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Serica Energy PLC

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Serica2013

SERICA ENERGY PLC  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS  2013

Serica Energy plc is an oil 
and gas exploration and 
development company with 
activities based in the UK, 
Ireland, Namibia and Morocco, 
and an economic interest in an 
oilfield offshore Norway.

The Company’s shares are listed 
on AIM in London and on the 
Canadian TSX Exchange under 
the symbol SQZ.

02  Highlights
03  Summary
04  Licence interests
05  Chairman’s statement
07  Strategic report
07  Chief Operating Officer’s review
09  Review of licence holdings
12  Finance Director’s review
17  Consolidated financial statements
20  Corporate governance statement
23  Directors’ biographies
24   Directors’ responsibilities statement
25  Auditor’s report
27  Financial statements
63  Group proved plus probable reserves
64  Glossary
65  Corporate information

SERICA ENERGY PLC  ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS  2013

HIGHLIGHTS

  Operations Highlights

•   Progress continues on all four of Serica’s UK gas-centric projects

–  Centrica to carry Serica for 20% on Doyle well in Block 113/27c - Serica also received award of adjacent block 113/22a into 

which prospect likely extends

–  ENI joins as operator in block 22/19c where large HPHT prospects evident - Serica (15%) carried by JX Nippon through first well
–  3D Seismic acquired and processed in Greater York area - interpretation underway – Serica 37.5% interest
–  Export route for Columbus field under negotiation - commercial discussions continue with BG and others - infrastructure 

support from Wood Report and DECC

•   Atlantic Margin and Africa exploration moving forward on programme

–  Namibia - partnering process underway - huge benefit from BP’s involvement in Luderitz Basin – c. US$50 million of high  

quality data at nil cost to Serica

–  Morocco - first Foum Draa well drilled, results non-commercial – first well in Sidi Moussa spuds early 2H2014 – Serica largely 

carried on both wells

–  Ireland - Ministry awards full Frontier Licence in Rockall Basin and extends Serica’s existing licence – partnering process 

underway in Slyne Basin blocks

•   Competent Person’s Report flags major potential in all of Serica’s licences – highlights in Operations Review
•   Operator of Bream has indicated end year development decision - would provide a large uplift in value to Serica

  Financial Highlights

•   Funded to meet planned expenditure through end 2015
•   End year cash balance of US$26.1 million, nil debt
•   Successful fundraise of US$19.5 million - well supported by new and existing shareholders
•   Reduced loss for the year from continuing operations of US$5.1 million (2012: US$16.4 million)
•   Efficiencies improved - costs strictly controlled - all major commitments farmed-out

2

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY FOR 2013

Company net oil and gas reserves

(working interest basis)

At 31 December

Gas – million cubic feet 

Condensate and LPG – barrels 

Total – barrels of oil equivalent 

Financial position

Market capitalisation – US$ 

Net current assets – US$ 

Cash – US$ 

Number of shares in issue 

Number of shares fully diluted 

Proven and  

probable  

2013 

21,900 

1,500,000 

5,200,000 

55 million 

26 million 

26 million 

250,179,040 

261,187,500 

Proven and

probable

2012

23,400 

1,600,000 

5,500,000 

74 million 

19 million 

22 million 

182,770,311 

193,728,771

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

3

 
 
 
LICENCE INTERESTS

The following table summarises the Company’s licences as at 31 December 2013.

Block(s)  

Description 

Role 

Non-operator 
Non-operator 
Non-operator  

Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Columbus Field – Development planned  Operator 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 

Non-operator 
Non-operator 
Non-operator 
Non-operator 
Operator 
Operator (1) 
Operator (1) 
Operator (1) 

UK 
15/21g  
15/21a (part) 
22/19c 
23/16f  
47/2b (split) 
47/3g (split) 
47/7 (split) 
47/8d (part) 
110/8b 
113/26b 
113/27c 
113/22a 

Ireland 
27/4 
27/5 (part) 
27/9 
5/17 
5/18 
5/22 
5/23 
5/27 
5/28 
11/10 
11/15 
12/1 (part) 
12/6 
12/11 (part) 

Namibia 
2512A 
2513A 
2513B 
2612A (part) 

Morocco 
Foum Draa 
Sidi Moussa 

Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 
Exploration 

Exploration  
Exploration  
Exploration  
Exploration  

Exploration 
Exploration 

% at 
31/12/13 

21% 
21% 
15%  
50% 
37.5% 
37.5% 
37.5% 
37.5% 
100% 
65% (1) 
65% (1) 
35% (1) 

50% 
50% 
50% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

85%  
85%  
85%  
85%  

Location

Central North Sea
Central North Sea
Central North Sea
Central North Sea
Southern North Sea
Southern North Sea
Southern North Sea
Southern North Sea
East Irish Sea
East Irish Sea
East Irish Sea
East Irish Sea

Slyne Basin 
Slyne Basin 
Slyne Basin 
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin
Rockall Basin

Luderitz Basin
Luderitz Basin
Luderitz Basin
Luderitz Basin

Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 

Operator 
Operator 
Operator 
Operator 

Non-operator 
Non-operator 

8.3333%  
5%  

Tarfaya-Ifni Basin
Tarfaya-Ifni Basin

Indonesia 
Glagah Kambuna TAC  Kambuna Field Production 

Non-operator 

25% (2) 

Offshore North Sumatra

Notes:
(1) Interest subject to a farm-out agreement.  Post completion, Serica’s interest will be 20% and Hydrocarbon Resources Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of 

Centrica) will be appointed operator.

(2) Glagah Kambuna TAC terminated on 31 December 2013.

4

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to report that the Company made good progress 
during 2013 to advance its exploration programme, both in 
the UK and overseas. We now have an enviable portfolio of 
rapidly maturing and ready to drill prospects, some of which 
are already farmed-out, providing shareholders with exposure 
to material upside, both near and longer term, at very little 
cost.  An independent report undertaken by Netherland Sewell 
and Associates has confirmed the range and potential of the 
Company’s prospect inventory and more details are provided in 
the Chief Operating Officer’s Review. The report also includes 
the year-end audit of reserves and confirms the Columbus 
reserves at 15.5 mmboe, 5.2 mmboe net to Serica’s interest. Work 
has continued in our efforts to find alternative arrangements for 
Columbus production.

Towards the year end, we were able to complete a capital 
financing in difficult market conditions to place us in a healthy 
financial position to take us forward. I am pleased with the 
result and am delighted with the support that we received from 
shareholders to make this financing so successful.

The Company’s main challenge going forward is to secure an 
export route for Columbus and no effort is being spared by the 
Board to this end. We have striven hard to achieve this objective 
and have been in continual discussions with the Lomond field 
operator throughout the past few months but we have yet to 
reach a satisfactory conclusion. As I have said previously there 
are no technical impediments to connecting Columbus to the 
adjacent Lomond platform. We have, nevertheless, extended 
discussions to other operators who can also take the gas and 
liquids. I give further commentary below but we will report back 
to shareholders as soon as we have demonstrable progress.

UK Exploration and Norway
Our UK exploration programme has seen material progress. 
During the year we reached agreement with Centrica which 
will see a well drilled on our Doyle prospect in the East Irish 
Sea at limited cost to Serica. Centrica are meeting the costs 
of our retained 20% interest up to a gross well expenditure of 
£11 million and they have confirmed that the well will be drilled 
as part of their forward programme with spud now likely early 
next year. With the prospect lying close to the Morecambe Bay 
production facilities, also operated by Centrica, it is expected 
that any discovery would see early development.

Progress towards drilling on Block 22/19c, located just to the 
west of Columbus, is encouraging. Our partner, JX Nippon, 
has confirmed that it has reached agreement under which 
ENI will be joining the group. The block contains two large 
high-pressure, high-temperature (“HPHT”) prospects. The 
prospective resources independently attributed to these two 
prospects are considerable. Under an earlier farm-out agreement 
with JX Nippon, Serica will be fully carried for its 15% share of 
the cost of drilling a well, providing shareholders with exposure 
to significant potential at no cost. In addition, the Government 
has announced that it will introduce specific tax changes to 

encourage development of HPHT fields. Serica is well placed to 
benefit from these changes.

In the Southern gas basin, our work programme to shoot a 3D 
seismic survey in the blocks adjacent to the producing York field 
has been completed and the data has now been fully processed 
and is being interpreted. Serica has a 37.5% interest in these 
blocks and we are expecting results to show additional gas 
accumulations and support a drilling programme.

In short, in addition to Columbus, Serica is involved in three 
active gas-focussed exploration projects in the UK, each of 
which has clearly defined potential and in two of which it is 
carried by third parties. With the current tight gas supply and 
security uncertainties we believe that gas prices will continue to 
be strong for the foreseeable future and encourage development 
of new reserves.

In Norway, we await the announcement of an investment 
decision for Bream. This has been stated recently by the 
operator to be around the end of 2014/early 2015. At the time 
of such an announcement the Company would expect to see a 
material increase in the value of its indirect holding in the field 
and we look forward to this project finally moving ahead.

Atlantic Margin Exploration
We also continue to make progress in our Atlantic Margin 
blocks. In Namibia, we have benefitted from BP’s participation 
in the acquisition and interpretation of the large 3D seismic 
survey which we undertook in 2012 and completed during 2013. 
Although, following the conclusion of a portfolio review, BP 
decided not to build on its foothold in Namibia and is pulling 
back to other areas in which it has a larger presence, its valuable 
contribution has enabled Serica to prove the presence of very 
large structures with clear characteristics of potentially prolific 
carbonate deposits as well as highlighting shallower clastic 
accumulations likely to have been exposed to regionally present 
mature oil source rocks. This has all been achieved at no cost 
to Serica, and has not only accelerated exploration, but has put 
us in a stronger position than at the time of the licence award 
just over two years ago. We are now in the partnering process to 
take the licence to the next stage and are very positive about the 
blocks’ potential. 

In Morocco, we drilled our first well towards the end of the year, 
operated by Cairn Energy who also paid the bulk of the drilling 
costs related to our retained 8.33% working interest. The well, 
drilled in the Foum Draa licence, did not encounter commercial 
hydrocarbons, but the cost to Serica was minimised as the result 
of our farm-out and does not write off the block’s potential. Our 
Moroccan activities continue with the drilling of our second well 
in which our costs are largely met, in this case by Genel in the 
Sidi Moussa block where we have a retained 5% working interest. 
The well is expected to be drilled in the third quarter 2014 and 
would have a material impact on Serica, at minimal exposure, if 
successful.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

5

Forward prospects
Although regulatory processes, increasing costs, overly complex 
taxation and maturing infrastructure have conspired to make 
it difficult to operate efficiently in the North Sea it is believed 
that the Government has recognised the need to alleviate the 
problem. The Wood report is a major step in this direction and 
comes at a time when the UK needs to encourage development 
of its remaining gas reserves and extend the life of its offshore 
infrastructure. We therefore expect matters to improve. At the 
same time we are seeing the larger oil companies refocussing 
their business strategies which provides new opportunities for the 
smaller E&P companies to expand and diversify through increased 
M&A activity. 

It is our firm belief that Serica has the skills and resources to 
pursue such opportunities. We believe that 2014 will see progress 
across the Company’s areas of operations as well as the pursuit 
of new opportunities both in the UK and overseas. The November 
financing has put Serica in a good position to achieve these 
objectives and, with our portfolio of prospects rich with potential 
and a lean but strong and experienced management team, we are 
continually looking to opportunities and synergies both to expand 
and to unlock the value of our business.

Although we have made good progress on the exploration front, 
2013 has been challenging and I would like to thank all of our 
employees for their continued hard work during the year and 
shareholders for their patience. We shall be providing shareholders 
with an update of the Company’s activities at the forthcoming 
Annual General Meeting to be held on 26 June 2014 when I would 
hope to be able to report on further progress. 

Tony Craven Walker
Chairman
9 April 2014

Our activities in Ireland continue to be focussed on partnering 
efforts. Our blocks offer well-defined prospects close to existing 
oil and gas discoveries, one of which, the Bandon oil discovery, 
was drilled by Serica.  We are seeing signs of increasing industry 
interest, but there has been only limited farm-out activity in the 
area to date. We believe that this will change as the strategic 
benefits of discoveries which can improve energy security in 
Western Europe become more apparent.

Columbus
Returning to Columbus, Serica is not alone in facing problems 
gaining access to infrastructure. The fact that it has taken us 
and our partners eight years of investment and endeavour to 
gain access to infrastructure, and we still have not been able 
to reach agreement with the major companies who operate the 
platform and pipeline systems, has sent a strong message to the 
UK Government that regulatory and oversight processes have 
got to be strengthened if the North Sea’s potential is going to be 
fully exploited. The Wood Report, which was commissioned by the 
Government to investigate the problem and published in February 
2014, supports the case for change. It is hard-hitting in its findings 
and requires existing infrastructure operators to collaborate fully 
to make infrastructure available to smaller companies.

We welcome and fully support the findings of the Wood Report. 
The mature, developed areas offshore UK still hold significant 
undeveloped reserves and reserves remaining in existing fields 
and it will be the smaller companies who will play a pivotal 
role in finding and developing these reserves. Preventing these 
companies from accessing existing infrastructure damages 
investor confidence, prevents new, emerging companies from 
flourishing, holds back entrepreneurial and technical expertise 
and, ultimately, results in a loss to the nation of the long term 
value of its reserves and their strategic value. We are, therefore, 
starting to press the findings of the Wood Report as well as 
continuing discussions with other operators. We are committed 
to seeing the development of Columbus take place. With renewed 
Government emphasis to tackle the industry needs we believe 
these problems of infrastructure access and appropriate taxation 
policies will be resolved.

Finances
In November 2013 the Board took steps to strengthen the 
Company’s financial position. The Company completed a 
capital financing in difficult market conditions, raising a gross 
US$19.5 million. The Board recognises and is grateful for the 
support received from both existing and new shareholders who 
participated in the financing. The funds raised will underpin the 
growth of the business in 2014 and beyond and help to secure the 
full potential of the Group’s assets and to ultimately maximise 
value for shareholders.

Our finances are also strengthened by our zero debt position. The 
Group is debt free and the year-end net cash balance of US$26.1 
million, coupled with the benefits of the Group’s farm-out efforts 
in recent years, and control of overhead costs, is sufficient to 
meet the Group’s contractual commitments and current projected 
cash requirements to the end of 2015. 

6

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
STRATEGIC REPORT

The following Strategic Report of the operations and financial 
results of Serica Energy plc and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) 
should be read in conjunction with Serica’s consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2013. 

Disclosure and Other Exemptions Relating to Foreign Issuers. 
The Company is subject to the foreign regulatory requirements 
of the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock 
Exchange in the United Kingdom.

References to the “Company” include Serica and its subsidiaries 
where relevant. All figures are reported in US dollars (“US$”) 
unless otherwise stated.

The Company is a “designated foreign issuer” as that term 
is defined under National Instrument 71-102 - Continuous 

Serica is an oil and gas company with exploration and 
development activities based in the UK, Ireland, Namibia and 
Morocco, and an economic interest in an oilfield offshore 
Norway. The Company’s interest in the Kambuna field in 
Indonesia was formally terminated on 31 December 2013. 

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’S REVIEW

UK Operations
Columbus Development
BG’s unexpected decision to cancel the Lomond Bridge Linked 
Platform (“BLP”) project in early 2013 was a major setback for the 
Columbus project. The focus of the technical work for the rest of 
the year was switched to identifying and securing a new offtake 
route for Columbus. The preferred technical solution is for a direct 
subsea tie-back to the existing Lomond facilities which are less 
than 8km away from Columbus. Technical work has shown that 
this solution is feasible and that the capital expenditure required 
is appropriate for a development of this size. The obstacle has 
been to agree commercial terms for the transportation and 
processing of Columbus production on the Lomond platform. 
Progress has been slow although dialogue is continuing with BG 
International Limited (the operator of the Lomond infrastructure), 
the Department of Energy and Climate Change (“DECC”) and 
other stakeholders in the area.

If access to the Lomond offtake route cannot be secured on 
acceptable terms then there are other realistic alternative offtake 
routes that are currently under consideration. Technical work has 
commenced on these alternatives and approaches have been 
made to the relevant operators.

Against this background, continuing cost rises in the North Sea 
are also eroding development economics and both we and the 
other operators in the area are conscious of the need for close 
co-operation, highlighted by the DECC sponsored Wood Report, 
to reduce cost and maintain efficiencies. The Government has 
recognised the need to assist in these objectives as well as to 
ensure that there are no taxation impediments holding back 
development.

In December 2013, DECC granted a two year extension to the 
licence which includes the 23/16f portion of the Columbus field. 

This extension shows the understanding and commitment of 
DECC to support our efforts and allows time for the Columbus 
partners to secure a commercially viable offtake route for the 
field.

Exploration
In the East Irish Sea, a site survey in Block 113/27c was completed 
during the year in preparation for drilling the Doyle Triassic 
gas prospect. Under an agreement with Centrica’s subsidiary 
Hydrocarbon Resources Limited (“HRL”) for the farm-out of 
Blocks 113/26b and 27c, HRL are paying Serica’s share of costs 
associated with the drilling of an exploration well to test Doyle 
up to a gross cap of £11 million in return for a 45% interest in the 
licence. The site survey was therefore performed at no cost to 
Serica. HRL, as designated operator, has confirmed that the well 
will be spudded early in their next drilling campaign and that they 
are about to go to tender for a suitable rig. 

In November 2013, we were delighted to be awarded a 35% 
operated interest in Block 113/22a which is adjacent to Block 
113/27c and is believed to contain an extension to the Doyle 
prospect. The award was made as part of the delayed UK 27th 
Offshore Licensing Round. Work commitments include obtaining 
150 kilometres of 2D seismic data and a drill or drop decision on a 
well within 3 years.

The farm-out agreement with HRL covers all of Blocks 113/26b, 
113/27c and 113/22a. Upon completion of the farm-out HRL will 
take over formally as operator with Serica retaining a 20% interest. 

In the Central North Sea, Serica has a 15% interest in Block 
22/19c, located two blocks to the west of Columbus. As the result 
of a farm-out to JX Nippon, who took over as operator, Serica has 
a full carry on this licence up to and including the drilling of an 
exploration well. The decision to drill this well lies with JX Nippon. 

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

7

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’S REVIEW CONTINUED

However, JX Nippon have recently advised us that they have 
reached agreement with ENI to join the block and we expect this 
will lead to an accelerated programme. The group has identified 
significant deep High Pressure High Temperature (“HPHT”) 
potential in the Jurassic and Triassic. A Competent Person’s 
Report (“CPR”) conducted by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, 
Inc (“NSAI”) and commissioned by Serica, has assessed the 
highest ranked prospect to contain between a P90 of 40mmboe 
and a P10 of 243mmboe of unrisked prospective gross resources.  
A site survey is expected to be acquired in 2014 in preparation for 
drilling an exploration well.

In the Southern North Sea a new 3D seismic survey was acquired 
over part of the Greater York area blocks operated by Centrica in 
which Serica has a 37.5% interest. This survey was acquired on 
schedule and under budget and has now been fully processed. 
Interpretation of the newly acquired data is ongoing with the aim 
of selecting the location for an exploration well.

Namibia
In Namibia the main focus during 2013 was the processing and 
interpretation of the 3D seismic survey that was acquired by 
Serica over our Luderitz blocks in 2012. The interpretation of the 
seismic, which covered approximately 25% of the licence area and 
focussed on Prospect B, is now complete and has confirmed that 
our primary prospect (Prospect B) exhibits the characteristics of a 
very large carbonate platform.

An independent assessment of the unrisked prospective 
resources contained in our Namibian licence has been performed 
by NSAI and covers prospects which have been mapped from 
early 2D seismic as well as the highly detailed 3D. This CPR 
recognises the multi-prospect nature of the licence and states 
that Prospect B at the primary Barremian level alone contains 
P50 unrisked prospective recoverable oil resources of 623 million 
barrels (with a P90 to P10 range of 138 million to 2.81 billion 
barrels). The report gives a geological risk factor of 16%.

In addition to the large Lower Cretaceous carbonate prospects 
evident on the licence the seismic also confirms the presence of 
large turbidite channel sand formations. These sands are likely to 
have been sourced by regionally present mature oil source rocks 
and therefore present valid and attractive targets.

