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Delivering a  
low-carbon future

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc 
Annual Report and Financial  
Statements 2023

 WHO WE ARE 

Who we are: Europa Oil & Gas 
(Holdings) plc is an AIM-quoted 
exploration and production 
company focused on building  
a balanced portfolio of 
producing, appraisal and 
exploration assets in the UK and 
Atlantic Ireland, with minimal 
emissions, whilst also looking  
to repurpose legacy UK wells for 
renewable energy generation.

What we do 

Development of  
producing assets

Strong prospects  
for future growth

Security of supply  
for the UK and Ireland

Helping reach net zero goals  
by providing local supply  
and reducing imports

1

2

3

4

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023In this report
Strategic Report 

<  Who we are
02  Financial and  

operational highlights

04  At a glance
06  Statement from the Chairman 
08  Investment case
10  Case study:  

the Cloughton gas field

12  Our strategy
14  Sustainability
20  Operational review
22  CEO statement
24  Energy outlook
26  Risks and uncertainties
28  Section 172 
29  Stakeholder engagement 

Governance 

Financial Statements 

30  Chairman’s introduction 
37  Audit Committee report
38  Remuneration Committee report
38  Nominations Committee report
38  Strategy Committee report
39  ESG Committee report
39  Risk Committee report
40  Board of directors
42  Directors’ report
43  Statement of directors’ 

responsibilities

44  Independent auditor’s report
49  Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income
50  Consolidated statement  
of financial position
51  Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

52  Company statement  
of financial position
53  Company statement  

of changes in equity
54  Consolidated statement  

of cash flows

55  Company statement of cash flows
56  Notes to the financial statements

To find out the most 
up-to-date information, 
visit our website:
www.europaoil.com

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

01
01

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 
 FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 

Our 2023 performance
Our 2023 performance

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc, the AIM traded UK and 
Ireland focused oil and gas exploration, development and 
production company, announces its final results for the 
12-month period ended 31 July 2023. 

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 
Revenue (£m)

£6.7m

2023  

2022  

Gross profit (£m)

£3.4m

  6.7

2023  

  6.6

2022  

  3.4

2.2

 ^ Revenue remained stable at £6.7 million despite a lower oil price 

 ^ Gross profit increased 53% to £3.4 million (2022: £2.2 million)

(2022: £6.6 million)

Cash balance (£m)

£5.2m

Net cash generated in operating activities (£m)

£2.8m

2023 

2022  

5.2

2023  

  8.3

2022  

  2.8

2.5

 ^ Cash balance: £5.2m (2022: £8.3m which includes Serenity 

 ^ Net cash generated in operating activities £2.8 million  

restricted cash)

(2022: £2.5 million)

02

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Building a balanced portfolio of exploration and production assets

Onshore UK 

Offshore Ireland 

Offshore UK 

8%

Net production increased 8%  
to 265 barrels of oil per day 
(“bopd”) (2022: 245 bopd) 
following excellent Wressle 
performance

 ^ Wressle continued to exceed 

expectations

 • Gross production averaged 710  
bopd throughout the period  
(2022: 597 bopd), with Europa’s  
net share equating to 213 bopd  
(2022: 179 bopd) 

 • Three microturbines were installed  
at the Wressle site during January  
and February 2023, resulting in a  
10% increase in oil production 

 • New seismic interpretation across  
the Wressle field has highlighted a  
potentially significant increase in   
reserves from the Ashover Grit 

 • Gas monetisation project under    

development 

 ^ Total net production of 265 bopd was 
produced from Europa’s UK onshore 
fields during the year with Wressle 
contributing roughly 81% of this and  
the remainder coming from the three 
older fields.

 ^ Future potential for West Firsby to 

continue delivering revenue is being 
assessed and studies are underway to 
identify activities which could utilise the 
existing connection to the local power 
grid so that the site can be repurposed 
to generate emission-free renewable 
energy. This is directly in line with the 
Company’s ESG strategy. 

 ^ A reassessment of the estimated 

decommissioning liability for Crosby 
Warren resulted in a reversal of amounts 
previously impaired of £177k.

Lower risk/very high reward 
infrastructure-led exploration in 
proven gas play in the Slyne Basin 
 ^ The seismic reprocessing of the FEL 
4/19 data has resulted in a marked 
improvement in the imaging of both the 
Inishkea West and Inishkea prospects, 
with the Inishkea West structure now 
being mapped as a large 4-way closure, 
with a prospective resource Pmean of 
1,554 BCF.

 ^ The reprocessed seismic has materially 
improved the subsurface imaging 
and provided more confidence in the 
quality of the seal and trap at Inishkea 
West, which in turn has increased the 
chance of success of the prospect. In 
addition, Inishkea West is prognosed as a 
shallower structure by some 900 metres 
which means that the reservoir quality will 
be better than at Inishkea.

 ^ Inishkea West is within easy tie-back 
range of the Corrib gas field situated 
some 18 kilometres to the southeast. 
This proximity to the Corrib infrastructure, 
the mapped 4-way closure, the large 
prospective resource and the reduced 
seal risk mean that the Inishkea West 
prospect has become the primary 
exploration target on the FEL 4/19 licence. 

 ^ Given the significant improvement seen  
in the reprocessed data, it is expected 
that the subsurface imaging can be 
further enhanced by reprocessing the 
data at 30Hz. 

 ^ The farm-out process has been paused 
until the further reprocessing has been 
completed.

 ^ In November 2022, DECC gave 

consent to extend the first phase of 
our 100% owned FEL 4/19 licence to 
31 January 2024. Given the nature of 
the reprocessing it has taken longer 
than expected to complete the work 
programme and as a result we have since 
applied for a further extension to allow us 
to continue with the reprocessing work 
and then find a suitable partner to drill  
an exploration well.

25%

Interest in the Serenity discovery 
in the North Sea 

 ^ Progress continues with the development of 
the Serenity oil discovery in the Central 
North Sea alongside our partner i3 Energy plc.

 ^ Despite drilling an appraisal well in 

October 2022 that failed to encounter 
hydrocarbons, the partners believe that a 
one-well development in the eastern area 
of the field around the discovery well is 
economically viable. However, we believe 
that the Serenity field is geologically connected 
to the neighbouring Tain field and together 
with i3 Energy we are assessing the 
feasibility for unitisation of the two fields.

 ^ A number of potential development 
scenarios are available given local 
infrastructure, with a future development 
potentially resulting in approximately 
1,000 bopd net to Europa’s 25% interest.

UK offshore licensing round

 ^ Europa participated in the UK Government’s 
33rd offshore oil and gas licensing round.

Board
 ^ Simon Oddie retired as CEO in March  
2023, but remains on the board as a  
non-executive director.

 ^ William Holland was appointed as CEO  
in March 2023, having been CFO since 
April 2022.

 ^ William Ahlefeldt-Laurvig retired as  
non-executive director in April 2023.
 ^ Alastair Stuart was appointed as COO  
and executive director in April 2023, 
having been a technical consultant to  
the Company since 2012.

Post reporting period events

 ^ Operations to install a jet pump for 
artificial lift on the Wressle-1 well are 
underway. The original completion 
was removed from the well and a new 
completion, including the sub-surface jet 
pump, has been successfully run in the 
well as of early October 2023. All that 
remains is for the required surface pump 
and associated flowlines and electrics 
to be installed, which is expected to be 
completed before the end of October.

 ^ PEDL181 was relinquished during 

September 2023. The asset was not 
deemed to be adequately attractive. It had 
zero carrying value on the balance sheet.
 ^ Applied to DECC to extend licence FEL 4/19 
from 31 January 2024 to undertake further 
reprocessing and secure a farm-in partner.

03

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AT A GLANCE 

A balanced portfolio of production 
appraisal and exploration assets

OUR PORTFOLIO
We have a diverse portfolio of hydrocarbon 
assets at various stages of the development 
cycle including exploration and production.
	Read more on page 20

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Inishkea West prospect 
	Read more on page 21

1.5tcf

Potential gas from Inishkea  
West prospect

Inishkea

Serenity 
	Read more on page 20

Cloughton

Wressle

Wressle 
	Read more on page 09

710 bopd

04

Cloughton – North Yorkshire 
	Read more on page 10

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Responsible custodians  
of hydrocarbons

Investing in domestic 
energy to solve a global 
problem

Europa’s objective is to participate 
actively in the global energy transition 
to sustainable renewables by being a 
preferred partner for domestic supply 
of hydrocarbons as this transition takes 
place. By being a good custodian of the 
hydrocarbon resource and developing 
assets that are in areas of demand,  
Europa provides a valuable resource 
where it is needed and as such helps 
minimise the total emissions associated 
with consuming hydrocarbons.

The UK Government recognises that 
delivering a low-carbon future will be 
achieved by protecting infrastructure 
already present in the UK Continental  
Shelf and onshore through continued 
activity. Hydrocarbons are considered  
a key pillar of the UK Government’s  
Energy Security Strategy, with domestic 
production of oil and gas projects 
continuing to garner strong support, as 
demonstrated in the recent development 
and production consent granted for the 
Rosebank development.

Equally, Ireland is well positioned to utilise 
its existing gas infrastructure to minimise 
the total emissions associated with its 
energy consumption by targeting domestic 
exploration opportunities and prioritising 
these above gas imports.

Our balanced portfolio of onshore and 
offshore UK and Ireland hydrocarbon 
assets at various stages of the 
development cycle, including production 
and appraisal, ensures that Europa remains 
well-placed to deliver domestic energy, 
and we will continue to explore potential 
development and exploration opportunities 
to expand our diverse asset portfolio.

Delivering for our 
stakeholders

Europa is committed to creating 
stakeholder value by building a balanced 
portfolio of exploration, appraisal and 
production assets in the UK and  
Atlantic Ireland.

With a focus on domestic supply with 
minimal emissions, we will continue to 
evaluate and acquire quality assets in 
the UK and further afield wherever they 
become available, provided that these  
can be acquired and developed on 
acceptable commercial terms and  
within the transition context.

Shareholders 

Government regulators

Joint venture partners 

Suppliers and advisers 

Local community

Experienced team

Europa is led by a highly experienced 
board and management team with 
extensive knowledge of the oil and gas 
sector and a proven track record of project 
monetisation, focused on generating 
substantial shareholder value.

£6.7m

Revenue
(2022: £6.6m)

53%

Increase in gross profit  
from 2022 

£2.8m

Net cash generated by 
operating activities
(2022: £2.5m)

Country 

UK

Area

Licence

Field/Prospect

Operator Working interest

Status

East Midlands

Central North Sea

DL 003 

DL 001

PL 199/215

PEDL180

PEDL182

PEDL299

PEDL343
P.2358,  
BLOCK 13/23C

West Firsby

Crosby Warren

Whisby W4

Wressle

Broughton North

Hardstoft

Cloughton 
Serenity

Europa 

Europa 

BPEL 

Egdon

Egdon

INEOS

Europa
i3

100%

100% 

65% 

30%

30%

25%

40%
25%

Production 

Production 

Production 

Production

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration 
Appraisal

Ireland

Slyne Basin 

FEL 4/19 Inishkea, Corrib North

Europa

100%

Exploration

05

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 
 
 STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRMAN 

Building on our growth platform  
for a lower-carbon future

Wressle is our leading production asset 
and currently the second most productive 
onshore UK oilfield and remains central to 
our growth strategy. During the year we 
continued to invest capital in improving the 
site and the JV is making solid progress 
with the Field Development Plan. The war 
between Russia and Ukraine is showing 
no signs of abating and as a result energy 
security remains a key priority for countries 
across the globe. We have continued our 
positive dialogue with the Irish Government, 
communicating the potential of our offshore 
licence FEL 4/19 to help reduce the country’s 
reliance on imported gas and support 
the energy transition, and we welcomed 
its decision to extend the first phase of 
our licence to 31 January 2024. The work 
programme on FEL 4/19 has taken longer 
than expected to complete, given the cutting-
edge nature of the technology involved in 
the seismic reprocessing. The results have 
also highlighted further enhancements 
that could be undertaken to improve the 
sub-surface imaging. We have therefore 
applied for an extension to conduct further 
reprocessing and continue with the farm-
out discussions, which have been put on 
hold until the reprocessing is complete. 
We are very encouraged by the results of 
the reprocessing completed to date, which 
have reduced the risk associated with an 
exploration well whilst increasing the size  
of the primary Inishkea West prospect, 
and we believe that the licence is now 
significantly more attractive to a potential 
farminee than previously. 

Elsewhere, we continue to assess 
development options for the offshore UK 
Serenity oilfield with our partner i3 Energy. 
Europa holds a 25% working interest in 
the Central North Sea licence and given 
Serenity’s proximity to local infrastructure, 
management believes developing the 
discovered reserve as a joint development 
with the adjacent Tain field could be a  
cost-effective solution. 

Looking ahead, we remain focused on 
building on the progress delivered in the 
period and continuing to implement our 
prudent development plan for Wressle 
to accelerate long-term production rates, 
access additional reserves within the field 
and cement its position as a leading UK 
onshore oilfield.

Onshore UK

Since coming onstream in 2021, Wressle 
has been our best performing asset, 
consistently delivering strong production 
rates and exceeding expectations. During 
the year, Wressle’s gross production rate 
was 710 bopd, which, taking into account 
the impact of development operations at 
the field, represents yet another excellent 
performance.

The first phase of the gas utilisation project 
was completed in January 2023, whereby 
three microturbines were connected to 
provide site power which resulted in a 
circa 10% increase in oil production. The 
next phase involves the connection to a 
gas pipeline located approximately 600 
metres from the Wressle well site, which 
will be constructed as part of the Wressle 
development drilling programme  
scheduled for 2024.

Planning for the Wressle development drilling 
programme, which will access the Penistone 
resources and leverage the existing 
infrastructure, is progressing well and we 
continue to work in collaboration with our 
partners to optimise the field’s performance 
and maximise its efficiency, whilst also 
targeting zero flaring.

Towards the end of the year, we announced 
that we had assumed operatorship of 
licence PEDL343, which holds the Cloughton 
gas discovery. The Cloughton field was 
discovered in 1986 and encountered gas 
throughout the Carboniferous section. The 
well tested at rates of up to 28,000 scf/
day on natural flow, however with the right 
completion and production optimisation 
techniques the Company believes that a well 
could flow up to 6 mmscf/day. Following an 
internal review of the existing sub-surface 
data the Company concluded that there is a 
Pmean GIIP of 192 BCF on the licence. We 
are therefore committed to progressing the 
asset to appraisal drilling operations and 
capitalising on this opportunity to potentially 
monetise the discovery in the long term.

Offshore UK 

We farmed into the Serenity field in the 
Central North Sea just over a year ago and 
re-entered the UK offshore sphere for the 
first time since 2017. The appraisal well 
spudded in Q3 2022 and unfortunately failed 
to encounter oil-bearing sands. However we 
are continuing to explore a high-potential 
opportunity to develop the discovered 
reserve as a joint development with the 
adjacent Tain field. 

Brian O’Cathain, Chairman

“

The 2022/23 financial 
year was a productive 
period for Europa, 
underpinned by 
continued operational 
progress and financial 
stability. 

Although the period was not 
without its challenges, we 
managed to deliver on a number 
of our strategic objectives 
and further demonstrated our 
financial resilience by maintaining 
our balance sheet strength. 
Despite well-publicised trading 
headwinds, we once again 
generated impressive levels of 
revenue from our onshore UK 
producing assets, with our total 
average net production rate for 
the period at 265 bopd.

06

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Board changes
After four years as chief executive officer of 
Europa, Simon Oddie decided to retire as 
CEO in March 2023. The board conducted 
a formal process for a new CEO, advised 
by a specialist executive search firm, which 
resulted in the appointment of William 
Holland. Simon worked tirelessly to build 
a strong platform from which to grow the 
Company and, on behalf of the board, I 
would like to express my sincere thanks for 
his unwavering commitment to the business 
during his tenure as CEO. Simon remains 
on the board as a non-executive director 
and continues to provide strategic insight to 
support the development of the business.

Our new CEO William Holland has had a 
significant impact on the Company since 
joining us as chief financial officer in  
2022, and he has continued to deliver 
considerable operational, organisational  
and financial progress in his new role. We 
remain confident that Will has the skills 
required to continue to drive the growth  
of the business as we strive to deliver on  
our strategic priorities.

In April 2023, Alastair Stuart, who has been 
consulting as a petroleum engineer for 
Europa since 2012, joined the Company 
on a permanent basis as COO and as an 
executive director. Alastair’s upstream 
experience has been instrumental in 
the development of Wressle and we will 
continue to leverage his technical expertise 
and extensive knowledge of our assets to 
enhance our overarching business strategy 
and develop our project portfolio.

Following many years of loyal service and 
an invaluable contribution to Europa, William 
Ahlefeldt-Laurvig retired as a director of 
Europa in April 2023. We wish William well in 
his future endeavours and thank him for his 
long-standing dedication to the Company.

Conclusion and outlook

The 2022/23 financial year was another 
strong period for Europa, during which 
we delivered considerable development 
progress at Wressle and maintained our 
robust financial position. Our strong cash 
flows and healthy balance sheet will enable 
us to continue to advance the production 
enhancement project at Wressle, whilst 
supporting our plans to progress licence 
PEDL343 to appraisal drilling.

Alongside our partners, we continue to 
assess options for developing the discovered 
reserve at Serenity via the Tain field, which 
could be as a unified development and 
potentially highly material to Europa. In 
addition, we remain confident that we will 
be granted an extension for FEL 4/19, which 
will enable us to complete the reprocessing 
work and find the ideal farm-in partner to drill 
and develop the Inishkea West prospect. 
Europa participated in the UK Government’s 
33rd offshore oil and gas licensing round 
and we remain well-positioned to explore 
opportunities on and offshore UK.

The development programme being 
undertaken at Wressle demonstrates our 
commitment to generating additional value 
for shareholders as we focus on delivering 
on our long-term growth strategy and 
building an enviable portfolio of assets 
across production, appraisal and exploration 
stages of the development cycle.

Our new-look management team has worked 
tirelessly throughout the year to fulfil our 
strategic aspirations and I would like to 
extend my thanks to them for their hard work 
and perseverance on a diverse range of 
projects. The entire board looks ahead with 
confidence to what we expect will be another 
constructive year for the Company and 
one where we hope that we will see strong 
progress at Wressle, Cloughton and FEL 4/19.

Mr Brian O’Cathain 

Non-executive Chairman

20 October 2023 

The Serenity and Tain discoveries benefit 
from having existing infrastructure located 
in close proximity to our licence. In addition 
our investment in Serenity has provided a 
shelter against the Energy Profits Levy for the 
income generated across our asset base.

The UK Government remains supportive 
of North Sea exploration and production, 
as epitomised by its recent commitment 
to grant hundreds of new offshore oil and 
gas licences, and this continued investment 
represents a major boost to our efforts to 
optimise the development of Serenity with 
our partner i3 Energy.

Offshore Ireland

During the year, we stepped up our efforts 
to attract a suitable farm-in partner for the 
development of FEL 4/19, our 100%-owned 
offshore Ireland licence. Within FEL 
4/19 are the Inishkea and Inishkea West 
prospects, which represent Europa’s key 
gas exploration interests. These are located 
nearby the already producing Corrib gas field 
and are, therefore, low-risk prospects which 
we are aiming to explore when a farm-in 
partner has been secured. Inishkea West 
is our principal prospect which contains an 
estimated prospective resource of 1.55 TCF 
of gas and could provide sufficient natural 
gas to significantly extend the operational life 
of the Bellanaboy gas processing terminal, 
potentially making a strong contribution to 
Irish energy security, and maintaining the  
180 skilled jobs at the gas terminal.

We maintain a strong working relationship 
with the Irish Government, in particular the 
team at the Department of the Environment, 
Climate and Communications (“DECC”),  
and were pleased that the minister agreed 
to extend our licence to January 2024. We 
have been working diligently to complete 
the committed seismic reprocessing work 
programme which has recently reduced 
the risks associated with the Inishkea West 
prospect and indicated that reprocessing 
at a higher frequency could further improve 
the sub-surface resolution of the exploration 
targets. In order to undertake this work  
and then continue with the farm-out  
process we have requested an extension  
to the licence and hope to receive this  
in the coming months.

Ireland is currently conducting a major 
review of its energy security, and we firmly 
believe our FEL 4/19 licence could play a key 
role in the country’s energy strategy going 
forward, especially given the fact that low 
carbon-intensive indigenous gas is widely 
recognised as a key transition fuel on the 
pathway to net zero.

07

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report INVESTMENT CASE 

Four reasons to invest

Our strategic acquisition focus is on assets that can deliver 
material shareholder value, contribute to domestic supply  
and utilise existing infrastructure.

Balanced and diverse 
portfolio of producing, 
development, appraisal 
and exploration assets

Europa is well-placed to continue its 
production, development, appraisal  
and exploration of existing onshore and 
offshore UK assets, alongside the Company’s 
project in Ireland. The Company is committed 
to continuing to build on its asset portfolio  
by adding further appraisal opportunities that 
can drive shareholder value in the near term.

Robust financial 
foundations providing 
platform to explore 
additional E&P 
opportunities

With a healthy balance sheet and continuing 
profits from production which, due to past 
investment, is currently completely shielded 
from the Energy Profits Levy (windfall tax), 
Europa is in a strong financial position to 
further develop its existing producing assets 
and to target value enhancing appraisal 
opportunities contained in our existing  
asset portfolio. 

2

4

Pivotal role in the UK and 
Ireland’s energy transition

Hydrocarbons are considered a key pillar 
of the UK Government’s Energy Security 
Strategy, with domestic production of oil  
and gas projects continuing to garner  
strong support.

Significantly, the UK Government is committed 
to supporting additional investment for the 
North Sea industry, where Europa has  
farmed-in to the Serenity block. The UN 
has forecast a global oil supply gap during 
transition to net zero and finding additional 
domestic reserves is essential to reducing 
UK imports and global emissions, providing 
greater accountability and transparency of 
emissions to accelerate net zero.

Governments and some environmental 
groups alike agree that a key step in 
achieving net zero goals is to increase 
domestic supply which minimises the 
transportation and gas liquification emissions 
associated with importing hydrocarbons. 

Opportunities to develop 
new projects

The board and management team at Europa 
have a history of successfully identifying and 
monetising new upstream opportunities and, 
with a robust balance sheet and ongoing 
cash generative production, the Company is 
ideally placed to continue to seek and acquire 
further assets. Our strategic acquisition 
focus is on assets that can deliver material 
shareholder value, contribute to domestic 
supply and utilise existing infrastructure. 

