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EPI (Holdings) Ltd

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FY2012 Annual Report · EPI (Holdings) Ltd
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Annual Report

  2012

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Corporate Profi le

EPI is a company that primarily focuses on the 

production of oil and gas in the energy and 

resource sector. While having a strong oil and gas 

exploration and production operation in Argentina, 

EPI is progressively expanding its portfolio through 

strategic mergers and acquisitions in other oil and 

gas projects around the world. EPI is committed 

to becoming one of Asia’s leading operators in the 

oil and gas industry and is proactively pursuing 

investment opportunities that create long-term, 

sustainable value to our shareholders.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Financial Summary

1

2012 
HK$’000 

2011 
HK$’000

  Change

86,682 
(3,341,689) 
(3,352,040) 

619,800 
(225,679) 
(217,737) 

86%
  1381%
  1439%

HK$(1.26) 
HK$(1.26) 

HK$(0.11)
HK$(0.11)

2012 
HK$’000 

2011 
HK$’000

  Change

2,680 
1,136,707 
187,251 
275,854 
673,602 

29,509 
4,525,191 
226,885 
379,365 
3,918,941 

91%
75%
17%
27%
83%

Independent Auditor’s Report 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
Five year Financial Summary 
Corporate Information 

34
36
37
38
39
41
103
104

1
2
3
4
6
14
17
26

Turnover 
Loss before taxation 
Loss for the year 

Loss per share attributable to owners
  of the Company
  – Basic 
  – Diluted 

FINANCIAL POSITIONS

Cash and bank balances 
Total assets 
Short term liabilities 
Long term liabilities 
Total equity 

Contents

Corporate Profile
Financial Summary 
Vision and Mission 
Corporate Structure 
CEO Statement 
Management Discussion and Analysis 
Directors and Senior Management Profile 
Corporate Governance Report 
Report of the Directors 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Vision and Mission

2

VISION
Our vision is to become one of Asia’s leading operators 

in the oil and gas industry. At EPI, we aim to achieve this 

by investing in oil and gas projects with good potentials 

and building a strong operation and management team 

to support our exploration, production and development 

work for our oilfield projects.

MISSION
Our mission is to build strategic and productive 

partnerships with major state-owned enterprises in 

China oil and gas industry that fit well with our operating 

strengths and interests to progressively explore, invest 

and develop significant projects around the world. 

Our strategy is to invest in projects that will bring 

quick investment returns. Leveraging on our financial 

restructuring and management skills, we aim to maximize 

our value and to provide long-term and sustainable returns 

to our shareholders.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Structure

3

EPI (Holdings) Limited
長盈集團(控股)有限公司

100%

Have Result Investments Limited
有成投資有限公司

100%

EPI Metals Limited
長盈集團金屬有限公司

100%

EP Energy S.A.

100%

EPI Petroleum & Chemical Limited

長盈石油化工有限公司

100%

EPI Metals Inc.

100%

Century Great Limited
紀佳有限公司

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
CEO Statement

4

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert, Executive Director and CEO

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
CEO Statement

5

On behalf of the board (the “Board”) of directors (the “Directors”) of EPI (Holdings) Limited (the “Company”) and its 

subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”), I hereby present the annual results and the audited financial statements of the Group 

for the year ended 31 December, 2012.

The Group recorded a loss for the year of HK$3,352 million, against a loss for the year of HK$217.7 million in year 2011. 

The Company witnessed a difficult business environment in 2012. Following the nationalization of YPF, Argentina’s biggest 

oil company during the year by the Argentina government and implementation of severe capital control by the end of 2012, 

the Directors conducted a review of the investment plan for 2013. The Directors have decided to defer the Group’s drilling 

plan in the Puesto Pozo Cerado Conncession and Chañares Herrados Concession (collectively the “Concessions”) until the 

local political and economic outlook in Argentina improve to more favourable business conditions. This is a step that the 

Directors consider best for the Group.

Looking into 2013, we will continue to pursue materially accretive acquisitions in upstream oil and gas assets. The Group 

is now looking into a few acquisition opportunities in North America (including the proposed acquisition of the equity 

ownership and voting shares of a group of companies holding the interests in certain oil and gas properties located in 

United States of America which was announced by the Company on 28 November 2012, which may constitute major 

transactions/very substantial acquisition transactions for the Company under the Listing Rules if the proposed acquisition 

proceeds.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Board and all staff for their valuable 

contribution. I would also like to thank all of our shareholders for their continued support.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Management Discussion and Analysis

6

The Group’s core business is the petroleum exploration and production in the Puesto Pozo Cercado Concession and 

Chañares Herrados Concession (collectively the “Concessions”) in the Cuyana Basin, Mendoza Province of Argentina.

On 5 June 2012, The Group’s subsidiaries, EP Energy S.A. (“EP Energy”) and Have Result Investments Limited (“Have 

Result”), have entered into an Operation Agreement (“Operation Agreement”) with Chañares Herrados Empresa de 

Trabajos Petroleros S.A. (“Chañares”) where,

• 

Chañares agreed to release EP Energy from the Commitment under the JV Agreement signed on 12 January 2011. 

EP Energy retains the right to drill and invest in the Areas during the life of the concessions awarded with respect to 

the Areas and any extension thereof;

• 

The Operation Agreement reconfirmed that Have Result has the right to receive 51% of the hydrocarbon production 

obtained from the 5 wells drilled by Have Result until the termination of the concessions held in respect of the Areas 

and any extension thereof;

• 

Chañares, Have Result and EP Energy have agreed the distribution methodology of the incentive granted from 

Petróleo Plus program (“Petróleo Plus Program”) executed by the government of Argentina. According to this 

distribution methodology, Chañares have agreed and paid Have Result approximately AR$7.0 million (equivalent to 

approximately HK$14.7 million) being Petróleo Plus Program incentive in respect of production up to June 2011.

On January 2012, the fourth oil well CH-1066 and fifth oil well CH-1082 drilled by EP Energy in Chañares Herrados 

Concession Area has commenced production.

The Group has performed 7 workover jobs to the oil wells during year 2012. The overall results are satisfactory with increase 

in initial production after workover better than expected.

As at 31 December 2012, The Group has finished drilling 10 oil wells in the Chañares Herrados Concession Area, Mendoza 

oilfield project. All the 10 wells are in production, of which 5 oil wells were drilled by Have Result where the Group is 

entitled 51% interest on production, and 5 oil wells were drilled by EP Energy where the Group is entitled 72% interest on 

production.

The contingent oil resources in certain shallow reservoirs in the Mendoza Oilfield as at 31 December 2012 are as follows,

Contingent Oil Resource (unit: million barrels) * 

31 Dec 2012 

31 Dec 2011

Category Gross (100%)

Low Estimate (1C) 

Best Estimate (2C) 

High Estimate (3C) 

Total (1C+2C+3C) 

83.5 

146.9 

245.5 

475.9 

84.8

146.9

245.5

477.2

* 

According to the Resource Estimation Review Report issued by Roma Oil and Mining Associates Limited on 19 March 2013 on The Chañares Herrados and Puesto Pozo 
Cercado Oil Project in Mendoza Province, Argentina.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Management Discussion and Analysis

7

The carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation assets is reviewed for impairment indicators annually and adjusted 

for impairment loss in accordance with HKAS 36 “Impairment of assets” and whenever there are any “trigger” events or 

changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. During the year ended 31 December 

2009, 31 December 2010, 31 December 2011 and the period ended 30 June 2012, there were no events or changes 

in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of exploration and evaluation assets might not be recoverable. 

Accordingly, no impairment needed to be provided for the exploration and evaluation assets.

The Board of Directors, taking into accounts the certain events happened from November 2012; decided to perform an 

annual review of the impairment on the exploration and evaluation assets as at 31 December 2012 in the beginning of 

January 2013. During the review it comes to the attention that the business environment in Argentina has been adversely 

changed. Accordingly, the Group performed an impairment test on its exploration and evaluation assets. Discounted cash 

flow method is to be used. During the adoption of the discounted cash flow method, the Board has applied a more prudent 

estimation on those factors and assumptions for future recoverable amounts on the exploration and evaluation assets.

Details of impairment review are set out in the Group Financial Review section.

GROUP FINANCIAL REVIEW

For the year ended 31 December 2012, the Group’s turnover was HK$86.7 million, a decrease of HK$533.1 million as 

compared with HK$619.8 million recorded in last year. The Group recorded a loss for the year of HK$3,352 million, against 

a loss for the year of HK$217.7 million in year 2011. The Group did not generate revenue from the trading of petroleum 

related products during the year 2012, which led to the substantial decrease in turnover as compared with 2011. During 

year 2012, an impairment loss of HK$3,130,106,000 was recognised in respect of the E&E assets and impairment loss of 

HK$132,906,000 (year 2011: HK$34,023,000) was recorded in respect of property, plant and equipment relating to the 

Chañares oil project.

On 3 November 2009, the Group acquired the entire issued share capital of Have Result for a consideration of 

HK$3,835,273,000. The principal assets held by Have Result are exploration and evaluation assets, including oil exploration 

rights. For the fair value of the oil exploration rights acquired, as the exploration on the acquired areas was at the initial stage 

and the prospective resources have been estimated using a consideration of deterministic and probabilistic methods, the 

range of reasonable fair value estimates is so significant that the directors of the Company are of the opinion that their fair 

values cannot be measured reliably. As a result, the fair value of the consideration paid, including shares and convertible 

notes issued, was used to account for the cost of the oil exploration rights, which was HK$3,810,136,000, being capitalized 

as an exploration and evaluation assets.

At the time of acquiring the entire issued share capital of Have Result, except for the 51% working interest in the 

Concessions in the Cuyana Basin, Mendoza Province of Argentina, Have Result has no other operating assets and 

therefore the market value of Have Result is mainly dominated by the value of the oilfield. Three generally accepted valuation 

methodologies have been considered in valuing Have Result by BMI Appraisals Limited (“BMI”), the professional valuer, 

namely the market approach, the cost approach and income approach.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Management Discussion and Analysis

8

The market approach provides indications of value by comparing the subject to similar businesses, business ownership 

interests, and securities that have been sold in the market. The cost approach provides indications of value by studying 

the amounts required to recreate the business for which a value conclusion is desired. This approach seeks to measure 

the economic benefits of ownership by quantifying the amount of fund that would be required to replace the future service 

capability of the business.

The income approach is the conversion of expected periodic benefits of ownership into an indication of value. It is based 

on the principle that an informed buyer would pay no more for the project than an amount equal to the present worth of 

anticipated future benefits from the same or a substantially similar business with a similar risk profile.

BMI have considered that the income approach is not appropriate to value Have Result, as there are insufficient historical 

and forecasted financial and operational data of the oilfield. Moreover, the income approach may involve adoption of much 

more assumptions than the other two approaches, not all of which can be easily quantified or ascertained. In the event that 

any such assumptions are founded to be incorrect or unfounded, the valuation result would be significantly affected. The 

cost approach is also regarded inadequate in this valuation, as this approach does not take future growth potential of Have 

Result into consideration. Thus, they have determined that the market approach is the most appropriate valuation approach 

for this valuation.

BMI used the market approach by referring to recent sales and purchase transactions of oilfields. They referred to 84 

recent sales and purchase transactions related to oilfields over the world (referred to as the “Transactions”) till June 2009, 

of which they further analyzed the natures, the presentation methods of the reserves and other parameters that may affect 

the comparability to the oilfield.

In the valuation, BMI used the weighted-average adjusted consideration price to proved and probable reserve (referred to 

as the “Adjusted P/Reserve”) multiple of the Comparable Transactions to determine the market value of the oilfield and the 

market value of Have Result accordingly.

Based on the investigation and analysis done by BMI, it was determined that the market value of a 100% equity interest in 

Have Result as at 30 June 2009 was US$612,000,000 (or HK$4,773,600,000). The carrying value of the exploration and 

evaluation assets of HK$3,810,136,000 as at 3 November 2009, date of acquisition, was approximately 79.82% of the 

valuation of a 100% equity interest in Have Result as at 30 June 2009.

When determining the fair value of the exploration and evaluation assets acquired, as the exploration on the acquired 

areas was at the initial stage and the prospective resources have been estimated using a consideration of deterministic 

and probabilistic methods, the range of reasonable fair value estimates is so significant that the Directors are of the opinion 

that their fair values cannot be measured reliably. As a result, the fair value of the consideration paid, including shares and 

convertible notes issued, was used to account for the cost of the exploration and evaluation assets.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Management Discussion and Analysis

9

The carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation assets is reviewed for impairment indicators annually and adjusted 

for impairment loss in accordance with HKAS 36 “Impairment of assets” and whenever there are any “trigger” events or 

changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. During the year ended 31 December 

2009, 31 December 2010, 31 December 2011 and the period ended 30 June 2012, there were no events or changes in 

circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of exploration and evaluation assets might not be recoverable. According 

to the requirements under HKAS 36 “Impairment of assets”, no impairment needed to be provided for the exploration and 

evaluation assets.

In November 2012, the Group noted that the crude oil selling price to YPF through Chañares decreased by US$1.5 per 

barrel to US$67.2 per barrel, and dropped to US$66.5 per barrel in December 2012, which maintain through February 

2013. This is the first time of oil price decrease since the Company commenced its investment in Argentina.

In the Operation Agreement signed on 5 June 2012, the Group and Chañares agreed the distribution methodology of 

the incentive granted from Petróleo Plus program (“Petróleo Plus Program”) executed by the government of Argentina. 

According to this distribution methodology, Chañares have agreed and paid Have Result approximately AR$7.0 million 

(equivalent to approximately HK$14.7 million) being Petróleo Plus Program incentive in respect of production up to June 

2011, which represent around US$16.7 per barrel with reference to the production in relevant period. Have Result and EP 

Energy have been informed by Chañares the shared proportion of production incentive for 3rd and 4th quarter 2011 and 

reserve incentive for year 2011, which represent around US$16.3 per barrel with reference to the production in relevant 

period. Have Result and EP Energy have issued a formal letter to Chañares on May 2012 to assign Chañares, as the 

Concession owner, to collect the incentive on the Company’s behalf. As of December 2012 and as of the announcement 

date, Chañares have not received any tax certificate in respect of the above incentive from the Tax Department. The Group 

considered the chance to receive the incentive was uncertain. The Petróleo Plus Program incentive of approximately US$16 

per barrel represents 24% of the US$66.5 per barrel local oil selling price as of the date of this announcement. Any loss of 

the Petróleo Plus Program incentive would substantially affect our investment return.

The Board of Directors, taking into accounts the above events; perform a review of the impairment on the exploration and 

evaluation assets as at 31 December 2012. During the review it comes to the attention that the business environment 

in Argentina has been adversely changed. Accordingly, the Group performed an impairment test on its exploration and 

evaluation assets. Discounted cash flow method is to be used. During the adoption of the discounted cash flow method, 

the Board has applied a more prudent estimation on those factors and assumptions for future recoverable amounts on the 

exploration and evaluation assets:

• 

Overall development plan will be delayed until investment climate in Argentina improves. In developing the future 

business plan, the Directors take a more prudent approach and only considered the production estimation up to the 

expiry of Concession after a 10 years extension to year 2027. The production quantity used to calculate future cash 

flows from operations substantially decrease.

• 

The discount rate used for the impairment assessment in 2012 should consider a higher country risk of Argentina, in 

view of the adverse change in business environment in Argentina. The discount rate used in year 2012 is 14.1%. The 

discount rate substantially reduced the net present value of future cash flow of the project.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Management Discussion and Analysis

10

• 

Future oil selling price are reference to WTI spot price. The Directors consider Argentina local selling price will only 

increase in a more steadily way and will take a longer time to match with the WTI.

During the year ended 31 December 2012, followed the change of valuation methodology from market approach to 

discounted cash flow, use of prudent assumptions in preparing the discounted cash flow such as higher discount rate and 

decrease in oil price estimation had substantially reduced the net present value of the exploration and evaluation assets. An 

impairment loss of HK$3,130,106,000 was recognized as the carrying amount of the E&E assets exceeds its recoverable 

amount. It is a non-cash item adjustment and does not affect the current operations of oil field.

REVIEW OF GROUP OPERATIONS

During year ended 31 December 2012, the Group’s core and continuing operations is petroleum exploration and 

production.

The Group did not generate revenue from the trading of petroleum related products during the year 2012.

Exploration and sales of petroleum

In January 2012, EP Energy S.A. has finished the test production of the fourth well CH-1066 and fifth well CH-1082. During 

year 2012, the Group has performed 7 workover jobs to the oil wells and invested in our owned centralized well fluid 

collection tank and collection pipeline. The overall results are satisfactory with increase in initial production after workover 

better than expected. As of the date of this report, the Group has ten wells in production.

Oil well 

Status 

Depth (m) 

Date of production

CH-1052 

CH-1053 

CH-1055 

CH-25 bis 

CH-7 bis 

CH-1059 

CH-1068 

CH-1063 

CH-1066 

CH-1082 

In production 

In production 

In production 

In production 

In production 

In production 

In production 

In production 

In production 

In production 

3,697 

3,580 

3,600 

4,685 

4,200 

3,600 

3,600 

3,600 

3,600 

3,600 

26 November 2009

8 December 2009

25 March 2010

12 May 2010

14 August 2010

9 July 2011

17 August 2011

28 September 2011

1 January 2012

10 January 2012

During year 2012, the Group had 10 producing wells generating oil sales revenue and has received from Chañares incentive 

from Petróleo Plus Program in respect of production up to June 2011. All our oil production was sold to YPF Sociedad 

Anónima, through Chañares, the Concessions owner.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Management Discussion and Analysis

11

Turnover generated from the sales of petroleum segment for the year ended 2012 is HK$80.9 million. As of 31 December 

2012, the Company has invested HK$559.50 million in the drilling and completion of its oil wells, as well as related 

infrastructure, in the Mendoza project. This amount includes: 1) HK$382.1 million in oil well drilling and completion which 

is classified as oil & gas properties and for which depreciation started from the commencement of production; 2) HK$0 

million in oil well drilling which has not yet completed and commenced production, which is classified as Construction in 

Progress, and for which no depreciation is charged until commencement of production; 3) HK$177.4 million of oil well 

drilling exploration cost for exploration purpose to collect data in the Potrerillos Formation that is located at a depth of over 

4,200 meters, which was charged to profit or loss in year 2010.

During the year 2012, the depreciation of the oil & gas properties was HK$36.9 million.

Metals transactions

Revenue from metals transactions are for the purpose of procurement of the metals for the Group’s customers and 

accordingly, the difference between the sales and purchase prices represents the income earned by the Group for its 

services rendered. During the year, net amount of HK$5,828,000 was recognised as revenue in the consolidated statement 

of comprehensive income.

1.1  Future operation plan

Short-term development plan

Pursuant to the Operation Agreement signed on 5 June 2012, Chañares agreed to release EP Energy from 

the Commitment under the JV Agreement signed on 12 January 2011. The Group is focused on workover and 

infrastructure investments to improve production on the existing oil wells during year 2012 and 2013. The Group 

has invested in our owned centralized well fluid collection tank and collection pipeline, which will be in use during the 

second quarter of year 2013. The Group will invest in our own water injection capacity in the second quarter of year 

2013 to lower the field operating cost.

Future development plan

 The Directors considered the current economic situation of Argentina and decided to restart the overall business 

development plan on Chañares oil project in later years. The future business plan is developed by applying a more 

prudent estimation on those factors and assumptions for future cashflow estimation on the project. From the 

Technical Review Report issued by Roma Oil and Mining Associates Limited dated 19 March 2013, the Best Estimate 

(2C) Contingent Oil Resources as at December 2012 remained the same as that of December 2011. In developing 

the future business plan, the Directors take a more prudent approach and only considered the production estimation 

up to the expiry of Concessions after a 10-year extension to year 2027. The Oil Resource of the project have not 

reduced, the change in development plan and the production estimation is a more prudent way to value the project. 

The production quantity used to calculate future cash flow from operations substantially decrease.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Management Discussion and Analysis

12

Other business opportunities

After setting up the technical & operational team and having a stable development in Argentina operation, the 

Group continues making effort in searching for opportunities on Oil & Gas Exploration and production business. The 

Group is focused on the oil & gas field with stable production base, with proven reserve, with certain development 

opportunities, in those industrial-advanced countries, such as the United States of America. The Group is now looking 

into a few acquisition opportunities in North America and one of them has been negotiated to an advance stage. If 

the proposed acquisition proceeds, the transaction may constitute a major/very substantial acquisition transaction 

for the Company under Chapter 14 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong 

Kong Limited (the “Listing Rules”) and further announcement will be made by the Company in accordance with the 

Listing Rules. The Board wishes to emphasize that the negotiations for the proposed acquisition may or may not 

proceed. Shareholders and investors of the Company are urged to exercise caution when dealing in the shares of the 

Company.

FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 31 December 2012, the net asset value of the Group was HK$673.6 million (2011: HK$3,918.9 million) and the net 

asset value per share was HK$0.2 (2011: HK$1.8).

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

In order to meet general working capital requirements, the Group has decided to raise additional capital via placement of 

shares during the year. On 25 April 2012, the Company raised net proceeds of approximately HK$47 million via a top-up 

subscription placement of 330,000,000 shares at HK$0.15 per share. On 28 June 2012, the Company raised net proceeds 

of approximately HK$53.6 million via a top-up subscription placement of 250,000,000 shares at HK$0.155 per share 

and new shares placement of 110,000,000 shares at HK$0.155 per share. The Company will raise additional funds via 

placement of shares and the issue of convertible notes to finance its general working capital requirements in the coming 

year.

PLEDGE OF ASSETS

At 31 December 2012, the following assets were pledged to secure the Group’s bank borrowings and banking facilities:

(a)  The entire stock capital of EP Energy whose principal asset is the 72% equity interest in the joint venture company 

formed under the New JV Agreement.

(b)  The entire issued share capital of Have Result.

(c)  The entire issued share capital of two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company which together hold the entire stock 

capital of EP Energy.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Management Discussion and Analysis

13

CAPTITAL COMMITMENTS

As at 31 December 2012, the future capital expenditure for which the Group had contracted but not provided for amounted 

to HK$nil (2011: HK$210.60 million).

Chu Kwok Chi, Robert

Executive Director and CEO

Hong Kong, 28 March 2013

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Directors and Senior Management Profi le

14

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. CHU Kwok Chi, Robert, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, aged 62

Mr. Chu has been a Sales Director for the Group since August 2004 and was appointed Executive Director for the Group in 

September 2006 heading the consumer electronics business. Mr. Chu has over 30 years of experience in the international 

trade and the electronics industry. Mr. Chu has been responsible for the marketing, sales, trading and production of various 

private and listed consumer electronics companies in Hong Kong. He was the Managing Director of Eltic Electronics 

Company Limited, a subsidiary of Great Wall Cybertech Limited (former name of EPI (Holdings) Limited), from 1990 to 2000.

Mr. Chu was appointed as the Executive Director of Vision Tech International Holdings Limited (HKSE stock code: 922) on 

3 March 2008. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Mr. HONG Kin Choy, Bryan, Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, aged 48

Mr. Hong joined the Group in October 2005. Mr. Hong oversees the Group’s financials and carries out the role of Company 

Secretary. He is a practising certified public accountant in Hong Kong and a Fellow Member of both the Association of 

Chartered Certified Accountants and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Hong has over 20 years 

of experience in the fields of audit, accountancy, business advisory services and corporate finance. Mr. Hong received 

a Professional Diploma in Accountancy from Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1987, and subsequently worked for 

international accounting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for 5 years, where he had extensive experience in accountancy, 

auditing and taxation.

