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EPI (Holdings) Ltd

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FY2013 Annual Report · EPI (Holdings) Ltd
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Stock Code : 0689

A Hong Kong Listed Company (Stock Code : 0689)
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

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Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
    
 
 
CORPORATE PROFILE

EPI is focused on the exploration and production of 

oil and gas in the conventional upstream oil and gas 

sector. While having a strong oil and gas exploration 

and  production  operation  in  Argentina,  the 

Company  is  progressively  expanding  its  portfolio 

through strategic acquisitions in other upstream oil 

and  gas  assets  that  have  good  upside  potentials 

around the world.

EPI is committed to becoming one of leading HK 

listed companies in the oil and gas industry, in order 

to create long-term, sustainable returns to maximize 

our shareholders value.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

2013 
HK$’000 

2012 
HK$’000

  Change

Revenue 
Loss before income tax 
Loss for the year attributable to the owners of the Company 

89,853 
(679,171) 
(679,171) 

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

4%
80%
80%

Losses per share
  – Basic (HK$) 
  – Diluted (HK$) 

FINANCIAL POSITIONS

Cash and cash equivalents 
Total assets 
Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Total equity 

(0.19) 
(0.19) 

(1.26)
(1.26)

2013 
HK$’000 

2012 
HK$’000

  Change

48,029 
676,343 
103,390 
354,767 
218,186 

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

  1692%
40%
45%
29%
68%

CONTENTS

Corporate Profile
Financial Summary 
Vision and Mission 
Chairman’s Statement 
Management Discussion and Analysis 
Directors and Senior Management Profile 
Corporate Governance Report 
Report of the Directors 

1
2
4
6
15
19
28

Independent Auditor’s Report 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
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 

36
38
39
41
43
44
45
103
104

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VISION AND MISSION

CORPORATE VISION
To  transform  EPI  from  a  regional  oil  and  gas 

industry  player  into  a  leading,  international  oil 

and gas company that competes and operates 

successfully in the global oil and gas industry.

CORPORATE MISSION
At  EPI,  we  strive  to  grow  our  business  by 

capturing good opportunities in the oil and gas 

industry that are well aligned with our business 

objectives,  create  new  value  for  the  Group, 

and generate substantial capital growth for our 

stakeholders.

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

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, 2013. The Group recorded a loss for the year of HK$679.2 million, against a loss for the 

year of HK$3,352.0 million in year 2012.

During the year ended 31 December 2013, the economic and political environment in Argentina remained uncertain. Taking 

into account of other potential acquisition opportunities identified by the Group, the Directors decided to further delay the 

Group’s overall drilling plan in Argentina to later years, which in turn affect the future cash flow generated from the project 

and led to the Group’s exploration and evaluation assets and oil and gas properties under property, plant and equipment a 

further impairment.

As per the memorandum of understanding referred to in the Company’s announcement dated 28 November 2012, the 

Board is pleased to announce that the Company entered into a confidential letter of intent with three independent third 

parties (the “Possible Vendors”) on 10 January 2014, with respect to the proposed acquisition of the entire interest in 

those private oil and gas properties in the U.S. and certain related assets held by the Possible Vendors through specific 

corporate and partnership structures. The structure of the transaction is still under negotiations at the moment and may 

entail the sale and purchase of equity ownership, or underlying oil and gas interests.

4

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

This  upstream  oil  and  gas  acquisition  in  US  is  a  crucial  milestone  to  EPI.  We  are  confident  to  strive  for  a  successful 

acquisition, so as to broaden and stabilize our business operation structure, leading EPI to become an important player 

within all HK listed companies in oil and gas sector.

The Board promises that the Group will be accountable to shareholders through which their interests will be protected, by 

enhancing the communications with the capital market and strengthening our corporate governance, in order to deliver a 

considerable capital growth and maximum profit returns to our shareholders.

Eric Ho

Non-Executive Chairman

28 March 2014

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

5

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

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

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

Pursuant to the operation agreement signed on 5 June 2012, Chañares agreed to release EP Energy S.A. (“EP Energy”) 

from the commitment under the JV agreement signed on 12 January 2011.

Following the short-term development plan, the Group continued to focus on investment to improve production, and to 

lower operation costs of the existing 10 producing wells. The Group has performed 3 workover jobs to the oil wells during 

year 2013. The overall results are satisfactory with increase in initial production after workover better than expected. The 

Group has completed the investment in our own water injection capacity in the field. Our owned well fluid collection tank 

and pipeline have been put into use, and the Group is investing on its improvement, such as heating system.

As at 31 December 2013, 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 Investments Limited (“Have 

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

Group is entitled to 72% interest on production.

The contingent oil resources in certain shallow reservoirs in the Mendoza Oilfield as at 31 December 2013 are as follows, 

Contingent Oil Resource (unit: million barrels) * 

31 Dec 2013 

31 Dec 2012

Category Gross (100%)

Low Estimate (1C) 

Best Estimate (2C) 

High Estimate (3C) 

82.3 

140.6 

239.2 

83.5

146.9

245.5

*  

According to the Technical Review Report issued by Roma Oil and Mining Associates Limited on 19 March 2014 on The Chañares Herrados and Puesto Pozo Cercado Oil 
Project in Mendoza Province, Argentina.

During  year  2013,  the  Group  had  received  HK$13.3  million  incentive  from  Petróleo  Plus  Program  executed  by  the 

government  of  Argentina.  The  incentive  was  received  from  and  distributed  by  Chañares  according  to  the  distribution 

methodology  as  agreed  in  the  Operation  Agreement  signed  on  5  June  2012  between  EP  Energy,  Have  Result  and 

Chañares.

The carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation assets (“E&E assets”) is reviewed for impairment indicators annually 

and adjusted for impairment loss in accordance with HKAS 36 “Impairment of assets” (“HKAS 36”) and whenever there are 

any “trigger” events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. During the 

years ended 31 December 2009, 31 December 2010, 31 December 2011 and the six months 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 E&E assets.

6

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The Company has performed an impairment test on its E&E assets during the preparation of year 2012 annual result 

and has applied a more prudent estimation on factors and assumptions in accessing the recoverable amounts on the 

E&E assets by adopting discounted cash flow method. An impairment loss of HK$3,130,106,000 was recognised as 

the carrying amount of the E&E assets exceeds its recoverable amount as at 31 December 2012. It is a non-cash item 

adjustment and does not affect the current operations of oil field. With reference to the short term West Texas Intermediate 

spot oil price forecast in Year 2014 Energy Outlook issued by U.S. Energy Information Administration (part of the U.S. 

Department  of  Energy)  that  was  reduced  by  20%  or  more  as  compared  with  the  Year  2013  Energy  Outlook  and  the 

economic and political environment in Argentina remained uncertain, the Group decided to further delay its development 

plan on the Argentina oil project and performed an impairment test on its E&E assets as at 31 December 2013. The 

Company has engaged Roma Oil and Mining Associate Limited (“Roma”) to perform a valuation of the E&E assets.

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

On  2  March  2014,  EP  Energy  had  been  notified  by  the  shareholders  of  Chañares  that  the  shareholders  of  Chañares 

received  an  irrevocable  offer  for  the  acquisition  of  the  entire  issued  share  capital  of  Chañares.  Pursuant  to  the  JV 

Agreement, EP Energy has the right to compete on equal footing in the event that Chañares decides to, among other things, 

sell or transfer, totally or partially, its capacity as concessionaire of the Concessions, or if Chañares’ shareholders decide to 

sell the majority of the shares of Chañares. However, pursuant to the terms of the JV Agreement, this shall not constitute 

any preference or right of first refusal in favour of EP Energy. Should such interest be informed to Chañares in the referred 

terms on or before 5 April 2014, the deadline for submission of the Proposed Offer will be in Principal on 5 May 2014.

GROUP FINANCIAL REVIEW

For the year ended 31 December 2013, the Group’s turnover was HK$89.8 million, an increase of HK$3.1 million as 

compared with HK$86.7 million recorded in last year. The Group recorded a loss for the year of HK$679.2 million, against 

a loss for the year of HK$3,352.0 million in year 2012. During year 2013, an impairment loss of HK$442,197,000 (year 

2012: HK$3,130,106,000) was recognised in respect of the E&E assets and impairment loss of HK$51,111,000 (year 2012: 

HK$132,906,000) was recorded in respect of property, plant and equipment relating to the Chañares oil project.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

7

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

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 E&E 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 capitalised as an E&E 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. 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 

8

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

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 “Comparable Transactions”) till 

June 2009, of which they further analysed 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 E&E 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 E&E 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 E&E assets.

The carrying amount of the E&E assets is reviewed for impairment indicators annually and adjusted for impairment loss in 

accordance with HKAS 36 and whenever there are any “trigger” events or changes in circumstances indicating that the 

carrying amount may not be recoverable. During the years 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 E&E assets might not be recoverable. According to the requirements under HKAS 36, no impairment needed to 

be provided for the E&E 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 maintained through April 2013. 

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

performed an impairment test on its E&E assets during the preparation of year 2012 annual result and has applied a more 

prudent estimation on factors and assumptions in accessing the recoverable amounts on the E&E assets by adopting 

discounted cashflow method. An impairment loss of HK$3,130,106,000 was recognised as the carrying amount of the E&E 

assets exceeded its recoverable amount in year ended 31 December 2012.

From May 2013, the crude oil selling price has gradually increased and reached US$71.7 per barrel in December 2013, 

represents a 7.8% increase as compared with December 2012. In January and February 2014, the Group noted that the 

crude oil selling price to YPF through Chañares decreased to US$61.72 per barrel.

During January 2014, Argentina Peso, the Official Currency of Argentina, has been depreciated against US Dollar by more 

than 15%. There is no official explanation from the Argentina Government on the currency depreciation.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

9

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Taking into account of the decrease in short term West Texas Intermediate spot oil price forecast in Year 2014 Energy 

Outlook issued by U.S. Energy Information Administration (part of the U.S. Department of Energy) by 20% or more as 

compared with the Year 2013 Energy Outlook and the potential acquisition opportunity, the Directors of the Company 

decided to further delay the Group’s overall drilling plan to later years, and, conducted a review of the impairment on the 

E&E assets as at 31 December 2013.

The Company has engaged Roma to perform a valuation of the E&E assets, based on Market Approach and Income Approach.

Roma used the market approach by referring to certain comparable sales and purchase transactions of oilfields in year 

2012 and 2013, of which they further analysed the natures, the presentation methods of the reserves and other parameters 

that  may  affect  the  comparability  to  the  oilfield.  In  the  valuation,  Roma  used  the  Adjusted  P/Reserve  multiple  of  the 

Comparable Transactions to determine the market value of the oilfield and the market value of the E&E assets held by the 

Company accordingly.

Roma adopted discounted cash flow method in the Income Approach valuation. During the adoption of the discounted 

cash flow method, a more prudent estimation on those factors and assumptions for future recoverable amounts on the 

exploration and evaluation assets were used:

• 

Future oil selling price are reference to West Texas Intermediate spot oil price. The Company noticed that the short 

term West Texas Intermediate spot oil price forecast in Year 2014 Energy Outlook issued by U.S. Energy Information 

Administration (part of the U.S. Department of Energy) reduced by 20% or more as compared with the Year 2013 

Energy  Outlook  (“2013  Outlook”),  where  forecast  oil  price  per  barrel  for  year  2015  at  USD89.8  (2013  Outlook: 

USD119.4), year 2016 at USD92.9 (2013 Outlook: USD122.4), year 2017 at USD97.8 (2013 Outlook: USD125.5), 

year 2018 at USD100.5 (2013 Outlook: USD126.6), and year 2019 at USD103.1 (2013 Outlook: USD127.9). The 

Directors take a more prudent approach in estimating future oil selling price to YPF and consider the future selling 

price will increase in a more steadily way;

•  With reference to the decrease in future oil selling price, the directors of the Company decided to further delay the Group’s 

overall drilling plan to later years. The production quantity used to calculate future cash flows from operations decrease.

• 

The discount rate used for the impairment assessment in 2013 consider a higher country risk of Argentina in view of 

the depreciation of Argentina Peso against US Dollar in January 2014. The discount rate used in year 2013 is 17.7% 

(year 2012: 14.1%). The discount rate substantially reduced the net present value of future cash flow of the project.

With  reference  to  the  E&E  Assets  Valuation  issued  by  Roma  dated  24  March  2014,  the  E&E  Assets  are  valuated  at 

USD24,575,000 and USD26,445,000 by Market Approach and Income Approach respectively. The Directors considered 

the valuation in Market Approach represents the fair value less cost to sell and Income approach represents the Value in 

use of its E&E assets.

According to HKAS 36, the recoverable amount of an asset is defined as “the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and 

its value in use”. The Directors considered the valuation in Market Approach and Income-based approach represents 

the fair value less cost to sell and the value in use of its E&E assets. The Company adopted the Income-based approach 

valuation as the recoverable amount of the E&E asset following the requirement in HKAS 36. As a result, an impairment loss 

of HK$442,197,000 (year 2012: HK$3,130,106,000) was recognised 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.

10

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 11

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

REVIEW OF GROUP OPERATIONS

During year ended 31 December 2013, the Group’s core and continuing operations is petroleum exploration and production.

Exploration and sales of petroleum

During year 2013, the Group has performed 3 workover jobs to the oil wells, The overall results are satisfactory with increase 

in  initial  production  after  workover  better  than  expected.  The  Group  had  completed  the  investment  in  our  own  water 

injection capacity and invested in our owned centralised well fluid collection tank and collection pipeline.

During year 2013, the Group had 10 producing wells generating oil sales revenue and has received from Chañares incentive 

from Petróleo Plus Program in respect of production for 3rd quarter 2011 and in respect of Proved Reserve for year 2011. 

All our oil production was sold to YPF Sociedad Anónima, through Chañares, the Concessions owner.

Revenue generated from the sales of petroleum segment for the year ended 2013 amounted to HK$89.9 million. 

As of 31 December 2013, the Company has invested HK$585.8 million in the drilling and completion of its oil wells, as well 

as related infrastructure, in the Mendoza project. This amount includes: 1) HK$408.4 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$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 2013, the depreciation of the oil & gas properties was HK$27 million.

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 from year 2012 and 2013. The Group has completed the investment in our own 

water injection capacity in year 2013.

The Group will continue invest in workover on the existing 10 producing wells and in improving own well fluid collection 

system during year 2014.

Long-term 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. 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 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 decrease.

12

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

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 2013, the net asset value of the Group was HK$218.2 million (2012: HK$673.6 million) and the net 

asset value per share was HK$0.05 (2012: HK$0.2).

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

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

of shares and the issue of convertible notes during the year. On 21 January 2013, the Company raised net proceeds of 

approximately HK$21.6 million via the placement of 125,000,000 shares at HK$0.18 per share. In addition, the Company 

issued non-listed warrants, on the basis of 5 warrants for each placing share issued, at no initial issue price, entitling the 

holder of each warrant to subscribe for one new share, at an exercise price of HK$0.20 at any time for a period of three 

years from the date of issue of such warrant. On 24 February 2013, the Company raised net proceeds of approximately 

HK$95.5  million  via  the  issue  of  HK$100  million  8%  convertible  notes  due  2015.  The  initial  conversion  price  of  the 

convertible notes was HK$0.19 per conversion share. On 22 July 2013, the Company raised net proceeds of approximately 

HK$118.6 million via the placement of 650,000,000 shares at HK$0.19 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 and the 

potential acquisition in the coming year.

PLEDGE OF ASSETS

At 31 December 2013, 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 2013 13

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILE

14

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILE

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Mr. HO King Fung, Eric, Non-executive Chairman, aged 37

Mr. Ho is EPI’s Non-executive Chairman. Mr. Ho joined EPI as Non-executive Director on 4 April 2013 and was re-designated as 

the Non-executive Chairman on 30 July 2013.

Mr. Ho has extensive experience in investment banking origination, capital markets and legal practice. Prior to joining EPI, he was 

an analyst at JP Morgan in 2000 and then was a solicitor at Linklaters between 2003 and 2006. Between 2007 and 2010, Mr. 

Ho worked at Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch and his last position held was vice president and the head of Hong Kong 

and Macau Origination.

Mr. Ho is a committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Beijing, a role which he has been 

in since 2008. He is also and the president of the Macau Money Exchangers’ Association. Mr. Ho was awarded the Chinese 

Economics Elite Award in 2009. From April 2011 and April 2012, Mr. Ho was the non-executive director of United Energy Group 

Limited (HKSE Stock Code: 467). He has been appointed as the independent non-executive director of Nature Flooring Holding 

Company Limited (HKSE Stock Code: 2083) since May 2011. And, Mr. Ho has also been appointed as a non-executive director 

of AGTech Holdings Limited (HKSE Stock Code: 8279) since 23 May 2013. In Macau, Mr. Ho is the chairman of P&W Money 

Changer Limited and Jing Yang Company Limited, and an executive director of Mascargo (Macau) Company Limited.

Mr. Ho graduated from the University of New South Wales, Australia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Finance. 

Mr. Ho has also obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of New South Wales. He has been designated as a 

practicing solicitor in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. TSE Kwok Fai, Sammy, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, aged 50

Mr. Tse joined the Company in 2009 as a consultant for the business development in Argentina and has been appointed as the 

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 2013.

Mr. Tse’s wealth of managerial and executive experience is derived from working at various major corporations including the 

Hongkong Telecom 2 Group, Hutchison Whampoa Group and South China Group. He had been involved in the day-to-day 

operations of telecommunications, technology, media, energy and resources businesses in Hong Kong, the PRC and other 

countries. Mr. Tse has developed an extensive business network in the resources and energy sector and specializes in mergers 

and acquisitions, listings and asset injections, as well as business development.

Mr. Tse graduated from the University of Hong Kong majoring in Geography and Geology. He also obtained his MBA from the 

Chinese University of Hong Kong.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 15

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILE

Mr. CHAN Chi Hung, Anthony, Executive Director, aged 41

Mr. Chan is EPI’s Executive Director and he was appointed as Executive Director on 16 July 2013.

Prior to joining EPI, Mr. Chan has held senior management positions at other Hong Kong listed companies. He was the managing 

director of China Financial Leasing Group Limited (HKSE Stock Code: 2312) from July 2008 to July 2013. He was re-designated 

as advisor to the board on 15 July 2013. Previous to being the managing director, he served this company as executive director.

Mr. Chan has held the position of non-executive director at Build King Holdings Limited (HKSE Stock Code: 240) since 2008. Mr. 

Chan has also been appointed as the director of the board of Wealth Assets Management Limited, a licensed corporation to carry 

out type 4 (advising on Securities) and type 9 (asset management) regulated activities as defined under the Securities & Future 

Ordinance since 2009. Prior to his managerial career, Mr. Chan was the investment manager of Springfield Financial Advisory 

Limited, in charge of private equity, fund-of-funds and fixed income investments portfolios. He held this position for four years. Mr. 

