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Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited

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FY2016 Annual Report · Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited
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Gulf Keystone Petroleum 
Annual report and accounts 2016

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CONTENTS

ABOUT US

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

1

Strategic report

Governance

Financials

About us 

Key milestones 

01

Board of Directors 

40

Directors’ responsibilities statement 

02

Senior management 

42

Independent auditor’s report  

Chairman’s statement 

04

Corporate governance report 

43

Consolidated income statement 

Chief Executive Officer’s statement 

06

Audit and Risk Committee report 

Q&A with Jón Ferrier, CEO and Sami Zouari, CFO  08

Nomination Committee report 

Business model 

Market overview 

Strategy and performance  

Value creation 

 Shaikan overview 

Reserves and resources 

Steady exports and regular payments 

10

Remuneration Committee report 

HSSE and CSR Committee report 

Finance and Technical Committee reports 

Directors’ report 

12

14

17

18

19

48

52

54

66

68

69

Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income 

Consolidated balance sheet 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Consolidated cash flow statement 

Summary of significant accounting policies 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements 

Path to growth: 
A staged, risk managed, modular approach 

20

Business operations

 Responsible operations and 
stakeholder engagement 

Operational review  

22

28

Management of principal risks and uncertainties  30

Financial review 

36

Additional information
Directors and advisers 

Glossary 

Key shareholder engagements 2016/17 

72

73

78

78

79

80

81

82

90

110

111

112

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited 
is a leading independent operator 
and producer in the Kurdistan 
Region of Iraq. It is here where 
we operate the Shaikan oil 
field, one of the largest onshore 
developments in the world today.
Gulf Keystone Petroleum has successfully 
transitioned from an explorer into a producer and 
exporter. We currently operate production facilities 
with a nameplate capacity of 40,000 barrels 
of oil per day. With safe and reliable operations, 
multi‑million barrel reserves, a strong balance sheet 
and significant development potential in our asset, 
we are primed for further growth.

About this report 

Gulf Keystone Petroleum aims to produce a clear, open and transparent Annual report which 
gives an accurate portrayal of our strategy and performance. We strive to improve our reporting 
year‑on‑year and welcome stakeholder feedback on how we are doing.

Please give us your feedback: ir@gulfkeystone.co.uk

For further information about Gulf Keystone, please visit our website at  
www.gulfkeystone.com

Proud to operate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq 
 
 
 
 
 
2

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

3

KEY MILESTONES

Governance and management

January 2015
Sami Zouari
CFO
 joins

June 2015
Jón Ferrier
CEO 
joins

August 2015
Nadhim Zahawi
Chief Strategy Officer 
joins

December 2015
Keith Lough
NED 
joins

July 2016
Keith Lough
Appointed as 
Chairman

Pages 4 and 5 

October 2016
David Thomas 
and Garrett Soden
NEDs join

Page 41

January 2017
Stuart Catterall
COO 
joins

Page 42

March 2015
Successful
equity raise
of $40.7m

March 2015
Completion
of Shaikan-11
well

June 2015
Access to the
export pipeline
established

Operations and finance

September 2015
Commencement
of the stable
monthly
payment cycle
by the KRG

October 2015
Updated CPR
from ERCE
published: 
114%
increase 
in Shaikan 2P

February 2016
KRG commits
to pay IOCs in line
with its monthly
contractual
entitlement

July 2016
25 million
barrels
produced from
Shaikan

July 2016
Restructuring
launched

Page 38

December 2016
Completion
of share
consolidation

Page 38

October 2016
Completion of
balance sheet
restructuring
and $25m
Open Offer

Page 38

March 2017
35 million
barrels
produced
from Shaikan

Page 29

August 2016
Updated CPR
from ERCE
published:
2P stable

Page 18

February 2017
MNR temporarily
begin trucking
Shaikan crude 
export to 
Turkish coast

Page 19

April 2017
Reserves
verified by
ERCE:
2P stable

Page 18

4

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

5

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

2016 threw a wide array of very serious 
challenges at your Company, the majority of 
which were symptomatic of both the regional 
geopolitics and the continued slump in the 
international oil and gas market. These 
factors combined to form an incredibly taxing 
operating environment and saw Gulf Keystone 
Petroleum Ltd (“Gulf Keystone” or “GKP”) 
facing potential insolvency.

However, now in 2017 it is my strongly held 
view that Gulf Keystone is not only in a stable 
condition but is also in the best position the 
Company has been in for a number of years. 
I must also acknowledge that in getting to this 
position, significant costs have been borne 
by shareholders and bondholders alike and, 
on behalf of the Board, I thank you for your 
support through difficult times and for enabling 
the recovery of your Company.

The reporting period began with a weak and 
unpredictable crude oil price, 70% below 
the highs that the industry had enjoyed 
previously, and Daesh was continuing to 
threaten the integrity of the Kurdistan Region 
of Iraq. The region’s response, which remains 
both brave and resolute, was a huge drain 
on its limited resources. The support of 
the Peshmerga security forces, who were 
defending Kurdistan’s border, was the absolute 
priority for the Kurdistan Regional Government 
(“KRG”). The security situation put further 
pressure on the region’s financial position and, 
in turn, affected its ability to pay Gulf Keystone 
and all of the other international producing 
and exporting oil companies operating in 
the region. 

In keeping with our desire to ensure good 
corporate governance, during the reporting 
period we developed a more sophisticated 
suite of Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) 
for the Company for 2017. I am pleased to say 
that the new set of KPIs will ensure GKP is in 
line with its peers in the sector and is further 
proof of our desire to align the Board’s interests 
with shareholders.

Finally, I would like to reiterate my thanks not 
only to our shareholders and staff, but to all of 
our stakeholders including, in particular, our 
partners within the KRG’s MNR. We remain 
firmly aligned with the interests of the KRG 
and look forward to a continuing positive 
outlook for Gulf Keystone. 

Keith Lough
Chairman

5 April 2017

We entered 2016 with a disproportionate 
amount of debt, but GKP was not alone 
in being an independent exploration and 
production company with a high level of 
gearing. Our debt instruments were added 
to the balance sheet at a different time when 
the market was buoyant and oil prices were 
at record highs. As we relayed to the market 
multiple times throughout the period, the 
Company needed to address its own liquidity 
crisis or face almost certain failure. Therefore, 
the single most important event in 2016 was 
undoubtedly the successful completion of the 
balance sheet restructuring in October. 

The balance sheet restructuring (the 
“Restructuring”) was essential in safeguarding 
the future of the Company. It was not a process 
that was entered into lightly, but the dearth 
of global merger and acquisition activity and 
general market uncertainty left us with no 
better option than to proceed with a full capital 
restructuring. Overall, whilst recognising 
that any restructuring of this nature is painful 
for shareholders and bondholders due to 
value‑dilution and uncertain recoveries, the 
alternative was insolvency and as such we 
were pleased that the Restructuring was 
supported. Aligning all of the varying interests 
was a significant challenge and I would like 
to thank the team for their hard work and 
tenacity in ultimately securing a successful 
result. I would also like to sincerely thank all 
of our investors for their support through 
the Restructuring. 

What we achieved was the opportunity to reset 
the Gulf Keystone story. As I said at the outset, 
Gulf Keystone is now in a positive and stable, 
position. We finished 2016 with $93 million of 
cash and gross debt reduced to approximately 
$100 million. Importantly, as we have received 
regular payments from the KRG’s Ministry of 
Natural Resources (“MNR”), we became cash 
flow positive in 2016 and our cash balance as at 
5 April 2017 stands at $113 million. This was of 
course achievable due to the fact that the Gulf 
Keystone story is underpinned by the Shaikan 
Field, which has continued to perform well 
during the period, as you will read throughout 
this report. Whilst we entered 2016 with 
concerns regarding consistent payments for 
Shaikan crude, it was reassuring that we were 
paid regularly throughout the reporting period, 
and that this trend has continued into 2017.

2016 saw a number of changes to the 
Board and I thank again Andrew Simon and 
Cuth McDowell, who retired from the Board as 
Non‑Executive Chairman and Non‑Executive 
Director, respectively. We also welcomed 
David Thomas and Garrett Soden onto the 
Board as Non‑Executive Directors in October. 
Both have already made a positive contribution 
and I am pleased to report that the Board is 
functioning well. 

It is my strongly held view that Gulf Keystone 
is not only in a stable condition but is also 
in the best position the Company has been 
in for a number of years. 

Keith Lough
Chairman

Our governance principles

Corporate  
governance report 

 page 43

6

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

7

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT

We have entered 2017 with a revitalised 
company and a confident future outlook. 

Jón Ferrier
Chief Executive Officer

Following a challenging 2016, we have 
entered 2017 with a revitalised company 
and a confident future outlook.

Shareholder support of the Restructuring 
completed in October 2016 was not only an 
endorsement of the Group, but also of the 
confidence in Kurdistan as an investable 
region. Its completion means we have been 
able to bring the focus back to the core of our 
business, the Shaikan Field, having rebuilt the 
foundations of a strong future equity story to 
develop the field and unlock its potential as 
one of the most significant assets in Kurdistan.

We are strongly encouraged by the 
stable performance of Shaikan in line with 
expectations and I am pleased to report 
achieving average gross production for 
2016 at 34,794 barrels of oil per day (“bopd”) 
at the upper end of our 31,000‑35,000 
bopd guidance, while over the first quarter 
of 2017 we averaged 36,293 bopd. While 
our guidance is not affected, I am happy to 
report that we re‑opened the Shaikan‑8 
(“SH‑8”) well on 11 March 2017 which has 
been adding 1,800 bopd of production with no 
formation fluid. In April 2017, ERC Equipoise 
(“ERCE”) verified gross Shaikan 2P reserves 
of 615 million barrels of oil (“MMstb”) (as at 
31 December 2016), as expected, following our 
latest Competent Person’s Report (“CPR”) (as 
at 30 June 2016). The CPR was highly positive 
in reiterating our assumptions of the previous 
CPR regarding the quality of the Shaikan Field, 
reporting substantial gross 2C resources 
of 239 MMstb and reinforcing its prominent 
position in the Kurdistan region. Production 
data from Shaikan continues to support these 
interpretations today and as we continue to 
produce we build on our understanding of the 
field’s characteristics. We have now produced 
over 35 MMstb but believe we have only 
scratched the surface, having produced just 
over 5% of total Shaikan reserves and with 
considerable development upside remaining.

At the end of February 2017, the MNR began 
exporting all Shaikan crude production via 
trucks to Turkey, an arrangement that still 
stands, meaning that no Shaikan crude is 
currently being injected into the Kirkuk‑Ceyhan 
export pipeline at Fishkhabour. We expect 
this to be a temporary arrangement and the 
long‑term future of Shaikan production will be 
based on pipeline export. While this temporary 
route is in place, the MNR has confirmed that 
the economic benefit to the Group will be 
the same as that of the previous framework 
and that we will continue to receive a fixed 
payment of $15 million gross per month for 
sales of our crude, while they also intend 
to take full responsibility for any additional 
transportation costs. The economic neutrality 
of this arrangement is of course welcome. 
However, making progress on the planning of 
longer‑term pipeline export arrangements, the 
main benefit of which would be reduced costs, 
and health, safety, security and environment 
(“HSSE”) exposure, is a priority for 2017. 

My focus on HSSE performance never wavers. 
How we protect the welfare of our employees, 
contractors, partners and communities 
neighbouring our operations remains at the 
forefront of how GKP is run. I am pleased to 
report that it has been another strong year in 
this regard and that all sites have remained safe 
and secure. 

Stakeholder engagement remains a high 
priority for the GKP executive team and our 
aim is to facilitate effective communication 
through regular dialogue in order to promote 
transparency, and we intend to ensure this 
culture is maintained throughout the business. 
A vital aspect of this engagement is how we 
maintain relationships of mutual benefit and 
respect with our hosts and partners in the 
Kurdistan Region of Iraq. We understand the 
challenges, geopolitical and otherwise, that 
the Kurdistan region has faced in recent times, 
including changes in political and commercial 
arrangements as the region navigates 
budgetary independence, which have put 
financial pressure on the KRG and the MNR, 
only worsened by a low oil price environment. 
Likewise our needs as a public company 
and significant contributor to the region’s oil 
production are understood, as demonstrated 

We have a field which continues to perform 
in line with expectations, a revitalised team, and 
a healthy balance sheet, with which we stand ready 
to further invest in the Shaikan Field and grow 
shareholder value. 

by the track record of payments we have 
received since September 2015, which made 
the Restructuring possible. Good relations 
through constant communication to ensure 
alignment are helping us to continually grow 
and strengthen our longstanding social and 
economic relationship with the region.

The Group is progressing in its ongoing 
discussions with the MNR regarding 
commercial and contractual conditions, in 
particular those around regular payments 
conforming to the Production Sharing 
Contract (“PSC”) and line of sight to our own 
crude marketing arrangements. Subject to 
satisfactory clarity on these points, which we 
anticipate securing around mid‑year 2017, and 
partner approvals, we look forward to making 
further investments to achieve another 2017 
priority of bringing our production levels back 
to full nameplate capacity of 40,000 bopd 
as soon as possible. Shaikan’s mid‑term 
production potential is 110,000 bopd based 
on our published CPRs, and work continues 
to optimise the full Field Development Plan 
(“FDP”), but 55,000 bopd, established with 
additional electric submersible pumps (“ESP”) 
and a new drill well remains the near‑term 
target. Accordingly, gross production guidance 
for 2017 is set at 32,000 to 38,000 bopd, with 
this broad range reflecting the uncertainty 
of finalising commercial terms on the PSC in 
2017. Without additional investment in the field 
beyond maintenance capital, we would expect 
to achieve the lower end of our guidance range. 

With that said we are cash flow positive with 
a healthy current cash balance of $113 million 
as at 5 April 2017, so we are primed for future 
development. Since September 2015 we 
have received 16 payments from the MNR for 
Shaikan exports and revenues have increased 
126% year on year.

I am confident that the leadership team we 
have in place is the right one. During 2016, 
we undertook a comprehensive review of the 
organisation supported by Ernst & Young LLP, 
with the aim of enhancing performance and 
cost efficiency in order to optimise future 
value for our shareholders. We appointed new 
Senior Managers and a Commercial Director, 
while the addition of Chief Operating Officer, 
Stuart Catterall, strengthens the operational 
structure and signals a commitment to our 
future investments and dedication to realising 
the full potential of our asset. Moreover we 
appointed a new Chairman, and two new 
Non‑Executive Directors and I would like to 
take this opportunity to thank them, along 
with the rest of the Board, for their valued 
contributions and for adding a wealth of 
expertise and experience. 

I extend my thanks to all Gulf Keystone 
employees and contractors for their 
commitment and hard work throughout the 
year and to all stakeholders and shareholders 
for your continued support of the Company. 
Finally, my thanks go out to the KRG, the MNR, 
and the Kurdistan region, as our hosts, and 
our partners MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas Plc 
(“MOL”). We look forward to maintaining 
our enduring partnership as we work 
together to attain joint values of sustainability 
and prosperity. 

To close I would like to reiterate the Group’s 
position as it stands; we have a field which 
continues to perform in line with expectations, 
a revitalised team, and a healthy balance sheet, 
with which we stand ready to further invest in 
the Shaikan Field and grow shareholder value. 

Jón Ferrier
Chief Executive Officer

5 April 2017

8

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

9

Q&A  
WITH JÓN FERRIER, CEO  
AND SAMI ZOUARI, CFO

Underpinning the Gulf Keystone 
story is a phenomenal asset which 
has continued to perform in a 
strong and predictable way. 

A

How has the Shaikan Field 
been performing?

JF: Underpinning the Gulf Keystone 
story is a phenomenal asset which 
has continued to perform in a strong 
and predictable way. Our average 
gross production for 2016 was at 
the upper end of guidance and 
performance through Q1 2017 has 
also been pleasing at c.38,000 bopd. 
ERC Equipoise were able to recently 
verify our 2P reserves of 615 MMstb, 
and that all of the data that has 
been gathered from production 
supports the interpretations made 
in the 2016 CPR. We were very 
pleased to appoint Stuart Catterall 
as COO, ensuring we not only have 
a performing field, but also the team 
and leadership to develop it.

A

When will you invest further 
in Shaikan so that the 
production rises you have 
set out can be achieved?

JF: As we have announced, 
we are currently progressing the 
constructive discussions with the 
MNR regarding commercial and 
contractual conditions. Further 
details are in the Financial review, 
but in essence, these discussions 
revolve around MNR participation 
in the licence. We expect these 
discussions to conclude around 
mid‑year 2017, after which we 
look forward to making further 
investments to achieve full 
nameplate capacity of 40,000 bopd. 
Work continues to optimise the full 
FDP, but 55,000 bopd remains the 
near‑term target. 

A

How much will it cost 
to increase production 
levels at Shaikan?

SZ: The Company is funded for the 
estimated capex of $58 million to 
$68 million for the 40,000 bopd 
stabilisation case and a further 
$25 million to $45 million for the 
increase to 55,000 bopd (including 
a 25% contingency) and work 
continues on the optimisation of 
these programmes. We are also 
currently working on optimising 
our FDP, which could potentially 
see the associated costs for 
the next phase of Shaikan’s 
development come down.

A

A

A

Are you confident about 
future payments from 
the MNR?

JF: Yes we are fully confident in 
future payments from the MNR. 
We are very encouraged that 
the MNR are continuing regular 
payments of $15 million gross per 
month, and have now received 
16 consecutive payments from 
the MNR. Despite the financial 
pressures the region faces, our 
interests are aligned in the future 
success of Shaikan. It is also worth 
saying that we are the only operator 
solely focused on the Kurdistan 
Region of Iraq.

Do you have a final 
message for GKP’s 
shareholders?

JF: I would like to thank all of our 
shareholders for their support. It has 
not been an easy year but we are 
in a strong position with a field that 
continues to perform predictably, 
a revitalised team and a healthy 
balance sheet. We are looking 
forward to investing in Shaikan and 
to continue creating value from this 
exceptional asset. 

SZ: From a finance perspective 
I would simply reiterate that we 
now have a strong balance sheet, 
are cash flow positive and are ready 
to invest.

A

What were the other 
options open to the 
Board at the time of the 
Restructuring?

JF: We considered a number of 
options, including bringing in a 
strategic partner or even a sale of 
the Company, but a lack of global 
merger and acquisition activity, as 
well as the overall market uncertainty 
meant that the route we took was the 
best option. Whilst fully recognising 
the impact any such restructuring 
has on shareholders, we managed 
to align all of the varying interests. 
The alternative was insolvency and 
we are pleased to have reset the 
Gulf Keystone story. 

How strong is GKP’s 
financial position now?

SZ: We are in the strongest financial 
position that we have been in 
for several years. Following the 
Restructuring and after a prolonged 
period of regular payments, as well 
as having significantly cut our cost 
base, we are cash flow positive for 
the first time, and poised to re‑invest 
in Shaikan in 2017. Our cash balance 
at 5 April 2017 was $112.7 million, 
against $100 million of debt. We 
received cash receipts from the 
MNR of $114 million net to GKP 
during 2016, and we are funded for 
the estimated capital expenditure 
of $58 million to $68 million for the 
40,000 bopd stabilisation case and 
a further $25 million to $45 million 
for the increase to 55,000 bopd 
(including a 25% contingency), while 
work continues on optimisation of 
these programmes. 

What do you envisage the 
future marketing strategy 
will be for Shaikan crude?

JF: As we announced, at the 
end of February 2017, the MNR 
began exporting all Shaikan crude 
production via trucks to Turkey, 
an arrangement that still stands, 
meaning that no Shaikan crude is 
currently being injected into the 
Kirkuk‑Ceyhan export pipeline at 
Fishkhabour. However, we expect 
this to be a temporary arrangement 
and the long‑term future of Shaikan 
production will be based on pipeline 
export. While this temporary route 
is in place, the MNR has confirmed 
that the economic benefit to the 
Group will be the same as that of the 
previous framework and that we will 
continue to receive a fixed payment 
of $15 million gross per month for 
sales of our crude, while they also 
intend to take full responsibility for 
any additional transportation costs. 
The economic neutrality of this 
arrangement is of course welcome, 
however, making progress on the 
planning of longer‑term pipeline 
export arrangements, the main 
benefit of which would be reduced 
costs and HSSE exposure, is a 
priority for 2017. 

Are you still looking for 
a merger or an acquisition 
of the Company?

A

A

JF: After the Restructuring the 
Company has a strong balance 
sheet and is focused on operational 
delivery on a standalone basis. We 
do not need a deal today, but clearly, 
we will pursue all opportunities to 
create shareholder value.

What is the security 
situation on the ground?

A

JF: As you would expect, 
we watch the security situation 
closely and take all the necessary 
precautions whilst working closely 
with our hosts, the KRG. I am 
pleased to say that we have not had 
any interruptions to operations due 
to the security situation.

10

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

11

BUSINESS MODEL

Our business model shows the elements of the 
business that work together to create value.

VALUE CREATION

PRODUCTION AND FIELD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Shaikan Field Development Plan is our pathway to unlocking 
the value of our asset. Ongoing production provides a growing 
data set that in turn provides greater confidence in the planning for 
further development of the field. The current FDP envisages a mid 
to long‑term target of 110,000 bopd and has been submitted to the 
Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s MNR for review and approval, while we have 
identified interim projects to maintain production at 40,000 bopd and, 
as a bridge to the FDP, an increase to 55,000 bopd. Work continues 
to optimise the full FDP.

pages 20 and 21

ASSETS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

By focusing our core asset we are able to concentrate our 
resources in Shaikan where value can be realised with immediacy 
and greater certainty. Receiving regular payments for Shaikan 
crude oil exports ensures a healthy balance sheet, while further 
investments in the field, beyond maintenance capital, will be made 
subject to commercial and contractual certainty.

pages 19 and 20

HOW WE CREATE VALUE

We have transitioned from explorer to producer and exporter with 
a combined nameplate capacity from two production facilities of 
40,000 bopd. Our goal is to maintain a regular and predictable 
payment cycle for our Shaikan crude oil while increasing 
production levels. Further development of the asset in line with 
our FDP targets will allow the Company to unlock the significant 
upside potential and value of the asset, ultimately funding further 
growth of the business.

PRODUCTION 
AND FIELD
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN

ASSETS AND
FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT

RESPONSIBLE
OPERATIONS

STAKEHOLDER
ENGAGEMENT

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS

Our licence to operate comes from delivery of strong HSSE 
performance; for our employees, contractors, and those in the 
areas surrounding our operations. HSSE delivery is vital to the 
business as we actively engage with communities and seek to 
employ and develop Kurdistan nationals in the interest of growth 
and sustainability and in order to contribute to a positive future for 
the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

pages 22 to 27

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Stakeholder engagement is paramount to the effective running 
of the business, and we actively encourage open channels of 
communication with all who have an interest in our business; 
from the communities surrounding our operations to shareholders 
and our host government. Transparency is something we 
continually strive to maintain, to ensure awareness and alignment 
in order to efficiently move the business forward and achieve 
mutual targets and goals. 

pages 22 to 27

HOW WE RUN OUR BUSINESS

The relationships we maintain with our stakeholders at every 
level of the organisation and our shared values of mutual support, 
growth and prosperity are crucial to our success. 

We work closely with our partners and the MNR, engage with 
communities and nurture our team to ensure the optimum running 
of our business maintaining safe, secure and reliable operations.

12

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

13

MARKET OVERVIEW

Some of the key factors affecting our business 
are highlighted here. Despite these challenges, 
our long-term outlook is positive.

Geopolitical stability

Oil export growth

Oil price

The war imposed by Daesh in countries 
neighbouring Kurdistan, compounded by 
the subsequent influx of nearly two million 
refugees and internally displaced persons, 
has greatly exacerbated financial strain 
on the KRG, as have changes in political 
and commercial arrangements as the 
region navigates budgetary independence. 
Kurdistan borders have resisted Daesh 
penetration, and with continued efforts of 
the KRG’s military force, the Peshmerga, 
and support from the international 
community, that secure environment 
seems likely to be maintained.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s success 
is closely connected to the oil industry as 
a source of revenues, employment and 
training opportunities for the people of 
Kurdistan.

The KRG has affirmed its appreciation 
for the economic contribution made by 
the producing IOCs and their success 
in raising the volume of oil export from 
the Kurdistan region. Gulf Keystone is a 
key contributor in meeting the Kurdistan 
Regional Government’s oil export targets. 

The oil market has been experiencing 
significant volatility over the last two years 
following a persistent oversupply which 
has put pressure on the oil price. The 
reporting period began with a weak and 
unpredictable crude oil price, 70% below 
the highs that the industry had previously 
enjoyed, however, during 2016 the oil 
demand and supply has started to move 
into balance. 

TURKEY

SYRIA

Fishkhabour

Dohuk

Mosul

IRAQ

GKP
field operations

Erbil

GKP regional
headquarters

IRAN

Kirkuk

Suleimaniah

0

250

500

Kilometres

We understand the challenges, geopolitical 
and otherwise, that the Kurdistan region 
has faced in recent times and work 
closely with our hosts, the KRG to keep 
communication channels open. We have 
had no interruptions due to the security 
situation but continue to be vigilant and 
take necessary precautions.

The latest draft of our FDP which envisages 
a mid to long‑term target of 110,000 bopd 
has been submitted to the MNR for 
approval. While payments for Shaikan 
crude oil exports have been regular 
since September 2015, the Company is 
progressing in its ongoing discussions 
with the MNR regarding commercial and 
contractual conditions, in particular those 
around regular payments conforming to the 
PSC and crude marketing arrangements. 
Subject to a satisfactory resolution of these 
points, and partner approvals, we look 
forward to making further investments.

Lower global oil prices affected the industry 
as a whole and put pressure on KRG 
finances more specifically. However our 
needs as a public company and significant 
contributor to the region’s oil production 
are understood, as demonstrated by the 
track record of payments we have received 
since September 2015. Depressed 
commodity and capital markets are issues 
over which we have no direct influence 
however financial prudence and focusing 
on our core asset help to steer the business 
towards a longer‑term sustainable future. 

14

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

15

STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE

Vision to build a major independent production company.

Key performance indicators (“KPIs”)
KPIs for 2016 included comparative 
TSR, performance (including production, 
commercial, portfolio, and organisational 
goals), and safety record. Further 
considerations included meeting shareholder 

expectations, stakeholder engagement, 
and the achievement of a successful balance 
sheet restructuring.

In keeping with good corporate governance, 
we have developed a more sophisticated suite 
of KPIs for 2017.  

Measures include: HSSE: safety management, 
incident close‑out, security risk assessment 
and safety performance; financial: MNR 
payments, operating costs, budget 
adherence; and operational: production, 
PSC compliance and planning, and project 
execution and planning.

Strategy

Objective

Measure

Progress made in 2016/17 

Associated risk (see pages 30 to 35)

Become a  
cash-generating 
business and attain 
financial flexibility

ASSETS AND FINANCIAL 
MANAGEMENT

Grow commercial 
oil production 
from Shaikan

PRODUCTION AND FIELD 
DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Increase reserves 
and resource base

PRODUCTION AND FIELD 
DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Effective HSSE and 
CSR programmes

RESPONSIBLE 
OPERATIONS

ll Regular and predictable payments for Shaikan 

crude oil exports
ll Focus on Shaikan

ll Regular and predictable payments and 
recovery of outstanding entitlements
ll Gain commercial and contractual clarity 

around payments and marketing
ll Appropriate cash/debt balance

ll Regular and predictable payments for Shaikan 

crude oil export sales

ll Maintain stable production and sales at 

nameplate capacity of 40,000 bopd increasing 
to 55,000 bopd in the near term

ll Increase production in line with Shaikan FDP
ll Maximise potential of the Shaikan asset
ll Achieve positive operating cash flow as we 

progressively develop our asset
ll Continue work on optimising the FDP

ll Increase value of asset

ll Steady average gross production
ll Increase in average gross production
ll Reduce gross operating cost per barrel
ll Increase cash inflow from 

operating activities

ll Reserve and resource additions 
ll Conversion of 2C contingent resources 

to 2P reserves

ll Lower costs

ll Meeting shareholder expectations, particularly with regard to the 

Group’s long‑term strategy, production profile and funding 

ll Risks associated with infrastructure and export market
ll Global oil price fluctuations
ll Political and regional risk, including risks relating to disputes 

regarding title and exploration and production rights

ll Receipt of ten monthly payments in 2016. Nine payments 
of $15 million gross each, and one of $7.5 million gross, for 
December 2015 to September 2016 liftings

ll Receipt of three monthly payments of $15 million gross in 2017 to 

date for October – December 2016 liftings

ll Progress in ongoing discussions with MNR regarding commercial 
and contractual conditions, in particular those around payments 
conforming to the PSC, and crude marketing arrangements
ll Completed financial restructuring on 14 October 2016 with a 
reinstated debt balance of $100 million and $25 million raised 
via an open offer

ll Cash balance of $112.7 million as at 5 April 2017
ll Relinquishment of Ber Bahr in progress
ll Sheikh Adi was relinquished in 2016

ll Achieved average yearly gross production of 34,794 bopd (in 2016) 

ll Meeting shareholder expectations, particularly with regard to the 

– at the high end of guidance 

ll Receipt of ten monthly payments in 2016. Nine payments 
of $15 million gross each, and one of $7.5 million gross, for 
December 2015 to September 2016 liftings

ll Receipt of three monthly payments of $15 million gross in 2017 to 

date for October – December 2016 liftings

Group’s long‑term strategy, production profile and funding 

ll Risks associated with infrastructure and export market
ll Liquidity and solvency risk
ll Capital availability and expenditure control
ll Field delivery risk
ll Political and regional risk, including risks relating to disputes 

regarding title and exploration and production rights

ll Gas flaring restrictions

ll 615 MMstb reserves verified by ERCE in April 2017 (as at 

ll Meeting shareholder expectations, particularly with regard to the 

December 2016)

ll Publication of updated Competent Person’s Report (“CPR”)  

from ERCE in August 2016 (as at June 2016)

ll 2C contingent resources 239 MMstb 2C gross (as at June 2016)

Group’s long‑term strategy, production profile and funding 

ll Risks associated with infrastructure and export market
ll Capital availability and expenditure control
ll Field delivery risk
ll Political and regional risk, including risks relating to disputes 

regarding title and exploration and production rights

ll Low oil price environment

ll Ensure safe and secure operations
ll Carry out all operations with openness, integrity 

ll Delivery against the Company’s CSR plan
ll Competency Based Framework (“CBF”) 

ll CBF training programmes continued and developed with 

ll Political and regional risk, including risks relating to disputes 

15 promotions achieved in 2016

regarding title and exploration and production rights

and accountability

ll Create opportunities to acquire and  

develop talent

ll Maintain exceptional relationships with KRG/

MNR and people of Kurdistan in an environment 
of mutual respect and co‑operation

promotions

ll HSSE improvements
ll Plant uptime

Maintain highest  
levels of governance

ll Increase shareholder confidence
ll Ensure appropriate independent challenge  

ll Compliance with the UK Corporate 

Governance Code

of executive management

ll Results of the shareholders’ vote at the 

STAKEHOLDER 
ENGAGEMENT

SGM

ll Results of the shareholders’ vote at the 

AGM 

ll Improving HSSE procedures
ll 535 LTI‑free days at PF‑1 and 662 at PF‑2
ll Zero LTIs in 2016
ll Percentage of Kurdistan nationals employed 81%
ll Plant uptime 98%

ll Voluntary adoption of the UK Corporate Governance Code
ll New Chairman appointed – Keith Lough
ll Two new Non‑Executive Directors appointed – Garrett Soden 

and David Thomas

ll The resolution proposed at SGM passed, with high levels of support
ll All resolutions proposed at AGM passed, with high levels of support

ll HSSE
ll Security
ll Corporate social responsibility risk

ll Organisational capability
ll Business conduct and non‑compliance with the UK Bribery 

Act 2010

16

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

17

VALUE CREATION

SHAIKAN

Located c.60km north of Erbil, the Shaikan 
Field is one of the largest fields in Kurdistan – 
by reserves and production.

 1

SHAIKAN OVERVIEW

A differentiated sub-surface story
•  The field contains heavy oil in 
fractured Jurassic carbonates 
(c.1,000m column) and lighter 
oil in fractured Triassic  
carbonates

•  Reservoir performance to date 
is stable, with pressure decline  
in line with expectations

•  The recovery from the field is 

being assisted by the formation 
of a secondary gas cap at the 
crest. Dynamic data acquired so 
far suggest that pressure drive 
from the aquifer is limited

•  Discovered in 2009, commercial 

production commenced in 
July 2013 and over 35 MMstb 
have been produced to date 
(31 March 2017)

•  Nameplate capacity of 
40,000 bopd from two 
production facilities

•  Steady production rate of 

c.38,000 bopd 

•  Near‑term target to increase 

current production capacity to 
55,000 bopd

•  Low production costs by global 

standards – with scope to reduce 
as the field is further developed
•  2P reserves at 615 MMstb gross

18

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

19

VALUE CREATION continued

2

RESERVES AND RESOURCES

Two Competent Person’s Reports (“CPR”) 
released within a year confirmed reserves and 
GKP’s understanding of the reservoir.

•  Cumulative production figure 
to date (31 March 2017) is 
over 35 MMstb or just over 
5% of the 2P reserves

•  No unexpected changes in 
reservoir behaviour have 
been observed to date, 
demonstrating the stable and 
predictable performance of 
the field

•  Substantial reserves and 

resources base – 615 MMstb 
2P reserves (gross) and 
239 MMstb 2C resources 
(gross) 

In April 2017, the Company received 
confirmation from independent third 
party ERC Equipoise (“ERCE”) verifying 
remaining 2P reserves of 615 MMstb, as at 
31 December 2016. This was in line with the 
CPR of 2016 after allowing for production. 

In addition to our 2P reserves there 
are significant contingent resources 
of 239 MMstb (2C) as identified in 
the 2016 CPR. The CPR published on 
31 August 2016, revised and updated the 
previous CPR dated September 2015. 
In that time, we produced 12.4 MMstb, 
and the latest CPR reported no unexpected 
changes in reservoir behaviour observed, 
demonstrating the stable and predictable 
performance of the field. Measured 
pressure decline and the absence of 
water or gas breakthrough support the 
geological interpretations of the field 
and provide the Group with increasing 
confidence of its understanding. 

Reserves and resources summary

Field 

Shaikan

Shaikan

Shaikan

Shaikan

Field 

Shaikan

Shaikan

Shaikan

Shaikan

Formation 

Cretaceous

Jurassic

Triassic

Total

Formation 

Cretaceous

Jurassic

Triassic

Total

Shaikan reserves

Gross Field Oil reserves (MMstb)

GKP (WI 58%)(1) reserves (MMstb)

1P

1

212

18

231

2P

3

568

44

615

3P

4

877

63

944

Shaikan Contingent resources

1P

1

123

10

134

2P

2

329

25

356

Gross Field Oil resources (MMstb)

GKP (WI 58%)(1) resources (MMstb)

1C

14

97

29

140

2C

53

80

106

239

3C

175

340

347

862

1C

8

56

17

81

2C

31

46

61

138

3P

2

508

37

547

3C

102

197

201

500

Source: ERC Equipoise – CPR August 2016 and confirmation letter dated April 2017.
(1)  58% WI subject to the ratification of the agreement with MNR dated 16 March 2016.

3

STEADY EXPORTS AND  
REGULAR PAYMENTS

The Company has received regular payments 
from the MNR since September 2015.

Since September 2015, the Company 
has received monthly gross payments 
of $15 million (with the exception 
of February 2016 when $7.5 million 
was received due to interruption of 
exports). The Company has now been 
paid for exports up to and including 

December 2016, with $142.5 million gross 
received in 2016 and $45.0 million gross 
in 2017 as at 5 April in 2017. We continue 
to work with the MNR towards agreeing 
the final form of the invoices for May to 
December 2016. 

GKP gross export payments received (US$m)  
(September 2015 – December 2016)

15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 7.5

15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0

l

)
d
p
o
b
k
(
s
e
m
u
o
v
t
r
o
p
x
e
R
N
M

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

 0

Export pipeline
disruption in Turkey
17 Feb to 10 Mar 2016

5
1
0
2
n
a
J

5
1
0
2
b
e
F

5
1
0
2
r
a
M

5
1
0
2
r
p
A

5
1
0
2
y
a
M

5
1
0
2
n
u
J

5
1
0
2

l

u
J

5
1
0
2
g
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
e
S

5
1
0
2
t
c
O

5
1
0
2
v
o
N

5
1
0
2
c
e
D

6
1
0
2
n
a
J

6
1
0
2
b
e
F

6
1
0
2
r
a
M

6
1
0
2
r
p
A

6
1
0
2
y
a
M

6
1
0
2
n
u
J

6
1
0
2

l

u
J

6
1
0
2
g
u
A

6
1
0
2
p
e
S

6
1
0
2
t
c
O

6
1
0
2
v
o
N

N/A
6
1
0
2
c
e
D

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

 0

)
l
b
b
/
$
(

t
n
e
r
B

MNR export volumes (kbopd)

Brent ($/bbl)

Source: Company information, Thomson Reuters, KRG monthly report

Shaikan crude exports
From September 2015, all Shaikan crude 
was being trucked 120km to Fishkhabour 
and injected into the Kirkuk‑Ceyhan export 
pipeline. However in February 2017, the MNR 
began exporting all Shaikan crude production 
via trucks to the Turkish coast. 

We expect this to be a temporary arrangement 
with the long‑term future of Shaikan production 
being based on pipeline export. While this 
temporary route is in place the MNR has 
confirmed that the economic benefit to the 
Group will be the same as that of the previous 
framework and that we will continue to receive 
a fixed payment of $15 million gross per 
month for sales Shaikan crude, while the MNR 
also intend to take full responsibility for any 
additional transportation costs.

Trucking has proven to be a reliable export 
method for us in the past and the current 
arrangement confirms a standalone export 
market for Shaikan crude.

However, making progress on the planning of 
longer‑term pipeline export arrangements is 
a priority for 2017, the main benefit of which 
would be reduced costs, and HSSE exposure.

