface capability.”
Salman Malik
Managing Director, Infrastructure and New Energy

15

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Operational review continued

Decommissioning

Performance summary
Within EnQuest’s decommissioning 
directorate, 2022 was a year of 
demonstrating capability and public 
recognition of decommissioning 
excellence as EnQuest delivered one of 
the most productive decommissioning 
campaigns seen in the UK North Sea.

Well decommissioning
At both the Heather and Thistle fields, 
the extensive programme of well plug 
and abandonment (‘P&A’) continued 
apace. Thistle successfully abandoned 
13 wells while Heather executed 11 wells, 
with partial completion of a further 
four wells by year end. In addition, 
five wells have been plugged and 
abandoned during the first quarter 
of 2023. The Heather project team is 
looking for further opportunities to 
perform P&A activities without the 
use of the main platform rig, which 
will further underpin its expectation 
that the target to disembark the 
platform in the fourth quarter of 2024 
will be met. At Thistle, the team aim 
to complete disembarkation by the 
end of the third quarter of 2025. Both 
assets remain on track to meet their 
post-cessation of production well 
P&A targets of 39 wells at Heather by 
mid-2024, and 41 wells at Thistle by 
the end of the fourth quarter of 2024.

EnQuest is also planning the P&A of 
33 subsea wells at the Alma/Galia, 
Dons and Broom fields and aims 
to be execution-ready during the 
second quarter of 2024. The EnQuest 
team is working on the basis that 
subsea decommissioning activities 
can be optimised by utilising a 
portfolio approach across the fields.

Heavy Lift Awards
The Heather and Thistle project teams 
successfully secured partnership 
funding for the next phase of their 
decommissioning programmes, with 
both assets remaining focused on 
preparing their respective topside 
modules for removal. To this end, 
Heather has secured the Allseas 
Pioneering Spirit to execute the heavy 
lift of the platform topsides, from 2025 
onwards. Advanced preparatory work 
is ongoing, with the project team 
working closely with Allseas to ensure 
full understanding and integration 
of the necessary work-scopes in 
advance of platform disembarkation. 
In addition, EnQuest has awarded 
the contract for the Heather jacket 
removal to Saipem from 2026 
onwards, with the early placing of 
this contract securing favourable 
market rates and allowing for the 
interface with topsides and conductor 
removal scopes to be optimised.

John Allan
Decommissioning Director

The process to award the contract for 
Thistle topsides removal is nearing 
completion and is expected to be 
announced in the coming months. 
The lift itself, which will take place from 
2026 onwards, will see all 32 modules 
of the Thistle platform moved onto the 
heavy lift vessel and returned to shore 
in four separate voyages. Throughout 
2023 and 2024, the project team will be 
focused on the engineering required 
to prepare for the heavy lift as well 
as opportunities to reduce schedule 
and beat cost and delivery targets.

Given increased competition in 
the heavy lift vessel market, with 
the evolution of several large-
scale renewable projects being 
sanctioned by the governments 
of European countries, EnQuest 
will manage the execution of the 
heavy lift scopes within multi-year 
windows in order to retain flexibility 
and mitigate availability concern.

16

C A S E   S T U D Y :

Excellence in 
decommissioning

EnQuest wins industry award  
for Northern Producer 
decommissioning project
EnQuest’s Northern Producer 
decommissioning team were the 
winners of the Offshore Energies 
UK (‘OEUK’) Award for Excellence in 
Decommissioning in November 2022, 
at a ceremony held in St Andrews, 
Scotland as part of the Offshore 
Decommissioning conference.

Commitment to learning 
EnQuest was praised for its 
collaborative working approach 
and commitment to learning on 
this project at EnQuest’s Dons 
fields, following on from the 
decommissioning of EnQuest’s Alma/
Galia fields in 2021. The Northern 
Producer Floating Production Facility 
(‘FPF’) was returned to its owners 
in just 45 days following cessation 
of production and safely towed to 
Kishorn on Scotland’s west coast.

Thistle successfully abandoned 

13wells while Heather executed 
11wells, with partial completion of  

a further four wells by year end 

Decommissioning excellence
In recognition of the Group’s top-quartile 
project delivery, EnQuest secured the 
Offshore Energies UK (‘OEUK’) Award 
for Excellence in Decommissioning 
for its work on the Northern Producer 
off-station project at the Dons fields.

The prompt and efficient removal and 
decommissioning of the Northern 
Producer Floating Production Facility 
(‘FPF’) at the field enabled post-
cessation of production operating 
expenditure to be minimised and, 
with the field being gas deficient, 
facilitated a significant reduction 
in diesel consumption and 
subsequent carbon emissions.

“  2022 was a year of 

demonstrating 
decommissioning 
capability as EnQuest 
delivered one of the 
most productive 
campaigns seen in 
the UK North Sea.”
John Allan
Decommissioning Director

17

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Oil and gas reserves 
and resources 

E N QU EST O I L AN D GAS RES E RVES AN D RESOU RCES

Proven and probable reserves1, 2, 3, 4, 11
At 31 December 2021

Revisions of previous estimates
Transfers from contingent resources5

Production:

Export meter
Volume adjustments6

Total proven and probable reserves at 31 December 2021
Change in reporting basis to working interest7
Total proven and probable reserves at 31 December 20228
Contingent resources2, 9, 11
At 31 December 2021
Promoted to reserves10

Total contingent resources at 31 December 2022

UKCS

Other regions

MMboe

MMboe

MMboe

MMboe

Total

MMboe

(3)

4

(15)

0

174

1

(15)

160

–

160

316

(4)

312

(4)

5

(2)

–

20

194

1

2

(2)

19

11

30

86

(5)

81

(17)

179

11

190

402

(9)

393

Notes:
1  Opening reserves are quoted on a net entitlement basis
2  Proven and probable (‘2P’) reserves and contingent resources (‘2C’) have been assessed by the Group’s internal reservoir engineers, utilising geological, 

geophysical, engineering and financial data

3  The Group’s 2P reserves 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. These are based on a different set of forward price assumptions 
to those the Group has used for impairment testing resulting in different economic reserves

4  All UKCS volumes are presented pre-Sullom Voe Terminal (‘SVT’) value adjustment. EnQuest reports export volumes and excludes the minor quality adjustment 

made when those UKCS volumes are blended at SVT with oil from other fields

5  Transfers from 2C resources at Magnus, Golden Eagle and PM8/Seligi
6  Correction of export to sales volumes of 0.2 MMboe
7  EnQuest has changed its reporting of Malaysian 2P reserves to a working interest basis to align with peer reporting (from an entitlement interest basis)
8  The above 2P reserves include volumes that will be consumed as fuel gas, including c.6.7 MMboe at Magnus, c.0.6 MMboe at Kraken and c.0.4 MMboe at  

Golden Eagle

9  Contingent resources are quoted on a working interest basis and relate to technically recoverable hydrocarbons for which commerciality has not yet been 

determined and are stated on a best technical case or 2C basis

10  Magnus, Golden Eagle and PM8/Seligi opportunity maturation
11  Rounding may apply

18

Hydrocarbon  
assets

E N QU EST’S ASS ET BAS E AS AT 31 D ECE M B E R 202 2

Licence

Block(s)

Working interest (%) Name

Decommissioning obligation (%)

UK North Sea Upstream production and development

P193

P1077

P1107/P1617
P2383

211/7a & 211/12a

9/2b

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

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

P073
P2134

21/12a

16/26a

P234/P493/P920/P977 3/28a, 3/28b, 3/27b, 9/2a, 9/3a

P1078
P300/P9284

9/3b

14/26a, 20/1a

UK North Sea Decommissioning

P242 

P242/P902

P475

P236

P236

P236/P1200

P2137

2/5a

2/5a & 2/4a

211/19s

211/18a

211/18c

211/18b & 211/13b

211/18e & 211/19c

P1765/P1825

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

Other UK North Sea licences
P904
P25317
P25997

21/18c

9/15a

211/12b

Malaysia production and development
PM8/Seligi8

PM8 Extension

PM409 PSC

PM409

100.01

70.5

50.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

8.0
100.05

100.0

26.69

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

33.3

100.0

100.0

50.0

85.0

Magnus

30.02

Kraken & Kraken North

As per working interests

Scolty/Crathes

As per working interests

Kittiwake

Mallard

25.0

30.9

Grouse & Gadwall

As per working interests

Goosander

As per working interests

Alba

Bressay

Bentley

As per working interests

n/a

n/a

Golden Eagle

As per working interests

Heather

Broom

Thistle

Thistle/Deveron

Don SW & Conrie

West Don

Ythan

Alma/Galia

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

37.5

63.0
6.16
6.16

60.0

78.6

60.0

65.0

n/a

n/a

n/a

50.0

Kecubung, Tinggi Timur, 
Payung, NW Pinang, Tg. 
Pulai, Ophir

n/a

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  Following an unsuccessful farm-down process and no immediate plans for development, EnQuest’s equity interest in the Eagle discovery was withdrawn by 

the North Sea Transition Authority on 31 October 2022

4  Non-operated
5  Effective 16 December 2022, EnQuest assumed 100.0% operatorship following the withdrawal of Equinor and Harbour Energy. EnQuest is actively exploring 

farm-down opportunities while continuing to progress development planning of the asset 

6  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, 
which equates to 6.1% of the gross decommissioning costs

7  These licences are expected to be relinquished by the end of the first quarter of 2023
8  The official reference is PM-8 Extension PSC, commonly referred to elsewhere as PM8/Seligi

19

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial review

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

Introduction
Shortly after becoming Chief Financial 
Officer, I set out my financial priorities 
for the Company and I am pleased 
with the progress we made during 
2022. Strong free cash flows of $518.9 
million in 2022 enabled a 41.3% 
reduction in EnQuest net debt, which 
was reduced by $504.9 million to 
$717.1 million (2021: $1,222.0 million). 
This rapid deleveraging has helped 
the Group make excellent progress 
towards its EnQuest net debt to 
adjusted EBITDA leverage target of 
0.5x. The Group’s debt facilities have 
also been comprehensively refinanced 
during 2022, reducing the level of gross 
borrowings and extending maturities 
by five years to 2027. This was a 
significant achievement given the 
volatile backdrop in financial markets.

Lower than planned spend has been 
driven by operational excellence, 
strong financial discipline and a 
focus on near-term value-accretive 
activities, including extensive well 
programmes at Magnus and PM8/
Seligi. During 2022, EnQuest delivered 
one of the most productive well 
decommissioning campaigns seen in 
the UK North Sea and good progress 
was made in advancing the Group’s 
new energy and decarbonisation 
opportunities in a capital-light manner.

The Group retains a significant tax 
loss position which provides it with 
a strategic advantage in the UK 
North Sea, enhancing the relative 
value of assets in EnQuest’s hands 
when compared to other tax paying 
participants. Following the introduction 
and subsequent changes to the UK 
Energy Profits Levy (‘EPL’), this relative 
value advantage has increased, 
and the Group is confident it will be 
able to continue its track record of 
value-accretive acquisitions as other 
North Sea participants look to exit the 
basin. The incentives associated with 
decarbonisation expenditure could 
also help underpin elements of the 
Group’s plans to repurpose the Sullom 
Voe Terminal into one of the largest 
new energy hubs in Europe. However, 
the EPL has resulted in a reduced 
reserve based lending (‘RBL’) facility 
resulting in the Group optimising 
its capital programme, focussing 
on quick-payback investments. 
We continue to prioritise continued 
deleveraging through 2023, with $118.0 
million of the RBL facility repaid in the 
first quarter, with shareholder returns 
expected to follow in the future.

Record cash 
generation

Salman Malik
Chief Financial Officer

Free cash flow 
$ million1

518.9

EnQuest net debt 
$ million1

717.1

1  See reconciliation of alternative performance measures within the ‘Glossary - Non-GAAP measures’ 

20

starting on page 175

“ I am pleased with the progress we made against our strategic 

financial priorities, with significant debt reduction and the  
refinancing of our capital structure during 2022.”

Performance overview
Production on a working interest basis increased by 6.4%  
to 47,259 Boepd, compared to 44,415 Boepd in 2021 driven  
by a full year’s contribution from Golden Eagle and improved 
performances at Magnus and PM8/Seligi, reflecting successful 
well programmes. Production at Kraken was lower year-on-
year but remained at the top end of market guidance. 

Revenue for 2022 was $1,839.1 million, 39.3% higher than in 
2021 ($1,320.3 million), primarily reflecting higher realised 
prices and higher production. The Group’s commodity 
hedge programme resulted in realised losses of $203.7 
million in 2022 (2021: losses of $67.7 million), which reflected 
the timing at which the hedges were entered into and the 
increase in market prices during the year, particularly 
following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. See note 27 for 
further information on the Group’s hedging position.

The Group’s operating expenditures of $396.5 million were 
23.5% higher than in 2021 ($321.0 million). This was primarily 
due to higher production costs, including the full-year 
impact of Golden Eagle, higher fuel and emission trading 
allowance costs due to higher market prices and lower 
lease charter credits, reflecting high uptime at Kraken 
driven by the continued strong performance of the FPSO.  
This was partially offset by a weakening of the Sterling to US 
Dollar exchange rate, with c.70% of the Group’s costs 
denominated in Sterling. Unit operating costs (excluding 
hedging) increased to $22.7/Boe (2021: $20.5/Boe). 

Other costs of operations of $487.8 million were significantly 
higher than in 2021 ($211.5 million), predominantly as a result 
of higher Magnus-related third-party gas purchases of 
$452.8 million (2021: $199.6 million) due to the increase in 
associated market prices. 

With the Group reversing the previous year’s net overlift 
position, a credit relating to the Group’s lifting position and 
inventory of $15.6 million was recognised (2021: charge of 
$62.3 million).

Adjusted EBITDA for 2022 was $979.1 million, up 31.8% 
compared to 2021 ($742.9 million), primarily as a result of 
higher revenue partially offset by higher costs. EnQuest net 
debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio at 31 December 2022 was 0.7x, 
down more than 50% from 1.6x at 31 December 2021.

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

Depletion and depreciation

Change in provision

Change in well inventories

Net foreign exchange (gain)/loss 

Adjusted EBITDA

2022
$ million 

2021
$ million

709.2

333.2

(42.8)

0.8 

(21.3) 

979.1

443.2

313.1

(13.1)

0.1 

(0.4) 

742.9

EnQuest net debt decreased by $504.9 million to $717.1 
million at 31 December 2022 (31 December 2021: $1,222.0 
million). EnQuest net debt includes $25.1 million of payment 
in kind (‘PIK’) interest that has been capitalised to the 
principal of the bond facilities pursuant to the terms of 
the Group’s November 2016 refinancing (31 December 
2021: $225.0 million) (see note 18 for further details).

Bonds

RBL

SVT working capital facility

Vendor loan facility

Cash and cash equivalents

EnQuest net debt

 EnQuest net debt/(cash)1

31 December 
2022 
$ million

31 December 
2021
$ million

600.7

400.0

12.3

5.7

1,083.8

415.0

9.9

–

(301.6) 

(286.7) 

 717.1 

 1,222.0

Note:
1  See reconciliation of alternative performance measures within the ‘Glossary 

– Non-GAAP measures’ starting on page 175

During 2022, strong free cash flows enabled the Group to 
make early voluntary repayments on its previous RBL facility, 
resulting in the balance being repaid in full. In October, the 
facility was refinanced with commitments of $500.0 million.

In April 2022, the Group partially refinanced its 7% Sterling 
retail bond (‘7.00% retail bond’) through an exchange 
and open offer. The principal of the new 9% Sterling 
retail bond (‘9.00% retail bond’) raised was £133.3 million, 
made up of £79.3 million of exchanges from the 7.00% 
retail bond and £54.0 million from new bond holders.  

21

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial review continued

In July and August, the Group bought back and cancelled 
$34.9 million of its 2023 7.00% high yield bond, leaving  
$792.3 million outstanding. This was subsequently repaid in 
full in October 2022, along with outstanding interest of $1.5 
million due at the time of repayment, utilising $400.0 million 
of drawdowns from the Group’s refinanced RBL, operating 
cash flows of $97.5 million and the net proceeds from the 
issue of a new US Dollar high yield bond (‘11.625% high yield 
bond’) of $296.3 million.

Cost of sales1

Production costs

Tariff and transportation expenses

Realised loss/(gain) on derivatives 
related to operating costs

Operating costs

See note 18 for further information on the Group’s loans and 
borrowings.

(Credit)/charge relating to the 
Group’s lifting position and inventory

2022
$ million 

2021
$ million

347.8

43.3

5.4

396.5

(15.6)

327.0

487.9

1,195.8

$/Boe

20.2

2.5

22.7

292.3

39.4

(10.7)

321.0

62.3

305.6

211.5

900.4

$/Boe

18.1

2.4

20.5

Depletion of oil and gas assets

Other cost of operations

Cost of sales
Unit operating cost2

– Production costs

– Tariff and transportation expenses

Average unit operating cost

Notes:
1  See reconciliation of alternative performance measures within the ‘Glossary 

– Non-GAAP measures’ starting on page 175

2  Calculated on a working interest basis

Cost of sales were $1,195.8 million for the year ended 
31 December 2022, 32.8% higher than in 2021 ($900.4 million). 

Operating costs increased by $75.5 million, primarily 
reflecting higher production costs, including the full-year 
impact of Golden Eagle, higher fuel and emission trading 
allowance costs due to higher market prices and lower 
lease charter credits, reflecting high uptime at Kraken 
driven by the continued strong performance of the FPSO. 
This was partially offset by a weakening of the Sterling to  
US Dollar exchange rate with c.70% of the Group’s costs 
denominated in Sterling. Unit operating costs (excluding 
hedging) increased by 10.7% to $22.7/Boe (2021: $20.5/Boe), 
reflecting higher operating costs. Unit operating costs 
including hedging were $23.0/Boe (2021: $19.8/Boe).

The credit relating to the Group’s lifting position and 
inventory was $15.6 million (2021: charge of $62.3 million). 
This primarily reflects the reversal of the net overlift position 
of $18.0 million at 31 December 2021, resulting in a $0.8 
million net underlift position at 31 December 2022. Depletion 
expense of $327.0 million was 7% higher than in 2021 ($305.6 
million), mainly reflecting the impact of Golden Eagle. 

Other cost of operations of $487.9 million were materially 
higher than in 2021 ($211.5 million), principally as a result of 
higher Magnus-related third-party gas purchases of $452.8 
million (2021: $199.6 million) following the increase in 
associated market prices.

Other income and expenses
Net other income of $73.4 million (2021: net other income  
of $23.7 million) is predominantly due to a net decrease in 
the decommissioning provision of fully impaired non-
producing assets of $42.8 million (including the Thistle 
decommissioning linked liability) due to higher discount 
rates and a favourable movement in the Sterling to US 
Dollar balance sheet exchange rate, which has also 
resulted in further favourable foreign exchange credits 
recognised of $21.3 million. Also included within other 
expenses are costs associated with Infrastructure and  
New Energy of $1.2 million.

In July 2022, the EPL was enacted in the UK which applied  
an additional tax of 25% on the profits earned by oil and  
gas companies from the production of oil and gas on the 
United Kingdom Continental Shelf. In November 2022, the 
EPL percentage was increased to 35% from 1 January 2023 
and the end date was extended from 31 December 2025 to 
31 March 2028. As such, the Group has estimated a current 
tax charge of $72.1 million (2021: $nil) associated with the EPL 
for 2022. The Group has also recognised a total net deferred 
tax charge of $153.7 million at 31 December 2022 
(31 December 2021: $nil), with a $25.2 million credit 
recognised in Business performance and $178.9 million 
charge in Remeasurements and exceptional items. 

The Group has recognised UK North Sea corporate tax losses 
at the end of 2022 of $2,497.7 million (2021: $3,011.0 million). 
Unrecognised tax losses are disclosed in note 7(d) on page 
142. In the current environment, no significant corporation tax 
or supplementary charge is expected to be paid on UK 
operational activities for the foreseeable future. The Group 
paid its first instalment associated with the EPL in December 
2022 and will continue to make EPL payments for the duration 
of the levy. The Group also paid cash corporate income tax on 
the Malaysian assets, which will continue throughout the life of 
the Production Sharing Contract.  

Income statement
Revenue
Market prices for crude oil and gas in 2022 were significantly 
higher than in 2021 driven by increasing global demand as 
COVID-19 restrictions began easing, combined with supply 
concerns brought about by years of underinvestment and 
amplified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the 
associated subsequent sanctions imposed on Russia. The 
Group’s average realised oil price excluding the impact of 
hedging was $102.6/bbl, 40.5% higher than in 2021 ($73.0/
bbl). Revenue is predominantly derived from crude oil sales, 
which totalled $1,517.7 million, 33.2% higher than in 2021 
($1,139.2 million), reflecting the significantly higher oil prices 
and the contribution from Golden Eagle. Revenue from the 
sale of condensate and gas, primarily in relation to the 
onward sale of third-party gas purchases not required for 
injection activities at Magnus, was $514.2 million (2021: 
$244.1 million), reflecting significantly higher prices. Tariffs 
and other income generated $11.0 million (2021: $4.7 million). 
The Group’s commodity hedges and other oil derivatives 
contributed $203.7 million of realised losses (2021: losses of 
$67.7 million) as a result of the timing of entering into the 
hedges. The Group’s average realised oil price including the 
impact of hedging was $88.9/bbl in 2022, 29.6% higher than 
in 2021 ($68.6/bbl).

Note: For the reconciliation of realised oil prices see ‘Glossary – Non-GAAP 
measures’ starting on page 175

22

Finance costs
Finance costs of $176.2 million were 4.0% higher than in  
2021 ($169.5 million). This increase was primarily driven by 
fees associated with the retail bond transaction and the 
amortisation of arrangement fees of $35.3 million associated 
with the Group’s refinancing activities (2021: $13.6 million 
associated with the 2021 RBL facility refinancing). This 
increase has been partially offset by the reduction of $5.3 
million in interest charges associated with the Group’s loans 
(2022: $14.9 million; 2021: $20.2 million) and a $6.8 million 
decrease in bond interest (2022: $63.3 million; 2021: $69.1 
million). Other finance costs included lease liability interest of 
$39.2 million (2021: $45.4 million), $17.8 million on unwinding  
of discount on decommissioning and other provisions (2021: 
$16.9 million), and other financial expenses of $6.8 million 
(2021: $4.3 million), primarily being the cost for surety bonds 
to provide security for decommissioning liabilities. 

Taxation
The tax charge for 2022 of $322.4 million (2021: $53.7 million 
tax charge), excluding remeasurements and exceptional 
items, reflects the tax impact on the Group’s increased profit 
before tax and the enactment of the UK EPL. Ring Fence 
Expenditure Supplement (‘RFES’) on UK activities, which would 
historically have provided an offset to the UK tax charge, 
ceased to be available to claim from the end of 2021.

Remeasurements and exceptional items
Remeasurements and exceptional items resulting in a 
post-tax net loss of $253.6 million have been disclosed 
separately for the year ended 31 December 2022 (2021: 
post-tax gain of $156.7 million).

Revenue included unrealised gains of $14.5 million in 
respect of the mark-to-market movement on the Group’s 
commodity contracts, primarily reflecting the recycling of 
2021 unrealised hedge losses into Business performance 
during 2022 (2021: unrealised losses of $54.5 million).

Cost of sales included unrealised losses of $4.9 million 
relating to the mark-to-market movement on the Group’s 
foreign exchange contracts (2021: unrealised gains of  
$0.5 million). 

A non-cash net impairment charge of $81.0 million (2021: 
$39.7 million reversal) on the Group’s oil and gas assets 
arose from the impact on future cash flows following the 
introduction of the EPL, updated asset profiles and a higher 
discount rate, partially offset by higher forecast oil prices.

Other income includes $6.6 million of insurance proceeds 
received in respect of the Malaysia riser repairs (2021: $9.0 
million). Other expense includes a $233.6 million charge in 
relation to the fair value recalculation of the Magnus 
contingent consideration, reflecting a forecast increase in 
Magnus future cash flows due to higher forecast oil prices 
and asset profile and cost assumption changes (2021: $140.1 
million gain). 

Other finance costs mainly relate to the unwinding of 
discount on contingent consideration from the acquisition 
of Magnus and associated infrastructure of $36.4 million 
(2021: $58.4 million). Other finance income reflects the gain 
recognised on buy back and cancellation of $34.9 million  
of the Group’s 7.00% high yield bond.

A net tax credit of $78.0 million (2021: credit of $78.2 million) 
has been presented as exceptional, representing the tax 
effect on the items above and the non-cash recognition  
of undiscounted deferred tax assets of $127.0 million given 
the net effect of the Group’s higher long-term oil price 

assumptions and changes in asset profiles, partially  
offset by the initial recognition of the deferred tax liability 
associated with the EPL of $178.3 million. EnQuest has 
recognised UK North Sea corporate tax losses of $2,497.7 
million at 31 December 2022, with unrecognised tax losses 
disclosed in note 7(d) on page 142.

IFRS results
The Group’s results on an IFRS basis are shown on the Group 
income statement as ‘Reported in the year’, being the sum 
of its Business performance results and Remeasurements 
and exceptional items, both of which are explained above. 

IFRS revenue reflects the Group’s Business performance 
revenue, but it is adjusted for the impact of unrealised 
movements on derivative commodity contracts. Business 
performance cost of sales is similarly adjusted for the 
impact of unrealised movements on derivative contracts. 
Taking account of these items, and the other exceptional 
items included within the Group income statement, which 
are principally related to impairment charges and the 
change in fair value of contingent consideration payable, 
the Group’s IFRS profit from operations before tax and 
finance costs was $411.9 million (2021: profit of $580.0 
million), IFRS profit before tax was $203.2 million (2021: profit 
of $352.4 million), and IFRS loss after tax was $41.2 million 
(2021: profit of $377.0 million). This IFRS loss after tax was 
primarily driven by the initial recognition of deferred tax 
liability following the introduction of the EPL.

Earnings per share
The Group’s Business performance basic earnings per 
share was 11.4 cents (2021: 12.7 cents) and diluted earnings 
per share was 11.2 cents (2021: 12.5 cents).

The Group’s reported basic loss per share was 2.2 cents 
(2021: earnings of 21.7 cents) and reported diluted loss per 
share was 2.2 cents (2021: diluted earnings of 21.4 cents).

Cash flow and liquidity
EnQuest net debt at 31 December 2022 amounted to $717.1 
million, including PIK of $25.1 million, compared with EnQuest 
net debt of $1,222.0 million at 31 December 2021, including 
PIK of $225.5 million. The movement in EnQuest net debt  
was as follows:

EnQuest net debt 1 January 2022

Net cash flows from operating activities

Cash capital expenditure

Magnus profit share payments

Finance lease payments

Net interest and finance costs paid

Other movements, primarily net foreign 
exchange on cash and debt
EnQuest net debt 31 December 20221

$ million

(1,222.0)

931.6

(115.8)

(46.0)

(148.0)

(101.6)

(15.3)

(717.1)

Note:
1  See reconciliation of alternative performance measures within the ‘Glossary 

– Non-GAAP measures’ starting on page 175

The Group’s reported net cash flows from operating 
activities for the year ended 31 December 2022 were 
$931.6 million, up 38.2% compared to 2021 ($674.1 million), 
primarily driven by materially higher revenue. 

23

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial review continued

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

•  $400.0 million drawn down on the refinanced RBL  

(2021: $415.0 million); 

North Sea

Malaysia

Exploration and evaluation

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$ million

Year ended 
31 December 
2021
$ million

 85.5 

 26.5

3.8

115.8

 35.9 

 14.8 

1.1

51.8

Cash capital expenditure in 2022 primarily related 
to Magnus and PM8/Seligi well campaigns. 

Balance sheet
The Group’s total asset value has decreased by $341.3 
million to $4,024.3 million at 31 December 2022 (2021: 
$4,365.6 million), predominantly due to depletion and 
impairment charges on the oil and gas assets. Net current 
liabilities have increased to $435.3 million as at 
31 December 2022 (2021: $333.1 million). 

Property, plant and equipment (‘PP&E’)
PP&E has decreased by $345.0 million to $2,477.0 million  
at 31 December 2022 from $2,822.0 million at 31 December 
2021 (see note 10). This decrease includes depletion and 
depreciation charges of $333.2 million, non-cash net 
impairment charges of $81.0 million and a net decrease of 
$75.9 million for changes in estimates for decommissioning 
and other provisions, partially offset by other capital 
additions to PP&E of $146.7 million.

The PP&E capital additions during the year are set out in the 
table below:

North Sea 

Malaysia

$ million

107.7

39.0 

146.7

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables decreased by $19.7 million to 
$276.4 million at 31 December 2022 (2021: $296.1 million). The 
decrease is driven by the timing of cargoes and associated 
receipts lifted in December each year.

Cash and EnQuest net debt
The Group had $301.6 million of cash and cash equivalents 
at 31 December 2022 and $717.1 million of EnQuest net debt 
(2021: $286.7 million and $1,222.0 million, respectively).

EnQuest net debt comprises the following liabilities:
•  $134.5 million principal outstanding on the 7.00% retail 
bond, including PIK of $25.1 million (2021: $256.2 million 
and $47.9 million, respectively);

•  $161.2 million principal outstanding on the 9.00% retail bond;
•  $nil principal outstanding on the 7.00% high yield bond 

(2021: principal $827.2 million including PIK of $177.2 million);

•  $305.0 million principal outstanding on the 11.625% high 

yield bond;

•  $12.3 million relating to the SVT Working Capital Facility 

(2021: $9.9 million); and

•  $5.7 million relating to a Vendor Loan Facility (2021: $nil).

Provisions
The Group’s decommissioning provision decreased by 
$144.1 million to $691.6 million at 31 December 2022 (2021: 
$835.7 million). The movement is due to a reduction in 
estimates of $115.5 million, reflecting an increase in discount 
rate (see notes 2 and 23) and a favourable movement in the 
Sterling to US Dollar balance sheet exchange rate, utilisation 
of $48.5 million for decommissioning carried out in the year, 
partially offset by $17.0 million unwinding of discount and 
additions of $2.8 million.

Other provisions, including the Thistle decommissioning 
provision, decreased by $13.1 million in 2022 to $46.1 million 
(2021: $59.2 million). The Thistle decommissioning provision  
of $32.7 million (2021: $43.9 million) is in relation to EnQuest’s 
obligation to make payments to bp by reference to 7.5% of 
bp’s decommissioning costs of the Thistle and Deveron fields. 

Contingent consideration
The contingent consideration related to the Magnus 
acquisition increased by $222.1 million. In 2022, EnQuest 
paid $46.0 million to bp under the profit sharing mechanism 
(2021: $74.7 million, including $73.7 million of accelerated 
vendor loan repayment and $1.0 million under the profit 
sharing mechanism). A change in fair value estimate 
charge of $233.6 million (2021: $140.1 million credit) and 
finance costs of $34.5 million (2021: $58.4 million) were 
recognised in the year.

The contingent consideration related to the Golden Eagle 
acquisition in 2021 increased by $3.2 million to $48.3 million 
(2021: $45.2 million). The increase represents unwind of 
discount and is disclosed in finance costs.  

Income tax
The Group had a net income tax payable of $37.7 million 
(2021: $3.6 million payable) primarily related to the 
remaining EPL payment due in relation to the 2022 charge. 

Deferred tax
The Group’s net deferred tax asset has decreased from 
$699.6 million at 31 December 2021 to $539.5 million at 
31 December 2022. This is primarily driven by the initial 
recognition of the net deferred tax liability of $178.3 million 
associated with the EPL and utilisation of tax losses, partially 
offset by the non-cash recognition of $127.0 million of 
undiscounted deferred tax assets given the Group’s higher 
long-term oil price assumptions and changes in asset 
profiles. EnQuest has recognised UK corporate tax losses 
carried forward at 31 December 2022 amounting to  
$2,497.7 million (31 December 2021: $3,011.0 million), with 
unrecognised tax losses disclosed in note 7(d) on page 142.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables of $426.6 million at 31 December 
2022 are $7.4 million higher than at 31 December 2021 
($420.5 million). The full balance of $426.6 million is payable 
within one year.  

24

Financial risk management
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. The disclosures  
in relation to financial risk management objectives and 
policies, including the policy for hedging, and the disclosures 
in relation to exposure to oil price, foreign currency and credit 
and liquidity risk, are included in note 27 of the financial 
statements.

The Base Case indicates that the Group is able to operate 
as a going concern and remain covenant compliant for 12 
months from the date of publication of its full-year results. 
The Base Case reflects rapid deleveraging during the 
period, with redemption of the £111.3 million 7% retail bond  
in October 2023 and further RBL amortisations totalling 
c.$100.0 million, in addition to a $50.0 million contingent 
consideration payment in relation to the Golden Eagle 
acquisition in July 2023.  

Going concern disclosure
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 costs. These forecasts and 
sensitivity analyses allow management to mitigate liquidity 
or covenant compliance risks in a timely manner. 

During 2022, the Group successfully completed a 
refinancing of its debt facilities, securing a $500.0 million 
amended and restated reserve based lending facility  
(‘RBL’) with a $300.0 million accordion maturing in April  
2027 and $305.0 million 11.625% high yield bond maturing  
in November 2027. The net proceeds from the issue of the 
high yield bond, along with drawings of $400.0 million  
under the RBL and cash on hand, were used for the 
redemption of the $792.3 million aggregate principal 
amount of the Company’s 7.00% high yield bond due 2023.  
This refinancing was in addition to the 9.00% retail bond 
exchange and issuance in April 2022 which resulted in a 
principal issue of £133.3 million. £111.3 million of the October 
2023 7.00% retail bond remains in issue.

The RBL requires completion of a semi-annual review and 
redetermination on 30 June and 31 December each year. 
The amount available to draw under the RBL is based on an 
amortisation schedule and the borrowing base availability 
derived from the semi-annual review.

The RBL review and redetermination for the first half of 2023 
was updated to include the increase in the EPL rate to 35%, 
extension of duration until March 2028 and removal of the 
windfall tax price floor introduced in the Autumn Statement 
2022. This has resulted in a reduction of the available RBL 
capacity, and therefore liquidity available to the Group. In 
the first quarter of 2023, EnQuest repaid $118.0 million of the 
RBL facility, bringing the cash drawn balance down to 
$282.0 million, ensuring the Group remains ahead of the 
amended amortisation profile. The amended RBL 
repayment profile includes a further c.$100.0 million RBL 
deleveraging during the going concern period.

The Group’s latest approved business plan, which includes 
the aforementioned RBL redetermination, underpins 
management’s base case (‘Base Case’) and is in line  
with the Group’s production guidance and uses oil price 
assumptions of $78.5/bbl for 2023 and 2024, adjusted for 
hedging activity undertaken.

A reverse stress test has been performed on the Base Case. 
Given the rapid deleveraging required under the amended 
amortisation profile within the going concern period, an oil 
price of c.$77.0/bbl maintains covenant compliance.

The Base Case has also been subjected to further testing 
through (i) a $5.00/bbl reduction in the average price from 
the Base case; and (ii) a scenario reflecting the impact of the 
following plausible downside risks (the ‘Downside Case’):

•  10.0% discount to Base Case prices resulting in Downside 

Case prices of $70.7/bbl for 2023 and 2024;

•  Production risking of 5.0% for 2023 and 2024; and
•  2.5% increase in operating costs.

The case with $5.00/bbl reduction in the average price  
from the Base Case and the Downside Case indicates that 
mitigants would be required. Should circumstances arise 
that differ from the Group’s Base Case projections, the 
Directors believe that several mitigating actions, including 
cargo prepayment or other funding options, can be 
executed successfully in the necessary timeframe to meet 
debt repayment obligations as they become due and 
maintain liquidity.

After making appropriate 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 will 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 
these financial statements.

Viability statement
The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group  
over a three-year period to March 2026. The viability 
assumptions are consistent with the going concern 
assessment, with the additional inclusion of an oil price of 
$75.0/bbl for 2025 and a longer-term price of $70.0/bbl from 
2026 in the Base Case and consistent plausible downside 
risks applied in a Downside Case. This assessment has 
taken into account the Group’s financial position as at 
4 April 2023, its 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, which includes potential impacts 
from climate change concerns and related regulatory 
developments, and the actions management are taking to 
mitigate these risks are outlined on pages 40 to 51. 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. 
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 April 2026. 

25

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial review continued

The Base Case 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. 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 has 
been reviewed on both an individual and combined basis  
by the Directors, while considering the effectiveness and 
achievability of potential mitigating actions. 

Oil price volatility 
A decline in oil prices would adversely affect the Group’s 
operations and financial condition. To mitigate oil price 
volatility, the Directors have hedged a total of 7.9 MMbbls for 
2023, using costless collars and puts. The costless collars 
have an average floor price of c.$58.0/bbl and an average 
ceiling price associated with 3.3 MMbbls of costless collars 
is c.$75.50/bbl. For 2024, the Group has hedged a total of 3.2 
MMbbls through puts, with an average floor price of c.$60.0/
bbl. The Directors, in line with Group policy and the terms of 
its RBL facility, will continue to pursue hedging at the 
appropriate time and price. 

Fiscal risk and government take 
Unanticipated changes in the regulatory or fiscal 
environment can affect the Group’s ability to access 
funding and liquidity. The change to the UK EPL introduced 
in the Autumn Statement 2022 materially impacted the RBL 
borrowing base and associated amortisation schedule.  
The amended amortisation schedule is assumed in the 
Base Case. 

Access to funding 
Prolonged low oil prices, cost increases, production delays 
or outages and changes to the fiscal environment could 
threaten the Group’s liquidity and access to funding. 

The Directors recognise the importance of ensuring medium 
term liquidity. The maturity date of the $305.0 million high 
yield bond and the £133.3 million 9.00% retail bonds is 
November 2027, providing a material level of funding beyond 
the viability period. As stated above, the amendments to EPL 
impacted the RBL amortisation schedule, which is reflected 
in the Base Case. The Group will continue to prioritise debt 
reduction from free cash flows to ensure it remains ahead  
of this amended amortisation profile.

In assessing viability, the Directors recognise that in a 
Downside Case additional liquidity would be required, 
which may necessitate asset sales or other financing or 
funding options. Given the extended duration of the viability 
period, the Directors believe such measures can be 
executed successfully in the necessary timeframe to meet 
debt repayment obligations as they become due and 
maintain liquidity.

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 April 2026. Accordingly, the 
Directors therefore support this viability statement.

26

Group non-financial information statement

The following information is prepared in accordance with Section 414CB(1) of the Companies Act 2006. Further information 
on each of the areas set out below, including the Group’s policies where relevant, can be found in the following pages of 
this section of the report. The Group’s key performance indicators can be found on page 03.

Community (see pages 36 to 37)
•  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

•  Throughout 2022, the Group continued to provide support 
to a wide range of local organisations and communities 
in the UK and Malaysia

•  In Aberdeen, EnQuest engaged with its new core corporate 

charity, The Archie Foundation, and maintained its 
commitment to CLAN Cancer Support

•  In Malaysia, EnQuest continued its support of the Sungai 
Pergam Orang Asli Primary School in Terengganu, by 
contributing to student bursaries for 61 students through 
the MyKasih ‘Love My School’ programme

Business conduct (see page 52)
•  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 various 
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

Environmental (see pages 30 to 33, and 53 to 60)
•  At the core of EnQuest’s Values is SAFE Results with no 

harm to people and respect for the environment

•  EnQuest’s Environmental Management System (‘EMS’) 
ensures the Group’s activities are undertaken in such  
a way that it manages and mitigates its impact on  
the environment. The EMS meets both the requirements  
of OSPAR and the International Organization for 
Standardization’s environmental management system 
standard – ISO 14001. Independent verification was 
completed in 2022 with no gaps identified

•  The Group is committed to playing its part in the 

achievement of national emission reduction targets  
and the drive to ‘net zero’

•  The Infrastructure and New Energy business has 

advanced the Group’s new energy and decarbonisation 
ambitions, identifying and maturing three discrete and 
scalable decarbonisation opportunities of carbon 
capture and storage (‘CCS’), electrification, and green 
hydrogen and derivative production

•  The Group continues to make good progress in reducing 
its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions during the year. 
Since 2018, UK emissions have reduced by c.43%, which  
is significantly ahead of the UK Government’s North Sea 
Transition Deal target of achieving a 10% reduction in 
Scope 1 and 2 CO2 equivalent emissions by 2025
•  EnQuest has reported on all the emission sources  
within its operational control required under the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Reports) Regulations 2013

•  The Group continues to evolve its disclosures in 

accordance with the recommendations of the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Our people (see pages 38 to 39)
•  EnQuest is committed to ensuring that EnQuest is a great 

place to work and providing an inclusive culture that 
recognises and celebrates difference and sees a diverse 
culture as an enabler of creativity and performance 
improvement

•  Established in 2021, the Group-wide diversity and 

inclusion (‘D&I’) strategy, is firmly embedded in the  
overall strategy of the business. ’Diversity, Equity and 
Inclusion Culture’ training has been provided for all 
UK-based managers and supervisors during 2022
•  The mental and physical welfare of all employees 

continues to be a major focus across the business. The 
Group continues to promote a platform that provides 
tools and techniques to support wellbeing and delivered 
targeted awareness initiatives on mental health and a 
number of initiatives focused on physical health

A view across Sullom Voe to the port of Sella Ness showing the 
four deep-water jetties at SVT

27

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Environmental, Social and Governance

A forward-thinking 
approach 

At EnQuest, we have reviewed the ESG landscape,  
and identified those factors that are applicable to  
our purpose and business model and relevant for  
our stakeholders. 

Environmental, Social and Governance (‘ESG’) factors continue 
to grow in importance for companies, reflecting the focus 
on company purpose, widespread concerns about climate 
change, the importance of stakeholder considerations 
and the emphasis on long-term value enhancement. 

Environmental

Managing emissions from existing 
operations and advancing new  
energy opportunities.

     For more, see Page 30

Committed to contributing 
positively  towards the drive  
to net zero 

Focused on absolute Scope 1 
and 2 emission reductions in 
existing and  acquired assets; 
three-year Group  targets 
linked to reward 

Incorporates carbon costs into 
investment evaluations

28

Committed to operating with  
a strong culture and Values, in 
line with the Group’s purpose, 
alongside delivering SAFE Results 
with no harm to our people  

Committed to improving 
workforce diversity and inclusion 

Aim to impact positively the 
communities in which we 
operate, and prioritising 
respect for the environment 

Social

Our culture defines how we approach 
safety and ensures that our people, our 
most important asset, go home safe 
and well. 

     For more, see Page 34

Committed to operating  
with high standards of integrity 
in line with the Group’s Code  
of Conduct 

Apply the Group’s established 
Risk Management Framework 
and  operate within the  
Board-approved statement  
of risk appetite  

Reward is linked to ESG 
performance

Governance

Robust Risk Management  
Framework.

     For more, see Page 40

Our sustainability highlights for 2022

Reduction in Group  
Scope 1 and 2 emissions  
vs 2020 baseline

Reduction in UK  
Scope 1 and 2 emissions  
vs 2018 NSTD baseline

Top-quartile  
LTIF1 performance  

Female representation  
at Board level 

23%

43%

0.57

33%

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

29

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Environmental, Social and Governance continued

Environmental

Managing emissions 
from existing operations 
and advancing new 
energy opportunities.

Reduction in Group 
Scope 1 and 2 emissions  

23%vs 2020 baseline 

Reduction in UK  
Scope 1 and 2 emissions  

43%vs 2018 NSTD1 baseline 

Note above:
1  North Sea Transition Deal

Notes opposite:
1  kgCO2e/bbl = kilograms of CO2 equivalent  

per produced barrel

2  Based on the University of Calgary Petroleum 

Refinery Life Cycle Model (‘PRELIM’) recognised 
by California Air Resources Board, US Energy 
Technologies Laboratory, US DOE Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Carnegie 
Endowment for International Peace and the  
US Environmental Protection Agency

A responsible operator with a strong 
culture and management framework
At the core of EnQuest’s Values is 
SAFE Results with no harm to people 
and respect for the environment. 
As an oil and gas company, safely 
improving the operating, financial 
and environmental performance of 
mature and late-life assets remains 
a key focus. EnQuest recognises the 
importance of good governance 
and transparency in relation to 
climate change, and the Group’s 
reporting against the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosure 
recommendations can be found 
on pages 53 to 60. In addition, the 
Group outlines its assessment of 
associated potential risks to the 
execution of its strategy within the 
Risks and uncertainties section 
of this report (see page 40).

EnQuest’s Environmental Management 
System (‘EMS’) ensures the Group’s 
activities are undertaken in such a 
way that it manages and mitigates 
its impact on the environment. The 
EMS meets the requirements of the 
OSPAR Recommendation 2003/5, 
is aligned with the requirements of 
the International Organization for 
Standardization’s environmental 
management system standard 
– ISO 14001 – and independent 

verification was completed in 2022 
with no gaps identified. In the UK, 
the Group publishes its annual 
Environmental Statement in line 
with the regulatory environmental 
management system requirement 
under the OSPAR Recommendation 
2003/5 (see the Environmental, Social 
and Governance section on the 
Group’s website, www.enquest.com). 
These statements, which include 
information on emissions, waste, 
discharges and spills, are an open 
and transparent representation of 
EnQuest’s environmental performance 
across all its UK offshore operations. 
In Malaysia, environmental 
management and reporting are 
undertaken through PETRONAS 
Malaysia Petroleum Management 
(‘MPM’) and addressed as part of 
the EnQuest Malaysia Management 
System and in line with ISO 14001.

The Group has been a member of 
Oil Spill Response Limited and the 
Petroleum Industry of Malaysia Mutual 
Aid Group for several years and 
remains a supporter of Shetland Oil 
Terminal Environmental Advisory Group.

30

“ The Group’s carbon capture and storage 

opportunity has the potential to deliver CO2 
removal at volumes representing several 
multiples of the Group’s existing carbon 
footprint.”
Salman Malik
Managing Director,  
Infrastructure and New Energy

Lowering CO2e emissions through  
the energy transition
EnQuest recognises that industry, 
alongside other key stakeholders 
such as governments, regulators 
and consumers, must contribute 
to reducing the impact on climate 
change of carbon-related emissions. 
The Group is committed to playing its 
part in the achievement of national 
emission reduction targets and the 
drive to net zero, with the Infrastructure 
and New Energy business having 
overall responsibility for delivering the 
Group’s decarbonisation ambitions and 
specific emission reduction objectives.

Within EnQuest’s core Upstream 
and Decommissioning businesses, 
the Board is focused on a strategy 
that recognises that hydrocarbons 
will remain a key element of the 
global energy mix for many years 
and through which the Group can 
pursue a business model which 
helps to fulfil energy demand as part 
of the transition to a sustainable 
lower-carbon world while reducing 
Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its 
own business operations where 
practicable. At present, EnQuest does 
not record Scope 3 emissions given 
the complexity and scope of EnQuest’s 
value chain; however, this is being 
considered as part of the Group’s 
Continuous Improvement Plan (‘CIP’) 
with alignment to the United Nations- 
adopted Sustainable Development 
Goal (‘SDG’) 12, Responsible 
Consumption & Production. For the 
longer term, the Infrastructure and 
New Energy business is evaluating and 
progressing opportunities to utilise 
existing infrastructure, including the 
Sullom Voe Terminal (‘SVT’), pipelines, 
and underground reservoirs, to 
facilitate potential wind-powered 
electrification of offshore oil and gas 
infrastructure, green hydrogen and 

derivative production, and carbon 
capture and storage (‘CCS’) initiatives. 
Its CCS ambitions, which aim to 
permanently store CO2 shipped to 
site from isolated emitters in the UK, 
Europe and further afield, provide the 
potential to remove CO2 in multiples of 
the Group’s own emissions footprint. 
The Group’s electrification plans could 
lower emissions associated with 
offshore production in the West of 
Shetland at assets that could produce 
into the 2050s. The production of 
green hydrogen and derivatives 
through harnessing the advantaged 
natural wind resource around 
Shetland could provide a low-carbon 
alternative fuel which would help 
decarbonise a number of industries. 
(see page 14 for more information).

A clear target for the existing  
portfolio linked to reward
In 2021, the Group set a target of 
reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 
2 CO2 equivalent emissions by 10% 
by 2023 against a 2020 baseline. 
Further 10% targets over three years 
have been set in 2022 and 2023 (see 
pages 96 and 101 of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report). These targets 
are key performance metrics in 
the Group’s long-term incentive 
scheme for Executive Directors and 
applicable employees and are linked 
to appropriate targets within the 
Group’s short-term incentive plan. 
Improving the Group’s environmental 
performance is an ongoing process 
and, as such, workforce engagement 
and development of technological 
improvements will continue to 
ensure economically viable emission 
reduction initiatives across the Group 
are identified and implemented. In 
2022, EnQuest further strengthened 
its Climate Change oversight 
through the introduction of an Energy 
(Emission) Management System - 

Structure & Governance procedure. 
The purpose of this is to outline the 
structure and governance in relation 
to the Energy Management System 
within EnQuest, including how it 
approaches the measurement and 
reporting of emissions and how 
the Group will assess and select 
emission reduction opportunities. The 
procedure itself is structured to align 
with the internationally recognised 
structure for an energy management 
system in relation to ISO 50001.

Significant reductions achieved
The Group continued to make good 
progress in reducing its absolute 
Scope 1 and 2 emissions during the 
year, with CO2 equivalent emissions 
now reduced by 22.7% versus the 
2020 baseline, reflecting operational 
improvements and lower flaring and 
diesel usage. Since 2018, UK emissions 
have reduced by 43.1%, driven by the 
decisions to cease production at a 
number of the Group’s assets and 
the further reductions achieved in 
2022, which is significantly ahead 
of the UK Government’s North Sea 
Transition Deal target of achieving a 
10% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 CO2 
equivalent emissions by 2025.

In addition to reducing upstream-
related emissions, the Group has 
continued to optimise sales of Kraken 
cargoes directly to the shipping 
fuel market, thereby avoiding the 
significant emissions related to 
refining – estimated to be c.32–36 
kgCO2e/bbl1,2 for typical North 
Sea crude and helping to reduce 
sulphur emissions in accordance 
with the International Maritime 
Organization (‘IMO’) 2020 regulations.

Looking to the future
As majors and other operators 
continue to shift their focus from 
mature basins within various 
geographies, particularly the UK 
given the introduction of the Energy 
Profits Levy in 2022, it is expected there 
will be further opportunities for the 
Group to access additional oil and 
gas resources. However, time and 
careful consideration will be taken 
to find the right opportunities where 
EnQuest can deliver incremental 
emission reductions relative to the 
carbon footprint in the hands of the 
seller. The Group can make a positive 
contribution towards the future of 
North Sea oil and gas through doing 
its part in ensuring that each asset 
is in the right hands. In Malaysia, the 
Group continues to limit voluntarily 
emissions below the regulatory limit.

31

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Environmental, Social and Governance continued

“  The Group has enhanced its business model during 2022  

to prioritise potential repurposing of infrastructure to  
support new energy and decarbonisation opportunities  
prior to executing a decommissioning plan.”
Salman Malik
Managing Director,  
Infrastructure and New Energy

Emissions management is an important 
feature during the decommissioning 
phase of an asset’s life-cycle. During 
this phase, wells will need to be 
plugged and abandoned, while the 
production and processing facilities 
and any relevant infrastructure will 
need to be removed. Given the extent 
of this work, it will take place over an 
extended period and require careful 
project management. EnQuest’s 
UK Decommissioning directorate 
will oversee the safe and efficient 
execution of these work programmes 
and is committed to delivering them 
in a responsible manner. This includes 
minimising emissions and maximising 
the recycle and reuse of recovered 
materials. A specific example would be 
implementing a fit for purpose power 
generation solution on the Thistle asset 
which reduced emission levels such that 
the thermal capacity of the combustion 
equipment on the asset has fallen 
below the regulatory limits to remain 
within UK ETS. The UK Decommissioning 
directorate continues to work with 
a variety of stakeholders to identify 
creative ways, such as modification to 
the Heather asset power generation 
equipment, in which emissions 
associated with decommissioning 
activities can be kept to a minimum.

EnQuest’s Infrastructure and New 
Energy business continues to mature 
renewable energy and decarbonisation 
opportunities at SVT, including those 
involving the repurposing of existing 
site infrastructure. In particular, the 
initiative focused on CCS could see 
the Group’s carbon footprint move to 
a position of negative net emissions. 
In 2022, the Group applied for two CCS 
licences for East of Shetland reservoirs 
from the North Sea Transition Authority 
(‘NSTA’). Initial studies suggest that 
these available reservoirs have a 
minimum 500 million tonnes CO2 

storage capacity. With EnQuest 
estimating that c.10 million tonnes 
per annum could be processed 
through SVT infrastructure, this 
amounts to a multi-decade project. 

EnQuest continues to engage with 
entities such as Offshore Energies 
UK, the Net Zero Technology 
Centre (‘NZTC’) and the NSTA, to 
better understand how it can 
contribute further to the industry 
approach to achieving net zero, 
while remaining aligned with 
EnQuest’s strategy and Values.

Atmospheric emissions
The Group seeks to use energy 
efficiently within its facilities 
for extracting, processing and 
exporting oil and gas, continually 
looking to identify opportunities 
that may reduce emissions from 
its operations. As part of this work, 
an Emissions Management Team, 
was created that will develop and 
drive a continual improvement 
process focusing on Scope 1 and 2 
emission reduction opportunities in 
line with the Group’s overall target.

The primary responsibilities of the 
Emissions Management Team are:
•  Delivering a workable, low-

bureaucracy process for capturing 
ideas and monitoring progress;

•  Assessing emission reduction 
opportunities arising from the 
Group’s Energy Savings Opportunity 
Scheme (‘ESOS’) audits and other 
opportunities identified by EnQuest’s 
staff and contractors in both the UK 
and Malaysia; and

•  Maintaining an ‘Emissions Monitoring 

Framework’ that allows regular 
emissions monitoring and reporting to 
Company leadership and the Board.

View of Central Avenue Sullom Voe 
Terminal

32

EnQuest was awarded an improved 
score of ‘C’ (from ‘D’) for its 2022  
CDP Climate Change submission, 
demonstrating that it continues to 
integrate climate change impacts into 
its business. The overall improvement 
was driven by higher scores in the 
Group’s climate-change ‘risk’ and 
‘opportunity’ disclosures.

Since 2020, there has been an 
improvement in EnQuest’s flare 
performance as demonstrated in  
the graph below.

•  PM8/Seligi achieving a 25% reduction 

following improvements to the 
compression system resulting in 
better gas utilisation.

This improved performance has been 
driven by improved levels of operational 
efficiency. Examples of this include:
•  Kittiwake achieving an 89% reduction 

in flare (from 2020) after the 
reinstatement of production from 
Mallard (higher molecular weight 
gas) and the re-mapping of the 
compression system to maximise 
utilisation of produced gas;

•  Kraken achieving a 14% reduction in 

flare due to better fuel management 
and maximising utilisation of 
produced gas within the installation’s 
steam generation system; and 

EnQuest’s flare performance 2018–2022

Future reductions in the short term  
are expected from:
•  A reduction of flare purge 

requirements on Magnus following 
work completed during the recent 
2022 turnaround which should 
deliver a 10% reduction in Magnus 
flaring; and

•  A planned trial in the first quarter of 
2023 using fuel gas on one of the 
engines on Kraken which should 
maximise produced gas utilisation 
and has potential to deliver non-
routine flaring capability.

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

PMB/Seligi

Kraken

Magnus

SVT

Kittiwake

In 2022, the NSTA requested companies operating in the UK North Sea to 
consider disclosing certain quantitative metrics in their annual reports. The 
following disclosure has been made in accordance with this request:

North Sea Transition Authority – UK short-term quantitative metrics

Scope 1 & 2 Emissions (MTCO2e)

Fugitive Emissions as % of Marketed Gas

Carbon Intensity Total UK (MTCO2e/Boe)
Water Pollution Risks (million m3)

Waste Management & Disposal (MT)

Flaring & Venting (MTCO2e/Boe)

Regulatory Fines

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate

Recordable Injury Frequency Rate

Restricted Workday Case

Medical Treatment Case

Lost Work Day Case

739,277

0.019%

0.039

8.37

 4,691

0.002

1

0.62

3.09

4

4

2

33

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Environmental, Social and Governance continued

Social

Our culture defines how 
we approach safety and 
ensures that our people, 
our most important asset, 
go home safe and well.