Mr. Hong has wide experience in the commercial sector and has held Financial Controller and General Manager Positions 

for more than 10 years. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Hong runs a CPA firm in his own name.

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. CHEUNG, Yuk Ming, aged 60

Mr. Cheung joined the Group in June 2011. He is a certified public accountant registered in Hong Kong and a member of 

the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers, the Institute of Internal Auditors 

of the United States, the Alliance of Acquisition and Merger Advisors (Chicago, the United States), the Chartered Institute 

of Arbitrators (U.K.), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Hong Kong Securities Institute, the 

Constuction Management Association of America and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.

Mr. Cheung obtained a Master’s degree in business administration from the University of East Asia, Macau in 1987 and 

completed courses on construction management, development and financing of mining industry, petroleum economics and 

petroleum risk management conducted by China University of Geosciences, the Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors and 

other associations. Prior to June 2009, Mr. Cheung had worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Lau, Cheung, Fung & Chan, 

the Hong Kong Government and other organisations. He has been an executive director of Lawrence CPA Limited since 

January 2005 and an independent non-executive director of Metallurgical Corporation of China Limited (HKSE stock code: 

1618) since June 2009 and an independent non-executive director of Travelsky Technology Limited (HKSE stock code: 

696) since March 2010.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Directors and Senior Management Profi le

15

Mr. QIAN, Zhi Hui, aged 50

Mr. Qian joined the Group in September 2008. He joined China National Native Produce & Animal By-Products Import & 

Export Corporation, Guangdong Province, as chief legal advisor in 1988. He joined Guangzhou King Pound Law Firm as 

lawyer in 1993 and is currently a partner of Guangdong Justwin Law Firm. From 2006 to 2008, he was the Independent 

Non-Executive Director of New Times Group Holdings Limited (HKSE stock code: 166). He has a Master degree in 

Procedural Law from Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

Mr. ZHU Tiansheng, aged 67

Mr. Zhu joined the Group in November 2009. He has over 39 years extensive experience in project management, 

operations, design and construction process of oil and natural gas transmission pipeline, exploration, production and 

transporting heavy oil, recycling of light hydrocarbon, design and construction of natural gas treatment plants in numerous 

oil field projects in China.

Mr. Zhu has been employed by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (“CNOOC”) since 1986. Since 2005, he is the 

Senior Consultant and the Chief Project Officer for China Offshore Oil & Gas Development & Utilization Company of 

CNOOC, participating in the construction of asphalt plant. From 2004 to 2005, he was the Deputy Director of Coordination 

Office of CNOOC and Mr. Fu Chengyu, was the director and currently the General Manager of CNOOC. From 2001 to 

2004, Mr Zhu was the General Manager of China Ocean Oilfields Services (Hong Kong) Limited.

During the period of 1997 to 2001, Mr. Zhu was the General Manager of the Construction Department of CNOOC. The 

Construction Department is responsible for the organization and investigation of concept design and plans of development, 

an immediate and final investigation of the basic design. The detailed designs, constructions and installations are managed 

by the Project Units, which are organized by the Construction Department. The Construction Department also organizes 

and cooperates with foreign companies for the development and construction of oil and gas fields.

From 1992 to 1997, Mr. Zhu was the Deputy Manager of Development and Production Department of CNOOC and he was 

responsible for construction development. During the period of 1986 to 1992, he was offered the position of Chief of Project 

Management Office of Construction Department of CNOOC.

In 1986, Mr. Zhu was transferred to CNOOC from Liaohe Oil Field, China where he had worked there for over 11 years in 

the 70s and his last position was the Chief of Oil and Gas Management Office of Liaohe Oil Field.

Mr. Zhu was graduated at the Beijing Petroleum Institute and was majoring in oil and gas storage and transportation 

engineering since 1969. During his work tenor, Mr. Zhu was trained in Japan for 3 months in recycling of light hydrocarbon 

and studied project management in EGT in United Kingdom during 1994.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Directors and Senior Management Profi le

16

SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILE

Mr. PAK, Ka Kei, Financial Controller, aged 42

Mr. Pak joined the Group in November 2009. Mr. Pak oversees the Group’s financials and focus on the oil project. Mr. Pak 

has over 18 years experience in the fields of audit, internal control, accountancy, taxation and treasury. Prior to joining the 

Group, Mr. Pak has been working in TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Limited over 10 years on the finance sections 

in Hong Kong, Emerging Markets and Europe and he has held the Deputy Internal Control Director and Deputy Financial 

Controller for Emerging Markets and Europe.

Mr. Pak graduated from City University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting in year 1994 and has 

been worked for Ernst & Young for 5 years.

Mr. DANIEL FEDERICO QUIROGA, aged 47

Mr. Quiroga joined the Group in December 2010. Mr. Quiroga oversees the Group’s oil project in Argentina as the General 

Manager of Argentina Operation. He has over 25 years extensive experience in, operations, exploration, production 

management of oil field projects in Argentina, Mexico and Ecuador.

Mr. Quiroga has been employed by Tecpetrol S.A. since year 1991. The last position held by Mr. Quiroga in year 2000 

is Head of Secondary Recovery Division. During the work in Tecpetrol S.A., Mr. Quiroga was appointed as Operation 

Engineer, Production Manager, Field Operation Manager and gain experience in operation, production management for 

various Oil Fields in Argentina.

Mr. Quiroga was the Operation Supeintendent and Field Manager who is in charge of field operations in oil fields located in 

Neuquina Basin and S.J. Gulf Basin, Argentina for Pioneer NRA S.A. during year 2002 to 2006.

Before joining the Company, Mr. Quiroga has been working for Weatherford Regional Mexieo as the Operation Coordinator. 

He was in charge of field operations for oil field in Mexico.

Mr. Quiroga was graduated at National University of Cuyo in Mendoza Province, Argentina and was majoring in Petroleum 

Engineer in year 1991. Mr. Quiroga was the Postgrade in Business & Finance at National University of Cuyo in Mendoza 

Province, Argentina.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

17

The Board hereby presents this Corporate Governance Report in the Company’s annual report for the year ended 31 

December 2012.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

The Board recognizes the importance of incorporating elements of good corporate governance into the management 

structure and the internal control procedures of the Group so as to ensure that all business activities of the Group and the 

decision making process are properly regulated. During the year under review, the Company has applied the principles and 

has complied with the code provisions set out in the Code on Corporate Governance Practices (the “CG Code”) in Appendix 

14 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Listing Rules”) with 

deviations from the code provision A.2.2, A.2.3 and A.4.1 of the CG Code as summarized below.

The code provision A.2.2 of the CG Code stipulates that the chairman should ensure that all directors are properly 

briefed on issues arising at board meetings and the code provision A.2.3 of the CG Code stipulates that the chairman 

should be responsible for ensuring that directors receive adequate information, which must be complete and reliable, in a 

timely manner. During the year 2012, the office of the chairman of the Company is vacant. The Company recognizes the 

importance of the duties of the chairman and will identify a high caliber executive to take up the role as soon as possible.

The code provision A.4.1 of the CG Code stipulates that Non-executive Directors should be appointed for a specific term, 

subject to re-election. Currently the Non-executive Directors are not appointed for a specific term. However, all Non-

executive Directors are subject to retirement and can offer themselves for re-election in accordance with the Company’s 

Bye-laws.

MODEL CODE FOR SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS BY DIRECTORS

The Company has adopted a code of conduct rules (the “Model Code”) regarding securities transactions by Directors on 

terms no less exacting than the required standard set out in the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of 

Listed Issuers in Appendix 10 of the Listing Rules. Having made specific enquiry of all Directors, the Company confirms that 

all Directors have complied with the Model Code throughout the year.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The overall management of the Group’s business is vested in the Board.

The Board is responsible for the promotion of the success of the Company by directing and guiding its affairs in an 

accountable and effective manner. Board members have a duty to act in good faith, with due diligence and care, and in the 

best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

18

The types of decisions that are to be taken by the Board include:

1. 

Setting the Company’s mission and values

2. 

Formulating strategic directions of the Company

3.  Reviewing and guiding corporate strategy; setting performance objectives and monitoring implementation and 

corporate performance

4.  Monitoring and managing potential conflicts of interest of management and Board members; and

5. 

Ensuring the integrity of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting systems, including the independent audit, 

and that appropriate systems of control are in place, in particular, systems for monitoring risk, financial control, and 

compliance with the law.

The Board gives clear directions as to the powers delegated to the management for the management and administration 

functions of the Group, in particular, with respect to the circumstances where management should report back and obtain 

prior approval from the Board before making decisions or entering into any commitments on behalf of the Group. The Board 

will review these arrangements on a periodic basis to ensure that they remain appropriate to the needs of the Group.

For the year ended 31 December 2012, the Board:–

1. 

reviewed and approved the annual results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2011 and the interim results 

of the Group for the period ended 30 June 2012.

2. 

reviewed and approved the general mandates to issue and repurchase shares of the Company

3. 

reviewed the internal controls of the Group

4. 

reviewed the performance of the Group and formulated the business strategy of the Group.

5. 

reviewed and approved the top-up subscription placement of 330,000,000 shares in the Company at HK$0.15 per 

share

6. 

reviewed and approved the top-up subscription placement of 250,000,000 shares in the Company at HK$0.155 per 

share

7. 

reviewed and approved the new shares placement of 110,000,000 shares in the Company at HK$0.155 per share

8. 

reviewed and approved the price-sensitive transactions

Regular Board meetings are scheduled in advance to give all Directors an opportunity to attend. All Directors are kept 

informed on a timely basis of major changes that may affect the Group’s businesses, including relevant rules and 

regulations. Directors shall have full access to information on the Group and are able to obtain independent professional 

advice whenever deemed necessary by the Directors. No request was made by any Director for such independent 

professional advice in 2012. The Company Secretary shall prepare minutes and keep records of matters discussed and 

decisions resolved at all Board meetings, which will be available for inspection by Directors upon request.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

19

BOARD COMPOSITION

The Board currently comprises two Executive Directors and three independent Non-executive Directors, whose 

biographical details are set out in the section headed “Directors and Senior Management Profile” on page 14.

The composition of the Board is well balanced with each Director having sound knowledge, experience and/or expertise 

relevant to the business operation and development of the Group. The Company has also adopted the recommended best 

practice under the CG Code for having at least one-third of its Board members being independent non-executive directors.

All Directors are aware of their collective and individual responsibilities to the Shareholders and have exercised their duties 

with care, skill and diligence, contributing to the successful performance of the Group.

BOARD MEETING RECORDS

There were four meetings held for the year ended 31 December 2012. The following is an attendance record of the Board 

Meetings held by the Board during the year:

Name of Directors 

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert 

Mr. Hong Kin Choy 

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming 

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui 

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng 

Number of Board meetings

attended in 2012

4/4

4/4

4/4

2/4

3/4

 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

20

CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Chairman’s responsibility is to provide leadership to the Board and formulate the Group’s business strategies. The 

Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the day to day operation of the Company and implementation of the development 

strategy adopted by the Board. Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 

The code provision A.2.2 of the CG Code stipulates that the chairman should ensure that all directors are properly 

briefed on issues arising at board meetings and the code provision A.2.3 of the CG Code stipulates that the chairman 

should be responsible for ensuring that directors receive adequate information, which must be complete and reliable, in a 

timely manner. During the year 2012, the office of the chairman of the Company is vacant. The Company recognizes the 

importance of the duties of the chairman and will identify a high caliber executive to take up the role as soon as possible.

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Independent non-executive Directors serve the relevant function of bringing independent judgment on the development, 

performance and risk management of the Group. The Group’s Independent non-executive Directors have been appointed 

to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting and shall retire and offer themselves for re-election according to the 

Company’s Bye-laws.

All Independent Non-executive Directors are financially independent from the Company and any of its subsidiaries.

Each of the Independent Non-executive Directors has given a written confirmation to the Company confirming that he has 

met the criteria set out in Rule 3.13 of the Listing Rules regarding the guidelines for the assessment of the independence of 

directors.

BOARD COMMITTEES

The Board has also established the following committees with defined terms of reference:–

1. 

Audit Committee

2.  Remuneration Committee

3.  Nomination Committee

Each Board Committee makes decisions on matters within its term of reference and applicable limit of authority. The terms 

of reference as well as the structure and membership of each committee will be reviewed from time to time.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

21

1)  Audit Committee

a)  Composition of Audit Committee members

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming (Chairman)

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

b)  Role and function

The Audit Committee is mainly responsible for:

i. 

reviewing the financial statements and reports and considering any significant or unusual items raised by 

the qualified accountant or external auditors before submission to the Board.

ii. 

reviewing the relationship with the external auditors by reference to the work performed by the auditors, 

their fees and terms of engagement, and making recommendations to the Board on the appointment, 

reappointment and removal of external auditors.

iii. 

reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s financial reporting system, internal control 

and risk management system and associated procedures.

c)  Meeting records

Two meetings were held for the year ended 31 December 2012 and the attendance of each committee member 

is set out as follows:

Name of Committee 

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming (Chairman) 

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui 

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng 

Number of Committee

Members meetings attended in 2012

2/2

2/2

2/2

During the meeting, the Audit Committee discussed the following matters:–

i. 

Financial Reporting

The Audit Committee reviewed with the Chief Executive Officer, the Company Secretary and the Financial 

Controller of the Company the Final Results for the year ended 31 December 2011 and the Interim Results 

for the period ended 30 June 2012.

 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

22

ii. 

External Auditors

The Audit Committee reviewed the audit fee for the year ended 31 December 2011 and recommended it 

to the Board.

The Audit Committee reviewed the Audit Committee Report prepared by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for the 

year ended 31 December 2011.

2)  Remuneration Committee

a)  Composition of Remuneration Committee members

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman)

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

b)  Role and function

The Remuneration Committee is mainly responsible for:

i. 

reviewing any significant changes in human resources policies and structure made in line with prevailing 

trends and business developments.

ii.  making recommendations to the Board on the Company’s policy and the structure of all remuneration of 

Directors and senior management as well as on the establishment of formal and transparent procedures 

for developing policy on such remuneration;

iii. 

reviewing and approve the compensation payable to executive Directors and senior management in 

connection with any loss or termination of their office or appointment to ensure that such compensation 

is determined in accordance with relevant contractual terms and that such compensation is otherwise fair 

and not excessive for the Company; and

iv. 

ensuring that no Director or any of his associates is involved in deciding his or her own remuneration.

c)  Meeting Records

One meeting was held for the year ended 31 December 2012 and the attendance of each committee member 

is set out as follows:

Name of Committee Members 

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman) 

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert 

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng 

Number of Committee

meetings attended in 2012

1/1

1/1

1/1

 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

23

During the year under review, the Remuneration Committee reviewed the policies for the remuneration of 

Directors and senior management of the Group, the staff costs and headcount of the Group. The Remuneration 

Committee also reviewed the remuneration package of the Directors and the senior management to ensure they 

are in line with the market.

3)  Nomination Committee

a)  Composition of Nomination Committee members

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman)

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

b)  Role and function

The Nomination Committee is mainly responsible for:

i. 

reviewing the structure, size and composition (including the skills, knowledge and experience) of the Board 

on a regular basis and making recommendations to the Board regarding any proposed changes;

ii. 

identifying individuals suitably qualified to become Board members and selecting or making 

recommendations to the Board on the selection of individuals nominated for Directorships;

iii. 

assessing the independence of Independent Non-executive Directors; and

iv.  making recommendations to the Board on relevant matters relating to the appointment or re-appointment 

of Directors and succession planning for Directors, in particular the Chairman and the Chief Executive 

Officer.

c)  Meeting Records

One meeting was held for the year ended 31 December 2012 and the attendance of each committee member 

is set out as follows:

Name of Committee Members 

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman) 

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert 

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng 

Number of Committee

meetings attended in 2012

1/1

1/1

1/1

 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

24

During the meeting, the Nomination Committee discussed for the need of segregating the duties of Chairman 

and the Chief Executive Officer and unanimously agreed to identify a high caliber executive to take up either 

one of the roles. Suitable candidate has not yet been identified but the Nomination Committee members would 

continue to look for the right person for the posts and recommend to the Board.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUDIT

The Directors are responsible for preparing the accounts of each financial period, which give a true and fair view of the 

state of affairs of the Group and of the results and cash flow for that period. The Directors also ensure that the financial 

statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with the statutory requirements and applicable accounting policies.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors consider that the financial statements of the Group are prepared on a 

going concern basis and appropriate accounting policies have been consistently applied. The Directors have also made 

judgments and estimates that are prudent and reasonable in the preparation of the financial statements.

The statement of the auditors of the Company about their reporting responsibilities on the financial statements is set out in 

the Independent Auditors’ Report on page 34-35.

INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT

The Board is responsible for the Group’s system of internal control so as to maintain sound and effective controls to 

safeguard the shareholders’ investment and the assets of the Group.

The Board has established an on-going process for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the 

Group. This process includes continuous updating of the internal control system of the Group in response to the changing 

business environment and regulatory requirements. The Board is also conducting a review of the internal controls of the 

Group to ensure that the policies and procedures in place are adequate.

EXTERNAL AUDITORS

The Board acknowledges its responsibility for preparing the financial statements of the Group. In preparing the financial 

statements, the Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public 

Accountants have been adopted. The principal accounting policies adopted for the preparation of financial statements of 

the Group, which have been consistently applied, are set out in note 4 to the financial statements.

It is the auditors’ responsibility to form an independent opinion, based on their audit, on those financial statements and to 

report their opinion solely to the Company, as a body, in accordance with section 141 of the Companies Ordinance, and 

for no other purpose. They do not assume responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for the contents of 

the auditors’ report.

During the year under review, the remuneration paid to the Company’s external auditors, Messrs Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Governance Report

25

was as follows:

Nature of services 

Audit services 

Fee paid/payable

HK$’000

3,050

COMMUNICATION WITH SHAREHOLDERS

The Company uses various communication methods to ensure its Shareholders are kept well informed of key business 

imperatives. These include general meetings, annual report, various notices, announcements and circulars. The poll voting 

procedures and the rights of Shareholders to demand a poll were included in all circulars accompanying notices convening 

general meeting and the detailed procedures for conducting a poll had been read out by the Company Secretary at general 

meetings.

The annual general meeting provides a useful forum for Shareholders to exchange views with the Board. The Chairman, 

Directors, Board Committees” Chairman/Members and external auditor are available to answer questions at the meeting. 

To ensure all Shareholders timely access to important corporate information, the Company utilizes its corporate website to 

disseminate to the Shareholder information such as announcements, circulars, annual and interim reports.

 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Report of the Directors

26

The directors have pleasure in presenting their annual report and the audited consolidated financial statements for the year 

ended 31 December 2012.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

The  Company  is  an  investment  holding  company.  Its  subsidiaries  are  principally  engaged  in  petroleum  exploration 

and production, metals transactions and trading of petroleum related products. Particulars of the Company’s principal 

subsidiaries are set out in note 42 to the consolidated financial statements. An analysis of the Group’s performance for the 

year by operating and reportable segments is set out in note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

The results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2012 (the “Year”) are set out in the consolidated statement of 

comprehensive income on page 36.

The Board does not recommend the payment of a final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2012.

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

A summary of the consolidated results and the assets and liabilities of the Group for the last five financial years is set out on 

page 103.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Details of the movements during the year in the property, plant and equipment are set out in note 18 to the consolidated 

financial statements.

SHARE CAPITAL

Details of movement during the year in the share capital of the Company are set out in note 29 to the consolidated financial 

statements.

PURCHASE, SALES AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries purchased, sold or redeemed any of the Company’s listed securities during 

the year ended 31 December 2012.

RESERVES

Movements in reserves of the Group during the year are set out in consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 38.

DIRECTORS

The Directors of the Company during the year and up to the date of this report were:

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Report of the Directors

27

Executive Directors:

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert

Mr. Hong Kin Choy

Independent Non-executive Directors:

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

Biographical details of Directors of the Company are set out on page 14 under the section titled “Directors and Senior 

Management Profile”.

In accordance with Article 99(A) of the Company’s bye-laws, all Directors, except the Managing Director, shall retire and, 

being eligible, offer themselves for re-election at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the Company in accordance 

with the Company’s bye-laws.

The Company has received from each of the Independent Non-Executive Directors an annual confirmation of his 

independence pursuant to Rule 3.13 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong 

Limited (the “Listing Rules”) and the Company considers such Directors to be independent.

DIRECTORS’ SERVICE CONTRACTS

None of the Directors has a service contract with the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is not determinable by the 

Group within one year without payment of compensation, other than statutory compensation.

DIRECTORS’ INTEREST IN CONTRACTS OF SIGNIFICANCE

No contract of significance, to which the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, its holding company, or any subsidiaries of its 

holding company was a party and in which a Director of the Company had a material interest, whether directly or indirectly, 

subsisted at the end of the year or at any time during the year.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Report of the Directors

28

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

No contract concerning the management and administration of the whole or any substantial part of the business of the 

Company and the Group was entered into or existed during the year.

COMPETING INTEREST

None of the Director or their respective associates (as defined in the Listing Rules) had an interest in a business, which 

competes or may compete with the business of the Group.

DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S INTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS IN SHARES, 
UNDERLYING SHARES AND DEBENTURES

As at 31 December 2012, the interests and short positions of the Directors and chief executives of the Company in the 

shares, underlying shares and debentures of the Company or any of its associated corporations (within the meaning of 

Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”)) which were required to be notified to the Company and the Stock 

Exchange pursuant to Divisions 7 and 8 of Part XV of the SFO (including interests and short positions which were taken or 

deemed to have under such provisions of the SFO) or were required, pursuant to section 352 of the SFO, to be entered 

in the register referred to therein, or were required pursuant to the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of 

Listed Issuers of the Listing Rules to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange were as follows:

LONG POSITIONS IN THE SHARES AND UNDELYING SHARES OF THE COMPANY

Nature of 

Number of shares/ 

Percentage of issued

Director 

interest 

underlying shares held 

Chu Kwok Chi Robert 

Zhu Tiansheng 

Note:

Personal 

Personal 

33,852,938 

270,000 

share capital
(note 1)

1.0814%

0.0086%

1. 

The calculation of percentages is based on 3,130,377,588 Shares of the Company in issue as at 31 December 2012.

Save as disclosed above, as at 31 December 2012, no Directors or Chief Executive have any interests or short position in 

the shares, underlying shares and debentures of the Company or any of its associated corporations (within the meaning of 

Part XV of the SFO) which would have to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to Divisions 7 and 8 

of Part XV of the SFO (including interests or short positions which were taken or deemed to be have under such provisions) 

or which were required, pursuant to Section 352 of the SFO, to be entered in the register referred to therein or which were 

required in the Listing Rules pursuant to the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Companies to 

be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange.