Export route

Ceyhan
Pipeline
Terminal

Kirkuk-
Ceyhan
Pipeline

Fishkhabour

Tawke

Dohuk

Tell ‘Afar

Mosul

Shaikan

Yuksekova

Maraghan

Erbil

Taq Taq

Chemchemal

Kirkuk

Suleimaniah

0

250

500

Kilometres

Tikrit

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

21

VALUE CREATION continued

 4

PATH TO GROWTH: 
A STAGED, RISK MANAGED, MODULAR APPROACH

We are self-funded for our near-term investment 
programme which is designed to assure we maintain 
production at 40,000 bopd capacity and then increase 
capacity to 55,000 bopd as soon as possible(1).

Focus on value
•  Stage 1 –  maintain production level in line with current 

production capacity at 40,000 bopd

•  Stage 2 – grow to 55,000 bopd in the near term
•  Stage 3 –  full Field Development Plan, 110,000 bopd 

in the mid to long term

•  Work continues on the optimisation of these programmes

9-12  
months

Maintenance 
and further 
debottlenecking

Stabilisation case

40,000 bopd

1 new Jurassic 
well + ESP

Up to 4 ESPs on 
existing wells

FINAL INVESTMENT 
DECISION

Current nameplate capacity at Shaikan 
is 40,000 bopd. An observed pressure 
reduction in Shaikan, in line with predicted 
field performance and consistent with 
the CPR means intervention is needed 
to maintain 40,000 bopd and plans are 
in place for an interim project to stabilise 
Shaikan production at this level. 

Capex: $58-68 million  
(includes 25% contingency)

6 months

Trunk 
line tie-in 
(optional)

Additional 
modifications to 
existing production 
facility

38% increase

Bridge to the FDP:  
near-term expansion

55,000 bopd

In addition to the 40,000 bopd 
stabilisation case, plans are in place to 
increase production to 55,000 bopd, 
which is considered a bridge to the FDP, 
and we continue efforts to optimise both 
work programmes.

Additional capex for expansion: 
$25-45 million (includes 25% contingency)

Additional 
processing 
facility, 
including gas 
re-injection, 
~40 wells

Full 
development 
of Jurassic

First 
development 
of Cretaceous 
and Triassic 
reservoirs

Full Field Development

The updated FPD draft submitted to 
the MNR envisaged the mid to long‑term 
target of 110,000 bopd. We are working 
with our partners on the optimisation 
of this plan and aim to finalise this as 
soon as possible, once the timing of 
the short‑term investment plans to 
reach 40,000 bopd and 55,000 bopd 
respectively, are confirmed.(1)

Shaikan Field today

PF-1
PF-1

SH-4
SH-4

SH-1
SH-1

SH-7
SH-7

SH-3
SH-3

SH-8
SH-8

SH-10
SH-10

SH-11
SH-11

SH-2
SH-2

PF-2
PF-2

SH-5
SH-5

SH-6
SH-6

Maraiba
Maraiba
Pipeyard
Pipeyard

Legend
Legend

Licence
Licence

GKP field location
GKP field location

Existing well
Existing well

Flowline
Flowline

Shaikan discovery
Shaikan discovery

Development area
Development area

Well locations are approximate 
Well locations are approximate 

(1)  Further investment plans are subject to commercial and contractual conditions, in particular those around regular payments conforming to the PSC, 

0
0

2.5
2.5

5
5

Kilometres
Kilometres

and crude marketing arrangements.

22

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

23

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS AND 
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

We are sensitive to the diverse cultures with whom  
we interact and aim to make a positive contribution  
to the communities located near to our operations. 

Stakeholder engagement
The Company is committed to conducting 
its business to high ethical standards and in 
an open and honest manner. We seek to be 
fair in our relationships and dealings with our 
counterparties and strive to maintain strong 
relationships with our business partners, host 
government and with the communities close 
to our operations.

Our operations play an important role in 
supporting the development of the oil and 
gas sector in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq 
and in contributing to the region’s overall 
economic growth.

In 2013 Gulf Keystone developed a 
Corporate Responsibility (“CR”) Plan, which 
was approved by the KRG’s MNR, outlining 
ways in which we are working with them and 
the local authorities on an ongoing basis to 
achieve common social responsibility aims. 
The CR Plan has a particular focus on local 
community engagement and investment, 
including employment, training, education 
and healthcare initiatives. 

The CR Plan fulfils three objectives:

•  to set out our CR strategy and delivery 

programme; 

•  to meet the KRG’s requirement for all oil and 
gas companies to prepare and submit a 
forward‑looking CR Plan; and

•  to set out the health, safety, security and 

environment (“HSSE”) elements of the CR 
Plan to reflect the management of policy 
responsibilities within the KRG.

We are currently reviewing our CSR policy.

We believe that a successful CR plan is 
essential if it is to meet our production 
obligations and targets in a way that delivers 
maximum return on investment while 
addressing the significant community, 
environmental, workplace and market 
issues that are common to any responsible 
production company.

Our success is in part dependent on the 
quality of the relationships we build with the 
communities established near our operational 
sites. We anticipate that we will work alongside 
many of these communities for a minimum 
of 20 to 25 years in accordance with our 
PSC. We expect this social and economic 
relationship to grow and strengthen through 
the community support we provide, the 
employment opportunities we offer, and the 
willingness of our local communities to work 
with us to create prosperity. 

Community relations
Our past community projects have included 
renovating schools, building community halls, 
water pumps and access roads and supplying 
computers and uniforms to youth centres and 
schools respectively. In 2013 we were awarded 
a ‘Certificate of Thanks and Appreciation’ 
from the Mayor of Shaikan, Ismail Mustafa, 
in recognition of these projects. In 2016 we 
continued our community projects which 
included installing a water well, two generators 
and a 1,000m water supply pipe for a local 
village. In addition, we plan to increase the level 
of purchases of supplies and services from the 
villages and towns around our facilities in order 
to benefit the surrounding communities. 

People
We strive to work in the interests of the people 
who directly contribute towards the success 
of Gulf Keystone’s operations. This includes all 
our employees and contractors and we strive 
to ensure their safety and wellbeing while 
supporting individual educational and training 
needs. Our aim is to maintain a first class 
operations team in the field and throughout 
the broader organisation.

We highly value our workforce and are committed 
to providing a workplace free from discrimination, 
where all employees are afforded development 
opportunities and are rewarded upon merit and ability.

We have a Competency Based Framework 
(“CBF” or “Framework” ) in place to help 
manage and develop our workforce. The 
Framework was designed and tailored for 
surface operations at the two main Shaikan 
Production Facilities centres, PF‑1 and PF‑2. 
This Framework is promoted as the ‘standard’ 
for the industry in country by The Kurdistan 
Oil & Gas Workforce Capability Development, 
an initiative started by the MNR. The 
programme encourages the development 
of our production operations staff in order to 
deliver sustainable levels of competency for 
safe and efficient operations through training 
and objective assessment. We believe the 
programme is an invaluable tool enabling us to 
improve performance, achieve consistency, 
communicate effectively, ensure a fair system 
for promotion and provide career paths for 
our employees. 

It has been another excellent year for the CBF 
with further promotions of our staff members to 
senior positions, with a total for the year of 15. 
We also have an annual sponsorship scheme 
in place which allows for three Kurdistan 
employees to study for masters’ degrees 
at top‑tier universities within the United 
Kingdom and for one high‑potential employee 
to continue their studies at postgraduate 
level. This scheme ensures we achieve our 
commitment of contributing to Kurdistan 
workforce development, and have highly 
educated national employees.

A locally derived, skilled and engaged 
workforce is a key criterion for sustainability 
of the business. The proportion of Kurdistan 
national employees in country now exceeds 
80%. Our long‑term plan is to increase 
that to 90%, specifically in senior and 
management positions.

24

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

25

BUSINESS OPERATIONS continued

RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS AND 
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Delivering safe and secure operations.

Health, safety, security 
We conduct our business safely and in a 
socially responsible and ethical manner. 
We respect the law and endeavour to protect 
the environment and communities in which 
we work. As a leading oil field operator in the 
Kurdistan Region of Iraq, safety is of the highest 
importance and we consider it our licence to 
operate. We use our “smarter‑safer‑together” 
approach in all operations while adhering to 
the highest standards of business conduct. 
We have put in place comprehensive HSSE 
and operations management procedures 
including emergency and incident response 
plans. The Group actively engages with local 
communities and governments using specialist 
consultants to create clear policies and 
procedures which are supported by strong 
leadership, accountability and commitment 
throughout the organisation.

We have a simple premise: to integrate HSSE 
into the everyday working environment; 
providing advice, tools and systems which 
enable our workforce to manage risks. 
Continuous engagement with the workforce 
to enhance the HSSE culture by encouraging 
open and honest incident reporting and 
investigation; training and development, 
via our Competency Based Framework; and 
having a young, enthusiastic, educated national 
workforce who are keen to learn all contribute 
towards achieving high standards in this area. 

In 2016 there were no Lost Time Incidents 
(“LTI”) a mark of the dedication to safety and 
HSSE performance by all involved with Shaikan 
operations. The establishment of an effective 
HSSE team has its challenges, particularly in a 
multi‑national, multi‑lingual environment with a 
variety of skill standards, and the development 
of an oil production plant is a difficult journey 

to navigate. However, our safety performance 
is continuously improving, and we continue to 
adapt and monitor, which is why during 2016 
we developed a new HSSE policy which was 
rolled out in early 2017. The policy increases 
senior management accountability and 
visibility within the HSSE framework, which 
requires regular meetings held in the field as 
well as our offices in London and Erbil while 
setting challenging safety targets across 
the organisation. 

Total recordable incidents frequency (“TRIF”) 

Million man‑hours 

10.67 

An excellent year for HSSE

Category 

Lost time incidents (“LTI”) 

Lost time incident frequency (“LTIF”) 

Recordable incidents 

Motor vehicle accidents 

Driving violations (“IVMS data”) 

First aid cases 

Solid waste recycling 

Liquid hazardous waste recycling 

Number of promotions achieved via 
our Competency Based Framework 
during 2016

Department 

Promotions

Surface operations 

Security and transport 

Subsurface development 

Supply chain 

Finance 

Total 

10

2

1

1

1

15

To ensure that health, safety, security and 
environmental considerations remain core values, 
we see it as our obligation to identify and reduce risks, 
safeguard people and protect the environment.

Year‑on‑year comparison

Measure 

2014 

Total incidents 

Million man‑hours 

Total incidents 

7 

3.4 

22 

Total incidents 

Total incidents 

Total incidents 

Percentage 

Percentage 

7 

146 

12 

5 

— 

2015 

2 

1.68 

7 

5.88 

8 

50 

8 

66 

100 

2016

—

—

2

1.81

1

58

4

67

67

Environment
We are focused on minimising the 
environmental impact of our operations in line 
with the legal and regulatory requirements 
governing environmental practices within the 
Kurdistan region. We recognise the importance 
of maintaining a healthy natural environment 
and are committed, as part of our CR Plan, to 
demonstrate improving levels of environmental 
management, with the aim of reducing the 
environmental impacts of our business.

To ensure that health, safety, security and 
environmental considerations remain core 
values, we see it as our obligation to identify 
and reduce risks, safeguard people and protect 
the environment, assets and the communities 
where we operate. 

We have an Ambient Air Quality monitoring 
programme in place to record SO2 levels, using 
fixed and mobile units as well as SO2 diffusion 
tubes installed at a 2km perimeter surrounding 
our production facilities taking frequent 
readings to ensure air quality. 

Waste management has been transformed 
with 67% of our solid waste now being 
recycled. Liquid chemical hazardous waste 
is now recycled by an MNR‑approved vendor 
in Koya.

As part of the Company’s continuing 
community relations programme we have 
set up a “Green Team” made up of Kurdistan 
nationals, segregating waste from our 
operational sites and neighbouring villages. 
This allows the effective recycling and disposal 
referred to above.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

27

Shekaft Hindia

Barbir

Magara

Kokhi

Lalesh

PF-1

Shekhka

Malkeshan

Kani Fala

Khraba Sharafa

Bur Gir

Besata Khari

Barkichic

PF-2

Besata Khari

Meriba

Baraja

Shkefte Juri

Blacktop road

Licence

Village

Population 

Production facility

Gulf Keystone currently  
employs residents from  
all labelled villages

0

5

Kilometres

BUSINESS OPERATIONS continued

RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS AND 
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

A locally sourced, skilled and engaged workforce  
is a key factor for sustainability of the business

LOCAL WORKFORCE 

Outreach
As part of the Summer Student and Internship 
Programme during 2016, Gulf Keystone 
provided summer training and internship 
opportunities for 19 students from Kurdistan 
universities and technical institutes, as well as 
organising day trips to the field for 43 students 
from the University of Duhok.

253 local 
workers

OUR EMPLOYEES IN THE KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

l

s
e
e
y
o
p
m
e
f
o
r
e
b
m
u
N

400

300

200

100

0

Nationals
Expatriates
Total

December 2012

December 2013

December 2014

December 2015

December 2016

OUR EMPLOYEES IN THE KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

100

80

60

40

20

l

s
e
e
y
o
p
m
e
f
o
e
g
a
t
n
e
c
r
e
P

0

M anagers

Sr. professionals

Nationals  Expatriates

S killed

Jr. professionals

Technicians

S e mi skilled

Lo w skilled

Total staff

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

29

OPERATIONAL REVIEW

The field continues to perform in line with 
expectations and there has been no gas or water 
break-through to date at our producing wells.

Stuart Catterall
Chief Operating Officer

Operating performance in 2016 from the 
Shaikan Field was strong, with improved 
safety performance and increased production 
volumes achieved despite reduced export in 
February and March due to pipeline export 
problems. The field continues to perform in 
line with expectations and there has been 
no gas or water break‑through to date at our 
producing wells. ERCE updated their reserves 
number for the field in April 2017, following the 
CPR in June 2016 and maintained the forecast 
reserves largely unchanged compared to the 
previous report in 2015. 

Our investment programme for 2017 is 
designed to ensure that we maintain capacity 
at 40,000 bopd and we are also working on 
plans to increase capacity to 55,000 bopd 
in the near term, subject to satisfactory 
contractual clarity. Anticipated production 
for 2017 is 32,000 to 38,000 bopd, with the 
major uncertainties being the timing of our 
investment programme and the level of export 
availability. We have been pleased however 
with production in the first three months of 
2017 where we have produced an average of 
36,293 bopd. This has been helped in part with 
SH‑8 being brought back on‑stream at a rate 
of about 1,800 bopd on 11 March 2017. The well 
had previously been shut in due to the influx of 
drilling fluids lost into the reservoir and being 
produced back from the well. So far, production 
of SH‑8 has only shown traces of these fluids 
since its return to production.

HSSE
HSSE performance was once again 
strong with no LTIs in 2016 and as of 
31 December 2016, 535 LTI‑free days at 
Production Facility –1 (“PF‑1”) and 662 at 
Production Facility –2 (“PF‑2”).

We achieved continuous improvements across 
all measurements of actual HSSE incidents in 
2016. Total recordable incidents reduced from 
seven in 2015 to two in 2016, LTIs reduced 
from two to zero, and motor vehicle accidents 
reduced from eight to one. In early 2017 
however there has been an increase in reports 
of High Potential Near‑miss Incidents (“HiPos”), 
demonstrating the requirement to maintain 
diligence in this area.

In terms of leading indicators of safety 
performance, we completed 99% of our 
planned HSSE work programme for 2016, 
which included initiatives such as process 
safety, training and emergency response.

Our commitment to maintaining a high local 
proportion of the Group’s workforce was 
continued with 81% of positions being local. 
Furthermore, as training and experience has 
been gained we were able to promote local 
personnel into more senior positions via our 
CBF. In 2016 a total of 15 promotions took 
place, including two expatriate positions that 
were localised.

Production
Due to the interruption of export pipeline 
operations from 16 February 2016 to 
11 March 2016 our guidance for 2016 was set 
at 31,000 to 35,000 bopd. Subsequently, we 
were pleased to have achieved an average for 
the year close to the top of this range at 34,794 
bopd compared with 30,500 bopd in 2015.

Unplanned production deferral during the year 
was 12% (2015: 15%), of which, 11% was due 
to external factors (mainly offtake and export 
pipeline infrastructure availability) and only 1% 
related to operational issues. Plant uptime at 
PF‑1 and PF‑2 was over 98%, once adjusted for 
export constraints.

Our total production for 2016 increased by 
14% compared with 2015 (12.7 MMstb from 
11.1 MMstb in 2015). The number of Shaikan 
truck deliveries for the twelve‑month period 
totalled 65,942. The maximum average 
sustained production over a month was 
40,012 bopd achieved in May, but 2016 maximum 
daily production did not reach the highs of 
the previous year, with a peak of 43,194 bopd 
compared with 45,063 bopd in 2015.

Observed natural pressure decline is in 
line with predicted field performance and 
consistent with the CPR reserves. This decline 
does not affect the 2P reserve estimate but 
will require further investment in wells and 
facilities to maintain a production capacity 
of 40,000 bopd. Our production average for 
Q1 2017 was 36,293 bopd with only minor 
export disruptions. Despite this strong start 
to 2017 production, our gross production 
guidance for 2017 is being set at 32,000 to 

38,000 bopd which, based on previous years, 
estimates a 15% deferment. Without further 
investment we would expect to achieve the 
lower end of our guidance range. 

The Group is progressing in its ongoing 
discussions with the MNR regarding 
commercial and contractual conditions, in 
particular those around regular payments 
conforming to the PSC and crude marketing 
arrangements. Subject to further clarity 
on these points and partner approvals, 
plans are in place for an interim project to 
stabilise Shaikan production at 40,000 bopd 
and increase up to 55,000 bopd, which 
we consider a bridge to the FDP target of 
110,000 bopd. The stabilisation case to 
40,000 bopd can be executed within nine 
to twelve months of committing to a capex 
programme of $58 million to $68 million which 
we envisage consisting of up to four ESPs 
on the existing wells plus one new Jurassic 
well with an ESP, along with maintenance 
and further debottlenecking. We estimate 
the increase to 55,000 bopd will require 
additional facilities and an optional trunk line 
tie‑in, requiring a further capital expenditure 
programme of $25 million to $45 million 
(cost estimates include a 25% contingency). 
For the stabilisation plus expansion to 
55,000 bopd, we estimate a total execution 
time of 18 months. However work continues 
on optimising these programmes. If these 
investments are deferred it could result in 
reduced production from a combination of 
natural decline and the potential to lose one 
or two wells later in 2017 from either gas 
breakthrough or the inability to produce wells 
without artificial lift.

At the end of February 2017, a new export route 
for Shaikan crude was established. The MNR 
began exporting all Shaikan crude by trucks 
to Turkey and since then, no Shaikan crude 
has been injected into the Kirkuk‑Ceyhan 
export pipeline at Fishkhabour. The Group was 
informed that the new arrangement is required 
by the MNR for its overall crude oil export 
quality management and it is expected to be 
temporary. The transition caused no disruption 
to Shaikan production and it remains the export 
route for Shaikan crude today. 

Reserves
Shaikan is performing in line with 
expectations. In April 2017, the Company 
received confirmation from ERCE verifying 
remaining 2P reserves of 615 MMstb, as 
at 31 December 2016. In addition to our 2P 
reserves there are significant contingent 
resources of 239 MMstb (2C) as identified 
in the 2016 CPR. The CPR published on 
31 August 2016, revised and updated the 
previous CPR dated September 2015. In that 
time, we produced 12.4 MMstb, and the latest 
CPR reported no unexpected changes in 
reservoir behaviour observed, demonstrating 
the stable and predictable performance of 
the field. Measured pressure decline and the 
absence of water or gas breakthrough support 
the geological interpretations of the field and 
provide the Group with increasing confidence 
of its understanding. This means reduced 
uncertainty and allows for a proposed full FDP 
that will optimise the recovery and required 
well numbers. An updated draft of the Shaikan 
FDP based on our findings, which includes the 
next FDP production target of 110,000 bopd, 
was submitted to the MNR in December 2015. 
We are working with our partner MOL to 
finalise this development plan as soon as 
possible, once the timing of the short‑term 
investment plan is confirmed. Cumulative 
production to date is over 35 MMstb or just 
over 5% of the 2P reserves.

Portfolio
Due to commercial considerations and capital 
constraints in early 2016, the decision was 
taken to rationalise our portfolio and the Sheikh 
Adi block was relinquished while Ber Bahr is 
currently in the process of relinquishment.

Stuart Catterall
Chief Operating Officer

5 April 2017

30

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

31

MANAGEMENT OF PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Risk management is central to achieving the Group’s strategy and delivering 
long-term value to shareholders. The Board, its Committees and the senior 
management team are actively engaged in monitoring and, where possible, 
limiting the risks to which the Group is exposed. Our governance structure 
and processes ensure that the Group is able to establish, monitor and review 
appropriate risk management and internal control systems to identify and 
mitigate the risks the Group faces.

BOARD
Responsibility for the effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems

AUDIT AND RISK  
COMMITTEE
Responsible for monitoring the 
effectiveness of the Group’s 
risk management framework 
and internal controls

HSSE AND CSR  
COMMITTEE
Ensures appropriate systems 
are in place to manage safety, 
environmental and community risks

TECHNICAL  
COMMITTEE
Ensures that appropriate 
processes are in place to manage 
Shaikan development planning and 
project execution risks

SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Responsible for implementation of internal control and risk management systems

INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION
Assists the Audit and Risk Committee and senior management in executing their responsibilities

The Board evaluates the Group’s principal risks 
at each Board meeting and reviews reports 
from the Audit and Risk Committee, the HSSE 
and CSR Committee and the recently formed 
Technical Committee.

The Group maintains a corporate risk register 
that encompasses all risks that have been 
identified, the impact of those risks, and the 
mitigating controls the Group has in place 
to reduce those risks to an acceptable level. 
The risk register is regularly reviewed by 
both the Audit and Risk Committee and the 
Board and is updated based on the latest 
developments in the business.

An operations risk register has also been 
created, which identifies all risks that are 
specific to the continued safe and reliable 
operations of the Shaikan asset.

The Audit and Risk Committee engages in 
an evaluation of the Group’s principal risks at 
each committee meeting. It is also responsible 
for considering and recommending to the 
Board the Group’s risk appetite and reviewing 
the Group’s risk profile. The Audit and Risk 
Committee also performs an ongoing review 
of effectiveness of the internal control and 
risk management systems to ensure risks 
are appropriately identified, monitored and 
reported to the Board and are aligned with 
the Group’s strategy.

The HSSE and CSR Committee is primarily 
responsible for ensuring that appropriate 
systems are in place to manage health, safety, 
security and environmental risks and corporate 
social responsibility. Its findings are reported 
to and reviewed by the Board.

The Technical Committee supports the 
Company’s Shaikan development planning and 
project execution activities and ensures that 
appropriate processes are in place to manage 
project execution risks.

The following table indicates the principal risks 
the Group faces. The list is not exhaustive or in 
priority order, and may change over time.

Principal risks
The Board confirms that it has carried out a 
robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Group, including those that would threaten 
its business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity.

Key risk factor 

Potential impact

Mitigation

Strategic 

Political, social and 
economic instability
Kurdistan and Iraq as a whole 
have a history of political and 
social instability which continue to 
represent a risk to the Group, its 
operations and its personnel.

Uncertainty may arise from 
changes in the KRG leadership.

Disputes regarding 
title or exploration and 
production rights
The Iraqi Government has 
historically disputed the validity 
of the PSCs granted by the KRG. 

There has been a history of tension between 
the political parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 
Any possible changes in the government would 
generate uncertainty and may cause a material 
adverse impact to the Group.

Political unrest or armed conflicts in Iraq would 
put the Group’s operations at risk and may 
result in personnel evacuations and production 
suspensions. This could also increase the cost 
of doing business, due to increased security and 
reduced staff retention.

There can be no assurance that the Group will be 
able to obtain or maintain effective security over 
any of the Group’s assets or personnel.

Consequences may include limits on production 
or cost recovery, import and export restrictions, 
price controls, uncertainty over payment 
mechanisms for export sales, tax increases and 
other retroactive tax claims, expropriation of 
property, cancellation of contract rights and an 
increase in regulatory burden.

The low oil price environment added fiscal 
pressures on the KRG as a result of reduced 
revenues. 

If the validity of the PSCs was successfully 
challenged, the Group could be required by the 
KRG to accept contractor entitlements that are 
materially less favourable than the current PSCs.

Business conduct 
and anti-bribery 
Due to the nature of the industry 
sector and the region in which the 
Group operates, it is exposed to 
the risk that the Group, or parties 
acting on its behalf, breaches the 
rules of the anti‑corruption laws.

Violation of the anti‑bribery regulations by the 
Group or those acting on its behalf, may result 
in a criminal case against Gulf Keystone and/or 
its employees leading to reputational damage, 
possible imprisonment or fines.

The Group engages in continuous dialogue with 
the KRG and the Group’s rights and obligations 
are governed by PSCs. Legal advice has been 
obtained regarding the terms of PSCs. For the 
latest developments in the Kurdistan region, 
please see the Market overview section.

The Group’s wells and facilities are protected by 
external security consultants and local government 
forces who work closely with the Group’s internal 
security team.

The Group’s security team prepares detailed 
risk assessments, security procedures and 
contingency plans which can be activated 
when threats arise.

This is an industry‑wide risk faced by all 
international oil companies operating in the 
Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 

The Group has confidence in the legality of the 
PSCs and believes that the PSC regime is legal 
under the terms of the Iraqi Constitution. However, 
the Group cannot control or completely mitigate 
disputes between the KRG and other parties. 
The Group maintains continuous dialogue with 
appropriate government departments and closely 
monitors the local situation.

A detailed bribery risk assessment has been 
performed by Management and reviewed by 
the Board. 

The Audit and Risk Committee has designated a 
senior executive as the Anti‑Bribery Officer for the 
Group. This executive ensures that the Group has 
appropriate procedures in place to mitigate the 
risk of bribery and that all employees, agents and 
other associated persons are made fully aware of 
the Group’s policies and procedures with regard 
to ethical behaviour, business conduct and 
transparency.

The Group has an anti‑bribery policy and a training 
programme that educates all personnel about the 
requirements of this policy.

The Group also has robust controls around 
payment approvals.

32

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

33

MANAGEMENT OF PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Key risk factor 

Potential impact

Mitigation

Key risk factor 

Potential impact

Mitigation

HSSE and CSR continued

Security
The Group is exposed, by virtue 
of the location of its operations, to 
a number of security risks. These 
include the threat of terrorist attack 
and local protests and unrest at 
Gulf Keystone sites.

Terrorist attacks or local protests may lead to death 
or injury to personnel, disruption to operations, 
costs to repair facilities and reputational damage 
to the Group.

Corporate social 
responsibility risks
Disruptions to business may occur 
due to local communities influence 
and discontent.

Strong community relations are pivotal to our ability 
to achieve local support for new projects. Local 
community opposition may lead to project delays 
or, in extreme cases, loss of licence to operate. 

This may result in unplanned costs, inability to gain 
land lease extensions and significant security risk 
to our employees and contractors.

The history of political and social instability in the 
Iraq region, particularly in relation to Daesh, and 
including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq where the 
majority of the Group’s operations are concentrated, 
is noted by the Board who mitigate the political risk 
as far as possible.

Our wells and facilities are protected by external 
security consultants and local government 
forces who work closely with the Group’s internal 
security team.

Our security advisers prepare detailed risk 
assessments, security procedures and contingency 
plans which can be activated when threats arise.

Local communities are considered to be an 
essential source of intelligence about the nature, 
severity and likelihood of any threat.

The Group ensures it maintains good relations with 
the local population and considers the impact of all 
decisions on them.

Gulf Keystone strives to be a good corporate 
citizen, and fosters its reputation through strong 
and positive relationships with the governments 
and communities where we do business. The 
Group has a number of ongoing corporate social 
responsibility initiatives and continuously engages 
with the local communities.

The Group remains committed to its CSR 
programmes and plans to develop a broader 
medium to long‑term CSR strategy to complement 
the existing community welfare initiatives.

Strategic continued

Export route availability
Risks associated with availability 
and accessibility of infrastructure 
allowing the Group to sell oil to 
export markets.

Historically, the Group has relied on the 
international pipeline between Fishkhabour 
(in Kurdistan) and Ceyhan (in Turkey) which 
has been subject to periodic interruption due to 
damage by military operations, theft and smuggling.

From the end of February 2017, the Group’s oil 
has been transported via trucks to Turkey. The 
capacity of this transportation route has limitations 
which depend on the number of trucks available 
and the capacity of the loading and unloading 
bays. Furthermore it is less preferred from an 
environmental and safety perspective. 

These factors will need to be taken into 
account when considering further expansion 
of the field production. 

Ineffective or poorly executed strategy may lead 
to loss of investor confidence and reduction in the 
Company’s share price, which reduces the Group’s 
ability to access finance and increases vulnerability 
to a hostile takeover.

Consequences may include accidents resulting in 
loss of life or injury, significant pollution of the local 
environment, destruction of facilities, disruption to 
business activities, risk of litigation and reputational 
damage with an associated financial loss.

Although there is no flaring permit per se, the 
absence of a plan to deal with our flaring is in 
breach of this condition and with the Group’s 
commitment to reduce flaring.

The environmental impact of gas flaring may 
affect the local communities. 

Stakeholder expectations
The Group may not meet the 
expectations of all stakeholder 
groups, particularly with regard 
to the Group’s long‑term strategy, 
production profile and funding, 
due to the diverse nature and 
desires of the stakeholders 
(including shareholders, bond 
holders, the KRG and joint venture 
partners).

HSSE and CSR

HSSE risks
The Group may be exposed to 
specific risks in relation to HSSE 
matters.

Identified risk areas include H2S 
leaks at the production facilities, 
road traffic accidents and other 
accidents at production facilities 
and well sites.

Gas flaring
A condition of the approval for our 
Field Development Plan granted 
in 2013 was the installation of a 
gas treatment and reinjection 
programme. Although a deadline 
was not specified, it was 
anticipated by the MNR that this 
would be soon after production 
start‑up.

The trucking of oil to Turkey can support the 
current production of the Group. 

The MNR confirmed that the economic benefit 
to the Group will remain unaffected by the new 
trucking arrangement. 

The Group continues to have a regular dialogue 
with the KRG to clarify the timeline for this 
arrangement. 

Trucking operations are contracted and managed 
by the MNR; therefore the risk to the Group is 
largely reputational.

The Group maintains regular dialogue with the 
Group’s stakeholder base and the general public. 

Gulf Keystone employs an investor relations team. 
All key developments are released to the market 
through the Regulatory Information Service, which 
is also available on the Group’s website.

The Group has a Health, Safety, Security and 
Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility 
(“HSSE and CSR”) Committee, ensuring that 
HSSE strategy is directed from the Board level, 
in order to warrant accountability and commitment 
throughout the organisation.

The Group has put in place comprehensive HSSE 
and operations management procedures, including 
emergency and incident response plans.

The Group actively engages with local 
communities and governments.

The Group maintains active dialogue with the 
regional authorities to ensure that it complies 
with the existing regulations.

Harmful gas emissions are closely monitored by 
the HSSE department with any variances outside 
normal levels investigated and reported to the 
executive management.

During 2016, the Group constructed a clean flare 
stack to improve the combustion of flared gas.

The reduction of flaring will be an integral part of 
the Group’s full Field Development Plan.

34

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

35

MANAGEMENT OF PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Key risk factor 

Potential impact

Mitigation

Key risk factor 

Potential impact

Mitigation

Operational

Field delivery risk
Field delivery risk applies to all 
phases of the exploration and 
production (“E&P”) cycle from 
seismic acquisition through to 
production operations.

Loss of a well due to water or 
gas breakthrough or mechanical 
failure.

Failure to control E&P risks will manifest itself as 
project delays, cost overruns, high production 
costs, early field decommissioning and, ultimately, 
lower than expected reserves.

Water breakthrough in advance of the appropriate 
water‑handling facilities may result in temporary 
well shut‑ins, failure to meet production targets 
and damage to the production facilities. 

Gas breakthrough in a well may create gas volumes 
exceeding the limit of the gas processing capacity 
and result in reduced oil production. To limit the 
impact on other producing wells, the well which 
sees gas breakthrough may be shut‑in.

Reserves
Recoverable reserves are below 
expectations which will affect the 
revenue and economic viability of 
the field.

Due to natural uncertainty in the volumes of 
hydrocarbons in place and the proportion of those 
hydrocarbons that might be recoverable, the actual 
reserves may be lower than our most likely forecast.

Lack of funding in the long term may result in the 
Group’s inability to fully achieve its strategy, failure 
to reach the stated field plateau and inability to 
deliver a return to the investors.

Financial

Liquidity and 
funding capability
The Group has sufficient working 
capital to meet short‑term 
operational requirements, but may 
fail to have sufficient funds in place 
to pursue the full Shaikan FDP 
programme.

Lack of capital discipline 
and unsuccessful portfolio 
management may result in 
significant unplanned cash 
outflows and damaged liquidity.

Technical, financial and Board approvals are 
required for all material projects, and for all 
dedicated project teams.

All projects are closely monitored to ensure the 
project delivers against plan and enables actions to 
be taken to maintain progress.

Project finances are monitored against budget to 
minimise overruns.

All wells are monitored to ensure early detection of 
and reaction to any abnormalities.

Planning for water handling facilities is underway.

Zones within wells which are producing water may be 
isolated and the well brought back in to production.

Wells are regularly tested to look for any changes in 
gas/oil ratio and to provide an early warning of any 
gas breakthrough. Reservoir modelling is carried 
out to improve our understanding and forecasting 
of this event.

Design of future development wells takes account 
of the updated modelling to optimally locate the 
producing interval from wells at a depth to minimise 
the risk of early gas and water breakthrough.

The Group bases its forecasts and investment 
planning on a range of possible outcomes that 
includes the low‑side case. Investment risks are 
considered against a scenario of P90 recoverable 
reserves (meaning there is a 90% chance that the 
reserves are at or greater than this level). 

Phasing of the project investments are considered 
against the low‑side scenario and the investment 
plans adjusted accordingly.

Data is acquired from well production and pressure 
measurements and results from new wells to help 
model the reservoir and reduce the uncertainty 
with time.

The Group’s reserves estimates are audited by an 
independent third party.

The Group completed the Restructuring in 2016 
which gave the Group a sound financial base, and a 
much reduced debt position.

The Board and management ensure that the 
strategy planning process is robust and consistent. 

The Group’s business plan is regularly reviewed 
and revisited by the Board to ensure it reflects any 
changes to internal or external factors. 

Business planning and corporate performance 
management processes are used to control spend.

Financial continued

Export payment mechanism
There is uncertainty relating to the 
payment mechanism for export oil 
in Kurdistan.

A change in the regularity of 
revenue payments from the MNR 
will adversely impact the Group’s 
ability to operate efficiently and 
develop the asset. 

There can be no assurance 
that PSC operators will be paid 
their entire historical or future 
entitlement.

Irregular receipts of export payments may damage 
investor confidence in the region and make any 
fundraising difficult. It may damage the Group’s 
financial position and result in an inability to make 
the necessary investments in the field development 
and operations. 

In extreme cases it may put in question the Group’s 
ability to continue as going concern. 

Commodity prices
A material decline in oil prices 
globally may adversely affect the 
Group’s cash flows and asset 
valuations, and result in delays to 
the Shaikan FDP.

Low oil prices may adversely 
impact the KRG’s ability to meet its 
payment obligations towards the 
region’s producers. 

The Group’s revenues, profitability and future rate 
of growth will depend substantially on prevailing oil 
and gas prices, both of which can be volatile and 
subject to fluctuation. 

Low commodity prices may lead to a reduction 
in the Group’s commercial reserves and an 
impairment of its assets.

The Group continues to monitor the political 
situation in the Kurdistan region and maintains 
good dialogue and relations with the relevant 
national and regional authorities.

The Group maintains accurate records of liftings 
and applies robust assumptions when estimating 
revenue arrears. The Group’s position is regularly 
communicated to the MNR.

A regular payment cycle has been in place 
throughout 2016 for oil exports and, to date, the 
Group has all monthly payments for production 
up to December 2016.

The Group continues its efforts to maintain 
regular payments from the KRG and establish a 
mechanism for the payment of arrears. Progress is 
being made in putting in place the Second Shaikan 
PSC amendment which will add certainty regarding 
the Group’s PSC entitlements. 

The Group monitors and, where possible, reduces 
costs while maintaining safe operations. 

The Group’s cash position is constantly monitored.

Viability statement
In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 2014, 
the Directors have carefully assessed the 
Group’s viability and prospects for a period 
of three years. 

The three‑year time frame was selected 
as it corresponds with the Group’s internal 
strategic planning cycle and provides a period 
over which there is a reasonable amount of 
clarity regarding cost and revenue projections. 
The Board concluded that it is likely that the 
majority of the principal risks and uncertainties 
identified by the Group will have an impact 
within this period and therefore a three‑year 
period appropriately reflects the underlying 
viability and prospects of Gulf Keystone. 

The Directors’ viability assessment has been 
made with reference to the Group’s strategy 
and business model, as detailed on pages 
14 and 15, and to the risks, uncertainties and the 
available mitigating action plans, as detailed 
on pages 30 to 35.. The Group conducted 
an annual planning process which consisted 
of the review of the Group’s strategy and 
performance, preparation of a work plan and 
budget and review of risks, uncertainties and 
opportunities, over the three‑year assessment 
period. The Directors reviewed the Group’s 
three‑year cash flow model which considered 
the cash flow projections relating to Group’s 
revenues, operational costs and capital 
expenditure. The Directors assessed the 
potential financial and operational impact of 
severe but plausible scenarios by applying 
the impact of various risks and uncertainties 
together with the available mitigating actions in 
order to establish the Group’s ability to meet its 
working capital requirements.

With the success of the Restructuring, the 
Group is in a strong financial position and with 
a significantly reduced risk of inability to meet 
debt and interest payments. In addition, the 
Group has the flexibility to raise additional debt 
of up to $45 million through the use of Super 
Senior Debt Basket and the General Debt 
Basket and has an option to defer the interest 
payments on the Reinstated Notes for the first 
two years. The cash inflows from the Group’s 
export revenues have become regular over 
the past year, further strengthening the cash 
flow projections. 

Based on the assessments above, the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the Group will be able to continue in operation 
and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
period until 30 April 2020.