1

3

08

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Following planning consent for the 
development at the current site, planning 
for two additional wells at a new site will 
commence. These will be targeting the 
Broughton North area to the northwest 
of the existing Wressle development. 
These will target both the Penistone  
and the Ashover in a separate 
compartment, separated from the 
existing field by a fault.

Penistone Flags 2016 ERCE  
CPR numbers:

1.5m

barrels of oil independently 
reported

2bcf

of gas independently reported

production.“

Wressle continues 
to dominate our total 

Wressle 

Wressle is our flagship UK onshore asset, 
situated in North Lincolnshire, England. 
The field was discovered in 2014 by 
the Wressle-1 conventional exploration 
well which intersected three productive 
reservoir horizons. The oil discovery 
straddles the PEDL180 and PEDL182 
licences, and Europa holds a 30% stake  
in the prospect alongside Union Jack  
Oil (40%), and operator Egdon  
Resources (30%).

Oil flow at Wressle commenced in Q1 2021, 
and the oilfield has consistently performed 
above expectations, generating high 
levels of production and revenues.

Aimed at increasing Wressle’s value and 
complementing the prospect’s strong 
existing output, Europa has developed the 
Field Development Plan alongside its joint 
venture partners. The plan was approved 
by the North Sea Transition Authority 
(“NSTA”) in May 2022, ensuring that the 
Wressle project moved from an extended 
well test to production.

Europa is committed to advancing the 
development plan and consenting 
process to enable production from the 
Penistone Flags reservoir where gross 
mid-case contingent resources of 1.5 
million barrels of oil and 2 bcf of gas have 
been independently reported in 2016 by 
ERCE. In addition, the Wressle partners 
are looking to drill a Wressle lookalike 
prospect on the North Broughton licence 
adjacent to Wressle.

The continued Wressle development 
is progressing with provisional targets 
agreed for the Wressle-2 and Wressle-3 
wells, which will be drilled from the 
existing site. Planning applications and 
tendering processes are progressing. 

Wressle-2 will target the Penistone while 
also intersecting the Ashover to provide 
more subsurface data and guide the 
placement of Wressle-3.

Wressle-3 will target the Ashover,  
the primary production reservoir of the 
Wressle-1 well. This reservoir has seen 
an increase in reserves this year and a 
second well is required to achieve this 
additional potential.

Wressle tanks

0909

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report CASE STUDY 

The Cloughton gas field

We have assumed operatorship of licence 
PEDL343, which holds the Cloughton gas 
discovery. Located north of Scarborough and 
within 3km of the local gas grid the licence has 
transformational potential and the key is to prove 
commercial flow rates

Cloughton summary

We have assumed operatorship of licence 
PEDL343, which holds the Cloughton gas 
discovery. Located north of Scarborough 
and within 3km of the local gas grid the 
licence has transformational potential and the 
key is to prove commercial flow rates. The 
Cloughton discovery well was drilled by Bow 
Valley Petroleum in 1986. The well was drilled 
approximately 6 miles to the north of the 
town of Scarborough within the North Yorks 
National Park, an area that has a long history 
of oil and gas production. Within the North 
Yorkshire area, production is mostly from the 
Permian Carbonates and also includes the 
Carboniferous sandstones, most significantly 
at Kirby Misperton, where the KM-1 well has 
produced 5.8 BCF of gas from Namurian 
aged sands (same age as Cloughton 
sands). The Cloughton well encountered an 
extensive hydrocarbon column within the 
Carboniferous section, and gas was also 
discovered within the overlying Zechstein 
section. Four zones were tested, three of 
which were in the sandstones over the 
Carboniferous section and the other within 
the Permian dolomitic limestone. Both the 
Carboniferous and Zechstein sections are 
effective gas reservoirs in the region.  
The Cloughton-1 well test achieved rates 
of up to 28,000 scf/day on natural flow. 
However with the right completion and 
production optimisation techniques  
we believed a well could flow at up to  
6 mmscf/d. A single well within the  
Cloughton discovery could be expected  
to produce more than 5 BCF of gas over  
a five-year period. 

A cross section through the Cloughton 
discovery can be seen below on page 11.  
The figure shows that gas was found 
throughout the Carboniferous section 
with the gas column extending to the total 
depth of the well. Individual sands from 
N11 (Namurian) to D1 (Dinantian) are all gas 
charged. The structural trapping mechanism 
at Cloughton is a simple, four way dip 
closed anticline. The gas charges to the 
reservoirs are sourced directly from within 
the Carboniferous. 

A world class seal is provided by the 
Zechstein evaporites situated directly  
above the sandstones. The Brotherton 
limestone was also gas charged in the section. 
This is an important additional reservoir within 
the area with gas flowed to surface and 
production from multiple local wells. The gas 
flowed from the well is sweet, good quality gas 
with in excess of 98% methane and ethane 
content, so surface processing requirements 
for the produced gas will be minimal. 

A core was taken within the Carboniferous 
sandstones with porosities registered of 
between 2-9% and permeabilities of  
between 0.1 and 1mD. 

The well was drilled crestally on the 
Cloughton anticline which is a NNW/SSE 
trending anticline with significant dip closure 
in all directions and large areal extent. Around 
60m of Carboniferous net sandstone was 
penetrated with high gas saturations, although 
more sandstone is present within the section, 
just not of reservoir quality. This is important 
in providing an extra reservoir for gas storage 
and pressure support during production. Given 
the large hydrocarbon column height (greater 
than 1000m), large areal closure and net sand 
present, Europa believes a large volume of gas 
is in place. Gas in place has been calculated 
within five reservoir units across the well and 
preliminary gas in place volumes have  
been calculated in each sequence. 

The Cloughton discovery is larger than 
several Southern North Sea economic 
Carboniferous developments such as 
Copernicus and Humphrey. The current 
technical work continues and we are looking 
at a conceptual development plan for the 
field which we believe will demonstrate 
the material potential value of the licence. 
In parallel, with the ongoing subsurface 
work we are also engaging with the various 
stakeholders required to obtain the necessary 
permits and consents needed to drill. Further 
geological and geophysical work will better 
define the mapping on of the structure, This 
will enable a more confident estimate of the 
gas in place and inform development plan 
options to monetise the Cloughton discovery.

“

We are very pleased 
to be assuming the 
operatorship of what 
we believe to be a 
material licence and 
plan to progress the 
asset to appraisal 
drilling operations  
as quickly as  
possible.

William Holland 

CEO

10
10

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

The volumes in place can be seen below:

Cloughton

GIIP (BCF)

P90

P50

Pmean

P10

118

184

192

274

These are summed volumes across the reservoir intervals. It is only statistically correct to 
sum the Pmean volumes. 

Licence

Europa interest

PEDL343

40%

Partners 

Area km2 

Basin 

Play

Term

Europa 40% (operator), Egdon 40%,  
Petrichor 20%

110.1

Cleveland

Carboniferous sandstone

Initial

Cloughton-1 Line of Section. 

Bay 1 Beck 1

7.9km

Cloughton -1

<3km

from gas distribution network

6mm 
scf/

day per well flow potential

192 bcf

GIIP Pmean

Middle Jurassic 

S

Sherwood Sandstone 

Lias

Mercia Mudstone

Permian Evaporites  

Brotherton Limestone

Permian Evaporites  

Upper Permian  

4

Westphalian A & B

Westphalian A & B  

Kirkham Abbey Limestone

Rotliegend

N11

Seal = Evaporites

Res = Zechstein Carbonate

Res = Carboniferous

3000m

SR = Coals

i

t
h
g
e
h
n
m
u
o
c
+
m
0
0
0
1

l

i

t
h
g
e
h
n
m
u
o
c
+
m
0
0
0
1

l

N9-10
N8

N7
N6
N5

N2-4

N1

D1

3

2

1

Carboniferous – Namurian

Trap = 4 way anticline

Dinantian Carbonate 

Gas Shows  
& Flow Rates

1 – 20000 SCFD 
2 – 6000 SCFD 
3 – 2000 SCFD 
4 – Weak Blow

Play Element

Seal = Evaporites

N6 Namurian Sand 
D1 Dinantian Sand

Robins Hood Bay 

Stoupe Beck 

N

A339/1-2

Cloughton

41/24a Discovery 

Lockton

Line of Section

N

500m

1000m

1500m

s t  C  

W e

2000m

)

m

(

h
t
p
e
D

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

11
11

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 
 
 
 
 OUR STRATEGY 

Building a balanced portfolio 

Assets 
We have a diverse portfolio of hydrocarbon 
assets at various stages of the development 
cycle including exploration and production.

North Sea

The UK Government has pledged to 
accelerate all sources of domestic energy, 
including North Sea oil and gas production, 
and remains committed to supporting 
additional investment for the North Sea 
region, where Europa has farmed into the 
Serenity block.

Europa recognises the myriad of 
opportunities that exist in the North Sea 
and further afield and continues to explore 
potential development and appraisal projects 
to further diversify its asset base and 
generate additional shareholder value.

This is definitely the case for the FEL 4/19 
asset which is located adjacent to Corrib 
and has multi-TCF potential. The proximity 
to infrastructure means that the gas is the 
greenest gas Ireland could consume and 
can be brought online quickly following 
successful drilling.

Smaller companies are facing challenging 
times for expansion. Pervasive inflation 
means that projects are more expensive and 
equity markets remain tight as many funds 
choose not to invest in the petroleum sector. 
As such we carefully manage our cost base 
and utilise our existing cash flow. All new 
projects are assessed by their potential to 
add value whilst maintaining profitability at 
a time when regulation, environmentalism 
and governmental windfall taxes make cash 
accumulation for capital-intensive projects 
more challenging. Europa will focus on 
projects where we can see that we have a 
competitive advantage while at the same 
time pursuing value-added diversification to 
ensure effective risk management.

The Wressle field still has great potential with 
undeveloped gas and further possibilities 
for oil which will form the foundation for a 
substantial business for the immediate future.

Europa is an experienced onshore operator 
and currently intends to be a non-operator 
offshore. However, the many disciplines 
involved in the offshore petroleum industry 
are available from very competent service 
companies, which means that opportunities 
to operate offshore may still be considered. 

For small E&P companies, access to finance 
affects the rate of growth of the company. 
Therefore, all new opportunities must not 
only satisfy our own rigorous technical 
assessment but must also be able to attract 
the necessary investment finance to appraise 
and develop the asset. 

Europa is focused on 
building a balanced 
portfolio of producing, 
development, appraisal 
and exploration assets 
in the UK and Atlantic 
Ireland. 
We continue to assess significant value- 
accretive opportunities including late-stage 
appraisal and development projects all the 
while ensuring that the Company minimises 
risk. Europa uses various financial and  
non-financial performance measures to 
monitor progress and ensure that strategic 
objectives are met. The key performance 
indicators for 2022/23 are set out in this 
report and comprise daily production, 
revenue, gross profit and net cash generated 
by operating activities.

Developing a strategy is a dynamic process 
which reflects prevailing oil and gas prices. 
Current oil and gas prices are high by 
historical standards, but always remain 
susceptible to sudden and significant 
downward revision in the short term, whereas 
most petroleum projects are long term in 
nature. This situation requires the Europa 
executive team to constantly evaluate  
mid- to long-term projects. Small companies 
in the oil and gas industry are confronting 
significant strategic challenges both 
politically and market driven.

Over the last five years the Company 
has moved away from a predominantly 
frontier exploration strategy with some 
local production paying the bills to a lower 
risk appraisal and development strategy 
matching the current industry demands and 
with a shorter time scale from investment to 
production. However, Europa’s asset portfolio 
still contains some exciting exploration and 
appraisal opportunities within the portfolio 
and as such the Company still considers  
itself very much an “E&P” company.

With gas being a clean transition fuel  
and consistently commanding high prices 
over the course of the year, opportunities 
to explore and develop gas fields remain 
attractive, especially those located  
near the market. 

12

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
New ventures 

 ^ Value driven
 ^ Target the best deals for EOG

 • Opportunity cost in both staff  
time (G&A) and EOG financial  
resources 

 ^ New opportunities measured 

against:

 • Strategic fit to EOG portfolio

 • Match to EOG core skillset 

 • Materiality –  significantly move  

EOG valuation

 • Risk –  acceptable risk/  

reward profile

 ^ Proactive approach to new 

ventures

 • Leverage EOG management  

experience

 ^ Experienced team:  across 
multiple jurisdictions and 
basins worldwide

Geography

Management 
experience/ 
network

Fiscal  
terms

Geology

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

Wressle

13

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 SUSTAINABILITY 

Helping reach net zero

Europa’s strategy revolves around the three 
key pillars of ESG: Environment, Social and 
Governance. 

Last year Europa undertook 
a materiality assessment that 
helped identify the key material 
topics relevant to Europa’s 
business. These topics were 
then aligned with relevant United 
Nations Sustainable Development 
Goals (UN SDGs). From this, 
Europa developed high-level 
goals which have been built 
upon this year as Europa further 
develops its strategy, as well as 
continues to support the UK’s 
energy transition.

During the course of the 
year Europa reassessed the 
materiality matrix to ensure that 
it still accurately represents our 
stakeholders and business. It was 
determined there were currently 
no changes to our material topics 
and that the previously conducted 
materiality matrix was still 
relevant. The materiality matrix 
will be periodically reassessed 
to ensure it remains relevant and 
reflective of Europa’s activities.

Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Ireland

14
14

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

E

S

G

Environment 

We believe in acting as responsible custodians of the physical spaces 
which we occupy as a company, with the utmost respect for the 
environment in which we operate.

Social 

Europa commits to being fair and inclusive in all our interactions  
with our employees and partners, including those communities  
with whom we interact. 

“

Responsible support  
for local energy 
security

“

Stakeholder benefit,  
support and equality

Governance

As an AIM-quoted entity Europa follows all required reporting and 
corporate governance guidelines. To go beyond the minimum 
requirements, our ESG Committee has oversight on the integration of 
our ESG strategy with our overall Company development and activities.

“

Ethical integrity  
and diligent risk 
management

Materiality matrix

Important topics 

Material topics

5

6

7

8

9

1

2

3

4

12

1. 

Local communities and  
economic impacts

2.  Non-discrimination and  
equal opportunity

3.  Water and waste management

4. 

Ecological impact

5.  Climate adaptation, energy transition  

and emissions

6.  Health and safety, asset integrity

7. 

Policy engagement

8.  Anti-corruption and strong governance

9. 

Land and resource rights

10.  Freedom of association and  

collective bargaining

11.  Anti-competitive behaviour

12.  Closure and rehabilitation

15

l

s
r
e
d
o
h
e
k
a
t
s

s
’
a
p
o
r
u
E

n
o

t
c
a
p
m

I

10

11

Impact on Europa’s business

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 
 
 SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED 

Responsible custodians  
of hydrocarbons

Support for UK transition

Europa plays an active role in providing 
energy security and supporting the UK 
energy transition. Through our assets we 
provide a domestic supply of hydrocarbons 
and are currently investigating the feasibility 
of renewable energy projects at our West 
Firsby site.

Europa is also active in supporting the Irish 
Government’s plans of transitioning towards 
a lower-carbon economy. Domestic gas 
which could be produced from Europa’s FEL 
4/19 licence is expected to have a carbon 
intensity of 2.8 kgCO2e/boe, considerably 
less than the intensity of imported gas from 
the UK which has an average intensity of 36 
kgCO2e/boe1. 
A discovery at FEL 4/19 would extend the 
life of the Bellanaboy gas terminal and could 
have the potential to supply up to 75% of 
Ireland’s gas needs.

As Ireland currently imports roughly 80% of 
its natural gas supply from the UK via the 
Moffat Interconnector, a domestic supply 
from Europa’s FEL 4/19 licence would have 
significant impact on the carbon intensity of 
Ireland’s natural gas supply.

Developing licence FEL 4/19 and thereby 
extending the life of the Bellanaboy gas 
terminal would also preserve jobs, protecting 
employment for around 180 people that 
would otherwise be lost when the terminal 
shuts down at the end of the Corrib field’s life 
(currently expected to be 2030).

Europa is expecting to lower the emissions 
of our crude oil refining in the near future 
with the announcement that the Viking 
Carbon Capture and Storage (“CCS”) project 
has been awarded Track 2 status by the UK 
Government, with an expected start date of 
2026. Europa exports oil to the Phillips 66 
Ltd Humber Refinery which is connected to 
the Viking CCS project and therefore from 
2026 the emissions from Europa’s crude oil 
refining will be captured and securely stored. 

Historical and forecast supply and demand  
(Source: Petroleum Affairs Division, DECC).
250

Geothermal:

A geothermal scoping study was undertaken 
at our West Firsby site to assess the 
potential of the site for geothermal energy 
but unfortunately the results indicated that 
the West Firsby field is not suitable for 
a geothermal development. Committed 
to investigating all options, Europa is still 
exploring opportunities for renewable energy 
generation at the site with the support of the 
landowner. Currently, investigations include 
considering the potential for solar or wind 
power at the site, with battery storage, which 
would utilise the existing connection with the 
local electricity grid.

Zero flaring:

We continue to make steady progress 
towards our zero flaring goal with power 
generation installed at Wressle to enable the 
surface facilities to be run from produced 
gas, reducing the amount of gas that is 
flared by roughly 10%. Subject to gaining 
the necessary regulatory approvals, a 600m 
pipeline is planned to be installed at the site 
by the end of 2024 to allow for a connection 
to the local gas grid, at which point routine 
flaring at Wressle will be eliminated. 

 UK Imports
 Inishkea w prospect
 Corrib forecast
 Corrib actual
 Kinsale area
 Terminal capacity
 Demand actual BCF
 Demand forecast high
 Demand forecast mid
 Demand forecast low

Demand forecast  
High - Mid - Low

Demand actual 

Bellanaboy 
Terminal capacity

Import of high carbon  
gas from the UK

Inishkea West

Corrib forecast

Corrib

Kinsale and 
Satellite fields

F
C
B
n
o
i
t
c
u
d
o
r
P

225

200

175

150

125

100

75

50

25

0

8
7
9
1

9
7
9
1

0
8
9
1

1
8
9
1

2
8
9
1

3
8
9
1

4
8
9
1

5
8
9
1

6
8
9
1

7
8
9
1

8
8
9
1

9
8
9
1

0
9
9
1

1
9
9
1

2
9
9
1

3
9
9
1

4
9
9
1

5
9
9
1

6
9
9
1

7
9
9
1

8
9
9
1

9
9
9
1

0
0
0
2

1
0
0
2

2
0
0
2

3
0
0
2

4
0
0
2

5
0
0
2

6
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

8
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

3
1
0
2

4
1
0
2

5
1
0
2

6
1
0
2

7
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

9
1
0
2

0
2
0
2

1
2
0
2

2
2
0
2

3
2
0
2

4
2
0
2

5
2
0
2

6
2
0
2

7
2
0
2

8
2
0
2

9
2
0
2

0
3
0
2

1
3
0
2

2
3
0
2

3
3
0
2

4
3
0
2

5
3
0
2

6
3
0
2

7
3
0
2

8
3
0
2

9
3
0
2

0
4
0
2

1
4
0
2

2
4
0
2

3
4
0
2

4
4
0
2

5
4
0
2

6
4
0
2

7
4
0
2

8
4
0
2

9
4
0
2

0
5
0
2

1
5
0
2

2
5
0
2

1 – Third party report independently researched and compiled by sustain:able (2023):  
https://www.europaoil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/EOG-Irish-Licence-Emissions-Report-070323.pdf

16

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
To aid this, a data audit has been carried 
out of the Company’s currently collected 
data to determine what is already being 
recorded and what additional data collection 
processes need to be put in place to allow 
them to report to the TCFD. Europa has 
adopted a new data collection approach, set 
up to identify how and what it is required to 
report. It is expected that this data collection 
and the quality of the information will be 
improved over time, allowing steady progress 
that will be reflected in Europa’s annual 
reporting. Data collected will be aligned 
with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 
Universal and Oil and Gas Sector Standards 
(2021 version) to enable future reporting in 
reference to the GRI.

GHG reporting:

Europa has elected to work towards 
developing a full GHG inventory to allow the 
Company to identify the biggest sources 
of emissions and plan any reduction or 
mitigation projects that can be undertaken. 
This process started in 2023 with an 
investigation into how the Company could 
create a GHG inventory aligned with the 
GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1 standard and 
will be ongoing as Europa works to establish 
all data collection processes to enable a 
comprehensive inventory. 

Community fund:

During 2023, the Wressle partners’ 
community fund supported more than 20 
projects, awarding over £60,000 in funding 
to sports clubs, schools, youth centres and 
youth groups, events, and theatre groups. 
Funds included support for sign language 
training, equipment for an outside gym, and 
modifications to allotments to make them 
more accessible for those with mobility 
issues. Through the continued support of the 
community fund, Europa contributes to the 
UN SDGs of Reduced Inequalities and Good 
Health and Wellbeing.

Employee wellbeing:

To support employees while also reducing 
emissions, Europa participates in the UK 
Government’s cycle to work scheme.  
Europa is proud to report that ~50% of our 
employees commuting to the London  
office are now cycling to work.

Reporting frameworks:

This year Europa undertook a review of 
relevant ESG reporting frameworks and 
standards to determine which would be the 
best fit. The introduction of the International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 1 and 
2 in June 2023 and the predicted release 
of the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) 
Disclosures in October 2023 are testament 
to the fact that this area continues to develop 
and progress. Both the IFRS standards 
and the TPT framework build upon the 
Task force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) framework structure and 
requirements. Therefore, Europa has decided 
to voluntarily start working towards reporting 
to the TCFD to put itself in good stead for 
reporting to the IFRS or TPT if required to  
do so in the future.

What is TCFD?

The TCFD framework is designed 
to identify climate-related risks and 
opportunities to aid companies’ 
and investors’ understanding of the 
financial implications of transitioning 
to a lower-carbon economy and the 
changes in physical risks associated 
with climate change. The TCFD 
disclosures are structured around the 
four pillars of Governance, Strategy, Risk 
management, and Metrics and targets 
with 11 recommended disclosures. 
Scenario analysis is recommended as 
part of the TCFD process to identify 
the range of risks and opportunities 
a company may face across different 
climate scenarios.

Core elements of recommended 
climate-related financial 
disclosures

Governance

Strategy

Risk  
management

Metrics  
and targets

Governance
The organisation’s governance around 
climate-related risks and opportunities. 

Strategy
The actual and potential impacts of 
climate-related risks and opportunities 
on the organisation’s businesses, 
strategy and financial planning. 