Chan started his career as a banker in J.P. Morgan covering Asia ex-Japan region.

Mr. Chan holds a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Economics from the University of Minnesota, and is a graduate of the 

Stanford University Executive Program.

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. QIAN Zhi Hui, Independent Non-executive Director, aged 51

Mr. Qian joined the Company 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 a 

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

Mr. TEOH Chun Ming, Independent Non-executive Director, aged 43

Mr. Teoh joined the Company in January 2014. He is currently a non-executive director of Nature Flooring Holding Company 

Limited (HKSE Stock Code: 2083) since July 2012 and the chief financial officer and company secretary of Hui Tong Jia Hua (HK) 

Company Limited. Mr. Teoh joined Nature Flooring Holding Company Limited in 2008 and was appointed as the chief financial 

officer and the company secretary on 1 September 2008 and 26 March 2009 respectively. Mr. Teoh was also the authorised 

representative of Nature Flooring Holding Company Limited for the purpose of the Rules governing the Listing of Securities on 

the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the Companies Ordinance. Mr. Teoh held the positions of chief financial officer, 

company secretary and authorised representative of Nature Flooring Holding Company Limited until his appointment as a non-

executive director of Nature Flooring Holding Company Limited on 1 July 2012. Mr. Teoh was also the investor relations officer of 

Nature Flooring Holding Company Limited. Mr. Teoh has over 20 years of accounting and finance experience and had held senior 

positions in accounting and finance in various companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

16

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILE

Mr. Teoh obtained a Master degree in Professional Accounting from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2005. He is a fellow 

member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified 

Accountants and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Mr. ZHU Tiansheng, Independent Non-executive Director, aged 69

Mr. Zhu joined the Company in November 2009. He has over 41 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 

was 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 were managed by the Project Units, which 

were organized by the Construction Department. The Construction Department also organized and cooperated 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 graduated from 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.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILE

Mr. CHENG Sing Wai, Henry, Company Secretary, aged 48

Mr. Cheng joined the Company in June 2013 as company secretary. Mr. Cheng is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the 

State of Washington, United States of America and has the CPA Practising Certificate in Hong Kong. Mr. Cheng is a member of 

the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has over 

15 years’ experience in accounting, auditing, taxation and corporate finance.

Mr. Cheng holds an accounting degree from Chu Hai College, Hong Kong and a master degree in business administration from 

Hawaii Pacific University, United States of America.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 17

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILE

Mr. PAK Ka Kei, Financial Controller, aged 43

Mr. Pak joined the Company in November 2009 as a Financial Controller.

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

the Company, Mr. Pak had been working for TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Limited for over 10 years on the finance 

departments in Hong Kong, Emerging Markets and Europe and he had held the positions of Deputy Internal Control Director and 

Deputy Financial Controller for Emerging Markets and Europe there.

Mr. Pak graduated from City University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and has been working for 

Ernst & Young for 5 years.

Mr. QUIROGA Daniel Federico, General Manager, Argentina, aged 48

Mr. Quiroga joined the Company in December 2010 as the General Manager of Argentina Business. Mr. Quiroga oversees the 

Company’s oil project in Argentina as the General Manager of Argentina Operation. He has over 28 years extensive experience 

in operations, exploration and production management of oil field projects in Argentina, and Mexico.

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

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 had gained experiences in operations, production management for various 

oil fields in Argentina.

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

Neuquina Basin and S.J. Gulf Basin, Argentina for Pioneer NRA S.A. during 2002 to 2006. After that, Mr. Quiroga also worked 

for Apache Corp Argentina and Petrolera El Trebol.

Before joining the Company, Mr. Quiroga had been working for Weatherford Regional Mexico as the Operation Coordinator. He 

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

Mr. Quiroga graduated from the 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.

18

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

The board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company hereby presents the Corporate Governance Report of the Company 

for the year ended 31 December 2013.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

The Board recognises 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 processes 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 with deviations 

from the code provision A.4.1 of the CG Code as summarized below.

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.

During the year 2012, the office of the chairman of the Company was vacant and in turn the Company had deviated from 

the code provision of A.2.2 and A.2.3. 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 2013, the Company has ratified the code provision deviation 

by re-designating Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric, the Non-executive Director who was appointed on 4 April 2013, as the Non-

executive Chairman with effect from 30 July 2013.

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 exactly than the required standard set out in the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed 

Issuers as set out in Appendix 10 of the Listing Rules, and that having made specific enquiry of all directors, the Company 

confirms that all the 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 of its shareholders.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 19

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Types of decisions taken by the Board include the following:

1. 

setting the Company’s mission and values;

2.  

formulating strategic directions of the Company;

3.  

reviewing and guiding corporate strategies; setting performance objectives, monitoring implementation and corporate 

performance;

4.   monitoring and managing potential conflicts of interests between the Board members and the management of the 

Company; 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 administration and management 

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

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

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

For the year ended 31 December 2013, the Board:

1.  

reviewed and approved the audited annual results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2012 and the interim 

results of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2013;

2. 

reviewed the performance of and formulated the business strategies of the Group;

3. 

reviewed the internal controls of the Group;

4. 

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

5. 

reviewed and approved the new shares placing of 125,000,000 shares at HK$0.18 per share with unlisted warrants 

attached;

6. 

reviewed and approved the issue of convertible notes in the principal amount of HK$100 million;

7. 

reviewed and approved the new shares placing of 650,000,000 shares at HK$0.19 per share; and

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 have full access to information on the Group and are able to obtain independent professional advice 

whenever deemed necessary. No request was made by any director for such independent professional advice in 2013. 

The company secretary prepares minutes and keeps records of matters discussed and of decisions resolved at all Board 

meetings, which are available for inspections by any director upon request.

20

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

BOARD COMPOSITION

The Board currently comprises one Non-executive Chairman and two Executive Directors and three Independent Non-

executive Directors, whose biographical details are set out in “Directors and Senior Management Profile” on page 15. The 

composition of the Board is well balanced with each director having sound knowledge, experience and expertise relevant to 

the business operations and developments 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 eight meetings held during the financial year 2013 and the attendance summary of each Board member is as 

follows:

Name of Directors  

Number of board meetings

attended in 2013

Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric (appointed on 4 April 2013)  

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (appointed on 9 April 2013)  

Mr. Chan Chi Hung, Anthony (appointed on 16 July 2013)  

Mr. Allan Ritchie (appointed on 4 April 2013 and resigned on 29 November 2013)  

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi, Robert (resigned on 9 April 2013)  

Mr. Hong Kin Choy (resigned on 3 June 2013)  

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming (retired on 3 July 2013)  

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui  

Mr. Teoh Chun Ming (appointed on 10 January 2014)  

Mr. Lam Ting Lok (appointed on 4 April 2013 and resigned on 10 January 2014) 

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng  

CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

5/8

5/8

5/8

3/8

3/8

3/8

1/8

6/8

N/A

1/8

5/8

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

Ho King Fung, Eric is the Non-executive Chairman of the Company.

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

development strategy adopted by the Board. Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy is the 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. Both Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric and Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy, had complied with the relevant CG Code.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 21

 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

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 Independent Non-executive Directors of the Company 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 from any of its subsidiaries.

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

met the criteria as 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 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 terms 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.

1)  Audit Committee

a)  Members of the Audit Committee

Mr. Teoh Chun Ming (Chairman, appointed on 10 January 2014)

Mr. Lam Ting Lok (appointed on 4 April 2013, redesignated as Chairman on 3 July 2013 and resigned on 

  10 January 2014)

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming (Chairman, retired on 3 July 2013)

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

b)  Role and function

The Audit Committee is mainly responsible for:

i.  

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

raised by the external auditor before submission to the Board;

22

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

ii.  

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

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

reappointment and removal of external auditor;

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

iii.  

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

and risk management system and associated procedures;

iv.  

reviewing the Group’s financial and accounting policies; and

v.  

reviewing the external auditor’s management letter and ensuring a timely response to the issues raised 

there.

c)  Meeting records

Two  meetings  were  held  during  the  financial  year  2013  and  the  attendance  summary  of  each  committee 

member is as follows:

Name of committee members 

Number of committee

meetings attended in 2013

Mr. Teoh Chun Ming (Chairman, appointed on 10 January 2014) 

Mr. Lam Ting Lok (appointed on 4 April 2013, redesignated as Chairman on 3 July 2013 

  and resigned on 10 January 2014) 

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming (Chairman, retired on 3 July 2013) 

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui 

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng 

N/A

1/2

1/2

2/2

2/2

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

I. 

Financial Reporting

The Audit Committee reviewed with the Chief Executive Officer and the financial controller of the Company 

the audited results for the year ended 31 December 2012 and the interim results for the six months ended 

30 June 2013.

II. 

External Auditors

The Audit Committee reviewed the audit fee for the year ended 31 December 2012 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 2012.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 23

 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

2)  Remuneration Committee

a)  Members of the Remuneration Committee

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman)

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (appointed on 9 April 2013)

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

b)  Role and function

The Remuneration Committee is mainly responsible for:

i. 

reviewing and approving the management’s remuneration proposals with reference to the corporate goals 

and objectives of the Board;

ii.  

determining the remuneration packages of individual executive directors and senior management, and 

recommending to the Board on the remuneration packages of individual executive directors and senior 

management;

iii.  

recommending to the Board the remuneration of non-executive directors;

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

of  the  directors  and  senior  management  as  well  as  on  the  establishment  of  formal  and  transparent 

procedures for developing policy on such remuneration;

v. 

reviewing and approving 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

vi. 

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 during the financial year 2013 and the attendance summary of each committee member 

is as follows:

Name of committee members 

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman) 

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (appointed on 9 April 2013) 

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng 

24

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

Number of committee

meetings attended in 2013

1/1

1/1

1/1

 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

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

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

Remuneration Committee also reviewed the remuneration package of the directors and the senior management 

to ensure they were in line with the market.

3)  Nomination Committee

a)  Members of the Nomination Committee

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman)

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (appointed on 9 April 2013)

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 the 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 during the financial year 2013 and the attendance summary of each committee member 

is as follows:

Name of committee members 

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman) 

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (appointed on 9 April 2013) 

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng 

Number of committee

meetings attended in 2013

1/1

1/1

1/1

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 25

 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUDIT

The directors are responsible for preparing the accounts of each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state 

of affairs of the Group and of the results and cash flow for that year. 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 auditor of the Company about their reporting responsibilities on the financial statements is set out in 

the Independent Auditor’s Report on pages 36 and 37.

INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT

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

safeguard the shareholders’ investments 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 systems 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 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

It is the auditor’s 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 90 of the Companies Act 1981 of 

Bermuda, and for no other purpose. They do not assume responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for 

the contents of the auditor’s report.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu resigned as auditor of the Company during the reporting year. Pursuant to a board resolution 

dated 15 January 2014, PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed by the Board to act as the new auditor of the Company.

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2013 have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

A resolution will be submitted to the annual general meeting to re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers  as  auditor  of  the 

Company.

26

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

During the year under review, the remuneration paid to the Company’s external auditors was as follows:

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Nature of services 

Audit services 

Non-audit related services (Note) 

Fee paid/payable

HK$’000

2,500

2,832

Note:  To the extent of HK$400,000 was paid to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, who resigned as auditor of the Company during the year under review.

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 have been read out by the company secretary at all 

general meetings.

The annual general meeting provides a useful forum for shareholders to exchange views with the Board. The Non-executive 

Chairman, the Executive Directors, the chairman and the members of the board committees 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  shareholders  information  such  as  announcements, 

circulars, annual and interim reports.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 27

 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

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

ended 31 December 2013.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

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

and production and metals transactions. Particulars of the Company’s principal subsidiaries are set out in note 17 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 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

The results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2013 are set out in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income on page 38.

No interim dividend was declared (2012: Nil) and the Board does not recommend the payment of any final dividend for the 

year.

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

A summary of the consolidated results and of 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 in the property, plant and equipment of the Group during the year are set out in note 16 to the 

consolidated financial statements.

RESERVES

Details of the movements in the reserves of the Group during the year are set out in the consolidated statement of changes 

in equity on page 43.

SHARE CAPITAL

Details of the movements in the share capital of the Company during the year are set out in note 23 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 2013.

28

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company is committed to adopt corporate governance practices. Details of the Company’s corporate governance 

practices are set out on page 19 under Corporate Governance Report.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS

The Directors of the Company during the year and up to the date of this report are as follows:

Non-executive Chairman:

Mr.  Ho  King  Fung,  Eric  (appointed  on  4  April  2013  as  Non-executive  Director  and  re-designated  as  Non-executive 

Chairman on 30 July 2013)

Executive Directors:

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (Chief Executive Officer, appointed on 9 April 2013)

Mr. Chan Chi Hung, Anthony (appointed on 16 July 2013)

Mr. Allan Ritchie (appointed on 4 April 2013 and resigned on 29 November 2013)

Mr. Hong Kin Choy (resigned on 3 June 2013)

Mr. Chu Kwok Chi, Robert (resigned on 9 April 2013)

Independent Non-executive Directors:

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui

Mr. Teoh Chun Ming (appointed on 10 January 2014)

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

Mr. Lam Ting Lok (appointed on 4 April 2013 and resigned on 10 January 2014)

Mr. Cheung Yuk Ming (retired on 3 July 2013)

Biographical details of the Directors of the Company are set out on page 15 under “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 considers all the Independent Non-executive Directors to be independent.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 29

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

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 

Company 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 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.

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 Directors or their respective associates (as defined in the Listing Rules) has 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 THE SHARES, 
UNDERLYING SHARES AND DEBENTURES OF THE COMPANY

As at 31 December 2013, the interests and short positions of the Directors and chief executive of the Company in any 

shares  of  the  Company  (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 in which they were taken or deemed to have under such provisions of the SFO) or which were required, 

pursuant to section 352 of Part XV 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 UNDERLYING SHARES OF THE COMPANY

Directors 

Nature of 

interest 

Number of 

ordinary  

Number of 

share  

shares held 

options held 

Total 

interests 

Approximate

% of issued

share capital

Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric 

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy 

Mr. Chan Chi Hung, Anthony 

Personal 

Personal 

Personal 

– 

2,200,000 

– 

217,000,000 

88,000,000 

78,000,000 

217,000,000 

90,200,000 

78,000,000 

(note)

5.20%

2.16%

1.87%

Note:

The calculation of percentages is based on 4,169,877,588 Shares in issue as at 31 December 2013.

30

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

Save as disclosed above and as at 31 December 2013, no Directors or chief executive of the Company had any other 

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.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

As at 31 December 2013, according to the register of interests maintained by the Company pursuant to section 336 of the 

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 are as follows:

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

Name of 

Shareholders 

Long/short 

positions 

Capacity/ 

nature of 

interest 

Number of 

Approximate %

shares/underlying 

of issued

shares held 

share capital

(note 2)

Long 

Beneficial owner 

7,466,856 

0.18%

City Smart 

International

Investment Limited

(note 1)

City Wise 

Long 

Beneficial owner 

438,232,975 

10.51%

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

438,232,975 

10.51%

445,699,831 

10.69%

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

Notes:

1. 

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

2. 

The calculation of percentages is based on 4,169,877,588 Shares in issue as at 31 December 2013.

Saved as disclosed above, as at 31 December 2013 and 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 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 member of the Group or 

had any options in respect of such capital.

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 directors and employees for their contribution to the Group.

Under  the  Scheme,  the  Company  may  grant  options  to  selected  directors  and  employees  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 also be 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 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 2013, options to subscribe for an aggregate of 703,000,000 shares granted to the Directors, certain 

employees and other participants pursuant to the Scheme remained outstanding, details of which are as follows:

32

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

Date of grant 

Exercisable period 
(both dates inclusive) 

Exercise 
price 
HK$ 

Outstanding 
at 
1.1.2013 

Granted 
during 
the year 

Lapsed 
during 
the year 

Exercised 
during 
the year 

Outstanding
at
31.12.2013

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

Category and 
name of 
participant(s) 

Non-executive
  Chairman

Mr. Ho King 
Fung, Eric 

Executive Directors

Mr. Tse Kwok 
Fai, Sammy 

Mr. Chan 
Chi Hung, 
Anthony 

Independent 
  Non-executive
  Director

Mr. Zhu 
Tiansheng 

30 July 2013 
(Note 1) 

11 April 2013 
(Note 2) 

30 July 2013 
(Note 1) 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 

Employees 

10 February 2010 

Other 
participants 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

25 November 2013 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

11 October 2011 

11 April 2013 

11 April 2013 
(Note 3) 

25 November 2013 

25 November 2013 

16 September 2013– 
29 July 2016
16 September 2014– 
29 July 2016
16 September 2015– 
29 July 2016

3 July 2013– 
10 April 2016

16 September 2013– 
29 July 2016
16 September 2014– 
29 July 2016
16 September 2015– 
29 July 2016

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
25 November 2013 – 
24 November 2016

10 February 2010– 
9 February 2013
10 November 2010– 
9 February 2013
10 August 2011– 
9 February 2013
11 October 2011– 
10 October 2013
11 April 2013 – 
10 April 2016
11 April 2013– 
28 February 2014

25 November 2013 – 
24 November 2016
25 February 2014 – 
24 November 2016

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

108,500,000 

54,250,000 

54,250,000 

88,000,000 

39,000,000 

19,500,000 

19,500,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

90,000 

90,000 

90,000 

2,096,667 

2,096,667 

2,096,667 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(90,000) 

(90,000) 

(90,000) 

(2,096,667) 

(2,096,667) 

(2,096,667) 

– 

64,000,000 

– 

0.206 

0.206 

0.206 

0.255 

0.206 

0.206 

0.206 

1.610* 

1.610* 

1.610* 

1.564* 

1.564* 

1.564* 

0.219 

1.564* 

1.564* 

1.564* 

1,939,999 

1,939,999 

1,940,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.141** 

140,000,000 

0.255 

0.255 

0.219 

0.219 

– 

– 

– 

– 

128,000,000 

32,000,000 

32,000,000 

64,000,000 

(1,939,999) 

(1,939,999) 

(1,940,000) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(140,000,000) 

108,500,000

54,250,000

54,250,000

88,000,000

39,000,000

19,500,000

19,500,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

64,000,000

–

–

–

–

– 

– 

– 

– 

128,000,000

32,000,000

32,000,000

64,000,000

152,379,999 

703,000,000 

(12,379,999) 

(140,000,000) 

703,000,000

* 

** 

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.

Note 1: Date of approval by shareholders was 16 September 2013.

Note 2: Date of approval by shareholders was 3 July 2013.

