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FY2011 Annual Report · Informatica
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InfraStrata plc

2011 Annual Report &
Financial Statement

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Chairman’s statement
Chief Executive’s operating review

- Corporate and social responsibility

Directors, secretary, advisors and shareholder information
Report of the Directors

- Directors of the Company
- Corporate governance
- Directors’ reponsibilities
Independent auditor’s report
Financial statements and notes

- Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
- Consolidated statement of financial position
- Company statement of financial position
- Consolidated statement of changes in equity
- Company statement of changes in equity
- Consolidated statement of cash flows
- Company statement of cash flows
- Notes to the financial statements

Letter from the Chairman
Notice of the Annual General Meeting
Proxy form

InfraStrata plc

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

The  past  financial  year  has  been  another  challenging  year  for  your 
company but against a general backdrop of economic uncertainty we 
have made discernible progress towards defining the road ahead.

In the year to 31 July 2011, there has been no significant improvement 
in the gas storage market although I am pleased to report that, whilst 
a  number  of  gas  storage  projects  remained  on  hold  within  the  UK, 
we have managed to achieve progress in the year on the introduction 
of  partners  in  both  the  Portland  and  Islandmagee  projects.  Market 
difficulties have been widely publicised and indeed they were foreseen 
and  articulated  at  the  successful  gas  storage  seminar  hosted  by 
InfraStrata in September 2010. The seminar was attended by over 120 
professionals  drawn  from  City  institutions,  gas  storage  developers, 
Ofgem, DECC and the media. Against these difficulties we have made 
some progress but the rate of progress has been slower than we would 
have  wished  albeit  for  reasons  outside  of  our  control.  It  has  been  a 
year in which we have moved forward and re-positioned ourselves to 
benefit not only from developments in the gas storage market but also 
from traditional oil and gas exploration.

In addition to the completion of planning implementation work on the 
wellpad area at Upper Osprey within the Portland gas storage project - 
fully funded by our partner, eCORP International LLC - we have been 
pursuing  our  plan  to  secure  planning  permission  for  the  project  at 
Islandmagee in Northern Ireland. The process in Northern Ireland has 
taken longer than initially envisaged but is now approaching the final 
stages and we are hopeful of positive news. In the meantime we have 
secured the interest of a major energy company as potential partner in 
this project and have entered into an exclusivity agreement with them 
under which we have until 31 January 2012 to finalise terms.

Whilst  we  remain  focused  upon  the  development  of  gas  storage 
capacity  within  the  UK  we  have  also  expanded  our  interest  into  oil 
and  gas  exploration  based  on  areas  sited  in  and  around  the  existing 
areas  in  which  we  have  a  commitment  to  storage.  To  fund  our 
exploration  programmes  yet  preserve  cash,  we  sought  participation 
from investors at the project level rather than through direct dilution. 
This  was  successfully  achieved  by  obtaining  funding  at  subsidiary 
company  level  to  raise  £3m  before  costs  split  equally  between  two 
previously wholly owned subsidiaries. Through InfraStrata’s continued 
significant  interest  in  these  subsidiaries  we  hope  to  benefit  from  an 
active exploration programme planned over the next financial year.

Your Board has considered the matter of remuneration for the executive 
team and our decision has been again to freeze salaries for the coming 
year  but  keep  under  review  the  matter  of  reward  through  the  share 
incentive scheme. This decision continues to be based primarily upon 
the current economic situation and financial outlook and in no way 
reflects  adversely  upon  the  performance  of  the  team  which  remains 
one of total dedication and diligence.

In conclusion I would like to thank our shareholders for their continued 
support during difficult economic times and offer my appreciation for 
the continuing efforts of the executive team on your behalf.

Ken Ratcliff,
Non-Executive Chairman

InfraStrata plc

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Over the past six years the Company has been 
developing  two  strategically  important  gas 
storage  projects  in  the  UK,  at  Portland  in 
Dorset and Islandmagee in Antrim. Progress 
has  continued  to  be  made  with  both  these 
projects during the year. 

The Company was awarded its first petroleum 
exploration 
licence  during  the  year.  Its 
exploration  activities  are  focused  on  the 
Permo-Triassic  sedimentary  basins  of  the 
western  part  of  the  United  Kingdom  close 
to  existing  gas  storage  project  areas,  Antrim 
in Northern Ireland and Dorset in Southern 
England.

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Antrim, Northern Ireland

InfraStrata has a 65% interest in the Islandmagee gas storage project, together 
with  its  partner  Moyle  Energy  Investments  Limited  (35%),  a  wholly  owned 
subsidiary of Mutual Energy Limited, the operator of existing gas and electricity 
infrastructure in Northern Ireland. A planning application for the project was 
submitted in March 2010 to the Northern Ireland Planning Service. 

The  proposed  500  million  cubic  metres  (“mcm”)  gas  storage  facility  will  be 
the largest on the island of Ireland and make a significant contribution to the 
security of gas supplies. The facility is being designed to inject gas at 12mcm and 
withdraw gas at 22mcm per day. 

In September 2011 the Company, together with its partner, entered into exclusive 
negotiations  with  a  major  energy  company  (potential  partner)  regarding  the 
appraisal and the option to acquire an equity interest in Islandmagee Storage 
Limited, the Islandmagee project company. Under the terms of an Exclusivity 
Agreement the potential partner paid a consideration of £200,000, which was 
used  to  complete  part  of  the  land  purchase  for  the  Islandmagee  gas  storage 
project. The potential partner has been granted until 31 January 2012 to finalise 
terms with InfraStrata and Moyle, whereby it could acquire a significant equity 
interest in the project, in return for funding the activities to develop the project 
to the point where a decision can be made to commit to construction.

The  planning  process  in  Northern  Ireland  has  been  more  drawn-out  than 
anticipated  at  the  time  of  submission  in  2010,  with  a  determination  of  the 
planning  application  now  expected  in  2012.  Subject  to  planning  permission 
being  granted  for  the  project  during  the  first  half  of  2012,  it  is  hoped  that 
drilling of the first well from the site will take place during 2012.

A  petroleum  exploration  licence  PL1/10  in  the  central  part  of  the  Larne  - 
Lough Neagh Basin was awarded in March 2011. The licence covers an area of 
663 square kilometres. The initial licence term is five years with a decision on 
drilling a well required within three years. InfraStrata is operator of the licence 
and holds a 30% direct interest, with an additional net 20% interest via a 50% 
shareholding  in  partner  company  IS  E&P  Limited  (now  renamed  Brigantes 
Energy Limited) which has a 40% interest. The other partners in the licence are 
Nautical Petroleum plc (20%) and Terrain Energy Limited (10%).

The sedimentary section is over 4,000 metres thick in the most deeply buried 
parts of the basin within Licence PL1/10. The exploration is conventional with 
the primary reservoir target the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone, the reservoir in 
the giant Morecambe Bay gasfield in the East Irish Sea Basin. The regional seal 
is the Mercia Mudstone Formation. Secondary targets are sandstone reservoirs 
within the Permian and Carboniferous sequences. Although no deep wells have 
been  drilled  in  the  central  part  of  the  Larne-Lough  Neagh  Basin,  potential 
Carboniferous oil and gas source rocks have been identified in wells drilled on 
the margins of the basin for coal exploration. 

A seismic programme comprising 275 line kilometres of 2D data was acquired 
between mid-September and early November 2011. 

It is hoped that the results of the seismic data, expected during Q1 2012, will 
lead to the drilling of an exploratory well. Ideally, drilling can be coordinated 
with  the  planned  well  for  the  Islandmagee  gas  storage  project  to  optimise 
expenditure. 

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InfraStrata plc

 
 
 
Dorset, England

InfraStrata has a 50% interest in the Portland gas storage project, together with 
partner  eCORP  International,  LLC  (“eCORP”).  Planning  permission  for  the 
project was granted in May 2008 by Dorset County Council, and implemented in 
June 2011 following completion of some permanent works within the wellpad area 
at Upper Osprey on the Isle of Portland.

eCORP and InfraStrata are currently undertaking a full review of the options for 
the development of the project, a process expected to be completed in Q1 2012. 
These options include the potential to introduce new finance for a phased project 
development at the Portland site. It is hoped this will lead to an accelerated level of 
activity during 2012.

In April 2010, the Company submitted an application to the Department of Energy 
and  Climate  Change  (“DECC”)  in  the  26th  Licensing  Round  for  a  petroleum 
exploration  licence  covering  3  offshore  Blocks  adjacent  to  the  Dorset  coast  and 
close  to  the  Portland  gas  storage  project  and  the  giant  Wytch  Farm  oilfield.  
Subject  to  award  of  the  licence  and  approval  of  licence  interest  assignments  by 
DECC, InfraStrata will be the operator with a 28% direct interest, together with 
an additional net 6% interest via a 50% shareholding in partner company IS NV 
Limited (now renamed Corfe Energy Limited) which would have a 12% interest. 
The other partners in the licence would be eCORP Oil & Gas UK Limited (50%) 
and Nautical Petroleum plc (10%).

InfraStrata plc

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CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Portland Gas Limited continues to support local communities in its area of operation. The Portland Gas Trust is a registered charity that 
supports initiatives around education, geology and the environment.  This year the Trust has continued to support local projects both 
financially and in kind through the services of Community Liaison Officer Rachel Barton.  Over the year the Trust received various 
applications for funding.  The Trust has continued to support suitable local applications and those that fitted with the Trust’s objectives 
were successful.

A successful application to Awards for All enabled the Trust to develop some new projects.  Working with the Council Dog Warden, a new 
leaflet was produced with information on responsible dog ownership when walking on Portland.  The Trust also produced a car sticker for 
dog owners to display promoting picking up after your pet.  These have been very well received and the Trust will be hosting a dog owners 
and family fun day to educate people and promote awareness. The grant also funded four new marquees which the Trust will use for any 
events held by the Trust.

Work on the Old Engine Shed site continues and scrub and brambles are still being cleared.  More stone walling courses 
are being organised.  A successful course run by the Dorset Dry Stone Walling Association meant that a whole new 
section of wall was repaired during the summer of 2011.

The Trust supported Royal Manor Arts College students who were reporting on the Jurassic Coast and 
the impact of coastal erosion.  It also funded the polo shirts for the students which were embroidered 
with the Trust logo.

Support for the Island Ranger post continues and the Trust has funded the new wildlife packs and 
walk cards for the island.  The Trust has again sponsored the Budmouth College Geology Award.  
A donation was made to the Piddlehinton Church fete.

The Trust has continued to meet with the local authorities to discuss options for activities 
and events around the engine shed for the 2012 games.  It is the intention of the Trust 
to have activities and events for the local community during this time.  The Trust 
intends to organize some activities to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond jubilee.

The Trust will continue to work with the Young Offenders Institute on 
Portland and the Ranger service to carry out environmental improvements 
along the East Weares area.

Subject to obtaining planning permission and full project funding, 
Islandmagee  Storage  Limited  intends  to  set  up  a  Trust  with 
objectives  around  education,  geology  and  the  environment.    An 
initial  investment  of  £1  million  over  three  years,  with  a  further 
£50,000  per  annum  for  a  minimum  of  six  years  thereafter  is 
planned.  Consultation with local residents and interest groups 
indicated that there is a need to upgrade the community centre.  
Islandmagee Storage Limited has agreed to assist with this as 
part  of  its  primary  investment  phase  which  in  turn  will 
help  with  the  development  of  the  Gobbins  tourism 
project sponsored by Larne Borough Council.

The  company  is  talking  to  local  residents  and 
community  groups  in  the  Larne  Lough  area  with 
regard  to  ideas  and  initiatives  which  could  be 
funded  through  the  proposed  Trust.  In  June 
2010 they appointed local businesswoman 
Judith  Tweed  as  Community  Liaison 
Consultant,  in  order  to  collate  a 
wide  range  of  ideas  for  potential 
funding.

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InfraStrata plc

DIRECTORS, SECRETARY, ADVISORS AND 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Directors

Resigned 1 February 2011:

Resigned 3 December 2010:

Appointed 1 February 2011:

Kenneth Maurice Ratcliff (Non-executive Chairman)
Andrew David Hindle (Chief Executive Officer)
Craig Stuart Gouws (Chief Financial Officer)
Walter Rookehurst Roberts (Legal and Commercial Director)
Mark Anthony William Abbott (Non-executive Director)
Jonathan Richard Davie (Non-executive Director)
Maurice Edward Hazzard (Non-executive Director)
William Colvin (Non-executive Director)

Company secretary

Walter Rookehurst Roberts

Registrars

Registered office

Principal office

Auditor

Tax advisors

Blackstable House
Longridge
Sheepscombe
Stroud
Gloucestershire, GL6 7QX

80 Hill Rise
Richmond
Surrey, TW10 6UB

Nexia Smith & Williamson
1 Bishops Wharf, Walnut Tree Close
Guildford
Surrey, GU1 4RA

Smith & Williamson Limited
1 Bishops Wharf, Walnut Tree Close
Guildford
Surrey, GU1 4RA

Capita Registrars Limited
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent, BR3 4TH

Seymour Pierce Limited
20 Old Bailey
London, EC4M 7EN 

Nominated advisor 
and broker 

Solicitors

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP
35 Vine Street
London, EC3N 2AA

Bankers

Bank of Scotland plc
33 Old Broad Street
London, EC2N 1HZ

Investor and
public relations

Buchanan Communications Limited
107 Cheapside
London, EC2V 6DN

InfraStrata plc

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REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2011

The  directors  have  pleasure  in  presenting  their  report  and  audited 
financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2011.

Islandmagee gas storage project

Principal activity and review of business

The  principal  activities  of  the  Group  throughout  the  year  were  the 
development  of  sub-surface  gas  storage  facilities  and  petroleum 
exploration.

General

InfraStrata plc is incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales.

Business review

During the year the Group continued to develop its gas storage and 
petroleum exploration business. 

Fundraising

In Q1 2011 the Company completed a round of funding comprising 
two  elements. Firstly, in February 2011, a  placing  of  4,095,000 new 
ordinary  shares  at  22p  per  share  raised  £900,900  before  expenses. 
The  shares  were  placed  by  Seymour  Pierce  Limited  with  an  existing 
institutional investor. The net proceeds of the placing receivable by the 
Company are being applied to support both the development of the 
Islandmagee Storage Project until the introduction of a new partner, 
and  the  committed  expenditure  programme  of  InfraStrata  through 
its  2011/12  financial  year.  Secondly,  in  March  2011,  InfraStrata 
completed a funding exercise for its petroleum exploration programme 
for 2011 and 2012.

The second round of funding was undertaken at subsidiary company 
and project level. A private placing of shares raised £3 million before 
costs, split equally between two previously wholly owned subsidiaries 
of InfraStrata; Brigantes Energy Limited and Corfe Energy Limited. 
Following the placing of new shares, which was managed by Seymour 
Pierce Limited, the new investors hold 50% of the issued share capital 
of  each  of  the  Companies,  with  the  balance  retained  by  InfraStrata. 
InfraStrata assigned 40% of its rights for petroleum exploration licence 
PL1/10 in Northern Ireland to Brigantes Energy Limited and 12% of 
any future exploration rights close to the gas storage project at Portland, 
Dorset to Corfe Energy Limited. The funds raised are being used to 
fund the the next £3m of their respective exploration costs, the first 
project of which being the £2m exploration programme in Northern 
Ireland. At the same time as the private placing, InfraStrata farmed out 
to Nautical Petroleum plc 20% of its exploration rights under licence 
PL1/10  and  a  further  10%  to  Terrain  Energy  Limited.  Under  these 
agreements InfraStrata’s costs through the initial exploration phase of 
the project are carried.

The Company also farmed out 10% of any future exploration rights 
close to the gas storage project at Portland to Nautical Petroleum plc.

A  planning  application  for  the  project  was  submitted  to  the 
Northern  Ireland  Planning  Service  in  March  2010.  The  focus  of 
the  work  during  the  financial  year  was  supporting  the  planning 
application and managing a process to introduce a partner to fund 
the project through the next stage including the drilling of a well. 

After  year  end,  in  September  2011,  the  Company  announced 
that it had entered into exclusive negotiations, for a consideration 
of  £200,000,  with  a  major  energy  company  regarding  an  option 
to  acquire  a  significant  equity  interest  in  Islandmagee  Storage 
Limited, the Islandmagee project company.

