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Orchid Island Capital, Inc.

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FY2018 Annual Report · Orchid Island Capital, Inc.
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O R C A   E X P L O R A T I O N   G R O U P   I N C .

2018
ANNUAL
REPORT

Orca Exploration Group Inc. is an international public company 

engaged in hydrocarbon exploration, development and supply of gas in 

Tanzania and oil appraisal and gas exploration in Italy. Orca Exploration 

trades on the TSXV under the trading symbols ORC.B and ORC.A.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS  . . . . . 1

2018 OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS  . . . . . 2

CEO'S REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  . . . . . 4

GAS RESERVES  . . . . . 5

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS  . . . . . 8

MANAGEMENT'S REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  . . . . . 54

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT  . . . . . 55

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)   . . . . . 57

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION  . . . . . 58

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  . . . . . 59

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  . . . . . 60

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  . . . . . 61

CORPORATE INFORMATION  . . . . . 93

GLOSSARY

mcf

Thousands of standard cubic feet

MMcf

Millions of standard cubic feet

Bcf

Tcf

Billions of standard cubic feet

Trillions of standard cubic feet

MMcfd

Millions of standard cubic feet per day

MMbtu Millions of British thermal units

HHV

LHV

High heat value

Low heat value

1P

2P

3P

Kwh

MW

$

Proved reserves

Proved and probable reserves

Proved, probable and possible reserves

Kilowatt hour

Megawatt

US dollars

CDN$

Canadian dollars

bar

Fifteen pounds pressure per square inch

1

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Financial and Operating Highlights

(Expressed in $000 unless indicated otherwise)

2018

2017

% Change 
2018 vs 2017

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 

OPERATING

Daily average gas delivered and sold (MMcfd)

Additional Gas

  Industrial

  Power

Average price ($/mcf) 

  Industrial

  Power

  Weighted average

Operating netback ($/mcf) (1)

RESERVES

Additional Gas Gross Recoverable Reserves (Bcf)

  Proved

  Probable

  Proved plus probable

Net Present Value, discounted at 10% ($ millions) (2)

  Proved

  Proved plus probable

FINANCIAL

Revenue

Net cash flows from operating activities

  per share - basic and diluted ($)

Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders

  per share - basic and diluted ($)

Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)

   per share - basic and diluted ($)

Capital expenditures (excluding transfers)

(Expressed in $000 unless indicated otherwise)

Working capital (including cash)

Cash

Investment in short-term bonds

Long-term loan

Outstanding Shares ('000)

Class A

Class B

Total shares outstanding

Weighted average Class A and Class B shares

39.9

13.0

26.9

8.26

3.68

5.17

2.76

261

32

293

252

294

57,766

28,752

0.82

13,270

0.38

19,255

0.55

5,843

2018

84,182

64,660

66,837

53,900

1,750

33,506

35,256

35,256

41.6

12.6

29.0

7.71

3.60

4.84

3.00

307

73

380

269

326

60,832

48,154

1.38

(2,500)

(0.07)

16,742

0.48

1,545

AS AT DECEMBER 31 

2017

69,575

122,322

–

58,518

1,750

33,506

35,256

34,858

(4)%

3%

(7)%

7%

2%

7%

(8)%

(15)%

(56)%

(23)%

(6)%

(10)%

(5)%

(40)%

(40)%

n/m

n/m

15%

15%

278%

21%

(47)%

n/m

(8)%

0%

0%

0%

1%

(1)  Please refer to Non-GAAP measures section of the Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for additional Information. Certain prior year amounts for adjusted 

funds flow from operations have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

(2) 

In accordance with the Production Sharing Agreement (“PSA”) with the Tanzanian Production Development Corporation (“TPDC”) and the Government of Tanzania 
(“GoT”) in the United Republic of Tanzania the Company is able to recover income tax and consequently there is no significant difference between the NPV of reserves 
on a before and after tax basis. Any capitalized terms otherwise not defined within the Highlights are defined in the MD&A as set forth on page 13.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 2018 Operating Highlights

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• 

• 

• 

• 

The Company’s revenue for the year decreased by 5% 
to $57.8 million from $60.8 million in the prior year. The 
decrease is the result of lower power sales volumes, higher 
TPDC Profit Gas share and a lower current income tax 
adjustment. Additional Gas deliveries and sales for the 
year averaged 39.9 million standard cubic feet per day 
(“MMcfd”) a decrease of 4% over 41.6 MMcfd in the prior 
year. The decrease in Additional Gas volumes for the year 
is primarily the result of reduced nominations of natural 
gas volumes by the Tanzanian Electric Supply Company 
Limited (“TANESCO”). The decrease in volumes was 
partially offset by a 7% rise in the weighted average price 
for 2018 to $5.17/mcf from $4.84/mcf in the prior year.

Total proved reserves for Additional Gas decreased 15% to 
261 Bcf from 307 Bcf in the prior year and total proved plus 
probable reserves (“2P”) decreased 23% to 293 Bcf from 
380 Bcf in the prior year. The decrease is a consequence 
of 2018 Additional Gas production of 14.6 Bcf, lower 
anticipated forecasted sales and the reduction in the 
effective ownership interest in the gross property reserves 
due to the sale of a 7.9% non-controlling interest in a 
subsidiary, PAE PanAfrican Energy Corporation (“PAEM”). 
The net present value of the estimated future cash flows 
from the 2P reserves at a 10% discount rate (“NPV10”) 
decreased by 10% to $294.4 million from $326.1 million in 
the previous year. The decrease is predominately the result 
of recognizing a non-controlling interest in the dividend 
stream from PAEM in arriving at the present value and the 
decline in the forecast sales being offset by the removal of 
the SSN-1 well from the future development costs in the 
2P life of licence valuation. Under the terms of the PSA, the 
Company is required to pay Tanzanian income tax but this 
is recovered by the Company through the profit sharing 
arrangements with TPDC. Income tax has no material 
impact on the cash flows emanating from the PSA and 
accordingly there is no significant difference between the 
NPV of reserves on a before and after tax basis.

The Company recorded a net income attributable to 
shareholders of $13.3 million for the year compared to 
a net loss attributable to shareholders of $2.5 million in 
the prior year. The increase in net income attributable 
to shareholders for the year was primarily a result of the 
increase in finance income as a result of the reversal of the 
provision for doubtful accounts of $15.9 million related to 
the collection of TANESCO arrears previously provided for 
being offset by increased stock based compensation costs 
and increased interest expense. 

The Company’s net cash flows from operating activities 
for the year decreased by 40% to $28.8 million from $48.2 
million in the prior year. The decrease for the year from the 
prior year is primarily a consequence of the payments for 
stock based compensation, together with the decrease 
in the cash inflow associated with changes in non-cash 
working capital.

• 

The Company’s adjusted funds flow from operations for 
the year ended December 31, 2018 increased by 15% to 
$19.3 million (2017: $16.7 million). The increase between 
years is primarily a result of reduced general and 
administration expenses ($1.2 million) and an increase 
in interest income on bonds ($1.3 million) for 2018 
compared to 2017.  The decrease in revenue between 
years was offset by the decrease in current corporate 
income tax expense. 

•  Working capital increased 21% to $84.2 million 

• 

compared to $69.6 million as at December 31, 2017. 
The increase is primarily due to the cumulative cash 
collections from TANESCO for current deliveries 
and arrears offset by an increase in stock based 
compensation during the period. The closing cash at 
December 31, 2018 was $64.7 million (December 31, 
2017: $122.3 million). The decrease in cash is primarily 
a result of the investment in short-term bonds of $66.8 
million at December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017: 
$ nil). The Company’s intention is to hold the bond 
investments to maturity.

At December 31, 2018 the current receivable from 
TANESCO was $ nil (December 31, 2017: $ nil). During 
the year, the amounts received from TANESCO 
continued to be in excess of the revenue recognized 
for gas sales to TANESCO. As a result, during 2018 $15.9 
million of cumulative excess receipts over sales invoiced 
was allocated to the long-term arrears together with 
the associated reversal of the provision for doubtful 
accounts. The TANESCO long-term receivable at 
December 31, 2018 was $58.5 million (with a provision 
of $58.5 million) compared to $74.4 million (with a 
provision of $74.4 million) at December 31, 2017. 
Subsequent to December 31, 2018 the Company has 
invoiced TANESCO $15.6 million for 2019 gas deliveries 
and TANESCO has paid the Company $18.0 million.

•  On January 16, 2018 the Company sold 7.9% of PAEM to 
a wholly owned subsidiary of Swala Oil & Gas (Tanzania) 
plc., (“Swala”) for a net sales price of $21.0 million based 
on a net enterprise value of $265.0 million as at January 
1, 2017 (the “effective date”). The consideration received 
by the Company was $15.7 million in cash ($17.0 
million less a purchase price adjustment of $1.3 million 
reflecting Swala’s share of cash flow from the effective 
date of the transaction until closing) and $4.0 million of 
Swala convertible preference shares. The agreement 
provided Swala with the right to acquire up to a 
maximum of 40% of PAEM based on the same terms 
and conditions. Subsequent to December 31, 2018 the 
Company terminated this right.  

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORT 
3

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CEO's Report to Shareholders

Strong balance sheet and financially robust
Orca entered 2019 in a financially robust position after a year of positive net cash flow from operations of $28.8 million 
and net income attributable to shareholders of $13.3 million.  With a strong balance sheet, cash and short-term bonds of 
$131 million and increasing gas sales volumes, the Company believes it is well positioned to grow over the coming years 
through our stated strategy of maximising the potential of our integrated gas project in Tanzania, diversifying our asset base 
and increasing liquidity in Orca’s equity. 

No infrastructure constraints and increasing gas demand
The  Songo  Songo  reservoir  in  Tanzania  continues  to  perform  extremely  well.  Since  we  commenced  operations  in 
2004, according to the report prepared by our independent reserve evaluator, McDaniel and Associates Consultants Ltd 
(“McDaniel”) effective December 31, 2018 (the “McDaniel Report”), 383 Bcf (64 MMboe) of natural gas has been produced 
from the field of which 191 Bcf relates to Additional Gas that was sold to industrial and power customers in Dar es Salaam.   
The use of indigenous reliable natural gas and the displacement of imported fuel has had a significant beneficial impact on 
the Tanzanian economy. 

With the field work programme that was completed by the Company in 2016 and the construction of the National Natural 
Gas Infrastructure (“NNGI”) by the TPDC and the GoT, the Company believes it is currently in a strong position to meet 
incremental  increases  in  demand  on  a  timely  basis.  There  are  now  two  separate  systems  to  process  and  transport  the 
Songo Songo gas to Dar es Salaam and no infrastructure constraints are anticipated for the foreseeable future.

Over the last year, 160 MWs of new gas fired generation capacity was commissioned and there was an increase in industrial 
demand when Dangote Cement started to consume higher volumes of gas at their new facility in the south of Tanzania.  
This combined with the need to balance the network has led to Orca’s Additional Gas sales increasing to an average of 62 
MMcfd for the first two months of 2019, compared to an average of 40 MMcfd in 2018.  It is expected that an additional 180 
MWs of gas fired generation capacity will be commissioned in stages over the next six to eighteen months increasing gas 
demand by 35 MMcfd at maximum load.

Shortly before year end, Orca’s subsidiary, Pan African Energy Tanzania Limited (“PAET”) signed a short-term sales agreement 
with the TPDC and TANESCO for the immediate supply of gas to TANESCO of up to 35 MMcfd. These additional volumes 
are being processed and transported through the NNGI and are expected to allow TANESCO to generate increased and 
more stable power to meet emerging demand.  PAET and TPDC have submitted a long-term gas sales agreement to the 
Ministry for approval.  We look forward to working with all parties to ensure that affordable indigenous gas continues to be 
a significant proportion of the energy mix in Tanzania.   

261 Bcf (47 MMboe) of gross proved reserves 
As at December 31, 2018 McDaniel assessed in the McDaniel Report that the gross proved (1P) and proved plus probable 
(2P) Songo Songo conventional natural gas reserves available to Orca to the end of the licence period are 261 Bcf and 293 
Bcf, respectively. This year we determined that there was no economic justification for drilling the Songo Songo North field 
prior to the end of the licence period and accordingly no reserves have been included for this reservoir in the 2P reserves. 
This will be revisited if PAET secures a licence extension.

To meet the increasing gas demand, we are in the process of completing the procurement and installation of a refrigeration 
unit to maintain deliverability through the Songas gas processing and pipeline system and have commenced the design 
work for compression that will be required in 2021 to maintain gas at sufficient pressure to maximise throughput.  In addition, 
the Company currently plans to workover wells SS-3 and SS-4 and to recomplete SS-10 with chrome production tubing to 
maintain deliverability and increase operating life to the end of the licence period.

(1)  Company gross reserves are the total of the Company’s working interest share in reserves before deduction of royalties owned by others and without 
including any royalty interests of the Company and are based on the Company's 92.07 percent ownership interest in the reserves following the transaction 
with Swala Oil & Gas (Tanzania) plc described in Orca's reports relating to reserves data and other oil and gas information under National Instrument 51-101, 
which are available on its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 
 
4 CEO's Report to Shareholders

A high calibre Tanzanian team
We are proud that over the years our Company has developed  a deep technical operating expertise in our Tanzanian staff.  The 
wells  and  gas  processing  facility  on  Songo  Songo  Island  are  entirely  managed  and  operated  by  local  workers  on  a  rotational 
basis and there are currently only three expats working on our team in the country.  Education is central to our Corporate Social 
Responsibility  programme  and  in  2018  we  constructed  several  classrooms  in  the  Kilwa  district,  rolled  out  an  intensive  English 
learning programme in 28 schools and provided college funding to a number of students on Songo Songo Island.

Short term targets
Orca has revitalised the management team to deliver on its cash flow and profitability targets.  We have provided guidance that we 
anticipate Additional Gas sales volumes will be between 60 – 75 MMscfd in 2019.  This will be accompanied by a drive to reduce 
general and administrative costs despite an increase in headcount at the corporate level. We also plan to work towards resolving 
several  outstanding  issues  with  respect  to  cost  recovery,  tax  and  PSA  terms  that  are  documented  in  the  notes  to  the  financial 
statements.  

While we remain committed to developing and maximising the value of our existing operations in Tanzania, we also see potential 
to  diversify  our  asset  base  to  increase  cashflows  and  shareholder  liquidity.    We  are  currently  evaluating  several  proved  reserve 
opportunities  where  funding  could  be  deployed  to  optimise  development  plans  that  are  expected  to  be  accretive  for  our 
shareholders.  A business development team has been recruited to evaluate and, if appropriate, execute on these transactions..

Initiation of quarterly dividend
As previously announced, Orca will be paying a dividend of CDN$0.05 per Class A Common Voting Share of the Company and 
CDN$0.05 per Class B Subordinate Voting Share of the Company payable to the holders of Class A Shares and Class B Shares of 
record on each of March 31, 2019 and payable on or about April 30, 2019. In the future, the Board expects to evaluate the appro-
priateness of declaring and paying cash dividends on a quarterly basis.

David Lyons
The position the Company finds itself today is in no small thanks down to the leadership and entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated 
by our former Chairman and CEO, David Lyons. Mr Lyons had the foresight to identify a stranded gas field in Tanzania in 1991 and 
to work with the GoT, the World Bank, the AIG African Infrastructure Fund L.L.C. and other interested parties to develop the Songo 
Songo Gas Development and Power Generation Project.  This remains a unique and highly successful project that has stood the 
test of time and is testament to David’s commitment, resolve and vision.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORT5

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Gas Reserves

The Company's natural gas reserves as at December 31, 2018 for the period to the end of its licence in October 2026 were evaluated 
by McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. (“McDaniel”) independent petroleum engineering consultants in accordance with the 
definitions,  standards  and  procedures  contained  in  the  Canadian  Oil  and  Gas  Evaluation  Handbook  ("COGE  Handbook")  and 
National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101"). The independent reserves evaluation 
prepared  by  McDaniel  (the  “McDaniel  Report”)  is  dated  April  4,  2019  with  the  effective  date  of  December  31,  2018.  A  reserves 
committee of the board of directors reviews the qualifications and appointment of the independent reserves evaluator and reviews 
the procedures for providing information to the evaluators. Reserves included herein are stated on a company gross basis unless 
noted otherwise. All the Company's reserves are conventional natural gas reserves and are located in Tanzania. Additional reserves 
information required under NI 51-101 are included in Orca's reports relating to reserves data and other oil and gas information under 
NI 51-101, which have been filed on its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 

On a gross company basis there has been an 15% decrease in Songo Songo’s Total Proved Additional Gas reserves with a total 
Additional Gas production of 14.6 Bcf during the year. There has been a 23% decrease in the Proved plus Probable Additional Gas 
reserves on a gross company basis. 

A summary of the remaining Additional Gas reserves are presented below:

Songo Songo Additional Gas reserves (Bcf)

Gross (1)

Net (2)

Gross

Net

2018

2017

Independent reserves evaluation

Proved producing

Proved developed non-producing

Proved undeveloped

Total proved (1P)

Probable

Total proved and probable (2P)

227.6

33.5

–

261.1

31.7

292.8

142.3

18.8

–

161.1

17.8

178.9

295.9

10.7

–

306.6

73.5

380.1

(1) 
(2) 

Gross equals the gross reserves that are available for the Company based on its effective ownership interest. 
Net equals the economic allocation of the gross reserves to the Company as determined in accordance with the PSA.

The estimated net present values before and after tax of the Songo Songo reserves are as follows:

$'millions

Proved producing

Proved developed non-producing

Proved undeveloped

Total proved (1P)

Probable

Total proved and probable (2P)

2018

2017

5%

272.0

35.4

–

307.4

51.1

358.5

10%

225.5

26.2

–

251.7

42.7

294.4

15%

190.3

19.8

–

210.1

36.1

246.2

5%

327.6

10.1

–

337.7

71.0

408.7

10%

262.6

6.9

–

269.5

56.6

326.1

183.3

6.0

–

189.3

54.4

243.7

15%

215.3

4.8

–

220.1

46.3

266.4

There has been a 10% decrease in the 2P present value at a 10% discount basis from $326.1 million to $294.4 million. The decrease 
is predominately the result of recognizing Swala non-controlling interest in the dividend stream from PAEM in arriving at the present 
value and the decline in the forecast sales being offset by the removal of the SSN-1 well from the future development costs in the 
2P valuation.

For the purpose of calculating the Gross Additional Gas reserves, McDaniel has assumed in its 2P case that 81 Bcf (2017: 96 Bcf) or 
an average of 14.1 Bcf per annum will be required to meet the demands of the Protected Gas users from January 1, 2019 to July 31, 
2024. During 2018 the Protected Gas users consumed 14.4 Bcf.

 
 
 
 
6 Gas Reserves

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

1P Additional  
Gas price  
$/mcf

1P Gross Additional  
Gas volumes 
 MMcfd

2P Additional  
Gas price  
$/mcf

2P Gross  
Additional Gas 
volumes 
 MMcfd

4.07

4.10

4.19

4.29

4.42

4.37

4.31

4.39

71.2

81.8

87.4

93.1

93.8

110.8

134.2

134.2

4.01

4.17

4.21

4.27

4.40

4.41

4.48

4.71

76.2

91.0

102.8

113.8

114.8

132.6

142.5

125.3

Forward-Looking Information
This  annual  report  contains  forward-looking  statements  or  information  (collectively,  "forward-looking  statements")  within  the 
meaning  of  applicable  securities  legislation.  More  particularly,  this  annual  report  contains,  without  limitation,  forward-looking 
statements pertaining to the following: the Company's beliefs regarding its positioning for growth; the outcome of the Company's 
strategy of maximising the potential of its Tanzanian asset, diversifying its asset base, and increasing the liquidity of its equity; the 
Company's belief that it is positioned to meet increases in demand; expectations regarding increases in gas fired generation capacity; 
the procurement and installation of the refrigeration unit in the Songas gas processing and pipeline system; the Company's plans to 
workover wells SS-3 and SS-4 and recomplete well SS-10; Orca's expectation that Additional Gas sales volumes will be between 60 
-75 MMscfd in 2019; and statements regarding quarterly dividends. In addition, statements relating to "reserves" are by their nature 
forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves 
described can be profitably produced in the future. The recovery and reserve estimates of the Company’s reserves provided herein 
are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. As a consequence, actual results may 
differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations 
reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or 
achievement since such expectations are inherently subject to significant business, economic, operational, competitive, political 
and social uncertainties and contingencies. 

These forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond 
the Company’s control, and many factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or 
implied in any forward-looking statements made by the Company. Additionally, such forward-looking statements are based on 
certain assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and 
expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Please see the 
Company's Management Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on www.sedar.com for a discussion of 
such risks, uncertainties, and assumptions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no 
obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, 
future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Oil and Gas Advisory
The  Company's  conventional  natural  gas  reserves  as  at  December  31,  2018  disclosed  herein  were  evaluated  by  McDaniel  in 
accordance with the definitions, standards and procedures contained in the COGE Handbook and NI 51-101. The independent 
reserves evaluations prepared by McDaniel had an effective date of December 31, 2018 and preparation date of April 4, 2019. 

The recovery and reserve estimates of the Company’s conventional natural gas reserves provided herein are estimates only and 
there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered.  Actual reserves may be greater than or less than the estimates 
provided herein.

"BOEs" may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one 
barrel of oil equivalent (6 Mcf: 1 Bbl) is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and 
does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. As the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current 
prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis 
may be misleading as an indication of value.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTO R C A   E X P L O R A T I O N   G R O U P   I N C .

2018 
MANAGEMENT’S  
DISCUSSION  
& ANALYSIS

8 Management's Discussion & Analysis

THIS  MANAGEMENT’S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  (“MD&A”)  OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND  RESULTS  OF  OPERATIONS 
SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES FOR THE 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018. THIS MD&A IS BASED ON THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON APRIL 10, 2019. ALL AMOUNTS 
ARE REPORTED IN US DOLLARS (“$”) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Orca Exploration Group Inc (the “Company”) has as its principal operating asset, an interest in the Production Sharing Agreement 
(“PSA”) with the Tanzanian Production Development Corporation (“TPDC”) and the Government of Tanzania (“GoT”) in the United 
Republic of Tanzania. This PSA covers the production and marketing of certain gas from the Development Licence Area (the “Songo 
Songo Gas Field”) offshore Tanzania. 

The PSA defines the gas produced from the Songo Songo Gas Field as “Protected Gas” and “Additional Gas”. The Protected Gas is 
owned by TPDC and is sold under a 20-year gas agreement (until July 31, 2024) to Songas Limited (“Songas”). Songas is the owner 
of the infrastructure that enables the gas to be treated and delivered to Dar es Salaam, which includes a gas processing plant on 
Songo Songo Island.

Songas utilizes the Protected Gas as fuel for its gas turbine electricity generators and for onward sale to customers. The Company 
receives no revenue for the Protected Gas delivered to Songas and operates the original wells and gas processing plant on a ‘no 
gain no loss’ basis.

Under the PSA, the Company has the right to produce and market all gas in the Songo Songo Gas Field in excess of the Protected 
Gas requirements (“Additional Gas”) until the PSA expires in October 2026.

The Tanzanian Electric Supply Company Limited (“TANESCO”) is a parastatal organization which is wholly-owned by the GoT with 
oversight by the Ministry for Energy (“MoE”). TANESCO is responsible for the majority of generation, transmission and distribution 
of electricity throughout Tanzania. Natural gas has become an integral component of TANESCO’s power generation fuel mix as 
a more reliable source of supply over seasonal hydropower and a more cost-effective alternative to liquid fuels. The Company 
currently supplies gas directly to TANESCO by way of the Portfolio Gas Supply Agreement (“PGSA”) between TANESCO and TPDC 
and  indirectly  through  the  supply  of  Protected  Gas  and  Additional  Gas  to  Songas,  which  in  turn  generates  and  sells  power  to 
TANESCO. TANESCO is the Company’s largest customer and the gas supplied by the Company to Songas and TANESCO today 
fires approximately 42% of the electrical power generated in Tanzania and constitutes 58% of the gas utilized for power generation 
in the country.

In addition to gas supplied to Songas and TANESCO for the generation of power, the Company has developed and supplies an 
industrial gas market in the Dar es Salaam area consisting of some 38 industrial customers.

CONSOLIDATION

The companies which are consolidated in the financial statements are:

Company

Incorporated

Holding

Orca Exploration Group Inc.

Orca Exploration Italy Inc.

Orca Exploration Italy Onshore Inc.

British Virgin Islands 

British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands

PAE PanAfrican Energy Corporation (“PAEM”)

Mauritius 

PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited (“PAET”)

Jersey

Orca Exploration UK Services Limited

United Kingdom

Parent Company

100%

100%

92%

92%

100%

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORT9

PRINCIPAL TERMS OF THE PSA AND RELATED AGREEMENTS 

The principal terms of the PSA and related agreements are as follows:

Obligations and restrictions
(a)  The PSA covers two blocks within the Songo Songo Gas Field where there are gas reserves (“Discovery Blocks”). The Company 
has the right to conduct petroleum operations on the Discovery Blocks, market and sell all Additional Gas produced and share 
the net revenue with TPDC for a term of 25 years, expiring in October 2026.

(b)  No sale of Additional Gas may be made from the Discovery Blocks, if in the Company’s reasonable judgment such sales would 
jeopardize the supply of Protected Gas. Any Additional Gas contracts entered into are subject to interruption. Songas has the 
right to request that the Company and TPDC obtain security reasonably acceptable to Songas prior to making any sales of 
Additional Gas from the Discovery Blocks to secure the Company’s and TPDC’s obligations in respect of Insufficiency (see (c) 
below).

(c)  “Insufficiency” occurs if there is insufficient gas from the Discovery Blocks to supply the Protected Gas requirements or if the gas 

is so expensive to develop that its cost exceeds the market price of alternative fuels at Ubungo.

  Where there have been third party sales of Additional Gas by the Company and TPDC from the Discovery Blocks prior to the 
occurrence of the Insufficiency, the Company and TPDC shall be jointly liable for the Insufficiency and shall satisfy their related 
liability by either replacing the Indemnified Volume (as defined in (d) below) at the Protected Gas price with natural gas from 
other sources; or by paying monetary damages equal to the difference between: (a) the market price for a quantity of alternative 
fuel that is appropriate for the five gas turbine electricity generators at Ubungo without significant modification together with 
the  costs  of  any  modification;  and  (b)  the  sum  of  the  price  for  such  volume  of  Protected  Gas  (at  $0.55/MMbtu  escalated) 
and the amount of transportation revenues previously credited by Songas to the state electricity utility, TANESCO, for the gas 
volumes.

(d)  The “Indemnified Volume” means the lesser of the total volume of Additional Gas sales supplied from the Discovery Blocks 
prior to an Insufficiency and the Insufficiency Volume. “Insufficiency Volume” means the volume of natural gas determined 
by multiplying the average  of  the annual Protected Gas volumes  for  the three years prior to the Insufficiency by 110% and 
multiplied by the number of remaining years (initial term of 20 years) of the power purchase agreement entered into between 
Songas and TANESCO in relation to the five gas turbine electricity generators at Ubungo from the date of the Insufficiency.

Access and development of infrastructure
(e)  The  Company  is  able  to  utilize  the  Songas  infrastructure  including  the  gas  processing  plant  (the  “Songas  Plant”)  and  main 
pipeline to Dar es Salaam (collectively with the Songas Plant, the “Songas Infrastructure”). Access to the pipeline and the Songas 
plant is open and can be utilized by any third party who wishes to process or transport gas. 

management's discussion & analysis10

Revenue sharing terms and taxation
(f)  75% of the gross field revenues derived from the Discovery Blocks, less processing and pipeline tariffs and direct sales taxes in 
any year (“field net revenue”) can be used to recover past costs incurred. Costs recovered out of field net revenue are termed 
“Cost Gas”.

The Company pays and recovers costs of exploring, developing and operating the Additional Gas with two exceptions: (i) TPDC 
may recover reasonable market and market research costs as defined under the PSA; and (ii) TPDC has the right to elect to 
participate in the drilling of at least one well for Additional Gas in the Discovery Blocks for which there is a development program 
as detailed in an Additional Gas plan (“Additional Gas Plan”) as submitted to the MoE, subject to TPDC being able to elect to 
participate  in  a  development  program  only  once  and  TPDC  having  to  pay  a  proportion  of  the  costs  of  such  development 
program by committing to pay between 5% and 20% of the total costs (“Specified Proportion”). If TPDC does not notify the 
Company  within  90  days  of  notice  from  the  Company  that  the  MoE  has  approved  the  Additional  Gas  Plan,  then  TPDC  is 
deemed not to have elected to participate. If TPDC elects to participate, then it will be entitled to a ratable proportion of the 
Cost Gas and their profit share percentage increases by the Specified Proportion for that development program.

To date, TPDC has neither elected to back in within the prescribed notice period nor contributed any costs associated with 
backing in, and accordingly the Company has determined that to date there has been no working interest earned by TPDC. 
For the purpose of the reserves certification as at December 31, 2018, there are no planned drilling activities to the end of the 
licence.

(g)  The Company’s long-term gas price to the Power sector as set out in the Amended and Restated Gas Agreement (“ARGA”) 
between the GoT, TPDC and Songas and the PGSA is based on the price of gas at the wellhead. As at the date of this report, 
the ARGA remains an initialed agreement only and the parties are not in agreement with all the terms in the ARGA, however 
the parties are conducting themselves in terms of pricing as though the ARGA is in force. The Company, TPDC and Songas are 
currently finalizing the terms of a long-term gas sales agreement (“GSA”) that will ultimately replace the ARGA. 

In  2011  the  Company  signed  a  re-rating  agreement  with  TANESCO,  TPDC  and  Songas  (the  “Re-Rating  Agreement”)  which 
evidenced  an  increase  to  the  gas  processing  capacity  of  the  Songas  Plant  to  a  maximum  of  110  MMcfd  (the  pipeline  and 
pressure requirements at the Ubungo power plant restrict the infrastructure capacity to a maximum of 102 MMcfd). Under the 
terms of the Re-Rating Agreement, the Company paid additional compensation of $0.30/mcf for sales between 70 MMcfd 
and 90 MMcfd and $0.40/mcf for volumes above 90 MMcfd by issuing credit notes to TANESCO. This was in addition to the 
tariff of $0.59/mcf payable to Songas as set by the energy regulator, Energy and Water Regulatory Authority (“EWURA”). Songas 
terminated the Re-Rating Agreement in 2014 although there remains a disagreement as to its current status. 