36

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

37

FINANCIAL REVIEW

I am pleased to say that, despite all the difficulties, 
2016 proved to be a year of significant progress 
and development for the Group.

Sami Zouari
Chief Financial Officer

As both the CEO and Chairman have 
outlined in their statements, 2016 has been a 
challenging year for the industry as a whole and 
for Gulf Keystone in particular. A debt burden of 
over $600 million repayable in 2017 with large 
interest payments due in 2016, combined with 
the low oil price environment, meant that the 
Group had a number of hurdles to overcome. 

My outlook and goals for 2016 were clearly 
set and I am pleased to say that, despite all 
the difficulties, 2016 proved to be a year of 
significant progress and development for the 
Group. We successfully completed a complex 
balance sheet restructuring and raised funds 
through a fully subscribed open offer (“Open 
Offer”), demonstrating continuous support 
from our shareholders for the Company and 
its management team, in spite of the difficult 
environment. As a result, the Group’s debt was 
reduced from over $600 million to $100 million. 

Despite geopolitical difficulties and low oil 
prices, the MNR was committed to supporting 
the producers who operate in the Kurdistan 
region. The Group has seen a marked 
improvement in cash receipts with gross 
payments of $142.5 million ($114.0 million net to 
the Group) received in 2016 (2015: $74.2 million 
net to the Group, including domestic revenues). 

Our progress on the implementation of the 
revised Shaikan PSC terms has not been as 
swift as we had expected. However, the Group 
is progressing in its discussions with the MNR 
and its partner MOL on resolving the remaining 
commercial and contractual uncertainties. This 
will allow the Group to invest with confidence in 
the next stage of the Shaikan development and 
unlock the potential of this remarkable field, 
which continues to deliver strong production 
in line with our expectations.

Summary of key financial highlights
Below are some key financial highlights derived, in part, from the Consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the 
Consolidated financial statements and related notes:

Sales volume (bopd) 

Revenue ($’000) 

Profit/(loss) from operations before exceptional items ($’000) 

Impairment expense ($’000) 

Gain on debt extinguishment ($’000) 

Loss after tax for the year ($’000) 

Basic loss per share (cents)  

Operating cash flow before working capital ($’000) 

Capital expenditures ($’000) 

As restated 
(note 25) 
2015

2016 

34,794 

30,500

194,409 

86,165

26,046 

(81,697)

(215,658) 

(82,596)

222,455 

—

(17,435) 

(213,964)

(30.82) 

(2,283.66)

109,515 

9,592 

(4,416)

82,019

Operating results
Revenue production
Gross liftings for the year were 12.7 million 
barrels (“bbl”) of oil (2015: 11.1 million bbl of 
oil) all of which was trucked to Fishkhabour 
for injection into the export pipeline 
(2015: 8.6 million barrels for export market 
and 2.5 million barrels for domestic off‑take). 

The Group received regular payments from 
the MNR for oil sales during the period. 
The payments amounted to $12 million net a 
month, with the exception of February when 
the receipt was $6.0 million net, due to pipeline 
export problems. As at 31 December 2016, 
the Group recognised three months of 
revenue receipts outstanding of $36 million 
net (2015: $12 million net), all of which were 
received in Q1 2017. 

Due to continued uncertainty relating to the 
payment mechanism for sales to the export 
market, the Group recognises its revenues 
when the cash receipt is assured (see 
note 2). Based on this, revenue recognised 
for 2016 amounted to $194.4 million 
(2015: $86.2 million), including $121.8 million 
for assured receipts in relation to the Group’s 
revenue entitlements and $72.6 million 
recognised by offsetting payables to the 
MNR against amounts due from previously 
unrecognised revenue. 

The Group’s production is sold under its 
oil export arrangements with the KRG at a 
field‑specific quality discount to the price 
of Brent crude oil and after transportation 
costs. The Group continues to assume 
Shaikan quality discount at $14.7/bbl, subject 
to future audit with the MNR. Transportation 
costs amounted to $5.7/bbl from January to 
October 2016 and $5.2/bbl from October 2016 
onwards. Based on these discussions, 
the realised price for 2016 export sales is 
estimated at $24/bbl (2015: export sales  
$22/bbl; domestic sales $18/bbl). This 
remains subject to audit and reconciliation, 
and the establishment of a retroactive quality 
bank for Kurdistan crude oil. 

Unrecognised revenue arrears at 
31 December 2016 are estimated at 
$25.0 million (2015: $44.0 million) on a diluted 
basis (based on the implementation of the 
Second Shaikan Amendment in the manner 
envisaged by the MNR Agreement).

Production cost
Cost of sales for the year was $142.8 million 
(2015: $136.9 million). This includes production 
costs and depreciation, depletion and 
amortisation. The Group saw a decrease of 
27% in production costs, excluding production 
bonus and capacity payments due to the KRG, 
from $48.1 million in 2015 to $35.2 million in 
2016. On a gross field basis, production costs 
per gross barrel excluding production bonus 
and capacity payments due to the KRG were 
$3.5/bbl (2015: $5/bbl). The Group continued 
to improve efficiency and reduce costs 
throughout the year achieving operating costs 
per barrel well under the stated target of  
$4.5/bbl.

The Group generated a gross profit for the year 
of $51.6 million (2015: $50.7 million loss) driven 
primarily by the recognition of the revenue 
arrears and improved revenue receipts in 
the year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

39

FINANCIAL REVIEW continued

Change in accounting policy
During the year, the Group changed its 
accounting policy for its oil and gas assets 
from modified full cost to successful efforts. 
As a result of the change, the Group restated 
its prior year financial statements by writing 
off the remaining balance of the Ber Bahr 
block of $79.0 million as of 31 December 
2015. Furthermore, all 2016 expenditures 
relating to the Sheikh Adi and Ber Bahr blocks 
were written off and included in Impairment 
expense and General and administrative 
expense, respectively, in the Consolidated 
income statement in 2016. The effects of 
the change in the Consolidated financial 
statements are discussed in detail in note 25.

Non‑operating results
Following the change in its accounting policy 
and the relinquishment of the Sheikh Adi 
block in March 2016, the Group recognised 
an impairment expense of $215.7 million 
(2015: a restated expense of $82.6 million) 
(see notes 10 and 25). The restatement of the 
2015 balance was a result of the change in the 
Group’s accounting policy, meaning that the 
Group’s decision to relinquish the Ber Bahr 
block at the end of 2015 resulted in impairment.

A gain on debt extinguishment of $222.5 million 
resulted from the successful Restructuring in 
October 2016 when the Group extinguished 
its Convertible Bonds and Guaranteed 
Notes in consideration for 4,585,192,303 and 
15,031,035,578 common shares, respectively 
and the issue of $100 million of Reinstated 
Notes (see note 16).

Other gains amounted to $9.9 million 
(2015: $3.1 million). The Group was successful 
in securing the release of $3.2 million unpaid 
costs in the Excalibur litigation. The Group 
relinquished Akri Bijeel in December 2015 
and executed the Akri Bijeel Joint Operating 
Agreement Termination Agreement in 
June 2016 with no further liabilities payable 
by the Group. This resulted in a release of a 
decommissioning provision of $3.7 million 
and extinguishment of a contingent liability 
estimated at $39.9 million. The remaining 
balance relates to foreign exchange gains  
(see note 6).

General and administrative expenses 
for 2016 were 18% down at $25.5 million 
(2015: $31.0 million). The decrease has been 
generated through a cost review and efforts to 
increase efficiencies and reduce costs, partially 
offset by an increase in the advisory and other 
costs associated with the Restructuring. 

The Group generated an after tax loss of 
$17.4 million (2015: $214.0 million restated loss). 
The improved bottom line is a result of both 
higher revenues and lower costs.

Cash flow
The Group generated cash in 2016 without 
any significant external funding inflows. 
The net overall increase in cash and cash 
equivalents during the year was $49.2 million 
(2015: $44.2 million decrease) with cash and 
cash equivalents totalling $92.9 million at 
31 December 2016 (2015: $43.6 million). 

The Group generated a positive cash flow 
of $49.6 million (2015: inflow $20.7 million) 
from operations due to the improved 
revenue payment cycle and prudent cost 
management. The successful completion of 
the Restructuring meant that the interest due 
on the Notes and Convertible Bonds in 2016 
was converted into common shares alongside 
the debt principals and the Group made no 
interest payments (2015: $52.9 million). 

The Group spent $9.7 million on investing 
activities (2015: $52.1 million) which is a result 
of asset portfolio rationalisation and limited 
investment in the Shaikan Field reflecting the 
Group’s strategic decision to limit its spend on 
capital activities until a regular and predictable 
payment cycle is established and outstanding 
entitlements from the KRG are addressed.

The Group also raised $9.7 million through 
financing activities (2015: $39.4 million). 
The majority of these funds were raised 
through the successful completion of the 
Open Offer on 14 October 2016.

Corporate activities 
Balance sheet restructuring
The Group successfully completed the 
Restructuring on 14 October 2016 to 
address the Group’s Guaranteed Notes and 
Convertible Bonds maturing in April 2017 
and October 2017, respectively. As a 
result, the Group’s debt was reduced from 
over $600 million of Convertible Bonds 
and Guaranteed Notes to $100 million of 
Reinstated Notes through full conversion of 
the Convertible Bonds and partial conversion 
of the Guaranteed Notes to common shares. 
The Reinstated Notes give the Group an option 
to defer the payment of the first two years of 
interest until the maturity in 2021 (see note 16 
for further details). The Group also has the 
flexibility to seek and raise additional debt 
of up to $45 million through the use of the 
Super Senior Debt Basket and the General 
Debt Basket. The Reinstated Notes do not 
contain covenants or Debt Service Reserve 
Account requirement, freeing $32.5 million 
of cash for general use. In conjunction with 
the Restructuring, the Group completed 
a successful $25.0 million Open Offer on 
14 October 2016 (see note 16 for further 
details), leading to a strong cash balance 
at 31 December 2016.

Exploration blocks relinquishment
In March 2016, as part of the Group’s 
strategy to focus on its core assets, the 
Group relinquished the Sheikh Adi block and 
terminated the Sheikh Adi PSC. Under the 
terms of the Sheikh Adi Relinquishment, the 
Group relinquished to the KRG its right to drill, 
explore, and export oil and gas from the Sheikh 
Adi block. Both the KRG and the Group relieved 
each other from any claims and obligations 
they may have against the other under the 
PSC, with the exception of $10.0 million 
relating to reduced PSC bonuses due on the 
declaration of commerciality. This will be offset 
against the past costs associated with the 
Shaikan Government Participation Option.

The Group announced its intention to 
relinquish the Ber Bahr block as part of its 
2015 results. The relinquishment is currently 
in the process of finalisation. Additional 
costs incurred on Ber Bahr during the year 
relate to remediation and ongoing general 
and administrative cost associated with the 
termination of the licence. 

Completion of share consolidation
Following the completion of the Restructuring, 
the number of existing common shares 
significantly increased. The Group considered 
that the issued share capital was considerably 
higher than similar sized companies listed on 
the London Stock Exchange and adversely 
impacted investors’ perception of the 
Company. Hence, on 16 November 2016, the 
Group proposed to undertake a consolidation 
of its shares (the “Consolidation”) pursuant 
to which the 22,942,956,605 existing 
common shares would be divided in 
229,429,566 new common shares of $1 
each. The Consolidation was completed on 
9 December 2016. The new common shares 
have the same rights and are subject to the 
same restrictions as common shares prior 
to consolidation. All existing options and 
warrants have been consolidated on the same 
100:1 basis. Fractional entitlements arising 
from the consolidation were aggregated 
and sold in the market with the net proceeds 
donated to a charity designated by the Board 
of Directors of the Company. The Group 
believes that the Consolidation of the existing 
common shares may improve the liquidity 
and marketability of the common shares to a 
wider range of investors, including institutional 
investors and will make them a more attractive 
investment proposition.

The Group continues its efforts to manage 
costs prudently whilst maintaining safe and 
secure operations. We have successfully 
reduced operating costs in 2016 to  
$3.5/bbl from $5/bbl in 2015. Our operating 
costs guidance for 2017 is $4 per bbl as we 
have identified a number of facilities and 
infrastructure maintenance projects that will 
help us to ensure smooth and safe operations. 

Considering the current healthy cash balance 
and regularity of payments from the MNR, 
the Group has decided to pay its upcoming 
Reinstated Notes coupon of $5 million at 10% 
interest rate on 18 April 2017, even though it has 
the option to postpone it to maturity (at 13% 
interest rate).

In addition to our strong cash balance, we 
have a positive outlook on our forward liquidity, 
which will support our investments with a 
view to maintaining our gross production at 
40,000 bopd and potentially increasing it to 
55,000 bopd, subject to approval by the MNR 
and our partners MOL. 

With the successful Restructuring and 
improved revenue flow, we now have the 
financial strength to focus on realising the 
potential of our asset. 

Sami Zouari 
Chief Financial Officer 

5 April 2017

Second Shaikan PSC Amendment
The Group continues to work towards the 
execution of the Second Shaikan PSC 
Amendment implementing the terms of the 
agreement signed by the MNR and Gulf 
Keystone Petroleum International Limited 
(“GKPI”) on 16 March 2016 (the “Bilateral 
Agreement”). For the avoidance of doubt, MOL 
was not a party to the Bilateral Agreement. 
The Bilateral Agreement, inter alia, records 
the MNR’s approval to reduce the Group’s 
capacity building charge from 40% to 30% 
of profit petroleum, and the MNR’s approval 
of the proposed assignment and transfer to 
GKPI of the 5% participating interest in the 
Shaikan PSC currently held by Texas Keystone 
International Limited. It also documents the 
MNR and GKPI’s intention to implement the 
Third Party Interest so that a 7.5% participating 
interest in the Shaikan PSC in aggregate shall 
be allocated in favour of GKPI and MOL pro 
rata to their respective participating interests 
and a 7.5% carried interest in the Shaikan PSC 
shall be allocated to the MNR. In addition, 
the MNR and GKPI stated their intention 
to recognise the allocation to the MNR of 
the Option of Government Participation in 
the Shaikan PSC with effect from 1 August 
2012 (subject to the satisfaction of certain 
conditions, including the payment by the MNR 
of associated past costs attributable to the 
Option of Government Participation).

Staff Retention Plan  
and Value Creation Plan
In order to retain and motivate employees, the 
Company introduced a new Staff Retention 
Plan in 2016 (“SRP”). The SRP was approved by 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 
8 December 2016 and its implementation was 
approved by the Company’s Remuneration 
Committee on 12 December 2016. Employees 
who are not participating in the Value Creation 
Plan (“VCP”) are eligible for the SRP. The SRP is 
based on an allocation of nil‑cost options over 
Gulf Keystone Petroleum shares which will vest 
on completion of a three‑year retention period 
or on a change of control. Should a change of 
control occur during the first twelve months of 
the SRP, then only 50% of the shares will vest. 
In years two and three, 100% of the shares will 
vest. A total of 1% of the Company’s issued 
share capital was reserved for the SRP.

Additionally, the Company implemented the 
VCP for Executive Directors. Participants in the 
VCP, who are selected at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee, are awarded units 
representing their share in a ‘Performance Pot’ 
equivalent to 8% of the increase in value of 
the Company in excess of a minimum annual 
rate of return to shareholders. Subject to 
the Company generating a rate of return to 
shareholders of not less than 8% per annum 
compound (the “hurdle”) participants will be 
granted nil‑cost options each year for five 
years, starting one year after the initial award 
of units. The value of shares subject to each 
option corresponds to the individual’s share of 
the Performance Pot. If, by the end of the fifth 
plan year the Company has failed to generate 
the hurdle rate of returns to shareholders, 
all unvested nil‑cost options will lapse. 
The aggregate value of all nil cost options 
granted at previous measurement dates shall 
not exceed $20 million. If there is a change 
of control prior to 31 December 2017, the 
participants will receive 2% of the value of the 
sale consideration less the value provided to 
employees under the SRP.

Financial strategy  
and outlook for 2017
Improved liquidity and capacity
In 2017, we are in a strong position with 
markedly improved liquidity and financial 
flexibility. As at 5 April 2017, the Group’s cash 
and cash equivalents were $112.7 million. 

Several challenges still face our Group, as 
outlined below, but we believe we have the right 
partners and team to tackle them: 

•  we will continue to work on achieving further 
contractual and commercial clarity and will 
work towards the execution of the Second 
Shaikan PSC Amendment; 

•  we will maintain our active dialogue with the 
MNR and aim to shift to revenue receipts in 
accordance with the PSC entitlements; 
•  we will continue to seek clarifications on the 
marketing terms and market routes for our 
crude; and

•  prudent resource management and 

robust operational and financial controls 
remain at the forefront of our operation and 
we are striving to deliver improvements 
wherever possible. 

40

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

41

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Keith Lough
Non‑Executive Chairman

Skills and experience

Jón Ferrier
Chief Executive Officer

Skills and experience 

Sami Zouari
Chief Financial Officer

Skills and experience 

Philip Dimmock
Non‑Executive Director

Skills and experience 

Garrett Soden
Non‑Executive Director

Skills and experience 

David Thomas
Non‑Executive Director

Skills and experience 

Keith Lough was appointed as Non‑Executive 
Chairman of Gulf Keystone Petroleum in 
July 2016 having been a Non‑Executive 
Director since December 2015. 

He is a certified chartered accountant. In 1988 
Keith joined Lasmo plc where over the course 
of the next eleven years he held a range of 
senior financial and operational roles, including 
MD of the North Sea, and then Europe and 
North Africa before Lasmo was sold to ENI. 
Keith was CFO of PetroKazakhstan for two 
years before being headhunted for the CFO 
role of British Energy, the nuclear power 
company. At British Energy he oversaw the 
complex restructuring of the business and 
the interaction with the UK Government and 
its creditors.  In 2004 Keith founded coal bed 
methane focused Composite Energy Limited, 
which was acquired by Dart in 2011. The team 
from Composite spent a year at Hutton Energy, 
during which time Keith was CEO. 

Keith is currently a Non‑Executive Director 
of Rockhopper Exploration plc, Cairn Energy 
plc, and the UK Gas and Electricity Markets 
Authority (Ofgem). He is also a Director of 
Abacus Geoscience Limited.

Jón Ferrier joined Gulf Keystone in June 2015 
as Chief Executive Officer following three 
decades spent in exploration, commercial, 
strategic and leadership positions in the oil 
and gas and mining industries. A geologist 
by training, was most recently Senior Vice 
President Business Development, Strategy 
& Commercial at Maersk Oil in Copenhagen 
where he served on the executive team. He 
holds an MSc from Imperial College.

Jón has considerable international experience, 
including in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and 
has successfully led the delivery of complex 
projects on time and within budget in the 
Middle East. His most recent roles have had 
a strong external orientation and have seen 
him working effectively with all stakeholders, 
including host governments. 

Prior to Maersk Oil, Jón’s oil and gas 
experience was gained with ConocoPhillips, 
Paladin Resources plc and Petro‑Canada/
Suncor, in a number of regions.  

Sami Zouari joined Gulf Keystone as Chief 
Financial Officer in January 2015, following 
careers in both the oil and gas industry 
and investment banking, where he also 
had a particular focus on the Energy and 
Commodities sectors in the Middle East 
and North Africa. He holds a Master’s from 
Harvard and BA from Columbia University.

Prior to his appointment, he served as the 
Regional Head of Corporate and Investment 
Banking for North Africa, Iraq and Oman at 
BNP Paribas in London, overseeing various 
financial transactions in the MENA region with 
a focus on the oil and gas industry. Between 
2008 and 2012, he was the Head of MENA 
within the Energy and Commodity division 
of BNP Paribas in Paris, managing lending 
transactions for oil and gas private and public 
companies.

Prior to his career in investment banking, 
Sami worked for Total EP in a number of roles, 
starting as an Economist for the Middle East 
Division and finally as Commercial Manager 
for Total EP Libya in Tripoli, overseeing 
assets producing in excess of 300,000 barrels 
of oil per day.

Philip Dimmock was appointed as a 
Non‑Executive Director of Gulf Keystone 
Petroleum in September 2013. He has over 
40 years’ experience in upstream oil and gas, 
both in the UK and internationally. 

Philip spent a significant part of his career 
at BP in a wide variety of senior positions 
including manager of the Forties oil field, and 
at Ranger Oil where he also held the post of 
Vice President of the international division, 
and served as Chairman. He has also been an 
executive officer of the UK Offshore Operators 
Association. Philip was a Non‑Executive 
Director of Nautical Petroleum plc until its 
acquisition by Cairn Energy in 2012. Between 
2005 and 2012 he served as Chairman of 
the Remuneration, Nomination and Strategy 
Committees and was a member of the Audit 
Committee.

Philip is currently a consultant to various 
oil and gas companies, including Equator 
Exploration Ltd where he was formerly 
Chief Operating Officer. 

Garrett Soden was appointed as a 
Non‑Executive Director of Gulf Keystone 
Petroleum in October 2016.

David Thomas was appointed as 
Non‑Executive Director of Gulf Keystone 
Petroleum in October 2016.

He has worked with the Lundin Group of 
Companies since 2007 as a senior executive 
and board member. He holds a BSc honours 
degree from the London School of Economics 
and an MBA from Columbia Business School. 
Garrett is the former Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer of RusForest AB, a Swedish 
forestry company with interests in Russia. 
He is the former Chief Financial Officer of 
both Etrion and PetroFalcon Corporation, a 
Canadian oil and gas E&P company focused 
on Venezuela. Garrett previously worked at 
Lehman Brothers in equity research and at 
Salomon Brothers in mergers and acquisitions. 
Garrett also previously served as Senior Policy 
Advisor to the US Secretary of Energy. 

Garrett is a director of Panoro Energy ASA, 
a Norwegian oil and gas E&P company focused 
on West Africa. He is also a director of Etrion 
Corporation, a Canadian solar power producer 
focused on Japan.

He is a highly experienced oil and gas 
professional, having held a number of board 
level, senior executive and international 
management roles in a career spanning over 
35 years. He started his career as a petroleum 
engineer with Conoco working in the North 
Sea and Dubai before moving into reservoir 
engineering and asset management positions. 
Subsequently, he joined Lasmo where he 
became the Group GM Operations and, 
following the company’s acquisition, held 
three regional Vice President roles with ENI 
including managing the North Sea, Russia/
Asia/Australia and West Africa asset portfolios. 
David’s subsequent board directorships have 
included positions with various London and 
Canadian listed companies including President 
and COO of Centurion Energy, CEO of 
Melrose Resources and COO with Petroceltic 
International. In mid‑2015 he briefly served 
on a caretaker Board at Afren. David has a 
BSc in Mining Engineering from Nottingham 
University and an MSc in Petroleum 
Engineering from Imperial College. 

David is currently the CEO of PICO/Cheiron.

42

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

43

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Stuart Catterall
Chief Operating Officer

Nadhim Zahawi
Chief Strategy Officer

Stuart joined Gulf Keystone as Chief 
Operations Officer in January 2017.

Nadhim Zahawi joined Gulf Keystone as 
Chief Strategy Officer in August 2015.

Stuart has over 30 years’ experience in oil and 
gas undertaking a breadth of senior leadership 
and technical roles with Amerada Hess, BHP 
Billiton, Celtique Energy and, more recently, 
as an independent petroleum development 
and operations consultant for PA Resources, 
Enquest and Petroceltic. He has proven 
expertise in successfully developing oil fields 
and leading operations in remote, onshore 
international locations, including in the Middle 
East/North Africa region. 

Stuart has a BSc in Mechanical Engineering 
from Southampton University and an MSc in 
Petroleum Engineering from Imperial College, 
London.

Nadhim read Chemical Engineering at 
University College London before going 
on to have a successful career in business. 
His early career includes the roles European 
Marketing Director for Smith & Brooks Ltd, 
and co‑founder and former CEO of YouGov, 
the international market research firm which 
listed on The London Stock Exchange’s AIM 
market in 2005. Nadhim has held a number of 
advisory roles in the oil and gas sector. 

Nadhim is of Kurdish origin, and moved 
from Iraq to the UK in his childhood. He has 
maintained contact with the Kurdistan Region 
of Iraq throughout his extensive career.

Umur Eminkahyagil
Country Manager – Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Umur Eminkahyagil received his BSc in 
Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from 
Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 
Turkey, with High Honours in 1991.

He spent the first eleven years of his career 
holding various reservoir engineering 
positions with Shell, mainly in Turkey and 
Thailand. He joined the Expro Group in 2002 
and held progressively more challenging 
roles within the Group, spanning Malaysia, 
South‑East Asia, and finally Angola in West 
Africa, where he worked as General Manager.

In 2007, he became Vice President for 
MB Petroleum Services, responsible for 
international business, a position he held for a 
number of years before joining Gulf Keystone 
in March 2012.

Umur initially joined the Company as 
Development and Production Manager 
and has was subsequently appointed, as of 
1 September 2012, the Company’s Country 
Manager for Kurdistan, Iraq.

We remain committed 
to building upon the high 
standards of corporate 
governance that we have 
implemented to date to 
support us in running 
the Group. 

Keith Lough
Non‑Executive Chairman

Dear Shareholder

We remain committed to building upon the 
high standards of corporate governance that 
we have implemented to date to support us in 
running the Group. 

As a Bermuda‑incorporated company with 
a standard listing on the London Stock 
Exchange, the Company is not subject to the 
UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”), 
as amended in September 2014. However, 
the Board recognises the importance of good 
governance and has considered the principles 
and provisions set out in the Code. 

During 2016, a number of changes were made 
to the Board. I was appointed Non‑Executive 
Chairman following Andrew Simon’s retirement 
in July 2016. In October 2016, Cuth McDowell 
stepped down from the Board and Garrett 
Soden and David Thomas were appointed 
as independent Non‑Executive Directors. 

Following the successful completion of the 
Restructuring, the Finance Committee has 
been disbanded. An important addition to 
our corporate governance arrangements is 
the creation of a new Technical Committee. 
The key roles of this Committee are to optimise 
delivery of the Shaikan FDP and to provide 
appropriate risk, financial and budgetary 
oversight for major capital projects. 

Keith Lough
Non‑Executive Chairman

5 April 2017

As at 31 December 2016, the composition of the Board sub‑committees was as follows:

Board

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Remuneration  
Committee

Nomination  
Committee

HSSE and CSR 
Committee

Finance  
Committee(1)

Garrett Soden

Philip Dimmock

Keith Lough

Philip Dimmock

Philip Dimmock

Garrett Soden

David Thomas

Garrett Soden

David Thomas

Keith Lough

David Thomas

Philip Dimmock

Jón Ferrier

John Stafford

Keith Lough

Jón Ferrier

Sami Zouari

Technical 
Committee(2)

David Thomas

Philip Dimmock

Jón Ferrier

Sami Zouari

John Stafford

Gabriel 
Papineau‑Legris(3)

(1)  Committee disbanded following completion of the Restructuring in October 2016.
(2)  Committee established in November 2016.
(3)  Commercial Director.

 
44

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

45

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT continued

Introduction
One of the Board’s primary responsibilities 
is to ensure that the Group is run in the best 
long‑term interests of our shareholders and 
wider stakeholders. This is achieved through 
the Board’s commitment to maintain high 
standards of governance and to aim to create a 
culture which demands the same commitment 
and performance from all of our employees 
and contractors and in all our business 
activities. The governance processes applied 
across the Group are illustrated below and in 
the individual Committee reports.

Statement of Compliance with the 
UK Corporate Governance Code
Gulf Keystone is a Bermuda incorporated 
Company with a standard listing on the 
London Stock Exchange and therefore is not 
required to comply with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. However, in the interest 
of good governance, the Board has resolved 
to voluntarily adopt these provisions for 
the Group.

The version of the Corporate Governance 
Code applicable to the current reporting 
period is the September 2014 UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the “Code”). As at the 
date of this report, the Board considers that 
it and the Company have complied with 
the provisions of the Code, except for the 
following matters: 

•  A.4.1 – requirement for a Senior Independent 

Director to be appointed – not met for 
the year;

•  C.3.1 – requirement to have at least two 
independent Non‑Executive Directors 
comprising the Audit Committee – not met 
for part of the year; and

•  D.2.1 – requirements for Chairman of 

the Board not to act as Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee – not met for 
part of the year.

The areas of non‑compliance arose as a 
result of a number of changes that the Board 
underwent in 2016 and were rectified in late 
2016/early 2017. 

The Code is issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council and is available for review on the 
Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC’s) website 
https://www.frc.org.uk/Our‑Work/Codes‑
Standards/Corporate‑governance.aspx.

Matters reserved for the Board
The Board has a formal schedule of matters 
specifically reserved to it for decision. 
They cover the key strategic, financial 
and operational issues facing the Group 
and include:

•  the Group’s strategic aims and objectives;
•  changes to the Group’s capital, management 

or control structures;

•  dividend policy and dividend 

recommendation;

•  half‑yearly reports, final results, annual 

report and accounts;

•  the overall system of internal control and 

risk management;

•  major capital projects, corporate actions  

and investment;

•  communication policy; and
•  changes to the structure, size and 

composition of the Board.

The Board is responsible to shareholders 
for the proper management of the Group. 
In 2016, the Board has continued to focus its 
efforts on strategic objectives that will create 
shareholder value and ensuring that these are 
properly pursued. 

As at the date of this report, the Board 
comprised two Executive Directors and 
four Non‑Executive Directors (including 
the Chairman). In accordance with Code 
provision A.3.1, the Chairman was independent 
on appointment. The Company regards 
the other Non‑Executive Directors as 
independent. The Company’s Executive 
and Non‑Executive Directors come from a 
variety of backgrounds and bring different 
ideas and perspectives to the table ensuring 
that the Company’s Directors have the right 
experience to meet the needs of the business. 
The Company places high importance on 
having an appropriate Board composition 
with the four Non‑Executive Directors, 
ensuring that the strategies proposed by the 
Executive Directors are fully considered and 
appropriately challenged.

As at the date of this report, the Board has 
five standing Committees: Audit and Risk 
Committee, Remuneration Committee, 
Nomination Committee, HSSE & CSR 
Committee and Technical Committee. 
The Finance Committee was disbanded 
following the successful completion of the 
Restructuring on 14 October 2016. Each 
standing Board Committee has specific written 
terms of reference issued by the Board and 
adopted by the relevant Committee, updated 
most recently in January and April 2017. 

All Committee Chairmen report orally 
on the proceedings of their Committees 
at the meetings of the Board. Where 
appropriate, the Committee Chairmen 
also make recommendations to the Board 
in accordance with their relevant terms 
of reference. In addition, the minutes of the 
Committee meetings are included in the 
papers distributed to all Board members 
in advance of Board meetings.

To ensure Directors are kept up‑to‑date on 
developing issues and to support the overall 
effectiveness of the Board and its Committees, 
the Non‑Executive Chairman and Committee 
Chairmen communicate regularly with the 
Chief Executive and other Executive Directors. 
The key governance mandates of the Board’s 
five main Committees are shown below. 

Board Committees
Audit and Risk Committee
As at 31 December 2016, the Audit and Risk 
Committee comprised two Non‑Executive 
Directors, who are considered to be 
independent, and the Non‑Executive Chairman 
of the Board. The members were: Garrett 
Soden (Chairman), Philip Dimmock and Keith 
Lough. Garrett Soden was appointed as a 
member and Chairman of the Committee on 
8 December 2016. Philip Dimmock served as 
Chairman of the Committee up to 8 December 
2016. Philip Dimmock remained as a member 
of the Committee following the change of 
Chairman. Cuth McDowell served on the 
Committee until he stepped down from the 
Board in October 2016. 

The Committee members have been selected 
to provide the wide range of financial and 
commercial expertise necessary to fulfil the 
Committee’s duties. The Board considers each 
Committee member’s experience to be recent 
and relevant for the purposes of the Code. 
This Committee meets at least three times per 
year. During the year ended 31 December 2016, 
the Committee met four times.

The terms of reference of the Audit and Risk 
Committee are documented and agreed by 
the Board and are available in the corporate 
governance section of Gulf Keystone’s 
corporate website www.gulfkeystone.com. 

The terms of reference are reviewed 
regularly and were last updated in April 2017. 
The Audit and Risk Committee report is set 
out in a separate section of the Corporate 
governance report.

Nomination Committee
As at 31 December 2016, the Nomination 
Committee comprised three Non‑Executive 
Directors, who are considered to be 
independent, and the Chairman of the Board. 
The members were: Philip Dimmock (Chairman), 
Garrett Soden, David Thomas and Keith Lough. 
Andrew Simon was a member of and chaired 
the Committee until his retirement as a Director 
in July 2016. Keith Lough served as Chairman 
of the Committee until 8 December 2016. 
Philip Dimmock took over as Chairman of 
the Committee on 8 December 2016. Keith 
Lough remains a member of the Committee. 
Cuth McDowell served as a member of the 
Committee until his resignation as a Director 
in October 2016. Garrett Soden and David 
Thomas were appointed to the Committee 
on  8 December 2016. 

The Nomination Committee met on three 
occasions during the year on a formal 
basis. A number of informal meetings also 
took place. The terms of reference of the 
Nomination Committee are documented 
and agreed by the Board and are available 
in the corporate governance section of 
Gulf Keystone’s corporate website  
www.gulfkeystone.com. The terms of 
reference are reviewed regularly and were 
last updated in January 2017. The Nomination 
Committee report is set out in a separate 
section of the Corporate governance report.

Remuneration Committee 
As at 31 December 2016, the Remuneration 
Committee comprised three Non‑Executive 
Directors: Philip Dimmock (Chairman), Garrett 
Soden and David Thomas. Andrew Simon was 
a member of and Chairman of the Committee 
until his retirement as a Director in July 2016. 
Keith Lough was appointed Chairman of 
the Committee following Andrew Simon’s 
retirement and remained as Chairman and a 
member of the Committee until 8 December 
2016. Garrett Soden and David Thomas were 
appointed as members of the Committee on 
8 December 2016. Philip Dimmock was also 
appointed Chairman of the Committee on that 
date. Cuth McDowell was a member of the 
Committee until his resignation as a Director 
in October 2016.

This Committee, which meets at least twice per 
year, is responsible for making recommendations 
to the Board concerning the compensation of 
the Executive Directors and the Chairman, as 
well as the level and structure of remuneration 
for senior management. The Committee is 
also responsible for the determination of 
the Group’s Remuneration Policy. 
The Remuneration Committee met on seven 
occasions during the year on a formal basis. 
A number of informal meetings also took place.

The terms of reference for the Remuneration 
Committee are available in the Corporate 
Governance section of Gulf Keystone’s 
corporate website www.gulfkeystone.com. 
The terms of reference are reviewed regularly 
and were last updated in January 2017.

HSSE and CSR Committee 
As at 31 December 2016, the HSSE and CSR 
Committee comprised two Non‑Executive 
Directors, one Executive Director and 
the Group’s Vice President – Operations. 
As at 31 December 2016, the members of the 
Committee were: David Thomas (Chairman), 
Philip Dimmock, Jón Ferrier (CEO) and 
John Stafford (Vice President – Operations). 
Andrew Simon served as a member of the 
Committee until his retirement in July 2016. 
David Thomas was appointed as a member of 
the Committee and became its Chairman on 
8 December 2016. Philip Dimmock stepped 
down as Chairman of the Committee on 
8 December 2016 but remains a member 
of the Committee. Stuart Catterall (Chief 
Operating Officer) was appointed to the 
Committee on 24 January 2017 at which 
time John Stafford stepped down.

The Committee meets at least four times a year 
and met four times during 2016. The primary 
function of the Committee is to oversee the 
development of the Group’s policies and 
guidelines for the management of HSSE 
and social risks, evaluate the effectiveness 
of these policies and their ability to ensure 
compliance with applicable legal and regulatory 
requirements, evaluate and oversee the 
quality and integrity of reporting to external 
stakeholders concerning HSSE and CSR, and 
review the results of any independent audits 
of the Group’s performance in regard to HSSE 
and CSR making recommendations, where 
appropriate, to the Board concerning the same. 
The Committee also reviews HSSE and CSR 
performance and examines specific safety 
issues as requested by the Board. 

The terms of reference of the HSSE and CSR 
Committee are documented and agreed by 
the Board and are available in the corporate 
governance section of Gulf Keystone’s 
corporate website www.gulfkeystone.com. 
The terms of reference are reviewed regularly 
and were last updated in January 2017.

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee was established 
in December 2015 to evaluate and provide 
recommendations to the Board regarding: 

•  the determination of a sustainable capital 

structure for the Company; and 

•  the current strategic review of the Group’s 

business and assets.

The Committee met frequently during 2016 
in the period from January to October. 
The members of the Committee were: Keith 
Lough (Chairman), Cuth McDowell, Jón Ferrier 
(CEO) and Sami Zouari (CFO). Following the 
successful completion of the Restructuring 
on 14 October 2016, the Finance Committee 
was disbanded.

Technical Committee
The Technical Committee was established in 
November 2016. As at the date of this report, 
the Committee comprises two Non‑Executive 
Directors, the two Executive Directors, the 
Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the 
Commercial Director. As at 31 December 2016, 
the members of the Committee were: 
David Thomas (Chairman), Philip Dimmock, 
Jón Ferrier (CEO), Sami Zouari (CFO), 
John Stafford (Vice President Operations) 
and Gabriel Papineau‑Legris (Commercial 
Director). Following his appointment as 
COO, Stuart Catterall was appointed to 
the Committee on 24 January 2017 and 
John Stafford stepped down from the 
Committee at that time.

The Committee will normally meet quarterly 
but will meet more frequently if required. 
The Committee’s main remit is to support the 
Company’s Shaikan development planning and 
project execution activities. The Committee 
also has the following specific objectives:

•  provide assurance that development plans 
are in line with the Company’s strategy and 
have been optimised in the context of the 
current and forecast funding position;

•  review and approve Shaikan Field reserves 
and resources estimates and revisions 
before they are finalised;

•  ensure that the Company has the 

appropriate resources and Project 
Management Systems in place to 
successfully execute the development 
projects on time and within budget;
•  provide the Board with assurance that 
the key project execution risks have 
been identified and that the required 
Risk Management processes and mitigation 
measures are in place;

•  provide oversight, where appropriate, for 

any material contract tendering exercises; 
and

•  review and recommend for executive 

approval any information relating to the 
Shaikan Field Development Plans and 
reserves and resource estimates for 
public release.

