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San Leon Energy

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FY2017 Annual Report · San Leon Energy
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OVERVIEW 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

1

OML 18:  
INTO YEAR 2 OF  
A WORLD-CLASS  
ASSET

San Leon Energy plc
Annual Report and Accounts
2017

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
INTRODUCTION

OCTOBER 13, DAWN:

In a fishing village on the Niger River Delta, a fisherman starts his long working day,

under the lights of oil refineries in the distance. The Niger River Delta is

vast enough and rich enough to feed both.

OVERVIEW 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

3

“THE SECRET OF
GETTING AHEAD IS
GETTING STARTED”

(MARK TWAIN)

A world-class asset. The start of cash flow. A new export 
and storage project. 2017 saw San Leon move into the second 
year of its involvement with developing Oil Mining Lease 18 
(“OML 18”) onshore Nigeria.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
INTRODUCTION

MARCH 19, NOON:

OML 18 is a world-class oil and gas block in the Southern Niger Delta. 

Larger than the country of Bahrain, OML 18 has over one thousand square kilometres of energy 

resources and infrastructure.

OVERVIEW 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

5

Production at OML 18 has continued uninterrupted  
by any on-block security issues in 2017.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
INTRODUCTION

MARCH 18,

EARLY MORNING:

A boat floats downstream in the Niger River delta

OVERVIEW 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

7

OML 18:
YEAR 1 OF
CASH FLOW

2017 marked the start of regular cash flow for San Leon
from its OML 18 investment – with a flow of nearly $19 million 
per quarter with other quarterly payments due to continue 
through to 2020. 

San Leon also expects in due course to receive cash flow from its 
initial indirect 9.72% economic interest in OML 18, and from its rights 
under its Master Services Agreement to provide certain operational 
services to Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited, 
the operator of OML 18.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
INTRODUCTION

OCTOBER 13, DAWN:

In a fishing village on the Niger river delta,

a fisherman prepares his nets before a long fishing day.

OVERVIEW 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

9

OML18:
PROGRESS ON
PIPELINE

The new oil export and storage project has progressed
from concept to development planning. 

Once completed, this new pipeline – serving OML 18
and supplying a new offshore floating storage facility –
is expected to substantially improve OML 18’s
downtime and pipeline losses performance.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
HIGHLIGHTS / CONTENTS

This report includes forward-looking statements. Whilst these 
forward-looking statements are made in good faith, they are 
based upon the information available to San Leon Energy plc at 
the date of this report and upon current expectations, projections, 
market conditions and assumptions about future events. These 
forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties 
and assumptions about the Group and should be treated with an 
appropriate degree of caution. 

10

San Leon: We are a progressive oil and gas company, 
independent and fast-moving. We strive to secure and 
develop high-potential asset opportunities in Africa and 
Europe, our key asset being our indirect interest in OML 18 – 
a world-class asset onshore Nigeria.

For San Leon, 2017 was:

–  Continuation of involvement with developing OML 18 via 

the Company’s indirect shareholding in Eroton Exploration 
and Production Company Ltd, the operator of OML 18

– Year 1 of cash flow from our 2016 transaction

–  The year when the new oil export and storage project on  

OML 18 progressed from concept to development planning.

OVERVIEW 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

11

OVERVIEW

2 

 Introduction 

10 

 Highlights / Contents

FINANCIAL  
STATEMENTS
 Independent Auditors’ 
44 
Report to the Members  
of San Leon Energy plc

STRATEGIC 
REPORT
We are committed to securing  
cash flow for our shareholders.  
In this section we set out our strategy, 
the progress we have made and our cur-
rent operational focus. 

48   Consolidated Income Statement

49    Consolidated Statement of 

Other Comprehensive Income

50    Consolidated Statement 
of Changes in Equity

52 

 Company Statement of Changes 
in Equity

53 

 Consolidated Statement  
of Financial Position

54 

 Company Statement of  
Financial Position

55 

 Consolidated Statement 
of Cash Flows

56 

 Company Statement of Cash Flows

57 

 Notes to Financial Statements

104  Corporate information

105  Glossary

106 Conversion

12 

 Chairman’s Statement

18 

 Chief Executive Officer’s  
Statement

23 

 2017 Progress on OML 18

24 

  Chief Operating Officer’s 
Statement

GOVERNANCE
We work to strict standards  
of governance and responsibility.

32 

 Board of Directors 

34 

 Directors’ Report

43 

 Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities in respect  
of the Annual Report and 
the Financial Statements

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

NON-EXECUTIVE

Mutiu Sunmonu

CHAIRMAN

Overview 

|  STRATEGIC REPORT 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

OVERVIEW

2017 was the first full year of the Company’s involvement in OML 18, onshore 
Nigeria,  and  the  year  under  review  was  the  first  year  of  cash  flow  from  the 
Company’s entry into Nigeria.

The  Company’s  cash  position  has  significantly  strengthened  compared  with  this  time  last  year, 
enabling management to focus further on yielding value from OML 18. We have exited or are exiting 
non-core assets and we anticipate future cash flow from:

13

1) Repayment of the Loan Notes.
2) Dividend payments as a consequence of holding an initial indirect 9.72% economic interest in OML 18.
3) Income  from  the  provision  of  rig-based  drilling  and  workover  (and  associated)  services,  and 
production  services,  under  a  Master  Services  Agreement  (“MSA”)  with  Eroton  Exploration  and 
Production Company Ltd (“Eroton”), the operator of OML 18.

4) 4.5% Barryroe Net Profit Interest (through potential income or a potential sale).

CORPORATE
San Leon’s board took the view in 2015 that the Company needed to change its strategy, moving away 
from pure exploration and appraisal, and focussing on development, production and cash flow. The 
business climate in the industry had changed, partly as a result of lower commodity prices. It was 
against this background that San Leon sourced and completed its OML 18 transaction in September 
2016.

1) Loan Notes repayment and interest

The  Company  entered  into  a  Loan  Notes  agreement  in  September  2016  with  Midwestern  Leon 
Petroleum Limited (“MLPL”), whereby, once certain conditions have been met and using an agreed 
distribution mechanism, San Leon would be repaid the principal of $174.5 million (€165.6 million) 
plus an annual coupon of 17% through to 2020. By 31 December 2017, San Leon had received a total 
of $39.6 million (€34.3 million) of Loan Notes payments in order to avoid a default under the Loan 
Notes instruments, the start of such payments having been delayed due to the OML18 operational and 
external issues described in the Chief Operating Officer’s report. During H1 2018, a further payment of 
$30.0 million was received, bringing total receipts to date to $69.6 million and leaving $165.4 million 
of principal and  interest outstanding  and  payable as  of 28 June 2018. Such receipts to date  have 
been paid on behalf of MLPL due to the existence of guarantees to the Company under the Loan Notes 
instruments, as dividends have yet to be received by MLPL. The Company has a future receivable 
profile  of  an  average  of  $18.1  million  for  H2  2018  and  $16.6  million  for  2019,  with  final  quarterly 
payments during 2020, and the board anticipates that MLPL will continue to make these payments. 
San Leon has various guarantees and a share pledge in place which provide security for payments 
due to the Company under the Loan Notes.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

2) Indirect equity interest

Eroton is the Operator of OML 18 while San Leon has a defined partner role through its shareholding 
in  MLPL.  San  Leon  has  appointed  a  senior  operational  consultant  into  Eroton  to  assist  in  the 
development of the OML 18 asset.

14

The  strategy  for  the  asset  is  dividend  growth  from  the  indirect  equity  interest,  as  reserves  are 
converted into production and cash flow. No dividend has been paid by Eroton in 2017 because asset 
performance has not been as hoped due to funding constraints caused mainly by external factors, 
although there have also been some delays caused by operational issues. These operational issues 
are summarised below, and explained in more detail in the Chief Operating Officer’s Statement.

Firstly, while underlying production from the assets has been steady at approximately 50,000 bopd, 
substantial  production  downtime,  caused  by  problems  in  the  third  party  terminal  and  gathering 
system,  resulted in the majority of the approximately 20% downtime in 2017 (reducing field production 
effectively to 40,000 bopd). This issue is being addressed by the planned implementation of the new 
export pipeline and Floating Storage and Offloading (“FSO”) project, and is also expected to improve 
overall well performance by removing the requirement to restart wells following any shut downs.

Secondly,  substantial  pipeline  losses  have  been  allocated  to  all  operators  by  the  Bonny  Terminal 
operator.  The  35%  pipeline  losses  (reducing  field  oil  sales  further  to  approximately  26,000  bopd) 
are much larger than the 9% assumed in the Admission Document and are being disputed by Eroton, 
who have asked the relevant authorities to investigate. In the short term, this issue is being partially 
addressed by the installation of Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (“LACT”) units to make sure that 
the OML 18 partners have fiscal metering of the oil prior to export into the gathering system. In the 
longer term, the export pipeline and FSO system mentioned above will provide additional control.

Finally,  the  Nigerian  National  Petroleum  Corporation  (“NNPC”)  still  has  significant  outstanding 
payments due to Eroton, settlement of which would provide capital for further investment in the asset. 
NNPC have been paying their cash calls through 2017 and it is hoped that the improved business 
climate and outlook will enable settlement of the outstanding payments.

Removing  the  above  challenges  will  enable  greater  capital  allocation  to  production  growth  and 
support future dividends from Eroton to the Company via its initial indirect 9.72% economic interest 
in OML 18. 

NON-EXECUTIVE

Mutiu Sunmonu

CHAIRMAN

Overview 

|  STRATEGIC REPORT 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

The Reserves Based Lending (“RBL”) conditions required for the payment of dividends by Eroton have 
now been met, with the exception of satisfying the amount payable to the Debt Service Reserve Account 
(“DSRA”) and thereafter submitting audited accounts. As announced on 7 September 2017, depositing 
three future quarterly RBL repayments into the DSRA attached to Eroton’s existing RBL facility, is one of the 
conditions that needs to be met before the RBL lenders will allow distribution of dividends from Eroton to 
its shareholders. The cumulative amount required to fill the DSRA varies according to the RBL amortisation 
schedule and is approximately $90m for much of 2018. The DSRA balance however fluctuates according to 
operational needs and due to some of the funding challenges experienced.

Any  future  payments  of  dividends  by  Eroton  to  Martwestern  and  from  Martwestern  to  MLPL,  after 
settlement of MLPL’s Loan Notes obligations, will enable MLPL to pay dividends to its shareholders 
including San Leon. Given the delays in operational activity, downtime and pipeline losses, dividend 
payments by Eroton are not expected until the impact of the alternative export pipeline and/or the 
rig-based well activity have materially increased sales volumes of oil.

15

3) Services revenue

San Leon expects to provide the majority of the services for heavy well workovers and new well drilling 
on OML 18, through a new service entity under its control. The budget for doubling production from 
OML 18 via such operations is hundreds of millions of dollars, illustrating the potential for services 
income under the MSA.

4) Barryroe Net Profit Interest

The Company’s 4.5% Net Profit Interest in Barryroe oil field, offshore Ireland, provides a zero cost 
potential future cash stream that has a carrying value of €42.6 million. Providence Resources Plc, the 
operator of Barryroe, has made recent progress with the announcement of a farm-out to drill three 
wells and is at the initial stages of development.

OTHER OPERATIONS
The Company continued its policy of reducing costs outside Nigeria and focussing on its Nigerian 
assets. As announced in September 2017, agreements were entered into for the sale of the majority of 
the Company’s Polish assets, subject to certain conditions. Subject to closing of those transactions, 
the Company will retain material profit interests for no additional outlay to the Company. A decision 
was also made to relinquish Sidi Moussa, offshore Morocco, and to fully impair its other Moroccan 
assets due to a lack of expected activity.

The Company has applied for entry into the appraisal period of its offshore Duressi asset in Albania, 
for which a farm out is sought.

As  a  result  of  these  decisions,  impairments,  write  offs  and  provisions  of  €55.5  million  have  been 
recognised as set out in the financial review contained in the Chief Executive Officer’s Statement. The 
total comprehensive loss for the year of €87.1 million is predominantly such impairment/write offs 
and provisions of non-Nigerian assets, and foreign exchange loss.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

CORPORATE TRANSACTION ACTIVITY
The Company spent much of 2017 in a formal offer period, although in early January 2018 San Leon 
confirmed that such offer talks had ceased.

In  November  2017  San  Leon  confirmed  that  it  had  received  a  letter  from  Midwestern  Oil  and  Gas 
Company  Limited  (“Midwestern”)  with  an  indicative  proposal  that  included  San  Leon  acquiring 
Midwestern’s 60% shareholding in MLPL (the “Proposal”). Through MLPL, Midwestern and San Leon 
are  both  indirect  shareholders  in  Eroton,  the  operator  of  OML  18.  Since  the  Proposal  could  have 
resulted in a transaction being characterised as a “reverse takeover”, the Company’s shares were 
temporarily suspended. In late April 2018, the Company announced that its Board had elected not to 
accept Midwestern’s proposal, as it was not in the best interests of San Leon’s shareholders since it 
did not provide a sufficient balance of added value for shareholders and certainty of near-term cash 
flow, and the Company’s shares recommenced trading.

16

Settlement of outstanding obligations

In December 2017, San Leon paid the final instalment of amounts owing to Avobone N.V. and Avobone 
Poland B.V. (together “Avobone”) in relation to Avobone’s exit from the Siekierki project in Poland. 
This was aided by the provision to the company of a £11,000,000 convertible loan facility by funds 
managed by ToscaFund Asset Management LLP, which was subsequently converted into shares of 
the Company.

The receipt of the MLPL Loan Notes payments and the conversion of the loan facility from Toscafund 
into shares has put the Company in the financial position whereby many creditors at the year end 
have now been settled.

The  Company  is  therefore  able  to  progress  with  the  planned  capital  reorganisation.  This  capital 
reorganisation,  which  has  already  been  approved  by  the  shareholders,  requires  legal  work  to  be 
completed by the Company, and is subject to the confirmation of the High Court in Ireland, and will 
allow returns to shareholders.

NON-EXECUTIVE

Mutiu Sunmonu

CHAIRMAN

Overview 

|  STRATEGIC REPORT 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

Appointments of non-executive Directors

Following on from the resignation of Nick Butler as a non-executive Director in September 2017, the 
Company  subsequently  appointed  Linda  Beal  as  a  non-executive  Director  and  chair  of  the  Audit 
Committee in January 2018. Linda brings extensive experience of working with African oil and gas 
groups, African-based advisers, and corporate and asset transactions.

In May 2018 the Company appointed Bill Higgs as a non-executive Director. Bill brings considerable 
operational  experience,  including  in  Africa,  with  companies  ranging  from  a  major  to  smaller 
independents.

OUTLOOK
The  Company  is  now  in  a  strong  financial  position,  with  the  benefit  of  an  expected  regular  future 
income stream from its ongoing quarterly Loan Notes repayments.  The Company continues to believe 
in its Nigerian interests, as cash flows from San Leon’s indirect equity interest in OML 18, and from 
its service offering under the MSA, are expected in due course as the issues outlined are addressed. 
I look forward to updating shareholders as OML 18 developments unfold.

17

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT 

18

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 

Oisín Fanning

OFFICER

Overview 

|  STRATEGIC REPORT 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

YEAR OVERVIEW

2017 was the year when the Company faced significant challenges – 
both financial and operational – and emerged positively in respect 
of the former, and with plans in place to address the latter. 

FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income statement

19

Revenue for the twelve months to 31 December 2017 was €0.3 million compared with €0.3 million for 
the twelve months to 31 December 2016. San Leon generated a loss before tax of €71.3 million for the 
twelve months to 31 December 2017, compared with a profit before tax of €3.5 million in the twelve 
months to 31 December 2016. The tax charge to 31 December 2017 was €2.2 million (2016: credit of 
€2.2 million). The loss after tax to 31 December 2017 was €73.5 million (2016: profit of €5.7 million). 
Loss per share for the period is 16.18 cent per share (2016: profit of 3.42 cent per share).

Administration and Other Costs

Administration  costs  decreased  for  the  12  month  period  to  €17.0  million  (2016:  €26.4  million). 
There were also some residual costs to finalise outstanding obligations to Avobone of €1.9 million 
(2016: €3.6 million) and some minor income to reduce operating costs along with a reduction in the 
decommissioning costs estimate amounting to €0.2 million. 

Impairments/write offs and Provisions

During  2017  the  Directors  decided  to  make  impairments/write  offs  totalling  €49.1  million  (2016: 
€9.3 million). These impairments/write offs partly relate to the intangible exploration and evaluation 
assets as detailed in Note 12 to the accounts being Albania €6.0 million (2016: €Nil), Morocco €28.9 
million (2016:€6.4 million) and Poland €7.9 million (2016:€2.9 million). In addition, as explained 
in Note 22 to the accounts, due to the protracted nature of approval from the Polish authorities the 
Directors concluded that it is prudent to fully write off the Polish assets held for sale of €3.1 million. 

Similarly,  given  the  length  of  time  to  obtain  approval  for  the  Ardilaun  transaction,  as  detailed  in 
Note 17, and the 15% of Ardilaun shares still to be issued to San Leon, and the valuation of those 
shares when compared to other similar entities that are listed on a stock exchange, the Directors felt 
it prudent to carry a lower value of €2.2 million. Consequently, €3.2 million has been charged to the 
Income Statement in 2017.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT 

During 2017, the directors, with regard to a fee due on the Ardilaun transaction, due to the protracted 
nature of government approval, and the potential length of time to receive such payment in the event 
of approval of up to 36 months, and a debtor which is in dispute, and VAT deemed to be potentially 
irrecoverable in an overseas jurisdiction, in order to be prudent, fully provided for €5.3 million. 

As detailed in Note 20 to the accounts €1.2 million has been provided for in the event that a bank 
guarantee cannot be recovered.  

The directors continue to vigorously pursue the value in many of the items detailed above which have 
either been impaired, written-off  or provided for, and expect that in due course some amounts will 
be collected.

20

Finance Income and Expense and Equity Investments

Finance expense  for  the 12 months  to 31  December  2017  was  €25.5 million (2016: €13.0 million). 
This is made up of €4.2 million of interest expense (2016: €4.8 million), finance arrangement fees of 
€2.2 million (2016: €7.9 million), foreign exchange loss of €18.9 million (2016: gain of €8.0 million) 
on the Loan Notes, and a fair value charge on the issue of options and warrants €0.2 million (2016: 
€0.3 million). 

Finance income for the 12 months to 31 December 2017 was €35.1 million (2016: €16.8 million). This 
is made up of €34.6 million of interest income (2016: €8.8 million) on the Loan Notes and other minor 
interest receivable and finance extension fees €0.5 million (2016: €nil). 

The  loss  on  equity  investments  during  2017  was  €7.1  million  (2016  profit  of  €12.2  million)  and 
represents the Group’s 40% share in the loss of MLPL.

Balance Sheet

As  set  out  in  the  Chairman’s  Statement  the  receipt  of  Loan  Notes  proceeds  by  San  Leon  and  the 
settlement of the obligation to Avobone significantly strengthened the cash position of the Group. 
The  cash  and  cash  equivalents  including  restricted  cash  at  31  December  2017  amounted  to  €8.1 
million (31 December 2016: €1.5 million). In addition the San Leon balance sheet is now focused on 
the principal investments being the Loan Notes, the 40% equity investment in MLPL and the net profit 
interest in Barryroe. 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 

Oisín Fanning

OFFICER

Overview 

|  STRATEGIC REPORT 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

COMPANY POSITION AND MARKET OVERVIEW
Our  financial  position  has  evolved  since  discussions  with  any  of  the  various  potential  offerors  or 
Midwestern commenced. With the first three quarterly payments in respect of Loan Notes received 
by 01 April 2018, we look forward to continued quarterly Loan Notes payments until the Loan Notes 
are fully repaid. Consequently, San Leon is now on a solid financial footing with a cash balance of 
€17 million at 28 June 2018 and all material issues with creditors and litigation behind us. I thank 
all shareholders, and in particular, our largest supporter, ToscaFund Asset Management LLP for their 
patience and support during the past year, which included a period of shares suspension arising as 
a consequence of our discussions with Midwestern.

I have been pleased to note the efforts made by the Nigerian administration with regard to supporting 
Nigerian  National  Petroleum  Corporation  (“NNPC”)  to  become  up-to-date  with  its  historical  and 
current financial commitments, as we approach the country’s general election in February 2019. Of 
course, the improvement in the oil price during 2017 and into 2018 has been a boost to the country 
and to all those operating in it.

21

Finally, it was encouraging to note the passing of the first part of the Petroleum Industry Bill (“PIB”), 
being the Petroleum Industry Government Bill (“PIGB”) through the National Assembly and Senate 
in 2018. We now look forward to the President signing the PIGB into law, which will help underpin 
investment into Nigeria. Of course we would also like to see progress of the remaining three parts of 
the PIB through Government.

STRATEGY
Our  strategy  is  to  deliver  value  to  shareholders  as  we  mature  our  interests  in  Nigeria.  We  shall 
continue to strive to monetise our existing assets outside Nigeria, allowing focus on our OML 18 core 
area via our indirect economic interest, Loan Notes, and MSA.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT 

22

OML 18:  
INTO YEAR 2 OF 
A WORLD-CLASS 
ASSET

LEGEND

Flow Station

Gas Pipelines (Approximate Location)

Oil Pipelines (Approximate Location)

OML 18

Field

Port Harcourt

Buguma

BUGUMA
CREEK

ORUBIRI

ALAKIRI

KRAKAMA

AWOBA

AKASO

CAWTHORNE
CHANNEL

23

Pipline to Bonny
oil Terminal (Shell)
-OIL EXPORT

Bonny

2017 PROGRESS ON OML 18:

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:44)(cid:51)(cid:34)(cid:44)(cid:34)(cid:46)(cid:34)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:45)(cid:34)(cid:44)(cid:42)(cid:51)(cid:42)(cid:13)(cid:1)(cid:36)(cid:34)(cid:56)(cid:53)(cid:41)(cid:48)(cid:51)(cid:47)(cid:38)(cid:13)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:44)(cid:34)(cid:52)(cid:48)(cid:27) 

Field development plans submitted to NNPC

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:47)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:14)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:80)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:69)

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’S STATEMENT

24

CHIEF OPERATING 

Joel Price

OFFICER

Overview 

|  STRATEGIC REPORT 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

OML 18

OML  18  is  a  world-class  asset  with  substantial  reserves  and  a 
CPR  target  gross  production  rate  of  over  100,000  bopd.  From  a 
subsurface  technical  perspective,  the  steps  to  achieve  that  are 
not particularly onerous – involving relatively simple workovers of 
existing wells, and the drilling of new wells in a prolific region with 
multiple stacked reservoir layers. That begs the question: why is 
OML 18 not yet generating more cash flow from operations?

25

To date, the operational cash flow on OML 18 has been affected by:

1) Slower-than-expected workover/drilling progress

2) Production downtime

3) Pipeline losses

Each factor is described below, together with the actions being taken to address them.

1) Workover/drilling progress

Non-rig  workovers  performed  during  2017  continued  to  proceed  less  quickly  than  expected  due 
primarily  to  downhole  challenges.  Undocumented  debris  (“fish”)  in  the  wells  has  been  the  main 
issue, albeit one which is expected to be overcome – and this is one of the focus areas for San Leon’s 
senior operational manager now seconded into Eroton.

There were some challenges in execution due to the process of approvals with JV partners. Given the 
positive  improvement  in  the  prompt  settlement  of  ongoing  partner  cash  calls  as  described  in  the 
Chairman’s Statement, Eroton expects the JV approvals process to continue to improve.

Following the 2018 budgetary planning process, the Company now expects that rig-based workovers, 
previously anticipated to commence in Q4 2017, will commence in Q3 2018, and new wells will be 
drilled commencing Q4 2018. This type of drilling activity has yielded material production gains in 
similar fields elsewhere in Nigeria and the Company remains confident the work will add materially 
to  Eroton’s  production  base.  Such  activity  was  the  basis  for  the  production  gains  reflected  in  the 
Company’s admission document.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’S STATEMENT

2) Production downtime

Tank tops and cargo shipping delays at the Bonny Terminal, as well as intermittent upstream outages 
on the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (“NCTL”), have resulted in material production downtime at OML 18. 
This accounted for the vast majority of the approximately 20% of downtime during 2017.

The proposed new export pipeline, described below, is expected to remove most of the production 
downtime.

3) Pipeline losses

26

First  some  definitions.  The  majority  of  operational  income  on  OML  18  is  derived  from  oil  sales 
(although there is a ten-fold gas sales potential increase above the current 50 mmscf/d rate which 
Eroton plans to develop). Gross oil production is the volume of oil produced at the wellhead before it 
enters the export pipeline. Net oil production is the volume of oil deemed to be received at the Bonny 
terminal at the downstream end of the NCTL, the current export pipeline used to transport oil to the 
Bonny Terminal (and is therefore the volume actually sold). The difference between gross and net oil 
production is known as a “pipeline loss”, and accounts for metering inaccuracies and deemed theft 
of oil – and is applied by the operator of the Bonny terminal as a blanket percentage adjustment to 
all users of the NCTL.

Following the installation of new Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (“LACT”) units on the NCTL line 
in 2016, the Bonny Terminal operator allocated an average of approximately 35% pipeline losses to 
all operators using NCTL for 2017 (compared with 9% assumed and documented in the Admission 
Document). Eroton disputes the allocation and has requested that the relevant regulatory authorities 
investigate  the  allocation  of  such  excessive  losses  with  a  view  to  reallocating  losses  in  Eroton’s 
favour (thereby boosting the sales numbers). Those discussions are ongoing.

LACT units for OML 18 are now in Nigeria and, following commissioning and regulatory sign off, are 
anticipated by Eroton to be operational by the end of Q3 2018. The use of these units is expected 
to  provide  accurate  measurements  at  the  transfer  point  and  therefore  reduce  the  pipeline  losses 
allocated to Eroton.