Risk management
The process used by the organisation 
to identify, assess and manage climate- 
related risks.

Metrics and targets
The metrics and targets used to assess 
and manage relevant climate-related 
risks and opportunities.

17

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUED 

Metrics and targets

To build on the high-level ESG strategy set out in last year’s 
report, Europa has begun developing performance metrics 
by which the Company can transparently measure current 
performance across the material topics, goals and selected 
UN SDGs. 

These metrics have been aligned with the three pillars of Environment, Social and 
Governance to ensure that they span across all Europa’s activities. Setting this up will 
allow Europa to develop a clearer measure of our current performance and the work 
required to reach our goals. During 2023/24 the Company will be developing targets 
in line with our goals and metrics to enable these to be tracked and to improve 
performance over time.

= UN.ORG

Performance metrics for each of Europa’s goals 

Environmental

Material issue

UN SDG

Vision

Goals

Climate adaptation, 
energy transition and 
emissions

Responsible 
support for local 
energy security

Provide low emissions intensity gas 
supply to replace higher emissions 
intensity imports. Minimise the 
emissions of assets as far as possible 
through new technology or policy 
changes. 

Performance metrics

 ^ Energy consumption within 

the organisation 
 ^ Total flaring emissions

Develop and invest in renewable 
energy potential at West Firsby site. 

 ^ Total GHG emissions 

intensity

Provide a local supply of gas to provide 
energy security and affordable energy.

Minimise water use and waste 
generation. Dispose of all waste  
and process all water in a responsible 
manner.

 ^ Total water consumption
 ^ Total waste generated 

Zero serious environmental incidents. 
Plan in place for low emissions 
decommissioning operations. Plan 
for site restoration and post-closure 
monitoring or impact of converting to a 
renewable energy generation site.

 ^ Number and volume of  

oil spills

 ^ Total water discharges 

Employ strong environmental 
stewardship and work to preserve  
and take steps to mitigate any negative 
effects to surrounding habitats, flora  
and fauna.

 ^ Hazardous waste 

generated and disposed 

 ^ Number and volume 
of chemical spills or 
hydrocarbon leaks 

Water and waste 
management 

Ecological impact

18

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
Social

Material issue

UN SDG

Vision

Goals

Non-discrimination and 
equal opportunity

Stakeholder 
benefits, support 
and equality

Actively work to address any 
inequalities. 

Performance metrics

 ^ Percentage of men and 

women in workplace and at 
board level 

 ^ Average hours of training 
per year per employee

Local communities and 
economic impacts

Healthy workers and communities. 

 ^ Percentage of workforce 

Health and safety and 
asset integrity

Prioritise safe operations. 

Governance 

Material issue

UN SDG

Vision

Goals

Policy engagement

Ethical integrity 
and diligent risk 
management

Highest standards of ethics and 
compliance.

who are nationals 
 ^ Local procurement 

expenditure

 ^ HSSE training hours 

recorded by employees 
and contractors

 ^ HSSE recorded incidents

Performance metrics

 ^ Number of confirmed 
incidents of corruption

Anti-corruption and 
strong governance

Land and resource rights 

Undertake responsible management 
of risks. Commitment to honesty and 
transparency.

Operate at the highest level of ethical 
standards and behaviours.

Act as an engaged and supportive 
partner. 

 ^ Percentage of employees, 
contractors and board 
members who have 
received communication 
of Europa’s Anti-corruption 
Policy

 ^ Number of negative ESG 

impacts in supply chain and 
actions taken 

19

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 OPERATIONAL REVIEW 

UK production – East Midlands 

UK production  –  
East Midlands 
Europa produces oil from four UK oilfields: 
Wressle, West Firsby, Crosby Warren and 
Whisby-4. Europa holds a 30% working 
interest in licences PEDL180 and 182 which 
hold Wressle and Broughton, alongside 
Egdon Resources (operator, 30%) and  
Union Jack Oil (40%). Following a major  
Field Development Plan, Wressle has  
been producing the majority of our  
crude since mid-2021. 

Wressle continues to dominate our total 
production, nevertheless our other three 
fields continue to contribute meaningful 
volumes of oil, and together generated  
£1.3 million out of the total revenue for the 
year of £6.7 million. We continue to evaluate 
various production optimisation strategies 
whilst at the same time examining  
options to repurpose the sites to generate 
renewable energy. 

UK development –  
Wressle

UK appraisal –  
Cloughton and Serenity

In July 2023 Europa assumed operatorship 
for PEDL 343 (Cloughton) where it holds 
a 40% working interest. Cloughton was 
discovered in 1986 where the discovery 
well encountered gas throughout the 
Carboniferous section. The well tested at 
gas rates of up to 28,000 scf/day on natural 
flow, however with the right completion and 
production optimisation techniques, the 
Company believes that a well could flow at 
rates of up to 6 mmscf/day. The gas is good 
quality sweet gas with over 98% methane 
and ethane content. The discovery well 
encountered 60 metres of Carboniferous 
net sandstone reservoir with high gas 
saturations. Europa has subsequently 
completed an internal review of the gross 
Cloughton gas in place volumes which has 
resulted in a Pmean Gas Initially In Place 
(“GIIP”) estimate of 192 bcf demonstrating 
the material volume of gas in place that has 
already been discovered. 

Cloughton is a gas appraisal opportunity 
with the critical challenge being to obtain 
commercial flowrates from future production 
testing operations. A location for an appraisal 
well pad has been identified and following 
successful testing operations, the field would 
be developed by connection to the nearby 
gas grid. Such developments remain subject 
to securing the necessary permits and 
regulatory approvals.

Wressle continued to outperform production 
expectations during the year, averaging 
710 bopd gross (213 bopd net to Europa). 
Only in late June 2023 did we finally see 
evidence of water cut emerging, and this 
was at extremely low rates. The appearance 
of water was expected at an earlier stage 
in the field’s life and hence this is extremely 
encouraging for the ultimate recoverable 
reserves that are delivered by the field. 

As announced on 17 January 2023 a new 
CPR for Wressle has been commissioned 
and the work, which is being undertaken 
by ERCE, continues. With the advent of 
water production ERCE is revisiting the 
dynamic reservoir model to ensure that the 
second Ashover Grit development well is 
located in the ideal position to maximise 
recoverable volumes. The ERCE work on 
the development of the Penistone Flags’ 
resources is nearing completion and results 
of both the Ashover Grit and Penistone 
development will be announced in due 
course when available.

The first phase of the gas utilisation project 
was completed in January 2023, whereby 
three microturbines were connected to 
provide site power which has resulted in  
a c. 10% increase in oil production. The 
second stage is installing gas processing 
facilities at Wressle with a gas pipeline 
connecting to the local grid, which will be 
developed concurrently with the Penistone 
drilling programme.

Operations to install artificial lift on the 
Wressle-1 well commenced in September 
2023 and will be completed in October. The 
operations began with a slickline programme 
where downhole pressure and temperature 
gradients were acquired. Slickline operations 
have now been completed and the ongoing 
work programme includes recompleting 
the well for installation of a downhole jet 
pump and installing the associated surface 
equipment. As of early October the new 
completion and sub-surface jet pump 
had been successfully installed and the 
remaining surface pump system flowlines 
and associated instrumentation were in the 
process of being completed. 

20

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Domestically produced gas generates 
employment, local and national tax 
revenues and has a lower carbon footprint 
than imported gas. As such development 
of Cloughton is fully aligned with the UK 
Governments British Energy Security Strategy 
and Net Zero 2050 goals.

Europa holds a 25% working interest in 
the Serenity oil discovery, a development 
opportunity that we farmed into in April 
2022. Alongside Wressle, Serenity is a 
potential engine of growth for Europa and 
demonstrates the Company’s commitment to 
developing a balanced portfolio of assets.

The Serenity appraisal well, located in the 
Central North Sea, spudded in September 
2022. The well objective was to prove 
additional volumes of hydrocarbons beyond 
those encountered in the original Serenity 
discovery well in 2019. Unfortunately, the 
appraisal well encountered water-wet sands 
but has improved our understanding of 
the field’s geology. We are now working 
with the operator i3 Energy to optimise the 
development of the field, which could involve 
a tie-back to existing infrastructure. The 
Serenity field will be developed in line with 
the NSTA’s stated strategy to ensure that 
the maximum volumes of economic oil are 
recovered from the North Sea in a manner 
that is compliant with the Government’s 
aspirations of meeting its net zero targets.

Exploration –  
offshore Ireland 

Located offshore Ireland on the west coast 
is Europa’s FEL 4/19 licence. A strategic 
asset for Europa, FEL 4/19 contains the large, 
low risk Inishkea West gas prospect which 
has the potential to facilitate the energy 
transition and mitigate Ireland’s dependence 
on energy imports, particularly vital amid the 
current energy security crisis facing Europe. 
Inishkea West is estimated to contain 1.55tcf 
of recoverable gas. 

FEL 4/19 is situated adjacent to the Corrib 
gas field, which was discovered in 1996 
and has been producing one of the lowest 
carbon-intensity gases in Europe since 2015. 
The exploration licence’s position within the 
proven Slyne Basin gas play, together with 
the increasing need for countries to secure 
domestic energy resources against the 
current macroeconomic backdrop, underpin 
our confidence in securing a partner to farm 
into FEL 4/19 in the medium to long term. A 
farm-out process has begun with the aim of 
bringing in a partner to assist with the drilling 
of the prospect. 

Ireland will continue to require gas in the long 
term, with the nation having recently agreed 
plans to build new gas-powered electricity 
plants, and therefore it makes sense to keep 
this potentially valuable source of indigenous 
gas off the west coast available.

Assuming the successful future drilling of the 
Inishkea West prospect and its subsequent 
development, Europa has the potential 
to provide Ireland with a secure supply of 
natural gas, leveraging existing infrastructure 
from Corrib to increase the efficiency of 
operations, minimise costs and reduce 
transportation emissions.

The FEL 4/19 licence extension was granted 
by the Irish Government, extending the 
initial phase to January 2024. We have since 
applied for a further extension to allow us to 
continue with the cutting-edge reprocessing 
work that we are currently undertaking 
and secure a farm-in partner to enable the 
Inishkea West prospect to be drilled. 

Given the security of supply issues that 
Ireland faces, the board believes that it is 
in the interests of Ireland that this prospect 
be drilled as soon as reasonably possible, 
especially as local existing infrastructure 
would make any development a low  
carbon intensity project and bring the  
gas online quickly.

“

We delivered 
revenue from 
operating activities 
of £6.7 million 
and generated 
net cash from 
operating activities 
of £2.8 million, 
demonstrating the 
financial resilience 
of the Company 
and maintaining our 
strong track record 
of positive cash 
generation. 

William Holland, CEO

Wressle

21

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report CEO STATEMENT 

A word from our CEO

“

Europa made significant progress, both 
operationally and financially, during 
the 2022/23 financial year, including 
continued development work at our 
flagship asset, the Wressle oilfield, 
which consistently performs above 
initial expectations. 

William Holland, CEO

As planned, we have initiated multiple 
projects designed to increase oil production 
and gas monetisation from the field, and in 
the first half of the year, we executed the 
initial phase of the gas utilisation project, 
which has led to a c. 10% increase in oil 
production. Even though Wressle is already 
exceeding expectations, having produced 
710 bopd during the financial year, we remain 
focused on realising the full potential of the 
field, with the completion of these additional 
projects and drilling the Penistone horizon 
being one of Europa’s priority medium-to-
long-term projects. 

In the year, we delivered revenue from 
operating activities of £6.7 million and 
generated net cash from operating activities 
of £2.8 million, demonstrating the financial 
resilience of the Company and maintaining 
our strong track record of positive cash 
generation. 

It has been a year of considerable 
administrative transition for Europa: we set  
up a new London office, strengthened our  
in-house technical and managerial 
capabilities with new staff members and 
expanded our business development activity 
levels; all with the purpose of delivering our 
strategy faster and more efficiently.

We have impressed on both the Irish 
Government and Europa stakeholders the 
significant role our offshore Ireland FEL 4/19 
licence could play in minimising Ireland’s 
dependence on costly and carbon-intensive 
gas imports and enhancing the country’s 
strategic energy security. FEL 4/19 contains 
an estimated prospective resource of 1.55 
TCF of gas, and in June 2023, I hand-
delivered a document detailing our licence’s 
potential to senior Irish Government officials 
during an exclusive energy summit hosted by 
the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. 

We have continued to be proactive in both 
executing advanced technical reprocessing 
work and seeking a suitable farm-in 
partner for our FEL 4/19 licence and remain 
committed to continuing our efforts to work 
constructively with the Department of the 
Environment, Climate and Communications to 
progress FEL 4/19 to drilling. In October 2023 
we announced the results of our seismic 
reprocessing which has materially improved 
the subsurface imaging and provided more 
confidence in the quality of the seal and trap 
at Inishkea West, which in turn has increased 
the chance of success of the prospect whilst 
also increasing the size of the prospect 
to 1.55 TCF. In addition, Inishkea West is 
prognosed as a shallower structure by some 
900 metres which means that the reservoir 
quality will be better than at Inishkea and as a 
result this has become our primary prospect 
on the licence.

22

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Progress continues with the development 
of the Serenity oil discovery in the Central 
North Sea, and we are collaborating with 
our partner i3 Energy to determine the 
best strategic direction for the prospect, 
with a variety of development scenarios 
being diligently considered including 
a development incorporating the Tain 
discovery that could be tied back to the 
Blake field or potentially developed with  
low-cost infrastructure as a standalone field.

In July 2023, we assumed operatorship of 
our onshore UK licence PEDL343, which 
holds the Cloughton gas discovery. Our 
technical team has already performed an 
audit of the existing subsurface data and 
established a range of gas in place volumes 
with a Pmean of 192 bcf gross. Our team is 
now working on a conceptual development 
plan for the field, which we expect will 
demonstrate the material potential value of 
the licence. Concurrently we are engaged 
with stakeholders to secure the necessary 
permits and approvals required to drill 
an appraisal well, which we believe will 
demonstrate the reservoir can deliver the 
production rates required for commercial 
development of the field.

We are continually assessing opportunities 
to further diversify our asset portfolio. We 
are encouraged by the reaffirmation of 
UK Government support for offshore and 
onshore hydrocarbon exploration and 
production and remain optimistic about  
our future growth prospects.

William Holland 

CEO

Wressle tanks

2323

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report ENERGY OUTLOOK 

Our market

An overview of the key 
factors that have an
impact on the energy 
market, how they affect
the market, and what 
these could look like  
in 2024.

24

Governance 

Commodity prices

The Company operates in  
well-regulated jurisdictions that 
govern the operational activities 
undertaken by Europa. 

In addition, these governing bodies issue 
licences and permits and determine the 
fiscal environment. The regulatory bodies in 
both the UK and Ireland have experienced 
staff and well-defined statutes, however the 
UK exchequer has a record of changing the 
fiscal environment with oil prices where  
it increases and decreases the tax burden  
on oil and gas companies as oil and gas 
prices fluctuate.

What is the impact?
It is difficult to model the economic outcome 
for shareholders when there is significant 
instability in the fiscal environment, and 
it is challenging to put in place mitigating 
measures. The incumbent government  
may often respond to the mood of the 
electorate, which can result in policy  
changes and changes in the general 
licensing environment.

What does this mean for Europa?
The value of the production, development 
and discovery of hydrocarbons is uncertain 
as the stability of the prevailing policies of  
the relevant governing bodies cannot be 
reliably forecast. 

History demonstrates that 
the price of crude oil is never 
immutable. Wide price swings are 
experienced in times of shortage 
or oversupply. 

The price of crude oil may fluctuate violently, 
affected by external factors such as global 
macroeconomic conditions, OPEC+ policy, 
political factors, war, market speculation, and 
the value of the US dollar. Recently crude oil 
prices have been subject to high levels of 
volatility due to geopolitical factors, uncertain 
OPEC+ production, and concerns that a 
global recession could reduce crude oil 
demand. EIA forecasts oil prices to generally 
remain near current levels in 2024 with Brent 
averaging $88/bbl. The EIA expects that 
prices should decline slightly beginning in 
2024 as oil inventories build. Increased oil 
inventory next year largely reflects slowing 
oil demand growth, non-OPEC oil production 
growth, and the end of Saudi Arabia’s 
current voluntary production cuts. Potential 
petroleum supply disruptions and slower-
than-expected crude oil production growth 
could lead to higher oil prices, while the 
possibility of slower-than-forecast economic 
growth may contribute to lower prices.

What is the impact?
Fluctuating oil prices have a direct impact 
on the Company’s income and result in 
uncertainty around the availability of capital 
to deploy into development, appraisal and 
exploration operations.

What does this mean for Europa?
Europa models future cash flows and adopts 
a conservative view on oil prices to ensure 
that the Company does not overcommit 
available capital. Where there are capital 
commitments which are reliant on future cash 
flows that require certainty over funding,  
a hedging strategy may be implemented.

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
 
Highlights 

$88  
/bbl

Oil price in 2024 EIA forecast

1.3m 
b/d

Demand increase  
forecast in 2024 EIA forecast

Demand and supply

EIA forecasts that global 
consumption of liquid fuels will 
rise by an average of 1.3 million 
b/d in 2024. 

Non-OPEC production is the main driver of 
global production growth in the EIA forecast, 
increasing by 1.3 million b/d in 2024, led 
by the United States, Brazil, Canada and 
Guyana. Russia’s production is expected to 
decline by 0.3 million b/d by end 2023 and 
remain relatively unchanged in 2024. EIA 
forecasts that OPEC crude oil production will 
fall by 0.8 million b/d during Q4 2023 and 
increase by 0.4 million b/d in 2024.

What is the impact?
The market is currently reasonably balanced. 
However, the global macropolitical and 
economic environments can change rapidly 
and disrupt this balance.

What does this mean for Europa?
Changes in the global demand and supply 
balance will have a direct impact on global 
oil prices, which in turn impacts the future 
income of Europa and, in the case of an over 
supplied market, its ability to progress asset 
development due to potential shortfalls in 
available capital.

Transition to  
renewable energy

With its European partners the UK 
has committed to transition to net 
zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

While the transition to net zero carbon 
emissions by 2050 is a big challenge, 
it is believed to be economically and 
technically feasible, and is becoming easier 
as the cost of low-carbon technologies 
declines. However, during this transition 
and beyond there is an ongoing demand 
for hydrocarbons, not only as a fuel source 
but also due to the myriad of consumer 
products that are made from petroleum by-
products. To achieve these net zero goals 
scope 1 and scope 2 emissions need to be 
minimised. This can be done by producing 
hydrocarbons in the most emissions-efficient 
manner possible and also by producing 
hydrocarbons locally to the demand centres, 
rather than transporting the product over 
long distances. 

What is the impact?
Mature hydrocarbon basins, such as 
the North Sea, provide not only a well- 
understood sub-surface environment but also 
existing infrastructure that can be efficiently 
utilised to extract hydrocarbons in a well-
regulated environment with world class 
levels of emissions. This domestic production 
is materially more emissions-efficient than 
importing hydrocarbons from overseas.

What does this mean for Europa?
Europa is focused on appraising and 
developing hydrocarbons close to centres 
of demand thereby contributing towards the 
global goals of net zero 2050. The Company 
is highly experienced in the regions in which 
we operate, and therefore understands  
the specific technical challenges associated 
with developing the resources, and how to 
do so most efficiently. 

25

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES 

Effective risk management  
to support growth

The various activities of Europa subject the 
Company to a range of financial risks including 
commodity prices, liquidity, exchange rates and 
loss of operational equipment or wells. 

These risks are managed with the oversight of the board, which this 
year established a Risk Committee tasked with regularly reviewing  
the prevailing operational, business and economic circumstances  
to a granular level. The Risk Committee reports back to the board  
on a bi-monthly basis, or at any time that a serious shift in risk profile  
is identified. 

The primary risk facing the business is that of asset performance.

Key risk

Description and impact

Mitigation

Change

1

Funding/ 
Liquidity

2

Commodity price 
and foreign 
exchange

Significant expenditure is required to establish 
the extent of oil and gas reserves through seismic 
surveys and drilling and there can be no certainty 
that oil and gas reserves will be found. 

Licences may be revoked by the relevant issuing 
authority if commitments under those licences 
are not met. Further details of current licence 
commitments are given in notes 11 and 25, also note 
comments on going concern in note 1.

The Group primarily relies on revenues from its 
producing assets to fund its activities. Where 
such revenues are insufficient to meet its funding 
demands the Group is reliant on external debt or 
equity funding. Although the Group has a track 
record of successfully raising debt and equity funds 
when required, there can be no certainty that these 
sources of funding will be available at the same time 
as when they are required by the Group.

Each month’s oil production is sold at a small discount 
to Brent price in US Dollars. These funds are matched 
where possible against expenditures within the 
business. As most capital and operating expenditures 
are Sterling denominated, US Dollars are periodically 
sold to purchase Sterling. A fall in oil price could make 
some projects economically unviable. There is no 
mitigation in place at the moment and the Company 
assumes $1.25/GBP for forecasting.

Detailed cash forecasts are prepared 
regularly and reviewed by management 
and the board.

The Group’s production provides a monthly 
inflow of cash and is the main source 
of working capital and project finance. 
Additional cash is available through the 
placing of Europa shares in the market and 
potentially by the trading of assets.

The board has considered the use of 
financial instruments to hedge oil price and 
US Dollar exchange rate movements. To 
date, the board has not hedged against 
price or exchange rate movements but 
intends to regularly review this policy.

3

Customer

All oil production is sold to one UK-based refinery 
– if it was to stop buying Europa’s crude, additional 
transportation costs would be incurred.

Other refineries are known to Europa, but 
the proximity of the incumbent customer 
aligns with the Group’s aims of minimising 
emissions generated by its operations.

26

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Key

   Increased 
   Decreased
   No change
   New

Key risk

Description and impact

Mitigation

Change

4

Exploration, 
drilling and 
operational

Current production comes from four oil 
wells located at four different sites. This 
diversity of producing assets gives Europa 
resilience in the event of a problem with 
one well or site.

Appropriate insurance is obtained 
annually which covers some of Europa’s 
exploration, development and production 
activities.

The non-operating partners within each 
joint venture assess the technical merits 
of each joint venture operator, providing a 
peer review of operational activities.

The business of exploration and production 
of oil and gas involves a high degree of risk. 
Few prospects that are explored are ultimately 
developed into producing oil and gas fields.