Portland gas storage project

Planning permission for this project was granted in May 2008 by 
Dorset County Council and implemented in June 2011 following 
completion of permanent works within the wellpad area at Upper 
Osprey  on  the  Isle  of  Portland.  InfraStrata  has  a  50%  interest  in 
the  project  together  with  partner  eCORP  International,  LLC 
(“eCORP”).  eCORP  acquired  its  50%  interest  in  the  project  in 
October  2010  for  agreeing  to  fund  the  on-going  expenditure  of 
Portland Gas Limited (up to the next £22.9m), subject to options 
to exit the project by relinquishing its equity interest.  At 31 July 
2011, eCORP had invested £1.2m into Portland Gas Limited.

The  Pipeline  Construction  Authorisation  from  the  Department 
of Energy and Climate Change was most recently renewed in July 
2011. Applications were submitted in July 2011 to Dorset County 
Council  for  a  renewal  of  planning  permissions  for  permanent 
facilities associated with the pipeline and temporary construction 
sites. In addition to securing the planning and pipeline construction 
consents for the project, work continued through the financial year 
on securing land rights for the gas pipeline, a process which is now 
reaching completion.

Petroleum exploration activities

During  the  financial  year  the  main  conventional  exploration 
activities  were  focused  on  the  central  part  of  the  Larne  -  Lough 
Neagh Basin following the award of petroleum exploration licence 
PL1/10 in March 2011. The licence covers an area of 663 square 
kilometres.  The  initial  licence  term  is  five  years  with  a  decision 
on  drilling  a  well  required  within  three  years.  InfraStrata  is  the 
operator  of  the  licence  and  holds  a  30%  direct  interest,  with  an 
additional  net  20%  interest  via  a  50%  shareholding  in  partner 
company  Brigantes  Energy  Limited  (formerly  IS  E&P  Limited) 
which  has  a  40%  interest.  The  other  partners  in  the  licence  are 
Nautical Petroleum plc (20%) and Terrain Energy Limited (10%). 
The acquisition of approximately 275 line kilometres of 2D seismic 
data  commenced  in  mid-September  2011  and  was  completed  in 
early November 2011. 

The  Company  is  awaiting  the  result  of  an  application  submitted 
to  the  Department  of  Energy  and  Climate  Change  in  the  26th 
Offshore Licensing Round for an area in the English Channel near 
the Portland gas storage project. 

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InfraStrata plc

Health, safety and environment

There  were  no  reportable  health,  safety  or  environmental  incidents 
during the period.

Key performance indicators

Key performance indicators are used by the Board to monitor progress 
against predetermined objectives.

Key  performance  indicators  include  identification  of  new  economic 
project  opportunities,  submission  of  project  planning  applications 
in  accordance  with  project  scheduling,  project  development  in 
accordance with project development programme and Group working 
capital management.

The Board’s expectation was met by activity during the year, including 
but not limited to:

•	 Completing the funding exercise in March 2011 for Corfe Energy 
Limited and Brigantes Energy Limited, with city institutions and 
industry partners for its petroleum exploration programme.

•	 The prudent application of available cash resources.
•	
Issuance of new capital to meet working capital requirements.
•	 Completion  of  the  Portland  Gas  Limited  disposal  transaction 

Strategic and external risks - failure to manage and grow 
the business while creating shareholder value
•	

Future deterioration of capital markets, reducing ability to raise 
new equity funding

•	 Misalignment with co-venturers 
•	
•	 Mix of storage and upstream interests

Shareholder sentiment

There is no assurance that the Group’s exploration and development 
activities will be successful. The Directors seek to manage and mitigate 
these risks by developing a balanced portfolio of projects, recruitment 
and retention of suitably skilled personnel, through compliance with 
applicable legislation and careful management of cash resources and 
requirements.  

The successful progression of the Group’s activities depends not only 
on  technical  success,  but  also  on  the  ability  of  the  Group  to  obtain 
appropriate financing through equity financing, farm downs, disposing 
of interest in projects or other means. If the Group is unable to obtain 
additional  financing  needed  to  fulfil  its  planned  work  programmes 
some  interests  may  be  relinquished  and/or  the  scope  of  operations 
reduced.

Share capital

•	

with eCORP. 
Progressing the proposed Islandmagee Storage Limited funding 
transaction.

On  the  21  December  2010  the  Company  allotted  365,125  new 
ordinary shares of 10 pence each to the Executive Directors at 13.42 
pence each in lieu of cash bonuses due to the value of £49,000.

Principal risk factors

The Directors are responsible for the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 
management activities and internal control processes. As a participant 
in the gas storage development and upstream oil & gas industries, the 
Group is exposed to a wide range of business risks in the conduct of its 
operations.  The  Group  is  exposed  to  financial,  operational,  strategic 
and  external  risks  which  are  further  described  below.  These  risks 
are  not  exhaustive  and  additional  risks  or  uncertainties  may  arise  or 
become material in the future. Any of these risks, as well as other risks 
and uncertainties in this document, could have a material effect on the 
Group’s business.

Financial risks - failure to meet financial obligations
•	 Cost inflation and over runs
•	 Access to working capital

On the 7 February 2011 the Company placed 4,095,000 new ordinary 
shares of 10 pence each at 22 pence per share to raise £900,900 before 
expenses.

Outlook

In  2011  and  into  2012  InfraStrata  intends  to  further  develop  its 
exploration programmes in County Antrim and Dorset and progress 
both the Portland and Islandmagee projects. 

The  coming  year  will  see  more  activity  in  Northern  Ireland  as 
the  Islandmagee  gas  storage  project  is  progressed  following  the 
determination  of  the  Planning  Application  which  is  anticipated 
during the current financial year. The data from the seismic acquisition 
on  licence  PL1/10  will  be  processed  and  interpreted  and  lead  to  a 
decision on drilling an exploration well.

Operational  risks 
-  damage  to  shareholder  value, 
environment,  personnel  or  communities  caused  by 
operational failures
•	
•	 Delays in planning application awards
•	
•	

Sustained exploration failures
Failure of third party services

Loss of key employees

InfraStrata plc

9

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

PAYMENT OF CREDITORS

The 2011 financial year was an active period for the group 
which  made  a  profit  after  tax  of  £4,310,311  (2010:  loss 
after tax of £1,248,461). The profit for the year, together 
with  the  balance  of  £4,489,808  loss  brought  forward 
leaves a retained loss of £179,497 to be carried forward. 
An  accounting  profit  of  £3.0  million  was  recognised  on 
the  disposal  of  50%  of  Portland  Gas  Limited  and  £2.9 
million  on  the  disposal  of  50%  of  Brigantes  Energy 
Limited  and  Corfe  Energy  Limited.  Subsequent  to  the 
transactions  Portland  Gas  Limited  is  accounted  for  as  a 
joint venture while Brigantes Energy Limited and Corfe 
Energy Limited are accounted for as associates. The Group 
recognised revenue of £240,290 during the period which 
arose from operatorship income, consulting and technical 
services  delivered  to  offset  corporate  and  administrative 
expenditure. 

The  Group’s  policy  for  all  suppliers  is  to  fix  terms  of 
payment when entering into a business transaction, ensure 
that the supplier is aware of those terms and to abide by 
the agreed terms of payment. The number of days’ trade 
creditors was 16 (2010: 20) for the Group.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The  financial  risk  management  objectives  and  policies 
of  the  Company  in  relation  to  the  use  of  financial 
instruments,  and  the  exposure  of  the  Company  and  its 
subsidiary  undertakings  to  its  main  risks,  credit  risk 
and liquidity risk, are set out in note 23 to the financial 
statements.

DIRECTORS

The  Directors  do  not  recommend  the  payment  of  a 
dividend (2010: £nil).

The  Directors,  who  served  during  the  year  and 
subsequently, were as follows:

In  accordance  with  international  financial  reporting 
standards,  the  Islandmagee  Storage  project  asset  has 
been  reclassified  as  assets  held  for  sale  and  disclosed  as 
such  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position 
(2010:  Islandmagee  Storage  and  Portland  Gas  Storage 
assets) - note 20. As a corollary, the net loss attributable 
to  the  project  companies  has  been  classified  as  arising 
in  the  statement  of 
from  discontinued  operations 
comprehensive income.

CHARITABLE AND POLITICAL DONATIONS

During  the  year  the  Group  made  various  charitable 
contributions in the UK totalling £200 (2010: £400). No 
donations were made for political purposes (2010: £nil).

Executive Directors

A D Hindle
C S Gouws
W R Roberts

Non-executive Directors

K M Ratcliff
M A Abbott - Resigned 1 February 2011
J R Davie - Resigned 3 December 2010
M E Hazzard
W Colvin - Appointed 1 February 2011

All  Directors  benefit  from  the  provisions  of  individual 
insurance  policies.  
Indemnity 
Directors  Personal 
Premiums payable to third parties are as described in note 
6.

The  Company  operates  a  share  option  scheme  and  the 
particulars  of  share  options  granted  to  Directors  are 
detailed in note 6 to the financial statements.

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InfraStrata plc

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Ken Ratcliff (Non-Executive Chairman)
Ken Ratcliff, JP, BSc., FCA, (61) is a Chartered Accountant with extensive finance and business experience. 
He  is  currently  College  Accountant  at  Epsom  College  and  co-founder  of  Geokinetics  Processing  UK 
Limited, an oil and gas industry seismic contractor. He was an audit manager with Touche Ross & Co in 
London before moving into accountancy and finance positions within the oil and gas industry in 1978. 
Ken has previously held senior management positions with Ensign Geophysics Limited, Seismic Geocode 
Limited, Tenneco Corporation and Merlin Geophysical Limited. He joined the Board in 2007 and became 
Chairman in October 2007. Ken has been a non-executive director of Egdon Resources plc since 2001.

Andrew Hindle (Chief Executive Officer)
Andrew  Hindle,  BSc.,  MSc.,  PhD,  FGS,  CGeol,  (49)  is  a  highly  experienced  geologist  with  25  years 
worldwide experience. He holds a degree in Geological Sciences gained in 1983 from Leeds University and, 
following a year with BP, gained a MSc. degree in Petroleum Geology in 1985 from Aberdeen University. In 
1998 he completed a PhD (part-time) through the Open University. He received the J. C. “Cam” Sproule 
Memorial Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists in 1999. He worked for Texaco 
from 1985 until 1996 on UK and international exploration and development projects, working overseas 
from 1990 to 1994. Subsequently, he worked for Anadarko Algeria Corporation from 1996 to 1997. In 
1997 he became a founding director of Egdon Resources plc and, following the demerger of Egdon and 
InfraStrata, remained a non-executive director of Egdon until February 2011. Andrew has been the Chief 
Executive of the Group since 2005. Andrew is also a director of Geofocus Limited and Toffee Limited.

Craig Gouws (Chief Financial Officer)
Craig Gouws, BSc., CA (SA) (44) is a Chartered Accountant and holds an engineering degree. He worked 
within the forestry sector in South Africa before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young 
in  2001.  His  finance  experience  includes  working  for  major  auditing  organisations  in  senior  financial 
positions in South Africa, the Middle East and the United Kingdom. Craig joined the Group in an executive 
role during 2007.

Walter Roberts (Legal and Commercial Director and Company Secretary)
Walter Roberts, MA (Cantab.), (60) is an oil and gas lawyer with a strong record in commercial and legal 
management. Walter qualified as a solicitor with Simmons & Simmons before joining Phillips Petroleum 
in 1980. He then worked for Lasmo in both the UK and in Australia where he set up its legal department. 
Walter was the principal negotiator for UK joint venture commercial negotiations and gas sales for Talisman 
Energy (UK) Limited (previously Bow Valley Petroleum (U.K.) Limited) until 1995. More recently he 
was the London partner of Cummings & Co. and he is currently an executive director of Pinnacle Energy 
Limited and a non-executive director of Egdon Resources plc. Walter joined the Board of Egdon Resources 
plc in 2001 as a non-executive director. He joined the Group in an executive role in 2007.

Maurice Hazzard (Non-Executive Director)
Maurice Hazzard, (73) has extensive business experience in the oil and gas industry, particularly in large 
offshore projects. He has held senior positions with Phillips Petroleum, Hamilton Bros. Oil & Gas Limited 
and  Halyard  Offshore  Limited.  Between  1979  and  1989  Maurice  was  responsible  for  development  of 
the Energy Division of the Tung Group of companies, based in Hong Kong, and during this period was 
Executive Chairman of Houlder Marine Drilling Limited. From 1989 to 1996 he was a consultant with 
Maritime  Audit  &  Technical  Services  Limited,  consulting  to  the  international  offshore  oil  and  marine 
services industry. From 1996 to 1999 he was Chairman and CEO of PD Systems International Limited, 
a UK electronics manufacturer. He is also non-executive Chairman of Orbitron Technologies Limited, a 
software company.

William Colvin (Non-Executive Director)
William Colvin, A.C.A. (53) is a Chartered Accountant and has wide experience in the oil and gas, and 
healthcare  sectors  in  senior  management  and  board  positions  of  large  corporations.  He  was  Finance 
Director of British-Borneo Oil & Gas plc from 1992 to 1999. From 1990 to 1992, William was Finance 
Manager/Director at Oryx UK Energy. From 1984 to 1989, he worked in a variety of financial roles for 
Atlantic  Richfield  (ARCO)  Inc.  He  qualified  as  a  Scottish  Chartered  Accountant  in  1982  and  holds  a 
Bachelor  of  Commerce  degree  from  the  University  of  Edinburgh.  William  is  currently  a  non-executive 
director of Energy XXI, an independent oil & natural gas exploration and production company.

DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS

The Directors’ emoluments are disclosed in note 6 to the Financial Statements.

InfraStrata plc

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS AND SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS

The Directors of the Company held the following beneficial shareholdings as at 8 November 2011.

Ordinary shares of 10p each

Number

Ken Ratcliff
Andrew Hindle
Craig Gouws
Walter Roberts
Maurice Hazzard
William Colvin

63,000
6,818,080
92,418
1,144,878
1,144
0

%

0.08
8.71
0.12
1.46
0.00
0.00

The Company has received notification of the following interests in 3% or more of the Company’s issued share capital 
at 8 November 2011. The percentages presented are at the date of notification.

Ordinary shares of 10p each

Number

Calculus Nominees Limited
Maven Income and Growth VCT 5 PLC
JP Morgan Asset Management Holdings Inc.

1,858,950
2,974,013
15,516,600

%

3.60
3.80
19.83

The UK Corporate Governance Code

The Directors recognise the value of the UK Corporate Governance Code (“the 
Code”) and whilst under the AIM rules compliance is not required the Directors 
believe that the Company applies the recommendations in so far as is appropriate 
for  a  public  company  of  its  size. The  Company  therefore  does  not  fully  comply 
with the Code.

The Board

At  the  financial  year  end  the  Board  was  comprised  of 
three  Executive  Directors  and  three  Non-executive 
Directors whose background and experience are relevant 
to  the  Company’s  activities.  As  such,  the  Directors  are 
of  the  opinion  that  the  Board  has  a  suitable  balance 
and  that  the  recommendations  of  the  Code  have  been 
implemented to an appropriate level. The Board, through 
the Directors, maintain regular contact with its advisors 
and public relations consultants in order to ensure that the 

Board  develops  an  understanding  of  the  views  of  major 
shareholders  about  the  Company.  All  Directors  have 
access to the advice and services of the company secretary 
who is responsible to the Board for ensuring that the Board 
procedures are followed and that the applicable rules and 
regulations are complied with. In addition, the company 
secretary will ensure that the directors receive appropriate 
training as necessary. The appointment and removal of the 
company secretary is a matter for the Board as a whole.

InfraStrata plc

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The table below contains details on the number of meetings held during the period and individual director attendance.

Board

Audit Committee

Remuneration Committee

Number of meetings held 
during the 2011 financial 
year

11§

1

2

No of meetings attended

No of meetings attended

No of meetings attended

Executive directors
Andrew Hindle
Craig Gouws
Walter Roberts

Non-executive directors
Ken Ratcliff
Mark Abbott*
Jonathan Davie** 
Maurice Hazzard
William Colvin***

10
10
10

7
4
1
7
3

-
-
-

1
1
-
-
-

-
-
-

1
1
-
2
1

§ Of which 4 were minimally attended but to finalise business already approved by all directors
* Resigned 1 February 2011 ** Resigned 3 December 2010 *** Appointed 1 February 2011

Audit Committee

The role of the Audit Committee includes:

The  Audit  Committee  met  once  in  the  year  to  31  July 
2011. Its members are William Colvin (Chairman), Ken 
Ratcliff and for part of the year Jonathan Davie. Members 
of  the  committee  at  the  time  of  meetings  attended  all 
meetings either in person or by telephone. In addition, the 
committee met in August 2011 and senior representatives 
of  the  external  auditors  attended  that  meeting.  The 
external auditor has unrestricted access to the Chairman 
of the committee.