46

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

47

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT continued

The role of the Chairman
In running the Board, the Chairman is 
responsible for creating an environment that 
facilitates robust and constructive challenge 
and debate. In creating this environment the 
Chairman encourages open communications 
and aims to ensure that the Non‑Executive 
Directors’ constructive challenges and 
suggestions are considered by the Executive 
Directors dispassionately and on their merits. 
The Chairman is responsible for setting the 
Board’s agenda and ensuring that adequate 
time is available for discussion of all agenda 
items including strategic issues.

In 2016 the Board evaluated the Chairman’s 
external commitments. The Board is satisfied 
that the Chairman committed sufficient time 
to his duties in relation to the Company.

The role of the  
Chief Executive Officer
Supported by the Executive Directors and the 
senior management team, the Chief Executive 
Officer, within the authority delegated by 
the Board, has day‑to‑day management 
responsibility for implementing the Group’s 
strategy and running the Group. 

The role of the 
Senior Independent Director
During 2016 there was no Senior Independent 
Director. Responsibility for assisting the 
Chairman with effective communications to 
Gulf Keystone’s shareholders and stakeholders 
was shared by the other Non‑Executive 
Directors who were available to shareholders 
if they had any concerns which could not 
be resolved through the normal channels 
of the Chairman, Executive Directors or the 
Company’s Investor Relations Department, 
or if these channels were not appropriate. With 
effect from 24 January 2017, Philip Dimmock 
was appointed as Senior Independent Director.

Changes to the Board
In 2016, there were a number of changes to 
the composition of the Board. 

Andrew Simon retired as a Director and as 
Chairman of the Board on 14 July 2016. Keith 
Lough was appointed Chairman on that date. 
Cuth McDowell stepped down from the Board 
on 13 October 2016 and Garrett Soden and 
David Thomas were appointed as Directors 
on 13 October 2016. The search, selection and 
appointment process for the Non‑Executive 
Directors is described in the section on the 
Nomination Committee.

Board meetings and attendance
Board meetings are held on a regular basis, 
outside the UK, and no decision of any 
consequence is made other than by the 
Directors. A total of seventeen scheduled 
Board Meetings were held during the year 
ended 31 December 2016. In addition to those 
scheduled meetings, there were a number of 
Board review calls to deal with Board matters 
as appropriate.

The Directors’ attendance record at the 
scheduled Board meetings and Board 
Committee meetings for the year ended 
31 December 2016 is shown in the table below. 
For Board and Board Committee meetings, 
attendance is expressed as the number of 
meetings that each Director was eligible to 
attend. The number of meetings actually 
attended by each Director is shown in brackets. 

Keith Lough 

Philip Dimmock 

Garrett Soden1 

David Thomas1 

Cuth McDowell2 

Jón Ferrier 

Sami Zouari 

Andrew Simon3 

(1)  Appointed as a Director on 13 October 2016.
(2)  Resigned as a Director on 13 October 2016.
(3)  Retired as a Director on 14 July 2016.

Directors’ independence
The independence of each of the 
Non‑Executive Directors is considered 
upon appointment, annually and at any other 
time a Director’s circumstances change in 
a way that warrants reconsideration. The 
Board considers whether the Non‑Executive 
Director is independent of management 

Full Board   Audit and Risk  Remuneration 
 Committee 
Committee 
meetings 

Nomination  HSSE and CSR  
Committee 
Committee 

Finance 
Committee 

Technical  
Committee

17 (15) 

17 (15) 

2 (2) 

2 (2) 

15 (13) 

17 (17) 

17 (16) 

8 (8) 

4 (3) 

4 (4) 

0 (0) 

0 (0) 

3 (3) 

— 

— 

— 

6 (6) 

7 (7) 

1 (1) 

1 (1) 

4 (4) 

— 

— 

3 (3) 

3 (3) 

0 (0) 

0 (0) 

3 (3) 

— 

— 

2 (2) 

2 (2) 

— 

4 (4) 

— 

1 (1) 

— 

4 (4) 

— 

3 (2) 

13 (13) 

— 

— 

— 

13 (8) 

13 (13) 

13 (13) 

— 

—

1 (1)

—

1 (1)

—

1 (1)

1 (1)

—

and any business or other relationship that 
could materially interfere with the exercise of 
objective and independent judgement by the 
Director or the Director’s ability to act in the 
best interests of the shareholders. In particular, 
the Board has considered each Non‑Executive 
Director’s interest in share compensation 
schemes, including the Company Share 

Options Plan and Executive Bonus Schemes, 
and any positions, which the Non‑Executive 
Director holds, or held, in companies with 
which Gulf Keystone has commercial 
relationships. The Chairman was independent 
on appointment. The Board has concluded 
that all of the other Non‑Executive Directors 
are independent. 

Information and support
The Group is committed to supplying the 
Board and its Committees with full and timely 
information, including detailed financial, 
operational and corporate information, 
to enable Directors to discharge their 
responsibilities. The Committees are provided 
with sufficient resources to undertake their 
duties. All Directors have access to the 
advice of senior management and, where 
appropriate, the services of other employees 
and the Company Secretary for all governance 
and regulatory matters. Independent 
professional advice is also available to 
Directors in appropriate circumstances, 
at the Company’s expense.

The Board members also keep up to date 
with developments in relevant law, regulation 
and best practice to maintain their skills and 
knowledge. Monthly reports are produced 
by management of the Group to ensure that 
the Board are well informed on the Group’s 
latest operational, financial, and corporate 
and investor relations matters. 

Relevant analysis and reports are prepared 
by management prior to all Board and 
Committee meetings allowing the Board to 
effectively address all of the items on the 
relevant meeting’s agenda. Documents and 
reports are provided to the Board in a timely 
manner allowing for sufficient time to review 
the information prior to the meeting and raise 
questions where necessary. 

Re‑election of Directors
The Company’s Bye‑laws were amended on 
17 July 2014 to provide for annual re‑election of 
the Directors. Accordingly, all of the Directors 
stand for re‑election by shareholders at 
every AGM. 

Performance evaluation of 
the Board and its Committees
The Board and its Committees have evaluated 
their performance and are satisfied that they 
are operating effectively and that each Director 
has performed well in respect of his individual 
role on the Board. The Board believes that the 
performance of all the Directors continues to 
be effective and that they each demonstrate 
commitment to the role. The Board is 
satisfied that the Group’s current key senior 
management have the requisite depth and 
breadth of skills, knowledge and experience.

Risk management  
and internal control
The Board acknowledges its responsibility 
for establishing and monitoring the Group’s 
systems of internal control. While the system 
of internal control cannot provide absolute 
assurance against material misstatement 
or loss, the Group’s systems are designed 
to provide the Directors with reasonable 
assurance that material risks are identified 
on a timely basis and dealt with appropriately. 
The Board regularly reviews the effectiveness 
of the systems of internal control and 
considers the significant business risks and 
the control environment. The Board is satisfied 
that effective controls are in place and that 
risks have been identified and mitigated 
as appropriate.

The Group is subject to a variety of risks, 
which derive from the nature of the oil and 
gas exploration and production business and 
relate to the countries in which it conducts its 
activities. The key procedures that have been 
established and which are designed to provide 
effective control are as follows:

•  regular meetings between the executive 
management and the Board to discuss all 
issues affecting the Group; 

•  a clearly defined framework for investment 
appraisal with Board approval required as 
appropriate; and

•  an internal audit function.

The Board also believes that the ability to work 
in partnership with host governments is a 
critical ingredient in managing risk successfully. 

The Directors have derived assurance over the 
control environment from the following internal 
and external controls during 2016:

• 

implementation of policies and procedures 
for key business activities;

•  an appropriate organisational structure;
•  control over non‑operated activities through 

delegated representatives;

•  specific delegations of authority for all 

financial and other transactions;

•  segregation of duties where appropriate 

and cost effective;

•  management and financial reporting, 

including KPIs;

•  reports from the Group Audit and 

Risk Committee; 

•  communications with the internal auditor on 
the areas identified and recommended for 
review by the Audit and Risk Committee; and
•  reports from the Group’s external auditor on 

matters identified during their audit.

The above procedures and controls have 
been in place in respect of the Group for the 
2016 accounting period and up to the date of 
approval of the Annual report and accounts. 
There were no significant weaknesses or 
material failings in the risk management and 
internal control system identified in any of the 
above reviews and reports. 

Relations with investors
Regular communications with the Company’s 
institutional and retail equity investors, as well 
as debt investors, are given high priority by the 
Board. The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, 
Chief Financial Officer and members of the 
Investor Relations team are the Company’s 
principal spokespersons, engaging with 
investors, analysts, the press and other 
interested parties. 

The Company is committed to maintaining a 
constructive dialogue with all its investors and 
provides regular updates on its operations 
and corporate developments. The Company 
has an established practice of issuing 
regulatory announcements on the Group’s 
operations and/or any new price sensitive 
information. The Group’s website at  
www.gulfkeystone.com, which is regularly 
updated, contains a wide range of information 
on the Group, including a dedicated investor 
section where investors can find the 
Company’s share price, financial information, 
regulatory announcements, investor 
presentations, technical reports, corporate 
webcasts, videos and photos and interviews 
with the Group’s management, etc. 

Gulf Keystone seeks to respond to all 
correspondence from investors as appropriate 
and endeavours to provide quarterly updates, 
as well as holding regular update meetings 
and calls. 

The Executive Directors regularly present at 
public conferences and investor meetings. 
Throughout 2016, the Group held a number of 
investor presentations which are available to 
view on the Group’s website. 

A list of the Company’s significant shareholders 
as at the date of this report can be found in the 
Directors’ report.

Annual General Meeting
The Board uses the AGM to communicate 
with private and institutional investors and 
welcomes their participation. It is policy for all 
Directors to attend the AGM where possible. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
48

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

49

AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE REPORT

The main focus of the 
Audit and Risk Committee 
has been to support 
the Group’s ongoing 
monitoring, review and 
evaluation of its risk 
management systems 
and internal controls. 

Garrett Soden
Chairman of Audit and Risk Committee

Role 
The Audit and Risk Committee is the 
committee of the Board of Directors that 
is primarily responsible for overseeing the 
financial reporting, internal risk management 
and control functions, the internal audit 
function, and for making recommendations to 
the Board in relation to the appointment of the 
Group’s internal and external auditor. 

In accordance with its terms of reference, 
the Committee, which reports its findings to 
the Board, is authorised to:

•  review the integrity of the Group’s 

financial reporting and significant financial 
accounting estimates and judgements;
•  monitor the effectiveness of the Group’s 

risk management framework and internal 
controls and risk management systems;
•  consider and make recommendations with 
respect to the Group’s risk appetite and 
review, on behalf of the Board, the Group’s 
risk profile; 

•  monitor and review the effectiveness of the 

Group’s internal audit function;

•  advise the Board on the appointment of the 
external auditor and on the remuneration for 
both audit and non‑audit work;

•  discuss the nature and scope of the audit 

with the external auditor; and

•  assess the performance, independence and 
objectivity of the external auditor and any 
supply of non‑audit services. 

Composition
As at 31 December 2016 and the date of 
this report, the Committee comprised two 
Non‑Executive Directors, who are considered 
to be independent, and the Chairman of the 
Board. The members of the Committee are: 
Garrett Soden (Chairman), Philip Dimmock 
and Keith Lough. The members of the Audit 
and Risk Committee during the year were 
as follows:

•  Philip Dimmock (stepped down as Chairman 
of the Committee on 8 December 2016 but 
remains a member of the Committee);

•  Garrett Soden (appointed as a 

member and to the role of Chairman on 
8 December 2016);

•  Cuth McDowell (retired from the Committee 

on 13 October 2016); and

•  Keith Lough.

The meetings were also attended on 
a selective basis by Jón Ferrier (CEO), 
Sami Zouari (CFO), Nadzeya Kernoha 
(Financial Controller), Tony Peart (Legal 
and Commercial Director)(1), Marie Ross 
(Legal Director & Company Secretary), 
representatives from finance management, 
representatives from operations, Deloitte LLP 
(external auditor) and PwC (internal auditor). 

(1)  Tony Peart retired as Legal and Commercial 

Director on 6 September 2016.

Review of the Committee’s activities 
Four Audit and Risk Committee meetings were held in the financial year on 10 March, 15 June, 
7 September and 6 December 2016. One meeting of the Committee has been held to date in 2017. 
Meetings are held at key times during the Group’s reporting and audit calendar. The Committee 
considered the following matters during the period:

Month

Key issues considered and reviewed

March  
2016

•  2015 full year results 
•  Report from the external auditor on the 2015 audit
•  Principal judgemental accounting matters affecting the Group based on 
reports from both the Group’s management and the external auditor

•  Going concern assumption
•  Viability statement and the process adopted in drafting it
•  Updated corporate risk register
•  Management representation letter
•  Committee’s Terms of Reference
•  Private session with external auditor

June  
2016

September 
2016

December 
2016

Internal audit strategy and plan for 2016

•  Expenses report
• 
•  Contract management review
•  Management’s internal audit action tracker
• 
•  Private session with internal auditor

Information security policy 

•  2016 half year results
•  Report from external auditor on outcome of interim review
•  Principal accounting judgements and estimates 
•  Going concern
• 
Impairment
•  Management representation letter
•  External audit planning for 2016 Annual report 

•  External audit engagement letter and fee quotation
•  Report from Development Steering Group (subsequently reconstituted as a formal 

sub‑committee of the Board – the Technical Committee)

•  Risk profile and mitigation
•  Review of internal audit strategy and plan
•  External audit planning for 2016 Annual report
•  Organisational structure review
•  Delegated authority
•  Group’s bank accounts
•  Whistleblowing policy 
•  External audit effectiveness, independence and reappointment
•  Annual review of Committee’s Terms of Reference
•  Annual performance evaluation of Audit and Risk Committee

March  
2017

•  2016 full year results 
•  Report from external auditor on outcome of 2016 audit
•  Principal judgemental accounting matters affecting the Group based  

on reports from both the Group’s management and the external auditor

•  Going concern assumption
•  Viability statement
•  Updated corporate risk register
•  Cost recovery report
•  Management representation letter
•  Future internal audit reviews
•  Whistleblowing policy – external whistleblowing hotline
•  Review of insurance cover
•  Treasury management
•  Private session with external auditor

During the year, the main focus of the 
Audit and Risk Committee has been to 
support and oversee the Group’s ongoing 
monitoring, review and evaluation of its risk 
management systems and internal controls, 
ensure the robustness and integrity of the 
Group’s financial reporting and assess the 
effectiveness of both the internal and external 
audit processes.

The Committee has devoted significant time 
to reviewing those areas that are integral to 
the Group’s core management and financial 
processes, as well as engaging regularly with 
management, the internal audit function and 
the external auditor. On the instruction of the 
Audit and Risk Committee, the internal audit 
function did not perform any new reviews 
during 2016. The Committee decided that 
management and internal audit focus should 
instead be on the closure of a significant 
number of internal audit recommendations 
across different business areas rather than 
on conducting new reviews.

The Committee worked closely with the 
management team and the internal auditor 
to ensure these recommendations were 
implemented in an efficient and timely manner. 

The Committee has been proactive in 
requesting information in order to fulfil 
its role. During the course of the year, the 
Committee has received sufficient information 
on a timely basis to enable it to discharge its 
duties effectively. 

Significant issues considered by 
the Audit and Risk Committee in 
2016 and early 2017
The Committee assesses whether suitable 
accounting policies have been adopted and 
whether management have made appropriate 
estimates and judgements. The Committee 
reviews reports prepared by management 
that provide details on the main financial 
reporting judgements. The Committee also 
reviews reports by the external auditor on 
the full year and half year results of the Group 
that highlight any issues identified by the 
auditor and provide further insights into the 
judgements used by management. 

50

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

51

AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE REPORT continued

The significant issues considered in the year are detailed below:

Significant issue

How the issue was addressed by the Committee

Revenue recognition: In order to recognise revenue, management 
must be able to measure reliably the economic benefit to be received 
and the costs associated with the sale and it must be probable that the 
Group will receive the economic benefits. The uncertainty around the 
timing of cash receipts and the absence of underlying sales contracts 
means that significant judgement was required in the calculation of 
revenue for the year.

Impairment: An assessment of any impairment of the Group’s assets 
is required under International Financial Reporting Standards. This 
assessment involves management making a number of judgements 
and assumptions including identifying indicators of impairment and 
estimating future oil prices and discount rates.

The Group has historically adopted a modified full cost method of 
accounting for its oil and gas assets that is not commonly used by  
the Group’s peers. 

Restructuring: The Group completed a Balance Sheet Restructuring 
on 14 October 2016 that resulted in significant movements in its 
Consolidated balance sheet and Consolidated income statements 
requiring careful consideration and review of the judgements made.

Going concern: The appropriateness of preparing the Group financial 
statements for the year on a going concern basis and the preparation 
of the long‑term viability statement.

The Committee considered whether recognition of revenue in relation 
to export sales was appropriate. The Committee discussed the key 
judgements with management and reviewed the information provided, 
including details of communications with the KRG and MNR. The 
Committee also had discussions with the external auditor in respect 
of the Group’s revenue recognition policy. Based on these reviews and 
discussions, the Committee agreed with management’s conclusion 
that the Group should recognise revenue in relation to oil sent for 
export when the receipt of cash was assured. The Committee was 
satisfied that the revenue recognition policy for oil sales for the year 
ended 31 December 2016 was appropriate. The Committee also 
considered the judgement for the offsets of the MNR payables against 
the unrecognised revenues and concluded it was appropriate.

The Committee considered the impact of the Bilateral MNR agreement 
on the revenue balance and concurred with the management’s 
accounting treatment.

The Committee considered reports from management ensuring no 
indicators of the Shaikan block impairment were identified in 2016. 
The Committee verified that the conclusions in the above assessment 
were supported by the asset valuation model. The Committee agreed 
with management’s conclusion on impairments of the Group’s assets 
for the period.

The Committee considered the Group’s modified full cost accounting 
policy and concluded that the accounting policy should be changed to 
successful efforts in order to align the Group’s reporting with its peers. 

The Committee considered the impact of the Bilateral MNR agreement 
on the impairment assessment and concurred with the management’s 
accounting treatment.

The Committee considered these judgements around the 
determination of the fair value of the consideration received by the 
Group’s lenders, accounting for the Reinstated Notes, accounting for 
the transaction costs and modification versus extinguishment of debt 
and accounting for the Open Offer.

The Committee considered reports and analysis prepared by 
management, taking into account the external auditor’s review of 
these papers and their observations. The Committee concluded that 
management’s recommendation to prepare the financial statements 
on a going concern basis was appropriate. The Committee approved 
the disclosure included under the long‑term viability statement.

Internal audit
The Audit and Risk Committee has oversight 
responsibilities for the internal audit function. 
PwC has been engaged to provide an internal 
audit service. The Committee reviews the 
internal audit annual plan and all reports 
arising therefrom, and assesses and approves 
management’s actions on findings and 
recommendations. Follow‑up reviews are 
undertaken by PwC to ensure that appropriate 
remedial plans and controls are implemented. 

PwC is invited to attend Audit and Risk 
Committee meetings where appropriate and 
is also given the opportunity to meet privately 
with the Committee without any members 
of management present. Where PwC’s 
attendance at the Audit and Risk Committee’s 
meeting is not practical, they prepare a report 
on the progress of the reviews and findings for 
the Committee’s consideration. 

At its meetings in June and December 2016, 
the Committee reviewed both the outcome 
of the contract management review and 
the overall control environment pertaining 
to contract management. The Committee 
concluded that there had been an 
improvement in the controls around contract 
management particularly from an operational 
perspective. In addition, at these meetings, 
the Committee also reviewed management’s 
internal audit action tracker reports and 
progress made in closing a number of internal 
audit recommendations. 

A significant element of the fees for non‑audit 
services related to the corporate finance work 
undertaken by Deloitte LLP that included fees 
in relation to the Open Offer. A breakdown of 
the fees paid to the external auditor in respect 
of audit and non‑audit work is included in 
note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. 

The Committee considered the potential 
threats that engagement of Deloitte LLP 
to perform non‑audit services may pose to 
auditor independence. Deloitte LLP ensured 
that necessary safeguards were put in place 
to reduce the independence threats to an 
acceptable level. The Committee was satisfied 
that, given the nature of the work and the 
safeguards in place, the provision of non‑audit 
services did not undermine auditor objectivity 
and independence. 

Committee evaluation
During the year, a review of the Audit and Risk 
Committee’s performance and effectiveness 
was completed. This was conducted by 
reference to the Committee’s responsibilities 
as stated in the Committee’s Terms of 
Reference. The assessment concluded that 
the Audit and Risk Committee was effective in 
carrying out its duties.

Our main goal is to maintain a strong financial 
control environment at Gulf Keystone.

Garrett Soden
Chairman of Audit and Risk Committee

5 April 2017

At its meeting in June 2016, the Committee 
considered the 2016 Internal Audit Strategy 
and Plan. Due to the commitment of 
management resources to the successful 
implementation of the Restructuring, the 
Committee resolved not to carry out any new 
audits in 2016. The Committee further agreed 
that the key focus for 2016 should be on the 
improvement of the Company’s overall control 
environment and the closure of outstanding 
actions from previous internal audit reviews. 

Following the successful conclusion of the 
Restructuring in October 2016, the Committee 
agreed that internal audit reviews should 
recommence and requested that management 
work with PwC on the proposed internal 
audit plan for 2017 for consideration by 
the Committee.

External auditor
The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible 
for the development, implementation and 
monitoring of the Group’s policy on external 
audit including ensuring that the auditor 
remains objective and independent. To fulfil 
its responsibility regarding independence, 
the Committee considered:

•  the external auditor’s plan for the current 
year, noting the role of the audit partner 
who signs the audit report and who, in 
accordance with professional rules, has not 
held office for more than five years, and any 
changes in the key audit staff;

•  the overall extent of non‑audit services 

provided by the external auditor, in addition 
to its case‑by‑case approval of the provision 
of non‑audit services by the external auditor; 

•  the external auditor’s written confirmation 
of independence to the Audit and Risk 
Committee; and

•  the past service of the auditor who was first 

appointed in 2006.

Audit tendering
The Audit and Risk Committee has noted 
the changes to the Code, the recent EU 
audit legislation and the Guidance for Audit 
Committees issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council, each in the context of tendering for 
the external audit contract at least every ten 
years. The Group’s external audit was last 
tendered in 2011, resulting in a decision to 
retain Deloitte LLP as the Group’s auditor. 
Since the appointment of Deloitte LLP in 
2006, there have been three different senior 
statutory auditors in line with the required 
rotation timetable. The senior statutory 
auditor was last rotated during 2016. Having 
previously conducted a full tender exercise 
and considered retendering in subsequent 
years, the Committee will continue to give 

consideration to the timing of the next formal 
tender in light of the regulatory requirements 
and any further changes in the regulatory 
framework. There are no contractual 
obligations that restrict the choice of 
external auditor.

Effectiveness of external auditor
To assess the effectiveness of the external 
audit process, the auditor is asked on an 
annual basis to describe the steps that 
they have taken to ensure objectivity and 
independence, including where the auditor 
provides non‑audit services. Gulf Keystone 
monitors the auditor’s performance, behaviour 
and effectiveness during the exercise of their 
duties, which informs the Committee’s decision 
to recommend reappointment on an annual 
basis. The external auditor’s fulfilment of the 
agreed audit plan and any variations from the 
plan and the robustness and perceptiveness 
of the auditor in its assessment of the key 
accounting and audit judgements are also 
considered when making a judgement on 
auditor effectiveness. The Committee also 
held discussions with the management 
team regarding the efficiency of the audit 
process. The Committee carried out its annual 
performance evaluation of Deloitte LLP at its 
meeting in December 2016. 

Following the above, the Audit and Risk 
Committee has recommended to the Board 
that Deloitte LLP be reappointed.

Non‑audit services
As a safeguard to help to avoid the objectivity 
and independence of the external auditor 
becoming compromised, the Committee has a 
formal policy governing the supply of non‑audit 
services by the external auditor. The Group 
engages external advisers to provide non‑audit 
services based on cost and the skills and 
experience required for the work. The Group 
may engage the external auditor to provide 
a limited range of non‑audit services where 
this is the most effective and efficient way of 
procuring such services provided that the 
Group is satisfied that the auditor’s objectivity 
and independence will not be compromised 
as a result. 

In 2016, Deloitte LLP provided the following 
non‑audit services to the Group:

interim review of the half year results;

• 
•  high level review of the tax residency status 

of the Group; and

•  services related to corporate finance 

transactions in relation to the Open Offer.

52

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

53

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Board delegates 
responsibility for ensuring 
the Board has the right 
balance of experience 
and skills to the 
Nomination Committee.

Philip Dimmock
Chairman of Nomination Committee

Role
The Board delegates responsibility 
for ensuring the Board has the right 
balance of experience and skills to the 
Nomination Committee.

In accordance with its terms of reference, the 
Committee is authorised to:

•  review the structure, size and composition of 
the Board with regard to the balance of skills, 
knowledge, experience and diversity;
•  oversee executive succession planning 
taking into the account challenges and 
opportunities facing the Group;
identify and nominate for the approval of the 
Board candidates to fill Board vacancies as 
and when they arise;

• 

•  make recommendations to the Board 

concerning the continuation in office of 
any Director, including suspension and 
termination of service;

•  appoint external search consultants to 

assist with appointments as required; and
•  determine skills and capabilities required 

for new appointments.

Composition
The Nomination Committee currently 
comprises the three independent 
Non‑Executive Directors: Philip Dimmock 
(Chairman), Garrett Soden and David Thomas 
and Keith Lough, the Chairman of the Board. 
The members of the Nomination Committee 
during the year were as follows:

•  Philip Dimmock (appointed to the role 
of Chairman of the Committee on 
8 December 2016);

•  Keith Lough (appointed to the Committee 

and to the role of Chairman on 14 July 2016. 
Keith Lough stepped down as Chairman of 
the Committee on 8 December 2016 but 
remains a member);

•  Garrett Soden (appointed to the Committee 

on 8 December 2016);

•  Andrew Simon (Chairman) (retired from the 
Board and the Committee on 14 July 2016);
•  David Thomas (appointed to the Committee 

on 8 December 2016); and

•  Cuth McDowell (resigned from the Board 
and the Committee on 13 October 2016).

Diversity 
The Committee recognises the benefits of 
having diversity across all areas of the Group. 
The Committee believes that diversity is a 
driver in business success, brings a broader, 
more rounded perspective to decision making, 
and makes the Board more effective. When 
considering the optimum make‑up of the 
Board, the benefits of diversity of the Board are 
appropriately reviewed and balanced where 
possible, including in terms of differences in 
skills, industry experience, business model 
experience, gender, race, disability, age, 
nationality, background and other contributions 
that individuals may bring. The Committee 
continues to focus on encouraging diversity 
of business skills and experience across 
the Board. 

Process used for Board 
appointments 
The Committee adopts a formal, rigorous and 
transparent procedure for the appointment of 
new Directors to the Board.

In appointing Non‑Executive Directors, 
the Board’s practice is to use external 
recruitment consultants. In September 
2016, Heidrick & Struggles was retained 
to carry out an independent evaluation of 
the experience and skills of the incumbent 
Directors and of the Board as a whole and to 
assist in the recruitment of new Non‑Executive 
Directors to further strengthen the Board. 
Heidrick & Struggles has no other connection 
with the Group.

Review of the Committee’s activities
The Nomination Committee meets at least 
twice per year. During 2016, the Committee 
met formally on three occasions, in July, 
September and October. In addition, a number 
of informal meetings took place to discuss 
matters relevant to the Committee.

The key matters considered by the Committee 
during the year ended 31 December 2016 were: 
strengthening the executive team through the 
recruitment of a COO; recruitment of two new 
Non‑Executive Directors; and the succession 
for the role of Chairman. 

The Committee supported the recruitment 
of a new COO taking into account the 
specialist technical expertise, knowledge and 
experience required to meet the Company’s 
operational requirements. Following an 
extensive recruitment process, Stuart Catterall 
was appointed as COO on 10 January 2017. 
Stuart Catterall has over 30 years’ experience 
in oil and gas and had undertaken a breadth 
of senior leadership and technical roles prior 
to joining the Company. Further information 
on Stuart Catterall is detailed in the section 
on Senior management on page 42.

During the year, the Committee also 
considered the issue of the succession for 
the role of Chairman which culminated in the 
appointment of Keith Lough as Chairman 
on 14 July 2016 following Andrew Simon’s 
retirement from the Board.

In addition, the Committee led the process 
for the recruitment of two new Non‑Executive 
Directors, taking due account of the strategic 
objectives and challenges faced by the Group, 
and the balance of skills, knowledge, and 
experience required for the Board to deliver 
against these. 

Following a detailed review, supported by 
Heidrick & Struggles, of their independence, 
experience and skills, Garrett Soden and 
David Thomas were appointed to the Board as 
Non‑Executive Directors on 13 October 2016. 
Both have a deep knowledge of the strategic, 
operational and financial dimensions of the oil 
and gas sector. Further information on Garrett 
Soden and David Thomas is detailed in the 
section on the Board of Directors on pages 
40 and 41. 

There are no arrangements or understandings 
between any Director or executive officer 
and any other person pursuant to which any 
Director or executive officer was selected 
to serve. There are no family relationships 
between the Directors.

Philip Dimmock
Chairman of Nomination Committee

5 April 2017

54

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

55

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

As the Company entered 
a new strategic phase, the 
Remuneration Committee 
reviewed the Company’s 
Remuneration Policy to 
ensure that it remains 
effective and aligned with 
strategy and shareholders.

Philip Dimmock
Chairman of Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholder,

Introduction
I became Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee on 8 December 2016 and, on behalf 
of your Board, I am pleased to present my first 
Directors’ remuneration report for the year 
ended 31 December 2016.

A year of change
2016 was a year of significant change for 
Gulf Keystone. It presented many issues for 
the Remuneration Committee to consider and 
address. The Chairman’s statement earlier 
in this report sets out the challenges faced 
by the Company and the progress which the 
Company made across a number of fronts 
to put it in the positive and stable position it is 
in today. 

The Restructuring entailed significant costs 
for shareholders and bondholders. However, 
it resulted in Gulf Keystone finishing the 
year in a substantially stronger financial 
position and well placed for future growth 
and value for all stakeholders. Production 
from Shaikan was stable and at the upper 
end of the Company’s guidance. Payments 
from the MNR were received throughout 
the year and the Company continued to 
build positive relationships with its hosts and 
partners including the KRG, the MNR and 
MOL. The operating environment remained 
challenging with a weak and volatile crude 
oil price along with the region’s difficult 
security situation. 

The substantial progress in the turnaround 
of GKP’s fortunes throughout 2016 was 
driven by the senior leadership team with 
the support of the Board and employees 
at all levels. Recognising this, and as the 
Company entered a new strategic phase, 
the Remuneration Committee reviewed the 
Company’s remuneration policy to ensure that 
it remains effective and aligned with strategy 
and shareholders. Revisions to the existing 
policy were developed to redirect the focus 
of executive remuneration packages away 
from short‑term cash and towards long‑term 
locked‑in equity. This policy, which included 
a new VCP, a reduction in the level of Annual 
bonus awards and an increase in executive 
shareholding requirements, was approved by 
shareholders at the AGM on 8 December 2016. 
The Remuneration Committee consulted with 
major shareholders during the development 
of the VCP and in the run up to the AGM. 
As a result, a number of changes to the VCP 
were presented at the meeting.

David Thomas and Garrett Soden joined the 
Remuneration Committee on 8 December 
2016 when I became Chairman. 

Up to the AGM in December, the Board 
had been following and applying the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy approved by 
shareholders at the 2014 AGM. The revised 
policy approved by shareholders at the 2016 
AGM is set out on pages 60 to 62. It is intended 
that this policy will remain in force until the 2019 
AGM, at which time a resolution to approve the 
Company’s Remuneration Policy will again be 
put to shareholders.

Policy objectives
Specific objectives of the Company’s 
Remuneration Policy are to:

•  motivate the Executive Directors and other 

key executives to achieve share price 
growth and return value to shareholders; 
and 

•  encourage Executive Directors and other 

key executives to remain with the Company. 

The amended policy approved at the 2016 
AGM was aimed to help the Company fulfil 
those goals and to fulfil the Committee’s 
desire to:

•  ensure that the overall level of remuneration 
for Executive Directors, whilst remaining 
competitive, is consistent with the 
performance of the Company; 

•  redirect the focus of executive remuneration 

packages away from short‑term cash 
towards long‑term locked‑in equity; and

•  recognise the success the Executive 

Directors achieve in creating value from 
the unique relationships they have with key 
stakeholders in Kurdistan.

The VCP focuses participants on the absolute 
returns generated by the Company at a 
time when it is difficult to identify long‑term 
financial targets, provides a transparent 
link to the successful implementation of the 
Company’s strategy and creates a transparent 
connection between management rewards 
and shareholder returns. 

The reduction of the level of Annual bonus 
awards was an essential step in the process of 
moving away from short‑term cash rewards. 
The increase in the minimum shareholding 
requirement helps to demonstrate alignment 
between executives and shareholders. 

The overall packages for Executive Directors 
are competitive and deliver rewards linked 
to the successful implementation of the 
Company’s business strategy.

Implementation of policy 
Details of the way in which Gulf Keystone’s 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy is to be 
implemented in 2017 are included on 
pages 60 to 62.

Salaries and benefits are kept the same as 
for 2016.

The determination of the level of Annual bonus 
to be paid for 2016 presented a challenge. 
The Remuneration Committee wanted 
to recognise the hard work, tenacity and 
substantial achievements of the executives 
during the year whilst taking into account 
the costs to shareholders and bondholders 
which this progress entailed. In the light of 
its assessment of performance against the 
targets specified at the start of the year, and 
taking into account the exceptional challenges 
faced during the year, the Remuneration 
Committee determined to pay Annual bonuses 
to the CEO and CFO at the target level of 120% 
of salary. Greater detail on this is set out below.

Structure of this year’s report
Gulf Keystone, as a Bermuda‑registered 
company, is not subject to the UK’s 
remuneration reporting regime. However, 
the Board’s policy is to follow the principles 
of good corporate governance and this 
year’s report has been prepared following 
the principles of the UK reporting regime.

This Directors’ remuneration report is 
presented in three sections, as follows:

•  report on the implementation of 

Remuneration Policy for the year ended 
31 December 2016;
future Remuneration Policy; and
• 
•  statement of the implementation 
of Remuneration Policy in 2017.

Conclusion
At the AGM on 16 June 2017, a resolution will 
be put to shareholders to approve the annual 
report on remuneration, which will be subject 
to an advisory vote. I commend this resolution 
to shareholders and encourage you to vote 
in favour.

Philip Dimmock
Chairman of Remuneration Committee

5 April 2017

56

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

57

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT continued

Report on the implementation of the Remuneration Policy for the year ended 31 December 2016
This section of the Directors’ remuneration report describes how the Company’s Remuneration Policy has been implemented in the year to 
31 December 2016. 

Single total figure of remuneration £’000s 

Salary 

2016(4) 

Salary 

2015(4) 

Pension 
2016 

Pension 
2015 

Benefits 
2016 

Benefits 
2015 

Executive Directors 

Jón Ferrier(5)  

Sami Zouari 

John Gerstenlauer(6) 

Non-Executive Directors 

Keith Lough(2) 

Philip Dimmock 

Garrett Soden(1)  

David H Thomas(1) 

Andrew Simon(2) 

Cuth McDowell(3)  

Simon Murray(7) 

Lord Guthrie(8) 

Maria Darby‑Walker(8) 

V Uthaya Kumar(9) 

Joseph A Stanislaw(8) 

450 

350 

— 

127 

93 

15 

15 

97 

55 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

264(5) 

330 

381 

5 

136 

— 

— 

209 

5 

88 

55 

53 

50 

59 

68 

53 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

40 

50 

48 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

43 

3 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

15 

2 

62 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Cash 
bonus 
2016 

Cash 
bonus 
2015 

540 

420 

— 

211 

330 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Total 

1,202 

1,635 

121 

138 

46 

79 

960 

541 

(1)  Garrett Soden and David Thomas were appointed on 13 October 2016. 
(2)  Andrew Simon retired from the Board on 14 July 2016; Keith Lough was appointed Chairman on the same date.
(3)  Cuth McDowell resigned from the Board on 13 October 2016.
(4)  Salary includes fees and one‑time payments to Non‑Executive Directors.
(5)  Jón Ferrier was appointed on 5 June 2015 and therefore the 2015 figure reflects a proportion of the year. 
(6)  John Gerstenlauer retired on 9 July 2015.
(7)  Simon Murray retired on 31 March 2015.
(8)  Lord Guthrie, Maria Darby‑Walker and Joseph Stanislaw retired on 9 July 2015.
(9)  V Uthaya Kumar resigned on 2 July 2015. 
(10) Long‑Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).

LTIP 
2016(10) 

LTIP 
2015(10) 

Total 
2016 

Total 
2015

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

676 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

175 

— 

— 

— 

— 

1,101 

826 

— 

127 

93 

15 

15 

97 

55 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

530

712

1,167

5

136

—

—

209

5

263

55

53

50

59

851 

2,329 

3,244

Options awarded to Sami Zouari on recruitment vested during the year, but the exercise price is significantly above the current share price.  
There is currently no value attached to this award. 

Annual bonus awards
In the year to 31 December 2016, the Annual bonus policy was to pay threshold, target and maximum amounts of bonus for increasing levels of 
performance. The amounts of bonus as a percentage of base salary payable at each level were the same as for 2015 as follows:

Maximum  

Target  

Threshold  

CEO 

200% 

120% 

25% 

CFO

150%

120%

25%

As noted previously, bonus levels have been revised down for 2017. 

The bonus awards for the year to 31 December 2016 were paid in January 2017. KPIs proposed early in 2016 included:

•  comparative TSR;
•  production;
• 
•  the Company’s safety record.

individual performance (including commercial, financial, portfolio and organisational goals); and

In light of the issues facing Gulf Keystone throughout the year, however, the Committee gave careful consideration to a wide range of factors to 
determine a reasonable basis upon which to make bonus awards. 