There are numerous risks inherent in drilling and 
operating wells, many of which are beyond the 
Company’s control. Operations may be curtailed, 
delayed or cancelled as a result of environmental 
hazards, industrial accidents, occupational and 
health hazards, technical failures, weather, reservoir 
pressures, shortage or delays in the delivery of 
rigs and other equipment, labour disputes and 
compliance with governmental requirements. 

Drilling may involve unprofitable efforts, not only 
with respect to dry wells, but also to wells which, 
though yielding some oil or gas, are not sufficiently 
productive to justify commercial development. 
Completion of a well does not assure a profit on the 
investment or recovery of drilling, completion and 
operating costs. 

5

6

Planning risk

Political risk

7

Climate risk

Securing planning consent for onshore wells takes 
time and the outcome of planning applications is not 
certain.

The Group engages planning and legal 
specialists in the field.

The elected governments of the countries where 
the Group operates set the regulatory and licensing 
regime within which the Group operates. The 
regulatory regime may change dramatically based 
on the policies and manifestos of the governing 
party, for example a ban on new exploration 
licences may be announced, existing licences may 
be curtailed, or certain operating methods may be 
restricted. A change of government, or change of 
government policy could materially affect the ability 
of the Group to operate.

As a producer of oil and gas, climate change and 
the transition to a low-carbon economy affect 
the Group’s operations through aspects such as 
potentially adverse effects on commodity prices, 
limited access to funding and higher cost of capital.

The Group operates in well-regulated 
jurisdictions where political risks are 
considered at the lower end of the risk 
spectrum. Notwithstanding this, the Group 
monitors changes and proposed changes 
in government policy and opposition 
manifesto in the jurisdictions where it 
operates, in order to understand the 
potential impact on the Group. 

The Group supports the energy transition 
and complies with all current environmental 
guidelines. As set out in the Sustainability 
section of this report, the Group is taking 
various actions and initiatives to reduce 
emissions whilst also contributing to 
energy security in the jurisdictions in which 
we operate.

On behalf of the board

William Holland, CEO

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023

27

 SECTION 172 

Directors’ statement under Section 
172 (1) of the Companies Act 2006

Section 172 (1) of the Companies Act obliges the directors 
to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of the 
Company’s members as a whole. 

This section specifies that the directors must 
act in good faith when promoting the success 
of the Company and in doing so, have regard 
(amongst other things) to: 

a.  the likely consequences of any decision 

in the long term;

Some of the key decisions taken by the 
directors during the year under review, 
and the significant outcomes achieved by 
the Company aimed at delivering on its 
strategies included: 

 ^ The retirement of Simon Oddie and 

b.  the interests of the Company’s 

employees;

c.  the need to foster the Company’s 

business relationship with suppliers, 
customers and others;

d.  the impact of the Company’s operations 
on the community and environment;

e.  the desirability of the Company 
maintaining a reputation for high 
standards of business conduct; and

f. 

the need to act fairly between members 
of the Company. 

The board of directors is collectively 
responsible for the Company’s strategy, 
which is to develop significant value- 
accretive opportunities across a balanced 
portfolio of energy assets while minimising 
risk to shareholders.

The board of directors confirms that during 
the last year under review it acted in 
accordance with section 172 (1) of the 2006 
Companies Act, which requires the board 
to promote the long-term success of the 
Company for the benefit of shareholders. 

The strategies developed under the 
leadership and guidance of the board of 
directors and executed by the Company 
have yielded a firm foundation for future 
value creation, and a meaningful de-risking  
of development plans. 

concurrent transition of Will Holland from 
chief financial officer (“CFO”) to chief 
executive officer in March 2023. Mr. 
Holland had already made significant 
contributions to the Company over an 
extended period, both during his time as 
a consultant when he was instrumental 
in the March 2022 placing, and 
subsequently in his role as CFO  
since April 2022. Mr Oddie remains on 
the board of the Company as a non-
executive director. 

 ^ The Serenity partners, including the 

Company, spudded an offshore appraisal 
well on Seaward Production Licence 
P.2358, Block 13/23c in September 2023. 
The well unfortunately failed to encounter 
oil-bearing sands, however the Company 
is continuing to explore opportunities to 
develop the discovered reserve.

 ^ In December 2022 the extension period 
to the Initial Period of the Inezgane 
Licence offshore Morocco came to an 
end and the Company decided not to 
progress to the First Extension Period. 
This resulted in a full impairment of 
previously capitalised exploration  
costs of £1.7 million.

 ^ The directors continued farm-out efforts 

on the Frontier Exploration Licence (“FEL”) 
4/19 located offshore Ireland near the 
producing Corrib gas field. Increased 
interest in gas as an EU approved 
“green” fuel for the transition period saw 
demand and prices rise. This would allow 
the Company to maximise the revenue 
potential of the licence. During the year 
the Company engaged proactively with 
the Irish Government in relation to the 
contribution that FEL 4/19 could make to 
Ireland’s energy security.

 ^ The Company’s previous auditor, BDO 

LLP, had been in place for over 10 years 
and during 2023 the board of directors 
conducted a formal tender process to 
identify a new statutory auditor as part 
of a periodic rotation. Out of more than 
10 firms considered, three firms were 
invited to tender and three submitted 
proposals. The proposals were measured 
against a predefined, Audit Committee 
approved scorecard and the two top 
scoring firms were interviewed by the full 
board of directors. PKF Littlejohn LLP was 
appointed as auditor on 2 June 2023.
 ^ The retirement of Murray Johnson and 
the concurrent appointment of Louise 
Armstrong as company secretary in  
May 2023. 

 ^ The directors approved the Company’s 
participation in the UK 33rd Round 
Licence Application process and a bid 
was submitted on a licence following 
careful technical and commercial analysis 
of various available licences. The licence 
awards are expected by year end 2023.

 ^ Following a portfolio asset review 

Cloughton was identified as having 
significant potential. After discussing 
the findings with the Cloughton partners 
it was decided that Europa was best 
placed to further evaluate and develop 
the asset. The board approved assuming 
operatorship of PEDL 343 from Egdon 
Resources and the Company is 
progressing towards an appraisal well 
to test the commerciality of flow rates 
utilising modern completion techniques.

28

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 

Engaging with stakeholders

The table below shows how Europa engages with stakeholders

Shareholders 

Government regulators 

Joint venture partners 

How we engage 
 ^ Letter and email correspondence 
and annual TCM/OCM formal 
meetings 

How we engage
 ^ Websites – all announcements
 ^ Email notices
 ^ Company’s Twitter account
 ^ Online meetings
 ^ Physical meetings

How we engage 
 ^ NSTA/OGA – letter, online portal, 

seminars and meetings

 ^ PPRS – monthly submissions and 

website data input

 ^ Environment Agency – bi-annual 
reports, soliciting a CAR Report  
and site visits

 ^ HSE – site visits, meetings, 

inspections

 ^ ONHYM – letter and email 

correspondence

 ^ DECC – letter and email 

correspondence

 ^ UKOOG – meetings, letter and email 

correspondence

 ^ IOOA – meetings, letter and email 

correspondence

Suppliers and advisers 

Local community 

How we engage 
 ^ Email
 ^ Orders and payments
 ^ Letters
 ^ KYC work 

How we engage
 ^ This is site specific but includes 
personal and group meetings 

Glossary
CAR  

Compliance Assessment  
Report

DECC   Department of the  

Environment and Climate  
Change (Ireland)

Health and Safety Executive

Know Your Customer

Operations Committee  
Meeting

North Sea Transition  
Authority (UK)

HSE  
KYC  
OCM  

NSTA  

Technical Committee Meeting

TCM  
UKOOG   UK Onshore Oil and Gas
Irish Offshore Operators’  
Association

IOOA  

29

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION 

Introduction to governance

“

As chairman of Europa 
Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc, 
it is my responsibility 
to ensure that the board 
is performing its role 
effectively and has the 
capacity, ability, structure 
and support to enable it 
to continue to do so.

The last 12 months have seen, amongst 
others, the following governance 
developments: 

 ^ W Holland met with major shareholders.
 ^ S Oddie retired as CEO and W Holland 

transitioned into the role as CEO.

 ^ A Stuart joined the board of directors as 

an executive director. 

 ^ L Armstrong was appointed as company 

secretary.

 ^ An independent board evaluation review 
was undertaken after the financial year 
end, in September 2023, which confirmed 
that the board is operating effectively.

Brian O’Cathain, Chairman

How we govern the Group
The information on corporate governance set 
out below, and on the website  
www.europaoil.com, is, in the opinion of the 
board, fully in accordance with the revised 
requirements of AIM Rule 26.

The board has determined that the Quoted 
Companies Alliance (“QCA”) Corporate 
Governance Code for small and mid-size 
quoted companies is the most appropriate 
for the Group to adhere to. 

The QCA Code is constructed around 10 
broad principles and a set of disclosures. 

The QCA has stated what it considers to 
be appropriate arrangements for growing 
companies and asks companies to provide 
an explanation of how they are meeting the 
principles through the prescribed disclosures.  
We have considered how we apply each 
principle to the extent that the board judges 
these to be appropriate in the circumstances, 
and below we provide an explanation of 
the approach taken in relation to each. The 
board considers that it has not departed from 
any of the principles of the QCA Code during 
the year under review. 

30

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Corporate governance 
principles applicable to  
Europa Oil & Gas

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Establish a strategy and business model which 
promotes long-term value for shareholders.

Seek to understand and meet shareholder 
needs and expectations.

Take into account wider stakeholder and social 
responsibilities and their implications for long-
term success.

Embed effective risk management, considering 
both opportunities and threats, throughout the 
organisation. 

5.  Maintain the board as a well-functioning, 
balanced team led by the chairman. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

Ensure that between them the directors have 
the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and 
capabilities.

Evaluate board performance based on clear 
and relevant objectives, seeking continuous 
improvement.

Promote a corporate culture that is based on 
ethical values and behaviours.

9.  Maintain governance structures and processes 
that are fit for purpose and support good 
decision making by the board.

10.  Communicate how the Company is governed 

and is performing by maintaining a dialogue 
with shareholders and other relevant 
stakeholders.

Wressle gauge manifold

31

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION CONTINUED 

Review of each of the QCA principles

Principle 1:

Establish a strategy and business model 
which promotes long-term value for 
shareholders

Principle 2:

Seek to understand and meet 
shareholder needs and expectations

Principle 3:

Take into account wider stakeholder 
and social responsibilities and their 
implications for long-term success

Our strategy is described here: http://www.europaoil.com/strategy.aspx 

Also note:

 ^ In early July 2022 following a review of the committee’s work, the board resolved to have the 
Strategy Committee continue to provide support to the executive in implementing strategy. 

 ^ The Strategy Committee met once in 2022/23.
 ^ Strategy is actively assessed and adjusted by discussion between the directors.
 ^ Strategy is by necessity opportunity driven.

The Company engages with shareholders by:

 ^ Conducting regular interviews with Proactive Investors and appearing on various virtual 

forums.

 ^ Issuing Regulatory News Service (RNS) announcements.
 ^ Maintaining an active Twitter and LinkedIn account.
 ^ Replying directly to investor questions sent to mail@europaoil.com. 
 ^ Conducting at least twice-yearly meetings with major shareholders on its results roadshows 

to obtain a balanced understanding of their issues and concerns.

Shareholder liaison is the responsibility of the CEO and chairman, with assistance from the SID.

At the last AGM, voting did not indicate any specific shareholder concerns. Three special 
resolutions were not passed at the 2022 AGM.

Key stakeholders are:

 ^ Regulators (NSTA, DECC (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications  

(Ireland)), EA, HSE, Local Authorities).

 ^ Host governments.
 ^ Local communities.
 ^ Partners and co-venturers. 
 ^ Employees and consultants.
 ^ Phillips 66 (who purchase our produced crude oil).

The CEO provides a weekly report to the board which includes a section on finance and investor 
relations. This includes stakeholder and social responsibility feedback from multiple sources. 

Europa is a member of the Irish Offshore Operators’ Association (“IOOA”) which has been highly 
active in promoting the need for oil and gas exploration in Ireland and in particular the role of 
indigenous gas.

Europa is a member of the UK Onshore Oil and Gas (“UKOOG”) which represents the UK 
onshore oil and gas industry and the wider supply chain.

32

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Principle 4:

Embed effective risk management, 
considering both opportunities and 
threats, throughout the organisation

During 2023 the Company established a Risk Committee to develop a formalised risk 
management framework and to actively monitor, and report to the board on, the risks that 
the Company is exposed to. The Risk Committee maintains a risk register for the Group that 
identifies key operational and financial risks, which is reviewed and updated at least every two 
months. All members of the board are provided with a copy of the register, which includes a 
monitoring dashboard. 

The Audit Committee monitors the integrity of the financial statements and related 
announcements, reviews the Company’s internal control processes and risk management 
systems, and reports its conclusions to the board. The committee regularly reviews the 
effectiveness of the Company’s systems and risk management.

Within the scope of the annual audit, specific financial risks including foreign currency, interest 
rates, liquidity and credit are evaluated in detail.

All members of staff and contractors are provided with a handbook which includes sections 
on share dealing, bribery, social media use and whistleblowing. The handbook is updated and 
reissued regularly.

Principle 5:

Maintain the board as a well-functioning, 
balanced team led by the chair

Two of the three NEDs are considered by the board to be independent with S Oddie not being 
independent due to his recent retirement as CEO. 

Biographies are available at: http://www.europaoil.com/Directors.aspx

Three of the board’s non-executive directors, S Williams, S Oddie and B O’Cathain, hold share 
options. Whilst recognising that the granting of options to non-executive directors can be 
deemed to compromise independence in accordance with the principles of the QCA Code, the 
board views this to be part of a balanced remuneration package to attract and retain high quality 
candidates and considers the numbers of options to have no effect upon the independence of 
these directors as the sums are insignificant in the context of the financial circumstances of these 
individuals.

Directors serving more than six years will continue to be proposed for re-election at each AGM.

W Holland (CEO) and A Stuart (COO) are full-time employees.

B O’Cathain (non-executive chairman), S Williams and S Oddie (all non-executive directors) are 
all expected to devote such time as is necessary for the proper performance of their duties 
including attendance at board meetings, the AGM, and board committee meetings. 

The minimum numbers of meetings for committees are: Audit Committee – two; Remuneration 
Committee – one; ESG Committee – one; Nominations Committee – one; and Risk Committee – 
six. Meetings held and attendance records of all directors for the period 1 August 2022 to 31 July 
2023 are set out below.

The board is balanced in terms of experience, and the split between executive and non-
executive directors.

All board and board committee members receive the agenda and associated papers a few days 
in advance of meetings.

33

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION CONTINUED 

Principle 6:

Ensure that between them the directors 
have the necessary up-to-date 
experience, skills and capabilities

Principle 7:

Evaluate board performance based on 
clear and relevant objectives, seeking 
continuous improvement

Principle 8:

Promote a corporate culture that is based 
on ethical values and behaviours

Members of the board of directors are listed at http://www.europaoil.com/Directors.aspx

where their relevant experience, skills and personal qualities are set out. There is an appropriate 
breadth of experience covering the key aspects of the business including technical, operational, 
financial and international. board diversity has been identified as a core area of focus at the time 
of the next appointment. It is the responsibility of each director to keep their skills up to date 
with the assistance of the chairman who has a core responsibility in addressing the development 
needs of the board as a whole with a view to enhancing its overall effectiveness.

Board committees call on external advisers where this is deemed necessary. 

No significant matters of a corporate governance nature arose during the period covered by 
the 2023 Annual Report, nor subsequently to the date of this statement, occasioning the board 
or any of its committees to seek specific external advice, though the board does consult with 
its Nominated Adviser and other professional advisers on routine matters arising in the ordinary 
course of its business.

The main internal advisory functions are those of senior independent director and company 
secretary.

New directors receive relevant training from the Company’s Nominated Adviser and broker.

Pursuant to the decision made in the prior year, an independent external review of the 
board’s performance was initiated during the year and completed in September 2023. The 
review considered aspects such as how well the board performs its duties, governance, risk 
management and strategy and the overall conclusion was that the board is performing at a high 
level of effectiveness. The report concluded that the board was functioning well. 

Members of the board are committed to observing and promoting the highest standards of 
ethical conduct in the performance of their responsibilities on the board of Europa. The board 
believes that a culture that is based on the highest ethical standards provides a competitive 
advantage and is consistent with fulfilment of the Group’s strategy.

The board meets once a year at one of the production sites during which directors are 
encouraged to spend time with, listen to and act upon any concerns of staff members or 
contractors.

 ^ The board considers that there are no material cultural differences between the UK and 

Ireland.

 ^ We do not have a culture policy, nor a specific culture related employee training/induction 

programme but resolve to review the need for such a programme annually.

 ^ Culture and strategy are deeply aligned.
 ^ The board ensures that the Company has the means to determine that ethical values and 

behaviours are recognised and respected.

34

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Principle 9:

Maintain governance structures and 
processes that are fit for purpose and 
support good decision making by the 
board

Role of the chairman – B O’Cathain 
 ^ Runs the board and sets its agenda. 
 ^ Promotes the highest standards of corporate governance.
 ^ Ensures that the members of the board receive accurate, timely and clear information,  

to promote the success of the Group.

 ^ Ensures effective communication with shareholders.
 ^ Takes the lead in identifying and meeting the development needs of individual directors, 

ensuring that the performance of individuals and of the board as a whole and its committees 
is evaluated at least once a year.

Role of the CEO – W Holland (from March 2023)
 ^ Develops Group objectives and strategy. 
 ^ Executes strategy following approval by the board.
 ^ Recommends and executes appropriate licence acquisition and disposal decisions, joint 

venture opportunities, and approves major work programmes.

 ^ Leads geographic diversification initiatives.
 ^ Identifies and executes new business opportunities outside the current core activities.
 ^ Manages the Group’s risk profile, including the health and safety performance of the 

business, in line with the extent and categories of risk identified as considered acceptable  
by the board.

Role of the SID – S Williams 
 ^ Works closely with the chairman, acting as a sounding board and providing support.
 ^ Acts as an intermediary for other directors if and when necessary. 
 ^ Is available to shareholders and other non-executives to address any concerns or issues they 

feel have not been adequately dealt with through the usual channels of communication.
 ^ Meets at least annually with the non-executives to review the chairman’s performance and 

carry out succession planning for the chairman’s role. 

 ^ Attends sufficient meetings with major shareholders to obtain a balanced understanding  

of their issues and concerns.

Role of the COO – A Stuart (from April 2023)
 ^ Oversees daily business operations.
 ^ Identifies means of improving operating procedures for optimal efficiency.
 ^ Assesses and enhances the efficiency of internal and external operational processes.
 ^ Leads and motivates staff to achieve organisational objectives.
 ^ Evaluates Company performance, and recommends strategies to improve results.
 ^ Seeks to identify business opportunities in line with Europa’s strategic goals.
 ^ Collaborates with directors and other stakeholders to raise capital and carry out other 

business-expanding strategies.

Role of the company secretary – Louise Armstrong (from 31 May 2023)
 ^ Distributes documents to the board.
 ^ Is available to the Audit, Remuneration, Nominations, Strategy, ESG and Risk Committees  

as required.

 ^ Keeps minutes of meetings.
 ^ Updates Companies House records for the Company and subsidiaries.

Committee Terms of Reference and Matters Reserved for the board are available at: http://www.
europaoil.com/corporatedocuments.aspx

The board intends to continuously review its governance framework in line with the Company’s 
plans for growth.

35

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION CONTINUED 

Principle 10:

Communicate how the company 
is governed and is performing by 
maintaining a dialogue with shareholders 
and other relevant stakeholders

The main method for communicating financial and operational performance, and information 
about how the Company is governed is via this audited Annual Report and the unaudited half-
yearly Interim Report. In addition, the Company communicates important information via press 
releases and updates to the Company website and social media channels. 

Past Notice of AGMs are available at 

http://www.europaoil.com/reportsandpresentations.aspx

Board
The board is responsible for the overall governance of the Company. Its responsibilities include setting the strategic direction of the Company, 
providing leadership to put the strategy into action and to supervise the management of the business.

The board now comprises three non-executive directors (“NEDs”) and two executive directors, being the CEO and the COO. Biographies of the 
directors are set out in the board of directors section of this report. Of the three NEDs two are considered by the board to be independent. S 
Oddie is not considered to be independent as he retired as CEO during the year. The roles and responsibilities of the chairman, CEO, senior 
independent director (“SID”), COO and company secretary are set out on the website and summarised below.

B O’Cathain is non-executive chairman, S Williams is the SID, S Oddie is an NED. 

Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference of all board committees are available on the website.

Record of meetings
Meetings held and attendance records of all directors for the period 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2023 are set out below:

Board

Attended  
of Possible

Audit 
Committee

Attended  
of Possible

Remuneration 
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Attended  
of Possible

Attended  
of Possible

ESG
Committee 

Attended  
of Possible

Strategy 
Committee

Attended  
of Possible

Risk 
Committee

Attended 
of Possible

7/7
4/4
6/7
7/7
7/7
3/3

N/A
3/3
3/4
4/4
N/A
N/A

1/1
1/1
2/2
2/2
N/A
N/A

N/A
1/1
1/1
1/1
N/A
N/A

1/1
1/1
N/A
1/1
1/1
N/A

1/1
0/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1/1
1/1

S Oddie
C Ahlefeldt-Laurvig
B O’Cathain
S Williams
W Holland
A Stuart

Brian O’Cathain
Chairman

36

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 

The Audit Committee 
meets at least twice 
a year and is chaired 
by S Williams with B 
O’Cathain as the other 
member. During the 
year, the committee  
has reviewed:
 ^ The internal financial control systems 
and other internal control and risk 
management systems. 

 ^ The statements included in the Annual 
Report concerning internal controls, risk 
management and the going concern 
statement.

 ^ The carrying values of producing and 

intangible assets.

 ^ The adequacy and security of the 
Company’s arrangements for its 
employees and contractors to raise 
concerns about possible wrongdoing in 
financial reporting or other matters.
 ^ The procedures for detecting fraud. 
 ^ The systems and controls for the 

prevention of bribery. 

 ^ The need for an internal audit function.

The committee has overseen the relationship 
with both the previous and newly appointed 
external auditors, including: 

 ^ Approved the process for selection of the 
new auditor, and ratified the appointment 
decision.

 ^ Approved the remuneration for audit and 

non-audit services.

