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FY2014 Annual Report · Sound Energy Plc
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Annual Report & Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2014

stock code: SOU

BUILDING A  
MEDITERRANEAN 
GAS BUSINESS

www.soundoil.co.uk

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

Sound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 

www.soundoil.co.uk

Welcome to our 2014 Annual Report

Sound Oil plc is a well funded Mediterranean  
oil and gas exploration and production 
company, listed on AIM with a cornerstone 
investor and strong liquidity.

We have built a high quality, action orientated, 
team across Milan and London focused on 
permitting, funding and then delivering a 
Mediterranean gas focused drill programme 
which is balanced in terms of risk and reward.

Our Investment Proposition

•	 Producing gas portfolio largely sheltered from recent oil price decline

•	 Active Drill Programme

•	 Second appraisal well on Nervesa discovery underway

•	 Badile exploration well within the next twelve months

•	 Wells addressing Laura and SMG discoveries

•	 Strong funding position; First gas at Nervesa (2015) secures significant annual 

free cash flows

•	 Strong liquidity with blended institutional/retail register

•	 Chairman has £2.5M personally invested

•	 US$18.6M deferred and contingent consideration remaining  

from Indonesia

Corporate Website

Find out more information  
at: www.soundoil.co.uk

04

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Key Highlights of 2014/15

Corporate Highlights
•	

Introduction of supportive cornerstone investor.

•	 Growth across the Mediterranean, including through proposed 

expansion into Morocco.

•	 Gas portfolio sheltered from recent oil price decline.

•	 Significant war chest (estimated £20m end May 2015) with which 

to pursue corporate and asset acquisitions.

Production Highlights
•	 First full year of production from Rapagnano. Produced volumes ahead 

of expectations with output of 3.82 MMScm (135 MMScf). 

•	 First gas production from Casa Tiberi on 28 July 2014 with production of 

0.62 MMScm (21.9 MMScm).

•	

Total revenue in the year roughly covers the Italian cost base.

•	 First gas at Nerversa expected during 2015 securing significant free 

annual cash flow.

Exploration Highlights
•	 Badile Environmental Impact Assessment approved in March 2015 

marking a significant milestone towards drilling of the exploration well 
with mid-case prospective resource of 178Bscf and NPV10 of €486m.

•	 Completed acquisition of land to host the drill site for the initial Badile 
exploration well and for all other production wells required to exploit  
any discovery.

•	 Ongoing negotiations to ensure a farmout of the permit with a view to 

drilling within the next twelve months.

Appraisal and Development Highlights
•	 Final approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Nervesa 
gas discovery production concession from the Veneto Region. The award 
of the Nervesa production concession award from the Italian Ministry of 
Economic Development is expected to follow shortly. First gas expected 
in 2015.

•	 Spudding of second Nervesa development well to address the southern 

limb of the field on 23 April with test results expected early June.

•	 Received permit for the Laura gas discovery 

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

Contents

Strategic Report

Key Highlights of 2014/15

At a Glance

Chairman’s Statement

Balanced Portfolio

Strategy and How We 
Measure Progress

Operating and Financial 
Review

Corporate Social 
Responsibility

Managing Risk

Governance

The Team

Corporate Governance 
Report

Remuneration Report

Directors’ Report

Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities

Independent Auditor’s 
Report

Financials

Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Balance 
Sheet

Company Balance Sheet

Consolidated Statement of 
Changes in Equity

Consolidated Cash Flow 
Statement

Company Cash Flow 
Statement

Notes to the Financial 
Statement

List of Licences and 
Interests

Dealing Information, 
Financial Calendar and 
Addresses

01

02

04

06

07

08

12

13

14

16

17

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

49

IBC

01

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 

Sound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 

At a Glance

Sound Oil has developed a portfolio with a combined cumulative best 
estimate NPV of €950m and cumulative annual cashflows of €544m. 

Drilling Existing Discoveries

05  Laura Discovery (100%)

Location:
Play Type:

Gulf of Taranto (4km offshore)
Inverted fault block 
Gas in Pleistocene

NPV1:

Up to €65MM

Resource Potential:

25.6 BSCF P50

Cost:

€16.2MM (dry hole case)

06  Santa Maria Goretti Discovery (100%)

Location:

Play Type:

Marche Region (Central Italy)

Inverted fault block 
Gas in Pliocene

NPV2:

Up to €105M

Resource Potential: 67.7 BSCF

Cost:

€9MM (dry hole case)

Significant Exploration Potential

07  Badile Prospect (100%)

Location:

Play Type:

Po Valley (Northern Italy)

Inverted fault block 
Gas-condensate in Mesozoic

NPV1:

€486MM mid case | €1,745MM high case

Resource Potential: Up to 673 BSCFe; best estimate  
178 BSCFe

Cost:

€23MM (dry hole case)

08  Zibido Prospect (100%)

Location:

Play Type:

Po Valley (Northern Italy)

Downthrown fault terrace 
Gas/oil in Mesozoic

NPV1:

€225MM P50

Producing and Developing Assets: 
“Building material cash flows”

01  Nervesa Gas Discovery (100%)

Status:

First well 2013; Second well currently 
drilling; Production 2015 

NPV1:

Up to €70MM

Location:

Po Valley (Northern Italy)

Resource Potential:

26.5 BSCF

• 1st well drilled July 2013; 46 metres of net pay across  

13 zones; flowed 2.7 MM scf/day on test

•	3 well development plan with second well currently drilling
•	Potential exploration prospect

02  Rapagnano Gas Field (100%)

Status:

NPV1:

Producing

Up to €4MM

Location:

Marche Region (Central Italy)

Resource Potential:

Up to 1.3 BSCF

•	First gas achieved 15 May 2013 from the Sabbie reservoir
•	2013 production of 79MM scf
•	12 years production remaining

03  Casa Tiberi Gas Field (100%)

Drilling Existing Discoveries

04  Dora/Dalla (100%)

Location:
Play Type:

Adriatic Sea (21km offshore)
Faulted anticline, Gas-condensate in 
ScagliaFormation (TD 1,400m)

NPV1:

Up to €81MM

Resource Potential:

74.5 BSCF

Cost:

€13M well cost

1 Based on €0.31/sm3
2 Based on €0.28/sm3

02
02

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www.soundoil.co.ukAt a Glance

Strategic Report

Our Governance

Financial Statements

01

07

08

03

02

04

06

05

Find out more information  
on pages 8-11

Find out more information at: 
www.soundoil.co.uk

03
03

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stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceChairman’s Statement

In this period of rapid transition, set 
against a challenging backdrop for 
the energy sector, your Company has 
taken great strides towards achieving 
its goal of becoming a medium sized, 
Mediterranean focused oil and gas 
company. Recent achievements include:

•	 Heads of Terms signed on a 

Moroccan onshore gas licence 
with two existing discoveries and 
significant upside potential 

•	 Commenced drilling of the second 
well at our Nervesa discovery

•	 Secured the Environmental Impact 
Assessment (“EIA”) approval for 
Badile whilst further progressing 
site preparations for the well, 
including purchasing the land

•	 Secured the EIA approval for the 

Nervesa concession, where first gas 
will be secured later this year

•	

Introduced a major institutional 
investor, Continental Investment 
Partners and completed a series of 
funding transactions with their help, 
including:

•	  Completion of a £14m 

institutional funding (April 2014)

•	  Completion of €7m Reserve 
Based Lending on Nervesa 
(November 2014)

•	  Signature of a £12m institutional 

funding (April 2015)

•	  Initiation of a €5m open offer, 

giving our loyal shareholders the 
opportunity to participate in our 
April fundraising at the same 
price as institutional investors 
(May 2015)

•	  Continued strong production 

from our two onshore producing 
assets, Rapagnano and Casa 
Tiberi, which broadly cover our 
Italian cost base

As a result of the above actions, the 
Company is now well positioned with 
a balanced portfolio, a significant cash 
position, steady positive newsflow, 
enhanced market credibility and a 
supportive major investor.

Our Executive team, under the 
leadership of our CEO James Parsons, 
are a cohesive, balanced and highly 
ambitious group of specialists and it 
remains a pleasure to work with them. I 
look forward to further success in 2015  
and beyond. 

Simon Davies
26th May 2015

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Our Executive team, 
under the leadership of 
our CEO James Parsons, 
are a cohesive, balanced 
and highly ambitious 
group of specialists and 
it remains a pleasure 
to work with them. I 
look forward to further 
success in 2015 and 
beyond. ”

Read more in Our Governance 
section on pages 18-25

Find out more information  
at: www.soundoil.co.uk

Find out more information at:  
www.soundoil.co.uk/ 
about-us/history

04

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Strategic Report

Our Governance

Financial Statements

stock code: SOU

05

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

Balanced Portfolio

Sound Oil has developed a balanced portfolio of onshore production, appraisal and 
development gas assets in low risk geographies underpinned by strong regional 
gas prices. 

k
s
i
R

High Upside Exploration

Cost Covering Production

Low Risk Existing Discoveries

NERVESA
(1st WELL)

RAPAGNANO

SMG

DORA/
DALLA

NERVESA
(2nd WELL)

LAURA

ZIBIDO

BADILE

Reward

Cost Covering Production
Sound Oil maintains a low 
cost base, with the Italian 
costs already being covered 
by Rapagnano production. 
Once production at Nervesa 
is achieved, the Company 
can expect to generate 
significant free cash flow.

Low Risk Existing 
Discoveries
By focusing on previously drilled 
discoveries, Sound Oil is able to 
minimise risk. Low existing risk 
discoveries add €197M of P50 
NPV10 to the Company.

High Upside Exploration
The game-changing drills 
with a high upside potential. 
Mid case NPV of a further 
€711m.

06

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Strategy and How We Measure Progress

Our initial strategic focus is our onshore gas portfolio in Italy, which is a healthy 
blend of high upside exploration, low risk appraisal/development assets and some 
solid, cost covering, production.

Key Performance Indicators
Management are held accountable to a 
variety of KPIs and their remuneration is 
directly linked to meeting these targets.

The health and safety of our employees 
and contractors is our primary concern. 
We are, again, proud to confirm that, in 
2014, we had no lost time incidents.

In terms of current business 
performance, the over-riding priority for 
the business is to ensure the Company 
continues to advance through the Italian 
permitting regime. The Executive Team 
are given specific targets to meet each 
year on each key asset and progress is 
regularly reviewed.

and is estimated to be able to provide 
annual cashflows of up to €230m per 
year. Due to the size and nature of the 
drill, the Company is pursuing a farmout 
of Badile. Having recently received the 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
approval, the Company is hopeful of 
drilling the exploration well within the 
next twelve months following completion 
of a farmout. Combined with the exciting 
prospect of Zibido, Badile offers a 
potentially enormous increase to the net 
asset value of the Company.

The Company aims to have a balanced 
portfolio and therefore, in tandem with 
progressing our exploration prospects, 
we are also working hard on lower risk 
but still significant development assets. 
In the short term, we are working  
on a farmout of Laura with a view to 
drilling by end of 2015 or early 2016  
with production to commence by 2017. 
With strong potential at both Santa 
Maria Goretti and Dora, Sound has  
an excellent diversified portfolio that 
provides significant upside in a variety  
of scenarios.

Our Journey to Date
Our Italian journey commenced in 
2013 with the successful drilling of the 
first Nervesa well and achievement of 
first gas at the Rapagnano gas field. 
In July 2014, we secured first gas at 
the Casa Tiberi gas field, which again 
demonstrated the Company’s ability to 
mature projects through the various 
stages of the industry life cycle.

The Company’s strategy to date has 
been to develop low risk, previously 
drilled assets in order to minimise risk 
whilst accelerating revenue generation 
in order to cover its cost base. Once we 
recognise first production from Nervesa 
towards the end of 2015, we expect 
the Company to be cash flow positive 
on an operating basis. This will put us 
in a position of strength to grow the 
remaining world-class asset base which 
we anticipate will drive longer term 
share price accretion.

Our Future Focus
The Company has three main strategic 
objectives over the coming two to three 
years. Primary among the objectives is 
the desire to drill the “game-changing” 
assets we currently hold, mainly the 
Badile and Zibido exploration prospects. 
Badile has a best estimate resources 
of 187BScf, net present value of €486m 

07

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceOperating and Financial Review

Sound Oil currently has interests in 18 licences in Italy: 3 production concessions, 
7 permits and 8 exclusive permit applications. The Company’s interests are held 
through its wholly owned Italian subsidiary companies Apennine Energy SpA and 
Apennine Oil and Ga SpA.