Top-quartile LTI frequency1  
performance

0.57

Reportable hydrocarbon  
releases across the Group

3

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

Health and safety
Underpinning the Group’s licence 
to operate is its health and safety 
performance. The Group focuses on the 
delivery of SAFE Results while realising 
its business objectives. To achieve 
this, the business is managed in 
accordance with the Board-approved 
Group-wide Health, Safety, Environment 
and Assurance (‘HSEA’) Policy, 
which can be found on the Group’s 
website, www.enquest.com, under 
Environmental, Social and Governance.

Culture
Safety is at the heart of EnQuest’s 
Values. The Group undertakes 
continuous improvement activities to 
ensure that its health and safety culture 
continues to develop. These have a 
focus on the prevention of personal 
injuries, dangerous occurrences and 
hydrocarbon releases and, in support 
of the delivery of SAFE Behaviours, are 
aligned to four key pillars of:
•  Standards – following rules and 

procedures;

•  Awareness – understanding the 

hazards and controls;

•  Fairness – adopting the correct 

behaviours; and 

•  Engagement – communicating 

effectively. 

During 2022, the Group continued to 
place emphasis on maintaining a 
strong safety culture through the 
presentation of two SAFE Results ‘Values 
awards’ at Global Town Hall events. 
EnQuest also implemented the 
learnings from the Group-wide asset 
integrity review undertaken in 2021. 
Several improvements were made in 
people, plant and process safety, 
including:
•  Shutdowns undertaken across  

the Group’s operated asset base, 
focused on driving improved asset 
integrity;

•  Risk-based approach applied  
to global audit and assurance  
plans and activities, including a 
dashboard providing open visibility 
of findings and trends to the 
organisation; and 

•  Process safety dashboard 

automation to improve data 
integrity. 

Independent review of asset integrity 
activities was maintained throughout 
2022 and reported at Board level. 
This will continue into 2023, helping to 
ensure asset integrity status and cost 
allocation remain visible, which enables 
improved risk-based decision making.

34

“We will deliver SAFE Results by fostering a 

culture of accountability and performance 
where everyone understands what is 
expected of them. It’s about having realistic 
standards, governance and capabilities to 
add value and to support the business.”
Peter Hepburn
HSEA Director

As the threat from COVID-19 reduced, 
EnQuest continued to take a proactive 
approach in providing practical 
support and guidance to its offshore 
and onshore workforce, following best 
practice and government and industry 
policy. The additional barriers put in 
place to safely manage operations 
during the pandemic were removed in 
phases as the level of risk reduced and 
improved practices became standard. 
This was undertaken with no adverse 
impact on the health and safety of 
EnQuest’s people or operations, with 
the threat now managed through 
updated communicable disease 
procedures.

In Malaysia, the successful completion 
of a joint military security exercise 
between the Navy, the Air Force  
and the Army onboard a PM8/Seligi 
installation enabled collaboration  
with several government agencies  
to address key issues. This activity 
resulted in a ‘Focused Recognition’ 
award from PETRONAS MPM.

The Group’s health and safety 
performance has continued to be 
strong from a leading indicator 
perspective, while lagging indicators 
of Lost Time Incidents (‘LTIs’) and 
hydrocarbon releases were more 
challenged. There has been further 
development of the continuous 
improvement culture with several 
activities undertaken in 2022, 
including:
•  Audit of the Group-wide process 

safety management framework with 
improvement actions implemented;
•  Exceeding the target for site safety-
leadership visits, a leading safety 
indicator of engagement; 

•  Reducing high-risk safety and 
environmental critical element 
repair orders, which has lowered the 
risk profile across the Group; and

•  Continuing to contribute positively to 
the industry organisations Offshore 
Energies UK and Step Change in 
Safety initiatives and campaigns.

Health
EnQuest has adopted various 
hybrid working practices and the 
health and wellbeing of the EnQuest 
workforce has continued to be a focus 
area. The employee-led Wellbeing 
Committee implemented a number 
of activities such as Step Challenges 
and Menopause Awareness, while 
EnQuest also piloted Mental Health 
Awareness training, which will be 
further developed through 2023 (see 
page 39 for more information).

Personal safety
Despite the challenges of managing 
late-life assets through production 
operations and decommissioning 
activities, the Group’s LTI performance 
remained in the upper quartile, with a 
Group LTI frequency1 of 0.57. Various 
notable milestones were achieved 
across the Group’s asset base:
•  Three LTIs were reported across  
the Group against a backdrop of 
5,298,991 million hours worked; and
•  The asset team at Kittiwake recorded 

17 years LTI free.

There was an increase in the number 
of LTIs from 2021, which primarily 
occurred through routine activities, 
including walking through the 
installation. In response, management 
emphasised the need for increased 
focus on situational awareness and 
dynamic risk assessment. 

Process safety
Process safety continued to be a focus 
in 2022. In conjunction with the asset 
integrity review, there has been progress 
achieved in risk review processes, such 
as the automation of the major accident 
hazard barrier model which enables the 

extraction of real-time inspection and 
maintenance data. This has been 
further supported by a focus at the 
monthly asset Process Safety Review 
and Improvement Boards to generate 
open and transparent discussions 
about key threats and control 
arrangements:
•  For those assets in a 

decommissioning phase and  
not processing hydrocarbons,  
asset integrity is being assured  
to deliver safe decommissioning 
activities, while the management  
of safety-critical maintenance is 
being tailored to reflect the specific 
circumstances of each asset;

•  HSEA systems have continued to be 

reviewed and the use of data 
visualisation tools is better informing 
HSEA performance and ensuring that 
any response to changing HSEA 
processes is supported by reliable 
data sources from automated 
systems;

•  In both Malaysia and the UK, regulator 
interaction continues in an open and 
transparent manner, allowing for 
collaboration on key issues; and
•  Reportable hydrocarbon releases 

across UK-operated assets increased 
to three in 2022 (2021: one; 2020: four; 
2019: 11), while Malaysia reached the 
milestone of zero in 2022 (2021: one; 
2020: two; 2019: five). Hydrocarbon 
release prevention remains a focus 
area for 2023.

All prior Health and Safety Executive 
(‘HSE’) Improvement Notices 
(‘INs’) have been complied with in 
accordance with the action plans 
and timelines agreed with the 
HSE. Following an HSE inspection 
in November, an IN was received 
with regard to a previously applied 
isolation scheme. While the HSE 
recognised that EnQuest had made 
a number of improvements in the 
control of isolations, the issuance of 
the IN was in line with the industry 
strategy it is following. EnQuest is 
working to close this IN ahead of the 
agreed due date. The Group welcomes 
continued engagement with the HSE 
and INs provide the Group with the 
opportunity to further improve process 
safety arrangements, prevent future 
hydrocarbon releases and increase 
assurance across the Group.

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

35

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Environmental, Social and Governance continued

Shetland Junior Golf Championship 2022

Community 
EnQuest maintained its strong 
commitment to directly support the 
local communities in which it operates.

UK
EnQuest made several contributions 
to charitable causes in 2022:
•  Offshore and at the SVT, charitable 

donations are linked to strong health 
and safety performance on our 
assets. Through these schemes, 
EnQuest was able to donate to a wide 
variety of charities, including CLAN 
Cancer Support, the Ardgowan and  
St Andrew’s Hospices, as well as the 
Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice and 
AberNecessities, which provides 
support to struggling families in 
Aberdeen and surrounding areas;
•  SVT also supported cultural and 

sporting events in Shetland in 2022, 
including sponsoring the 
Masterclasses and International 
stands at the A Taste of Shetland 
Festival, the Shetland Folk Festival, the 
Shetland junior golf annual event as 
well as the Bergen to Lerwick Yacht 
Race prize-giving event and the 
Shetland Rugby Sevens events for 
men, women and children;

•  Ten educational awards for the 
academic year 2022/2023 were 
made by the Trustees of the Sullom 
Voe Terminal Participants’ Tenth 
Anniversary Education Trust. The 
Trust, now in its 34th year of 
operation, was established to 
promote and encourage the 
education of Shetland residents who 
will be studying a discipline likely to 
contribute to the social or economic 
development of Shetland. As 
operator, EnQuest also offered the 
opportunity for the Partnership Award 
recipient to spend time on-site 
working on projects for the terminal, 
providing them with necessary 
experience to complement their 
areas of study; and

•  In Aberdeen, EnQuest engaged with 
its new core corporate charity, The 
Archie Foundation, in a number of 
ways, including fundraising for the 
4x4x48 running challenge, where two 
EnQuest participants ran four miles 
every four hours for 48 hours, and  
a donation to support the charity’s 
Christmas calendar for sick  
children in Aberdeen. EnQuest also 
maintained its commitment to CLAN 
Cancer Support, getting involved in 
a hiking challenge and a sponsored 

sky dive, as well as helping to 
sponsor the charity’s Big Hop Trail,  
a nature walk featuring outsize 
rabbits in Aberdeenshire and Moray. 
Support was also provided to a wide 
variety of other charitable causes, 
including the Aberdeenshire North 
Foodbank through a fundraising  
stall providing support to vulnerable 
families in the region over the 
December festive season. EnQuest 
also offered 15 internship placements 
in the summer to a diverse group of 
postgraduates, undergraduates and 
one school leaver, working across the 
business divisions from Upstream to 
Decommissioning, Business Services 
to HR, as well as its Infrastructure and 
New Energy business. EnQuest is 
planning to expand its support to 
students with a programme of 
undergraduate and postgraduate 
sponsorship in the UK which will 
begin in 2023.

36

Charitable donations in 2022 
($000)

c.175

Malaysia 
In Malaysia, EnQuest continued to 
support a very active programme  
of local community initiatives, 
charitable donations and educational 
sponsorship, including:
•  EnQuest Malaysia continued to 

into its second year. EnQuest 
remains committed to this scheme 
and is awaiting the outcome of the 
IChemE progress assessment which 
has been delayed due to the 
COVID-19 pandemic;

•  EnQuest continued its joint 

support the Sungai Pergam Orang Asli 
Primary School in Terengganu, by 
contributing to student bursaries for  
61 students through the MyKasih  
‘Love My School’ programme.  
EnQuest Malaysia has supported the 
programme since June 2019, with the 
school one of only two Orang Asli 
primary schools in this province. 
Having funded the refurbishment of 
the school canteen in 2019, EnQuest 
has committed to pay for upgrades to 
classrooms and the school’s roof. 
EnQuest has also sponsored ‘Back to 
School’ sets, including school 
uniforms for students at SK Sungai 
Pergam for the start of the academic 
year in March 2023;

sponsorship with The Amjad and 
Suha Bseisu Foundation of six 
undergraduate students in geology 
as well as chemical, mechanical 
and petroleum engineering from  
the Universiti Malaya and Universiti 
Teknologi Malaysia; and 

•  Having begun in 2021, the programme 

to replant 380 mangrove trees 
covering an approximate wetland 
area of 900 m2 within the Kuala 
Selangor Nature Park in collaboration 
with the Majlis Perbandaran Kuala 
Selangor (Kuala Selangor Town Hall) 
and Malaysian Nature Society was 
concluded. The final tranche of 180 
trees was planted successfully in early 
August 2022.

•  In 2022, 17 local university students 

were selected for internship 
placements in a variety of disciplines;

•  EnQuest’s partnership with the 
Institute of Chemical Engineers 
(‘IChemE’) to offer accreditation  
of the Universiti Kebangsaan 
Malaysia Chemical and Process 
Engineering Programme continued 

EQ interns visit the Sullom Voe Terminal

37

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Environmental, Social and Governance continued

2025 targets 
Women in leadership and  
management roles 

30%

Ethnic minority representation 
in Executive leadership roles

15–20%

Our people
At EnQuest, we recognise people 
are critical to our success and we 
are committed to ensuring EnQuest 
remains a great place to work. 
We have a strong set of Values 
that underpin our way of working 
and provide a rewarding work 
environment, with opportunities for 
growth and learning while contributing 
to the delivery of our strategy.

An inclusive workforce
We remain committed to providing an 
inclusive culture that recognises and 
celebrates difference and sees a diverse 
culture as an enabler of creativity and 
performance improvement. Established 
in 2021, the Group-wide diversity and 
inclusion (‘D&I’) strategy, is firmly 
embedded in the overall strategy of 
the business, alongside the D&I Policy. 
The policy, which can be found on the 
Group’s website (www.enquest.com), 
outlines seven key commitments to:
•  Challenge our personal bias;
•  Understand the diversity of our 

workforce;

•  Resource the organisation, ensuring 

diversity matters;

•  Engage and educate our workforce 

on D&I;

•  Learn from each other by providing 

reverse mentoring;

•  Consider suppliers who are diverse 

and inclusive; and

•  Learn and continuously improve.

’Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Culture’ 
training, which had a 70% take-up rate, 
has been provided for all our UK-based 
managers and supervisors during 
2022. The training was split into two 
sessions; the first built on the ‘Conscious 
Inclusion’ training from 2021 that helped 
to improve participants’ knowledge and 
skills to create a more inclusive culture, 
while the second session was aimed 
at creating awareness of privilege 
and microaggressions by engaging 

in group discussions and ultimately 
producing an improvement plan for 
the Company to implement in 2023.

The UK’s EnQlusion workforce group 
promoted a number of initiatives 
during 2022, including continued 
support for the Association for 
Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers, 
International Women in Engineering 
Day and the UK’s AXIS Network. 

An employee ‘pulse’ survey that 
focused on diversity and inclusion was 
conducted in the UK during September 
2022. The survey provided a useful 
narrative on employee perceptions 
of the levels of diversity and inclusion 
in the business. This has acted as a 
signpost for improvement areas, such 
as raising awareness of how a more 
diverse and inclusive environment 
can be a more motivating place to 
work and lead to delivering improved 
Business performance. During 2023 
and beyond, we remain committed 
to implementing several initiatives in 
direct response to the survey’s findings. 
Additionally, we will also revisit our 
Diversity and Inclusion strategy to 
ensure it remains relevant for the future 
and further strengthen our three-
year road map to increase non-male 
representation at senior management.

Recruitment
While recruitment processes are 
being evolved to encourage a broad 
spectrum of applicants, we remain 
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. As set 
out in the Equal Opportunities & 
Dignity at Work Policy, we encourage 
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 Group to provide 
support and access to the necessary 
training for the relevant individual.

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. As such, we ensure that our 
processes are open and transparent, 
providing equal opportunities for all. 
We will continue with this approach, 
recruiting individuals based on merit 
and their suitability for the role.

EnQuest was delighted to sponsor 
the Student Room at the OEUK annual 
decommissioning conference 
in St Andrews in November 2022. 
This demonstrated our ongoing 
commitment to sharing knowledge in 
the industry, as well as encouraging 
future generations of engineers to 
consider a career in decommissioning.

Ways of working and engagement
We have a strong set of Values 
and high standards of business 
conduct which we expect our 
employees and everyone we work 
with to demonstrate and adhere to. 
Throughout 2022, we continued to 
celebrate and recognise those who 
had demonstrably lived our Values 
through our Values awards presented 
at our Global Town Hall events.

As the world emerges from the 
COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions 
are lifted, we have continued to 
review our ways of working, adopting 
hybrid and flexible working where 
appropriate, while respecting 
geographical and cultural differences.

To help us understand employee 
engagement levels, a Group-wide 
employee survey will be conducted 
in 2023. Together with our Diversity 
and Inclusion ‘pulse’ surveys, these 
engagement steps remain an important 
driver to identify areas requiring 
management focus. The previous 
Group-wide survey concluded in early 
2022, with a participation rate of over 
71%. The results were communicated 
to teams and managers across the 
business, with progress against existing 
action plans reviewed and updates 
made to those plans to address areas 
where there is identified scope for 
improvement. Group-wide areas of focus 
included communicating and sharing 
our Company purpose and strategy 
within departments and teams, creating 
open spaces for teams to engage with 
their managers, simplify processes and 
procedures and make improvements 
to office working environments.  

In addition to engagement surveys, 
the EnQuest Global Employee Forum, 
attended by two formally designated 
Non-Executive Directors, met three 
times throughout 2022. Areas 
discussed and reviewed during the 
year included: 
•  Hybrid working effectiveness; 
•  Employee reward and recognition; and
•  Optimising organisational 

effectiveness.

38

During 2022, our Non-Executive 
Directors moved to a broader 
approach for employee engagement, 
such as through face-to-face 
meetings in specifically arranged 
breakfast and dinner meetings. 
However, an internal Global Employee 
Forum continues to function as a 
useful interface between employees 
and management for constructive 
two-way dialogue. Further details 
of how the Company engages 
with its workforce can be found 
in the Corporate governance 
statement on page 70.

Our commitment to wellbeing
The mental and physical welfare 
of all employees continues to be a 
major focus across the business. 
Mental health awareness has 
remained an important aspect of 
wellbeing, particularly considering 
the changing landscape as we 
emerge from COVID-19 restrictions, 
the global impact of the war in 
Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis. 

We have a well-established Wellbeing 
Committee, consisting of an active 
membership from across the business. 
The Committee is pivotal in developing 
initiatives covering all aspects of 
individual wellbeing, as well as social 
events such as our annual children’s 
Christmas party. We continue to 
promote a third-party digital platform 
for employees offering tools and 
techniques to support wellbeing and 
have delivered targeted awareness 
initiatives on mental health. We also 
use our internal social media channel, 
Yammer, to promote these initiatives 
and those targeted at physical 
health, including pilates, nutrition, 
along with the annual ‘rig-run’, 
Corporate Games and ‘step count’ 
challenges throughout the year. 

Continued growth and learning 
In line with UK legislation, EnQuest 
contributes to the UK Apprenticeship 
Levy each year. Contributions to the 
levy can be reclaimed for specific 
training initiatives and EnQuest has 
partnered with FutureStart since 2021 
to provide a Vocational Leadership 
Programme. Over 100 employees 
expressed an interest, and more than 
60 employees have commenced 
work on this 18-month programme 
which, once completed, will deliver a 
vocational qualification in leadership 
to participating employees. 

In Malaysia, the development of 
offshore competencies has continued 
at pace during 2022 with a broad 
training programme implemented 

“ At EnQuest, we pride ourselves in being  
able to think differently and influence  
across boundaries.”
Janice Doyle
Director of People, Culture & Diversity

with partner Institut Teknologi 
Petroleum PETRONAS (INSTEP). At a 
leadership level, further collaboration 
within the industry has delivered 
key skills through a leadership 
and mentorship programme. The 
e-Learning platform continues to 
be a key tool in delivering training to 
employees in Malaysia with greater 
flexibility to meet their individual 
training needs, with 69% of employees 
actively participating in programmes 
on the platform during 2022. 

Identifying succession plans for our 
business-critical roles continued in 
2022 to ensure we retain and develop 
high-potential employees. We 
conduct regular reviews to ensure the 
direction, focus and development of 
employees identified remain relevant 
and on track. Across the Group, we 
supported a broad programme of 
job-specific training to ensure high 
levels of skill, competence and safety 
are maintained across our operations. 

Gender pay gap
Over the six years that EnQuest has 
been reporting its gender pay gap 
in the UK, there has been a marked 
narrowing of the gap between male 

and female employees’ pay, with 
the gap related to the average rate 
of total pay for women compared to 
that of men reducing from 38.7% in 
2017 to 17.8% in 2022. The reduction 
in the pay gap is primarily driven 
by a gradual rebalancing of more 
female employees moving into 
higher pay levels compared to the 
wider population, although this 
was impacted by the necessary 
transformation programme 
undertaken during 2020 following 
the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As a Group, we are pleased to see 
the gender pay gap continue to 
narrow and we remain committed to 
providing equal pay for equal jobs. 
However, there is further work required 
to drive gender pay equity and this will 
be achieved through an ongoing focus 
on diversity and inclusion in all aspects 
of our working lives. In addition to 
a fair and balanced recruitment 
and promotion process with regular 
skills assessments, appropriate 
action from the Global Employee 
Forum and the results of our surveys 
continue to be taken in line with our 
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. 

Post COVID-19, EnQuest has continued to 
adopt hybrid and flexible working

39

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Environmental, Social and Governance continued

Governance

Robust Risk 
Management 
Framework.

Risks and uncertainties
Management of risks and 
uncertainties
Consistent with the Group’s purpose, 
the Board has articulated EnQuest’s 
strategic vision to be the partner of 
choice for responsible management of 
existing energy assets, applying our 
core capabilities to create value 
through the transition.

EnQuest seeks to balance its risk 
position between investing in activities 
that can achieve its near-term targets, 
including those associated with 
reducing emissions, and those which 
can 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 the continued reduction in 
the Group’s debt. 

In pursuit of its strategy, EnQuest has to 
manage a variety of risks. Accordingly, 
the Board has established a Risk 
Management Framework (‘RMF’) to 
enhance effective risk management 
within the following Board-approved 
overarching statements of risk appetite:
•  The Group makes investments and 

manages the asset portfolio against 

agreed key performance indicators 
consistent with the strategic 
objectives of enhancing net cash 
flow, reducing leverage, reducing 
emissions, managing costs, 
diversifying its asset base and 
pursuing new energy and 
decarbonisation opportunities;

•  The Group seeks to embed a culture 

of risk management within the 
organisation corresponding to the 
risk appetite which is articulated for 
each of its principal risks;
•  The Group seeks to avoid 

reputational risk by ensuring that its 
operational and HSEA 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
•  The Group sets clear tolerances for 
all material operational risks to 
minimise overall operational losses, 
with zero tolerance for criminal 
conduct.

The Board reviews the Group’s risk 
appetite annually in light of changing 
market conditions and the Group’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; an assurance 
mapping and controls review 
exercise; a Risk Report (focused 
on identifying and mitigating the 
most critical and emerging risks 
through a systematic analysis of the 
Group’s business, its industry and 
the global risk environment); and a 
Continuous Improvement Plan (‘CIP’) 
are 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 Audit Committee 
oversees the effectiveness of the RMF 
while the Safety, Sustainability and 
Risk Committee provides a forum for 
the Board to review selected individual 
risk areas in greater depth (for further 
information, please see the Audit 
Committee report on pages 78 to 84 
and the Safety, Sustainability and Risk 
Committee report on pages 103 to 104).

As part of its strategic, business 
planning and risk processes, the 
Group considers how a number 
of macroeconomic themes may 
influence its principal risks. These 
are factors which the Group should 
be cognisant of when developing its 
strategy. They include, for example, 
long-term supply and demand 
trends for oil and gas and renewable 
energy, developments in technology, 

40

“ The Board confirms that the Group complies  

with the Financial Reporting Council’s 
‘Guidance on Risk Management, Internal 
Control and Related Financial and Business 
Reporting’.”

that 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. 
This flexibility also ensures the Group 
has mitigation against the potential 
impact of ‘stranded assets’.

Within the Group’s RMF, the Safety, 
Sustainability and Risk Committee 
has categorised all risk areas faced 
by the Group into a ‘Risk Library’ 
of 19 overarching risks. For each 
risk area, ‘Risk Bowties’ are used to 
identify risk causes and impacts, with 
these mapped against preventative 
and containment controls used to 
manage the risks to acceptable levels 
(see diagram below). These Risk 
Bowties are periodically reviewed to 
ensure they remain fit for purpose.

The Board, supported by the 
Audit Committee and the Safety, 
Sustainability and Risk Committee, 
has reviewed the Group’s system 
of risk management and internal 
control for the period from 1 January 
2022 to the date of this report and 
carried out a robust assessment of 
the Group’s emerging and principal 
risks and the procedures in place 
to identify and mitigate these risks. 
A Risk Management Framework 
Performance report is produced 
and reviewed at each Safety, 
Sustainability and Risk Committee 
meeting in support of this review. 

demographics, the financial, physical 
and transition risks associated with 
climate change and other ESG trends, 
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, adapting its strategy 
accordingly. For example, the Group 
has made further progress in the 
development and execution of its 
energy transition and decarbonisation 
strategy through the Infrastructure 
and New Energy business, which 
was established in 2021. The Group is 
also conscious that as an operator 
of mature producing assets with 
limited appetite for exploration, it 
has limited exposure to investments 

EnQuest Risk Bowtie

S

L

O

N T R

S
E
S
U
A
C

K

S

O
C
E
V

I

T

A

I

T

R

N

E

RISK   
EVENT

V

E

PR

C

O

N

T

A

R

I

N

M

E
N
T
 C
O

NTR

O

L

S

I

S

K

I

M
P
A
C
T
S

41

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental, Social and Governance continued

E N QU EST RI S K MANAG E M E NT FRAM EWO RK

Enterprise risk register
A summary of the Group’s key risks; prepared by combining                
key risks identified from the asset and functional risk registers with 
Group-level risks.

Asset and functional risk registers
A compilation of risks (including threats and opportunities) and 
mitigating controls being managed at an operational/functional  
level on a day-to-day basis.

Quarterly RMF performance report
Reviewed by leadership teams before being presented to the Safety, 
Sustainability and Risk Committee and uploaded to the Board portal.

Continuous Improvement Plan
A summary of the key actions planned for continual improvement  
of the RMF.

Risk landscape inputs/considerations
Comprises:
(a)  long-term macro factors such as political risk; supply and 

demand trends; climate change-related financial, physical  
and transition risks; and the decommissioning of infrastructure; 
and 

(b)  near-term, emerging and principal risks. These are considered 

holistically on a backward and forward-looking basis, alongside 
outputs from relevant strategic reviews, and summarised in an 
annual Risk Report presented to the Safety, Sustainability and Risk 
Committee.

Assessment
Risk causes; likelihood and impact; gross impact; mitigating controls 
(preventative and containment); net impact; risk appetite; 
improvement actions; and risk owner.

Identified risks
14 principal risks mapped from a ‘Risk Library’ of 19 overarching risks.

Board of Directors (pages 66 to 67)
Responsible for providing oversight of the Group’s control and risk management systems, reviewing key risks and mitigating controls 
periodically. Approves the Group’s risk appetite annually and approves the Group’s going concern and viability statements.

Audit Committee (pages 78 to 84)
•  Reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s internal controls 

Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee (pages 103 to 104)
•  Supports the implementation and progression of the  

and risk management systems;

Group’s RMF;

•  Reviews the internal audit assurance map against 

•  Monitors the adequacy of containment and mitigating  

principal risks; and

controls, and progression of mitigation of risks;

•  Reviews and recommends for approval by the Board the 

•  Undertakes in-depth analysis of specific risks and considers 

Group’s going concern and viability statements.

existing and potential new controls; and

Supported by the Group’s Internal Audit function.

•  Conducts detailed reviews of key non-financial risks not 

reviewed within the Audit Committee.

Operations Committee
•  Regularly reviews the Group’s operating 
performance against stretching targets 
and agreed KPIs; and

Executive Committee
•  Frequently reviews Group performance, 
including financial, operating and HSE 
performance; and 

HSEA Directorate
•  Regularly reviews the Group’s HSE 
performance against stretching 
targets, agreed KPIs and industry 
benchmarks; and 

•  Regularly reviews the Group’s asset risk 
registers and considers the results of 
assurance audits over operational 
controls.

•  Periodically reviews the Group Risk 

Register and RMF performance report.

•  Regularly reviews the HSE risk register 

and considers the results of assurance 
audits over HSE controls.

R
O
T

I

N
O
M
E
W
T
A
H
W

R
O
T

I

N
O
M
E
W
W
O
H

42

 
 
 
 
Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’): 
A  HSEA (LTI)  B  Production (Boepd)  C  Unit opex ($/Boe)  D  Cash generated by operations ($ million) 
E  Cash capital and abandonment expense ($ million) 

F  EnQuest net debt ($ million)  G  Net 2P reserves (MMboe)  H  Emissions (tCO2e)

Near-term and emerging risks
As outlined previously, the Group’s RMF is embedded in all 
levels of the organisation with asset risk registers, regional 
and functional risk registers and ultimately an enterprise-
level ‘Risk Library’. This integration enables the Group to 
identify quickly, escalate and appropriately manage 
emerging risks.

During 2022, work continued to enhance the integration of 
these risk registers and the associated processes to allow 
management to understand better the various asset risks 
and how these ultimately impact on the enterprise-level 
risk and their associated ‘Risk Bowties’. A key area of 
ongoing development is the integration of the Operational 
Risk Assessment into the automated risk management 
software, which is expected to be completed in 2023. In turn, 
this ensures that the preventative and containment controls 
in place for a given risk are reviewed and remain robust 
based upon the identified risk profile. It also drives the 
required prioritisation of in-depth reviews to be undertaken 
by the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee, which are 
now integrated into the Group’s internal audit programme 
for review. During the year, nine Risk Bowties were reviewed, 
ensuring that all 19 of the Group’s identified risks have been 
reviewed within the targeted cycle.

With the threat from COVID-19 reduced and now being 
managed through updated and effective communicable 
disease procedures, the Group has removed it from its 
emerging risk register. 

While not considered an emerging risk, given the focus on 
climate-related risks for energy companies, EnQuest has 
provided further detail below on its assessment of this risk 
within the Group’s risk library. Additional information can be 
found in the Group’s Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures, starting on page 53.

CLI MATE CHAN G E
The Group recognises that climate change concerns and 
related regulatory developments could impact a number  
of the Group’s principal risks, such as oil price, financial, 
reputational and fiscal and government take risks, which 
are disclosed later in this report.

Appetite
EnQuest recognises that the oil and gas industry, alongside 
other key stakeholders such as governments, regulators 

Other near-term risks being monitored

O N G O I N G G EO PO LITI CAL 
S ITUATI O N
The Group has continued to assess its commercial and IT 
security arrangements and does not consider it has a 
material adverse exposure to the geopolitical situation 
with respect to the sanctions imposed on Russia, although 
recognises that the situation has caused oil price volatility. 
The Group continues to monitor its position to ensure it 
remains compliant with any sanctions in place.

and consumers, must all play a part in reducing the impact 
of carbon-related emissions on climate change, and is 
committed to contributing positively towards the drive to 
net zero through the energy transition and decarbonisation 
strategy being pursued through the Infrastructure and New 
Energy business.

The Group’s risk appetite for climate change risk is reported 
against the Group’s impacted principal risks, while a 
discrete disclosure against the Task Force on Climate-
related Financial Disclosures can be found on pages  
53 to 60.

Mitigation
Mitigations against the Group’s principal risks potentially 
impacted by climate change are reported later in this report.

The Group has an emissions management strategy and has 
committed to a 10% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions  
over three years, from a year-end 2020 baseline, with the 
achievement linked to reward. Progress is reported to the 
Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee of the Board. The 
Group endeavours to reduce emissions through improving 
operational performance, minimising flaring and venting 
where possible, and applying appropriate and economic 
improvement initiatives, noting that the ability to reduce 
carbon emissions from its own operations will be constrained 
by the original design of later-life assets. Following the 
establishment of the Infrastructure and New Energy business 
in 2021, the Group has further enhanced its business model  
to include a focus on repurposing existing infrastructure to 
support its renewable energy and decarbonisation ambitions, 
centred around the Sullom Voe Terminal.

EnQuest has reported on all of the greenhouse gas 
emission sources within its operational control required 
under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013 and The Companies 
(Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships  
(Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018 (see  
pages 109 to 110 for more information).

The Group’s focus on short-cycle investments drives  
an inherent mitigation against the potential impact  
of ‘stranded assets’.

FI SCAL  RI S K  AN D G OVE RN M E NT 
TAKE
The imposition of the UK Energy Profits Levy (‘EPL’) may 
materially affect EnQuest’s free cash flow generation, 
which in turn will impact the Group’s ability to finance 
growth opportunities, presenting a further challenge for 
future growth. The Group will continue to seek value-
accretive opportunities, both through the pursuit of 
creative acquisition structures and continued focus on 
new energy projects.

Note that EPL could also impact the principal risks of 
Portfolio Concentration and Financial.

43

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Environmental, Social and Governance continued

Appetite
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.

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

In 2022, EnQuest achieved an upper quartile Lost Time 
Incident frequency rate1 (‘LTIF’); however, the hydrocarbon 
release frequency rate was challenged due to the three 
releases reported on page 35. None of the releases had 
common root causes and occurred at three different 
locations and after thorough investigation no systemic 
failure was identified within our systems. The incidents 
occurred in the first half of the year and, since the corrective 
and preventative actions have been implemented, no 
further incidents occurred in the second half of 2022.

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

Mitigation
The Group maintains, in conjunction with its core 
contractors, a comprehensive programme of assurance 
activities and has undertaken a series of in-depth reviews 
into the Risk Bowties that have demonstrated the 
robustness of the management process and identified 
opportunities for improvement. A refreshed Group-aligned 
HSE Continuous Improvement Plan was created in 2022, 
promoting a culture of accountability and performance in 
relation to HSE matters. The purpose of this plan is to ensure 
that everyone understands what is expected of them by 
having realistic standards, governance and capabilities to 
add value and support the business. HSE performance is 
discussed at each Board meeting and the mitigation of HSE 
risk continues to be a core responsibility of the Safety, 
Sustainability and Risk Committee. During 2022, the Group 
continued to focus on the control of major accident hazards 
and SAFE Behaviours.

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

EnQuest’s HSE Policy is fully integrated across its operated 
sites and this has enabled an increased focus on HSE.  
There is a strong assurance programme in place to ensure 
EnQuest complies with its policy and principles and 
regulatory commitments.

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 Group at 
the February meeting, including those that would threaten its 
business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.

Cognisant of the Group’s purpose and strategy, 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.

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 which of the 
Group’s KPIs could be impacted by this risk (see page 03) 
for an explanation of the KPI symbols); and

•  An articulation of the Group’s risk appetite for each of 

these principal risks.

Among these, the key risks the Group currently faces are 
materially lower oil prices for an extended period (see ‘Oil 
and gas prices’ risk on page 45), and/or a materially lower 
than expected production performance for a prolonged 
period (see ‘Production’ risk on pages 45 to 46 and 
‘Subsurface risk and reserves replacement’ on page 48), 
and/or further changes in the fiscal environment (see 
‘Financial’ risk on page 46 and ‘Fiscal risk and government 
take’ on page 49), which could reduce the Group’s cash 
generation and pace of deleveraging, which may in turn 
impact the Company’s ability to comply with the 
requirements of its debt facilities and/or execute growth 
opportunities.

Risk
H EALTH , SAFET Y AN D  E NVI RO N M E NT 
(‘ H S E ’)
Oil and gas development, production and exploration 
activities are by their very nature complex, with HSE risks 
covering many areas, including major accident hazards, 
personal health and safety, compliance with regulatory 
requirements, asset integrity issues and potential 
environmental impacts, including those associated  
with climate change.

Potential impact
Medium (2021 Medium)

Likelihood
Medium (2021 Medium)

There has been no material change in the potential impact 
or likelihood of this risk. The Group has a strong, open and 
transparent reporting culture and monitors both leading and 
lagging indicators and incurs substantial costs in complying 
with HSE requirements. The Group’s overall record on HSE has 
been strong, albeit impacted by regulatory challenges in 
relation to the management of the annual flare consent on 
Magnus and the receipt of improvement notices from the 
Health and Safety Executive.

Related KPIs:
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H

44

 
Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’): 
A  HSEA (LTI)  B  Production (Boepd)  C  Unit opex ($/Boe)  D  Cash generated by operations ($ million) 
E  Cash capital and abandonment expense ($ million) 

F  EnQuest net debt ($ million)  G  Net 2P reserves (MMboe)  H  Emissions (tCO2e)

Risk
O I L  AN D GAS PRI CES
A material decline in oil and gas prices adversely affects 
the Group’s operations and financial condition as the 
Group’s revenue depends substantially on oil prices.

Potential impact
High (2021 High)

Likelihood
High (2021 High)

The potential impact and likelihood remain high, reflecting 
the uncertain economic outlook, including possible impacts 
from a global recession, geopolitical tensions and 
associated sanctions, and the potential acceleration  
of ‘peak oil’ demand.

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. Further, oil and gas will remain an important part  
of the energy mix, especially in developing regions.

Related KPIs:
F G
B D E

Appetite
The Group recognises that considerable exposure to this 
risk is inherent to its business but is committed to protecting 
cash flows in line with the terms of its reserve based lending 
facility.

Mitigation
This risk is being mitigated by a number of measures.

As an operator of mature producing assets with limited 
appetite for exploration, the Group 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.

The Group monitors oil price sensitivity relative to its capital 
commitments and its assessment of the funds required to 
support investment in the development of its resources.  
The Group will therefore regularly review and implement 
suitable programmes to hedge against the possible 
negative impact of changes in oil prices within the terms  
of its established policy (see page 161) and the terms of  
the Group’s reserve based lending facility, which requires 
hedging of EnQuest’s entitlement sales volumes (see page 
161). As at 4 April 2023, the Group had hedged approximately 
11.1 MMbbls for 2023 and 2024. This ensures that the Group 
will receive a minimum oil price for some of its production.

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

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

Risk
PRO DU CTI O N
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.

Longer-term production is threatened if low oil prices or 
prolonged field shutdowns and/or underperformance 
requiring high-cost remediation bring forward 
decommissioning timelines.

Potential impact
High (2021 High)

Likelihood
Medium (2021 Medium)

There has been no material change in the potential impact 
or likelihood. The Group met its 2022 production guidance 
and continues to focus on key maintenance activities 
during planned shutdowns and procuring a stock of critical 
spares to support facility uptime.

Related KPIs:
B   C   D   E   F   G   H

Appetite
Since production efficiency and meeting production targets 
are core to EnQuest’s business, 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 

45

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022 
 
Environmental, Social and Governance continued

monitored and challenged by the Group and other terminal 
owners and users to ensure that operational integrity is 
maintained. Further, EnQuest is committed to transforming 
the Sullom Voe Terminal to ensure it remains competitive 
and well placed to maximise its useful economic life and 
support the future of the North Sea.

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.

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

Significant reductions in the oil price, production and/or the 
funds available under the Group’s reserve based lending 
(‘RBL’) facility, and/or further changes in the UK’s fiscal 
environment, will likely have a material impact on the 
Group’s ability to repay or refinance its existing credit 
facilities and invest in its asset base. 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. Further information is contained in 
the Financial review, particularly within the going concern 
and viability disclosures on pages 25 and 26.

Potential impact
High (2021 High)

Likelihood
High (2021 High)

There is no change to the potential impact or likelihood. 
While the Group has significantly reduced its debt and 
successfully refinanced its debt facilities in 2022, which 
extended maturities to 2027, the imposition of the Energy 
Profits Levy (‘EPL’) in the UK has impacted the level of 
available capital and associated amortisation schedule 
under the Group’s RBL facility (see the going concern 
disclosure on page 25).

Factors such as climate change, other environmental, 
social and governance (‘ESG’) concerns, oil price volatility 
and geopolitical risks have impacted investors’ and 
insurers’ acceptable levels of oil and gas sector exposure, 
with the availability of capital reducing while the cost of 
capital has increased. In addition, the cost of emissions 
trading allowances may continue to trend higher along with 
the potential for insurers to be reluctant to provide surety 
bonds for decommissioning, thereby requiring the Group to 
fund decommissioning security through its balance sheet.

Related KPIs:
B   C   D   E   F   G   H

Mitigation
Debt reduction remains a strategic priority. During 2022, the 
Group’s strong free cash flow generation drove a $504.9 
million reduction in EnQuest net debt to $717.1 million at 
31 December 2022, with an EnQuest net debt to adjusted 
EBITDA ratio of 0.7x. During the year, EnQuest also refinanced 
its debt facilities, rebalancing the capital structure and 
extending maturities to 2027. At 4 April 2023, the Group’s 
new RBL facility was drawn to $282 million, with repayments 
totalling $118 million in the first quarter of 2023 ensuring the 
Group remains ahead of the amended facility amortisation 
schedule and within its borrowing base limits.

Ongoing compliance with the financial covenants under 
the Group’s reserve based lending facility is actively 
monitored and reviewed. EnQuest generates operating 
cash inflow from the Group’s producing assets and reviews 
its cash flow requirements on an ongoing basis to ensure it 
has adequate resources for its needs.

Where costs are incurred by external service providers, the 
Group actively challenges operating costs. The Group also 
maintains a framework of internal controls.

These steps, together with other mitigating actions 
available to management, are expected to provide the 
Group with sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations as  
they fall due.

Risk
CO M PETITI O N
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 (2021 High)

Likelihood
High (2021 High)

The potential impact and likelihood remain unchanged, 
with the introduction of the UK EPL likely to impact industry 
participants’ investment views of the UK North Sea, a 
number of competitors assessing the acquisition of 
available oil and gas assets and the rising potential for 
consolidation (for example, through reverse mergers). 
Operating in a competitive industry may result in higher 
than anticipated prices for the acquisition of assets and 
licences.

Related KPIs:
B   C   D   E   F   G   H

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

Appetite
The Group remains focused on further reducing its leverage 
levels, targeting 0.5x EnQuest net debt to EBITDA ratio on a 
mid-cycle oil price basis, maintaining liquidity, controlling 
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.

46

Mitigation
The Group has strong technical, commercial and business 
development capabilities to ensure that it is well positioned 
to identify and execute potential acquisition opportunities, 
utilising innovative structures, which may include the 
Group’s competitive advantage of $2.5 billion of UK tax 
losses, as may be appropriate. The Group maintains good 

 
 
Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’): 
A  HSEA (LTI)  B  Production (Boepd)  C  Unit opex ($/Boe)  D  Cash generated by operations ($ million) 
E  Cash capital and abandonment expense ($ million) 

F  EnQuest net debt ($ million)  G  Net 2P reserves (MMboe)  H  Emissions (tCO2e)

relations with oil and gas service providers and constantly 
keeps the market under review. EnQuest has a dedicated 
marketing and trading group of experienced professionals 
responsible for maintaining relationships across relevant 
energy markets, thereby ensuring the Group achieves the 
highest possible value for its production. 

Risk
IT S ECU RIT Y  AN D RES I LI E N CE
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 or 
phishing exercises.

Potential impact
Medium (2021 Medium)

Likelihood
Medium (2021 Medium)

There has been no change to the potential impact or 
likelihood, with the Group continuing to monitor and 
enhance its IT security, having regard for the ongoing 
geopolitical situation.

Related KPIs:
A   B  

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.

A number of tools to strengthen employee awareness 
continue to be utilised, including videos, presentations, 
Yammer posts and poster campaigns.

During 2022, the Audit Committee agreed to update its 
terms of reference to highlight its responsibilities more 
explicitly with regard to the IT control environment, with the 
IT controls to be regularly reviewed during meetings. The 
Audit Committee also reviewed the Group’s cyber-security 
measures and its IT resourcing model, noting the Group has 
a dedicated cyber-security manager. Work on assessing 
the cyber-security environment and implementing 
improvements as necessary will continue during 2023.

Risk
PO RTFO LI O CO N CE NTRATI O N
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 (2021 High)

Likelihood
High (2021 High)

There has been no material change in the potential  
impact or likelihood. The Group is currently focused on oil 
production and does not have significant exposure to gas 
or other sources of income. However, the Group continues 
to assess acquisition growth opportunities with a view to 
improving its asset diversity over time.

Related KPIs:
B   C   D

Appetite
Although the extent of portfolio concentration is moderated 
by production generated in Malaysia, the majority of the 
Group’s assets remain relatively concentrated in the UK 
North Sea and therefore this risk remains intrinsic to the 
Group.

Mitigation
This risk is mitigated in part through acquisitions. For  
all acquisitions, the Group uses a number of business 
development resources, both in the UK and internationally, 
to liaise with vendors/governments and evaluate and 
transact acquisitions. 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, export capability or 
renewable energy and decarbonisation projects where 
such opportunities are consistent with the Group’s focus  
on enhancing net revenues, generating cash flow and 
strengthening the balance sheet.

The Group has made good progress with its decarbonisation 
strategy, identifying three key focus areas of carbon capture 
and storage, electrification and green hydrogen production 
through its Infrastructure and New Energy business, which 
could provide diversified revenue opportunities in the  
long term.

47

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022 
 
Environmental, Social and Governance continued

Risk
SU B SU RFACE  RI S K   AN D   RES E RVES 
RE PL ACE M E NT
Failure to develop its contingent and prospective resources 
or secure new licences and/or asset acquisitions and 
realise their expected value.

Risk
PROJECT  EXECUTI O N AN D D E LIVE RY
The Group’s success will be partially dependent upon the 
successful execution and delivery of potential future projects, 
including decommissioning and Infrastructure and New 
Energy opportunities in the UK, that are undertaken.

Potential impact
High (2021 High)

Likelihood
Medium (2021 Medium)

Potential impact
Medium (2021 Medium)

Likelihood
Low (2021 Low)

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

Low oil prices, lack of available funds for investment (see 
‘Financial’ risk) or prolonged field shutdowns requiring 
high-cost remediation which accelerate cessation of 
production can potentially affect development of 
contingent and prospective resources and/or reserves 
certifications.

The potential impact and likelihood remain unchanged. As 
the Group focuses on reducing its debt, its current appetite 
is to pursue short-cycle development projects and to 
manage its decommissioning and Infrastructure and  
New Energy projects over an extended period of time.

Related KPIs:
A   B   D   E   F   G   H

Related KPIs:
B   C   E   F   G  

Appetite
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.

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.

The Group has material reserves and resources at Magnus, 
Kraken, Golden Eagle and PM8/Seligi that it believes can 
primarily be accessed through low-cost workovers, subsea 
drilling and tie-backs to existing infrastructure. During  
2022, EnQuest successfully completed a number of well 
programmes at its Magnus and PM8/Seligi assets. EnQuest 
continues to evaluate the substantial 2C resources at 
Bressay and Bentley to identify future drilling prospects and 
plans to drill an exploration well at PM409 during 2023.

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

Appetite
The efficient delivery of projects has been a key feature of 
the Group’s long-term strategy. The Group’s appetite is to 
identify and implement short-cycle development projects 
such as infill drilling and near-field tie-backs in its Upstream 
business, industrialise decommissioning projects to ensure 
cost efficiency and unlock new energy and decarbonisation 
opportunities through innovative commercial structures. 
While the Group necessarily assumes significant risk when  
it sanctions a new project (for example, by incurring costs 
against oil price assumptions), or a decommissioning 
programme, it requires that risks to efficient project delivery 
are minimised.

Mitigation
The Group has teams which are responsible for the 
planning and execution of new projects with a dedicated 
team for each project. The Group has detailed controls, 
systems and monitoring processes in place, notably the 
Capital Projects Delivery Process and the Decommissioning 
Projects Delivery Process, to ensure that deadlines are met, 
costs are controlled and that design concepts and Field 
Development/Decommissioning Plans 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’s  
UK decommissioning programmes are managed by a 
dedicated directorate with an experienced team who are 
driven to deliver projects safely at the lowest possible cost 
and associated emissions.

In Infrastructure and New Energy, the Group is working with 
experienced third-party organisations and aims to utilise 
innovative commercial structures to develop new energy 
and decarbonisation opportunities.

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.

48

 
 
Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’): 
A  HSEA (LTI)  B  Production (Boepd)  C  Unit opex ($/Boe)  D  Cash generated by operations ($ million) 
E  Cash capital and abandonment expense ($ million) 

F  EnQuest net debt ($ million)  G  Net 2P reserves (MMboe)  H  Emissions (tCO2e)

Risk
FI SCAL  RI S K  AN D   
G OVE RN M E NT  TAKE
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 (2021 High)

Likelihood
High (2021 Medium)

There has been no material change in the potential  
impact; however, the likelihood has increased given the 
implementation of, and subsequent change to, the UK EPL 
which will negatively impact free cash flow generation  
and therefore the Group’s ability to balance further 
deleveraging and investment in its asset base. 

Related KPIs:
D   E   F

Appetite
The Group faces an uncertain macroeconomic 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 Offshore Energies 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 as it has done throughout the 
implementation period of the UK EPL.

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.

Risk
I NTE RNATI O NAL  BUS I N ESS
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 (for example, HSEA, 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 (2021 Medium)

Likelihood
Medium (2021 Medium)

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

Related KPIs:
A   B   D   E   F   G   H

Appetite
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.

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, ethical 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.

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.

49

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022 
 
Environmental, Social and Governance continued

Risk
JO I NT VE NTU RE PARTN E RS
Failure by joint venture parties to fund their obligations.

Dependence on other parties where the Group is non-
operator.

Potential impact
Medium (2021 Medium)

Likelihood
Low (2021 Low)

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

Related KPIs:
B   C   E   F   G  

Appetite
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, taking account of the impact of any wider 
developments.

Risk
RE PUTATI O N
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 and/or related climate change disclosures, are 
significant. Similarly, it is increasingly important that EnQuest 
clearly articulates its approach to and benchmarks its 
performance against relevant and material ESG factors.

Potential impact
High (2021 High)

Likelihood
Low (2021 Low)

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

Related KPIs:
A   B   D   E   F   G   H

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

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

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

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

The Group has a clear ESG strategy, with a focus on health 
and safety (including asset integrity), emission reductions, 
looking after its employees, positively impacting the 
communities in which the Group operates, upholding a 
robust RMF and acting with high standards of integrity.  
The Group is successfully implementing this strategy.

50

 
 
Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’): 
A  HSEA (LTI)  B  Production (Boepd)  C  Unit opex ($/Boe)  D  Cash generated by operations ($ million) 
E  Cash capital and abandonment expense ($ million) 

F  EnQuest net debt ($ million)  G  Net 2P reserves (MMboe)  H  Emissions (tCO2e)

EnQuest has reviewed the appropriate balance for its 
onshore teams between site, office and home working to 
promote strong productivity and Business performance 
facilitated by an engaged workforce, adopting a hybrid 
approach. The Group will continue to monitor such 
practices, adapting as necessary. 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.

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.

Following its introduction in 2019, the Group’s Global 
Employee Forum (‘the Forum’) has continued to add to 
EnQuest’s employee communication and engagement 
strategy, improving interaction between the workforce and 
the Board. During the year, the Board reviewed the purpose 
of the Forum and determined that its purpose had changed 
and its primary function was now for the raising of non-
strategic issues. As such, the Board agreed that the Forum 
should continue under the direction of the Director of 
People, Culture and Diversity. The Board, through its 
designated Directors for employee engagement, now 
undertake a wider programme of formal and informal 
engagement with employees in line with the requirements 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code to understand the 
views of the workforce.

Risk
H U MAN   RESOU RCES
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, or the availability of 
competent people, could also impact the operations of  
the Group.

Potential impact
Medium (2021 Medium)

Likelihood
Medium (2021 Medium)

There has been no material change to potential impact  
or likelihood.

Related KPIs:
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H

Appetite
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, flexible 
and diverse organisation require creativity and agility  
to protect against the risk of skills shortages.

Mitigation
The Group has established an able and competent 
employee base to execute its principal activities. In 
addition, 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.

The Group recognises that its people are critical to its 
success and so is continually evolving EnQuest’s end-to-end 
people management processes, including recruitment  
and selection, career development and performance 
management. This ensures that EnQuest has the right 
person for the job and that appropriate training, support and 
development opportunities are provided, with feedback 
collated to drive continuous improvement while delivering 
SAFE Results. The culture of the Group is an area of ongoing 
focus and employee surveys and forums have been 
undertaken to understand employees’ views on areas, 
including diversity and inclusion, in order to develop 
appropriate action plans. EnQuest also recognises that fewer 
young people may join the industry due to climate change-
related factors, although the Group’s decarbonisation 
ambitions provide some mitigation to this dynamic. EnQuest 
aims to attract the best talent, recognising the value and 
importance of diversity. To ensure improved diversity in the 
Group’s leadership, various targets have been implemented 
during 2022. Further details on these are set out on page 38. 
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.

51

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022 
Business conduct

“ We are committed to acting with high standards of integrity  

in all that we do, conducting our business in accordance with  
our Values and in compliance with applicable law.”

EnQuest has a Code of Conduct which it requires all 
personnel to be familiar with. The EnQuest Code of Conduct 
sets out the behaviour which the organisation expects of its 
Directors, managers and employees and 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 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 
40 to 51 for further information on how the Group manages its 
key risk areas). While 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 

52

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 for 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. 
EnQuest publishes its modern slavery statement on its 
website at www.enquest.com, under the Environmental, 
Social and Governance section, where further detail on 
EnQuest’s corporate responsibility policies and activities, 
including the area of business conduct, is also available.

EnQuest’s Aberdeen office, Annan House

Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures

The Group welcomes initiatives for increased governance and transparency in general, and specifically in relation to 
climate change. The Board recognises the societal and investor focus on climate change, and the desire to understand 
potential impacts on the oil and gas industry through improved disclosure, such as those recommended by the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (‘TCFD’). EnQuest PLC has complied with the recommendations of LR 9.8.6R by 
including climate-related financial disclosures consistent with the TCFD recommendations except in relation to the 
disclosure of Scope 3 emissions within the metrics and targets section (items (a) and (b)) given the uncertainty and 
impracticality in accurately measuring such emissions throughout the value chain. However, this is being considered as 
part of our Continuous Improvement Plan (‘CIP’) with alignment to the United Nations-adopted Sustainable Development 
Goal (‘SDG’) 12, Responsible Consumption & Production. Until such time as this work is complete, the Group will remain 
non-compliant in this respect.

Governance
Disclose the 
organisation’s 
governance around 
climate-related risks 
and opportunities

EnQuest disclosures

EnQuest’s purpose is to provide creative solutions through the energy  
transition. As such, climate-related risks and opportunities are a core part  
of the organisation’s considerations, from Board level to its operational and 
functional teams, with emission reductions an important part of both 
management’s and the wider organisation’s variable remuneration. During 
2022, the Board and Executive Committee approved the enhancement of the 
Group business model to include a focus on repurposing existing infrastructure 
to support its renewable energy and decarbonisation ambitions, including 
targeting carbon capture and storage, electrification and green hydrogen 
production. 

An organogram outlining the Group’s Risk Management Framework can be 
found on page 42.

Additional/related 
information

See pages
30 to 33 
(Environmental), 
40 to 51 (Risks), 
62 to 64 (s172), 78 
to 84 (Audit 
Committee 
report), 85 to 102 
(Directors’ 
Remuneration 
Report), 103 to 
104 (SSRC report) 
and 106 to 110 
(Directors’ 
report) 

(a) Describe the Board’s oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities. 
The Board takes full responsibility for the governance of climate-related risks and opportunities, building such considerations 
into several of its processes, including reviewing and guiding strategy and major plans of action alongside setting budgets, 
plans and objectives and monitoring performance accordingly. The Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee, a dedicated 
sub-Committee of the Board, has specific climate-related responsibilities incorporated into its terms of reference, with these 
responsibilities including assessment of the Group’s exposure to managing risks from ‘climate change’ and reviewing actions 
to mitigate these risks in line with its assessment of other risks; reviewing and monitoring the Group’s decarbonisation 
activities, including reviewing the adequacy of the associated framework; and reviewing targets and milestones for the 
achievement of decarbonisation objectives. In addition, a designated member of the Committee has responsibility for the 
Company’s decarbonisation activities. The Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee generally meets four times per year 
and, at each meeting, reviews a report sponsored by a Board member of the Committee which includes a summary of 
performance against short- and long-term emission reduction targets and outlines future opportunities and updates. The 
Committee also reviews the Group’s Risk Management Framework (‘RMF’) performance report.

The Board receives a separate summarised version of the above update on climate-related issues as part of the health, 
safety, environment and assurance (‘HSEA’) report that is delivered during each of the five scheduled Board meetings  
by the HSEA Director.

The Board also receives reports covering the Group’s financial and operational performance, which include the progress 
being made in developing the Group’s new energy and decarbonisation opportunities. Progress in developing these 
growth opportunities is linked to reward as a component of the Company Performance Contract (see page 94 of the 
Directors Remuneration Report). 

Collectively, the Board and management also keep appraised of the evolving risk and opportunity landscape and its 
potential impacts on the Company’s business by consulting as appropriate with the Group’s advisers and appropriate 
third-party institutions, including fund managers, investors and industry associations such as Offshore Energies UK.

(b) Describe management’s role in assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities. 
The Chief Executive Officer has ultimate responsibility for assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities 
and is supported in this endeavour by the Group’s Chief Risk Officer and the HSEA Director. 

Management, through a combination of the Executive Committee, Operations Committee and the HSEA Directorate, 
regularly reviews Company performance and the Group’s risk registers. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for 
ensuring the Group also applies climate-related risks and opportunities appropriately in its financial statements, including 
judgements and estimates and other relevant disclosures.

53

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures continued

The Group also has an energy management system governance document setting out how it approaches the 
measurement and reporting of emissions and how the Group will assess and select emission reduction opportunities,  
with a working group dedicated to the identification and implementation of economically-viable emissions savings 
opportunities across the Group’s portfolio of assets. This working group reports to the Executive Committee regularly  
and the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee at each scheduled meeting.