 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Report of the Directors

29

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

As at 31 December 2012, according to the register of interests maintained by the Company pursuant to section 336 of

the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”) and so far as is known to, or can be ascertained after reasonable enquiry by

the Directors or chief executive of the Company, the following persons, other than the Directors and the chief executive of 

the Company, who had an interest or a short position in the shares or underlying shares of the Company which would fall

to be disclosed to the Company under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO, or who were, directly or 

indirectly, deemed to be interested in 5% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital carrying rights to vote in 

all circumstances at general meetings of any other member of the Group and the amount of each of such person’s interests

in such securities, together with particulars of any options in respect of such capital were as follows:

LONG/SHORT POSITIONS IN THE SHARES AND UNDELYING SHARES OF THE COMPANY

Name of 

Shareholders 

Long/short 

position 

Capacity/ 

nature of 

interest 

Number of 

Percentage

shares/ 

of issued

underlying 

shares held 

share 

capital

(note 2)

Long 

Beneficial owner 

7,466,856 

0.24%

City Smart 

International

Investment Limited

(note 1)

City Wise 

Long 

Beneficial owner 

398,232,975 

12.72%

Investment Limited

(note 1)

South America 

Long 

  Petroleum Investment 

  Holdings Limited 

(note 1)

Mr. Wu 

  Shaozhang 

(note 1) 

Long 

Interest of a 

  controlled

  corporation

Interest of a 

  controlled

  corporation

398,232,975 

12.72%

405,699,831 

12.96%

Notes:

1. 

So far is known to the Directors, City Smart International Investment Limited, South America Petroleum Investment Holding Limited and City Wise Investment Limited are 
beneficially wholly-owned by Mr. Wu Shaozhang.

2. 

The calculation of percentages is based on 3,130,377,588 Shares of the Company in issue as at 31 December 2012.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Report of the Directors

30

Saved as disclosed above, as at 31 December 2012, so far as is known to, or can be ascertained after reasonable enquiry

by the Directors or chief executive of the Company, no persons had interests or short positions in the shares or underlying 

shares of the Company which would fall to be disclosed to the Company under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part 

XV of the SFO, or who are, directly or indirectly, deemed to be interested in 5% or more of the nominal value of any class of 

share capital carrying rights to vote in all circumstances at general meetings of any member of the Group or has any options 

in respect of such capital.

EMOLUMENT POLICY

The emolument of the employees of the Group is set up by the human resources department and seeks to provide 

remuneration packages on the basis of the merit, qualifications and competence of the employees. The emoluments of

the Directors and senior management of the Company will be reviewed by the Remuneration Committee, having regard to 

factors including the Group’s operating results, responsibilities of the Directors and senior management and comparable 

market statistics.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS SCHEME

Particulars of the retirement benefits schemes of the Group are set out in note 35 to the consolidated financial statements.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Report of the Directors

31

SHARE OPTION SCHEME

The Company’s share option scheme (the “Scheme”) was adopted for a period of 10 years commencing 6 November 2006 

pursuant to an Ordinary Resolution passed at the Special General Meeting of the Shareholders held on 6 November 2006

for the purpose of providing incentives or rewards to selected employees and directors for their contribution to the Group.

Under the Scheme, the Company may grant options to selected employees and directors of the Company and its 

subsidiaries, to subscribe for shares in the Company. Additionally, the Company may, from time to time, grant share options 

to eligible vendors, customers, advisors and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries at the discretion of the Board

Of Directors.

The total number of shares in respect of which options may be granted under the Scheme is not permitted to exceed

10% of the shares of the Company in issue at any point of time, without prior approval from the Company’s shareholders. 

The number of shares issued and to be issued in respect of which options granted and may be granted to any individual

in any one year is not permitted to exceed 1% of the shares of the Company in issue at any point in time, without prior 

approval from the Company’s shareholders. Options granted to substantial shareholders, Independent non-executive

directors, or any of their respective associates (including a discretionary trust whose discretionary objects include a 

substantial shareholders, Independent non-executive directors, or any of their respective associates) in excess of 0.1%

of the Company’s share capital or with a value in excess of HK$5,000,000 must be also approved by the Company’s 

shareholders.

The exercise price of the share options is determinable by the directors, but may not be less than the higher of (i) the Stock 

Exchange closing price of the Company’s shares on the date of the offer of the share options which must be a business

day; (ii) the average Stock Exchange closing price of the Company’s shares for the five trading days immediately preceding 

the date of the offer; and (iii) the nominal value of the Company’s shares.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Report of the Directors

32

As at 31 December 2012, options to subscribe for an aggregate of 152,379,999 shares of the Company granted to the 

Directors and certain employees pursuant to the Scheme remained outstanding, details of which were as follows:

Name and 
category of 
participant 

Date of  
grant 

Exercisable 
period   
(both dates  
inclusive) 

  Outstanding 
at 
1.1.2012 

Exercise 
price 
HK$

Granted 
during 
the year 

Lapsed 
during 
the year 

Cancelled 
during 

the year  Adjustment 

  Outstanding
at
31.12.2012

Independent 
  Non-executive 
  Director

Mr. Zhu 
Tiansheng 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 

Employees 

10 February 2010 

Other 
participants 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

11 October 2011 

19 March 2010– 
9 February 2013
10 November 2010– 
9 February 2013
10 August 2011– 
9 February 2013

10 February 2010– 
9 February 2013
10 November 2010– 
9 February 2013
10 August 2011– 
9 February 2013

10 February 2010– 
9 February 2013
10 November 2010– 
9 February 2013
10 August 2011– 
9 February 2013
11 October 2011– 
10 October 2013

1.610* 

90,000 

1.610* 

90,000 

1.610* 

90,000 

1.564* 

2,096,667 

1.564* 

2,096,667 

1.564* 

2,096,667 

1.564* 

1,939,999 

1.564* 

1,939,999 

1.564* 

1,940,000 

0.141** 

140,000,000 

152,379,999 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

90,000 

90,000

90,000

2,096,667

2,096,667

2,096,667

1,939,999

1,939,999

1,940,000

140,000,000

– 

152,379,999

* 

** 

This reflects the adjusted share price on grant date after the completion of the consolidation of shares on 23 June 2011.

This reflects the share price on grant date after the completion of the consolidation of shares on 23 June 2011.

MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

During the year, the aggregate sale attributable to the Group’s five largest customers represented approximately 100% of 

the Group’s total sales and the sales attributable to the Group’s largest customer were approximately 93% of total sales. 

The Group has no purchase recognised for the year.

None of the Directors, their associates or any shareholder (which to the knowledge of the directors owns more than 5% of 

the Company’s share capital) had an interest in the major customers or suppliers as noted above.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Report of the Directors

33

PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

There is no provision for pre-emptive rights under the Company’s Bye-laws or the laws of Bermuda which would oblige the 

Company to offer new shares on a pro rata basis to existing shareholders.

EMPLOYEES

As at 31 December 2012, the Group had a total of about 9 employees in Hong Kong, 9 employees in Argentina and 6 

employees in PRC. Employee’s cost (excluding directors’ emoluments) amounted to approximately HK$13.97 million 

(2011: HK$20.99 million). The Group ensures that the pay levels of its employees are competitive according to market trend 

and its employees are rewarded on a performance related basis within the general framework of the Group’s salary and 

bonus system.

SUFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC FLOAT

Based on information available to the Company and within the knowledge of the Directors, at least 25% of the Company’s 

total issued share capital was held by the Public as of the date of this report.

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Details of contingent liabilities are set out in note 40 to the consolidated financial statements.

AUDITORS

The accounts for the year have been audited by Messrs. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu who shall retire and, being eligible, shall 

offer themselves for re-appointment.

On behalf of the Board

Chu Kwok Chi Robert

Executive Director and CEO

28 March 2013

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Independent Auditor’s Report

34

TO THE MEMBERS OF EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

(incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of EPI (Holdings) Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to 

as the “Group”) set out on pages 36 to 102, which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2012, and 

the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of cash 

flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in 

accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the 

disclosure requirements of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary 

to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit and to report our opinion 

solely to you, as a body, in accordance with Section 90 of the Bermuda Companies Act, and for no other purpose. We do not assume 

responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for the contents of this report. We conducted our audit in accordance with 

Hong Kong Standards on Auditing issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Those standards require that 

we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 

financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An  audit  involves  performing  procedures  to  obtain  audit  evidence  about  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  consolidated  financial 

statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement 

of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal 

control relevant to the entity’s preparation of consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in order to design audit 

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 

entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of 

accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Independent Auditor’s Report

35

TO THE MEMBERS OF EPI (HOLDINGS) LIMITED – continued

(incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

OPINION

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group as at 31 December 

2012, and of the Group’s loss and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards 

and have been properly prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong

28 March 2013

36

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2012

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

  – depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

  – other costs 

Other gains and losses 

Distribution and selling expenses 

Administrative expenses 

Impairment loss recognised in respect of 

  exploration and evaluation assets 

Other expenses 

Finance costs 

Loss before taxation 

Taxation (charge) credit 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive (expense) income:

  Reclassification adjustment for the cumulative gain of available-for-sale 

investments included in profit or loss upon disposal 

  Reversal of deferred tax liabilities upon disposal 

  of available-for-sale investments 

Other comprehensive expense for the year 

Total comprehensive expense for the year 

  attributable to owners of the Company 

Loss per share 

  – basic 

  – diluted 

NOTES 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

6 

7

8 

17(a) 

9 

10 

11 

12 

16

86,682 

619,800

(36,909) 

(36,382) 

24,754 

(1,039) 

(59,911) 

(3,130,106) 

(153,853) 

(34,925) 

(27,720)

(589,941)

(12,965)

(10,531)

(73,511)

–

(96,132)

(34,679)

(3,341,689) 

(10,351) 

(225,679)

7,942

(3,352,040) 

(217,737)

(57,176) 

5,718 

(51,458) 

–

–

–

(3,403,498) 

(217,737)

HK$(1.26) 

HK$(0.11)

HK$(1.26) 

HK$(0.11)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
At 31 December 2012

37

NOTES 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

26 

27 

19 

28 

29 

648,468 

204,456 

– 

48,878 

3,837,156

340,843

9,870

54,148

901,802 

4,242,017

232,188 

– 

37 

2,680 

234,905 

95,516 

– 

65,808 

25,927 

186,013

67,600

52

29,509

283,174

169,780

777

56,328

–

187,251 

226,885

47,654 

56,289

949,456 

4,298,306

273,000 

– 

– 

2,854 

296,400

74,661

6,574

1,730

275,854 

379,365

673,602 

3,918,941

313,038 

360,564 

215,088

3,703,853

673,602 

3,918,941

Non-current assets

  Exploration and evaluation assets 

  Property, plant and equipment 

  Deferred tax assets 

  Other tax recoverable 

Current assets

  Trade and other receivables 

  Available-for-sale investments 

  Held-for-trading investments 

  Bank balances and cash 

Current liabilities

  Trade and other payables 

  Taxation payable 

  Borrowings – amount due within one year 

  Convertible notes 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities

  Borrowings – amount due after one year 

  Convertible notes 

  Deferred tax liabilities 

  Assets retirement obligation 

Capital and reserves

  Share capital 

  Reserves 

Equity attributable to owners of the Company 

The consolidated financial statements on pages 36 to 102 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 28 

March 2013 and are signed on its behalf by:

Chu Kwok Chi, Robert 

DIRECTOR 

Hong Kin Choy

DIRECTOR

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2012

Attributable to owners of the Company

Investments  Contributed 

Share

Share 

capital 

HK$’000 

Share 

Capital 

revaluation 

premium 

HK$’000 

reserve 

HK$’000 

(note b) 

reserve 

HK$’000 

surplus 

reserve 

HK$’000 

(note a)

options  Accumulated

reserve 

HK$’000 

losses 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000

At 1 January 2011 

185,088 

3,853,585 

61,721 

51,458 

60,322 

32,267 

(192,406) 

4,052,035

Loss for the year and total comprehensive 

  expense for the year 

Recognition of share-based payment expense 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Issue of new shares 

30,000 

110,660 

(61,721) 

Transaction costs attributable to issue of new shares 

– 

(1,776) 

At 31 December 2011 

215,088 

3,962,469 

Reclassification adjustment for the cumulative gain 

  of available-for-sale investments included in profit 

  or loss upon disposal 

Reversal of deferred tax liabilities upon disposal of 

  available-for-sale investments 

Loss for the year 

Total comprehensive expense for the year 

Issue of new shares 

Transaction costs attributable to

issue of new shares 

Conversion of convertible notes 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

69,000 

36,300 

– 

28,950 

(4,528) 

28,437 

At 31 December 2012 

313,038 

4,022,678 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(217,737) 

(217,737)

7,480 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

7,480

78,939

(1,776)

51,458 

60,322 

39,747 

(410,143) 

3,918,941

(57,176) 

5,718 

– 

(51,458) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(57,176)

5,718

(3,352,040) 

(3,352,040)

(3,352,040) 

(3,403,498)

– 

– 

– 

105,300

(4,528)

57,387

60,322 

39,747 

(3,762,183) 

673,602

Notes:

(a) 

(b) 

The contributed surplus reserve represents the credit arising from the capital reduction in 2006.

On 22 December 2010, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with Rich Concept (as defined in note 29(b)(i)), a shareholder of the Company, to allot and 
issue 920,000,000 new ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each at the price of HK$0.0675 per share. The subscription agreement is conditional upon completion of the placing 
of 920,000,000 issued ordinary shares of the Company made by the placing agent on behalf of Rich Concept. The placing of issued shares then held by Rich Concept 
was completed on 22 December 2010 with net proceeds amounting to HK$61,721,000 being remitted to the Company which shall be applied as part settlement as 
subscription money for the new shares to be issued to Rich Concept. The subscription of new shares by Rich Concept was completed on 3 January 2011 (see also note 
29(b)(i)).

Details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcements dated 22 December 2010 and 3 January 2011.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2012

39

Operating activities

  Loss for the year 

  Adjustments for:

Income tax charge (credit) recognised in profit or loss 

  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Impairment loss recognised in respect of exploration and evaluation assets 

Impairment loss recognised in respect of property, plant and equipment 

(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

  Gain on disposal of available-for-sale investments 

Interest income 

Interest expense 

(Gain) loss on derivative component of convertible notes 

  Loss on held-for-trading financial assets 

  Share-based payment expense 

  Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 

(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables 

  Decrease (increase) in other tax receivables 

  Decrease in held-for-trading financial assets 

  Decrease in trade and other payables 

  Decrease in derivative financial instruments 

  Cash used in operations 

  Tax paid 

Net cash used in operating activities 

Investing activities

  Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

  Payment for oil concession rights 

  Proceeds from disposal of available-for-sale investments 

  Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Interest received 

  Additions of exploration and evaluation assets 

  Payment for acquisition of available-for-sale investments 

  Decrease in pledged bank deposits 

  Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary 

Net cash used in investing activities 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

(3,352,040) 

(217,737)

10,351 

37,374 

3,130,106 

132,906 

(962) 

(1,566) 

(6,370) 

33,911 

(378) 

15 

– 

(16,653) 

(48,024) 

13,106 

– 

(2,546) 

– 

(54,117) 

(1,784) 

(7,942)

28,279

–

34,023

1

–

(484)

24,277

10,106

–

7,480

(121,997)

27,867

(29,353)

3,948

(12,040)

(10,596)

(142,171)

–

(55,901) 

(142,171)

(26,552) 

(20,248) 

12,000 

1,503 

43 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(207,987)

–

–

5

484

(57,752)

(10,424)

26,340

1,000

(33,254) 

(248,334)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2012

Financing activities

  Proceeds from issue of new shares 

  New other loans raised 

Interest paid 

  Repayment of other loans 

  Repayment of bank borrowings 

  Expenses on issue of new shares 

  New bank borrowings raised 

  Proceeds from issue of convertible notes 

  Expenses on issue of convertible notes 

  Repayment of promissory notes 

Net cash from financing activities 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year,

  representing bank balances and cash 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

105,300 

39,680 

(24,526) 

(38,000) 

(15,600) 

(4,528) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

78,939

133,873

(17,561)

(93,145)

(135,677)

(1,776)

312,000

62,100

(2,044)

(1,899)

62,326 

334,810

(26,829) 

29,509 

(55,695)

85,204

2,680 

29,509

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

41

1.  GENERAL

The Company is a public limited company incorporated in Bermuda and its shares are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong 

Kong Limited (the “Stock Exchange”). The address of the registered office of the Company is located at Clarendon House, 2 

Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda. The address of the principal place of business of the Company is Room 1401 on 14/F, 

Bank of East Asia Harbour View Centre, 56 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

The  Company  is  an  investment  holding  company.  Its  subsidiaries  are  principally  engaged  in  the  petroleum  exploration  and 

production, metals transactions and trading of petroleum related products.

The functional currency of the Company is United States dollars (“US$”) while the consolidated financial statements are presented 

in Hong Kong dollars (“HK$”).

2.  BASIS OF PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The presentation currency of the consolidated financial statements is HK$. For the convenience of the financial statements users, 

the results and financial position of the Group are presented in HK$ as the Company’s shares are listed on the Stock Exchange.

3.  APPLICATION OF NEW AND REVISED HONG KONG FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (“HKFRSs”)

In the current year, the Group has applied the following amendments to HKFRSs issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified 

Public Accountants (“HKICPA”).

Amendments to HKAS 12 

Amendments to HKFRS 7 

Deferred tax: Recovery of underlying assets

Financial instruments: Disclosures – Transfers of financial assets

The  application  of  the  amendments  to  HKFRSs  in  the  current  year  has  had  no  material  impact  on  the  Group’s  financial 

performance  and  positions  for  the  current  and  prior  years  and/or  on  the  disclosures  set  out  in  these  consolidated  financial 

statements.

42

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

3.  APPLICATION OF NEW AND REVISED HONG KONG FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (“HKFRSs”) – 

CONTINUED

New and revised HKFRSs issued but not yet effective

The Group has not early applied the following new and revised HKFRSs that have been issued but are not yet effective.

Amendments to HKFRSs 

Amendments to HKFRS 7 

Annual improvements to HKFRSs 2009-2011 cycle1

Disclosures – Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities1

Amendments to HKFRS 9 and HKFRS 7 

Mandatory effective date of HKFRS 9 and transition disclosures3

Amendments to HKFRS 10, 

  HKFRS 11 and HKFRS 12 

Amendments to HKFRS 10, 

  HKFRS 12 and HKAS 27

HKFRS 9 

HKFRS 10 

HKFRS 11 

HKFRS 12 

HKFRS 13 

HKAS 19 (as revised in 2011) 

HKAS 27 (as revised in 2011) 

HKAS 28 (as revised in 2011) 

Amendments to HKAS 1 

Amendments to HKAS 32 

HK(IFRIC)-INT 20 

Consolidated financial statements, joint arrangements

  and disclosure of interests in other entities: Transition guidance1

Investment entities2

Financial instruments3

Consolidated financial statements1

Joint arrangements1

Disclosure of interests in other entities1

Fair value measurement1

Employee benefits1

Separate financial statements1

Investments in associates and joint ventures1

Presentation of items of other comprehensive income4

Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities2

Stripping costs in the production phase of a surface mine1

1 
2 
3 
4 

Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013.
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014.
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2012.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

43

3.  APPLICATION OF NEW AND REVISED HONG KONG FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (“HKFRSs”) – 

CONTINUED

New and revised standards on consolidation, joint arrangements, associates and disclosures

In June 2011, a package of five standards on consolidation, joint arrangements, associates and disclosures was issued, including 

HKFRS 10, HKFRS 11, HKFRS 12, HKAS 27 (as revised in 2012) and HKAS 28 (as revised in 2011).

Key requirements of these five standards are described below.

HKFRS 10 replaces the parts of HKAS 27 “Consolidated and separate financial statements” that deal with consolidated financial 

statements and HK(SIC)-INT 12 “Consolidation – Special purpose entities”. HKFRS 10 includes a new definition of control that 

contains  three  elements:  (a)  power  over  an  investee,  (b)  exposure,  or  rights,  to  variable  returns  from  its  involvement  with  the 

investee, and (c) the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s returns. Extensive guidance 

has been added in HKFRS 10 to deal with complex scenarios.

HKFRS  11  replaces  HKAS  31  “Interests  in  joint  ventures”,  HKFRS  11  deals  with  how  a  joint  arrangement  of  which  two  or 

more  parties  have  joint  control  should  be  classified.  HK(SIC)-INT  13  “Jointly  controlled  entities  –  Non-monetary  contributions 

by venturers” will be withdrawn upon the effective date of HKFRS 11. Under HKFRS 11, joint arrangements are classified as 

joint operations or joint ventures, depending on the rights and obligations of the parties to the arrangements. In contrast, under 

HKAS 31, there are three types of joint arrangements: jointly controlled entities, jointly controlled assets and jointly controlled 

operations. In addition, joint ventures under HKFRS 11 are required to be accounted for using the equity method of accounting, 

whereas jointly controlled entities under HKAS 31 can be accounted for using the equity method of accounting or proportionate 

accounting.

HKFRS 12 is a disclosure standard and is applicable to entities that have interests in subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates 

and/or unconsolidated structured entities. In general, the disclosure requirements in HKFRS 12 are more extensive than those in 

the current standards.

In July 2012, the amendments to HKFRS 10, HKFRS 11 and HKFRS 12 were issued to clarify certain transitional guidance on the 

application of these five HKFRSs for the first time.

These  five  standards,  together  with  the  amendments  relating  to  the  transitional  guidance,  are  effective  for  annual  periods 

beginning on or after 1 January 2013 with earlier application permitted provided that all of these standards are applied at the 

same time.

The directors anticipate that these standards will be adopted in the Group’s consolidated financial statements for the annual 

period beginning 1 January 2013 and that under HKFRS 11, the Group’s jointly controlled operations will be classified as joint 

operations, based on the rights and obligations of the parties to the joint arrangement. The application of these five standards will 

not have impact on amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements but will result in more extensive disclosures in the 

consolidated financial statements.

44

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

3.  APPLICATION OF NEW AND REVISED HONG KONG FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (“HKFRSs”) – 

CONTINUED

HKFRS 13 “Fair value measurement”

HKFRS 13 establishes a single source of guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures about fair value measurements. 

This  standard  defines  fair  value,  establishes  a  framework  for  measuring  fair  value,  and  requires  disclosures  about  fair  value 

measurements. The scope of HKFRS 13 is broad; it applies to both financial instrument items and non-financial instrument items 

for which other HKFRSs require or permit fair value measurements and disclosures about fair value measurements, except in 

specified  circumstances.  In  general,  the  disclosure  requirements  in  HKFRS  13  are  more  extensive  than  those  in  the  current 

standards. For example, quantitative and qualitative disclosures based on the three-level fair value hierarchy currently required for 

financial instruments only under HKFRS 7 “Financial instruments: Disclosures” will be extended by HKFRS 13 to cover all assets 

and liabilities within its scope.

HKFRS 13 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013, with earlier application permitted.

The directors anticipate that HKFRS 13 will be adopted in the Group’s consolidated financial statements for the annual period 

beginning 1 January 2013 and that the application of the new standard may affect the amounts reported in the consolidated 

financial statements and result in more extensive disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

The directors of the Company anticipate that the application of the other new and revised HKFRSs will have no material impact on 

the results and financial position of the Group.

Amendments to HKAS 1 “Presentation of items of other comprehensive income”

The amendments to HKAS 1 “Presentation of items of other comprehensive income” introduce new terminology for the statement 

of comprehensive income and income statement. Under the amendments to HKAS 1, a ‘statement of comprehensive income’ is 

renamed as a ‘statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income’ and an ‘income statement’ is renamed as a ‘statement 

of profit or loss’. The amendments to HKAS 1 retain the option to present profit or loss and other comprehensive income in either 

a single statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. However, the amendments to HKAS 1 require items of other 

comprehensive income to be grouped into two categories: (a) items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss; and 

(b) items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss when specific conditions are met. Income tax on items of other 

comprehensive income is required to be allocated on the same basis – the amendments do not change the option to present 

items of other comprehensive income either before tax or net of tax.