The costs associated with the acquisition and processing of 
the 3D seismic survey were fully paid by BP as part of their 2012 
farm in agreement. At the end of 2013 BP decided to refocus its 
international portfolio and elected to withdraw from the licence. 
Serica now holds 85% of the equity in the licence but retains the 
3D seismic data which cost almost US$50million to acquire and 
process. We have now commenced a process to attract one or 
more new partners to enter into a Joint Venture arrangement with 
us with the aim of drilling the first exploration well in 2015. The 
initial level of industry interest in this opportunity has been strong 
and discussions continue.

Morocco
In April, a site survey was carried out by Cairn Energy in 
preparation for drilling the FD-1 well on our Foum Draa licence 
in Morocco. The well was spudded in October using the fifth 
generation semi-submersible drilling rig Cajun Express. This was a 
deepwater well drilled in over 1,500m of water and to a total depth 
of 5,255m. Drilling operations finished in early January 2014. The 
well failed to find commercial hydrocarbons but did encounter 
gas shows indicating an active thermogenic petroleum system. 
In line with our ongoing strategy of limiting our cost exposure, the 
first US$60million of the gross drilling costs for this well were paid 
by Cairn, our farm-in partner, minimising the net cost to Serica’s 
retained 8.33% working interest. The group is now evaluating the 
valuable data recovered from the well and will soon agree on a 
forward plan for the licence.

The next Moroccan well in which we have an involvement will 
be in the Sidi Moussa licence which is now operated by Genel 
Energy. Once again our cost exposure is limited under a farm-out 
agreement and Genel will carry Serica’s retained 5% working 
interest for the first US$50million of gross well costs, therefore 
considerably limiting our cost exposure. The site survey has been 
completed and the rig Noble Paul Romano has been contracted to 
drill the well which is expected to spud in Q3 2014. This prospect 
is a carbonate draped tilted fault block structure that the operator 
Genel estimates to hold prospective resources of 200 million 
barrels with a 20% chance of success.

Ireland
Serica holds 100% interests in two large swathes of blocks in the 
Atlantic Margin Rockall Basin and has undertaken considerable 
work reprocessing 2D and 3D seismic data to delineate fully 
the prospectivity of these blocks. This work has identified large 
prospects of pre-Cretaceous age close to an existing discovery 
drilled off block.

In July 2013 we were pleased to be informed that the Minister of 
State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural 
Resources (“DCENR”) had consented to extend the original 
four year duration of Serica’s Rockall Basin Frontier Exploration 
Licence 01/09 by two years to enable further work to be done on 
the licence, including a possible site survey.

This was followed in December 2013, when we were advised that 
we had been successful in our application to convert adjacent 
Licence Option 11/1 to a full Frontier Exploration Licence and 
that the Minister of State at the DCENR has granted Frontier 
Exploration Licence number 04/13 with effect from 1 December 
2013.

This places us in a stronger position to attract industry partners 
as the attractiveness of the technical potential and the licence 
terms become better understood. Given the size of the prospects 
and their position in a proven gas-condensate bearing basin, 
holding two licences with significant acreage (over 1,900 square 
kilometres) greatly expands the options open to Serica to deliver 
an active drilling campaign in the area. The NSAI CPR attributes 
P50 unrisked prospective resources of 677bcf (with a range from 

8

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

a P90 of 155bcf to a P10 of 3.4tcf) to the Muckish prospect with a 
geological risk factor of 26%. 

In addition to the clearly mapped prospects, recent in-house 
analysis of the extensive seismic database has also indicated the 
presence of an alternative play type, not previously considered 
and it is evident that the blocks contain the potential for 
deepwater fans. Evaluation of this play has commenced and will 
be completed in Q2 2014.  

Further south in the Slyne Basin, we have two significant 
drill-ready prospects in Licence 01/06, the Boyne and the Liffey 
prospects. The blocks are located 40 kilometres south of the 
Corrib gas field in water depths of 180 to 280 metres. Boyne and 
Liffey are two Lower Jurassic prospects mapped as a result of the 
discovery of oil in shallower Jurassic sediments in the Bandon 
well drilled by Serica in 2009. NSAI in their CPR attribute P50 
gross unrisked prospective resources (for the combined Jurassic 
and Triassic objectives in Boyne and Liffey) of 215mmboe (with a 

range from a P90 of 56mmboe to a P10 of 824mmboe).  Together 
with our partner (RWE), we are looking for a further partner to 
invest in an exploration well to drill the Boyne Prospect in return 
for significant equity in the licence. This is a high value farm-in 
opportunity with moderate risk and significant upside. 

Indonesia
Finally, during 2013 the Kambuna Field in Indonesia reached 
the end of its economic life. The field has been abandoned in 
accordance with local regulations and the Technical Assistance 
Contract (TAC) with Pertamina was terminated in December 
2013. The abandonment and handover operations were completed 
smoothly and within budget. 

Mitch Flegg
Chief Operating Officer
9 April 2014

REVIEW OF LICENCE HOLDINGS

The following summary gives further detailed information on 
Serica’s licence interests in which activities took place during, 
and subsequent to the end of 2013.

United Kingdom
Central North Sea: Block 23/16f - Columbus Field 
Development
Block 23/16f covers an area of approximately 22 square 
kilometres in the UK Central North Sea and contains the 
majority of the Columbus gas field. The Columbus field, 
containing gas rich in condensate, extends from Block 23/16f 
into Block 23/21 to the south, operated by BG International 
Limited (“BG”). Block 23/21 includes the Lomond platform 
and the producing Lomond field. Serica has a 50% interest as 
operator in Block 23/16f and will be the operator for Columbus 
field facilities with an interest of 33.2%.

In early March 2013 Serica, as operator of the Columbus field 
and on behalf of the Columbus field participants, issued tender 
documents to pre-qualifying contractors for the fabrication, 
installation and hook-up of sub-sea facilities and the provision 
of associated sub-sea equipment and systems. This followed 
the issuing by BG in December 2012 of tender documents for 
the construction and installation of a Bridge Linked Platform 
(“BLP”), through which Columbus field gas and condensate 
production would be exported.

In late March 2013, BG informed Serica that it had decided not 
to proceed with the construction of the BLP. This cancellation 
was a setback to the Columbus project but since then, 
progress has been made towards a revised development plan 
under which the Columbus field would be tied back directly 
to the Lomond platform without need for a BLP. Preliminary 
engineering studies showed that this solution is technically 
feasible and could be delivered within the time frame 
envisaged under the previous BLP-based plan.

The outstanding issue to be addressed before detailed 
technical work can proceed is for (non-binding) commercial 
terms to be agreed between the Columbus owners and the 
Lomond owner. Negotiations are continuing with BG, DECC 
and other interested parties with all parties working to secure 
a positive outcome following which clearances will be required 
from DECC enabling the project to proceed. Serica is aiming 
to reach an understanding acceptable to all parties during 
the first half of 2014. The original field development plan, as 
submitted to DECC, was designed to evaluate the potential 
for additional reserves which may exist as an extension to 
Columbus and this would remain the intention in any revised 
plan designed to take account of a modified export route.

The partners in Block 23/16f recently obtained a two year 
extension from DECC for the second phase of the licence 
(P1314), which now expires in December 2015. This cooperation 

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

9

REVIEW OF LICENCE HOLDINGS CONTINUED

from DECC is indicative of their support to help reach a 
positive conclusion and extends the timeframe to achieve 
agreement for an export route. As part of this process, the 
part of the block east of the Columbus accumulation has been 
relinquished such that the portion retained, which contains the 
Columbus field, has an area of 22 square kilometres.

Lomond is the nearest and easiest platform for Columbus to 
link into and remains the prime choice for cost and simplicity 
reasons. However, in addition to negotiations with BG 
discussions have also been opened up with other infrastructure 
operators who can provide alternatives in the event that 
negotiations with BG fail to reach a commercial conclusion.

Independent consultant NSAI carried out a reserves report on 
the Columbus field for the end of 2013. This report estimated 
that the gross Proved plus Probable Reserves of the field are 
66.0 bcf of gas and 4.5 mmbbl of liquids, a total of 15.5 mmboe. 
Serica holds a 50% interest in those Columbus reserves lying in 
Block 23/16f. After providing for reserves lying in the adjacent 
Block, NSAI estimates the Company’s share of proved and 
probable reserves in the field to be 21.9 bcf of sales gas and 1.5 
mmbbl of liquids, a net 5.2 mmboe to Serica. 

Central North Sea: Blocks 15/21g and 15/21a (part) – 
Spaniards Appraisal
Block 15/21g, in which Serica was initially awarded a 30% 
interest, lies immediately west of the Scott oil field and 
adjacent to Block 15/21a containing the Jurassic oil discovery 
well 15/21-38z (“Spaniards”), which flowed 2,660 bpd of 25° API 
oil from a good quality Jurassic-aged Upper Claymore sand. 
In January 2012 Block 15/21g was amalgamated with part of 
Block 15/21a to form a single area which includes the Spaniards 
discovery. Serica has a 21% interest in the amalgamated area. 

In Q4 2012 the Spaniards East well was drilled to appraise the 
Spaniards discovery but was plugged and abandoned. The 
analysis of the Spaniards East well data confirms that there is 
little chance of any remaining oil prospectivity in the east of the 
field. The focus of the forward work programme is to mature 
the Spaniards West prospect so that a decision can be made 
whether to drill another well or withdraw from the licence.

Central North Sea: Block 22/19c
Block 22/19c is located approximately 20 kilometres to the west 
of Serica’s Columbus field. Following the farm-out of an 85% 
interest to JX Nippon in 2012, Serica has a 15% interest in the 
block and has a full carry on this licence up to and including 
the drilling of an exploration well. The partners have identified 
significant deep HPHT potential in the Jurassic and Triassic on 
the block and a site survey is expected to be acquired in 2014 in 
preparation for drilling an exploration well. 

JX Nippon has recently executed an agreement with ENI for 
the latter to join the block as operator with a 50% interest. The 
transaction between JX Nippon and ENI is subject to normal 
regulatory and partner approvals. Serica expects that the 

transaction will lead to an accelerated programme. 

Southern North Sea: Blocks 47/2b (Split), 47/3g (Split), 47/7 
(Split) & 47/8d (Part)
Serica has a 37.5% interest in the blocks which are operated by 
Centrica. These blocks are contiguous part blocks immediately 
adjacent to the producing York field, also operated by Centrica.

A number of gas prospects, including a possible extension 
to the York field, have been identified on the blocks at 
Leman (Permian) level with additional leads at Namurian 
(Carboniferous) level. The work obligation, comprising a 3D 
seismic acquisition survey and reprocessing of existing seismic 
data, has been completed. 

East Irish Sea: Block 110/8b
Serica has a 100% interest and operatorship of Block 110/8b. 
Recent drilling by Centrica in the adjoining block to the north 
is likely to have investigated prospectivity for gas in the area of 
the Darwen North prospect lying in the north of Block 110/8b 
but results of the drilling have not been released.

East Irish Sea: Blocks 113/26b and 113/27c - Doyle Prospect
In June 2013 the Company announced that it had reached 
agreement with Centrica, through Centrica’s subsidiary HRL, 
for the farm-out of UK East Irish Sea Blocks 113/26b and 27c, 
in which Serica presently holds a 65% interest. Under the 
agreement, HRL will acquire an operated 45% interest in the 
licence, with Serica retaining 20%, in consideration for HRL 
bearing Serica’s share of costs associated with the drilling of 
an exploration well up to a gross cap of £11 million.

The agreement is subject to UK government approval. 
Completion also requires agreement with the operator of a wind 
farm planned nearby. However this is now at an advanced stage 
with final agreement expected shortly.

A Triassic gas prospect, the Doyle prospect, lies in the north of 
Block 113/27c. A fault and dip closed structure, this prospect 
has been fully matured and is ready to drill. The site survey has 
been completed and the well is expected to be drilled in  
early 2015. 

East Irish Sea: Block 113/22a
In November 2013 Serica was awarded a Traditional Licence 
in the latest stage of the 27th Offshore Licensing Round, 
announced by DECC. Block 113/22a in the East Irish Sea has 
been awarded to a group in which Serica has a 35% interest 
and is operator. The other participants in the new licence award 
are HRL (a subsidiary of Centrica) 30%, MPX Limited 25% and 
Agora Limited (a subsidiary of Cairn Energy) 10%. 

This block is adjacent to Serica Block 113/27c and the farm-out 
agreement for Blocks 113/26b and 113/27c with Centrica noted 
above, extends to the new licence offered. As a result, Serica 
will have a 20% interest both in the new licence offered and in 
Blocks 113/26b & 27c on completion of the farm-out. The Doyle 

10

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

prospect in Block 113/27c is believed to extend into  
Block 113/22a.

Northern North Sea: Blocks 210/19a and 210/20a – South Otter 
Prospects 
Drilling of the South Otter blocks, in which Serica held a 
100% interest, remained subject to a farm-out programme. As 
sufficiently attractive proposals to enable a well to be drilled 
in the blocks were not received, Serica made the decision to 
relinquish the blocks in January 2013 to comply with the terms 
of the licence.

Ireland
Frontier Exploration Licence 1/09: Blocks 5/17, 5/18, 5/22, 5/23, 
5/27, and 5/28 - Muckish Prospects
Serica holds a 100% working interest in six blocks in this licence 
covering a total area of 993 square kilometres in the north-
eastern part of the Rockall Basin off the west coast of Ireland.

A large exploration gas condensate prospect, Muckish, has 
been fully delineated from 3D seismic data in Blocks 5/22 and 
5/23. Muckish is analogous to the nearby Dooish gas condensate 
discovery and provides material upside in a proven hydrocarbon 
basin. The evaluation of 3D seismic data coverage and the 
nearby Dooish gas-condensate discovery, give confidence in the 
potential of the prospect which covers an area of approximately 
30 square kilometres with over 600 metres of vertical closure in a 
water depth of 1,450 metres. 

Serica has secured a two-year extension to the first phase of the 
licence covering the blocks and is moving forward with plans 
to perform a site survey in preparation for securing partners to 
participate in drilling the Muckish prospect.

Frontier Exploration Licence 4/13 - Blocks 11/10, 11/15, 
12/1(part), 12/6 and 12/11(part) - Midleton Prospects
In December 2013, following the initial two year period of the 
licence award, Serica took the option to convert Licence Option 
11/01, also located in the Rockall Basin, into a full Frontier 
Exploration Licence (“FEL”). Following a mandatory 25% 
relinquishment at the time of the option conversion into FEL 
4/13, the three blocks and two part blocks now cover an area of 
approximately 925 square kilometres.

The area covered by the licence contains two pre-Cretaceous 
fault block prospects, Midleton and West Midleton which 
are analogous to the proven gas-condensate bearing Dooish 
discovery lying immediately to the east. These complement and 
provide additional diversity to the Muckish prospect lying in 
Serica’s acreage just to the north east and the award will enable 
a comprehensive exploration programme covering the Muckish 
and Midleton prospects. 

Serica is undertaking 2D and 3D seismic reprocessing work 
and other geological studies to firm up these two additional 
prospects. Recent in-house analysis of the extensive seismic 

database has also indicated the presence of deepwater fans, a 
play type not previously considered. This will be fully evaluated 
during this licence phase. 

Frontier Exploration Licence 01/06: Blocks 27/4, 27/5 (west) and 
27/9 - Liffey & Boyne Prospects
Licence FEL 1/06 covers an area of approximately 305 square 
kilometres in the Slyne Basin off the west coast of Ireland. The 
blocks lie some 40 kilometres south of the Corrib discovery, 
which has reserves of approximately 800 bcf of gas. The Company 
holds a 50% interest in the blocks and operates the licence.

The Company, in partnership with RWE, has launched a farm-out 
campaign to follow up on the 2009 Bandon oil discovery made 
by Serica. Subject to identifying a suitable partner or partners a 
well is targeted to be drilled on the Boyne prospect in 2015.

Namibia
Luderitz Basin: Blocks 2512A, 2513A, 2513B and 2612A (part)
During 2013, Serica, in partnership with BP, undertook the 
processing and interpretation of an extensive 4,180 square 
kilometre 3D seismic survey undertaken by Serica in 2012. 
The survey, covering approximately 25% of the licensed area 
and costing approximately US$50 million, was fully funded by 
BP under the terms of a farm-out agreement with Serica and 
was designed to delineate the size and nature of Prospect B, 
one of three large structures identified on the licence at Lower 
Cretaceous (Barremian) level, and to examine prospectivity at 
shallower levels.

The results of this survey are positive. Processing of the data 
confirms Prospect B as having the clear characteristics of a 
large carbonate platform extending over 700 square kilometres 
with a vertical closure of up to 300 metres. The expectation of 
a predominantly carbonate structure has been reinforced by 
third party drilling elsewhere in Namibia which has proven the 
presence of large structures with associated carbonate build-up 
at Lower Cretaceous level.

The survey also confirmed the presence of large submarine 
canyon-channel turbidite sand systems at both Lower and Upper 
Cretaceous levels. These, together with further leads and other 
large prospects on the licence, provide considerable additional 
potential. This is recognised in the NSAI report which gives 
a combined best estimate of gross unrisked prospective oil 
resources associated with 7 prospects and 2 leads identified 
on licence of 2,297 million barrels and 437 million barrels 
respectively.

In December 2013, BP decided not to exercise an option to 
increase its interest in the licence and assigned its 30% interest 
to Serica under the terms of Serica’s farm-out agreement 
with BP. Serica now holds an interest of 85% in the licence 
in partnership with The National Petroleum Corporation of 
Namibia (Pty) Limited (“NAMCOR”) and Indigenous Energy (Pty) 
Limited. The withdrawal of BP leaves Serica with a valuable and 

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

11

REVIEW OF LICENCE HOLDINGS CONTINUED

extensive, fully interpreted data set and provides the Company 
with an opportunity to attract new partners and to retain a larger 
percentage interest.

contract has been signed for the Noble Paul Romano drilling rig 
and the well is due to spud in Q3 2014.

Morocco
Sidi Moussa and Foum Draa Petroleum Agreements 
Serica holds licence interests in the Foum Draa and adjacent 
Sidi Moussa Petroleum Agreements offshore Morocco. 
The blocks cover a total area of approximately 8,375 square 
kilometres in the sparsely explored Tarfaya-Ifni Basin and 
extend from the Moroccan coastline into water depths 
reaching a maximum of 2,000 metres. The Tarfaya-Ifni Basin is 
geologically analogous to the oil producing salt basins of West 
Africa.

Foum Draa
Following a farm-out to Cairn Energy, Serica has an 8.33% 
interest in the Foum Draa licence.

In October 2013, drilling operations on the licence commenced 
with the FD-1 well. In December, Cairn reported that the 
well had reached a Total Depth of 5,255m MDBRT (measured 
depth below rotary table). Although commercial hydrocarbons 
and clastic reservoir rocks were not found, gas shows were 
encountered indicating an active thermogenic petroleum 
system. The well was plugged and abandoned. Under the terms 
of the 2012 farm out agreement Serica was carried by Cairn 
for its share of drilling costs up to a gross well cost of US$60 
million.

Sidi Moussa
Serica has a 5% working interest in the Sidi Moussa licence and 
is carried by Genel for its share of the cost of drilling the first 
well on the licence up to a gross well cost of US$50 million. The 
location for the first exploration well has been agreed and the 
well will target a prospect with unrisked prospective resources 
estimated by Genel, the operator, at 200 mmboe. Site survey 
operations were completed in August/September 2013, a rig 

Norway
Serica has a significant economic interest in the development 
of the Bream field and is due a substantial payment on first 
production. In their Annual Results Statement (March 2014), 
the Operator, Premier, stated: “A formal concept selection 
design will now take place during the first quarter of 2014 and 
an investment decision is planned for late 2014, or early 2015. 
The Bream development concept is planned to be an FPSO with 
subsea production and water injection wells”. 

Indonesia 
Glagah Kambuna TAC - Kambuna Field, Offshore North 
Sumatra, Indonesia
Serica held a 25% interest in the Glagah Kambuna Technical 
Assistance Contract (“TAC”) offshore North Sumatra, 
Indonesia for the large part of 2013. The TAC covered an area 
of approximately 380 square kilometres and contained the 
producing Kambuna gas field. 

Throughout the first half of 2013 the Company benefited from 
cash flows from field production but the field reached the end 
of its economic life in July 2013 and was shut-in as planned. 
Gross Kambuna field production in 2013 was 1,176 mmscf of 
gas and 100,000 barrels of condensate. Average prices realised 
during the year for gas and condensate sales respectively were 
US$6.5 per mcf and US$105.3 per barrel.

The partnership agreed handover arrangements with the 
Indonesian authorities and the decommissioning process, 
which involved securing the three wells and wellhead 
structure, was completed in November 2013. The TAC was 
formally terminated and facilities handed over to Pertamina in 
December 2013.

FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REVIEW

Financial summary
The Group entered 2013 aware that Kambuna field revenues would 
cease in mid year and that it would be more than two years before 
expected first revenues from the Columbus field. It was therefore 
recognised that additional funding would need to be secured 
ready for the Group’s exploration programme from 1H 2014 and to 
support further business growth.

In June 2013 a farm-out on its East Irish Sea licence containing the 
Doyle prospect was agreed with Centrica. This transaction gives 
a carry on an exploration well up to a gross cap of £11m, and is 
another demonstration of the Group’s successful approach to risk 
management limiting its financial exposure whilst maintaining 
upside potential from exploration drilling. 

12

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
     
The most significant exploration expenditure during 2013 was 
incurred in the UK Southern North Sea on 3D seismic acquisition 
on the Greater York asset, followed by the drilling of the Foum 
Draa well in Morocco in Q4 2013. Although the drilling results of 
the FD-1 well were disappointing, the Group’s share of costs was 
limited due to the capped carry negotiated in the prior year farm-
out to the operator Cairn.

Income statement - discontinued operations
Serica generated a profit from discontinued operations of 
US$0.1 million for the year ended 31 December 2013 (2012: 
loss of US$8.3 million) from its 25% interest in the Kambuna 
field. Field production ceased in July 2013, the facilities were 
decommissioned in 2H 2013 and the Glagah Kambuna TAC was 
formally terminated in December 2013.

The main financial event of the year was the successful capital 
raise from a placing and open offer which completed in November 
2013 raising US$19.5 million before expenses. This transaction is 
covered in more detail below but enabled the Group to end 2013 
with a stronger cash position of US$26.1 million and no debt.

Results from operations
Following the cessation of production and the decommissioning 
of the Kambuna field facilities in the second half of 2013, the 
annual financial results of the Kambuna field business segment 
are disclosed within ‘discontinued operations’ in the financial 
statements and separate from the results of the retained core 
business segments. 2012 comparative figures have been restated 
accordingly. A high level summary of the income statement 
results for continuing and discontinued operations is given below.

Income statement – continuing operations
The Company generated a loss before tax from continuing 
operations of US$5.1 million for 2013 compared to a loss before 
tax of US$16.4 million for 2012.

The pre-licence expenditure of US$0.3 million for 2013 was in 
line with the 2012 charge of US$0.3 million due to a similar level 
of activity in the year. Pre-licence costs included direct costs 
and allocated general administrative costs incurred on oil and 
gas activities prior to the award of licences, concessions or 
exploration rights.

Asset write offs of US$0.3 million in 2013 included minor 
exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) asset and obsolete inventory 
amounts and were significantly lower than the 2012 charge of 
US$10.5 million. The prior year charge included US$8.8 million 
attributed to the Spaniards block in the UK North Sea, US$1.1 
million of charge from relinquished UK licences and US$0.6 
million of obsolete inventory. 

Administrative expenses of US$4.5 million for 2013 decreased 
from US$5.3 million for 2012. The Company has worked to reduce 
overhead during 2013 and expects these savings to give further 
benefit in 2014. 

The accounting gain of US$1.0 million on disposal in 2012 was 
recorded following the Company’s farm-out to BP in Namibia 
and related to the recognition of recovery for those past costs 
incurred that had been expensed as pre-licence costs in previous 
periods. 

Finance costs reduced from US$0.6 million in 2012 to US$0.04 
million in 2013 following the expiry of the loan facility in March 
2013. No finance costs are currently being incurred. 

The field commenced its anticipated natural decline during 
2011 in line with reservoir pressure depletion. In 2013, gross 
Kambuna field gas production totalled 1,176 mmscf (2012: 5,538 
mmscf) together with condensate production of 100,000 barrels 
(2012: 334,000 barrels). The 2013 gas production was sold at 
prices averaging US$6.47 per mscf (2012 US$6.53 per mscf) and 
generated US$1.7 million (2012 US$8.0 million) of revenue net to 
Serica. Condensate liftings in the year earned US$2.4 million (2012 
US$7.4 million) of revenue net to Serica at an average price of 
US$105.3 per barrel (2012 US$116.1 per barrel).

Cost of sales for 2013 were driven by field production and totalled 
US$3.9 million (2012 US$19.3 million). The charge comprised 
direct operating costs of US$2.6 million (2012 US$6.2 million), 
non cash depletion of US$1.0 million (2012 US$13.1 million) and a 
decrease in condensate inventory of US$0.3 million (2012 US$0.02 
million increase). 

In 2012, a US$4.4 million pre-tax impairment relating to the 
Kambuna field was recorded against oil and gas property, plant 
and equipment. Taxation charges typically arose from Kambuna 
field operations, although there is no current taxation or deferred 
taxation charge in 2012 or 2013 given the cost recovery position of 
the field at the time. 

Balance Sheet 
During 2013, total investments in E&E assets increased from 
US$66.9 million to US$74.6 million, an increase consisting of 
US$7.8 million of additions less US$0.1 million of exploration asset 
write-offs. The more significant exploration costs in the year were 
incurred on the following assets:

In Africa, US$2.3 million was capitalised on the Foum Draa 
licence in Morocco (largely consisting on the costs of the FD-1 
well drilled in Q4 2013) and US$1.1 million was incurred in respect 
of the Luderitz basin licence interests in Namibia. FD-1 well 
operations continued into January 2014 and an estimated cost of 
US$1.2 million of expenditure incurred in the current 2014 period 
is not recognised in the 2013 financial statements.

In the UK & Ireland, US$2.1 million was incurred on a 3D seismic 
survey on the Group’s Greater York interests in the Southern North 
Sea, US$0.7 million was incurred on the Columbus development 
and US$0.7 million on exploration work on the Rockall licences in 
Ireland. 

Property, plant and equipment balances chiefly comprised the net 
book amount of the expenditure on the Kambuna asset and were 
fully depleted to US$ nil in the year. 

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

13

FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REVIEW CONTINUED

Long-term other receivables of US$1.3 million are represented 
by value added tax (“VAT”) on Indonesian capital spend which 
continues to be recovered from the Indonesian authorities. 

Trade and other receivables at 31 December 2013 totalled 
US$3.9 million and included US$1.4 million of trade debtors from 
condensate sales from the Kambuna field. The aggregate total in 
2013 showed a decrease of US$5.0 million from the 2012 balance 
of US$8.9 million. The fall is attributable to the recovery during 
the period of Indonesian VAT, back costs from 2012 farm-outs 
and a significant drop in JV partner recoverables in Namibia and 
Kambuna, reflecting the reduced current activity on those assets. 

Cash and cash equivalents increased from US$22.3 million to 
US$26.1 million in the year The Company received net proceeds of 
US$18.2 million from the issue of shares in the placing and open 
offer which completed in November 2013, and also benefitted from 
cash inflows from Kambuna field revenues. Cash outflows were 
incurred on the Q4 2012 East Spaniards well (US$6.9 million) and 
Greater York 3D seismic acquisition (US$2.1 million) in the UK, 
Kambuna field operating costs in Indonesia and on the Foum Draa 
exploration well drilling in Morocco. Other costs included seismic 
work across the portfolio, Columbus Field Development Plan 
expense together with new venture costs, ongoing administrative 
costs and corporate activity.

Trade and other payables totalled US$4.4 million at 31 December 
2013 and were significantly reduced from the prior year balance 
of US$11.7 million which included US$6.9 million of liabilities 
from the East Spaniards well in the UK drilled in Q4 2012 but 
cash settled in Q1 2013. The current year balance chiefly includes 
creditors and accruals of US$1.7 million from the Foum Draa well 
drilling in Morocco and final creditors of US$1.1 million from the 
Kambuna field decommissioning and operations.

Provisions of US$1.6 million at 31 December 2012 were in respect 
of obligations to decommission the Kambuna in Indonesia. This 
process was completed in Q4 2013 and any unpaid liabilities are 
classified in trade and other payables.

Capital raising, cash and future commitments

Capital raising
The main financial event in the year was a capital raising which 
completed in November 2013 and raised aggregate gross proceeds 
of approximately US$19.5 million.

The capital raising comprised three elements: the placing of 
56,870,934 new ordinary shares with institutional and other 
investors; the acceptance of 6,093,351 new ordinary shares in an 
open offer to qualifying shareholders; and the placing of 4,444,444 
new ordinary shares not taken up by qualifying shareholders under 
the open offer. 

in November 2013. As at 9 April 2014 the Company has 250,179,040 
ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

Whilst the Company was able to meet its 2013 commitments 
from cash in place as at 31 December 2012, the capital raising 
was needed for the exploration programme from 1H 2014 and to 
support further business growth. It has also put the Company 
onto a stronger footing and improved its ability to fund upcoming 
expenditure in order to bring projects to maturity whilst enabling 
the Group to optimise, and ultimately realise, value across its 
portfolio.

Current cash position, capital expenditure commitments and 
other obligations
At 31 December 2013, the Group held cash and cash equivalents 
of US$26.1 million and US$0.4 million of short-term restricted 
cash. Liabilities of US$2.8 million arising from the Q4 2013 Foum 
Draa well in Morocco have been settled since the year end, 
and as at 7 April 2014, cash and restricted cash balances held 
totaled US$21.5 million. Management believe these are sufficient 
resources to meet the current committed programme for 2014 and 
2015.  

The Group’s main near term exploration commitments in 2014 are 
on the Sidi Moussa licence where an exploration well is expected 
to be drilled in Q3 2014. The Company is carried for its share of 
expenditure up to a gross cap of US$50 million and has currently 
budgeted to pay some US$2.3 million, being its paying share of 
costs over and above the agreed cap to the farm-in carry.

In the UK East Irish Sea, the exploration well on the Doyle 
prospect slated for 2015 is also subject to a cap although no 
overrun is currently forecast. The Group has no significant 
commitments on its other exploration licences. 

The Company will continue to give priority to the careful 
management of existing financial resources. Although a key 
objective for the Group is to get the Columbus development back 
on track when the final decision to proceed with the Columbus 
development is made, the Group would use alternative means of 
finance to fund its share of development costs.

Other 

Asset values and Impairment
At 31 December 2013 Serica’s market capitalisation stood at 
US$54.7 million (£33.1 million), based upon a share price of 
£0.1325, which was exceeded by the net asset value at that 
date of US$102.1 million. By 7 April 2014 the Company’s market 
capitalisation had decreased to US$44.6 million. Management 
conducted a thorough review of the carrying value of the Group’s 
assets and determined that no significant write-downs were 
required. 

All new ordinary shares were issued at a price of 18 pence per 
share and following the relevant required approvals, the aggregate 
of 67,408,729 new ordinary shares were listed on AIM and the TSX 

Christopher Hearne
Finance Director
9 April 2014

14

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

Business Risk and Uncertainties

Serica, like all companies in the oil and gas industry, operates in an environment subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. The Board 
regularly considers the principal risks to which the company is exposed and monitors any agreed mitigating actions. The overall strategy 
for the protection of shareholder value against these risks is to retain a broad portfolio of assets with varied risk/reward profiles, to 
apply prudent industry practice in all operations, to carry insurance where available and cost effective, and to retain adequate working 
capital.

The principal risks currently recognised and the mitigating actions taken by the management are as follows:

Investment Returns: Management seeks to raise funds and then to generate shareholder returns though investment in a portfolio of 
exploration acreage leading to the drilling of wells and discovery of commercial reserves. Delivery of this business model carries a 
number of key risks. 
Risk
Market support may be eroded  obstructing fundraising and 
lowering the share price 

  Mitigation
•  Management regularly communicates its strategy to shareholders
•  Focus is placed on building an asset portfolio capable of delivering 

General market conditions may fluctuate hindering delivery 
of the company’s business plan
Management’s decisions on capital allocation may not 
deliver the expected successful outcomes
Each asset carries its own risk profile and no outcome can 
be certain

regular news flow and offering continuing prospectivity

•  Management aims to retain adequate working capital to ride out 

downturns should they arise

•  Rigorous analysis is conducted of all investment proposals 
•  Operations are spread over a range of areas and risk profiles
•  Management aims to avoid over-exposure to individual assets and to 

identify the associated risks objectively

Operations: Operations may not go according to plan leading to damage, pollution, cost overruns or poor outcomes.
Risk
Individual wells may not deliver recoverable oil and gas 
reserves 

  Mitigation
•  Thorough pre-drill evaluations are conducted to identify the risk/reward 

balance

Wells may blow out or equipment may fail causing 
environmental damage and delays 

Operations may take far longer or cost more  than expected 

Resource estimates may be misleading and exceed actual 
reserves recovered 

•  Exposure is selectively mitigated through farm-out
•  The Group retains fully trained and experienced personnel
•  The planning process involves risk identification and establishment of 

mitigation measures 

•  Emphasis is placed on engaging experienced contractors
•  Appropriate insurances are retained
•  Management applies rigorous budget control
•  Adequate working capital is retained to cover reasonable eventualities
•  The Group deploys qualified personnel 
•  Regular third-party reports are commissioned
•  A prudent range of possible outcomes are considered within the 

planning process

Personnel: The company relies upon a pool of experienced and motivated personnel to identify and execute successful investment 
strategies
Risk
Key personnel may be lost to other companies 

  Mitigation
•  The Remuneration Committee regularly evaluates incentivisation 

Personal safety may be at risk in demanding operating 
environments, typically offshore 

Staff and representatives may find themselves exposed to 
bribery and corrupt practices 

schemes to ensure they remain competitive

•  A culture of safety is encouraged throughout the organisation
•  Responsible personnel are designated at all appropriate levels
•  The Group maintains up-to-date emergency response resources and 

procedures

•  Insurance cover is carried in accordance with industry best practice
•  Company policies and procedures are communicated to personnel 

regularly

•  Management reviews all significant contracts and relationships with 

agents and governments

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REVIEW CONTINUED

Commercial environment: World and regional markets continue to be volatile with fluctuations  and infrastructure access issues that 
might hinder the company’s business success
Risk
Volatile commodity prices mean that the company cannot 
be certain of the future sales value of its products 

  Mitigation
•  Price mitigation strategies may be employed at the point of major 

capital commitment

The company may not be able to get access, at reasonable 
cost, to infrastructure and product markets when required
Credit to support field development programmes may not 
be available at reasonable cost
Fiscal regimes may vary, increasing effective tax rates and 
reducing the expected value of reserves 

•  Gas may be sold under long-term contracts reducing exposure to short 

term fluctuations  

•  Oil and gas price hedging contracts may be utilised where viable 
•  Budget planning considers a range of commodity pricing
•  A range of different off-take options are pursued wherever possible  

•  Serica seeks to build and maintain strong banking relationships and   

initiates funding discussions at as early a stage as practicable  

•  Operations are currently spread over a range of different fiscal regimes 

in Western Europe and Africa

•  Before committing to a significant investment the likelihood of fiscal 
term changes is considered when evaluating the risk/reward balance

In addition to the principal risks and uncertainties described herein, the Company is subject to a number of other risk factors generally, 
a description of which is set out in our latest annual information form available on www.sedar.com.

Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”)

The Company’s main business is the acquisition of interests in prospective exploration acreage, the discovery of hydrocarbons in 
commercial quantities and the crystallisation of value whether through production or disposal of reserves. The Company tracks its 
non-financial performance through the accumulation of licence interests in proven and prospective hydrocarbon producing regions, the 
level of success in encountering hydrocarbons and the development of production facilities. In parallel, the Company tracks its financial 
performance through management of expenditures within resources available, the cost-effective exploitation of reserves and the 
crystallisation of value at the optimum point. A review of the Company’s progress against these KPIs is covered in the operations and 
financial review within this Strategic Report.

Additional Information

Additional information relating to Serica, can be found on the Company’s website at www.serica-energy.com and on SEDAR at  
www.sedar.com

Approved on behalf of the Board
Christopher Hearne
Finance Director
9 April 2014

Forward Looking Statements

This disclosure contains certain forward looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, 
some of which are beyond Serica Energy plc’s control, including: the impact of general economic conditions where Serica Energy plc 
operates, industry conditions, changes in laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations and 
changes in how they are interpreted and enforced, increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, 
fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and market valuations of companies with respect to announced 
transactions and the final valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities.  Serica Energy plc’s actual 
results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements 
and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or 
occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, that Serica Energy plc will derive therefrom.

16

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SERICA ENERGY PLC
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2013

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors of the Company present their report and the Group financial statements of Serica Energy plc (“Serica” or the “Company”) 
for the year ended 31 December 2013.

Principal Activities 

The principal activity of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings (the “Group”) is to identify, acquire, explore and subsequently 
exploit oil and gas reserves. Its current activities are located in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Namibia and Morocco.

Business Review and Future Developments 

A review of the business and the future developments of the Group is presented in the Strategic Report (including a Review of 
Operations and Financial Review) and Chairman’s Statement (all of which, together with the Corporate Governance Statement, are 
incorporated by reference into this Directors’ Report).

Results and Dividends

The loss for the year was US$5,008,000 (2012: loss US$24,708,000).

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2012: US$nil).

Financial Instruments

The Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies are discussed in note 22.

Events Since Balance Sheet Date

Events since the balance sheet date are included in note 29.

Directors and their Interests

The following Directors have held office in the Company since 1 January 2013:

Antony Craven Walker 
Christopher Hearne 
Peter Sadler (resigned 27 June 2013) 
Neil Pike 
Mitchell Flegg 
Ian Vann 
Steven Theede 
Jeffrey Harris 

The Directors who held office at the end of the financial year had the following interests in the ordinary shares of the Company 
according to the register of Directors’ interests:

Antony Craven Walker (1) 
Christopher Hearne 
Mitchell Flegg 
Neil Pike (2) 
Ian Vann 
Steven Theede 
Jeffrey Harris (3) 

Class 
of share 

Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 

Interest at 
end of year 

Interest at
start of year 

7,829,916 
1,051,613 
301,463 
505,000 
267,935 
749,485 
46,090,576 

5,970,236
794,632
102,816
405,000
133,935
749,485
25,501,736

1. 4,207,078 ordinary shares are held by Antony Craven Walker, 2,241,732 ordinary shares are held by Christine Elizabeth Walker and 1,381,106 by Rathbones (pension funds).
2. 190,000 ordinary shares are held by Romayne Pike and 185,000 ordinary shares by Luska Limited.
3. 46,090,576 ordinary shares are held by GRG UK Oil LLC who are represented on the Board by Jeffrey Harris.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

None of the Directors who held office at the end of the financial year had any disclosable interest in the shares of other Group 
companies.

No rights to subscribe for shares in or debentures of Group companies were granted to any of the Directors or their immediate families, 
or exercised by them, during the financial year except as indicated below:

The Directors are interested in share options held by them pursuant to the terms of the Serica Energy Corporation option plan (a 
summary of which is set out in note 25) as follows:

1/1/13 

Granted 

Expired 

31/12/13 

Exercise 
Price Cdn$ 

C Hearne 

600,000 
100,000 

– 
– 

– 
– 

600,000 
100,000 

1.00 
1.80 

Date of 
grant 

17/01/05 
15/06/05 

Expiry
date

16/01/15
14/06/15

The options above have fully vested.

The following Directors are also interested in share options held by them pursuant to the terms of the Serica Energy plc Share Option 
Plan 2005 (“Serica 2005 Option Plan”) (a summary of which is set out in note 25) as follows:

C Hearne 

M Flegg 

1/1/13 

Granted 

Expired 

31/12/13 

103,000 
7,000 
350,000 
675,000 
200,000 
402,190 
400,000 
270,000 
150,000 
210,000 
66,000 
225,000 
200,000 
326,750 
400,000 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

103,000 
7,000 
350,000 
675,000 
200,000 
402,190 
400,000 
270,000 
150,000 
210,000 
66,000 
225,000 
200,000 
326,750 
400,000 

Exercise 
Price £ 

0.97 
0.97 
0.82 
0.68 
0.314 
0.214 
0.29 
0.96 
1.02 
0.75 
0.32 
0.68 
0.314 
0.214 
0.29 

Date of 
grant 

23/11/05 
23/11/05 
31/03/08 
11/01/10 
05/04/11 
11/01/12 
08/10/12 
12/06/06 
11/01/07 
14/03/08 
05/01/09 
11/01/10 
05/04/11 
11/01/12 
08/10/12 

Expiry
date

22/11/15
22/11/15
30/03/18
10/01/20
04/04/21
10/01/22
07/10/22
11/06/16
10/01/17
13/03/18
04/01/14
10/01/20
04/04/21
10/01/22
07/10/22

Options granted prior to December 2009 vest as to one third on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of grant in line with the 
practice for companies listed in Toronto which applied at the date of grant. Options awarded since December 2009 have a three year 
vesting period. 