The committee reviewed the findings of the 
audit with the external auditor, including:

 ^ A discussion of issues which arose during 
the audit, including any errors identified, 
and the auditor’s explanation of how the 
risks to audit quality were addressed. 
 ^ Key accounting and audit judgements. 
 ^ The auditor’s view of their interactions 

 ^ Approved their terms of engagement and 

with senior management. 

 ^ A review of any representation letters 

requested by the external auditor before 
they were signed by management. 
 ^ A review of the management letter and 
management’s response to the auditor’s 
findings and recommendations. 
 ^ A review of the effectiveness of the  

audit process, including an assessment  
of the quality of the audit, the handling  
of key judgements by the auditor, and  
the auditor’s response to questions  
from the committee.

Stephen Williams
Audit Committee Chair 

the scope of the audit.

 ^ Satisfied itself that there are no 

relationships between the auditor and 
the Company which would adversely 
affect the auditor’s independence and 
objectivity. 

 ^ Monitored the auditor’s processes for 

maintaining independence, its compliance 
with relevant UK law, regulation, other 
professional requirements and ethical 
standards, including guidance on the 
rotation of audit partner and staff.
 ^ Assessed the qualifications, expertise, 
resources and independence of the 
external auditor and the effectiveness of 
the external audit process.

 ^ Evaluated the risks to the quality and 

effectiveness of the financial reporting 
process in the light of the external 
auditor’s communications with the 
Committee. 

 ^ Met with the external auditor without 
management present, to discuss the 
auditor’s remit and any issues arising from 
the audit.

 ^ Discussed with the external auditor 

factors that could affect audit quality and 
reviewed and approved the annual audit 
plan, ensuring its consistency with the 
scope of the audit engagement, having 
regard to the seniority, expertise and 
experience of the audit team.

37

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

The Remuneration Committee reviews 
the scale and structure of the executive 
directors’ remuneration and the terms of their 
service contracts. Remuneration and terms 
and conditions of appointment of the non-
executive directors are set by the board.

S Oddie chairs the committee. B O’Cathain 
and S Williams are members. The 
Remuneration Committee met once  
in the year. 

In setting the remuneration for the executive 
directors and key staff, the Committee 
compares published remuneration data for 
other AIM and Main LSE Board oil and gas 
companies of a similar market capitalisation 
and seeks to ensure that the remuneration 
of the executive directors is broadly 
comparable to their peers in other similarly 
sized organisations. In 2022/23:

 ^ There were no changes to remuneration 

policy, pension rights or any 
compensation payments. 

 ^ Changes were made in pay across the 

Company and Group. 

 ^ An award under the executive bonus 
scheme was made for the calendar 
year 2022. A scheme for the calendar 
year 2023 is in operation for the year 
commencing 1 January 2023.

 ^ It was resolved to issue share options 

under the Company’s EMI Share Option 
Scheme to two new staff hires, and also  
to W Holland.

 ^ KPIs for the 2023/24 executive bonus 
scheme were set and approved.

Directors’ remuneration is set out in note 4  
of the financial statements.

Simon Oddie
Remuneration Committee Chair 

 NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT 

The Nominations Committee reviews the 
size, structure and composition of the 
board and considers succession planning. 
The committee identifies and nominates 
candidates to fill board vacancies for 
approval by the board.

B O’Cathain chairs the committee. S Williams, 
S Oddie and W Holland are members. The 
Nominations Committee met once in the year 
and discussed and recommended:

 ^ The appointment of W Holland as CEO. 
 ^ That S Oddie remain on the board as  

a NED.

 ^ That S Oddie’s issued share options be 

kept available to be exercised for a period 
of one year following his resignation as 
CEO.

 ^ It was re-iterated that the Company would 
look for a female board member at the 
next opportunity.

 ^ The committee reviewed succession 

planning and agreed who would step into 
senior roles in the event of an emergency.

 ^ The time commitment required of the 
NEDs is considered to be appropriate.

Brian O’Cathain
Nominations Committee Chair 

 STRATEGY COMMITTEE REPORT 

 ^ The committee invited A. Stuart to join the 

committee.

 ^ The committee reviewed a plan to rate 
opportunities consistently and agreed a 
gate process system. 

 ^ The committee agreed to maintain a 
strong focus on the North Sea whilst 
seeking opportunities in other geographic 
areas from an asset, rather than 
geographic, driven viewpoint.

William Holland
Strategy Committee Chair

The Strategy Committee reviews the 
Company’s progress in realising its strategic 
objectives, and reviews opportunities, 
initiatives, alliances and potential mergers.

W Holland chairs the Committee. S Williams, 
B O’Cathain, S Oddie and A Stuart are 
members. The Strategy Committee last sat in 
July 2023 and its key decisions were:

38

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 ESG COMMITTEE REPORT 

Governance – The ESG Committee is 
responsible for ensuring that the appropriate 
governance policies are in place. All relevant 
policies relating to ESG shall be reviewed 
by the committee and where the committee 
is not satisfied it shall report its views to the 
board.

In 2022-23: 

 ^ Geothermal & solar potential at  

West Firsby.

 ^ Assessed the various ESG reporting 

frameworks.

 ^ GHG emission data collection.
 ^ Reviewed metric & emissions targets.
 ^ Reviewed material for the website.
 ^ Committed to continuing to build on our 

reporting framework.

Brian O’Cathain
ESG Committee Chair 

The ESG Committee reviews the ESG 
policies and initiatives, ensuring they 
remain effective and up to date, along 
with ensuring compliance with legal and 
regulatory requirements including corporate 
governance principles and industry 
standards. The board has adopted a 
precautionary approach to ESG, identifying 
and assessing the potential risks and impacts 
of our operations on the world around us at 
all stages of a project, and the oversight of 
this lies with the ESG Committee. 

The ESG Committee is chaired by B 
O’Cathain, with S Williams and S Oddie as 
members.

Environment – The board is committed to 
ensuring that the environmental impacts of 
its activities are taken into account and that 
the Company is regarded as a good steward 
of hydrocarbon resources. As such the ESG 
Committee will consider how it can actively 
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and 
energy consumption in its activities.

Social – The committee will consider the 
Company’s interactions with employees 
and all stakeholders of the Company to 
ensure that these relationships are being 
appropriately managed and will consider 
the role of the Company in society to ensure 
that all groups impacted by the activities 
of the business are given appropriate 
consideration.

 RISK COMMITTEE REPORT 

The Risk Committee was established in 2023 
and will meet six times per year to review 
identified business risk factors, any changes 
in the risk environment and to ensure that 
appropriate mitigations are in place. W 
Holland is Chair of the Risk Committee, and A 
Stuart is a member.

The inaugural meeting of the newly 
established Risk Committee took place in 
July 2023, at which time a risk matrix was 
adopted, and initial risk ratings for identified 
factors were agreed. A risk monitoring 
dashboard has been designed and this  
is presented to the board of directors at  
each meeting.

William Holland
Risk Committee Chair

39

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Our strong leadership

Members of the board of directors are listed below, including their relevant 
experience, skills and personal qualities. 

The board

Chairman

Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors

Brian O’Cathain 
Independent Non-
Executive Chairman

William Holland 
Chief Executive Officer

Simon Oddie 
Non-Executive Director

Alastair Stuart 
COO Executive Director

Stephen Williams 
Independent Non-
Executive Director

Audit 
Committee
Role: receives and 
reviews reports from 
management and the 
Company’s auditors 
relating to the annual 
and interim accounts 
and the accounting and 
internal control systems 
of the Company. It has 
unrestricted access to 
the Company’s external 
auditors. 

Membership:  
Stephen Williams (Chair) 
Brian O’Cathain 

Nominations 
Committee
Role: reviews the 
size, structure and 
composition of the 
board and gives 
consideration to 
succession planning. 
The committee 
identifies and 
nominates candidates 
to fill board vacancies 
for approval  
of the board. 

Membership:  
Brian O’Cathain (Chair) 
Simon Oddie 
Stephen Williams 
William Holland

Remuneration 
Committee
Role: reviews the scale 
and structure of the 
executive directors’ 
remuneration and 
the terms of their 
service contracts. The 
remuneration and 
terms and conditions 
of appointment of the 
non-executive directors 
are set by the board. 

ESG  
Committee
Role: provides an 
oversight of the 
Company’s ESG 
strategy and activities. 
This includes reviewing 
ESG policies and 
initiatives, ensuring 
they remain effective 
and up to date. 

Strategy 
Committee
Role: provides 
support to the 
executive, monitors 
progress on strategy 
implementation and 
advises on resource 
requirements. 

Membership:  
Simon Oddie (Chair) 
Brian O’Cathain 
Stephen Williams

Membership:  
Brian O’Cathain (Chair) 
Stephen Williams 
Simon Oddie  

Membership:  
William Holland (Chair) 
Brian O’Cathain 
Stephen Williams 
Simon Oddie  
Alastair Stuart

40

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
There is an appropriate breadth 
of experience for current 
activities covering the key 
aspects of the business including 
technical, operational, financial 
and international. It is the 
responsibility of each director 
to keep skills up to date with 
the assistance of the chairman 
who has a core responsibility 
in addressing the development 
needs of the board as a whole 
with a view to enhancing its 
overall effectiveness.

Board committees call on external 
advisers where this is deemed 
necessary. During 2022/23 this 
has not been required.

The main internal advisory 
functions are that of SID  
(S Williams) and company 
secretary (L Armstrong).

William Holland
CEO and executive director

RI

N

S

Appointed: June 2022

Skills and experience: 
W Holland is a proven industry leader with 
a career spanning over 25 years in the 
upstream sector. He started as an engineer 
with Halliburton focused on North Sea 
operations before moving into upstream 
banking at Macquarie Bank. Since 2013 he 
has run a successful consulting business 
which advises energy companies on 
commercial, financial and M&A matters. 
Mr Holland has significant experience in 
corporate acquisitions, establishing and 
growing small cap E&P companies, debt and 
equity financing, balance sheet restructuring 
and investor relations, much of which was 
gained working on upstream deals across 
the UK and Europe. He has an engineering 
degree from Warwick University and an MBA 
from Heriot-Watt University. 

Committee membership key

E

A

R

N

   ESG Committee 
   Audit Committee
   Remuneration Committee
   Nominations Committee

S

RI

   Strategy Committee
   Risk Committee
   Chair of Committee
   Member of Committee

RI

S

Simon Oddie 
Non-executive director

NRE

S

Alastair Stuart 
Chief operating officer and  
executive director

Appointed: October 2004

Skills and experience: 
A Stuart has over 30 years of experience in 
operational, commercial and technical roles in 
the energy sectors. He has been working with 
Europa in a consultant capacity since 2012. 
As a 1982 graduate of Heriot-Watt’s Masters 
programme in Petroleum Engineering, he 
began his career with Total CFP in Paris before 
joining Enterprise Oil in 1986, shortly after it was 
established, where he focused on projects 
in the North Sea and the Far East. He was 
later promoted to New Ventures Manager, 
where he led the evaluation and progression 
of new ventures in South America, Eastern 
Europe and the Far East. After 10 years with 
Enterprise, he worked briefly with Hardy Oil 
& Gas, before setting up his own consulting 
group in 1998 which developed processes and 
systems for managing capital allocation across 
large portfolios of investments in the oil & gas, 
pharmaceutical and venture capital sectors.

Brian O’Cathain
Non-executive chairman

E A R N

S

Appointed: January 2018

Skills and experience: 
B O’Cathain has worked as a geologist and 
petroleum engineer in the oil and gas sector 
since 1984. He began his career with Shell 
International and worked at Enterprise Oil and 
Tullow Oil in senior roles. He served as CEO of 
Afren plc to 2007, and as CEO of Petroceltic 
International plc, until 2016. He was a non-executive 
director of Eland Oil and Gas, an AIM quoted company 
producing over 20,000 bopd in Nigeria, until its 
successful sale to Seplat plc in December 2019. 
He is also a non-executive director of Nephin 
Energy, a private gas producing company which 
is the largest equity holder in the Corrib gas field 
in Ireland. Nephin Energy is a 100% subsidiary of 
Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board, one of  
the world’s largest pension funds with assets of US 
$396 billion (year ended 31 March 2022) under 
management. He is a founding director and chair of 
Causeway Geothermal Limited, a geothermal company.

His skills include fundraising, and the technical, legal 
and financial aspects of running a publicly listed oil 
& gas company, and he brings a wealth of market  
understanding to the table. He led and negotiated 
the agreed nil-premium merger of Petroceltic and 
Melrose Resources in 2012.

He holds a BSc (First Class) in Geology from the 
University of Bristol. Brian keeps his knowledge 
and awareness current by participation in 
industry conferences, IOD workshops, and by 
networking with other directors and executives 
in the oil and gas industry. 

Appointed: January 2018

Skills and experience: 
S Oddie joined the board as non-executive 
chairman in January 2018, was appointed 
Interim CEO in November 2019 and then 
permanent CEO on 4 August 2020 at which 
time he stepped down as non-executive 
chairman. He retired from his role of CEO  
in March 2023 and took up the position of 
non-executive director.

He has over 40 years of experience as a 
petroleum engineer, technical consultant, 
manager and investment adviser in upstream 
oil and gas. He has previously worked 
with Schlumberger, ERC Energy Resource 
Consultants, Enterprise Oil and Gemini Oil 
and Gas Advisors LLP. 

He was CEO of Enterprise Italy during its 
first operated exploration drilling both on 
and offshore. More recently Simon was the 
architect of the Gemini Oil and Gas royalty 
funds where he established a solid track 
record in fundraising, investor relations, and 
origination, evaluation and execution of oil 
and gas deals. 

He has completed the Advanced 
Management Program (AMP 155) at Harvard 
Business School, holds an MSc in Petroleum 
Engineering from Imperial College and a BSc 
(First Class) in Electronics from Manchester 
University. Simon keeps his skills up to date 
through participation in key professional 
societies, industry groups and seminars.

Stephen Williams 
Non-executive director 

Appointed: March 2020

E A R N

S

Skills and experience:  
Since October 2017, S Williams has held the 
position of Co-CEO of Reabold Resources, 
an AIM traded, upstream oil & gas company 
focused on investing in late-stage upstream 
opportunities. At Reabold, he played a 
leading role in raising capital, building a 
diversified portfolio of investments in the UK, 
Romania and the US and, since August 2018, 
the company’s participation in nine wells, 
eight of which have resulted in discoveries. 
Prior to Reabold, he held various positions 
within both the energy and financial sectors 
including as a fund manager at Guinness 
Asset Management and, between 2010 
and 2016, as an investment analyst at M&G 
focused on energy and resources. Between 
2005 and 2010, he worked as an energy 
investment analyst for Simmons & Company 
International and from 2003 to 2005 as an 
analyst at Exxon Mobil.

41

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Business review
A detailed review of the Group’s business is set out in the Chairman’s statement and Our strategy. 

Future developments
Details of expected future developments for the Group are set out in the Chairman’s statement and Our strategy.

Dividends
The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2022: £nil).

Directors and their interests
The directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company at 31 July were: 

B O’Cathain
S Oddie
S Williams
W Holland
A Stuart

Number of ordinary shares

Number of ordinary share options

2023

2022

2023

2022

1,467,948
3,384,615
141,131
1,308,357
 210,000  

1,467,948
3,384,615
141,131
228,757
282,488

2,950,000
9,200,000
2,500,000
7,721,000
–

2,950,000
9,200,000
2,500,000
3,721,000
–

Details of the vesting conditions of the directors’ stock options are included in note 23. 

Directors’ interests in transactions
No director had, during the year or at the end of the year, other than disclosed above, a material interest in any contract in relation to the 
Group’s activities except in respect of service agreements.

Subject to the conditions set out in the Companies Act 2006, the Company has arranged appropriate directors’ and officers’ insurance to 
indemnify the directors against liability in respect of proceedings brought by third parties. Such provisions remain in force at the date of this 
report. 

Significant shareholdings
Significant direct and indirect interests in the issued share capital of the Company above 3% are available at https://www.europaoil.com/ 
investors/aim-rule-26/.

Financial instruments
See note 1 and note 24 to the financial statements.

Related party transactions
See note 27 to the financial statements.

Post reporting date events
See note 28 to the financial statements.

Capital structure and going concern
Further details on the Group’s capital structure are included in note 22. Comments on going concern are included in note 1.

Accounting policies
A full list of accounting policies is set out in note 1 to the financial statements. No new accounting standards were adopted in the period.

Disclosure of information to the auditor
In the case of each person who was a director at the time this report was approved:

 ^ So far as that director was aware there was no relevant available information of which the Company’s auditor was unaware; and
 ^ That director had taken all necessary steps to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information, and to establish that the Company’s 

auditor was aware of that information.

Auditor
PKF Littlejohn LLP was appointed as the auditor of the Company on 2 June 2023.

On behalf of the board

William Holland
CEO

42

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES 

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to 
prepare the Group and Company financial statements in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards. 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 Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that year. The directors are also required to prepare financial statements in 
accordance with the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the Alternative Investment Market. 

In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

 ^ Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
 ^ Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
 ^ State whether they have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards, 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 financial statements 
comply with the requirements of 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.

Website publication
The directors are responsible for ensuring the annual report and the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial statements 
are published on the Company’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination 
of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website is the 
responsibility of the directors. The directors’ responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.

43

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Independent auditor’s report  

to the members of Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc

Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year 
ended 31 July 2023 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated and Parent Company Statement 
of Financial Position, the Consolidated and Parent Company Statements of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated and Parent Company 
Statements of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that 
has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK-adopted international accounting standards and as regards the parent company 
financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. 

In our opinion: 

 ^ the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 July 2023  

and of the group’s loss for the year then ended; 

 ^ the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards;
 ^ the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards 

and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

 ^ the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

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 parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in 
accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. 

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 a review of budgets for the period of 12 months from the date of approval of the financial 
statements, including checking the mathematical accuracy of the budgets, discussion of significant assumptions used by management, and 
comparing these with current year and post year end performance. We have also reviewed the latest available post year end management 
accounts, bank statements, regulatory announcements, board minutes and assessed any external industry wide factors which might affect the 
group and the parent company. 

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 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.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Our application of materiality 
We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements. At the planning 
stage materiality is used to determine the financial statement areas that are included within the scope of our audit and the extent of sample 
sizes during the audit.

We consider gross assets to be the most significant determinant of the group’s financial position and performance used by shareholders, with 
the key financial statement balances being exploration assets and producing assets. The ability of the group to continue as a going concern 
depends on its means of funding operations going forward, as well as on the valuation of its assets, which represent the underlying value of the 
group. Materiality for the financial statements as a whole was £259,000, based on a benchmark of 1.5% of gross assets. 

The same basis for calculation was used for the components of the group, with the parent company materiality set at £258,990 and for the 
remaining components between £19,000 and £256,000. Performance materiality for the group and its components was set at 70% of the 
overall materiality figure, as determined from our risk assessment for 2023, being £181,000, £180,990 and £13,000 to £179,000 for the group, 
parent company and remaining components respectively. 

We agreed with the audit and risk committee that we would report to the committee all audit differences identified during the course of  
our audit in excess of £12,950 for the group as well as differences below these thresholds that, in our view, warranted reporting on  
qualitative grounds.

44

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Our approach to the audit
Our audit is risk based and is designed to focus our efforts on the areas at greatest risk of material misstatement, aspects subject to significant 
management judgement as well as greatest complexity, risk and size.

As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality, as above, and assessed the risk of material misstatement in the financial statements. 
In particular, we looked at areas involving significant accounting estimates and judgement by the directors and considered future events that 
are inherently uncertain. These areas of estimate and judgement included:

 ^ the carrying value of exploration and evaluation assets (identified as a key audit matter)
 ^ the carrying value of producing assets (identified as a key audit matter)
 ^ the carrying value of intercompany receivables at the parent company level (identified as a key audit matter) 
 ^ the valuation of decommissioning provision 
 ^ the valuation of share based payments
 ^ the valuation of reserves & resources

We also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including among other matters consideration of whether there was 
evidence of bias that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

The scope of our audit was based on the significance of component’s operations and materiality. Each component was assessed as to whether 
they were significant or not to the group by either their size or risk. 

All subsidiaries have been assessed as significant components of the group. These entities have been subject to full scope audits.

All audit work was conducted by the group audit team in London.

Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, 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) we identified, including 
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. 

Key Audit Matter

How our scope addressed this matter

Accuracy and valuation of the carrying value of the group’s capitalised exploration costs (Note 11)

The Group and Company hold material 
intangible assets relating to capitalised 
costs in respect of several early stage 
mineral exploration projects. 

There is a risk that impairment indicators 
exist under IFRS 6 which could result in 
an impairment of the year end intangible 
asset balance. There is also a risk that 
capitalised additions do not meet the 
eligibility criteria under IFRS 6. 

This is considered to be a key audit 
matter due to the significant judgement 
and estimates involved in assessing 
whether any indicators of impairment has 
arisen at the year end, and in quantifying 
any potential impairment.

Our work in this area included:
 ^ Substantive testing a sample of exploration and evaluation expenditures to assess their 

eligibility for capitalisation under IFRS 6 by corroborating to original source documentation; 

 ^ Confirmation the entity holds good title to the relevant licence areas; 

 ^ Making enquiries of management regarding future plans for each project including obtaining 
cashflow projections where necessary and corroborating to minimum spend requirements 
attached to licences, where appropriate; 

 ^ Considering whether there are indications of impairment on a project by project basis in 

accordance with IFRS 6; 

 ^ Assessing the farm-out agreements in place, its accounting and disclosures; and 

 ^ Reviewing management’s review for indicators of impairment in respect of the carrying value 
of intangible assets and providing challenge thereto and corroborating any key assumptions 
used. 

Key observations:
The FEL 4/19 (Inishkea) licence currently expires on 31 January 2024, and were this not to be 
renewed this would give rise to indicators of impairment and would potentially reduce the value 
of said asset.

The Serenity field is considered to be geologically connected to the neighbouring Tain field and 
it is expected that the Tain field can be incorporated into the development of Serenity to improve 
the field economics. If this were not to occur this could lead to impairment of the asset.

45

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Independent auditor’s report  

to the members of Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc

Key Audit Matter

How our scope addressed this matter

Accuracy and valuation of the carrying value of the group’s property, plant and equipment (PPE) (Note 12)

There is a risk that the carrying value of 
its Oil & Gas assets are overstated at the 
year end. 

The recent and historic volatile nature 
of long-term oil prices give rise to 
an increased risk, especially in the 
circumstances of the company being 
its key source of revenue and cash 
generation and the decrease in the Brent 
Crude price over the financial year. 