In May 2016 the Company notified TANESCO and Songas that the additional compensation for sales over 70 MMcfd would 
no longer be paid effective June 2016. The additional compensation was always intended to be temporary in nature until the 
expansion of the Songas Infrastructure, at which time Songas would apply to EWURA to obtain approval of a new tariff for the 
processing of volumes over 70 MMcfd. The processing capacity at the Songas Plant remains unaltered and is fully available for 
utilization by the Company along with the additional capacity within the National Natural Gas Infrastructure which includes two 
gas processing facilities and pipelines supplying gas from the Mtwara Region of Tanzania and Songo Songo Island to Dar es 
Salaam (the “NNGI”). The PGSA provides for passing on to TANESCO any tariff to be charged to the Company in the event that 
a new tariff is approved.

In Q3 2017 the Company received approval of the Additional Gas Plan 2 (“AGP2”) from the MoE to produce and sell increased 
volumes of Additional Gas. This may be achieved through the Songas Infrastructure and by accessing the NNGI. Wells SS-11 
and SS-12 are connected to the NNGI and the SS-12 well started flowing gas through the NNGI in December 2018 pursuant to 
a side letter agreement to the PGSA. 

The side letter agreement was entered into with TPDC and TANESCO. The parties agreed to nominate the NNGI on Songo 
Songo island as a temporary delivery point for up to 35 MMcfd of gas sold to TANESCO under the PGSA. The terms of the side 
letter agreement are based on a one month term, extendable monthly up to a limit of six months to enable the delivery of gas 
to sustain power generation by TANESCO until the GSA is approved. On February 11, 2019 the Company and TPDC initialed a 
GSA, however, there is no guarantee that the GSA will be finalized as it requires further government approvals.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
11

(h)  Profits on sales from the Proven Section (“Profit Gas”) are shared between TPDC and the Company, the proportion of which is 

dependent on the average daily volumes of Additional Gas sold or cumulative production.

 The Company receives a higher share of the field net revenue after cost recovery, based on the higher of the cumulative 
production or the average daily sales. The Profit Gas share available to the Company is a minimum of 25% and a maximum 
of 55%.

AVERAGE DAILY SALES 
OF ADDITIONAL GAS

CUMULATIVE SALES  
OF ADDITIONAL GAS

TPDC’S SHARE  
OF PROFIT GAS

COMPANY’S SHARE  
OF PROFIT GAS

MMcfd

0 – 20

> 20 <= 30

> 30 <= 40

> 40 <= 50

> 50

Bcf

0 – 125

> 125 <= 250

> 250 <= 375

> 375 <= 500

> 500

%

75

70

65

60

45

%

25

30

35

40

55

For Additional Gas produced outside of the Proven Section, the Company’s Profit Gas share is 55%.

  Where TPDC elects to participate in a development program, its profit share percentage increases by the Specified Proportion 

(for that development program) with a corresponding decrease in the Company’s percentage share of Profit Gas.

The Company is liable for income tax in Tanzania. Where income tax is payable, the Company pays the tax and there is a 
corresponding deduction in the amount of the Profit Gas payable to TPDC.

(i) 

“Additional Profits Tax” (or “APT”) is payable when the Company recovers its costs out of Additional Gas revenues plus an annual 
operating return under the PSA of 25%, plus the percentage change in the United States Industrial Goods Producer Price Index 
(“PPI”); and the maximum APT rate is 55% of the Company’s Profit Gas when costs have been recovered with an annual return 
of 35% plus PPI return. The PSA is, therefore, structured to encourage the Company to develop the market and the gas fields in 
the knowledge that the Profit Gas share can increase with larger daily gas sales and that the costs will be recovered with a 25% 
plus PPI annual return before APT becomes payable. APT can have a significant negative impact on the project economics if 
only limited capital expenditure is incurred. 

(j)  The Company is appointed to develop, produce and process Protected Gas and operate and maintain the Songas Infrastructure, 
including  the  staffing,  procurement,  capital  improvements,  contract  maintenance,  maintenance  of  books  and  records, 
preparation of reports, maintenance of permits, waste handling, liaison with the GoT and taking all necessary safety, health 
and environmental precautions, all in accordance with good oilfield practices. In return, the Company is paid or reimbursed by 
Songas so that the Company neither benefits nor suffers a loss as a result of its performance.

(k)  In the event of loss arising from Songas’ failure to perform, and the loss is not fully compensated by Songas or through insurance 
coverage, then the Company is liable to a performance and operational guarantee of $2.5 million when (i) the loss is caused by 
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Company, its subsidiaries or employees, and (ii) Songas has insufficient funds 
to cure the loss and operate the project.

management's discussion & analysis 
 
12

Results for the year ended December 31, 2018

SUMMARY

During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company started delivering Additional Gas volumes through the NNGI pursuant 
to the side letter agreement to the PGSA signed in December 2018. The side letter allows for realignment of some TANESCO 
PGSA  sales  to  be  delivered  though  the  NNGI  increasing  production  capabilities  that  had  been  previously  restricted  by  Songas 
Infrastructure capacity limitations. The Company has the ability to increase sales of Additional Gas volumes to industrial customers 
and to TPDC, subject to approval of the initialed GSA, by utilizing the NNGI and completing the installation of a refrigeration unit 
for the Songas Plant. The refrigeration unit is scheduled for completion by Q2 2019 and by installing compression before the end 
of 2021, production volumes can be maintained at 130 MMscfd with the possibility to expand well deliverability to 165 MMscfd by 
increasing the amount of gas being delivered through NNGI. Volumes to the NNGI are currently being delivered using well SS-12 
however well SS-11 is also available for immediate production through the NNGI as it was tied into the NNGI in 2017. Well SS-11 is 
currently being produced through the Songas Infrastructure.

During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company commenced construction of the refrigeration unit and completed the 
flow lines, connection work and tie-in of well SS-12 to the NNGI. Total capital expenditures for the year were $5.8 million (2017: $1.6 
million). The 2017 expenditures related to the completion of the platform for well SS-12 and tie-in costs of well SS-11 to the NNGI.

For the year ended December 31, 2018 there was a decrease of 23% from the prior year in proved and probable (“2P”) reserve 
volumes primarily related to gas produced during the year. The decline in forecasted sales volume, the change in forecasted sales 
mix and timing of the sales volume have resulted in the net present value of cash flows from 2P reserves at a 10% discount rate 
decreasing by 10% compared to the prior year. The net present value decrease also takes into consideration the sale of a 7.9% 
non-controlling interest of PAEM in 2018.

The Company’s operating revenue increased by 20% to $14.2 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018 (Q4 2017: $11.8 
million) and by 1% to $54.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 (2017: $53.7 million). The increase in the quarter is primarily 
due the increase in the Company share of Profit Gas as the Company sold 44.8 MMcfd (Q4 2017: 38.5 MMcfd). The increase for 
the year is primarily the consequence of higher industrial sales volumes and prices. Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 
2018 increased by 27% to $13.6 million (Q4 2017: $10.6 million) and decreased by 5% for the year ended December 31, 2018 to 
$57.8 million (2017: $60.8 million). The revenue increase in the quarter is primarily due to an increase in sales volume. Revenue for 
the year declined due to a lower tax adjustment which was the result of deferred revenue being released to revenue in Q1 2018. 

The Company’s net cash flows from operating activities for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 decreased by 68% to $4.1 million 
(Q4 2017: $12.9 million) and decreased by 40% to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 (2017: $48.2 million). The 
decrease is primarily a result of the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs") and Restrictive Stock Units (“RSUs”) in Q1 2018 
together  with  decrease  in  the  cash  inflow  associated  with  changes  in  non-cash  working  capital  compared  to  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2017.  The  cash  inflow  associated  with  non-cash  working  capital  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017  is  the 
consequence of the increased trade and other creditors in relation to TPDC payable and deferred revenue.

The Company’s adjusted funds flow from operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was $6.4 million (Q4 2017: $0.1 
million). The increase in adjusted funds flow from Q4 2017 to Q4 2018 is a combination of an increase in gas volume deliveries and 
the corresponding increase in revenue, the savings in general and administrative expenses and an increase in interest income from 
bonds.  The Company’s adjusted funds flow from operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased by $2.6 million to 
$19.3 million (2017: $16.7 million). The increase between years is primarily a result of reduced general and administration expenses 
($1.2 million) and an increase in interest income on bonds ($1.3 million).  The decrease in 2018 revenue compared to 2017 of $3.1 
million was offset by the decrease in current corporate income tax expense of $3.3 million. 

The Company recorded a net income attributable to shareholders of $2.8 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018 (Q4 
2017: $4.7 million net loss) and a net income attributable to shareholders of $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 
(2017: $2.5 million net loss). The increase is primarily due to the increase in finance income as a result of the reversal of the provision 
for  doubtful  accounts  of  $15.9  million  relating  to  the  collection  of  TANESCO  arrears  (previously  provided  for)  together  with  an 
overall decrease in general administrative expenses. 

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis 
13

On  January  16,  2018  the  Company  sold  7.9  per  cent  (7,933  Class  A  common  shares)  of  its  subsidiary,  PAEM,  to  Swala  (PAEM) 
Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swala Oil & Gas (Tanzania) plc., (“Swala”) for $21.0 million based on a net enterprise value 
of $265 million as at January 1, 2017 (the “effective date”). The net enterprise value is calculated by reducing the agreed enterprise 
value of $325 million by the long-term debt of $60 million. The consideration received by the Company was $15.7 million cash 
($17.0 million less a purchase price adjustment of $1.3 million reflecting Swala’s share of cash flow from the effective date of the 
transaction until closing) and $4.0 million of Swala convertible preferred shares. The preferred shares were issued to the Company 
on June 18, 2018 and entitle the holder to a 10% per annum distribution payable 15 days after each quarter end commencing from 
the closing date, January 16, 2018. If Swala fails to make the payment, any unpaid amounts are accrued until December 31, 2021 
at which time the Company can request a return of the number of shares sold in PAEM sufficient to cover any unpaid distribution 
amounts. As at December 31, 2018 the Company has not received any distributions or recorded any amount receivable related to 
the preference shares.

On January 18, 2018 the Company declared a dividend of CDN$0.60 per share on each of its Class A voting and Class B subordinate 
voting shares to holders of record as of January 31, 2018; the dividend was paid on February 7, 2018.

The Company once again exited the year in a stable financial position with $84.2 million in working capital (December 31, 2017: 
$69.6 million), cash and cash equivalents of $64.7 million (December 31, 2017: $122.3 million) and long-term debt of $53.9 million 
(December 31, 2017: $58.5 million). The reduction in cash is a result of the Company investing $66.8 million in short-terms bonds 
all denominated in US$. The Company’s intention is to hold the bond investments to maturity. The bonds are highly liquid by their 
nature and may readily be transferred to cash when necessary.

OPERATING VOLUMES

Additional  Gas  sales  volumes  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2018  were  14,572  MMcf  (2017:  15,199  MMcf)  or  average  daily 
volumes of 39.9 MMcfd (2017: 41.6 MMcfd). This represents a decrease in average daily volumes of 4% year on year. The decrease in 
Additional Gas volumes year over year is primarily a result of reduced consumption of natural gas by TANESCO compared to 2017.

Additional Gas sales volumes for the quarter, were 4,123 MMcf (Q4 2017: 3,538 MMcf) or average daily volumes of 44.8 MMcfd (Q4 
2017: 38.5 MMcfd), an increase of 17% over the prior year quarter.

The Company’s gross sales volumes were split between the Industrial and Power sectors as detailed in the table below:

Gross sales volume (MMcf)

Industrial sector

Power sector

Total volumes

Gross daily sales volume (MMcfd)

Industrial sector

Power sector

Total daily sales volume

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

1,194

2,929

4,123

13.0

31.8

44.8

2017

1,110

2,428

3,538

12.1

26.4

38.5

2018

2017

4,733

9,839

14,572

13.0

26.9

39.9

4,594

10,605

15,199

12.6

29.0

41.6

Industrial sector
Industrial sales volumes for the year were 4,733 MMcf (13.0 MMcfd) compared to 4,594 MMcfd (12.6 MMcfd) for the year ended 
December 31, 2017. The increase is a result of reduced maintenance time at a cement plant in the first half of 2018 compared to the 
first half of 2017 and increased consumption by customers throughout 2018. Industrial sales volume increased by 8% to 1,194 MMcf 
(13.0 MMcfd) in the quarter from 1,110 MMcf (12.1 MMcfd) in Q4 2017. The increase is a result of higher sales volumes to existing 
industrial customers during Q4 2018. 

management's discussion & analysis 
 
 
 
14

Power sector
Power sector sales volumes decreased by 7% to 9,839 MMcf (26.9 MMcfd) for the year ended December 31, 2018 from 10,605 
MMcf (29.0 MMcfd) for the year ended December 31, 2017. Power sector sales volumes increased by 20% to 2,929 MMcf (31.8 
MMcfd) in the quarter from 2,428 MMcf (26.4 MMcfd) in Q4 2017. 

The decrease in volumes for the year is primarily a result of reduced consumption of gas volumes by TANESCO during the first three 
quarters of the year offset by increased demand during Q4 2018 with deliveries commencing through the NNGI.

SONGO SONGO DELIVERABILITY

As at December 31, 2018 the Company had a well capacity of approximately 130 MMcfd. Until well SS-12 began producing through 
the NNGI on Songo Songo Island in December 2018, production had been limited to 97 MMcfd due to a combination of Songas 
Infrastructure capacity limitations and reservoir pressure decline. With the installation of the refrigeration unit at the Songas Plant 
scheduled for completion in Q2 2019, well capacity of 130 MMcfd can be sustained until the installation of compression, currently 
scheduled for completion by the end of 2021. This will provide the ability to expand the level of well capacity from 130 MMcfd to 
approximately 165 MMcfd by continuing to increase gas produced through the NNGI.

Well SS-12 is currently supplying up to 35 MMcfd of Additional Gas to TANESCO through the NNGI via a side letter agreement to 
the PGSA. Subject to approval of the initialed GSA, the Company plans to sell Additional Gas volumes directly to TPDC through the 
NNGI. Well SS-3 is currently suspended and well SS-4 has been shut-in pending the commissioning of the refrigeration unit at the 
Songas Plant. The Company may undertake workovers on both the wells in the future together with well SS-10. 

As at December 31, 2018 well SS-11 is tied into both the Songas Plant and the NNGI while well SS-12 is only tied into the NNGI. 
The facilities for the connection of well SS-10 to the NNGI are available and the connection can be completed when required. It is 
currently anticipated that wells SS-10 and SS-11 will be used as and when further volumes to the NNGI are required.  

COMMODITY PRICES

The commodity prices achieved in the different sectors during the year are detailed in the table below:

$/mcf

Average sales price

Industrial sector

Power sector

Weighted average price

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

8.44

3.68

4.31

2017

7.78

3.63

4.93

2018

8.26

3.68

5.17

2017

7.71

3.60

4.84

Industrial sector
The average Industrial sales price achieved during the year was $8.26/mcf, an increase of 7% from $7.71/mcf in 2017. The average 
Industrial price in the fourth quarter was $8.44/mcf (Q4 2017: $7.78/mcf), an increase of 8%. The increase in prices is due to the 
underlying increase in the price of heavy fuel oil against which most of the industrial customer contracts are priced.

Power sector
The average sales price to the Power sector was $3.68/mcf for the year (2017: $ 3.60 /mcf) and $3.68/mcf (Q4 2017: $3.63/mcf) 
for the quarter. The increase in price for the year and quarter is primarily due to the annual indexation in accordance with the PGSA 
and ARGA. 

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis15

OPERATING REVENUE

The Company’s operating revenue was $14.2 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2018 (Q4 2017: $11.8 million). The 20% 
increase for the quarter is a result of the increase in sales volumes and prices to industrial customers together with the decreased 
TPDC Profit Gas revenue entitlement. The 2% increase in gross field revenue to $20.9 million from $20.5 million for the quarter is 
a combination of the increase in the weighted average sales price and the recognition of all the TANESCO sales invoices for the 
quarter as opposed to only 90% recognized in Q4 2017. The Company’s operating revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 
increased by 1% to $54.4 million from $53.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is primarily a result of the 
increase in gross field revenue associated with the inclusion of $4.2 million of TANESCO deferred revenue in Q1 2018. The increase 
in TPDC Profit Gas revenue entitlement for the year ended December 31, 2018 is a result of lower volumes and the depletion of the 
Cost Pool offset by the increase in gross field revenue for the same period.

Revenue presented on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income may be reconciled to the Company’s operating 
revenue by adding the income tax adjustment of $0.7 million for the quarter and adding the income tax adjustment of $3.3 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company is liable for income tax in Tanzania, but under the terms of the PSA TPDC’s 
Profit Gas revenue entitlement is adjusted for the tax payable. To account for this, revenue is adjusted to include the current income 
tax charge grossed up at 30%.

Reconciliation of Company operating revenue to revenue:

$’000

Company operating revenue 

Current income tax adjustment

Revenue

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

14,165

(705)

13,460

2017

11,799

(1,191)

10,608

2018

54,434

3,332

57,766

2017

53,716

7,116

60,832

Under the terms of the PSA, the Company is responsible for invoicing, collecting and allocating the revenue from Additional Gas 
sales.

The  Company  is  able  to  recover  all  costs  incurred  on  the  exploration,  development  and  operations  of  the  project  (“Contract 
Expenses”)  up  to  a  maximum  of  75%  of  the  net  field  revenue  through  Cost  Gas  revenue  prior  to  the  distribution  of  Profit  Gas 
revenue. Any Contract Expenses not recovered in any period are carried forward for recovery out of future revenues (the “Cost 
Pool”). Once the Cost Pool has been recovered, TPDC is able to recover any pre-approved marketing costs. Currently there are no 
pre-approved marketing costs for TPDC.

The average Additional Gas sales volumes for the year were below 40 MMcfd. However, for Q3 2018 and Q4 2018 the Additional 
Gas volumes were above 40 MMcfd. As a consequence, the Company was entitled to a 40% share of Profit Gas revenue in Q3 
2018 and Q4 2018 compared to a 35% share of Profit Gas revenue in Q1 2018 and Q2 2018. In 2017, the Company was entitled to 
a 35% share of Profit Gas revenue in Q4 2017 and Q2 2017 and to a 40% share of Profit Gas revenue in Q1 2017 and Q3 2017. See 
“Principal Terms of the Tanzanian PSA and Related Agreements.” 

The Company was  allocated a  total of 65% of the net  field  revenue  in  2018 (2017: 72%). The decrease in allocation of the  net 
field revenue is a result of the depletion of the Cost Pool during the latter half of 2017 following the recovery of the capital costs 
associated with the completion of offshore phase of the Development Program in 2016 which included workovers on wells 5, 7 
and 9 and the drilling of well SS-12.

management's discussion & analysis16

Analysis of gross and net field revenue

$’000

Industrial sector

Power sector

Gross field revenue

TPDC share of revenue

Company operating revenue

Reconciliation to net field revenue:

Gross field revenue

Tariff for processing and 
pipeline infrastructure (1)

Net field revenue

Allocation of net field revenue:

Company Cost Gas revenue

Company Profit Gas revenue

Company share of net 
field revenue 

TPDC Profit Gas entitlement

Net field revenue

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

10,077

10,774

20,851

(6,686)

14,165

20,851

(2,347)

18,504

7,361

4,457

11,818

6,686

18,504

2017

8,639

11,870

20,509

(8,710)

11,799

2018

39,095

40,395

79,490

(25,056)

54,434

20,509

79,490

(2,091)

18,418

4,724

4,984

9,708

8,710

18,418

(8,509)

70,981

30,377

15,548

45,925

25,056

70,981

2017

35,440

35,916

71,356

(17,640)

53,716

71,356

(8,978)

62,378

34,091

10,647

44,738

17,640

62,378

(1)   Under the application of IFRS 15 Revenue, the revenue is shown gross, with the tariff for transportation and pipeline tariff being included in 

production and distribution expenses.

Impact of IFRS 15

$/mcf

Revenue prior to 
implementation of IFRS 15

Tariff for processing and 
pipeline infrastructure

Revenue

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

11,216

2,347

13,563

2017

8,528

2,091

10,619

2018

2017

49,258

8,508

57,766

51,854

8,978

60,832

There is no impact on net income (loss) as a result of the implementation of IFRS 15.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis17

TANESCO impact on revenue
The Company records revenues for sales to TANESCO based on the expected amount to be collected, which represents a percentage 
of the amounts invoiced to TANESCO determined by comparison of TANESCO’s payment history to the amounts invoiced by the 
Company over the previous three years. Management believes this approach provides the best estimate of TANESCO’s ability to 
pay and remain reasonably current, and as well, reflects the economic reality of the situation. The percentage used to recognize 
TANESCO revenue will be reviewed as circumstances require. Commencing April 1, 2018 the Company has been recording 100% 
of deliveries to TANESCO as revenue. This is a result of TANESCO consistently paying in excess of amounts invoiced for deliveries.

Prior to April 1, 2018 cash received in excess of the revenue recorded for deliveries to TANESCO in any given period was recorded 
as  deferred  revenue.  In  periods  when  the  deferred  revenue  balance  was  greater  than  the  amounts  invoiced  to  TANESCO  for 
gas deliveries for the previous four quarters, any amount in excess of the previous four quarter average was recorded as current 
period revenue to the extent there had been unrecognized revenue resulting from the expected collectability approach. If such 
unrecognized revenue is reduced to nil, additional amounts collected in excess of the quarterly average will be applied to pay the 
oldest TANESCO invoice recorded and previously provided for. In periods when cash received is less than revenue recorded, the 
deferred revenue will be reduced accordingly. If the deferred revenue amount is reduced to nil, the difference will be recorded as 
accounts receivable. 

The  trend  of  TANESCO  paying  in  excess  of  gas  delivered  continued  throughout  2018  and  into  2019.  Based  on  the  consistent 
payments from TANESCO, the Company: (i) recognized all amounts invoiced in Q2 2018 through Q4 2018 for gas deliveries as 
revenue; (ii) in Q2 2018 recognized $8.1 million of previously recognized revenue as finance income (which represented excess 
cash received over invoiced amounts for gas deliveries which had not previously been applied against TANESCO long-term arrears; 
(iii) in Q4 2018 recognized $1.0 million (Q3 2018: $1.4 million, Q2 2018: $5.4 million) as finance income relating to the amounts 
collected during 2018 that were applied towards the long-term TANESCO arrears previously provided for. The revenue recorded for 
2018 includes the release of $4.2 million of deferred revenue to gross field revenue in Q1 2018 and the reallocation of $2.6 million 
TPDC Profit share entitlement which resulted in an overall increase of $1.3 million in earnings for the year.

PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES

Well maintenance costs are allocated between Protected Gas and Additional Gas in proportion to their respective sales during the 
period. The total cost of maintenance for the quarter was $0.2 million (Q4 2017: $0.3 million) and $1.1 million for the year (2017: $1.2 
million). Amounts allocated to Additional Gas for the quarter were $0.1 million (Q4 2017: $0.1 million) and $0.3 million for the year 
(2017: $0.4 million). 

Other field and operating costs include an apportionment of the annual PSA licence costs, regulatory fees, insurance, some costs 
associated with the evaluation of the reserves and the cost of personnel which are not recoverable from Songas.

The processing and transportation tariff charges for the quarter were $2.3 million (Q4 2017: $2.1 million) and $8.5 million for the year 
(2017: $9.0 million). The lower tariff expenses for the year are a result of the decrease in production volumes. 

Distribution costs represent the direct cost of maintaining the ring main distribution pipeline and pressure reduction stations owned 
by the Company (security, insurance and personnel). Ring main distribution costs for the quarter were $0.7 million (Q4 2017: $0.7 
million) and $2.8 million for the year (2017: $2.4 million). The production and distribution costs are detailed in the table below:

$’000

Share of well maintenance 

Other field and operating costs

Tariff for processing and 
pipeline infrastructure

Ring main distribution costs

Production, distribution and 
transportation expenses

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

49

197

246

2,347

734

3,327

2017

121

155

276

2,091

655

3,022

2018

284

836

1,120

8,508

2,750

2017

392

806

1,198

8,978

2,431

12,378

12,607

management's discussion & analysis 
18

OPERATING NETBACKS

The operating netback before general and administrative costs, overhead, tax and APT is detailed in the table below (see Non-GAAP 
measures):

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

$/mcf

Gas price – Industrial

Gas price – Power (1)

Weighted average price for gas

TPDC share of revenue 

Well maintenance and 
other operating costs

Tariff for processing and 
pipeline infrastructure

Ring main distribution costs

Operating netback

2018

8.44

3.68

4.31

(1.62)

(0.06)

(0.57)

(0.18)

1.88

2017

7.78

3.63

4.93

(1.81)

(0.08)

(0.59)

(0.19)

2.26

2018

8.26

3.68

5.17

(1.56)

(0.08)

(0.58)

(0.19)

2.76

2017

7.71

3.60

4.84

(1.01)

(0.08)

(0.59)

(0.16)

3.00

(1)   The weighted average sales price is stated before the decrease in TANESCO revenue due to the modified approach used for revenue recognition purposes and 

represents the weighted average price of the volumes invoiced and delivered (see Collectability of Receivables).

The operating netback in the quarter decreased by 17% to $1.88/mcf (Q4 2017: $2.26/mcf) and decreased by 8% to $2.76/mcf for 
the year (2017: $3.00/mcf). The decrease in Q4 2018 is predominately due to the decrease in the weighted average gas price in 
the quarter to $4.31/mcf (Q4 2017: $4.93/mcf). The decrease for the year is primarily due to the increase in TPDC share of revenue 
to $1.56/mcf (2017: $1.01/mcf) which was partially offset by the increase in the weighted average price of gas to $5.17/mcf (2017: 
$4.84/mcf) as a result of a change in the sales mix. The increase in the weighted average price is the result of: (i) the relative increase 
of industrial sales to total sales with the overall level of industrial sales remaining relatively constant between periods; and (ii) the 
increase in the price paid by industrials due to the rise in the price of heavy fuel oil.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses are detailed in the table below:

$’000

Employee and related costs

Office costs

Marketing and business 
development costs

Reporting, regulatory and corporate

General and  
administrative expenses

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

1,268

1,585

202

280

3,335

2017

2,712

1,054

762

716

5,244

2018

6,084

5,230

427

1,086

2017

7,147

3,759

1,307

1,976

12,827

14,189

General  and  administrative  expenses  include  the  costs  of  running  the  natural  gas  distribution  business  in  Tanzania  which  is 
recoverable as Cost Gas and is relatively fixed in nature. General and administrative expenses averaged $1.1 million (Q4 2017: $1.7 
million) per month during the quarter and $1.1 million (2017: $1.2 million) per month over the year. 

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis19

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The breakdown of the costs incurred in relation to stock based compensation is detailed in the table below:

$’000

Stock appreciation rights (“SARs”)

Restricted stock units (“RSUs”)

Stock-based compensation 

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

(362)

(57)

(419)

2017

904

1,171

2,075

2018

2,440

2,203

4,643

2017

2,271

4,348

6,619

As at December 31, 2018 a total of 645,000 SARs were outstanding compared to 2,485,000 SARs as at December 31, 2017. A total 
of 1,630,000 SARs with exercise prices ranging from CDN$2.30 to CDN$3.87 were exercised during the year resulting in a total cash 
payout of $5.4 million. A total of 210,000 SARs with an exercise prices ranging from CDN$2.30 to CDN$3.87 were forfeited during 
2018. As at December 31, 2018 a total of 87,500 RSUs were outstanding compared to 1,147,621 RSUs as at December 31, 2017. A 
total of 1,060,121 RSUs were exercised during the year resulting in a total cash payout of $5.5 million.

As SARs and RSUs are settled in cash, they are re-valued at each reporting date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with 
the resulting liability being recognized in trade and other payables. In the valuation of SARs and RSUs at the reporting date, the 
following assumptions have been made: a risk free rate of interest of 1.0%; stock volatility of 25.3% to 47.4%; 0% dividend yield; 5% 
forfeiture; and a closing price of CDN$5.05 per Class B share. 

As at December 31, 2018 a total accrued liability of $1.6 million (2017: $7.9 million) has been recognized in relation to SARS and 
RSUs. The Company recognized credit of $0.4 million (Q4 2017: $2.1 million expense) for the quarter and an expense of $4.6 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2018 (2017: $6.6 million).

FINANCE INCOME AND EXPENSE

Finance income is detailed in the table below:

$’000

Interest income

Investment income

Reversal of provision for 
doubtful accounts

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

126

423

2,560

3,109

2017

155

–

–

155

2018

625

1,084

17,427

19,136

2017

366

–

–

366

In 2018 the Company has invested $66.8 million in short and long-term bonds. The investment in bonds are currently all short-term 
with maturity dates from March 2019 to December 2019 and a range of interest rates from 0.875% to 2.125%. The $1.1 million 
investment  income  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2018  includes  accrued  interest  of  $0.6  million  and  amortization  of  the 
discount on the acquisition of the bonds $0.5 million. To date, the Company has received interest income of $0.7 million. The 
Company intents is to hold the bond investments to maturity; however, the bonds are highly liquid by their nature and may readily 
be liquidated into cash if necessary. 

The reversal of the provision for doubtful accounts of $17.4 million during the year includes: (i) $8.1 million of excess cash receipts 
over invoiced deliveries from Q3 2017 to Q1 2018 previously recorded as deferred revenue; (ii) $7.8 million of excess cash receipts 
over invoiced gas deliveries since the end of Q1 2018; (iii) $1.2 million of operatorship receivables previously charged to Songas and 
fully provided for at the end of 2017; and (iv) $0.3 million previously provided against a refundable VAT balance relating to an in Italian 
entity, the VAT refund being received in Q4 2018 .

management's discussion & analysis20

Finance expense is detailed in the table below:

$’000

Base interest expense

Participatory interest expense

Interest expense

Net foreign exchange loss (gain)

Provision for doubtful accounts

Indirect tax

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

1,591

342

1,933

87

–

328

2,348

2017

1,594

1,031

2,625

(64)

(90)

253

2,724

2018

2017

6,249

4,745

10,994

695

–

3,689

15,378

6,250

3,809

10,059

(184)

(90)

3,046

12,831

Base and participatory interest expense relate to the long-term loan with the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”). The amount 
of base interest expense during the quarter was $1.6 million (Q4 2017: $1.6 million) and $6.2 million for the year ended December 
31, 2018 (2017: $6.3 million). The participatory interest expense during the quarter was $0.3 million (Q4 2017: $1.0 million) and $4.7 
million for the year ended December 31, 2018 (2017: $3.8 million). The increase in the participatory interest expense is the result of 
an additional payment of $2.6 million associated with the sale of the 7.9% interest in PAEM (see sections on Long-Term Loan and 
Non-Controlling Interest).