Under the Serica 2005 Option Plan, when awarding options to directors, the Remuneration Committee is required to set Performance 
Conditions, in addition to the vesting provisions, before vesting can take place. In summary the Performance Conditions are as follows: 

In respect of the options granted in November 2005, the director may only exercise those options on condition that the Serica share price 
on a 30 day moving average basis prior to 23 November 2015 has reached at least 200p.

In respect of the options granted in March 2008, the director may only exercise those options on condition that the Serica share price on 
a 30 day moving average basis prior to 30 March 2018 has reached at least 200p.

18

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In respect of the options granted in January 2010, the vesting of the options is subject to Serica share price Performance Conditions 
measured against a selected peer group initially consisting of Antrim Energy Inc., Aurelian Oil & Gas plc (Aurelian), Bowleven plc, 
Falkland Oil & Gas Limited, Faroe Petroleum plc, Gulfsands Petroleum plc, Ithaca Energy Inc, Northern Petroleum plc, Petroceltic 
International plc, Providence Resources plc, Regal Petroleum plc and Valiant Petroleum plc (Valiant). The Performance Conditions  
are as follows:

–  40% of options to vest in the event that the Company outperforms the 25th percentile of peer group performance over any 1 year period
–  80% of options to vest in the event that the Company outperforms the 50th  percentile of peer group performance over any 1 year period
–  100% of options to vest in the event that the Company outperforms the 75th percentile of peer group performance over any 1 year period  

The peer group of comparator companies is subject to change by the Remuneration Committee should the Remuneration Committee 
feel that the group no longer comprises a meaningful peer group comparator as the result, for example, of a significant change in the 
Company or one or more of the peer group companies ceasing to be quoted on a recognised exchange. Regal Petroleum plc (Regal) was 
replaced by Dominion Petroleum plc (Dominion) following Regal’s acquisition by Energees Management Limited and Dominion was 
replaced by Chariot Oil and Gas Limited (Chariot) following Dominion’s acquisition by Ophir Energy plc. Aurelian ceased to be quoted 
on a recognised exchange in January 2013 and Valiant merged with Ithaca Energy Inc in April 2013. Following these events Aurelian and 
Valiant are no longer included in the peer group of comparator companies and have not been replaced.

In respect of the options granted in April 2011, the director may only exercise those options on condition that either of the following 
Performance Conditions is satisfied:
–  Achievement of full year post-tax, audited profit for the Serica Energy group of companies; and/or
–  Successful achievement of a merger or acquisition or other similar corporate event approved by the Board of Directors of the Company 
   which, in the view of the Remuneration Committee, would create greater diversity and scope for the Company. 

In respect of the options granted in January 2012 and October 2012, the vesting of the options is subject to Serica share price 
Performance Conditions measured against a selected peer group initially consisting of Antrim Energy Inc., Aurelian Oil & Gas plc, 
Bowleven plc, Chariot Oil and Gas Limited, Falkland Oil & Gas Limited, Faroe Petroleum plc, Gulfsands Petroleum plc, Ithaca Energy Inc, 
Northern Petroleum plc, Petroceltic International plc, Providence Resources plc and Valiant Petroleum plc. The Performance Conditions 
are as follows:

–  40% of options to vest in the event that the Company outperforms the 25th percentile of peer group performance over any 1 year period
–  80% of options to vest in the event that the Company outperforms the 50th  percentile of peer group performance over any 1 year period
–  100% of options to vest in the event that the Company outperforms the 75th percentile of peer group performance over any 1 year period  

The peer group of comparator companies is subject to change by the Remuneration Committee should the Remuneration Committee 
feel that the group no longer comprises a meaningful peer group comparator as the result, for example, of a significant change in the 
Company or one or more of the peer group companies ceasing to be quoted on a recognised exchange. Aurelian ceased to be quoted 
on a recognised exchange in January 2013 and Valiant merged with Ithaca Energy Inc in April 2013. Following these events Aurelian and 
Valiant are no longer included in the peer group of comparator companies and have not been replaced.

Auditor

A resolution to reappoint Ernst & Young LLP, as auditor will be put to the members at the annual general meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditors

The directors who were members of the Board at the time of approving the Directors’ Report are listed above. So far as each person 
who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information, being information needed by 
the auditor in connection with preparing its report, of which the auditor is unaware. Having made enquiries of fellow directors and 
the Group’s auditor, each director has taken all the steps that he is obliged to take as a director in order to made himself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

On behalf of the Board 

Christopher Hearne
Director
9 April 2014

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

The Board of Directors fully endorses the importance of sound corporate governance.  Serica is incorporated in the United Kingdom. Its 
shares are traded on both the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (“AIM”) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada (“TSX”). 

The code of practice followed for companies incorporated in the United Kingdom and listed on the premium sector of the Main Market of 
the London Stock Exchange is set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “UK Code”). It is not compulsory for companies whose 
shares are traded on the AIM market but the Board applies those principles of the UK Code to the extent that it considers it reasonable and 
practical to do so given the size and nature of the Company. 

As the Company is quoted on the TSX market as well as on the AIM market it endeavours to meet the principles of the non-binding 
Corporate Governance Guidelines as well as the UK Code where it is deemed practical and appropriate to do so.

The corporate governance guidelines applying to reporting issuers in Canada are set out under Ontario Securities Commission National 
Policy 58-201 (the “Corporate Governance Guidelines”). The Company is a ‘designated foreign issuer’ as defined under National Instrument 
71-1-2-Continuous Disclosure and Other Exemptions Relating to Foreign Issuers. The Company is subject to the foreign regulatory 
requirements of the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange.  

The disclosures below explain the composition of, role and responsibilities of the Board and the Board Committees. 

The Board and its Committees

The Board of the Company currently consists of two Executive Directors, four non-Executive Directors and the Chairman of the Board 
who has been acting as Interim CEO since the retirement of Paul Ellis in April 2011. At the time of Mr Ellis’s retirement, the Board agreed 
that it was necessary for there to be some continuity in the management of the Company and it was agreed that the Chairman should be 
appointed as Interim CEO until such time as a suitably qualified successor to fill the CEO position could be identified. The position has 
been kept under review by the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee which reports to the Board.  This Committee considers 
that it remains in the best interests of the Company for the Chairman to continue to fill this role during this period of strategic refocus. 
This view is supported by the Board. Neil Pike continues to hold the position of Senior Independent Director which ensures that the 
appropriate level of balance is maintained on the Board.  Peter Sadler resigned as an Executive Director in June 2013 but continues to 
provide consultancy services to the Group. It is considered that the Board is of sufficient size and that the balance of skills and experience 
is appropriate for a company of Serica’s size, stage of development and business although it is recognised that a CEO will need to be 
appointed in due course. All the non-Executive Directors and the Chairman are independent in character and judgement and have the range 
of experience and calibre to bring independent judgement on issues of strategy, performance, resources and standards of conduct which is 
vital to the success of the Group.

The Board retains full and effective control over the Company. The Company holds regular Board meetings at which financial, operational 
and other reports are considered and, where appropriate, voted on. The Board is responsible for the Group’s strategy, performance, key 
financial and compliance issues, approval of any major capital expenditure and the framework of internal controls. The matters reserved 
for the Board include, amongst others, approval of the Group’s long term objectives, policies and budgets, changes relating to the Group’s 
management structure, approval of the Group’s annual report and accounts and ensuring maintenance of sound systems of internal control.

There is a clearly defined organisational structure with lines of responsibility and delegation of authority to executive management.  The 
Board is responsible for monitoring the activities of the executive management. The Chairman has the responsibility of ensuring that  
the Board discharges its responsibilities. In the event of an equality of votes at a meeting of the Board, the Chairman has a second or 
casting vote.

Other than Jeffrey Harris who represents Global Reserve Group, the Company’s largest shareholder, all of the non-Executive Directors meet 
the requirements of independence prescribed in the UK Code.  The Board believes that there has been an adequate balance between the 
non-Executive and Executive Directors, both in number and in experience and expertise, to ensure that the Board operates independently of 
executive management.  The need to appoint a Chief Executive Officer is recognised and this is discussed further in the Chairman’s Report. 
There is no formal Board performance appraisal system in place but the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee considers this 
as part of its remit. 

Individual Directors may engage outside advisors at the expense of the Company upon approval by the Board in appropriate circumstances.

The Board has established a Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee, an Audit Committee, a Reserves Committee, a 
Remuneration and Compensation Committee and a Health, Safety and Environmental Committee. The terms of reference of the Corporate 
Governance and Nomination, Audit and Remuneration and Compensation Committees can be found on the Company’s website  
www.serica-energy.com

20

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee is responsible for the Company’s observance of the UK Code and the 
Corporate Governance Guidelines where they apply to the Company, for compliance with the rules of AIM and the TSX and for other 
corporate governance matters, including compliance with the Company’s Share Dealing Code and with AIM and TSX in respect of 
dealings by directors or employees in the Company’s shares. The committee is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the 
Board and its Committees, proposing to the Board new nominees for election as directors to the Board, determining successor plans 
and for assessing directors on an ongoing basis. 

The committee met three times during 2013 and proposes to meet at least three times during the next financial year. 

The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee is comprised of the Chairman and two non-Executive Directors all of whom 
are independent (other than as described in “The Board and its Committees” above). The committee is chaired by Neil Pike and its 
other member is Antony Craven Walker. 

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee meets regularly and consists of three members, all of whom are non-Executive Directors and two of whom are 
independent including the chairman of the committee. The committee’s purpose is to assist the Board’s oversight of the integrity of 
the financial statements and other financial reporting, the independence and performance of the auditors, the regulation and risk 
profile of the Group and the review and approval of any related party transactions. The Audit Committee may hold private sessions 
with management and the external auditor. 

The Audit Committee met four times in 2013 and proposes to meet at least three times during the next financial year.  The committee 
is chaired by Neil Pike and its other members are Steven Theede and Jeffrey Harris. 

The responsibilities and operation of the Audit Committee are more particularly set out in the Company’s Audit Committee Charter, 
a copy of which is included as Schedule A to the last annual information form filed for the Company, a copy of which is available on 
SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 

Reserves Committee
The Reserves Committee is a sub-committee of the Audit Committee. The committee’s purpose is to review the reports of the 
independent reserves auditors pursuant to Canadian regulations which require that the Board discuss the reserves reports with the 
independent reserves auditors or delegate authority to a reserves committee comprised of at least two non-Executive Directors. 
The committee is chaired by Steven Theede and its other member is Ian Vann. The committee meets at least once a year prior to 
publication of the annual results.    

Remuneration and Compensation Committee
The Remuneration and Compensation Committee meets regularly to consider all material elements of remuneration policy, the 
remuneration and incentivisation of Executive Directors and senior management and to make recommendations to the Board on the 
framework for executive remuneration and its cost. The role of the Remuneration and Compensation Committee is to keep under 
review the remuneration policies to ensure that Serica attracts, retains and motivates the most qualified talent who will contribute to 
the long-term success of the Company. 

The committee met three times in 2013 and proposes to meet at least three times during the next financial year. In addition, written 
resolutions of the committee are passed from time to time particularly in relation to routine matters such as the allotment of shares 
pursuant to share option exercises as well as to record formally decisions of the committee reached outside the scheduled meetings.

The committee is composed of the Chairman and two non-Executive Directors all of whom are independent (other than as described 
in “The Board and its Committees” above). The Remuneration and Compensation Committee is chaired by Steve Theede and its other 
members are Neil Pike and Antony Craven Walker. 

Health, Safety and Environmental Committee
The Health, Safety and Environmental Committee is responsible for matters affecting occupational health, safety and the 
environment, including the formulation of a health, safety and environmental policy. 

The committee met three times in 2013 and proposes to meet at least three times during the next financial year. The committee is 
chaired by Ian Vann and its other members are Mitch Flegg and Antony Craven Walker.  

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

21

 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT CONTINUED

Directors’ attendance at meetings   
The Board generally has one scheduled Board meeting per month over the course of the financial year.  Additional meetings are held 
depending upon opportunities or issues to be dealt with by the Company from time to time.  The non-Executive Directors hold informal 
meetings during the course of the year at which members of management are not in attendance.

The following changes were made to the Board Committees during the course of the year:

•  Mr Harris appointed as a member of the Audit Committee on 28th February 2013.
•   Mr Craven Walker appointed as a member of the HSE Committee on 28th February 2013.
•   Mr Vann appointed as a member of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee on 25th April 2013.

The directors’ attendance at scheduled Board meetings and Board committees during 2013 is detailed in the table below:

Director 

Board  

A Craven Walker (Chairman)   12* 
CJ Hearne (CFO)  
12 
P Sadler (Business 
Development Director –  
resigned 27th June 2013)  
M Flegg (COO)   
N Pike   
S Theede 
I Vann 
J Harris  
Total meetings  

5 
12 
12 
11 
12 
12 
12 

– 
– 

– 
– 
4* 
3 
– 
3 
4 

Audit  Remuneration  

  Compensation   

Corporate 
and   Governance
and
Nomination 
3 
– 

3 
– 

– 
– 
3 
3* 
– 
– 
3 

– 
– 
3* 
– 
1 
– 
3 

HSE 

Reserves

2 
– 

1 
3 
– 
– 
3* 
– 
3 

–
–

1
–
–
1*
1
–
1

Notes: 
1.  The Chairman and non-executive directors attended a number of meetings of committees of which they were not members during the course of the year at the 

invitation of the committee chairman.

* Chairman      

Janette Davies
Company Secretary
9 April 2014

22

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ BIOGRAPHIES 

Antony Craven Walker Chairman and interim Chief Executive Tony Craven Walker started his career with BP and has been a 
leading figure in the British independent oil industry since the early 1970s. He founded two British independent oil companies, 
Charterhouse Petroleum, where he held the post of Chief Executive, and Monument Oil and Gas, where he held the post of Chief 
Executive and later became Chairman. He was also a founder member of BRINDEX (Association of British Independent Oil 
Exploration Companies). He was appointed Chairman of Serica in 2004 and following the retirement of Paul Ellis in April 2011, is 
currently acting as interim Chief Executive. 

Christopher Hearne Finance Director Chris Hearne joined Serica from Intrepid Energy, a leading independent exploration 
and production company in the North Sea, where he was responsible for corporate finance for eight years. In this capacity, he 
contributed to the growth of Intrepid Energy from a start-up company to its sale for over US$1 billion.  Prior to joining Serica he 
worked as an investment banker with Lehman Brothers and Robert Fleming. He was appointed to the Board as Finance Director of 
Serica in 2005.

Mitchell Flegg Chief Operating Officer Mitch Flegg has over 32 years of industry experience starting with Schlumberger and then 
with Enterprise Oil, (initially as a Petrophysicist) where he became responsible for drilling related operations for wells drilled in UK, 
Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Ireland, Romania and Bulgaria. After the takeover by Shell he worked on the implementation of new 
technology in well engineering before moving into asset management. Mitch joined Serica in 2006 and has been responsible for all 
drilling and development operations. He was promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer in March 2011 and appointed to the 
Board of Serica in September 2012.

Neil Pike Non-Executive Director Neil Pike has been involved in the global petroleum business as a financier since joining 
the energy department at Citibank in 1975 until joining the board of Serica. Neil remained an industry specialist with Citibank 
throughout his career and was closely involved in the development of specialised oil field finance.  Latterly he was responsible for 
Citibank’s relationships with the oil and gas industry worldwide. He was appointed to the Board of Serica in 2004.

Ian Vann Non-Executive Director Ian Vann was employed by BP from 1976, and directed and led BP’s global exploration efforts 
from 1996 until his retirement in January 2007. He was appointed to the executive leadership team of the Exploration & Production 
Division of BP in 2001, initially as Group Vice President, Technology and later as Group Vice President, Exploration and Business 
Development. He was appointed to the Board of Serica in 2007.

Steven Theede Non-Executive Director Steven Theede held senior management positions with Conoco, later ConocoPhillips, and 
in 2000 was appointed President, Exploration and Production for Europe, Russia and the Caspian region. In 2003 he joined Yukos Oil 
Company and became its Chief Executive Officer in July 2004, a position he held until August 2006. He was appointed to the Board of 
Serica in 2007.

Jeffrey Harris Non-Executive Director Jeffrey Harris founded Global Reserve Group LLC in 2012 following a twenty-nine year 
career with Warburg Pincus, during which period he invested in and advised companies in the industrial, consumer, technology and 
energy sectors. Jeffrey has served on the board of directors of over thirty companies, including twelve publicly-traded entities. He 
is past chairman of the National Venture Capital Association and an adjunct professor at the Columbia University Graduate School 
of Business where he teaches courses on venture capital, and entrepreneurship and innovation. He was appointed to the Board of 
Serica in December 2012.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

23

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT IN RELATION TO THE GROUP AND 
COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Director’s Report and financial statements in accordance with 
applicable United Kingdom law and regulations and those International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European 
Union.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. As required by the AIM Rules of the London 
Stock Exchange they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the European Union. Under United Kingdom company law the directors have elected to prepare the Parent 
Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. 
Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and the profit or loss of the company for that period.

In preparing those Group and Company financial statements the Directors are required to:

•   present fairly the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the Group;

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•   state that the Group and Company has complied with IFRSs, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the  
    financial statements; 

•   present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable  
    information;

•   provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to enable users to understand  
    the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the Group’s and Company’s financial position and financial  
    performance; and

•   state whether the Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union,  
    subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.

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

The Directors confirm that they have complied with these requirements and, having a reasonable expectation that the Company and the 
Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, will continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the accounts.

24

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SERICA ENERGY PLC

We have audited the financial statements of Serica Energy plc for the year ended 31 December 2013 which comprise the Group 
Income Statement, the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Group and Parent Company Balance Sheets, the Group and 
Parent Company Statements of Changes in Equity, the Group and Parent Company Cash Flow Statements and the related notes 
1 to 29. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied 
in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

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

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the 
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an 
assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s and the parent company’s circumstances and have 
been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; 
and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the 
Annual Report and financial statements to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify 
any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in 
the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion:
•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 

2013 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and
•  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 

Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and 

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Separate opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the IASB

As explained in Note 1 to the financial statements, the group in addition to complying with its legal obligation to apply IFRSs as 
adopted by the European Union, has also applied IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

In our opinion the financial statements comply with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

25

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our 
opinion:
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 

from branches not visited by us; or

•   the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Justine Belton, (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
London

9 April 2014

26

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

Notes

25
6

13
9
10

GROUP INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 

Continuing operations 
SALES REVENUE 

Cost of sales 

GROSS PROFIT 

Pre-licence costs 
E&E and other asset write-offs 
Administrative expenses 
Foreign exchange gain  
Share-based payments 
Depreciation 

2013 
US$000 

* restated
2012
US$000

– 

– 

– 

(330) 
(299) 
(4,458) 
341 
(252) 
(109) 

–

–

–

(331)
(10,462)
(5,274)
180
(570)
(341)

OPERATING LOSS BEFORE NET FINANCE REVENUE AND TAx 

(5,107) 

(16,798)

Gain on disposal 
Finance revenue 
Finance costs 

LOSS BEFORE TAxATION 

11 a)

Taxation charge for the year 

Loss for the year from continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 
Profit/(loss) for the year from discontinued operations 

4

LOSS FOR THE yEAR 

Loss per ordinary share – EPS 
Basic and diluted EPS on continuing operations (US$) 
Basic and diluted EPS on loss for the year (US$) 

12
12

* restated for discontinued operations – see note 4

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income 

There are no other comprehensive income items other than those passing through the income statement.

