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Tethys Oil
Annual Report 2019

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FY2019 Annual Report · Tethys Oil
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Tethys Oil
Annual Report
2019

Annual General Meeting
The  Annual  General  Meeting  will  be  held  on  13 
May  2020,  3:00  p.m.  at  Grand  Hôtel,  Södra 
Blasieholmshamnen  8,  in  Stockholm.  Tethys  Oil 
Is closely monitoring the development around the 
Corona virus, and precautionary measures related 
to  the  Annual  General  Meeting  2020  might  be 
taken to ensure the health and safety of all share-
holders,  employees  and  other  stakeholders.  To 
attend the AGM, please visit Tethys Oil’s website, 
www.tethysoil.com, for more information.

Contents

5
Letter to the shareholders 
6
Tethys Oil in brief 
8
Mission, Vision and Values 
9
Expanding reserve and resource base 
10
Operations 
20
Corporate Governance Report 
26
Board of Directors 
28
Executive management 
29
The Tethys Oil share 
32
Payments to authorities 
33
Key financial data 
34
Definitions and abbreviations 
35
Administration report 
Financial statements for the group 
45
Financial statements for the parent company  49
53
Notes 
67
Assurance 
68
Auditor’s report 
71
Financial information 
72
Address 

The Sustainability Report is a separate document, 
available on www.tethysoil.com.

Another successful year for Tethys Oil

•  Record Production from Blocks 3&4, Oman

bopd
15,000

12,000

9,000

6,000

3,000

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

•  Record Reserves at year-end 2019

mmbo
30

25

RRR 171%

RRR 114%

7.6

25.4

-4.7

5.4

26.1

RRR 177%

RRR 116%

20

RRR 193%

RRR 113%

17.7

-3.5

4.0

18.2

-4.4

7.6

21.4

-4.4

5.1

22.0

-4.3

15

10

5

0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

n  2P Reserves (Proven and Probable Reserves)
  n  Revisions and discoveries
n  Production 

n  RRR = Reserve replacement ratio 2P

•  Proposal:  

Continued high 
distribution to 
shareholders

n  Ordinary dividend
n  Extraordinary distribution
n  Dividend yield at announcement

*  Graph showing the revised proposal from 
the Board of Directors on 6 April 2020.

SEK/share
8

6

4

2

0

6

2

4

2

2

1

3

1

1

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

12%

9%

6%

3%

0%

3

2

2020
(proposal
to AGM*)

Operational and financial summary

MUSD1 (unless specifically stated) 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Average daily production Blocks 3&4,  
before government take, bbl

Average selling price per barrel, USD

Revenue and other income

EBITDA

Net cash

Investments in oil and gas properties

Dividend, SEK per share

Extraordinary distribution to shareholders, SEK per share

Market capitalization at the end of the period, MSEK

2P Reserves (million barrels of oil)

2C Contingent Resources (million barrels of oil)

12,832

11,767

12,162

12,121

64.2

150.8

92.9

75.1

65.2

2.00

6.00

3,063

26.1

13.5

70.5

157.3

106.6

73.1

55.8

2.00

4.00

2,325

25.4

12.5

51.8

119.3

78.2

42.0

40.4

1.00

–

2,337

22.0

17.3

40.5

87.1

44.0

39.0

48.5

1.00

3.00

2,799

21.4

–

9,698

58.1

107.0

58.6

51.2

40.8

1.00

2.00

2,044

18.2

–

1  Starting 1 January 2016, the Tethys Oil group presents the financial reports in USD. Please note that comparative financials from 2015 have been restated.

The Blocks 3&4 success story

Tethys Oil acquired an interest in Blocks 3&4 in 2007 and, 
together with the other partners in the licence, initiated oil 
production  on  the  blocks  three  years  later.  From  August 
2010 through to year-end 2019, Tethys Oil’s net production 
from Blocks 3&4, before government take, has amounted 

to  about  28  million  barrels,  while  annually  increasing 
reserves. The oil produced on Blocks 3&4 has created sig-
nificant value for the shareholders of Tethys Oil, its partners 
in  the  licence,  and  not  least,  the  people  of  Oman  in  the 
form of tax revenue and local employment.

Next step, first exploration well on Block 49

In late 2017, Tethys Oil expanded its operations in Oman 
when it was awarded the exploration licence for and opera-
torship of Block 49. In 2018, Tethys Oil conducted a seis-
mic  campaign,  whereby  253  km²  of  3D  and  299  km  of 
2D seismic data was acquired in the north-eastern part of 

the  licence  area.  In  2019,  interpretation  and  mapping  of 
the  new  seismic  resulted  in  one  drillable  prospect  being 
defined. The next step in the operations on the block is to 
drill an exploration well on the identified prospect.

New opportunities added with Block 56

In late October 2019, Tethys Oil announced the farm in on 
Block 56 onshore in the Sultanate of Oman. The farm-in to 
Block 56 is both a strategic and technical fit for Tethys Oil 
and is the result of an intensive review of available opportuni-

ties. Not only is the block only 200 km from the Blocks 3&4, 
but  offers  a  similar  geologic  regime.  It  is  a  project  where 
Tethys Oil believes that its technical expertise can make a 
real contribution towards future success.

44

Letter to the shareholders

Letter to the shareholders

Dear friends and investors,
What a difference a year makes. Not to say 
a week. When I started writing this letter 
the world was still a normal place. Now, a 
few weeks later, everything is anything but 
normal.  At  the  time  of  writing  it  is  even 
unclear if our AGM scheduled for 13 May 
2020 will go ahead in a normal manner or 
will  be  conducted  with  restrictions.  And 
if  an  abnormal  world  was  not  enough, 
oil prices have seen their largest drop in a 
generation, even outpacing the movement 
of 2014–2016. At the time of writing oil 
is  trading  anywhere  between  USD  15  to 
USD 35 per barrel amid slacking demand 
and a vociferous fight among oil producers 
for market share.

When  things  will  return  to  normal  is 
beyond our ability to predict, but of course 
the world will persevere and oil prices will 
rebound.  High  cost  producers  may  be 
forced out of business but – as we saw in 
2016 – prices below USD 30 per barrel are 
not  sustainable  as  long  as  oil  is  the  main 
source of the world’s energy supply. Tethys 
Oil  of  course  is,  as  you  know,  a  conven-
tional producer with moderate to low costs 
and  with  a  very  strong  balance  sheet  and 
cash position. Tethys’ board and manage-
ment  closely  follow  the  situation  and  are 
prepared  to  take  measures  as  and  when 
needed. But I hope that if this letter is read 
in a few months’ time, things will be back 
to normal and it will be business as usual. 
So, let us for the time being concentrate on 
last year, 2019, which was a very good year 
for Tethys Oil.

The operations on our exploration licence 
Block  49  continue  in  2019  towards  our 
first  exploration  well.  Our  project  port-
folio  increased  late  in  the  year  with  a  20 
percent  farm  in  into  exploration  licence 
Block  56.  But  of  course,  our  core  asset, 
as yet representing all our production and 
cash  generation,  continues  to  be  our  30 
percent  interest  in  Blocks  3&4  onshore 
the Sultanate of Oman. We saw record oil 
production of 12,832 bopd, which is nine 
percent  higher  than  in  2018.  We  ended 
the  year  with  record  high  reserves  after 
reaching a 2P reserve replacement ratio of 
116 percent – the eighth consecutive year 
of  increasing  our  2P  reserves.  Our  strong 
cash generation continued in 2019 and we 

ended  the  year  with  net  cash  of  MUSD 
75.1. Reflecting the strong operational and 
financial position of Tethys Oil, the board 
of  directors  is  again  proposing  to  distrib-
ute cash to shareholders through dividends 
and an extraordinary distribution through 
a redemption programme. In addition, the 
Company  has  over  the  year  repurchased 
Tethys  shares.  Tethys  now  holds  repur-
chased  shares  close  to  9  percent  of  total 
issued  shares,  which  the  Board  will  pro-
pose to the AGM to cancel and ask for a 
new mandate to repurchase up to another 
10 percent of the issued shares.

For  the  year  2019,  an  active  work  pro-
gramme was implemented on Blocks 3&4, 
with  production  enhancement,  optimisa-
tion  of  production  facilities,  maturation 
of  contingent  resources,  and  continued 
exploration activities. Blocks 3&4 has now 
been  in  production  for  ten  years  and  in 
2019 reached the point where all historic 
capital investment was recouped. From the 
first geological study through early specula-
tive seismic and the first tentative explora-
tion well, the early production system, the 
building of pipelines and facilities until the 
establishment of a permanent commercial 
production stream – all the costs for those 

investments have now been recovered. This 
is further evidence of the project’s quality 
and profitability and of the competence of 
the Operator CC Energy Development. As 
well as evidence of the good and very con-
structive relationship we have in the Blocks 
3&4  joint  venture  between  the  Operator 
ourselves and Mitsui E&P Middle East.

Tethys’  financial  numbers  for  2019  saw 
the  higher  production  offset  mainly  by 
a  decrease  in  oil  prices  by  nine  percent. 
Despite that, for 2019 we report revenues 
and other income of MUSD 150.8 almost 
in  line  with  2018.  Our  EBITDA  for  the 
year amounted to MUSD 92.9, the second 
highest we have ever had.

The  seismic  programme  on  Blocks  3&4 
continued 
in  2019,  and  the  seismic 
acquired  during  the  year  is  being  inter-
preted  and  new  seismic  is  being  acquired 
so that by the end of 2020 we expect that 
the  overwhelming  majority  of  the  most 
prospective  areas  of  Blocks  3&4  will  be 
covered by high resolution 3D seismic. We 
expect an intense exploration year in 2020, 
with a full rig year dedicated to drill explo-
ration and appraisal wells. With a resource 
base  of  2C  contingent  resources  of  13.5 

5

Tethys Oil in brief

million barrels, we are in a good position 
to  continue  to  replace  and  increase  our 
2P-reserves in 2020.

Considerable  efforts  to  further  optimise 
infrastructure  and  production  capabilities 
will  continue  in  2020.  The  implementa-
tion  of  a  pilot  gas  utilization  project  at 
the  Shahd  production  facility  is  particu-
larly notable. This project is a first step in 
planning  and  evaluating  a  comprehensive 
gas  utilization  project  that  aims  to  lower 
flaring  and  cut  diesel  consumption  used 
in power generation. It will be important 
in  optimising  fluid  production,  cutting 
operating costs, and perhaps most impor-
tantly, in reducing the ‘carbon footprint’ of 
Blocks  3&4.  This  project  is  detailed  fur-
ther in our sustainability report.

The  activities  on  our  exploration  licence 
Block  49  continued  progressing  in  2019, 
and  we  have  so  far  defined  one  drillable 
prospect known as Thameen (“Precious”). 
We are currently working to secure a drill-
ing rig, and will then be ready to drill our 
first exciting exploration well on the block. 
In  2020,  we  plan  to  drill  the  well  to  a 
depth of close to 4,000 meters to evaluate 
three potential reservoir targets.

With  no  debt  and  a  substantial  amount 
of cash, we are and have been in a strong 
position  to  expand  our  project  portfolio. 
And so we did in October 2019, when we 
farmed  into  Block  56  with  a  20  percent 
interest. The Block is an appraisal opportu-
nity with excellent exploration potential in 
an area where Tethys Oil’s knowledge and 
experience will eminently complement the 
work  of  the  current  partnership.  Block 
56  is  an  exploration  licence  that  has  pro-
gressed further than Block 49 – the part-
ners have already drilled three exploration 
wells. An appraisal programme to flow test 
three wells is ongoing. 

And  so  we  have  reached  the  outlook  for 
2020,  and  here  it  gets  more  difficult. 
Tethys  Oil  is  in  a  strong  position  both 
organisationally  and  financially,  but  the 
world  is  a  much  more  difficult  place  to 
predict.  Over  the  last  month  most  of  us 
have had our daily life impacted in ways we 
have never experienced before, or even had 
imagined  we  would  ever  experience.  For 
Tethys,  both  our  Muscat  and  Stockholm 
offices have been arranged to enable opera-
tions to continue while all co-workers can 
work  remotely.  Contingency  plans  have 
been  put  in  place  to  allow  for  deferment 

of  capex  and  work  programmes  in  areas 
where the planned work is not crucial for 
safety or production.

We expect to continue the high production 
levels, and produce in the range of 12,600 
to 13,400 bopd from Blocks 3&4. We also 
expect  increased  exploration  activities  on 
the  Blocks.  Together  with  the  upcoming 
exploration well on Block 49 and the well 
tests on Block 56. 

It is certainly not business as usual but we 
strive  to  maintain  operations  as  close  to 
our original plans as possible. We carefully 
follow developments and have a high read-
iness to do whatever will be required of us 
as a company. And we are hopeful that we 
will soon be back to a normal world again!

So, stay with us – we are here to stay!

Stockholm, 9 April 2020

Magnus Nordin
Managing Director

Tethys Oil

Tethys Oil is a Swedish oil company with 
focus  on  onshore  areas  with  known  oil 
discoveries. The company’s core area is the 
Sultanate  of  Oman,  where  it  holds  inter-
ests  in  Blocks  3&4,  Block  49  and  Block 

56. Tethys Oil has net working interest 2P 
Reserves  of  26.1  mmbo  and  net  working 
interest 2C Contingent Resources of 13.5 
mmbo and had an average oil production 
of 12,832 barrels per day from Blocks 3&4 

during  2019  (Tethys  Oil’s  share  of  gross 
production, before government take). The 
head  office  is  located  in  Stockholm  and 
the Company’s shares are listed on Nasdaq 
Stockholm (TETY).

Oman

Area
(km²)

Blocks 3&4

29,130

Block 49

Block 56

15,439

5,808

Interest

Phase

30%

100%

20%

Production/
exploration

Exploration

Exploration

2P Reserves 
(mmbo)

2C Contingent 
Resources  
(mmbo)

Average daily 
production  
2019 (bbl)

26.1

–

–

13.5

12,832

–

–

–

–

6

Consession boundaries  
Sultanate of Oman
Tethys  Oil  holds  a  30  percent  interest  in 
Blocks  3&4,  where  CC  Energy  Develop-
ment S.A.L. (Oman branch) is the opera-
tor.  Tethys  Oil  holds  100  percent  inter-
est  in,  and  is  the  operator  of  Block  49. 
Tethys Oil also holds a 20 percent interest 
in  Block  56,  where  Medco  Arabia  Ltd  is 
the operator. These blocks cover an area of 
50,377 km2, which makes Tethys Oil one 
of the largest concession holders in Oman 
in terms of acreage.

8
MO G C

8
MO G C

40
P etrotel 

17
P etrotel 

مدﻧﺳﻣ

MUSA NDA M

ءﺎﺣدﻣ
MA DHA

43A
O pen

31
A R A

44
A R A

18
O pen

43B
O pen

طﻘﺳﻣ
MUSCAT

41
O pen

9
O ccidental

15
HC F

47
E NI

5
Daleel

27
O ccidental

30
O ccidental

65
O ccidental

62
O ccidental
62 O il
O pen

Vacant
O pen

51
O ccidental

42
Shell

61
BP

10A
O pen

11A
O pen

10B
O pen

48
O O C E P

60
O O C E P

11B
O pen

6
P DO

77
E NI

70
O pen

7
HC F

12
O pen

4
 CC Energy

3
 CC Energy

3

59
O pen

36
A P E X

38
O pen

66
MO L

73
O pen

49
Tethys Oil

75
O pen

74
O pen

57
P etroleb

76
O pen

58
O pen

67
P etrotel

39
P etrotel

ﺔﻟﻼﺻ
SALALAH

71
O pen

72
O ccidental

NL S

50
Masirah O il Ltd

53
O ccidental

54
Lasso

55
Shell

56
Medco

52
E NI

100

50

0

100

km

Source: Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Oil and Gas

77

!!Mission, Vision and Values

Mission
Tethys Oil is an oil and gas exploration and 
production company with a primary objec-
tive of creating shareholder value working 
across the whole upstream industry lifecy-
cle of exploration, appraisal, development 
and production. A central belief in Tethys 
Oil’s business model is to explore for and 
produce  oil  and  gas  in  an  economically, 
socially,  and  environmentally  responsible 
way. The Group applies the same standards 
to  its  activities  worldwide  to  satisfy  both 
its commercial and ethical requirements as 
per Tethys Oil’s Code of Conduct.

Vision
Tethys Oil’s vision is that growth continues 
through  the  Group’s  exploration  success. 
Tethys  Oil  seeks  to  build,  maintain  and 
expand  a  well-balanced  and  self-financed 
portfolio of oil assets, offering a measured 
exposure to onshore production, develop-
ment, appraisal and exploration potential. 
The focus today and tomorrow is on geog-
raphies  with  proven  petroleum  systems, 
existing infrastructure, established institu-
tional frameworks and low political risk. In 
all its activities, Tethys Oil seeks a balanced 
approach to risk.

Tethys  Oil  seeks  to  be  a  sustainable  and 
profitable  business 
long-term.  Sustain-
ability  means  running  a  business  that  is 
not  only  profitable  but  is  aligned  with 
the  requirements  and  expectations  of 
stakeholders  both  within  and  outside  the 
Group.

Tethys Oil will continue to create increased 
shareholder value with a balanced approach 
to  growth  and  shareholder  distributions, 
with a long-term capital structure target of 
a zero net cash position.

Values
Tethys  Oil’s  corporate  culture  emanates 
from  the  Company’s  Scandinavian  roots. 
It  is  the  responsibility  of  the Tethys  Oil’s 
management to foster a corporate culture 
that  promotes  the  values  and  principles 
outlined in Tethys Oil’s Code of Conduct. 
Tethys Oil aims to act in all respects in a 
responsible,  fair,  accountable  and  ethical 
manner towards all aspects of the environ-
ment  and  to  all  individuals  and  entities 
that the Group encounters in its course of 
doing  business. Tethys  Oil  aims  to  apply 
the same standards to all its activities wher-
ever they are carried out.

It is of vital importance to Tethys Oil that 
the Group maintains and further builds on 
its reputation as a responsible and forward-
looking  corporate  citizen  in  all  countries 
where  Tethys  Oil  has  a  presence  and  in 
relation  to  all  stakeholders,  may  they  be 
shareholders, employees, contractors, part-
ners or someone else.

88

Expanding reserve and resource base

Reserve and resource base continue to expand – 
eighth consecutive year with growing reserves

Tethys Oil’s net working interest Reserves in Blocks 3&4 Oman 
as per 31 December 2019 amount to 26,112 thousand barrels of 
oil (“mbo”) of Proven and Probable Reserves (2P). The 2P reserve 
replacement  ratio  amounts  to  116  percent.  In  addition,  Tethys 
Oil’s net working interest resources oil base in Oman amounts to 
13,458 mbo of 2C Contingent Resources. The Company’s year-
end  Reserves  reports  were  audited  by  ERC  Equipoise  Limited 
(“ERCE”) as an independent qualified Reserves evaluator.

Development of Reserves, Blocks 3&4 (Audited)

mbo

1P

2P

3P

Total 31 December 2018

16,735

25,357

35,884

Based on ERCE’s oil price assumptions, Tethys Oil’s net entitle-
ment Reserves (Reserves after government take) amount to 7,862 
mbo of 1P, 10,869 mbo of 2P and 12,160 mbo of 3P (revised fol-
lowing cost pool adjustments).

In  addition  to  Reserves, Tethys  Oil  also  announces  net  working 
interest Contingent Resources. The bulk of the estimated Contin-
gent Resources are contained in the Ulfa, Samha and Erfan fields. 
Development  of  the  Contingent  Resources  in  the  discoveries  is 
continued  contingent  upon  the  on-going  appraisal  programme, 
a  committed  work  programme  as  well  as  budget  to  access  these 
resources.

Production 2019

Additions and revisions 

-4,684

5,285

-4,684

5,439

-4,684

Contingent resources, Blocks 3&4 (Audited)

5,719

mbo

1C

2C

3C

Total 31 December 2019

17,336

26,112

36,919

Total 31 December 2019

5,094

13,458

26,468

Reserve replacement ratio, %

113%

116%

122%

Additions  and  revisions  include  maturation  of  Contingent 
Resources  to  Reserves  from  the  ongoing  appraisal  program  of 
Ulfa,  Samha  and  Erfan  fields  as  well  as  upside  revisions  of  the 
Reserves on the Farha South and Shahd fields and a small amount 
of Reserves attributable to the Masarrah-1 exploration well drilled 
in 2019.

Reserve replacement ratio, %

200

150

100

50

0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

The  audit  of  the  Reserves  in  Oman  has  been  conducted  using 
2018  Petroleum  Resources  Management  System  (PRMS2018), 
sponsored  by  the  Society  of  Petroleum  Engineers  (SPE),  World 
Petroleum  Council  (WPC),  American  Association  of  Petroleum 
Geologists  (AAPG)  and  Society  of  Petroleum  Evaluation  Engi-
neers (SPEE).

Contingent resources

Total 31 December 2019, mmbo
25

1C

2C

3C

20

15

10

5

0

99

Operations

Operations

Tethys Oil’s core area Oman

Oman – part of an oil rich region
The  Sultanate  of  Oman,  strategically 
located in the south-eastern part of the Ara-
bian Peninsula, overlooks the Arabian Sea, 
the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. It 
also  overlooks  the  strategic  Strait  of  Hor-
muz  at  the  point  of  entry  to  the  Arabian 
Gulf.  Oman’s  neighbours  include  United 
Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Oman  is  a  beautiful  country,  combining 
white  sand  beaches,  rolling  desert  dunes 
and  expansive  mountain  ranges.  Oman 
is  also  the  oldest  independent  state  in 
the  Arab  world  with  a  long  and  exciting 
history  over  thousands  of  years.  Modern 
archaeological  discoveries  suggest  that 
humans settled in Oman during the Stone 
Age, i.e. more than 10,000 years ago.

Oman as an oil country
Most importantly for Tethys Oil, Oman is 
also  a  major  oil  nation,  the  largest  in  the 
Middle East that is not a member of OPEC. 
Oman has in excess of five billion barrels of 
estimated proven oil reserves, ranking Oman 
as  the  seventh  largest  proved  oil  reserve 
holder  in  the  Middle  East  and  the  22nd 
largest  in  the  world  (BP  Statistical  Review 
of World Energy, June 2019). Oman’s crude 
oil and condensate production amounted in 
2018 to almost 1 mmbo per day.

The  largest  producer  in  Oman  is  Petro-
leum Development Oman (“PDO”), who 
holds  Block  6.  Block  6  covers  an  area  of 
75,119  km2  in  north,  central  and  south 
Oman.  PDO’s  produces  about  600,000 
barrels of oil per day, corresponding to 60 
percent of the total production in Oman. 
PDO  is  owned  by  the  Omani  govern-
ment  (60  percent),  Shell  (34  percent), 
Total (four percent), and Partex (two per-
cent). Occidental Petroleum (Oxy), is the 
second-largest  producer  in  Oman,  with  a 
production  of  some  200,000  bopd.  Oxy 
is producing from Blocks 9, 27 and 62 in 
northern  Oman  and  the  Mukhaizna  field 
in Block 53 in the south.

Tethys Oil in Oman
With  the  desire  and  ambition  to  become 
a  dedicated  and  successful  player  in  the 
Omani  oil  and  gas  industry,  Tethys  Oil 
acquired  an  interest  in  the  licence  for 
Blocks 3&4 in 2007. The blocks cover an 
area of 29,130 km2 in the central-eastern 
part  of  Oman.  Tethys  Oil,  through  its 
wholly owned subsidiary Tethys Oil Block 
3  &  4  Ltd,  has  a  30  percent  interest  in 
Blocks 3&4. Its partners are Mitsui E&P 
Middle East B.V. with 20 percent and the 
operator CC Energy Development S.A.L. 
(Oman branch) holding the remaining 50 
percent.

10

In 2017, Tethys Oil’s operations expanded 
when  the  exploration  Block  49  was 
awarded  to Tethys  Oil  as  operator.  Block 
49  covers  an  area  of  15,439  km2  in  the 
south-western  part  of  Oman,  bordering 
Saudi Arabia. Tethys Oil holds 100 percent 
of Block 49.

In  October  2019, Tethys  Oil’s  operations 
in Oman expanded even further with the 
20  percent  farm-in  to  the  exploration 
licence Block 56. Block 56 covers an area 
of 5,808 km2 in the south-eastern part of 
Oman some 200 km south of Blocks 3&4.

The combined area of Blocks 3&4, Block 
49 and Block 56 amounts to over 50,000 
km2,  which  makes Tethys  Oil  one  of  the 
largest  concession  holders  in  Oman  in 
terms of acreage.

The  partner  group  on  Blocks  3&4  pro-
duced 42,800 bopd in 2019, correspond-
ing to about four percent of Oman’s total 
production. The produced oil is lifted at the 
Mina Al Fahal Terminal in Muscat, on the 
Sea of Oman, and it therefore never needs 
to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

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SULTANATE 
OF OMAN

Block 3

Block 3

Block 4

Dhqum

Block 49

Salalah

Block 56

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The successful exploration and development of 
Blocks 3&4

Ten  years  after 
the  production  was 
launched  through  an  early  production 
system,  the  Blocks  continue  to  deliver. 
2019  marks  a  new  production  record  for 
the Blocks when 12,832 barrels of oil per 
day were produced. In the ten years since 
first oil on Blocks 3&4, Tethys Oil’s share 
of  production  has  amounted  to  over  28 
million  barrels  before  government  take  – 
and still the licence is valid for a further 20 
years of exploration and production.

First oil at Farha South
The  drilling  of  the  Farha  South-3  well 
on Block 3 in early 2009 was the starting 
point  for  the  successful  exploration  and 
development of Blocks 3&4. Through this 
well, the Farha South oil field was discov-
ered, which has been the star performer on 
the blocks ever since.

The oil of the Farha South is not trapped in 
one large continuous reservoir. It is instead 
trapped in a large number of smaller, usu-
ally  adjacent  fault  blocks.  The  main  pro-
ducing  layer  at  the  Farha  South  field  is 
the  Barik  sandstone,  at  an  average  depth 
of  1,600  metres,  but  oil  is  also  produced 
from  the  underlaying  Lower  Al  Bashir 
layer.  The  low  content  of  gas  combined 
with  the  absence  of  a  water  drive  in  the 
Barik reservoir makes water injection nec-

Erfan-5

Erfan-1

Erfan-7

Erfan-3

Erfan-4

Erfan-2 

Erfan-6 

Large quantities of oil with different gravi-
ties  and  viscosities,  including  heavy  oil, 
have  also  been  found  in  different  forma-
tions  on  the  field.  Any  potential  produc-
tion from the heavy oil in Saiwan East will 
require enhanced oil recovery techniques.

The Shahd field
The Shahd field was discovered in 2013 in 
a previously unexplored area on the blocks. 
In the Shahd oil field, oil is extracted from 
the Lower Buah and the Khufai carbonates 
at a depth of 2,000–2,400 metres.

The oil from the Shahd field holds a qual-
ity  of  35–38  degrees  API.  Like  the  Farha 
South field, this area is also highly faulted 
and  is  not  one  large  continuous  reser-
voir. The oil is instead trapped in separate 
structures. Eight structures have been put 
into  production.  Water  injection  is  also 
required on the Shahd oil field in order to 
reach good recovery rates.

Ulfa, Samha and Erfan fields
After  some  years  with  focus  on  develop-
ment  activities  aiming  at  increasing  pro-
duction,  a  number  of  exploration  wells 
were drilled in 2017, which resulted in the 
discovery of the Ulfa, Samha and Erfan oil 
fields.

essary. Water is injected into the reservoir 
via injection wells in order to maintain the 
pressure and thereby stimulate production. 
About  30  fault  blocks  have  been  drilled 
and  put  in  production,  and  the  majority 
has  been  developed  with  water  injection. 
The oil from the Barik reservoir is of high 
quality,  more  than  40  degrees  API,  and 
contains limited sulphur.

Saiwan East – 
the second early 
discovery
Shortly  after  the  Farha 
South  oil  field  was  dis-
covered,  the  SE-2  well 
resulted  in  the  discovery 
of  the  Saiwan  East  oil 
field,  the  second  com-
mercial  discovery  on  the 
blocks.  At  the  Saiwan 
East  oil  field,  the  oil  is 
produced from the Khu-
fai  carbonate  at  depths 
ranging  from  1,700  to 
2,400  metres.  This  res-
ervoir  was  previously 
unknown  as  an  oil  pro-
ducer  in  Oman.  The  oil 
from  the  Khufai  layer 
holds a quality of approx-
imately 32 degrees API.

12

The  Erfan  oil  field  is  a  single  structure 
producing from the Khufai carbonate for-
mation,  at  depths  ranging  from  1,700  to 
2,400 metres, in the same producing for-
mation  as  in  neighbouring  Saiwan  East 
field.

The Ulfa oil field is also a single structure. 
It is located on trend with the Farha South 
field.  The  majority  of  the  production  in 
the field comes from the Khufai carbonate 
formation, but also the Buah is on produc-
tion.  The  Samha  oil  field  is  located  adja-
cent  to  the  Ulfa  field  and  produces  from 
both the Khufai and Buah formations. The 
oil  from  both  Ulfa  and  Samha  is  of  high 
quality,  about  45  degrees  API,  and  con-
tains a high proportion of associated gas.

Infrastructure development
Full  production  facilities  have  been  con-
structed both on the Farha South field and 
on  Saiwan  East  field.  At  these  facilities, 
reservoir fluids are processed in separators 
and  heater  treaters  to  remove  water,  gas 
and  impurities  in  order  to  make  the  oil 
ready for export. The facilities also include 
large storage tanks, pumps and other nec-
essary infrastructure, including field camps 
for the oil field workers.