The amendments to HKAS 1 are effective for the Group for the annual period beginning on 1 January 2013. The presentation 

of items of other comprehensive income will be modified accordingly when the amendments are applied in future accounting 

periods.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

45

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards issued 

by the HKICPA. In addition, the consolidated financial statements include applicable disclosures required by the Rules Governing 

the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange and by the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for certain financial instruments, 

that are measured at fair value, as explained in the accounting policies set out below. Historical cost is generally based on the fair 

value of the consideration given in exchange for goods.

The principal accounting policies are set out below.

Basis of consolidation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  incorporate  the  financial  statements  of  the  Company  and  entities  controlled  by  the 

Company (its subsidiaries). Control is achieved where the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies 

of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Income  and  expenses  of  subsidiaries  acquired  or  disposed  of  during  the  year  are  included  in  the  consolidated  statement  of 

comprehensive income from the effective date of acquisition and up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate.

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with 

those used by other members of the Group.

All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation.

Joint ventures

Jointly controlled operations

When a group entity undertakes its activities under joint venture arrangements directly, constituted as jointly controlled operations, 

the assets and liabilities arising from those jointly controlled operations are recognised in the consolidated statement of financial 

position of the relevant entity on an accrual basis and classified according to the nature of the item. The Group’s share of the 

income from jointly controlled operations, together with the expenses that it incurs are included in the consolidated statement 

of comprehensive income when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transactions will flow to/from the 

Group and their amount can be measured reliably.

46

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods 

sold in the normal course of business, net of discounts and sales related taxes.

Revenue from sale of goods is recognised when the goods are delivered and title has passed.

Interest income from a financial asset excluding financial assets at fair value through profit or loss is accrued on a time basis, 

by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts 

the estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount on initial 

recognition.

Income from rendering of services, including procurement services, is recognised when the services are provided.

Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders’ rights to receive payment have been established.

Property, plant and equipment

Oil and gas properties

Oil  and  gas  properties  are  stated  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  at  cost  less  subsequent  accumulated 

depletion, depreciation and amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. The successful efforts method of accounting 

is used for oil and gas properties. Under this method, all costs for developed wells, support equipment and facilities, and for 

acquiring proven mineral interests in oil and gas properties are capitalised in oil and gas properties. Costs of exploratory wells are 

capitalised as construction in progress pending determination of whether the wells are found with proven oil and gas reserves. 

Proven oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and oil, with geological and engineering data 

to demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and 

operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made.

Exploratory  wells  in  areas  not  requiring  major  capital  expenditures  are  evaluated  for  economic  viability  within  one  year  of 

completion  of  drilling.  The  related  well  costs  are  expensed  as  dry  holes  if  it  is  determined  that  such  economic  viability  is  not 

attained. Otherwise, the related well costs are reclassified to oil and gas properties and are subject to impairment review. For 

exploratory wells that are found to have economically viable reserves in areas where major capital expenditure will be required 

before production can commence, the related well costs remain capitalised in construction in progress only if additional drilling is 

underway or firmly planned. Otherwise the related well costs are expensed as dry holes. The Group does not have any significant 

costs of unproved properties capitalised in oil and gas properties.

Depletion, depreciation and amortisation of capitalised costs of oil and gas properties is calculated on the unit-of-production 

basis over the total proven reserves of the relevant area. The unit-of-production rate for depletion, depreciation and amortisation 

of oil and gas properties, also takes into account the expenditure incurred to date, together with projected future development 

expenditure and the volume of oil and gas produced in the current year.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

47

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Property, plant and equipment – continued

Construction in progress

Construction in progress includes property, plant and equipment for production or for its own use purposes. Construction in 

progress is stated in the consolidated statement of financial position at cost less any recognised impairment loss. Construction 

in process in respect of exploratory wells is classified to oil and gas properties when production of oil starts. Construction  in 

progress in respect of other assets is classified to the appropriate category of property, plant and equipment when construction 

is completed and the asset is ready for intended use. Depreciation of these assets on the same basis as other property assets, 

commences when the assets are ready for their intended use.

Other property, plant and equipment

Property,  plant  and  equipment  other  than  oil  and  gas  properties  and  construction  in  progress  are  stated  in  the  consolidated 

statement of financial position at cost less subsequent accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment other than oil and gas properties 

and  construction  in  progress  less  their  residual  values  over  their  estimated  useful  lives,  using  the  straight-line  method.  The 

estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of the reporting period, with the effect of 

any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to 

arise from the continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an item of property, plant and 

equipment is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is included in 

profit or loss.

Exploration and evaluation assets

Exploration and evaluation assets are recognised at cost on initial recognition. Subsequent to initial recognition, exploration and 

evaluation assets are stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Costs of exploratory wells (pipelines, drilling cost 

and others) are capitalised pending the determination of whether sufficient quantities of potentially economic oil and gas reserves 

have been discovered. The related well costs are expensed if it is determined that such economic viability is not attained within 

one year of completion of drilling.

Exploration  and  evaluation  assets  include  the  cost  of  exploration  rights  and  the  expenditures  incurred  in  search  for  natural 

resources as well as the determination of the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting those resources.

When  the  technical  feasibility  and  commercial  viability  of  extracting  natural  resources  become  demonstrable,  previously 

recognised exploration and evaluation assets are reclassified as construction in progress oil and gas properties. These assets are 

assessed for impairment before reclassification.

48

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Exploration and evaluation assets – continued

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

The carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation assets is reviewed annually and adjusted for impairment loss in accordance 

with HKAS 36 “Impairment of assets” and whenever one of the following events or changes in circumstances indicates that the 

carrying amount may not be recoverable:

• 

the period for which the Group has the right to explore in the specific area has expired during the period or will expire in the 

near future, and is not expected to be renewed.

• 

substantive expenditure on further exploration for and evaluation of natural resources in the specific area is neither budgeted 

nor planned.

• 

exploration for and evaluation of natural resources in the specific area have not led to the discovery of commercially viable 

quantities of natural resources and the Group has decided to discontinue such activities in the specific area.

• 

sufficient data exist to indicate that, although a development in the specific area is likely to proceed, the carrying amount of 

the exploration and evaluation asset is unlikely to be recovered in full from successful development or by sale.

An impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss whenever the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

Impairment of tangible assets

At  the  end  of  the  reporting  period,  the  Group  reviews  the  carrying  amounts  of  its  assets  to  determine  whether  there  is  any 

indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than 

its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as 

an expense immediately. When it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates 

the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Where a reasonable and consistent basis of 

allocation can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated 

to the smallest group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its 

recoverable  amount,  but  so  that  the  increased  carrying  amount  does  not  exceed  the  carrying  amount  that  would  have  been 

determined  had  no  impairment  loss  been  recognised  for  the  asset  (or  a  cash-generating  unit)  in  prior  years.  A  reversal  of  an 

impairment loss is recognised as income immediately.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

49

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position when a group entity 

becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the 

acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through 

profit or loss) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial 

recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through 

profit or loss are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Financial assets

The Group’s financial assets comprise financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”), available-for-sale financial 

assets and loans and receivables. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial asset and is determined 

at the time of initial recognition. All regular way purchases or sales of financial assets are recognised and derecognised on a trade 

date basis. Regular way purchases or sales are purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within the 

time frame established by regulation or convention in the marketplace.

Effective interest method

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating interest income 

over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts (including all 

fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or 

discounts) through the expected life of the financial asset, or, where appropriate, a shorter period to the net carrying amount on 

initial recognition.

Interest income is recognised on an effective interest basis for debt instruments other than those financial assets classified as at 

FVTPL, of which interest income is excluded from net gains or losses.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at FVTPL has two subcategories, including financial assets held for trading and those designated at FVTPL on 

initial recognition.

A financial asset is classified as held for trading if:

• 

• 

it has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the near future; or

it is a part of an identified portfolio of financial instruments that the Group manages together and has a recent actual pattern 

of short-term profit-taking; or

• 

it is a derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument.

Financial assets at FVTPL are measured at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on remeasurement recognised in profit or 

loss. The net gain or loss recognised in profit or loss excludes any dividend or interest earned on the financial assets.

50

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Financial instruments – continued

Financial assets – continued

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active 

market. Loans and receivables (including trade and other receivables and bank balances and cash) are carried at amortised cost 

using the effective interest method, less any identified impairment losses.

Available-for-sale financial assets

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated or not classified as financial assets at FVTPL, 

loans and receivables or held-to-maturity investments.

Equity held by the Group that are classified as available-for-sale (“AFS”) and are traded in an active market are measured at fair 

value at the end of the reporting period. Changes in the carrying amount of AFS assets are recognised in other comprehensive 

income  and  accumulated  under  the  heading  of  investments  revaluation  reserve.  When  the  investment  is  disposed  of  or  is 

determined  to  be  impaired,  the  cumulative  gain  or  loss  previously  accumulated  in  the  investments  revaluation  reserve  is 

reclassified to profit or loss.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets, other than those at FVTPL, are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of the reporting period. Financial 

assets are considered to be impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after 

the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the financial assets have been impacted.

For financial assets, objective evidence of impairment could include:

• 

• 

• 

• 

significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or

default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or

it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organisation; or

disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial difficulties.

An impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss when there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired, and is measured as 

the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the 

financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception 

of trade receivables, where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account. Changes in the carrying 

amount of the allowance account are recognised in profit or loss. When a trade receivable is considered uncollectible, it is written 

off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited to profit or loss.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

51

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Financial instruments – continued

Impairment of financial assets – continued

When an available-for-sale financial asset is considered to be impaired, cumulative gains or losses previously recognised in other 

comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss in the period in which the impairment takes place.

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event 

occurring after the impairment loss was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss 

to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortised 

cost would have been had the impairment not been recognised.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments

Financial  liabilities  and  equity  instruments  issued  by  a  group  entity  are  classified  as  either  financial  liabilities  or  as  equity  in 

accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into and the definitions of a financial liability and as equity 

instrument.

Equity instruments

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. 

Equity instruments issued by the Group are recognised at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Repurchase of the Company’s own equity instruments is recognised and deducted directly in equity. No gain or loss is recognised 

in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Company’s own equity instruments.

Effective interest method

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense 

over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments (including 

all fees and points or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or 

discounts) through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on 

initial recognition. Interest expense is recognised on an effective interest basis.

Convertible notes contains liability component and conversion option derivative

Convertible notes issued by the Group contain both liability and conversion option components. Conversion option that will be 

settled other than by the exchange of a fixed amount of cash or another financial asset for a fixed number of the Company’s own 

equity instruments is a conversion option derivative. At the date of issue, both the liability and conversion option components are 

recognised at fair value.

In subsequent periods, the liability component of the convertible notes is carried at amortised cost using the effective interest 

method. The conversion option derivative is measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

Transaction costs that relate to the issue of the convertible notes are allocated to the liability and conversion option components 

in proportion to their relative fair values. Transaction costs relating to the conversion option derivative is charged to profit or loss 

immediately. Transaction costs relating to the liability component are included in the carrying amount of the liability portion and 

amortised over the period of the convertible notes using the effective interest method.

52

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Financial instruments – continued

Financial liabilities and equity instruments – continued

Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date derivative contracts are entered into and are subsequently remeasured 

to their fair value at the end of the reporting period. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately.

Financial guarantee contracts

A financial guarantee contract is a contract that requires the issuer to make specified payments to reimburse the holder for a loss 

it incurs because a specified debtor fails to make payment when due in accordance with the original or modified terms of a debt 

instrument.

A financial guarantee contract issued by the Group and not designated as at fair value through profit or loss is recognised initially 

at its fair value less transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issue of the financial guarantee contract. Subsequent 

to  initial  recognition,  the  Group  measures  the  financial  guarantee  contract  at  the  higher  of:  (i)  the  amount  of  obligation  under 

contract, as determined in accordance with HKAS 37 “Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets”; and (ii) the amount 

initially recognised less, when appropriate, cumulative amortisation recognised in accordance with the revenue recognition policy.

Other financial liabilities

Financial liabilities including trade and other payables, liability component of convertible notes and bank and other borrowings are 

subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method.

Derecognition

The Group derecognises a financial asset only 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 entity. If the Group 

neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, 

the Group continues to recognise the asset to the extent of its continuing involvement and recognises an associated liability. 

If the Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Group continues to 

recognise the financial asset and also recognises a collateralised borrowing for the proceeds received.

On  derecognition  of  a  financial  asset,  the  difference  between  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  and  the  sum  of  the  consideration 

received and receivable and the cumulative gain or loss that had been recognised in other comprehensive income is recognised 

in profit or loss.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the obligation specified in the relevant contract is discharged, cancelled or expires. 

The  difference  between  the  carrying  amount  of  the  financial  liability  derecognised  and  the  consideration  paid  and  payable  is 

recognised in profit or loss.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

53

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Share-based payment transactions

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions

Share options granted to employees

The fair value of services received determined by reference to the fair value of share options granted at the grant date is expensed 

on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with a corresponding increase in equity (share options reserve).

At the end of the reporting period, the Group revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to ultimately vest. 

The impact of the revision of the original estimates during the vesting period, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the 

cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to share options reserve.

When the share options are exercised, the amount previously recognised in share options reserve will be transferred to share 

premium. When the share options are forfeited after the vesting date or are still not exercised at the expiry date, the amount 

previously recognised in share options reserve will continue to be held in share options reserve.

Share options granted to other suppliers of goods and services

Share options issued in exchange for goods or services are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received, unless 

the fair value cannot be reliably measured, in which case the goods or services received are measured by reference to the fair 

value of the share options granted. The fair value of the goods or services are recognised as expenses with a corresponding 

increase in equity, when the Group obtains the goods or when the counterparties render services, unless the goods or services 

qualify for recognition as assets.

Taxation

Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit before taxation as reported in the 

consolidated statement of comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible 

in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated 

using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated 

financial statements and the corresponding tax base used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally 

recognised  for  all  taxable  temporary  differences.  Deferred  tax  assets  are  generally  recognised  for  all  deductible  temporary 

differences  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  taxable  profits  will  be  available  against  which  those  deductible  temporary 

differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from 

the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the 

taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred  tax  liabilities  are  recognised  for  taxable  temporary  differences  associated  with  investments  in  subsidiaries,  and 

interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable 

that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary 

differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that there will be 

sufficient taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the 

foreseeable future.

54

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Taxation – continued

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of the reporting period and reduced to the extent that it is no 

longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is 

settled or the asset is realised, based on tax rate (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the 

reporting period.

The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which 

the Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Current  and  deferred  tax  are  recognised  in  profit  or  loss,  except  when  it  relates  to  items  that  are  recognised  in  other 

comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the current and deferred tax is also recognised in other comprehensive 

income  or  directly  in  equity  respectively.  Where  current  tax  or  deferred  tax  arises  from  initial  accounting  for  a  business 

combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.

Retirement benefits costs

Payments  to  state-managed  retirement  benefit  schemes  and  Mandatory  Provident  Fund  Schemes  (“MPF  Schemes”)  are 

recognised as an expense when employees have rendered service entitling them to the contributions.

Leasing

Leases are classified as finance lease whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership 

to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

The Group as lessee

Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the term, except where another systematic 

basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognised as a liability. The 

aggregate benefit of incentives is recognised as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis, except where another 

systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

Foreign currencies

In preparing the financial statements of each individual group entity, transactions in currencies other than the functional currency 

of that entity (foreign currencies) are recorded in the respective functional currency at the rates of exchange prevailing on the 

dates of the transactions. At the end of the reporting period, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated 

at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not 

retranslated.

Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items, and on the retranslation of monetary items, are included in 

profit or loss for the period in which they arise.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

55

4.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

Foreign currencies – continued

For the purposes of presenting the consolidated financial statements in Hong Kong dollars, the assets and liabilities of the group 

entities are translated into Hong Kong dollars using exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period. Income and 

expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange rates fluctuated significantly during 

the  period,  in  which  case  the  exchange  rates  at  the  dates  of  the  transactions  are  used.  Exchange  differences  arising,  if  any, 

are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity under the heading of translation reserve. Translation 

differences relating to a foreign operation are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which the foreign operation is disposed 

of.

Borrowing costs

Borrowing  costs  directly  attributable  to  the  acquisition,  construction  or  production  of  qualifying  assets,  which  are  assets  that 

necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, 

until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. Investment income earned on the temporary 

investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for 

capitalisation.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

Government grants

Government  grants  are  not  recognised  until  there  is  reasonable  assurance  that  the  Group  will  comply  with  the  conditions 

attaching to them and that the grants will be received.

Government grants that are receivable as compensation for expenses or losses already incurred or for the purpose of giving 

immediate financial support to the Group with no future related costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they 

become receivable.

Assets retirement obligation

The Group is required to make payments for restoration and rehabilitation of the land at the end of the productive life of oil and 

gas fields. Provision for restoration cost is required when the Group has a present obligation as a result of past event, and it is 

probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation. Provision is measured in accordance with the relevant rules and 

regulations applicable in the relevant jurisdictions at the end of the reporting period, and is discounted to their present value where 

the effect is material.

Restoration  cost  is  recorded  in  the  period  in  which  the  obligation  is  identified  and  is  capitalised  to  the  costs  of  oil  and  gas 

properties.  This  cost  is  charged  to  profit  or  loss  through  amortisation  of  the  assets,  which  are  amortised  using  the  unit-of-

production  method  based  on  the  actual  production  volume  over  the  estimated  total  proved  and  probable  reserves  of  the 

developed wells.

56

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

5.  KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

The key sources of estimation uncertainty at the end of the reporting period, that have a significant risk of causing a material 

adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are discussed below.

Estimated impairment of trade and other receivables

Allowance for trade and other receivables is made based on the evaluation of collectability and ageing analysis of accounts. When 

there is objective evidence of impairment loss, the Group takes into consideration the estimation of future cash flows. The amount 

of impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future 

cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest 

rate (i.e. the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition). Where the actual future cash flows are less than expected, 

a material impairment loss may arise. As at 31 December 2012, the aggregate carrying amount of trade and other receivables 

(excluding prepayments to other suppliers) is HK$232,188,000 (2011: HK$30,013,000).

Estimation of petroleum reserves

Petroleum reserves are key elements in the Group’s investment decision-making process. They are also an important element in 

determining the amount of depreciation for oil and gas properties and for testing impairment of property, plant and equipment and 

exploration and evaluation assets. Changes in proven oil and gas reserves, particularly proved developed reserves, will affect unit-

of-production depletion, depreciation and amortisation recorded in the Group’s consolidated financial statements for property, 

plant and equipment related to oil and gas production activities. A reduction in proven developed reserves will increase depletion, 

depreciation and amortisation charges (assuming constant production) and reduce net profit or increase net loss. Proved reserve 

estimates  are  subject  to  revision,  either  upward  or  downward,  based  on  new  information,  such  as  from  development  drilling 

and production activities or from changes in economic factors, including product prices, contract terms or development plans. 

In  general,  changes  in  the  technical  maturity  of  oil  and  gas  reserves  resulting  from  new  information  becoming  available  from 

development and production activities have tended to be the most significant cause of annual revisions.

Impairment of oil and gas properties

The carrying amounts of the oil and gas properties are assessed for impairment when facts and circumstances suggest that the 

carrying amounts of the oil and gas properties may exceed their recoverable amounts. The Group’s determination as to whether 

the  oil  and  gas  properties  are  impaired  requires  an  estimation  of  the  recoverable  amount  of  the  assets.  The  Group  relies  on 

experts to assess the geological prospects for the discovery of oil and gas in the oil field and estimates the value of oil and gas to 

be produced in the future at a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value. For drilling costs and other exploration 

and evaluation assets, the Group determines whether the related well costs are expensed if it is determined that such economic 

viability is not attained after performing further feasibility studies that is usually completed within one year of completion of drilling. 

The Group’s carrying value of oil and gas properties as at 31 December 2012 was HK$203,574,000 (2011: HK$253,768,000).

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

57

5.  KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY – CONTINUED

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

The  carrying  amounts  of  the  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  are  assessed  for  impairment  when  facts  and  circumstances 

suggest that the carrying amounts of the exploration and evaluation assets may exceed their recoverable amounts. The future 

recoverability of exploration and evaluation expenditure is dependent on a number of factors, including the level of proved and 

probable petroleum reserves, future technological changes which could impact the cost of drilling, future changes relevant to 

regulations on exploration, drilling and production of oil and gas in Argentina, changes to the commodity prices, future drilling plan 

of the Group and the ability of raising financing to meet the drilling plan. The Group’s determination as to whether the exploration 

and evaluation assets are impaired requires an estimation of the recoverable amount of the assets. The directors of the Company 

exercise their judgement in estimating the recoverable amount. Where the recoverable amount is less than expected, a material 

impairment loss may arise.

During the year ended 31 December 2012, the management decided to delay its drilling plan until the local political and economic 

outlook improve to more favourable conditions. This change has a significant impact on the related expected future cash flows 

from operation; therefore the management has assessed the impairment of the exploration and evaluation assets. The critical 

factors that the management assessed were the delay of the overall drilling plan and the discount rate used for the cash flow 

forecast. The Group’s carrying value of exploration and evaluation assets as at 31 December 2012 was HK$648,468,000 (2011: 

HK$3,837,156,000).  During  the  year  ended  31  December  2012,  an  impairment  loss  of  HK$3,130,106,000  (2011:  nil)  was 

recognised in respect of the exploration and evaluation assets. The recoverable amount of the exploration and evaluation assets 

was determined on the basis of value in use. Details of these are set out in note 17(a).

Fair value of embedded conversion option of convertible notes

The directors of the Company use their judgment in selecting an appropriate valuation technique to determine the fair value of 

embedded conversion option of the convertible notes which are not quoted in an active market. Valuation techniques commonly 

used by market practitioners are applied. The fair values of these derivative financial liabilities are determined at the end of the 

reporting period with movements in fair value recognised in profit or loss. In estimating the fair value of these derivative financial 

liabilities, the Group uses independent valuation which is based on various inputs and estimates based on quoted market rates 

and adjusted for specific features of the instrument (see note 27). If the inputs and estimates applied in the model are different, the 

carrying amount of these derivative financial liabilities will change. The carrying value of the conversion option of the convertible 

notes as at 31 December 2012 was HK$4,934,000 (2011: HK$17,664,000).

6.  REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

Revenue represents the amounts received or receivable for goods sold by the Group to customers, less return, discounts and 

sales related taxes. An analysis of the Group’s revenue for the year is as follows:

Sales of goods

  – petroleum 

  – petroleum related products 

Income from metals transactions (note) 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

80,854 

– 

5,828 

86,682 

42,554

577,246

–

619,800

Note:  The sales and purchase contracts of the metals transactions entered into during the year ended 31 December 2012 are for the purpose of procurement of the 
metals for the Group’s customers and accordingly, the differences between the sales and purchase prices represent the income earned by the Group for its 
services rendered.

 
 
 
58

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

6.  REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION – CONTINUED

Segment information

Information is reported to the Chief Executive Officer, being the chief operating decision maker, for the purposes of resource 

allocation and assessment of segment performance.

For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into three operating divisions namely petroleum exploration and 

production,  trading  of  petroleum  related  products  and  metals  transactions.  No  operating  segments  identified  by  the  chief 

operating decision maker have been aggregated in arriving at the reportable segments of the Group.