– 
16 
(38) 

1,023
12
(615)

(5,129) 

(16,378)

– 

–

(5,129) 

(16,378)

121 

(8,330)

(5,008) 

(24,708)

(0.03) 
(0.03) 

(0.09)
(0.14)

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group 
2013 
US$000 

74,609 
– 
– 
1,293 
75,902 

258 
3,851 
420 
26,062 
30,591 

2012 
US$000 

66,880 
1,145 
– 
1,706 
69,731 

481 
8,941 
412 
22,345 
32,179 

Company 
2013 
US$000 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
98,148 
420 
25,459 
124,027 

2012
US$000

–
–
13,830
–
13,830

–
111,768
412
21,424
133,604

106,493 

101,910 

124,027 

147,434

(4,417) 
– 

(11,677) 
(1,601) 

(4,417) 

(13,278) 

(959) 
– 

(959) 

(1,080)
–

(1,080)

102,076 

88,632 

123,068 

146,354

227,958 
– 
20,297 
(146,179) 

209,758 
– 
20,045 
(141,171) 

192,686 
– 
20,297 
(89,915) 

174,486
4,322
20,045
(52,499)

102,076 

88,632 

123,068 

146,354

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER

Notes

13
14
15
16

17
18
18
19

20
21

23
15

Non-current assets 
Exploration & evaluation assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investments in subsidiaries 
Other receivables 

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

TOTAL ASSETS 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Provisions 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 

NET ASSETS 

Share capital 
Merger reserve 
Other reserve 
Accumulated deficit 

TOTAL EQUITy 

Approved by the Board on 9 April 2014

Antony Craven Walker 
Chief Executive Officer 

Christopher Hearne
Finance Director

28

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EqUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

Group 

Share  
capital 
US$000 

Other 
reserve 
US$000 

Accum’d
deficit 
US$000 

Total
US$000

At 1 January 2012 

207,702 

19,475 

(116,463) 

110,714

Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Share-based payments 
Proceeds on exercise of options 
Issue of ordinary shares 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2012 

Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Share-based payments 
Issue of ordinary shares 
Fees from issue of shares 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2013 

Company 

– 
– 
– 
56 
2,000 

– 
– 
570 
– 
– 

(24,708) 
(24,708) 
– 
– 
– 

(24,708)
(24,708)
570
56
2,000

209,758 

20,045 

(141,171) 

88,632

– 
– 
– 
19,525 
(1,325) 

– 
– 
252 
– 
– 

(5,008) 
(5,008) 
– 
– 
– 

(5,008)
(5,008)
252
19,525
(1,325)

227,958 

20,297 

(146,179) 

102,076

Share  
capital 
US$000 

Merger 
reserve 
US$000 

Other 
reserve 
US$000 

Accum’d
deficit 
US$000 

Total
US$000

At 1 January 2012 

172,430 

4,322 

19,475 

(49,535) 

146,692

Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Proceeds on exercise of options 
Share-based payments 
Issue of ordinary shares 

– 
– 
56 
– 
2,000 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
570 
– 

(2,964) 
(2,964) 
– 
– 
– 

(2,964)
(2,964)
56
570
2,000

AT 31 DECEMBER 2012 

174,486 

4,322 

20,045 

(52,499) 

146,354

Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
Share-based payments 
Issue of ordinary shares  
Fees from issue of shares 
Transfers 

– 
– 
– 
19,525 
(1,325) 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(4,322) 

– 
– 
252 
– 
– 
– 

(41,738) 
(41,738) 
– 
– 
– 
4,322 

(41,738)
(41,738)
252
19,525
(1,325)
–

AT 31 DECEMBER 2013 

192,686 

– 

20,297 

(89,915) 

123,068

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

Operating activities: 
Loss for the year 
Adjustments to reconcile loss for the year 
to net cash flow from operating activities: 
Net finance costs 
Profit on disposal 
Depreciation 
Depletion and amortisation 
Asset write-offs 
Impairment 
Share-based payments 
Other non-cash movements 
Decrease in trade and other receivables 
Decrease in inventories 
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 
Use of provisions 

Cash generated from operations 

Taxation paid 

NET CASH (OUT)/INFLOW FROM OPERATIONS 

Investing activities: 
Interest received 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of E&E assets 
Cash inflow from disposals 
Funding provided to Group subsidiaries 
Funds from Group subsidiaries 
NET CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Financing activities: 
Gross proceeds from issue of shares 
Fees from issue of shares 
Finance costs paid 
Proceeds on exercise of options 
NET CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 

Group 
2013 
US$000 

2012 
US$000 

Company
2013 
US$000 

2012
US$000

(5,008) 

(24,708) 

(41,738) 

(2,964)

28 
– 
109 
1,036 
299 
– 
252 
(310) 
4,570 
24 
(2,108) 
(1,607) 

(2,715) 

– 

(2,715) 

16 
– 
(13,094) 
933 
– 
– 
(12,145) 

19,525 
(1,325) 
(38) 
– 
18,162 

3,302 
415 
22,345 

621 
(1,023) 
341 
13,116 
10,462 
4,361 
570 
98 
4,051 
17 
(3,600) 
– 

4,306 

(302) 

4,004 

12 
(690) 
(5,816) 
5,250 
– 
– 
(1,244) 

– 
– 
(615) 
56 
(559) 

2,201 
198 
19,946 

22 
– 
– 
– 
– 
40,000 
252 
(345) 
204 
– 
(212) 
– 

605
–
–
–
–
–
570
(141)
263
–
278 
–

(1,817) 

(1,389)

– 

–

(1,817) 

(1,389)

16 
– 
– 
– 
(12,762) 
– 
(12,746) 

19,525 
(1,325) 
(38) 
– 
18,162 

3,599 
436 
21,424 

8
–
–
–
–
4,036
4,044

–
–
(613)
56
(557)

2,098
184
19,142

21,424

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 31 DECEMBER 

26,062 

22,345 

25,459 

30

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Authorisation of the Financial Statements and Statement of Compliance with IFRS

The Group’s and Company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2013 were authorised for issue by the Board of 
Directors on 9 April 2014 and the balance sheets were signed on the Board’s behalf by Antony Craven Walker and Chris Hearne. Serica 
Energy plc is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England & Wales. The principal activity of the Company and the 
Group is to identify, acquire and subsequently exploit oil and gas reserves. Its current activities are located in the United Kingdom, 
Ireland, Namibia and Morocco. The Company’s ordinary shares are traded on AIM and the TSX.

The Group’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as 
adopted by the EU as they apply to the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2013. The Company’s financial 
statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU as they apply to the financial statements of the Company 
for the year ended 31 December 2013 and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. The Group’s financial 
statements are also prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. The principal accounting policies adopted by the Group 
and by the Company are set out in note 2.

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption provided under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to publish its individual 
income statement and related notes. The deficit dealt with in the financial statements of the parent Company was US$41,738,000 (2012: 
US$2,964,000).

On 1 September 2005, the Company completed a reorganisation (the “Reorganisation”).  whereby the common shares of Serica Energy 
Corporation were automatically exchanged on a one-for-one basis for ordinary shares of Serica Energy plc, a newly formed company 
incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom. In addition, each shareholder of the Corporation received beneficial ownership of 
part of the ‘A’ share of Serica Energy plc issued to meet the requirements of public companies under the United Kingdom jurisdiction. 
Under IFRS this reorganisation was considered to be a reverse takeover by Serica Energy Corporation and as such the financial 
statements of the Group represent a continuation of Serica Energy Corporation.

2. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The accounting policies which follow set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 31 
December 2013. 

The Group and Company financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis and are presented in US dollars. All values 
are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars (US$000) except when otherwise indicated.

Going Concern 

The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and capital commitments are described in the Financial Review above. Although the 
Group no longer benefits from sales revenue generated from its interest in the Kambuna field, following the capital raising of US$18.2 
million (net of expenses) which completed in November 2013, the Group held cash and cash equivalents of US$26.1 million as at 31 
December 2013. 

The Directors are required to consider the availability of resources to meet the Group and Company’s liabilities for the foreseeable 
future. Since the year end the Group has paid outstanding commitments of US$2.8 million from the recent Foum Draa exploration well 
in Morocco. It will also use these funds to pay its share of drilling costs over the contractual US$50 million cap on the Sidi Moussa well 
in Morocco, which is expected to spud in Q3 2014.   The Group’s planned exploration well on the Doyle prospect in 2015 is also subject to 
a capped carry, which is not currently forecast to be exceeded. Any share of costs over the carry would not be significant and could be 
satisfied from current cash balances.

The cash in place will cover other geological and geophysical, exploration, technical and administrative costs associated with its 
ongoing business in the short to medium term. In particular, it also provides balance sheet support to help achieve infrastructure 
access and project sanction for the Columbus field, and covers pre-drilling work in Namibia. When the final decision to proceed with the 
Columbus development is made, the Group would use alternative means of finance to fund its share of development costs.

The Group has a record of prudent financial management with particular success in the raising of capital through farm down and will 
seek to continue this strategy.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

31

  
 
  
After making enquiries and having taken into consideration the above factors, the Directors have reasonable expectation that the Group 
has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the annual financial statements. 

Use of judgement and estimates and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and 
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates and judgments are continuously evaluated and 
are based on management’s experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable 
under the circumstances. Actual outcomes could differ from these estimates.

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the amounts recognised in the 
financial statements are: the assessment of commercial reserves, the impairment of the Group and Company’s assets (including oil & 
gas development assets and Exploration and Evaluation “E&E” assets) and share-based payment costs. 

Assessment of commercial reserves
Management is required to assess the level of the Group’s commercial reserves together with the future expenditures to access those 
reserves, which are utilised in determining the amortisation and depletion charge for the period and assessing whether any impairment 
charge is required. The Group employs independent reserves specialists who periodically assess the Group’s level of commercial 
reserves by reference to data sets including geological, geophysical and engineering data together with reports, presentation and 
financial information pertaining to the contractual and fiscal terms applicable to the Group’s assets. In addition the Group undertakes 
its own assessment of commercial reserves and related future capital expenditure by reference to the same datasets using its own 
internal expertise.

Impairment
The Group monitors internal and external indicators of impairment relating to its intangible and tangible assets, which may indicate 
that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The assessment of the existence of indicators of impairment in E&E assets 
involves judgement, which includes whether management expects to fund significant further expenditure in respect of a licence and 
whether the recoverable amount may not cover the carrying value of the assets. For development and production assets judgement is 
involved when determining whether there have been any significant changes in the Group’s oil and gas reserves.

The Group determines whether E&E assets are impaired at an asset level and in regional cash generating units (‘CGUs’) when facts and 
circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of a regional CGU may exceed its recoverable amount. As recoverable amounts are 
determined based upon risked potential, or where relevant, discovered oil and gas reserves, this involves estimations and the selection 
of a suitable pre-tax discount rate relevant to the asset in question. The calculation of the recoverable amount of oil and gas development 
properties involves estimating the net present value of cash flows expected to be generated from the asset in question. Future cash 
flows are based on assumptions on matters such as estimated oil and gas reserve quantities and commodity prices. The discount rate 
applied is a pre-tax rate which reflects the specific risks of the country in which the asset is located.

Management is required to assess the carrying value of investments in subsidiaries in the parent company balance sheet for impairment 
by reference to the recoverable amount. This requires an estimate of amounts recoverable from oil and gas assets within the underlying 
subsidiaries (see note 15).

Share-based payment costs 
The estimation of share-based payment costs requires the selection of an appropriate valuation model, consideration as to the inputs 
necessary for the valuation model chosen and the estimation of the number of awards that will ultimately vest, inputs for which arise 
from judgments relating to the continuing participation of employees (see note 25).

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Serica Energy plc (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries 
Serica Holdings UK Limited, Serica Energy Holdings B.V., Serica Energy (UK) Limited, Serica Glagah Kambuna B.V., Serica Sidi Moussa 
B.V., Serica Foum Draa B.V., Serica Energy Slyne B.V., Serica Energy Rockall B.V., Serica Namibia B.V., Serica Energy Corporation, Asia 
Petroleum Development Limited, Petroleum Development Associates (Asia) Limited, Petroleum Development Associates Lematang 
Limited, Serica Energia Iberica S.L., Asia Petroleum Development (Asahan) Limited and Asia Petroleum Development (Biliton) Limited. 
Together these comprise the “Group”.

32

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional and presentational currency of Serica Energy plc and all its subsidiaries is US dollars.

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the foreign currency rate of exchange ruling at the balance 
sheet date and differences are taken to the income statement. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a 
foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate as at the date of initial transaction. Non-monetary items measured at fair value 
in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date when the fair value was determined. Exchange gains and losses 
arising from translation are charged to the income statement as an operating item.

Business Combinations and Goodwill

Business combinations from 1 January 2010
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of 
consideration transferred, measured at acquisition date fair value and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. 
Acquisition costs incurred are expensed and included in administrative expenses.

Goodwill on acquisition is initially measured at cost being the excess of purchase price over the fair market value of identifiable assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired. Following initial acquisition it is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment 
losses. Goodwill is not amortised but is subject to an impairment test at least annually and more frequently if events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired.

At the acquisition date, any goodwill acquired is allocated to each of the cash-generating units, or groups of cash generating units 
expected to benefit from the combination’s synergies. Impairment is determined by assessing the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating unit, or groups of cash generating units to which the goodwill relates. Where the recoverable amount of the cash-generating 
unit is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised.

Joint Arrangements

A joint operation is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have the rights to the 
assets and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement.

The Group conducts petroleum and natural gas exploration and production activities jointly with other venturers who each have direct 
ownership in and jointly control the operations of the ventures. These are classified as jointly controlled operations and the financial 
statements reflect the Group’s share of assets and liabilities in such activities. Income from the sale or use of the Group’s share of the 
output of jointly controlled operations, and its share of joint venture expenses, are recognised when it is probable that the economic 
benefits associated with the transaction will flow to/from the Group and their amount can be measured reliably. 

Full details of Serica’s working interests in those petroleum and natural gas exploration and production activities classified as jointly 
controlled operations are included in the Review of Operations. 

Exploration and Evaluation Assets

As allowed under IFRS 6 and in accordance with clarification issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations 
Committee, the Group has continued to apply its existing accounting policy to exploration and evaluation activity, subject to the specific 
requirements of IFRS 6. The Group will continue to monitor the application of these policies in light of expected future guidance on 
accounting for oil and gas activities.

Pre-licence Award Costs
Costs incurred prior to the award of oil and gas licences, concessions and other exploration rights are expensed in the income 
statement.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

33

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Exploration and Evaluation (E&E)
The costs of exploring for and evaluating oil and gas properties, including the costs of acquiring rights to explore, geological and 
geophysical studies, exploratory drilling and directly related overheads, are capitalised and classified as intangible E&E assets. These 
costs are directly attributed to regional CGUs for the purposes of impairment testing; UK & Ireland and Africa. 

E&E assets are not amortised prior to the conclusion of appraisal activities but are assessed for impairment at an asset level and in 
regional CGUs when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of a regional cost centre may exceed its recoverable 
amount.  Recoverable amounts are determined based upon risked potential, and where relevant, discovered oil and gas reserves. When 
an impairment test indicates an excess of carrying value compared to the recoverable amount, the carrying value of the regional CGU is 
written down to the recoverable amount in accordance with IAS 36. Such excess is expensed in the income statement.

Costs of licences and associated E&E expenditure are expensed in the income statement if licences are relinquished, or if management 
do not expect to fund significant future expenditure in relation to the licence.

The E&E phase is completed when either the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a mineral resource are 
demonstrable or no further prospectivity is recognised. At that point, if commercial reserves have been discovered, the carrying value of 
the relevant assets, net of any impairment write-down, is classified as an oil and gas property within property, plant and equipment, and 
tested for impairment. If commercial reserves have not been discovered then the costs of such assets will be written off.

Asset Purchases and Disposals
When a commercial transaction involves the exchange of E&E assets of similar size and characteristics, no fair value calculation is 
performed. The capitalised costs of the asset being sold are transferred to the asset being acquired. Proceeds from a part disposal of 
an E&E asset, including back-cost contributions are credited against the capitalised cost of the asset, with any excess being taken to the 
income statement as a gain on disposal.

Farm-ins
In accordance with industry practice, the Group does not record its share of costs that are ‘carried’ by third parties in relation to its 
farm-in agreements in the E&E phase. Similarly, while the Group has agreed to carry the costs of another party to a Joint Operating 
Agreement (“JOA”) in order to earn additional equity, it records its paying interest that incorporates the additional contribution over its 
equity share. 

Property, Plant and Equipment – Oil and gas properties

Capitalisation
Oil and gas properties are stated at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Oil and gas properties 
are accumulated into single field cost centres and represent the cost of developing the commercial reserves and bringing them into 
production together with the E&E expenditures incurred in finding commercial reserves previously transferred from E&E assets as 
outlined in the policy above. The cost will include, for qualifying assets, borrowing costs. 

Depletion
Oil and gas properties are not depleted until production commences. Costs relating to each single field cost centre are depleted on a 
unit of production method based on the commercial proved and probable reserves for that cost centre. The depletion calculation takes 
account of the estimated future costs of development of recognised proved and probable reserves. Changes in reserve quantities and 
cost estimates are recognised prospectively from the last reporting date.

The Kambuna field was depleted using proved and probable entitlement reserves until 30 June 2011. However, given the relatively short 
remaining field life, the Company then concluded that it was appropriate to use proved reserves as a basis for the specific depletion 
calculation for the Kambuna field asset with effect from 1 July 2011. Following the advancement of field shut-in plans and handover 
arrangements with Pertamina in 2H 2013, the Company concluded that, with effect from 1 October 2012, it was appropriate to use its 
best estimates of remaining production quantities as a basis to calculate the reserves for specific depletion and impairment calculations 
for the Kambuna field. The Kambuna property was fully depleted in July 2013.

Impairment
A review is performed for any indication that the value of the Group’s development and production assets may be impaired.

For oil and gas properties when there are such indications, an impairment test is carried out on the cash generating unit. Each cash 
generating unit is identified in accordance with IAS 36. Serica’s cash generating units are those assets which generate largely 
independent cash flows and are normally, but not always, single development or production areas. If necessary, impairment is charged 

34

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
through the income statement if the capitalised costs of the cash generating unit exceed the recoverable amount of the related 
commercial oil and gas reserves.

Asset Disposals
Proceeds from the entire disposal of a development and production asset, or any part thereof, are taken to the income statement 
together with the requisite proportional net book value of the asset, or part thereof, being sold.

Decommissioning
Liabilities for decommissioning costs are recognised when the Group has an obligation to dismantle and remove a production, 
transportation or processing facility and to restore the site on which it is located. Liabilities may arise upon construction of such 
facilities, upon acquisition or through a subsequent change in legislation or regulations. The amount recognised is the estimated 
present value of future expenditure determined in accordance with local conditions and requirements. A corresponding tangible item of 
property, plant and equipment equivalent to the provision is also created. 

Any changes in the present value of the estimated expenditure is added to or deducted from the cost of the assets to which it relates. 
The adjusted depreciable amount of the asset is then depreciated prospectively over its remaining useful life. The unwinding of the 
discount on the decommissioning provision is included as a finance cost.

Property, Plant and Equipment – Other

Computer equipment and fixtures, fittings and equipment are recorded at cost as tangible assets. The straight-line method of 
depreciation is used to depreciate the cost of these assets over their estimated useful lives. Computer equipment is depreciated over 
three years and fixtures, fittings and equipment over four years.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined by the first-in first-out method and comprises 
direct purchase costs and transportation expenses. 

Investments

In its separate financial statements the Company recognises its investments in subsidiaries at cost less any provision for impairment.

Financial Instruments

Financial instruments comprise financial assets, cash and cash equivalents, financial liabilities and equity instruments.

Financial assets
Financial assets within the scope of IAS 39 are classified as either financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, or loans and 
receivables, as appropriate. When financial assets are recognised initially, they are measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are 
directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial asset are capitalised unless they relate to a financial asset classified at 
fair value through profit and loss in which case transaction costs are expensed in the income statement. 

The Group determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition and, where allowed and appropriate, re-evaluates 
this designation at each financial year end.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading and derivatives. Financial assets are 
classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. 
After initial measurement loans and receivables are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method, 
less any allowance for impairment. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition over 
the period to maturity. Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the loans and receivables are de-recognised or 
impaired, as well as through the amortisation process.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include balances with banks and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less at 
the date acquired.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

35

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities include interest bearing loans and borrowings, and trade and other payables.

Obligations for loans and borrowings are recognised when the Group becomes party to the related contracts and are measured initially 
at the fair value of consideration received less directly attributable transaction costs.

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method.

Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the amortisation 
process.

Equity
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded in equity at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Leases

Operating lease payments are recognised as an operating expense in the income statement on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably 
measured. Revenue from oil and natural gas production is recognised on an entitlement basis for the Group’s net working interest.

Finance Revenue

Finance revenue chiefly comprises interest income from cash deposits on the basis of the effective interest rate method and is disclosed 
separately on the face of the income statement.

Finance Costs

Finance costs of debt are allocated to periods over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Arrangement fees 
and issue costs are amortised and charged to the income statement as finance costs over the term of the debt.