CHIEF OPERATING 

Joel Price

OFFICER

Overview 

|  STRATEGIC REPORT 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

The idea for a new export pipeline for OML 18 mentioned in last year’s annual report, has now become 
a planned development. This pipeline would be dedicated to OML 18 and run to an offshore Floating 
Storage and Offloading (“FSO”) system. Eroton would then not have to contend with metering issues 
or  theft  attributable  to  third  parties,  nor  NCTL  downtime  (which  is  often  caused  by  issues  further 
upstream on that pipeline). It is therefore anticipated to realise significant advantages with respect to 
pipeline loss allocation and production up-time, coinciding with the expected timing of the production 
increases from rig-based activity. 

It is clear to the Company, therefore, that the issues encountered are being dealt with. Additionally, 
there has been progress across the asset as detailed below.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Production at OML 18 has continued uninterrupted by any on-block security issues in 2017. During 
January 2018 illegal bunkering activity caused a fire on a non-operational well on the Buguma field. 
This did not affect production, and there were no casualties. The fire was swiftly brought under 
control by Eroton without a reportable spill.

27

(cid:116)(cid:1) (cid:53)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:44)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:76)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:43)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:86)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:24)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:77)(cid:70)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)
(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:90)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:36)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:1)(cid:44)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:76)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:89)(cid:74)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:21)(cid:13)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:69)(cid:15)

(cid:116)(cid:1) The Buguma Creek field is expected online during H2 2018.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Field development plans (“FDPs”) for Akaso, Cawthorne Channel and Alakiri have been submitted 

for approval to the NNPC.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Eroton  is  working  on  an  updated  reserves  report,  with  an  expectation  of  adding  material  oil 
and  condensate  volumes.  A  summary  of  the  finalised  reserves  report  will  be  communicated  to 
shareholders once it is available and after review by the Company. 

(cid:116)(cid:1) Gas lift installation in the near-term across a number of wells is expected to provide a production 
boost, as well as improving the ability of those wells to restart production after any field downtime.

I  look  forward  to  updating  shareholders  on  the  continued  work  to  boost  both  gross  and  net  oil 
production, and unlocking OML 18’s value.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’S STATEMENT

IRELAND

San  Leon’s  4.5%  Net  Profit  Interest  (NPI)  on  the  Barryroe  oil  field  provides 
access to potential future revenue streams with no additional capital required. 
A CPR was produced by the operator, Providence Resources Plc (“Providence”) 
in 2013, and in March 2018 Providence announced a farm-out agreement with 
a  privately-owned  Chinese  company  to  drill  three  wells  and  move  the  field 
towards  development.  Should  this  farm-out  agreement  complete,  San  Leon 
looks forward to this development work on an asset which has a 2013 CPR 2C 
resource of more than 260 mmbbl.

28

MOROCCO

San  Leon  announced  during  2017  its  exit  from  Sidi  Moussa  (offshore).  Also 
during  2017,  L’Office  Nationale  des  Hydrocarbures  et  des  Mines  (“ONHYM”) 
contacted  San  Leon  to  take  control  of  the  bank  guarantee  on  Zag  and  to 
request a further payment for work not performed. The Company is in ongoing 
discussions  with  ONHYM  regarding  the  area,  which  it  believes  should  be 
subject to Force Majeure due to the security situation. No activity is currently 
planned on any other Moroccan assets, and consequently carrying values have 
been written to zero in the accounts.

The assets still held by San Leon comprise:

– onshore gas appraisal (Tarfaya conventional area, with a well drilled in 2015)
– onshore oil shale (Tarfaya oil shale)
– onshore exploration (Zag).

CHIEF OPERATING 

Joel Price

OFFICER

Overview 

|  STRATEGIC REPORT 

|  Governance 

|  Financial Statements

POLAND

The Company has done what it set out to do last year, monetising Polish assets 
on  the  back  of  increased  transaction  interest.  Subject  to  the  closing  of  two 
separate  transactions,  San  Leon  will  retain  net  profit  interests  in  a  number 
of  assets  in  different  geological  settings,  which  will  be  operated  by  other 
companies. Other Polish assets have been relinquished, or are in such process.

2929

ALBANIA

The  Durresi  block  is  an  extensive  offshore  area  (4,200  km2)  gas  Albania 
containing the A4-1X discovery well drilled by Agip and Chevron in 1993. 

San Leon acquired 840 km2 of modern 3D seismic data in 2011, and continues to 
work on the technical side of the block while looking for a partner to take the 
asset through the appraisal phase by drilling a new well. Application has been 
made to enter the appraisal period on the asset.

30

31

OML 18: 
INTO YEAR 2 OF  
A WORLD-CLASS  
ASSET

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mutiu Sunmonu 
Non-Executive Chairman

Background and experience

32

Oisín Fanning 
Chief Executive Officer

Background and experience

Mutiu Sunmonu is a Former Managing Director of Shell 
Petroleum Development Company and Country Chairman 
of Shell Companies in Nigeria from 2008 to February 2015. 
He led Shell’s multi-billion dollar operations in Nigeria 
employing over 4,000 direct staff with revenue contribution 
to the Nigerian Government of US$70 billion dollars during 
2009-2013. He has worked in the industry for over 36 years 
in Nigeria, the UK and the Netherlands.

Oisín has almost 30 years’ experience in structured finance, 
stockbroking and corporate finance, with 12 years specialising 
in the oil and gas industry.

Formerly CEO of Astley & Pearce Ltd., MMI Stockbrokers, 
and Smart Telecom Plc, Oisín was closely involved with 
the restructuring of Dana Petroleum Plc in the early 1990s. 
He was also a major supporter of Tullow Oil Plc in its early 
growth phase.

Committee memberships

Chairman of Remuneration Committee and Member of Audit, 
Risk and Safety, and Nomination Committees.

Committee memberships

Member of Nomination Committee.

Joel Price 
Chief Operating Officer

Background and experience

Ewen Ainsworth 
Finance Director

Background and experience

Joel Price is a petroleum engineer with 25 years’ experience, 
having worked across well operations, reservoir engineering, 
production optimisation, asset management and business 
development. He was instrumental in the drilling and hydraulic 
fracturing of the first multi-fracced horizontal wells in Poland.

He holds a BA Hons. in Natural Sciences (Geology) from 
Cambridge University, an MEng in Petroleum Engineering 
from Heriot-Watt University, and an MBA with distinction 
from Durham University.

Committee memberships

Member of Risk and Safety Committee. 

Ewen is an experienced Finance Director, having worked 
in a variety of senior and board-level finance roles in the 
oil and gas industry for nearly 30 years, most recently 
as Finance Director for Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited. 
He qualified as a chartered management accountant, 
moving into leading commercial roles. He holds a degree 
in Economics and Geography from Middlesex University, 
and is a member of the Energy Institute.

Overview | Strategic Report

| GOVERNANCE | Financial Statements

Ray King 
Non-Executive Director and Company Secretary

Alan Campbell 
Director of Commercial & Business Development

Background and experience

Background and experience

Ray is a qualified Chartered Secretary, Banker, Compliance 
Officer and has considerable experience in IT and Finance.

As a Chartered Secretary with 40 years’ experience, much of 
it with a large City bank, he has acted as Company Secretary 
and in various senior Executive and Non-Executive Director 
roles for companies which have been brought to the AIM, 
Nasdaq and Plus.

Alan has 15 years’ experience in business, banking and the oil 
& gas industry. He has had key project management roles in 
international merger, acquisition and divestment deals valued 
at over US$350 million – including origination, negotiation, 
due diligence, deal structuring, closing, postdeal integration 
and management. He holds a Masters in Project Finance & 
Venture Management (First Class Honours). 

33

Linda Beal  
Non-Executive Director

Bill Higgs 
Non-Executive Director

Mark Phillips 
Non-Executive Director

Background and experience

Background and experience

Background and experience

Linda was a partner at PwC LLP for 
16 years specialising in the natural 
resources sector and was then global 
leader for energy and resources at 
Grant Thornton LLP. She has extensive 
experience of advising groups with 
African assets. She is currently a 
non-executive director and chair 
of the Audit and Risk Committee 
of Tax Systems plc.

Linda is a chartered accountant and 
holds a degree in Mathematics from 
Nottingham University.

Committee memberships

Chair of Audit Committee and Member 
of the Remuneration Committee.

Bill has nearly 30 years of global 
exploration, development and 
operations experience, including over 
five years in executive roles 
for independent Exploration and 
Production companies including Genel 
Energy plc where he is Chief Operating 
Officer and Ophir Energy plc. He was 
also CEO of Mediterranean Oil and Gas 
where he oversaw the successful sale 
of the company in 2014 and previously 
spent 23 years at Chevron.

He is a qualified geologist with 
extensive expertise in all engineering 
and other technical and commercial 
aspects of hydrocarbon development 
and production.

Committee memberships

Chairman of Risk and Safety Committee.
(appointed 13 June 2018)

Mark was a founding partner of private 
equity firm Penta Capital LLP and had 
previously been a senior investment 
executive with the private equity team 
at Royal Bank of Scotland plc. He holds 
an honours degree in Economics 
and Law from the University of 
Strathclyde as well as an MBA from 
the University of Edinburgh. He is a 
member of The Merchant Company 
of Edinburgh.

Committee memberships

Chairman of Nomination Committee 
and Member of Audit and 
Remuneration Committees.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

DIRECTORS’ REPORT
for the year ended 31 December 2017

The Directors present their annual report together with 
the audited financial statements of San Leon Energy plc 
(“the Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively “the 
Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2017.

Principal activity and future developments
The principal activities of the company are the holding 
of an initial indirect 9.72% economic interest in OML 18 
Nigeria, through its investment in Midwestern Leon 
Petroleum Limited (“MLPL”) and the exploration and 
production of oil and gas.

34

A detailed review of activities for the year and future 
prospects of the Group is contained in the Chairman’s 
Statement and Operating Review.

Results and dividends
The Group loss for the year after providing for 
depreciation and taxation amounted to €73.5 million 
(2016: profit of €5.7 million). Net assets of the Group  
at 31 December 2017 amounted to €225.3 million  
(2016: €294.0 million). Exploration & evaluation 
impairments / write offs totalled €42.8 million in 2017 
(2016: €9.3 million). No dividends are proposed by 
the Directors.

Principal risks and uncertainties
There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties 
that could have a material impact on the Group’s 
long-term performance. The Board has overall 
responsibility for managing risk.

The Group’s principal areas of oil and gas exploration 
and production activity are in Nigeria, Poland and 
Albania together with a Net Profit Interest on the 
Barryroe oil field (offshore Ireland). The Group has a 
management structure and system of internal controls 
in place designed to identify, evaluate, manage and 
mitigate business risk, including HSE risks. Risks are 
formally identified and recorded in a risk register which 
is reviewed by the Board and appropriate processes are 
in place to implement and monitor mitigating controls.

The Executive Directors are closely involved in the day 
to day management of the business and have oversight 
of all the controls the business has in place, including 
financial, operational (including HSE) and compliance 
controls, as well as overseeing risk management.

The Audit Committee, which is comprised of certain 
independent Non-Executive Directors, monitors and 
promotes high standards of integrity, financial reporting, 
risk management and internal control. Risks and 
uncertainties, which are not exhaustive, which are 
particularly relevant to the Company and the Group’s 
business activities are considered to be the following:

Going concern and Loan Notes repayment
The Directors have reviewed budgets, projected cash 
flows and other relevant information, and on the basis 
of this review, concluded that the Group and the 
Company will have adequate financial resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable 
future which covers a period of at least twelve months 
from the date of approval of these financial statements.

As set out in Note 1 to the financial statements, there are 
a number of assumptions underlying the Group’s cash 
flow projections. The principal cash flows expected by 
the Group are interest and capital repayments on the 
MLPL Loan Notes and dividend income.

To date three quarterly payments totalling US$58.6 
million have been made on behalf of MLPL and received 
by the Company when due under the terms of the Loan 
Notes and as at the 28 June 2018 a further US$11.0 
million had been received in relation to the fourth 
quarterly Loan Notes payment due at the end June 2018. 
It has been confirmed to the Company that up to a further 
US$8mm will be paid on behalf of MLPL by the 30 June 
2018 which will fulfil the fourth quarterly Loan Notes 
payment due to the Company by the end of June 2018.  

When the quarterly Loan Notes payment due by the 
end of June 2018 is received in full, and as confirmed 
will be paid, there will be sufficient cash funds for the 
Group and Company to remain a going concern for at 
least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial 
statements without the need to take any actions to 
address a shortfall in funding.

The Directors have discussed the assumptions and 
basis of preparation of the projections and, having 
considered the financial resources available, believe 
that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements 
on the going concern basis.

Operational risk
The Group’s principal interest in operational assets is 
through its partnership with Eroton, OML 18. Operations 
are exposed to the risk of delays and interruptions to 
production due to various causes including pipeline 
losses, operational downtime, slow progress due to 
unexpected downhole challenges and procedural 
delays with JV partners.

Eroton is the operator of OML 18. San Leon Energy 
appointed a senior operations manager in 2017 with 
a wealth of downhole operational experience who 
is available to work with the Eroton team, bringing 
additional experience to ongoing operations.

Cargo shipping delays and pipeline losses have been 
experienced on OML 18. Eroton is exploring alternative 
oil evacuation routes to mitigate these risks, delays and 
losses, including a potential new dedicated pipeline 
and offshore floating storage and offloading system.

Overview | Strategic Report

| GOVERNANCE | Financial Statements

35

Environmental risk
Environmental and safety legislation may change in a 
manner that may require stricter or additional standards 
than those now in effect. These could result in 
heightened responsibilities for the Group and could 
cause additional expense, capital expenditures, 
restrictions and delays in the activities of the Group,  
the extent of which cannot be predicted.

The Group employs staff experienced in the 
requirements of the relevant environmental authorities 
and seeks through their experience to mitigate the risk 
of non-compliance with accepted best practice.

Financial risk management
The Group’s multinational operations expose it to 
different financial risks that include foreign exchange 
risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, and  
equity price risk. Details of the principal financial risks 
are set out in note 33. The Group has a risk 
management programme in place which seeks to limit 
the impact of these risks on the performance of the 
Group and it is the policy to manage these risks in a 
non-speculative manner.

Currency risk
Although the reporting currency is Euro, significant 
transactions denominated in other currencies are 
entered into by the Group including the MLPL Loan 
Notes, Loan Notes repayments and interest, exploration 
expenditure, other costs, and equity funding, thus 
creating currency exposures for the Group. The Group 
manages its exposure by matching receipts and 
payments in the same currency and monitoring the 
residual net cash position and future income profile.

Share price
The share price movement in the year ranged from a 
low of Stg£0.18 to a high of Stg£0.57. The share price  
at 31 December 2017 was Stg£0.25.

San Leon’s shares were temporarily suspended 
between 3 July 2017 and 10 September 2017 pending 
publication and posting of the Company’s Annual 
Report and Financial Statements for the year to 
31 December 2016 to shareholders.

Exploration and development risk
Exploration and development activities may be delayed 
or adversely affected by factors outside the Group’s 
control, in particular, climatic conditions, performance of 
joint venture partners or suppliers, availability of drilling 
and other equipment, delays or failures in installing  
and commissioning plant and equipment, unknown 
geological, well and equipment conditions, remoteness 
of location, actions of host governments or other 
regulatory authorities (relating to, inter alia, the grant, 
maintenance or renewal of any required authorisations, 
environmental regulations or changes in law).

To control these risks, the Group and its partners 
endeavour to use competent people with appropriate 
skills to manage such risks at the appropriate levels 
within the Group structure. Additionally, where 
appropriate the Group engages expert contractors.

Commodity price risk
The demand for, and price of oil and gas is dependent 
on global and local supply and demand, actions of 
governments and general global economic and political 
developments. Eroton, as operator of OML 18, has in 
place a put option at $50 per barrel for a portion of its 
production. In effect this provides a price floor for that 
portion of production, while providing access to Price 
upside. It is designed to protect the ability of Eroton to 
service RBL repayments. This in turn impacts San Leon 
as Eroton cash flow is required for future payment of 
dividends to MLPL from Eroton.

Political risk
As a consequence of activities in different parts of the 
world, the Group may be subject to political, economic 
and other uncertainties, including but not limited to 
sabotage, terrorism, war or unrest, changes in national 
laws and energy policies and exposure to different legal 
systems.

While the Group enjoys good working relationships with 
the relevant national regulatory authorities there can be 
no assurances that the laws and regulations and their 
interpretation will not change in future periods and that, 
as a result, the Group’s activities would be affected.

However, the Directors believe that the Group benefits 
from its partnership with Eroton, the operator of OML 18 
in Nigeria, to help mitigate Nigerian security risks and 
can report there were no interruptions to production 
at OML 18 in 2017 due to security issues on the block.

The Group monitors changes in partners, news feeds 
and consultants.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

San Leon announced on 3 November 2017 that it had received a letter on 11 September 2017 from Midwestern Oil 
and Gas Company Limited (“Midwestern”) with an indicative proposal that included San Leon acquiring Midwestern’s 
shares in MLPL. Such an acquisition could constitute a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules for Companies (the 
“AIM Rules”) and, in accordance with rule 14 of the AIM Rules, would require the publication of an AIM admission 
document (“Admission Document”) and approval of shareholders of the Company at a general meeting to proceed. 
Accordingly, the Company’s ordinary shares were suspended from trading on 3 November 2017 pending the 
termination of these discussions or the publication of an Admission Document.

It was announced on 23 April 2018 that after careful consideration the board of San Leon had determined that the 
indicative proposal from Midwestern for San Leon to acquire Midwestern’s shares in MLPL was not in the best 
interests of its shareholders at that time and San Leon requested the lifting of the suspension from trading of its 
shares on AIM and then resumed trading at 7.30 am on 23 April 2018.

36

Directors
The Directors of San Leon Energy plc, all of whom served for the full year, except where indicated, are as follows:
Mutiu Sunmonu, Non-Executive Chairman  
Oisín Fanning, Chief Executive Officer  
Joel Price, Chief Operating Officer 
Alan Campbell, Commercial and Business Development Director  
Ewen Ainsworth, Finance Director 
Raymond King, Non-Executive Director and Company Secretary  
Mark Phillips, Non-Executive Director 
Nick Butler, Non-Executive Director (resigned 6 September 2017)  
Linda Beal, Non-Executive Director (appointed 16 January 2018) 
Bill Higgs, Non-Executive Director (appointed 22 May 2018)

In accordance with the Articles of Association, Raymond King and Ewen Ainsworth retire from the board by rotation 
and being eligible offer themselves for re-election.

Directors and their interests
The Directors and Secretary who held office at 31 December 2017, except where indicated, had no interests other 
than those shown below in the Ordinary Shares of the Company. All interests are beneficially held by the Directors.

Director
Mutiu Sunmonu
Oisín Fanning#
Joel Price
Alan Campbell
Ewen Ainsworth
Raymond King
Mark Phillips
Nick Butler*
Linda Beal+
Bill Higgs~

Number of Ordinary Shares

28/06/18
–
3,635,594
–
–
66,666
–
–
–
–
–

31/12/17
–
3,635,594
–
–
66,666
–
–
–
–
–

01/01/17
–
3,635,594
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

#  Oisín Fanning is also due 3,052,942 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the period 1 September 2016 to 31 December 2017.
*  Resigned 6 September 2017.
+ Appointed 16 January 2018.
~ Appointed 22 May 2018.

Overview | Strategic Report

| GOVERNANCE | Financial Statements

Share options
Details of share options granted to the Directors are as follows:

Director
Mutiu Sunmonu
Oisin Fanning

Raymond King

Joel Price

Alan Campbell

Ewen Ainsworth
Mark Phillips
Nick Butler~
Linda Beal+#
Bill Higgs<

Options
at 01/01/17
1,000,000
30,000
50,000^
35,000^
2,500
55,000*
35,000
55,000*
1,500,000
2,500
2,500
15,000
1,000,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
–
–

Granted
in year
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

Exercised
in year
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

Lapsed
in year

Options
at 31/12/17
– 1,000,000
30,000
–
–
(50,000)
35,000
–
–
(2,500)
55,000
–
35,000
–
–
55,000
– 1,500,000
–
(2,500)
2,500
–
–
15,000
– 1,000,000
– 2,000,000
– 1,500,000
– 2,000,000
1,500,000
– 1,000,000
– 1,000,000
– 1,000,000
–
–
–
–

Exercise
price
£0.45
£11.00
£35.00
£35.00
£25.00
€5.00
£13.00
€5.00
£0.45
£25.00
£11.00
£13.00
£0.45
£0.60
£0.45
£0.60
£0.45
£0.45
£0.45
£0.45
–
–

Expiry
date
20/09/23 
14/11/18 
25/07/17
13/02/18
29/12/17
14/11/18
20/03/19
06/07/19
20/09/23
29/12/17
14/11/18
20/03/19
20/09/23
10/01/22
20/09/23
10/01/22
20/09/23
20/09/23
20/09/23
20/09/23
–
–

37

^   The 100,000 options granted at £35.00 in 2010 and the 60,000 options granted at £35.00 in 2011 are only exercisable on fulfilment of a market 

condition requiring the Company share price to exceed £100.00 and £120.00 respectively for a period of thirty days.

*   Options vest subject to achievement of a production target of over 501 barrels of oil equivalent per day within the life of the option. 

All other options vest immediately on grant.

~ Resigned 6 September 2017.
+ Appointed 16 January 2018.
< Appointed 22 May 2018.
# Linda Beal was issued 1,000,000 options with an exercise price of £0.45 per share in 2018.

Transactions involving Directors
Contracts and arrangements of significance during the year in which Directors of the Company were interested are 
disclosed in Note 32 to the financial statements.

38

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

Significant shareholders
The Company has been informed that, in addition to the 
interests of the Directors above, at 31 December 2017 
and at 28 June 2018, the following shareholders owned 
3% or more of the issued share capital of the Company:

Name
Funds managed by Toscafund 
Asset Management LLP
OWG PLC
The Capital Group  
Companies Inc.
Total Investment  
Solutions SA*
Amara Equity Invest SA*

*  Controlled by SunTrust Oil.

Shares held

% Total 
shares held

311,821,927

19,546,176

62.33%

3.91%

32,348,000

6.47%

39,743,590

31,743,589

7.94%

6.35%

The Directors are not aware of any other holding of 3% 
or more of the share capital of the Company.

Group undertakings
Details of the Company’s subsidiaries are set out in 
Note 16 to the financial statements.

Political donations
There were no political donations made during the 
current or prior year.

Compliance Policy Statement of San Leon Energy plc
The Directors, in accordance with Section 225(2) of the 
Companies Act 2014, acknowledge that they are 
responsible for securing the Company’s compliance 
with certain obligations specified in that section 
(‘relevant obligations’). The Directors confirm that:
(cid:116)(cid:1) a compliance policy statement has been drawn up 
setting out the Company’s policies that in their 
opinion are appropriate with regard to such 
compliance;

(cid:116)(cid:1) appropriate arrangements and structures have been 
put in place that, in their opinion, are designed to 
provide reasonable assurance of compliance in all 
material respects with those relevant obligations; and

(cid:116)(cid:1) a review has been conducted, during the financial 

year, of those arrangements and structures.

Corporate Governance
The Directors are committed to maintaining high 
standards of corporate governance consistent with the 
size, nature and stage of development of the Company 
and seek to implement best practice as appropriate for 
smaller listed companies.

The Board is accountable to shareholders for good 
corporate governance and has adopted the procedures 
set out below in this regard.

The Board
The Board is responsible for setting the overall strategy 
of the business, reviewing management performance 
and ensuring the Group has sufficient financial and 
human resources to meet its objectives. It directs the 
Group’s activities in an effective manner through 
general Board meetings and monitors performance 
through timely and relevant reporting procedures.

At the date this Annual Report is published, the  
Board comprises four executive Directors and five 
non-executive Directors. The Chairman is responsible 
for the leadership of the Board and ensuring its 
effectiveness. Mark Philips, Linda Beal, Mutiu Sunmonu 
and Bill Higgs are independent of management and any 
business which would interfere with the exercise of their 
independent judgement.

In order to ensure that the Directors can properly carry 
out their roles, the members of the Board are provided 
with comprehensive information and financial details 
prior to all Board meetings. The Board meets at least six 
times a year to discuss and decide the Company’s 
business and strategic decisions. In addition, there is a 
high degree of contact between Board meetings to 
ensure all Directors are aware of the Company’s 
business. If necessary, the non-executive Directors  
may take independent advice at the expense of 
the Company.

Overview | Strategic Report

| GOVERNANCE | Financial Statements

39

Board meetings and attendance in 2017

Mutiu Sunmonu (Chairman)
Oisín Fanning
Raymond King
Joel Price
Alan Campbell
Ewen Ainsworth
Mark Phillips
Nick Butler*
Linda Beal+
Bill Higgs~

Number
of meetings 
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
7
n/a
n/a

Number
of meetings
 attended
10
11
9
11
10
11
10
5
n/a
n/a

*  Resigned 6 September 2017.
+ Linda Beal was appointed to the board on 16 January 2018 and has 

attended all board meetings since her appointment.

~ Bill Higgs was appointed to the board on 22 May 2018 and has attended 

all Board meetings since his appointment.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is composed of  
Linda Beal, Mark Phillips and Mutiu Sunmonu  
(appointed as chairman). The Remuneration Committee 
monitors the performance of each of the Company’s 
executive Directors and senior executives to ensure 
they are rewarded fairly for their contribution. The 
recommendations of the Remuneration Committee  
are presented to a meeting of the full Board. The 
remuneration and terms and conditions of appointment 
of the non-executive Directors are set by the Board  
as a whole.