•	 Consideration of the appointment of the external auditor and the audit fee.
•	 Reviewing the nature, scope and results of the external audit.
•	 Monitor the integrity of the financial statements and interim report.
•	 Discussing with the Group’s auditors problems and reservations arising from 

the interim and final results.

•	 Reviewing  the  external  auditor’s  management  letter  and  management’s 

response.

•	 Reviewing on behalf of the Board the Group’s system of internal control and 

making recommendations to the Board.

The Committee also keeps under review the necessity for establishing 
an  internal  audit  function  but  considers  that,  given  the  size  of  the 
Group  and  the  close  involvement  of  senior  management  in  day-to-
day operations, there is currently no requirement for such a function. 

Notwithstanding  the  absence  of  an  internal  audit  function,  the 
Committee  keeps  under  review  the  effectiveness  of  the  Group’s 
internal controls and risk management systems.

InfraStrata plc

13

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Remuneration Committee 
The members of the Remuneration Committee are Maurice Hazzard (Chairman), 
Ken Ratcliff, William Colvin and for part of the year, Mark Abbott. The committee 
met twice during the year each time attended by all current members. The Group’s 
policy  is  to  remunerate  senior  executives  fairly  in  such  a  manner  as  to  facilitate 
the recruitment, retention and motivation of staff. The Remuneration Committee 
agrees  with  the  Board  a  framework  for  the  remuneration  of  the  Chairman, 
the  Executive  Directors  and  the  senior  management  of  the  Group.  During  the 
year,  the  Remuneration  Committee  discussed  the  continuing  need  to  maintain 
motivation of the Executive during a period of intense activity and changing focus. 
The conclusion of their considerations was that, while current salary burden was 
regarded  as  being  high  in  the  overall  context  of  the  Company’s  performance,  it 
would not be wise to do anything to jeopardise the possible outcome of current 
negotiations but the focus during 2012 would be on reducing the overall burden. 
The Executive has been invited to propose possible ways of achieving this.

The principal objectives of the Committee include:

•	 Determining  and  agreeing  with  the  Board  the 
remuneration  policy  for  the  Chief  Executive  and 
Executive Directors;

•	 Reviewing  the  design  of  share  incentive  plans  for 
approval  by  the  Board  and  determining  the  annual 
award  policy  to  Executive  Directors  under  existing 
plans; and

The  view  of  the  Committee  is  that  the  salaries  remain 
competitive, but are not over generous, and therefore did 
not recommend an adjustment during the current financial 
year. Non-executive fees are considered and agreed by the 
Board as a whole and there has been no specific review in 
this regard during the period.

Nomation Committee 
The  Company  has  not  established  a  Nomination  Committee  as  the 
Directors are of the opinion that such a committee is inappropriate 
given the current size of the Company.

Relations with Shareholders 
Communication  with  shareholders  is  given  high  priority  and  the 
Company  therefore  communicates  regularly  with  shareholders 
including  the  release  of  announcements  for  the  interim  and  annual 
results  and  after  significant  developments.  The  Annual  General 
Meeting is normally attended by all Directors. Shareholders, including 
private investors, are invited to ask questions on matters including the 
Group’s operations and performance and to meet with the Directors 
after the formal proceedings have ended.

The  Company  maintains  a  website  (www.infraStrata.co.uk)  for  the 
purpose  of  improving  information  flow  to  shareholders  as  well  as 
potential investors. The website contains all press announcements and 
financial  reports  as  well  as  extensive  operational  information  about 
the Group’s activities and enquiries from individual shareholders on 
matters relating to their shareholdings and the business of the Group 
are  welcomed.  The  Board  encourages  shareholders  to  attend  the 
Annual General Meeting, at which members of the Board are available 
to answer questions.

GOING CONCERN

Internal Controls 
The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  Group’s  system  of  internal 
controls,  the  setting  of  appropriate  policies  on  those  controls,  and 
regular  assurance  that  the  system  is  functioning  effectively  and  that 
it is effective in managing business risk. Internal control systems are 
designed  to  meet  the  particular  needs  of  the  Group  and  to  manage 
rather  than  eliminate  the  risk  of  failure  to  meet  business  objectives. 
The  internal  controls  cover  financial,  operational  and  compliance 
matters and are reviewed on an on-going basis.  

The Directors consider that the frequency of Board meetings and the 
information  provided  to  the  Board  in  relation  to  Group  operations 
assists  the  identification,  evaluation  and  management  of  significant 
risks relevant to its operations on a continuous basis.

The  Group’s  internal  controls  can  only  provide  reasonable  and  not 
absolute  assurance  against  material  mis-statement  or  loss  or  the 
risk  of  failure  to  meet  business  objectives.  Having  thus  monitored 
risk  management  and  internal  control  processes  in  place,  the  Board 
considers  that  the  Company’s  internal  control  systems  operated 
appropriately  during  the  year  and  up  to  the  date  of  signing  of  the 
Annual Report and Financial Statements.

The  Group  does  not  currently  have  cash  resources  on  hand  to  meet  all  of  the 
committed  and  discretionary  expenditure  identified  for  the  12  month  period 
following approval of the financial statements and there can be no certainty that 
the planned disposal of an interest in Islandmagee Storage Limited will proceed 
within  the  timeframe  currently  expected.  Nevertheless  after  making  inquiries 
and considering all the relevant factors in relation to the proposed disposal, the 
Directors  are  of  the  opinion  that  they  will  be  able  to  complete  any  necessary 
funding  or,  if  necessary,  defer  or  reduce  administrative  costs  and  have  therefore 
prepared cash flow forecasts for the Group on these bases. These projections, which 
include the deferral of expenditure, indicate that the Group will have adequate cash 
resources to meet its obligations as they fall due for a period of not less than one 
year from the date of approval of these financial statements irrespective of whether 
or not the disposal proceeds are received within the expected timeframe. For this 
reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing 
the annual financial statements.

14

InfraStrata plc

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

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

In preparing each of the Group and Company financial statements, the 
Directors are required to:

UK  Company  law  requires  the  directors  to  prepare  Group  and 
Company financial statements for each financial year. Under that law 
the Directors have elected (as required by the rules of the AIM market 
of the London Stock Exchange) to prepare Group financial statements 
in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 
(“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union (“EU”) and have elected 
to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance with IFRS 
as adopted by the EU and as applied in accordance with the provisions 
of the Companies Act 2006. 

The Group financial statements are required by law and IFRS adopted 
by  the  EU  to  present  fairly  the  financial  position  and  performance 
of the Group; the Companies Act 2006 provides in relation to such 
financial statements that references in the relevant part of that Act to 
financial statements giving a true and fair view are references to their 
achieving a fair presentation.

•	

select  suitable  accounting  policies  and  then  apply  them 
consistently;

•	 make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs 
•	
as adopted by the EU;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless 
it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the Company 
will continue in business.

•	

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

Under  company  law  the  Directors  must  not  approve  the  financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of 
the state of affairs of the Company and of the Group and of the profit 
or loss of the group for that period. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate  and  financial  information  included  on  the  InfraStrata  plc 
website. 

Legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom  governing  the  preparation  and 
dissemination  of  financial  statements  may  differ  from  legislation  in 
other jurisdictions.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR 

AUDITOR 

In the case of each person who was a Director at the time this report was approved: - so far as the 
Director was aware there was no relevant available audit information of which the Company’s 
auditor was unaware; and that the Director had taken all steps that the Director ought to have 
taken as a director to make himself aware of any relevant information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditor was aware of that information.

This information is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of s418 
of the Companies Act 2006.

A resolution to re-appoint the auditor, Nexia 
Smith & Williamson, will be proposed at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board
A Hindle  
Director
14 November 2011

InfraStrata plc

15

        
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE 
SHAREHOLDERS OF INFRASTRATA PLC

We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  InfraStrata 
plc for the year ended 31 July 2011 which comprise the 
Consolidated  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income, 
the  Consolidated  and  Parent  Company  Statements 
of  Financial  Position,  the  Consolidated  and  Parent 
Company  Statements  of  Cash  Flow,  the  Consolidated 
and  Parent  Company  Statements  of  Changes  in  Equity, 
and  the  related  notes  1  to  34.  The  financial  reporting 
framework  that  has  been  applied  in  their  preparation  is 
applicable  law  and  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards  (IFRSs)  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union 
and as regards the parent Company financial statements, 
as  applied  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
Companies Act 2006.

This  report  is  made  solely  to  the  company’s  members, 
as  a  body,  in  accordance  with  Chapter  3  of  Part  16  of 
the  Companies  Act  2006.  Our  audit  work  has  been 
undertaken  so  that  we  might  state  to  the  Company’s 
members those matters we are required to state to them in 
an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest 
extent  permitted  by  law,  we  do  not  accept  or  assume 
responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the 
Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this 
report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion:

Respective  responsibilities  of  Directors  and 
auditors 

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement  on  page  15,  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  the  financial  statements 
in  accordance  with  applicable  law  and  International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s 
(APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

A  description  of  the  scope  of  an  audit  of  financial 
statements is provided on the APB’s website at
www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm

Opinion  on  other  matter  prescribed  by  the 
Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the information given in the Report of the 
Directors’  for  the  financial  year  for  which  the  financial 
statements  are  prepared  is  consistent  with  the  financial 
statements.

•	

•	

•	

•	

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and the parent Company’s affairs as at 
31 July 2011 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;
the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union; and
the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and
the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies 
Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

•	

•	

•	

adequate  accounting  records  have  not  been  kept  by  the  parent  Company, 
or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not 
visited by us; or
the  parent  Company  financial  statements  are  not  in  agreement  with  the 
accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; 
or

•	 we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our 

audit.

Andrew Bond
Senior Statutory Auditor, 
for and on behalf of

Nexia Smith & Williamson
Statutory Auditor   
Chartered Accountants 

Walnut Tree Close
1 Bishops Wharf
Walnut Tree Close
Guildford, GU1 4RA

14 November 2011

InfraStrata plc

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16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE 
INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2011

Notes

4

9
16

10

11

12

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of Sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses

Operating loss
Finance income
Share of loss of Joint Venture

Loss before taxation
Taxation

Loss for the year from continuing operations

Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued 
operations

Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the 
equity holders of the parent

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the year 
attributable to the equity holders of the 
parent

Basic and diluted earnings per share
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Continuing and discontinued operations

2011
£

240,290
-

240,290
(1,180,485)

(940,195)
11,139
(452,089)

(1,381,145)
-

(1,381,145)

2010
£

-
-

-
(397,358)

(397,358)
23,645
-

(373,713)
-

(373,713)

5,691,456

(874,748)

4,310,311

(1,248,461)

-

-

4,310,311

(1,248,461)

(1.82)p
7.49p
5.67p

(0.51)p
(1.20)p
(1.71)p

InfraStrata plc

17

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 JULY 2011

COMPANY STATEMENT OF
FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 JULY 2011

Non-current assets
Plant and equipment
Investment in joint venture
Investments in associates

Notes

2011
£

14
16
16

15,161
22,473,516
2,880,000

2010
£

7,280
-
-

Non-current assets
Plant and equipment
Investment

Notes

2011
£

2010
£

14,022
15,249,611

-
15,257,966

16

Total non-current assets

25,368,677

7,280

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Available for sale financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

17
18
19

140,526
12,500
714,969

110,732
12,500
1,260,982

867,995

1,384,214

Total non-current assets

15,263,633

15,257,966

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Available for sale assets
Cash and cash equivalents

17
18
19

11,765,975
12,500
118,448

10,873,566
12,500
1,072,060

Total current assets

11,896,923

11,958,126

Assets classified as held for sale

20

2,744,731

26,511,034

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

21

(86,261)

(260,311)

Total current assets

3,612,726

27,895,248

Net current assets

11,810,662

11,697,815

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Liabilities directly associated with 
assets classified as held for sale

21

(104,158)

(278,606)

20

(29,928)

(4,061,668)

Total current liabilities

(134,086)

(4,340,274)

Net current assets and net assets 
held for sale

Net assets

Shareholders’ funds
Share captial
Share premium
Merger reserve
Share based payment reserve
Retained earnings

3,478,640

23,554,974

28,847,317

23,562,254

24

25
26

7,826,433
11,848,946
8,988,112
322,431
(138,605)

7,380,420
11,381,095
8,988,112
302,435
(4,489,808)

28,847,317

23,562,254

Net assets

27,074,295

26,955,781

Shareholders’ funds
Share captial
Share premium
Merger reserve
Share based payment reserve
Retained earnings

24

25
26

7,826,433
11,848,946
8,466,827
322,431
(1,390,342)

7,380,420
11,381,095
8,466,827
302,435
(574,996)

27,074,295

26,955,781

Company registration number: 06409712
Approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 14 November 2011

A. Hindle, Director  C. Gouws, Director

18

InfraStrata plc

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2011

Share 
capital
£

Share 
premium
£

Merger 
reserve
£

Shares 
to be 
issued 
£

Share 
based 
payment 
reserve
£

Retained 
earnings 
£

Total equity 
£

Balance at 31 July 2009

7,038,473

8,576,705

8,988,112

746,337

177,189

(3,241,347)

22,285,469

Loss for the year

-

-

Total comprehensive loss for the year
Shares issued
Share based payments

-
341,947
-

-
2,804,390
-

-

-
-
-

-

-

(1,248,461)

(1,248,461)

-
(746,337)
-

-
-
125,246

(1,248,461)
-
-

(1,248,461)
2,400,000
125,246

Balance at 31 July 2010

7,380,420

11,381,095

8,988,112

Profit for the year

-

-

Total comprehensive profit for the year
Shares issued
Share based payments
Share options lapsed

-
446,013
-
-

-
467,851
-
-

-

-
-
-
-

Balance at 31 July 2011

7,826,433

11,848,946

8,988,112

-

-

-
-
-
-

-

302,435

(4,489,808)

23,562,254

-

4,310,311

4,310,311

-
-
60,888
(40,892)

4,310,311
-
-
40,892

4,310,311
913,864
60,888
-

322,431

(138,605)

28,847,317

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2011

Share 
capital 
£

Share 
premium 
£

Merger 
reserve 
£

Shares to 
be issued 
£

Share 
based 
payment 
reserve
£

Retained 
earnings
£

Total equity 
£

Balance at 31 July 2009

7,038,473

8,576,705

8,466,827

746,337

177,189

(356,743)

24,648,788

Loss for the year

-

-

Total comprehensive loss for the year
Shares issued
Share based payments

-
341,947
-

-
2,804,390
-

-

-
-
-

-

-

(218,253)

(218,253)

-
(746,337)
-

-
-
125,246

(218,253)
-
-

(218,253)
2,400,000
125,246

Balance at 31 July 2010

7,380,420

11,381,095

8,466,827

Loss for the year

-

-

Total comprehensive loss for the year
Shares issued
Share based payments
Share options lapsed

-
446,013
-
-

-
467,851
-
-

-

-
-
-
-

Balance at 31 July 2011

7,826,433

11,848,946

8,466,827

-

-

-
-
-
-

-

302,435

(574,996)

26,955,781

-

(856,238)

(856,238)

-
-
60,888
(40,892)

(856,238)
-
-
40,892

(856,238)
913,864
60,888
-

322,431

(1,390,342)

27,074,295

InfraStrata plc

19

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2011

Notes

27

Net cash (used in) operating activities

Investing activities
Interest received
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of plant and equipment
Cash outflow on disposal of subsidiary

Net cash (used in) investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds on issue of ordinary shares

Net cash generated from financing activities

Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash at bank

19

2011
£

(982,526)

11,139
(324,520)
(108,706)
(6,264)

(428,351)

864,864

864,864

(546,013)

1,260,982

714,969

714,969

2010 
£

(1,409,715)

23,645
(569,274)
(2,250,176)
-

(2,795,805)

2,400,000

2,400,000

(1,805,520)

3,066,502

1,260,982

1,260,982

Significant non-cash transactions
Significant  non-cash  transactions  for  the  year  ended  31  July  2011 
comprise the loss of control of three companies which were previously 
subsidiaries – see note 16.

Cash flows arising from discontinued activities
Cash flows arising from discontinued operations are analysed in note 
27.

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2011

Notes

27

2011
£

2010
£

(1,803,324)

(1,428,795)

2,228

-
(17,380)

(15,152)

864,864

864,864

(953,612)

1,072,060

118,448

118,448

15,292

(8,855)
-

6,437

2,400,000

2,400,000

977,642

94,418

1,072,060

1,072,060

Net cash (used in) operating activities

Investing activities
Interest received
Subscription in share capital of subsidiary company
Purchase of plant and equipment

Net cash (used in)/in flow investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds on issue of ordinary shares

Net cash generated from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash at bank

19

20

InfraStrata plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE  
YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2011

1. General information 

basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.