Producing and Development Assets

Nervesa Discovery (Sound Oil 100%)

NPV 10: Up to

€70m

Recoverable resources: 
Up to 26.5BScf

Rapagnano Gas Field (Sound Oil 100%)

2014 Revenue

€1.1m

P2 Reserves: 1.1BScf

08

CONEGLIANO

Conegliano

S.ANDREA -1dir

Cascina Daga 1 dir

Nervesa

Arcade

CARITA

This is the first well in a 2 or 3 well 
development plan with the second 
well, Cascina Daga-1, addressing the 
southern structure which spudded on 
23 April. Drilling and subsequent results 
are expected within approximately forty 
days.

In 2014, Sound successfully raised a 
reserve based-funding facility from 
Greenbury SA, secured on cashflows 
from Nervesa.

Montre Urano

Capparucia

Montegranaro

Montegranaro 1

Rapagnano 3

Montegiorgio

Rapagnano

Rapagnano 5

Rapagnano

Rapagnano 1

Rapagnano 4

Rapagnano 2

S. Procolo 1

Capparucia 1 

Capparucia

The permit is located in northeast Italy, 
within the Alpine foredeep province. 
The Nervesa structure was drilled by 
ENI in 1985 with two wells (Nervesa-1 
and Nervesa-1dir A) and proved gas-
bearing in at least 13 sand intervals 
within the Tortonian (5, 6a-d, 7a-e, 8, 
9a-b). Of these intervals only one (9a) 
was completed in Nervesa-1 and put in 
production between 1989 and 1991. The 
permit was acquired by Celtique Energie 
in 2010 and subsequently operated by 
Sound Oil. Sound Oil acquired Celtique’s 
50% interest in November 2011. 

The first well was drilled in July 2013 
with 46 metres of net pay across 
13 zones. The well test achieved a 
stabilised total gas flow rate of 2.7 
MMscfd from multiple sandstone 
intervals in the Upper Miocene San 
Dona Formation using a dual string 
completion. Following these successful 
results, Sound Oil expects to shortly 
receive a Production Concession with 
a view to achieving first gas sales at 
Nervesa in late 2015. 

The concession is located in Fermo 
Province, Marche Region. Geologically 
the area is within the Ancona-Pescara 
Basin associated with the Central 
Apennine foredeep. First gas was 
delivered from the onshore Rapagnano 
field to the local gas distributor on  
15 May 2013. 

In 2014, Rapagnano produced 
3.8MMScm and generated revenue of 
€1,067,000. 

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Drilling Existing Discoveries

Laura Discovery (Sound Oil 100%)

CONEGLIANO

NPV10: Up to

€64m

Recoverable resources: 
Up to 25.6BScf

Conegliano

S.ANDREA -1dir

Cascina Daga 1 dir

Nervesa

Arcade

CARITA

DR74-AP is located in the Ionian Sea 
Zone D within the Sibari Basin. Average 
water is 200m. In 1980, commercial gas 
was discovered in two sand intervals in 
Laura-1. The Company was awarded the 
permit in June 2014 and intends to drill 
the discovery from an onshore location 
with a long reach deviated well. The 
Company intends to drill late 2015.

LUANA -1

LAURA-1

LORENA-1

LIUBA 1 OR

D6F.C-.AG

ENI

1

THURIO-1
OGLIASTRELLO

D.R 74.AP
DIR

FLORA-1

FRANCA

1

FRANCESCA-1

1DIR

FAUSTA

1

1

LINA-1

LICIA-1

Santa Maria Goretti Permit (Sound Oil 100%)

NPV10: Up to

€36m

Recoverable resources:
Up to 67.7BScf

The Santa Maria Goretti permit area is 
the southern extension of two significant 
producing gas fields operated by ENI. 
Sound’s internal evaluation of the 
seismic and reservoir studies was 
verified by a new Competent Person’s 
Report which was released in July 2014. 
The Company intends to drill Santa 
Maria Goretti on a back-to-back basis 
with Laura in late 2015/early 2016.

GROTTAMMARE
CARASSI

MONTE
CASTELLANO

CASTORANO -1

II CANCELLO 1 DIR

RIPATRANSONE -1

EDISON

TORRENTO TESINO - 2

S. MARIA GORETTI

S. BARNABA -1

OFFIDA -1

S. BENEDETTO
DEL TRONTO

ENI

Montre Urano

Capparucia

Montegranaro

Montegranaro 1

Rapagnano 3

Montegiorgio

Rapagnano

Rapagnano 5

Rapagnano

Rapagnano 1

Rapagnano 4

Rapagnano 2

S. Procolo 1

Capparucia 1 

Capparucia

Dora/Dalla (Sound Oil 100%)

NPV10: Up to

€81m

Recoverable resources: 
Up to 74.5BScf

The Dora gas discovery was drilled in 
1972 and flowed 200MMScf/d and lies 
21km offshore in the Adriatic Sea. The 
Company as also started to examine the 
Dalla exploration project which is held 
within the Dora permit and believes it 
has exciting potential.

VALTESINO -1

AGIP

B.C12.A.S
ENY SPA

DONALD

ELISA 1

DALLA PROSPECT

DORA 1

DORA 2

D 503 BR-CS
(Dora)

09

DAVID

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceOperating and Financial Review
continued

Exploration Assets

Badile (Sound Oil 100%)

NPV10: Up to

€1,745m

Recoverable resources: 
Up to 673BScf

The permit containing the Badile 
Prospect was awarded in March 
2010 and the Company received the 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
approval in February 2015. A CPR was 
carried out at the end of 2013 and 
confirmed a 22% chance of success. 

Zibido Prospect (Sound Oil 100%)

NPV10: Up to

€225m

The Zibido prospect is adjacent to the 
Badile prospect. It is a downthrown fault 
terrace play with a total depth of 5,600 
metres. A CPR was carried out in 2011.

Statement of Proved and Probable Reserves 
The Group’s proved and probable hydrocarbon reserves as at 31 December 2014 were:

Proved reserves at 31 December 2013
Reclassifications
Production
Proved reserves at 31 December 2014

Probable reserves at 31 December 2013
Reclassifications

Revisions
Probable reserves at 31 December 2014
Total Proved and Probable Reserves at 31 December 2014

Abbreviations:
Bscf: Billion standard cubic feet of gas.
MMbo: Million barrels of oil.
MMboe: Million barrels of oil equivalent (6,000 standard cubic feet of gas = 1 barrel of oil).

10

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

ZIBIDO
PROSPECT

GUDO
GAMBAREDO

OPERA

MOIRAGO 1 DIR

GAGGIANO

LACCHIARELLA 2

BADILE

Zibido 1

Gas (Bscf)

MMboe

0.82
0.20
(0.16)
0.86

0.60
(0.20)

(0.17)
0.23
1.09

0.14
0.03
(0.03)
0.14

0.10
0.03

(0.03)
0.04
0.18

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
Zibido 1

Going concern – forward cash flow 
projections show that the Group has 
sufficient financial resources for 
the foreseeable future. The Group 
consequently has sufficient resources 
to undertake its committed work 
programme over the next twelve 
months.

Balance Sheet
In the year, non-current assets 
increased by £2,545,000 which related 
primarily to significant purchases 
at Badile and Casa Tiberi. This was 
partially offset by the impairment of 
the latter asset’s carrying value to nil 
(£723,000).

In the year, Nervesa was reallocated 
from exploration and evaluation to 
development in the balance sheet at a 
value of £11,555,000. This reflects Board 
approval to complete development of 
Nervesa with first production volumes 
expected in 2015.

The Group’s closing cash balance 
increased by £12,065,000 in 2014 
following the successful debt and equity 
raises. This is offset by the increase 
in loans payable in over one year by 
£11,490,000. 

Non-current provisions fell in the year 
following a favourable revision of the 
estimated costs to decommission 
Nervesa.

Accounting Standards
The Group has reported its 2014 full year 
accounts under International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted 
by the European Union.

Income Statement
In 2014, the Group recorded its first full 
year of revenues from the Rapagnano 
field and also reported first revenue 
from the Casa Tiberi field on 28 July 
2014. This drove a more than doubling of 
revenue in 2014.

The loss before finance costs and tax 
from continuing operations in 2014 was 
£3,245,000, a decrease from £6,437,000 
in 2013. In 2014, Casa Tiberi was 
impaired by £723,000 to nil carrying 
value. Casa Tiberi continues to produce 
and provide revenue for the immediate 
future.

Administrative costs remained roughly 
in line with 2013 at £2,773,000 (2013: 
£2,616,000) which demonstrates our 
commitment to running a tightly 
controlled company.

Cash Flow/Financing
During 2014, £19,089,000 of net 
cash proceeds from financing were 
raised. The largest funding event of 
2014 was the hybrid 50:50 equity/
debt arrangement entered into with 
Continental Investment Partners in July 
2014 for a total of £14,000,000 gross. The 
Group also entered into a reserve-based 
lending arrangement with Greenbury 
SA in November 2014 for a total of 
€7,000,000. The Group’s Chairman, 
Simon Davies, also demonstrated 
his confidence in the Group by also 
providing a £1,000,000 loan in addition to 
owning 10 million of the Group’s issued 
share capital.

The Group spent £3,347,000 on investing 
activities which consisted primarily of 
the purchase of land for the Badile drill 
and expenditure required to bring Casa 
Tiberi into production.

Cumulative NPV (Best Estimate) €m

Total NPV 
€950m

Nervesa €35.9m

Villa Gigoli €16.8m

Laura €39.8m

Costa del Sole
€24.6m

SMG €55.5m

Badile €486.0m

Dora/Dalla €66.5m

Zibido €225.0m

Projected Cumulative Annual Cash Flows

Total Cash 
€544m

Nervesa €13.8m

Villa Gigoli €7.7m

Laura €24.8m

Costa del Sole
€34.9m

SMG €10.2m

Badile €230.0m

Dora/Dalla €55.0m

Zibido €168.0m

11

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceCorporate Social Responsibility

Our business relies heavily on successful partnerships 
with all stakeholders. By being a responsible operator 
and partner we hope to build deep and constructive 
relationships with stakeholders, be they government, 
local communities, employees or suppliers. 

Developing 
across the region 
using our Milan 
technical hub

We are totally committed to a healthy 
and safe workplace, whether it be on a 
drill site or in an office. We cannot rely 
purely on our employees to guarantee 
a safe working environment. We 
therefore set minimum requirements 
for contractor selection to ensure they 
share our values.

In 2014, we are again delighted to report 
that we recorded no lost time incidents. 

Transparency and Ethical Conduct
The Group is aware of its legal 
obligations with regards to the UK 
Bribery Act of 2010. All employees 
underwent training in 2014 to enable 
them to identify and manage the risks 
of corruption and bribery. The Company 
monitors these risks continuously and 
actively encourages whistleblowing 
should any inappropriate behaviours be 
suspected. 

People and Skills
The Company maintains a tight 
control on costs and consequently 
only employed twelve people and 
four contractors and consultants at 
the end of 2014. This makes training 
and development of our staff even 
more important to the success of our 
business. 

Supply Chain
We are committed to building long 
term relationships with key suppliers. 
We therefore treat our suppliers with 
respect and aim for prompt payment.

12

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Managing Risk

Our Risk Framework
Sound has established a risk framework 
whose main objective is to:

•	 Record and analyse principal risks 

facing the Group; the nature and 
extent of each risk is identified and 
assessed

•	 Design and implement controls to 

mitigate risks

•	 Monitor risks and test and monitor 

controls

The framework is regularly reviewed 
and assessed for completeness and 
relevance.

Commodity Price Risk
The recent falls in world commodity 
prices have demonstrated the potential 
for volatility in the energy markets 
and demonstrates the advantage of 
a robust risk framework. Gas price 
risk has been identified as one of the 
Company’s primary risks and one that 
has been addressed by taking annual 
price contracts with a largely fixed base 
price. This has protected short term 
revenue whilst gas prices in Italy have 
also remained relatively strong. The 
Company has a low cost of production 
and our economics are regularly flexed 
for various gas price scenarios. The 
recent Competent Person’s Report for 
our Italian gas assets has indicated that 
our projects remain economic at every 
price deck. We therefore continue to 
believe that we will be able to access the 
capital required to fund our pipeline.

When we approach first gas at Nervesa, 
the Company will look in detail at 
various hedging possibilities to cover 
the Group’s first truly material 
revenues.

Moroccan Oil and Gas Investment Fund 
in relation to a potential farm in to the 
Tendrara licence, onshore Morocco.