In reaching its final decision, the Committee took the following into account:

•  an evaluation of the KPIs referred to above; 
•  data received from external independent consultants on market practice;
•  the expectations of shareholders and executives;
•  stakeholder engagement;
•  the achievement of a successful balance sheet restructuring; 
•  the importance of maintaining a motivated top management team; and
•  the enhanced future shareholding requirement for Executive Directors.

The Committee decided to award Annual bonuses at the target level (120% of base salary) to each of the Executive Directors. The amounts of bonus 
paid are contained in the table showing the single figure of total remuneration on page 56. The Committee’s decision was arrived at as follows:

Description 

Comparative TSR 

Production 

HSSE 

Commercial KPIs including stakeholder relationships and regular payments 

One‑off adjustment for successful restructuring(1) 

Total 

Target % of 
total bonus 

  Discretionary  
Committee 
adjustment 

Actual 
bonus award

30% 

30% 

10% 

30% 

100% 

0% 

150% 

0% 

133% 

0%

45%

0%

40%

85%

35%

120%

(1) 

In awarding the adjustment for successful restructuring, the Committee exercised its discretion under the Policy to recognise the exceptional nature of the 
circumstance of the restructuring and the skill and tenacity required to achieve it.

Directors’ pension entitlements
Each Executive Director received a cash allowance in lieu of a pension provision equivalent to 15% of his base annual salary.

Benefits
The benefits received by the CEO included a car allowance, private medical insurance and temporary accommodation during the Restructuring 
totalling £42,660. The CFO received private medical insurance totalling £2,862. 

Scheme interests awarded during the financial year
No scheme interests in the form of shares were awarded to Executive Directors during the year. However, Executive Directors received the following 
awards of units under the VCP which were approved by the Remuneration Committee and shareholders:

Executive 

Jón Ferrier 

Sami Zouari 

Position 

Number of  
units awarded

CEO 

CFO 

386,667

306,667

No payment was made for the grant of the above awards, which do not represent a number of shares and will only be converted to nil cost options, 
in accordance with the terms of the VCP, if Gulf Keystone generates shareholder returns of not less than 8% per annum compound above a baseline 
valuation of $350 million with vesting in tranches after three, four and five years. Once shareholders have received this annual rate of return, 
participants share 8% of the value created in excess of the threshold. The CEO will receive 40% of this excess value. The CFO will receive 30% 
of this excess value. There is a cap of $20 million on the total value of the nil cost options.

However, under the terms of a Special Provision to the VCP, in the event that the Company enters into a binding sale agreement prior to 
31 December 2017 the value of all units held by participants in the VCP shall equal 2% of the aggregate acquisition price for the Company less the 
value provided to employees under the 2016 Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd Staff Retention Plan.

Payments to past Directors 
No payments were made to past Directors during the year.

Payments for loss of office 
No payments for loss of office were made to any Executive Director during the year.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

59

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT continued

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests 
The Company’s Remuneration Policy requires Executive Directors to maintain a shareholding in the Company. In 2016, the policy required the CEO 
to hold shares worth 200% of base salary and all other Executive Directors to hold shares worth 150% of base salary. The net value of vested but 
unexercised share awards is included for this purpose and individuals have five years in which to acquire the required levels. Participation in long‑term 
incentive schemes may be scaled back or withheld if the requirements are not met or maintained.

Directors’ shareholdings and share interests as at 31 December 2016 were as follows:

Executive Directors 

Jón Ferrier 

Sami Zouari(2) 

Non-Executive Directors 

Keith Lough 

Philip Dimmock 

Garrett Soden 

David Thomas 

 Shareholding  
requirement 
percentage  
of salary 
(Requirement 
met Y/N) 

200% (N) 

150% (N) 

Beneficially 
owned 
shares 

Vested but 
unexercised  
scheme 
 interests 

Unvested 
scheme 
interests 
subject to 
performance 

conditions(1) 

Unvested 
scheme 
 interests 
not subject to 
performance 
conditions 

Total 
 conditional and  
 unconditional  
interest  
in shares

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

10,000(2)  

5,000 

— 

— 

—

15,000

—

—

—

—

(1)  Awards of units under the VCP are not included here because they do not represent vested shares in the Company or a vested right to acquire shares. No rights to 

acquire shares will be granted until after the end of the first plan year and then only if the Company has achieved minimum shareholder return targets. 

(2)  Sami Zouari was granted options over 1,500,000 shares on his appointment as a Director on 22 January 2015, exercisable at £0.55 per share. Pursuant to the 
Consolidation, share options granted to Sami Zouari on his appointment as a Director have been consolidated into 1 new common share for every 100 existing 
common shares held at the record date. The exercise price was adjusted to £55 per share in the Consolidation.

No share awards were made to any Executive Director during the year to 31 December 2016.

Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”)

150

100

50

)
£
(
e
u
a
V

l

Gulf Keystone
FTSE 250
FTSE UK Oil & Gas

 0
March
2014

Historical CEO pay 

September
2014

March
2015

September
2015

March
2016

September
2016

Single figure remuneration 

Bonus percentage of maximum payable 

Vested LTIP awards as percentage of maximum  

2012 
£’000 

2013 
£’000 

2014 
£’000 

2015 
£’000 

2016 
£’000

£13,157 

£1,877 

£849(1) 

£1,021(2),(3) 

£1,101

100% 

35% 

0% 

22% 

69% 

0% 

40%(4) 

0% 

60%

0%

(1) 
Includes Todd Kozel and John Gerstenlauer for 2014.
(2)  Includes Jón Ferrier and John Gerstenlauer for 2015.
(3)  Excludes payments in lieu of notice period and 2014 bonus payments for John Gerstenlauer.
(4)  2015 bonus percentage calculation relates to Jón Ferrier only.

Percentage change in CEO’s remuneration
The following table shows the percentage change in the remuneration of the CEO between the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2016 
and the average percentage change for the remuneration in the Group as a whole excluding the CEO. As Jón Ferrier was appointed as CEO 
on 5 June 2015, the comparison with that year is based on a proportionate combination of his and his predecessor’s remuneration for that year. 

CEO percentage change 

Group percentage change 

(1) 

Includes pension.

Salary 

(15)% 

(8)% 

Benefits(1)  Annual bonus

(15)% 

0% 

49%

19 %

Relative importance of spend on pay 
The table below shows the change from 31 December 2015 to 31 December 2016 in aggregate employee costs, profit/ (loss) before tax and 
operating expenditure:

Total employee pay 

Loss after tax 

Operating expenditure 

2016 
$’000 

20,929 

2015 
$’000  

23,114 

(17,435) 

(213,964) 

61,191 

62,822 

Percentage 
change

(9)%

92%

(3)%

As the Group’s activities were primarily related to its producing asset during the year, operating expenditure rather than capital expenditure is 
included as a comparator in the relative importance of spend on pay chart. 

Consideration by the Board of matters relating to Directors’ remuneration
The Board has delegated powers to the Remuneration Committee, which is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on the Company’s 
framework of executive remuneration. The Committee’s terms of reference are available on the Company’s website. The current members of the 
Committee are:

•  Philip Dimmock (Chairman);
•  Garrett Soden; and
•  David Thomas.

The fee for the Chairman is set by the Remuneration Committee and the fees for the Non‑Executive Directors are approved by the Board on the 
recommendation of the Chairman and CEO. No member of the Committee has any personal interest in matters to be decided, other than as a 
shareholder. At no time has any member of the Committee been an Executive Director or employee of Gulf Keystone. None of the Executive Directors 
is, or has been, a Director of a company (other than Gulf Keystone) any of whose Executive Directors is also a Director of Gulf Keystone or a member 
of its Remuneration Committee. 

The CEO, CFO and other senior executives may be invited to attend Committee meetings, to discuss proposals and the implementation of 
policy but are not present in discussions about their own remuneration. The Committee also has access to independent professional advice 
from external sources. 

The Committee met frequently during 2016 on both a formal and informal basis (through a number of remuneration workshops). The key issues 
considered were: finalisation of 2015 executive and employee bonuses, design of the VCP and the SRP, allocation of awards under the VCP and SRP, 
amendments to the Remuneration Policy, executive remuneration and changes to the senior management team.

The members of the Remuneration Committee during the year were as follows:

•  Philip Dimmock (appointed to the role of Chairman of the Committee on 8 December 2016);
•  Garrett Soden (appointed to the Committee on 8 December 2016);
•  David Thomas (appointed to the Committee on 8 December 2016);
•  Andrew Simon (Chairman) (retired from the Board and the Committee on 14 July 2016);
•  Keith Lough (appointed to the Committee and to the role of Chairman on 14 July 2016. Keith Lough stepped down as member and Chairman 

of the Committee on 8 December 2016); and

•  Cuth McDowell (resigned from the Board and the Committee on 13 October 2016).

Statement of shareholder voting 
At the 2016 AGM held on 8 December 2016, three resolutions relating to Directors’ remuneration were put to shareholders. A summary of those 
resolutions and of the votes cast is shown in the table below: 

Resolution 

To approve the Annual remuneration report for the year to 31 December 2015 

To approve the Value Creation Plan, as amended 

To amend the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 

Votes 
for % 

Votes 
against % 

Number of  
Total votes 
as % of ISC  votes withheld

93.77% 

78.32% 

93.76% 

6.23% 

68.78% 

386,773

21.68% 

68.78% 

300,877

6.24% 

68.78% 

352,473

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

61

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT continued

Future Remuneration Policy
Introduction
Gulf Keystone’s future Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which includes the amendments approved by shareholders at the AGM on 8 December 2016, 
is described in the table below. The Committee believes that the Company’s Policy, as described in the table below, applies the principles and 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Future policy table 

Remuneration

Remuneration 
element

Link to  
strategy

Base salary

Core fixed element 
of total remuneration 
essential to support 
recruitment and retention 
of high calibre executives.

Operation

Reviewed annually 
as at 1 January. 
Factors influencing 
decisions include:

• 

role, experience 
and individual 
performance;

•  pay awards 
elsewhere in 
the Group;

•  external market 
(benchmarked 
against exploration 
and production 
peer group); and
•  general economic 

environment.

Maximum 
potential value

Performance 
metrics

None.

The policy of the 
Remuneration 
Committee is normally 
to consider the relevant 
market median as 
the maximum salary 
level awarded.

In the normal course of 
events, the maximum 
salary increase for 
Executive Directors 
will be in line with 
the general average 
employee increase.

Executive Directors’ 
salaries for the 
forthcoming financial 
year are disclosed 
in the report on the 
implementation of 
strategy for that year. 

Benefits

Limited basic package 
of benefits in line with 
the Company’s strategy 
to keep remuneration 
simple and consistent.

Directors are currently 
entitled to private medical 
insurance and the CEO 
to a car allowance.

The maximum potential 
value of the benefits 
to the Directors is the 
cost to the Company to 
provide those benefits.

None.

Remuneration 
Committee 
discretion

The Committee retains 
discretion to:

•  award salaries of 

above median levels 
where necessary to 
retain or attract high 
calibre candidates. 
This discretion 
will only be used 
in exceptional 
circumstances and 
where possible 
shareholders will be 
consulted in advance;
•  determine and review 

• 

the appropriate 
comparator 
group used for 
benchmarking; and
increase salaries 
above the general 
peer group 
increase where 
this is reflective of 
significant additional 
responsibilities.

In the event that a 
Director is recruited 
from overseas, flexibility 
is retained by the 
Committee to provide the 
normal benefits provided 
to an executive for the 
market (e.g. it may be 
appropriate to provide 
benefits that are tailored 
to the circumstances of 
such an appointment).

Pension

Helps executives provide 
for retirement and aids 
retention.

Up to 15% of salary; 
may be provided as a 
cash allowance.

15% of base salary.

None.

Not applicable.

Pension allowances will 
not be included in the 
base salary to be used to 
calculate bonus or any 
other executive reward.

Remuneration

Remuneration 
element

Link to  
strategy

Annual bonus

Rewards achievement 
of annual key business 
strategy, operational 
HSSE and financial 
objectives for the bonus 
year.

Operation

Targets are set annually 
in line with performance 
metrics.

Bonus percentage 
awarded is determined 
after the year end 
based on achievement 
of targets.

Maximum 
potential value

Performance 
metrics

Maximum bonus 
opportunity for 
out‑performance against 
the KPIs is 125% of 
annual salary for the CEO 
and 100% for all other 
Executive Directors.

The on target opportunity 
for achievement of the 
KPIs is 90% of base 
salary for the CEO and 
75% of base salary 
for all other Executive 
Directors, with a sliding 
scale applying for 
achievement above and 
below the KPI targets.

The threshold 
opportunity is 60% 
of salary for the CEO 
and 50% for all other 
Executive Directors.

Clawback 
provisions apply. 

The Committee will set 
stretching performance 
targets and their 
weighting at the start 
of each year.

The Committee will 
select corporate 
objectives to focus 
executives on key KPIs 
covering HSSE, Value 
(Commercial/Financial) 
and Operations 
(including Production 
and Projects). 

The Committee is 
of the opinion that 
given the commercial 
sensitivity arising in 
relation to the detailed 
financial, operational 
and strategic targets 
used for the bonus 
plan, disclosing precise 
targets for the plan in 
advance would not be in 
shareholders’ interests. 

Actual targets, 
performance achieved 
and awards made will be 
published at the end of 
the performance periods, 
so shareholders can 
fully assess the basis for 
any pay‑outs under the 
bonus plan. 

Remuneration 
Committee 
discretion

The Committee retains 
the discretion to 
review the weighting of 
measures and to set the 
performance targets and 
ranges for each metric.

In determining the 
achievement of the 
targets, the Committee 
will take into account 
market conditions, 
improvement on prior 
year performance 
required and other 
relevant factors.

The Committee retains 
discretion in exceptional 
circumstances to 
change the performance 
measures and targets 
and their respective 
weightings part way 
through a performance 
year if there is a 
significant and material 
event which causes 
the Committee to 
believe the original 
measures, weightings 
and targets are no longer 
appropriate. Discretion 
may also be exercised 
in cases where the 
Committee believes that 
the bonus outcome is 
not a fair and accurate 
reflection of business 
performance.

Safety is of central 
importance to the 
business and the 
Committee has 
discretion to reduce 
bonus awards if there 
is a safety event that, in 
the Committee’s opinion, 
warrants the use of 
such discretion.

62

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

63

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT continued

Long-term incentives

A. Value Creation 
Plan (“VCP”)

Provides an incentive to 
reward the successful 
implementation of the 
Company’s strategy as 
measured by the Total 
Shareholder Return 
(“TSR”) generated by 
the business. 

Helps motivate and 
retain high‑performing 
executives.

B. 2014 LTIP

Incentivises executives 
to deliver key financial 
targets over a longer 
term, with particular 
focus on shareholder 
return and the generation 
of cash to fund investment 
in growth and long‑term 
sustainability of the 
business.

Helps retain 
high‑performing 
executives.

Shareholding 
requirements

Aligns the interests 
of executives 
and shareholders.

Participants, who are 
selected at the discretion 
of the Committee, 
are awarded units 
representing their share 
in a “Performance Pot” 
equivalent to 8% of the 
increase in value of the 
Company in excess of a 
minimum annual rate of 
return to shareholders. 

Subject to the Company 
generating a rate of 
return to shareholders 
of not less than 8% 
per annum compound 
(the “hurdle”) participants 
will be granted nil‑cost 
options each year for 
five years, starting one 
year after the initial award 
of units. 

The value of shares 
subject to each option 
corresponds to the 
individual’s share of 
the Performance Pot. 
Provided the Company 
continues to generate 
returns in excess of the 
hurdle, 50% of nil‑cost 
options vest after the end 
of the third plan year and 
50% vest after the end 
of the fourth plan year. 
If, by the end of the fifth 
plan year, the Company 
has failed to generate 
the hurdle rate of returns 
to shareholders, all 
unvested nil‑cost options 
will lapse. 

Awards are usually 
granted annually to 
participants, but grants 
may be made at other 
times such as on 
recruitment or promotion 
of an executive or 
in other exceptional 
circumstances.

Awards are in the form 
of nil cost share options, 
nominal cost share 
options or conditional 
shares. In special 
circumstances they 
may be cash‑settled.

Awards normally vest 
after three years to the 
extent that performance 
targets have been met.

Formal requirements 
apply to Executive 
Directors. Participation 
in long‑term incentives 
may be scaled back 
or withheld if the 
requirements are not 
met or maintained.

The value of shares 
subject to each option 
corresponds to the 
individual’s share of the 
Performance Pot at the 
grant date. The CEO 
and CFO both have 
66,667 units for the first 
measurement period 
ending 31 December 
2017 as awarded by 
the Remuneration 
Committee and approved 
by shareholders.

The aggregate value of all 
nil‑cost options granted 
at the measurement 
dates shall not exceed 
$20 million in total for 
the plan.

The maximum value 
of shares received 
by an individual 
following the exercise 
of nil‑cost options will 
depend on the rate of 
returns generated for 
shareholders and the 
market price of a share 
in the Company at the 
relevant time. The 2016 
AGM Notice contains 
an illustration of the 
potential benefits to 
participants at different 
levels of achieved 
shareholder return. 

The VCP will operate 
within the guidance 
for listed companies in 
respect of dilution levels.

The maximum value of 
the shares subject to 
awards to an individual 
in any financial year is 
200% of annual salary 
for the CEO and 150% 
for other participants.

At threshold 
performance 25% 
of the award vests.

For on target 
performance 50% 
of the award vests.

For upper quartile 
performance 100% 
of the award vests.

Between performance 
levels, there is 
straight‑line vesting.

At least 300% salary 
holding required 
for the CEO and 
200% salary holding 
required for all other 
Executive Directors. 

The Committee has 
discretion to make the 
exercise of nil‑cost 
options subject to 
additional conditions.

The performance 
measure linked to VCP 
awards is the absolute 
TSR generated by Gulf 
Keystone in excess of the 
hurdle, which cannot be 
less than 8% per annum 
compound.

For full vesting, the 
Company must generate 
returns in excess of the 
hurdle for the whole of 
the five‑year plan period. 

Performance measures, 
representing a 
combination of market 
and non‑market related 
elements, are set by 
the Remuneration 
Committee before 
each award is made. 
Non‑market related 
performance is 
measured by reference 
to one or more of 
the Company’s 
strategic KPIs.

The Committee may 
exercise its discretion 
as permitted in the rules 
of the LTIP which is 
subject to shareholders’ 
approval. The principal 
areas in which the 
Committee may exercise 
discretion are:

• 

• 
• 
• 

the selection of 
participants;
the timing of awards;
the level of awards;
the selection, review 
and amendment 
of performance 
measures and 
targets; and
•  adjustments in 
the event of a 
capital variation.

The Committee has 
discretion to change 
the shareholding 
requirements.

Executive Directors 
are required to hold 
shares valued at the 
target level by no later 
than January 2019 or, 
if later, within five years 
of their appointment 
as Directors.

Long‑term incentives
The 2014 LTIP was approved by shareholders at the 2014 AGM. No awards were made under the 2014 LTIP in 2016 and, at the 2016 AGM, 
shareholders approved the VCP. The 2014 LTIP remains in force but an Executive Director to whom a VCP award is made will not be eligible to receive 
an award (or any additional award) under the 2014 LTIP while also a participant in the VCP. An Executive Director to whom an award was made under 
either the 2014 LTIP or the VCP before he or she became an Executive Director may retain such award and will continue to be eligible to receive 
awards under one (but not both) of those plans after he or she becomes an Executive Director.

Discretion
The future policy table refers to specific matters on which the Committee has discretion. The Committee may also exercise operational and 
administrative discretion as provided for in the rules of incentive plans that have been approved by shareholders and as described below in this 
section on remuneration policy. 

In addition, the Committee has the discretion to amend policy with regard to minor or administrative matters where, in its opinion, it would be 
disproportionate to seek or await shareholder approval.

Differences in policy from the wider employee population
The structure of remuneration packages for key executives who are not Executive Directors is similar to the Executive Directors’ packages. 
Similar principles underpin the way we reward and compensate all our employees. We aim to provide a base salary to all employees that is 
market‑competitive and to offer them the opportunity to share in the Group’s success through bonus and share incentive plans. On 8 December 2016 
shareholders approved the Gulf Keystone Petroleum SRP in which substantially all employees, other than Executive Directors and other key 
executives who participate in the VCP, are eligible to participate.

Policy for the remuneration of new Directors
The Company’s policy is to provide remuneration packages for new Executive Directors in accordance with the policy described in the table above. 
Relocation packages for executives who have to relocate are assessed on their individual merits. Whilst it is not our policy ordinarily to buy‑out 
executives from their pre‑existing incentive arrangements, the Committee will consider compensating a new Executive Director for the loss of 
incentives awarded by a previous employer, if, in its opinion, such compensation is warranted. We seek to avoid paying more than necessary to 
secure the candidate and will have regard to the Company’s Remuneration Policy, shareholder guidance and market practice when formulating 
remuneration for a new Executive Director.

Where an existing employee is promoted to the Board, the policy described above will apply from the date of promotion but there will be no 
retrospective application of the policy. Accordingly, existing remuneration including incentives will continue, even if inconsistent with the policy above, 
until such time as they expire or vest. Full disclosure will be made to shareholders in the annual remuneration report for the relevant financial year.

Policy for Non‑Executive Directors’ fees
The Non‑Executive Chairman and Non‑Executive Directors receive an annual fee paid in monthly instalments. The fee for the Chairman is set by 
the Remuneration Committee and the fees for the Non‑Executive Directors are approved by the Board, on the recommendation of the Chairman 
and CEO.

Fees are set at a level required to attract and retain individuals with the necessary experience to advise and assist with establishing the Company’s 
strategy and monitoring its progress towards the successful implementation of that strategy. Fees are reviewed regularly to ensure they keep pace 
with market practice and the demands of the role. Each Non‑Executive Director receives a basic fee. Additional fees are paid to the Chairman and the 
Chairmen of the Board committees. Non‑Executive Directors do not participate in any of the Company’s share plans. 

Directors’ service contracts and letters of appointment
The Company’s policy is to engage Executive Directors on rolling service contracts, which provide for twelve months’ written notice of termination 
from the CEO and six months’ notice from other Executive Directors, with the same notice periods required from the Company. In exceptional 
circumstances, the Committee may agree to a longer notice period initially, reducing to twelve or six months, as appropriate, after one year. 

Non‑Executive Directors are engaged on the terms of a letter of appointment terminable on one month’s written notice from either the individual 
or the Company. 

Service contracts and appointment letters will be available for inspection at the 2017 AGM (for 15 minutes prior to the meeting and during the 
meeting). As the Company’s registered office is in Bermuda, it is not practicable to make the service contracts and appointment letters available 
at the Company’s registered office.

All Directors are required to stand for re‑election every year in accordance with the Company’s Bye‑laws. 

64

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Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

65

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT continued

Policy on payments for loss of office
Any compensation payment made to an Executive Director for termination of employment will be determined with reference to the terms of the 
individual’s service agreement and the rules of any incentive plan in which the individual is a participant. Those rules may differentiate between “good” 
and “bad” leavers. The Company’s policy is summarised in the table below: 

Remuneration 
element

Salary and 
benefits

Good leaver reason

A payment equivalent to monthly salary as if the executive had continued to be employed throughout the contractual notice period. A lump sum 
may be paid in lieu of notice. Provision for accrual of benefits will cease on cessation of employment.

No compensation if termination is owing to misconduct or voluntary resignation.

The Committee will determine such mitigation as it considers fair and reasonable in each case.

Annual bonus

The Committee may make such payment as it deems appropriate taking into account the period up to the date on which employment ceases 
and the level of performance achieved up to that date. 

If the individual is deemed to be a “bad” leaver (for example, if dismissed owing to misconduct) no bonus is payable for the year in which 
employment terminates. 

VCP

“Good” leavers (which includes those who leave owing to ill‑health, death, redundancy or other reason considered to justify treatment as a good 
leaver) may continue to hold options until the next date on which the Company’s returns to shareholders are calculated. If the performance 
condition has been fulfilled, all vested options may be exercised within the periods specified in the VCP rules. Options granted to a “bad” leaver 
lapse on cessation of employment.

If there is a change in control of the Company, shareholder returns will be calculated as at the date of the change in control and all options 
become exercisable provided that if Gulf Keystone enters into a binding sale agreement before 31 December 2017 the value of options 
exercisable will be limited to 2% of the aggregate acquisition price less the value of shares subject to options exercised under the 
Staff Retention Plan.

Service contracts do not contain liquidated damages clauses. There is no provision in an Executive Director’s service agreement providing for 
compensation for loss of office or employment that occurs because of a takeover bid. 

The Committee reserves the right to make additional payments, where such payments are made in good faith in discharge of an existing legal 
obligation (or by way of damages for breach of such an obligation), or by way of settlement or compromise of any claim arising in connection with the 
termination of an Executive Director’s office or employment.

In reaching its determination about the amount of any payment for loss of office, the Committee will seek to minimise the cost to the Company to the 
extent permitted by the circumstances of the particular case. 

Consideration of employee pay elsewhere in the Group
Pay levels for employees at all levels are determined in relation to a number of factors including economic conditions and market practice. 
The Committee considers the general basic salary increases, remuneration arrangements and employment conditions for the broader employee 
population when determining remuneration policy for the Executive Directors.

The Committee has not conducted a formal consultation process with employees in relation to the design of executive remuneration policy.

Consideration of shareholder views
The Committee consults with major shareholders on our Remuneration Policy and its execution. We believe this is important and welcome 
constructive feedback for use in shaping our approach. 

The Committee sought the views of some major shareholders on the design of the VCP and the policy changes approved at the AGM on 
8 December 2016 and took account of the feedback provided. The Committee has also consulted with the Company’s principal shareholders in 
connection with the preparation of this report.

Statement of implementation of Remuneration Policy in 2017
The Committee is not anticipating any additional policy changes in 2017 and intends to implement the policy described on pages 60 to 62 above 
as follows:

Salaries, benefits and pension
Salaries, benefits and pension allowance for Executive Directors will be as described below for 2017. 

Executive 

Jón Ferrier 

Sami Zouari 

Non‑Executive Directors’ fees also remain unchanged.

Salary for 2017 

Benefits 

Pension 
allowance

£450,000 (2016: £450,000) 

  Private medical insurance; car allowance  

£350,000 (2016: £350,000) 

Private medical insurance  

15%

15%

Annual bonus
In light of the changes made to the business last year and the amendments to the Company’s Annual bonus policy approved by shareholders at the 
2016 AGM, the Committee has given careful consideration to the selection of performance measures and targets for 2017. The Committee’s view is 
that the performance measures used to determine any bonus awards for the year must be clearly measurable against the Company’s targets for two 
principal reasons:

•  firstly, to provide internal transparency through clear, identifiable objectives which lead to bonus awards that can be seen to be fair in relation to the 

performance achieved; and

•  secondly, to provide transparency for shareholders.

It is also the view of the Committee that Executive Directors should focus as a team on corporate performance and the successful implementation of 
the Company’s strategy. Accordingly, the KPIs and their relative weightings by reference to which the Committee will determine any bonus awards for 
the year to 31 December 2017 are as follows:

Measure 

HSSE 

Financial 

 Safety management, incident close‑out, security risk assessment and safety performance 

 MNR payments, operating costs and budget adherence  

Operations 

 Production, PSC compliance and planning, project execution and planning 

Weighting

15%

30%

55%

The Committee reserves the right to make adjustments to reduce the bonus levels based on significant events which impact the Group. Examples 
could be a serious HSSE incident or material misstatement of results.

The Committee is of the opinion that for reasons of commercial sensitivity, disclosing specific targets in relation to the above in advance would not be 
in the Company’s interests. However, in accordance with best practice guidance, the Committee will publish the following information in next year’s 
Annual report:

•  specific details of targets and what was actually achieved in relation to both financial and non‑financial objectives; and
•  details of the extent to which the Committee exercised its discretion to adjust bonus awards in relation to the discretionary items referred to above.

VCP awards
The VCP provides for participants to share in a Performance Pot equivalent to 8% of the increase in value of the Company in excess of the hurdle. 
The hurdle has been set at total returns to shareholders of 8% per annum compound over five years.

Each participant’s share of the Performance Pot is represented by a number of units. Units were awarded to the Executive Directors on 
12 December 2016. The units do not represent shares in the Company. After the end of the first plan year, the total return to shareholders generated 
by the Company is calculated. If it is greater than a compound annual growth rate of 8%, participants will be granted nil‑cost options in respect of 
that number of shares which represents their share of the Performance Pot. This process continues each year for five years.

The aggregate value of all nil‑cost options granted at previous measurement dates shall not exceed $20 million. 

The next step in the process which will take place 30 days after the announcement of the Company’s financial results in 2018 is to calculate the total 
shareholder return generated by the Company and, subject to this being greater than 8%, granting nil‑cost options to the Executive Directors. If there 
is a change of control prior to 31 December 2017, the participants will receive 2% of the value of the sale consideration less the value provided to 
employees under the SRP.

The VCP operates within the dilution limits prescribed by good governance guidance for listed companies and awards are subject to malus and 
clawback for two years after vesting. 

Approved by the Committee and signed on its behalf by

Philip Dimmock
Chairman of Remuneration Committee

5 April 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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67

HSSE AND CSR COMMITTEE REPORT

Gulf Keystone Petroleum 
is committed to 
conducting its business 
safely and in a socially 
responsible and 
ethical manner.

David Thomas
Chairman of HSSE and CSR Committee

Gulf Keystone Petroleum is committed to 
conducting its business safely and in a socially 
responsible and ethical manner. The Group 
aims to operate successfully and efficiently in 
Kurdistan while protecting people, plant and 
the environment from harm as a consequence 
of its operations. The Group is committed to 
ensuring that all employees and contractors 
understand that working safely is a condition 
of employment and that they are responsible 
for their own safety and the safety of those 
around them.

HSSE governance process
The HSSE and CSR Committee was 
established in 2013 to ensure that appropriate 
management systems are in place to minimise 
the HSSE risk of the Group. The Committee 
also oversees the formulation and 
implementation of the Group’s policies towards 
corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) of 
the Group.

The Committee’s activities form an integral 
part of the Group’s HSSE governance 
process which encompasses the following 
key elements: Board and Committee site 
visits, external audits, third party inspections, 
internal audits, Permit to Work (“PtW”) audits, 
management site visits, regulatory inspections, 
safety walkabouts; and visible leadership. 

In accordance with its terms of reference, and 
with respect to HSSE and CSR matters, the 
Committee, which reports its findings to the 
Board, is authorised to:

•  oversee the development of policies and 
guidelines for the management of risks 
within the Group’s operations;

•  monitor the quality of management 

and the methods to create appropriate 
behaviours and decisions, against key 
performance indicators;

•  review performance to assess the 

effectiveness of programmes and to 
make recommendations for improvement;

•  evaluate the effectiveness of the 

Group’s policies and operational risk 
management systems;

•  assess the policies and systems within 
the Group for ensuring compliance 
with applicable legal and regulatory 
requirements; 

•  assess the performance of the Group 

with regard to the impact of decisions and 
actions upon employees, communities and 
other stakeholders;

•  on behalf of the Board, receive reports 
from management concerning any 
serious accidents and actions taken by 
management as a result; 

•  evaluate and oversee, on behalf of the 
Board, the quality and integrity of any 
reporting to external stakeholders 
concerning HSSE issues; 

•  review the results of any independent audits 
of the Group’s performance and review any 
strategies and action plans developed by 
management in response to issues raised; 
and

•  consider the position of the Group with 
respect to international best practice 
and emerging legal requirements 
including relevant corporate 
governance developments.

In relation to HSSE and CSR matters, a key 
focus of the Committee is on continuous 
improvement and encouraging an open and 
honest culture, involving all staff members of 
the Group and its contractors. 

Environment
In 2016, a key focus of the Committee was 
environmental protection measures, and, in 
particular, air quality monitoring and waste 
management. For both areas, concepts 
were developed by the HSSE Department 
and have been successfully implemented. 
The Group implemented an improved air 
quality monitoring system which includes 
volatile organic compounds measurements 
and was able to increase the waste recycling 
rate to around 80%. The Committee 
supports the Company’s goal of achieving 
a leading position among the independent 
oil companies operating in Kurdistan with 
respect to environmental management and 
protection measures.

Corporate social responsibility
During 2016, the Committee reviewed the 
Group’s CSR programme and related activities. 
Progress was made in the implementation 
of the Group’s competency based training 
programme to develop and promote the 
Group’s Kurdish operational employees. 
In addition, the Group has increased the level 
of its purchases of goods and services from 
the villages and towns near the Shaikan Field 
to enhance the local benefits from the field 
operations. The Group remains committed to 
its CSR programmes and now plans to develop 
a broader medium to long‑term CSR strategy 
to complement the existing community 
welfare initiatives. 

David Thomas
Chairman of HSSE and CSR Committee

5 April 2017

Composition
As at 31 December 2016, the HSSE and CSR 
Committee comprised two of the Independent 
Non‑Executive Directors, David Thomas 
and Philip Dimmock, the CEO Jón Ferrier 
and the Vice President of Operations John 
Stafford. The members of the HSSE and CSR 
Committee during the year were as follows:

•  Andrew Simon (retired from the Board and 

the Committee on 14 July 2016);

•  Philip Dimmock (stepped down as Chairman 
of the Committee on 8 December 2016);
•  David Thomas (appointed as a member 

and to the role of Chairman on 8 December 
2016);

•  Jón Ferrier; and
•  John Stafford. 

On 24 January 2017, Stuart Catterall COO was 
appointed as a member of the Committee at 
which time John Stafford stepped down. 

Review of the Committee’s activities
The Committee meets at least four times a 
year. During 2016, the Committee met four 
times on 15 March, 29 April, 11/12 July and 
13 December 2016. Two of these meetings 
took place in Kurdistan. 

During 2016, the Committee undertook two 
visits to the Group’s facilities in Kurdistan as 
part of its work programme, in order to observe 
and assess the operation and effectiveness of 
the Group’s safety and security arrangements. 
Operational staff members including Kurdistan 
national staff participated in the two Committee 
meetings held in Kurdistan and presented 
on specific HSSE and CSR related subjects. 
The Committee did not note any significant 
breaches of the Group’s HSSE policy during 
the site visits. 

The Committee plans to have further 
meetings with the workforce and site tours 
to underpin the Group’s ongoing health 
and safety management programme and 
to maintain awareness of the importance 
of health and safety issues and ensure 
workforce involvement.

Child fatality
In April 2016, tragically a young child drowned 
in one of the Company’s disused drilling water 
pits. This incident was the worst in our history 
of operation in Kurdistan. Although the site was 
protected by several high fences and a locked 
gate, a group of children managed to enter the 
site and whilst playing a young boy slipped into 
the water pit and drowned.

We carried out a full investigation into this 
incident and have implemented a number of 
measures to prevent a recurrence. Particular 
learning points from this incident were the 
need to improve the security of our sites 
and to educate the people living close to our 
facilities as to the inherent dangers associated 
with unauthorised access. Hence, in addition 
to improving the security, fencing and pit 
escape equipment at the sites, we are holding 
educational meetings in the local villages as 
part of our CSR programme to alert people of 
potential safety risks.

The Committee continues to closely monitor 
the safety and security precautions at its sites 
and supports all further measures to prevent 
such unfortunate incidents from occurring in 
the future.

Health and safety
During 2016, the Committee reviewed and 
updated the Group’s HSSE Policy (which 
was adopted by the Board in January 2017) 
and initiated a programme to upgrade the 
Company’s corporate HSSE Management 
System this coming year. The Committee 
also actively monitored and supported the 
implementation of the Company’s 2016 HSSE 
Action Plan and was pleased to see that an 
overall achievement of 99% was obtained 
during the course of the year. In addition, the 
Committee helped guide and set priorities for 
the preparation of the new HSSE Action Plan 
for 2017.

Security
In 2016, the Company’s main security concern 
was the Mosul military offensive which took 
place relatively close to our Shaikan Field 
operations. In preparation for the offensive the 
Committee carried out a review of the Group’s 
security measures concluding that robust 
arrangements were in place to safeguard 
employees and contractors, the Group’s plant 
and equipment, and to address any potential 
impacts which could arise from the offensive 
or related activities in Kurdistan. The military 
action is still ongoing as of the date of this 
report, however, so far, there has been no 
impact on the Company’s operations. 

68

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69

FINANCE AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

Finance Committee
In December 2015, the Finance Committee 
was established as a committee of the Board. 

The Committee was established at a time 
when the Company’s ability to service, 
refinance and/or repay the Guaranteed Notes 
and the Convertible Bonds which had been 
due to mature in April 2017 and October 2017 
respectively, had been severely impaired by 
the low oil price environment and adverse 
geopolitical developments. 

The overarching purpose of the Finance 
Committee was to evaluate and provide 
recommendations to the Board regarding the 
strategic review of the Group’s business and 
assets and the determination of a sustainable 
capital structure for the Company. 

During 2016, the Committee, supported by 
the Company’s financial and legal advisers, 
pursued multiple options to address the 
financial problems faced by the Group as 
a result of the impending maturity of the 
Guaranteed Notes and the Convertible Bonds. 

The Committee concluded that the only 
prospect for the Company to continue 
trading and avoid a liquidation was to effect 
a substantial restructuring of the Company’s 
balance sheet and that this would be in 
the best interests of the Company and its 
shareholders. In July 2016, the Board, on the 
recommendation of the Committee, approved 
Balance Sheet Restructuring proposals 
which had been agreed by the majority of 
the Company’s creditors. On 14 July 2016, 
the Company announced the details of this 
Restructuring to the market. 

The original members of the Committee were: 
Keith Lough (Chairman), Cuth McDowell 
(Independent Non‑Executive Director), 
Jón Ferrier (CEO) and Sami Zouari (CFO). 
Cuth McDowell stepped down from the 
Committee as a result of his resignation from 
the Board on 13 October 2016.

The Committee met frequently during 2016 
in the period running up to the completion of 
the Restructuring, with a total of 13 meetings 
being held. Following the completion of the 
Restructuring in October 2016, the Board 
concluded that the role of the Committee had 
been fulfilled and that the Committee should 
be disbanded.