The Group’s legal, commercial, company secretariat, investor relations and communications teams monitor the 
regulatory, legal, capital markets and competitive/commercial environments, providing reports to management (and  
the Board) as required.

Strategy
Disclose the actual 
and potential impacts 
of climate-related risks 
and opportunities  
on the organisation’s 
businesses, strategy, 
and financial planning 
where such 
information is  
material

EnQuest disclosures

EnQuest’s strategic vision is to be the partner of choice for responsible 
management of existing energy assets, applying our core capabilities to create 
value through the transition. Its business model covers the full energy transition 
landscape: Upstream aims to responsibly optimise production to support today’s 
energy needs; Infrastructure and New Energy aims to leverage existing 
infrastructure through repurposing to deliver new energy and decarbonisation 
opportunities; while Decommissioning aims to manage end of field life and 
post-cessation of production operations to deliver safe and efficient execution of 
decommissioning work programmes in a responsible manner.

This integrated business model, which incorporates the Group’s plans for 
transitioning to a lower-carbon economy, provides mitigation against each of the  
potential climate-related transition risks noted below, which have the potential to 
have substantive financial or strategic impact unless stated to be ‘not material’.  
The financial or strategic impact of a risk or opportunity is assessed and measured 
based on the potential net present value (‘NPV’) negative impact of the particular 
risk. Specifically, a substantive financial or strategic impact would be defined as a 
risk or opportunity with a potential impact of greater than £50 million NPV, on a 
post-mitigation basis. These assessments are made through the Group’s annual 
planning and budgeting process, as well as on an ad hoc basis when assessing 
specific risks or opportunities that may arise. The Group has an investment 
committee that reviews investment decisions, with additional support and review 
provided by the Technical and Reserves Committee (a sub-Committee of the 
Board) if required.

Additional/related 
information

See pages 3 to 11 
(KPIs, Chairman 
and CEO 
statements), 14 to 
15 (Infrastructure 
and New Energy 
review, 20 to 26 
(Financial 
review), 30 to 33 
(Environmental), 
40 to 51 (Risks) 
and 124 
(Financial 
statements)

(a) Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the organisation has identified over the short-, medium-, and  
long-term.
EnQuest has offshore oil and gas assets in the UK and Malaysia and has assessed climate-related risks and opportunities 
for this one sector and both geographies. Exceptions are detailed in the table on next page.

EnQuest considers within one year to be short-term (which aligns with the Group’s budgeting process), one to three years 
to be medium-term (both of which are in line with the Group’s assessment of going concern and viability, respectively, and 
the period over which the Group prepares detailed plans) and the longer-term to be beyond three years (for which 
EnQuest tests its life of field estimates against its internal price assumptions and the International Energy Agency’s 
Announced Pledges (‘APS’), and Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (‘NZE’) scenarios).

54

Risk 
type  Climate-related risk / opportunity

EnQuest action

Market (all timeframes unless otherwise stated)
•  Demand for oil and gas and associated pricing 

adversely affects the Group’s operations and financial 
condition as the Group’s revenue depends 
substantially on oil prices (long-term) 

•  Emissions trading allowances impact costs (UK only, 

as Malaysia does not have the same regulatory 
requirement)

•  Access to capital (see Financial risk on page 46): The 
Group has substantial existing credit facilities and 
needs to invest in its asset base and aims to pursue 
value-accretive M&A

•  Supply-side constraints due to competing demand 

for equipment and/or services as supply chain 
migrates to support alternate sectors could increase 
costs and/or result in delayed work programmes, 
ultimately impacting revenue generation (long-term)
•  M&A opportunities: Noting other industry participants 
need to dispose of assets to meet their own targets

Policy and legal (all geographies)
•  Regulatory or legislative changes (including 

emissions trading schemes and flaring allowances, 
for example): Facility modifications, regulatory 
sanctions/fines and litigation risk (medium-term)
•  Country policies (including net zero targets): Facility 
modification investment, regulatory sanctions/fines 
and litigation risk (long-term)

•  Increased direct and/or indirect taxes (long-term)

Reputation (all geographies)
•  Negative perception of the oil and gas industry
•  Lack of credible transition plan
•  Failure to adhere to regulatory or legislative 

n
o
i
t
i
s
n
a
r
T

requirements. The perception of the oil industry has 
impacted access to and the cost of capital. In the 
longer term, the above risks could impact the 
willingness of counterparties to transact with EnQuest, 
increasing costs, the availability of a skilled workforce, 
leading to higher costs and/or lower revenues, or 
regulatory or legal action

•  Planning and investment decision process caters for low oil 
price scenarios and includes a carbon cost associated with 
forecast emissions

•  The Group actively monitors current and future oil prices 

(see Oil and gas price risk on page 45) through its Marketing 
and Trading organisation, which is also responsible for 
purchases of emissions trading allowances

•  The Group closely monitors and manages its funding 

position and liquidity risk throughout the year (see Financial 
risk on page 46). EnQuest’s new energy and 
decarbonisation opportunities were a significant factor in 
attracting new investors in the Group’s 2022 refinancing 
activities

•  The Group maintains relationships with key stakeholders, 
including governments, regulators, financial institutions, 
advisers, industry participants and supply chain  
counter-parties

•  Targeted emission reductions and assessing opportunities 

to reduce flaring, for example (see page 109)

•  The introduction of the UK Energy Profits Levy includes 
incentives for both oil and gas and decarbonisation 
investments, which the Group aims to utilise

•  Maintaining relationships with government and regulatory 

bodies

•  Engaging with a variety of external advisers and 

appropriate third-party institutions to ensure awareness, 
advance planning and integration to ensure ongoing 
compliance

•  Development of Infrastructure and New Energy business 

linked to reward

•  Clear and credible emission reduction targets linked to reward
•  Continued engagement with all stakeholders, including 

participation in credible climate initiatives, such as the CDP 
survey and submission of Emission Reduction Action Plans 
(‘ERAP’) to the NSTA

•   Formation of an Emissions Management Team that 

develops and drives continual improvement on Scope 1 and 
2 emission reduction opportunities in line with the Group’s 
overall targets

•  Regular asset-level emissions measurement, monitoring 

and reporting with timely corrective action taken if 
necessary

•  High standards of business conduct (see page 52)

Technology (medium- to long-term)
•  Alternative, lower-emission products and services 

could accelerate the transition away from oil and gas, 
impacting demand

•  Costs of new technologies could limit the timing and 

economics of existing oil and gas and 
decarbonisation projects

•  Carbon capture and storage studies have identified the 
potential to store up to 10mtpa of CO2 from stranded 
emitters in depleted North Sea reservoirs, while EnQuest’s 
electrification and hydrogen ambitions could harness 
renewable energy to help decarbonise offshore 
developments and a number of other industries, 
respectively

•  Continued engagement with relevant new energy and 

decarbonisation stakeholders, including potential strategic 
and financial partners

•  Continued engagement with suppliers, requiring provision 

of services with a lower emissions footprint

l

a
c
i
s
y
h
P

Acute (short- and medium-term)
•  Adverse and/or severe weather resulting in asset 

downtime and impacting revenue

•  Action and response plans, including effective supply 
change management, to manage risks and extent of 
downtime to as low as reasonably possible

Chronic (long-term)
•  Rising sea levels, tidal impacts and other extreme 

weather causes extensive/irreparable damage to assets

•  EnQuest considers these risks to be not material given  
the Group’s focus on asset integrity and the expected 
remaining life of its assets

55

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures continued

With EnQuest’s business model spanning the entire energy transition spectrum, the Group is well positioned to assess and 
pursue a number of climate-related opportunities.

Opportunity type

Climate-related opportunities

EnQuest action

Energy source  
(long-term and 
UK-only at present)

•  Use of lower emission sources of 

•  Assessing the potential to facilitate the electrification of 

energy

•  Shift toward decentralised energy 

nearby offshore oil and gas assets and planned 
developments

generation

•  Assessing onshore wind potential and a new power solution 

•  Use of supportive policy incentives
•  Use of new technologies

for SVT

•  Modifying the Heather asset power generation equipment 

to minimise emissions

Resilience  

•  Resource substitutes/diversification 

•  Strengthened climate change oversight through the 

(UK-only at present)

•  Participation in renewable energy 

programmes and adoption of energy 
efficiency measures

•  Access to M&A opportunities

introduction of an Energy (Emission) Management System 
- Structure & Governance procedure. The procedure itself  
is structured to align with the internationally recognised 
structure for an energy management system in relation  
to ISO 50001

Products and 
services

•  Development and/or expansion of  
low emission goods and services 
(long-term, with the exception of 
supplier engagement which is all 
timeframes)

•  Ability to diversify business activities 

(long-term)

•  Pursuing carbon capture and storage, electrification and 
green hydrogen production opportunities at scale at SVT 
(long-term)

•  New development opportunities to be assessed in terms of 

low emission power generation (medium-term)

•  The Group maintains relationships with key stakeholders, 
including regulators, financial institutions, advisers and 
industry participants (all timeframes)

•  Pursuing carbon capture and storage which will store up  

to 10mtpa of CO2 from stranded emitters in depleted North 
Sea reservoirs

•  Assessing the potential to facilitate the electrification of 

nearby offshore oil and gas assets and planned 
developments

•  Exploring the potential for harnessing the advantaged natural 
wind resource around Shetland for the production of green 
hydrogen and derivatives at export scale in order to provide a 
low-carbon alternative fuel which could help to decarbonise a 
number of industries

•  Continued engagement with suppliers, requiring provision 
of services with a lower emissions footprint to ultimately 
improve efficiencies and reduce costs

Market  
(long-term  
and UK-only)

•  Access to new markets
•  Use of supportive policy incentives

•  Pursuing carbon capture and storage, electrification and 
green hydrogen production opportunities at scale at SVT

•  Focused on absolute emission reductions in all operations
•  Assessment of options to repurpose existing infrastructure 
prior to any decision to cease production and begin asset 
decommissioning

•  Decommissioning business seeks to maximise reuse and/or 

recycling

Resource efficiency  
(all timeframes)

•  Use of more efficient production  

and distribution processes

•  Use of recycling

56

(b) Describe the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organisation’s businesses, strategy, and 
financial planning. 
The Group considers as part of its strategic, business planning and risk processes how a number of macroeconomic themes 
may influence its principal risks. The most material risk factor to EnQuest’s business model is the oil price, with climate change 
representing one of many potential influencing factors on the oil price. In the short to medium term, EnQuest reviews the impact 
of different oil prices in its going concern and viability assessments. The Group’s Marketing and Trading team is responsible for 
optimising sales of the Group’s production, including developing and implementing the Group’s hedging programme. The 
potential impact of a change in oil price on the Group’s carrying amount of oil and gas assets is outlined in note 2 of the 
Financial Statements. The Group’s Marketing and Trading team is also responsible for purchasing emissions trading allowances 
in the UK, with the costs of these allowances forecast to make up almost 10% of the Group’s operating costs in 2023.

The Group monitors its cash position, cash forecasts and liquidity on a regular basis and takes a conservative approach to 
cash management, with variance analysis run to reflect different scenarios. This is done to identify risks to liquidity and 
covenant compliance and enable management to formulate appropriate and timely mitigation strategies as necessary. 
Specific financial risks of climate change considered include access to, and cost of, capital, insurance and decommissioning 
surety bonds as investors’ and insurers’ appetite for exposure to the oil and gas sector reduces across all timeframes. It is 
difficult to quantify the precise impact on access to and cost of capital given the number of other constituent factors in such 
transactions, including the state of global financial markets at the time such a transaction takes place. The potential impact of 
a change in the Group’s discount rate, which considers the Group’s cost of capital, is outlined in note 2 of the Financial 
Statements.

The Group has a proven track record of executing value-accretive acquisitions, although the timing of such events  
is uncertain. As majors and other operators continue to shift their focus from mature basins such as the North Sea and 
Malaysia, there will be further opportunities for the Company to access additional oil and gas resources, with gas 
resources offering product diversification into a necessary transition fuel. Where new assets are acquired, there will be a 
clear emission reductions plan for any such asset for which EnQuest assumes operatorship, relative to the carbon footprint 
in the hands of the seller, and the Group factors in an associated carbon price into the acquisition economics, even in 
markets where no carbon trading or pricing mechanism exists. 

As part of EnQuest’s plans for transitioning to a lower-carbon economy, the Group established an Infrastructure and New 
Energy (‘I&NE’) business in 2021, with responsibility for delivering the Group’s short- and medium-term emission reduction 
objectives and advancing longer-term renewable energy and decarbonisation opportunities. These opportunities are 
centred around repurposing the strategically advantaged Sullom Voe Terminal, which the Group operates, positioning 
EnQuest as a credible energy transition company. The Group considers emission-reducing facility modifications as part  
of its operational budget and planning process. New energy and decarbonisation activities are currently being pursued 
and the Group is engaging with potential strategic and financial partners. 

EnQuest is also monitoring progress against the UK North Sea Transition Deal (‘NSTD’) goals which contribute to the UK 
Government’s target of net zero by 2050. All milestones occur in the medium to long term.

(c) Describe the resilience of the organisation’s strategy, taking into consideration different climate-related scenarios, 
including a 2°C or lower scenario. 
The Group has measured the resilience of its existing portfolio and future development plans using the estimated oil price and 
cost of emissions, with the oil price deemed to be the most influential risk to its business, that would prevail under the 
International Energy Agency’s Announced Pledges (‘APS’), and Net Zero Emissions (‘NZE’) Scenarios. The APS includes all recent 
major national announcements as of September 2022 for 2030 targets and longer-term net zero and other pledges and is 
considered to be a scenario achieving an emissions trajectory consistent with keeping the temperature rise in 2100 below 2°c, 
while the NZE shows an accelerated pathway for the global energy sector to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The Group 
continues to generate positive free cash flow when using assumptions based on the SDS, although cash flow becomes 
negative when using assumptions based on the NZE. As outlined in the Group’s going concern and viability statements on 
pages 25 and 26, should oil prices be lower than assumed in its Base Case projections, the Group may be required to undertake 
mitigating actions to meet its various financial obligations. EnQuest’s business model enables the Group to adapt to a 
changing external environment, with short-cycle investments reducing the risk of ‘stranded assets’ in its upstream business, 
while the Group is pivoting towards new energy and decarbonisation with the activities being pursued in its I&NE business.

57

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures continued

EnQuest disclosures

Risk management 
Disclose how the 
organisation 
identifies, assesses, 
and manages 
climate-related risks

The Group has robust risk management and business planning processes that  
are overseen by the Board, the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee and the 
Executive Committee in order to identify, assess and manage climate-related risks, 
while the Audit Committee oversees the effectiveness of the Risk Management 
Framework. The risk landscape inputs and considerations are outlined on page 42 
and cover long-term macro factors and near-term and emerging risks. 

Additional/related 
information

See pages 40 to 
51 (Risks) and 103 
to 104 (Safety, 
Sustainability 
and Risk 
Committee 
report) 

(a) Describe the organisation’s processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks. 
The Group’s RMF is embedded in all levels of the organisation with asset, regional and functional risk registers aggregating 
to an enterprise risk register, as outlined below, identifying relevant threats and how they are mitigated, while the 
adequacy and efficacy of controls in place are themselves also monitored. This integration enables the Group to quickly 
identify, escalate and appropriately manage emerging risks, with a quarterly RMF report reviewed by leadership teams 
and presented to the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee. All risks are assessed based on their estimated potential 
impact and likelihood with respect to people, environment, asset/business and reputation (‘PEAR’) on a pre- and post- 
mitigation basis, with judgements reviewed by peers and/or management as appropriate.

The Group seeks to contribute positively to net zero across the UK and the industry and seeks to ensure that suitable and 
sufficient controls are in place to deliver against its environmental, social, governance (‘ESG’) strategy. EnQuest uses 
Hurdle Risk as the risk management tool for identification, measurement and mitigation of risks. The Risk Management 
Process takes place across four key areas: Group, Region, Asset and Functional:
•  Group level - An Enterprise Risk Register and Risk Report provides the Board and executive management with a single 
view of risk across the Group to aid strategic decision making. This reflects the overall Risk Management Strategy and 
responses to individual risks, including climate-related risks, with a focus on reporting risks that are critical from a 
decision-making perspective. Critical risks are those that are assessed as having the greatest potential impact and 
likelihood with respect to PEAR on a pre- and post-mitigation basis

•  Region level - Risk registers are available for the North Sea and Malaysia. These registers include details of all relevant 

operational, execution, HSE, organisational, financial, legal and contractual risks facing each of the business units;

•  Asset level - Risk registers are developed for all operated assets. These registers include details of all relevant 
operational, executional, HSEA, organisational, financial, legal and contractual risks facing each asset; and

•  Functional level - A risk register is developed for any improvement opportunities and deficiencies in the risk controls for 

the legal, commercial, HSEA, organisational, financial and business services risk categories. The functional assessments 
review the effectiveness of policy and management systems in place and identify critical gaps and/or areas of non-
compliance within the Group.

Through EnQuest’s Environmental Management System, all environmental aspects and risks are identified using EnQuest’s 
Environmental Aspects and Impacts Identification Procedure and are recorded in an Environmental Aspects and Impacts Register. 
Similarly, the process of developing an asset or project-specific aspects and impacts register entails a systematic review of 
operational activities, identifying effective control measures, mitigations and/or improvement plans at all stages in the project life 
cycle from inception, through to abandonment and decommissioning. The people undertaking this process shall be competent 
with the requisite experience and technical knowledge, so that a high quality review of an activity, project, process, design or an 
operation is carried out. Aspects may be identified through workshops, meetings, reviews and audits and separated into two 
groups; planned and unplanned. EnQuest has also established an Identification and Evaluation of Compliance Obligations 
Procedure in order to ensure that the organisation is aware of and understands how its activities are (or will be) affected by 
current and new legislative requirements. This procedure is aligned with the requirements of ISO 14001:2015. Furthermore, the 
Group strengthened its climate change oversight through the introduction of an Energy (Emission) Management System - 
Structure & Governance procedure (as noted in the Strategy (a) disclosure). The HSEA team keeps up-to-date with the 
identification and maintenance of awareness of compliance obligations through professional subscriptions, by consulting 
relevant websites, including regulatory and government departments, as well as through training, attendance of seminars, 
conferences, network forums and meetings. Consultations with government, other regulatory agencies and any other 
stakeholders may also be required. Other compliance requirements are identified and recorded from the Group’s HSEA Policy, 
licences, permits and authorisations and industry standards and codes of practice. The result of the evaluation of compliance is 
detailed in the monthly KPI report, while on a routine basis, the HSEA teams review and discuss open non-conformances and any 
new legal requirements.

(b) Describe the organisation’s processes for managing climate-related risks. 
The Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee also provides a forum for the Board to review selected individual risk areas in 
greater depth. Climate change is categorised as a standalone risk area within the Group’s ‘Risk Library’, allowing the 
application of EnQuest’s RMF to underpin its approach in this important area. For each risk area, the Safety, Sustainability 
and Risk Committee reviews ‘Risk Bowties’ that identify risk causes and impacts and maps these to preventative and 
containment controls used to manage the risks to acceptable levels. Climate change-related issues cover both physical 
and transition risks in accordance with the TCFD framework (as outlined in the Strategy section (a)). They are also 
considered within the context and review of several other risk areas, such as oil price, which are considered by the Board to 
be a more material risk than climate change on a standalone basis (see the Strategy and Risk management sections for 
the Group’s assessment of financial materiality and potential impact and likelihood with respect to PEAR, respectively).

58

A Continuous Improvement Plan (‘CIP’) describes EnQuest’s improvement initiatives, what the Company will do to achieve 
them and how it will measure success. Specific objectives, targets and actions are developed and cascaded to all levels 
within the organisation, including a number related to the management of climate-related risks.

In addition to the CIP, EnQuest has defined Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’), which are used to monitor performance. 
They take into account the significant environmental aspects and the Company’s compliance obligations.

(c) Describe how processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks are integrated into the 
organisation’s overall risk management. 
See the Risk management disclosure (a) for a description of how climate-related risks are integrated into EnQuest’s overall RMF. 
Risks are uploaded to the Group’s risk software tools which assign ownership for the risks with associated systemised monitoring 
of mitigations being closed out. These systems require the risk owner to assess the materiality of each given risk before and after 
mitigations in accordance with the Group’s materiality thresholds (outlined in the metrics and targets section below).

Metrics and targets 
Disclose the metrics 
and targets used to 
assess and manage 
relevant climate-
related risks and 
opportunities where 
such information is 
material

EnQuest disclosures

Absolute emissions and their reduction are a key area of focus for EnQuest  
given the Group’s commitment to play its part in the UK’s drive towards net  
zero by 2050 (2045 in Scotland).

EnQuest operates offshore in the UK and Malaysia, which are highly-regulated 
mature hydrocarbon provinces. The Group has a well-established HSEA Policy 
outlining its commitment to integrating environmental management into its 
operations, with its Environmental Management System ensuring the Group 
manages and mitigates its impact on the environment and complies with the 
regulatory requirements in the areas in which it operates. Through this process, 
the Group has not identified any material risks associated with water, energy, 
land use, and waste management. 

EnQuest has considered the climate-related metric categories in Table A2.1  
within the TCFD implementation guidance, but has not set any other metrics  
or targets beyond those listed below.

Additional/related 
information

See pages 3 
(KPIs), 14 to 15 
(Infrastructure 
and New Energy 
review), 30 
(Environmental), 
64 (s172), 94, 96 
and 102 (CPC 
and PSP 
disclosures 
within the 
Directors’ 
Remuneration 
Report) and 109 
(GHG emissions 
disclosures in 
the Directors’ 
report)

(a) Disclose the  
metrics used by the 
organisation to assess 
climate-related risks 
and opportunities in 
line with its strategy 
and risk management 
process.

EnQuest disclosures

Metric

Description

Scope 1, 2 and 3 absolute 
emissions and emissions 
intensity

EnQuest operates in an industry and geography in the UK that has agreed 
medium- and long-term absolute Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction 
targets, expressed as percentage reductions in tonnes of CO2 equivalent 
emissions. As such, the Group monitors progress against these and its own 
associated targets (see metrics and targets (c)).

Transition risks and  
carbon prices

The Group has defined criteria for screening and ranking emission 
reduction opportunities within its existing operations, including: the 
potential contribution to the Group’s targets; economic indicators; the 
chance of success; time to implement; and any risks to the Group’s 
production.

The Group also monitors its emissions intensity ratio (as set out in the 
Directors’ report on page 109), recognising the impact this metric has 
on certain risks and opportunities, such as reputation, access to 
capital and M&A opportunities.

The Group primarily produces oil from its offshore installations and so 
deems the oil price and costs of emissions to be the most material risks to 
its business, particularly as these metrics are impacted by other of the 
identified transition risks and opportunities outlined in Strategy (a). As 
such, the Group actively monitors the price of oil and cost of emissions 
trading allowances, hedging a proportion of its exposure to oil prices to 
ensure a minimum price is received for its production.

EnQuest uses oil and carbon prices in its internal planning and investment 
(including M&A) decision-making processes. The Group’s forward-looking 
oil prices are disclosed in note 2 of the financial statements, while the 
carbon price is set in relation to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme forward 
price curve. For 2023, the carbon price is £75 per tonne.

59

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Task Force on Climate-related  
Financial Disclosures continued

EnQuest disclosures

Metric

Physical risks

Climate-related 
opportunities

(a) Disclose the 
metrics used by the 
organisation to 
assess climate-
related risks and 
opportunities in line 
with its strategy and 
risk management 
process. (continued)

Capital deployment

Remuneration

Description

All of the Group’s assets are in offshore environments and so subject to 
physical risks, as outlined in Strategy (a).

Within the Group’s I&NE business, EnQuest is assessing opportunities 
that could deliver operations at scale in the long term. For example, 
the Group’s carbon capture and storage opportunity has identified 
the potential to store up to 10mtpa of CO2 from stranded emitters in 
depleted North Sea reservoirs, potentially taking the Company 
beyond net zero, in comparison to the Group’s reported Scope 1 and 2 
emissions footprint.

The Group’s new energy and decarbonisation projects are at an early 
stage. As such, EnQuest is currently allocating less than 2% of its 
operating and capital expenditure budget to such activities to 
minimise regret costs. Such expenditures are reset on an annual 
basis.

The Group’s emission reduction targets and progress of its energy 
transition and decarbonisation strategy development and execution 
are linked to short-term and long-term remuneration, as set out in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

(b) Disclose Scope 1, 
Scope 2, and, if 
appropriate, Scope 3 
greenhouse gas 
(‘GHG’) emissions, 
and the related risks.

(c) Describe the 
targets used by the 
organisation to 
manage climate-
related risks and 
opportunities, and 
performance against 
targets.

As outlined in the Directors’ report, EnQuest discloses Scope 1 and 2 emissions and associated 
intensity outcomes on an operational control basis. The Group is cognisant of the risks of access 
to capital and people, rising emission costs and reputational and regulatory risks associated with 
failure to adhere to policies and guidelines or missing targets.

The Board’s goal is to be as ambitious as it can in setting decarbonisation targets, while balancing 
the economic realities of operating late-life assets. As such, in 2021 the Board approved a targeted 
10% reduction in EnQuest’s absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its existing portfolio over three 
years, from a year-end 2020 baseline. As at 31 December 2022, Group emissions had been reduced 
by c.23% against the 2020 baseline.

Discrete targets for emission reductions compared to 2021 associated with diesel use and flaring 
were also set, for which performance was assessed as being between target and stretch.

As at 31 December 2022, UK emissions had been reduced by c.43% against the 2018 baseline, 
significantly ahead of the North Sea Transition Deal targets of achieving a 10% reduction by 2025  
and close to the 50% reduction targeted by 2030.

During the year, the Group made excellent progress in each of its new energy and decarbonisation 
opportunities. In carbon capture and storage, studies have identified the potential to store up to 
10mtpa of CO2 from stranded emitters in depleted North Sea reservoirs, while EnQuest’s 
electrification and hydrogen ambitions could harness renewable energy to help decarbonise 
offshore developments and a number of other industries, respectively, with ambitions to produce 
around one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. These opportunities remain at an early 
stage and require further regulatory and fiscal development before appropriate financial targets 
can be considered. 

60

61

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Stakeholder engagement

S E CTI O N  17 2  STATE M E NT
The Board has acted in a way that it considers to be most 
likely to promote the success of the Company for the 
benefit of its members as a whole and, in so doing, has 
regard for the potential impact of the Group’s activities  
on its various stakeholders. 

In the majority of cases, information and feedback are 
provided throughout the year to the Directors by the 
Group’s Executive Directors, senior and functional 
management and external advisers through a variety of 
Board reports, presentations and ad hoc correspondence. 
These reports cover the Group’s financial, operational and 
environmental performance, while EnQuest’s advisers 
provide the Board with relevant insight from their 
interactions with their respective stakeholders.

When appropriate, the Directors seek further understanding 
of the concerns of relevant stakeholders, which could 
include direct engagement by the relevant Director and/or 
requesting additional information to ensure they have a  
full appreciation of a given matter prior to making any 
decisions. As such, the Directors are able to assess the 
impact of business decisions on stakeholders and fulfil  
their duty to promote the long-term success of the Group. 

The Directors consider principal decisions (outlined on 
page 64) on the basis of materiality of the incremental 
impact they are anticipated to have on the Company’s 
stakeholders and/or the Company itself. Throughout the 
year, the Board and management team considered various 
M&A opportunities. For several of these, it was decided that 
their pursuit would not be in the interests of the Group’s 
stakeholders, reflecting EnQuest’s in-depth review 
processes (including those by the Technical and Reserves 
Committee) and focus on capital discipline.

62

Stakeholder groups

Direct Board level engagement in 2022

Other engagement activities in 2022

A  Our people
Our employee and contractor workforce is critical to the 
delivery of SAFE Results and EnQuest’s success. As such, 
we are committed to ensuring EnQuest remains a great 
place to work. We have a strong set of Values that 
underpin our way of working and provide a rewarding 
work environment, with opportunities for growth and 
learning while contributing to the delivery of our strategy.

B  Investors
Our investors support management in the execution of 
EnQuest’s business strategy, including the provision of 
capital for management to develop the business in order 
to deliver returns in a responsible manner.

C  Partners
We collaborate with our existing joint venture partners, 
securing their support to deliver our asset plans. We value 
their contribution to the effective operational and financial 
management of our assets as we deliver on our business 
strategy.

In pursuit of the Group’s Infrastructure and New Energy 
ambitions, we also engage with potential strategic and 
financial partners.

D  Host governments and regulators 
We work closely with the host governments and regulators 
in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The Group 
complies with the necessary regulatory requirements, 
including those related to environmental matters such as 
reducing emissions, to ensure it maintains a positive 
reputation and licence to operate, enabling the effective 
delivery of the Group’s strategy.

E  Suppliers
EnQuest relies on its suppliers to provide specialist 
equipment and services, including skilled personnel,  
to assist in the delivery of SAFE Results.

F  Communities
Making a positive contribution, and appropriately 
managing our environmental impact in the communities 
in which we live and work around the world, remains a key 
part of our activities. Our communities provide a potential 
source of employees, contractors and support services, 
and are important in supporting EnQuest’s social licence 
to operate and maintaining a positive reputation.

G  Customers
Our customers help facilitate the provision of hydrocarbon-
related products to meet a variety of consumer demands 
and, as such, require a reliable supply of hydrocarbons to 
meet their needs.

We have also begun engaging with potential customers 
in relation to our carbon capture and storage and 
electrification opportunities as part of our Infrastructure 
and New Energy business.

Three Global Employee Forum meetings per year with 

See the accompanying principal decisions on page 64  

designated Non-Executive Directors were organised; 

and pages 38 to 39 of the ESG section which detail the 

video messages; subject matter expert virtual and 

various people-related initiatives implemented during the 

physical attendance at scheduled Board and Board 

year, including the employee surveys and those related to 

Committee meetings; physical and virtual safety 

our people’s safety and wellbeing.

leadership engagement visits; three interactive virtual 

Town Hall Meetings.

Virtual and physical meetings (including the Annual 

See the accompanying principal decisions on page 64 and the 

General Meeting, post-results roadshows and multiple 

Strategic report on pages 02 to 64, which explains the Group’s 

investor conferences and ad hoc meetings), calls and 

performance and investment decisions during the year.

direct correspondence with a wide range of equity and 

debt investors in relation to the Group’s refinancing plans 

and delivery against its strategic objectives.

Virtual and physical meetings and calls.

Page 71 of the Corporate governance statement outline  

in more detail how the Group engages with its investors. 

Financing is identified as one of the Group’s Principal risks  

and uncertainties on page 46.

The Group has regular engagement with its joint venture 

partners on day-to-day asset management and the 

execution of the longer-term asset strategy. This occurs 

through a combination of formal interactions, governed by 

joint operating agreements, and via informal engagement. 

See pages 12 to 17 of the Strategic report for further details 

on operational and financial activities and decisions 

undertaken across our assets.

Joint venture partners are recognised as one of the Group’s 

Principal risks and uncertainties on page 50.

Virtual and physical meetings and calls with the North 

See the Strategic report on pages 02 to 64 and the Group’s 

Sea Transition Authority (‘NSTA’) in the UK and Malaysian 

Principal risks and uncertainties on pages 40 to 51, which 

Petroleum Management (‘MPM’) in Malaysia. A number  

outline EnQuest’s strong relationships with governments and 

of meetings have been held with the Shetland Islands 

regulators. Pages 30, 33 to 35 and 39 of the ESG section and 

Council (‘SIC’) in relation to the Group’s Infrastructure and 

pages 106 to 110 of the Directors’ report outline further details 

New Energy business, while several meetings and other 

on the Group’s regulatory compliance activities.

correspondence have been undertaken with UK Treasury 

officials on the UK’s Energy Profits Levy (‘EPL’).

None

None

None

The Group has continued its active and positive engagement 

with its suppliers through various supplier forums, performance 

reviews, ad hoc virtual meetings and industry events. The Group 

continues to monitor and report its supplier payment 

performance.

Please also see the Group’s Principal risks and uncertainties 

on pages 40 to 51, a number of which are impacted by the 

Group’s supplier relationships.

See pages 36 to 37 of the ESG section which outline the Group’s 

community engagement activities and environmental 

considerations, with the importance of maintaining a positive 

reputation outlined in the Group’s Principal risks and 

uncertainties on page 50.

We have maintained strong relationships with existing 

customers, including fuel oil blenders to whom the Group 

supplies Kraken oil as an unrefined constituent of IMO 2020 

compliant low-sulphur bunker fuel. 

Stakeholder groups

A  Our people

Our employee and contractor workforce is critical to the 

delivery of SAFE Results and EnQuest’s success. As such, 

we are committed to ensuring EnQuest remains a great 

place to work. We have a strong set of Values that 

underpin our way of working and provide a rewarding 

work environment, with opportunities for growth and 

learning while contributing to the delivery of our strategy.

B  Investors

Our investors support management in the execution of 

EnQuest’s business strategy, including the provision of 

capital for management to develop the business in order 

to deliver returns in a responsible manner.

C  Partners

We collaborate with our existing joint venture partners, 

securing their support to deliver our asset plans. We value 

their contribution to the effective operational and financial 

management of our assets as we deliver on our business 

strategy.

In pursuit of the Group’s Infrastructure and New Energy 

ambitions, we also engage with potential strategic and 

financial partners.

D  Host governments and regulators 

We work closely with the host governments and regulators 

in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The Group 

complies with the necessary regulatory requirements, 

including those related to environmental matters such as 

reducing emissions, to ensure it maintains a positive 

reputation and licence to operate, enabling the effective 

delivery of the Group’s strategy.

E  Suppliers

EnQuest relies on its suppliers to provide specialist 

equipment and services, including skilled personnel,  

to assist in the delivery of SAFE Results.

F  Communities

Making a positive contribution, and appropriately 

managing our environmental impact in the communities 

in which we live and work around the world, remains a key 

part of our activities. Our communities provide a potential 

source of employees, contractors and support services, 

and are important in supporting EnQuest’s social licence 

to operate and maintaining a positive reputation.

G  Customers

Our customers help facilitate the provision of hydrocarbon-

related products to meet a variety of consumer demands 

and, as such, require a reliable supply of hydrocarbons to 

meet their needs.

We have also begun engaging with potential customers 

in relation to our carbon capture and storage and 

electrification opportunities as part of our Infrastructure 

and New Energy business.

Direct Board level engagement in 2022

Other engagement activities in 2022

Three Global Employee Forum meetings per year with 
designated Non-Executive Directors were organised; 
video messages; subject matter expert virtual and 
physical attendance at scheduled Board and Board 
Committee meetings; physical and virtual safety 
leadership engagement visits; three interactive virtual 
Town Hall Meetings.

Virtual and physical meetings (including the Annual 
General Meeting, post-results roadshows and multiple 
investor conferences and ad hoc meetings), calls and 
direct correspondence with a wide range of equity and 
debt investors in relation to the Group’s refinancing plans 
and delivery against its strategic objectives.

Virtual and physical meetings and calls.

Virtual and physical meetings and calls with the North 
Sea Transition Authority (‘NSTA’) in the UK and Malaysian 
Petroleum Management (‘MPM’) in Malaysia. A number  
of meetings have been held with the Shetland Islands 
Council (‘SIC’) in relation to the Group’s Infrastructure and 
New Energy business, while several meetings and other 
correspondence have been undertaken with UK Treasury 
officials on the UK’s Energy Profits Levy (‘EPL’).

None

None

None

See the accompanying principal decisions on page 64  
and pages 38 to 39 of the ESG section which detail the 
various people-related initiatives implemented during the 
year, including the employee surveys and those related to 
our people’s safety and wellbeing.

See the accompanying principal decisions on page 64 and the 
Strategic report on pages 02 to 64, which explains the Group’s 
performance and investment decisions during the year.

Page 71 of the Corporate governance statement outline  
in more detail how the Group engages with its investors. 
Financing is identified as one of the Group’s Principal risks  
and uncertainties on page 46.

The Group has regular engagement with its joint venture 
partners on day-to-day asset management and the 
execution of the longer-term asset strategy. This occurs 
through a combination of formal interactions, governed by 
joint operating agreements, and via informal engagement. 

See pages 12 to 17 of the Strategic report for further details 
on operational and financial activities and decisions 
undertaken across our assets.

Joint venture partners are recognised as one of the Group’s 
Principal risks and uncertainties on page 50.

See the Strategic report on pages 02 to 64 and the Group’s 
Principal risks and uncertainties on pages 40 to 51, which 
outline EnQuest’s strong relationships with governments and 
regulators. Pages 30, 33 to 35 and 39 of the ESG section and 
pages 106 to 110 of the Directors’ report outline further details 
on the Group’s regulatory compliance activities.

The Group has continued its active and positive engagement 
with its suppliers through various supplier forums, performance 
reviews, ad hoc virtual meetings and industry events. The Group 
continues to monitor and report its supplier payment 
performance.

Please also see the Group’s Principal risks and uncertainties 
on pages 40 to 51, a number of which are impacted by the 
Group’s supplier relationships.

See pages 36 to 37 of the ESG section which outline the Group’s 
community engagement activities and environmental 
considerations, with the importance of maintaining a positive 
reputation outlined in the Group’s Principal risks and 
uncertainties on page 50.

We have maintained strong relationships with existing 
customers, including fuel oil blenders to whom the Group 
supplies Kraken oil as an unrefined constituent of IMO 2020 
compliant low-sulphur bunker fuel. 

63

Strategic ReportEnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Stakeholder engagement continued

Principal decision and impacted 
stakeholders

Energy transition and 
decarbonisation strategy 
development and execution

Impacted stakeholders:

A   B   C   D   E   F   G

Reducing and refinancing 
the Group’s debt facilities 
while remaining focused on 
further deleveraging

Impacted stakeholders:

A   B   C   E   G

Board succession

Impacted stakeholders:

A   B   D  

Stakeholder considerations and impact on the long-term sustainable success of the Company

Following the establishment of the Infrastructure and New Energy business in 2021, the Group enhanced 
its business model to include a focus on repurposing existing infrastructure to support its renewable 
energy and decarbonisation ambitions. Further assessment of the strategic advantages of the Sullom 
Voe Terminal has resulted in the Group targeting three specific opportunities: carbon capture and 
storage of up to 10 million tonnes per annum (‘mtpa’) in redundant offshore hydrocarbon reservoirs; 
electrification of offshore assets from a combination of wind power and grid connection; and production 
of green hydrogen and associated products from wind power. Each of these projects was determined to 
align with the energy transition and offer significant decarbonisation potential for a number of industries. 

For more information on the good progress made throughout 2022, see the ‘Infrastructure and New 
Energy’ section on pages 14 to 15. 

At this stage, the Board supports the strategy of unlocking these opportunities in a capital-light manner 
with single-digit-million expenditure per annum. The Board considers these activities important in 
attracting and retaining investment and talent across the Group, potentially providing long-term 
employment opportunities in Shetland.  

Through feedback from management, investors and advisers, the Board was aware of the need to 
maintain a focus on deleveraging while actively pursuing the refinancing of the Group’s reserve based 
lending (‘RBL’) and bond facilities to provide a better balance to the capital structure and extend debt 
maturities. This resetting of the balance sheet would also provide EnQuest’s people, partners, suppliers 
and customers with confidence in the Group’s ability to deliver on its ambitions, while positively altering 
investors’ view of the Company’s risk profile.

With a challenged credit market, EnQuest pursued a phased approach to its refinancing activity, starting 
with its retail bond offering. The retail bond refinancing was conducted in April under an exchange and 
cash offer process, allowing both existing and new holders to participate. Following a successful 
refinancing, EnQuest assessed whether it was the right time to progress with the RBL and high yield bond 
refinancing activities. The combination of market feedback and the Board’s confidence in the Group’s 
material cash generating capability, led to the decision to defer these elements of the refinancing 
process until a later date. 

After delivering significant free cash flow generation and repaying the Group’s RBL by the end of 
September, EnQuest sought further market and adviser feedback before commencing on a successful 
upsizing of the RBL and a materially reduced high yield bond, providing an improved mix of debt facilities 
and a platform to deliver on the Group’s strategy. 

The Board remains focused on further deleveraging towards the Company’s target of 0.5x EnQuest net 
debt to adjusted EBITDA. Following the UK Government’s decision to amend the Energy Profits Levy by 
increasing the tax rate and extending the duration of implementation, the Group has re-evaluated its 
investment plans and has deferred further expenditure associated with the Kraken asset to focus on 
low-cost, quick payback investments at its Magnus asset to facilitate further debt reduction. 

For further information, see pages 20 to 26 of this Strategic report and note 18 to the financial statements.

Effective succession planning remains a key focus area for the Board, Governance and Nomination 
Committee and management. Following Jonathan Swinney notifying the Board of his intention to step 
down from the Board as Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’) and Executive Director in March, it was agreed that 
Salman Malik, who had long been identified as a potential CFO successor, would succeed Jonathan. 
Salman had been a member of EnQuest’s Executive Committee for several years and has a wealth of 
industry and financial experience, alongside developing the Group’s Infrastructure and New Energy 
business. He led some of the Group’s most recent business development activities, particularly the 
Magnus and Golden Eagle transactions, which have added material value to the Group. Given the 
Group’s ongoing attention on deleveraging, refinancing, creative M&A and repurposing existing 
infrastructure to deliver EnQuest’s decarbonisation ambitions, the Board was confident his appointment 
would be positively received by the Group’s stakeholders.

In June, Martin Houston notified the Board of his intention to step down as Non-Executive Chairman to 
focus on his other business interests. Howard Paver, Senior Independent Director, led the search for 
Martin’s successor. During this process, Howard engaged with several of the Group’s major shareholders 
to understand their views on the necessary attributes of Chair candidates. Following a thorough search, 
and having consideration for shareholders’ views, the Board appointed Gareth Penny as Non-Executive 
Chairman in December 2022. Gareth has a wealth of board-level experience, having chaired both public 
and private boards, along with extensive experience in extractive industries, having spent 22 years with 
De Beers and Anglo American. 

For more information, see page 11 of this Strategic report and pages 68 to 77 of the Corporate 
governance section.

Chris Sawyer
Company Secretary

64

The Strategic report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by the Company Secretary on 4 April 2023.

Executive Committee

Key strengths and experience
• Significant international 

experience

• Senior positions held in 

operations, field development, 
business development and 
project roles for both 
operators and service 
companies

Richard rejoined EnQuest in 
December 2020 as Managing 
Director in Malaysia and now 
has overall responsibility for 
the Group’s operations and 
development projects.

Richard previously worked for 
EnQuest as part of the Executive 
Committee as Head of Major 
Capital Projects where he was 
instrumental in taking Kraken 
from project concept stage 
through to production. Prior to 
joining EnQuest, Richard held 
roles at Petrofac, including: 
vice president of operations 
& developments; and general 
manager in Malaysia, where he 
started Petrofac Malaysia. Richard 
went on to be co-founder and

Key strengths and experience
• Strong experience in the 

energy sector

• A Fellow of the Chartered 
Institute of Personnel and 
Development

Key strengths and experience
• Over 25 years’ experience  

in senior technical and 
commercial roles

• Extensive geographical 

experience

Janice joined the Executive 
Committee in August 2020 after 
two years as UK Head of Human 
Resources. She has held HR 
leadership roles in a variety of 
sectors, including oil and gas and 
transportation. Prior to joining 
EnQuest, Janice was head of HR 
for Repsol Sinopec Resources. 
She also holds a masters of law 
degree in employment law and a 
BA in hospitality management. 

Martin joined EnQuest in 2016 and 
is responsible for all business 
development-related activities 
across the Group. He has over 
25 years of broad international 
oil and gas operator experience. 
Throughout his career he has 
gained significant technical 
and commercial expertise in 
field development planning, 

CEO of Malaysia-focused Nio 
Petroleum and has also been 
chairman and CEO of the private 
equity backed service company 
Influit. He was also one of four 
founders and operations director 
of the service company UWG Ltd.

In recent years, Janice has 
overseen the Group’s 2020 
transformation programme 
and the institution of EnQuest’s 
Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

project execution, reservoir 
management and investment 
assurance across the value chain, 
from upstream through to LNG.

Key strengths and experience
• International legal experience, 

having managed teams 
supporting multiple 
geographies in energy and 
natural resources in all phases 
of development and 
operations

• Wealth of experience in 

mergers and acquisitions

Chris joined EnQuest in January 
2023 from bp, where he was 
assistant general counsel, oil 
regions and production and 
operations. He has an MA in 
Jurisprudence from Oxford 
University and obtained his legal 
professional qualifications at 
the College of Law in Chester. 

Chris has responsibility for the 
commercial and legal affairs 
of the Company and holds 
the offices of General Counsel 
and Company Secretary 
and Chief Risk Officer.

Richard Hall
Managing Director – Global 
Operations and Developments

Janice Doyle
Director of People, Culture and 
Diversity

Martin Mentiply
Business Development Director

Chris Sawyer
General Counsel and  
Company Secretary

Note:
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are also members of the Executive Committee. You can see their profiles on page 66

65

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceBoard of Directors

Key strengths and experience
• A wealth of board-level and 

extractive industry experience

Gareth, having chaired a 
number of public and private 
boards, joined EnQuest in 
December 2022. He is currently 
chairman of Ninety One Plc and 
Ltd, having previously been 
chairman of Norilsk Nickel, 

Russia’s largest diversified 
mining and metals company. 
Gareth also served on the board 
of Julius Baer Group for 12 years. 
Gareth has extensive experience 
in extractive industries, having 
spent 22 years with De Beers 
and Anglo American, the last 
five of which he was group chief 
executive officer of De Beers.

Principal external 
appointments
Chairman of Ninety 
One Plc and Ltd.

G   R  

Gareth Penny
Non-Executive Director 
Appointed 06 December 2022

Key strengths and experience
• Extensive energy industry and 

leadership experience 

Amjad worked for the Atlantic 
Richfield Company (‘ARCO’) 
from 1984 to 1998, eventually 
becoming president of ARCO 
Petroleum Ventures. In 1998, 
he founded and was the 
chief executive of Petrofac 
Resources International 
Limited which merged into 
Petrofac PLC in 2003. 

G

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 Power 
Systems 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.

Principal external 
appointments
Chairman of the independent 
energy community for the World 
Economic Forum since 2016. 
Director of The Amjad and Suha 
Bseisu Foundation since 2011.

Amjad Bseisu
Chief Executive
Appointed 22 February 2010 

Key strengths and experience
• Significant capital markets 

and mergers and acquisitions  
experience

• Retains role as Managing 

Director, Infrastructure and 
New Energy, overseeing 
EnQuest’s renewable energy 
and decarbonisation business 

Salman joined EnQuest in 2013 
and is a CFA charter holder, 
with extensive experience in 
investment management, 
investment banking and private 
equity in Canada and the Middle 
East. Prior to his appointment as 
CFO, Salman has been a key

member of the senior leadership 
team, responsible for EnQuest’s 
global strategy and business 
development. This includes the 
creation of a renewable energy 
and decarbonisation hub at 
the Group’s Shetland operation, 
which Salman continues to 
oversee. With his extensive 
experience in structured finance, 
acquisitions, post-acquisition 
management and divestitures 
across the energy value chain, 
Salman brings a drive to ensure 
that EnQuest’s investment and 
growth ambitions are delivered.

Key strengths and experience
• 40 years’ global experience in 
exploration, development and 
production, including 20 years 
at senior executive level

Howard is a petroleum engineer 
and began his professional 
career at Schlumberger 
before moving to Mobil and 
then BHP Petroleum, where 
he was regional president, 
Europe, Russia, Africa & 

Middle East, before becoming 
president, global exploration 
& alliance development. He 
most recently served as SVP, 
strategy, commercial & business 
development at Hess, a role 
he took up in July 2013, having 
joined the company in 2000 as 
senior vice president, North Sea/
international. Between 2005 and 
2013 he held the position of SVP, 
global new business development.

Principal external 
appointments
None.

Principal external 
appointments
Non-executive director of 
OGL Geothermal Ltd.

Salman Malik
Chief Financial Officer
Appointed 15 August 2022

R   A   G   T

Howard Paver
Senior Independent Director
Appointed 1 May 2019

Key strengths and experience

financial officer of PETRONAS 

Principal external 

• Strong energy industry and 

Carigali Sdn. Bhd, one of 

financial experience, as well as 

the largest subsidiaries of 

deep insights into Malaysia

PETRONAS with operations in 

appointments

Senior independent director 

and member of the board of 

over 20 countries and has also 

PETRONAS Gas Berhad.Member 

Farina is a Fellow of the Institute 

of Chartered Accountants 

Australia and New Zealand. She 

started her career in 1994 with 

Coopers & Lybrand, Australia, 

before returning to Malaysia 

in 1997 to join PETRONAS, 

where she held various senior 

positions. Farina was chief

been chief financial officer 

at PETRONAS Exploration and 

Production. From 2013, Farina 

was the chief financial officer 

of PETRONAS Chemical Group 

Berhad, the largest listed 

entity of PETRONAS. Farina left 

PETRONAS in 2015 to pursue 

non-executive opportunities.  

of the boards of the following 

Malaysian listed companies: 

KLCC Property Holdings 

Berhad, AMMB Holdings 

Berhad Icon Offshore Berhad.

Key strengths and experience

Tullow and have involved a 

• Technical, project management 

variety of technical, project 

and executive management 

management and executive 

roles in major energy 

companies, working on six 

continents

Rani is CEO of OGL Geothermal Ltd. 

and has 25 years’ experience 

working within large multinational, 

independent and start-up energy 

companies. These include Shell 

International, Hess and 

management roles across 

Europe, Asia, the Americas 

and Africa. Between 2017 

and 2020 Rani was chief 

petroleum engineer at Tullow. 

She has led multi-billion-

dollar projects across the 

globe from unconventional 

shales in the US to oil 

developments in East Africa.

Principal external 

appointments

CEO of OGL Geothermal Ltd., 

Fellow of the Energy Institute, 

Fellow of the Institution of 

Mechanical Engineers & Trustee 

of Lloyds Register Foundation.

A   R

S   T

Farina Khan

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 November 2020

Rani Koya

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 January 2022

Key strengths and experience

• Extensive experience of the 

partner at her original law firm. 

In 2005, Liv Monica moved back 

energy industry, public policy 

into politics and was Norway’s 

and governance

Liv Monica has 20 years’ 

experience as a corporate 

  A   S

lawyer. She started her career 

as an attorney before becoming 

political adviser to the Centre 

Party Finance Parliamentary 

Group. From 1997, she spent 

two years as a legal adviser to 

an industry alliance for private 

ownership before becoming

Deputy Minister of Foreign 

Affairs for two years, followed 

of Petroleum and Energy. Liv 

Monica rejoined the private 

sector in 2009 and held four 

top executive industry positions 

within the Aker Group in Norway, 

including as EVP in the listed 

EPC contractor Kværner, before 

moving back into law in 2015.

Principal external 

appointments

Partner at the Oslo-based law 

firm Selmer. Sits on a number 

of private company boards, 

committees, including as 

chairperson of Hafslund Oslo 

Celsio (formerly Fortum Oslo 

Varme AS), Silex Gas Norway 

and Morrow Batteries.

by two years as Deputy Minister 

industrial boards and academic 

Liv Monica Stubholt

Non-Executive Chairman

Appointed 15 February 2021

Key strengths and experience
• Substantial audit and 

accounting experience in the 
energy sector

Carl is a Fellow of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in 
England and Wales, and a 
Fellow of the Energy Institute. 
Carl joined Arthur Andersen 
in 1983 and became a 
partner in 1993. Throughout 
his professional career he 
specialised in the oil and gas,

A   S  

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.

Principal external 
appointments
Board member of the Audit 
Committee Chairs’ Independent 
Forum. Member of the General 
Synod of the Church of 
England. Deputy chairman 
of the finance committee of 
The Archbishops’ Council.

Carl Hughes
Non-Executive Director
Appointed 1 January 2017

66

Key strengths and experience

• Extensive technical leadership 

of oil equivalent discovered 

in the Philippines, Indonesia, 

Principal external 

appointments

experience in global exploration, 

Bangladesh, Malaysia, Russia, 

Non-executive director 

business development and 

the US and Yemen. After a 20+ 

of CC Energy.

T   S  

asset management

John is a member of the 

American Association of 

Petroleum Geologists. John 

joined Occidental in 1981 as a 

geologist with the company 

and had a strong record of 

exploration success globally, 

with over two billion barrels

year technical career, John 

moved into executive roles, 

including high-level executive 

leadership positions. John left 

Occidental in 2013 and since 

then has provided strategic, 

technical and performance 

management advice to 

oil and gas companies.

John Winterman

Non-Executive Chairman

Appointed 7 September 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key strengths and experience

Russia’s largest diversified 

Principal external 

mining and metals company. 

appointments

Gareth also served on the board 

Chairman of Ninety 

of Julius Baer Group for 12 years. 

One Plc and Ltd.

• A wealth of board-level and 

extractive industry experience

Gareth, having chaired a 

number of public and private 

boards, joined EnQuest in 

G   R  

December 2022. He is currently 

chairman of Ninety One Plc and 

Ltd, having previously been 

chairman of Norilsk Nickel, 

Gareth has extensive experience 

in extractive industries, having 

spent 22 years with De Beers 

and Anglo American, the last 

five of which he was group chief 

executive officer of De Beers.

Gareth Penny

Non-Executive Director 

Appointed 06 December 2022

Key strengths and experience

• Extensive energy industry and 

leadership experience 

Amjad worked for the Atlantic 

Richfield Company (‘ARCO’) 

from 1984 to 1998, eventually 

becoming president of ARCO 

Petroleum Ventures. In 1998, 

he founded and was the 

chief executive of Petrofac 

Resources International 

Limited which merged into 

Petrofac PLC in 2003. 

G

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 Power 

Systems 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.

Principal external 

appointments

Chairman of the independent 

energy community for the World 

Economic Forum since 2016. 

Director of The Amjad and Suha 

Bseisu Foundation since 2011.

Amjad Bseisu

Chief Executive

Appointed 22 February 2010 

Key strengths and experience

member of the senior leadership 

Principal external 

• Significant capital markets 

team, responsible for EnQuest’s 

and mergers and acquisitions  

global strategy and business 

appointments

None.

experience

• Retains role as Managing 

development. This includes the 

creation of a renewable energy 

Director, Infrastructure and 

and decarbonisation hub at 

New Energy, overseeing 

the Group’s Shetland operation, 

EnQuest’s renewable energy 

which Salman continues to 

and decarbonisation business 

oversee. With his extensive 

Salman joined EnQuest in 2013 

and is a CFA charter holder, 

with extensive experience in 

investment management, 

investment banking and private 

equity in Canada and the Middle 

East. Prior to his appointment as 

CFO, Salman has been a key

experience in structured finance, 

acquisitions, post-acquisition 

management and divestitures 

across the energy value chain, 

Salman brings a drive to ensure 

that EnQuest’s investment and 

growth ambitions are delivered.

Key strengths and experience

• 40 years’ global experience in 

Middle East, before becoming 

president, global exploration 

exploration, development and 

& alliance development. He 

production, including 20 years 

most recently served as SVP, 

at senior executive level

strategy, commercial & business 

Howard is a petroleum engineer 

and began his professional 

career at Schlumberger 

before moving to Mobil and 

then BHP Petroleum, where 

he was regional president, 

Europe, Russia, Africa & 

development at Hess, a role 

he took up in July 2013, having 

joined the company in 2000 as 

senior vice president, North Sea/

international. Between 2005 and 

2013 he held the position of SVP, 

global new business development.

Salman Malik

Chief Financial Officer

Appointed 15 August 2022

R   A   G   T

Howard Paver

Senior Independent Director

Appointed 1 May 2019

Principal external 

appointments

Non-executive director of 

OGL Geothermal Ltd.

Committees key

A   Audit

R   Remuneration and Social Responsibility 

T   Technical and Reserves 

G   Governance and Nomination

S   Safety, Sustainability and Risk

  Denotes Committee Chair

Key strengths and experience
• Strong energy industry and 

financial experience, as well as 
deep insights into Malaysia

Farina is a Fellow of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants 
Australia and New Zealand. She 
started her career in 1994 with 
Coopers & Lybrand, Australia, 
before returning to Malaysia 
in 1997 to join PETRONAS, 
where she held various senior 
positions. Farina was chief

financial officer of PETRONAS 
Carigali Sdn. Bhd, one of 
the largest subsidiaries of 
PETRONAS with operations in 
over 20 countries and has also 
been chief financial officer 
at PETRONAS Exploration and 
Production. From 2013, Farina 
was the chief financial officer 
of PETRONAS Chemical Group 
Berhad, the largest listed 
entity of PETRONAS. Farina left 
PETRONAS in 2015 to pursue 
non-executive opportunities.  