Reserves and Recoverability 
There is the risk that reservoir potential 
may not be optimised and/or reservoir 
potential falls below expected levels. This 
could lead to loss in production volumes 
compared to plan or increases in capital 
expenditure and operating costs. The 
Group mitigates this risk by having 
a high-quality Milan based technical 
team combined with an independent 
Exploration Production and Technical 
Committee (“EPTC”).

Project Decision and Delivery
Projects may be sanctioned based 
on incorrect assumptions or lack of 
information. Major capital development 
programmes may be realised late, over-
budget or in a sub-standard manner.

These risks are mitigated by combining 
decision-making authorities and 
processes with regular business planning 
and forecasting processes. All major 
capital projects require formal board 
approval and we have detailed contract 
selection and subsequent evaluation 
processes.

Asset Integrity and health and safety
A major incident in one of our operations 
could have a significant impact on the 
environment, employees/contractors in 
addition to risk of litigation and business 
interruption. To mitigate this risk, regular 
health and safety risk assessments are 
carried out on all operations and we have 
emergency response plans in place. All 
equipment used on site is designed to the 
latest technology in order to minimise 
the risk of accidents. 

Regulation Risk and Portfolio 
Concentration
Since exiting Indonesia, Sound has been 
entirely focused on Italy. Although Sound 
believes strongly in Italy, with relatively 
low costs and strong gas prices, over-
concentration in one country does 
lead to increased local regulation/
reputational risk.

To date we have mitigated this risk by 
employing Italian staff with excellent 
knowledge of the Italian regulatory 
frameworks. This has worked well as 
the Company has demonstrated its 
ability to make good progress with 
the Badile Environmental Impact 
Assessment Award and the Nervesa 
production concession all obtained 
in early 2015. However, in order to 
further reduce country risk, we have 
begun to look further afield around the 
Mediterranean area. This culminated in 
our announcement of 11th May that 
we had been granted a 30 day 
period of exclusivity 
from the 

13

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceThe Team

01

04

02

05

14

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

03

06

07

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 01 Simon Davies
Chairman (Non-Executive)

03 Luca Madeddu
Managing Director, Italy

06 Andrew Hockey 
Director (Non-Executive)

Andrew Hockey has been a non 
executive director of Sound Oil since 
May 2011 and has 30 years’ technical 
and managerial experience in the 
upstream oil and gas industry. Andrew is 
a co-founder of Fairfield Energy Limited 
where he is General Manager, Joint 
Ventures and New Business. Andrew’s 
previous roles include senior positions 
in Eni, Lasmo, Monument and Petrofina 
with responsibilities across Italy, Algeria, 
Tunisia, Morocco, Greece and the UK 
North Sea. Andrew has a BA Honours in 
Geology from Oxford University and an 
MSc in Petroleum Geology from Imperial 
College, London.

07 Gerry Orbell 
Director (Non-Executive)

Gerry Orbell retired as Chairman and 
CEO of Sound Oil in 2012 after founding 
the company in 2005, and running it 
for seven years. He was reappointed 
to the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director in February 2014. He is a 
petroleum geologist with over 40 years’ 
international experience – including 
Board positions at Premier Oil and Fina.

Gerry holds a PhD in Geology from 
University College London, and has been 
a member of the American Association 
of Petroleum Geologists since 1975.

Simon was appointed as a Non-
Executive Director of Sound Oil in 
February 2014, and has over 30 years’ 
experience of investment management. 
He is also currently Chairman of the JP 
Morgan Overseas Investment Trust plc, 
a Non-Executive Director of Grainger 
plc and LCH Clearnet, and a Director 
of a number of subsidiaries of Old 
Mutual Wealth Management Limited. 
He began his investment career in 1981 
with Rothschild Asset Management, 
and has held various positions in the 
City of London, including Chairman and 
Chief Executive of Threadneedle Asset 
Management Limited, and Chairman of 
Thames Water Pension Trustees.

Simon holds various professional and 
academic qualifications, including a 
degree in Engineering and Economics.

02 James Parsons
Chief Executive Officer

James Parsons has 23 years’ experience 
in the fields of strategy, management, 
finance and corporate development 
in the energy industry. James was 
appointed Chief Executive Officer in 
October 2012.

James started his career with the Royal 
Dutch Shell group in 1994 and spent 
12 years with Shell working in Brazil, 
the Dominican Republic, Scandinavia, 
Holland and London. Leading up to 2006 
(when he left Shell to join Inter Pipeline 
Fund), James held various positions 
in Shell’s exploration and production 
business, latterly as Vice President, 
Finance, of New Business.

James joined Sound Oil as Chief 
Financial Officer in 2011 from the 
European division of Inter Pipeline Fund, 
a Toronto-listed resources business, 
where he held the position of Finance 
and Corporate Development Director of 
Inter Pipeline Europe.

James is a qualified accountant and has 
a BA Honours in Business Economics. 

Luca has over 25 years of experience 
in the upstream oil and gas industry 
with ENI, the major integrated energy 
company. Luca is a reservoir geologist 
by background and has extensive 
experience in hydrocarbon production, 
field development, petroleum 
engineering, supply chain management 
and reservoir engineering. He has 
managed large teams in complex 
operations in sensitive onshore and 
offshore environments and has worked 
in Venezuela, Nigeria, Indonesia, UK, 
Congo and Italy.

Luca holds a degree in Geology from 
Milan University, and has been a 
Member of the Society of Petroleum 
Engineers (SPE) since 1995.

04 Leonardo Spicci 
Italy Technical Manager  
& Badile Director

Leonardo has over 25 years’ upstream 
experience with ENI, Petrobel, KPO 
and GSA, with extensive experience of 
working in Italy, Northern Africa, Middle 
East and Central Asia.

Prior to joining Sound Oil in 2013 he was 
the District Manager for all Northern 
Italian Assets at ENI, managing a portfolio 
of onshore fields, offshore platforms and 
gas and oil treatment plants.

Leonardo has a BSc in Geological 
Science and is a Member of the Society 
of Petroleum Engineers.

05 Marco Fumagalli 
Director (Non-Executive)

Marco Fumagalli joined Sound Oil 
as a non-executive Director in July 
2014. Marco is Managing Partner at 
Continental Investment Partners SA, 
a Swiss based investment firm and 
cornerstone shareholder in Sound 
Oil. Marco is a well-known Italian 
businessman who was previously a 
Group Partner at 3i. Marco is a qualified 
accountant and holds a degree in 
Business Administration from the 
University Bocconi of Milan.

15

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOur GovernanceCorporate Governance Report

The Board recognises the importance of sound corporate 
governance and notes the guidelines set out in the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”). Companies on the 
AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (“AIM”) are not 
required to comply with the Code, and due to its size, the 
Company is not in full compliance. However, the Company 
intends to comply so far as is practicable and appropriate.

In accordance with the Code no director has an employment 
contract of more than one year.

The Board is responsible for overall strategy, acquisition 
policy, major capital expenditure projects, corporate overhead 
costs and significant financing matters. No one individual 
has unfettered powers of decision. The roles of Chairman 
and Chief Executive Officer are split in accordance with best 
practice.

Seventeen Board meetings were held during the year.

The Board has an Audit Committee comprising two of the non-
executive directors. Its role is to monitor:

•	

•	

•	

•	

the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and 
other formal announcements relating to the Company’s 
financial performance.

the effectiveness of the risk management and internal 
control systems including the result of reviews of the 
system and management’s response to review findings.

the appropriateness of the Company’s relationship with 
the external auditors and the objectivity of the audit 
process.

the enforcement of the Company’s code of conduct and the 
adequacy and security of the whistleblowing procedure.

The Committee met twice during 2014.

The Board has established levels of authorisation of financial 
commitments and payment approval procedures appropriate 
to the size of the business. The Board receives reports on 
income and expenditure and on the Company’s financial 
position.

On the wider aspects of internal control, relating to operational 
and compliance controls and risk management as included in 
provision C.2.1 of the Code, the Board, in setting the control 
environment, identifies and reviews the key areas of business 
risk facing the Group.

There is close, day-to-day involvement by the Executive 
Director in all of the Group’s activities. This includes the 
comprehensive review of both management and technical 
reports, the monitoring of foreign exchange and interest-rate 
fluctuations, government and fiscal-policy issues and cash-
control procedures. In this way, the key-risk areas can be 
monitored effectively and specialist expertise is applied in a 
timely and productive manner.

Any system of internal control can provide only reasonable, 
and not absolute, assurance that the risk of failure to achieve 
business objectives is eliminated. The directors acknowledge 
that they are responsible for the Company’s system of internal 
control and for reviewing its effectiveness. The directors, 
having reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal 
controls and risk management, consider that the system of 
internal control operated effectively throughout the financial 
year and up to the date that the financial statements were 
signed.

The Company has less than twenty permanent employees 
and the directors do not believe the Company is sufficiently 
complex to warrant the establishment of an internal audit 
function. The directors will review this policy as and when the 
Company’s circumstances warrant.

The Board has a Remuneration Committee as described in the 
Report on Directors’ Remuneration. In addition to directors’ 
remuneration, the Committee is responsible for assessing 
directors’ performance, planning succession for the Chairman 
and Chief Executive and for new nominees to the Board.

16

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Remuneration Report

Compliance
The remuneration of all Executive Directors and the Executive 
Team is determined by the Remuneration and Nominations 
Committee (the ‘Committee’) and ratified by the Board. The 
Committee is composed entirely of non-executive directors, 
and currently comprises Simon Davies, who chairs the 
Committee, Marco Fumagalli and Gerry Orbell. None of the 
Executive Directors of the Company is involved in determining 
his own remuneration.

The Committee has the authority to seek independent advice 
as required.

The Committee consults with the Executive Team as required 
during the year.

Remuneration approach
The Company’s remuneration policy is to provide remuneration 
packages which ensure that directors and senior management 
are fairly and responsibly rewarded for their contributions.

The Committee endorses the principle of mitigation of 
damages on early termination of a service contract.

It is the Committee’s current intention to continue with the 
above remuneration approach for 2015 and subsequent years 
although the Committee will keep the matter under review. 
The Committee’s current intention with regard to share options 
is that they form a critical part of the long term incentive 
scheme for the executive team and may be awarded annually.

Remuneration structure
The executive team’s remuneration is basic salary with 
possible share options and bonuses awarded dependent on 
individual and company performance. A contributory pension 
scheme, compliant with UK legislation, was established in 
2012 for UK employees. 

Base salary
Base salary is reviewed each year against other comparable 
companies in the oil and gas sector and general market data 
on the basis of companies in similar industries and those 
of a similar size. The objective is to ensure that the base 
salary provides a competitive remuneration package. The 
base salaries of the Executive Team are currently positioned 
in the median. While salary is reviewed by reference to 
market conditions, the performance of the Company and the 
performance of the individual, the Committee would not regard 
this element of remuneration as directly performance related.

Bonuses
The performance of the Company and the Executives over the 
year is taken into consideration when assessing any annual 
cash bonus. Both Corporate and Individual key performance 
indicators (KPIs) are set at the beginning of each year’s budget 
process. Bonuses may be awarded up to a maximum of 100% 
of base salary depending on the seniority of the employee and 
following a review of corporate and individual performance 
against the KPIs.

Contracts of employment
The details of the Executive Director’s contract of employment 
and non-executive directors’ letters of appointment are set out 
below: 

•	

James Parsons has a contract of employment with a 
notice period for termination of 6 months.

•	 Luca Madeddu has a contract of employment with a notice 

period for termination of 3 months.

•	 Non-executive directors have letters of appointment with a 

notice period for termination of 3 months.

•	

•	

The Company has granted an indemnity to all its Directors 
under which the Company will, to the fullest extent 
permitted by applicable law and to the extent provided 
by the Articles of Association, indemnify them against all 
costs, charges, losses and liabilities incurred by them in 
the execution of their duties.

In the event of a change of control of the Company, James 
Parsons and each of the non-executive directors has the 
option to give notice and receive a lump sum equivalent to 
12 months salary.