Note 3: The 32,000,000 share options were granted to one of the executive directors on 11 April 2013 and the Director resigned on 29 November 2013. According to the Scheme, 
the outstanding number of share options held by the Director can be exercised within 3 months from the date of his resignation. These share options were classified in the 
category of “other participants” as at 31 December 2013 in the above table.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

EMOLUMENT POLICY

The  emolument  policy  of  the  employees  of  the  Group  is  set  up  by  the  human  resources  department  on  the  basis  of 

their merit, qualifications and competence. The emoluments of the Directors and senior management of the Company 

are  decided  by  the  Remuneration  Committee,  having  regard  to  factors  including  the  Group’s  operating  results,  their 

responsibilities and comparable market statistics. Details of the Directors’ fees and emoluments, and the five highest paid 

individuals in the Group are set out in note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

The percentages of sales and purchases for the year attributable to the Group’s major customers and suppliers are as 

follows:

Sales

  – the largest customer 

  – five largest customers combined 

Purchases

  – the largest supplier 

  – five largest suppliers combined 

100%

100%

100%

100%

None of the Directors and their associates or any shareholders (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.

EMPLOYEES

As at 31 December 2013, the Group had a total of 12 employees in Hong Kong and 9 employees in Argentina. Employee’s 

cost (excluding directors’ emoluments) amounted to approximately HK$23.45 million (2012: HK$13.97 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.

34

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

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.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

PUBLIC FLOAT

As at the date of this report, based on information that is publicly 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.

AUDITORS

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu resigned as auditor of the Company during the reporting year. Pursuant to a board resolution 

dated 15 January 2014, PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed by the Board to act as the new auditor of the Company.

PricewaterhouseCoopers  will  retire  and,  being  eligible,  offer  themselves  for  reappointment  at  the  forthcoming 

annual  general  meeting.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2013  have  been 

audited  by  PricewaterhouseCoopers.  A  resolution  will  be  submitted  to  the  annual  general  meeting  to  re-appoint 

PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditor of the Company.

On Behalf of the Board

Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy

Executive Director and CEO

Hong Kong, 28 March 2014

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 35

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS 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  (together, 

the “Group”) set out on pages 38 to 102, which comprise the consolidated and company statements of financial position as at 31 

December 2013, and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the 

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 Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda 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.

36

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS 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 Company and of the Group 

as at 31 December 2013, 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.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong, 28 March 2014

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 37

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 31 December 2013

Revenue 

Purchases, processing and related expenses 

Other gains, net 

Wages, salaries and other benefits 

Depreciation and depletion 

Impairment losses 

Fair value (losses)/gains on financial instruments 

Expenses incurred in exploring potential investment opportunities 

Other expenses 

Finance costs 

Loss before income tax 

Income tax expense 

Note 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

(Restated)

(Note 2.1.1)

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

89,853 

86,682

(44,333) 

13,689 

(56,201) 

(27,443) 

(36,382)

15,513

(16,909)

(37,374)

(506,614) 

(3,266,628)

(18,402) 

(16,248) 

(69,715) 

(43,757) 

363

(17,331)

(34,698)

(34,925)

(679,171) 

(3,341,689)

– 

(10,351)

Loss for the year attributable to the owners of the Company 

(679,171) 

(3,352,040)

Other comprehensive (loss)/income:

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

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 loss for the year 

Total comprehensive loss attributable to 

the owners of the Company 

Losses per share 

  – basic (HK$) 

  – diluted (HK$) 

– 

– 

– 

(57,176)

5,718

(51,458)

13

(679,171) 

(3,403,498)

(0.19) 

(0.19) 

(1.26)

(1.26)

The notes on pages 45 to 102 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

38

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 31 December 2013

Note 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

Assets

Non-current assets

  Exploration and evaluation assets 

  Property, plant and equipment 

  Other tax recoverables 

Current assets

  Trade and other receivables and prepayments 

  Other tax recoverables 

  Held-for-trading investments 

  Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Equity

  Share capital 

  Reserves 

Total equity 

Liabilities

Non-current liabilities

  Borrowings 

  Convertible notes 

  Derivative financial liabilities 

  Assets retirement obligations 

Current liabilities

  Trade and other payables 

  Borrowings 

  Convertible notes 

15 

16 

18 

20 

18 

21 

22 

23 

26 

27 

27, 28 

29 

30 

26 

27 

206,271 

153,458 

28,542 

648,468

204,456

48,878

388,271 

901,802

227,192 

12,753 

98 

48,029 

218,635

13,553

37

2,680

288,072 

234,905

676,343 

1,136,707

416,988 

(198,802) 

313,038

360,564

218,186 

673,602

218,400 

273,000

76,054 

58,903 

1,410 

–

–

2,854

354,767 

275,854

38,790 

56,600 

8,000 

95,516

65,808

25,927

103,390 

187,251

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 31 December 2013

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

458,157 

463,105

676,343 

1,136,707

184,682 

47,654

572,953 

949,456

The notes on pages 45 to 102 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements on pages 38 to 102 were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 March 2014 and are signed 

on its behalf by:

Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy 

DIRECTOR 

Chan Chi Hung, Anthony

DIRECTOR

40

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets

Non-current assets

  Property, plant and equipment 

Investments in subsidiaries 

Current assets

  Other receivables 

  Amounts due from subsidiaries 

  Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Equity

  Share capital 

  Reserves 

Total equity 

Liabilities

Non-current liabilities

  Borrowings 

  Convertible notes 

  Derivative financial liabilities 

Current liabilities

  Other payables 

  Amounts due to subsidiaries 

  Borrowings 

  Convertible notes 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 31 December 2013

Note 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

16 

17 

20 

17 

22 

23 

25 

26 

27 

27, 28 

30 

17 

26 

27 

1,231 

8 

1,239 

236

8

244

596 

715,539 

21,179 

5,611

1,138,759

143

737,314 

1,144,513

738,553 

1,144,757

416,988 

(210,910) 

313,038

345,307

206,078 

658,345

218,400 

76,054 

58,903 

273,000

–

–

353,357 

273,000

23,704 

90,814 

56,600 

8,000 

30,691

90,986

65,808

25,927

179,118 

213,412

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 31 December 2013

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

532,475 

486,412

738,553 

1,144,757

558,196 

931,101

559,435 

931,345

The notes on pages 45 to 102 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements on pages 38 to 102 were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 March 2014 and are signed 

on its behalf

Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy 

DIRECTOR 

Chan Chi Hung, Anthony

DIRECTOR

42

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 31 December 2013

Attributable to owners of the Company

Investment

Share 

capital 

HK$’000 

Share  

revaluation 

Contributed  Share option   Accumulated

premium 

HK$’000 

reserve 

HK$’000 

surplus 

HK$’000 

(Note a)

reserve 

HK$’000 

losses 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

Balance at 1 January 2012 

215,088 

3,962,469 

51,458 

60,322 

39,747 

(410,143) 

3,918,941

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 loss for the year 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(57,176) 

5,718 

– 

(51,458) 

Issue of shares upon placements (Note (b)) 

Share issue expenses 

Issue of shares upon conversion of convertible notes 

69,000 

– 

28,950 

36,300 

(4,528) 

28,437 

Balance at 31 December 2012 

313,038 

4,022,678 

Balance at 1 January 2013 

313,038 

4,022,678 

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year 

Issue of shares upon placements (Note (b)) 

Share issue expenses 

Issue of shares upon conversion of convertible notes 

Issue of shares upon exercise of share options 

Recognition of equity settled share-based payments 

– 

77,500 

– 

12,450 

14,000 

– 

– 

53,748 

(5,006) 

16,354 

12,306 

– 

Balance at 31 December 2013 

416,988 

4,100,080 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(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

60,322 

39,747 

(3,762,183) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(6,566) 

48,969 

(679,171) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

673,602

(679,171)

131,248

(5,006)

28,804

19,740

48,969

60,322 

82,150 

(4,441,354) 

218,186

Notes:

(a) 

(b) 

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

During the year ended 31 December 2013, the Company completed two placements by which total of 775,000,000 (2012: 690,000,000) shares of the Company were 
issued. Details of the placements are set out in Note 23.

The notes on pages 45 to 102 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 31 December 2013

Cash flows from operating activities

  Cash used in operations 

Income tax paid 

Net cash used in operating activities 

Cash flows from 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 

Note 

31 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

(91,687) 

– 

(53,103)

(1,784)

(91,687) 

(54,887)

(27,720) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(26,552)

(20,248)

12,000

1,503

43

Net cash used in investing activities 

(27,720) 

(33,254)

Cash flows from financing activities

  Proceeds from issue of new shares 

  Proceeds from exercise of share options 

  Proceeds from other loans 

Interest paid 

  Repayment of other loans 

  Repayment of bank borrowings 

  Share issue expenses 

  Proceeds from issue of convertible notes 

  Expenses on issuance of convertible notes 

146,000 

19,740 

5,335 

(28,670) 

(45,743) 

(23,400) 

(5,006) 

100,000 

(3,500) 

105,300

–

39,680

(25,540)

(38,000)

(15,600)

(4,528)

–

–

Net cash generated from financing activities 

164,756 

61,312

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

45,349 

2,680 

(26,829)

29,509

48,029 

2,680

The notes on pages 45 to 102 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

44

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2013

1 

GENERAL INFORMATION

EPI  (Holdings)  Limited  (the  “Company”)  and  its  subsidiaries  (together,  the  “Group”)  are  principally  engaged  in  the  petroleum 

exploration and production and metals transactions.

The Company is a limited liability company incorporated in Bermuda. The address of its registered office is Clarendon House, 2 

Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda.

The Company has its primary listing on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Stock Exchange”).

These financial statements are presented in Hong Kong dollars (“HK$”), unless otherwise stated. These financial statements have 

been approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 28 March 2014.

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. These 

policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

2.1  Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting 

Standards (“HKFRS”). The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as 

modified by the revaluation of held-for-trading investments, and financial liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair 

value through consolidated profit or loss, which are carried at fair value.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with HKFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It 

also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas 

involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the 

consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 4.

2.1.1  Changes in presentation of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

In  previous  years,  the  Group  presented  an  analysis  of  expenses  in  its  consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive 

income using a classification based on their functions within the Group.

During  the  year,  the  Board  of  Directors  performed  a  review  of  the  content  and  presentation  of  the  financial 

statements to ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards as well as comparison to those of other market 

participants within the same industry and to better reflect the business development and operation of the Group. As 

a result of this review, the Board of Directors considered that it is appropriate to adopt an analysis of expenses in its 

consolidated statement of comprehensive income using a classification based on their nature which would be more 

relevant to the Group’s circumstances and users of the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Consequently,  the  presentation  of  the  consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive  income  for  the  year  ended  31 

December 2013 has been revised and the comparative figures have been reclassified in order to conform with the 

presentation adopted in these financial statements. The changes in presentation of the consolidated statement of 

comprehensive income did not have any impact on the Group’s loss position or the calculation of the Group’s loss 

per share for all years presented.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 45

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.1  Basis of preparation – continued

2.1.2  Changes in accounting policy and disclosures

(a)  New  standards,  revisions  and  amendments  to  existing  standards  and  interpretations  effective  for  annual 

periods beginning 1 January 2013 and adopted by the Group

Amendment to HKAS 1 

Amendment to HKFRS 7 

Presentation of financial statements

Financial instruments: Disclosures – Offsetting financial assets 

Amendments to HKFRS 10, 11 and 12 

Transition guidance

  and financial liabilities

HKAS 19 (2011) 

HKAS 27 (2011) 

HKAS 28 (2011) 

HKFRS 10 

HKFRS 11 

HKFRS 12 

HKFRS 13 

Employee benefits

Separate financial statements

Investments in associates and joint ventures

Consolidated financial statements

Joint arrangements

Disclosures of interests in other entities

Fair value measurement

HK(IFRIC)-Int 20 

Stripping costs in the production phase of a surface mine

The adoption of the new standards, revisions and amendments to existing standards and interpretations did 

not have any material impact on the preparation of the Group’s financial statements.

(b)  New standards, amendments to existing standards and interpretations which have been issued but are not 

effective and have not been early adopted

Effective for

annual periods

beginning on

or after

Amendment to HKAS 32 

Financial instruments: Presentation – Offsetting financial assets 

1 January 2014

Amendments to HKFRS 7 and 9 

Disclosures: Mandatory effective date of HKFRS 9 and 

1 January 2015

  and financial liabilities

Amendments to HKFRS 10, 

Investment entities 

transitional disclosures

  HKFRS 11 and HKAS 27

Amendments to HKFRSs 

Amendments to HKFRSs 

HKAS 36 (Amendment) 

HKFRS 9 

HKFRS 14 

Financial instruments 

Regulatory deferral accounts 

HK(IFRIC)-Int 21 

Levies 

Note:  The Group intends to adopt this new standard when the effective date is determined.

Annual improvements to HKFRSs 2010 – 2012 cycle 

Annual improvements to HKFRSs 2011 – 2013 cycle 

Recoverable amount disclosures for non-financial assets 

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 July 2014

1 July 2014

(Note)

1 January 2016

1 January 2014

The Group is assessing the impact of these amendments, standards and interpretations and will apply them 

once they are effective.

46

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

2.2  Subsidiaries

2.2.1  Consolidation

A subsidiary is an entity (including a structured entity) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity 

when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability 

to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control 

is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

The Group applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for 

the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred to the former owners of 

the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any 

asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and 

contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition 

date.  The  Group  recognises  any  non-controlling  interest  in  the  acquiree  on  an  acquisition-by-acquisition  basis, 

either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognised amounts of acquiree’s 

identifiable net assets.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of the acquirer’s previously held 

equity interest in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition date; any gains or losses arising from 

such re-measurement are recognised in consolidated profit or loss.

Any  contingent  consideration  to  be  transferred  by  the  Group  is  recognised  at  fair  value  at  the  acquisition  date. 

Subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration that is deemed to be an asset or liability is 

recognised in accordance with HKAS 39 either in consolidated profit or loss or as a change to other comprehensive 

income. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured, and its subsequent settlement is 

accounted for within equity.

The  excess  of  the  consideration  transferred,  the  amount  of  any  non-controlling  interest  in  the  acquiree  and  the 

acquisition-date  fair  value  of  any  previous  equity  interest  in  the  acquiree  over  the  fair  value  of  the  identifiable  net 

assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the total of consideration transferred, non-controlling interest recognised 

and previously held interest measured is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired in the 

case of a bargain purchase, the difference is recognised directly in the consolidated income statement.

Intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. 

Unrealised losses are also eliminated. When necessary, amounts reported by subsidiaries have been adjusted to 

conform with the Group’s accounting policies.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 47

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.2  Subsidiaries – continued

2.2.2  Separate financial statements

Investments  in  subsidiaries  are  accounted  for  at  cost  less  impairment.  Cost  includes  direct  attributable  costs  of 

investment. The results of subsidiaries are accounted for by the Company on the basis of dividends received and 

receivable.

Impairment testing of the investments in subsidiaries is required upon receiving a dividend from these investments 

if the dividend exceeds the total comprehensive income of the subsidiary in the period the dividend is declared or 

if  the  carrying  amount  of  the  investment  in  the  separate  financial  statements  exceeds  the  carrying  amount  in  the 

consolidated financial statements of the investee’s net assets including goodwill.

2.3  Joint operations

The Group has applied HKFRS 11 to all joint arrangements as of 1 January 2012. Under HKFRS 11 investments in joint 

arrangements are classified as either joint operations or joint ventures depending on the contractual rights and obligations 

each investor. The Group has assessed the nature of its joint arrangements and determined them to be joint operations.

A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the 

assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. Those parties are called joint operators.

A joint operator recognises in relation to its interest in a joint operation:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

its assets, including its share of any assets held jointly;

its liabilities, including its share of any liabilities incurred jointly;

its revenue from the sale of its share of the output of the joint operation;

its share of the revenue from the sale of the output and income earned by the joint operation; and

its expenses, including its share of any expenses incurred jointly.

2.4  Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-

maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the 

operating segments, has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer that makes strategic decisions.

48

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

2.5  Foreign currency translation

(a) 

Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the 

primary economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”). The Company’s functional 

currency is United States dollars (“US$”) and since the Company’s shares are listed on the Main Board of the Stock 

Exchange,  the  Board  of  Directors  considered  that  it  is  more  appropriate  to  adopt  HK$  as  the  Group’s  and  the 

Company’s presentation currency in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

(b)  Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the 

dates of the transactions or valuation where items are re-measured. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting 

from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and 

liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are presented in the consolidated profit or loss within “other gains, net”.

Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets and liabilities such as equities held at fair value through profit 

or loss are recognised in consolidated profit or loss as part of the fair value gain or loss. Translation differences on 

non-monetary financial assets are included in other comprehensive income.

(c)  Group companies

The results and financial position of all the Group’s entities (none of which has the currency of a hyper-inflationary 

economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation 

currency as follows:

(i) 

assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing rate at the 

date of that statement of financial position;

(ii) 

income  and  expenses  for  each  profit  or  loss  are  translated  at  average  exchange  rates  (unless  this  average 

is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in 

which case income and expenses are translated at the rate on the dates of the transactions); and

(iii) 

all resulting currency translation differences are recognised in other comprehensive income.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of 

the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate. Currency translation differences arising are recognised in other 

comprehensive income.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 49

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.6  Exploration and evaluation assets

Oil and gas exploration and evaluation expenditures are accounted for using the successful efforts method of accounting. 

Costs  are  accumulated  on  a  field-by-field  basis.  Geological  and  geophysical  costs  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Costs 

directly  associated  with  an  exploration  well,  and  exploration  and  property  leasehold  acquisition  costs,  are  capitalised 

within exploration and evaluation assets until the determination of reserves is evaluated. If it is determined that commercial 

discovery has not been achieved, these costs are charged to expense.

Once  commercial  reserves  are  found,  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  are  tested  for  impairment  and  transferred  to 

construction  in  progress  under  property,  plant  and  equipment.  No  depreciation  and  depletion  is  charged  during  the 

exploration and evaluation phase.

Exploration and evaluation assets are tested for impairment when reclassified to construction in progress, or whenever 

facts and circumstances indicate impairment. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the exploration 

and evaluation assets’ carrying amount exceeds their recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the 

exploration and evaluation assets’ fair value less costs of disposal and their value in use.

2.7  Oil and gas properties

Expenditure on the construction, installation or completion of infrastructure facilities such as platforms, pipelines and the 

drilling of commercially proven development wells, is capitalised within construction in progress under property, plant and 

equipment. When development is completed on a specific field, it is transferred to oil and gas properties. No depreciation 

and depletion is charged during the development phase.

Oil  and  gas  production  properties  are  aggregated  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  and  development  expenditures 

associated with the production of proved reserves.

Oil and gas properties are depreciated and depletion using the unit-of-production method. Unit-of-production rates are 

based on proved developed reserves, which are oil, gas and other mineral reserves estimated to be recovered from existing 

facilities using current operating methods. Oil and gas volumes are considered to be part of production once they have 

been measured through meters at custody transfer or sales transaction points at the outlet valve on the field storage tank.