Principal external 
appointments
Senior independent director 
and member of the board of 
PETRONAS Gas Berhad.Member 
of the boards of the following 
Malaysian listed companies: 
KLCC Property Holdings 
Berhad, AMMB Holdings 
Berhad Icon Offshore Berhad.

Key strengths and experience
• Technical, project management 

and executive management 
roles in major energy 
companies, working on six 
continents

Rani is CEO of OGL Geothermal Ltd. 
and has 25 years’ experience 
working within large multinational, 
independent and start-up energy 
companies. These include Shell 
International, Hess and 

Tullow and have involved a 
variety of technical, project 
management and executive 
management roles across 
Europe, Asia, the Americas 
and Africa. Between 2017 
and 2020 Rani was chief 
petroleum engineer at Tullow. 
She has led multi-billion-
dollar projects across the 
globe from unconventional 
shales in the US to oil 
developments in East Africa.

Principal external 
appointments
CEO of OGL Geothermal Ltd., 
Fellow of the Energy Institute, 
Fellow of the Institution of 
Mechanical Engineers & Trustee 
of Lloyds Register Foundation.

A   R

S   T

Farina Khan
Non-Executive Director
Appointed 1 November 2020

Rani Koya
Non-Executive Director
Appointed 1 January 2022

  A   S

Liv Monica Stubholt
Non-Executive Chairman
Appointed 15 February 2021

Key strengths and experience
• Extensive experience of the 

energy industry, public policy 
and governance

Liv Monica has 20 years’ 
experience as a corporate 
lawyer. She started her career 
as an attorney before becoming 
political adviser to the Centre 
Party Finance Parliamentary 
Group. From 1997, she spent 
two years as a legal adviser to 
an industry alliance for private 
ownership before becoming

partner at her original law firm. 
In 2005, Liv Monica moved back 
into politics and was Norway’s 
Deputy Minister of Foreign 
Affairs for two years, followed 
by two years as Deputy Minister 
of Petroleum and Energy. Liv 
Monica rejoined the private 
sector in 2009 and held four 
top executive industry positions 
within the Aker Group in Norway, 
including as EVP in the listed 
EPC contractor Kværner, before 
moving back into law in 2015.

Principal external 
appointments
Partner at the Oslo-based law 
firm Selmer. Sits on a number 
of private company boards, 
industrial boards and academic 
committees, including as 
chairperson of Hafslund Oslo 
Celsio (formerly Fortum Oslo 
Varme AS), Silex Gas Norway 
and Morrow Batteries.

Key strengths and experience

mining and utilities sectors, 

• Substantial audit and 

becoming the head of the UK 

accounting experience in the 

energy and resources industry 

A   S  

energy sector

Carl is a Fellow of the Institute 

of Chartered Accountants in 

England and Wales, and a 

Fellow of the Energy Institute. 

Carl joined Arthur Andersen 

in 1983 and became a 

partner in 1993. Throughout 

his professional career he 

specialised in the oil and gas,

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.

Principal external 

appointments

Board member of the Audit 

Committee Chairs’ Independent 

Forum. Member of the General 

Synod of the Church of 

England. Deputy chairman 

of the finance committee of 

The Archbishops’ Council.

Carl Hughes

Non-Executive Director

Appointed 1 January 2017

Key strengths and experience
• Extensive technical leadership 

experience in global exploration, 
business development and 
asset management

John is a member of the 
American Association of 
Petroleum Geologists. John 
joined Occidental in 1981 as a 
geologist with the company 
and had 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. After a 20+ 
year technical career, John 
moved into executive roles, 
including high-level executive 
leadership positions. John left 
Occidental in 2013 and since 
then has provided strategic, 
technical and performance 
management advice to 
oil and gas companies.

Principal external 
appointments
Non-executive director 
of CC Energy.

T   S  

John Winterman
Non-Executive Chairman
Appointed 7 September 2017

67

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman’s letter

“ Corporate governance is an 
essential part of our overall 
framework, supporting both  
risk management and the 
Group’s core Values.”
Gareth Penny
Chairman 

A significant amount of time was spent on reviewing the 
Group’s refinancing activities and I am delighted that we 
successfully reduced our gross debt by c.$483 million over the 
year and materially extended our debt maturity profiles to 
2027 through a combination of strong cash flow generation 
and the refinancing of each of our debt instruments. Against a 
volatile macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop, it is 
important to note that EnQuest was able to access additional 
support from its syndicate of lender banks, including the 
introduction of institutions attracted to the opportunities 
presented by the Group’s Infrastructure and New Energy 
business. This was a significant achievement which has 
rebalanced the Group’s capital structure.

There is a strong commitment across the organisation to 
create a more diverse and inclusive workplace, with the 
Group-wide diversity and inclusion (‘D&I’) strategy alongside 
the D&I Policy firmly embedded in the business. During the 
year, the Board considered diversity of talent and agreed to 
adopt the FTSE Women Leaders Review targets and reviewed 
and supported work being undertaken throughout the 
organisation to create a more inclusive workplace. 

Having undertaken an externally facilitated Board 
evaluation in 2021, for 2022 it was appropriate to undertake 
the evaluation internally. The changes in Board composition 
during the year undoubtedly impacted on the survey 
results, which were discussed at the January 2023 Board 
meeting and for which we have a clear action plan for 
development, as outlined further on page 69.  

The Board considers that strong and appropriate governance 
leads to better decision making that reflects the interests of the 
Group’s stakeholders. To that end, during the year the Board 
initiated a review of its governance processes and how decisions 
are taken. This is discussed on page 76. The governance review 
was well received by the Board and gives me confidence that we 
will build on the lessons identified.

Employee engagement continues to be an important part of 
the Board’s work. An example of engagement in action was 
when the members of the Technical and Reserves Committee 
visited the office in Aberdeen to review operations and took 
the opportunity to meet with technical staff, have dinner with 
a group of mainly new employees, and host a breakfast with 
high-potential employees. More about our other employment 
engagement activities can be found on page 70.

I am delighted to have joined the Board of EnQuest and look 
forward to working with my colleagues and the Company to 
achieve our strategic objectives over the coming years and 
firmly cementing EnQuest’s position as an energy transition 
company.

Gareth Penny
Chairman
4 April 2023

Dear shareholder 
On behalf of the Board of Directors (the ‘Board’), I am pleased 
to introduce EnQuest’s Corporate governance report.

I was appointed to the Board on 6 December 2022 and am 
delighted to join an independent energy company with an 
advantaged business model suitable for the energy transition. 
I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Martin 
Houston, who stepped down from the Board on 6 December 
2022. Much was achieved during his time with the Group. 

We have had several planned changes in Board membership 
during the year. As reported last year, on 1 January 2022, we 
welcomed Rani Koya as a Non-Executive Director, while Philip 
Holland stepped down from the Board following EnQuest’s AGM 
on 17 June 2022, having served on the Board for nearly seven 
years. Jonathan Swinney notified the Board of his intention to 
step down from the Board as Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’) and 
Executive Director in March, and it was agreed that Salman 
Malik, who had long been identified as a potential CFO 
successor, would succeed Jonathan. Salman was appointed 
as CFO and Executive Director on 15 August 2022. It is always 
gratifying to see succession from within the organisation; 
Salman has been with EnQuest since 2014 and is a member  
of the Executive Committee, also holding the position of 
Managing Director, Corporate Development, Infrastructure and 
New Energy. On behalf of the whole Board, I extend thanks to 
Jonathan and Philip for their contributions over many years.

Following Martin Houston’s resignation in June 2022, the 
Governance and Nomination Committee, on behalf of the 
Board, appointed a sub-Committee led by Howard Paver, 
Senior Independent Director, to undertake the replacement 
Chair search. The Committee also reviewed our Board 
Committee composition during the year to reflect better the 
expertise and time commitments of the Non-Executive 
Directors. Key changes to the Committees included the 
appointment of Rani Koya to the Technical and Reserves 
Committee and as Chair to the Safety, Sustainability and Risk 
Committee (formerly the Safety, Climate and Risk Committee). 
Rani‘s appointment as Committee Chair followed Liv Monica 
Stubholt, who we had previously reported as intending to take 
on the role of Chair, reflecting on the role requirements and 
confirming she was unable to give it the time commitment 
she thought appropriate. The report of the Governance and 
Nomination Committee work during 2022 follows on 
immediately from this Corporate Governance Statement.

68

Key corporate governance activities during the year

Activity

Purpose

Result

Succession 
planning and 
Board 
composition 

Creating a well-balanced Board, 
continuous refreshing of talent, 
and development of internal 
talent

Refinancing 
activity 

Governance 
review

Strengthening the balance sheet, 
ensuring appropriate funding for 
future activities

Challenging our way of working to 
ensure greater transparency and 
adherence to best practice

•  Appointment of Gareth Penny as Chairman of EnQuest PLC and as 

Chair of the Governance and Nomination Committee 

•  Appointment of Salman Malik to the Board as CFO and Executive Director
•  Appointment of Rani Koya to the Board as a Non-Executive Director 
and as Chair of the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee and  
a member of the Technical and Reserves Committee

•  Successful refinancing of the Group’s debt instruments with an 

improved mix of debt and extended maturities

•  Review of the way in which decisions are taken, with learnings to be 

implemented during the year

Strategy 
enhancement

More clearly defining the role 
EnQuest will play in the energy 
transition

•  The Group’s strategy was enhanced to include a focus on 

repurposing assets for potential new energy and/or decarbonisation 
opportunities prior to entering their decommissioning phase

Further details of the Board’s activities and how they support compliance with the Code are shown in the table on page 74

E N QU EST STRU CTU RE

EnQuest PLC Board  
of Directors

Safety,
Sustainability
and Risk 
Committee1
Rani Koya2
Carl Hughes
Liv Monica Stubholt
John Winterman

Audit
Committee
Carl Hughes2
Farina Khan
Howard Paver
Liv Monica Stubholt

Governance and 
Nomination 
Committee
Gareth Penny2 
Amjad Bseisu 
Howard Paver

Remuneration  
and Social  
Responsibility  
Committee
Howard Paver2
Farina Khan 
Gareth Penny

Technical 
and Reserves 
Committee
John Winterman2
Rani Koya
Howard Paver

Chief 
Executive

Executive 
Committee

Investment 
Committee

HSEA 
Directorate

Operations 
Committee

1  During the year, the Safety, Climate and Risk Committee changed its name to the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee
2  Committee Chair

69

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceCorporate governance statement

Statement of compliance
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. The Directors are cognisant of their 
duties to stakeholders under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 and considerations related to stakeholders are 
reflected throughout this Annual Report and Accounts (‘2022 ARA’). The Section 172 Statement can be found on page 62. 
The Company applies the principles and complies with the provisions of the Financial Reporting Council‘s UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 (the ‘Code’) which was effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019, except 
in respect of Provision 33 of the Code, details of which may be found on page 73. The Code can be found on the Financial 
Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk. Detailed below is EnQuest’s application of, and compliance with, the Code. 
In order to avoid duplication, cross-references to appropriate sections within the 2022 ARA are provided.

The manner in which the Company has applied the principles of the Code can be found in the following sections:

Board leadership and company purpose

Division of responsibilities

•  Corporate governance statement (page 70)
•  Strategic report (page 04)

•  Corporate governance statement (page 72)

Composition, succession and evaluation

•  Governance and Nomination Committee report (page 75)

Audit, risk and internal control

•  Strategic report (page 40)
•  Audit Committee report (page 78)
•  Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee report (page 103)

Remuneration

•  Directors’ Remuneration Report (page 85)

Board leadership and company purpose
The Board takes seriously its roles in promoting the long-term success of the Company, generating value for shareholders, 
having regard to the interests of other stakeholders and contributing to wider society. How the Company manages these 
areas can be found in the Strategic report, in particular on pages 04 to 05.

The Board is responsible for:
•  The Group’s overall purpose and strategy;
•  Health, safety and environmental performance;
•  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 Group’s financial statements;
•  Oversight of control and risk management systems;
•  Succession planning and appointments; and
•  Oversight of employee culture.

Culture
The Board ensures that the culture of the Group is aligned with its purpose, Values and strategy. EnQuest’s Values embody 
the ethos of the Group, and the Board carefully monitors and promotes a positive culture. The Board believes that engaged 
and committed employees are integral to the delivery of the Group’s business plan and, to assist this, an employee survey 
is held on a regular basis. The survey is used by the Board as a baseline from which to enhance and improve the culture of 
the Group. In addition, the Global Employee Forum (the ‘Forum’) met three times over the year. The Board received updates 
following each forum meeting from the designated Directors for employee engagement.  

During the year, the Board reviewed the purpose of the Forum and determined that its purpose had changed and its 
primary function was now for the raising of non-strategic issues. As such, the Board agreed that it should continue under 
the direction of the Director of People, Culture and Diversity. The designated Directors for employee engagement now 
undertake a wider programme of formal and informal engagement with employees in line with the requirements of the 
Code to understand the views of the workforce.

EnQuest’s Code of Conduct underpins the governance and ethos of the Group. All personnel are required to be familiar 
with the Code of Conduct, which sets out the behaviours that the organisation expects of those who work at and with  
the Group. The Group’s Values complement the behaviours contained within the Code and are a key part of the Group’s 
identity. They guide the workforce as they pursue EnQuest’s strategy and delivery of SAFE Results.

Workforce concerns
Through the Forum, regular briefings, which include an opportunity for the workforce to ask questions to management,  
the promotion of its Code of Conduct and Values and various communication media, the Group seeks to set positive, 
appropriate standards of conduct for its people within an open, dynamic and inclusive culture. The Group encourages  
all employees to escalate any concerns and, as part of its whistleblowing procedure, provides an external ‘speak-up’ 
reporting line which is available to all employees, allowing for anonymous reporting through an independent third party. 
Where concerns are raised, these are investigated and reported to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, with follow-up 
action taken as soon as practicable thereafter.

70

Stakeholder engagement
EnQuest continued to have an active and constructive dialogue with its shareholders throughout the year to understand 
their views on governance and performance against strategy.  With the gradual lifting of COVID-19 related restrictions, 
there was a return to face-to-face meetings and engagement activities, although the Company’s stakeholders also 
continued to conduct virtual meetings for speed and efficiency. 

The Company’s engagement activities were conducted through a planned programme of investor relations activities, 
including meetings with:
•  Credit and equity investors and research analysts with regard to the Group’s refinancing of its secured and unsecured 

debt facilities, performance against guidance and overall debt management strategy;

•  A selection of the Group’s larger shareholders in relation to the search for a new Board Chair; and 
•  Retail investors at the Company’s AGM.

The Group also delivered presentations alongside its half-year and full-year results, copies of which are available on the 
dedicated section of the Group’s website, which can be found under ‘Investors’ at www.enquest.com, 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. 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 direct investor requests.

EnQuest’s Investor Relations team and Company Secretarial department respond to queries from shareholders, debt 
holders, analysts and other stakeholders, all of whom can register on the website to receive email alerts of relevant Group 
news. EnQuest’s registrars, Link Group in the UK and Euroclear in Sweden, also have teams available to answer shareholder 
queries in relation to technical and administrative aspects of their holdings. The Board is routinely kept informed of investor 
feedback, broker and analyst views and industry news in a paper submitted at each Board meeting by the Group’s Investor 
Relations team and as required on an ad hoc basis.

The Board is also kept informed of relevant developments relating to other stakeholder groups such as suppliers, 
regulators, partners and governments, as required by the Executive Directors and/or the appropriate functional 
management and considers potential impacts on these groups of principal decisions made during the course of the  
year (see pages 64 to 66 for more details).

Board agenda and key activities throughout 2022
During 2022, the Board resumed face-to-face meetings following the lifting of restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 
pandemic. However, the Board also took advantage of the speed and efficiency of virtual meetings where appropriate  
to ensure that business was conducted in a time-effective and environmentally sensitive manner. Regular Board agenda 
items and key activities are shown on page 72.

Directors’ attendance at Board meetings in 2022

Scheduled meetings 2022

Executive Directors

Amjad Bseisu
Jonathan Swinney1 
Salman Malik2

Non-Executive Directors

Martin Houston³
Gareth Penny4

Farina Khan

Howard Paver
Philip Holland5

Carl Hughes
Rani Koya6

Liv Monica Stubholt

John Winterman

1  Jonathan Swinney stood down as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director on 15 August 2022 
2  Salman Malik was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director on 15 August 2022
3  Martin Houston stood down as Chairman and Non-Executive Director on 6 December 2022
4  Gareth Penny was appointed as Chairman and Non-Executive Director on 6 December 2022
5  Philip Holland stood down as Non-Executive Director on 17 June 2022
6  Rani Koya was appointed as Non-Executive Director on 1 January 2022

Meetings 
attended

6/6

3/3

3/3

5/5

1/1

6/6

6/6

3/3

6/6

6/6

6/6

6/6

71

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceCorporate governance statement continued

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

Strategy

Operations 

Governance 

Stakeholders

Key activities for the Board throughout 2022

•  Key projects, their status 

and progress made

•  Strategy
•  Key transactions
•  Financial reports and 

statements

•  Liquidity

•  HSEA
•  Production
•  Operational issues  

and highlights
•  HR issues and 
developments
•  Key legal updates

•  Succession planning
•  Assurance and risk 

management

•  Investor relations and 

capital market updates
•  Employee engagement
•  Government and regulator 

engagement

Conflicts of interest and compliance
The Group has procedures in place which identify and, where appropriate, manage conflicts or potential conflicts of 
interest with the Group’s interests. In accordance with the provisions relating to Directors’ interests in the Companies Act 
2006, all Directors are required to submit details to the Company Secretary of any situations which may give rise to a 
conflict or potential conflict. The Board is satisfied that formal procedures are in place to ensure that authorisation for 
potential and actual conflicts of interest are operated efficiently. Directors are required to obtain Board approval before 
accepting any further external appointments and demands on a Director’s time are taken into account before approval  
is given.

The Group is committed to behaving fairly and ethically in all of its endeavours and has policies which cover anti-bribery, 
anti-corruption and tax evasion. The anti-bribery and corruption programme is reviewed annually by the Board and a 
compulsory online anti-corruption training course is required to be completed by all staff. Additional information can be 
found on page 52 and in the Code of Conduct which is available on the Group’s website.

Board education
All Directors receive an induction pack and meet with management on joining the Company. They are also offered Director 
training and memberships of organisations which deliver knowledge and training to Non-Executive Directors. Education is 
provided from time to time by the Company Secretary or external advisers; for example, a session was held with external 
counsel to discuss the Board’s specific responsibilities in relation to the refinancing, anti-corruption and bribery, 
responsibilities under the Market Abuse Regulations and on corporate governance matters pertinent to the discharge of 
Non-Executive Directors’ duties.

2022 Annual Report and Accounts
The Directors are responsible for preparing the 2022 ARA and consider that, taken as a whole, the 2022 ARA is fair, balanced 
and understandable, and provides the necessary information for shareholders to assess the Company and Group’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy.

Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’)
The Company’s AGM is ordinarily attended by the Directors and executive and senior management and is open to all 
EnQuest shareholders to attend.

Division of responsibilities
There is a clear division of responsibilities between the leadership of the Board and the executive leadership of EnQuest. 
The roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive are not exercised by the same individual.

Chairman
The Chairman is responsible for the leadership of the Board, setting the Board agenda and ensuring the overall effective 
working of the Board. The Chairman holds regular one-to-one and group meetings with the Non-Executive Directors 
without the Executive Directors present.

Chief Executive
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.

Senior Independent Director
The Senior Independent Director (‘SID’) is available to shareholders if they have concerns where contact through the 
normal channels of the Chairman or the Executive Directors has failed to resolve an issue, or where such contact is 
inappropriate. The SID acts as a sounding board for the Chairman and also conducts the Chairman’s evaluation on  
an annual basis. During the year, the SID led the process for recruiting a new Chairman following the resignation of Martin 
Houston in June.

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 
executive and senior management. This is critical for providing assurance that the Executive Directors are exercising good 
judgement in delivery of strategy, risk management and decision making. They receive a monthly report on Group 
performance and updates on major projects, irrespective of a meeting taking place, which allows them to monitor 

72

performance regularly. In addition, they hold to account the performance of management and individual Directors against 
agreed objectives and assess and monitor the culture of the Company. All Directors of EnQuest have been determined to 
have sufficient time to meet their responsibilities and this is monitored on a regular basis. At the date of this report there are 
nine Directors, consisting of two Executive Directors and seven independent Non-Executive Directors (including the Chairman).

During the year, the Non-Executive Directors spent significant additional time on Company business and, having taken 
advice from the Company’s remuneration advisers, the Board agreed to award the Non-Executive Directors an additional 
fee as permitted under the Remuneration Policy. Following this decision, the Board initiated a review of its approval 
processes. The review concluded that the Board’s decision making was consistent with law and the Company’s Articles of 
Association (the ‘Articles’). However, the process for approving the additional fees for Non-Executive Directors differed from 
the specific process set out in the Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee’s terms of reference in that the full 
Board, rather than the Chairman and Executive Directors, approved the additional fee to the Non-Executive Directors. 
Further, it noted that that while the process to increase the Chairman’s fees was consistent with the Company’s Articles,  
it did not comply with Provision 33 of the Code in that the Board, rather than the Remuneration and Social Responsibility 
Committee, approved the additional fee to the Chairman.  

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. The appointment and removal of the Company Secretary is a Board matter. The Company 
Secretary supports the Chairman in the provision of accurate and timely information. Board agendas are drawn up by the 
Company Secretary in conjunction with the Chairman and with agreement from the Chief Executive. All Board papers are 
published via an online Board portal system which offers a fast, secure and reliable method of distribution.

Independence
The Chairman was independent on appointment and 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 66 and 67.

Committees
The Board has five Committees which meet on a regular basis and report back to the Directors at each Board meeting. 
This allows for the Board to be apprised of important Committee business and, if necessary, to discuss issues should they 
need to be escalated to Board level. There are formal terms of reference for each Committee which set out the scope of 
authority of the Committee, satisfy the requirements of the Code and are reviewed and approved on an ongoing basis  
by the Board. Copies of the terms of reference are available on the Group’s website, www.enquest.com. Membership and 
attendance of each Committee can be found on the dedicated Committee pages, details of which are found below:

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee responsibilities include reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal controls and risk 
management systems. The Committee is also in charge of approving statements to be included in the Annual Report 
concerning risk management as well as monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit capability 
in the context of the Group’s overall risk management system. The work of the Audit Committee is on pages 78 to 84.

Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee
The Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee is responsible for assessing the Group’s performance and for 
determining appropriate performance-related compensation. It reviews and takes note of institutional shareholder 
guidelines. During 2023, the Committee will be reviewing the existing shareholder-approved Remuneration Policy ahead of 
issuing the Remuneration Policy for shareholder vote in 2024. The Committee also reviews the Group’s social responsibility 
programme, both external (how the Group engages in its communities) and internal (employee engagement and a positive 
workforce culture). The work of the Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee is set out on pages 85 to 102.

Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee
The Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee continues to progress its comprehensive Risk Management Framework and 
has conducted a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, which are outlined on pages 40 to 51 of the 
Strategic report. The work of the Committee, which includes monitoring HSEA issues and oversight of decarbonisation 
matters, is on pages 103 to 104.

Technical and Reserves Committee
The Technical and Reserves Committee provides the Board with additional technical insight when making Board decisions. 
The work of the Committee can be found on 105.

Governance and Nomination Committee
The Governance and Nomination Committee leads the process for appointments and regularly reviews the structure, size 
and composition of the Board. It also considers succession planning for the Executive Committee and has expanded its 
remit to cover all aspects of the Code. The work of the Governance and Nomination Committee, including information 
regarding the Board’s diversity and the Company’s associated policy, recruitment and the Board annual evaluation 
process, is on page 76.

73

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceCorporate governance statement continued

Board discussions and outcomes

Code requirements

Key Board discussions

Outcome

•  Ensuring an effective and 

entrepreneurial Board to promote  
long-term sustainable success

•  Macroeconomic environment
•  Growth opportunities, including new 

energy and decarbonisation 
developments at the Sullom Voe 
Terminal and potential acquisitions

•  Board evaluation results
•  Training

•  Clear understanding of European 
energy security issues and the  
impact of the Russia/Ukraine crisis

•  The Board discusses growth 

opportunities at every Board meeting, 
including at the opportunity costs of 
pursuing ventures

•  Corporate governance training, 

anti-corruption and bribery training 
and training on Directors’ 
responsibilities

•  Establishing and aligning purpose, 
Values and strategy with culture

•  Culture, Values and ESG are included 
in Company Performance Indicators 
•  Board discussed impact of COVID-19 

•  Discussed the need to keep diversity 

training refreshed and relevant 

•  The Board agreed flexible initiatives for 

on working arrangements

returning to work, reflecting local 
requirements and culture

•  Ensuring necessary resourcing is in 

•  Rigorous assessment of the Group’s 

•  Successful refinancing of the Group’s 

place and establishing a framework  
of controls to enable risk to be 
assessed

liquidity requirements

debt facilities

•  Reviewed Risk Management 

•  Regular in-depth reviews of risks and 

Framework

their mitigants through its Committees

•  Reviewed principal risks and 

uncertainties and emerging risks

•  Effective engagement with 

•  UK and Malaysia regulatory 

shareholders and stakeholders

environment

•  Refinancing the Group’s debt facilities

•  Discussion and alignment on 
compliance with regulatory 
requirements

•  Engagement on impact of UK Energy 

Profits Levy

•  Debt investor engagement

•  Diversity and inclusion

•  The Board adopted aspirational 

•  Ensuring workforce policies and 
practices are consistent with the 
Company’s Values

diversity targets and approved the 
approach to enhancing inclusion

•  Detailed discussions on succession 
planning and review of roles and 
accountabilities of Executive 
Committee

•  Approved use of external agent  
to benchmark senior employees’ 
readiness for succession

•  Appointments are subject to formal  
rigorous and transparent procedure  
with effective succession plan for  
Board and senior management

•  Use of external consultants for  

chair appointment

•  Appointment of CFO as part of  
internal succession planning

74

Governance and Nomination Committee membership
The Governance and Nomination Committee comprises the Chairman of the Company, the SID and the Chief Executive. 
Both the Chairman and SID are deemed independent. 

Appointment dates and attendance at the five scheduled meetings are set out below:

Member
Martin Houston1

Amjad Bseisu

Howard Paver
Gareth Penny2

Date appointed  

Committee member

1 October 2019

22 February 2010

15 October 2019

6 December 2022

Attendance at 
meetings during   

the year

5/5

5/5

5/5

0/0

Notes:
1   Martin Houston stepped down from the Board as Chairman and Non-Executive Director on 6 December 2022
2  Gareth Penny joined the Board and the Governance and Nomination Committee on 6 December 2022

Main responsibilities
The core work of the Governance and Nomination Committee is to ensure that the Board and its Committees support the 
strategy of the Group. Currently, the Board consists of seven Non-Executive Directors and two Executive Directors, who 
collectively bring a diverse mix of skills and experience to the Company, collaborating with each other to provide strong 
leadership.

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;

•  Ensure the orderly succession of Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors and executive and senior management;
•  Identify, evaluate and recommend candidates for appointment or reappointment as Directors or Company Secretary, 

taking into account diversity, including gender, social and ethnic backgrounds, cognitive and personal strengths and the 
balance of knowledge, skills and experience required to serve on the Board;
•  Review the outside directorships/commitments of Non-Executive Directors; and
•  Exercise oversight of the compliance of the Company with the Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’).

The Committee’s full terms of reference can be found on the Group’s website, www.enquest.com, under Corporate 
Governance.

Committee activities during the year
The Governance and Nomination Committee met five times in 2022. Its key activities included:

Appointment of Non-Executive Chairman
The Committee launched a Board search process in the summer of 2022 to recruit a Non-Executive Director to take on the 
role of Chair. A sub-Committee, comprising Howard Paver, as SID, and Liv Monica Stubholt, was formed to manage the 
recruitment process. The Company appointed Spencer Stuart & Associates (‘Spencer Stuart’) to support the sub-
Committee to ensure that a wide range of candidates were considered.

Spencer Stuart met with each continuing Director to understand fully the Company’s requirements, including diversity profiles, 
and the cultural fit necessary to succeed in the role. It presented a long list of clients for the sub-Committee to consider before 
interviewing candidates.

Throughout the selection process, the sub-Committee actively considered Board diversity in all its forms as part of its 
thorough review of each candidate, including the balance of skills, knowledge and level of independence each would 
bring to the Board. In addition, it considered any potential conflicts of interest that would arise from the appointment and 
gave careful consideration to other existing commitments the candidates had and whether they would be able to devote 
the appropriate amount of time in order to meet fully what was expected of them. The sub-Committee recommended the 
appointment of Gareth Penny to the Board, which unanimously approved his appointment.

Review of tenure of Non-Executive Directors
The Committee discussed the optimum length of service of Non-Executive Directors, noting that the average tenure  
across FTSE 150 companies was under five years and that the Code states that service beyond nine years could impair 
independence. As no independent Director was approaching nine years’ service it was agreed that a formal policy on 
tenure was not, at this point, needed.

Committee composition
The composition of the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee (‘SSRC’) was discussed by the Committee. During the 
year, the Committee noted that Philip Holland would step down from the chairmanship of the SSRC when he left the Board 
following the Group’s Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) and that, for reason of capacity, Farina Khan also wanted to step 
down from the SSRC. The Committee initially considered that Liv Monica Stubholt would be an appropriate replacement  
for Philip but, following discussions with Liv Monica, agreed that she would be overcommitted and that it would be more 
appropriate for Rani Koya to Chair the SSRC. Accordingly, the Committee recommended to the Board that Rani take on the 
role following Philip Holland’s departure.

75

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceCorporate governance statement continued

Global Employee Forum composition
The Committee considered the composition and purpose of the Global Employee Forum during the year. At the start of 2022, the 
designated Directors for employee engagement were Philip Holland and Farina Khan, and both attended the Global Employee 
Forum in that capacity. With Philip Holland stepping down from the Board, and Farina Khan wishing to step down as designated 
Director for employee engagement for reasons of capacity, the Committee recommended to the Board that Rani Koya and 
Howard Paver become the designated Directors for employee engagement. As noted on page 107, the focus of the Forum 
changed during the year and the designated Directors no longer participate in all its meetings. Instead, the designated 
Directors have instigated a programme of formal and informal events with employees to enable the Board to get a clear 
understanding of the views of employees.

Appointment of Executive Director
Jonathan Swinney notified the Board of his intention to step down from the Board as Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’) and 
Executive Director in March, and it was agreed that Salman Malik, who had long been identified as an internal candidate to 
be a potential CFO successor, would succeed Jonathan. Salman had been a member of EnQuest’s Executive Committee 
for several years and has a wealth of industry and financial experience, alongside developing the Group’s Infrastructure 
and New Energy business. Given the Group’s ongoing attention on deleveraging, refinancing, creative M&A and 
repurposing existing infrastructure to deliver EnQuest’s decarbonisation ambitions, the Board is confident he has the 
necessary skills, experience and vision for the role.

Appointment of Company Secretary
The Committee oversaw an external search for a new Company Secretary to succeed Stefan Ricketts who notified his 
intention to resign from the Company. The Committee considered diversity in all its forms and met with a range of 
candidates to assess their skills, knowledge and experience before deciding to recommend the appointment of Chris Sawyer. 
Chris joined EnQuest from bp where he was assistant general counsel, oil regions and production and operations and a 
member of senior leadership teams responsible for upstream and low carbon energy.

Structured Board succession planning
Succession planning is an important part of both the Committee and the Board’s deliberations. This includes for both 
senior management and the wider organisation, with regard to individuals who are considered as having high potential. 
This ensures that the Board has oversight of the Group’s talent pipeline and future leaders and can progress and support 
development within the organisation. 

In considering the composition of the Board which will best serve the strategy, Values and Company purpose into the 
future, the Board has adopted diversity targets. Its membership represents a spread of backgrounds and experiences 
which cover the oil and gas and other industries, including those supporting the energy transition. See pages 66 to 67 for 
Board biographies. 

The Board and the Governance and Nomination Committee remain satisfied that the individuals currently fulfilling key 
executive and 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. The Group continues 
to work to identify capability strengths and development gaps and to develop the process for encouraging and supporting 
high-potential employees.

Annual evaluation
Having carried out an external Board evaluation in 2021, supported by Grant Thornton, it was felt appropriate to undertake 
an internal Board evaluation in 2022. This evaluation was carried out with support from BoardClic and used the same 
online tool as in previous internal evaluations. The online survey was then supported by individual calls between the 
Directors and the Chairman.

The results from the evaluation, which were discussed in detail at the February 2023 Board meeting, reflect the changes 
that occurred on the Board during the year and provide a clear guide to the priorities in 2023. 

The Board agreed that the key themes for development were:
•  Ensuring that the Board has a good process for setting strategy;
•  Ensuring that the Board gets good-quality information, both before and between meetings;
•  Further improvement in governance processes and structures to assist the Board and its Committees in supporting the 

Executive Directors and management to deliver on the strategy of the Group; and

•  Developing and clarifying the succession planning process.

As the Chairman was only appointed immediately before the evaluation, no separate assessment of the Chairman’s 
performance was carried out. The SID will lead a review of the Chairman’s performance during 2023.

The key areas from the 2021 external evaluation were kept under review during the year. These included Board dynamics, 
which have evolved as the composition of the Board has changed. The strategy has continued to be refined, with an 
increased focus on repurposing existing assets and infrastructure in support of the Group’s decarbonisation ambitions.  
An increased amount of attention was given to the oversight of organisational culture, including appropriate training for 
managers and supervisors in creating inclusive cultures alongside assessing the impact of returning to the workplace  
for office-based staff based in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia.

76

Re-election to the Board
Following a review of the effectiveness of the Board, the Governance and 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. Board approval is required should a Director wish to accept a further external role. 
Detailed biographies for each Director, including their skills and external appointments, can be found on pages 66 to 67.

Priorities for the coming year
The main focus of the Committee in 2023 will be in supporting the Board to align our culture and succession plans with the 
delivery of our strategy.

Boardroom diversity
The Group’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy can be found on the Group’s website at www.enquest.com/environmental-
social-and-governance/social/people.

The Company has adopted the FTSE Women Leaders Review diversity targets of 40% female representation on the Board 
and at least one female Director holding the position of Chair, Senior Independent Director, CEO or CFO by 2026. As at 
4 April 2023, none of these roles are held by females. The Board has also agreed diversity targets for leadership roles 
(including the Executive Committee, Aberdeen Leadership Team and Malaysia Leadership Team) by 2025 of: 30% of 
management roles to be occupied by women and 15–20% of executive management roles to be occupied by ethnic 
minorities. Data relating to gender and ethnicity is collected by the Group’s Human Resources department, where 
disclosed by the individual.

In addition, the EnQuest Diversity and Inclusion Policy aligns with the Company’s Values, which incorporate both respect 
and openness. The Group seeks diversity in its employee base, recognising that those from different backgrounds, 
experience and abilities can bring fresh ideas, perspectives and innovation to improve the business and working practices. 
Activities within the Group to encourage awareness of diversity considerations include a staff-wide diversity survey and 
education of the workforce. 

The chart below illustrates gender breakdown of EnQuest’s Directors and workforce as at 31 December 20221.

100

80

60

40

20

0

33.33%

13.79%

18.96%

86.21%

81.04%

66.67%

Directors

Senior managers

Employees 

Female
Male

Note:
1  Breakdown of percentages: Directors (3 female, 6 male); Senior managers (8 female, 50 male); Employees (135 female, 577 male). Senior management and 

total employee figures include EnQuest’s employees in Dubai, Malaysia and the UK

77

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceAudit Committee report

“ The Committee has continued to 
focus on the Group’s disclosures 
as well as challenge the Group’s 
financial reporting processes and 
system of internal controls while 
monitoring the Risk Management 
Framework and work of key 
functions.”
Carl Hughes
Chairman of the Audit Committee 

Dear fellow shareholder
I am pleased to present the Audit Committee report for the 
year ended 31 December 2022, covering our activities over 
the course of the year.

The Audit Committee oversees and monitors the Group’s 
financial reporting (including reporting on the financial 
aspects related to climate change), external and internal 
audit, the effectiveness of the Risk Management Framework 
(‘RMF’) and system of internal controls.

More information on the role and responsibilities of the 
Committee and its terms of reference, which are reviewed 
annually, can be found at www.enquest.com/investors/
corporate-governance.

In addition to the standing agenda items for the year, the 
Committee also considered a variety of other focus areas 
including: monitoring the CFO transition, refinancing of the 
Group’s debt, climate change disclosure recommendations, 
challenging management on control improvements, 
reviewing the impact of the UK Energy Profits Levy (‘EPL’)  
on EnQuest’s business model and the wider competitive 
landscape, monitoring IT control improvement progress and 
reviewing cyber-security measures and the Group’s IT 
resourcing model. It was pleasing to see a smooth CFO 
transition and the Group successfully refinance its debt, 
materially extending its maturities in what was a challenging 
market environment. The Committee was also pleased to 
see that in July 2022, in its Thematic Review: Judgements 
and Estimates Update, the Financial Reporting Council (‘FRC’) 
highlighted EnQuest’s 2021 Annual Report and Accounts as 
an example of good practice with regard to disclosure of 
deferred tax sensitivities.

During the year, the Committee agreed to update its terms 
of reference to highlight its responsibilities more explicitly 
with regard to the IT control environment, with the first IT 
controls review held at the December Committee meeting. 
A significant amount of time, including an additional 
Committee meeting, was also spent reviewing the finance 
function’s resourcing requirements and progress against 
improvements identified in conjunction with the Group’s 
external auditor. A number of process and IT control 
improvements have been implemented in the lead-up  

78

to and during the 2022 year-end process, including 
developing granular timetables for significant processes, 
building flexibility into existing Excel finance models and 
incorporating peer reviews. In addition, the finance team 
has successfully implemented its succession plans and is 
building additional capacity into the team with the 
recruitment of new team members.

During the year, the FRC conducted a formal Audit Quality 
Review of the Deloitte audit of EnQuest’s 2021 Annual Report 
and Accounts, the results of which were received in January 
2023 with only limited improvements required. To ensure 
that Deloitte can incorporate the necessary actions into 
future audit plans, the Committee will work closely with 
Deloitte and management.

In June 2022, subsequent to the publication of the EnQuest 
Annual Report and Accounts 2021, EnQuest received a letter 
from the Board for Swedish Financial Reporting Supervision 
informing EnQuest that it had initiated an investigation into 
a potential breach under the provisions of the Securities 
Market Act regarding filing of financial information following 
the UK’s exit from the European Union. The Committee was 
provided with updates of the investigation’s progress at 
each subsequent meeting. In March 2023, EnQuest was 
informed that after consideration of EnQuest’s responses 
the investigation had been closed. As part of this process, 
the Group reviewed its disclosure practices and has 
implemented the necessary updates to ensure ongoing 
compliance.

The Committee is pleased to confirm that the actions of the 
Committee were, and continue to be, in compliance with 
the Code and that it is satisfied with the formal and 
transparent policies and procedures in place. Furthermore, 
the Committee ensured that key judgements and estimates 
made in the financial statements, such as the recoverable 
value of the Group’s assets, were carefully assessed. 

Carl Hughes
Chairman of the Audit Committee
4 April 2023

Committee composition
As required by the Code published in July 2018, the Committee exclusively comprises Non-Executive Directors, biographies 
of whom are set out on pages 66 and 67. The Board is satisfied that the Chairman of the Committee, Carl Hughes, 
previously an energy and resources audit partner of Deloitte, 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, appointment dates and attendance at the five meetings (including one unscheduled) held 
during 2022 is provided in the table below:

Member

Carl Hughes 

Howard Paver

Farina Khan
Liv Monica Stubholt1

Date appointed  

Committee member

Attendance at 
meetings during 
the year

1 January 2017

1 May 2019

1 November 2020

15 February 2021

5/5

5/5

5/5

2/5

1   Liv Monica Stubholt was unable to attend certain meetings due to unforseen travel disruption

Meetings are also normally attended by the General Counsel and Company Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the 
external auditor, the internal auditors 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 LLP 
(‘PwC’), in its role as internal auditor for certain specialist areas, such as cyber-security, attended meetings during 2022,  
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 internal audit (which for 2022 
comprised both the internal audit manager and the PwC partner) to discuss matters relevant to the Company.

The Committee continues to monitor its own effectiveness and that of the functions it supports on a regular basis. Through 
the review of the terms of reference of the Committee, regular meetings with the internal and external auditors 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.

Fair, balanced and understandable
A key requirement of the Group’s Annual Report and Accounts is for the report to be fair, balanced and understandable.  
In addition, the Annual Report should contain sufficient information to enable the position, performance, strategy and 
business model of the Company to be clearly understood and details of measurable key performance indicators and 
explanations of how the Company has engaged with all of its stakeholders (as set out in the Group’s Section 172 Statement 
on page 62). The Committee and the Board are satisfied that the Annual Report and Accounts meet these requirements, 
with appropriate weight being given to both positive and negative developments in the year.

With regard to these requirements, the Committee has considered the robust process which operates when compiling  
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;

•  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 Committee was held in March 2023 to review and approve the draft 2022 Annual Report and Accounts 

in advance of the final sign-off by the Board.

79

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceAudit Committee report continued

Audit Committee meetings
There were five Committee meetings in 2022. A summary of the main items discussed in each meeting is set out in the 
table below:

March  
2022

May  
2022

August  
2022

November  

2022

December 
2022

Agenda item

Audit Committee self-evaluation assessment of its effectiveness 
including review of actions identified in previous effectiveness review

Audit Committee terms of reference

Significant matters arising from completed internal audits

Internal audit progress against 2022 plan, including findings since  
last meeting

Independence and objectivity of internal audit

Internal audit and assurance plan for 2023

Joint venture audit plan for 2022, including summary findings since  
last meeting

Cyber-security update

Annual external audit plan

External (Deloitte) audit fees subject to the audit plan

Level of non-audit service fees for Deloitte

Quality, independence and objectivity of Deloitte

Effectiveness of Deloitte as external auditors

Evaluate the viability assessment

Appropriateness of going concern assumption

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

Briefings on regulatory developments including financial focus areas  
and climate-related matters

Key risks, judgements and uncertainties, including consideration  
of climate change, impacting half-year or year-end financial statements 
(reports from both management and external auditor)

Debt refinancing strategy and associated accounting

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

Finance strategy and organisation update including CFO transition 
planning

Tax strategy, policy and compliance

Impact of UK Energy Profits Levy and other tax topics

Management’s response to significant audit findings, recommendations 
and notable control weaknesses, including  
potential improvements and agreed actions

Review of process and controls relating to development of the Group’s 
internal control framework

IT resourcing and controls progress against IT audit findings

80

Financial reporting and significant financial statement reporting issues
The primary role of the Committee in relation to financial reporting is to assess, among 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 executive and senior management.

These items are considered by the Committee, together with reports from both management and its external auditor, at 
each Committee meeting. The significant accounting and reporting areas considered, including those related to EnQuest’s 
2022 consolidated financial statements, 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, covenant and 
reserve based lending borrowing base forecasts. These are, 
in turn, underpinned by forecasts and assumptions in 
respect of:
•  Production for the next three years, based on the Group’s 

approved 2022 business plan and forecasts; and

•  The oil price assumption, based on a forward curve of 
$78.5/bbl (2023), $78.5/bbl (2024) and $75/bbl (2025).

The Committee reviewed and considered the Directors’ 
half-year and full-year statements with respect to the 
going concern basis of accounting. The Board also 
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 2023 meeting.

This analysis was considered and challenged by the 
Committee, including, but not limited to, the appropriateness  
of the period covered, planning scenarios, including production 
volume expectations, and whether macroeconomic 
assumptions were realistic, stress tests were appropriate and 
mitigations achievable to ensure that the Group has sufficient 
headroom to continue as a going concern. Particular focus was 
applied to the implications of the EPL on the Group’s investment 
plans and future cash flows. The Committee supported the 
going concern basis of accounting. The disclosures in the 
Annual Report concerning the viability statement and going 
concern assumption (see pages 25 to 26) were reviewed and 
approved at the March 2023 meeting for recommendation to 
the Board.

Assessment of oil and gas reserves
The Group has total proved and probable (‘2P’) reserves as 
at 31 December 2022 of c.190 MMboe. The estimation of 
reserves is essential to:
•  The valuation of the Company;
•  The assessment of going concern and viability;
•  Impairment testing;
•  Decommissioning liability provisions; and
•  The calculation of depreciation.

During the March 2023 meeting, management presented 
the Group’s 2P reserves, together with the report from 
Gaffney, Cline & Associates, the Group’s reserves auditor.

The Committee considered the scope and adequacy of the 
work performed by Gaffney, Cline & Associates and their 
independence and objectivity and concurred that the 
estimation of reserves had been applied to  
the financial statements, where appropriate.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
The recoverability of asset carrying values is a significant 
area of judgement. These impairment tests are 
underpinned by assumptions regarding:
•  2P reserves;
•  Oil price assumptions (based on an internal view of 

forward curve prices of $84/bbl (2023), $80/bbl (2024), 
$75/bbl (2025) and $70/bbl real thereafter);

•  Life of field production profiles and opex, capex and 

abandonment expenditure; and

•  A post-tax market discount rate derived using the 
weighted average cost of capital methodology.

For more details, see note 2 Critical accounting judgements 
and key sources of estimation uncertainty: recoverability of 
asset carrying values, and notes 10, 11 and 12.

Impairment testing has been performed, resulting in a 
pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $81.0 million.

At the March 2023 meeting, management presented the 
key assumptions made in respect of impairment testing 
and the result thereof to the Committee. The Committee 
considered and challenged these assumptions, including 
the potential impacts of the EPL, climate change and the 
energy transition, in line with the challenges performed as 
part of the going concern and viability review. Sensitivity 
analysis and disclosures estimating the effect of price 
reductions were reviewed. Consideration was also given to 
Deloitte’s view of the work performed by management. 

81

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceAudit Committee report continued

Significant financial statement reporting issue

Consideration

Contingent consideration
Any contingent consideration included in the consideration 
payable for a business combination or asset acquisition is 
recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. These fair 
values are generally based on risk-adjusted future cash 
flows discounted using appropriate discount rates.

The Group calculates contingent consideration payable  
in respect of its Magnus and Golden Eagle acquisitions.  
See note 22 for further details.

At the March 2023 meeting, the key assumptions and result 
of the fair value calculations, along with explanation of 
movements in the year, were presented to the Committee. 
Consideration was also given to Deloitte’s view of the work 
performed by management.

The Committee concluded that the assumptions and inputs 
for contingent consideration payable were reasonable and 
consistent with other relevant judgements and estimates 
made and the related liabilities recorded were appropriate. 

Climate change in financial reporting
While the Group’s view of evolving climate risks continues  
to develop, appropriate disclosure is an area of focus for 
the Committee.

Climate change and the transition to a lower carbon 
economy may have significant impacts on the currently 
reported amounts of the Group’s assets and liabilities and 
on similar assets and liabilities that may be recognised in 
the future.

See note 2 Use of judgements, estimates and assumptions: 
climate change and energy transition.

Appropriateness of the decommissioning provision
The Group’s decommissioning provision of $691.6 million at  
31 December 2022 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.

See note 2 Critical accounting judgements and key sources 
of estimation uncertainty: provisions.

Taxation
At 31 December 2022, the Group carried deferred tax balances 
comprising $705.8 million of tax assets (primarily related to 
previous years’ tax losses) and $166.3 million of tax liabilities 
(primarily related to the recognition of deferred taxes 
associated with the UK Energy Profits Levy).

The introduction of an Energy Profits Levy by the UK 
Government in 2022, chargeable on taxable profits from the 
production of oil and gas in the UK, resulted in an additional 
net deferred tax liability of $153.7 million at 31 December 
2022 (see note 7).

The recoverability of the tax losses has been assessed by 
reference to future profit estimates derived from the Group’s 
impairment testing. Ring-fence losses totalling $2,497.7 
million ($902.1 million tax-effected) have been recognised. 

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

The Committee considered financial statement disclosures, 
including TCFD reporting, and how the Group’s climate 
change scenarios are reflected in the Group’s key 
judgements and estimates used in the preparation of the 
Group’s 2022 financial statements. This included a review of 
management’s best estimate of oil price assumptions for 
fair value less cost of disposal (‘FVLCD’) impairment testing, 
including testing the Group’s resilience under the 
International Energy Agency’s Announced Pledges Scenario 
and Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario. 

The Committee, recognising the evolving nature of climate 
change risks and responses, concluded that climate 
change has been appropriately considered by 
management in key judgements and estimates and 
concurred with the disclosures proposed by management.

The Committee reviewed the report by management 
summarising the key findings and their impact on the 
provision. Sensitivity analysis and disclosure estimating the 
effect of a change in discount rates was reviewed. Regard 
was also given to the observations made by Deloitte 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 discussed 
management’s assumptions of future profit estimates and 
evaluated the amount of deferred tax assets recognised.  
It was noted that the assumptions are consistent with  
those used in the impairment assessment (see above).  
The Committee also took into account the views of Deloitte 
as to the adequacy of the Group’s tax balances.

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

Risk management
The Code requires that the Board monitors the Company’s risk management 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 for  
the Company’s emerging and principal risks. Pages 40 to 42 provide more detail on how the Board, and its Safety, 
Sustainability and Risk Committee, has discharged its responsibility in this regard. The Audit Committee Chairman is  
also a member of the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee.

82

Internal control
Responsibility in respect of financial internal control is delegated by the Board to the Committee. The effectiveness of  
the Group’s internal control framework is reviewed continually throughout the year. Key features include:
•  Clear delegations of authority to the Board and its sub-Committees, and to each level of management;
•  Setting of HSEA, 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 Safety, Sustainability and 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.

Obtaining assurance on the internal control environment
The Committee received reports from internal audit at each scheduled Committee meeting in 2022 and meets privately with 
the internal auditor from time to time. The Committee continued to review the effectiveness and capabilities of internal audit 
and monitor its independence during the year. During the latter half of 2022, the Internal Audit Manager transitioned into the 
Group Financial Controller role. In order to ensure an ongoing programme of assurance, the Committee agreed that PwC 
would undertake the full internal audit programme until a replacement can be found. In order to ensure independence and 
objectivity, the primary reporting line of all assurance providers, including the Group’s internal audit function, is to the Chair of 
the Committee, with day-to-day management oversight provided by the General Counsel.

The purpose, scope and authority of internal audit are defined within its charter which is approved annually by the 
Committee. The internal audit function maintains an internal quality assurance and improvement programme covering  
all aspects of internal audit’s activities, and evaluates the conformance of these activities with the Chartered Institute of 
Internal Auditors’ Standards.

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. As part of the Committee’s self-evaluation assessment, it was noted that there remains an 
opportunity to begin the development of an Audit and Assurance Policy to focus attention on the level of assurance 
relating to all reported key financial and non-financial information. 

In respect of the work performed by internal audit, an internal audit plan is approved by the Committee each year. When 
setting the plan, recommendations from management and internal audit are considered, and take into account the 
particular risks impacting the Company, which are reviewed by the Board and the Safety, Sustainability and Risk 
Committee. During 2022, internal audit activities were undertaken for various areas, including reviews of:
•  Gender pay gap reporting and diversity and inclusion; 
•  HSEA KPIs;
•  ‘Purchase to pay’ (Maximo) upgrade project (pre-execution);
•  HSSE and asset integrity RMF Bowtie;
•  HR RMF Bowtie and flexible working;
•  Project execution RMF Bowtie; and 
•  Internal control processes of the financial accounting and reporting function.  

Detailed results from internal audit were presented to management and a summary of the findings was presented to the 
Committee, together with copies of all internal audit reports. Where potential control enhancements were identified as 
being required, the Committee agreed appropriate actions with management and assessed management’s response to 
the findings. Throughout the year, the Committee is kept appraised of management’s progress against the agreed actions, 
with the majority of actions closed in accordance with the agreed schedule.

External audit
One of the Committee’s key responsibilities is to monitor the performance, objectivity and independence of the external auditor. 
Each year, the Committee ensures that the scope of the auditor’s work is sufficient and that the auditor is remunerated fairly.

When agreeing the annual audit fees, the Committee noted the significant change in the regulatory environment in recent 
years, including significant changes in auditing standards and the level of scrutiny on auditors from the FRC, resulting in an 
increase in the required investment in audit quality. In addition, the impact of inflation in a competitive job market have all 
resulted in a material impact on fees across the audit profession. 

The annual process for reviewing the performance of the external audit process involves an interview or questionnaire  
with key members of the Group who are involved in the audit process to obtain feedback on the quality, efficiency and 
effectiveness of the audit. Additionally, Committee members take into account their own view of the external auditor’s 
performance when determining whether or not to recommend reappointment. The Committee also held private meetings 
with the external auditor during the year.

83

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceAudit Committee report continued

The Committee considered the external audit plan, in particular to gain assurance that it was tailored to reflect changes  
in circumstances from the prior year. The significant audit risks addressed during the course of the 2022 audit were:
•  Impairment of oil and gas assets and goodwill;
•  Contingent consideration;
•  Decommissioning provision;
•  Deferred tax;
•  Revenue recognition – crude oil cut-off; and
•  Management override of controls.

Deloitte regularly updated the Committee on the status of their procedures during the year, including how they had 
challenged the Group’s assumptions. The Committee and Deloitte discussed how risks to audit quality were addressed, 
key accounting and audit judgements, material communications between Deloitte and management and any issues 
arising from them.

Taking into account management’s review and its own experiences with the external auditor, the Committee concluded 
that the audit team was providing the required quality in relation to the provision of audit services in its third year as 
auditor and has maintained its independence and objectivity. This was further confirmed by the results from the FRC’s 
Audit Quality Review noted previously, which resulted in limited improvements required. As required under UK auditing 
standards, Deloitte confirmed their independence to the Committee.

The Committee considers the reappointment of the external auditor each year, including consideration of the advisability 
and potential impact of conducting a tender process for the appointment of a different independent public accounting 
firm. The Committee is also responsible for making a recommendation to the Board for it to put to the Company’s 
shareholders for approval at the AGM, to appoint, reappoint or remove the external auditor. At the AGM in June 2022, the 
shareholders approved a resolution to reappoint Deloitte as external auditor. The Company has complied with the Code 
and FRC Guidance in respect of audit tendering and rotation, under which the Company will be required to tender for the 
audit no later than the 2030 financial year. The Committee regularly reviews auditor performance and may elect to carry 
out the tender earlier than the 2030 financial year if it determined it would be in the interests of the Company’s 
shareholders to do so. 

Use of external auditors for non-audit services
The Committee is responsible for EnQuest’s policy on non-audit services and the approval of non-audit services. The 
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 given their working knowledge of the Group. To ensure objectivity and independence,  
and to reflect best practice in this area, the Company’s policy on non-audit services reflects the UK 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. 

The key features of the non-audit services policy, the full version of which is available on our website (www.enquest.com; 
under Corporate Governance within the Investors section), 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 are to be capped at no more than 70% of  

the average Group audit fee and the UK audit fee for the preceding three years. 

The Committee continues to review non-audit services and, in light of the revised FRC Ethical Standards, reviews the scope 
of work to ensure its close link to audit services. 

The Committee regularly reviews reports from management on the audit and non-audit services reported in accordance 
with the policy or for which specific prior approval from the Committee is being sought.

Delegated authority by the 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

In each case where the audit or non-audit service contract does not exceed the relevant threshold, the matter is approved 
by management by delegated authority from the Committee and is subsequently presented for approval by the 
Committee at the next meeting.

The scope of the non-audit services contracted with the external auditor in 2022 consisted mainly of the interim review  
and other assurance services associated with the Group’s debt refinancing activities undertaken during the year.

84

Directors’ Remuneration Report

“ The Committee’s focus remains  
on ensuring reward for Executive 
Directors, the Executive Committee 
and senior managers incentivises 
the delivery of EnQuest’s strategy 
and performance goals.”
Howard Paver
Chair of the Remuneration and  
Social Responsibility Committee 

Dear fellow shareholder
On behalf of the Board and my fellow members of the 
Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee, I am 
pleased to present EnQuest’s Directors’ Remuneration Report 
(‘DRR’) for the financial year ended 31 December 2022.

Overview
The Committee has remained focused on ensuring the 
appropriateness of the Group’s overall reward package 
available for Executive Directors to maintain continued 
alignment with our own Remuneration Policy and the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’). These core 
principles were at the forefront when the Committee set  
the compensation of the new Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’) 
in 2022.