17

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOur GovernanceRemuneration Report

Summary of actual remuneration of directors

Executive Directors
James Parsons
Luca Madeddu(i)
Non-executive Directors and Chairman
Simon Davies
Marco Fumagalli
Andrew Hockey(ii)
Gerry Orbell
Total for all directors

2014 
Performance 
Award 
£’000s

Salary 
£’000s

Total
2014 
£’000s

Total 
2013 
£’000s

 260 
 65 

 40 
 15 
 62 
 30 
 472 

 160 
 39 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 199 

 420 
 104 

 40 
 15 
 62 
 30 
 671 

 294 
 294 

 – 
 – 
 70 
 – 
 658 

(i)  Luca Madeddu’s reported remuneration commences from the date of his appointment to the Sound Oil Board in September 2014
(ii)  Includes pro-rated salary as Group Chairman until 25th June 2014

Share Options

J Parsons

L Madeddu

A Hockey

Date of Grant

Exercisable  
Date 

Acquisition Price 
per share (pence) 

Options held at  
1 January 2014 

Options held at  
31 December 2014

5.09.2011
5.09.2011
5.09.2011
1.03.2012
1.03.2012
1.03.2012
26.10.2012
26.10.2012
26.10.2012
6.2.2014
19.6.2014
01.03.2012
01.03.2012
01.03.2012
02.04.2012
02.04.2012
02.04.2012
26.09.2013
26.09.2013
26.09.2013
06.02.2014
19.06.2014
24.05.2011
26.10.2012
26.10.2012
26.10.2012

05.09.2012–4.09.2016
05.09.2013–4.09.2016
05.09.2014–4.09.2016
01.03.2013–28.02.2018
01.03.2014–28.02.2018
01.03.2015–28.02.2018
26.10.2012–25.10.2016
26.10.2013–25.10.2016
26.10.2014–25.10.2016
01.01.2015–31.12.2017
29.07.2017–29.07.2019
01.03.2013–28.02.2018
01.03.2014–28.02.2018
01.03.2015–28.02.2018
02.01.2013–01.01.2017
02.01.2014–01.01.2017
02.01.2015–01.01.2017
27.09.2014–26.09.2018
27.09.2015–26.09.2018
27.09.2016–26.09.2018
01.01.2015–31.12.2017
29.07.2017–29.07.2019
01.04.2011–31.03.2016
26.10.2012–25.10.2016
26.10.2013–25.10.2016
26.10.2014–25.10.2016

21.75
21.75
21.75
25.00
25.00
25.00
16.50
16.50
16.50
6.50
8.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
16.50
16.50
16.50
12.15
12.15
12.15
6.50
8.00
49.50
16.50
16.50
16.50

 110,000 
 110,000 
 110,000 
 150,000 
 150,000 
 150,000 
 333,333 
 333,333 
 333,334 
–
–
150,000
150,000
150,000
110,000
110,000
110,000
444,444
444,444
444,445
–
–
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000

 110,000 
 110,000 
 110,000 
 150,000 
 150,000 
 150,000 
 333,333 
 333,333 
 333,334 
1,333,333
3,350,000
150,000
150,000
150,000
110,000
110,000
110,000
444,444
444,444
444,445
166,666
2,450,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000

The granting of share options under the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) is designed to align Executive remuneration with the long-term interest of shareholders. Only 
Key Personnel, whom the Group wishes to retain over the long term, are invited to join the LTIP. The end of 2013 option coverage is relatively limited (some 2.3% of 
issued share capital). Over the long term the Board wish to move towards the 10% approved cap.

18

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Directors’ Report

The Directors submit their report and the audited accounts for 
the year ended 31 December 2014.

Directors
Directors of Sound Oil plc holding office during the year were:

The CEO makes recommendations to the Board on all 
technical matters through the EPTC which is headed by a 
qualified non executive director, and may include up to two 
further appropriately qualified Board level members or 
consultant professionals.

Simon Davies (appointed 5 February 2014) 
James Parsons 
Marco Fumagalli (appointed 17 July 2014) 
Andrew Hockey 
Gerry Orbell (appointed 5 February 2014) 
Luca Madeddu (appointed 8 September 2014) 
Tony Heath (retired 25 June 2014)

Going concern 
Details of going concern considerations are shown in the 
Operating and Financial Review on page 8.

Dividends
The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.

Political contributions
During the period the Group made no political contributions.

Auditors
Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP continue as the Company’s 
auditors until the next Annual General Meeting. A resolution to 
reappoint them as auditors will be put to shareholders at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Exploration and Production Technical Committee
The Exploration and Production Technical Committee (“EPTC”) 
exists to provide subsurface, technical, and operational 
oversight of and support to the Company’s executive as 
Sound Oil moves its existing asset base from exploration, 
appraisal and development to first production as an active 
operator. The EPTC is also routinely involved in the technical, 
geological and operational screening of growth opportunities.

The CEO attends all EPTC meetings along with other Executive 
Team members who are invited from time to time depending 
on the requirement for specialist input. The EPTC has formal 
meetings which are minuted and has access to an annual 
budget for use in securing relevant professional assistance.

Provision of information to auditors
Each of the persons who is a director at the date of approval of 
this Annual Report and Financial Statements confirms that:

•	

•	

•	

so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware; 
and

the director has taken all the steps that he ought to 
have taken as director in order to make himself aware of 
any relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

this confirmation is given and should be interpreted in 
accordance with the provisions of S418 of the Companies 
Act 2006.

Disclosure in the Strategic Report
As permitted by Paragraph 1A of Schedule 7 to the Large and 
Medium-sized companies and groups (Accounts and Reports) 
Regulations 2008, certain matters which are required to be 
disclosed in the directors’ report have been omitted as they are 
included in the Strategic Report on page 1. 

Health and Safety
The Board of Sound Oil plc considers the health and safety 
of its employees, contractors and all stakeholders to be 
paramount and is determined to protect the environment in 
which it works. In 2012 Sound Oil convened a Board Committee 
dedicated to ensuring the application of our HSE policies 
across the Company. This Committee has continued to work 
through 2014. The table below sets out our operational HSE 
performance for 2013 and 2014, showing us continuing to 
execute our operations without a Lost Time Incident occurring. 
We are pleased with this performance and look forward to 
maintaining these standards through 2015.

Operations Type

Drilling

Well Testing

Facilities Construction

Production Operations

Totals

2014

2013

Operations 
(Hours)

Lost time Incidents*

(Numbers)

(Hours)

Operations 
(Hours)

Lost time Incidents*

(Numbers)

(Hours)

-

-

552

608
1,160

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

32,865

2,888

960

360

37,073

–

–

–

–

–

*  Lost Time Incident: any work related injury or illness which prevents that person from doing any work the day after the accident (as defined by the International 

Association of Oil and Gas Producers Glossary of HSE Terms,1999).

By order of the Board 
Stephen Ronaldson 
Company Secretary 
26 May 2015

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

–

–

-

-

–

19

stock code: SOUFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOur GovernanceStatement of Directors’ Responsibilities

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

The Directors are further responsible for ensuring that the 
Report of the Directors and other information included in 
the Annual Report and Financial Statements is prepared in 
accordance with applicable law in the United Kingdom.

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the 
directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs’) as adopted by the European Union and applicable law.

Under company law the directors must not approve the 
financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give 
a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and 
the group and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. 
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are 
required to:

•	

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 
consistently;

•	 make judgments and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent;

•	

•	

state whether applicable accounting standards have been 
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements;

prepare the financial statements on the going concern 
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 
company will continue in business.

20

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Independent Auditor’s Report

We have audited the financial statements of Sound Oil plc 
for the year ended 31 December 2014 which comprise 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, 
Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets, Consolidated and 
Company Statements of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated 
and Company Cash Flow Statements and the related notes.

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 auditors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities, 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 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 Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, the 
Chairman’s Statement, the financial and technical reviews, 
the statement of proved and probable reserves, the report on 
Directors Remuneration and the Corporate Governance Report 
to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial 
statements and to identify any information that is apparently 
materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent, with 
the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing 
the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material 
misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications 
for our report.

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 2014 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;

the parent company financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted 
by the European Union 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.

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.

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.

Matthew Stallabrass (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of

Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
St. Bride’s House 
10 Salisbury Square 
London EC4Y 8EH 
26 May 2015

Note: The maintenance and integrity of Sound Oil plc website is the 
responsibility of the directors. The work carried out by the auditors does not 
involve consideration of these matters and accordingly the auditors accept 
no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial 
statements since they were originally presented on the website. Legislation in 
the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

21

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUFinancial StatementsStrategic ReportOur GovernanceConsolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Revenue

Operating costs

Impairment of producing assets

Exploration costs

Gross profit

Administrative expenses
Group operating loss from continuing operations
Finance revenue

Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

External interest costs

Loss for the period before taxation
Tax expense

Loss for the period after taxation

Foreign currency translation 

Total comprehensive loss for the period

Loss for the period attributable to:

Owners of the company

Non-controlling interests

Loss per share and diluted for the period
Attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent (pence)

Notes

3
6

7

8
8

2014
£’000s

983

(658)

(723)

(74)

(472)

(2,773)
(3,245)
7

(661)

(1,022)

(4,921)
-

(4,921)

127

(4,794)

2013
£’000s

482

(265)

-

(4,038)

(3,821)

(2,616)
(6,437)
9

(304)

(132)

(6,864)
-

(6,864)

557

(6,307)

(4,794)

(6,307)

–

2014
Pence

(1.40)
(1.40)

2013
Pence

(2.40)
(2.40)

22

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2014

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Land and buildings

Current assets
Other receivables
Prepayments 
Cash and short term deposits

Total assets 
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Loans repayable in under one year 

Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities 
Loans due in over one year 
Provisions 

Total liabilities 
Net assets 
Capital and reserves
Equity share capital 
Warrant Reserve 
Foreign currency reserve 
Accumulated deficit
Total equity 

31 December
2014
£’000s

31 December
2013
£’000s

Notes

9
11
10

13

14

15
15

16
15
17

18

13,200
8,888
1,433 
23,521

2,173 
157 
 12,608 
14,938
38,459 

 2,194 
131 
2,325

2,099 
13,437 
1,164 
16,700 
19,025 
19,434

1,476
19,500
–
20,976

1,978
184
543
2,705
23,681

2,797
229
3,026

2,165
1,947
1,226
5,338
8,364
15,317

71,298 
369
1,388 
 (53,621) 
19,434 

63,085
–
1,261
(49,029)
15,317

The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 May 2015 and were signed on its behalf by:

J Parsons  
Director  

S Davies
Director

The accounting policies on pages 28 to 32 and notes on pages 32 to 48 form part of these financial statements.

23

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur Governance 
   
 
 
 
 
Company Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2014 

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Fixtures and fittings
Investments in subsidiaries

Current assets
Other receivables
Prepayments
Cash and short term deposits

Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Non-current liabilities
Loans
Net assets
Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the company
Issued share capital and share premium
Accumulated deficit
Total equity

Company Number 05344804

31 December
2014
£’000s

31 December
2013
£’000s

Notes

 7 
 35 
 25,735 
 25,777 

 44 
 32 
 11,914 
 11,990 
 37,767 

 6 

 24,252 
 24,258 

 12 
 143 
 418 
 573 
 24,831 

 1,448 

 399 

 6,627 
 29,692 

 71,298 
(41,606) 
 29,692 

 – 
 24,432 

 63,085 
(38,653) 
 24,432

12

13

14

15

15

18

The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 May 2015 and were signed on its behalf by:

J Parsons  
Director  

S Davies
Director

24

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
   
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Share 
capital 
£’000s
2,876 
–
–
–
1,277 
–
–
–
4,153 

Notes

25
23

Notes

23

Group

Notes

25
23

At 1 January 2014 
Total Loss for the period 
Other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
Issue of share capital 
Transaction costs
Fair value of warrants 
Share based payments 
At 31 December 2014 

Company

At 1 January 2014
Total Loss for the period 
Issue of share capital 
Transaction costs 
Fair value of warrants
Share based payments 
At 31 December 2014

Group

At 1 January 2013
Total Loss for the period 
Other comprehensive income 
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
Issue of share capital 
Transaction costs
Share based payments 
At 31 December 2013

Company

At 1 January 2013
Total Loss for the period 
issue of share capital 
Transaction costs 
Share based payments 
At 31 December 2013

Foreign 
currency 
reserves
£’000s
1,261
–
127
–
–
–
–
–
1,388

Warrant 
Reserve
£’000s
–
–
–
–
369
–
369

Foreign 
currency 
reserves 
£’000s
704
–
557
557
–
–
–
1,261

Share 
premium 
£’000s
60,209
–
–
–
7,442
(506)
–
–
67,145 

Accumulated 
Deficit 
£’000s
 (49,029) 
(4,921)
–
(4,921)
–
–
–
329

(53,621) 

Warrant 
Reserve
£’000s
–
–
–
–
–
–
369
–
369 

Share 
premium
£’000s 
60,209 
–
7,442
(506)
–
–
67,145 

Accumulated 
Deficit 
£’000s
(38,653) 
(3,651)
–
–
–
329

(41,975) 