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly relating to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying capital project under construction are 
capitalised and added to the project cost during construction until such time the assets are substantially ready for their intended use i.e 
when they are capable of commercial production. Where funds are borrowed specifically to finance a project, the amounts capitalised 
represent the actual borrowing costs incurred. All other borrowing costs are recognised in the income statement in the period in which 
they are incurred.

Share-Based Payment Transactions

Employees (including directors) of the Group receive remuneration in the form of share-based payment transactions, whereby 
employees render services in exchange for shares or rights over shares (‘equity-settled transactions’). 

Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value at the date on which they are granted.  
In valuing equity-settled transactions, no account is taken of any service or performance conditions, other than conditions linked to the 
price of the shares of Serica Energy plc (‘market conditions’), if applicable.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the 
relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (the ‘vesting period’). The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled 
transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s 
best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The income statement charge or credit for a period 
represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end of that period.

36

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market or 
non-vesting condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market or non-vesting condition is satisfied, 
provided that all other performance conditions are satisfied.  Equity awards cancelled are treated as vesting immediately on the date of 
cancellation, and any expense not recognised for the award at that date is recognised in the income statement. Estimated associated 
national insurance charges are expensed in the income statement on an accruals basis.

Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified or a new award is designated as replacing a cancelled or settled award, the 
cost based on the original award terms continues to be recognised over the original vesting period. In addition, an expense is recognised 
over the remainder of the new vesting period for the incremental fair value of any modification, based on the difference between the fair 
value of the original award and the fair value of the modified award, both as measured on the date of the modification. No reduction is 
recognised if this difference is negative.

Income Taxes

Current tax, including UK corporation tax and overseas corporation tax, is provided at amounts expected to be paid using the tax rates 
and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method and tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date. Provision is made for temporary differences at the balance sheet date between the tax bases of the assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax is provided on all temporary differences except for:

•  temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, where the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can 

be controlled by the Group and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future; and

•  temporary differences arising from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination 

and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the income statement nor taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be 
available against which the deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented net only if 
there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and if the deferred tax assets and liabilities 
relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings 
per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted 
average number of shares that would be issued on the conversion of all relevant potentially dilutive shares to ordinary shares. It is 
assumed that any proceeds obtained on the exercise of any options and warrants would be used to purchase ordinary shares at the 
average price during the period. Where the impact of converted shares would be anti-dilutive, these are excluded from the calculation of 
diluted earnings.

New and amended standards and interpretations

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year, except for the following new and amended 
IFRS and IFRIC interpretations effective as of 1 January 2013 unless otherwise stated. The adoption of the standards or interpretations is 
described below:

i)  IAS 1 Financial Statement presentation – Presentation of items of Other Comprehensive Income
  The amendments to IAS 1 change the grouping of items presented in Other Comprehensive Income. Items that could be classified 
to profit or loss at a future point in time would be presented separately from items that will never be reclassified. The amendment 
affects presentation only and has no impact on the Group’s financial position or performance. The amendment became effective for 
annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2012.

ii)  IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements

IFRS 10 replaces the portion of IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements that addresses the accounting for 
consolidated financial statements. The application of IFRS 10 and IAS 27 did not impact the Group’s accounting for its interests in 
subsidiaries. 

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

37

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

iii) IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements

IFRS 11 replaces IAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures and SIC-13 Jointly-controlled Entities – Non-monetary Contributions by Venturers. 
IFRS 11 removes the option to account for jointly controlled entities (JCEs) using proportionate consolidation. Instead JCEs that 
meet the definition of a joint venture must be accounted for using the equity method. The application of IFRS 11 did not impact on the 
financial position or performance of the Group.

iv) IFRS 12 Disclosure of Involvement with Other Entities

IFRS 12 includes all of the disclosures that were previously in IAS 27 related to consolidated financial statements, as well as all of the 
disclosures that were previously included in IAS 31 and IAS 28. These disclosures relate to an entity’s interests in subsidiaries, joint 
arrangements, associates and structured entities. A number of new disclosures are also required but the application of IFRS 12 did 
not impact on the financial position or performance of the Group.

v)  IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement

IFRS 13 establishes a single source of guidance under IFRS for all fair value measurements. IFRS 13 does not change when an entity 
is required to use fair value, but rather provides guidance on how to measure fair value under IFRS when fair value is required or 
permitted, and also requires additional disclosures. Application of IFRS 13 has not materially impacted the fair value measurements 
of the Group.

Standards issued but not yet effective

Certain standards or interpretations issued but not yet effective up to the date of issuance of the Group’s financial statements are listed 
below. This listing of standards and interpretations issued are those that the Group reasonably expects to have an impact on disclosures, 
financial position or performance when applied at a future date. The Group intends to adopt these standards when they become 
effective.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement
IFRS 9 as issued reflects the first phase of the IASBs work on the replacement of IAS 39 and applies to the classification and 
measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities as defined in IAS 39. The standard is expected to be effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2018.

Amendments to IAS 36: Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets
The amendment addressed certain unintended consequences arising from consequential amendments made to IAS 36 when IFRS 13 
was issued. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014.

The Directors anticipate the adoption of the standards and interpretations listed above, or any others in issue but not yet adopted, will 
not have a material impact on the Financial Statements of the Group.

38

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
3. Segment Information 

The Group’s business is that of oil & gas exploration, development and production. The Group’s reportable segments are based on the 
location of the Group’s assets. 

The following tables present revenue, profit and certain asset and liability information regarding the Group’s geographical reportable 
segments for the years ended 31 December 2013 and 2012. Costs associated with the UK corporate centre are included in the UK & 
Ireland reportable segment. Reportable information in respect of the Group’s interest in the producing Kambuna field in Indonesia 
is disclosed as a separate segment, with income statement information for the Kambuna field in Indonesia additionally classified as 
‘discontinued’.

year ended 31 December 2013 

REVENUE 

Other expenses 
Pre-licence costs 
Asset write-offs 
Depletion 
Depreciation 
Operating and segment (loss)/profit 

Finance revenue 
Finance costs 
Loss before taxation 
Taxation charge for the year 
LOSS AFTER TAxATION 

Other segment information: 
Exploration and evaluation assets 
Other assets 
Unallocated assets 
TOTAL ASSETS 

Segment liabilities 
TOTAL LIABILITIES 

Capital expenditure 2013: 
Exploration and evaluation assets 

UK & 
 Ireland 
US$000 

– 

(4,369) 
(57) 
(299) 
– 
(109) 
(4,834) 

UK & 
 Ireland 
US$000 

70,372 
12,403 

82,775 

(1,529) 
(1,529) 

Africa 
US$000 

– 

– 
(273) 
– 
– 
– 
(273) 

Continuing  Discontinued

Total 
US$000 

US$000

– 

4,032

(4,369) 
(330) 
(299) 
– 
(109) 
(5,107) 

16 
(38) 
(5,129) 
– 
(5,129) 

(2,869)
–
–
(1,036)
–
127

–
(6)
121
–
121

Africa 
US$000 

Kambuna 
US$000 

Total 
US$000 

4,237 
89 

4,326 

(1,864) 
(1,864) 

– 
3,508 

3,508 

(1,024) 
(1,024) 

74,609 
16,000 
15,884 
106,493 

(4,417) 
(4,417) 

4,429 

3,431 

– 

7,860 

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing 
Total 
US$000 

*restated
Discontinued

US$000

– 

15,404

(5,664) 
(331) 
(10,462) 
– 
– 
(341) 
(16,798) 

1,023 
12 
(615) 
(16,378) 
– 
(16,378) 

(6,239)
–
–
(4,361)
(13,116)
–
(8,312)

–
–
(18)
(8,330)
–
(8,330)

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–

Africa 
US$000 

Kambuna 
US$000 

Total 
US$000 

805 
– 
1,831 

2,636 

(979) 
(979) 

1,326 
– 

– 
1,036 
7,344 

8,380 

(3,660) 
(3,660) 

66,880 
1,145 
26,135 
7,750 
101,910 

(13,278) 
(13,278) 

– 
690 

12,764 
690 

Africa 
US$000 

– 

– 
(213) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(213) 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Year ended 31 December 2012 

REVENUE 
Continuing operations 
Other expenses 
Pre-licence costs 
Asset write-offs 
Impairment 
Depletion 
Depreciation 
Operating loss and segment loss 

Profit on disposal 
Finance revenue 
Finance costs 
Loss before taxation 
Taxation charge for the year 
LOSS AFTER TAxATION 

Other segment information: 
Exploration and evaluation assets 
Plant, property and equipment 
Other assets 
Unallocated assets 
TOTAL ASSETS 

Segment liabilities 
TOTAL LIABILITIES 

Capital expenditure 2012: 
Exploration and evaluation assets 
Property, plant and equipment 

UK & 
Ireland 
US$000 

– 

(5,664) 
(118) 
(10,462) 
– 
– 
(341) 
(16,585) 

UK & 
Ireland 
US$000 

66,075 
109 
16,960 

83,144 

(8,639) 
(8,639) 

11,438 
– 

* restated for discontinued operations – see note 4

Unallocated assets and liabilities comprise financing items (including cash on deposit).

Information on major customers is provided in note 4.

40

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Discontinued Operation

During 2012 and 2013, Serica’s sole remaining interest in Indonesia was its 25% interest in the Glagah Kambuna Technical Assistance 
Contract (“TAC”). The TAC covers an area of approximately 380 square kilometres offshore North Sumatra and contains the Kambuna 
gas field.  Throughout the first half of 2013 the Company continued to benefit from cash flows from field production but, in July 2013, 
the field reached the end of its economic life and was shut-in. The partnership agreed handover arrangements with the Indonesian 
authorities which involved securing the three wells and wellhead structure. Following the completion of the agreed decommissioning 
procedures in Q4 2013, the TAC was formally terminated on 31 December 2013 and the facilities handed over to Pertamina.

Following the developments of the Kambuna business segment in the second half of 2013, the financial results of the Kambuna field are 
now disclosed as ‘discontinued’ operations and separate from the results of the continuing business segments. The 2012 results from 
the Kambuna business segment have therefore been restated accordingly.

Results of discontinued operations

The results of the discontinued operations are presented below:

SALES REVENUE 

Cost of sales  
GROSS PROFIT/(LOSS) 

Impairment of fixed assets 
Administrative expenses 
OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS)  

Finance costs 
PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE TAxATION 
Taxation charge for the year 
PROFIT/(LOSS) FOR THE yEAR 

Earnings per ordinary share (EPS) 
Basic and diluted EPS on result in year 

Notes 

14 

year ended 
31 December 
2013 
US$000 

Year ended
31 December
2012
US$000

4,032 

15,404

(3,905) 
127 

(19,330)
(3,926)

– 
– 
127 

(6) 
121 
– 
121 

US$ 
(0.00) 

(4,361)
(25) 
(8,312)

(18)
(8,330)
– 
(8,330)

US$
(0.05)

The earnings per ordinary share for the discontinued operations is derived from the net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent 
from discontinued operations of US$121,000 (2012: loss of US$8,330,000), divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares for 
both basic and diluted amounts as disclosed in note 12.

Sales Revenue

Gas sales 
Condensate sales 

2013 
US$000 

1,653 
2,379 
4,032 

2012
US$000

7,966
7,438 
15,404

Gas sales revenue in 2012 and 2013 arose from three customers, the most significant being PLN (2013: US$1,071,000, 2012: US$4,592,000) 
and Pertiwi (2013: US$582,000, 2012: US$2,538,000). All condensate sales revenue in 2012 and 2013 was from one customer, PLN.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Cost of Sales

Operating costs 
Depletion (see note 14) 
Movement in inventories of oil 

Finance Costs

2013 
US$000 

2,587 
1,036 
282 
3,905 

2012
US$000

6,232
13,116
(18)
19,330

Finance costs consist entirely of the unwinding of a discount on the Kambuna decommissioning provision (see note 21). 

Other

There are no taxation components within discontinued operations.

The net cash flows attributable to the disposal group in discontinued operations are as follows:

Year ended 31 December: 

Operating cash inflows 
Investing cash outflows 
Financing cash outflows (1) 
NET CASH INFLOW 

2013 
US$000 

2,351 
– 
– 
2,351 

2012
US$000

10,808
(690)
–
10,118

(1) Repayments of loans and borrowings are classified as corporate cash outflows and excluded from discontinued operations.

42

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.  Analysis of Expenses by Function

Administrative 
Asset write-offs 
Other 

* restated for discontinued operations – see note 4

6.  Group Operating Loss

This is stated after charging: 
Depreciation of other property, plant and equipment 
Total depreciation, depletion and amortisation expense 

Depletion of oil and gas properties is classified with cost of sales under discontinued 
operations.

Operating lease rentals (minimum lease payments):
- Land and buildings 
- Other 
Total lease payments recognised as an expense 

* restated for discontinued operations – see note 4

7. Auditor’s Remuneration

Audit of the Group accounts 
Audit of the Company’s accounts 
Audit of accounts of Company’s subsidiaries 
TOTAL AUDIT FEES 

Other fees to auditor:
Taxation advisory services 

2013 
US$000 

4,458 
299 
350 
5,107 

2013 
US$000 

109 
109 

524 
21 
545 

*restated
2012
US$000

5,274
10,462
1,062
16,798

*restated
2012
US$000

341 
341

531
21
552

2013 
US$000 

2012
US$000

102 
34 
20 
156 

101
34
19
154

US$000 

US$000

– 
– 

7
7

Fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP and its associates for non-audit services are not disclosed in the individual accounts of the Company as 
Group financial statements are prepared which are required to disclose such fees on a consolidated basis.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 

8.  Staff Costs and Directors’ Emoluments

a) Staff Costs 

The average monthly number of persons  employed by the Group during the year was: 

Management 
Technical 
Finance and administration 

Staff costs for the above persons:
Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Other pension costs 
Share-based long-term incentives (including related NI cost) 

Staff costs for key management personnel: 
Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Share-based payments 

b) Directors’ Emoluments 

2013 
No.  

3 
3 
4 
10 

2012 
No. 

4
3
4
11

US$000 

US$000

2,630 
347 
170 
234 
3,381 

2,092 
88 
128 
2,308 

2,939
384
209
588
4,120

2,134
91
264 
2,489

The emoluments of the individual Directors were as follows. Other than fees paid to Jeffrey Harris in US$, all sums are paid in £ sterling 
but are converted at an exchange rate of £1=US$1.564 (2012: £1=US$1.585) to US$ being the reporting currency for the purposes ofthe 
Company’s accounts.

A Craven Walker (1) 
C Hearne 
P Sadler (2) 
M Flegg (3) 
N Pike 
I Vann 
S Theede 
J Harris (4) 
J Cartwright (5) 

  Salary and fees 
2013 
US$000 

Bonus 
2013 
US$000 

Pension  Benefits in kind 
2013 
US$000 

2013 
US$000 

Total 
2013 
US$000 

Total
2012
US$000

519 
404 
111 
404 
86 
70 
70 
64 
– 
1,728 

– 
70 
– 
70 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
140 

– 
40 
8 
40 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
88 

– 
8 
– 
10 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
18 

519 
522 
119 
524 
86 
70 
70 
64 
– 
1,974 

602
453
509
176
81
65
65
–
30
1,981

(1) Mr Craven Walker has acted as Interim CEO since 10 April 2011. At the request of Mr Craven Walker, the fees proposed for 2011, amounting to £150,000 (US$238,000), 
were agreed to be payable contingent upon certain strategic milestones being achieved by the Company.  These milestones, which related to the securing of certain 
asset sales, acreage awards, farm-outs and progress with field developments, were achieved by early 2012. The fees for the period from 10 April 2011 to that date 
were therefore paid in 2012 and are included in the 2012 comparative totals in the table above. Since 1 May 2012, Mr Craven Walker has received a combined fee 
in respect of services as Chairman and Interim CEO pending the appointment of a successor to the CEO position. Since 1 January 2013 this fee has included a 
provision for travel allowance. He is not entitled to any other award such as share options, share scheme, bonus, pension or medical insurance.

(2) Peter Sadler resigned on 27 June 2013 
(3) Mitch Flegg was appointed on 5 September 2012 
(4) Jeffrey Harris was appointed on 20 December 2012  
(5) Jonathan Cartwright resigned on 28 June 2012 

44

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of Directors securing benefits under defined  contribution schemes during the year 
 Number of Directors who exercised share options 

Aggregate gains made by Directors on the exercise of options 

2013 
3 
– 

2012 
3
–

US$000 
– 

US$000
–

The Group defines key management personnel as the Directors of the Company. There are no transactions with Directors other than their 
remuneration as disclosed above.

9. Finance Revenue 

Bank interest receivable 
Other interest receivable 
TOTAL FINANCE REVENUE 

10. Finance Costs

Bank loans 
Other interest payable 
TOTAL FINANCE COSTS 

2013 
US$000 
16 
– 
16 

2013 
US$000 
37 
1 
38 

2012
US$000
8
4
12

*restated
2012
US$000
615
–
615

* restated for discontinued operations – see note 4

Bank loan finance costs include interest payable, unutilised facility fees and an amortisation charge of associated issue costs. The 
unwinding of a discount on decommissioning provisions is classified within finance costs under ‘discontinued’ operations.

11. Taxation

a) Tax charged/(credited) in the income statement

Charge for the year 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 

Total current income tax charge 

Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences in the  
current year 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 
Adjustment to reflect tax rate changes in recognition of deferred tax 
Total deferred tax (credit) 

TAx CHARGE IN THE INCOME STATEMENT 

2013 
US$000 

2012
US$000

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
–  
–  

– 

–
–

–

–
–
– 
–  

–

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

b) Reconciliation of the total tax charge/(credit)

 The tax in the income statement for the year differs from the amount that would be corporation tax in the UK of expected by applying 
the standard UK corporation tax rate for the following reasons:

Accounting loss before taxation – continuing operations 

Accounting profit/(loss) before taxation – discontinued operations 
Accounting loss before taxation 

Expected tax credit at standard UK corporation tax rate of 23.25% (2012 – 24.5%) 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
Unrecognised deferred tax assets 
Gain on disposal not chargeable to tax 
Different foreign tax rates 
TAx CHARGE REPORTED IN THE INCOME STATEMENT 

* restated for discontinued operations – see note 4

c) Unrecognised tax losses

2013 
US$000 

*restated
2012
US$000

(5,129) 

(16,378)

121 
(5,008) 

(1,164) 
426 
733 
– 
5 
– 

(8,330)
(24,708)

(6,053)
432
6,920
(261)
(1,038)
–

 The benefit of approximately US$114.7 million (2012: US$110.2 million) of tax losses has not been recognised in these consolidated 
statements which reflects the extent of the total available UK tax losses that have not been set against a deferred tax liability arising. 
The Group has UK tax losses of approximately US$175.0 million (2012: US$167.2 million) that are available indefinitely for offset 
against future trading profits of the companies in which the losses arose. Of this amount US$60.3 million (2012: US$57.0 million) has 
been set off against taxable temporary differences.

d) Deferred tax

The deferred tax included in the balance sheet is as follows:

Deferred tax liability:
Temporary differences on capital expenditure 
Temporary difference on decommissioning asset 
Deferred tax liability 

Deferred tax asset:
Temporary difference on future recoverable costs 
Tax losses carried forward 
Temporary difference on decommissioning provision 
Deferred tax asset 
NET DEFERRED TAx LIABILITy 

The deferred tax in the Group income statement is as follows:

Deferred tax in the income statement: 
Temporary differences on capital expenditure 
Temporary difference on future recoverable costs 
Tax losses carried forward 
Temporary difference on decommissioning asset 
Temporary difference on decommissioning provision 
DEFERRED INCOME TAx (CREDIT) 

46

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

2013 
US$000 

(37,372) 
– 
(37,372) 

– 
37,372 
– 
37,372 
–  

2012
US$000

(35,336)
–
(35,336)

–
35,336
–
35,336
– 

2013  
US$000 

2012 
US$000

2,036 
– 
(2,036) 
– 
– 
–  

(21)
–
21
(396)
396
– 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
e) Changes to UK corporation tax legislation 

 Legislation to reduce the main rate of UK corporation tax to 21% for the year commencing 1 April 2014 and 20% for the year from 1 April 
2015 and beyond was enacted in July 2013.  The UK corporation tax rate for ring-fenced trading profits remains 62%. 