In  addition,  Early  Production  Facilities 
(EPF)  have  been  constructed  on  Shahd 
and  on  Ulfa  fields.  An  EPF  is  a  smaller 
production facility, which, to some extent 
relies  on  the  infrastructure  at  the  Saiwan 
East field to process the oil to be ready for 
export.  The  Ulfa  EPF  was  finalised  and 
commissioned late in 2018, providing the 
increase in production in 2019.

All  production  is  transported  through 
pipelines  to  the  main  exporting  point  at 
the Saiwan East facility. From Saiwan East, 
the oil is pumped through an 83 km long 
16-inch pipeline to Alam Station just west 
of Blocks 3&4, for further transportation 
through the national pipeline system to the 
export port in Muscat, the Mina Al Fahal 
Terminal.

Ulfa-1

Ulfa-4

Ulfa-9

Ulfa-2

Ulfa-8

Ulfa-3

Ulfa-6

Ulfa-5

Ulfa-7

Samha-1

Samha-2

Samha-3

Export quality

Unprocessed

BLOCK 3
BLOCK 3

Farha
Farha

Alam Station &
Pipeline System

Ulfa EPF
Ulfa EPF

Samha

37 km
37 km

83 km
83 km

50 km
50 km

Shahd H
Shahd H
Shahd I
Shahd I

23 km
23 km

Saiwan station
Saiwan station
Saiwan
Saiwan

12 km
12 km

Erfan
Erfan

Shahd B
Shahd B
(D & F)
(D & F)

25 km
25 km

BLOCK 4
BLOCK 4

13

BLOCK 3

BLOCK 3

N

Future exploration on Blocks 3&4
In hindsight it might seem like the explo-
ration,  development  and  production  ini-
tiation  of  crude  oil  on  Blocks  3&4  has 
been a straightforward and understandable 
process.  However,  numerous  companies 
explored  for  oil  and  gas  for  40  years  and 
drilled some 30 exploration wells in these 
two blocks. Most of the wells encountered 
oil,  but  none  were  deemed  commercially 
viable. There is no question about it – vast 
amounts  of  oil  have  been  formed  on  the 
blocks. The trick is to find the traps, where 
oil could have accumulated.

3D seismic surveys have been a key factor 
to the development of the blocks. Seismic 
data have revealed that many of the non-
commercial wells drilled by previous oper-
ators  would  not  have  been  drilled  if  3D 
data had been available prior to drilling.

Despite  intense  exploration  and  develop-
ment activity for over ten years, large areas 
on  the  blocks  have  yet  to  be  explored. 
With  annual  seismic  programmes,  some 
10,000  km2,  out  of  the  total  area  of  the 
blocks of 29,130 km2, of seismic data have 

been  acquired  so  far  whereof  some  1,650 
km2 were acquired in 2019.

Tethys  Oil  believes  that  there  is  signifi-
cant  remaining  potential  on  Blocks  3&4. 
In  2020,  a  full  rig  year  will  be  dedicated 
to drilling exploration and appraisal wells. 
The  seismic  acquired  in  2019  is  being 
interpreted  and  new  seismic  is  being  col-
lected so that by the end of 2020, an over-
whelming  majority  of  the  most  prospec-
tive areas of Blocks 3&4 will be covered by 
high resolution 3D seismic.

Gharif

Ghudun

Barik
Al Bashir
Miqrat

Amin

Buah

Shuram

Khufai
Masirah Bay

Formations

Geological  formations  are  natural  formations 
and  structures  in  the  rock  and  ground  which 
have occurred as a result of usually very slow 
geological  processes  of  different  kinds  and 
ages.

A  formation  is  a  rock  unit  that  is  distinctive 
enough  in  appearance  that  a  geologic  mapper 
can tell it apart from the surrounding rock layers. 
The  thickness  of  formations  may  range  from 
less than a metre to several thousand metres. 
The  term  “formation”  is  often  used  informally 
to refer to a specific grouping of rocks, such as 
those encountered within a certain depth range 
in an oil well.

1414

in 

reservoirs 

On  Blocks 3&4, 
formations 
like  Khufai,  Barik,  Lower  Al  Bashir,  Buah  and 
Masirah  Bay  have  been  explored.  Tethys  Oil 
has  reserves  and  production  in  reservoirs  in 
the  Khufai,  Barik,  Lower  Al  Bashir  and  Buah 
formations.

Seismic mapping, prospects and leads,  
Blocks 3&4, Oman

Alam Station &
Pipeline System

BLOCK 4

BLOCK 3

3D seimic programme 2019/2020

3D seismic area

2D seismic area

Fields in production

Leads and prospects

Discoveries 2019
(undergoing appraisal/development)

BLOCK 3

Farha South Field

Ulfa
Samha

Shahd 
field

Saiwan East Field

Erfan

Tibyan

1515

Exploration gears up on Block 49

Tethys  Oil’s  second  licence  in  Oman, 
Block 49, was awarded in 2017. After two 
years of seismic work, including reprocess-
ing  of  older  seismic  data,  and  processing 
and  interpretation  of  seismic  data  from  a 
new campaign, Tethys Oil is ready to spud 
an exploration well in 2020. 

The  Block  49  licence  covers  an  area  of 
15,439 km2. Nine wells have been drilled 
by  previous  operators  within  the  block 
boundaries,  several  of  which  are  reported 
to have encountered oil shows. Among the 
legacy  wells,  Dauka-1  was  the  first  well 
ever drilled in Oman in 1955.

One of the first steps to be taken after the 
award of the licence, was the reprocessing 
of some 1,464 km of the over 11,000 km 
of  2D  seismic  data  acquired  by  previous 
operators that had been made available to 
Tethys  Oil.  Through  this  reprocessing,  a 
number of seismic anomalies were identi-
fied,  which  could  be  possible  –  primarily 

stratigraphic  –  oil  traps.  The  anomalies 
have  been  identified  within  the  deeper 
formations in the block at depths of 2,500 
metres or below.

and  Tethys  Oil  is  actively  seeking  a  suit-
able rig. In parallel seismic interpretations 
and overall geological modelling of Block 
49 continues.

In  2018,  Tethys  Oil  launched  a  seismic 
campaign on Block 49, whereby 253 km2 
of 3D and 299 km of 2D seismic data was 
acquired  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the 
licence  area.  The  purpose  of  the  seismic 
campaign was to further define possible oil 
traps and to enhance the understanding of 
the deeper parts of the block in general. 

After  processing  and  completion  of  the 
first phase of the seismic interpretation in 
second  half  of  2019,  a  drillable  prospect 
was identified in the north eastern part of 
the  Block.  The  prospect,  known  as  Tha-
meen (“Precious”) has been further delin-
eated  and  the  drilling  of  a  well  is  being 
planned to a depth of close to 4,000 meters 
to evaluate three potential reservoir targets. 
Drilling  preparations  are  well  underway 

The  Exploration  and  Production  Sharing 
Agreement  (“EPSA”)  for  Block  49  covers 
an initial exploration period of three years 
until  November  2020  with  an  optional 
extension  period  of  another  three  years. 
In  the  event  of  Declaration  of  Commer-
ciality, the term of the agreement shall be 
extended  for  a  period  of  15  years  which 
can be extended for another five years. In 
case of a commercial discovery, the Oman 
government  company  has  a  back-in  right 
of  up  to  30  percent  against  refunding  of 
pro rata past expenditure. The initial work 
commitments  during  the  first  period 
include geological studies, seismic acquisi-
tion and processing and exploratory drill-
ing. Tethys  Oil  holds  100  percent  of  the 
licence interest and is the operator.

Vibrator truck

Receiver truck

Geophones (receivers)

GAS

OIL

WATER

WATER

Seismic studies

A key exploration activity is the use of geophysical 
seismic.  The  principle  behind  seismic  is  that 
sound  waves  travel  at  different  speeds  in 
different  materials  and  that  the  sound  waves, 
at  the  transition  between  different  materials, 
partly  bend  and  reflect  back  to  the  surface. 
Since  rocks  have  different  compositions,  it  is 
possible,  based  on  variations  in  the  speed  of 

the  sound  wave  and  angle,  to  estimate  the 
location  of  structures  that  could  hold  oil  and/
or natural gas reserves in an exploration area.

Single linear lines of seismic provide information 
about  the  subsurface  rocks  directly  beneath 
the  seismic  equipment.  This  type  of  seismic 
data  is  referred  to  as  two-dimensional  or  2D 
seismic,  because  it  provides  data  along  two 
axis,  length  and  depth.  If  seismic  acquisition 

is  done  across  multiple  lines  simultaneously, 
the  third  dimension  of  width  is  gained,  hence 
referred  to  as  three-dimensional  seismic,  or 
3D  seismic.  3D  seismic  offers  much  greater 
density  of  information  about  the  subsurface 
but is much more costly and covers a smaller 
area. Since the oil at Blocks 3&4 is trapped in 
smaller  fault  blocks  or  structures,  3D  seismic 
has been essential in the mapping of possible 
oil bearing structures.

1616

Vibrator truck

Receiver truck

Geophones (receivers)

GAS

OIL

WATER

WATER

Seismic mapping, prospects and leads,  
Block 49, Oman

Thameen prospect

3D seismic area

2D seismic area

N

0

40,000 m

1717

New opportunities added through Block 56

In 
late  October  2019,  Tethys  Oil 
announced  having  entered  into  an  agree-
ment to acquire a 20 percent interest in the 
Exploration and Production licence cover-
ing  Block  56  onshore  Oman  from  Biyaq 
Oilfield Services. 

or oil shows, although, none has yet been 
determined  to  be  a  commercial  discov-
ery.  The  current  operator  has  successfully 
drilled three of these wells. As of the begin-
ning of 2020, a work programme to test up 
to three wells is ongoing.

Block  56  covers  an  area  of  5,808  km2  in 
the south-eastern part of Oman some 200 
km  south  of  Blocks  3&4.  The  licence  is 
operated by a subsidiary to Medco Energi. 
To date 11 wells have been drilled on the 
Block and all but one have encountered oil 

The  Block  lies  at  the  intersection  of  dif-
ferent  geological  provinces  including  the 
prolific  South  Oman  Salt  Basin.  It  offers 
exploration potential in multiple play con-
cepts, both proven and unproven, many of 

which  are  familiar  to Tethys  Oil  from  its 
current operations in the country.

The  licence  for  Block  56  is  governed  by 
an  EPSA  signed  in  November  2014.  Its 
initial  three-year  exploration  phase  has 
been  extended  until  December  2020, 
and the partners have the option to enter 
into a second exploration phase ending in 
December  2023.  The  initial  work  com-
mitments  during  the  first  period  include 
geological studies and exploratory drilling.

1818

Office and staff

During 2019, Tethys Oil had an average of 
23 full-time employees of seven nationali-
ties,  in  a  broad  age  range,  of  which  35% 
were female and 65% male. A majority of 
the  staff  have  graduated  from  universities 
and  colleges,  primarily  with  geosciences, 
engineering or business administration.

Muscat Office
A  team  of  highly  trained  engineers  and 
subsurface  specialists  are  based  at  Tethys 
Oil’s  office 
in  Muscat  together  with 
finance and administration staff. As per the 
Omani government directive related to the 

employment, preference is given to Omani 
nationals in recruiting new staff. The Mus-
cat office is the base for Tethys Oil’s Chief 
Technical Officer (CTO).

Stockholm Office
Tethys Oil head office is located in Stock-
holm, Sweden. The Stockholm office is the 
base  for  the  Managing  Director  and  the 
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), along with 
Tethys Oil’s finance, legal, business devel-
opment and communication staff.

Transportation and sales (Blocks 3&4)

All oil produced at the fields is transported 
through  a  pipeline  to  the  Qarn  Alam 
metering station, to the west of the blocks. 
At  the  metering  station,  the  oil  volumes 
are  recorded  and  the  quality  is  measured. 
From  Qarn  Alam,  the  oil  is  transported 
through  the  national  pipeline  system  to 
the Mina Al Fahal terminal in Muscat. At 
this  terminal,  the  oil  is  lifted  and  loaded 
into  oil  tankers.  From  Muscat,  the  oil  is 
shipped  to  different  destinations,  primar-
ily in Asia.

Licences in Oman are held through Explo-
ration and Production Sharing Agreements 
(EPSA). The EPSA allows the joint opera-
tions partners to recover their costs from a 
predetermined  percentage  of  the  value  of 
total oil production, referred to as cost oil. 
After deducting any allowance for cost oil, 
the remaining oil production is split, also 
according  to  a  predetermined  percentage, 
between the government and the partners. 
The  exact  percentages  differ  from  licence 
to  licence.  Until  oil  has  been  found  and 
produced  on  a  licence,  no  costs  can  be 

recovered.  If  no  commercial  oil  discovery 
is  made  on  an  exploration  licence,  the 
exploring oil company bears all the risk.

Tethys  Oil  sells  all  of  its  oil  from  Blocks 
3&4 on a monthly basis to Mitsui Energy 
Trading  Singapore,  which  is  part  of  Mit-
sui  &  Co  Ltd.  Tethys  Oil’s  selling  price 
is  based  on  the  monthly  average  price  of 
the front-month future contract of Oman 
export blend as traded on the Dubai Mer-
cantile  Exchange,  including  trading  and 
quality adjustments.

19

Corporate Governance Report

Corporate Governance Report 2019

Corporate  Governance  practices 
refer 
to  the  decision-making  systems  through 
which  owners,  directly  or  indirectly,  con-
trol  a  company.  Tethys  Oil  is  a  publicly 
traded  company  listed  on  Nasdaq  Stock-
holm, Mid Cap. Tethys Oil adheres to the 
Swedish  Code  of  Corporate  Governance 
(“the  Code”).  The  Code  is  published  on 
www.bolagsstyrning.se,  where  a  descrip-
tion  of  the  Swedish  Corporate  Govern-
ance model can be found. This Corporate 
Governance  Report  2019  is  submitted 
in  accordance  with  the  Swedish  Annual 
Accounts  Act  and  the  Code.  It  explains 
how Tethys Oil has conducted its corporate 
governance  activities  during  2019.  Tethys 
Oil does not report any deviations from the 
Code,  Nasdaq  Stockholm’s  rule  book  for 
issuers,  recommendations  from  the  Swed-
ish Securities Council, decisions from Dis-
ciplinary Committee at Nasdaq Stockholm 
or  statements  from  the  Swedish  Securities 
Council. The report has been examined by 
the Company’s auditors, please see page 25.

External and internal framework 
for governance in Tethys Oil
External:
•  Swedish Companies Act
•  Accounting 

legislation  (e.g.  Swedish 
Book-keeping  Act,  Swedish  Annual 
Accounts Act and IFRS)

•  Nasdaq Stockholm’s rule book for issuers
•  Swedish Code of Corporate Governance

Internal:
•  Articles of Association
•  Board instructions, rules of procedures
•  Internal  control  framework  with  Code 

of Conduct, polices etc.

Shareholders
Tethys  Oil’s  shares  are  traded  on  Nasdaq 
Stockholm.  At  year  end  2019  the  share 
capital amounted to SEK 6,050,862, rep-
resented by 36,294,960 shares, each with a 
par value of SEK 0.17. All shares represent 
one vote each. At 31 December 2019, the 
number of shareholders was 7,044 (6,602). 
Of  the  total  number  of  shares,  foreign 
shareholders  accounted  for  approximately 
65  percent.  Lansdowne  Partners  Austria 
is  the  only  shareholder  with  a  holding  in 
excess  of  10  percent  of  shares  and  votes, 
with a holding of 3,633,699 shares repre-
senting  10.0  percent  of  shares  and  votes. 

Tethys  Oil’s  holding  of  its  own  shares 
amounted to 1,954,163 (5.4 percent). For 
further information on share, share capital 
development  and  shareholders,  see  pages 
29–31 and Tethys Oil’s website.

Annual General Meeting
The  Annual  General  Meeting  (“AGM”) 
must be held within six months of the close 
of the fiscal year. All shareholders who are 
listed  in  the  share  register  on  the  record 
date, and who have notified the Company 
of their participation in due time, are enti-
tled to participate in the AGM. The AGM 
was held in Stockholm on 15 May 2019. 
188  shareholders  were  represented  at  the 
AGM, representing 41 percent of the votes 
and  share  capital  in  the  Company.  The 
resolutions passed by the meeting included 
the following:

•  Adoption of the income statements and 
balance sheets for 2018 and discharge of 
liability for the Board of Directors and 
the Managing Director;

•  Re-election  of  Robert  Anderson,  Alex-
andra  Herger,  Magnus  Nordin,  Per 
Seime and Geoffrey Turbott, with Geof-
frey Turbott elected as chairman of the 
Board.  Gavin  Graham  was  also  elected 
to join the Board of Directors, it being 
resolved  that  the  Board  of  Directors 
shall comprise of six ordinary members;
•  Remuneration  of  the  members  of  the 
Board of Directors and the chairman of 
the Board of Directors, including Board 
committee  membership,  to  be  as  fol-
lows: (i) annual fees of the members of 
the Board of Directors of SEK 330,000 
(excluding  the  CEO);  (ii)  annual  fees 
of the chairman of the Board of Direc-
tors  of  SEK  700,000;  (iii)  annual  fees 
for committee members of SEK 35,000 
per  committee  assignment,  annual  fees 
for  the  chairmen  of  the  remuneration 
committee  and  technical  committee,  if 
applicable, of SEK 65,000 each and an 
annual fee for the chairman of the audit 
committee  of  SEK  90,000,  unless  the 
committee is chaired by the chairman of 
the Board of Directors in which case an 
annual fee of SEK 65,000. The total fees 
for committee work, including commit-
tee chairmen fees shall not exceed SEK 
360,000;  and  (iv)  if  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors,  following  a  resolu-

20

tion by the Board of Directors, performs 
tasks which are outside the regular Board 
work, separate remuneration in the form 
of hourly fees on market terms, within a 
frame of SEK 250,000, may be paid by 
resolution of the Board of Directors;
•  Re-election  of  PricewaterhouseCoopers 
AB as auditors. Auditors will be paid as 
invoices are approved;

•  Guidelines  for  compensation  of  senior 

executives;

•  Authorisation  for  the  payment  of  a 
dividend  of  SEK  2.00  per  share  to  the 
Company’s  shareholders  to  be  paid  in 
two  instalments  of  SEK  1.00  per  share 
each  in  May  and  November  2019  and 
that the record dates for such cash divi-
dends be 17 May 2019 and 18 Novem-
ber 2019;

•  Approval  of  a  incentive  programme  as 
part  of  the  remuneration  package  to 
employees. Issuance of 350,000 warrants 
where  each  warrant  is  entitled  to  sub-
scription to one new share in Tethys Oil 
during the period 1 June 2022 up to and 
including 7 October 2022. Subscription 
price for the warrants was SEK 78.50 per 
share;

•  Authorisation  for  the  Company  to 
perform  an  extraordinary  distribution 
of  SEK  six  (6)  per  outstanding  share 
through a share split, a reduction of the 
share capital with redemption of shares 
from  the  share  split  and  an  increase  of 
the share capital by way of a bonus issue;
•  Authorisation  for  the  Board  to  resolve 
on  repurchasing  own  shares  up  to  but 
not more than one-tenth of all outstand-
ing shares and to resolve on transfer of 
own shares;

•  Rules for the appointment and work of 

the nomination committee; and

•  Authorisation  for  the  Board  to  resolve 
to  issue  new  shares  and/or  convertibles 
with consideration in cash and/or with 
consideration in kind or by set-off and 
with the right to deviate from the share-
holders’ preferential rights up to but not 
more than one-tenth of all outstanding 
shares, to enable the Company to make 
business acquisitions and to raise capital 
for the Company’s business operations.

The  minutes  recorded  at  the  AGM 
can  be  found  at  Tethys  Oil’s  website,  
www.tethysoil.com.

Nomination process
In  accordance  with  the  nomination  com-
mittee  process  approved  by  the  AGM 
2019,  the  nomination  committee  for  the 
AGM 2020 consists of members appointed 
by three of the largest shareholders of the 
Company based on shareholdings as per 30 
September 2019 and the chairman of the 
Board. The names of the members of the 
nomination  committee  were  announced 
and  posted  on  the  Company’s  website 
on 27 November 2019. Owing to one of 
Tethys  Oil’s  largest  shareholders  as  at  30 
September  2019  divesting  a  large  part  of 
their  holdings  in  October  2019,  Tethys 
Oil was unable to disclose the composition 
of  its  nomination  committee  by  the  date 
falling  six  months  prior  to  the  AGM  as 
required by Code 2.5 of the Swedish Code 
of Corporate Governance.

The nomination committee for the AGM 
2020  has  held  four  meetings  during  its 
mandate and informal contacts have taken 
place between such meetings. The nomina-
tion committee report, including the final 
proposals to the AGM 2020, is published 
on  the  Company’s  website  together  with 
the notice of the AGM.

The Nomination Committee’s assignment 
is  to  produce  proposals  for  the  following 
matters,  which  will  be  presented  to  the 
AGM for resolution:

•  AGM chairman;
•  Board members;
•  Chairman of the Board;
•  Board  fees  and  remuneration  for  com-
mittee work allocated to each member:

•  Auditors and auditor’s fee; and
•  Proposal regarding procedures and prin-
ciples  for  establishing  a  nomination 
committee and issues pertaining thereto 
for the AGM 2021.

The  work  of  the  nomination  committee 
included  evaluation  of  the  Board’s  work, 
competence  and  composition,  as  well  as 
the  independence  of  the  members.  The 
nomination  committee  also  considered 
other criteria such as the background and 
experience  and  has  also  taken  part  in  the 
Board evaluation. Further, the nomination 

Board of Directors elected at the AGM 2019

Member

Elected

Position

Year of 
birth

Nationality

Independent in 
relation to the 
Company

Geoffrey Turbott

2015

Chairman

1963

New Zealand

Robert Anderson

2017

Member

1953 United Kingdom

Gavin Graham

2019

Member 

1954 United Kingdom

Alexandra Herger

2017

Member

1957

United States

Magnus Nordin

2001

Member

1956

Sweden

Per Seime

2017

Member

1946

Norway

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Independent 
in relation to 
the Company’s 
larger 
shareholders

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

committee has considered the Company’s 
Board  diversity  policy  in  its  proposal  for 
Board members. The Board diversity pol-
icy is available on the Company’s website.

The nomination committee for the AGM 
2020 consisted of the following members:

•  Viktor Modigh, chairman of the nomi-
nation committee, representing Magnus 
Nordin;

•  Mikael  Petersson,  representing  Lans-
downe  Partners  Austria  GmbH  and 
Coeli Asset Management AB;

•  Jan Risberg, representing himself; and
•  Geoffrey Turbott, chairman of Tethys Oil

The Board and its work
Board composition
The  Articles  of  Association  stipulate  that 
the Board of Directors of Tethys Oil shall 
consist of no less than three and no more 
than  ten  Board  members  with  no  more 
than three deputy Board members. Board 
members  are  elected  for  a  maximum  of 
one  year  at  a  time.  The  Board  of  Direc-
tors of Tethys Oil since the AGM 2019 has 
consisted of six members and no deputies. 
Geoffrey Turbott has been chairman of the 
Board. Five Board members are independ-
ent from the Company and the Company’s 
management, and six Board members are 
independent from larger shareholders. For 
further  information  on  the  Board  mem-
bers, please see pages 26–27.

Rules of procedure
The Board of Directors’ work is governed 
by  annually  adopted  rules  of  procedure. 
The Board of Directors supervise the work 
of  the  Managing  Director  by  continually 
following  up  the  Company’s  operations. 
The  Board  of  Directors  also  ensures  that 
the  Company’s  organisation,  administra-
tion  and  controls  are  properly  managed. 
The  Board  of  Directors  adopts  strategies 
and  goals  and  resolves  on  larger  invest-
ments, acquisitions and disposals of busi-
ness  activities  or  assets.  It  also  appoints 
the  Managing  Director  and  determines 
the  Managing  Director’s  salary  and  other 
compensation.

The  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
supervises the work and is responsible for 
it being well organised and efficient. This 
entails,  among  other  things,  continually 
following  the  Company’s  operations  in 
contact  with  the  Managing  Director  and 
being  responsible  for  other  Board  mem-
bers  receiving  the  information  and  docu-
mentation  needed  to  ensure  high  quality 
discussions and well-founded decisions by 
the  Board  of  Directors.  The  chairman  is 
responsible for the evaluation of the Board 
of Directors’ and the Managing Director’s 
work and represents the Board of Directors 
in ownership matters.

According  to  the  current  rules  of  proce-
dure the Board of Directors shall, after the 
constituent  Board  meeting  following  the 
AGM,  hold  a  minimum  of  five  ordinary 
meetings during a calendar year.

21

Timing and main items for ordinary meetings following AGM

May

August

Constituting meeting

Second quarter report, review auditors’ report

September–November

Strategy and discussion investment plan/budget

December

Investment plan and budget, liquidity and forecast

January–February

Fourth quarter and year-end report, allocation of profit, review auditors’ report

March–April

Annual report and AGM

Assessment of the board’s work
The  chairman  of  the  Board  is  responsible 
for  assessing  the  Board’s  work  includ-
ing  the  performance  of  individual  Board 
members. This is done on an annual basis 
through  a  questionnaire  which  is  anony-
mous for the Board members. The assess-
ment focuses on such factors as the Board’s 
way of working, number of meetings and 
effectiveness,  time  for  preparation,  avail-
able  competence  and  individual  Board 

members  influence  of  the  Board’s  work. 
The  nomination  committee  takes  part  in 
assessing the results, and it is a component 
in  the  nomination  committee’s  work  to 
submit a proposal to the AGM concerning 
Board members.

The Board’s work in 2019
During 2019, the Board held 20 meetings 
of  which  eight  were  ordinary  and  twelve 
extraordinary,  in  person,  via  telephone 

and per capsulam meetings. Attendance at 
the meetings are shown in the table below. 
Board secretary was the Company’s Senior 
legal counsel, Kelsey Emms. Prior to each 
meeting,  Board  members  were  provided 
with  an  agenda  and  written  information 
on the matters to be covered. Each meet-
ing has included the possibility to discuss 
without management representatives being 
present.

Board of Directors and committee attendance in 2019

Board member

Board

Member 
Audit 
Committee

Member 
Remuneration 
Committee

Member of 
Technical 
Committee

Board 
meetings

Audit 
Committee 
meetings

Remuneration 
Committee 
meetings

Technical 
Committee 
meetings

Geoffrey Turbott

Chairman

Yes (Chairman)

Robert Anderson

Member

Gavin Graham

Member

Alexandra Herger

Member

Magnus Nordin

Member

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Yes

–

Per Seime

Member

Yes

Yes (Chairman)

–

19/20

5/5

Yes (Chairman)

20/20

Yes

Yes

–

–

13/20

19/20

20/20

20/20

–

–

–

–

5/5

–

–

–

3/3

–

3/3

–

10/10

7/10

10/10

–

–

Board committees
In  order  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  its 
work  and  enable  a  more  detailed  analysis 
of  certain  matters,  the  Board  has  formed 
committees:  Audit,  Remuneration  and 
are 
Technical.  Committee  members 
appointed within the Board for the period 
until  the  next  AGM.  The  committee’s 
duties and authorities are regulated in the 
annually  approved  rules  of  procedure  for 
each committee. The committees perform 
monitoring  and  evaluations,  resulting  in 
recommendations  to  the  Board  of  Direc-
tors, where all decision-making takes place.

Audit Committee
The Board has established an Audit Com-
mittee for the period up to and including 
the  AGM  2020,  consisting  of  Geoffrey 

Turbott  as  chairman  and  Per  Seime  as  a 
member of the committee. The committee 
remained unchanged throughout the year. 
The Audit Committee convened five times 
in  2019.  The  work  has  mainly  focused 
on  supervising  the  Company’s  financial 
reporting  and  assessing  the  efficiency  of 
the Company’s financial internal controls, 
with  the  primary  objective  being  provid-
ing support to the Board in the decision-
making  processes  regarding  such  matters. 
The Audit Committee also regularly liaises 
with the Group’s statutory auditors as part 
of the annual audit process and reviews the 
audit fees and the auditors’ independence 
and  impartiality.  The  Audit  Committee 
reports to the Board, normally in conjunc-
tion with the following Board meeting. 

Remuneration Committee
The  Board  has  established  a  Remunera-
tion Committee for the period up to and 
including the AGM 2020, consisting of Per 
Seime as chairman and Alexandra Herger 
as a member of the committee. The com-
mittee  remained  unchanged  throughout 
the  year.  The  Remuneration  Committee 
convened  three  times  in  2019.  The  work 
has  mainly  focused  on  establishing  prin-
ciples  for  remuneration  to  management, 
establishing key performance indicators, to 
monitor  and  evaluate  variable  remunera-
tion and the application of the guidelines 
for  remuneration  as  well  as  to  construct 
and propose the share-based incentive pro-
gramme.  The  Remuneration  Committee 
reports to the Board, normally in conjunc-
tion with the following Board meeting. 

22

Technical Committee
The  Board  has  established  a  Techni-
cal  Committee  for  the  period  up  to  and 
including  the  AGM  2020,  consisting  of 
Robert  Anderson  as  chairman,  Alexandra 
Herger and Gavin Graham as members of 
the  committee.  The  Technical  Commit-
tee convened ten times in 2019. The work 
has  mainly  focused  on  following  up  on 
work  programs,  budgets  and  investment 
proposals,  evaluation  of  and  recommen-
dation  on  appointment  of  independent 
qualified  reserve  auditor,  oversight  of  the 
reserves audit process, review of operations 
management systems and technical review 
of  new  ventures  projects.  The  Technical 
Committee reports to the Board, normally 
in  conjunction  with  the  following  Board 
meeting. Members of the committee dur-
ing 2019 prior to AGM 2019 consisted of 
Robert Anderson (chairman) and Alexan-
dra Herger.