Net foreign exchange gains and losses are the result of transactions in foreign currencies being recorded at the rate of exchange 
prevailing  at  the  date  of  the  transaction.  Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  at  period-end  rates. 
Non-monetary items are translated at historic rates, unless such items are carried at market value, in which case they are translated 
using the exchange rates that existed when the values were determined. These foreign exchange losses and gains are recorded in 
finance expense.

The provision for doubtful accounts for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $0.1 million represents a receipt from an industrial 
debtor which had been previously provided against.

The indirect tax of $0.3 million for the quarter (Q4 2017: $0.3 million) and $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 (2017: 
$3.0 million) is for VAT associated with invoices to TANESCO for interest on late payments and invoices under the take or pay 
provisions within the PGSA. The invoiced amounts are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements due to not meeting 
the revenue recognition criteria with respect to assurance of collectability.

TANESCO
At December 31, 2018 the current receivable from TANESCO was $ nil (December 31, 2017: $ nil). During the year the amounts 
received from TANESCO continued to be in excess of the revenue recognized for gas sales to TANESCO. Commencing April 1, 
2018 the Company has recorded 100% of deliveries as revenue and during 2018, $15.9 million of cumulative excess receipts over 
sales invoiced was allocated to the long-term arrears together with the associated reversal of the provision for doubtful accounts. 

The long-term trade receivable at December 31, 2018 was $58.5 million with a provision of $58.5 million compared with $74.4 
million (with a provision of $74.4 million) at December 31, 2017. Subsequent to December 31, 2019 the Company has invoiced 
TANESCO $15.6 million for 2019 gas deliveries and TANESCO has paid the Company $18.0 million. 

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis21

The following table reconciles the total amount receivable from TANESCO including amounts not meeting revenue recognition 
criteria reconciled to the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements:

$‘000

Total amounts invoiced to TANESCO 

Unrecognized amounts for not meeting revenue recognition criteria (i)

Invoiced amounts reduced based on TANESCO’s payment history  
for the previous three years 

Provision for doubtful accounts

TANESCO deferred revenue balance per consolidated financial statements

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

121,393

 (62,895)

–

(58,498)

–

2017

108,833

 (38,710)

(4,172)

(74,361)

(8,410)

(1) The amount includes invoices for interest on late payments and invoices relating to differences between gas contracted for delivery versus gas taken by TANESCO. 
During the Q2 2018 the Company invoiced TANESCO for $16.6 million relating to take or pay arrangements under the PGSA for the year ending June 30, 2018 (year ended 
June 30, 2017: $13.4 million). These amounts have not been recognized in the financial statements, however, the VAT associated with the invoice of $2.5 million (Q2 2017: 
$2.0 million) has been written off to finance expense in Q2 2018.

TAXATION

Income Tax
Under the terms of the PSA with TPDC and the Government of Tanzania, the Company is liable for income tax in Tanzania at the 
corporate  tax  rate  of  30%.  However,  the  PSA  provides  a  mechanism  by  which  income  tax  payable  is  recovered  from  TPDC  by 
reducing TPDC’s share of Profit Gas revenue and increasing the allocation to the Company. This is reflected in the accounts by 
increasing the Company’s share of revenue by an amount equivalent to income taxes payable.

As  at  December  31,  2018  there  were  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying  value  of  the  assets  and  liabilities  for  financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes under the Income Tax Act 2004. Applying the 30% Tanzanian tax 
rate, the Company has recognized a deferred tax liability of $12.8 million (2017: $11.8 million). During the year there was a deferred 
tax charge of $1.0 million compared to a deferred tax recovery of $1.2 million in 2017. The deferred tax has no impact on cash flow 
until it becomes a current income tax, at which point the tax is paid and recovered from TPDC’s share of Profit Gas revenue.

Additional Profits Tax
Under the terms of the PSA, in the event that all costs have been recovered with an annual return of 25% plus the percentage 
change in the United States Industrial Goods Producer Price Index (“PPI”), an Additional Profits Tax (“APT”) is payable.

The timing and the effective rate of APT depends on the realized value of Profit Gas which in turn depends of the level of expenditure. 
The Company provides for APT by annually forecasting the total APT payable in the future as a proportion of the Company’s share 
of forecast Profit Gas over the term of the PSA. The forecast takes into account the timing of future development capital spending.

The effective APT rate for the quarter of 19.7% (Q4 2017: 19.4%) has been applied to Company Profit Gas of $4.5 million (Q4 2017: 
$5.0 million), and an average effective rate of 19.4% (2017: 19.4%) has been applied to Company Profit Gas of $15.5 million (2017: 
$10.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2018. Accordingly, $0.9 million (Q4 2017: $1.0 million) and $3.0 million (2017: $2.1 
million) have been recorded for the quarter, and for the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company has yet to earn 
an annual cash return of 25% and as such, none of the accrued amount is currently payable.

$’000

Additional Profits Tax

2018

877

2017

962

2018

3,014

2017

2,063

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

management's discussion & analysis22

DEPLETION AND DEPRECIATION

Natural gas properties are depleted using the unit of production method based on the production for the period as a percentage 
of the total future production from the Songo Songo proved reserves. As at December 31, 2018 the estimated proved reserves 
remaining to be produced over the term of the PSA licence were 261 Bcf (2017: 307 Bcf). A depletion expense of $3.2 million for 
the quarter (Q4 2017: $2.0 million) and $9.5 million for the year (2017: $8.7 million) has been recorded in the accounts at an average 
depletion rate to $0.62/mcf (2017: $0.58/mcf).  

Non-natural gas properties are depreciated as follows:

Leasehold improvements: 

Over remaining life of the lease  

Computer equipment: 

Vehicles: 

Fixtures and fittings: 

3 years 

3 years 

3 years

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted IFRS 9 - Financial instruments. The new standard includes revised guidance on the 
classification and measurement of financial instruments, including a new expected credit loss model for calculating impairment 
on financial assets, and the new general hedge accounting requirements. It also carries forward the guidance on recognition and 
de-recognition of financial instruments from IAS 39. The Company does not use hedging contracts to mitigate risk. 

The three principal classification categories under the new standard for financial instruments are: measured at amortized cost, 
fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) and fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”). The classification of 
financial instruments under IFRS 9 is generally based on the business model in which a financial instrument is managed and 
its contractual cash flow characteristics. The previous categories under IAS 39 of held to maturity, loans and receivables and 
available for sale have been removed.

IFRS 9 replaces the “incurred loss” model in IAS 39 with an “expected loss” model. The new impairment model applies to financial 
instruments measured at amortized cost, and contract assets and debt investments measured at FVOCI. Under IFRS 9, credit 
losses will be recognized earlier than under IAS 39.

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and deposits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and 
bank debt continue to be measured at amortized cost and are now classified as “amortized cost”. There were no changes to the 
Company’s classifications of its financial instrument assets and liabilities as FVTPL. None of the Company’s financial instruments 
have been classified as FVOCI.

The Company did not formerly apply hedge accounting to its financial instruments and has not elected to apply hedge 
accounting to any of its financial instruments upon adoption of IFRS 9. There was no impact to the Company as a result of 
adopting the new standard.

All financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the consolidated statement of financial position. The Company 
has classified each financial instrument into one of the following categories: (i) fair value through the statement of comprehensive 
income (loss), (ii) loans and receivables, and (iii) other financial liabilities. Measurement in subsequent periods depends on the 
classification of the financial instrument as described below:

•   Fair value through profit or loss: financial instruments under this classification include cash and cash equivalents and derivative 

assets and liabilities.

•   Amortized cost: financial instruments under this classification include accounts receivable, investment in bonds, investments, 

accounts payable and accrued liabilities, dividends payable, tax payable, finance lease obligations, and long-term debt.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis23

Financial assets and liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 
Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired or have been transferred 
and the Company has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the 
net amount is reported on the statement of financial position when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized 
amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, term deposits and short-term highly liquid investments with the original term 
to maturity of three months or less, which are convertible to known amounts of cash and which, in the opinion of management, 
are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying 
amount. There are no restrictions on the movement of funds out of Tanzania.

Impairment of financial assets
A financial asset is assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any objective evidence that it is impaired. A 
financial asset is considered to be impaired if objective evidence indicates that one or more events have had a negative effect on 
the estimated future cash flows of that asset.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortized cost is calculated as the difference between its carrying 
amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate. Individually 
significant financial assets are tested for impairment on an individual basis. The remaining financial assets are assessed collectively 
in groups that share similar credit risk characteristics.

All impairment losses are recognized in earnings. An impairment loss is reversed if the reversal can be related objectively to 
an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized. For financial assets measured at amortized cost the reversal is 
recognized in earnings.

management's discussion & analysis24

CARRYING AMOUNT OF ASSETS

Capitalized costs are periodically assessed to determine whether it is likely that such costs will be recovered in the future. To the 
extent that these capitalized costs are less than their recoverable amount, they are impaired and recorded in earnings.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

During Q4 2018 the Company incurred $2.6 million (Q4 2017: $0.1 million) in capital expenditures and $5.8 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2018 (2017: $1.5 million). The capital expenditures in 2018 primarily relate to the completion of the SS-12 well 
flow line ($0.6 million) and the work on the refrigeration unit for the Songas Plant which is scheduled to be completed in Q2 2019. 

$’000

Geological and geophysical  
and well drilling

Pipelines and infrastructure

Other equipment

Other (1)

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

–

2,561

67

2,628

–

2,628

2017

–

442

30

472

–

472

2018

–

5,744

99

5,843

–

5,843

2017

30

1,262

253

1,545

7,352

8,897

(1) 

In Q1 2017, based on agreement with TPDC, the Songas share of workover costs incurred in 2015 were transferred to the cost pool to recover the costs via the PSA cost 
recovery mechanism. This resulted in $7.4 million of the Songas receivable being reclassified to plant, property and equipment equal to the proportion not previously 
provided against. This represents the value which will be recovered via the PSA revenue sharing mechanism.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis 
 
25

CASH FLOW SUMMARY

$’000

Operating activities

Net income (loss)

Non-cash adjustments

Base interest paid

Participatory interest

Changes in non-cash 
working capital (1)

Net cash flows from 
operating activities

Net cash used in 
investing activities

Net cash from (used in) 
financing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash

Effect of change in foreign 
exchange on cash

Net increase (decrease) in cash

(1)  See Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

2017

2018

2017

2,910

4,847

1,591

342

(5,605)

4,085

(2,471)

1,444

3,058

161

3,219

(4,684)

4,836

1,594

1,031

10,105

12,882

(500)

(602)

11,780

54

11,834

13,563

21,919

6,249

4,745

(17,724)

28,752

(5,051)

(81,665)

(57,964)

302

(57,662)

(2,500)

19,332

6,250

3,809

21,263

48,154

(1,683)

(5,258)

41,213

214

41,427

The Company’s net cash flow from operating activities for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 decreased by 68% to $4.1 million 
(Q4 2017: $12.9 million) and decreased by 40% for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $28.8 million (2017: $48.2 million). The 
decrease in the quarter is primarily a result of the changes in non-cash working capital for the quarter, a decrease of $5.6 million 
(Q4 2017: $10.1 million increase). The decrease for the year is primarily a result of the exercise of SARs and RSUs during the year and 
changes in non-cash working capital primarily due to the increase in TPDC Profit Gas payable and deferred revenue. The increase 
in cash used in investing activities is the result of increased capital expenditures. The increase of cash used in financing activities for 
the year is the combined result of an investment in short-term bonds of $66.8 million, dividend payments of $17.9 million (including 
$1.0 million dividend paid to a non-controlling interest), and the payment of participatory interest of $6.1 million, which have been 
offset by the proceeds received on the sale of a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary of $15.4 million.

management's discussion & analysis26

WORKING CAPITAL

Working capital as at December 31, 2018 was $84.2 million (December 31, 2017: $69.6 million) and is detailed in the table below:

AS AT DECEMBER 31

$’000

Cash

Investment in short term bonds

Trade and other receivables

   Songas

Industrial customers

   Songas gas plant operations

   Other receivables

   Provision for doubtful accounts

Prepayments

Trade and other payables

   TPDC share of Profit  
  Gas revenue (1)

   Songas

   Other trade payables

   Accrued liabilities

   Current portion of long-term loan

Deferred revenue (2)

Tax (recovery) payable

Working capital

2,489

9,107

6,496

1,937

(4,167)

40,260

1,785

2,725

14,864

4,760

2018

64,660

66,837

15,862

1,217

148,576

64,394

–

–

64,394

84,182

2,378

6,915

5,827

2,521

(5,368)

33,422

1,670

1,961

19,705

–

2017

122,322

–

12,273

866

135,461

56,758

8,410

718

65,886

69,575

(1)  The balance of $40.3 million payable to TPDC is the accrued liability for their share of Profit Gas revenue primarily related to unpaid gas deliveries to TANESCO, net 
of $0.3 million previously recorded as tax recoverable. The majority of the settlement of this liability is dependent on receipt of payment from TANESCO for arrears. A 
total of $4.6 million was paid to TPDC in February 2019.

(2)  As at December 31, 2018 TANESCO deferred revenue is $ nil (December 31, 2017: $8.4 million). Deferred revenue at December 31, 2017 was a result of the cumulative 
cash collected from TANESCO being in excess of the invoiced amounts recognized as revenue. Commencing April 1, 2018 all invoices for deliveries have been 
recorded as revenue and any amounts collected in excess of deliveries are recorded as a recovery of arrears. During 2018 the cumulative excess receipts over 
recognized  revenue  of  $15.9  million  have  been  offset  against  the  long  term TANESCO  receivable  as  a  result  there  is  no  deferred  revenue  in working  capital  at 
December 31, 2018. There is no current receivable from TANESCO at December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017: $ nil). The long-term TANESCO receivable as at 
December 31, 2018, including unrecorded invoices not meeting revenue recognition criteria, was $121.4 million. The Company is actively pursuing the collection of 
all the receivables that have been charged to TANESCO.

Working  capital  as  at  December  31,  2018  increased  by  21%  over  December  31,  2017.  The  successful  collection  of  TANESCO 
receivables has increased current assets by $13.0 million. This has been offset by an increase in trade and other payables of $0.7 
million and the release of $8.4 million deferred revenue.

Other significant points are:

•  There  are  no  restrictions  on  the  movement  of  cash  from  Mauritius  or  Tanzania,  and  over  90%  of  the  Company’s  cash  and 

investment in bonds is currently held outside of Tanzania.

•  The Company expects to have sufficient cash flows from operating activities and working capital to cover budgeted debt and 
interest payments ($13.0 million) and capital expenditures ($3.4 million) for 2019. The Company does not expect to incur any 
losses from debtors in 2019.

•  Of the $9.1 million receivable relating to industrial customers $7.7 million had been received as at the date of this report.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis  
 
 
 
 
27

LONG TERM LOAN

The Company’s subsidiary, PAET, entered into a loan agreement (the “Loan”) in 2015 with the IFC, a member of the World Bank 
Group, for $60 million. The Loan was fully drawn in 2016.

The  term  of  the  Loan  is  ten  years,  with  no  required  repayment  of  principal  for  the  first  seven  years,  followed  by  a  three-year 
amortization period. The Loan is to be paid out through six semi-annual payments of $5 million starting April 15, 2022 and one final 
payment of $30 million due on April 15, 2025. The Company may voluntarily prepay all or part of the Loan but must simultaneously 
pay any accrued base interest costs related to the principal amount being prepaid. If any portion of the Loan is prepaid prior to 
the fourth anniversary of the first drawdown (taken on December 14, 2015), the Company would be required to pay the accrued 
base  interest  as  if  the  prepaid  portion  of  the  Loan  had  remained  outstanding  for  the  full  four  years.  The  Loan  is  an  unsecured 
subordinated obligation of PAET and was initially guaranteed by the Company to a maximum of $30 million. The initial guarantee 
may only be called upon by the IFC at maturity in 2025. Subject to receipt of the IFC approval and required regulatory approvals, 
the Company at its discretion may issue shares in fulfillment of all or part of the guarantee obligation in 2025. Pursuant to the sale 
of the non-controlling interest in PAEM, the Company agreed with the IFC to reduce the outstanding amount of the loan by the 
percentage interest sold in PAEM of 7.9% ($4.8 million) on the fourth anniversary of the first drawdown. The Company has provided 
an additional guarantee to the IFC that if PAET is unable to pay down the loan on or before December 14, 2019, the Company will 
make the payment. This guarantee is in addition to the Company’s initial guarantee.

Base interest on the Loan is payable quarterly at 10% per annum on a ‘pay-if-you-can-basis’ using a formula to calculate the net 
cash available for such payments as at any given interest payment date. The amount of base interest during the quarter was $1.6 
million (Q4 2017: $1.6 million) and $6.2 million for the year (2017: $6.3 million). To date all interest incurred has been paid when due. 

In addition, the Loan included an annual variable participatory interest equating to 7% of the net cash flow from operating activities 
less net cash flows used in investing activities of PAET in respect of any given year. Such participatory interest will continue until 
October 15, 2026 regardless of whether the Loan is repaid prior to its contractual maturity date. The participatory interest charged 
during the fourth quarter was $0.3 million (Q4 2017: $1.0 million) and $4.7 million for the year (2017: $3.8 million). The 2018 charge 
includes an additional payment of $2.6 million (2017: $ nil) associated with the sale of the 7.9% interest in PAEM in January 2018 in 
accordance with the terms of the Loan. As a result of the additional payment, the annual variable participatory interest is reduced 
from 7% to 6.4%. At December 31, 2018 the participatory interest included in accrued liabilities is $2.6 million (December 31, 2017: 
$3.8 million).

Dividends and distributions from PAET to the Company are restricted at any time that any amounts due for interest, principal or 
participating interest are outstanding under the Loan.

management's discussion & analysis 
28

OUTSTANDING SHARES

There were 35,256,432 shares outstanding as at December 31, 2018 as detailed in the table below. As at the date of this report there 
were a total of 1,750,517 Class A common voting shares (“Class A shares”) and 33,505,915 Class B subordinated voting shares (“Class 
B shares”) outstanding. 

Number of shares (‘000)

Shares outstanding

Class A shares

Class B shares

Class A and Class B shares outstanding

Weighted average

Class A and Class B shares

Convertible securities

Options

Weighted average diluted Class A and Class B shares

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2018

2017

1,750 

33,506 

35,256 

1,750 

33,506 

35,256 

35,256 

34,858 

–

35,256 

–

34,858 

One of the non-executive Directors is counsel to a law firm that provides legal advice to the Company and its subsidiaries. During 
the fourth quarter costs of $ nil (Q4 2017: $0.6 million) and $0.3 million for the year (2017: $0.9 million) were incurred by this firm for 
services provided. As at December 31, 2018 the Company has a total of $0.04 million (December 31, 2017: $0.5 million) recorded in 
trade and other payables in relation to the related party.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis29

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS  
AND COMMITTED CAPITAL INVESTMENT

Protected Gas
Under the terms of the original Gas Agreement for the Songo Songo project (“Gas Agreement”), in the event that there is a shortfall/
insufficiency in Protected Gas as a consequence of the sale of Additional Gas, the Company is liable to pay the difference between 
the price of Protected Gas ($0.55/MMbtu escalated) and the price of an alternative feedstock multiplied by the volumes of Protected 
Gas up to a maximum of the volume of Additional Gas sold (191 Bcf as at December 31, 2018). The Company did not have a shortfall 
during the reporting period and does not anticipate a shortfall arising during the term of the Protected Gas delivery obligation to 
July 2024.

Re-Rating Agreement
In  2011  the  Company  signed  the  Re-Rating  Agreement  which  evidenced  an  increase  to  the  gas  processing  capacity  of  the 
Songas Plant to a maximum of 110 MMcfd (the pipeline and delivery pressure requirements at the Ubungo power plant restrict the 
infrastructure capacity to a maximum of 102 MMcfd). Under the terms of the Re-Rating Agreement, the Company paid additional 
compensation of $0.30/mcf for sales between 70 MMcfd and 90 MMcfd and $0.40/mcf for volumes above 90 MMcfd by issuing 
credit notes to TANESCO. This was in addition to the tariff of $0.59/mcf payable to Songas as set by the energy regulator, EWURA. 

Although  Songas  notified  the  Company  in  2014  that  the  Re-Rating  Agreement  was  terminated,  the  parties  have  continued  to 
produce, transport and sell gas volumes in line with the re-rated plant capacity. In May 2016 the Company notified TANESCO and 
Songas that the additional compensation for sales over 70 MMcfd would no longer be paid effective June 2016. The additional 
compensation was always intended to be temporary in nature until the expansion of the Songas infrastructure at which time Songas 
would apply to EWURA to obtain approval of a new tariff for the processing of volumes over 70 MMcfd. The PGSA provides for 
passing on to TANESCO any tariff charged to the Company in the event that a new tariff is approved.

There remains a disagreement as to the current status of the Re-Rating Agreement, however, the processing capacity at the Songas 
Plant remains unaltered and is fully available for utilization by the Company. This capacity is in addition to the capacity available 
within the NNGI.

Portfolio Gas Supply Agreement
In  June  2011  the  PGSA  was  signed  (term  to  June  30,  2023)  between  TANESCO  (as  the  buyer)  and  the  Company  and  TPDC 
(collectively as the seller). TANESCO requested a change to the PGSA Maximum Daily Quantity which PAET and TPDC approved 
effective January 29, 2018. The seller is now obligated, subject to infrastructure capacity, to sell a maximum of approximately 26 
MMcfd (previously 36 MMcfd) for use in any of TANESCO’s current power plants, except those operated by Songas at Ubungo. 
Under  the  agreement,  the  basic  wellhead  price  of  approximately  $2.98/mcf  increased  to  $3.04/mcf  on  July  1,  2017.  Previously 
under the PGSA any sales in excess of 36 MMcfd were subject to a 150% increase in the basic wellhead gas price. On December 
22, 2018 a side letter amendment to the PGSA was agreed with TPDC to allow PGSA volumes up to a maximum monthly average 
volume of 35 MMscf/d to temporarily flow through the NNGI. It is intended that this temporary arrangement is to be replaced by 
the initialed GSA. The extra and excess charges to TANESCO are not applicable for volumes supplied pursuant to the side letter 
agreement.

Operating leases
The Company has two office rental agreements, one in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and one in Winchester, United Kingdom. The 
agreement in Dar es Salaam expires on October 31, 2019 at an annual rent of $0.4 million. The agreement in Winchester expires 
on September 25, 2022 at an annual rental of $0.2 million per annum. The costs of these leases are recognized in the general and 
administrative expenses. Subsequent to year-end the Company leased offices in London for a twelve-month period for $0.2 million 
per annum. The intent is to sub-let the office in Winchester for the duration of the rental agreement but until a sub-let is finalized, 
the Company continues to make the quarterly rental payments. 

management's discussion & analysis30

Capital Commitments
Tanzania

There  are  no  contractual  commitments  for  exploration  or  development  drilling  or  other  field  development  either  in  the  PSA 
or  otherwise  agreed  which  would  give  rise  to  significant  capital  expenditure  at  Songo  Songo.  Any  significant  additional  capital 
expenditure in Tanzania is discretionary.

The completion of the offshore component of Phase A of the Development Program in February 2016 improved field deliverability 
and provided sufficient natural gas production to fill the Songas plant and pipeline to capacity for the greater portion of the remaining 
life of the production licence. The Company began work on the onshore component of Phase A of the Development Program in 
2018 that includes installation of a refrigeration unit at the Songas Plant with an estimated cost of $8.5 million and well workovers 
with an estimated cost of $13.6 million. A total of $4.2 million was incurred on the refrigeration project in 2018 which is scheduled 
for completion in Q2 2019. A portion of the well workover costs are for wells SS-3 and SS-4 and assuming that Songas, the owner 
of the wells, funds the costs for these workovers the estimated workover cost to the Company will be $5.1 million. All planned 
capital expenditures can be funded out of the Company’s existing working capital and cash flow.

At the date of this report, the Company has no significant outstanding contractual commitments.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis31

CONTINGENCIES

Petroleum Act, 2015
The Petroleum Act, 2015 (the “Petroleum Act”) repeals earlier legislation, provides a regulatory framework over upstream, mid-stream 
and downstream gas activity, and consolidates and puts in place a comprehensive legal framework for regulating the oil and gas 
industry  in  the  country  of  Tanzania.  The  Petroleum  Act  also  provides  for  the  creation  of  an  upstream  regulator,  the  Petroleum 
Upstream  Regulatory  Authority  (“PURA”).  The  mid  and  downstream  oil  and  gas  activities  are  proposed  to  be  regulated  by  the 
current  authority,  the  EWURA.  The  Petroleum  Act  also  confers  upon  TPDC  the  status  of  the  National  Oil  Company  mandated 
with the task of managing the country’s commercial interest in petroleum operations as well as mid and downstream natural gas 
petroleum activities. The Petroleum Act vests TPDC with exclusive rights in the entire petroleum upstream and the natural gas mid 
and downstream value chains. However, the exclusive rights of TPDC do not extend to mid and downstream petroleum supply 
operations. The Petroleum Act does provide grandfathering provisions upholding the rights of the Company under their PSA as 
it was signed prior to passing of the Petroleum Act. However, it is still unclear how the provisions of the Petroleum Act will be 
interpreted and implemented regarding upstream and downstream activities and the Company is uncertain regarding the potential 
impact on its business in Tanzania.

On October 7, 2016 the Government of Tanzania issued the Petroleum (Natural Gas Pricing) Regulation made under Sections 165 
and 258 (I) of the Petroleum Act. Under the Petroleum Act, Article 260 (3) preserves the Company’s  pre-existing right with TPDC 
to market and sell Additional Gas together or independently on terms and conditions (including prices) negotiated with third party 
natural gas customers. The impact of the Natural Gas Pricing Regulation, if any, cannot be determined at this time.

TPDC Back-in
TPDC has the rights under the PSA to ‘back in’ to the Songo Songo field development and to convert this into a carried working 
interest  in  the  PSA.  The  current  terms  of  the  PSA  require  TPDC  to  provide  formal  notice  in  a  defined  period  and  contribute  a 
proportion of the costs of any development, sharing in the risks in return for an additional share of the gas. To date, TPDC has not 
contributed any costs nor provided any formal notice of intent to do so. 

Cost recovery
TPDC conducted an audit of the historic Cost Pool and in 2011 disputed approximately $34 million of costs that had been recovered 
from  the  Cost  Pool  from  2002  through  to  2009.  In  2014  a  substantial  portion  of  the  disputed  costs  were  agreed  to  be  cost 
recoverable by TPDC. Under the dispute mechanism outlined in the PSA, TPDC are to appoint an independent specialist to assist 
the parties in reaching agreement on costs that are still subject to dispute. In 2014, prior to appointing an independent specialist, 
TPDC suspended the process. Subsequent to December 31, 2018 discussions on the disputed amounts resumed with TPDC based 
on a report published by the attorney general. At the time of writing this report no independent specialist has been appointed. If the 
matter is not resolved to the Company’s satisfaction, the Company intends to proceed to arbitration via the International Centre 
for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) pursuant to the terms of the PSA. Presently there are no formal disputes with TPDC 
regarding cost recovery. 

management's discussion & analysis32

Taxation

AREA

PERIOD

REASON FOR DISPUTE

PRINCIPAL

INTEREST

TOTAL

TAX DISPUTE

DISPUTED AMOUNT $' MILLION

Pay-As-
You-Earn 
(“PAYE”) tax

2008-10

PAYE tax on grossed-up amounts in staff 
salaries which are contractually stated as net.

0.3

–

0.3 (1)

Withholding 
tax (“WHT”)

2005-10

WHT on services performed outside of 
Tanzania by non-resident persons.

Income Tax

2008-15

Deductibility of capital expenditures and expenses 
(2009 and 2012), additional income tax (2008, 
2010, 2011 and 2012), tax on repatriated income 
(2012), foreign exchange rate application (2013 
and 2015) and underestimation of tax due (2014).

VAT

2008-10

Output VAT on imported services 
and SSI Operatorship services.

1.0

29.0

2.7

33.0

0.7

13.6

2.8

17.1

1.7 (2)

42.6(3)

5.5(4)

50.1

Management, with the advice from its legal counsels, has reviewed the Company’s position on the objections and appeals related 
to the disputed amounts and has concluded that no provision is required with regard to these matters and that the maximum 
exposure is $50.1 million (December 31, 2017: $47.2 million). 