The Group’s operating and reportable segments under HKFRS 8 “Operating segments” are as follows:

Petroleum exploration and production 

Trading of petroleum related products 

Metals transactions 

– 

– 

– 

exploration and production of petroleum

trading of chemical products related to petroleum

trading of non-ferrous metals and entering into

  non-ferrous metals sales and purchase contracts

for procurement of the metals for customers

The Group did not enter into any transaction within the trading of petroleum related products segment during the year ended 31 

December 2012 as the market conditions for trading of these products in the relevant periods was not considered favourable for 

the Group to enter into such trading transactions.

Segment revenue and results

The following is an analysis of the Group’s revenue and results by reportable segments:

Year ended 31 December 2012

Petroleum 

Trading of

exploration 

petroleum

and 

related 

Metals

production 

products 

transactions 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

80,854 

– 

80,854 

(5,463) 

(3,263,012) 

(3,268,475) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

468,032 

548,886

(462,204) 

(462,204)

5,828 

86,682

(148) 

(5,611)

– 

(3,263,012)

(148) 

(3,268,623)

1,724

(39,865)

(34,925)

(3,341,689)

Segment revenue (external sales) 

Less: Cost of metals transactions 

Revenue as presented in the consolidated 

  statement of comprehensive income 

Result

  Segment results excluding impairment 

Impairment loss recognised 

Segment loss 

Unallocated other gains and losses 

Unallocated corporate expenses 

Finance costs 

Loss before taxation 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

59

6.  REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION – CONTINUED

Segment revenue and results – continued

Year ended 31 December 2011

Petroleum 

exploration 

Trading of

petroleum

and 

related 

Metals

production 

products 

transactions 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

Segment revenue (external sales) 

42,554 

577,246 

– 

619,800

Result

  Segment results excluding impairment 

Impairment loss recognised 

Segment profit (loss) 

Unallocated other gains and losses 

Unallocated corporate expenses 

Finance costs 

Loss before taxation 

(63,538) 

(34,023) 

(97,561) 

1,353 

– 

1,353 

41 

– 

41 

(62,144)

(34,023)

(96,167)

(16,365)

(78,468)

(34,679)

(225,679)

The  accounting  policies  of  the  reportable  segments  are  the  same  as  the  Group’s  accounting  policies  described  in  note  4. 

Segment profit (loss) represent the profit earned (loss made) by each segment without allocation of interest income, change in fair 

value of financial assets/liabilities classified as convertible notes and held-for-trading, central administrative expenses and finance 

costs. This is the measure reported to the Chief Executive Officer, the Group’s chief operating decision maker, for the purposes of 

resource allocation and performance assessment.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

6.  REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION – CONTINUED

Segment assets and liabilities

The following is an analysis of the Group’s assets and liabilities by reportable segments:

Segment assets

Petroleum exploration and production 

Trading of petroleum related products 

Metals transactions 

Total segment assets 

Unallocated 

Consolidated assets 

Segment liabilities

Petroleum exploration and production 

Metals transactions 

Total segment liabilities 

Unallocated 

Consolidated liabilities 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

867,089 

– 

201,014 

1,068,103 

68,604 

4,208,230

156,238

–

4,364,468

160,723

1,136,707 

4,525,191

46,378 

16,781 

63,159 

399,946 

463,105 

145,697

–

145,697

460,553

606,250

For the purposes of monitoring segment performances and allocating resources between segments:

– 

all  assets  are  allocated  to  reportable  segments  other  than  deferred  tax  assets,  other  tax  recoverable,  held-for-trading 

investments, available-for-sale investments and assets used jointly by reportable segments.

– 

all  liabilities  are  allocated  to  reportable  segments  other  than  deferred  tax  liabilities,  convertible  notes,  borrowings  and 

liabilities for which reportable segments are jointly liable.

 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

61

6.  REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION – CONTINUED

Other segment information

Year ended 31 December 2012

Petroleum 

Trading of

exploration 

petroleum

and 

related 

Metals 

production 

products 

transactions  Unallocated 

Segment

total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

26,321 

37,265 

3,130,106 

132,906 

207,986 

28,089 

34,023 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

4 

– 

– 

– 

1 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(41) 

231 

108 

26,552

37,374

– 

3,130,106

– 

132,906

1 

186 

207,987

28,279

– 

– 

34,023

(41)

Amounts included in the measure

  of segment profit or loss or

  segment assets:

Capital additions 

Depreciation 

Impairment loss recognised in

respect of exploration and

  evaluation assets 

Impairment loss recognised in

respect of property, plant and

  equipment 

Year ended 31 December 2011

Amounts included in the measure

  of segment profit or loss or

  segment assets:

Capital additions 

Depreciation 

Impairment loss recognised in

respect of property, plant and

  equipment 

Gain on change in fair value of

  derivative financial instruments 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

6.  REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION – CONTINUED

Geographical information

The Group’s operations are located in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), Hong Kong and Argentina.

The Group’s revenue from external customers based on the location of customers and information about its non-current assets 

by geographical location of the assets are detailed below:

Argentina 

PRC 

Hong Kong 

Revenue from 

external customers 

Non-current

assets

2012 

2011 

2012 

2011

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

80,854 

3,660 

2,168 

42,554 

577,246 

– 

852,623 

4,177,491

– 

301 

–

508

86,682 

619,800 

852,924 

4,177,999

Non-current assets excluded deferred tax assets and other tax recoverable.

Information about major customers

Revenues from customers of the corresponding years contributing over 10% of the total sales of the Group are as follows:

Customer A1 

Customer B2 

Customer C2 

Customer D2 

Customer E2 

Customer F2 

Customer G2 

1 
2 

Revenue from petroleum exploration and production.
Revenue from trading of petroleum related products.

2012 

HK$’000 

80,854 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2011

HK$’000

–

169,149

93,362

88,725

85,320

71,829

68,861

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

63

7.  COST OF SALES

Cost of sales included HK$73,291,000 (2011: HK$617,661,000), representing cost of inventories recognised as expenses.

8.  OTHER GAINS AND LOSSES

Bank interest income 

Other interest income 

Imputed interest on other tax recoverable 

Total interest income 

Gain (loss) on derivative component of convertible notes 

Fair value loss on held-for-trading financial assets (note a) 

Fair value gain on derivative financial instruments 

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Gain on disposal of available-for-sale investments 

Government grants (note b) 

Others 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

– 

43 

6,327 

6,370 

378 

(15) 

– 

363 

962 

1,566 

14,746 

747 

24,754 

484

–

–

484

(10,106)

(6,743)

41

(16,808)

–

–

–

3,359

(12,965)

Notes:

(a) 

The amount in 2011 included a loss of HK$6,566,000 incurred upon disposal of held-for-trading securities pledged as securities for a loan from an independent 
third party.

(b) 

The amount represented government subsidy obtained for the Group’s oil exploration and production in Argentina.

 
 
 
 
64

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

9.  OTHER EXPENSES

Expenses incurred in exploring potential investment opportunities 

Impairment loss recognised in respect of property, plant and equipment 

Irrecoverable value-added tax expense (note 20) 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

10.  FINANCE COSTS

Interest on borrowings wholly repayable within five years:

  Bank borrowings and overdrafts 

  Promissory notes 

  Other loans 

Interest on borrowings not wholly repayable within five years:

  Bank borrowings 

Effective interest expense on convertible notes (note 27) 

Compensation charge for late payments to supplier in relation to

  petroleum exploration and production 

Total interest expense 

Loan arrangement fees for other loans 

Arrangement fee paid for share mortgage provided by Rakata Limited

(as defined in note 26(d)) (note 40) 

Share-based payment expense for loan arrangement 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

17,331 

132,906 

3,616 

– 

153,853 

49,984

34,023

12,124

1

96,132

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

2 

– 

7,973 

13,281 

9,031 

3,624 

33,911 

1,014 

– 

– 

10,097

22

6,960

2,699

4,499

–

24,277

1,496

2,340

6,566

34,925 

34,679

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11.  TAXATION

The (charge) credit comprises:

Current tax:

  Hong Kong 

  Other jurisdictions 

Underprovision in prior years:

  Hong Kong 

Deferred tax (charge) credit (note 19) 

Total (charge) credit 

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

65

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

– 

(1,026) 

(1,026) 

(311) 

(1,337) 

(9,014) 

(10,351) 

–

(777)

(777)

–

(777)

8,719

7,942

Hong Kong Profits Tax is calculated at 16.5% of the estimated assessable profit for both years.

No provision for Hong Kong Profits Tax has been made as there is no assessable profit arising in Hong Kong in both years.

Argentina income tax is calculated at 35% of assessable profit for the year. No provision for Argentina income tax has been made 

as there is no assessable profit arising in Argentina in both years. However, a minimum presumptive tax is levied on all assets 

located in Argentina or in foreign countries owned by companies domiciled in Argentina or branches of foreign companies located 

in Argentina. The tax rate is 1% on the assessable assets.

Taxation arising in other jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the relevant jurisdictions.

The taxation for the year can be reconciled to the loss before taxation per the consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

as follows:

Loss before taxation 

Tax at the applicable rates of 16.5% (2011: 16.5%) 

Tax effect of income not taxable for tax purpose 

Tax effect of expenses not deductible for tax purpose 

Tax effect of tax losses not recognised as deferred tax asset 

Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions 

Others 

Tax (charge) credit for the year 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

(3,341,689) 

(225,679)

551,379 

5,426 

(549,319) 

(9,536) 

(8,056) 

(245) 

(10,351) 

37,237

105

(18,679)

(13,422)

2,806

(105)

7,942

At 31 December 2012, the Group had unused tax losses of HK$232,348,000 (2011: HK$174,909,000) available for offset against 

future profits. Deferred tax asset in respect of HK$28,200,000 of the unused tax losses had been recognised as at 31 December 

2011. The corresponding deferred tax asset of HK$9,870,000 has been reversed in full as at 31 December 2012. No deferred 

tax asset has been recognised in respect of the remaining unused tax losses due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. 

Included in unused tax losses are losses of HK$105,542,000 (2011: HK$70,854,000) that will expire in 2015 to 2017 (2011: 2015 

to 2016). All other tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely.

 
 
 
 
 
 
66

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

12.  LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Loss for the year has been arrived at after charging:

Directors’ remuneration (note 13) 

Other staff’s retirement benefits costs 

Other staff share-based payment expense 

Other staff costs 

Total staff costs 

Auditor’s remuneration 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Exchange loss, net 

Minimum lease payments under operating leases in respect

  of office properties and buildings 

13.  DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMOLUMENTS

Fees 

Other emoluments

  Salaries and other benefits 

  Share-based payments 

  Retirement benefits scheme contributions 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

2,939 

130 

– 

13,840 

16,909 

3,050 

37,374 

8,878 

5,907

421

895

19,675

26,898

3,050

28,279

4,657

3,289 

4,389

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

450 

2,462 

– 

27 

2,939 

458

5,396

19

34

5,907

 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

67

13.  DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMOLUMENTS – CONTINUED

The emoluments paid or payable to each of the five (2011: nine) directors and the chief executive were as follows:

Salaries 

and other 

benefits 

HK$’000 

Fees 

HK$’000 

Other emoluments

Share- 

based 

Retirement

benefits

scheme

payments 

contributions 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

– 

– 

150 

150 

150 

450 

– 

– 

– 

– 

37 

84 

37 

150 

150 

458 

910 

1,552 

– 

– 

– 

2,462 

1,210 

1,020 

3,058 

108 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

5,396 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

19 

19 

14 

13 

– 

– 

– 

27 

12 

8 

12 

2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

924

1,565

150

150

150

2,939

1,222

1,028

3,070

110

37

84

37

150

169

34 

5,907

2012

Name 

Executive directors

  Chu Kwok Chi, Robert 

  Hong Kin Choy 

Independent non-executive directors

  Cheung Yuk Ming 

  Qian Zhi Hui 

  Zhu Tiansheng 

Total emoluments 

2011

Executive directors

  Chu Kwok Chi, Robert 

  Hong Kin Choy (note a) 

  Wong Chi Wing, Joseph (note b) 

  Zhou Jacky (note c) 

Non-executive director

  Leung Hon Chuen (note d) 

Independent non-executive directors

  Cheung Yuk Ming (note e) 

  Poon Kwok Shin (note f) 

  Qian Zhi Hui 

  Zhu Tiansheng 

Total emoluments 

Notes:

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 

Appointed on 1 May 2011.
Resigned on 20 December 2011.
Resigned on 16 February 2011.
Resigned on 17 March 2011.
Appointed on 10 June 2011.
Resigned on 11 March 2011.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

13.  DIRECTORS’ AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMOLUMENTS – CONTINUED

Chu Kwok Chi, Robert is also the chief executive of the Company in 2012 and his emoluments disclosed above include those for 

services rendered by him as the chief executive.

Wong Chi Wing, Joseph was the chief executive of the Company in 2011 and his emoluments disclosed above include those for 

services rendered by him as the chief executive.

There was no arrangement under which a director and the chief executive waived or agreed to waive remuneration during both 

years. In addition, no remuneration was paid by the Group to any of the directors and the chief executive as an inducement to 

join, or upon joining the Group or as compensation for loss of office.

14.  EMPLOYEES’ EMOLUMENTS

Of the five individuals with the highest emoluments in the Group, two (2011: two) were directors and the chief executive of the 

Company whose emoluments are included in the disclosures in note 13. The emoluments of the remaining three (2011: three) 

individuals, nil (2011: one) of whom was appointed as an executive director during the year, were as follows:

Salaries and other benefits 

Retirement benefits scheme contributions 

Their emoluments were within the following bands:

HK$nil to HK$1,000,000 

HK$1,000,001 to HK$1,500,000 

HK$1,500,001 to HK$2,000,000 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

2,749 

14 

2,763 

3,778

24

3,802

2012 

No. of 

2011

No. of

employees 

employees

3 

– 

– 

1

1

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

69

15.  DIVIDEND

No dividend was paid or declared during 2012 (2011: nil), nor has any dividend been proposed since the end of the reporting 

period (2011: nil).

16.  LOSS PER SHARE

The calculation of the basic and diluted loss per share attributable to owners of the Company is based on the following data:

Loss

Loss for the purposes of basic and diluted loss per share

(loss for the year attributable to owners of the Company) 

Number of shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the

  purposes of basic and diluted loss per share 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

(3,352,040) 

(217,737)

2012 

’000 

2011

’000

2,670,736 

2,034,001

The computation of diluted loss per share for the years ended 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2011 does not assume 

the exercise of share options and convertible notes as the inclusion of the share options and convertible notes would result in 

decrease in loss per share.

 
 
 
 
 
70

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

17.  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

COST

At 1 January 2011 

Additions 

Transfer to property, plant and equipment 

At 31 December 2011 

Write-back (note 25(b)) 

Transfer to property, plant and equipment 

At 31 December 2012 

IMPAIRMENT

Impairment loss recognised during the year

  ended 31 December 2012 and balance at

  31 December 2012 

CARRYING VALUES

At 31 December 2012 

At 31 December 2011 

Oil

exploration

rights 

HK$’000 

(note a) 

Others 

HK$’000 

(note b)

Total

HK$’000

3,775,728 

17,565 

3,793,293

78,000 

(16,572) 

3,837,156 

(50,700) 

(7,882) 

3,778,574 

3,130,106 

648,468 

3,837,156 

– 

(17,565) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

78,000

(34,137)

3,837,156

(50,700)

(7,882)

3,778,574

3,130,106

648,468

3,837,156

Notes:

(a) 

The  amount  relates  to  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  in  respect  of  oil  exploration  rights  through  the  participating  interest  in  the  Puesto  Pozo  Cercado 
Concession and Chañares Herrados Concession (collectively the “Concessions”) as the concession of hydrocarbon exploitation concession in the Cuyana Basin, 
Mendoza Province, Argentina, covering a total surface area of approximately 169.4 and 40 square kilometers respectively (referred to as the “Areas” in note 31).

The Puesto Pozo Cercado Concessions was awarded to Chañares Herrados Empresa de Trabajos Petroleros S.A. (“Chañares”), the concessionaire. The term 
of this oil exploration and production concession is 25 years commencing from 26 June 1992, with the possibility of obtaining a 10-year extension under certain 
conditions.

The Chañares Herrados Concession was obtained by Chañares under an assignment agreement. The term of this oil exploration and production concession is 
25 years commencing from 24 September 1992, with the possibility of obtaining a 10-year extension under certain conditions.

On 2 December 2010, Southstart Limited (“Southstart”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Chañares entered into another joint venture agreement 
(“New JV Agreement”). The Group agreed to pay US$6,000,000 (equivalent to approximately HK$46,800,000) to Chañares in consideration for the oil exploration 
and production right also in the Areas during the current term of the Concessions. Details of this are set out in note 31.

During the year ended 31 December 2011, Chañares obtained an extension of 10 years from the date of expiry of the original term of the Concessions under 
a Decree dated 30 June 2011 issued by the Executive of the Province of Mendoza. The Group shall pay an aggregate amount of US$4,000,000 (equivalent 
to approximately HK$31,200,000) to Chañares according to the New JV Agreement in consideration for the oil exploration and production right in the Areas 
during  the  extended  term  of  the  Concessions.  As  at  31  December  2011,  the  outstanding  sum,  amounting  to  US$2,596,000  (equivalent  to  approximately 
HK$20,248,000), was included in trade and other payables (see note 25(c)). This amount was fully paid during the year ended 31 December 2012.

During the year ended 31 December 2012, the directors of the Company conducted a review of the Group’s exploration and evaluation assets and determined 
that the assets were impaired. The directors of the Company have decided to defer the Group’s drilling plan until the local political and economic outlook improve 
to more favourable conditions. This change has a significant impact on the related expected future cash flows from operation. The management’s change in 
business plan was a result of the unstable political and economic outlook of Argentina. During the current year, the Argentina government took more drastic 
measures to ensure growth and keep the currency stable, such as import restrictions and severe capital controls. These policies are exacerbating economic 
stagnation  and  leading  to  political  unrest.  Therefore,  the  directors  of  the  Company  decided  to  delay  the  Group’s  overall  drilling  plan  to  later  years  until  the 
investment climate in Argentina is improved. This is a step that the directors of the Company consider best for the Group. This critical factor affected the timing of 
drilling new wells for oil production. The discount rate used for the impairment assessment in 2012 considers a more prudent view of the country risk of Argentina 
in view of the recent developments. This increase in the discount rate substantially lowered the net present value of the cash flows of the oil and gas fields. 
Accordingly, an impairment loss of HK$3,130,106,000 was recognised during the year ended 31 December 2012. The recoverable amount of the exploration 
and evaluation assets was determined based on the cash flow projections derived from estimated reserves covering the current term of the concessions period 
until 2027 with a discount rate of 14.1%.

(b) 

Others represent the geological and geophysical costs, drilling and exploration expenses directly attributable to exploration activities.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

71

Oil and gas 

properties 

HK$’000 

Furniture,

Motor 

fixtures and 

Construction

vehicles 

HK$’000 

equipment 

in progress 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

COST

At 1 January 2011 

Additions 

Transfer from exploration and evaluation assets 

Transfer 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2011 

Additions 

Transfer from exploration and evaluation assets 

Transfer 

Disposals 

At 31 December 2012 

DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION,

  AMORTISATION AND IMPAIRMENT

At 1 January 2011 

Provided for the year 

Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss 

Eliminated on disposals 

At 31 December 2011 

Provided for the year 

Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss 

Eliminated on disposals 

At 31 December 2012 

CARRYING VALUES

At 31 December 2012 

At 31 December 2011 

183,050 

– 

– 

155,866 

– 

338,916 

26,281 

– 

93,340 

– 

458,537 

23,405 

27,720 

34,023 

– 

85,148 

36,909 

132,906 

– 

254,963 

203,574 

253,768 

614 

274 

– 

– 

– 

888 

– 

– 

– 

(297) 

591 

169 

167 

– 

– 

336 

156 

– 

(200) 

292 

299 

552 

1,954 

526 

– 

– 

(18) 

2,462 

271 

– 

– 

(871) 

1,862 

1,017 

392 

– 

(12) 

1,397 

309 

– 

(427) 

1,279 

583 

– 

207,187 

34,137 

(155,866) 

– 

85,458 

– 

7,882 

(93,340) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

185,618

207,987

34,137

–

(18)

427,724

26,552

7,882

–

(1,168)

460,990

24,591

28,279

34,023

(12)

86,881

37,374

132,906

(627)

256,534

204,456

1,065 

85,458 

340,843

The above items of property, plant and equipment other than oil and gas properties and construction in progress, are depreciated 

on a straight-line basis, and after taking into account their estimated residual value, as follows:

Oil and gas properties 

Motor vehicles 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment 

Unit-of-production basis over the total proven reserves

20%

20%-331/3%

At 31 December 2012, the Group carried out a review of the recoverable amount of its oil and gas properties, having regard to 

the operating results in its developed oil and gas properties. The review led to the recognition of an impairment loss in profit and 

loss of HK$132,906,000 (2011: HK$34,023,000). The recoverable amount of the oil and gas properties was determined based 

on the cash flow projections derived from production reserves covering the current term of the concessions period until 2027 and 

the estimated future oil price with a discount rate of 14.1% (2011: 10.0%).

 
 
 
 
 
 
72

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

19.  DEFERRED TAX

Deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

– 

– 

– 

9,870

(6,574)

3,296

The following are the deferred tax assets (liabilities) recognised and movements thereon during the current and prior years:

At 1 January 2011 

(Charge) credit to profit or loss (note 11) 

At 31 December 2011 

Credit (charge) to profit or loss (note 11) 

Credit to other comprehensive income

  upon disposal of available-for-sale investments 

At 31 December 2012 

20.  OTHER TAX RECOVERABLE

Withholding 

tax 

HK$’000 

Accrued 

expenses 

HK$’000 

Tax

losses 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000

(5,718) 

– 

(5,718) 

– 

5,718 

– 

295 

(1,151) 

(856) 

856 

– 

– 

– 

9,870 

9,870 

(9,870) 

– 

– 

(5,423)

8,719

3,296

(9,014)

5,718

–

Pursuant to the relevant rules and regulation in Argentina, value-added tax on expenditures incurred in drilling and purchase of 

property, plant and equipment relating to the petroleum exploration and production operation in Argentina can be used to offset 

future value-added tax on sales made. The management estimated the recoverable amount of the value-added tax based on the 

future revenue which the Group expects would be generated from sales of oil and gas, with reference to the current exploration 

and evaluation stages of the oil field and oil production from wells. During the year ended 31 December 2012, irrecoverable value-

added tax expense of HK$3,616,000 (2011: HK$12,124,000) was recognised in profit and loss (note 9). The directors of the 

Company expects that an amount of HK$48,878,000 (2011: HK$54,148,000) will be recovered from the sales of oil and gas after 

twelve months from the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, such amount is classified as non-current.

21.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables 

Receivables arising from metals sales contracts (note a) 

Other tax recoverable 

Prepayments to other suppliers (note b) 

Amount due from a former director (note c) 

Other receivables and deposits 

Total trade and other receivables 

2012 

HK$’000 

3,945 

200,984 

13,553 

– 

5,091 

8,615 

2011

HK$’000

8,416

–

15,062

156,000

5,091

1,444

232,188 

186,013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

73

21.  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES – CONTINUED

Notes:

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

The term of metals sales transactions is based on cash on delivery and the receivables arising from metals sale contracts of HK$200,984,000 (2011: nil) at 31 
December 2012 are past due with aging of 30 days based on the invoice date at the end of the reporting period. These past due receivables are all closely 
monitored.  The  management  considers  that  these  receivables  will  eventually  be  settled  and  therefore  Group  has  not  provided  for  impairment  loss  on  these 
receivables. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances.