Proven oil and gas properties are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 

carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying 

amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal 

and its value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are 

separately identifiable cash flows.

50

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.8  Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment, including oil and gas properties (Note 2.7), is stated at historical cost less depreciation, 

depletion and impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when 

it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be 

measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance are charged 

to the consolidated profit or loss during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Except for oil and gas properties (Note 2.7) and construction in progress, depreciation is calculated using the straight-line 

method to allocate their cost to their residual values over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 5 years.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater 

than its estimated recoverable amount (Note 2.9).

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

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised within 

“other gains, net” in the consolidated profit or loss.

2.9 

Impairment of non-financial assets

Assets that are subject to depreciation, depletion or amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes 

in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  may  not  be  recoverable.  An  impairment  loss  is  recognised  for  the 

amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an 

asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped 

at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). Non-financial assets that 

suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 51

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.10  Financial assets

2.10.1 Classification

The  Group  classifies  its  financial  assets  in  the  following  categories:  held-for-trading  investments  and  loans  and 

receivables. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management 

determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.

(a)  Held-for-trading investments

Held-for-trading investments are financial assets held for trading. A financial asset is classified in this category 

if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term. Derivatives are also categorised as held for 

trading unless they are designated as hedges. Such derivatives are classified as current assets if expected to 

be settled within 12 months; otherwise, they are classified as non-current.

(b) 

Loans and receivables

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

quoted in an active market. They are included in current assets, except for the amounts that are settled or 

expected to be settled more than 12 months after the end of the reporting period. These are classified as non-

current assets. The Group’s loans and receivables comprise “trade and other receivables” and “cash and cash 

equivalents” in the consolidated statement of financial position (Notes 2.14 and 2.15).

2.10.2 Recognition and measurement

Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade-date – the date on which the Group 

commits to purchase or sell the asset. Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs for all 

financial assets not carried at fair value through profit or loss. Held-for-trading investments are initially recognised at 

fair value, and transaction costs are expensed in the consolidated profit or loss. Financial assets are derecognised 

when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Group has 

transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. Held-for-trading investments are subsequently carried at 

fair value. Loans and receivables are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of the “held-for-trading investments” category are presented 

in the consolidated profit or loss within “fair value (losses)/gains on financial instruments” in the period in which they 

arise.

2.11  Offsetting financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the consolidated statement of financial position 

when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis 

or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

52

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.12  Impairment of financial assets

The Group assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group 

of financial assets is impaired. A financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired and impairment losses are incurred 

only if there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition 

of the asset (a “loss event”) and that loss event (or events) has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial 

asset or group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated.

Evidence of impairment may include indications that the debtors or a group of debtors is experiencing significant financial 

difficulty, default or delinquency in interest or principal payments, the probability that they will enter bankruptcy or other 

financial reorganisation, and where observable data indicate that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future 

cash flows, such as changes in arrears or economic conditions that correlate with defaults.

For loans and receivables category, the amount of the 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.  The  carrying  amount  of  the  asset  is  reduced  and  the 

amount of the loss is recognised in the consolidated profit or loss. If a loan has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for 

measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract. As a practical expedient, 

the Group may measure impairment on the basis of an instrument’s fair value using an observable market price.

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

event occurring after the impairment was recognised (such as an improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), the reversal of 

the previously recognised impairment loss is recognised in the consolidated profit or loss.

2.13  Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-

measured at their fair value. The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is 

designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged.

Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not qualified for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in the 

consolidated profit or loss.

2.14  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of 

business. If collection of trade and other receivables is expected in one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the 

business if longer), they are classified as current assets. If not, they are presented as non-current assets.

Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 

effective interest method, less allowance for impairment.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 53

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.15  Cash and cash equivalents

In the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with 

banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. In the 

consolidated and entity statement of financial position, bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

2.16  Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, 

from the proceeds.

2.17  Trade payables

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business 

from suppliers. Trade payables are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal 

operating cycle of the business if longer). If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 

method.

2.18  Borrowings

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently carried at 

amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in 

the consolidated profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Fees  paid  on  the  establishment  of  loan  facilities  are  recognised  as  transaction  costs  of  the  loan  to  the  extent  that  it  is 

probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the draw-down occurs. To 

the extent there is no evidence that it is probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down, the fee is capitalised as 

a pre-payment for liquidity services and amortised over the period of the facility to which it relates.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability 

for at least 12 months after the end of the reporting period.

2.19  Borrowing costs

General and specific 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 consolidated profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

54

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.20  Compound financial instruments

Compound financial instruments issued by the Group comprise convertible notes that can be converted to share capital at 

the option of the holder, and the number of shares to be issued does not vary with changes in their fair value.

The derivative component of the convertible notes is recognised initially at fair value. The liability component is recognised 

initially  at  the  difference  between  the  fair  value  of  the  convertible  notes  as  a  whole  and  the  fair  value  of  the  derivative 

component.  Any  directly  attributable  transaction  costs  are  allocated  to  the  derivative  financial  liability  and  the  liability 

components in proportion to their initial carrying amounts.

Subsequent to initial recognition, the liability component of a compound financial instrument is measured at amortised cost 

using the effective interest method. The derivative are subsequently measured at fair value and any gains or losses derived 

from its changes are recognised in the consolidated profit or loss.

The liability component of a convertible instrument is classified as current unless the Group has an unconditional right to 

defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the end of the reporting period.

2.21  Current and deferred income tax

The  tax  expense  for  the  year  comprises  current  and  deferred  tax.  Tax  is  recognised  in  the  consolidated  profit  or  loss, 

except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case the 

tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

(a)  Current income tax

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the 

date of the statement of financial position in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income. 

Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax 

regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected 

to be paid to the tax authorities.

(b)  Deferred income tax

Inside basis differences

Deferred  income  tax  is  recognised,  using  the  liability  method,  on  temporary  differences  arising  between  the  tax 

bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  However, 

deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill, the deferred income tax 

is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business 

combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income 

tax  is  determined  using  tax  rates  (and  laws)  that  have  been  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  by  the  date  of  the 

statement of financial position and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or 

the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred  income  tax  assets  are  recognised  only  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  future  taxable  profit  will  be 

available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 55

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.21  Current and deferred income tax – continued

(b)  Deferred income tax – continued

Outside basis differences

Deferred income tax liabilities are provided on taxable temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries, 

except for deferred income tax liability where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the 

Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred  income  tax  assets  are  recognised  on  deductible  temporary  differences  arising  from  investments  in 

subsidiaries  only  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  the  temporary  difference  will  reverse  in  the  future  and  there  is 

sufficient taxable profit available against which the temporary difference can be utilised.

(c)  Offsetting

Deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  when  there  is  a  legally  enforceable  right  to  offset  current  tax 

assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to income tax levied 

by the same taxation authority on either the taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to 

settle the balances on a net basis.

2.22  Employee benefits

The  Group  maintains  a  number  of  defined  contribution  plans  in  the  countries  in  which  it  operates,  the  assets  of  the 

retirement benefit are generally held in separate trustees-administered funds. The retirement plans are generally funded by 

payments from employees and by the Group.

(a)  Pension obligations

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. 

The Group has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient 

assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

The  Group  pays  contributions  to  publicly  or  privately  administered  pension  insurance  plans  on  a  mandatory, 

contractual  or  voluntary  basis.  The  Group  has  no  further  payment  obligations  once  the  contributions  have  been 

paid. The contributions are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. Prepaid contributions are 

recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in the future payments is available.

(b)  Profit-sharing and bonus plans

The Group recognises a liability and an expense for bonuses and profit-sharing, based on a formula that takes into 

consideration the profit attributable to the owners of the Company after certain adjustments. The Group recognises a 

provision where contractually obliged or where there is a past practice that has created a constructive obligation.

(c)  Employee leave entitlements

Employee entitlements to annual leave are recognised when they accrue to employees. A provision is made for the 

estimated liability for annual leave as a result of services rendered by employees up to the end of reporting period.

Employee entitlements to sick leave and maternity leave are not recognised until the time of leave.

56

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.23  Share-based payments

The Group operates an equity-settled, share-based compensation scheme, under which the entity receives services from 

employees as consideration for equity instruments (options) of the Group. The fair value of the employee services received 

in  exchange  for  the  grant  of  the  options  is  recognised  as  an  expense.  Share  options  issued  to  non-employees  are  for 

exchange for goods or services and 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 services is recognised as expenses while the fair value of the goods is 

recognized as assets. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted:

– 

– 

including any market performance conditions (for example, an entity’s share price);

excluding the impact of any service and non-market performance conditions (for example, profitability, sales growth 

targets and remaining an employee of the entity over a specified time period); and

– 

including the impact of any non-vesting conditions (for example, the requirement for employees to save).

Non-market  performance  and  service  conditions  are  included  in  assumptions  about  the  number  of  options  that  are 

expected to vest. The total expense is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified 

vesting conditions are to be satisfied.

In addition, in some circumstances employees may provide services in advance of the grant date and therefore the grant 

date fair value is estimated for the purposes of recognising the expense during the period between service commencement 

period and grant date.

At the end of each reporting period, the Group revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to vest 

based  on  the  non-marketing  performance  and  service  conditions.  It  recognises  the  impact  of  the  revision  to  original 

estimates, if any, in the consolidated profit or loss, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

When the options are exercised, the Company issues new shares. The proceeds received net of any directly attributable 

transaction costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and 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 option reserve will continue to be held in share option reserve.

The  grant  by  the  Company  of  options  over  its  equity  instruments  to  the  employees  of  subsidiary  undertakings  in  the 

Group  is  treated  as  a  capital  contribution.  The  fair  value  of  employee  services  received,  measured  by  reference  to  the 

grant date fair value, is recognised over the vesting period as an increase to investment in subsidiary undertakings, with a 

corresponding credit to equity in the parent entity accounts.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 57

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

2.24  Provisions

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. Provisions for restoration are recognised when: the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a 

result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount has 

been reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by 

considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to 

any one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a 

pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The 

increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognised as interest expense.

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 consolidated profit or loss through depreciation of the assets, which are depreciated 

using the unit-of-production method based on the actual production volume over the expected reserves of the developed 

wells.

2.25  Revenue recognition

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

goods supplied, stated net of discounts, returns and value added taxes. The Group recognises revenue when the amount 

of revenue can be reliably measured; when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity; and when 

specific criteria have been met for each of the Group’s activities, as described below. The Group bases its estimates of 

return on historical results, taking into consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each 

arrangement.

Sales of goods are recognised when 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.

Dividend income is recognised when the shareholders’ right to receive payment is established.

2.26  Leases

Leases  in  which  a  significant  portion  of  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  are  retained  by  the  lessor  are  classified  as 

operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the 

consolidated profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

58

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

2 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

2.27  Government grants

Grants from the government are recognised at their fair value where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be 

received and the Group will comply with all attached conditions.

Government  grants  relating  to  costs  are  deferred  and  recognised  in  the  consolidated  profit  or  loss  over  the  period 

necessary to match them with the costs that they are intended to compensate.

Government grants relating to property, plant and equipment are included in non-current liabilities as deferred government 

grants  and  are  credited  to  the  consolidated  profit  or  loss  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  expected  lives  of  the  related 

assets.

2.28  Dividend distribution

Dividend  distribution  to  the  Company’s  shareholders  is  recognised  as  a  liability  in  the  Group’s  and  the  Company’s 

financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders or directors, where 

appropriate.

3 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

3.1  Financial risk factors

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign exchange risk, cash flow and 

fair value interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management programme 

focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial 

performance.

(a)  Market risk

(i) 

Foreign exchange risk

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with respect 

to HK$ and Argentina peso (“ARS”). The Group considers there is no significant exposure to foreign exchange 

fluctuations so long as the Hong Kong-United States dollar exchange rate remains pegged. At 31 December 

2013, the Group has minimal exposure to foreign currency risk with respect to ARS as most of the financial 

assets and liabilities held by the Group’s overseas subsidiaries and their future commercial transactions are 

denominated in the respective local currency of such subsidiaries. The Group currently does not have a formal 

foreign currency hedging policy. However, management monitors foreign exchange exposure and will consider 

hedging significant foreign currency exposure should the need arises.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 59

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
3 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT – CONTINUED

3.1  Financial risk factors – continued

(a)  Market risk – continued

(ii) 

Price risk

The  Group  is  engaged  in  a  wide  range  of  petroleum-related  activities.  Prices  of  crude  oil  and  petroleum 

products are affected by a wide range of global and domestic factors which are beyond the control of the 

Group. The fluctuations in such prices may have favourable or unfavourable impacts to the Group. The Group 

did not enter into any material hedging of its price risk during the year.

The Group is exposed to the risk of fluctuations in prevailing market commodity prices of metals as the Group 

entered into metals purchase and sale contracts with its suppliers and customers. The Group manages these 

commodity  price  risks  through  entering  into  metals  purchase  and  sales  contracts  with  short  delivery  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 metals purchase and 

sales contracts.

The Group is also exposed to equity securities price risk because of the Group’s issuance of warrants and 

derivative component of convertible notes. If the input of the Company’s share price to the valuation models of 

the warrants and derivative component of the convertibles notes had been higher/lower while all other variables 

held constant, the loss for the year ended 31 December 2013 would increase/decrease.

(iii)  Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk

The Group’s interest rate risk arises from borrowings. Borrowings obtained at variable rates expose the Group 

to cash flow interest rate risk which is partially offset by cash held at variable rates. Borrowings obtained at 

fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. The Group currently does not have an interest rate 

hedging policy. However, management monitors interest rate exposure and will consider hedging significant 

interest rate exposure should the need arise.

The  Company’s  amounts  due  from  subsidiaries  were  interest-free,  and  expose  the  Company  to  fair  value 

interest rate risk.

At 31 December 2013, if interest rates on US$-denominated bank borrowings had been 50 basis points (2012: 

50 basis point) higher/lower with all other variables held constant, post-tax loss for the year would have been 

HK$1,125,000  (2012:  HK$1,469,000)  higher/lower,  mainly  as  a  result  of  higher/lower  interest  expense  on 

floating rate borrowings.

60

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

3 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT – CONTINUED

3.1  Financial risk factors – continued

(b)  Credit risk

As at 31 December 2013, the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk which may 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 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.

With  respect  to  credit  risk  arising  from  other  receivables,  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’s concentration of credit risk for trade receivables by geographical locations is mainly in Argentina, which 

accounted for 100% (2012: 100%) of the total trade receivables as at 31 December 2013. For the year ended 31 

December 2013, the entire Group’s revenue was derived from one customer (2012: 93% of the Group’s revenue 

was derived from the customer). The Group had concentration of credit risk as 100% (2012: 100%) of the total trade 

receivables was due from the Group’s only customer as at 31 December 2013. In order to minimise the credit risk, 

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.

(c) 

Liquidity risk

The  Group’s  liquidity  risk  management  involves  maintaining  sufficient  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  internally 

generated funds and funds arose from financing activities, such as issue of convertible notes or equity instruments, if 

necessary.

The table below analyses the Group’s and the Company’s non-derivative financial liabilities and net-settled derivative 

financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the date of statement of financial 

position to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash 

flows.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 61

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
3 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT – CONTINUED

3.1  Financial risk factors – continued

(c) 

Liquidity risk – continued

Weighted 

On demand 

Total

average 

or less than 

1 to 6 

7 months  

1 to 

Over 5  undiscounted 

interest 

% 

1 month  

HK$’000 

months 

HK$’000 

to 1 year 

HK$’000 

 5 years 

HK$’000 

 years 

cash flows 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Carrying

amount

HK$’000

N/A 

N/A 

4. 35% 

24% 

37.34% 

3,050 

2,322 

– 

– 

– 

5,372 

N/A 

N/A 

34,447 

42,784 

4.53% 

25.29% 

23.41% 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2,049 

– 

2,049 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

66,476 

242,151 

– 

– 

– 

110,000 

66,476 

352,151 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

36,826 

253,025 

57,073 

45,512 

– 

– 

24,278 

– 

– 

– 

– 

3,050 

2,322 

308,627 

2,049 

110,000 

3,050

2,322

273,000

2,000

84,054

426,048 

364,426

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

Group

At 31 December 2013

Non-derivative financial liabilities

Trade payables 

Other payables 

Borrowings

  – variable-rate 

  – fixed-rate 

Convertible notes 

Group

At 31 December 2012

Non-derivative financial liabilities

Trade payables 

Other payables 

Borrowings

  – variable-rate 

  – fixed-rate 

Convertible notes 

Note:  As  the  conversion  feature  in  convertible  notes  and  warrants  issued  (if  exercised)  would  be  settled  by  shares  of  the  Company,  they  are  not 

included in the maturity table above.

A payable of HK$104,140,000 (2012: HK$104,140,000) arisen from the financial guarantee provided by the Company to third parties in respect 
of a bank loan (Note 26 and 33), is interest free and payable in the event that the Company defaults on the repayment of the bank borrowings.

62

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

3 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT – CONTINUED

3.1  Financial risk factors – continued

(c) 

Liquidity risk – continued

Weighted 

On demand 

average 

 or less than 

1 to 6 

7 months 

Total

  undiscounted 

interest rate 

% 

1 month 

HK$’000 

months 

HK$’000 

to 1 year 

1 to 5 years  Over 5 years 

cash flows 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Company

At 31 December 2013

Non-derivative financial liabilities

Other payables 

Amount due to subsidiaries 

Borrowings

  – variable-rate 

  – fixed-rate 

Convertible notes 

Company

At 31 December 2012

Non-derivative financial liabilities

Other payables 

Amount due to subsidiaries 

Borrowings

  – variable-rate 

  – fixed-rate 

Convertible notes 

N/A 

N/A 

2,322 

90,814 

4.35% 

24% 

37.34% 

– 

– 

– 

93,136 

N/A 

N/A 

19,469 

90,986 

4.53% 

25.29% 

23.41% 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2,049 

– 

2,049 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

66,476 

242,151 

– 

– 

– 

110,000 

66,476 

352,151 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

36,826 

253,025 

57,073 

45,512 

– 

– 

24,278 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Carrying

amount

HK$’000

2,322

90,814

273,000

2,000

84,054

2,322 

90,814 

308,627 

2,049 

110,000 

513,812 

452,190

19,469 

90,986 

346,924 

45,512 

24,278 

19,469

90,986

296,400

42,408

20,993

110,455 

45,512 

61,104 

253,025 

57,073 

527,169 

470,256

Note:  As  the  conversion  feature  in  convertible  notes  and  warrants  issued  (if  exercised)  would  be  settled  by  shares  of  the  Company,  they  are  not 

included in the maturity table above.