External auditors of the Company
Statutory auditors
Pursuant  to  its  Articles  of  Association, 
Tethys Oil must have one or two auditors, 
and  no  more  than  two  deputies.  A  regis-
tered firm of auditors may be appointed as 
the Company’s auditor. Tethys Oil’s audi-
tor  is  PricewaterhouseCoopers  AB  with 
Ulrika  Ramsvik  as  lead  partner  and  Bo 
Hjalmarsson  as  co-signing  auditor.  Price-
waterhouseCoopers AB was elected as the 
Company’s auditors at the AGM 2019.

Tethys Oil’s auditor: Pricewaterhouse-
Coopers AB

Ulrika 
Ramsvik

Bo 
Hjalmarsson

Lead 
partner

Co-signing 
auditor

2014

2018

Role

Company auditor 
since

The audit firm has, besides the audit, con-
ducted  a  limited  number  of  other  assign-
ments  on  behalf  of  Tethys  Oil.  These 
assignments  mainly  consisted  of  services 
associated with auditing, such as in-depth 
reviews during the audit. Remuneration to 
the auditors of Tethys Oil is paid in accord-
ance  with  approved  current  accounts.  In 
2019,  remuneration  to  Pricewaterhouse-
Coopers  AB  amounted  to  MUSD  0.1 

(MUSD 0.1). For details on remuneration 
to auditors, see note 10, Auditor’s fees.

Independent qualified reserves 
auditor
Tethys Oil’s independent qualified reserves 
auditor  annually  certifies  Tethys  Oil’s  oil 
reserves and resources, although such assets 
are not included in the Company’s balance 
sheet.  The  independent  qualified  reserves 
auditor for the 2019 report was ERC Equi-
poise  Limited  (“ERCE”),  the  same  that 
also  audited  the  2018  report.  For  further 
information, see Reserves on page 9.

Managing Director and executive 
management
The  executive  management  in Tethys  Oil 
throughout  2019  has  consisted  of  the 
Managing  Director  (Magnus  Nordin), 
CFO  (Jesper  Alm  until  June  2019  fol-
lowed by William Holland) and the CTO 
(Fredrik Robelius). The Board of Directors 
has  adopted  an  instruction  for  the  Man-
aging Director which clarifies the respon-
sibilities  and  authority  of  the  Managing 
Director.  According  to  the  instruction, 
the  Managing  Director  shall  provide  the 
Board  of  Directors  with  decision  data  in 
order  to  enable  the  Board  to  make  well-
founded decisions and with documents to 
enable it to continually monitor the activi-
ties  for  the  year.  The  Managing  Director 
is  responsible  for  the  day  to  day  business 
of  the  Company  and  shall  take  the  deci-
sions  needed  for  developing  the  business 
–  within  the  legal  framework,  the  busi-
ness plan, the budget and the instruction 
for the Managing Director adopted by the 
Board of Directors as well as in accordance 
with  other  guidelines  and  instructions 
communicated by the Board of Directors.

Remuneration policy to executive 
management
Remuneration  policy  to  the  executive 
management includes five elements:

•  Basic salary;
•  Pension arrangements;
•  Yearly variable salary, including the right 
to  participate  in  share-based  long-term 
incentive;

•  Other benefits; and
•  Severance arrangements

23

The Board has the right to deviate from the 
remuneration policy if there are particular 
reasons.

Basic salary
The basic salary shall be in line with mar-
ket  conditions,  be  competitive,  and  shall 
take into account the scope and responsi-
bility associated with the position, as well 
as the skills, experience, and performance 
of the executive.

Pension arrangements
The  pension  benefits  comprise  a  defined 
contribution  scheme  with  premiums  cal-
culated  on  the  full  basic  salary.  The  pen-
sion  contributions  shall  be  in  relation  to 
the basic salary and is set on an individual 
basis but shall not be higher than what is 
tax deductible.

Variable salary
Senior  executives  shall  be  part  of  two 
variable  remuneration  systems  payable  in 
cash  and/or  in  combination  with  a  right 
to  acquire  warrants  in  the  Company  in  a 
long-term  incentive  program. When  allo-
cating  warrants  the  same  financial  and 
operational  key  indicators  as  for  variable 
cash salary shall be considered.

The  yearly  variable  cash  salary  shall  be 
within  the  range  of  1–12  monthly  sala-
ries  per  person  and  year.  The  targets  for 
variable cash remuneration shall be deter-
mined  by  the  Board  prior  to  each  finan-
cial  year  and  individual  agreements  shall 
be  arranged  with  each  participant,  the 
content  of  which  depends  on  the  partici-
pant’s  position  at  the  time  the  agreement 
is arranged. The targets shall be objectively 
quantifiable  and  related  to  budget.  The 
targets  shall  consist  of  key  performance 
indicators both for the group’s overall and 
financial performance as well as individual 
performance.  The  yearly  variable  salary 
will be determined annually in connection 
with publication of the year-end report for 
the  respective  financial  year  based  on  an 
evaluation of the participants’ achievement 
of the targets as described in the individual 
agreements.

Payment  of  variable  cash  remuneration 
shall  be  conditional  upon  the  participant 
remaining  employed  for  the  duration  of 

the  programme.  The  Board  has  the  right 
to  adjust  the  incentive  program  during 
the  term  of  the  programme  in  the  case 
of,  for  example,  extraordinary  increases 
or  decreases  in  the  Group’s  earnings. 
The  variable  remuneration  shall  not  be 
pensionable.

Other benefits
Non-financial  benefits  shall  be  based  on 
market terms and shall facilitate the duties 
of each senior executive.

Severance arrangements
A mutual termination period of 12 months 
applies  between  the  Company  and  the 

Managing Director and up to six months 
between  the  Company  and  other  senior 
executives. Severance pay shall be paid to 
the Managing Director of up to 12 months 
fixed salary and up to 12 months fixed sal-
ary for other senior executives if the Com-
pany terminates their employment.

Remuneration to executive management 2019
(MSEK)

Basic salary

Pension  
arrange ments

Variable  
salary

Share based long-
term incentive

Other  
benefits

Managing Director

3.271

0.659

0.696

1.566

0.025

Other executive 
management

Total

7.086

10.357

0.771

1.431

0.679

1.376

1.088

2.654

0.011

0.036

Total  
2019

6.217

9.635

15.853

Total  
2018

5.252

6.491

11.671

The  increase  in  remuneration  to  executive 
management primarily relates to increased 
base  salaries.  For  further 
information, 
please see note 12.

Remuneration to the Board 2019
Remuneration  to  be  paid  to  the  Board  of 
Directors for the period between the AGMs 
of  2019  and  2020  amounts  to  a  total  of 
TSEK  2,355,  allocated  among  the  Board 
members  in  the  way  shown  in  the  below 
table.  The  annual  general  meeting  2019 
resolved that remuneration of the chairman 

of  the  Board  of  Directors  shall  be  TSEK 
700  per  annum  and  of  the  other  mem-
bers  TSEK  330  per  member  per  annum. 
Remuneration is not paid for service of the 
Boards or directors of subsidiaries. Magnus 
Nordin,  who  is  employed  by  Tethys  Oil, 
does  not  receive  any  remuneration  for  his 
service on the Board of Directors.

Annual  fee  for  committee  members  is 
TSEK  35  per  committee  assignment  and 
annual fees for the chairman of the remu-
neration  and  technical  committees  are 

TSEK 65. The annual fee for the chairman 
of the audit committee is TSEK 90, unless 
the committee is chaired by the Chairman 
of the Board in which case the annual fee 
is TSEK  65.  Further,  if  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors,  following  a  resolu-
tion  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  performs 
tasks  which  are  outside  the  regular  Board 
work, separate remuneration in the form of 
hourly  fees  on  market  terms  may  be  paid 
by resolution of the Board of Directors, for 
which  purpose  a  frame  of TSEK  250  was 
allowed.

Remuneration to board and committee members for the period between the AGMs of 2019 and 2020 (in their capacity 
as board members)
(TSEK)

Member

Geoffrey Turbott

Robert Anderson

Gavin Graham

Alexandra Herger

Magnus Nordin

Per Seime

Total

Board of  
directors

Audit  
Committee

Technical 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

700

330

330

330

–

330

2,020

65

–

–

–

35

100

–

65

35

35

–

–

135

–

–

35

–

65

100

Total

765

395

365

400

–

430

2,355

Financial reporting and control
The  Board  of  Directors  has  the  ultimate 
responsibility  of  the  internal  control  for 
the financial reporting. Tethys Oil’s system 
of internal control, with regard to financial 

reporting,  is  designed  to  minimize  risks 
involved in the financial reporting process 
and ensure a high level of reliability in the 
financial  reporting.  Furthermore,  the  sys-
tem of internal control ensures compliance 

with  applicable  accounting  requirements 
and  other  requirements  that  Tethys  Oil 
must meet as a listed company.

24

Tethys Oil’s main assets are owned in part-
nership.  The  focus  of  internal  control  is 
therefore to ensure reliability and accuracy 
of  the  operator’s  financial  information. 
The control is conducted by monthly and 
quarterly  cost  controls,  quarterly  budget 
reviews  and  interviews  with  operators  to 
understand and explain deviations.

Internal control
Tethys  Oil  continually  works  on  improv-
ing the financial reporting through evalu-
ating  the  risk  of  errors  in  the  financial 
reporting  and  related  control  activities. 
Control  activities  include  following  up 
on  instructions  and  the  application  of 
accounting principles. The Board of Direc-
tors  is  responsible  for  and  monitors  the 
control  activities,  which  involve  all  levels 
of the organisation. The activities limit the 
identified risks and ensure correct and reli-
able  financial  reporting.  The  Company’s 

central  financial  department  analyses  and 
follows up on budget deviations, draws up 
forecasts,  follows  up  on  significant  varia-
tions  between  periods  and  reports  to  the 
Board  of  Directors,  which  minimises  the 
risks  for  errors  in  the  financial  reporting. 
The  control  activities  also  include  fol-
lowing  up  on  the  authorisation  manual 
and  accounting  principles.  These  control 
activities also include the operators in part-
nerships.  The  Board  of  Directors  further 
decides  on  specific  control  activities  and 
auditing of operators in partnerships. The 
financial  department  regularly  follows  up 
on deviations and irregularities and reports 
to  the  audit  committee.  This  structure  is 
considered sufficient and suitable given the 
size and nature of the Company’s business. 
At the current size of the Company and the 
fact that the Company holds non-operated 
interests  or  early  stage  operated  explora-

tion interests, it is not considered necessary 
for a dedicated internal auditor function.

Information and communication
The  Board  has  adopted  an  information 
policy for the purpose of ensuring that the 
external  information  is  correct  and  com-
plete. There are also instructions regarding 
information security and how to commu-
nicate financial information.

Monitoring
Both the Board and the management fol-
low  up  on  the  compliance  and  effective-
ness of the Company’s internal controls to 
ensure the quality of internal processes. The 
Board receives detailed monthly reports on 
the financial situation and development of 
the business to this end. The Audit Com-
mittee  ensures  and  monitors  that  control 
activities are in place for important areas of 
risk related to financial reporting.

Stockholm, 9 April 2020

Tethys Oil AB (publ)
The Board of Directors

Auditor’s report on the Corporate Governance Statement

To the general meeting of the shareholders in Tethys Oil AB (publ), corporate identity number 556615-8266.

Engagement and responsibility
It  is  the  board  of  directors  who  is  responsible  for  the  corporate 
governance statement for the year 2019 on pages 20–25 and that 
it has been prepared in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act. 

The scope of the audit
Our  examination  has  been  conducted  in  accordance  with  FAR’s 
auditing standard RevU 16 The auditor’s examination of the cor-
porate governance statement. This means that our examination of 
the corporate governance statement is different and substantially 
less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with Inter-
national  Standards  on  Auditing  and  generally  accepted  auditing 
standards  in  Sweden.  We  believe  that  the  examination  has  pro-
vided us with sufficient basis for our opinions.

Opinions
A corporate governance statement has been prepared. Disclosures 
in  accordance  with  chapter  6  section  6  the  second  paragraph 
points  2–6  the  Annual  Accounts  Act  and  chapter  7  section  31 
the second paragraph the same law are consistent with the annual 
accounts and the consolidated accounts and are in accordance with 
the Annual Accounts Act.

Stockholm, 9 April 2020
PricewaterhouseCoopers AB

Ulrika Ramsvik
Authorized Public Accountant
Lead Partner

Bo Hjalmarsson
Authorized Public Accountant

25

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Member

Function

Elected

Year of birth

Nationality

Geoffrey Turbott

Rob Anderson

Gavin Graham

Chairman of the Board and chairman of 
the Audit Committee

Board member and chairman of the 
Technical Committee

Board member and member of the 
Technical Committees

2015

1963

2017

1953

2019

1954

New Zealand

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Education/background

Former member of New Zealand’s 
Institute of Chartered Accountants

Experience

Other board duties

Worked with public companies in 
which the Lundin family holds a major 
shareholding from 1995 to 2013, 
whereof as Chief Financial Officer and 
Vice President of Finance at Lundin 
Petroleum AB from 2002 to 2013

Board member: Tetbury Forestry Ltd.  
and Progress Land Ltd.

Shares in Tethys Oil (per 
31 December 2019)1

35,400

Warrants in Tethys Oil (per 
31 December 2019)1

–

Board and committe 
remuneration (TSEK)2

Independent in relation to 
the Company

Independent in relation 
to the Company's larger 
shareholders

765

Yes

Yes

1  Privately or via company
2  Resolved upon at the AGM 2019

MA Engineering, Christ's College, 
Cambridge University. Chartered 
Engineer & Fellow of the Institution of 
Mechanical Engineers

BA and MA in Geology from Cambridge 
University, PhD in Geology from the Open 
University

VP Projects & Engineering at TNK-BP, 
Head of Projects at BP. Engineer with 
deep experience in oil installations and 
major oil and gas field developments

Geologist with extensive experience 
of the oil industry, Oman in particular. 
Senior positions in Shell, Petrofac and 
Grupa LOTOS

Non-Executive Director for Echo Energy 
PLC, member of the Advisory Panel 
of Windsor Energy Group, member of 
the Advisory Board of Crystol Energy, 
member of the Management Committee 
of Access for Women in Energy and 
advisor for Tudor, Pickering & Holt.

–

–

365

Yes

Yes

–

–

–

395

Yes

Yes

2626

Member

Function

Elected

Year of birth

Nationality

Alexandra Herger

Magnus Nordin

Per Seime

Board member and member of the 
Remuneration and Technical Committees

Board member and Managing Director

Board member, chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee and member 
of the Audit Committee

2017

1957

United States

2001

1956

Sweden

2017

1946

Norway

Education/background

BA Geology, Ohio Wesleyan University 
and Master studies Geology, University 
of Houston

Bachelor of Arts, University of Lund and 
Master of Arts, University of California, 
Los Angeles

Master of Law, University of Oslo. Master 
of Comparative Law, University of Chicago 
Law School (Oil & Gas)

Experience

VP Global Exploration at Marathon 
Oil, executive positions at Shell and 
Enterprise Oil

Several executive positions in different 
oil companies

Oil and gas lawyer with more than 30 
years’ experience. Lawyer for Mobil Oil 
(Norway, USA and Indonesia) and legal 
advisor to oil companies. Previously 
chair of board for Premier Oil Norge and 
Nexen Exploration Norge.

Other board duties

Board member: Panoro Energy ASA, 
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA 
(EMGS) and Tortoise Capital Advisors 
Member: Women's Leadership 
Committee, Oil Council and Leadership 
Texas, Foundation for women's 
resources, member of the PGS ASA’s 
Nomination Committee

Board member: Minotaurus AB, 
including subsidiaries, and Minotaurus 
Energi AS

–

Shares in Tethys Oil (per 
31 December 2019)1

Warrants in Tethys Oil (per 
31 December 2019)1

Board and committe 
remuneration (TSEK)2

Independent in relation to 
the Company

Independent in relation 
to the Company's larger 
shareholders

–

–

400

Yes

Yes

1  Privately or via company
2  Resolved upon at the AGM 2019

1,550,427

5,000

2017/20: 75,000
2018/21: 75,000
2019/22: 60,000

–

No

Yes

–

430

Yes

Yes

2727

Executive management

Executive management

Member

Function

Magnus Nordin

Petter Hjertstedt

Fredrik Robelius

Board member and Managing Director

Acting Chief Financial Officer

Chief Technical Officer

Employed since

2004

2016

2011

Education/background

Bachelor of Arts, University of Lund and 
Master of Arts, University of California, 
Los Angeles

Finance and accounting at Linköping 
University, Sweden

Education: PhD Engineering Physics, 
Uppsala University; Postgraduate Diploma 
Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt 
University

Year of birth

Nationality

Experience

1956

Sweden

1979

Sweden

1973

Sweden

Several executive positions in different 
oil companies

Equity research analyst at SEB, Pareto 
Securities and Carnegie Investment 
Bank. Finance and Investor Relations at 
PA Resources 

Energy engineering positions in Fortum, 
petroleum engineering related positions 
in Tanganyika Oil and Sinopec

Shares in Tethys Oil (per 
31 December 2019)3

1,550,427

Warrants in Tethys Oil (per 
31 December 2019)

2017/20: 75,000
2018/21: 75,000
2019/22: 60,000

3  Privately, via company and insurance policy

3,900

8,600

2017/20: 16,000
2018/21: 20,000
2019/22: 25,000

2017/20: 48,000
2018/21: 48,000
2019/22: 50,000

2828

The Tethys Oil share

The Tethys Oil share

Tethys  Oil’s  shares  are  traded  on  Nasdaq  Stockholm.  With  the 
purpose of improving liquidity and reducing the spread between 
buyers  and  sellers  of  Tethys  Oil  shares,  the  Company  has  con-
tracted Pareto Securities AB to act as a liquidity provider for the 
shares of the Company.

Shares outstanding
Tethys Oil’s registered share capital at 31 December 2019 amounts 
to SEK 6,050,862 represented by 36,294,960 shares with a quota 
value  of  SEK  0.17.  All  shares  in  Tethys  Oil  represent  one  vote 
each. All outstanding shares are common shares and carry equal 
rights to participation in Tethys Oil’s assets and earnings. As per 31 
December 2019, the Board of Directors had remaining outstand-
ing authorisation from the AGM to issue up to 10 percent of the 
shares up until the next AGM. As per 31 December 2019, Tethys 
Oil  held  1,954,163  (5.4  percent)  of  its  own  shares  which  were 
purchased during 2014 to 2019 at an average price of SEK 59.17. 
The share repurchase programme is based on a mandate from the 

respective AGM and repurchased shares are still part of the total 
number of outstanding shares, however not included in the num-
ber of shares in circulation, which amounts to 34,340,797.

Tethys Oil has a warrant programme as part of the remuneration 
package to employees. Warrants currently outstanding have been 
issued following the AGMs in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The terms 
for each warrant series have been recalculated as a consequence of 
recalculation events. The current terms are:

Warrant 
program

Issued

Allotted

Strike price, 
SEK

No of shares 
each warrant 
entitle to

2017/20

350,000

335,000

2018/21

350,000

324,000

2019/22

350,000

350,000

75.10

81.70

78.50

1.14

1.09

1.00

Share capital development
Since the company’s inception in September 2001 and up to 31 December 2019, the parent company’s share capital has developed as 
shown below:

Year 

Share capital development

Quota value,  
SEK

Change in number 
of shares 

Total number 
of shares 

Change in total 
share capital, SEK 

Total share 
capital, SEK

2001
2001
2001
2003
2004
2004
2006
2006
2007
2007
2007
2007
2008
2008
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
2010
2011
2012
2015
2015
2015
2016
2016
2016
2018
2018
2018
2018
2019
2019
2019
2019

Formation of the company
Share issue
Share split 100:1
Share issue
Share split 2:1
Share issue
Non-cash issue
Share issues
Share issue
Exercise of warrants
Share issue
Set-off issue
Share split 3:1
Share issue
Exercise of warrants
Share issues
Exercise of warrants
Exercise of warrants
Share issue
Exercise of warrants
Non-cash issue
Share issue
Share split 1:2 (redemption shares)
Redemption
Bonus issue
Share split 1:2 (redemption shares)
Redemption
Bonus issue
Share split 1:2 (redemption shares)
Redemption
Bonus issue
Exercise of warrants
Share split 1:2 (redemption shares)
Redemption
Bonus issue
Exercise of warrants

100,00
100,00
1,00
1,00
0,50
0,50
0,50
0,50
0,50
0,50
0,50
0,50
0,17
0,17
0,17
0,17
0,17
0,17
0,17
0,17
0,17
0,17
0,08
0,08
0,17
0,08
0,08
0,17
0,08
0,08
0,17
0,17
0,08
0,08
0,17
0,17

1 000
5 000
500 000
750 000
1 500 000
4 384 800
4 784 800
5 741 760
6 041 760
6 041 762
6 166 762
6 392 762
19 178 286
23 978 286
23 980 086
27 280 086
28 049 091
29 193 542
29 693 542
32 504 489
32 543 750
35 543 750
71 087 500
35 543 750
35 543 750
71 087 500
35 543 750
35 543 750
71 087 500
35 543 750
35 543 750
35 896 310
71 792 620
35 896 310
35 896 310
36 294 960

1 000
4 000
495 000
250 000
750 000
2 884 800
400 000
956 960
300 000
2
125 000
226 000
12 785 524
4 800 000
1 800
3 300 000
769 005
1 144 451
500 000
2 810 947
39 261
3 000 000
35 543 750
-35 543 750
0
35 543 750
-35 543 750
0
35 543 750
-35 543 750
0
352 560
35 896 310
-35 896 310
0
398 650

29

100 000
400 000
0
250 000
0
1 442 400
200 000
478 480
150 000
1
62 500
113 000
0
800 000
300
550 000
128 167
190 742
83 334
468 491
6 544
501 667
0
-2 962 813
2 962 813
0
-2 962 813
2 962 813
0
-2 962 813
2 962 813
58 777
0
-2 992 201
2 992 201
66 460

100 000
500 000
500 000
750 000
750 000
2 192 400
2 392 400
2 870 880
3 020 880
3 020 881
3 083 381
3 196 381
3 196 381
3 996 381
3 996 681
4 546 681
4 674 848
4 865 590
4 948 924
5 417 415
5 423 958
5 925 625
5 925 625
2 962 813
5 925 625
5 925 625
2 962 813
5 925 625
5 925 625
2 962 813
5 925 625
5 984 402
5 984 402
2 992 201
5 984 402
6 050 862

Capital structure target and dividend policy
Tethys Oil’s primary objective is to create shareholder value and 
in doing so the company will have a balanced approach to growth 
and shareholder distributions, with a long-term capital structure 
target of a zero net cash position.

For  the  financial  year  2019,  the  Board  of  Directors  proposes  to 
the  AGM  2020  a  total  distribution  of  SEK  5.00  per  share,  cor-

responding to MSEK 165.3 in total. The distribution, subject to 
approval by the AGM, is proposed to be made by a cash dividend 
of  SEK  2.00  per  share  and  SEK  3.00  per  share  by  a  mandatory 
share  redemption  programme.  (AGM  2019  resolved  on  a  total 
distribution of SEK 8.00 per share, of which SEK 2.00 per share 
as  cash  dividend  and  SEK  6.00  per  share  by  a  mandatory  share 
redemption programme, equal to MSEK 274.0).

Share ownership structure
The 15 largest shareholders in Tethys Oil as per 29 February 2020.

Name

Lansdowne Partners

Magnus Nordin

JP Morgan Asset Management

Avanza Pension

Liontrust

Jan Risberg

Carl Erik Norman

Nordnet Pension Insurance

Grandeur Peak Global Advisors, LLC

Schroders

Russell Investments

Peder Månsson

Daniel Hägerlöf

AXA

Goldman Sachs Asset Management

Total, 15 largest shareholders

Summary, others appr. 7,800 shareholders

Outstanding shares

Tethys Oil AB

Total number of shares (incl. treasury shares)

Number of shares

Share of capital and votes 

3,633,699

1,550,427

1,157,340

847,774

832,029

700,000

610,000

558,840

552,048

502,931

450,609

445,974

333,060

311,092

299,046

12,784,869

21,340,688

34,125,557

2,169,403

36,294,960

10.0%

4.3%

3.2%

2.3%

2.3%

2.0%

1.7%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

1.2%

1.2%

0.9%

0.9%

0.8%

35.2%

58.8%

94.0%

6.0%

100.0%

Source: Monitor by Modular Finance as per 29 February 2020. Compiled and processed data from various sources, including Euroclear, Morningstar and the Swedish Financial Supervisory 
Authority (Finansinspektionen). The verification date may vary for certain shareholders.

30

Distribution of shareholdings
Distribution of shareholdings per 29 February 2020.

Holding

1 – 500

501 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 20,000

20,001 – 50,000

50,001 – 100,000

100,001 – 200,000

200,001 – 

Number of 
shares

Percentage of 
shares

688,524

708,796

1,903,703

871,921

896,308

1,536,525

1,888,916

2,565,075

1.9%

2.0%

5.2%

2.4%

2.5%

4.2%

5.2%

7.1%

16,008,517

44.1%

Number of 
shareholders

5,886

851

812

119

59

48

26

17

20

Percentage of 
shareholders

75.1%

10.9%

10.4%

1.5%

0.8%

0.6%

0.3%

0.2%

0.3%

Source: Monitor by Modular Finance as per 29 February 2020.

Share statistics 2019
The final transaction price in 2019 was SEK 84.40 corresponding 
to a total market capitalization of MSEK 3,063. During the year 
the price of Tethys Oil’s share increased by 30 percent.

Based on data from NASDAQ Stockholm, the highest transaction 
price in 2019 was SEK 93.84 on 12 February and the lowest was 
SEK  60.00  on  3  June.  The  turnover  velocity  (annual  turnover/
outstanding shares) was 158 percent on Nasdaq Stockholm.

Share price development and turnover 2019

100

80

60

40

20

0

SEK

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Share price

Turnover

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

Share volume
per day
(20 days 
moving 
average)

31

Payments to authorities

Payments to authorities 2019

This  report  has  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  law  SFS 
2015:812 (Lag 2015:812 om rapportering av betalningar till myn-
digheter) regarding payments to authorities. The reported amounts 
refer to direct payments in excess of the threshold amount of SEK 

860,000 and production sharing for the fiscal year 2019 for the 
group in which Tethys Oil AB (publ) (“Tethys Oil”) is the parent 
company.

Per project

Project

Oman

Block 3&4

Block 49

Total Oman

Total Tethys Oil

Per Authority

   Production sharing

License costs

Barrels (’000)

USD (’000)

USD (’000)

2,301

–

2,301

2,301

148,284

–

148,284

148,284

–

250

250

250

   Production sharing

License costs

Barrels (’000)

USD (’000)

USD (’000)

Sultanate of Oman – Ministry of Oil & Gas

Sultanate of Oman – Ministry of Finance

Total Oman

Total Tethys Oil

2,301

–

2,301

2,301

148,284

–

148,284

148,284

100

150

250

250

Total

USD (’000)

148,284

250

148,534

148,534

Total

USD (’000)

148,384

150

148,534

148,534

Production sharing
The category includes non-cash taxes and compensation to receiv-
ing  state/authority  in  barrels  of  oil  from  Tethys  Oil’s  working 
interest share of production. The presented amounts are based on 
net entitlement and have been valued using the reported average 
price for the period.

Licence costs
This pertains to costs for maintaining the exploration licence for 
Oman Block 49 where payment was made to Oman’s Ministry of 
Oil and Gas and Oman’s Ministry of Finance.

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key financial data

Key financial data

Group

Operational items

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Production before government take, Oman Blocks 3&4, bbl

4,683,754

4,294,852

4,439,119

4,436,438

3,539,632

Production per day, Oman Blocks 3&4, bbl

12,832

11,767

12,162

12,121

9,698

Net sales after government take, bbl

2,259,849

2,163,148

2,316,404

2,357,701

1,805,056

Achieved oil price, USD/bbl

64.2

70.5

51.8

Revenue and other income, MUSD

EBITDA, MUSD

EBITDA-margin, %

Operating result, MUSD

Operating margin, %

Net result, MUSD

Net margin, %

Cash and cash equivalents, MUSD

Shareholders' equity, MUSD

Balance sheet total, MUSD

Capital structure

Equity ratio, %

Leverage ratio, %

Investments, MUSD

Net cash, MUSD

Profitability

Return on shareholders' equity, %

Return on capital employed, %

Other

Average number of full-time employees

Distribution per share, SEK

Cash flow from operations per share, USD

150.8

92.9

62%

37.1

25%

38.3

25%

75.6

276.3

300.2

92%

neg.

65.2

75.1

157.3

106.6

68%

60.7

39%

62.2

40%

73.1

267.6

291.4

92%

neg.

55.8

73.1

119.3

78.2

66%

38.4

32%

33.1

28%

42.0

228.5

244.7

93%

neg.

40.4

42.0

40.5

87.1

44.0

51%

-0.5

-1%

2.7

3%

39.0

196.9

239.0

82%

neg.

48.5

39.0

58.1

107.0

58.6

55%

23.0

21%

23.4

22%

51.2

217.2

253.6

86%

neg.