Changes in macroeconomic factors 
would increase the risk of inappropriate 
interest and discount rates used as 
working assumptions in the value in use 
calculation of the producing assets, thus 
inflating the value of the assets..

This is considered to be a key audit 
matter due to the significant judgement 
and estimates involved in assessing 
whether any impairment has arisen at 
the year end, and in quantifying any such 
impairment.

Our work in this area included:
 ^ Assessing the process used by management to derive their internal Reserves and Contingent 

Resources estimates and associated production profiles for each of the four scenarios.

 ^ Reviewing the Competent Person Report (“CPR”) in place, assessing the scope of work, 
including an evaluation of the competence, capabilities and independence of the CPR; 

 ^ Reviewing management’s internal production forecasts to the CPR in place and assessing the 

appropriateness of any differences which arise; 

 ^ Reviewing managements oil price assumptions against readily available market data and 
trends (such as Platts price data) in order to challenge the validity of forecasted price. In 
addition, consideration of external market factors and the impact on the valuation of the oil 
and gas assets held, such as the energy transition, demand and climate change;

 ^ Discussing with PKF internal valuation experts to independently develop a reasonable 

range of discount rates for the assets and compared those to the discount rate applied by 
management; 

 ^ Assessing further management assumptions by reference to third party information, our 
knowledge of the group and industry and also budgeted and forecast performance; and 

 ^ Assessing whether management’s presentation and disclosures relating to estimation 

uncertainty are adequate. 

Recoverability of intragroup balances (Note 24)

Intra group loans are significant assets 
in the Parent Company’s financial 
statements. Their recoverability is directly 
linked to the carrying value of intangible 
assets in the subsidiary and the ability of 
those assets to produce sufficient returns 
in order to repay the loan.

There is a risk that the loan may not be 
fully recoverable and the value of the 
loan is overstated. 

The recovery of the loan and 
accompanying assessment for expected 
credit losses under IFRS 9 – Financial 
Instruments requires significant 
estimation and judgement, and therefore 
this has been assessed as a Key  
Audit Matter.

Our audit work included:
 ^ Reconciling intercompany balances to the intercompany matrix and the respective audited 

trial balance; 

 ^ Reviewing the impairment assessment prepared by client and challenging all inputs and 

estimates included therein; 

 ^ Assessing the Net Asset Values of the counterparty of which the loan is held for indicators of 

impairment; and 

 ^ Reviewing managements assessment of expected credit loss provisioning on the 

intercompany balances and ensuring adequate disclosure in the financial statements.

Key observations:
 ^ As per the key observations disclosed within the first Key Audit Matter, were said impairments 
to be processed, this could lead to impairment on intragroup balances which are reliant on 
the economic viability of these projects.

46

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023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 group and parent 
company 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. 

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: 
 ^ the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is 

consistent with the financial statements; and 

 ^ the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the 
audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our 
opinion: 
 ^ adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or 

 ^ the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

 ^ certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

 ^ we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Responsibilities of directors 
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the group and parent 
company 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 group and parent company financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group 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. 

47

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Independent auditor’s report  
continued 

to the members of Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc

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. 

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:

 ^ We obtained an understanding of the group and parent company and the sector in which they operate to identify laws and regulations that 
could reasonably be expected to have a direct effect on the financial statements. We obtained our understanding in this regard through 
discussions with management, industry research, and application of our cumulative audit knowledge and experience of the sector.

 ^ We determined the principal laws and regulations relevant to the group and parent company in this regard to be those arising from:

 • Companies Act 2006;

 • COMAH

 • Anti Money Laundering Legislation 

 • Local Tax laws and regulations 

 • International Financial Reporting Standards

 • AIM Rules 

 ^ We designed our audit procedures to ensure the audit team considered whether there were any indications of non-compliance by the 

group and parent company with those laws and regulations. These procedures included, but were not limited to:

 • A review of the board minutes throughout the year and post year end;

 • A review of the RNS announcements; 

 • A review of general ledger transactions; and

 • Discussions with management 

 ^ We also identified the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud. We considered, in addition to the non-

rebuttable presumption of a risk of fraud arising from management override of controls, the carrying value of the assets held to be an 
area of potential for management bias. Whilst the carrying value of the assets are held at historical cost, management must consider 
the impairment indicators under IAS 36 and the potential need to conduct a formal impairment review. Being the key balance within 
these financial statements, and the key driver for the business, this gives rise to an increased risk of material misstatement as a result of 
management bias. Supporting evidence has been obtained for an appropriate sample of additions throughout the year, and a detailed 
impairment assessment has been undertaken by management against those indicators as set out per IAS 36 and ensured that the carrying 
value is appropriate. 

 ^ As in all of our audits, we addressed the risk of fraud arising from management override of controls by performing audit procedures which 
included, but were not limited to: the testing of journals; reviewing accounting estimates for evidence of bias; and evaluating the business 
rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material 
misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or 
regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware 
of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves 
intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

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.

Joseph Archer (Senior Statutory Auditor)    
For and on behalf of PKF Littlejohn LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
20 October 2023

15 Westferry Circus 
Canary Wharf 
London E14 4HD 

48

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income

For the year ended 31 July

Continuing operations

Revenue

Cost of sales
Impairment of producing fields

Total cost of sales

Gross profit

Exploration write-off
Administrative expenses
Finance income

Finance expense

(Loss)/profit before taxation

Taxation expense

(Loss)/profit for the year

Other comprehensive profit/(loss)
Items which will not be reclassified to profit /(loss)

Profit/(loss) on investment revaluation

Total other comprehensive profit /(loss)

Note

2

2
12

11

6

7

3

8

9

2023
£000

2022
£000

6,653

(3,448)
177

(3,271)

3,382

(1,686)
(1,872)
9

(717)

(884)

32

(852)

6,584

(3,806)
(570)

(4,376)

2,208

–
(821)
239

(238)

1,388

(32)

1,356

5

5

(18)

(18)

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent

(847)

1,338

Earnings per share (EPS) attributable to the equity shareholders  
of the parent from continuing operations
Basic EPS 
Diluted EPS

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

Note

10

Pence 
per share

Pence 
per share

(0.09p)
(0.09p)

0.19p
0.18p

49

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
Consolidated statement  
of financial position

As at 31 July

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Investments
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Loans
Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Long-term provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the parent 
Share capital
Share premium 
Merger reserve
Retained deficit

Total equity

Note

2023
£000

2022
£000

11
12

13
14
15
16

18
17

17
21

22
22
22

7,146
2,417

9,563

–
19
893
–
5,165

6,077

15,640

–
(781)

(781)

(12)
(4,368)

(4,380)

(5,161)

10,479

9,592
23,682
2,868
(25,663)

10,479

3,785
3,021

6,806

24
36
1,866
6,884
1,394

10,204

17,010

(40)
(1,573)

(1,613)

(4)
(4,164)

(4,168)

(5,781)

11,229

9,565
23,660
2,868
(24,864)

11,229

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 20 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by: 

William Holland
CEO

Company registration number 05217946

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

50

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Balance at 1 August 2021
Comprehensive loss for the year
Profit for the year attributable to the  
equity shareholders of the parent
Other comprehensive loss attributable to the  
equity shareholders of the parent

Total comprehensive profit for the year

Contributions by and distributions to owners
Issue of share capital (net of issue costs)
Issue of share warrants (note 23)
Share-based payments (note 23)

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

Balance at 31 July 2022

Balance at 1 August 2022
Comprehensive loss for the year
Loss for the year attributable to the  
equity shareholders of the parent
Other comprehensive profit attributable to the  
equity shareholders of the parent

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Contributions by and distributions to owners
Issue of share capital (net of issue costs)
Share-based payments (note 23)

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

Share 
capital
£000

5,665

–

–

–

3,900
–
–

3,900

9,565

Share 
premium 
£000

21,157

–

–

–

2,722
(219)
–

2,503

23,660

Attributable to the equity holders of the parent

Merger 
reserve
£000

2,868

Retained 
deficit
£000

(26,441)

Total 
equity
£000

3,249

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

1,356

1,356

(18)

1,338

–
219
20

239

(18)

1,338

6,622
–
20

6,642

11,229

2,868

(24,864)

9,565

23,660

2,868

(24,864)

11,229

–

–

–

27
–

27

–

–

–

22
–

22

–

–

–

–
–

–

(852)

5

(847)

–
48

48

(852)

5

(847)

49
48

97

Balance at 31 July 2023

9,592

23,682

2,868

(25,663)

10,479

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

51

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Company statement  
of financial position  

As at 31 July

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Amounts due from Group companies

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Loans

Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the parent
Share capital
Share premium
Merger reserve
Retained deficit

Total equity

Note

12
13
15,24

15

18

17

17

22
22
22

2023
£000

2022
£000

49
2,343
22,143

24,535

129
121

250

26
2,343
13,270

15,639

163
249

412

24,785

16,051

–

(250)

(250)

(12)

(12)

(262)

24,523

9,592
23,682
2,868
(11,619)

24,523

(40)

(546)

(586)

(3)

(3)

(589)

15,462

9,565
23,660
2,868
(20,631)

15,462

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption provided under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to publish its individual 
statement of comprehensive income and related notes. The profit dealt with in the financial statements of the parent Company is £8,964,000 
(2022: £6,238,000). 

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 20 October 2023, and signed on its behalf by: 

William Holland
CEO

Company registration number 05217946

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

52

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
Company statement  
of changes in equity

Balance at 1 August 2021 originally stated
Comprehensive profit for the year
Profit for the year attributable to the  
equity shareholders of the parent

Total comprehensive profit for the year

Contributions by and distributions to owners
Issue of share capital (net of issue costs)
Issue of share warrants (note 23)
Share-based payments (note 23)

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

Balance at 31 July 2022

Balance at 1 August 2022 originally stated
Comprehensive profit for the year
Profit for the year attributable to the  
equity shareholders of the parent

Total comprehensive profit for the year

Contributions by and distributions to owners
Issue of share capital (net of issue costs)
Share-based payments (note 23)

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

Share 
capital
£000

5,665

–

–

3,900
–
–

3,900

9,565

Share 
premium
£000

21,157

–

–

2,722
(219)
–

2,503

23,660

Merger 
reserve
£000

2,868

–

–

–
–
–

–

Retained 
deficit
£000

(27,108)

6,238

6,238

–
219
20

239

Total 
equity
£000

2,582

6,238

6,238

6,622
–
20

6,642

2,868

(20,631)

15,462

9,565

23,660

2,868

(20,631)

15,462

–

–

27
–

27

–

–

22
–

22

–

–

–
–

–

8,964

8,964

8,964

8,964

–
48

48

49
48

97

Balance at 31 July 2023

9,592

23,682

2,868

(11,619)

24,523

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements

53

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Consolidated statement of cash flows 

For the year ended 31 July

Note

2023
£000

2022
£000

(852)

1,356

23
12
12
11
7
8

16

22

48
1,133
(177)
1,686
717
(32)
973
17
(765)

2,748
32

2,780

(564)
(5,047)
263
6,622

1,274

49
–
1,000
(1,040)
(20)
(2)
(35)
29

20
1,618
570
–
238
32
(1,344)
(13)
18

2,495
(32)

2,463

(403)
(1,246)
–
(6,621)

(8,270)

7,020
(398)
–
(10)
(14)
(2)
(3)
–

(19)

6,593

4,035
(264)
1,394

5,165

786
(33)
641

1,394

Cash flows from/(used in) operating activities
(Loss)/profit after tax from continuing operations
Adjustments for:
  Share-based payments
  Depreciation 

(Reversal)/impairment of producing field

  Exploration write-off
  Finance expense
  Taxation expense recognised in profit and loss
  Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
  Decrease/(increase) in inventories

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

Net cash generated by operations
Income taxes paid

Net cash generated by operating activities

Cash flows from/(used in) investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Cash escrow release re Morocco
Cash escrow release/(deposit) re Serenity

Net cash from/(used in) investing activities

Cash flows (used in)/from financing activities
Gross proceeds from issue of share capital 
Costs incurred on issue of share capital 
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Lease liability payments
Lease liability interest payments
Finance costs
Disposal of listed shares

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Exchange loss on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

54

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
Company statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 July

Cash flows used in operating activities
Profit after tax from continuing operations
Adjustments for:
  Share-based payments
  Depreciation
  Movement in intercompany loan provision
  Finance income
  Finance expense
  Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
  Decrease in trade and other payables

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from/(used in) investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Movement on loans to Group companies

Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities

Cash flows (used in)/ from financing activities
Gross proceeds from issue of share capital 
Costs incurred on issue of share capital 
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Lease liability principal payment
Lease liability interest payment
Finance costs

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

Note

23
12
24

22

2023
£000

2022
£000

8,964

6,238

48
38
(7,997)
(1,928)
13
36
(273)

(1,099)

(61)
1,052

991

49
–
1,000
(1,040)
(15)
(1)
(13)

(20)

(128)
249

121

20
10
(5,720)
(810)
2
(93)
(106)

(459)

(13)
(6,152)

(6,165)

7,020
(398)
–
(10)
(8)
(1)
(2)

6,601

(23)
272

249

55

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
Notes to the financial statements

1. Accounting policies
General information
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc is a public company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales, limited by shares, with registered 
number 05217946. The address of the registered office is 30 Newman Street, London, W1T 1PT. The principal activity of the Company  
is oil and gas exploration, appraisal, development and production. 

The functional and presentational currency of the Company is Sterling (UK£).

Basis of accounting
The consolidated and individual Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable UK adopted International 
Accounting Standards. 

The accounting policies that have been applied in the opening statement of financial position have also been applied throughout all periods 
presented in these financial statements. These accounting policies comply with each IFRS that is mandatory for accounting periods ending  
on 31 July 2023.

Going concern
The directors have prepared a cash flow forecast for the period ending 31 December 2024, which considers the continuing and forecast  
cash inflow from the Group’s producing assets, the cash held by the Group at October 2023, less administrative expenses and planned capital 
expenditure. Oil price estimates for the base case cash flow forecast are based upon a flat $75 per barrel, whilst production estimates are 
sourced from the Group’s internal modelling for Wressle and recent actual production.

The directors have performed sensitivities allowing for reasonably possible simultaneous falls in oil price and in Wressle production, and the 
Group and Company had sufficient cash resources to meet their obligations.

The directors have also performed sensitivities on the cash flow allowing for various severe downside scenarios including:

 ^ a fall in the expected oil price from a base case price of $75 per barrel to as low as $65 per barrel
 ^ incurring development spend on two additional Wressle development wells but with no production until 2025
 ^ a deterioration of the US$ against the Pound Sterling to 1.50

These sensitivities have been modelled as a reverse stress test, and the directors consider the likelihood of such movements to be very low. 
However, should these scenarios occur, the Group would have to employ certain predefined mitigations to remain cash positive.

The directors have concluded, as at the date of approval of these financial statements, that there is a reasonable expectation that the Group 
and Company will still have sufficient cash resources to be able to continue as a going concern and meet their obligations as and when they 
fall due over the going concern period.

Basis of consolidation
Where the Company has control over an investee, it is classified as a subsidiary. The Company controls an investee if all three of the following 
elements are present: power over the investee, exposure to variable returns from the investee, and the ability of the investor to use its power 
to affect those variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances indicate that there may be a change in any of 
these elements of control. Intra Group balances are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and 
its subsidiaries are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset 
transferred. Amounts reported in the financial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the 
accounting policies adopted by the Group.

The Group is engaged in oil and gas exploration, development and production through unincorporated joint operations.

Joint arrangements
Joint arrangements are those arrangements in which the Group holds an interest on a long-term basis which are jointly controlled by the 
Group and one or more venturers under a contractual arrangement. When these arrangements do not constitute entities in their own right, the 
consolidated financial statements reflect the relevant proportion of costs, revenues, assets and liabilities applicable to the Group’s interests in 
accordance with IFRS 11. The Group’s exploration, development and production activities are presently conducted jointly with other companies 
in this way.

For the licences where the Group does not hold 100% equity (refer to the licence interests table on page 5) a joint arrangement exists.  
The equity and voting interest of the Group is disclosed in the table, activities are typical for activities in the oil and gas sector and are  
strategic to the Group’s activities. The principal place of business for all the joint arrangements is the UK.

56

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 20231. Accounting policies (continued)
Revenue recognition
The Group follows IFRS 15. The standard provides a single comprehensive model for revenue recognition. The core principle of the standard 
is that an entity shall recognise revenue when control passes on the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at an amount that 
reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard introduced a 
new contract-based revenue recognition model with a measurement approach that is based on an allocation of the transaction price. This is 
described further in the accounting policies below. Contracts with customers are presented in an entity’s balance sheet as a contract liability, 
a contract asset, or a receivable, depending on the relationship between the entity’s performance and the customer’s payment. The Group’s 
accounting policy under IFRS 15 is that revenue is recognised when the Group satisfies a performance obligation by transferring oil to a 
customer. The title to oil and gas typically transfers to a customer at the same time as the customer takes physical possession of the oil  
or gas. Typically, at this point in time, the performance obligations of the Group are fully satisfied. 

Revenue is measured based on the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled under the terms of a contract with a customer.  
The consideration is determined by the quantity and price of oil and gas delivered to the customer at the end of each month.

Non-current assets

Oil and gas interests
The financial statements with regard to oil and gas exploration and appraisal expenditure have been prepared under the full cost basis.  
This accords with IFRS 6 which permits the continued application of a previously adopted accounting policy. The unit of account for exploration 
and evaluation assets is the individual licence.

Pre-production assets
Pre-production assets are categorised as intangible assets on the statement of financial position. Pre-licence expenditure is expensed as 
directed by IFRS 6. Expenditure on licence acquisition costs, geological and geophysical costs, costs of drilling exploration, appraisal and 
development wells, and an appropriate share of overheads (including directors’ costs) are capitalised and accumulated on a licence-by-licence 
basis. These costs which relate to the exploration, appraisal and development of oil and gas interests are initially held as intangible non-current 
assets pending determination of technical feasibility and commercial viability. On commencement of production these costs are tested for 
impairment prior to transfer to production assets. If licences are relinquished, or assets are not deemed technically feasible or commercially 
viable, accumulated costs are written off to cost of sales. 

Production assets
Production assets are categorised within property, plant and equipment on the statement of financial position. With the determination of 
commercial viability and approval of an oil and gas project the related pre-production assets are transferred from intangible non-current assets 
to tangible non-current assets and depreciated upon commencement of production within the appropriate cash generating unit. 

Impairment tests
For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash 
generating units) as disclosed in notes 11 and 12. As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested at cash 
generating unit level.

Impairment tests are performed when indicators as described in IAS 36 are identified. In addition, indicators such as a lack of funding or 
farm-out options for a licence which is approaching termination or the implied value of a farm-out transaction are considered as indicators of 
impairment.

An impairment loss is recognised and charged to cost of sales for the amount by which the asset’s or cash generating unit’s carrying amount 
exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value, reflecting market conditions less costs to sell, and value 
in use based on an internal discounted cash flow evaluation. All assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that an impairment loss 
previously recognised may no longer exist or have decreased. A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed only if there has been 
a change in the assumptions used to determine the asset’s or cash generating unit’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was 
recognised. The reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset or cash generating unit does not exceed either its recoverable 
amount or the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation/amortisation, had no impairment loss been recognised 
for the asset or cash generating unit in prior years. Such a reversal is credited to cost of sales.

Property, plant and equipment
Items of property, plant and equipment are initially recognised at cost. As well as the purchase price, cost includes directly attributable costs 
and the estimated present value of any future unavoidable costs of dismantling and removing items. The corresponding liability is recognised 
within provisions.

Depreciation
All expenditure within tangible non-current assets is depreciated from the commencement of production, on a unit of production basis, which 
is the ratio of oil and gas production in the period to the estimated quantities of proven plus probable commercial reserves at the end of the 
period, plus the production in the period. Costs used in the unit of production calculation comprise the net book value of capitalised costs. 
Changes in the estimates of commercial reserves or future field development costs are dealt with prospectively. 

Furniture and computers are depreciated on a 25% per annum straight line basis.

57

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Notes to the financial statements
continued

1. Accounting policies (continued)
Non-current assets (continued)

Reserves
Proven and probable oil and gas reserves are estimated quantities of commercially producible hydrocarbons which the existing geological, 
geophysical and engineering data shows to be recoverable in future years. The proven reserves included herein conform to the definition 
approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the World Petroleum Congress (WPC). The probable and possible reserves conform 
to definitions of probable and possible approved by the SPE/WPC using the deterministic methodology. Reserves used in accounting estimates 
for depreciation are updated periodically to reflect management’s view of reserves in conjunction with third party formal reports. Reserves are 
reviewed at the time of formal updates or as a consequence of operational performance, plans and the business environment at that time.

Reserves are adjusted in the year that formal updates are undertaken or as a consequence of operational performance and plans, and the 
business environment at that time, with any resulting changes not applied retrospectively. 

Future decommissioning costs
A provision for decommissioning is recognised in full at the point that the Group has an obligation to decommission an appraisal, development 
or producing well. A corresponding non-current asset (included within producing fields in note 12) of an amount equivalent to the provision is 
also created. The amount recognised is the estimated cost of decommissioning, discounted to its net present value and is reassessed each 
year in accordance with local conditions and requirements. The discount rate used is the risk-free rate, adjusted for risks that are not already 
included in the forecast cash flows. For producing wells, the asset is subsequently depreciated as part of the capital costs of production 
facilities within tangible non-current assets, on a unit of production basis. Any decommissioning obligation in respect of a pre-production asset 
is carried forward as part of its cost and tested annually for impairment in accordance with the above policy.

Changes in the estimates of commercial reserves or decommissioning cost estimates are dealt with prospectively by recording an adjustment 
to the provision, and a corresponding adjustment to the decommissioning asset. The unwinding of the discount on the decommissioning 
provision is included within finance expense.

Acquisitions of exploration licences 
Acquisitions of exploration licences through acquisition of non-operational corporate structures that do not represent a business, and therefore 
do not meet the definition of a business combination, are accounted for as the acquisition of an asset. Related future consideration that is 
contingent is not recognised as an asset or liability until the contingent event has occurred.

Taxation
Current tax is the tax payable based on taxable profit/(loss) for the year.

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the balance sheet liability method on temporary differences. Deferred tax is generally provided on 
the difference between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. However, deferred tax is not provided on the initial 
recognition of goodwill, nor on the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless the related transaction is a business combination or affects 
tax or accounting profit. Deferred tax on temporary differences associated with shares in subsidiaries and joint ventures is not provided if 
reversal of these temporary differences can be controlled by the Group and it is probable that reversal will not occur in the foreseeable future. 
Tax losses available to be carried forward as well as other income tax credits to the Group are assessed for recognition as deferred tax assets.