(1)  2015 ($0.3 million): PAET appealed the Tax Revenue Appeals Board (“TRAB”) ruling that PAET is liable to pay PAYE on grossed-up amounts on staff salaries. TRAB 
waived interest assessed thereon. The Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal (“TRAT”) upheld the TRAB decision which ruled in favour of the TRA on principal tax demanded 
but waived interest assessed thereon. In 2017 PAET appealed the TRAT ruling to the Court of Appeal of Tanzania (“CAT”). PAET is awaiting the CAT hearing date to  
be set;

(2) 

(a)   2005-2009 ($1.6 million): In 2016 TRA filed an application for review of the CAT decision in favour of PAET that no WHT was required on services performed 
outside Tanzania by non-resident persons and later filed another application for leave to amend its earlier application. At the CAT hearing in Q1 2017, TRA 
withdrew their second application for review. In Q2 2017 the CAT accepted PAET’s preliminary objection against the TRA application. On July 28, 2017 TRA 
filed another application for extension of time for their application, under the certificate of urgency, for the CAT to review its judgment. During Q1 2018 the CAT 
ruled in favour of PAET’s preliminary objection. In Q4 2018 TRA applied to the CAT to file an application for review out of time but consequently withdrew its 
application: at the time the Company was preparing to file a preliminary objection against the application. It is not clear whether the TRA will seek to re-file their 
application;

(b)   2010  ($0.1  million): TRAB  is  awaiting  a  ruling  from  the  review  by  the  CAT  on  the  2005-2009  case which would  influence TRAB’s  decision  on  this  matter 

accordingly;

(c)   2012-2015  ($0.0  million): TRA  has  assessed  the  Company  for withholding  tax  for  services  not  in  the  Company’s  records.  Management  has  objected  the 

assessment and is awaiting TRA response;

(3) 

(a)   2008 ($0.6 million): In Q2 2017 TRA issued an adjusted assessment which accepted PAET’s position that there was no tax payable for the year. The assessment, 
however, did not recognize a tax loss carried forward of $1.8 million (with tax impact of $0.6 million). PAET has objected to the assessment for being time-barred, 
incorrect and arbitrary;

(b)   2009 ($2.6 million): In 2015 TRAB ruled against PAET with respect to timing of deductibility of capital expenditures and other expenses ($1.8 million). In Q2 2017 
PAET lost an appeal at TRAT and in July 2018 lost an appeal at CAT. The Company has filed an application for review of the judgment and is awaiting CAT hearing 
date. In July 2017 TRA sent PAET an amended assessment claiming additional taxes, interest and penalties ($0.8 million). PAET has objected to the assessment 
for being time-barred and arbitrary and is awaiting a TRA response;

(c)   2010 ($2.4 million): PAET filed an appeal with TRAB against a TRA assessment with respect to timing of deductibility of capital expenditures and other expenses 

as well as underestimation of interest and penalty amounts. The Company is awaiting for a date of hearing at TRAB;

(d)   2011 ($1.9 million): In Q2 2017 PAET filed an appeal at TRAB against a TRA assessment with respect to timing of deductibility of capital expenditures and other 
expenses ($1.7 million). The Company is awaiting for a date of hearing at TRAB. PAET is also awaiting a TRA response on an objection of another assessment 
with respect to alleged late filing penalty and under-estimation of interest ($0.2 million) raised for the year;

(e)   2012 ($15.5 million): In 2016 TRA issued two assessments with respect to understated revenue, timing of deductibility of capital expenditures, expenses and tax 
on repatriated income. PAET filed an appeal with TRAB against the TRA decision to deny PAET a waiver for payment of a deposit required for its objection to 
be admitted but was granted a partial waiver only. PAET appealed the decision demanding full waiver of the deposit and also filed an application for the stay 
of execution with TRAT in response to the TRA demand notice for the payment of the deposit ruled by TRAB. TRAT upheld the TRAB decision for partial waiver. 
Aggrieved by the TRAT decision, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the Court of Appeal and is awaiting a hearing date;

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
33

(f)  

2013 ($8.2 million): In 2016 PAET filed objections to a TRA assessment with respect to foreign exchange rate application and is awaiting a response. PAET 
received TRA assessments for corporation tax ($1.9 million) which disallowed certain operating costs included in the tax returns and tax on repatriated income 
($6.3 million). PAET has objected to the assessments due to being time-barred and without merit. PAET has also appealed to TRAB the TRA decision not to 
exercise its administrative powers judiciously to grant the waiver on one-third deposit required to be paid to admit the objection and now is awaiting for a date 
of hearing at TRAB;

(g)   2014 ($11.0 million): In 2016 TRA issued an assessment of $3.3 million with respect to underestimation of tax due based on the provisional quarterly payments 
made by PAET, delayed filings of returns and late payments. PAET filed objections to the assessments and is awaiting a response. PAET has also appealed to 
TRAB the TRA decision not to exercise its administrative powers judiciously to grant the waiver on one-third deposit required to be paid to admit the objection 
and now is awaiting for a hearing date at TRAB. TRA issued two additional assessments for the year for corporation tax of $4.7 million and tax on repatriated 
income $3.0 million. PAET has objected the assessments and is awaiting TRA response;

(h)   2015 ($0.4 million): In 2016 TRA issued a self-assessment. PAET filed an objection to the assessment with respect to foreign exchange rate application and is 

awaiting a response;

(4) 

(a)   2008-2010 ($5.4 million): In 2016 TRA responded to PAET’s objection filed in 2014 and issued an assessment in respect of output VAT on imported services and 
SSI Operatorship services. PAET filed an appeal with TRAB against the TRA assessment. The appeal was heard on November 1-2, 2018 and the parties are now 
awaiting for the TRAB judgment;

(b)   2012-2014 ($0.1 million): TRA issued an assessment for VAT on other income that PAET had paid. PAET has objected the assessment and is awaiting TRA 

response.

In 2016 TRA introduced  significant changes in  relation  to  the income tax treatment of the extractive sector with new  separate 
chapters in Part V of the Income Tax Act 2004 (“ITA, 2004”) for mining and for petroleum to be effective commencing in 2018. 
Subsequent to this, further changes were made by the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2017 (“WLMAA, 2017”), and 
in particular section 36(a)(ii) of the WLMAA, 2017. The WLMAA, 2017 amended section 65M and 65N of the ITA 2004 to exclude cost 
oil/cost gas from inclusion in both income and expenditure. The Company is still evaluating the tax effects of the changes as there 
are a number of uncertainties and ambiguities as to the interpretation and application of certain provisions of the WLMAA, 2017. In 
the absence of guidance on these matters and until the 2018 tax returns are finalized which the Company expects to occur in June 
2019, the Company expects to use what it believes are reasonable interpretations and assumptions in applying the WLMAA, 2017 
for purposes of determining its tax liabilities and results of operations, which may change as it receives additional clarification and 
implementation guidance.

management's discussion & analysis 
 
 
 
34

FUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES

The following pronouncements from the IASB will become effective or were amended for financial reporting periods beginning 
on or after January 1, 2019 and have not yet been adopted by the Company. These new or revised standards permit early adoption 
with transitional arrangements depending upon the date of initial application. 

IFRS 16 – Leases sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties 
to a contract, i.e. the customer (“lessee”) and the supplier (“lessor”) and replaces the previous leases standard, IAS 17-Leases and 
IFRIC 4-Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease and related interpretations. IFRS 16 is effective for annual reporting 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The standard is required to be adopted either retrospectively or using a modified 
retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach does not require restatement of prior period financial information as 
it recognizes the cumulative effect of IFRS as an adjustment to opening retained earnings and applies the standard prospectively. 
On January 1, 2019, the Company will adopt IFRS 16 and plans to use the modified retrospective approach. 

On adoption, the Company currently intends on applying the following practical expedients permitted under the standard. Some 
expedients are available on a lease-by-lease basis, while others are applicable by class of underlying asset.

i)  Any leases with terms ending within 12 months of January 1, 2019 will be recognized as short-term leases and included in the 
short-term lease disclosure. These leases will not be recognized on the statement of financial position on initial adoption.

ii)  The Company will exclude initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset on transition for any leases with 

associated initial direct costs.

iii)  Short-term leases and leases of low value assets that have been identified at January 1, 2019, will not be recognized on the 

statement of financial position. Payments for these leases will be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

The Company has completed an initial assessment but not yet finalized the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements. 
The full impact of applying IFRS 16 on the financial statements in the period of initial application will depend on multiple factors and 
conditions, including but not limited to, the Company’s borrowing rate at January 1, 2019, the composition of the Company’s lease 
portfolio at that date and the Company’s latest assessment of whether it will exercise any lease renewal or termination options.

Thus far, the most significant impact identified is that the Company will now recognize new assets and liabilities on its Statement of 
Financial Position for its real estate. In addition, the nature of the expenses related to those leases will change. Straight-line operating 
lease expense will be replaced with a depreciation charge for right-of-use assets and interest expense on lease liabilities.

The  Company  continues  to  review  all  existing  contracts  in  detail.  The  full  extent  of  the  impact  has  not  yet  been  determined. 
The Company continues to remain focused on developing and implementing changes to policies, internal controls, information 
systems and business and accounting processes.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis35

New accounting policies

IFRS 9

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted IFRS 9 - Financial instruments. The new standard includes revised guidance on the 
classification and measurement of financial instruments, including a new expected credit loss model for calculating impairment 
on financial assets, and the new general hedge accounting requirements. It also carries forward the guidance on recognition and 
de-recognition of financial instruments from IAS 39. 

The three principal classification categories under the new standard for financial instruments are: measured at amortized cost, fair 
value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) and fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”). The classification of financial 
instruments under IFRS 9 is generally based on the business model in which a financial instrument is managed and its contractual 
cash flow characteristics. The previous categories under IAS 39 of held to maturity, loans and receivables and available for sale have 
been removed.

IFRS 9 replaces the “incurred loss” model in IAS 39 with an “expected loss” model. The new impairment model applies to financial 
instruments measured at amortized cost, and contract assets and debt investments measured at FVOCI. Under IFRS 9, credit losses 
will be recognized earlier than under IAS 39.

Cash  and  cash  equivalents,  accounts  receivable,  prepaid  expenses  and  deposits,  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  and 
bank debt continue to be measured at amortized cost and are now classified as “amortized cost”. There were no changes to the 
Company’s classifications of its financial instrument assets and liabilities as FVTPL. None of the Company’s financial instruments 
have been classified as FVOCI.

The Company did not formerly apply hedge accounting to its financial instruments and has not elected to apply hedge accounting 
to any of its financial instruments upon adoption of IFRS 9. There was no impact to the Company as a result of adopting the new 
standard.

IFRS 15

On January 1, 2018 the Company adopted IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which establishes a comprehensive 
framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognized. It replaces existing revenue recognition guidance, 
including IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programs. The Company has adopted IFRS 
15 using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2018. Based on the Company’s review of contracts with customers 
and its assessment of various revenue streams using the IFRS 15 five step model there were no material changes to net income, the 
timing of revenue recognized or to opening retained earnings as at January 1, 2018. The Company has expanded disclosures in the 
notes to its consolidated financial statements as prescribed by IFRS 15, including disclosing the Company’s disaggregated revenue 
with the Songas processing and transportation tariff being recorded in production, distribution and transportation costs as opposed 
to a direct deduction from revenue. 

DIVIDEND

On January 18, 2018 the Company declared a dividend of CDN$0.60 per share on each of its Class A voting and Class B subordinate 
voting shares to holders of record as of January 31, 2018; the dividend was paid on February 7, 2018.

management's discussion & analysis36

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

On January 16, 2018 the Company sold 7.9 per cent (7,933 Class A common shares) of its subsidiary, PAEM, to Swala (PAEM) Limited, 
a wholly owned subsidiary of Swala Oil & Gas (Tanzania) plc. (“Swala”), for $15.7 million cash (net of closing adjustments) and $4.0 
million of Swala convertible preference shares pursuant to a share purchase agreement. The preference shares were issued to 
the Company on June 18, 2018 and entitle the Company to a 10% per annum distribution payable 15 days after each quarter end 
commencing from the closing date, January 16, 2018. Payment of the quarterly distributions is at the discretion of Swala based 
on funds available, however, the liability accrues if any amount is unpaid when due. If any distributable amount remains unpaid at 
December 31, 2021, the Company may demand settlement and Swala is obligated to comply by transferring and returning shares 
of PAEM sold to Swala; the aggregate value of these shares will equal the amount of the outstanding distributions. As at December 
31, 2018 the Company has not received any distributions or recorded any amount receivable related to the preference shares.

Swala  is  obligated  to  redeem  20%  of  the  preference  shares  for  cash  annually  starting  December  31,  2021  until  all  shares  are 
redeemed. If at any time Swala does not redeem in cash the required number of shares, Swala shall be obligated to redeem the 
preferred shares by transferring and returning shares of PAEM sold to Swala; the aggregate value of these shares will equal the 
amount of any outstanding redemption.

Following  the  issue  of  the  preference  shares  a  further  price  adjustment  of  $0.3  million  was  recorded,  reducing  the  total  cash 
consideration for tranche one of the transaction to $15.4 million.

The  share  purchase  agreement  provided  Swala  with  the  right  to  acquire  up  to  a  maximum  of  40%  of  the  outstanding  Class  A 
common shares of PAEM based on the same terms and conditions. Subsequent to December 31, 2018 the Company terminated 
this right.

A reconciliation of the non-controlling interest is detailed below:

(000)

Balance, beginning of period

Recorded at the date of disposition

Share of post-disposition income

Balance, end of period

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2017

–

–

– 

– 

2018

–

178

293

471

On January 22, 2019 the Company declared a dividend of CDN$0.05 per share on each of its Class A voting and Class B subordinate 
voting shares to holders of record as of March 31, 2019 and payable on or about April 30, 2019.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis37

SUMMARY QUARTERLY RESULTS

The following is a summary of the results for the Company for the last eight quarters:

Figures in $’000 except 
where otherwise stated

Financial

Revenue 

Net income (loss) attributable 
to shareholders

Earnings (loss) per share  
– basic and diluted ($)

Adjusted funds flow 
from operations (1)

2018

2017

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

13,460

15,124

14,959

14,223

10,619

15,287

16,810

18,216

2,751

2,637

12,493

(4,611)

(4,684)

(34)

(622)

2,840

0.09

0.07

0.35

(0.13)

(0.13)

(0.00)

(0.02)

0.08

6,398

5,130

4,752

2,975

62

4,361

5,380

6,939

Adjusted funds flow from operations 
per share – basic and diluted ($) (1)

0.18

0.15

0.14

0.08

0.00

0.12

0.16

0.20

Net cash flows from 
operating activities

Net cash flows per share
– basic and diluted ($)

Operating netback ($/mcf) (1)

Working capital

Long-term loan

4,085

10,483

12,657

1,527

12,882

14,447

12,038

8,787

0.12

1.88

0.30

2.38

0.36

3.17

0.04

2.23

0.37

2.26

0.41

2.94

0.35

3.44

0.25

3.34

84,182

79,955

72,129

65,201

69,575

71,129

73,854

68,112

53,900

58,603

58,596

58,557

58,518

58,501

58,468

58,399

Shareholders’ equity

93,702

91,336

89,018

76,636

78,731

82,426

82,407

82,982

Capital expenditures

Geological and geophysical 
and well drilling

–

–

–

Pipeline and infrastructure

2,561

1,349

1,042

67

–

5

–

–

–

2,628

1,354

1,042

–

792

27

–

819

–

442

30

–

472

1,110

2,428

3,538

12.1

26.4

38.5

7.78

 3.63

–

477

126

–

603

1,285

2,867

4,152

14.0

31.1

45.1

7.65

3.63

3

250

97

–

350

1,158

2,437

3,595

12.7

26.8

39.5

7.69

3.57

27

93

–

7,352

7,472

1,041

2,873

3,914

11.6

31.9

43.5

7.75

3.57

1,194

2,929

4,123

13.0

31.8

44.8

8.44

3.68

994

3,022

4,016

10.8

32.8

43.6

9.23

3.78

1,294

1,774

1,251

2,114

3,068

3,365

14.2

19.5

33.7

7.80

3.62

13.9

23.5

37.4

7.79

3.60

Other equipment

Other 

Total

Operating 

Additional Gas sold (MMcf) 

– industrial

– power

Total

Additional Gas sold (MMcfd)

– industrial

– power

Total

Average price per mcf ($) 

– industrial 

– power

Weighted Average 
price per mcf ($)

(1) See non-GAAP measures. Certain comparative period amounts for adjusted funds flow from operations have been reclassified to conform with the current period 
presentation.

4.31

5.12

5.39

5.16

4.93

4.87

4.90

4.68

management's discussion & analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

PRIOR EIGHT QUARTERS

The amount of revenue recorded from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018 has been impacted by the Company recording in revenue a percentage 
of gas delivered to TANESCO. The amount recorded in revenue was based on the expected amount to be collected due to the 
poor payment history during the previous three years. Commencing April 1, 2018 the Company has been recording 100% of gas 
deliveries to TANESCO in revenue as a result of the improved TANESCO payment history during the previous 18 months. The above 
resulted in a net revenue reduction of $1.9 million in Q1 2017, a reduction of $0.8 million in Q2 2017, a net revenue increase of $1.8 
million in Q3 2017, a net revenue increase of $1.0 million in Q4 2017 and a net revenue increase of $1.6 million in Q1 2018 (see 
“Company Operating Revenue”). 

In addition, the decrease in revenue from Q1 2017 to Q2 2017 is a result of reductions in the volume of gas sold to the industrial 
sector, primarily a result of planned and unplanned maintenance work at a cement plant and to the power sector due to increased 
hydro utilization. Despite an increase in sales volumes from Q2 2017 to Q3 2017, revenue fell due to a combination of a decrease 
in the current income tax adjustment and the depletion of the cost pool during the quarter. The revenue fell in Q4 2017 due to the 
combination of a 15% fall in sales volumes, a substantial increase in TPDC share of Profit Gas and a negative current income tax 
adjustment. The increase in revenue from Q4 2017 to Q1, Q2, and Q3 2018 was also impacted by the reversal of TANESCO deferred 
revenue to income during Q1, Q2, and Q3 2018 as a result of the improved TANESCO payment history.

Significant factors affecting net income attributable to shareholders in addition to changes in revenue were:

• 

• 

The increase in Q2 2018 is a result of the reversal of the provision of doubtful accounts for TANESCO resulting in an increase in 
finance income of $13.4 million. The $2.6 million net income attributable to shareholders in Q3 2018 is a result of selling 43.6 
MMcfd of Additional Gas, the first time the sales volumes have been over 40 MMcfd since Q3 2017, together with the reversal 
of the provision of doubtful accounts for TANESCO resulting in an increase in finance income of $1.4 million. The increase in 
Q4 2018 to $2.9 million is primarily due to the increase in revenue.

The Company recorded an interest expense of $2.3 million in Q1 2017 and Q2 2017, $2.9 million in Q3 2017, $2.6 million in Q4 
2017 and $4.7 million in Q1 2018, $2.1 million in Q2 2018, $2.3 million in Q3 2018, and $1.9 million in Q4 2018. The increase 
for Q1 2018 primarily relates to the participatory interest payable as a result of the sale of a non-controlling interest in PAEM in 
accordance with the terms of the IFC loan.

•  Changes in stock based compensation due to fluctuations in the Company share price and issuance of new RSUs: 

o  Q1 2017: Charge of $0.8 million predominately a result of the issuance of 259,067 RSUs which vested fully on the date of 

grant. The share price closed at CDN$3.85.

o  Q2 2017: Charge of $1.6 million predominately the result of the issuance of 1,143,255 RSUs. The share price closed at 

CDN$4.01.

o  Q3 2017: Charge of $2.1 million, share price closed at CDN$4.60.

o  Q4 2017: Charge of $2.1 million, share price closed at CDN$5.00.

o  Q1 2018: Charge of $4.6 million as a result of the exercise of both stock appreciation rights and restrictive stock units 

together with the increase in the closing share price at CDN$5.50.

o  Q2 2018: Charge of $0.4 million, share price closed at CDN$5.28.

o  Q3 2018: No significant charge in the quarter, share price closed at CDN$5.69. Share price increase was offset by the 

forfeiture of 100,000 SARs.

o  Q4 2018: Credit of $0.4 million as a consequence of the decline in the share price to CDN$5.05.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis39

Differences in adjusted funds flow from operations for the last eight quarters were primarily a result of changes in revenue during 
the periods. 

The decrease in adjusted funds flow from operations from Q1 2017 to Q2 2017 is a result of the decline in revenue due to a decline 
in gas sales volumes and the associated fall in the Company’s share of Profit Gas. The decrease from Q2 2017 to Q3 2017 is a result 
of several factors, most notably the decrease in the loss between the periods being offset by the non-cash movements associated 
with stock based compensation and taxation. The decrease from Q3 2017 to Q4 2017 is a combination of the fall in revenue, the 
increase in stock based compensation costs offset by a lower recovery of deferred taxation in the period.  The increase from Q4 
2017 to Q1 2018 was due to a combination of the increase associated with non-cash movement in stock based compensation 
offset  by  the  increase  in  participatory  interest  payment  to  the  IFC  as  a  result  of  the  sale  of  a  non-controlling  interest  in  PAEM.  
The increase from Q1 2018 to Q2 2018 is primarily a due to the continuing consistent payments from TANESCO resulting in a 
combination of recording 100% of TANESCO deliveries as revenue in Q2 together with recording the TANESCO deferred revenue 
balance as revenue for the period. The increase was partially offset by the increase in TPDC profit share. The increase from Q3 to 
Q4 2018 is predominately related to the increase in interest income and the reduction in the level of provision against the Songas 
operatorship.

Changes in net cash flows from operating activities between quarters were primarily a result of the timing and amount of payments 
received from TANESCO plus the factors noted above impacting net income and adjusted funds flow from operations. There was a 
general increase in cash flow from operating activities from Q1 2017 to Q4 2017 as TANESCO payments became regular and were 
normally in excess of gas deliveries. A large decrease occurred in Q1 2018, primarily due to the large stock based compensation 
paid in the quarter and the additional participating interest expense. The results for Q2 2018 were again consistent with the quarterly 
results in 2017 with lower sales being offset by an increase in collections from TANESCO. Decreases in Q3 2018 and Q4 2018 are a 
combination of changes in non-cash working capital following a payment of TPDC Profit Gas entitlement during the quarter along 
with the marginal decrease in revenue offset by savings in general administrative expenses. 

The level of working capital between Q1 2017 and Q3 2017 remained fairly consistent at an average of $71.0 million. The fall in 
working capital to $69.6 million in Q4 2017 from $71.1 million in Q3 2017 is the result of the increased liabilities associated with the 
IFC loan and TPDC Profit Gas entitlement, offsetting the increased collections from TANESCO. The decrease in working capital 
between Q4 2017 and Q1 2018 from $69.6 million to $65.2 million is primarily due to the increase in stock-based compensation 
payments between periods. The increase in working capital between Q1 2018 and Q2 2018 is a result of the improved collections 
from TANESCO resulting in zero deferred revenue being carried in current liabilities. The increase in working capital between Q2 
2018 to Q4 2018 is a result of the continued collection of TANESCO long-term arrears and the reduction in the level of long-term 
bonds from $7.2 million in Q2 2018 to $3.8 million in Q3 2018 and to $ nil in Q4 2018.

Capital expenditure for the last four quarters amounted to $5.8 million compared to $1.5 million from Q1 2017 to Q4 2017 excluding 
the  transfer  of  the  Songas  share  of  workover  costs  incurred  in  2015  to  property,  plant  and  equipment  in  Q1  2017.  The  capital 
expenditures in 2018 primarily relate to the completion of the SS-12 well flow line and the work on the refrigeration project on 
Songo Songo Island.

The level of Industrial sales volumes in the four quarters ending Q4 2018 averaged of 1,183 MMcf (four quarters ending Q4 2017: 1,149 
MMcf) with total Industrial sales volumes for the four quarters ending Q4 2018 increasing to 4,733 MMcf (13.0 MMcfd) compared to 
4,594 MMcf (12.6 MMcfd) in the four quarters ending Q4 2017. The increase is a result of reduced maintenance time at a cement 
plant in the first half of 2018 compared to the first half of 2017 and additional consumption by customers throughout 2018. 

The level of Power sales volumes decreased by 7% in the four quarters ending Q4 2018 to an average of 2,460 MMcf (four quarters 
ending Q4 2017: 2,651 MMcf) with total Power sector sales volumes for the four quarters ending Q4 2018 decreasing to 9,839 
MMcf (26.9 MMcfd) compared to 10,605 MMcf (29.1 MMcfd) in the four quarters ending Q4 2017. The decline is the result of lower 
offtakes by TANESCO.

management's discussion & analysis40

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Selected annual financial information derived from the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016 is set out below:

Figures in $’000 except per share amount

Revenue

Net cash flows from operating activities

Adjusted funds flow from operations (1)

Net income (loss)

Earnings (loss) ($ per share):

Basic and diluted

Cash dividends declared on all Class A 
and Class B shares ($ per share)

Cash and cash equivalents

Investment in short term bonds

Total assets

Total non-current liabilities

(1) 

See Non-GAAP measures

2018

57,766

28,752

19,255

13,270

2017

60,832

48,154

16,742

(2,500)

0.38

(0.07)

0.60

64,660

66,873

262,441

104,345

–

122,322

–

249,549

104,932

2016

75,942

19,968

31,855

2,164

0.06

–

80,895

–

221,130

103.912

Revenue decreased by 5% to $57.8 million in 2018 (2017: $60.8). The decrease in revenue for the year is primarily due to lower power 
sales volumes, higher TPDC Profit Gas entitlement and a lower current income tax adjustment. The 20% decrease of revenue to 
$60.8 million in 2017 (2016: $75.9 million) was primarily a consequence of recording revenue based on the expected collectability 
approach, a 7% decrease in sales volume and the Company being entitled to 72% of the net field revenue in 2017 compared to 85% 
in 2016 due to the depletion of the cost pools.

The net cash flows from operating activities decrease of 40% to $28.8 million (2017: $48.2 million) is primarily a result of the exercise 
of  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  and  Restrictive  Stock  Units  in  Q1  2018  together  with  decrease  in  the  cash  inflow  associated  with 
changes in non-cash working capital compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The cash inflow associated with non-cash 
working capital for the year ended December 31, 2017 is the consequence of the increased trade and other creditors in relation to 
TPDC payable and deferred revenue. The increase in net cash flows from operating activities in 2017 of 141% to $48.2 million (2016: 
$20.0 million) was primarily the result of increased collections from TANESCO.

The Company’s adjusted funds flow from operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased by $2.6 million to $19.3 
million (2017: $16.7 million). The increase between years is primarily a result of reduced general and administration expenses ($1.2 
million) and an increase in interest income on bonds ($1.3 million).  The decrease in revenue between years of $3.1 million was 
offset by the decrease in current corporate income tax expense of $3.3 million.

The increase in net income in 2018 to $13.3 million (2017: $2.5 million loss) is primarily the result of the reversal of the provision for 
doubtful accounts related to the collection of TANESCO arrears previously provided for. The net loss of $2.5 million in 2017 (2016: 
$2.2 million net income) was a result of a decrease in revenue and an increase in stock based compensation and interest payments 
to the IFC being offset by lower TANESCO doubtful account provisions.   

Total assets increased in 2018 by 5% to $262.3 million (2017: $249.5 million) and by 13% in 2017 (2016: $221.1 million). The increase 
in both years was primarily the result of increased collections from TANESCO increasing cash and investment balances.

Total non-current liabilities did not change significantly between the years. The decrease of $0.6 million in 2018 compared to 2017 
was primarily due to the decrease in the long-term loan being partially offset by the increase in Additional Profits Tax.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis41

BUSINESS RISKS

Financing
The  Company  has  sufficient  funds  to  meet  all  current  commitments  and  obligations.  The  Company  is  currently  considering 
additional  capital  expenditures  in  Tanzania  and  investing  into  new  projects  which  could  require  financing.  The  ability  of  the 
Company to meet its financing obligations or to arrange financing in the future will depend in part upon the prevailing capital 
market conditions as well as the business performance of the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company would be 
successful in its efforts to meet its commitments or arrange additional financing on terms satisfactory to the Company. If additional 
financing is raised by the issuance of shares from treasury of the Company, control of the Company may change and shareholders 
may suffer additional dilution.

From time to time the Company may enter into transactions to acquire assets or the shares of other companies. These transactions 
may be financed partially or wholly with debt, which may temporarily increase the Company’s debt levels above industry standards.

Collectability of Receivables
The Company evaluates the collectability of its receivables on the basis of payment history, frequency and predictability, as well as 
Management’s assessment of the customer’s willingness and ability to pay. 

Prior to 2017 TANESCO payments had been inconsistent and resulted in the Company recording provisions for doubtful accounts 
for  amounts  outstanding  from  TANESCO  for  more  than  60  days.  Commencing  the  last  quarter  of  2016,  the  Company  began 
recording  revenues  for  sales  to  TANESCO  based  on  the  expected  amount  to  be  collected,  which  represents  a  percentage  of 
the amounts invoiced to TANESCO determined by comparison of TANESCO’s payment history to the amounts invoiced by the 
Company over the previous three years. Management believes this approach provides the best estimate of TANESCO’s ability to pay 
and remain reasonably current and as well reflects the economic reality of the situation.

The percentage used to recognize TANESCO revenue is reviewed on at least a semi-annual basis, more frequently if circumstances 
require, and if there is a significant difference between the amounts of revenue recorded and amounts received; the percentage 
used to record revenue as well as any existing receivable or deferred revenue balance is revised accordingly. The percentage was 
increased effective October 1, 2017, January 1, 2018 and April 1, 2018 to reflect the most recent three-year payment history for 
TANESCO compared to amounts invoiced for deliveries. For the past three quarters the Company recorded 100% of TANESCO 
deliveries as revenue as receipts from TANESCO continue to be in excess of invoices for gas deliveries.

As at December 31, 2018 the current receivable from TANESCO was $ nil (December 31, 2017: $ nil). The long-term trade receivable 
at December 31, 2018 was $58.5 million (with a provision of $58.5 million) (December 31, 2017: $74.4 million with a provision of 
$74.4 million). Subsequent to December 31, 2018, the Company has invoiced TANESCO $15.6 million for 2019 gas deliveries and 
TANESCO has paid the Company $18.0 million.

As at December 31, 2018 Songas owed the Company $9.0 million (December 31, 2017: $8.2 million) while the Company owed 
Songas $2.2 million (December 31, 2017: $2.0 million). The amounts due to the Company are mainly for sales of gas of $2.5 million 
(December 31, 2017: $2.4 million) and for the operation of the gas plant of $6.5 million (December 31, 2017: $5.8 million) against 
which the Company has made a provision for doubtful accounts of $3.7 million (December 31, 2017: $4.9 million). The amounts 
due to Songas primarily relate to pipeline tariff charges of $1.8 million (December 31, 2017: $1.7 million). The operation of the gas 
plant is conducted at cost and the charges are billed to Songas on a flow through basis.

management's discussion & analysis42

Operating Hazards and Uninsured Risks
The business of the Company is subject to all of the operating risks normally associated with the exploration for, and the production, 
storage, transportation and marketing of oil and gas. These risks include blowouts, explosions, fire, gaseous leaks, downhole design 
and  integrity,  migration  of  harmful  substances  and  oil  spills,  any  of  which  could  cause  personal  injury,  result  in  damage  to,  or 
destruction of, oil and gas wells or formations or production facilities and other property, equipment and the environment, as well 
as interrupt operations. In addition, all of the Company’s operations will be subject to the risks normally incident to drilling of natural 
gas  wells  and  the  operation  and  development  of  gas  properties,  including  encountering  unexpected  formations  or  pressures, 
premature declines of reservoirs, blowouts, equipment and tubing failures and other accidents, sour gas releases, uncontrollable 
flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids, adverse weather conditions, pollution and other environmental risks. Drilling conducted by the 
Company overseas will involve increased drilling risks of high pressures and mechanical difficulties, including stuck pipe, collapsed 
casing and separated cable. The impact that any of these risks may have upon the Company is increased due to the fact that the 
Company currently only has one producing property. The Company maintains insurance against some, but not all potential risks. 
There can be no assurance that such insurance will be adequate to cover any losses or exposure for liability. The occurrence of 
a significant unfavourable event not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial 
condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Furthermore, the Company cannot predict whether insurance will continue to be available at a reasonable cost, or at all.