40.8

51.2

14.10%

14.66%

25.09%

15.56%

26.66%

18.97%

1.29%

4.20%

10.85%

13.59%

23

8.00

2.64

20

6.00

2.97

19

1.00

1.46

19

4.00

1.53

17

3.00

1.69

Number of shares at year end, thousands

36,295

35,896

35,544

35,544

35,544

Of which repurchased shares at period end, thousands

1,954 

1,644

1,644

1,329

1,084

Number of shares at year end (excluding repurchased shares), thousands

34,341

34,252

33,900

34,215

34,460

Shareholders' equity per share, USD

7.61

Weighted average number of shares (before dilution) for the year, thousands

34,223

Weighted average number of shares (after dilution) for the year, thousands

34,303

Earnings per share before dilution, USD

Earnings per share after dilution, USD

1.12

1.12

7.45

34,011

34,140

1.83

1.82

6.43

34,170

34,385

0.97

0.96

5.54

34,324

34,372

0.08

0.08

6.11

34,964

34,964

0.67

0.67

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Definitions and abbreviations

Tethys Oil discloses alternative performance 
measures as part of its financial statements 
prepared in accordance with ESMA’s (Euro-
pean  Securities  and  Markets  Authority) 
guidelines. Tethys Oil believes that the alter-
native  performance  measures  provide  use-
ful  supplemental  information  to  manage-

ment, investors, security analysts and other 
stakeholders. They are meant to provide an 
enhanced  insight  into  the  financial  devel-
opment of Tethys Oil’s business operations 
and  improve  comparability  between  peri-
ods.  Alternative  performance  measures  are 
not defined under IFRS and should not be 

viewed as a substitute for financial informa-
tion presented in accordance with IFRS but 
rather as a complement. Reconciliations of 
relevant  alternative  performance  measures 
are provided on the following page. Defini-
tions of the performance measures are pro-
vided under the key ratio definitions below.

Definitions of key ratios

Relevant reconciliations of alternative performance measures

MUSD 

Operating result

Add: Depreciation, depletion and amortization

Add: Exploration costs

EBITDA

Cash and bank

Less: Interest bearing debt

Net cash

Margins
EBITDA-margin
EBITDA as a percentage of yearly revenue 
and other income.

Operating margin 
Operating result as a percentage of yearly 
revenue and other income. 

Net margin 
Net result as a percentage of yearly revenue 
and other income.

Capital structure
Equity ratio 
Shareholders’  equity  as  a  percentage  of 
total assets. 

2019

37.1

47.6

8.2

92.9

75.6

-0.5

75.1

2018

60.7

45.9

–

106.6

73.1

–

73.1

2017

2016

2015

38.4

39.5

0.3

78.2

42.0

–

42.0

-0.5

44.4

0.1

44.0

39.0

–

39.0

23.0

34.7

1.0

58.6

51.2

–

51.2

Leverage ratio
Net interest bearing debt as a percentage of 
shareholders’ equity. 

Other
Number of employees 
Average number of employees fulltime. 

Investments 
Total investments during the year. 

Net cash
Cash and equivalents less interest bearing debt.

Profitability
Return on shareholders’ equity 
Net  result  as  percentage  of  average  share-
holders’ equity. 

Return on capital employed 
Net  result  plus  financial  costs  as  a  per-
centage of average capital employed (total 
assets less non interests-bearing liabilities). 

Shareholders’ equity per share 
Shareholders’ equity divided by the num-
ber of outstanding shares. 

Weighted average number of shares 
Number  of  shares  at  the  beginning  of  the 
year with newly issued shares time weighted 
for the period on issue.

Earnings per share 
Net result divided by the weighted number 
of shares.

n.a.  

Not applicable.

n.m. 

Not meaningful.

Definitions and abbreviations

SEK

TSEK

MSEK

USD 

TUSD

Swedish krona 

Thousands of Swedish kronor

Millions of Swedish kronor 

US dollar 

Thousands of US dollars 

MUSD

Million US dollars 

Oil production is often given in numbers of barrels per 
day. One barrel of oil = 159 litres, 0.159 cubic meters

Barrels of Oil per Day

Thousand Barrels

Million Barrels

Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement

bbl

bopd

mbo

mmbo

EPSA

34

 
Administration report

Administration report

(This is an English translation of the Swedish original)

Tethys Oil AB (publ)

Tethys Oil Block 3 & 4 Ltd.

Block 3&4, Oman

Tethys Oil Services UK Ltd.

Tethys Oil Montasar Ltd.

Tethys Oil Exploration AB

Tethys Oil France AB

Tethys Oil Invest AB

Tethys Oil Mena BV

Tethys Oil Oman Onshore Ltd.

Tethys Oil Oman Ltd.

Block 49, Oman

Attila, France

Odin Energy A/S

50%

UAB Minijos Nafta

50%

Gargzdai, Lituania

Ownership in subsidiary companies is 100% unless otherwise stated.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Tethys  Oil  Group 
(hereafter  referred  to  as  “Tethys  Oil”  or  the  “Group”),  where 
Tethys Oil AB (publ) (the “Company”) with organisational num-
ber  556615-8266  is  the  parent  company,  are  hereby  presented 
for the twelve-month period ended on 31 December 2019. The 
amounts relating to the comparative period (equivalent period of 
last year) are shown in parenthesis after the amount for the current 
period. Segments of the Group are geographical markets.

OPERATIONS

Tethys Oil is a Swedish oil company with focus on onshore areas 
with known oil discoveries. Tethys Oil’s core area is the Sultanate 
of Oman, where the Group holds interests in Blocks 3&4, Block 
49  and  Block  56  (subject  to  final  government  approval).  The 
Company holds a 30 percent non-operated interest in the explora-
tion and production licence for Blocks 3&4, a 100 percent oper-
ated interest in the exploration licence for Block 49 as well as a 20 
percent non-operated interest in the exploration license for Block 
56. Tethys Oil also has an interest in a dormant onshore explora-
tion licence in France and an indirect interest in a minor produc-
ing asset in Lithuania. The company is actively seeking to expand 
its operations in Oman, and the surrounding region. Tethys Oil’s 
operational approach is to explore, appraise and develop its assets 
concurrently allowing for continued operations to be funded from 
cash flow from production. This has resulted in continuous growth 
in both production and reserves over time. 

Production
The  Group’s  reported  production  comes  from  Blocks  3&4  in 
Oman which averaged 12,832 barrels per day in 2019 compared 
to 11,767 barrels per day in 2018. The Group’s reported produc-
tion grew by 9 percent in 2019 compared to the year before and 
amounted to 4.7 million barrels (4.3 million barrels). The produc-
ing fields Farha South, Shahd and Saiwan East which have been in 

production for several years are mostly either at peak production 
or in decline. Production from the newer fields, Erfan, Ulfa and 
Samha, has contributed to the growth in production in 2019 and 
is expected to contribute an increasing share of overall production 
going forward. Tethys Oil has additional production in Lithuania 
of less than 100 barrels per day.

Production Entitlement
The terms of the Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement 
(“EPSA”) for Blocks 3&4 allows the joint operations partners to 
recover their costs from up to 40 percent of the value of total oil 
production on an annual basis, this is referred to as ‘cost oil’. After 
deducting  any  allowance  for  cost  oil,  the  remaining  production 
is  split  80/20  between  the  government  and  the  joint  operations 
partners. If the costs incurred during the period exceeds the maxi-
mum 40 percent of production, it is carried forward to be recov-
ered in future periods and is referred to as the ‘Cost Pool’. If there 
are no costs to be recovered, the joint operations partners receive 
20 percent of the oil produced. The terms of the EPSA thus dic-
tates that the joint operations partners’ share of production after 
government take to be in the range 20–52 percent, depending on 
available recoverable cost. Until 2019, on Blocks 3&4, the joint 
operations partners’ share of production after government take has 
been in the high end of the range, 52 percent, as the joint opera-
tions partners have continued to invest on Blocks 3&4 while also 
recovering its historic cost pool. During 2019, the remaining bal-
ance of the cost pool was recovered, and thus, from that point on 
the level of cost oil was determined by the costs incurred in the 
period. Tethys Oil’s net entitlement of 2019 was 51 percent (52 
percent), and the estimated recoverable costs in the cost pool as 
at  31  December  2019,  net  to Tethys  Oil,  amounted  to  MUSD 
– (MUSD 14.7). Based on the expected production, investments 
and operating costs as well as an assumed oil price of USD 60 per 
barrel, Tethys Oil expects its entitlement of oil production from 
Blocks 3&4 to be between 51–52 percent for the year 2020.

35

Tethys Oil’s share of volumes, before government take

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Tethys Oil’s share of annual production, bbl

Oman, Blocks 3&4

Production

4,683,754

4,294,852

4,439,118

4,436,438

3,539,631

Average daily production, bopd

12,832

11,767

12,162

12,121

9,698

Average daily production net to Tethys Oil, yearly

bopd

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Reserves and contingent resources
Oman, Blocks 3&4
Tethys Oil’s net working interest Reserves in Blocks 3&4 Oman 
as at 31 December 2019 amount to 26,112 thousand barrels of 
oil (“mbo”) of Proven and Probable Reserves (2P). The 2P Reserve 
Replacement Ratio amounts to 116 percent. In addition, Tethys 
Oil’s net working interest resources in Oman amounts to 13,458 
mbo of 2C Contingent Resources. The Company’s 2019 and 2018 
year-end Reserves reports were audited by ERC Equipoise Limited 
(“ERCE”) as independent qualified Reserves evaluator.

Development of reserves, Blocks 3&4 (audited)

mbo

1P

2P

3P

Total 31 December 2018

16,735

25,357

35,884

Production 2019

Additions and revisions

-4,684

5,285

-4,684

5,439

-4,684

5,719

Total 31 December 2019

17,336

26,112

36,919

Reserve replacement ratio

113%

116%

122%

of Reserves attributable to the Masarrah-1 exploration well drilled 
in 2019.

Based on ERCE’s oil price assumptions, Tethys Oil’s net entitle-
ment Reserves (Reserves after government take) amount to 7,862 
mbo of 1P, 10,869 mbo of 2P and 12,160 mbo of 3P (revised fol-
lowing cost pool adjustments).

In  addition  to  Reserves, Tethys  Oil  also  announces  net  working 
interest  Contingent  Resources.  The  bulk  of  the  estimated  Con-
tingent Resources are contained in Ulfa, Samha and Erfan fields. 
Development  of  the  Contingent  Resources  in  the  discoveries  is 
continued  contingent  upon  the  on-going  appraisal  programme, 
a  committed  work  programme  as  well  as  budget  to  access  these 
resources.

Contingent resources Blocks 3&4 (audited)

mbo

1C

2C

3C

Total 31 December 2019

5,094

13,458

26,468

Additions  and  revisions  include  maturation  of  Contingent 
Resources to Reserves from the ongoing appraisal program of the 
Ulfa,  Samha  and  Erfan  fields  as  well  as  upside  revisions  of  the 
Reserves on the Farha South and Shahd fields and a small amount 

The audit of the Reserves in Oman has been conducted using 2018 
Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS2018), sponsored 
by  the  Society  of  Petroleum  Engineers  (SPE),  World  Petroleum 
Council  (WPC),  American  Association  of  Petroleum  Geologists 
(AAPG) and Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE).

36

Revenue and other income

Revenue and other income

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Oil sold, bbl

2,259,849

2,163,148

2,316,404

2,357,701

1,805,056

Underlift (overlift) movement, bbl

123,238

70,174

-8,062

-50,754

35,552

Net barrels produced, after government take, bbl

2,383,086

2,233,322

2,308,342

2,306,947

1,840,608

Oil price, USD/bbl

Revenue, MUSD

Underlift (overlift) adjustments, MUSD

Overlift adjustment reporting error, MUSD

64.2

145.0

5.8

–

70.5

152.6

4.7

– 

Revenue and other income, MUSD

150.8

157.3

51.8

119.9

(0.6)

–

119.3

40.5

95.4

(2.4)

(5.9)

87.1

58.1

104.9

2.2

–

107.0

During 2019, Tethys Oil sold 2,259,849 barrels of oil from Blocks 
3&4,  representing  a  4  percent  increase  compared  to  2018  when 
2,163,148 barrels of oil were sold. The increase in oil sold was offset 
by the 9 percent decrease in achieved oil price resulting in a revenue 
of MUSD 145.0 (MUSD 152.6), a 5 percent decline. In addition 
to revenue, there has been an adjustment for an increased underlift 
position  amounting  to  MUSD  5.8  (MUSD  4.7)  which  together 
with revenue adds up to revenue and other income of MUSD 150.8, 
a 4 percent decline for 2019 compared to MUSD 157.3 in 2018.

The achieved oil price (also known as the average selling price) in 
2019 was USD 64.2 (USD 70.5) per barrel. 

Volumes for oil sales are nominated two months in advance and 
are not based upon the actual production in a month; as a result, 
sales volumes can be above or below production volumes. Where 
the  sales  volume  exceeds  the  quantity  of  barrels  produced,  an 
overlift position occurs and where it is less, an underlift position 
occurs. During the year, the group extended its underlift position 
from 34,083 barrels at the end of 2018 to 157,321 at per the 31 
December  2019.  The  underlift  position  at  the  end  of  2019  was 
primarily due to a majority of the December lifting nomination 
being lifted in early January 2020. The valuation of both over- and 
underlift is based on market price.

Tethys Oil sells all of its oil through Mitsui Energy Trading Singa-
pore, which is part of Mitsui & Co Ltd. All oil sales originate from 
Blocks 3&4 and are made on a monthly basis. Tethys Oil’s selling 
price is based on the Official Selling Price (OSP) as set by the Sul-
tanate of Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas, in addition to trading 
and quality adjustments. The OSP is calcultade using the monthly 
average price of the front month future contract of Oman Export 
blend as traded on the Dubai Mercantile Exchange. 

Operating expenses

Operating expenses, 
Blocks 3&4

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Production costs, MUSD

47.2

42.6

32.6

33.5

38.4

Well workovers, MUSD

4.4

3.4

2.3

3.1

4.5

Total operating 
expenses, MUSD

Operating expenses per 
barrel, USD

51.6

45.9

34.9

36.5

42.9

11.0

10.7

7.9

8.2

12.1

Production costs relate to oil production on Blocks 3&4, and com-
prise expenses for throughput fees, energy, consumables, field staff, 
maintenance, as well as administration, including operator over-
head. Well workovers and interventions relate to downhole work 
and replacing of electric submersible pumps enabling shut-in wells 
to restart production. The work programme for well workovers for 
the year was increased for a second consecutive year.

Production costs, well workovers and interventions together com-
prise  operating  expenses,  amounting  to  MUSD  51.6  in  2019 
(MUSD 45.9), an increase of 12 percent compared to 2018. The 
increase in costs was driven by the costs relating to the commis-
sioning of the Ulfa EPF, increased diesel fuel rates, maintenance 
costs and third-party services.

Depletion, depreciation and amortisation

DD&A

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

DD&A, MUSD

47.6

45.9

39.5

44.4

34.6

DD&A per barrel, USD

10.2

10.7

8.9

10.0

9.8

Depletion,  depreciation  and  amortisation  (“DD&A”)  for  2019 
amounted  to  MUSD  47.6  (MUSD  45.9),  which  is  higher  than 
2018 and is attributable to increased production offset by a lower 
DD&A rate per barrel. The DD&A charge relates to Blocks 3&4.

Netback

Netback, Blocks 3&4, 
USD/bbl

Oil price achieved (sales 
barrels)

Revenue (after 
government take)

Operating expenses

Netback

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

64.2

70.5

51.8

40.5

58.1

31.1

11.1

22.3

36.7

27.0

21.0

30.2

10.7

7.9

8.2

12.1

26.0

19.1

12.8

18.1

The decrease in netback per barrel during 2019 has mainly been 
driven by the oil price development.

Exploration Costs
Exploration  costs  amounting  to  MUSD 8.2  (MUSD –)  were 
recorded  in  2019  and  are  primarily  related  to  the  cost  of  the 
Luja-1,  Yamin-1,  Yusr-1,  Maather-1  and  Mahamid-1  explora-
tion wells which, following drilling and testing, were all deemed 
un economic.  Exploration  and  appraisal  costs  are  capitalised  as 

37

 
 
 
 
 
they  are  incurred  and  subject  to  regular  review.  Dry  or  uneco-
nomic  wells  are  expensed  when  the  recoverability  of  the  costs  is 
deemed highly unlikely.

Blocks 3&4

Investments Blocks 
3&4, MUSD

Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses amounted to MUSD 7.0 for 2019 com-
pared to MUSD 5.7 during 2018 with the increase driven by an 
increase in staff and consultancy costs. Administrative expenses are 
mainly salaries, rents, listing costs and external services.

Drilling

G&G

Facilities

Total investments 
Blocks 3&4

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

25.0

10.1

18.9

25.5

26.6

30.3

20.5

11.2

13.7

4.2

9.1

4.5

8.9

13.4

11.3

54.0

50.4

39.9

48.2

40.7

Net financial result
The net financial result for 2019 of MUSD 1.2 (MUSD 1.5) has 
been  impacted  by  net  gains  due  to  changes  in  foreign  exchange 
rates due to the USD strengthening against the SEK, MUSD 0.9, 
as  well  as  interest  income  of  MUSD  0.8  offset  by  other  finan-
cial  expenses  of  MUSD  -0.5.  Currency  translation  differences 
recorded on loans between the parent company and subsidiaries 
are non-cash related items.

Operations
Tethys Oil holds interests in three licence areas covering four Blocks 
onshore Oman. The majority of investments and all income relate 
to the Blocks 3&4 exploration and production licence, where the 
Company  holds  a  30%  non-operated  interest. Tethys  Oil  holds 
100% interest and is operator of exploration licence Block 49 and 
a 20% non-operated interest in the exploration licence Block 56, 
that was acquired in the fourth quarter 2019.

Tax
Tethys Oil’s oil and gas operations in Oman are governed by an 
Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement for each licence 
(“EPSA”) whereby Tethys Oil receives its share of oil after govern-
ment take. Under the terms of each EPSA, Tethys Oil is subject 
to Omani income taxes and royalties, which are paid in full, on 
behalf of Tethys Oil from the government share of oil. The effect 
of these taxes is netted against revenue and other income in the 
income statement.

The main objectives of the 2019 work programme on Blocks 3&4 
were production enhancement from all fields, optimisation of the 
Ulfa field production facilities (“Ulfa EPF”), maturation of con-
tingent resources, and continued exploration activities. The work 
programme on Block 49 focused on interpretation and mapping 
of  the  seismic  acquired  in  2018  and  preparations  for  upcoming 
exploration drilling. Block 56 operations were from acquisition in 
the fourth quarter focused on evaluation of exploration wells and 
production testing.

Result
Tethys Oil reports a net result after tax for 2019 of MUSD 38.3 
(MUSD 62.2), representing earnings per share of USD 1.12 (USD 
1.82). The  result  for  2019  was  down  compared  to  2018  mainly 
due to lower oil prices, increased operating expenses, exploration 
costs and administrative expenses.

Investments and work programme 
Summary of oil and gas interests (MUSD):

Country/Asset

Book value 
31 Dec  
2019

Investments  
Jan–Dec  
2019

Book value 
31 Dec  
2018

Investments  
Jan–Dec  
2018

Oman Blocks 3&4

194.8

54.0

194.0

Oman Block 49

Oman Block 56

Lithuania

France

New ventures

Total

8.0

8.6

–

–

0.3

211.7

2.3

8.6

–

–

0.3

65.2

5.7

–

–

–

0.3

200.0

50.4

5.3

–

–

–

0.1

55.8

During 2019, total investments in oil and gas properties amounted 
to  MUSD  65.2  compared  to  MUSD  55.8  in  2018.  Of  2019 
investments, MUSD 54.0 related to Blocks 3&4, MUSD 2.3 to 
Block 49 and MUSD 8.6 to Block 56.

Blocks 3&4
Production increased during the year to reach an average daily pro-
duction of 12,832 bopd in 2019, over nine percent higher than in 
2018. The increase over 2018 is primarily due to the launch of the 
Ulfa field production facilities, successful completion of infill wells 
and appraisal wells and ongoing production optimisation through 
maintenance and upgrading activities, including work overs in the 
Farha  South,  Shahd  and  Saiwan  East  fields.  Three  rigs  and  one 
workover rig have been operating during the year.

Wells completed 
2019 (primary 
purpose)

Ulfa-, 
Samha and 
Erfan fields

Farha 
South 
Field

Shahd and 
Saiwan East 
Fields

Near and 
far field 

exploration Total

Appraisal/
Production

Water injection

Water source

Exploration

Total 

7

–

–

–

7

5

2

–

–

7

9

3

1

–

13

–

–

–

5

5

21

5

1

5

32

Ulfa, Samha and Erfan Fields
The appraisal programme of the Ulfa and Samha fields was initi-
ated in the first quarter 2018 with the objective to mature con-
tingent  resources  into  reserves  and  to  optimise  plans  for  future 
production. 

The construction of the Ulfa EPF was finalised in the end of 2018, 
and the facility commenced production towards the very end of 
the  year.  The  EPF  includes  separators,  heater  treaters  and  pipe-
lines.  A  new  pipeline  has  been  constructed  to  connect  the  Ulfa 

38

EPF with the Saiwan East production facility. The launch of the 
Ulfa  EPF  included  some  start-up  issues,  mainly  relating  to  gas 
handling.  As  a  consequence,  wells  at  Samha  and  Ulfa  were  shut 
in or put on restricted production. As at the end of March 2019, 
additional capacity for gas separation was installed and these wells 
were put back in production. The Ulfa EPF has been fine-tuned 
throughout the year, with additional gas separation capacity added 
to further increase the total oil and gas handling capacity of the 
production facility. 

During the year, three new appraisal/production wells were drilled 
on the Erfan field, three on the Ulfa field and one on Samha field. 
Production data from the wells is being used to optimise produc-
tion and support the maturation of the contingent resources into 
reserves.

Farha South field
The commissioning of the Ulfa EPF has released capacity at the 
Farha  South  production  facility,  enabling  new  production  from 
the Farha South field to be added.

During  the  year,  stimulation  of  water  injection  wells  continued. 
A programme to replace some of the electrical submersible pumps 
(“ESP”) was implemented in order to improve flow in the Farha 
South flowline system, which will reduce back pressure and in turn 
increase  production.  An  API  tank  has  been  installed  to  further 
enhance the water handling capacity at the Farha South produc-
tion facility.

Four new production wells have been drilled on producing fault 
blocks on the field. One appraisal/production well was drilled in 
previously undrilled fault block on the field during the first quarter 
2019. The well did not encounter oil.

Shahd and Saiwan East oil fields
The  operations  on  Shahd  included  drilling  of  nine  production 
wells on the Shahd field, with the majority being drilled on the 
Shahd I structure. Those wells contributed to the increase in pro-
duction in the second half of the year. 

Infrastructure development
A gas-powered generator has been installed and commissioned on 
the  Shahd  field.  This  pilot  project  is  part  of  an  ambitious  plan 
aimed at materially reducing flaring and diesel consumption. 

A new camp for contractors has been developed on Block 3&4, 
with contractors moving in late in the third  quarter  2019.  New 
camps have been central component in the preparing of the fields 
for the future. A new camp for employees will be the next step in 
this development of the fields.

Exploration activities – Seismic acquisition
At  the  end  of  the  year,  the  2019/2020  seismic  programme  was 
launched. The surveys targeting more than 4,000 km2 of new seis-
mic  data.  1,650  km2  of  3D  seismic  was  acquired  east  of  Farha 
South, ahead of schedule, in the fourth quarter 2019 allowing the 
2020  seismic  programme  to  be  launched  already  in  2019.  The 
2020  programme  covers  the  complete  licence  area  north  of  the 
Farha South field. In parallel interpretation of previously acquired 
seismic is ongoing generating a number of leads for further study.

Exploration activities – Exploration drilling
Five  exploration  wells  were  completed  in  2019.  One  well,  the 
Masarrah-1  well,  resulted  in  a  new  discovery.  The  other  four 
wells had oil shows while drilling, but none flowed oil to surface. 
Although  four  of  the  exploration  wells  didn’t  result  in  commer-
cial discoveries, all wells have increased the geological understand-
ing of the respective areas and will be valuable to the continued 
exploration  activity  on  the  Blocks  and  in  de-risking  other  leads 
and  prospects.  The  wells  have  been  suspended  to  enable  further 
work in the future if warranted. The well costs were expensed in 
the fourth quarter of 2019 (see section “Exploration cost”).

Drilled or tested exploration wells in 2019:
•  The Masarrah-1 well, a near field Ulfa/Samha analogy well, was 
drilled about 10 km northeast of the Ulfa discovery. The well 
had  good  oil  shows  from  target  formation  Khufai  and  tested 
light oil with good flow rates. The well resulted in a new mid-
sized oil discovery. The well was completed as a producer from 
the Khufai formation.

•  The Mahamid-1 well was drilled about 11 km east of the Farha 

South infrastructure to explore deeper sections of Block 3. 

•  Maather-1 was drilled 13km southeast of Samha-1 to test the 
Buah and Khufai potential to the east of the Ulfa and Samha 
fields. Secondary targets were the Masirah Bay formation and 
the underlying older Cryogenian formations.

•  Yusr-1 was drilled north of the Farha South field. The well tar-
geted the possible northern extension of the carbonate Buah and 
Khufai reservoirs.

•  Yamin-1, was drilled 10km east-southeast of Saiwan East-2 to 

test the Khufai formation. 

Block 49, Oman 
A seismic campaign was conducted on Block 49 in late 2018. 253 
km2 of 3D and 299 km of 2D seismic data were acquired in the 
north-eastern part of the licence area with the purpose to further 
define possible oil traps and to enhance the understanding of the 
deeper parts of the block in general. The data from the survey was 
processed and delivered to Tethys Oil in 2019 for interpretation 
and  mapping.  In  addition,  some  1,464  km  of  older  2D  seismic 
data, acquired by previous operators, had been reprocessed. 

The  first  phase  of  the  seismic  interpretation  was  completed  in 
the  third  quarter  2019  resulting  in  the  identification  of  a  drill-
able prospect in the north eastern part of the Block. The prospect, 
known as Thameen (“Precious”) has been further delineated dur-
ing the fourth quarter, and the drilling of a well is being planned 
to a depth of close to 4,000 meters to evaluate three potential res-
ervoir targets. Drilling preparations are well underway, and Tethys 
Oil is actively seeking a suitable rig on a tight rig market in Oman. 
Drilling activities are being led by a drilling manager who was con-
tracted  in  the  second  quarter.  In  parallel,  seismic  interpretations 
and overall geological modelling of Block 49 continues.

Block 56
In late October 2019, Tethys Oil announced having entered into an 
agreement to acquire a 20 percent interest in the Exploration and 
Production licence covering Block 56 onshore Oman from Biyaq 
Oilfield  Services  (“Biyaq”). Tethys  Oil  has  paid  Biyaq  the  initial 
consideration for the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2019.

39

Block 56 covers an area of 5,808 km2 in the south-eastern part of 
Oman some 200 km south of Blocks 3&4. The licence is operated by 
a subsidiary to Medco Energi. To date, 11 wells have been drilled on 
the Block and all but one has encountered oil or oil shows, although 
none  has  yet  been  determined  to  be  a  commercial  discovery.  The 
current operator has successfully drilled three of these wells. A work 
programme to test up to three was initiated at the beginning of 2020.

The Block lies at the intersection of different geological provinces 
including the prolific South Oman Salt Basin. It offers exploration 
potential  in  multiple  play  concepts,  both  proven  and  unproven, 
many of which are familiar to Tethys Oil from its current opera-
tions in the country.

The licence for Block 56 is governed by an Exploration and Pro-
duction Sharing Agreement signed in November 2014. Its initial 
three-year  exploration  phase  has  been  extended  until  December 
2020,  and  the  partners  have  the  option  to  enter  into  a  second 
exploration phase ending in December 2023.

Liquidity and financing
Cash and bank as per 31 December 2019 amounted to MUSD 
75.6 compared to MUSD 73.1 as per 31 December 2018.

In May and November 2019, a dividend of SEK 1.00 per share 
was  paid  to  shareholders,  which  in  total  amounted  to  MUSD 
7.1.  Furthermore,  MUSD  21.4  was  distributed  to  shareholders 
through a mandatory share redemption programme.

During  the  twelve  months  ending  31  December  2019,  the  cash 
flow from operations amounted to MUSD 96.0 (MUSD 105.4) 
and  cash  flow  used  in  investments  in  oil  and  gas  amounted  to 
MUSD 65.2 (MUSD 55.8). For the twelve months of 2019, free 
cash flow (cash flow from operations less investments) amounted 
to MUSD 31.4 (MUSD 50,4).

Tethys Oil’s operations on Blocks 3&4, Block 49, and Block 56, 
including investment programme, are expected to be funded from 
cash flow from operations and from available funds.

New ventures
In December 2018, Tethys Oil announced that it had entered into 
an  agreement  to  acquire  a  two  percent  participating  interest  in 
Block 53 onshore Oman from Total E&P Oman, a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of Total S.A. Block 53 holds the Mukhaizna oil field, the 
single largest producing oil field in Oman. The Mukhaizna field is 
a giant heavy-oil development operated by Occidental Petroleum, 
with an average gross daily production in excess of 100,000 bopd. 
The closing of the acquisition was subject to government approval 
and the waiver of partner pre-emption rights. Tethys Oil was, in 
the first quarter 2019, informed by the seller that partner pre-emp-
tion rights have been exercised, and as a result Tethys Oil will not 
be able to complete the transaction. 

Tethys  Oil’s  operations  in  Lithuania  are  expected  to  be  funded 
from cash flow from operations and available cash in the associ-
ated company.

Parent company
The  parent  company  reports  a  net  result  after  tax  for  2019 
amounting to MSEK 277.6 compared to MSEK 244.4 for 2018. 
Administrative expenses amounted to MSEK 43.1 for 2019 com-
pared to MSEK 32.8 for 2018. Net financial result amounted to 
MSEK 303.6 during 2019 compared to MSEK 259.5 for 2018. 
Dividends from subsidiaries amounting to MSEK 276.8 and cur-
rency exchange gains related to intercompany loans were the main 
reason for the net financial result.

A number of new venture projects have been reviewed and several 
continue to be evaluated.

Associated companies
Lithuania
During 2019, Tethys Oil divested its holding in the Danish com-
pany  Jyllands  Olie  ApS,  holding  the  company’s  interests  in  the 
Rietavas and Raiseinai exploration licences for a nominal consid-
eration. Tethys Oil’s interest in the production licence Garzdai is 
held indirectly through a Danish limited liability company which 
holds  shares  in  the  Lithuanian  operating  company  which  holds 
100 percent of the licence. Consequently Tethys Oil has an effec-
tive 25% interest in the Gargzdai licence. The holding in Gargzdai 
is  consolidated  through  a  one-line  consolidation  in Tethys  Oil’s 
financial statements and are presented in the balance sheet under 
“Investments in associates” and in the income statement as “Share 
of net profit/loss from associates”.