Deferred tax liabilities are provided in full, with no discounting. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that 
the underlying deductible temporary difference will be able to be offset against future taxable income. Current and deferred tax assets 
and liabilities are calculated at tax rates that are expected to apply to their respective period of realisation, provided they are enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of tax expense in the statement of comprehensive income, except 
where they relate to items that are charged or credited directly to equity in which case the related deferred tax is also charged or credited 
directly to equity.

Foreign currency
The Group and Company prepare their financial statements in Sterling. 

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets 
and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date. Non-monetary items that are measured  
at historical cost in a foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate at the date of transaction. Non-monetary items that are measured at 
fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date the fair value was determined.

Any exchange differences arising on the settlement of items or on translating items at rates different from those at which they were initially 
recorded are recognised in the Statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise. Exchange differences on non-monetary 
items are recognised in the Statement of changes in equity to the extent that they relate to a gain or loss on that non-monetary item taken  
to the Statement of changes in equity, otherwise such gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of comprehensive income.

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc is domiciled in the UK, which is its primary economic environment and the Company’s functional currency  
is Sterling. The Group’s current operations are based in the UK and Ireland and the functional currencies of the Group’s entities are the 
prevailing local currencies in each jurisdiction. Given that the functional currency of the Company is Sterling, management has elected to 
continue to present the consolidated financial statements of the Group and Company in Sterling.

58

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 20231. Accounting policies (continued)
Investments
Investments, which are only investments in subsidiaries, are carried at cost less any impairment. Additions include the net value of share 
options issued to employees of subsidiary companies less any lapsed, unvested options.

Financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets
Financial assets are classified as either financial assets at amortised cost, at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”) or at 
fair value through profit or loss (‘FVPL”) depending upon the business model for managing the financial assets and the nature of the contractual 
cash flow characteristics of the financial asset.

A loss allowance for expected credit losses is determined for all financial assets, other than those at FVPL, at the end of each reporting 
period. The Group applies a simplified approach to measure the credit loss allowance for trade receivables using the lifetime expected credit 
loss provision. The lifetime expected credit loss is evaluated for each trade receivable taking into account payment history, payments made 
subsequent to year end and prior to reporting, past default experience and the impact of any other relevant and current observable data.  
The Group applies a general approach on all other receivables classified as financial assets. The general approach recognises lifetime 
expected credit losses when there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition.

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or when it transfers the financial 
asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another party. The Group derecognises financial liabilities when 
the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or have expired.

Fair value through other comprehensive income
The Group has a number of strategic investments in listed and unlisted entities which are not accounted for as subsidiaries, associates or 
jointly controlled entities. For those investments, the Group has made an irrevocable election to classify the investments at fair value through 
other comprehensive income rather than through profit or loss as the Group considers this measurement to be the most representative of 
the business model for these assets. They are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in other comprehensive income 
and accumulated in the fair value through other comprehensive income reserve. Upon disposal any balance within fair value through other 
comprehensive income reserve is reclassified directly to retained earnings and is not reclassified to profit or loss.

Dividends are recognised in profit or loss, unless the dividend clearly represents a recovery of part of the cost of the investment, in which case 
the full or partial amount of the dividend is recorded against the associated investment’s carrying amount.

Purchases and sales of financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are recognised on settlement date with 
any change in fair value between trade date and settlement date being recognised in the fair value through other comprehensive income 
reserve.

Amortised cost
This category is the most relevant to the Company. Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable 
payments that are not quoted in an active market. The losses arising from impairment are recognised in a separate line in the income 
statement. This category generally applies to trade and other receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost and include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less. 

Restricted cash are those amounts held by third parties on behalf of the Group and are not available for the Group’s use; these are recognised 
separately from cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet.

Financial liabilities
The classification of financial liabilities at initial recognition depends on the purpose for which the financial liability was issued and its 
characteristics. All purchases of financial liabilities are recorded on the trade date, being the date on which the Group becomes party to the 
contractual requirements of the financial liability. Unless otherwise indicated the carrying amounts of the Group’s financial liabilities approximate 
to their fair values. The Group’s financial liabilities consist of financial liabilities measured at amortised cost and financial liabilities at fair value 
through profit or loss.

Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost. 

Derecognition of financial liabilities
A financial liability (in whole or in part) is derecognised when the Group has extinguished its contractual obligations, it expires or is cancelled. 
Any gain or loss on derecognition is taken to the statement of comprehensive income.

Treatment of finance costs
All finance costs are expensed through the income statement. The Group does not incur any finance costs that qualify for capitalisation.

59

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Notes to the financial statements
continued

1. Accounting policies (continued)
Defined contribution pension schemes
The pension costs charged against profits are the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

Inventories
Inventories comprise oil in tanks stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined by reference to the actual cost of 
production in the period.

Share-based payments
All goods and services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based payment are measured at their fair values. Where employees are 
rewarded using share-based payments, the fair values of employees’ services are determined indirectly by reference to the fair value of the 
instrument granted to the employee. This fair value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of non-market vesting conditions  
(for example, profitability and sales growth targets).

All equity-settled share-based payments are ultimately recognised as an expense in the statement of comprehensive income with a 
corresponding credit to reserves. Where options over the parent Company’s shares are granted to employees of subsidiaries of the parent, the 
charge is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income of the subsidiary. In the parent Company accounts there is an increase in the 
cost of the investment in the subsidiary receiving the benefit. 

If vesting periods or other non-market vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting period, based on the best available 
estimate of the number of share options expected to vest. Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number of 
share options expected to vest differs from previous estimates. Any cumulative adjustment prior to vesting is recognised in the current period. 
No adjustment is made to any expense recognised in prior periods if the number of share options ultimately exercised is different to that initially 
estimated.

Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received, net of attributable transaction costs, are credited to share capital, and where 
appropriate share premium.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
Details of the Group’s significant accounting judgements and critical accounting estimates are set out in these financial statements and include:

Critical accounting judgements

 ^ Carrying value of intangible assets (note 11) – carrying values are justified with reference to indicators of impairment as set out in IFRS 6. 

Based on judgements at 31 July 2023 there was £1,686k write off (2022: £Nil). The licence in Morocco expired in November 2022 and was 
not renewed. Resultantly the full carrying value of the intangible asset of £1,686k was impaired.  

The Serenity appraisal well, drilled in the last quarter of 2022, did not find oil bearing sands and as such the well was plugged and 
abandoned during the year. All well costs have been capitalised within intangible assets. Well data provided valuable insights into the 
reservoir structure and active work is now being performed by the Company and the operator to assess the various development options 
for the Serenity field. The directors considered the unsuccessful appraisal well as a potential indicator of impairment. In the directors’ 
judgement the potential value of reserves that were discovered by the discovery well, based on management’s best estimate calculated 
on a discounted cash flow basis, exceeds the carrying amount of the related capitalised Serenity intangible asset as at 31 July 2023. There 
cannot however be certainty that at the end of the evaluation period a commercial development of Serenity volumes can be achieved. 

The licence period for FEL 4/19 (Inishkea) expires on 31 January 2024. The Company is presently in the process of applying for an extension 
to the licence. These financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the licence was not renewed.

Critical accounting estimates
 ^ Carrying value of property, plant and equipment (note 12) – carrying values are justified by reference to future estimates of cash flows, 
discounted at appropriate rates. The directors estimate variables like reserves volumes, future oil prices, future capital and operating 
expenditure and discount rates. The directors rely on third party formal reports and historical reservoir performance to establish the appropriate 
reserves volumes and production profiles to use in estimating future cash flows. Future costs are based internal or joint venture budgets, and 
discount rates are estimated with reference to applicable external and internal data sources. The directors utilise management’s view on external 
analyst datasets in relation to oil and gas price forecasts. At 31 July 2023 there was a reversal of amounts previously impaired of £177k (2022: 
£570k impairment). This predominantly related to the effect of the reduction in the estimated decommissioning liability for Crosby Warren.

 ^ Deferred taxation (note 20) – assumptions regarding the future profitability of the Group and whether the deferred tax assets will be recovered.
 ^ Decommissioning provision (note 21) – inflation and discount rate estimates (3% and 10% respectively) are used in calculating the provision, 

along with third party estimates of remediation costs.

 ^ Share-based payments (note 23) – measurement of the fair value of options granted uses valuation techniques where active market quotes are not 
available. This involves developing estimates and assumptions consistent with how market participants would price the instrument. Management 
bases its assumptions on observable data as far as possible but this is not always available. In that case, management uses the best information 
available. Estimated fair values may vary from the actual prices that would be achieved in an arm’s length transaction at the reporting date.

 ^ Reserves and resources (note 12) – reserves and resources are estimated based on management’s view and third party formal reports  

and these estimates directly impact the recoverability of asset carrying values that are reported in the financial statements. 

60

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
2. Operating segment analysis
In the opinion of the directors the Group has four reportable segments as reported to the chief executive officer, being the UK, Ireland, Morocco 
and new ventures. 

The reporting on these segments to management focuses on revenue, operating costs and capital expenditure. The impact of such criteria  
is discussed further in the Chairman’s statement and strategic report of this annual report. 

Income statement for the year ended 31 July 2023

Revenue

Cost of sales
Impairment of producing fields

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Exploration write-off
Administrative expenses
Finance income
Finance costs

Loss before tax
Taxation

Loss for the year

Segmental assets and liabilities as at 31 July 2023

Non-current assets
Current assets

Total assets

Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Other segment items
Capital expenditure – cash  flow
Depreciation
Share-based payments

UK
£000

6,653

(3,448)
177

(3,271)

3,382

–
(2,078)
(4)
(717)

582
32

615

UK
£000

7,380
6,077

13,457

(4,380)
(762)

(5,142)

4,925
1,133
48

Ireland
£000

Morocco
£’000

New ventures
£000

–

–
–

–

–

–
227
4
–

232
–

231

Ireland
£000

2,183
–

2,183

–
(19)

(19)

387
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

 (1,686)
–
9
–

(1,677)
–

(1,677)

–

–
–

–

–

 –
(21)
–
–

(21)
–

(21)

Morocco
£000

New ventures
£’000

–
–

–

–
–

–

299
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

Total
£000

6,653

(3,448)
177

(3,271)

3,382

 (1,686)
(1,872)
9
(717)

(884)
32

 (852)

Total
£000

9,563
6,077

15,640

(4,380)
(781)

(5,161)

5,611
1,133
48

61

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Notes to the financial statements
continued

2. Operating segment analysis (continued)
Income statement for the year ended 31 July 2022

Revenue

Cost of sales
Impairment of producing fields

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Exploration write-off
Administrative expenses
Finance income
Finance costs

Profit before tax
Taxation

Profit for the year

Segmental assets and liabilities as at 31 July 2022

Non-current assets
Current assets

Total assets

Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Other segment items
Capital expenditure
Depreciation
Share-based payments

UK
£000

6,584

(3,806)
(570)

(4,376)

2,208

–
(1,082)
205
(238)

1,093
(32)

1,061

UK
£000

3,624
9,941

13,565

(4,168)
(1,594)

(5,762)

795
1,618
20

Ireland
£000

Morocco
£’000

New ventures
£000

–

–
–

–

–

–
268
1
–

269
–

269

Ireland
£000

1,796
–

1,796

–
(19)

(19)

129
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

 -
–
33
–

33
–

 33

Morocco
£000

1,386
263

1,649

–
–

–

725
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

 -
(7)
–
–

(7)
–

(7)

New ventures
£’000

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

Total
£000

6,584

(3,806)
(570)

(4,376)

2,208

–
(821)
239
(238)

1,388
(32)

 1,356

Total
£000

6,806
10,204

17,010

(4,168)
(1,613)

(5,781)

1,649
1,618
20

100% of the total revenue (2022: 100%) relates to UK-based customers. Of this figure, one end customer (2022: one) commands more than  
99% of the total, including sales made through operators to the end customer. UK revenue by site was as follows: West Firsby £489,000  
(2022: £353,000); Crosby Warren £447,000 (2022: £651,000); Whisby £387,000 (2022: £696,000); and Wressle £5,330,000 (2022: £4,884,000).

Positive values for administrative expenditure in the Ireland segment in both 2023 and 2022 relate to the reversal of certain accrued licence 
expenditure which had previously been impaired.

3. Profit/loss before taxation
Profit/loss before taxation is stated after charging/ (crediting):

Depreciation and amortisation on property, plant and equipment
Staff costs including directors
Diesel
Business rates
Site safety and security
Exploration write-off
Impairment reversal / impairment
Fees payable to the auditor for the audit
Operating leases – land and buildings

62

Note

12
5

11
12

2023
£000

1,133
1,371
174
37
98
1,686
(177)
78
44

2022
£000

1,618
806
163
43
89
–
570
70
43

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 20234. Directors’ emoluments
Directors’ salaries and fees – Company and Group

C Ahlefeldt-Laurvig (resigned 27 April 2023)
B O’Cathain 
S Oddie
S Williams 
W Holland
A Stuart (appointed 3 April 2023)

Directors’ pensions

W Holland 
A Stuart (appointed 3 April 2023)

The above charge represents premiums paid to money purchase pension plans during the year. 

Directors’ share-based payments

S Oddie
B O’Cathain
S Williams 
W Holland

2023
£000

18
44
344
33
230
53

722

2023
£000

18
5

23

2023
£000

4
1
1
38

44

2022
£000

26
41
258
31
27
–

383

2022
£000

3
–

3

2022
£000

9
2
2
6

19

The above represents the accounting charge in respect of share options. No share options were exercised during the period (2022: none). 

Directors’ total emoluments

C Ahlefeldt-Laurvig (resigned 27 April 2023)
B O’Cathain 
S Oddie
S Williams
W Holland
A Stuart (appointed 3 April 2023)

C Ahlefeldt-Laurvig (resigned 27 April 2023)
B O’Cathain 
S Oddie
S Williams
W Holland

Salaries 
 and fees
£000

Social  
security costs 
£000

Pensions 
£000

Share-based 
payments 
£000

18
44
344
33
230
53

722

2
5
47
3
32
7

96

–
–
–
–
18
5

23

–
1
4
1
38
–

44

Salaries 
 and fees
£000

Social  
security costs 
£000

Pensions 
£000

Share-based 
payments 
£000

26
41
258
31
27

383

2
5
36
3
4

50

–
–
–
–
3

3

–
2
9
2
6

19

Total 
2023
£000

20
50
395
37
318
65

885

Total 
2022
£000

28
48
303
36
40

455

63

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Notes to the financial statements
continued

5. Employee information
Average monthly number of employees including directors – Group

Management and technical
Field exploration and production

Staff costs – Group

Wages and salaries (including directors’ emoluments)
Social security
Pensions
Share-based payments (note 23)

Average monthly number of employees including directors – Company 

Management and technical

Staff costs – Company

Wages and salaries (including directors’ emoluments)
Social security
Pensions
Share-based payment 

6. Finance income

Bank interest received
Foreign exchange gains

7. Finance expense

Unwinding of discount on decommissioning provision (note 21)
Foreign exchange loss
Other finance expense

64

2023 
Number

2022 
Number

7
5

12

2023
£000

1,133
137
53
48

1,371

6
4

10

2022
£000

676
83
27
20

806

2023 
Number

2022 
Number

7

7

2023
£000

881
113
37
48

1,079

2023
£000

9
–

9

2023
£000

416
264
37

717

6

6

2022
£000

463
60
12
20

555

2022
£000

–
239

239

2022
£000

233
–
5

238

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 20238. Taxation

Movement in deferred tax asset (note 20)
Movement in deferred tax liability (note 20)
Current tax – UK

Tax credit/ (expense)

2023
£000

1,503
(1,503)
32

32

2022
£000

318
(318)
(32)

(32)

UK corporation tax is calculated at 40% (2022: 40%) of the estimated assessable profit for the year being the applicable rate for a ring-fence 
trade including the Supplementary Charge of 10%. From 24 May 2022 a new UK tax, the Excess Profits Levy (“EPL”) applies to the Group, and 
it is levied at 25% of assessable EPL profits for the period from 26 May 2022 to 31 December 2022, and at 35% from 1 January 2023 onwards. 
The current tax credit for the year ended 31 July 2023 related exclusively to carry back of current year EPL losses against the prior year  
EPL profit.

(Loss)/profit before tax

Tax reconciliation
Loss / (profit) multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK including  
Supplementary Charge of 40% (2022: 40%)
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Deferred tax asset not recognised
Accelerated capital allowances
Taxed at a different rate
Losses carried forward
Previously unrecognised tax losses utilised
Prior year adjustment
Other reconciling items

Total tax (credit)/expense

9. Other comprehensive income 

Loss on investment revaluation

2023
£000

(884)

(354)
1,003
192
(1,802)
(3,995)
5,172
(266)
18
–

(32)

2023
£000

5

2022
£000

1,388

555
430
235
–
–
–
(1,187)
–
(1)

32

2022
£000

(18)

On 8 May 2019, the Group disposed of its interest in PEDL143 to UK Oil & Gas Plc (“UKOG”) for consideration of 25,951,557 UKOG shares.  
At the time of the sale the shares were worth 1.156p each, resulting in a total value of £300,000. An irrevocable election has been made to 
record gains and losses arising on the shares as other comprehensive income. The investment was revalued at the year-end 2022 to £24,000 
(0.09p per share) and was sold during the year for £29,000 (0.11p per share).

10. Earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) has been calculated on the (loss)/profit after taxation divided by the weighted average number of shares in 
issue during the period. Diluted EPS uses an average number of shares adjusted to allow for the issue of shares on the assumed conversion  
of all in-the-money options. 

As the Group made a loss from continuing operations in the year, any potentially dilutive instruments were considered to be anti-dilutive. 
Therefore, the diluted EPS is equal to the basic EPS for the year. As at 31 July 2023 there were 19,724,154 (2022: £37,607,821) potentially dilutive 
instruments in issue. 

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following:

(Loss)/profit for the year attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent

Weighted average number of shares
For the purposes of basic EPS
For the purpose of diluted EPS

2023
£000

(852)

2022
£000

1,356

958,804,515
958,804,515

700,028,629
737,636,450

65

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
Notes to the financial statements
continued

11. Intangible assets 
Intangible assets – Group

At 1 August
Additions
Transferred to property, plant and equipment (note 12)
Exploration write-off

At 31 July

Intangible assets comprise the Group’s pre-production expenditure on licence interests as follows:

Ireland FEL 4/19 (Inishkea)
UK PEDL181
UK PEDL182 (Broughton North)
UK PEDL343 (Cloughton)
Morocco (Inezgane)
Serenity

Total

Exploration write-off

Morocco (Inezgane)

2023
£000

3,785
5,047
–
(1,686)

7,146

2023
£000

2,166
112
34
108
–
4,726

7,146

2023
£000
1,686

2022
£000

6,438
1,246
(3,899)
–

3,785

2022
£000

1,789
81
34
92
1,379
410

3,785

2022
£000
–

The licence in Morocco expired in November 2022 and was not renewed. Resultantly the full carrying value of the intangible asset of £1,686k 
was impaired. 

If the Group elects not to continue in any other licence, then the impact on the financial statements will be the impairment of some or all of the 
intangible assets disclosed above. Details of commitments are included in note 25.

66

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
 
 
12. Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment – Group

Cost
At 31 July 2021
Additions
Transferred from intangible assets (note 11)

At 31 July 2022
Additions

At 31 July 2023

Depreciation, depletion and impairment
At 31 July 2021
Charge for year
Impairment in year

At 31 July 2022
Charge for year
Impairment reversal in year

At 31 July 2023

Net book value

At 31 July 2021

At 31 July 2022

At 31 July 2023

Furniture & 
computers
£000

Producing 
fields
£000

Right of 
use assets
£000

5
13
–

18
38

56

3
1
–

4
24
–

28

2

14

28

10,887
928
3,899

15,714
290

16,004

10,552
1,601
570

12,723
1,090
(177)

13,636

335

2,991

2,368

67
–
–

67
24

91

35
16
–

51
19
–

70

32

16

21

Total
£000

10,959
941
3,899

15,799
352

16,151

10,590
1,618
570

12,778
1,133
(177)

13,734

369

3,021

2,417

The producing fields referred to in the table above are the production assets of the Group, namely the oilfields at Wressle, Crosby Warren and 
West Firsby, and the Group’s interest in the Whisby W4 well.

The carrying value of each producing field was tested for impairment by comparing the carrying value with the value-in-use. The value-in-use 
was calculated using a discounted cash flow model with production decline rates based on engineering estimates and recent production 
experience. Brent crude price was based on a flat rate of $75 per barrel.

The post-tax discount rate of 10% (pre-tax 16.67%) is high because of the applicable rates of tax in the UK. Cash flows were projected over the 
expected life of the fields which is expected to be longer than five years. 

Based on the assumptions set out above, a net impairment reversal of £177,000 (2022: impairment of £570,000) was required. This was made 
up of a reversal of amounts previously impaired in relation to Crosby Warren due to a downward revision of the decommissioning liability, offset 
by an additional impairment in relation to West Firsby due to an upward revision in the decommissioning liability. The recoverable amount was 
calculated at a discount rate of 10% (2022: 10%).

67

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Notes to the financial statements
continued

12. Property, plant and equipment (continued)
Sensitivity to key assumption changes
Variations to the key assumptions used in the value-in-use calculation, as outlined above, would cause impairment of the producing fields  
as follows: 

Impairment of 
producing fields 
£000

–
–

–
–

–
–

Total
£000

42
(81)

55
61

116

19
10

29
38

67

23

26

49

Furniture & 
computers
£000

Right of 
use assets
£000

5
(1)

18
37

55

3
1

4
24

28

2

14

27

37
(80)

37
24

61

16
9

25
14

39

21

12

22

Production decline rate
+10%
-10%
Brent crude price per barrel
$65 flat
$55 flat
Pre-tax discount rate 
20%
25%

None of the variations result in an impairment individually. 