Share 
premium 
£’000s
60,213
–
–
–
43
(47)
–
60,209 

Accumulated 
Deficit 
£’000s
 (42,273) 
(6,864)
–
(6,864)
–
–
108

(49,029) 

Share 
capital 
£’000s
2,876 
–
1,277 
–
–
–
4,153 

Share 
capital 
£’000s
2,870 
–
–
–
6 
–
–
2,876 

Notes

23

Share 
capital 
£’000s
2,870
–
6 
–
–
2,876 

Share 
premium
£’000s 
60,213 
–
43
(47)
–
60,209 

Accumulated 
Deficit 
£’000s
(36,578) 
(2,183)
–
–
108

(38,653) 

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

Total 
equity
£’000s
15,317
(4,921)
127
(4,794)
8,719
(506)
369
329
19,434

Total 
equity
£’000s
24,432
(3,651)
8,719
(506)
369
329
29,692

Total 
equity
£’000s
21,514
(6,864)
557
(6,307)
49
(47)
108
15,317

Total 
equity
£’000s
26,505
(2,183)
49
(47)
108
24,432

25

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceConsolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow from operations 
Interest received 
Net cash flow from operating activities 
Cash flow from investing activities
Capital expenditure and disposals 
Exploration and development expenditure 
Net cash flow from investing activities 
CSTI funding contract 
Net proceeds from debt 
Net Proceeds from equity issue 
Interest payments 
Net cash flow from financing activities 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Net foreign exchange difference 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 

Notes to Cash Flow
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Cash flow from operations reconciliation
Loss before tax 
Finance revenue 

Payroll bonuses paid in shares 
Exploration expenditure written off and impairment of assets 
Increase/(decrease) in accruals and short term payables
Depreciation 
Share based payments charge 
Increase in long term provisions 
Finance costs and accrued interest 
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
Cash flow from operations

Year ended
31 December
2014
£’000s

Year ended
31 December
2013
£’000s

Notes

(3,327) 
7 
(3,320) 

(2,258) 
(1,089) 
(3,347) 
(242) 
11,398 
8,213 
(280)
19,089
12,420 
(355) 
 543 
12,608 

(2,645)
9
(2,636)

(706)
(6,482)
(7,188)
1,664
–
1,576
–
3,240
(6,584)
218
6,909
543

14

Year ended
31 December
2014
£’000s

Year ended
31 December
2013
£’000s

Notes

6

3
23

(4,921) 
(7)

60 
797 
(603) 
225 
329 
(62) 
1,022 
(167)
 (3,327) 

(6,864)
 (9)

60
4,038
318
146
108
49
132
 (623)
(2,645)

26

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
 
Company Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow from operations
Interest received
Net cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow from investing activities
Capital expenditure and disposals
Cash advances to subsidiaries
Net cash flow from investing activities
Net proceeds from debt
Net Proceeds from equity issue
Interest payments
Net cash flow from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Net foreign exchange difference
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

Notes to Cash Flow
for the year ended 31 December 2014

Cash flow from operations reconciliation
Loss before tax
Intragroup recharges
Intercompany loans written off
Finance revenue
Finance charges to be paid in shares
Decrease/(increase) in other non-current assets
Payroll bonuses paid in shares
(Increase)/decrease in receivables
Increase/(decrease) in accruals and short term payables
Depreciation
Share based payments charge
Accrued interest
Cash flow from operations

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

Notes

14

2014
£’000s

(2,034)
5 
(2,029)

(36)
(1,263)
(1,299)
6,430 
8,213 
(185)
14,458 
11,130 
366
418 
11,914 

2013
£’000s

(1,820)
9 
(1,811)

(6)
(1,626)
(1,632)
– 
1,576 
–
1,576 
(1,867)
144 
2,141 
418 

Notes

2014
£’000s

2013
£’000s

(4,921)
(408)
-
(5)
625 
-
30 
155
 1,449 
5 
329 
707 
(2,034)

23

(2,183)
-
18
(9)
-
(3)
-
103
139
7
108
-
(1,820)

27

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur Governance 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements

1  Accounting policies
Sound Oil plc is a public limited company registered and domiciled in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006.

(a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements of the Group and its parent have been prepared in accordance with:

1. 

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs, as adopted by the European 
Union), IFRIC Interpretations; and

2. 

those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except to the extent that the 
following policies require fair value adjustments.

The Group and its parent company’s financial statements are presented in sterling (£) and all values are rounded to the nearest 
thousand (£’000) except when otherwise indicated.

The principal accounting policies set out below have been consistently applied to all financial reporting periods presented in 
these consolidated financial statements and by all Group entities, unless otherwise stated. All amounts classified as current are 
expected to be settled/recovered in less than 12 months unless otherwise stated in the notes to these financial statements.

The Group and its parent company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014 were authorised for issue by the 
board of directors on 26 May 2015.

The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and available debt facilities are described in the Financial Review above. As at  
31 December 2014 the Group had £12.6 million of available cash. Based on the current management plan, management believe that 
the Group will remain a going concern for the next 12 months from the date of the authorisation of the financial statements on the 
basis that forecast expenditure (12 months through 26 May 2016) will be less than the funds available as at 31 December 2014.

Use of 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. Actual outcomes could differ from 
those estimates.

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities within the next financial year are the impairment of intangible exploration and evaluation (E&E), investments 
and goodwill and the estimation of share based payment costs.

The Group determines whether E&E assets are impaired in cost pools when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying 
amount of a cost pool 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 discount rate. The 
capitalisation and any write-off of E&E assets necessarily involve certain judgements with regard to whether the asset will 
ultimately prove to be recoverable.

In determining the treatment of E&E assets and investments the directors are required to make estimates and assumptions as 
to future events and circumstances. There are uncertainties inherent in making such assumptions, especially with regard to oil 
and gas reserves and the life of, and title to, an asset; recovery rates; production costs; commodity prices; and exchange rates. 
Assumptions that are valid at the time of estimation may change significantly as new information becomes available and changes 
in these assumptions may alter the economic status of an E&E asset and result in resources or reserves being restated. The 
estimation of recoverable amounts, based on risked potential and the application of value in use calculations, are dependent upon 
finance being available to fund the development of the E&E assets.

Goodwill is tested annually and at other times when impairment indications exist. When value in use calculations are undertaken, 
management estimates the expected future cash-flows from the asset and chooses a suitable discount rate in order to calculate 
the present value of those cash-flows. In undertaking these value in use calculations, management is required to make use of 
estimates and assumptions similar to those described in the treatment of E&E assets above. Further details are given in note 11.

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 judgements relating to the continuing participation of key employees (see note 19).

28

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www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 1  Accounting policies continued
(b) Basis of consolidation
The Group financial statements consolidate the Income Statements and Balance Sheets of the Company and its subsidiary 
undertakings. Joint venture undertakings are accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method from the date that 
significant influence or joint control (respectively) commences until the date this ceases. Associates are accounted for using the 
equity method.

Investments in subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies, is exposed to, or 
has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power 
over the entity. Such power, generally but not exclusively, accompanies a shareholding of more than one-half of the voting rights. 
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group, until the date that control ceases.

The Group uses the purchase method of accounting for the acquisition of subsidiaries. The cost of an acquisition is measured 
as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus 
costs directly attributable to the acquisition.

Separate financial statements
Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are recorded at cost, subject to impairment testing in the Group’s 
financial statements.

(c) Foreign currency translation
The functional currency of the Company is pound sterling. The functional currency of the Italian subsidiaries is the Euro.

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the functional currency by applying the spot exchange rate ruling at 
the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the functional 
currency rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the income statement.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet 
date. Income and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates for the year. The resulting exchange differences 
are taken directly to a separate component of equity. On disposal of a foreign entity, the deferred cumulative amount recognised 
in equity relating to that particular foreign operation is recognised in the income statement.

(d) Oil and gas assets
The Group’s capitalised oil and gas costs principally relate to properties that are in the exploration and evaluation stage.

As allowed under IFRS 6 the Group has continued to apply its existing accounting policy to exploration and evaluation activity, 
subject to the specific requirements of the standard.

The Group will continue to monitor the application of these policies in the light of expected future guidance on accounting for oil 
and gas activities.

The Group applies the successful efforts method of accounting for E&E costs.

Exploration and evaluation assets
Under the successful efforts method of accounting, all licence acquisition, exploration and appraisal costs are initially capitalised 
in well, field or specific exploration cost centres as appropriate, pending determination.

Expenditure incurred during the various exploration and appraisal phases is then written off unless commercial reserves have 
been established or the determination process has not been completed.

The useful lives of the assets are considered to be finite.

29

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements
continued

1  Accounting policies continued
Exploration and evaluation costs
Costs are initially capitalised as E&E assets. Payments to acquire the legal right to explore, costs of technical services and 
studies, seismic acquisition, exploratory drilling and testing are capitalised as exploration and evaluation assets.

Treatment of exploration and evaluation expenditure at the end of appraisal activities
Intangible E&E assets relating to each exploration licence/prospect are carried forward, until the existence (or otherwise) 
of commercial reserves has been determined subject to certain limitations including review for indications of impairment. If 
commercial reserves have been discovered and development has been approved, the carrying value, after any impairment loss, 
of the relevant E&E assets is then reclassified as development and production assets. If, however, commercial reserves have not 
been found, the capitalised costs are charged to expense after conclusion of appraisal activities.

Development and production assets
Development and production assets are accumulated generally on a field-by-field basis and represent the cost of developing 
the commercial reserves discovered and bringing them into production, together with the E&E expenditures incurred in finding 
commercial reserves transferred from intangible E&E assets as outlined in the accounting policy above.

The cost of development and production assets also includes the cost of acquisitions and purchases of such assets, 
directly attributable overheads, finance costs capitalised, and the cost of recognising provisions for future restoration and 
decommissioning.

Impairment of development and production assets 
An impairment test is performed whenever events and circumstances arising during the development or production phase 
indicate that the carrying value of a development or production asset may exceed its recoverable amount.

The carrying value is compared with the expected recoverable amount of the asset, generally by reference to the present value 
of the future net cash flows expected to be derived from production of commercial reserves. The cash generating unit applied 
for impairment test purposes is generally the field, except that a number of field interests may be grouped as a single income 
generating unit where the cash flows of each field are inter-dependent.

Acquisitions, asset purchases and disposals
Acquisitions of oil and gas properties are accounted for under the purchase method where the transaction meets the definition of 
a business combination or joint venture.

Transactions involving the purchase of an individual field interest, or a group of field interests, that do not qualify as a business 
combination are treated as asset purchases, irrespective of whether the specific transactions involve the transfer of the field 
interests directly, or the transfer of an incorporated entity. Accordingly, no goodwill arises, and the consideration is allocated to 
the assets and liabilities purchased on an appropriate basis.

(e) Expenses recognition
Expenses are recognised on the accruals basis unless otherwise stated.

(f) Property, plant and equipment
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, which is 
estimated to be four years.

(g) Goodwill
Goodwill on acquisition is initially measured at cost being the excess of the cost of the business combination over the acquirer’s 
interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities. Following initial recognition, goodwill is 
measured at its original value, less any accumulated impairment losses subsequently incurred.

Goodwill is not amortised. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances 
indicate the carrying value may be impaired. Impairment is determined by assessing the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating unit to which the goodwill relates. Where the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit or group of cash 
generating units is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised.

30

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 1  Accounting policies continued
(h) Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that 
necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until 
such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. 

All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

(i) Income tax
Current tax
The current tax expense is based on the taxable results for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the 
Balance Sheet date, including any adjustments in respect of prior years.

Amounts are charged or credited to the Income Statement or equity as appropriate.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided using the Balance Sheet liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of 
assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets are recognised to 
the extent that it is probable that future taxable results will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised. 
The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of 
assets and liabilities.

Temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries give rise to deferred tax in the Company Balance Sheet only to the 
extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future or the Company does not control the 
timing of the reversal of that difference.

Deferred tax is provided on unremitted earnings of subsidiaries to the extent that the temporary difference created is expected to 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax is recognised in the Income Statement except when it relates to items recognised directly in the Statement of 
Changes in Equity in which case it is credited or charged directly to Retained Earnings through the Statement of Changes  
in Equity.

(j) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

(k) Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group’s Balance Sheet when the Group becomes a party to the 
contractual provisions of the instrument. Trade and other receivables are initially measured at fair value and are subsequently 
reassessed at the end of each accounting period. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, 
and other short term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value. Financial liabilities and equity instruments issued by the Group are classified according to 
the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into and the definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument. An 
equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. 
The accounting policies adopted for specific financial liabilities and equity instruments are set out below. Trade payables are 
initially measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Equity 
instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Shares issued are held at 
their fair value.