InfraStrata plc is a company incorporated in England & Wales under 
the  Companies  Act  2006  and  is  domiciled  in  the  United  Kingdom 
and is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

2. Accounting policies 

The financial statements are based on the following accounting policies 
which have been consistently applied.

Basis of preparation

InfraStrata  plc  adopted  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 
(IFRS) and IFRIC Interpretations, as adopted by the European Union 
and,  except  as  noted  below,  effective  in  July  2011,  as  the  basis  for 
preparation of its financial statements. The financial information has 
been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the 
revaluation of certain financial assets.

Going concern

The  Directors  have  prepared  the  financial  statements  on  the  going 
concern  basis  which  assumes  that  the  Group  will  continue  in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future.

The  Group  requires  additional  funding  in  order  to  progress  the 
development of the Islandmagee gas storage project in which it holds 
a 65% interest and to pay future general and administrative costs. The 
exploration of licence PL1/10 has been funded by partners, however 
InfraStrata  plc  will  be  required  to  fund  its  interest  once  the  initial 
phase  of  exploration  is  complete  and  the  partners  decide  to  drill  an 
exploration well. 

The Directors believe that the disposal of an interest in Islandmagee 
Storage  Limited  is  the  best  way  of  maximising  shareholder  value  by 
allowing an entity other than InfraStrata plc to develop this project. 
It  is  expected  that  such  a  disposal  will  provide  working  capital  for 
the Group and will transfer responsibility for funding the immediate 
future development of the Islandmagee gas storage project to the new 
partner. 

The  Group  does  not  currently  have  cash  resources  on  hand  to  meet 
all of the committed and discretionary expenditure identified for the 
12 month period following approval of the financial statements and 
there can be no certainty that the planned disposal of an interest in 
Islandmagee  Storage  Limited  will  proceed  within  the  timeframe 
currently  expected.  Nevertheless,  after  making 
inquiries  and 
considering all the relevant factors in relation to the proposed disposal, 
the Directors are of the opinion that they will be able to complete any 
necessary funding or, if necessary, defer or reduce administrative costs 
and have therefore prepared cash flow forecasts for the Group on these 
bases.  These  projections,  which  include  the  deferral  of  expenditure, 
indicate  that  the  Group  will  have  adequate  cash  resources  to  meet 
its obligations as they fall due for a period of not less than one year 
from the date of approval of these financial statements irrespective of 
whether or not the disposal proceeds are received within the expected 
timeframe. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern 

Adoption of new and revised standards

In  the  current  financial  year,  the  Group  has  adopted  International 
Financial  Reporting  Standard  2  “Share-Based  Payments”  (revised 
2009), International Accounting Standard 32 “Financial Instruments: 
Presentation” (revised 2009) and IFRIC 19 “Extinguishing financial 
liabilities  with  equity  instruments”.  The  adoption  of  these  standards 
and interpretation did not have any impact on the financial position 
or performance of the Group.

At  the  date  of  approval  of  these  financial  statements,  the  following 
Standards  and  Interpretations  which  have  not  yet  been  applied  in 
these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in 
some cases, had not yet been adopted by the EU) and that may have an 
impact going forward:

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements 
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement
IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (2011)

The  Directors  anticipate  that  all  of  the  above  standards  and 
interpretations will be adopted in the Group’s financial statements in 
future periods. 

Basis of consolidation

The  financial  information  incorporates  the  financial  information  of 
the  Company  and  entities  controlled  by  the  Company.  Control  is 
achieved where the Company has power to govern the financial and 
operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from 
its activities. 

Business combinations and goodwill

On acquisition, the assets and liabilities and contingent liabilities of 
subsidiaries are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. 
Any excess of cost of acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable 
net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the cost 
of acquisition below the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired 
(i.e.  discount  on  acquisition)  is  credited  to  the  income  statement 
in  the  period  of  acquisition.  Goodwill  arising  on  consolidation  is 
recognised as an asset and reviewed for impairment at least annually. 
Any impairment is recognised immediately in the income statement 
and is not subsequently reversed.

Interests in joint venture entities 

A  joint  venture  is  a  contractual  arrangement  whereby  two  or  more 
parties undertake an economic activity that is subject to joint control 
and a jointly controlled entity is a joint venture that involves a separate 
entity in which each venturer has an interest. The Group recognises 
its interest in jointly controlled entities using equity accounting. The 
financial  statements  of  the  joint  venture  are  prepared  for  the  same 

InfraStrata plc

21

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

reporting  year  as  the  parent  company,  using  consistent  accounting 
policies. 

Plant and equipment

Oil and gas exploration joint ventures

The  Group  is  engaged  in  oil  and  gas  exploration  and  development 
which may lead to production through unincorporated joint ventures. 
The Group accounts for its share at cost of the results and net assets of 
these joint ventures as jointly controlled assets based on its percentage 
ownership of these joint ventures. In addition, where the Group acts 
as  operator  to  the  joint  venture,  the  gross  liabilities  and  receivables 
(including  amounts  due  to  and  from  non-operating  partners)  of 
the joint venture are included in the statement of financial position. 
Details of the Group’s oil & gas exploration joint ventures accounted 
for as jointly controlled assets are provided in note 33.

Interests in associates

The Group has interests in associates, which are entities over which the 
group has significant influence but not control and which are not joint 
ventures. The Group recognises its interest in associates using equity 
accounting.  The  financial  statements  of  the  associates  are  prepared 
for  the  same  reporting  year  as  the  parent  company,  using  consistent 
accounting policies. 

Disposal groups held-for-sale

Disposal groups are classified as assets held for sale when their carrying 
amount is to be recovered principally through a sale transaction and 
a  sale  is  considered  highly  probable.  They  are  stated  at  the  lower  of 
carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell if their carrying amount 
is  to  be  recovered  principally  through  a  sale  transaction  rather  than 
through continuing use.

Segment reporting

Operating  segments  are  reported  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the 
internal  reporting  provided  to  the  chief  operating  decision-maker 
as  required  by  IFRS  8  “Operating  Segments”.  The  chief  operating 
decision-maker,  who  is  responsible  for  allocating  resources  and 
assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified 
as the Board of Directors.

The  accounting  policies  of  the  reportable  segments  are  consistent 
with the accounting policies of the Group as a whole. Segment profit 
represents  the  profit  earned  by  each  segment  without  allocation 
of  gains  or  losses  on  the  disposal  of  available-for-sale  investments, 
investment  income,  interest  payable  and  tax.  This  is  the  measure  of 
profit  that  is  reported  to  the  Board  of  Directors  for  the  purpose  of 
resource allocation and the assessment of segment performance. 

When assessing segment performance and considering the allocation 
of resources, the Board of Directors review information about segment 
assets and liabilities. 

Plant  and  equipment  is  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation 
and any recognised impairment loss.

The initial cost of an asset comprises its purchase price or construction 
cost  and  any  costs  directly  attributable  to  bringing  the  asset  into 
operation. 

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, over their 
estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method, once the asset 
has been brought into use, on the following basis:

Office equipment   

20 – 33%

Capitalised tangible gas storage inclusive of related and pipeline costs 
are not depreciated as the facility is under construction and not in use.

The  carrying  values  of  plant  and  equipment  are  reviewed  for 
impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying value may not be recoverable.

Gas storage research and development costs

incurred  when  undertaking  exploration 
Research  expenditure, 
activities  for  gas  storage  opportunities,  is  written  off  in  the  year  in 
which it is incurred.

Capitalisation and impairment of intangible gas storage 
assets

Costs  of  development  of  gas  storage  facilities  are  capitalised  as 
intangible assets once it is probable that future economic benefits that 
are attributable to the assets will flow to the Group and until consent 
to construct has been awarded, at which time the capitalised costs are 
transferred to plant and equipment. The nature of these costs includes 
all  direct  costs  incurred  in  project  development.  No  amortisation 
or  depreciation  is  provided  until  the  storage  facility  is  brought  into 
commercial use. 

An  impairment  test  is  performed  annually  and  whenever  events  or 
circumstances  arising  during  the  development  phase  indicate  that 
the carrying value of a development asset may exceed its recoverable 
amount.    The  aggregate  carrying  value  is  compared  against  the 
expected recoverable amount of the cash generating unit, generally by 
reference  to  the  present  value  of  the  future  net  cash  flows  expected 
to be derived from storage revenue.  The present value of future cash 
flows is calculated on the basis of future storage prices and cost levels 
as forecast at the balance sheet date. Capitalisation of project rental 
costs are reviewed on a regular basis and expensed when the physical 
progress on the project is in the Directors’ opinion, significantly less 
than expected. 

The  cash  generating  unit  applied  for  impairment  test  purposes  is 
generally an individual gas storage facility.  Where the carrying value 
of the facility is greater than the present value of its future cash flows 
a provision is made.  Any such provisions are charged to cost of sales.

22

InfraStrata plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Oil  &  gas  exploration  and  evaluation  expenditure  and 
assets

The  Group  accounts  for  oil  &  gas  expenditure  under  the  full  cost 
accounting method. 

Costs  (other  than  payments  to  acquire  rights  to  explore)  incurred 
prior  to  acquiring  the  rights  to  explore  are  charged  directly  to  the 
income statement. All costs incurred after the rights to explore an area 
have  been  obtained,  such  as  geological,  geophysical,  data  costs  and 
other  direct  costs  of  exploration  and  appraisal  are  accumulated  and 
capitalised as exploration and evaluation assets (“E&E”). 

E&E  costs  are  not  amortised  prior  to  the  conclusion  of  appraisal 
activities.  If  technical  feasibility  is  demonstrated  and  commercial 
reserves  are  discovered,  then  following  development  sanction, 
the  carrying  value  of  the  relevant  E&E  asset  will  be  reclassified  as 
a  development  and  production  asset,  but  only  after  the  carrying 
value of the E&E asset has been assessed for impairment, and where 
appropriate, its carrying value adjusted. 

If, after completion of appraisal activities in an area, it is not possible 
to  determine  technical  feasibility  or  commercial  viability,  then  the 
costs of such unsuccessful exploration and evaluation are written off 
to the income statement as a component of costs of sales in the period 
the relevant events occur. The costs associated with any wells which 
are  abandoned  are  fully  amortised  when  the  abandonment  decision 
is taken. 

When oil or gas is sold from E&E assets, the carrying value of the E&E 
asset is reduced by the gross profit generated from the sale. 

Borrowing costs

Borrowing  costs  directly  attributable  to  the  construction  of  an  asset 
that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its 
intended use or sale are capitalised as part of the cost of the respective 
assets. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period they occur. 
Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that an entity incurs 
in connection with the borrowing of funds. 

Investments

Investments  in  subsidiaries  are  stated  at  cost  less  provision  for 
impairments.

Taxation

Tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and any 
deferred tax. The taxable result differs from the net result as reported 
in  the  income  statement  because  it  excludes  items  of  income  or 
expense  that  are  taxable  or  deductible  in  other  years  and  it  further 
excludes  items  that  are  never  taxable  or  deductible.  The  Company’s 
liability  for  current  tax  is  calculated  using  tax  rates  that  have  been 
enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date. 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 goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business 
combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects 
neither  the  taxable  profit  nor  the  accounting  profit.  Deferred  tax 
liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on 
investments in subsidiaries, except where the Group is able to control 
the  reversal  of  the  temporary  difference  and  it  is  probable  that  the 
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred 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  of  the 
asset 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 realised. 

Deferred tax is charged or credited to the income statement, except 
when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which 
case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  when  there  is  a  legally 
enforceable  right  to  set  off  current  tax  assets  against  current  tax 
liabilities  and  when  they  relate  to  income  taxes  levied  by  the  same 
taxation  authority  and  the  Group  intends  to  settle  its  current  assets 
and liabilities on a net basis.

Foreign currency

Transactions in foreign 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 and gains or losses are taken to operating profit.

Leases

Leases are classified as finance leases or hire purchase lease contracts 
whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and 
rewards  of  ownership  to  the  lessee.  All  other  leases  are  classified  as 
operating leases. 

Rental costs under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term.

Share based payment transactions

Employees (including senior executives) of the Group receive part of 
their remuneration in the form of share based payment transactions, 
whereby  employees  render  services  as  consideration  for  equity 
instruments (equity settled transactions).

The  cost  of  equity  settled  transactions  is  recognised,  together  with 
a  corresponding  increase  in  equity,  over  the  period  in  which  the 

InfraStrata plc

23

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

performance and or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date 
on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award 
(the  vesting  date).  The  cumulative  expense  recognised  for  equity 
settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects 
the  extent  to  which  the  vesting  period  has  expired  and  the  Group’s 
best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately 
vest.  The  income  statement  charge  or  credit  for  a  period  represents 
the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning 
and end of that period. No expense is recognised for awards that do 
not  ultimately  vest,  except  for  awards  where  vesting  is  conditional 
upon  a  market  condition,  which  are  treated  as  vesting  irrespective 
of whether or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that all 
other performance conditions are satisfied. 

Where the terms of an equity settled award are modified, as a minimum 
an  expense  is  recognised  as  if  the  terms  had  not  been  modified. 
In  addition,  an  expense  is  recognised  for  any  modification,  which 
increases the total fair value of the share based payment arrangement, 
or is otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of 
modification. 

Where equity settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested 
on  the  date  of  cancellation,  and  any  expense  not  yet  recognised  for 
the  award  is  recognised  immediately.    However,  if  a  new  award  is 
substituted for the cancellation award, and designated as a replacement 
award on the date that is granted, the cancelled and new awards are 
treated as if they were a modification of the original award, as described 
in the previous paragraph.

Retirement benefit costs

The  Company  has  a  defined  contribution  plan  which  requires 
contributions to be made into an independently administered fund. 
The  amount  charged  to  the  income  statement  in  respect  of  pension 
costs  reflects  the  contributions  payable  in  the  year.    Differences 
between  contributions  payable  during  the  year  and  contributions 
actually paid are shown as either accrued liabilities or prepaid assets 
in the balance sheet. 

Financial instruments

Financial  liabilities  and  equity  instruments  issued  by  the  Group 
are  classified  in  accordance  with  the  substance  of  the  contractual 
arrangements entered into and the definitions of a financial liability 
and an equity instrument. An equity instrument is any contract that 
evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting 
all  of  its  liabilities.  Equity  instruments  issued  by  the  Company  are 
recorded  at  the  proceeds  received,  net  of  direct  issue  costs.  Equity 
issued  for  non  monetary  consideration  is  recorded  at  the  fair  value 
of  the  equity  instruments  issued,  except  when  a  parent  reorganises 
the  structure  of  its  group  by  establishing  a  new  entity  and  (a)  the 
new  parent  obtains  control  of  the  original  parent  by  issuing  equity 
instruments in exchange for existing equity instruments of the original 
parent; (b) the assets and liabilities of the new group and the original 
group are the same immediately before and after the reorganisation; 
and  (c)  the  owners  of  the  original  parent  before  the  reorganisation 
have  the  same  absolute  and  relative  interests  in  the  net  assets  of  the 
original  group  and  the  new  group  immediately  before  and  after  the 
reorganisation. In this latter case equity instruments issued by the new 
parent are recognised at the carrying amount of its share of the equity 
items shown in the separate financial statements of the original parent 
at the date of the reorganisation. 

Interest  bearing  bank  loans,  overdrafts  and  other  loans  are  recorded 
at  the  proceeds  received,  net  of  direct  issue  costs.  Finance  costs  are 
accounted for on an accruals basis in the income statement using the 
effective interest method.

Available  for  sale  financial  assets  are  those  non-derivative  financial 
assets  that  are  designated  as  available  for  sale  or  are  not  classified  as 
financial assets at fair value through profit and loss, held to maturity 
investments  or  loans  and  receivables.  After  initial  recognition, 
available for sale financial assets are measured at fair value with gains 
or  losses  being  recognised  as  a  separate  component  of  equity  until 
the investment is derecognised or until the investment is determined 
to be impaired at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously 
reported in equity is included in the income statement. The fair value 
of investments that are actively traded in organised financial markets 
is  determined  by  reference  to  quoted  market  bid  prices  at  the  close 
of business on the balance sheet date. For investments where there is 
no active market, fair value is determined using appropriate valuation 
techniques.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the balance 
sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions 
of the instrument. 