Remuneration committee meetings and attendance  
in 2017

Mutiu Sunmonu (Chairman)
Mark Phillips
Nick Butler*
Linda Beal+

Number
of meetings
1
1
1
n/a

Number
of meetings
 attended
1
1
1
n/a

*  Resigned 6 September 2017.
+ Linda Beal was appointed to the Committee on 16 January 2018 and has 

attended all committee meetings since her appointment.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of Mark Phillips, Mutiu 
Sunmonu and Linda Beal (appointed as chair). The 
duties of the Committee include the review of the 
accounting principles, policies and practices adopted in 
preparing the financial statements, external compliance 
matters, internal control processes and the review of 
the Group’s financial results. It also considers how to 
maintain an appropriate relationship with the Company’s 
auditors. The Committee approves fees in respect of 
non-audit services provided by external auditors in 
order to safeguard the external auditor’s independence 
and objectivity. The Audit Committee meets at least four 
times per year. It meets with the external auditors at 
least once a year without management present. The 
Committee also meets on an ad hoc basis as required.

Audit committee meetings and attendance in 2017

Mutiu Sunmonu
Mark Phillips  
(Chairman Sep-Dec 2017)
Nick Butler* (Chairman)
Linda Beal+

Number
of meetings
5

Number
of meetings
 attended
1

5
3
n/a

5
3
n/a

*  Resigned 6 September 2017.
+ Linda Beal was appointed Chair of the Committee on 16 January 2018 

and has attended all committee meetings since her appointment.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee consists of Mutiu Sunmonu, 
Oisín Fanning and Mark Phillips (appointed as chairman). 
The Nomination Committee is responsible for reviewing 
the structure, size and composition of the Board and 
making recommendations to the Board with regard 
to any changes required. It is responsible for locating 
appropriate senior candidates and conducting initial 
interviews and submitting recommendations on any 
appointment to the Board.

Risk and Safety Committee
The Risk and Safety Committee consists of Mutiu 
Sunmonu, Joel Price and Bill Higgs (appointed as 
chairman, 13 June 2018). The Committee is responsible 
for evaluating risks in Group operations including 
property, personnel and environmental risks and 
ensuring that appropriate procedures are in place for 
mitigating risk and ensuring that adequate insurance 
cover is in place for identifiable risks.

40

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

Investor relations
San Leon Energy is committed to open communication 
with all its shareholders. The Company believes it is 
important to explain business development and 
financial results to its shareholders and to ensure that 
suitable arrangements are in place so that the issues 
and concerns of major shareholders are heard 
and understood.

Copies of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 
are issued to all shareholders who have requested them 
and copies are available on the Group’s investor 
website www.sanleonenergy.com. The Group’s interim 
results are also made available on the Company’s 
website. The Group makes full use of its investor 
website to provide information to shareholders and 
other interested parties.

Shareholders are given the opportunity to raise 
questions at the Annual General Meeting and the 
Directors are available both before and after the 
meeting for further discussion with shareholders. As a 
matter of policy, the level of proxy votes (for, against and 
vote withheld) lodged on each resolution is declared at 
the meeting.

The CEO is primarily responsible for investor relations. 
Meetings are offered to major institutional shareholders 
to discuss strategy, financial performance and 
investment activity immediately after the full year and 
interim results announcements. The Non-Executive 
Directors are available to meet with major shareholders 
if such meetings are required. Feedback from such 
meetings with shareholders is provided to the Board to 
ensure the Directors have a balanced understanding of 
the issues and concerns of major shareholders. Trading 
updates and press releases are issued as appropriate 
and the Group’s brokers provide briefings on 
shareholder opinion and compile independent 
feedback from investor meetings.

Internal control
The Board acknowledges its overall responsibility for 
ensuring that the Company has a system of internal 
control in place that is appropriate. However, 
shareholders should be mindful that any system can 
only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance 
against material misstatement or loss and is designed to 
manage but not to eliminate the risk of failure to achieve 
business objectives. The key procedures are:
(cid:116)(cid:1) preparation of annual budgets for approval by the 

board;

(cid:116)(cid:1) ongoing review of expenditure and cash flows versus 

approved budget;

(cid:116)(cid:1) establishment of appropriate cash flow management 
and treasury policies for the management of liquidity, 
currency and credit risk on financial assets 
and liabilities;

(cid:116)(cid:1) regular management meetings to review operating 

and financial activities;

(cid:116)(cid:1) recruitment of appropriately qualified and 

experienced staff to key financial and management 
positions; and

(cid:116)(cid:1) preparation of financial statements.

The Company has adopted a model code for Directors’ 
share dealings which is appropriate for an AIM listed 
company. The Directors comply with Rule 21 of the  
AIM Rules relating to Directors’ dealings and take all 
reasonable steps to ensure compliance by the 
Company’s applicable employees.

Remuneration Committee Report
The Group’s policy on senior executive remuneration is 
designed to attract and retain individuals of the highest 
calibre who bring relevant experience and independent 
views to the development of policy, strategic decisions 
and governance of the Group.

In determining remuneration levels, the Remuneration 
Committee takes into consideration the practices of 
other companies of similar scope and size. A key 
philosophy is that staff should be properly rewarded 
and motivated to perform in the best interests of 
the shareholders.

Overview | Strategic Report

| GOVERNANCE | Financial Statements

Director emoluments and pension contributions, excluding share option arrangements, during the year ended 31 
December 2017 were as follows:

Mutiu Sunmonu >
Oisín Fanning #*
Raymond King ^
Joel Price 
Alan Campbell 
Ewen Ainsworth º
Mark Phillips 
Nick Butler +
Linda Beal ~
Bill Higgs <

Salary & 
emoluments
€ ‘000
-
203
-
401
401
344
-
-
-
-
1,349

Bonus =
€’000
-
355
-
138
138
-
-
-
-
-
631

Pension
€ ‘000
-
-
-
30
30
24
-
-
-
-
84

Fees
€ ‘000
139
50
186
53
53
53
58
44
-
-
636

Benefits
€ ‘000
-
42
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
-
45

Shares to 
be issued
€ ‘000
-
812
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
812

2017
Total
€ ‘000
139
1,462
186
622
625
421
58
44
-
-
3,557

41

+ Resigned 6 September 2017
# Oisín Fanning is due 2,542,432 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the year 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017. He is also due 510,510 

ordinary shares in respect of 2016 (see below).

*  In addition, Oisín Fanning is due €1,682,879 in respect of personal loan guarantees provided by him, on behalf of the Company.
~  Appointed 16 January 2018
<  Appointed 22 May 2018
>  The Group has a consultancy agreement with Mutiu Sunmonu and Greenbay Energy Resources Limited. Please see Note 32 for further details.
^  The Group has a consultancy agreement with Raymond King and Surplan Limited. Please see Note 32 for further details.
º  The Group has a consultancy agreement with Ewen Ainsworth and Discovery Energy Limited. Please see Note 32 for further details.
=  Bonuses not paid to Directors as at 31 December 2017 or at 28 June 2018. See Note 23, ‘Other creditors’.

Director emoluments and pension contributions, excluding share option arrangements, during the year ended 
31 December 2016 were as follows:

Mutiu Sunmonu +
Oisín Fanning
Paul Sullivan ~
Raymond King ^
Daniel Martin ~«
Joel Price +
Alan Campbell +
Ewen Ainsworth +º
Mark Phillips +
Nick Butler +>
Piotr Rozwadowski*

Salary &
emoluments
€’000
-
278
880
-
-
107
107
87
-
-
-
1,459

Bonus =
€’000
-
526
-
56
-
204
204
44
-
-
-
1,034

Pension
€’000
-
-
96
-
-
9
9
7
-
-
-
121

Fees
€’000
40
50
38
186
122
15
15
35
16
16
12
545

Issue of
shares
€’000
-
601 <
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
601

Shares to
be issued
€’000
-
277 #
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
277

2016
Total
 €’000
40
1,732
1,014
242
122
335
335
173
16
16
12
4,037

+ Appointed 21 September 2016
# Oisín Fanning is due 510,510 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the period 1 September 2016 to 31 December 2016.
<  Oisín Fanning received 1,649,485 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 August 2016.
~  Resigned 21 September 2016
*  Resigned 5 May 2016
>  Resigned 6 September 2017
^  The Group has a consultancy agreement with Raymond King and Surplan Limited. Please see Note 32 for further details.
º  The Group has a consultancy agreement with Ewen Ainsworth and Discovery Energy Limited. Please see Note 32 for further details.
«  The Group has a consultancy agreement with Daniel Martin and Green Corporate Finance Limited. Please see Note 32 for further details.
=  Bonuses not paid to Directors as at 31 December 2016, 31 December 2017 or 28 June 2018. See Note 23, ‘Other creditors’.

In addition to the emoluments above, in accordance with IFRS 2, share based payments, a cost of €Nil (2016: 
€2,525,125) has been recognised in respect of share options granted to Directors. See Note 29 for further details 
of share options.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

DIRECTORS’ REPORT continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

Accounting records
The Directors are responsible for ensuring adequate 
accounting records, as outlined in Section 281 to 285  
of the Companies Act 2014, are kept by the Company. 
The Directors, through the use of appropriate 
procedures and systems and the employment of 
competent persons, have ensured that measures are  
in place to secure compliance with these requirements. 
The books and accounting records are maintained at 
3300 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24.

Group transparency

42

Licence
2017
Corporate#
Total Poland

Licence
2016
Corporate#
Total Poland

Licence fees
€’000

248
248

Licence fees
€’000

332
332

# Corporate is the consolidated total of all our Polish licences where the 

total of each licence payment in the year is less than €100,000.

The Irish Transparency Act came into force on the 1 
January 2017. This required companies operating in the 
extractive sector to publicly disclose payments made to 
National Governments. The regulation implements 
Chapter 10 of EU Accounting Directive (2013/34/EU).

The payments disclosed are based on where the 
obligation arose which in our case is Ireland. Payments 
are disclosed by license where the aggregate of the 
payment in the year exceeds €100,000 otherwise they 
are combined into a corporate level payment which 
consolidated all the smaller payments.

All of the payments disclosed in accordance with the 
Directive have been made to National Governments, 
covering both direct and indirect payments.

The payments type covered by this disclosure are: 
Licence fees:Licence fees cover the costs associated 
with holding each of our licences.

Relevant audit information
The Directors believe that they have taken all necessary 
steps to make themselves aware of any relevant audit 
information and have established that the Company’s 
statutory auditors are aware of this information. In so far 
as they are aware there is no relevant audit information 
of which the Company’s statutory auditors are unaware.

Events since the year end
Details of significant events since the year end are 
included in Note 34.

Auditor
The Auditor, KPMG, Chartered Accountants, have 
indicated their willingness to continue in office in 
accordance with the provisions of Section 383(2)  
of the Companies Act 2014.

On behalf of the Board

Oisín Fanning  Raymond King 
Director   

Director 

28 June 2018

Overview | Strategic Report

| GOVERNANCE | Financial Statements

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT  
OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group 
and Company financial statements for each financial 
year. As required by the AIM/ESM Rules, they are 
required to prepare the Group financial statements in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU. The 
Directors have elected to prepare the Company 
financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted 
by the EU and as applied in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2014.

Under company law, the Directors must not approve the 
Group and Company financial statements unless they 
are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group and 
Company and of the Group’s profit or loss for that year.

In preparing each of the Group and Company financial 
statements, the Directors are required to:
(cid:116)(cid:1) select suitable accounting policies and then apply 

them consistently;

(cid:116)(cid:1) make judgements and estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

(cid:116)(cid:1) state whether they have been prepared in 

accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU, and as 
regards the Company, as applied in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2014; 

(cid:116)(cid:1) assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to 
going concern; and

(cid:116)(cid:1) use the going concern basis of accounting unless 

they either intend to liquidate the Company or cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records, which disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit or loss of the Company and which 
enable them to ensure that the financial statements 
of the Company comply with the provision of the 
Companies Act 2014. The Directors are also responsible 
for taking all reasonable steps to ensure such records 
are kept by its subsidiaries which enable them to ensure 
that the financial statements of the Group comply with 
the provisions of the Companies Act 2014. They are 
responsible for such internal controls as they determine 
are necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and have a general 
responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company 
and the Group, and hence for taking reasonable steps 
for the prevention and detection of fraud and other 
irregularities. The Directors are also responsible for 
preparing a Directors’ report that complies with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2014.

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

On behalf of the board

Oisín Fanning  Raymond King 
Director   

Director

43

 
Emphasis of matter – uncertainty relating to valuation 
of investment in Midwestern Leon Petroleum Limited 
(“MLPL”)
We draw attention to notes 13 (ii) and 17 (i) to the financial 
statements concerning the uncertainty associated with 
the assessment of the Group’s investment in and related 
Loan Notes due from MLPL. The Group’s investment in 
and related Loan Notes due from MLPL are 
underpinned by the OML 18 oil field in Nigeria. As such, 
there is significant uncertainty in relation to the quantum 
and timing of future cashflows which will be produced 
by OML 18 and this uncertainty in turn impacts the value 
of Group’s investment in MLPL and the recoverability of 
the Group and Company’s loans due from MLPL. The 
consequences of the significant uncertainty in relation 
to the Group and Company’s Loan Notes due from 
MLPL, impact on the Group and Company’s assessment 
of their ability to continue as a going concern.

2  Key audit matters: our assessment of risks 
of material misstatement
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our 
professional judgment, were of most significance in the 
audit of the financial statements and include the most 
significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and 
directing the efforts of the engagement team. These 
matters were addressed in the context of our audit of 
the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our 
opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate 
opinion on these matters. 

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

HEADING
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
to the Members of San Leon Energy plc

1   Opinion: our opinion is unmodified
We have audited the financial statements of San Leon 
Energy plc (“the Company”) for the year ended 
31 December 2017, which comprise the consolidated 
income statement, the consolidated statement of other 
comprehensive income, the consolidated and company 
statements of changes in equity, the consolidated and 
company statements of financial position, the 
consolidated and company statements of cash flows 
and the related notes, including the accounting policies 
in note 1. 

44

The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in their preparation is Irish Law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by 
the European Union (EU) and, as regards the Company 
financial statements, as applied in accordance with 
the provisions of the Companies Act 2014.

In our opinion:
(cid:116)(cid:1)

the Group financial statements give a true and fair 
view of the assets, liabilities and financial position 
of the group as at 31 December 2017 and of its loss 
for the year then ended;
the Company statement of financial position gives a 
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial 
position of the Company as at 31 December 2017;
the Group financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by 
the EU;
the Company financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as 
adopted by the EU as applied in accordance with 
the provisions of the Companies Act 2014; and
the Group financial statements and Company 
financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with the requirements of the Companies 
Act 2014.

(cid:116)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with 
International Standards on Auditing (Ireland) (“ISAs 
(Ireland)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities are 
further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities 
section of our report. We have fulfilled our ethical 
responsibilities under, and we remained independent 
of the Group in accordance with, ethical requirements 
applicable in Ireland, including the Ethical Standard 
issued by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory 
Authority (IAASA) as applied to listed entities. We 
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained 
is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In arriving at our audit opinion above, the key audit matters, in decreasing order of audit significance, were as 
follows: 

How the matter was addressed in our audit

Key audit matter
Going concern (refer to pages 59 and 60 (accounting policy))
The Group has prepared 
detailed cashflow forecasts 
that indicate that the Group 
has adequate resources to 
continue as a going 
concern which are 
underpinned by significant 
assumptions relating to the 
timing and amount of 
forecasted cashflows. 

Loan Notes in June 2018.

cashflow forecasts 

Our audit procedures included, but were not limited to:
(cid:116)(cid:1) Consideration and recalculation, including sensitivity analysis, of management’s 

(cid:116)(cid:1) Assessment of the assumptions relating to the timing and amount of forecasted 
cashflows including a comparison to the historical cash requirements of the 
business and cash receipts from the MLPL Loan Notes.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Confirmation from the guarantors of the expected timing of cashflows on the MLPL 

45

(cid:116)(cid:1) Detailed discussion with the Audit Committee of the forecasted cashflows from the 

This is both a Group and 
Company matter.

MLPL Loan Notes.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Assessment of alternative sources of funding including consideration and review of 
available third party funding and assessment of their inclusion in management’s 
cash flow forecasts.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Considering whether any additional facts or information have become available 

since the date on which management made its assessment. 

(cid:116)(cid:1) Requested written representations from the Audit Committee and the Board of 

Directors.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Assessed the appropriateness of disclosures made in the financial statements.

We found the Group’s judgement that the uncertainty regarding the timing and 
amount of future cashflows relating to the MLPL Loan Notes after June 2018 does not 
give rise to significant doubt about the Group and Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern to be acceptable and adequately disclosed in the financial statements.

Valuation of Midwestern Leon Petroleum Limited (“MLPL”) Loan Notes and equity interest  (refer to page 64 
(accounting policy) and pages 73 and 79 to 81 (financial disclosures))
The OML 18 transaction 
(the MLPL Loan Notes and 
equity interest) accounts 
for San Leon’s most 
significant asset.

Our audit procedures included, but were not limited to:
(cid:116)(cid:1) Consideration of management’s fair value assessment models and accounting papers 
highlighting the key assumptions (forecast cash flows and discount rate) supporting 
the carrying amount of the equity interest and Loan Notes investment in MLPL. 

(cid:116)(cid:1) Consideration of the historical accuracy of the Group’s cashflow forecast by 

In line with the relevant 
accounting standards, 
management have 
ascertained fair values 
for the Loan Notes 
€134.8 million (2016: 
€153.4 million) and the 
equity interest €58.3 
million (2016: €74.4 million) 
at 31 December 2017.

There are significant 
estimates and judgments 
involved in determining the 
fair value of both the Loan 
Notes and equity interest 
in MLPL.

This is both a Group and 
Company audit matter.

comparing the prior period forecasted cash receipts from the MLPL Loan Notes to 
actual receipts in 2017 and the first half of 2018.

(cid:116)(cid:1) We compared the Group’s forecasted income from the MLPL Loan Notes to MLPL’s 

own cashflow forecasts to ensure they were consistent.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Assessment of the arithmetic accuracy of the calculations underpinning the valuation 

and accounting for the Loan Notes and equity accounted interests.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Recalculation of the fair value of the loan based on management’s assumptions.
(cid:116)(cid:1)

Inspection of correspondence with the Group’s legal advisers which considers the 
manner and classification of Loan Notes payments and whether there was a breach 
of the instrument’s terms.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Discussion and inspection of supporting work papers with the MLPL component 

auditor which supports the component auditor’s opinion to us on the MLPL audited 
consolidated financial statements.

We found no material misstatements arising from our procedures, however based 
on evidence obtained, we note that the recoverability of the Group’s investment 
(Loan Notes and equity investment) in MLPL is dependent on the ability of the OML 18 
operator, Eroton, to make distributions which is subject to certain restrictions. 

This is outside of the control of San Leon Energy plc and reflects a material uncertainty 
for the Group and Company. Therefore we have included an emphasis of matter in 
relation to the carrying value of the Group’s investment in MLPL in our audit opinion.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT continued
to the Members of San Leon Energy plc

Valuation of 4.5% Net Profit Interest (NPI) on the Barryroe oil field  (refer to page 63 (accounting policy) and 
pages 79 to 82 (financial disclosures))
The risk relates to the 
assessment of the carrying 
value of the Barryroe NPI 
financial asset of €42.6 
million (2016: €48.5 million) 
at 31 December 2017.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Assessment of the key management assumptions, oil prices and discount rate, 
which underpin their valuation model against industry standards and current 
market prices.

Our audit procedures included, but were not limited to:
(cid:116)(cid:1) Consideration of management’s and the Board’s accounting papers setting out 

its assessment of the carrying value of the financial asset.

46

Assessing the fair value of 
the Group’s NPI in Barryroe 
continues to be subject to 
complexity and significant 
judgment. 

This is both a Group and 
Company audit matter.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Consideration of the most recent available third party and independent information 
available to management, including developments in relation to the farm out of the 
Barryroe field.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Recalculation of management’s estimate of the fair value of the asset.
(cid:116)(cid:1) Assessment of the required accounting disclosures.

The fair value of the Barryroe NPI asset is estimated by management to be €42.6 
million at 31 December 2017 (2016: € 48.5m) based on a fair value model produced 
by management. We consider the assumptions used in the model to be supportive 
of the valuation. These assumptions are appropriately disclosed.

3  Our application of materiality and an overview 
of the scope of our audit
Materiality for the Group and Company financial 
statements as a whole was set at €1,325,000 (2016: 
€650,000). This has been calculated using a 
benchmark of Group and Company total assets (of 
which it represents 0.5% (2016: 0.2%), which we have 
determined, in our professional judgement, to be one of 
the principal benchmarks within the financial statements 
relevant to the members of the Group and Company in 
assessing financial performance. 

We report to the Audit Committee all corrected and 
uncorrected misstatements we identified through our 
audit in excess of €65,000 (2016: €32,500), in addition 
to other audit misstatements below that threshold that 
we believe warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 
We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against 
both the quantitative measures of materiality discussed 
above and in light of other relevant qualitative 
considerations in forming our opinion.

The accounting records of the Company and its 
subsidiaries are maintained in Ireland. The accounting 
records of the equity accounted investment in MLPL are 
maintained in Nigeria.  100% of total group revenue, 
100% of the group’s loss before taxation and 100% of 
group total assets were subject to audit for group 
reporting purposes. 

For the two significant components in the scope of our 
audit, the parent Company San Leon Energy plc 
(audited by the Group team) and the equity accounted 
investment MLPL (audited by PWC Nigeria), the Group 
audit team allocated a component materiality set at 
€750,000 (less than our overall Group materiality) 
having regard to the size and risk profile of the 

components across the Group.  The Group audit team 
instructed the component auditor as to the significant 
areas to be covered including the relevant risks detailed 
above and the information to be reported back.

The Group audit team held telephone conference calls 
with the auditors of the MLPL component to assess the 
audit risk and strategy and work undertaken.  On those 
telephone conference calls, the matters subject to audit 
and the findings reported to the Group audit team were 
discussed in more detail and any further work required 
by the Group audit team was then performed by the 
component auditor. 

4 We have nothing to report on going concern
We are required to report to you if we have concluded 
that the use of the going concern basis of accounting 
is inappropriate or there is an undisclosed material 
uncertainty that may cast significant doubt over the 
use of that basis for a period of at least twelve months 
from the date of approval of the financial statements. 
We have nothing to report in these respects.  

5 We have nothing to report on the other information 
in the annual report
The directors are responsible for the other information 
presented in the annual report together with the 
financial statements.  The other information comprises 
the information included in the directors’ report and 
strategic report, other than the financial statements 
and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the 
financial statements does not cover the other information 
and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, 
except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

47

Auditor’s responsibilities
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 our opinion in an auditor’s report. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but does not guarantee that an audit conducted in 
accordance with ISAs (Ireland) will always detect a 
material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can 
arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, 
individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users 
taken on the basis of the financial statements.

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on 
IAASA’s website at https://www.iaasa.ie/getmedia/
b2389013-1cf6-458b-9b8f-a98202dc9c3a/Description_
of_auditors_responsiblities_for_audit.pdf

9  The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe 
our responsibilities
Our report is made solely to the Company’s members, 
as a body, in accordance with Section 391 of the 
Companies Act 2014. Our audit work has been 
undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s 
members those matters we are required to state to 
them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept 
or assume responsibility to anyone other than the 
Company and the Company’s members, as a body, 
for our audit work, for our report, or for the opinions 
we have formed.

Cliona Mullen  
for and on behalf of       
KPMG  
Chartered Accountants, Statutory Audit Firm  
1 Stokes Place  
St. Stephen’s Green 
Dublin 2

28 June 2018

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, 
in doing so, consider whether, based on our financial 
statements audit work, the information therein is 
materially misstated or inconsistent with the financial 
statements or our audit knowledge. Based solely on 
that work we have not identified material misstatements 
in the other information.

Based solely on our work on the other information;
(cid:116)(cid:1) we have not identified material misstatements in the 

(cid:116)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)

directors’ report;
 in our opinion, the information given in the directors’ 
report is consistent with the financial statements; 
in our opinion, the directors’ report has been 
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2014.  

6  Our opinions on other matters prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2014 are unmodified
We have obtained all the information and explanations 
which we consider necessary for the purpose of our 
audit.  In our opinion, the accounting records of the 
Company were sufficient to permit the financial 
statements to be readily and properly audited and the 
Company’s statement of financial position and the profit 
and loss account is in agreement with the accounting 
records.  

7  We have nothing to report on other matters on 
which we are required to report by exception
The Companies Act 2014 requires us to report to you if, 
in our opinion, the disclosures of directors’ remuneration 
and transactions required by Sections 305 to 312 of the 
Act are not made.

8  Respective responsibilities
Directors’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in their statement set out 
on page 43, the directors are responsible for: the 
preparation of the financial statements including being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal 
control as they determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; 
assessing the Group and parent 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 they either intend to 
liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

 
 
 
 
San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December 2017

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit

48

Recycling of currency translation reserve on disposal of subsidiaries
Share of (loss)/profit of equity accounted investments
Administrative expenses
Impairment / write off of exploration and evaluation assets
Impairment of assets held for sale
Decommissioning of wells
Arbitration award
Other income
Dissenting shareholders award
Impairment of financial assets
Provision for bank guarantee
Provision for other debtors
Loss on disposal of equity accounted investments
(Loss) from operating activities

Finance expense
Finance income
Foreign exchange (loss) / gain – OML 18 Production Arrangement
Finance income – OML 18 Production Arrangement
(Loss)/profit before income tax

Notes

2

28
13

12
22
26
26
3
26
17
20
19
4

6
7
8
8

2017
€’000

324
(146)
178

28
(7,079)
(16,952)
(42,783)
(3,136)
235
(1,948)
95
–
(3,171)
(1,167)
(5,276)
–
(80,976)

(6,576)
506
(18,901)
34,619
(71,328)

2016
€’000

345
(128)
217

–
12,217
(26,367)
(9,300)
–
(274)
(3,628)
29,926
(1,125)
–
–
–
(1,954)
(288)

(13,025)
2
7,958
8,843
3,490

Income tax

10

(2,199)

2,227

(Loss)/profit from continuing operations

(73,527)

5,717

(Loss)/profit per share (cent) – continuing operations
Basic (loss)/profit per share
Diluted (loss)/profit per share

11
11

(16.18)
(16.15)

3.42
3.34

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 December 2017

(Loss)/profit for the year
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income 
statement
Foreign currency translation differences – subsidiaries
Foreign currency translation differences – joint venture
Recycling of currency translation reserve on disposal of subsidiaries
Fair value movements in financial assets
Deferred tax on fair value movements in financial assets
Total comprehensive (loss)/profit for the year

Notes

28
28

17
31

2017
€’000
(73,527)

(627)
(9,007)
(28)
(5,896)
1,989
(87,096)

2016
€’000
5,717

(763)
4,694
–
1,545
(494)
10,699

The accompanying notes on pages 57 – 103 form an integral part of these financial statements.