As at 31 December 2019, the value of the shareholding in the asso-
ciated  Danish  company  holding  the  interests  in  the  Lithuanian 
Gargzdai licences, amounted to MUSD 0.0 compared to MUSD 
0.0  at  the  end  of  2018.  Share  of  net  profit/loss  from  associated 
companies amounted to MUSD 0.7 following receipt of dividends 
during 2019 (0.9). The book value related to Minijos Nafta (Garg-
zdai)  is  zero,  and  as  there  are  no  formal  or  informal  obligations 
related to Minijos Nafta, Tethys Oil does not recognize any nega-
tive net result from Minijos Nafta.

Significant agreements and commitments
In Tethys Oil’s oil and gas operations, there are two main catego-
ries of agreements: one that governs the relationship with the host 
country, and one that governs the relationship with partners.

The agreements that govern the relationship with host countries 
are referred to as licences or Exploration and Production Sharing 
Agreements (EPSA or PSA). Tethys Oil holds its interests directly 
through  aforementioned  agreements  in  Oman  and  France.  The 
agreements with host countries have a time limit and are normally 
divided into periods. Financial commitments and/or work com-
mitments normally relate to the different periods. Tethys Oil has 
fulfilled its commitments on Blocks 3&4. On Block 49, the ini-
tial work commitments during the first period includes geological 
studies, seismic acquisition and processing and exploratory drill-
ing. In the other areas of operations, the commitments are either 
fulfilled  or  there  are  no  commitments  for  which Tethys  Oil  can 
be held liable. In some of Tethys Oil’s areas of interest, there are 
requirements  of  work  to  be  done  or  minimum  expenditures  in 
order to retain the licences, but no commitments for which Tethys 
Oil can be held liable.

The  agreements  that  govern  the  relationship  with  partners  are 
referred to as Joint Operating Agreements (JOA). In all areas of 
operation where Tethys Oil has partners, JOAs are in effect.

40

Other than the aforementioned agreements, there are no individual 
agreements or similar circumstances relating to the business which 
are of crucial significance for the group’s operations or profitability.

Board of Directors
At the AGM of shareholders on 15 May 2019 Robert Anderson, 
Alexandra Herger, Magnus Nordin, Per Seime and Geoffrey Tur-
bott were re-elected and Gavin Graham was elected as members of 
the Board. No deputy directors were appointed. At the same meet-
ing,  Geoffrey Turbott  was  re-appointed  chairman  of  the  Board. 
The work of the board is subject to an established work procedure 
that defines the distribution of work between the board and the 
managing director. The work procedure is evaluated each year and 
revised if deemed appropriate. The board had 20 meetings during 
2019. The six members of the board have consisted of five non-
executive directors and the managing director. The board has three 
committees  –  Audit  Committee,  Remuneration  Committee  and 
Technical Committee. Geoffrey Turbott is chairman of the audit 
committee, Per Seime is chairman of the remuneration committee 
and Rob Anderson is chairman of the technical committee.

Organisation
At the end of the year, Tethys Oil had an average number of full-
time employees of 23 (20). Of these, 8 (7) were women. In addition, 
contractors and consultants are engaged in Tethys Oil’s operations.

Remuneration policy
The Board of Directors of Tethys Oil AB (publ) (the “Company”, 
together with its subsidiaries the “Group”) proposes that the Com-
pany shall apply the following guidelines for executive remunera-
tion agreed after the Annual General Meeting 2020.

Background
The  guidelines  to  be  approved  by  the  Annual  General  Meeting 
2020  are  the  result  of  a  review  to  comply  with  revised  Swedish 
legislation resulting from the European Union Shareholder Rights 
Directive II and the 2020 revised Swedish Corporate Governance 
Code.  However,  few  material  changes  are  proposed  for  how  the 
Company manages executive remuneration matters.

Application of guidelines
These guidelines apply to remuneration to senior executives and 
to members of the Board of Directors if remuneration is paid for 
work performed outside the scope of the ordinary board work (e.g. 
pursuant  to  an  employment  or  consultancy  agreement).  For  the 
purposes of these guidelines, senior executives include the Manag-
ing  Director,  the  Deputy  Managing  Director  (if  applicable)  and 
certain other executives who, from time to time, are members of 
the Group Executive Management. As of the date of these guide-
lines, the Company’s senior executives are the Managing Director, 
the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Technical Officer.

These guidelines do not apply to any remuneration resolved upon 
or  approved  by  the  General  Meeting  and  are  only  applicable  to 
remuneration  agreed,  and  amendments  to  remuneration  already 
agreed, after the adoption of these guidelines by the Annual Gen-
eral Meeting 2020.

These guidelines constitute a framework within which remuneration 
to senior executives may be decided on by the Board of Directors.

General remuneration principles
In short, the Group’s business strategy is to create shareholder value 
working across the whole upstream oil and gas industry lifecycle 
of exploration, appraisal, development and production. A central 
objective in the Group’s business model is to explore for and pro-
duce oil and gas in an economically, socially, and environmentally 
responsible way. For more information regarding the Group’s stra-
tegic priorities, please refer to the Group’s Annual Reports and the 
Company’s website, www.tethysoil.com.

The  Company’s  remuneration  principles  are  to  ensure  respon-
sible  and  sustainable  remuneration  decisions  that  support  the 
Company’s  strategy,  long-term  interests  and  sustainable  business 
practices and further enhance the Group’s market position as well 
as increase the shareholder value. To this end, salaries and other 
employment  terms  shall  enable  the  Group  to  retain  and  recruit 
skilled  senior  executives  at  a  reasonable  cost.  The  remuneration 
shall  be  on  market  terms  and  based  on  the  principles  of  perfor-
mance, competitiveness and fairness. 

When evaluating whether these guidelines and the limitations set 
out  herein  are  reasonable,  the  Board  of  Directors  (including  the 
Remuneration Committee) has considered the total income of all 
employees of the Company, including the various components of 
their remuneration as well as the increase and growth rate over time.

In order to comply with mandatory rules or established local prac-
tice, remuneration which is subject to rules outside Sweden may be 
adjusted to comply with such local rules, taking into account, to 
the extent possible, the overall purpose of these guidelines.

Elements of remuneration
The remuneration covered by these guidelines may consist of basic 
salary, variable cash salary, pension, non-financial benefits and sev-
erance pay. In addition hereto, the General Meeting may decide 
on, inter alia, long-term incentive programs in which senior execu-
tives can participate.

Principles for basic salary
The basic salary shall be in line with market conditions, be com-
petitive, and shall take into account the scope and responsibility 
associated with the position, as well as the skills, experience and 
performance of each senior executive. 

On the assumption of payment of full variable cash salary, pension 
benefits and other benefits the basic salary is expected to amount 
to no more than 45 per cent of the total remuneration. If there is 
no variable cash salary, pension benefits or other benefits, the basic 
salary will constitute the entire remuneration.

Principles for variable cash salary
Variable cash salary, i.e. cash bonuses, shall be based on a set of pre-
determined  and  measurable  performance  criteria  that  reflect  the 
key drivers for pursuing the Company’s strategy, long-term inter-
ests and sustainable business practices. Such performance criteria 
include (but are not limited to) HSE, production, reserves replace-
ment, business development and financial performance as well as 
individual performance.

To which extent the criteria for awarding variable cash salary have 
been satisfied shall be determined annually in connection with the 

41

publication of the year-end report for the respective financial year 
based  on  an  evaluation  of  the  senior  executive’s  achievement  of 
the performance indicators as described in the agreed individual 
performance targets.

Payment of variable cash salary shall be conditional upon the sen-
ior executive remaining employed for the duration of the qualifi-
cation period. The Board of Directors has the right to adjust the 
incentive program during the term of the programme in the case 
of, for example, extraordinary increases or decreases in the Group’s 
earnings.

Variable cash remuneration shall qualify for pension benefits only 
to  the  extent  it  is  required  pursuant  to  mandatory  provisions  of 
applicable collective bargaining agreements.

The annual variable cash salary may not amount to more than 12 
months’  basic  salary,  and  is  therefore  expected  to  amount  to  no 
more than 50 per cent of the total remuneration.

Principles for pension benefits
Pension  benefits  shall  comprise  a  defined  contribution  scheme 
with  premiums  calculated  on  the  full  basic  salary  and  be  set  on 
an individual basis, however, provided that mandatory provisions 
of  applicable  collective  bargaining  agreements  do  not  require 
otherwise.

Pension benefits may not amount to more than 30 per cent of the 
basic salary and is therefore expected to amount to no more than 
25 per cent of total remuneration.

Principles for non-financial benefits
Non-financial  benefits  shall  be  based  on  market  terms  and  shall 
facilitate  the  duties  of  senior  executives.  Non-financial  benefits 
may include, inter alia, life insurance, medical insurance et cetera.

Premiums and other costs relating to non-financial benefits may 
not amount to more than five per cent of the basic salary and is 
therefore expected to amount to no more than five per cent of the 
total remuneration.

Remuneration during notice period and severance pay
The notice period for termination of the Managing Director shall 
not exceed twelve months and the notice period for termination of 
other senior executives shall not exceed nine months.

A mutual termination period of twelve months applies between the 
Company and the Managing Director and of up to nine months 
between the Company and other senior executives.

Severance pay to the Managing Director and other senior execu-
tives  shall  not  exceed  twelve  months’  basic  salary,  provided  that 
the employment is terminated by the Company. In the event the 
senior executive terminates his or her employment, no severance 
shall be payable.

Principles for certain remuneration to members of the 
Board of Directors
To the extent members of the Board of Directors perform work 
for the Company outside the scope of the ordinary board work, 
consultancy fees on market terms may be paid in addition to any 

board fees resolved upon by the General Meeting. The nomination 
committee  is  tasked  with  proposing  a  frame  for  such  remunera-
tion, to be approved by the Annual General Meeting.

Long-term incentive programs
Principles for remuneration resolved upon by the General Meeting 
are not covered by these guidelines. Accordingly, these guidelines 
do not apply to, i.e., the Company’s long-term incentive programs 
resolved upon by the General Meeting. 

The Company’s existing long-term incentive programs are directed 
to certain key employees of the Group and designed to create con-
ditions for retaining and recruiting competent and committed per-
sonnel to the Group. More information on the Company’s existing 
and proposed incentive programs from time to time is available on 
the Company’s website, www.tethysoil.com.

The role of the Remuneration Committee 
The  Board  of  Directors  has  established  a  Remuneration  Com-
mittee to deal with matters of executive compensation and wider 
Group remuneration. Specifically, it is tasked to: 

•  Recommend and review remuneration guidelines for the Man-
aging Director, the executive management and other employees 
in the Group to the Board of Directors;

•  Recommend Company Performance Targets for each year to the 

Board of Directors;

•  Recommend Managing Director Performance Targets for each 
year to the Board of Directors, and inform the Board of Direc-
tors of the Performance Targets agreed between the Managing 
Director and the executive management;

•  Recommend remuneration (salary and benefits) for the Manag-
ing  Director  to  the  Board  of  Directors  and  inform  the  Board 
of Directors of the remuneration (salaries and benefits) for the 
executive management;

•  Recommend  allocation  of  bonus  and  warrants  to  the  Manag-
ing Director to the Board of Directors and inform the Board of 
Directors of allocation of bonus and warrants to the executive 
management; and

•  Recommend incentive programme guidance relating to employ-

ees to the Board of Directors.

Preparation and review of the compliance of these 
guidelines
These guidelines have been prepared by the Remuneration Com-
mittee  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  Board  of  Directors. 
The  Remuneration  Committee  is  responsible  for  preparation  of 
updated  proposals  in  respect  of  guidelines  for  remuneration  to 
the senior executives. A proposal for amended guidelines is to be 
prepared  by  the  Board  of  Directors  when  the  need  for  material 
amendments arises, but at least every four years.

The  guidelines  may  also  be  amended  by  way  of  a  resolution  by 
other General Meetings than Annual General Meetings.

Within the scope and on the basis of these guidelines, the Board of 
Directors shall, based on the Remuneration Committee’s prepara-
tion and recommendations, annually decide on the specific revised 
remuneration terms for each senior executive and make such other 
decisions in respect of remuneration for senior executives that may 
be required.

42

The members of the Remuneration Committee are independent 
in relation to the Company and the senior executives. The Man-
aging Director and the other senior executives do not participate 
in the Board of Directors’ handling of and resolutions regarding 
remuneration-related matters if they are affected by such matters.

Principles for derogations from these guidelines
The Board of Directors may temporarily resolve to derogate from 
these guidelines, in whole or in part, if in a specific case there is 
special cause for such derogation and a derogation is necessary to 
serve the Company’s long-term interests, including its sustainabil-
ity, or to ensure the Company’s financial viability.

Sustainability report
In accordance with the Swedish Annual Accounts Act (ÅRL chap-
ter 6, §11) Tethys Oil has opted to issue the sustainability report as 
a document separate from the Annual Report. The sustainability 
report is available on the corporate website, www.tethysoil.com.

Group structure
Tethys Oil AB (publ), with organizational number 556615-8266, 
is the parent company in the Tethys Oil Group. Material subsidi-
aries include Tethys Oil Block 3&4 Limited, Tethys Oil Montasar 
Limited and Tethys Oil Oman Onshore Limited. The Tethys Oil 
Group was established on 1 October 2003. The Group has branch 
offices in Muscat, Oman and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

Share data
As  at  31  December  2019,  the  number  of  outstanding  shares  in 
Tethys  Oil  amount  to  36,294,960,  with  a  quota  value  of  SEK 
0.17.  All  shares  represent  one  vote  each.  The  number  of  shares 
has  increased  by  398,650  during  2019  due  to  the  exercise  of 
employee-held  warrants.  Tethys  Oil  has  a  warrant-based  incen-
tive programme for employees which may increase the number of 
shares depending on the share price during the exercise periods, for 
further information please see note 22.

As at 31 December 2019, Tethys Oil held 1,954,163 of its own 
shares  which  have  been  purchased  since  commencement  of  the 
programme in the fourth quarter 2014. The purpose of the repur-
chasing program is to optimise the capital structure and to enable 
any repurchased shares to be used as payment in connection with, 
or financing of, acquisitions of companies or businesses. 310,000 
were  purchased  during  2019.  The  repurchased  shares  are  still 
included  in  the  total  number  of  shares,  but  are  not  included  in 
the  average  number  of  shares  in  circulation.  The  weighted  aver-
age number of shares in circulation during 2019 before dilution 
is 34,222,908 and after dilution 34,302,921. After 31 December 
2019 and up to the date of publication for this report, Tethys Oil 
has acquired a further 1,284,189 shares.

Seasonal effects
Tethys Oil has no significant seasonal variations.

Transactions with related parties
See note 25.

Risk and uncertainties
A statement of risks and uncertainties are presented in note 1.

Appropriation of profit
The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of SEK 2.00 per share 
(AGM 2019: SEK 2.00) equal to MSEK 66.1 (MSEK 68.5). The 
Board of Directors proposes an extraordinary distribution of SEK 
3.00  per  share  (AGM  2019:  SEK  6.00)  by  way  of  a  mandatory 
share  redemption  programme  following  the  AGM  2020  equal 
to  MSEK  99.2  (205.5).  It  is  also  proposed  that  the  balance  of 
retained earnings after the dividend be retained in the business as 
described below.

MSEK

Retained earnings

Profit for the year

2019

104.8

277.6

382.4

2018

128.9

244.4

373.3

The Board of Directors proposes that these earnings be appropriated as follows:

To the shareholders, a distribution of SEK 2.00 
per share (AGM 2019: SEK 2.00)

66.1

68.5

To the shareholders, an extraordinary distribution 
of SEK 3.00 per share (AGM 2019: SEK 6.00)

To be retained in the business

99.2

205.5

217.1

382.4

99.3

373.3

Cash dividend
Tethys  Oil’s  board  of  directors  has  proposed  a  cash  dividend  of 
SEK  2.00  per  share  amounting  to  SEK  66,113,216  at  the  cur-
rent number of shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) and an 
extraordinary  distribution  of  SEK  3.00  per  share  amounting  to 
SEK 99,169,824. The dividend and extraordinary distribution are 
subject to approval at the AGM 2020. This is a total distribution 
of SEK 165,283,040. The preliminary record date for the dividend 
is 15 May 2020.

The  parent  company  has  distributable  earnings  (unrestricted 
equity) of MSEK 382.4 at 31 December 2019. Since the start of 
2020 Tethys has repurchased shares to a value of MSEK 64.2, leav-
ing a balance of MSEK 318.4 in unrestricted equity in the par-
ent company. After the dividend and cash distribution of MSEK 
165.3 the parent company will have retained earnings of MSEK 
152.9.

As per 31 December 2019, the Group’s and the parent company’s 
equity ratio amounted to 92.0 percent and 97.4 percent, respec-
tively.  After  the  dividend,  distribution  &  buyback,  the  Group’s 
and the parent company’s equity ratio will amount to 91.4 percent 
and 94.8 percent, respectively. 

Tethys  Oil  has  generated  significant  cash  flows  in  recent  years 
and the Group’s financial position is strong. The board has con-
sidered the parent company and the consolidated Group’s needs 
through a comprehensive evaluation of the parent company’s and 
the Group’s financial position and the parent company’s and the 
Group’s possibilities to fulfil their commitments in the long term. 

In light of developments since the close of 2019 with regards to 
the global spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the dissolution of 
the OPEC+ production limitations and resulting significant drop 
in oil price, Tethys Oil has revised its budgets, plans and capital 

43

 
requirements. On the basis of these revised assumptions and plans, 
the  board  of  directors  has  reviewed  its  distribution  proposal  to 
ensure that the parent company has sufficient liquidity and capital 
to satisfy the needs and requirements of the Group going forward. 

ments, trade and transport can come to impact the company’s abil-
ity to execute its operations, especially with regards to dependence 
upon international supply-chains. 

The  board  of  directors  has  concluded  that  despite  recent  nega-
tive  developments  in  the  company’s  operating  environment,  the 
parent company’s and the Group’s financial position gives rise to 
the conclusion than that the parent company and the Group can 
continue its operations and meet its obligations in the short and 
long term and continue to make investments. The board believes 
that the size of the equity, even after the proposed dividend, is in 
reasonable proportion to the scale of the parent company’s and the 
Group’s  business  as  well  as  the  risks  associated  with  conducting 
the business. 

With  reference  to  the  above,  and  what  has  come  to  the  board’s 
attention,  it  is  the  board’s  assessment  that  the  parent  company’s 
and the Group’s financial position implies that the proposed divi-
dend is justifiable pursuant to Chapter 17, Section 3 second and 
third paragraph of the Swedish Companies Act, i.e. with reference 
to  the  requirements  that  the  nature,  scope  and  risks  of  business 
put on the size of the parent company’s and the Group’s equity as 
well as the parent company’s and the Group’s need to strengthen 
its balance sheet, liquidity and financial position.

Financial statements
The  result  of  the  Group’s  and  parent  company’s  operations  and 
the financial position at the end of the financial year is shown in 
the following income statements, balance sheets, cash flow state-
ments, statements of changes in equity and related notes. Balance 
sheets  and  income  statements  will  be  resolved  at  the  AGM,  13 
May 2020.

Future outlook
In January 2020, an outbreak of a highly contagious novel coro-
navirus (Covid-19) started in China. The virus has subsequently 
spread  to  the  rest  of  the  world  and  as  of  March,  was  declared  a 
global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). As 
the outbreak of Covid-19 has spread, governments and authorities 
around the world have responded with measures to limit the con-
tagion. These measures have included limitations in international 
travel, movements of individuals within cities and countries, clo-
sure of borders, closure of shops, restaurants and places of work as 
well as in some cases limitations on people’s ability to leave their 
homes. The scope of the measures implemented is changing rap-
idly making the effects difficult to predict.

The  various  restrictions  put  in  place  in  addition  to  the  focusing 
of  resources  to  fight  the  disease  and  treating  those  infected  has 
already had notable impact on local economies, travel and inter-
national trade. As the spread of the disease continues to develop, 
the  full  effect  of  the  pandemic  on  the  world  economy  will  not 
be known for some time. In the countries where Tethys Oil has 
a presence measures have been taken that have restricted normal 
movement of the Group’s employees. Thus far the virus and the 
resulting restrictions have not had any material impact on Tethys 
Oil’s  employees’  health  and  wellbeing,  although  going  forward 
such risks cannot be ruled out. The impact of the restrictions and 
other measures on the Group’s ability to operate have thus far been 
limited but, it cannot be ruled out, that the restrictions on move-

The  Covid-19  outbreak  and  the  economic  impact  of  resulting 
measures to restrict its spread has had a profound effect on inter-
national energy markets. The International Energy Agency (IEA) 
and other forecasters are currently expecting demand to decline by 
between 10–20 percent in the second quarter of 2020 and given 
the  continued  contagion  it  is  uncertain  how  long  the  demand 
weakness will persist.

Coinciding  with  the  decline  in  oil  demand,  in  March  2020 
the  OPEC+  group  of  countries  failed  to  reach  an  agreement  to 
increase and extend its production limitations that aim to stabilise 
the oil price. Following the breakdown of OPEC+ talks, a number 
of its key members, rather than cutting production further, opted 
to increase oil output. 

The  combination  of  a  decline  in  demand  and  increased  supply 
from the OPEC+ countries has resulted in oversupply of the mar-
ket and sent oil prices tumbling. Both the Brent and WTI oil price 
benchmarks  have  lost  more  than  50  percent  of  their  value  since 
the start of the year. Share prices of listed oil companies have also 
declined significantly in the same time period.

The  Covid-19  outbreak’s  impact  on  the  economy  and  energy 
prices, and the risk to Tethys Oil’s ability to conduct its operations 
are currently subject to significant uncertainty. The lower oil prices 
will impact Tethys Oil’s profitability and free cash flows in 2020 
and  potentially  beyond,  also  it  cannot  be  ruled  out  that  it  may 
have an impact on the long-term value of its assets.  

In the view of Tethys Oil, the current oil market situation has been 
brought about by a number of exceptional circumstances. While 
it is still difficult to assess the full impact of the viral outbreak on 
societies and economies across the world it is clearly an exceptional 
event which is unlikely to persist in the longer term. Likewise, the 
breakdown of talks between the major oil producing nations in the 
OPEC+ group has reduced oil prices to levels where many produc-
ers  are  loss-making  and  government  budgets  do  not  balance;  an 
unsustainable situation which, we believe, will eventually lead to 
a new agreement. However, if no action is taken by the OPEC+ 
countries to reduce production output the lower prices will even-
tually result in the shutdown of high cost oil production as well as 
slow the pace of investment in new production output. The afore-
mentioned effects in combination with the natural depletion and 
decline in production of existing fields will result in a reduction of 
oil supply and move the market closer to balance. The timing of 
the above-mentioned effects remains subject to significant uncer-
tainty. Tethys Oil’s management and board of directors are closely 
monitoring developments in order to assess any potential impact 
on the Group and take action accordingly.

On the 25 March 2020, HM the Sultan of Oman issued Royal 
Decree  No.  35/2020  authorising  the  assignment  of  20%  of  the 
rights  and  obligations  of  Biyaq  Oilfield  Services  LLC  in  the 
Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement for Block 56 to a 
wholly-owned subsidiary of Tethys Oil AB. The issuance of Royal 
Decree  No.  35/2020  constitutes  the  final  approval  required  to 
effect Tethys Oil’s farm-in to Block 56.

44

Financial statements for the group

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

1 January – 31 December, MUSD

Revenue 

Underlift/overlift adjustments

Revenue and other income

Operating expenses

Gross profit

Depletion. depreciation and amortisation

Exploration costs

Share of net profit/loss from associates

Administrative expenses 

Operating result

Financial income and similar items

Financial expenses and similar items

Net financial result

Result before tax

Income tax

Net result

Other comprehensive result

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:

Exchange differences

Other comprehensive result

Total comprehensive result

Attributable to:

Shareholders in the parent company

Non controlling interest

Number of shares outstanding

Number of shares outstanding (after dilution)

Weighted average number of shares (before dilution)

Weighted average number of shares (after dilution)

Earnings per share (before dilution). USD

Earnings per share (after dilution). USD

Note

4

 3

9

3,8

8

6

10–12,22

13

14

15

17

17

17

17

17

17

2019

145.0 

 5.8

150.8

-51.6 

99.2

-47.6

-8.2

0.7

 -7.0

37.1

1.7

 -0.5

1.2

 38.3

–

 38.3

-1.6

-1.6

 36.7

2018

152.6

4.7

157.3

-45.9

111.4

-45.9

–

0.9

-5.7

60.7

1.9

-0.4

1.5

62.2

–

62.2

-3.7

-3.7

58.5

36.7

58.4

36,294,960

35,896,310

34,374,526

35,912,250

34,222,908

34,010,616

34,302,921

34,140,318

1.12

 1.12

1.83

1.82

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated balance sheet

As at 31 December, MUSD

Note

2019

2018

ASSETS

Non current assets

Oil and gas properties

Other Fixed Assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Prepaid expenses

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL ASSETS

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Shareholders' equity

Share capital

Additional paid in capital

Reserves

Retained earnings

Total shareholders' equity

Non current liabilities

Non-current provisions

Other non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Current provisions

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

Total liabilities

8

16

17

7

18,19

7,19

20

 211.7

 0.6

212.3

 12.0

 0.3

 75.6

87.9

300.2

0.8 

 76.3

 -1.9

 201.1

276.3

 9.6

1.4 

11.0

–

12.9

12.9

23.9

200.0

0.1

200.1

17.9

0.3

73.1

91.3

291.4

0.8

74.0

-0.3

193.1

267.6

8.9

–

8.9

1.0

13.9

14.9

23.9

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

300.2

291.4

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  
in summary

MUSD

Share capital

Paid in capital

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

Attributable to shareholders of the parent company

3.4

–

-3.7

-3.7

–

–

–

–

0.0

-0.3

-0.3

–

-1.6

-1.6

–

–

–

–

–

0.0

-1.9

153.3

228.5

62.2

–

62.2

–

-7.5

-15.1

0.2

-22.4

193.1

193.1

38.3

–

38.3

-2.1

-21.4

-7.1

–

0.3

-30.3

201.1

62.2

-3.7

58.5

2.9

-7.5

-15.1

0.2

-19.4

267.6

267.6

38.3

-1.6

36.7

-2.1

-21.4

-7.1

2.3

0.3

-28.0

276.3

Opening balance 1 January 2018

Comprehensive income

Net result 2018

Currency exchange differences 2018

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners

Share issue

Dividend

Share redemption

Incentive programme

Total transactions with owners

Closing balance 31 December 2018

Opening balance 1 January 2019

Comprehensive income

Net result 2019

Currency exchange differences 2019

Total comprehensive result

Transactions with owners

Repurchase of own shares

Share redemption

Dividend

Share issue

Incentive programme

Total transactions with owners

Closing balance 31 December 2019

0.8

–

–

0.0

–

–

–

0.0

0.8

0.8

–

–

0.0

–

–

–

 0.0

–

0.0

0.8

71.0

–

–

2.9

–

–

–

2.9

74.0

74.0

–

–

0.0

– 

–

–

2.3

–

2.3

76.3

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated cash flow statement

1 January – 31 December, MUSD

Note

2019

2018

13

14

8

8

8

17

Cash flow from operations

Operating result

Interest received

Interest paid

Income tax

Adjustment for exploration costs

Adjustment for depletion, depreciation and other non-cash related items

Total cash flow from operations before change in working capital

Change in receivables

Change in liabilities

Cash flow from operations

Investment activity

Investment in oil and gas properties

Investment in office equipment

Cash from associated companies, net

Cash flow from investment activity

Financing activity

Repurchase of own shares

Share redemption

Dividend

Share issue

Cash flow from financing activity

Cash flow for the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 

Exchange gains/losses on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

37.1 

 0.8

 -0.0

–

 8.2

 46.0

92.1

 5.9

 -2.0

96.0

 -65.2

 -0.1

 0.7

-64.6

 -2.1

 -21.4

 -7.1

2.3 

-28.3

3.1

73.1 

 -0.6

 75.6

60.7

0.3

0.0

–

– 

41.7

102.7

-7.2

9.9

105.4

-55.8

-0.1

0.9

-55.0

–

-15.1

-7.5

2.9

-19.7

30.7

42.0

0.5

73.1

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements for the parent company

Parent company income statement

1 January – 31 December, MSEK

Other income

Share of net profit/loss from associates

Administrative expenses

Operating result

Financial income and similar items

Financial expenses and similar items

Net financial result

Result before tax

Income tax

Net result1

Note

5

6

10–12, 22

13

14

15

2019

10.7

6.4

-43.1

-26.0

303.8 

-0.2 

303.6

277.6

– 

2018

9.7

8.0

-32.8

-15.1

259.7

-0.2

259.5

244.4

– 

277.6

244.4

1  As there are no items in the parent company’s other comprehensive income, no separate report on total comprehensive income is presented.