A payable of HK$104,140,000 (2012: HK$104,140,000) arisen from the financial guarantee provided by the Company to third parties in respect 
of a bank loan (Note 26 and 33), is interest free and payable in the event that the Company defaults on the repayment of the bank borrowings.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
3 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT – CONTINUED

3.2  Capital management

The  Group’s  objectives  when  managing  capital  are  to  safeguard  the  Group’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern  in 

order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to 

reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, 

return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The Group does not have a target gearing 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.

3.3  Fair value estimation

The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels have been 

defined as follows:

– 

– 

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1).

Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that 

is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (level 2).

– 

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (level 3).

The following table presents the Group’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on recurring basis at 

31 December 2013.

Assets

Held-for-trading investments

  –Trading securities 

Total assets 

Liabilities

Derivatives financial instruments

  – Convertible note – conversion component 

  – Warrants 

Total liabilities 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

98 

98 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

98

98

38,152 

20,751 

58,903 

38,152

20,751

58,903

64

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

3 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT – CONTINUED

3.3  Fair value estimation – continued

The following table presents the Group’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on recurring basis at 

31 December 2012.

Assets

Held-for-trading investments

  –Trading securities 

Total assets 

Liabilities

Derivatives financial instruments

  Convertible note – conversion component 

Total liabilities 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

37 

37 

– 

– 

– 

– 

4,934 

4,934 

– 

– 

– 

– 

37

37

4,934

4,934

There were no transfers among levels 1, 2 and 3 during the year.

(a) 

Financial instruments in level 1

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the date of the 

statement of financial position. A market is regarded as active if quoted prices are readily and regularly available from 

an exchange, dealer, broker, industry group, pricing service, or regulatory agency, and those prices represent actual 

and regularly occurring market transactions on an arm’s length basis. The quoted market price used for financial 

assets held by the Group is the current bid price. These instruments are included in level 1. Instruments included in 

level 1 comprise primarily Hong Kong Stock Exchange equity investments classified as trading securities.

(b) 

Financial instruments in level 2

The  fair  value  of  financial  instruments  that  are  not  traded  in  an  active  market  (for  example,  over-the-counter 

derivatives) is determined by using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable 

market  data  where  it  is  available  and  rely  as  little  as  possible  on  entity  specific  estimates.  If  all  significant  inputs 

required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2.

(c) 

Financial instruments in level 3

Specific valuation techniques used to value financial instruments include the use of appropriate valuation techniques. 

Such  techniques  include  using  recent  arm’s  length  market  transactions;  reference  to  the  current  market  value  of 

another instrument which is substantially the same; a discounted cash flow analysis; and option pricing models.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 65

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
3 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT – CONTINUED

3.3  Fair value estimation – continued

(c) 

Financial instruments in level 3 – continued

The following table presents the changes in level 3 instruments for the year ended 31 December 2013

2011 CN- 

2013 CN-

conversion 

conversion

component 

component

(Note 27) 

  (Note 27) 

Warrants 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

4,934 

– 

– 

– 

(4,934) 

– 

59,899 

(25,229) 

3,482 

– 

– 

14,752 

(2,689) 

8,688 

– 

4,934

74,651

(27,918)

12,170

(4,934)

– 

38,152 

20,751 

58,903

– 

– 

(12,464) 

(5,999) 

(18,463)

21,746 

(5,999) 

15,747

1 January 2013 

At issue day 

Gain recognised in profit and loss 

Amortisation of deferred loss on

  conversion component and warrants 

Conversion 

31 December 2013 

Total loss for the year included in 

  profit or loss for liabilities held at

the end of the year 

Changes in unrealised gains or losses 

for the year included in profit or loss 

  at the end of the year 

The higher the Company’s share price and the expected volatility used in determining the fair value of the level 3 

instruments, the higher the fair value of these instruments.

The lower the interest-free rate used in determining the fair value of the level 3 instruments, the lower the fair value of 

these instruments.

If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3.

66

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Estimates  and  judgements  are  continually  evaluated  and  are  based  on  historical  experience  and  other  factors,  including 

expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom 

equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the 

carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are addressed below.

(a) 

Impairment of other receivables

The Group’s management determines the provision for impairment of other receivables based on an assessment of the 

recoverability of the receivables. The assessment is based on the credit history of its customers and other debtors and the 

current market condition and requires the use of judgments and estimates. Management reassesses the provision at each 

of the date of statement of financial position.

(b)  Estimation of petroleum reserves

Estimates of petroleum reserves are key elements in the Group’s investment decision-making process. They are also an 

important element in testing for impairment. Changes in proved petroleum reserves, particularly proved developed reserves, 

will  affect  unit-of-production  depreciation  and  depletion  recorded  in  the  Group’s  consolidated  financial  statements  for 

property, plant and equipment related to oil and gas production activities. A reduction in proved developed reserves will 

increase depreciation and depletion charges. 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.

(c) 

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets and oil and gas properties under in property, plant 
and equipment

The  carrying  amounts  of  the  exploration  and  evaluation  assets  and  oil  and  gas  properties  under  property,  plant  and 

equipment are assessed for impairment when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amounts of them may 

exceed their recoverable amounts. The Group’s determination as to whether they are impaired requires an estimation of the 

recoverable amount of the assets. The Group relied on experts to assess the geological prospects for the discovery of oil 

in the oil field and estimated the value of oil 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 determined whether the related well 

costs are expensed if it is determined that such economic viability is not attained after performing further feasibility studies.

Judgement is required by the directors to determine key assumptions adopted in the cash flow projections and changes to 

key assumptions can significantly affect these cash flow projections and therefore the results of the impairment reviews.

Details of the key assumptions adopted and the corresponding impact are set out in Note 15.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 67

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
4 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS – CONTINUED

(d)  Fair value of warrant

The fair value of warrants issued requires judgment in determining the expected volatility of the share price, the dividends 

expected  on  the  shares,  the  risk-free  interest  rate  during  the  life  of  the  warrants.  Details  of  the  assumptions  used  in 

determining the fair value of the warrants are set out in Note 28.

(e)  Fair value of convertible notes and the embedded conversion options

The  fair  value  of  convertible  notes  and  the  embedded  conversion  options  are  determined  using  valuation  techniques 

including reference to other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis and option pricing 

model. The inputs to these models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a 

degree of judgement is required in establishing fair values. Details of the assumptions used in determining the fair value of 

the convertible notes and the embedded conversion options are set out in Note 27.

(f)  Accounting for the convertible notes and warrants issued during the year ended 31 December 2013

For  the  convertible  notes  and  warrants  issued  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2013  (the  “Instruments”)  with  fair 

values  substantially  higher  than  the  identifiable  consideration  received,  management  is  required  to  apply  judgement  in 

determining the accounting for the Instruments either under ‘share-based payments’ or ‘compound financial instruments’. 

If the Instruments are issued, with the intention, for services to be received or received by the Group, the Instruments are 

accounted for under ‘share-based payments’. Otherwise, the Instruments are accounted for under ‘compound financial 

instruments’.  As  the  Instruments  are  issued  for  the  purpose  of  capital  financing  and  are  not  issued  for  services  to  be 

received or received by the Group, the differences between the fair values and the consideration received with respect 

to the Instruments are accounted for in accordance with their intended purposes which are disclosed in Note 27 for the 

convertible notes and Note 28 for the warrants.

(g)  Recognition of share-based payments

The Group’s employees have participated in a share-based incentive scheme of the Company. Management of the Group 

have used the Binomial Model to determine the total value of the share options granted, which is based on fair value and 

various attributes of the underlying shares of the Company. Significant estimates and assumptions are required to be made 

in determining the parameters for applying the Binomial Model, including estimates and assumptions regarding the risk-

free rate of return, expected dividend yield and volatility of the underlying shares and the expected life of the share options. 

In addition, the Group is required to estimate the expected percentage of grantees that will remain in employment or terms 

with the Group at the end of the vesting period. The Group only recognises an expense for those share options expected 

to vest over the vesting period during which the grantees become unconditionally entitled to these share-based awards. 

Changes in these estimates and assumptions could have a material effect on the determination of the fair value of the share 

options and the amount of such share-based awards expected to become vested, which may in turn significantly impact 

the determination of the share-based payments.

68

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

4 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

(h)  Current and deferred income tax

The Group is subject to income taxes in various jurisdictions. Judgement is required in determining the provision for income 

taxes in these jurisdictions. There are transactions and calculations during the ordinary course of business for which the 

ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were 

initially recorded, such differences will impact the income tax and deferred income tax provisions in the period in which such 

determination is made.

Deferred income tax assets relating to certain temporary differences and tax losses are recognised when management 

considers it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences or tax losses 

can be utilised. When the expectation is different from the original estimate, such differences will impact the recognition of 

deferred income tax assets and taxation charges in the period in which such estimate is changed.

5 

REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Group is principally engaged in the petroleum exploration and production, and metals transactions. Turnover and revenue for 

the year comprise the following:

Sales of petroleum 

Income from metals transactions 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

89,853 

– 

89,853 

80,854

5,828

86,682

The Chief Executive Officer is the Group’s chief operating decision-maker. Management has determined the operating segments 

based  on  the  information  reviewed  by  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  for  the  purposes  of  allocating  resources  and  assessing 

performance.

The  Chief  Executive  Officer  considers  the  business  from  both  a  geographic  and  product  perspective.  Geographically, 

management  considers  the  performance  in  the  People’s  Republic  of  China  (the  “PRC”),  Argentina  and  Hong  Kong.  From  a 

product  perspective,  management  separately  considers  the  activities  of  petroleum  exploration  and  production,  and  metal 

transactions in these geographies. The Group has activities of petroleum exploration and production in Argentina, and activities of 

metal transactions in the PRC and Hong Kong.

The Group presented the following two reportable segments:

– 

– 

Petroleum exploration and production

Metals transactions

The Chief Executive Officer assesses the performance of the operating segments based on a measure of segment results. This 

measurement basis excludes the effects of non-recurring expenses from the operating segments such as legal expenses and 

impairments  when  the  impairment  is  the  result  of  an  isolated,  non-recurring  event.  The  measure  also  excludes  the  effects  of 

equity-settled share-based payments and unrealised gains/losses on financial instruments. Interest income and expenses are not 

allocated to segments, as this type of activity is driven by the central treasury function, which manages the cash position of the 

Group.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 69

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
5 

REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION – CONTINUED

For the year ended 31 December 2013

Petroleum

exploration and 

Metals

production 

transactions 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

Segment revenue (external sales) 

89,853 

– 

89,853

Results

Segment results excluding impairment 

Impairment losses 

Segment loss 

Unallocated other gains and losses 

Unallocated corporate expenses 

Finance costs 

Loss before income tax 

4,408 

(493,308) 

(1,091) 

(13,966) 

3,317

(507,274)

(488,900) 

(15,057) 

(503,957)

13,360

(144,817)

(43,757)

(679,171)

For the year ended 31 December 2012

Petroleum

exploration and 

Metals

production 

transactions 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

Segment revenue (external sales) 

80,854 

5,828 

86,682

Results

Segment results excluding impairment 

Impairment losses 

Segment loss 

Unallocated other gains and losses 

Unallocated corporate expenses 

Finance costs 

Loss before income tax 

(5,463) 

(3,263,012) 

(148) 

– 

(5,611)

(3,263,012)

(3,268,475) 

(148) 

(3,268,623)

1,724

(39,865)

(34,925)

(3,341,689)

70

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 

REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Assets

  Petroleum exploration and production 

  Metals transactions 

  Total segment assets 

  Unallocated 

  Consolidated assets 

Liabilities

  Petroleum exploration and production 

  Metals transactions 

  Total segment liabilities 

  Unallocated 

  Consolidated liabilities 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

422,002 

200,838 

622,840 

53,503 

867,089

201,014

1,068,103

68,604

676,343 

1,136,707

10,904 

6 

10,910 

447,247 

46,378

16,781

63,159

399,946

458,157 

463,105

For the purposes of monitoring segment performances and allocating resources between segments:

– 

all assets are allocated to reportable segments other than other tax recoverables, held-for-trading investments and assets 

used jointly by reportable segments.

– 

all liabilities are allocated to reportable segments other than convertible notes, borrowings, derivative financial liabilities and 

liabilities for which reportable segments are jointly liable.

For the year ended 31 December 2013

Petroleum

exploration and 

Metals 

production 

transactions  Unallocated 

Segment

total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

26,473 

27,307 

– 

– 

1,247 

136 

– 

13,966 

442,197 

51,111 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

27,720

27,443

13,966

442,197

51,111

Amounts included in the measure of segment

  profit or loss or segment assets:

Capital expenditure 

Depreciation and depletion 

Impairment loss of other receivable 

Impairment loss recognised in respect of

  exploration and evaluation assets 

Impairment loss recognised in respect of

  property, plant and equipment 

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
5 

REVENUE AND SEGMENT INFORMATION – CONTINUED

For the year ended 31 December 2012

Petroleum

exploration and 

Metals 

production 

transactions 

Unallocated 

Segment

total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

26,321 

37,265 

3,130,106 

132,906 

– 

1 

– 

– 

231 

108 

– 

– 

26,552

37,374

3,130,106

132,906

Amounts included in the measure of segment

  profit or loss or segment assets:

Capital expenditure 

Depreciation and depletion 

Impairment loss recognised in respect of

  exploration and evaluation assets 

Impairment loss recognised in respect of

  property, plant and equipment 

The Group’s revenue from external customers based on the location of customers and information about its non-current assets, 

excluding other tax recoverables, by geographical location of the assets are detailed below:

Argentina 

Others 

Revenue from

external customers 

Non-current assets

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

89,853 

– 

80,854 

5,828 

358,480 

1,249 

852,623

301

89,853 

86,682 

359,729 

852,924

For the year ended 31 December 2013, external revenue of approximately HK$89,853,000 (2012: HK$80,854,000) is generated 

from  one  major  customer  which  accounts  for  10%  or  more  of  the  Group’s  external  revenue.  The  revenue  is  attributable  to 

petroleum exploration and production segment.

72

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6  OTHER GAINS, NET

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Other interest income 

Imputed interest on other tax recoverables 

Total interest income 

Government grants (Note) 

Exchange gains/(losses), net 

(Loss)/gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Gain on disposal of available-for-sale financial assets 

Others 

Note:

The amount represented government subsidy obtained for the Group’s petroleum exploration and production in Argentina.

7 

STAFF COSTS (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS)

Wages and salaries 

Pension costs – defined contribution plans (Note (a)) 

Share-based payments (Note 24) 

Notes:

(a) 

Pension costs – defined contribution plans

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

1 

– 

1 

13,313 

328 

(164) 

– 

211 

13,688 

43

6,327

6,370

14,746

(8,878)

962

1,566

747

9,143

13,689 

15,513

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

23,780 

182 

32,239 

56,201 

16,752

157

–

16,909

With effect from 1 December 2000, a Mandatory Provident Fund scheme (the “MPF Scheme”) has been set up for employees in Hong Kong in accordance with 
the Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme Ordinance. Commencing on 1 December 2000, the existing employees in Hong Kong may elect to join the MPF Scheme, 
and all new employees in Hong Kong are required to join the MPF Scheme. Under the rules of the MPF Scheme, the employer and its employees in Hong Kong 
are each required to contribute 5% of their gross earnings with a current ceiling of HK$1,250 per month to the MPF Scheme. The only obligation of the Group 
with respect to the MPF Scheme is to make the required contributions under the scheme. No forfeited contribution is available to reduce the contribution payable 
in the future years. The MPF contributions charged to the profit or loss represent the contributions paid or payable to the funds by the Group.

The Group also participates in the employees’ pension schemes of the respective municipal governments in the countries 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.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
7 

STAFF COSTS (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS) – CONTINUED

Notes: – continued

(b) 

Directors’ and chief executive officer emoluments

The remuneration paid or payable to each of the directors and the Chief Executive Officer for the year ended 31 December 2013 is set out below:

Name 

Executive directors
  Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (Note (ii)) 
  Chan Chi Hung, Anthony (Note (iii)) 
  Allan Ritchie (Note (iv)) 
  Chu Kwok Chi, Robert (Note (v)) 
  Hong Kin Choy (Note (vi)) 

Independent non-executive directors
  Ho King Fung, Eric (Note (vii)) 
  Lam Ting Lok (Note (viii)) 
  Qian Zhi Hui 
  Zhu Tiansheng 
  Cheung Yuk Ming (Note (ix)) 

Total emoluments 

Salaries 
and other 
benefits 
(Note (i)) 
HK$’000 

Other emoluments

Share-based 
payments 
HK$’000 

Retirement
benefits
scheme
contributions 
HK$’000 

Fees 
HK$’000 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

450 
90 
150 
150 
75 

915 

2,130 
276 
658 
561 
890 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

4,515 

7,392 
4,449 
3,072 
– 
– 

12,378 
– 
– 
– 
– 

27,291 

11 
8 
– 
5 
6 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

30 

The remuneration paid or payable to each of the directors and the Chief Executive Officer for the year ended 31 December 2012 is set out below:

Name 

Executive directors
  Chu Kwok Chi, Robert (Note (v)) 
  Hong Kin Choy (Note (vi)) 

Independent non-executive directors
  Cheung Yuk Ming (Note (ix)) 
  Qian Zhi Hui 
  Zhu Tiansheng 

Total emoluments 

Salaries 
and other 
benefits 
(Note (i)) 
HK$’000 

Other emoluments

Share-based 
payments 
HK$’000 

Retirement
benefits
scheme
contributions 
HK$’000 

910 
1,552 

– 
– 
– 

2,462 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

14 
13 

– 
– 
– 

27 

Fees 
HK$’000 

– 
– 

150 
150 
150 

450 

Total
HK$’000

9,533
4,733
3,730
566
896

12,828
90
150
150
75

32,751

Total
HK$’000

924
1,565

150
150
150

2,939

Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (2012: Chu Kwok Chi, Robert) is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2013 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  Officer  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  Officer  as  an  inducement  to  join,  or  upon  joining  the  Group  or  as 
compensation for loss of office.

Notes:

(i) 
(ii) 
(iii) 
(iv) 
(v) 
(vi) 
(vii) 
(viii) 
(ix) 

Other benefits mainly comprise leave pay and quarter expenses.
Appointed on 9 April 2013.
Appointed on 16 July 2013.
Appointed on 4 April 2013 and resigned on 29 November 2013.
Resigned on 9 April 2013.
Resigned on 3 June 2013.
Appointed on 4 April 2013.
Appointed on 4 April 2013 and resigned on 10 January 2014.
Retired on 3 July 2013.