49

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2017

50

2016
Balance at 1 January 2016
Other comprehensive income
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation differences – subsidiaries
Foreign currency translation differences – joint venture (Note 13)
Fair value movements in financial assets
Deferred tax on fair value movements in financial assets
Total comprehensive income for year
Transactions with owners recognised directly in equity
Issue of shares for cash (Note 27)
Issue of shares in lieu of salary (Note 27)
Share based payment 
Warrants issued on placing
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 31 December 2016 

2017
Balance at 1 January 2017
Total comprehensive income for year
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation differences – subsidiaries
Foreign currency translation differences – joint venture (Note 13)
Recycling of currency translation reserve on disposal of subsidiaries
Fair value movements in financial assets
Deferred tax on fair value movements in financial assets
Total comprehensive income for year
Transactions with owners recognised directly in equity
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Issue of shares for cash (Note 27)
Issue of shares – debt for equity (Note 27)
Effect of share options exercised (Note 27)
Share based payment 
Effect of share options cancelled
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 31 December 2017

Share 
capital
reserve
€’000

Share 
premium
reserve
€’000

Currency 
 translation
reserve
€’000

127,145

205,126

(3,891)

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

3,784
28
–
–
3,812
130,957

194,926
1,451
–
–
196,377
401,503

130,957

401,503

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

439
63
70
–
–
572
131,529

12,008
2,217
2,321
–
–
16,546
418,049

–

(763)
4,694
–
–
3,931

–
–
–
–
–
40

40

–

(627)
(9,007)
(28)
–
–
(9,662)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(9,622)

The accompanying notes on pages 57 – 103 form an integral part of these financial statements.

 
Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

51

Share based 
payment
reserve
€’000

Shares to 
be issued
 reserve 
€’000

 Fair value
reserve
€’000

Retained
earnings
€’000

Attributable to 
equity holders
in Group
€’000

Non-controlling
interest
€’000

11,057

992

2,966

(266,332)

77,063

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
(1,594)
9,260
701
8,367
19,424

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
277
–
277
1,269

–

–
–
1,545
(494)
1,051

–
–
–
–
–
4,017

5,717

–
–
–
–
5,717

(1,957)
–
–
(701)
(2,658)
(263,273)

5,717

(763)
4,694
1,545
(494)
10,699

196,753
(115)
9,537
–
206,175
293,937

19,424

1,269

4,017

(263,273)

293,937

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
(1,906)
570
(1,936)
(3,272)
16,152

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
812
–
812
2,081

–

(73,527)

(73,527)

–
–
–
(5,896)
1,989
(3,907)

–
–
–
–
–
(73,527)

–
–
–
–
–
–
110

–
–
1,906
–
1,936
3,842
(332,958)

(627)
(9,007)
(28)
(5,896)
1,989
(87,096)

12,447
2,280
2,391
1,382
–
18,500
225,341

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
– 
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Total
€’000

77,063

5,717

(763)
4,694
1,545
(494)
10,699

196,753
(115)
9,537
–
206,175
293,937

293,937

(73,527)

(627)
(9,007)
(28)
(5,896)
1,989
(87,096)

12,447
2,280
2,391
1,382
–
18,500
225,341

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2017

52

2016
Balance at 1 January 2016
Total comprehensive income
Profit for the year
Fair value movement in 
financial asset
Deferred tax on fair value 
movements in financial assets
Total comprehensive income 
for the year
Transactions with owners 
recognised directly in equity
Contributions by and 
distributions to owners
Issue of shares for cash (Note 27)
Issue of shares in lieu of salary 
(Note 27)
Share based payment
Warrants issued on placing
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 31 December 2016

2017
Balance at 1 January 2017
Total comprehensive income
Loss for the year
Fair value movements in 
financial assets
Deferred tax on fair value 
movements in financial assets
Total comprehensive income 
for the year
Transactions with owners 
recognised directly in equity
Contributions by and 
distributions to owners
Issue of shares for cash (note 27)
Issue of shares – debt for equity
Effect of share options exercised
Share based payment
Effect of share options cancelled
Total transactions with owners
Balance at 31 December 2017

Share
capital
€’000

Share
premium
€’000

Share based
payment
reserve
€’000

Shares to 
be issued
 reserve
€’000

Fair
value
reserve
€’000

Retained
earnings
€’000

Total
equity
€’000

127,145

205,126

11,057

992

6,665

(274,415)

76,570

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,784

194,926

28
–
–
3,812

1,451
–
–
196,377
130,957 401,503

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(56,892)

(56,892)

1,545

(3,075)

–

–

1,545

(3,075)

(1,530)

(56,892)

(58,422)

–

(1,957)

196,753

(1,594)
9,260
701
8,367
19,424

–
277
–
277
1,269

–
–
–
–

(115)
–
9,537
–
–
(701)
206,175
(2,658)
5,135 (333,965) 224,323

130,957

401,503

19,424

1,269

5,135

(333,965)

224,323

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(51,940)

(51,940)

(5,896)

1,989

–

–

(5,896)

1,989

(3,907)

(51,940)

(55,847)

439
63
70
–
–
572
131,529

12,008
2,217
2,321
–
–
16,546
418,049

–
–
(1,906)
570
(1,936)
(3,272)
16,152

–
–
–
812
–
812
2,081

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
1,906
–
1,936
3,842
1,228 (382,063)

12,447
2,280
2,391
1,382
–
18,500
186,976

The accompanying notes on pages 57 – 103 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31 December 2017

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Equity accounted investments
Property, plant & equipment
Financial assets
Other non-current assets

Current assets
Inventory
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets classified as held for sale

Total assets

Equity and liabilities
Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Share based payments reserve
Shares to be issued reserve
Currency translation reserve
Fair value reserve
Retained earnings
Total equity
Non-current liabilities
Provisions
Derivative
Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Loans and borrowings
Provisions
Liabilities classified as held for sale

Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

53

Notes

2017
€’000

2016
€’000

12
13
14
17
15

18
19
20
17
21
22

27
27
28/29

28

26
24
31

23
25
26
22

2,501
58,296
2,398
117,901
180
181,276

282
4,347
–
61,785
8,131
–
74,545
255,821

131,529
418,049
16,152
2,081
(9,622)
110
(332,958)
225,341

–
426
7,538
7,964

15,807
4,146
1,563
1,000
22,516
30,480
255,821

44,621
74,382
3,279
169,616
257
292,155

253
11,490
1,328
37,727
177
2,553
53,528
345,683

130,957
401,503
19,424
1,269
40
4,017
(263,273)
293,937

1,280
255
7,332
8,867

11,298
6,283
24,298
1,000
42,879
51,746
345,683

The accompanying notes on pages 57 – 103 form an integral part of these financial statements. 

Oisín Fanning   Ewen Ainsworth
Director   

Director

28 June 2018

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31 December 2017

Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Financial Assets
Financial assets – investment in subsidiaries

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

54

Equity and liabilities
Equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Share based payments reserve
Shares to be issued reserve
Fair value reserve
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity shareholders
Non-current liabilities
Derivative
Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Loans and borrowings

Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

Notes

2017
€’000

2016
€’000

12
17
16

19
17
21

27
27
28/29

24
31

23
25

–
117,901
30,226
148,127

2,993
61,785
7,816
72,594
220,721

131,529
418,049
16,152
2,081
1,228
(382,063)
186,976

426
7,572
7,998

21,601
4,146
25,747
33,745
220,721

9,020
169,616
47,038
225,674

6,027
37,727
1
43,755
269,429

130,957
401,503
19,424
1,269
5,135
(333,965)
224,323

255
7,627
7,882

30,941
6,283
37,224
45,106
269,429

The accompanying notes on pages 57 – 103 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Oisín Fanning   Ewen Ainsworth
Director   

Director

28 June 2018

 
Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 December 2017

Cash flows from operating activities
(Loss)/profit for the year – continuing operations
Adjustments for:
Depletion and depreciation
Finance expense
Finance income
Share based payments charge
Foreign exchange
Income tax
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets – continuing operations
Impairment of financial assets
Impairment of assets held for sale
Provision for bank guarantee
Provision for other debtors
Other income
Arbitration award
Dissenting shareholders
Decommissioning costs
Disposal of equity interest
Bargain purchase of MLPL
Decrease/(increase) in inventory
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
Movement in other non-current assets
Share of loss/(profit) of equity-accounted investments
Tax paid
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Expenditure on exploration and evaluation assets
Proceeds of disposal of equity accounted investments
Arbitration payment
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Advances to equity accounted investments
Decrease in restricted cash
Expenditure on held for sale asset
Proceeds on sale of held for sale assets
Acquisition of OML 18 equity interest
OML 18 Production Arrangement Loan Notes
Proceeds of financial investments and investment income
Net cash outflow from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares
Cost of issue of shares
Proceeds from drawdown of other loans
Repayment of other loans
Dissenting shareholder payment
Movement in Director loan
Interest and investment income received
Interest and arrangement fees paid
Net cash inflow from financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange fluctuation on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at start of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

55

Notes

2017
€’000

2016
€’000

(73,527)

5,717

6 / 8
8

12

22
20
19

26

26

15
13

20

13
13
17
17

21
21

782
25,477
(35,125)
1,382
(1,540)
2,199
42,783
3,171
3,136
1,167
5,276
(95)
1,948
–
(235)
–
–
(29)
2,365
3,188
77
7,079
(4)
(10,525)

(485)
–
(23,906)
144
–
–
(583)
95
–
34,277
31
9,573

14,840
–
20,228
(19,455)
(1,716)
1,321
9
(6,405)
8,822
7,870
84
177
8,131

647
13,025
(16,803)
9,537
(391)
(2,227)
9,300
–
–
–
–
–
3,628
1,125
274
1,954
(29,926)
76
(784)
(3,270)
576
(12,217)
(4)
(19,763)

(1,117)
4,222
(2,231)
(2,719)
53
84
–
–
(27,545)
(136,583)
140
(165,696)

196,753
–
6,104
(12,437)
(705)
145
–
(5,040)
184,820
(639)
(97)
(913)
177

The accompanying notes on pages 57 – 103 form an integral part of these financial statements.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 December 2017

56

Cash flows from operating activities
Loss for the year
Adjustments for:
Depletion and depreciation
Finance income
Finance expense
Share based payments charge
Impairment of investment in subsidiaries and amounts  
due from group undertakings
Impairment of financial assets
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets
Provision for other debtors
Foreign exchange
Income tax
Decrease in trade and other receivables
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
Tax received
Net cash outflow recovered from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Advances to subsidiary companies
Decrease/(increase) in restricted cash
OML18 Production Arrangement Loan Notes
Acquisition of OML 18 equity interest
Proceeds of financial investments and investment income
Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds of issue of shares
Proceeds from drawdown of other loans
Repayment of other loans
Movement in Director loan
Interest and arrangement fees paid
Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange fluctuation on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at start of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Notes

2017
€’000

2016
€’000

(51,940)

(56,892)

–
(34,619)
25,482
571

31,354
3,171
9,020
1,668
(576)
1,924
890
2,792
19
(10,244)

(26,718)
–
34,277
–
31
7,590

14,840
20,228
(19,455)
1,321
(6,410)
10,524

7,870
(55)
1
7,816

33
(16,802)
12,972
8,659

32,450
–
–
–
(70)
4,555
137
236
7
(14,715)

(7,448)
84
(136,583)
(27,545)
140
(171,352)

196,753
6,104
(12,437)
145
(4,988)
185,577

(490)
(81)
572
1

17
13
17

21
21

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2017

1. Accounting Policies
San Leon Energy plc (“the Company”) is a company 
incorporated and domiciled in the Republic of Ireland. 
The Group financial statements consolidate those of the 
Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as 
the “Group”). The registered office address is 1st Floor, 
Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2.

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

Statement of compliance
As required by AIM and ESM rules and permitted by 
Company Law, the Group financial statements have 
been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted 
by the EU. The individual financial statements of the 
Company (Company financial statements) have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the 

EU and as applied in accordance with the Companies 
Act, 2014 which permits a Company, that publishes its 
Company and Group financial statements together, to 
take advantage of the exemption in Section 304 of the 
Companies Act 2014, from presenting to its members its 
Company income statement and related notes that form 
part of the approved Company financial statements. 
The IFRS adopted by the EU as applied by the Company 
and the Group in the preparation of these financial 
statements are those that were effective for accounting 
periods commencing on or before 1 January 2017 or 
were early adopted as indicated below. The accounting 
policies adopted are consistent with those of the 
previous year.

New standards required by EU companies for the year 
ended 31 December 2017
The following new standards and amendments were 
adopted by the Group and the Company for the first 
time in the current financial reporting period. There  
was no impact on the results for the year ended  
31 December 2017.

New standards and interpretations effective that were adopted

57

Standard
Amendments to IAS 7: Disclosure 
Initiative (29 January 2016)
Amendments to IAS 12: Recognition 
of deferred tax assets for unrealised 
losses (19 January 2016)
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 
2014-2016 Cycle (Amendments 
to IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests 
in Other Entities) (issued on 
8 December 2016)

IASB effective date
1 January 2017  
(early adoption permitted)

EU effective date
1 January 2017  
(early adoption permitted)

1 January 2017  
(early adoption permitted)

1 January 2017  
(early adoption permitted)

1 January 2017

1 January 2017

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

1. Accounting Policies continued
New standards and amendments issued by the IASB but not yet effective
There are a number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations that are not yet effective and 
have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements. These new standards, amendments 
to standards and interpretations are either not expected to have a material impact on the Group and the 
Company’s financial statements or are still under assessment by the Group and the Company.

The principal new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are as follows:

58

Standard
IFRS 14: Regulatory Deferral Accounts (30 January 2014)

Annual Improvements to IFRS 2014-2016 Cycle 
(Amendments to IFRS 1 First time Adoption of IFRSs and 
IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures) 
(issued on 8 December 2016)
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (24 July 2014)

Amendments to IFRS 4: Applying IFRS 9 Financial 
Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts 
(issued 12 December 2016)
IFRS 15: Revenue from contracts with customers 
(Note – including amendments to IFRS 15: Effective 
date of IFRS 15 (11 September 2015) and clarifications 
to IFRS 15 (12 April 2016))
Amendments to IFRS 2: Classification and measurement 
of share-based payment transactions (20 June 2016)
IFRIC Interpretation 22: Foreign Currency Transactions 
and Advance Consideration (issued December 2016)
Amendments to IAS 40: Transfers of Investment 
Property (issued December 2016) 
IFRS 16: Leases (13 January 2016)

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments 
(issued on 7 June 2017)
Amendments to IFRS 9 Prepayment Features with 
Negative Compensation
Amendments to IAS 28: Long-term interests in 
Associates and Joint Ventures
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (issued on 18 May 2017)

Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28: Sale or contribution 
of assets between an investor and its associate or joint 
venture (September 2014)

Annual improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 
Cycle (issued on 12 December 2017)

IASB effective date
1 January 2016 (early 
adoption permitted)
1 January 2018

EU effective date
Not endorsed, expected to 
wait for the final standard.
1 January 2018

1 January 2018 (early 
adoption permitted)
1 January 2018

1 January 2018 (early 
adoption permitted)
1 January 2018

1 January 2018 (early 
adoption permitted)

1 January 2018 (early 
adoption permitted)

1 January 2018 (early 
adoption permitted)
1 January 2018

1 January 2018 (early 
adoption permitted)
1 January 2018

1 January 2018

1 January 2018

1 January 2019 (early 
adoption permitted for 
entities that apply IFRS 15 
Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers at or before 
the date of initial application 
of this Standard)
1 January 2019

1 January 2019

1 January 2019

1 January 2021

Deferred indefinitely 
(pending outcome of 
research project on the 
equity method of 
accounting)
1 January 2019 (early 
adoption permitted)

1 January 2019 (early 
adoption permitted for 
entities that apply IFRS 15 
Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers at or 
before the date of initial 
application of this Standard)
Not endorsed, expected 
to be endorsed Q3 2018.
1 January 2019

Not endorsed, expected 
to be endorsed in 2018.
Not endorsed. No 
indicative endorsement 
date provided.
Endorsement postponed. 
Awaiting IASB 
developments.

Expected to be endorsed 
in 2018

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

59

1. Accounting Policies continued
A number of new standards, amendments to standards 
and interpretations are not yet effective and therefore 
have not been applied in preparing these financial 
statements. The Group and the Company does not plan 
to adopt these standards early; instead it will apply them 
from their effective dates as determined by their dates of 
EU endorsement. The Directors do not believe that any 
of the above standards that are not yet effective will have 
a significant impact on Group and Company reporting.

New standards that came into effect on 1 January 2018 
are being applied in the year ending 31 December 2018, 
first reporting to include these will be for the period 
ending 30 June 2018. The Directors do not believe 
that any of these standards will have a significant 
impact on Group and Company reporting.

Basis of preparation
The Group and Company financial statements are 
prepared on the historical cost basis, except for financial 
assets (net profit interests and quoted shares), which 
are carried at fair value, and equity settled share option 
awards and warrants which are measured at grant date 
fair value.

Going concern
The Directors have prepared a detailed cash flow forecast 
for the Group and Company for the period from 1 June 
2018 to 31 December 2019.

The principal assumptions underlying the cash flow 
forecast and the availability of finance to the Group 
are as follows:
(cid:116)(cid:1) During 2016 the Company completed a transaction 
and holds €156.6 million (US$174.5 million) of Loan 
Notes in Midwestern Leon Petroleum Limited (MLPL), 
which will be repayable by MLPL to San Leon and a 
40 per cent shareholding in MLPL, which gives San 
Leon an initial 9.72% economic interest in OML 18. 
The Group will receive cash flows from the Loan 
Notes in the form of interest and capital repayments. 
This continued to be the case during 2017 and the 
basis of the forecast for 2018. To date three quarterly 
Loan Note payments totalling US$58.6 million have 
been made on behalf of MLPL when due under the 
terms of the Loan Notes.  The Group has assumed 
that it will continue to receive quarterly forecast cash 
flows during 2018 and 2019 from the Loan Notes and 
allocate to interest or capital repayments in 
accordance with the terms of the Loan Notes. A 
fourth quarterly Loan Notes payment, which is due by 
the end of June 2018, would be sufficient to provide 
cash funds to the Group and Company to remain 
a going concern for at least 12 months. As at the 
28 June 2018 a further US$11.0 million has been 
received in relation to the fourth quarterly Loan Notes. 

It has been confirmed to the Company that up to a 
further US$8 million will be paid on behalf of MLPL by 
the 30 June 2018 which will fulfil the fourth quarterly 
Loan Notes payment due by the end of June 2018. 
(cid:116)(cid:1) Ongoing exploration and administrative expenditure 
from the Group’s existing activities are in line with 
current expectations and commitments.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Provision and settlement of certain loans provided to 
the Group. The expectation is that no further loans 
will be required and all loans as detailed in Note 25 
will be fully settled within terms.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Further cash inflow of US$3.6 million before interest 
and an extension fee from the sale of certain Polish 
assets on completion of the sale to NSP Investments 
Holdings Ltd (previously referred to as Palomar) will 
be received.

(cid:116)(cid:1) Committed facility of £10 million from Shard Capital 
which can be drawn down on a quarterly basis in 
instalments of up to £1.25 million per quarter over 
a period of 2 years.

(cid:116)(cid:1) The cash flow forecast reflects the on-going activity 
across the Group’s exploration asset portfolio taking 
account of its licence commitments, technical team 
costs, administrative overhead, other financial 
commitments and its available financial resources from 
existing cash balances. The strategy of the Board is 
to continue to mitigate risk on the Group’s exploration 
portfolio by monetising certain assets through outright/
partial disposal of interests or securing farm-in partners 
on certain projects. The Directors are engaged in 
on-going discussions with third parties on the potential 
disposal of a number of the Group’s assets which they 
expect will generate cash resources to assist in 
financing the Group’s activities. Although there is 
potential for further cash inflows from monetising 
certain assets through outright/ partial disposal of 
interests or securing farm-in partners on certain 
projects, the cash flow projections do not include 
these supplemental cash inflows.

Given the Group’s well understood cost base and the 
expected cash inflows in June 2018 associated with the 
interest and capital repayments on the Loan Notes with 
MLPL, the directors are confident that the Group has 
adequate resources to continue as a going concern 
with no material uncertainties.

It was originally envisaged that the quarterly Loan Notes 
payments due to the Group would be sourced by MLPL 
from the receipt of dividends through its indirect interest 
in Eroton via Martwestern. These dividends have not 
been received and consequently MLPL entered into 
a loan arrangement in order to be able to make Loan 
Notes payments to the Company. In the absence of the 
dividend payments to MLPL it will be reliant on further 
advances under the loan arrangement and in turn being 
able to make quarterly Loan Notes payments to the 
Company.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

60

1. Accounting Policies continued
The Directors have concluded, that whilst any quarterly 
Loan Notes payment due in the second half of 2018, 
if delayed or not received, represents a material 
uncertainty in relation to the carrying value of the MLPL 
Loan Notes, the payment of the fourth quarterly Loan 
Notes payment of which US$11 million has been received 
to date, and a further up to US$8 million will be paid on 
behalf of MLPL by the end of June 2018, will enable the 
Group and Company to continue as a going concern. 
The uncertainty in relation to subsequent receipts in the 
second half of 2018 does not give rise to a significant 
doubt in relation to the Group and Company’s ability 
to continue as a going concern.

Further, based on its consideration of Group cash flow 
projections and underlying assumptions outlined above, 
the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group and Company will have adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence and to discharge its 
debts as they fall due for the foreseeable future and for 
a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval 
of the financial statements.

Accordingly the Directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of preparation of the financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2017.

Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of 
the Group’s entities are measured using the currency 
of the primary economic environment in which the entity 
operates (the “functional currency”). These consolidated 
financial statements are presented in Euro (€), which 
is the Company’s functional currency and the Group’s 
presentational currency, rounded to the nearest thousand.

Use of estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity 
with EU IFRS requires management to make judgements, 
estimates and assumptions that affect the application 
of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 
income and expenses. Actual results may differ 
from these estimates. The estimates and associated 
assumptions are based on historical experience and 
various other factors that are believed to be reasonable 
under the circumstances, the results of which form the 
basis of making the judgements about carrying values 
of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from 
other sources. Estimates and underlying assumptions are 
reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to accounting 
estimates are recognised in the period in which the 
estimate is revised and in any future periods affected. 
In particular, significant areas of estimation uncertainty 
and critical judgements used in applying accounting 
policies that have the most significant effect on the 
amounts recognised in the financial statements include:

Going concern (Note 1)
(cid:116)(cid:1) Recoverability of intangible assets (Note 12)
(cid:116)(cid:1) Measurement and recoverability of equity accounted 

investments (Note 13)

(cid:116)(cid:1) Measurement and recoverability of financial assets 

(Note 17)

(cid:116)(cid:1) Measurement of share-based payments (Note 29)
(cid:116)(cid:1) Recognition of deferred tax asset for tax losses 

(Note 31)

(cid:116)(cid:1) Provision (Avobone) (Note 26 )

Basis of consolidation
The financial information incorporates the financial 
information of the Company and entities controlled by 
the Group (its subsidiaries). Control is defined as when 
the Group is exposed to or has the rights to variable 
returns from its investment with the entity and has the 
ability to affect these returns through its power over 
the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are 
included in the consolidated financial statements from 
the date control commences until the date that control 
ceases. Where necessary, adjustments are made to 
the financial information of subsidiaries to bring their 
accounting policies into line with those used by other 
members of the Group. Intra-group balances and any 
unrealised gains and losses or income or expenses 
arising from intragroup transactions are eliminated 
in preparing the Group financial statements.

Business combinations and goodwill
Business combinations are accounted for using the 
acquisition method as at the acquisition date, which 
is the date on which control is transferred to the Group. 
Control is defined as when the Group and Company  
has the rights to variable returns from its investment 
with the entity and has the ability to affect these returns 
through its power over the entity. In assessing control, 
the Group takes into consideration potential voting 
rights that currently are substantive.

Acquisitions
The Group and Company measures goodwill at the 
acquisition date as:
(cid:116)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)

the fair value of the consideration transferred; plus
the recognised amount of any non-controlling 
interests in the acquiree; plus if the business 
combination is achieved in stages, the fair value 
of the existing equity interest in the acquiree; less
the net recognised amount (generally fair value) of the 
identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. 

(cid:116)(cid:1)

When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase 
gain is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Accounting Policies continued
Costs related to the acquisition, other than those 
associated with the issue of debt or equity securities, 
that the Group incurs in connection with a business 
combination are expensed as incurred.

Any contingent consideration payable is recognised 
at fair value at the acquisition date. If the contingent 
consideration is classified as equity, it is not re-measured 
and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, 
subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent 
consideration are recognised in profit or loss.

Intangible assets – exploration and evaluation assets
Expenditure incurred prior to obtaining the legal rights 
to explore an area is recognised in profit or loss as 
incurred. All other expenditure relating to licence 
acquisition, exploration, evaluation and appraisal of 
oil and gas interests, including an appropriate share 
of directly attributable overheads, is capitalised on 
a licence by licence basis.