Property, plant and equipment – Company

Cost
At 31 July 2021
Disposals

At 31 July 2022
Additions

At 31 July 2023

Depreciation
At 31 July 2021
Charge for year

At 31 July 2022
Charge for year

At 31 July 2023

Net book value

At 31 July 2021

At 31 July 2022

At 31 July 2023

68

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 202313. Investments – Group 
Investment in shares

At 1 August
Write back/(write off) on revaluation
Disposal

At 31 July

2023
£000

24
5
(29)

–

2022
£000

42
(18)

24

On 8 May 2019, the Group disposed of its interest in PEDL143 to UK Oil & Gas Plc (“UKOG”) for consideration of 25,951,557 UKOG shares, 
which it still holds. At the time of the sale the shares were worth 1.156p each, resulting in a total value of £300,000. The entire investment was 
disposed of during the current year. The investment was revalued on the date of the disposal to the realised value of £29,000 (0.11p per share) 
(2022 year-end value: £24,000 (0.09p per share) with the profit being recorded in other comprehensive income (note 9). 

Investments – Company 
Investment in subsidiaries

At 1 August
Current year additions

At 31 July

2023
£000

2,343
–

2,343

2022
£000

2,343
–

2,343

The Company’s investments at the reporting date include 100% of the share capital in the following unlisted companies:

 ^ Europa Oil & Gas Limited, which undertakes oil and gas exploration, development and production in the UK.
 ^ Europa Oil & Gas (West Firsby) Limited, which is non-trading.
 ^ Europa Oil & Gas (Ireland West) Limited, which previously held the interest in the FEL 2/13 licence.
 ^ Europa Oil & Gas (Ireland East) Limited, which previously held the interest in the FEL 3/13 and FEL 1/17 licences. 
 ^ Europa Oil & Gas (Inishkea) Limited, which holds the interest in the FEL 4/19 and previously held the interest in FEL 3/19 licences.
 ^ Europa Oil & Gas (New Ventures) Limited, which previously held the interest in the Moroccan licence.

All six companies are registered in England and Wales, all having their registered office at 30 Newman Street, London W1T 1PT.

The results of the six companies have been included in the consolidated accounts. 

Europa Oil & Gas Limited owns 100% of the ordinary share capital of Europa Oil & Gas (UK) Limited (registered in England and Wales with 
registered office at 30 Newman Street, London W1T 1PT and is non-trading).

14. Inventories – Group

Oil in tanks

2023
£000

19

2022
£000

36

69

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
Notes to the financial statements
continued

15. Trade and other receivables  

Current trade and other receivables
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Corporation tax receivable
Prepayments

Non-current other receivables
Owed by Group undertakings (note 24)

16. Restricted cash  

Cash guarantee
Security escrow funds

2023
£000

556
103
50
184

893

–

2023
£000

–
–

–

Group

2022
£000

1,476
185
–
205

1,866

2023
£000

–
30
–
99

129

Company

2022
£000

–
43
–
120

163

–

22,143

13,270

Group

2022
£000

263
6,621

6,884

2023
£000

–
–

–

Company

2022
£000

–
–

–

In the prior year, pursuant to the requirements of the farm-in agreement with i3 Energy plc in relation to UK offshore licence P.2358, Block 
13/23c (“Serenity”), the Group deposited into an escrow account the full remaining committed funding requirement for its paying share of the 
2023 appraisal well. During the current year funds were released from the escrow account in relation to expenditure incurred on the Serenity 
well. Upon completion of well operations all remaining escrow funds were released and transferred to the Group’s unrestricted cash accounts, 
and the escrow account was closed. The escrow account was treated as restricted cash in the prior year.

The guarantee that was required by the petroleum agreement with the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (“ONHYM”) in Morocco for 
$315,000 (£263,000) (2022: $315,000 (£263,000)) was released and transferred to the Group’s unrestricted cash accounts during the year 
upon expiry of the licence. This account was treated as restricted cash in the prior year.

17. Trade and other payables 

Current trade and other payables
Trade payables
Lease liabilities
Corporation tax payable
Other payables

Non-current trade and other payables
Lease liabilities

2023
£000

454
10
–
317

781

 12

Group

2022
£000

1,234
13
32
294

1,573

 4

2023
£000

175
8
–
67

250

12

Company

2022
£000

480
8
–
58

546

 3

70

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 202318. Borrowings

Loans repayable in less than 1 year
Bounce Back loan

Total short-term borrowing

2023
£000

–

40

Group

2022
£000

40

40

2023
£000

–

40

Company

2022
£000

40

40

In June 2020 the Group drew down on a Bounce Back loan for £50,000 under the Government’s Covid 19 policies. The loan is repayable 
within six years of drawdown but with a 12-month holiday and repayments started in July 2021. The annual rate of interest is 2.5%. The loan was 
repaid in full in August 2022.

On 8 September 2022 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Union Jack Oil plc (“UJO”). The key features of the loan were: £1 
million loan amount, 18-month term, interest rate of 11% per annum, repayable at any point during the term without penalty and secured against 
10% interest in the Wressle field (PEDL180, and PEDL182). The loan was to provide additional liquidity during the drilling of the Serenity appraisal 
well. The loan was repaid in full on 18 October 2022. 

19. Leases

Amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income:
Interest on right of use liabilities

Amounts recognised in the statement of cash flows:
Repayment of lease liabilities – principal
Repayment of lease liabilities – interest

Maturity analysis (undiscounted):
Amounts due within 1  year
Amounts due after more than 1 year & less than 5 years
Amounts due after more than 5 years

2023
£000

(1)

(20)
(2)

(9)
(12)
–

Group

2022
£000

2023
£000

Company

2022
£000

(2)

(14)
(2)

(14)
(2)
–

(1)

(15)
(1)

(8)
(12)
–

(1)

(8)
(1)

(8)
(2)
–

The Group’s right of use asset comprises the lease of four vehicles (note 12). The corresponding lease liability for the right to use leased assets 
is included within trade and other payables in the statement of financial position (note 17).

20. Deferred tax – Group 

Recognised deferred tax asset:
As at 1 August 
Charged to statement of comprehensive income

At 31 July 

2023
£000

2022
£000

–
–

–

–
–

–

The Group has a deferred tax liability of £2,935,000 (2022: £1,433,000) arising from accelerated capital allowances and a deferred tax asset of 
£2,935,000 (2022: £1,433,000) arising from trading losses which will be utilised against future taxable profits. These were offset against each 
other resulting in a £nil net asset/liability (2022: £nil net asset/liability). This offsetting was required because the Group settles current tax assets 
and liabilities on a net basis. 

Non-recognised long-term deferred tax asset
The Group has a non-recognised deferred tax asset of £7.3 million (2022: £5.2 million), which arises in relation to ring-fenced UK trading losses 
of £13.1 million (2022: £8.9 million), non-ring-fenced UK trading losses of £11.7 million (2022: £5.2 million), EPL losses of £4.1 million (2022: £nil) 
and subsidiary losses and carried forward capital expenditure of £7.3 million (2022: £6.7 million) that have not been recognised in the accounts 
as the timing of the utilisation of the losses is considered uncertain. 

No deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised in the Company. 

71

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements
continued

21. Provisions – Group
Decommissioning provisions are based on third party estimates of work which will be required and the judgement of directors. By their nature, 
timing and the detailed scope of work required are uncertain. 

Long-term provisions

As at 1 August
Charged to statement of comprehensive income (note 7)
Change in estimated phasing of cash flows

At 31 July

2023
£000

4,164
416
(212)

4,368

2022
£000

3,393
233
538

4,164

The decrease in the estimated decommissioning provision resulted mainly from a reassessment of the estimated timings of when such 
decommissioning activities are undertaken at the end of their economic lives.

Sensitivity to key assumption changes
Variations to the key assumptions used in the decommissioning provision estimates would cause increases/(reductions) to the provision as 
follows: 

Inflation rate (current assumption 3%)
2%
5%
Discount rate (current assumption 10%)
5%

15%

No provisions have been recognised in the Company. 

22. Called up share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid ordinary shares of 1p
At 1 August 2022: 956,466,985 shares (1 August 2021: 566,466,985)
Issued in the year: 2,717,193 shares (2022: 390,000,000 shares)

At 31 July 2023: 959,184,178 shares (2022: 956,466,985)

Ordinary shares issued

Date

Type of issue

Number of shares

20 September 2022

Placing

Total

2,717,193

2,717,193

Further 
decommissioning 
provision 
£000

(386)
740

1,489

(890)

2022
£000

5,665
3,900

9,565

2023
£000

9,565
27

9,592

Issue price

0.018

Raised gross
£000

Raised net of costs
£000

Nominal value
£000

49

49

49

49

27

27

The placing of ordinary shares during the year was to satisfy an exercise of warrants. All of the allotted shares are ordinary shares of the same 
class and rank pari passu. The following describes the purpose of each reserve within owners’ equity:

Description and purpose

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value
Reserve created on issue of shares on acquisition of subsidiaries in prior years
Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Reserve

Share premium
Merger reserve
Retained deficit

72

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023 
 
23. Share-based payments 
The Group operates an approved Enterprise Management Incentive (“EMI”) share option scheme for employees and an unapproved scheme 
for grants in excess of EMI limits and for non-employees. Both schemes are equity-settled share-based payments as defined in IFRS 2 Share-
based payments. A recognised valuation methodology is employed to determine the fair value of options granted as set out in the standard. 
The charge incurred relating to these options is recognised within operating costs. 

Combined information for the two schemes operated by the Group is set out below.

There are 41,550,628 ordinary 1p share options/warrants outstanding (2022: 41,207,821). 

These are held as follows: 

Holder

B O’Cathain
S Oddie
S Williams
W Holland
Employees of the Group
Consultants and advisers

Total

31 July 
2023

31 July 
2022

2,950,000
9,200,000
2,500,000
7,721,000
3,800,000
15,379,628

2,950,000
9,200,000
2,500,000
3,721,000
2,740,000
20,096,821

41,550,628

41,207,821

The fair values of options were determined using a Black Scholes Merton model or, in the case of those issued to advisers as part of the share 
issue, the fair value was deemed to be the share issue price. Volatility is based on the Company’s share price volatility since flotation. 

In the year 6,520,000 options/warrants were granted, 2,280,000 expired, 1,180,000 were forfeited, and 2,717,193 were exercised (2022: 
15,863,667 granted, 2,223,458 expired, 685,000 forfeited, none exercised). 

Outstanding at the start of the year
Granted – employees/directors
Granted – advisers
Exercised
Expired
Forfeited

Outstanding at the end of the year
Exercisable at the end of the year

2023
Number 
of options

2023
Average 
exercise price

2022
Number 
of options

2022
Average 
exercise price

41,207,821
6,520,000
–
(2,717,193)
(2,280,000)
(1,180,000)

41,550,628
23,599,628

2.23p
1.14p
–
1.80p
2.31p
3.66p

2.04p
1.56p

26,029,154
3,721,000
12,142,667
–
–
(685,000)

41,207,821
18,096,821

2.37p
2.31p
1.80p
–
–
7.00p

2.02p
1.64p

The 6,250,000 options granted in June 2023 vest in three tranches of 2,083,333, one tranche after each of 12, 24 and 36 months,  
and are exercisable conditional upon the Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc closing average mid-market share price being above 2.836p for  
30 consecutive trading days, and expire on the sixth anniversary of the grant date. The inputs used to determine their values are detailed  
in the table:

Grant date

Number of options
Share price at grant
Exercise price
Volatility
Dividend yield
Risk free investment rate
Option life in years
Fair value per option

22 March 2023

6,250,000
1.1p
1.25p
70.81%
Nil
3.326%
6
0.71p

Based on the fair values above, the charge arising from employee share options was £48,000 (2022: £20,000). The charge relating to non-
employee share options was £Nil (2022: £Nil). The charge allocated directly to equity, relating to the issue of options on the issue of share 
capital, was £Nil (2022: £219,000).

Share options/warrants outstanding at the end of the period have exercise prices ranging from 1.14p to 8.9p and the weighted average 
remaining contractual life at the end of the period was 2.7 years (2022: 3.4 years).

73

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Notes to the financial statements
continued

24. Financial instruments 
The Group’s and Company’s financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents, bank borrowings, loans, and items such as trade and 
other receivables and trade and other payables which arise directly from its operations. Europa’s activities are subject to a range of financial 
risks, the main ones being credit; liquidity; interest rates; commodity prices; foreign exchange; and capital. These risks are managed through 
ongoing review considering the operational, business and economic circumstances at that time.

Financial assets – Group

Investments
Trade and other receivables 
Restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets

Financial assets – Company

Investments
Trade and other receivables 
Restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets

Financial liabilities – Group

Trade and other payables
Lease liabilities
Loans

Total financial liabilities

Financial liabilities – Company

Trade and other payables
Lease liabilities
Loans

Total financial liabilities

74

Amortised cost
2023
£’000

Amortised cost
2022
£’000

–
709
–
5,165

5,874

–
1,661
6,884
1,394

9,939

Amortised cost
2023
£’000

Amortised cost
2022
£’000

2,343
30
–
121

2,494

2,343
43
–
249

2,635

Amortised cost
2023
£’000

Amortised cost
2022
£’000

(771)
(22)
–

(793)

(1,556)
(17)
(44)

(1,617)

Amortised cost
2023
£’000

Amortised cost
2022
£’000

(242)
(20)
–

(262)

(538)
(11)
(40)

(589)

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
2023
£’000

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
2022
£’000

–
–
–
–

–

24
–
–
–

24

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
2023
£’000

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
2022
£’000

–
–
–
–

–

24
–
–
–

24

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
2023
£’000

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
2022
£’000

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
2023
£’000

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
2022
£’000

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Credit risk
The Group is exposed to credit risk as all crude oil production is effectively sold to one multinational oil company. The customer is invoiced 
monthly for the oil delivered to the refinery in the previous month and invoices are generally settled in full within the same month that 
invoices are issued. At 31 July 2023 trade receivables were £556,000 (2022: £1,476,000 ). The fair value of trade receivables and payables 
approximates to their carrying value because of their short maturity. Any surplus cash is held on short-term deposit with Royal Bank of Scotland. 
The maximum credit exposure in the year was £1,574,000 comprising mainly two months of Wressle sales as at the end of February 2023 
(2022 maximum exposure: £1,433,000 ). The Company exposure to third party credit risk is negligible. The intercompany balances with its 
subsidiaries have been appropriately provided for to account for potential impairments.

Liquidity risk
The Company currently has no overdraft or overdraft facility with its bankers. 

The Group and Company monitor their levels of working capital to ensure they can meet liabilities as they fall due. The following table shows 
the contractual maturities (representing the undiscounted cash flows) of the Group’s and Company’s financial liabilities. 

At 31 July
6 months or less

Total

At 31 July

6 to 12 months
1 to 2 years
2 to 5 years
Over 5 years

Total

Group
Trade and other payables

Company
Trade and other payables

2023
£000
781

781

2023
£000

–
–
–
–

–

2022
£000
1,573

1,573

Group
Loans

2022
£000

40
–
–
–

40

2023
£000
250

250

2023
£000

–
–
–
–

–

2022
£000
546

546

Company
Loans

2022
£000

40
–
–
–

40

Cash and cash equivalents in both Group and Company are all available at short notice.

Trade and other payables do not normally incur interest charges. There is no difference between the fair value of the trade and other payables 
and their carrying amounts.

Interest rate risk
The Group has no interest-bearing liabilities (note 18) and immaterial leases (note 19). All loans and leases are at fixed rates of interest and the 
Group and Company is not exposed to changes in interest rates. 

75

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Notes to the financial statements
continued

24. Financial instruments (continued)
Commodity price risk
The selling price of the Group’s production of crude oil is set at a small discount to Brent prices. The table below shows the range of prices 
achieved in the year and the sensitivity of the Group’s loss before taxation (“LBT”) or profit before tax (“PBT”) to such movements in oil price. 
There would be a corresponding increase or decrease to net assets. There is no commodity price risk in the Company.

Oil price

Highest 
Average
Lowest 

Month

August 2022

June 2023

2023
Price
US$/bbl

$98.70
$83.30
$73.40

2023
PBT
£000

1,227 
(2)
(791)

2022
Price
US$/bbl

$122.40
$93.90
$69.50

2022
PBT
£000

1,723
(208)
(1,864)

Foreign exchange risk
The Group’s production of crude oil is invoiced in US$. Revenue is translated into Sterling using a monthly exchange rate set by reference to 
the market rate. The table below shows the range of average monthly US$ exchange rates used in the year and the sensitivity of the Group’s 
PBT/LBT to similar movements in US$ exchange. There would be a corresponding increase or decrease in net assets.

US Dollar

Highest
Average
Lowest

Month

July 2023

September 2022

2023
Rate 
US$/£

1.286
1.212
1.117

2023
PBT
£000

(410)
(30)
535 

2022
Rate
US$/£

1.376
1.313
1.216

2022
PBT
£000

(373)
(76)
443

The table below shows the Group’s currency exposures. Exposures comprise the net financial assets and liabilities of the Group that are not 
denominated in the functional currency.

Currency 

Euro

US Dollar

Total

Item

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables

2023
£000

18 
(9)
5,102 
556
(47)

5,620

 Group

2022
£000

92
(13)
1,322
1,435
(5)

2,831

2023
£000

–
(9)
75
–
(47)

(19)

 Company

2022
£000

3
(13)
3
–
(5)

(12)

Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns 
for shareholders and maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Group defines capital as being the consolidated 
shareholder equity (note 22) and third party borrowings (£Nil at 31 July 2023). The board monitors the level of capital as compared to the 
Group’s long-term debt commitments and adjusts the ratio of debt to capital as is determined to be necessary, by issuing new shares, reducing 
or increasing debt, paying dividends and returning capital to shareholders.

76

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 202324. Financial instruments (continued)
Intercompany loans
The loans to the subsidiaries are not classified as repayable on demand. IFRS 9 requires consideration of the expected credit risk associated 
with the loan. As the subsidiary company does not have any liquid assets to sell to repay the loan, should it be recalled, the conclusion reached 
was that the loan should be categorised as stage 3.

As part of the assessment of expected credit losses of the intercompany loan receivable, the directors have considered the published chance 
of success for Inishkea, and applying the 33% general wildcat exploration success rate, the loans to Europa Oil & Gas Inishkea have thus 
been deemed 67% provided. As a consequence of the Inezgane licence expiring and not being extended, the loans to Europa Oil & Gas New 
Ventures have been provided for in full (2022: provided 67%).

The loans to Europa Oil & Gas (Ireland West) and Europa Oil & Gas (Ireland East) have been provided in full due to the relinquishment of the 
licence held by the subsidiaries.

During the year to 31 July 2023 there has been a marked increase in the expected recoverable value of the Group’s Crosby Warren producing 
asset, mainly as a result of an anticipated new revenue stream from handling water produced by the Wressle producing field. This led to a 
further partial reversal of previous provisions for impairment that had been made in relation to loans to Europa Oil Gas Ltd.

The movement in the provision was as follows:

Gross loan balances
Loan balance at 31 July 2021
Movement in loan

Loan balance at 31 July 2022
Movement in loan

Loan balance at 31 July 2023

Provisions
Provision at 31 July 2021
Movement in provision
Provision at 31 July 2022
Movement in provision

Provision at 31 July 2023

Net loan balance at 1 August 2021

Net loan balance at 31 July 2022

Net loan balance at 31 July 2023

Europa 
Oil & Gas
Limited
£000

20,178
6,357

26,535
1,027

27,562

(20,178)
6,135
(14,043)
8,165

(5,878)

–

12,492

21,684

Europa 
Oil & Gas
(Ireland West) 
Limited
£000

Europa 
Oil & Gas 
(Ireland East) 
Limited
£000

Europa 
Oil & Gas 
(Inishkea) 
Limited
£000

Europa 
Oil & Gas 
(New Ventures) 
Limited 
£000

763
18

781
(76)

705

(763)
(18)
(781)
76

(705)

–

–

–

1,480
15

1,495
(153)

1,342

(1,480)
(15)
(1,495)
153

(1,342)

–

–

–

1,024
144

1,168
223

1,391

(687)
(96)
(783)
(149)

(932)

337

385

459

Total
£000

24,207
6,962

31,169
876

762
428

1,190
(145)

1,045

32,045

(511)
(286)
(797)
(248)

(1,045)

251

393

–

(23,619)
5,720
(17,899)
7,947

(9,952)

588

13,270

22,143

25. Capital commitments and guarantees
As part of the licence extension for FEL 4/19 there is an outstanding commitment totalling €0.1 million that relates primarily to seismic 
reprocessing. 

For PEDL180 the partners have agreed to drill two development wells and to construct a gas export line. These activities are contingent upon 
the budget being approved by the JV partnership, the timing of environmental permitting and the availability of a suitable rig. The total net cost 
to Europa for the work programme is estimated to be £0.5 million in 2023 and £3.7 million in 2024.

77

Financial StatementsGovernanceStrategic ReportEuropa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023Notes to the financial statements
continued

26. Lease commitments
Europa Oil & Gas Limited pays annual site rentals for the land upon which the West Firsby and Crosby Warren oil field facilities are located.

Future minimum lease payments are as follows:

Less than 1 year
2-5 years

Total

2023
£000

–
–

–

2022
£000

9
–

9

27. Related party transactions
Key management are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, controlling and directing the activities of the Group. In 
the opinion of the board, the Group’s and the Company’s key management are the directors of Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc. Information 
regarding their compensation is given in note 4.

During the year, the Company provided services to subsidiary companies as follows:

Europa Oil & Gas Limited
Europa Oil & Gas (Inishkea) Limited
Europa Oil & Gas (New Ventures) Limited

Total

At the end of the year, after provisions, the Company was owed the following amounts by subsidiaries:

Europa Oil & Gas Limited
Europa Oil & Gas (Inishkea) Limited
Europa Oil & Gas (New Ventures) Limited

Total

2023
£000

336
102
26

464

2023
£000

21,684
459
–

22,143

2022
£000

236
42
19

297

2022
£000

12,492
385
393

13,270

28. Post reporting date events
 ^ Operations to install a jet pump for artificial lift on the Wressle-1 well are underway. The original completion was removed from the well and  
a new completion, including the sub-surface jet pump, has been successfully run in the well as of early October 2023. All that remains is for  
the required surface pump and associated flowlines and electrics to be installed, which is expected to be completed before the end of 
October 2023.

 ^ PEDL 181 was relinquished during September 2023. The asset was not deemed to be adequately attractive. It had zero carrying value on the 

balance sheet.

 ^ Applied to DECC to extend licence FEL 4/19 from 31 January 2024 to undertake further reprocessing and secure a farm-in partner.

78

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023For further information, please visit  
www.europaoil.com or contact: mail@europaoil.com

Design and Production
www.carrkamasa.co.uk

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc
UK Office
30 Newman Street
London W1T 1PT

T: +44 (0)20 7224 3770
E: mail@europaoil.com

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