As at 31 December 2011, the prepayments to other suppliers represent the prepayments for purchase of chemical products related to petroleum in the trading of 
petroleum related products operation. The Group did not have make such purchase subsequently and the prepayments were refunded to the Group during the 
year ended 31 December 2012.

At 31 December 2012, a loan of HK$25,000,000 (2011: HK$10,000,000) was secured by personal assets of Wong Chi Wing, Joseph. Amount due from a former 
director represents the advance to Wong Chi Wing, Joseph as securities for his assets pledged. The directors of the Company expect that Wong Chi Wing, 
Joseph will repay the outstanding balance when the loan owed by the Group to the loan lender is repaid and that charge of personal assets of Wong Chi Wing, 
Joseph pledged as securities is released (see note 36(c)(iii)). Particulars of the amount due from a former director are as follows:

Former director 

Terms 

Balance at 
31.12.2012 
HK$’000 

Balance at 
1.1.2012 
HK$’000 

Maximum
amount
outstanding
during
the year
HK$’000

Wong Chi Wing, Joseph 

Unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand 

5,091 

5,091 

5,091

Wong Chi Wing, Joseph resigned as an executive director of the Company on 20 December 2011.

The Group allows on average credit period of 30 to 60 days to its trade customers. At the discretion of the directors, several 

major customers are allowed to settle their balances beyond the normal credit terms up to 180 days. The following is an aged 

analysis of trade receivables presented based on the invoice date at the end of the reporting period which approximated the 

respective revenue recognition dates:

0-30 days 

31-60 days 

61-90 days 

91-120 days 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

3,945 

– 

– 

– 

3,945 

1,457

1,341

1,541

4,077

8,416

Before  accepting  any  new  customer,  the  Group  assesses  the  potential  customer’s  credit  quality  and  defines  credit  limits  by 

customer. Limits and credit quality attributed to customers are reviewed regularly. As at 31 December 2012, 100% (2011: 82%) 

of the trade receivables that are neither past due nor impaired have the best credit quality assessed by the Group.

As at 31 December 2012, included in the Group’s trade receivable balance are debtors with an aggregate carrying amount of nil (31 

December 2011: HK$1,541,000) which are past due as at the reporting date for which the Group has not provided for impairment 

loss. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances. The average age of these receivables is 60 days.

Aging of trade receivables which are past due but not impaired

61-90 days 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

– 

1,541

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
74

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

22.  AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE INVESTMENTS

Unlisted securities

  – Equity securities at fair value 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

– 

67,600

The above unlisted investments at 31 December 2011 represented 40% equity investments in a private entity that was established 

in the British Virgin Islands and operates in the PRC. The Group has no right to appoint directors in the board and the remaining 

60% equity interest is owned by one shareholder. The private entity’s major asset is the holding of certain exploration rights of 

gold mines in the PRC. At 31 December 2011, the entity was in the process of obtaining exploitation permit of the gold mines. 

The Group signed a sale and purchase agreement to dispose of the available-for-sale investments with an independent third 

party (the “Purchaser”) in November 2010. Due to delay in obtaining the exploitation permit, the Group signed a supplemental 

agreement with the Purchaser in August 2011 and the completion date of the disposal of the available-for-sale investments was 

extended to July 2012. As at 31 December 2011, the available-for-sale investments were measured at fair value and the fair value 

was determined to approximate the consideration of HK$67,600,000 as agreed with the Purchaser.

Prior to the extended completion date in July 2012, the Group was informed by the investee entity that it has not yet obtained 

the exploitation permit. As such, the Group signed a further supplemental agreement with the Purchaser in September 2012 to 

reduce the consideration to HK$12,000,000 on an “as is” basis.

The disposal was completed during the year ended 31 December 2012 and a gain of HK$1,566,000 was recognised in profit or 

loss.

23.  HELD-FOR-TRADING INVESTMENTS

Held-for-trading investments include:

  Listed securities

  – Equity securities listed in Hong Kong 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

37 

52

The investments represent investments in listed equity securities in Hong Kong. The fair values of these securities at 31 December 

2012 and 2011 are based on bid prices quoted on the Stock Exchange.

24.  BANK BALANCES AND CASH

Cash at banks and in hand 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

2,680 

29,509

Bank balances carry interest at market rates which range from 0.01% to 1.25% (2011: 0.01% to 1.25%) per annum.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

75

24.  BANK BALANCES AND CASH – CONTINUED

In addition, included in the bank balances and cash are the following amounts denominated in currencies other than the functional 

currency of the relevant group entities:

HK$ 

Argentina Peso (“ARS”) 

25.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables 

Payables arising from metals purchase contracts (note a) 

Payables for assignment of oil concession rights (note b) 

Payables for oil concession rights (note c) 

Payables for acquisition of held-for-trading investments

  as securities to a loan (note d) 

Interest payable on borrowings 

Other payables and accruals (note e) 

2012 

HK$’000 

Equivalent 

121 

2,351 

2011

HK$’000

Equivalent

22,975

6,382

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

34,447 

16,781 

– 

– 

16,115 

3,053 

25,120 

95,516 

68,004

–

50,700

20,248

16,115

2,699

12,014

169,780

Notes:

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

The term of metals purchase transactions is based on cash on delivery and the payables arising from metals purchase contracts of HK$16,781,000 (2011: nil) at 
31 December 2012 are past due with aging of 30 days at the end of the reporting period based on the invoice date.

Pursuant  to  the  assignment  agreement  dated  24  November  2007  as  amended/supplemented  by  a  document  dated  19  December  2008  executed  by  and 
between Maxipetrol (as defined in note 31) and Have Result Investments Limited (“Have Result”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Have Result was 
obliged to pay Maxipetrol US$20,000,000 (approximately HK$156,000,000) in consideration of Maxipetrol’s assignment of 51% rights on the future production 
as a consequence of new drilling and operation of new wells in the Areas. As at 31 December 2011, the balance payable was US$6,500,000 (approximately 
HK$50,700,000).

The amount was reversed during the year ended 31 December 2012 because the Group, as advised by the Argentina legal advisors of the Company, no longer 
had any obligation for paying Maxipetrol as a result of the settlement of the legal dispute involving Maxipetrol and Chañares.

During the year ended 31 December 2011, Chañares obtained an extension of 10 years from the date of expiry of the original terms of the Concessions. Pursuant 
to the New JV Agreement, the Group was obliged to pay an amount of US$4,000,000 (approximately HK$31,200,000) to Chañares. The outstanding sum at 31 
December 2011, amounting to US$2,596,000 (approximately HK$20,248,000), was fully settled during the year ended 31 December 2012.

The amount, which is interest-free and repayable on demand, represents the payable which arose from purchases of held-for-trading investments in 2011 as 
securities to a loan.

The amount at 31 December 2012 included professional fees payable and accrued, amounting to HK$2,019,000, in respect of the proposed acquisition as set 
out in note 37.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

25.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES – CONTINUED

The following is an aged analysis by invoice date of trade payables at the end of the reporting period:

0-30 days 

31-60 days 

61-90 days 

91-180 days 

Over 180 days (note) 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

11,574 

15 

38 

– 

22,820 

34,447 

46,160

17,697

1,610

2,537

–

68,004

Note:  The Group has agreed with the supplier to settle the relevant amount a few months after the end of the reporting period.

The average credit period on purchases of goods is 30 days.

All of the other payables are unsecured, interest-free and expected to be settled within one year.

Included in trade payables are the following amounts denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the relevant 

group entities.

ARS 

2012 

HK$’000 

Equivalent 

2011

HK$’000

Equivalent

14,481 

25,114

 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

77

26.  BORROWINGS

Bank loans 

Other loans (note) 

Analysed as:

  Secured 

  Unsecured 

Carrying amount repayable:

  Within one year 

In more than one year, but not more than two years 

In more than two years, but not more than five years 

In more than five years 

Less: Amounts due within one year shown under current liabilities 

2012 

HK$’000 

296,400 

42,408 

338,808 

321,400 

17,408 

338,808 

65,808 

54,600 

163,800 

54,600 

338,808 

(65,808) 

2011

HK$’000

312,000

40,728

352,728

312,000

40,728

352,728

56,328

23,400

163,800

109,200

352,728

(56,328)

273,000 

296,400

Note:  Other loans represent short-term loans from independent third parties.

On 3 November 2011, the Company entered into a loan agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with a bank for a term loan 

facility of US$40,000,000 (approximately HK$312,000,000) (the “Term Loan”) for the purpose of funding the project in connection 

with the petroleum exploration and production in the Areas or to refinance any debt incurred by the Group for the purpose of this 

project. The Term Loan shall be repayable in seven annual instalments as follows:

Repayable in:

  November 2012 

  November 2013 

  November 2014 

  November 2015 

  November 2016 

  November 2017 

  November 2018 

Equivalent to

US$’000 

HK$’000

2,000 

3,000 

7,000 

7,000 

7,000 

7,000 

7,000 

15,600

23,400

54,600

54,600

54,600

54,600

54,600

40,000 

312,000

Interest rate of the Term Loan is based on the aggregate of the London interbank borrowing rate plus 4% per annum. Interest is 

payable every six months from the drawdown date of 10 November 2011. Interest rates of the fixed-rate other loans amounting to 

HK$42,408,000 (2011: HK$40,728,000) as at 31 December 2012 range from 24% to 31% (2011: 24% to 31%) per annum.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
78

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

26.  BORROWINGS – CONTINUED

The ranges of effective interest rate (which are also equal to contracted interest rates) on the Group’s borrowings are as follows:

Effective interest rate 

Carrying amount

2012 

2011 

2012 

2011

HK$’000 

HK$’000

Fixed-rate borrowings 

24% to 31% 

24% to 31% 

42,408 

40,728

Variable-rate borrowings 

4.53% 

4.64% 

296,400 

312,000

338,808 

352,728

The Term Loan is secured by the following:

(a) 

Pledge of the entire stock capital of EP Energy (as defined in note 31). Details about EP Energy and the jointly controlled 

operation EP Energy is involved are set out in note 31.

(b)  Mortgage of the entire issued share capital of Have Result.

(c)  Mortgage of the entire issued share capital of two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company which together hold the entire 

stock capital of EP Energy.

The Term Loan is also guaranteed/secured by the following:

(d)  Guarantee executed by Ample Talent Development Group Limited (“Ample Talent”) which is incorporated in Hong Kong and 

is owned as to 100% by Rakarta Limited (“Rakarta”). Details about Rakarta are set out in (h) below.

(e) 

Security  assignment  in  relation  to  the  shareholder  loan  due  to  Ample  Talent  by  a  sino-foreign  cooperative  joint  venture 

established in the PRC (the “Project Company”) in favour of the bank.

(f)  Mortgage of the entire issued share capital of Ample Talent (the “Ample Talent Share Mortgage”).

(g) 

Pledge of 54% of the registered capital in the Project Company.

(h) 

Security assignment in relation to the shareholder loan due to Rakarta by Ample Talent in favour of the bank. Rakarta is a 

company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and is owned as to 72% by Mr. Wu Shaozhang (“Mr. Wu”).

Mr. Wu is interested in approximately 18.87% of the issued shares of the Company at the date of the Term Loan Agreement and 

approximately 12.96% at 31 December 2012 (2011: 18.86%). He is a substantial shareholder of the Company as defined in the 

Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange. The Term Loan Agreement contains a condition that if Mr. Wu 

ceases to be a substantial shareholder of the Company, the bank may, by not less than 60 days’ notice to the Company, cancel 

the Term Loan and, among other things, all outstanding loans together with accrued interest will become immediately due and 

payable.

Mr. Wu has provided a written confirmation to the Company confirming that he will not dispose of his existing interest in the 

Company for at least a period of twelve months from the date of issuance of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

As such, the portion of the Term Loan that is repayable after one year from the end of the reporting period in accordance with the 

repayment schedule above is shown under non-current liabilities.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

79

26.  BORROWINGS – CONTINUED

Included in bank and other borrowings are the following amounts of bank borrowings denominated in currency other than the 

functional currency of the relevant group entities:

HK$ 

27.  CONVERTIBLE NOTES

2012 

HK$’000 

Equivalent 

2011

HK$’000

Equivalent

42,408 

40,728

On 19 August 2011, the Company entered into a placing agreement, with a supplemental placing agreement entered into on 26 

August 2011 (collectively the “CN Placing Agreement”), with a placing agent pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue 

through  the  placing  agent  to  not  less  than  six  independent  placees  zero  coupon  convertible  notes  in  an  aggregate  principal 

amount of HK$62,100,000 (the “CN”) which can be converted into ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each of the Company at an initial 

conversion price of HK$0.15 per share (subject to anti-dilutive adjustments).

The CN are denominated in Hong Kong dollars, maturing on the second anniversary of the issue date of 2 September 2011 (the 

“Maturity Date”). The Company shall redeem all the CN on the Maturity Date at 130% of the principal amount outstanding. With 

the holder’s agreement, the Company may at any time and from time to time purchase the outstanding CN at such price as may 

be agreed between the Company and the holders thereof. No interest is payable by the Company unless the Company defaults in 

payment of any amount due under the CN in which event default interest at the rate of 5% per annum is payable on the amount in 

default.

The holders of the CN shall have the right at any time during the conversion period commencing from the day after the issue 

date of the CN up to and including the date which is 7 days prior to the Maturity Date to convert the whole or part of the principal 

amount outstanding (in minimum amount of HK$150,000 or whole multiple thereof) under the CN at an initial conversion price 

of HK$0.15 per share (subject to anti-dilutive adjustments) into ordinary shares of the Company. The holders of the CN shall not 

exercise any conversion rights to such an extent that results or will result in (i) the holder(s) and person(s) acting in concert with it 

(within the meaning of the Code on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Repurchases (the “Takeovers Code”)) holding or having 

more than 29% (or such percentage as may from time to time be specified in the Takeovers Code as being the level for triggering 

a mandatory general offer) of the then issued ordinary share capital of the Company or otherwise being obliged to make a general 

offer for the shares of the Company in accordance with the Takeovers Code; or (ii) the Company in breach of any provision of the 

Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange, including the requirement to maintain any prescribed minimum 

percentage of the issued share capital of the Company held by the public.

The CN contain two components, the liability component and the conversion option. The conversion option gives the holders 

right at any time to convert the CN into ordinary shares of the Company. However, since the conversion option will be settled 

other than by the exchange of a fixed amount of cash or another financial asset for a fixed number of the Company’s own equity 

instruments,  the  conversion  option  is  accounted  for  as  a  derivative  liability  and  it  is  measured  at  fair  value  with  subsequent 

changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

The  fair  value  of  the  liability  component  upon  the  issuance  of  the  CN  was  calculated  at  the  present  value  of  the  redeemable 

amount, at 130% of the principal amount. The effective interest rate of the liability component is 23.41%.

 
 
 
80

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

27.  CONVERTIBLE NOTES – CONTINUED

The fair value of the conversion option was determined using binomial option pricing model, and the inputs into the model at the 

relevant dates were as follows:

Conversion price 

Share price 

Expected volatility 

Remaining life 

Risk-free rate 

Issue date of

2.9.2011 

31.12.2011 

31.12.2012

HK$0.150 

HK$0.150 

HK$0.119 

HK$0.166 

41.868% 

41.868% 

HK$0.150

HK$0.183

34.445%

2 years 

1.64 years 

0.64 years

0.2190% 

0.3332% 

0.0800%

During the year ended 31 December 2012, CN with an aggregate principal amount of HK$43,425,000 (2011: nil) were converted 

by the holders into 289,500,000 ordinary shares at a conversion price of HK$0.15 per ordinary share. The weighted average 

share price at the date of conversion for the CN during the year was HK$0.186.

The total fair value of the CN at 2 September 2011 is HK$62,100,000. At 31 December 2012, a gain on derivative component of 

CN of HK$378,000 (2011: loss of HK$10,106,000) was recognised in profit or loss.

The movement of the components of the CN during the current and prior years is set out below:

At issue date of 2 September 2011 

Transaction costs 

Loss on derivative components recognised in profit or loss 

Interest charge 

At 31 December 2011 

Gain on derivative components recognised in profit or loss 

Conversion during the year 

Interest charge 

At 31 December 2012 

Analysed for reporting purpose as:

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Liability 

Conversion

component 

component 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

54,542 

(2,044) 

– 

4,499 

56,997 

– 

(45,035) 

9,031 

7,558 

– 

10,106 

– 

17,664 

(378) 

(12,352) 

– 

62,100

(2,044)

10,106

4,499

74,661

(378)

(57,387)

9,031

20,993 

4,934 

25,927

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

25,927 

– 

25,927 

–

74,661

74,661

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

81

28.  ASSETS RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

At 1 January 2011 

Adjustments 

At 31 December 2011 

Adjustments 

At 31 December 2012 

HK$’000

3,137

(1,407)

1,730

1,124

2,854

In accordance with the relevant rules and regulations in Argentina, the Group is obliged to accrue the cost for land reclamation 

and site closures for the Group’s existing developed oil and gas fields. The provision for asset retirement obligation has been 

determined by the directors based on their best estimates in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations.

29.  SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised:

At 1 January 2011 

Consolidation of shares (note a) 

At 31 December 2011 and

31 December 2012 

Issued and fully paid:

At 1 January 2011 

Issue of new shares (note b) 

Consolidation of shares (note a) 

Issue of new shares (note c) 

At 31 December 2011 

Issue of new shares (note d) 

Issue of new shares (note e) 

Conversion of convertible notes (note f) 

At 31 December 2012 

Nominal

value 

per share 

Number

of shares 

Amount

HK$’000

0.01 

100,000,000,000 

1,000,000

(90,000,000,000) 

–

0.10 

10,000,000,000 

1,000,000

0.01 

0.01 

0.10 

0.10 

0.10 

0.10 

0.10 

0.10 

18,508,775,885 

2,200,000,000 

(18,637,898,297) 

80,000,000 

185,088

22,000

–

8,000

2,150,877,588 

215,088

330,000,000 

360,000,000 

289,500,000 

33,000

36,000

28,950

3,130,377,588 

313,038

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

29.  SHARE CAPITAL – CONTINUED

Notes:

(a) 

As announced by the Company on 16 May 2011, the Company proposed to effect a share consolidation and every ten issued and unissued shares of the 
Company of HK$0.01 each were consolidated into one consolidated share of HK$0.10 each. Details of the share consolidation are set out, among others, in the 
circular of the Company dated 7 June 2011. An ordinary resolution approving the share consolidation was passed at the special general meeting of the Company 
held on 22 June 2011 and the share consolidation became effective on 23 June 2011.

(b) 

During the year ended 31 December 2011 and prior to the share consolidation set out in (a) above, the following subscription arrangements took place:

(i) 

(ii) 

On 22 December 2010, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with Rich Concept Worldwide Limited (“Rich Concept”), a shareholder of 
the Company, to allot and issue 920,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each (the “First Subscription Shares”) at a subscription price of HK$0.0675 per 
share. The subscription agreement is conditional upon completion of the placing of 920,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each of the Company made 
by the placing agent on behalf of Rich Concept. The placing of issued shares then held by Rich Concept was completed on 22 December 2010 with net 
proceeds amounting to HK$61,721,000 being remitted to the Company which shall be applied as part settlement as subscription money for the new 
shares to be issued to Rich Concept. On 3 January 2011, the First Subscription Shares were issued under the general mandate granted to the directors 
of the Company on 9 June 2010. The net proceeds of approximately HK$61.7 million shall be used as general working capital and future business 
development of the Group. At 31 December 2010 when the subscription was not yet completed, the proceeds received were recorded in capital reserve 
which were credited to share capital and share premium, as appropriate, upon completion of the subscription on 3 January 2011.

Wong Chi Wing, Joseph who wholly owned the beneficial interests in Rich Concept was a director and a shareholder of the Company when the above 
transaction took place. Wong Chi Wing, Joseph resigned as a director of the Company on 20 December 2011.

Further details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcements dated 22 December 2010 and 3 January 2011.

The First Subscription Shares of HK$0.01 each were issued to Rich Concept pursuant to the subscription agreement.

On 9 May 2011, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with City Wise Investment Limited (“City Wise”), a substantial shareholder of the 
Company, to allot and issue 1,280,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each (the “Second Subscription Shares”) at a subscription price of HK$0.05 per 
share. The subscription agreement is conditional upon completion of the placing of 1,280,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.01 each of the Company 
made by the placing agent on behalf of City Wise. On 23 May 2011, following completion of the placing, the Second Subscription Shares were issued 
under the general mandate granted to the directors of the Company on 9 June 2010. The net proceeds of approximately HK$63.6 million shall be used 
as general working capital and to finance the Group’s operations in Mendoza, Argentina.

Mr. Wu, a shareholder of the Company, wholly owned the beneficial interests in City Wise when the above transaction took place.

Further details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcements dated 9 May 2011 and 23 May 2011.

The Second Subscription Shares of HK$0.01 each were issued to City Wise pursuant to the subscription agreement.

(c) 

During the year ended 31 December 2011 and after the share consolidation set out in (a) above becoming effective, the following subscription arrangement took 
place:

On  14  October  2011,  the  Company  entered  into  a  subscription  agreement  with  City  Wise  to  allot  and  issue  80,000,000  ordinary  shares  of  HK$0.10  each 
(the “Third Subscription Shares”) at a subscription price of HK$0.182 per share. The subscription agreement is conditional upon completion of the placing of 
80,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each of the Company made by City Wise to an individual who is an independent third party. On 28 October 2011, 
following completion of the placing, the Third Subscription Shares were issued under the refreshed general mandate granted to the directors of the Company on 
29 September 2011. The net proceeds of approximately HK$13.6 million shall be used as to approximately HK$11.4 million for financing the Group’s operations 
in Mendoza, Argentina and as to the balance of approximately HK$2.2 million as general working capital.

Mr. Wu, a shareholder of the Company, is a controlling shareholder of City Wise when the above transaction took place.

Further details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcements dated 14 October 2011 and 28 October 2011.

The Third Subscription Shares of HK$0.10 each were issued to City Wise pursuant to the subscription agreement.

(d) 

On 25 April 2012, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with City Wise to allot and issue 330,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each (the “Fourth 
Subscription Shares”) at a subscription price of HK$0.15 per share. The subscription agreement is conditional upon completion of the placing of 330,000,000 
ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each of the Company made by the placing agent on behalf of City Wise. On 9 May 2012, following completion of the placing, the 
Fourth Subscription Shares were issued under the general mandate granted to the directors of the Company on 29 September 2011. The net proceeds of 
approximately HK$47 million shall be used as general working capital.

Mr. Wu, a shareholder of the Company, is a controlling shareholder of City Wise when the above transaction took place.

Further details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcements dated 25 April 2012 and 9 May 2012.

The Fourth Subscription Shares of HK$0.10 each were issued to City Wise pursuant to the subscription agreement.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

83

29.  SHARE CAPITAL – CONTINUED

Notes: – continued

(e) 

On 28 June 2012, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with City Wise to allot and issue 250,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each (the “Fifth 
Subscription Shares”) at a subscription price of HK$0.155 per share. The subscription agreement is conditional upon completion of the placing of 250,000,000 
ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each of the Company made by the placing agent on behalf of City Wise. On 11 July 2012, following completion of the placing, the 
Fifth Subscription Shares were issued under the general mandate granted to the directors of the Company on 8 June 2012.