Exploration and evaluation assets are carried at cost 
until the exploration phase is complete or commercial 
reserves have been discovered. The Group and 
Company regularly review the carrying amount of 
exploration and evaluation assets for indicators of 
impairment and capitalised costs are written off where 
the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. 
Where commercial reserves have been established and 
development is approved by the Board, the relevant 
expenditure is transferred to oil and gas properties 
following assessment of impairment.

Royalty
Royalty assets are carried at cost less accumulated 
amortisation. Amortisation is charged in proportion to 
the current year production based on total estimated 
production over the life of the field.

Impairment
The carrying amounts of the Group’s assets are reviewed 
at each reporting date and, if there is any indication 
that an asset may be impaired, its recoverable amount 
is estimated. The recoverable amount is the higher of 
its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.

Estimates on impairment are limited to an assessment by 
the Directors of any events or changes in circumstance 
that would indicate that the carrying amount of the asset 
may not be recoverable.

Any impairment loss arising from the review is 
recognised in profit or loss to the extent the carrying 
amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount. 
An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that 

the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the 
carrying amount that would have been determined, 
net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment 
loss had been recognised.

Oil and gas properties
Oil and gas properties are stated at cost less accumulated 
depreciation and impairment losses. The initial cost 
comprises the purchase price or construction cost 
including any directly attributable costs of bringing 
the asset into operation and any estimated 
decommissioning provision.

Oil and gas properties are depleted on a unit of 
production basis over the estimated proven and 
probable reserves of the field.

61

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less 
accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at 
rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value 
of each asset over its expected useful life. The residual 
value is the estimated amount that would currently be 
obtained from disposal of the asset if the asset were 
already of the age and in the condition expected at 
the end of its useful life. The annual rate of depreciation 
for each class of depreciable asset is:
Office equipment 
Motor vehicles 
Plant and equipment 

25% Straight line 
20% Reducing balance 
20% – 33% Straight line

Jointly controlled operations or assets
The Group has entered into a number of joint 
arrangements on production and exploration assets that 
result in jointly controlled assets. The Group accounts 
for only its share of assets, liabilities, income and 
expenditure in relation to these jointly controlled assets.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value.

Joint arrangements
The Group has also entered into joint venture 
arrangements which are operated through joint 
ventures. The Group accounts for its interest in these 
entities on an equity basis, with Group share of profit or 
loss after tax is recognised in the Income Statement and 
its share of Other Comprehensive Income of the joint 
venture recognised in Other Comprehensive Income.

Financial fixed assets – investment in subsidiaries
Financial fixed assets in the Company Statement of 
Financial Position consist of investments in subsidiary 
undertakings and are stated at cost less provision for 
impairment where applicable.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

62

1. Accounting Policies continued
Financial assets – available for sale
The Group’s financial assets are initially recognised at 
fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. 
Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at 
fair value and changes therein are recognised in Other 
Comprehensive Income. On disposal, the cumulative 
gain or loss previously reported in Other Comprehensive 
Income is included in the calculation of any gain or loss 
arising on disposal and recognised in profit or loss.

Decommissioning provision
A provision is made for decommissioning of oil and 
gas wells. The cost of decommissioning is determined 
through discounting the amounts expected to be 
payable to their present value at the date the provision 
is recognised and reassessed at each reporting date. 
This amount is regarded as part of the total investment 
to gain access to economic benefits and consequently 
capitalised as part of the cost of the asset and the 
liability is recognised in provisions. Such cost is 
depleted over the life of the asset on the basis of 
proven and probable reserves and charged to the 
Income Statement. The unwinding of the discount is 
reflected as a finance cost in the Income Statement 
over the life of the field or well.

Taxation
Income tax expense comprises current and deferred 
tax. Income tax expense is recognised in the 
Consolidated Income Statement except to the extent 
that it relates to items recognised directly in Other 
Comprehensive Income or equity, in which case it is 
recognised in Other Comprehensive Income or equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the 
taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted 
or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any 
adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognised using the liability method, 
providing for temporary differences between the 
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation 
purposes. Deferred tax is not recognised for the 
following temporary differences: the initial recognition 
of goodwill, the initial recognition of assets or liabilities 
in a transaction that is not a business combination and 
that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit, and 
differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to 
the extent that they are controlled and probably will 
not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax 
is measured at the tax rates that are expected to 
be applied to the temporary differences when they 
reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted 
or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised to the extent that it 
is probable that future taxable profits will be available 
against which the temporary differences can be utilised. 
Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting 
date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer 
probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially translated 
to the respective functional currencies of Group entities 
at the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. 
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies are retranslated to the functional currency at 
the exchange rates ruling at the reporting date with gains 
or losses recognised in profit or loss. Non-monetary 
items are translated using the exchange rates ruling as 
at the date of the initial transaction.

Foreign operations
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations 
are translated into Euro at the exchange rate at the 
reporting date and the income and expenses of foreign 
operations are translated at the actual exchange rates 
at the date of the transaction or at average exchange 
rates for the year where this approximates to the actual 
rate. Exchange differences arising on translation are 
recognised in other comprehensive income and 
presented in the foreign currency translation reserve 
in equity. Details of exchange rates used are set out 
in Note 33.

Revenue
Revenue from the sale of gas is recognised when 
the significant risks and rewards of ownership have 
been transferred, which is when the title passes to 
the customer. Revenue is measured at the fair value 
of the consideration receivable net of value added tax.

Finance income and expenses
Interest income is accrued on a time basis by reference 
to the principal on deposit and the effective interest rate 
applicable.

Finance expenses comprise interest or finance costs on 
borrowings and unwinding of any discount on provisions 
using the effective interest rate.

Share capital
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of 
ordinary shares are recognised as a deduction from equity.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

63

Segmental reporting
A segment is a distinguishable component of the Group 
that is engaged in business activities from which it may 
earn revenues and incur expenses which is subject to 
risks and rewards that are different from those of other 
segments and for which discrete financial information 
is available.

All operating segments and results are regularly 
reviewed by the Board of Directors to make decisions 
about resources to be allocated to each segment and 
to assess its performance.

Full details of the Group’s operating segments 
all of which are involved in oil and gas exploration 
and production are set out in Note 2 to the financial 
statements.

Assets and liabilities held for sale
Non-current assets and liabilities that are expected 
to be recovered primarily through sale rather than 
through continuing use are classified as held for sale. 
Immediately before classification as held for sale, 
the assets are remeasured in accordance with the 
Group’s accounting policies. Thereafter, the assets 
are measured at the lower of their carrying amount 
and fair value less cost to sell. Impairment losses on 
initial classification as held for sale and subsequent 
gains or losses on remeasurement are recognised 
in profit or loss. Gains are not recognised in excess 
of any cumulative impairment loss.

Defined contribution pension scheme
The Group operates a defined contribution scheme. 
All contributions made are recognised in the Income 
Statement in the period in which they fall due.

1. Accounting Policies continued
Share based payments
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 ‘share 
based payments’. The Group issues share options as an 
incentive to certain key management and staff (including 
Directors), which are classified as equity settled share 
based payment awards. The grant date fair value of 
share options granted to Directors and employees under 
the Company’s share option scheme is recognised as an 
expense over the vesting period with a corresponding 
credit to the share based payments reserve. The fair 
value is measured at grant date and spread over the 
period during which the awards vest.

The options issued by the Group are subject to 
both market-based and non-market based vesting 
conditions. Market conditions are included in the 
calculation of fair value at the date of the grant. Non-
market vesting conditions are not taken into account 
when estimating the fair value of awards as at grant 
date; such conditions are taken into account through 
adjusting the number of the equity instruments that 
are expected to vest.

The proceeds received will be credited to share capital 
(nominal value) and share premium when options are 
converted into ordinary shares.

Where the terms of an equity-settled transaction are 
modified, an additional expense is recognised for any 
modification that increases the total fair value of the 
share-based payment transaction, or is otherwise 
beneficial to the employee as measured at the date 
of modification. 

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

Earnings per share
The Group and the Company presents basic and diluted 
earnings per share (EPS) data for its ordinary shares. 
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit or loss 
attributable to equity shareholders of the Company 
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is determined 
by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to ordinary 
shareholders and the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive 
potential ordinary shares, which comprise convertible 
notes, share options granted to employees and warrants.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

64

1. Accounting Policies continued
Fair value movement
The Group has an established process with respect 
to the measurement of fair values. The finance team 
regularly reviews significant unobservable inputs and 
valuation adjustments. If third party information, such as 
broker quotes or pricing services, is used to measure fair 
values, then the valuation team assesses the evidence 
obtained from the third parties to support the conclusion 
that such valuations meet the requirements of IFRS, 
including the level in the fair value hierarchy in which 
such valuations should be classified.

Significant valuation issues are reported to the Board.
Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for 
identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in 
Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, 
either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived 
from prices).
Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based 
on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

For further detail on assumptions made in measuring 
level 3 fair values see the following notes:
(cid:116)(cid:1) Note 17 Financial Assets

(cid:116)(cid:1) Note 24 Derivative

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value (Note 33)
In accordance with IFRS 13, the group discloses its 
assets and liabilities held at fair value after initial 
recognition in the following categories: at fair value 
through profit or loss and available for sale.

With the exception of shares held in quoted entities, 
which are classified as Level 1 items under the fair value 
hierarchy, all assets and liabilities held at fair value are 
measured on the basis of inputs classified as Level 3 
under the fair value hierarchy on the basis that the 
inputs underpinning the valuations are not based 
on observable market data as defined in IFRS 13.

Where derivatives are traded either on exchanges or 
liquid over-the-counter markets, the Group uses the 
closing price at the reporting date. Normally, the 
derivatives entered into by the Group are not traded 
in active markets. The fair values of these contracts 
are estimated using a valuation technique that 
maximises the use of observable market inputs, 
e.g. market exchange and interest rates. All derivatives 
entered into by the Group are included in Level 3 
and consist of share warrants issued.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Revenue and Segmental Information
Operating segment information is presented on the basis of the geographical areas as detailed below, which 
represent the financial basis by which the Group manages its operations. The Board of Directors, which has been 
recognised as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), regularly receive verbal or written reports at board 
meetings for each of the segments based on the below criteria which management consider to be appropriate 
in evaluating segment performance relative to other entities that operate in the industry. As the Company is in 
a process of transition the segments are to be reviewed for relevance in the future.

Revenue and Segmental Information

2017
Total revenue
Segment (loss)/profit before income 
tax
Exploration and evaluation assets
Property, plant and equipment
Impairment of exploration and 
evaluation assets
Equity accounted investments
Segment non-current assets
Capital expenditure^
Segment liabilities

Poland
€’000
324

Morocco
€’000
–

Albania
€’000
–

(11,345)
–
223

(30,370)
–
–

(5,906)
2,501
–

Nigeria
€’000
–

8,639
–
2,175

Ireland
€’000
–

Unallocated #
€’000
–

Total 
€’000
324

65

(5,530)
–
–

(26,816)
–
–

(71,328)
2,501
2,398

(5,995)
–
219
300
(3,961)

(28,946)
–
–
5
(1,132)

(7,842)
–
2,501
180
(667)

–
58,296
133,509
–
–

–
–
44,860
–
–

– (42,783)
58,296
–
181,276
187
485
–
(30,480)
(24,720)

^   This is the net expenditure incurred by the Group excluding amounts incurred by partners on shared exploration interests. It includes assets acquired 

through business combinations and equity accounted investments.

#  Unallocated expenditure and liabilities include amounts of a corporate nature and not specifically attributable to a reportable segment.

2016
Total revenue
Segment (loss)/profit before income 
tax
Exploration and evaluation assets
Property, plant and equipment
Impairment of exploration and 
evaluation assets
Equity accounted investments
Segment non-current assets
Capital expenditure^
Segment liabilities

Poland
€’000
345

Morocco
€’000
–

Albania
€’000
–

Nigeria
€’000
–

Ireland
€’000
–

Unallocated #
€’000
–

Total 
€’000
345

(5,648)
7,143
560

(2,861)
–
7,677
1,243
(1,730)

(6,360)
29,162
–

(6,439)
–
29,162
(330)
(1,906)

(27) 54,040
–
2,719

8,316
–

–
–
–

(38,515)
–
–

3,490
44,621
3,279

–
–
8,316
204
(634)

–
74,382
192,757
–
–

–
–
53,959
–
–

–
–

(9,300)
74,382
284 292,155
1,117
(51,746)

–
(47,476)

^   This is the net expenditure incurred by the Group excluding amounts incurred by partners on shared exploration interests. It includes assets acquired 

through business combinations and equity accounted investments.

#  Unallocated expenditure and liabilities include amounts of a corporate nature and not specifically attributable to a reportable segment.

Revenue relates to the provision of seismic acquisition services in Poland in 2017 and 2016.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

3. Other income

Group
Bargain purchase on acquisition of MLPL
Advance from Horizon Petroleum Limited (i)

The bargain purchase on acquiring a 40% interest in MLPL is calculated as follows:

66

Fair value at the date of acquisition
Less equity investment in MLPL held by San Leon Energy Nigeria B.V. (Note 17)
Bargain purchase of MLPL

2017
€’000
–
95
95

2017
€’000
–
–
– 

2016
€’000
29,926
–
29,926

2016
€’000
57,471
(27,545)
29,926

(i)  Further to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dated 25 April 2017 with a third party, and subject to a Sale 
and Purchase Agreement, which had yet to be agreed at the time for the potential sale of certain Polish assets, 
the Company received an advance of €178,779 (US$200,000) during June 2017 which was used to meet various 
payments in relation to the Polish assets, of which €94,868 (US$100,000) is non-refundable in the event that the 
subsequently signed Sale and Purchase Agreement is not concluded. The refundable amount has been accrued 
at year end.

4.  Loss on disposal on equity accounted investments

Proceeds from sale of equity accounted investments
Loans eliminated on disposal
Book value at date of disposal
Decommissioning provision reversed
Loss on disposal of equity accounted investments

2017
€’000
–
–
–
–
–

2016
€’000
8,478
2,800
(15,041)
1,809
(1,954)

In November 2016, the Company sold its 35% interest in the Rawicz gas field held through TSH Energy Joint 
Venture B.V. for a cash consideration of €8.5 million (US$9 million) and the release of certain San Leon liabilities. 
These liabilities included loans which were advanced by Palomar to the Company as a temporary carry for the 
drilling and testing costs of the Rawicz-12 and Rawicz-15 wells, and amounted to approximately €2.8 million  
(US$3.0 million).

In 2016, the Company sold its 35% interest in the Poznan assets held through Poznan Energy B.V (largely the 
Siekierki field) at the same time for a consideration of €1 plus a 10% Net Profit Interest (“NPI”) in the Poznan assets. 
The NPI removes any further cost exposure to San Leon, while providing an interest in any future profits made by 
Palomar and the Poznan assets. A nil value has been placed on the NPI at this stage, since no agreed work 
programmes are in place for the asset.

The first €2.1 million (US$2.2 million) was received on closing, the next €2.1 million (US$2.3 million) was received  
on 30 November 2016 and the remaining €4.3 million (US$4.5 million) was due to be paid to San Leon on or before  
01 October 2017. An interest charge of LIBOR plus 5% was to be applied to any sum not paid by 1 February 2017. 
The balance of US$4.5 million plus accrued interest (the “Amount Due”) was not paid to San Leon on or before  
01 October 2017. Under a novation agreement and extension agreement dated 22 December 2017, the Amount 
Due is now the full responsibility of NSP Investments Holdings Ltd, a BVI registered company that holds a 35% 
interest in TSH Energy Joint Venture B.V.

The Company received a further €1.25 million (US$1.5 million) payment of the Amount Due on 21 December 2017.  
The Company is due to receive a further €2.3 million (US$3.6 million), including an extension fee, plus any further 
accrued interest on or before 01 September 2018.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5. Statutory information
(a) Group

The (loss)/profit for the financial year is stated after charging / (crediting):
Depreciation of property, plant, machinery and equipment
Gain on foreign currencies
Operating lease rentals
– Premises
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets
OML 18 Production Arrangement – fees
OML 18 Production Arrangement – transaction costs
OML 18 Production Arrangement – share based payment charge#
Directors shares to be issued*
Issue of Director shares<
Share based payment charge

2017
€’000

782
1,540

823
42,783
–
–
–
812
–
570

2016
€’000

647
391

1,378
9,300
4,904
3,339
5,812
277
601
2,847

67

# Comprises 10,000,000 warrants issued to Toscafund, 3,000,000 options granted to Robin Management Services and 4,000,000 options granted to 

DSA Investments Inc..

*  Oisín Fanning is due 2,542,432 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the year 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 and this was charged in 2017.
*  Oisín Fanning is due 510,510 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the period 1 September 2016 to 31 December 2016. This was included in the 

2016 charge.

<  In 2016, Oisín Fanning received 1,649,485 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 August 2016.

During the year, the Group (including its overseas subsidiaries) obtained the following services from KPMG, the  
Group Auditor:
Audit Remuneration

Fees paid to lead audit firm:
Audit of the Group financial statements
Audit of the subsidiary financial statements
Other audit services~
Other non-audit services
Total
Fees paid to other firms in the lead audit firm’s network:
Other non-audit services

Total

2017
€’000

2016
€’000

170
55
180
–
405

5
5
410

115
35
–
55
205

15
15
220

# During 2016 the Company engaged KPMG Ireland for services in relation to OML 18 Production Arrangement and readmission to AIM. 
*   Tax and non-assurance services related to accounting and tax compliance work in Spain.
~ Other audit services relate to the audit year ended 31 December 2016.

(b) Company

The loss for the financial year is stated after charging:
Depreciation of property, plant, machinery and equipment
Gain on foreign currencies
Operating lease rentals – premises
Auditor’s remuneration – audit services

2017
€’000

2016
€’000

–
576
823
170

33
70
854
115

As permitted by Section 304 of the Companies Act 2014, the Company Statement of Comprehensive Income has  
not been separately disclosed in these financial statements. A loss of €51.9 million (2016: a loss of €56.9 million)  
has been recorded in the parent company.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

6. Finance expenses

On loans and overdraft
Finance arrangement expenses
OML 18 Production Arrangement – fees
Fair value charge on issue of options and warrants (Note 24)

68

7.  Finance income 

Deposit interest received
Interest and fees receivable from NSP Investment Holdings Limited (Note 19)

8. OML 18 Production Arrangement

Interest income on Loan Notes (Note 17)
Foreign exchange (loss) / gain on Loan Notes (Note 17)

2017
€’000
4,162
2,243
–
171
6,576

2017
€’000
9
497
506

2017
€’000
34,619
(18,901)
15,718

2016
€’000
4,844
3,022
4,904
255
13,025

2016
€’000
2
–
2

2016
€’000
8,843
7,958
16,801

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9. Personnel expenses
Number of employees
The average monthly number of employees (including the Directors) during the year was:

Directors
Administration
Technical
Seismic crew

Employment costs (including Directors) 

Wages and salaries (excluding Directors)
Directors’ salaries
Director bonuses
Social welfare costs
Directors’ fees
Shares to be issued in lieu of Director’s salary# ~
Shares issued in lieu of Director’s salary# ~
Share based payment charge for options issued to Directors
Employees’ pension
Directors’ pension

69

2017
Number
8
12
7
7
34

2017
€’000
1,736
1,349
631
355
636
812
–
–
43
84
5,646

2016
Number
5
15
14
9
43

2016
€’000
2,284
1,459
1,034
387
546
277
601
2,525
301
121
9,535

#  Oisín Fanning is due 2,542,432 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 and €811,514 has 

been recognised in share based payments in respect of this.

#  Oisín Fanning is due 510,510 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the period from 1 September 2016 to 31 December 2016 and €276,774 has 

been recognised in share based payments in respect of this.

~  In addition to the emoluments above, in accordance with IFRS 2, share based payments, a cost of €Nil (2016: €2,525,125) has been recognised in 

respect of share options granted to Directors. See Note 29 for further details of share options.

Details of the Directors’ remuneration is set out in the Directors’ Report. 

Details of consultancy arrangements are set out in Note 32.

During the year, €0.3 million (2016: €0.6 million) was capitalised in exploration and evaluation assets in respect 
of Group employment costs above, €0.2 million of which were subsequently impaired/written off.

The Group contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme for certain executives and employees. The 
scheme is administered by trustees and is independent of the Group finances. Total contributions by the Group 
to the pension scheme, including contributions for Directors amounted to €0.1 million (2016: €0.4 million).

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

10. Income tax expense

Current tax
Current year income tax
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (Note 31)
Total income tax charge/(credit)

2017
€’000

2016
€’000

4

21

2,195
2,199

(2,248)
(2,227)

The difference between the total tax shown above and the amount calculated by applying the applicable standard 
rate of Irish corporation tax to the loss before tax is as follows:

70

(Loss)/profit before income tax
Tax on (loss) / profit at applicable Irish corporation tax rate of 25% (2016: 25%)
Effects of:
Losses utilised in year
Expenses not deductible / (not taxable) for tax purposes
Income tax withheld
Polish tax liability
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Excess losses carried forward
Tax charge/(credit) for the year

2017 
€’000
(71,328)
(17,832)

(2,198)
19,789
3
1
–
2,436
2,199

2016 
€’000
3,490
873

–
(6,782)
3
18
(2,248)
5,909
(2,227)

11. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity holders of the Company by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year as follows:

(Loss)/profit for the year

The weighted average number of shares in issue is calculated as follows:

In issue at start of year
Effect of shares issued in the year
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (basic)
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share (cent)

2017 
€’000 
(73,527)

2016 
€’000
5,717

Number 
of shares
443,025,720
11,446,333

Number 
of shares
61,809,052
105,487,351
454,472,053 167,296,403
3.42

(16.18)

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11. Earnings per share continued
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity holders of the Company by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding after adjustment for effects of all dilutive potential 
ordinary shares as follows:

(Loss)/profit for the year (diluted)

The diluted weighted average number of shares in issue is calculated as follows:

2017 
€’000
(73,527)

2016 
€’000
5,717

Basic weighted average number of shares in issue during the year
Effect of share options and warrants in issue

Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share (cent)

71

Number
of shares

Number
of shares
454,472,053 167,296,403
3,946,073
171,242,476
3.34

890,511
455,362,564
(16.15)

At 31 December 2017, a total of 33,706,327 (2016: 41,710,972) options and warrants were excluded from the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares calculation for diluted earnings per share as their effect would have 
been anti-dilutive.

12. Intangible assets

Group
Cost and net book value
At 1 January 2016
Additions
Disposals
Transfer from property, plant and equipment (assets under construction) (Note 14)
Transfer to held for sale assets (Note 22)
Currency translation adjustment
Write off/impairment of exploration assets
At 31 December 2016
Additions (ii)
Write off/impairment of exploration assets
Currency translation adjustment
At 31 December 2017

Exploration 
and evaluation
 assets
€ 000

47,532
1,117
(849)
9,020
(2,553)
(346)
(9,300)
44,621
485
(42,783)
178
2,501

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

12. Intangible assets continued

Company
Cost and net book value
At 1 January 2016
Transfer from property, plant and equipment (assets under construction) (Note 14)
At 31 December 2016
Impairment of exploration assets
At 31 December 2017

72

An analysis of intangible assets by geographical area is set out in Note 2.

(i)  The following geographical exploration areas in the Group were impaired / written off during the year:

Albania
Morocco
Poland

2017
€’000
5,995
28,946
7,842
42,783

(ii) This is the net amount incurred by San Leon Energy and excludes amounts attributable to joint operating 
partners of nil in 2017 (2016: €Nil).

The Directors have considered the carrying value at 31 December 2017 of capitalised costs in respect of its 
exploration and evaluation assets. These assets have been assessed for impairment indicators and in particular 
with regard to remaining licence terms, likelihood of licence renewal, likelihood of further expenditures and on-
going appraisals for each area, as described in the Operating Review. Based on internal assessments, the Directors 
have impaired the exploration and evaluation assets by €42.8 million (2016: €9.3 million) and are satisfied that there 
are no further impairment indicators. The Directors recognise that future realisation of the remaining oil and gas 
interests is dependent on future successful exploration and appraisal activities and subsequent production of oil 
and gas reserves.

Exploration 
and evaluation 
assets 
€ 000

–
9,020
9,020
(9,020)
–

2016
€’000
–
6,439
2,861
9,300

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13. Equity accounted investments

Group
Cost and net book value
At 1 January
Acquisition of OML equity interest
Disposal of interests
Advances to equity accounted investments
Share of (loss)/profit of equity accounted investments
Exchange rate adjustment
At 31 December

2017
€’000

74,382

–
–
(7,079)
(9,007)
58,296

2016
€’000

11,375
57,471
(11,428)
53
12,217
4,694
74,382

73

The Group’s joint venture entities at 31 December 2017 are as follows: 

Name
Olesnica LLP
South Prabuty LLP
Midwestern Leon Petroleum Limited 5th Floor Barkly Wharf, Le Caudan Waterfront, 

Registered office
84 Brook Street, London, W1K 5EF, United Kingdom
84 Brook Street, London, W1K 5EF, United Kingdom

Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius

2017
A summary of the financial information of the equity investments is detailed below.

Equity Interest

Olesnica 
LLP (i)

75%

South 
Prabuty 
LLP (i)

75%

Midwestern 
Leon 
Petroleum 
Limited (ii)

40%

Wielun 
LLP (i)

0%

€ ‘000

€ ‘000

€ ‘000

Revenue
(Loss) from continuing operations 
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive loss
Non-current assets
Current Assets (excluding cash)
Cash
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)
Group’s interest in net assets of investee at 1 January 2017 
Share of loss
Group’s interest in net assets of investee at end of year
Foreign exchange
Carrying amount of interest in investee at 31 December 2017

–
–
–
–
–
1
–
–
(4) 
(3)
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
1
2
–
(4) 
(1)
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

€ ‘000

–
(17,698)
–
(17,698)
167,780
189,752
–
(60,690)
(151,101)
145,741
74,382
(7,079)
67,303
(9,007)
58,296

Total

€ ‘000

–
(17,698)
–
(17,698)
167,780
189,754
2
(60,690)
(151,109)
145,737
74,382
(7,079)
67,303
(9,007)
58,296

(i) During December 2015, the Company made a decision to exit the South Prabuty, Olesnica and Wielun 
concessions. The Company’s investments in the South Prabuty, Olesnica and Wielun joint ventures were fully 
impaired at that time. In December 2016, the Company transferred its 75% interest in Wielun LLP to Strzelecki 
Energia Sp. z o.o. for nil consideration. South Prabuty LLP and Wielun LLP were dissolved on 5 June 2018 and 15 
May 2018 respectively. Olesnica LLP will also be dissolved in due course.