Foreign Exchange Risk
Foreign exchange risk arises when transactions and recognized assets and liabilities of the Company are denominated in a currency 
that is not the US dollar functional currency.

The  Company  operates  internationally  and  is  exposed  to  foreign  exchange  risk  arising  from  currency  exposures  to  US  dollars. 
The main currencies to which the Company has an exposure are: Tanzanian shillings, British pounds sterling, Euros and Canadian 
dollars.

The majority of the expenditure associated with the operation of the gas distribution system is denominated in Tanzanian shillings. 
Whilst conversion of Tanzanian shillings into US dollars is unrestricted, the foreign exchange market for Tanzanian shillings is limited 
and not highly liquid, reducing the Company’s ability to convert large amounts of Tanzanian shillings into US dollars at any given 
time.  To  mitigate  the  risk  of  Tanzanian  shilling  devaluation,  the  Company  regularly  converts  Tanzanian  shilling  receipts  into  US 
dollars to the extent practicable. Capital stock, equity financing and any associated stock based compensation are denominated in 
Canadian dollars. The operational revenue and the majority of capital expenditures are denominated in US dollars.

There are no forward exchange rate contracts in place.

A 10% increase in the US dollar against the relevant foreign currency would result in an overall decrease in working capital (defined 
as current assets less current liabilities) of $0.2 million to $84.0 million and a decrease in the income before tax to $22.0 million. 
The sensitivity includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at period end 
for a 10% change in the foreign currency rates. A 10% sensitivity rate is used when reporting foreign currency risk internally to key 
management personnel and represents management’s assessment of the reasonable possible change in foreign exchange rates.

The following balances are denominated in foreign currency (stated in US dollars at period end exchange rates):

Balances as at December 31, 2018

$’millions

Cash

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Canadian 
dollars

Tanzanian 
shillings

Euros

Other 
currencies

0.1

–

(1.6)

(1.5)

3.7

3.2

(9.1)

(2.2)

0.5

0.4

–

0.9

0.8

0.2

(0.2)

0.8

Total

5.1

3.8

(10.9)

(2.0)

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis43

Foreign Operations
The Company’s operations and related assets are located in Tanzania which may be considered to be politically and/or economically 
unstable. Exploration or development activities in Tanzania may require protracted negotiations with host governments, national oil 
companies and third parties and are frequently subject to economic and political considerations, such as, the risks of war, actions 
by  terrorist  or  insurgent  groups,  expropriation,  nationalization,  creeping  nationalization,  renegotiation  or  nullification  of  existing 
contracts  and  production  sharing  agreements,  taxation  policies,  foreign  exchange  restrictions,  changing  political  conditions, 
international monetary fluctuations, currency controls and foreign governmental regulations that favour or require the awarding of 
drilling and construction contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies 
from, a particular jurisdiction. In addition, if a dispute arises with foreign operations, the Company may be subject to the exclusive 
jurisdiction of foreign courts.

In Tanzania the state retains ownership of the minerals and consequently retains control of, the exploration and production of 
hydrocarbon reserves. Accordingly, these operations may be materially affected by the Government through royalty payments, 
export taxes and regulations, surcharges, value added taxes, production bonuses and other charges. The Government of Tanzania 
issued a National Natural Gas Policy in 2013 that contemplates greater government control over the industry and in some areas 
conflicts with the Company’s rights under the Songo Songo PSA. This policy was confirmed with the passing of the Petroleum Act 
in 2015. The Petroleum Act does provide grandfathering provisions upholding the rights of the Company under their PSA as it was 
signed prior to passing of the Petroleum Act. However, it is still unclear how the provisions of the Petroleum Act will be interpreted 
and implemented regarding upstream and downstream activities. There can be no assurance that the rights of the Company under 
the PSA will be grandfathered with respect to any future natural gas legislation. 

The Company’s development properties and its current proved natural gas reserves located offshore on the Songo Songo Island 
in Tanzania are subject to regulation and control by the Government of Tanzania. Primarily operations are regulated by national 
and parastatal organizations including the energy regulators (PURA and EWURA), and TPDC. The Company and its predecessors 
have operated in Tanzania for a number of years and believe that it has had reasonably good relations with the current Tanzanian 
Government. However, there can be no assurance that present or future administrations or governmental regulations in Tanzania 
will not materially adversely affect the operations or future cash flows of the Company.

Tanzania ranks 99 out of 180 on the 2018 Transparency International Corruption Index (2017: 103 out of 180). At the end of 2014 
there was a significant corruption scandal in Tanzania’s energy sector involving a number of senior government officials, including 
senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals (now the MoE). Having assessed the Company’s exposure to corruption 
in  Tanzania,  it  was  concluded  that  the  risk  of  the  Company  and/or  its  subsidiaries  violating  applicable  laws  prohibiting  corrupt 
activities are mitigated or unlikely given the Company’s controls relating to such risks and their effective operation. There can be no 
assurance that corruption may not indirectly affect or otherwise impair the Company’s ability to operate in Tanzania and effectively 
pursue its business plan in that country.

The TRA is responsible for the collection of taxes in Tanzania. TRA is not party to the Songo Songo PSA and there is no assurance 
that  the  TRA  will  consider  itself  bound  by  its  terms.  Accordingly,  there  is  a  risk  that  the  TRA  will  take  interpretations  of  issues 
distinct from the PSA, resulting in assessments, penalties and fines which have not been contemplated by the Company, and in 
additional costs which are not recoverable under the PSA. The TRA has significant powers in Tanzania and is capable of causing the 
Company’s operations in that country to cease.

The Company requires additional gas processing and transportation infrastructure to allow additional development and the ultimate 
monetization of the Company’s reserves through additional gas sales. The Government of Tanzania has completed the $1.2 billion 
NNGI that comprises two gas processing plants, one being at Songo Songo, and a pipeline to transport gas from Southern Tanzania 
to Dar es Salaam. The Company has come to a temporary agreement with TPDC to sell gas through the NNGI and is currently 
negotiating a longer term agreement however there is no assurance that an agreement will be reached on terms acceptable to 
the Company.

management's discussion & analysis44

Access to Songas processing and transportation
Although the Company operates the Songas gas processing plant, Songas is the owner of the plant, the 12-inch subsea and the 
16-inch  surface  pipeline  systems  which  transports  natural  gas  from  Songo  Songo  to  Dar  es  Salaam.  The  Company’s  ability  to 
deliver gas to its customers in Dar es Salaam is dependent upon it having access to the Songas infrastructure. Although there are 
agreements with Songas to allow the Company to process and transport gas, there is no assurance that these rights could not be 
challenged or curtailed by Songas. The inability to access the Songas plant and processing facilities would materially impair the 
Company’s ability to realize revenue from natural gas sales. This risk is mitigated to a significant extent as the completion of the 
NNGI at Songo Songo Island, provides a second option to deliver and sell additional Gas.

As  a  result  of  the  Ubungo  power  plant  re-rating  that  occurred  in  2011,  pursuant  to  the  Re-Rating  Agreement,  the  capacity  of 
the Songas gas processing plant was increased to a maximum of 110 MMcfd (restricted to 102 MMcfd because of pipeline and 
delivery pressure requirements). There remains a disagreement as to the current status of the Re-Rating Agreement and without the 
Re-Rating Agreement Songas, the owner of the gas processing plant, may require the plant to be operated at its original capacity of 
70 MMcfd which would result in a material reduction in the Company’s sales volumes. This risk has been significantly mitigated with 
the signing of AGP2 by PAET, Songas and TPDC with approval of the MoE which acknowledges that production from the Songas 
facility is to continue based on the increased re-rated capacity. 

Recent Legislation
The Petroleum Act, passed in 2015, repealed earlier legislation and provides a regulatory framework over upstream, mid-stream and 
downstream gas activity and consolidates and puts in place a comprehensive legal framework for regulating the oil and gas industry 
in the country. The Petroleum Act also provides for the creation of an upstream regulator, the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory 
Authority (“PURA”). The mid and downstream oil and gas activities are proposed to be regulated by the current authority, the Energy 
and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (“EWURA”). The Petroleum Act also confers upon on TPDC, the status of the National Oil 
Company, mandated with the task of managing the country’s commercial interest in petroleum operations as well as mid and 
downstream natural gas activities. The Petroleum Act vests TPDC with exclusive rights in the entire petroleum upstream and the 
natural  gas  mid  and  downstream  value  chains.  However,  the  exclusive  rights  of  TPDC  do  not  extend  to  mid  and  downstream 
petroleum supply operations. The Petroleum Act does provide grandfathering provisions upholding the rights of the Company 
under their PSA as it was signed prior to passing of the Petroleum Act. 

On October 7, 2016 the Government of Tanzania (the “GoT”) issued the Petroleum (Natural Gas Pricing) Regulation made under 
Sections 165 and 258 (I) of the Petroleum Act. Under the Petroleum Act, Article 260 (3) preserves the Company’s pre-existing right 
with TPDC to market and sell Additional Gas together or independently on terms and conditions (including prices) negotiated with 
third party natural gas customers. 

On  July  15,  2017  the  GoT  passed  into  law  the  Natural  Wealth  and  Resources  (Permanent  Sovereignty)  Act,  2017,  the  Written 
Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2017, and The Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Re-Negotiation of 
Unconscionable Terms) Act, 2017. The first and second of these acts are forward looking and only apply to agreements entered into 
on or after July 15, 2017. These acts contain new regulations including but not limited to regulations that all arbitration processes 
must be heard within Tanzania and restrict the ability to move funds out of Tanzania. The third act is rearward looking and provides 
the right of the GoT to renegotiate contract clauses that are deemed to have unconscionable terms. 

It  is  still  unclear  how  the  provisions  of  the  Petroleum  Act  and  legislation  will  be  enacted  and  implemented.  The  Company  is 
uncertain regarding the potential impact on its business in Tanzania.

Amended and Restated Gas Agreement
The ARGA provides clarification of the Protected Gas volumes and removes all terms dealing with the security of the Protected Gas 
and contract terms dealing with the consequences of any insufficiency are dealt with in a proposed Insufficiency Agreement (“IA”). 
The ARGA was initialed by all parties but both the ARGA and IA remain unsigned as at the date of this report. In certain respects, the 
parties thereto are conducting themselves as though the ARGA is in effect.  Management does not foresee a material risk with the 
conduct of the Company’s business with an unsigned ARGA at this time.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis45

Industry Conditions
The oil and gas industry is intensely competitive and the Company competes with other companies which possess greater technical 
and financial resources. Many of these competitors not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on refining 
operations  and  market  petroleum,  natural  gas  products  and  other  products  on  an  international  basis.  Oil  and  gas  production 
operations  are  also  subject  to  all  the  risks  typically  associated  with  such  operations,  including  premature  decline  of  reservoirs 
and invasion of water into producing formations. Currently, the Company operates the Songo Songo natural gas property. The 
Company has the right to earn an interest in a permit in Italy; however, changes in Italian environmental legislation in late 2015 have 
resulted in the development of the licence being postponed indefinitely. There is a risk that in the future either the operatorship 
could change and the property operated by third parties, or operations may be subject to control by national oil companies, Songas, 
or parastatal organizations and, as a result, the Company may have limited control over the nature and timing of exploration and 
development of such properties, or the manner in which operations are conducted on such properties.

The marketability and price of natural gas which may be acquired, discovered or marketed by the Company will be affected by 
numerous factors beyond its control. The natural gas market in Tanzania is in development and there is currently limited access 
to infrastructure with which to serve potential new markets beyond that being constructed by the Company, Songas and TPDC, 
which now includes the NNGI. The ability of the Company to market any natural gas from current or future reserves in Tanzania 
may depend upon its ability to develop natural gas markets in Tanzania and the surrounding region, obtain access to the necessary 
infrastructure to process gas and to deliver sales gas volumes, including acquiring capacity on pipelines which deliver natural gas to 
commercial markets. The Company is also subject to market fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas, uncertainties related 
to  the  delivery  and  proximity  of  its  reserves  to  pipelines  and  processing  facilities  and  extensive  government  regulation  relating 
to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, allowable production, the export of oil and gas and many other aspects of the oil and gas 
business. The Company is also subject to a variety of waste disposal, pollution control and similar environmental laws.

The oil and natural gas industry is subject to varying environmental regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company may 
operate. Environmental regulations place restrictions and prohibitions on emissions of various substances produced concurrently 
and oil and natural gas and can impact on the selection of drilling sites and facility locations, potentially resulting in increased capital 
expenditures.

Additional Gas
The Company has the right under the terms of the PSA to market volumes of Additional Gas subject to satisfying the requirements 
to deliver Protected Gas to Songas.

There is a risk that Songas could interfere in the Company’s ability to produce, transport and sell volumes of Additional Gas if the 
Company’s obligations to Songas under the Gas Agreement are not met. In particular, Songas has the right in specific circumstances 
to request reasonable security on all Additional Gas sales.

With the enactment of the Petroleum Act, TPDC was given significant rights over upstream and downstream operations in the 
country and is the sole aggregator of natural gas in the country. The Petroleum Act recognizes the rights of the Company pursuant 
to the PSA; however, some clauses conflict with the Company’s rights to directly market Additional Gas, and there is a risk that this 
prior right will not continue to be recognized and that the Company’s ability to maximize revenue on Additional Gas sales may be 
impaired by the requirement to sell gas to TPDC as aggregator.

Replacement of Reserves
The Company’s natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, its cash flows and earnings are highly dependent upon the 
Company developing and increasing its current reserve base and discovering or acquiring additional reserves. Without the addition 
of reserves through exploration, acquisition or development activities, the Company’s reserves and production will decline over 
time as reserves are depleted. To the extent that funds flow from operations is insufficient and external sources of capital become 
limited or unavailable, the Company’s ability to make the necessary capital investments to maintain and expand its oil and natural 
gas reserves will be impaired. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to find and develop or acquire additional 
reserves to replace production at commercially feasible costs.

management's discussion & analysis46

Asset Concentration
The Company’s natural gas reserves are currently limited to one producing property, the Songo Songo field, and the productive 
potential from this field is limited. There is no assurance that the Company will have sufficient deliverability through the existing 
wells to provide additional natural gas sales volumes, and that there may be significant capital expenditures associated with any 
remedial work, workovers, or new drilling required to achieve deliverability. In addition, any difficulties relating to the operation 
or  performance  of  the  field  would  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company.  Until  the  Company  is  able  to  deliver  gas 
permanently through the NNGI, it has no redundant capacity in the production facilities or pipeline. A loss or material reduction in 
production capabilities will have a material adverse effect on the total production and funds flow from operating activities of the 
Company. 

Environmental and Other Regulations
Extensive national, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions will affect nearly all of the Company’s 
operations.  These  laws  and  regulations  set  various  standards  regulating  certain  aspects  of  health  and  environmental  quality, 
provide for penalties and other liabilities for the violation of such standards and establish in certain circumstances obligations to 
remediate current and former facilities and locations where operations are or were conducted. In addition, special provisions may 
be appropriate or required in environmentally sensitive areas of operation. There can be no assurance that the Company will not 
incur substantial financial obligations in connection with environmental compliance. Significant liability could be imposed on the 
Company for damages, cleanup costs or penalties in the event of certain discharges into the environment, environmental damage 
caused by previous owners of property purchased by the Company or non-compliance with environmental laws or regulations. 
Such liability could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Moreover, the Company cannot predict what environmental 
legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future or how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or enforced. 
Compliance with more stringent laws or regulations, or more vigorous enforcement policies of any regulatory authority, could in 
the future require material expenditures by the Company for the installation and operation of systems and equipment for remedial 
measures, any or all of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company. As party to various licences, the Company may 
have an obligation to restore producing fields to a condition acceptable to the authorities at the end of their commercial lives. The 
PSA does not contain abandonment obligations for the Company. In addition, the Company expects the Songo Songo field to 
produce well beyond the term of the current licence.

The  Company’s  petroleum  and  natural  gas  operations  are  subject  to  extensive  governmental  legislation  and  regulation  and 
increased public awareness concerning environmental protection.

While management believes that the Company is currently in compliance with environmental laws and regulations applicable to 
the Company’s operations in Tanzania and Italy, no assurances can be given that the Company will be able to continue to comply 
with such environmental laws and regulations without incurring substantial costs.

In accordance with the terms of the PSA, no provision has been recognized for future decommissioning costs in Tanzania as it is 
forecast that there will still be commercial gas reserves when the Company relinquishes the licence in 2026. The Company expects 
that  the  cost  of  complying  with  environmental  legislation  and  regulations  will  increase  in  the  future.  Compliance  with  existing 
environmental legislation and regulations has not had a material effect on capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of 
the Company to date. Although management believes that the Company’s operations and facilities are in material compliance with 
such laws and regulations, future changes in these laws, regulations or interpretations thereof, or the nature of its operations, may 
require the Company to make significant additional capital expenditures to ensure compliance in the future.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis47

Volatility of Oil and Gas Prices and Markets
The Company’s financial condition, operating results and future growth will be dependent on the prevailing prices for its natural gas 
production. Historically, the markets for oil and natural gas have been volatile and such markets are likely to continue to be volatile 
in the future. Prices for oil and natural gas are subject to large fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes to the demand 
for oil and natural gas, whether the result of uncertainty or a variety of additional factors beyond the control of the Company. Any 
substantial decline in the prices of oil and natural gas could have a material adverse effect on the Company and the level of its 
natural gas reserves. Additionally, the economics of producing from some wells may change as a result of lower prices, which 
could result in a suspension of production by the Company.

No assurance can be given that oil and natural gas prices will be sustained at levels which will enable the Company to operate 
profitably. From time to time the Company may avail itself of forward sales or other forms of hedging activities with a view to 
mitigating its exposure to the risk of price volatility.

There has been a significant increase in exploration activity in Tanzania, which has yielded world class discoveries of natural gas that 
could, when developed, lead to increased competition for gas markets and lower gas prices in the future. 

In addition, various factors, including the availability and capacity of oil and gas gathering systems and pipelines, the effect of foreign 
regulation of production and transportation, general economic conditions, changes in supply due to drilling by other producers 
and changes in demand may adversely affect the Company’s ability to market its gas production.

Uncertainties in Estimating Reserves and Future Net Cash Flows
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved and probable reserves and cash flows to be derived 
therefrom,  including  many  factors  beyond  the  control  of  the  Company.  The  reserve  and  cash  flow  information  contained 
herein  represents  estimates  only.  The  reserves  and  estimated  future  net  cash  flow  from  the  Company’s  properties  have  been 
independently evaluated by McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. These evaluations include a number of assumptions relating 
to factors such as initial production rates, production decline rates, ultimate recovery of reserves, timing and amount of capital 
expenditures, marketability of production, crude oil price differentials to benchmarks, future prices of oil and natural gas, operating 
costs,  transportation  costs,  cost  recovery  provisions  and  royalties,  TPDC  “back-in”  methodology  and  other  government  levies 
that may be imposed over the producing life of the reserves. These assumptions were based on price forecasts in use at the date 
of the relevant evaluations were prepared and many of these assumptions are subject to change and are beyond the control of 
the Company. Actual production and cash flows derived therefrom will vary from these evaluations, and such variations could be 
material.

Title to Properties
Although title reviews have been done and will continue to be done according to industry standards prior to the purchase of most 
oil and natural gas producing properties or the commencement of drilling wells, such reviews do not guarantee or certify that an 
unforeseen defect in the chain of title will not arise to defeat the claim of the Company which could result in a reduction of the 
revenue received by the Company.

Acquisition Risks
The Company intends to acquire natural gas infrastructure and possibly additional oil and gas properties. Although the Company 
performs  a  review  of  the  acquired  properties  that  it  believes  is  consistent  with  industry  practices,  such  reviews  are  inherently 
incomplete.  It  generally  is  not  feasible  to  review  in  depth  every  individual  property  involved  in  each  acquisition.  Ordinarily,  the 
Company will focus its due diligence efforts on the higher valued properties and will sample the remainder. However, even an in 
depth review of all properties and records may not necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, nor will it permit a buyer to 
become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections may not be performed 
on  every  well,  and  structural  or  environmental  problems,  such  as  ground  water  contamination,  are  not  necessarily  observable 
even when an inspection is undertaken. The Company may be required to assume pre-closing liabilities, including environmental 
liabilities, and may acquire interests in properties on an “as is” basis. There can be no assurance that the Company’s acquisitions will 
be successful.

management's discussion & analysis48

Reliance on Key Personnel
The Company is highly dependent upon its executive officers and key personnel. The unexpected loss of the services of any of 
these individuals could have a detrimental effect on the Company. The Company does not maintain key life insurance on any of 
its employees or officers..

Controlling Shareholder
Shaymar Limited is the registered holder of approximately 20.7% of the equity (20.7% fully diluted) and controls 59.2% of the total 
votes of the Company. The shares are held in a trust that is independently managed. The beneficiaries of the trust include the 
children of W. David Lyons, former Chair and CEO of the Company. Mr. Lyons passed away in August 2018 and had previously 
been disclosed as controlling these shares. The Company has been advised by the trust that there is no current intention to sell or 
otherwise deal with the shares. 

NON-GAAP MEASURES

The  Company  evaluates  its  performance  using  a  number  of  non-GAAP  (generally  accepted  accounting  principles)  measures. 
These non-GAAP measures are not standardized and therefore may not be comparable to similar measurements of other entities.

•  Adjusted  funds  flow  from  operations  represents  net  cash  flows  from  operating  activities  less  interest  expense  and  before 
changes in non-cash working capital. Management uses this is a performance measure that represents the company’s ability 
to generate sufficient cash flow to fund capital expenditures and/or service debt.

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

$’000

Net cash flows from operating activities

Base interest expense

Participatory interest expense

Finance income re TANESCO 
arrears and VAT recovered

Changes in non-cash working capital

Adjusted funds flow from operations

2018

4,085

(1,591)

(342)

(1,359)

5,605

6,398

2017

2018

2017

12,882

(1,594)

(1,031)

28,752

(6,249)

(4,745)

(90)

(16,227)

(10,105)

62

17,724

19,255

48,154

(6,250)

(3,809)

(90)

(21,263)

16,742

The Company’s adjusted funds flow from operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was $6.4 million (Q4 2017: $0.1 
million). The increase in adjusted funds flow from Q4 2017 to Q4 2018 is a combination of an increase in gas volume deliveries 
and  the  corresponding  increase  in  revenue,  the  savings  in  general  and  administrative  expenses  and  an  increase  in  interest 
income from bonds.  The Company’s adjusted funds flow from operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 
by $2.6 million to $19.3 million (2017: $16.7 million). The increase between years is primarily a result of reduced general and 
administration expenses ($1.2 million) and an increase in interest income on bonds ($1.3 million).  The decrease in revenue 
between years of $3.1 million was offset by the decrease in current corporate income tax expense of $3.3 million.

•  Operating netbacks represent the profit margin associated with the production and sale of additional gas and is calculated as 
revenues less processing and transportation tariffs, government parastatal’s revenue share, operating and distribution costs for 
one thousand standard cubic feet of additional gas. This is a key measure as it demonstrates the profit generated from each unit 
of production and is widely used by the investment community.

•  Adjusted funds flow from operations per share is calculated on the basis of the adjusted funds flow from operations divided by 

the weighted average number of shares.

•  Net  cash  flows  from  operating  activities  per  share  is  calculated  as  net  cash  flows  from  operating  activities  divided  by  the 

weighted average number of shares.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis 
49

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

The following are the critical judgments, apart from those involving estimations (see below), that management has made in the 
process of applying the Company’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the accounts recognized in 
these consolidated financial statements. 

Critical judgements in applying accounting policies:

A.  Property, plant and equipment

The  Company  assesses  its  property,  plant  and  equipment  for  impairment  when  events  or  circumstances  indicate  that  the 
carrying  amount  of  its  assets  may  not  be  recoverable.  If  any  indication  of  impairment  exists,  the  Company  performs  an 
impairment test on the Cash Generating Unit (“CGU”), which is the lowest level at which there are identifiable cash flows. 
The carrying amount of the CGU is compared to its recoverable amount which is defined as the greater of its fair value less 
cost  to  sell  and  value  in  use  and  is  subject  to  management  estimates.  These  estimates  include  quantities  of  reserves  and 
future production, future commodity pricing, development costs, operating costs, and discount rates. Any changes in these 
estimates may have an impact on the recoverable amount of the CGU.

Property, plant and equipment is measured at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. The Company’s 
oil  and  natural  gas  properties  are  depleted  using  the  unit-of-production  method  over  proved  plus  probable  reserves.  The 
unit-of-production method takes into account estimates of capital expenditures incurred to date along with future development 
capital required to develop both proved plus probable reserves.

B.  Collectability of receivables 

The Company evaluates the collectability of its receivables on the basis of payment history, frequency and predictability, as well 
as Management’s assessment of the customer’s willingness and ability to pay. Management performs impairment tests each 
period on the Company’s current and long-term receivables. As a result of TANESCO’s inability to fully pay all amounts invoiced 
by the Company prior to 2017, management of the Company modified its approach to revenue recognition as it relates to 
TANESCO only. The Company records revenues for sales to TANESCO based on the expected amount to be collected which 
represents a percentage of the amounts invoiced to TANESCO determined by comparison of TANESCO’s historical payment 
history to the amounts invoiced by the Company over the previous three years. Management believes this approach provides 
the best estimate of TANESCO’s ability to pay and remain reasonably current and as well reflects the economic reality of the 
situation. 

The percentage used to recognize TANESCO revenue will be reviewed as circumstances require and if there is a significant 
difference between the amount of revenue recorded and amounts received, the percentage used to record revenue as well as 
any existing receivable or deferred revenue balance will be revised accordingly. Currently, given the consistent payment pattern 
from TANESCO, 100% of invoices for gas deliveries was recognized as revenue in Q2, Q3 and Q4 2018.

C.  Taxes

The Company operates in a jurisdiction with complex tax laws and regulations, which are evolving over time. The Company 
has taken certain tax positions in its tax filings and these filings are subject to audit and potential reassessment after the lapse 
of considerable time. Accordingly, the actual income tax impact may differ significantly from that estimated and recorded by 
management. 

Deferred tax assets (if any) are recognized only to the extent it is considered probable that those assets will be recoverable. This 
involves an assessment of when those deferred tax assets are likely to reverse and a judgment as to whether or not there will 
be sufficient taxable profits available to offset the tax assets when they do reverse. This requires assumptions regarding future 
profitability and is therefore inherently uncertain. To the extent assumptions regarding future profitability change, there can be 
an increase or decrease in the amounts recognized in respect of deferred tax assets as well as the amounts recognized in profit 
or loss in the period in which the change occurs.

management's discussion & analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
50

Key sources of estimation of uncertainty

D.  Reserves and Additional Profits Tax

There  are  numerous  uncertainties  inherent  in  estimating  quantities  of  proved  and  probable  reserves  and  cash  flows  to  be 
derived  therefrom,  including  many  factors  beyond  the  control  of  the  Company.  The  reserve  and  cash  flow  information 
contained herein represents estimates only and are used to estimate APT by forecasting the total APT payable in the future as 
a proportion of the forecast Profit Gas over the term of PSA licence. The actual APT to be paid is dependent on the achieved 
value of the Additional Gas sales and the quantum and timing of the operating costs and capital expenditure program. The 
reserves and estimated future net cash flow from the Company’s properties have been evaluated by independent petroleum 
engineers. These evaluations include a number of assumptions relating to factors such as initial production rates, production 
decline  rates,  ultimate  recovery  of  reserves,  timing  and  amount  of  capital  expenditures,  marketability  of  production,  crude 
oil price differentials to benchmarks, future prices of oil and natural gas, operating costs, transportation costs, cost recovery 
provisions and royalties, TPDC “back-in” methodology and other government levies that may be imposed over the producing 
life  of  the  reserves.  These  assumptions  were  based  on  price  forecasts  in  use  at  the  date  of  the  relevant  evaluations  were 
prepared and many of these assumptions are subject to change and are beyond the control of the Company. For the purpose 
of the reserves certification as at December 31, 2018 it was assumed that TPDC will elect to ‘back-in’ for 20% for all future new 
drilling activities after well SS-12 and this is reflected in the Company’s net reserve position. As at the time of writing this report 
TPDC have made no such election.

Reserves are integral to the amount of depletion recognized and impairment test, if applicable.

E.  Fair value of stock based compensation

All stock options issued or stock appreciation rights granted by the Company are required to be valued at their fair value. In 
assessing the fair value of the equity based compensation, estimates have to be made as to (i) the volatility in share price, (ii) the 
risk free rate of interest, and (iii) the level of forfeiture. In the case of stock options, this fair value is estimated at the date of issue 
and is not revalued, whereas the fair value of stock appreciation rights is recalculated at each reporting period.

F.  Cost recovery

The Company is able to recover reasonable costs incurred on the development of the Songo Songo project out of 75% of 
the gross revenues less processing and pipeline tariffs (“Net Revenue”). There are inherent uncertainties in estimating when 
costs  have  been  recovered  as  these  costs  are  subject  to  government  audit  and  in  exceptional  circumstances  a  potential 
reassessment after the elapse of a considerable period of time.