Also on 28 June 2012, the Company entered into a new shares placing agreement with two placing agents, pursuant to which the placing agents agree to 
procure not less than six placees to subscribe for a maximum of 110,000,000 new shares of HK$0.10 each (the “New Placing Shares”) at a placing price of 
HK$0.155 per share. The new shares placing was completed on 17 July 2012 and the New Placing Shares were issued to not less than six placees, who are 
independent third parties not connected with the Group, under the general mandate granted to the directors of the Company on 8 June 2012.

The net proceeds of approximately HK$53.6 million from the issue of the Fifth Subscription Shares and the issue of the New Placing Shares shall be used as 
general working capital and professional and other upfront fees incurred in evaluating the Group’s potential investment projects in North America.

Mr. Wu, a shareholder of the Company, had beneficial interests in City Wise when the above transactions took place.

Further details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcements dated 28 June 2012, 11 July 2012, and 17 July 2012.

The Fifth Subscription Shares were issued to City Wise pursuant to the subscription agreement.

The New Placing Shares were issued to the placees pursuant to the new share placing agreement.

(f) 

During the year ended 31 December 2012, 289,500,000 shares of HK$0.10 each were issued upon conversion of CN with an aggregate principal amount of 
HK$43,425,000.

All shares issued by the Company during both years rank pari passu with the then existing ordinary shares in all respects.

30.  SHARE OPTIONS

The  Company’s  share  option  scheme  (the  “Scheme”)  was  adopted  for  a  period  of  10  years  commencing  6  November  2006 

pursuant to an ordinary resolution passed at the special general meeting of the shareholders held on 6 November 2006 for the 

purpose of providing incentives or rewards to selected employees and directors for their contribution to the Group.

Under the Scheme, the Company may grant options to selected employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries to 

subscribe for shares in the Company. Additionally, the Company may, from time to time, grant share options to eligible suppliers, 

customers,  advisors  and  consultants  to  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  at  the  discretion  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 

Company.

The total number of shares in respect of which options may be granted under the Scheme is not permitted to exceed 10% of the 

shares of the Company in issue at any point of time, without prior approval from the Company’s shareholders. The number of 

shares issued and to be issued in respect of which options granted and may be granted to any individual in any one year is not 

permitted to exceed 1% of the shares of the Company in issue at any point in time, without prior approval from the Company’s 

shareholders.  Options  granted  to  substantial  shareholders,  independent  non-executive  directors,  or  any  of  their  respective 

associates  (including  a  discretionary  trust  whose  discretionary  objects  include  substantial  shareholders,  independent  non-

executive directors, or any of their respective associates) in excess of 0.1% of the Company’s share capital or with a value in 

excess of HK$5,000,000 must be also approved by the Company’s shareholders.

The exercise price of the share options is determinable by the directors, but may not be less than the highest of: (i) the Stock 

Exchange closing price of the Company’s shares on the date of the offer of the share options which must be a business day; (ii) 

the average Stock Exchange closing price of the Company’s shares for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of 

the offer; and (iii) the nominal value of the Company’s shares.

As  at  31  December  2012,  options  to  subscribe  for  an  aggregate  of  152,379,999  shares  (2011:  152,379,999  shares)  of  the 

Company granted to the directors, certain employees and suppliers pursuant to the Scheme remained outstanding.

84

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

30.  SHARE OPTIONS – CONTINUED

Details of the movements in the number of share options during both years under the Scheme are as follows:

Option type 

Date of grant 

(both dates inclusive) 

price 

HK$

1.1.2011 Adjustments* 

the year 

the year 

31.12.2012

Exercisable period 

Exercise 

at 

during 

during 

and

Outstanding 

cancelled 

Granted  at 31.12.2011

Lapsed/ 

  Outstanding

Directors:

M 

N 

O 

Employees:

G 

H 

I 

J 

K 

L 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 – 

9 February 2013

1.610* 

5,900,000 

(5,310,000) 

(500,000) 

19 March 2010 

10 November 2010 – 

1.610* 

5,900,000 

(5,310,000) 

(500,000) 

9 February 2013

19 March 2010 

10 August 2011 – 

1.610* 

5,900,000 

(5,310,000) 

(500,000) 

9 February 2013

17,700,000 

(15,930,000) 

(1,500,000) 

15 August 2007 

15 August 2008 – 

6.420* 

1,000,000 

(900,000) 

(100,000) 

15 August 2011

15 August 2007 

15 August 2009 – 

6.420* 

1,000,000 

(900,000) 

(100,000) 

15 August 2011

15 August 2007 

15 August 2010 – 

6.420* 

1,000,000 

(900,000) 

(100,000) 

15 August 2011

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 – 

1.564* 

42,499,995 

(38,249,996) 

(213,333) 

9 February 2013

10 February 2010 

10 November 2010 – 

1.564* 

42,499,995 

(38,249,996) 

(213,333) 

9 February 2013

10 February 2010 

10 August 2011 – 

1.564* 

42,500,010 

(38,250,009) 

(213,334) 

9 February 2013

P (Note) 

10 November 2010 

1 January 2011 – 

0.816* 

475,000,000 

(427,500,000) 

(47,500,000) 

31 December 2012

Q (Note) 

10 November 2010 

1 January 2012 – 

0.816* 

475,000,000 

(427,500,000) 

(47,500,000) 

31 December 2012

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

90,000

90,000

90,000

270,000

–

–

–

4,036,666

4,036,666

4,036,667

–

–

Suppliers:

R 

11 October 2011 

11 October 2011 – 

0.141 

– 

– 

–  140,000,000  140,000,000

10 October 2013

1,098,200,000 

(988,380,001) 

(97,440,000)  140,000,000  152,379,999

1,080,500,000 

(972,450,001) 

(95,940,000) 

– 

12,109,999

The vesting period ends on the date when the exercisable period of the share options begin.

No share options were exercised during both years.

No options were granted during the year ended 31 December 2012.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

85

30.  SHARE OPTIONS – CONTINUED

The Company used the Binomial model (the “Model”) with the consideration of vesting period and possible exercise pattern to 

value  the  share  options  granted.  The  value  of  an  option  varies  with  different  variables  of  certain  subjective  assumptions.  Any 

change in the variables so adopted may materially affect the estimation of the fair value of an option.

Share options were granted on 15 August 2007, 10 February 2010, 19 March 2010, 10 November 2010 and 11 October 2011. 

The estimated fair value of the options granted on these dates, as adjusted for the effect of the share consolidation in June 2011, 

was as follows:

Option type 

G 

H 

I 

J 

K 

L 

M 

N 

O 

P (Note) 

Q (Note) 

R 

Grant date 

15 August 2007 

15 August 2007 

15 August 2007 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 

10 November 2010 

10 November 2010 

11 October 2011 

Fair value

HK$

2.123*

2.346*

2.522*

0.372*

0.417*

0.459*

0.384*

0.425*

0.469*

0.209*

0.250*

0.0469

The inputs into the Model in respect of the share options granted during the year ended 31 December 2011 were as follows:

Share price on grant date (HK$) 

Exercise price (HK$) 

Expected volatility 

Expected life (years) 

Risk-free rate 

Option type

R

0.141

0.141

62.27%

2.00

0.244%

The Group recognised an expense in profit or loss in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income of HK$7,480,000 (2012: 

nil) for the year ended 31 December 2011 in relation to share options granted by the Company.

Note:  On 15 February 2011, the directors of the Company, after obtaining written consent from all grantees, cancelled option types P and Q as the market price of the 

Company’s shares has been substantially below the respective exercise prices and the options granted did not serve the incentive purpose as originally planned.

* 

This  reflect  the  adjusted  share  price  on  grant  date,  exercise  prices  and  number  of  share  options  which  have  been  granted  and  are  outstanding  after  the 
completion of the consolidation of shares during the year ended 31 December 2011.

 
 
86

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

31.  JOINT VENTURE

Jointly controlled operation

Chañares  entered  into  a  joint  venture  agreement  (“JV  Agreement”)  with  Maxipetrol  –  Petroleros  de  Occidente  S.A.  (formerly 

known as Oxipetrol – Petroleros de Occidente S.A., (“Maxipetrol”)) on 14 November 2007 in connection with the development 

of incremental hydrocarbons production in the “Puesto Pozo Cercado” area and “Chañares Herrados” area (“Areas”), through 

the investments to be made by Maxipetrol. Under the JV Agreement, it was established that the hydrocarbons obtained from the 

wells drilled within the scope of the JV Agreement, as well as any other benefit obtained from the exploration and production of 

the works performed thereunder, shall be distributed in the following proportion: 28% for Chañares and 72% for Maxipetrol.

Have  Result  entered  into  an  agreement  for  the  Assignment  of  Rights,  Investment  and  Technical  Cooperation  with  Maxipetrol 

dated  24  November  2007,  as  amended  and/or  supplemented  by  (i)  a  deed  of  undertaking  executed  by  Maxipetrol  on  12 

December 2007; (ii) a supplementary deed of undertaking executed by Maxipetrol on 28 December 2007; and (iii) a document 

entitled “Amendment to Contract of Assignment of Rights, Investment and Technical Cooperation” executed by and between 

Maxipetrol  and  Have  Result,  dated  19  December  2008  (the  “Assignment  Agreement”).  Under  the  Assignment  Agreement, 

Maxipetrol assigned in favour of Have Result 51% of its rights on the future production as a consequence of new drillings and the 

operation of new wells in the Areas. The profit derived from the incremental hydrocarbon production in the Areas will first cover the 

operating costs and thereafter is shared by the proportion of 51% to Have Result, 21% to Maxipetrol and 28% to Chañares. As 

from the date the wells drilled under the terms of the Assignment Agreement go into production, Maxipetrol shall also reimburse 

Have Result for 21% of the aggregate investments made by Have Result in the Areas.

On 6 August 2009, a temporary union of enterprise was organised in which Have Result has a 70.83% interest and Maxipetrol 

has a 29.17% interest for carrying out the operation of petroleum production in the Areas with Chañares.

On  2  December  2010,  Have  Result  sent  a  letter  to  Maxipetrol  stating  and  confirming  the  termination  of  the  JV  Agreement 

(“Termination”). As advised by the Argentina legal advisers of the Company, notwithstanding the Termination, Have Result remains 

entitled to a 51% right in the production from the five existing wells drilled by Have Result in the Areas (the “HR Existing Wells”), 

provided that Have Result continues to pay the relevant operating costs as required by the production allocated to it.

Also on 2 December 2010, Southstart and Chañares entered into the New JV Agreement. Pursuant to the New JV Agreement, EP 

Energy S.A. (“EP Energy”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southstart which is organised and existing under the laws of Argentina, 

and Chañares formed a new joint venture company which is owned as to 72% by the Group (through EP Energy) and as to 28% 

by Chañares. EP Energy is entitled to share a proportion of 72% of hydrocarbon production from the wells drilled by EP Energy 

in the current and future years until the end of the Concessions period. The Group agreed to pay US$6,000,000 (equivalent to 

approximately HK$46,800,000) to Chañares in consideration for the oil exploration and production right in the Areas during the 

current term of the Concessions. This amount was paid during the year ended 31 December 2011. The business of the new joint 

venture company is the exploration, exploitation and development of hydrocarbons in the Areas under the terms of the New JV 

Agreement.

Pursuant to the New JV Agreement, the total consideration for the oil exploration and production right is subject to adjustment 

with  reference  to  whether  or  not  Chañares  can  obtain  the  extension  of  the  term  of  Concessions  (the  “Extension”)  by  31 

December  2011.  On  14  July  2011,  the  Company  was  informed  by  Chañares  that  the  Executive  of  the  Province  of  Mendoza 

has  issued  a  Decree  pursuant  to  which  Chañares  obtained  an  extension  of  10  years  from  the  date  of  expiry  of  the  original 

term of the Concessions until 2027. The Group shall pay an aggregate amount of US$4,000,000 (equivalent to approximately 

HK$31,200,000) to Chañares in consideration for the oil exploration and production right in the Areas during the extended term 

of the Concessions. A sum of US$1,404,000 (equivalent to approximately HK$10,952,000) was paid in 2011 and the balance of 

US$2,596,000 (equivalent to approximately HK$20,248,000), which was included in trade and other payables at 31 December 

2011 (see note 25(c)), was paid during the year ended 31 December 2012.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

87

31.  JOINT VENTURE – CONTINUED

Jointly controlled operation – continued

As advised by the Argentina legal advisers of the Company, the New JV Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligations 

of Chañares. Based on the aforesaid legal opinion, the directors of the Company consider that (i) there will not be any material 

adverse effects on the ownership of the rights of Have Result regarding the production of the HR Existing Wells notwithstanding 

the Termination; and (ii) the entering into of the New JV Agreement and the formation of the new joint venture company enables 

the Group to continue its expansion plan in the Areas.

According to the New JV Agreement, EP Energy is obliged to drill a minimum of five production wells per year during the five 

consecutive years from 2012, and two production wells per year for the following years until the seventh year before the expiration 

of the extended term of the Concessions. Failure to meet the minimum drilling requirements may render the New JV Agreement to 

be terminated and the Group will be forfeited its rights to continue drilling but it will not be forfeited any right in respect of the wells 

already drilled.

On 5 June 2012, EP Energy, Have Result and Chañares entered into an operation agreement (“the Operation Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Operation Agreement, Chañares agreed to release EP Energy from the above commitment. EP Energy, however, 

retains the right to drill and invest in the Areas during the life of the concessions awarded with respect to the Areas and any 

extension thereof. If five or more new wells are drilled by EP Energy in a year, EP Energy shall be entitled to 72% and Chañares 

shall be entitled to 28% of the profits of the new well; and if less than five new wells are drilled by EP Energy in a year, EP Energy 

shall be entitled to 65% and Chañares shall be entitled to 35% of the profits of the new well. The Operation Agreement confirms 

that  the  profit  of  the  existing  five  wells  drilled  by  EP  Energy  shall  continue  to  be  distributed  in  accordance  with  the  New  JV 

Agreement (i.e., 72% to EP Energy and 28% to Chañares). On the other hand, Chañares becomes entitled to be associated with 

third parties for carrying out any work or drilling any wells in the Areas.

The Operation Agreement reconfirms that Have Result has the right to receive 51% of the hydrocarbon production obtained from 

the HR Existing Wells until the termination of the concessions held in respect of the Areas and any extension thereof. Have Result 

agreed that part of the proceeds from previous production of the HR Existing Wells, as well as the future production from the HR 

Existing Wells up to 31 December 2013, shall be reinvested in the Areas, including workover of the HR Existing Wells.

The  aggregate  amount  of  assets  and  liabilities,  income  and  expenses  recognised  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in 

relation to the Group’s interest in the jointly controlled operation is as follows:

Assets 

Liabilities 

Income 

Expenses 

2012 

HK$’000 

538,787 

50,908 

103,146 

208,693 

2011

HK$’000

654,219

147,530

45,654

120,256

 
 
88

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

32.  MAJOR NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended 31 December 2012, the Group had the following major non-cash transactions:

(a) 

As detailed in note 25(d), consideration of HK$16,115,000 for the acquisition of held-for-trading investments in 2011 as 

securities to a loan was not yet settled as at 31 December 2012.

During the year ended 31 December 2011, the Group had the following major non-cash transactions:

(a) 

As detailed in note 25(c), consideration of HK$20,248,000 for the acquisition of oil concession rights was not yet settled as 

at 31 December 2011. The amount was paid in 2012.

(b) 

As detailed in note 25(d), consideration of HK$16,115,000 for the acquisition of held-for-trading investments as securities 

to a loan was not yet settled as at 31 December 2011.

33.  PLEDGE OF ASSETS

At 31 December 2012, the following assets were pledged to secure the Group’s bank borrowings and banking facilities:

(a) 

The entire stock capital of EP Energy whose principal asset is the 72% equity interest in the joint venture company formed 

under the New JV Agreement. Details of the Group’s interest in the jointly controlled operation are set out in note 31.

(b) 

The entire issued share capital of Have Result. Details of the Group’s interest in the jointly controlled operation are set out in 

note 31.

(c) 

The  entire  issued  share  capital  of  two  wholly-owned  subsidiaries  of  the  Company  which  together  hold  the  entire  stock 

capital of EP Energy.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

89

34.  OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

At 31 December 2012, the Group had total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases falling due as 

follows:

Within one year 

In the second to fifth year, inclusive 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

1,892 

1,367 

3,259 

1,765

154

1,919

The Group leases certain of its office properties and buildings under operating lease arrangements. Leases for properties are 

negotiated for terms of three years.

35.  RETIREMENT BENEFITS SCHEMES

The  Group  contributes  to  MPF  Schemes  for  all  qualifying  employees  employed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Hong  Kong 

Employment Ordinance. Contributions to the MPF Schemes by the Group and the employees are calculated as a percentage of 

employee’s relevant income. The retirement benefit scheme costs charged to profit or loss represent contributions payable by the 

Group to the funds. The assets of the MPF Schemes are held separately from those of the Group in independently administered 

funds.

The  Group  also  participates  in  the  employees’  pension  schemes  of  the  respective  municipal  governments  in  various  places 

(including  Argentina)  where  the  Group  operates.  The  Group  makes  monthly  contributions  calculated  as  a  percentage  of  the 

monthly basic salary and the relevant municipal government undertakes to assume the retirement benefit obligations of all existing 

and future retirees of the Group.

The Group has no other obligations for the payment of pension and other post-retirement benefits of employees other than the 

above contributions payments.

 
 
 
90

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

36.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

(a) 

During the year, the Group had the following significant transaction with related parties:

Name of related party 

Nature of transaction 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

City Wise (note) 

Interest paid 

– 

416

Note:  City Wise is a substantial shareholder of the Company.

(b)  During  the  year  ended  31  December  2012  and  2011,  the  Group  had  drawn  the  following  borrowings  which  were 

guaranteed/secured by related parties:

(i) 

Loans of HK$10,000,000 (2011: HK$28,000,000) were guaranteed by Rich Concept, a shareholder of the Company. 

The loans were also guaranteed by issued shares of the Company registered in the name of Rich Concept. The loans 

were settled during the year and the guarantee was released.

(ii) 

A loan of HK$5,000,000 (2011: HK$20,000,000) was guaranteed by Mr. Wu, Chu Kwok Chi, Robert and Hong Kin 

Choy. It was settled during the year and the guarantee was released.

(iii) 

A loan of HK$25,000,000 (2011: HK$10,000,000) drawn in 2011 was guaranteed by Wong Chi Wing, Joseph. It was 

settled in 2011 and the guarantee was released.

(iv)  A loan of HK$2,000,000 (2012: nil) drawn in 2011 was guaranteed by Chu Kwok Chi, Robert. It was settled in 2011 

and the guarantee was released.

(c) 

As at 31 December 2012 and 2011, the Group’s borrowings are guaranteed/secured by the following related parties:

(i) 

A  bank  loan  of  US$38,000,000  (approximately  HK$296,400,000)  (2011:  US$40,000,000;  approximately 

HK$312,000,000) is guaranteed by Ample Talent, which is indirectly owned as to 72% by Mr. Wu (see note 26).

(ii) 

A loan of HK$7,728,000 (2011: HK$7,728,000) is guaranteed by Mr. Wu.

(iii) 

A loan of HK$25,000,000 (2011: HK$10,000,000) is guaranteed by Rich Concept, a shareholder of the Company. 

The loan is also secured by issued shares of the Company registered in the name of Rich Concept.

(iv)  At 31 December 2011, a loan of HK$20,000,000 (2012: nil) was guaranteed by Chu Kwok Chi, Robert and Hong Kin 

Choy.

(d)  Compensation of key management personnel

The remuneration of directors and other members of key management during the year was as follows:

Short-term employee benefits 

Post-employment benefits 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

5,211 

41 

5,252 

8,153

50

8,203

The  remuneration  of  directors  and  key  executives  is  determined  by  the  remuneration  committee  having  regard  to  the 

performance of individuals and market trends.

 
 
 
 
 
37.  SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

91

On 26 September 2012, Advanced Grade Investments Limited (“Advanced Grade”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, 

(as the purchaser) and the Company (as Advanced Grade’s guarantor) entered into an acquisition agreement with an independent 

third party vendor and its guarantor for the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of a target company (the “Target”) and the 

shareholder’s loan owed by the Target to the vendor for a total consideration of US$35.9 million (approximately HK$280.0 million) 

(the “Acquisition Agreement”). The Target, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement with another entity 

(“Woodland”) (the “Woodland Agreement”) for the acquisition of 90% interest in oil, gas and mineral properties and other assets 

and related liabilities to be acquired by Woodland under an agreement dated 1 April 2011 entered into between Woodland and 

another entity (“Tempo”) (the “Tempo Agreement”). The consideration payable by the Group is to be satisfied at completion as to 

(i) US$20.7 million (approximately HK$161.5 million) by a loan note in the principal amount of US$20.7 million which bears interest 

at 7% per annum, accrued on a daily basis, with the principal sum, together with the interest accrued, to be repaid in full on 

the date following on the 5th anniversary of the date of issue of the loan note; and (ii) US$15.2 million (approximately HK$118.5 

million) by the issue of zero coupon convertible bonds in the principal amount of US$15.2 million which can be converted into 

ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each of the Company at an initial conversion price of HK$0.19 per share (subject to anti-dilutive 

adjustments), maturing on the day before the 3rd anniversary of the date of issue of the convertible bonds and with conversion 

period commencing on the 7th day after the issue of the convertible bonds and up to and including the date which is 7 days prior 

to the maturity date of the convertible bonds.

In addition, Advanced Grade will provide at or before completion of the Acquisition Agreement (“Completion) a loan of up to a 

maximum amount of US$29.1 million (approximately HK$227.0 million) to the Target to enable simultaneous completion of the 

Woodland Agreement and the Tempo Agreement on Completion.

The Company has been conducting due diligence on the Target, its sole-subsidiary and the assets to be acquired by Woodland 

under the Tempo Agreement, part of which are to be acquired by the Group under the Woodland Agreement. It came to the 

notice  of  the  Company  that  the  Tempo  Agreement  has  been  terminated  on  1  January  2013  in  accordance  with  its  terms. 

By  reason  of  this  termination,  one  of  the  conditions  precedent  to  the  Acquisition  Agreement  will  not  and  cannot  be  fulfilled. 

Accordingly, the Tempo Agreement, the Woodland Agreement and the Acquisition Agreement will not and cannot be completed 

simultaneously. In the circumstances, the Company gave notice to the vendor on 5 February 2013 to terminate the Acquisition 

Agreement with immediate effect pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement.

Expenses incurred for the above proposed acquisition during the year ended 31 December 2012 amounted to HK$10,297,000, 

which was recognised in profit or loss as “other expenses” (see note 9). At 31 December 2012, an amount of HK$2,019,000 

remained outstanding which was included in “other payables and accruals” (see note 25(e)).

Further details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcements dated 10 October 2012, 30 November 2012, 2 January 

2013, 9 January 2013 and 5 February 2013.

92

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial risk management objectives

The  financial  instruments  are  fundamental  to  the  Group’s  daily  operations.  The  Group’s  major  financial  instruments  include 

trade and other receivables, held-for-trading investments, bank balances and cash, trade and other payables, convertible notes 

and borrowings. Details of these financial instruments are disclosed in respective notes. The risks associated with the financial 

instruments and the policies on how to mitigate these risks are set out below. The management manages and monitors these 

exposures to ensure that appropriate measures are implemented on a timely and effective manner.