74

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7 

STAFF COSTS (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS) – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Notes: – continued

(c) 

Five highest paid individuals

The five individuals whose emoluments were the highest in the Group for the year include four (2012: two) directors whose emoluments are reflected in the 
analysis presented above. The emoluments payable to the remaining one (2012: three) individual during the year are as follows:

Salaries, allowances and benefits in kind 
Pension costs – defined contribution plans 
Share-based payments 

The emoluments fell within the following bands:

Emolument bands
Nil-HK$1,000,000 
HK$4,000,001-HK$5,000,000 

8 

IMPAIRMENT LOSSES

Impairment loss of exploration and evaluation assets (Note 15) 

Impairment loss of property, plant and equipment (Note 16) 

(Reversal of impairment loss)/impairment loss of other tax recoverables (Note 18) 

Impairment loss of other receivable (Note 20) 

9 

FAIR VALUE (LOSSES)/GAINS ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair value (loss)/gain on derivative component of convertible notes 

Fair value gain/(loss) on held-for-trading investments 

Fair value loss on warrants 

2013 
HK$’000 

2012
HK$’000

1,610 
9 
2,474 

4,093 

2,749
14
–

2,763

Number of individuals

2013 

2012

– 
1 

1 

3
–

3

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

442,197 

51,111 

(660) 

13,966 

3,130,106

132,906

3,616

–

506,614 

3,266,628

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

(12,464) 

61 

(5,999) 

(18,402) 

378

(15)

–

363

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
10  FINANCE COSTS

Interest on borrowings wholly repayable within five years:

  Bank borrowings and overdrafts 

  Other loans 

Interest on borrowings not wholly repayable within five years:

  Bank borrowings 

Effective interest expense on convertible notes 

Compensation charge for late payments to supplier in relation to

  petroleum exploration and production 

11  LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

14,345 

9,292 

– 

20,120 

– 

43,757 

2

8,987

13,281

9,031

3,624

34,925

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

Loss before income tax has been arrived after charging the following items:

Auditor’s remuneration 

Minimum lease payments under operating leases in respect of office properties and buildings 

Share-based payments granted to consultants (Note 24) 

Professional fees 

2,500 

2,524 

16,730 

14,401 

3,050

3,289

–

8,200

12 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

No provision for Hong Kong profits tax has been made in these financial statements as the Group did not have assessable profits 

arising in Hong Kong for the year (2012: Nil).

Argentina income tax is calculated at 35% (2012: 35%) of assessable profit for the year. No provision for Argentina income tax 

has been made as there is no assessable profits arising in Argentina for the year. 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(311)

(1,026)

(1,337)

(9,014)

(10,351)

Current tax:

  Hong Kong profits tax – under provision in prior years 

  Argentina income tax 

Total current tax 

Deferred tax 

Income tax expense 

76

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

The tax on the Group’s loss before income tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the domestic tax rates 

applicable to loss of the consolidated entities are as follows:

Loss before income tax 

Tax calculated at weighted average tax rates applicable to profits in the respective countries 

Income not subject to tax 

Expenses not deductible for tax purpose 

Tax losses for which no deferred income tax asset was recognised 

Others 

Tax charge 

The gross movements in the deferred tax liabilities account are as follows:

At 1 January 

Charged to the consolidated profit or loss 

Credited to other comprehensive income upon disposal of available-for-sale investments 

At 31 December 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

(679,171) 

(3,341,689)

123,894 

4,180 

(112,396) 

(15,707) 

29 

– 

543,323

5,426

(549,319)

(9,536)

(245)

(10,351)

Group

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

– 

– 

– 

– 

3,296

(9,014)

5,718

–

The movements in deferred tax assets and (liabilities) during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances 

within the same tax jurisdiction, are as follows:

Withholding 

Accrued

 tax 

 expenses 

Tax losses 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

At 1 January 2012 

Credited/(charged) to the consolidated profit or loss 

Credited to other comprehensive income 

At 31 December 2012 and 2013 

(5,718) 

– 

5,718 

– 

(856) 

856 

– 

– 

9,870 

(9,870) 

– 

– 

3,296

(9,014)

5,718

–

At 31 December 2013, the Group had unused tax losses of HK$257,889,000 (2012: HK$199,292,000) available for offset against 

future profits. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the unused tax losses due to the unpredictability of future 

profit streams. Included in unused tax losses are losses of HK$47,899,000 (2012: HK$61,915,000) that will expire within 5 years. 

All other tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
13  LOSSES PER SHARE

(a)  Basic

Basic losses per share is calculated by dividing the loss for the year attributable to owners of the Company by the weighted 

average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

Loss for the year attributable to owners of the Company 

(679,171) 

(3,352,040)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 

3,544,464 

2,670,736

’000 

’000

(b)  Diluted

Diluted losses per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume 

conversion  of  all  potential  dilutive  ordinary  shares.  The  Company  has  three  (2012:  two)  categories  of  potential  dilutive 

ordinary shares: warrants, convertible notes and share options (2012: convertible notes and share options). The convertible 

notes  are  assumed  to  have  been  converted  into  ordinary  shares,  and  the  net  loss  is  adjusted  to  eliminate  the  interest 

expense less the tax effect. For the share options and warrants (2012: share options), a calculation is done to determine 

the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average annual market share price of 

the Company’s shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to outstanding share options. The 

number of shares calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that would have been issued assuming the 

exercise of the share options and warrants.

These potential dilutive ordinary shares were anti-dilutive for the years ended 31 December 2013 and 2012.

14  DIVIDEND

The Board does not recommend the payment of a dividend during the year (2012: Nil).

78

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
15  EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Cost

  At 1 January 

  Write-off 

  Transfer to property, plant and equipment (Note 16) 

At 31 December 

Impairment

  At 1 January 

  Charged to consolidated profit or loss (Note 8) 

  At 31 December 

Net book amount

  At 1 January 

  At 31 December 

Note:

Group

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

3,778,574 

3,837,156

– 

– 

(50,700)

(7,882)

3,778,574 

3,778,574

3,130,106 

442,197 

–

3,130,106

3,572,303 

3,130,106

648,468 

206,271 

3,837,156

648,468

The balance 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 (together, the “Concessions”) in the Cuyana Basin, Mendoza Province, Argentina, covering a total surface area of approximately 169.4 
and 40 square kilometers respectively.

The Puesto Pozo Cercado Concession and Chañares Herrados Concession were awarded to Chañares Herrados Empresa de Trabajos Petroleros S.A. (“Chañares”), the 
concessionaire, and the terms of these oil exploration and production concessions are 25 years commencing from 26 June 1992 and 24 September 1992, respectively, 
with the possibility of obtaining a 10-year extension under certain conditions.

In 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.

Since 2012 onwards, the Argentina government has been taking more drastic measures to ensure growth and keeping the currency stable, such as import restrictions 
and severe capital controls. These policies are exacerbating economic stagnation and leading to political unrest. As a result, 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. The deferral of drilling plans had a significant impact on the net 
present value of the cash flows of the oil and gas fields. Accordingly impairment losses of HK$3,130,106,000 and HK$132,906,000 were recognised in respect of the 
Group’s exploration and evaluation assets and oil and gas properties under property, plant and equipment, respectively during the year ended 31 December 2012.

During the year ended 31 December 2013, the economic and politic environment in Argentina remained uncertain. With reference to certain future oil price forecast, the 
Directors expect that there would be a high probability of deterioration in the growth of future oil price outlook. Taking into account of potential acquisition opportunity 
identified by the Group, the Directors decided to further delay the Group’s overall drilling plan to later years. As a result, the Directors conducted a review of the Group’s 
petroleum  exploration  and  production  business  in  Argentina  and  determined  that  the  Group’s  exploration  and  evaluation  assets,  and  oil  and  gas  properties  under 
property, plant and equipment should be further impaired.

The above changes in oil price outlook and the Group’s deferral in the Argentina investment plan would have a significant impact to the timing and amount of expected 
future cash flows from the operation as well as the recoverable amount of the exploration and evaluation assets, and oil and gas properties under property, plant and 
equipment of the Group. Consequently, impairment losses of HK$442,197,000 and HK$51,111,000 were recognised in respect of the Group’s exploration and evaluation 
assets and oil and gas properties under property, plant and equipment, respectively, during the year ended 31 December 2013.

The recoverable amounts of the exploration and evaluation assets and oil and gas properties under property, plant and equipment were determined from value in use 
calculations based on a cash flow projection derived from estimated oil reserve at the Concessions up to the expiry of the concession right in 2027 at a discount rate of 
17.7% (2012: 14.1%) for exploration and evaluation assets and 17.0% (2012: 14.1%) for oil and gas properties under property, plant and equipment respectively.

The relevant pre-tax discount rates used in these value in use calculation for exploration and evaluation assets and oil and gas properties under property, plant and 
equipment are 27.2% (2012: 21.7%) and 26.2% (2012: 21.7%) respectively.

The key assumptions for the value in use calculation are those regarding the discount rates, production decline rates and expected changes in future oil prices. The 
expected future West Texas Intermediate spot oil prices for the next five years range from US$89.87 to US$100.45 per barrel (2012: US$105.89 to US$125.48 per barrel) 
are with reference to industry forecasts.

Should the future oil price be further decreased by 5% (2012: 15%), the carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation assets would be impaired in full. For oil and 
gas properties under property, plant and equipment, if the expected future oil price be further decreased by 5% (2012: 15%) the Group would have recognised further 
impairment of HK$10,442,000 (2012: HK$50,348,000).

Should the discount rate used in the value in use calculations for exploration and evaluation assets  and oil and gas properties under property, plant and equipment had 
been one percentage point higher, additional impairment of HK$79,856,000 (2012: HK$160,090,000) and HK$8,255,000 (2012: HK$12,262,000) would have been 
recognised respectively.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 79

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
16  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Group 

Company

Oil and gas 

properties 

Construction

Others 

in progress 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total 

HK$’000 

Others

HK$’000

338,916 

(51,125) 

(34,023) 

253,768 

253,768 

26,281 

– 

93,340 

– 

(36,909) 

(132,906) 

203,574 

458,537 

(88,034) 

(166,929) 

203,574 

203,574 

26,324 

– 

(27,081) 

(51,111) 

151,706 

484,861 

(115,115) 

(218,040) 

151,706 

3,350 

(1,733) 

– 

1,617 

1,617 

271 

– 

– 

(541) 

(465) 

– 

882 

2,453 

(1,571) 

– 

882 

882 

1,396 

(164) 

(362) 

– 

1,752 

3,411 

(1,659) 

– 

1,752 

85,458 

– 

– 

427,724 

(52,858) 

(34,023) 

85,458 

340,843 

85,458 

– 

7,882 

(93,340) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

340,843 

26,552 

7,882 

– 

(541) 

(37,374) 

(132,906) 

204,456 

460,990 

(89,605) 

(166,929) 

204,456 

204,456 

27,720 

(164) 

(27,443) 

(51,111) 

153,458 

488,272 

(116,774) 

(218,040) 

153,458 

1,337

(958)

–

379

379

215

–

–

(250)

(108)

–

236

997

(761)

–

236

236

1,247

(150)

(102)

–

1,231

2,048

(817)

–

1,231

At 1 January 2012

Cost 

Accumulated depreciation 

Accumulated impairment losses 

Net book amount 

Year ended 31 December 2012

Opening net book amount 

Additions 

Transfer from exploration and 

  evaluation assets (Note 15) 

Transfer 

Disposals 

Depreciation and depletion 

Impairment loss (Notes 8 and 15) 

Closing net book amount 

At 31 December 2012

Cost 

Accumulated depreciation 

Accumulated impairment losses 

Net book amount 

Year ended 31 December 2013

Opening net book amount 

Additions 

Disposals 

Depreciation and depletion 

Impairment loss (Notes 8 and 15) 

Closing net book amount 

At 31 December 2013

Cost 

Accumulated depreciation 

Accumulated impairment losses 

Net book amount 

80

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17 

INVESTMENTS IN AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM/TO SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Investments, at cost:

Unlisted shares 

Amounts due from subsidiaries (Note (a)) 

Less: Provision for impairment (Note (b)) 

Company

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

8 

8

4,770,141 

4,691,094

(4,054,602) 

(3,552,335)

715,539 

1,138,759

Amounts due to subsidiaries (Note (a)) 

90,814 

90,986

Investments in the Group undertakings are recorded at cost, which is the fair value of the consideration paid.

Notes:

(a) 

(b) 

The amounts due from/to subsidiaries are unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand and majority of the balances are denominated in HK$.

Movements in the provision for the impairment of amounts due from subsidiaries are as follows:

At 1 January 
Recognition of impairment loss 

At 31 December 

(c) 

The following is a list of the principal subsidiaries at 31 December 2013:

Company

2013 
HK$’000 

3,552,335 
502,267 

4,054,602 

2012
HK$’000

231,160
3,321,175

3,552,335

Name 

Place of 
incorporation/ 
operations 

EP Energy S.A. 

Argentina 

EPI Metals Limited 

Hong Kong 

Nominal value of 
issued and fully paid 
ordinary share/ 
registered capital 

ARS298,583 

HK$1 

Principal activities 

Petroleum exploration 
  and production

Metals transactions 
  and trading of
  petroleum related
  products

Have Result Investments Limited 

British Virgin 

Islands/Argentina 

Petroleum exploration 
  and production

US$10,000 

Attributable 
proportion of 
nominal value of 
issued/registered 
capital indirectly 
held by the Company

100%

100%

100%

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.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
18  OTHER TAX RECOVERABLES

Total other tax recoverables 

Less: Current portion 

Non-current portion 

Group

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

41,295 

(12,753) 

28,542 

62,431

(13,553)

48,878

Pursuant to the relevant rules and regulation in Argentina, value-added tax on expenditure incurred in drilling and purchasing 

property, plant and equipment relating to the petroleum exploration and production operation in Argentina can be used to offset 

value-added tax arising from the future sales of petroleum. Management estimated the recoverable amount of the value-added 

tax based on future revenue which the Group expects to be generated from sales of petroleum, with reference to the current 

exploration  and  evaluation  stages  of  the  oil  field  and  oil  production  from  wells.  During  the  year  ended  31  December  2013,  a 

reversal of impairment loss on recoverable value-added tax expense of HK$660,000 (2012: impairment loss of HK$3,616,000) 

was recognised in profit and loss (Note 8). The Directors of the Company expected that an amount of HK$28,542,000 (2012: 

HK$48,878,000) will be recovered from the sales of petroleum after twelve months from the date of statement of financial position 

and, accordingly, classified the amount as non-current assets.

19  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY

As at 31 December 2013

Assets as per consolidated statement of financial position

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments 

Held-for-trading investments 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total 

As at 31 December 2013

Liabilities as per consolidated statement of financial position

Borrowings 

Convertible notes 

Derivative financial liabilities 

Trade and other payables excluding non-financial liabilities 

Total 

82

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

Group

Held-for-

trading

Loans and 

receivables 

investments 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

26,378 

– 

48,029 

74,407 

– 

98 

– 

98 

26,378

98

48,029

74,505

Group

Liabilities 

at fair value  Other financial

through 

liabilities at

profit or loss  amortised cost 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

– 

– 

58,903 

– 

275,000 

84,054 

– 

33,187 

Total

HK$’000

275,000

84,054

58,903

33,187

58,903 

392,241 

451,144

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

As at 31 December 2012

Assets as per consolidated statement of financial position

Trade and other receivables excluding prepayments 

Held-for-trading investments 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total 

As at 31 December 2012

Liabilities as per consolidated statement of financial position

Borrowings 

Convertible notes 

Trade and other payables excluding non-financial liabilities 

Total 

As at 31 December 2013

Assets as per statement of financial position

Other receivables excluding prepayments 

Amounts due from subsidiaries 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total 

Group

Held-for-

trading

Loans and 

receivables 

investments 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

218,610 

– 

2,680 

221,290 

– 

37 

– 

37 

218,610

37

2,680

221,327

Group

Liabilities 

at fair value 

Other financial

through 

liabilities at

profit or loss 

amortised cost 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

– 

4,934 

– 

4,934 

338,808 

20,993 

90,996 

338,808

25,927

90,996

450,797 

455,731

Company

Held-for-

trading

Loans and 

receivables 

investments 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

596 

715,539 

21,179 

737,314 

– 

– 

– 

– 

596

715,539

21,179

737,314

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
19  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BY CATEGORY – CONTINUED

Company

Liabilities 

at fair value  Other financial

through 

liabilities at

profit or loss  amortised cost 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

– 

– 

58,903 

– 

– 

275,000 

84,054 

– 

6,454 

90,814 

Total

HK$’000

275,000

84,054

58,903

6,454

90,814

As at 31 December 2013

Liabilities as per statement of financial position

Borrowings 

Convertible notes 

Derivative financial liabilities 

Other payables excluding non-financial liabilities 

Amount due to subsidiaries 

Total 

58,903 

456,322 

515,225

Company

Held-for-

trading

Loans and 

receivables 

investments 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

5,611 

1,138,759 

143 

1,144,513 

– 

– 

– 

– 

5,611

1,138,759

143

1,144,513

Company

Liabilities

at fair value 

Other financial

through 

liabilities at

profit or loss 

amortised cost 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

Total

HK$’000

– 

4,934 

– 

– 

338,808 

338,808

20,993 

30,691 

90,986 

25,927

30,691

90,986

4,934 

481,478 

486,412

As at 31 December 2012

Assets as per statement of financial position

Other receivables excluding prepayments 

Amounts due from subsidiaries 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total 

As at 31 December 2012

Liabilities as per statement of financial position

Borrowings 

Convertible notes 

Other payables excluding non-financial liabilities 

Amount due to subsidiaries 

Total 

84

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES AND PREPAYMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Trade receivables (Note (a)) 

Prepayments to a metal supplier 

Amount due from a former director (Note (b)) 

Other receivables and prepayments (Note (c)) 

Group 

Company

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

4,716 

200,810 

– 

21,666 

3,945 

–

5,091 

209,599 

227,192 

218,635 

– 

– 

596 

596 

–

5,091

520

5,611

Notes:

(a) 

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 trade receivables of HK$4,716,000 (2012: HK$3,945,000) were neither past due nor 
impaired and aged within 30 days based on the invoice date.

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. Receivables that were neither past due nor impaired relate to customer for whom there was no recent history of 
default.

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables and prepayments are denominated in currencies:

ARS 
US$ 
HK$ 
RMB 

Group 

2013 
HK$’000 

25,722 
– 
660 
200,810 

227,192 

2012 
HK$’000 

11,607 
200,984 
6,044 
– 

218,635 

Company

2013 
HK$’000 

2012
HK$’000

– 
– 
596 
– 

596 

–
–
5,611
–

5,611

(b) 

Amount due from a former director represented the advance from Wong Chi Wing, Joseph ("Mr. Wong"), who resigned as an executive director of the Company 
on 20 December 2011, and he pledged certain assets as security. During the year ended 31 December 2013, Mr. Wong repaid the amount in full and the 
pledged security was released accordingly.