(l) Share based payments
The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees. The fair value of each option at the date of the grant 
is estimated using the Black–Scholes option-pricing model based upon the option price, the share price at the date of issue, 
volatility and the life of the option. The estimated fair value of the option is amortised to expense over the options’ vesting period 
with a corresponding increase to equity. No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where 
vesting is conditional upon a market condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market condition is 
satisfied, provided that all other performance and/or service conditions are satisfied.

31

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements
continued

1  Accounting policies continued
(m) Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that are not yet effective and have not been early 
adopted by the Group
The following standards, amendments to standards and interpretations have been identified as those which may impact the 
Group in the period of initial application. They have not been applied in preparing this financial report.

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

IFRS 11 Amendments: Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations for accounting periods beginning on or after 
01/01/2016

IAS 16 and IAS 38 Amendments: Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation for Accounting periods 
beginning on or after 01/01/2016

IAS 16 and IAS 41 Amendments: Agriculture: Bearer Plants June 2014 for accounting periods beginning on or after 01/01/2016

IAS 27 Amendment – Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements for accounting periods beginning on or after 01/01/2016

IFRS 10 and IAS 28 Amendments: Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture for 
accounting periods beginning on or after 01/01/2016 

IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral accounts for accounting periods beginning on or after 01/01/2016

IFRS 15 Revenue From Contracts with Customers for accounting periods beginning on or after 01/01/2017

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments for accounting periods beginning on or after 01/01/2018

The directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these standards and interpretations will have a material impact on the 
financial statements in the year of initial application.

(n) Earnings per share
Earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period per IAS 
33. Diluted earnings per share are 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 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.

(o) Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable 
that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the 
amount of the obligation can be made.

(p) Revenue Recognition
Revenue associated with production sales of natural gas is recorded when title passes to the customer.

2  Segment information
The Group categorises its operations into three business segments based on corporate, exploration and appraisal and 
development and production.

In the year ended 31 December 2014 the Group’s exploration and appraisal activities were carried out solely in Italy.

The Group’s reportable segments are based on internal reports about components of the Group which are regularly reviewed and 
used by the board of directors, being the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), for strategic decision making and resource 
allocation, in order to allocate resources to the segment and to assess its performance.

Details regarding each of the operations of each reportable segment is included in the following tables.

32

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 2  Segment information continued
Segment results for the period ended 31 December 2014

Sales and other operating revenues
Operating costs
Exploration costs
Impairment of producing assets
Administration expenses
Operating loss segment result
Interest receivable
Finance costs
Loss for the period before taxation

Corporate
£’000s

Development 
& Production
£’000s

Exploration 
& Appraisal
£’000s

–
–
–
–
(2,773)
(2,773)
7 
(1,552)
(4,318)

983
(658)
–
(723)
–
(398)
–
(131)
(529)

–
–
(74)
–
–
(74)
–
–
(74)

Total
£’000s

983
(658)
(74)
(723)
(2,773)
(3,245)
7 
(1,683)
(4,921)

Segment revenue reported above represents revenue generated from external customers. All the revenue arose from operations 
in Italy.

The segments assets and liabilities at 31 December 2014 are as follows:

Capital expenditure
Other assets
Total liabilities

The geographical split of non-current assets is as follows:

Development and production assets
Land and buildings
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment
Goodwill
Exploration and evaluation assets
Total

Segment results for the year ended 31 December 2013 were as follows:

Sales and other operating revenue from external customers 
Operating costs 
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets 
Administration expenses 
Operating loss segment result 
Interest receivable 
Interest payable 
Loss for the year before taxation 

Corporate
£’000s

Development 
& Production
£’000s

Exploration 
& Appraisal
£’000s

– 
14,938 
(2,099)

13,112 
–
(1,557)

10,409 
–
(15,369)

UK
£’000s

–
–
42
–
–
 42 

Corporate
2013
£’000s

Development 
& Production
2013
£’000s

Exploration 
& Appraisal
2013
£’000s

– 
– 
– 
(2,616) 
(2,616) 
9 
(436) 
(3,043) 

482 
(265) 
– 
– 
217 
– 
– 
217 

– 
– 
(4,038) 
– 
(4,038) 
– 
– 
(4,038) 

During the period, revenues amounting to £482,000 arose from a single customer.

Total
£’000s

23,521 
14,938 
(19,025)

Italy
£’000s

13,112 
1,433
46
 2,099 
 6,789
 23,479 

Total
2013
£’000s

482
(265)
(4,038)
(2,616)
(6,437)
9
(436)
(6,864)

33

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stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur GovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements
continued

2  Segment information continued

Capital expenditure 
Other assets 
Total liabilities 

The geographical split of non-current assets were as follows:

Corporate
2013
£’000s

88 
2,705 
( 2,165) 

Development 
& Production
2013
£’000s

Exploration 
& Appraisal
2013
£’000s

1,388 
– 
(578) 

19,500 
2,705
(5,621) 

Sales and other operating revenue
Development and production assets
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment
Goodwill
Exploration and evaluation assets
Total Assets 

3  Operating Loss

Operating loss is stated after charging:
Auditors’s remuneration
Depreciation
Share based payments
Employee costs
Impairment charges

4  Auditors’ Remuneration

Fees payable to company’s auditor for the audit of company’s annual account
Fees payable to the company’s auditor and its associates for other services:
The audit of the company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
Tax services

5  Employee Costs

Staff costs, including executive directors
Share based payments
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Employee benefits
Total

34

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

Total
2013
£’000s

20,976
14,938 
(8,364)

Italy
2013
£’000s

482
1,388
82
 2,167 
 17,333
 20,970 

2013
£’000s

 82 
 146 
108
 2,045 
 3,984 

UK
2013
£’000s

–
–
6
–
–
 6 

2014
£’000s

 75 
 225 
329
 2,192 
 723 

2014
£’000s

2013
£’000s

65

6
4
75

2014
£’000s

 329
 1,507 
 347 
 9 
 2,192 

67

7
8
82

2013
£’000s

 108 
 1,616 
 311 
 10 
 2,045 

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
 
 
5  Employee Costs continued 

Number of employees (including executive directors) at the end of the year
Technical and operations
Management and administration
Total

6  Finance Revenue

Interest on cash at bank and short term deposits

7  Taxation
(a) Analysis of the tax charge for the year:

Current tax
UK Corporation tax (charge)/credit
Adjustment to tax expense in respect of prior years
Overseas tax
Total current tax (charge)/credit
Deferred tax income arising in the current year
Total tax (charge)/credit

(b) Reconciliation of tax charge

(Loss)/profit before tax
Tax (charge)/credit charged at UK corporation tax rate of 21% (2012: 23%)
Temporary differences not recognised
Differences in overseas tax rates
Total tax (charge)/credit

2014
Number

2013
Number

 5 
 11 
 16 

 5 
 11 
 16

2014
£’000s

7

2013
£’000s

9

2014
£’000s
Group

2013
£’000s
Group

–
–
–
–
–
–

2014
£’000s
Group

(4,921)
1,033
(625)
(408)
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

2013
£’000s
Group

(6,864) 
1,579
(474) 
(1,105) 

–

8  Profit/(loss) per share
The calculation of basic profit/(loss) per Ordinary Share is based on the profit/(loss) after tax and on the weighted average number 
of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period. Basic profit/(loss) per share is calculated as follows:

Loss after tax from continuing operations

Weighted average shares in issue

Loss per share (basic) from continuing operations

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

2014
£’000s

(4,921)

2014
million

 360

2014
pence

(1.40)

2013
£’000s

(6,864)

2013
million

288

2013
pence

(2.40)

35

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

9 Property, plant and equipment

Development and production assets
Cost
At start of period
Exchange adjustments
Additions
Decommissioning provisions
Transfers
At end of period
Depreciation
At start of period
Impairment of assets
Charge for period
At end of period
Net book amount
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment
Cost
At start of period
Exchange adjustments
Acquisitions
At end of period
Depreciation
At start of period
Charge for period
At end of period
Net book amount
Total net book amount

2014
£’000s

2013
£’000s

2,947 
(548)
1,612
–
11,555 
15,566 

1,559 
712
183
2,454 
13,112 

231 
(4)
46
273 

143 
42
185 
88 
13,200 

2,218 
21 
706 
2 
–
2,947 

1,453 
–
106 
1,559 
1,388 

191 
3 
37 
231 

103 
40 
143 
88 
1,476

In 2014, the impairment costs related entirely to San Lorenzo due to latest revisions on the remaining life of production from the 
field. In 2013, the impairment costs related primarily to the decision to relinquish the Sambucheto and Monteluro licences whilst 
reducing the carrying value of the Strombone license. 

2014
£’000s

712
712

2013
£’000s

4,038
4,038

2014
£’000s

2013
£’000s

–
1,433
1,433

–
–
–
1,433

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

Italy
Total

10 Land and Buildings

Cost
At start of period
Additions
At end of period
Depreciation
At start of period
Additions
At end of period
Net book amount

36

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www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
 
 
11  Intangibles

Cost
At 1 January 2014
Additions
Transfers
Exchange adjustments
At 31 December 2014
Impairment
At start of period
Exchange adjustments
Charge for period
At end of period
Net book amount at 31 December 2014

Cost
At 1 January 2013
Exchange adjustments
Additions
At 31 December 2013
Impairment
At 1 January 2013
Additions
At 31 December 2013
Net book amount at 31 December 2013

Goodwill 
£’000s

 Software 
£’000s

 2,167 
–
–
(68) 
 2,099 

–
–
–

–
 91 
–
–
 91 

–
–
–

 2,099 

 91 

Goodwill 
£’000s

 Software 
£’000s

2,126
41
–
2,167

–
–
–
2,167

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

 Exploration 
and 
Evaluation 
Assets
£’000s 

 22,393 
 998 
(11,555 )
(78)
 11,758 

 5,060 
–
–
 5,060 
 6,698 

 Exploration 
and 
Evaluation 
Assets
£’000s 

13.494
180
8,719
22,393

1,076
3,984
5,060
17,333

 2014
£’000s

24,560 
1,089 
(11,555)
(146)
13,948 

5,060 
–
–
5,060 
8,888 

 2013
£’000s

15,620
221
8,719
24,560

1,076
3,984
5,060
19,500

Group
Goodwill arises on acquisitions accounted for at fair value and consists largely of the synergies expected from combining acquired 
operations with those of the Group. In accordance with IFRS, goodwill is assessed annually for impairment. On the basis there is 
considerable headroom within the calculations and there have been no changes in the assumptions, no impairment is considered 
necessary.

The Company has no goodwill. 

Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Intangible assets are allocated to the cash generating unit (“CGU”) identified according to business segment.

In assessing whether impairment indications exist in relation to intangible assets, the directors have regard to the results of 
the Group’s exploration and evaluation programme and to the most recent review and valuation of the Group’s assets prepared 
independently by its geoscience advisers in competent persons’ report (“CPRs”).

A CPR covering the Group’s material assets (other than Badile and Santa Maria Goretti) was released in April 2015. A CPR for Santa 
Maria Goretti was performed in July 2014. A Badile CPR was executed in October 2013 which gave a Best estimate NPV10 of €486m, 
an increase of 60% on the previous CPR. The values attributed to the Group’s assets in the most recent CPRs are very significantly 
in excess of the carrying amounts of the Italian CGU, including goodwill and considered a variety of pricing scenarios. Consequently, 
other than in relation to San Lorenzo, the directors do not therefore consider that any impairment indications exist in relation to the 
remaining Italian CGU. 

37

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Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

11  Intangibles continued
The valuation calculations included in the CPRs are entirely dependent on the availability of finance to fund capital expenditure 
on the development of exploration and evaluation assets. Should finance not be available the carrying amounts of the Group’s 
exploration and evaluation assets are likely to be impaired to their market value in a distressed sale.

The methodology to arrive at the values attributed to the Group’s assets in the CPRs was as follows:

•	 Net present value (“NPV”) calculations were prepared for proven contingent resources, including all the Italian licences.

Estimates of the NPV of any project are always subject to many factors and wide margins of error. NPV calculations have been 
prepared over the period of the expected production profile and duration of sales contracts. The principal assumptions on which 
the NPV calculations are based are as follows:

•	

The 2015 Italian CPR was produced with five different pricing scenarios with base gas prices of between 23 euro cents and  
31 euro cents for 2015. Gas prices, in all cases, were then escalated at 2% per annum from 2016. The oil price scenarios were 
priced from 38.64 euros per barrel to 57.96 euros per barrel with future years being escalated according to a Brent futures 
curve until 2022 and from then on at 2% per annum.