G.  Financial instrument classification and measurement

The Company classifies the fair value of financial instruments according to the following hierarchy based on the amount of 
observable inputs used to value the instrument:

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets 
are those in which transactions occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1. Prices in Level 2 are either directly 
or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 valuations are based on inputs, including expected interest rate, share 
prices, and volatility factors, which can be substantially observed or corroborated in the marketplace.

Level 3 – Valuation in this level are those with inputs for the asset or liabilities that are not based on observable market data.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
51

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This MD&A contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of 
applicable securities legislation. More particularly, this MD&A contains, without limitation, forward-looking statements pertaining 
to the following: the Company’s expectations regarding supply and demand of natural gas; anticipated power sector revenues; 
potential impact of TPDC future back-in rights on the economic terms of the PSA; ability to meet all conditions under the IFC 
financing agreement; the Company’s estimated spending for the planned Development Program for 2019, which includes the 
tie-in of wells to processing facilities, well workovers and installation of a refrigeration unit on the Songas processing facility to 
ensure gas production can continue at the requisite specification and volumes and enable production through the NNGI ; the 
potential impact of the Petroleum Act and the Finance Act, 2016 on the Company’s business in Tanzania; the potential impact of 
the recently enacted Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act, 2017, the Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts 
(Review and Re-Negotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act, 2017 and The Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2017; 
the Company’s belief that the parties to the unsigned ARGA will continue to conduct themselves in accordance with the ARGA 
until a new gas sales agreement is signed; the Company’s expectation that, despite the Re-Rating Agreement of the gas processing 
plant owned by Songas having expired, the Songas gas processing plant production volumes will not be restricted; the anticipated 
effect of the Second AGP2 signed in 2017 on the Company's available volumes of Additional Gas for sale; additional Songo Songo 
field developments contemplated in connection with AGP2; the current and potential production capacity of the Songo Songo 
field; the Company's ability to access new markets; the Company's ability to produce additional volumes; the Company's ability 
to access additional processing and transportation capacity; the status of ongoing negotiations with TPDC; the potential increase 
in sales volumes associated with new gas sales agreements; the Company's ability to locate and bring online additional supply in 
the future; the Company’s expectation that it can expand and maintain the deliverability of gas volumes in excess of the existing 
Songas infrastructure; the forward-looking statements under “Contractual Obligations and Committed Capital Investment”; the 
Company’s expectation that it will not have a shortfall during the term of the Protected Gas delivery obligation to July 2024; and 
the Company’s expectations in respect of its appeals on the decisions of the Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal and other statements 
under “Contingencies – Taxation”. In addition, statements relating to “reserves” are by their nature forward-looking statements, as 
they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves described can be produced 
profitably  in  the  future.  The  recovery  and  reserve  estimates  of  the  Company’s  reserves  provided  herein  are  estimates  only  and 
there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from 
those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the for-
ward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, access to resources and infrastructure, 
performance  or  achievement  since  such  expectations  are  inherently  subject  to  significant  business,  economic,  operational, 
competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies.

management's discussion & analysis52

These forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the 
Company’s control, and many factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied 
in any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, but not limited to: failure to receive payments from TANESCO; 
risk that the potential financing solutions to resolve the TANESCO arrears are not implemented by the Tanzanian government; risk 
that additional gas volumes available to the NNGI from third parties will replace all or a portion of the volumes currently nominated 
by TANESCO under the PGSA until additional gas-fired power generation is brought on-stream to consume all of the Company’s 
available gas production; risk that the Development Program is not completed as planned and the actual cost to complete the 
Development Program exceeds the Company’s estimates; risk that the remaining well workovers under the Development Program 
are unsuccessful or determined to be unfeasible; risk of a lack of access to Songas processing and transportation facilities; risk that 
the Company may be unable to complete additional field development to support the Songo Songo production profile through 
the  life  of  the  licence;  risk  that  the  Company  may  be  unable  to  develop  additional  supply  or  increase  production  values;  risks 
associated with the Company’s ability to complete sales of Additional Gas; potential negative effect on the Company’s rights under 
the PSA and other agreements relating to its business in Tanzania as a result of the recently approved Petroleum Act and recently 
enacted legislation, as well as the risk that such legislation will create additional costs and time connected with the Company’s 
business in Tanzania; risks regarding the uncertainty around evolution of Tanzanian legislation; risk that the Company will not fully 
recover Songas’ share of capital expenditures associated with the workovers of wells SS-5 and SS-9; risk that the Company will not 
be successful in appealing claims made by the TRA and may be required to pay additional taxes and penalties; the impact of general 
economic conditions in the areas in which the Company operates; civil unrest; industry conditions; changes in laws and regulations 
including  the  adoption  of  new  environmental  laws  and  regulations,  impact  of  new  local  content  regulations  and  variances  in 
how  they  are  interpreted  and  enforced;  increased  competition;  the  lack  of  availability  of  qualified  personnel  or  management; 
fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign exchange or interest rates; stock market volatility; competition for, among other things, 
capital, drilling equipment and skilled personnel; failure to obtain required equipment for drilling; delays in drilling plans; failure to 
obtain expected results from drilling of wells; effect of changes to the PSA on the Company as a result of the implementation of 
the new government policies for the oil and gas industry; changes in laws; imprecision in reserve estimates; the production and 
growth potential of the Company’s assets; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities; risks associated with negotiating 
with foreign governments; inability to satisfy debt obligations and conditions; failure to successfully negotiate agreements; and risk 
that the Company will not be able to fulfil its contractual obligations. In addition, there are risks and uncertainties associated with 
oil and gas operations, therefore the Company’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those 
expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events 
anticipated by these forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will 
derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

Such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and perception 
of  historical  trends,  current  conditions  and  expected  future  developments,  as  well  as  other  factors  the  Company  believes  are 
appropriate in the circumstances, including, but not limited to, that the Company will be able to negotiate Additional Gas sales 
contracts in relation to AGP2; the ability of the Company to complete additional developments and increase its production capacity; 
that the Company and TPDC will agree to the terms of a new Gas sales agreement; the actual costs to complete the Development 
Program  are  in  line  with  estimates;  that  there  will  continue  to  be  no  restrictions  on  the  movement  of  cash  from  Mauritius  or 
Tanzania; that the Company will have sufficient cash flow, debt or equity sources or other financial resources required to fund its 
capital and operating expenditures and requirements as needed; that the Company will successfully negotiate agreements; receipt 
of required regulatory approvals; the ability of the Company to increase production as required to meet demand; infrastructure 
capacity; commodity prices will not further deteriorate significantly; the ability of the Company to obtain equipment and services in 
a timely manner to carry out exploration, development and exploitation activities; future capital expenditures; availability of skilled 
labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; uninterrupted access to infrastructure; the impact of increasing competition; 
conditions in general economic and financial markets; effects of regulation by governmental agencies; that the Company’s appeal 
of various tax assessments will be successful; that the enactment of the Petroleum Act and new legislation in Tanzania will not 
impair the Company’s rights under the PSA to develop and market natural gas in Tanzania; current or, where applicable, proposed 
industry conditions, laws and regulations will continue in effect or as anticipated as described herein; and other matters.

The forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation 
to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events 
or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. 

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTManagement's Discussion & AnalysisO R C A   E X P L O R A T I O N   G R O U P   I N C .

2018  
FINANCIAL 
 STATEMENTS  
& NOTES

54 Management's Report to Shareholders

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Orca Exploration Group Inc. are the responsibility of Management. The 
financial  and  operating  information  presented  in  this  annual  report  is  consistent  with  that  shown  in  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  by  Management,  on  behalf  of  the  Board,  in  accordance  with  the 
accounting policies disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Where necessary, management has made 
informed  judgments  and  estimates  in  accounting  for  transactions  which  were  not  complete  at  the  balance  sheet  date.  In  the 
opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared within acceptable limits of materiality and are 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards appropriate in the circumstances.

Management maintains appropriate systems of internal controls. Policies and procedures are designed to give reasonable assurance 
that transactions are properly authorized, assets are safeguarded and financial records are properly maintained to provide reliable 
information for the preparation of financial statements. An independent firm of Chartered Professional Accountants, as appointed 
by the Shareholders, audited the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing 
Standards  to  enable  them  to  express  an  opinion  on  the  fairness  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with 
International Financial Reporting Standards.

The  Board  of  Directors  carries  out  its  responsibility  for  the  financial  reporting  and  internal  controls  of  the  Company  principally 
through an Audit Committee. The committee has met with the independent auditors and Management in order to determine if 
Management has fulfilled its responsibilities in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial 
statements have been approved by the Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

Nigel Friend 
Chief Executive Officer 

April 10, 2019 

Blaine E. Karst 
Chief Financial Officer

April 10, 2019

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORT  
 
Independent Auditors’ Report

55

To the Shareholders of Orca Exploration Group Inc.

Opinion

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Orca Exploration Group Inc. (the “Company”), which comprise:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017

the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the years then ended 

the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the years then ended

the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years then ended

and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies

(Hereinafter referred to as the “financial statements”).

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of 
the Company as at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated 
cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). 

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our responsibilities under those standards 
are further described in the “Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements” section of our auditors’ report. 

We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in Canada and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

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

Other Information 

Management is responsible for the other information. Other information comprises: 

• 

the information included in the Financial and Operating Highlights and Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed with the 
relevant Canadian Securities Commissions.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not and will not express any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information identified above and, 
in  doing  so,  consider  whether  the  other  information  is  materially  inconsistent  with  the  financial  statements  or  our  knowledge 
obtained in the audit and remain alert for indications that the other information appears to be materially misstated.

We obtained the information included in the Financial and Operating Highlights and Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed 
with the relevant Canadian Securities Commissions as at the date of this auditors’ report. If, based on the work we have performed 
on this other information, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that 
fact in the auditors’ report. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and for 
such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management 
either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process. 

Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our  objectives  are  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  financial  statements  as  a  whole  are  free  from  material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. 

financial statements56

Independent Auditors’ Report

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian 
generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise professional judgment and 
maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. 

We also:

• 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and 
perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a 
basis for our opinion. 

The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may 
involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. 

•  Evaluate  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of  accounting  estimates  and  related 

disclosures made by management.

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of management's use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit 
evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw 
attention in our auditors’ report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to 
modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditors’ report. However, 
future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the 

financial statements represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

•  Communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the 
audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. 

•  Provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding 
independence, and communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our 
independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the 
Company to express an opinion on the financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance 
of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this auditors’ report is John Waiand.

Chartered Professional Accountants  
Calgary, Canada

April 10, 2019 

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORT 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

57

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC.

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

$’000

Revenue

Production, distribution and transportation

Net production revenue

Operating expenses

General and administrative

Stock based compensation

Depletion 

Finance income

Finance expense

Income before tax

Income tax expense – current

Income tax (expense) recovery – deferred

Additional Profits Tax 

Net income (loss) 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders

Foreign currency translation (loss) gain from foreign operations

Comprehensive income (loss)

Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders per share ($)

Basic and diluted

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Note

6, 7

16

9

9

10

10

11

23

17

2018

57,766

(12,378)

45,388

(12,827)

(4,643)

(9,495)

19,136

(15,378)

22,181

(4,588)

(1,016)

(3,014)

13,563

(293)

13,270

(83)

13,187

2017

60,832

(12,607)

48,225

 (14,189)

(6,619)

(8,678)

366

(12,831)

6,274

(7,873)

1,162

(2,063)

(2,500)

–

(2,500)

216

(2,284)

0.38

(0.07)

financial statements58

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC.

$’000

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Investment in short-term bonds

Trade and other receivables

Prepayments

Non-current assets

Long-term receivables

Investments

Property, plant and equipment

Total Assets

Equity and liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Tax payable

Deferred revenue

Current portion of long-term loan

Non-current liabilities

Deferred income taxes

Long-term loan

Additional Profits Tax

Total Liabilities

Equity

Capital stock

Contributed surplus

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Accumulated income (loss)

Non-controlling interest

Total equity and liabilities

Note

2018

2017

 AS AT DECEMBER 31 

9

12

12

23

13

14

12

15

10

15

11

16

23

64,660

66,837

15,862

1,217

148,576

2,424

3,967

107,474

113,865

262,441

59,634

–

–

4,760

64,394

12,828

53,900

37,617

104,345

168,739

86,508

6,319

(248)

652

471

93,702

262,441

122,322

–

12,273

866

135,461

2,797

–

111,291

114,088

249,549

56,758

718

8,410

–

65,886

11,811

58,518

34,603

104,932

170,818

86,508

6,319

(165)

(13,931)

–

78,731

249,549

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 
Nature of Operations (Note 1); Contractual obligations and committed capital investment (Note 19); Contingencies (Note 20); Subsequent events (Note 24).  
The consolidated financial statements were approved by the board on April 9, 2019.

Director  

Director

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows

59

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC.

$’000

Operating activities

Net Income (loss)

Adjustment for:

  Depletion and depreciation

  Indirect tax

  Stock-based compensation expense

  Deferred income taxes expense

  Additional Profits Tax

  Unrealized loss on foreign exchange

Interest expense

Participatory interest

Change in non-cash operating working capital

Net cash flows from operating activities

Investing activities

Property, plant and equipment expenditures

Change in non-cash working capital

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Investment in bonds, net

Interest paid

Participatory interest paid

Proceeds from exercise of options

Proceeds on sale of interest in a subsidiary

Dividends paid to shareholders

Dividends paid to non-controlling interest

Net cash used in financing activities

(Decrease) increase in cash

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Effect of change in foreign exchange on cash for the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 

Note

2018

2017

13,563

(2,500)

13

9

16

10

11

9

9

22

13

22

9

9

9

23

16

9,660

3,689

4,643

1,016

3,014

(103)

6,249

4,745

(17,724)

28,752

(5,843)

792

(5,051)

(66,837)

(6,249)

(6,103)

–

15,374

(16,866)

(984)

(81,665)

(57,964)

122,322

302

64,660

9,027

3,046

6,619

(1,162)

2,063

(261)

6,250

3,809

21,263

48,154

(1,545)

(138)

(1,683)

–

(6,250)

–

992

–

–

–

(5,258)

41,213

80,895

214

122,322

financial statements60

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC.

$’000

Note

Balance as at December 31, 2017

Dividend declared and paid

Foreign currency translation 
adjustment on foreign operations

Net income

Gain on sale of interest in 
a subsidiary (Note 23)

Non-controlling interest 
recorded at date of acquisition

Dividend declared and paid
non-controlling interest

$’000

Note

Balance as at December 31, 2016

Exercise stock option

Foreign currency translation 
adjustment on foreign operations

Net loss

Capital stock

Contributed 
surplus

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustment

Accumulated 
income (loss)

Non- 
Controlling 
Interest

16

86,508

6,319

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(165)

–

(83)

–

–

–

–

16

(13,931)

(16,866)

–

13,270

19,163

–

(984)

652

23

–

–

–

178

–

471

293

13,563

–

19,163

Total

78,731

(16,866)

(83)

178

(984)

93,702

Total

Capital stock

Contributed 
surplus

Cumulative 
translation 
adjustment

Accumulated 
loss

16

85,488

1,020

–

–

6,347

(28)

–

–

(381)

–

216

–

(165)

(11,431)

80,023

–

–

(2,500)

(13,931)

992

216

(2,500)

78,731

Balance as at December 31, 2018

86,508

6,319

(248)

Balance as at December 31, 2017

86,508

6,319

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

61

General Information

Orca Exploration Group Inc. was incorporated on April 28, 2004 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands with registered 
offices located at PO Box 146, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG110. The Company produces and sells natural 
gas to the power and industrial sectors in Tanzania.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company as at and for the year ended December 31, 2018 comprise accounts 
of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Orca Exploration”) and were authorized for issue in 
accordance with a resolution of the directors on April 9, 2019.

1

  NATURE OF OPERATIONS

The Company’s principal operating asset is an interest held by a subsidiary, PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited (“PAET”) 
in  a  Production  Sharing  Agreement  (“PSA”)  with  the  Tanzania  Petroleum  Development  Corporation  (“TPDC”)  and  the 
Government of Tanzania (“GoT”) in the United Republic of Tanzania. This PSA covers the production and marketing of certain 
gas from the Songo Songo Block offshore Tanzania.

The PSA defines gas in the Songo Songo field as “Protected Gas” and “Additional Gas”. The “Protected Gas” is owned by 
TPDC and is sold under a 20-year gas agreement until July 2024 (“Gas Agreement”) to Songas Limited (“Songas”). Songas is 
the owner of the infrastructure that enables the gas to be delivered to Dar es Salaam, which includes a gas processing plant 
on Songo Songo Island. The Company operates the gas processing plant and field on a ‘no gain no loss’ basis and receives 
no revenue for the Protected Gas delivered to Songas. 

Under  the  PSA,  the  Company  has  the  right  to  produce  and  market  all  gas  in  the  Songo  Songo  Block  in  excess  of  the 
Protected Gas requirements (“Additional Gas”).

The Tanzania Electricity Supply Company Limited (“TANESCO”) is a parastatal organization which is wholly-owned by the 
Government  of  Tanzania,  with  oversight  by  the  Ministry  for  Energy  (“MoE”),  previously  known  as  the  Ministry  of  Energy 
and Minerals (“MEM”). TANESCO is responsible for the majority of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity 
throughout Tanzania. The Company currently supplies gas directly to TANESCO by way of a Portfolio Gas Supply Agreement 
(“PGSA”) and indirectly through the supply of Protected Gas and Additional Gas to Songas which in turn generates and sells 
power to TANESCO. TANESCO is the Company’s largest customer.

In addition to gas supplied to Songas and TANESCO for the generation of power, the Company has developed and supplies 
an industrial gas market in the Dar es Salaam area.

notes62

2

  BASIS OF PREPARATION

Statement of Compliance

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). Certain comparative period amounts have been 
reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

Basis of Measurement

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis and have been prepared using the 
accrual basis of accounting. The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars (“$”).

Basis of consolidation

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are those enterprises controlled by the Company. The following companies have been consolidated within the 
Orca Exploration financial statements:

Subsidiary 

Registered 

Holding 

Functional currency

Orca Exploration Group Inc. 

British Virgin Islands 

Parent Company  US dollar 

Orca Exploration Italy Inc. 

Orca Exploration Italy Onshore Inc. 

British Virgin Islands 

British Virgin Islands 

PAE PanAfrican Energy Corporation ("PAEM") 

Mauritius 

PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited 

Jersey 

Orca Exploration UK Services Limited 

United Kingdom 

100% 

100% 

92% 

92% 

100% 

Euro 

Euro 

US dollar 

US dollar 

British Pound 

Transactions eliminated upon consolidation

Inter-company balances and transactions and any unrealized gains or losses arising from inter-company transactions are 
eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Foreign currency

i) 

Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary 
assets  and  liabilities  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  at  period-end  rates.  Non-monetary  items  are  translated  at 
historic rates, unless such items are carried at market value, in which case they are translated using the exchange rates 
that existed when the values were determined. Any resulting exchange rate differences are recognized in earnings.

ii) 

Foreign currency translation

Foreign currency differences are recognized in comprehensive income and accumulated in the translation reserve. 
The assets and liabilities of these companies are translated into the functional currency at the period-end exchange 
rate. The income and expenses of the companies are translated into the functional currency at the average exchange 
rate for the period. Translation gains and losses are included in other comprehensive income.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements63

3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial 
statements.

Exploration and evaluation assets, property plant and equipment

i) 

Exploration and evaluation assets

Exploration  and  evaluation  costs  are  capitalized  as  intangible  assets.  Intangible  assets  include  lease  and  licence 
acquisition  costs,  geological  and  geophysical  costs  and  other  direct  costs  of  exploration  and  evaluation  which 
management considers to be unevaluated until reserves are appraised to be commercially viable and technologically 
feasible as commercial, at which time they are transferred to property, plant and equipment following an impairment 
review  and  depleted  accordingly.  Where  properties  are  appraised  to  have  no  commercial  value  or  are  appraised 
at  values  less  than  book  values,  the  associated  costs  are  treated  as  an  impairment  loss  in  the  period  in  which  the 
determination is made.

ii)  Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment comprises the Company’s tangible natural gas assets, development wells, leasehold 
improvements, computer equipment, motor vehicles and fixtures and fittings carried at cost, less any accumulated 
depletion,  depreciation  and  accumulated  impairment  losses.  Cost  includes  purchase  price  and  construction  costs 
for qualifying assets. Depletion of these assets commences when the assets are ready for their intended use. Only 
costs that are directly related to the discovery and development of specific oil and gas reserves are capitalized. The 
cost associated with tangible natural gas assets are amortized on a field by field unit of production method based on 
commercial proven reserves. The calculation of the unit of production amortization takes into account the estimated 
future development cost associated with proven reserves.

iii) 

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets, property, plant and equipment

At each balance sheet date, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment and 
intangible  assets  to  determine  if  indicators  of  impairment  exist.  Individual  assets  are  grouped  together  as  a  cash 
generating unit (“CGU”) for impairment assessment purposes at the lowest level at which there are identifiable cash 
flows that are independent from other group assets. In the case of exploration and evaluation assets, this will normally 
be at the CGU level. If any such indication of impairment exists, the Company makes an estimate of its recoverable 
amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Where the carrying amount 
of a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the CGU is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable 
amount. In assessing the value in use, the estimated future cash flows are adjusted for the risks specific to the CGU 
and are discounted to their present value with a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current market indicators. The 
fair value less costs to sell is the amount that would be obtained from the sale of a CGU in an arm’s length transaction 
between knowledgeable and willing parties. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of 
the asset CGU is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount 
does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for 
the CGU in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized in earnings.

notes 
64

Operatorship

The Company operates the Songo Songo gas field, flow lines and gas processing plant. The Songas wells, flowlines and gas 
plant are operated by the Company on behalf of Songas on a ‘no gain no loss’ basis. The cost of operating and maintaining 
the wells and flow lines is paid for by the Company and Songas in proportion to the respective volumes of Protected Gas 
and Additional Gas sales. The costs of operating and maintaining the wells and flow lines are reflected in the accounts to 
the extent that the costs were incurred to accomplish Additional Gas sales. The cost of operating the gas processing plant 
and pipeline to Dar es Salaam is paid by Songas. Costs incurred by the Company in connection with the operatorship of the 
Songas plant are recorded as receivables, which are re-charged to Songas. Subsequent payments received from Songas 
are credited to receivables. When there are Additional Gas sales, a tariff is paid to Songas as compensation for using the gas 
processing plant and pipeline.

Employment benefits

i) 

Pension

The Company does not operate a pension plan, but it does make defined contributions to the statutory pension fund 
for employees in Tanzania. Obligations for contributions to the statutory pension fund are recognized as an expense 
as incurred.

ii) 

Stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units

Stock  appreciation  rights  (“SARs”)  and  restricted  stock  units  (“RSUs”)  are  issued  to  certain  key  managers,  officers, 
directors and employees. The fair value of SARs and RSUs is expensed in the statement of comprehensive income 
in accordance with the service period. The fair value of the SARs and RSUs is revalued every reporting date with the 
change in the value recognized in earnings. 

Asset retirement obligations

No provision has been made for future site restoration costs in Tanzania because the Company currently has no legal or 
contractual or constructive obligation under the PSA to restore the fields at the end of their commercial lives, should such 
occur within the term of the PSA. At such a time as the Company may be granted an extension of the term of the PSA, which 
encompasses the end of the field life, or other amendment to the PSA, which requires the Company to do so, a provision 
will be made for future site restoration costs.

Revenue recognition, production sharing agreements and royalties

On  January  1,  2018  the  Company  adopted  IFRS  15  –  Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers,  which  establishes  a 
comprehensive  framework  for  determining  whether,  how  much  and  when  revenue  is  recognized.  It  replaces  existing 
revenue recognition guidance, including IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty 
Programs. The Company has adopted IFRS 15 using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2018. Based on the 
Company’s review of contracts with customers and its assessment of various revenue streams using the IFRS 15 five step 
model there were no material changes to net income, the timing of revenue recognized or to opening retained earnings as at 
January 1, 2018. The Company has expanded disclosures in the notes to its consolidated financial statements as prescribed 
by IFRS 15, including disclosing the Company’s disaggregated revenue with the Songas processing and transportation tariff 
being recorded in production, distribution and transportation costs as opposed to a direct deduction from revenue at bench 
mark and contractual prices.

Pursuant to the terms of the PSA, the Company has exclusive rights to (i) to carry on Exploration Operations in the Songo 
Songo Gas Field; (ii) to carry on Development Operations in the Songo Songo Gas Field and (iii) jointly with TPDC, to sell or 
otherwise dispose of Additional Gas. 

The Company recognizes revenue related to Additional Gas sales to all customers at specified delivery points at bench 
mark and contractual prices A good or service is transferred when the customer obtains control of that good or service. 
The transfer of control of natural gas occurs at the metering points at the inlet to the customer’s facility (see Note 7). Under 
the terms of the PSA, the Company pays both its share and TPDC’s share of operating, administrative and capital costs. 
The Company recovers all reasonably incurred operating, administrative and capital costs including TPDC’s share of these 
costs from future revenues over several years (“Cost Gas”). TPDC’s share of operating and administrative costs, are recorded 
in  operating  and  general  and  administrative  costs  when  incurred  and  capital  costs  are  recorded  in  ‘property,  plant  and 
equipment’. All recoveries are recorded as Cost Gas in the year of recovery.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements65

The Company has a gas sales contract under which the customer is required to take, or pay for, a minimum quantity of gas. 
In the event that the customer has paid for gas that was not delivered, the additional income received by the Company is 
carried on the balance sheet as “deferred revenue”. If the customer consumes volumes in excess of the minimum, it will 
be charged at the current rate, but may receive a credit for volumes paid but not delivered. At the end of each reporting 
period the Company reassesses the volumes for which the customer may receive credit, any remaining balance is credited 
to income.

In any given year, the Company is entitled to recover as Cost Gas up to 75% of the net revenue (gross revenue less processing 
and pipeline tariffs). Any net revenue in excess of the Cost Gas (“Profit Gas”) is shared between the Company and TPDC in 
accordance with the terms of the PSA. Under the PSA the Profit Gas payable to TPDC is adjusted by the amount necessary 
to fully pay and discharge the Company’s liability for taxes on income. Revenue represents the Company’s share of Profit 
Gas and Cost Gas during the period.

The Company records revenues for sales to TANESCO based on the expected amount to be collected, which represents 
a  percentage  of  the  amounts  invoiced  to  TANESCO  determined  by  comparison  of  TANESCO’s  payment  history  to  the 
amounts invoiced by the Company. Management believes this approach provides the best estimate of TANESCO’s ability to 
pay and remain reasonably current, and as well, reflects the economic reality of the situation (see Notes 4 and 7). 

The percentage used to recognize TANESCO revenue will be reviewed as circumstances require. If there is a significant 
difference between the amount of revenue recorded and amounts received, the percentage used to record revenue as 
well as any existing receivable or deferred revenue balance will be revised accordingly. Since April 1, 2018 the Company has 
recognized 100% of amounts invoiced for TANESCO gas deliveries in revenue as payments from TANESCO for the past 24 
months have consistently been higher than amounts invoiced for gas deliveries. 

For cash received in excess of the revenue recorded from TANESCO in any given period, the additional amounts received 
will be recorded as deferred revenue. In periods when the deferred revenue balance is greater than the amounts invoiced to 
TANESCO for gas deliveries for the previous four quarters, any amount in excess of the four quarter average will be recorded 
as current period revenue to the extent there is unrecognized revenue resulting from the expected collectability approach to 
revenue recognition. If such unrecognized revenue is reduced to nil, additional amounts collected in excess of the quarterly 
average will be applied against the oldest TANESCO invoice recorded and previously provided for (see Note 12). 

In  periods  when  cash  received  is  less  than  revenue  recorded,  the  deferred  revenue  will  be  reduced  accordingly.  If  the 
deferred revenue amount is reduced to nil, the difference will be recorded as accounts receivable.

notes66

Additional Profits Tax

Under the terms of the PSA, in the event that all costs have been recovered with an annual return from the PSA of 25% plus 
the percentage change in the United States Industrial Goods Producer Price Index, an Additional Profits Tax (“APT”) is payable 
to the Government of Tanzania. APT is provided for by forecasting the total APT payable in the future as a proportion of the 
forecast Profit Gas over the term of PSA licence. The actual APT that will be paid is dependent on the achieved value of the 
Additional Gas sales and the quantum and timing of the operating costs and capital expenditure program.

The PSA states that APT shall be calculated for each year and shall vary with the real rate of return earned by the Company 
on the net cash flow from the Contract Area (as defined). The calculation of APT includes a working capital adjustment 
reflecting the effect of the timing of actual receipt of amounts owing from TANESCO on net cash flow available to APT.

Income taxes

The Company is liable for Tanzanian income tax on the income for the year; this comprises current and deferred tax. Where 
current income tax is payable, this is shown as a current tax liability. Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet method, 
providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes 
and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of 
realization or settlement of carrying amounts of assets and liabilities using tax rates substantively enacted at the balance 
sheet date. A deferred tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available, 
against which the asset can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the 
related tax benefits will be realized.

Depreciation

Depreciation for non-natural gas properties is charged to earnings on a straight line basis over the estimated useful economic 
lives of each class of asset. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Leasehold improvement 

Over remaining life of the lease 

Computer equipment 

Vehicles 

Fixtures and fittings 

Financial instruments

3 years 

3 years 

3 years

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted IFRS 9 - Financial instruments. The new standard includes revised guidance on 
the classification and measurement of financial instruments, including a new expected credit loss model for calculating 
impairment on financial assets, and the new general hedge accounting requirements. It also carries forward the guidance 
on recognition and de-recognition of financial instruments from IAS 39. 

The three principal classification categories under the new standard for financial instruments are: measured at amortized cost, 
fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) and fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”). The classification 
of financial instruments under IFRS 9 is generally based on the business model in which a financial instrument is managed 
and its contractual cash flow characteristics. The previous categories under IAS 39 of held to maturity, loans and receivables 
and available for sale have been removed.

IFRS 9 replaces the “incurred loss” model in IAS 39 with an “expected loss” model. The new impairment model applies to 
financial instruments measured at amortized cost, and contract assets and debt investments measured at FVOCI. Under 
IFRS 9, credit losses will be recognized earlier than under IAS 39.