Technical Committee
The successful completion of the 
Restructuring in October 2016 provided the 
Company with a stable financial platform and 
the ability to invest in future growth projects. 
In November 2016, the Development Steering 
Committee, subsequently renamed the 
“Technical Committee” was established to 
support Shaikan development planning and 
project execution activities along with the 
specific objectives to:

•  provide assurance that development plans 
are in line with the Company’s strategy and 
have been optimised in the context of the 
current and forecast funding position;

•  review and approve Shaikan Field reserves 
and resources estimates and revisions 
before they are finalised;

•  ensure that the Company has the 
appropriate resources and project 
management systems in place to 
successfully execute the development 
projects on time and within budget;
•  provide the Board with assurance that 
the key project execution risks have 
been identified and that the required 
risk management processes and mitigation 
measures are in place;

•  provide oversight, where appropriate, for 

any material contract tendering exercises; 
and

•  review and recommend for Executive 

approval any information relating to the 
Shaikan Field Development Plans and 
reserves and resource estimates for 
public release.

The Committee was originally set up as 
an advisory body, reporting to the Board 
at key decision points within the Shaikan 
development project cycle, and to the Audit 
and Risk Committee on specific process 
assurance related activities. However, at its 
meeting on 8 December 2016, the Board 
decided that the Committee should be 
formally constituted as a sub‑committee of 
the Board. In January 2017, the Board agreed 
to change the name of the Committee from 
the Development Steering Committee to the 
Technical Committee.

The original members of the Committee were: 
David Thomas (Independent Non‑Executive 
Director (Chairman)), Philip Dimmock 
(Independent Non‑Executive Director), 
Jón Ferrier (CEO), Sami Zouari (CFO), Gabriel 
Papineau‑Legris (Commercial Director) and 
John Stafford (Vice President Operations). 
However, following his appointment as COO in 
January 2017, Stuart Catterall was appointed 
as a member of the Committee in substitution 
for John Stafford.

The Committee is supported in its activities 
by key members of the London‑based 
technical, commercial and finance teams and 
by the Erbil‑based projects and operations 
teams. Members of these teams are invited to 
participate in Committee meetings to provide 
input and support in relation to the Committee’s 
deliberations. Generally, the Committee 
meets on a quarterly basis with further ad hoc 
meetings scheduled at key decision points 
within the project development schedule. 

The Committee held its inaugural meeting on 
23 November 2016 and has met once to date in 
2017 (on 23 March 2017).

The Directors are pleased to present their 
report on the affairs of the Group, together 
with the consolidated financial statements 
of the Company and auditor’s report, for the 
year ended 31 December 2016. A review of the 
business is set out in the preceding sections 
of this Annual report, including the Chairman’s 
statement, Chief Executive Officer’s statement, 
Operational review and Financial review, which 
are incorporated into this report by reference. 
The Corporate governance statement also 
forms part of this report. 

On 5 August 2016, the Company’s existing 
authorised share capital was increased 
by $219,105,237 from $73,000,000 
by the creation of 21,910,523,665 new 
common shares. 

On 14 October 2016, 19,616,227,881 new 
common shares were issued pursuant to the 
debt equitisation and a further 2,294,295,672 
new common shares were issued pursuant to 
the Open Offer. Following the completion of the 
Restructuring the number of common shares 
in issue was 22,942,956,605. 

Share consolidation
Following the completion of the Restructuring 
in October 2016, the Company undertook 
a share consolidation pursuant to which its 
22,942,956,605 existing common shares 
of $0.01 were consolidated and divided into 
229,429,566 new common shares of $1 each. 
The new common shares have the same 
rights and are subject to the same restrictions 
(save as to par value) as were the existing 
common shares. 

Share rights and restrictions
There are no specific restrictions on the size 
of a holding nor on the transfer of common 
shares, both of which are governed by the 
general provisions of the Company’s Bye‑laws 
and prevailing legislation. The Directors are not 
aware of any agreements between holders of 
the Company’s common shares that may result 
in restrictions on the transfer of securities or 
on voting rights. No person has any special 
rights of control over the Company’s share 
capital and all issued common shares are 
fully paid. However, on 14 October 2016, 
as part of the Restructuring, the Company 
issued $100 million in aggregate principal 
amount of 13% Payment‑in‑Kind (“PIK”)/10% 
cash pay Guaranteed Notes due in 2021 and 
guaranteed by Gulf Keystone Petroleum 
International Limited. 

Details of the employee share schemes are 
set out in note 22 to the consolidated financial 
statements and details of the Directors’ 
awards are included in the Remuneration 
Committee report.

Results and dividends
The Group’s financial results for the year 
ended 31 December 2016 are set out in the 
consolidated financial statements. The Group 
made a net loss after taxation for the year of 
$17.4 million (2015: $214.0 million loss) and 
the Directors do not recommend a dividend 
for the year (2015: $nil). Future payments of 
dividends will depend on the earnings and 
financial condition of the Company and such 
factors as the Board of Directors consider 
are appropriate.

Gulf Keystone uses a number of financial and 
non‑financial KPIs against which it monitors 
its performance. Detailed KPI targets and 
benchmarks for each year are set by the 
Board and are regularly reviewed during the 
Board meetings for progress against actual 
results. Where necessary, the targets are 
adjusted to accommodate changes in the 
operating environment. Gulf Keystone’s KPIs 
are discussed in the Strategic report on pages 
14 and 15 in particular in the Strategy and 
performance section. 

Capital structure
Full details of the authorised and issued 
share capital, together with movements in 
the Company’s issued share capital during the 
year, are shown in note 19 to the consolidated 
financial statements. The business is 
financed by means of debt (see note 16 to 
the consolidated financial statements) and 
external share capital. 

Capital restructuring
During 2016, the Group materially 
strengthened its balance sheet with 
a significant debt reduction from over 
$600 million to $100 million through the 
conversion of over $500 million of existing debt 
into equity of the Company by way of a scheme 
of arrangement and an Open Offer.

Voting rights and 
byelaw amendments
The Company’s Bye‑laws may only be 
revoked or amended by the shareholders 
of the Company by resolution passed by a 
majority of not less than three‑fourths of such 
shareholders as vote in person or, where 
proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general 
meeting. Resolutions put to the vote of any 
general meeting are decided on a show of 
hands unless a poll is demanded in accordance 
with the Company’s Bye‑laws.

The Company’s Bye‑laws are available on the 
Company’s website at www.gulfkeystone.com. 

Directors
With regard to the appointment and 
replacement of Directors, the Company is 
governed by its Bye‑laws, the Companies 
Act (Bermuda) and related legislation. 
In accordance with the Bye‑laws, all of the 
Directors are required to stand for re‑election 
by the shareholders each year at the Annual 
General Meeting. 

The following Directors have held office during 
the year:

Jón Ferrier 
Chief Executive Officer(4, 5)

Sami Zouari 
Chief Financial Officer(5)

Philip Dimmock 
Independent Non‑Executive Director(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Andrew Simon 
Non‑Executive Chairman  
(resigned in July 2016)

Cuth McDowell 
Independent Non‑Executive Director 
(resigned in October 2016)

Keith Lough 
Non‑Executive Chairman(1, 3, 6)

Garrett Soden 
Independent Non‑Executive Director(1, 2, 3)

David Thomas 
Independent Non‑Executive Director(2, 3, 4, 5)

(1)  Member of the Audit and Risk Committee  

as at the date of this report.

(2)  Member of the Remuneration Committee  

as at the date of this report.

(3)  Member of the Nomination Committee  

as at the date of this report.

(4)  Member of the HSSE and CSR Committee 

as at the date of this report.

(5)  Member of the Technical Committee  

as at the date of this report.

(6)  Appointed Non‑Executive Chairman  

in July 2016.

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71

The Group continues to closely monitor and 
manage its liquidity risk. Cash forecasts are 
regularly produced and sensitivities run for 
different scenarios including, but not limited 
to, changes in commodity prices, different 
production rates from the Shaikan Block and 
costs contingencies. The Group has taken 
appropriate action to reduce its cost base and 
has $112.7 million of free cash at 5 April 2017. 
The Group’s forecasts, taking into account the 
risks applicable to the Group, show that the 
Group will have sufficient financial headroom 
for the twelve months from the date of approval 
of the 2016 Annual report and  accounts.

Based on the analysis performed, the Directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group has adequate resources to continue 
in operational existence for the foreseeable 
future. Thus they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
Annual financial statements.

Significant agreements –  
change of control
There are a number of agreements that take 
effect, alter or terminate upon a change of 
control of the Group including the PSC and 
employee share plans. The Directors are not 
aware of any agreements between the Group 
and its Directors or employees that provide for 
compensation for loss of office or employment 
that occurs because of a takeover bid.

Auditor
Each of the persons who is a Director at 
the date of approval of this Annual report 
confirms that:

•  so far as the Director is aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the 
Group’s auditor is unaware; and

•  the Director has taken all the steps that 

he/she ought to have taken as a Director 
in order to make himself/herself aware 
of any relevant audit information and to 
establish that the Group’s auditor is aware 
of that information.

On behalf of the Board,

Jón Ferrier 
Chief Executive Officer

5 April 2017

DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued

Directors’ indemnities
The Company has made qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its Directors during the year and these remain in force at the date 
of this report. 

Directors’ interests in shares 
None of the Directors who held office at 31 December 2016 had any interest in the common shares of the Company.(1)

At the date of this report, the EBT held 97,970 common shares of the Company. A further 100,000 common shares are held by the Exit Event Trustee 
in relation to the Exit Event Award (see note 22 to the consolidated financial statements). 

Directors’ interests in share options of the Company and the Company’s bonus scheme grants, including family interests, as at 31 December 2016 
are disclosed in the Remuneration Committee report.

Significant shareholdings
As at 5 April 2017, the Company has been notified of the following significant shareholdings as at 15 March 2017:

Shareholder 

Taconic Capital Advisors 

Sothic Capital Management  

Lansdowne Partners 

Capital Research and Management Company(2) 

GLG Partners 

Cowell & Lee Advisors 

Cape View Capital 

(2)  Investment adviser to the New World Fund, Inc. and SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc.

Number of common shares 

Percentage of issued share capital

31,634,938 

29,238,448 

24,353,303 

19,593,285 

12,821,650 

11,249,540 

9,510,803 

13.79

12.74

10.61

8.54

5.59

4.90

4.15

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position 
are set out in the Chairman’s statement, the 
Chief Executive Officer’s statement and 
the Operational review. The financial position 
of the Group at the year end and its cash 
flows and liquidity position are included in 
the Financial review. 

The Group successfully completed the 
Restructuring of its balance sheet on 
14 October 2016. This addressed the 
difficulties of raising funds to pay for 
the Guaranteed Notes and Convertible 
Bonds maturing in April and October 2017, 
respectively. As a result of the Restructuring, 
the Group’s debt was reduced from over 
$600 million to $100 million of the Reinstated 
Notes through the partial conversion of the 
Guaranteed Notes and full conversion of 

the Convertible Bonds to the Company’s 
common shares. The Reinstated Notes give 
the Group an option to defer the payment 
of interest arising in the first two years until 
the maturity of the Reinstated Notes (see 
note 16 for further details). The Group also 
has the flexibility to raise additional debt 
of up to $45 million through the use of the 
Super Senior Debt Basket and the General 
Debt Basket. The Reinstated Notes do not 
contain a Debt Service Reserve Account 
requirement thus freeing up $32.5 million of 
cash for general use. In conjunction with the 
Restructuring, the Group completed the Open 
Offer raising additional funds of $25 million on 
14 October 2016. 

The Group has seen a significant improvement 
in the pattern of cash receipts from the MNR 
for the oil sent for export with total receipts of 
$114 million net to the Group in 2016 and further 
receipts of $36 million in the first quarter of 
2017 in relation to 2016 sales. 

Following the relinquishment of the Sheikh 
Adi block in March 2016 and the pending 
relinquishment of the Ber Bahr block, the 
Group has focused on its core asset, the 
Shaikan Block. The Group’s improved liquidity 
arising from the successful Restructuring, 
among other factors, is expected to allow 
the implementation of the Group’s near term 
investment plan to maintain production at 
40,000 bopd with the potential to increase 
production to 55,000 bopd. This is subject 
to the MNR and MOL approvals, the 
continuation of the regular payment cycle 
from the MNR and a commercially acceptable 
investment environment. 

The significant reduction of the debt burden, 
the option to delay the Reinstated Notes 
interest payments and the improvements in 
oil revenues receipts alongside prudent cost 
management gave the Group the financial 
flexibility and capability to meet its working 
capital requirements. 

(1) 

Includes common shares held directly, by family members and through the Gulf Keystone EBT which are held subject to the discretion of the Employee Benefit 
Trust (“EBT”) Trustee.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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73

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

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

The Directors have elected to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as 
adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

International Accounting Standard 1 requires the Directors to present fairly for each financial year the Group’s financial position, financial performance 
and cash flows. This requires faithful representation of the effects of transactions, other events and conditions in accordance with the definitions 
and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses as set out in the International Accounting Standards Board’s ‘Framework for 
the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements’. In virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be achieved by compliance with all 
applicable IFRSs. 

In preparing these financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

•  properly select and apply accounting policies;
•  present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information; 
•  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to understand the impact 

of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

•  make an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s transactions and disclose 
with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the 
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Group’s website. 
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other 
jurisdictions.

Responsibility statement 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

•  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, give a true 

and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as 
a whole;

•  the Strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the 

undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

•  the Annual report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for 

shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
to the members of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited

Opinion on financial statements of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited
In our opinion the financial statements:

•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 31 December 2016 and of its loss for the year then ended; and
•  have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union.

The financial statements that we have audited comprise:

•  the Consolidated Income Statement;
•  the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income;
•  the Consolidated Balance Sheet;
•  the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity;
•  the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement;
•  the Summary of Significant Accounting policies; and
•  the related notes 1 to 27.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.

Summary of our audit approach

Key risks

The key risks that we identified in the current year were:

•  Revenue recognition;
•  Accounting for the restructuring; and
•  Change to accounting policy for and impairment of oil and gas assets.

Materiality

Scoping

Significant changes in 
our audit approach

The materiality that we used in the current year was $9.1 million which was determined on the basis of 2% of net assets of the Group.

Our audit planning identified the Group’s business to be a single component, and therefore all of the operations of the Group were 
subject to a full scope audit by the UK audit team. 

Following the Restructuring during the year, together with the continued track record of receipts and the open offer, no emphasis 
of matter in respect of going concern was required and going concern is no longer considered to be a key risk of material 
misstatement. In addition the one‑off transaction in the year relating to the restructuring and the change in accounting policy 
from modified full cost to successful efforts have been included in our audit opinion as key risks in the current year. Following 
the relinquishment of Sheikh Adi and the decision to relinquish Ber Bahr, and the resulting write‑off as a consequence of the 
change in accounting policy, the recoverability of intangible exploration and evaluation assets is no longer a key risk. We have 
also downgraded the risk associated with depreciation, depletion and amortisation, as we do not consider there to be significant 
judgement or variability associated with the DD&A charge.

This responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 5 April 2017 and is signed on its behalf by:

Going concern and the Directors’ assessment of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity of the Group

Jón Ferrier 
Chief Executive Officer

5 April 2017

We have reviewed the Directors’ statement regarding the appropriateness of the going concern basis of accounting 
contained within the Summary of significant accounting policies in the financial statements and the Directors’ 
statement on the longer‑term viability of the Group contained in the strategic report on page 35.

We confirm that we have nothing material 
to add or draw attention to in respect of 
these matters.

We are required to state whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to in relation to:

• 

• 
• 

• 

the Directors’ confirmation on page 30 that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;
the disclosures on pages 31 to 35 that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated;
the Directors’ statement in Summary of significant accounting in the financial statements about whether 
they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing them and their 
identification of any material uncertainties to the Group’s ability to continue to do so over a period of at least twelve 
months from the date of approval of the financial statements; and
the Directors’ explanation on page 35 as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period 
they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they 
have a reasonable expectation that the group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions.

We agreed with the Directors’ adoption 
of the going concern basis of accounting 
and we did not identify any such material 
uncertainties. However, because not 
all future events or conditions can be 
predicted, this statement is not a guarantee 
as to the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

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75

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued
to the members of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited 

Independence

We are required to comply with the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standards for Auditors and confirm 
that we are independent of the Group and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
those standards.

We confirm that we are independent of the 
Group and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with those 
standards. We also confirm we have not 
provided any of the prohibited non-audit 
services referred to in those standards.

Accounting for the restructuring

Risk description

Our assessment of risks of material misstatement

The assessed risks of material misstatement described below are those that had the greatest effect on our audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit 
and directing the efforts of the engagement team.

Revenue recognition

Risk description

Revenue totalling $194.4 million has been recognised during the year, of which $121.8 million relates to cash‑settled amounts 
for oil sent for export in the year and $72.6 million relates to offsetting payables to the MNR against amounts due for previously 
unrecognised revenue. 

During the year ended 31 December 2016, GKP have continued to receive regular monthly receipts and have continued to estimate 
revenue on a ‘payment‑assured’ basis with revenue being recognised on the basis consistent with the MNR bilateral agreement in 
March 2016. 

The significant judgements as to how to apply the criteria for revenue recognition under IAS 18 Revenue in respect of oil sent for 
export include: 

• 

the PSC contract specifying the mechanism by which crude oil is delivered with the KRG is subject to interpretation, with 
clarification being sought through an updated PSC currently under discussion;
the payment mechanism for oil sent for export is still developing within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; and

• 
•  prior to September 2015, the Group had not received regular payment for these export deliveries.

There are also significant judgments relating to the interpretation and application of the PSC and the MNR agreement in relation to 
the treatment of back in receipts, cost offsets and entitlement revenue in excess of the cash received, as follows:

•  The MNR agreement established that an element of the cash received in the year was an advance in respect of a future “back in” 

transaction which has been deferred as a liability in the balance sheet; 

•  The MNR bilateral agreement also reiterated the principle of the PSC that costs payable to the MNR can be offset with previously 

• 

unrecognised revenue, with income reported on this basis for the first time in 2016; and
In a number of months during the year, the value of the cash receipt was below the entitlement value based on the oil sent for 
export, with the balance representing unrecognised revenue.

As referenced on page 84 of the financial statements the recognition of revenue relating to oil sent for export and in relation to cost 
offsets is considered by the Audit and Risk Committee as a significant issue and also, as referenced on page 89, by management as 
a critical accounting judgement. 

How the scope of our audit 
responded to the risk

We have assessed whether the Group’s decision to record revenue in respect of oil sent for export at the point that ultimate cash 
receipt is considered to be assured is consistent with IAS 18 through: 

•  assessing the appropriateness of the revenue recognition policy in light of current year developments, through discussions with 

management and review of board minutes;

•  performing a recalculation of the expected monthly entitlement revenue based on production in the period per the approved 

delivery reports and average Brent prices, less quality discounts, in line with the PSC and the MNR bilateral agreement; 

•  vouching all cash receipts in 2016; 
• 

reviewing post period bank statements and confirming that the outstanding receivable at 31 December 2016 in respect of 
October, November and December revenue of $36m was subsequently received;
reviewing the nature of the costs being offset on a sample basis to determine whether they are appropriate in accordance with 
the PSC terms and the MNR bilateral Agreement;
testing the unrecognised revenue balance available to verify there is a sufficient balance against which to recognise the payables 
offset; and 

• 

• 

•  considering whether the related disclosures in this area comply with the relevant accounting standards and are balanced, 

proportionate and clear.

Key observations

Given the fact that cash has now been received in respect of 2016 production revenue recognised in the year and the explicit 
confirmation the MNR bilateral agreement gave around the ability to offset costs as revenue, we concur with management’s 
treatment of sales for the period ending 31 December 2016 and that it is appropriate to recognise $194.4m of revenue. 

As referenced on page 101 of the financial statements, on 5 August 2016, the Group obtained approval from its shareholders to 
restructure its debt through a capital restructuring. This was sanctioned by the High Court of Justice on 29 September 2016 and 
was subsequently completed on 14 October 2016.

The impact of the Restructuring was a reduction in the Group’s outstanding debt from $613 million pre‑restructuring to $96 million, 
with an agreement to waive all covenant tests and an option to defer interest payments for two years (the “PIK option”) with full 
repayment due 18 October 2021. In addition, as part of the Restructuring during the period, the Group raised $24 million of additional 
funds through the issue of equity under an open offer on 14 October 2016. 

The Restructuring had multiple elements requiring consideration, including whether the reinstated notes was correctly accounted 
for as a substantial modification of the previous debt; the fair value of the reinstated notes of $96m and the equity issued of $283m, 
the treatment of the PIK option, as well as the treatment of transaction costs.

As referenced on page 50 of the Governance section the accounting for the Restructuring is considered by the Audit and Risk 
Committee as a significant issue and also, as referenced on page 89, by management as a critical accounting judgement.

How the scope of our audit 
responded to the risk

We have reviewed management’s assessment of the Restructuring transaction and its accounting impacts. In performing this 
analysis we have: 

• 

reperformed management’s calculations in relation to the reinstated notes and considered whether it should be treated as a 
substantial modification; 

•  compared the fair value of $96m calculated by management with market data (traded price of the bond on the Luxembourg stock 

exchange);

•  verified a sample of the transactions costs to invoices and reviewed the cost allocation between the open offer and the 

restructuring;

•  agreed the cancellation of the bonds to cancellation notices, and reviewed the fluctuations in share price around the date of issue 

to determine whether it is a reliable reflection of the fair value of the shares issued; and

•  verified the open offer proceeds to bank statement, and agreed the year end share capital position to the share listing.

Key observations

Based on the audit evidence we have gathered we are satisfied that management has accounted for these transactions 
appropriately.

Change to accounting policy for and impairment of oil and gas assets

Risk description

How the scope of our audit 
responded to the risk

As disclosed on page 85 of the Annual Report and accounts, management has changed its accounting policy in relation to Oil and 
Gas assets from modified full cost to successful efforts in order to align their policies with their peers and provide more relevant 
information to the users. This has resulted in the write off of $79 million in relation to Ber Bahr at 31 December 2015, following the 
Group’s decision to relinquish the asset, and $215 million for Sheikh Adi at 16 March 2016, being the date of relinquishment. The 
carrying value of the Shaikan Field as at 31 December 2016 was $489m.

In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, management is required to perform a review of any producing assets 
(Shaikan field) for indicators of impairment at each reporting date. As described in the ‘critical accounting estimates and 
judgements’ section of the Annual Report on pages 88 and 89, the assessment of the carrying value of producing assets requires 
management to exercise judgement in identifying the indicators of impairment, such as a decrease in oil price or a downgrade of 
proved and probable reserves.

Having considered a range of factors, including the move to successful efforts and the consequent decrease in the book value of 
the Group’s oil and gas assets, management has concluded that there were no indicators of impairment for the Shaikan Field.

As referenced on page 50 of the Governance section the change to the accounting policy for and impairment indicator assessment 
for the oil and gas assets is considered by the Audit and Risk Committee as a significant issue and also, as referenced on page 89, by 
management as a critical accounting judgement, and the assumptions underpinning the internal valuation model are key sources of 
estimation uncertainty.

In relation to the change in the accounting policy, we have performed the following:

• 

reviewed the adjustments relating to the change in accounting policy and have agreed the figures to our testing of the oil and gas 
assets;

•  enquired and challenged management as to whether there are any material unsuccessful efforts in the Shaikan Field which under 
the new accounting policy would require impairment and agreed this through discussions with the operational team and review 
of board minutes; and
reviewed the accounting policy and related disclosures in the accounts and consider them to be compliant with IFRS.

• 

We have reviewed management’s conclusions and carried out our own independent assessment for impairment indicators. As part 
of our work we have:

•  held meetings with key operational and finance staff to understand the current status and future intention for the Shaikan Field;
•  considered the Shaikan valuation model (prepared by management for internal purposes) and challenged management on the 

reasonableness of the following underlying assumptions:
•  Oil prices – comparing the oil price assumptions with third party forecasts and publicly available forward curves;
•  Discount rate – using our internal valuation specialists to perform an independent recalculation of the discount rate;
•  Production profile – comparing forecasted production per the valuation model with actual historical production and estimates 

set out in the Competent Person’s Report; 

•  Future capital expenditure – comparing estimates to those set out in the Competent Person’s Report; and
•  GKP’s economic interest in the Shaikan Field – consideration of appropriateness in light of the MNR bilateral agreement;

• 

reviewed the sensitivity analysis performed on the key assumptions of valuation model to determine whether there was 
headroom to support Shaikan’s book value.

76

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77

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued
to the members of Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited 

Change to accounting policy for and impairment of oil and gas assets continued

Key observations

We are satisfied with the adjustments and disclosures made by management in relation to the change in the accounting policy.

We concur with management that there are no impairment indicators and hence the value of Shaikan is not materially misstated.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not 
provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Our application of materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a 
reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating 
the results of our work.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Group materiality

$9.1 million (2015: $4.9 million)

Basis for determining 
materiality

2% of net assets.

Rationale for the 
benchmark applied

We considered net assets to be an appropriate metric to use in our materiality assessment as the Group as the value of the Group is 
derived from the Shaikan Field, and also the Group was loss making during the year. This is consistent with the prior year.

We agreed with the Audit and Risk Committee that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of $455,000 (2015: $98,000), as 
well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit and Risk Committee 
on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements.

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including group‑wide controls, and assessing the risks of 
material misstatement. Our audit planning identified the Group’s business to be a single component, and therefore all of the operations of the Group 
were subject to a full scope audit by the UK audit team. 

Our audit work was performed primarily at the Group’s head office in London. Specified audit procedures in respect of the Group’s property, plant and 
equipment and inventory balances were performed by a Deloitte member firm based in Kurdistan under the direction of the UK audit team. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Our duty to read other information in the Annual Report
Under International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, 
information in the Annual report is:

•  materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or
•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our knowledge of the Group acquired in 

We confirm that we have not identified 
any such inconsistencies or misleading 
statements.

the course of performing our audit; or

•  otherwise misleading.

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified any inconsistencies between our knowledge 
acquired during the audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider the annual report is fair, balanced and 
understandable and whether the Annual report appropriately discloses those matters that we communicated to 
the Audit and Risk Committee which we consider should have been disclosed. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements 
and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). We also comply with International Standard on Quality 
Control 1 (UK and Ireland). Our audit methodology and tools aim to ensure that our quality control procedures are effective, understood and applied. 
Our quality controls and systems include our dedicated professional standards review team and independent partner reviews.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body in accordance with the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act 1981. Our audit 
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report 
and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the 
company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the 
financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting 
policies are appropriate to the group’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of 
significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial 
and non‑financial information in the Annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any 
information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing 
the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
London, United Kingdom

5 April 2017

78

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

79

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December 2016

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December 2016

Continuing operations

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit/(loss) 

General and administrative expenses 

Profit/(loss) from operations before exceptional items 

Interest revenue 

Finance costs 

Impairment expense 

Gain on debt extinguishment 

Other gains  

Loss before tax 

Tax charge  

Loss after tax for the year 

Loss per share (cents)

Basic  

Diluted 

Notes 

2016 
$’000 

As restated 
(note 25) 
2015 
$’000

2 

3 

4 

2 

7 

10 

16 

6 

8 

9 

9 

194,409 

86,165

(142,827) 

(136,872)

51,582 

(50,707)

(25,536) 

(30,990)

26,046 

(81,697)

100 

42

(60,182) 

(52,075)

(215,658) 

(82,596)

222,455 

9,931 

—

3,051

(17,308) 

(213,275)

(127) 

(689)

(17,435) 

(213,964)

(30.82) 

(2,283.66)

(30.82) 

 (2,283.66)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 December 2016

Loss for the year 

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss: 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations   

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

As restated 
(note 25) 
2015 
$’000

2016 
$’000 

(17,435) 

(213,964)

(2,901) 

(1,139)

(20,336) 

(215,103)

Non-current assets

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Deferred tax asset 

Current assets

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables  

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables 

Provisions 

Non-current liabilities

Convertible Bonds 

Other borrowings 

Provisions 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

Share capital 

Share premium account 

Convertible Bonds reserve 

Exchange translation reserve 

Accumulated losses 

Total equity 

Notes 

2016 
$’000 

As restated 
(note 25) 
2015 
$’000

10 

11 

18 

13 

14 

15 

17 

16 

16 

17 

99 

235,709

489,379 

562,178

310 

483

489,788 

798,370

15,971 

41,565 

92,870 

150,406 

18,544

16,527

43,641

78,712

640,194 

877,082

(56,284) 

(127,399)

(7,461) 

(11,151)

(63,745) 

(138,550)

— 

(310,444)

(98,886) 

(234,094)

(23,794) 

(27,333)

(122,680) 

(571,871)

(186,425) 

(710,421)

453,769 

166,661

19 

19 

229,430 

9,781

920,728 

834,619

— 

(4,299) 

10,179

(1,398)

(692,090) 

(686,520)

453,769 

166,661

A presentational change to combine Share option reserve and Accumulated losses was made in 2016.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 5 April 2017 and signed on its behalf by:

The comparatives have been restated following the change in accounting policy from modified full cost to successful efforts (see note 25 for further 
details) and for the effect of share consolidation (see note 19 for further details).

Jón Ferrier  
Chief Executive Officer 

Sami Zouari 
Chief Financial Officer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
80

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81

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2016

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December 2016

Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Share 
premium 
account 
$’000  

Exchange 
translation 
reserve 
$’000  

Accumulated 
losses 
$’000 

Convertible 
bonds 
reserve  
$’000  

As restated 
(note 25) 
Total 
equity 
$’000

796,099 

(259) 

(480,991)  

15,834 

 339,605

Balance at 1 January 2015 

Net loss for the year 

Other comprehensive loss for the year 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Share‑based payment expense 

Deferred tax on share‑based payment transactions 

Share issue 

Convertible bond equity amortisation 

Balance at 31 December 2015 

Net loss for the year 

Other comprehensive loss for the year 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Share‑based payment expense 

Share conversion and issue, net of issue cost 

Transfer of convertible bond reserve 

Notes 

22 

18 

19 

16 

22 

19 

16 

Share 
capital 
$’000 

8,922 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(213,964) 

(1,139) 

— 

(1,139) 

(213,964) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

2,723 

57 

— 

1,686 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(17,435) 

(2,901) 

— 

(2,901) 

(17,435) 

859 

— 

38,520 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

219,649 

86,109 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(213,964)

(1,139)

(215,103)

2,723

57

39,379

—

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(17,435)

(2,901)

(20,336)

1,686

305,758

9,781 

834,619 

(1,398) 

(686,520) 

10,179 

166,661

5,655 

(5,655) 

Balance at 31 December 2016 

229,430 

920,728 

(4,299) 

(692,090) 

— 

453,769

A presentational change to combine Share option reserve and Accumulated losses was made in 2016. 

10,179 

(10,179) 

—

Operating activities

Cash generated in operations 

Interest received 

Guaranteed note and convertible bond coupon payments   

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities 

Investing activities

Purchase of intangible assets 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment   

Net cash used in investing activities 

Financing activities

Notes 

2016 
$’000 

As restated 
(note 25) 
2015 
$’000

20 

49,619 

20,663

100 

— 

42

(52,903)

49,719 

(32,198)

(123) 

(5,607)

(9,557) 

(46,542)

(9,680) 

(52,149)

Proceeds on issue of share capital and conversion 

19 

23,535 

39,379

Cost incurred on the Restructuring 

Net cash from financing activities 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year being bank balances and cash on hand(1)  

(13,884) 

—

9,651 

39,379

49,690 

(44,968)

43,641 

87,835

(461) 

774

92,870 

43,641

(1) 

In 2016, there was no Debt Service Reserve Account requirement for the Reinstated Notes (2015: $32.5 million held as restricted cash as stipulated by the 2014 
Notes). For further details, please see note 16. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82

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83

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General information
The Company is incorporated in Bermuda (registered address: Cumberland House, 9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, Hamilton, Bermuda). 
On 25 March 2014, the Company’s common shares were admitted, with a standard listing, to the Official List of the United Kingdom Listing Authority 
and to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market for listed securities. Previously the Company was quoted on AIM, a market operated by 
the London Stock Exchange. In 2008, the Company established a Level 1 American Depositary Receipt programme in conjunction with the Bank of 
New York Mellon which has been appointed as the depositary bank. The Company serves as the holding company for the Group, which is engaged in 
oil and gas exploration and production, operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Republic of Algeria. 

Adoption of new and revised accounting standards
Amendments to IFRSs that are mandatorily effective for the current year
In the current year, the Group has applied a number of amendments to IFRSs issued by the International Accounting Standards Board that are 
mandatorily effective for an accounting period that begins on or after 1 January 2016. Their adoption has not had any material impact on the 
disclosures or on the amounts reported in these financial statements.

Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 
and IAS 28 Investment Entities:  
Applying the Consolidation Exception

Amendments to IFRS 11 Accounting for 
Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations

Amendments to IAS 1 Disclosure Initiative

The Group has adopted the amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28 Investment Entities: 
Applying the Consolidation Exception for the first time in the current year. The amendments 
clarify that the exemption from preparing consolidated financial statements is available to a 
parent entity that is a subsidiary of an investment entity, even if the investment entity measures 
all its subsidiaries at fair value in accordance with IFRS 10. The amendments also clarify that 
the requirement for an investment entity to consolidate a subsidiary providing services related 
to the former’s investment activities applies only to subsidiaries that are not investment entities 
themselves.

As the Company is not an investment entity and does not have any holding company, subsidiary, 
associate or joint venture that qualifies as an investment entity, the adoption of the amendments 
has had no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

The Group has adopted the amendments to IFRS 11 Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests 
in Joint Operations for the first time in the current year. The amendments provide guidance on 
how to account for the acquisition of a joint operation that constitutes a business as defined in 
IFRS 3 Business Combinations. Specifically, the amendments state that the relevant principles 
on accounting for business combinations in IFRS 3 and other standards should be applied. 
The same requirements should be applied to the formation of a joint operation if and only if an 
existing business is contributed to the joint operation by one of the parties that participate in the 
joint operation.

A joint operator is also required to disclose the relevant information required by IFRS 3 and other 
standards for business combinations.

The adoption of these amendments has had no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial 
statements.

The Group has adopted the amendments to IAS 1 Disclosure Initiative for the first time in the 
current year. The amendments clarify that an entity need not provide a specific disclosure 
required by an IFRS if the information resulting from that disclosure is not material, and give 
guidance on the bases of aggregating and disaggregating information for disclosure purposes. 
However, the amendments reiterate that an entity should consider providing additional 
disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users 
of financial statements to understand the impact of particular transactions, events and conditions 
on the entity’s financial position and financial performance.

In addition, the amendments clarify that an entity’s share of the other comprehensive income 
of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method should be presented 
separately from those arising from the Group, and should be separated into the share of items 
that, in accordance with other IFRSs: (i) will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss; and 
(ii) will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss when specific conditions are met.

The amendments also address the structure of the financial statements by providing examples of 
systematic ordering or grouping of the notes. 

The adoption of these amendments has not resulted in any impact on the financial performance or 
financial position of the Group.

Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 
Clarification of Acceptable Methods of 
Depreciation and Amortisation

The Group has adopted the amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 Clarification of Acceptable 
Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation for the first time in the current year. The amendments 
to IAS 16 prohibit entities from using a revenue‑based depreciation method for items of property, 
plant and equipment. The amendments to IAS 38 introduce a rebuttable presumption that revenue 
is not an appropriate basis for amortisation of an intangible asset. This presumption can only be 
rebutted in the following two limited circumstances: 

a)  when the intangible asset is expressed as a measure of revenue; or

b)   when it can be demonstrated that revenue and consumption of the economic benefits of 

the intangible asset are highly correlated.

As the Group already uses the straight‑line method for depreciation and amortisation for 
its property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, respectively, the adoption of these 
amendments has had no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012‑2014 
Cycle

The Group has adopted the amendments to IFRSs included in the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 
2012‑2014 Cycle for the first time in the current year. 

The amendments to IFRS 5 introduce specific guidance in IFRS 5 for when an entity reclassifies 
an asset (or disposal group) from held for sale to held for distribution to owners (or vice versa). 
The amendments clarify that such a change should be considered as a continuation of the original 
plan of disposal and hence requirements set out in IFRS 5 regarding the change of sale plan do 
not apply. The amendments also clarify the guidance for when held‑for‑distribution accounting is 
discontinued. 

The amendments to IFRS 7 provide additional guidance to clarify whether a servicing contract 
is continuing involvement in a transferred asset for the purpose of the disclosures required in 
relation to transferred assets.

The amendments to IAS 19 clarify that the rate used to discount post‑employment benefit 
obligations should be determined by reference to market yields at the end of the reporting 
period on high quality corporate bonds. The assessment of the depth of a market for high quality 
corporate bonds should be at the currency level (i.e. the same currency as the benefits are to 
be paid). For currencies for which there is no deep market in such high quality corporate bonds, 
the market yields at the end of the reporting period on government bonds denominated in that 
currency should be used instead. 

The adoption of these amendments has had no effect on the Group’s consolidated financial 
statements.

New and revised IFRSs in issue but not yet effective
In the current year, no new or revised Standards and Interpretations have been adopted. 

At the date of the authorisation of these financial statements, the Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRSs that have been issued 
but are not yet effective:

IFRS 9 
IFRS 15 
IFRS 16 
IFRS 2 (amendments) 
IAS 7 (amendments) 
IAS 12 (amendments) 
IFRS 10 and IAS 28 (amendments) 

Financial Instruments
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Leases
Classification and Measurement of Share‑based Payment Transactions
Disclosure Initiative
Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses
Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture

With the exception of IFRS 2 (amendments), IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and IFRS 16, the Directors do not currently anticipate that the adoption of the Standards 
and Interpretations listed above will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group in future periods. A detailed assessment of the 
effect of IFRS 2 (amendments), IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and IFRS 16 has not yet been completed.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the 
European Union.

Basis of accounting 
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost basis, except for the valuation of hydrocarbon inventory and the valuation of 
certain financial instruments, which have been measured at fair value, and on the going concern basis. Equity‑settled share‑based payments were 
initially recognised at fair value, but have not been subsequently revalued. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the 
Chairman’s statement, the Chief Executive Officer’s statement and the Operational review. The financial position of the Group at the year end 
and its cash flows and liquidity position are included in the Financial review. 