•	 A discount rate of 10% (2013: 10%) has been used which the directors believe to be standard industry practice and 

approximate to the Groups’ weighted average cost of capital.

•	

The NPV calculations are most sensitive to the assumptions for production and operating expenditure.

During the year, the Group capitalised interest costs of £799,000 (2013:£586,000); 44% of the interest costs incurred in the year 
have been capitalised on the basis that costs were directly attributable to the ongoing development of Nervesa.

12  Investment in subsidiaries

At 1 January
Net advances to group companies
At 31 December

2014
£’000s
Company

24,252
1,483
25,735

2013
£’000s
Company

22,880 
1,372 
24,252

The subsidiary companies of the Company at 31 December 2014 which are all 100% owned by the Company are:

Name

Sound Oil International Limited
Sound Oil Asia Limited*
Mitra Energia Citarum Limited*
Consul Oil and Gas Limited
Apennine Energy SpA
Apennine Oil and Gas SpA

Incorporated

British Virgin Isles
British Virgin Isles
Mauritius
UK
Italy
Italy

Principal Activity

Holding Company
Holding Company
Exploration Company
Holding Company
Exploration, Development and Production Company
Exploration, Development and Production Company

* The investments in Mitra Energia Citarum Limited are held indirectly via Sound Oil International Limited.

The investments in Apennine Energy SpA and Apennine Oil and Gas SpA are held indirectly through Consul Oil and Gas Limited.

Consul Oil and Gas Limited is directly funded through non-current, non-interest bearing loans from Sound Oil Plc.

Given that Sound Oil has no intention to call the loans in the foreseeable future, the loans are treated as “permanent as equity”. 
As a result, Sound Oil has classified these loans as investments which represent the carrying value of the investment in the 
Sound Oil International and Consul group of companies.

38

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www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
12  Investment in subsidiaries continued

Composition of the Group
Information about the composition of the Group at the end of the reporting period is as follows:

Principal activity

Gas exploration and production
Holding companies
Holding companies
Holding companies

13  Other Receviables
Group

Italian VAT
UK VAT
Other receivables

Currency Analysis

Euro
GBP Sterling
US Dollar

Company

UK VAT 
Other receivables

Currency Analysis

GBP Sterling
Total

Place of incorporation 
and operation

Italy
UK
British Virgin Isles
Mauritius

Number of wholly 
owned subsidiaries
2013
2014

2
2
2
1
7

2014
£’000s

 1,975 
 24 
 174 
 2,173 

2014
£’000s

 2,117
 56 
–
 2,173 

2014
£’000s

 24 
 20
 44 

2014
£’000s
 44
 44 

2
2
2
2
8

2013
£’000s

 1,923 
 10 
 45 
 1,978

2013
£’000s

 1,955 
 12
11
 1,978 

2013
£’000s

 10 
2
 12 

2013
£’000s
 12 
 12

39

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Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

14  Cash and Cash Equivalents
Group

Cash at bank and in hand
Cash equivalents:
Short term deposits
Carrying amount 31 December
being
In US Dollar
In Euros
In Sterling

Company

Cash at bank and in hand
Cash equivalents:
Short term deposits
Carrying amount 31 December
being
In US Dollar
In Euros
In Sterling
Total

15  Trade & Other Payables
Company

Trade Payable
Payroll taxes and social security
Accruals

Currency Analysis

Euro
Sterling
Total

Company

Trade Payable
Payroll taxes and social security
Accruals
Total

Currency Analysis

Sterling
Total

40

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

2014
£’000s

 12,608 

 – 
 12,608 

 1 
 11,205 
1,402 
 12,608 

2014
£’000s

 25

 11,889 
 11,914 

1 
 10,511 
 1,402 
 11,914 

2014
£’000s

 1,016 
 88 
 1,090 
 2,194 

2014
£’000s

 747
 1,447 
 2,194 

2014
£’000s

502
34
912
 1,448 

2014
£’000s

 1,448 
 1,448

2013
£’000s

 211 

 332 
 543 

 23 
 187 
 333 
 543 

2013
£’000s

 104 

 314 
 418 

 23 
 62
 333 
 418

2013
£’000s

 2,317 
 79 
 401 
 2,797 

2013
£’000s

 2,397 
 400 
 2,797 

2013
£’000s

 64 
 38 
 297
 399 

2013
£’000s

 399 
 399

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
 
 
 
 
 
 
15  Trade & Other Payables continued

Loans and Borrowings 
Group

Current liabilities
Other loans
Non-current liabilities
Other loans

Loans and Borrowings 
Company

Current liabilities
Other loans
Non-current liabilities
Other loans

16  Deferred tax liabilities

1 January
Unreleased foreign exchange (decrease)/increase
31 December

2014
£’000s

2013
£’000s

131

229

13,437

1,947

2014
£’000s

–

6,627

2014
£’000s

2,165
(66)
2,099

2013
£’000s

–

–

2013
£’000s

2,125 
40 
2,165 

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of tax losses available due to the uncertainty of utilisation of those 
assets.

17  Provisions

At 1 January 2014
Discount unwind
Additions in 2014
Released in the year
Unrealised forex increase
At 31 December 2014

The provision of £1,164,000 relates to the following licenses:-

Rapagnano
Montemarciano
Marciano
Carita

Abandonment
£’000s

Other 
provisions
£’000s

1,164
110 
–
(58)
(52)
1,164

62
–
–
(62)
–
–

Total
£’000s

1,226 
110 
(58)
(120) 
(52) 

1,164

£’000s

139
254
255
516

Decomissioning is likely to occur within one year for Marciano and between 2016 and 2025 for the other licenses. Expected 
abandonment costs are capitalised and depreciated on a unit of production basis once gas sales commence.

There are no provisions in the parent company.

41

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stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur Governance 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

18  Capital and Reserves
Group 

Ordinary shares – 1p

Company

Ordinary shares – 1p

2014
Number of shares

415,300,815

2014
Number of shares

415,300,815

£’000s

 4,153 

£’000s

 4,153 

2013
Number of shares

2,870,012,882

2013
Number of shares

2,870,012,882

Share option schemes
Options to subscribe for the Company’s shares were granted to certain executives in 2013 and 2014 (note 19).

Statement of Equity
Group

At 1 January 2014
Total loss for the period
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
Issue of share capital
Fair value of warrants
Transaction costs
Share based payments
At 31 December 2014

Company

At 1 January 2014
(Loss for year)
Issued of share capital
Fair value of warrants
Transaction costs
Share based payments
At 31 December 2014

Share 
capital
£’000s

Share 
premium
£’000s

Accumulated 
deficit
£’000s

Warrant 
reserve
£’000s

Foreign 
currency 
reserves
£’000s

1,261 
– 
127
127 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1,388 

(49,029)
(4,921)
– 
(4,921)
– 
– 
– 
329 
(53,621)

–
– 
–
– 
– 
369 
– 
– 
369 

Share 
premium
£’000s

Accumulated 
deficit
£’000s

Warranty 
reserve
£’000s

 60,209 
–
 7,442 
–
(506) 
–
 67,145 

(38,653) 
(3,650) 

–
–
–
329

(41,3974) 

–
–
–
369 
–
–
 369 

2,876 
– 
– 
– 
1,277 
– 
– 
– 
4,153 

60,209 
– 
– 
– 
7,442 
– 
(506)
– 
67,145 

Share 
capital
£’000s

 2,876 
–
 1,277 
–
 –
–
 4,153 

£’000s

2,870

£’000s

 2,870 

Total 
equity
£’000

15,317
(4,921)
127
(4,794)
8,719
369
(506)
329
19,434

Total
equity
£’000s

 24,432 
(3,650) 
 8,719 
 369 
(506) 
329 
 29,693

For details on the warrant reserve see note 25.

Share Issues
On 3 February 2014, Sound Oil announced the results of its Open Offer which had been announced on 16 January 2014 with an 
offer price of 4.2 pence per New Ordinary Share. The Company received valid acceptances in respect of 38,349,139 Open Offer 
Shares from eligible shareholders and these new shares were admitted to the AIM market on 4 February 2014. 

Various bonuses in the forms of shares were awarded to the Executive Team in 2014 which resulted in the issue of 1,833,132 new 
ordinary shares. 

On 10 July 2014, the Company issued 23,212,500 new ordinary shares to related parties of Continental Investment Partners, being 
the first tranche of the £7 million equity issue associated with the Institutional Funding announced on 18 June 2014.

On 23 July, the Company issued a total of 64,287,500 new ordinary shares to Metano Capital S.A. and represented the final issue 
of two tranches of the £7 million equity issue associated with the institutional funding. 

Consequently, at the end of December 2014, the Company had 415,300,815 ordinary shares in issue.

42

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www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
 
19  Related Party Disclosures
The financial statements include the financial statements of Sound Oil Plc (the parent) and the subsidiaries listed in the following 
table:

Name
Sound Oil International Limited
Sound Oil Asia Limited
Consul Oil and Gas Limited
Apennine Energy SPA
Apennine Oil and Gas SPA
Mitra Energia Limited
Mitra Energia Citarum Limited

Country of Incorporation
British Virgin Isles
British Virgin Isles
UK
Italy
Italy
Mauritius
Mauritius

2014
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
0%
100%

2013
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties
There were no sales or purchases to or from related parties (2013: none). There have been no guarantees provided or received for 
any related party receivables or payables. For the year ended 31 December 2014, the Group has not recorded any impairment of 
receivables relating to amounts owed by related parties (2013: none) and is not owed or owes amounts to/from any related parties.

Key Management
There is currently one key management personnel other than directors of the Company (2013: two). Details of the directors’ 
remuneration are set out in the Report of Directors’ Remuneration.

Salaries and employee benefits
Share based payments

Directors Interest in employees share options
At 31 December 2014, the Chairman of directors had no interest in share options in the Group.

Other non-executive directors of the board held the following options:

2014
£’000s
 1,219 
329

2013
£’000s
871
108

2011
2012

Expiry
Date
2016
2016

Exercise price
Pence
49.5p
16.5p

2014
Number
100,000
300,000

2013
Number
100,000
300,000

Share options held by the executive members of the Board of Directors have the following expiry dates and exercise prices:

2011
2012
2012
2012
2013

2014

2014

Key management’s interest in employee share options

2013
2014
2014

Expiry
Date
2016
2018
2016
2017
2018

2017

2019

Exercise price
Pence
21.75p
25.0p
16.5p
16.5p
12.15p

6.50p

8.0p

2014
Number
 330,000 
 900,000 
 1,000,000 
 330,000 
 1,333,333 

1,499,999

 5,800,000 

2013
Number
 330,000 
 900,000 
 1,000,000 
 330,000 
 1,333,333 

–

 – 

Expiry
Date
2018
2017
2019

Exercise price
Pence
12.15p
6.50p
8.0p

2014
Number
 1,288,888 
 166,666
2,050,000

2013
Number
 1,288,888 
–
–

43

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Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

20  Financial Instruments risk management objectives and policies
A financial instrument is defined as any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one equity and a financial liability or equity 
instrument of another entity. The Group’s financial instruments comprise trade payables, receivables, cash and short term deposits. 
The Group has no long term borrowings. The main purpose of the financial instruments is to finance the Group’s operations. The fair 
value of the financial instruments is their carrying value, with the carrying value amounts included in the Group Balance Sheet with 
further analysis in note 13 (other debtors), note 14 (cash and cash equivalents) and note 15 (trade and other payables). 

The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The Board of 
Directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks which are summarised below:

Interest rate risk
The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group’s deposit accounts and short 
term debt instruments.

The Group’s policy is to manage this exposure by investing in short term, low risk bank deposits.

Interest rate risk table

2014
Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
2013
Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Sterling
US Dollar
Euro

Increase/
(decrease)
%

Effect 
on profit 
before tax
£’000s

10
10
10
(10)
(10)
(10)

10
10
10
(10)
(10)
(10)

1
–
–
(1)
–
–

1
–
–
(1)
–
–

Capital Management
The Group’s objective when managing capital is to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide 
return for shareholders, benefit for other stakeholders and to maintain optimal capital structure and to reduce the cost of capital.

Management considers as part of its capital, the financial sources of funding from shareholders and third parties.

In order to ensure an appropriate return for shareholder capital invested in the Group, management thoroughly evaluates all 
material projects and potential acquisitions and has them approved by the Board of Directors where applicable.