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent company balance sheet

As at 31 December, MSEK

Note

2019

2018

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Other fixed assets

Shares in subsidiaries

Long term receivables from subsidiaries

Investment in associates

Current assets

Other receivables

Prepaid expenses

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL ASSETS

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Shareholders' equity

Restricted equity:

Share capital

Statutory reserve

Unrestricted equity:

Share premium reserve

Retained earnings

Net result

Total shareholders' equity

Current liabilities

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

Other current liabilities to group companies

Total liabilities

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

21

25

6

16

17

20

25

0.0 

1.0 

446.2 

0.0

447.2

0.1 

0.8 

25.4 

26.3

473.5

6.0

71.1

481.0 

-376.2 

277.6 

459.5

5.4 

8.6

14.0

473.5

0.0

1.0

222.0

0.0 

223.0

2.3

0.9

240.2

243.4

466.5

5.9

71.1

481.0

-352.1

244.4

450.3

3.9

12.2

16.2

466.5

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent company statement of changes in equity

Restricted equity

Unrestricted equity

MSEK

Share
capital

Statutory 
reserve

Share 
premium
reserve

Opening balance 1 January 2018

5.9

71.1

481.0

Transfer of prior year net result

Comprehensive income

Net result 2018

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners

Impacting share issue

Dividend

Share redemption

Incentive programme

Total transactions with owners

Merger difference

Closing balance 31 December 2018

Opening balance 1 January 2019

Transfer of prior year net result

Comprehensive income

Net result 2019

–

–

–

0

–

–

–

–

– 

5.9

5.9

–

–

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

– 

71.1

71.1

–

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

– 

481.0

481.0

–

–

Total comprehensive income

0.0

0.0

0.0

Transactions with owners

Repurchase of shares

Share redemption

Dividend

Share issue

Incentive programme

Total transactions with owners

Closing balance 31 December 2019

–

–

–

0.1

–

0.1

6.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Retained
earnings

-262.9

85.0

25.9

-68.1

-135.6

2.1

-175.7

1.5

Net
result

85.0

-85.0

244.4

244.4

– 

 –

– 

– 

– 

– 

-352.1

244.4

-352.1

244.4

–

0.0

-20.1

-205.5 

-68.5

21.9

3.7

244.4

-244.4

277.6

277.6

–

–

–

– 

–

Total equity

380.1

–

244.4

244.4

25.9

-68.1

-135.6

2.1

-175.7

1.5

450.3

450.3

0.0

277.6

277.6

-20.1

-205.5

-68.5

22.0

3.7

-268.4

459.5

0.0 

0.0

-268.5

0.0

71.1

481.0

-376.2

277.6

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent company cash flow statement

1 January – 31 December, MSEK

Note

2019

2018

Cash flow from operations

Operating result

Interest received

Interest paid

Adjustment for non cash related items

Total cash flow from operations before change in working capital

Change in receivables

Change in liabilities

Cash flow from operations

Investment activity

Dividend from associated companies

Dividend from Group companies

Investment in long term receivables

Cash flow from investment activity

Financing activity

Repurchase of own shares

Share redemption

Dividends paid

Share issue

Cash flow from financing activity

Cash flow for the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Exchange gains on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

13

14

17

-26.0 

0.7 

-0.2 

4.0 

-21.5

2.4 

-3.7 

-22.8

– 

87.1

-7.9

79.2

-20.1 

-205.5 

-68.5 

22.0 

-272.2

-215.8

240.2

1.0

25.4 

-15.1

0.2

0.0

-3.0

-17.9

3.0

-4.4

-19.3

–

210.0

164.0

374.0

–

-135.6

-68.1

25.9

-177.8

176.9

58.2

5.1

240.2

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes

General information
Tethys Oil AB (publ) (“the Company”), corporate identity number 556615- 
8266,  and  its  subsidiaries  (together  “the  Group”  or  “Tethys  Oil”)  are 
focused on exploration for and production of oil and natural gas. The Group 
has  interests  in  exploration  licences  in  Oman,  France  and  Lithuania.  The 
Company is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in Stock-
holm, Sweden. The Company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

These  consolidated  and  parent  company  financial  statements  have  been 
approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 9 April 2020.

Basis of preparation
The annual report of the Group and the parent company Tethys Oil AB has 
been prepared in accordance with prevailing International Financial Report-
ing Standards (IFRS) and IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpreta-
tions adopted by the EU Commission and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act 
(1995:1554).  In  addition,  RFR  1  “Supplementary  Rules  for  Groups”  has 
been applied as issued by the Swedish Financial Reporting Board.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the 
use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management 
to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting 
policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or 
areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated 
financial statements are disclosed in note 2.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the his-
torical cost basis unless disclosed in the accounting policies below.

Accounting principles
The accounting principles applied in the preparation of these consolidated 
financial  statements  are  set  out  below.  The  same  accounting  principles 
were used in the 2018 Annual report, save for the implementation of IFRS 
16 which came into effect on 1 January 2019, and have been consistently 
applied to all the years presented. The Annual report of the Group has been 
prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 
(IFRS)  as  adopted  by  the  EU,  the  Annual  Accounts  Act  and  RFR  1  “Sup-
plementary  rules  for  groups”.  The  Annual  report  for  the  parent  company 
has been prepared in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act and Swed-
ish  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Council’s  RFR  2  “Accounting  for  legal 
entities”. RFR 2 means that the parent company in the annual report for 
the legal entity shall apply IFRS’ rules and statements as adopted by the 
EU, so far this is possible within the framework of the Annual Accounts Act 
and  with  regard  to  the  connection  between  accounting  and  taxation.  The 
recommendation states which exceptions and additions that shall be or are 
allowed to be made from IFRS. The accounting principles of the parent com-
pany are the same as for the Group, except in the cases specified below in 
the section entitled “Parent company accounting principles”.

New accounting principles for 2019
IASB  issued  several  new  and  amended  accounting  standards  that  were 
endorsed by EU with effective date 1 January 2019. IFRS 16 Leasing has 
an  impact  on  the  Group’s  financial  statements.  The  standard  requires 
assets and liabilities arising from all leases, with some exceptions, to be 
recognized on the balance sheet. This model reflects that, at the start of 
a lease, the lessee obtains the right to use an asset for a period of time 
and has an obligation to pay for that right. The accounting for lessors will 
in all material aspects be unchanged. See Note 18 for more information"

IASB issued several amended accounting standards that were endorsed by 
EU, effective date 1 January 2020. None of these are expected to have a 
material effect on the Group’s financial statements.

Principles of consolidation
Subsidiaries  are  all  entities  (including  structured  entities)  over  which  the 
Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group 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. Sub-
sidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred 
to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

The Group uses the acquisition method of accounting to account for busi-
ness combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a 
subsidiary is the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred 
and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred 
includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent 
consideration  arrangement.  Acquisition-related  costs  are  expensed  as 
incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabili-
ties  assumed  in  a  business  combination  are  measured  initially  at  their 
fair values at the acquisition date. On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, 
the  Group  recognizes  any  non-controlling  interest  in  the  acquiree  either 
at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the 
acquiree’s net assets.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealized gains and losses on 
transactions  between  subsidiaries  are  eliminated.  Accounting  policies  of 
subsidiaries  have  been  changed  where  necessary  to  ensure  consistency 
with the policies adopted by the Group.

Joint arrangements
Under  IFRS  11  Joint  Arrangements,  investments  in  joint  arrangements 
are  classified  as  either  joint  operations  or  joint  ventures.  The  classifica-
tion  depends  on  the  contractual  rights  and  obligations  of  each  investor, 
rather than the legal structure of the joint arrangement. Tethys Oil has joint 
operations.

Joint operations
Tethys Oil recognizes its direct right to the assets, liabilities, revenues and 
expenses  of  joint  operations  and  its  share  of  any  jointly  held  or  incurred 
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These have been incorporated 
in the financial statements under the appropriate headings. The Group con-
ducts oil- and gas operations as a joint operation that does not have a sepa-
rate  legal  entity  status  through  licences  which  are  held  jointly  with  other 
companies. The Groups financial statements reflect the Group’s share of 
production, capital costs, operational costs, current assets and liabilities 
in the joint operations.

Associated companies
An investment in an associated company is an investment in an undertak-
ing where the Group exercises significant influence but not control, gener-
ally accompanying a shareholding of at least 20 percent but not more than 
50 percent of the voting rights. Such investments are accounted for in the 
consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  the  equity  method 
and  are  initially  recognized  at  cost.  The  difference  between  the  acquisi-
tion  cost  of  shares  in  an  associated  company  and  the  net  fair  value  of 
the assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the associated company 
recognized at the date of acquisition is recognized as goodwill. The goodwill 
is included within the carrying amount of the investment and is assessed 
for impairment as part of the investment. The Group’s share in the post-
acquisition results of the associated company is recognized in the income 
statement and the Group’s share in post-acquisition movements in other 
comprehensive income of the associated company is recognized directly in 
other comprehensive income of the Group. When the Group’s accumulated 
share of losses in an associated company equals or exceeds its interest 
in the associated company, the Group does not recognize further losses, 
unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the asso-
ciate. Dividends from associated companies are presented in the balance 
sheet under ”Investments in associates” and in the income statement as 
“Share of net profit/loss from associates”.

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are 
eliminated to the extent of the Group’s percentage in the associates. Unre-
alized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence 
of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of associ-
ates have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the 
policies adopted by the Group.

Foreign currencies
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities 
are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in 
which the entity operates (‘functional currency’). The consolidated financial 

53

statements  are  presented  in  US  dollars  (USD)  which  is  the  currency  the 
Group has elected to use as the presentation currency.

Transactions and balances
Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  are 
translated  at  the  rates  of  exchange  prevailing  at  the  balance  sheet  date 
and  foreign  exchange  currency  differences  are  recognized  in  the  income 
statement.  Transactions  in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  at  exchange 
rates prevailing at the transaction date. Exchange differences are included 
in financial income/expenses in the income statement. Goodwill and fair 
value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated 
as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the balance 
sheet rate of exchange.

Presentation currency
The  balance  sheets  and  income  statements  of  foreign  subsidiaries  are 
translated  for  consolidation  purposes  using  the  current  rate  method.  All 
assets  and  liabilities  of  the  subsidiary  companies  are  translated  at  the 
balance  sheet  date  rates  of  exchange,  whereas  the  income  statements 
are translated at average rates of exchange for the year, except for trans-
actions where it is more relevant to use the rate of the day of the trans-
action.  The  translation  differences  that  arise  are  recorded  directly  in  the 
foreign  currency  translation  reserve  within  other  comprehensive  income. 
Upon  disposal  of  a  foreign  operation,  the  translation  differences  relating 
to that operation will be transferred from equity to the income statement 
and included in the result on sale. Translation differences arising from net 
investments  in  subsidiaries,  used  for  financing  exploration  activities,  are 
recorded directly in other comprehensive income.

For the preparation of the financial statements for the reporting period, the 
following exchange rates have been used.

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

Currency

Average

Period end

Average

Period end

SEK/USD

SEK/EUR

9.51

10.66

9.48

10.55

8.75

10.32

9.14

10.42

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation
Producing oil and gas properties are depleted on a unit of production basis 
over the proved and probable reserves of the field concerned, except in the 
case  of  assets  whose  useful  lives  differ  from  the  lifetime  of  the  field,  in 
which case the straight-line method is applied.

In accordance with the unit of production method, net capitalised costs to 
reporting date, together with anticipated future capital costs for the devel-
opment  of  the  proved  and  probable  reserves  determined  at  the  balance 
sheet date price levels, are depleted based on the year’s production in rela-
tion to estimated total proved and probable reserves of oil and gas. Deple-
tion of a field area is charged to the income statement once commercial 
production commences, under Depletion, depreciation and amortisation.

Proved  reserves  are  those  quantities  of  petroleum  which,  by  analysis  of 
geological  and  engineering  data,  can  be  estimated  with  reasonable  cer-
tainty  to  be  commercially  recoverable,  from  a  given  date  forward,  from 
known reservoirs and under current economic conditions, operating meth-
ods and governmental regulations. Proved reserves can be categorised as 
developed  or  undeveloped.  If  deterministic  methods  are  used,  the  term 
reasonable  certainty  is  intended  to  express  a  high  degree  of  confidence 
that  the  quantities  will  be  recovered.  If  probabilistic  methods  are  used, 
there should be at least a 90 percent probability that the quantities actually 
recovered will equal or exceed the estimates.

Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geologi-
cal and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recover-
able.  In  this  context,  when  probabilistic  methods  are  used,  there  should 
be at least a 50 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered 
will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Exploration costs
Exploration  costs  relate  to  non-producing  oil  and  gas  properties  and  are 
recognised in the income statement when a decision is made not to pro-
ceed with an oil and gas project, or when expected future economic benefits 
of an oil and gas project are less than capitalised costs. No depletion is 
charged to non-producing oil and gas properties.

Segment reporting
Operating segments are based on geographic perspective and reported in 
a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Executive 
Management.

Costs  related  to  non-producing  oil  and  gas  properties  and  directly  asso-
ciated  with  an  exploration  well  are  capitalised  until  the  determination  of 
reserves is evaluated. If it is determined that a commercial discovery has 
not  been  achieved,  these  exploration  costs  are  charged  to  the  income 
statement as exploration costs.

Classification of assets and liabilities
Non-current assets, long-term liabilities and provisions consist for the most 
part solely of amounts that are expected to be recovered or paid more than 
twelve  months  after  the  balance  sheet  date.  Current  assets  and  current 
liabilities consist solely of amounts that are expected to be recovered or 
paid within twelve months after the balance sheet date.

Oil and gas properties
Oil and gas properties are initially recorded at historical cost, where it is 
probable  that  they  will  generate  future  economic  benefits.  All  costs  for 
acquiring concessions, licences or interests in production sharing contracts 
and for the survey, drilling and development of such interests are capital-
ized on a field area cost centre basis. This includes capitalization of decom-
missioning  and  restoration  costs  associated  with  provisions  for  asset 
retirement  (see  “Provisions”).  Oil  and  gas  properties  are  subsequently 
carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortisation 
(including any impairment). Gains and losses on disposals are determined 
by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amounts of assets sold and 
are recognised in income.

Routine maintenance and repair costs for producing assets are expensed 
to the income statement when they are incurred.

Proceeds from the sale or farm-out of oil and gas concessions in the explo-
ration stage are offset against the related capitalised costs of each cost 
centre with any excess of net proceeds over all costs capitalised included 
in the income statement. In the event of a sale in the exploration stage any 
deficit is included in the income statement.

Oil and gas properties are categorised as either producing or non-producing.

The field will be transferred from the non-production cost pool to the pro-
duction cost pool within oil and gas properties once commercial production 
commences, and accounted for as a producing asset.

Impairment
Tethys Oil continuously assesses its producing oil and gas properties for 
any need for impairment. This is performed in conjunction with each bal-
ance sheet date or if there are events or changes in circumstances that 
indicate that carrying values of assets may not be recoverable. Such indica-
tors include changes in the Group’s business plans, relinquished licences, 
changes in raw materials prices leading to lower revenues and, for oil and 
gas properties, downward revisions of estimated reserve quantities.

Testing for impairment losses is performed for each cash generating unit, 
which corresponds to licence right, production sharing agreement or equiva-
lent owned by Tethys Oil. A cash generating unit thus usually corresponds 
to each acquired asset in each country in which Tethys  Oil  carries on oil 
and  gas  operations.  Impairment  testing  means  that  the  balance  sheet 
item amount for each cash generating unit is compared to the recoverable 
amount for the assets, which is the higher of the fair value of the assets 
less sales expenses and the value in use. The value in use of the assets is 
based on the present value of future cash flows discounted by a discount 
rate; see also note 8 under the section Impairment testing. An impairment 
loss is recorded when an asset’s or a cash generating unit’s recorded value 
exceeds  the  recoverable  amount.  Impairment  losses  are  charged  to  the 
income statement.

Interest
Interest on borrowings to finance the acquisition of producing oil and gas 
properties  is  charged  to  income  as  incurred.  Interest  on  borrowings  to 
finance fields under development is capitalized within oil and gas proper-
ties until production commences.

54

Valuation principles financial items
The Group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: at fair 
value through profit or loss, loans and receivables and other liabilities. The 
classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were 
acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets 
at initial recognition.

The  net  book  value  of  any  replaced  parts  is  written  off.  Other  additional 
expenses are deemed to be repair and maintenance costs and are charged 
to the income statement when they are incurred. The net book value is writ-
ten down immediately to its recoverable amount when the net book value 
is higher. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less 
cost to sell and value in use.

Tethys  Oil  reports  a  financial  asset  or  a  financial  liability  in  the  balance 
sheet  when  it  becomes  a  party  to  the  instrument’s  contractual  terms. 
Tethys  Oil  derecognises  a  financial  liability  or  part  thereof  when  the  obli-
gation stated in the relevant contract is fulfilled or otherwise terminated.

Tethys Oil bases the fair value of financial instruments depending on avail-
able market data at time of valuation. Data are categorised into three cat-
egories: Level 1: quoted prices in active markets. Level 2: valuation based 
on  observable  market  data.  Level  3:  valuation  techniques  incorporating 
information other than observable market data. The reported value – after 
any impairment – of accounts receivable and accounts payable is assumed 
to equate to their fair value, since these entries are short-term in nature.

a)  Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 
Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are finan-
cial assets held for trading. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in 
this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short 
term. Derivatives are also categorised as held for trading unless they are 
designated as hedges. Assets and liabilities in this category are classified 
as current assets or liabilities if expected to be settled within 12 months; 
otherwise, they are classified as non-current. The Group did not have any 
financial assets held for trading during 2019.

b)  Receivables and other receivables
Receivables and other receivables are non-derivative financial assets with 
fixed  or  determinable  payments  that  are  not  quoted  in  an  active  market. 
They  are  included  in  current  assets,  except  for  maturities  greater  than 
12 months after the end of the reporting period. These are classified as 
non-current  assets.  The  group’s  receivables  comprise  ‘Trade  and  other 
receivables’ in the balance sheet. Receivables and other receivables are 
recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest method. Assets are also measured less 
provision for impairment.

c)  Other liabilities
Other liabilities are non-derivative financial liabilities with fixed or determi-
nable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are included 
in current liabilities, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the 
end of the reporting period. These are classified as non-current liabilities. 
Other liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently meas-
ured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

d)  Impairment of financial assets
The  group  assesses  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period  whether  there 
is  objective  evidence  that  a  financial  asset  or  group  of  financial  assets 
is  impaired.  A  financial  asset  or  a  group  of  financial  assets  is  impaired 
and impairment losses are incurred only if there is objective evidence of 
impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial 
recognition of the asset (a ‘loss event’) and that loss event (or events) has 
an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group 
of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. For loans and receivables 
category, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between 
the  asset’s  carrying  amount  and  the  present  value  of  estimated  future 
cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) dis-
counted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying 
amount of the asset is reduced and the amount of the loss is recognised in 
the consolidated income statement.

Fixed assets other than oil and gas
Other  tangible  fixed  assets  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated  depre-
ciation. Depreciation is based on cost and is calculated on a straight line 
basis over the estimated economic life of 3 to 5 years for office equipment 
and other assets.

Additional  costs  to  existing  assets  are  included  in  the  assets’  net  book 
value  or  recognised  as  a  separate  asset,  as  appropriate,  only  when  it  is 
probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to 
the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably.

Leasing
Tethys Oil recognizes right of use assets and lease liabilities arising from 
all leases in the balance sheet, with some exceptions. This model reflects 
that, at the start of a lease, the lessee always obtains the right to use an 
asset for a period of time and has an obligation to pay for that right.

The  right  of  use  asset  is  initially  measured  at  cost,  which  equals  the 
amount  of  the  initial  measurement  of  the  lease  liability  adjusted  for  any 
lease  payments  made  at  or  before  the  commencement  date.  The  lease 
liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that 
are not paid at the commencement date, discounted at the rate implicit in 
the lease or if it cannot be determined at the incremental borrowing rate.

Tethys  Oil  has  chosen  the  modified  retrospective  method,  applying  the 
short-term lease and the asset of low value exceptions. The standard has 
primarily  impacted  the  accounting  of  the  group’s  operational  leases.  The 
interpretation is that IFRS 16 does not relate to leases within the group’s 
joint  operations  and  at  present  the  group  only  has  office  leases  and  IT-
servers/-programs and other leases concerning items of lesser value.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand, short-term 
deposits, money market funds and commercial paper that have a maturity 
of three months or less at the date of acquisition.

Equity
Share capital consists of the registered share capital for the parent com-
pany.  Share  issue  costs  associated  with  the  issuance  of  new  equity  are 
treated as a direct reduction of proceeds. Excess contribution in relation to 
the issuance of shares is accounted for in the item additional paid-in-capital.

Should any Group company purchase parent company shares (repurchase 
of own shares) the proceeds including any directly attributable transaction 
costs (net after tax) will reduce equity attributable to the shareholders of 
the parent company until the shares are annulled or realized. If the shares 
are  realized,  proceeds  net  after  directly  attributable  issue  costs  and  tax 
effects are shown in equity attributable to the shareholders of the parent 
company.

The  currency  translation  reserve  contains  unrealised  translation  differ-
ences due to the conversion of the functional currencies into the presenta-
tion currency.

Retained  earnings  contain  the  accumulated  results  attributable  to  the 
shareholders of the parent company.

Provisions
A provision is reported when Tethys Oil has a legal or constructive obligation 
as a consequence of an event and when it is more likely than not that an 
outflow of resources is required to settle the obligation and a reliable esti-
mate can be made of the amount. Provisions are measured at the present 
value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation 
using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time 
value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the 
provision due to passage of time is recognised as financial expense.

On fields where the Group is required to contribute to site restoration costs, 
a  provision  is  recorded  to  recognise  the  future  commitment.  An  asset  is 
created, as part of the oil and gas properties, to represent the discounted 
value of the anticipated site restoration liability and depleted over the life 
of  the  field  on  a  unit  of  production  basis.  The  corresponding  accounting 
entry to the creation of the asset recognises the discounted value of the 
future  liability.  The  discount  applied  to  the  anticipated  site  restoration 
liability is subsequently released over the life of the field and is charged 
to financial expenses. Changes in site restoration costs and reserves are 
treated prospectively and consistent with the treatment applied upon initial 
recognition.

55

Revenue
Revenue from the sale of oil and gas are recognised in the income state-
ment net of royalties in kind or in cash (government take). Revenue associ-
ated with the sale of crude oil are recognised at the fair value of the con-
sideration received or receivable when the significant risks and rewards of 
ownership have been transferred, which is when title passes from Tethys Oil 
to the customer. For Tethys Oil’s operations, customers take title when the 
crude oil is loaded onto a tanker. Revenue is only recognised to the extent 
that it is highly probable that a significant reversal will not occur. 

Pension obligations
The majority of the pension obligations of the Group are governed by legally 
required social costs. Additional pension schemes exist which are funded 
through payments to insurance companies. These are defined contribution 
plans. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the group 
pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. The Group has no legal or 
constructive obligations to pay further contributions should this legal entity 
not  hold  sufficient  assets  to  pay  all  employees  the  benefits  relating  to 
employee service in the current or prior periods.

Underlift and overlift
Oil  sale  volumes  are  nominated  in  advance  and  are  not  based  upon  the 
actual production in a month; as a result, the Company’s oil sales volumes 
can be above or below production entitlement volumes. Where the oil sales 
volume  exceeds  the  volume  of  entitlement  barrels  produced,  an  overlift 
position occurs and where it is less, an underlift position occurs. Underlift/
overlift  positions  are  taken  into  account  for  future  oil  sales  nominations, 
aiming at balancing the position. Underlifts are recorded as Other receiva-
bles valued at market value, and overlifts are recorded in Other current lia-
bilities and accrued at the market value. Underlifts are reversed from Other 
receivables when the crude oil is lifted and sold. Overlifts are reversed from 
Other current liabilities when sufficient volumes are produced to make up 
the overlifted volume.

Profit oil and cost recovery
Blocks 3&4, Tethys Oil’s only producing oil and gas property, is governed 
by an Exploration and Production Sharing Contract (EPSA). Under the EPSA, 
revenues are derived from cost recovery oil and gas and profit oil and gas. 
Cost recovery oil and gas allows Tethys Oil to recover a majority of invest-
ments and operating expenses (CAPEX and OPEX) incurred. Profit oil and 
gas  is  split  between  the  host  government  and  join  operations  parties  in 
accordance with a fixed percentage. The joint operations partners split the 
cost  recovery  oil  and  gas  and  profit  oil  and  gas  in  accordance  with  their 
respective equity interests.

Other
Incidental revenues from the production of oil and gas are offset against 
capitalised costs of the related cost centre until quantities of proven and 
probable  reserves  are  determined  or  commercial  production  has  com-
menced.  Service  income,  generated  by  providing  technical  and  manage-
ment services to joint operations, is recognised as other income.

Income taxes
Presented income taxes include tax payable or tax receivable for the report-
ing period, adjustments in regard to previous year’s taxes and changes in 
deferred tax.

Valuations of all tax liabilities/claims is in nominal amounts and are pre-
pared in accordance with tax legislation and tax rates decided or announced 
and at which they are likely to be resolved.

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is 
recognised  in  the  income  statement,  except  to  the  extent  that  it  relates 
to  items  recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  or  directly  in  equity. 
In this case, the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or 
directly in equity, respectively. Deferred income tax is recognised, using the 
liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of 
assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated finan-
cial  statements.  Deferred  income  tax  assets  are  recognised  only  to  the 
extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against 
which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits such as salaries, social premiums and holi-
day pay, are expensed when incurred.

Share based incentive programme
Equity-settled  share-based  payments  are  recognized  in  the  income  state-
ment as administrative expenses and as equity in the balance sheet. The 
option  is  measured  at  fair  value  at  the  date  of  grant  using  the  Black  & 
Scholes  options  pricing  model  and  is  charged  to  the  income  statement 
without revaluation of the value of the option.

Severance pay
Severance  pay  is  payable  when  employment  is  terminated  by  the  Group 
before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts volun-
tary redundancy in exchange for the severance pay. The Group recognises 
severance  pay  when  it  is  demonstrably  committed  to  either  terminating 
the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan 
without possibility of withdrawal or providing severance pay as a result of 
an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. Benefits falling due more 
than 12 months after the balance sheet date are discounted to their pre-
sent value.

Related party transactions
Tethys Oil recognises the following related parties: associated companies, 
jointly controlled entities, members or the family of the key management 
personnel or other parties that are partly, directly or indirectly, controlled by 
key management personnel or of its family or of any individual that controls, 
or has joint control or significant influence over the entity.

Parent company accounting principles
The  parent  company  has  prepared  its  Annual  Report  in  compliance  with 
the Swedish Annual Accounts Act and recommendation RFR 2, Accounting 
for Legal Entities of the Swedish Financial Reporting Board. The account-
ing  principles  of  the  parent  company  deviate  from  the  accounting  princi-
ples of the group in respect of IFRS 16 Leasing, since the parent company 
accounts for leasing agreements as operating leases. The Parent company 
only has office leases and IT-servers/-programs and other leases concern-
ing items of lesser value.

Financial instruments
Assets and liabilities are recognised initially at fair value plus transaction 
costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost unless stated other-
wise.  Financial  assets  are  derecognised  when  the  rights  to  receive  cash 
flows from the investments have expired, or have been transferred and the 
Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

Subsidiaries
Holdings  in  subsidiaries  are  recognised  in  the  parent  company  financial 
statements according to the cost method of accounting. The values of sub-
sidiaries are tested for impairment when there is an indication of a decline 
in the value.

Group contributions
The parent company uses the alternative method in accounting for group 
contributions and records paid as well as received contributions as appro-
priations in the income statement.

Taxes
The  parent  company’s  financial  statements  recognise  untaxed  reserves 
including  deferred  tax.  The  consolidated  financial  statements,  however, 
reclassify untaxed reserves to deferred tax liability and equity.

56

Note 1, Risk management
The  Group’s  activities  expose  it  to  a  number  of  risks  and  uncertainties 
which are continuously monitored and reviewed. Presented below are the 
main risks and uncertainties of the group as identified by the directors and 
how the group handles these risks.

Licences
Tethys Oil’s direct interests are held through  agreements with host coun-
tries, for example licences or production sharing agreements. These agree-
ments are often limited in time and there are no guarantees that the agree-
ments can be extended when a time limit is reached.

Operational risk management
Technical and geological risk
Tethys  Oil  is  producing  and  exploring  for  oil  and  appraising  undeveloped 
known oil and/or natural gas accumulations. The operational risk is differ-
ent in the different parts of Tethys Oil’s operations. The main operational 
risk in exploration and appraisal activities is that the activities and invest-
ments made by Tethys Oil and its partners will not evolve into commercial 
reserves of oil and gas.

Oil price
The oil price is of significant importance to Tethys Oil in all parts of opera-
tions  as  income  and  profitability  is  and  will  be  dependent  on  prices  pre-
vailing from time to time. Significantly lower oil prices will reduce current 
and expected profitability in projects and can make projects sub economic. 
Lower  oil  prices  could  also  decrease  the  industry  interest  in  Tethys  Oil’s 
projects regarding farmout or sale of assets. There were no oil price hedges 
in place as at 31 December 2019.

Tethys  Oil’s  has  a  flexible  approach  towards  oil  price  hedging,  based  on 
an  assessment  of  the  benefits  of  the  hedge  contract  in  specific  circum-
stances. Based on analysis of the circumstances Tethys Oil will assess the 
benefits of forward hedging sales contracts for the purpose of establishing 
a secured cash flow.

Net result in financial statements (MUSD)

Shift in oil price (USD/barrel)

Total effect on net result (MUSD)

38.3

+5

12.1

38.3

-5

-12.1

Access to equipment
An  operational  risk  factor  is  access  to  equipment  in  Tethys  Oil’s  project. 
Especially  in  the  drilling/development  phase  of  a  project,  the  Group  is 
dependent on advanced equipment such as rigs, casing, pipes etc. A short-
age of these supplies can present difficulties for Tethys Oil to fulfil projects. 
Limited access to drilling rigs has in the past led to cost increases and has 
in part been the cause of project delays.

Political risk
Tethys Oil has operations, alone or with partners, in several different coun-
tries and can therefore be subject to political risk. The political risks are 
monitored and factored in when evaluating possible projects. Asset diversi-
fication is again Tethys Oil’s principal approach to deal with this risk. Spe-
cifically, Tethys Oil also deals with political risk by emphasising continuous 
close  dialog  with  host  country  authorities  and  interest  groups,  nationally 
as well as locally. Tethys Oil holds its oil and gas interest through licences, 
directly or indirectly, which are granted by national governments. Tethys Oil’s 
operations are often also subject to local permits. Therefore, Tethys Oil and 
the industry are subject to a wide range of political risks on different levels 
and the business is highly sensitive to political changes.