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and deposits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, 
and  bank  debt  continue  to  be  measured  at  amortized  cost  and  are  now  classified  as  “amortized  cost”.  There  were  no 
changes to the Company’s classifications of its financial instrument assets and liabilities as FVTPL. None of the Company’s 
financial instruments have been classified as FVOCI.

The Company did not formerly apply hedge accounting to its financial instruments and has not elected to apply hedge 
accounting to any of its financial instruments upon adoption of IFRS 9. There was no impact to the Company as a result of 
adopting the new standard.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements67

All  financial  instruments  are  initially  recognized  at  fair  value  on  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position.  The 
Company has classified each financial instrument into one of the following categories: (i) fair value through the statement of 
comprehensive income (loss), (ii) loans and receivables, and (iii) other financial liabilities. Measurement in subsequent periods 
depends on the classification of the financial instrument as described below:

•  

•  

Fair value through profit or loss: financial instruments under this classification include cash and cash equivalents and 
derivative assets and liabilities.

Amortized  cost:  financial  instruments  under  this  classification  include  accounts  receivable,  investments  in  bonds, 
investments,  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  dividends  payable,  finance  lease  obligations,  and  long-term 
debt.

Financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  recognized  when  the  Company  becomes  a  party  to  the  contractual  provisions  of  the 
instrument. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired or have 
been  transferred  and  the  Company  has  transferred  substantially  all  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership.  Financial  assets  and 
liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported on the statement of financial position when there is a legally enforceable 
right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realize the asset and settle the 
liability simultaneously.. 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, term deposits and short-term highly liquid investments with the original 
term to maturity of three months or less, which are convertible to known amounts of cash and which, in the opinion of 
management, are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates 
their carrying amount. There are no restrictions on the movement of funds out of Tanzania.

notes68

Investments in short-term bonds

Investments in short-term bonds includes highly liquid investments with the original term to maturity of twelve months 
or  less  which  are  convertible  to  known  amounts  of  cash  and  which,  in  the  opinion  of  management,  are  subject  to  an 
insignificant  risk  of  changes  in  value.  The  fair  value  of  the  investments  in  short-term  bonds  approximates  their  carrying 
amount.

Impairment of financial assets

A financial asset is assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any objective evidence that it is impaired. 
A financial asset is considered to be impaired if objective evidence indicates that one or more events have had a negative 
effect on the estimated future cash flows of that asset.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortized cost is calculated as the difference between its 
carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate. 
Individually significant financial assets are tested for impairment on an individual basis. The remaining financial assets are 
assessed collectively in groups that share similar credit risk characteristics.

All impairment losses are recognized in earnings. An impairment loss is reversed if the reversal can be related objectively to 
an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized. For financial assets measured at amortized cost the reversal 
is recognized in earnings.

Future accounting changes

The  following  pronouncements  from  the  IASB  will  become  effective  or  were  amended  for  financial  reporting  periods 
beginning on or after January 1, 2019 and have not yet been adopted by the Company. These new or revised standards 
permit early adoption with transitional arrangements depending upon the date of initial application. 

IFRS 16 – Leases sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both 
parties to a contract, i.e. the customer (“lessee”) and the supplier (“lessor”) and replaces the previous leases standard, IAS 
17-Leases and IFRIC 4-Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease and related interpretations. IFRS 16 is effective 
for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The standard is required to be adopted either retro-
spectively or using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach does not require restatement 
of prior period financial information as it recognizes the cumulative effect of IFRS as an adjustment to opening retained 
earnings and applies the standard prospectively. On January 1, 2019, the Company will adopt IFRS 16 and plans to use the 
modified retrospective approach. 

On adoption, the Company currently intends on applying the following practical expedients permitted under the standard. 
Some expedients are available on a lease-by-lease basis, while others are applicable by class of underlying asset.

i) 

ii) 

Any leases with terms ending within 12 months of January 1, 2019 will be recognized as short-term leases and included 
in the short-term lease disclosure. These leases will not be recognized on the statement of financial position on initial 
adoption.

The Company will exclude initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset on transition for any 
leases with associated initial direct costs.

iii)  Short-term leases and leases of low value assets that have been identified at January 1, 2019, will not be recognized on 
the statement of financial position. Payments for these leases will be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

The Company has completed an initial assessment but not yet finalized the potential impact on its consolidated financial 
statements. The full impact of applying IFRS 16 on the financial statements in the period of initial application will depend 
on  multiple  factors  and  conditions,  including  but  not  limited  to,  the  Company’s  borrowing  rate  at  January  1,  2019,  the 
composition of the Company’s lease portfolio at that date and the Company’s latest assessment of whether it will exercise 
any lease renewal or termination options.

Thus  far,  the  most  significant  impact  identified  is  that  the  Company  will  now  recognize  new  assets  and  liabilities  on  its 
Statement of Financial Position for its office lease. In addition, the nature of the expenses related to those leases will change. 
Straight-line operating lease expense will be replaced with a depreciation charge for right-of-use assets and interest expense 
on lease liabilities.

The Company continues to review all existing contracts in detail. The full extent of the impact has not yet been determined. 

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements69

4

  USE OF ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

The following are the critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations (see below), that management has made 
in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the accounts 
recognized in these consolidated financial statements. 

Critical judgements in applying accounting policies:

A.  Property, plant and equipment

The Company assesses its property, plant and equipment for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount of its assets may not be recoverable. If any indication of impairment exists, the Company performs an 
impairment test on the CGU, which is the lowest level at which there are identifiable cash flows. The carrying amount of 
the CGU is compared to its recoverable amount which is defined as the greater of its fair value less cost to sell and value 
in use and is subject to management estimates. These estimates include quantities of reserves and future production, 
future commodity pricing, development costs, operating costs, and discount rates. Any changes in these estimates may 
have an impact on the recoverable amount of the CGU.

B.  Collectability of receivables

The Company evaluates the collectability of its receivables on the basis of payment history, frequency and predictability, 
as  well  as  Management’s  assessment  of  the  customer’s  willingness  and  ability  to  pay.  Management  performs 
impairment tests each period on the Company’s current and long-term receivables. 

C.  Statutory taxes

The Company operates in a jurisdiction with complex tax laws and regulations, which are evolving over time. The 
Company has taken certain tax positions in its tax filings and these filings are subject to audit and potential reassessment 
after  the  lapse  of  considerable  time.  Accordingly,  the  actual  income  tax  impact  may  differ  significantly  from  that 
estimated and recorded by management. 

The recognition or reversal of deferred tax assets requires judgment as to whether or not there will be sufficient taxable 
profits available to offset the tax assets when they do reverse. This requires assumptions regarding future profitability 
and is therefore inherently uncertain. 

Key sources of estimation of uncertainty

D.  Reserves

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved and probable reserves and cash flows 
to be derived therefrom, including many factors beyond the control of the Company. The reserves and estimated 
future net cash flow from the Company’s properties have been evaluated by independent petroleum engineers. These 
evaluations include a number of assumptions relating to factors such as initial production rates, production decline 
rates,  ultimate  recovery  of  reserves,  timing  and  amount  of  capital  expenditures,  marketability  of  production,  crude 
oil price differentials to benchmarks, future prices of oil and natural gas, operating costs, transportation costs, cost 
recovery provisions and royalties, TPDC “back-in” methodology and other government levies that may be imposed 
over the producing life of the reserves. These assumptions were based on price forecasts in use at the date of the 
relevant evaluations were prepared and many of these assumptions are subject to change and are beyond the control 
of the Company. To date, TPDC has neither elected to back in within the prescribed notice period nor contributed any 
costs associated with backing in. For the purpose of the reserves certification as at December 31, 2018 there are no 
planned drilling activities to the end of the licence.

Reserves are integral to the amount of depletion and impairment test.

E. 

Fair value of stock based compensation

All SARs and RSUs granted by the Company are required to be measured at their fair value for each reporting period. 
In assessing the fair value of the equity based compensation, estimates have to be made as to (i) the volatility in share 
price, (ii) the risk free rate of interest, (iii) the level of forfeiture, and (iv) the dividend yield.

F.  Cost recovery

The Company is able to recover reasonable costs incurred on the development of the Songo Songo project out of 
75% of the gross field revenue less processing and pipeline tariffs (“field net revenue”). There are inherent uncertainties 
in estimating when costs have been recovered as these costs are subject to government audit and in exceptional 
circumstances a potential reassessment after the elapse of a considerable period of time.

notes70

5

  RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company, by its activities in oil and gas exploration, development and production, is exposed to the risk associated 
with the unpredictable nature of the financial markets as well as political risk associated with conducting operations in an 
emerging market. The Company seeks to manage its exposure to these risks wherever possible.

A. 

Foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk arises when transactions and recognized assets and liabilities of the Company are denominated 
in a currency that is not the US dollar functional currency.

The Company operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from currency exposures to US 
dollars. The main currencies to which the Company has an exposure are: Tanzanian shillings, British pounds sterling, 
Euros and Canadian dollars.

The  majority  of  the  expenditure  associated  with  the  operation  of  the  gas  distribution  system  is  denominated  in 
Tanzanian  shillings.  Whilst  conversion  of  Tanzanian  shillings  into  US  dollars  is  unrestricted,  the  foreign  exchange 
market for Tanzanian shillings is limited and not highly liquid, reducing the Company’s ability to convert large amounts 
of  Tanzanian  shillings  into  US  dollars  at  any  given  time.  To  mitigate  the  risk  of  Tanzanian  shilling  devaluation,  the 
Company regularly converts Tanzanian shilling receipts into US dollars to the extent practicable. Capital stock, equity 
financing  and  any  associated  stock  based  compensation  are  denominated  in  Canadian  dollars.  The  operational 
revenue and the majority of capital expenditures are denominated in US dollars.

There are no forward exchange rate contracts in place.

A 10% increase in the US dollar against the relevant foreign currency would result in an overall decrease in working 
capital (defined as current assets less current liabilities) of $0.2 million to $84.0 million and a decrease in the income 
before tax to $22.0 million. The sensitivity includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items 
and  adjusts  their  translation  at  period  end  for  a  10%  change  in  the  foreign  currency  rates.  A  10%  sensitivity  rate  is 
used when reporting foreign currency risk internally to key management personnel and represents management’s 
assessment of the reasonable possible change in foreign exchange rates.

The following balances are denominated in foreign currency (stated in US dollars at period end exchange rates):

Balances as at December 31, 2018

$’millions

Cash

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

Net

B.  Commodity price risk

Canadian 
dollars 

Tanzanian 
shillings

Euros

Other 
currencies

0.1

–

(1.6)

(1.5)

3.7

3.2

(9.1)

(2.2)

0.5

0.4

–

0.9

0.8

0.2

(0.2)

0.8

Total

5.1

3.8

(10.9)

(2.0)

The Company negotiated industrial gas sales contracts with gas prices which, subject to certain floors and ceilings, are 
determined as a discount to the lowest cost alternative fuels in Dar es Salaam, namely Heavy Fuel Oil (“HFO”) and coal. 
The price of HFO is exposed to the volatility in the market price of crude oil.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements71

C. 

Interest rate risk

Interest  rate  risk  is  the  risk  that  future  cash  flows  will  fluctuate  as  a  result  of  changes  in  market  interest  rates.  The 
Company has minimal exposure to interest rates as the long-term loan has a fixed interest rate and interest received 
on cash balances is not significant.

D.  Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to 
meet its contractual obligations and arises principally from the Company’s receivables from TANESCO and Songas. The 
carrying amount of accounts receivable and the long-term receivable represents the maximum credit exposure. As at 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, provisions exist against all of the long-term TANESCO receivable, gas plant operations 
and capital expenditure receivables from Songas, and a receivable of $0.5 million from one industrial customer. No 
write-off of any receivables occurred in 2018 or 2017 (see Note 12).

All the Company’s production is currently derived in Tanzania. The sales are made to the Power sector and the Industrial 
sector. In relation to sales to the Power sector, the Company has a contract with Songas for the supply of gas to the 
Ubungo power plant and a contract with TANESCO to supply gas to certain TANESCO power plants. The contracts 
with Songas and TANESCO accounted for 48% of the Company’s gross field revenue operating revenue during 2018 
and $2.5 million of the short and long-term receivables at year-end. 

The Company manages the credit exposure related to cash and cash equivalents by selecting counterparties based 
on credit ratings and monitoring all investments to ensure a stable return, avoiding complex investment vehicles with 
higher risk such as asset backed commercial paper. The Company’s cash resources are placed with reputable financial 
institutions with no history of default. 

E. 

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities. Cash forecasts identifying 
liquidity requirements of the Company are produced on a regular basis. These are reviewed to ensure sufficient funds 
exist to finance the Company’s current operational and investment cash flow requirements. At December 31, 2018 the 
Company has working capital of $84.2 million which is net of $64.4 million of financial liabilities with regards to trade 
and other payables of which $40.3 million is due within one to three months, nil is due within three to six months, and 
$19.4 million is due within six to twelve months (see Note 14). 

At the end of the year approximately 66% of the current liabilities relate to TPDC (see Note 14). The amounts due to 
TPDC represent its share of Profit Gas; in accordance with the terms of the PSA, TPDC is entitled to the payment of 
its share of Profit Gas on a quarterly basis proportional to the cash receipts during the quarter. A large proportion of 
the TPDC liability is associated with the long-term TANESCO arrears and payment to TPDC are made when cash is 
received for the arrears. 

F.  Capital risk management

The  Company’s  objectives  when  managing  capital  are  to  safeguard  the  Company’s  ability  to  continue  as  a  going 
concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to achieve an optimal 
capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The level of risk currently in Tanzania prohibits the optimization of capital 
structure as many sources of traditional capital are unavailable.

G.  Country risk

The  Company  has  unresolved  disputes  with  TPDC  related  to  Cost  Gas  revenue,  TANESCO  and  SONGAS  regarding 
unpaid invoices, and the Tanzanian Revenue Authority (“TRA”) in relation to tax disputes. The Company continues to 
rely upon its rights under the existing PSA and has initiated notices of disputes as required under the PSA and by local 
tax regulations to resolve outstanding issues. The Company has put in place an advisory committee of experienced 
individuals with significant experience working with the Tanzanian government to mitigate the risks of doing business 
in Tanzania.

notes72

6

  SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has one reportable industry segment which is international exploration, development and production of 
petroleum and natural gas. The Company currently has producing and exploration assets in Tanzania and had exploration 
and appraisal interests in Italy.

$’000

External revenue

Segment income (loss) (1)

Finance income (2)

Indirect tax (2)

Interest expense (2)

Depletion & depreciation

$’000

Capital additions (3)

Total assets

Total liabilities

2018

ITALY

Tanzania

–

340

–

–

–

–

Italy

–

748

16

57,766

12,930

1,709

3,689

10,994

9,660

2018

Tanzania

5,843

261,293

168,723

Total

57,766

13,270

1,709

3,689

10,994

9,660

Total

5,843

262,441

168,739

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2017

Tanzania

Total

60,832

(2,673)

366

3,046

10,059

9,027

60,832

(2,500)

366

3,046

10,059

9,027

Italy

–

173

–

–

–

–

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2017

Italy

Tanzania

–

2,041

493

8,897

247,508

170,325

Total

8,897

249,549

170,818

(1)  The income in Italy relates to foreign exchange gains on the euro cash balances held in country as well as the reversal of a provision  

following VAT recovery. 

(2)  See Note 9.
(3)  See Notes 12 & 13.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements7

  REVENUE

$’000

Industrial sector

Power sector

Gross field revenue

TPDC share of revenue

Company operating revenue

Current income tax adjustment

Revenue

73

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

39,095

40,395

79,490

(25,056)

54,434

3,332

57,766

2017

35,440

35,916

71,356

(17,640)

53,716

7,116

60,832

Prior to 2016 the Company had reached an understanding with TANESCO that it would continue to supply gas if TANESCO 
remained reasonably current with payments for gas deliveries. Up to September 30, 2016 the Company recorded revenue 
from TANESCO based on volumes delivered, however, TANESCO payments were inconsistent and not always in compliance 
with the agreed understanding resulting in the Company recording provisions for doubtful accounts for amounts outstanding 
from TANESCO for more than 60 days. Commencing on October 1, 2016 the Company began recording revenues for sales 
to TANESCO based on the expected amount to be collected, which represents a percentage of the amounts invoiced to 
TANESCO determined by comparison of TANESCO’s payment history to the amounts invoiced by the Company over the 
previous three years. Management believes this approach provides the best estimate of TANESCO’s ability to pay and remain 
reasonably current, and as well, reflects the economic reality of the situation (see Note 12).

The trend from 2017 of TANESCO paying in excess of gas delivered continued in 2018. The Company invoiced TANESCO 
$31.7 million (2017: $31.1 million) for gas deliveries and received $43.3 million (2017: $46.0 million) in payments during 2018. 
Based on the consistent payments from TANESCO, the Company: (i) recognized all amounts invoiced for gas deliveries 
in  2018    as  revenue;  (ii)  recognized  $8.4  million  (2017:  $  nil)  of  previously  deferred  revenue  as  finance  income  (which 
represented excess cash received over invoiced amounts for gas deliveries which had not previously been applied against 
long term TANESCO arrears); and (iii) recognized $8.8 million during the year as finance income relating to the amounts 
collected during 2018 that were applied towards the long term TANESCO arrears previously provided for.  

The  Company  sells  its  natural  gas  to  power  customers  (TANESCO  and  Songas)  and  one  industrial  customer  (a  cement 
manufacturer) pursuant to fixed-price contracts. Sales to 37 other industrial customers are at fixed priced discounts (subject 
to certain floors and ceilings) to the lowest alternative fuel source in Dar es Salaam, Heavy Fuel Oil (“HFO”) and coal. Under 
all contracts, the Company is required to deliver volumes of natural gas to the contract counterparty. Natural gas revenue 
is recognized when the Company gives up control of the natural gas which occurs at metering points located at the inlets 
of customers’ facilities. The amount of production revenue recognized is based on the agreed transaction price and the 
volumes delivered.

The Company has entered into contracts with customers with terms ranging from four to eight years.

notes74

8

  PERSONNEL EXPENSES

$’000

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other statutory costs

Stock based compensation (Note 16)

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

2017

8,298

315

378

8,991

4,643

13,634

9,540

343

330

10,213

6,619

16,832

Wages, salaries and related costs for 2018 of $9.0 million (2017: $10.2 million) are recorded in production, distribution and 
transportation expenses and general administrative expenses at $2.9 million (2017: $2.0 million) and $6.1 million (2017: $8.2 
million), respectively. Personnel expenses include Company employees who operate the plant on behalf of Songas; these 
expenses are recharged to Songas.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements9

FINANCE INCOME AND EXPENSE

Finance income

$’000

Interest income

Investment income

Reversal of provision for doubtful accounts

75

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

625

1,084

17,427

19,136

2017

366

–

–

366

The reversal of the provision for doubtful accounts of $17.4 million during the year includes $8.1 million previously recorded 
as deferred revenue, $7.8 million of excess cash receipts over invoiced gas deliveries during 2018, $1.2 million of operatorship 
receivables previously charged to Songas and fully provided for at the end of 2017 and $0.3 million previously provided 
against an outstanding VAT claim (see Notes 7 and 12).

At December 31, 2018 the Company had $66.8 million invested in US dollar short-term bonds with maturity dates from 
March 2019 to December 2019 and a range of interest rates from 0.875% to 2.125%. The $1.1 million investment income 
for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes accrued interest of $0.6 million and amortization of the discount on the 
acquisition of the bonds of $0.5 million. To date the Company has received interest income of $0.7 million. The Company’s 
intent is to hold the bond investments to maturity; however, the bonds are highly liquid by their nature and may readily be 
liquidated into cash if necessary. 

Finance expense

$’000

Base interest expense

Participatory interest expense

Interest expense

Net foreign exchange loss (gain)

Recovery of provision for doubtful accounts

Indirect tax

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

6,249

4,745

10,994

695

–

3,689

15,378

2017

6,250

3,809

10,059

(184)

(90)

3,046

12,831

Base  interest  expense  and  participatory  interest  expense  relate  to  the  long-term  loan  with  the  International  Finance 
Corporation (“IFC”). The amount of base interest expense during the year was $6.2 million (2017: $6.3 million); the interest 
expense is payable quarterly in arrears. The participatory interest expense of $4.7 million (2017: $3.8 million) is paid annually 
in arrears, it equates to 6.4% of PAET’s net cash flows from operating activities net of net cash flows used in investing activities 
for the year (see Note 15).  The increase is related to an additional payment of $2.6 million associated with the sale of the 7.9% 
interest in PAEM in January 2018 (see Notes 15 and 23).

The indirect tax of $3.7 million for the year (2017: $3.0 million) is for VAT associated with invoices to TANESCO for interest 
on late payments and invoices under provisions within the PGSA for differences between gas contracted for delivery and 
gas taken by TANESCO. These amounts are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements due to not meeting the 
revenue recognition criteria with respect to assurance of collectability (see Note 12). 

The recovery of provision for doubtful accounts for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $0.1 million represents a receipt 
from an industrial debtor which had been previously provided against.

notes 
76

10

  INCOME TAXES

The tax charge is as follows:

$’000

Current tax

Deferred tax expense (recovery)

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

4,588

1,016

5,604

2017

7,873

(1,162)

6,711

Tax of $ nil was paid during the year in relation to the settlement of the prior year’s tax liability (2017: $1.4 million). Installment 
tax payments totaling $5.5 million were made in respect of the current year (2017: $8.7 million). These are presented as a 
reduction in tax payable on the consolidated statement of financial position.

Tax rate reconciliation

$’000

Income before tax per Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Less Additional Profits Tax

Income before statutory tax

Provision for income tax calculated at the statutory rate of 30%

Effect on income tax of:

Administrative and operating expenses

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

Stock-based compensation

TANESCO interest not recognized as interest income (Note 9)

Change in unrecognized tax asset

Other permanent differences

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

22,181

(3,014)

19,167

5,750

1,478

92

878

1,936

(4,903)

373

5,604

2017

6,274

(2,063)

4,211

1,263

1,732

(47)

1,596

1,661

468

38

6,711

As  at  December  31,  2018  the  provision  for  doubtful  debt  from  TANESCO  has  resulted  in  a  $21.7  million  unrecognized 
deferred tax asset (2017: $23.9 million). If this amount was ultimately not recovered, the Company would also be entitled to 
a $19.4 million (2017: $17.8 million) recovery of Value Added Tax.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsThe deferred income tax liability includes the following temporary differences:

77

$’000

Differences between tax base and carrying value 
of property, plant and equipment

Tax recoverable from TPDC

Provision for doubtful debt 

Additional Profits Tax

Unrealized exchange losses/other provisions

11

  ADDITIONAL PROFITS TAX

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2018

2017

(24,746)

(2,128)

2,720

11,248

78

(12,828)

(22,444)

(3,378)

3,080

10,381

550

(11,811)

Under the terms of the PSA, in the event that all costs have been recovered with an annual cash return from the PSA of 
25% plus the percentage change in the United States Industrial Goods Producer Price Index (“PPI”), an Additional Profits Tax 
(“APT”) is payable.

The Company provides for APT by forecasting the total APT payable as a proportion of the Company’s forecast Profit Gas 
over the term of the PSA. The effective APT rate of 19.4% (2017: 19.4%) has been applied to Profit Gas of $15.5 million (2017: 
$10.6 million). Accordingly, $3.0 million of APT has been recorded as other income tax for the year ended December 31, 
2018 (2017: $2.1 million). The Company has yet to earn an annual cash return of 25% and as such, none of the accrued 
amount is currently payable. 

notes78

12

  TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Current receivables

$’000

Trade receivables

Songas

Industrial customers

Less provision for doubtful accounts

Other receivables

Songas gas plant operations

Other

Less provision for doubtful accounts

Trade receivables aged analysis

$’000

Songas

Industrial customers

Less provision for doubtful accounts

$’000

Songas

Industrial customers

Less provision for doubtful accounts

Long-term receivables

$’000

TANESCO receivable

Provision for doubtful accounts

Net TANESCO receivable

VAT Songas workovers

VAT bond

Lease deposit

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2018

2017

2,489

9,107

(452)

11,144

6,496

1,937

(3,715)

4,718

15,862

2,378

6,915

(452)

8,841

5,827

2,521

(4,916)

3,432

12,273

AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2018

>90

–

1,425

(452)

973

Total

2,489

9,107

(452)

11,144

AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2017

>90

–

640

(452)

188

Total

2,378

6,915

(452)

8,841

AS AT DECEMBER 31

Current

>30 <60

>60 <90

1,244

2,213

–

3,457

1,245

3,812

–

5,057

–

1,657

–

1,657

Current

>30 <60

>60 <90

1,210

3,718

–

4,928

1,168

2,155

–

3,323

–

402

–

402

2018

58,498

(58,498)

–

2,205

–

219

2,424

2017

74,361

(74,361)

–

2,205

363

229

2,797

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements79

TANESCO

At  December  31,  2018  the  current  receivable  from  TANESCO  was  $  nil  (December  31,  2017:  $  nil).  During  the  year,  the 
amounts  received  from  TANESCO  were  in  excess  of  the  revenue  recognized  for  gas  sales  to  TANESCO  resulting  in  a 
deferred revenue balance of $ nil (December 31, 2017: $8.4 million) after the $15.9 million of cumulative excess cash receipts 
over sales invoiced in 2018 were recorded to the long-term arrears along with the associated reversal of the provision for 
doubtful accounts (2017: $3.8 million).

The  TANESCO  long-term  trade  receivable  at  December  31,  2018  was  $58.5  million  with  a  provision  of  $58.5  million 
compared to $74.4 million (with a provision of $74.4 million) at December 31, 2017. Subsequent to December 31, 2018 the 
Company has invoiced TANESCO $15.6 million for 2018 gas deliveries and TANESCO has paid the Company $18.0 million. 

Songas

As at December 31, 2018 Songas owed the Company $9.0 million (December 31, 2017: $8.2 million), while the Company 
owed Songas $2.2 million (December 31, 2017: $2.0 million). The amounts due to the Company are mainly for sales of gas 
of $2.5 million (December 31, 2017: $2.4 million) and for the operation of the gas plant of $6.5 million (December 31, 2017: 
$5.8 million) against which the Company has made a provision for doubtful accounts of $3.7 million (December 31, 2017: 
$4.9 million). The amounts due to Songas primarily relate to pipeline tariff charges of $1.8 million (December 31, 2017: $1.7 
million). The operation of the gas plant is conducted at cost and the charges are billed to Songas on a flow through basis.

In Q1 2017, based on agreement with TPDC, the Songas share of workover costs of $14.5 million were transferred to the cost 
pool to recover the costs via the PSA cost recovery mechanism. This resulted in: 

i) 

$7.4 million of the Songas receivable being reclassified to plant, property and equipment equal to the proportion not 
previously provided against. This represents the value which will be recovered via the PSA revenue sharing mechanism; 

ii) 

the write-off of the $4.9 million portion of the Songas receivable that had been previously provided for; and 

iii)  $2.2 million relating to VAT on the workovers that had already been paid being reclassified as a long-term receivable. 
The Company continues to take action to collect the $14.5 million of workover costs. Amounts not collected will be 
pursued through the mechanisms provided in the agreements with Songas.

All amounts due to and from Songas have been summarized in the table below:

December 
31, 2017

Year to date 
transactions

December 
31, 2018

Post year-end 
payments 
and receipts

Outstanding 
as at the date 
of this report

Pipeline tariff – payable

Gas sales – receivable

Gas plant operation receivable

Provision for gas plant operation receivable

Other payable

Net balances

(1,670)

2,378

5,827

(4,916)

(378)

1,241

(115)

111

669

1,201

–

1,866

(1,785)

2,489

6,496

(3,715)

(378)

3,107

1,785

(2,489)

(930)

–

–

(1,634)

–

–

5,566

(3,715)

(378)

(1,473)

notes80

13

  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

$’000

Costs

Oil & natural 
gas interests

Leasehold 
improvements

Computer 
equipment

Vehicles

Fixtures  
& fittings

Total

As at December 31, 2017

Additions

As at December 31, 2018

204,266

5,744

210,010

Accumulated depletion and depreciation

As at December 31, 2017

Depletion and depreciation

As at December 31, 2018

Net book values

93,258

9,495

102,753

699

–

699

694

5

699

1,487

57

1,544

1,315

94

1,409

As at December 31, 2018

107,257

–

135

449

–

449

346

63

409

40

1,126

42

1,168

1,123

3

208,027

5,843

213,870

96,736

9,660

1,126

106,396

42

107,474

$’000

Costs

Oil & natural 
gas interests

Leasehold 
improvements

Computer 
equipment

Vehicles

Fixtures & 
fittings

Total

As at December 31, 2016

Additions (1)

As at December 31, 2017

195,622

8,644

204,266

Accumulated depletion and depreciation

As at December 31, 2016

Depletion and depreciation

As at December 31, 2017

84,580

8,678

93,258

Net book values

699

–

699

519

175

694

1,303

184

1,487

1,241

74

1,315

380

69

449

249

97

346

1,126

–

199,130

8,897

1,126

208,027

1,120

3

1,123

87,709

9,027

96,736

As at December 31, 2017

111,008

5

172

103

3

111,291

(1)   Additions include a transfer of $7.4 million in relation to the Songas share of workover costs (see Note 12).

In determining the depletion charge, it is estimated that future development costs of $72.0 million (December 31, 2017: $80.4 
million) will be required to bring the total proved reserves to production. The decrease in estimated future development 
costs  is  a  result  of  expenditures  during  the  year  of  $5.7  million  and  revision  of  future  cost  estimates.  The  future  capital 
expenditures are estimates of costs required to ensure the Company can produce the required gas volumes to meet its 
contractual obligations for the remaining life of the licence. During the year the Company recorded depreciation of $0.2 
million (2017: $0.3 million) in general and administrative expenses.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
14

  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

$’000

Songas

Other trade payables

Trade payables

TPDC Profit Gas entitlement, net

Accrued liabilities

TPDC share of Profit Gas

$’000

TPDC Profit Gas entitlement

Less "Adjustment Factor"

TPDC Profit Gas entitlement, net

81

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2017

1,670

1,961

3,631

33,422

19,705

56,758

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2017

35,876

(2,454)

33,422

2018

1,785

2,725

4,510

40,260

14,864

59,634

2018

40,606

(346)

40,260

Under the PSA revenue sharing mechanism, the Company is to adjust TPDC’s Profit Gas entitlement by the “Adjustment 
Factor”. The Adjustment Factor is equal to the amount necessary to fully pay and discharge the PAET liability for taxes on 
income derived from Petroleum Operations. 

notes82

15

  LONG-TERM LOAN

The  Company’s  subsidiary,  PAET,  entered  into  a  loan  agreement  (the  “Loan”)  in  2015  with  the  International  Finance 
Corporation (“IFC”), a member of the World Bank Group, for $60 million. The Loan was fully drawn down in 2016.