We carefully consider all components of Executive Directors’ 
and Executive Committee members’ reward to ensure that 
they remain competitive with the remuneration practices in 
companies of a similar size and scope. Ahead of the proposed 
recommendations for salary changes in 2023, the Committee 
robustly examined benchmarking data with the ongoing 
support of an independent remuneration adviser, in addition 
to considering both the increases made across the wider 
workforce and the personal performance contributions of 
each executive.

The Committee believes that the current remuneration 
structure remains clear, simple and closely aligned with  
the Group’s strategy, risk appetite and culture, and that 
incentives are appropriately capped.

In line with Directors’ Remuneration Reports since 2019,  
the chosen calculation for the 2022 Chief Executive Officer 
(‘CEO’) pay ratio was in line with single figure methodology, 
also known as ‘Option A’, resulting in a CEO pay ratio of 20:1 
in 2022. 

Within the Strategic report, the Group has set out its intent 
to contribute positively towards the objective under the  
UK’s current legislation to achieve net zero emissions by 
2050. Emission reduction targets continue to form a key 
performance condition of three-year Performance Share 
Plan (‘PSP’) awards. 

The DRR has three sections:
1.  This annual summary statement;
2. A summary of the Policy approved in 2021 which is 

presented for information only; and

3. The Annual Report on Remuneration of the Executive 

Directors and Non-Executive Directors for 2022, which will be 
subject to an advisory shareholder vote at the 2023 AGM.

Committee changes
As announced on 6 December 2022, Martin Houston 
stepped down as the Non-Executive Chair of the Board  
and as a member of the Committee. He was succeeded  
as Non-Executive Chairman by Gareth Penny, who also 
became a member of the Committee in February 2023. The 
all-inclusive fee for Gareth Penny as Chairman of the Board 
was discussed by the Committee and was maintained at 
the current level.

Chief Financial Officer succession
After Jonathan Swinney notified the Board of his intention to 
step down as CFO and Executive Director, the Board approved 
a successor. Salman Malik, who joined the Company in 2013, 
became CFO on 15 August 2022, with his remuneration set at a 
level that is aligned to an external comparator group and 
reflects his retained dual responsibility as Managing Director, 
Corporate Development, Infrastructure and New Energy. 
Acknowledging this broader role, Salman Malik’s base salary 
was set at £440,000 per annum with a payment in lieu of 
pension contribution of 10% of base salary. His package 
complies fully with the 2020 Remuneration Policy that was 
approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM. Further 
information on Salman’s remuneration package since his 
appointment as CFO is provided on pages 93 and 101.

Since stepping down from the Board, Jonathan Swinney has 
been available to work closely with Salman Malik to ensure  
a smooth transition and provide assistance in relation to 
ongoing projects. Jonathan Swinney left the Company on 
22 March 2023. 

Jonathan Swinney’s remuneration arrangements continued to 
be in line with his service contract and the Remuneration Policy.  

Shareholder consultation
Continued open and transparent shareholder dialogue 
provides an invaluable contribution to the Committee.     

85

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report continued

The current 2020 Remuneration Policy was approved by 
95.4% of shareholders and during 2022, shareholders 
continued to contribute to the Committee’s ongoing work in 
ensuring our Policy continues to support and drive our 
business strategy. During 2022, we used shareholder 
feedback to further simplify the performance measures 
used in both the annual bonus and PSP, as well as to test 
support for the remuneration package for our new CFO. 

In line with corporate governance standards, we intend  
to review the Policy during 2023 ahead of its submission  
for shareholder approval at the 2024 AGM. Shareholder 
consultation will form a key part of the Committee’s  
review over the course of the coming year. Ensuring our 
Remuneration Policy supports and drives our business 
strategy remains a core requirement for the Committee.

Performance and remuneration outcomes for 2022
Production performance in 2022 was on target for the year 
and expenditure measures that included operating, capital 
and decommissioning expenditure exceeded stretch 
performance. This combination helped to drive an overall 
strong performance for the year. A key target for the year was 
to reset the capital structure and strengthen the balance 
sheet. The refinancing of the Group’s retail bond, high yield 
bond and reserve based lending facility were all delivered 
despite challenging market conditions. An important ongoing 
environmental, social and governance (‘ESG’) objective for the 
Company is to ensure a marked reduction to the emissions 
from the assets within EnQuest’s portfolio and in 2022 we are 
proud to have again exceeded our target. We have also 
exceeded our expectations with lower employee attrition than 
targeted and made good progress with the delivery of 
projects in our growth agenda.

2022 annual bonus – payable in 2023
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 (CEO) was based solely on 
achievement against the Company Performance Contract 
(‘CPC’). For Salman Malik, his bonus for the period prior to 
being appointed as CFO was based on a combination of 
CPC outcome (50% of target) and individual performance 
objectives (the remaining 50% of target). From the date of his 
appointment as CFO in August 2022, Salman’s annual bonus 
was also based entirely on the CPC outcome. 

The 2022 target and maximum bonus potential for Amjad 
Bseisu was 75% and 125% of salary, respectively, with the final 
bonus award being equal to 92.88% of base salary (74.30% of 
maximum). From his appointment as CFO on 15 August 2022, 
Salman Malik’s target and maximum bonus potential was 
also 75% and 125% of base salary, with the final award being 
applied pro rata to reflect his time in the role. The final award 
for Salman Malik in his role as CFO was equal to 35.4% of 
annual salary. The Committee believes that the payouts, 
which were generated directly from the CPC outcome, are 
appropriate and representative of the performance of the 
Executive Directors and senior management when balanced 
against the shareholder and employee experience, and that 
further discretionary adjustment was not required. Full details 
of how these awards were determined are included on pages 
93 to 95 of this report. Following his resignation, Jonathan 
Swinney was not awarded an annual bonus for performance 
in 2022.

Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’)
The three-year performance period for the 2020 PSP ended 
on 31 December 2022. Vesting of these awards was based 

86

wholly on EnQuest’s TSR performance relative to an agreed 
group of sector comparators. Over the performance period, 
EnQuest’s TSR ranked between the median and upper 
quartile, resulting in 74.8% of the original award vesting. In 
line with the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, vested awards 
will be subject to a mandatory two-year holding period 
commencing on 9 September 2023.

To mitigate any potential windfall gains on vesting, at the 
time the awards were made, the Committee applied its 
discretion and used the 12-month average share price at 
the date of award for Executive Directors.  

During the year, a PSP award calculated at 250% of salary for 
Amjad Bseisu and 75% of salary for Salman Malik (before he 
was appointed as CFO) was granted on 27 April 2022, 
measured 80% against relative total shareholder return 
(‘TSR’) and 20% against the achievement of an emission 
reduction target.

Executive Director shareholding
Executive Directors are expected to build up and hold a 
shareholding of 200% of salary. Amjad Bseisu comfortably 
meets this requirement and, as a new Executive Director, 
Salman Malik is expected to build up to this level within five 
years of his appointment.

Executive Director remuneration in 2023
2023 base salaries
For 2023, the Committee has increased the CEO’s salary by 
4%, slightly below the average increase for the UK workforce. 
The salary of the CFO, set on his appointment in August 
2022, will not be increased in 2023. 

The Committee is mindful of the market positioning of the 
CEO’s fixed remuneration and its proximity to the CFO’s, and 
has committed to review and recommend an appropriate 
course of action during 2023.

2023 annual bonus
For 2023, the annual bonus for the CEO and CFO will be 
based 100% on the 2023 CPC outcome, with a target level of 
75% of salary and a maximum of 125% of salary. Details of 
the performance measures and weightings are set out on 
page 101.

2023 PSP awards
As with the annual bonus, there will be no change to the 
operation of the PSP in 2023, and Amjad Bseisu and Salman 
Malik will each receive an award of 250% of salary in April 2023. 
Awards will continue to be measured 80% on the basis of TSR 
performance relative to a peer group (the constituents of which 
have been slightly revised for 2023), and 20% on emission 
reduction over the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025. 
Further details are set out on pages 101 and 102.

Conclusion
We continue to appreciate the benefits of transparency and 
proactive interaction with major shareholders. We welcome 
your input and are always open and ready to listen and take 
on board suggestions that help EnQuest to continue to 
develop and improve. 

The Committee and I wish to thank all our shareholders for 
their ongoing support over the years. I hope you will support 
and vote for this DRR at the forthcoming AGM.

Howard Paver
Chair of the Remuneration and Social Responsibility 
Committee 
4 April 2023

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 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’) in relation to 
remuneration. The Committee has taken 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 Group.

Remuneration Policy
The following sections of this report set out a summary of our Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the ‘Policy’), which was 
approved by shareholders at the 2021 Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) in accordance with Section 439A of the Companies 
Act 2006.

Remuneration principles
In determining the Policy approved at the 2021 AGM and summarised below, the Group reviewed its overall remuneration 
principles to ensure that they continue to be aligned with the Group’s strategy and stakeholder interests. EnQuest’s 
strategic objective is to be the partner of choice for responsible management of existing energy assets, applying our core 
capabilities to create value through the transition.

EnQuest’s remuneration principles remain clear and simple: to ensure that the Group operates with the appropriate 
culture, strengthening the link between reward and performance and emphasising the importance of its purpose and 
Values.

In summary, the principles underpinning the Policy are that remuneration for Executive Directors should:
•  Support alignment of executives with stakeholders;
•  Be fair, reflective of best practice, and market competitive;
•  Comprise fixed pay set around the median and variable pay capable of delivering remuneration at upper quartile; and
•  Reward performance with a balance of short-term and long-term elements, with the emphasis on longer-term reward.

The table below sets out how the principles of the Code relating to the design of remuneration policies and practices have 
been applied:

Clarity

Simplicity

Risk

Predictability

Proportionality

Alignment to culture

Remuneration for 
Executive Directors is 
comprised of distinct 
elements:
•  Salary;
•  Pension and other 
benefits aligned 
with the wider UK 
workforce (in 
accordance with 
Provision 38 of the 
Code);

•  Annual bonus; and
•  Long-term incentive 
awards to reward 
sustainable 
long-term 
performance.

Remuneration 
arrangements ensure 
that the risks from 
excessive rewards are 
easily identified and 
mitigated.

Salaries are reviewed 
annually and consider 
a variety of factors, 
including external 
benchmarking and 
salary increases 
across the wider 
workforce.

Variable pay 
elements are linked 
directly to Group 
performance.

Target ranges and 
potential maximum 
payments under 
each element of 
remuneration are 
disclosed within the 
DRR.

The Committee 
operates a high 
degree of discretion 
over variable pay 
elements and can 
adjust any pay 
outcomes that the 
Committee deems 
are inconsistent with 
the performance of 
the Group.

The Committee  
has ensured that 
appropriate 
safeguards are 
incorporated into  
the 2021 Policy.

The annual bonus is 
directly aligned to 
Group objectives, and 
the Committee 
retains discretion to 
adjust outcomes that 
are considered 
disproportionate to 
the experience of 
other stakeholders.

The Group’s Business 
performance metrics 
and remuneration 
structure are aligned  
to its culture and 
Values, with specific 
non-financial 
measures included  
in performance 
metrics.

The Committee keeps 
all performance 
metrics under review 
and retains the 
flexibility to introduce 
further culture and 
Values measures into 
its annual bonus 
plan.

Ensure a strong link 
between pay and 
performance and that 
our remuneration 
structure is designed 
to be appropriately 
logical and 
transparent.

The Group engages  
in shareholder 
consultation when 
considering material 
changes to Policy or 
process.

The Group believes  
its remuneration 
arrangements, and 
the principles 
underpinning them, 
are clear and well 
understood by its 
stakeholders.

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), a long-term incentive plan (referred to as the PSP), private medical insurance, life 
assurance, personal accident insurance, and a modest cash allowance 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 Group performance, employment conditions for other employees in the Group, and the 
external marketplace. Comparative data for our sector is obtained from a variety of independent sources.

87

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report continued

The following table summarises EnQuest’s Remuneration Policy which became binding on 12 May 2021 with 95.35% of  
votes cast in favour. The full policy can be viewed in the 2020 Annual Report which can be found on the Group’s website, 
www.enquest.com:

Component

Operation/key features

Maximum potential  
opportunity

Applicable performance measures

Salary and fees

•  Set at or below median when compared to a 

•  Increases in excess of 

None.

comparator group and reviewed by the 
Committee annually.

the general workforce by 
exception only.

Pension and  
other benefits

Annual bonus

•  Pension delivered as cash in lieu, with 

•  Maximum pension 

None.

remaining benefits provided by the Group.

•  Participation in Sharesave permitted.
•  Additional benefits offered when required, in 

line with local practice.

•  Reasonable business-related expenses 

permitted.

•  Benefits reviewed periodically.

•  Bonus in excess of 100% of salary deferred into 
EnQuest shares for two years, otherwise paid  
in cash.

allowance is lesser of 
10% of salary or £50,0001.

•  Private medical and 
personal accident 
insurance.

•  Life assurance.

•  Target award: 75% of 

•  Scorecard including key performance 

salary.

•  Maximum award: 125%  

objectives set annually by the Committee 
and measured against threshold, target 
and stretch levels with bonuses accruing 
on a sliding scale from 0% at threshold.

•  Committee discretion to allow dividend 

of salary.

equivalent on deferrals.

•  Cash and share elements both subject to 
malus and clawback for up to three years  
post payment.

Performance 
Share Plan (‘PSP’)

•  Awarded annually.
•  Three-year vesting dependent on achievement 

•  Normal maximum:  

•  A blend of measures including, but not 

250% of salary.

•  Exceptional maximum: 

350% of salary.

limited to, relative TSR and ESG measures.

•  Maximum of 25% vesting at threshold.
•  Performance conditions detailed in the 

Annual Report on Remuneration.
•  The number, type and weighting of 

measures may vary in the future in line 
with business priorities.

•  Shareholder consultation will normally 
take place before material changes  
are made.

n/a

None.

of performance conditions.

•  Further two-year holding period.
•  Awards can be conditional, nil cost options  

or joint interests in shares.

•  Dividend equivalent on unvested awards 

permitted in shares.

•  Subject to malus and clawback.

•  Executive Director shareholding of at least 200% 
of salary, with a requirement that this level is 
achieved within five years of appointment.
•  Shareholding to be retained at the lower of 

actual shareholding or 200% of salary for two 
years post-employment, including both vested 
and unvested shares.

Shareholding 
requirements

Chairman and 
Non-Executive 
Director fees

•  Reviewed annually considering comparator 

•  Reviewed periodically 

None.

and limited by the 
Company’s Articles  
of Association.

group fee levels, time commitment and 
employee salary increases.

•  Non-Executive Directors receive base fees with 
additional fees paid to Committee Chairs and 
the Senior Independent Director.

•  Additional fees can be paid if there is a 
material increase in time commitment.

•  Reasonable business-related expenses are 

permitted.

•  Not eligible for Group benefits or incentive 

schemes.

•  Chairman receives an all-inclusive fee set  

by the Senior Independent Director.

Note:
1  Pension allowance for Amjad Bseisu was 10.1% of salary in 2022 in line with the planned transition to pension contribution equivalence with the broader 

workforce started in 2021. From 2023, Amjad Bseisu will be aligned to this Policy with a pension allowance at 9.7% of salary

Changes to policy
No changes have been made to the Policy since its adoption at the 2021 AGM.

Performance measures and targets
Annual bonus
The key performance indicators in the Group scorecard that also determine a significant proportion of the annual bonus  
of Executive Directors include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
•  Environmental, social and governance (’ESG’);
•  Financial (including operating expenditure (‘opex’), capital expenditure (‘capex’) and EnQuest net debt;
•  Operational performance/production;
•  Project delivery; 
•  Reserves additions; and
•  Objectives linked to key accountabilities.

88

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 Group and the performance conditions of the Group’s PSP. In addition 
to measuring performance against objectives, the Committee will consider the overall quality of the Group’s financial 
performance and other factors, particularly HSEA, when determining annual performance pay awards.

Bonus objectives for Amjad Bseisu are typically based solely on the Group scorecard, referred to as the Company Performance 
Contract (‘CPC’) of EnQuest. The CFO’s bonus objectives are also primarily based on the CPC for EnQuest, but may also include 
up to 25% based on additional objectives that cover specific key accountabilities and responsibilities of this role. 

Annual performance bonus and share deferrals
Executive Directors will normally receive any applicable annual performance bonus in cash and deferred shares, 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 minimum vesting period of three years. Awards granted from 2019 
onwards are 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. 

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 Group. 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. 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 Group’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 Group’s 
approved Policy at the time. Different performance objectives 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 be provided in line with those offered to other executives and 
employees taking into account corporate governance requirements and 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 Group.

In the case of an internal promotion, any outstanding variable pay awarded in relation to the previous role will be allowed 
to continue 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 attached to that remuneration. The Group’s existing incentive arrangements, including the 2020 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.

Service contracts
Amjad Bseisu and Salman Malik 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 base 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  
would be subject to mitigation.

Executive Directors1

Amjad Bseisu

Salman Malik

Note:
1  Jonathan Swinney stood down as an Executive Director in August 2022

Date of appointment

Notice period

22 February 2010

12 months

15 August 2022

12 months

89

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report continued

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

Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment1

Gareth Penny

Carl Hughes

John Winterman

Howard Paver

Farina Khan

Liv Monica Stubholt

Rani Koya

Date of appointment

Notice period

6 December 2022

3 months

1 January 2017

3 months

7 September 2017

3 months

1 May 2019

3 months

1 November 2020

3 months

15 February 2021

3 months

1 January 2022

3 months

Initial term of 
appointment

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

Note:
1  Phillip Holland stood down as a Non-Executive Director on 17 July 2022 and Martin Houston stood down as Non-Executive Chairman on 6 December 2022

External directorships
EnQuest 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 EnQuest. 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 base 
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 be tested as normal 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 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.

Remuneration and Social Responsibility 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 adjudication of performance against targets 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 (for example, 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.

90

If an event occurs which results in any applicable performance conditions and/or targets being deemed no longer 
appropriate (for example, 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 Group 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 2023 in line with the Policy. 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.

In accordance with the remuneration reporting requirements, four 2023 scenarios are illustrated for each Executive 
Director:

Below threshold performance

Target performance

Maximum performance

Maximum performance plus 50% share 
appreciation

•  Fixed remuneration
•  Zero annual bonus
•  No vesting under the PSP

•  Fixed remuneration
•  75% of annual base salary as annual bonus
•  25% of maximum vesting under the PSP at threshold performance 

(62.5% of base salary)

•  Fixed remuneration
•  125% of annual base salary as annual bonus
•  Full vesting under the PSP (250% of base salary)

•  Fixed remuneration
•  Maximum payout under the annual bonus
•  Full vesting under the PSP plus assumed 50% share price 

appreciation at vesting (equivalent to 375% of base salary)

’

)
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

£3,131

61.5%

£2,489

51.5%

£1,270

25%

30%

45%

£565

100%

25.8%

20.5%

22.7%

18.0%

£561

100%

£1,090

24%

28%

48%

£2,761

59.8%

£2,211

49.8%

24.9%

19.9%

25.4%

20.3%

Long-term incentives
Annual bonus
Fixed pay

Minimum

Target

Maximum 

Maximum + 
50% share
appreciation 

Minimum

Target

Maximum 

Maximum + 
50% share
appreciation 

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer 

Notes:
For the CEO, fixed pay comprises salary from 1 January 2023, a pension allowance of £50,000 plus medical insurance benefit of £1,133.
For the CFO, fixed pay comprises salary from 1 January 2023, a pension allowance of £44,000, international medical insurance benefit of £13,007 with an additional 
£13,884 in respect of grossing up the value of this premium in respect of taxation, plus a further fixed-term monthly allowance of £8,333 in respect of costs relating 
to relocating from the United Arab Emirates in 2022 (this allowance is scheduled to finish in June 2023). 

91

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate Governance 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Statement of consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group
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 have opted to receive cash in lieu of 

pension. Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any 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 and Social Responsibility Committee welcomes and values the opinions of EnQuest’s shareholders with 
regard to the structure and levels of remuneration for Directors. The 2021 DRR was voted on at the AGM held in June 2022, 
where 86.13% of the votes cast were in favour. The Policy, where 95.35% of votes cast at the AGM held in May 2021 were in 
favour, incorporated shareholder feedback following consultation.

Annual Report on Remuneration for 2022
Terms of reference
The Committee’s terms of reference are available either on the Group website, www.enquest.com, or by written request 
from the Company Secretariat team at the Group’s London headquarters. The remit of the Committee embraces the 
remuneration strategy and policy for the Executive Directors, the Executive Committee, senior management and, in certain 
matters, for the whole Group.

Meetings in 2022
The Committee has four scheduled meetings per year. During 2022, it met on four occasions to review and discuss 
appropriate compensation for Salman Malik as incoming CFO, base salary adjustments for 2023, the setting of Group 
performance conditions and related annual bonus for 2022, PSP performance conditions, UK Corporate Governance Code 
provisions and the approval of share awards.

Committee members, attendees and advisers

Member

Howard Paver
Martin Houston1

Farina Khan
Gareth Penny2

Date appointed 
Committee member

Attendance at scheduled 
meetings during the year

1 May 2019

15 October 2019

1 November 2020

15 February 2023

4 of 4

3 of 4

4 of 4

n/a

Notes:
1  Martin Houston stepped down as Non-Executive Chairman and as a member of the Committee on 6 December 2022 
2  Gareth Penny was appointed as a member of the Committee on 15 February 2023 

Advisers to the Remuneration and Social Responsibility 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 Group as a whole. Those individuals, who are not members but 
may attend by invitation, include, but are not limited to:
•  The Chief Executive (Amjad Bseisu);
•  The Chief Financial Officer (Salman Malik);
•  The Company Secretary;
•  A representative from the Group’s Human Resources department;
•  A representative from Mercer Kepler, appointed as remuneration adviser by the Committee from 1 August 2017, and 

terminated in March 2022; and 

•  A representative from Ellason LLP, appointed as remuneration adviser by the Committee from 1 April 2022. 

92

Information subject to audit
Directors’ remuneration: the ‘single figure’
In this section of the report, payments made to the Executive and Non-Executive Directors of EnQuest for the year ended 
31 December 2022, together with comparative figures for 2021 are set out.

Single total figure of remuneration – Executive Directors

Director

Amjad Bseisu

Salman Malik2

Jonathan Swinney6

Total

Salary 
and fees

All taxable 
benefits

Pension3

Total fixed 
pay

Annual 
bonus4

‘Single figure’ of remuneration – £’000s1

494

479

207

211

338

912

817

1

1

53

1

1

55

2

50

50

20

21

34

91

84

545

530

280

233

373

1058

903

458

392

156

0

277

614

669

LTIP5

 1,352 

 736 

249

0

516

 1,601 

 1,252 

Total 
variable

Total fixed 
and variable

 1,810 

 1,128 

405 

0

793

2,215 

 1,921 

 2,355 

 1,658 

 685 

 233 

 1,166 

 3,273 

 2,824 

Year

2022

2021

2022

2022

2021

2022

2021

Notes:
1  Rounding may apply
2  Salman Malik was appointed CFO on 15 August 2022 and his salary, benefits and variable incentives are shown on a pro-rata basis, with the LTIP value based on 

an award made before his appointment. Taxable benefits for Salman Malik include grossed-up international private medical insurance and a fixed-term 
monthly allowance of £8,333 in respect of relocation costs (this allowance is due to terminate in June 2023)

3   Cash in lieu of company pension contribution
4  The amount stated is the full amount (including any portion deferred). Any amount that is above 100% of their salary is paid in EnQuest PLC shares, deferred for 

two years, and subject to continued employment

5  PSP awarded on 24 April 2020 which will vest on 9 September 2023: the LTIP value shown in the 2022 single figure is calculated by taking the number of 

performance shares that will vest (74.80%) multiplied by the average value of the EnQuest share price between 1 October 2022 and 31 December 2022 (25.50 
pence), as the share price on 9 September 2023 is not known at the time of this report. This number of shares has been adjusted in line with the open offer 
dated 26 July 2021, further details of which are included on page 97.
The PSP awarded on 24 April 2019 which vested on 24 April 2022: the LTIP value shown in the 2021 single figure is calculated by taking the number of performance 
shares that vested (43.89%) multiplied by the actual share price of 31.90 pence on the next business day following the vesting date of 24 April 2022, as the 
vesting date was a weekend in the UK. The 2021 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

6  Jonathan Swinney stepped down as CFO on 15 August 2022 and his salary and benefits are shown on a pro-rata basis. Following his resignation, he was not 

entitled to any variable incentives

Single total figure of remuneration – Non-Executive Directors
The remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors for the year ended 31 December 2022 was as follows, together with 
comparative figures for 2021:

Director
Gareth Penny1
Martin Houston2

Howard Paver

Carl Hughes
Philip Holland3

John Winterman
Farina Khan4
Liv Monica Stubholt5
Rani Koya6

Total

‘Single figure’ of remuneration – £’000s

Salary 
and fees 
20227

Salary  
and fees 
2021

All taxable 
benefits 
2022

All taxable 
benefits 
2021

Total for 
2022

Total for 
2021

14

264

105

95

58

95

85

85

88

–

200

80

70

70

70

60

45

–

889

595

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

14

264

105

95

58

95

85

85

88

–

200

80

70

70

70

60

45

–

889

595

Notes:
1  Gareth Penny was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman on 6 December 2022. His fees were pro-rated
2  Martin Houston stepped down from the role of Non-Executive Chairman on 6 December 2022. His fees were pro-rated
3  Philip Holland retired from the Board on 17 July 2022. His fees were pro-rated
4  Farina Khan became a member of the Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee in February 2021
5  Liv Monica Stubholt was appointed to the Board on 15 February 2021. Her fees in 2021 were pro-rated  
6  Rani Koya was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2022 and became a member of the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee and Technical Committee. 
On 1 September 2022, Rani became Chair of the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee and her additional fee as a Committee Chair was pro-rated in 2022

7  Non-Executive Directors were each paid an additional one-off fee of £25,000 in July 2022. Further details in the Governance section, page 73 

93

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate Governance 
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual bonus 2022 – paid in 2023
The Committee’s belief is that any short-term annual bonus should be tied to the overall performance of the Group. 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 2022 as a 
percentage of base salary was 125% for Amjad Bseisu and Salman Malik.

For both Amjad Bseisu and Salman Malik, the annual bonus reported in the single figure table for 2022 was wholly based on 
the CPC results, with Salman’s bonus pro-rated from the date of his appointment as CFO.

Company Performance Contract (‘CPC’)
The details of the CPC for both Amjad Bseisu and Salman Malik are set out in the following tables, showing the 
performance conditions and respective weightings against which the bonus outcome was assessed.

Performance targets and payout1

Performance measure

Production
(Kboed)

Weighting

25.00%

Expenditure
Cash opex/capex/abex ($ million)

15.00%

ESG, culture and D&I
Emissions: reduce diesel usage and flaring 
against 2021

5.00%

ESG, culture and D&I
Improve on outcome of diversity and 
Inclusion pulse survey against 2021

ESG, culture and D&I
Manage voluntary employee attrition 
rates

Liquidity management
Deliver appropriate funding 
(extension/refinancing of RBL, 
refinancing of retail and high  
yield bonds)

Organic and inorganic growth
Deliver projects that contribute to 
ongoing growth of the Company

5.00%

5.00%

25.00%

20.00%

Amjad Bseisu and
Salman Malik2

31.25%

19.75%

18.75%

18.75%

6.25%

4.75%

6.25%

1.88%

6.25%

5.25%

31.25%

31.25%

25.00%

Threshold: 44.0
Target: 47.0
Maximum: 51.0

Actual: 47.3

Threshold: 821.2
Target: 684.3
Maximum: 658.8

Actual: 576.1

Threshold reduction: 5.0%
Target reduction: 10.0% 
Maximum reduction: 15.0%

Actual: 12.0%

Threshold: holding position
Target: improving
Maximum: exceeding

Maximum bonus % 
available

Actual % payout

Maximum bonus % 
available

Actual % payout

Maximum bonus % 
available

Actual % payout

Maximum bonus % 
available

Actual: Threshold

Actual % payout

Threshold: 16.0%
Target: 11.0%
Maximum: 6.0%

Actual: 8.0%

Threshold: deliver one
Target: deliver two
Maximum: deliver three

Maximum bonus % 
available

Actual % payout

Maximum bonus % 
available

Actual: delivered three

Actual % payout

Maximum bonus % 
available

Threshold: deliver one
Target: deliver two
Maximum: deliver three  
or more

Actual: delivered one with 
partial delivery of another

Actual % payout

11.25%

Total bonus outturn (% of salary)

92.88%

Notes:
1  Rounding has been applied to percentages and figures shown
2 

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 between threshold and target performance and between target and stretch performance

Any payout against the CPC may be subject to an additional underpin based on the Committee’s assessment of the 
Group’s HSEA performance. Following above-target performance in relation to HSEA metrics, it was the view of the 
Committee that the scorecard outcome was a reasonable representation of Executive Director performance and did  
not require further adjustment.

The annual bonus summary for the Executive Directors for 2022 is shown in the table on the following page based on  
the achievement of the performance conditions against the CPC for both Amjad Bseisu and Salman Malik.

94

Performance measure2

Production (Kboed)

Expenditure – opex/capex/abex ($ million)

ESG, culture and D&I: emission reduction

ESG, culture and D&I: D&I survey

ESG, culture and D&I: employee attrition

Liquidity management

Growth - organic & inorganic

Total outturn (%)

Total payout (% of maximum)

Total payout (%)

(Pro-rated applies from appointment as CFO on 15 August 2022)

Total 2022 bonus award (£)

Weighting

Maximum

Actual outturn % of salary1

Amjad Bseisu

Salman Malik

25.00%

15.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

25.00%

20.00%

31.25%

18.75%

6.25%

6.25%

6.25%

31.25%

25.00%

19.75%

18.75%

4.75%

1.88%

5.25%

31.25%

11.25%

100.00%

125.00%

92.88%

74.30%

92.88%

n/a

74.30%

92.88%

35.37%

£458,347

£155,623

Notes:
1  Rounding has been applied to the percentages shown
2  The total bonus outturn for Salman Malik was applied to his pro-rated annual base salary from the date of his appointment as CFO in August 2022. Salman 
Malik also received a pro-rated performance bonus based on targets set in his role as Managing Director, Corporate Development, Infrastructure and New 
Energy 

2020 PSP awards that vest in 2023
The LTIP award made to Executive Directors on 10 September 2020 was based on the performance to the year ended 
31 December 2022 and will vest on 9 September 2023.

Targets applying to the 2020 PSP award were set by the Committee in August 2020 following a period of consultation with 
shareholders. Performance conditions would normally be set in March each year, with awards granted in April; however, due 
to significant oil price volatility early in the year and the developing situation around COVID-19, awards were delayed in 2020.  

The performance targets for this award and actual performance against those targets over the three-year financial period 
were as follows:

Measure

Relative TSR over the period 
1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022

Weighting

Threshold 
(25% vesting)

Maximum
(100% vesting)

Actual ranking

Vesting outcome 
(% of maximum)

100.0%

50th percentile 75th percentile 67th percentile

74.80%

Note: 
The TSR comparators for the 2020 PSP cycle are shown in the table on page 97

The table below shows the number of nil cost options awarded on 10 September 2020 that will vest on 9 September 2023 
and their value as at 31 December 2022. This figure is calculated by taking the average closing share price on each trading 
day of the period 1 October 2022 to 31 December 2022 and is used as the basis for reporting the 2022 ‘single figure’ of 
remuneration. The actual value of these shares recorded in the remuneration table will be updated in 2023 to represent  
the actual value received on the day of vesting.

Name

Amjad Bseisu
Salman Malik2

Original  
number of 
shares

Adjusted 
number of 
shares1

Portion vesting

No. of  
shares  
vesting

Average  
share price 
£

7,057,406

7,090,042

1,297,406

1,303,405

74.80%

74.80%

 5,303,351 

 974,946 

0.2550

0.2550

Value at  
31 Dec 2022 
£

 1,352,270 

 248,596 

Notes:
1.  Following an adjustment made in relation to the open offer of 26 July 2021
2.  Awards made to Salman Malik were under the relevant terms applicable for his role before he was appointed CFO in August 2022 

The 2020 PSP award granted to Amjad Bseisu was based on the average middle market quotation of the 12 months 
preceding the date of grant of 10 September 2020 of 16.64 pence. Compared to the average value of the EnQuest share 
price between 1 October 2022 and 31 December 2022 of 25.50 pence, this represents a 53.3% increase in the share price 
over the period and means that 34.7% of the reported value at 31 December 2022 is due to share price appreciation. The 
award made to Salman Malik in 2020 was while he was a member of the Executive Committee and was reduced in value 
by 15% in line with other Executive Committee members at the time.

95

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report continued

The Committee is satisfied that the implied values vesting to Executive Directors and the overall single figures of 
remuneration for the year are appropriate taking into account the performance of the Group. At the time of grant a 
12-month average share price was used instead of the normal three-day average, which led to the grant price being 
approximately 40% higher than it would otherwise have been. Due to this action that was applied at the time of grant, the 
Committee agrees that no further discretion was needed in relation to the change in share price. Awards will be subject to 
a mandatory two-year holding period ending in September 2025.

April 2022 PSP award grant
After due consideration of Business performance in 2021, the Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee awarded 
the Executive Directors the following performance shares on 25 April 2022:

Amjad Bseisu
Salman Malik2

Face value  

(% of salary)

250.0%

171.9%

Face value at 
date of grant
£

Number 
of shares1

Performance period

1,197,840

3,343,689 1 Jan 2022–31 Dec 2024

580,017

1,619,078 1 Jan 2022–31 Dec 2024

Notes:
1  Based on the average middle market quote for the three days preceding the date of grant of 35.82 pence 
2  The level of the PSP awarded to Salman Malik in 2022 was aligned to the level of his role prior to being appointed CFO

Summary of performance measures and targets – April 2022 PSP grant
The 2022 PSP share awards granted on 25 April 2022 will be measured 80% against a relative TSR performance condition 
over a three-year financial performance period and 20% based on emission reduction over the same period.

Vesting is determined on a straight-line basis between threshold and maximum for the performance condition.

The performance period for the award will be 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024 and thereafter subject to a mandatory 
two-year holding period.

2022 PSP – schedule for vesting in 2025

Measure

Relative TSR over the period 
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024

Emission reduction over the period
1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024

Note:
1  Linear between threshold and maximum

Weighting

80.0%

20.0%

Threshold
(25% vesting)

50th percentile

10% reduction

Maximum
(100% vesting)

75th percentile 
or higher

12% reduction 
or more

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 2022:

Year of grant

2020 100% relative TSR

2021 80% relative TSR/20% emission reduction

2022 80% relative TSR/20% emission reduction

Emissions –  
base level

n/a

1,343 ktCO2e

1,145 ktCO2e

96

The comparator group companies for the TSR performance condition relating to the 2020 PSP award are as follows:

FTSE 350
Capricorn Energy1

Tullow Oil 

FTSE All-Share
Harbour Energy2

Pharos Energy

FTSE AIM – Top 100

NASDAQ OMX Stockholm

Other

Hurricane Energy 
Rockhopper Exploration  Orrön Energy3

Africa Oil

Genel Energy

Bowleven

Serica

Aker BP ASA

Notes:
1  Capricorn Energy was previously known as Cairn Energy 
2  Harbour Energy was previously known as Premier Oil
3  Orrön Energy was previously known as Lundin Petroleum

The comparator group companies for the TSR performance condition relating to the 2021 and 2022 awards are as follows:

FTSE AIM – Top 100

FTSE Small Cap

NASDAQ OMX Stockholm Oslo Bors

Other

FTSE 250
Capricorn Energy1

Jadestone

Pharos Energy

Diversified Energy

Serica

Tullow Oil

Energean
Harbour Energy2

Africa Oil
Orrön Energy3

Aker BP ASA

BW Energy

DNO

Okea

Genel Energy

Hibiscus

Hurricane Energy

Kosmos

Maurel & Prom

Santos

Notes:
1  Capricorn Energy was previously known as Cairn Energy
2  Harbour Energy was previously known as Premier Oil
3  Orrön Energy was previously known as Lundin Petroleum 

The number of PSP awards outstanding as at 31 December 2022 is as follows:

Total shares 
awarded

Adjusted shares 
awarded

Performance period

(and weighting)

Vesting date

Performance conditions  

Grant date – September 2020

Amjad Bseisu

Salman Malik

Grant date – April 2021

Amjad Bseisu

Salman Malik

Grant date – April 2022

Amjad Bseisu

Salman Malik

7,057,406

7,090,042

1 Jan 2020–31 Dec 2022

TSR (100%)

9 Sep 2023

1,297,406

1,303,405

7,407,792

7,442,048

1 Jan 2021–31 Dec 2023

TSR (80%)

26 Apr 2024

1,157,869

1,163,223

Emission reduction (20%)

3,343,689

1,619,078

n/a

n/a

1 Jan 2022–31 Dec 2024

TSR (80%)

24 Apr 2025

Emission reduction (20%)

Pension allowance
Executive Directors who do not participate in the EnQuest pension plan instead receive cash in lieu. Amjad Bseisu received 
£50,000, Jonathan Swinney received £21,000 and Salman Malik received £20,000 in 2022. This was equivalent to 10.1% of Amjad 
Bseisu’s 2022 salary and 10.0% of the Executive Director salary received by Jonathan Swinney and Salman Malik in 2022.

97

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report continued

Statement of Directors’ shareholding and share interests
The interests of the Directors in the share capital of the Company as at 31 December 2022 are shown below:

In 2022, the following awards were granted, lapsed and adjusted for the Executive Directors.

PSP

Amjad Bseisu

PSP

Salman Malik

31 December 
2021

5,240,006

7,090,042

7,442,048

31 December 
2021

732,758

1,303,405

1,163,223

Granted

Lapsed

2,940,168

31 December  

2022
01

Vesting period

Expiry date

24 Apr 2019–24 Apr 2022

24 Apr 2029

7,090,042

10 Sep 2020–9 Sep 2023

9 Sep 2030

7,442,048

27 Apr 2021–26 Apr 2024

26 Apr 2031

3,343,689

3,343,689

25 Apr 2022–24 Apr 2025

24 Apr 2032

Granted

Lapsed

411,151

31 December  

2022

Vesting period

Expiry date

321,607

24 Apr 2019–24 Apr 2022

24 Apr 2029

1,303,405

10 Sep 2020–9 Sep 2023

9 Sep 2030

1,163,223

27 Apr 2021–26 Apr 2024

26 Apr 2031

1,619,078

1,619,078

25 Apr 2022–24 Apr 2025

24 Apr 2032

Note:
1  Amjad Bseisu elected to exercise 2,299,838 shares in July 2022

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). Awards vesting from 2019 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.

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).

Value of 

Legally owned 
(number of 
shares)

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

Executive 
deferrals

Total at  
31 December 
2022

Value of 
shareholding 
as a % of 
salary1

234,732,857

12,128% 16,089,088 4,604,010

565,705

33%

3,757,247

444,086

Amjad Bseisu2

Salman Malik

Gareth Penny

Howard Paver

Carl Hughes

Farina Khan

Rani Koya

Liv Monica Stubholt

–

457,617

109,390

211,235

–

–

John Winterman

221,123

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

–

–

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

–

–

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

72,475 255,498,430

13,201%

–

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

4,767,038

276%

–

457,617

109,390

211,235

–

–

221,123

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Notes:
1  Shares are valued by taking the average closing share price on each trading day of the period 1 October 2022 to 31 December 2022
2  As at 31 December 2022, 201,881,058 shares were held by Double A Limited, a company beneficially owned by the extended family of Amjad Bseisu. 32,674,840 

shares were also held by The Amjad and Suha Bseisu Foundation and the remaining 176,959 shares were held by Amjad Bseisu directly

98

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 index has been selected for this 
comparison as it is the index whose constituents most closely reflect the size and activities of EnQuest.

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
01 Jan 13

01 Jan 14

01 Jan 15

01 Jan 16

01 Jan 17

01 Jan 18

01 Jan 19

01 Jan 20

01 Jan 21

01 Jan 22

31 Dec 23

EnQuest
FTSE AIM – Oil & Gas 

Historical Chief Executive pay – single figure history
The table below sets out details of the Chief Executive’s pay for 2022 and the previous nine 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:

‘Single figure’ of total remuneration 
(£’000s)

Annual bonus (as a % of maximum)

Long-term incentive vesting rate 
(as a % of maximum PSP)

Notes:
1  Confirmed outcome
2  Forecast outcome

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

1,356

817

884

941

998

1,306

1,275

1,244

1,6581

 2,3552 

50

67

24

79

27

77

33

56

57

11

79

56

81

50

60

64

65

44

74

75

CEO pay ratio 2022
The CEO pay ratio has been calculated using the ‘Option A’ methodology which compares the single total figure of 
remuneration (‘STFR’) of the CEO to UK employees for the 12 months ending 31 December 2022 on a full-time equivalent 
basis. This methodology has been chosen as it offers the most accurate and preferred approach for companies to apply 
based on institutional investor guidelines.

Financial year

Methodology

2022

2021

2020

2019

A

STFR

CEO pay ratio

P25  

P50  

P75  

(lower quartile)

(median)

(upper quartile)

25:1

15:1

14:1

23:1

20:1

13:1

12:1

14:1

17:1

11:1

10:1

11:1

Total remuneration is as defined in the single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors. EnQuest has determined 
the P25, P50 and P75 individuals with reference to a ranking of total remuneration and by identifying those employees with 
the most typical pay structure of a UK-based employee. All employees have been included as at 31 December 2022, with 
remuneration of part-time employees and those employees on statutory leave included on a full-time equivalent basis. 
The increase in the CEO pay ratio in 2022 can be attributed to the higher value of the PSP at vest.

99

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report continued

Data points reflect the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile of all UK employees’ total remuneration as follows:

Financial year

Methodology

CEO

(lower quartile)

(median)

(upper quartile)

UK STFR

P25  

P50  

P75  

2022

2021

2020

2019

2022

2021

2020

2019

A

A

STFR

Base salary

 £2,355,344 

 £95,589 

£1,418,141

£1,118,892

£1,448,480

 £493,510 

£479,136

£455,179

£469,741

£92,108

£78,729

£62,717

 £71,268 

£65,500

£52,346

£51,952

 £115,917 

£106,862

£92,508

£104,769

 £71,675 

£69,960

£75,833

£76,503

 £136,877 

£128,860

£110,817

£129,558

 £71,966 

£89,920

£70,874

£87,941

In setting both the CEO remuneration and the remuneration structures for the wider UK workforce, EnQuest has adopted a 
remuneration structure which includes the same elements for employees at all levels (base pay, benefits, pension, cash 
bonus and share awards). While all employees receive a base salary that is market competitive for their role and 
commensurate with our business size, differences exist in the quantum of variable pay that is achievable by the senior 
executive team and by individuals at senior management levels within the Group. At these levels, where there is a greater 
opportunity to influence Group performance, there is a greater emphasis on aligning executives with shareholders. Based 
on this distinction, the Group believes that the median pay ratio is consistent with the wider pay, reward and progression 
policies impacting UK employees.

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:

Adjusted EBITDA1
EnQuest net debt1

Distribution to shareholders

Total employee pay

2021 
$ million

2022 
$ million

743

1,222

0

103

979

717

0

93

Note: 
1  Adjusted EBITDA has been chosen as an appropriate measure of return to shareholders and net debt as a measure of EnQuest’s commitment to its lenders

Change in Directors’ pay relative to the workforce

Amjad Bseisu

Salman Malik

Gareth Penny

Rani Koya
Martin Houston1

Howard Paver
Philip Holland2

Carl Hughes

Farina Khan
Liv Monica Stubholt3

John Winterman
UK employees (average)4

Base salary/fees
%

Bonus
%

2021 to 
2022

2020 to 
2021

2019 to 
2020

2021 to 
2022

2020 to 
2021

3

–

–

–

32

31

36

36

42

42

36

3

5

–

–

–

5

14

5

5

–

–

5

0

(3)

–

–

(5)

27

(5)

(5)

–

–

(8)

3

17

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(7)

9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3

2019 to 
2020

(25)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(21)

Benefits
%

2021 to 
2022

2020 to 
2021

2019 to 
2020

0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0

0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0

0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3

Notes:
UK employees have been chosen as the most appropriate comparator group as the majority of the EnQuest workforce is UK based and their pay structure is 
comparable to the Directors’ pay based on annualised amounts paid in 2021 and 2022. Benefits include employer pension contribution and/or allowance

 Martin Houston resigned as Non-Executive Chairman in 2022. His fees in 2022 include a fee as payment in lieu of notice 
 Phillip Holland resigned as a Director in 2022. His fees in 2022 were pro-rated
 Liv Monica Stubholt was appointed as a Director in 2021. Her fees in 2021 were pro-rated

1 
2 
3 
4  The vast majority of UK-based employees directly support the North Sea business and have a proportion of their bonus based on the performance of the  

business unit

100

Statement of implementation of the Remuneration Policy for the year ending 31 December 2023
Base salary and 2023 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 energy 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 
Group grows, as well as the performance of the Executive Director. The table below shows the changes applied to salaries for 2023.

Name

Amjad Bseisu
Salman Malik1

Salary for 2022 
£

Salary for 2023 
£

493,500

 440,000 

513,300

440,000

Increase 
%

4.0%

0.0%

Note:
1  The salary for Salman Malik in 2022 is shown as the annual rate from the appointment on 15 August 2022 and does not reflect the total base salary received 

during 2022

The average salary uplift for Group employees was 4.5%, although individual uplifts varied according to market position, 
and individual experience and performance. 

Pension and other benefits
The Group will continue to pay a cash benefit in lieu of pension of the lesser of 10% of salary or £50,000 (the CEO will receive 
the pension benefit at the capped level). The Group will also continue to pay private medical insurance, life assurance and 
personal accident insurance, the costs of which are determined by third-party providers. The Company pays for 
international private medical insurance for Salman Malik and his family as part of the relocation arrangements made and 
to reflect the multi-country residence of his dependents.

Annual bonus
For the year ended 31 December 2023, the annual bonus opportunities for the CEO and CFO will continue to be 75% of salary 
at target and 125% of salary at maximum.

The annual bonus scheme for 2023 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;

•  Executive Directors’ bonuses will be determined predominantly by the performance of the Group;
•  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 2023 metrics and weightings, which will determine the level of short-term incentive awards for the CEO and CFO, are 
set out below.

Group 2023 performance measures scorecard

Metric

Production

Expenditure

ESG, culture and D&I

Liquidity management

Growth

Weighting

25%

15%

10%

20%

30%

Notes:
Precise targets are commercially sensitive and are not being disclosed in advance at this time
Performance in HSEA is central to EnQuest’s overall results. This category may be used as an overlay on overall Group 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
2023 PSP awards
After due consideration of Business performance in 2022 and the performance of the Executive Directors, as well as other 
factors, the Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee decided to award a grant equal to 250% of salary to Amjad 
Bseisu and Salman Malik, to be awarded in April 2023. The Committee recognises the preference of some shareholders for 
an upfront reduction to award levels where there has been a fall in share price compared to the previous year’s grant. 
However, the Committee believes that making this assessment at the end of the vesting period, once all relevant 
information is known and the impact of potential ‘windfall gains’ can be more readily quantified, is preferable.

101

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Report continued

Summary of 2022 PSP performance measures and targets
The PSP share awards granted in 2023 will have two performance metrics, both measured over a three-year financial period:
•  80% of the award relates to relative TSR against a comparator group of 20 oil and gas companies; and
•  20% relates to emission reduction over three years.

2023 PSP – schedule for 2026 vesting

Measure

Relative TSR over the period 
1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025

Emission reduction over the period
1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025

2023 PSP award TSR comparator group

Africa Oil

Aker BP

BW Energy

Energean

Genel Energy

Gulf Keystone

Capricorn Energy

Harbour Energy

DNO

Hibiscus

Weighting

80.0%

20.0%

Threshold
(25% vesting)

50th percentile

10% reduction

Maximum
(100% vesting)

75th percentile 
or higher

12% reduction 
or more

Hurricane Energy

Maurel & Prom

Ithaca

Jadestone

Kistos

Kosmos

Okea

Pharos Energy

Serica Energy

Tullow Oil

Non-Executive Directors
The fees for the Non-Executive Directors with effect from 1 January 2023 are:

Chairman

Director

Senior Independent Director

Committee Chair

Fee

£200,000

£60,000

£10,000

£10,000

External benchmarking of Non-Executive Directors is carried out on an annual basis. The decision was taken to keep fees 
for Non-Executive Directors at the current 2022 levels following a benchmark review.

Advisers to the Committee
Mercer Kepler provided advice to the Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee until March 2022. Ellason LLP were 
appointed by the Committee following a competitive tender process and began providing advice to the Committee from  
August 2022.

The Committee satisfied itself that the advice given was objective and independent. Both Ellason LLP and Mercer Kepler are 
signatories to the Remuneration Consultants Group Code of Conduct, which sets out guidelines for managing conflicts of 
interest. Neither Mercer Kepler nor Ellason LLP provide any other services to the Group.

The fees paid to Mercer Kepler totalled £23,575 (excluding VAT), and fees paid to Ellason LLP in 2022 totalled £38,240 
(excluding VAT). In both cases, the 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 17 June 2022 in respect of the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 
The Remuneration Policy was last approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM, receiving 95.35% support. 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  

Number of  

votes cast

votes withheld

Remuneration Report (2022)

811,351,326

86.13% 130,652,955

13.87%

942,004,281

9,693,270

The Directors’ Remuneration Report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by Howard Paver.

Howard Paver
Chair of the Remuneration and Social Responsibility Committee
4 April 2023

102

Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee report

“ EnQuest is actively driving 

decarbonisation and emission 
reductions in support of the 
United Nation’s Sustainable 
Development Goals and the  
UK’s net zero carbon emissions 
commitment.”
Rani Koya
Chair of the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee

There has been some deterioration in HSEA performance, 
particularly in lagging indicators, but the Committee is 
satisfied that necessary steps have been taken to improve 
the performance of the Group in this critical area. Reflecting 
the desire for improved performance, the Group developed 
an integrated HSEA Continuous Improvement Plan (‘CIP’) to 
drive enhanced performance in 2023 and beyond.  

The Group has developed a robust Risk Management 
Framework, which the Committee reviews regularly, 
incorporating a wide range of risks in a complex and rapidly 
changing landscape for the sector. The Committee has 
reviewed these areas and plans for 2023 incorporate 
enhancement in the Group’s activity on Safety, Sustainability 
and Risk in support of it’s strategic purpose to provide 
creative solutions through the energy transition. 

Rani Koya
Chair of the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee
4 April 2023

Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee membership
Membership of the Committee and attendance at the three 
meetings held during 2022 is provided in the table below:

Member
Philip Holland1
Rani Koya2

Carl Hughes
Farina Khan3

Date appointed  

Committee member

Attendance at 
meetings during 
the year

25 January 2016

1 September 2022

1 January 2017

1 November 2020

2/2

1/1

3/3

1/1

3/3

3/3

Liv Monica Stubholt

15 February 2021

Joh Winterman

9 December 2020

Notes:
1   Philip Holland stepped down from the Board of Directors and as Chair of the 

Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee following EnQuest’s Annual 
General Meeting on 17 June 2022

2   Rani Koya joined the Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee and 

assumed the Chair position on 1 September 2022

3   Farina Khan stepped down from her position on the Committee on 

2 February 2022

103

Dear shareholder
On behalf of the Board and my fellow Committee members,  
I am pleased to present EnQuest’s Safety, Sustainability and 
Risk Committee report. 

During 2022, recognising the increased focus on climate,  
the scope of the Committee has been broadened to cover 
Sustainability as well as the key areas of Safety and Risk.  
The Group has adopted the United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goal (‘SDG’) 12 target of “By 2030, substantially 
reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, 
recycling and reuse” through its waste reduction activities.

The Committee reviewed the plans of the Group’s 
Infrastructure and New Energy Business, both in its emission 
reduction objectives and longer-term renewable energy and 
decarbonisation opportunities, and see exciting and positive 
opportunities in this area for the Group.

The UK Government’s North Sea Transition Deal (‘NSTD’) 
requires the industry to deliver material, progressive CO2 
equivalent reductions by 2025, 2027 and 2030, measured 
against a 2018 baseline. I am pleased to report the Group is 
well ahead of the 2025 and 2027 targets and on track to 
meet the required reduction by 2030. In addition, the Group 
will review the suitability of waste reduction as a Scope 3 
emission measure thus allowing for further improvement in 
our emission reduction targets.

The health and safety of our personnel remain a key priority 
and throughout 2022 we continued to undertake detailed 
analysis of specific risk areas such that asset integrity and 
the safety of our personnel are not compromised.

We continued to progress the improvement actions identified 
by the 2021 asset integrity review. Engagement with the Health 
and Safety Executive (‘HSE’) remained positive throughout the 
year and the three HSE Improvement Notices (‘INs’) received in 
2021 were all successfully closed out ahead of the agreed 
deadline. The North Sea Transition Authority (‘NSTA’) issued an 
IN in November in relation to the isolation arrangements at 
Magnus. While receiving the IN is disappointing, it represents 
an opportunity for the Group to identify and drive further 
improvements and we are confident that this will be closed 
out ahead of the deadline.

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceSafety, Sustainability and Risk Committee report continued

Safety, Sustainability and Risk Committee responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Committee are to:
•  Undertake in-depth analysis of specific risks, including 
emerging risks, in relation to the Group and consider 
existing and potential new controls;

•  Support the implementation and progression of the 

Group’s Risk Management Framework;

•  Review the Group’s HSEA performance and the 

effectiveness of its policies and guidelines in managing 
HSEA risks and reporting;

•  Conduct detailed reviews of key non-financial risks not 

reviewed within the Audit Committee;

Committee activities during the year
The Committee:
•  Considered the impact of HSEA processes and culture 

and the Group’s Risk Management Framework;
•  Continued to refine the Group’s Risk Management 

Framework and continuous improvement planning;
•  Reviewed the Group Risk Register, 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);

•  Assess the Group’s exposure to managing risks from 

•  Undertook in-depth reviews of ‘financial risks’, 

‘climate change’ (including assessing emissions updates) 
and review actions to mitigate these risks in line with its 
assessment of other risks;

‘compliance with regulation, legislation and ethical 
conduct’ and ‘climate change risks’, in each case 
identifying improvements to certain controls;

•  Review and monitor the Group’s decarbonisation activities, 

•  Received routine updates on HSEA (including reviewing 

including reviewing the adequacy of the associated 
framework and its alignment with the evolving regulatory 
environment (for example, around those being developed 
by the ISSB and UK TPT); and

•  Review targets and milestones for the achievement of 

decarbonisation objectives.

the Group’s performance along with ongoing and 
planned HSEA activities), which continues to be a key 
focus area for the Committee; and

•  Received routine updates on the Group’s emission 

reduction targets and strategy for further enhancing  
its contributions to SDG 12.

The Committee’s full terms of reference can be found on the 
Group’s website, www.enquest.com, under Investors/
Corporate Governance.

For further information on these risks, please see the Risks 
and uncertainties section on pages 40 to 51.

Priorities for the coming year
In 2023, the Committee will continue to focus on detailed 
analysis of key risk areas, including those relating to the Group’s 
activity on Safety, Sustainability and Risk in support of its 
strategic purpose to provide creative solutions through the 
energy transition. 

104

Technical and Reserves Committee report

“ The Committee remains focused 
on providing technical expertise 
to the Board to assist in its 
decisions.”
John Winterman
Chair of the Technical and Reserves Committee

Dear fellow shareholder
On behalf of the Board and my fellow Committee members, 
I am pleased to present the Technical and Reserves 
Committee report.

The Committee was established to support the Board  
and management in relation to all technical matters, 
including the business plan, major development projects, 
acquisitions, and the review of reserves. During the year,  
the Committee undertook a trip to the Aberdeen office to 
meet with technical staff and receive presentations on 
subsurface, decommissioning, operations, production, 
supply chain and wells. We were pleased to note the quality 
of staff and to observe the positive morale at the site.

While there, we held a dinner with mainly new employees 
and a breakfast with high-potential employees to listen to 
their views.

Towards the end of the year, the Committee carried out a 
post-investment review of the Golden Eagle acquisition, a 
transaction that completed in 2021. Each major investment 
decision is reviewed by the Committee 12–18 months after 
implementation or acquisition to both assess the project  
and to note and share key learnings.