Revenue

Trade  and  other  receivables  are  measured  at  initial  recognition  at 
fair  value  and  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost  using 
the  effective  interest  method.  A  provision  is  established  when  there 
is  objective  evidence  that  the  Group  will  not  be  able  to  collect  all 
amounts  due.  The  amount  of  any  provision  is  recognised  in  the 
income statement. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by 
the Group and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of 
three months or less.

Trade and other payables are initially measured at fair value, and are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest 
rate method.

Revenue is recognised as the fair value of the consideration received or 
receivable and represents the amounts receivable for services delivered 
during  the  normal  course  of  business.  Revenue  is  recognised  as  the 
services are delivered. 

Finance income

Finance income is recognised on an accrual basis.

24

InfraStrata plc

                                                              
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. Segment information

The Directors have determined the Group’s operating segments by reference to the risk profile of the Group’s 
activities, which are affected predominately by location of the Group’s assets. The Group’s head office is 
located  in  the  United  Kingdom  with  operations  located  in  Dorset,  Northern  Ireland  and  Europe.  The 
segmental businesses activities are the development and construction of gas storage and associated facilities, 
and petroleum exploration. No segmental information relating to the European activities is required to be 
disclosed as they are immaterial.

Dorset

Northern Ireland

2011

Continuing activities
Revenue from services provided to joint 
venture
Administrative expenses
Share of loss of joint venture
Finance income

Discontinued activities
Administrative expenses
Profit arising on loss of control of subsidiaries

Gas storage
£

Exploration
£

Gas storage
£

Exploration
£

Unallocated
£

Total
£

240,290
-
(452,089)
-

(211,799)

-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-

-

-
(1,180,485)
-
11,139

240,290
(1,180,485)
(452,089)
11,139

(1,169,346)

(1,381,145)

(31,570)
2,964,014

-
1,439,700

(120,388)
-

-
1,439,700

2,932,444

1,439,700

(120,388)

1,439,700

-
-

-

(151,958)
5,843,414

5,691,456

Analysis of:
Assets by segment
Liabilities by segment

Net assets per segment

Capital expenditure
Depreciation

* discontinued activities

2010

Continuing activities
Administrative expenses
Finance income

Discontinued activities
Administrative expenses

Analysis of:
Assets by segment
Liabilities by segment

Net assets per segment

Capital expenditure
Depreciation

* discontinued activities

2,720,645

1,439,700

(120,388)

1,439,700

(1,169,346)

4,310,311

22,473,516
-

1,440,000
-

*2,744,731
*(29,928)

1,440,000
-

883,156
(104,158)

28,981,403
(134,086)

22,473,516

1,440,000

*2,714,803

1,440,000

778,998

28,847,317

*252,977
-

-
-

*286,003
-

-
-

17,380
9,499

556,360
9,499

Dorset

Northern Ireland

Gas storage
£

Exploration
£

Gas storage
£

Exploration
£

Unallocated
£

Total
£

-
-

-

(735,259)

(735,259)

(735,259)

*24,066,195
*(4,000,554)

*20,065,641

*3,346,830
-

-
-

-

-

-

-

-
-

-

-
-

-
-

-

(100,671)

(100,671)

(100,671)

*2,419,261
*(58,900)

*2,360,361

*592,791
-

-
-

-

-

-

-

-
-

-

-
-

(397,358)
23,645

(397,358)
23,645

(373,713)

(373,713)

(38,818)

(874,748)

(38,818)

(874,748)

(412,531)

(1,248,461)

1,417,072
(280,820)

27,902,528
(4,340,274)

1,136,252

23,562,254

-
21,070

3,939,621
21,070

InfraStrata plc

25

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4. Other expenditure

for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements
for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries
other services relating to taxation
all other services

Fees payable to the Group’s auditor and its associates:
•	
•	
•	
•	
Depreciation
Net foreign exchange (profit)/loss
Operating lease rentals - land and buildings
Research costs

5. Employee information

Executive Directors and staff

Staff costs for the above persons and Non-executive Directors were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Defined contribution pension plan expenditure
Share based payments

6. Directors’ and key management
emoluments and compensation
Group and company
2011

2011
£

15,610
8,290
7,780
6,100
9,499
(2,024)
154,262
43,217

2011
Number

5

£

682,851
77,080
18,190
60,888

839,009

Executive Directors

Andrew Hindle
Craig Gouws
Walter Roberts

Non-executive Directors

Ken Ratcliff
Mark Abbott
Jonathan Davie
Maurice Hazzard
William Colvin

2010

Executive Directors

Andrew Hindle
Craig Gouws
Walter Roberts

Non-executive Directors

Ken Ratcliff
Mark Abbott
Jonathan Davie
Maurice Hazzard

26

Salary & Fees
£

Bonus
£

Benefits
£

Pension
£

250,000
121,067
86,320

25,000
12,000
12,000

2,170
1,552
2,971

37,500
7,500
5,000
15,000
7,500

-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-

-
6,000
6,000

1,875
-
-
750
-

529,887

49,000

6,693

14,625

Share based payment attributable to Directors
Employer’s national insurance contributions

Salary & Fees
£

Bonus
£

Benefits
£

Pension
£

250,000
122,219
120,000

37,500
15,000
15,000
15,000

574,719

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-

2,042
1,462
2,788

-
-
-
-

-
6,000
6,000

1,875
-
-
750

6,292

14,625

Share based payment attributable to Directors
Employer’s national insurance contributions

InfraStrata plc

2010
£

12,750
17,750
12,450
3,556
21,070
5,278
1,521,146
103,716

2010
Number

7

£

854,196
89,449
27,808
125,246

1,096,699

Total
£

277,170
140,619
107,291

39,375
7,500
5,000
15,750
7,500

600,205

36,285
67,378

703,868

Total
£

252,042
129,681
128,788

39,375
15,000
15,000
15,750

595,636

86,001
65,941

747,578

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The bonus of £49,000 awarded to Executive Directors during the financial year was paid by way 
of the issue of shares.

The total of short-term employee benefits for Directors was £652,958 (2010: £646,952).

The Directors are considered to be the Group’s key management.

Aggregate  emoluments  above  include  amounts  for  the  value  of  options  to  acquire  ordinary 
shares  in  the  Company  granted  or  held  by  Directors.  Details  of  Enterprise  Management 
Incentive and other options granted on the 25 January 2008 are as follows:

Executive Directors

Andrew Hindle
Craig Gouws
Walter Roberts

Non-executive Directors

Ken Ratcliff
Mark Abbott
Maurice Hazzard

Number

Exercise Price
£

Exercisable from

Exercisable to

43,859
43,859
43,859

21,929
21,929
21,929

2.28
2.28
2.28

2.28
2.28
2.28

1 January 2011
1 January 2011
1 January 2011

1 January 2011
1 January 2011
1 January 2011

31 December 2017
31 December 2017
31 December 2017

31 December 2017
31 December 2017
31 December 2017

No options were granted to Directors and no options were exercised by Directors in 2011 or 2010.

Key  man  insurance  premiums  of  £1,862  (2010:  £777)  were  paid  for  Executive  Directors  and  directors’ 
indemnity insurance premiums of £20,140 (2010: £18,133) were paid in respect of all Directors. Executive 
and Non-executive Directors participate in the Group Stakeholder Pension Plan under which Group Life 
Cover is offered.

7. Share based payment plans

A  share  based  payment  plan  was  created  in  the  year  ended  31  July  2008.  All  Directors  and 
employees  are  entitled  to  a  grant  of  options  subject  to  the  Board  of  Directors’  approval. 
The  options  do  not  have  a  cash  settlement  alternative.    The  options  granted  are  Enterprise 
Management Incentive share options for qualifying employees.

There were 98,879 options issued during 2011 (2010: 45,200). The following table illustrates 
the number and weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) of, and movements in, share options 
during the year.

Outstanding at beginning of the year
Granted during the year
Forfeited during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2011
Number

301,098
98,879
(47,570)

352,407

208,328

2011
WAEP £

2.06
0.15
2.28

1.50

2.28

2010
Number

255,898
45,200
-

301,098

-

InfraStrata plc

2010
WAEP £

2.44
0.89
-

2.06

-

27

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The weighted average remaining vesting period for the share options 
outstanding at 31 July 2011 is 0.39 years (2010: 0.92 years). The range 
of exercise prices for options outstanding at the end of the year was 
£0.1517 - £2.43. The weighted average remaining option life for the 
share options outstanding at 31 July 2011 is 8 years (2010: 8 years).

The fair value of equity settled options granted is estimated as at the 
date  of  the  grant  using  a  Black-Scholes  model,  taking  into  account 
the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The 
following table lists the inputs to the model used to value the options 
issued in 2011 and 2010.

2011

2010

Expected volatility
Risk free interest rate
Weighted average contractual life of option (years)
Expected dividend yield
Exercise price of options
Weighted average share price (£)

35%
0.5%
10
Nil
0.15
0.1517

35%
0.5%
10
Nil
0.89
0.885

The  expected  volatility  reflects  the  assumption  that  the 
historical volatility of a sample of oil and gas companies is 
indicative of future trends for InfraStrata plc, which may 
not necessarily be the actual outcome. The  expected life 
of  the  options  is  based  on  Directors’  best  estimate  and 
may not necessarily be indicative of the patterns that may 
occur.

8. Retirement benefits

The  Group  operates  a  defined  contribution 
retirement  plan  for  all  qualifying  employees 
who  wish  to  participate.  The  assets  of  the 
scheme are held separately from those of the 
Group in funds under the control of trustees.

The total cost charged to expenses of £17,398 (2010: £27,808) represents contributions payable 
to the scheme by the Group at rates specified in the rules of the scheme for the year. As at 31 
July 2011, employer and employee contributions of £3,295 (2010: £4,557) due in respect of the 
current period had not been paid over to the scheme; the payment was made on the 10 August 
2011 (2010: 10 August 2010).

9. Finance income

Interest on bank deposits

10. Income tax

The major components of income tax expense for the years ended 31 July 2011 and 2010 are:

a) Consolidated income statement

Current income tax charge
Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous years

b) A reconciliation between tax expense and the product of accounting loss for the years ended 
31 July 200 and 2010 is as follows:

Accounting loss before tax from continuing operations

Loss on continuing activities multiplied by the standard rate of tax (27.33%; 2020 - 28%)
Expenses not permitted for tax purposes and pre-trading expenditure
Other timing differences
Group relief
Tax losses carried forward

At effective tax rate of 27.33% (2010: 28%)
Income tax expense reported in the income statement

A discontinued operations reconciliation between tax expense and the product of accounting 
profit/(loss) for the years ended 31 July 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

Accounting profit/(loss) before tax from discontinued operations

Profit/(loss) on discontinued activities multiplied by the standard rate of tax (27.33%; 2010 – 28%)
Expenses not permitted for tax purposes and pre-trading expenditure
Non-taxable income
Group relief

2011
£

11,139

2011
£

-
-

(1,381,145)

(377,467)
29,792
2,596
-
345,079

-

2011
£

5,691,456

1,555,475
(1,782)
(1,553,693)
-

2010
£

23,645

2010
£

-
-

(373,713)

(104,640)
13,843
5,900
13
(84,884)

-

2010
£

(874,748)

(244,929)
244,942
-
(13)

At effective tax rate of 27.33% (2010: 28%)
Income tax expense reported in the income statement

-

-

28

InfraStrata plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

c) Factors that may affect the future tax charge

The Group has trading losses of £1,341,015 (2010: £588,568) which may reduce future tax charges. Future tax 
charges may also be reduced by capital allowances on cumulative capital expenditure.

d) Deferred taxation

The Group has an unrecognised deferred taxation asset arising from 
trading losses carried forward of £335,254 (2010: £158,914) at year end. 
The deferred tax asset is not recognised due to the uncertainty over its 
future recovery.

The deferred tax asset is calculated at a rate of 25% (2010: 27%), this 
being the enacted rate; however, the Government has announced 
that the rate of corporation tax will reduce to 23% and this is the rate 
expected to be in force when the tax losses may be able to be utilised. 
The deferred tax asset calculated at this tax rate is £308,433.

The Group’s potential charge to tax arising from its investments in the 
joint venture and the associates is dependent on the source of future 
inflows to the Group. Inflows arising from the partial or complete 
disposal by way of sale are not expected to be subject to tax; inflows 
from the distribution of future trading profits may be subject to tax 
at a rate of 25% which would give a maximum potential liability 
of £1,309,842. The group has no current expectation of receiving 
distributions of profits from these investments in the foreseeable future 
and has therefore provided the minimum potential deferred tax
liability.

11. Discontinued operations

Revenue
Net operating costs

Profit arising on loss of control of subsidiaries (note 16)
Portland Gas Limited
Corfe Energy Limited
Brigantes Energy Limited

Profit/(loss) before tax

Tax charge (note 10)

Profit/(loss) after tax

Details of the discontinued operations are given in note 20.

12. Earnings per share

Profit/(loss)
The profit/(loss) for the purposes of basic and diluted loss per share 
bring the net loss attributable to equity shareholders:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Continuing and discontinued operations

2011
£

-
(151,958)

2,964,014
1,439,700
1,439,700

5,691,456

-

2010
£

-
(874,748)

-
-
-

(874,748)

-

5,691,456

(874,748)

2011
£

2010
£

(1,381,145)
5,691,456
4,310,311

(373,713)
(874,748)
(1,248,461)

Number of shares
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic 
earnings per share

75,978,414

73,023,939

Basic and diluted earnings per share
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Continuing and discontinued operations

(1.82)p
7.49p
5.67p

(0.51)p
(1.20)p
(1.71)p

Diluted earnings per share calculations are not presented as there is no material difference between the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share basic and the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share; the basic and 
diluted earnings per share are the same.

InfraStrata plc

29
29

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13. Losses attributable to InfraStrata plc

The loss for the period dealt with in the financial statements of InfraStrata plc was £856,238 
(2010: £218,253). As provided by s408 of the Companies Act 2006, no income statement is 
presented in respect of InfraStrata plc.

14. Plant and equipment - Group
2011

2010

Cost

At 1 August 2010
Additions

At 31 July 2011

Depreciation

At 1 August 2010
Charge for the year

At 31 July 2011

Net book value

At 31 July 2011

Office equipment
£

Cost

69,648
17,380

87,028

62,368
9,499

71,867

15,161

At 1 August 2009
Additions
Transfer to assets 
classified as held for 
sale

At 31 July 2010

Depreciation

At 1 August 2009
Charge for the year

At 31 July 2010

Net book value

At 31 July 2010

Gas storage (under 
construction)
£

Office equipment
£

20,318,153
3,346,830

69,648
-

Total
£

20,387,801
3,346,830

(23,664,983)

-

(23,664,983)

-

-
-

-

-

69,648

69,648

41,298
21,070

62,368

41,298
21,070

62,368

7,280

7,280

Plant and equipment - Company
2011

15. Intangible assets
2010

Office equipment
£

Cost

Development costs -
Gas storage
£

Cost

At 1 August 2010
Additions

At 31 July 2011

Depreciation

At 1 August 2010
Charge for the year

At 31 July 2011

Net book value

At 31 July 2011

-
17,380

17,380

-
3,358

3,358

14,022

At 1 August 2009
Additions
Transfer assets classified as held 
for sale

1,821,551
592,791

(2,414,342)

At 31 July 2010

Amortisation

At 1 August 2009
Charge for the year

At 31 July 2010

Net book value

At 31 July 2010

-

-
-

-

-

30

InfraStrata plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16. Investments
Group

2011
£

2010
£

Investment in joint venture

Balance at the beginning of the year
Additions
Share of losses

Balance at the end of the year

Investment in associates

Balance at the beginning of the year
Additions
Disposals

Balance at the end of the year

-
22,925,605
(452,089)

22,473,516

-
2,880,000
-

2,880,000

Total investments at the end of the year

25,353,516

-
-
-

-

-
-
-

-

-

Joint venture

The  Group  has  a  50%  interest  in  Portland  Gas  Limited  which  is  involved  in 
developing  a  gas  storage  facility  on  the  Isle  of  Portland,  Dorset  and  the  related 
gas  pipelines  between  Portland  and  Mappowder.  The  joint  venture  is  a  private 
company and is not listed on any public exchange.

Previously, Portland Gas Limited was a subsidiary and its assets and liabilities were 
categorised  as  held  for  sale.  The  Group  recognised  the  investment  in  the  joint 
venture following the issue of shares to eCORP Oil & Gas UK Limited, which 
reduced  the  Group’s  interest  to  50%,  this  being  effective  on  1  September  2010 
in return for funding the next £22.9 million in the project to match the project 
expenditure  invested  by  InfraStrata,  subject  to  options  to  exit  the  project  by 
relinquishing its equity interest.