The UK Government proposals to increase the extent to which the Small Field Allowance (“SFA”) is available in respect of small 
developments were enacted in July 2013. The allowance is now extended to fields with reserves of 6.25 million tonnes from the previous 
threshold of 3.5 million tonnes and the allowance available in respect of a qualifying field is increased from £75m (US$120m) to £150m 
(US$240m).

f) Unrecognised deferred tax liability 

 In 2012 and 2013 there are no material temporary differences associated  with subsidiaries for which deferred tax liabilities have not  
been recognised.

g) Company 
 The Company has US$23.5 million (2012: US$ 22.3 million) of UK corporation tax  losses which are not recognised as deferred  
tax assets.

12.  Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings or loss per ordinary share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit or loss for the year attributable to ordinary equity 
holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. 

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by 
the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that 
would be issued on the conversion of dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares. As a result of the net loss for the years 
ended 31 December 2012 and 2013, there is no dilutive effect of the share options in these years.

The following reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

Net loss from continuing operations 

Net loss attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Basic weighted average number of shares 

Diluted weighted average number of shares 

Basic and diluted EPS on loss on continuing operations (US$) 
Basic and diluted EPS on loss for the year (US$) 

* restated for discontinued operations – see note 4

2013 
US$000 

*restated
2012
US$000

(5,129) 

(16,378)

(5,008) 

(24,708)

2013 
’000 

2012 
’000

191,266 

177,743

191,266 

177,743

2013 
US$ 

(0.03) 
(0.03) 

2012 
US$

(0.09)
(0.14)

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

13. Exploration and Evaluation Assets

Group 
Cost:
1 January 2012 

Additions 
Relinquished licences 
Write offs 
Disposals  
31 December 2012 

Additions 
Write offs 
31 December 2013 

Provision for impairment:
1 January 2012 and 1 January 2013 
Impairment charge for the year 
31 December 2013 

Net book value: 
31 DECEMBER 2013 

31 DECEMBER 2012 

1 JANUARy 2012 

Total
US$000

69,083

12,764
(143)
(9,664)
(5,160)
66,880

7,860
(131)
74,609

–
–
–

74,609

66,880

69,083

Total asset write-offs expensed in the income statement from continuing operations in 2013 were US$0.3 million (2012: US$10.5 
million). This charge comprised minor E&E asset write-offs of US$0.1 million (2012: US$9.7 million, of which US$8.8 million related 
to the costs incurred on the Spaniards East well in the UK North Sea) and a US$0.2 million charge against obsolete inventory (2012: 
US$0.6 million). Other 2012 minor write-offs were in respect of relinquished licences. 

Disposals of E&E assets in 2012 arose in the first quarter from the farm-out of an interest in the Company’s Namibian licence to BP, 
and in the third quarter from farm-outs of interests in Morocco and the UK. The re-imbursement due for the past costs capitalised 
as E&E assets is treated as a reduction from the book cost of the asset. The accounting gain of US$1.0 million on disposal recorded 
in the 2012 income statement relates to the recognition of recovery for those past Namibia costs incurred that had been expensed as 
pre-licence costs in previous periods. 

Company
The Company has no E&E assets.

48

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
14. Property, Plant and Equipment

Group 
Cost
1 January 2012 
Additions 
Decommissioning asset 
31 December 2012 

Additions 
Disposals * 
31 December 2013 

Depreciation and depletion
1 January 2012 
Charge for the year 
Impairment 
31 December 2012 

Charge for the year 
Disposals * 

31 December 2013 

Net book value
31 DECEMBER 2013 

31 DECEMBER 2012 

1 JANUARy 2012 

Oil and gas   Computer/IT 
Equipment 
properties 

US$000 

US$000 

Fixtures 
 Fittings & 
Equipment 
US$000 

62,598 
690 
(446) 
62,842 

– 
(62,842) 
– 

44,329 
13,116 
4,361 
61,806 

1,036 
(62,842) 

– 

– 

1,036 

18,269 

189 
– 
– 
189 

– 
– 
189 

149 
32 
– 
181 

8 
– 

189 

– 

8 

40 

901 
– 
– 
901 

– 
– 
901 

491 
309 
– 
800 

101 
– 

901 

– 

101 

410 

Total

US$000

63,688
690
(446)
63,932

–
(62,842)
1,090

44,969
13,457
4,361
62,787

1,145
(62,842)

1,090

–

1,145

18,719

*The Kambuna field oil and gas properties were handed over to the Indonesian authorities on 31 December 2013.

Impairment of oil and gas properties

The net book amount of the Group’s only producing asset was fully depleted in July 2013 following the cessation of production from the 
Kambuna field. No annual impairment test on the Group’s property, plant and equipment was therefore required as at 31 December 2013.

The Group did perform an annual impairment test as at 31 December 2012. In assessing whether a write-down is required in the carrying 
value of a potentially impaired item of property, plant and equipment or goodwill, the asset’s carrying value is compared with its 
recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use.

Oil and gas properties included an impairment calculated in accordance with IAS 36 - Impairment of assets, of US$4,361,000 attributed 
to oil and gas properties determined by estimating the value in use of the assets. This impairment charge is against the Group’s only 
gas condensate producing asset, Glagah Kambuna in Indonesia. The impairment primarily arose following the trigger of a downwards 
revision to field reserves estimates.

The recoverable amount of Kambuna was determined on a value in use calculation using a discounted cash flow model. The projected 
cash flows were adjusted for risks specific to the asset and discounted using a pre-tax discount rate. This discount rate is derived from 
the Group’s post-tax weighted average cost of capital and is adjusted where applicable to take into account any specific risks relating 
to the region where the cash generating unit is located. In 2012, given the short-term nature of cash flows, no discount or extrapolation 
rates were used. 

The calculation of value in use is most sensitive to the following assumptions; reserves estimates, discount rates and oil prices.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Other
Depletion charges on oil and gas properties are classified within ‘cost of sales’.

Borrowing interest payable costs relating to drilling of development wells, that have been capitalised within oil and gas properties 
during 2009, prior to the commencement of production, amounted to US$1,200,000, at a weighted average interest of 4.6%.

Company
The Company has no property, plant and equipment.

15. Investments

Company – Investment  in subsidiaries 
Cost:
1 January 2012 

Increase in investment 
31 December 2012 

Increase in investment 
31 December 2013 

Provision for impairment:
1 January 2012 and 1 January 2013 
Impairment charge for the year 
31 December 2013 

Net book amount: 
31 December 2013 

31 December 2012 

1 January 2012 

Total
US$000

130,684

2,000
132,684

–
132,684

(118,854)
(13,830)
(132,684)

–

13,830

11,830

In the Company financial statements, the cost of the investment acquired on the Reorganisation (see note 1) was calculated with 
reference to the market value of Serica Energy Corporation as at the date of the Reorganisation. As a UK company, under Section 612 
of the Companies Act 2006, the Company is entitled to merger relief on its share reorganisation with Serica Energy Corporation, and 
the excess of US$112,174,000 over the nominal value of shares issued (US$7,475,000) has been credited to a merger reserve. Following 
the impairment charges recorded in 2010 and 2013 against the Company’s investment in subsidiary undertakings, all amounts initially 
credited to the merger reserve have been eliminated. 

The increase in investment of US$2,000,000 during 2012 represents the value of shares issued by Serica Energy plc as part of the 
consideration paid to NAMCOR (see note 23) for the Company’s interests in Namibia which are held by Serica Energy Namibia B.V.

Management has assessed the carrying value of investments in subsidiaries in the parent company balance sheet for impairment by 
reference to the recoverable amount. 

The incremental provisions for impairment arising in 2013 of US$13,830,000 against the investment in subsidiaries, and US$26,170,000 
against amounts owed by Group undertakings (see note 18) have been made following a fall in value in certain of the oil and gas 
assets held by the Company’s subsidiary undertakings. 

50

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Details of the investments in which the Group and the Company (unless indicated) hold 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of 
share capital are as follows:

Name of company: 

Serica Holdings UK Ltd  
Serica Energy Holdings B.V. (i & iii) 
Serica Energy (UK) Ltd  (i) 
Serica Sidi Moussa BV (i & iii) 
Serica Foum Draa BV (i & iii) 
Serica Energy Slyne BV (i & iii) 
Serica Energy Rockall BV (i & iii) 
Serica Energy Namibia BV (i & iii) 
Serica Glagah Kambuna BV (i & iii) 
Serica Energia Iberica SL (i & iv) 
Serica Energy Corporation (i & ii) 
APD Ltd (i & ii) 
APD (Asahan) Ltd (i & ii) 
APD (Biliton) Ltd (i & ii) 
PDA Asia Ltd (i & ii) 
PDA (Lematang) Ltd (i) 

(i) Held by a subsidiary undertaking 
(ii) Incorporated in the British Virgin Islands 
(iii) Incorporated in the Netherlands 
(iv) Incorporated in Spain   

16. Other Non-current Assets

Holding 

Nature of  
business 

% voting 
 rights and  
shares held 
2013 

% voting
rights and
shares held
2012

Holding 
Ordinary 
Holding 
Ordinary 
Exploration 
Ordinary 
Exploration 
Ordinary 
Exploration 
Ordinary 
Exploration 
Ordinary 
Exploration 
Ordinary 
Ordinary 
Exploration 
Ordinary   Development 
Dormant 
Ordinary 
Dormant 
Ordinary 
Dormant 
Ordinary 
Dormant 
Ordinary 
Dormant 
Ordinary 
Dormant 
Ordinary 
Dormant 
Ordinary 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100 

Group 
2013 
US$000 

2012 
US$000 

Company 
2013 
US$000 

2012
US$000

OTHER RECEIVABLES 

1,293 

1,706 

– 

–

Other receivables are represented by value added tax (“VAT”) on Indonesian capital spend, which would be recovered from the 
Indonesian authorities. Amounts at 31 December 2013 are disclosed net of an impairment of US$427,000 (2012: US$427,000).

17. Inventories

Condensate stocks 
Materials and spare parts 

Group 
2013 
US$000 

– 
258 
258 

2012 
US$000 

282 
199 
481 

Company 
2013 
US$000 

– 
– 
– 

2012
US$000

–
–
–

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined by the first-in first-out method and comprises 
direct purchase costs and transportation expenses. US$168,000 was expensed in the income statement as an asset write-off against 
materials and spare parts in 2013 (2012: US$609,000).

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

18. Other Current Receivables

Due within one year: 
Amounts owed by Group undertakings 
Trade receivables 
Amounts recoverable from JV partners 
Back costs recoverable 
Other receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

FINANCIAL ASSETS 

Group 
2013 
US$000 

2012 
US$000 

Company 
2013 
US$000 

– 
1,428 
1,334 
– 
597 
492 

3,851 

420 

– 
2,099 
3,451 
933 
2,009 
449 

8,941 

412 

2012
US$000

110,824
–
–
–
611
333

97,416 
– 
– 
– 
395 
337 

98,148 

111,768

420 

412

Trade receivables at 31 December 2013 arise from one customer, PLN. 

None of the Group’s receivables are considered impaired but US$749,000 of trade receivables and US$124,000 of other receivables are 
past due at the date of signing this report. The Directors consider the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to 
their fair value.

Financial assets entirely relate to restricted cash on deposit with financial institutions securing various guarantees and performance 
bonds associated with the Group’s trading activities. Management considers that there are no unreasonable concentrations of credit 
risk within the Group or Company. The financial assets disclosed above are not considered past due nor impaired.

At the reporting date the amounts owed by Group undertakings to the Company are disclosed net of an impairment of US$33,509,000 
(2012: US$7,339,000) – see note 15.

19. Cash and Short-Term Deposits

Cash at bank and in hand 
Short-term deposits 

Group 
2013 
US$000 

10,178 
15,884 
26,062 

2012 
US$000 

14,595 
7,750 
22,345 

Company
2013 
US$000 

9,575 
15,884 
25,459 

2012
US$000

13,674
7,750 
21,424

Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. Short-term deposits are made for varying periods of 
between one day and six months depending on the immediate cash requirements of the Group, and earn interest at the respective 
short to medium term deposit rates. The Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from potential default of a counterparty, with a 
maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount. The Group seeks to minimise counterparty credit risks by only depositing cash 
surpluses with major banks of high quality credit standing, and spreading the placement of funds over a range of institutions. 

Financial institutions, and their credit ratings, which held greater than 10% of the Group’s cash and short-term deposits at the balance 
sheet date were as follows:

HSBC Bank plc 
J.P. Morgan Chase 
Barclays Bank plc 

S&P credit 
rating 

A-1+ 
A-1 
A-1 

Group 
2013 
US$000 

8,358 
8,827 
8,760 

2012 
US$000 

7,929 
7,824 
6,567 

Company 
2013 
US$000 

8,358 
8,827 
8,273 

2012
US$000

7,898
7,824
5,700

For the purposes of the consolidated and Company cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the above amounts at 
31 December.

52

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20. Trade and Other Payables

Current: 
Trade payables 
Other payables 

21. Provisions

Group 
2013 
US$000 

958 
3,459 
4,417 

2012 
US$000 

7,264 
4,413 
11,677 

Company 
2013 
US$000 

575 
384 
959 

2012
US$000

505
575
1,080

Provisions for decommissioning and restoration of oil and gas assets are:

At 1 January 
Decommissioning estimate revisions (see note 14) 
Unwinding of discount (see note 4) 
Payments and utilisation of provision 
At 31 December 

2013 
US$000 

2012
US$000

1,601 
– 
6 
(1,607) 
– 

2,029
(446)
18
–
1,601

The Kambuna field ceased production in July 2013 and the field decommissioning work programme was completed in November 2013. 
Although no decommissioning provision is recorded as at 31 December 2013 as the work had been completed, certain liabilities arising 
from the work programme had not been paid at that date and are recorded within trade and other payables. 

Any payments made in prior periods into a restricted fund were recognised at the relevant Balance Sheet date as a separate asset 
within other receivables and not deducted from the gross liability.

22. Financial Instruments

The Group’s financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents, bank loans and borrowings, accounts payable and accounts 
receivable. It is management’s opinion that the Group is not exposed to significant interest, credit or currency risks arising from its 
financial instruments other than as discussed below:

Serica has exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its cash deposits and bank loans; given the level of expenditure plans over 2014/15 
this is managed in the short-term through selecting treasury deposit periods of one to six months. Cash and treasury credit risks are 
mitigated through spreading the placement of funds over a range of institutions each carrying acceptable published credit ratings to 
minimise concentration and counterparty risk.

Where Serica operates joint ventures on behalf of partners it seeks to recover the appropriate share of costs from these third parties. 
The majority of partners in these ventures are well established oil and gas companies. In the event of non payment, operating 
agreements typically provide recourse through increased venture shares. 

Serica retains certain non US$ cash holdings and other financial instruments relating to its operations. The US$ reporting currency 
value of these may fluctuate from time to time causing reported foreign exchange gains and losses. Serica maintains a broad strategy 
of matching the currency of funds held on deposit with the expected expenditures in those currencies. Management believes that this 
mitigates most of any actual potential currency risk from financial instruments.

It is management’s opinion that the fair value of its financial instruments approximate to their carrying values, unless otherwise noted.

Bank loans

In recent years, the Company had access to a three-year US$50 million debt facility, which was arranged in November 2009 with 
J.P.Morgan plc, Bank of Scotland plc and Natixis as Mandated Lead Arrangers. This facility was principally to refinance the Company’s 

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

outstanding borrowings on the Kambuna field. It was also originally put in place partly to finance the appraisal and development of 
the Columbus field and for general corporate purposes. 

Although all outstanding amounts under the Company’s debt facility were fully repaid in February 2011, the facility was rolled 
forward until February 2013 whilst the directors reviewed the funding requirements and options available for the Columbus 
field development. In March 2013, in light of the expected timing requirements for the Company’s share of Columbus project 
development costs, the Company decided to allow the facility to expire. This decision was made in light of other financing options 
under review and to save ongoing unutilised fee costs. 

The facility was secured by first charges over the Group’s interests in the Kambuna field in Indonesia and the Columbus field in 
the UK North Sea and the shares of certain subsidiary companies. This security was released following the expiry of the facility in 
March 2013.

Interest Rate Risk Profile of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The interest rate profile of the financial assets and liabilities of the Group as at 31 December is as follows:

Group
year ended 31 December 2013 

Fixed rate 
Short-term deposits 
Short-term financial assets 

Floating rate 
Cash 

Year ended 31 December 2012 

Fixed rate 
Short-term deposits 
Short-term financial assets 

Floating rate 
Cash 

Within 1 year 
US$000 
15,884 
420 

1-2 years  
US$000 
– 
– 

2-5 years 
US$000 
– 
– 

Within 1 year 
US$000 
10,178 

1-2 years 
US$000 
– 

2-5 years 
US$000 
– 

Total
US$000
15,884
420
16,304

Total
US$000
10,178
10,178

Within 1 year 

1-2 years 

2-5 years 

Total

US$000 
7,750 
412 

US$000 
– 
– 

US$000 
– 
– 

Within 1 year 
US$000 
14,595 

1-2 years 
US$000 
– 

2-5 years 
US$000 
– 

US$000
7,750
412
8,162

Total
US$000
14,595
14,595

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of finance revenue and finance costs to a reasonably possible change in interest 
rates, with all other variables held constant, of the Group’s loss before tax (through the impact on fixed rate short-term deposits 
and applicable bank loans). 

Increase/decrease in interest rate 

+0.75% 
-0.75% 

  Effect on (loss)  Effect on (loss)
before tax
2012
US$000

before tax 
2013 
US$000 

143 
(143) 

169
(169)

The other financial instruments of the Group that are not included in the above tables are non-interest bearing and are therefore not 
subject to interest rate risk.

54

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The interest rate profile of the financial assets and liabilities of the Company as at 31 December is as follows:

Company
year ended 31 December 2013 

Fixed rate 
Short-term deposits 
Short-term financial assets 

Floating rate 
Cash 

Year ended 31 December 2012 

Fixed rate 
Short-term deposits 
Short-term financial assets 

Floating rate 
Cash 

Credit risk

Within 1 year 
US$000 

1-2 years  
US$000 

2-5 years 
US$000 

15,884 
420 

– 
– 

– 
– 

Within 1 year 
US$000 

1-2  years 
US$000 

2-5  years 
US$000 

9,575 

– 

– 

Total
US$000

15,884
420
16,304

Total
US$000

9,575
9,575

Within 1 year 
US$000 

1-2  years 
US$000 

2-5  years 
US$000 

Total
US$000

7,750 
412 

– 
– 

– 
– 

Within 1 year 
US$000 

1-2  years 
US$000 

2-5 years 
US$000 

13,674 

– 

– 

7,750
412
8,162

Total
US$000

13,674
13,674

The Group’s and Company’s exposure to credit risk relating to financial assets arises from the default of a counterparty with a maximum 
exposure equal to the carrying value as at the balance sheet date. Where Serica operates joint ventures on behalf of partners it seeks to 
recover the appropriate share of costs from these third parties. The majority of partners in these ventures are well established oil and 
gas companies. In the event of non payment, operating agreements typically provide recourse through increased venture shares. Cash 
and treasury credit risks are mitigated through spreading the placement of funds over a range of institutions each carrying acceptable 
published credit ratings to minimise counterparty risk. 

Foreign currency risk

The Group enters into transactions denominated in currencies other than its US dollar reporting currency. Non US$ denominated 
balances, subject to exchange rate fluctuations, at year-end were as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents:
Pounds sterling 
Canadian dollars 
Norwegian kroner 
Indonesian rupiah 
Euros 

Accounts receivable: 
Pounds sterling 

Group 
2013 
US$000 

8,386 
1 
12 
– 
296 

2012 
US$000 

5,524 
5 
13 
25 
404 

Company 
2013 
US$000 

8,100 
1 
– 
– 
– 

2012
US$000

5,059
5
–
–
–

931 

1,264 

354 

712

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Trade payables: 
Pounds sterling 
Canadian dollars 
Euros 

1,260 
41 
103 

8,203 
– 
108 

1,185 
41 
20 

529
–
43

The following table demonstrates the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% increase or decrease in the US Dollar against the Pounds sterling. The 
sensitivity analysis includes only foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the year end for a 10% 
change in the foreign currency rate. 

Increase/decrease in foreign exchange rate 

10% strengthening of US$ against £GBP 
10% weakening of US$ against £GBP 

Liquidity risk

  Effect on (loss)  Effect on (loss)
before tax
2012
US$000

before tax 
2013 
US$000 

806 
(806) 

(141)
141

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group and Company’s financial liabilities at 31 December 2013 based on contractual undiscounted 
payments. The Group monitors its risk to a potential shortage of funds by monitoring the maturity dates of existing debt.