The Committee reviewed the year-end reserves and 
recommended to the Board a move to reporting Malaysia 
2P reserves on a working interest basis, with entitlement 
reserves reported as a secondary datapoint. This brings  
us into line with our industry peer group.

From time to time the Committee reviews business 
development opportunities which, if appropriate, will be 
recommended to the Board.

Both Martin Houston and Philip Holland stood down from 
the Committee on their respective departures from the 
Board. On behalf of the Committee, I thank them both for 
their valued contribution. As reported last year, Rani Koya 
joined the Committee on her appointment to the Board.  
She brings with her a wealth of technical expertise and 
experience to support the Committee’s work. 

John Winterman
Chairman of the Technical and Reserves Committee
4 April 2022

Technical and Reserves Committee responsibilities
The main responsibility of the Committee is to provide the 
Board with additional technical insight when making Board 
decisions. The Committee’s full terms of reference can be 
found on the Group’s website, www.enquest.com, under 
Corporate Governance.

Technical and Reserves Committee membership

Member

John Winterman 
Philip Holland1
Martin Houston2

Howard Paver

Rani Koya

Date appointed  

Committee member

Attendance at 
meetings during 
the year

15 October 2019

15 October 2019

15 October 2019

15 October 2019

1 January 2022

3/3

2/2

2/2

3/3

3/3

Notes:
1   Philip Holland stepped down from the Board as Non-Executive Director  

on 17 June 2022

2   Martin Houston stepped down from the Board as Chairman and  

Non-Executive Director on 6 December 2022

Committee activities during the year
•  Visit to Aberdeen to meet technical employees
•  Review of Malaysia drilling and workover readiness
•  Review of 2021 and 2022 year-end reserves and resources
•  Review of business development opportunities
•  Review of technical assumptions underlying the 2023 

business plan

•  Update on Golden Eagle Area Development

Priorities for the coming year
In 2023, the Committee will continue to focus on supporting  
the business, in particular when assessing new opportunities, 
reserve and resource maturation and asset integrity 
management across its assets. Deep dives, with presentations 
by asset personnel, will remain a key part of this process.

105

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate Governance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 2022.”
Chris Sawyer
Company Secretary

Directors
The Directors’ biographical details are set out on pages 66 and 67. Gareth Penny and Salman Malik will stand for election at 
the 2023 Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) on 5 June 2023, with the other Directors offering themselves for re-election.

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. 
Such indemnities are in a form consistent with the limitations imposed by law.

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
Bseisu consolidated interests1

Aberforth Partners LLP

Schroders Plc

Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd

Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management

Cobas Asset Management 

Dimensional Fund Advisors

BlackRock Inc

Avanza Fonder AB

Number of 
Ordinary shares 
held at  
31 December  

2022

234,732,857

153,086,238

107,791,256

97,461,903

80,680,736

73,527,084

70,851,770

69,246,326

64,018,826

% of issued  
share capital 
held at  
31 December 
20222

Number of 
Ordinary shares 
held as at  
4 April  
2023

% of issued  
share capital 
held as at  
4 April  
2023

12.45

234,732,857

12.45

8.12

5.72

5.17

4.28

3.90

3.76

3.67

3.39

154,851,175

107,599,635

92,908,242

86,537,010

78,398,386

71,709,307

73,099,461

67,947,513

8.21

5.71

4.93

4.59

4.16

3.80

3.88

3.60

Notes:
1  201,881,058 shares are held by Double A Limited, a company beneficially owned by the extended family of Amjad Bseisu. 32,674,840 shares are also held by The 

Amjad and Suha Bseisu Foundation and 176,959 shares are held directly by Amjad Bseisu

2  Rounding applies

106

Directors’ interests
The interests of the Directors in the Ordinary shares of the Company, which are unchanged between 31 December 2022 
and 4 April 2023, are shown below:

Name
Amjad Bseisu1

Gareth Penny

Carl Hughes

Farina Khan

Rani Koya

Salman Malik

Howard Paver

Liv Monica Stubholt

John Winterman

At  
31 December  

2022

At  
4 April  
2023

234,732,857 234,732,857

–

109,390

211,235

-

565,705

457,617

-

-

109,390

211,235

-

565,705

457,617

-

221,123

221,123

Note:
1  201,881,058 shares are held by Double A Limited, a company beneficially owned by the extended family of Amjad Bseisu. 32,674,840 shares are also held by The 

Amjad and Suha Bseisu Foundation and 176,959 shares are held directly by Amjad Bseisu

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. Throughout 2022, there were 1,885,924,339 Ordinary shares in issue. No further shares have been 
issued subsequent to the year end. 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 20 to the financial 
statements on page 153. No person has any special rights with respect to control of the Company.

The Company did not purchase any of its own shares during 2022 or up to and including 4 April 2023, being the date of this 
Directors’ report. At the 2023 AGM, shareholders will be asked to renew authorities relating to the issue and purchase of Company 
shares. Details of the resolutions will be included in the Notice of AGM, which can be found on the Company’s website.

Company share schemes
The trustees of the Employee Benefit Trust (‘EBT’) did not purchase any Ordinary shares in the Company during 2022. At 
year end, the EBT held 1.36% of the issued share capital of the Company (2021: 2.14%) for the benefit of employees and their 
dependants. The voting rights in relation to these shares are exercised by the trustees.

Employee engagement
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 business briefings, country-level Town Hall meetings, Global Town Hall meetings 
(whereby staff in all geographic locations are invited to attend), email and other electronic communications, particularly 
the Company’s intranet and internal ‘Yammer’ channel. 

Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, face-to-face briefing meetings have resumed along with the use of virtual 
communications to ensure all employees have the opportunity to participate. Appropriate consultations take place with 
employees when business change is undertaken. 

A Global Employee Forum, to allow for direct employee engagement with the Board of Directors, was established in early 
2019 in line with the UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’). During the year, the Board considered the continued 
effectiveness of the Global Employee Forum and concluded that its primary function had been for the raising of non-
strategic issues. As such, the Board agreed that the Forum should continue under the direction of the Director of People, 
Culture and Diversity and without the participation of the two Non-Executive Directors who are the designated Directors for 
workplace engagement. These designated Directors now have the responsibility to ensure that a broader range of 
activities are undertaken such that the Board gets a clear understanding of the views of employees in accordance with the 
requirement of the Code. 

EnQuest offers employees the opportunity to participate directly in the success of the Company through participation in 
share schemes, such as the Save As You Earn (‘SAYE’) Share Scheme. 70% of eligible employees currently participate in 
SAYE. Eligibility for participation in other share schemes depends on a number of factors, such as seniority.

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by special resolution at a General Meeting of shareholders. 
The Company’s Articles, found on the Company’s website at www.enquest.com/corporate-governance, contain provisions 
on the appointment, retirement and removal of Directors, along with their powers and duties. While there are no specific 
restrictions, the transfer of shares in the Company is also provided for in the Articles.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s AGM will be held at Ashurst LLP, London Fruit & Wool Exchange, 1 Duval Square, London, E1 6PW on 5 June 2023. 
Formal notice of the AGM, including details of special business, is set out in the Notice of AGM which accompanies this Annual 
Report. It will be available on the Group’s website at www.enquest.com/shareholder-information/annual-general-meetings.

107

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ report continued

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 the inside back cover.

Political donations
At the 2022 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 2022 by the Company, or any of its subsidiaries.

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.

Change of control agreements
The Company (or other members of the Group) are 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 reserve based lending facility, 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 to require 
repayment of the credit which may already have been advanced to the Company and the other borrowers under  
the facility;

(b) the working capital facility, originally dated 1 December 2017, in respect of the operation of the Sullom Voe Terminal 

(‘SVT’), 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 to require repayment of the credit which may 
already have been advanced to the borrower (EnQuest Heather Limited) under the facility;

(c)  the deeds of indemnity, originally dated 10 June 2021 and 28 February 2023, pursuant to which the sureties have agreed 
to consider requests to issue, procure or participate in surety bonds, each include provisions that, upon a change of 
control, permit each surety to require the indemnitors to provide cash cover in respect of the liability assumed by the 
sureties (and costs and fees of the sureties) in relation to the Company and the other indemnitors under the deeds;
(d) the Company’s Euro Medium Term Note Programme (under which the Company has in issue Euro Medium Term Notes 
originally due in 2022, which was subsequently automatically extended to 15 October 2023, with an aggregate nominal 
amount of approximately £111.3 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

(e) under the indenture governing the Company’s high yield notes originally due in 2027, which at the date of this report 

have an aggregate nominal amount of approximately $305.0 million, 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.

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 UK-adopted IFRS, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and profit or loss 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, Deloitte, be reappointed. Deloitte has expressed its willingness to continue as auditor. An ordinary 
resolution to reappoint Deloitte 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 and rotation is on pages 83 to 84.

108

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 02 to 64. The financial position of the Group, its cash flow, liquidity position and 
borrowing facilities are described in the Financial review on pages 20 to 26. The Board’s assessment of going concern and 
viability for the Group is set out on pages 25 and 26. In addition, note 27 to the financial statements on page 161 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.

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’ Report) Regulations 2013 and The Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability 
Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018. 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 
streamlined energy and carbon reporting guidance March 2019’. The Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (‘SECR’) 
report includes assets which are in the operational control of EnQuest.

Emissions

Scope 1 
Scope 2

Scope 1
Scope 2

Energy 
Consumption4

Scope 1
Scope 2

Scope 1
Scope 2

Total emissions tCO2e2
Extraction emissions tCO2e2
Extraction emissions tCO2e2
Extraction intensity ratio kgCO2e/Boe2
Terminal (SVT) emissions tCO2e2, 3
Terminal (SVT) emissions tCO2e2, 3
Terminal (SVT) intensity ratio kgCO2e/Boe2 throughput3

Total kWh
Extraction kWh
Extraction kWh
Extraction intensity ratio kWh/Boe2
Terminal (SVT) kWh2, 3
Terminal (SVT) kWh2, 3
Terminal (SVT) intensity ratio kWh/Boe2 throughput3

UK & Overseas Breakdown

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 1

Scope 2

UK onshore tCO2e
UK offshore tCO2e
Non-UK tCO2e
UK onshore tCO2e
UK offshore tCO2e
Non-UK tCO2e
UK onshore kWh
UK offshore kWh
Non-UK kWh
UK onshore kWh
UK offshore kWh
Non-UK kWh

2022
SECR 

1,051,869
949,275
796
45.01
29,794
72,003
2.28

20215, 6
SECR

1,164,138
1,065,443
787
49.08
29,296
68,612
2.09

2018
baseline

1,704,893
1,562,507
1,515
47.54
54,859
86,011
4.65

2022
SECR 

2021
SECR 

4,455,083,433 4,944,948,025
4,415,389,182
3,924,133,320
2,446,472
2,548,727
203.37
186.04
143,280,355
116,158,249
383,832,016
412,243,137
11.24
11.84

2022
SECR (operational 
control) scope

2021
SECR (operational 
control) scope

29,823
637,070
312,176
72,384
0
416
116,302,182
2,599,376,955
1,324,612,431
414,208,783
0
583,081

29,318
634,678
430,743
69,019
0
380
143,390,072
2,578,121,049
1,837,158,416
385,749,524
0
528,964

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 is currently 2018

2  tCO2e = tonnes of CO2 equivalent. kgCO2e = kilogrammes of CO2 equivalent. Boe = barrel of oil equivalent. EnQuest is required to report the aggregate gross 

(100%) emissions for those assets over which it has operational control. As such, the extraction intensity ratio is calculated by taking the aggregate gross (100%) 
reported Scope 1 and 2 kgCO2e from those assets divided by the aggregate gross (100%) hydrocarbon production from the same assets. The throughput ratio is 
calculated by taking the aggregate gross (100%) reported Scope 1 and 2 kgCO2e from SVT divided by the aggregate total throughput at the terminal

3  Note on uncertainty: The uncertainty for total emissions within the verified scope is calculated as 3.01%. SVT emissions in isolation are not within 5% due to the 

steam and electricity meters for SVT not having supportable uncertainties
4  Kilo-watt hour (kWh) data is reported on a net calorific value basis throughout 
5  PM8/Seligi (Malaysia) fuel gas/flare calculation: An improved accuracy calculation/methodology has been applied to 2018 to 2022 data to ensure accurate 
and transparent comparatives. Some activity data anomalies were also identified and have been corrected. The change in total reported emissions for 
2018–2021 inclusive is 5% or less

6  2022 is the first year that the PM8/Seligi (Malaysian) asset has been included within the verified scope as supportable metering uncertainty documentation 
has become available for 2022. The 2021 and 2018 baseline figures in the tables above are quoted for all assets in the operational control of EnQuest but it is 
declared for transparency that the PM8/Seligi asset contribution was not verified for 2021 or the 2018 baseline 

109

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Corporate GovernanceDirectors’ report continued

Energy efficiency strategy
A number of emission reduction opportunities have previously been identified via energy saving workshops and developed as 
projects. These include compressor remapping on Kittiwake, and the commissioning of Waste Heat Recovery Units on Kraken, 
both completed during 2020 with ongoing reductions achieved in 2021 and 2022. It is recognised that improved environmental 
performance is a continuous process, and during 2021, the Group established its Infrastructure and New Energy business with 
overall responsibility for delivering the Group’s emission reduction and other decarbonisation ambitions. A number of projects, 
which range from minor modifications, such as “right-sizing” export pumps, to material technical alterations, such as flaring 
reconfiguration, are currently being assessed against a range of criteria. Additional workshops will be scheduled during 2023  
to ensure the correct projects continue to be identified, shortlisted and progressed to realise further emission reduction 
opportunities across the Group’s portfolio of assets. In addition, The Group’s Infrastructure and New Energy business is 
developing plans for a multi-year programme of projects which will right-size the SVT facilities for expected future throughput 
and prepare the way for the next phase of SVT operations, which includes a potential renewable energy power solution for the 
terminal. This programme of work will ensure EnQuest reduces the emissions footprint of the site.

SECR (operational control) scope
EnQuest has a number of financial interests (for example, joint ventures and joint investments), as covered in this Annual 
Report for which it does not have operational control. In line with SECR and ISO 14064-1 guidance, only those assets where 
EnQuest has operational control greater than 50% are captured within the SECR reporting boundary. Where EnQuest has 
less than 50% operational control of an asset, it is not included within the SECR reporting boundary. Hence, the SECR 
operational control boundary is different to EnQuest’s financial boundary. In line with SECR guidance, this is fully disclosed.

ISO-14064 verified scope
EnQuest has voluntarily opted to have emissions reported within the SECR 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 SECR 
guidance. 

Further disclosures
The Company has set out disclosures in the Strategic report in accordance with Section 414C(11) of the Companies Act 
(2006) – information required by Schedule 7 to the Accounting Regulations to be contained in the Directors’ report. These 
disclosures and any 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, The Companies (Miscellaneous 
Reporting) Regulations 2018 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

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

s.172 statement and stakeholder engagement

Research and development

Related party transactions

Page number

6 to 17

8, 11 and 20

38

52

70 to 74

38 and 77

161

n/a

165

62 to 64

n/a

160

The Directors’ report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by the Company Secretary on 4 April 2023.

Chris Sawyer
Company Secretary

110

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 UK.

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 70 of the Annual Report.

111

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report 
to the members of EnQuest PLC

Report on the audit of the financial statements
1. Opinion

In our opinion:

•  the financial statements of EnQuest PLC (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) give a true and fair 

view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2022 and of the group’s loss for 
the year then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom adopted 

international accounting standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 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 Financial Reporting Standard 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”; 
and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements which comprise:
•  the Group Income Statement;
•  the Group and Company Balance Sheets;
•  the Group and Company Statement of Changes in Equity;
•  the Group Statement of Cash Flows; 
•  the related notes 1 to 29 to the Group financial statements; and
•  the related notes 1 to 11 to the Company financial statements. 

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the group financial statements is applicable 
law, United Kingdom adopted international accounting standards and IFRSs as issued by the IASB. 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).

2. 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. 

We are independent of the group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant 
to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s (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. The non-audit services provided to the group and parent company for the year are disclosed in note 5g to 
the financial statements. We confirm that we have not provided any non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical 
Standard to the group or the parent company.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

3. Summary of our audit approach

Key audit matters

The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:

•  Valuation of oil and gas related assets and liabilities
•  Valuation of decommissioning liability

Within this report, key audit matters are identified as follows:

  Newly identified

  Increased level of risk

  Similar level of risk

  Decreased level of risk

The materiality that we used for the group financial statements was $30m which was determined on 
the basis of 3% of adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, 
remeasurements and exceptional items).

EnQuest PLC has two significant operating segments, being the North Sea and Malaysia. They 
accounted for 100% of the group’s revenue, 100% of its adjusted EBITDA and 100% of its net assets.  

There were no significant changes in our approach compared to the prior year.

Materiality

Scoping

Significant 
changes in our 
approach

112

4. Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting  
in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting included:
•  we obtained an understanding of the relevant controls relating to management’s assessment of going concern; 
•  we have tested the clerical accuracy of the model used to prepare the going concern forecasts;
•  we have assessed the historical accuracy of forecasts prepared by management;
•  we have evaluated the consistency of key inputs relating to future costs, hedging, production and working capital to 

other financial and operational information obtained during our audit;

•  we have challenged management as to the reasonableness of commodity pricing assumptions applied against recent 

market prices;

•  we have agreed the available facilities to underlying agreements and external confirmation from debt providers and 

reperformed covenant calculation forecasts;

•   we have considered the reduction to the borrowing base of the reserve based lending facility as a result of changes to 

the Energy Profits Levy;

•  we have assessed the reasonableness of management’s sensitivity analysis on the forecast, including the downside 
scenarios such as lower oil prices and reduced production, and considered the mitigating actions highlighted by 
management in the event that they were required; and

•  we have assessed the adequacy of disclosures made in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions 
that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

In relation to the reporting on how the group has applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material  
to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether the directors 
considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant 
sections of this report.

5. 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 of 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 forming our 
opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

113

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report 
to the members of EnQuest PLC continued

5.1. Valuation of oil and gas related assets and liabilities 

Key audit matter 
description

We identified a key audit matter in relation to the valuation of the group’s oil and gas related assets 
and liabilities. This relates in particular to the significant assumptions and estimates, including 
commodity prices and discount rate, that impact the forecast future cash flows used for valuation 
purposes. The following areas are part of this key audit matter:  
•  Impairment assessment of oil and gas assets;
•  Impairment assessment of goodwill; 
•  Valuation of Magnus contingent consideration; 
•  Impairment assessment of the parent company investment; and
•  Valuation of the deferred tax asset.  

Management performed an impairment assessment for oil and gas assets and goodwill carrying 
value, by reference to IAS36 Impairment of Assets. As at 31 December 2022, the net book value of oil 
and gas assets was $2,037 million (2021: $2,347 million) and management have recorded a pre-tax 
impairment of $81 million (2021: $40 million impairment reversal) against certain oil and gas assets, 
including related right of use assets, as disclosed in note 10.  

As at 31 December 2022, the net book value of goodwill was $134 million (2021: $134 million). No 
goodwill impairment charge has been recorded in 2022 (2021: nil), as disclosed in note 11.  

The valuation of Magnus contingent consideration was $589 million (2021: $366 million) as at 
31 December 2022, based on the fair value of the future cash flows for the Magnus oil and gas asset, 
as disclosed in note 22. This includes the Magnus decommissioning-linked liability. 

Management also performed an assessment of the carrying values of the parent company’s 
investment in subsidiaries by reference to IAS 36 Impairment of Assets and IFRS 9 Financial 
Instruments. As at 31 December 2022, the net book value of investments recognised in the parent 
company balance sheet was $370 million (2021: $397 million) and management have recorded an 
impairment of $31 million (2021: $319 million impairment reversal), as disclosed in note 3 to the parent 
company financial statements.

As at 31 December 2022, a deferred tax asset of $706m (2021: $703m) was recognised, based on the 
expected utilisation of historical tax losses, underpinned by forecasts of future profitability. As a result of 
the Energy Profits Levy an initial deferred tax liability of $178m has been recognised for the first time.

The oil and gas assets are reviewed for indicators of impairment, tested for impairment where 
indicators are identified and then subsequently valued at their recoverable amounts. This also 
applies to the value of the investment in subsidiaries recognised in the parent company balance 
sheet, which is assessed for impairment based on the valuation of the underlying oil and gas assets. 
Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at least annually. Contingent consideration 
constitutes a financial liability and is therefore recorded at fair value. Further details  
are included in notes 2, 10, 11 and 22 to the group financial statements. Deferred tax assets are 
recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available and is 
measured on an undiscounted basis using tax rates that have been substantively enacted.

The recoverable amounts of oil and gas assets and goodwill are subject to significant estimation 
uncertainty, as set out below and further disclosed in note 2. Consequently, they represent a high risk 
of impairment charge or reversal. There is a risk that these oil and gas assets and goodwill are not 
recoverable, or that reversal of previous impairments of oil and gas assets is required. The 
impairment charge recorded in the year on oil and gas assets was primarily because of a the 
introduction of the UK Energy Profits Levy, changes in the asset production profiles, and a higher 
discount rate, partially offset by the group’s higher future commodity price assumptions. There was 
no impairment recognised on goodwill as the recoverable amount of estimated North Sea future 
cash flows was higher than the related book value, including the carrying value of goodwill. 

The key assumptions and judgements underpinning the impairment assessments include: 
•  forecast future commodity prices, including the potential impact of climate change on those prices; 
•  forecast future production; and
•  determining appropriate discount rates.

The group’s accounting policies are detailed in notes 2, 10 and 11, these notes also include details of 
the sensitivity to changes in assumptions.  

Given the interrelated nature of the key areas noted above, management have applied consistent 
assumptions across all of these valuations where appropriate. 

The group’s Audit Committee has considered this key audit matter in their Audit Committee Report  
for the year ended 31 December 2022 on pages 81 and 82.

114

How the scope  
of our audit 
responded to the 
key audit matter

Procedures on the overall impairment review, Magnus contingent consideration valuation and 
valuation of the group’s deferred tax asset
•  we have understood management’s process for identifying indicators of impairment and for 

performing their impairment assessment and related valuations;

•  we obtained an understanding of the relevant controls and then evaluated the associated design 

and implementation of such controls relating to the impairment assumptions, the Magnus 
contingent consideration modelling, deferred tax asset modelling and reviews; 

•  we evaluated and challenged the key assumptions and inputs into the impairment and valuation 

models, which included performing sensitivity analysis, to evaluate the impact of selecting 
alternative assumptions; 

•  we evaluated the reasonableness and supportability of current year changes to the key 

assumptions;

•  we worked with our modelling specialists to evaluate the arithmetical accuracy of the impairment 

and valuation models. We recalculated the impairment charges and headroom, as well as 
valuation changes, and agreed these to financial records;

•  we challenged management’s determination of oil and gas cash generating units and considered 

whether there was any contradictory evidence;

•  we evaluated the impairment and valuation judgements taken, with reference to our assessment  

of the key assumptions as outlined above and the outcome of the sensitivities performed; and

•  we evaluated and challenged management’s disclosures including in relation to the sensitivity on 

oil and gas assets and goodwill, Magnus contingent consideration and deferred tax assets. In 
particular we challenged oil and gas price assumptions, including reduced demand scenarios, 
whether due to climate change or other reasons.

Procedures relating to oil and gas prices
•  we independently developed a reasonable range of forecasts based on external data, against 

which we compared the group’s future oil and gas price assumptions in order to challenge whether 
they are reasonable;

•  in developing this range we obtained a variety of reputable third party forecasts, peer information 

and market data; 

•  we performed sensitivity analysis on the pricing assumptions to determine the impact on the 

valuations and related changes arising from reasonably possible changes in the assumption; and
•  in challenging management’s price assumptions, we considered the extent to which they, and the 

forecast pricing scenarios obtained from third parties, reflect the impact of lower oil and gas 
demand due to climate change.

Procedures relating to forecast future cash flows and reserves estimates
•  we assessed whether forecast cash flows were consistent with Board approved forecasts, and 

analysed reasonably possible downside sensitivities;

•  with involvement from our petroleum engineering experts, we evaluated production profiles by 

reference to external reserve estimates and agreed these to the cash flow forecast assumptions;
•  we compared hydrocarbon production forecasts used in impairment tests to estimates and reports 

and our understanding of the life of fields;

•   working with our petroleum engineering specialists, we agreed estimates of oil and gas reserves to 
third party reserve reports, assessing the competence, objectivity and capability of those third-
party experts; and

•  we challenged and evaluated the appropriateness of the operating and capital cost assumptions 

within the model.

115

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report 
to the members of EnQuest PLC continued

5.1. Valuation of oil and gas related assets and liabilities 

 continued

How the scope of 
our audit 
responded to the 
key audit matter 
continued

Procedures relating to the discount rate
•   with input from our valuation specialists, we independently evaluated the group’s discount rates 

used in impairment tests, valuations and cash flow analyses; and 

•  we assessed whether country risks and tax adjustments were appropriately reflected in the group’s 

discount rates.  

Procedures relating to the impairment of parent company investments
•  we evaluated the methodology applied in reviewing the investments for impairment with reference 

to the requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets; 

•  we challenged the key assumptions within management’s cash flow forecasts as described in this 

key audit matter; 

•  we tested the mechanical accuracy of the impairment model; and
•  we evaluated the adequacy of the parent company’s disclosures regarding the investment 

impairment in note 3 of the financial statements.

Procedures relating to the carrying value of the deferred tax asset
•  we evaluated the methodology applied in calculating the group’s deferred tax assets and liabilities; 

with reference to IAS 12 Income Taxes

•  we agreed the deferred tax balances to their corresponding assets and liabilities on the group’s 

balance sheet, applying the relevant tax rates, including the application of the Energy Profits Levy;

•  we agreed the inputs used in the group’s calculations of tax losses to the group’s cash flow 

forecasts used for the purposes of impairment testing, as discussed further within this key audit 
matter; and

•  we assessed the appropriateness of the carrying value of the closing deferred tax asset.

Key observations

•  The group’s future commodity price assumptions are within our acceptable range for all periods;
•  The group’s impairment discount rate is within the acceptable range estimated by our internal 

valuation specialists;

•  From the work performed, we are satisfied that the impairment charge recorded and the carrying 

value of the investments in subsidiaries are appropriate; 

•  The carrying value of the Magnus contingent consideration is reasonable. The significant 

assumptions and cash flows are consistent with the impairment model; 

•  The group’s discount rate used to discount the Magnus contingent consideration is reasonable and 

in line with the requirement of IFRS 13 Fair value measurement;

•  The deferred tax asset recognition is appropriate and the carrying value is a reasonable estimate; 

and

•  We are satisfied that the group’s impairments are appropriately estimated in accordance with the 
requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, and the carrying value of the Magnus contingent 
consideration and deferred tax assets are appropriate.

5.2. Valuation of decommissioning liability 

Key audit matter 
description

The decommissioning provision at 31 December 2022 was $724 million (2021: $880 million). The 
provision represents the present value of decommissioning costs which are expected to be incurred 
up to 2048, assuming no further development on the group’s assets. Further details on the key 
sources of estimation uncertainty underpinning the valuation of decommissioning provisions can be 
found in note 2. Details on the sensitivity to changes in key assumptions such as discount rates are 
disclosed in note 2.

Decommissioning liabilities are inherently judgemental areas, in particular in relation to cost 
estimates , which can also be impacted by changes in climate related goals. The key assumptions 
and judgements underpinning the provision include: 
•  cessation of production dates;
•  post production cessation operating cost estimates;
•  rates and norms assumptions;
•  discount rate; and
•  inflation rate.

The two key management estimates that have an increased likelihood of resulting in a material 
misstatement within the estimation are:
•  internal well cost estimates (rig services, vessels, onshore time-writing costs) included in the 

decommissioning model; and

•  internal cost reduction factors applied to the gross decommissioning cost estimates.  

The Group’s Audit Committee has considered this key audit matter in their Audit Committee Report for 
the year ended 31 December 2022 on page 82.

116

How the scope  
of our audit 
responded to the 
key audit matter

Procedures relating to internal control
•  we assessed management’s decommissioning processes, and the oversight and governance of 

those processes in relation to decommissioning; and

•  we obtained an understanding of the relevant controls and then evaluated the associated design 

and implementation of such controls relating to the decommissioning provision.

General procedures relating to the decommissioning model
•  we held meetings with the group’s internal experts responsible for determining the 

decommissioning estimates to understand the key changes in underlying assumptions and 
methodology applied;

•  we assessed the technical competence, objectivity and capability of management’s internal and 

external experts;

•  we assessed the decommissioning provision for compliance with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent 

Liabilities and Contingent Assets;

•   we worked with our modelling specialists to evaluate the arithmetical accuracy of the 

decommissioning model. We recalculated the closing decommissioning provision and agreed it to 
the group’s financial records;

•  we challenged the group’s key assumptions, outlined above, for reasonableness and consistency 

with the external market expectations (see below for procedures on internal well cost estimates and 
internal cost reduction factors);

•  we have assessed available benchmarking reports for indications of developments in industry 

practice in light of climate change goals;

•  we tested actual decommissioning costs incurred during the period and recognised against the 

provision; and

•  we evaluated management’s disclosures including in the sensitivity of decommissioning 

assumptions.

Procedures on internal well cost estimates
•  we challenged the group’s assumptions within the cost estimate and benchmarked to peer and 

market rates; and

•  we assessed the duration assumptions for plug and abandonment of wells, by comparison to 

available benchmarking data and contradictory evidence available from active decommissioning 
projects or operator estimates. 

Procedures on internal cost reduction factors 
•  we challenged the group’s cost reduction factors applied to the decommissioning model through 

obtaining supporting evidence for the factors applied; and 

•  we benchmarked cost reduction factors to peers and other applicable sources, and considered 

contradictory evidence. 

Key observations

•  We have not identified any material errors in the valuation of the decommissioning estimates;
•  We are satisfied that the group’s decommissioning provision is prepared in accordance with the 

requirements of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets; and 

•  We are satisfied the disclosures in the financial statements are appropriate.

6. Our application of materiality
6.1. Materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the 
economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both  
in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Materiality

Basis for 
determining 
materiality

Group financial statements

$30 million (2021: $20 million)

3% of adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, 
tax, depreciation, amortisation, remeasurements 
and exceptional items) (2021: 3% of adjusted 
EBITDA). 

Management have presented a reconciliation of 
$979 million adjusted EBITDA to profit from 
continuing activities in the glossary to the 
financial statements on page 175.

Parent company financial statements

$12.7 million (2021: $10.3 million)

3% of net assets (2021: 3% of net assets).

117

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report 
to the members of EnQuest PLC continued

Rationale for the 
benchmark 
applied

Adjusted EBITDA was considered to be the most 
relevant benchmark as it is a key performance 
measure used by the group and by investors and 
represents a consistent profit measure used 
widely by stakeholders.

The parent company acts principally as a holding 
company and therefore net assets is a key 
measure for this business.

6. Our application of materiality continued
6.1. Materiality continued

Group materiality $30m

Component materiality range  $15m to $27m

Audit Committee reporting threshold 1.5m

  Adjusted EBITDA $979m

  Group materiality

6.2. Performance materiality
We set performance materiality at a level lower than materiality to reduce the probability that, in aggregate, uncorrected 
and undetected misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial statements as a whole. 

Performance 
materiality

Basis and 
rationale for 
determining 
performance 
materiality

Group financial statements

Parent company financial statements

70% (2021: 60%) of group materiality

70% (2021: 60%) of parent company materiality 

In determining performance materiality, we considered factors including the control environment, 
size and nature and volume of uncorrected and corrected misstatements identified in the previous 
audit, macro-economic factors such as commodity price volatility and geo-political instability, and 
management’s willingness to correct errors identified in the prior year and current year. Upon 
consideration of these factors we concluded that the likelihood of misstatement would reduce 
compared to the prior year, and as a result have increased our factor applied to materiality in 
determining performance materiality.

6.3.Error reporting threshold
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of $1.5 million 
(2021: $1 million), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 
We also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation  
of the financial statements.

7. An overview of the scope of our audit
7.1. Identification and scoping of components
Our audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the group and its environment, including group-wide controls, 
and assessing the risks of material misstatement at the group level. In the current year we performed full scope audit 
procedures on the North Sea and Malaysia components. Audit procedures were performed by the group audit team for  
the North Sea component and by the Malaysia component team for the Malaysia component.

The materiality applied for the Malaysia component was $15 million (2021: $8.5 million). The materiality applied for the UK 
component was $27 million (2021: $15 million).

The North Sea and Malaysia components, where we performed full scope audit procedures, accounted for 100% of the 
group’s revenue, 100% of the group’s adjusted EBITDA and 100% of the group’s net assets, consistent with the prior year. The 
Malaysia component contributed 9% of the group’s revenue, 11% of the group’s adjusted EBITDA and 5% of the group’s total 
assets (2021: 7% of the group’s revenue, 7% of the group’s adjusted EBITDA and 6% of the group’s total assets). 

7.2. Our consideration of the control environment
We obtained an understanding of the relevant controls in relation to key business processes as well as IT systems that  
were relevant to the audit, being the financial reporting system. We worked with our IT specialists to test the operating 
effectiveness of the general environment and relied on the automated foreign exchange revaluation and joint venture 
allocation controls.

118

   
7.3. Our consideration of climate-related risks
We performed enquiries of management to understand the impact of climate-related risks and controls relevant to  
the group. We performed a review of the climate change risk assessment and related documentation prepared by 
management and considered the completeness and accuracy of the climate-related risks identified and summarised  
in the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures report on page 53.

As disclosed in note 2, management identified key judgements and estimates with elevated climate-related risk, relating 
to impairment of oil and gas assets, valuation of contingent consideration, valuation of the decommissioning provision, 
valuation of deferred tax assets, and estimation of oil and gas reserves. 

We considered whether the risks identified by management within their climate change risk assessment and related 
documentation were complete and challenged assumptions impacting the financial statements. The key piece of 
climate-related regulation enacted to date and impacting the group continued to relate to carbon costs and emission 
allowances. The key market-related matter which could have a material impact on the valuation of the items noted above 
is in respect of future demand for, and pricing of, oil and gas as the energy mix evolves in response to climate change risk 
and other matters.  

We also performed a review of the disclosures within the Annual Report, with the involvement of our Environmental, Social 
and Governance specialists, and considered whether these were materially consistent with the financial disclosures, 
complete, and consistent with our understanding of the climate-related risks, assumptions and judgements during the 
year. Both of our key audit matters are considered to contain climate-related risks, being the key market-related matters 
which could have a material impact on the valuation of oil and gas related assets and liabilities and valuation of the 
decommissioning provision. The procedures performed for these key audit matters are discussed in detail in the key audit 
matters section above. 

7.4. Working with other auditors
The North Sea component was audited by the group audit team and we oversaw the Malaysia component audit through 
regular meetings and direct supervision. We organised planning and working meetings virtually, led by the audit partner or 
other senior members of the engagement team. Throughout the year, the group audit team has been directly involved in 
overseeing the component audit planning and execution, through frequent conversations, team meetings, debate, 
challenge and review of reporting and underlying work papers. In addition to our direct interactions, we sent detailed 
instructions to the component audit team and attended audit closing meetings. We are satisfied that the level of 
involvement of the lead audit partner and team in the component audit has been extensive and has enabled us to 
conclude that sufficient appropriate audit evidence has been obtained in support of our opinion on the group financial 
statements as a whole.

8. 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 contained within the annual report. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly 
stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

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 course of 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 this 
gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we 
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

9. Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement, 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’s and the 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.

119

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report 
to the members of EnQuest PLC continued

10. 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.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

11. Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line 
with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The 
extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below. 

11.1. Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance 
with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
•  the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the design of the group’s 

remuneration policies, key drivers for directors’ remuneration, bonus levels and performance targets;

•  results of our enquiries of management, internal audit, the directors and the Audit Committee about their own 

identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, including those that are specific to the group’s sector; 

•  any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the group’s documentation of their policies and procedures 

relating to:
–  identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of 

non-compliance;

–  detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged 

fraud; and

–  the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations;

•  the matters discussed among the audit engagement team, including the component audit team, and relevant internal 
specialists, including tax, valuations, IT, modelling, and oil and gas reserves specialists regarding how and where fraud 
might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for 
fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: 
•  valuation of oil and gas related assets and liabilities;
•  valuation of decommissioning provision; and
•  crude oil revenue recognition.

In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of 
management override.

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the group operates in, focusing on 
provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act 
2006 and the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority and the relevant tax compliance regulations in the jurisdictions in 
which the group operates.

In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial 
statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the group’s ability to operate or to avoid a material 
penalty. These included Market Abuse Regulation, environmental laws and regulations in the countries in which the  
group operates.

120

11.2. Audit response to risks identified
As a result of performing the above, we identified the valuation of oil and gas related assets and liabilities and the 
valuation of the decommissioning provision as key audit matters related to the potential risk of fraud. The key audit 
matters section of our report explains the matters in more detail and also describes the specific procedures we performed 
in response to those key audit matters.

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
•  reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with 

provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;

•  enquiring of management, the Audit Committee and in-house legal counsel concerning actual and potential litigation 

and claims;

•  performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material 

misstatement due to fraud;

•  reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance, reviewing internal audit reports and reviewing 

correspondence with relevant authorities; 

•  in addressing the risk of fraud in revenue recognition associated with the cut-off of crude oil sales, we tested a sample of 

invoices from a population of December 2022 and January 2023 sales invoices; and

•  in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries 
and other adjustments, assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a 
potential bias, and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the 
normal course of business.

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team 
members including internal specialists and significant component audit teams, and remained alert to any indications of 
fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

121

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsIndependent auditor’s report 
to the members of EnQuest PLC continued

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
12. 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.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained 
in the course of the audit, we have not identified any material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ 
report.

13. Corporate Governance Statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statement in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that 
part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the group’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified for our review.

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the 
Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained 
during the audit: 
•  the directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting and 

any material uncertainties identified set out on pages 25 and 26;

•  the directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the group’s prospects, the period this assessment covers and why 

the period is appropriate set out on page 25 and 26;

•  the directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 79;
•  the board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out on 

pages 40 to 51;

•  the section of the annual report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal control 

systems set out on pages 82 and 83; and

•  the section describing the work of the Audit Committee set out on pages 80 to 82.

14. Matters on which we are required to report by exception
14.1. Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
•  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 are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

14.2. Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain disclosures of directors’ 
remuneration have not been made or the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be audited is not in agreement  
with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

122

15. Other matters which we are required to address
15.1. Auditor tenure
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by shareholders on 21 May 2020 to audit  
the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2020 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total 
uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and reappointments of the firm is three years, covering the  
years ended 31 December 2020 to 31 December 2022.

15.2. Consistency of the audit report with the additional report to the Audit Committee
Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee we are required to provide in accordance 
with ISAs (UK).

16. 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. 

As required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule (DTR) 4.1.14R, these 
financial statements form part of the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) prepared Annual Financial Report filed on 
the National Storage Mechanism of the UK FCA in accordance with the ESEF Regulatory Technical Standard (‘ESEF RTS’).  
This auditor’s report provides no assurance over whether the annual financial report has been prepared using the single 
electronic format specified in the ESEF RTS.

James Leigh FCA (Senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Statutory Auditor

London, United Kingdom

4 April 2023

123

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsGroup Income Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2022

Revenue and other operating 
income

Cost of sales

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 

Total comprehensive (loss)/profit 
for the year, attributable to owners 
of the parent

Business 
performance 
$’000

Notes

2022 

Remeasurements 
and exceptional 
items (note 4)
$’000

Reported 
in year 
$’000

Business 
performance 
$’000

2021

Remeasurements 
and exceptional 
items (note 4)
$’000

Reported 
in year
$’000

5(a)  1,839,147 

 14,475 

 1,853,622 

1,320,265

(54,451)

1,265,814

5(b) (1,195,806) 

(4,900) (1,200,706)  (900,433)

(7,201)

(907,634)

 643,341 

 9,575 

 652,916 

419,832

(61,652)

358,180

4,10

5(c)

5(d)

5(e)

–

(81,049)

(81,049)

–

39,715

39,715

(7,553) 

 76,247 

 – 

(7,553) 

(363)

–

(363)

 7,706 

 83,953 

30,990

162,647

193,637

(2,810) 

(233,570)  (236,380) 

(7,278)

(3,832)

(11,110)

709,225 

(176,227) 

1,816

 534,814 

(322,468) 

6

6

7

(297,338) 

411,887 

443,181

136,878

580,059

(36,410)  (212,637) 

(169,451)

(58,395)

(227,846)

2,148

3,964

228

–

228

(331,600) 

 203,214 

273,958

78,483

352,441

 78,020 

(244,448) 

(53,674)

78,221

24,547

212,346 

(253,580)      (41,234) 

220,284

156,704

376,988

(41,234)

376,988

There is no comprehensive income attributable to the shareholders of the Group other than the profit for the period. 
Revenue and operating profit/(loss) are all derived from continuing operations.

Earnings per share

8

Basic 

Diluted 

$

0.114

0.112

$

(0.022)

(0.022)

$

 0.127

0.125 

$

0.217

0.214

The attached notes 1 to 29 form part of these Group financial statements.

124

Group Balance Sheet
At 31 December 2022

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill

Intangible assets

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

Share-based payment reserve

Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Bonds

Leases liabilities

Contingent consideration

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities

Borrowings

Bonds

Leases liabilities

Contingent consideration

Provisions

Trade and other payables

Other financial liabilities

Current tax payable

TOTAL LIABILITIES

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Notes

2022
$’000 

2021
$’000

10

11

12

7(c)

19

13

16

14

19

20

20

18

18

24

22

23

7(c)

18

18

24

22

23

17

19

 2,476,975

2,821,998

 134,400 

46,498 

705,808 

 6 

134,400

47,667

702,970

6 

3,363,687

3,707,041

 76,418 

 276,363 

1,491 

 301,611 

4,705

73,023 

296,068

2,368 

286,661

472

 660,588 

658,592

 4,024,275 

4,365,633

 392,196 

 11,510 

 80,535 

 484,241 

 281,422 

452,386 

362,966 

 513,677 

667,335

166,334

392,196

6,791

121,769

520,756

191,109 

1,081,596

442,500

380,301

754,266

3,418

2,444,120

2,853,190

131,936

134,544

 119,100 

123,198 

 70,335 

 426,647 

 50,966 

39,188 

1,095,914

3,540,034

4,024,275

210,505

–

128,281

30,477

140,676

420,544

55,247

5,957 

991,687

3,844,877

4,365,633

The attached notes 1 to 29 form part of these Group financial statements. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 4 April 2023 and signed on 
its behalf by: 

Salman Malik
Chief Financial Officer

125

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsGroup Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2022

Balance at 1 January 2021

Profit/(loss) for the year 

Total comprehensive profit for the year

Issue of share capital, net of expenses

Share-based payment

Shares purchased on behalf of Employee Benefit Trust

Balance at 31 December 2021 

Profit/(loss) for the year

Total comprehensive profit for the year

Share-based payment

Balance at 31 December 2022

The attached notes 1 to 29 form part of these Group financial statements.

Share 
capital 
and share 
premium
$’000

Share–
based 
payments 
reserve 
$’000

Retained 
earnings
$’000

Total
$’000

 345,420 

1,016 

(255,219)

91,217

– 

– 

46,200

– 

576 

– 

– 

–

6,351

(576)

376,988 

376,988

376,988

376,988

–

– 

–

46,200

6,351

–

392,196

 6,791 

 121,769 

 520,756 

–

–

–

–

–

(41,234) 

(41,234)

 (41,234)  

(41,234)  

4,719

–

4,719

 392,196 

 11,510 

 80,535

 484,241 

126

Group Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2022

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Cash generated from operations

Cash received from insurance

Cash received/(paid) on purchase of financial instruments

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

Purchase of other intangible assets

Payment of Magnus contingent consideration – Profit share

Acquisitions

Interest received

Net cash flows (used in)/from investing activities

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Net proceeds of share issue

Net proceeds of loans and borrowings

Net repayment of loans and borrowings

Repayment of Magnus contingent consideration – Vendor loan

Shares purchased by Employee Benefit Trust

Payment of obligations under financing leases

Interest paid

Net cash flows (used in)/from financing activities

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) 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

Total cash at bank and in hand

Restricted cash

Cash and cash equivalents per balance sheet

The attached notes 1 to 29 form part of these Group financial statements.

Notes

2022 
$’000

2021
$’000

29 1,026,149

756,928

15,015

(1,354)

(58,964)

(49,293)

674

(277)

(65,791)

(17,396)

931,553

674,138

(107,668)

(43,712)

(8,168)

(8,127)

(1,199)

(10,052)

(45,975)

(968)

–

(258,627)

1,763

256

(161,247)

(321,230)

–

47,782

65,473

125,000

(545,278)

(184,276)

–

–

(73,728)

(576)

12

22

22

24

(147,971)

(136,651)

(103,387)

(63,025)

(731,163)

(285,474)

39,143

67,434

(24,193)

(3,603)

286,661

222,830

301,611

286,661

14

14

293,866

276,970

7,745

9,691

301,611

286,661

127

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2022

1. Corporate information 
EnQuest PLC (‘EnQuest’ or the ‘Company’) is a public company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom under 
the Companies Act and is registered in England and Wales and listed on the London Stock Exchange and on the Stockholm 
NASDAQ OMX. The address of the Company’s registered office is shown on the inside back cover.

The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’) are to responsibly optimise production, 
leverage existing infrastructure, deliver a strong decommissioning performance and explore new energy and 
decarbonisation opportunities.

The Group’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 were authorised for issue in accordance with a 
resolution of the Board of Directors on 4 April 2023.

A listing of the Group’s companies is contained in note 28 to these Group financial statements.

2. Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting 
Standards (‘IAS’) in conformity with the requirements of 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 2022.

The Group financial information has been prepared on an historical cost basis, except for the fair value remeasurement of 
certain financial instruments, including derivatives and contingent consideration, as set out in the accounting policies. The 
presentation currency of the Group financial information is US Dollars (‘$’) and all values in the Group financial information 
are rounded to the nearest thousand ($’000) except where otherwise stated.

The Group’s results on a UK-adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) basis are shown on the Group 
Income Statement as ‘Reported in the year’, being the sum of its Business performance results and its Remeasurements and 
exceptional items as permitted by IAS 1 (Revised) Presentation of Financial Statements. Remeasurements and exceptional 
items are items that management considers not to be part of underlying business performance and are disclosed separately 
in order to enable shareholders to understand better and evaluate the Group’s reported financial performance. For further 
information see note 4. 

Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. 

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 costs. These forecasts and sensitivity analyses allow management to mitigate 
liquidity or covenant compliance risks in a timely manner.

During 2022, the Group successfully completed a refinancing of its debt facilities, securing a $500.0 million amended and 
restated reserve based lending facility (‘RBL’) with a $300.0 million accordion maturing in April 2027 and $305.0 million 11.625% 
high yield bond maturing in November 2027. The net proceeds from the issue of the high yield bond, along with drawings of 
$400.0 million under the RBL and cash on hand, were used for the redemption of the $792.3 million aggregate principal amount 
of the Company’s 7.00% high yield bond due 2023. This refinancing was in addition to the 9.00% retail bond exchange and 
issuance in April 2022 which resulted in a principal issue of £133.3 million. £111.3 million of the October 2023 7.00% retail bond 
remains in issue.

The RBL requires completion of a semi-annual review and redetermination on 30 June and 31 December each year. The amount 
available to draw under the RBL is based on an amortisation schedule and the borrowing base availability derived from the 
semi-annual review.

The RBL review and redetermination for the first half of 2023 was updated to include the increase in the EPL rate to 35%, extension 
of duration until March 2028 and removal of the windfall tax price floor introduced in the Autumn Statement 2022. This has 
resulted in a reduction of the available RBL capacity, and therefore liquidity available to the Group. In the first quarter of 2023, 
EnQuest repaid $118.0 million of the RBL facility, bringing the cash drawn balance down to $282.0 million, ensuring the Group 
remains ahead of the amended amortisation profile. The amended RBL repayment profile includes a further c.$100.0 million RBL 
deleveraging during the going concern period.

The Group’s latest approved business plan, which includes the aforementioned RBL redetermination, underpins management’s 
base case (‘Base Case’) and is in line with the Group’s production guidance and uses oil price assumptions of $78.5/bbl for 2023 
and 2024, adjusted for hedging activity undertaken.

The Base Case indicates that the Group is able to operate as a going concern and remain covenant compliant for 12 months 
from the date of publication of its full-year results. The Base Case reflects rapid deleveraging during the period, with redemption 
of the £111.3 million 7% retail bond in October 2023 and further RBL amortisations totalling c.$100.0 million, in addition to a $50.0 
million contingent consideration payment in relation to the Golden Eagle acquisition in July 2023.  

A reverse stress test has been performed on the Base Case. Given the rapid deleveraging required under the amended 
amortisation profile within the going concern period, an oil price of c.$77.0/bbl maintains covenant compliance. 

The Base Case has also been subjected to further testing through (i) a $5.00/bbl reduction in the average price from the Base 
Case; and (ii) a scenario reflecting the impact of the following plausible downside risks (the ‘Downside Case’):

128

2. Basis of preparation continued
•  10.0% discount to Base Case prices resulting in Downside Case prices of $70.7/bbl for 2023 and $70.7/bbl for 2024;
•  Production risking of 5.0% for 2023 and 2024; and
•  2.5% increase in operating costs.

The case with $5.00/bbl reduction in the average price from the Base Case and the Downside Case indicate that mitigants 
would be required to remain covenant compliant. Should circumstances arise that differ from the Group’s Base Case 
projections, the Directors believe that several mitigating actions, including cargo prepayment or other funding options, 
can be executed successfully in the necessary timeframe to meet debt repayment obligations as they become due and 
maintain liquidity.

After making appropriate 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 will 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 these financial statements.

New standards and interpretations
The following new standards became applicable for the current reporting period. No material impact was recognised 
upon application: 
•  Reference to the Conceptual Framework (Amendments to IFRS 3) 
•  Property, Plant and Equipment – Proceeds before intended use (Amendment to IAS 16)
•  Onerous contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS 37)
•  Annual improvements to IFRS Accounting Standards 2018-2020 Cycle

Standards issued but not yet effective
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRS 
Standards that have been issued but are not yet effective:

IFRS 17

Insurance Contracts

IFRS 10 and IAS 28 (amendments)

Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture

Amendments to IAS 1

Amendments to IAS 8

Amendments to IAS 12

Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current and Disclosure of Accounting 
Policies

Disclosure of Accounting Policies

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

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of the Standards listed above will have a material impact on the financial 
statements of the Group in future periods.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of EnQuest PLC and entities controlled by the 
Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved when the Company:
•  has power over the investee;
•  is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and
•  has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes 
to one or more of the three elements of control listed above. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company 
obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, the results 
of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in profit or loss from the date the Company gains 
control until the date the Company ceases to control the subsidiary.

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used 
into line with the Group’s accounting policies. All intra-Group assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash 
flows relating to transactions between the members of the Group are eliminated on consolidation.

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. The joint operating 
agreement is the underlying contractual framework to the joint arrangement, which is historically referred to as the joint 
venture. The Annual Report and Accounts therefore refers to ‘joint ventures’ as a standard term used in the oil and gas 
industry, which is used interchangeably with joint operations.

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 
recognises its share of assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the joint operation in the consolidated financial 
statements on a line-by-line basis. During 2022, the Group did not have any material interests in joint ventures or in 
associates as defined in IAS 28.

129

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

2. Basis of preparation continued
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 US Dollars, the currency which the Group has elected to use as its presentation currency.

In the financial statements 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 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 Group income statement. 

Emissions liabilities 
The Group operates in an energy intensive industry and is therefore required to partake in emission trading schemes 
(‘ETS’). The Group recognises an emission liability in line with the production of emissions that give rise to the obligation. 
To the extent the liability is covered by allowances held, the liability is recognised at the cost of these allowances held and 
if insufficient allowances are held, the remaining uncovered portion is measured at the spot market price of allowances 
at the balance sheet date. The expense is presented within ‘production costs’ under ‘cost of sales’ and the accrual is 
presented in ‘trade and other payables’. Any allowance purchased to settle the Group’s liability is recognised on the 
balance sheet as an intangible asset. Both the emission allowances and the emission liability are derecognised upon 
settling the liability with the respective regulator.

Use of judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying 
disclosures, at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated 
and are based on management’s experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed 
to be reasonable under the circumstances. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes 
that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.

The accounting judgements and estimates that have a significant impact on the results of the Group are set out below 
and should be read in conjunction with the information provided in the Notes to the financial statements. The Group does 
not consider contingent consideration and deferred taxation (including EPL) to represent a significant estimate or 
judgement as the estimates and assumptions relating to projected earnings and cash flows used to assess contingent 
consideration and deferred taxation are the same as those applied in the Group impairment process as described below 
in Recoverability of asset carrying values. Judgements and estimates, not all of which are significant, made in assessing 
the impact of climate change and the transition to a lower carbon economy on the consolidated financial statements are 
also set out below. Where an estimate has a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts 
of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, this is specifically noted. 

Climate change and energy transition
As covered in our principal risks on oil and gas prices on page 45, the Group recognises that the energy transition is likely 
to impact the demand, and hence the future prices, of commodities such as oil and natural gas. This in turn may affect the 
recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment, and goodwill in the oil and gas industry. The Group acknowledges 
that there are a range of possible energy transition scenarios that may indicate different outcomes for oil prices. There are 
inherent limitations with scenario analysis and it is difficult to predict which, if any, of the scenarios might eventuate. 

The Group has assessed the potential impacts of climate change and the transition to a lower carbon economy in 
preparing the consolidated financial statements, including the Group’s current assumptions relating to demand for oil and 
natural gas and their impact on the Group’s long-term price assumptions. See Recoverability of asset carrying values: Oil 
prices. 

While the pace of transition to a lower carbon economy is uncertain, oil and natural gas demand is expected to remain a 
key element of the energy mix for many years based on stated policies, commitments and announced pledges to reduce 
emissions. Therefore, given the useful lives of the Group’s current portfolio of oil and gas assets, a material adverse change 
is not expected to the carrying values of EnQuest’s assets and liabilities as a result of climate change and the transition to 
a lower carbon economy. 

Management will continue to review price assumptions as the energy transition progresses and this may result in 
impairment charges or reversals in the future.

130

2. Basis of preparation continued
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The Group has considered its critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty, and these are set 
out below.

Recoverability of asset carrying values
Judgements: The Group assesses each asset or cash-generating unit (‘CGU’) (excluding goodwill, which is assessed 
annually regardless of indicators) in each reporting period to determine whether any indication of impairment exists. 
Assessment of indicators of impairment or impairment reversal and the determination of the appropriate grouping 
of assets into a CGU or the appropriate grouping of CGUs for impairment purposes require significant management 
judgement. For example, individual oil and gas properties may form separate CGUs whilst certain oil and gas properties 
with shared infrastructure may be grouped together to form a single CGU. Alternative groupings of assets or CGUs 
may result in a different outcome from impairment testing. See note 11 for details on how these groupings have been 
determined in relation to the impairment testing of goodwill.

Estimates: Where an indicator of impairment exists, a formal estimate of the recoverable amount is made, which is 
considered to be the higher of the fair value less costs to dispose (‘FVLCD’) and value in use (‘VIU’). The assessments 
require the use of estimates and assumptions such as the effects of inflation and deflation on operating expenses, 
discount rates, capital expenditure, production profiles, reserves and resources, and future commodity prices, including 
the outlook for global or regional market supply-and-demand conditions for crude oil and natural gas. 

As described above, the recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its VIU and its FVLCD. When the recoverable 
amount is measured by reference to FVLCD, in the absence of quoted market prices or binding sale agreement, estimates 
are made regarding the present value of future post-tax cash flows. These estimates are made from the perspective of a 
market participant and include prices, future production volumes, operating costs, capital expenditure, decommissioning 
costs, tax attributes, risking factors applied to cash flows and discount rates. Reserves and resources are included in the 
assessment of FVLCD to the extent that it is considered probable that a market participant would attribute value to them.

Details of impairment charges and reversals recognised in the income statement and details on the carrying amounts of 
assets are shown in note 10, note 11 and note 12. 

The estimates for assumptions made in impairment tests in 2022 relating to discount rates and oil prices are discussed 
below. Changes in the economic environment or other facts and circumstances may necessitate revisions to these 
assumptions and could result in a material change to the carrying values of the Group’s assets within the next financial year.