The Group successfully completed a Restructuring on 14 October 2016 which addressed the difficulties of raising funds to pay for the Guaranteed 
Notes and Convertible Bonds maturing in April and October 2017, respectively. As a result of the Restructuring, the Group’s debt was reduced 
from over $600 million to $100 million of the Reinstated Notes through the partial conversion of the Guaranteed Notes and full conversion of the 
Convertible Bonds to the Company’s common shares. The Reinstated Notes give the Group an option to defer the payment of interest arising in the 
first two years until the maturity of the Reinstated Notes (see note 16 for further details). The Group also has the flexibility to raise additional debt of 
up to $45 million through the use of the Super Senior Debt Basket and the General Debt Basket. The Reinstated Notes do not contain a Debt Service 
Reserve Account requirement freeing up $32.5 million of cash for general use. In conjunction with the Restructuring, the Group raised additional 
funds through successful $25 million Open Offer on 14 October 2016. 

The Group has seen a significant improvement in the pattern of cash receipts from the MNR for the oil sent for export with the total receipts of 
$102 million net to the Group in 2016 and further receipts of $36 million in the first quarter of 2017 in relation to 2016 sales. 

Following the relinquishment of the Sheikh Adi block in March 2016 and the ongoing formal relinquishment of the Ber Bahr block, the Group has 
focused on its core asset, the Shaikan block. The Group’s improved liquidity arising from the successful restructuring, among other factors, is 
expected to allow the implementation of the Group’s near term investment plan to maintain production at 40,000 bopd with the potential to increase 
production to 55,000 bopd. This is subject to the MNR and MOL approvals, the continuation of the regular payment cycle from the MNR and a 
commercially acceptable investment environment. 

The significant reduction of the debt burden, the option to delay the Reinstated Notes’ interest payments and the improvements in oil revenues 
receipts alongside prudent cost management give the Group the financial flexibility and capability to meet its working capital requirements. 

The Group continues to closely monitor and manage its liquidity risk. Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities run for different 
scenarios including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices, different production rates from the Shaikan block, costs contingencies, 
disruptions to revenue receipts, etc. The Group has taken appropriate action to reduce its cost base and has $112.7 million of free cash at 5 April 2017. 
The Group’s forecasts, taking into account the risks applicable to the Group, show that the Group will be able to have sufficient financial headroom for 
the twelve months from the date of approval of the 2016 Annual report and accounts.

Based on the analysis performed, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual 
financial statements.

Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and enterprises controlled by the Company 
(its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Company has the power to govern the financial and 
operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Joint arrangements
The Group is engaged in oil and gas exploration, development and production through unincorporated joint arrangements; these are classified 
as joint operations in accordance with IFRS 11. The Group accounts for its share of the results and net assets of these joint operations. In addition, 
where the Group acts as Operator to the joint operation, the gross liabilities and receivables (including amounts due to or from non‑operating 
partners) of the joint operation are included in the Group’s balance sheet.

Sales and interest revenue 
The recognition of revenue, particularly the recognition of revenue from export sales, is considered to be a key accounting judgement. For all sales, 
the goods are considered to be delivered and the title passed at the point of loading at the Shaikan Field. For sales into the local market, it is clear 
that, at this point of delivery, economic benefit will flow to the Group and that revenue and costs can be measured reliably and therefore revenue 
is recognised. As the payment mechanism for sales to the export market is developing within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Group currently 
considers that revenue can best be reliably measured when the cash receipt is assured. The assessment of whether cash receipt is reasonably 
assured is based on management’s evaluation of the reliability of the MNR’s payments to the international oil companies operating in the Kurdistan 
Region of Iraq in line with the KRG’s announcement in February 2016 of its intention to apply the PSC terms. 

Management makes the following assumptions in arriving at the value of sales revenue: 

•  point of sale is the Shaikan facility; 
•  cash is received and revenue is recognised for all sales, net of royalty, as the royalty is taken “in‑kind” by the KRG; 
•  cash receipts from the MNR represent the non‑governmental contractors’ share of revenue; and,
•  where appropriate, payables to the MNR are offset against amounts due for previously unrecognised revenue in line with the terms of the 

Shaikan PSC.

To the extent that revenue arises from test production during an evaluation programme, an amount is charged from evaluation costs to cost of sales 
so as to reflect a zero net margin.

Under IAS 12 Income Taxes, where income tax arising from the Group’s activities under production sharing contracts is settled by a third party 
on behalf of the Group, and where the Group would otherwise be liable for such income tax, the associated sales are required to be shown 
gross including the notional tax, and a corresponding income tax charge shown in the statement of comprehensive income. However, due to the 
uncertainty over the payment mechanism for oil sales in Kurdistan and the fact that there is no sufficiently well‑established tax regime in place in 
the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, it has not been possible to measure reliably the taxation due that has been paid on behalf of the Group by the KRG. 
Therefore the notional tax amounts have not been included in revenue or in the tax charge. This is an accounting presentational issue and there is 
no taxation to be paid.

Interest revenue is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective rate of interest applicable, which is the 
rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount on 
initial recognition.

Property, plant and equipment other than oil and gas interests
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided 
at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life as follows:

Fixtures and equipment 

— 

20% straight line

Intangible assets other than oil and gas interests
Intangible assets, other than oil and gas assets, have finite useful lives and are measured at cost and amortised over their expected useful 
economic lives as follows:

Computer software 

— 

33% straight line

Oil and gas assets
The Group has changed its accounting policy for oil and gas assets from modified full cost to successful efforts. This change resulted in the write off 
of the costs associated with the Sheikh Adi and Ber Bahr blocks which have been relinquished and are in the process of relinquishment, respectively, 
by the Group. The benefit of this voluntary change in the accounting policy is ensuring that the balance sheet reflects only the assets that will bring 
future economic benefits to the Group. In addition, the successful efforts method is more widely adopted by listed oil companies and therefore, the 
change in the policy will make the Group’s financial statements more comparable to those of its peers (note 25).

Pre‑licence costs
Costs incurred prior to having obtained the legal rights to explore an area are expensed directly to the income statement as they are incurred.

Exploration and evaluation costs
The Group follows the successful efforts method of accounting for exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) costs. Expenditures directly associated 
with evaluation or appraisal activities are initially capitalised as intangible asset in cost pools by well, field or exploration area, as appropriate. 
Such costs include licence acquisition, technical services and studies, seismic acquisition, exploration and appraisal well drilling, payments to 
contractors, interest payable and directly attributable administration and overhead costs.

These costs are then written off as exploration costs in the income statement unless the existence of economically recoverable reserves have been 
established and there are no indicators of impairment.

E&E costs are transferred to development and production assets within property, plant and equipment upon the approval of a development 
programme by the relevant authorities and the determination of commercial reserves existence. 

Development and production assets 
Development and production assets are accumulated on a field‑by‑field basis and represent the cost of developing the commercial reserves 
discovered and bringing them into production, together with the E&E expenditures incurred in finding commercial reserves transferred from 
intangible E&E assets as outlined above. 

The cost of development and production assets includes the cost of acquisition and purchases of such assets, directly attributable overheads, and 
costs for future restoration and decommissioning. These costs are capitalised as part of the property, plant and equipment and depreciated based 
on the Group’s depreciation of oil and gas assets policy.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Oil and gas assets continued
Depreciation of oil and gas assets
The net book values of producing assets are depreciated generally on a field‑by‑field basis using the unit of production (“UOP”) basis which uses 
the ratio of oil and gas production in the period to the remaining commercial reserves plus the production in the period. Production associated with 
unrecognised export sales revenue is included in the DD&A calculation. Costs used in the calculation comprise the net book value of the field, and 
any further anticipated costs to develop such reserves. 

Commercial reserves are proven and probable (“2P”) reserves together with, where considered appropriate, a risked portion of 2C contingent 
resources, which are estimated using standard recognised evaluation techniques. The estimate is regularly reviewed by independent consultants. 

Impairment of tangible and intangible non‑current assets 
At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication 
that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or group of assets, is estimated 
in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). 

For other assets where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount 
of the cash‑generating unit to which the asset belongs. 

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are 
discounted to their present value using a pre‑tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks 
specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

Any impairment identified is immediately recognised as an expense. 

Borrowing costs 
Borrowing costs directly relating 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 capitalised and 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 the income statement in the period in which they are incurred. 

Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be 
recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities, based on tax rates and laws that are enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 

As described in the revenue accounting policy section above, it is not possible to calculate the amount of notional tax to be shown in relation to any 
tax liabilities settled on behalf of the Group by the KRG.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial 
statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. 
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it 
is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not 
recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a 
transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that 
sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part assets to be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised based on tax laws 
and rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, 
except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also recognised in equity.

Foreign currencies
The individual financial statements of each company are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates 
(its functional currency). For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and the financial position of the Group are expressed 
in US dollar, which is the functional currency of the Group, and the presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements. 

In preparing the financial statements of the individual companies, transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional currency are recorded 
at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated 
in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Non‑monetary assets and liabilities carried at fair value that are 
denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Gains and losses arising on 
retranslation are included in the income statement for the year.

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign operations which use functional currencies other than US dollars are translated 
at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period. 
Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity in the Group’s translation reserve. 
On the disposal of a foreign operation, such translation differences are reclassified to profit or loss.

Inventories
Inventories, except for hydrocarbon inventories, are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Hydrocarbon inventories are recorded at net 
realisable value with changes in hydrocarbon inventories being adjusted through cost of sales.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group’s balance sheet when the Group has become a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument. 

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method less any impairment. 

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits and other short‑term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible 
to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Liquid investments
Liquid investments comprise short‑term liquid investments with maturities of three to twelve months.

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss
Financial assets are held at fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”) when the financial asset is either held for trading or it is designated at FVTPL. 
Financial assets at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on re‑measurement recognised in profit or loss. The net gain or loss 
recognised in profit or loss incorporates any dividend or interest earned on the financial asset and is included in the other gains and losses line in the 
income statement.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group may enter into derivative financial instruments including foreign exchange forward contracts to manage its exposure to foreign exchange 
rate risk.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re‑measured to their fair value at 
each balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in the profit or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as 
a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in profit or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship. 

A derivative with a positive fair value is recognised as a financial asset whereas a derivative with a negative fair value is recognised as a liability. 
A derivative is presented as a non‑current asset or a non‑current liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than twelve months 
and it is not expected to be realised or settled within twelve months. Other derivatives are presented as current assets or current liabilities.

Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets, other than those valued at FVTPL, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each balance sheet date. Financial assets are 
impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, 
the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been impacted.

For certain categories of financial asset, such as trade receivables, assets that are assessed not to be impaired individually are subsequently 
assessed for impairment on a collective basis. Objective evidence of impairment for a portfolio of receivables could include the Group’s past 
experience of collecting payments, an increase in the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the average credit period, as well as 
observable changes in local or national economic conditions that correlate with default on receivables.

Financial liabilities and equity
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity 
instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities.

Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs, which are charged to share premium.

Convertible Bonds
The net proceeds received from the issue of Convertible Bonds are split between a liability element and an equity component at the date of issue. 
The fair value of the liability component is estimated using the prevailing market interest rate for similar non‑convertible debt. The difference between 
the proceeds of issue of the Convertible Bonds and the fair value assigned to the liability component, representing the embedded option to convert 
the liability into equity of the Group, is included in equity, as a convertible bond reserve and is not re‑measured. The equity portion is amortised over 
the life of the bond to accumulated losses reserve within equity. The liability component is carried at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method until extinguished upon conversion or at the instrument’s maturity date. 

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Financial instruments continued
Convertible Bonds continued
Issue costs are apportioned between the liability and equity components of the Convertible Bonds based on their relative carrying amounts at the 
date of issue. The portion relating to the equity component is charged directly against equity.

The interest expense on the liability component is calculated by applying the prevailing market interest rate for similar non‑convertible debt 
to the liability component of the instrument. The difference between this amount and the interest paid is added to the carrying amount of the 
Convertible Bonds.

Borrowings
Interest‑bearing loans and overdrafts are recorded at the fair value of proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Finance charges, including 
premiums payable on settlement or redemption, are accounted for on an accrual basis and are added to the carrying amount of the instrument to 
the extent that they are not settled in the year in which they arise. The liability is carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate (“EIR”)
method until maturity.

Trade payables
Trade payables are stated at amortised cost. The average maturity for trade and other payables is one to three months.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event which it is probable will result in an outflow of 
economic benefits that can be reliably estimated.

Decommissioning provision
Provision for decommissioning is recognised in full when damage is done to the site and an obligation to restore the site to its original condition 
exists. The amount recognised is the present value of the estimated future expenditure for restoring the sites of drilled wells and related facilities 
to their original status. A corresponding amount equivalent to the provision is also recognised as part of the cost of the related oil and gas property. 
The amount recognised is reassessed each year in accordance with local conditions and requirements. Any change in the present value of the 
estimated expenditure is dealt with prospectively. The unwinding of the discount is included as a finance cost.

Share‑based payments
Equity‑settled share‑based payments to employees and others providing similar services are measured at the fair value of the entity instruments at 
the grant date. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity‑settled share‑based transactions are set out in note 22. The fair value 
determined at the grant date of the equity‑settled share‑based payments is expensed on a straight‑line basis over the vesting period, based on the 
Group’s estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity 
instruments expected to vest as a result of the effect of non‑market based vesting conditions. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if 
any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to equity reserve. 

For cash‑settled share‑based payments, a liability is recognised for the goods or services acquired, measured initially at the fair value of the liability. 
At each balance sheet date until the liability is settled, and at the date of settlement, the fair value of the liability is re‑measured, with any changes in fair 
value recognised in profit or loss for the period. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of cash‑settled share‑based transactions are set 
out in note 22.

Leasing
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight‑line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, which are described above, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated 
assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in 
which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of revision and future periods if the revision affects both current 
and future periods. 

Accounting estimates

Carrying value of producing assets
Oil and gas assets within property, plant and equipment are held at historical cost value, less accumulated depreciation and impairments. 

Producing assets are tested for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. Management assesses whether such indicators exist, 
with reference to the criteria specified in IAS 36, at least annually. 

An annual valuation of the Shaikan Field was performed providing further support in relation to the conclusion that no indicators of impairment 
existed for the year ended 31 December 2016.

The assumptions and estimates in the valuation model include: 

•  commodity prices that are based on latest internal forecasts, benchmarked with external sources of information, to ensure they are within the 

range of available analyst forecasts and the long‑term corporate economic assumptions thereafter;

•  discount rates that are adjusted to reflect risks specific to individual assets and the region;
•  commercial reserves and the related production and payment profiles; and
•  timing of revenue receipts.

Operating costs and capital expenditure are based on financial budgets and internal management forecasts. Cost assumptions incorporate 
management experience and expectations, as well as the nature and location of the operation and the risks associated therewith. Underlying input 
cost assumptions are consistent with related output price assumptions. 

In line with the Group’s accounting policy on impairment, management performs an impairment review of the Group’s oil and gas assets annually 
with reference to indicators as set out in IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. The Group assesses its group of assets called cash‑generating units (“CGU”) 
for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Where indicators are 
present, management calculates the recoverable amount using key assumptions such as future oil and gas prices, estimated production volume, 
pre‑tax discount rates that reflect the current market assessment of the time value of money and risks specific to the asset, commercial reserves, 
inflation and transportation fees. The key assumptions are subject to change based on the current market trends and economic conditions. 
The CGU’s recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value less cost of disposal and value in use. Where the CGU’s recoverable amount is lower than 
the carrying amount, the CGU is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. The Group’s sole CGU at 31 December 2016 was 
Shaikan with a carrying value of $488.6 million. No impairment indicator was identified as at 31 December 2016.

Reserves estimates
Commercial reserves are determined using estimates of oil‑in‑place, recovery factors and future oil prices. Future development costs are estimated 
using assumptions as to numbers of wells required to produce the commercial reserves, the cost of such wells and associated production facilities, 
and other capital and operating costs. Reserves estimates principally affect the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges, as well as 
impairment assessments.

Significant accounting judgement

Revenue
The recognition of revenue, particularly the recognition of revenue from exports, is considered to be a key accounting judgement. The Group 
began commercial production from the Shaikan Field in July 2013 and historically made sales to both the domestic and export market. For all sales, 
the goods are considered to be delivered and the title passed at the point of loading at the Shaikan Field. For sales into the local market, it is clear 
that, at this point of delivery, economic benefit will flow to the Group and that revenue and costs can be measured reliably and therefore revenue is 
recognised. However, as the payment mechanism for sales to the export market is currently developing within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Group 
considers that revenue can be only reliably measured when the cash receipt is assured. The assessment of whether cash receipt is reasonably 
assured is based on management’s evaluation of the reliability of the MNR’s payments to the international oil companies operating in the Kurdistan 
Region of Iraq in line with the KRG’s announcement in February 2016 of its intention to apply the PSC terms. The Group also recognised payables to 
the MNR against amounts due for previously unrecognised revenue in line with the terms of the Shaikan PSC, where applicable.

Accounting for the Restructuring
The Group completed the Restructuring in October 2016 (see note 16 for further details). In line with the Group’s accounting policy on borrowing 
costs, management recorded the interest‑bearing loans and overdrafts at fair value of proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Finance charges, 
including premiums payable on settlement or redemption, are accounted for on an accrual basis and are added to the carrying amount of the 
instrument to the extent that they are not settled in the year in which they arise. The liability is carried at amortised cost using the effective interest 
rate method until maturity.

Under IAS 39, if the present value of the revised cash flows of the new or modified debt plus any costs/fees paid differs by 10% or more from the 
present value of the remaining cash flows of the existing debt (using the original EIR) the new or modified debt is classed as being substantially 
different from the old debt. As this test is satisfied, a new financial liability has been recognised and a gain or loss from extinguishment of the original 
financial liability has been recognised in the income statement.

Change in accounting policy 
The prior year’s Consolidated income statement has been restated by $79.0 million as a result of the change in the accounting policy on the Group’s 
oil  and gas asset from modified full cost to successful efforts. The $79.0 million represents the 2016 opening balance of the intangible assets relating 
to Ber Bahr block which the Group decided to relinquish at 31 December 2015. The adjustment decreased the Group’s intangible assets and equity 
(see note 25 for further details). No adjustments to the period prior to 2015 are required as there were no unsuccessful exploration expenditures 
prior to 2015.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Segment information
For the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance, the Group is organised into three regional business units – 
Algeria, Kurdistan and the United Kingdom. These geographical segments are the basis on which the Group reports its segmental information. 
The chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer. He is assisted by the Chief Financial Officer and senior management team. 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with the Group’s accounting policies. 

Each segment is described in more detail below:

•  Kurdistan Region of Iraq: the Kurdistan segment consists of the Shaikan and the Erbil office which provides support to the operations in Kurdistan, 

as well as segmental information relating to the previously held Akri‑Bijeel, Sheikh Adi and Ber Bahr blocks; 

•  United Kingdom: the UK segment provides geological, geophysical and engineering services to the Gulf Keystone Group; and
•  Algeria: the Algerian segment consists of the Algiers office and the Group’s operations in Algeria. 

Corporate manages activities that serve more than one segment. It represents all overhead and administration costs incurred that cannot be directly 
linked to one of the above segments.

31 December 2016 

Revenue

Oil sales 

Inter‑segment sales 

Total revenue 

Cost of sales

Production costs 

Oil and gas properties depreciation expense 

Gross profit/(loss) 

General and administrative expenses

Algeria 
$’000 

Kurdistan 
$’000 

United 
Kingdom 
$’000 

Corporate 
$’000 

Elimination 
$’000 

Total 
$’000

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

194,409 

— 

194,409 

(61,191) 

(81,636) 

— 

5,542 

5,542 

— 

— 

51,582 

5,542 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

194,409

(5,542) 

—

(5,542) 

194,409

— 

— 

(61,191)

(81,636)

(5,542) 

51,582

Allocated general and administrative expenses 

(843) 

(9,222) 

(6,439) 

(13,447) 

4,993 

(24,958)

Depreciation and amortisation expense 

— 

(295) 

(283) 

— 

— 

(578)

Profit/(loss) from operations 

(843) 

42,065 

(1,180) 

(13,447) 

(549) 

26,046

Interest revenue 

Finance income/(costs)  

Impairment charge 

Gain on debt extinguishments 

Other gains 

Profit/(loss) before tax 

Tax expense 

(Loss)/profit after tax 

Capital expenditure 

Total assets 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(700) 

(215,658) 

— 

181 

3,963 

16 

— 

— 

— 

— 

84 

(59,915) 

— 

222,455 

5,787 

— 

433 

— 

— 

— 

100

(60,182)

(215,658)

222,455

9,931

(662) 

(170,330) 

(1,164) 

154,964 

(116) 

(17,308)

— 

— 

(127) 

— 

— 

(127)

(662) 

(170,330) 

(1,291) 

154,964 

(116) 

(17,435)

— 

38 

9,454 

138 

— 

— 

9,592

546,163 

12,864 

75,675 

5,454 

640,194

31 December 2015 

Revenue

Oil sales 

Inter‑segment sales 

Total revenue 

Cost of sales

Production costs 

Royalty costs 

Oil and gas properties depreciation expense 

Gross profit/(loss) 

General and administrative expenses 

Algeria 
$’000 

Kurdistan 
$’000 

86,165 

— 

86,165 

(63,227) 

(1) 

(74,050) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

United 
Kingdom 
$’000 

— 

8,478 

8,478 

— 

— 

— 

Corporate 
$’000 

Elimination 
$’000 

As restated 
(note 25) 
Total 
$’000

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

86,165

(8,478) 

(8,478) 

—

86,165

406 

(62,821)

— 

— 

(1)

(74,050)

(8,072) 

(50,707)

(51,113) 

8,478 

Allocated general and administrative expenses 

(460) 

(11,093) 

(8,586) 

(17,297) 

7,136 

(30,300)

Depreciation and amortisation expense 

Loss from operations 

Impairment charge 

Interest revenue 

Finance income/(costs)  

Other gains/(losses) 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

Tax expense 

(Loss)/profit after tax 

Capital expenditure 

Total assets 

— 

(437) 

(460) 

(62,643) 

(253) 

(361) 

— 

— 

(690)

(17,297) 

(936) 

(81,697)

— 

— 

— 

238 

(82,600) 

— 

(803) 

(124) 

— 

7 

— 

— 

(222) 

(146,170) 

— 

— 

(354) 

(689) 

— 

35 

4 

— 

(82,596)

42

(70,055) 

18,783 

(52,075)

2,937 

— 

3,051

(84,380) 

17,851 

(213,275)

— 

— 

(689)

(222) 

(146,170) 

(1,043) 

(84,380) 

17,851 

(213,964)

— 

53 

76,580 

613 

— 

— 

82,019

852,040 

16,047 

1,242,554 

(1,233,611) 

877,082

Geographical information
The Group’s information about its segment assets (non‑current assets excluding deferred tax assets and other financial assets) by geographical 
location is detailed below:

Algeria 

Kurdistan 

Bermuda 

United Kingdom 

2016 
$’000 

— 

As restated 
2015 
$’000

—

488,893 

797,074

— 

585 

—

813

489,478 

797,887

Information about major customers
Included in revenues arising from the Kurdistan segment are revenues of approximately $194.4 million which arose from sales to the Group’s largest 
customer (2015: $68.8 million from largest customer).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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93

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

2. Revenue

Oil sales 

Interest revenue 

2016 
$’000 

194,409 

100 

2015 
$’000

86,165

42

4. Profit/(loss) from operations

Profit/(loss) from operations has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 11) 

194,509 

86,207

Amortisation of intangible assets (note 10) 

During 2016, the Group sold Shaikan oil to the export market generating revenue of $121.8 million (2015: $68.8 million). No revenue was derived 
from domestic sales for the year (2015: $17.4 million). The Group also recognised $72.6 million (2015: $nil) by offsetting payables to the MNR against 
amounts due for previously unrecognised revenue. Revenue for commercial sales is recognised in line with the terms of the Shaikan PSC, the 
applicable sales contracts and the Group’s accounting policy. 

Management has used the following assumptions in arriving at the value of sales revenue during the year:

•  point of sale is the Shaikan facility;
•  cash is received and revenue is recognised for all sales, net of royalty, as the royalty is taken “in‑kind” by the KRG;
•  deductions for transportation costs as well as the discount to Brent, for the quality of the crude, have been estimated at c.$20/bbl based on the 

discussions with the MNR and are subject to audit and reconciliation, and the establishment of a retroactive quality bank for Kurdistan crude exports 
delivered through the international pipeline to Turkey;

•  cash receipts by GKPI as the operator represent the non‑governmental contractors’ share of revenue; and
•  the Group’s current working interest in the Shaikan block is 80%.

3. Cost of sales

Production costs  

Depreciation of oil and gas properties 

2016 
$’000 

61,191 

81,636 

2015 
$’000

62,822

74,050

142,827 

136,872

Production costs represent the Group’s share of gross production expenditure for the Shaikan Field for the year and include the Shaikan PSC 
production bonus of $8.0 million (2015: $4.0 million) and capacity building charges of $18.0 million (2015: $10.7 million). All costs are included with 
no deferral of costs associated with unrecognised sales in accordance with the Group’s revenue policy. Production and depreciation, depletion 
and amortisation (“DD&A”) costs related to revenue arrears recognised in 2016 have been charged to the income statement in prior periods when 
the oil was lifted. 

A unit‑of‑production method, based on full entitlement production, commercial reserves and costs for Shaikan full field development, has been 
used to calculate the DD&A charge for the year. Commercial reserves are proven and probable (“2P”) reserves, estimated using standard recognised 
evaluation techniques. Production and reserves entitlement associated with unrecognised sales in accordance with the Group’s revenue policy have 
been included in the full year DD&A calculation. 

Credit in relation to Excalibur litigation (note 6) 

Staff costs (see note 5) 

Auditor’s remuneration for audit services (see below) 

Operating lease rentals (note 21) 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for other services to the Group 

– audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation  

Total audit fees 

Other assurance services (half‑year review) 

Corporate finance services   

Tax services (advisory) 

Total fees 

5. Staff costs
The average monthly number of employees (including Executive Directors) for the year was as follows:

Office and management  

Technical and operational 

Employee benefits recognised as an expense during the year comprised: 

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

Share‑based payment (see note 22) 

2016 
$’000 

2015 
$’000

82,176 

74,707

38 

(3,188) 

35

—

24,228 

26,772

173 

3,936 

2016 
$’000 

154 

19 

173 

73 

454 

9 

709 

206

3,765

2015 
$’000

175

31

206

69

122

10

407

2016 
Number 

2015 
Number

80 

229 

309 

2016 
$’000 

20,929 

2,044 

1,255 

89

222

311

2015 
$’000

23,114

1,119

2,539

24,228 

26,772

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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95

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

6. Other gains 

Other gains 

Exchange gains 

2016 
$’000 

6,876 

3,055 

9,931 

2015 
$’000

—

3,051

3,051

Other gains consist of the release of the decommissioning liability relating to the Akri‑Bijeel block of $3.7 million (for further detail, see note 17) and the 
receipt of an additional repayment of costs incurred in relation to Excalibur litigation of $3.2 million.

In December 2010, Excalibur commenced legal action against Gulf Keystone and two of its subsidiaries (together “the Companies”) and Texas 
Keystone, Inc asserting certain contractual and non‑contractual claims against the Companies and Texas Keystone, Inc. and claiming that Excalibur 
is entitled to an interest of up to 30% in the Companies’ blocks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 

On 13 December 2013, the Court handed down its full judgement dismissing all of the claims asserted by Excalibur and deciding all issues in favour of 
the Companies and Texas Keystone, Inc. Excalibur was ordered to pay the costs of the Companies and Texas Keystone on the enhanced costs basis, 
known as the indemnity basis (“Excalibur Costs Order”).

Excalibur had no funds save for that provided by its litigation funders. The Companies and Texas Keystone sought a non‑party costs order against 
the litigation funders to make up for the shortfall that arose between the Excalibur Costs Order and the interim payment that the Companies and 
Texas Keystone received (“Shortfall”).

Once the litigation funders were joined to the proceedings, the Judge ordered them to pay the Companies’ and Texas Keystone’s costs on the 
indemnity basis to cover the Shortfall (“Funders Costs Order”). 

The litigation funders appealed the Funders Costs Order on several grounds, and their appeals were heard at a two‑day hearing at which the 
Companies and Texas Keystone vigorously opposed the appeals. On 18 November 2016, the Court ordered that the appeals be dismissed and 
the sum of $3.2 million (£2.6 million) was received by the Group in January 2017. As at 31 December 2016, this was included in Other receivables 
in note 14.

7. Finance costs 

Interest payable in respect of Convertible Bonds (see note 16) 

Interest payable in respect of other bonds (see note 16) 

Reinstated notes interest capitalised (see note 16) 

Unwinding of discount on provisions (see note 17) 

Capitalised finance costs 

8. Tax 

Corporation tax

Current year charge 

Adjustment in respect of prior years 

Deferred UK corporation tax expense (see note 18) 

Tax expense attributable to the Company and its subsidiaries 

2016 
$’000 

22,203 

35,232 

2,481 

699 

2015 
$’000

27,479

42,577

—

803

(433) 

(18,784)

60,182 

52,075

2016 
$’000 

2015 
$’000

— 

1 

(128) 

(127) 

—

(433)

(256)

(689)

Under current Bermudian laws, the Group is not required to pay taxes in Bermuda on either income or capital gains. The Group has received an 
undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda exempting it from any such taxes at least until the year 2035.

Any corporate tax liability in Algeria is settled out of Sonatrach’s share of oil under the terms of the Algerian PSCs and is therefore not reflected in the 
tax charge for the year. 

In the Kurdistan region, the Group is subject to corporate income tax on its income from petroleum operations under the Kurdistan PSCs. The rate 
of corporate income tax is currently 15% on total income. Under the PSC, any corporate income tax arising from petroleum operations will be paid 
from the KRG’s share of petroleum profits. Due to the uncertainty over the payment mechanism for oil sales in Kurdistan, it has not been possible 
to measure reliably the taxation due that has been paid on behalf of the Group by the KRG and therefore the notional tax amounts have not been 
included in revenue or in the tax charge. This is an accounting presentational issue and there is no taxation to be paid.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year earned in the United Kingdom by the Group’s UK subsidiary. UK corporation tax is 
calculated at 20% (2015: 20.25%) of the estimated assessable profit for the year of the UK subsidiary. 

Deferred tax is provided for due to the temporary differences which give rise to such a balance in jurisdictions subject to income tax. During the 
current period no taxable profits were made in respect of the Group’s Kurdistan PSCs, nor were there any temporary differences on which deferred 
tax is required to be provided. As a result, no corporate income tax or deferred tax has been provided for Kurdistan in the period.

All deferred tax arises in the UK. 

The expense for the year can be reconciled to the loss per the income statement as follows:

Loss before tax 

Tax at the Bermudian tax rate of 0% (2015: 0%) 

Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions 

Tax charge for the year 

9. Loss per share
The calculation of the basic and diluted profit/(loss) per share is based on the following data:

Loss

Loss after tax for the purposes of basic and diluted loss per share  

Number of shares 

Basic weighted average number of shares 

2016 
$’000 

As restated 
2015 
$’000

(17,308) 

(213,275)

— 

(127) 

(127) 

—

(689)

(689)

2016 
$’000 

As restated 
2015 
$’000

(17,435) 

(213,964)

2016 
Number 
000s 

2015 
Number  
000s

56,565 

9,369

Following the Restructuring, all common shares have been consolidated on a 100:1 basis (see note 19). As a result, prior year weighted average 
number of shares has been restated.

The Group followed the steps specified by IAS 33 in determining whether potential common shares are dilutive or anti‑dilutive. It was determined 
that all of the potential common shares including share options, Convertible Bonds, warrants and common shares held by the Employee Benefit 
Trustee (“EBT”) and the Exit Event Trustee have an anti‑dilutive effect on loss per share. As a result, there is no difference between basic and diluted 
earnings per share. 

Reconciliation of anti‑dilutive shares:

Number of shares  

Share options 

Common shares held by the EBT 

Common shares held by the Exit Event Trustee 

Warrants outstanding 

Common shares to be issued on conversion of Convertible Bonds 

Total potentially anti‑dilutive shares 

2016 
Number 
million 

2015 
Number  
million

1.8 

0.1 

0.1 

0.4 

— 

2.4 

0.4

0.1

0.1

0.4

0.7

1.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

97

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

10. Intangible assets

Year ended 31 December 2015

Opening net book value 

Additions 

Amortisation charge 

Closing net book value 

Effect of change in accounting policy (note 25 ) 

Closing net book value as restated 

At 31 December 2015

Cost 

Accumulated amortisation 

Net book value 

Year ended 31 December 2016

Opening net book value as restated 

Other movements related to the relinquishment of Sheikh Adi 

Additions 

Write‑offs 

Amortisation charge 

Foreign currency translation differences 

Closing net book value 

At 31 December 2016 

Cost 

Accumulated amortisation 

Net book value 

  Exploration and 
  evaluation costs 
$’000 

Computer  
software 
$’000 

Total 
$’000

276,290

38,441

(35)

314,696

(78,987)

235,709

47 

2 

(35) 

14 

— 

14 

276,243 

38,439 

— 

314,682 

(78,987) 

235,695 

235,695 

— 

930 

(916) 

236,625

(916)

235,695 

14 

235,709

235,695 

(20,037) 

— 

(215,658) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

14 

— 

138 

— 

(38) 

(15) 

99 

1,053 

(954) 

99 

235,709

(20,037)

138

(215,658)

(38)

(15)

99

1,053

(954)

99

In March 2016, the Group relinquished the Sheikh Adi block. As part of the agreement for relinquishment of the Sheikh Adi block, the MNR released 
the Group from its obligations to pay past PSC payments due with the exception of $10.0 million relating to reduced PSC bonuses due on the 
declaration of commerciality. This will be offset against the past costs associated with the Shaikan Government Participation Option. This is included 
in Other creditors in note 15.

During the year, the Group retrospectively changed its accounting policy from modified full cost to successful efforts. As a result, previously 
capitalised expenditure relating to the Ber Bahr block of $79.0 million was written off following the decision to relinquish the block in December 2015 
(see note 25 for further details). Further, the expenditure amounting to $215.7 million relating to the Sheikh Adi block was written off in 2016 upon 
relinquishment and included in the Impairment expense in the Consolidated income statement. The oil and gas exploration costs of $0.8 million 
incurred during the year in relation to the Sheikh Adi and Ber Bahr blocks were expensed directly to the Consolidated income statement. 

The net book value at 31 December 2016 includes intangible assets relating to computer software. The amortisation charge of $38,000 
(2015: $35,000) for computer software has been included in general and administrative expenses.

In December 2015, an impairment of $3.6 million has been recognised associated with the write‑off of the assets held for sale relating to Akri‑Bijeel.

11. Property, plant and equipment

Year ended 31 December 2015 

Opening net book value 

Additions 

Disposals 

Depreciation charge 

Accumulated depreciation eliminated on disposals 

Foreign currency translation differences 

Closing net book value 

At 31 December 2015 

Cost 

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book value 

Year ended 31 December 2016 

Opening net book value 

Additions 

Depreciation charge 

Foreign currency translation differences 

Closing net book value 

At 31 December 2016 

Cost 

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book value 

Oil and gas 
properties 
$’000 

Fixtures and 
equipment 
$’000 

591,932 

42,953 

— 

(74,050) 

— 

— 

1,672 

625 

(364) 

(657) 

87 

(20) 

Total 
$’000

593,604

43,578

(364)

(74,707)

87

(20)

560,835 

1,343 

562,178

675,652 

5,801 

681,453

(114,817) 

(4,458) 

(119,275)

560,835 

1,343 

562,178

560,835 

1,343 

562,178

9,435 

19 

9,454

(81,636) 

(540) 

(82,176)

— 

(77) 

(77)

488,634 

745 

489,379

685,087 

5,743 

690,830

(196,453) 

(4,998) 

(201,451)

488,634 

745 

489,379

The net book value of oil and gas properties at 31 December 2016 is comprised of property, plant and equipment relating to the Shaikan block and has 
a carrying value of $488.6 million (2015: $560.8 million). 

The additions to the Shaikan asset during the year include costs for various studies and production facilities improvement projects.

The DD&A charge of $81.6 million on oil and gas properties (2015: $74.1 million) has been included within cost of sales (note 3). The depreciation 
charge of $0.5 million on fixtures and equipment (2015: $0.7 million) has been included in general and administrative expenses.

For details of the key assumptions and judgements underlying the impairment assessment and the depreciation, depletion and amortisation charge, 
refer to the “Critical accounting estimates and judgements” section of the Summary of significant accounting policies.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
98

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

99

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

12. Group companies
Details of the Company’s subsidiaries and joint operations at 31 December 2016, and 31 December 2015, are as follows:

Place of 
incorporation 

Proportion of 
 ownership 
interest 

Proportion 
of voting 
power held 

United Kingdom 

100% 

100% 

Bermuda 

100% 

100% 

  Principal activity

Management services including 
geological, geophysical  
and engineering services 

Exploration and evaluation 
activities in Kurdistan 

Bermuda 

100% 

100% 

Exploration and evaluation activities  

Bermuda 

100% 

100% 

Exploration and evaluation activities 

Bermuda 

100% 

100% 

Exploration and evaluation activities 

Name of subsidiary 

Gulf Keystone Petroleum (UK) Limited 
6th Floor, New Fetter Place   
8‑10 New Fetter Lane 
London EC4A 1AZ, United Kingdom 

Gulf Keystone Petroleum International Limited 
Cumberland House 
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street 
PO Box 1561, Hamilton HMFX 
Bermuda

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Numidia Limited 
Cumberland House 
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street 
PO Box 1561, Hamilton HMFX 
Bermuda

Gulf Keystone Petroleum HBH Limited 
Cumberland House 
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street 
PO Box 1561, Hamilton HMFX 
Bermuda

Shaikan Petroleum Limited 
Cumberland House 
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street 
PO Box 1561, Hamilton HMFX 
Bermuda

Name of joint operation 

Shaikan 

Sheikh Adi(3) 

Ber Bahr(4) 

Place of 
incorporation 

Kurdistan 

Kurdistan 

Kurdistan 

Proportion of 
 ownership 
interest 

Proportion 
of voting 
power held(1) 

  Principal activity

80%(2) 

33.3% 

Production and development activities

100% 

40% 

50% 

33.3% 

Exploration and evaluation activities

Exploration and evaluation activities

Trade payables 

Other payables 

Accrued expenses 

(1)  Proportion of voting power is as defined in the individual Production Sharing Contracts (“PSC”). The above are joint operations based on the voting rights as set out 

in each PSC.