In accordance with the applicable international financial reporting standard, the 
investment in the joint venture is the Group’s share of the fair value of Portland 
Gas Limited at the date which it became a joint venture adjusted by its share of the 
joint ventures losses.

The disposal is analysed as follows:

Group’s book value of assets 
and liabilities at the date of 
loss of control

•	
•	
•	

Plant & equipment
Accounts payable
Long term liabilities

£

23,917,960
(679,011)
(3,277,358)

Profit on disposal

2,964,014

Group’s share of the fair value 
of Portland Gas Limited

22,925,605

Share of Portland Gas Limited group capital commitments

897,500

-

•	
•	
•	
•	

Long-term assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long-term liabilities

2011
£

2010
£

Statement of financial position at
31 July 2011

£

25,605,758
154,135
(1,097,214)
(2,189,163)

22,473,516

For the period 1 September 2010 to 31 July 2011

Administrative expenditure

Operating lease commitments falling due
•	 Within one year
•	 Within 2 to 5 years
•	

After more than 5 years

£

(452,089)

680,134
3,387,200
4,445,700

InfraStrata plc

31

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Associates

The Group has a 50% interest in Corfe Energy Limited and Brigantes Energy Limited which are involved 
in  the  hydrocarbon  exploration.  The  associates  are  private  companies  and  are  not  listed  on  any  public 
exchanges. The following table summarises the Group’s share of the assets and liabilities of each of these 
associates as recorded in each associates’ accounting records:

Corfe Energy Limited

2011
£

2010
£

Brigantes Energy Limited

2011
£

2010
£

Long-term asset
Current assets
Current liability

99,372
719,694
(106,334)

-
-
-

Long-term asset
Current assets
Current liability

108,284
720,839
(117,028)

-
-
-

The Group recognised the investment in the associates on completion of the sale of 50% of IS E&P Limited 
(formerly InfraStrata Trading Limited) and IS NV Limited (formerly InfraStrata NV Limited) effective 
31 March 2011 (the subsidiaries issued new equity to the buyers), in return for new investors purchasing 
£1,500,000 new equity before expenses in each of the Companies. The disposals are analysed as follows:

Corfe Energy Limited

£

Brigantes Energy Limited

£

Accounts receivable
Profit on disposal

300
1,439,700

1,440,000

Accounts receivable
Profit on disposal

300
1,439,700

1,440,000

Investments
Company

2011
£

2010
£

Balance at the beginning of the year
Additions
Disposals

15,257,966
500
(8,855)

15,249,111
8,855
-

Balance at the end of the year

15,249,611

15,257,966

Subsidiaries

The  Company’s  subsidiary  undertakings  at  31  July  2011,  all  of  which  are  wholly  owned  unless  indicated 
otherwise, are as follows:

InfraStrata UK Limited
Portland Gas ESP S.L.

Holding and corporate
Spanish sub surface gas storage developer

England
Spain

Principal Undertaking

Country of incorporation

InfraStrata  UK  Limited  owns  the  following 
subsiary:

Islandmagee Storage Limited
(65% owned)

Sub surface gas storage developer

Northern Ireland

In  January  2010  InfraStrata  UK  Limited,  Moyle  Energy  Investments  Limited  and  Islandmagee  Storage 
Limited entered into a preliminary shareholders agreement whereby Moyle Energy Investments Limited 
acquired a 35% interest in Islandmagee Storage Limited. InfraStrata UK Limited continues to assume one 
hundred percent of the risks and rewards of ownership of Islandmagee Storage Limited (including voting 
rights) and therefore InfraStrata plc includes the total assets and liabilities in its consolidated results.

InfraStrata  UK  Limited  also 
owns  50%  (2010  –  100%)  of 
the issued equity share capital of 
Portland Gas Limited.

32

InfraStrata plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Portland Gas Limited, which was a subsidiary at the prior year end and is now classified as a joint venture, 
owns the subsidiaries listed below:

Portland Gas Storage Limited
Portland Gas Transportation Limited

Sub surface gas storage developer
Gas storage pipeline developer

England
England

Principal Undertaking

Country of incorporation

Investments in associates

Balance at beginning of year
Reclassifications

Balance at the end of the year

17. Trade and other receivables

Amounts due from Group undertakings
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments

2011
£

-
600

600

2010
£

-
-

-

Group
2011
£

-
83,754
12,900
43,872

The company owns 50% of the issued share capital of the 
following companies, both of which are incorporated in 
England and are involved in oil and gas exploration:

Corfe Energy Limited
Brigantes Energy Limited

Group
2010
£

-
-
71,985
38,747

Company
2011
£

11,625,452
83,754
12,897
43,872

Company
2010
£

10,809,819
-
25,000
38,747

140,526

110,732

11,765,975

10,873,566

An element of the Company and Group’s credit risk is attributable to its trade and other receivables. Based 
on prior experience and an assessment of the current economic environment, the Directors did not consider 
any provision for irrecoverable amounts was required and consider that the carrying amounts of these assets 
approximates to their fair value.

18. Available for sale financial assets

At 1 August
Trasferred from subsidiary

At 31 July

Group
2011
£

12,500
-

12,500

Group
2010
£

12,500
-

12,500

The investment in securities above represents an investment in Egdon Resources plc redeemable preference 
shares. The assets are held at cost as an approximation of fair value. These are the only financial assets which 
the Group and Company are required to carry at fair value.

19. Cash and cash equivalents

Group
2011
£

Group
2010
£

Cash at bank

714,969

1,260,982

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value. The credit risk 
on liquid funds is limited because the counter-parties are banks with high credit ratings.

InfraStrata plc

Company
2011
£

12,500
-

12,500

Company
2011
£

118,448

Company
2010
£

-
12,500

12,500

Company
2010
£

1,072,060

33

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20. Assets held for sale and discontinued operations

The  Company  has  announced,  together  with  Moyle  Energy 
Investments  Limited,  that  it  has  entered  into  exclusive  negotiations 
with a major energy company regarding the acquisition of an equity 
interest in Islandmagee Storage Limited owned by InfraStrata (65%) 
and Moyle (35%). It is likely that the equity interest will arise through 
the issue of shares by Islandmagee Storage Limited rather than the sale 
of equity by the Group. It is expected that the majority of the proceeds 
from  the  issue  of  equity  will  be  retained  in  Islandmagee  Storage 
Limited to fund project development.

Assets classified as held for sale
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets - gas storage 
development costs
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

2011
£

2010
£

-

23,664,983

2,700,345
1,066
43,320

2,414,342
334,553
97,156

2,744,731

26,511,034

The operations of Portland Gas ESP S.L. have been discontinued and 
the Company will be wound up as soon as possible.

Whilst the assets held for sale are classified as current assets, due to the 
nature of the arrangements described above, the group does not expect 
to receive cash inflows equivalent to, or in excess of, the book value of 
the assets so classified.

Liabilities classified as held for sale
Current liabilities
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Accruals
Other contractual agreements

Non-current liabilities
Obligations under lease agreements
Other contractual agreements

2011
£

2010
£

1,192
-
28,736
-

73,400
4,182
114,857
700,000

29,928

892,439

-
-

2,168,286
1,000,943

29,928

4,061,668

21. Trade and other payables

Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Accruals
Amount due to Group undertakings

Group
2011
£
39,638
30,540
33,980
-

104,158

Group
2010
£
67,039
37,250
174,317
-

278,606

Company
2011
£
26,893
30,540
28,828
-

86,261

Company
2010
£
176,080
37,250
46,881
100

260,311

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other 
payables approximates to their fair value.

22. Non-current liabilities

Obligations under lease agreements
Other contractual agreements
Transfer to liabilities directly associated with 
non-current assets classified as held for sale

Group
2011
£
-
-

-

-

Group
2010
£
2,168,286
1,000,943

(3,169,229)

-

The non-current liabilities as at 31 July 2010 were liabilities of Portland 
Gas Storage Limited which is now accounted for on the equity method 
following the disposal of 50% of Portland Gas Limited. The obligation 
under a lease agreement is to be settled over a period of 13 years. Under 
the terms of a separate agreement with the lessor the Group will pay 
£120,000 per annum of the liability arising under the lease until the 

Portland project is fully funded. The balance will be settled by way of 
an interest bearing loan, which will be repaid when the project is fully 
funded. Other contractual agreements relate to payments to be made 
to  the  Portland  Gas  Trust  under  a  Section  106  planning  agreement 
and will be settled over a period of 20 years.

34

InfraStrata plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

23. Financial assets and liabilities

The Group and Company’s financial instruments comprise cash and 
cash equivalents and items such as trade payables and other receivables 
which  arise  directly  form  the  Group’s  operations.  The  Group’s 
operations  expose  it  to  a  variety  of  financial  risks  including  credit 
risk,  liquidity  risk,  interest  rate  risk  and  foreign  currency  exchange 
risk.  Given  the  size  of  the  Group,  the  Directors  have  not  delegated 
the  responsibility  of  monitoring  financial  risk  management  to  a 
subcommittee of the board. The objectives of the financial instrument 
policies are to reduce the Group and Company’s exposure to financial 
risk. The policies set by the board of Directors are implemented by the 
Company’s finance department. The group is also indirectly exposed 
to risks arising from its interests in joint ventures and associates. The 
group  is  not  required  to  give  detailed  information  relating  to  these 
risks.

Credit risk

The  credit  risk  on  liquid  funds  is  limited  because  the  Group  and 
Company policy is to only deal with counter parties with high credit 
ratings  and  more  than  one  institution  is  utilised  to  deposit  cash 
holdings. The Group held funds in the Bank of Scotland, Northern 
Rock and Lloyds TSB bank accounts during the last two years, at year 
end all of the funds were held in Bank of Scotland. The risk of Bank 
of Scotland bank failure has decreased during the year. The carrying 
amount  of  financial  assets  represents  the  maximum  credit  exposure. 
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:

Available for sale financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Group
2011
£
12,500
96,654
714,696

Group
2010
£
12,500
71,985
1,260,982

Company
2011
£
12,500
96,651
118,448

Company
2010
£
12,500
57,364
1,072,060

The reconciling item, in the prior year, between the trade and other receivables presented above 
and that presented in note 17 is the VAT receivable.

Interest rate risk

Credit risk

The  Company  and  Group  is  exposed  to  interest  rate  risk  as  a  result 
of positive cash balances, denominated in sterling, which earn interest 
at  a  variable  rate.  These  attract  interest  at  rates  that  vary  with  bank 
interest rates. Cash at bank at floating rates consisted of money market 
deposits  which  earn  interest  at  rates  set  in  advance  from  periods  of 
1-3 months by reference to Sterling LIBOR. An effective interest rate 
increase or decrease by 1% on the cash and cash equivalents balance at 
year end would result in a before tax financial effect of an increase or 
decrease in investment revenues and equity for the Group of £7,344 
(2010: £13,581) and for the Company of £1,184 (2010: £10,721).

The Group is exposed to foreign currency rate risk as a result of trade 
payables which are settled in Euros. During the year the Group and 
Company did not enter into any arrangements to hedge this risk, as 
the  Directors  did  not  consider  the  exposure  to  be  significant  given 
the short term nature of the balances. The Group and Company will 
review this policy as appropriate in the future. As at 31 July 2011, if 
the Euro had weakened or strengthened 10% against sterling with all 
other variables held constant, the Group’s net loss and equity would 
have decreased or increased by £1,178 (2010: £1,791).

The currency risk disclosures at 31 July 2011 are as follows:
Accounts payable

Euro

£10,606

The currency risk disclosures at 31 July 2010 are as follows:
Accounts payable

£15,009

The book value of financial assets and liabilities disclosed is 
considered to be equal to fair value.

Liquidity risk

The  Group  and  Company  policy  is  to  actively  maintain  a  mixture 
of  long-term  and  short-term  deposits  that  are  designed  to  ensure  it 
has sufficient available funds for operations. The total carrying value 
of  Group  and  Company  financial  liabilities  is  disclosed  in  notes  20 
(assets held for sale and discontinued operations), 21 (trade and other 
payables)  and  22  (non-current  liabilities).  Further  information  on 
contractual  maturities  of  significant  financial  liabilities  is  disclosed 

in notes 22 and 28. The Company issues share capital when external 
funds  are  required.  The  reconciling  items  between  the  contractual 
maturities presented below and that presented in notes 20, 21 and 22 
are taxes and the effect of discounting long term liabilities to present 
value.  The  following  table  shows  the  contractual  maturities  of  the 
Group’s and Company’s financial liabilities, all of which are measured 
at amortised cost.

InfraStrata plc

35

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Within one month
More than one month and less that one year
More than one year and less than five years
More than five years

Group
2011
£

98,371
-
-
-

Group
2010
£

1,056,626
100,000
1,990,634
1,966,973

Company
2011
£

42,789
-
-
-

Company
2010
£

87,403
-
-
-

The contractual liabilities of Portland Gas Limited at 31 July 2010 of £616,622 and £100,000 
shown as falling due within one month and within one year, respectively, are not expected to be 
paid until such time as the Portland project is fully funded.

24. Share capital and redeemable preference shares

Ordinary share capital

At 31 July 2009
- Ordinary shares of 10 pence each

Authorised

Number

Allotted, called up, and fully paid

£

Number

£

100,000,000

10,000,000

70,384,727

7,038,473

Issue 10 pence ordinary shares

-

-

3,419,474

341,947

At 31 July 2010
- Ordinary shares of 10 pence each

100,000,000

10,000,000

73,804,201

7,380,420

Issue 10 pence ordinary shares

-

-

4,460,125

446,013

At 31 July 2011
- Ordinary shares of 10 pence each

Redeemable preference shares of £1
each (classified as liabilities) 

100,000,000

10,000,000

78,264,326

7,826,433

At 31 July 2011, 2010 and 2009

50,000

50,000

50,000

12,500

On  the  21  December  2010  the  Company  allotted 
365,125 new ordinary shares of 10p each to the Executive 
Directors at 13.42p each in lieu of cash bonuses due to the 
value of £49,000.

On  the  7  February  2011  the  Company  completed  a  placing  of  4,095,000  new 
ordinary shares of 10p each at 22p per share with an existing institutional investor 
to raise £900,900 before expenses. The expenses of the issue, which were taken to 
the share premium account, were £36,063.

Objectives, policies and processes for managing capital

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue 
as a going concern in order to achieve its operational objectives.

The Group defines capital as being share capital plus reserves. The Board of Directors monitors 
the level of capital as compared to the Group’s forecast cash flows and long term commitments 
and  when  necessary  issues  new  shares.  Dilution  of  existing  shareholder  value  is  considered 
during all processes which may result in an alteration of share capital in issue.

Ordinary share capital in issue is managed as 
capital and the redeemable preference shares 
in issue are managed as current liabilities.

The  Group  is  not  subject  to  any  externally 
imposed capital requirements.

25. Merger reserve

Company

Group

The merger reserve arose on the demerger of the Portland Gas Group 
of companies from Egdon Resources Plc when the Company issued 
shares at a premium to their nominal value on acquisition of InfraStrata 
UK Limited. The reserve is not distributable.

The  merger  reserve  represents  the  difference  between  the  nominal 
value  of  the  shares  issued  on  the  demerger  and  the  combined  share 
capital and share premium of InfraStrata UK Limited at the date of 
the demerger.

36

InfraStrata plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

26. Share based payment reserve

The  reserve  for  share  based  payments  is  used  to  record  the  value  of 
equity  settled  share  based  payments  awarded  to  employees  and 
transfers out of this reserve are made upon the exercise or expiration 
of the share awards.

The transfer in of £60,888 (2010: £125,426) relates to share options 
granted.  Options  forfeited  during  the  year  resulted  in  a  transfer  of 
£40,892 from the share based payment reserve into retained earnings. 
For further information on the share based payment scheme see note 7.

27. Cash (used in) operations

Group
Operating loss for the year from continuing 
operations
Depreciation
(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other 
receivables
(Decrease) in trade and other payables
Share option expense
Shares issued in lieu of bonus
Loss on sale of subsidiary

2011
£

2010
£

(940,195)
9,499

(397,358)
21,070

(29,794)
(174,449)
60,888
49,000
8,355

38,624
(83,280)
125,246
-
-

Company
Operating loss for the year
Depreciation
(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other 
receivables
(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other 
payables
Share option expense
Shares issued in lieu of bonus
Loss on sale of subsidiary

2011
£
(858,467)
3,358

2010
£
(233,545)
-

(892,408)

(1,472,948)

(174,050)
60,888
49,000
8,355

152,452
125,246
-
-

Cash from/(used in) discontinued operations

34,170

(1,114,017)

Cash used in operations

(1,803,324)

(1,428,795)

Cash (used in) continuing and discontinued 
operations

(982,526)

(1,409,715)

Cash from/(used in) discontinued operations
Group

Cash from/(used in) discontinued operations

34,170

(1,114,017)

Investing activities

Financing activities

(415,846)

(2,819,450)

-

-

28. Operating lease commitments

29. Tangible capital commitments

Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases 
as at 31 July are as follows:

Amounts due:

Within one year
Within 2 to 5 years
After more than 5 years

Land and buildings
2011
£

Land and buildings
2010
£

30,000
22,438
-

52,438

1,223,600
6,493,505
10,585,000

18,302,105

2011
£

2010
£

Approved and contracted

-

1,795,000

The capital commitments at 31 July 2010 related 
to a commitment of Portland Gas Storage Limited 
in relation to a S106 deed of undertaking.