Discount rates
For discounted cash flow calculations, future cash flows are adjusted for risks specific to the CGU. FVLCD discounted cash 
flow calculations use the post-tax discount rate. The discount rate is derived using the weighted average cost of capital 
methodology. The discount rates applied in impairment tests are reassessed each year and, in 2022, the post-tax discount 
rate increased to 11% (2021: 10%) reflecting market volatility and the increase in interest rates.

Oil prices
The price assumptions used for FVLCD impairment testing were based on latest internal forecasts as at 31 December 2022, 
which assume short-term market prices will revert to the Group’s assessment of long-term price. These price forecasts 
reflect EnQuest’s long-term views of global supply and demand, including the potential financial impacts on the Group of 
climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy as outlined in the Basis of Preparation, and are benchmarked 
with external sources of information such as analyst forecasts. The Group’s price forecasts are reviewed and approved by 
management and challenged by the Audit Committee. 

EnQuest revised its oil price assumptions for FVLCD impairment testing compared to those used in 2021. The assumptions 
were increased to reflect an improved demand outlook as at the end of 2022. Oil prices were higher than 2021 throughout 
much of 2022. They peaked at c.$130/bbl following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March and remained elevated for the 
summer, driven by a combination of uncertainty over the impact of sanctions on Russia, measured increases in OPEC+ 
supply and continued capital discipline across the industry. Towards the end of 2022, prices declined towards c.$80/bbl 
as oil demand slowed, reflecting the combination of uncertainty over the pace at which COVID-19 related restrictions 
would be removed in China and mounting global inflation and recessionary pressures. A summary of the Group’s revised 
price assumptions is provided below. These assumptions, which represent management’s best estimate of future prices, 
sit within the range of external forecasts. They do not correspond to any specific Paris–consistent scenario, but when 
compared to the International Energy Agency’s (‘IEA’) forecast prices under its Announced Pledges Scenario (‘APS’), which 
is considered to be a scenario achieving an emissions trajectory consistent with keeping the temperature rise in 2100 
below 2°C, could, on average, be considered to be broadly in line with a Paris-consistent scenario. EnQuest’s short and 
medium term assumptions are below those assumed under the APS, while its longer term prices are slightly higher. The 
impact on the Group from the forecast prices under the APS are discussed in EnQuest’s Task Force for climate-related 
Financial Disclosures report in pages 53 to 60. Discounts or premiums are applied to price assumptions based on the 
characteristics of the oil produced and of the terms of the relevant sales contracts.

131

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

2. Basis of preparation continued
An inflation rate of 2% (2021: 2%) is applied from 2026 onwards to determine the price assumptions in nominal terms (see 
table below). The price assumptions used in 2021 were $75.0/bbl (2022), $70.0/bbl (2023), $70.0/bbl (2024) and $60.0/bbl 
real thereafter, inflated at 2.0% per annum from 2025.

Brent oil ($/bbl)

 2023 

84.0 

2024

80.0

 2025 

75.0 

 2026> 

70.0 

Oil and natural gas reserves
Hydrocarbon reserves are estimates of the amount of hydrocarbons that can be economically and legally extracted 
from the Group’s oil and gas properties. The business of the Group is to responsibly optimise production, leverage 
existing infrastructure, deliver a strong decommissioning performance and explore new energy and decarbonisation 
opportunities. Factors such as the availability of geological and engineering data, reservoir performance data, acquisition 
and divestment activity and drilling of new wells all impact on the determination of the Group’s estimates of its oil and 
gas reserves and result in different future production profiles affecting prospectively the discounted cash flows used in 
impairment testing and the calculation of contingent consideration, the anticipated date of decommissioning and the 
depletion charges in accordance with the unit of production method, as well as the going concern assessment. Economic 
assumptions used to estimate reserves change from period to period as additional technical and operational data is 
generated. This process may require complex and difficult geological judgements to interpret the data. 

The Group uses proven and probable (‘2P’) reserves (see page 18) as the basis for calculations of expected future cash 
flows from underlying assets because this represents the reserves management intends to develop and it is probable that 
a market participant would attribute value to them. Third-party audits of EnQuest’s reserves and resources are conducted 
annually.

Sensitivity analyses
Management tested the impact of a change in cash flows in FVLCD impairment testing arising from a 10% reduction in 
price assumptions.

Price reductions of this magnitude in isolation could indicatively lead to a further reduction in the carrying amount of 
EnQuest’s oil and gas properties by approximately $269.0 million, which is approximately 11% of the net book value of 
property, plant and equipment as at 31 December 2022.

The oil price sensitivity analysis above does not, however, represent management’s best estimate of any impairments that 
might be recognised as it does not fully incorporate consequential changes that may arise, such as reductions in costs 
and changes to business plans, phasing of development, levels of reserves and resources, and production volumes. As 
the extent of a price reduction increases, the more likely it is that costs would decrease across the industry. The oil price 
sensitivity analysis therefore does not reflect a linear relationship between price and value that can be extrapolated.

Management also tested the impact of a one percentage point change in the discount rate used for FVLCD impairment 
testing of oil and gas properties which is considered a reasonably possible change given the prevailing macroeconomic 
environment.  If the discount rate was one percentage point higher across all tests performed, the net impairment charge 
in 2022 would have been approximately $62.7 million higher. If the discount rate was one percentage point lower, the net 
impairment charge would have been approximately $68.1 million lower.

Goodwill
Irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment, EnQuest is required to test annually for impairment of 
goodwill acquired in business combinations. The Group carries goodwill of approximately $134.4 million on its balance 
sheet (2021: $134.4 million), principally relating to the Magnus oil field transactions. Sensitivities and additional information 
relating to impairment testing of goodwill are provided in note 11.

Deferred tax
The Group assesses the recoverability of its deferred tax assets at each period end. Sensitivities and additional information 
relating to deferred tax assets/liabilities are provided in note 7(d).

75% Magnus acquisition contingent consideration
Estimates: Following the volatility in financial markets experienced in the second half of 2022, the Group reassessed the 
fair value discount rate associated with the Magnus contingent consideration. This was estimated to be 10.0% as at the end 
of 2022, as calculated in line with IFRS 13. Sensitivities and additional information relating to the 75% Magnus acquisition 
contingent consideration are provided in note 22.

Provisions
Estimates: Decommissioning costs will be incurred by the Group at the end of the operating life of some of the Group’s oil 
and gas production facilities and pipelines. The Group assesses its decommissioning provision at each reporting date. 
The ultimate decommissioning costs are uncertain and cost estimates can vary in response to many factors, including 
changes to relevant legal requirements, estimates of the extent and costs of decommissioning activities, the emergence 
of new restoration techniques and experience at other production sites. The expected timing, extent and amount of 
expenditure may also change; for example, in response to changes in oil and gas reserves or changes in laws and 
regulations or their interpretation. Therefore, significant estimates and assumptions are made in determining the provision 
for decommissioning. As a result, there could be significant adjustments to the provisions established which would affect 
future financial results, although this is not expected within the next year. 

132

2. Basis of preparation continued
The timing and amount of future expenditures relating to decommissioning and environmental liabilities are reviewed 
annually. The interest rate used in discounting the cash flows is reviewed half-yearly. The nominal interest rate used to 
determine the balance sheet obligations at the end of 2022 was increased to 3.5% (2021: 2%), reflecting increasing interest 
rates as the Bank of England sought to control inflation. The weighted average period over which decommissioning costs 
are generally expected to be incurred is estimated to be approximately ten years. Costs at future prices are determined by 
applying inflation rates for 2022 at 4% (2023), 3% (2024) and a long term inflation rate of 2% thereafter (2021: 2% from 2022 
onwards) to decommissioning costs.

Further information about the Group’s provisions is provided in note 23. Changes in assumptions, including cost reduction 
factors in relation to the Group’s provisions could result in a material change in their carrying amounts within the next 
financial year. A 1.0 percentage point decrease in the nominal discount rate applied, which is considered a reasonably 
possible change given the prevailing macroeconmic environment, could increase the Group’s provision balances by 
approximately $54.0 million (2021: $40.9 million). The pre-tax impact on the Group income statement would be a charge of 
approximately $53.6 million.

Intangible oil and gas assets
Judgements: The application of the Group’s accounting policy for exploration and evaluation expenditure requires 
judgement to determine whether future economic benefits are likely from either exploitation or sale, or whether activities 
have not reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the existence of reserves. 

3. Segment information
The Group’s organisational structure reflects the various activities in which EnQuest is engaged. Management has 
considered the requirements of IFRS 8 Operating Segments in regard to the determination of operating segments and 
concluded that at 31 December 2022, the Group had two significant operating segments: the North Sea and Malaysia. 
Operations are managed by location and all information is presented per geographical segment. The Group’s segmental 
reporting structure remained in place throughout 2022. The North Sea’s activities include Upstream operations, 
Decommissioning and Infrastructure & New Energy. Malaysia’s activities include Upstream operations. The Group’s 
reportable segments may change in the future depending on the way that resources may be allocated and performance 
assessed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker, who for EnQuest is the Chief Executive. 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, in line with IFRS 8 para 23.

Year ended 31 December 2022
$’000

Revenue:

North Sea

Malaysia

All other 
segments

Total 
segments

Adjustments
and

eliminations(i) Consolidated

Revenue from contracts with customers

 1,873,214 

 159,578 

 –     2,032,792 

 –     2,032,792 

Other operating income/(expense)

 9,832 

–

264

 10,096 

(189,266) 

(179,170) 

Total revenue and other operating income/(expense)  1,883,046 

 159,578 

 264 

 2,042,888  (189,266)   1,853,622 

Income/(expenses) line items:

Depreciation and depletion

Net impairment (charge)/reversal to oil and gas assets
Segment profit/(loss)(ii)
Other disclosures: 
Capital expenditure(iii)

Year ended 31 December 2021
$’000

Revenue:

(319,025) 

(14,116) 

(107)  (333,248) 

 –     (333,248) 

(81,049)

–

 546,199 

 65,160 

–

112

 (81,049) 

 –    

 (81,049) 

 611,471

(199,584) 

411,887

 115,853 

 39,030 

30 

 154,913

 –    

 154,913

North Sea

Malaysia

All other 
segments

Total
segments

Adjustments 
and 

eliminations(i) Consolidated

Revenue from contracts with customers

1,283,939

99,959

– 1,383,898

– 1,383,898

Other operating income/(expense)

3,811

–

Total revenue and other operating income/(expense)

1,287,750

99,959

235

235

4,046

(122,130)

(118,084)

1,387,944

(122,130)

1,265,814

Income/(expenses) line items:

Depreciation and depletion

Net impairment (charge)/reversal to oil and gas assets
Segment profit/(loss)(ii)
Other disclosures:
Capital expenditure(iii)

(299,324)

(13,612)

(134)

(313,070)

39,715

–

–

39,715

–

–

(313,070)

39,715

 653,301 

 35,625 

(291) 

 688,635 

(108,576)  580,059

459,302

17,419

314

477,035

–

477,035

(i)  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

(ii)  Inter-segment revenues are eliminated on consolidation. All other adjustments are part of the reconciliations presented further below
(iii) Capital expenditure consists of property, plant and equipment and intangible exploration and appraisal assets, with 2021 reflecting the acquisition of the 

Golden Eagle asset

133

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

3. Segment information continued
Reconciliation of profit/(loss):

Segment profit/(loss)

Finance costs

Finance income
Gain/(loss) on oil and foreign exchange derivatives(i)

Profit/(loss) before tax

Year ended
31 December
2022
$’000

Year ended
31 December
2021
$’000

 611,471 

688,635

 (212,637)  (227,846)

3,964 

228

(199,584) 

(108,576)

203,214

352,441

(i) 

Includes $209.2 million realised losses on derivatives and $9.6 million unrealised gains on derivatives 

Revenue from two customers relating to the North Sea operating segment each exceeds 10% of the Group’s consolidated 
revenue arising from sales of crude oil, with amounts of $365.1 million and $321.7 million per each single customer (2021: 
two customers; $241.7 million and $150.6 million per each single customer). 

4. Remeasurements and exceptional items
Accounting policy
As permitted by IAS 1 (Revised) Presentation of Financial Statements, certain items of income or expense which are 
material are presented separately. Additional line items, headings, sub-totals and disclosures of the nature and amount 
are presented to provide relevant understanding of the Group’s financial performance. 

Remeasurements and exceptional items are items that management considers not to be part of underlying business 
performance and are disclosed in order to enable shareholders to understand better and evaluate the Group’s reported 
financial performance. The items that the Group separately presents as exceptional on the face of the Group income 
statement 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. Remeasurements relate to those items which are remeasured on a periodic basis and are applied 
consistently year-on-year. If an item is assessed as a remeasurement or exceptional item, then subsequent accounting 
to completion of the item is also taken through remeasurement and exceptional items. Management has exercised 
judgement in assessing the relevant material items disclosed as exceptional. 

The following items are classified as remeasurements and exceptional items (‘exceptional’):
•  Unrealised mark-to-market changes in the remeasurement of open derivative contracts at each period end are 
recognised within remeasurements, with the recycling of realised amounts from remeasurements into Business 
performance income when a derivative instrument matures;

•  Impairments on assets, including other non-routine write-offs/write-downs where deemed material, are 

remeasurements and are deemed to be exceptional in nature; 

•  Fair value accounting arising in relation to business combinations is deemed as exceptional in nature, as these 

transactions do not relate to the principal activities and day-to-day Business performance of the Group. The subsequent 
remeasurements of contingent assets and liabilities arising on acquisitions, including contingent consideration, are 
presented within remeasurements and are presented consistently year-on-year; and

•  Other items that arise from time to time that are reviewed by management as non-Business performance and are 

disclosed further below.

134

4. Remeasurements and exceptional items continued

Year ended 31 December 2022
$’000

Revenue and other operating income

Cost of sales

Fair value 
remeasurement(i)

Impairments 
and write-offs(ii)

Other(iii)

Total

 14,475 

(4,900) 

 –   

 –   

Net impairment (charge)/reversal on oil and gas assets

 –   

 (81,049) 

Other income 

Other expense

Finance costs

Finance income

 1,070

(233,570) 

 –   

–

 –   

 –   

 –   

–

 –   

 –   

 –   

 6,636   

 14,475 

(4,900) 

 (81,049) 

 7,706 

–   

(233,570) 

(36,410) 

(36,410) 

2,148

2,148

Tax on items above
Recognition of undiscounted deferred tax asset(iv)

Deferred UK Energy Profits Levy

Year ended 31 December 2021
$’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
Recognition of undiscounted deferred tax asset(iv)

(222,925) 

 (81,049) 

(27,626) 

(331,600) 

 89,599 

–

–

32,420 

127,024

7,817 

–

 129,836 

127,024

–

(178,840)

(178,840)

(133,326)

 78,395

(198,649) 

(253,580) 

Fair value 
remeasurement(i)

Impairments 
and write-offs(ii)

(54,451)

472

–

140,079

–

–

86,100

(36,518)

–

 49,582 

–

–

39,715

–

–

–

39,715

(14,722)

104,546

 129,539 

Other(iii)

–

(7,673)

–

22,568

(3,832)

(58,395)

(47,332)

24,915

–

(22,417) 

Total

(54,451)

(7,201)

39,715

162,647

(3,832)

(58,395)

78,483

(26,325)

104,546

 156,704

(i)  Fair value remeasurements include unrealised mark-to-market movements on derivative contracts and other financial instruments and the impact of 

recycled realised gains and losses out of ‘Remeasurements and exceptional items’ and into Business performance profit or loss of $9.6 million (2021: $(54.0) 
million). Other expense net of other income relates to the fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration relating to the acquisition of Magnus and 
associated infrastructure of $232.5 million (note 22) (2021: other income of $140.1 million)

(ii)  Impairments and write offs include a net impairment charge of tangible oil and gas assets and right-of-use assets totalling $81.0 million (note 10) (2021: 

reversal of $39.7 million)

(iii) Other items are made up of the following: In 2021, cost of sales included $7.7 million mainly related to a provision for a dispute with a third party contractor. 

Other income of $6.6 million in 2022 relates to recognition of insurance income related to PM8/Seligi riser incident. 2021 included the write-off of the fair value 
ascribed to accruals of $12.0 million as part of the accounting at the time of acquisition of the additional 75% in Magnus and the recognition of $9.0 million of 
insurance income related to the PM8/Seligi riser incident. In 2021, other expense of $3.8 million relates to expenses incurred on the repayment of the bp vendor 
loan. Finance costs relates to the finance cost element of the 75% acquisition of Magnus and associated infrastructure of $36.4 million (note 22) (2021: $58.3 
million). Finance income of $2.1 million in 2022 represents a realised gain on the partial buy back of the Group’s 7.00% high yield bond

(iv) Non-cash deferred tax recognition in 2022 due to the Group’s higher oil price assumptions. In 2021 includes impact of the Group’s acquisition of Golden Eagle 

in addition to the higher oil price assumptions 

135

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

5. Revenue and expenses 
(a) Revenue and other operating income
Accounting policy 
Revenue from contracts with customers
The Group generates revenue through the sale of crude oil, gas and condensate to third parties, and through the provision 
of infrastructure to its customers for tariff income. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when control 
of the goods or services is 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. The 
normal credit term is 30 days or less upon performance of the obligation. 

Sale of crude oil, gas and condensate
The Group sells crude oil, gas and condensate directly to customers. The sale represents a single performance obligation, 
being the sale of barrels equivalent to the customer on taking physical possession or on delivery of the commodity into 
an infrastructure. At this point the title passes to the customer and revenue is recognised. The Group principally satisfies 
its performance obligations at a point in time; the amounts of revenue recognised relating to performance obligations 
satisfied over time are not significant. Transaction prices are referenced to quoted prices, plus or minus an agreed fixed 
discount rate to an appropriate benchmark, if applicable.

Tariff revenue for the use of Group infrastructure 
Tariffs are charged to customers for the use of infrastructure owned by the Group. The revenue represents the performance 
of an obligation for the use of Group assets over the life of the contract. 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 as the performance obligations are satisfied over the period of the contract, generally a period of 12 months  
or less, on a monthly basis based on throughput at the agreed contracted rates.

Other operating income
Other revenue includes rental income from vessels, which is recognised to the extent that it is probable economic benefits 
will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. 

The Group enters into oil derivative trading transactions which can be settled net in cash. Accordingly, any gains or losses 
are not considered to constitute revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 15 
rather are accounted for in line with IFRS 9 and included within other operating income (see note 19). 

Revenue from contracts with customers:

Revenue from crude oil sales
Revenue from gas and condensate sales(i)

Tariff revenue

Total revenue from contracts with customers

Rental income from vessels

Realised losses on oil derivative contracts (see note 19)

Other 

Business performance revenue and other operating income
Unrealised gains/(losses) on oil derivative contracts(ii) (see note 19)

Total revenue and other operating income

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

 1,517,666 

1,139,171

 514,206 

244,073

 920 

654

 2,032,792 

1,383,898

–

702

(203,741) 

(67,679)

 10,096 

3,344

1,839,147

1,320,265

 14,475 

(54,451)

 1,853,622 

1,265,814

Includes onward sale of third-party gas purchases not required for injection activities at Magnus. See note 5(b) 

(i) 
(ii)  Unrealised gains and losses on oil derivative contracts are disclosed as fair value remeasurement items in the income statement (see note 4)

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers

Revenue from contracts with customers:

Revenue from crude oil sales
Revenue from gas and condensate sales(i)

Tariff revenue

Total revenue from contracts with customers

Year ended 
31 December 2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 2021 
$’000

North Sea

Malaysia

North Sea

Malaysia

1,360,228

157,438

1,040,577

98,594

512,066

2,140

242,708

920

–

654

1,365

–

 1,873,214 

 159,578 

1,283,939

99,959

(i) 

Includes onward sale of third-party gas purchases not required for injection activities at Magnus. See note 5(b)

136

5. Revenue and expenses continued
(b) Cost of sales
Accounting policy
Production imbalances, movements in under/over-lift and movements in inventory are included in cost of sales. The over-
lift liability is recorded at the cost of the production imbalance to represent a provision for production costs attributable 
to the volumes sold in excess of entitlement. The under-lift asset is recorded at the lower of cost and net realisable value, 
consistent with IAS 2, to represent a right to additional physical inventory. An under-lift of production from a field is included 
in current receivables and an over-lift of production from a field is included in current liabilities.

Production costs

Tariff and transportation expenses

Realised loss/(gain) on derivative contracts related to operating costs (see note 19)

Change in lifting position

Crude oil inventory movement 
Depletion of oil and gas assets(i) 
Other cost of operations(ii)

Business performance cost of sales
Unrealised losses/(gains) on derivative contracts related to operating costs(iii) (see note 19)

Movement in other provisions 

Total cost of sales

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

 347,832 

292,252

 43,266 

39,414

 5,418 

(10,693)

(18,790) 

62,868

 3,222 

(561)

 327,027 

305,578

 487,831 

211,575

 1,195,806 

900,433

4,900

–

(472)

7,673

1,200,706

907,634

(i) 

Includes $38.7 million (2021: $45.7 million) Kraken FPSO right-of-use asset depreciation charge and $15.8 million (2021: $14.3 million) of other right-of-use assets 
depreciation charge

(ii)  Includes $452.8 million (2021: $199.6 million) of purchases and associated costs of third–party gas not required for injection activities at Magnus which is sold on 
(iii) Unrealised gains and losses on derivative contracts are disclosed as fair value remeasurement in the income statement (see note 4)

(c) General and administration expenses

Staff costs (see note 5(f))
Depreciation(i) 

Other general and administration costs

Recharge of costs to operations and joint venture partners

Total general and administration expenses

(i) 

Includes $3.4 million (2021: $4.0 million) right-of-use assets depreciation charge on buildings

(d) Other income

Net foreign exchange gains

Change in decommissioning provisions (see note 23)

Rental income from office sublease

Change in Thistle decommissioning provisions (see note 23)

Other 

Business performance other income

Fair value changes in contingent consideration (see note 22)

Other non-Business performance (see note 4)

Total other income

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

75,266

80,098

6,222

21,740

7,492

21,322

(95,675)

(108,549)

7,553

363

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

21,329

36,763

1,549

6,060

10,546

76,247

1,070

6,636

83,953

391

19,327

1,702

–

9,570

30,990

140,079

22,568

193,637

137

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial Statements 
Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

5. Revenue and expenses continued
(e) Other expenses

Change in Thistle decommissioning provisions (see note 23)

Other

Business performance other expenses

Fair value changes in contingent consideration (see note 22)

Other non-Business performance

Total other expenses

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

–

2,810

2,810

233,570

–

236,380

6,184

1,094

7,278

–

3,832

11,110

(f) Staff costs
Accounting policy 
Short-term employee benefits, such as salaries, social premiums and holiday pay, are expensed when incurred. 

The Group’s pension obligations consist of defined contribution plans. The Group pays fixed contributions with no further 
payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The amount charged to the Group income statement 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.

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Defined contribution pension costs

Expense of share-based payments (see note 21)

Other staff costs

Total employee costs

Contractor costs

Total staff costs

General and administration staff costs (see note 5(c))

Non-general and administration costs

Total staff costs

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

63,430

6,547

4,968

4,719

12,984

92,648

33,661

71,391

7,120

5,464

6,351

12,475

102,801

33,871

126,309

136,672

75,266

51,043

126,309

80,098

56,574

136,672

The average number of persons, excluding contractors, employed by the Group during the year was 715, with 335 in the 
general and administration staff costs and 380 directly attributable to assets (2021: 734 of which 339 in general and 
administration and 395 directly attributable to assets). Compensation of key management personnel is disclosed in  
note 26 and in the remuneration report on pages 85 to 102.

(g) Auditor’s remuneration 
The following amounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 and for the comparative year ended 31 December 2021 were 
payable by the Group to Deloitte: 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the parent company and Group financial 
statements

The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Total audit
Audit-related assurance services(i)

Total audit and audit-related assurance services

Tax services 

Total auditor’s remuneration

(i)  Audit-related assurance services include the review of the Group’s interim results and the Group’s Bond refinancing activities

138

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

1,064

274

1,338

649

1,987

–

1,987

847

145

992

1,419

2,411

– 

2,411

6. Finance costs/income
Accounting policy 
Borrowing costs are recognised as interest payable within finance costs in accordance with the effective interest method.

Finance costs:

Loan interest payable 

Bond interest payable

Unwinding of discount on decommissioning provisions (see note 23)

Unwinding of discount on other provisions (see note 23)

Finance charges payable under leases (see note 24)

Amortisation of finance fees on loans and bonds
Other financial expenses(i)

Business performance finance expenses

Unwinding of discount on Magnus-related contingent consideration (see note 22)

Total finance costs

Finance income:

Bank interest receivable

Business performance finance income

Other financial income (see note 4)

Total finance income

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

 14,906 

 62,260 

 16,995 

 777 

20,206

69,085

15,856

1,061

 39,172 

45,359

 35,287 

 6,830 

176,227

36,410

13,623

4,261

169,451

58,395

212,637

227,846

1,816

1,816

2,148

3,964

228

228

–

228

(i) 

Includes unwinding of discount on Golden Eagle contingent consideration of $3.2 million (2021: $0.5 million). See note 22

7. Income tax 
(a) Income tax
Accounting policy 
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.

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.

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. 

139

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

7. Income tax continued
Investment allowance
The UK taxation regime provides for a reduction in ring-fence supplementary charge 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 allowances which could reduce future supplementary charge taxation. The Group’s policy is that investment 
allowance is recognised as a reduction in the charge to taxation in the years claimed.

Energy Profits Levy
On 14 July 2022, the Energy (Oil & Gas) Profits Levy Act 2022 (‘EPL’) was enacted in the UK and applies an additional tax of 
25% on the profits earned by oil and gas companies from the production of oil and gas on the United Kingdom Continental 
Shelf. The EPL will increase to a rate of 35% from 25% with effect from 1 January 2023. The increase in rate was substantively 
enacted on 30 November 2022. The end date was also extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 March 2028. The enactment 
of the EPL led to the additional recognition of deferred tax positions as at 31 December 2022, resulting in a net charge of 
$153.7 million (2021: nil).

The major components of income tax expense/(credit) are as follows:

Current UK 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

UK Energy Profits Levy

Total current income tax

Deferred UK 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

Deferred UK Energy Profits Levy

Total deferred income tax

Income tax expense/(credit) reported in profit or loss

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

–

(243)

3,559 

199

19,017

(6,551)

72,147

84,370

18,050

(221)

-

21,587

1,784

(43,325)

45

(4,668)

– 

157

6,884

2,363

153,670

160,078

(5,320)

2,354

–

(46,134)

244,448

(24,547)

140

7. Income tax continued
(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

UK statutory tax rate applying to North Sea oil and gas activities of 40% (2021: 40%)

Supplementary corporation tax non-deductible expenditure

Petroleum revenue tax (net of income tax benefit)
Non-deductible expenditure/(income)(i)

North Sea tax reliefs

Tax in respect of non-ring-fence trade

Deferred tax asset (recognition)/impairment in respect of non-ring-fence trade

Deferred tax asset (recognition)/impairment in respect of ring-fence trade
UK Energy Profits Levy(ii)

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Overseas tax rate differences

Share-based payments

Other differences

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

203,214

81,284

11,486

–

47,951

–

8,892

8,563

(127,022)

225,817

(9,098)

(1,264)

(1,345)

(816)

352,441

140,976

4,331

2,548 

(1,442) 

(113,593) 

23,378

21,241

(104,546)

–

2,489

(594)

1,526

(861)

At the effective income tax rate of 120% (2021: 7%)

244,448

(24,547)

(i) Predominantly in relation to non-qualifying expenditure relating to the initial recognition exemption utilised upon acquisition of Golden Eagle
(ii) Includes current EPL charge of $72.1 million and deferred EPL charge of $153.7 million

(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

Net deferred tax (assets)

Reflected in the balance sheet as follows:

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax (assets)

Reconciliation of net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

At 1 January

Tax (expense)/income during the period recognised in profit or loss

At 31 December 

Group balance sheet

(Credit)/charge for the year 
recognised in profit or loss

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

963,816

963,816

768,630

768,630

195,185

(52,623)

(902,101)

(1,017,107)

(238,624)

(286,045)

114,996

47,421

(362,565)

(165,030)

(197,524)

(1,503,290)

(1,468,182)

160,078

(35,653)

24,652

17,490

(46,134)

(539,474)

(699,552)

(705,808)

(702,970)

166,334

3,418

(539,474)

(699,552)

2022 
$’000

2021
$’000

699,552

653,418 

(160,078)

46,134

539,474

699,552

141

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

7. Income tax continued
(d) Tax losses
The Group’s deferred tax assets at 31 December 2022 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. A $127.0 million tax credit has been 
recognised as an exceptional item, reflecting the reversal of the previous deferred tax asset derecognition. In accordance 
with IAS 12 Income Taxes, the Group assesses the recoverability of its deferred tax assets at each period end. Sensitivities 
have been run on the oil price assumption, with a 10% change being considered a reasonable possible change for the 
purposes of sensitivity analysis (see note 2). A 10% reduction in oil price would result in a deferred tax asset derecognition  
of $37.6 million while a 10% increase in oil price would not result in any change as the Group is currently recognising all UK 
tax losses (with the exception of those noted below).

The Group has unused UK mainstream corporation tax losses of $389.7 million (2021: $346.6 million) and ring-fence tax 
losses of $1,163.0 million (2021: $1,057.3 million) associated with the Bentley acquisition, for which no deferred tax asset has 
been recognised at the balance sheet date as recovery of these losses is to be established. In addition, the Group has 
not recognised a deferred tax asset for the adjustment to bond valuations on the adoption of IFRS 9. The benefit of this 
deduction is taken over ten years, with a deduction of $2.2 million being taken in the current period and the remaining 
benefit of $10.7 million (2021: $12.9 million) remaining unrecognised.

The Group has unused Malaysian income tax losses of $14.3 million (2021: $15.7 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. The Finance Act 2009 exempted 
foreign dividends from the scope of UK corporation tax where certain conditions are satisfied.

(e) Changes in legislation
In the budget statement on 3 March 2021, it was announced that the corporation tax rate will increase to 25% from 1 April 
2023.  This change is expected to have no impact.

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. Diluted earnings per share is adjusted for the effects of Ordinary shares granted under 
the share-based payment plans, which are held in the Employee Benefit Trust, unless it has the effect of increasing the 
profit or decreasing the loss attributable to each share.

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows:

Basic

Dilutive potential of Ordinary shares granted under 
share-based incentive schemes
Diluted(i) 

Basic (excluding remeasurements and exceptional 
items) 

Diluted (excluding remeasurements and exceptional 
items)(i)

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

2022 
$’000

 2021 
$’000

2022 
million

2021 
million

2022 
$

2021 
$

(41,234)

376,988

1,855.0

1,736.4

(0.022)

0.217

–

–

39.2

(41,234)

 376,988 

1,894.2

24.7

1,761.1

–

–

(0.022)

 0.214 

  212,346

 220,284 

1,855.0

1,736.4

0.114

 0.127 

  212,346

 220,284 

1,894.2

1,761.1

0.112

 0.125

(i)  Potential Ordinary shares are not treated as dilutive when they would decrease a loss per share

9. Dividends paid and proposed
The Company paid no dividends during the year ended 31 December 2022 (2021: none). At 31 December 2022, there are no 
proposed dividends (2021: none).

142

10. Property, plant and equipment
Accounting policy 
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment charges. 

Cost
Cost comprises the purchase price or cost relating to development, including the construction, installation and completion 
of infrastructure facilities such as platforms, pipelines and development wells and any other 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. 

The carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised on disposal or when no future economic 
benefits are expected from its use. The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property, plant and 
equipment is included in the other operating income or expense line item in the Group income statement when the asset 
is derecognised.

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.

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.

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 capitalised during the development phase of the project 
until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use. 

Depletion and depreciation 
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. 
Changes in factors which affect unit of production calculations are dealt with prospectively. Depletion of oil and gas assets 
is taken through cost of sales. 

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

Office furniture and equipment 

Fixtures and fittings

Right-of-use assets*

Five years

Ten years

Lease term

* 

Excludes Kraken FPSO which is depleted using the unit of production method in accordance with the related oil and gas assets

Each asset’s estimated useful life, residual value and method of depreciation is reviewed and adjusted if appropriate at 
each financial year end. No depreciation is charged on assets under construction. 

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets (excluding goodwill)
At each balance sheet date, discounted cash flow models comprising asset-by-asset life of field projections and risks 
specific to assets, using Level 3 inputs (based on IFRS 13 fair value hierarchy), have been used to determine the recoverable 
amounts for each CGU. The life of a field depends on the interaction of a number of variables; see note 2 for further details.  
Estimated production volumes and cash flows up to the date of cessation of production on a field-by-field basis, including 
operating and capital expenditure, are derived from the Group’s business plan. Oil price assumptions and discount rate 
assumptions used were as disclosed in note 2. 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 Group income statement.

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 Group income statement.

143

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

10. Property, plant and equipment continued

Cost:

At 1 January 2021 

Acquisition

Additions

Change in decommissioning provision 

Disposal 

At 1 January 2022 

Additions

Change in decommissioning provision (note 23)

Disposal 

At 31 December 2022 

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment:

At 1 January 2021

Charge for the year

Net impairment reversal for the year

Disposal

Other

At 1 January 2022

Charge for the year

Net impairment charge for the year

Disposal

At 31 December 2022 

Net carrying amount:

At 31 December 2022 

At 31 December 2021 

At 1 January 2021 

Office 
furniture, 
fixtures and 
fittings 
$’000

Right-of-
use assets 
(note 24) 
$’000

Oil and gas 
assets 
$’000

 Total 
$’000

 8,552,171 

 64,220 

 858,489   9,474,880 

386,210

61,704

(2,732)

–

–

1,165

–

–

–

386,210

17,815

80,684

–

(8,411)

(2,732)

(8,411)

8,997,353

65,385

867,893 9,930,631

 116,415 

 1,936 

 28,394 

 146,745 

(75,917) 

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 (75,917)

(19,428) 

 (19,428)

 9,037,851 

 67,321 

 876,859 

 9,982,031 

6,428,559

50,357

362,047 6,840,963

245,645

3,472

63,953

313,070

(24,046)

–

146

–

–

–

(15,669)

(39,715)

(5,831)

(5,831)

–

146

6,650,304

53,829

404,500 7,108,633

272,588 

2,796 

57,864 

 333,248

 78,058

 –   

 –   

 –   

 2,991   

 81,049 

 (17,874) 

 (17,874) 

 7,000,950 

 56,625 

 447,481  7,505,056 

2,036,901 

 10,696 

 429,378 

 2,476,975

2,347,049

11,556

463,393

2,821,998

2,123,612

 13,863 

 496,442 

 2,633,917

The amount of borrowing costs capitalised during the year ended 31 December 2022 was nil (2021: nil).

Impairments
Impairments to the Group’s producing assets and reversals of impairments are set out in the table below:

North Sea

Net pre-tax impairment (charge)/reversal 

Impairment 
(charge)/reversal

Recoverable 
amount(i)

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

31 December 
2022 
$’000

31 December 
2021 
$’000

(81,049)

(81,049)

39,715 1,448,391

1,496,219

39,715

(i)  Recoverable amount has been determined on a fair value less costs of disposal basis (see note 2 for further details of judgements, estimates and 

assumptions 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

For information on judgements, estimates and assumptions made in relation to impairments see ‘Use of judgements, 
estimates and assumptions’ within note 2.

The 2022 net impairment charge of $81.0 million relates to producing assets in the UK North Sea. Impairment charges were 
primarily driven by the introduction of EPL, changes in production profiles and an increased discount rate partially offset by 
an increase in EnQuest’s oil price assumptions. The CGUs on which impairment charges relate were $9.6 million for Kraken, 
$34.9 million for GKA and Scolty/Crathes CGU, $36.1 million for Golden Eagle and $0.5 million for Alba. 

The 2021 net impairment reversal of $39.7 million relates to producing assets in the UK North Sea. Impairment reversals 
were primarily driven by an increase in EnQuest’s near-term future oil price assumptions. The CGUs on which impairment 
reversals relate were $53.7 million for Kraken and $6.1 million for Alba. In addition, impairment losses of $20.1 million 
were incurred relating to the GKA and Scolty/Crathes CGU, primarily as a result of forecast increased costs and lower 
production.

144

11. Goodwill
Accounting policy
Cost
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.

Impairment of goodwill
Following initial recognition, goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. In accordance with 
IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in 
circumstances indicate the recoverable amount of the CGU to which the goodwill relates should be assessed. 

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill acquired is allocated to the CGU that is 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 containing goodwill, an impairment loss is recognised. Impairment losses relating to 
goodwill cannot be reversed in future periods. For information on significant estimates and judgements made in relation to 
impairments see Use of judgements, estimates and assumptions: recoverability of asset carrying values within note 2.

A summary of goodwill is presented below:

Cost and net carrying amount  

At 1 January

At 31 December 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

 134,400 

 134,400 

 134,400 

 134,400

The majority of the goodwill, $94.6 million, relates to the 75% acquisition of the Magnus oil field and associated interests. 
The remaining goodwill balance arose from the acquisition of Stratic and PEDL in 2010 and the Greater Kittiwake Area asset 
in 2014. 

Impairment testing of goodwill 
Goodwill, which has been acquired through business combinations, has been allocated to the UK North Sea segment CGU, 
and this is therefore the lowest level at which goodwill is reviewed. The UK North Sea is a combination of oil and gas assets, 
as detailed within property, plant and equipment (note 10). 

The recoverable amounts of the CGU and fields have been determined on a fair value less costs of disposal basis. See 
notes 2 and 10 for further details. An impairment charge of nil was taken in 2022 (2021: nil) based on a fair value less costs  
to dispose valuation of the North Sea CGU, as described above.

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions
The Group’s recoverable value of assets is highly sensitive, inter alia, to oil price achieved and production volumes. A 
sensitivity has been run on the oil price assumption, with a 10% change being considered to be a reasonable possible 
change for the purposes of sensitivity analysis (see note 2). A 10% reduction in oil price would not result in an impairment 
charge (2021: 10% reduction would result in a net impairment of $54.7 million). A 25% reduction in oil price would fully impair 
goodwill (2021: 20%).

12. Intangible assets
Accounting policy 
Exploration and appraisal assets
Exploration and appraisal assets have indefinite useful lives and are accounted for using the successful efforts method 
of accounting. 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 Group income statement. When exploration licences are relinquished without further development, any 
previous impairment loss is reversed and the carrying costs are written off through the Group income statement. 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 Group income statement. 

During the year ended 31 December 2022, there was no impairment of historical exploration and appraisal expenditures 
(2021: nil). 

145

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

12. Intangible assets continued
Other intangibles
UK emissions allowances (‘UKAs’) purchased to settle the Group’s liability related to emissions are recognised on the balance 
sheet as an intangible asset at cost. The UKAs will be derecognised upon settling the liability with the respective regulator. 

Cost:

At 1 January 2021

Additions

Write-off of relinquished licences previously impaired

At 1 January 2022 

Additions

Write-off of relinquished licences previously impaired

Disposal

At 31 December 2022 

Accumulated impairment:

At 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2022

Write-off of relinquished licences previously impaired

At 31 December 2022 

Net carrying amount:

At 31 December 2022 

At 31 December 2021 

At 1 January 2021 

Exploration 
and 
appraisal 
assets
$’000

UK 
emissions 
allowances 
$’000

Total 
$’000

 162,312 

–

 162,312 

 10,141 

10,052

20,193 

(72) 

–

(72) 

172,381

10,052

182,433

8,168

1,199

9,367

(25,612)

–

(25,612)

–

(10,052)

(10,052)

154,937

1,199

156,136

(134,766) 

25,128

(109,638)

–

–

–

(134,766) 

25,128

(109,638)

45,299

37,615

27,546

1,199

46,498

10,052

–

47,667

27,546

13. Inventories
Accounting policy
Inventories of consumable well supplies and inventories of hydrocarbons are stated at the lower of cost and NRV, cost 
being determined on an average cost basis.

Hydrocarbon inventories

Well supplies

2022 
$’000

 19,613 

 56,805 

 76,418 

2021 
$’000

22,835

50,188

73,023

During 2022, a net loss of $4.0 million was recognised within cost of sales in the Group income statement relating to 
inventory (2021: net gain of $0.4 million).

The inventory valuation at 31 December 2022 is stated net of a provision of $38.9 million (2021: $43.2 million) to write 
down well supplies to their estimated net realisable value. During the year, a portion of the provided for well supplies was 
disposed of, resulting in a net charge to the income statement of $0.8 million (2021: $0.2 million).

14. Cash and cash equivalents
Accounting policy
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 fewer.

Available cash

Restricted cash

Cash and cash equivalents

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

293,866

276,970

7,745

9,691

301,611

286,661

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.

Restricted cash
Included within the cash balance at 31 December 2022 is restricted cash of $7.7 million which has been placed on deposit 
in relation to bank guarantees for the Group’s Malaysian assets. Included within the cash balance at 31 December 2021 was 
restricted cash of $9.7 million. This included $8.2 million on deposit relating to bank guarantees for the Group’s Malaysian 
assets and $1.5 million related to cash collateralised letters of credit. 

146

15. Financial instruments and fair value measurement
Accounting policy 
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity 
instrument of another entity. Financial instruments are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the financial instrument.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the Group balance sheet 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 
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 assets’ contractual cash flow characteristics and the Group’s business model for managing them. The Group 
does not currently hold any financial assets at FVOCI, i.e. debt financial assets.

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. 

Financial assets at amortised cost
Trade receivables, other receivables and joint operation receivables are measured initially at fair value and subsequently 
recorded at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate (‘EIR’) method, and are subject to impairment. Gains and 
losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired and EIR amortisation is 
included within finance costs.

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.

Prepayments, which are not financial assets, are measured at historical cost.

Impairment of financial assets
The Group recognises a provision for expected credit loss (‘ECL’), where material, for all financial assets held at the balance 
sheet date. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due to the Group, and the discounted 
actual cash flows that are expected to be received. Where there has been no significant increase in credit risk since 
initial recognition, the loss allowance is equal to 12-month expected credit losses. Where the increase in credit risk is 
considered significant, lifetime credit losses are provided. For trade receivables, a lifetime credit loss is recognised on 
initial recognition where material.

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) and are based on historical credit loss experience, adjusted 
for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment. 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. Generally, trade receivables are written off when they become past due for more than 
one year and are not subject to enforcement activity. 

Financial liabilities 
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as amortised cost or at fair value through profit or loss. 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when they are extinguished, discharged, cancelled or they expire. 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 Group income 
statement.

Financial liabilities at amortised cost
Loans and borrowings, trade payables and other creditors are measured initially at fair value net of directly attributable 
transaction costs and subsequently recorded at amortised cost, using the EIR method. Loans and borrowings are interest 
bearing. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liability is derecognised and EIR amortisation is 
included within finance costs. 

Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss
The Group holds derivative financial instruments classified as held for trading, not designated as effective hedging 
instruments. The derivative financial instruments include forward currency contracts and commodity contracts, to address 
the respective risks; see note 27. Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial 
liabilities when the fair value is negative.

147

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

15. Financial instruments and fair value measurement continued
Financial instruments at FVPL are carried in the Group balance sheet at fair value, with net changes in fair value recognised  
in the Group income statement. Unrealised mark-to-market changes in the remeasurement of open derivative contracts 
at each period end are recognised within remeasurements, with the recycling of realised amounts from remeasurements 
into Business performance income when a derivative instrument matures. Option premium received or paid for 
commodity derivatives are recognised in remeasurements.

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. All financial assets not classified as measured at amortised 
cost or FVOCI as described above are measured at FVPL. Financial instruments with embedded derivatives are considered 
in their entirety when determining whether their cash flows are solely payment of principal and interest.

The Group also holds contingent consideration (see note 22) and a listed equity investment (see note 19). The movements 
of both are recognised within remeasurements in the Group income statement.

Fair value measurement
The following table provides the fair value measurement hierarchy of the Group’s assets and liabilities:

Quoted 
prices in 
active 
markets 
(Level 1) 
$’000

Significant 
observable 
inputs 
(Level 2) 
$’000

Significant 
unobservable 
inputs 
(Level 3) 
$’000

Notes

Total 
$’000

4,705

6

4,711

–

6

6

4,705

–

4,705

19

19

46,537 

 4,429 

 –    

 46,537 

–

 4,429 

–

–

–

 –    

–

22

 636,875 

687,841

 417,967 

 482,066 

 –    

–

 –    

 –    

 –    

 636,875 

50,966

636,875

 –    

 417,967 

 –    

 482,066 

 133,535 

 133,535 

 –    

 153,754 

 153,754 

297,528

297,528

1,484,850

584,817

–

–

–

 –    

–

–

900,033

31 December 2022

Financial assets measured at fair value: 

Derivative financial assets measured at FVPL

Gas commodity contracts 

Other financial assets measured at FVPL

Quoted equity shares 

Total financial assets measured at fair value

Liabilities measured at fair value:

Derivative financial liabilities measured at FVPL 

Oil commodity derivative contracts

Forward UKA contracts

Other financial liabilities measured at FVPL

Contingent consideration

Total liabilities measured at fair value

Liabilities measured at amortised cost for which fair values are 
disclosed below:

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Obligations under leases

Retail bond 7.00%

Retail bond 9.00%

High yield bond 11.625%

Total liabilities measured at amortised cost for which fair values 
are disclosed

18

24

18

18

18

148

Quoted 
prices in 
active 
markets 
(Level 1) 
$’000

Significant 
observable 
inputs 
(Level 2) 
$’000

Significant 
unobservable 
inputs 
(Level 3) 
$’000

Notes

Total 
$’000

15. Financial instruments and fair value measurement continued

31 December 2021

Financial assets measured at fair value: 

Derivative financial assets measured at FVPL

Forward UKA contracts 

Forward foreign currency contracts

Other financial assets measured at FVPL

Quoted equity shares 

Total financial assets measured at fair value

Liabilities measured at fair value:

Derivative financial liabilities measured at FVPL 

Oil commodity derivative contracts

Other financial liabilities measured at FVPL

Contingent consideration

Total liabilities measured at fair value

90

382

6

478

19

55,247

22

410,778

466,025

Liabilities measured at amortised cost for which fair values are 
disclosed below:

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Obligations under leases

Retail bond 7.00%

High yield bond 7.00%

Total liabilities measured at amortised cost for which fair values 
are disclosed

18

24

18

18

424,864

570,781

244,387

244,387

773,499

773,499

 2,013,531 

 1,017,886 

–

–

6

6

–

–

–

–

–

90

382

–

472

55,247

–

–

–

–

–

–

55,247

410,778

410,778

–

–

–

–

–

424,864

570,781

–

–

995,645

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  
(i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) observable;

Level 3: Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is 
unobservable.

Derivative financial instruments are valued by counterparties, with the valuations reviewed internally and corroborated 
with readily available market data (Level 2). Contingent consideration is measured at FVPL using the Level 3 valuation 
processes disclosed in note 22. There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period (2021: no 
transfers). 

For the financial liabilities measured at amortised cost but for which fair value disclosures are required, the fair value of the 
bonds classified as Level 1 was derived from quoted prices for that financial instrument. Both interest-bearing loans and 
borrowings and obligations under finance leases were calculated using the discounted cash flow method to capture the 
present value (Level 3). 

149

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

16. Trade and other receivables

Current

Trade receivables

Joint venture receivables

Under-lift position

Other recevables

Prepayments and accrued income

2022
$’000

2021 
$’000

 69,508 

 95,854 

 26,474 

4,141

 195,977 

 80,386 

94,992

68,157

35,769

11,703

210,621

85,447

 276,363 

296,068

The carrying values of the Group’s trade, joint venture and other receivables as stated above are considered to be a 
reasonable approximation to their fair value largely due to their short-term maturities. Under-lift is valued at the lower of 
cost or NRV at the prevailing balance sheet date (note 5(b)). 

Trade receivables are non-interest-bearing and are generally on 15 to 30-day terms. Joint venture receivables relate to 
amounts billable to, or recoverable from, joint venture partners. Receivables are reported net of any ECL with no losses 
recognised as at 31 December 2022 or 2021. 

17. Trade and other payables

Current

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Over-lift position

Joint venture creditors

VAT payable

Other payables

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

 34,661 

49,701

 349,668 

297,744

 25,658 

 11,957 

 4,167 

 536 

53,742

10,852

7,561

944

426,647

420,544

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. Certain trade and other payables will be settled 
in currencies other than the reporting currency of the Group, mainly in Sterling. Trade payables are normally non-interest-
bearing and settled on terms of between 10 and 30 days.

Accrued expenses include accruals for capital and operating expenditure in relation to the oil and gas assets and interest 
accruals.

18. Loans and borrowings

Borrowings

Bonds

(a) Borrowings
The Group’s borrowings are carried at amortised cost as follows:

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

413,358

401,614

586,930

1,081,596

1,000,288

1,483,210

RBL facility

SVT working capital facility

Vendor loan facility

Total borrowings

Due within one year

Due after more than one year

Total borrowings

Principal 
$’000

2022 

Fees 
$’000

Total 
$’000

Principal 
$’000

2021

Fees 
$’000

Total 
$’000

400,000

(4,609)

395,391

415,000

(23,250)

391,750

12,275

5,692

–

–

12,275

5,692

9,864

–

–

–

9,864

–

417,967

(4,609) 413,358

424,864

(23,250)

401,614

131,936

281,422

413,358

210,505

191,109

401,614

See liquidity risk – note 27 for the timing of cash outflows relating to loans and borrowings.

150

18. Loans and borrowings continued
Reserve Based Lending facility
In October 2022, the Group agreed an amended and restated RBL facility with commitments of $500.0 million, reducing in 
accordance with an amortisation schedule, a sub limit for drawings in the form of Letters of Credit of $75.0 million and a 
standard accordion facility which allowed the Group to increase commitments by an amount of up to $300.0 million on 
no more than three occasions. The maturity of the new facility is April 2027. Funds can only be drawn under the RBL to a 
maximum amount of the lesser of (i) the total commitments and (ii) the borrowing base amount. Interest accrued at 4.00% 
plus a combination of an agreed credit adjustment spread and Secured Overnight Financing Rate (‘SOFR’). The amended 
and restated RBL facility replaced the Group’s previous facility, which was signed on 11 June 2021 and accrued interest at 
4.25% plus a combination of a fixed rate based on the interest period and SOFR (2021: 4.25% plus USD LIBOR). During 2022, 
EnQuest fully repaid the previous RBL facility prior to agreeing the amended and restated RBL facility.

As at 31 December 2022, the carrying value of the facility was $395.4 million (2021: $391.8 million), comprising the principal 
of $400.0 million out of commitments of $500.0 million (2021: $415.0 million out of commitments of $500.0 million) and 
unamortised fees of $4.6 million (2021: $23.3 million). 

At 31 December 2022, after allowing for letter of credit utilisation of $52.7 million (2021: $53.0 million), $47.3 million (2021: 
$32.0 million) remained available for drawdown under the RBL.

SVT working capital facility
On 1 December 2020, EnQuest extended, for a further three years, the £42.0 million revolving loan facility with a joint operator 
partner to fund the short-term working capital cash requirements of SVT and associated interests. The facility is guaranteed 
by BP EOC Limited until the earlier of a) the date on which production from Magnus permanently ceases; or b) if the operating 
agreements for both SVT and associated infrastructure are amended to allow for cash calling. The facility is able to be drawn 
down against, in instalments, and accrues interest at 1.0% per annum plus GBP Sterling Over Night Index Average (‘SONIA’). 

Vendor loan facility
In December 2022, the Group agreed a facility with a third party vendor refinancing the payment of existing invoices up 
to an amount of £7.5 million. At 31 December 2022, an amount of £4.7 million was drawn down on the facility repayable in 
June 2023. Interest is payable monthly at a rate of 8.00% per annum.

(b) Bonds 
The Group’s bonds are carried at amortised cost as follows:

High yield bond 7.00%

High yield bond 11.625%

Retail bond 7.00%

Retail bond 9.00%

Total

Due within one year

Due after more than one year

Total

2022 

Fees and 
discount 
$’000

Principal 
$’000

Total 
$’000

Principal 
$’000

2021

Fees and 
discount 
$’000

Total 
$’000

–

–

–

827,166

(1,725)

825,441

305,000

(13,815)

291,185

–

–

–

134,544

161,201

–

–

134,544

256,574

(419)

256,155

161,201

–

–

–

600,745

(13,815) 586,930

1,083,740

(2,144)

1,081,596

134,544

466,201

–

134,544

–

–

–

(13,815) 452,386

1,083,740

(2,144)

1,081,596

600,745

(13,815) 586,930

1,083,740

(2,144)

1,081,596

High yield bond 7.00%
In October 2022, the Group redeemed the full outstanding balance of $792.3 million ahead of its maturity in October 2023. 
At 31 December 2021, the carrying value of the bond was $825.4 million. This included bond principal of $827.2 million 
less unamortised fees of $1.7 million. In 2021, the high yield bond did not include accrued interest of $12.2 million, which is 
reported within trade and other payables. 

High yield bond 11.625%
In October 2022, the Group concluded an offer of $305.0 million for a US Dollar high yield bond. The notes accrue a fixed 
coupon of 11.625% payable semi-annually in arrears with a maturity date of November 2027. 

The above carrying value of the bond as at 31 December 2022 is $291.2 million. This includes bond principal of $305.0 
million less the original issue discount (‘OID’) of $4.2 million and unamortised fees of $9.6 million. The high yield bond does 
not include accrued interest of $6.5 million, which is reported within trade and other payables. The fair value of the high 
yield bond 11.625% is disclosed in note 15.

Retail bond 7.00%
In 2013, the Group issued a £155.0 million retail bond. On 21 November 2016, the retail bond was amended pursuant to a 
scheme of arrangement whereby all existing notes were exchanged for new notes, accruing a fixed coupon of 7.00% payable 
semi-annually in arrears. The interest is only 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’). 

151

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

18. Loans and borrowings continued 
On 27 April 2022, following a successful partial exchange and cash offer, £79.3 million of the retail bond 7.00% were 
exchanged for the retail bond 9.00%. This resulted in a reduction of principal by $104.4 million. 

The above carrying value of the bond as at 31 December 2022 is $134.5 million (2021: $256.2 million). This includes bond 
principal of $134.5 million (2021: $256.6 million) less unamortised fees of nil (2021: $0.4 million), with the prior unamortised 
amount of fees recognised in the income statement in 2022 upon completion of the refinancing via the partial exchange 
and cash offer noted above. The retail bond does not include accrued interest of $2.6 million (2021: $6.2 million), which is 
reported within trade and other payables. The fair value of the retail bond 7.00% is disclosed in note 15.

Retail bond 9.00%
On 27 April 2022, the Group issued a new 9.00% retail bond following a successful partial exchange and cash offer. The 
principal of the retail bond 9.00% raised by the partial exchange and cash offer totalled £133.3 million. The notes accrue a 
fixed coupon of 9.00% payable semi-annually in arrears and are due to mature in October 2027.  

The above carrying value of the bond as at 31 December 2022 is $161.2 million. All fees associated with this offer were 
recognised in the income statement in 2022. The retail bond 9.00% does not include accrued interest of $3.6 million, which 
is reported within trade and other payables. The fair value of the retail bond 9.00% is disclosed in note 15.

19. Other financial assets and financial liabilities
(a) Summary as at year end

Fair value through profit or loss:

Derivative commodity contracts

Derivative foreign exchange contracts

Commodity futures

Derivative UKA contracts

Total current

Fair value through profit or loss:

Quoted equity shares

Total non-current

(b) Income statement impact
The income/(expense) recognised for derivatives are as follows:

Year ended 31 December 2022 

Commodity options

Commodity swaps

Commodity futures

Foreign exchange contracts

UKA contracts

Year ended 31 December 2021 

Commodity options

Commodity swaps

Commodity futures

Foreign exchange contracts

UKA contracts

152

2022 

2021

Assets 
$’000

Liabilities 
$’000

Assets 
$’000

Liabilities 
$’000

 4,705   

 46,537 

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

–

 4,429 

4,705

50,966

6

6

–

–

–

382

–

90

472

6

6

55,245

–

2

–

55,247

–

– 

Revenue and other 
operating income

Cost of 
sales

Realised 
$’000

Unrealised 
$’000

Realised 
$’000

Unrealised 
$’000

(204,943) 

 20,401 

(86) 

(5,928) 

 1,288 

 –   

 –   

2 

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

–

 –   

 –   

–

(5,158) 

(381) 

(260) 

(4,519) 

(203,741) 

 14,475 

(5,418) 

(4,900) 

Revenue and other  
operating income

Cost of 
sales

Realised 
$’000

Unrealised 
$’000

Realised 
$’000

Unrealised 
$’000

(62,016)

(55,570)

(4,258)

985

–

–

1,121

(2)

–

–

(65,289)

(54,451)

–

–

–

(4)

10,697

10,693

–

–

–

382

90

472

19. Other financial assets and financial liabilities continued
(c) Commodity contracts
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to the oil price, including put and call options, 
swap contracts and futures. 