Categories of financial instruments

Financial assets

  Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents) 

  Held-for-trading investments 

  Available-for-sale investments 

Financial liabilities

  Amortised cost 

Derivative financial instruments 

Interest rate risk

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

220,723 

37 

– 

43,157

52

67,600

220,760 

110,809

437,032 

567,792

4,934 

17,664

The  cash  flow  interest  rate  risk  relates  primarily  to  the  Group’s  borrowings  and  short-term  deposits  placed  in  banks  that  are 

interest-bearing at market interest rates. The fair value interest rate risk relates primarily to the fixed-rate borrowings. The Group 

currently  does  not  have  an  interest  rate  hedging  policy.  However,  the  management  monitors  interest  rate  exposure  and  will 

consider hedging significant interest rate exposure should the need arise.

The Group’s sensitivity to interest rate risk has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for bank balances and 

variable-rate borrowings at the end of the reporting period and the reasonably possible change taking place at the beginning of 

each year and held constant throughout the year. If interest rates on bank balances and borrowings had been 50 basis points 

higher/lower and all other variables were held constant, the potential effect on loss for the year is as follows:

Assets 

Liabilities 

Increase in loss for the year 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

(13) 

1,482 

1,469 

(148)

1,660

1,512

The management considers that the fair value interest rate risk is insignificant as the Group had no fixed-rate borrowings due 

more than one year.

 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

93

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED

Foreign currency risk management

Several subsidiaries of the Company have certain assets and liabilities (details are disclosed in respective notes) denominated in 

foreign currencies which expose the Group to foreign currency risk. The Group currently does not have a formal foreign currency 

hedging  policy.  However,  the  management  monitors  foreign  exchange  exposure  and  will  consider  hedging  significant  foreign 

currency exposure should the need arise.

The  carrying  amounts  of  the  group  entities’  foreign  currency  denominated  monetary  assets  and  monetary  liabilities,  at  the 

reporting date are as follows:

Liabilities 

Assets

2012 

HK$’000 

2011 

HK$’000 

2012 

HK$’000 

42,408 

11,627 

40,728 

19,673 

121 

2,351 

2011

HK$’000

22,975

6,382

HK$ 

ARS 

Foreign currency sensitivity

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 1% and 10% increase and decrease in US$ against the relevant foreign 

currencies. Sensitivity rate of 1% was used for HK$ while 10% was used for ARS when reporting foreign currency risk internally 

to key management personnel and represents management’s assessment of the reasonably possible change in foreign exchange 

rates. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjust their translation 

at the year end for a 1%/10% change in foreign currency rates. The sensitivity analysis represents the trade receivables, trade 

payables, borrowings and bank balances where the denomination are in HK$ or ARS, the major foreign currency risk. A negative 

number indicates increase in loss for the year where US$ strengthens against HK$ or ARS. For a 1%/10% weakening of US$ 

against HK$ or ARS, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the loss for the year below:

Impact of HK$ 

Impact of ARS

2012 

HK$’000 

2011 

HK$’000 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

Increase in loss for the year 

(423) 

(178) 

(928) 

(1,329)

In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unpresentative of the inherent foreign exchange risk at the year end and the 

sensitivity analysis does not reflect the exposure during the year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
94

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED

Other price risk

The Group is exposed to equity price risk from investment in listed equity securities, available-for-sale investments and conversion 

option of convertible notes. The management manages this exposure by maintaining a portfolio of investments with different risk 

profiles.

Sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on the exposure to equity price risks at the reporting date.

If equity prices had been 20% higher/lower, loss for the year ended 31 December 2012 would decrease/increase by HK$7,000 

(2011:HK$13,530,000) as a result of the change in fair value of held-for-trading investments (2011: held-for-trading investments 

and available-for-sale investments).

If the input of share price to the valuation model of the derivative components of the convertible notes had been 5% higher/

lower while all other variables were held constant, the loss for the year ended 31 December 2012 would increase/decrease by 

HK$247,000 (2011: HK$883,000).

Commodity price risk

The Group is exposed to the risk of fluctuations in prevailing market commodity prices of aluminium and copper as the Group 

entered into aluminium and copper purchase and sale contracts with its suppliers and customers. The Group manages these 

commodity price risks through entering into aluminium and copper purchase and sales contracts within a short period of time. 

Accordingly, the Group minimises its exposure to such risk and is subject to short term price fluctuations in the prevailing market 

commodity prices in the intervening periods between entering into the aluminium and copper purchase and sales contracts. The 

Group does not have aluminium and copper contracts which remained at open position as at 31December 2012.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

95

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED

Credit risk

As at 31 December 2012, the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk which will cause a financial loss to the Group due to 

failure to discharge an obligation by the counterparties is arising from:

– 

the  carrying  amount  of  the  respective  recognised  financial  assets  as  stated  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial 

position.

– 

the amount of contingent liabilities in relation of financial guarantees issued by the Group as disclosed in note 40.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international 

credit-rating agencies and state-owned banks with good reputation.

The Group’s concentration of credit risk for trade receivables by geographical locations is mainly in Argentina (2011: Argentina), 

which accounted for 100% (2011: 100%) of the total trade receivables as at 31 December 2012.

The Group’s concentration of credit risk for receivables arising from metals sales contracts by geographical location is mainly in 

the PRC as at 31 December 2012.

With respect to credit risk arising from other receivables and margin deposits to financial institutions, the Group’s exposure to 

credit risk from default of counterparties are limited as the counterparties have good credit standing and the Group does not 

expect any significant loss for uncollected advances from these entities.

The  Group  had  concentration  of  credit  risk.  The  five  largest  customers  represented  approximately  100%  (2011:  82%)  of  the 

revenue of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2012. The Group had concentration of credit risk as 100% (2011: nil) 

of  the  total  trade  receivables  was  due  from  the  Group’s  five  largest  customers  as  at  31  December  2012.  Trade  receivables 

attributable  to  the  Group’s  largest  debtor  represented  approximately  100%  (2011:  100%)  of  the  total  receivables  as  at  31 

December  2012.  In  order  to  minimise  the  credit  risk,  the  management  of  the  Group  has  delegated  a  team  responsible  for 

determination of credit limits, credit approvals and other monitoring procedures to ensure that follow-up action is taken to recover 

overdue debts. In addition, the Group reviews regularly the recoverable amount of each individual trade receivable to ensure that 

adequate impairment losses are made for irrecoverable amounts. In determining whether allowance for bad and doubtful debts 

is required, the Group has taken into consideration the aging status and the likelihood of collection. Following the identification of 

doubtful debts, the directors discuss with the relevant customers and report on the recoverability. Specific allowance is only made 

for trade and other receivables that is unlikely to be collected. In this regard, the management considers that the Group’s credit 

risk is significantly reduced.

96

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED

Liquidity risk

Liquidity  risk  reflects  the  risk  that  the  Group  will  have  insufficient  resources  to  meet  its  financial  liabilities  as  they  fall  due.  In 

managing  liquidity  risk,  the  Group  monitors  and  maintains  sufficient  funds  to  meet  all  its  potential  liabilities  as  they  fall  due, 

including shareholder distributions. It is applicable to normal market conditions as well as negative projections against expected 

outcomes, so as to avoid any risk of incurring contractual penalties or damaging the Group’s reputation.

Liquidity forecasts are produced on a monthly basis, to ensure that utilisation of current facilities is optimised; on a quarterly basis 

to ensure that covenant compliance targets and medium-term liquidity is maintained; and on a long-term projection basis, for the 

purpose of identifying long-term strategic funding requirements. The board of directors also continuously assesses the balance of 

capital and debt funding of the Group.

The board of directors continuously manages liquidity risk on a regular basis and will increase the frequencies of such assessment 

should  need  arise.  Ultimate  responsibility  for  liquidity  risk  management  rests  with  the  board  of  directors,  which  has  built  an 

appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long-term funding and 

liquidity management requirements. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves of cash and banking 

facilities and by continuously monitoring the utilisation of bank borrowings and ensuring compliance with loan covenants.

The Group’s holdings of cash and short-term deposits, together with net cash flows from operations, are expected to be sufficient 

to cover the operating cost of the Group in the next financial year. The management considers that the Group expects to have 

adequate source of funding to finance the Group and manage the liquidity position.

The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities based on the agreed repayment 

terms.  For  non-derivative  financial  liabilities,  the  table  has  been  drawn  up  based  on  the  undiscounted  cash  flows  of  financial 

liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal 

cash flows. To the extent that interest flows are floating rate, the undiscounted amount is derived from interest rate curve at the 

end of the reporting period.

In  addition,  the  following  table  details  the  Group’s  liquidity  analysis  for  its  derivative  financial  liabilities.  The  tables  have  been 

drawn up based on the undiscounted contractual net cash (inflows) and outflows on derivative instruments settled on a net basis. 

When the amount payable is not fixed, the amount disclosed has been determined by reference to the projected interest rates as 

illustrated by the yield curves existing at the end of the reporting period. The liquidity analysis for the Group’s derivative financial 

instruments are prepared based on the contractual maturities as the management considers that the contractual maturities are 

essential for an understanding of the timing of the cash flows of derivatives.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

97

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED

Liquidity risk – continued

Liquidity tables

On demand

Weighted 

or 

average 

less than 

interest rate 

% 

1 month 

HK$’000 

1 to 6 

months 

HK$’000 

7 months 

to 

1 year 

Total 

Carrying

1 to 5 

years 

Over  undiscounted 

amount at

5 years 

cash flows 

31.12.2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

N/A 

N/A 

34,447 

42,784 

4.53% 

25.29% 

23.41% 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

36,826 

253,025 

57,073 

45,512 

– 

– 

24,278 

– 

– 

– 

– 

34,447 

42,784 

346,924 

45,512 

24,278 

34,447

42,784

296,400

42,408

20,993

77,231 

45,512 

61,104 

253,025 

57,073 

493,945 

437,032

N/A 

4,934 

– 

– 

– 

– 

4,934 

4,934

Weighted 

average 

interest rate 

% 

On demand

or 

less than 

1 month 

HK$’000 

7 months 

to 

1 year 

1 to 6 

months 

Total 

Carrying

1 to 5 

years 

Over 

undiscounted 

amount at

5 years 

cash flows 

31.12.2011

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

N/A 

N/A 

4.64% 

24% 

23.41% 

68,004 

90,063 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

31,239 

243,170 

136,362 

31,125 

11,260 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

62,100 

– 

– 

68,004 

90,063 

410,771 

42,385 

62,100 

68,004

90,063

312,000

40,728

56,997

189,192 

11,260 

31,239 

305,270 

136,362 

673,323 

567,792

N/A 

17,664 

– 

– 

– 

– 

17,664 

17,664

2012

Non-derivative financial liabilities

Trade payables 

Other payables 

Borrowings

  – variable-rate 

  – fixed-rate 

Convertible notes 

Derivative settled

Convertible notes 

2011

Non-derivative financial liabilities

Trade payables 

Other payables 

Borrowings

  – variable-rate 

  – fixed-rate 

Convertible notes 

Derivative settled

Convertible notes 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
98

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined as follows:

• 

the  fair  value  of  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  with  standard  terms  and  conditions  and  traded  on  active  liquid 

markets are determined with reference to quoted market bid prices.

• 

the fair value of other financial assets and financial liabilities (excluding derivative instruments) are determined in accordance 

with  generally  accepted  pricing  models  based  on  discounted  cash  flow  analysis  using  prices  from  observable  current 

market transactions.

• 

the fair value of derivative instruments is calculated using quoted prices. Where such prices are not available, fair value 

determined based on the discounted cash flow analysis using the applicable yield curve for the duration of the instruments 

for non-optional derivatives, and option pricing models for optional derivatives.

The  directors  consider  that  the  carrying  amount  of  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  recorded  at  amortised  cost  in  the 

consolidated financial statements approximate to their fair values.

Fair value measurements recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position

The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, 

grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.

– 

Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active market for identical assets or 

liabilities.

– 

Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are 

observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

– 

Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that 

are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

99

38.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CONTINUED

Fair value of financial instruments – continued

Fair value measurements recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position – continued

31.12.2012

Level 1 

HK$’000 

Level 2 

HK$’000 

Level 3 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

Financial assets

Held-for-trading

  – listed equity securities 

Financial liabilities 

37 

– 

conversion option of convertible notes 

– 

4,934 

– 

– 

37

4,934

31.12.2011

Level 1 

HK$’000 

Level 2 

HK$’000 

Level 3 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

52 

– 

52 

– 

– 

– 

– 

52

67,600 

67,600 

67,600

67,652

Financial assets

Held-for-trading

  – listed equity securities 

Available-for-sale

  – equity securities 

Financial liabilities

conversion option of convertible notes 

– 

17,664 

– 

17,664

There were no transfers between Level 1, 2 and 3 in the current and prior years.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

39.  CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s over-riding objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the business as a going concern, to maximise returns 

for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure in order to provide a high degree 

of financial flexibility at the lowest cost of capital.

The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes borrowings and equity attributable to owners of the Company, 

comprising issued capital, reserves and retained profits. The Group does not have a target debt/equity ratio, but has a policy of 

maintaining a flexible financing structure so as to be able to take advantage of new investment opportunities that may arise.

The  Company’s  board  of  directors  reviews  the  capital  structure  on  a  continuous  basis.  As  part  of  this  review,  the  board  of 

directors considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. The Group will balance its overall capital 

structure through the payment of dividends, new share issues as well as the issue of new debt or the redemption of existing debt. 

The Group’s overall strategy remains unchanged from prior years.

40.  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

As at 31 December 2012 and 2011, the Company gave an indemnity to two non-controlling shareholders of Rakarta, owning 

the remaining 28% equity interest in Rakata, indemnifying them against any loss they sustain as a result of any action or claim 

against Rakata pursuant to the Ample Talent Shares Mortgage provided that the total amount payable will not exceed for an 

aggregate amount of up to US$13,000,000 (approximately HK$101,140,000). In respect of the arrangement, the Company paid 

an arrangement fee of US$300,000 (approximately HK$2,340,000) in 2011 to the two non-controlling shareholders of Rakata.

41.  EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

The following events took place subsequent to 31 December 2012:

(a)  On 21 January 2013, the Company entered into a placing agreement with a placing agent, pursuant to which the placing 

agent  agreed  to  place  125,000,000  new  shares  of  HK$0.10  each  with  unlisted  warrants  attached  to  not  less  than  six 

placees who are independent third parties at a price of HK$0.18 per placing share. The unlisted warrants, on the basis of 5 

warrants for each placing share issued, at no initial issue price, entitle the holder of each warrant to subscribe for one new 

share, at an exercise price of HK$0.20 (subject to anti-dilutive adjustments) at any time for a period of three years from the 

date of issue of such warrant. Upon completion of the placing, the total number of placing shares and 625,000,000 warrant 

shares, if exercised in full, will be equivalent to approximately 23.96% of the issued share capital of the Company at the 

date of the placement agreement and also equivalent to approximately 19.33% of the issued share capital as enlarged by 

the issue of the placing shares and the warrant shares.

The net proceeds of the placing, after deducting the placing commission and other related expenses, will be approximately 

HK$21.60 million. The net proceeds from the full exercise of all of the subscription rights attaching to the warrants will be 

approximately HK$123 million. The Company intends to apply these net proceeds as to HK$10 million for the repayment of 

debts, HK$6.6 million for the professional fees incurred in the merger and acquisition projects and the remainder for other 

items of general working capital.

On 1 March 2013, 125,000,000 new shares of HK$0.10 each with unlisted warrants attached were issued to the placees 

under the special mandate granted to the directors of the Company on 22 February 2013.

Further details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcements dated 21 January 2013, 22 February 2013 and 1 

March 2013, and the Company’s circular dated 4 February 2013.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

101

41.  EVENT AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD – CONTINUED

The following events took place subsequent to 31 December 2012: – continued

(b)  On 24 February 2013, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with a subscriber for the issue of convertible 

notes in the principal amount of HK$100,000,000 which can be converted into ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each of the 

Company  at  an  initial  conversion  price  of  HK$0.19  per  share  (subject  to  anti-dilutive  adjustments).  The  maturity  date 

of the convertible notes is two years from the date of issue. The conversion period commences from the date of issue 

of the convertible notes up to and including the date which is seven days prior to the maturity date of such convertible 

notes. Upon exercise of the conversion rights under the convertible notes in full at the initial conversion price, a total of 

526,315,789  conversion  shares  will  be  issued  to  the  subscriber,  which  will  be  equivalent  to  approximately  16.81%  of 

the issued share capital of the Company at the date of the subscription agreement and also equivalent to approximately 

14.39% of the issued share capital as enlarged by the issue of the conversion shares.

The net proceeds from the issue of the convertible notes, after deducting all related expenses (including a finder’s fee of 

HK$3.5 million to an independent corporation), of approximately HK$95.5 million will be applied as to HK$80 million for the 

repayment of debts and the remaining balance of HK$15.5 million for general working capital.

An ordinary resolution was passed at the special general meeting of the Company held on 27 March 2013 approving the 

transactions contemplated under the subscription agreement, including the issue of the convertible notes. At the date of 

issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the transactions contemplated under the subscription agreement are 

not yet completed.

Further details of the above are set out in the Company’s announcement dated 26 February 2013 and 27 March 2013 and 

circular dated 11 March 2013.

42.  PARTICULARS OF PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES

Details of the Company’s principal subsidiaries, all of which are limited liability companies, at 31 December 2012 and 2011 are as 

follows:

Nominal value 
of issued 
and fully paid 
ordinary share/ 
registered capital 

Place of 
incorporation/ 
operations 

Attributable
proportion of
nominal value of
issued/registered
capital held
by the Company 

Directly 

Indirectly

Principal activities

Name of subsidiaries 

EPI Metals Limited 

Hong Kong 

HK$1 

Have Result Investments 
  Limited 

British Virgin 
Islands/ 
  Argentina

US$10,000 

EP Energy S.A. 

Argentina 

ARS273,430 

– 

– 

– 

100%  Metals transactions

(2011: 100%) 

  and trading of
  petroleum related
  products

100% 
(2011: 100%) 

Petroleum exploration
  and production

100% 
(2011: 100%) 

Petroleum exploration
  and production

The above table lists the subsidiaries of the Group which, in the opinion of the directors, principally affected the results or net assets 

of the Group. To give details of other subsidiaries would, in the opinion of the directors, result in particulars of excessive length.

None of the subsidiaries had any debt securities outstanding at the end of the year, or at any time during the year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
102

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2012

43.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY

Financial information of the Company at the end of the reporting period includes:

ASSETS

Property, plant and equipment 

Interests in subsidiaries – unlisted 

Other receivables, prepayment and deposits 

Amounts due from subsidiaries 

Bank balances and cash 

LIABILITIES

Other payables 

Amounts due to subsidiaries 

Borrowings 

Convertible notes 

NET ASSETS 

CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Share capital 

Reserves (Note) 

TOTAL EQUITY 

Note:

Movements of the Company’s reserves during the current and the prior years are as follows:

At 1 January 2011 

Total comprehensive expense for the year 

Issue of new shares 

Recognition of share-based payment expense 

Transaction costs attributable to issue of new shares 

At 31 December 2011 

Total comprehensive expense for the year 

Issue of new shares 

Conversion of convertible notes 

Transaction costs attributable to issue of new shares 

At 31 December 2012 

2012 

HK$’000 

2011

HK$’000

236 

8 

5,611 

379

8

5,862

1,138,759 

4,406,248

143 

3,006

1,144,757 

4,415,503

30,691 

90,986 

338,808 

25,927 

486,412 

25,812

90,452

332,728

74,661

523,653

658,345 

3,891,850

313,038 

345,307 

215,088

3,676,762

658,345 

3,891,850

HK$’000

3,818,003

(195,884)

48,939

7,480

(1,776)

3,676,762

(3,391,664)

36,300

28,437

(4,528)

345,307

 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Five Year Financial Summary

103

Year ended 31 December

2012 

HK$’000 

2011 

2010 

2009 

2008

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

86,682 

619,800 

937,258 

945,929 

1,285,960

(3,341,689) 

(225,679) 

(289,518) 

(21,616) 

(10,351) 

7,942 

– 

291 

48,615

(8,581)

(3,352,040) 

(217,737) 

(289,518) 

(21,325) 

40,034

RESULTS

Revenue 

(Loss) profit before taxation 

Taxation (charge) credit 

(Loss) profit for the year from

  continuing operations 

Profit (loss) for the year from

  discontinued operations 

– 

Other comprehensive (expenses) income

Reclassification adjustment for the

  cumulative gain of available-for

  sale investments included in profit

  or loss upon disposal 

(57,176) 

Reversal of deferred tax liabilities

  upon disposal of available-for-sale

investments 

5,718 

– 

– 

– 

890 

41,639 

(47,867)

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

–

(Loss) profit for the year 

(3,403,498) 

(217,737) 

(288,628) 

20,314 

(7,833)

At 31 December

2012 

HK$’000 

2011 

2010 

2009 

2008

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

1,136,707 

(463,105) 

4,525,191 

4,377,434 

4,565,772 

1,286,483

(606,250) 

(325,399) 

(588,887) 

(472,116)

673,602 

3,918,941 

4,052,035 

3,976,885 

814,367

Equity attributable to owners

  of the Company 

Share options reserve of a subsidiary 

Non-controlling interests 

673,602 

3,918,941 

4,052,035 

3,976,885 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

772,375

2,238

39,754

673,602 

3,918,941 

4,052,035 

3,976,885 

814,367

Note:  During the year ended 31 December 2010, the Group discontinued the consumer electronics operations.

During the year ended 31 December 2009, the Group discontinued the production of copper anode operations. The results for the years ended 31 December 
2008 to 2009 as presented in the above table have been re-presented to include the results of such discontinued operations under “profit (loss) for the year from 
discontinued operations”.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2012
Corporate Information

104

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

REGISTERED OFFICE

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert (Chief Executive Officer)

Mr. Hong Kin Choy (Chief Financial Officer)

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Clarendon House

2 Church Street

Hamilton HM 11

Bermuda

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT AND 
COMPANY SECRETARY

Mr. Hong Kin Choy

PRINCIPAL SHARE REGISTRAR

Butterfield Fulcrum Group (Bermuda) Limited 

Rosebank Centre

11 Bermudiana Road

Pembroke HM 08 Bermuda

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS 
IN HONG KONG

Room 1401, 14/F,

Bank of East Asia Harbour View Centre,

56 Gloucester Road,

Wanchai, Hong Kong.

Telephone: (852) 2616 3689

Fax: (852) 2481 2902

SOLICITORS

Vincent T.K. Cheung, Yap & Co.

AUDITOR

BRANCH SHARE REGISTRAR

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Tricor Tengis Limited

26/F., Tesbury Centre

28 Queen’s Road East

Hong Kong

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming (Chairman)

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

SHARE INFORMATION

Place of listing:  Main Board of The Stock Exchange of

  Hong Kong Limited

Stock Code: 0689

Board lot: 10,000 shares

Financial year end: 31 December

Number of Shares at 31 December 2012: 3,130,377,588

Share price at 31 December 2012: HK$0.183

Market capitalization at 31 December 2012: HK$573 million

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

WEBSITE ADDRESS

www.epiholdings.com

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman)

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

NOMINATION COMMITTEE

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman)

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi Robert

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

 
Annual Report

  2012

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