The Group monitors capital on a short and medium term view. During 2014 the Group’s strategy was to fund capital expenditure 
through a mix of debt and equity. The table below illustrates the changes in capital during the year.

Borrowings
Cash and cash equivalents
Net (debt)/cash 
Total capital excluding reserves:
Equity Share capital
Equity share premium
Shareholders equity

44

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

2014
£000s
 (13,568 )
 12,608 
(960)

 4,153 
 67,145 
19,434

2013
£000s
 (2,176) 
 543 
(1,633)

 2,876
 60,209 
 15,317

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
 
21  Foreign Currency Risk
As a result of the bulk of the Group’s operations being denominated in Euros, the Group’s balance sheet can be impacted by 
movements in these exchange rates againt Sterling. Such movements will result in book gains or losses which are unrealised 
and will be offset if the currencies involved move in the opposite direction.

The Sterling cost of the assets being acquired with the Euro or US Dollar deposits rises or falls pro rata to the currency 
movements, so the purchasing power of the respective currency remains the same.

As the Group also holds some US Dollar assets at the end of the year, the following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a 
reasonably possible change in the US dollar or Euro exchange rates, with all other variables held constant, of the Group’s profit or 
loss before tax. Wherever possible the company holds the same currency as our liabilities, thereby providing a natural hedge. 

2014

2013

Increase/
(decrease) in 
Euro rate
%
5
(5)
5
(5)

Effect on 
profit or loss 
before tax
£’000s
(708)
745
(283)
298

Increase/
(decrease) 
in US Dollar 
rate
%
5
(5)
5
(5)

Effect on 
profit or loss 
before tax
£’000s
–
–
(2)
1

Credit risk
The Group currently has sales to two customers. The maximum credit exposure at the reporting date of each category of financial 
assets above is the carrying value as detailed in the relevant notes. The Group’s management considers that the financial assets 
that are not impaired for each of the reporting dates are of good credit quality. Payment terms are limited to one month’s gas 
sales at any one time and therefore the credit risk is considered negligible.

Liquidity Risk
The Group and Company have significant liquid assets and are not materially exposed to liquidity risk. For further details on the 
maturity of financial liabilities see note 15.

22 Financial Instruments

2014
Cash and short term deposits
Sterling
Euro
US Dollar

2013
Cash and short term deposits
Sterling
Euro
US Dollar

Floating 
Rate
£’000s

Interest-
free
£’000s

Total
£’000s

Weighted 
average 
£’000s

 39 
 696 
1 
 736 

 315 
 126 
 17 
 458 

1,363
10,511
 – 
 11,874

1,402
11,205
 1 
 12,608 

 18 
 61 
 6 
 85 

 333 
 187 
 23 
 543

0.00%
0.00%
0.25%
–

0.45%
1.27%
0.25%
–

45

Euro cash balances have been converted at the exchange rate of €1.2565:£1.00 (2013: €1.2015:£1.00).

US Dollar cash balances have been converted at the exchange rate of US$1.5649:£1.00 (2013: USD$1.6349:£1.00).

The floating rate cash and short term deposits comprise cash held in interest bearing deposit accounts.

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur Governance 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

23 Share Based Payments
The Group has a Long Term Incentive Plan under which share options have been granted to the executive team.

The expense recognised for employee services in the Consolidated Income Statement is as follows:

Group

Expense arising from equity-settled share options

Company

Expense arising from equity-settled share options

2014
£’000s

329

2014
£’000s

329

2013
£’000s

108

2013
£’000s

108

The fair value of equity-settled share options granted is estimated at the date of grant using a Black–Scholes model, taking into 
account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted.

2014

Total
2013
Total

Granted

1,833,331
1,833,334
1,833,335
500,000
500,000
500,000
7,850,000
250,000
250,000
15,350,000
2,622,219
2,622,219

Period 
(years)

Price 
(pence)

3
4
5
5
6
7
5
4
4

5

6.50
6.06
6.06
12.15
12.15
12.15
8.0
12.6
12.4

12.15

The expected life of the options is based on the maximum option period and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that 
may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may not 
necessarily be the actual outcome.

No other features of options grant were incorporated into the measurement of fair value 

Share options outstanding at the start of the year
Share options granted
Share options expired
Share options outstanding at the end of the year

2014
 6,182,220
 15,350,000 
(5,833,335)
 15,698,885 

2013
 6,169,334 
 2,622,219 
(2,609,333) 
 6,182,220 

If all equity share options were exercisable immediately, new ordinary shares equal to approximately 3.7% would be created.

46

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www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
 
 
 
24  Commitment and guarantees
At 31 December 2014, the Group had no commitments other than for decommissioning (note 17) and no capital commitments 
(2013: nil).

25  Debt and Warrant Instruments 
On 28 July, the Company issued £8m of debt to Continental Investment Partners (£7m) and Simon Davies (£1m) combined with 
equity and warrants with a two year term with an annual coupon of 8%. Each warrant is convertible into equity at a price of 10.4p 
for that two year term.

The loan notes therefore contain two components: liability and equity elements. The equity element is presented in equity under 
the heading of “warrant reserve”.

Proceeds of issue
Liability at date of issue
Equity Component
Liability Component at date of issue
Interest charge calculated at effective interest rate
Interest paid
Liability component at 31 December 2014

GBP
£’000s
6,605
 (6,236)
369
6,236
491
(139)
 6,588

26  Post Balance Sheet Events
On 22 January 2015, the Company announced the issuance of 3,906,250 new ordinary shares in the Company in satisfaction of the 
introduction fee for the Reserve Based Lending facility announced on 13 November 2014. The effective price of the issued shares 
was 16p and as result the Company revised ordinary shares in issue stood at 419,207,065.

On 17 March, the Company announced the approval of the Environmental Impact assessment (“EIA”) for Badile from the 
Italian Ministry of Economic Development from the Lombardy Regional Government. This marks an important step in the local 
permitting process and enables the Company to prepare for the forthcoming exploration well.

On 17 April, the Company was pleased to announce it had received the final approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment 
(“EIA”) for the Nervesa field production concession from the Veneto Region. The award of the Nervesa field production concession 
from the Italian Ministry of Economic Development is expected shortly. 

On 28 April, the Company announced a placing to raise a total of £12.0 million, before expenses, through the issue of 63,157,895 
new ordinary shares at a price of 19 pence per ordinary share with an equal number of detachable warrants to subscribe for new 
ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 24 pence per ordinary share for a period of 5 years from issue.

Metano Capital SA (“Metano”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Investment Partners SA (“Continental”), agreed to 
arrange a subscription for a total of 63,157,895 new ordinary 1p shares in the Company.

Continental is contractually precluded from exercising any Warrants that it holds to the extent that any such exercise would see 
Continental’s (together with its related parties or concert parties) ownership exceeding 29.9% of the issued share capital of the 
Company.

The Placing Shares and the Warrants are to be issued in two tranches, the second of which is conditional, inter alia, on the 
approval of Sound Oil shareholders:

47

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stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur Governance 
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued

26  Post Balance Sheet Events continued 
A first tranche of 48,000,000 new Ordinary Shares (the “First Tranche Shares”) and 48,000,000 Warrants (the “First Tranche 
Warrants”) was issued following settlement, raising £9.1 million before expenses. The first tranche  was admitted for trading on 
AIM on 22nd May 2015. 

A second tranche of 15,157,895 new Ordinary Shares (the “Second Tranche Shares”) and 15,157,895 Warrants (the “Second 
Tranche Warrants”) will be issued on or before 30 June 2015, subject to, inter alia, the receipt of shareholder approval of the 
necessary resolutions to enable the issue of the Second Tranche Shares and the exercises of the Second Tranche Warrants. The 
Company will be convening a general meeting for the purpose of considering, inter alia, the necessary resolutions shortly.
Continental (or an affiliate of Continental) will be paid a fee of 8% of the gross proceeds of the Placing (the “Placing Fee”), payable 
in two proportional tranches.

Following the issue of the 48,000,000 First Tranche Shares, the Company has 467,207,065 Ordinary Shares in issue and there 
are no shares held in treasury. This is the total number of voting rights in the Company and may be used by shareholders as the 
denominator for the calculations by which they determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or change to their interest 
in, the Company under the Disclosure Rules and the Transparency Rules.

The Company also announced on 28 April that existing shareholders will be offered the chance to participate in an open offer of 
new shares and warrants up to a maximum of €5.0 million. On 18 May the Company confirmed that is was offering one share for 
every 23 shares held at the record date of 5pm of 15 May 2015. The Company expects the open offer shares to be admitted for 
trading on AIM at 8am on 10 June 2015. 

48

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014  
List of Licences and Interests

Licence
Rapagnano
San Lorenzo
Fonte San Damiano
Carità2
Torrente Alvo2
Carità2
Badile
S.Maria Goretti
Villa Gigli3
Monte Negro2
Montemarciano
D-R74-AP
D503 BR-CS
Posta Del Giudice3
Solfara Mare
D148 DR-CS
Costa Del Sole
Tardiano
Torre del Ferro

Status1
Concession
Concession
Concession
App Conc.
Permit
Permit
Permit
Permit
Permit
Permit
Permit
Permit
Application
Application
Application
Application
Application
Application
Application

Key Project or Prospect

Name
Rapagnano
Casa Tiberi
Marciano
CasaTonetto
Strombone
Nervesa
Badile
T.Tesino
Musone
–
–
Laura
Dora / Dalla
–
–
–
Manfria
–
–

Type
Gas Production
Gas Production
Awaiting Abandonment
Gas Discovery
Oil Discovery
Appraisal
Prospect
Appraisal
Oil Discovery
–
–
Gas Discovery
Gas Discovery
–
–
–
Oil Discovery
–
–

WI
(%)
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
75
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

Area 
(km2)
8.5
4.9
23.7
4.2
84.3
529.8
154.5
101.3
100.9
287.7
49.4
65.2
138.1
113.6
337
162.3
41.5
212.4
118.0

Operator
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy
Apennine Energy

Notes:
1.  A Concession allows hydrocarbon production and is valid for twenty years. An Application for a Concession can be made 

following a declaration of commercial discovery ratified by the Ministry of Economic Development. The Concession requires 
the approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment and becomes exclusive after publication in the Official Journal of the 
EU. A Permit is valid for six years and allows seismic and drilling operations. An Application for a permit can be made at 
any time, it becomes exclusive to the applying company three months after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. All 
the applications listed here are exclusive to Apennine Energy. The conversion of an application to a full permit requires the 
approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment.

2.  Carità, Monte Negro and Torrente Alvo Permit: 100 per cent. SOU (50 per cent. Apennine Energy - 50 per cent. Apennine Oil 

and Gas).

3.  Prior to the asset swap transaction announced by the Company on 28 February 2013, Compagnia Generale Idrocarburi SpA 

and Sound Oil each held a 50 per cent. equity position in four assets: two awarded licences (Villa Gigli and Colle Ginestre) and 
two outstanding applications (Posta del Guidice and Il Convento). Sound Oil increased its equity position to 100 per cent. in 
Villa Gigli and Posta Del Giudice in exchange for eliminating any equity interest in Il Convento and Colle Ginestre.

49

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stock code: SOUStrategic ReportFinancial StatementsOur Governance 
 
Shareholder Notes

50

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www.soundoil.co.ukSound Oil plc Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2014 Dealing Information

FT Share Price Index – Telephone 0906 8433711
SEAQ short code – SOU

Financial Calendar

Meetings
Annual General Meeting – 30 June 2015

Announcements
2015 Interim – 18 September 2015 
2015 Preliminary – May 2015

Addresses

Registered Office
Sound Oil plc 
55 Gower Street 
London  
WC1E 6HQ

Business Address
Sound Oil plc 
4A Brewery Lane 
Sevenoaks 
Kent 
TN13 1DF

Company Secretary
S Ronaldson 
55 Gower Street 
London  
WC1E 6HQ 
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7580 6075 
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7580 7429

Website
www.soundoil.co.uk

Auditors
Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP 
St Bride’s House 
10 Salisbury Square 
London  
EC4Y 8EH

Stockbrokers
Peel Hunt 
Moor House 
120 London Wall 
London  
EC2R 6AY

Nominated Advisers
Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited 
25 Moorgate 
London  
EC2R 6AY

Registrars 
Capita Asset Services 
The Registry  
34 Beckenham Road  
Beckenham  
Kent  
BR3 4TU  

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7

Sound Oil plc
4a Brewery Lane
Bligh’s Meadow
Sevenoaks
TN13 1DF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1732 606030

24032.04     2 June 2015 11:57 AM    PROOF 7