Group 
year ended 31 December 2013 

Trade and other payables 

Year ended 31 December 2012

Within 1 year 
US$000 

1 to 2 years 
US$000 

2 to 5 years 
US$000 

Total
US$000

4,417 

– 

– 

4,417

Within 1 Year 
US$000 

1 to 2 years 
US$000 

2 to 5 years 
US$000 

Total
US$000

Trade and other payables 

11,677 

– 

– 

11,677

Company 
year ended 31 December 2013 

Trade and other payables 

Year ended 31 December 2012 

Trade and other payables 

Commodity price risk

Within 1 year 
US$000 

1 to 2 years 
US$000 

2 to 5 years 
US$000 

Total
US$000

959 

– 

– 

959

Within 1 Year 
US$000 

1 to 2 years 
US$000 

2 to 5 years 
US$000 

Total
US$000

1,080 

– 

– 

1,080

During 2012 and 2013, all of the Group’s gas production was sold at fixed contracted prices.

All condensate production was sold at prices linked to the spot market. During much of the Kambuna field production period, 
fluctuations in condensate price were largely offset by variations in cost recovery. 

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities

Management assessed that the fair values of cash and short-term deposits, trade receivables, trade payables and other current 
liabilities approximate their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. As such the fair value 
hierarchy is not provided.

56

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital management

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to maintain appropriate levels of funding to meet the commitments of its 
forward programme of exploration and development expenditure, and to safeguard the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and 
create shareholder value. At 31 December 2013, capital employed of the Group amounted to US$102.1 million (comprised of US$102.1 
million of equity shareholders’ funds and US$nil million of borrowings), compared to US$88.6 million at 31 December 2012 (comprised of 
US$88.6 million of equity shareholders’ funds and US$nil of borrowings). 

At 31 December 2013, capital employed of the Company amounted to US$123.1 million (comprised of US$123.1 million of equity 
shareholders’ funds and US$nil million of borrowings), compared to US$146.4 million at 31 December 2012 (comprised of US$146.4 million 
of equity shareholders’ funds and US$nil million of borrowings).

23. Equity Share Capital

The concept of authorised share capital was abolished under the Companies Act 2006 and shareholders approved the adoption of new 
Articles of Association at the 2010 Annual General Meeting which do not contain any reference to authorised share capital.

The share capital of the Company comprises one “A” share of £50,000 and 250,179,039 ordinary shares of US$0.10 each. The “A” share has 
no special rights. 

The balance classified as total share capital includes the total net proceeds (both nominal value and share premium) on issue of the Group 
and Company’s equity share capital, comprising US$0.10 ordinary shares and one ‘A’ share. 

Allotted, issued and fully paid: 

Group 

As at 1 January 2012 

Options exercised (i) 
Shares issued (ii) 

31 December 2012 
Shares issued (iii) 

Share   
capital 
US$000 

Number 

Share 

Total
premium  Share capital
US$000

US$000 

176,660,311 

17,756 

189,946 

207,702

110,000 
6,000,000 

182,770,311 
67,408,729 

11 
600 

18,367 
6,741 

45 
1,400 

191,391 
11,459 

56
2,000

209,758 
18,200

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2013 

250,179,040 

25,108 

202,850 

227,958

Allotted, issued and fully paid: 

Company 

As at 1 January 2012 

Options exercised (i) 
Shares issued (ii) 

As at 31 December 2012 

Shares issued (iii) 

Share 
capital 
US$000 

Number 

Share  

Total
premium  Share capital
US$000

US$000 

176,660,311 

17,756 

154,674 

172,430

110,000 
6,000,000 

11 
600 

45 
1,400 

56
2,000

182,770,311 

18,367 

156,119 

174,486

67,408,729 

6,741 

11,459 

18,200

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2013 

250,179,040 

25,108 

167,578 

192,686

In April 2012, 110,000 share options were converted to ordinary shares at a price of £0.32.

i) 
ii)  In November 2012, 6,000,000 ordinary shares were issued to NAMCOR as part of the consideration for the interest in the Luderitz basin acquired in December 

2011. NAMCOR had the option to take the shares or US$2 million in cash. The valuation of the shares issued is based on the cash alternative as value of the equity 
alternative when the deal was agreed was less than the cash alternative. At 31 December 2011 the US$2 million was accrued within Trade and other payables.

iii) In November 2013, the Company raised US$18.2 million (net of expenses) through the issue of 67,408,729 ordinary shares at 18 pence each. The issue price represented 
a discount of 1.4% to the mid-market price of 18.25 pence per ordinary share on 21 October 2013, the announcement date of the share placing and open offer being 22 
October 2013.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

24. Additional Cash Flow Information

Analysis of Group net cash

year ended 31 December 2013

Cash 
Short-term deposits 

Year ended 31 December 2012

Cash 
Short-term deposits 

Analysis of Company net cash

year ended 31 December 2013 

Short-term deposits 

Year ended 31 December 2012

Cash 
Short-term deposits 

1 January 
2013 
US$000 

14,595 
7,750 
22,345 

1 January  
2012 
US$000 

8,546 
11,400 
19,946 

1 January 
2013 
US$000 

13,674 
7,750 
21,424 

1 January  
2012 
US$000 

7,742 
11,400 
19,142 

Cash  
flow 
US$000 

Non-cash 
movements 
US$000 

31 December
2013
US$000

(4,570) 
7,872 
3,302 

Cash 
flow 
US$000 

5,851 
(3,650) 
2,201 

153 
262 
415 

10,178
15,884
26,062

Non-cash 
movements 
US$000 

31 December
2012 
US$000

198 
– 
198 

14,595
7,750
22,345

Cash  
flow 
US$000 

Non-cash 
movements 
US$000 

31 December
2013
US$000

(4,247) 
7,846 
3,599 

Cash 
flow 
US$000 

5,748 
(3,650) 
2,098 

148 
288 
436 

9,575
15,884
25,459

Non-cash 
movements 
US$000 

31 December
2012 
US$000

184 
– 
184 

13,674
7,750
21,424

58

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25.  Share-Based Payments

Share Option Plans

Following a Reorganisation in 2005 (see note 1), the Company established an option plan (the “Serica 2005 Option Plan”) to replace the 
Serica Energy Corporation Share Option Plan (the “Serica BVI Option Plan”). The objective of these plans is to develop the interest 
of Directors, officers, key employees and certain consultants of the Group in the growth and development of the Group by providing 
them with the opportunity to acquire an interest in the Company and to assist the Company in retaining and attracting executives with 
experience and ability.

Serica Energy Corporation (“Serica BVI”) was previously the holding company of the Group but, following the Reorganisation, is now a 
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to the Reorganisation, Serica BVI issued options under the Serica BVI Option Plan and 
following the Reorganisation the Company has agreed to issue ordinary shares to holders of Serica BVI Options already awarded upon 
exercise of such options in place of the shares in Serica BVI to which they would be entitled. There are currently options outstanding under 
the Serica BVI Option Plan entitling holders to acquire up to an aggregate of 1,900,000 ordinary shares of the Company. No further options 
will be granted under the Serica BVI option plan.

As at 31 December 2013, the Company has granted 18,532,460 options under the Serica 2005 Option Plan, 9,108,460 of which are currently 
outstanding. The Serica 2005 Option Plan will govern all future grants of options by the Company to Directors, officers, key employees and 
certain consultants of the Group. 

The Serica 2005 Option Plan is comprised of two parts, the basic share option plan and a part which constitutes an Enterprise 
Management Incentive Plan (“EMI Plan”) under rules set out by the H.M. Revenue & Customs in the United Kingdom. Options granted 
under the Serica 2005 Option Plan can be granted, at the discretion of the Board, under one or other of the two parts but, apart from 
certain tax benefits which can accrue to the Company and its UK employees if options are granted under the part relating to the EMI Plan 
meeting the conditions of that part of the Serica 2005 Option Plan, all other terms under which options can be awarded under either part 
are substantially identical.

The Directors intend that the maximum number of ordinary shares which may be utilised pursuant to the Serica 2005 Option Plan will not 
exceed 10% of the issued ordinary shares of the Company from time to time in line with the recommendations of the Association of British 
Insurers.

4,744,690 of the 9,108,460 options outstanding under the Serica 2005 Option Plan are exercisable only if certain performance targets being 
met. These include the following options subject to market conditions; 110,000 options awarded to an executive director in December 2005, 
350,000 options awarded to an executive director in March 2008 and 1,425,000 options awarded to executive directors in January 2010. 
In April 2011, 200,000 options were awarded to an executive director and 200,000 options were awarded to an employee exercisable only 
if certain operational performance targets are met. In October 2012 a further 800,000 share options under the Serica 2005 Option Plan 
were granted to two current executive directors, all of these options are subject to performance conditions. Details of the performance 
conditions attached are provided in the Directors’ Report. In November 2012, 400,000 options were granted to a consultant subject to 
performance conditions.

The Company calculates the value of share-based compensation using a Black-Scholes option pricing model (or other appropriate model 
for those Directors’ options subject to certain market conditions) to estimate the fair value of share options at the date of grant. There are 
no cash settlement alternatives. The estimated fair value of options is amortised to expense over the options’ vesting period. US$252,000 
has been charged to the income statement in continuing operations for the year ended 31 December 2013 (2012 – US$570,000) and a similar 
amount credited to the share-based payments reserve, classified as ‘Other reserve’ in the Balance Sheet. US$nil has been charged to the 
income statement in discontinued operations for the year ended 31 December 2013 (2012 – US$nil). US$128,000 (2012 – US$264,000) of the 
total continuing operations charge was in respect of key management personnel (defined in note 8). 

The options granted in 2013 and 2012 were consistently valued in line with the Company’s valuation policy. Assumptions made included a 
weighted average risk-free interest rate of 3%, no dividend yield, a weighted average expected life of three years, and a volatility factor of 
expected market price of in a range from 50-70%. The weighted fair value of options granted during the year was £0.15 (2012:£0.11).

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

59

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (WAEP) of, and movements in, share options  
during the year:

Serica BVI option plan 

Outstanding as at 1 January 
Expired during the year 
Outstanding as at 31 December 

Exercisable as at 31 December 

Serica 2005 option plan 

Outstanding as at 1 January 
Granted during the year 
Exercised during the year 
Cancelled during the year 
Expired during the year 
Outstanding as at 31 December 

Exercisable as at 31 December 

2013 
Number 

1,900,000 
– 
1,900,000 

1,900,000 

9,058,460 
800,000 
– 
– 
(750,000) 
9,108,460 

4,513,500 

2013 
WAEP 
Cdn$ 

1.46 
– 
1.46 

1.46 

£ 

0.52 
0.23 
– 
– 
0.40 
0.50 

0.76 

2012 
Number 

1,900,000 
– 
1,900,000 

1,900,000 

10,183,000 
3,344,960 
(110,000) 
(3,159,500) 
(1,200,000) 
9,058,460 

3,060,000 

2012
WAEP
Cdn$

1.46
–
1.46

1.46

£

0.75
0.24
0.32
0.81
0.99
0.52

0.73

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for the options exercised in 2012 was £0.35.

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding as at 31 December 2013 is 5.5 years (2012: 5.8 years).

For the Serica BVI option plan, the exercise price for outstanding options at the 2013 year end ranges from Cdn$1.00 to Cdn$1.80 (2012: 
Cdn$1.00 to Cdn$1.80). For the Serica 2005 option plan, the exercise price for outstanding options at the 2013 year end ranges from £0.18 
to £1.04 (2012: £0.21375 to £1.04).

As at 31 December 2013, the following director and employee share options were outstanding: 

Expiry Date  

March 2014 
December 2014 
January 2015 
June 2015 

January 2014 
November 2015  
January 2016 
June 2016 
January 2017 
May 2017 
March 2018 
March 2018 
January 2020 
April 2021 
January 2022 
October 2022 
January 2023 
November 2023 

On 4 January 2014, 228,000 share options under the Serica 2005 Option Plan expired.

60

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

Amount 

1,000,000 
200,000 
600,000 
100,000 

Exercise cost
Cdn$
1,800,000
200,000
600,000
180,000

Exercise cost
£
72,960
271,600
139,725
259,200
247,860
218,400
445,500
287,000
1,498,380
141,188
458,485
348,000
109,000
72,000

228,000 
280,000 
135,000 
270,000 
243,000 
210,000 
594,000 
350,000 
2,203,500 
450,000 
2,144,960 
1,200,000 
400,000 
400,000 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On 30 January 2014, 1,200,000 share options were granted to directors, and 600,000 share options granted to employees other than 
directors, all with an exercise cost of £0.13 and an expiry date of 29 January 2024.

On 31 March 2014, 1,000,000 share options under the Serica BVI Option Plan expired.

26. Commitments under Operating Leases

Operating lease agreements where the Group is lessee
At 31 December 2013 the Group has entered into commercial leases in respect of rental of office premises and office equipment.
Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Not later than one year 
Later than one year and not later than five years 

Group 
2013 
US$000 
137 
– 
137 

2012 
US$000 
146 
– 
146 

Company 
2013 
US$000 
– 
– 
– 

2012
US$000
–
–
–

In February 2013, the Group entered into a new five year office operating lease with a minimum commitment period of one year, expiring 
in March 2014.

Operating sublease agreements where the Group is lessor
In January 2013 the Group entered into an operating sublease for part of its UK office, expiring in March 2014. At 31 December 2013, 
future minimum rentals receivable under this sublease for a period not later than one year were US$32,000.

27. Capital Commitments and Contingencies

At 31 December 2013, other amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements for the acquisition of exploration and 
evaluation assets amounted to US$1.2 million for the Group and US$nil for the Company (2012: US$nil and US$nil respectively). These 
amounts relate to costs incurred on Foum Draa drilling in Morocco in January 2014.

The Company also has obligations to carry out defined work programmes on its oil and gas properties, under the terms of the award of 
rights to these properties. The Company is not obliged to meet other joint venture partner shares of these programmes.

In Morocco, the partners on the Sidi Moussa licence expect to drill an exploration commitment well in Q3 2014. The Company is carried 
for its share of expenditure up to a gross cap of US$50 million. Serica has currently budgeted to pay some US$2.3 million, being its 
paying share of costs over and above the agreed cap to the farm-in carry.

Under the terms of the Company’s Namibian licence, the value of work performed to date by the JV partners on the 3D Seismic 
acquisition programme has exceeded the minimum obligation expenditure on exploration work of US$15.0 million covering the entire 
initial four year period of the licence, ending in December 2015. 

Other less material minimum obligations include G&G, seismic work and ongoing licence fees in the UK and Ireland.

The Group has to provide security for a proportion of its future obligations to defined work programmes or other commitments and fulfils 
this obligation through the Company providing US$0.4 million of cash collateral included as a financial asset (restricted cash) as at 31 
December 2013 (2012: US$0.4 million). 

Where the Company enters into financial guarantee contracts and guarantees the indebtedness of other companies within the Group, 
the Company considers these to be insurance arrangements, and accounts for them as such. In this respect, the Company treats the 
guarantee contract as a contingent liability until such time that it becomes probable that the Company will be required to make a 
payment under the guarantee. 

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

28. Related Party Transactions and Transactions with Directors

There are no related party transactions, or transactions with Directors that require disclosure except for the remuneration items 
disclosed in the Directors Report and note 8 above. These disclosures include the compensation of key management personnel.

The Company’s related parties consist of its subsidiaries and the transactions and amounts due to/due from them are disclosed in the 
accompanying notes to the Company financial statements.

29. Post Balance Sheet Events

No events have occurred since the balance sheet date which would require disclosure or adjustment in the Group and Company 
accounts now presented.

62

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

Group Proved plus Probable Reserves – Unaudited 

    Western Europe 

  Indonesia 

At 1 January 2013 

Revisions 
Production 

Oil 
mmbbl 

1.6 

(0.1) 
– 

At 31 December 2013 

1.5 

Proved developed 
Proved undeveloped 
Probable developed 
Probable undeveloped 

At 31 December 2013 

– 
0.8 
– 
0.7 

1.5 

Gas 
bcf 

23.1 

(1.2) 
– 

21.9 

– 
12.1 
– 
9.8 

21.9 

Oil 
mmbbl 

0.0 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

Gas 
bcf 

0.3 

– 
(0.3) 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

Total 
Oil 
mmbbl 

1.6 

(0.1) 
– 

1.5 

– 
0.8 
– 
0.7 

1.5 

Total 
Gas 
bcf 

23.4 

(1.2) 
(0.3) 

21.9 

– 
12.1 
– 
9.8 

21.9 

Total
Oil & gas
mmboe

5.5

(0.2)
(0.1)

5.2

–
2.9
–
2.3

5.2

Proved and probable reserves are based on independent reports prepared by consultants Netherland, Sewell & Associates (for the 
Columbus Field in the UK North Sea) in accordance with the reserve definitions of the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook. Gas 
reserves at 31 December 2013 have been converted to barrels of oil equivalent using a factor of 6.0 bcf per mmboe for Western Europe 
(Columbus field reserves) on the basis of a nominal gas calorific value of 1,000 BTU per cubic foot.

In view of the field shut-in in July 2013 and subsequent handover to Pertamina, remaining economic hydrocarbon reserves as at 31 
December 2012 were of an immaterial level, equating to the estimated levels of declining production in the remaining months of 2013 
prior to handover. Accordingly no independent reserves audit was performed in 2012.

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GLOSSARY

bbl 
bcf 
boe  

FPSO 
mscf 
mmbbl 
mmboe 
mmscf 
mmscfd 
P10 

P50 

P90 

Proved Reserves 

Probable Reserves 

Possible Reserves 

Reserves 

Contingent Resources 

Prospective Resources 

TAC 
tcf 

barrel of 42 US gallons
billion standard cubic feet
barrels of oil equivalent (barrels of oil, condensate and LPG plus the heating equivalent of gas converted into 
barrels at a rate of 4,800 standard cubic feet per barrel for Kambuna, which has a relatively high calorific 
value, and 6,000 standard cubic feet per barrel for Columbus)
Floating, production, storage and offloading unit
thousand standard cubic feet
million barrels
million barrels of oil equivalent
million standard cubic feet
million standard cubic feet per day
A high estimate that there should be at least a 10% probability that the quantities recovered will actually 
equal or exceed the estimate
A best estimate that there should be at least a 50% probability that the quantities recovered will actually 
equal or exceed the estimate
A low estimate that there should be at least a 90% probability that the quantities recovered will actually 
equal or exceed the estimate
Proved reserves are those Reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. 
It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves.
Probable reserves are those additional Reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. 
It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the 
estimated proved + probable reserves.
Possible reserves are those additional Reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. 
It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of the estimated proved + 
probable + possible reserves
Estimates of discovered recoverable commercial hydrocarbon reserves calculated in accordance with the 
Canadian National Instrument 51 101  
Estimates of discovered recoverable hydrocarbon resources for which commercial production is not yet 
assured, calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 51 101
Estimates of the potential recoverable hydrocarbon resources attributable to undrilled prospects, calculated 
in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 51 101
Technical Assistance Contract
trillion standard cubic feet

64

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Registered and Main Office
52 George Street
London W1U 7EA

Nominated Advisor & UK Broker
Peel Hunt LLP
Moor House
120 London Wall
London EC2Y 5ET

Canadian & Joint UK Broker
RBC Europe Limited
Riverbank House
2 Swan Lane
London EC4R 3BF

Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
1 More London Place
London SE1 2AF

Bankers
Barclays, HSBC, JPMorgan Chase

UK Legal Advisor
Herbert Smith Freehills
Exchange House
Primrose Street
London EC2A 2HS

Canadian Legal Advisor
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Dauntsey House
4b Fredericks’s Place
London EC2R 8AB

Company Secretary
Janette Davies

UK Registrar
Capita Asset Services
34 Beckenham Road
Kent BR3 4TU

Canadian Registrar
TMX Equity Transfer Services
200 University Avenue
Suite 300
Toronto
Ontario M5H 4H1

Public Relations
Instinctif Partners
65 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7NQ

Listings
AIM, London
TSX, Toronto
Symbol: SQZ

Website
www.serica-energy.com

Annual General Meeting
26 June 2014
Instinctif Partners
65 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7NQ

Company Number
5450950

Serica Energy plc Annual Report and Accounts 2013

65

 
 
 
 
 
SERICA ENERGY PLC  HEAD OFFICE  52 GEORGE STREET LONDON  W1U 7EA  UNITED KINGDOM
T +44 (0)20 7487 7300
F +44 (0)20 7487 7330
info@serica-energy.com
www.serica-energy.com