(2)  75% is held directly by Gulf Keystone Petroleum International Limited, with 5% held in trust for Texas Keystone, Inc (“TKI”) until formal transfer of the share is completed.
(3)  Relinquished effective 16 March 2016.
(4)  In process of being relinquished.

13. Inventories

Warehouse stocks and materials  

Crude oil  

Inventories at 31 December 2016 include write downs to net realisable value of $2.9 million (2015: $nil).

14. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables 

Other receivables  

Corporation tax receivable 

Prepayments and accrued income 

2016 
$’000 

14,814 

1,157 

15,971 

2016 
$’000 

36,000 

4,976 

— 

589 

41,565 

2015 
$’000

17,697

847

18,544

2015 
$’000

12,000

3,034

189

1,304

16,527

Trade receivables relate to amounts due from oil sales with $36.0 million outstanding as at 31 December 2016 (2015: $12.0 million) which have been 
received subsequent to the year end. This included past due trade receivables of $24.0 million. 

Included within other receivables for 2016 is an amount of $0.4 million (2015: $0.5 million) being the deposits for leased assets which are receivable 
after more than one year. There are no receivables from related parties as at 31 December 2016 (2015: $nil) (see note 23). No impairments of 
receivables have been recognised during the year (2015: $nil).

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value and no amounts are provided 
against them. 

15. Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximates their fair value.

2016 
$’000 

2,922 

26,917 

26,445 

56,284 

2015 
$’000

10,786

232

116,381

127,399

There is no interest payable included in the accrued expenses in 2016 (2015: $4.2 million in respect of Convertible Bonds and $6.6 million in respect 
of 2014 Notes) (see note 16). 

In accordance with the Bilateral MNR Agreement signed between GKPI and the MNR on 16 March 2016, the Group has received payments on 
account for back‑costs of approximately $16.2 million in recognition of the Group’s and MNR’s intention, subject to the satisfaction of certain 
conditions, to recognise the allocation to MNR of the Shaikan Government Option with effect from 1 August 2012. The treatment of the Shaikan 
Government Option is subject to the execution of a revised Shaikan PSC and the amounts received have been included in Other payables until this 
has been finalised. The balance of outstanding back‑costs as at 31 December 2016 is estimated at $71.0 million. The amount of $10.0 million relating 
to reduced Sheikh Adi PSC bonus due on commerciality was also included in Other payables (for further detail, see note 10).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

101

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

16. Long‑term borrowings and warrants
On 14 October 2016, the Company successfully completed the Restructuring which reduced the Company’s debt from over $600 million 
to $100 million through the partial conversion of the Guaranteed Notes and full conversion of the Convertible Bonds to common shares in 
the Company.

The impact of the Restructuring on the long‑term borrowing is as follows:

a) The Company’s convertible debt securities issued in 2012 and 2013 consisting of $325 million Convertible Bonds due on October 2017 

carrying a coupon of 6.25% payable on a bi‑annual basis (the “Convertible Bonds”) and the related accrued interest payable of $20.2 million 
were extinguished as a result of the Restructuring in consideration for 4,585,192,303 shares with a fair value of £0.012 ($0.0144) per share on 
14 October 2016. 
The Company’s three‑year senior guaranteed notes of $250 million (“Guaranteed Notes”), carrying a coupon of 13% per annum payable 
on a bi‑annual basis and freely tradeable, and the related accrued interest payable of $32.3 million were extinguished in consideration for 
15,031,035,578 common shares at a fair value price of £0.012 ($0.0144) per share. In addition, Reinstated Notes of $100 million were issued by 
the Company (see note 16b). 

The extinguishment of the Convertible Bonds and the Guaranteed Notes resulted in a net gain of $222.5 million as included in the Consolidated 
income statement.

b) On 14 October 2016, the Company issued $100 million of new guaranteed notes (“Reinstated Notes”). The unsecured Reinstated Notes are 

guaranteed by Gulf Keystone Petroleum International Limited, the Company’s subsidiary and their terms are the same as the Guaranteed Notes 
subject to the following amendments:

•  maturity date is 18 October 2021. At any time prior to maturity, the Reinstated Notes are redeemable in part or full at par and can therefore be 

refinanced without any prepayment penalty;

•  the Company will have the option to defer its interest payments until the maturity of the Reinstated Notes in PIK at 13% or pay in cash at 10% 

until 18 October 2018. From 19 October 2018, the Company is mandatorily liable to pay interest in cash at 10%;

•  the aggregate principal amount of the Reinstated Notes shall be increased by the amount of such PIK interest on the date such interest is due 

and interest will accrue on the increased principal amount from such date;

•  the Company will be permitted to raise up to $45 million of additional indebtedness at any time on market terms to fund capital and operating 

expenditure;

•  certain other amendments, including inter alia, the removal of security, removal of the Debt Service Reserve Account requirement and the 

extension of the grace periods in respect of certain events of default under the Reinstated Notes; and

•  cost of $12.0 million incurred in relation to Restructuring has been expensed.

The liabilities associated with the Reinstated Notes are presented in the following table:

Liability component at 1 January  

Liability component of the Guaranteed Notes at issue: 

Interest charged during the year 

Interest paid during the year  

Extinguishment of liability and related interest during the year 

Issue of Reinstated Notes at fair value 

Reinstated Notes interest capitalised during the year 

Liability component at 31 December  

Liability component reported in: 

Current liabilities (see note 15) 

Non‑current liabilities 

2016 
$’000 

2015 
$’000

555,374 

538,221

57,435 

70,056

— 

(52,903)

(612,809) 

96,405 

2,481 

—

—

—

98,886 

555,374

2016 
$’000 

2015 
$’000

— 

10,836

98,886 

544,538

98,886 

555,374

As part of the Restructuring, the interest payable relating to Convertible Bonds and Guaranteed Notes was extinguished. The interest charged 
was computed until 13 October 2016 by applying the effective rates on an annual basis to the liability component for the period. The effective 
interest rates for the initial $275 million convertible bond issue in October 2012 and the $50 million tap issue in October 2012 is 9.26% and 7.20%, 
respectively. The effective interest rate for the 2014 Notes is 19.7%. The interest capitalised on the Reinstated Notes was calculated using the 
effective interest rate of 12.11%.

For the year ended 31 December 2016, the Company recognised $2.5 million interest capitalised on the Reinstated Notes. This amount was 
capitalised as part of Other borrowings in the Consolidated balance sheet and no interest was accrued on the Reinstated Notes. The interest 
payment method will be reassessed prior to each interest payment date. Any difference from what was capitalised or accrued for the year ended 
31 December 2016 and the actual interest payment method selected will be adjusted prospectively.

The Reinstated Notes are traded on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the fair value at the prevailing market price as at the balance sheet 
date was:

Convertible Bonds 

2014 Notes  

Reinstated Notes 

Market 
price 

n/a 

n/a 

$0.972 

2016 
$’000 

— 

— 

97,229 

97,229 

2015 
$’000 

91,325

134,000

—

225,325

As of 31 December 2016, the Group’s remaining contractual liability comprising principal and interest based on undiscounted cash flows at the 
maturity date of the Reinstated Notes is as follows:

Within one year 

Within two to five years  

2016 
$’000 

— 

167,241 

167,241 

2015 
$’000

52,813

611,562

664,375

Following the Company’s announcement on 14 October 2016 of the completion of the Restructuring, the exercise price of the 40,000,000 
warrants in the Company issued pursuant to the Guaranteed Notes (the “Warrants”) was adjusted from $1.70 to $0.81 per Warrant, with effect from 
14 October 2016. Furthermore, following Share consolidation on 9 December 2016, the exercise price of the Warrants was adjusted from $0.81 
to $81.30 and the total number of post‑consolidation common shares with par value of $1.00 each in the Company to be issued upon exercise of 
the rights thereunder was adjusted from 40,000,000 pre‑consolidation common shares of $ 0.01 each to 400,000 new common shares of $1.00 
each with effect from 9 December 2016. The Warrants remain exercisable at the place where the relevant Warrant is deposited) up until the close of 
business on 18 April 2017.

17. Provisions

Current provisions 

Non‑current provisions 

Decommissioning provision 

At 1 January 2016 

New provisions and changes in estimates 

Unwinding of discount 

Release of provisions 

At 31 December 2016 

2016 
$’000 

7,461 

23,794 

31,255 

Current 
provisions 
(Algeria and 
Kurdistan) 
$’000 

Non‑current 
provisions 
(Kurdistan) 
$’000 

2015 
$’000

11,151

27,333

38,484

Total 
$’000

11,151 

27,333 

38,484

— 

8 

103 

691 

103

699

(3,698) 

(4,333) 

(8,031)

7,461 

23,794 

31,255

The provision for decommissioning is based on the net present value of the Group’s share of expenditure which may be incurred in the removal 
and decommissioning of the wells and facilities currently in place and restoration of the sites to their original state. This expenditure is estimated 
to be incurred over the next twelve months on Algerian assets and on the Ber Bahr block in Kurdistan which is in the process of relinquishment. 
The expenditure on the Shaikan block in Kurdistan is expected to take place over the next 26 years. 

The Group relinquished Akri‑Bijeel in December 2015 and executed the Akri‑Bijeel Termination and Settlement Agreement in respect of Akri‑Bijeel 
Joint Operating Agreement in June 2016 with no further liabilities payable by the Group. The balance of the decommissioning liability of $3.7 million 
was released and recognised as a gain in the Other gains in the Consolidated income statement.

As part of the agreement for relinquishment of the Sheikh Adi block, the MNR released the Group from its obligations to pay past liabilities resulting 
in the reversal of the decommissioning liability of $4.3 million against the cost of the asset (note 10).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

18. Deferred tax asset
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and prior 
reporting periods.

At 1 January 2015 

(Charge)/credit to income statement 

Charge direct to equity 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2015 

(Charge)/credit to income statement 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2016 

  Accelerated tax 
depreciation 
$’000 

Share‑based 
payments 
$’000 

Tax losses 
carried 
forward 
$’000 

(31) 

(79) 

— 

(1) 

(111) 

15 

14 

(82) 

763 

(630) 

57 

(32) 

158 

(132) 

10 

36 

— 

453 

— 

(17) 

436 

(11) 

(69) 

356 

Total 
$’000

732

(256)

57

(50)

483

(128)

(45)

310

19. Share capital
On 5 August 2016, the authorised share capital of the Company increased by $219.1 million from $73 million following a resolution passed at the 
Special General Meeting as shown in the table below:

Authorised

Common shares of $1.00 each (2015: $0.01 each) 

Non‑voting shares of $0.01 each 

Preferred shares of $1,000 each 

Series A Preferred shares of $1,000 each 

2016 
$’000 

2015 
$’000

231,605 

12,500

500 

20,000 

40,000 

292,105 

500

20,000

40,000

73,000

Balance 31 December 2014 

Share placement 

Issue costs of share placement 

Balance 31 December 2015 

Share placement 

Share consolidation 

Issue cost of share placement 

Balance 31 December 2016 

Common shares

Number 
of shares 
‘000 

Amount 
$’000 

 Share 
 capital 
 $’000 

Share 
premium 
$’000

892,238 

805,021 

8,922 

796,099

85,900 

40,693 

— 

(1,314) 

859 

— 

39,834

(1,314)

978,138 

844,400 

9,781 

834,619

21,964,819 

306,116 

219,649 

86,467

(22,713,527) 

— 

— 

(358) 

— 

— 

—

(358)

229,430 

1,150,158 

229,430 

920,728

At 31 December 2016, a total of 0.1 million common shares at $1.0 each were held by the EBT (2015: 6.4 million at $0.01 each) and 0.1 million shares 
at $1.00 each were held by the Exit Event Trustee (2015: 10.0 million at $0.01 each). All 0.2 million common shares were included within reserves 
(2015: 16.4 million). 

Rights attached to share capital
The holders of the common shares have the following rights (subject to the other provisions of the Bye‑laws):

i)  entitled to one vote per common share;
ii)  entitled to receive notice of, and attend and vote at, general meetings of the Company;
iii) entitled to dividends or other distributions; and
iv) in the event of a winding‑up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or for a reorganisation or otherwise or upon a 

distribution of capital, entitled to receive the amount of capital paid up on their common shares and to participate further in the surplus assets 
of the Company only after payment of the Series A Liquidation Value (as defined in the Bye‑laws) on the Series A Preferred Shares.

20. Reconciliation of loss from operations to net cash generated from operating activities

On 20 July 2016, the Company’s then largest shareholder, Capital Research and Management Company, as investment adviser to New World Fund, Inc. 
and SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. (“Capital”) subscribed for 54,294,991 common shares at the Open Offer price of $0.0109 per share. 

The Company successfully completed the Restructuring in October 2016. This reduced the Company’s debt from over $600 million to $100 million 
through full conversion of the Convertible Bonds to 4,585,192,303 common shares and partial conversion of the Guaranteed Notes to 15,031,035,578 
common shares (see note 16 for further details). In conjunction with the Restructuring, the Company also issued 2,294,295,672 common shares to 
the qualifying shareholders at a price of £0.01 per share through the Open Offer. 

On 9 December 2016, the Company completed the share consolidation following a resolution duly passed at the Company’s Annual General Meeting 
on 8 December 2016. The Share consolidation was effected to bring the number of common shares in issue in line with comparable London listed 
companies. The 22,942,956,605 common shares of $0.01 per share were consolidated and divided into 229,429,566 new common shares of $1.00 
each. The new common shares have the same rights and are subject to the same restrictions (save as to par value) as common shares in issue prior 
to consolidation. All existing options and warrants have been consolidated on the same 100:1 basis. 

Fractional entitlements of new common shares arising from the Share consolidation were aggregated and sold in the market. The net proceeds were 
donated to a charity designated by the Directors of the Company.

Profit/(loss) from operations 

Adjustments for:

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Share‑based payment expense 

Decrease in inventories 

Increase in receivables 

(Decrease)/increase in payables 

Net cash generated by operations 

Income tax received 

Net cash generated from operating activities 

2016 
$’000 

As restated 
2015 
$’000

26,046 

(81,697)

82,176 

74,707

38 

1,255 

2,573 

35

2,539

4,310

(22,129) 

(2,554)

(40,522) 

49,437 

182 

22,724

20,064

599

49,619 

20,663

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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105

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

21. Commitments
Operating lease commitments – the Group as a lessee

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised as expense for the year 

2016 
$’000 

3,936 

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding total commitments under non‑cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year 

In the second to fifth years inclusive 

2016 
$’000 

1,805 

1,617 

3,422 

2015 
$’000

3,765  

2015 
$’000

2,100 

2,572

4,672

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its office and residence properties and facilities and vehicle rentals in 
the United Kingdom and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The non‑cancellable operating leases within Kurdistan are for up to one year in duration.

Exploration and development commitments
Due to the nature of the Group’s operations in exploring and evaluating areas of interest and development of assets, it is difficult to accurately forecast 
the nature or amount of future expenditure.

Expenditure commitments on current permits for the Group could be reduced by selective relinquishment of exploration tenure, by the sale of assets 
or by the renegotiation of expenditure commitments. There is no significant capital commitment expected in the year ending 31 December 2017 for 
the Group (2016: $6.0 million, including the minimum amounts required to retain the relevant licences).

22. Share‑based payments

Share options charge 

2016 
$’000 

1,686 

1,686 

2015 
$’000

2,723

2,723

Value Creation Plan
On 12 December 2016 the Company awarded performance units under the 2016 Gulf Keystone Petroleum Value Creation Plan (“VCP”) to the 
Directors and persons discharging managerial responsibilities of the Company listed below:

Executive 

Jón Ferrier 

Sami Zouari 

Nadhim Zahawi  

Position 

Number of  
units awarded

CEO 

CFO 

CSO 

386,667

306,667

226,667

The award of performance units is based on a distribution of one‑third of the total awards each during the first year and, thereafter, 40% for the CEO; 
30% for the CFO and 20% for the CSO for the remainder of the plan, with the remaining 10% available for future distribution subject to Board decision. 

Participants in the VCP are selected at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. Awards under the VCP are granted in the form of performance 
units of which there are a maximum of 1,000,000 available.

The key terms and conditions of the VCP are set out below:

•  subject to the achievement of performance conditions, the VCP award may be converted into a number of nil cost options over a number of shares 

on five measurement dates over the five‑year life of the plan;

•  the value of the award is dependent on the extent to which the actual Total Shareholder Return exceeds the Threshold Total Shareholder Return at 

each measurement date;

•  the Threshold Total Shareholder Return (the “Hurdle”) will be equal to 8% per annum compound growth on each measurement date or the highest 

Total Shareholder Return if this is higher than the 8% compound rate;

•  the VCP limits the value on grant of nil‑cost options to $20 million for the whole plan. Once this limit has been reached no further nil‑cost options 

may be granted on that or any subsequent measurement date;

•  vesting of the nil‑cost options occurs following the third, fourth and fifth measurement dates should the performance parameters be achieved. 

At the third and fourth measurement date, 50% of earned nil‑cost options will vest subject to achievement of the Hurdle;

•  at the fifth measurement date, providing the Hurdle has been achieved i.e. 8% per annum increase in total shareholder return on a compound basis, 

100% of the outstanding nil‑cost options will vest. If the Hurdle has not been achieved, then the outstanding nil‑cost options will lapse; and
•  where there is a change of control of the Company before 31 December 2017, the terms of the VCP will not apply but the participants will share 

awards based on 2% of the value of the sale consideration less the value provided to employees under the SRP (described above). 

A charge of $0.06 million (2015: $nil) in relation to the VCP is included in the total share options charge. 

Staff Retention Plan 
At the 2016 Annual General Meeting, shareholders approved the adoption of the Gulf Keystone Petroleum 2016 Staff Retention Plan (“SRP”), which 
is designed to reward members of staff through the grant of share options at a zero exercise price. On 12 December 2016, the Company awarded 
1,401,500 share options to employees (2015: nil). 

The exercise of the awarded options is not subject to any performance conditions and can be exercise at any time after the three‑year vesting 
period but within ten years after the date of grant. If options are not exercised within ten years, the options will lapse and will not be exercisable. If an 
employee leaves the Company during the three years from the date of grant, the options will lapse on the date notice to leave is given to the Company. 
Should an employee be regarded as a good leaver, the options may be exercised at any time within a period of six months from departure date.

The inputs into the stochastic (binomial) valuation model were as follows:

Weighted average opening share price on date of grant (in pence) 

2016 

120.00  

2015

—

The expected volatility was calculated as 34.2% and has been based on the Company’s share price volatility averaged for the three years prior to 
grant date. 

The expected weighted average term of the new options is three years. The risk‑free rate was 0.32% for the new options.

The weighted average fair value of the options granted in 2016 was £1.20. 

The Company has not made a dividend payment to date, and as there is no expectation of making payments in the immediate future, the dividend 
yield variable has been set at zero for all grants. 

A charge of $0.04 million (2015: $nil) in relation to the SRP is included in the total share options charge. 

Equity‑settled share option plan
The Group’s share option plan provides for an exercise price at least equal to the closing market price of the Group shares on the date prior to 
grant. Awards made under the Group’s share option plan have a vesting period of at least three years except for awards made under the Long 
Term Incentive Plan, which vest in equal tranches over a minimum of three years subsequent to the achievement of a number of operational and 
market‑based performance conditions. Options expire if they remain unexercised after a period of ten years from the date of grant. The options 
granted in 2015 were made under the recruitment remuneration policy, vest in three equal tranches over two years, and expire if they remain 
unexercised after a period of seven years from the date of grant. Options are forfeited if the employee leaves the Group before the options vest. 
The Company has not made any awards during 2016 under this scheme. 

2016 

2015

Number of  

Weighted 
average 
share options  exercise price 
(pence) 

‘000 

Number of 
share options 
‘000 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)

Outstanding at 1 January 

Share consolidation (note 19) 

Outstanding at 1 January  

Granted during the year 

Forfeited during the year 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December  

35,967 

101.9 

35,770 

(35,607) 

10,088.1 

— 

360 

10,190.0 

35,770 

— 

— 

360 

309 

— 

— 

10,190.0 

10,599.0 

1,500 

(1,303) 

35,967 

24,158 

102.5

—

102.5

55.0

(75.0)

101.9

114.15

No options were exercised, granted or cancelled in 2016 (2015: 1.5 million options granted).

The options outstanding at 31 December 2016 had a weighted average exercise price of £102 (adjusted for consolidation, 2015: £102) and a weighted 
average remaining contractual life of four years.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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107

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

22. Share‑based payments continued
Equity‑settled share option plan continued
Share options outstanding at the end of the year have the following expiry date and exercise prices:

Expiry date 

13 February 2018 

9 July 2018 

9 July 2018 

24 September 2018 

31 December 2018 

15 March 2019 

30 July 2019 

23 June 2020 

22 September 2020 

6 February 2021 

19 June 2021 

7 July 2021 

14 July 2021 

21 July 2021 

19 September 2021 

26 October 2021 

25 November 2021 

23 January 2022 

20 March 2022 

8 July 2023 

24 April 2024 

Exercise price (pence) 

Options (’000)

2016 

3,000 

3,000 

7,500 

3,000 

3,000 

3,000 

3,000 

7,500 

14,750 

17,500 

14,625 

14,625 

14,625 

14,625 

15,250 

14,625 

19,450 

5,500 

19,450 

15,875 

9,975 

2015 

30.00 

30.00 

75.00 

30.00 

30.00 

30.00 

30.00 

75.00 

147.50 

175.00 

146.25 

146.25 

146.25 

146.25 

152.50 

146.25 

194.50 

55.00 

194.50 

158.75 

99.75 

2016 

11.0 

20.0 

16.3 

0.1 

13.4 

2.5 

10.0 

140.0 

2.5 

96.9 

5.5 

2.5 

2.5 

5.0 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

15.0 

4.0 

2.5 

2.5 

2015

1,100

2,000

1,628

6

1,344

250

1,000

13,999

250

9,690

550

250

250

500

250

250

250

1,500

400

250

250

Following the Restructuring, all options and warrants granted prior to 9 December 2016, have been consolidated on 100:1 basis (see note 19).

359.7 

35,967

Bonus shares
All shares in the Company’s Executive Bonus Scheme were issued by 31 December 2014. 

Exit Event Awards
On March 2012, the Remuneration Committee recommended that the Company make cash settled awards to certain Executive Directors and 
employees conditional on the occurrence of an Exit Event (as defined below) up to a maximum amount equivalent to the value of 0.1 million common 
shares (adjusted for consolidation on 100:1 basis) at the time of an Exit Event, and that a trustee (the “Exit Event Trustee”) be appointed to hold and, 
subject to the occurrence of an Exit Event, to sell sufficient common shares to satisfy the Exit Event Awards.

On 21 March 2012, the Board approved the Exit Event Awards to certain Executive Directors and employees, subject to the occurrence of an 
Exit Event, equivalent to the value of 0.02 million common shares (adjusted for consolidation on 100:1 basis). The Exit Event Trustee will hold the 
remaining 0.08 million common shares (adjusted for consolidation on 100:1 basis) to satisfy any future Exit Event Awards to full‑time employees 
of the Company and subsidiary companies, subject to the occurrence of an Exit Event, with such beneficiaries to be determined in due course. 
A further award of 0.01 million common shares (adjusted for consolidation on 100:1 basis) was made to staff in December 2013, with no additional 
Exit Event Awards made to Directors. The first tranche of Exit Event Awards expired in March 2017.

An Exit Event envisages a sale of either the Company or a substantial proportion (i.e. more than 50%) of its assets.

These share‑based payments are measured at the fair value of the associated liability at the year end. As at 31 December 2016, the fair value of Exit 
Event Awards was $nil (2015: $nil) based on the market value of the shares and the probability of the Exit Event occurring assessed as of that date. 

23. Related party transactions 
The Group has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries. The Company and its subsidiaries, in the ordinary course of business, enter into 
various sales, purchase and service transactions with joint operations in which the Group has a material interest. These transactions are under terms 
that are no less favourable to the Group than those arranged with third parties.

Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of the Directors and Officers, the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories 
specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. Those identified as key management personnel include the Directors of the Company and the 
following key personnel:

•  John Stafford – Vice President Operations;
•  Tony Peart – Legal and Commercial Director;
•  Umur Eminkahyagil – Kurdistan Country Manager;
•  Mohamed Messaoudi – Algeria Country Manager;
•  Nadhim Zahawi – Chief Strategy Officer;
•  Nadzeya Kernoha – Financial Controller;
•  Gabriel Papineau‑Legris – Commercial Director; and
•  Marie Ross – Legal Director and Company Secretary.

The values below are calculated in accordance with IAS 19 and IFRS 2. 

Short‑term employee benefits 

Other allowances 

Share‑based payment – options 

2016 
$’000 

5,136 

— 

302 

5,438 

2015 
$’000

6,357

746

794

7,897

Further information about the remuneration of individual Directors is provided in the Directors’ emoluments section of the Remuneration 
committee report.

24. Financial instruments

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents 

Loans and receivables 

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables 

Reinstated Note 

Convertible Bonds (Level 1)   

2014 Notes (Level 1) 

2016 
$’000 

2015 
$’000

92,870 

40,976 

43,641

15,223

133,846 

58,864

41,844 

98,886 

— 

— 

127,399

—

310,444

234,094

140,730 

671,937

All loans and payables, except for the Reinstated Notes and the prior year Convertible Bonds and 2014 Notes, are due to be settled within one year 
and are classified as current liabilities.

The maturity profile and fair values of the Reinstated Notes and the prior year Convertible Bonds and 2014 Notes are disclosed in note 16. 
The maturity profile of all other financial liabilities is indicated by their classification in the balance sheet as “current” or “non‑current”.  
Further information relevant to the Group’s liquidity position is disclosed in the Directors’ report under “Going concern”. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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109

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

24. Financial instruments continued
Fair value hierarchy
In line with IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement the Group uses the following hierarchy for determining the fair value of financial instruments by 
valuation technique:

•  Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; 
•  Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly; 

and

•  Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded value that are not based on observable market data.

Capital risk management
The Group manages its capital to ensure that the entities within the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising the return 
to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements. 
The capital structure of the Group consists of cash, cash equivalents, Reinstated Notes and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, 
comprising issued capital, reserves and accumulated losses as disclosed in note 19, the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income and 
the Consolidated statement of changes in equity.

Capital structure
The Group’s Board of Directors reviews the capital structure on a regular basis and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic 
conditions. As part of this review, the Board considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. 

On 14 October 2016, the Group successfully completed the Restructuring reducing the Group’s debt from over $600 million to $100 million of the 
Reinstated Notes through the partial conversion of the Guaranteed Notes and full conversion of the Convertible Bonds to the Company’s common 
shares. The Reinstated Notes give the Group an option to defer the payment of the first two years of interest until the maturity of the Reinstated Notes 
(see note 16 for further details). The Group also has the flexibility to raise additional debt of up to $45 million through the use of the Super Senior Debt 
Basket and the General Debt Basket. The Reinstated Notes do not contain a Debt Service Reserve Account requirement freeing up $32.5 million of 
cash for general use. In conjunction with the Restructuring, the Group completed a successful $25.0 million Open Offer on 14 October 2016. 

The Group has seen a significant improvement in the pattern of cash receipts from the MNR for the oil sent for export with the total receipts of 
$114 million net to the Group in 2016 and further receipts of $36 million in the first quarter of 2017 in relation to 2016 sales. 

Significant accounting policies
Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the basis on 
which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in the 
Summary of significant accounting policies.

Financial risk management objectives
The Group’s management monitors and manages the financial risks relating to the operations of the Group. These financial risks include market risk 
(including commodity price, currency and fair value interest rate risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow interest rate risk.

The Group currently has no currency risk or other hedges against financial risks as the benefit of entering into such agreements is not considered 
to be significant enough as to outweigh the significant cost and administrative burden associated with such hedging contracts. The Group does not 
use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

The risks are closely reviewed by the Board on a regular basis and steps are taken where necessary to ensure these risks are minimised.

Market risk
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, oil prices and changes in interest rates 
in relation to the Group’s cash balances. The operating currencies of the Group are British pounds (“GBP”), US dollars (“USD”), Algerian dinars 
(“DZD”) and Iraqi dinars (“IQD”). 

The Group’s exposure to currency risk is low as the Reinstated Notes are denominated in USD, which is the main currency for the Group’s 
transactions, and following the utilisation of sterling funds from previous equity raises. During the year the majority of funds raised in the GBP equity 
issue were converted to USD at the spot rate, with a small balance being held in GBP to meet GBP denominated expenditure. Previously, currency 
hedges were entered into to address foreign currency risk arising when entering into funding transactions in GBP. 

There have been no changes to the Group’s exposure to other market risks or any changes to the manner in which the Group manages and measures 
the risk. The Group does not hedge against the effects of movement in oil prices. The risks are monitored by the Board on a regular basis.

Foreign currency risk management
The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies, being any currency other than the functional currency of the Group 
subsidiary concerned. Hence, exposures to exchange rate fluctuations arise. 

At 31 December 2016, a 10% weakening or strengthening of the US dollar against the other currencies in which the Group’s monetary assets and 
monetary liabilities are denominated would not have a material effect on the Group’s net current assets or loss before tax.

Interest rate risk management
The Group’s policy on interest rate management is agreed at the Board level and is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The current policy is to maintain a 
certain amount of funds in the form of cash for short‑term liabilities and have the rest on relatively short‑term deposits, usually one month’s notice to 
maximise returns and accessibility. Under the terms of the Reinstated Notes, the Group has the option to pay interest in PIK at 13% or in cash at 10% 
until 18 October 2018. From 19 October 2018, the Group is mandatorily liable to pay interest in cash at 10%. 

Interest rate sensitivity analysis
Based on the exposure to the interest rates for cash and cash equivalents at the balance sheet date, a 0.5% increase or decrease in interest rates 
would not have had a material impact on the Group’s loss for the year or the previous year. A rate of 0.5% is used as it represents management’s 
assessment of the reasonably possible changes in interest rates.

Credit risk management
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. As at 
31 December 2016, the maximum exposure to credit risk from a trade receivable outstanding from one customer is $36 million (2015: $12 million). 

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties for a significant portion of the cash and cash equivalents at the balance sheet 
date are banks with good credit ratings assigned by international credit‑rating agencies.

Liquidity risk management
Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board of Directors. It is the Group’s policy to finance its business by means of 
internally generated funds, external share capital and debt. In common with many exploration companies, the Group raises finance for its exploration 
and appraisal activities in discrete tranches to finance its activities for limited periods. The Group seeks to raise further funding as and when required. 

25. Change in accounting policy
The Group changed its accounting for its oil and gas assets from modified full cost to successful efforts during the year. The latter method allows 
the Group to capitalise only those expenditures associated with successfully locating new oil and natural gas reserves. All costs that are related to 
unsuccessful efforts are expensed. Prior to this change in policy, unsuccessful exploration and evaluations costs were retained within the intangible 
non‑current assets and depreciated on a UOP basis by reference to the commercial reserves of the wider geographic pool.

The Group believes that the adoption of the successful efforts method will make the Group’s financial statements more comparable to those of its 
peers as it is a more widely used method and will better reflect the economic substance of the Group’s financial performance.

In line with the requirements of IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, this change in accounting policy is 
accounted for retrospectively. As a result, the Group has restated its 2015 Consolidated financial statements. No adjustments to the period prior 
to 2015 are required as there were no unsuccessful exploration expenditures prior to 2015.

The effect of the change in accounting policy has been adjusted by restating each of the affected financial statement line items for the prior period, 
as follows:

Consolidated balance sheet

Intangible assets (decrease) 

Consolidated income statement

Impairment expense (increase) 

Loss per share (increase)  

Basic (cents) 

Diluted (cents) 

31 December  
2015 
$’000

(78,987)

(78,987)

(8.43)

(8.43)

26. Contingent liabilities
The Group has a contingent liability of $27 million (net to GKP) in relation to the proceeds from the sale of test production in the period prior 
to the approval of the Shaikan Field Development Plan in July 2013. The PSC does not appear to address expressly any party’s rights to this 
pre‑Development Plan petroleum. This suggests strongly that there must have been some other agreement, understanding or arrangement 
between GKP and the KRG as to how this pre‑Development Plan petroleum would be lifted and sold. The sales were made based on sales contracts 
with domestic offtakers which were approved by the KRG. The Group believes that the receipts from these sales of pre‑Development Plan petroleum 
are for the account of the Contractor (GKP and MOL), rather than the KRG and accordingly recorded them as test revenue in prior years. However, 
the KRG has requested a repayment of these amounts and we are currently involved in discussions with them to resolve this matter.

27. Events after the balance sheet date
In March 2017, considering the current healthy cash balance and regularity of payments from the MNR, the Group has decided to pay its 
upcoming Reinstated Notes coupon of $5.0 million at 10% interest rate on 18 April 2017, even though it has the option to postpone it to maturity 
(at 13% interest rate). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
110

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited       Annual report and accounts 2016

111

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS

GLOSSARY

proved reserves

IFRSs  

International Financial Reporting Standards

Registered office
Cumberland House 
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street 
Hamilton HM11  
Bermuda

Directors
Keith Lough
Non‑Executive Chairman

Jón Ferrier
Chief Executive Officer

Sami Zouari
Chief Financial Officer

Philip Dimmock
Non‑Executive Director

Garrett Soden
Non‑Executive Director

David Thomas
Non‑Executive Director

Bermudan Company Secretary
Coson Corporate Services Ltd
Cumberland House 
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street 
Hamilton HM11 
Bermuda

Bermudan Legal Adviser
Cox Hallett Wilkinson
Cumberland House 
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street 
PO Box HM 1561 
Hamilton HM FX 
Bermuda

Algerian Legal Adviser
Thompson & Knight
Cabinet Yassine 
Parc Paradou 
Rue No 3 
Villa 4.5, Hydra 
Algiers 
Algeria

UK Solicitor
Memery Crystal LLP
44 Southampton Buildings 
London WC2A 1AP 
United Kingdom

Auditor
Deloitte LLP
2 New Street Square 
London EC4A 3BZ 
United Kingdom

Registrars
Computershare Investor Services (Jersey) Ltd
Queensway House 
Hilgrove Street 
St Helier 
Jersey JE1 1ES 
Channel Islands

Joint Corporate Brokers
Canaccord Genuity Limited
88 Wood Street 
London EC2V 7QR 
United Kingdom

Peel Hunt LLP
Moor House 
120 London Wall  
London EC2Y 5ET 
United Kingdom

Financial Advisers
Citigroup Global Markets Limited
33 Canada Square 
London E14 5LB 
United Kingdom

Bankers
Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Ltd
65 Front Street 
PO Box HM 195 
Hamilton HM AX 
Bermuda

Barclays Bank PLC
Level 27 
One Churchill Place  
London E14 5HP 
United Kingdom

Byblos Bank S.A.L – Iraq
Street 60 – Near Sports Stadium 
PO Box 34‑0383  
Erbil  
Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Byblos Bank S.A.L – UK
Berkeley Square House 
Suite 5, Berkeley Square  
London W1J 6BS 
United Kingdom

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
43 Curzon Street 
London W1J 7UF 
United Kingdom

1P 

2C  

2P  

3P 

AGM  

bbl  

bopd  

CBF  

CPR  

CSR  

best estimate of contingent resources 

proved plus probable reserves 

proved plus probable plus possible reserves 

Annual General Meeting

barrel

barrels of oil per day

competency based framework

Competent Person’s Report

corporate social responsibility

DD&A  

depreciation, depletion and amortisation

E&E  

E&P  

EBT  

EIR 

exploration and evaluation

exploration and production

employee benefit trust

effective interest rate

ERCE  

ERC Equipoise

Excalibur  

Excalibur Ventures LLC

FDP  

Field Development Plan

FVTPL 

fair value through profit and loss

GKP 

GKPI 

HSSE  

HiPos 

Gulf Keystone Petroleum

Gulf Keystone Petroleum International

health, safety, security and environment

high potential near‑miss incident

i

S
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r
a
t
e
g
c
r
e
p
o
r
t

G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

IOCs 

KPI  

KRG  

LTI  

LTIP  

international oil companies

key performance indicator

Kurdistan Regional Government

lost time incident

Long‑Term Incentive Plan

MMstb 

million stock tank barrels

MNR  

MOL 

NED 

PF‑1  

PF‑2  

PIK 

PSCs  

PtW 

SGM 

SH  

SRP 

TKI  

TSR  

UOP  

VCP 

WI  

Ministry of Natural Resources

MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas Plc

Non‑Executive Director

Shaikan production facility‑1

Shaikan production facility‑2 

Payment‑in‑Kind

production sharing contracts

Permit to Work

Special General Meeting

Shaikan

Staff Retention Plan

Texas Keystone, Inc 

total shareholder return

unit of production

Value Creation Plan

working interest

i

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c
a
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l

i

A
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d
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i
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n
a

l

i

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m
a
t
i
o
n

 
 
112

Gulf Keystone Petroleum       Annual report and accounts 2016

KEY SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENTS 2016/17

5 August 2016
Special General Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland

8 December 2016
2016 AGM – Dublin, Ireland

22 September 2016 
Interim results announcement

6 April 2017 
2016 results announcement

5‑6 December 2016
Kurdistan‑Iraq Oil & Gas conference 2016, London, UK

16 June 2017 
2017 AGM – Brussels, Belgium

GULF KEYSTONE WEBSITE
For all up‑to‑date information regarding the operational and commercial 
activities of the Company please refer to our corporate website. 

www.gulfkeystone.com

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Iraq
Gulf Keystone Petroleum
International Ltd.
3rd Floor
UB Centre
Bakhtyari
Erbil
Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Bermuda
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.
Cumberland House
9th Floor, 1 Victoria Street
PO Box 1561
Hamilton HMFX
Bermuda

UK
Gulf Keystone Petroleum (UK) Ltd.
6th Floor
New Fetter Place
8‑10 New Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1AZ
United Kingdom

Algeria
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.
122 Lotissement Aissat Idir
Chéraga
Alger
Algeria

GULF KEYSTONE PETROLEUM