Particulars of the amount due from a former director are as follows:

Former director 

Terms 

Balance at 
31 December 2013 
HK$’000 

Balance at 
1 January 2013 
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

(c) 

As at 31 December 2012, included in the balance was a receivable arising from metal sales contract amounting to HK$200,984,000. During the year ended 31 
December 2013, an amount to the extent of HK$187,018,000 was received by the Group and the remaining balance of HK$13,966,000 (Note 8) was provided 
for.

Movements in the Group’s allowance for impairment of other receivables are as follows:

At 1 January 
Provision for impairment 

At 31 December 

2013 
HK$’000 

– 
13,966 

13,966 

2012
HK$’000

–
–

–

(d) 

(e) 

The other classes within trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the date of statement of financial position is the carrying value of each class of receivables mentioned above. As at 31 
December 2013, the Group does not hold any collateral as security.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
21  HELD-FOR-TRADING INVESTMENTS

Listed securities – held-for-trading at fair value

– Equity securities – Hong Kong 

Group

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

98 

37

Held-for-trading investments are presented within “operating activities” as part of changes in working capital in the consolidated 

statement of cash flows (Note 31).

Changes in fair values of held-for-trading investments are recorded in “fair value (losses)/gains on financial instruments” in the 

consolidated profit or loss (Note 9).

The fair value of all equity securities is based on their current bid prices in an active market.

22  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Group 

Company

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

Cash at banks and on hand 

48,029 

2,680 

21,179 

143

Bank balances carry interest at market rates which range from 0.01% to 1.25% (2012: 0.01% to 1.25%) per annum.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents are denominated in currencies:

ARS 

US$ 

HK$ 

Group 

Company

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

9,267 

16,402 

22,360 

48,029 

2,351 

208 

121 

2,680 

11 

62 

21,106 

21,179 

–

97

46

143

86

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23  SHARE CAPITAL

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Authorised:

  Ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each

  At 1 January, 31 December 2012 and 2013 

Issued and fully paid:

  Ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each

  At 1 January 2012 

Issue of new shares upon placement (Note (a)) 

Issue of new shares upon placements (Note (b)) 

Issue of share upon conversion of convertible notes (Note (c)) 

  At 31 December 2012 

Issue of new shares upon placement (Note (d)) 

Issue of new shares upon placement (Note (e)) 

Issue of share upon conversion of convertible notes (Note (f)) 

Issue of shares upon exercise of share options (Note (g)) 

  At 31 December 2013 

Number of  Nominal value

ordinary 

of ordinary 

shares 

’000 

shares

HK$’000

10,000,000 

1,000,000

2,150,878 

215,088

330,000 

360,000 

289,500 

33,000

36,000

28,950

3,130,378 

313,038

125,000 

650,000 

124,500 

140,000 

12,500

65,000

12,450

14,000

4,169,878 

416,988

Notes:

(a) 

On 9 May 2012, the Company completed a placement of 330,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each (the “First Subscription Shares”) at a subscription price 
of HK$0.15 per share to City Wise Investment Limited (“City Wise"), a company controlled by Wu Shaozhang (“Mr. Wu”), a shareholder of the Company. The First 
Subscription Shares were issued under the general mandate granted to the Directors of the Company on 29 September 2011. Accordingly, 330,000,000 shares 
of HK$0.10 each were issued at a premium of HK$0.05 each. The premium on issue of shares of HK$16,500,000 was credited to the share premium account.

(b) 

On 11 July 2012, the Company completed a placement of 250,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each (the “Second Subscription Shares”) at a subscription 
price of HK$0.155 per share to City Wise. The Second Subscription Shares were issued under the general mandate granted to the directors of the Company on 
8 June 2012.

On  17  July  2012,  the  Company  completed  a  placement  of  110,000,000  ordinary  shares  of  HK$0.10  each  at  a  placing  price  of  HK$0.155  per  share  to 
independent third parties under the general mandate granted to the Directors of the Company on 8 June 2012.

Accordingly,  250,000,000  shares  and  110,000,000  shares  of  HK$0.10  each  were  issued  at  a  premium  of  HK$0.055  each  on  11  July  and  17  July  2012 
respectively. The premium on issue of shares of HK$19,800,000 was credited to the share premium account.

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

During the year ended 31 December 2012, 289,500,000 shares of HK$0.10 each were issued upon conversion of 2011 convertible notes (“2011 CN”) with an 
aggregate principal amount of HK$43,425,000.

On 1 March 2013, the Company completed a placement of 125,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each (the “March 2013 Placing Shares”) at a placing price 
of HK$0.18 per share to independent third parties. Accordingly, 125,000,000 shares of HK$0.10 each were issued at a premium of HK$0.08 each. The premium 
on issue of shares of HK$10,000,000 was credited to the share premium account. The Company also issued unlisted warrants (“Warrants”), on the basis of 5 
Warrants for each March 2013 Placing Share issued. Details of the Warrants are set out in Note 28.

On  27  August  2013,  the  Company  completed  a  placement  of  650,000,000  ordinary  shares  of  HK$0.10  each  at  a  placing  price  of  HK$0.19  per  share  to 
independent third parties. Accordingly, 650,000,000 shares of HK$0.10 each were issued at a premium of HK$0.09 each. The premium on issue of shares of 
HK$58,500,000 was credited to the share premium account.

During the year ended 31 December 2013, 124,500,000 shares of HK$0.10 each were issued upon conversion of 2011 CN with an aggregate principal amount 
of HK$18,675,000.

During the year ended 31 December 2013, the Company allotted and issued 140,000,000 shares of HK$0.10 each for cash at the exercise price of HK$0.141 
per share as a result of the exercise of options under the share option scheme approved by the shareholders of the Company.

(h) 

All shares issued by the Company in 2012 and 2013 rank pari passu in all respects with the existing shares.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
24  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 Directors and employees 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  2013,  options  to  subscribe  for  an  aggregate  of  703,000,000  shares  (2012:  152,379,999  shares)  of  the 

Company granted to the directors, certain employees and other participants pursuant to the Scheme remained outstanding.

88

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

24  SHARE OPTIONS – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Details of the movements in the number of share options during the year ended 31 December 2013 under the Scheme are as 

follows:

Option type 

Date of grant 

Employees:
A 

B 

C 

N 

Directors:
D 

E 

F 

J 

K 

L 

M 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

25 November 2013 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 

11 April 2013 
(Note 1) 
30 July 2013 
(Note 2) 
30 July 2013 
(Note 2) 
30 July 2013 
(Note 2) 

Suppliers and others:
A 

10 February 2010 

B 

C 

G 

H 

I 

N 

O 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 

11 October 2011 

11 April 2013 

11 April 2013 
(Note 3) 
25 November 2013 

25 November 2013 

Exercisable 
period 
(both dates 
inclusive) 

10 February 2010 –  
9 February 2013
10 November 2010 – 
9 February 2013
10 August 2011 – 
9 February 2013
25 November 2013 – 
24 November 2016

19 March 2010 – 
9 February 2013
10 November 2010 – 
9 February 2013
10 August 2011 – 
9 February 2013
3 July 2013 – 
10 April 2016
16 September 2013 – 
29 July 2016
16 September 2014 – 
29 July 2016
16 September 2015 – 
29 July 2016

10 February 2010- 
9 February 2013
10 November 2010- 
9 February 2013
10 August 2011- 
9 February 2013
11 October 2011 –  
10 October 2013
11 April 2013 –  
10 April 2016
11 April 2013 – 
28 February 2014
25 November 2013 –  
24 November 2016
25 February 2014 –  
24 November 2016

Outstanding 
at 
1 January 
2013 

Granted 
during 
 the year 

Exercised 
during 
the year 

  Outstanding 
Lapsed 
at 
during 31 December 
2013

the year 

Exercise 
price 
HK$

1.564 

2,096,667 

1.564 

2,096,667 

1.564 

2,096,667 

– 

– 

– 

0.219 

– 

64,000,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(2,096,667) 

(2,096,667) 

(2,096,667) 

–

–

–

– 

64,000,000

6,290,001 

64,000,000 

– 

(6,290,001) 

64,000,000

1.610 

1.610 

1.610 

0.255 

0.206 

0.206 

0.206 

90,000 

90,000 

90,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

88,000,000 

–  147,500,000 

– 

– 

73,750,000 

73,750,000 

270,000  383,000,000 

1.564 

1,939,999 

1.564 

1,939,999 

1.564 

1,940,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(90,000) 

(90,000) 

(90,000) 

–

–

–

– 

88,000,000

–  147,500,000

– 

– 

73,750,000

73,750,000

(270,000)  383,000,000

(1,939,999) 

(1,939,999) 

(1,940,000) 

–

–

–

–

0.141 

140,000,000 

– 

(140,000,000) 

– 

0.255 

0.255 

0.219 

0.219 

–  128,000,000 

– 

– 

– 

32,000,000 

32,000,000 

64,000,000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

  128,000,000

– 

– 

– 

32,000,000

32,000,000

64,000,000

145,819,998  256,000,000 

(140,000,000) 

(5,819,998)  256,000,000

152,379,999  703,000,000 

(140,000,000) 

(12,379,999)  703,000,000

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
24  SHARE OPTIONS – CONTINUED

Details of the movements in the number of share options during the year ended 31 December 2012 under the Scheme are as 

follows:

Option type 

Date of grant 

(both dates inclusive) 

price 

HK$

2012 

Exercisable period 

Exercise 

1 January 

Outstanding 

at 

Granted 

during 

the year 

Outstanding 

Lapsed 

at 

during 

31 December 

the year 

2012

Employees:

A 

B 

C 

Directors:

D 

E 

F 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 – 

1.564 

2,096,667 

9 February 2013

10 February 2010 

10 November 2010 – 

1.564 

2,096,667 

9 February 2013

10 February 2010 

10 August 2011 – 

1.564 

2,096,667 

9 February 2013

19 March 2010 

19 March 2010 – 

9 February 2013

6,290,001 

1.610 

90,000 

19 March 2010 

10 November 2010 – 

1.610 

90,000 

9 February 2013

19 March 2010 

10 August 2011 – 

1.610 

90,000 

9 February 2013

270,000 

Suppliers and others:

A 

B 

C 

G 

10 February 2010 

10 February 2010 – 

1.564 

1,939,999 

9 February 2013

10 February 2010 

10 November 2010 – 

1.564 

1,939,999 

9 February 2013

10 February 2010 

10 August 2011 – 

1.564 

1,940,000 

9 February 2013

11 October 2011 

11 October 2011 – 

0.141 

140,000,000 

10 October 2013

145,819,998 

152,379,999 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2,096,667

2,096,667

2,096,667

6,290,001

90,000

90,000

90,000

270,000

1,939,999

1,939,999

1,940,000

140,000,000

145,819,998

152,379,999

90

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24  SHARE OPTIONS – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Pursuant to the resolution of the Company passed on, 11 April, 3 July, 16 September and 25 November 2013, 160,000,000, 
88,000,000, 295,000,000 and 160,000,000 share options were granted to directors and employees as well as certain consultants 
of the Company, respectively under the Scheme.

The closing price of the Company’s shares on the approval date on 11 April, 3 July, 16 September and 25 November 2013, the 
respective dates of grant of the options, were HK$0.255, HK$0.243, HK$0.234 and HK$0.215, respectively.

The Binominal model has been used to estimate the fair value of the options. The variables and assumptions used in computing 
the fair value of the share options are based on the independent professional valuer’s best estimate. The value of an option varies 
with different variables of certain subjective assumptions. The estimated fair values of the options on their respective grant dates 
are as follows:

Option type 

Grant date 

A 
B 
C 
D 
E 
F 
G 
H 
I 
J 
K 
L 
M 
N 
O 

10 February 2010 
10 February 2010 
10 February 2010 
19 March 2010 
19 March 2010 
19 March 2010 
11 October 2011 
11 April 2013 
11 April 2013 (note 3) 
11 April 2013 (note 1) 
30 July 2013 (note 2) 
30 July 2013 (note 2) 
30 July 2013 (note 2) 
25 November 2013 
25 November 2013 

Fair value
HK$

0.372
0.417
0.459
0.384
0.425
0.469
0.0469
0.096
0.096
0.084
0.093
0.095
0.098
0.077
0.077

The inputs into the model in respect of the share options granted during the year ended 31 December 2013 were as follows:

H 

I 

J 

K 

L 

M 

N 

O

Option type

Share price on grant date (HK$) 
Exercise price (HK$) 
Expected volatility 
Expected life (years) 
Risk-free rate 

0.255 
0.255 
60.22% 
3.00 
0.19% 

0.255 
0.255 
60.22% 
0.88 
0.19% 

0.243 
0.255 
58.03% 
2.77 
0.51% 

0.234 
0.206 
58.19% 
2.87 
0.54% 

0.234 
0.206 
58.19% 
1.87 
0.54% 

0.234 
0.206 
58.19% 
0.87 
0.54% 

0.215 
0.219 
57.77% 
3.00 
0.37% 

0.215
0.219
57.77%
2.75
0.37%

Expected volatility was determined by using the historical volatility of the Company’s share price over the previous five years.

The  fair  value  of  the  share  options  granted  was  HK$48,969,000  (2012:  Nil),  of  which  HK$32,239,000  (Note  7)  was  related 
to services provided by the directors and employees of the Company and HK$16,730,000 (Note 11) was related to services 
provided by the Group’s consultants for the year ended 31 December 2013. Share based arrangement with consultants were 
measured at the fair value of related services rendered.

Note 1: Date of approval by shareholders was 3 July 2013.

Note 2: Date of approval by shareholders was 16 September 2013.

Note 3: The 32,000,000 share options were granted to one of the executive directors on 11 April 2013 and the Director resigned on 29 November 2013. According to the 
Scheme, the outstanding number of share options held by the Director can be exercised within 3 months from the date of his resignation. These share options 
were classified in the category of “other participants” as at 31 December 2013 in the above table.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 91

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
25  RESERVES

  Contributed 

Share

Company

Share 

premium 

HK$’000 

surplus 

reserves 

HK$’000 

option  Accumulated

reserves 

HK$’000 

losses 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000

Balance as at 1 January 2012 

3,962,469 

60,322 

39,747 

(385,776) 

3,676,762

Loss for the year 

Issue of shares upon placements 

Share issue expenses 

Issue of share upon conversion of 

  convertible notes 

– 

36,300 

(4,528) 

28,437 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(3,391,664) 

(3,391,664)

– 

– 

– 

36,300

(4,528)

28,437

Balance as at 31 December 2012 

4,022,678 

60,322 

39,747 

(3,777,440) 

345,307

Loss for the year 

Issue of shares upon placements 

Share issue expenses 

Issue of shares upon conversion of 

  convertible notes 

Issue of shares upon exercise of 

  share options 

Recognition of equity settled share-based 

  payments 

– 

53,748 

(5,006) 

16,354 

12,306 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(6,566) 

48,969 

(676,022) 

(676,022)

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

53,748

(5,006)

16,354

5,740

48,969

Balance as at 31 December 2013 

4,100,080 

60,322 

82,150 

(4,453,462) 

(210,910)

26  BORROWINGS

Bank loan, secured (Note (a)) 

Other loans, secured (Note (b)) 

Other loans, unsecured (Note (c)) 

Less: non-current portion 

Current portion 

Group and Company

2013 

HK$’000 

273,000 

2,000 

– 

275,000 

(218,400) 

2012

HK$’000

296,400

25,000

17,408

338,808

(273,000)

56,600 

65,808

On  3  November  2011,  the  Company  entered  into  a  loan  agreement  with  a  bank  for  a  term  loan  facility  of  US$40,000,000 

(approximately  HK$312,000,000)  for  the  purpose  of  funding  the  project  in  connection  with  the  petroleum  exploration  and 

production in Argentina or to refinance any debt incurred by the Group for the purpose of this project.

Other loans represent short-term loans from independent third parties.

92

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

26  BORROWINGS – CONTINUED

As 31 December 2013, the Group's and the Company’s borrowings were repayable as follows:

Within 1 year 

Between 1 and 2 years 

Between 2 and 5 years 

Over 5 years 

Group and Company

Bank loan 

Other loans

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

54,600 

54,600 

163,800 

– 

23,400 

54,600 

163,800 

54,600 

2,000 

42,408

– 

– 

– 

–

–

–

273,000 

296,400 

2,000 

42,408

The carrying amounts of variable-rate borrowings approximate to their fair value and the carrying amount of fixed-rate borrowings 

approximate to their fair value as the impact of discounting is not significant.

The carrying amounts of borrowings are denominated in the following currencies:

US$ 

HK$ 

Group and Company

2013 

HK$’000 

273,000 

2,000 

2012

HK$’000

296,400

42,408

275,000 

338,808

The ranges of effective interest rate (which are also equal to contracted interest rates) on the Group's and Company’s borrowings 

are as follows:

Fixed-rate borrowings 

Variable-rate borrowings 

Effective interest rate 

Carrying amount

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000

24% 

24% to 31% 

4.35% 

4.53% 

2,000 

273,000 

42,408

296,400

275,000 

338,808

Notes:

(a) 

(b) 

The bank loan is secured by the share capital of certain subsidiaries of the Group and secured by the share capital and instruments of companies in which Mr. Wu (a 
substantial shareholder of the Company) has financial interests.

The other loans to the extent of HK$2,000,000 (2012: HK$25,000,000) is secured by the issued shares of the Company registered in the name of a shareholder 
of the Company.

(c) 

The other loans to the extent of HK$7,728,000 as at 31 December 2012 was guaranteed by Mr. Wu.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
27  CONVERTIBLE NOTES

(a)  On 2 September 2011, the Company completed a placing agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue zero 

coupon convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of HK$62,100,000 (the “2011 CN”) which could 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) through the placing agent to not less than six independent placees.

The 2011 CN is denominated in HK$, maturing on the second anniversary of the issue date of 2 September 2011 (the “2011 

Maturity Date”). The Company shall redeem all the 2011 CN on the 2011 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 

2011 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 2011 CN in which event default interest at 

the rate of 5% per annum is payable on the amount in default.

The holders of the 2011 CN shall, subject to certain conditions, have the right at any time during the conversion period 

commencing from the day after the issue date of the 2011 CN up to and including the date which is 7 days prior to the 

2011 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 2011 CN at an initial conversion price of HK$0.15 per share (subject to anti-dilutive 

adjustments) into ordinary shares of the Company.

The 2011 CN contains two components, a liability component and a conversion option. The conversion option gives the 

holders right at any time to convert the 2011 CN into ordinary shares of the Company. However, since the conversion 

option would 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  2011  CN  was  calculated  at  the  present  value  of  the 

redemption amount, at 130% of the principal amount. The effective interest rate of the liability component is 23.41%.