In  recent  years  OPEC  and  associated  countries  have,  from  time  to  time, 
agreed  to  voluntary  production  limitations.  Oman  has  in  the  past  partici-
pated in such agreements. Going forward Tethys cannot rule out the risk of 
such limitations impacting its oil and gas Production and sales.

Environment
Oil and gas operations can be environmentally sensitive. Tethys Oil devotes 
considerable effort and expense to identify and mitigate any perceived envi-
ronmental risk. The operations are subject to extensive regulatory control 
with  regard  to  environmental  matters,  both  on  national  and  international 
levels.  Environmental  legislation  regulates  inter  alia  the  control  of  water 
and air contamination, waste material, licensing requirements, restrictions 
on carrying out operations in environmentally sensitive and littoral areas.

Key personnel
Tethys Oil is dependent on certain key personnel, one of whom have founded 
the Company at the same time as they are among the existing sharehold-
ers and members of the Board of Directors of the Company. These people 
are important for the successful development of Tethys Oil. The Company 
actively tries to strike an optimal balance between its dependence of key 
personnel and its methods for retaining these.

Financial risk management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks, mainly catego-
rized as exchange rate risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s risks are continu-
ously monitored and analysed by the Board of Directors and management. 
The aim is to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial 
performance.

Foreign currency risk
The Group is exposed to fluctuations in the foreign exchange markets as 
fluctuations  in  exchange  rates  can  negatively  affect  the  result,  cash  flow 
and  equity.  The  major  proportion  of  the  Group’s  assets  relate  to  interna-
tional oil and gas discoveries valued in USD and which generate revenues 
in USD. During 2019, all of Tethys Oil’s oil sales and operative expenditures 
were denominated in USD. The exchange risk affects the Group by transac-
tion risk and translation risk.

Transaction risk
Transaction exposure arises in the cash flow when invoicing or the costs of 
invoiced goods and services are not in the local currency. The Group only 
has limited costs in currencies other than USD, primarily relating to the SEK 
costs in the parent company. Presented below is the exposure to currencies 
with reference to items in the financial statements:

Revenue

Investments

2019

2018

100% in USD

100% in USD

99,8% in USD

99,8% in USD

External financing at year end

None

None

Tethys Oil does not currently hedge exchange rates. The Group policy is that 
cash held in bank should be in USD, except for a short period in order to 
have sufficient amounts of SEK in the Parent company to pay dividend and 
share redemption. Furthermore, there are relatively minor amounts in SEK 
held in the Parent company, in order to reduce exchange rate exposure.

Translation risk
Exchange-rate changes affect the Group in conjunction with the translation 
of the income statements of Group entities to USD as the Group’s operating 
profit can be negatively affected and when net assets are translated into 
USD  which  can  negatively  affect  the  Group’s  statement  of  financial  posi-
tion. The parent company has issued loans to its subsidiaries denominated 
in  USD  and  exchange  rate  changes  impact  the  income  statement  of  the 
parent  company.  The  Group  does  not  hedge  its  translation  exposure  and 
fluctuating  currency  rates  might  negatively  affect  the  operating  profit  and 
financial position of the Group.

Liquidity risks and capital risk
By operating in several countries, Tethys Oil is exposed to currency fluctua-
tions. Income is and will also most likely be denominated in foreign curren-
cies, US dollars in particular. Furthermore, Tethys Oil has since inception 
been equity and debt financed through share and bond issues, bank loans 
and also financed by asset divestment. Additional capital could be needed 
to finance Tethys Oil’s future operations and/or for acquisition of additional 
licences. The main risk is that this need could occur during less favourable 
market conditions. Tethys Oil continuously ensures that sufficient cash bal-
ances are maintained in order to cover day to day operations. Management 
relies on cash forecasting to assess Tethys Oil’s cash position based on 
expected future cash flows.

Fall due profile on Tethys Oil’s  

financial liabilities

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

MUSD

<1 year

<1 year

Accounts payables and other liabilities

Total

12.9

12.9

13.9

13.9

57

Credit risk
Tethys  Oil’s  policy  is  to  limit  credit  risk  by  limiting  the  counterparties  to 
major  banks  and  oil  trading  companies.  Tethys  Oil  is  selling  all  of  its  oil 
through Mitsui Energy Trading Singapore which is part of Mitsui & Co. Ltd., 
with  30  days  payment  from  bill  of  lading.  As  at  31  December  2019  the 
Group’s  receivables  on  oil  sales  amounted  to  MUSD  2.5  (MUSD  14.9), 
this also represents the maximum exposure on accounts receivable. There 
is no history of default and the Group does currently not anticipate future 

credit losses. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with banks having 
strong long-term credit ratings. Maximal exposure regarding other financial 
assets is those presented in the balance sheet.

It  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  overview  the  Group’s 
capital  structure  and  financial  management,  approve  certain  business 
regarding  acquisition,  investments,  possible  lending  as  well  as  on-going 
monitoring exposure to financial risks.

IFRS 9 valuation categories and related balance sheet items

MUSD

through profit or loss

amortised cost

amortised cost

through profit or loss

amortised cost

amortised cost

Financial assets and 

liabilities at fair value 

Financial  
assets at  

Financial  

Financial assets and 

liabilities at  

liabilities at fair value 

Financial  

assets at  

Financial  

liabilities at  

31 December 2019 

31 December 2018

Trade and other receivables

Cash and bank

Other non-current liabilities

Accounts payables and other  
current liabilities 

–

–

–

–

12.0

75.6

–

–

–

–

1.4

12.9

–

–

–

–

17.9

73.1

–

–

–

–

–

13.9

All  financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  current  and  the  fair  value  of  these 
are deemed to be the carrying amount as the discounting effects are not 
material.

Events after the balance sheet date
All  events  up  to  the  date  when  the  financial  statements  were  authorised 
for issue and which have a material effect in the financial statements have 
been disclosed.

Note 2,  Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Estimates  and  judgements  are  continuously  evaluated  and  are  based  on 
historical  experience  and  other  factors,  including  expectations  of  future 
events which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The 
Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The esti-
mates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material 
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets within the next financial year 
are discussed below.

Estimates in oil and gas reserves and resources
The business of the Group is the exploration for, development of and pro-
duction  of  oil  and  gas  reserves.  Estimates  of  oil  and  gas  reserves  and 
resources are used in the calculations for impairment tests, in-house mod-
elling  and  accounting  for  depletion  and  site  restoration.  Changes  in  esti-
mates in oil and gas reserves and resources, resulting in different future 
production  profiles,  will  affect  the  discounted  cash  flows  used  in  impair-
ment  testing,  the  anticipated  date  of  site  decommissioning  and  restora-
tion  and  the  depletion  charges  in  accordance  with  the  unit  of  production 
method. Estimates in oil and gas reserves and resources may change fol-
lowing  for instance  new wells, long  term  production  data  and  changes in 
macro economic data.

Site restoration provision
Amounts  used  in  recording  a  provision  for  site  restoration  are  estimates 
based on current legal and constructive requirements and current technol-
ogy and price levels for the removal of facilities and plugging and abandon-
ing of wells. Due to changes in relation to these items, the future actual 
cash outflows in relation to the site decommissioning and restoration can 
be  different.  To  reflect  the  effects  due  to  changes  in  legislation,  require-
ments and technology and price levels, the carrying amounts of site resto-
ration provisions are reviewed on a regular basis. The effects of changes 
in estimates do not give rise to prior year adjustments and are treated pro-

spectively over the estimated remaining commercial reserves of each field. 
While  the  Group  uses  its  best  estimates  and  judgement,  actual  results 
could differ from these estimates.

Impairment of oil and gas properties
Tethys Oil continuously assesses its producing oil and gas properties for 
any need for impairment testing. This is performed in conjunction with each 
balance sheet date or if there are events or changes in circumstances that 
indicate that carrying values of assets may not be recoverable. Such indica-
tors include changes in the Group’s business plans, relinquished licences, 
changes in oil prices leading to lower revenues and, for oil and gas proper-
ties, downward revisions of estimated reserve quantities.

Testing for impairment losses is performed when necessary for each cash 
generating  unit,  which  corresponds  to  licence  right,  production  sharing 
agreement or equivalent owned by Tethys Oil. A cash generating unit thus 
usually corresponds to each acquired asset in each country in which Tethys 
Oil carries on oil and gas operations. Impairment testing means that the 
balance sheet item amount for each cash generating unit is compared to 
the recoverable amount for the assets, which is the higher of the fair value 
of the assets less sales expenses and the value in use. The value in use 
of the assets is based on the present value of future cash flows discounted 
by a discount rate; see also note 8 under the section Impairment testing. 
An impairment loss is recorded when an asset’s or a cash generating unit’s 
recorded  value  exceeds  the  recoverable  amount.  Impairment  losses  are 
charged to the income statement.

Tax
Tethys Oil has not recorded a deferred tax asset in relation to the tax losses 
carried forward as there is uncertainty as to if the tax losses may be utilised 
note 15.

58

Note 3, Segment information 
The  Group’s  accounting  principle  for  segment  describes  that  operating 
segments are based on geographic perspective and reported in a manner 
consistent with the internal reporting which is primarily based on income 
statement ratios and provided to the executive management, which is con-

sidered to be the chief operating decision maker. The operating result for 
each segment is presented below. Revenue and income relate to external 
(non-intra group) transactions.

MUSD

Revenue and other income

Operating expenses

Depreciation. depletion and amortisation

Exploration costs

Share of net profit/loss from associates

Administrative expenses

Operating result

Total financial items

Result before tax

Income tax

Net result

MUSD

Revenue and other income

Operating expenses

Depreciation. depletion and amortisation

Exploration costs

Share of net profit/loss from associates

Administrative expenses

Operating result

Total financial items

Result before tax

Income tax

Net result

Oman

150.8

-51.6

-47.4

-7.9

–

-2.5

41.2

Oman

157.3

-45.9

-45.9

–

–

-2.3

63.2

Group income statement Jan–Dec 2019

Lithuania

Sweden

Other

–

–

–

–

0.7

–

0.7

–

–

-0.2

-0.3

–

-4.5

-4.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Group income statement Jan–Dec 2018

Lithuania

Sweden

Other

–

–

–

–

0.9

–

0.9

–

–

–

–

–

-2.7

-2.7

–

–

–

–

-0.7

-0.7

Total

150.8

-51.6

-47.6

-8.2

0.7

-7.0

37.1

1.2

38.3

–

38.3

Total

157.3

-45.9

-45.9

–

0.9

-5.7

60.7

1.5

62.2

–

62.2

Oman is Tethys Oil’s only oil producing area from which revenue is recorded 
as at 31 December 2019 (and comparative periods). Revenue, operating 
expenses and depletion, which is presented in notes 4, 8 and 9, therefore 

only relate to Oman and Blocks 3&4 in particular. Regarding Oil and gas 
properties, segment reporting is provided in note 8. Please refer to note 1 
regarding Credit risk exposure on accounts receivables.

Note 4, Revenue

MUSD

Revenue

Underlift/overlift adjustments

Revenue and other income

2019

145.0

5.8

150.8

2018

152.6

4.7

157.3

Tethys  Oil  sells  all  of  its  oil  to  Mitsui  Energy  Trading  Singapore,  which  is 
part of Mitsui & Co Ltd. All oil sales come from Blocks 3&4 Oman and are 
made  on  a  monthly  basis.  Tethys  Oil’s  average  selling  price  is  based  on 
the monthly average price of the two-month future contract of Oman blend 
as traded on the Dubai Mercantile Exchange, including trading and quality 
adjustments.

Note 5, Other income
Parts of the administrative expenses in Tethys Oil, such as overhead costs 
in the parent company, are charged to oil and gas projects where the expen-
ditures are capitalised. Other income in the parent company during 2019 
amounted to MSEK 10.7 compared to MSEK 9.7 2018. In case of Tethys 
Oil  being  the  operator  in  joint  operations,  these  administrative  expendi-
tures are, through the above, also funded by the partners if such partners 

exist. The chargeout to joint operations projects where Tethys Oil is opera-
tor is presented in the consolidated income statement as Other income to 
the extent it is related to interest not held by Tethys Oil. All other internal 
chargeouts are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Tethys 
Oil is as at 31 December 2019 operator in Block 49, Oman and hold 100% 
of the licence interest.

Note 6, Associated companies 
Tethys Oil AB holds an indirect interest in the Gargzdai licence in Lithuania. 
A  dividend  of  MUSD  0.7  was  received  from  the  holding  company  during 
2019 compared to MUSD 0.9 in 2018.

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

2019

2018

2019

2018

Tethys Oil’s share of net profit from 

associated companies

0.7

0.9

6.4

8.0

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 7, Provisions
Tethys Oil estimates that Tethys Oil’s share of site restoration regarding Blocks 
3&4 at year end 2019 amounts to MUSD 9.6 (MUSD 6.9). As a consequence 
of the revised site restoration provision, oil and gas properties have increased 
by an equal amount. The change in provision follows an annual review of the 
site  restoration  calculation  where  the  number  of  wells  drilled  is  one  of  the 
main components that affect the provision’s net present value.

Tethys  Oil  has  a  non-current  liability  of  MUSD  1.0  relating  to  the  Export 
Reporting  Error.  Final  settlement  has  been  agreed  in  the  first  quarter 
2019 and outstanding amounts are therefore now treated as liabilities as 
opposed to provisions in previous year.

MUSD

1 January 2019

Additions

Payments and transfer to 

liabilities

Changes in estimates

Unwinding of discount

31 December 2019

Current

Non-current

Total

Abandonment 

Export  

provision

reporting error

Total

MUSD

Abandonment 

Export  

provision

reporting error

6.9

–

–

 2.2

0.5

9.6

 9.6

9.6

3.0

–

-3.0

–

 –

0.0

–

–

0.0

9.9

1 January 2018

–

Additions

Payments

-3.0

2,2

0.5

9.6

0.0

9.6

9.6

Changes in estimates

Unwinding of discount

31 December 2018

Current

Non-current

Total

6.1

–

–

0.4

0.4

6.9

6.9

6.9

4.0

–

-1.0

–

 –

3.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

Total

10.1

–

-1.0

0,4

0.4

9.9

1.0

8.9

9.9

Note 8, Oil and gas properties
The  agreements  that  govern  the  relationship  with  host  countries  are 
referred to as licences or Exploration and Production Sharing Agreements 
(EPSA or PSA). Tethys Oil holds its interest directly through aforementioned 
agreements in Oman and France. The agreements with host countries have 
a time limit and are normally divided into periods. Financial commitments 
and or work commitments normally relates to the different periods. Tethys 
Oil has fulfilled its commitments on Blocks 3&4. In Block 49 and 56 the 

initial work commitments during the first period include geological studies, 
seismic  acquisition  and  processing  and  exploratory  drilling.  In  the  other 
areas  of  operations,  the  commitments  are  either  fulfilled  or  there  are  no 
commitments of which Tethys Oil can be held liable for. In some of Tethys 
Oil’s areas of interest there are requirements of work to be done or mini-
mum expenditures in order to retain the licences, but no commitments of 
which Tethys Oil can be held liable for.

Country

Licence

Phase

Expiration date

Tethys Oil

Partners (operator in bold)

Oman

Oman

Oman

France

Lithuania

Blocks 3 & 4

Production

Block 491

Block 56

Attila2

Gargzdai3

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Production

July 2040

Nov 20201

Dec 2020

Feb 2019

No expiration date

30%

100%

20%

40%

25%

CCED, Mitsui, Tethys Oil

Tethys Oil

Medco Arabia Ltd, Intaj LLC, Tethys Oil and Biyaq Oil Field Services

Galli Coz, Tethys Oil

Odin, GeoNafta, Tethys Oil

1  The exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) for Block 49 covers an initial exploration period of three years with an optional extension period of another three years. In case 
of a commercial oil or gas discovery, the EPSA will be transformed in to a 15 year production licence which can be extended for another five years. In case of a commercial discovery Oman 
Government Company, has a right to acquire up to a 30% interest in Block 49 against refunding of past expenditure. The initial work commitments during the first period include geological 
studies, seismic acquisition and processing and exploratory drilling.

2  The Attila licence had an expiry date in February 2019. Tethys Oil is reviewing further measures.

3  The interest in the Lithuanian Gargzdai licence is indirectly held through a shareholding in a Danish private company, which in turn hold shares in the Lithuanian company holding 100 
percent of the licence. The Danish company Odin Energi is not consolidated in Tethys Oils financial statements due to the ownership structure, which is why there is no oil and gas property 
related to the licence. The ownership of Odin Energi is presented in the balance sheet under Investment in associates.

MUSD

Producing cost pools

Non-producing cost pools

Total oil and gas properties

MUSD

Licence

Phase

Prod.

Expl.

Expl.

Expl.

Oman Blocks 3&4

Oman Block 49

Oman Block 56

France Attila

New ventures

Total

Tethys Oil’s 

Book value 

Investments

adjustments

DD&A

Other non-cash 

Jan–Dec 2019

Exploration  
costs

Book value 

1 Jan 2019

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

194.8

16.9

211.7

194.0

6.0

200.0

2.1

-47.4

-7.9

194.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2.1

-47.4

–

–

–

-0.3

-8.2

5.7

–

0.0

0.3

200.0

share

30%

100%

20%

40%

31 Dec 2019

194.8

8.0

8.6

0.0

0.3

211.7

54.0

2.3

8.6

0.0

0.3

65.2

60

 
 
 
 
 
MUSD

Licence

Oman Blocks 3&4

Oman Block 49

France Attila

New ventures

Total

MUSD 

Producing cost pools

Cost 1 Jan 2019

Investments

Changes in estimates

Write offs

Cost 31 Dec 2019

Accumulated depreciation 1 Jan 2019

Depletion charge for the year

Accumulated depreciation 31 Dec 2019

Net book value 31 Dec 2019

Tethys Oil’s 

Book value 

Investments

adjustments

DD&A

Other non-cash 

Phase

Prod.

Expl.

Expl.

share

30%

100%

40%

31 Dec 2018

Jan–Dec 2018

194.0

5.7

0.0

0.3

200.0

0.4

–

–

–

0.4

50.4

5.3

–

0.1

55.8

MUSD 

Exploration  
costs

–

–

–

–

Book value 

1 Jan 2018

189.1

0.4

0.0

0.2

-45.9

–

–

–

-45.9

0.0

189.7

Oman Block 3&4

Total

Producing cost pools

Oman Block 3&4

418.4

54.0

2.1

-7.9

466.6

-224.3

-47.4

-271.7

194.8

418.4

Cost 1 Jan 2018

54.0

Investments

2.1

-7.9

Changes in estimates

Write offs

466.6

Cost 31 Dec 2018

-224.3

Accumulated depreciation 1 Jan 2018

-47.4

Depletion charge for the year

-271.7

Accumulated depreciation 31 Dec 2018

194.8

Net book value 31 Dec 2018

Impairment testing
Tethys Oil assesses the need for an impairment test through the perform-
ing of an impairment trigger test. In the impairment trigger test the Com-
pany uses its best efforts to estimate future production, operational costs 
and investments needs. In order to calculate estimated future cash flows 
various oil price scenarios have been used, including ERCE’s year-end price 
forecast and the oil price forward curve as of the 31 December 2019. In 
2018 and 2019 no impairment triggers were found and consequently no 
impairment tests or impairments of assets were deemed necessary.

MUSD

Investments Block 3&4

Categories

Drilling

G&G

Facilities

Total

Exploration costs of MUSD 8.2 (MUSD 0.0) were recorded in 2019

MUSD

Oil & gas properties Block 3&4

Categories

31 december 2019

31 december 2018

Drilling

G&G

Facilities

Total

100.7

28.3

65.9

194.8

Note 9, Operating expenditures

Note 11, Administrative expenses

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

2019

2018

Administrative expenses

2019

2018

367.6

50.4

0.4

–

418.4

-178.4

-45.9

-224.3

194.0

2019 

25.0

10.1

18.9

54.0

-4.5

-0.4

-0.3

-0.1

-0.1

-1.6

-7.0

-3.1

-0.5

-0.1

-0.1

-0.2

-1.7

-5.7

2019

-22.6

-2.5

-2.0

-1.3

-1.3

-13.4

-43.1

Total

367.6

50.4

0.4

–

418.4

-178.4

-45.9

-224

194.0

2018

25.5

11.2

13.7

50.4

101.1

27.3

65.7

194.1

2018

-16.5

-1.9

-0.6

-1.1

-1.3

-11.4

-32.8

Operating expenditures

Production costs

Well workovers

Total

2019

-47.2

-4.4

-51.6

2018

-42.5

-3.4

-45.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

Personnel costs

Rent

Other office costs

Listing costs

Note 10, Remuneration to Company auditor

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

Remuneration to company audi-
tor include:

2019

2018

2019

2018

Costs of external relations

Other costs

Total

PwC:

Audit fee

Audit-related fees

Tax consultation

Other

Total

-0.1

-0.0

–

–

-0.1

-0.0

–

–

-0.1

-0.1

-1.1

-0.3

–

-1.4

-1.0

-0.0

–

–

-1.0

Of the Group total during 2019, MUSD 0.1 (MUSD 0.1) has been in relation 
to PwC Sweden.

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 12, Employees

Average number of full time 

2019

2018

employees per country

Total

Total men

Total

Total men

Parent company

Sweden

Total parent company

Subsidiary companies in Sweden

Subsidiary companies foreign

Oman

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Total subsidiary companies foreign

Total group

6

6

– 

15

1

1

17

23

3

3

–

11

–

1

12

15

7

7

–

12

1

–

13

20

MUSD

2019

2018

Salaries and other  

remuneration to  

Pension 

Share based 

executive management 

Basic 

arrange-

Variable 

during 2019, MSEK

salary

ments

Salary

long term  
incentive1

Other 

benefits

Total 

2019

Managing director

3.271

0.659

0.696

1.566

0.025

6.217

Other executive manage-
ment

7.086

0.771

0.679

1.088

0.011

9.635

Total

10.357

1.431

1.376

2.654

0.036 15.853

Salaries and other  
remuneration to  

Pension 

Share based 

executive management 

Basic 

arrange-

Variable 

during 2018, MSEK

salary

ments

Salary

long term 
incentive1

Other 

benefits

Total 

2018

Managing director

2.842

0.729

0.536

1.120

0.025

5.252

4

4

–

9

–

–

9

13

Other executive manage-
ment

3.847

0.377

0.875

1.164

0.156

6.419

Total

6.689

1.106

1.411

2.284

0.181 11.671

Salaries, 

other 

remune-

ration

Salaries, 

other  

Social  

remune-

costs

ration

Social  

costs

1  The Managing director received 60,000 (75,000) and Other executive management 
received 100,000 (96,000) warrants in the 2019 incentive programme, totalling 
160,000 (171,000) warrants.

Salaries, other remuneration  
and social costs

Parent company

Sweden

Total parent company

Subsidiary companies in Sweden

Subsidiary companies foreign

Oman

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Total subsidiary companies foreign

Total group

-1.6

-1.6

-2.1

-0.2

-0.4

-2.7

-4.3

-0.6

-0.6

 –

–

–

–

-0.6

-1.4

-1.4

-1.6

-0.2

–

-1.8

-3.2

Remuneration to board members AGM 2019 to AGM 2020

Geoffrey Turbott

Robert Anderson

Alexandra Herger

Magnus Nordin

Per Seime

Gavin Graham

Total

Remuneration to board members AGM 2018 to AGM 2019

-0.5

-0.5

–

–

–

–

Geoffrey Turbott

-0.5

Robert Anderson

MUSD

2019

2018

Salaries and other remuneration  
distributed between the board  

Board and 

Managing 

Board and 

Other 

Managing 

Other 

and other employees

Director

employees

Director

employees

Alexandra Herger

Magnus Nordin

Per Seime

Total

MSEK

0.765

0.395

0.400

–

0.430

0.365

2.355

MSEK

0.695

0.365

0.370

–

0.400

1.830

Parent company

Sweden

Total parent company

Subsidiary companies in Sweden

Subsidiary companies foreign

Oman

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Total subsidiary companies foreign

 -0.7

-0.7

 –

–

–

–

–

Total group

 -0.7

-0.9

-0.9

 –

-2.1

-0.2

-0.4

-2.7

-3.6

-0.6

-0.6

–

–

–

–

–

-0.6

-0.8

-0.8

–

-1.6

-0.2

–

-1.8

-2.6

During 2019, one woman has been a member of the Board of Directors, 
compared to one in 2018. No women have been members of the executive 
management. At the AGM of shareholders on 15 May 2019 Gavin Graham 
was newly elected and Robert Anderson, Alexandra Herger, Magnus Nordin, 
Per Seime and Geoffrey Turbott were re-elected members of the board. No 
deputy directors were appointed. At the same meeting, Geoffrey Turbott was 
appointed chairman of the board. There have not been any agreements on 
pensions for any of the directors of the board. For the executive manage-
ment, the pension costs follow a defined contribution plan. The increase in 
remuneration to executive management primarily relate to increased base 
salaries.

Remuneration policy to executive management
Remuneration policy to the executive management includes five elements:
•  Basic salary
•  Pension arrangements
•  Yearly  variable  salary,  including  the  right  to  participate  in  share-based 

long-term incentive programme

•  Other benefits
•  Severance arrangements

The Board has the right to deviate from the remuneration policy if there are 
particular reasons.

Basic salary
The  basic  salary  shall  be  in  line  with  market  conditions,  be  competitive, 
and shall take into account the scope and  responsibility associated with 
the  position,  as  well  as  the  skills,  experience,  and  performance  of  the 
executive.

Pension arrangements
The pension benefits comprise a defined contribution scheme with premi-
ums calculated on the full basic salary. The pension contributions shall be 
in relation to the basic salary and is set on an individual basis but shall not 
be higher than what is tax deductible.

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable salary
Senior executives shall be part of two variable remuneration systems pay-
able in cash and/or in combination with a right to acquire warrants in the 
Company in a long-term incentive programme.

Payment of variable cash remuneration shall be conditional upon the partici-
pant remaining employed for the duration of the programme. The Board has 
the right to adjust the incentive program during the term of the programme 
in  the  case  of,  for  example,  extraordinary  increases  or  decreases  in  the 
Group’s earnings. The variable remuneration shall not be pensionable.

Senior  executives  may  have  the  right  to  participate  in  share  based  long-
term incentive programs. When allocating warrants the same financial and 
operational key indicators as for variable cash salary shall be considered.

The yearly variable cash salary shall be up to 12 monthly salaries per per-
son  and  year.  The  targets  for  variable  cash  remuneration  shall  be  deter-
mined by the Board prior to each financial year and individual agreements 
shall be arranged with each participant, the content of which depends on 
the participant’s position at the time the agreement is arranged. The tar-
gets  shall  be  objectively  quantifiable  and  related  to  budget.  The  targets 
shall consist of key performance indicators both for the Group’s overall and 
financial performance as well as individual performance. The yearly variable 
salary  will  be  determined  annually  in  connection  with  publication  of  the 
year-end report for the respective financial year based on an evaluation of 
the participants’ achievement of the targets as described in the individual 
agreements.

Share based incentive programme
The share-based incentive programme has the purpose to retain and recruit 
qualified and committed personnel on a global market for oil companies. 
The programme is available to all employees and is intended to be reoc-
curring annually.

Other benefits
Non-financial benefits shall be based on market terms and shall facilitate 
the duties of each senior executive.

Severance arrangements
A mutual termination period of 12 months applies between the Company 
and  the  Managing  Director  and  up  to  six  months  between  the  Company 
and other senior executives. Severance pay shall be paid to the Managing 
Director of up to 12 months fixed salary and up to 12 months fixed salary 
for other senior executives if the Company terminates their employment.

Note 13, Financial income and similar items

Note 14, Financial expenses and similar items

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

Interest income

Currency exchange gains, net 

Other financial income

Dividend from group companies

2019

2018

0.8

0.9

–

–

0.3

1.6

–

–

Total

1.7

1.9

2019

18.3

8.7

–

276.8

303.8

2018

15.8

13.8

Interest expenses

Other financial expenses

–

Total

230.1

259.7

2019

2018

2019

2018

-0.0

-0.5

-0.5

-0.0

-0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0.0

-0.2

-0.2

0.0

-0.2

Note 16, Trade and other receivables

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

Other receivables

2019

2018

VAT

Trade receivables Oil sales

Underlift position

0.0

2.5

9.5

0.0

0.3

14.9

2.7

0.0

12.0

17.9

2019

0.0

– 

– 

0.1

0.1

2018

2.3

– 

– 

0.0

2.3

Note 15, Tax
The Group’s income tax charge amount to MUSD 0.0 (MUSD 0.0). Tethys Oil 
has not recorded a deferred tax asset in relation to the tax losses carried 
forward since there is uncertainty as to if the tax losses may be utilised. 
The tax losses are in another jurisdiction than where main profits are gener-
ated. Tax losses carried forward amounted to MSEK 239.1 (MSEK 236.3). 
There are no time limits to the utilization of the tax losses.

The tax on the parent company’s result before tax differs from the theoreti-
cal amount that would arise using the Swedish tax rate as follows:

Other

Total

Parent (MSEK)

Result before tax

Tax at applicable tax rate 21.4% (2018: 22%)

Tax on non-deductible expenses

Reversal of tax on non-taxable income

Utilized (+) / Built up (–) tax loss carry forwards previously not 

recorded as deferred tax assets

Tax expense

2019

2018

277.6

244.4

-59.4

-53.8

-0.2

60.6

-1.0

0.0

-0.1

52.4

1.5

0.0

Tethys  Oil’s  oil  and  gas  operations  in  Oman  are  governed  by  a  separate 
Exploration  and  Production  Sharing  Agreement  for  each  licence  (“EPSA”) 
whereby Tethys Oil receives its share of oil after government take. Under 
the terms of each EPSA, Tethys Oil is subject to Omani income taxes and 
royalties, which are paid in full, on behalf of Tethys Oil, from the government 
share of oil. The effect of these taxes is netted against revenue and other 
income in the income statement.