(ii) During 2016 the Company acquired a 40% non-controlling interest in MLPL as part of the OML 18 Production 
Arrangement transaction. Full details of the OML 18 Producion Arrangement are set out in Note 17(i). The movement 
during 2017 partly reflects an exchange rate loss of €9.0 million as the underlying investment is in US$’s which 
significantly weakened against the Euro. Further a share of the loss of MLPL being administrative costs of €1.0 
million, net finance costs of €4.8 million, profit on investment of €0.8 million and a tax charge of €2.1 million.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

74

13. Equity accounted investments continued
2016
A summary of the financial information of the equity investments is detailed below.

Equity Interest

Olesnica
LLP (i)

South 
Prabuty
LLP (i)

75%

75%

Wielun
LLP (i)

75%

Midwestern 
Leon 
Petroleum
Limited (ii)

Energia 
Torzym 
Sp. Z o.o.
Spk (iii)

Energia 
Cybinka 
Sp. Z o.o.
Spk (iii)

Poznan 
Energy
B.V. (iv)

TSH 
Energy 
Joint 
Venture
B.V. (iv)

Total
€’000

40%

70%

70%

35%

35%

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

Revenue
Profit/(loss) from continuing operations
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Non-current assets
Current Assets (excluding cash)
Cash
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)
Group’s interest in net assets of investee 
at 1 January 2016
Share of profit/(loss)
Group’s interest in net assets of investee 
at end of year
Acquisitions of interests #
Advances/(repayments)
Disposals
Foreign exchange
Carrying amount of interest in investee 
at 31 December 2016

–
(1)
–
(1)
962
1
1
–
(983)
(19)

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

 –

–
(1)
–
(1)
 853
1
1
–
(863)
 (8)

 –
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
(1)
–
(1)
799
1
1
–
(811)
(10)

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
76,378
–
76,378
188,497
196,887
–
(181,304)
(18,128)
185,952

–

–

(11,170)*

(4,006)*

–
(11,170)
–
4
69
–
(11,448)
(11,375)

–
(4,006)
–
2
9
–
(4,140)
(4,129)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
61,199
–
–
–
61,199
–
–
191,111
– 196,896
–
81
– (181,304)
– (36,373)
170,411
–

–
12,217

12,217
57,471
–
–
4,694

74,382

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

1,375
–

10,000
–

11,375
12,217

1,375
–
3
(1,378)
–

10,000 23,592
57,471
53
(11,428)
4,694

–
50
(10,050)
–

–

–

74,382

*   In 2015 impairment was recognised at group level in relation to the investment in the partnership.
# Equity investment of €27.5 million plus bargain purchase of €30.0 million (Note 3).

(iii) In January 2013, San Leon acquired a 45% interest in each of Energia Torzym Sp. Z o.o Spk. and Energia 
Cybinka Sp. Z o.o. Spk. as part of the Aurelian Oil and Gas PLC acquisition. SNGN Romgaz S.A. own 30% of both 
Energia Torzym Sp. Z o.o Spk. and Energia Cybinka Sp. Z o.o. Spk. with Sceptre Oil and Gas Limited owning the 
remaining 25% of both entities. At 31 December 2015, the Company decided it was not going to pursue its interest 
in the Torzym and Cybinka licences and fully impaired them in 2015. In December 2016, Sceptre transferred its 
interest in Energia Torzym Sp. Z o.o. Spk to Energia Torzym Sp. Z o.o., and paid Energia Torzym Sp. Z o.o. €102,393 
in settlement of any obligations that Sceptre had to the partnership, with Energia Torzym Sp. Z o.o. taking on the 
partnership obligations related to the interest assigned. The only obligation the partnership has at year end is 
decommissioning costs, which have been fully provided for in the financial statements. At the same time Sceptre 
also transferred its interest in Energia Cybinka Sp. Z o.o. Spk to Energia Cybinka Sp. Z o.o., and paid Energia 
Cybinka Sp. Z o.o. €6,607 in settlement of any obligations that Sceptre had to the partnership, with Energia Cybinka 
Sp. Z o.o. taking on the partnership obligations related to the interest assigned. There are no decommissioning 
costs associated with the partnership.

(iv) See Note 4 for more detail on the sale of TSH Energy Joint Venture B.V. and Poznan Energy B.V.

The above interests are accounted for as equity accounted investments as San Leon does not have control over 
the entities, which are governed under Joint Venture Agreements requiring the approval of both parties to the Joint 
Venture Agreement in respect of all operating decisions.

The Directors recognise that the future realisation of the equity accounted investments is dependent on future 
successful exploration and appraisal activities and subsequent production of oil and gas reserves.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14. Property, plant and equipment – Group

Plant & 
equipment 
€’000

Assets under 
construction
€’000

Office 
equipment
€’000

Motor 
vehicles
€’000

Cost
At 1 January 2016
Transfer to intangible assets (Note 12)
Additions
Disposals
Currency translation adjustment
At 31 December 2016
Disposals
Currency translation adjustment
At 31 December 2017
Depreciation
At 1 January 2016
Disposals
Charge for the year
Currency translation adjustment
At 31 December 2016
Disposals
Charge for the year
Currency translation adjustment
At 31 December 2017
Net book values
At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2016

5,352
–
2,719
–
(178)
7,893
(98)
289
8,084

4,292
–
528
(142)
4,678
–
775
261
5,714

2,370

3,215

9,020
(9,020)
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

1,086

–
(24)
(7)
1,055
(22)
12
1,045

955
(24)
83
(6)
1,008
–
7
10
1,025

20

47

428

–
(27)
(9)
392
(24)
15
383

373
(27)
36
(7)
375
(14)
–
14
375

8

17

75

Total
€’000

15,886
(9,020)
2,719
(51)
(194)
9,340
(144)
316
9,512

5,620
(51)
647
(155)
6,061
(14)
782
285
7,114

2,398

3,279

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

14. Property, plant and equipment – Company 

Assets under 
construction
€’000

Office 
equipment
€’000

76

Cost
At 1 January 2016
Adjustment to Income statement
Transfer to intangible assets
At 31 December 2016
At 31 December 2017
Depreciation
At 1 January 2016
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2016 
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2017
Net book values
At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2016

15. Other non-current assets

Deposits on Spanish oil and gas concession 
applications (i)
Deposits on Spanish oil and gas concessions (i)

At 1 January
Deposits returned (i)
Impairment
At 31 December

Group
2017
€’000

92
88
180

Group
2017
€’000
257
(77)
–
180

9,024
(4)
(9,020)
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

Group
2016
€’000

160
97
257

Group
2016
€’000
833
(557)
(19)
257

Total
€’000

9,461
(4)
(9,020)
437
437

404
33
437
–
437

–

–

437
–
–
437
437

404
33
437
–
437

–

–

Company
2017
€’000

Company
2016
€’000

–
–
–

Company
2017
€’000
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

Company
2016
€’000
–
–
–
–

(i)  The deposits paid are recoverable on completion of work programmes attached to each of the concessions. 
In 2017 the Ministry returned €77,380 to the Company in relation to oil and gas concession applications that were 
withdrawn by the Company.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16. Financial assets – Company

Investment in subsidiary undertakings at cost:
Balance at beginning of year
Investment in San Leon Energy Nigeria B.V.
Impairment during the year (i)
Balance at end of year

2017
€’000

2016
€’000

47,038
–
(16,812)
30,226

48,122
27,545
(28,629)
47,038

(i)  The impairments to the Company’s investment in subsidiary undertakings recorded in 2017 and 2016 reflect the 
write down in the carrying value of the Group’s exploration and evaluation assets in each year.

77

At 31 December 2017, the Company had the following principal subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned through 
holding all of the issued ordinary shares of the entities:

Name
Directly held:
San Leon Energy B.V.
San Leon (USA) Limited
San Leon (Morocco) Limited
San Leon (Netherlands) Limited
San Leon Energy Srl
San Leon Services Limited
0921642 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company

Aurelian Oil & Gas Limited
San Leon Energy Nigeria B.V.
San Leon Energy (Iraq) Limited

Indirectly held:
Liesa Energy Sp. z o.o.
Baltic Oil and Gas Sp. Z o.o.
Vabush Energy Sp. z o.o.
Gora Energy Resources Sp. z o.o.
Braniewo Energy Sp. Z o.o.
Novaseis Sp. z o.o.
Helland Energy Sp. z o.o.
San Leon Services Sp. z o.o.
San Leon Praszka Sp. z o.o.
Aurelian Oil and Gas Poland Sp. z o.o.
Energia Cybinka Sp. z o.o.
Energia Cybinka Sp. z o.o. Spk. #
Energia Torzym Sp. z o.o.
Energia Torzym Sp. z o.o. SPK #
Energia Kalisz Sp. z o.o.
Energia Karpaty Zachodnie Sp. z o.o.
Energia Karpaty Zachodnie Sp. z o.o. Spk.
Energia Bieszczady Sp. z o.o.
T.K. Exploration Sp. z o.o.
Gdansk Energy Sp. z o.o.
Szczawno Energy Sp. z o.o.

Registered Office

de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
1st Floor, Wilton House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2
PO Box 146, Trident Chambers, Tortola, BVI
PO Box 146, Trident Chambers, Tortola, BVI
Piazza Vescovio, 700199 Rome, Italy
12 Castle Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT
Suite 1700, Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC 
V6C 2X8, Canada
84 Brook Street, London, W1K 5EH, United Kingdom
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
1st Floor, Wilton House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2

ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

78

16. Financial assets – Company continued

Name
Prusice Energy Sp. z o.o.
Kotlarka Energy Sp. z o.o.
San Leon Durresi B.V.
San Leon Morocco B.V.
San Leon Offshore Morocco B.V.
San Leon Tarfaya Shale B.V.
Seisquest B.V.
San Leon Adriatiku B.V.
Braniewo B.V.
San Leon Canada Limited (formerly Realm 
Energy International Corporation)
Realm Energy Operations Corporation

Realm Energy (BVI) Corporation
Realm Energy International Coopteratief U.A.
Realm Energy International Holding B.V.
Realm Energy European Investments B.V.
Frontera Energy Corporation S.L.
San Leon Wielun B.V.
San Leon Olesnica B.V.
San Leon South Prabuty B.V.
San Leon Energy (UK) Limited
AOG Finance Limited
Balkan Explorers (Bulgaria) Limited

Registered Office
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
ul. Zelazna 59, 00-848, Warsaw, Poland
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands.
Suite 1700, Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC 
V6C 2X8, Canada
Suite 1700, Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC 
V6C 2X8, Canada
Walkers Chambers, 171 Main Street, Road Town, Tortola, BVI
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
Paseo Maria Agustin, 4-6, Esc 3. Piso 4, Zaragoza, 5004, Spain
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
de Ronge 16, 1852 XB Heiloo, The Netherlands
84 Brook Street, London, W1K 5EH, United Kingdom
84 Brook Street, London, W1K 5EH, United Kingdom
84 Brook Street, London, W1K 5EH, United Kingdom

#  During the year the Company acquired the remaining 30% of its equity accounted investments Energia Cybinka Sp. z o.o. Spk. and Energia Torzym Sp. z 

o.o. SPK, and continues to consolidated its decommissioning liabilities in full. 

The Company is currently in the process of liquidating and or selling some of the above companies in line with its 
strategy to relinquish non-core interests.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

17. Financial Assets

Group
Cost/Valuation
At 1 January 2016
Additions
Finance income
Disposals
Exchange rate adjustment
Fair value movement
At 31 December 2016
Finance income
Loan Notes receipts
Disposals
Exchange rate adjustment
Fair value movement
Impairment of unquoted shares
At 31 December 2017
Current
Non-current

Company
Cost
At 1 January 2016
Additions
Finance income
Disposals
Exchange rate adjustment
Fair value movement
At 31 December 2016
Finance income
Loan Notes receipts
Disposals
Exchange rate adjustment
Fair value movement
Impairment of unquoted shares
At 31 December 2017
Current
Non-current

79

OML 18 
Production 
Arrangement (i)
€’000

Barryroe 4.5% 
net profit 
interest (ii)
€’000

Quoted 
shares (iii)
€’000

Unquoted 
shares (iv)
€’000

–
136,583
8,843
–
7,958
–
153,384 
34,619
(34,277)
–
(18,901)
–
–
134,825 
61,785 
73,040

47,018
–
–
–
–
1,499
48,517
–
–
–
–
(5,874)
–
42,643
–
42,643

175
–
–
(139)
–
46
82
–
–
(31)
–
(22)
–
29
–
29

5,360
–
–
–
–
–
5,360
–
–
–
–
–
(3,171)
2,189
–
2,189

OML 18 
Production 
Arrangement (i)
€’000

Barryroe 4.5% 
net profit 
interest (ii)
€’000

Quoted 
shares (iii)
€’000

Unquoted 
shares (iv)
€’000

–
136,583
8,843
–
7,958
–
 153,384
34,619
(34,277)
–
(18,901)
–
–
 134,825
 61,785
73,040

47,018
–
–
–
–
1,499
48,517
–
–
–
–
(5,874)
–
42,643
–
42,643

175
–
–
(139)
–
46
82
–
–
(31)
–
(22)
–
29
–
29

5,360
–
–
–
–
–
5,360
–
–
–
–
–
(3,171)
2,189
–
2,189

Total
€’000

52,553
136,583
8,843
(139)
7,958
1,545
207,343
34,619
(34,277)
(31)
(18,901)
(5,896)
(3,171)
179,686
61,785
117,901

Total
€’000

52,553
136,583
8,843
(139)
7,958
1,545
207,343
34,619
(34,277)
(31)
(18,901)
(5,896)
(3,171)
179,686
61,785
117,901

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

17. Financial Assets continued
(i) OML18 Production Arrangement 
The Company secured an initial 9.72% indirect economic interest in OML 18 Production Arrangement, onshore 
Nigeria for a total consideration of €169 million (US$188.4 million).

The fair value assessment of the Loan Notes as referred to below is calculated as follows:

80

Total consideration (US$188.4 million)
Fair value of Loan Notes attributable to equity investment (US$30.9 million)#
Net fair value of Loan Notes (US$157.5 million)
Arrangement fees (US$5.5 million) (Note 6)
Additions

2017
€,000
–
–
–
–
–

2016
€,000
169,032
27,545
141,487
4,904
136,583

#  The fair value of Loan Notes attributable to the equity investment is calculated using a discount factor of management’s estimate of a market rate of 

interest of 8% above the coupon rate of 17% over the term of the Loan Notes

In 2016, the Company undertook a number of steps to effect the purchase of its interest in the OML 18 Production 
Arrangement in 2016. MLPL, a company incorporated in Mauritius of which San Leon Nigeria B.V. has a 40% 
shareholding, was established as a special purpose vehicle to complete the transaction by purchasing all of the 
shares in Martwestern Energy Limited (Martwestern), a company incorporated in Nigeria. Martwestern holds a 50% 
shareholding in Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited (Eroton), a company incorporated in Nigeria 
and the operator of the OML 18.

To partly fund the purchase of 100% of the shares of Martwestern, MLPL borrowed €156.6 million (US$174.5 million) 
in incremental amounts by issuing Loan Notes under a Loan Notes instrument which attracts a coupon of 17 per 
cent. Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited is the 60% shareholder of MLPL and transferred its shares in 
Martwestern to MLPL as part of the full transaction. Following its Placing in September 2016, San Leon Energy plc 
purchased all of the outstanding Loan Notes issued of €103.7 million (US$115.5 million) and subscribed for further 
€52.9 million (US$58.9 million) of newly issued Loan Notes and is therefore the beneficiary and holder of all Loan 
Notes issued by MLPL. San Leon is due to be repaid the full €156.6 million (US$174.5 million) plus the 17% coupon 
once certain conditions have been met and using an agreed distribution mechanism. San Leon is also a beneficiary 
of any dividends that will be paid by MLPL as a 40% shareholder in MLPL, but the Loan Notes repayments must 
take priority over any dividend payments made to the MLPL shareholders.

Through its 50% shareholding in Eroton and other financial agreements, Martwestern holds an initial indirect 24.3% 
economic interest in the OML 18 Production Arrangement. Through the ownership of MLPL and other commercial 
agreements, San Leon is an indirect shareholder of Eroton, and the Company holds a 9.72% initial indirect 
economic interest in OML 18.

The key information relevant to the fair value of the Loan Notes is as follows:

Valuation technique

Significant unobservable inputs

Discounted cash flows

(cid:116)(cid:1) Discount rate 25% based on a market rate of interest 

of 8% above the coupon rate of 17%

(cid:116)(cid:1) MLPL profitability i.e. ability to generate cash flows 

for repayment

(cid:116)(cid:1) Loan Notes are repayable in full by 31 March 2020.

Inter-relationships between the 
unobservable inputs and fair value 
measurements
The estimated value would 
increase/(decrease) if:
(cid:116)(cid:1) US Dollar exchange rate 
increased/(decreased)

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

17. Financial Assets continued
The recoverability of the Group and Company’s equity and Loan Notes investments in the MLPL arrangement 
is dependent on the ability of the OML 18 operator, Eroton, to make distributions. The NNPC has made substantial 
repayments to Eroton for 2015 and 2016 joint venture cash call arrears. However, significant outstanding arrears still 
remain unpaid, which if received would provide capital for further investment in OML 18. NNPC has been sent its 
2017 and 2018 cash calls and it is hoped that the improved business climate and outlook will enable settlement of 
remaining arrears. Eroton needs to meet certain conditions before its lenders will allow Eroton to make distributions 
to its shareholders. These distributions need to be made to enable MLPL to repay interest and principal to San 
Leon. At the reporting date and at the date of approval of their financial statements these conditions have not been 
met by Eroton. As a consequence MLPL had to enter into a loan during 2017 and subsequently in order to be able 
to meet its obligations under the Loan Notes and make payments to San Leon. During 2017 San Leon received total 
payments under the Loan Notes totalling €34.3 million (US$39.6 million). All payments during 2017 were received 
by the due date and in accordance with the terms of the Loan Notes. The payments received during 2017 represent 
interest and no principal on the Loan Notes repaid. The Directors of San Leon have considered the carrying 
amounts of the Loan Notes and equity interest at 31 December 2017 and are satisfied that these are appropriate.

81

(ii)  Barryroe – 4.5% Net Profit Interest
The Directors have estimated the fair value of the NPI by reference to a third party evaluation report of contingent 
resources and cash flows prepared Netherland Sewell & Associates Inc. (NSAI) in July 2013 for Providence 
Resources Plc (“Providence”).

NSAI reported that the Basal Wealden oil reservoir has an estimated 2C in-place gross on-block volume of 761 
MMBO with recoverable resources of 266 MMBO and 187 BCF of associated gas, based on a 35% oil recovery 
factor. In July 2013, NSAI also provided an estimate of the cash flows attributable to Providence’s net interest from 
the Basal Wealden oil reservoir only.

The Company benchmarked project costs in 2013 with respect to opex and capex, and has used those estimates 
together with public information from Providence Resources and revised development plans as they become 
available, to refine its valuation model.

As San Leon is not the operator of this licence, the Group does not have the ability to commission an independent 
technical evaluation of the licence area. Therefore, the Directors believe that the NSAI report, when coupled with 
other information recently released by Providence and adapted for certain changes in the market, gives the basis 
for the best estimate of fair value at year end.

San Leon notes the 2018 farm-out announcement by Providence and has considered it in its approach to risking 
value to the Company. In previous years the Company has used a 10% discount rate within its economic model, 
while taking a conservative approach on the assumed oil price in order to reflect project risk. Due to the marked 
increase in oil price by the end of 2017, the Company has instead increased the discount rate applied to 15% to 
reflect its view of project risk, while adopting an oil price assumption which reflects the market. 

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

17. Financial Assets continued

The key information relevant to the fair value of the Barryroe 4.5% net profit interest is as follows:

Valuation technique
Third party evaluation 
report prepared by 
NSAI in July 2013 as 
released by Providence 
Resources Plc and 
internal management 
assumptions/
amendments based on 
a net present value of 
future cash flows 
model. 

Significant unobservable inputs
(cid:116)(cid:1) Oil production of 261MM BBL over the life of the field 
on a successful development of the 2C contingent 
resources case

(cid:116)(cid:1) Life of field expected to be 25 years
(cid:116)(cid:1) Oil price over the period is assumed to be  

US$55/bbl

(cid:116)(cid:1) Opex is discounted by 30% relative to original 
economic model, and capex by 40% to reflect 
market conditions

(cid:116)(cid:1) Discount rate 15% to apply risk (2016: 10%)

82

Inter-relationships between the 
unobservable inputs and fair value 
measurement
The estimated fair value would 
increase/(decrease) if:
(cid:116)(cid:1) The oil price per barrel 
increased/(decreased)
(cid:116)(cid:1) The resource estimates 
increased/(decreased) 
or the life of the field 
increased/(decreased)
(cid:116)(cid:1) US Dollar exchange rate 
increased/(decreased)

(iii) Amedeo Resources plc
During 2017, the Company sold 100,000 of their ordinary shares in Amedeo Resources plc for value of €30,998. 
At 31 December 2017, the Company held 213,512 ordinary shares at a market value of €28,878 (2016: €82,389).

(iv) Ardilaun Energy Limited
As part of the consideration for the sale of Island Oil & Gas Limited to Ardilaun Energy Limited (“Ardilaun”) in 2014 
Ardilaun agreed to issue shares equivalent to 15% of the issued share capital of Ardilaun to San Leon. The original 
fair value of the 15% interest in Ardilaun was based on a market transaction in Ardilaun shares. The Directors have 
considered the carrying value of this interest at 31 December 2017 and given the length of time to obtain Irish 
government approval for the transaction and the valuation of other similar entities that are listed on a stock 
exchange the Directors feel it is prudent to carry 15% of Ardilaun shares still to be issued to San Leon at a lower 
value of €2.2 million. Consequently, €3.2 million has been charged to the Income Statement in 2017.

(v) Poznan 10% Net Profit Interest
In 2016, San Leon sold its 35% interest in the Pozan assets for a consideration of €1 plus a 10% Net Profit Interest 
(“NPI”). A nil value has been placed on the NPI. Please see Note 4 for further details.

18. Inventory 

Spare parts and consumables

Group
2017 
€’000
282

Group
2016 
€’000
253

Company
2017 
€’000
–

Company
2016 
€’000
–

Spare parts includes drilling equipment and consumables utilised by the Group’s seismic services company and will 
be consumed within 12 months.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

19. Trade and other receivables

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade receivables from joint operating partners
Amounts owed by group undertakings (i)
VAT and other taxes refundable (iv)
Other debtors (ii) (iii)
Prepayments
Accrued income

Group
2017
€’000

219
–
160
3,778
190
–
4,347

Group
2016
€’000

19
–
894
8,368
311
1,898
11,490

Company
2017
€’000

Company
2016
€’000

12
2,263
36
598
84
–
2,993

243
2,718
(12)
–
560
2,518
6,027

83

(i) Amounts owed by The Group undertakings are interest free and repayable on demand with the exception of  
amounts due from the Polish subsidiaries which are repayable on demand and subject to a market rate of interest  
from the date the loan was advanced.

(ii) Other debtors includes €2.9 million (US$3.6 million) due from NSP Investments Holdings Ltd for the disposal 
of equity accounted investments detailed in Note 4. Other material amounts are disclosed in Note 33 (b).

(iii) During 2017, the Directors, due to the protracted nature of government approval with regard to the Ardilaun  
transaction and the length of time to receive a related payment being 36 months, in the event of approval, 
and a debtor which is in dispute, in order to be prudent, fully provided for $5.5m (€ 4.6m).

(iv) During 2017, a provision was made for €0.7 million in relation to VAT in an overseas jurisdiction deemed  
likely to be irrecoverable.

20. Other financial assets

Restricted cash at bank

At 1 January
Cash return
Foreign exchange differences
Provision
At 31 December

Group 
2017 
€’000
–

Group 
2017 
€’000
1,328
–
(161)
(1,167)
–

Group 
2016 
€’000
1,328

Group 
2016 
€’000
1,370
(84)
42
–
1,328

Company 
2017 
€’000
–

Company 
2017 
€’000
–
–
–
–
–

Company 
2016 
€’000
–

Company 
2016 
€’000
84
(84)
–
–
–

Restricted cash at bank at 31 December 2017 comprises a deposit account held in support of bank guarantees 
required under the Moroccan exploration licence, Zag, held by the Group.

After the reporting period, in April 2017, the Company announced that the Office National des Hydrocarbures 
et des Mines (“ONHYM”) had written to the Company regarding the non-performance of the work programme 
on its Zag Licence, onshore Morocco. ONHYM has assumed control of the existing bank guarantee (listed above 
as restricted cash), and has requested a penalty of the same amount again to be paid. The Zag licence is in a 
geographical area which the Company believes justifies a declaration of force majeure due to the regional security 
situation. San Leon, in order to be prudent, has fully provided for the loss of monies (held in support of the bank 
guarantee) in the 2017 accounts. The Company is in negotiations with ONHYM regarding the licence including 
the work programme, the force majeure status and the recoverability of the bank guarantee and appropriateness 
of the penalty.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

21. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents
Solicitor client account (i)

Group
2017
€’000
6,474
1,657
8,131

Group
2016
€’000
177
–
177

Company
2017
€’000
6,159
1,657
7,816

Company
2016
€’000
1
–
1

(i) Solicitor client account at 31 December 2017 includes monies held at David M. Turner & Company Solicitors.