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 September  

31 December

2011 

 2012

HK$0.150 

HK$0.119 

41.868% 

2 years 

0.2190% 

HK$0.150

HK$0.183

34.445%

0.64 year

0.0800%

During the year ended 31 December 2013, the remaining amount of the 2011 CN with an aggregate principal amount of 

HK$18,675,000 (2012: HK$43,425,000) were converted by the holders into 124,500,000 (2012: 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 2011 CN during the year was HK$0.248 (2012: HK$0.186).

The total fair value of the 2011 CN at 2 September 2011 was HK$62,100,000. For the year ended 31 December 2013, no 

gain (2012: a gain of HK$378,000) on derivative component of 2011 CN was recognised in the profit or loss.

94

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
27  CONVERTIBLE NOTES – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

(b)  On 11 April 2013, the Company completed the subscription agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue 
8% convertible notes in an aggregate principal amount of HK$100,000,000 (the “2013 CN”) which could 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 2013 CN is denominated in HK$, maturing on the second anniversary of the issue date of 11 April 2013 (the “2013 
Maturity Date”). The Company shall redeem all the 2013 CN on the 2013 Maturity Date at 110% of the principal amount 
outstanding. With the holder’s agreement, the Company may at any time and from time to time purchase the outstanding 
2013 CN at such price as may be agreed between the Company and the holder thereof.

The holders of the 2013 CN shall, subject to certain conditions, have the right at any time during the conversion period 
commencing from the day after the issue date of the 2013 CN up to and including the date which is 7 days prior to the 
2013 Maturity Date convert the whole or part of the principal amount outstanding under the 2013 at an initial conversion 
price of HK$0.19 per share (subject to anti-dilutive adjustments) into ordinary shares of the Company.

The 2013 CN contains two components, a liability component and a conversion option. The conversion option gives the 
holders the right at any time to convert the 2013 CN into ordinary shares of the Company. However, since the conversion 
option would 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 at profit or loss.

The  fair  value  of  the  liability  component  upon  the  issuance  of  the  2013  CN  was  calculated  at  the  present  value  of  the 
redemption amount, at 110% of the principal amount.

The fair value of the conversion option was determined using the 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 
11 April 2013 

31 December
 2013

HK$0.190 
HK$0.255 
59.449% 
2 years 
0.420% 

HK$0.190
HK$0.206
52.840%
1.28 years
0.424%

The liability component and the conversion options are included in "convertible notes" and "derivative financial liabilities" on 
the statement of financial position respectively.

The fair value of the 2013 CN at 11 April 2013 amounted to HK$155,219,000. The difference between the fair value of 
the 2013 CN and the cash consideration of HK$100,000,000 received to the extent of (i) HK$34,210,000 was recognised 
in the profit or loss on the date of issuance as this portion represented the loss which the Company would have incurred 
if the 2013 CN was fully converted on the date of issuance; and (ii) HK$21,009,000 was deferred and allocated between 
the liability component and conversion option based on the relative fair values of these two components on the date of 
issuance of the 2013 CN. The portion allocated to the liability component was recognised over the terms of 2013 CN using 
effective interest method whereas the remaining portion allocated to the conversion option was amortised on a straight-
line method over the terms of 2013 CN. The effective interest rate of the liability component is 37.34%. As at 31 December 
2013, the unamortised deferred losses amounted to HK$6,146,000 was included in conversion option.

The Company decided to issue 2013 CN, even though the fair value of 2013 CN was higher than the cash consideration, 
because  the  Company  required  additional  capital  to  finance  its  general  working  capital  requirements  and  the  potential 
acquisition in the coming years.

During the year 2013, none of the 2013 CN was converted into the ordinary shares of the Company.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 95

 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
27  CONVERTIBLE NOTES – CONTINUED

(c) 

The movements in the components of the 2011 CN and 2013 CN during the current and prior years are set out below:

2011 CN 

2013 CN

Liability  Conversion 

Liability  Conversion

component 

component 

Total  component  component 

Total

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

At 1 January 2012 

56,997 

17,664 

74,661 

Gain on derivative components 

recognised in profit and loss  

– 

(378) 

(378) 

Conversion during the year 

(45,035) 

(12,352) 

(57,387) 

Interest charge 

9,031 

– 

9,031 

At 31 December 2012 

2013 CN at issue date 

Deferred losses upon issuance 

Transaction cost 

Gain on derivative component 

recognised in profit or loss 

Amortisation of deferred loss

  on conversion component 

20,993 

4,934 

25,927 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Conversion during the year 

(23,870) 

(4,934) 

(28,804) 

Interest charge 

Interest paid 

At 31 December 2013 

2,877 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2,877 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–

–

–

–

–

84,089 

(11,382) 

(1,896) 

71,130 

155,219

(9,627) 

(1,604) 

(21,009)

(3,500)

– 

– 

– 

17,243 

(4,000) 

(25,229) 

(25,229)

3,482 

– 

– 

– 

3,482

–

17,243

(4,000)

84,054 

38,152 

122,206

Liability component analysed for reporting purpose as:

Current liabilities (Note) 

Non-current liabilities 

Note:

Group and Company

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

8,000 

76,054 

84,054 

25,927

–

25,927

As at 31 December 2013, the amount represented the coupon payments to be made in relation to the 2013 CN within the next twelve months from the date of 
statement of financial position.

96

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Warrants (Note) 
Conversion option of 2013 CN (Note 27) 

Note:

Group and Company

2013 
HK$’000 

2012
HK$’000

20,751 
38,152 

58,903 

–
–

–

As part of the placing agreement of March 2013 Placing Shares, the Company issued unlisted warrants (the “Warrants”) on the 

basis of 5 Warrants of each of March 2013 Placing Shares issued, at no initial price. The exercise price of the Warrant was at 

HK$0.20 each and could be exercised at any time for period of three years from the issue date.

On  the  date  of  issuance,  the  fair  value  of  the  2013  Placing  Shares  and  Warrants  amounted  to  HK$24,125,000  and 

HK$45,938,000, respectively. The difference between the aggregate fair value of the 2013 Placing Shares and the Warrants on 

the date of issuance  and the total cash consideration of HK$22,500,000 received was deferred and allocated between the 2013 

Placing Shares and the Warrants based on the relative fair value of these two instruments on the date of issuance. The portion 

to  the  extent  of  HK$31,186,000  allocated  to  the  Warrants  was  recognised  over  the  terms  of  the  Warrants  on  a  straight-line 

method and the portion to the extent of HK$7,748,000 allocated to the 2013 Placing Shares is not re-measured subsequent to 

initial recognition. As at 31 December 2013, the unamortised deferred losses amounted to HK$22,499,000 was included in the 

Warrants.

The Company decided to issue the 2013 Placing Shares and Warrants, even though the fair value of the 2013 Placing Shares and 

Warrants were higher than the cash consideration, because the Company was required to raise additional capital to finance its 

general working capital requirements and the potential acquisition in the coming years.

The fair value of the Warrants was determined using the black-scholes model and the significant inputs are as follows.

Conversion price 
Share price 
Expected volatility 
Remaining life 
Risk-free rate 

29  ASSETS RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

At 1 January 
Adjustments 

At 31 December 

Issue date
as at 1 March  
2013 

31 December 
2013

HK$0.200 
HK$0.193 
58.795% 
3 years 
0.251% 

HK$0.200
HK$0.206
56.684%
2.16 years
0.375%

Group

2013 
HK$’000 

2012
HK$’000

2,854 
(1,444) 

1,410 

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.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
30  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Group 

Company

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

Trade payables (Note (a)) 

Payables arising from metals purchase contracts (Note (b)) 

Payables for acquisition of held-for-trading investments 

  as securities to a loan (Note (c)) 

Interest payable on borrowings 

Other payables and accruals 

3,050 

– 

– 

2,021 

33,719 

34,447 

16,781 

16,115 

3,053 

25,120 

– 

– 

– 

2,021 

21,683 

38,790 

95,516 

23,704 

Notes:

(a) 

At 31 December 2012 and 2013, the ageing analysis of trade payables based on invoice date were as follows:

–

–

16,115

3,053

11,523

30,691

2012
HK$’000

11,574
15
38
22,820

34,447

Group

2013 
HK$’000 

3,050 
– 
– 
– 

3,050 

0-30 days 
31-60 days 
61-90 days 
Over 91 days 

The average credit period on purchases of goods is 30 days.

The carrying amount of trade and other payables are denominated in currencies:

ARS 
US$ 
HK$ 

Group 

2013 
HK$’000 

9,521 
95 
29,174 

38,790 

2012 
HK$’000 

28,078 
36,747 
30,691 

95,516 

Company

2013 
HK$’000 

2012
HK$’000

– 
– 
23,704 

23,704 

–
–
30,691

30,691

(b) 

(c) 

As at 31 December 2012, the term of metals purchase transactions was based on cash on delivery and the payables were past due with aging of 30 days at the 
end of the reporting period based on the invoice date. Such balance was settled during the year ended 31 December 2013. 

The amount, which is interest-free and repayable on demand, represented the payable which arose from purchases of held-for-trading investments as securities 
to a loan.

(d) 

All of the other payables are unsecured, interest-free and expected to be settled within one year.

98

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31  CASH USED IN OPERATIONS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

Loss for the year 

Income tax charge recognised in profit or loss 

Adjustments for:

  – Depreciation and depletion of property, plant and equipment 

  – Impairment loss of property, plant and equipment (Note 8) 

  – Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

  – Impairment loss of exploration and evaluation assets (Note 8) 

  – Impairment loss of other receivables (Note 8) 

  – (Reversal of impairment loss)/Impairment loss of other tax recoverable (Note 8) 

  – Gain on disposal of available-for-sale investments 

  – Fair value loss/(gain) on derivative component of convertible notes (Note 9) 

  – Fair value loss on warrants (Note 9) 

  – Share-based payments (Note 24) 

  – Interest income 

  – Interest expense 

  – (Gain)/loss on held-for-trading investments (Note 9) 

Changes in working capital:

  – Increase in trade and other receivables and prepayments 

  – Decrease in other tax recoverable 

  – Decrease in trade and other payables 

Cash used in operations 

32  JOINT OPERATIONS

Group

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

(679,171) 

(3,352,040)

– 

10,351

27,443 

51,111 

164 

442,197 

13,966 

(660) 

– 

12,464 

5,999 

48,969 

– 

43,757 

(61) 

(22,523) 

21,796 

(57,138) 

37,374

132,906

(962)

3,130,106

–

3,616

(1,566)

(378)

–

–

(6,370)

34,925

15

(48,024)

9,490

(2,546)

(91,687) 

(53,103)

Chañares entered into a joint venture agreement (“JV Agreement”) with a third party (“Third Party”) on 14 November 2007 in 

connection  with  the  development  of  incremental  hydrocarbon  production  in  the  “Puesto  Pozo  Cercado”  area  and  “Chañares 

Herrados” area (“Areas”), through the investments made by the Third Party. Under the JV Agreement, it was established that the 

hydrocarbon obtained from the wells drilled within the scope of the JV Agreement, as well as any other benefits obtained from the 

exploration and production of the works performed thereunder, shall be distributed in the following proportion: 28% for Chañares 

and 72% for the Third Party.

A subsidiary of the Group, Have Result Investments Limited ("Have Result") entered into an agreement for the Assignment of 

Rights, Investment and Technical Cooperation with the Third Party dated 24 November 2007, as amended and/or supplemented 

by  (i)  a  deed  of  undertaking  executed  by  the  Third  Party  on  12  December  2007;  (ii)  a  supplementary  deed  of  undertaking 

executed  by  the  Third  Party  on  28  December  2007;  and  (iii)  a  document  entitled  “Amendment  to  Contract  of  Assignment  of 

Rights, Investment and Technical Cooperation” executed by and between the Third Party and Have Result, dated 19 December 

2008 (the “Assignment Agreement”). Under the Assignment Agreement, the Third Party 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 incremental 

hydrocarbon production derived from the new wells in the Areas will first cover the operating costs and thereafter is shared by 

the proportion of 51% to Have Result, 21% to the Third Party and 28% to Chañares. As from the date the wells drilled under the 

terms of the Assignment Agreement go into production, the Third Party shall also reimburse Have Result for 21% of the aggregate 

investments made by Have Result in the Areas.

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 99

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
32  JOINT OPERATIONS – CONTINUED

On 2 December 2010, Have Result sent a letter to the Third Party 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 “Existing Wells”), 

provided that Have Result continues to pay the relevant operating costs as required by the production allocated to it.

Another  subsidiary  of  the  Group,  Southstart  Limited  ("Southstart")  and  Chañares  entered  into  a  new  joint  venture  agreement 

("New JV Agreement") on 2 December 2010. Pursuant to which EP Energy S.A. ("EP Energy"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 

Southstart is entitled to share 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 and paid 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.

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 (Note 15). EP Energy paid 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 remaining 

balance of US$2,596,000 (equivalent to approximately HK$20,248,000) was paid in 2012.

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 EP Energy 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 hydrocarbon production of the new wells; 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 hydrocarbon production of the new wells. 

The Operation Agreement confirms that the hydrocarbon production 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 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 Existing Wells, as well as the future production from the Existing 

Wells up to 31 December 2013, shall be reinvested in the Areas, including workover of the Existing Wells.

100

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

32  JOINT OPERATIONS – CONTINUED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013

The aggregate amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses recognised in the consolidated financial statements in 

relation to the Group’s interest in the joint operations are as follows:

Assets 

Liabilities 

Revenue 

Expenses 

33  FINANCIAL GUARANTEE

2013 

HK$’000 

423,246 

11,026 

89,853 

187,811 

2012

HK$’000

538,787

50,908

80,854

208,693

As at 31 December 2013 and 2012, the Company gave indemnities to two non-controlling shareholders of companies controlled 

by Mr. Wu, indemnifying them against any loss they may sustain in case of any action or claim against those companies pursuant 

to the guarantee provided in respect of bank loan and that the total amount payable will not exceed an aggregate amount of up 

to US$13,000,000 (approximately HK$101,140,000). (see Note 26)

34  OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are due as follows:

No later than 1 year 

Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years 

Group 

Company

2013 

2012 

2013 

2012

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

2,306 

1,490 

3,796 

1,892 

1,367 

3,259 

1,995 

1,339 

3,334 

1,200

800

2,000

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013 101

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2013
35  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The shares of the Company are widely held, and the Company has no ultimate controlling party.

Saved as disclosed elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements, the following transactions were carried out with related 

parties:

(a)  Compensation of key management personnel

The remuneration of Directors and other members of key management during the year were as follows:

Short-term employee benefits 

Post-employment benefits 

Share-based payments 

2013 

HK$’000 

2012

HK$’000

7,450 

54 

30,538 

38,042 

5,211

41

–

5,252

36  EVENTS AFTER THE DATE OF STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

The following events took place subsequent to 31 December 2013:

(a)  On  10  January  2014,  the  Company  entered  into  a  confidential  letter  of  intent  with  three  independent  third  parties  (the 

“Possible Vendors”) with respect to a proposed acquisition of the entire interest in those private oil and gas properties in 

the United States of America and certain related assets held by the Possible Vendors and others through specific corporate 

and partnership structures. The letter of intent does not create legal binding obligations on the parties to proceed with the 

transaction and contemplates, subject to the parties entering into definitive agreements, a transaction involving a proposed 

consideration of approximately US$1.8 billion (approximately HK$14.0 billion). As at the date of these consolidated financial 

statements authorised for issue, the transaction is still under negotiation.

(b)  On 11 March 2014, the Company and a placing agent entered into a placing agreement, pursuant to which the placing 

agent has conditionally agreed to procure not less than six independent placees on a best effort basis to subscribe for up 

to 1,100,000,000 initial placing shares at a placing price during the placing period, and the Company has also granted the 

over-allotment option to the placing agent to require the Company to issue up to 100,000,000 over allotment shares to 

the placees at the placing price at completion. The placing price shall be based on the higher of (i) 90% of the arithmetic 

average closing price per share for the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of the special general 

meeting  of  the  Company;  or  (ii)  HK$0.22  per  placing  share.  As  at  the  date  of  these  consolidated  financial  statements 

authorised  for  issue,  this  transaction  is  subject  to  further  approval  by  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  in  the  special 

general meeting to be held on 7 April 2014.

102

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

 
 
 
FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

For the year ended 31 December 2013

Year ended 31 December

2013 

2012 

2011 

2010 

2009

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

89,853 

86,682 

619,800 

937,258 

945,929

RESULTS

Revenue 

Loss before income tax 

Income tax (expense)/credit  

(679,171) 

(3,341,689) 

(225,679) 

(289,518) 

(21,616)

– 

(10,351) 

7,942 

– 

291

Loss for the year 

from continuing operations 

(679,171) 

(3,352,040) 

(217,737) 

(289,518) 

(21,325)

Profit for the year 

from discontinued operations 

– 

– 

– 

890 

41,639

(Loss)/profit for the year 

(679,171) 

(3,352,040) 

(217,737) 

(288,628) 

20,314

At 31 December

2013 

2012 

2011 

2010 

2009

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000 

HK$’000

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

676,343 

1,136,707 

4,525,191 

4,377,434 

4,565,772

(458,157) 

(463,105) 

(606,250) 

(325,399) 

(588,887)

Equity attributable to owners of the Company 

218,186 

673,602 

3,918,941 

4,052,035 

3,976,885

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 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 2013 103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE INFORMATION

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

REGISTERED OFFICE

Mr. Ho King Fung, Eric

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy (Chief Executive Officer)

Mr. Chan Chi Hung, Anthony

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Clarendon House

2 Church Street

Hamilton HM 11

Bermuda

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS 
IN HONG KONG

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui

Mr. Teoh Chun Ming

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

COMPANY SECRETARY

Mr. Cheng Sing Wai

PRINCIPAL SHARE REGISTRAR

Butterfield Fulcrum Group (Bermuda) Limited

26 Burnaby Street

Hamilton HM11

Bermuda

Room 1108-09, 11/F

Harbour Centre

25 Harbour Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

Telephone: (852) 2616 3689

Fax: (852) 2481 2902

SOLICITORS

ReedSmith Richards Butler

Vincent T.K. Cheung, Yap & Co.

AUDITOR

PricewaterhouseCoopers

BRANCH SHARE REGISTRAR

SHARE INFORMATION

Tricor Tengis Limited

Level 22, Hopewell Centre

183 Queen’s Road East

Hong Kong

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Mr. Teoh Chun Ming (Chairman)

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

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 2013: 4,169,877,588

Closing price per Share as at 31 December 2013: HK$0.206

Market capitalization at 31 December 2013: HK$859 million

WEBSITE ADDRESS

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

www.epiholdings.com

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman)

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

NOMINATION COMMITTEE

Mr. Qian Zhi Hui (Chairman)

Mr. Tse Kwok Fai, Sammy

Mr. Zhu Tiansheng

104

EPI (Holdings) Limited Annual Report 2013

Stock Code : 0689

A Hong Kong Listed Company (Stock Code : 0689)
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

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Annual Report 2013