Operating  lease  payments  represent  rentals  payable  by  the  Group 
for office premises and land which is for the purposes of gas storage 
facility development.
The office premises lease rentals are fixed for 5 years and the escalation 
clause  is  linked  to  market  rates  agreed  between  the  landlord  and 
tenant. The lease provides for a break clause at the fifth anniversary of 
the lease, exercisable at the Company’s option.
At 31 July 2010 the rents due by Portland Gas Storage Limited under 
the  gas  storage  development  land  leases  are  fixed  to  the  first  review 

date  on  the  20  October  2011  and  the  escalation  clause  is  linked  to 
the Retail Price Index published by the Office for National Statistics. 
The  lease  provides  for  a  break  clause  at  the  fifteenth  anniversary  of 
the lease, exercisable at the Company’s option. Until such time as the 
Group has secured funding for the Portland project only minimal cash 
payments will fall due, with the balance of the liability being settled by 
way of interest bearing loans, which are payable once the associated gas 
storage project is fully funded.

InfraStrata plc

37

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

30. Related party transactions

InfraStrata  UK  Limited  leases  the  Group’s  head  office  from  Toffee  Limited,  a  company  of 
which Andrew Hindle is a director and shareholder. A fair market rent paid during the period 
was £45,000 (2010; £45,000). The balance outstanding at 31 July 2011 was £nil (2010: £nil). 
The Company paid professional fees to Pinnacle Energy Limited of £35,000 (2010: £nil), a 
company of which Walter Roberts is a director. The balance outstanding at 31 July 2011 was 
£nil (2010: £nil).

The  Group  has  related  party  relationships 
with  its  associates  and  joint  ventures  in  the 
course  of  normal  operations.  The  Group 
recovered  overhead  and  technical  support 
costs  from  its  joint  venture  of  £212,655 
(2010 – not applicable).

The following balances were outstanding at 31 July 2011:

Joint ventures
Nominal value of convertible unsecured loan notes
Other

Associates
Other

Company

Amounts owed by related parties
£

Amounts owed to related parties
£

22,865,368
21,090

-

-
-

600

The  Company  has  related  party  relationships  with  its 
subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures in the course of 
normal operations.

InfraStrata  plc  recovered  overhead  and  technical  support  costs  from  InfraStrata 
UK  Limited  of  £182,863  (2010:  £170,561),  Portland  Gas  Storage  Limited  of 
£193,450  (2010:  £473,358),  Islandmagee  Storage  Limited  of  £113,826  (2010: 
£92,134) and Portland Gas Transportation Limited of £19,205 (2010: £230,457).

The  balances  outstanding  at  31 
July 2011, which are not secured, 
are  provided  in  the  following 
table.

Subsidiaries and associates
InfraStrata UK Limited
Islandmagee Storage Limited
Corfe Energy Limited
Brigantes Energy Limited

Amounts owed by related parties
£

Amounts owed to related parties
£

11,082,221
543,231
-
-

-
-
300
300

The  balances  outstanding  at  31 
July 2010, which are not secured, 
are  provided  in  the  following 
table.

Amounts owed by related parties
£

Amounts owed to related parties
£

Subsidiaries
InfraStrata UK Limited
Portland Gas Storage Limited
Islandmagee Storage Limited
Portland Gas Transportation Limited
Portland Gas ESP S.L.

6,751,126
2,943,867
428,577
517,063
136,823

-
-
-
-
-

31. Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Amounts  included  in  the  financial  statements  involve  the  use  of 
judgement  and/or  estimation.  These  estimates  and  judgements  are 
based  on  management’s  best  knowledge  of  the  relevant  facts  and 
circumstances, having regard to previous experience, but actual results 

may  differ  from  the  amounts  included  in  the  financial  statements. 
Information about such judgements and estimation is contained in the
accounting policies and/or the notes to the financial statements, and 
the key areas are summarised below.

Capitalisation of project costs

The assessment of whether costs incurred on project exploration and 
evaluation should be capitalised or expensed involves judgement. Any 
expenditure  which  is  considered  to  relate  to  gas  storage  exploration 
research  activities  or  where  it  is  not  probable  that  future  economic 

benefits will flow to the Group are expensed. Management considers 
the nature of the costs incurred and the stage of project development 
and  concludes  whether  it  is  appropriate  to  capitalise  the  costs.  The 
key  assumptions  depend  on  the  rock  mechanical  properties  of  the 
halite, the availability of a suitable site for construction of the required 
facilities and the likelihood of gaining the relevant permissions.

38

InfraStrata plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Share based payments

The  estimation  of  share  based  payment  costs  requires  the  selection 
of an appropriate valuation model and consideration as to the inputs 
necessary  for  the  valuation  model  chosen.  The  Group  has  made 

estimates  as  to  the  volatility  of  its  own  shares,  the  probable  life  of 
options granted, and the time of exercise of those options. The model 
used by the Group is the Black-Scholes model. The key assumptions 
are detailed in note 7.

Review of project asset carrying values

The  assessment  of  capitalised  project  costs  for  any  indications  of 
impairment involves judgement. When facts or circumstances suggest 
that  impairment  exists,  a  formal  estimate  of  recoverable  amount  is 
performed and an impairment loss recognised to the extent that the 
carrying  amount  exceeds  recoverable  amount.  The  carrying  amount 
of  the  intangible  asset  with  an  indefinite  useful  life  is  £2,700,345. 
Recoverable amount is determined to be the higher of fair value less 
costs to sell and value in use. The key assumptions are the net income 
expected to be generated from the facilities, the cost of construction 
and  the  date  from  which  the  facilities  become  operational. 

Management  assigns  values  and  dates  to  these  inputs  after  taking 
into account market information, engineering design costing and the 
project programme. A discount rate of 8% is applied in determining 
project  net  present  values.  Salt  cavern  gas  storage  projects  are  long 
term investments and cash flows are therefore projected over periods 
greater than 5 years. Engineering design provides for Project life of 40 
years. It is assumed that 100% of a project’s capacity will be sold from 
the date that the capacity becomes operational, therefore no cash flow 
growth is used when performing cash flow projections.

Going concern

The  preparation  of  the  financial  statements  requires  an  assessment  of  the  validity  of  the 
going  concern  assumption.  The  validity  of  the  going  concern  assumption  is  dependent  on 
the availability of adequate financial resources to allow the Group to continue in operational 
existence  for  the  foreseeable  future.  Should  the  going  concern  basis  not  be  appropriate, 
adjustments  would  have  to  be  made  to  the  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  balance  sheet  of  the 
Group. As with other development companies which have no revenue streams, the Group will 
only be able to continue its development programme if it has sufficient financial resources to 
do so. In order to gain such resources, the Group will need to raise additional funds, either 
through the issue of shares and/or project disposals. Nevertheless after making inquiries and 
considering all the relevant factors in relation to the proposed disposal, the Directors are of 
the  opinion  that  they  will  be  able  to  complete  any  necessary  funding  or,  if  necessary,  defer 
or reduce administrative costs and have therefore prepared cash flow forecasts for the Group 
on these bases. These projections, which include the deferral of expenditure, indicate that the 
Group will have adequate cash resources to meet its obligations as they fall due for a period 
of not less than one year from the date of approval of these financial statements irrespective 
of whether or not the disposal proceeds are received within the expected timeframe. For this 
reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual 
financial statements subject to the going concern disclosure made in note 2.

32. Guarantee

Investments in joint ventures and associates

In  order  to  establish  whether  an  entity  is  a 
consolidated subsidiary, a joint venture or an 
associate, key areas of judgment include:
•	 Quantitative  analysis  of  an  entity 
including  review  of,  amongst  other 
factors,  its  capital  structure,  contractual 
terms,  which  interests  create  or  absorb 
variability,  related  party  relationships 
and design of the entity.

•	 Rights  of  partners  reflecting  significant 
business decisions, including dispositions 
and acquisitions of assets.

•	 Board and management representation.
•	 Ability to make financing decisions.
•	 Operating and capital budget approvals 
and contractual rights of other parties.

Refer to note 16 for additional information.

The Company has guaranteed the lease payments to be made by Portland Gas Storage Limited to Portland 
Port Limited. The financial commitment under this guarantee at 31 July 2011 is £18,474,200.

33. Jointly controlled oil & gas exploration activities

Group and company

Country

Licence

Field name

Operator

Net interest

Northern Ireland

PL1/10

Larne-Lough Neagh Basin

InfraStrata

50%

The Company has entered into agreements with partners whereby the Company’s share of initial exploration costs are covered by the partners to 
the extent of £2 million therefore the company has not incurred expenditure in developing its share of the asset.

34. Control of the Group

The largest Group in which the results of the Company are consolidated is that headed by InfraStrata plc. It is the ultimate holding company and 
is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England. There is no ultimate controlling party of InfraStrata plc.

InfraStrata plc

39

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN WITH NOTICE OF 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
INFRASTRATA PLC (THE “COMPANY”)
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered number 06409712

Directors:
Kenneth Ratcliff (Non-executive Chairman)
Andrew Hindle (Chief Executive Officer)
Craig Gouws (Chief Financial Officer)
Walter Roberts (Legal and Commercial Director)
Maurice Hazzard (Non-executive Director)
William Colvin (Non-executive Director)

Registered Office:

Blackstable House
Longridge
Sheepscombe
Stroud
GL6 7QX

Dear Shareholder,

1 

Introduction

26 November 2011

Notice  of  the  Company’s  forthcoming  annual  general  meeting  to  be  held  on  Tuesday  24  January  2012 
(“AGM” or “Annual General Meeting”) appears on the following pages.

As in previous years your Board is not recommending the payment of a dividend.

2 

Resolutions to be proposed at the AGM

Ordinary Business

Special Business

Annual Report and Accounts (Resolution 1)

Authority of Directors to Allot Shares (Resolution 6)

A copy of the annual report and accounts (together with the Directors’ 
and  Auditors’  report  on  the  annual  report  and  accounts)  for  the 
Company for the financial year ended 31 July 2011 (the “Accounts”) 
has been sent to you with this document. Shareholders will be asked to 
receive the Accounts at the Annual General Meeting.

Re-appointment of Auditors (Resolution 2)

The Company is required at each general meeting at which accounts 
are  presented  to  appoint  auditors  to  hold  office  until  the  next  such 
meeting.  Nexia  Smith  &  Williamson  Audit  Limited  have  indicated 
their  willingness  to  continue  in  office.  Accordingly,  Resolution  2 
proposes  their  re-appointment  as  auditor  of  the  Company  to  hold 
office from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting until the 
conclusion  of  the  next  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Company  at 
which  Accounts  are  laid,  and  authorises  the  Directors  to  determine 
their remuneration.

Retirement by Directors (Resolutions 3 to 5)

William Colvin, who was appointed to the Board on 1 February 2011, 
retires in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association and 
offers himself for re-election. I and Walter Roberts are the Directors 
retiring  by  rotation  this  year  and  each  of  us  offers  himself  for  re-
election. All members of the Board are required to submit themselves 
for re-election at least once every three years. Brief biographical details 
of each of the Directors appear on page 11 of the Accounts.

The  authority  given  to  the  Directors  to  allot  further  shares  in  the 
capital  of  the  Company  requires  the  prior  authorisation  of  the 
shareholders  in  general  meeting  under  section  551  Companies  Act 
2006. Upon the passing of Resolution 6, pursuant to paragraph (A) 
of the Resolution, the Directors will have authority to allot shares up 
to a maximum of £2,608,810 which is approximately one third of the 
current issued share capital as at 26 November 2011, being the latest 
practicable date before the publication of this Letter. This authority 
will expire immediately following the annual general meeting for 2012 
or, if earlier, six months following the date to which the Company’s 
next annual report and accounts are made up.

In addition, in accordance with the guidance from the Association of 
British Insurers (“ABI”) on the expectations of institutional investors in 
relation to the authority of directors to allot shares, upon the passing of 
Resolution 6, the Directors will have authority (pursuant to paragraph 
(B) of the Resolution) to allot an additional number of ordinary shares 
up  to  a  maximum  of  £2,608,810,  which  is  approximately  a  further 
third of the current issued ordinary share capital as at 26 November 
2011,  being  the  latest  practical  date  before  the  publication  of  this 
Letter. However, the Directors will only be able to allot those shares 
for the purposes of a rights issue in which the new shares are offered 
to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings. 
This authority will also expire immediately following the next annual 
general meeting or, if earlier, six months following the date to which 
the Company’s next annual report and accounts are made up to.

40

InfraStrata plc

As a result, if Resolution 6 is passed, the Directors could allot shares 
representing  up  to  two-thirds  of  the  current  issued  share  capital 
pursuant to a rights issue.

Disapplication of Pre-emption Rights (Resolution 7)

If  the  Directors  wish  to  exercise  the  authority  under  Resolution  6 
and offer unissued shares (or sell any shares which the Company may 
purchase and elect to hold as treasury shares) for cash, the Companies 
Act  2006  requires  that  unless  shareholders  have  given  specific 
authority for the waiver of the statutory pre-emption rights, the new 
shares be offered first to existing shareholders in proportion to their 
existing shareholdings. In certain circumstances, it may be in the best 
interests of the Company to allot new shares (or to grant rights over 
shares) for cash without first offering them to existing shareholders in 
proportions to their holdings. 

Resolution 7 would authorise the Directors to do this by allowing the 
Directors to allot shares for cash (i) by way of a rights issue (subject 
to  certain  exclusions),  (ii)  by  way  of  an  open  offer  or  other  offer  of 
securities (not being a rights issue) in favour of existing shareholders 
in  proportions  to  their  shareholdings  (subject  to  certain  exclusions) 
and (iii) to persons other than existing shareholders up to an aggregate 
nominal value of £1,565,286 which is equivalent to 20 per cent of the 
issued share capital of the Company on 26 November 2011, being the 
latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Letter. If given, 
the  authority  will  expire  on  the  conclusion  of  the  annual  general 
meeting for 2012 or, if earlier, six months following the date to which 
the Company’s next annual reports and accounts are made up.

For this purpose the ABI recommendation for companies on the LSE 
main  list  is  5%  although  it  is  generally  recognised  that  for  smaller 
companies and those on AIM this may be too constrictive. The nature 
of  our  business  and  the  critical  phase  of  so  many  of  the  projects  in 
which we are involved, which can both be expected to require up-front 
investment and can take a long time to fully develop, means that your 
Board considers 5% to be insufficient. Consequently I would ask that 
you  approve  a  20%  disapplication  of  pre-emption  rights  to  provide 
your Board with the flexibility to pursue such opportunities without 
incurring the costs of a rights issue or the need to market part of the 
investment opportunity to third parties.

3 

Recommendation

Your Directors consider the Resolutions to be proposed at the AGM 
to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a 
whole. Consequently, the Directors recommend shareholders to vote 
in favour of the Resolutions as they intend to do in respect of their own 
beneficial holdings totalling 8,119,520 ordinary shares (representing 
10.37 per cent. of the Company’s issued share capital as at the date of 
this Letter). 

A  form  of  proxy  is  included  for  use  at  the  AGM.  Forms  of  proxy 
should be completed, signed and returned as soon as possible and in 
any  event  so  as  to  be  received  by  Capita  Registrars  at  The  Registry, 
34  Beckenham  Road,  Beckenham,  Kent  BR3  4TU  not  less  than  48 
hours (excluding non-business days) prior to the time appointed for 
the holding of the AGM on 24 January 2012.

Completion of a proxy form will not prevent you from attending the 
AGM in person if you so wish.

Yours sincerely,

Ken Ratcliff
Non-executive Chairman

InfraStrata plc

41

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of InfraStrata plc (the “Company”) will be held at the offices of 
Buchanan Communications Limited, 107 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DN, United Kingdom on Tuesday 24 January 2012 
at 11.00 hours, for the purpose of passing the following Resolutions, of which Resolutions 1 to 6 will be proposed as 
Ordinary Resolutions and Resolution 7 will be proposed as a Special Resolution:

Ordinary Resolutions:

1.  To receive the report of the Directors and the audited accounts of 
the Company for the year ended 31 July 2011, together with the 
report of the Auditors on those audited accounts.