The  term  of  the  Loan  is  ten  years,  with  no  repayment  of  principal  for  the  first  seven  years,  followed  by  a  three-year 
amortization period. The Loan is to be paid out through six semi-annual payments of $5 million starting April 15, 2022 and 
one final payment of $30 million due on April 15, 2025. The Company may voluntarily prepay all or part of the Loan but 
must simultaneously pay any accrued base interest costs related to the principal amount being prepaid. If any portion of the 
Loan is prepaid prior to the fourth anniversary of the first drawdown (December 14, 2015), the Company would be required 
to pay the accrued base interest as if the prepaid portion of the Loan had remained outstanding for the full four years. The 
Loan is an unsecured subordinated obligation of PAET and was initially guaranteed by the Company to a maximum of $30 
million. The initial guarantee may only be called upon by IFC at maturity in 2025 and, subject to IFC approval and receipt of 
all required regulatory approvals, the Company at its discretion may issue shares in fulfillment of all or part of the guarantee 
obligation in 2025. Pursuant to the sale of the non-controlling interest in PAEM, the Company agreed with the IFC to reduce 
the outstanding amount of the loan by the percentage interest sold in PAEM of 7.9% ($4.8 million) on the fourth anniversary 
of the first drawdown. The Company has provided an additional guarantee to the IFC that if PAET is unable to pay down the 
loan on or before December 14, 2019, the Company will make the payment. This guarantee is in addition to the Company’s 
initial guarantee.

Base interest on the Loan is payable quarterly at 10% per annum on a ‘pay-if-you-can-basis’ using a formula to calculate the 
net cash available for such payments as at any given interest payment date. The amount of base interest during 2018 was 
$6.2 million (2017: $6.3 million). 

In addition, the Loan initially included an annual variable participatory interest equating to 7.0% of the net cash flow from 
operating activities less net cash flows used in investing activities of PAET in respect of any given year. Such participatory 
interest will continue until October 15, 2026 regardless whether the Loan is repaid prior to its contractual maturity date. The 
participatory interest charged during 2018 was $4.7 million (2017: $3.8 million). The charge includes an additional payment 
of $2.6 million (2017: $ nil) associated with the sale of the 7.9% interest in PAEM in January 2018 in accordance with the 
terms of the Loan (see Note 23). As a result of the additional payment, the annual variable participatory interest is reduced 
from 7% to 6.45%. At December 31, 2018 the participatory interest included in accrued liabilities is $2.2 million (December 
31, 2017: $3.8 million).

Dividends  and  distributions  from  PAET  to  the  Company  are  restricted  at  any  time  that  any  amounts  of  unpaid  interest, 
principal or participating interest are outstanding. All amounts under the Loan have been paid when due.

$’000

Loan principal

Financing costs

Current portion of loan

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2017

60,000

(1,482)

-

58,518

2018

60,000

(1,340)

(4,760)

53,900

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements83

16

  CAPITAL STOCK

Authorised

50,000,000 

100,000,000 

100,000,000 

Class A common shares 

Class B subordinate voting shares 

First preference shares 

No par value

No par value

No par value

The Class A and Class B shares rank pari passu in respect of dividends and repayment of capital in the event of winding-up. 
Class A shares carry twenty (20) votes per share and Class B shares carry one vote per share. The Class A shares are convertible 
at the option of the holder at any time into Class B shares on a one-for-one basis. The Class B shares are convertible into 
Class A shares on a one-for-one basis in the event that a take-over bid is made to purchase Class A shares which must, by 
reason of a stock exchange or legal requirements, be made to all or substantially all of the holders of Class A shares and 
which is not concurrently made to holders of Class B shares.

Changes in the capital stock of the Company were as follows:

2018

2017

Authorised
(000)

Issued
(000)

Amount
($’000)

Authorised
(000)

Issued
(000)

Amount
($’000)

Number of shares

Class A

As at December 31 

50,000

1,750

983

50,000

1,750

983

Class B

As at December 31 

100,000

33,506

85,525

100,000

33,506

85,525

First preference

As at December 31

Total Class A, Class B 
and first preference 

All issued capital stock is fully paid. 

Stock Appreciation 
Rights (“SARs”)

Outstanding as at January 1 

Exercised

Exercised

Exercised

Exercised

Granted

Granted 

Forfeited (1)

Forfeited (1)

Outstanding as at 
December 31

100,000

–

–

100,000

–

–

250,000

35,256

86,508

250,000

35,256

86,508

2018

SARs 
(000)

2,485

(1,270)

(100)

(175)

(85)

–

–

(100)

(110)

 Exercise price  
CDN$

2.12 to 3.87

2.12 to 2.30

2.32 to 2.70

3.02 to 3.25

3.84 to 3.87

–

–

2.30

3.84 to 3.87

2017

SARs 
(000)

2,430

(160)

(165)

(25)

–

90

365

–

(50)

Exercise price  
CDN$

2.12 to 3.25

2.12 to 2.30

2.32 to 2.70

3.02 to 3.25

–

2.12.to 2.30

3.84 to 3.87

–

3.84 to 3.87

645

2.30 to 3.87

2,485

2.12 to 3.87

(1)  The SARs were forfeited based on the grantee not remaining in employment of the Company for the required vesting period.

notes84

The number outstanding, the weighted average remaining life and weighted average exercise prices of SARs at December 
31, 2018 were as follows:

Exercise price (CDN$)

2.30

3.02 to 3.25

3.87

2.30 to 3.87

Restricted Stock Units 
(“RSUs”)

Outstanding as at January 1

Granted (1)

Exercised

Outstanding as at 
December 31

Number  
outstanding  

Weighted average 
remaining 
contractual life

(000)

290

235

120

645

(years)

0.12

1.52

3.01

1.20

Number  
exercisable  

(000)

34

55

60

149

2018

2017

RSUs

(000)

1,148

–

(1,060)

88

Exercise price 

(CDN$)

0.001

–

0.001

0.001

RSUs 

(000)

239

1,402

(493)

1,148

Weighted average  
exercise price

(CDN$)

2.30

3.04

3.87

2.86

Exercise price 

(CDN$)

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

(1)  A total of 1,402,322 RSUs were granted during 2017 and were fully vested by March 31, 2018. All RSUs have a term of five years. 

The number outstanding, the weighted average remaining life and weighted average exercise prices of RSUs at December 
31, 2018 were as follows:

Exercise price (CDN$)

0.001

Number  
outstanding  

Number  
exercisable  

Weighted average remaining 
contractual life

(000)

88

(000)

88

(years)

3.28

As SARs and RSUs are settled in cash, they are re-valued at each reporting date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model 
with the resulting liability being recognized in trade and other payables. In the valuation of stock appreciation rights and 
restricted stock units at the reporting date, the following assumptions have been made: a risk free rate of interest of 1.0%, 
stock volatility of 25.3% to 47.4%; 0% dividend yield; 5% forfeiture; a closing stock price of CDN$5.05 per share.

$’000

SARs

RSUs

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2017

4,339

3,555

7,894

2018

1,196

364

1,560

As at December 31, 2018 a total accrued liability of $1.6 million (December 31, 2017: $7.9 million) has been recognized in 
relation to SARs and RSUs which is included in other payables. The Company recognized an expense for the year of $4.6 
million (2017: $6.6 million) as stock based compensation. The Company stock option plan was terminated in 2018 and there 
are no stock options outstanding as at December 31, 2018.

On January 18, 2018 the Company declared a dividend of CDN$0.60 per share on each of its Class A voting and Class B 
subordinate voting shares to holders of record as of January 31, 2018 paid on February 7, 2018.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements17

  EARNINGS PER SHARE

(000)

Outstanding shares

85

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2018

2017

Weighted average number of Class A and Class B shares

Weighted average diluted number of Class A and Class B shares

35,256

35,256

34,858 

34,858 

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on a net income attributable to shareholders for the year of $13.3 million 
(2017: $2.5 million net loss) and a weighted average number of Class A and Class B shares outstanding during the period of 
35,256,432 (2017: 34,857,528).

18

  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

One of the non-executive Directors is counsel to a law firm that provides legal advice to the Company and its subsidiaries. 
For the year ended December 31, 2018 $0.3 million (2017: $0.9 million) was incurred by this firm for services provided. 

As at December 31, 2018 the Company has a total of $0.04 million (December 31, 2017: $0.5 million) recorded in trade and 
other payables in relation to the related parties.

notes86

19

   CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS  

& COMMITTED CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

Protected Gas

Under the terms of the Gas Agreement for the Songo Songo project (“Gas Agreement”), in the event that there is a shortfall/
insufficiency in Protected Gas as a consequence of the sale of Additional Gas, the Company is liable to pay the difference 
between the price of Protected Gas ($0.55/MMbtu escalated) and the price of an alternative feedstock multiplied by the 
volumes of Protected Gas up to a maximum of the volume of Additional Gas sold (191 Bcf as at December 31, 2018). The 
Company did not have a shortfall during the reporting period and does not anticipate a shortfall arising during the term of 
the Protected Gas delivery obligation to July 2024.

Terms of the Gas Agreement were modified by the Amended and Restated Gas Agreement (“ARGA”) which was initialed by 
all parties but remains unsigned. In certain respects, the parties thereto are conducting themselves as though the ARGA is in 
effect. Management does not foresee a material risk with the conduct of the Company’s business with an unsigned ARGA 
at this time.

Re-Rating Agreement

In 2011 the Company signed a re-rating agreement with TANESCO, TPDC and Songas (the “Re-Rating Agreement”) which 
evidenced an increase to the gas processing capacity of the Songas facilities to a maximum of 110 MMcfd (the pipeline 
and  delivery  pressure  requirements  at  the  Ubungo  power  plant  restrict  the  infrastructure  capacity  to  a  maximum  of  97 
MMcfd).  Songas  terminated  the  Re-Rating  Agreement  in  2014  although  there  remains  a  disagreement  as  to  its  current 
status. Under the terms of the Re-Rating Agreement, the Company paid additional compensation of $0.30/mcf for sales 
between  70  MMcfd  and  90  MMcfd  and  $0.40/mcf  for  volumes  above  90  MMcfd  by  issuing  credit  notes  to  TANESCO. 
This was in addition to the tariff of $0.59/mcf payable to Songas as set by the energy regulator, EWURA. In May 2016 the 
Company notified TANESCO and Songas that the additional compensation would no longer be paid effective June 2016. 
This additional compensation was always intended to be temporary in nature until such time as Songas applied to EWURA 
to  obtain  approval  of  a  new  tariff  for  the  processing  of  volumes  over  70  MMcfd.    The  PGSA  provides  for  passing  on  to 
TANESCO any tariff to be charged to the Company. 

The processing capacity at the Songas facilities remains unaltered and is fully available for utilization by the Company. This 
capacity is in addition to the capacity available within the NNGI which PAET started to utilize in December 2018. 

Under the terms of this agreement, the Company agreed to indemnify Songas for damage to its facilities caused by the 
re-rating, up to a maximum of $15.0 million, but only to the extent that this was not already recovered through TANESCO’s 
or Songas’ insurance policies.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements87

Portfolio Gas Supply Agreement ("PGSA")

On  June  17,  2011,  the  PGSA  was  signed  (term  to  June  2023)  between  TANESCO  (as  the  buyer)  and  the  Company  and 
TPDC (collectively as the seller). TANESCO requested a change to the PGSA MDQ in accordance with clause 7.6(b) which 
PAET and TPDC approved effective January 29, 2018. The seller is now obligated, subject to infrastructure capacity, to sell 
a maximum of approximately 26 MMcfd (previously 36 MMcfd) for use in any of TANESCO’s current power plants, except 
those operated by Songas at Ubungo. Under the agreement, the basic wellhead price of approximately $2.98/mcf increased 
to $3.04/mcf on July 1, 2017. Previously under the PGSA any sales in excess of 36 MMcfd were subject to a 150% increase 
in the basic wellhead gas price. On December 22, 2018 a side letter amendment to the PGSA was agreed with TPDC to 
allow PGSA volumes up to a maximum monthly average volume of 35 MMscf/d to temporarily flow through the NNGI. It is 
intended that this temporary arrangement is to be replaced by the initialed GSA. The excess and extra charges to TANESCO 
are not applicable for volumes supplied pursuant to the side letter agreement.

Operating leases

The Company has two office rental agreements, one in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and one in Winchester, United Kingdom. 
The agreement in Dar es Salaam was entered into on November 1, 2015 and expires on October 31, 2019 at an annual rent 
of $0.4 million. The agreement in Winchester expires on September 25, 2022 and is at an annual rental of $0.2 million per 
annum. The costs of these leases are recognized in the general and administrative expenses. Subsequent to year-end the 
Company leased offices in London for a twelve-month period for $0.2 million per annum. The intent is to sub-let the office 
in Winchester for the duration of the rental agreement but until a sub-let is finalized, the Company continues to make the 
quarterly rental payments. 

Capital Commitments

Tanzania

There are no contractual commitments for exploration or development drilling or other field development either in the 
PSA or otherwise agreed which would give rise to significant capital expenditure at Songo Songo. Any significant additional 
capital expenditure in Tanzania is discretionary.

The  completion  of  the  offshore  component  of  Phase  A  of  the  Development  Program  in  February  2016  improved  field 
deliverability and provided sufficient natural gas production to fill the Songas plant and pipeline to capacity for the greater 
portion of the remaining life of the production licence. The Company began work on the onshore component of Phase A 
of the Development Program in 2018 that includes the installation of a refrigeration unit at the Songas Gas processing plant 
with an estimated cost of $8.5 million and well workovers with an estimated cost of $13.6 million. A total of $4.2 million was 
incurred on the refrigeration project in 2018 which is scheduled for completion in Q2 2019. A portion of the costs are for 
workovers on wells SS-3 and SS-4 and assuming that Songas, the owner of the wells, funds the costs for these workovers 
the estimated workover cost to the Company will be $5.1 million. 

At the date of this report, the Company has no significant outstanding contractual commitment and has no outstanding 
orders for long lead items related to any capital programs.

notes88

20

  CONTINGENCIES

Upstream and downstream activities

The Petroleum Act, 2015 (the “Petroleum Act”) provides TPDC with exclusive rights over the distribution of gas in Tanzania. 
The  Petroleum  Act  has  grandfathering  provisions  upholding  the  rights  of  the  Company  to  develop  and  market  natural 
gas  produced  under  the  PSA  as  it  was  signed  prior  to  the  Petroleum  Act  coming  into  effect  in  2015.  However,  it  is  still 
unclear how the provisions of the Petroleum Act will be interpreted and implemented regarding upstream and downstream 
activities and the Company is uncertain regarding the potential impact on its business in Tanzania.

On  October  7,  2016  the  Government  of  Tanzania  issued  the  Petroleum  (Natural  Gas  Pricing)  Regulation  made  under 
Sections 165 and 258 (I) of the Petroleum Act. Article 260 (3) of the Petroleum Act preserves the Company’s pre-existing 
right with TPDC to market and sell Additional Gas together or independently on terms and conditions (including prices) 
negotiated  with  third  party  Natural  Gas  customers.  The  impact  of  the  Natural  Gas  Pricing  Regulation,  if  any,  cannot  be 
determined at this time.

TPDC Back-in

TPDC has the right under the PSA to ‘back in’ to the Songo Songo field development and convert this into a carried working 
interest in the PSA. The current terms of the PSA require TPDC to provide formal notice in a defined period and contribute 
a proportion of the costs of any development, sharing in the risks in return for an additional share of the gas. To date, TPDC 
has not contributed any costs. 

For the purpose of the reserves certification as at December 31, 2018, there are no planned drilling activities to the end of 
the licence.

Cost recovery

TPDC conducted an audit of the historic Cost Pool and in 2011 disputed approximately $34 million of costs that had been 
recovered from the Cost Pool from 2002 through to 2009. In 2014 a substantial portion of the disputed costs were agreed 
to be cost recoverable by TPDC. Under the dispute mechanism outlined in the PSA, TPDC are to appoint an independent 
specialist to assist the parties in reaching agreement on costs that are still subject to dispute. In 2014, prior to appointing 
an independent specialist, TPDC suspended the process. Subsequent to December 31, 2018 discussions on the disputed 
amounts resumed with TPDC based on the most recent report published by the Tanzanian attorney general highlighting the 
lack of progress in resolving the long-standing dispute. At the time of writing this report no independent specialist has been 
appointed. If the matter is not resolved to the Company’s satisfaction, the Company intends to proceed to arbitration via the 
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) pursuant to the terms of the PSA. 

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements89

Taxation

TAX DISPUTE

DISPUTED AMOUNTS $'MILLION

 Area

Period

Reason for dispute

Principal

Interest

Pay-As-You-
Earn (“PAYE”) tax

2008-10

PAYE tax on grossed-up amounts in staff 
salaries which are contractually stated as net.

Withholding 
tax (“WHT”)

2005-10

WHT on services performed outside of 
Tanzania by non-resident persons.

0.3

1.0

–

0.7

Total

0.3 (1)

1.7 (2)

Income Tax

2008-15

Deductibility of capital expenditures and 
expenses (2009 and 2012), additional 
income tax (2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012), 
tax on repatriated income (2012), foreign 
exchange rate application (2013 and 2015) 
and underestimation of tax due (2014).

VAT

2008-10

Output VAT on imported services 
and SSI Operatorship services.

29.0

13.6

42.6 (3)

2.7

33.0

2.8

17.1

5.5 (4)

50.1

Management, with the advice from its legal counsels, has reviewed the Company’s position on the objections and appeals 
related to the disputed amounts and has concluded that no provision is required with regard to these matters and that the 
maximum exposure is $50.1 million (December 31, 2017: $47.2 million). 

(2) 

(1)  2015 ($0.3 million): PAET appealed the Tax Revenue Appeals Board (“TRAB”) ruling that PAET is liable to pay PAYE on grossed-up amounts on staff salaries. 
TRAB waived interest assessed thereon. The Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal (“TRAT”) upheld the TRAB decision which ruled in favour of the TRA on principal 
tax demanded but waived interest assessed thereon. In 2017 PAET appealed the TRAT ruling to the Court of Appeal of Tanzania (“CAT”). PAET is awaiting the 
CAT hearing date to be set;
(a)   2005-2009 ($1.6 million): In 2016 TRA filed an application for review of the CAT decision in favour of PAET that no WHT was required on services 
performed outside Tanzania by non-resident persons and later filed another application for leave to amend its earlier application. At the CAT hearing 
in Q1 2017, TRA withdrew their second application for review. In Q2 2017 the CAT accepted PAET’s preliminary objection against the TRA application. 
On July 28, 2017 TRA filed another application for extension of time for their application, under the certificate of urgency, for the CAT to review its 
judgement. During Q1 2018 CAT ruled in favour of PAET’s preliminary objection. In Q4 2018 the TRA applied to the CAT to file an application for review 
out of time but consequently withdrew its application at the time the Company was preparing to file a preliminary objection against the application. It 
is not clear whether the TRA will seek to re-file their application;

(b)   2010 ($0.1 million): TRAB is awaiting a ruling from the review by the CAT on the 2005-2009 case which would influence TRAB’s decision on this matter 

accordingly;

(c)   2012-2015 ($0.0 million): TRA has assessed the Company for withholding tax for services not in the Company’s records. Management has objected the 

assessment and is awaiting TRA response;

(3) 

(a)   2008 ($0.6 million): In Q2 2017 TRA issued an adjusted assessment which accepted PAET’s position that there was no tax payable for the year. The 
assessment, however, did not recognize a tax loss carried forward of $1.8 million (with tax impact of $0.6 million). PAET has objected to the assessment 
for being time-barred, incorrect and arbitrary;

(b)   2009 ($2.6 million): In 2015 TRAB ruled against PAET with respect to timing of deductibility of capital expenditures and other expenses ($1.8 million). 
In Q2 2017 PAET lost an appeal at TRAT and in July 2018 lost an appeal at CAT. The Company has filed an application for review of the judgement and 
is awaiting CAT hearing date. In July 2017 TRA sent PAET an amended assessment claiming additional taxes, interest and penalties ($0.8 million). PAET 
has objected to the assessment for being time-barred and arbitrary and is awaiting a TRA response;

(c)   2010 ($2.4 million): PAET filed an appeal with TRAB against a TRA assessment with respect to timing of deductibility of capital expenditures and other 

expenses as well as underestimation of interest and penalty amounts. The Company is awaiting for a date of hearing at TRAB;

(d)   2011 ($1.9 million): In Q2 2017 PAET filed an appeal at TRAB against a TRA assessment with respect to timing of deductibility of capital expenditures and 
other expenses ($1.7 million). The Company is awaiting for a date of hearing at TRAB. PAET is also awaiting a TRA response on an objection of another 
assessment with respect to alleged late filing penalty and under-estimation of interest ($0.2 million) raised for the year;

notes 
 
 
 
 
90

(e)   2012 ($15.5 million): In 2016 TRA issued two assessments with respect to understated revenue, timing of deductibility of capital expenditures, expenses 
and tax on repatriated income. PAET filed an appeal with TRAB against the TRA decision to deny PAET a waiver for payment of a deposit required for 
its objection to be admitted but was granted a partial waiver only. PAET appealed the decision demanding full waiver of the deposit and also filed an 
application for the stay of execution with TRAT in response to the TRA demand notice for the payment of the deposit ruled by TRAB. TRAT upheld the 
TRAB decision for partial waiver. Aggrieved by the TRAT decision, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the Court of Appeal and is awaiting a 
hearing date;

(f)   2013 ($8.2 million): In 2016 PAET filed objections to a TRA assessment with respect to foreign exchange rate application and is awaiting a response. 
PAET received TRA assessments for corporation tax ($1.9 million) which disallowed certain operating costs included in the tax returns and tax on 
repatriated income ($6.3 million). PAET has objected to the assessments due to being time-barred and without merit. PAET has also appealed to 
TRAB the TRA decision not to exercise its administrative powers judiciously to grant the waiver on one-third deposit required to be paid to admit the 
objection and now is awaiting for a date of hearing at TRAB;

(g)   2014 ($11.0 million): In 2016 TRA issued an assessment of $3.3 million with respect to underestimation of tax due based on the provisional quarterly 
payments made by PAET, delayed filings of returns and late payments. PAET filed objections to the assessments and is awaiting a response. PAET has 
also appealed to TRAB the TRA decision not to exercise its administrative powers judiciously to grant the waiver on one-third deposit required to be 
paid to admit the objection and now is awaiting for a hearing date at TRAB. TRA issued two additional assessments for the year for corporation tax of 
$4.7 million and tax on repatriated income $3.0 million. PAET has objected the assessments and is awaiting TRA response;

(h)   2015 ($0.4 million): In 2016 TRA issued a self-assessment. PAET filed an objection to the assessment with respect to foreign exchange rate application 

and is awaiting a response;

(4) 

(a)   2008-2010 ($5.4 million): In 2016 TRA responded to PAET’s objection filed in 2014 and issued an assessment in respect of output VAT on imported 
services and SSI Operatorship services. PAET filed an appeal with TRAB against the TRA assessment. The appeal was heard on November 1-2, 2018 and 
the parties are now awaiting for the TRAB judgement; and

(b)   2012-2014 ($0.1 million): TRA issued an assessment for VAT on other income that PAET had paid. PAET has objected the assessment and is awaiting 

TRA response.

In 2016 TRA introduced significant changes in relation to the income tax treatment of the extractive sector with new separate 
chapters in Part V of the Income Tax Act 2004 (“ITA, 2004”) for mining and for petroleum to be effective commencing in 
2018. Subsequent to this, further changes were made by the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2017 (“WLMAA, 
2017”) and in particular section 36(a)(ii) of the WLMAA, 2017. The WLMAA, 2017 amended section 65M and 65N of the ITA 
2004 to exclude cost oil/cost gas from inclusion in both income and expenditure. The Company is still evaluating the tax 
effects of the the changes as there are a number of uncertainties and ambiguities as to the interpretation and application 
of certain provisions of the WLMAA, 2017. In the absence of guidance on these matters and until the 2018 tax returns are 
finalized which the Company expects to occur in June 2019, the Company expects to use what it believes are reasonable 
interpretations and assumptions in applying the WLMAA, 2017 for purposes of determining its tax liabilities and results of 
operations, which may change as it receives additional clarification and implementation guidance.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
91

21

  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS EMOLUMENTS

$’000

Directors

Directors

Officers

Officers

Year

Base

Bonus

2018

2017

2018

2017

528

600

1,845

1,668

–

–

–

280 

Stock based 
compensation 
expense

583

863

2,116

5,372 

Total

1,111

1,463 

3,961

7,320

The table above provides information on compensation relating to the Company’s officers and directors. Three officers 
and four non-executive directors comprised the key management personnel during the years ended December 31, 2018  

and 2017. 

22

  CHANGE IN NON-CASH OPERATING WORKING CAPITAL 

$’000

Reversal of provision for doubtful accounts

Decrease in trade and other receivables

Decrease in prepayments

(Decrease) Increase in trade and other payables

Decrease in tax payable

Decrease (increase) in long-term receivable

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2018

(16,227)

8,918

(351)

(9,572)

(865)

373

(17,724)

2017

(90)

5,310

(215)

20,583

(2,172)

(2,153)

21,263

notes92

23

  NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

On January 16, 2018 the Company sold 7.9 per cent (7,933 Class A common shares) of its subsidiary, PAEM, to a wholly 
owned subsidiary of Swala Oil & Gas (Tanzania) plc. (“Swala”) for $15.7 million cash (net of closing adjustments) and $4.0 
million of Swala convertible preference shares pursuant to a share purchase agreement. The preference shares were issued 
to the Company on June 18, 2018 and entitle the Company to a 10% per annum distribution payable 15 days after each 
quarter end commencing from the closing date, January 16, 2018. Payment of the quarterly distributions is at the discretion 
of  Swala  based  on  funds  available,  however,  the  liability  accrues  if  any  amount  is  unpaid  when  due.  If  any  distributable 
amount remains unpaid at December 31, 2021, the Company may demand settlement and Swala is obligated to comply by 
transferring and returning shares of PAEM sold to Swala; the aggregate value of these shares will equal to the amount of the 
outstanding distributions. As at December 31, 2018 the Company has not received any distributions or recorded any amount 
receivable related to the preference shares.

Swala is obligated to redeem 20% of the preference shares for cash annually starting December 31, 2021 until all shares are 
redeemed. If at any time Swala does not redeem in cash the required number of shares, Swala shall be obligated to redeem 
the preferred shares by transferring and returning shares of PAEM sold to Swala; the aggregate value of these shares will 
equal the amount of any outstanding redemption.

Following the issue of the preference shares the Company recorded a further price adjustment of $0.3 million as a result of 
paying a dividend that was due on closing but withheld pending the issue of the preference shares. This reduced the total 
cash consideration for tranche one of the transaction to $15.4 million.

The share purchase agreement provided Swala with the right to acquire up to a maximum of 40% of the outstanding Class 
A shares of PAEM based on the same terms and conditions. Subsequent to December 31, 2018 the Company terminated 
this right.

A reconciliation of the non-controlling interest is detailed below:

(000)

Balance, beginning of period

Recorded at the date of disposition

Share of post-disposition income

Balance, end of period

During the year a dividend of $1.0 million was paid by PAEM to Swala.

24

  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

AS AT DECEMBER 31

2017

–

–

– 

– 

2018

–

178

293

471

On January 22, 2019 the Company declared a dividend of CDN$0.05 per share on each of its Class A voting and Class B 
subordinate voting shares to holders of record as of March 31, 2019 and payable on or about April 30, 2019.

ORCA EXPLORATION GROUP INC. |  2018 ANNUAL REPORTNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsCorporate Information

Board of Directors

Nigel Friend 
Executive Director and 
Chief Executive Officer

Richmond, London 
United Kingdom

Officers

Nigel Friend 
Chief Executive Officer

Richmond, London 
United Kingdom

David W. Ross 
Non-Executive  
Director

Calgary, Alberta 
Canada

William H. Smith 
Non-Executive  
Director

Calgary, Alberta 
Canada

Glenn D. Gradeen 
Non-Executive Director

Calgary, Alberta 
Canada

Blaine Karst 
Chief Financial Officer

Calgary, Alberta 
Canada

Registered Office

Investor Relations

93

c
o
r
p
o
r
a
t
e

i

n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i

o
n

Operating Office

PanAfrican Energy  
Tanzania Limited

Oyster Plaza Building, 5th Floor 
Haile Selassie Road 
P.O. Box 80139, Dar es Salaam  
Tanzania 
Tel: + 255 22 2138737  
Fax: + 255 22 2138938

International Subsidiaries

PanAfrican Energy  
Tanzania Limited

Oyster Plaza Building, 5th Floor 
Haile Selassie Road 
P.O. Box 80139, Dar es Salaam Tanzania 
Tel: + 255 22 2138737  
Fax: + 255 22 2138938

Orca Exploration  
Group Inc.

P.O. Box 146 
Road Town 
Tortola 
British Virgin Islands, VG110

PAE PanAfrican 
Energy Corporation

1st Floor 
Cnr Desroches/St Louis 
Port Louis 
Mauritius 
Tel: + 230 207 8888 
Fax: + 230 207 8833

Engineering Consultants

Auditors

McDaniel & Associates  
Consultants Ltd.  
Calgary, Alberta 
Canada

Lawyers

Burnet, Duckworth  
& Palmer LLP 
Calgary, Alberta 
Canada

KPMG LLP 
Calgary, Alberta 
Canada

Transfer Agent

AST Trust Company 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Nigel Friend 
Chief Executive Officer

nfriend@orcaexploration.com

Orca Exploration Italy Inc.

Orca Exploration Italy  
Onshore Inc.

P.O. Box 3152, 
Road Town 
Tortola 
British Virgin Islands

Website

orcaexploration.com

 
www.orcaexploration.com