84

22. Held for sale assets and liabilities
In 2016 efforts to sell, relinquish, or farm-out most of the Company’s assets in Poland commenced as part of the 
strategic realignment and focus on Nigeria. This process is substantially underway and sale and purchase 
agreements were concluded in the second half of 2017 with regard to the held for sale assets, following which 
various formalities will have to be concluded, in particular with governmental authorities, before completion.

The assets and liabilities that are up for sale in Poland are as follows:

Assets: 
Exploration and evaluation assets (Note 12)
Liabilities:
Decommissioning provision

Group 
2017
€’000

Group
2016
€’000

–

2,553

1,000

1,000

Held for sale assets and liabilities are reported under the operating segment ‘Poland’ in Note 2.

Due to the protracted nature of approval from the Polish authorities, and in light of the fact the authorities initially 
indicated that based on information at that time approval would not be given, the Directors have concluded that 
it is prudent to fully write off the Polish assets held for sale.

However, the Directors are confident that governmental approval will be obtained in due course following the 
provision of further information to the Polish authorities, and the amount due to the company will be collected.

The held for sale exploration and evaluation assets at 31 December 2016 were €2.6 million. Further costs were 
incurred on these assets in 2017 of €0.5 million. During 2017 the held for sale exploration and evaluation assets 
were impaired by €3,135,621, in order to reduce their carrying value to fair value less costs to sell with the 
recoverable amount considered to be nil.

A liability of €1.0 million for decommissioning costs on the held for sale exploration and evaluation assets is 
maintained.

There are no other material income or expenses related to the held for sale assets.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

23. Trade and other payables

Current
Trade payables
Amounts owed to group undertakings (i)
PAYE/PRSI
Other creditors
Accruals
Director’s Loan (Note 32)

Group
2017
€’000

6,505
–
348
2,426
4,859
1,669
15,807

Group
2016
€’000

7,432
–
211
1,270
2,038
347
11,298

Company
2017
€’000

Company
2016
€’000

2,299
12,299
150
2,370
2,814
1,669 
21,601

2,448
25,741
31
1,262
1,112
347
30,941

85

(i)  Amounts owed to Group undertakings are interest free and repayable on demand with the exception of amounts 
due to Polish subsidiaries which are repayable on demand and subject to a market rate of interest from the date the 
loan was advanced.

24. Derivative

Non-current
Derivative

Group
2017
€’000

426
426

Group
2016
€’000

255
255

Company
2017
€’000

Company
2016
€’000

426
426

255
255

In 2017 San Leon issued 100,000 warrants to Sorena Holdings Limited and 219,298 warrants to 21st Luxury Luxtech 
Fund Limited with an exercise price of £0.60 for a period of 3 years. The stock asset price was £0.55. San Leon 
also issued 300,000 warrants to 21st Luxury Luxtech Fund Limited with an exercise price of £0.30 for a period 
of 4 years. The stock asset price was £0.40. The fair value of the warrants issued has been calculated using the 
Black-Scholes model.

The key inputs into the valuation model are as follows:

Valuation technique
Black-Scholes model

Significant unobservable inputs
(cid:116)(cid:1) Stock asset price of £0.40 – £0.55
(cid:116)(cid:1) Option strike price of £0.30 – £0.60
(cid:116)(cid:1) Average maturity of 3 to 4 years
(cid:116)(cid:1) Risk-free interest rate of 0.1%
(cid:116)(cid:1) Share price volatility of 70%

Inter-relationships between the 
unobservable inputs and fair value 
measurement
The estimated fair value would 
increase/(decrease) if:
(cid:116)(cid:1) The share price increased/

(decreased)

(cid:116)(cid:1) Sterling exchange rate 
increased/(decreased)
(cid:116)(cid:1) The risk free interest rate 
increased/(decreased)

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

25. Loans and borrowings

Current
YA Global Masters SPV Limited
LPL Finance Limited
Other

Group
2017
€’000

2,707
–
1,439
4,146

Group
2016
€’000

4,273
2,010
–
6,283

Company
2017
€’000

Company
2016
€’000

2,707
–
1,439
4,146

4,273
2,010
–
6,283

During 2017 the movement with regard to loans and borrowings is detailed below.

86

YA Global Masters SPV Limited
As at the end of 2016 San Leon owed YA Global Masters SPV Limited €4,273,157 (US$4,504,334) in principal, 
interest, and fees.

During 2017 the obligation to YA Global Masters SPV Limited was renegotiated a number of times leading to 
additional fees of €1,198,146 (US$1,308,080). Interest charged for the year was €654,083 (US$742,402).

The payment to YA Global Masters SPV Limited of €2,967,326 (US$3,308.080) during the year was partly met with 
the issue of 6,254,905 San Leon shares at 32p per share €2,279,432 (US$2,550,000) with the remainder being in 
cash €687,894 (US$758,080). The foreign exchange movement on the loan during the year was €450,867. 

The loan oustanding at 31 December 2017 is due to be repaid by instalments during 2018 with the two final 
payments in July and October.

Ken Fetherston
In late 2017 the Company received a loan of €1,000,000 from Ken Fetherston with interest and a fee of €261,178. 
This loan was fully repaid in early 2018. 

Brandon Hill Capital Limited
In 2017, the Company received a number of loans from Brandon Hill Capital Limited totalling €1,240,325 (£1,087,330) 
inclusive of interest and foreign exchange movement. At 31 December 2017 the amount outstanding to Brandon Hill 
Capital Limited was €177,380 (£153,177). This was repaid in early 2018.

LPL Finance Limited
The loan outstanding at the end of 2016 was repaid at the end of March 2017 inclusive of interest and foreign 
exchange movement totalling €2,797,975 (£2,400,000).

A further loan was taken out in July 2017 for €2,800,336 (£2,500,000) and inclusive of interest and foreign 
exchange movement €4,661,438 (£4,138,000) was repaid in December 2017.

21st Luxury Luxtech
21st Luxury Luxtech provided two sums during 2017 €1,762,674 (£1,500,000) and €1,339,100 (£1,131,580) and a fee 
of 10% was charged (5% of which were in warrants) along with interest at 10% per annum (with additional interest 
due for late payment). 

During 2017 €3,742,752 (£3,192,610) was repaid inclusive of fees, interest and foreign exchange movement to fully 
settle the loan.

Warrants, each representing 1 share in San Leon, were issued as follows: 219,298 at 60p and expire 28/2/2020, 
300,000 at 30p and expire 17/05/2021, and 100,000 at 60p and expire 28/2/2020.

The 219,298 warrants are to be repriced to 40p. 

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

26. Provisions for liabilities

Group
At 1 January 2016
Paid during the year
Provision during the year
Exchange rate adjustment
Transfer of decommissioning liability (Note 4)
Transfer to liabilities held for sale (Note 22)
At 31 December 2016
Increase/(decrease) in provision during the year
Paid during the year
Exchange rate adjustment
At 31 December 2017

Current
Non-current

Decommissioning
€’000
4,291
–
274
–
(1,809)
(1,000)
1,756
(235)
–
–
1,521

Arbitration
€’000
20,561
(2,231)
3,628
–
–
–
21,958
1,948
(23,906)
–
–

Dissenting
 Shareholders
€’000
1,355
(705)
1,125
89
–
–
1,864
–
(1,716)
(106)
42

1,521
–

–
–

42
–

Total
€’000
26,207
(2,936)
5,027
89
(1,809)
(1,000)
25,578
1,713
(25,622)
(106)
1,563

1,563
–

87

Decommissioning
The provision for decommissioning costs is recorded at the value of the expenditures expected to be required to 
settle the Group’s future obligations on decommissioning of previously drilled wells.

Arbitration
On 7 November 2016, Avobone N.V. and Avobone Poland B.V. (“Avobone”) (together, “Avobone”) and the Company 
settled a number of ongoing disputes between them and between Avobone and certain of San Leon’s subsidiaries, 
including Aurelian Oil & Gas Limited, Aurelian Oil & Gas Poland Sp. z.o.o, Energia Zachod Holdings Sp. z.o.o and 
AOG Finance Limited, in Poland, Netherlands, Ireland, England & Wales in respect of various matters including a 
final award in an ICC arbitration dated 21 May 2015. The arbitration award was in relation to the purchase by 
Aurelian Oil & Gas Limited, San Leon’s subsidiary, of Avobone’s 10% shares in Energia Zachod Sp z.o.o – the 
titleholder of the Sierkierki asset.

The total settlement amount outstanding at 31 December 2016 was €20.6 million with interest accruing at a rate 
of 5% per annum until paid.

A total of €23.9 million was paid to Avobone during 2017 (inclusive of extension fees incurred arising from a 
delay in payments when due, interest, and further legal costs) representing a full discharge of amounts owed. 

Dissenting shareholders
Certain Realm Energy International Corporation shareholders exercised rights of dissent under Canadian law not 
to accept the terms of acquisition in 2011. Under Canadian law, these dissenting shareholders are eligible to receive 
a cash payment equal to the fair value of their shareholding at acquisition. The provision represents the Directors’ 
estimate of the cash consideration to be paid to those shareholders taking account of the market price of the Realm 
shares at acquisition.

In Q2 2018 the amount provided at 31 December 2017 was fully paid in cash to the shareholders.

 
San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

27. Share capital – Group and Company

Authorised equity
At 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017

Issued, called up and fully paid:

88

At 1 January 2016
Issue of shares for cash
Issue of shares in lieu of salary
At 31 December 2016

Issue of shares for cash
Issue of shares – debt for equity
Exercise of share options
At 31 December 2017

Number of 
New Ordinary 
shares
€0.01 each

Number of 
Deferred 
Ordinary shares
€0.0001 each
’m

Authorised 
Equity
€’000

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

1,265,259
1,265,259

155,000
155,000

Number of 
New Ordinary 
shares 
€0.01 each
61,809,052
378,400,000
2,816,668
443,025,720

Number of 
Deferred 
Ordinary shares 
€0.0001 each 
‘m
1,265,259
–
–
1,265,259

43,976,232
6,254,905
7,000,000
500,256,857

–
–
–
1,265,259

Share 
capital 
€’000
127,145
3,784
28
 130,957

 439
63
70
131,529

Share 
premium
€’000
205,126
194,926
1,451
401,503

12,008
2,217
2,321
418,049

On 21 September 2016, the Company issued 378,400,000 €0.01 New Ordinary Shares as a cash equity placing. 

Costs directly attributable to the equity placing in 2016 amounted to €1,974,311. These costs have been recognised 
as a deduction from equity.

2,816,668 ordinary shares were issued to Oisín Fanning in lieu of 80% of his salary due to him for the period 
1 January 2015 to 31 August 2016. 1,167,485 ordinary shares for the year to 31 December 2015 and 1,649,485 
ordinary shares for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 August 2016. 

On 16 January 2017, the Company issued and allotted 3,000,000 New Ordinary Shares of €0.01 each to Robin 
Management Services and 4,000,000 New Ordinary Shares to DSA Investments Inc. in respect of options 
exercised relating to the OML 18 Production Agreement. The options were exercised at a price of £0.30 per share. 

On 21 June 2017, the Company issued 6,254,905 New Ordinary Shares of €0.01 each to YA II PN Ltd (formerly 
known as YA Global Master SPV Ltd), an investment fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global LP (“Yorkville”), 
pursuant to a SEDA-Backed Loan Agreement, as amended (“SEDA”), which SEDA was entered into and initially 
announced on 18 April 2013. San Leon and Yorkville have agreed to vary the SEDA as follows (the “Settlement”). 
Under the Settlement, San Leon issued the shares in the Company to Yorkville at a price per share of £0.32 for a 
reduction in debt of €2,279,432.

On 19 December 2017, the Company issued 43,976,232 New Ordinary Shares of €0.01 each to Toscafund Asset 
Management LLP, Toscafund GP Limited and related entities in order to repay amounts drawndown by San Leon 
pursuant to a convertible loan facility of €12,447,982 (£11,000,000). The conversion price per New Ordinary Share 
was £0.25 each. 

 
Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

28. Reserves and non-controlling interest
The Statement of Changes in Equity outlines the movement in reserves during the year. Further details of these 
reserves are set out below:
Currency translation reserve
The currency translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the 
financial statements of foreign operations.

The recycling of the currency translation reserve of €28,478 relates to the realisation of the cumulative foreign 
currency gains on the disposal of non-core assets.

Share based payments reserve
The share based payments reserve comprises the fair value of all share options which have been charged over the 
vesting period, net of the amount relating to share options which have expired, been cancelled and have vested.

89

Fair value reserve
The fair value reserve comprises the cumulative net charge in the fair value of financial assets until the assets are 
derecognised or impaired.

29. Share Based Payments 

Prior to 31 December 2012, the Group had one share based payment scheme for executives and senior employees 
of the Group. In accordance with the provisions of the plan, as approved by shareholders at a previous general 
meeting, executives and senior employees may be granted options to purchase ordinary shares.

Each share option converts into one ordinary share of San Leon Energy plc on exercise and options do not carry 
rights to dividends nor voting rights. Options may be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the date of 
their expiry. The options vest in tranches subject to the achievement of certain service and non-market 
performance conditions. Market conditions in relation to the achievement of share price trading levels also apply in 
the case of certain options granted to the Directors, further details of which are set out in the Directors’ Report.

During the first quarter of 2013, this scheme was replaced by a more formal Share Option Plan, which governs all 
future awards of share options made by San Leon. All employees, and certain Directors and consultants, may from 
time to time be eligible to receive a discretionary bonus to be awarded in the form of options over San Leon 
Ordinary shares. Historic options in respect of San Leon shares will continue to be governed by the terms and 
conditions set out in the historic share based payments scheme.

The Group’s equity share options are equity settled share based payments as defined in IFRS 2: Share Based 
Payments. The total share based payment charge for the year has been calculated based on grant date fair value 
obtained using an option pricing model with a discount for market conditions applied based on a Monte Carlo 
simulator analysis where appropriate. The charge for the year is €1,382,000 (2016: €9,536,000) which includes the 
charge for the shares to be issued to Oisín Fanning in lieu of salary. The charge also includes the charge for options 
issued to the Directors of €Nil (2016: €2,525,125).

The movement on outstanding share options and warrants during the year was as follows:

Balance at beginning of the financial year
Granted during the year
Expired during the financial year
Effect of modification during the financial year
Exercised during the financial year
Balance at end of the financial year
Exercisable at end of the financial year

2017

2016

Number
of options/
warrants
41,710,972
2,119,298
(175,950)
(238,388)
(7,000,000)
36,415,932
35,987,733

Weighted
average
exercise
price
£0.873
£0.410
£27.53
£10.69
£0.30
£0.767
£0.686

Number
of options/
warrants
10,017,043
31,439,405
(37,975)
292,499
–
41,710,972
40,176,773

Weighted 
average
exercise 
price
£2.29
£0.35
£8.20
£9.52
–
£0.873
£0.721

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

29. Share Based Payments continued
The range of exercise prices of outstanding options/warrants at year end is £0.30-£35.00 (2016: £0.25 – £35.00)

The weighted average remaining contractual life for options/warrants outstanding at 31 December 2017  
is 4.39 years (2016: 5.03 years).

7,000,000 (2016: nil) options were exercised in the current year at an exercise price of £0.30 per share. 

The following table lists the fair value of options granted and the inputs to the models used to calculate the grant 
date fair values of awards granted in 2017 and 2016:

90

Weighted average fair value of options granted during year 
Weighted average share price of options at date of grant 
Dividend yield
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected option life
Expected early exercise %
Model used

2017
£0.29
£0.41
0%
70%
1.0% – 1.7% 
7 years
0%
Black-Scholes 
model

2016
£0.22 
£0.35 
0%
70%
1.0% – 1.7%
7 years
0%
Black-Scholes 
model

The expected life used in the model is based on the expectation of management including the probability of 
meeting market conditions (where applicable) attaching to the option and behavioural considerations and is not 
necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. Expected volatility is based on an analysis of the 
historical volatility of San Leon Energy plc shares and comparable listed entities. The fair value is measured at the 
date of grant.

30. Commitments and contingencies
(a) Operating leases
Commitments under operating leases are as follows:

Group
Payable:
Within one year
Between one and five years
Over five years

Company
Payable:
Within one year
Between one and five years
Over five years

Leasehold
Property 2017
€’000

Total 2017
€’000

Total 2016
€’000

823
1,200
2,325
4,348

823
1,200
2,325
4,348

1,037
3,263
511
4,811

Leasehold
Property 2017
€’000

Total 2017
€’000

Total 2016
€’000

300
1,200
2,325
3,825

300
1,200
2,325
3,825

300
1,200
198
1,698

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

30. Commitments and contingencies continued
(b) Exploration, evaluation and development activities
The Group has commitments of approximately €Nil (2016: €1.5m) in the year ended 31 December 2017 to contribute 
to its share of exploration and evaluation expenditure in respect of exploration licences and concessions held.

(c) Litigations
The Directors believe that ongoing litigations regarding non-performance on licences, which could result in 
penalties, will be successfully defended and will not have significant impact on the financial position of the Group.

31. Deferred tax
Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

Group
Exploration and 
evaluation assets
Financial assets 
Tax losses recognised

Assets

2017
€’000

–
–
5,889
5,889

2016
€’000

–
–
8,084
8,084

Liabilities

2017
€’000

–
(13,427)
–
 (13,427)

2016
€’000

–
(15,416)
–
(15,416)

At 1 January
Expense for the year recognised in the income statement (Note 10)
Deferred tax on fair value movements in financial assets
At 31 December

Company
Exploration and 
evaluation assets
Financial assets –  
Net Profit Interest
Tax losses recognised

Assets

Liabilities

2017
€’000

–

–
5,855
5,855

2016
€’000

–

–
7,789
7,789

2017
€’000

–

(13,427)
–
 (13,427)

2016
€’000

–

(15,416)
–
(15,416)

Unrecognised deferred tax assets

Group
Tax losses
Capitalised expenditure

91

Net

2017
€’000

–
(13,427)
5,889
 (7,538)

2017
€’000
(7,332)
(2,195)
1,989
(7,538)

Net

2017
€’000

–

(13,427)
5,855
 (7,572)

 2017
€’000
14,862
28,257
43,119

2016
€’000

–
(15,416)
8,084
(7,332)

2016
€’000
(9,086)
2,248
(494)
(7,332)

2016
€’000

–

(15,416)
7,789
(7,627)

2016
€’000
13,582
29,812
43,394

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the above items because it is not probable that future 
taxable profits will be available against which the Group can utilise these losses.

 
San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

32. Related party transactions 
The Company and Group has related party transactions with i) directors ii) shareholders iii) subsidiaries and iv) other 
entities with which it has entered into business arrangements (NSP Investments Holdings Ltd, previously referred to 
as Palomar, and various companies a party to the OML 18 Production Arrangement). Due to the influence or 
material interest that these parties have in transactions with the Company or Group they are required to be 
disclosed and are detailed below.  

Property
The Company holds an option to acquire a property at market value from Mr. Fanning. The option has a remaining 
life of nine years and the option fee of €338,131.04 (Stg £300,000) is included in other receivables (Note 19) and is 
refundable when the Company either exercises or terminates the option. Mr. Fanning was paid €137,108 (£120,000) 
(2016: €111,448 (£96,638) rent for the use of this property by the Company.

92

The property is available for use by all staff and consultants requiring overnight accommodation while conducting 
business on behalf of the Company.

Loan
A summary of the movement in the loan due to Mr. Fanning is set out below:

At 1 January 2017
Repayments by the Company during the year
Undertaking fees due*
Net Director’s fees due
Exchange rate adjustment
At 31 December 2017

€’000
(347)
371
(1,683)
(14)
4
(1,669)

At 31 December 2017 Mr. Fanning was owed €1,669,011 by the Company.

*  Oisín Fanning is due €1,682,879 in respect of personal loan guarantees provided by him, on behalf of the Company.  

Oisín Fanning is also due 3,052,942 ordinary shares in lieu of 80% of his salary for the period 1 September 2016 to 31 December 2017.

Surplan Limited
The Company and Surplan Limited have a common Director, Raymond King. The Company have a consultancy 
agreement with Surplan Limited which was paid €156,000 in 2017 (2016: €156,000). Raymond King is the sole 
Director and shareholder of Surplan Limited. In addition Raymond King was paid €30,000 Director fees in 2017.

Discovery Energy Limited
The Company and Discovery Energy Limited have a common Director, Ewen Ainsworth. Discovery Energy Limited 
is due to be paid €23,057 for outstanding amounts due for 2017 (2016: €20,320). Please see the Director’s 
emolument table on page 41 which includes the amount due to Discovery Energy Limited. Ewen Ainsworth 
is the sole Director and shareholder of Discovery Energy Limited. In addition Ewen Ainsworth was paid a salary 
of €344,000 plus Director fees of €52,513 in 2017.

Greenbay Energy Resources Limited
San Leon Energy plc and Greenbay Energy Limited have a common Director, Mutiu Sunmonu. San Leon have a 
consultancy agreement with Greenbay Energy Limited who are due to be paid €80,573 for outstanding amounts 
due for 2017 (2016: €Nil). In addition Mutiu Sunmonu was paid Director fees of €58,348 in 2017.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

32. Related party transactions continued
Palomar Natural Resources (Netherlands) B.V./NSP Investments Holdings Ltd
On 18 November 2016, the Company announced the sale of its (i) 35% interest in TSH Energy Joint Venture B.V. 
(TSH) and (ii) 35% interest in Poznan Energy B.V. (Poznan) to Palomar Natural Resources (Palomar). This divested the 
Company’s interest in the Rawicz and Siekierki fields respectively. A 10% net profit interest was retained in the Poznan 
assets. Palomar is regarded as a related party as it already held the remaining interest in both TSH and Poznan.

The total cash consideration due to the Company for the sale of its 35% interest in TSH was US$9.0 million, of which 
US$4.5 million was received in November 2016. The balance of US$4.5 million plus accrued interest (the “Amount 
Due”) was due to paid to San Leon on or before 1 October 2017. As announced on 2 January 2018 under a novation 
agreement and extension agreement dated 22 December 2017, the Amount Due is now the full responsibility 
of NSP Investments Holdings Ltd, a BVI registered company that holds a 35% interest in TSH. San Leon also 
announced that it had received a further US$1.5 million payment of the Amount Due. The Company is due 
to receive a further $3.6 million, including an extension fee plus any further accrued interest on or before 
1 September 2018.

93

Tosca Asset Management LLP
Toscafund Asset Management LLP (Toscafund) is a related party on the basis that funds managed by Toscafund 
hold a substantial shareholding in San Leon Energy plc and the substantive transactions which the parties entered 
into during 2016 and as more fully described below detailing the purchase of the indirect interest in the OML 18 
Production Arrangement. Further in December 2017, San Leon announced that it had agreed to issue 43,976,232 
ordinary shares of EUR 0.01 each in the Company (the “New Ordinary Shares”) to funds managed by Toscafund 
at a price per New Ordinary Share 25 pence each for approximately £11 million.

OML 18 Production Arrangement Transaction
Due to the substantive transaction(s) and parties involved in the OML 18 Production Arrangement they are regarded 
as related parties. The transactions which took place in 2016, and the various respective interests in the assets 
and entities, are detailed in the note below. These are still relevant and a 2017 update is also provided.

2016
On 22 January 2016 San Leon announced a binding letter of intent to acquire an initial indirect 9.72% interest in 
OML 18, an onshore mining lease in Nigeria.

To effect the purchase of the interest in the OML 18 Production Arrangement, MLPL was duly incorporated in 
Mauritius as a special purpose vehicle to complete the transaction, of which San Leon Energy Nigeria BV became 
a 40% shareholder. Midwestern is the other shareholder of MLPL with a 60% interest.

MLPL purchased all of the shares in Martwestern, a company incorporated in Nigeria. Martwestern holds a 50% 
shareholding in Eroton, a company incorporated in Nigeria and the operator of the OML 18. Bilton Energy Limited 
(Bilton) is the other 50% shareholder in Eroton.

To partly fund the purchase of 100% of the shares of Martwestern, MLPL borrowed €156.6 million (US$174.5 million) 
by issuing Loan Notes under a Loan Notes instrument which attracts a coupon of 17%. Funds managed by 
Toscafund subscribed for €103.7 million (US$115.55 million) of these Loan Notes and was entitled to a €2.7 million 
(US$3 million) underwriting fee along with 10,000,000 warrants in San Leon priced at £0.25 exercisable at the date 
of issue for 7 years. Funds managed by Toscafund set off amounts due under the Loan Notes inclusive of the 
underwriting fee and interest in exchange for the issue of 216,563,634 ordinary shares of €0.01 in San Leon as part 
of the placing in September 2016. Similarly San Leon used proceeds from the September 2016 placing to subscribe 
for a further €52.9 million (US$58.95 million) of newly issued Loan Notes in MLPL and is the sole Noteholder of the 
€156.6 million (US$174.5 million) Loan Notes (Note 17).

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

32. Related party transactions continued
In the first instance, payment of principal and interest due under the Loan Notes is dependent on Eroton making 
dividend payments to Martwestern which in turn makes dividend payments to MLPL. MLPL will use the receipt 
of dividends to make Loan Notes payments to San Leon. There are various undertakings, guarantees and security 
in place by Eroton, Martwestern and MLPL with regard to the Loan Notes as more fully described below. In addition, 
Toscafund originally had various Loan Notes securities as described below and following the transfer/assignment 
to San Leon, are now to the benefit of San Leon.