2.  That  Nexia  Smith  &  Williamson  Audit  Limited  be  and  are 
hereby  reappointed  as  auditor  of  the  Company  to  hold  office 
from the conclusion of this meeting until the conclusion of the 
next meeting at which accounts are laid before the meeting, at a 
remuneration to be determined by the Directors.

3.  To re-elect William Colvin as Director who retires pursuant to 
article 87 of the Company’s articles of association and who, being 
eligible, offers himself for re-election.

4.  To  re-elect  Walter  Roberts  as  Director  who  retires  pursuant  to 
article 92 of the Company’s articles of association and who, being 
eligible, offers himself for re-election.

5.  To re-elect Kenneth Ratcliff as Director who retires pursuant to 
article 92 of the Company’s articles of association and who, being 
eligible, offers himself for re-election.

6.  To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following Resolution as 

an ordinary resolution:

and so that that Directors may impose any limits or restrictions and 
make any arrangements which they consider necessary or appropriate 
to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, 
regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory 
or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange or any 
other matter (including any such problems arising by virtue of equity 
securities being represented by depositary receipts).

The authorities conferred on the Directors under paragraphs (A) and 
(B)  above  shall  expire  at  the  conclusion  of  the  next  annual  general 
meeting  of  the  Company  after  the  passing  of  this  Resolution  or  31 
January  2013,  whichever  is  the  earlier  save  that  the  Company  may 
before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might 
require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for, or to convert any 
security into, shares to be granted after such expiry and the Directors 
may  allot  shares  or  grant  rights  to  subscribe  for,  or  to  convert  any 
security into, shares (as the case may be) in pursuance of such an offer 
or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.

the  Directors  be  and  they  are  hereby  generally  and 
unconditionally  authorised  in  accordance  with  section 
551 Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) to exercise all the 
powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company 
and  to  grant  rights  to  subscribe  for,  or  to  convert  any 
security into, shares in the Company:

up to an aggregate nominal amount of £2,608,810; and

comprising  equity  securities  (within  the  meaning  of 
section 560 CA 2006) up to a further aggregate nominal 
amount of £2,608,810 in connection with an offer by way 
of a rights issue:

(i)

(ii)

to  ordinary  shareholders  in  proportion  (as 
nearly as may be practicable) to their existing 
holdings; and

to  holders  of  other  equity  securities  as 
required by the rights of those securities or as 
the Directors otherwise consider necessary,

1. A member is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to exercise all or any of the 
member’s rights to attend, speak and vote on his/her behalf at the meeting. A proxy 
need not be a member of the Company. If a member appoints more than one proxy 
to attend the meeting, each proxy must be appointed to exercise the rights attached 
to a different share or shares held by the member. If a member wishes to appoint more 
than one proxy and so requires additional proxy forms, the member should contact 
Capita Registrars on 0871 664 0300 if calling within the United Kingdom or +44 
20 8639 3399 if calling from outside the United Kingdom. Lines are open 8:30am 
– 5:30pm Mon–Fri. Calls to the helpline from within the United Kingdom cost 10 
pence per minute (including VAT) from a BT landline. Other service providers’ costs 
may  vary.  Call  to  the  helpline  from  outside  the  United  Kingdom  will  be  charged 
at applicable international rates. Calls may be recorded and monitored for security 
and training purposes.  A form of proxy for use by members at the Annual General 
Meeting accompanies this notice.
2. To be effective, the form of proxy and the power of attorney or other authority (if 
any) under which it is signed, or a notarially certified copy of such authority, must be 
received by post or (during normal business hours only) by hand at the office of the 
Company’s Registrars, being Capita Registrars at The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, 
Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU, not less than 48 hours, excluding non-business days, 
before the time of the holding of the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
3.  Completion  and  return  of  the  proxy  form  does  not  preclude  a  member  from 
attending and voting at the meeting in person.
4. In the case of joint shareholders, where more than one of the joint holders purports 
to appoint a proxy, only the appointment submitted by the most senior holder will 
be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which the names of the joint 
shareholders  appear  in  the  Company’s  register  of  members  in  respect  of  the  joint 

THAT

(A)

(B)

42

InfraStrata plc

Special Resolutions:

7.  To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following Resolution as a special resolution:

THAT, subject to the passing of Resolution 6 above the Directors be and they are hereby empowered 
pursuant to section 570 CA 2006 to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560 CA 
2006) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by Resolution 6, as if section 561 CA 2006 did not 
apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited:

(A)

to the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer of equity securities (but in 
the case of the authority granted under paragraph (B) of Resolution 6, by way of a rights issue 
only):
(i)

to ordinary shareholders in proportion (as nearly as may be practicable) to their 
existing holdings; and
to holders of other equity securities as required by the rights of those securities or 
as the Directors otherwise consider necessary,

(ii)

and so that the Directors may impose any limits or restrictions and make any arrangements which 
they consider necessary or appropriate to deal with any treasury shares, fractional entitlements, 
record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory or the 
requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange or any other matter (including any such 
problems arising by virtue of equity securities being represented by depositary receipts); and

Dated 26 November 2011

By Order of the Board

(B)

to the allotment (otherwise than under paragraph (A) of this Resolution 7) of equity securities 
up to an aggregate nominal amount of £1,565,286,

and shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company after the passing of 
this Resolution or 31 January 2013, whichever is the earlier, except that the Company may before such 
expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such 
expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power 
conferred hereby had not expired.

Walter Roberts
Secretary

Registered Office:
Blackstable House
Longridge
Sheepscombe
Stroud
GL6 7QX

holding (the first-named being the most senior).
5. To change your proxy instructions simply submit a new proxy appointment using the 
methods set out above. Note that the cut-off time for receipt of proxy appointments (see 
above) also apply in relation to amended instructions; any amended proxy appointment 
received after the relevant cut-off time will be disregarded. If you submit more than one 
valid proxy appointment, the appointment received last before the latest time for the 
receipt of proxies will take precedence.
6. In order to revoke a proxy instruction you will need to inform the Company by sending 
notice  in  writing  clearly  stating  your  intention  to  revoke  your  proxy  appointment  to 
Company’s  Registrars,  being  Capita  Registrars  at The  Registry,  34  Beckenham  Road, 
Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU. In the case of a member which is a company, the revocation 
notice  must  be  executed  under  its  common  seal  or  signed  on  its  behalf  by  an  officer 
of the company or an attorney for the company. Any power of attorney or any other 
authority under which the revocation notice is signed (or a duly certified copy of such 
power or authority) must be included with the revocation notice. The revocation notice 
must be received by the Company no later than 48 hours, excluding non-business days, 
before the time of the holding of the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If you attempt 
to revoke your proxy appointment but the revocation is received after the time specified 
then  your  proxy  appointment  will  remain  valid.  If  you  have  appointed  a  proxy  and 
attend the meeting in person, your proxy appointment will automatically be terminated.
7.  In  accordance  with  the  permission  in  Regulation  41(1)  of  The  Uncertificated 
Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755), only those holders of ordinary shares 
who are registered on the Company’s share register at 18.00 hours on 20 January 2012 
shall  be  entitled  to  attend  the  above  Annual  General  Meeting  (or,  in  the  case  of  an 
adjourned  meeting,  18.00  hours  on  the  day  which  is  two  days  before  the  adjourned 
meeting)  and  to  vote  in  respect  of  the  number  of  shares  registered  in  their  names  at 

that time. Changes to entries on the share register after 18.00 hours on 20 January 2012 
shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and/or vote at the 
Annual General Meeting.
8. If the Chairman, as a result of any proxy appointments, is given discretion as to how 
the votes the subject of those proxies are cast and the voting rights in respect of those 
discretionary proxies, when added to the interests in the Company’s securities already 
held  by  the  Chairman,  result  in  the  Chairman  holding  such  number  of  voting  rights 
that  he  has  a  notifiable  obligation  under  the  Disclosure  and  Transparency  Rules,  the 
Chairman  will  make  the  necessary  notifications  to  the  Company  and  the  Financial 
Services Authority. As a result, any member holding 3% or more of the voting rights 
in the Company who grants the Chairman a discretionary proxy in respect of some or 
all of those voting rights and so would otherwise have a notification obligation under 
the  Disclosure  and  Transparency  Rules,  need  not  make  a  separate  notification  to  the 
Company and the Financial Services Authority.
9. Copies of the service agreements and letters of appointment between the Company 
and its Directors will be available for inspection at the registered office of the Company 
during  usual  business  hours  on  any  weekday  (Saturdays,  Sundays  and  Bank  Holidays 
excluded)  until  the  date  of  the  meeting  and  also  on  the  date  and  at  the  place  of  the 
meeting from half an hour before the meeting until the conclusion of the meeting.

InfraStrata plc

43

Notes:

1. 

2. 

3. 

A proxy need not be a member of the Company but must attend the meeting to 
represent you. If you wish to appoint as a proxy a person other than the Chair-
man of the AGM, please delete the words “the Chairman of the AGM” and insert 
the name of the other person. All alterations made to this Proxy Form must be 
initialled by the signatory. If you sign and return this Proxy Form with no name 
inserted in the box, the Chairman of the AGM will be deemed to be your proxy. 
If the proxy is being appointed in relation to less than your full voting entitlement, 
please enter the number of shares in relation to which they are authorised to act 
as your proxy. If left blank your proxy will be deemed to be authorised in respect 
of your full voting entitlement (or if this Proxy Form has been issued in respect of 
a designated account for a shareholder, the full voting entitlement for that desig-
nated account).
To be effective, this Proxy Form (together with any power of attorney or other 
authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a notarially certified copy of such au-
thority) must be received by post or (during normal business hours only) by hand 
at the office of the Company’s Registrars, being Capita Registrars at The Registry, 
34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU, by no later than 11.00 hours 
on Friday 20 January 2012.
You are entitled to appoint more than one proxy provided that each proxy is ap-
pointed to exercise rights attached to a different share or shares held by you. You 
may not appoint more than one proxy to exercise rights attached to any one share. 
To appoint more than one proxy, (an) additional Proxy Form(s) may be obtained 
by contacting the Registrars helpline on 0871 664 0300 if calling within the Unit-
ed Kingdom or +44 20 8639 3399 if calling from outside the United Kingdom. 
Lines are open 8:30am – 5:30pm Mon–Fri. Calls to the helpline from within the 
United  Kingdom  cost  10  pence  per  minute  (including  VAT)  from  a  BT  land-
line. Other service providers’ costs may vary. Call to the helpline from outside the 
United Kingdom will be charged at applicable international rates. Calls may be re-
corded and monitored for security and training purposes.  Or you may photocopy 
this form. Please indicate next to the proxy holder’s name the number of shares in 
relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy. Please also indicate by 
ticking the box provided if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions 
being given. All forms must be signed and should be returned together in the same 
envelope.

4.  Completion and return of this Proxy Form will not prevent you from attending in 

5. 

person and voting at the AGM should you subsequently decide to do so.
If  you  wish  your  proxy  to  cast  all  of  your  votes  “For”  or  “Against”  a  resolution 
you should insert an “X” in the appropriate box. If you wish your proxy to cast 
only certain votes “For” and certain votes “Against”, insert the relevant number of 
shares in the appropriate box. In the absence of instructions, your proxy may vote 
or abstain from voting as he or she thinks fit on the specified resolution and, unless 
instructed otherwise, may also vote or abstain from voting as he or she things fit on 
any other business (including on a motion to amend a resolution to propose a new 
resolution or to adjourn the AGM) which may properly come before the AGM.

7. 

6.  The “Vote Withheld” option is provided to enable you to instruct your proxy to 
abstain from voting on a particular resolution. A “Vote Withheld” is not a vote in 
law and will not be counted in the calculation of the proportion of the votes “For” 
or “Against” a resolution. The “Discretionary” option is provided to enable you to 
give discretion to your proxy to vote or abstain from voting on a particular resolu-
tion as he or she thinks fit.
In accordance with the permission in Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securi-
ties Regulations 1001 (SI 2001 No. 3755), only those holders of ordinary shares 
who are registered on the Company’s share register at 18.00 hours on 20 January 
2012 shall be entitled to attend the above AGM (or 18.00 hours on the day which 
is two days before the day of any adjourned meeting) and to vote in respect of the 
number of shares registered in their names at that time. Changes to entries on the 
share register after 18.00 hours on 20 January 2012 shall be disregarded in deter-
mining the rights of any person to attend and/or vote at the AGM.

9. 

10. 

8.  This Proxy Form must be signed by the shareholder or his/her attorney. Where the 
shareholder is a corporation, the signature must be under seal or signed by a duly 
authorised  representative  stating  their  capacity  (e.g.  Director,  secretary).  In  the 
case of joint shareholders, any one shareholder may sign this Proxy Form or may 
vote in person at the Meeting. If more than one joint shareholder is present at the 
AGM either in person or by proxy, that one of them whose name stands first in the 
register of members in respect of the share shall alone be entitled to vote (whether 
in person or by proxy) in respect of it.
To change your proxy instructions simply submit a new proxy appointment using 
the methods set out above. Note that the cut-off time for receipt of proxy appoint-
ments (see above) also apply in relation to amended instructions; any amended 
proxy appointment received after the relevant cut-off time will be disregarded.
In order to revoke a proxy instruction you will need to inform the Company by 
sending notice in writing clearly stating your intention to revoke your proxy ap-
pointment to Company’s Registrars, being Capita Registrars at The Registry, 34 
Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU. In the case of a member which 
is a company, the revocation notice must be executed under its common seal or 
signed on its behalf by an officer of the company or an attorney for the company. 
Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the revocation notice is 
signed (or a duly certified copy of such power or authority) must be included with 
the revocation notice. The revocation notice must be received by the Company no 
later than 48 hours, excluding non-business days, before the time of the holding of 
the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If you attempt to revoke your proxy ap-
pointment but the revocation is received after the time specified then your proxy 
appointment will remain valid. If you have appointed a proxy and attend the meet-
ing in person, your proxy appointment will automatically be terminated.
If you submit more than one valid proxy appointment in respect of the same share 
or shares, the appointment received last before the latest time for the receipt of 
proxies will take precedence. If the Company is unable to determine which was 
received last, none of the proxy appointments in respect of that share or shares 
shall be valid.

11. 

44

InfraStrata plc

PROXY FORM
INFRASTRATA PLC (THE “COMPANY”)

Proxy  Form  for  use  by  shareholders  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  (“AGM”)  of  
InfraStrata plc (the “Company”) to be held at the offices of Buchanan Communications 
Limited, 107 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DN, United Kingdom on Tuesday 24 January 
2012 at 1100 hours

Please  read  the  Notice  of  the 
AGM  and  the  accompanying 
notes carefully before completing 
this Proxy Form.

As a shareholder of the Company you have the right to attend, speak at and vote at the AGM. If 
you cannot, or do not want to attend the AGM, but still want to vote, you can appoint someone 
to attend the AGM and vote on your behalf. That person is known as a “proxy”. You can use this 
Proxy Form to appoint the Chairman of the AGM, or someone else, as your proxy. Your proxy 
does not need to be a shareholder of the Company.

I/We, ............................................................................................................................................................................................ (in BLOCK CAPITALS please)

being a Shareholder/Shareholders of InfraStrata plc, appoint the Chairman of the AGM or .............................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
(see note 1) as my/our proxy to attend and, on a poll, to vote for me/us and on my/our behalf as indicated 
below at the AGM and at any adjournment thereof (see notes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 below).

Please clearly mark the boxes below to instruct your proxy how to vote.

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS

For

Against

Vote withheld

Discretionary

1.  To receive the Report and Accounts for 

the year ended 31 July 2011

2.  To re-appoint Nexia Smith & Williamson 

Audit Limited as auditor at a 
remuneration to be determined by the 
Directors

3.  To re-elect William Colvin

4.  To re-elect Walter Roberts

5.  To re-elect Kenneth Ratcliff

6.  To grant the directors authority to allot 

shares on the basis set out in the Notice 
of AGM

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

For

Against

Vote withheld

Discretionary

7.  To disapply pre-emption rights on the 
basis set out in the notice of AGM

Signature(s) ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... (see note 8)

Date ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

InfraStrata plc

Business Reply
Licence Number
RSBH-UXKS-LRBC

Fold 2 here

PXS
34 Beckenham Road
BECKENHAM
BR3 4TU

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