63

 
 
 
 
Note 17, Shareholders’ equity
As  at  31  December  2019,  the  number  of  outstanding  shares  in  Tethys 
Oil  amount  to  36,294,960,  with  a  quota  value  of  SEK  0.17.  All  shares 
represent one vote each. During 2019, the number of outstanding shares 
increased  by  398,650  shares,  from  35,896,310  to  36,294,960.  Tethys 
Oil  has  a  warrant-based  incentive  programme  for  employees,  for  further 
information  please  see  note  22.  As  the  average  subscription  price  for 
three tranches of the incentive programme were partly below the average 
share  price  during  2019,  dilution  effects  of  the  warrants  are  included  in 
the weighted average number of shares after dilution, which amounted to 
34,302,921 during 2019.

As  at  31  December  2019,  Tethys  Oil  held  1,954,163  of  its  own  shares 
which  have  been  purchased  since  commencement  of  the  programme  in 
the  fourth  quarter  2014.  The  purpose  of  the  repurchasing  program  is  to 
optimize  the  capital  structure  and  to  enable  any  repurchased  shares  to 
be  used  as  payment  in  connection  with,  or  financing  of,  acquisitions  of 
companies or businesses. 310,000 shares were purchased during 2019 
(–). The repurchased shares are still included in the total number of shares, 
but  are  not  included  in  the  average  number  of  shares  in  circulation.  The 
weighted average number of shares in circulation during 2019 before dilu-
tion is 34,222,908 and after dilution 34,302,921.

After 31 December 2019 and up to the date of publication for this report, 
Tethys Oil has acquired a further 1,284,189 shares.

Earnings per share
Earnings  per  share  before  dilution  are  calculated  by  dividing  profit  for 
the  year  attributable  to  ordinary  shareholders  of  the  parent  company  by 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding and in circulation 
during  the  year.  Total  repurchased  shares  amounting  to  1,954,163  have 
been excluded from shares in circulation.

Earnings per share after dilution are calculated by dividing profit for the year 
attributable  to  ordinary  shareholders  of  the  parent  company  by  weighted 
average  number  of  ordinary  shares  outstanding  and  in  circulation  during 
the year while also including the effect of warrants where the subscription 
price is below the share price.

Appropriation of profit
The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of SEK 2.00 per share (AGM 
2019: SEK 2.00). Proposed record date is 15 May 2020.

The Board of Directors proposes an extraordinary distribution of SEK 3.00 
per share by way of a mandatory share redemption programme following the 
AGM 2020 (AGM 2019: SEK 6.00). Further details to follow in the proposal 
to the 2020 AGM.

Note 18, Leasing

31 Dec 2018

1 Jan 2019  
Adjusted for IFRS 16

Lease  
liabilities,  

Lease  

liabilities, 

Jan–Dec 2019

31 Dec 2019

Lease  

liabilities, 

MUSD 

assets 

bearing

assets

bearing

leasing debt Depreciation

costs

assets

bearing

Right of use 

interest  

Right of use 

interest  

Payment of 

Interest  

Right of use 

interest  

Fixed assets (incl. in Other fixed assets)

Short term leasing debt (incl. in Accounts 

payable and other current liabilities)

Long term leasing debt (incl. in Other non-

current liabilities)

Interest costs

Total

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.7

–

–

–

0.7

–

-0.2

-0.5

–

-0.7

–

0.2

–

–

0.2

-0,2

–

–

–

-0.2

–

–

–

0.0

0.0

0,5

–

–

–

0.5

–

-0.0

-0.5

0.0

-0.5

Note 19, Other non-current liabilities
Tethys  Oil  has  a  non-current  liability  of  MUSD  1.0  relating  to  the  Export 
Reporting  Error.  Final  settlement  has  been  agreed  in  the  first  quarter 
2019 and outstanding amounts are therefore now treated as liabilities as 
opposed to provisions in previous year.

Note 20,  Accounts payable and other current 

liabilities

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

Accounts payable and  
other current liabilities

31 Decem-

31 Decem-

31 Decem-

31 Decem-

ber 2019

ber 2018

ber 2019

ber 2018

Accounts payable

Operator balance. Blocks 3&4 Oman

Other current liabilities

Total

0.4

10.8

1.7

12.9

0.1

9.9

3.9

13.9

1.5

– 

3.9

5.4

1.1

–

2.8

3.9

64

Note 21, Shares in subsidiaries

Company

Tethys Oil Invest AB

Tethys Oil Exploration AB

Tethys Oil France AB

Reg. Number

556658-1442

556658-1483

556658-1491

Sweden

Sweden

Sweden

Tethys Oil Middle East North Africa B.V.

27306813

Netherlands

Tethys Oil Oman Ltd

Tethys Oil Block 3&4 Ltd

Tethys Oil Montasar Ltd

Tethys Oil Oman Onshore Ltd

95212

101981

115710

118203

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Reg. office

Number of shares

Percentage

per share

Nominal value  

1,000

1,000

1,000

18,000

100

1,000

1,000

1,000

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

SEK 100

SEK 100

SEK 100

EUR 1

GBP 1

USD 1

USD 1

USD 1

On 26 February 2019 Tethys Oil Turkey AB was sold to Svenska Standard-
bolag AB for liquidation. Tethys Oil Turkey AB had no operations at the time 
of liquidation. The effect on the parent company’s financial statements and 
position resulting from its sale and liquidation was immaterial. 

On 14 March 2019 Windsor Petroleum (Spain) Inc. was liquidated. Windsor 
Petroleum (Spain) Inc. had no operations at the time of its liquidation. The 
effect on the parent company’s financial statements and position resulting 
from its liquidation was immaterial.

Shares in subsidiaries, MSEK

1 January

Acquisitions/Relinquishments

Merger

31 December

Parent,

2019

1.0

0.0

–

1.0

Parent 

2018

0.9

0.0

0.1

1.0

Note 22, Incentive programme
Tethys Oil has an incentive programme as part of the remuneration package 
to  employees.  The  allocation  is  not  guaranteed  and  the  Board  of  Direc-
tors  of  the  Company  shall  resolve  on  and  implement  the  allocation.  The 
warrants have no vesting period or other restrictions and have been trans-
ferred  free  of  charge  to  the  participants  and  the  Group  accounts  for  any 
income  tax  for  the  participants  to  the  extent  such  tax  is  attributable  to 
the programme. The market value of the warrants has been calculated in 
accordance with the Black & Scholes formula by an independent valuation 

institution. The subscription price is based on the volume-weighted average 
of the purchase price for the Company’s share on Nasdaq Stockholm during 
approximately a two week period prior to the date of allocation.

Warrants were issued 2019 and 2018 following a decision by the respec-
tive  AGM.  The  number  of  issued  warrants  during  2019  was  350,000 
(350,000) and the number of warrants allocated during 2019 was 350,000 
(329,000). Issued but not allocated warrants are held by the Company. War-
rants exercised during the year were 335,000 and expired 15,000.

Warrant incentive  

Subscription  

Shares per 

Number of warrants

programme

Exercise period

price, SEK

warrant

1 Jan 2019

Issued 2019

Exercised 2019

Expired 2019

31 Dec 2019

2016 incentive programme

28 May – 4 Oct. 2019

2017 incentive programme

30 May – 2 Oct. 2020

2018 incentive programme

1 Jun – 2 Oct. 2021

2019 incentive programme

1 Jun – 7 Oct. 2022

55.00

75.10

81.70

78.50

1.19

1.14

1.09

1.00

350,000

350,000

350,000

–

1,050,000

–

–

–

350,000

350,000

335,000

15,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

350,000

350,000

350,000

335,000

15,000

1,050,000

Subscription  

Shares per 

Number of warrants

Exercise period

price, SEK

warrant

1 Jan 2018

Issued 2018

Exercised 2018

Expired 2018

31 Dec 2018

2015 incentive programme

23 May – 5 Oct, 2018

2016 incentive programme

28 May – 4 Oct, 2019

2017 incentive programme

30 May – 2 Oct, 2020

2018 incentive programme

1 Jun – 2 Oct, 2021

73.50

59.90

81.80

89.00

1.13

1.10

1.04

1.00

356,000

350,000

350,000

–

–

–

– 

350,000

312,000

44,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

350,000

350,000

350,000

Total

1,056,000

350,000

312,000

44,000

1,050,000

Group MUSD

Parent MSEK

Warrant incentive programme

2019

2018

2019

2018

Incentive programme cost

Total

-0.7

-0.7

-0.5

-0.5

-3.9

-3.9

-2.1

-2.1

As the average subscription price for three tranches of the incentive pro-
gramme  were  partly  below  the  average  share  price  during  2019,  dilution 
effects  of  the  warrants  are  included  in  the  weighted  average  number  of 
shares  after  dilution,  which  amounted  to  34,302,921  during  2019.  The 
cost is calculated in accordance with the Black & Scholes formula where 
the main inputs are the factors in the above table, expected volatility, share 
price at valuation and an equity discount rate. The cost for the incentive 
programme is included as part of administrative expenses and includes tax 
and social charges where applicable.

65

Total

Warrant incentive  
programme

 
 
Note 23, Pledged assets 
As at 31 December 2019, pledged assets amounted to MUSD 0.5 related 
to a pledge in relation to office rental in the parent company (0.5).

Note 24, Contingent liabilities
There are no outstanding contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2019, 
nor for the comparative period.

Note 25, Related party transactions 
In  the  Tethys  Oil  Group,  Tethys  Oil  AB  (publ)  with  organisational  number 
556615-8266 is the parent company. Material subsidiaries include Tethys 
Oil  Block  3&4  Limited,  Tethys  Oil  Montasar  Limited  and  Tethys  Oil  Oman 
Onshore Limited.

During the year, the Company entered into the following significant transac-
tions with related parties.

Transactions with group companies, MSEK

Interest income

Other income

Dividend income

Total

Balance with related parties, MSEK

Receivable from subsidiaries

Total

Balance with related parties, MSEK

Payable to subsidiaries

Total

2019

17.7

10.7 

276.7

305.1

2019

446.2

446.3

2019

8.6

8.6

2018

15.6

9.7

230.1

255.4

2018

222.0

222.0

2018

12.2

12.2

The  receivables  or  payables  from  related  parties  arise  from  the  net  of 
purchased services and upstreamed or downstreamed funds between par-
ent and subsidiaries. The interest rates on receivables are in the range of 
LIBOR +4–6% per annum. Receivables are long term in duration and unse-
cured in nature. Payables are short term in duration, unsecured in nature 
and bear no interest.

Note, 26 Subsequent events
In  January  2020,  an  outbreak  of  a  highly  contagious  novel  coronavirus 
(Covid-19) started in China. The virus has subsequently spread to the rest 
of the world and as of March, was declared a global pandemic by the World 
Health Organisation (WHO). As the outbreak of Covid-19 has spread, gov-
ernments and authorities around the world have responded with measures 
to limit the contagion. These measures have included limitations in interna-
tional travel, movements of individuals within cities and countries, closure 
of borders, closure of shops, restaurants and places of work as well as in 
some cases limitations on people's ability to leave their homes. The scope 
of  the  measures  implemented  is  changing  rapidly  making  the  effects  dif-
ficult to predict.

The various restrictions put in place in addition to the focusing of resources 
to  fight  the  disease  and  treating  those  infected  has  already  had  notable 
impact  on  local  economies,  travel  and  international  trade.  As  the  spread 
of the disease continues to develop, the full effect of the pandemic on the 
world  economy  will  not  be  known  for  some  time.  In  the  countries  where 
Tethys Oil has a presence measures have been taken that have restricted 
normal  movement  of  the  Group's  employees.  Thus  far  the  virus  and  the 
resulting  restrictions  have  not  had  any  material  impact  on  Tethys  Oil's 
employees'  health  and  wellbeing,  although  going  forward  such  risks  can-
not be ruled out. The impact of the restrictions and other measures on the 
Group's ability to operate have thus far been limited but, it cannot be ruled 
out,  that  the  restrictions  on  movements,  trade  and  transport  can  come 
to impact the company's ability to execute its operations, especially with 
regards to dependence upon international supply-chains. 

The  Covid-19  outbreak  and  the  economic  impact  of  resulting  measures 
to  restrict  its  spread  has  had  a  profound  effect  on  international  energy 
markets. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and other forecasters are 
currently  expecting  demand  to  decline  by  between  10–20  percent  in  the 
second quarter of 2020 and given the continued contagion it is uncertain 
how long the demand weakness will persist.

Coinciding with the decline in oil demand, in March 2020 the OPEC+ group 
of countries failed to reach an agreement to increase and extend its produc-
tion limitations that aim to stabilise the oil price. Following the breakdown 
of OPEC+ talks, a number of its key members, rather than cutting produc-
tion further, opted to increase oil output. 

The  combination  of  a  decline  in  demand  and  increased  supply  from  the 
OPEC+  countries  has  resulted  in  oversupply  of  the  market  and  sent  oil 
prices  tumbling.  Both  the  Brent  and  WTI  oil  price  benchmarks  have  lost 
more than 50 percent of their value since the start of the year. Share prices 
of  listed  oil  companies  have  also  declined  significantly  in  the  same  time 
period.

The Covid-19 outbreak's impact on the economy and energy prices, and the 
risk to Tethys Oil's ability to conduct its operations are currently subject to 
significant  uncertainty.  The  lower  oil  prices  will  impact  Tethys  Oil's  profit-
ability and free cash flows in 2020 and potentially beyond, also it cannot be 
ruled out that it may have an impact on the long-term value of its assets.  

On the 25 March 2020, HM the Sultan of Oman issued Royal Decree No. 
35/2020 authorising the assignment of 20% of the rights and obligations 
of  Biyaq  Oilfield  Services  LLC  in  the  Exploration  and  Production  Sharing 
Agreement  for  Block  56  to  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Tethys  Oil  AB. 
The issuance of Royal Decree No. 35/2020 constitutes the final approval 
required to effect Tethys Oil's farm-in to Block 56.

On  the  6  April  2020,  Tethys  Oil  announced  a  revised  financial  guidance 
for the full year 2020. Guidance for capital expenditures related to oil and 
gas  assets  was  revised  to  MUSD  50–64  from  previously  MUSD  64–71. 
The  expected  annual  average  production  of  12,600–13,400  barrels  per 
day before government take, and the operating expenses of USD 11.5 per 
barrel remain unchanged.

66

Assurance

The Board of Directors and the managing director declare that the 
consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accord-
ance  with  IFRS  as  adopted  by  the  EU  and  give  a  true  and  fair 
view  of  the  Group’s  financial  position  and  results  of  operations. 
The  financial  statements  of  the  parent  company  have  been  pre-
pared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
in Sweden and give a true and fair view of the parent company’s 

financial position and results of operations. The statutory Admin-
istration Report of the Group and the parent company provides 
a  fair  review  of  the  development  of  the  Group’s  and  the  parent 
company’s operations, financial position and results of operations 
and  describes  material  risks  and  uncertainties  facing  the  parent 
company and the companies included in the Group.

Stockholm, 9 April 2020

Geoffrey Turbott 
Chairman of the board

Rob Anderson 
Director

Alexandra Herger 
Director

Gavin Graham 
Director

Magnus Nordin 
Managing Director

Per Seime 
Director

Auditor’s endorsement

Our audit report was submitted on 9 April 2020.
PricewaterhouseCoopers AB

Ulrika Ramsvik 
Authorized Public Accountant
Lead Partner

Bo Hjalmarsson 
Authorized Public Accountant

67

 
Auditor’s report

Auditor’s report

To the general meeting of the shareholders of Tethys Oil AB (publ), corporate identity number 556615-8266

Report on the annual accounts and consolidated accounts

Opinions
We have audited the annual accounts and consolidated accounts of 
Tethys Oil AB (publ) for the year 2019. 

The annual accounts and consolidated accounts of the company 
are included on pages 35–67 in this document.

In our opinion, the annual accounts have been prepared in accord-
ance with the Annual Accounts Act and present fairly, in all mate-
rial  respects,  the  financial  position  of  parent  company  and  the 
group as of 31 December 2019 and its financial performance and 
cash flow for the year then ended in accordance with the Annual 
Accounts Act. 

The consolidated accounts have been prepared in accordance with 
the Annual Accounts Act and present fairly, in all material respects, 
the financial position of the group as of 31 December 2019 and 
their financial performance and cash flow for the year then ended 
in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 
(IFRS), as adopted by the EU, and the Annual Accounts Act. The 
statutory administration report is consistent with the other parts 
of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts.

We therefore recommend that the general meeting of sharehold-
ers adopts the income statement and balance sheet for the parent 
company and the group.

Our opinions in this report on the annual accounts and consoli-
dated accounts are consistent with the content of the additional 
report  that  has  been  submitted  to  the  parent  company’s  audit 
committee in accordance with the Audit Regulation (537/2014) 
Article 11.

Basis for Opinions
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Stand-
ards on Auditing (ISA) and generally accepted auditing standards 
in Sweden. Our responsibilities under those standards are further 
described  in  the  Auditor’s  Responsibilities  section.  We  are  inde-
pendent of the parent company and the group in accordance with 
professional  ethics  for  accountants  in  Sweden  and  have  other-
wise fulfilled our ethical responsibilities in accordance with these 
requirements. This includes that, based on the best of our knowl-
edge  and  belief,  no  prohibited  services  referred  to  in  the  Audit 
Regulation  (537/2014)  Article  5.1  have  been  provided  to  the 
audited company or, where applicable, its parent company or its 
controlled companies within the EU.

Our audit approach
Audit scope
Tethys  Oil  is  a  Swedish  Oil  and  Gas  company  with  its  primary 
operations located in Oman. The operations in Oman represented 
100% of the group’s revenue for the financial year 2019 and 70% 
of the group’s assets as per 31 December 2019. We designed our 
audit by determining materiality and assessing the risks of mate-
rial misstatement in the consolidated financial statements. In par-
ticular, we considered where the management and the Managing 
Director made subjective judgements; for example, in respect of 
significant  accounting  estimates  that  involved  making  assump-
tions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. 
As in all of our audits, we also addressed the risk of management 
override of internal controls, including among other matters con-
sideration of whether there was evidence of bias that represented a 
risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient 
work to enable us to provide an opinion on the consolidated finan-
cial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the 
Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in 
which the Group operates.

Our planning of the audit included an assessment of the level of 
audit  work  to  be  performed  at  the  group’s  headquarters  and  at 
local offices. Following the group’s organisation certain processes 
for accounting and financial reporting are performed outside the 
group’s headquarter which means that we as a group audit team 
performed our audit work at the group’s headquarters but we also 
obtained  reporting  from  specified  procedures  performed  by  our 
audit team in Oman. 

We have reported the results from our procedures to management 
and the Audit Committee after the review of the Report for the six 
months period ended 30 June, 2019 and after the year-end audit 
of the financial year 2019.

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of mate-
riality. An audit is designed to obtain reasonable assurance whether 
the financial statements are free from material misstatement. Mis-
statements  may  arise  due  to  fraud  or  error.  They  are  considered 
material if individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the 
basis of the consolidated financial statements.

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

Based  on  our  professional  judgement,  we  determined  certain 
quantitative thresholds for materiality, including the overall group 
materiality  for  the  consolidated  financial  statements  as  a  whole. 

68

These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to deter-
mine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of 
our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, 
both individually and in aggregate on the financial statements as 
a whole.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters of the audit are those matters that, in our pro-
fessional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the 
annual accounts and consolidated accounts of the current period. 
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of, and 
in  forming  our  opinion  thereon,  the  annual  accounts  and  con-
solidated accounts as a whole, but we do not provide a separate 
opinion on these matters.

Key audit matter
Recoverability of the carrying value of oil and gas 
properties
The carrying value of oil and gas properties amounted to USD 
211.7  million  as  per  31  December  2019  and  the  major  part 
represented by the producing assets in Blocks 3 & 4 in Oman. 
The oil and gas properties relating to Block 3 & 4 in Oman 
amounted to USD 194.8 million by 31 December 2019.

During  the  year  management  follows  a  process  to  identify 
potential indicators of impairment and to the extent that indi-
cators are identified impairment tests are prepared.

The carrying value of oil and gas properties is supported by the 
higher of either value in use calculations or fair value less cost 
of disposal (recoverable amount). 

The assessment to identify potential impairment indicators and 
to perform impairment tests requires management to exercise 
significant judgement where there is a risk that the valuation of 
oil and gas properties and any potential impairment charge or 
reversal of impairment may be incorrect.

Management’s test requires consideration of a number of fac-
tors, including but not limited to, the Group’s intention to pro-
ceed with a future work programme, the probability of success 
of future drilling, the size of proved, probable reserves as well 
as prospective resources, short and long term oil prices, future 
costs as well as the discount and inflation rates. 

Following the analysis of potential impairment indicators for 
Blocks  3  &  4  in  it  was  concluded  that  no  impairment  was 
recorded.

Refer to pages 38–39 in the Directors’ report, page 54 in the 
Accounting  Policies  and  note  2  and  8  in  the  financial  state-
ments for more information.

How our audit addressed the Key audit matter
We have audited management’s assessment for determining the 
impairment indicators and concluded that there are no impair-
ment indicators identified.

The  assumptions  that  underpin  management’s  assessment  are 
inherently judgmental. Our audit work therefore assessed the 
reasonableness of management’s key judgements of the recover-
able amount of Blocks 3 & 4. Specifically our work included, 
but was not limited to, the following procedures:

•  comparison  of  management’s  short-term  oil  price  assump-

tions against external oil price forward curves;

•  comparison  of  long-term  oil  price  assumptions  against 
views  published  by  brokers,  economists,  consultancies  and 
respected industry bodies, which provided a range of relevant 
third-party data points;

•  reconciliation of hydrocarbon production profiles to the com-
bination of proved and probable reserves from reserve reports 
from ERC Equipoise Limited and contingent resources esti-
mates prepared by in-house reservoir engineer;

•  verification of estimated future costs by agreement to budgets 

and where applicable, third party data; 

•  benchmarking of inflation and discount rates applied; 
•  testing of the mathematical accuracy of the model 

We have obtained the estimation of proven and probable reserves 
and contingent resources certified by the group’s external reserves 
auditor  and  management’s  in-house  estimation  of  contingent 
resources. Our work included but was not limited to:

•  determining  that  the  group’s  process  for  collecting  relevant 

reports were sufficiently robust; 

•  assessing competence and objectivity of reserves auditor ERC 
Equipoise  Limited,  to  satisfy  ourselves  they  were  appropri-
ately qualified to carry out the volumes estimation;

•  assessing  the  process  for  making  in-house  estimates  of  pro-

spective resources;

•  validation of that the updated reserves and resources estimates 
were included appropriately in management’s consideration 
of impairment and in accounting for depletion charges.

69

Other Information than the annual accounts and 
consolidated accounts
This  document  also  contains  other  information  than  the  annual 
accounts and consolidated accounts and is found on pages 1–19 
and  26–34.  Other  information  those  not  include  the  Financial 
statements, consolidated accounts and our audit report related to 
the Financial statements. The Board of Directors and the Manag-
ing Director are responsible for this other information. 

Our  opinion  on  the  annual  accounts  and  consolidated  accounts 
does not cover this other information and we do not express any 
form of assurance conclusion regarding this other information.

In connection with our audit of the annual accounts and consoli-
dated accounts, our responsibility is to read the information iden-
tified  above  and  consider  whether  the  information  is  materially 
inconsistent with the annual accounts and consolidated accounts. 
In this procedure we also take into account our knowledge oth-
erwise obtained in the audit and assess whether the information 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If we, based on the work performed concerning this information, 
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other infor-
mation, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to 
report in this regard.

Responsibilities of the Board of Director’s and the 
Managing Director
The Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsi-
ble  for  the  preparation  of  the  annual  accounts  and  consolidated 
accounts  and  that  they  give  a  fair  presentation  in  accordance 
with the Annual Accounts Act and, concerning the consolidated 
accounts,  in  accordance  with  IFRS  as  adopted  by  the  EU.  The 
Board of Directors and the Managing Director are also responsible 
for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable 

the preparation of annual accounts and consolidated accounts that 
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the annual accounts and consolidated accounts, The 
Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsible for 
the assessment of the company’s and the group’s ability to continue 
as a going concern. They disclose, as applicable, matters related to 
going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting. 
The going concern basis of accounting is however not applied if 
the Board of Directors and the Managing Director intend to liqui-
date the company, to cease operations, or has no realistic alterna-
tive but to do so.

The  Audit  Committee  shall,  without  prejudice  to  the  Board  of 
Director’s responsibilities and tasks in general, among other things 
oversee the company’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s responsibility
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the annual accounts and consolidated accounts as a whole are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to 
issue  an  auditor’s  report  that  includes  our  opinions.  Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an 
audit conducted in accordance with ISAs and generally accepted 
auditing  standards  in  Sweden  will  always  detect  a  material  mis-
statement  when  it  exists.  Misstatements  can  arise  from  fraud  or 
error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggre-
gate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of these annual accounts and 
consolidated accounts.

A  further  description  of  our  responsibility  for  the  audit  of  the 
annual  accounts  and  consolidated  accounts  is  available  on  Revi-
sorsinspektionen’s  website:  www.revisorsinspektionen.se/revisorn-
sansvar. This description is part of the auditor’s report.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Opinions
In addition to our audit of the annual accounts and consolidated 
accounts, we have also audited the administration of the Board of 
Director’s  and  the  Managing  Director  of Tethys  Oil  AB  for  the 
year 2019 and the proposed appropriations of the company’s profit 
or loss.

We  recommend  to  the  general  meeting  of  shareholders  that  the 
profit be appropriated in accordance with the proposal in the stat-
utory administration report and that the members of the Board of 
Director’s and the Managing Director be discharged from liability 
for the financial year.

Basis for Opinions
We  conducted  the  audit  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted 
auditing  standards  in  Sweden.  Our  responsibilities  under  those 

standards  are  further  described  in  the  Auditor’s  Responsibilities 
section. We are independent of the parent company and the group 
in accordance with professional ethics for accountants in Sweden 
and have otherwise fulfilled our ethical responsibilities in accord-
ance with these requirements.

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

Responsibilities of the Board of Director’s and the 
Managing Director
The Board of Directors is responsible for the proposal for appro-
priations  of  the  company’s  profit  or  loss.  At  the  proposal  of  a 
dividend, this includes an assessment of whether the dividend is 
justifiable considering the requirements which the company’s and 
the group’s type of operations, size and risks place on the size of 

70

the parent company’s and the group’ equity, consolidation require-
ments, liquidity and position in general.

•  in any other way has acted in contravention of the Companies 
Act, the Annual Accounts Act or the Articles of Association.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the company’s organiza-
tion and the administration of the company’s affairs. This includes 
among other things continuous assessment of the company’s and 
the  group’s  financial  situation  and  ensuring  that  the  company’s 
organization is designed so that the accounting, management of 
assets and the company’s financial affairs otherwise are controlled 
in  a  reassuring  manner.  The  Managing  Director  shall  manage 
the  ongoing  administration  according  to  the  Board  of  Direc-
tors’  guidelines  and  instructions  and  among  other  matters  take 
measures that are necessary to fulfill the company’s accounting in 
accordance  with  law  and  handle  the  management  of  assets  in  a 
reassuring manner.

Auditor’s responsibility
Our  objective  concerning  the  audit  of  the  administration,  and 
thereby  our  opinion  about  discharge  from  liability,  is  to  obtain 
audit  evidence  to  assess  with  a  reasonable  degree  of  assurance 
whether any member of the Board of Directors or the Managing 
Director in any material respect:

•  has undertaken any action or been guilty of any omission which 

can give rise to liability to the company, or

Our objective concerning the audit of the proposed appropriations 
of  the  company’s  profit  or  loss,  and  thereby  our  opinion  about 
this, is to assess with reasonable degree of assurance whether the 
proposal is in accordance with the Companies Act.

Reasonable  assurance  is  a  high  level  of  assurance,  but  is  not  a 
guarantee  that  an  audit  conducted  in  accordance  with  generally 
accepted auditing standards in Sweden will always detect actions 
or omissions that can give rise to liability to the company, or that 
the proposed appropriations of the company’s profit or loss are not 
in accordance with the Companies Act.

A  further  description  of  our  responsibility  for  the  audit  of  the 
administration  is  available  on  Revisorsinspektionen’s  website: 
www.revisorsinspektionen.se/revisornsansvar.  This  description  is 
part of the auditor’s report.

PricewaterhouseCoopers  AB,  405  32  Göteborg,  was  appointed 
auditor of Tethys Oil AB by the general meeting of the sharehold-
ers on the 15 May 2019 and has been the company’s auditor since 
the 2001. The company has been listed at NasdaqOMX since the 
2 May 2013. 

Stockholm, 9 April 2020

PricewaterhouseCoopers AB

Ulrika Ramsvik
Authorized Public Accountant
Lead Partner

Bo Hjalmarsson
Authorized Public Accountant

Financial information

The company plans to publish the following financial reports:
First quarter report 2020 (January – March 2020) on 5 May 2020
Second quarter report 2020 (January – June 2020) on 11 August 2020
Third quarter report 2020 (January – September 2020) on 3 November 2020
Fourth quarter report 2020 (January – December 2020) on 9 February 2021

71

Address

Corporate Head Office

Tethys Oil AB (publ)
Hovslagargatan 5B
SE-111 48  Stockholm 
Sweden

Telephone: +46 8 505 947 00 
Fax: +46 8 505 947 99
E-mail: info@tethysoil.com

www.tethysoil.com

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