The Loan Notes have been secured with undertakings by both Eroton and Martwestern, including not to take any 
action within their control which would result in default by MLPL, and to act honestly and in good faith. In addition, 
to the extent practicable and subject to law, use commercially reasonable efforts to declare dividends in order that 
MLPL can satisfy its obligations under the Loan Notes instrument.

94

The shares held by MLPL in Martwestern have also been pledged as security to the obligations under the Loan Notes.

During 2016 San Leon Energy Nigeria BV pledged security over its assets to Toscafund. At that time funds 
managed by Toscafund was the holder of Loan Notes. This security is now held by San Leon.

Midwestern and Mart Resources Limited jointly and severally guaranteed the payment of the Loan Notes following 
a default and to make immediate payment and performance of all obligations to holders of the Loan Notes.

San Leon is also a beneficiary of any dividends that will be paid by MLPL as a 40% shareholder in MLPL, but the 
Loan Notes repayments must take priority over dividend payments made by MLPL to shareholders with a minimum 
65% cash sweep of available funds for a period of four years in order to redeem the Loan Notes.

There are shareholders agreements which govern the relationship between Midwestern and San Leon, and Bilton 
and Martwestern regulating the rights and obligations with respect to MLPL, Martwestern and Eroton. These 
agreements cover the appointment of Directors and unanimous approval for major decisions.

A Master Services Agreement exists which entitles San Leon Energy Nigeria BV to provide specific services to 
Eroton and Midwestern for their activities.

Further extensive details can found on the Company’s website which contains a copy of the Admission Document 
for the placing to raise €198.7 million (£170.3 million) at: http://www.sanleonenergy.com/media/2491705/admission_
document_2016.pdf

2017
As detailed above in the first instance payment of principal and interest due under the Loan Notes is dependent on 
Eroton making dividend payments to Martwestern which in turn makes dividend payments to MLPL. MLPL was to 
use the receipt of dividends to make Loan Notes repayments to San Leon.

In addition Eroton needs to meet certain conditions before its lenders will allow Eroton to make distributions to 
its shareholders. These distributions need to be made to enable MLPL to repay interest and principal to San Leon. 
At the balance sheet date and at the date of approval of their financial statements these conditions have not been 
met by Eroton. 

As a consequence MLPL had to enter into a loan during 2017 and subsequently in order to be able to meet its 
obligations under the Loan Notes and make payments to San Leon. During 2017 San Leon received total payments 
under the Loan Notes totalling €34.3 million (US$39.6 million). All payments during 2017 were received by the due 
date and in accordance with the terms of the Loan Notes. The payments received during 2017 represent interest and 
no principal on the Loan Notes was repaid.  

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

32. Related party transactions continued
Key management
Key management is deemed to comprise the Board of Directors. The total remuneration paid to key management 
was as follows:

Salary and emoluments
Bonuses
Shares to be issued in lieu of salary
Shares issued in lieu of salary
Fees and consulting services
Pension
Benefits
Share based payment expense

2017
€’000
1,349
631
812
–
636
84
45
–
3,557

2016
€’000
1,459
1,034
277
601
546
121
–
2,525
6,563

95

Company
Transactions with subsidiaries
The Company has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries and associates. The Company and its 
subsidiaries and associates, in the ordinary course of business, enter into various sales, purchase and service 
transactions with joint operations in which the Group has a material interest. These transactions are under terms 
that are no less favourable to the Group than those arranged with third parties.

At 31 December 2017, the Company is owed €134.2 million (2016: €125.1 million) by its subsidiaries in respect  
of funds advanced to them and expenses discharged by the Company on their behalf. An impairment provision of  
€131.9 million (2016: €122.4 million) against these debts has been provided as at the year end. The Company owes 
€12.3 million (2016: €25.7 million) to subsidiaries in respect of funds received by and services provided to the Company.

33. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management
The Group and Company’s principal financial instruments comprise trade receivables, available for sale financial 
assets, other financial assets, trade payables and cash and cash equivalents.

The main purpose of these financial instruments is to provide finance for the Group and Company’s operations. 
The Group and Company’s financial assets and liabilities are classified as:
(cid:116)(cid:1) Loans and receivables: all trade and other receivables, amounts due to and from subsidiaries and cash and cash 

equivalents as disclosed in the statement of financial position

(cid:116)(cid:1) Available for sale: financial assets – net profit interest and quoted investments as described in Note 17
(cid:116)(cid:1) Liabilities at amortised cost: all trade and other payables and loans and borrowings as disclosed in the statement 

of financial position

The main risks arising from the Group and Company’s financial instruments are foreign currency risk, credit risk, 
liquidity risk, interest rate risk and capital management. Management reviews and agrees policies for managing 
each of these risks in a non-speculative manner which are summarised below.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

33. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management continued
(a) Currency risk
The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk on transactions denominated in a currency other than the relevant 
functional currency of the entities of the Group which consist of Euro, Sterling, US Dollars, Polish Zloty, Moroccan 
Dirhams and Canadian Dollars. The Euro is the presentation currency for financial reporting and budgeting. The 
Group manages its exposure by matching receipts and payments in the same currency and monitoring the residual 
net cash position. During the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, the Group did not utilise either forward 
currency contracts or other derivatives to manage foreign currency risk.

At 31 December 2017, the Group’s principal exposure to foreign currency risk was as follows:

96

Denominated 
in GBP£
€’000

Denominated 
in US$
€’000

Denominated 
in PLN
€’000

Denominated 
in CAD
€’000

Denominated 
in MAD
€’000

Financial assets – OML 18 Production 
Arrangement (Note 17)
Financial assets – Barryroe 4.5% net 
profit interest (Note 17)
Financial assets – Quoted shares  
(Note 17)
Trade and other receivables (Note 19)
Trade and other payables (Note 23)
Provisions (Note 26)
Loans and borrowings (payable within 
one year) (Note 25)
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 21)
Total 2017

–

–

134,825

42,643

29
635
(1,788)
–

(177)
26
(1,275)

–
2,999
(2,509)
–

(2,707)
5,866
181,117

–

–

–
418
(572)
(2,521)

–
79
(2,596)

–

–

–
–
(82)
(42)

–
3
(121)

–

–

–
–
(240)
–

–
1
(239)

At 31 December 2016, the Group’s principal exposure to foreign currency risk was as follows:

Financial assets – OML 18 Production 
Arrangement (Note 17)
Financial assets – Barryroe 4.5% net 
profit interest (Note 17)
Financial assets – Quoted shares  
(Note 17)
Trade and other receivables (Note 19)
Trade and other payables (Note 23) 
Provisions (Note 26)
Loans and borrowings (payable within 
one year) (Note 25)
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 21)
Other financial assets (Note 20)
Total 2016

Denominated
in GBP£
€’000

Denominated
in US$
€’000

Denominated
in PLN
€’000

Denominated
in CAD
€’000

Denominated
in MAD
€’000

–

–

82
1,107
(3,214)
–

(2,141)
9
–
(4,157)

153,384

48,517

–
6,396
(2,168)
– 

 (4,273)
14
1,328
203,198

–

–

–
242
(873)
(1,756)

 –
76
–
(2,311)

–

–

–
2
(87)
(1,864)

–
5
–
(1,944)

– 

–

– 
691
(434)
–

–
1
–
258 

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

33. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management continued
At 31 December 2017, the Company’s principal exposure to foreign currency risk was as follows:

Financial assets – OML 18 Production 
Arrangement (Note 17)
Financial assets – Barryroe 4.5% net 
profit interest (Note 17)
Financial assets – Quoted shares  
(Note 17)
Trade and other receivables (Note 19)
Trade and other payables (Note 23)
Loans and borrowings (payable within 
one year) (Note 25)
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 21)
Total 2017 

Denominated 
in GBP£
€’000

Denominated 
in US$
 €’000

Denominated 
in PLN 
€’000

Denominated 
in CAD 
€’000

Denominated 
in MAD 
€’000

–

–

29
497
(1,689)

 (177)
26
(1,314)

134,825

42,643

–
–
(1,851)

 (2,707)
5,845
178,755

–

–

–
–
 (183) 

 –
–
(183)

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

– 

– 

– 
–
(14)

–
1
(13)

97

At 31 December 2016, the Company’s principal exposure to foreign currency risk was as follows:

Financial assets – OML 18 Production 
Arrangement (Note 17)
Financial assets – Barryroe 4.5% net 
profit interest (Note 17)
Financial assets – Quoted shares  
(Note 17)
Trade and other receivables (Note 19)
Trade and other payables (Note 23)
Loans and borrowings (payable within 
one year) (Note 25)
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 21)
Total 2016

Denominated 
in GBP£ 
€’000

Denominated 
in US$
€’000

Denominated 
in PLN
€’000

Denominated 
in CAD
€’000

Denominated
in MAD
€’000

–

–

82
978
(3,250)

(2,141)
–
(4,331)

153,384

48,517

–
2,127
(1,489)

(4,273)
–
198,266

–

–

–
–
(174)

–
–
(174)

–

–

–
–
(45)

–
–
(45)

–

–

–
–
–

–
1
1

The euro exchange rates used in the preparation of the financial statements were as follows:

Sterling
US Dollars
Polish Zloty
Canadian Dollars
Moroccan Dirhams

2017 
Average rate
0.87667
1.1297
4.2570
1.4647
11.0100

2017 
Closing rate
0.88723
1.1993
4.1770
1.5039
11.2197

2016 
Average rate 
0.81948
1.1069
4.3632
1.4659
10.8323

2016 
Closing rate
0.85618
1.0541
4.4103
1.4188
10.6436

Sensitivity analysis
If the Euro increased by 1% in value against the above currencies, the Group’s loss for the year would increase and 
equity at year end would decrease by €1,751,344. A 1% decrease in the Euro value would have an equal but 
opposite effect.

If the Euro increased by 1% in value against the above currencies, the Company’s loss for the year would increase 
and equity at year end would decrease by €1,754,906. A 1% decrease in the Euro value would have an equal but 
opposite effect.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

33. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management continued
(b) Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that any counter-party will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss 
to the Group.

The Group and Company’s financial assets excluding financial assets – Net Profit Interest, see (f) Fair values 
comprise trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents and the OML 18 Production Arrangement.

98

Within trade and other receivables is one material amount owed, €2.9 million (US$3.6 million) from NSP 
Investments Holdings Ltd. which is due on or before 1 September 2018. For other items within trade and other 
receivables there is no significant exposure to credit risk on these assets. The credit risk on amounts receivable 
from joint operating partners is managed by agreeing budgets in advance with partners and where appropriate 
collecting any material share of exploration costs from partners in advance of completing the exploration work 
programme. Amounts in trade and other receivables impaired during 2017 are explained in Note 19 and 
management believes that the existing sums are still collectable.

The OML 18 Production Arrangement comprises the €156.6 million (US$174.5 million) Loan Notes as detailed in 
Note 17. The credit risk is managed via various undertakings, guarantees, pledge of security over assets and the 
use of dividends paid to MLPL to prioritise payment of sums due under the Loan Notes. This is more fully described 
in Note 32. Given the size and quality of the OML 18 oil and gas asset the main credit risk is regarded as the timing 
of payments by MLPL which is dependent on dividend distributions by Eroton rather than being unable to pay the 
total quantum due under the Loan Notes. During 2017 as explained more fully in Note 32 Eroton was unable to 
make a dividend distribution during 2017. Consequently, MLPL had to enter into a loan in 2017 and subsequently, 
in order to be able to meet its obligations under the Loan Notes and make payments to San Leon. During 2017 
San Leon received total payments under the Loan Notes totalling €34.3 million (US$39.6 million). A further 
€15.4 million (US$19.0 million) has been received in 2018. As at 31 December there was €151.0 million 
(US$181.0 million) due under the Loan Notes. 

The credit risk on cash and cash equivalents is considered limited because the counterparties are banks with 
high credit-ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies. The Group also holds limited funds for day 
to day operational purposes with Irish banking institutions which are subject to guarantee by the Irish government.  
The Group and Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk is equal to the carrying amount of cash and cash 
equivalents in its consolidated and Company statement of financial position. The Group does not expect any 
counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.

Details of cash deposits, which are all for terms of one month or less are as follows:

Euro
Sterling
US Dollar
Polish Zloty
Canadian Dollar
Moroccan Dirhams
Other

2017
€ 000
2,155
27
5,866
79
3
1
–
8,131

2016
€ 000
72
9
14
76
5
1
–
177

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

33. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management continued 
Cash deposits held by the Company are as follows:

Euro
Sterling
US Dollar
Polish Zloty
Canadian Dollar
Moroccan Dirhams
Other

2017
€ 000
1,946
26
5,843
–
–
1
–
7,816

2016
€ 000
–
–
–
–
–
1
–
1

99

(c) Liquidity risk management
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not have sufficient funds to meet liabilities as they fall due. The Group 
manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and by continuously monitoring forecast and actual 
cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. Cash forecasts are produced to 
identify the liquidity requirements of the Group. Surplus cash is placed on deposit in accordance with limits and 
counterparties agreed by the Board, with the objective to maximise return on funds whilst ensuring that the short 
term cash requirements of the Group are maintained.

All cash and cash equivalents are due within three months. All trade and other receivables and trade and other 
payables are due within three months.

The Group’s financial liabilities at 31 December 2017 are as follows:

Group
Trade and other payables and (Note 23)
Derivative (Note 24)
Loans and borrowings (Note 25)
Provisions (Note 26)

Company
Trade and other payables (Note 23)
Derivative (Note 24)
Loans and borrowings (Note 25)

Less than
1 year
€’000
15,807
426
4,146
1,563
21,942

Less than
1 year
€’000
21,601
426
4,146
26,173

One to
two years
€’000
–
–
–
–
–

One to
two years
€’000
–
–
–
–

Two to
five years
€’000
–
–
–
–
–

Two to
five years
€’000
–
–
–
–

Total
€’000
15,807
426
4,146
1,563
21,942

Total
€’000
21,601
426
4,146
26,173

The contractual cashflows are equal to the carrying value of the financial liabilities included in the tables above.

(d) Interest rate risk
The Group and Company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group 
and Company’s holdings of cash and short term deposits.

It is the Group and Company’s policy to place surplus funds on short term deposit in order to maximise interest 
earned whilst maintaining adequate short term liquidity for operational requirements.

The Loan Notes referred to in Note 17 attract a 17% fixed rate of interest and as a consequence there is no interest 
rate exposure.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

33. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management continued 
(e) Capital management risk
The Group and Company manage its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going 
concern while maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The Group 
and Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in light of changes in economic conditions. 
To maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Group may adjust or issue new shares or raise debt. No changes were 
made in the objectives, policies or processes during the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016. 
The capital structure of the Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued 
capital, reserves and retained losses as disclosed in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.

The Group net debt and equity, and the net debt to equity ratio at 31 December 2017 was as follows:

100

Total Liabilities
Less: cash and cash equivalents
Adjusted net debt
Total equity
Adjusted net debt to equity ratio

2017
€’000
30,531
8,131
22,400
225,341
0.10

2016 
€’000
51,746
177
51,569
293,937
0.18

(f) Financial assets and liabilities by category
The following table sets out the carrying value of all the financial assets and liabilities held at 31 December 2017:

Group
Financial assets
OML 18 Production Agreement (Note 17)
Barryroe NPI (Note 17)
Quoted shares (Note 17)
Unquoted shares (Note 17)
Trade receivables* (Note 19)
Other financial asset* (Note 20)
Cash and cash equivalents* (Note 21)
Other debtors* (Note 19)
Financial liabilities
Trade payables* (Note 23)
Other creditors* (Note 23)
Provisions (Note 26)
Derivative (Note 24)
At 31 December 2017

Fair value
31 December
2017
€’000

Carrying
amount
 31 December
2017
€’000

Level 1
31 December
2017
€’000

Level 2
31 December
2017
€’000

Level 3^
31 December
2017
€’000

134,825
42,643
29
2,189
219
–
8,131
3,778

(6,505)
(2,426)
(1,563)
(426)
180,894

134,825
42,643
29
2,189
219
–
8,131
3,778

(6,505)
(2,426)
(1,563)
(426)
180,894

–
–
29
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
29

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
42,643
–
2,189
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
44,832

* The Group has not disclosed the fair value of financial instruments such as short term receivables and payables, as it is considered that their carrying 

amounts are a reasonable approximation of their fair values.

^ For detailed disclosures on the valuation techniques of level 3 disclosures see the note referenced above.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

33. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management continued 

Company
Financial assets
OML Production Agreement (Note 17)
Barryroe NPI (Note 17)
Quoted shares (Note 17)
Unquoted shares (Note 17)
Trade receivables* (Note 19)
Cash and cash equivalents* (Note 21)
Other debtors* (Note 19)
Financial liabilities
Trade payables* (Note 23)
Derivative (Note 24)
At 31 December 2017

Fair value
31 December
2017
€’000

Carrying
amount
 31 December
2017
€’000

Level 1
31 December
2017
€’000

Level 2
31 December
2017
€’000

Level 3^
31 December
2017
€’000

134,825
42,643
29
2,189
12
7,816
598

(2,299)
(426)
185,387

134,825
42,643
29
2,189
12
7,816
598

(2,299)
(426)
185,387

–
–
29
–
–
–
–

–
–
134,854

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
42,643
–
2,189
–
–
–

–
–
44,832

101

*  The Group has not disclosed the fair value of financial instruments such as short term receivables and payables, as it is considered that their carrying 

amounts are a reasonable approximation of their fair values.

^  For detailed disclosures on the valuation techniques of level 3 disclosures see the note referenced above.

During the period ended 31 December 2017, there were no significant changes in the business or economic 
circumstances that affect the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, no reclassifications and no transfers 
between levels of the fair value hierarchy used in measuring the fair value of the financial instruments.

(g) Hedging
At 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016, the Group and Company had no outstanding contracts designated 
as hedges.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
for the year ended 31 December 2017

34. Subsequent events
Appointments of Non-Executive Directors
San Leon announced on 16 January 2018 the appointment with immediate effect of Linda Beal as a Non-Executive 
Director. Linda Beal chairs the Audit Committee, and is also a member of the Remuneration Committee.

The appointment of Bill Higgs as a Non-Executive Director of the Company was announced on 24 May 2018.

Payment received in respect of Loan Notes
On 3 April 2018 San Leon announced it had received US$19 million in respect of the Loan Notes in full satisfaction 
of MLPL’s obligations for Q1 2018. As announced on the 29 June 2018, US$11 million has been received in relation to 
the fourth quarterly Loan Notes payment and it has been confirmed to the Company that a further up to US$8 
million will be paid by 30 June 2018. This will fulfil the fourth quarterly Loan Notes payment due to the Company 
by the end of June 2018.

102

Potential offers
San Leon confirmed on 5 January 2018 that discussions with both China Great United Petroleum (Holding) Limited 
(“CGUP”), originally announced on 28 June 2017, and Geron Energy Investment (“Geron”), originally announced on 
21 December 2016, had been terminated. Both CGUP and Geron confirmed that they do not intend to make an offer 
for the issued and to be issued share capital of San Leon.

Resumption of trading in San Leon shares
San Leon announced on 3 November 2017 that it received a letter on 11 September 2017 from Midwestern Oil and 
Gas Limited (“Midwestern”) with an indicative proposal that included San Leon acquiring Midwestern’s shares in 
Midwestern Leon Petroleum Limited. Such an acquisition could constitute a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules 
for Companies (the “AIM Rules”) and, in accordance with rule 14 of the AIM Rules, would require the publication of 
an AIM admission document (“Admission Document”) and approval of shareholders of the Company at a general 
meeting to proceed. Accordingly, the Company’s ordinary shares were suspended from trading pending the 
termination of these discussions or the publication of an Admission Document.

It was announced on 23 April 2018 that after careful consideration the board of San Leon determined that a 
combination with MLPL was not in the best interest of the San Leon shareholders at that time. San Leon requested 
the lifting of the suspension from trading of its shares on AIM and resumed trading at 7.30 am on 23 April 2018.

Appointment of NOMAD
Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (“Cantor Fitzgerald”) was appointed San Leon’s Nominated Adviser, financial adviser and 
broker on 24 April 2018.

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

34. Subsequent events continued
SunTrust Oil
San Leon confirmed on 9 May 2018 that it had received an application from SunTrust Oil (“SunTrust”) seeking leave 
(asking for permission) from the High Court Nigeria Holden to serve a petition outside the jurisdiction of Nigeria in 
respect of alleged amounts due. The claim by SunTrust is in respect of alleged payments due for the sale of their 
shares in Martwestern.

The Company, having taken legal advice, believes the claim has no foundation (there being no outstanding 
liabilities to SunTrust from San Leon following the issue of San Leon shares to SunTrust in September 2016), and 
additionally, the Nigerian courts lack jurisdiction for any such claim. The Company confirmed it had instructed its 
Nigerian solicitors to file objections restraining the applications of SunTrust. This would have the effect of striking 
out the applications.

103

Further on 22 May 2018, the Company confirmed that it or its subsidiaries or legal counsel had not received any 
summons or were aware of the existence of any such summons.

On 24 May 2018 San Leon confirmed that it had been provided with a copy of correspondence between SunTrust 
Oil (“SunTrust) and the Nigerian Department of Petroleum Resources (“DPR”). The correspondence relates to a 
requirement under Nigerian law for the Minister of Petroleum Resources to consent to any assignment of interests 
in oil and gas assets in Nigeria and the fact that such consent was not obtained prior to the purchase by the 
Company of its indirect interest in OML 18.

San Leon obtained legal advice prior to the purchase which confirmed that, owing to the way that the transaction 
was structured (and specifically the nature of its indirect interest in OML 18), it was not necessary for Eroton to 
obtain prior consent from the Minister. Furthermore, San Leon had re-confirmed with its legal advisers that this 
position is correct and the DPR will be notified accordingly. In addition, the Company remains of the view that the 
purported allegations by SunTrust are without any foundation or merit.

35. Approval of financial statements
The Financial Statements were approved by the Board on 28 June 2018.

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Directors

Mutiu Sunmonu (Chairman)
Oisín Fanning (Chief Executive Officer) 
Joel Price (Chief Operating Officer)
Alan Campbell (Commercial and Business Development Director) 
Ewen Ainsworth (Finance Director)
Raymond King (Non-Executive Director) 
Mark Phillips (Non-Executive Director)
Nick Butler (Non-Executive Director) resigned 6 September 2017 
Linda Beal (Non-Executive Direcrtor) appointed 16 January 2018 
Bill Higgs (Non- Executive Director) appointed 22 May 2018

104

Registered Office

 First Floor  
Wilton Park House  
Wilton Place, Dublin 2

Secretary

Raymond King FCIS

Auditor

 KPMG 
Chartered Accountants, Statutory Audit Firm  
1 Stokes Place, St Stephen’s Green 
Dublin 2

Principal Bankers

 Ulster Bank Ireland DAC  
33 College Green, Dublin 2

Solicitors

 Whitney Moore Solicitors 
Wilton Park House 
Dublin 2

 David M Turner & Co 
Solicitors 
32 Lower Abbey Street  
Dublin

 Fieldfisher LLP  
2 Swan Lane  
London EC4R 3TT

Nominated Advisor 
and Joint Broker 

 Cantor Fitzgerald Europe 
1 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf  
London E14 5EF

Joint Stockbrokers

Registrars

Public Relations

Whitman Howard Limited 
First floor, Connaught House 
1-3 Mount Street 
London W1K 3NB

Brandon Hill Capital 
1 Tudor Street 
London EC4Y 0AH

 Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited  
Heron House, Corrig Road 
Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18

Vigo Communications  
One Berkeley Street 
London W1J 8DJ

Plunkett Communications 
62b York Road 
Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin

Registered Number 

237825

 
GLOSSARY

2C

AIM

AIM Rules

BCF or bcf

Bilton

B.V.

BVI

CPR

Eroton

€’000

ESM

FSO

Group

LLP

Loan Notes

Ltd or limited

m

’m

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Best estimate of Contingent Resources

The London Stock Exchange’s AIM market

AIM Rules for Companies

Billion cubic feet

Bilton Energy Limited

Dutch private limited company

British Virgin Islands

Competent Person’s Report

Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited

Euro, thousands

European Stability Mechanism

Floating Storage and Offloading

San Leon and its subsidiaries

Limited liability partnership

$174.5 million principal amount of 17% fixed rate loan notes acquired by San Leon 
pursuant to the amended and restated loan note instrument dated September 30, 
2016 executed and issued by Midwestern Leon Petroleum Limited

A private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, 
Scotland, certain Commonwealth countries and Ireland

Metres

Millions

105

Martwestern

Martwestern Energy Limited

MLPL

MSA

mmbbL

Nomad

NNPC

NPI

PLC

Midwestern Leon Petroleum Limited

Master Services Agreement

Million barrels

A company that has been approved as a nominated advisor for AIM by the London 
Stock Exchange

Nigerian National Petroleum Company

Net Profit Interest

A publicly held company 

San Leon or the Company San Leon Energy PLC

SEDA

Sp. z o.o.

Standby Equity Distribution Agreement

Polish limited liability company

Sp. z o.o. sp.k

Polish LLP

SPV

Yorkville

Special purpose vehicle

Yorkville Advisors Global LP

Reserves
Probable

Gross

Net

Probable reserves are volumes that are defined as ‘less likely to be recovered 
than proved, but more certain to be recovered than possible reserves’

Reserves before deduction of royalty

Reserves after royalty plus royalty interest

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

CONVERSION

The following table sets forth certain standard conversions from Standard Imperial Units  
to the International System of Units (or metric units).

To convert from

mcf

Cubic metres

bbls

Cubic metres

Feet

Metres

Miles

Kilometres

Acres

Hectares

106

To 

Cubic metres

Cubic feet

Cubic metres

bbls

Metres

Feet

Kilometres

Miles

Hectares

Acres

Multiply by

28.174

35.494

0.159

6.290

0.305

3.281

1.609

0.621

0.405

2.471

NOTES

Overview 

|  Strategic Report 

|  Governance 

|  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

107

San Leon Energy plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2017

NOTES

108