For the year ended 31 December 2022, losses totalling $189.3 million (2021: losses of $119.7 million) were recognised in 
respect of commodity contracts designated as FVPL. This included losses totalling $203.7 million (2021: losses of $65.3 
million) realised on contracts that matured during the year, and mark-to-market unrealised gains totalling $14.5 million 
(2021: losses of $54.5 million). Of the realised amounts recognised during the year, a loss of $1.3 million (2021: losses of 
$1.0 million) was realised in Business performance revenue in respect of the premium expense received on sale of these 
options. 

The mark-to-market value of the Group’s open commodity contracts as at 31 December 2022 was a liability of $46.5 million 
(2021: liability of $55.2 million).

(d) Foreign currency contracts
The Group enters into a variety of foreign currency contracts, primarily in relation to Sterling. During the year ended 
31 December 2022, losses totalling $5.4 million (2021: gains of $0.4 million) were recognised in the Group income statement. 
This included realised losses totalling $5.2 million (2021: gains of $0.1 million) on contracts that matured in the year.

The mark-to-market value of the Group’s open contracts as at 31 December 2022 was nil (2021: $0.4 million).

(e) UK emissions allowance forward contracts 
The Group enters into forward contracts for the purchase of UKAs to manage its exposure to price. During 2021, a number of 
open contracts were closed out early resulting in gains totalling $10.8 million, including realised gains totalling $10.7 million 
that matured in the year. The result of this was that the Group is required to account for UKA forwards as derivatives. During 
the year ended 31 December 2022, no open contracts were closed out early.

The mark-to-market value of the Group’s open contracts as at 31 December 2022 was $4.4 million (2021: $0.1 million).

(f) Other receivables 

At 1 January 

Change in fair value

At 31 December 

Non-current

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

6

–

6

6

6

7

(1)

6

6

6

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

Retained earnings
Retained earnings contain the accumulated profits/(losses) of the Group. 

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. EnQuest PLC shares held by the Group in the Employee Benefit Trust are 
recognised at cost and are deducted from the share-based payments reserve. 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 Group income statement on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation 
of equity shares.

Authorised, issued and fully paid

Ordinary shares 
of £0.05 each 
Number

Share 
capital 
$’000

Share 
premium 
$’000

Total 
$’000

At 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

1,885,924,339

131,650

260,546

392,196

At 31 December 2022, there were 21,663,181 shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust (2021: 39,718,323). The movement in the 
year was due to shares used to satisfy awards made under the Company’s share-based incentive schemes.

153

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

21. Share-based payment plans
Accounting policy
Eligible employees (including Executive 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 of EnQuest PLC.

Information on these plans for Executive Directors is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 94 to 97.

The cost of these equity-settled transactions is measured by reference to the fair value at the date on which they are 
granted. The fair value of awards is calculated in reference to the scheme rules 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 cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised over the vesting period in which the relevant employees become 
fully entitled to the award. 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 Group income statement charge or credit for a period represents the 
movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end of that period.

In valuing the 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. 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 Group income statement.

The Group operates a number of equity-settled employee share plans under which share units are granted to the Group’s 
senior leaders and certain other employees. These plans typically have a three-year performance or restricted period. 
Leaving employment will normally preclude the conversion of units into shares, but special arrangements apply for 
participants that leave for qualifying reasons.

The share-based payment expense recognised for each scheme was as follows:

Performance Share Plan

Other performance share plans

Sharesave Plan

2022 
$’000 

3,264

261

1,194

4,719

2021 
$’000

5,241

 135 

975

6,351

The following table shows the number of shares potentially issuable under equity-settled employee share plans, including 
the number of options outstanding and the number of options exercisable at the end of each year.

Share plans

Outstanding at 1 January 

Granted during the year

Exercised during the year

Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December

2022 
Number 

2021 
Number

125,493,995

110,263,670

17,368,011

35,552,383

(15,712,039)

(8,056,525)

(24,878,703)

(12,265,533)

102,271,264

125,493,995

10,490,719

14,249,920

In addition, the Group operates an approved savings-related share option scheme (the Sharesave Plan). 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.

154

21. Share-based payment plans continued
The following table shows the number of shares potentially issuable under equity-settled employee share option 
plans, including the number of options outstanding, the number of options exercisable at the end of each year and the 
corresponding weighted average exercise prices. 

2022

2021

Share options

Outstanding at 1 January

Granted during the year

Exercised during the year

Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price $

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price $

Number

Number

37,518,927

1,292,788

(2,150,313) 

0.14 42,383,654

0.32

0.17

1,370,748

(885,646)

(3,353,153) 

0.14 (5,349,829)

33,308,249

0.14 37,518,927

445,318

0.17

422,981

0.13

0.25

0.10

0.15

0.14

0.16

22. Contingent consideration
Accounting policy
When the consideration transferred by the Group in a business combination includes a contingent consideration 
arrangement, the contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of 
the consideration transferred in a business combination. Changes in fair value of the contingent consideration that 
qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against 
goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the 
‘measurement period’ (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that 
existed at the acquisition date.

The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that do not qualify as 
measurement period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration is classified. Contingent consideration 
depicted below is remeasured to fair value at subsequent reporting dates with changes in fair value recognised in profit or 
loss. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity if any, is not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its 
subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. 

Contingent consideration is discounted at a risk free rate combined with a risk premium, calculated in alignment with IFRS 
13 and the unwinding of the discount is presented within finance costs.

Any contingent consideration included in the consideration payable for an asset acquisition is recorded at fair value at 
the date of acquisition and included in the initial measurement of cost. Subsequent measurement changes relating to the 
variable consideration are capitalised as part of the asset value if it is probable that future economic benefits associated 
with the asset will flow to the Group and can be measured reliably.

At 31 December 2021

Change in fair value (see note 5(d))

Unwinding of discount (see note 6)

Utilisation

At 31 December 2022 

Classified as:

Current

Non-current

Magnus 
decommissioning-
linked liability
$’000

20,976

(1,070) 

1,947  

–

Golden Eagle 
$’000

45,175

 – 

 3,162 

 – 

Total 
$’000

410,778

 232,500 

 39,572 

(45,975)

 21,853 

 48,337 

 636,875 

 2,597 

 19,256 

 21,853 

 48,337   

  –   

123,198

513,677 

 48,337 

 636,875

Magnus 75% 
$’000

344,627

 233,570 

 34,463 

(45,975) 

 566,685 

 72,264 

 494,421 

 566,685 

155

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

22. Contingent consideration continued
75% Magnus acquisition contingent consideration
On 1 December 2018, EnQuest completed the acquisition of the additional 75% interest in the Magnus oil field (‘Magnus’) and 
associated interests (collectively the ‘Transaction assets’) which was part funded through a vendor loan and profit share 
arrangement with bp. 

The consideration for the acquisition was $300.0 million, consisting of $100.0 million cash contribution, paid from the funds 
received through the rights issue undertaken in October 2018, and $200.0 million deferred consideration financed by bp. 
The deferred consideration financed by bp was fully settled in June 2021. The consideration also included a contingent 
profit-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 $1.0 billion received by bp. Together, the deferred consideration and contingent profit-sharing 
arrangement are known as contingent consideration. The contingent consideration is a financial liability classified as 
measured at fair value through profit or loss. The fair value of contingent consideration has been determined by calculating 
the present value of the future expected cash flows expected to be paid and is considered a Level 3 valuation under the 
fair value hierarchy. Future cash flows are estimated based on inputs including future oil prices, production volumes and 
operating costs. Oil price assumptions and discount rate assumptions used were as disclosed in Use of judgements, 
estimates and assumptions within note 2. The contingent consideration was fair valued at 31 December 2022, which resulted 
in an increase in fair value of $233.6 million (2021: decrease of $145.3 million). The increase in fair value in 2022 is a result of 
the Group’s higher long-term oil price assumptions and changes in asset profiles and cost assumptions. The decrease in 
2021 reflected revised operating cost assumptions. The fair value accounting effect and finance costs of $34.5 million (2021: 
$57.0 million) on the contingent consideration were recognised through remeasurements and exceptional items in the Group 
income statement. The contingent profit-sharing arrangement cap of $1.0 billion has been met in 2022 in the present value 
calculations (2021: cap was not met). Within the statement of cash flows, the profit share element of the repayment, $46.0 
million (2021: $1.0 million) is disclosed separately under investing activities; in 2021, the repayment of the vendor loan of $73.7 
million was disclosed under financing activities; and the interest paid on the vendor loan of $6.2 million was included within 
interest paid under financing activities. At 31 December 2022, the contingent consideration for Magnus was $566.7 million 
(31 December 2021: $344.6 million).

Management has considered alternative scenarios to assess the valuation of the contingent consideration including, but 
not limited to, the key accounting estimate relating to discount rate, the oil price and the interrelationship with production 
and the profit-share arrangement. A 1.0% reduction in the discount rate applied, which is considered a reasonably possible 
change given the prevailing macroeconomic conditions, would increase contingent consideration by $23.0 million. A 
1.0% increase would decrease contingent consideration by $21.5 million. As the profit-sharing cap of $1.0 billion has been 
met in 2022 in the present value calculations, sensitivity analysis has only been undertaken on a reduction in the price 
assumptions of 10%, which is considered to be a reasonably possible change. This results in a reduction of $73.6 million to 
the contingent consideration (2021: reduction of $85.1 million and 10% increase in price assumptions results in an increase 
of $85.1 million). The change in value represents a change in timing of cash flows.

The payment of contingent consideration is limited to cash flows generated from Magnus. Therefore, no contingent 
consideration is payable if insufficient cash flows are generated over and above the requirements to operate the asset. By 
reference to the conditions existing at 31 December 2022, the maturity analysis of the contingent consideration is disclosed 
in Risk management and financial instruments: liquidity risk (note 27).

Magnus decommissioning-linked contingent consideration
As part of the Magnus and associated interests acquisition, bp retained the decommissioning liability in respect of the 
existing wells and infrastructure and EnQuest agreed to pay additional consideration in relation to the management of 
the physical decommissioning costs of Magnus. At 31 December 2022, the amount due to bp calculated on an after-tax 
basis by reference to 30% of bp’s decommissioning costs on Magnus was $21.9 million (2021: $21.0 million). Any reasonably 
possible change in assumptions would not have a material impact on the provision.

Golden Eagle contingent consideration
On 22 October 2021, the Group completed the acquisition of the entire 26.69% non-operated working interest in the Golden 
Eagle Area Development, comprising the producing Golden Eagle, Peregrine and Solitaire fields. The consideration for 
the acquisition included an amount that was contingent on the average oil price between July 2021 and June 2023. 
The contingent consideration is payable in the second half of 2023, if between July 2021 and June 2023 the Dated Brent 
average crude price equals or exceeds $55/bbl, upon which $25.0 million is payable, or if the Dated Brent average crude 
price equals or exceeds $65/bbl, upon which $50.0 million is payable. The contingent consideration liability is discounted 
at 7.00%, based on an appropriate credit risk premium at the time of acquisition, and is calculated principally based on the 
oil price assumptions as disclosed in note 2. At 31 December 2022, the contingent consideration was valued at $48.3 million 
(2021: $45.2 million). Any reasonably possible change in assumptions would not have a material impact on the provision.

23. Provisions
Accounting policy
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 Group’s provision primarily relates to the future decommissioning of production facilities and pipelines. 

156

23. Provisions continued
A decommissioning asset and liability are recognised, within property, plant and equipment and provisions respectively, 
at the present value of the estimated future decommissioning costs. The decommissioning asset is amortised over the life 
of the underlying asset on a unit of production basis over proven and probable reserves, included within depletion in the 
Group income statement. Any change in the present value of estimated future decommissioning costs is reflected as an 
adjustment to the provision and the oil and gas asset for producing assets. For assets that have ceased production, the 
change in estimate is reflected as an adjustment to the provision and the Group Income Statement, via other income or 
expense. The unwinding of the decommissioning liability is included under finance costs in the Group income statement.

These provisions have been created based on internal and third-party estimates. Assumptions based on the current 
economic environment have been made which management believes 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. See Use of judgements, estimates and assumptions: 
provisions within note 2.

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.

At 31 December 2021
Additions during the year(i)
Changes in estimates(i)

Unwinding of discount

Utilisation

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2022

Classified as:

Current

Non-current

Decommissioning 
provision 
$’000

Thistle 
decommissioning 
provision 
$’000

835,721

 2,814 

(115,493) 

 16,995 

(48,452) 

(1) 

 691,584 

 47,883 

 643,701 

 691,584 

43,930

 – 

(6,060) 

 777 

(5,832) 

(95) 

 32,720 

 9,086 

 23,634 

 32,720 

Other 
provisions 
$’000

15,291

1,423   

(1,373) 

 – 

(962) 

(1,013) 

Total 
$’000

894,942

 4,237 

(122,926) 

 17,772 

(55,246) 

(1,109) 

 13,366 

 737,670 

 13,366 

 –   

 13,366 

 70,335 

 667,335 

 737,670

(i) Includes $36.8 million relating to assets in decommissioning disclosed in note 5(d) and $75.9 million related to producing assets disclosed in note 10

Decommissioning provision
The Group’s total provision represents the present value of decommissioning costs which are expected to be incurred up 
to 2048, assuming no further development of the Group’s assets. Additions during the year relate to the decommissioning 
provision recognised due to drilling of new wells in Magnus and Golden Eagle. Changes in estimates during the year primarily 
reflect an increase in the Group’s discount rate to 3.5% (2021: 2.0%) as detailed in note 2, partially offset by the net effect of 
underlying increases in cost estimates. At 31 December 2022, an estimated $407.0 million is expected to be utilised between one 
and five years (2021: $409.6 million), $67.6 million within six to ten years (2021: $81.4 million), and the remainder in later periods.

The Group enters into surety bonds principally to provide security for its decommissioning obligations. The surety bond 
facilities which expired in December 2021 were renewed for 12 months, subject to ongoing compliance with the terms of the 
Group’s borrowings. At 31 December 2022, the Group held surety bonds totalling $227.6 million (2021: $240.8 million).

Thistle decommissioning provision 
In 2017, EnQuest had the option to receive $50.0 million from bp in exchange for undertaking the management of the 
physical decommissioning activities for Thistle and Deveron and making payments by reference to 7.5% of bp’s share 
of decommissioning costs of Thistle and Deveron fields. The option was exercised in full during 2018 and the liability 
recognised within provisions. At 31 December 2022, the amount due to bp by reference to 7.5% of bp’s decommissioning 
costs on Thistle and Deveron was $32.7 million (2021: $43.9 million). For the year ended 31 December 2022, change in 
estimates of $6.1 million are included within other income (2021: $6.2 million other expenses) and unwinding of discount of 
$0.8 million is included within finance income (2021: $1.1 million).

Other provisions 
During 2020, a riser at the Seligi Alpha platform which provides gas lift and injection to the Seligi Bravo platform detached. 
A provision with respect to required repairs to remedy the damage caused was established. During 2022, $0.3 million was 
utilised with a foreign exchange impact of $0.5 million. At 31 December 2022, the provision was $0.7 million (31 December 
2021: $1.5 million). 

157

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

23. Provisions continued
During 2021, the Group recognised $8.2 million in relation to disputes with third-party contractors. In 2022, one dispute was 
settled for $0.5 million and the other dispute is ongoing. At 31 December 2022, the provision was $7.5 million (31 December 
2021: $8.2 million). The Group expects the dispute to be settled in 2023. 

24. Leases
Accounting policy 
As a lessee
The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. 

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement 
date, discounted by using the rate implicit in the lease, or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group uses its 
incremental borrowing rate. 

The incremental borrowing rate is the rate that the Group would have to pay for a loan of a similar term, and with similar 
security, to obtain an asset of similar value. The incremental borrowing rate is determined based on a series of inputs 
including: the term, the risk-free rate based on government bond rates and a credit risk adjustment based on EnQuest 
bond yields.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise:
•  fixed lease payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives;
•  variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the 

commencement date;

•  the exercise price of purchase options, if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise the options; and
•  payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the exercise of an option to terminate the lease.

The lease liability is subsequently recorded at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. The liability is 
remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate or if the Group 
changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option. When the lease liability 
is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is 
recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero. The Group did not 
make any such adjustments during the periods presented.

The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease 
payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to 
dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any 
lease incentives received. Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter period of lease term and useful life of the 
underlying asset. If a lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that 
the Group expects to exercise a purchase option, the related right-of-use asset is depreciated over the useful life of the 
underlying asset. The depreciation starts at the commencement date of the lease. 

The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or 
less from the commencement date. It also applies the low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of assets below 
£5,000. Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as an expense on a straight-
line basis over the lease term.

The Group applies IAS 36 Impairment of Assets to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired and accounts for any 
identified impairment loss as described in the ‘property, plant and equipment’ policy. 

Variable rents that do not depend on an index or rate are not included in the measurement of the lease liability and the 
right-of-use asset. The related payments are recognised as an expense in the period in which the event or condition that 
triggers those payments occurs and are included within ‘cost of sales’ or ‘general and administration expenses’ in the 
Group income statement. 

For leases within joint ventures, the Group assesses on a lease-by-lease basis the facts and circumstances. This relates 
mainly to leases of vessels. Where all parties to a joint operation jointly have the right to control the use of the identified 
asset and all parties have a legal obligation to make lease payments to the lessor, the Group’s share of the right-of-use 
asset and its share of the lease liability will be recognised on the Group balance sheet. This may arise in cases where the 
lease is signed by all parties to the joint operation or the joint operation partners are named within the lease. However, in 
cases where EnQuest is the only party with the legal obligation to make lease payments to the lessor, the full lease liability 
and right-of-use asset will be recognised on the Group balance sheet. This may be the case if, for example, EnQuest, as 
operator of the joint operation, is the sole signatory to the lease. If the underlying asset is used for the performance of the 
joint operation agreement, EnQuest will recharge the associated costs in line with the joint operating agreement.

As a lessor 
When the Group acts as a lessor, it determines at lease inception whether each lease is a finance lease or an operating 
lease. Whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee, the 
contract is classified as a finance lease. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

When the Group is an intermediate lessor, it accounts for the head-lease and the sub-lease as two separate contracts. 
The sub-lease is classified as a finance or operating lease by reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head-
lease.

158

24. Leases continued
Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct 
costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Amounts due from lessees under finance leases are recognised as receivables at the amount of the Group’s net 
investment in the leases. Finance lease income is allocated to reporting periods so as to reflect a constant periodic rate of 
return on the Group’s net investment outstanding in respect of the leases.

When a contract includes lease and non-lease components, the Group applies IFRS 15 to allocate the consideration under 
the contract to each component.

Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities
Set out below are the carrying amounts of the Group’s right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and the movements during 
the period:

As at 31 December 2020

Additions in the period 

Depreciation expense 

Impairment reversal

Disposal 

Interest expense

Payments

Foreign exchange movements

As at 31 December 2021

Additions in the period (see note 10)

Depreciation expense (see note 10)

Impairment charge (see note 10)

Disposal 

Interest expense

Payments

Foreign exchange movements

As at 31 December 2022

Current

Non-current

Right-of-
use assets 
$’000

Lease 
liabilities 
$’000

496,442

647,846

17,815

17,815

(63,953)

15,669

(2,580)

–

–

–

–

–

(3,121)

45,359

(136,651)

(467)

463,393

570,781

28,394

28,130

(57,864)

(2,991)

(1,554)

–

–

–

–

–

(1,432)

39,172

(147,971)

(6,614)

429,378

482,066

119,100

362,966

482,066

The Group leases assets including the Kraken FPSO, property and oil and gas vessels, with a weighted average lease term 
of four years. The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is disclosed in note 27.

Amounts recognised in profit or loss

Depreciation expense of right-of-use assets 

Interest expense on lease liabilities 

Rent expense – short-term leases 

Rent expense – leases of low-value assets 

Total amounts recognised in profit or loss 

Amounts recognised in statement of cash flows 

Total cash outflow for leases

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

57,864

39,172

7,116

50

63,953

45,359

5,198

5

104,202

114,515

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

147,971

136,651

159

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

24. Leases continued
Leases as lessor 
The Group sub-leases part of Annan House, the Aberdeen office. The sub-lease is classified as an operating lease, as all 
the risks and rewards incidental to the ownership of the right-of-use asset are not all substantially transferred to the lessee. 
Rental income recognised by the Group during 2022 was $1.5 million (2021: $1.7 million).

The following table sets out a maturity analysis of lease payments, showing the undiscounted lease payments to be 
received after the reporting date:

Less than one year

One to two years

Two to three years

Three to four years

Four to five years

More than five years

Total undiscounted lease payments

2022 
$’000

2,313

2,542

1,905

822

824

3,710

12,116

2021 
$’000

2,206

2,206

2,206

2,206

2,206

1,204

12,234

25. Commitments and contingencies
Capital commitments
At 31 December 2022, the Group had capital commitments amounting to $9.5 million (2021: $1.9 million).

Other commitments
In the normal course of business, the Group will obtain surety bonds, letters of credit and guarantees. At 31 December 
2022, the Group held surety bonds totalling $227.6 million (2021: $240.8 million) to provide security for its decommissioning 
obligations. See note 23 for further details.

Contingencies
The Group becomes involved from time to time in various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its 
business. Outside of those already provided, the Group 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 Group balance sheet or profitability.  Nor, so far as the Group is aware, are any such 
proceedings pending or threatened. 

26. 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 28 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 2022 (2021: none).

Compensation of key management personnel
The following table details remuneration of key management personnel of the Group. Key management personnel 
comprise Executive and Non-Executive Directors of the Company and the Executive Committee.

Short-term employee benefits

Share-based payments

Post-employment pension benefits

Termination payments

160

2022
 $’000 

6,195

3,049

164

228

2021 
$’000

6,890

810

215

–

9,636

7,915

27. 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 cash equivalents, 
interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases, derivative financial instruments and trade and other payables. The 
main purpose of the financial instruments is to manage short-term cash flow.

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 2022 and 2021, 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. On 
a rolling quarterly basis, under the RBL facility, the Group is required to hedge a minimum of 45% of volumes of net 
entitlement production expected to be produced in the next 12 months, and between 35% and 15% of volumes of net 
entitlement production expected for the following 12 months dependent on the proportion of the facility that is utilised. This 
requirement ceases at the end date of the facility.

Details of the commodity derivative contracts entered into during and open at the end of 2022 are disclosed in note 19. 
As of 31 December 2022, the Group held financial instruments (options and swaps) related to crude oil that covered 3.5 
MMbbls of 2023 production. The instruments have an effective average floor price of around $56/bbl in 2023. The Group 
utilises multiple benchmarks when hedging production to achieve optimal results for the Group. No derivatives were 
designated in hedging relationships at 31 December 2022.

The following table summarises the impact on the Group’s pre-tax profit of a reasonably possible change in the Brent oil 
price, on the fair value of derivative financial instruments, with all other variables held constant. The impact in equity is the 
same as the impact on profit before tax.

31 December 2022

31 December 2021

Pre-tax profit

+$10/bbl 
increase 
$’000

-$10/bbl 
decrease 
$’000

(25,321) 

 19,922 

(91,755)

55,267

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 and the 7.00% retail 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 26% (2021: 
18%) of the Group’s sales and 85% (2021: 89%) of costs (including operating and capital expenditure and general and 
administration costs) 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 tables summarise the Group’s financial assets and liabilities exposure to foreign currency.

Year ended 31 December 2022

Total financial assets

Total financial liabilities

Year ended 31 December 2021

Total financial assets

Total financial liabilities

USD 
$’000

GBP 
$’000

MYR 
$’000

–

–

45,732

38,664

502,307

13,202

USD 
$’000

GBP 
$’000

–

–

103,253

635,840

MYR 
$’000

34,255

21,058

Other 
$’000

746

151

Other 
$’000

Total 
$’000

85,142

515,660

Total 
$’000

3,967

141,475

839

657,737

161

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

27. Risk management and financial instruments continued
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 2022 

31 December 2021

Pre-tax profit

+$10% rate 
increase 
$’000

-$10% rate 
decrease 
$’000

(50,615)

50,615

(50,695)

50,695

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. 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, commodity traders and shipping companies 
and at 31 December 2022 there were nil trade receivables past due but not impaired (2021: $0.2 million) and $0.1 million 
of joint venture receivables past due (2021: nil) but not impaired. Subsequent to the year end, none of these outstanding 
balances have been collected (2021: $0.1 million). Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with 
appropriate follow-up action taken where necessary. The impact of ECL is disclosed in note 16.

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables

Less than 30 days

30–60 days

60–90 days

90–120 days

120+ days

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

–

–

–

–

123

123

– 

30

146

– 

–

176

At 31 December 2022, the Group had two customers accounting for 79% of outstanding trade receivables (2021: one 
customer, 84%) and one joint venture partner accounting for 25% of outstanding joint venture receivables (2021: one joint 
venture partner, 20%).

Liquidity risk
The Group monitors its risk of 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 2022, $47.3 million (2021: $32.0 million) 
was available for drawdown under the Group’s facilities (see note 18). 

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 includes future interest payments.

The payment of contingent consideration is limited to cash flows generated from Magnus (see note 22). Therefore, no 
contingent consideration is payable if insufficient cash flows are generated over and above the requirements to operate 
the asset and there is no exposure to liquidity risk. By reference to the conditions existing at the reporting period end, the 
maturity analysis of the contingent consideration is disclosed below. All of the Group’s liabilities, except for the RBL facility, 
are unsecured.

162

27. Risk management and financial instruments continued

Year ended 31 December 2022

Loans and borrowings
Bonds(i)

Contingent considerations

Obligations under finance leases 

Trade and other payables

On demand 
$’000

Up to 1 year 
$’000

1 to 2 years 
$’000

2 to 5 years 
$’000

Over 5 years 
$’000

Total 
$’000

–

–

–

–

–

163,223

175,400

152,000

49,919

615,449

–

–

490,623

860,359

85,267

327,642

400,480

940,299

194,991

126,910

151,621

127,592

256,139

37,693

573,045

426,643

 –   

 –   

 –    426,643

(i) Maturity analysis profile for the Group’s bonds includes semi-annual coupon interest. The interest relating to the retail bond 7.00% 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 18)

– 1,063,388

438,178 1,351,230

438,173 3,290,969

Year ended 31 December 2021

Loans and borrowings
Bonds(i)

Contingent considerations

Obligations under finance leases 

Trade and other payables

On demand 
$’000

Up to 1 year 
$’000

1 to 2 years 
$’000

2 to 5 years 
$’000

Over 5
 years $’000

Total 
$’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

241,937

204,081

75,862

1,162,595

26,225

125,374

420,543

68,947

95,464

–

–

 – 

–

446,018

– 1,238,457

115,485

183,969

394,626

311,276

35,844

567,958

–

–

420,543

889,941

1,531,087

426,761

219,813 3,067,602

(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 18)

The following tables detail the Group’s expected maturity of payables 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 2022 

Commodity derivative contracts

Other derivative contracts 

Year ended 31 December 2021

Commodity derivative contracts

On demand 
$’000

Less than 3 
months 
$’000

3 to 12 
months 
$’000

1 to 2 years 
$’000

Over 2 years 
$’000

9,549

27,496

15,553

880

10,429

4,429

31,925

–

15,553

–

–

–

–

–

–

On demand 
$’000

Less than 3 
months 
$’000

4,450

4,450

17,288

17,288

3 to 12 
months 
$’000

24,035

24,035

1 to 2 years 
$’000

Over 2 years 
$’000

15,746

15,746

–

–

Total 
$’000

52,598

5,309

57,907

Total 
$’000

61,519

61,519

163

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

27. Risk management and financial instruments continued
Capital management
The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 18, 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.

The Group has approval from the Board to hedge external risks, see Commodity price risk: oil prices and Foreign exchange 
risk. 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.

The Group monitors capital using the gearing ratio and return on shareholders’ equity as follows. Further information relating 
to the movement year-on-year is provided within the relevant notes and within the Financial review (pages 20 to 26).

Loans, borrowings and bond(i) (A) (see note 18)

Cash and short-term deposits (see note 14)

EnQuest net debt (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 remeasurements and 
exceptionals (E)

Adjusted EBITDA (F)

Gross gearing ratio (A/C)

Net gearing ratio (B/C)

EnQuest net debt/adjusted EBITDA (B/F)

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 18)

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

1,018,712 1,508,604

(301,611)

(286,661)

717,101

1,221,943

484,241

 543,766 

(41,234)

 376,988 

212,346

 220,284 

979,084

742,868

2.1

1.5

0.7

N/A

44%

 2.8 

 2.2 

1.6

74%

41%

164

28. Subsidiaries
At 31 December 2022, EnQuest PLC had investments in the following subsidiaries:

Name of company

Principal activity

EnQuest Britain Limited 

EnQuest Heather Limited(i)
EnQuest Thistle Limited(i)
Stratic UK (Holdings) Limited(i)
Grove Energy Limited1
EnQuest ENS Limited(i)
EnQuest UKCS Limited(i)

EnQuest Heather Leasing 
Limited(i)
EQ Petroleum Sabah Limited(i)
EnQuest Dons Leasing Limited(i)
EnQuest Energy Limited(i)
EnQuest Production Limited(i)

EnQuest Global Limited 
EnQuest NWO Limited(i)

EQ Petroleum Production 
Malaysia Limited(i)
NSIP (GKA) Limited2

EnQuest Global Services 
Limited(i)3

EnQuest Marketing and Trading 
Limited
NorthWestOctober Limited(i)
EnQuest UK Limited(i)

EnQuest Petroleum 
Developments 
Malaysia SDN. BHD(i)4
EnQuest NNS Holdings Limited(i)
EnQuest NNS Limited(i)

EnQuest Advance Holdings 
Limited(i)
EnQuest Advance Limited(i)

EnQuest Forward Holdings 
Limited(i)
EnQuest Forward Limited(i)
EnQuest Progress Limited(i)

North Sea (Golden Eagle) 
Resources Ltd
EnQuest CCS Limited(i)

Veri Energy Holdings Limited
Veri Energy Limited(i)

(i)  Held by subsidiary undertaking

Intermediate holding company and provision of Group 
manpower and contracting/procurement services

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Intermediate holding company

Intermediate holding company

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Leasing

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Leasing

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Intermediate holding company

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Construction, ownership and operation of an oil pipeline

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

Intermediate holding company

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Intermediate holding company

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Intermediate holding company

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Exploration, extraction and production of hydrocarbons

Non-trading

Intermediate holding company

Dormant

Country of 
incorporation

England

England

England

England

Canada

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

Scotland

Jersey

England

England

England

Malaysia

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

England

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%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

The Group has two branches outside the UK (all held by subsidiary undertakings): EnQuest Global Services Limited (Dubai) 
and EnQuest Petroleum Production Malaysia Limited (Malaysia).

Registered office addresses:

1 
Suite 2200, 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2E9
2  Annan House, Palmerston Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB11 5QP, United Kingdom
3  Ground Floor, Colomberie House, St Helier, JE4 0RX, Jersey
4  c/o TMF, 10th Floor, Menara Hap Seng, No. 1 & 3, Jalan P. Ramlee 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

165

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Group Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

29. Cash flow information
Cash generated from operations

Profit/(loss) before tax

Depreciation 

Depletion

Net impairment charge/(reversal) to oil and gas assets

Write down of inventory

Change in fair value of investments

Share-based payment charge

Change in Magnus related contingent consideration

Change in provisions

Other non-cash income

Other expense on final settlement relating to the Magnus acquisition

Change in Golden Eagle related contingent consideration

Option premiums

Unrealised (gain)/loss on commodity financial instruments

Unrealised (gain)/loss on other financial instruments

Unrealised exchange loss/(gain)

Net finance expense 

Operating profit before working capital changes

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Year ended 
31 December 
2022 
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2021 
$’000

203,214

352,441

6,222

7,492

327,026

305,578

Notes

5(c)

5(b)

4

81,049

(39,715)

5(f)

22

23

5(d)

5(e)

22

19

5(a)

5(b)

762

–

4,719

151

1

6,351

268,910

(81,684)

(25,001)

16,900

(6,636)

(22,568)

–

3,162

1,331

3,832

507

1,030

(14,475)

54,451

4,900

(13,588)

154,492

996,087

(472)

(425)

152,306

756,176

12,714

(171,946) 

(5,388)

(13,496) 

22,736

 186,194 

1,026,149

 756,928 

166

29. Cash flow information continued
Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities 

At 1 January 2021

Cash movements:

Repayments of loans and borrowings 

Drawdowns of loans and borrowings 

Repayment of lease liabilities

Cash interest paid in year

Non-cash movements:

Additions

Interest/finance charge payable

Fee amortisation

Disposal

Foreign exchange and other non-cash movements

At 31 December 2021

Cash movements:

Repayments of loans and borrowings 

Drawdowns of loans and borrowings 

Repayment of lease liabilities

Cash interest paid in year

Non-cash movements:

Additions

Interest/finance charge payable

Fee amortisation

Disposal

Foreign exchange and other non-cash movements

At 31 December 2022

Reconciliation of carrying value

Principal

Unamortised fees

Accrued interest (note 17)

At 31 December 2021

Principal

Unamortised fees

Accrued interest (note 17)

At 31 December 2022

Loans and 
borrowings 
$’000

Bonds 
$’000

Lease 
liabilities 
$’000

Total 
$’000

(452,774) (1,079,692)

(647,846) (2,180,312)

184,276

(125,000)

–

–

–

–

19,428

38,154

–

–

184,276

(125,000)

136,651

–

136,651

57,582

2,082

–

(17,815)

(15,733)

(20,206)

(69,085)

(45,359)

(134,650)

(9,857)

(1,173)

–

(14)

–

1,876

–

3,121

467

(11,030)

3,121

2,329

(402,065) (1,109,920)

(570,781) (2,082,766)

415,000

827,166

– 1,242,166

(409,180)

(376,163)

– (785,343)

–

–

147,971

147,971

14,771

80,189

–

94,960

4,038

14,323

(28,130)

(9,769)

(14,490)

(62,262)

(39,172)

(115,924)

(22,679)

(2,652)

–

(25,331)

–

–

1,077

32,036

1,432

6,614

1,432

39,727

(413,528) (597,283) (482,066) 1,492,877

Loans and 
borrowings 
(see 
note 18) 
$’000

Bonds 
(see 
note 18) 
$’000

Lease 
liabilities 
(see 
note 24) 
$’000

Total 
$’000

(424,864) (1,083,740)

(570,781) (2,079,385)

23,250

2,144

(451)

(28,324)

–

–

25,394

(28,775)

(402,065) (1,109,920)

(570,781) (2,082,766)

(417,967) (600,745) (482,066) (1,500,778)

4,609

13,815

(170)

(10,353)

–

–

18,424

(10,523)

(413,528) (597,283) (482,066) (1,492,877)

167

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsStatement of Directors’ Responsibilities
for the Parent Company Financial Statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Parent Company 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) including FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’. 
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.

168

Company Balance Sheet  
(Registered number: 07140891)
At 31 December 2022

Fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Trade and other debtors

– due within one year

– due after one year

Cash at bank and in hand 

Trade and other creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Trade and other creditors: amounts falling due after one year

Net assets

Share capital and reserves

Share capital and premium

Other reserve

Share-based payment reserve

Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds

Notes

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

3

370,355 

396,731 

4

4

6

3 

9

702,616 

1,178,379

89 

317

702,708 

1,178,705

(14,771) 

(35,472)

687,937 

1,143,233

1,058,292 

1,539,964 

7

(586,930)  (1,081,596)

471,362 

458,368 

8

392,196 

392,196

40,143 

40,143 

11,510 

27,513 

6,791

19,238 

471,362

458,368

The attached notes 1 to 11 form part of these Company financial statements. 

The Company reported a profit for the financial year ended 31 December 2022 of $8.3 million (2021: profit of $368.2 million). 
There were no other recognised gains or losses in the period (2021: $nil).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 4 April 2023 and signed on 
its behalf by:

Salman Malik
Chief Financial Officer

169

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsCompany Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2022

At 31 December 2020

Profit/(loss) for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Issue of share capital net of expenses

Share-based payment charge

Shares purchased on behalf of Employee Benefit Trust

At 31 December 2021

Profit/(loss) for the year

Total comprehensive expense for the year

Share-based payment charge

At 31 December 2022

Share 
capital 
and share 
premium 
$’000

Share–
based 
payments 
reserve 
$’000

Other 
reserve 
$’000

Profit 
and loss 
account 
$’000

Total 
$’000

345,420

40,143 

1,016 

(348,980)

37,599 

–

–

46,200

–

576

–

–

–

–

–

392,196

40,143

–

–

–

–

–

–

392,196

40,143

–

–

–

6,351

(576)

6,791

–

–

4,719

11,510

368,218 

368,218 

368,218 

368,218 

–

–

–

46,200

6,351

–

19,238 

458,368 

8,275

8,275

–

8,275

8,275

4,719

27,513

471,362

170

Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2022

1. Corporate information
The separate parent company financial statements of EnQuest PLC (the ‘Company’) for the year ended 31 December 2022 
were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 4 April 2023.

EnQuest PLC (‘EnQuest’ or the ‘Company’) is a public limited company incorporated and registered in England and is the 
holding company for the Group of EnQuest subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’). The Company address can be found on the 
inside back cover. 

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 as set out in the accounting policies below. The functional and presentation currency of the separate 
financial statements is US 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 the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group, and therefore the Company, will be able to continue in operation 
and meet its commitments as they fall due over the going concern period. See note 2 of the Group financial statements 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 2022.

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 results. The most important estimates in relation thereto are:

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. The Company’s investment in subsidiaries is tested for impairment annually. See Group critical accounting 
estimates and judgements.

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.

3. Investments
Accounting policy
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost less any provision for impairment.

(a) Summary

Subsidiary undertakings

Other financial assets at FVPL

Total 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

370,349

396,725 

6

6

370,355

396,731 

171

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

3. Investments continued
(b) Subsidiary undertakings

Cost

At 1 January 2021

Additions 

At 31 December 2021

Additions 

At 31 December 2022

Provision for impairment

At 1 January 2021

Impairment reversal for the year

At 31 December 2021

Impairment charge for the year

At 31 December 2022

Net book value

At 31 December 2022

At 31 December 2021

At 31 December 2020

Subsidiary 
undertakings 
$’000

1,387,807 

6,350

1,394,157

4,719

1,398,876

1,316,463

(319,031) 

997,432 

31,095

1,028,527

370,349

396,725 

71,344

The Company has recognised an impairment of its investment in subsidiary undertakings of $31.1 million (2021: impairment 
reversal of $319.0 million). The impairment charge for the year ended 31 December 2022 is primarily attributable to the 
introduction of EPL and changes in production profiles, partially offset by an increase in EnQuest’s long term oil price 
assumptions. 

The Group’s recoverable value of its investments is highly sensitive, inter alia, to oil price achieved. A sensitivity has 
been run on the oil price assumption, with a 10.0% change being considered to be a reasonable possible change for the 
purposes of sensitivity analysis (see note 2 of the Group financial statements). A 10.0% decrease in oil price would have 
increased the impairment charge by $245.2 million.

The oil price sensitivity analysis does not, however, represent management’s best estimate of any impairments that 
might be recognised as they do not fully incorporate consequential changes that may arise, such as reductions in costs 
and changes to business plans, phasing of development, levels of reserves and resources, and production volumes. As 
the extent of a price reduction increases, the more likely it is that costs would decrease across the industry. The oil price 
sensitivity analysis therefore does not reflect a linear relationship between price and value that can be extrapolated.

Details of the Company’s subsidiaries at 31 December 2022 are provided in note 28 of the Group financial statements.

(c) Other financial assets at FVPL
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 the United Kingdom and registered in England and Wales. 

4. Trade and other debtors
Financial assets 
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. The 
Company does not currently hold any financial assets at FVOCI, i.e. debt financial assets.

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. 

Financial assets at amortised cost
Trade debtors, other debtors and joint operation debtors are measured initially at fair value and subsequently recorded 
at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate (‘EIR’) method, and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are 
recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired and EIR amortisation is included within 
finance costs.

The Company 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.

172

Prepayments, which are not financial assets, are measured at historical cost.

4. Trade and other debtors continued
Impairment of financial assets
The Company recognises a provision for expected credit loss (‘ECL’), where material, for all financial assets held at the 
balance sheet date. The measurement of expected credit losses is a function of the probability of default, loss given 
default and exposure at default. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due to the 
Company, and the discounted actual cash flows that are expected to be received. Where there has been no significant 
increase in credit risk since initial recognition, the loss allowance is equal to 12-month expected credit losses. Where the 
increase in credit risk is considered significant, lifetime credit losses are provided. For trade receivables, a lifetime credit 
loss is recognised on initial recognition where material.

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) and are based on their historical credit loss experience, 
adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment. The Company evaluates 
the concentration of risk with respect to intercompany debtors 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 Company has 
evaluated an expected credit loss of $2.2 million for the year ended 31 December 2022, as required by IFRS 9’s expected 
credit loss model (2021: $2.8 million). 

Due within one year

Prepayments

Due after one year

Amounts due from subsidiaries

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

3

3

9

9

702,616

1,178,379

Included within the amounts due from Group undertakings are balances of $667.2 million (2021: $1,138.1 million) on which 
interest was charged at between 7.0-11.625% (2021: 7.0-7.12%). All other balances are interest free.

All amounts owed by Group undertakings are unsecured and repayable on demand. However, the Company does not 
expect such amounts to be repaid within one year from the balance sheet date.

5. Deferred tax
The Company has unused UK mainstream corporation tax losses of $23.6 million (2021: $57.1 million) for which no deferred 
tax asset has been recognised at the balance sheet date due to the uncertainty of recovery of these losses. 

6. Trade and other creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accounting policy 
Financial liabilities 
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as amortised cost or at fair value through profit or loss. 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when they are extinguished, discharged, cancelled or they expire. 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 Group income 
statement.

Financial liabilities at amortised cost
Loans and borrowings, trade creditors and other creditors are measured initially at fair value net of directly attributable 
transaction costs and subsequently recorded at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Loans and 
borrowings are interest bearing. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liability is derecognised and EIR 
amortisation is included within finance costs. 

Bond and other interest

Amounts due to subsidiaries

Accruals

2022 
$’000 

10,353

4,307

111

2021 
$’000

28,617

6,699

156

14,771

35,472

All amounts owed to Group undertakings are unsecured and repayable on demand. No interest was paid on short-term 
amounts due to subsidiaries (2021: nil)

173

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2022

7. Trade and other creditors: amounts falling due after one year 

Bonds

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

586,930

1,081,596

At 31 December 2022, bonds comprise a high yield bond and two retail bonds. In October 2022, the Group redeemed the 
full outstanding balance of $792.3 million of its 7.00% high yield bond, ahead of its maturity in October 2023. In October 
2022, the Group concluded an offer of $305.0 million for a US Dollar high yield bond. The principal of the high yield bond is 
$291.2 million (2021: $825.4 million), matures in November 2027 and pays a coupon of 11.625% bi-annually. The retail bond 
7.00%, which matures in October 2023, has a principal of $134.5 million (2021: $256.2 million) and pays a coupon of 7.00% 
bi-annually. On 27 April 2022, following a successful exchange and cash offer, £79.3 million of the retail bond 7.00% were 
exchanged for the retail bond 9.00%. The retail bond 9.00% has principal of $161.2 million and pays a coupon of 9.00% with a 
maturity date of October 2027. See note 18 of the Group financial statements. The maturity profile of the bonds is disclosed 
in note 27 of the Group financial statements. 

8. 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

Ordinary shares 
of £0.05 each 
Number

Share capital 
$’000

Share premium 
$’000

Total 
$’000

At 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

1,885,924,339

131,650

260,546

392,196

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 2022, there were 21,663,181 shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust (2021: 39,718,323). The movement in the 
year was due to shares used to satisfy awards made under the Company’s share-based incentive schemes.

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

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 21 of the 
Group financial statements.

10. 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.

11. Directors’ remuneration
The emoluments of the Directors are paid to them in their capacity as Directors of the Company for qualifying services to 
the Company and the EnQuest Group. Further information is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 85 to 
102.

174

Glossary – Non-GAAP Measures

The Group uses Alternative Performance Measures (‘APMs’) when assessing and discussing the Group’s financial 
performance, balance sheet and cash flows that are not defined or specified under IFRS. The Group uses these APMs, 
which are not considered to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measures, to provide stakeholders with additional useful 
information by adjusting for exceptional items and certain remeasurements which impact upon IFRS measures or, by 
defining new measures, to aid the understanding of the Group’s financial performance, balance sheet and cash flows. 

The use of the Business performance APM is explained in note 2 of the Group’s consolidated financial statements on  
page 128.

Business performance net profit attributable to EnQuest PLC shareholders 

Reported net profit/(loss) (A)

Adjustments – remeasurements and exceptional items (note 4):

Unrealised gains/(losses) on derivative contracts (note 19)

Net impairment (charge)/reversal to oil and gas assets (note 10, note 11 and note 12)

Finance costs on Magnus contingent consideration (note 6)

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

(41,234)

376,988

9,575

(53,979)

(81,049)

39,715

(36,410)

(58,395)

Change in Magnus contingent consideration (2022: notes 5(d) and 5(e); 2021: note 5(d))

(232,500)

140,079

Movement in other provisions 

Other exceptional income (note 5(d))

Other exceptional expenses (note 5(e))

Other exceptional finance income (note 6)

Pre-tax remeasurements and exceptional items (B)

Tax on remeasurements and exceptional items (C)

Post-tax remeasurements and exceptional items (D = B + C)

Business performance net profit attributable to EnQuest PLC shareholders (A – D)

– 

(7,673)

6,636

22,568

–

(3,832)

2,148

(331,600)

78,020

–

78,483

78,221

(253,580)

156,704

212,346

220,284

Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of profitability. It provides a metric to show earnings before the influence of accounting (i.e. 
depletion and depreciation) and financial deductions (i.e. borrowing interest). For the Group, this is a useful metric as a 
measure to evaluate the Group’s underlying operating performance and is a component of a covenant measure under 
the Group’s RBL facility. It is commonly used by stakeholders as a comparable metric of core profitability and can be used 
as an indicator of cash flows available to pay down debt. Due to the adjustment made to reach adjusted EBITDA, the Group 
notes the metric should not be used in isolation. The nearest equivalent measure on an IFRS basis is profit or loss before tax 
and finance income/(costs).

Adjusted EBITDA

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

Adjustments:

Remeasurements and exceptional items (note 4)

Depletion and depreciation (note 5(b) and note 5(c))

Inventory revaluation

Change in provision (note 5(d) and note 5(e))

Net foreign exchange (gain)/loss (note 5(d))

Adjusted EBITDA (E)

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

411,887

580,059

297,338

(136,878)

333,248

313,070

763

151

(42,823)

(13,143)

(21,329)

(391)

979,084

742,868

Total cash and available facilities is a measure of the Group’s liquidity at the end of the reporting period. The Group 
believes this is a useful metric as it is an important reference point for the Group’s going concern and viability 
assessments, see pages 25 to 26. 

Total cash and available facilities

Available cash

Restricted cash

Total cash and cash equivalents (F) (note 14)

Available credit facilities 

Credit facility – drawn down 

Letter of credit (note 18)

Available undrawn facility (G)

Total cash and available facilities (F + G)

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

293,866

276,970

7,745

9,691

301,611

286,661

500,000

500,000

(400,000)

(415,000)

(52,700)

(53,000)

47,300

348,911

32,000

318,661

175

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial Statements 
Glossary – Non-GAAP Measures continued

Net debt is a liquidity measure that shows how much debt a company has on its balance sheet compared to its cash and 
cash equivalents. With de-leveraging a strategic priority, the Group believes this is a useful metric to demonstrate progress 
in this regard. It is also an important reference point for the Group’s going concern and viability assessments, see pages 25 
to 26. The Group’s definition of net debt, referred to as EnQuest net debt, excludes the Group’s finance lease liabilities as the 
Group’s focus is the management of cash borrowings and a lease is viewed as deferred capital investment.

EnQuest net debt

Borrowings (note 18):

RBL facility 

SVT working capital facility

Vendor loan facility

Borrowings (H)

Bonds (note 18):

High yield bond

Retail bonds

Bonds (I)

Non-cash accounting adjustments (note 18):

Unamortised fees on loans and borrowings

Unamortised fees on bonds

Non-cash accounting adjustments (J)

Debt (H + I + J) (K)

Less: Cash and cash equivalents (note 14) (E)

EnQuest net debt/(cash) (K – F) (L)

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000

395,391

391,750

12,275

5,692

9,864

–

413,358

401,614

291,185

295,745

825,441

256,155

586,930

1,081,596

4,609

13,815

23,250

2,144

18,424

25,394

1,018,712 1,508,604

301,611

286,661

717,101

1,221,943

The EnQuest net debt/adjusted EBITDA metric is a ratio that provides management and users of the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements with an indication of how many years it would take to service the Group’s debt. This is a helpful metric 
to monitor the Group’s progress against its strategic objective of de-leveraging. 

EnQuest net debt/adjusted EBITDA

EnQuest net debt (L)

Adjusted EBITDA (E) 

EnQuest net debt/adjusted EBITDA (L/E)

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

717,101

1,221,943

979,084

742,868

0.7

1.6

Cash capex monitors investing activities on a cash basis, while cash decommissioning expense monitors the Group’s cash 
spend on decommissioning activities. The Group provides guidance to the financial markets for both these metrics given 
the focus on the Group’s liquidity position and ability to reduce its debt.

Cash capex and Cash capital and decommissioning expense

Reported net cash flows (used in)/from investing activities

Adjustments:

Purchase of other intangible assets

Repayment of Magnus contingent consideration – Profit share

Acquisition costs

Interest received

Cash capex

Decommissioning spend

Cash capital and decommissioning expense

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

(161,247)

(321,230)

1,199

45,975

10,052

968

–

258,627

(1,763)

(256)

(115,836)

(51,839)

(58,964)

(65,791)

(174,800)

(117,630)

176

Free cash flow (‘FCF’) represents the cash a company generates, after accounting for cash outflows to support operations, 
to maintain its capital assets. Currently this metric is useful to management and users to assess the Group’s ability to 
reduce its debt.

The Group’s definition of free cash flow is net cash flow adjusted for net repayment/proceeds of loans and borrowings, net 
proceeds of share issues and cost of acquisitions. 

In 2021, the Group made an accelerated repayment of the Magnus Vendor loan of $58.7 million. As the repayment was 
made out of Group cash flows rather than as part of the Magnus-related waterfall mechanism, the Group has adjusted for 
this accelerated repayment for the purpose of calculating FCF.

Free cash flow

Net cash flows from/(used in) operating activities

Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities

Net cash flows from/(used in) financing activities

Adjustments:

Net proceeds of loans and borrowings

Net repayment of loans and borrowings

Acquisitions
Repayment of Magnus contingent consideration – Vendor loan(i)

Net proceeds from share issue

Shares purchased by Employee Benefit Trust

Free cash flow 

(i) Related to the accelerated vendor loan repayment

Revenue sales

Revenue from crude oil sales (note 5(a)) (M)

Revenue from gas and condensate sales (note 5(a)) (N)

Realised (losses)/gains on oil derivative contracts (note 5(a)) (P)

Barrels equivalent sales 

Sales of crude oil (Q)
Sales of gas and condensate(i)

Total sales (R)

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

931,553

674,138

(161,247)

(321,230)

(731,163)

(285,474)

(65,473)

(125,000)

545,278

–

–

–

–

184,276

258,627

58,668

(47,782)

576

518,948

396,799

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

1,517,666

1,139,171

514,206

244,073

(203,741)

(67,679)

2022 
kboe 

14,786

3,366

18,152

2021 
kboe

15,609

2,829

18,438

(i) 

Includes volumes related to onward sale of third-party gas purchases not required for injection activities at Magnus 

Average realised price is a measure of the revenue earned per barrel sold. The Group believes this is a useful metric for 
comparing performance to the market and to give the user, both internally and externally, the ability to understand the 
drivers impacting the Group’s revenue.

Average realised prices

Average realised oil price, excluding hedging (M/Q)

Average realised oil price, including hedging ((M + P)/Q)

Average realised blended price, excluding hedging ((M + N)/R)

Average realised blended price, including hedging ((M + N + P)/R)

2022 
$/Boe

102.6

88.9

111.9

100.7

2021 
$/Boe

73.0

68.6

75.0

71.4

177

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsGlossary – Non-GAAP Measures continued

Operating costs (‘opex’) is a measure of the Group’s cost management performance. Opex is a key measure to monitor 
the Group’s alignment to its strategic pillars of financial discipline and value enhancement and is required in order to 
calculate opex per barrel (see below). 

Operating costs 

Reported cost of sales (note 5(b))

Adjustments:

Remeasurements and exceptional items (note 5(b))

Depletion of oil and gas assets (note 5(b))

Charge/(credit) relating to the Group’s lifting position and inventory (note 5(b))

Other cost of operations (note 5(b))

Operating costs

Less realised (gain)/loss on derivative contracts (S) (note 5(b))

Operating costs directly attributable to production 

Comprising of: 

Production costs (T) (note 5(b))

Tariff and transportation expenses (U) (note 5(b))

Operating costs directly attributable to production

Barrels equivalent produced 

Total produced (working interest) (V)

2022 
$’000

2021 
$’000

1,200,706

907,634

(4,900)

(7,201)

(327,027)

(305,578)

15,568

(62,307)

(487,831)

(211,575)

396,516

320,973

(5,418)

10,693

391,098

331,666

347,832

292,252

43,266

39,414

391,098

331,666

2022 
kboe 

17,250

2021 
kboe

16,211

Unit opex is the operating expenditure per barrel of oil equivalent produced. This metric is useful as it is an industry 
standard metric allowing comparability between oil and gas companies. Unit opex including hedging includes the effect 
of realised gains and losses on derivatives related to foreign currency and emissions allowances. This is a useful measure 
for investors because it demonstrates how the Group manages its risk to market price movements.  

Unit opex 

Production costs (T/V)

Tariff and transportation expenses (U/V)

Total unit opex ((T + U)/V)

Realised loss/(gain) on derivative contracts (S/V)

Total unit opex including hedging ((S + T+ U)/V)

2022 
$/Boe 

20.2

2.5

22.7

0.3

23.0

2021 
$/Boe

18.1

2.4

20.5

(0.7)

19.8

178

Company information

Registered office
2nd Floor, Charles House
5–11 Regent Street
London
SW1Y 4LR

Corporate brokers
J.P. Morgan Cazenove
25 Bank Street
London
E14 5JP

BofA Securities
2 King Edward Street
London
EC1A 1HQ

Auditor
Deloitte LLP
2 New Street Square
London
EC4A 3BZ

Legal adviser
Ashurst LLP
London Fruit & Wool Exchange
1 Duval Square
London
E1 6PW

Corporate and financial public relations
Teneo
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’.

UK Registrar
Link Group
10th Floor
Central Square
29 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 4DL

Swedish registrar 
Euroclear Sweden AB 
Box 191
SE–101 23 Stockholm 
Sweden

Financial calendar
June 2023: Annual General Meeting
September 2022: Half year results

More information at
www.enquest.com 

Forward-looking statements: 
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to EnQuest’s expectations and plans,  
strategy, management’s objectives, future performance, production, reserves, costs, revenues and other trend information. These 
statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that may 
occur in the future. There are a number of factors which could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those 
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. The statements have been made with reference to 
forecast price changes, economic conditions and the current regulatory environment. Nothing in this announcement should be 
construed as a profit forecast. Past share performance cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance.

179

EnQuest PLC – Annual Report and Accounts 2022Financial StatementsNotes

180

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London, England
2nd Floor, Charles House
5-11 Regent Street
London, SW1Y 4LR
United Kingdom
T +44 (0)20 7925 4900

Aberdeen, Scotland
Annan House
Palmerston Road
Aberdeen, AB11 5QP
United Kingdom
T +44 (0)1224 975 000

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Level 12, Menara Maxis
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
T +60 3 2783 1888

Dubai, UAE
1st Floor, Office #102
Emaar Square Building #2
Downtown Dubai
Dubai, UAE
T +971 4 550 7100 

More information at 
www.enquest.com